ABSTRACT
Loliolide is a monoterpenoid hydroxylactone found in many algae, for example, freshwater green algae Prasiola japonica. Loliolide and compounds in P. japonica were not studied systematically with respect to skin pharmacology. In Asteraceae, the presence of sesquiterpene lactones, the taxonomic characteristic of the family, is related to many bioactivities. The major compounds credited to the pharmacological effects are germacranolides and chromenes. The cytotoxic activities of the germacranolides present in Calea uniflora are effective versus leukemia cell line U937. Antileishmanial activity of chromenes isolated from C. pinnatifida is effective versus Leishmania amazonensis, and antitrypanosomal activity, versus Trypanosoma cruzi. The 10 characteristics of a phytomedicine, and the procedures and observances for Good Manufacturing Practices from raw material to product is proposed. Budlein A may interfere with inflammasome assembly given signal 1 already occurred. A sesquiterpene lactone, calein C, was isolated from Calea pinnatifida, and its chemical structure, characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric analysis. The neurodegenerative diseases are usually distinguished as disorders with loss of neurones. Since the history of mankind, plants not only provided shelter, fuel, and food but also they were always a vital source of folk medicine imparting health benefits.
