Papers by Monique Simmonds
Interactions between arthropod pests and pelargoniums
Protecting and sustainably using the world’s plants and fungi
Plants, people, planet, Sep 1, 2020
This special issue – Protecting and sustainably using the world’s plants and fungi – features the... more This special issue – Protecting and sustainably using the world’s plants and fungi – features the research that underpins Kew’s State of the World’s Plants and Fungi 2020 report. This special issue, and the associated report, are global efforts representing work from 210 authors, in 97 institutions, across 42 countries and six continents. We anticipate that this landmark special issue will inform and inspire researchers, policymakers, practitioners and many others to value and appreciate the world’s plant and fungal diversity and its largely untapped potential to help address the global challenges faced by humanity. As we write this editorial in summer 2020, COVID-19 has impacted people across the planet. Some of us are in lockdown, some are beginning to see restrictions eased, and others have begun to navigate the “new normal”. The fragility of our society is evident. It is clear that humankind faces unparalleled challenges, from the uncertainties of a post-COVID-19 world and the p...
Profile of Compounds in Different Cultivars of Apple ( Malus x domestica )
Elsevier eBooks, 2016
Abstract The cultivation of apples ( Malus x domestica ) can be traced back for thousands of year... more Abstract The cultivation of apples ( Malus x domestica ) can be traced back for thousands of years to Asia and to Malus sieversii , which grows in temperate forests of central Asia. As the apple spread through Asia, into Europe, Russia and then into the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand, the number of locally grown cultivars increased. The difference in the diversity and levels of phenolic compounds in heritage and commercial cultivars is reviewed. Overall, older cultivars have higher levels of phenolic compounds than many of the modern commercial cultivars. Most phenolic compounds occur in higher concentrations in the peel than in the flesh. The biological activity of many of the phenolics found in apples is reviewed. Apples clearly contain compounds that have potential health benefits; however, more research is needed to evaluate what levels of these compounds are needed to have a beneficial impact on our health.
Occurrence of 18-hydroxyballonigrine in Ballota saxatilis ssp. saxatilis from Lebanon
Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, Apr 1, 2001
Phenylethanoid glycosides in tepals of Magnolia salicifolia and their occurrence in flowers of Magnoliaceae
Phytochemistry, Sep 1, 2015
Phenylethanoid glycosides were among the major UV-absorbing components in 80% aq. CH3OH extracts ... more Phenylethanoid glycosides were among the major UV-absorbing components in 80% aq. CH3OH extracts of the tepals of Magnolia salicifolia (Siebold & Zucc.) Maxim. (Magnoliaceae; Magnolia subgenus Yulania). Structural characterisation of isolated compounds by spectroscopic and chemical methods revealed three previously unrecorded examples, yulanoside A, yulanoside B and 2'-rhamnoechinacoside, and the known compounds echinacoside and crassifolioside; chromatographic methods also identified verbascoside in the tepal extract. Yulanoside A is the first reported example of a phenylethanoid pentaglycoside, namely hydroxytyrosol 1-O-{β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-[3,4-dihydroxycinnamoyl-(→4)][α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)][α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-d-glucopyranoside}. A survey of Magnolia sensu lato and Liriodendron (the two genera of Magnoliaceae) suggested that yulanoside A and its deglucosyl derivative (yulanoside B) were a feature of the tepal chemistry of Magnolia subgenus Yulania (except Magnolia acuminata, the sole member of section Tulipastrum, which did not accumulate phenylethanoid glycosides). The two species of Liriodendron and examined examples of Magnolia subgenus Magnolia sections Magnolia and Rytidospermum (subsection Oyama) also accumulated phenylethanoid glycosides in their tepals and in these species, and in subgenus Yulania, the major compounds were one or more of echinacoside, 2'-rhamnoechinacoside, crassifolioside and verbascoside. Levels of phenylethanoid glycosides were found to be much lower in species studied from Magnolia sections Gwillimia, Macrophylla and Rytidospermum (subsection Rytidospermum), although yulanoside A was detectable in M. macrophylla and this may have some bearing on the placement of section Macrophylla, which is currently uncertain. In the isolates of yulanoside B and echinacoside, minor phenylethanoid glycosides were determined to be analogues of these compounds with β-d-xylose at C-3' of the primary glucose rather than α-l-rhamnose.
