Anchusa Azurea Research Articles

Synergistic Effect of Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Medicinal Plant Extracts against Resistant Bacterial Strains

Nanoparticles are emerging as a fascinating alternative to antibiotics. When stabilized by chemical compounds, magnetite nanoparticles (MagNPs) consistently exhibit bactericidal effects across different types of bacteria. This study describes the synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial properties of magnetite MagNPs prepared by the coprecipitation method under continuous sonication. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) techniques revealed Fe3O4-NPs as spherical, uniform particles with an average size of approximately 16 nm. The antibacterial efficacy of MagNPs was investigated by combining them with methanolic extracts of three medicinal plants known for their antibacterial properties: Aloysia triphylla, Sarcopoterium spinosum, and Urtica pilulifera. The combined effect was assessed against both wild type and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The antibacterial synergistic effect of MagNPs and plant extracts was evaluated by the MIC test, which showed significant inhibitory properties against the growth of the four bacterial strains as compared to control samples of plant extracts alone. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of MagNPs combined with extracts from Rosmarinus officinalis, Anchusa azurea, Quercus infectoria, and Urtica pilulifera significantly prevented biofilm development in both sensitive and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus.

Environmentally friendly use of silver nanoparticles prepared with Anchusa azurea flower to detect mercury (II) ions

ABSTRACT In this study, the extract obtained from the flowers of the Anchusa azurea (AA) plant was mixed with silver nitrate to obtain silver nanoparticles. The ion sensing ability of the obtained bio-sourced silver nanoparticles in aqueous solutions was investigated and the presence of Hg2+ ions was determined colorimetrically. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared on Green Chemistry method, which is both an environmentally friendly and cost-effective synthesis technique, were characterised using different analytical tools. The mean particle size of AA-AgNPs from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images was determined to be 22 nm in diameter. XRD measurements showed that the crystallite sizes of the synthesised AgNPs were in the face-centred cubic crystal structure with an average size of 22 nm, which is consistent with TEM results. AA-AgNPs showed absorption at 435 nm, indicating that AgNPs exhibit a strong surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and play a role in stabilisation. AgNPs synthesised with Anchusa azurea flowers were observed using UV-vis spectroscopy to selectively and sensitively detect mercury ions (Hg2+). When Hg2+ in aqueous solution was added to the AgNPs, the overall absorbance dramatically decreased and the colour changed from yellow to colourless. This study shows that AA-AgNPs can be used as a cost-effective material in optical sensors for colorimetric determinations.

HPLC analysis and anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, healing and antidepressant properties of Anchusa italica Retz extracts

BackgroundIn traditional herbal medicine, Anchusa italica has sometimes been used to treat inflammatory diseases, wounds and sooth pain, but the scientific evidence supporting these uses is not solid. Given its traditional uses, we aim to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, healing and antidepressant pharmacological activities of root and leaf extracts from the A. italica. Methodsthe phytochemical study was carried out by HPLC-MS analysis. The anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antidepressant activities were studied on male Wister rats, and healing activity on mal New Zealand rabbits. Extracts were administered orally using doses 200 and 400 mg/kg for anti-inflammatory activity, 400 mg/kg for analgesic activity, 200 mg/kg for antidepressant activity. Healing activity was studied using a cream containing 5 % of the extract topically. ResultsThe HPLC analysis found six phenolic compounds in the root extract and nine in the leaf extract. The anti-inflammatory test gave significant results (p < 0.001), at 400 and 200 mg/kg doses, the leaf extract recorded a percentage of inhibition of (82.89 % and 69.73 % respectively, while the root extract gave a percentage of inhibition of 73.67 % and 65.78 % respectively. The analgesic test also showed a significant (p < 0.001), the rats treated with the extract of the leaves have a number of abdominal contractions (11.33 ± 0.94) very close to that of reference drug aspirin (10.33 ± 0.47). In antidepressant activity, the immobility time recorded in rats treated with leaf extract was 81.86 ± 3.71 and 86.8 ± 4.65 s for root extract. The healing test showed that the root extract was effective (p < 0.05) for the treatment of the burns, after 20 days of treatment, the percentage of contraction (100 %) was recorded in the extracts 5 % and madecassol compared to the negative control 89.51 ± 4.08 %. ConclusionThese results confirm the plant's traditional use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, wounds and pain.

