Over the past five years, phytochemical and pharmacological studies have been conducted on material extracted from members of the Rutaceae family. In such work, new furochinoline-structured alkaloids were isolated from Ruta sp. and Dictamnus sp. Beyond the aforementioned, other substances with promising activity were isolated from the less-known species of Zanthoxylum, Evodia, Lonchocarpus, Myrthopsis and Teclea. Currently used forms of extraction, as well as methods of isolation and detection, allow the obtaining of pure, biologically active compounds. Many of these have antifungal, anti-bacterial and anti-plasmodial properties. Others are still being researched as potential drugs, which, in future, may be used in treating those afflicted with HIV and cancer. This article is designed to give the readers a thorough review of the active natural products from the Rutaceae family.

A response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design (CCD) was developed to predict and apply the best ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions, including the extraction time, the composition of aqueous-ethanolic extractants, and the solvent-to-plant-material ratio, for obtaining the highest yields of different types of polyphenolic components from the dried flower buds of Magnolia × soulangeana Soul.-Bod. var. ‘Lennei’ (MSL). The novel approach in the RSM procedure resulted from the simultaneous optimisation of UAE conditions to obtain extracts with the highest antioxidant and antiradical potential (examined as dependent variables), using appropriate spectrophotometric assays, with Folin–Ciocâlteu and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl reagents, respectively. The use of 66.8% (V/V) ethanol as the extraction solvent during the 55.2 min extraction protocol and the ratio of extractant volume to herbal substance of 46.8 mL/g gave the highest total yield of bioactive antioxidant phenolics in the extract obtained. For this herbal preparation, a qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed using combined chromatographic (LC), spectroscopic (PDA), and tandem mass spectrometric (ESI-QToF–MS/MS) techniques. A detailed phytochemical profiling, conducted for the first time, documented substantial amounts of various polyphenolic antioxidants, especially phenylethanoids and flavonoids, in the MSL flower buds. Their average total content exceeded 30.3 and 36.5 mg/g dry weight, respectively.

Problems such as periodontal disease, tooth decay and oral candidiasis are common conditions that affect people of all ages and geographical zones. They are often associated with poor oral hygiene. Pathogenic microorganisms, their metabolic activity and inflammation are considered to be the basis of their formation. The search for active substances, components of oral care products and hygiene products expands this possibility to include research on plant substances with antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Plant extracts such as Rhamus prinoides, Pongamia pinnata, Myrmecodia pendens, Eichhornia crassipes or the well-known propolis or coffee can effectively reduce the formation of dental plaque and protect against periodontitis. The effect of reducing tooth decay has been demonstrated in relation to extracts from plants such as: Stachytarpheta cayennensis, Mentha spicata, Piper crocatum, Mentha × piperita, Eucalyptus globulus, Clitoria ternatea, Stryphnodendron adstringens, Carum copticum, Phlomis bruguieri, Marrubium parviflorum and Prosopis africana. Rosmarinus officinalis, Punica granatum, Rosa centifolia, Curcuma longa, numerous essential oils (sage, mint, lavender, thyme, hyssop, oregano, lemongrass and others) and other known aromatic plants (including cloves, cinnamon or Citrus paradisi) had anti-yeast properties. The aim of this study was to present an up-to-date review of the literature in relation to the latest research and possible potential sources of biologically active plant ingredients for use in preparations, both in prophylaxis and oral hygiene.

The total phenolic content (TPC), total tannin content (TTC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) as well as the antioxidant activity and the cytotoxic effect of the extract from leaves ofErythrochiton brasiliensisNees & Mart. (Rutaceae) were evaluated. Raw material was collected in different European botanical gardens. Statistical analysis revealed a clear grouping of populations according to their climatic zone. The average TPC, TTC and TFC in tested samples were 35.92 (± 7.11) mg GAE·g^–1DW, 14.98 (± 4.08) mg PyE·g^–1DW and 2.92 (± 0.76) mg QuE·g^–1DW, respectively. The scavenged DPPH and Trolox equivalents determined by EPR spectroscopy were 1.23–4.14 and 0.50–1.44 mmol·g^–1of dry extract, respectively. Thirteen compounds (derivatives of bezoic acid acid andtrans-cinnammic acid) were identified in the samples. The flavonoid vitexin was also present as the major component in three investigated samples. Thein vitrocytotoxicity test of the extract on Vero cells provided IC₅₀and IC₁₀values of 175.6 and 72.5 μg·mL^–1, respectively. Incubation of samples with HHV-1 infected Vero cells had no effect on the occurrence of cytopathic effect.

A novel approach based on response surface methodology (RSM) was developed to predict and apply the best extraction conditions for the isolation of various-type polyphenolic antioxidants from the dried flower buds of Magnolia x soulangeana Soul.-Bod. var. ‘Lennei’ (Magnoliaceae). As a method of choice, ultrasound-assisted extraction was used and the optimized extraction parameters (temperature, time of extraction, the composition of aqueous-ethanolic extractants and solvent to solid ratio) have been determined using a central composite design factorial analysis, followed by appropriate spectrophotometric methods (with Folin–Ciocalteu and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl reagents) to determine the antioxidant and antiradical potential of extracts, respectively. The use of 66.8% (V/V) ethanol, as the extraction solvent during the 55.2 min extraction protocol, and the ratio of extractant volume to herbal substance of 46.8 mL/g gave the highest total yield of bioactive antioxidant phenolics in the extract obtained. For this herbal preparation, qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed using combined chromatographic (LC), spectroscopic (PDA) and tandem mass spectrometric (ESI-QTOF–MS/MS) techniques. A detailed phytochemical profiling, conducted for the first time, documented substantial amounts of polyphenolic antioxidants, especially phenylethanoids and flavonoids in the flower buds of M. soulangeana ‘Lennei’. Their average total content exceeded 30.3 and 36.5 mg/g dry weight, respectively.