Chemistry of insect antifeedants from azadirachta indica (part 3): reactions on the C-22,23 enol ether double bond of azadirachtin and conversion to 22,23-dihydro-23-β-methoxyazadirachtin
Tetrahedron Letters, 1988
Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Polar Extracts and Essential Oil of Rose-scented Geranium, <i>Pelargonium graveolens</i>
Phytotherapy Research, Oct 2, 2012
Pelargonium graveolens (Geraniaceae) was characterized with respect to its chemical composition, ... more Pelargonium graveolens (Geraniaceae) was characterized with respect to its chemical composition, antioxidant potential and antimicrobial activities. This is the first investigation focusing on the comparison of both essential oil and polar extracts from this species. The chemical composition of the essential oil of the aerial parts of P. graveolens was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The main constituents of the oil were found to be β‐citronellol (21.9%), citronellyl formate (13.2%), geraniol (11.1%), 10‐epi‐γ‐eudesmol (7.9%), geranyl formate (6.2%) and (l)‐linalool (5.6%). Nine flavonoids were identified by high‐performance liquid chromatography–MS in leaf and flower extracts. Kaempferol 3‐O‐rhamnoside‐glucoside, isorhamnetin aglycone, quercetin 3‐O‐glucoside, kaempferol 3,7‐di‐O‐glucoside, quercetin 3‐O‐pentose and kaempferol 3‐O‐glucoside, quercetin 3‐O‐rhamnoside‐glucoside, quercetin 3‐O‐pentoside‐glucoside, myrisetin 3‐O‐glucoside‐rhamnoside flavonoids were detected in methanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively. The total flavonoids ranged between 29.9 and 78.2 mg QE/g in flower water and methanol extracts, respectively, and 22.5 and 71.2 mg QE/g dry weight in leaf water and methanol extracts, respectively. The highest antioxidant activities using two methods of free radical scavenging capacities were obtained with the essential oil (9.16 mM of Trolox and 2.68 µg/ml). All P. graveolens essential oil and polar extracts were active against at least one bacterium. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.
Use of neem-derived products in an integrated pest management strategy in glasshouses
Synthesis of naturally occurring tetramethylcyclohexenediones
ChemInform Abstract: Glycosylated Constituents of Iris fulva and Iris brevicaulis
ChemInform, Jul 14, 2011
ABSTRACT The major constituents of leaf extracts of Iris fulva KER GAWL. comprised a known flavon... more ABSTRACT The major constituents of leaf extracts of Iris fulva KER GAWL. comprised a known flavone C-glycoside, 5,4&#39;-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone-6-C-(6‴-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl-β-glucopyranosyl)(1‴→2″)-β-glucopyranoside (1) and the new monoterpene glycoside, linalyl-6&#39;-O-(3″-hydroxy-3″-methylglutaroyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), both of which were prominent components of Iris brevicaulis RAF. leaf extracts. The structure of a new polyacylated sucrose derivative (3a) obtained from the rhizomes of I. fulva was elucidated as 3-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl-β-D-fructofuranosyl-(2↔1&#39;)-[2″,4″,6″-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1″→3&#39;)-(2&#39;,6&#39;-di-O-acetyl-4&#39;-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl-α-D-glucopyranoside)]. Selective hydrolysis of the 4″-O-acetyl moiety of the terminal β-glucopyranosyl residue of 3a occurred after several hours in solution giving 3-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl-β-D-fructofuranosyl-(2↔1&#39;)-[2″,6″-di-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1″→3&#39;)-(2&#39;,6&#39;-di-O-acetyl-4&#39;-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl-α-D-glucopyranoside)] (3b), which subsequently underwent further deacetylation.
