Onopordon Acanthium Research Articles

A further Contribution to the Flora of Jammu and Kashmir State

The paper describes the salient features of the vegetation of the Siwalik range, the Chenab valley, the high uplands of Batote, Kistawar and Bhadrawah of Jammu province, the Pir Panjal range, Lolab valley and the mountain spurs of north-eastern portion of Kashmir province. A systematic census of 687 species of which 660 are Angiosperms, 6 are Gymnosperms and 21 are Pridophytes is included in the paper.Among plants of interest collected were two endemic species, viz., Viola falconeri Hook. f. & Thoms and Hedysarum cachemirianum Benth., seven new records, viz., Onopordon acanthium L., Callianthemum rutaefolium C. A. Mey., Enhydra fluctuans Lour., Merendera persica Boiss., Luzula pallescens (Wg.) Bess., Asperula odorata L., and Conrum maculatum L. and new areas of distribution for Thesium himalense Royle, Hippuris vulgaris L., Menyanthes trifoliata L., and Lathraea squamaria L. which are previously unrecorded in the published literature on the flora of this area.

Some Plant Records-III

This paper records new localities for the occurrence of the following species of flowering plants: Callianthemum rutaefolium C. A. Mey. (Ranunculaceae) from Kashmir; Onopordon acanthium L. (Compositae) from Kashmir; Flaveria australasica Hook. (Compositae), an introduced weed now extending to Uttar Pradesh; Cypripedium elegans Reichb. f. (Orchidaceae) previously known only from Sikkim and East Tibet, recently recorded from Nepal and now collected in North Garhwal and Merendera persica Boiss & Kotsch. (Liliaceae) from Kashmir. Streptolirion cordifolium (Griff.) Kuntze, a climbing member of the Commelinaceae has been recorded from North Garhwal where it has only been infrequently collected in the past.

Effects of onopordia, a novel isolated compound from Onopordon acanthium, on pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in mice: Possible involvement of nitric oxide pathway

Epilepsy is identified as a brain disorder and characterized by unpredictable disruption of normal brain function. Due to adverse side effect associated with antiepileptic drugs and also resistance profile, improvement of antiepileptic medications with more beneficial anticonvulsant activity is essential. Natural products have demonstrated their therapeutic properties such as anxiolytic, antidepressant and anticonvulsant activities and a source for identification of novel lead compounds. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Onopordon acanthium secondary metabolite, onopordia, on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure in male mice and investigate the possible role of nitric oxide pathway. Different doses of onopordia (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg) and phenobarbital (20 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally (i.p., 30, 60 and 120 min) prior to induction of epileptic seizure and compared to control groups. Onopordia demonstrated anticonvulsant effects when administrated at dose of 10 mg/kg, i.p. and optimum time 60 min prior to induction of seizure. Anticonvulsant effect of onopordia was blocked by applying a single dose of a non-selective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (l-NAME; 10 mg/kg, i.p.), and also a single dose of a selective neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI; 30 mg/kg, i.p.). Administration of ketamine as a N-Methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist (0.5 mg/kg; i.p.) with onopordia did not change the anticonvulsant effect of onopordia. The results of the present study demonstrated the anticonvulsant effect of onopordia as a new lead compound and also contribution of NO/nNOS pathway on PTZ-induced seizure in mice.

Probing Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Domain-Dependent Inhibition of Onopordia, Isolated from Onopordon acanthium L., Using a Continuous Fluorescent Assay

