RESUMO
The phytochemical analysis on the aerial parts of Teucrium capitatum L. collected from a new population in Central Italy, led to the identification of eight compounds, i.e. pheophytin a (1), poliumoside (2), apigenin (3), luteolin (4), cirsimaritin (5), cirsiliol (6), 8-O-acetyl-harpagide (7) and teucardoside (8) belonging to four different classes of secondary metabolites. Pheophytin a (1) represents a newly identified compound in the genus whereas compounds (7-8) are newly identified compound in the species. The chemotaxonomic and ethnobotanical aspects relative to the presence of these compounds were widely discussed suggesting important conclusions for both.
Assuntos
Teucrium , Teucrium/química , Etnobotânica , Extratos Vegetais/química , Compostos Fitoquímicos/análise , Componentes Aéreos da Planta/químicaRESUMO
In this review paper, the occurrence in the plant kingdom, the chemophenetic value and the biological activities associated with two specific phenyl-ethanoid glycosides, i.e., leucosceptoside A and leucosceptoside B, were reported. This is the first work ever conducted on such a subject. Analysis of the literature data clearly led to three important conclusions: leucosceptoside A is much more common in plants than leucosceptoside B; leucosceptoside A exerts more biological activities than leucosceptoside B even if nothing can be generally concluded about which one is actually the most potent; neither of these compounds can be used as a chemophenetic marker. These three aspects and more are discussed in more depth in this work.
Assuntos
Glicosídeos , Plantas , Glicosídeos/farmacologia , Extratos VegetaisRESUMO
In this paper, the phytochemical analysis of the seeds of a new Iranian Plantago ovata Forssk. population exemplar is reported. This phytochemical analysis was carried out by means of hydroalcoholic maceration, column chromatography, NMR and MS analyses and led to the isolation of sixteen compounds belonging to five different classes of natural compounds. After comparison with previous analyses, a clear difference about their whole phytochemical patterns could be observed in some terms. A possible explanation of this was generally given, too.
Assuntos
Plantago , Irã (Geográfico) , Compostos Fitoquímicos/análise , Plantago/química , Sementes/químicaRESUMO
Herein, a comprehensive review is given focusing on the chemical profiles of the essential oils (EOs), non-volatile compounds, ethnobotany, and biological activities of different Haplophyllum (Rutaceae family) species. To gather the relevant data, all the scientific databases, including Scopus, ISI-WOS (Institute of Scientific Information-Web of Science), and PubMed and highly esteemed publishers such as Elsevier, Springer, Taylor and Francis, etc., were systematically retrieved and reviewed. A wide array of valuable groups of natural compounds, e.g., terpenoids, coumarins, alkaloids, lignans, flavonoids, and organic acids have been isolated and subsequently characterized in different organic extracts of a number of Haplophyllum species. In addition, some remarkable antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cytotoxic, antileishmanial, and antialgal effects as well as promising remedial therapeutic properties have been well-documented for some species of the genus Haplophyllum.
Assuntos
Compostos Fitoquímicos/química , Fitoterapia , Rutaceae/química , Animais , Humanos , Medicina Tradicional , Compostos Fitoquímicos/uso terapêutico , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
In this paper, the first phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract of Daphne sericea Vahl flowering aerial parts collected in Italy and its biological activities were reported. Eleven compounds were identified i.e., α-linolenic acid (1), tri-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol (2), pheophorbide a ethyl ester (3), pilloin (4), sinensetin (5), yuanhuanin (6), rutamontine (7), syringin (8), p-coumaric acid (9), p-anisic acid (10) and caffeic acid (11). To the best of our knowledge, compounds (1-4, 7-8 and 10) were isolated from D. sericea for the first time during this work, whereas sinensetin (5) represents a newly identified component of the entire Thymelaeaceae family. The extract was found to possess radical scavenging against both DPPH⢠and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-thylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTSâ¢+) radicals, with at least a 40-fold higher potency against the latter. Moreover, chelating abilities against both ferrous and ferric ions have been highlighted, thus suggesting a possible indirect antioxidant power of the extract. Although the precise bioactive compounds remain to be discovered, the polyphenolic constituents, including phenolic acids, tannins and flavonoids, seem to contribute to the antioxidant power of the phytocomplex. In addition, the extract produced cytotoxic effects in MDA-MB-231 and U87-MG cancer cell lines, especially at the concentration of 625 µg/mL and after 48-72 h. Further studies are required to clarify the contribution of the identified compounds in the bioactivities of the extract and to support possible future applications.
