Bioactive Compound Applications in Phytomedicine

Phytomedicine explores the therapeutic potential of plant-derived bioactive compounds, integrating natural product chemistry, pharmacology and clinical insights to address a spectrum of human diseases. Key classes of bioactives include phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids and polyacetylenes, each displaying distinct modes of action such as antioxidant activity, modulation of inflammatory pathways, immunoregulation and direct cytotoxicity against malignant cells. Innovations in analytical chemistry and omics approaches have accelerated the discovery and characterisation of minute phytochemicals, while advanced formulation techniques, including nano-encapsulation, have improved their bioavailability and safety profiles. Among notable advances, C17 and C18 acetylenic oxylipins have emerged as promising anticancer leads through activation of oxidative stress responses and nuclear receptors. Dietary polyacetylenes such as falcarinol and falcarindiol exhibit chemopreventive efficacy in colorectal models by inhibiting pro-inflammatory mediators and neoplastic progression. Other plant metabolites demonstrate metabolic regulation via energy-sensing kinases, and several compounds show neuroprotective effects by attenuating microglial-mediated inflammation. Collectively, these findings underscore the global significance of phytomedicine in developing novel interventions for chronic inflammatory, metabolic and neoplastic disorders, while emphasising the necessity for sustainable sourcing and standardised quality control.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Research from all publishers

Recent investigations have delineated the anticancer potential of C17 and C18 acetylenic oxylipins, demonstrating their ability to induce apoptosis via activation of the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and engagement of PPARγ nuclear receptors. Dietary polyacetylenes falcarinol and falcarindiol have been shown to prevent colorectal neoplastic transformation in rodent models by inhibiting the NF-κB signalling cascade, downregulating COX-2 expression and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, novel polyacetylene derivatives isolated from Dendropanax morbifera activate the LKB1/AMPK axis to counteract diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis, highlighting the metabolic regulatory functions of these plant-derived compounds. These studies illustrate the translational promise of phytochemicals in oncology, metabolic disease and inflammatory disorders, and they pave the way for optimised formulations and mechanistic evaluations.

Bioactive Compound Applications in Phytomedicine publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in bioactive compound applications in phytomedicine across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Phytomedicine: The use of plant-derived compounds for therapeutic purposes.

Bioactive compound: A naturally occurring molecule that modulates biological processes.

Polyacetylene: An organic molecule characterised by alternating single and triple carbon–carbon bonds, often with bioactivity.

Nrf2 pathway: A cellular mechanism regulating expression of antioxidant and cytoprotective enzymes.

NF-κB: A transcription factor central to the control of inflammatory gene expression.

AMPK: An energy-sensing enzyme that governs cellular metabolism and energy homeostasis.

References

1. Bioactive C17 and C18 Acetylenic Oxylipins from Terrestrial Plants as Potential Lead Compounds for Anticancer Drug Development. Molecules (2020).
2. Dietary Polyacetylenic Oxylipins Falcarinol and Falcarindiol Prevent Inflammation and Colorectal Neoplastic Transformation: A Mechanistic and Dose-Response Study in A Rat Model. Nutrients (2019).
3. Polyacetylene From Dendropanax morbifera Alleviates Diet-Induced Obesity and Hepatic Steatosis by Activating AMPK Signaling Pathway. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2018).
4. Aqueous Extract of Dendropanax morbiferus Leaves Effectively Alleviated Neuroinflammation and Behavioral Impediments in MPTP‐Induced Parkinson’s Mouse Model. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity (2018).