This study describes some characteristics of the Rubiaceae family pertaining to the occurrence and distribution of secondary metabolites in the main genera of this family. It reports the review of phytochemical studies addressing all species of Rubiaceae, published between 1990 and 2014. Iridoids, anthraquinones, triterpenes, indole alkaloids as well as other varying alkaloid subclasses, have shown to be the most common. These compounds have been mostly isolated from the genera Uncaria, Psychotria, Hedyotis, Ophiorrhiza and Morinda. The occurrence and distribution of iridoids, alkaloids and anthraquinones point out their chemotaxonomic correlation among tribes and subfamilies. From an evolutionary point of view, Rubioideae is the most ancient subfamily, followed by Ixoroideae and finally Cinchonoideae. The chemical biosynthetic pathway, which is not so specific in Rubioideae, can explain this and large amounts of both iridoids and indole alkaloids are produced. In Ixoroideae, the most active biosysthetic pathway is the one that produces iridoids; while in Cinchonoideae, it produces indole alkaloids together with other alkaloids. The chemical biosynthetic pathway now supports this botanical conclusion.

/pdf/secondary-metabolites-from-rubiaceae-species-1qb9b9wfan.pdf

Secondary Metabolites from Rubiaceae Species

Rubia cordifolia Linn. (manjishtha) is popularly known as ‘Indian Madder’. Roots are traditionally used as anti-inflammatory, astringent, tonic, antiseptic, deobstruent, antidysenteric, blood purifier. It is an important ingredient of many ayurvedic preparations. The roots are natural red dye and are very effective in purifying blood. Various chemical constituents like anthraquinones, iridoid glycoside, naphthoic acid esters, bicyclic hexapeptides, and triterpenes have been isolated and identified from Rubia cordifolia Linn. The present review article is focused on phytochemical, pharmacological and other important aspects of manjishtha.

A comprehensive review of Rubia cordifolia linn

A novel approach was developed for the synthesis of diverse dihydronaphtho[1,2-b]furans from 1,4-naphthoquinones and olefins in the presence of ceric ammonium nitrate. This reaction provides a rapid route for the synthesis of a variety of dihydronaphtho[1,2-b]furans and naphtho[1,2-b]furans bearing different substituents. This methodology was also used to synthesize the biologically important natural product furomollugin in only 2 steps.

A novel and efficient synthesis of diverse dihydronaphtho[1,2-b]furans using the ceric ammonium nitrate-catalyzed formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,4-naphthoquinones to olefins and its application to furomollugin

Rubia cordifolia Linn (Rubiaceae) is a climbing perennial herbal plant, which is widely distributed in China and India. Its root and rhizome, Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma (called Qiancao in China and Indian madder in India), is a well known phytomedicine used for hematemesis, epistaxis, flooding, spotting, traumatic bleeding, amenorrhea caused by obstruction, joint impediment pain, swelling and pain caused by injuries from falls. In addition, it is a kind of pigment utilized as a food additive and a dye for wool or fiber. This review mainly concentrates on studies of the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of this Traditional Chinese Medicine. The phytochemical evidences indicated that over a hundred chemical components have been found and isolated from the medicine, such as anthraquinones, naphthoquinones, triterpenoids, cyclic hexapeptides and others. These components are considered responsible for the various bioactivities of the herbal drug, including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, antitumor, effects on coagulation-fibrinolysis system, neuroprotection and other effects. Additionally, based on these existing results, we also propose some interesting future research directions. Consequently, this review should help us to more comprehensively understand and to more fully utilize the herbal medicine Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma.

https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/21/12/1747/pdf

Ting-Ru Zhu

Papers

6-Methoxygeniposidic acid, an iridoid glycoside from Rubia cordifolia