Chalepin and Chalepensin: Occurrence,Biosynthesis and Therapeutic Potential

Dihydrofuranocoumarin, chalepin (1) and furanocoumarin, chalepensin (2) are 3-prenylated bioactive coumarins, first isolated from the well-known medicinal plant Ruta chalepensis L. (Fam: Rutaceae) but also distributed in various species of the genera Boenminghausenia, Clausena and Ruta. The distribution of these compounds appears to be restricted to the plants of the family Rutaceae. To date, there have been a considerable number of bioactivity studies performed on coumarins 1 and 2, which include their anticancer, antidiabetic, antifertility, antimicrobial, antiplatelet aggregation, antiprotozoal, antiviral and calcium antagonistic properties. This review article presents a critical appraisal of publications on bioactivity of these 3-prenylated coumarins in the light of their feasibility as novel therapeutic agents and investigate their natural distribution in the plant kingdom, as well as a plausible biosynthetic route.     

同时测定旱芹抗性淀粉和抗性低聚糖含量

建立了同时测定旱芹中抗性淀粉（Resistant Starch,RS）和抗性低聚糖（Resistant Oligosacch-arides,RO）含量的方法.通过模拟人体胃肠道的生理条件,除去样品中脂类物质、蛋白质和可溶性淀粉后,分别采用紫外分光光度法和酶-重量法测定RS和RO含量.RS含量在0.0160-0.1600mg/mL（r=0.9993）范围内呈良好的线性关系（n=6）,平均回收率为90.7％,RSD=2.0％ （n=9）;RO含量测定平均回收率为87.3％,RSD=2.9％ （n=9）.实验结果表明：该方法线性、精密度、重复性、稳定性和回收率试验均符合方法学验证要求.该方法操作简便,结果准确,重复性好,为全面测定旱芹膳食纤维（DF）中各组分的含量提供了依据,使旱芹DF含量标示更准确.     

TRIACYLGLYCERINES OF Ruta graveolens GROWN in vivo AND in vitro

The composition of triacylglycerines (TAG) from photosynthetic tissues ofRuta graveolensL. (Rutaceae) grownin vivoandin vitrowas studied with respect to chain length and unsaturation. Esterification of sn-2-glycerol by unsaturated acids is less selective underin vitrothanin vivoconditions. TAG of thein vitroculture have an elevated content of forms with oleinic acid in the sn-2-position.     

Composition of Volatiles Obtained from Spices by Microdistillation

Organic volatiles obtained by microdistillation from five common spices (Coriandrum sativum L., Foeniculum vulgare Miller, Piper nigrum L., Anethum graveolens L., Pimpinella anisum L.) using an Eppendorf Micro-Distiller were analyzed by GC/MS. The results are presented in a comparative manner with conventional water distillation.     

Neutral Lipids of Ruta graveolens L. Grown in vivo and in vitro

The composition of neutral lipids (NL) and fatty acids of acyl-containing components in differentiated tissues ofRuta graveolensL. (Rutaceae) grown in vivo and in vitro is studied. The NL of in vitro cultures differ from NL of the intact plant by a larger content of esters of fatty acids with alcohols, fewer high-molecular-weight alkanes, alkylbenzenes, free alkanols, and linolenic acid     

Selective phytotoxic activity of 2,3,11β,13-tetrahydroaromaticin and ilicic acid isolated from Inula graveolens

Inula graveolens is a poisonous annual plant of Mediterranean origin. The invasive nature of the plant suggests that it may possess phytotoxic activity. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of I. graveolens to inhibit the growth of different plants in Petri dish and to identify the main bioactive compounds. Bio-guided fractionation of the plant extracts led to the isolation of 2,3,11β,13-tetrahydroaromaticin (THA) and ilicic acid. Both compounds showed selective and significant phytotoxic activity at 25 ppm. Root length of barley, oat, millet, tuberous canary grass and lentils were significantly reduced by 25 ppm of THA, while the root of cauliflower, cress and radish were similarly reduced by ilicic acid at 25 ppm. The structure of each compound was elucidated by using NMR and HR-MS. X-ray crystallography of THA is reported for the first time to confirm the relative stereochemistry of the compound.     

