Asplenioideae Species as a Reservoir of Volatile Organic Compounds with Potential Therapeutic Properties

Abstract

Twelve French Asplenioideae ferns (genera Asplenium and subgenera Ceterach and Phyllitis) were investigated for the first time for volatile organic compounds (VOC) using GC-MS. Sixty-two VOC biosynthesized from the lipidic, shikimic, terpenic and carotenoid pathways were identified. Several VOC profiles can be highlighted from Asplenium jahandiezii and A. ×alternifolium with exclusively lipidic derivatives to A. onopteris with an equal ratio of lipidic/shikimic compounds. Very few terpenes as caryophyllene derivatives were identified, but only in A. obovatum subsp. bilotii. The main odorous lipidic derivatives were (E)-2-decenal (waxy and fatty odor), nonanal (aldehydic and waxy odor with a fresh green nuance), (E)-2-heptenal (green odor with a fatty note) and 1-octen-3-ol (mushroom-like odor), reported for all species. A few VOC are present in several species in high content, i.e., 9-oxononanoic acid used as a precursor for biopolymers (19% in A. jahandiezii), 4-hydroxyacetophenone with a sweet and heavy floral odor (17.1% in A. onopteris), and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid used as a precursor in the synthesis of parabens (11.3% in A. foreziense). Most of the identified compounds have pharmacological activities, i.e., octanoic acid as antimicrobial, in particular against Salmonellas, with fatty and waxy odor (41.1% in A. petrarchae), tetradecanoic acid with trypanocidal activity (13.3% in A. obovatum subsp. bilotii), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (8.7% in A. onopteris) with antimicrobial and anti-aging effects, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde as an inhibitor of growth of human cancer cells (6.7% in Ceterach officinarum), and phenylacetic acid with antifungal and antibacterial activities (5.8% in A. onopteris). Propionylfilicinic acid was identified in the twelve species. The broad spectrum of odorous and bioactive VOC identified from the Asplenium, Ceterach and Phyllitis species are indeed of great interest to the cosmetic and food industries.

Halophytic herbs of the Mediterranean basin: An alternative approach to health

“…Scale fern presents a wide variety of chemical constituents, among them volatile organic compounds, such as lipid derivatives (77.4%): nonanal, (E)-2-nonenal, (E)-2-heptenal, 1-octen-3-ol, tetradecanoic acid, hexahydrofarnesylacetone, (E)-2-tridecenoic acid); shikimic compounds (21.3%): 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, benzoic acid, 2-amino-4methoxyphenol; carotenoid derivatives (0.8%): 4-hydroxy-β-ionone, 3hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-β-ionone (Froissard et al, 2015). Phenolic compounds, both flavonoids and phenolic acids are also present, but in lesser amounts, being chlorogenic and caffeic acids the most abundant ones.…”

“…It also exhibits significant antimicrobial effects, namely against the most common Gram-positive microorganisms, among them Shigella dysenteriae and Staphylococcus aureus species (Berk et al, 2011). Besides to these effects, very important demulcent, expectorant, laxative, diuretic, anticatarrhal, anthelmintic and even emmenagogue properties have been reported, being mostly of these effects directly attributed to its high content in phenolic compounds (Berk et al, 2011;Froissard et al, 2015;Guarrera et al, 2008;Pieroni, 2017), while ethnopharmacological studies have suggested the use of decoctions against menstrual pains, hypertension, joint aches, malaria, renal colics and kidney stone formation (Maria et al, 2005;Passalacqua et al, 2007).…”

Application of Polypodiopsida Class in Nanotechnology–Potential towards Development of More Effective Bioactive Solutions

“…The decrease in ABA concentration causes the onset of the anteridiogen sensitive period. The ferns also contain various amounts of fatty acids and alkanes, pigments, carbohydrates, amino-acids, proteins and lipids, with lower concentrations of aldehydes, esters, ketones, and primary alcohols, resulting in a very complex and species-specific composition [ 63 , 64 ].…”

Selective Anticancer Properties, Proapoptotic and Antibacterial Potential of Three Asplenium Species

“…Approximately seven hundred Asplenium ferns (family Aspleniaceae, division Pteridophyta) have been identified [ 1 ]. The scientific name of this genus and its common name (“spleenwort”) stem from an old doctrine that Asplenium plants are useful for treatment of spleen diseases due to their spleen-shaped spores.…”

“…The scientific name of this genus and its common name (“spleenwort”) stem from an old doctrine that Asplenium plants are useful for treatment of spleen diseases due to their spleen-shaped spores. Indeed, many of these ferns have been used for centuries in traditional medicine in different countries worldwide but their application significantly exceeds therapy of spleen disorders [ 1 , 2 ]. It has been documented that nine Asplenium species grow in Bulgaria [ 3 ].…”