Phytochemistry Reviews最新文献

{"title":"Mechanistic insight into pharmacological effects of secondary metabolites from Bidens pilosa","authors":"Aaron Mwesigwa,&nbsp;Shariff Ssempijja,&nbsp;Ashishkumar Kyada","doi":"10.1007/s11101-024-10011-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-024-10011-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><i>Bidens pilosa</i> also known as blackjack, Spanish needles, or beggar’s ticks, is native to central and southern America but has drastically spread to other parts of the world including Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its folklore use as a traditional herb and food supplement has been noted for many years, which triggered research interest in its phytochemistry and possible pharmacological actions. Phytochemical screening of different solvent extracts of <i>B. pilosa</i> has revealed the presence of many phytocompounds of pharmacological importance. In the present review paper, some of the phytochemicals belonging to polyacetylenes, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids, alkaloids, phenolics, and coumarins present in the different solvent extracts of the plant parts or whole plant have been considered to exert a range of therapeutic actions such as analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hemorrhoid, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer, anti-malarial, hepatoprotective, diuretic, anti-allergy, anti-angiogenic and anti-fungal effects. This review discusses the pharmacological actions of active secondary metabolites in <i>B. pilosa</i> and their potential mechanisms contributing to specific pharmacological actions.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"24 4","pages":"2957 - 2993"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142215021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mahua (Madhuca indica): indigenous flower as nutrient and phenolic rich food to combat anaemia and associated disorders","authors":"J. Sreenivasa Rao,&nbsp;Pradeep B. Patil,&nbsp;Giridhar Goudar,&nbsp;Abdul Jaleel,&nbsp;S. S. Y. H. Qadri","doi":"10.1007/s11101-024-10003-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-024-10003-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Mahua (<i>Madhuca indica</i> J.F. Gmel) is a tree known for its phytochemical and nutritional benefits. The flowers and seeds of the plant are commonly used in various therapeutic applications. The present review focuses on the overlooked attributes of undervalued Mahua flowers which are cherished by tribal population for its usage in their culinary habits, however specific emphasis on its potential to reduce anaemia has been very limited. Including India, various countries across the world have been impacted with the anaemia and there has been limited strategy for its combatting. Mahua has been part of tribal diet; it has a potential for various health ailments which is untapped. The review is focused to highlight the indigenous usage of Mahua flower for their nutritional and phytochemical benefits. The iron metabolism, absorption mechanism and status of anaemia along with strategies to combat anaemia using Mahua flowers is discussed. The present usage and revaluation of Mahua flowers in contemporary health strategies, as food components highlighting its nutritional richness and medicinal potential is evaluated. However, due to the lack of knowledge and unexplored avenues of Mahua it has not been utilized for its potentiality. The recommendations, challenges and futuristic approach to evaluate the comprehensive characterization, toxicity aspects and nanoformulation of Mahua flower extracts are discussed briefly.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"24 4","pages":"2773 - 2793"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142215030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Crude extractchemical engineering: strategy for the library generation of novel bio-active chemical entities","authors":"Jyoti Pal,&nbsp;Varsha Chauhan,&nbsp;Manu Sharma","doi":"10.1007/s11101-024-10009-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-024-10009-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The natural origin secondary metabolites have been considered as one of the richest source of new chemical entities with vast array of structural diversity and complexity. The natural compounds have played significant and crucial part in the development of number of therapeutic agents for various diseases especially in the cancer and infectious disease segment. The vast structural and molecular diversity of chemicals present in natural sources inspired medicinal chemist from ages to explore the chemotypes for the innovation and design of new pharmaceuticals and chemical entities. The design of diverse libraries of natural product congeners or derivatives can be achieved using various approaches and strategies to expand the natural product frameworks. Modifying common reactive molecular fragments in natural extracts is an effective strategy for creating pharmacologically active compounds. Various extraction and purification techniques, such as high performance liquid chromatography and supercritical fluid extraction along with membrane-based technologies, are employed to isolate these bioactive compounds.Direct crude extract modification of natural products is an interesting and recent strategy to evolve new chemical entities with diversity in structure and pharmacophore. The reactive chemical moieties present in most of the natural products can be engineered chemically by treating them with particular reagents to yield chemically modified extracts or semi-synthetic molecules constituting distinct libraries with enhanced chemo-diversity and improved pharmacology. This review aims to present latest developments in the synthesis of natural product-inspired medicinal compound libraries via direct chemical modification of crude extracts.