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17 pages, 1808 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Volatilome Analysis of Soursop Fruits for the Determination of Kairomone Components That Attract the Annonaceae Fruit Weevil (Optatus palmaris Pascoe)

by J. M. Pineda-Ríos, J. Cibrián-Tovar, R. M. López-Romero, L. M. Hernández-Fuentes, L. Soto-Rojas, C. Llanderal-Cázares, P. R. García-Sosa and L. F. Salomé-Abarca

Plants 2023, 12(22), 3898; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12223898 - 18 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1097

Abstract

Soursop possesses the largest fruit size of the Annona genus. However, this species is threatened by the Annonaceae fruit weevil (Optatus palmaris), which can cause the destruction of whole soursop fruits. Recently, the potential of semiochemicals for the management of this [...] Read more.

Soursop possesses the largest fruit size of the Annona genus. However, this species is threatened by the Annonaceae fruit weevil (Optatus palmaris), which can cause the destruction of whole soursop fruits. Recently, the potential of semiochemicals for the management of this insect is highlighted, and its aggregation pheromone has been elucidated. This pheromone works well only when mixed with soursop volatiles. Thus, the aim of this research was to determine specific kairomone components to potentiate the aggregation pheromone of this Annonaceae fruit weevil. This task was carried out via volatilome analysis of soursop fruits, which was correlated with the biological activity of the identified volatiles. The GC–MS analysis of aroma collections of mature soursop fruits and flowers, determined using multivariate data analysis, confirmed a volatile differentiation between these organs. The volatile variation between fruits and flowers was reflected in weevils’ preference for mature fruits instead of flowers. Moreover, weevils’ response to soursop fruits increased with more mature fruits. This was correlated with volatile changes throughout the phenological stages of soursop fruits. The two volatiles most correlated with weevils’ attraction were benzothiazole and (E)-β-caryophyllene. These volatiles only evoked a response when mixed and potentiated the attraction of the aggregation pheromone. Thus, these two volatiles are active kairomone components with the potential for being used in combination with the aggregation pheromone of Annonaceae fruit weevils in field trials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification and Analysis of Bioactive Components from Plants)

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16 pages, 2305 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Characterization and Quality Assessment of Copaiba Oil-Resin Using GC/MS and SFC/MS

by Joseph Lee, Mei Wang, Jianping Zhao, Zulfiqar Ali, Mohammed F. Hawwal and Ikhlas A. Khan

Plants 2023, 12(8), 1619; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12081619 - 11 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2063

Abstract

In recent years, the popularity of copaiba oil-resin has increased worldwide due to its medicinal value and wide applications in industry. Despite its popularity, the oil has not been standardized by industry or regulatory agencies. Product adulteration in order to maximize profits has [...] Read more.

In recent years, the popularity of copaiba oil-resin has increased worldwide due to its medicinal value and wide applications in industry. Despite its popularity, the oil has not been standardized by industry or regulatory agencies. Product adulteration in order to maximize profits has become a problem. To address these issues, the current study describes the chemical and chemometric characterization of forty copaiba oil-resin samples by GC/MS. The results demonstrated, with the exception of commercial samples, that all sample groups contained six characteristic compounds (β-caryophyllene, α-copaene, trans-α-bergamotene, α-humulene, γ-muurolene, and β-bisabolene) in varying concentrations. Furthermore, compositional patterns were observed in individual groups which corresponded to sample origin. Within the commercial group, two samples did not contain or contained only one of the characteristic compounds. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct groups which largely corresponded to sample origin. Moreover, commercial samples were detected by PCA as outliers, and formed a group far removed from the other samples. These samples were further subjected to analysis using a SFC/MS method. Product adulteration with soybean oil was clearly detected, with each individual triglyceride in soybean oil being unambiguously identified. By combining these analytical techniques, the overall quality of copaiba oil-resin can be assessed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification and Analysis of Bioactive Components from Plants)

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15 pages, 914 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Glyoxalase I Assay as a Possible Tool for Evaluation of Biological Activity of Antioxidant-Rich Plant Extracts

by Maura Nicoletta Laus, Federica Blando and Mario Soccio

Plants 2023, 12(5), 1150; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051150 - 03 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1311

Abstract

The health-promoting properties of natural plant bioactive compounds are mainly attributable to their ability to counteract oxidative stress. This is considered a major causative factor in aging and aging-related human diseases, in which a causal role is also ascribed to dicarbonyl stress. This [...] Read more.

