Phytochemistry Reviews最新文献

Plant-derived compounds known as phytochemicals have various therapeutic benefits in terms of human health. Despite the wide range of therapeutic uses of phytochemicals, they are encountered with many challenges, viz., poor solubility, instability, and reduced bioavailability in a few instances. Many researchers have recently used phytosomes to overcome these technical difficulties and achieve better outcomes. A phytosome is a matrix-carrier system composed of active phytochemical(s) and phospholipids that enhances the absorption and bioavailability of phytochemicals while facilitating the transport of medication to the target site of action. Globally, the increase in patent registrations over the last two decades has demonstrated a significant growing interest in utilizing phytosomes for developing medicines and nutraceuticals. This report presents a thorough investigation of patents registered regarding phytosomes from the years 2000 to 2024, aiming to detail technological advancements, methodological developments, applications for specific diseases, therapeutic domains, and nutraceuticals in a coherent sequence. The expanding patent landscape on phytosome-based formulations underscores their promise in enhancing bioavailability, targeted delivery, and therapeutic efficacy of natural compounds in comparison to synthetic active compounds. However, future success will rely on bridging preclinical innovation with robust clinical validation and addressing regulatory challenges for translational acceptance.

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The ever-growing world population has escalated pressure on food production, leading to a dramatic rise in the use of chemical pesticides. Reliance on synthetic chemicals is not only hazardous to humans but also to the environment, highlighting the urgent need for eco-friendly alternatives. Biopesticides have emerged as a promising solution, with the global market for biostimulants and biopesticides projected to reach $30 billion within the next decade. Among these product classes, peptide-based biopesticides have gained considerable attention due to their high specificity, environmental compatibility, and efficacy. Several natural peptide families possess potency against plant pathogens. One such family is cyclotides, which are cyclic plant peptides that are involved in plant defence and have been extensively studied over the last few decades for their agricultural and pharmaceutical properties. Their exceptional stability, conferred by a head-to-tail cyclic backbone and cystine knot motif, enhances their resilience to formulation and storage and broadens their potential applications in agriculture. This review presents a comprehensive overview of cyclotides in the context of other biopesticide classes, highlighting their broad bioactivities, consensus sequence features linked to function, applications in agriculture, and their involvement in plant stress responses. We highlight key advances in the field over the past decade.

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The Copaifera genus (Fabaceae) is widely used in traditional medicine, especially in the form of oleoresin, for the treatment of inflammatory and infectious disorders. However, other plant parts, particularly the leaves, remain comparatively underexplored despite their considerable pharmacological potential. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review the available literature regarding the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of leaf extracts from Copaifera species. Literature searches were conducted in Google Scholar, EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, SciELO, and Scopus databases, including original articles published in Portuguese and English. The search strategy included combinations of descriptors related to Copaifera species, chemical composition, and antibacterial activity. Of the 983 studies initially identified, 11 met the inclusion criteria. The included studies revealed that Copaifera leaf extracts contain a wide variety of secondary metabolites, particularly diterpenes, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, and pentacyclic triterpenes, which were associated with antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Non-polar extracts were predominantly associated with terpenoid-rich profiles and antibacterial activity against clinically relevant pathogens. The findings indicate that Copaifera leaf extracts represent a promising and sustainable source of antibacterial bioactive compounds with potential applications in phytotherapeutic and anti-infective formulations. However, the available evidence remains limited by methodological heterogeneity, inconsistent antibacterial assays, limited in vivo validation, and scarce translational studies. Future investigations should prioritize standardized extraction protocols, integrated pharmacological approaches, and in vivo validation to support the therapeutic development of Copaifera-derived compounds.

