Bioactive secondary metabolites produced by plants of the genus [i]Physalis[/i]

• Main Authors: Karolina Agata, Joanna Kusiak, Bartłomiej Stępień, Katarzyna Bergier, Elżbieta Kuźniak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Index Copernicus International S.A. 2010-12-01
• Series: Postępy Higieny i Medycyny Doświadczalnej
• Subjects: Physalis; withasteroids; physalins; withanolides; calystegines; tropane and nortropane alkaloids; antitumor activity
• Online Access: http://journals.indexcopernicus.com/fulltxt.php?ICID=928037

Plants from the genus [i]Physalis[/i] L. (family [i]Solanaceae[/i]), native to warm and subtropical regions of Central and South America, are particularly rich in secondary metabolites, e.g.: withanolides, physalins, calystegines, tropane and nortropane alkaloids. Due to the high biological activities of these compounds, in the tropics [i]Physalis[/i] plants have been used for centuries as medicinal herbs in the treatment of urinary and skin diseases, gonorrhea, ulcers, sores and as a vermicidal drug. This review describes the main categories of secondary metabolites, their distribution, chemistry, biosynthesis as well as biological activities. Particular attention is given to their potent anticancer activities.