{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,31]],"date-time":"2026-03-31T02:06:45Z","timestamp":1774922805013,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":53,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"15","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2020,8,1]],"date-time":"2020-08-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1596240000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Molecules"],"abstract":"<jats:p>In this review, a brief description of the invasive phenomena associated with plants and its consequences to the ecosystem is presented. Five worldwide invasive plants that are a threat to Portugal were selected as an example, and a brief description of each is presented. A full description of their secondary metabolites and biological activity is given, and a resume of the biological activity of extracts is also included. The chemical and pharmaceutical potential of invasive species sensu lato is thus acknowledged. With this paper, we hope to demonstrate that invasive species have potential positive attributes even though at the same time they might need to be controlled or eradicated. Positive attributes include chemical and pharmaceutical properties and developing these could help mitigate the costs of management and eradication.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules25153529","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2020,8,3]],"date-time":"2020-08-03T07:45:57Z","timestamp":1596440757000},"page":"3529","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":28,"title":["Invasive Plants: Turning Enemies into Value"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"25","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0387-5411","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Patr\u00edcia","family":"M\u00e1ximo","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University, 2829-516 Caparica, Lisbon, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8474-3925","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lu\u00edsa M.","family":"Ferreira","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University, 2829-516 Caparica, Lisbon, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7312-8596","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Paula S.","family":"Branco","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University, 2829-516 Caparica, Lisbon, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7358-3428","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ana","family":"Louren\u00e7o","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University, 2829-516 Caparica, Lisbon, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2020,8,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"432","DOI":"10.1614\/IPSM-D-13-00099.1","article-title":"Mechanisms underlying nonindigenous plant impacts: A review of recent experimental research","volume":"7","author":"Skurski","year":"2014","journal-title":"Invasive Plant. Sci. Manag."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"200","DOI":"10.1111\/ele.13181","article-title":"Invasive plants differentially affect soil biota through litter and rhizosphere pathways: A meta-analysis","volume":"22","author":"Zhang","year":"2018","journal-title":"Ecol. Lett."},{"key":"ref_3","first-page":"726","article-title":"Plant invasions: Emerging trends and future implications","volume":"88","author":"Sharma","year":"2005","journal-title":"Curr. Sci."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"145","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jenvman.2018.05.007","article-title":"The role of invasive alien species in shaping local livelihoods and human well-being: A review","volume":"229","author":"Shackleton","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Environ. Manag."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev-environ-033009-095548","article-title":"Invasive species, environmental change and management, and health","volume":"35","author":"Richardson","year":"2010","journal-title":"Annu. Rev. Environ. Resour."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Beninde, J., Fischer, M.L., Hochkirch, A., and Zink, A. (2015). Ambitious advances of the european union in the legislation of invasive alien species. Conserv. Lett., 199\u2013205.","DOI":"10.1111\/conl.12150"},{"key":"ref_7","unstructured":"(2017). Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern, European Commission."},{"key":"ref_8","unstructured":"(2020, August 01). Decreto-Lei 565\/99, de 21 de Dezembro do Minist\u00e9rio do Ambiente. Di\u00e1rio da Rep\u00fablica n\u00ba 295\/1999, S\u00e9rie I-A de 21\/12\/1999. Available online: https:\/\/data.dre.pt\/eli\/dec-lei\/565\/1999\/12\/21\/p\/dre\/pt\/html."