Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Volatile Components ofScorzonera undulata

The genus Scorzonera L. (Asteraceae): A comprehensive review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, chemotaxonomy, and other applications

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Scorzonera L. comprises of approximately 175 species, which are mainly distributed in temperate and arid regions of Central Europe, Central Asia, and Africa. Twenty-nine Scorzonera traditional ethnomedicines have been used for treating colds and fevers, pulmonary diseases, asthma, dyspepsia, malignant stomach neoplasia, liver disorder, jaundice, kidney diseases, mastitis, women's vaginitis, herpes zoster, poisonous ulcers, rheumatic pain, diabetic, atherosclerosis, headache, hypertension, dysentery, pregnant vomiting, snakebites, etc. AIM OF THE REVIEW: This review aims to systematically evaluate the genus Scorzonera over its ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology, discuss the relationship between traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties, and put forward some suggestions to promote further development and utilization of Scorzonera.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review is based on published scientific research works obtained from the following databases: Elsevier, Web of Science, PubMed, Springer, Wiley, Taylor & Francis, Google Scholar, CNKI, Baidu Scholar, ResearchGate, and others (the Flora of China, 1997 edition; Chinese herbal books, PhD dissertation and Master thesis in Chinese).

RESULTS

The genus 81 Scorzonera plants have been studied for their traditional usage, phytochemistry, and pharmacology. Altogether 421 chemical constituents are isolated from the 54 species of Scorzonera, which include sesquiterpenoids, monoterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenoids, steroids, quinic acid derivatives, flavonoids, cumarinoids, lignanoids, phenylpropanoids, stilbene derivatives, benzylphthalides, kava lactones, phenolics, aliphatic acids, phthalic acids, alkanes, vitamins, sugars, alkaloids, and other constitutes. Besides those listed above, there are also volatile oils, polysaccharides, tannins, amino acids, enzymes, and inorganic elements. The extracts and compounds extracted from 55 Scorzonera species exhibit extensive pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, wound healing, anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, anti-microbial, anti-ulcerogenic, antidiarrheal, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, repairing cerebral ischemia, antidepressant, immunomodulatory activities, enzyme inhibitory effects, etc. Clinical applications strongly indicate that certain species are effective in treating herpes zoster and pregnancy resistance. Certain species are studied over applicationssuch as pharmacokinetic and histological distribution, and toxicity, the product extraction process, quick-freezing processing technology, synthesized metabolites, etc. Chemotaxonomy is also discussed on Scorzonera.

CONCLUSION

This review provides information on traditional usage, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, chemotaxonomy, other applications aspects, and future prospects of the genus Scorzonera. However, only around one third of Scorzonera species have been studied so far. This review may be used as the basis for future endeavors, including further biological and chemical investigations, and efforts of seeking more applications.

Study of the Antihypertensive Effect of Scorzonera undulata ssp. deliciosa in Albino Wistar Rats

AIMS

The study aimed to investigate the antihypertensive activity of Scorzonera undulata ssp. deliciosa.

BACKGROUND

Scorzonera undulata ssp deliciosa, locally known as "Guiz", is used in traditional medicine in Morocco as a diuretic and mainly against snake bites.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the possible antihypertensive effect of the aqueous extract of Scorzonera undulata (AESU).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present study, the antihypertensive activity of AESU was tested in normotensive and hypertensive rats Results: The results indicated that AESU decreased the systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure in hypertensive rats. The data revealed that AESU exerted its antihypertensive effect through vasodilatory properties. Interestingly, the study demonstrated that the vasorelaxation ability of AESU might be mediated through receptor-operated calcium channels (ROCCs). However, AESU dhad effect on inhibiting ACE-2.

CONCLUSION

The present study indicates the antihypertensive and vasorelaxant activities of AESU in hypertensive rats.

