Psoralea Bituminosa Research Articles

<p><strong><em>Psoralea bituminosa </em></strong><strong>var. <em>atropurpurea </em>(Psoraleeae, Fabaceae) from Morocco recognised as a distinct species in <em>Bituminaria</em></strong></p>

Within taxonomic studies on the genus Bituminaria in Morocco, a population previously attributed to Psoralea bituminosa var. atropurpurea is examined. Basing on morphological investigations carried out on living and herbarium material coming from the type locality, it is treated as a distinct species and here proposed as Bituminaria atropurpurea comb. et stat. nov. This species differs from B. bituminosa s.str., as well as from other known taxa of the genus, in several features of the leaves, inflorescence, flowers and pods, as well as the micro-morphology of seeds, pods and pollen grains. Its distribution, ecology and relationships with B. antiatlantica and other allied species, such as B. basaltica and B. tunetana, are also examined. Besides, its detailed iconography and an analytical key of the species currently ascribed to this genus are provided.

Phytochemical Investigation of Psoralea bituminosa L. and its Anti-Diabetic Potentials

Phytochemical Investigation of Psoralea bituminosa L. and its Anti-Diabetic Potentials

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oil and Hydrosol Extract Obtained by Hydrodistillation (HY) and Liquid–Liquid Extraction (LLE) of Psoralea bituminosa

ABSTRACTChemical composition of essential oil and hydrosol extract obtained by hydrodistillation (HY) and liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) of Psoralea bituminosa was investigated using gas chromatography/retention indices (GC/RIs) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and their antioxidant activity determined. Twenty-seven compounds amounting to 92.3% with yield 0.3% were identified in the essential oil extracted from the aerial parts of P. bituminosa. The major compounds identified in the essential oil were E-β-caryophyllene (19.8%), caryophyllene oxide (15.2%), (Z)-phytol (14.2%), (E)-phytol (11.5%) and β-copaene (9.2%). Oxygenated sesquiterpenes were the dominant class of hydrosol extract and accounted for 90.8%. The major components in the hydrosol extract were caryophyllene oxide (35.5%), (E)-phytol (25.6%), τ-cadinol (9.9%) and α-cadinol (8.5%). The essential oil and hydrosol extracts demonstrated antioxidant activity with IC50 of 3.1 and 2.6 mg.L–1, respectively.

Greek flora as a source for the detection of natural compounds potentially effective in preventing post-menopausal osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disorder and remains an increasingly significant problem affecting post-menopausal women. It results from an imbalance between the processes of bone formation and resorption leading to decreased bone mass and increased risk of fracture. Treatments against osteoporosis include hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogens, that unfortunately is combined to an increased hormone-dependant cancer risk, and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Nowadays, numerous women use plant derived supplements to prevent postmenopausal diseases including osteoporosis. Despite Greece constituting one of the richest floral diversity regions, there are scarcely any reports connecting Greek flora herbs with prevention of osteoporosis. Therefore, the aim of this work is to identify and characterize plant extracts deriving from Greek flora, and isolated compounds that display significant SERM activity. Considering our research experience on natural products with estrogenic activities and traditional medicine sources, 44 plant species were selected and 91 extracts were prepared using conventional (maceration) and modern-green techniques (ASE, MAE and SFE). Preliminary phytochemical and biological screening revealed Rhamnus sp, Lupinus album, Psoralea bituminosa, Ceratonia siliqua and Cytisus villosus between the most capable extracts of inducing MC3T3-E1 differentiation to osteoblasts. Consequently, we proceeded to the isolation of the major compounds, which were structurally elucidated using NMR spectroscopy, and in vitro evaluated using a cell-based screening, concerning the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells to osteoblasts and their estrogenic-antiestrogenic properties. The obtained results, revealed derivatives of genistein, kaempferol and its glycosides, as the most promising agents for the potential prevention and treating of post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Assessment of possible efficacy of aqueous leaves extract of Psoralea bituminosa L. for anti-hyperglycaemic activity

ObjectiveTo evaluate for the first time the anti-hyperglycaemic potential of Psoralea bituminosa L. leaves in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MethodsThe aqueous extract was screened for its phytochemicals and tested for acute toxicity. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by the administration of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.v.). The aqueous extract was administered orally once a day for a period of 21 days. Body weight and blood glucose lowering capacity were determined in different experimental days. ResultsThe results of acute toxicity showed that the rats had a good tolerance to high doses of extract (up to 1.5 g/kg) and that no mortality was observed. The extract had shown a good blood glucose lowering effect in the oral glucose tolerance test. After 21 days of daily oral administration of the extract to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, the aqueous extract can reduce hyperglycemia by reaching more than 31%. ConclusionsAqueous extract possesses a good anti-hyperglycaemic effect and is showing a bright future in the therapy of diabetes mellitus.

