Natural Products Journal, The - Volume 14, Issue 3, 2024

Background: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Therapy for cancer has remained a challenge for a very long period of time, though developments of various treatment strategies have been introduced. However, Curcuma longa L (Turmeric) attains major attention to cure cancer due to its phytoconstituents which can be used in the treatment of various cancers. Due to the wide availability and minimal adverse effects, curcumin has become a source of significant interest in research for cancer treatment which can lead to heavy cost cut off in the treatment. Objective: In this review article, the anti-cancer properties of curcumin in the treatment of cancer are highlighted. Conclusion: Scientists from all over the world have been interested in curcumin, a polyphenol isolated from Curcuma longa, for its biological properties, the most well-known of which is its ability to fight cancer. It is one of the most promising classes of bioactive natural substances, particularly in the treatment of various cancer types. Curcumin demonstrates anticancer properties. To overcome the limitation of curcumin numerous studies, analysis, and research has been already completed and many are still going on. The use of curcumin either alone or in combination might alter the treatment of cancer.

Hesperidin is one of the most well-known, naturally occurring flavonoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, occurring in high concentrations in citrus fruits. Citrus fruits and juices are widely consumed worldwide and are readily available dietary sources for their intake. Its use has been associated with a great number of health benefits, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiinflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. Due to its biological activities, hesperidin is often used in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Supplements containing hesperidin, alone or in combination with other citrus bioflavonoids, are commercially available. The utilization of hesperidin can be used for the production of novel nutraceuticals or for the improvement of older ones. This piece of review aims to discuss the various diversified aspects of the naturally occurring bioflavonoid hesperidin.

Background: The active secondary metabolites of various Kalanchoe species are promising for controlling insects and other agricultural pests. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the mortality and immune responses of the leafcutter ant Atta sexdens (L.) after treatment with Kalanchoe ×laetivirens (Desc.) aqueous extract. The effects on an aquatic organism used as a bioindicator, Chironomus xanthus (Rempel), were also evaluated. Methods: Different K. ×laetivirens concentrations were prepared by dilution in honey to assess the toxicity and determine the median lethal concentration (LC50) for A. sexdens workers. The haemocytes of workers treated with a sublethal concentration (0.005 g/mL) were counted. Results: The plant extracts induced high mortality in A. sexdens workers. All concentrations, except 0.001 g/mL, increased mortality rates. The sublethal concentration negatively affected the immune system of A. sexdens workers 48 and 72 h after ingestion. The flavonoids 4""-acetylsagittatin A, sagittatin A and the nucleosides uridine and adenosine were identified. The LC50 of the K. ×laetivirens (128.1 mg /L) was determined for the non-target organism, C. xanthus. Conclusion: These natural compounds can be used in future research to plan alternative control strategies for leafcutter ants in forests and other agroecosystems.

Background: Medicinal plants and herbs constitute rich sources of flavoring, and aromatic compounds, namely phytochemicals, which have many positive impacts on human health, such as antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective properties. Such bioactive compounds may be considered lead compounds that can be introduced in the drug design process to obtain novel drug candidates with better bioavailability and therapeutic efficiency. The Islands of the North Aegean have rich biodiversity and many medicinal plants and herbs with multiple health benefits. Objective: This study aims to summarize and scrutinize the antioxidant activity of medicinal plants and herbs of the North Aegean islands. Methods: A thorough search of the existing literature was performed in the most accurate scientific databases, using a set of effective and relative keywords and including only clinical human studies written in English. Results: Several clinical studies have highlighted the potential antioxidant activity of phytochemicals from plants such as St. John's wort, chamomile, rosemary, spearmint, mastiha, mountain tea, oregano, sage, and thyme, as measured in the blood and saliva of human individuals, after administration of extracts and solutions of these plants. Decreased levels of oxidized lipoproteins, increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, and an enhanced total antioxidant capacity were observed. Conclusions: Current clinical trials remain still limited, and an enhanced series is needed with a better methodology design, larger sample size, longer intervention periods, using controlled groups and randomization to unravel the antioxidant activity of these North Aegean endemic plants in human individuals.

