Skip to main content

Bioactive Compounds in Polypodium vulgare L. (Polypodiaceae)

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Bioactive Compounds in Bryophytes and Pteridophytes

Abstract

Polypodium vulgare L. (Polypodiaceae), a fern with a wide distribution worldwide and in different continents, is also known as a polypody due to the shape of its frond as feet; since ferns are poorly studied from a phytochemical and ethnopharmacological perspective, these species may also represent a source of bioactive compounds with interesting properties for potential pharmacological, cosmetic, or agrochemical applications. Polypodium vulgare has been used traditionally for medicinal and food purposes. In certain regions, the young fronds are used as edible foods and traditional uses include this species as a medicinal plant with hepatoprotective, wound-healing, expectorant, or laxative properties. According to chemical studies, two main classes of phytochemicals have been detected: polyphenols and steroids. Among polyphenols, caffeoylquinic acids such as chlorogenic acid and flavonoids such as rutin have been quantified. Among steroids, some studies reveal the presence of osladin, a compound with sweetener capacity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Institutional subscriptions

Abbreviations

3T3:

NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblast cell line

DPPH:

2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl

EMA:

European Medicines Agency

EU:

European Union

HaCaT:

Spontaneously immortalized human keratinocyte cell line

HPLC-DAD:

High-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector

HPLC-MS/MS:

High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

ORAC:

Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity

PLE:

Aqueous extract of Polypodium leucotomos fronds

PVM:

Methanolic extract of Polypodium vulgare L. fronds

ROS:

Reactive Oxygen Species

UVA:

Ultraviolet A

WHO:

World Health Organization

References

  1. Díaz González TE, Fernández-Carvajal Álvarez MC, Fernández Prieto JA (2004) Curso de Botánica. Ciencias, 1st edn. Gráficas Summa, S.A, Gijón

    Google Scholar 

  2. Sessa EB (2018) Evolution and classification of ferns and lycophytes. In: Fernández H (ed) Current advances in fern research. Springer, Cham, pp 179–200

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  3. Juslen A, Vare H, Wikstrom N (2011) Relationships and evolutionary origins of polyploid Dryopteris (Dryopteridaceae) from Europe inferred using nuclear pgiC and plastid trnL-F sequence data. Taxon 60(5):1284–1294. https://doi.org/10.1002/tax.605005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Jin D-M, Zhou X-L, Schneider H, Wei H-J, Wei H-Y, Yan Y-H (2020) Functional traits: adaption of ferns in forest. J Syst Evol 59:1040. https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.12669

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Langhansova L, Pumprova K, Haisel D, Ekrt L, Pavicic A, Zajickova M et al (2021) European ferns as rich sources of antioxidants in the human diet. Food Chem 356:12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129637

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Messeguer J, Melé E, Reixach N, Irurre-Santilari J, Casas J (1998) Polypodium vulgare L. (Wood Fern): In vitro cultures and the production of phytoecdysteroids. In: Bajaj YPS (ed) Medicinal and aromatic plants X. Biotechnology in agriculture and forestry. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, pp 333–348

    Google Scholar 

  7. Vasco A, Moran RC, Ambrose BA (2013) The evolution, morphology, and development of fern leaves. Front Plant Sci 4:16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2013.00345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Bonnier G, De Layens G (2002) Claves para la determinación de plantas vasculares, Primera edn. Ediciones Omega, S.L., Barcelona

    Google Scholar 

  9. Farràs Martínez A (2022) Fitocaracterización y actividad biológica de extractos de helechos de las familias Polypodiaceae y Aspleniaceae procedentes de las montañas de Prades (Tarragona). Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona

    Google Scholar 

  10. Heinrich M (2015) Quality and safety of herbal medical products: regulation and the need for quality assurance along the value chains. Br J Clin Pharmacol 80(1):62–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.12586

