Allium Flavum Research Articles

Floristic records from Northern Hungary III. Zemplén Mts

We report new floristic data collected from the Zemplén Mountains between 2004–2022. Altogether, 1215 occurrences of 133 species were recorded from 33 Central European Flora Mapping quadrats. We present occurrences of so far not reported or rare species, e.g., Carex appropinquata, C. cespitosa, C. disticha, Centaurea stenolepis, Scabiosa columbaria, Tephroseris aurantiaca. We put special emphasis on occurrence data of geobotanical importance, such as Anthriscus nitidus, Echium maculatum, Lunaria rediviva, Nepeta pannonica, Oreopteris limbosperma, Petasites albus, Primula elatior, Thlaspi jankae, Veronica montana, as well as newly rediscovered species based on archive data: Cirsium rivulare, Parnassia palustris. We mention common species, which are lacking data from the area, e.g., Adoxa moschatellina, Allium flavum, Cardamine amara, Dipsacus fullonum, Galanthus nivalis. Moreover, we report numerous new occurrences of taxa typical to the Zemplén Mts.: Aruncus dioicus, Huperzia selago, Lycopodium annotinum, Securigera elegans etc. We complete the enumeration with additional data from the literature and herbaria.

Untargeted phytochemical profiling and biological activity of small yellow onion (Allium flavum L.) from different regions of Romania.

This study examined the phytochemical profiles (mainly phenolics, carotenoids, and organosulfur compounds) and biological effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of Allium flavum (AF), a species of the Allium genus commonly known as small yellow onion. Unsupervised and supervised statistical approaches revealed clear differences between extracts prepared with samples collected from different areas of Romania. Overall, the AFFF (AF flowers collected from Făget) extract was the best source of polyphenols, also showing the highest antioxidant capacity evaluated through both in vitro DPPH, FRAP, and TEAC anti-radical scavenging assays and cell-based OxHLIA and TBARS assays. All the tested extracts exhibited α-glucosidase inhibition potential, while only the AFFF extract exhibited anti-lipase inhibitory activity. The phenolic subclasses annotated were positively correlated with the assessed antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities. Our findings suggested that A. flavum has bioactive properties worth exploring further, being a potential edible flower with health-promoting implications.

Wild edible onions — Allium flavum and Allium carinatum — successfully prevent adverse effects of chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin

The objective of this study was to evaluate potential of two chemically characterized edible wild onion species, Allium flavum and Allium carinatum, to reduce side effects of cytostatic doxorubicin (Dox). Since Dox application is mainly limited due to its high cardiotoxicity, while there are no approved cardioprotective agents for the prevention of Dox adverse effects, new co-treatments are urgently needed. Here, we showed that methanol extracts expressed high antioxidant activity and synergistically increased Dox anticancer activity against human hepatoma (HepG2) and lung carcinoma (A549) cells, while protected normal human fibroblasts (MRC-5) from Dox cytotoxicity. Analysis of the antioxidative enzymes level (catalase and superoxide dismutases) showed that the catalase level was differently altered in cancer cells compared to normal cells upon applied treatments. In vivo toxicity evaluation in the zebrafish model revealed significantly lower toxicity of extracts compared to Dox, and no teratogenic effects at applied doses. We found that extracts successfully rescued the Dox-treated embryos of life-threating cardiomyopathy, while at the same time reduced developmental toxicity and neutropenia. Further analysis demonstrated that extracts had higher anti-angiogenic activity than sunitinib or auranofin, clinically used antiangiogenic drugs. In addition, angiogenesis was markedly more suppressed in Dox-extract cotreatments than upon single treatments.

Effect of Allium flavum L. and Allium melanantherum Panč. Extracts on Oxidative DNA Damage and Antioxidative Enzymes Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase.

Allium flavum L. and Allium melanantherum Panč. are wild growing plants used in traditional diet in Balkan region. While chemical composition and some biological activities of A. flavum have been reported, A. melanantherum, as an endemic in the Balkan Peninsula, has never been comprehensively examined. After chemical characterization of A. melanantherum, we examined the protective effect of methanol extracts of both species against t-butyl hydro-peroxide (t-BOOH)-induced DNA damage and mutagenesis. The bacterial reverse mutation assay was performed on Escherichia coli WP2 oxyR strain. DNA damage was monitored in human fetal lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) with alkaline comet assay. Obtained results indicated that extracts reduced t-BOOH-induced DNA damage up to 70 and 72% for A. flavum and A. melanantherum extract, respectively, and showed no effect on t-BOOH-induced mutagenesis. Since the results indicated modulatory effect on cell-mediated antioxidative defense, the effect of extracts on total protein content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) amounts and activities were monitored. Both extracts increased total protein content, while the increase of enzyme amount and activity was obtained only with A. melanantherum extract and restricted to CAT. The activity of CuZnSOD family was not affected, while SOD1 and SOD2 amounts were significantly decreased, indicating potential involvement of extracellular CuZnSOD. Obtained results strongly support the traditional use of A. flavum and A. melanantherum in nutrition and recommend them for further study.

