<i>Mandragora autumnalis</i> Distribution, Phytochemical Characteristics, and Pharmacological Bioactivities
In the Mediterranean and Himalayan regions, the genus <i>Mandragora</i> (family Solanaceae), sometimes called mandrake, is widely utilized in herbal therapy and is well-known for its mythical associations. <b>Objective</b>: To compile up-to-date information on <i>M. aut...
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2025-02-01
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| author | Ghosoon Albahri Adnan Badran Zaher Abdel Baki Mohamad Alame Akram Hijazi Anis Daou Joelle Edward Mesmar Elias Baydoun |
| author_facet | Ghosoon Albahri Adnan Badran Zaher Abdel Baki Mohamad Alame Akram Hijazi Anis Daou Joelle Edward Mesmar Elias Baydoun |
| author_sort | Ghosoon Albahri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In the Mediterranean and Himalayan regions, the genus <i>Mandragora</i> (family Solanaceae), sometimes called mandrake, is widely utilized in herbal therapy and is well-known for its mythical associations. <b>Objective</b>: To compile up-to-date information on <i>M. autumnalis</i>’s therapeutic properties. Its pharmacological properties and phytochemical composition are particularly covered in managing several illnesses, including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. <b>Methods:</b> Articles on the review topic were found by searching major scientific literature databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, Chemical Abstracts, and Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Abstracts. Additionally, general online searches were conducted using Google Scholar and Google. The time frame for the search included items released from 1986 to 2023. <b>Results:</b><i>Mandragora</i> has been shown to contain a variety of phytochemicals, including coumarins, withanolides, and alkaloids. The pharmacological characteristics of <i>M. autumnalis</i>, such as increasing macrophage anti-inflammatory activity, free radicals inhibition, bacterial and fungal growth inhibition, cytotoxic anticancer activities in vivo and in vitro against cancer cell lines, and enzyme-inhibitory properties, are attributed to these phytochemicals. Furthermore, <i>M. autumnalis</i> also inhibits cholinesterase, tyrosinase, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and free radicals. On the other hand, metabolic risk factors, including the inhibition of diabetes-causing enzymes and obesity, have been treated using dried ripe berries. <b>Conclusions:</b> Investigations into the pharmacological and phytochemical characteristics of <i>M. autumnalis</i> have revealed that this plant is a rich reservoir of new bioactive substances. This review aims to provide insight into the botanical and ecological characteristics of <i>Mandragora autumnalis</i>, including a summary of its phytochemical components and antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anticancer, enzyme-inhibitory properties, as well as toxicological implications, where its low cytotoxic activity against the normal VERO cell line has been shown. More research on this plant is necessary to ensure its efficacy and safety. Still, it is also necessary to understand the molecular mechanism of action behind the observed effects to clarify its therapeutic potential. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e8b7c0914f3440388509a9538e5513bb |
| institution | DOAJ |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-e8b7c0914f3440388509a9538e5513bb2025-08-20T02:42:24ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-02-0118332810.3390/ph18030328<i>Mandragora autumnalis</i> Distribution, Phytochemical Characteristics, and Pharmacological BioactivitiesGhosoon Albahri0Adnan Badran1Zaher Abdel Baki2Mohamad Alame3Akram Hijazi4Anis Daou5Joelle Edward Mesmar6Elias Baydoun7Doctoral School of Science and Technology-Platform of Research and Analysis in Environmental Sciences (EDST-PRASE), Beirut P.O. Box 657314, LebanonDepartment of Nutrition, University of Petra Amman Jordan, Amman P.O. Box 961343, JordanCollege of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Egaila 54200, KuwaitDoctoral School of Science and Technology-Platform of Research and Analysis in Environmental Sciences (EDST-PRASE), Beirut P.O. Box 657314, LebanonDoctoral School of Science and Technology-Platform of Research and Analysis in Environmental Sciences (EDST-PRASE), Beirut P.O. Box 657314, LebanonPharmaceutical Sciences Department, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, QatarDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107, LebanonDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107, LebanonIn the Mediterranean and Himalayan regions, the genus <i>Mandragora</i> (family Solanaceae), sometimes called mandrake, is widely utilized in herbal therapy and is well-known for its mythical associations. <b>Objective</b>: To compile up-to-date information on <i>M. autumnalis</i>’s therapeutic properties. Its pharmacological properties and phytochemical composition are particularly covered in managing several illnesses, including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. <b>Methods:</b> Articles on the review topic were found by searching major scientific literature databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, Chemical Abstracts, and Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Abstracts. Additionally, general online searches were conducted using Google Scholar and Google. The time frame for the search included items released from 1986 to 2023. <b>Results:</b><i>Mandragora</i> has been shown to contain a variety of phytochemicals, including coumarins, withanolides, and alkaloids. The pharmacological characteristics of <i>M. autumnalis</i>, such as increasing macrophage anti-inflammatory activity, free radicals inhibition, bacterial and fungal growth inhibition, cytotoxic anticancer activities in vivo and in vitro against cancer cell lines, and enzyme-inhibitory properties, are attributed to these phytochemicals. Furthermore, <i>M. autumnalis</i> also inhibits cholinesterase, tyrosinase, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and free radicals. On the other hand, metabolic risk factors, including the inhibition of diabetes-causing enzymes and obesity, have been treated using dried ripe berries. <b>Conclusions:</b> Investigations into the pharmacological and phytochemical characteristics of <i>M. autumnalis</i> have revealed that this plant is a rich reservoir of new bioactive substances. This review aims to provide insight into the botanical and ecological characteristics of <i>Mandragora autumnalis</i>, including a summary of its phytochemical components and antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anticancer, enzyme-inhibitory properties, as well as toxicological implications, where its low cytotoxic activity against the normal VERO cell line has been shown. More research on this plant is necessary to ensure its efficacy and safety. Still, it is also necessary to understand the molecular mechanism of action behind the observed effects to clarify its therapeutic potential.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/328<i>Mandragora autumnalis</i>phytochemistryantioxidant activityantimicrobial activityanticancer activityantidiabetic |
| spellingShingle | Ghosoon Albahri Adnan Badran Zaher Abdel Baki Mohamad Alame Akram Hijazi Anis Daou Joelle Edward Mesmar Elias Baydoun <i>Mandragora autumnalis</i> Distribution, Phytochemical Characteristics, and Pharmacological Bioactivities Pharmaceuticals <i>Mandragora autumnalis</i> phytochemistry antioxidant activity antimicrobial activity anticancer activity antidiabetic |
| title | <i>Mandragora autumnalis</i> Distribution, Phytochemical Characteristics, and Pharmacological Bioactivities |
| title_full | <i>Mandragora autumnalis</i> Distribution, Phytochemical Characteristics, and Pharmacological Bioactivities |
| title_fullStr | <i>Mandragora autumnalis</i> Distribution, Phytochemical Characteristics, and Pharmacological Bioactivities |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Mandragora autumnalis</i> Distribution, Phytochemical Characteristics, and Pharmacological Bioactivities |
| title_short | <i>Mandragora autumnalis</i> Distribution, Phytochemical Characteristics, and Pharmacological Bioactivities |
| title_sort | i mandragora autumnalis i distribution phytochemical characteristics and pharmacological bioactivities |
| topic | <i>Mandragora autumnalis</i> phytochemistry antioxidant activity antimicrobial activity anticancer activity antidiabetic |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/328 |
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