Stellaria media (L.) Vill., Galium aparine L., and Galinsoga parviflora Cav. are cosmopolitan species widely used in traditional medicine and as food sources. All three plants have been traditionally applied as anti-inflammatory agents and for the treatment of wounds and skin disorders. S. media has also been used as anti-arthritic remedy, while G. parviflora has been employed for protection against solar radiation. This review evaluates whether the traditional medicinal uses of these species are supported by contemporary phytochemical and pharmacological evidence and provides an updated overview of their chemical composition and biological activity. A comprehensive literature survey was conducted using major scientific databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, SpringerLink, and Wiley Online Library. Phytochemical studies revealed high chemical diversity in all three species, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, iridoids, terpenoids, and phytosterols. Polar fractions were rich in phenolic compounds, whereas non-polar fractions were dominated by fatty acids, hydrocarbons, and terpenoids. Reported biological activities include antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, enzyme inhibitory, and antidiabetic effects. S. media additionally demonstrated anti-obesity, neuroprotective, and wound-healing activities, while G. aparine showed immunomodulatory and anticancer potential. Extracts of G. parviflora exhibited anti-biofilm, larvicidal, anti-arthritic, and photoprotective effects and inhibited enzymes such as α-amylase, α-glucosidase, urease, and hyaluronidase. Current evidence partially supports the traditional uses of these species. However, further studies employing standardized extraction procedures, bioactivity-guided fractionation, and detailed phytochemical characterization are necessary to clarify structure–activity relationships and support the development of evidence-based phytotherapy.

Plant-derived terpenoids constitute one of the most structurally diverse and biologically active classes of natural products, offering substantial potential for therapeutic and industrial applications. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current advances in plant derived terpenoid medicines, beginning with the fundamental principles of terpene chemistry and extending to the complexity of plant specific biosynthetic pathways. We critically examine the therapeutic roles of terpenoids, with particular emphasis on their antioxidant, anticancer, antiallergic, and antimicrobial activities. Furthermore, the review highlights recent developments in biotechnological approaches, including genetic transformation, CRISPR genome editing, microRNA (miRNA) mediated regulation, and plant tissue culture, aimed at enhancing terpenoid biosynthesis and yield. Emerging chemical and green synthesis strategies are also discussed as sustainable alternatives to conventional plant extraction. By integrating perspectives from pharmacology, plant molecular biology, and synthetic chemistry, this review underscores the versatility of plant derived terpenoids as promising candidates for drug discovery and industrial innovation, while identifying key challenges and outlining future research directions.

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Huangqin decoction (HQD), a traditional Chinese prescription composed of Scutellariae Radix (Huang-Qin in Chinese), Paeonia Lactiflora (Shao-Yao), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gan-Cao), and Jujubae Fructus (Da-Zao), has been used for heat-induced diarrhea (Re-Xie) for over 1800 years. Its modern modified pharmaceutical formulation, YIV906, was currently the first traditional Chinese prescriptions botanical medicine to enter the Food and Drug Administration clinical trial phase for cancer treatment. Despite its long history, the modern scientific explorations of its phytochemistry composition and Pharmacological activities still need to be systematically summarized. By analyzing and summarizing the current research of HQD, this review aimed to clarify existing research gaps and propose recommendations for future researches. The search terms “Huangqin decoction” and “Huangqin tang” were utilized to obtain the relevant literature from online databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, SciFinder, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Furthermore, traditional medical books in China were also collected. In total, 192 chemical constituents were identified in HQD using analytical methods. The quality evaluation of HQD primarily focused on its chemical fingerprint. In addition, pharmacokinetic studies on HQD centered on the active components present in its constituent herbs. Pharmacological studies showed HQD had anti-ulcerative colitis, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial properties, and regulated metabolism. Its main mechanisms involved signaling pathways like PI3K/AKT/mTOR, miR-185-3p/MLCK/pMLC, and IFN-γ/JAK/ETS, which collectively maintained immune balance, intestinal microbiota, and epithelial barrier integrity. In clinical applications, HQD was commonly used for the treatment of digestive system diseases, cancer, and metabolic syndrome. However, there remained some limitations in the investigation of HQD. Future studies focusing on the elucidation of chemical constituents, the improvement of quality control, and the clarification of functional mechanisms are worthy of exploration.

