The isolation, structural characterization, and anticancer activity from the aerial parts of Cymbopogon flexuosus

This study investigated bioactive secondary metabolites from the aerial parts of Cymbopogon flexuosus (CF). Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, the antioxidant activities including 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS⁺ ) and 2, 2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging systems, and cytotoxic effects were determined. 1, 3-O-di-E-caffeoylglycerol (SA3) and 1-O-p-coumaroyl-3-O-caffeoylglycerol (SA4) were firstly isolated from an ethanol extract of CF. Their chemical structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including MS and NMR spectra as well as by comparison to the data reported in the literature. DPPH and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging tests showed that the highest antioxidant potent was detected for compound SA3 with IC₅₀ of 4.42 ± 0.18 and 21.84 ± 0.22 µg/ml, respectively. The compound SA3 stimulated the apoptotic factors of caspase-3, bax, and bcl-2 in HepG2 and caspase-3, caspase-9, P53 in A549. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: CF has been widely used as both a herbal drink and as a spice in diets. In the food processing industry, CF was used to process candy. In addition, it is used for the treatment of sore throat, cough, skin diseases, and other diseases in traditional oriental medicine. Recently, in Vietnam, CF has also been used to treat liver and lung cancer and consumed daily to process many dishes.

Phytoconstituents and Biological Activities of Panax vietnamensis (Vietnamese Ginseng): A Precious Ginseng and Call for Further Research-A systematic review

Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv., a Vietnamese ginseng, is a well-known plant, naturally distributed in the Ngoc Linh and Hoang Lien Son mountain areas in Vietnam. It is used as a tonic and medicinal food in traditional folk medicine because it possesses wondrous health benefits. To support its functional attributes, various investigations have been carried out to find out its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-stress, anti-nociception, psychomotor and sedative-hypnotic effects and anxiolytic activities. Also similar to other ginsengs, Vietnamese ginseng is a rich source of saponins and it has higher content of protopanaxadiol-, protopanaxatrial- and ocotillol-type saponins compared to other ginsengs in the world. Majonoside R2 is a main saponin in Vietnamese ginseng but this compound does not exist in Panax ginseng. Based on this systematic review, we discussed for future prospects and suggest that thorough scientific scrutiny is necessary in future researches.