The Molecular Mechanisms of Apoptosis Induced by A llium flavum L. and Synergistic Effects with New-Synthesized Pd(II) Complex on Colon Cancer Cells

Considering that induction of apoptosis is one of the main strategies in cancer therapy, the molecular mechanisms of cytotoxic effects of Allium flavum L. on colon cancer cell lines were investigated and applied in single and co-treatments with new-synthesized Pd(II) complex. The analysis of chemical composition identified caffeic acid glycosides as the most dominant phenolics in A. flavum extract. In all investigated extracts, A. flavum showed cytotoxic effects on colon cancer cells (IC50 = 1.64–84 μg/mL) but not on healthy cells. Combinations of plant extracts with Pd(II) complex caused lower IC50 values and better proapoptotic activity. Pd(II) complex induced high percentage of necrosis in a single treatment, but in the combination with plant extracts it had better proapoptotic and lower necrotic activity. Treatments and co-treatments induced higher O2− production and influenced apoptosis biomarkers, leading to Fas protein overexpression and activation of caspases 8 and 9. Practical Applications In view of the achieved anticancer properties, insufficiently investigated Allium flavum L. is a promising candidate for developing new anticancer compounds and deserves further research and scientific validation. This study has great impact on investigation of new anticancer substances from natural source, focuses on the importance of using plants as the source of medicinal drugs, contributes to the development of the appropriate therapy and gives contribution in both scientific and practical means. Because of its synergistic actions with the newly synthesized chemical anticancer agent and ability to reduce side effects (thus reducing necrotic activity of Pd[II] complex), A. flavum can be used as a dietary food supplement or supplement to chemotherapy perhaps in combination with currently used chemotherapeutics or in some strategies in cancer therapy. This finding is also important from a nutritional point of view because this extracts contain significant amounts of bioactive constituents, which provide health benefits.

Non-tumor/tumor IC50 ratio as parameter for evaluation of in vitro antitumor activity of the Plantago, Allium and Tuber species

The goal of this work was to introduce the parameter for the precise evaluation of in vitroanti-tumor activity of Plantago altissima, P. lanceolata, P. reniformis, Allium flavum, A. cepa, Tuber aestivum i T. magnatumextracts.For the evaluation of the cell growth human tumor cell lines HeLa, MCF7 and HT-29 were used, as well as cell line derived from the healthy tissue (MRC-5). The cell growth was evaluated using colorimetric sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay.NT/T IC50 parameter gives precise information on the in vitro anti-tumor efficiency of evaluated extracts. The highest efficiency was achieved using water extracts of black and white truffle towards breast adenocarcinoma , reaching extremely high NT/T values (NT/T=200-500). The efficiency of several methanolic extracts of truffles was high (NT/T=21,33-70): while the efficiency of all Plantago sp.extracts was moderate (NT/T=3,24-4,27) towards breast adenocarcinoda and cervix carcinoma. The least efficient were extracts of aerial parts of A. flavum that have been more cytotoxic towards healthy cells than to colon adenocarcinoma (NT/T=0,23) and cervix carcinoma (NT/T=0,75).Extremely high NT/T valus that were obtained using water extracts of black and white truffle recommend their use in the anti-tumor therapy and suggest their use in health prevention and in the production of nutraceuticals and food supplements.