Effect of In Vitro Digestion on the Phenolic Content of Herbs Collected from Eastern Anatolia.

Phenolic compounds in herbs have high antioxidant activities, and their consumption as functional foods may impact human health positively. The main objective of this study was to investigate the total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents as well as total antioxidant capacities (TAC) of bioactive compounds in various infusions prepared by herbs collected from the Bingöl region of Turkey during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. According to the results, while the highest TPC (5836 ± 373 mg GAE/100 g dw), TFC (2301 ± 158 CE/100 g, dw), and TAC (1347 mg TE/100 g dw) were obtained with Anchusa azurea Mill. species, Crataegus orientalis exhibited the lowest values (863 ± 24 mg GAE/100 g dw, 242 ± 23 CE/100 g dw, 735 ± 47 mg TE/100 g dw, respectively). Gallic acid and chlorogenic acid were the most common phenolic compounds in the infusions. In detail, the highest gallic acid was found in E. spectabilis M. Bieb (27.3 ± 0.9 mg/100 g of dw) and the highest chlorogenic acid was observed in F. elaeochytris (919.2 ± 35.7 mg/100 g of dw). After in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, the highest bioaccessibility values of TPC and TFC were determined as 0.6- and 3-fold of the values observed in undigested C. orientalis, respectively. Besides, C. orientalis Pall. had the highest bioaccessibility of TAC according to the DPPH (6.7-fold increase) and CUPRAC (9.7-fold increase) assays. It can be concluded that the use of these medicinal herbs in human dietary intake due to their high bioactive compounds even after digestion can improve nutritional value and contribute to human health.

Trace Element Analysis of Some Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Species by ICP-MS

In this study, analysis of trace elements (Al, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Cd, Sn, Hg, Pb) of taxa, such as Alkanna trichophila Hub.-Mor. var. trichophila, Anchusa azurea Mill. var. azurea ( Boraginaceae ), Achillea biebersteinii Afan., Centaurea iberica Trev. ex Sprengel (Asteraceae), Ajuga vestita Boiss.(Endemic), Teucrium polium L. ( Lamiaceae ) by ICP-MS technique, collected in Çermik district of Turkey's Diyarbakır province and used for folk or medicinal purposes, was conducted quantitatively and qualitatively using the ICP-MS technique. As a result of the analysis, Sn, Hg, Pb elements in all six plant taxa could not be determined since they were below the lod value. It is essential for consumers that these three toxic elements are not specified in plant species. The highest concentration was determined in element Al (26.04-193.5 mg/kg). With this study, some metal characterisations and concentrations of medicinal plants were determined.

Antimicrobial Activity of Catechol-Containing Biopolymer Poly[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)glyceric Acid] from Different Medicinal Plants of Boraginaceae Family.

This study reports the antimicrobial activities of the biopolymers poly[3-(3,4-dihydoxyphenyl)glyceric acid] (PDHPGA) and poly[2-methoxycarbonyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxirane] (PMDHPO), extracted from the six plants of Boraginaceae family: Symphytum asperum (SA), S. caucasicum (SC), S. gr and iflorum (SG), Anchusa italica (AI), Cynoglosum officinale (CO), and Borago officinalis (BO) collected in various parts of Georgia. The study revealed that the antibacterial activities were moderate, and biopolymers from only three plants showed activities against all tested bacteria. Biopolymers from CO stems as well as SC and AI did not show any activity except low activity against a resistant P. aeruginosa strain, which was the most resistant among all three resistant strains. On the other hand, the antifungal activity was better compared to the antibacterial activity. Biopolymers from BO stems exhibited the best activities with MIC/MFC at 0.37-1.00 mg/mL and 0.75-1.5 mg/L, respectively, followed by those from SG stems. Biopolymers from SC and AI roots showed antifungal activities against all six fungi, in contrast to the antibacterial activity, while biopolymers from CO stems and SA roots had activities against four fungi and one fungus, respectively. The sugar-based catechol-containing biopolymers from BO stems demonstrated the best activities among all tested biopolymers against T. viride, P. funiculosum, P. cyclpoium var verucosum, and C. albicans (MIC 0.37 mg/mL). In addition, biopolymers from SG stems were half as active against A. fumigatus and T. viride as ketoconazole. Biopolymers from all plant materials except for CO stems showed higher potency than ketoconazole against T. viride. For the first time, it was shown that all plant materials exhibited better activity against C. albicans, one of the most dreadful fungal species.

