Ricerc@Sapienza

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.