The health-promoting properties of natural plant bioactive compounds are mainly attributable to their ability to counteract oxidative stress. This is considered a major causative factor in aging and aging-related human diseases, in which a causal role is also ascribed to dicarbonyl stress. This is due to accumulation of methylglyoxal (MG) and other reactive dicarbonyl species, leading to macromolecule glycation and cell/tissue dysfunction. The glyoxalase (GLYI) enzyme, catalyzing the rate-limiting step of the GSH-dependent MG detoxification pathway, plays a key role in cell defense against dicarbonyl stress. Therefore, the study of GLYI regulation is of relevant interest. In particular, GLYI inducers are important for pharmacological interventions to sustain healthy aging and to improve dicarbonyl-related diseases; GLYI inhibitors, allowing increased MG levels to act as proapoptotic agents in tumor cells, are of special interest in cancer treatment. In this study, we performed a new in vitro exploration of biological activity of plant bioactive compounds by associating the measurement of their antioxidant capacity (AC) with the evaluation of their potential impact on dicarbonyl stress measured as capability to modulate GLYI activity. AC was evaluated using TEAC, ORAC, and LOX-FL methods. The GLYI assay was performed using a human recombinant isoform, in comparison with the recently characterized GLYI activity of durum wheat mitochondria. Different plant extracts were tested, obtained from plant sources with very high phytochemical content (‘Sun Black’ and wildtype tomatoes, black and ‘Polignano’ carrots, and durum wheat grain). Results showed high antioxidant properties of the tested extracts, associated with different modes (no effect, activation, and inhibition) and effectiveness in modulating both GLYI activity sources. Overall, results indicate the GLYI assay as an advisable and promising tool for researching plant foods as a source of natural antioxidant compounds acting as GLYI enzymatic regulators to be used for dietary management associated the treatment of oxidative/dicarbonyl-promoted diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification and Analysis of Bioactive Components from Plants)

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8 pages, 541 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Updated Mineral Composition and Potential Therapeutic Properties of Different Varieties of Olive Leaves from Olea europaea

by Natália M. de Oliveira, Lara Lopes, Maria Helena Chéu, Eugénio Soares, Diana Meireles and Jorge Machado

Plants 2023, 12(4), 916; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12040916 - 17 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1338

Abstract

Olea europaea L. folium has been studied for its potential nutraceutical properties. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted on samples of Madural, Verdeal, and Cobrançosa elementary leaves and leave sprouts (mamões) collected in the region of Valpaços, Portugal. Mineral analysis determined [...] Read more.

Olea europaea L. folium has been studied for its potential nutraceutical properties. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted on samples of Madural, Verdeal, and Cobrançosa elementary leaves and leave sprouts (mamões) collected in the region of Valpaços, Portugal. Mineral analysis determined the measurements of the levels of several macro- and micro-elements based on ICP-MS techniques. The inorganic analysis in this work allowed us to propose olive leaf extract (OLE) from different cultivars as a viable and affordable source of mineral substrates to address disorders related to essential elements such as Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, and Cu deficiencies. Given the importance of the research on novel therapies, finding a suitable substrate for extracting quality amounts of mineral is a priority. The physiological influence of enzymes dependent on minerals with regard to neuroinflammatory and neurobehavioral, metabolic, cardiovascular, osteodegenerative, anti-aging, pulmonary, and immunological defense disorders might dictate the importance of further research for designing supplementation based on the nutraceutical potential of OLE of these cultivars predominant in the northern region of Portugal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification and Analysis of Bioactive Components from Plants)