Wild leafy vegetables: A potential source for a traditional Mediterranean food from Lebanon

IntroductionIn Lebanon, wild leafy vegetables (WLVs) continue to be an essential component of people's diet. Nevertheless, little ethnobotanical research has addressed this important potential source for food and nutrition.MethodsIn this study, an ethnobotanical survey was carried out between 2018 and 2022 across 21 villages/towns involving 151 local informants by semi-structured interviews.Results and discussionA list of 158 plant species which was still gathered and consumed by traditional Lebanese communities was compiled. The species belonged to 21 families and the most diverse families were Asteraceae (77 species), Brassicaceae (22), and Apiaceae (11). Native species accounted for 147 of the cited species, five of which were endemics to Lebanon and Syria. According to the Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) index, Anchusa azurea, Centaurea hyalolepis, Chondrilla juncea, Eruca vesicaria, Pseudopodospermum molle, Pseudopodospermum papposum, and Taraxacum sect. Taraxacum were reported for the first time among the top popular species. Basal rosettes were the main parts consumed both raw and/or cooked. Informants perceived a decline in availability primarily due to habitat loss and land degradation. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), six of cited species were classified as globally threatened (EN or VU), five of which were narrow endemics. These species scored substantial RFC values. Findings indicate that WEVs of Lebanon offer a promising potential to support food diversity and dietary quality of traditional communities and that threatened endemic species present a high conservation priority. Future research on nutritional contents of these species and highly rated WLVs is recommended.

İtalyan Bugloss (Anchusa azurea Mill.) Toprak Üstü Kısımlarının Liyofilize Su Ekstresinin Antioksidan Aktivitesi

In many studies, an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption has been shown to reduce the death rate from age-related diseases such as coronary heart disease and cancer. For this reason, given the potential health benefits of natural antioxidants from plants, investigations on them have increased. Italian bugloss (Anchusa azurea Mill.), in some regions of Turkey is a plant consumed as a vegetable and used in traditional medicine therefore it is important to evaluate the biological activity. In this study, the antioxidant properties of Italian bugloss (Anchusa azurea Mill.) were investigated. The antioxidant capacity of water-based lyophilized extract obtained from air parts was evaluated with ferric ions (Fe3+) reducing, CUPRAC, FRAP, DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging antioxidant methods. In addition, total phenol and flavonoid contents were determined. This investigation could be a basis for further phytochemical investigations of Italian bugloss (Anchusa azurea Mill.).

The Nutritional Dynamics of Common Weeds in the Rangelands of the Akdağ Mountains, Samsun