Background and Aims: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting global public health. Since ancient, natural-based compounds are widely used for multiple indications of diabetes. Methods: The natural-based (-)-Epicatechin has enormous biological functions including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This review mainly focuses on the importance of epicatechin in the control of pathogenesis involved in diabetic mellitus. Additionally, its possible mechanisms involved in beta cell regeneration, insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity. Results: The present article explored the potential antioxidant, mitochondrial protection, and antiinflammatory properties using the preclinical and clinical model, and also established the role of (-)- Epicatechin in the mitigation of diabetic-associated complications. Lastly, the article mentioned the limitation of the use of epicatechin. Conclusion: This will provide new insight to budding scientists for the development of novel bioactivebased pharmaceuticals for the management of diabetic mellitus.

Piperine, an alkaloid from black pepper, has demonstrated diverse pharmacological properties and potential therapeutic applications. Piperine content varies with the pepper plant and ranges from 2 to 7.4% in black pepper. Piperine possesses remarkable biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective qualities. Its ability to affect numerous signaling pathways and biological targets implicated in disease development is responsible for these functions. Studies have shown piperine to have high antioxidant activity, which aids in reducing oxidative stress and preventing cellular damage. It has been established that its anti-inflammatory effects suppress the generation of pro-inflammatory mediators, thereby relieving inflammation-related diseases. This review emphasizes and examines piperine's medical and health-promoting benefits and proposed mechanisms of action in health promotion and illness prevention.

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) is a widely used medication for treating various conditions, including skin infections, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and malignancies. However, prolonged and extreme use of MTX can lead to detrimental effects on multiple organs. Green Chiretta (GC) is a traditional medicinal plant known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunostimulatory properties. Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the antioxidant potential of GC through in-vitro analysis and to assess the potential protective effects of aqueous leaf extracts of GC against MTXinduced cardiac and spleen toxicity. Methods: In-vitro antioxidant activity was assessed by measuring total phenolic content, DPPH, catalase and peroxidase activity. We divided rats into five groups (n=6), and after the study, rats were euthanized and the levels of antioxidants (SOD, CAT & GSH) and lipid peroxidase (MDA), as well as histopathology modification of the heart and spleen tissues were examined. Results: Our study's findings highlight the superiority of the aqueous GC extract's antioxidant capacity relative to other solvents (ethanol and methanol). Moreover, the aqueous GC extract's administration to rats yielded significant progress in antioxidant levels (Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione), a reduction in lipid peroxidation (MDA), and the restoration of cardiac and spleen histoarchitecture against MTX-induced toxicity. These results collectively emphasize the extract's potential as a valuable therapeutic option against oxidative stress and tissue damage. Conclusion: The present study revealed that the aqueous GC extract demonstrated its protective efficacy against MTX-induced cardio and spleen toxicity in Wistar albino rats.

Background: Marine fungi have been proven to be a new arsenal for the discovery of valuable secondary metabolites. Method: Fungus strain Aspergillus terreus DM62 was initially fermentated using solid corn medium and PDA liquid medium. Subsequently, extensive chromatographic methods were applied to isolate the fermentation cultures of DM62, and the chemical structures of isolate compounds were elucidated by pectroscopic analyses and optical rotations comparison. Additionally, α-glucosidase and ATPcitrate lyase (ACL) inhibitory activities of isolate compounds were assessed to investigate their hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering activities. Result: A new cinnamate derivative, plicati n C (1), together with 18 known compounds, were isolated from the solid and liquid state fermentations of A. terreus DM62. Activity evaluation showed that compounds 3, 6, and 8-10 exhibited stronger α-glucosidase inhibitory activities than acarbose at 400 μM, and butenolide 3, with an IC50 value of 21.5 μM, was discovered with significant ACL inhibitory activity for the first time. Conclusion: This study not only discovered a new cinnamate derivative but also found butenolides with potent ACL inhibitory activity, which is favorable to clarify their pharmacological mechanism in the treatment of metabolic disease.