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17 pages, 6263 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Variation of Leaves and Pseudobulbs in Prosthechea karwinskii (Orchidaceae) in Oaxaca, Mexico

by Gabriela Soledad Barragán-Zarate, Beatriz Adriana Pérez-López, Manuel Cuéllar-Martínez, Rodolfo Solano and Luicita Lagunez-Rivera

Plants 2025, 14(4), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14040608 - 18 Feb 2025

Viewed by 496

Abstract

Prosthechea karwinskii is an endemic orchid of Mexico with significant value for its traditional uses: ornamental, ceremonial, and medicinal. The pharmacological activity of this plant has been studied using specimens recovered from religious use during Holy Week in Oaxaca, Mexico, sourced from various [...] Read more.

Prosthechea karwinskii is an endemic orchid of Mexico with significant value for its traditional uses: ornamental, ceremonial, and medicinal. The pharmacological activity of this plant has been studied using specimens recovered from religious use during Holy Week in Oaxaca, Mexico, sourced from various localities within this state. Geographical variability can influence the chemical composition of plants, as environmental factors affect the production of their secondary metabolites, which impact their biological properties. This research evaluated the variability in the chemical composition of leaves and pseudobulbs of P. karwinskii obtained from different localities in Oaxaca, comprising 95–790 g and 376–3900 g of fresh material for leaves and pseudobulbs, respectively, per locality. Compounds were identified using UHPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS/MS following ultrasound-assisted hydroethanolic extraction. Twenty-one compounds were identified in leaves and twenty in pseudobulb. The findings revealed differences in chemical composition across localities and between leaves and pseudobulbs of the species. The Roaguia locality exhibited the highest extraction yield and pharmacological potential in leaves. For pseudobulbs, Cieneguilla specimens showed the highest yield, and El Lazo had the lowest yield but the highest pharmacological potential. This study represents the first comprehensive analysis of the variation in the chemical composition of a native Mexican orchid. In all localities, leaves and pseudobulbs contained compounds with known biological activity, validating the use of the species in traditional medicine and highlighting its potential for medical and biological applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivities of Nature Products)

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15 pages, 1426 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phytochemical Compounds from Laelia furfuracea and Their Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities

by Abimael López-Pérez, Luicita Lagunez-Rivera, Rodolfo Solano, Aracely Evangelina Chávez-Piña, Gabriela Soledad Barragán-Zarate and Manuel Jiménez-Estrada

Plants 2025, 14(4), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14040588 - 14 Feb 2025

Viewed by 445

Abstract

Laelia furfuracea is an orchid endemic to Oaxaca, Mexico, used for the treatment of cough and has anticoagulant activity. We aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of the hydroethanolic extract of L. furfuracea leaves and identify its phytochemical compounds. The leaf [...] Read more.

Laelia furfuracea is an orchid endemic to Oaxaca, Mexico, used for the treatment of cough and has anticoagulant activity. We aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of the hydroethanolic extract of L. furfuracea leaves and identify its phytochemical compounds. The leaf material was subjected to solid–liquid extraction. Compounds were identified by UPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS/MS. The Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum trichloride methods were used to quantify phenols and flavonoids, respectively. The DPPH method was used to determine the antioxidant activity. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in a model of carrageenan-induced plantar edema induced in Wistar rats. Compounds tentatively identified in L. furfuracea leaves were malic, citric, succinic, hydroximethylglutaric, azelaic, eucomic, and protocatechuic acids, saponarin, luteolin-7,3′-di-O-glucoside, isoorientin, and vitexin. The contents of total phenols and flavonoids and antioxidant activity were 394.7 ± 0.1 mg EqAG/g, 129.9 ± 0.005 mg EqQ/g, and 84.6 ± 1.4%, respectively. The anti-inflammatory effect of the extract was dose-dependent, where 1000 µg/paw presented a 43.4% reduction in inflammation, similar to naproxen. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of the hydroethanolic extract of Laelia furfuracea leaves was demonstrated. This effect may be due to the synergy between its compounds. This orchid is a potential candidate for future pharmacological research due to its anti-inflammatory activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivities of Nature Products)