The guayule shrub, Parthenium argentatum A. Gray, has a long history of use as an alternative source of natural rubber and latex. However, the resin produced by this shrub, which contains a considerable number of secondary metabolites, has yet to be fully exploited. The most abundant metabolites in guayule resin are the argentatins, which chemically correspond to cycloartenol- and lanostane-type triterpenes, and represent up to 27% of the total resin content. These compounds have significant potential for pharmaceutical development, particularly in relation to their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumorigenic properties. The present study reviews the principal pharmacological and biomedical activities ascribed to the argentatins and demonstrates that minor chemical modifications in their structure through semi-synthesis or biotransformation has the potential to enhance their activity to > tenfold compared with the original compound in approximately 80% of cases. The exploration and utilization of these compounds might increase the commercial utilization of guayule cultivation, facilitating the development of new applications and opportunities for this versatile shrub in the healthcare sector.

Siparuna guianensis is a neotropical aromatic species widely used in traditional medicine whose essential oil exhibits diverse biological activities. However, current evidence remains fragmented and strongly influenced by chemical variability across populations and extraction conditions. This study integrates scientometric mapping, multivariate chemometric analysis, and critical pharmacological review to clarify the relationship between chemical composition and biological activity of S. guianensis essential oil. Publications indexed in Web of Science were analyzed to identify research trends, collaboration networks, and thematic focus. Reported chemical composition data were subjected to principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering to define chemotype patterns and associate them with biological outcomes. The literature reveals a highly centralized and chemistry-driven research field dominated by vector-control and pest-management studies, with limited mechanistic pharmacology in mammalian systems. Chemometric results demonstrate pronounced chemical polymorphism, separating monoterpene-rich and sesquiterpene-rich chemotypes. Monoterpene profiles, particularly those dominated by β-myrcene and aliphatic ketones, are mainly linked to insecticidal and repellent effects, whereas sesquiterpene-rich oils containing germacrene D, curzerenone, spathulenol, and α-bisabolol are more frequently associated with antimicrobial, antiparasitic, enzyme-inhibitory, and antitumoral activities. Despite promising results, most studies remain preliminary. Pharmacological translation will require chemotype standardization, mechanistic validation, safety profiling, and advanced formulation strategies to enable reproducible and clinically relevant applications.

Biflavonoids from the Thymelaeaceae family are gaining increasing attention due to their diverse pharmacological activities and considerable potential as therapeutic agents. Biflavonoids derived from genera such as Stellera, Wikstroemia, and Daphne have emerged as focal points in natural product-based drug discovery. Previous studies have documented the ethnopharmacological applications of Thymelaeaceae species while providing analyses of their phytochemical constituents. However, systematic reviews critically evaluating the structural diversity, pharmacological activities, and structure–activity relationships of Thymelaeaceae-derived biflavonoids remain scarce. Therefore, the main objective of this review is to summarize recent research reports on biflavonoids isolated from Thymelaeaceae plants up to the present, including their structural features, classification based on linkage patterns, and pharmacological activities, with particular emphasis on anticancer, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, this article discusses structure–activity relationships of representative biflavonoids, highlighting how specific structural features—such as C-3/C-3″ linkages, methoxy substitution, and stereochemical configuration—critically influence their bioactivity. By identifying current research gaps and proposing future directions, this review aims to provide a comprehensive reference for the continued development of Thymelaeaceae biflavonoids as potential drug candidates.

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Serrulatane diterpenoids represent a structurally unique and biologically significant class of natural products, predominantly found in various plant genera and marine organisms, such as soft corals. Characterized by a distinctive bicarbocyclic skeleton and diverse oxygenation patterns, these compounds arise via an unconventional biosynthetic pathway involving the cisoid nerylneryl diphosphate (NNPP) and class I terpene synthases, diverging from the typical geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP)-dependent route common to most diterpenes. Exhibiting potent antiviral, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities, serrulatanes hold promise as leads for pharmaceutical development, while also serving as chemotaxonomic markers and ecological defense agents in both terrestrial and marine environments. This review comprehensively summarizes the current knowledge on the naturally occurring serrulatane diterpenoids reported to date, detailing their sources, structural features, and biological activities, and highlighting their importance in chemical ecology and drug discovery.