Bioactive Secondary Plant Metabolites from Euphorbia umbellata (PAX) BRUYNS (Euphorbiaceae)

The species Euphorbia umbellata has been used to treat inflammatory diseases, cancer, and ulcers. Biological activities reported in the literature, including antiproliferative, cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory, are attributed to the chemical constituents present in its composition as terpenes and polyphenolic compounds. The most recurrently verified metabolites in the Euphorbiaceae family plant species are terpenes, of which euphol is a major constituent with broadly reported cytotoxic, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects; it frequently appears in various extracts obtained from the plant. Euphol has a documented inhibitory effect on neutrophil chemotaxis and can modulate the complement system. Since complement system activation is intimately intertwined with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, tumor growth promotion and metastasis, plant metabolites from Euphorbia umbellata might influence the outcomes of inflammatory processes. We believe that this is the first review presenting the current knowledge on Euphorbia umbellata secondary metabolites and their biological activities.

Phytochemicals and biological activities of burdock (Arctium lappa L.) extracts: A review

Arctium lappa L., also known as burdock, is an edible wild plant which has the ability to grow in distinct environments and is considered a weed in several parts of the world. This species has great value in the biological and medical fields with its major secondary components being  phenolic compounds and terpenes, substances rich in desired biological activities as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor and anti-inflammatory. In addition,  burdock leaves extracts have shown a modulatory effect on the complement system,  which plays an important role in the development of inflammatory diseases, with an inhibitory effect on all complement  pathways. Thus, natural products with those relevant activities are promising agents for healthcare applications. Therefore, the species A. lappa may represent an interesting asset for researching and developing new therapies for inflammatory afflictions.