Assuntos
Daphne/química , Etanol/química , Componentes Aéreos da Planta/química , Extratos Vegetais/química , Antioxidantes/química , Itália , Thymelaeaceae/químicaRESUMO
In this work, the first phytochemical analysis ever performed on the unripe female cones of Wollemia nobilis W. G. Jones, K. D. Hill & J. M. Allen was described. The analysis evidenced the presence of a new derivative of sandaracopimaric acid together with rare diterpenoid derivatives and known compounds of chemosystematic and bioactivity relevance. Some of these were evidenced in the species or in the family for the first time during this study. The further implications of the isolated compounds in the field of chemosystematics, pharmacology and nutraceutics were discussed.
Assuntos
Diterpenos , Traqueófitas , Compostos FitoquímicosRESUMO
In this review article, the occurrence of harpagide in the plant kingdom and its associated biological activities are presented and detailed for the first time. The presence of harpagide has been reported in several botanical families within Asteridae, and harpagide has been observed to exert a wide number of biological activities such as cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective. These results show how harpagide can be recovered from several natural sources for several pharmacological purposes even if there is a lot to still be studied. Nowadays, the interest is related to its presence in phytomedicines. Threfore, these studies are useful to support and validate the large use of several plants in the folklore medicine.
Assuntos
Glicosídeos Iridoides/farmacologia , Magnoliopsida/química , Compostos Fitoquímicos/farmacologia , Piranos/farmacologia , Glicosídeos Iridoides/isolamento & purificação , Compostos Fitoquímicos/isolamento & purificação , Piranos/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
The rationale inspiring the discovery of lead compounds for the treatment of human parasitic protozoan diseases from natural sources is the well-established use of medicinal plants in various systems of traditional medicine. On this basis, we decided to select an overlooked medicinal plant growing in central Italy, Marrubium incanum Desr. (Lamiaceae), which has been used as a traditional remedy against protozoan diseases, and to investigate its potential against Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). For this purpose, we assayed three extracts of different polarities obtained from the aerial parts of M. incanum-namely, water (MarrInc-H2O), ethanol (MarrInc-EtOH) and dichloromethane (MarrInc-CH2Cl2)-against Trypanosoma brucei (TC221), with the aim to discover lead compounds for the development of antitrypanosomal drugs. Their selectivity index (SI) was determined on mammalian cells (BALB/3T3 mouse fibroblasts) as a counter-screen for toxicity. The preliminary screening selected the MarrInc-CH2Cl2 extract as the most promising candidate against HAT, showing an IC50 value of 28 µg/mL. On this basis, column chromatography coupled with the NMR spectroscopy of a MarrInc-CH2Cl2 extract led to the isolation and identification of five compounds i.e. 1-α-linolenoyl-2-palmitoyl-3-stearoyl-sn- glycerol (1), 1-linoleoyl-2-palmitoyl-3-stearoyl-sn-glycerol (2), stigmasterol (3), palmitic acid (4), and salvigenin (5). Notably, compounds 3 and 5 were tested on T. brucei, with the latter being five-fold more active than the MarrInc-CH2Cl2 extract (IC50 = 5.41 ± 0.85 and 28 ± 1.4 µg/mL, respectively). Furthermore, the SI for salvigenin was >18.5, showing a preferential effect on target cells compared with the dichloromethane extract (>3.6). Conversely, stigmasterol was found to be inactive. To complete the work, also the more polar MarrInc-EtOH extract was analyzed, giving evidence for the presence of 2â³-O-allopyranosyl-cosmosiin (6), verbascoside (7), and samioside (8). Our findings shed light on the phytochemistry of this overlooked species and its antiprotozoal potential, providing evidence for the promising role of flavonoids such as salvigenin for the treatment of protozoal diseases.