In this study, common weed species (Anthemis sp., Anthemis tinctoria L., Pilosella hoppeana Schultes, Doranicum orientale Hoffm, Muscari neglectum Guss. ex Ten., Ornithogalum armeniacum Baker, Ornithogalum narbonense L., Ornithogalum wiedemannii Boiss., Anchusa azurea Miller, Echium plantagineum L., Echium vulgare L., Ajuga orientalis L., Stachys germenica L., Juncus sp., Anacamptis pyramidalis L., Ophrys apifera Huds., Carex panicea L., Ranunculus sp., Hypericum perforatum L., Primula elatior L. Hill., and Galium rotundifolium L.) of the rangelands of Akdağ mountains, Samsun were evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA). These species were collected at least three times in two consecutive years. The proximate nutrients (organic matter, ash, crude protein, ether extract, neutral and acid detergent fibre, non-fibrous carbohydrate and hemicellulose), neutral detergent fibre properties (nitrogen-free neutral detergent fibre and in vitro neutral detergent fibre digestibility), and forage quality indicators (digestible dry matter, dry matter intake, metabolizable energy, net energy lactation, estimated net energy, total digestible nutrients, relative feed value, and relative forage quality) were assessed by chemical analysis and empirical equations. There were significant variations in the nutritional dynamics among the weed species. The PCA results demonstrated a relationship between the dietary dynamics assessed. Component 1 (65.5%) and component 2 (14.5%) described 80.0% of the total variation, with eigenvalues of 11.788 and 2.609 in the weed species, respectively. The loadings plot of components shows that most forage quality indicators were distributed to Quadrant 1 and Quadrant 4. Three clusters are observed from the CA for the weeds with significant linkage distance, indicating relatively high independence for each cluster. Due to high variation in their nutritional dynamics, the weed species (P. elatior, O. wiedemannii, O. narbonense, and G. rotundifolium) were more similar on component 1 ordination and in Cluster 1 of the dendrogram. In conclusion, our results suggest that the highlighted species have significant potential for grazing livestock as forages and could fulfilling the possible forage gap in the grazing system.

Effect of Static Magnetic Field on &lt;i&gt;Anchusa-Italica&lt;/i&gt;-Doped Pentacene

This work is devoted to the influence of magnetized water on dye extracted from Anchusa Italica plant and doped pentacene thin films. The findings resulted in optoelectronic behavior, showing that using magnetized water in the extraction process gives rise to distinct and superior characteristics as compared to using regular water. The Fourier-transform infrared method was used to analyze the structural properties of an Anchusa Italica-doped pentacene thin film. A comparative study on two samples was carried out: the first sample was affected by a static magnetic field and the other one was not. Optical properties including the absorption spectra absorption coefficient, optical energy gap, conventional and refractive factors were investigated by applying ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy ranging from 300 to 900 nm. The estimated band gap edge of the dye/doped pentacene affected with magnetization was reduced from 2.61 to 1.76 eV and converted into the recommended direct band gap to contribute to optical systems. The absorption spectra of the sample with magnetization effect appears to be more efficient than the one extracted using regular water. The power transmission coefficients (indirect to direct) were also affected because of the magnetic extraction procedure. The complex refractive index was used to study the magnetization effect on the resonance mode and transparent indicator. The absorption index was enhanced to 570 nm in the spectrum, whereas there was also a low attenuation coefficient. This is the first time that magnetized sol has been used in dye extraction processes.

Biologically Active Poly[3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)Glyceric Acid] from Borago officinalis (Boraginaceae)

A high-molecular water-soluble preparation from stems of Borago officinalis (Boraginaceae family) was isolated. According to data from UV, IR, 1H, 13C NMR, gCOSY and 2D heteronuclear 1H/13C gHSQCED experiments, the main chemical constituent of this water-soluble high-molecular preparation from stems of Borago officinalis (HMP-BS) was found to be a biologically active caffeic acid-derived polymer, namely poly[oxy-1-carboxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxy­phenyl)­ethylene] also referred to as poly[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)glyceric acid] (PDPGA). PDPGA was previously detected in high-molecular preparations of Symphytum asperum, S. caucasicum, S. officinale, Anchusa italica and Cynoglossum officinale. The detection of this compound in different genera of the Boraginaceae family is interesting as this unusual caffeic acid-derived polymer could be consider a chemotaxonomic marker among Boraginaceae plants. Thus, PDPGA is interesting due to the importance of its chemotaxonomic significance, the potential biomedical applications of the Boraginaceae plants and the chemical importance of PDPGA. The presence of poly[3-(3,4-dihydroxy­phenyl)­glyceric acid] in multiple Boraginaceae species expands the resources of raw materials for this biologically active polymer.

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of Total Polyphenols of Anchusa italica Retz.

