Onopordum Research Articles

The lipid and volatile oil of the seed and aerial parts of Onopordum alexandrinum Boiss. growing in Egypt and their antioxidant activity

Purpose The study of the lipid of the seed and aerial parts of Onopordum alexandrinum Boiss., family Asteraceae, growing in Egypt led to the isolation and identification of the unsaponifiable and fatty acid fractions of both the seed and the aerial parts of the plant. Also, isolation of volatile oil of the seed and studying their antioxidant activity. Subjects and methods The constituents of the unsaponifiable fraction of the seed, aerial parts of the plant and volatile oil of the seeds were identified by Gas liquid chromatography (GLC) analysis. The radical scavenging effects of the tested extracts of both the seed and the aerial parts of the plant using DPPH free radicals. Results GLC analysis of the unsaponifiable fraction of the seeds indicated a mixture of hydrocarbons ranging from C 13 to C 28 ; cholesterol, campasterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol were also present. GLC analysis of the fatty acid methyl esters of the seeds indicated the presence of eight fatty acids. Also, GLC analysis of the unsaponifiable fraction of the aerial parts of the plant indicated a mixture of hydrocarbons ranging from C 17 to C 28 . Cholesterol, campasterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol were also present. GLC analysis of the fatty acid methyl esters of the aerial parts indicated the presence of nine fatty acids. Sixteen compounds were identified by GLC analysis represented 77.97% of the total composition of the oil of the seeds. Conclusion The unsaponifiable fractions of both the seed and the aerial parts of the plant and volatile oil showed a strong antioxidant activity, whereas the fatty acid fractions showed a moderate antioxidant activity.

The Biology of Canadian Weeds. 147. Onopordum acanthium L.

Cavers, P. B., Qaderi, M. M., Threadgill, P. F. and Steel, M. G. 2011. The Biology of Canadian Weeds. 147. Onopordum acanthium L. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 739-758. In Canada, Scotch thistle, Onopordum acanthium L. (Asteraceae) is primarily a weed of well-drained natural areas and ruderal habitats such as abandoned gravel pits. It is classed as a noxious weed in Ontario and the North Okanagan region of British Columbia but is common only in southern Ontario. Native to southern Europe and southwestern Asia, it has been introduced to almost 50 countries in all continents except Antarctica. In parts of the United States it is a strongly competitive species that infests small grain fields and competes with desirable forage species in rangelands. It does have desirable attributes and has many uses including being consumed as a vegetable, used as a source of honey, yielding a burnable oil, incorporated in medications for many human ailments, providing grazing for goats, sheep and cattle and being grown as a garden...

Antioxidant and antimicrobial medicinal plants from Iran

The Objective of this research was determination of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of different plants of the families lamiaceae including several salvia species and some plants of the family Compositae e.g. Onopordon, Centaurea from Iran. The radical scavenging activities of the above-mentioned plants were measured spectrophotometrically using DPPH (2, 2 dipheny-pycryl-hydrazyl). The antimicrobial tests were performed on an acetone extract of the plant material. The microorganisms applied for the bioassays were Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli as Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria respectively. The fungi were Cladesporium herbarum and Fusarium oxysporum. Our research on about 50 different plants showed Salvia choloroleucca, Salvia hypoleuca, and Salvia sahandica as the most potent antimicrobial plants. Our assays to separate the active constituents are continuing by TLC bioautography. We have determined different active plants amongst several candidates and studied them for further purification and identification by bioassay guided fractionation and purification using different chromatographic and spectroscopic methods including HPLC, 1D and 2D-NMR in the phytochemistry department of our institute

Inhibition of endotoxin-induced pro-inflammatory markers by water extracts of Onopordum cynarocephalum and Achillea damascena

Water extracts of Onopordum cynarocephalum (Oc) and Achillea damascena (Ad), traditionally used in Lebanon to treat various medical conditions including inflammatory diseases, were evaluated for antiinflammatory activities employing an in vitro model of endotoxin (ET)-induced inflammation in mammary epithelial SCp2 cells and an in vivo model of ET-induced paw edema in male rats. Initially, both extracts inhibited the activity of fetal bovine serum derived gelatinase A and B in a concentrationdependent manner. In SCp2 cells, water extracts of Oc and Ad at non-cytotoxic concentrations of 0.5% and 1%, respectively, decreased the expression of ET-induced inflammation markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) protein and mRNA, as well as gelatinase A and B activity via NF-�B. Furthermore, mRNA and protein levels of �-casein, an SCp2 differentiation marker, were suppressed 48 h post ET-stimulation and were not reversed by either of the plant extracts. In the in vivo model intraperitoneally injected water extracts of Oc or Ad in rats resulted in significant reduction of ET-induced paw edema starting at 12 and 8 h respectively. This new insight into the Oc and Ad mode of action contribute towards a better understanding of the claimed anti-inflammatory activities reported in folk medicine literature.