Genus Euonymus: Chemical and Pharmacological Perception

Abstract

The genus Euonymus has been reviewed for its chemical constituents and its biological activities including traditional importance of some common species. The genus Euonymus is cultivated in many parts of India for its ornamental purposes. The present report is based on available data and references about the genus. The main substances found in plants of the genus euonymus are dihydroagarofuran, sesquiterpene polyol esters, chlorogenic acid, D:A-friedooleanans, lupenediol and pyridine alkaloids. The overall activity of the extract is based on the interaction between its components. Different extracts of the Euonymus genus showed remarkable acitvites e.g. anticancerous, insecticidal, antitumor, antidiabetic and antimicrobial activities. Therefore, the safety and efficacy of the extract cannot be fully imitated by individual constituents. The aim of the present review is to summarize the different phytochemical and pharmacological work on the genus together.

Comparison of the structure of floral nectaries in two Euonymus L. species (Celastraceae)

“…Their presence in the nectaries of other Celastraceae representatives has also been reported by Matthews and Endress ( 2005 ) and Gomes and Lombardi ( 2013 ), and phenolic compounds in the nectaries of other plant species have been described by other researchers (Beardsell et al 1989 ; Espolador Leitão et al 2005 ; De-Paula et al 2011 ; Konarska 2013 ; Montenegro et al 2013 ; Nepi 2014 ). Moreover, all the aforementioned Euonymus species organs and, particularly, fruits contain toxic glycosides and alkaloids applied in medicine (Thomas et al 2011 ; Sharma et al 2012 ; Zuo et al 2012 ). The presence of secondary compounds such as phenolics, alkaloids, and terpenoids in nectary cells deter not only nectar-infecting microorganisms and foraging insects but also insect pollinators, e.g.…”

Molecular Analysis of Chinese Celastrus and Tripterygium and Implications in Medicinal and Pharmacological Studies

“…Based on the latest chemical reviews [7–8], Tripterygium species share a number of common chemical constituents with Celastrus species including sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, alkaloids, and flavonoids. However, chlorogenic acid reported in Euonymus is not reported in these Celastrus and Tripterygium [42]. There are 13 dihydroagarofurans (sesquiterpene) in Tripterygium , whereas 93 were found mostly in C .…”

Euonymus sachalinensis Induces Apoptosis by Inhibiting the Expression of c-Myc in Colon Cancer Cells

“…The plants of genus Euonymus has been used as a treatment for several diseases and is known to have traditional medicinal properties [8]. For example, Euonymus alatus has been found to be a potential treatment candidate for cancer, hyperglycemia, dysmenorrhea, and diabetes complications in some Asian countries [9].…”