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"24 4","pages":"2907 - 2930"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142215026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A comprehensive update on cannabidiol, its formulations and drug delivery systems","authors":"Surojit Banerjee,&nbsp;Vikas Anand Saharan,&nbsp;Debadri Banerjee,&nbsp;Veerma Ram,&nbsp;Hitesh Kulhari,&nbsp;Deep Pooja,&nbsp;Anupama Singh","doi":"10.1007/s11101-024-10001-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-024-10001-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><i>Cannabis sativa</i>, the debatable plant, contains a vast array of phytocannabinoids, with a significant presence of cannabidiol. This cannabinoid possesses numerous medicinal properties, with its analgesic capabilities being one of the earliest subjects of study. While the exact mechanism of how CBD works remains somewhat unclear, its mode of action varies depending on the route of administration, including oral, sublingual, rectal, transdermal, and inhalation. Despite CB’s versatility in addressing various symptoms through multiple administration methods, a noteworthy challenge lies in its limited absorption and bioavailability. The compound's high lipophilicity and low water solubility contribute to its suboptimal bioavailability. To address this issue, extensive research has explored CBD-loaded nanoformulations, encompassing nanomicelles, nanoparticles, SNEDDS (self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems), liposomes, and pro-nano-lipospheres. Both preclinical and clinical studies are underway at a substantial pace to establish the safety and efficacy of this cannabinoid. Some CBD nanoformulations have even met FDA regulations and are available in the market. CBD's multifaceted nature, with its potential application against various diseases, has captivated researchers, leading to an increased interest in this compound. This heightened interest has resulted in the filing of numerous patents worldwide. Additionally, research has demonstrated CBD's effects on conditions such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, various cancers, pain, and inflammation, which will be discussed in the concluding section of this article.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"24 4","pages":"2723 - 2757"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141921610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biotransformation of natural compounds to create useful medicinal products","authors":"Akbar Esmaeili","doi":"10.1007/s11101-024-10002-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-024-10002-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Bioconversion holds significant value across global industries, particularly in commercializing food and drug waste. The biotransformation of chitosan into valuable food products underscores its versatile applications. This process involves microbial fermentation and enzymatic pathways, pivotal in achieving effective bioconversion. Natural compounds, integral to pharmaceutical sciences, are identified and extracted from diverse plant and animal sources. These compounds are crucial in medicine, industrial applications, and raw material production. This article focuses on microbial conversion techniques applied to natural products, which are increasingly pivotal in medicinal applications. The structural diversity resulting from microbial transformation enhances the functionality of these compounds beyond those found in animals and plants. Such compounds are utilized as renewable resources across the food and pharmaceutical sectors, serving as thickeners, gelling agents, moisture regulators, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and medicinal components. This study reviews current methodologies and emphasizes the growing importance of bioconversion in enhancing sustainability and innovation within these industries. The article explores the biotransformation of natural compounds into valuable medicinal products. It emphasizes microbial conversion techniques, highlighting their pivotal role in enhancing the functionality and sustainability of the pharmaceutical and food sectors.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"24 4","pages":"2759 - 2772"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141943237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A comprehensive review on various carcinogenic aspects of N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP)","authors":"Priya Chaudhary,&nbsp;Devendra Singh,&nbsp;Pracheta Janmeda","doi":"10.1007/s11101-024-10000-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-024-10000-w","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;N&lt;/i&gt;-nitrosamines, the potential hazardous pollutants, are classified as most mutagenic and probable carcinogenic compounds. One of the Potentially carcinogenic &lt;i&gt;N&lt;/i&gt;-nitroso compounds is &lt;i&gt;N&lt;/i&gt;-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP) which is produced by the oxidation or nitrosation of amine precursors. NPIP can be found in a variety of matrices including latex products, agricultural chemicals, cosmetic items, chlorinated water, alcoholic beverages, spices, and food products. Various physical (ionized radiation, and ultraviolet light), chemical (outdoor and indoor air pollution, second-hand smoke, asbestos, metals, and vinyl chloride), and biological (diet, physical activity, infection, mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds, nitrosamines) factors are identified as precursors associated with the formation of NPIP. In addition, various genetic factors (cell cycle genes, tissue organization genes, signal transduction genes, and DNA repair genes) are also involved in the development of NPIP-directed diseases. Under physiological conditions, NPIP is found to