Ethnopharmacology of Fruit Plants: A Literature Review on the Toxicological, Phytochemical, Cultural Aspects, and a Mechanistic Approach to the Pharmacological Effects of Four Widely Used Species
Abstract:Fruit plants have been widely used by the population as a source of food, income and in the treatment of various diseases due to their nutritional and pharmacological properties. The aim of this study was to review information from the most current research about the phytochemical composition, biological and toxicological properties of four fruit species widely used by the world population in order to support the safe medicinal use of these species and encourage further studies on their therapeutic properties.… Show more
“…Most Moraceae species have not yet been chemically studied [40] . However, the compounds with the highest number of occurrences in the family are coumarins, especially furocoumarins, which are used to treat not only vitiligo but also other skin disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and mycoses [41] . Moreover, coumarins show several biological activities, such as photosensitizer, antimicrobial, anticoagulant, vasodilatory, sedative, and analgesic activities [40] .…”
Section: Resultsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Cerrado fruits are considered a source of bioactive substances, mainly phenolic compounds, probably because of exposure to water stress, high ultraviolet radiation, herbivore attacks and fungal infections, which are common conditions in Cerrado plants [46] . These compounds show therapeutic properties with anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant potential, among others [41] . Thus, to obtain a higher extraction yield of phenolic compounds and consequently greater antioxidant activity, the hydroethanolic extract of the fruits of inharé was used for the tests of antioxidant activity.…”
Section: Resultsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…In previous studies, there were no reports of toxicity in humans [59] and preliminary cytotoxic studies in mammalian cells, including normal adult tissues, embryos, and tumor cells from B. gaudichaudii fruits. [59][60] Currently, just 17 plant species are consumed as 90 % of the global human diet and are based heavily on foods such as corn, cassava, rice, and wheat. In addition, many diets in both developing and developed countries concentrate on processed foods with an energy-dense but nutritionally poor diet, including those with added refined carbohydrates, sugars, and fats.…”
Section: Cytotoxic Assaymentioning
confidence: 99%
“…[46] These compounds show therapeutic properties with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant potential, among others. [41] Thus, to obtain a higher extraction yield of phenolic compounds and consequently greater antioxidant activity, the hydroethanolic extract of the fruits of inharé was used for the tests of antioxidant activity.…”
In Brazil, there is a large diversity of species of small edible fruits that are considered sources of nutrients and functional properties. They present a high innovation domain for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries due to their health-promoting properties. Edible fruits from Brosimum gaudichaudii (Moraceae) are widely consumed and used in folk medicine and in feed by the population of the Brazilian Cerrado. Nevertheless, detailed information on the chemical fingerprint, antiradical activity and safety aspects of these fruits is still unknown. Thus, the aim of this work was to investigate the bioactive compounds of hydroethanolic extracts of fruits from Brosimum gaudichaudii using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization (HPLC ESI-MS). Eighteen different compounds, including flavonoids, coumarins, arylbenzofurans, terpenoids, stilbenes, xanthones and esters, were detected. Moreover, the study indicated that the hydroethanolic extract of fruits from B. gaudichaudii presented low scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals (IC 50 > 800 μg mL À 1 ) and was cytotoxic (IC 50 < 30 μg mL À 1 ) in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHOÀ K1) by an in vitro assay. This is the first report of the chemical profile, antioxidant activity and cytotoxic properties of the hydroethanolic extract of fruits from B. gaudichaudii.