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Marchante, H., Morais, M., Freitas, H., and Marchante, E. (2014). Guia Pr\u00e1tico Para a Identifica\u00e7\u00e3o de Plantas Invasoras em Portugal, Coimbra University Press.","DOI":"10.14195\/978-989-26-0786-3"},{"key":"ref_10","first-page":"36","article-title":"What makes the plant invasion possible? Paradigm of invasion mechanisms, theories and attributes","volume":"4","author":"Rai","year":"2015","journal-title":"Environ. Skept. Crit."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1614\/IPSM-09-042.1","article-title":"Managing alien plants for biodiversity outcomes\u2014The need for triage","volume":"3","author":"Downey","year":"2010","journal-title":"Invasive Plant. Sci. Manag."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Weidlich, E.W.A., Fl\u00f3rido, F.G., Sorrini, T.B., Brancalion, P.H.S., and Peralta, G. (2020). Controlling invasive plant species in ecological restoration: A global review. J. Appl. Ecol.","DOI":"10.1111\/1365-2664.13656"},{"key":"ref_13","unstructured":"Brink, P.T. (2020, March 28). The Economic Costs of Invasive Alien Species (IAS). Available online: https:\/\/www.iucn.org\/sites\/dev\/files\/import\/downloads\/ten_brink_economic_impacts_of_ias__ptb_of_ieep_at_the_iucn_ep_event_21_feb_2013_final.pdf."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"263","DOI":"10.3391\/mbi.2014.5.3.10","article-title":"Review of harvest incentives to control invasive species","volume":"5","author":"Pasko","year":"2014","journal-title":"Manag. Biol. Invasions"},{"key":"ref_15","unstructured":"(2020, July 30). Making Use of Invasive Alien Species Settled in Natural Environments: An Effective Approach to Management?. Available online: http:\/\/especes-exotiques-envahissantes.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/uicn-guide-eee-ang-m3.pdf."},{"key":"ref_16","unstructured":"(2020, July 30). Regulation (EU) no 1143\/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Prevention and Management of the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Alien Species. Available online: https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/?uri=CELEX%3A32014R1143."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1496","DOI":"10.1016\/j.biopha.2016.11.046","article-title":"Inhibition of protein glycation, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of carpobrotus edulis extracts","volume":"84","author":"Hafsa","year":"2016","journal-title":"Biomed. Pharmacother."},{"key":"ref_18","unstructured":"(2020, March 28). Invasive Plants in Portugal. Available online: http:\/\/invasoras.pt\/en\/species-fact-sheets\/."},{"key":"ref_19","first-page":"829","article-title":"Constituents of carpobrotus edulis inhibit p-glycoprotein of mdr1-transfected mouse lymphoma cells","volume":"30","author":"Martins","year":"2010","journal-title":"Anticancer Res."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"438","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijantimicag.2011.01.016","article-title":"Antibacterial properties of compounds isolated from carpobrotus edulis","volume":"37","author":"Martins","year":"2011","journal-title":"Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"23","DOI":"10.1007\/s10787-013-0179-3","article-title":"Anti-proteus activity of some south african medicinal plants: Their potential for the prevention of rheumatoid arthritis","volume":"22","author":"Cock","year":"2014","journal-title":"Inflammopharmacology"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"21","DOI":"10.1007\/s10787-014-0222-z","article-title":"The potential of selected south african plants with anti-klebsiella activity for the treatment and prevention of ankylosing spondylitis","volume":"23","author":"Cock","year":"2015","journal-title":"Inflammopharmacology"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"96","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fitote.2004.09.020","article-title":"Inhibition of the carpobrotus edulis methanol extract on the growth of phagocytosed multidrug-resistant mycobacterium tuberculosis and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus","volume":"76","author":"Martins","year":"2005","journal-title":"Fitoterapia"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"222","DOI":"10.1016\/j.sajb.2017.03.036","article-title":"Biochemical profile and in vitro neuroprotective properties of Carpobrotus edulis L., a medicinal and edible halophyte native to the coast of south Africa","volume":"111","author":"Rocha","year":"2017","journal-title":"S. Afr. J. Bot."