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19 pages, 6665 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Updated Organic Composition and Potential Therapeutic Properties of Different Varieties of Olive Leaves from Olea europaea

by Diana Melo Ferreira, Natália M. de Oliveira, Maria Helena Chéu, Diana Meireles, Lara Lopes, Maria Beatriz Oliveira and Jorge Machado

Plants 2023, 12(3), 688; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030688 - 03 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2203

Abstract

Olea europaea L. folium merits further exploration of the potential of its substrates for therapeutic supplements. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted on samples of Madural, Verdeal, and Cobrançosa elementary leaves and leaf sprouts (mamões) collected in the region of Valpaços, [...] Read more.

Olea europaea L. folium merits further exploration of the potential of its substrates for therapeutic supplements. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted on samples of Madural, Verdeal, and Cobrançosa elementary leaves and leaf sprouts (mamões) collected in the region of Valpaços, Portugal. Organic analysis assessed the moisture content, total carbohydrates, ash, protein, and fat contents, total phenolic content (TPC), vitamin E, and fatty acid (FA) profiles. Moisture content was determined through infrared hygrometry and TPC was determined by a spectrophotometric method. Concerning organic analysis, all leaf samples showed similar moisture content, though Cobrançosa’s leaf sprouts and Verdeal’s elementary leaves had slightly lower contents. Meanwhile, these cultivars also showed a higher TPC, α-tocopherol isomer, and fatty acid composition (FAC). FAC in all samples exhibited higher contents of PUFA and SFA than MUFA, with a predominance of linolenic and palmitic acids. Organic analyses of Cobrançosa’s leaf sprouts and Verdeal’s elementary leaf extracts allow for the prediction of adequate physiological properties regarding neuroinflammatory, neurobehavioral, metabolic, cardiovascular, osteo-degenerative, anti-ageing, pulmonary, and immunological defense disorders. These physiological changes observed in our preliminary in silico studies suggest an excellent nutraceutical, which should be borne in mind during severe pandemic situations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification and Analysis of Bioactive Components from Plants)

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9 pages, 3088 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

NMR-Based Metabolomics for Geographical Discrimination of Adhatoda vasica Leaves

by Muhammad Jahangir, Atta-ur-Rehman, Ibrahim Bayoumi Abdel Farid, Robert Verpoorte, Imran Khan and Jiangnan Peng

Plants 2023, 12(3), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030453 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1496

Abstract

Adhatoda vasica (L.), Nees is a widespread plant in Asia. It is used in Ayurvedic and Unani medications for the management of various infections and health disorders, especially as a decoction to treat cough, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Although it has a diverse [...] Read more.

Adhatoda vasica (L.), Nees is a widespread plant in Asia. It is used in Ayurvedic and Unani medications for the management of various infections and health disorders, especially as a decoction to treat cough, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Although it has a diverse metabolomic profile, this plant is particularly known for its alkaloids. The present study is the first to report a broad range of present compounds, e.g., α-linolenic acid, acetate, alanine, threonine, valine, glutamate, malate, fumaric acid, sucrose, β-glucose, kaempferol analogues, quercetin analogues, luteolin, flavone glucoside, vasicine and vasicinone, which were identified by NMR spectroscopy-based metabolomics. Multivariate data analysis was used to analyze ¹H-NMR bucketed data from a number of Adhatoda vasica leave samples collected from eight different regions in Pakistan. The results showed large variability in metabolomic fingerprints. The major difference was on the basis of longitude/latitude and altitude of the areas, with both primary and secondary metabolites discriminating the samples from various regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification and Analysis of Bioactive Components from Plants)

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13 pages, 1233 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Solid-Phase Fermentation on Flavonoids, Phenolic Acids, Tannins and Antioxidant Activity in Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub (Fireweed) Leaves

by Marius Lasinskas, Elvyra Jariene, Nijole Vaitkeviciene, Jurgita Kulaitiene, Aida Adamaviciene and Ewelina Hallmann

Plants 2023, 12(2), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020277 - 06 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1641

Abstract

At present, the consumption of medical plants and functional foods is growing across the whole world. Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub), an important medicinal plant that has various pharmacological effects (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and others), can improve the state of health and well-being [...] Read more.

