Bioactive Compound Exploration in Cleome Species
Summary
Species of the genus Cleome have long been investigated for their rich repertoire of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and saponins. Researchers have employed chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques—such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)—to profile these compounds in leaves, stems, roots, flowers and siliques. Bioactivity assays have revealed antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and antidiabetic properties, underscoring the pharmacological potential of Cleome extracts. Differences in metabolite composition among species and growth stages point to opportunities for optimising harvest times and selecting high-yielding accessions. Moreover, nutritional studies on Cleome gynandra demonstrate significant mineral and vitamin content, suggesting roles in dietary diversification and food security. Collectively, this body of work highlights the global significance of Cleome species as sources of lead molecules for drug discovery, as well as functional ingredients in nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Bioactive Compound Exploration in Cleome Species publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in bioactive compound exploration in cleome species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Phytochemical: A naturally occurring plant compound that often exhibits biological activity.
Flavonoid: A class of polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Terpenoid: A diverse group of organic molecules derived from isoprene units, often contributing to aroma and bioactivity.
Hepatoprotective: The ability of a substance to prevent or mitigate liver damage.
Antioxidant assay: A laboratory method (e.g., DPPH, ABTS) used to measure a compound’s capacity to neutralise free radicals.
GC–MS: An analytical technique combining gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify and quantify chemical constituents.
HPLC: A separation method that allows precise quantification and characterisation of individual compounds in complex mixtures.
References
- Biological Characterization of Cleome felina L.f. Extracts for Phytochemical, Antimicrobial, and Hepatoprotective Activities in Wister Albino Rats. Antibiotics (2023).
- Determination of Mineral Constituents, Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Qualities of Cleome gynandra, Compared to Brassica oleracea and Beta vulgaris. Frontiers in Chemistry (2018).
- Variation in Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Various Organs of African Cabbage (Cleome gynandra L.) Accessions at Different Growth Stages. Antioxidants (2021).
- Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Cleome droserifolia (Forssk.) Del. and Its Biological Effects on Redox Status, Immunity, and Gut Microflora. Animals (2021).
About these summaries
This Nature Research Intelligence Topic summary is created with the cited references and a large language model. We take care to ground generated text with facts, and have systems in place to gain human feedback on the overall quality of the process in line with our AI principles. We strive to create accurate and useful summaries for people unfamiliar with the research topic and that supports this goal. These pages are a beta release and will be updated as we learn how best to help people gain value from a research topic summary.
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.