be stable but require cytochrome P450-directed hydroxylation at the carbon atoms adjacent to nitroso group to form α-hydroxy NPIP ester for their metabolic activation. Various acute, chronic, reproductive health hazards may produce after the reaction of α-acetoxy-&lt;i&gt;N-&lt;/i&gt;nitrosopiperidine with 2′-deoxy guanosine which can last for months or years. Different types of cancers such as esophageal, hepatocellular, pulmonary, bronchial and alveologenic are induced in response of NPIP in different animal models at 33 or 66 mg/kg, 0.88 × 10&lt;sup&gt;–3&lt;/sup&gt; M, 0.2 mmol/kg of dosage. Tumours, such as tonofibrils, desmosomes, irregular nuclei, aggregated condensed chromatin with pars amorpha and fibrillar components, induced in lab animals show resemblance with their human counterparts with respect to their histological studies. Various studies have explored the role of food mutagen NPIP in generating caspase directed apoptosis. Apoptosis is well characterized by nucleus fragmentation, chromatin condensation, cell volume reduction, cytoplasmic shrinkage, and membrane blebbing. The safety and health organizations have taken various preventive measures to limit the exposure of NPIP carcinogenic compounds around residential areas and workplaces but this further requires population-based intervention and some policy implementation. Removal techniques like biological denitrifications, electrodialysis, ion-exchange chromatography, reverse osmosis, cellulose nanopaper membrane, etc., have also been applied to control the exposure of NPIP. Thus, NPIP has a role as an environmental pollutant, a mutagen, an apoptosis inducer, and a carcinogenic agent. Therefore, we have reviewed some basic features of NPIP and its contribution towards various types of cancers, along with some preventive measures and removal techniques of NPIP for the first time in this report.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Graphical abstract&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;figure&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;pict","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"24 4","pages":"2677 - 2722"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141885359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physochlainae Radix, a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and medica processing","authors":"Jin Li,&nbsp;Shi-Jun Liu,&nbsp;Zai-Long Huang,&nbsp;Jia Yu","doi":"10.1007/s11101-024-09975-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-024-09975-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Physochlainae Radix [called Huashanshen (华山参)in Chinese], the root of <i>Physochlaina infundibularis</i> Kuang. (PI), is utilized as traditional medicine in China. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) use, Huashanshen (HSS) is traditionally used to treat wheezing and coughing, palpitation and insomnia. The information related to HSS was gathered by searching the internet (ScienceDirect, CNKI, WANFANG DATA, Google Scholar and Baidu Scholar) and libraries. From 1965 to September 2023, 99 compounds have been isolated and identified from HSS. This work systematically sorted out 99 compounds with clear structures in HSS. On this basis, combined with the chemical composition of HSS, its functional efficacy was expounded. The aim of this review was to examine this plant’s botany, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, toxicity, medica processing and quality control. The main chemical constituents of HSS include alkaloids, especially tropane alkaloids and the secondary compounds include volatile oils, fatty acids and phenolic acids, amides and other small molecules. These active substances endowed HSS antiasthmatic activity, central nervous system activity, cardiovascular activity, hepatoprotective activity, renal protective activity, enhance immune system, improve gastrointestinal function and other pharmacological activities, which has been verified many times in vivo and in vitro experiments. The TCM use of HSS, including warming lung to eliminate sputum, relieving cough and asthma and tranquilizing mind, is based on its antiasthmatic activity, central nervous system activity, cardiovascular activity, hepatoprotective activity, renal protective activity. In addition, the toxicity of HSS is closely related to tropane alkaloids. Considering the requirement of balancing efficacy and safety in clinical applications, the quality standards of HSS need to rely on modern analytical techniques and pharmacological methods for more in-depth research. There is a conflict between the medical needs and resource protection of HSS, and how to solve the shortage of natural resources of HSS is an important issue. Modern research on resource protection and development of medicinal ingredients is also the direction of future research.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"24 2","pages":"1503 - 1533"},"PeriodicalIF":7.3,"publicationDate":"2024-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141774988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Flavonoids and carotenoids from Brazilian flora: food and pharmaceutical applications and their extraction features","authors":"Lívia Mayra Andrade,&nbsp;Robson Antônio de Vasconcelos,&nbsp;Adriana Oliveira Santos,&nbsp;Aline Lopes Nascimento,&nbsp;Núbia Fernandes Bispo,&nbsp;Suely Rodrigues Pereira,&nbsp;Thalita Cordeiro Santos,&nbsp;Gleidson Giordano Pinto de Carvalho,&nbsp;Jane Sélia dos Reis Coimbra,&nbsp;Bruna Mara Aparecida de Carvalho Mesquita","doi":"10.1007/s11101-024-09998-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-024-09998-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Nutrition issues and the increase in food allergy diseases experienced in recent years have encouraged part of the worldwide population to seek foods that, in addition to nourishing, can benefit their