Further sesquiterpene lactones and phenolics from Cichorium spinosum

Phytochemical analysis of Cichorium bottae root and anti-inflammatory potential assessment of isolates

The Cichorium plants are particularly notable due to their remarkable therapeutic and medicinal properties, besides being used as food and conventional medication. Although Cichorium plants have been studied for their phytoconstituents and biological activities, there is limited knowledge about the constituents of the roots of C. bottae. A phytochemical study of the 90% MeOH extract of C. bottae roots resulted in the isolation of twelve compounds belonging to guaianolide sesquiterpene lactones, sesquiterpene lactone glucosides, and phenolic derivatives, of which two compounds designated as 9α-hydroxycrepediaside B (1) and cichobotinal (2) were previously undescribed. The isolated compounds were assessed for their anti-inflammatory potential through the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and resultant decrease in nitric oxide generation in LPS-induced macrophages. Among the isolates, compounds 2 and 11 (8-deoxylactucin) inhibited iNOS activity with IC50 values of 21.0 ± 4 and 6.8 ± 0.1 μM, respectively. The methanolic extract of C. bottae inhibited iNOS with an IC50 of 10.5 ± 0.5 μg/mL.

A comparison of the phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of different Cichorium spinosum L. ecotypes

BACKGROUND

Wild greens are considered a rich source of phenolic compounds and antioxidants and an essential part of the so-called Mediterranean diet. In the present study, Cichorium spinosum L. ecotypes, cultivated or collected in situ from wild plants from the eastern Mediterranean, were evaluated regarding their phenolic composition and antioxidant activity.

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed among the various studied ecotypes regarding their phenolic compound content and profile, especially between wild and cultivated ecotypes, as well as the phenolic acid content between commercial products and cultivated plants. The antioxidant activity also varied among the various studied ecotypes and growing conditions, with commercial products having the highest antioxidant activity, whereas wild ecotypes showed lower antioxidant activity.

CONCLUSION

Cichorium spinosum leaves are a rich source of chicoric and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, while significant differences in total phenolic acids, flavonoids and phenolic compound content and in antioxidant activity were observed among the studied ecotypes, as well as between the tested growing conditions. According to the results of the present study, further valorization of C. spinosum species has great potential, since it could be used as a new alternative species in the food industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Diversity of active constituents in Cichorium endivia and Cynara cornigera extracts

The present study attempts to explore the phytochemical constituents of different extracts from Cynara cornigera and Cichorium endivia plant materials. The two species studied are native in Egypt. Five different solvents, viz., aqueous, methylene chloride, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol were used. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, sterols (stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol), terpenes (α-amyrin, ursolic and oleanolic acid), and hydrocarbons (n-alkane), the latter found in low amount. The ethyl acetate and water extracts of C. cornigera root showed lower mass fractions of phenolic compounds ranged from 20 to 81 g/100 g, and higher amounts in ethyl acetate extract of the inflorescences and butanol extract of the root where values ranged from 195 to 399 g/100 g. The β-sitosterol and stigmasterol were present in all plant extracts. Oleanolic and ursolic acids were detected in roots, leaves and inflorescences of C. cornigera and in C. endivia shoot. The ethyl acetate extracts from C. cornigera leaf and inflorescence attained higher chemical diversity than the other extracts. Alternatively, sterols and triterpenes were the major constituents. The high chemical diversity of active constituents justifies the future potential use of the two species at commercial level.

Comparative evaluation of traditional prescriptions from Cichorium intybus L. for wound healing: stepwise isolation of an active component by in vivo bioassay and its mode of activity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ethnobotanical field surveys revealed that various parts of Cichorium intybus L. has been used for wound healing in Turkish folk medicine.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aimed at verifying the efficiency of various traditional prescriptions prepared from the aerial parts and roots of C. intybus experimentally and to define the components responsible from the activity by bioassay-guided procedures.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Initially, wound healing activity of the aerial parts, leaves, and roots as well as ashes of either leaves or roots were investigated. Subsequently, roots of the plant were submitted to further detailed investigations. The wound healing activity of the methanolic extract, its subextracts, and fractions were evaluated by using in vivo linear incision and circular excision wound models in rats. The hydroxyproline content of the tissues treated with test ointments were also assessed for the activity evaluation. Moreover, in order to find out a possible involvement of antioxidant activity in wound healing, the test samples were also investigated by DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenolic concentration were also determined. Additionally anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by using the method of Whittle, which is based on the inhibition of acetic acid-induced increase in capillary permeability. Through the bioassay guided fractionation one compound was isolated and its structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods. For the determination of the activity mechanisms, the fractions were screened for hyaluronidase, collagenase and elastase enzyme inhibitory activities.

RESULTS

Methanolic extract of C. intybus roots was found to possess potent wound healing activity. Then this extract was subjected to successive solvent extraction with n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate and n-butanol. Each solvent extracts were also applied on the same wound models. DCM subextract was found to be the most active one and through chromatographic techniques DCM subextract was fractionated into several fractions and compound 1 was isolated as the compound being responsible from the wound healing activity.

CONCLUSION

The experimental study revealed that C. intybus methanolic extract displays wound healing effect and β-sitosterol was determined as the active compound responsible from the activity.

Natural sesquiterpenoids

This review covers the isolation, structural determination, synthesis and chemical and microbiological transformations of natural sesquiterpenoids. 423 references are cited.

Sesquiterpene lactones and their precursors as chemosystematic markers in the tribe Cichorieae of the Asteraceae

This review summarizes all reports on sesquiterpene lactones and their immediate precursors from the Cichorieae (Lactuceae) tribe of the Asteraceae. A total of 360 compounds have been reported from this tribe. The reported substances belong to three classes of sesquiterpenoids: guaianolides (243 compounds), eudesmanolides (73 compounds), and germacranolides (44 compounds). Sources of these compounds encompass 139 taxa from 31 different genera. The distribution of these lactones within the tribe Cichorieae is discussed in a chemosystematic context. Moreover, some general ideas about the interpretation of chemosystematic data are discussed.