1,721,321 research outputs found
Volatiles from different plant parts of Punica granatum grown in Tuscany (Italy)
No full textThe volatiles of different pomegranate plant parts were extracted using headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) and analyzed for the first time by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and flame io- nization detector (GC-FID). All the data were submitted to multivariate statistical analysis evidencing many differences amongst the selected plant parts. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were the most abundant class in the aroma of leaves and in all the flower organs where the main constituents were β-caryophyllene, (E, E)-α-far- nesene and trans-α-bergamotene. Stem aroma showed similar content of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and non- terpenes with α-humulene as main compound. The aroma of all aril parts showed high amount of non-terpenes with the prevalence of aldehydes and esters
Secondary Metabolites of Genus Astragalus: Structure and Biological Activity
No full textAstragalus L. is the largest genus in the family Leguminosae (subfamily Papilionideae, tribe Galegeae). Widely distributed throughout the temperate region of the world, is principally located in Europe, Asia and North America, but also on mountains in Africa and South America. They are annual and perennial herbs or small shrubs. Astragalus species are divided in two main groups: the medicinal plants and the poisonous species. "Astragali radix" (dried roots of A. Membranaceous Bunge and other Astragalus spp.) represents a very old and well knowndrug in traditional Chinese medicine. They are officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and prescribed mainly as an antiperspirant, a diuretic and a tonic, but also for their hepatoprotective, antioxidative, immunostimulant and antiviral properties. The other most common use of Astragalus is as forage for liverstock and wild animals; however a number of species are toxic for cattle and in many cases this toxicity could be transferred to humans through meat and milk. From a chemical point of view the biologically active principles of Astragalus species consist of saponins, polysaccharides and phenolics, while the toxiccompounds include imidazoline alkaloids, nitro toxins and selenium derivatives. This review deals with the chemistry, purification procedures, structure elucidation methods and biological activity of triterpenoidic sapogenins and saponins, the most widely studied secondary metabolites from Astragalus. However the other important metabolites, such as phenolics, polysaccharides, alkaloids, nitro compounds and seleniferous derivatives, have been considered and a brief summary of their important biological properties has also been included
The Chemistry and Biological Activity of the Genus Bupleurum in Italy
No full textTHE CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF SOME SPECIES OF GENUS BUPLEURUM IN ITAL
Produzione di metaboliti secondari da colture in vitro di piante aromatiche e medicinali
No full textMedicinal plants are the most important source of life saving drugs for the majority of the world’s population. The biotechnological tools are important to select, multiply and conserve the critical genotypes of medicinal plants. In-vitro regeneration holds tremendous potential for the production of high-quality plant-based medicine. In-vitro production of secondary metabolites in plant cell suspension cultures has been reported from various medicinal plants. Bioreactors are the key step towards commercial production of secondary metabolites by plant biotechnology. Genetic transformation may be a powerful tool for enhancing the productivity of novel secondary metabolites; especially by Agrobacterium rhizogenes induced hairy roots. This article discusses the applications of biotechnology for regeneration and genetic transformation for enhancement of secondary metabolite production in-vitro from medicinal plants
Anti-clastogenic activity of two structurally related pterocarpans purified from Bituminaria bituminosa in cultured human lymphocytes
No full textPlant-derived isoflavones are currently receiving much attention because of their phyto-estrogenic, antioxidant, anti- mutagenic, and anti-tumor activities. In this study we have evaluated the clastogenic and anti-clastogenic activities in human lymphocytes of two structurally related pterocarpans, iso-flavonoid derivatives, termed erybraedin C and bitucarpin A, recently purified from Bituminaria bituminosa and chemically characterized. Mitomycin C (MMC) and the radio-mimetic bleomycin (BL) were used as reference clastogens. The end point studied was micronucleus formation. The results obtained in this study indicate that erybraedin C and bitucarpin A, when assayed alone, do not affect either the mitotic index or the cell-proliferation index of human lymphocytes. Interestingly, both compounds appear to be non-clastogenic in the range of concentrations used. In contrast, both substances seem to affect significantly the clastogenic effects induced by BL and MMC. A 1-h pre-exposition of the cell culture to erybraedin C was necessary to display its anti-clastogenic potential against BL, whereas bitucarpin A was inactive in this respect, with a structure-activity relationship. In contrast, the clastogenic activity of MMC was significantly reduced by both erybraedin C and bitucarpin A, using either a pre-incubation schedule or simultaneous treatment. These results suggest that the protective effects displayed by the two anti-clastogenic compounds against MMC could be due to the induction or inhibition of cellular reductive metabolic enzymes
Manuale dell’Erborista, Biosintesi, Estrazione e Identificazione delle Sostanze di Origine Vegetale
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