Publications by authors named "Danuta Sobolewska"

Genipin is a non-glycosidic iridoid isolated mainly from the fruits of and . It is the active ingredient in extracts from these plants, responsible for their anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. In several in vitro tests, its anti-proliferative activity against tumour cell lines has been demonstrated, and due to its ability to specifically inhibit the UCP2 protein and inhibit STAT3 activation, a significant increase in the cytotoxicity of several anticancer drugs was observed in co-treatment with genipin.

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P. Browne (Lythraceae) is a monophyletic taxon comprising some 240-260 species that grow wild in the warm, temperate, and tropical regions of South and Central America and the southern part of North America. They have been valued as traditional medicinal remedies for numerous indications, including treating wounds, parasitic infections, hypertension, digestive disorders, cough, rheumatism, and pain.

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is a traditional medicinal plant species of the Lythraceae family. This work reports on the cytotoxic activity of the methanolic extract from the aerial parts of and the -butanol and ethyl acetate fractions against human skin and prostate cancer cells. The selectivity of action was tested in normal skin keratinocytes HaCaT and prostate epithelial cells PNT2.

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Quercetin is one of the most common, naturally occurring flavonoids, structurally classified to the flavonol subfamily. This compound, found in many edible and medicinal plants either as a free or glycosidated form, has been scientifically exploited for many years, and one could hardly expect it could be a hero of some additional story. Commonly recognized as an anti-inflammatory agent, quercetin not only limits capillary vessel permeability by inhibiting hyaluronidase but also blocks cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases.

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The purpose of the current study was a qualitative UHPLC-PDA-ESI-MS analysis of phenolic compounds in the aerial parts of , which led to detection of over sixty constituents: tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids and their derivatives. The presence of oenothein B-type macrocyclic dimeric ellagitannins seems to be of particular importance. Quercetin sulfate, that has been previously identified as characteristic chemotaxonomic marker in , was found in , as well.

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Rapanone and embelin are simple alkyl benzoquinone derivatives, mainly distributed in the Primulaceae. They have an interesting scope of biological activities including cytotoxicity. As melanoma is one of the most common types of cancer, in many cases resistant to current treatment regimens, the aim of this study was to assess and compare anti-melanoma activity of the two benzoquinones.

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Steroidal saponins are widely distributed among monocots, including the Amaryllidaceae family to which the genus is currently classified. Apart from sulfur compounds, these are important biologically active molecules that are considered to be responsible for the observed activity of species, including antifungal, cytotoxic, enzyme-inhibitory, and other. In this paper, literature data concerning chemistry and biological activity of steroidal saponins from the genus has been reviewed.

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The in vitro anti-denaturation and anti-hyaluronidase activities of Impatiens parviflora extracts and isolated galactolipids (MGDG-1, DGDG-1) were investigated. This is the first report on these compounds in I. parviflora.

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Ramson- L. is a medicinal and dietary plant species with a long tradition of use. This mini-review summarizes the current knowledge on the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of this valuable plant, with special emphasis on antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antioxidant, and cardio-protective effects.

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Saponins are natural glycosides which possess a wide range of pharmacological properties including cytotoxic activity. In this review, the recent studies (2005-2009) concerning the cytotoxic activity of saponins have been summarized. The correlations between the structure and the cytotoxicity of both steroid and triterpenoid saponins have been described as well as the most common mechanisms of action.

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The aim of this study was the isolation and structural elucidation of steroidal glycosides from the underground parts of ramson Allium ursinum L. The structures of the isolated compounds were established based upon chromatographic methods and 1D- and 2D-NMR, MS and IR analyses. The mixture of two steroidal saponins: (25R)-spirost-5-en-3b-ol tetrasaccharide and (25R)-spirost-5, 25(27)-dien-3b-ol tetrasaccharide, along with a 3-hydroxypregna-5,16-dien-20-one glycoside were identified.

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