HPLC-DAD-MS Analysis and Antiviral Activity of Different Extracts and Isolated Constituents from Bituminaria bituminosa

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most common viral diseases in humans. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) have been distinguished by clinical manifestations and biological and serological criteria. Several drugs have proved useful in the treatment of many specific infections, but viral strains resistant to these drugs have been increasingly identified [1]. In order to find less toxic antiviral agents, many researchers have addressed plant products. Indeed, many plant extracts and their secondary metabolites are known in the literature for their antiviral activity [2, 3]. Bituminaria bituminosa L. (syn. Psoralea bituminosa L., Leguminosae) is a perennial herb widespread in the Mediterranean area, known in Italy as “trifoglio bituminoso”; the fresh leaves are used in folk medicine as vulnerary, cicatrizing, and disinfectant agent [4, 5]. Plants of the genus Bituminaria are known as source of furanocoumarins and flavonoids [6, 7]. In our previous phytochemical study [8], three pterocarpans (erybraedin C and the new bitucarpins A and B) together with plicatin B were isolated and identified from B. bituminosa aerial parts. Erybraedin C and bitucarpin A showed cytotoxicity in different cell lines [9], induced apoptosis in colon carcinoma cell lines, and exhibited anti-clastogenic activity in lymphocytes [10, 11]; erybraedin C showed inhibitory activity against human topoisomerase I [12] and significant antioxidant activity [13]. The antiviral activity of the pterocarpan compounds, isolated from different plant sources, has been reported in the literature [14, 15], and some of these derivatives were active against HSV-2 [16]. In the present investigation, the antiviral activity of a few B. bituminosa extracts and their isolates erybraedin C (1), bitucarpin A (2), and plicatin B (3) is reported for the first time. The tested extracts were characterized in their quantitative chemical composition by HPLC-DAD-MS analysis.

The application of an organic amendment modifies the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities colonizing native seedlings grown in a heavy-metal-polluted soil

A mesocosm experiment was conducted to investigate whether communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi associated with roots of native (Piptatherum miliaceum, Retama sphaerocarpa, Psoralea bituminosa, Coronilla juncea, and Anthyllis cytisoides) and for comparison (Lolium perenne) seedlings in a heavy-metal-contaminated, semiarid soil were affected by the application of composted sugar beet waste. We also investigated whether there were relation between AMF diversity and metal concentration (Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn) and total P in shoot as well as some soil parameters (total organic carbon and total N) when the SB waste was added to the soil. We analyzed a portion of approximately 795 base pairs of the small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene by nested PCR, cloning, sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses. Twelve different AMF sequence types were distinguished: seven of these belonged to Glomus group A, one to Glomus group B, one to Diversispora, one to Archaeospora, and two to Paraglomus. The AM fungal populations colonizing roots in a heavy-metal-polluted soil were quite dependent on the host plant, the highest diversity values being obtained in authochtonous plants recognized as metallophytes, such as P. bituminosa, and in an allochtonous, invasive species (L. perenne). No significant correlation was found between AMF diversity and plant metal concentration and soil parameters. Excepting P. bituminosa, when sugar beet waste was added to soil, the populations of AM fungi in roots increased and the shoot metal concentrations decreased in all host plant species studied. Therefore, the addition of sugar beet waste can be considered a good strategy for the remediation and/or phytostabilization of mine tailing sites.

