Abstract
Ocotea (family: Lauracea), which comprises nearly 350 species, are distributed throughout tropical America, Africa, and Asia. Up to now, the reported constituents from the genus Ocotea involve neolignans, alkaloids, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, lignans, butanolides, benzopyrans, steroids, essential oils and several other types of compounds (alkylphenols, arylpropene, coumarin, ester, saponin). Studies have shown that Ocotea and its active principles possess a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity, antimicrobial, larvicidal, and antiproliferative activities. The outcome of these studies will further support the therapeutic potential of the genus Ocotea, and provide convincing evidences to its future clinical applications in modern medicine. Thus, increasing amount of data supports application and exploitation for new drug development.
Highlights
The plant genus Ocotea, one of the largest members of the Lauraceae family, comprises approximately 350 species that are distributed throughout tropical and subtropical climates
A number of plants in the genus Ocotea are the sources of secondary metabolites, including neolignans, alkaloids, flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, lignans, butanolides, benzopyrans, steroids, alkylphenols, arylpropenes, coumarins, esters, and saponins; many of which exhibited interesting antiproliferative, antifungal, antiherpetic, antiinflammatory, and antimicrobial activities (Camargo et al, 2013; Castro et al, 2011; Cuca et al, 2009; Destryana et al, 2014; Garcez et al, 2011; Garett et al, 2012; Yamaguchi et al, 2013)
The IC50 value of (107) for 5LOX and PAFwere 46.4 and 38.9 μΜ, respectively, while COX-2 for (108) was 15.6 μΜ (Coy-Barrera et al, 2011). 2′-epi-Guianin (19) showed the most potent inhibition of platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced aggregation of rabbit platelets among other neolignans isolated from O. macrophyla, with IC50 value 1.6 μM (Coy-Barrera et al, 2009)
Summary
The plant genus Ocotea, one of the largest members of the Lauraceae family, comprises approximately 350 species that are distributed throughout tropical and subtropical climates. It can be recognized by the simple, alternate, stiff and aromatic elliptic to obovate leaves and fruits often borne in a cup This family has a considerable economic importance worldwide because it is used as a source of timber for construction and furniture (Nectandra, Ocotea, Persea spp.), as a crop (Persea americana), and to obtain flavours for food industry, perfumery, and medicines (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, C. cassia) (Chaverri et al, 2011). The chemical constituents of Ocotea compounds (Figure 1) includeneolignans, alkaloids, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids lignans, butanolides, benzopyrans, steroids, alkylphenols, arylpropene, coumarins, ester, and saponin. Their structures are shown below, and their names and the corresponding plant sources are listed in the Table 1.
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