Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl seed extract on hyperthyroidism: A double-blind placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial.

The seeds of Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl contain goitrogenic glucosinolates, such as gluconapin (3-butenyl glucosinolate). Because of the important role of iodine in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and the inhibitory activity of D. sophia on iodine uptake by the thyroid gland, this study aimed to determine the effects of D. sophia syrup on clinical and biochemical variables of thyrotoxicosis in hyperthyroid patients. In this randomized, double-blind trial, 10 newly diagnosed hyperthyroid female patients were randomly assigned to treatment with (1) methimazole (MMI) plus D. sophia capsules (350 mg/d) or (2) MMI plus placebo capsules. The primary outcomes were clinical and biochemical manifestations of hyperthyroidism after 60 days. Serum levels of FT3 and FT4 significantly decreased (5.9 ± 2.5 vs. 9.4 ± 5.9 and 29.1 ± 3.1 vs. 31.77 ± 3.7, respectively) and the serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration significantly increased in the D. sophia group contrasted to the placebo group (4.7 ± 0.1 vs. 0.05 ± 0.02). Significant improvement in the thyrotoxicosis clinical symptoms was reported in the D. sophia group contrasted to the placebo group (p < .05). D. sophia can suppress plasma levels of FT3 and FT4 and may be useful as adjunctive therapy for hyperthyroidism.

Protective effects of Descurainia sophia seeds extract and its fractions on pulmonary edema by untargeted urine and serum metabolomics strategy.

Background: Descurainia sophia seeds (DS) is a herbal medicine in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating lung diseases. We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of DS and five of its fractions upon pulmonary edema (PE) through metabolomics analysis (MA) of urine and serum samples of rats. Methods: A PE model was established by intrathoracic injection of carrageenan. Rats were pretreated with DS extract or its five fractions (polysaccharides (DS-Pol); oligosaccharides (DS-Oli); flavonoid glycosides (DS-FG); flavonoid aglycone (DS-FA); fat oil fraction (DS-FO)) for seven consecutive days. Forty-eight hours after carrageenan injection, lung tissues were subjected to histopathology. MA of urine and serum was done by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, respectively. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis were operated for the MA of rats and potential biomarkers related to treatment. Heatmaps and metabolic networks were constructed to explore how DS and its five fractions act against PE. Results: DS and its five fractions could all attenuate pathologic lung injury to different degrees, and DS-Oli, DS-FG, and DS-FO had a more potent effect compared with DS-Pol and DS-FA. DS-Oli, DS-FG, DS-FA, and DS-FO could regulate the metabolic profiles of PE rats, but DS-Pol was less potent. According to MA, the five fractions could improve PE to some degree due to their anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, and renoprotective activities by mediating the metabolism of taurine, tryptophan, and arachidonic acid. However, DS-Oli, DS-FG, and DS-FO had more important roles in edema-fluid reabsorption, and reduction of vascular leakage through regulating the metabolism of phenylalanine, sphingolipid and bile acid. Finally, heatmaps and hierarchical clustering analysis indicated DS-Oli, DS-FG, and DS-FO to be more efficacious than DS-Pol or DS-FA against PE. The five fractions of DS had a synergistic effect on PE from different aspects, thereby constituting the entire efficacy of DS. DS-Oli, DS-FG, or DS-FO could be used as an alternative to DS. Conclusion: MA combined with use of DS and its fractions provided novel insights into the mechanism of action of TCM.

