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21 pages, 2799 KB

Open AccessReview

Phytochemistry, Medicinal Properties, Bioactive Compounds, and Therapeutic Potential of the Genus Eremophila (Scrophulariaceae)

by Ian Edwin Cock, Linn Baghtchedjian, Marie-Elisabeth Cordon and Eléonore Dumont

Molecules 2022, 27(22), 7734; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27227734 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4614

Abstract

The genus Eremophila (family Scrophulariaceae) consists of approximately 200 species that are widely distributed in the semi-arid and arid regions of Australia. Multiple Eremophila spp. are used as traditional medicines by the First Australians in the areas in which they grow. They are used for their antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and cardiac properties. Many species of this genus are beneficial against several diseases and ailments. The antibacterial properties of the genus have been relatively well studied, with several important compounds identified and their mechanisms studied. In particular, Eremophila spp. are rich in terpenoids, and the antimicrobial bioactivities of many of these compounds have already been confirmed. The therapeutic properties of Eremophila spp. preparations and purified compounds have received substantially less attention, and much study is required to validate the traditional uses and to highlight species that warrant further investigation as drug leads. The aim of this study is to review and summarise the research into the medicinal properties, therapeutic mechanisms, and phytochemistry of Eremophila spp., with the aim of focussing future studies into the therapeutic potential of this important genus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Molecules and Drug Lead Compounds)

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12 pages, 2918 KB

Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial Terpenoids from South China Sea Soft Coral Lemnalia sp.

by Xia Yan, Han Ouyang, Wei Wang, Jing Liu, Te Li, Bin Wu, Xiaojun Yan and Shan He

Mar. Drugs 2021, 19(6), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/md19060294 - 22 May 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3627

Abstract

Chemical investigation of the South China Sea soft coral Lemnalia sp. afforded 13 structurally diverse terpenoids, including three new neolemnane sesquiterpene lineolemnenes E–G (1–3); a new aristolane-type sesquiterpenoid, 2-acetoxy-aristolane (4); four new decalin-type bicyclic diterpenes, named biofloranates A−D (5−8); a new serrulatane, named euplexaurene D (9); and a new aromadendrane-type diterpenoid cneorubin K (10), together with three known related compounds (11−13). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy, the Mosher’s method, and ECD analysis. Compounds 1–13 were tested in a wide panel of biological assays. Lineolemnene J (3) showed weak cytotoxicity against the CCRF-CEM cancer cell line. The isolated new diterpenes, except euplexaurene D (9), demonstrated moderate antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus with a MIC of 4−64 μg/mL. Compound 2 exhibited a mild inhibitory effect against influenza A H1N1 virus (IC₅₀ = 5.9 µM). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reef Cnidaria and Porifera as Sources of Bioactive Secondary Metabolites—Honoring the 70th Birthday of Professor Yang-Chang Wu)

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12 pages, 1196 KB

Open AccessArticle

Antifungal Activity in Compounds from the Australian Desert Plant Eremophila alternifolia with Potency Against Cryptococcus spp.

by Mohammed A. Hossain, Israt J. Biva, Sarah E. Kidd, Jason D. Whittle, Hans J. Griesser and Bryan R. Coad

Antibiotics 2019, 8(2), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics8020034 - 31 Mar 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6240

Abstract

Plant metabolites that have shown activity against bacteria and/or environmental fungi represent valuable leads for the identification and development of novel drugs against clinically important human pathogenic fungi. Plants from the genus Eremophila were highly valued in traditional Australian Aboriginal medicinal practices, and E. alternifolia was the most prized among them. As antibacterial activity of extracts from E. alternifolia has been documented, this study addresses the question whether there is also activity against infectious fungal human pathogens. Compounds from leaf-extracts were purified and identified by 1- and 2-D NMR. These were then tested by disk diffusion and broth microdilution assays against ten clinically and environmentally relevant yeast and mould species. The most potent activity was observed with the diterpene compound, 8,19-dihydroxyserrulat-14-ene against Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans, with minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC) comparable to those of Amphotericin B. This compound also exhibited activity against six Candida species. Combined with previous studies showing an antibacterial effect, this finding could explain a broad antimicrobial effect from Eremophila extracts in their traditional medicinal usage. The discovery of potent antifungal compounds from Eremophila extracts is a promising development in the search for desperately needed antifungal compounds particularly for Cryptococcus infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue From the Southern Hemisphere: Research on Resistance, Antibiotics and Treatments)

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13 pages, 3087 KB

Open AccessArticle

Structure Elucidation and Botanical Characterization of Diterpenes from a Specific Type of Bee Glue

by Noushin Aminimoghadamfarouj and Alireza Nematollahi

Molecules 2017, 22(7), 1185; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22071185 - 14 Jul 2017

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5796

Abstract

Investigation of the single plant source bee glue type originating from Southern Australia resulted in the isolation and structure elucidation of major serrulatane diterpenes, novel 7,8,18-trihydroxyserrulat-14-ene (1), along with its oxidized product, 5,18-epoxyserrulat-14-en-7,8-dione (3) and known (18RS)-5,18-epoxyserrulat-14-en-8,18-diol (2). Exploration into the botanical origin revealed Myoporum insulare R. Br, as the plant source of the bee glue materials. This discovery was made through comparative analysis of the myoporum bee glue samples collected from the beehives, analyses of plant resinous exudate, and resin carried on the hind legs of bees foraging for bee glue. Full article

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18 pages, 805 KB

Open AccessArticle

Diterpenes Synthesized from the Natural Serrulatane Leubethanol and Their in Vitro Activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

by Ricardo Escarcena, Jonathan Perez-Meseguer, Esther Del Olmo, Blanca Alanis-Garza, Elvira Garza-González, Ricardo Salazar-Aranda and Noemí Waksman de Torres

Molecules 2015, 20(4), 7245-7262; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules20047245 - 21 Apr 2015

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7036

Abstract

Seventeen new derivatives of the natural diterpene leubethanol, including some potential pro-drugs, with changes in the functionality of the aliphatic chain or modifications of aromatic ring and the phenolic group, were synthesized and tested in vitro by the MABA technique for their activity against the H37Rv strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Some compounds showed antimycobacterial selectivity indices higher than leubethanol. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)

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