Anchusa italica Retz has been used for a long time in phytotherapy. The aim of the present study was to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of extracts from the leaves and roots of Anchusa italica Retz. We first determined the content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids using Folin–Ciocalteu reagents and aluminum chloride (AlCl3). The antioxidant activity was determined using three methods: reducing power (FRAP), 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The antimicrobial activity was investigated against four strains of Escherichia coli, two strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, and one fungal strain of Candida albicans. The results showed that the root extract was rich in polyphenols (43.29 mg GAE/g extract), while the leave extract was rich in flavonoids (28.88 mg QE/g extract). The FRAP assay showed a strong iron reduction capacity for the root extract (IC50 of 0.11 µg/mL) in comparison to ascorbic acid (IC50 of 0.121 µg/mL). The DPPH test determined an IC50 of 0.11 µg/mL for the root extract and an IC50 of 0.14 µg/mL for the leaf extract. These values are low compared to those for ascorbic acid (IC50 of 0.16 µg/mL) and BHT (IC50 0.20 µg/mL). The TAC values of the leaf and root extracts were 0.51 and 0.98 mg AAE/g extract, respectively. In vitro, the extract showed inhibitory activity against all strains studied, with diameters of zones of inhibition in the range of 11.00–16.00 mm for the root extract and 11.67–14.33 mm for the leaf extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration was recorded for the leaf extract against E. coli (ATB:57), corresponding to 5 mg/mL. Overall, this research indicates that the extracts of Anchusa italica Retz roots and leaves exert significant antioxidant and antibacterial activities, probably because of the high content of flavonoids and polyphenols.

Observations of feeding damage of some Turkish leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) with new masquerade and host plant records

Twenty-three observations of leaf beetles and their feeding damage are reported. Masquerade is found in 15 observations. In 12 observations dark colored beetles were making obvious dark colored damage. Light colored beetles of three species were observed making light colored damage. Masquerade in Chrysomelinae is reported here for the first time. In Galerucinae, masquerade is recorded for the first time for the species of Calomicrus Stephens and Orthocrepis Weise. New host plants are recorded for: Longitarsus hittita Biondi - Anchusa azurea Mill.; Longitarsus audisioi Biondi - Symphytum asperum Lepech.; and Chaetocnema tibialis (Illiger) - Chenopodium rubrum L.

Enzymatic Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Oligomer Analogues of Medicinal Biopolymers from Comfrey and Other Species of the Boraginaceae Family

This study reports the first enzymatic synthesis leading to several oligomer analogues of poly[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)glyceric acid]. This biopolymer, extracted from plants of the Boraginaceae family has shown a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial activity. Enzymatic ring opening polymerization of 2-methoxycarbonyl-3-(3,4-dibenzyloxyphenyl)oxirane (MDBPO) using lipase from Candida rugosa leads to formation of poly[2-methoxycarbonyl-3-(3,4-dibenzyloxyphenyl)oxirane] (PMDBPO), with a degree of polymerization up to 5. Catalytic debenzylation of PMDBPO using H2 on Pd/C yields poly[2-methoxycarbonyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxirane] (PMDHPO) without loss in molecular mass. Antibacterial assessment of natural polyethers from different species of Boraginaceae family Symhytum asperum, S. caucasicum, S. grandiflorum, Anchusa italica, Cynoglossum officinale, and synthetic polymers, poly[2-methoxycarbonyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)oxirane (PMDMPO) and PMDHPO, reveals that only the synthetic analogue produced in this study (PMDHPO) exhibits a promising antimicrobial activity against pathogenic strains S.aureus ATCC 25923 and E.coli ATCC 25922 the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) being 100 µg/mL.