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19 pages, 5501 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Microwave-Assisted Water Extraction (MAWE) to Fully Realize Various Physiological Activities of Melaleuca quinquenervia Leaf Extract

by Ting-Kang Lin, Jyh-Yih Leu, Yi-Lin Lai, Yu-Chi Chang, Ying-Chien Chung and Hsia-Wei Liu

Plants 2024, 13(23), 3362; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13233362 - 29 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1235

Abstract

Melaleuca quinquenervia is widely grown in tropical areas worldwide. Studies have demonstrated that extracts of its buds, leaves, and branches obtained through hydrodistillation, steam distillation, or solvent extraction exhibit physiological activities, including anti-melanogenic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties; nevertheless, such extracts are mostly not [...] Read more.

Melaleuca quinquenervia is widely grown in tropical areas worldwide. Studies have demonstrated that extracts of its buds, leaves, and branches obtained through hydrodistillation, steam distillation, or solvent extraction exhibit physiological activities, including anti-melanogenic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties; nevertheless, such extracts are mostly not effectively collected or adequately utilized. Accordingly, this study applied a rapid, effective, and easy-to-operate microwave-assisted water extraction (MAWE) technique for the first time to prepare M. quinquenervia leaf extract (MLE) with improved physiological activities. The results indicated that the optimal irradiation time and liquid/solid ratio for the production of the MLE were 180 s and 20 mL/g, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the freeze-dried MLE achieved a high yield (6.28% ± 0.08%) and highly effective broad-spectrum physiological activities. The MLE exhibited strong antioxidant, antiaging, and anti-inflammatory activities and excellent antityrosinase and antimicrobial activities. Additionally, the MLE was noncytotoxic at concentrations of ≤300 mg/L, at which it exhibited pharmacological activity. The results also indicated that the MLE comprised a total of 24 chemical compounds and 17 phenolic compounds. Among these compounds, luteolin contributed to antityrosinase activity. The extract’s antiaging activity was attributed to ellagic acid and quercetin, its anti-inflammatory activity resulted from ellagic acid and kaempferol, and its antimicrobial activity resulted from quercetin and 3-O-methylellagic acid. In conclusion, the MAWE-derived MLE may be useful as a functional ingredient in cosmetic products, health foods, and botanical drugs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivities of Nature Products)

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11 pages, 291 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phytoconstituents, Antioxidant Activity and Cytotoxicity of Puya chilensis Mol. Extracts in Colon Cell Lines

by Manuel Martínez-Lobos, Valentina Silva, Joan Villena, Carlos Jara-Gutiérrez, Waleska E. Vera Quezada, Iván Montenegro and Alejandro Madrid

Plants 2024, 13(21), 2989; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13212989 - 26 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 950

Abstract

Puya chilensis Mol. is a plant of the Bromeliaceae family, which has been traditionally used for medicinal applications in various digestive disorders. In this study, the phytoconstituents of six extracts of stems and flowers of P. chilensis were evaluated: phenols, flavonoids and total [...] Read more.

Puya chilensis Mol. is a plant of the Bromeliaceae family, which has been traditionally used for medicinal applications in various digestive disorders. In this study, the phytoconstituents of six extracts of stems and flowers of P. chilensis were evaluated: phenols, flavonoids and total anthraquinones, as well as their antioxidant capacity and cytotoxicity in colon cancer cell lines HT-29. The data demonstrate that the ethyl acetate extract of P. chilensis flowers is cytotoxic in HT-29 cell lines (IC₅₀ = 41.70 µg/mL) without causing toxic effects on healthy colon cells (IC₅₀ > 100 µg/mL); also, this extract concentrated the highest amount of phenols (4.63 μg GAE/g d.e.), flavonoids (31.5 μg QE/g d.e.) and anthraquinones (12.60 μg EE/g d.e.) among all the extracts tested, which also correlated with its highlighted antioxidant capacity (DPPH∙IC₅₀ = 4.15 mg/mL and FRAP 26.52 mM TEAC) over the other extracts. About thirty-five compounds were identified in this extract−the fatty acid esters present have been shown to have therapeutic effects on several types of cancer and could explain its antiproliferative activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivities of Nature Products)