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Silva VL, Mehltreter K, Schmitt JL (2018) Ferns as potential ecological indicators of edge effects in two types of Mexican forests. Ecol Indic 93:669–676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.05.029

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Batet D, Cartanyà J, Castells R, Piñas I, Salat X (2011) Entrevista n°10. Etnobotànica a les muntanyes de Prades, 1st edn. Centre d’Història Natural de la Conca de Barberà, Montblanc, pp 127–129

    Google Scholar 

  13. Fiorin E, Saez L, Malgosa A (2019) Ferns as healing plants in medieval Mallorca, Spain? Evidence from human dental calculus. Int J Osteoarchaeol 29(1):82–90. https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.2718

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Sureshkumar J, Silambarasan R, Bharati KA, Krupa J, Amalraj S, Ayyanar M (2018) A review on ethnomedicinally important pteridophytes of India. J Ethnopharmacol 219:269–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.03.024

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Bonet MÀ, Agelet A, Vallès J, Villar Pérez L (2001) Contribution à la connaissance ethnobotanique des ptéridophytes dans les Pyrénées. Bocconea 13:605–612

    Google Scholar 

  16. Bonet MÀ, Vallès J (2007) Ethnobotany of Montseny biosphere reserve (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula): plants used in veterinary medicine. J Ethnopharmacol 110(1):130–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2006.09.016

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Glensk M, Tichaczek-Goska D, Sroda-Pomianek K, Wlodarczyk M, Wesolowski CA, Wojnicz D (2019) Differing antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of Polypodium vulgare L. Rhizome aqueous extract and one of its purified active ingredients-osladin. J Herb Med 17–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2019.100261

  18. Zhou MM, Chen P, Lin Y, Fang SZ, Shang XL (2019) A comprehensive assessment of bioactive metabolites, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja leaves. Forests 10(8):16. https://doi.org/10.3390/f10080625

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Dimcheva V, Karsheva M (2018) Cistus incanus from Strandja Mountain as a source of bioactive antioxidants. Plants-Basel 7(1):14. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants7010008

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Nekrasov EV, Svetashev VI (2021) Edible far eastern ferns as a dietary source of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Foods 10(6):16. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10061220

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Nekrasov EV, Svetashev VI, Khrapko OV, Vyssotski MV (2019) Variability of fatty acid profiles in ferns: relation to fern taxonomy and seasonal development. Phytochemistry 162:47–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2019.02.015

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Beckman CH (2000) Phenolic-storing cells: keys to programmed cell death and periderm formation in wilt disease resistance and in general defence responses in plants? Physiol Mol Plant Pathol 57(3):101–110. https://doi.org/10.1006/pmpp.2000.0287

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Zivkovic S, Milutinovic M, Maksimovi V, Ciric A, Ivanov M, Bozunovic J et al (2020) Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of two Asplenium species. S Afr J Bot 132:180–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2020.03.034

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Petkov V, Batsalova T, Stoyanov P, Mladenova T, Kolchakova D, Argirova M et al (2021) Selective anticancer properties, proapoptotic and antibacterial potential of three Asplenium species. Plants-Basel 10(6):14. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10061053

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Tichaczek-Goska D, Glensk M, Wojnicz D (2021) The enhancement of the photodynamic therapy and ciprofloxacin activity against uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains by Polypodium vulgare rhizome aqueous extract. Pathogens 10(12):15. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10121544

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Villar L, Bonet MÀ (2018) Polypodium L. In: Pardo de Santayana M, Morales R, Tardío J, Molina M (eds) Inventario Español de los Conocimientos Tradicionales relativos a la Biodiversidad, 2nd edn. Ministerio de Agricultura y Pesca, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente de España, Madrid, pp 51–55

    Google Scholar 

  27. Frijhoff J, Winyard PG, Zarkovic N, Davies SS, Stocker R, Cheng D et al (2015) Clinical relevance of biomarkers of oxidative stress. Antioxid Redox Signal 23(14):1144–1170. https://doi.org/10.1089/ars.2015.6317

