The aim of this project is to investigate the phytochemistry of species from the genus Phyllanthus which is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas with respect to their potential in treating inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Phyllanthus plant species are widely used in traditional medicine and exhibit a broad range of pharmacological activities, such as antimicrobial and anti-mutagenic effects. Recently Dr Francioso has isolated a new bioactive natural product from the Cuban endemic medicinal plant Phyllanthus orbicularis. The anti-inflammatory activity of this novel natural product was recently demonstrated by Francioso and co-workers and its neuroprotective effects are now under investigation at Sapienza University of Rome (Italy). Although the genus Phyllanthus is not autochthonous of Europe, its presence has been reported in several European islands. In particular, the presence of Phyllanthus tenellus has been reported for Canary Islands and Sicily since decades. Preliminary studies on this plant extracts showed highly promising results, suggesting an antinflammatory activity. Given the still unknown pharmacological potential and chemical composition of this and related plants, and the extreme interest in the development of new products from natural sources against neurodegeneration and inflammation, the aim of this project is to investigate the phytochemistry of Phyllanthus species from Atlantic and Mediterranean Islands. Phyllanthus phytochemistry will be investigated and different extracts or novel isolated natural products will be subsequently tested for their neuroprotective and antinflamatory properties.
Atlantic Islands (e.g. Tenerife) and Mediterranean Islands (e.g. Sicily) with their flora and biodiversity revelled to host tropical and subtropical species from the medicinal plant genus Phyllanthus, extremely interesting from the point of view of the phytochemistry and biological activity. The "Instituto Universitario de Bio-orgánica Antonio González" (IUBO institute) of Tenerife is one of the top European address in natural products chemistry and biochemistry, and the "Avvio alla Ricerca" grant, will allow the investigation of Canary Islands flora and accessions, and to study the phytochemistry of selected endemic and/or alien medicinal species. The group of Prof Bazzocchi (QUIMIOPLAN) at the IUBO institute (Tenerife, Spain) has a solid background and extensive experience in the study of natural products chemistry, isolation and chemical structure elucidation that is exactly the objective of this project. This project will be focused on natural products extraction, isolation and structure elucidation by means of advanced spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques. In particular, the grant, will offer the possibility to use cutting edge NMR equipment (500 and 600MHz) and advanced forefront techniques (2D NMR experiments, i.e. COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY/ROESY) fundamental for chemical structure elucidation of novel secondary metabolites.
The use of these specilaized techniques will be fundamental for the improvement of Dr Francioso's skills in the field of chemistry and biochemistry of natural compounds and furthermore will represent an important opportunity to further implement his technical and theoretical competences in this area.