Bioactive Compounds in Helichrysum Species
Summary
Species of the genus Helichrysum (Asteraceae) are distinguished by their rich repertoire of secondary metabolites, notably phenolic acids, flavonoids, acylquinic acids, pyrones and diverse terpenoids. These compounds underpin a wide spectrum of biological activities, from antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions to antimicrobial, antiviral and neuroprotective effects. Essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation typically contain monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes such as neryl acetate, α-pinene and γ-curcumene, while non-volatile extracts yield high levels of caffeoylquinic acids, prenylated phloroglucinol-α-pyrones and glycosylated phenylethanoid derivatives. Variations in chemical profile reflect both inter- and intra-specific genetic diversity as well as environmental and seasonal influences. Advances in extraction and encapsulation technologies have improved the stability, solubility and bioavailability of these bioactives, facilitating their incorporation into cosmeceutical formulations, functional foods and agricultural biopesticides. The multifunctional nature of Helichrysum metabolites positions the genus as a global resource for novel therapeutic leads and sustainable crop protection agents.
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Bioactive Compounds in Helichrysum Species publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in bioactive compounds in helichrysum species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Phenolic compounds: Polyphenol secondary metabolites known for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Flavonoids: A class of polyphenolic molecules with diverse bioactivities, including enzyme inhibition and free-radical scavenging.
Essential oils: Volatile aromatic mixtures dominated by terpenes and sesquiterpenes, obtained by hydrodistillation or steam distillation.
Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin: A cyclic oligosaccharide used to enhance extraction yield and aqueous solubility of lipophilic bioactives.
UHPLC-HRMS: Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, enabling in-depth metabolite characterisation.
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): The lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent that prevents visible growth of a microorganism.
References
- Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin-Based Helichrysum italicum Extracts: Antioxidant and Cosmeceutical Activity and Biocompatibility. Antioxidants (2023).
- Helichrysum italicum: From Extraction, Distillation, and Encapsulation Techniques to Beneficial Health Effects. Foods (2023).
- Helichrysum stoechas (L.) Moench Inflorescence Extract for Tomato Disease Management. Molecules (2023).
- Phytochemical Profiling, Antioxidant and Cognitive-Enhancing Effect of Helichrysum italicum ssp. italicum (Roth) G. Don (Asteraceae). Plants (2023).
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