Insight into the possible mechanism(s) involved in the antinociceptive and antineuropathic activity of Descurainia sophia L. Webb ex Prantl essential oil.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Descurainia sophia (L.)(Brassicaceae), popularly known as "Khaksheer", is a native species widely distributed in Iran. The seeds and essential oil has been used in local traditional medicine (Persian folk ethnomedicine) to treat fever, inflammation, back pain, and headache. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate in vitro anti-nociceptive and antineuropathic activities of Descurainia sophia seeds essential oil (DSEO) in rats and to determine the possible mechanism(s) involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antinociceptive activity of DSEO or Linolenic acid (LA) was evaluated using the formalin induced paw licking test followed by determination on the role of NO-cGMP-K+ channel pathway as well as a number of non-opioid receptor systems (vanilloid, dopamine, cannabinoid, serotonin, peroxisome proliferator activated, and adrenergic receptors) in the modulation of DSEO-induced antinociceptive activity. Additionally, the cervical spinal cord contusion (CCS) model was used to study antineuropathic potential of DSEO or LA. RESULTS: DSEO exerted significant (p < 0.05) antinociceptive activity in formalin test (both phases) and altered mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia observed in the CCS model. Pretreatment with glibenclamide, Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, tranilast, methylene blue, SCH23390, SR141716A and SR144528 restored DSEO-induced antinociceptive activity observed in the formalin test. Furthermore, LA also reduced nociceptive responses induced in the formalin and CCS models. CONCLUSION: DSEO inhibits inflammatory mediated nociceptive response partly via the modulation of NO-cGMP-K+ channels pathway well as the activation of vanilloid, dopamine, and cannabinoid receptors, and exerts antineuropathic activity possibly via the modulation of inflammatory mediated activity. Thus, these findings confirm the Persian ethno-medicine claim on the efficacy of D. Sophia.

Astragaloside IV promotes pharmacological effect of Descurainia sophia seeds on isoproterenol-induced cardiomyopathy in rats by synergistically modulating the myosin motor.

Descurainia sophia seeds (DS), Astragalus mongholicus (AM), and their formulas are widely used to treat heart failure caused by various cardiac diseases in traditional Chinese medicine practice. However, the molecular mechanism of action of DS and AM has not been completely understood. Herein, we first used mass spectrometry coupled to UPLC to characterize the chemical components of DS and AM decoctions, then applied MS-based quantitative proteomic analysis to profile protein expression in the heart of rats with isoproterenol-induced cardiomyopathy (ISO-iCM) before and after treated with DS alone or combined with AM, astragaloside IV (AS4), calycosin-7-glucoside (C7G), and Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) from AM. We demonstrated for the first time that DS decoction alone could reverse the most of differentially expressed proteins in the heart of the rats with ISO-iCM, including the commonly recognized biomarkers natriuretic peptides (NPPA) of cardiomyopathy and sarcomeric myosin light chain 4 (MYL4), relieving ISO-iCM in rats, but AM did not pronouncedly improve the pharmacological efficiency of DS. Significantly, we revealed that AS4 remarkably promoted the pharmacological potency of DS by complementarily reversing myosin motor MYH6/7, and further downregulating NPPA and MYL4. In contrast, APS reduced the efficiency of DS due to upregulating NPPA and MYL4. These findings not only provide novel insights to better understanding in the combination principle of traditional Chinese medicine but also highlight the power of mass spectrometric proteomics strategy combined with conventional pathological approaches for the traditional medicine research.

[Active components of Descurainia sophia improve lung permeability in rats with allergic asthma by regulating airway inflammation and epithelial damage].