14 pages, 624 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cosmetic Preservative Potential and Chemical Composition of Lafoensia replicata Pohl. Leaves

by Débora Machado de Lima, Anna Lívia Oliveira Santos, Matheus Reis Santos de Melo, Denise Crispim Tavares, Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins and Raquel Maria Ferreira Sousa

Plants 2024, 13(15), 2011; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13152011 - 23 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1117

Abstract

The study evaluated the preservative potential of Lafoensia replicata Pohl. leaf extracts in cosmetics, highlighting their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and in vitro cytotoxic activities for ethanolic extract prepared by the maceration and tincture method. Total phenol content showed a higher phenol concentration in ethanolic [...] Read more.

The study evaluated the preservative potential of Lafoensia replicata Pohl. leaf extracts in cosmetics, highlighting their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and in vitro cytotoxic activities for ethanolic extract prepared by the maceration and tincture method. Total phenol content showed a higher phenol concentration in ethanolic extract and tinctures, and by LC-MS/MS-ESI-QTOF analysis, flavonoids, hydrolyzed tannins, and phenolic acids were identified. The ethanolic extract and tincture showed high antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans (MIC < 50 µg mL⁻¹), high antioxidant activity (EC₅₀ < 50 µg mL⁻¹ in the DPPH method, and results > 450 µmol trolox equivalent in the ABTS and FRAP method), and low cytotoxicity in human keratinocytes (IC₅₀ > 350 µg mL⁻¹). The results suggest these extracts could be an alternative to synthetic preservatives in the cosmetic industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivities of Nature Products)

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14 pages, 1622 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structure–Activity Relationship of Natural Dihydrochalcones and Chalcones, and Their Respective Oxyalkylated Derivatives as Anti-Saprolegnia Agents

by Alejandro Madrid, Evelyn Muñoz, Valentina Silva, Manuel Martínez, Susana Flores, Francisca Valdés, David Cabezas-González and Iván Montenegro

Plants 2024, 13(14), 1976; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13141976 - 19 Jul 2024

Viewed by 786

Abstract

Saprolegnia sp. is a pathogenic oomycete responsible for severe economic losses in aquaculture. To date, there is no treatment for its control that is effective and does not pose a threat to the environment and human health. In this research, two dihydrochalcones 1 [...] Read more.

Saprolegnia sp. is a pathogenic oomycete responsible for severe economic losses in aquaculture. To date, there is no treatment for its control that is effective and does not pose a threat to the environment and human health. In this research, two dihydrochalcones 1 and 2, and three chalcones 3–5, isolated from the resinous plant Adesmia balsamica, as well as their synthesized oxyalkylated derivatives 6–29 already reported and a new synthesized series of oxyalkylchalcones 30–35, were evaluated for their anti-saprolegnia activity and structure–activity relationship as potential control and treatment agents for strains of Saprolegnia parasitica and S. australis. Among the molecules tested, natural 2′,4′-dihydroxychalcone (3) and new oxyalkylchalcone 34 were the most potent antisaprolegnia agents against both strains, even with better results than the commercial control bronopol. On the other hand, the structure–activity relationship study indicates that the contributions of steric and electrostatic fields are important to enhance the activity of the compounds, thus the presence of bulky substituents favors the activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivities of Nature Products)

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13 pages, 2051 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Potential of Flourensia retinophylla against Staphylococcus aureus

by Minerva Edith Beltrán-Martínez, Melvin Roberto Tapia-Rodríguez, Jesús Fernando Ayala-Zavala, Agustín Gómez-Álvarez, Ramon Enrique Robles-Zepeda, Heriberto Torres-Moreno, Diana Jasso de Rodríguez and Julio César López-Romero

Plants 2024, 13(12), 1671; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13121671 - 17 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1630

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacteria with the greatest impact in the clinical area, due to the high rate of infections and deaths reaching every year. A previous scenario is associated with the bacteria’s ability to develop resistance against conventional antibiotic therapies as [...] Read more.