Antifeedant activity of plant extracts on Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say. and Spodoptera littoralis Bois. larvae

Antifeedant activities of methanol extracts obtained from 75 plant species of the Eurasian region were assessed on Spodoptera littoralis and Leptinotarsa decemlineata larvae. Significant differences in antifeedant activity were found in the highest tested dose of 500 μg/cm 2, not only among individual extracts but also between both pest species tested. S. littoralis larvae were less sensitive to the extracts, when 43 extracts showed antifeedant activity lower than 50%, and an effectiveness in the range of 50–95% was found in 13 extracts. Out of all tested extracts, only the extracts obtained from the plants Angelica archangelica, Imperatoria ostruthium, Psoralea bituminosa and Vincetoxicum hirundinaria showed antifeedant activity higher than 95%, and their effective doses (ED 50) were estimated as 44, 34, 72 and 11 μg/cm 2, respectively. L. decemlineata larvae were very sensitive to all the tested extracts. Only 15 extracts showed antifeedant effectiveness lower than 50%. The highest number of extracts (42) showed effectiveness in the range of 50–95%. 23 extracts were chosen for subsequent tests; antifeedant effectiveness higher than 95% was determined for these extracts. Out of 23 extracts, 3 extracts obtained from A. archangelica, Grindelia camporum and Inula auriculata showed the highest effectiveness, when ED 50 lower than 1 μg/cm 2.

Mechanical defence in seeds to avoid predation by a granivorous ant

Harvester ants have traditionally been considered as seed predators that negatively affect plants. In some cases, however, they can also act as positive seed dispersers. During field observations, we noted that a portion of Psoralea bituminosa seeds that were collected and carried to the nest by the granivorous harvester ant Messor barbarus were discarded intact in refuse piles outside the nest. We analyzed and compared the physical characteristics of size, mass and toughness in P. bituminosa seeds from two different origins: intact seeds found in the ant's refuse piles and seeds collected directly from the plants. Seeds from refuse piles were similar in width but lighter and tougher than seeds from the plant. Our results point to a mechanical defence based on seed toughness to avoid predation by M. barbarus and suggest that an elevated proportion (approximately 69%) of the seeds produced by P. bituminosa could be too tough to be consumed by this ant. These transported but uneaten seeds could benefit by being moved far from the mother plant and this could act as a selective evolutionary pressure towards tough seeds.

Volatile constituents of different organs of Psoralea bituminosa L.

AbstractThe essential oil and SPME samples of the leaves, flowers and seeds of Psoralea bituminosa L. were analysed by GC and GC–MS. We have investigated also the presence of monoterpene or aliphatic alcohol glucosides. The essential oils showed both qualitative and quantitative differences. The main constituents of the leaf and the flower essential oils were caryophyllene (23% and 18%, respectively), β‐farnesene (15% and 6%, respectively), and germacrene D (24% and 18%, respectively). Significant amounts (7%) of the same compounds were also directed in the seed essential oil, but tricyclene (11%) and α‐pinene (50%) were the most important constituents of this oil. The volatile fractions of remaining leaf aqueous extracts after treatment with β‐glucosidase revealed qualitative differences in comparison with the composition of the corresponding essential oils, and high levels of 3‐hexen‐1‐ol (37%) and 1‐octen‐3‐ol (27%) were observed. The SPME analysis of the fresh leaves, flowers and seeds of P. bituminosa confirmed the qualitative composition of the volatile oils, even if we detected significative differences in the percentage ratio between monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes in comparison with the oils, where sesquiterpenes were the main components. In fact the variation of the monoterpenes, tricyclene, α‐pinene and camphene between the leaf oil and the corresponding headspace sample was remarkable: tricyclene increased from 0.1% to 8%, α‐pinene from 0.1% to 16% and camphene from 0.3% to 10% in the SPME samples. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Omnivorous lacertid lizards (Gallotia) from El Hierro, Canary Islands, can identify prey and plant food using only chemical cues

We studied lingual and biting responses to food chemicals by two species of omnivorous lacertid lizards, the Canary Island endemics Gallotia simonyi (the giant lizard of El Hierro) and Gallotia caesaris (Boettger's lizard), to ascertain their ability to discriminate between prey and plant food chemicals on the one hand and control stimuli on the other. We recorded frequencies of tongue-flicking and latency to bite in 60-s trials in which chemical stimuli on cotton-tipped applicators were presented to the lizards. Both species exhibited prey-chemical discrimination, as indicated by elevated tongue-flick rates and higher proportions of individuals biting in response to surface chemicals from crickets. Both species exhibited plant-chemical discrimination, as indicated by significantly greater tongue-flick rates and biting frequency in response to chemicals from tomato fruit than to the control stimuli. Juvenile G. simonyi responded much more strongly to chemical stimuli from tomato fruit than from leaves of Psoralea bituminosa, which is not a preferred food for juveniles. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that chemosensory discrimination evolves in omnivorous lizards to permit evaluation of food quality, resulting in correspondence between plant diet and plant-chemical discrimination, both being absent in insectivores. The results are also consistent with the hypothesis that prey-chemical discrimination is retained and plant-chemical discrimination evolves in the omnivorous lizards derived from actively foraging insectivores.