The present study investigated the effect of active components of Descurainia sophia on allergic asthma and explored the underlying mechanism. SD male rats were randomly divided into a normal group(NC), a model group(M), a D. sophia decoction group(DS), a D. sophia fatty oil group(FO), a D. sophia flavonoid glycoside group(FG), a D. sophia oligosaccharide group(Oli), and a positive drug dexamethasone group(Y). The allergic asthma model was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin(OVA) and aluminum hydroxide gel adjuvant(sensitization) and atomization of OVA solution(excitation). After modeling, asthma-related indicators, tracheal phenol red excretion, inflammatory cell levels in the peripheral blood, lung permeability index(LPI), and oxygenation index(OI) of rats were detected. The pathological changes of lung tissues were observed by HE staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the content of inflammatory factors immunoglobulin E(IgE), interleukin-4(IL-4), and interferon-γ(IFN-γ) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) and the content of endothelin-1(ET-1) and angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE) in lung tissue homogenate. The serum content of nitric oxide(NO) was detected by colorimetry. Western blot was employed to determine the protein expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4), nuclear factor κB-p65(NF-κB-p65), phosphorylated NF-κB-p65(p-NF-κB-p65), myosin light chain kinase(MLCK), vascular endothelial cadherin(VE cadherin), connexin 43, and claudin 5, and the mechanism of active components of D. sophia on allergic asthma was explored. As revealed by the results, the M group showed extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells around the bronchus of the lung tissues of the allergic asthma rats, thickened bronchial wall, severely deformed alveolar structure, increased number of wheezes, the content of IgE, IL-4, ET-1, and ACE, inflammatory cells, and LPI, and reduced latency of asthma, tracheal phenol red excretion, IFN-γ, NO content, and OI. After the intervention of the active components of D. sophia, the DS, FO, FG, Oli, and Y groups showed improved asthma-related indicators, tracheal phenol red excretion, and lung tissue lesions in allergic asthma rats, and the effects in the FO and Oli groups were superior. The content of inflammatory factors in BALF was recovered in the DS, FO, and Y groups and the FG and Oli groups. The number of inflammatory cells in rats was reduced in the DS and FO groups, and the FG, Oli, and Y groups to varying degrees, and the effect in the FO group was superior. DS, FO, Oli, and Y reduced ET-1, ACE, and LPI and increased NO and OI. FG recovered NO, ET-1, ACE, LPI, and OI to improve lung epithelial damage and permeability. Further investigation of inflammation-related TLR4/NF-κB pathways, MLCK, and related skeleton protein levels showed that TLR4, NF-κB-p65, p-NF-κB-p65, and MLCK levels were increased, and VE cadherin, connexin 43, and claudin 5 were reduced in the M group. DS, FO, FG, Oli, and Y could reduce the protein expression related to the TLR4 pathway to varying degrees, and regulate the protein expression of MLCK, VE cadherin, connexin 43, and claudin 5. It is inferred that the active components of D. sophia improve lung permeability in rats with allergic asthma presumedly by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway to improve airway inflammation, mediating MLCK and connexin, and regulating epithelial damage.

Tribenuron-methyl-resistant Descurainia sophia L. exhibits negative cross-resistance to imazethapyr conferred by a Pro197Ser mutation in acetolactate synthase and reduced metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Descurainia sophia L. is one of the most notorious weeds infesting winter wheat in China. Mutations at Pro197 in acetolactate synthase (ALS) results in resistance of D. sophia to tribenuron-methyl and cross-resistance to many ALS inhibitors. Negative cross-resistance to imazethapyr was observed in tribenuron-methyl-resistant (TR) D. sophia with the Pro197Ser mutation in a previous study. In the present research, another TR D. sophia with the Pro197Ser mutation was obtained. To explore the mechanisms of negative cross-resistance, the ALS sensitivity, the absorption and metabolism of imazethapyr in tribenuron-methyl-susceptible (TS) and TR D. sophia were studied. RESULTS: The TR D. sophia population with the Pro197Ser mutation (pHB23) displayed negative cross-resistance to imazethapyr and no cross-resistance to imazamox and imazapic. In contrast, TR D. sophia populations with other Pro197 mutations had no or low resistance to imazethapyr. The ALS in the pHB23 population was more susceptible to imazethapyr than that in the TS population. There was no difference in the absorption of imazethapyr, imazamox, and imazapic between TS and pHB23 plants. However, the metabolism of imazethapyr in TS D. sophia was faster than that in pHB23 plants up to 1 week after treatment. There was no significant difference in the metabolism of imazamox and imazapic between TS and pHB23 plants. CONCLUSION: The TR D. sophia population with the Pro197Ser mutation exhibited negative cross-resistance to imazethapyr, which was likely due to reduced metabolism and increased sensitivity of ALS to imazethapyr. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Protective Effects of Descurainia sophia against Gentamicin Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats.

Several studies have tried to find an efficient agent to prevent or reverse gentamicin (Gm) induced acute kidney injury (AKI). In this study, we assessed the potential renal protective effects of Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl against Gm-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Thirty-five male Wistar rats were categorized in five groups (n = 7 per group). Control group was treated with normal saline. In four experimental groups, the rats were initially treated with normal saline (A), 800 (B), 1600 (C) and 2400 (D) mg/kg Descurainia sophia respectively for 28 days. After that, the rats of experimental groups were treated with Gm (80 mg/Kg) for 7 consecutive days. Blood and urine markers, as well as apoptosis and histological features were determined. Serum BUN, creatinine, cholesterol, and triglycerides level, as well as urinary excretion of Na+ significantly increased in group A. Furthermore, Gm induced inflammatory cells infiltration, apoptosis, and renal cells injuries in rats were pretreated with normal saline (group A). However, in the rats pretreated with Descurainia sophia extract (groups B, C, and D, there were significant and dose-dependent reductions in serum BUN, creatinine, cholesterol and triglyceride, urinary Na+ excretion, apoptosis rate, and inflammatory cells infiltration in renal tissues. Overall, Descurainia sophia showed significant protective effects against Gm-induced AKI by alleviating biochemical and histological markers of renal toxicity.