ChemInform Abstract: Isolation and Characterization of Phomodiol, a New Antifungal from Phomopsis
ChemInform, Aug 18, 2010
ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was e... more ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
Response of an insect pest, Spodoptera littoralis to the stimulant glucose
Planta Medica, 2007
Protection of hair from damage induced by ultraviolet irradiation using tea ( <i>Camellia sinensis</i> ) extracts
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Aug 20, 2021
BackgroundDamage to hair by UV is relevant to most people, and for many, it is a major source of ... more BackgroundDamage to hair by UV is relevant to most people, and for many, it is a major source of hair damage. Prevention of UV damage is of high interest to cosmetic companies.ObjectivesDescribe UV damage mechanisms and link these mechanisms to measurable changes in hair protein composition and color changes resulting from breakdown of yellow‐colored kynurenines. Test the power of botanical antioxidants, specifically Camellia sinensis (tea) extracts to prevent this protein damage and color change. Link specific phytochemistry of extract samples to hair performance.MethodsCamellia sinensis (tea) extracts were analyzed by LC‐MS to identify the key composition chemistries. ORAC (Oxygen Radical Antioxidant Capacity) was used to measure ability of the extract to react with a peroxyl radical via a hydrogen abstraction mechanism. Hair protein structural damage was measured by quantification of a biomarker peptide that is specific to UV‐induced damage and hair color changes were measured with a spectrophotometer.ResultsLevels of key phytochemistry in the extracts, specifically the catechins, correlated with prevention of UV‐induced protein damage and prevention of color changes due to kynurenine breakdown. Extracts with higher phytochemistry levels also had higher ORAC scores indicating that they were more effective antioxidants.ConclusionsCamellia sinensis (tea) extracts can be used as effective protective treatments for hair protection but this efficacy is linked to extract concentrations of key chemistries (catechins).
Odour-mediated upwind flight of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes elicited by a synthetic attractant: a reappraisal
Physiological Entomology, Jun 1, 1993
. Pile et al. (1991) report that the putative oviposition attractant ace‐toxyhexadecanolide has f... more . Pile et al. (1991) report that the putative oviposition attractant ace‐toxyhexadecanolide has four effects on gravid females of Culex quinquefasciatus Say: (1) it induces upwind anemotaxis, (2) near to an oviposition site it evokes an orthokinetic slowing of flight speed plus (3) a klinokinetic increase in turning rate, and (4) it causes females to stay longer at oviposition sites. This reappraisal shows that the first two of these conclusions are supported by the evidence provided but the second two are not.
Antifeedant activity of neoclerodane diterpenoids from two Sicilian species of Scutellaria
Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, Aug 1, 2002
An electrophysiological and behavioural study of insect antifeedant properties of natural and synthetic drimane-related compounds
Physiological Entomology, Sep 1, 1987
ABSTRACT. A range of drimane‐related natural and synthetic compounds have been tested in behaviou... more ABSTRACT. A range of drimane‐related natural and synthetic compounds have been tested in behavioural and electrophysiological screens against larvae of Spodoptera exempta (Walker), S. littoralis (Boisduval), S. frugiperda (J. E. Smith), Heliothis armigera (Hubner) and H. virescens (Fabricius). The most effective compounds are identified and their potential as antifeedants and metabolic poisons is assessed. A consideration of structure in relation to function allows the identification of important functional groups within molecules.
Diversity of volatile organic compounds in 14 rose cultivars
Journal of Essential Oil Research, Jan 24, 2023
Pharmacodynamics of <scp> <i>Aloe vera</i> </scp> and acemannan in therapeutic applications for skin, digestion, and immunomodulation
Phytotherapy Research, Aug 24, 2021
Scientific studies of Aloe vera have tentatively explained therapeutic claims from a mechanistic ... more Scientific studies of Aloe vera have tentatively explained therapeutic claims from a mechanistic perspective. Furthermore, in vitro outcomes demonstrate that the breakage of acemannan chains into smaller fragments enhances biological effects. These fragments can intravenously boost vaccine efficacy or entrain the immune system to attack cancer cells by mannose receptor agonism of macrophage or dendritic cells. With oral consumption, epithelialisation also occurs at injured sites in the small intestine or colon. The main advantage of dietary acemannan is the attenuation of the digestive process, increasing satiety, and slowing the release of sugars from starches. In the colon, acemannan is digested by microbes into short‐chain fatty acids that are absorbed and augment the sensation of satiety and confer a host of other health benefits. In topical applications, an acemannan/chitosan combination accelerates the closure of wounds by promoting granular tissue formation, which creates a barrier between macrophages or neutrophils and the wound dressing. This causes M2 polarisation, reversal of inflammation, and acceleration of the re‐epithelialisation process. This review summarises and explains the current pharmacodynamic paradigm in the context of acemannan in topical, oral, and intravenous applications. However, due to contradictory results in the literature, further research is required to provide scientific evidence to confirm or nullify these claims.
