Pornphimon Meesakul

Pipturus albidus (commonly known as māmaki) is an endemic Hawaiian plant traditionally consumed as a medicinal herbal tea; however, its comprehensive potential for phytochemical composition and biological activities remains underexplored. In this study, we present the first comprehensive phytochemical characterization of the ethanol extract of P. albidus, identifying twelve compounds through chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses. The isolated compounds were subjected to a series of antioxidant assays, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Cinchonain Ia (2), vitexin (6), and (7S,8R)-dihydrodehydro diconiferyl alcohol (11) demonstrated strong free radical-scavenging and reducing capacities. Evaluation of Interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression in TNF-α-stimulated human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) revealed that catechin-(7,8-bc)-4a-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-dihydro-2(3H)-pyranone (3) and trans-ferulic acid (9) significantly increased IL-8 mRNA expression (p < 0.05), indicating potential pro-inflammatory effects of these isolated constituents. In contrast, neither the crude extract (PE) nor vitexin (6) produced a statistically significant difference in IL-8 mRNA levels compared to the TNF-α control (p < 0.05). Quantitative LC-MS/MS analysis confirmed that caffeine, theobromine, theophylline, and EGCG were below the limit of detection in P. albidus leaf extracts, indicating that P. albidus possesses a phytochemical constituent distinct from that of green tea. In summary, P. albidus leaves contain unique phytochemicals with cell-free antioxidant activity, while cell-based assays indicate potential pro-inflammatory risks for compounds 3 and 9 and no significant anti-inflammatory suppression by PE or vitexin (6).

Background/Objectives: Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin are critical regulators of mood, cognition, and neuronal homeostasis. This study aimed to evaluate the neuropharmacological potential of Hawaiian plants by investigating their ability to modulate the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), key enzymes in neurotransmitter biosynthesis. Methods: A total of 108 aqueous and methanolic extracts of Hawaiian plants were screened for cytotoxicity against PC-12 and Neuro-2A cells using the MTT assay. Fifty-six non-toxic extracts were selected and further analyzed for TH and TPH expression via quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Results: Several extracts significantly upregulated TH and TPH expression without inducing cytotoxicity. Extracts derived from Morinda citrifolia, Pipturus albidus, and Hedychium coronarium showed the most notable activity, suggesting their potential to enhance dopaminergic and serotonergic pathways. Conclusions: The findings highlight the promise of native Hawaiian flora as sources of neuroactive compounds that may support neuroprotection and regeneration. These results provide a foundation for in vivo studies and further exploration of novel neurotherapeutic agents.

Marine fungi, such as species from the Penicillium and Aspergillus genera, are prolific producers of a diversity of natural products with cytotoxic properties. These fungi have been successfully isolated and identified from various marine sources, including sponges, coral, algae, mangroves, sediment, and seawater. The cytotoxic compounds derived from marine fungi can be categorized into five distinct classes: polyketides, peptides, terpenoids and sterols, hybrids, and other miscellaneous compounds. Notably, the pre-eminent group among these compounds comprises polyketides, accounting for 307 out of 642 identified compounds. Particularly, within this collection, 23 out of the 642 compounds exhibit remarkable cytotoxic potency, with IC₅₀ values measured at the nanomolar (nM) or nanogram per milliliter (ng/mL) levels. This review elucidates the originating fungal strains, the sources of isolation, chemical structures, and the noteworthy antitumor activity of the 642 novel natural products isolated from marine fungi. The scope of this review encompasses the period from 1991 to 2023.

The Hawaiian Islands are renowned for their exceptional biodiversity and are host to a plethora of endemic plant species, which have been utilized in traditional Hawaiian medicine. This scientific review provides an in-depth analysis of the phytochemistry and biological studies of selected endemic Hawaiian plants, highlighting their medicinal properties and therapeutic potential. A literature search was conducted, utilizing major academic databases such as SciFinder, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and the Scientific Information Database. The primary objective of this search was to identify relevant scholarly articles pertaining to the topic of the review, which focused on the phytochemistry and biological studies of endemic Hawaiian plants. Utilizing these databases, a comprehensive range of literature was obtained, facilitating a comprehensive examination of the subject matter. This review emphasizes the rich phytochemical diversity and biological activities found in Endemic Hawaiian plants, showcasing their potential as sources of novel therapeutic agents. Given the unique biodiversity of Hawaii and the cultural significance of these plants, continued scientific exploration, conservation, and sustainable utilization of these valuable resources is necessary to unlock the full potential of these plant species in drug discovery and natural product-based therapeutics.

Diverse chemical messengers are responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the human body, for example, hormones and neurotransmitters. Various Hawaiian plant species produce compounds that exert effects on these messengers and the systems of which they are a part. The main purpose of this review article is to evaluate the potential effects of Hawaiian plants on reducing pain and anxiety and improving sleep and mood. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in SciFinder, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Scientific Information Database between 2019 and 2023 to identify related articles. Results indicate that several Hawaiian plant species, such as M. citrifolia and P. methysticum, have medicinal properties associated with these effects. These plants have been used in traditional Hawaiian cultural practices for centuries, suggesting their potential to benefit human health and well-being. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the available evidence concerning the potential impacts of Hawaiian plants on sleep, anxiety, mood, and pain.

In Hawaii, the plants P. albidus, P. forbesii, P. kauaiensis, and P. ruber are collectively known as māmaki in ethnomedicine, where P. albidus predominates. Farmed māmaki is becoming increasingly popular in Hawaii and the United States. Māmaki teas (such as bottled Shaka tea) are the dominant product. Historically, māmaki has been utilized for its medicinal properties, promoting well-being and good health through consuming tea made from its leaves, ingesting its fruit, and incorporating it into ointments. Māmaki holds cultural significance among Native Hawaiians and is widely used in ethnic medicine, having been incorporated into traditional practices for centuries. However, the scientific mechanisms behind its effects remain unclear. This review consolidates current knowledge of māmaki, shedding light on its potential therapeutic properties, physical properties, nutritional and mineral composition, and active phytochemicals. We also highlight recent research advances in māmaki’s antibacterial, anti-viral, chemopreventive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Additionally, we discuss future prospects in this field.