Background: Somatic ACE is a two-domain protein, C and N which are resulted from gene duplication. Presence of two active sites with particular properties, demonstrates functional significance of each domain. Increased levels of circulating N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP), could be the result of ACE N-domain selective inhibition. Moreover, ACE C-domain specific inhibitors are able to inactivate bradykinin and inhibit the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II in order to regulate blood pressure as well as reduced side effect profiles. Methods: The present study was designed to determine ACE domain specificity of the novel ACE inhibitor, onopordia which was recently isolated from Onopordon acanthium L. The ACE inhibition activity was determined using Abz-SDK (Dnp)P-OH and Abz-LFK(Dnp)-OH as ACE domain selective substrates. IC50 values of onopordia determined and compared with those of captopril as the standard. Results: IC50 values of onopordia for ACE N and C- domains were 180 µM and 244 µM respectively which demonstrated approximately similar affinity of the mentioned compound to ACE C and N-domains. A pharmacophore model was further generated based on onopordia interactions with the relevant ACE domain active sites. Conclusion: According to onopordia interactions in the ACE C and N-domain active sits, it is a potential to generate more potent and also specific inhibitor based on this new scaffold by doing accurate adjustments. Therefore, this study provides the molecular basis for further designing ACE inhibitors, which are new therapeutics in combating tissue fibrosis diseases.

Effect of Onopordon acanthium L. as Add on Antihypertensive Therapy in Patients with Primary Hypertension Taking Losartan: a Pilot Study.

Purpose: Onopordon acanthium L. is known for its medicinal properties. Our recent study showed that its seed extract is a novel natura angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACEI). This study was carried out to investigate its possible antihypertensive effects in patients receiving losartan.Methods: This uncontrolled clinical trial was carried out among 20 patients (30-60y) with uncontrolled hypertension despite receiving 50 mg losartan (stage I & II) in two hospitals in Iran. After completing informed consent, patients were treated by 2 capsules [each 1g of Onopordon acanthium seed extract (OSE)] as add-on therapy, two times per day.Results: 18 patients completed the study (50.94 ±8.37y). Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) at the baseline was 151.9 ± 13.74mmHg and at the end of the study, it was 134.6 ± 18.25 mmHg and mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 97.41 ± 10.36 at the baseline and was 85.71 ± 7.481 after 8 weeks. OSE significantly reduced SBP and DBP at the end of 8 weeks (P=0.003, 95% CI: -19.7, -15.1; P=0.0006, 95% CI: -10.23, -13.15; respectively). No evidence of hepatic or renal toxicity was detected.Conclusion: Based on the results of this study OSE has antihypertensive property with no significant adverse effects. However, because of the low number of samples, this medication may be not safely administered. The results of this study could be the basis for further studies with larger sample size. IRCT registration number: IRCT2013020712391N.

Findings and expansion of rare adventive species of plants in the Altai Territory

This paper contains previously unknown information about the appearance and expansion of a number of adventive species of plants new for the Altai Territory. They were discovered in 2008–2012 during the fieldwork tasks of the herbarium Altai State University, Barnaul. One of the species is invasive (quarantine plant for the Russian Federation) – Acroptilon repens (L.) DC. The range was about 10 ha. One of the species was listed as adventive for the first time – Briza maxima L. The species is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant. New locations were identified for three species previously found only in one area of the Altai Territory: (1) Scleranthus annuus L. – an agrophyte, a weed that spreads with cultivated crops; (2) Onopordon acanthium L. – a species that spreads in flood plains, along the highways, railways and pastures; and (3) Xanthium albinum (Widd.) H. Schulz – a plant, often seen along roadsides, wastelands and sandy riverbanks; only one reliable location within the Altai Territory was known for S. annuus and O. acanthium. Based on the classification of adventive elements of flora, A. repens was specified as agrophyte and xenophyte; B. maxima as horthophyte and ergasiofigophyte; S. annuus as agrophyte and xenophyte; O. acanthium; and X. albinum as dromophyte and acolucophyte.

The effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on Datura stramonium L., Abutilon theophrasti Med., Onopordon acanthium L. and Verbascum thapsus L. seed germination

The effects of several bacterial media [Bacillus licheniformis population 1 (MO1); B. licheniformis population 2 (MO2); B. subtilis (MO3); B. megatherium (MO4); humates (MO5)] on seed germination of Datura stramonium L., Abutilon theophrasti Med., Onopordon acanthium L. and Verbascum thapsus L. were tested. Seeds were germinated in Petri dishes containing solutions with different bacterial media. The highest germination percentage in all treatments was recorded for V. thapsus seeds (100.0%). Different treatments had diverse effects (stimulative or inhibitory) on seed germination of D. stramonium [from 5% (MO1) to 13.3% (MO3), with 10.0 % in H20], A. theophrasti [from 28.3% (MO3) to 65.0% (MO5), with 43.3 % in H20] and O. acanthium [from 10.0% (MO2) to 13.3% (MO1 and MO3), with 6.7% in H20], depending on the type of media and weed species.

Discovery of new angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors from medicinal plants to treat hypertension using an in vitro assay

Background and purpose of the studyAngiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors plays a critical role in treating hypertension. The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate ACE inhibition activity of 50 Iranian medicinal plants using an in vitro assay.MethodsThe ACE activity was evaluated by determining the hydrolysis rate of substrate, hippuryl-L-histidyl-L-leucine (HHL), using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method and DPPH radical scavenging assay respectively.ResultsSix extracts revealed > 50% ACE inhibition activity at 330 μg/ml concentration. They were Berberis integerrima Bunge. (Berberidaceae) (88.2 ± 1.7%), Crataegus microphylla C. Koch (Rosaceae) (80.9 ± 1.3%), Nymphaea alba L. (Nymphaeaceae) (66.3 ± 1.2%), Onopordon acanthium L. (Asteraceae) (80.2 ± 2.0%), Quercus infectoria G. Olivier. (Fagaceae) (93.9 ± 2.5%) and Rubus sp. (Rosaceae) (51.3 ± 1.0%). Q. infectoria possessed the highest total phenolic content with 7410 ± 101 mg gallic acid/100 g dry plant. Antioxidant activity of Q. infectoria (IC50 value 1.7 ± 0.03 μg/ml) was more than that of BHT (IC50 value of 10.3 ± 0.15 μg/ml) and Trolox (IC50 value of 3.2 ± 0.06 μg/ml) as the positive controls.ConclusionsIn this study, we introduced six medicinal plants with ACE inhibition activity. Despite the high ACE inhibition and antioxidant activity of Q. infectoria, due to its tannin content (tannins interfere in ACE activity), another plant, O. acanthium, which also had high ACE inhibition and antioxidant activity, but contained no tannin, could be utilized in further studies for isolation of active compounds.

Isolation, Identification and Molecular Docking Studies of a New Isolated Compound, from Onopordon acanthium: A Novel Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor

Ethnopharmacological relevanceOnopordon acanthium (also known as Scotch thistle) is a medicinal plant of the Asteraceae family that is widely distributed in Europe and Asia. This plant has been long used in traditional medicine as a hypotensive, cardiotonic and diuretic agent. Aim of the studyThe present study is designed to isolate an active compound with ACE inhibition activity from O. acanthium, measure antioxidant activity, predict domain specificity and pharmacokinetic properties of the isolated compound. Materials and methodsMethanolic extract of O. acanthium seeds, has been subjected to a repeated column chromatography to give a pure compound with Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibition activity. The ACE inhibition activity was determined using hippuryl-L-histidyl-L-leucine (HHL) as substrate in an in vitro ACE assay. Structure of the pure compound, isolated from O. acanthium has been established by spectroscopic methods, including Infrared (IR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Mass spectrum analysis. In addition, antioxidant activity of the new isolated compound, was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and compared with those of BHT and Trolox as positive controls. Enzyme type inhibition and ACE-C or N domain specificity of the new compound was further evaluated through molecular modeling and docking studies. ResultsStructure of the pure compound, isolated from O. acanthium (83±1% ACE inhibition activity at concentration of 330μg/ml), has been established. The isolated compound possessed acceptable antioxidant activity (IC50 value of 2.6±0.04μg/ml) in comparison with BHT (IC50 value of 10.3±0.15μg/ml) and Trolox (IC50 value of 3.2±0.06μg/ml). Molecular docking predicted competitive type enzyme inhibition and approximately similar affinity of the isolated compound for ACE-C and N domains. ConclusionThe results derived from computational and in vitro experiments, confirm the potential of the isolated compound, from O. acanthium as a new antihypertensive compound and give additional scientific support to an anecdotal use of O. acanthium in traditional medicine to treat cardiovascular disease such as hypertension.

