Chemical and biological review on various classes of secondary metabolites and biological activities of Arecaceae (2021-2006)

Abstract

Arecaceae is called palm trees. It is a flowering plant family including 181 genera and about 2600 species. The scientific researchers need to summarize phytochemical and biological studies on many genera of this family to help and orient them to carry out extensive studies on the uninvestigated plants. By reviewing the currently available literature , many classes of secondary metabolites of this family were determined, viz., flavonoids (59 compounds), phenolic acids and their derivatives (22 compounds), fatty derivatives (11 compounds), sterols (19 compounds) and other classes. Moreover, plants belonging to this family have been shown many biological activities such as anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-parasitic, anti-convulsant, renal protective, cardioprotective, cytotoxic, anti-microbial (antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral), anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, hepatoprotective, antihypertensive, analgesic, anti-ulcer, neuropharmacological, anti-platelet, anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-Alzheimer. Also, the most chemically investigated genus is Phoenix. While, Aiphanes aculeate, Syagrus romanzoffiana, Areca catechu, Hyophorbe indica, Brahea armata, Attalea funifera, Wodyetia bifurcate, and Dypsis leptocheilos need more phytochemical attention. Regarding the biological investigation, Cocos and Phoenix was the most investigated genera were the most investigated species. While,

Chemical constituents and antifungal potential of Attalea geraensis Barb. Rodr. (Arecaceae) palm leaves, a species native to the Cerrado of Brazil

“…Only the flavonoids quercetin and isorhamnetin had already been described for this species (Williams et al, 1983;Williams et al, 1985). On the other hand, for plants of the same family (Arecaceae), several flavonoids have already been described: chalcones, flavanol, and flavone derivatives (Mohammed and Fouad, 2022).…”

“…Mart., Mauritia flexuosa L.f., Phoenix dactylifera L., Paludosa phoenix Roxb., and Ravenea rivularis Jum. & H.Perrier (Ávila et al, 2011;Matias et al, 2019;Mohammed and Fouad, 2022). Anthraquinones had only been described for A. aculeata.…”

“…Among the natural compounds with antifungal action, plant extracts, such as that from the palm tree Attalea, a genus of the family Arecaceae, can be used. These plants are rich in phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, which are promising metabolites due to their antifungal properties (Williams et al, 1985;Andrade et al, 2020;Mohammed and Fouad, 2022).…”

Structure and ontogeny of inflorescence and flower of Bactris simplicifrons Mart. (Arecaceae, Arecoideae, Bactridinae)

“…In the oral parts of B. simplicifrons, the almost total absence of phenolic idioblasts stands out. These compounds are very frequent in palms and have been chemically studied for different purposes, including pharmacological ones (Mohammed et al 2022). They have been observed abundantly in the oral parts of other Bactris species (Briceño et al 2023).…”