Florasulam resistance status of flixweed (Descurainia sophia L.) and alternative herbicides for its chemical control in the North China plain.

Flixweed (Descurainia sophia L.) is widely distributed in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields in the North China Plain and has evolved resistance to herbicides, including the acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor florasulam. However, the florasulam resistance status of flixweed in the North China Plain is poorly understood, which hinders the integrated management of this weed in winter wheat production systems. Thus, 45 flixweed populations were collected in wheat fields in these areas, and their sensitivity to florasulam and ALS-inhibitor-resistant mutation diversity were assessed. Meanwhile, alternative herbicides/herbicide mixtures for the control of florasulam-resistant flixweed were screened and evaluated under greenhouse and field conditions. Of the populations, 30 showed florasulam resistance (RRR and RR), 9 had a high risk of evolving florasulam resistance (R?) and 6 were susceptible. These populations had 5.3 to 345.1-fold resistance to florasulam, and 4 ALS resistance mutations (P197H, P197S, P197T and W574L) were observed. The subsequent herbicide sensitivity assay showed that the SD-06 population (with ALS1 P197T and ALS2 W574L mutations) exhibited cross-resistance to all ALS inhibitors tested, but was sensitive to MCPA-Na, fluroxypyr, carfentrazone-ethyl and bipyrazone. Meanwhile, the other HN-07 population with non-target-site resistance (NTSR) also showed resistance to all tested ALS inhibitors, and it was "R?" to MCPA-Na while sensitive to fluroxypyr, carfentrazone-ethyl and bipyrazone. The field experiments were conducted at the research farm where the SD-06 population was collected, and the results suggested that florasulam at 3.75-4.5 g ai ha-1 had little efficacy (0.6-12.1%), whereas MCPA-Na + carfentrazone-ethyl (87.1-91.2%) and bipyrazone+fluroxypyr (90.1-97.8%) controlled the resistant flixweed.

Therapeutic effects and mechanisms of actions of Descurainia sophia.

Descurainia sophia Webb ex Prantl has been used in traditional medicine globally. It has been shown that Descurainia sophia, together with many other bioactive compounds, can modulate the biological functions of various genes. We have viewed the clinical benefits and mechanisms of action of Descurainia sophia associated with its current uses and outlined potential further applications. There are many studies documenting its numerous clinical effects in cancer, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and cardiac systems. Further, Descurainia sophia has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anthelmintic activities. The clinical studies did not indicate any significant adverse effects of Descurainia sophia, demonstrating that it is a safe and effective herbal medicine. However, more clinical studies demonstrating the therapeutic effects of Descurainia sophia are still warranted.

Investigation of resistant level to tribenuron-methyl, diversity and regional difference of the resistant mutations on acetolactate synthase (ALS) isozymes in Descurainia sophia L. from China.

Descurainia sophia L. is one of the most notorious broadleaf weeds in winter wheat fields of China. In this study, 95 out of 163 (58.3%) D. sophia populations which were collected from provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi and Jiangsu, have evolved resistance to tribenuron-methyl. The als1 and als2 were cloned in all test D. sophia populations, while als3 and als4 were identified only in some of the populations. Resistant mutations of Pro-197-Ser/Thr/Leu/His/Ala/Arg, Asp-376-Glu and Trp-574-Leu were identified in tribenuron-methyl-resistant (TR) D. sophia plants, while the Pro-197-Arg was first identified in D. sophia in this study. These resistant mutations displayed no preference between ALS1 and ALS2. However, Pro-197-Ser/Thr and Trp-574-Leu were identified in all ALS isozymes, while the other mutations were not. In addition, some resistant mutations displayed regional differences, the frequency of Pro-197-Ser in Shandong and Trp-574-Leu in Shanxi province is much higher than that in other provinces.

