Ina Aneva

Rhodiola rosea L.: from golden root to green cell factories

Rhodiola rosea L. is a worldwide popular plant with adaptogenic activities that have been and currently are exploited in the traditional medicine of many countries, as well as, examined in a number of clinical trials. More than 140 chemical structures have been identified which belong to several natural product classes, including phenylpropanoid glycosides, phenylethanoids, flavonoids and essential oils, and are mainly stored in the rhizomes and the roots of the plant. A number of mechanisms contribute to the adaptogenic activities of R. rosea preparations and its phytochemical constituents. Among them, the intrinsic inducible mammalian stress responses and their effector proteins, such as heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), are the most prominent. Due to its popular medicinal use, which has led to depletion of its natural habitats, R. rosea is now considered as endangered in most parts of the world. Conservation, cultivation and micropropagation are all implemented as potential preservation strategies. A number of in vitro systems of R. rosea are being developed as sources of pharmaceutically valuable secondary metabolites. These are greatly facilitated by advances in elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways and the enzymes, which catalyse the production of these secondary metabolites in the plant. In addition, biotechnological approaches show promise towards achieving sustainable production of R. rosea secondary metabolites.

Alkaloid profiles and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of Fumaria species from Bulgaria.

Abstract GC-MS analysis of alkaloid profiles of five Fumaria species, naturally grown in Bulgaria (F. officinalis, F. thuretii, F. kralikii, F. rostellata and F. schrammii) and analysis of acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of alkaloid extracts were performed. Fourteen isoquinoline alkaloids were identified, with the principle ones being protopine, cryptopine, sinactine, parfumine, fumariline, fumarophycine, and fumaritine. Protopine contents, defined by HPLC analysis varied between 210.6 ± 8.8 μg/g DW (F. schrammii) and 334.5 ± 7.1 μg/g DW. (F. rostellata). While all of the investigated alkaloid extracts significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity, the F. kralikii demonstrated the highest level of inhibition (IC50 0.13 ± 0.01 mg extract/mL).

Food additives and bioactive substances from in vitro systems of edible plants from the Balkan peninsula

During the last few years there is an increasing demand to the natural biologically active compounds. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) about 11% of the conventional medicines are of plant origin. Nowadays, plant biotechnologies are modern and reliable tool for producing valuable bioactive compounds. Recently, the potential of plant cells as foods also was confirmed. The advantages of plant in vitro systems over the intact plants are well known: growing under controlled and optimized laboratory conditions; independence of climatic and soil differences; preservation of rare and endangered plant species; cultivation in diverse bioreactor systems for increasing production yields of target metabolites.

European Species of Genus Salvia: Distribution, Chemodiversity and Biological Activity

The present review summarizes the information published in the scientific literature during the last two decades on the species of genus Salvia occurring naturally in Europe. The reviewed species were selected following the Flora Europea, vol 3, where 36 numbered species of the genus are listed, together with some provisory taxa, hybrids, and species of uncertain status.