Cytotoxic Plant Extracts towards Insect Cells: Bioactivity and Nanoencapsulation Studies for Application as Biopesticides

The potential of plant extracts as bioinsecticides has been described as a promising field of agricultural development. In this work, the extracts of Punica granatum (pomegranate), Phytolacca americana (American pokeweed), Glandora prostrata (shrubby gromwell), Ulex europaeus (gorce), Tagetes patula (French marigold), Camellia japonica red (camellia), Ruta graveolens (rue or herb-of-grace) were obtained, purified, and their activity against Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells was investigated. From the pool of over twenty extracts obtained, comprising different polarities and vegetable materials, less polar samples were shown to be more toxic towards the insect cell line Sf9. Among these, a dichloromethane extract of R. graveolens was capable of causing a loss of viability of over 50%, exceeding the effect of the commercial insecticide chlorpyrifos. This extract elicited chromatin condensation and the fragmentation in treated cells. Nanoencapsulation assays of the cytotoxic plant extracts in soybean liposomes and chitosan nanostructures were carried out. The nanosystems exhibited sizes lower or around 200 nm, low polydispersity, and generally high encapsulation efficiencies. Release assays showed that chitosan nanoemulsions provide a fast and total extract release, while liposome-based systems are suitable for a more delayed release. These results represent a proof-of-concept for the future development of bioinsecticide nanoformulations based on the cytotoxic plant extracts.     

Efficient and Sensitive Method for Quantitative Determination and Validation of Umbelliferone, Carvone and Myristicin in Anethum graveolens and Carum carvi Seed

An efficient HPTLC method for the analysis of umbelliferone, carvone and myristicin in Anethum graveolens and Carum carvi seed was developed. The method employed HPTLC plates precoated with silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ as the stationary phase. Methanol extracts of seeds from three different sources were used. The calibration plot for umbelliferone, carvone and myristicin were linear with the correlation coefficient of 0.997 ± 0.016, 0.999 ± 0.009 and 0.999 ± 0.013, respectively, which were indicative of good linear dependence of peak area on concentration. The method permits reliable quantification of umbelliferone, carvone and myristicin and showed good resolution and separation. The method was validated as per ICH guidelines. To study the accuracy of the method, recovery studies were performed by the method of standard addition at three different levels and the average percentage recovery was found to be 99.05% for umbelliferone, 100.28% for carvone and 99.8% for myristicin. The proposed HPTLC method for quantitative monitoring of umbelliferone, carvone and myristicin in A. graveolens and C. carvi seed can be used for routine quality testing of these extracts.     

Ruta chalepensis L. (Rutaceae) leaf extract: chemical composition,antioxidant and hypoglicaemic activities

Ruta chalepensis L. (Rutaceae) leaf extract was investigated for its chemical profile and antioxidant and hypoglycaemic properties. The antioxidant effects were investigated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), β-carotene bleaching, and metal chelating activity assays. The carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes inhibition assay was used to test the hypoglycaemic potential. R. chalepensis showed a high content of hesperidin and rutin with values of 591.9 and 266.7 mg/g dry extract, respectively. The extract exhibited a promising protection of lipid peroxidation (IC₅₀ value of 16.9 μg/mL) and inhibited both α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes in a concentration-dependent manner. The highest activity was found against α-amylase (IC₅₀ value of 69.0 μg/mL). The obtained results support the use of R. chalepensis leaves as healthy food ingredients.     

Mexican Oregano (Lippia graveolens Kunth) as Source of Bioactive Compounds: A Review

Lippia graveolens is a traditional crop and a rich source of bioactive compounds with various properties (e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, UV defense, anti-glycemic, and cytotoxicity) that is primarily cultivated for essential oil recovery. The isolated bioactive compounds could be useful as additives in the functional food, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Carvacrol, thymol, β-caryophyllene, and p-cymene are terpene compounds contained in oregano essential oil (OEO); flavonoids such as quercetin O-hexoside, pinocembrin, and galangin are flavonoids found in oregano extracts. Furthermore, thermoresistant compounds that remain in the plant matrix following a thermal process can be priced in terms of the circular economy. By using better and more selective extraction conditions, the bioactive compounds present in Mexican oregano can be studied as potential inhibitors of COVID-19. Also, research on extraction technologies should continue to ensure a higher quality of bioactive compounds while preventing an undesired chemical shift (e.g., hydrolysis). The oregano fractions can be used in the food, health, and agricultural industries.