Ethnobotanical study of plants used for medicinal, cosmetic, and food purposes in the region of Moulay Yacoub, Northeast of Morocco

Context: Medicinal and aromatic plants are used by people for various purposes, whether for health care, beauty, or as a food source. Aims: To valorize the knowledge about their uses, therapeutic, cosmetic, and food. Methods: The ethnobotanical study was conducted from November 1, 2019, to March 1, 2021, in the Moulay Yacoub region. A total of 407 local informants were interviewed. The methodological approach was open-ended and semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions based on therapeutic, cosmetic, and dietary criteria. Quantitative analyses were performed using basic statistics, use value (UV), family use value (FUV), plant part value (PPV), and informant agreement ratio (IAR). Results: A total of 104 plant species belonging to 46 families were identified. The majority of plants are used in phytotherapy (78.30%). The most frequent ailments reported were digestive (IAR = 0.9). The most used method of preparation was infusion (42.68%), the leaves were the most used part of the plant (PPV = 0.45), and Anchusa italica Retz (UV = 0.196) was the most commonly prescribed species by local herbalists, and Oleaceae (FUV = 0.16) was the most dominant family. Conclusions: This study showed the richness of the plants and the consistency of the knowledge of the natives on medicinal and aromatic plants. As part of this study, we are currently working on plants with curative effects to prove their efficacy in animal models, including Anchusa italica Retz, which was widely cited in this ethnobotanical study. Authors invite scientists to conduct further phytochemical and pharmacological research on medicinal plants from this region based on this study.

Evaluation of macro and trace elements content of wild edible Iranian plants and their contribution to dietary reference intakes

Recently, wild edible plants (WEPs) have been recognized as a significant source of macro and trace elements acquisition for the human health, leading to increased interest in WEPs consumption. Macro (Ca, K, Mg, Na) and trace elements (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn) composition and their contribution towards recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 19 Iranian WEP were determined. According to the results, the highest content of Ca, K, and Mg was 4520.48, 7830.31, and 770.02 mg (100 g)−1 DW in species of Tragopogon collinus D.C., Smyrnium cordifolium Boiss., and Smyrniumcordifolium Boiss., respectively, indicating these plants are good nutritional sources of the above macro elements. Among the trace elements, the highest content was related to Fe (16.07 mg (100 g)−1 DW) in Taraxacumvulgar Hodn. Mzt., and the lowest content was found for Co (0.03 mg (100 g)−1 DW) in Anchusa italica Retz., Falcaria vulgaris Bernh., and Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl. For Ca, Tragopogon collinus D.C. and Trifolium pratense L. leave providing about 94 % and 85 % of the RDA, respectively, while for K, bulbs of Allium hirtifolium Boiss. and aerial parts of Fumaria parviflora Lam. contributed 42 % and 39 % of the RDA, respectively. The estimated daily intake of trace elements for both adults and children with WEPs consumption was lower than the oral reference dose limit. For both adults and children, the health risk index (HRI) of trace elements from the use of WEPs was in decreasing order of Co > Cd > Fe > Cu > Mn > Ni > Zn. All trace element HRI values were less than 0.65 except for Co, showing that trace element exposure by most WEPs intake was usually considered safe if consumed in reasonable amounts. Assessment by cluster analysis showed three clusters of macro and trace elements and a strong distinction between different WEPs. It seems that these WEPs can be a major contribution to the consumption of nutrients for consumers and serve as inexpensive food sources.

Chemical constituents of Anchusa italica Retz. and their protective effects on cardiomyocytes injured by hypoxia/reoxygenation

Abstract Anchusa italica Retz. (family Boraginaceae) is widely distributed in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. Its aerial parts are used as a traditional Uygur medicine for treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Three new triterpenoids (1 − 3), and eleven known compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of A. italica, including six oleanane (1 and 3-7) and eight ursane (2 and 8-14) triterpenoids. Among them, compound 2 was a 19-oxo-1819-seco-ursane-type triterpenoid first isolated from the genus Anchusa. Compounds 2, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 13 exhibited protective effects on neonatal rat cardiomyocytes injured by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). The findings suggest that triterpenoids might be the active constituents of A. italica for treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in human, and represent potential compounds for developing cardiomyocyte- protection drugs.

