Heteropterys Genus: A Review of its Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Abstract

Heteropterys is the largest genus in the botanical family Malpighiaceae that comprises more than 140 species. In the last years there has been an increasing interest on Heteropterys species because of the promising results of the pharmacological studies that explored Heteropterys species for first time. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the active constituents isolated from Heteropterys genus, highlighting the aspects reported on the diversity of the biological activities tested during the past years. For this purpose, we reviewed the scientific literature available for the total number of species that belong to Heteropterys in specialized databases. Our findings showed that the properties on CNS (anxiolytic, antidepressant, improving learning and memory), the antioxidant effects and the protective activities of reproductive male organs are the most important biological activities reported for species of Heteropterys. Flavonoids are the chemicals most conspicuous, following by aliphatic nitro compounds and hydroxycinnamic acids identified in Heteropterys. This review pretend to be helpful for phytochemists and pharmacologist in the proposal of Heteropterys as potential source of metabolites that could be used to drug prototypes to many and diverse pathological or physiological situations.

Can Statistical Evaluation Tools for Chromatographic Method Development Assist in the Natural Products Workflow? A Case Study on Selected Species of the Plant Family Malpighiaceae

“…55 These compounds are largely found in plants, including from the family Malpighiaceae. 19,56 A molecular family characterized only by nodes representing N. multiglandulosa species has also been observed, corresponding to the presence of phytoecdysterols that were confirmed by comparison with standards previously isolated from this species: 18 5-hydroxypodecdysone B, integristerone A, podecdysone B, and ecdysterone. To date, this class of compounds has only been recently described for the Niedenzuella genus in the family Malpighiaceae.…”

“…Additionally, monomers, such as catechin (detected in B. intermedia , N. multiglandulosa , B. laevifolia , and A. septentrionalis ) and afzelechin (only observed in A. septentrionalis ), were annotated, and the MS/MS spectra of both compounds presented a major fragment at m / z 139, also corresponding to RDA reactions . These compounds are largely found in plants, including from the family Malpighiaceae. , …”

Antibacterial, Antifungal and Antiviral Properties of Malpighiaceae Family and Its Potential Impact for Oral Cavity Infectious Diseases

“…This is the case of the Malpighiaceae family, a flowering plant family which is widely represented in the New World which approximately 75 genera and 1,300 species with tropical and subtropical distributions [13]. However, this is mainly because the Malpighiaceae family possesses a number of conspicuous chemical constituents such as alkaloids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and tannins that have exhibited a variety of pharmacological effects with promising results when tested as isolated or as part of an extract [14]. Thus, this review has as its objective to provide an overview of the extracts and active constituents isolated from species belonging to the Malpighiaceae family, emphasizing activities against bacteria, fungi, and viruses during recent years and their potential impact on microbes from the oral cavity.…”

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF HYDROETHANOLIC EXTRACTS FROM POWDERED ROOTS OFPanax ginsengC. A. Meyer ANDHeteropterys tomentosaA. Juss AND EVALUATION OF THEIR EFFECTS ON ASTROCYTE CELL DEATH

“…Flavonoids are the main constituents in Heteropterys species, followed by hydroxycinnamic acids. 18 The roots of H. tomentosa are used as aphrodisiacs, tonics or stimulants, as well as for nervous debility, vasodilatation properties and antiulcer activity in Brazil. The qualitative analysis of the plant extract from H. tomentosa roots revealed the presence of glycosides, polyphenols, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, triterpenoids and anthracenes and detected the flavonoids catequin and taxifolin derivatives.…”

“…[1][2][3]18,19 While many studies have investigated P. ginseng, which had been used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine, only a few recent studies of H. tomentosa, which is used in Traditional Brazilian Medicine as an aphrodisiac, had been reported. 18,19 The effects of these plants on the viability and protection of astrocytes using in vitro assays were also evaluated.…”