The Importance of legumes in the early stages of plant succesion in a burnt pine forest of Albacete province (Spain)

The role of legumes in the natural regeneration of a burnt pine forests of Albacete province has been studied, recording their frequency and cover in permanent plots in the course of the first five post-fire years. Comparisons with unburnt control plots showed that fire induced a high appearance of annual legumes during the first two years. Legumes were the predominant plant family regarding species number and cover in the first five post-fire years. Scorpiurus muricatus and Psoralea bituminosa were the most abundant species in the first spring after fire, reaching their peak population size during this period. A remarkable second group of species (Trifolium sp. pl., Ornithopus compressus) showed a maximal population size two years after the fire. The abundance and cover of both species groups decreased drastically between the third and fifth year after fire.

Testing three Mediterranean shrub species in runoff reduction and sediment transport

Runoff yield and sediment delivery are compared in three shrub species ( Medicago arborea, Atriplex nummularia, and Psoralea bituminosa) with natural (matorral) vegetation in an experimental plot set. The planted species are arranged in discontinuous rows perpendicular to the slope, acting as barriers to the direction of the surface water flow. The study was carried out from 1988 to 1995, in which 56 erosive rain events were monitored in runoff production and in soil losses, together with their intrinsic characteristics (duration, intensity and rainfall). Growth of the three shrub species (height, vegetation cover, and stem diameter) and the influence on soil properties during this period were recorded. Because of certain characteristics of the study area (shallow soils, high levels of carbonates, stoniness) and the climate (an especially intense period of drought since 1990), the growth of these plants was very irregular. M. arborea gave the best protection against water erosion reducing sediment production by more than 58% compared to the bare soil. However, the protection afforded by this species never reached that obtained with natural vegetation, which reduced sediment production by almost 75%.

Quantitative Recovery of Furanocoumarins fromPsoralea bituminosa

The occurrence of bound coumarin derivatives in the Fabaceae has already been demonstrated. In an attempt to determine the yield of furanocoumarins following exhaustive recovery from Psoralea bituminosa, three different hydrolytic procedures have been employed. Method 1 involved the methanolic extraction of plant material followed by acid hydrolysis of the remaining plant material; methods 2 and 3 involved preliminary hydrolysis by acid or enzyme, respectively, followed by solvent extract. The lowest furanocoumarin recovery was obtained using the first extraction procedure, whilst the highest was obtained using the extraction procedure with enzymatic hydrolysis of bound forms (method 3). The linear isomer psoralen is more effectively recovered by the specific enzymatic hydrolytic method, with an average increase of the psoralen:angelicin ratio of about 20%. Although the preliminary acid hydrolysis (method 2) is less effective than the enzymatic one, it is a faster and less expensive procedure and it could be suitable and profitably used for extracting furanocoumarin from plant material on a large scale. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Compositional Characteristics of 10 Wild Plant Legumes from Mediterranean French Pastures

Moisture, lipid, fatty acid, protein, amino acid, ash, starch, free sugars, and cellulose concentrations in the aerial part of 10 wild plant legumes, growing in Mediterranean French pastures (Anthyllis vulneraria, Coronilla emerus, Coronilla minima, Coronilla varia, Cytisus sessilifolius, Dorycnium suffruticosum, Lotus delortii, Onobrychis saxatilis, Ononis minutissima, and Psoralea bituminosa), were determined. The dried aerial part of these plants contained 8.4-15.7% protein and 1.2-1.8% lipids. Amino acid analysis showed that proteins contained mainly glutamic acid + glutamine and aspartic acid + asparagine. The main fatty acids were palmitic and linolenic acids.

