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.

The genus Cecropia, comprising approximately 61 species, is primarily distributed in Brazil and Latin America. These species are renowned in traditional medicine for treating various ailments, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and respiratory disease. Despite their ethnopharmacological importance, complete phytochemical data are lacking for many Cecropia species. This study aims to fill this gap by conducting a comparative phytochemical analysis of six Cecropia species, C. insignis, C. longipes, C. obtusifolia, C. peltata, C. hispidissima and C. heterochroma, collected in Panama. Seven flavonoids and one phenolic acid were identified by LC-HRESI-MS. Rutin, quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside and apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside are the major compounds in the evaluated Cecropia species. C. obtusifolia and C. hispidissima showed the most diverse flavonoid profiles. These results enhance our understanding of phytochemical diversity within the genus, provide the basis for developing herbal remedies using Cecropia species, and lay the groundwork for more in-depth phytochemical and pharmacological studies.

Astragalus aitosensis, also known as Astracantha arnacantha (M. Bieb.) Podlech subsp. aitosensis (Ivanisch.) Réer & Podlech, a Bulgarian endemic species, was investigated for its phenolic profile and neuroprotective potential. A targeted extraction approach led to the isolation of 14 phytochemicals. According to our literature review, none of the isolated chemicals have been reported before for A. aitosensis. Two of them are previously undescribed molecules—an isomer of odoratin and 6-hydroxy-3-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one—and four of them had not been observed before our study in the genus Astragalus: 3′-methoxydaidzein, fujikinetin, sayanedine, and 6,4′-dimethoxy-7,2′-dihydroxyisoflavone. Five of the phytochemicals—maackiain, cajanin, onogenin, afrormosin, and sayanedine—exhibited selective inhibition of human monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), with maackiain reducing activity by 45%, nearing the effect of selegiline. The investigated phytochemicals also showed significant antioxidant and neuroprotective effects in ex vivo models using isolated rat brain synaptosomes, mitochondria, and microsomes, mitigating oxidative stress by preserving glutathione levels and reducing lipid peroxidation. Molecular docking confirmed favorable binding of active phytochemicals, particularly maackiain, within the MAO-B active site. Structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis highlighted the role of specific substituents and fused-ring systems in MAO-B inhibition. This study expands our knowledge of the phytochemical diversity of A. aitosensis and supports the therapeutic relevance of its phenolic compounds in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.