Phytochemical Properties and Biological Activities of Bidens Species

Bidens species, comprising over 200 taxa within the Asteraceae family, are cosmopolitan herbs traditionally employed in food and medicine. Their phytochemical repertoire is rich in phenolic compounds, flavonoids and polyacetylenes, which have been implicated in a diverse array of biological activities. Extracts from leaves, flowers and whole plants exhibit notable antioxidant capacity, enzyme inhibitory effects—including α-glucosidase, α-amylase and xanthine oxidase—and anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and anticancer properties. Variation in extraction solvents markedly influences the profile and potency of these bioactivities, reflecting the solvent-dependent solubility of distinct metabolite classes. Mechanistic studies have demonstrated immunomodulatory effects through the regulation of cytokine production and oxidative stress in immune cells, while isolated flavonoids and acetylenic derivatives can inhibit DNA topoisomerase I, arrest cell cycle progression and induce cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines. Collectively, these findings underscore the global significance of Bidens as a source of pharmacologically active natural products and highlight their potential in developing novel therapeutic agents and nutraceuticals.

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Phytochemical Properties and Biological Activities of Bidens Species publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytochemical properties and biological activities of bidens species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Phenolic compounds: Aromatic plant metabolites with one or more hydroxyl groups, known for antioxidant and enzyme-inhibitory activities.

Flavonoids: A subclass of phenolics comprising two aromatic rings linked by three carbons; exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cytotoxic effects.

Polyacetylenes: Secondary metabolites characterised by alternating single and triple bonds; associated with antimicrobial and anticancer activities.

α-Glucosidase: An intestinal enzyme that cleaves carbohydrates into glucose; inhibition delays postprandial blood sugar rise.

DNA topoisomerase I: A nuclear enzyme regulating DNA supercoiling during replication and transcription; a target for anticancer drugs.

Immunomodulation: The regulation or alteration of immune cell functions and cytokine production, affecting inflammatory and defence responses.

References

1. Comparative analysis of phenolic content and in vitro bioactivities of Bidens pilosa L. flowers and leaves as affected by extraction solvents. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research (2023).
2. Immunomodulatory Properties of Natural Extracts and Compounds Derived from Bidens pilosa L.: Literature Review. Pharmaceutics (2023).
3. Inhibition of DNA Topoisomerase Ι by Flavonoids and Polyacetylenes Isolated from Bidens pilosa L.. Molecules (2024).
4. Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae): Botanical Properties, Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2013).