Solanesol: a review of its resources, derivatives, bioactivities, medicinal applications, and biosynthesis

Abstract

Solanesol, which mainly accumulates in solanaceous crops, including tobacco, tomato, potato, eggplant, and pepper plants, is a long-chain polyisoprenoid alcohol compound with nine isoprene units. Chemical synthesis of solanesol is difficult; therefore, solanesol is primarily extracted from solanaceous crops, particularly tobacco leaves. In plants, solanesol exists in both free and esterified forms, and its accumulation is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Solanesol is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as an intermediate for the synthesis of ubiquinone drugs, such as coenzyme Q10 and vitamin K2. Solanesol possesses antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ulcer activities, and solanesol derivatives also have anti-oxidant and antitumour activities, in addition to other bioactivities. Solanesol derivatives can also be used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and wound healing. Solanesol biosynthesis occurs in plastids of higher plants via the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway. The key enzymes in solanesol biosynthesis, including 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate-reductoisomerase, isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase, and solanesyl diphosphate synthase, are also important regulators of the MEP pathway, and their overexpression is favourable for downstream metabolic flow, further promoting the synthesis of downstream metabolites, such as solanesol. Future studies should determine the pharmacokinetic properties of solanesol and its derivatives and investigate the metabolic pathways and regulatory mechanisms mediating solanesol biosynthesis, metabolic and genetic engineering of solanesol, the synthetic biology of solanesol, and the physiological role of solanesol. In the present review, we systematically summarise current knowledge on solanesol resources, derivatives, bioactivities and medicinal applications, metabolic pathways, and key biosynthetic enzymes.

RNA-seq Analysis of Solanesol Biosynthesis Genes in <em>Nicotiana tabacum</em>

“…Because the chemical synthesis of solanesol is difficult [11], we assessed some aspects of its biosynthesis in tobacco plants and observed differential accumulation of solanesol in the leaves, stems, and roots of tobacco plants, with the content in leaves being the highest (Figure 2A). Thus, tobacco leaves could be the ideal material for extracting solanesol [3,12]. The results revealed that the solanesol content of leaves varied with growing stage and was highest in leaves from plants in the S3 stage (40 d after transplanting; Figure 2B).…”

“…Solanesol is a long-chain polyisoprenoid alcohol that mainly accumulates in solanaceous plants, especially tobacco [1,3,12], and is an important intermediate in the synthesis of ubiquinones and anticancer drugs. Because the chemical synthesis of solanesol is difficult [11], we assessed some aspects of its biosynthesis in tobacco plants and observed differential accumulation of solanesol in the leaves, stems, and roots of tobacco plants, with the content in leaves being the highest (Figure 2A).…”

“…Solanesol is a noncyclic terpene alcohol synthesized by the condensation of nine isoprene units, and this molecule is a precursor in the synthesis of ubiquinones and anti-cancer drugs, such as coenzyme Q10, vitamin K2, and N-solanesyl-N, N′-bis (3,4-dimethoxybenzyl) ethylenediamine (SDB) [1][2][3]. Coenzyme Q10 has anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties and is reported to strengthen the body's immune system and cardiovascular function, improve brain health, and moderate blood lipids.…”

“…Coenzyme Q10 has anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties and is reported to strengthen the body's immune system and cardiovascular function, improve brain health, and moderate blood lipids. As a result, it has potential for the treatment of migraines, neurodegenerative diseases, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases [2][3][4][5], and it is also being used as a dietary supplement by patients with type 2 diabetes [6]. Vitamin K2 promotes bone formation and mineralization, inhibits bone resorption, has preventive and therapeutic effects on osteoporosis, promotes blood coagulation, and improves arterial stiffness [7].…”

Phytochemicals in medicine and food

“…Yan et al (2015) summarized the resource, derivatives, bioactivities, and medicinal applications of solanesol. Solanesol was widely used as an intermediate for the synthesis of ubiquinone drugs, such as coenzyme Q10 and vitamin K2.…”