“…Most Moraceae species have not yet been chemically studied [40] . However, the compounds with the highest number of occurrences in the family are coumarins, especially furocoumarins, which are used to treat not only vitiligo but also other skin disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and mycoses [41] . Moreover, coumarins show several biological activities, such as photosensitizer, antimicrobial, anticoagulant, vasodilatory, sedative, and analgesic activities [40] .…”
Section: Resultsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Cerrado fruits are considered a source of bioactive substances, mainly phenolic compounds, probably because of exposure to water stress, high ultraviolet radiation, herbivore attacks and fungal infections, which are common conditions in Cerrado plants [46] . These compounds show therapeutic properties with anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant potential, among others [41] . Thus, to obtain a higher extraction yield of phenolic compounds and consequently greater antioxidant activity, the hydroethanolic extract of the fruits of inharé was used for the tests of antioxidant activity.…”
Section: Resultsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…In previous studies, there were no reports of toxicity in humans [59] and preliminary cytotoxic studies in mammalian cells, including normal adult tissues, embryos, and tumor cells from B. gaudichaudii fruits. [59][60] Currently, just 17 plant species are consumed as 90 % of the global human diet and are based heavily on foods such as corn, cassava, rice, and wheat. In addition, many diets in both developing and developed countries concentrate on processed foods with an energy-dense but nutritionally poor diet, including those with added refined carbohydrates, sugars, and fats.…”
Section: Cytotoxic Assaymentioning
confidence: 99%
“…[46] These compounds show therapeutic properties with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant potential, among others. [41] Thus, to obtain a higher extraction yield of phenolic compounds and consequently greater antioxidant activity, the hydroethanolic extract of the fruits of inharé was used for the tests of antioxidant activity.…”
In Brazil, there is a large diversity of species of small edible fruits that are considered sources of nutrients and functional properties. They present a high innovation domain for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries due to their health-promoting properties. Edible fruits from Brosimum gaudichaudii (Moraceae) are widely consumed and used in folk medicine and in feed by the population of the Brazilian Cerrado. Nevertheless, detailed information on the chemical fingerprint, antiradical activity and safety aspects of these fruits is still unknown. Thus, the aim of this work was to investigate the bioactive compounds of hydroethanolic extracts of fruits from Brosimum gaudichaudii using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization (HPLC ESI-MS). Eighteen different compounds, including flavonoids, coumarins, arylbenzofurans, terpenoids, stilbenes, xanthones and esters, were detected. Moreover, the study indicated that the hydroethanolic extract of fruits from B. gaudichaudii presented low scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals (IC 50 > 800 μg mL À 1 ) and was cytotoxic (IC 50 < 30 μg mL À 1 ) in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHOÀ K1) by an in vitro assay. This is the first report of the chemical profile, antioxidant activity and cytotoxic properties of the hydroethanolic extract of fruits from B. gaudichaudii.
“…The comprehensive work of De Carvalho and collaborators explored the phytochemical composition, biological and toxicological properties of four fruit species, i.e., Talisia esculenta, Brosimum gaudichaudii, Genipa americana, and Bromelia antiacantha [ 2 ]. They reported that these plants demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and photosensitizing properties, in addition to providing key molecules with pharmacological and healthy activity.…”
This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge regarding phototoxic terrestrial plants and their phototoxic and photosensitizing metabolites. Within the 435,000 land plant species, only around 250 vascular plants have been documented as phototoxic or implicated in phototoxic occurrences in humans and animals. This work compiles a comprehensive catalog of these phototoxic plant species, organized alphabetically based on their taxonomic family. The dataset encompasses meticulous details including taxonomy, geographical distribution, vernacular names, and information on the nature and structure of their phototoxic and photosensitizing molecule(s). Subsequently, this study undertook an in‐depth investigation into phototoxic molecules, resulting in the compilation of a comprehensive and up‐to‐date list of phytochemicals exhibiting phototoxic or photosensitizing activity synthesized by terrestrial plants. For each identified molecule, an extensive review was conducted, encompassing discussions on its phototoxic activity, chemical family, occurrence in plant families or species, distribution within different plant tissues and organs, as well as the biogeographical locations of the producer species worldwide. The analysis also includes a thorough discussion on the potential use of these molecules for the development of new photosensitizers that could be used in topical or injectable formulations for antimicrobial and anticancer phototherapy as well as manufacturing of photoactive devices.
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