Genipin-Simple but Significant Bioactive Iridoid for Therapeutical Application and Beyond: A Review.

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.

The Genus P. Browne as a Source of Biologically Active Phytochemicals for Pharmaceutical Application and Beyond-A Review.

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.

cytotoxic activity of Cham. & Schltdl. extracts related to the oenothein B content.

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.

A Flavonoid on the Brain: Quercetin as a Potential Therapeutic Agent in Central Nervous System Disorders.

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.

UHPLC-PDA-ESI-MS profile of phenolic compounds in the aerial parts of Cham. & Schltdl.

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.

Anti-melanoma potential of two benzoquinone homologues embelin and rapanone - a comparative in vitro study.

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.

Steroidal saponins from the genus .

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.

In vitro anti-denaturation and anti-hyaluronidase activities of extracts and galactolipids from leaves of Impatiens parviflora DC.

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.

: botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological overview.

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.

Saponins as cytotoxic agents: a review.

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.

Steroidal glycosides from the underground parts of Allium ursinum L. and their cytostatic and antimicrobial activity.

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.