Assuntos
Marrubium/química , Extratos Vegetais/química , Tripanossomicidas , Trypanosoma brucei brucei/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Células 3T3 , Animais , Humanos , Camundongos , Tripanossomicidas/química , Tripanossomicidas/isolamento & purificação , Tripanossomicidas/farmacologiaRESUMO
In this review article, the phytochemistry of the species belonging to the Araucariaceae family is explored. Among these, in particular, it is given a wide overview on the phytochemical profile of Wollemia genus, for the first time. In addition to this, the ethnopharmacology and the general biological activities associated to the Araucariaceae species are singularly described. Lastly, the chemotaxonomy at the genus and family levels is described and detailed.
RESUMO
Vesuvius eruption that destroyed Pompeii in AD 79 represents one of the most important events in history. The cataclysm left behind an abundance of archeological evidence representing a fundamental source of the knowledge we have about ancient Roman material culture and technology. A great number of textiles have been preserved, rarely maintaining traces of their original color, since they are mainly in the mineralized and carbonized state. However, one outstanding textile sample displays a brilliant purple color and traces of gold strips. Since the purple was one of the most exclusive dyes in antiquity, its presence in an important commercial site like Pompeii induces us to deepen the knowledge of such artifacts and provide further information on their history. For this reason, the characterization of the purple color was the main scope of this research, and to deepen the knowledge of such artifacts, the SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering) in solution approach was applied. Then, these data were enriched by HPLC-HRMS analyses, which confirmed SERS-based hypotheses and also allowed to hypothesize the species of the origin mollusk. In this context, a step-by-step integrated approach resulted fundamental to maximize the information content and to provide new data on textile manufacturing and trade in antiquity.
Assuntos
Produtos Biológicos/química , Corantes/química , Minerais/química , Têxteis/análise , Produtos Biológicos/análise , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Corantes/análise , Microscopia , Minerais/análise , Análise Espectral RamanRESUMO
In this review article, the occurrence of nor-lignans and their biological activities are explored and described. Nor-lignans have proven to be present in several different families also belonging to chemosystematically distant orders as well as to have many different beneficial pharmacological activities. This review article represents the first one on this argument and is thought to give a first overview on these compounds with the hope that their study may continue and increase, after this.
Assuntos
Lignanas/química , Lignanas/uso terapêutico , Plantas/química , Animais , HumanosRESUMO
In this paper, the phytochemical analysis on the inflorescences (flowers and bracts) of a sample of Tilia tomentosa collected from an isolated population in Central Italy, was reported for the first time. Thirteen compounds (oleanolic acid, maslinic acid, apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol, quercetin, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, rutin, tiliroside, ellagic acid, shikimic acid and quinic acid), belonging to several different classes of natural products, were identified on the basis of spectroscopic and spectrometric analysis. This sample was found to be mainly composed by flavonoids, followed by organic acids and pentacyclic triterpenes. The chemosystematic aspects of the identified components were also discussed, together with their pharmacologic relevance with respect to the traditional medicinal uses of this plant material.
Assuntos
Inflorescência/química , Extratos Vegetais/química , Metabolismo Secundário , Tilia/química , Classificação/métodos , Flavonoides , Glucosídeos , Itália , Quempferóis , Monossacarídeos , Compostos Fitoquímicos/análise , Quercetina/análogos & derivadosRESUMO
Sulfur-containing secondary metabolites are a relatively small group of substances of plant origin. The present review is focused on their neuroprotective properties. The results obtained in a series of in vitro and in vivo studies are reported. Among glucosinolates, the wide class of compounds in the sulfur-containing metabolites, glucoraphanin, sulforaphane and isothiocyanates proved to be the more studied in this context and showed interesting properties as modulators of several systems involved in the pathogenesis of neurologic diseases such as oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. Allium sativum L. (garlic) is widely known for its sulfur-containing components endowed with health-promoting activities and its medicinal properties are known from ancient times. In recent studies, garlic components proved active in neuroprotection due to the direct and indirect antioxidant properties, modulation of apoptosis mediators and inhibiting the formation of amyloid protein. Dihydroasparagusic acid, the first dimercaptanic compound isolated from a natural source, effectively inhibited inflammatory and oxidative processes that are important factors for the etiopathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, not only for its antioxidant and radical scavenging properties but also because it may down-regulate the expression of several microglial-derived inflammatory mediators. Serofendic acid represents a rare case of sulfur-containing animal-derived secondary metabolite isolated from fetal calf serum extract. It proved effective in the suppression of ROS generation and in the expression of several inflammatory and apoptosis mediators and showed a cytotrophic property in astrocytes, promoting the stellation process. Lastly, the properties of hydrogen sulfide were also reported since in recent times it has been recognized as a signaling molecule and as a mediator in regulating neuron death or survival. It may be produced endogenously from cysteine but may also be released by sulfur-containing secondary metabolites, mainly from those present in garlic.
