The genus Calea L.: A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities

Abstract

Calea L. is a genus of shrubs and perennial herbs belonging to Asteraceae family. It is a very well‐known genus, consisting of approximately 125 neotropical species. Calea genus is a rich source of phytochemicals, and some of its species have been used in folk medicine to treat several health problems such as diabetes, arterial hypertension, respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders, gastric ulcers, and inflammation. Many studies have demonstrated the pharmacological potential of this genus, including antinociceptive, antihypertensive, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities. Moreover, bioactive constituents related to these properties are mainly sesquiterpene lactones and phenolic derivatives. In this review, we compiled the literature data up to December 2016, furnishing a comprehensive survey about medicinal uses, chemistry, and biological activities from Calea species. Bibliographic search was performed in several search engines using “Calea” as search keyword. Further, a manual literature search of references found in the selected studies was also conducted. There was no initial time limit.

Extracts from Six Native Plants of the Yucatán Peninsula Hinder Mycelial Growth of Fusarium equiseti and F. oxysporum, Pathogens of Capsicum chinense

“…This species was documented to have leishmanicidal activity and to be useful for treating colds and stomach pain [ 57 , 58 ], but the present report is the first on its antifungal activity. Among 125 Calea species, only C. urticifolia has been tested against fungal pathogens, but it had no activity against F. oxysporum [ 25 , 59 ]. Acacetin, O -methylacacetin, jamaicolides A–D and prumichromene B have been identified in aerial parts of C. jamaicensis [ 58 ].…”

Bioguided isolation of a selective compound from Calea phyllolepis leaves against breast cancer cells

“…Terpenoids such as essential oils, acetylenes and sesquiterpene lactones have frequently been detected in Calea species. 14,27 The flavonoids apigenin and genkwanin have previously been reported in the leaves of Calea species. 28,29 In addition, saponins, such as stigmasterol glucopyranoside and β-sitosterol glucopyranoside, have been isolated from C. platylepis flowers.…”

“…Plants of the Calea genus (Calea angosturiana, Calea pinnatifida, Calea fruticosa, Calea glomerata and Calea urticifolia) have been reported as presenting cytotoxic activities. 14 For instance, C. pinnatifida demonstrated cytotoxic activity in an in vitro assay against human cancer cell lines and in vivo Ehrlich models. 15 More than 270 compounds have been identified in this genus, many of them presenting cytotoxic effect, for example, sesquiterpene lactones, benzofurans and benzopyrans.…”

Sesquiterpene Lactones from Calea pinnatifida: Absolute Configuration and Structural Requirements for Antitumor Activity

“…Sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) constitute a large group of secondary metabolites found in Asteraceae [3,4]. The presence of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl systems in STLs has been described as an important structural feature responsible for bioactivity, since they are capable of acting as Michael acceptors when in contact with biological nucleophiles [5,6].…”

“…According to the literature [3], germacranolides appear as one of the most frequent types of STL found in Calea, with more than 40 isolated compounds from C. pinnatifida, C. ternifolia, C. urticifolia and C. zacatechichi [8][9][10][11][12][13].…”