The extensive use of pesticides may negatively affect human health. Additionally, it is one of the main reasons for the decline of pollinators and is thus a hazard for most crops and biodiversity as a whole. Good candidates for the replacement of pesticides with ones less toxic to humans and pollinators are natural products (bioactive compounds extracted from plants), even though it should be kept in mind that some of them can be toxic too. Ailanthus altissima (Mill.), swingle, known also as tree of heaven, (Simaroubaceae) is one of the most aggressive alien invasive plants. It demonstrates a high tolerance to various habitat conditions and a potent propagation ability. This plant has a prominent ability to suppress the seed development of local vegetation. The aim of this review study is to summarize the potential of this plant for use as a natural pesticide, starting with ethnobotanical information. The essential oils extracted from A. altissima with its main components α-curcumene α-gurjunene, γ-cadinene, α-humulene, β-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, germacrene D, etc., have been reported to possess different activities such as insect repellent, insecticidal, and herbicidal activity. Additionally, polar extracts and particularly quassinoids, the phenolic constituents of A. altissima leaves, are potent phytotoxins and fumigants. The basic extraction protocols are also summarized.

Lignans are a large group of dimeric phenylpropanoids with a long and distinguished history of medicinal use in the ancient cultures of many peoples. The two main groups, -aryltetralin and arylnaphthalene lignans, are leading compounds with important pharmacological properties and a wide range of biological activities. While the first group is well studied mainly for the production of podophyllotoxin, for arylnaphthalene lignans, the data on the availability of a sustainable resource for their production is are still insufficient. The Linum genus, comprising approximately 180 species, is notable for its arylnaphthalene lignans production like justicidin B and isojusticidin B. The pharmacological potential of arylnaphthalene lignans includes cytotoxic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antiprotozoal effects. The review highlights the use of biotechnology by in vitro cultures for optimising lignan production. Structural elucidation of novel lignans underscores the ongoing diversity and potential discoveries in this botanical domain, providing an important additional information of arylnaphthalene lignans.

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a variety of diagnostic criteria: obesity, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and arterial hypertension. They contribute to the elevated risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The potential for Amorpha fruticosa L. (Fabaceae) to improve diabetes and metabolic disease is promising, based on in vitro tests. This is why a further investigation of the species is needed. Additionally, a toxicity review in relation to safety revealed that to date, there are no published data regarding the toxicity of A. fruticosa towards humans. This species could provide abundant and cheap resources because it is an aggressive invasive plant that grows almost unrestrictedly. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of a purified extract of A. fruticosa (EAF), and to assess its antioxidant, antihypertensive, and antihyperglycemic activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The EAF was slightly toxic (LD₅₀ = 2121 mg/kg, b.w.) when administered orally, and moderately toxic (LD₅₀ = 316 mg/kg, b.w.) at intraperitoneal administration, both in mice. The oral administration of EAF (100 mg/kg) for 35 days to SHRs caused significant decreases in the systolic pressure, blood glucose levels, and MDA quantity. It also increased the hepatic level of the endogenous antioxidant GSH, not only in diabetic SHRs, but also in the control group. An additional potential benefit to human health might be conferred through the environmental management of A. fruticosa based on its large-scale use for medicinal purposes, as this aggressive invasive species brings problems to natural habitats in many European countries.

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment is known to increase the levels of plant secondary metabolites. The significant medicinal benefits of cycloartane type saponins, including immune modulation, antiviral properties, and antitumor activity, drive high global demand, making sustainable production methods economically, medically, and ecologically important. In this study the effect of MeJA as an elicitor for promoting higher accumulation of cycloartane saponins – astragaloside I, II and IV was evaluated. The experiment was conducted using biotechnological approaches for sustainable production using in vitro root cultures of the endemic plant species Astragalus aitosensis, which is known to produce rare cycloartane saponins. LC-HRESI-MS analysis was used to identify and quantify compounds. The content of astragaloside I increased significantly by 68% (118 ng/mg DW) compared to control group (70 ng/mg DW). Astragaloside II was found with 1.5 points increased amount (473 ng/mg DW), compared to control (331 ng/mg DW) and astragaloside IV production was also improved. The highest cost-efficacy concentration of the elicitor for all tested astragalosides was observed at 50 µL MeJA.

Cecropia is a genus of neotropical trees mainly distributed in Mexico and Central and South America. Currently, 63 species have been described, some of which have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and wound healing, among others. In recent times, modern phytochemical studies have succeeded in isolating individual compounds with potential specific medicinal applications. This review aims to examine the literature data regarding isolated terpenes and their correlation with pharmacological activities, with the goal of unveiling the future potential of the genus.