The Genus Alnus, A Comprehensive Outline of Its Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities

Abstract

The genus Alnus (Betulaceae) is comprised of more than 40 species. Many species of this genus have a long history of use in folk medicines. Phytochemical investigations have revealed the presence of diarylheptanoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids and other compounds. Diarylheptanoids, natural products with a 1,7-diphenylheptane structural skeleton, are the dominant constituents in the genus, whose anticancer effect has been brought into focus. Pure compounds and crude extracts from the genus exhibit a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities both in vitro and in vivo. This paper compiles 273 naturally occurring compounds from the genus Alnus along with their structures and pharmacological activities, as reported in 138 references.

Polyphenol Characterization, Antioxidant and Skin Whitening Properties of Alnus cordata Stem Bark

“…The genus Alnus (Betulaceae) comprises many species widely distributed in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America, with a long history in traditional medicines . Alnus cordata ( Loisel .)…”

“…Duby is a Tyrrhenian endemic species firstly isolated during Pleistocene in Corsica where it remained confined since its introduction in all over Mediterranean areas in the late 20 th century . Previous investigations on several Alnus species have focused on their chemical composition, including diarylheptanoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, and in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anticancer and hepatoprotective effects …”

“…The genus Alnus (Betulaceae) comprises many species widely distributed in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America, with a long history in traditional medicines. [1] Alnus cordata (LOISEL.) DUBY is a Tyrrhenian endemic species firstly isolated during Pleistocene in Corsica where it remained confined since its introduction in all over Mediterranean areas in the late 20 th century.…”

“…[2] Previous investigations on several Alnus species have focused on their chemical composition, including diarylheptanoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, and in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and hepatoprotective effects. [1,3] Recently, there is a lot of attention towards the study of new natural, semi-synthetic and synthetic tyrosinase inhibitors for the treatment of dermatological disorders based on melanin accumulation. [4] Tyrosinase, also known as polyphenol oxidase (PPO), is the key enzyme in melanin biosynthesis.…”

Actinobactérias da Antártica produtoras de compostos anticâncer

“…A linhagem endofítica foi recuperada a partir da porção radicular da espécie Alnus nepalensis D. Don (Betulaceae) e apresenta potencial bioativo contra o crescimento in vitro de Staphylococcus aureus e a proliferação da linhagem de melanomaB16 (LIU et al, 2009). Espécies do gêneroAlnus estão amplamente reportadas como agentes ativos da medicina oriental, sendo empregadas ao tratamento de disenteria aguda, dores abdominais e mais recentemente explorados como reserva de compostos com propriedades antitumoraisDONG et al, 2017;REN et al, 2017;SATI;SATI;SATI, 2011). A linhagem CMAA 1703 apresentou maior correlação genética para a linhagem Streptomyces ossamyceticus (98,90%; 16 dif/nt).…”