[Dermatitis bullosa striata pratensis caused by Dictamnus albus L. (burning bush)]

Furoquinoline Alkaloids: Insights into Chemistry, Occurrence, and Biological Properties

Furoquinoline alkaloids exhibit a diverse range of effects, making them potential candidates for medicinal applications. Several compounds within this group have demonstrated antimicrobial and antiprotozoal properties. Of great interest is their potential as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and anti-inflammatory agents in neurodegenerative diseases. The promising biological properties of furoquinoline alkaloids have motivated extensive research in this field. As a result, new compounds have been isolated from this group of secondary metabolites, and numerous pharmacological studies have been conducted to investigate their activity. It is crucial to understand the mechanisms of action of furoquinoline alkaloids due to their potential toxicity. Further research is required to elucidate their mechanisms of action and metabolism. Additionally, the exploration of derivative compounds holds significant potential in enhancing their pharmacological benefits. In vitro plant cultures offer an alternative approach to obtaining alkaloids from plant material, presenting a promising avenue for future investigations.

57-jährige Patientin mit Blasen und striatiformen Erythemen an den Extremitäten

Anamnese Bei einer 57-jährigen Patientin traten nach wiederholter Gartenarbeit schmerzhafte Hautveränderungen auf. Bei der Vorstellung in der zentralen Notaufnahme zeigten sich Bullae, Striae und Erytheme an den lichtexponierten Arealen.

Untersuchungen und Diagnose Laborchemisch zeigten sich leicht erhöhte Entzündungswerte. Die körperliche Untersuchung zeigte keine weiteren Besonderheiten. Es erfolgte die Übernahme durch die Dermatologie des Universitätsklinikums Jena. Aufgrund der Anamnese und des klinischen Befundes wurde die Diagnose Dermatitis bullosa pratensis (Wiesengräserdermatitis) gestellt.

Therapie und Verlauf Es erfolgte neben lokaler Therapie mit Glukokortikosteroiden und sterilem Punktieren der Blasen eine intravenöse Therapie mit Prednisolon.

Folgerung Dermatitis bullosa pratensis gehört zu den photophytotoxischen Dermatitiden und wird durch die Kombination von Photosensibilisatoren und ultraviolettem Licht ausgelöst. Es ist von Bedeutung, sich bei Kontakt mit Pflanzen, die Photosensibilisatoren enthalten, vor UV-Licht ausreichend zu schützen. Das Krankheitsbild ist leicht zu vermeiden, umso wichtiger ist es, das Risiko zu kennen und die notwendigen Schutzmaßnahmen einzuhalten.

[57-years old patient with bulla and striatic erythema located at the limbs]

HISTORY

A female patient aged 57 presented at the emergency room with painful skin lesions after repeated gardening days. Bullae and striate erythema were ovserved in light exposed areas. The patient was transferred to the Dermatology Department at the University hospital Jena, Germany.

FINDINGS AND DIAGNOSIS

Blood test showed raised levels of inflammation parameters. The general body examination showed no abnormalities. Dermatits bullosa pratensis (grass dermatitis), was diagnosed, based on the patient case history, the examination results and the typical skin lesions.

THERAPY AND COURSE

Treatment with intravenous corticosteroids, followed by topical steroids and sterile punctures of blisters was prescribed.

CONCLUSIONS

Dermatits bullosa pratensis, is a skin condition appearing during the summer season in Germany. It belongs to the photo phytotoxic dermatitis types and is induced by phytochemicals in combination with UV-light. It is therefore important to take appropriate skin protective safety measures when touching plant containing phytochemicals in sunlight. In this way dermatitis bullosa pratensis can be easily avoided.

TBAB-catalyzed cascade reactions: facile synthesis of 1-trifluoromethyl-3-alkylidene-1,3-dihydrofuro[3,4-b]quinolines via 5-exo-dig cyclization of o-arylalkynylquinoline aldehydes

TBAB-catalyzed cascade reaction condition is developed for the synthesis of 1-trifluoromethyl-3-alkylidene-1,3-dihydrofuro[3,4-b]quinolines from o-arylalkynylquinoline aldehydes via 5-exo-dig cyclization.

Medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Dictamnus (Rutaceae)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Seven species from the genus Dictamnus are distributed throughout Europe and North Asia and only two species grow in China. One is Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz., which could be found in many areas of China and has been recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The other is Dictamnus angustifolius G. Don ex Sweet, which is only present in Xinjiang province and has been used as an alternative for Dictamnus dasycarpus in the local for the treatment of rheumatism, bleeding, itching, jaundice, chronic hepatitis and skin diseases. The present paper reviewed the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of the genus Dictamnus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information on the Dictamnus species was collected from classic books about Chinese herbal medicine and globally accepted scientific databases including PubMed, Elsevier, ASC, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, CNKI and others.

RESULTS

About 170 chemical compounds, which include quinoline alkaloids, limonoids, sesquiterpenes, coumarins, flavonoids and steroids, have been isolated from the genus Dictamnus. The characteristic and active constituents of Dictamnus species are considered to be quinoline alkaloids and limonoids, which exhibited a broad spectrum of biological activities such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, anti-microbe, anti-platelet-aggregation, vascular-relaxation, anti-insect, anti-HIV, anti-allergy and neuroprotection. Moreover, quinoline alkaloids and limonoids could be used as quality control markers to distinguish different species from the genus Dictamnus. However, there were also some reports on the toxic hepatitis and phototoxic effect of Dictamnus species, and the related research needs to be further studied.

CONCLUSION

In this review, we summarized the chemical constituents, pharmacology, quality control and toxicology of the species from genus Dictamnus. Phytochemical investigations indicated that quinoline alkaloids and limonoids were the major bioactive components with potential cytotoxic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-platelet-aggregation and vascular relaxing activities. These two kinds of compounds have attracted great interests in the past few years and may have great potential to be new drug lead compounds.

Botanicals in dermatology: an evidence-based review

Botanical extracts and single compounds are increasingly used in cosmetics but also in over-the-counter drugs and food supplements. The focus of the present review is on controlled clinical trials with botanicals in the treatment of acne, inflammatory skin diseases, skin infections, UV-induced skin damage, skin cancer, alopecia, vitiligo, and wounds. Studies with botanical cosmetics and drugs are discussed, as well as studies with botanical food supplements. Experimental research on botanicals was considered to a limited extent when it seemed promising for clinical use in the near future. In acne therapy, Mahonia, tea tree oil, and Saccharomyces may have the potential to become standard treatments. Mahonia, Hypericum, Glycyrrhiza and some traditional Chinese medicines appear promising for atopic dermatitis. Some plant-derived substances like dithranol and methoxsalen (8-methoxypsoralen) [in combination with UVA] are already accepted as standard treatments in psoriasis; Mahonia and Capsicum (capsaicin) are the next candidates suggested by present evidence. Oral administration and topical application of antioxidant plant extracts (green and black tea, carotenoids, coffee, and many flavonoids from fruits and vegetables) can protect skin from UV-induced erythema, early aging, and irradiation-induced cancer. Hair loss and vitiligo are also traditional fields of application for botanicals. According to the number and quality of clinical trials with botanicals, the best evidence exists for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases, i.e. atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. However, many more controlled clinical studies are needed to determine the efficacy and risks of plant-derived products in dermatology. Safety aspects, especially related to sensitization and photodermatitis, have to be taken into account. Therefore, clinicians should not only be informed of the beneficial effects but also the specific adverse effects of botanicals used for dermatologic disorders and cosmetic purposes.

Determination of the antibacterial activity of crude extracts and compounds isolated from Hortia oreadica (Rutaceae) against oral pathogens

Extracts from Hortia oreadica afforded four dihydrocinnamic acid derivatives, isolated from the n-hexane extract, as well as limonoid guyanin and the furoquinoline alkaloid dictamnine, both isolated from the dichloromethane extract. The extracts and the isolated compounds were tested against some oral pathogens, so as to investigate their antibacterial activity. The results showed that the n-hexane extract and the compound dictamnine are the most active against the selected microorganisms.