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacteria with the greatest impact in the clinical area, due to the high rate of infections and deaths reaching every year. A previous scenario is associated with the bacteria’s ability to develop resistance against conventional antibiotic therapies as well as biofilm formation. The above situation exhibits the necessity to reach new effective strategies against this pathogen. Flourensia retinophylla is a medicinal plant commonly used for bacterial infections treatments and has demonstrated antimicrobial effect, although its effect against S. aureus and bacterial biofilms has not been investigated. The purpose of this work was to analyze the antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential of F. retinophylla against S. aureus. The antimicrobial effect was determined using an ethanolic extract of F. retinophylla. The surface charge of the bacterial membrane, the K⁺ leakage and the effect on motility were determined. The ability to prevent and remove bacterial biofilms was analyzed in terms of bacterial biomass, metabolic activity and viability. The results showed that F. retinophylla presents inhibitory (MIC: 250 µg/mL) and bactericidal (MBC: 500 µg/mL) activity against S. aureus. The MIC extract increased the bacterial surface charge by 1.4 times and the K⁺ concentration in the extracellular medium by 60%. The MIC extract inhibited the motility process by 100%, 61% and 40% after 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. The MIC extract prevented the formation of biofilms by more than 80% in terms of biomass production and metabolic activity. An extract at 10 × MIC reduced the metabolic activity by 82% and the viability by ≈50% in preformed biofilms. The results suggest that F. retinophylla affects S. areus membrane and the process of biofilm formation and removal. This effect could set a precedent to use this plant as alternative for antimicrobial and disinfectant therapies to control infections caused by this pathogen. In addition, this shrub could be considered for carrying out a purification process in order to identify the compounds responsible for the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivities of Nature Products)

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20 pages, 3909 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Garden Rose (Rosa × hybrida) Genotypes with Intensely Colored Flowers as Rich Sources of Bioactive Compounds

by Nataša Simin, Nemanja Živanović, Biljana Božanić Tanjga, Marija Lesjak, Tijana Narandžić and Mirjana Ljubojević

Plants 2024, 13(3), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13030424 - 31 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2612

Abstract

Garden roses, known as Rosa × hybrida, hold a prominent position as one of the most important and economically valuable plants in horticulture. Additionally, their products—essential oil, rose water, concrete, and concentrate—find extensive use in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries, due [...] Read more.

Garden roses, known as Rosa × hybrida, hold a prominent position as one of the most important and economically valuable plants in horticulture. Additionally, their products—essential oil, rose water, concrete, and concentrate—find extensive use in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries, due to their specific fragrances and potential health benefits. Rose flowers are rich in biologically active compounds, such as phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids. This study aims to investigate the potential of five new garden rose genotypes with intensely colored flowers to serve as sources of biologically active compounds. Phenolic profile was evaluated by determination of total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), and monomeric anthocyanins (TAC) contents and LC-MS/MS analysis of selected compounds. Antioxidant activity was evaluated via DPPH and FRAP assays, neuroprotective potential via acethylcholinesterase inhibition assay, and antidiabetic activity viaα-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays. The flowers of investigated genotypes were rich in phenolics (TPC varied from 148 to 260 mg galic acid eq/g de, TFC from 19.9 to 59.7 mg quercetin eq/g de, and TAC from 2.21 to 13.1 mg cyanidin 3-O-glucoside eq/g de). Four out of five genotypes had higher TPC than extract of R. damascene, the most famous rose cultivar. The dominant flavonoids in all investigated genotypes were glycosides of quercetin and kaempferol. The extracts showed high antioxidant activity comparable to synthetic antioxidant BHT, very high α-glucosidase inhibitory potential, moderate neuroprotective activity, and low potential to inhibit α-amylase. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivities of Nature Products)

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13 pages, 1228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Tigridia vanhouttei Extracts

by Jorge L. Mejía-Méndez, Ana C. Lorenzo-Leal, Horacio Bach, Edgar R. López-Mena, Diego E. Navarro-López, Luis R. Hernández, Zaida N. Juárez and Eugenio Sánchez-Arreola

Plants 2023, 12(17), 3136; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12173136 - 31 Aug 2023

Viewed by 2046

Abstract

In this work, bulb extracts of Tigridia vanhouttei were obtained by maceration with solvents of increasing polarity. The extracts were evaluated against a panel of pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains using the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was [...] Read more.

