A Review on Phytochemicals of the Genus Maytenus and Their Bioactive Studies

Abstract

The genus Maytenus is a member of the Celastraceae family, of which several species have long been used in traditional medicine. Between 1976 and 2021, nearly 270 new compounds have been isolated and elucidated from the genus Maytenus. Among these, maytansine and its homologues are extremely rare in nature. Owing to its unique skeleton and remarkable bioactivities, maytansine has attracted many synthetic endeavors in order to construct its core structure. In this paper, the current status of the past 45 years of research on Maytenus, with respect to its chemical and biological activities are discussed. The chemical research includes its structural classification into triterpenoids, sesquiterpenes and alkaloids, along with several chemical synthesis methods of maytansine or maytansine fragments. The biological activity research includes activities, such as anti-tumor, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as HIV inhibition, which can provide a theoretical basis for the better development and utilization of the Maytenus.

Pentacyclic Triterpenoids Isolated from Celastraceae: A Focus in the 13C-NMR Data

“…Rings A/B, B/C and C/D have trans configuration (H-10 α and H-8 α ), while ring D/E is cis (H-18 β ). They have eight methyl groups; six attached to distinct carbons, at positions 4 (Me 23 β ), 5 (Me 24 β ), 9 (Me 25 β ), 13 (Me 27 α ), 14 (Me 26 β ) and 17 (Me 28 β ), and two geminal methyl groups at carbon 20 (Me 29 α and 30 β ) [ 22 , 29 ]. In this work, 103 PCTTs of friedelan skeleton ( F ) are reported, compounds F1 – F103 ( Figure 4 ).…”

“…Unlike other skeletons, lupane-type PCTTs are formed by a trans pentacyclic ring system, in which the E ring is five-membered with an isopropenyl α substituent at carbon 19, containing a double bond between carbons 20 and 29 [ 19 , 22 ]. They have seven methyl groups, with two geminal ones attached to carbon 4 (Me 23 α and 24 β ) and the others attached to carbon 8 (Me 26 β ), 10 (Me 25 β ), 14 (Me 27 α ), 17 (Me 28 β ), and 20 (Me 30), respectively.…”

“…Considering the chemical composition, species of the Celastraceae family are rich in pentacyclic triterpenes (PCTTs). PCTTs show a range of biological properties, characterizing these plants as research targets aiming to obtain new bioactive compounds or prototypes of new drugs [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Traditional use, chemical constituents, and pharmacological activity of Maytenus laevis Reissek

“…Triterpenoids are characteristic molecules of the Genus Maytenus, friedelane-, lupane-and oleane-type have been identified (Huang et al 2021). The investigations carried out on M. laevis report these metabolites in alcoholic extracts of the stem and roots (Figures 4-6).…”

Exploring the excited-state charge transfer fluorescence profile of 7-hydroxycoumarin and 2-methylimidazole – a combined X-ray diffraction and theoretical approach

“…Coumarins are highly versatile naturally occurring lactones with a wide range of applications, for example they are the primary backbone for vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin. However, they are also used as diagnostic tools due to the intense fluorescence they generate, 1–3 which has led to their use in biological applications, for example as probes for the rapid detection of bacteria when incorporated into aminopeptidase substrates. 4 Modulation of the fluorescence properties of 7-hydroxycomarins is possible, as previously demonstrated in studies by Chakraborty et al and Amoruso et al , in which the fluorescence of the hydroxycoumarin photoacid was altered by the introduction of an excited state charge transfer with colloidal silica and imidazole derivatives, respectively.…”