New steroidal glycosides from Dracaena marginata, Dracaena fragrans and Allium flavum

Steroidal saponins are a class of glycosides occurring in many plant species. The aglycon part of these glycosides is constituted by a furostane or spirostane-type skeleton, rarely cholestane. These saponins are known for their interesting pharmacological activities such as antifungal, anti-ischemia, antispasmodic, cytotoxic, haemolytic [1 – 3], and anti-inflammatory properties [4]. The aim of our researches was the isolation and structural elucidation of the steroidal saponins from the biodiversity. In this context, the study of three plants species, Dracaena marginata, D. fragrans (Asparagaceae) and Allium flavum (Amaryllidaceae) led to isolation of twenty-one natural glycosides by column chromatography on Sephadex LH-20, medium pressure liquid chromatography and vacuum liquid chromatography on silica gel and reversed-phase RP-18 silica gel. The structures were elucidated by a detailed spectral analysis by 600 MHz 2D-NMR (COSY, TOCSY, ROESY/NOESY, HSQC, HMBC/HMQC), and mass spectrometry. Six new compounds were characterized as spirostane and furostane- type glycosides from D. marginata (1 – 3) and from A. flavum (4 – 6). The presence of a 4-O-sulfated arabinopyranosyl moiety in the oligosaccharide chain at C-1 of the steroid skeleton underlined the originality of the compounds of the two Dracaena species, and might represent a chemotaxonomic marker of the genus Dracena. The isolation and structure elucidation of the six new compounds will be presented.

Cytotoxic steroidal glycosides from Allium flavum

Three new spirostane-type glycosides (1–3) were isolated from the whole plant of Allium flavum. Their structures were elucidated mainly by 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis and mass spectrometry as (20S,25R)-2α-hydroxyspirost-5-en-3β-yl O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-[β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-galactopyranoside (1), (20S,25R)-2α-hydroxyspirost-5-en-3β-yl O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-galactopyranoside (2), and (20S,25R)-spirost-5-en-3β-yl O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (3). The three saponins were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a human cancer cell line (colorectal SW480).

Phenolic profile, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of small yellow onion (Allium flavum L. subsp. flavum, Alliaceae)

The objectives of this study were to define the phenolic profile, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties of edible Allium flavum subsp. flavum (small yellow onion), which has never been comprehensively examined before. The presence and content of 44 phenolic compounds in methanol extracts of A. flavum were investigated by LC-MS/MS, where 25 compounds were found, the most dominant being: ferulic, p-coumaric, caffeic, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, protocatechuic and syringic acid, rutin, quercetin-3-O-glucoside and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside. Antioxidant activity, determined through several assays, was low in comparison to the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene, but comparable to onion (Allium cepa L.) extract. Anti-inflammatory potential was studied by measuring the inhibitory effect on cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) activity, where A. flavum expressed high inhibitory potential, especially on 12-LOX activity (IC50 = 0.078 mg mL−1). Treatment of four human cell lines resulted in a considerable inhibition of cell growth, where the extract of A. flavum expressed selective inhibitory action towards cervix epithelioid carcinoma and colon adenocarcinoma cells (IC50 = 71 μg mL−1 and IC50 = 81 μg mL−1, respectively). To conclude, these results support use of A. flavum as a functional food and indicate that it could be a potent source of health-beneficial phytochemicals.

Analysis of Chromosome Number in Some Allium and Silene Wild Species with Ornamental Use

The present study analyses the number of somatic chromosomes in plant species with ornamental value, in Romanian indigenous flora, Allium (A. flavum L., A. saxatile Bieb.) and Silene (S. compacta Fischer., S. supina M.Bieb.). The biological material was identified and harvested in the South-Eastern part of Dobrogea (Tulcea and Constanţa counties), area in the South-Eastern part of Romania, situated between the Danube and the Black Sea. Individuals from two populations of Allium flavum and Allium saxatile, respectively from Tulcea county (Turcoaia town) and Constanţa county (from Cheile Dobrogei) were analyzed. In the case of Silene compacta and Silene supina, plants of one population in Tulcea county, Turcoaia town, were used. The aim of the analysis was the quantification and comparison of the somatic chromosomes of plants from the same species but different populations, as is the case of the two Allium species, but also to relate them to results from specialty literature, reported by others. The chromosome number was determined in the roots of the small plants that were obtained from seeds collected in their natural habitat. Except the case of Silene supina species, where only diploid forms were identified (2n=24), when in specific literature tetraploid forms are mentioned (2n=48), found in other areas, all other analyzed taxa register similar data to that reported in other geographic regions. Respectively, 2n= 16 in the case of Allium flavum and Allium saxatile and 2n= 24 in the case of Silene compacta.

Polyploidy and b chromosomes in Alium flavum from Serbia

The most intriguing karyological features of the genus Allium are polyploidy and the frequent appearance of supernumerary or B chromosomes (Bs). Specimens of Allium flavum from natural populations at the Gornjacka Gorge in the vicinity of Gornjak Monastery, Serbia, were analyzed karyologically. All studied plants were tetraploid (2n = 32). One submetacentric B chromosome representing 1% of the genome, smaller than the smallest chromosomes of the standard set, was present in some plants. This is the first finding of Bs in tetraploid A. flavum.

