Work

Chemical Diversity in Leuenbergeria bleo: From Small-Molecule Phytochemicals to Bioactive Microproteins

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Leuenbergeria bleo (Kunth) DC. (Cactaceae), previously classified as Pereskia bleo, represents a phylogenetically basal cactus species with a disjunct distribution across Central America, Southeast Asia, and southern China. Phytochemical investigations have traditionally emphasized small-molecule secondary metabolites, including phenolics, alkaloids, and terpenoids, which contribute to antioxidant and anti-cancer activities. However, recent peptidomic analyses have expanded this chemical space through the discovery of bleogens, a family of hyper-stable, cysteine-rich microproteins with specific antifungal and wound-healing properties. This review systematically integrates botanical characteristics, ethnomedicinal applications, and pharmacological profiles, providing a comparative analysis of the plant’s small-molecule constituents versus its peptidyl biologics. It identifies the co-existence of these distinct chemical classes as a defining feature of the plant’s efficacy while highlighting the need for future research into their potential interactions.

Source: Processes

DOI: 10.3390/pr14040692

Authors: Junqiang Niu, Yirong Bai, Chunyue Du, Antony Kam, Shining Loo

Institution: Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Language: English

Topic: Phytochemistry and Biological Activities

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896

Funder: Government of Jiangsu Province