Glycosylation of small lipophilic molecules is a ubiquitous process in plants that produces many important compounds. Many of these are secondary metabolites with key roles in plant abiotic and biotic stress tolerance through such processes as free radical scavenging and antimicrobial and antiherbivore defense. Most of these plant products occur as O-glycosides, with a much smaller number occurring as glucose esters of aromatic acids, and even fewer occurring as glucose esters of aliphatic acids. For example, there is a large diversity and distribution of monoterpene glycosides in plants, but relatively few monoterpene acid glucose esters have been elucidated to date. There have, however, been increasing reports of the latter esters in recent years, particularly those based on the isomers menthiafolic acid and oleuropeic acid. Although menthiafolic acid is acyclic and oleuropeic acid cyclic, the acids share similarities such as the presence of an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group. Moreover, both monoterpene acids can occur as monoesters or diesters of glucose, or more commonly as monoesters of glucose with shared O-linked phenolic moieties such as gallic acid, noreugenin, chromenone, quercetin, or kaempferol. The combination of the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group in both the monoterpene acid and phenolic moieties, together with the phenolic hydroxyls, gives the compounds particular biological activities with potential commercial applications. In particular, the presence of these functional groups produces a number of important therapeutic properties such as tumor inhibition, carcinogenesis suppression, and antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities. In this chapter, we review all of the glucose esters containing these monoterpenoids identified to date and describe their biological activities and commercial potential as therapeutics. We also discuss how such properties may relate to functional roles in plants such as biotic and abiotic stress responses. Finally, we collate the limited information available on their biosynthesis.
With articles written by leading authorities in their respective fields of research, Studies in Natural Products Chemistry, Volume 37 presents current frontiers and future guidelines for research based on important discoveries made in the ...
Many of these have been found to be active in a number of different disease conditions. * Timely reviews written by international authorities in the field * Topics ranging from purely chemical to very biological * The 13th volume in the ...
This present volume, will again be of great interest to research scientists and scholars working in the exciting field of new drug discovery. * Written by international authorities in the various fields of natural product chemistry * ...
Studies in Natural Products Chemistry: Bioactive Natural Products (Part I) contains articles written by leading authorities in their respective fields of research.
Introduction to Natural Products Chemistry has collected the
This up-to-date summary of natural product chemistry in drug discovery will appeal to scientists, professionals, postgraduates and industrial chemists.
This book presents a holistic and in-depth view of the techniques available for extracting natural products, with modern and more environmentally-benign methods, such as ultrasound and supercritical fluids discussed alongside conventional ...
By providing not only practical detail but a historical perspective on the chemistry and biology of the compounds under consideration, the book serves as a handy resource for researchers in their own work developing pharmaceuticals, and as ...
This book is ideal for researchers in the areas of biochemistry, medicine, and pharmacology.
"This book has succeeded in covering the basic chemistry essentials required by the pharmaceutical science student... the undergraduate reader, be they chemist, biologist or pharmacist will find this an interesting and valuable read." ...