Biological Effects, Total Phenolic Content and Flavonoid Concentrations of Fragrant Yellow Onion (Allium flavum L.)

The antioxidant, antibacterial and antiproliferative activities, total phenolic content and concentrations of flavonoids of A. flavum extracts were determined. The total phenolic content was determined with Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and it ranged between 42.29 to 80.92 mg GA/g. The concentration of flavonoids in various extracts of A. flavum was determined using spectrophotometric method with aluminum chloride and obtained results varied from 64.07 to 95.71 mg RU/g. The antioxidant activity was monitored spectrophotometrically and expressed in terms of IC50 (μg/ml), and its values ranged from 64.34 to 243.34 μg/ml. The highest phenolic content and capacity to neutralize DPPH radicals were found in acetone extract. Antibacterial efficacy was defined by determining minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations using microdilution method. Significant antibacterial activity, especially for ethyl acetate extract, was observed. The best activity was showed against G+ bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Bacillus subtilis, while Escherichia coli was one of the least sensitive bacteria. Antiproliferative activity of the methanolic extract on HCT- 116 cell line was determined by MTT assay. Results showed that A. flavum has good antiproliferative activity with IC50 values of 28.29 for 24 h and 35.09 for 72 h. Based on these results, A. flavum is a potential source of phenols as natural antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer substance of high value. Phenolic content of extracts depend on the solvents used for extraction.

English

In vitro antifungal activity of methanol, acetone and ethyl-acetate extracts from Equisetum telmateia Ehrh., Allium flavum L., Sedum acre L., Sideritis montana L., Marubium peregrinum L. and Xeranthemum anuum L. grown in Serbia, were investigated by microdilution method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) have been determined. Testing was conducted against four Aspergillus species - A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger and A. restrictus . All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS package. The tested extracts showed significant antifungal activity against A. restrictus and moderate activity against other Aspergillus spp. The best results showed ethyl acetate extract of S. montana , X. anuum and S. acre .

Aspects Regarding the Production of Planting Material at Some Ornamental Species from Spontaneous Flora

The paper presents data regarding the possibility of generative multiplication of some ornamental species provided from the Dobrogea spontaneous flora (Allium flavum L., Dianthus nardiformis L., Silene compacta L., Teucrium polium L. and Alyssum murale L.). Seeds were gathered in 2010 from the plants in their own natural habitat and establishment of crops was made with seedling produced in glasshouse: transplanting and without transplanting. Germination varied between 16-76%, maximum values being recorded at Alyssum murale, and the minimum ones at Teucrium polium. Subsequent determinations and observations done on obtained biologic material and on the established crops with it lead to the conclusion that great majority of the species could be used as transplanting seedling and also as seedling without transplanting, function of the growers possibilities and the usage way of plants. Exceptions were species Dianthus nardiformis, at which is not recommended the transplanting of the seedling (due to the sensibility of root system) and species Silene compacta at which, on contrary, is preferred the variant of transplanting the seedling, having in view the small size of the seeds.

Exploring Allium species as a source of potential medicinal agents

It has been shown that Allium species may help to prevent tumor promotion, cardiovascular diseases and aging; all processes that are associated with free radicals. Therefore the Allium species of both cultivated species (Allium nutans L., Allium fistulosum L., Allium vineale L., Allium psekemense B. Fedtsch, Allium cepa L., Allium sativum L.) and wild species (Allium flavum L., Allium sphaerocephalum L., Allium atroviolaceum Boiss, Allium schenoprasum L., Allium vineale L., Allium ursinum L., Allium scorodoprasum L.) from various locations were investigated for their antioxidative properties. The leaves were examined for activities of antioxidative enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, superoxide-dismutase, glutathione-peroxidase), non-enzymic antioxidants (reduced glutathione and total flavonoids), content of soluble proteins, vitamin C, carotenoids, chlorophylls a and b, as well as the quantities of malonyldialdehyde and *OH and O2*- radicals. Using a contemporary spectroscopic fluorescent method, lipofuscin, 'plant age pigments' were determined. ESR spectroscopy was used to follow the decrease of oxygen radicals in the presence of extracts of Allium species in phosphate buffer (pH 7). The results showed that all Allium species had strong antioxidative properties due to their high concentration of total flavonoids, high content of carotenoids and chlorophylls, and very low concentrations of toxic oxygen radicals. ESR signals of DMPO-OH radical adducts, in the presence of Allium extracts in phosphate buffer (pH 7), were reduced by up to 94.3%.

