Plant Alkaloids: Main Features, Toxicity, and Mechanisms of Action

Matsuura, Hélio Nitta; Fett-Neto, Arthur Germano

doi:10.1007/978-94-007-6464-4_2

Cited by 71 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…alkaloids with diverse properties related to stress protection and defence against pathogens (Bush et al, 1993;Matsuura & Fett-Neto, 2015). Primary antioxidant metabolism was also prompted, as indicated by the increased levels of DHA (Figs 7b, S6) and previously observed under a water stress treatment in the resurrection species H. rhodopensis ).…”

Section: Summer Wintersupporting

confidence: 65%

“…Nicotinate concentrations were also dramatically increased from its precursors glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate and aspartate (Figs 7a, S6). This compound is a precursor of secondary metabolism linked to the synthesis of several alkaloids with diverse properties related to stress protection and defence against pathogens (Bush et al , 1993; Matsuura & Fett‐Neto, 2015). Primary antioxidant metabolism was also prompted, as indicated by the increased levels of DHA (Figs 7b, S6) and previously observed under a water stress treatment in the resurrection species H. rhodopensis (Benina et al , 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Born to revive: molecular and physiological mechanisms of double tolerance in a paleotropical and resurrection plant

et al. 2020

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Summary Resurrection plants recover physiological functions after complete desiccation. Almost all of them are native to tropical warm environments. However, the Gesneriaceae include four genera, remnant of the past palaeotropical flora, which inhabit temperate mountains. One of these species is additionally freezing‐tolerant: Ramonda myconi. We hypothesise that this species has been able to persist in a colder climate thanks to some resurrection‐linked traits. To disentangle the physiological mechanisms underpinning multistress tolerance to desiccation and freezing, we conducted an exhaustive seasonal assessment of photosynthesis (gas exchange, limitations to partitioning, photochemistry and galactolipids) and primary metabolism (through metabolomics) in two natural populations at different elevations. R. myconi displayed low rates of photosynthesis, largely due to mesophyll limitation. However, plants were photosynthetically active throughout the year, excluding a reversible desiccation period. Common responses to desiccation and low temperature involved chloroplast protection: enhanced thermal energy dissipation, higher carotenoid to Chl ratio and de‐epoxidation of the xanthophyll cycle. As specific responses, antioxidants and secondary metabolic routes rose upon desiccation, while putrescine, proline and a variety of sugars rose in winter. The data suggest conserved mechanisms to cope with photo‐oxidation during desiccation and cold events, while additional metabolic mechanisms may have evolved as specific adaptations to cold during recent glaciations.

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Section: Summer Wintersupporting

confidence: 65%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Born to revive: molecular and physiological mechanisms of double tolerance in a paleotropical and resurrection plant

et al. 2020

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“…Ecologically, the accumulation of alkaloids is an important chemical defensive strategy used by plants to adapt to environmental stresses, such as endophytes, pathogens, herbivores and others (Joosten and van Veen, 2011;Matsuura and Fett-Neto, 2017). Fungal endophytes are ubiquitous to nearly all the plants and are characterized by the feature of not causing harm to the host plants (Schulz and Boyle, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal endophytes promote the accumulation of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids in Lycoris radiata

Zhou

Liu

Wang

et al. 2020

Environmental Microbiology

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Summary Lycoris radiata is a main source of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids; however, the low content of these alkaloids in planta remains a limit to their pharmaceutical development and utilization. The accumulation of secondary metabolites can be enhanced in plants inoculated with fungal endophytes. In this study, we analysed the diversity of culturable fungal endophytes in different organs of L. radiata. Then, by analysing the correlation between the detectable rate of each fungal species and the content of each tested alkaloid, we proposed several fungal candidates implicated in the increase of alkaloid accumulation. This was verified by inoculating these candidates to L. radiata plants. Based on the results of two independent experiments conducted in May 2018 and October 2019, the individual inoculation of nine fungal endophytes significantly increased the total content of the tested alkaloids in the entire L. radiata plants. This is the first study in L. radiata to show that fungal endophytes are able to improve the accumulation of various alkaloids. Therefore, our results provide insights into a better understanding of interactions between plants and fungal endophytes and suggest an effective strategy for enhancing the alkaloid content in the cultivation of L. radiata.

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“…Alkaloids exert a plethora of pharmacological activities crucial for human pharmacotherapy (e.g. morphine, quinine and vinblastine) (168) and the alkaloids capsaicin (CAP) and berberine (BBR) have been shown to affect BAT activity or induce browning of WAT.…”

Section: Alkaloidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feeding brown fat: dietary phytochemicals targeting non-shivering thermogenesis to control body weight

Horváth

Wolfrum

2020

Proc. Nutr. Soc.

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Excessive adipose accumulation, which is the main driver for the development of secondary metabolic complications, has reached epidemic proportions and combined pharmaceutical, educational and nutritional approaches are required to reverse the current rise in global obesity prevalence rates. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a unique organ able to dissipate energy and thus a promising target to enhance BMR to counteract a positive energy balance. In addition, active BAT might support body weight maintenance after weight loss to prevent/reduce relapse. Natural products deliver valuable bioactive compounds that have historically helped to alleviate disease symptoms. Interest in recent years has focused on identifying nutritional constituents that are able to induce BAT activity and thereby enhance energy expenditure. This review provides a summary of selected dietary phytochemicals, including isoflavones, catechins, stilbenes, the flavonoids quercetin, luteolin and resveratrol as well as the alkaloids berberine and capsaicin. Most of the discussed phytochemicals act through distinct molecular pathways e.g. sympathetic nerve activation, AMP-kinase signalling, SIRT1 activity or stimulation of oestrogen receptors. Thus, it might be possible to utilise this multitude of pathways to co-activate BAT using a fine-tuned combination of foods or combined nutritional supplements.

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Plant Alkaloids: Main Features, Toxicity, and Mechanisms of Action

Cited by 71 publications

References 41 publications

Born to revive: molecular and physiological mechanisms of double tolerance in a paleotropical and resurrection plant

Born to revive: molecular and physiological mechanisms of double tolerance in a paleotropical and resurrection plant

Fungal endophytes promote the accumulation of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids in Lycoris radiata

Feeding brown fat: dietary phytochemicals targeting non-shivering thermogenesis to control body weight

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