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Snogan E, Vahirua-Lechat I, Ho R, Bertho G, Girault JP, Ortiga S et al (2007) Ecdysteroids from the medicinal fern Microsorum scolopendria (Burm. f.). Phytochem Anal 18(5):441–450. https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.1000

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Mamadalieva NZ (2012) Phytoecdysteroids from Silene plants: distribution, diversity and biological (antitumour, antibacterial and antioxidant) activities. Boletin Latinoamericano Del Caribe Plantas Medicinales Aromaticas 11(6):474–497

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Farràs A, Mitjans M, Maggi F, Caprioli G, Vinardell MP, López V (2021) Polypodium vulgare L. (Polypodiaceae) as a source of bioactive compounds: polyphenolic profile, cytotoxicity and cytoprotective properties in different cell lines. Front Pharmacol 12:15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.727528

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Rubió-Casadevall J, Hernandez-Pujol AM, Ferreira-Santos MC, Morey-Esteve G, Vilardell L, Osca-Gelis G et al (2016) Trends in incidence and survival analysis in non-melanoma skin cancer from 1994 to 2012 in Girona, Spain: a population-based study. Cancer Epidemiol 45:6–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canep.2016.09.001

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Rundle CW, Militello M, Barber C, Presley CL, Rietcheck HR, Dellavalle RP (2020) Epidemiologic burden of skin cancer in the US and worldwide. Curr Dermatol Rep 9(4):309–322. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13671-020-00311-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Taylor JH, Rosen CF (2020) Systemic photoprotection. Curr Dermatol Rep 9(3):181–188. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13671-020-00306-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Krutmann J, Passeron T, Gilaberte Y, Granger C, Leone G, Narda M et al (2020) Photoprotection of the future: challenges and opportunities. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 34(3):447–454. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.16030

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Evans JA, Johnson EJ (2010) The role of phytonutrients in skin health. Nutrients 2(8):903–928. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu2080903

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Parrado C, Mascaraque M, Gilaberte Y, Juarranz A, Gonzalez S (2016) Fernblock (Polypodium leucotomos extract): molecular mechanisms and pleiotropic effects in light-related skin conditions, photoaging and skin cancers, a review. Int J Mol Sci 17(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17071026

  37. Parrado C, Nicolas J, Juarranz A, Gonzalez S (2020) The role of the aqueous extract Polypodium leucotomos in photoprotection. Photochem Photobiol Sci 19(6):831–843. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0pp00124d

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Aguilera J, Vicente-Manzanares M, de Gálvez MV, Herrera-Ceballos E, Rodríguez-Luna A, González S (2021) Booster effect of a natural extract of Polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock®) that improves the UV barrier function and immune protection capability of sunscreen formulations. Front Med 8:10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2021.684665

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Gombau L, García F, Lahoz A, Fabre M, Roda-Navarro P, Majano P et al (2006) Polypodium leucotomos extract: antioxidant activity and disposition. Toxicol In Vitro 20(4):464–471. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tiv.2005.09.008

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Farràs A, Cásedas G, Les F, Terrado EM, Mitjans M, López V (2019) Evaluation of anti-tyrosinase and antioxidant properties of four fern species for potential cosmetic applications. Forests 10(2):14. https://doi.org/10.3390/f10020179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. García F, Pivel JP, Guerrero A, Brieva A, Martínez-Alcázar M, Caamaño-Somoza M et al (2006) Phenolic components and antioxidant activity of Fernblock®, an aqueous extract of the aerial parts of the fern Polypodium leucotomos. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 28(3):157–160. https://doi.org/10.1358/mf.2006.28.3.985227

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Durdevic L, Mitrovic M, Pavlovic P, Bojovic S, Jaric S, Oberan L et al (2007) Total phenolics and phenolic acids content in leaves, rhizomes and rhizosphere soil under Ceterach officinarum DC, Asplenium trichomanes L. and A. adiantum nigrum L. in the gorge of sicevo (Serbia). Ekologia (Bratislava) 26(2):164–173