A study on nitrate reductase activity (NRA) of geophytes from Mediterranean environment

Nitrate reductase activity (NRA) in different compartments of 14 Mediterranean geophytes (bulbous, tuberous and rhizomatous) and actual mineral nitrogen (NO 3 − and NH 4 +) in their soils were investigated. The nitrate reduction capacities of each species were determined as NRA per total plant material. Differences among compartments for NRA were significant in all species. The highest NRA was found in leaves of tuberous species ( Anemone coronaria, Cyclamen coum) and of most bulbous species ( Allium flavum, Allium guttatum, Bellevelia sarmatica, Galanthus plicatus, Leucojum aestivum, Ornithogalum nutans, Tulipa sylvestris). Therefore, in this group of species the contribution of the leaves to total plant NRA was the highest. The other bulbous species ( Allium scorodoprasum, Crocus chrysanthus, Fritillaria bithynica, Muscari neglectum) and one rhizomatous taxon ( Iris suaveolens) have a different NRA distribution within the plants. In these species the highest values of NRA were found in different organs. For example, in Allium scorodoprasum the highest NRA was in tunics, and in flowers in M. neglectum. Although leaves are the main compartments reducing nitrate in most of the studied geophytes, other compartments also contribute to total plant nitrate reduction. Our results show that the nitrate reduction capacity is different among geophyte species. Even if it roughly reflects the nitrogen supply in a habitat, differences in nitrate reduction capacities of different species collected from same sites indicate that the nitrate reducing capacity is species-specific.

Incidence of viruses infecting Allium spp. in Greece

A survey identified viruses infecting garlic, leek and onion crops and wild Allium species in Greece. Virus identification was based on ELISA, immunoelectron microscopy, and occasionally on RT-PCR. Samples of cultivated Allium species were collected from five districts, whereas samples of twenty-seven wild Allium species were also collected from all over Greece. Onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV) and Leek yellow stripe virus (LYSV) were identified in 98.5% and 83.7% of all samples, respectively, and were found in all regions. Allexiviruses were also detected in all regions and their incidence ranged from 62.5% to 70.5% (depending on region and type of allexivirus). Garlic common latent virus (GCLV) was detected in samples from Arcadia (97.6%) and Evia (18.0%) and in one field in Larissa (23.0%). Shallot latent virus (SLV) was found only in two areas (Evros and Theva) and in fields planted with imported propagative material, from Iran and China. The incidence of virus-like symptoms in leek crops ranged from 10.0% to 90.0% in different regions and fields and all symptomatic plants were found to be infected by LYSV. Onion yellow dwarf virus was only found in seven symptomatic onion samples from southern Greece. Allium ampeloprasum spp. ampeloprasum and Allium flavum, were the only wild Allium species found to be infected with LYSV. Finally Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) was found in A. sphaerocephalon, A. guttatum, A. subhirsutum, and A. neapolitanum.

Banding of Allium chromosomes protected against DNase digestion by DNA-binding drugs.

Metaphase chromosome bands were induced in Allium flavum (Liliaceae) by protecting the chromosomal DNA with DNA-binding compounds of different base specificities against DNase digestion. The bands obtained represented different subsets of C-band heterochromatin.

Structural changes of Ag-stained nucleolus organizing regions and nucleoli during meiosis in Allium flavum.

Microsporogenesis of Allium flavum was investigated by light microscopy using a silver impregnation technique. Ag-positive structures were present at the nucleolus organizing regions (NORs) in all stages of the meiotic cycle. During prophase I the nucleoli were found to be composed of a strongly impregnated central and a weakly impregnated peripheral component, probably corresponding to the pars fibrosa and pars granulosa, respectively. A heteromorphism with regard to the presence of a NOR allowed the determination of the crossing-over frequency in the chromosome arm concerned.

C-band proximity of chiasmata and absence of terminalisation in Allium flavum (Liliaceae)

Chiasmata in male meiosis of Allium flavum from early diplotene to metaphase I are found to occur almost exclusively very close to the terminal and intercalary C-bands. Heterozygosity of intercalary C-bands, where one homologue has one band missing, allows the direct proof that chiasmata do not terminalise and therefore mark the point of exchange.