Integrated treatment of cardiovascular common pathologies with conventional pharmacological therapy integrated with a typical remedy of anthroposophic medicine, Cardiodoron (Onopordon/Primula comp)

Anthroposophic medicine (AM) in Italy is mostly practiced in private settings: practices, multidisciplinary day-centers and a thermal clinic. In the General Medicine Department of the Istituto Clinico San Siro (ICSS), in Milan, AM has been used since 2000 in an integrated context, as a complementary or alternative treatment to conventional therapies. The department has one ambulance and 10 beds and treats acute, subacute and chronic orthopedic, postoperative, cardiovascular and oncological pathologies. Approximately 250 patients are treated each year. ICSS is a private clinic operating under a convention with the Italian NHS. The department medical team practices also anthroposophic medicine. At the beginning of XX century, the typical remedy Cardiodoron (a special composition of Onopordon acanthium, Primula officinalis, Hyoscyamus niger) was introduced in the context of AM for regulating cardiovascular system. Typical remedies have been conceived as image and support of the healthy balance of an organ, or an organ system or of a human complex function. In the ICSS department, patients with diagnose of heart failure, arrhythmia and hypertension, after giving their consent, receive systematically also oral Cardiodoron as a long-term regulating treatment. Since 2000, over 2000 patients have been treated and registered in the department. Both conventional and anthroposophical treatments are paid by the Italian NHS. The compliance to AM is high. To have an assessment of Cardiodoron use, 30 records of inpatients with heart failure (NYHA II/III) from period 2002 to 2003 have been randomly selected and statistically analysed in a pilot epidemiological–clinical observational study. The 30 patients (19 female, 11 male), mean age 78.9–78.5, respectively, were monitored with instant and Holter ECG, arterial pressure and cenesthesis. Improvement of these parameters and a quick disappearance of fear and anxiety were reported in all patients. In the present study, it was not possible to differentiate the effect of conventional and anthroposophical treatments, administered together. The hypothesis is of an optimising therapeutic effect of conventional therapies given by Cardiodoron. The department records since 2000 are being included in a database in order to have an overview of the value added of Cardiodoron treatment. Preliminary results will be presented.

Some experiments on the breeding of the mangold fly (Pegomyia hyoscyami, Panz.) and the dock fly (Pegomyia bicolor, Wied.)

In a previous paper (Ann. Applied Biol. i, 1914, pp. 41–76) in which the author dealt with the life-history of Pegomyia hyoscyami, Panz., it was shown that the foodplants of this species belonged principally to the natural orders Chenopodiaceae and Solanaceae. Various weeds have also been cited in this connection, namely, certain kinds of thistle and the dandelion. Recently E. M. Vassiliev (see Rev. Appl. Ent. iii, Ser. A., 1915, p. 608) has added to the record the following:—Silene (catchfly), Datura stramonium (thorn-apple) and Onopordon acanthium (Scotch thistle). Thus, in addition to the two aforementioned, the orders Caryophyllaceae and Compositae are fairly well represented. As the original paper of the Russian author is not available, it cannot be definitely stated in how far his records are authentic. But as he advises the removal of these weeds from the vicinity of beet plantations, one would naturally infer that he has some reason for assuming that they may be attacked by the mangold fly and presumably provide an ever-present source of infestation to the cultivated crop.