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Farràs A, Mitjans M, Maggi F, Caprioli G, Vinardell MP, López V (2022) Exploring wild Aspleniaceae ferns as safety sources of polyphenols: the case of Asplenium trichomanes L. and Ceterach officinarum Willd. Front Nutr 9:18. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.994215

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Farràs A, López V, Maggi F, Caprioli G, Vinardell MP, Mitjans M (2022) Chemical composition and cytoprotective activities of methanolic extract of Asplenium adiantum-nigrum L. (Aspleniaceae). Horticulturae 8(9):19. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8090815

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Richardson PM (1984) The taxonomic significance of Xanthones in ferns. Biochem Syst Ecol 12(1):1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-1978(84)90002-4

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Simon A, Vanyolos A, Beni Z, Dekany M, Toth G, Bathori M (2011) Ecdysteroids from Polypodium vulgare L. Steroids 76(13):1419–1424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.steroids.2011.07.007

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Arai Y, Shiojima K, Ageta H (1989) Fern constituents: cyclopodmenyl acetate, a cycloartanoid having a new 33-carbon skeleton, isolated from Polypodium vulgare. Chem Pharm Bull 37(2):560–562. https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.37.560

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Arai Y, Yamaide M, Yamazaki S, Ageta H (1991) Fern constituents – triterpenoids isolated from Polypodium-vulgare, Polypodium-fauriei and Polypodium-virginianum. Phytochemistry 30(10):3369–3377. https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)83212-4

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Ageta H, Arai Y (1990) Chemotaxonomy of ferns, 3. Triterpenoids from PolypodiumPolypodioides. J Nat Prod 53(2):325–332. https://doi.org/10.1021/np50068a009

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Bottari F, Morelli I, Marsili A, Pacchiani M (1972) Aliphatic and triterpenoid hydrocarbons from ferns. Phytochemistry 11(8):2519–2523. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0031-9422(00)88528-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Virgili F, Marino M (2008) Regulation of cellular signals from nutritional molecules: a specific role for phytochemicals, beyond antioxidant activity. Free Radic Biol Med 45(9):1205–1216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2008.08.001

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Alonso-Lebrero JL, Dominguez-Jimenez C, Tejedor R, Brieva A, Pivel JP (2003) Photoprotective properties of a hydrophilic extract of the fern Polypodium leucotomos on human skin cells. J Photochem Photobiol B-Biol 70(1):31–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1011-1344(03)00051-4

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Saeedi M, Babaie K, Karimpour-Razkenari E, Vazirian M, Akbarzadeh T, Khanavi M et al (2017) In vitro cholinesterase inhibitory activity of some plants used in Iranian traditional medicine. Nat Prod Res 31(22):2690–2694. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2017.1290620

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Mannan A, Khan RA, Asif M (1989) Pharmacodynamic studies on Polypodium-vulgare Linn. Indian J Exp Biol 27(6):556–560

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Husson GP, Vilagines R, Delaveau P (1986) Recherche de Propriétés Antivirales de quelques Extraits D’orgine Naturelle. Ann Pharmaceutiques Françaises 44:41–48

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. European Medicines Agency (2008). Community herbal monograph on Polypodium vulgare L., rhizoma. London. EMEA/HMPC/600668/2007

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Universidad San Jorge and Gobierno de Aragón are thanked for financial and technical support (B44_20D-Phyto-Pharm group).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Víctor López .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Farràs, A., Mitjans, M., López, V. (2023). Bioactive Compounds in Polypodium vulgare L. (Polypodiaceae). In: Murthy, H.N. (eds) Bioactive Compounds in Bryophytes and Pteridophytes. Reference Series in Phytochemistry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97415-2_22-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97415-2_22-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-97415-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-97415-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Biomedicine and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences

Publish with us

Policies and ethics