9-Tricosene Containing Blend of Volatiles Produced by Serratia sp. NhPB1 Isolated from the Pitcher Plant Provide Plant Protection Against Pythium aphanidermatum

Plant-associated bacteria exhibit diverse chemical means to protect plants from the pathogens. The present study has been conducted to evaluate the volatile-mediated antifungal activity of Serratia sp. NhPB1 isolated from the pitcher plant against the notorious pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum. The study has also evaluated the protective effect of NhPB1 on Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum annuum leaves and fruits against P. aphanidermatum. From the results, NhPB1 was found to have remarkable activity against the tested pathogen. The isolate was also found to impart disease protection in selected plants as evidenced by the morphological changes. Here, the leaves and fruits of S. lycopersicum and C. annuum control which were treated with the uninoculated LB and distilled water were found to have the presence of P. aphanidermatum growth with lesions and decaying of tissues. However, the NhPB1-treated plants did not show any symptoms of fungal infection. This could further be confirmed by the microscopical examination of tissues by propidium iodide staining. Here, the normal architecture of leaf and fruit tissues could be observed in the NhPB1-treated group, but the tissue invasion by P. aphanidermatum was observed in the control group which further confirms the promises of selected bacteria for biocontrol applications.

The phenolic profile and biological activities of common Scorzonera species from Eastern Anatolia

The present study focused on chemical composition and base therapeutic potential of common Scorzonera species (Scorzonera mollis, Scorzonera papposa, and Scorzonera semicana), which have been utilized as food and medicine by local people of Eastern Anatolia for a long time. Comparative analytical studies were performed on ethanol-based extracts and traditional preparations (infusions) through chromatographic (HPLC-MS/MS) and reagent-based antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory assays. Results revelated that extracts were rich in phenolics, particularly hydroxycinnamic acids that were confirmed by HPLC-MS/MS, chlorogenic acids and luteolin are the major phytochemical compounds of extracts. With regards to biological activities findings, it was determined that ethanol-based extracts showed better antioxidant activities and effectively suppressed the activities of α-glucosidase. In addition, both of the extracts were found as strong suppressive agents of pancreatic lipase activity so Scorzonera species were rich sources of bioactive compounds that able to deactivate reactive oxygen species and free radicals and as well as suppress the activities of α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase. Finally, obtained findings reveal base data of Scorzonera species for researches that focused on novel candidates of nutraceuticals and biotherapeutics.

Hypolipidemic, Antioxidant and Cardioprotective Effects of the Aqueous Extract from Scorzanera Undulata Tubers in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

AIMS

This study aimed to assess the effect of Scorzanera undulata on plasma lipid profile.

BACKGROUND

Scorzanera undulata (S. undulata) is a medicinal plant popularly used in the Moroccan pharmacopeia as traditional medicine, particularly to treat diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of aqueous extract of Scorzanera undulata tubers (AERSU) on lipid profile and atherogenic indices in Wistar rats. Biochemical parameters such as Total Cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-and high-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (LDL and HDL) were assessed. Furthermore, the in vitro antioxidant activity of AERSU was also evaluated.

METHODS

The effect of tubers aqueous extract (AERSU) of S. undulata (20 mg/kg) on plasma lipid profile was investigated in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The aqueous extract was tested for its in vitro antioxidant activity. Besides, cardiovascular parameters were estimated.

RESULTS

Treatment with AERSU significantly improved the weight in diabetic rats and decreased plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL lipoproteins levels. Furthermore, the extract had a favorable impact on the Atherogenic Index (AI) and Coronary Risk Index (CRI). In addition, AERSU seems to possess a potent in vitro antioxidant activity.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates that aqueous Scorzanera undulate extract exhibits antidyslipidemic and antioxidant activities.

Diffusible Compounds Produced by Hanseniaspora osmophila and Gluconobacter cerinus Help to Control the Causal Agents of Gray Rot and Summer Bunch Rot of Table Grapes

Gray and summer bunch rot are important diseases of table grapes due to the high economic and environmental cost of their control with synthetic fungicides. The ability to produce antifungal compounds against the causal agents Botrytis, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Rhizopus of two microorganisms isolated from table grapes and identified as Hanseniaspora osmophila and Gluconobacter cerinus was evaluated. In dual cultures, both biocontrol agents (together and separately) inhibited in vitro mycelial growth of these pathogens. To identify the compounds responsible for the inhibitory effect, extractions were carried out with organic solvents from biocontrol agents separately. Through dual cultures with pathogens and pure extracts, only the hexane extract from H. osmophila showed an inhibitory effect against Botrytis cinerea. To further identify these compounds, the direct bioautography technique was used. This technique made it possible to determine the band displaying antifungal activity at Rf = 0.05–0.2. The compounds present in this band were identified by GC-MS and compared to the NIST library. The most abundant compounds, not previously reported, corresponded to alkanes, ketones, alcohols, and terpenoids. H. osmophila and G. cerinus have the potential to control the causal agents of gray and summer bunch rot of table grapes.

Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Scorzonera Species

The genus Scorzonera comprises nearly 200 species, naturally occurring in Europe, Asia, and northern parts of Africa. Plants belonging to the Scorzonera genus have been a significant part of folk medicine in Asia, especially China, Mongolia, and Turkey for centuries. Therefore, they have become the subject of research regarding their phytochemical composition and biological activity. The aim of this review is to present and assess the phytochemical composition, and bioactive potential of species within the genus Scorzonera. Studies have shown the presence of many bioactive compounds like triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, or caffeic acid and quinic acid derivatives in extracts obtained from aerial and subaerial parts of the plants. The antioxidant and cytotoxic properties have been evaluated, together with the mechanism of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and hepatoprotective activity. Scorzonera species have also been investigated for their activity against several bacteria and fungi strains. Despite mild cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines in vitro, the bioactive properties in wound healing therapy and the treatment of microbial infections might, in perspective, be the starting point for the research on Scorzonera species as active agents in medical products designed for miscellaneous skin conditions.

Chemical Composition, Algicidal, Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oils of Taiwania flousiana Gaussen

Taiwania flousiana (T. flousiana) Gaussen is a precious wood in the family Taxodiaceae. This study investigated the chemical components of the essential oil from the stem bark of T. flousiana and its algicidal, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. Sixty-nine compounds representing 89.70% of the stem bark essential oil were identified by GC-MS. The essential oil showed strong anti-algae, anti-bacteria, and anti-fungus activities against the tested species, and antioxidant activities. The IC₅₀ values of the essential oil against chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the total chlorophyll of Spirogyra communis (a species of algae), 24-96 h after the treatment, ranged from 31.77 to 84.92 μg/mL, while the IC₅₀ values of butachlor ranged from 40.24 to 58.09 μg/mL. Ultrastructure changes revealed by the transmission electron microscopy indicated that the main algicidal action sites were the chloroplast and cell wall. The essential oil showed antifungal activities on Rhizoctonia solani (EC₅₀ = 287.94 μg/mL) and Colletotrichum gloeosporioiles (EC₅₀ = 378.90 μg/mL). It also showed bactericidal activities on Ralstonia solanacearum and Staphylococcus aureus, with zones of inhibition (ZOIs) being 18.66 and 16.75 mm, respectively at 40 μg/disk. Additionally, the essential oil possessed antioxidant activity estimated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method (IC₅₀ = 33.51 μg/mL; IC₅₀ value of the positive control ascorbic acid was 7.98 μg/mL). Thus, the essential oil of this plant might be used as a possible source of natural bioactive molecules in agrochemical industry as well as in food and cosmetic industries.

Profile of Volatile Components of Hydrodistilled and Extracted Leaves of Jacaranda acutifolia and their Antimicrobial Activity Against Foodborne Pathogens

Volatile constituents of the essential oil and n-hexane extract of Jacaranda acutifolia Humb. and Bonpl. (Bignoniaceae) leaves were determined, and their antimicrobial activities were investigated using an agar diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined and compared with those of standard antibiotics (penicillin, gentamicin and nystatin). The chemical composition of the oils was analyzed by capillary gas chromatography (GLC-FID) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GLC-MS). Thirty-four components, comprising almost 93.8% of the total peak area, were identified in the leaf essential oil. The main components were methyl linolenate (26.7%), 1-octen-3-ol (10.8%), methyl phenyl acetate (9.9%), β-linalool (5.5%) and palmitic acid (4.7%). The n-hexane extract revealed similar oil constituents, but also p-benzoquinone, phenyl acetic acid, resorcinol and homogentisic acid. The oil showed some activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with MIC values of 2.2 and 2.9 mg/mL, respectively, and moderate activity against Candida albicans, Salmonella typhimurium and Shigella flexneri. The n-hexane extract showed moderate activities against all tested microorganisms, with MIC values ranging from 3.5 to 10.2 mg/mL. The antimicrobial activities of the hydrodistilled and extracted leaves make their local traditional uses rational.