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"512","DOI":"10.1002\/ptr.1314","article-title":"Carpobrotus edulis methanol extract inhibits the mdr efflux pumps, enhances killing of phagocytosed s-aureus and promotes immune modulation","volume":"17","author":"Ordway","year":"2003","journal-title":"Phytother. Res."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"281","DOI":"10.1515\/bot-2012-0098","article-title":"The marine halophytes Carpobrotus edulis L. And Arthrocnemum macrostachyum L. Are potential sources of nutritionally important pufas and metabolites with antioxidant, metal chelating and anticholinesterase inhibitory activities","volume":"55","author":"Custodio","year":"2012","journal-title":"Bot. Mar."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1131","DOI":"10.1007\/s12010-016-2387-y","article-title":"Biochemical and molecular study of carpobrotus edulis bioactive properties and their effects on dugesia sicula (turbellaria, tricladida) regeneration","volume":"182","author":"Meddeb","year":"2017","journal-title":"Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/1472-6882-12-215","article-title":"Antioxidant and phytochemical properties of Carpobrotus edulis (L.) bolus leaf used for the management of common infections in hiv\/aids patients in eastern cape province","volume":"12","author":"Omoruyi","year":"2012","journal-title":"BMC Complement. Altern. Med."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"112005","DOI":"10.1016\/j.indcrop.2019.112005","article-title":"If you cannot beat them, join them: Exploring the fruits of the invasive species Carpobrotus edulis (L.) n.E. Br as a source of bioactive products","volume":"144","author":"Placines","year":"2020","journal-title":"Ind. Crop. Prod."},{"key":"ref_30","first-page":"1459","article-title":"An alkenylresorcinol derivative from hakea sericea fruits and their antimicrobial activity","volume":"8","author":"Luis","year":"2013","journal-title":"Nat. Prod. Commun."},{"key":"ref_31","unstructured":"Cruz, C.P.A.F.M., Lu\u00eds, \u00c2.F.S., Duarte, A.P.C., and Domingues, F.D.C. (2013). Isolamento e identifica\u00e7\u00e3o de um novo derivado de resorcinol, com atividade antimicrobiana, a partir dos frutos da planta hakea sericea shrader. (Application No. 107033), PT Patent."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"40","DOI":"10.1016\/j.sajb.2012.05.002","article-title":"Antimicrobial activity of selected extracts from hakea salicifolia and h. Sericeae (proteaceae) against staphylococcus aureus multiresistant strains","volume":"81","author":"Madureira","year":"2012","journal-title":"S. Afr. J. Bot."},{"key":"ref_33","first-page":"1863","article-title":"Bioactive compounds, rp-hplc analysis of phenolics, and antioxidant activity of some portuguese shrub species extracts","volume":"6","author":"Luis","year":"2011","journal-title":"Nat. Prod. Commun."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"S6","DOI":"10.4103\/0973-1296.127331","article-title":"Antimicrobial, antibiofilm and cytotoxic activities of hakea sericea schrader extracts","volume":"10","author":"Luis","year":"2014","journal-title":"Pharm. Mag."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"732","DOI":"10.1080\/14786419.2017.1335728","article-title":"Polyphenolic characterisation and bioactivity of an Oxalis pes-caprae L. Leaf extract","volume":"32","author":"Gaspar","year":"2018","journal-title":"Nat. Prod. Res."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"642","DOI":"10.1002\/pca.2367","article-title":"Evaluation of anti-oxidant activity and identification of major polyphenolics of the invasive weed Oxalis pes-caprae","volume":"23","author":"Gucluturk","year":"2012","journal-title":"Phytochem. Anal."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1664","DOI":"10.1021\/np0702786","article-title":"Cinnamic ester derivatives from Oxalis pes-caprae (bermuda buttercup)","volume":"70","author":"Dellagreca","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Nat. Prod."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2408","DOI":"10.1002\/cbdv.200890205","article-title":"Phenyl cinnamate derivatives from oxalis pes-caprae","volume":"5","author":"Dellagreca","year":"2008","journal-title":"Chem. Biodivers."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"459","DOI":"10.1002\/cbdv.200800179","article-title":"Phytotoxic aromatic constituents of Oxalis pes-caprae","volume":"6","author":"Dellagreca","year":"2009","journal-title":"Chem. Biodivers."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"958","DOI":"10.1080\/14786410902809286","article-title":"A new aromatic component from Oxalis pes-caprae","volume":"24","author":"Dellagreca","year":"2010","journal-title":"Nat. Prod. Res."