Phytochemicals and biological studies of plants from the genus Balanophora

Abstract

This review focus on the phytochemical progress and biological studies of plants from the genus Balanophora (Balanophoraceae) over the past few decades, in which most plants growth in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Oceania, and nearly 20 species ranged in southwest China. These dioeciously parasitic plants are normally growing on the roots of the evergreen broadleaf trees, especially in the family of Leguminosae, Ericaceae, Urticaceae, and Fagaceae. The plants are mainly used for clearing away heat and toxic, neutralizing the effect of alcoholic drinks, and as a tonic for the treatment of hemorrhoids, stomachache and hemoptysis. And it has been used widely throughtout local area by Chinese people.Cinnamic acid derivative tannins, possessing a phenylacrylic acid derivative (e. g. caffeoyl, coumaroyl, feruloyl or cinnamoyl), which connected to the C(1) position of a glucosyl unit by O-glycosidic bond, are the characteristic components in genus Balanophora. In addition, several galloyl, caffeoyl and hexahydroxydiphenoyl esters of dihydrochalcone glucosides are found in B. tobiracola, B. harlandii, and B. papuana. Other compounds like phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, terpenoids and sterols are also existed. And their biological activities, such as radical scavenging activities, HIV inhibiting effects, and hypoglycemic effects are highlighted in the review.

Chemical constituents of Balanophora laxiflora Hemsley collected in Tuyen Quang Part III ‐ Phenolic compounds

“…The 13 C-NMR (DEPT) and HSQC spectra showed 10 pair carbons, including 3 quartenary carbons at δ C 132.6 (C-1/C-1′), 146.9 (C-3/C-3′), 145.2 (C-4/C-4′); 5 methine group (CH) at δ C 54.0 (C-8/C-8′), 85.9 (C-7/C-7), 108.9 (C-2/C-2′), 114.4 (C-5/C-5′), 118.9 (C-6/C-6′); one methylene group signal at δ C 71.5 (C-9/C-9′) and one methoxy signal at δ C 55.9 (3-OCH 3 /3′-OCH 3 ). The 1 H NMR spectrum of 1 also showed three pair signals for six olefinic protons of two 1,2,4-trisubstituted benzene rings at δ 13 C-NMR, DEPT, HSQC and HMBC spectral data and comparison with those reported for pinoresinol, [6] compound 1 had been identified as pinoresinol. This compound is an antinociceptive agent.…”

“…The Electronspray Ionization Mass spectra (ESI-MS) were obtained using an AGILENT 1100 LC-MSD Trap spectrometer. 1 H-(500 MHz) and 13 C-NMR (125 MHz) spectra were recorded on a Bruker AM500 FT-NMR spectrometer and Tetramethylsilane (TMS) was used as an internal standard. TLC: Silica gel 60 F 254 (0.25 mm, Merck); reversed phase RP 18 F 254S (0.25 mm, Merck).…”

Dramatic Improvement in Physical Well-Being of Terminal AIDS Patients Following Administration of Phytochemicals

“…This study, while it was not a controlled study, strongly supports the notion that Phyto V7 supplementation can improve significantly the well-being of terminally ill AIDS patients. Part of their positive effects can be explained as PHT having radical scavenging activities [28], stimulating nonspecific immunity [29], and by down regulating inflammatory responses [30]. We hypothesize that 1) PHT supplementation can also improve significantly the well-being of AIDS patients not necessarily in terminally ill conditions, by improving the capacity of the HIV-1 infected individuals to cope with the viral infection, 2) PHT supplementation may potentially postpone the need to treat HIV-1 infected individuals with HAART, postponing the potential complications associated with this treatment, and 3) HIV-1 infected individuals undergoing HAART and PHT supplementation would have a better prognosis that those undergoing HAART only.…”

“…Thus, other beneficial, safe and inexpensive treatments, which can improve the well-being of AIDS patients and be given with or without HAART treatment, are being sought. Phytochemicals (PHT), chemical compounds that oc-cur naturally in plants, beside serving as bionutrients [26,27], possess radical scavenging activities [28], enhance nonspecific immunity [29], down regulate inflammatory diseases [30], promote health and may inhibit disease progression [31][32][33][34][35][36][37]. Here we report that the sole administration of Phyto V7, a phytochemical mix, to terminally ill severely symptomatic AIDS patients significantly improved their well-being.…”

Balanophora subcupularis P. C. Tam (Balanophoraceae): New Record Species for Flora of Vietnam

“…In Vietnam, there were records of 6 species of genus Balanophora. Species in genus Balanophora have some biological activities such as radical scavenging activity; inhibit HIV effects, hypoglucemic effects, analgesic effects and antiinflammatory effects [1][2][3][4].…”