Toxicological assessments of an ethanol extract complex of Descurainia sophia and Peucedanum praeruptorum: Subacute oral toxicity and genotoxicity studies.

An ethanol extract complex of Descurainia sophia seeds and Peucedanum praeruptorum roots, called BP10A, has antitumor potential against colorectal cancer. In the present study, we evaluated the 28-day oral toxicity and the genotoxicity of BP10A. The subacute toxicity test was done through oral administration to mice. ICR mice (n = 10) received daily oral BP10A doses of 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg for 28 consecutive days. During administration, general clinical signs, food consumption, organ weights, and hematologic, biochemical and histopathological parameters in male and female mice were assessed. No significant adverse effects up to the highest dose (2000 mg/kg) were found. The genotoxicity was evaluated using a battery of tests, including an in vitro bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) test, an in vivo micronucleus test using bone marrow cells in ICR mice and a chromosomal aberration test using CHL/IU cells. BP10A did not show any genotoxic signs in the Ames (up to 5000 µg/plate), micronucleus (up to 5000 mg/kg) and the chromosomal aberration tests (550-1750 µg/mL). Therefore, BP10A was considered safe based on the subacute toxicity and genotoxicity results, indicating that it is a useful pharmaceutical material with no adverse toxicity.

Descurainia sophia Ameliorates Eosinophil Infiltration and Airway Hyperresponsiveness by Reducing Th2 Cytokine Production in Asthmatic Mice.

In Chinese medicine, Descurainia sophia is used to treat cough by removing the phlegm in asthma and inflammatory airway disease, but the mechanism is not clear. In this study, we evaluated whether D. sophia water extract (DSWE) can alleviate airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in the lungs of a murine asthma model. Female BALB/c mice were divided into five groups: normal controls, ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized asthmatic mice, and OVA-sensitized mice treated with DSWE (2, 4, 8 g/day) by intraperitoneal injection. After sacrificing the mice, serum was collected to detect OVA-specific antibodies by ELISA, as well as bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) to detect cytokine levels. We also detected gene expression and histopathologically evaluated the lungs of asthmatic mice. DSWE reduced AHR, goblet cell hyperplasia, eosinophil infiltration, and collagen aggregation in the lungs of asthmatic mice. DSWE also suppressed the gene expression of Th2-associated cytokines and chemokines in lung tissue and inhibited serum OVA-IgE and Th2-associated cytokine levels in the BALF of OVA-sensitized mice. Our findings suggest that DSWE is a powerful immunomodulator for ameliorated allergic reactions by suppressing Th2 cytokine expression in asthmatic mice.

Anti-asthmatic effects of lepidii seu Descurainiae Semen plant species in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL EVIDENCE: Lepidii seu Descurainiae Semen (LDS) is used as a traditional herbal medicine in northeast Asia, mainly in Korea, Japan, and China to treat lung disorders including coughs and phlegm caused by acute and chronic airway inflammation. AIM OF THE STUDY: Recently, interest regarding health problems incurred by air pollution has rapidly grown. Herbal medicines are being considered as alternative agents to treat various diseases. In the present study, we evaluated and compared the anti-inflammatory effects of LDS, which is derived from Lepidium apetalum Willd. extracts (LAE) and Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl extracts (DSE), on allergic airway inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We established an ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mouse model to evaluate the efficacy of LDS extracts. We performed histological examination and measured relevant inflammatory mediators and cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung. Furthermore, we conducted an in vitro T helper 2 (Th2) polarization assay, flow cytometry, and western blot analysis. RESULTS: Asthmatic phenotypes were attenuated by LDS extract treatments. LDS extract administration significantly reduced mucus production, inflammatory cell infiltration into airways, and eosinophil activation. Furthermore, LDS extracts reduced the expression of type 2 cytokines and inhibited differentiation and activation of Th2 cells. CONCLUSION: LDS alleviated eosinophilic inflammation by inhibiting Th2 cell differentiation, and DSE was more effective in attenuating allergic lung inflammation than LAE.