In this work, bulb extracts of Tigridia vanhouttei were obtained by maceration with solvents of increasing polarity. The extracts were evaluated against a panel of pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains using the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was tested against two cell lines (THP-1 and A549) using the MTT assay. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was evaluated in THP-1 cells by measuring the secretion of pro-inflammatory (IL-6 and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines by ELISA. The chemical composition of the extracts was recorded by FTIR spectroscopy, and their chemical profiles were evaluated using GC-MS. The results revealed that only hexane extract inhibited the growth of the clinical isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 200 μg/mL. Against THP-1 cells, hexane and chloroform extracts were moderately cytotoxic, as they exhibited LC₅₀ values of 90.16, and 46.42 μg/mL, respectively. Treatment with methanol extract was weakly cytotoxic at LC₅₀ 443.12 μg/mL against the same cell line. Against the A549 cell line, hexane, chloroform, and methanol extracts were weakly cytotoxic because of their LC₅₀ values: 294.77, 1472.37, and 843.12 μg/mL. The FTIR analysis suggested the presence of natural products were confirmed by carboxylic acids, ketones, hydroxyl groups, or esters. The GC-MS profile of extracts revealed the presence of phytosterols, tetracyclic triterpenes, multiple fatty acids, and sugars. This report confirms the antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activities of T. vanhouttei. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivities of Nature Products)

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15 pages, 1714 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biological Activities and Chemical Profiles of Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi Extracts

by Jorge L. Mejía-Méndez, Horacio Bach, Ana C. Lorenzo-Leal, Diego E. Navarro-López, Edgar R. López-Mena, Luis Ricardo Hernández and Eugenio Sánchez-Arreola

Plants 2023, 12(10), 1943; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101943 - 10 May 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4319

Abstract

In this study, the leaves of Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi were consecutively macerated with hexane, chloroform, and methanol. These extracts were used to assess the bioactivities of the plant. The antimicrobial activity was tested against a panel of Gram-positive and -negative pathogenic bacterial and fungal [...] Read more.

In this study, the leaves of Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi were consecutively macerated with hexane, chloroform, and methanol. These extracts were used to assess the bioactivities of the plant. The antimicrobial activity was tested against a panel of Gram-positive and -negative pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains using the microdilution method. The cytotoxicity of K. fedtschenkoi extracts was investigated using human-derived macrophage THP-1 cells through the MTT assay. Finally, the anti-inflammatory activity of extracts was studied using the same cell line by measuring the secretion of IL-10 and IL-6. The phytoconstituents of hexane and chloroform extracts were evaluated using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In addition, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to study the phytochemical content of methanol extract. The total flavonoid content (TFC) of methanol extract is also reported. The chemical composition of K. fedtschenkoi extracts was evaluated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results revealed that the chloroform extract inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 150

μ

g/mL. At the same concentration, methanol extract inhibited the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Regarding their cytotoxicity, the three extracts were highly cytotoxic against the tested cell line at IC₅₀ < 3

μ

g/mL. In addition, the chloroform extract significantly stimulated the secretion of IL-10 at 50

μ

g/mL (p < 0.01). GC/MS analyses revealed that hexane and chloroform extracts contain fatty acids, sterols, vitamin E, and triterpenes. The HPLC analysis demonstrated that methanol extract was constituted by quercetin and kaempferol derivatives. This is the first report in which the bioactivities and chemical profiles of K. fedtschenkoi are assessed for non-polar and polar extracts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivities of Nature Products)

