The genus Diospyros is one of the most important sources of bioactive compounds, exclusively 1,4-naphthoquinones. The following information is an attempt to cover the developments in the biology and phytochemistry of 1,4-naphthoquinones isolated from this genus, as well as the studies done and the suggested mechanisms regarding their activities. During the past 60 years, many of these agents have been isolated from Diospyros L. Twelve considerable bioactive structures are reported in this review. The basic 1,4-naphthoquinone skeletons, on which a large number of studies have been done, are plumbagin and diospyrin. Today, the potential for development of leads from 1,4-naphthoquinones obtained from Diospyros L. is growing dramatically, mainly in the area of anticancer and antibacterial investigations. The data prepared and described here are intended to be served as a reference tool to the natural products and chemistry specialists in order to expand the rational drug design.

Propolis is one of the complex, but valuable, bio-sources for discovering therapeutic compounds. Diterpenes are organic compounds composed of four isoprene units and are known for their biological and pharmacological characteristics, such as antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. Recently, advancements have been made in the development of antibacterial and anticancer leads from propolis-isolated diterpenes, and scrutiny of these compounds is being pursued. Thus, this review covers the progress in this arena, with a focus on the chemistry and biological activities of propolis diterpenes. It is anticipated that important information, in a comprehensive and concise manner, will be delivered here for better understanding of natural product drug discovery research.

Essential oil components were extracted from lavandin (Lavandula hybrida) flowers using pressurized fluid extraction. A central composite design was used to optimize the effective extraction variables. The chemical composition of extracted samples was analyzed by a gas chromatograph-flame ionization detector column. For achieving 100% extraction yield, the temperature, pressure, extraction time, and the solvent flow rate were adjusted at 90.6°C, 63 bar, 30.4 min, and 0.2 mL/min, respectively. The results showed that pressurized fluid extraction is a practical technique for separation of constituents such as 1,8-cineole (8.1%), linalool (34.1%), linalyl acetate (30.5%), and camphor (7.3%) from lavandin to be applied in the food, fragrance, pharmaceutical, and natural biocides industries.

One of the rich sources of lead compounds is the Angiosperms. Many of these lead compounds are useful medicines naturally, whereas others have been used as the basis for synthetic agents. These are potent and effective compounds, which have been obtained from plants, including anti-cancer (cytotoxic) agents, anti-malaria (anti-protozoal) agents, and anti-bacterial agents. Today, the number of plant families that have been extensively studied is relatively very few and the vast majorities have not been studied at all. The Annonaceae is the largest family in the order Magnoliales. It includes tropical trees, bushes, and climbers, which are often used as traditional remedies in Southeast Asia. Members of the Annonaceae have the particularity to elaborate a broad spectrum of natural products that have displayed anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-protozoal effects and have been used for the treatment of medical conditions, such as skin diseases, intestinal worms, inflammation of the eyes, HIV, and cancer. These special effects and the vast range of variation in potent compounds make the Annonaceae unique from other similar families in the Magnoliales and the Angiosperms in general. This paper attempts to summarize some important information and discusses a series of hypotheses about the effects of Annonaceae compounds.

Investigation of the single plant source bee glue type originating from Southern Australia resulted in the isolation and structure elucidation of major serrulatane diterpenes, novel 7,8,18-trihydroxyserrulat-14-ene (1), along with its oxidized product, 5,18-epoxyserrulat-14-en-7,8-dione (3) and known (18RS)-5,18-epoxyserrulat-14-en-8,18-diol (2). Exploration into the botanical origin revealed Myoporum insulare R. Br, as the plant source of the bee glue materials. This discovery was made through comparative analysis of the myoporum bee glue samples collected from the beehives, analyses of plant resinous exudate, and resin carried on the hind legs of bees foraging for bee glue.