Assuntos
Fármacos Neuroprotetores/farmacologia , Animais , Antioxidantes , Cisteína , Alho , EnxofreRESUMO
Paints used in street art are modern materials subjected to degradation processes, which are very complex and difficult to predict without taking into account of several factors. This study investigates three outdoor murals in Lazio, - namely "graffiti", a word now used to indicate a spontaneous street art tendency consisting in images and writings realized by spray paints in public spaces to provoke passersby -with the aim to discover materials application techniques and chemical composition and figure out whether alteration phenomena occurred. Twenty-two samples were collected, and their stratigraphy was studied by optical microscopy. Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy was used to identify binders and their degradation products in paints and preparatory layers, while for characterization of organic pigments used in all different stratigraphy layers of samples micro-Raman spectroscopy analyses was carried out. Furthermore, micro-Raman spectroscopy allowed to study an unusual patina formed on the surface of a pink paint. This information is useful for artists as well as for conservators, who must face numerous issues related to the preservation of this modern and labile kind of artistic expression, very fashionable nowadays but often created without care for materials duration. Conservation issues were also deepened by interviews with several contemporary mural authors. Artists underlined how contemporary murals are a very heterogeneous means of expression. Different cultural tendencies coexisting result in different attitude towards conservation.
RESUMO
The Hasti Afunei sarcophagus is a large Etruscan urn, made up of two chalky alabaster monoliths. Dated from the last quarter of the third century BC, it was found in 1826 in the small town of Chiusi (Tuscany- Il Colle place) by a landowner, Pietro Bonci Casuccini, who made it part of his private collection. The noble owner's collection was sold in 1865 to the Royal Museum of Palermo (today under the name of Antonino Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum), where it is still displayed. The sarcophagus is characterized by a complex iconography that is meticulously illustrated through an excellent sculptural technique, despite having subjected to anthropic degradation and numerous restorative actions during the last century. During the restoration campaign carried out between 2016 and 2017, a targeted diagnostic campaign was carried out to identify the constituent materials of the artefact, the pigments employed and the executive technique, in order to get an overall picture of conservation status and conservative criticalities. In particular, this last intervention has allowed the use of the innovative micro-sampling technique, patented by the Cultural Heritage research group of Sapienza, in order to identify the employee of lake pigments through SERS analyses. Together with this analysis, Raman and NMR technique have completed the information requested by restorers, for what concerns the wax employed as protective layers, and allowed to rebuild the conservation history of the sarcophagus. In fact, together with the identification of red ocher and yellow ocher, carbon black, Egyptian blue and madder lake, pigments compatible with the historical period of the work, modern pigments (probably green Paris, chrome orange, barium yellow, blue phtalocyanine) have been recognized, attributable with not documented intervention during the eighteenth and twentieth centuries.
Assuntos
Arqueologia , Microtecnologia/métodos , Análise Espectral Raman/métodos , Cor , Corantes/química , Imageamento Tridimensional , ItáliaRESUMO
In this review, the relevance of the plant species belonging to the Pedicularis L. genus has been considered from different points of view. Particular emphasis was given to phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology, since several classes of natural compounds have been reported within this genus and many of its species are well known to be employed in the traditional medicines of many Asian countries. Some important conclusions on the chemotaxonomic and chemosystematic aspects of the genus have also been provided for the first time. Actually, this work represents the first total comprehensive review on this genus.