[Effect of methanol-ethyl acetate partitioned fractions from Descurainia sophia on proliferation and apoptosis of human non-small cell lung cancer H1975 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of methanol-ethyl acetate partitioned fractions from Descurainia sophia (MEDS) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human non-small cell lung cancer H1975 cells. METHODS: The systemic solvent extraction method was used to preliminary separation of the effective fractions in the methanol extract of Descurainia sophia. The cytotoxicity of each extract (5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 µg/mL) was tested using MTT assay. Colony cloning method was used to assess the effect of different concentrations of methanol-ethyl acetate partitioned fractions from MEDS (5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 µg/ mL) on the proliferation of H1975 cells. Flow cytometric analysis with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining was performed to detect the apoptosis of the cells after treatment with different concentrations of MEDS fractions (10, 20, and 40 µg/mL). Western blotting was used to evaluate the effects of MEDS fractions on the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Akt, Bax, and Bcl-2. The anti-tumor activity of 100 mg/kg MEDS fractions was tested in a nude mouse model bearing H1975 cell xenografts. RESULTS: MTT assay and colony forming experiment showed that MEDS fractions significantly inhibited the proliferation of H1975 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The results of flow cytometry showed that MEDS fractions induced obvious apoptosis of H1975 cells in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.05). MEDS fractions also significantly decreased the expressions of Bcl-2 and Akt protein and increased the protein expression of Bax (P < 0.05). In the tumor-bearing nude mouse model, MEDS fractions showed potent anti-tumor effects with a low toxicity to affect the body weight and organs of the mice. CONCLUSIONS: The methanol-ethyl acetate partitioned fractions from MEDS show potent anti-tumor activity both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting their value as promising therapeutic agents against lung cancer.

Comparison and Assessment of Flixweed and Fig Effects on Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Predominant Constipation: A Single-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome with predominant constipation (IBS-C) is a common digestive disorder. The current therapy is inadequate and evidence regarding the effect of herbal therapies on the relief of affected individuals is insufficient. The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of flixweed and fig consumption on IBS-C symptoms. METHODS: 150 patients with IBS-C were enrolled in this randomized, controlled trial. All patients were randomly assigned to three groups and received an intervention for four months. The IBS severity score system and quality-of-life questionnaires were used for evaluating IBS-C symptoms. C-reactive protein levels, frequency of defecation and hard stool were also assessed. RESULTS: Consumption of flixweed or fig, compared to a control group, caused a significant improvement in IBS symptoms including frequency of pain, distention, frequency of defecation and hard stool. Also, the findings showed a significant increase in quality of life, as well as satisfaction with overall bowel habits. However, flixweed and fig intake had no significant effects on abdominal pain severity and C-reactive protein levels. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, consumption of flixweed or fig for four months would be a useful therapy for alleviating IBS-C symptoms and can be a beneficial option for first-line treatment.

Identification of Epigenetic Mechanisms Involved in the Anti-Asthmatic Effects of Descurainia sophia Seed Extract Based on a Multi-Omics Approach.

Asthma, a heterogeneous disease of the airways, is common around the world, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between DNA methylation and gene expression in relation to this disease. The seeds of Descurainia sophia are traditionally used to treat coughs, asthma and edema, but their effects on asthma have not been investigated by multi-omics analysis. We undertook this study to assess the epigenetic effects of ethanol extract of D. sophia seeds (DSE) in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse model of asthma. We profiled genome-wide DNA methylation by Methyl-seq and characterized the transcriptome by RNA-seq in mouse lung tissue under three conditions: saline control, OVA-induced, and DSE-treated. In total, 1995 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified in association with anti-asthmatic effects, most in promoter and coding regions. Among them, 25 DMRs were negatively correlated with the expression of the corresponding 18 genes. These genes were related to development of the lung, respiratory tube and respiratory system. Our findings provide insights into the anti-asthmatic effects of D. sophia seeds and reveal the epigenetic targets of anti-inflammatory processes in mice.

Metabolic Resistance to Acetolactate Synthase Inhibiting Herbicide Tribenuron-Methyl in Descurainia sophia L. Mediated by Cytochrome P450 Enzymes.

