The glucosinolates (GSLs) is a well-defined group of plant metabolites characterized by having an S-β-d-glucopyrano unit anomerically connected to an O-sulfated (Z)-thiohydroximate function. After enzymatic hydrolysis, the sulfated aglucone can undergo rearrangement to an isothiocyanate, or form a nitrile or other products. The number of GSLs known from plants, satisfactorily characterized by modern spectroscopic methods (NMR and MS) by mid-2018, is 88. In addition, a group of partially characterized structures with highly variable evidence counts for approximately a further 49. This means that the total number of characterized GSLs from plants is somewhere between 88 and 137. The diversity of GSLs in plants is critically reviewed here, resulting in significant discrepancies with previous reviews. In general, the well-characterized GSLs show resemblance to C-skeletons of the amino acids Ala, Val, Leu, Trp, Ile, Phe/Tyr and Met, or to homologs of Ile, Phe/Tyr or Met. Insufficiently characterized, still hypothetic GSLs include straight-chain alkyl GSLs and chain-elongated GSLs derived from Leu. Additional reports (since 2011) of insufficiently characterized GSLs are reviewed. Usually the crucial missing information is correctly interpreted NMR, which is the most effective tool for GSL identification. Hence, modern use of NMR for GSL identification is also reviewed and exemplified. Apart from isolation, GSLs may be obtained by organic synthesis, allowing isotopically labeled GSLs and any kind of side chain. Enzymatic turnover of GSLs in plants depends on a considerable number of enzymes and other protein factors and furthermore depends on GSL structure. Identification of GSLs must be presented transparently and live up to standard requirements in natural product chemistry. Unfortunately, many recent reports fail in these respects, including reports based on chromatography hyphenated to MS. In particular, the possibility of isomers and isobaric structures is frequently ignored. Recent reports are re-evaluated and interpreted as evidence of the existence of "isoGSLs", i.e. non-GSL isomers of GSLs in plants. For GSL analysis, also with MS-detection, we stress the importance of using authentic standards.

Finding a new type of cholinesterase inhibitor that would overcome the brain availability and pharmacokinetic parameters or hepatotoxic liability has been a focus of investigations dealing with the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Isothiocyanates have not been previously investigated as potential cholinesterase inhibitors. These compounds can be naturally produced from their glucosinolate precursors, secondary metabolites widely distributed in our daily Brassica vegetables. Among 11 tested compounds, phenyl isothiocyanate and its derivatives showed the most promising inhibitory activity. 2-Methoxyphenyl ITC showed best inhibition on acetylcholinesterase with IC₅₀ of 0.57 mM, while 3-methoxyphenyl ITC showed the best inhibition on butyrylcholinesterase having 49.2% at 1.14 mM. Assessment of the antioxidant efficacy using different methods led to a similar conclusion. The anti-inflammatory activity was also tested using human COX-2 enzyme, ranking phenyl isothiocyanate, and 3-methoxyphenyl isothiocyanate as most active, with ∼99% inhibition at 50 μM.

The purpose of this study was to compare the essential oil profiles of four Croatian Teucrium species (Lamiaceae), as determined by GC and GC/MS, with their antiphytoviral efficiency. A phytochemical analysis showed that T. polium, T. flavum, T. montanum and T. chamaedrys are characterized by similar essential oil compositions. The investigated oils are characterized by a high proportion of the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons β-caryophyllene (7.1–52.0%) and germacrene D (8.7–17.0%). Other important components were β-pinene from T. montanum and α-pinene from T. flavum. The investigated essential oils were proved to reduce lesion number in the local host Chenopodium quinoa Willd. infected with Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), with reductions of 41.4%, 22.9%, 44.3% and 25.7%, respectively.

: Essential oils constituents are a diverse family of low molecular weight organic compounds with comprehensive biological activity. According to their chemical structure, these active compounds can be divided into four major groups: terpenes, terpenoids, phenylpropenes, and "others". In addition, they may contain diverse functional groups according to which they can be classified as hydrocarbons (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and aliphatic hydrocarbons); oxygenated compounds (monoterpene and sesquiterpene alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and other oxygenated compounds); and sulfur and/or nitrogen containing compounds (thioesters, sulfides, isothiocyanates, nitriles, and others). : Compounds that act as cholinesterase inhibitors still represent the only pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer´s disease. Numerous in vitro studies showed that some compounds, found in essential oils, have a promising cholinesterase inhibitory activity, such as α-pinene, δ-3-carene, 1,8-cineole, carvacrol, thymohydroquinone, α- and β-asarone, anethole, etc. : Essential oils constituents are a diverse family of low molecular weight organic compounds with comprehensive biological activity. According to their chemical structure, these active compounds can be divided into four major groups: terpenes, terpenoids, phenylpropenes, and "others". In addition, they may contain diverse functional groups according to which they can be classified as hydrocarbons (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and aliphatic hydrocarbons); oxygenated compounds (monoterpene and sesquiterpene alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and other oxygenated compounds); and sulfur and/or nitrogen containing compounds (thioesters, sulfides, isothiocyanates, nitriles, and others).