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Abstract:The genus Vitex, which belongs to the Verbenaceae family, includes approximately 250 species. Some species of the genus Vitex have traditionally been used for the treatment of headaches, ophthalmodynia, coughs, asthma, premenopausal syndrome, etc. Chemical investigations indicate that the characteristic constituents of the genus Vitex are terpenes, and 210 of these compounds, including monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids and triterpenoids, have been obtained from 12 species. Pharmacological studies had shown that these terpenes possess anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, antioxidant activities, and so on. In this paper, the identity of these terpenes and their pharmacological effects are reviewed, which can provide references for further research regarding the chemistry and utilization of the Vitex species.

Flavonoids are a group of phytochemicals widely distributed in plants, fruits, and vegetables that possess numerous bioactivities. After oral administration, flavonoids can be metabolized by the intestinal bacteria into a wide range of low-molecular-weight phenolic acids. In this review, the intestinal bacterial metabolic pathways of different flavonoids (flavones, isoflavones, flavonols, flavanones, and chalcones) and the bioactivities of their microbe-derived ring cleavage metabolites are summarized. Flavonoids undergo different intestinal bacterial metabolic reactions, depending on the characteristics of their structure. Free hydroxyl groups, especially 5 and 4' free hydroxyl groups play significant roles in fission metabolism. Microbe-derived ring cleavage metabolites such as 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (3,4-DHPAA) and 3,4-dihydroxytoluene (3,4-DHT) possess various bioactivities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and anti-colon cancer effects. Also, the intestinal bacteria associated with the bacterial metabolism of flavonoids are covered in this review.

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Two novel physalins, including a 22,26-seco physalin, physalin X (1), and a 11,15-cyclo-9(10),14(17),22(26)-triseco physalin with an unprecedented aromatic ring, aromaphysalin B (2), were isolated from Physalis angulata L. Their structures were determined by IR, UV, HRESIMS, and 2D NMR spectra as well as theoretical calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited inhibitory activities on NO production with IC values of 68.50 and 29.69 μM, respectively. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for 2 is also discussed.