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"534","DOI":"10.1016\/j.indcrop.2012.09.027","article-title":"Bioguided fractionation and isolation of esculentoside p from Phytolacca americana L.","volume":"44","author":"Ding","year":"2013","journal-title":"Ind. Crop. Prod."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"736","DOI":"10.1055\/s-2004-827204","article-title":"Alpha-spinasterol isolated from the root of phytolacca americana and its pharmacological property on diabetic nephropathy","volume":"70","author":"Jeong","year":"2004","journal-title":"Planta Med."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"63","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chroma.2008.02.093","article-title":"Separation of betalains from berries of phytolacca americana by ion-pair high-speed counter-current chromatography","volume":"1190","author":"Jerz","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Chromatogr. A"},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hasegawa, T., Fukuyama, Y., Koshino, K., Nakagawa, K., Tori, M., and Asakawa, Y. (1987). Structure of isoamericanin a, a prostaglandin 1 2 inducer, isolated from the seeds of Phytolacca americana L.. Chem. Lett., 329\u2013332.","DOI":"10.1246\/cl.1987.329"},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"252","DOI":"10.1248\/cpb.40.252","article-title":"Structures of americanol a and isoamericanol a having a neurotrophic property from the seeds of phytolacca americana","volume":"40","author":"Fukuyama","year":"1992","journal-title":"Chem. Pharm. Bull."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1377","DOI":"10.1248\/cpb.51.1377","article-title":"Structures of 1,4-benzodioxane derivatives from the seeds of phytolacca americana and their neuritogenic activity in primary cultured rat cortical neurons","volume":"51","author":"Takahasi","year":"2003","journal-title":"Chem. Pharm. Bull."},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"822","DOI":"10.1007\/s00128-005-0655-6","article-title":"Comparative toxicity of pokeweed (phytolacca americana) extracts to invasive snails (viviparus georgianis) and fathead minnows (pimephales promelas) and the implications for aquaculture","volume":"74","author":"Aldea","year":"2005","journal-title":"Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"317","DOI":"10.5423\/PPJ.NT.04.2012.0056","article-title":"In vivo antifungal activities of the methanol extracts of invasive plant species against plant pathogenic fungi","volume":"28","author":"Bajpai","year":"2012","journal-title":"Plant Pathol. J."},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2963","DOI":"10.1007\/s10886-005-8407-y","article-title":"Phytotoxicity of phytolacca americana leaf extracts on the growth, and physiological response of cassia mimosoides","volume":"31","author":"Kim","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Chem. Ecol."},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/1472-6882-14-343","article-title":"Antibacterial effect of crude extract and metabolites of phytolacca americana on pathogens responsible for periodontal inflammatory diseases and dental caries","volume":"14","author":"Patra","year":"2014","journal-title":"BMC Complement. Altern. Med."},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Saleri, F.D., Chen, G.L., Li, X., and Guo, M.Q. (2017). Comparative analysis of saponins from different phytolaccaceae species and their antiproliferative activities. Molecules, 22.","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules22071077"},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"225","DOI":"10.1099\/0022-1317-22-2-225","article-title":"Inhibition of infection by cucumber mosaic-virus and influenza-virus by extracts from phytolacca-americana","volume":"22","author":"Tomlinson","year":"1974","journal-title":"J. Gen. Virol."},{"key":"ref_53","unstructured":"Yarnell, E. (2019). Herbal Medicines for Treating Polycystic Kidney Diseases. (No. PCT\/US2019\/030005), International Application."}],"container-title":["Molecules"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1420-3049\/25\/15\/3529\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T09:53:41Z","timestamp":1760176421000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1420-3049\/25\/15\/3529"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2020,8,1]]},"references-count":53,"journal-issue":{"issue":"15","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2020,8]]}},"alternative-id":["molecules25153529"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/molecules25153529","relation":{},"ISSN":["1420-3049"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1420-3049","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2020,8,1]]}}}