At present, the consumption of medical plants and functional foods is growing across the whole world. Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub), an important medicinal plant that has various pharmacological effects (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and others), can improve the state of health and well-being and reduce the risk of various diseases. The aim of this work was to investigate polyphenols (flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins) and antioxidant activity in fireweed leaves fermented for 24, 48 and 72 h in solid-phase fermentation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for polyphenols and the spectrophotometric method based on quenching of stable colored radical (ABTS^•+) for antioxidant activity determinations were used. The results showed that the highest amounts of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and tannin oenothein B in the dried matter were found after 72 h and the highest total phenolic acids after 48 h of anaerobic solid-phase fermentation. The highest antioxidant activity was found after 72 h of solid-phase fermentation under aerobic conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification and Analysis of Bioactive Components from Plants)

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12 pages, 1073 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Triterpene Derivatives from Garcinia oligantha and Their Anti-Cancer Activity

by Xiaohui Peng, Chao Wang, Yonglian Hou, Jiamei Tian, Xiaojie Fan, Dahong Li and Huiming Hua

Plants 2023, 12(1), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12010192 - 03 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1644

Abstract

Phytochemical investigations of leaves and twigs from Garcinia oligantha Merr. resulted in the isolation of five undescribed triterpene derivatives (1–5) and six known analogs (6–11). Their structures were determined based on extensive spectroscopic data and [...] Read more.

Phytochemical investigations of leaves and twigs from Garcinia oligantha Merr. resulted in the isolation of five undescribed triterpene derivatives (1–5) and six known analogs (6–11). Their structures were determined based on extensive spectroscopic data and high-resolution mass spectra analyses. Compounds 1–11 were tested for their in vitro cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines (HeLa, HepG-2, and MCF-7). Compounds 1, 2, 8, and 11 exhibited broad and significant cytotoxicity against the tested cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 5.04 to 21.55 μM. Compounds 5 and 9 showed cytotoxicity against HeLa and MCF-7 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 13.22 to 19.62 μM. The preliminary structure–activity relationship for the 11 isolated compounds is also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification and Analysis of Bioactive Components from Plants)

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12 pages, 1139 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phytochemical Investigation and Biological Studies on Selected Searsia Species

by Mkhuseli Koki, Masande Yalo, Masixole Makhaba, Ndikho Nako, Fanie Rautenbach, Jelili A. Badmus, Jeanine Marnewick, Ahmed A. Hussein and Wilfred T. Mabusela

Plants 2022, 11(20), 2793; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11202793 - 21 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1676

Abstract

Searsia is the more recent name for the genus Rhus, which contains over 250 individual species of flowering plants in the family Anacardiaceae. Several Searsia species are used in folk medicine and have been reported to exhibit various biological activities. Although [...] Read more.

Searsia is the more recent name for the genus Rhus, which contains over 250 individual species of flowering plants in the family Anacardiaceae. Several Searsia species are used in folk medicine and have been reported to exhibit various biological activities. Although known to exhibit different terpenoids and flavonoids, the chemistry of the Searsia genus is not comprehensively studied due to the structural complexity of the compounds. In this study, the extraction, isolation, and identification of secondary metabolites from three Searsia species (Searsia glauca, S. lucida, and S. laevigata) were conducted using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques and afforded five known terpenes, viz., moronic acid (1), 21β-hydroxylolean-12-en-3-one (2), lupeol (11), α-amyrin (9), and β-amyrin (10), in addition to six known flavonoids, myricetin-3-O-β-galactopyranoside (3), rutin (4), quercetin (5), apigenin (6), amentoflavone (7), and quercetin-3-O-β-glucoside (8). The structural elucidation of the isolated compounds was determined based on NMR (1D and 2D) and comparison with the data in the literature. Biological assays, such as antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activity assays, were conducted on the plant extracts and the isolated compounds. The antioxidant capacities of hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and butanol main extracts were investigated using ferric ion reducing power (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. The results showed high antioxidant activities for methanol and butanol extracts of the three plants. The isolated compounds were tested against alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase, and the results showed the potent activity of moronic acid (C1) (IC₅₀ 10.62 ± 0.89 and 20.08 ± 0.56 µg/mL, respectively) and amentoflavone (C7) (IC₅₀ 5.57 ± 1.12 µg/mL and 19.84 ± 1.33 µg/mL, respectively). Isolated compounds of and biological assays for S. glauca, S. lucida, and S. laevigata are reported for the first time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification and Analysis of Bioactive Components from Plants)

