Natural daucane esters induces apoptosis in leukaemic cells through ROS production.

Continuing our research on antiproliferative agents from plants, we extended our interest on further compounds isolated from Ferula communis and Ferulago campestris. One new daucane (DE-20) and one new phenol derivative (PH-3) were isolated and characterized in addition to six daucane, three coumarins and four simple phenolics. The cytotoxic activity was evaluated against a panel of six human tumor cell lines.

Changes in urinary metabolic profile after oral administration of curcuma extract in rats.

The diffusion of phytochemicals in health promoting products is growing, but studies related to their effects on healthy subjects are still lacking despite the large consumption of natural products as nutraceuticals or food supplements. In many cases, research supports the in vitro antioxidant activity of phytochemicals, but the health claims attributed to the final marketed nutraceutical products have dubious scientific foundation. Also, studies focussed on the definition of their biological targets and mechanisms of action can be useful to assess their efficacy and safety.

Differences in the chemical composition of Arnica montana flowers from wild populations of north Italy.

The flower heads of fourteen wild Arnica montana L. populations were collected in the summer of 2010 in the provinces of Trento, Brescia and Bergamo (Italy). The dried flowers were analyzed to assess their chemical diversity.

Phytochemical investigation on Atriplex halimus L. from Sardinia.

In this study, we reported the phytochemical composition of the aerial parts of Atriplex halimus L. collected from Sardinia. This species is a halophytic shrub, typical of the Mediterranean Basin.