health, such as foods abundant in bioactive compounds. In this context, our objective was to conduct a review to emphasize the richness of the biodiversity of the Brazilian flora concerning the presence of bioactive compounds, their pharmacological applications, and their extraction characteristics. This narrative review screened the databases and identified 120 research articles published on the topic. These articles were analyzed to examine associated parameters such as the availability and applications of these bioactive compounds. These compounds exhibit therapeutic properties, such as antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory effects, with multiple benefits to health and treating illnesses. In addition, the methods for extracting bioactive compounds must be constantly improved to increase their purity and yield because these metabolites are present in complex media. Addressing these issues is essential for improving the overall experience of health-conscious individuals.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"24 4","pages":"2629 - 2649"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141774989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antibacterial activity of Garcinia spp. by molecular docking simulations: an overview","authors":"Nur Fazlin Zafirah Zaine,&nbsp;Ainaa Nadiah Abd Halim,&nbsp;Rosmawati Saat,&nbsp;Vivien Jong Yi Mian,&nbsp;Nor Hisam Zamakshshari","doi":"10.1007/s11101-024-09997-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-024-09997-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The plant genus <i>Garcinia</i>, which belongs to the Clusiaceae family, was discovered to have excellent sources of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential and, therefore received significant attention due to its potential for medicinal properties. In the twenty-first century, one of the most crucial threats to global health, food security, and development is antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The alarming surge in AMR transcends geographical and demographic boundaries, impacting individuals of all ages and nationalities. This phenomenon renders previously effective antibiotics increasingly powerless against a growing tide of resistant bacterial infections, posing a significant public health challenge. Notably, the compilation of extract and bioactive compounds from <i>Garcinia</i> species that have potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains by the study of previous research reported in this review. Apart from that, the structure-antibacterial activity relationship for the class of specialized compounds also had been discussed. In addition, this study employed advanced molecular modelling simulations conducted by the authors to explore the mechanism of microbial pathways of isolated compounds that lead to strong antibacterial activity. Based on this comprehensive review, bioactive compounds isolated from <i>Garcinia</i> species emerge as promising candidates for spearheading the development of novel antibacterial agents. Their potential merits were further investigated through in vitro and in vivo studies to fully elucidate their efficacy and safety profiles.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"24 4","pages":"2587 - 2628"},"PeriodicalIF":7.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141717810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Escin’s phytochemistry and pharmacy: biosynthesis, chemistry, synergism and novel activities","authors":"Sunnatullo Fazliev,&nbsp;Khurshid Tursunov,&nbsp;Avez Sharipov,&nbsp;Vosiljon Xaydarov,&nbsp;Nodirali Normakhamatov,&nbsp;Kamal Rizaev,&nbsp;Tianfu Wang,&nbsp;Haji Akber Aisa","doi":"10.1007/s11101-024-09956-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-024-09956-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Drug resistance against antibiotics and cancer chemotherapeutics are one of the pressing issues before contemporary medicine. One way to overcome drug resistance—administration of multiple drugs called “polypharmacy” has its own problems and concerns. Combining drugs in a single formulation to increase therapeutic efficacy through synergistic effects and enhanced sensitivity is becoming popular nowadays. This approach allows to combine various drugs, especially natural product-based compounds to achieve decreased toxicity and increased bioavailability. In addition, drug delivery is another powerful way to increase therapeutic efficacy and minimise adverse effects of drugs. Furthermore, novel activities of already used drugs are being discovered through combinatorial approaches and network pharmacology. Escin, plant derived triterpenoid saponins, certainly offers a great platform when it comes to combination drugs. Besides potent anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-oedematous effects, recent years have seen a number of publications reporting various pharmacological activities of drug combinations containing escin. Moreover, as a natural biosurfactant, escin can also be used in drug delivery systems. In this review we focus on escin as a natural adjunct compound in various combination drug formulations, drug delivery vehicles and explore synergistic and novel activities arising from such combined drugs. We comprehensively discuss and present an overview of geography, sources, functions in flora, extraction methods, biosynthesis and chemistry of escin isomers. We then delve into pharmacological activities as well as in vitro and in vivo studies of combination drugs with escin. We end the review with concluding remarks, open questions and possible future directions of the field.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"24 2","pages":"1345 - 1363"},"PeriodicalIF":7.3,"publicationDate":"2024-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141641578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}