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8 pages, 892 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Euphocactoside, a New Megastigmane Glycoside from Euphorbia cactus Growing in Saudi Arabia

by Hanan Y. Aati, Shagufta Perveen, Jawaher Al-Qahtani, Jiangnan Peng, Areej Al-Taweel, Ali S. Alqahtani, Ali ElGamal, Giuseppina Chianese, Fahd A. Nasr, Orazio Taglialatela-Scafati and Mohammad K. Parvez

Plants 2022, 11(6), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11060811 - 18 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2566

Abstract

A phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Euphorbia cactus Ehrenb. ex Boiss. revealed a new megastigmane, euphocactoside (5), along with eleven known metabolites. Euphocactoside (5) is the 3-O-glucoside derivative of a polyhydroxylated megastigmane showing unprecedented structural [...] Read more.

A phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Euphorbia cactus Ehrenb. ex Boiss. revealed a new megastigmane, euphocactoside (5), along with eleven known metabolites. Euphocactoside (5) is the 3-O-glucoside derivative of a polyhydroxylated megastigmane showing unprecedented structural features. The structure of euphocactoside, including stereochemical details, was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis based on 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-ESIMS). The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against three different human cancer cell lines, namely, A549 (lung), LoVo (colon), and MCF-7 (breast), using MTT assay, and moderate to marginal activities were observed for compounds 1–3, 8 and 9 against all three cell lines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification and Analysis of Bioactive Components from Plants)

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Review

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31 pages, 2318 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Calluna vulgaris as a Valuable Source of Bioactive Compounds: Exploring Its Phytochemical Profile, Biological Activities and Apitherapeutic Potential

by Alexandra-Antonia Cucu, Gabriela-Maria Baci, Alexandru-Bogdan Cucu, Ştefan Dezsi, Cristian Lujerdean, Iuliana Cristina Hegeduş, Otilia Bobiş, Adela Ramona Moise and Daniel Severus Dezmirean

Plants 2022, 11(15), 1993; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11151993 - 30 Jul 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3123

Abstract

Calluna vulgaris, belonging to the Ericaceae family, is an invasive plant that has widely spread from Europe all across Asia, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Being able to survive in rigid soil and environmental conditions, it is nowadays considered to be [...] Read more.

Calluna vulgaris, belonging to the Ericaceae family, is an invasive plant that has widely spread from Europe all across Asia, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Being able to survive in rigid soil and environmental conditions, it is nowadays considered to be of high nature-conservation value. Known for its nutritional and medicinal properties, C. vulgaris stands out for its varied physiochemical composition, spotlighting a wide range of biological activity. Among the most important bioactive compounds identified in C. vulgaris, the phenolic components found in different parts of this herbaceous plant are the main source of its diverse pro-health properties (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, chemoprotective, etc.). Nonetheless, this plant exhibits an excellent nectariferous potential for social insects such as honeybees; therefore, comparing the bioactive compounds observed in the plant and in the final product of the beehive, namely honey, will help us understand and find new insights into the health benefits provided by the consumption of C. vulgaris-related products. Thus, the main interest of this work is to review the nutritional profile, chemical composition and biological activities of the C. vulgaris plant and its related honey in order to encourage the future exploration and use of this health-promoting plant in novel foods, pharmacological products and apitherapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Identification and Analysis of Bioactive Components from Plants)

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