Descurainia sophia is one of the most notorious broadleaf weeds in China and has evolved extremely high resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicide tribenuron-methyl. The target-site resistance due to ALS gene mutations was well-known, while the non-target-site resistance is not yet well-characterized. Metabolic resistance, which is conferred by enhanced rates of herbicide metabolism, is the most important NTSR. To explore the mechanism of metabolic resistance underlying resistant (R) D. sophia plants, tribenuron-methyl uptake and metabolism levels, qPCR reference gene stability, and candidate P450 genes expression patterns were investigated. The results of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis indicated that the metabolic rates of tribenuron-methyl in R plants was significantly faster than in susceptible (S) plants, and this metabolism differences can be eliminated by P450 inhibitor malathion. The genes for 18S rRNA and TIP41-like were identified as the most suitable reference genes using programs of BestKeeper, NormFinder, and geNorm. The P450 gene CYP96A146 constitutively overexpressed in R plants compared to S plants; this overexpression in R plants can be suppressed by malathion. Taken together, a higher expression level of P450 genes, leading to higher tribenuron-methyl metabolism, appears to be responsible for metabolic resistance to tribenuron-methyl in R D. sophia plants.

Effects of resistance mutations of Pro197, Asp376 and Trp574 on the characteristics of acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) isozymes.

BACKGROUND: Descurainia sophia L., a problematic weed in winter wheat fields in China, has developed high resistance to tribenuron-methyl. Amino acid substitutions at sites Pro197, Asp376 and Trp574 in the target acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) were primarily responsible for D. sophia resistance to tribenuron-methyl. In this study, purified subpopulations of D. sophia plants individually homozygous for a specific resistance mutation (Pro197Leu, Pro197His, Pro197Ser, Pro197Thr, Asp376Glu or Trp574Leu) in AHAS were generated, and the effects of resistance mutations on D. sophia resistance and AHAS characteristics were investigated. RESULTS: All resistance mutations in this study not only caused D. sophia to evolve 152- to 811-fold resistance to tribenuron-methyl but also greatly reduced AHAS sensitivity to tribenuron-methyl and increased AHAS binding affinity for the substrate pyruvate, which was primarily responsible for D. sophia resistance. The molecular docking results indicated that these resistance mutations altered AHAS binding affinity for tribenuron-methyl by reducing the hydrogen bonds and changing hydrophobic interactions. Compared with the wild-type AHAS, these resistance mutations exhibited no significant effects on AHAS feedback inhibition by branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) at concentrations <0.08 mm. The altered AHAS sensitivity to feedback inhibition by BCAAs did not necessarily increase or decrease the free BCAAs in resistant D. sophia plants. CONCLUSION: The AHAS resistance mutations conferred D. sophia resistance to tribenuron-methyl by decreasing the binding affinity for tribenuron-methyl and/or increasing the binding affinity for pyruvate, but the mutations did not necessarily affect the biosynthesis of BCAAs in plants. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity of defatted camelina and sophia seeds.

Phenolic compounds in oilseeds occur in the free, esterified and insoluble-bound forms and serve as natural antioxidants by preventing food oxidation as well as oxidative stress and various disorders in the body. In this work, free, esterified and insoluble-bound phenolics were extracted from defatted camelina and sophia seeds. Samples were evaluated for their total contents of phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (TFC) and proanthocyanidins (PC) as well as the antioxidant activity of their various phenolic fractions. Several in vitro methods, namely Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), reducing power (RP) and metal chelation activity were used for all fractions. High performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection- tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS/MS) identified 29 phenolics belonging to phenolic acids and their derivatives, flavonoids and procyanidins in different fractions of camelina and sophia extracts. Esterified fraction was the predominant form of phenolics in both seeds. Thus, camelina and sophia seeds may serve as viable functional food ingredients with protective antioxidant potential.

Effect of Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl on Adult Functional Constipation: A Prospective Pilot Study.

Chronic constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder that effects an estimated 12% to 30% of general population worldwide. Descurainia sophia L. known commonly as flixweed acts as first-line medical treatment for constipation in Iranian traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of this remedy for treating functional constipation by standard assessments. The Rome III criteria for functional constipation were the basis for diagnosis. All participants underwent a 4-week treatment. The primary end point was the proportion of patients achieving ≥3 complete spontaneous bowel movements per week. Secondary outcome measures included Patient Assessment of Constipation-Symptom items, Bristol Stool Form Scale, numbers of laxatives/week used by patients, and reported adverse effects. Thirty-five patients completed the program with no important adverse effect. Fifty-four (4%) patients had ≥3 complete spontaneous bowel movements per week. Descurainia sophia is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic functional constipation.