Bioactive Compounds in Celtis Species

The genus Celtis, commonly known as hackberry or nettle tree, comprises deciduous trees and shrubs distributed across temperate and subtropical regions worldwide. Traditional uses span treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, menstrual irregularities and microbial infections. Modern phytochemical investigations have revealed a diverse array of secondary metabolites, notably phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins and terpenoids. These compounds exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Advances in high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation–mass spectrometry, molecular docking and network pharmacology have enabled precise characterisation of constituent profiles in leaves, fruits, twigs and bark. Practical applications extend to pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals and sustainable agrochemicals. Selection of genotypes with superior phytochemical content guides breeding programmes, while integration of in vitro bioassays with in silico target prediction accelerates lead discovery. Remaining challenges include extract standardisation, optimisation of bioavailability and conservation of wild Celtis populations. Continued interdisciplinary research promises to unlock the genus’s full potential as a reservoir of natural bioactive compounds.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A detailed chemoprofiling study of Mediterranean hackberry fruit assessed total phenolic content alongside antioxidant capacity via radical-scavenging and iron-reducing assays. Quantitative analysis of gallic, caffeic and chlorogenic acids, together with rutin, quercetin and minor anthocyanins, revealed significant variation across twenty genotypes. Principal component and cluster analyses identified groups characterised by elevated levels of specific phenolics, informing targeted breeding strategies. This comprehensive dataset provides a blueprint for selecting cultivars with enhanced health-promoting profiles and supports development of functional foods and dietary supplements.

Bioactive Compounds in Celtis Species publication trend

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

Technical terms

Phenolic compounds: Plant secondary metabolites with aromatic rings bearing one or more hydroxyl groups, known for antioxidant and antimicrobial effects.

Flavonoids: A subclass of polyphenols with a C6–C3–C6 backbone, contributing to free-radical scavenging and enzyme modulation.

Antioxidant capacity: The ability of a substance to neutralise reactive oxygen species, commonly measured by assays such as DPPH (radical-scavenging) and FRAP (ferric reducing).

Molecular docking: A computational method that predicts how small molecules bind to protein targets, used to infer potential bioactivity mechanisms.

References

1. Bridging HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis and in vitro biological activity assay through molecular docking and network pharmacology: The example of European nettle tree (Celtis australis L.). eFood (2024).
2. Evaluation of hackberry (Celtisaustralis L.) fruits as sources of bioactive compounds. Scientific Reports (2023).
3. Natural extracts against agricultural pathogens: A case study of Celtis australis L.. Food Science & Nutrition (2023).