ABSTRACT
Borago officinalis L., an annual herb belonging to the Boraginaceae family, is used in the traditional medical practices of various countries and for multiple treatments, including respiratory disorders, colds, influenza, diarrhea, cramps, inflammation, palpitation, hypertension menopause, and post-menopausal symptoms. Its pharmacological properties and biological activities - among them antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, antigenotoxic, and anti-obesity activity - were demonstrated inâ vitro and inâ vivo and are related to its rich content of bioactive compounds (mainly phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, alkaloids, and terpenes) extracted from various parts of B. officinalis including leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots. This review summarizes all updated information on applied extraction processes, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of B. officinalis.
Subject(s)
Borago , Phytochemicals , Plant Extracts , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Humans , Phytochemicals/pharmacology , Phytochemicals/isolation & purification , Phytochemicals/chemistry , Borago/chemistry , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents/isolation & purification , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Antioxidants/chemistry , Antioxidants/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
Rhamnus alaternus, is a wild-growing shrub, belonging to the Rhamnaceae family. Widely distributed in the Mediterranean basin, R. alaternus is used in the usual medicine in numerous countries, mostly Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Spain, France, Italy, and Croatia. A large number of disorders-including dermatological complications, diabetes, hepatitis, and goiter problems-can be treated by the various parts of R. alaternus (i.e., roots, bark, berries, and leaves). Several bioactive compounds were isolated from R. alaternus, including flavonoids, anthocyanins, and anthraquinones, and showed several effects such as antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, antigenotoxic, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative. This review summarizes the updated information concerning the botanical description, distribution, extraction processes applied on R. alaternus, and its ethnopharmacology, toxicity, phytochemistry, and pharmacological effects.