Chemistry of insect antifeedants from Azadirachta indica(part 21): synthesis of model compounds of azadirachtin using a decalin framework as a functional group scaffolding
Journal of the Chemical Society, 1996
A synthetic route to mimics of the insect antifeedant azadirachtin 1 containing the hydroxytetrah... more A synthetic route to mimics of the insect antifeedant azadirachtin 1 containing the hydroxytetrahydrofurancarboxylate hemiketal functional moiety has been developed. Two of these compounds, 2 and 11, show significant antifeedant activity against Spodoptera littoralis, although they are not as active as azadirachtin.
The key phytochemistry of Rosemary <i>(Salvia rosmarinus)</i> contributing to Hair Protection against <scp>UV</scp>
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Jul 17, 2023
Extracts from rosemary (Salvia Rosmarinus) are analysed for their phytochemistry using LC–MS and ... more Extracts from rosemary (Salvia Rosmarinus) are analysed for their phytochemistry using LC–MS and the phytochemistry identified. The same extracts were tested for their efficacy to act as antioxidants by both hydrogen‐atom transfer (ORAC) and single electron transfer (FRAP). A correlation analysis was performed to identify the key phytochemistry responsible for antioxidant efficacy. The top performing extracts were then tested in a peptide model and in hair with the presence of UV to measure ability to protect against UV‐induced peptide and protein damage. Polyphenols (e.g. rosmarinic acid, glycosides of selgin) and abietane diterpenes (e.g. carnosic acid) in rosemary were identified as the principal compounds which enables the extracts to protect hair from UV.ObjectiveThe objective of this work was to correlate the phytochemistry of rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), a botanical with known antioxidant properties, to a UV protection benefit in hair. These data will give insights into mechanisms of UV damage, the ROS formed and their reactivity.MethodsLC–MS was used to compare the compounds in 10 commercial extracts of rosemary. ORAC (oxygen radical antioxidant capacity) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) were used to measure the antioxidant capacity of the rosemary extracts. The ORAC assay measures ability of an antioxidant to react with a peroxyl radical via hydrogen atom extraction and FRAP measures electron transfer through reduction of ferric iron (Fe3+) to ferrous iron (Fe2+) by antioxidants present in the samples. Correlation of extract composition with antioxidant measures was performed using principal component analysis. Selected extracts were assessed for their ability to protect hair from UV damage in a model peptide system and on hair. In addition, the same methods were used to test rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid, key phytochemistries in the rosemary extracts. The model system was a peptide and its decomposition on exposure to UV was monitored by LC–MS in the absence and presence of the rosemary extracts. Hair degradation in the presence of UV was measured by exposure of UV in an Atlas weatherometer followed by extraction of degraded protein in water. A fragment of the S100A3 protein was used as a marker of UV damage (m/z = 1278) and quantified via LC–MS.ResultsTen rosemary extracts were assessed for antioxidant performance and correlated with their compositions. The phytochemistry in each extract varied widely with a total of 33 individual compounds identified. The differences were most likely driven by the solvent and extraction method used by the supplier with extracts varying in the proportion of polar or non‐polar compounds. This did influence their reactivity in the ORAC and FRAP assays and their efficacy in preventing protein damage. Two of the key compounds identified were rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid, with rosmarinic acid dominating in extracts with mainly polar compounds and carnosic acid dominating in extracts with mainly nonpolar compounds. Extracts with higher rosmarinic acid correlated with ORAC and FRAP scores, with UV protection on hair and in the peptide model system. The extracts chosen for hair experiments showed hair protection. UV protection was also measured for rosmarinic and carnosic acid.ConclusionsDespite the variation in the profile of phytochemistries in the 10 rosemary extracts, likely driven by the chosen extraction method, all rosemary extracts had antioxidant activity measured. This study suggests that the polyphenols (e.g. rosmarinic acid, glycosides of selgin) and abietane diterpenes (e.g. carnosic acid) are the principal compounds which enables the extracts to protect hair from UV.
Uploads
Papers by Monique Simmonds