Effect of Mediterranean shrub on water erosion control

In the Spanish Mediterranean environment, scrub vegetation occupies a greater area than does forest. The impact of wildfire on the scrub vegetation and recovery afterward affects a number of other processes, including water erosion. While recovered vegetation considerably influences soil protection and erosion control, this function has scarcely been studied. This study discusses the behavior and architecture of recovering (or regenerating) typical Mediterranean shrub vegetation and the subsequent impact on soil protection. The study compared two protective forage species (Medicago arborea L. and Psoralea bituminosa L.). The research was performed in field conditions on a set of four experimental plots. A control plot was maintained with no vegetation cover. Runoff and soil loss by water erosion between 1989 and 1992 were studied on each of these plots. The natural vegetation was found to have a more significant protective effect (69.2% decrease in soil loss) than the other species tested. Soil loss on the Medicago plot decreased by 41.7%, and soil loss on the Psoralea plot decreased by 29.3%. That the Psoralea was only recently planted must be considered in evaluating its protective effects.

Autofluorescence Reveals Different Histological Localizations of Furanocoumarins in Fruit of Some Umbelliferae and Leguminosae

Differences were shown in histological localization of psoralens of Angelica archangelica, Daucus carota, Sium suave and Psoralea bituminosa. All the fruits examined contained furanocoumarins on the surface. Fruit tissues contained very low (Sium), medium (Angelica) or high (Psoralea) concentrations of these compounds. Seed covers showed low autofluorescence in Angelica but high in Sium . Not all the glands in fruit or seed tissue exhibited autofluorescence. Embryos always contained furanocoumarins on their surface and in their tissues in varying proportions. Autofluorescence can be homogeneously distributed among all cells of the embryo (Sium) or can be concentrated in certain cells (Psoralea).

Histological localization of psoralens in fruits of Psoralea bituminosa

Linear furanocoumarins were found on the surface of Psoralea bituminosa (Leguminosae) fruits in concentrations up to 1% of the total furanocoumarins. Most of the remainder was on the surface of the embryos and very young seedlings, with ca. 4% of the total furanocoumarins within the embryos, and very little in the seed coat and fruit. Psoralen was present in the highest concentration, over twice that of xanthotoxin. There was very little bergapten, whose distribution differed from that of the xanthotoxin and psoralen, ca. 20% being on the surface and the rest in dead tissues, i.e., fruit and seed covers. Evidence was obtained, through autofluorescence, that these coumarins are localized in discrete cells of the embryo, on the embryo surface, and on the fruit surface. Key words: Psoralea, Leguminosae, fruits, furanocoumarins, autofluorescence, histochemistry.

Psoralens on the surface of seeds of Rutaceae and fruits of Umbelliferae and Leguminosae

Linear furanocoumarins (psoralens) were present both inside and on the surface of dry fruits of seven species of Umbelliferae and one species of the Leguminosae and on seeds of three of Rutaceae examined. Surface concentrations varied between traces and 40 μg/g of the mature fruits or seeds, amounting to 0.38–43% of the total. In the whole fruits concentrations were very high in Angelica archangelica, Heracleum lanatum, Pastinaca saliva, and Psoralea bituminosa, reaching levels of milligrams per gram fresh weight of fruits. This high concentration inside the fruit may be the cause of poor germination of embryos in A. archangelica and H. lanatum. Seeds of the Rutaceae had much smaller concentrations of furanocoumarins both on the surface and within the seed. Key words: fruits, seeds, surface, furanocoumarins, Umbelliferae, Rutaceae, dermatitis, plant defense.

Dermatitis-inducing psoralens on the surfaces of seven medicinal plant species

AbstractSeven species of plants from the families Umbelliferae, Rutaceae, and Leguminosae known or suspected to cause photophytodermatitis were quantitatively analyzed for psoralen, 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP, xanthotoxin), and 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP, bergapten). The leaves of all species contained these coumarins, which were also found on the leaf surface, but both the concentrations and the proportions varied greatly. In the interior of the leaves the highest total was in Angelica archangelica, followed by Psoralea bituminosa, both of which are species with severe toxicity, and the lowest in Levisticum officinale (lovage). On the leaf surface, in contrast, the highest total was in P. bituminosa, followed by Pimpinella major. The sum of the surface concentrations, while low in absolute terms, was in some cases a substantial percentage (as high as 24%) of the total in the plant, although there was great variation among species. For individual coumarins this value was sometimes much higher, for example, 60...