Total flavonoids from Anchusa italica Retz. Improve cardiac function and attenuate cardiac remodeling post myocardial infarction in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe plant Anchusa italica Retz. (Anchusa azurea Mill.) has been traditionally used in Uygur medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in China. Our previous study showed that total flavonoids from Anchusa italica Retz. (TFAI) exhibited potent cardioprotection in acute ischemia/reperfusion injured rats. Aim of the studyThis study was undertaken to investigate the effects of TFAI on chronic myocardial infarction (MI) in mice and the underlying mechanism. Materials and methodsTotal flavonoids were extracted from the whole herb of Anchusa italica Retz. and were characterized using HPLC-MS analysis. The left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery was ligated to simulate MI injury in mice. After surgery, mice were orally fed with TFAI at the doses of 10, 30 and 50 mg/kg body weight/day for a total of four weeks. Cardiac function and infarct size were measured, and inflammatory mediators were detected. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and Masson's trichrome staining were performed on heart sections. The apoptotic factors, such as Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase 3, as well as the key proteins in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway were examined by Western blot. ResultsThe content of total flavonoids in TFAI was 56.2%. Four weeks following the MI surgery, TFAI enhanced the survival rate in post-MI mice. TFAI treatment at the doses of 30 and 50 mg/kg remarkably reduced infarct size and improved cardiac function as indicated by elevated EF and FS. Assay of the inflammatory factors showed that sera levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were markedly decreased by TFAI treatment compared to the MI group. H&E staining and Masson's trichrome staining demonstrated that TFAI suppressed myocyte hypertrophy and cardiac fibrosis as indicated by the decreased cross-section area and collagen volume. Western blot analysis showed that cleaved caspase 3 and Bax/Bcl-2 were significantly downregulated following TFAI treatment. Furthermore, TFAI treatment significantly suppressed the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. ConclusionsOur data suggest that TFAI exerts a potent protective effect against chronic MI injury, and its beneficial effects on cardiac function and cardiac remodeling might be attributable, at least in part, to anti-inflammation and inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Triterpenoids from Anchusa italica and their protective effects on hypoxia/reoxygenation induced cardiomyocytes injury.

Six new triterpenoids (1-6) and 22 known analogues (7-28), were separated from the aerial parts of Anchusa italica Retz., a traditional Uygur medicine for treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in the Xinjiang region, China. The possible effects of compounds 1-28 on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) induced cardiomyocytes injury were assayed, and compounds 4, 6-17, 21-22 and 26-28 showed significant protective effects. Further, the representative new compound 6 significantly suppressed the levels of H/R-induced apoptosis and autophagy in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, with the reversing of the downregulated expression of Bcl-2 and upregulated expression of Bax and Beclin-1 by compound 6 treatment in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes following H/R injury. In addition, compound 6 protected cardiomyocyte from H/R injury, and pretreatment with 6 could decrease CK and LDH levels. Compound 6 also alleviated H/R-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Therefore, tripterpenoid 6 and its analogues may be the pharmacodyamic material of A. italica, and offer a promising therapeutic approach for treating cardiomyocyte injury induced by H/R.

Methyl jasmonate improves physiological and biochemical responses of Anchusa italica under salinity stress

Jasmonates are key signaling compounds in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses as well as in development. We studied the salt-tolerance capacity and the role of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in alleviating NaCl-induced salt stress of Anchusa italica through evaluating its growth, physiological and biochemical attributes in a pot-culture. Accordingly, plants were exposed to the salinity concentrations of 1.86 (control), 5, 10 and 15 dS m−1 for 2 weeks, 24 h after foliar application of 0, 60 and 120 µM MeJA. Salt stress induced a significant reduction in leaf fresh weight, leaf area, leaf relative water content (RWC) and concentrations of chlorophyll a (Chl a), total chlorophyll (TChl), soluble sugars, total protein and K+, while an increase in proline, Na+ and Ca2+ contents. However, exogenous application of MeJA enhanced contents of Chl a, TChl, proline, soluble sugars, protein, K+ and Ca2+ while declined Na+ content in salt-stressed plants. In addition, pretreatment with 120 µM MeJA improved the growth attributes such as leaves and roots fresh weights, leaves and plant dry weights, leaf area and RWC. In summary, our results indicated that A. italica could tolerate the moderate levels of salinity (5 and 10 dS m−1). Also, foliar application of MeJA could reduce the adverse effects of salinity stress in A. italica.