Integrated Chemical Characterization and Multi-Target Bioactivity of Calicotome villosa (Fabaceae): A Comprehensive Review

Calicotome villosa (Fabaceae), commonly known as thorny broom, is a Mediterranean shrub traditionally used in Lebanon and neighboring regions to treat abscesses, cardiovascular, and nervous system disorders. This review presents an integrated analysis of the chemical and pharmacological assessment of Calicotome villosa based on the current literature, linking analytical chemistry with bioactivity profiling. Phytochemical analyses identified over forty secondary metabolites, including quinolizidine alkaloids (lupinine, lupanine, and cytisine), flavonoids (chrysin, luteolin, apigenin, and kaempferol), flavonoid glycosides (orientin and genistein derivatives), anthraquinones, and volatile constituents (cineole, camphor, eugenol, and furfural). These compounds were characterized using Soxhlet extraction, hydrodistillation, chromatographic methods (HPLC and GC–MS), and spectroscopic techniques (FTIR and UV–Vis). The methanolic leaf extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ ≈ ۱۴.۵ µg/mL) along with antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, vasodilatory, and hypotensive effects. Mechanistic insights suggest involvement of reactive oxygen species scavenging, metal chelation, enzyme modulation, microbial membrane disruption, mitochondrial apoptosis, calcium-channel interference, and nitric oxide release. Comparative evaluation with related Fabaceae species (Genista tinctoria, Spartium junceum, Retama raetam, and Calicotome villosa subsp. intermedia) revealed superior metabolite diversity and multi-target pharmacological potential. Despite its promising chemical profile, mechanistic and in vivo studies remain limited. Future work integrating structure–activity relationship modeling, semisynthetic derivatization, and nanocarrier-based delivery systems may enhance therapeutic performance. This work represents the first integrated analytical–pharmacological synthesis of Calicotome villosa, establishing a framework for future drug discovery from Mediterranean Fabaceae.

کلیدواژه ها:

Calicotome villosa ، Fabaceae ، phytochemical characterization ، Antioxidant activity ، Bioactive Metabolites ، Essential oils ، Structure&ndash ، activity relationship Nanodelivery