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Review

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33 pages, 1960 KiB

Open AccessReview

Unleashed Treasures of Solanaceae: Mechanistic Insights into Phytochemicals with Therapeutic Potential for Combatting Human Diseases

by Saima Jan, Sana Iram, Ommer Bashir, Sheezma Nazir Shah, Mohammad Azhar Kamal, Safikur Rahman, Jihoe Kim and Arif Tasleem Jan

Plants 2024, 13(5), 724; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13050724 - 4 Mar 2024

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3582

Abstract

Plants that possess a diverse range of bioactive compounds are essential for maintaining human health and survival. The diversity of bioactive compounds with distinct therapeutic potential contributes to their role in health systems, in addition to their function as a source of nutrients. [...] Read more.

Plants that possess a diverse range of bioactive compounds are essential for maintaining human health and survival. The diversity of bioactive compounds with distinct therapeutic potential contributes to their role in health systems, in addition to their function as a source of nutrients. Studies on the genetic makeup and composition of bioactive compounds have revealed them to be rich in steroidal alkaloids, saponins, terpenes, flavonoids, and phenolics. The Solanaceae family, having a rich abundance of bioactive compounds with varying degrees of pharmacological activities, holds significant promise in the management of different diseases. Investigation into Solanum species has revealed them to exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, nephroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ulcerogenic effects. Phytochemical analysis of isolated compounds such as diosgenin, solamargine, solanine, apigenin, and lupeol has shown them to be cytotoxic in different cancer cell lines, including liver cancer (HepG2, Hep3B, SMMC-772), lung cancer (A549, H441, H520), human breast cancer (HBL-100), and prostate cancer (PC3). Since analysis of their phytochemical constituents has shown them to have a notable effect on several signaling pathways, a great deal of attention has been paid to identifying the biological targets and cellular mechanisms involved therein. Considering the promising aspects of bioactive constituents of different Solanum members, the main emphasis was on finding and reporting notable cultivars, their phytochemical contents, and their pharmacological properties. This review offers mechanistic insights into the bioactive ingredients intended to treat different ailments with the least harmful effects for potential applications in the advancement of medical research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivities of Nature Products)

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31 pages, 2175 KiB

Open AccessReview

Latin American Plants against Microorganisms

by Sofía Isabel Cuevas-Cianca, Cristian Romero-Castillo, José Luis Gálvez-Romero, Eugenio Sánchez-Arreola, Zaida Nelly Juárez and Luis Ricardo Hernández

Plants 2023, 12(23), 3997; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12233997 - 28 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2271

Abstract

The constant emergence of severe health threats, such as antibacterial resistance or highly transmissible viruses, necessitates the investigation of novel therapeutic approaches for discovering and developing new antimicrobials, which will be critical in combating resistance and ensuring available options. Due to the richness [...] Read more.

The constant emergence of severe health threats, such as antibacterial resistance or highly transmissible viruses, necessitates the investigation of novel therapeutic approaches for discovering and developing new antimicrobials, which will be critical in combating resistance and ensuring available options. Due to the richness and structural variety of natural compounds, techniques centered on obtaining novel active principles from natural sources have yielded promising results. This review describes natural products and extracts from Latin America with antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant strains, as well as classes and subclasses of plant secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activity and the structures of promising compounds for combating drug-resistant pathogenic microbes. The main mechanisms of action of the plant antimicrobial compounds found in medicinal plants are discussed, and extracts of plants with activity against pathogenic fungi and antiviral properties and their possible mechanisms of action are also summarized. For example, the secondary metabolites obtained from Isatis indigotica that show activity against SARS-CoV are aloe-emodin, β-sitosterol, hesperetin, indigo, and sinigrin. The structures of the plant antimicrobial compounds found in medicinal plants from Latin America are discussed. Most relevant studies, reviewed in the present work, have focused on evaluating different types of extracts with several classes and subclasses of secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activity. More studies on structure–activity relationships are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivities of Nature Products)

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