RESUMO
An undescribed labdane-like diterpene with a rare spiro-ß-lactone function was identified from the ethanol extract of the male cones of the coniferous tree Wollemia nobilis. This spirolabdadienolide (IUPAC name: syn-ent-8(17),13-labdadien-19,18-olid-15-oic acid methyl ester; trivial name: wollemolide), was isolated by means of traditional and high performance chromatography techniques and structurally elucidated through NMR and MS. In addition, six further known metabolites were evidenced in the extract. Wollemolide, which may be considered an additional chemotaxonomic marker, and 4'-O-methyl-scutellarein, a simple flavonoid, had not been isolated in our previous phytochemical study on the same plant organ. This demonstrates how the molecular pattern of a plant species is in continuous movement and changes with the passing of time according to the climate of the year.
Assuntos
Diterpenos/análise , Flavonoides/análise , Compostos de Espiro/análise , Traqueófitas/química , Traqueófitas/metabolismo , Diterpenos/química , Flavonoides/química , Frutas/química , Frutas/metabolismo , Itália , Lactonas/análise , Lactonas/química , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Estrutura Molecular , Estações do Ano , Espectrometria de Massas por Ionização por Electrospray , Compostos de Espiro/químicaRESUMO
In this work, the fifth part of an ongoing phytochemical study on Wollemia nobilis was reported. The attention was now focused on the male reproduction organs of which the content in both primary and secondary metabolites was analyzed. Twenty compounds, belonging to seven different classes of natural compounds, were identified from the ethanolic extract by means of Column Chromatography and NMR and MS Spectroscopy. They all represent new compounds for the studied organ whereas some of them are also new constituents of the genus or even previously undescribed phytochemicals. Their presence was able to display a general overview of these organs from the phytochemical standpoint and to provide more elements in confirmation with the current botanical classification of the species. Moreover, they add a further experimental evidence of the tendency of this species to accumulate different metabolites in different organs. This characteristic as well as the occurrence of several compounds with added value, make this plant a possible candidate for large scale cultivation with extractive purposes to obtain useful phytochemicals for botanicals and pharmaceutical fields. Moreover, they offer the opportunity to develop an additional method of conservation and protection for this endangered and very rare species.
Assuntos
Glucosídeos/química , Monoterpenos/química , Traqueófitas/química , Espécies em Perigo de Extinção , Glucosídeos/isolamento & purificação , Estrutura Molecular , Monoterpenos/isolamento & purificação , Compostos Fitoquímicos/química , Compostos Fitoquímicos/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
In the second half of the 90s, alongside the restoration works of the Quattrocentisti (fifteenth century painters) in the Sistine Chapel, it also carried out the restoration of the frescoes of the Stanze di Raffaello. The results of scientific investigations conducted by the Scientific Research Laboratory of the Vatican Museums, previously presented in some assays of study, are summarised and presented in this letter to the Editor for the special issue of Natural Product Research: Natural Products in Cultural Heritage.
Assuntos
Arte , Produtos Biológicos/química , Museus/história , Pinturas/história , Bioensaio , Produtos Biológicos/normas , Cultura , História do Século XV , Julgamento , Cidade do VaticanoRESUMO
Painting and body art are increasing their utilisation as well as their cultural impact, since piercing and tattoos are expanding social phenomena, involving many young people. However, the utilised materials often enter the market with insufficient control and several cases of skin damages are reported. Safety of the utilised products must be ensured by adequate quality controls which must be easily made, rapid, low cost, clear and persuasive. The method here reported, regards the analysis on the possible presence of picramic acid in the ethyl acetate extracts of commercial henné powders by NMR Spectroscopy. In the proton spectrum, three sets of peaks could be detected, corresponding to the three classes of makers resonances: hennosides, typical markers of Lawsonia inermis, the henné plant; picramic acid or picramate; fatty acids. In particular, the set of signals corresponding to hennosides can be used as markers of the utilisation of the correct raw material of henné.