3.1. Biosynthesis from Jatrophanes 4313 3.2. Biosynthesis from Lathyranes 4314 4. Biological Activity 4314 4.1. Antiproliferative Activity 4314 4.2. Cytotoxicity 4316 4.3. Effects on the Cell Division 4316 4.4. DNA-Damaging Activity 4316 4.5. Modulatority of Multidrug Resistance 4316 4.6. Tumor Promoting Activity 4318 4.7. Pro-Inflammatory Activity 4318 4.8. Inhibition of Allergic Reactions 4318 4.9. Antimicrobial Activity 4319 4.10. Antidiarrheal Activity 4322 4.11. Antipyretic-Analgesic Activity 4322 4.12. Molluscicidal and Antifeedant Activities 4323 4.13. Inhibitory Activity on the Mammalian Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain 4323

Chemical and Pharmacological Research of the Plants in Genus Euphorbia

Diabetes mellitus has been recognized since antiquity. It currently affects as many as 285 million people worldwide and results in heavy personal and national economic burdens. Considerable progress has been made in orthodox antidiabetic drugs. However, new remedies are still in great demand because of the limited efficacy and undesirable side effects of current orthodox drugs. Nature is an extraordinary source of antidiabetic medicines. To date, more than 1200 flowering plants have been claimed to have antidiabetic properties. Among them, one-third have been scientifically studied and documented in around 460 publications. In this review, we select and discuss blood glucose-lowering medicinal herbs that have the ability to modulate one or more of the pathways that regulate insulin resistance, β-cell function, GLP-1 homeostasis, and glucose (re)absorption. Emphasis is placed on phytochemistry, anti-diabetic bioactivities, and likely mechanism(s). Recent progress in the understanding of the biological actions, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential of compounds and extracts of plant origin in type 2 diabetes is summarized. This review provides a source of up-to-date information for further basic and clinical research into herbal therapy for type 2 diabetes. Emerging views on therapeutic strategies for type 2 diabetes are also discussed.

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Herbal Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Chemistry, Biology, and Potential Application of Selected Plants and Compounds

The effect of ultraviolet radiation on the accumulation of medicinal compounds in plants

Triterpenoids are the most representative group of phytochemicals, as they comprise more than 20,000 recognized molecules. These compounds are biosynthesized in plants via squalene cyclization, a C30 hydrocarbon that is considered to be the precursor of all steroids. Due to their low hydrophilicity, triterpenes were considered to be inactive for a long period of time; however, evidence regarding their wide range of pharmacological activities is emerging, and elegant studies have highlighted these activities. Several triterpenic skeletons have been described, including some that have presented with pentacyclic features, such as oleanolic and ursolic acids. These compounds have displayed incontestable biological activity, such as antibacterial, antiviral, and antiprotozoal effects, which were not included in a single review until now. Thus, the present review investigates the potential use of these triterpenes against human pathogens, including their mechanisms of action, via in vivo studies, and the future perspectives about the use of compounds for human or even animal health are also discussed.

https://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2015/620472.pdf

Ji-Zhou Wu

Papers

Antihyperglycemic activity of kinsenoside, a high yielding constituent from Anoectochilus roxburghii in streptozotocin diabetic rats

Structural analysis and antitussive evaluation of five novel esters of verticinone and bile acids.

Ursane-type nortriterpenes with a five-membered A-ring from Rubus innominatus.

Therapeutic effects of extracts from Radix Toddaliae Asiaticae on collagen-induced arthritis in Balb/c mice.

Immunomodulatory activity of the rhizomes of Impatiens pritzellii var. hupehensis on collagen-induced arthritis mice.