Phytochemical Properties and Bioactivity of Rubiaceae Species
Summary
The Rubiaceae family, encompassing over 13,000 species across more than 600 genera, is a prolific source of bioactive phytochemicals. Secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids and glycosides are widely distributed across leaves, roots, bark and flowers of key genera including Ixora, Rubia, Coffea and Psychotria. These compounds display diverse bioactivities: potent radical scavenging and reducing capacity, broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects, modulation of inflammatory pathways, cytotoxicity against tumour cell lines and potential immunomodulatory actions. Recent advances have elucidated structure–activity relationships of cyclopeptide alkaloids, quantified the spectrum of phenolics by chromatographic methods and established novel delivery vehicles such as phytosomal complexes to enhance bioavailability. Collectively, this wealth of chemical diversity underpins both traditional uses—antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory and tonic remedies—and modern prospects for drug discovery, nutraceutical development and sustainable agrochemical leads.
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Phytochemical Properties and Bioactivity of Rubiaceae Species publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytochemical properties and bioactivity of rubiaceae species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Phytosome: a complex of plant extract with phospholipids designed to improve absorption and bioavailability of hydrophilic phytochemicals.
Cyclopeptide alkaloid: a cyclic peptide featuring nitrogenous bases (alkaloid moieties) known for diverse bioactivities including antimicrobial and antiparasitic effects.
Phenolic compound: a class of secondary metabolites characterised by an aromatic ring bearing one or more hydroxyl groups, responsible for antioxidant and enzyme-modulating properties.
DPPH assay: a standard spectrophotometric method using the stable 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical to quantify radical-scavenging activity of antioxidants.
References
- Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Ixora coccinea root and quantification of phenolic compounds using HPLC. South African Journal of Botany (2020).
- Ixorine, a New Cyclopeptide Alkaloid from the Branches of Ixora brevifolia. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society (2015).
- In Vitro Evaluation of Extracts From Ixora Species for a Potential Phytosomal Formulation. Cureus (2024).
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