Metabolomics Profiling of Tunisian Sonchus oleraceus L. Extracts and Their Antioxidant Activities.

Sonchus oleraceus (L.) L. (Asteraceae) is an edible wild plant, known for its uses in traditional medicine. The aim of this study is to explore the phytochemical composition of the aerial parts (AP) and roots (R) of aqueous extracts of Sonchus oleraceus L. growing in Tunisia, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC/MS/MS), and determine the content of polyphenols and antioxidant activities. Results showed that aqueous extracts of AP and R contained, respectively, 195.25±33 µg/g and 118.66±14 µg/g gallic acid equivalent (GAE), and 52.58±7 µg/g and 3.2±0.3µg/g quercetin equivalent. AP and R extracts also contained tannins, 581.78±33 µg/g and 948.44±19 µg/g GAE. The AP extract in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging activities, hydroxyl radical scavenging (OH-) and in cupric reducing antioxidant activity (CUPRAC) assays were respectively 0.325±0.036 mg/mL, 0.053±0.018 mg/mL, 0.696±0.031 mg/mL and 60.94±0.004 µMTE/g, while the R extract using the same assays showed, 0.209±0.052 mg/mL, 0.034±0.002 mg/mL, 0.444±0.014 mg/mL and 50.63±0.006 µM Trolox equivalent/g, respectively. A total of 68 compounds were tentatively identified by LC/MS/MS in both extracts in which quinic acid, pyrogallol, osthrutin, piperine, gentisic acid, fisetin, luteolin, caffeic acid, gingerol, were the most abundant in the LC/MS/MS spectrum. Many of these metabolites were found for the first time in Tunisian Sonchus oleraceus L. which may take account for the antioxidant activities exhibited by the plant.

Plantas alimentícias não convencionais: revisão / Non-conventional food plants: review / Plantas alimenticias no convencionales: revisión

As plantas alimentícias não convencionais (PANCs) são hortaliças nativas, normalmente encontradas em calçadas ou terrenos abandonados, sempre fizeram parte do cardápio dos antepassados. No entanto, com a modernização da agricultura e do êxodo rural, seu consumo foi esquecido de ser repassado para as gerações futuras. O objetivo deste estudo consistiu em realizar um levantamento bibliográfico sobre as plantas alimentícias não convencionais (PANCs), sua importância na alimentação e farmacológica. A metodologia consistiu na realização de levantamento bibliográfico, com as principais plantas utilizadas como alimento pelos antepassados sendo as plantas Pereskia aculeata Miller, Basella alba, Sonchus oleraceus, Stachys byzantina, Taraxacum Officinale, Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Dioscorea bulbifera, Physalis angulata, Acmella oleracea, Tropaeolum majus. Através deste estudo pode-se constatar que estas plantas são úteis, pois além de apresentar valor nutricional e a sua utilização na alimentação, também são utilizadas como como plantas medicinais, devido à presença de compostos ativos responsáveis pela ação biológica.

Unconventional food plants (PANCs) are native vegetables, usually found on sidewalks or abandoned land, have always been part of the ancestors' menu. Nonetheless, with the modernization of agriculture and the rural exodus, its consumption was forgotten to be passed on to future generations. The objective of this study was to carry out a bibliographic survey on unconventional food plants (PANCs), their importance in food and pharmacology. The methodology consisted of carrying out a bibliographic survey, with the main plants used as food by the ancestors being the plants Pereskia aculeata Miller, Basella alba, Sonchus oleraceus, Stachys byzantina, Taraxacum Officinale, Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Dioscorea bulbifera, Physalis angulata, Acmella oleracea, Tropaeolum majus. Through this study it can be seen that these plants are useful, because in addition to presenting nutritional value and their use in food, they are also used as medicinal plants, due to the presence of active compounds responsible for biological action.

Las plantas alimenticias no convencionales (PANC, por sus siglas en inglés) son vegetales nativos, que generalmente se encuentran en las aceras o en terrenos abandonados, y siempre han sido parte del menú de los antepasados. Sin embargo, con la modernización de la agricultura y el éxodo rural, su consumo quedó en el olvido para pasar a las generaciones futuras. El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar un levantamiento bibliográfico sobre las plantas alimenticias no convencionales (PANCs), su importancia en la alimentación y farmacología. La metodología consistió en realizar un levantamiento bibliográfico, siendo las principales plantas utilizadas como alimento por los ancestros las plantas Pereskia aculeata Miller, Basella alba, Sonchus oleraceus, Stachys byzantina, Taraxacum Officinale, Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Dioscorea bulbifera, Physalis angulata, Acmella oleracea , Tropaeolum mayor. A través de este estudio se puede apreciar que estas plantas son útiles, pues además de presentar valor nutritivo y su uso en la alimentación, también son utilizadas como plantas medicinales, debido a la presencia de compuestos activos responsables de la acción biológica.

Two new sesquiterpenes from Sonchus oleraceus and inhibitory mechanism on murine haemangioendothelioma (EOMA) cell lines.

Sonchus oleraceus is a kind of medicinal and edible plant which is widely distributed. In this study, two new sesquiterpenes 1 and 2 along with three known compounds 3-5 were isolated from Sonchus oleraceus by the methods of column chromatography. The structures of the two novel compounds were constructed on the basis of HR-MS and NMR spectra. Cytotoxicities of 1 and 2 were assayed on EOMA cell lines and 1 exhibited no inhibitory effect while 2 elicited moderate inhibitory effect on EOMA cells with IC50 value of 26.5 µM. Western Blot assay indicated that 2 could suppress EOMA cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis through Bax/caspase-3 pathway.

Organic Acid Excretion in Root Exudates as a Mechanism of Cadmium Uptake in a Sonchus Asper-Zea Mays Intercropping System.

This study assessed how the Sonchus asper L.-Zea mays intercropping influenced the plant Cd level, as well as the organic acid (low molecular mass) types and concentrations in root secretions, which was accomplished by conducting pot experiments with soil that was collected from a farmland surrounding a mining area. The results showed that the oxalic and citric acids were the prevailing organic acids in the plant root secretions, and that the intercropping led to prominently elevated root exudate concentrations of the two acids for S. asper by 43.8 and 75.4%, respectively, while decreased such concentrations by 18.5 and 18.7% for Z. mays, compared to monoculture. According to observations, the root exudate concentrations of citric and oxalic acids were significantly positively related to the available rhizosphere soil Cd and plant Cd. The results indicate that changes in root exudation of oxalic acid and citric acid result in different available Cd contents of the rhizosphere soil, thereby affecting the bioavailability of soil Cd, which increases Cd uptake and accumulation in S. asper but inhibits Cd accumulation in Z. mays.

Novel browning alleviation technology for fresh-cut products: Preservation effect of the combination of Sonchus oleraceus L. extract and ultrasound in fresh-cut potatoes.

Enzymatic browning is considered a critical factor that adversely decreases the quality of fresh-cut products. Although many individual physical or chemical methods have been explored to control browning, there are few approaches combining these technologies. In the present study, Sonchus oleraceus L. extract (SOLE) and ultrasound treatment efficiently controlled the activities of polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, lipoxygenase, soluble quinones, and intermediate and advanced products, and a lower malondialdehyde content and higher antioxidant capacity were observed in fresh-cut potato slices. More than 50 phenolics and flavonoids were identified in SOLE by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In conclusion, the combined SOLE and ultrasound treatment could serve as a promising method for attenuating enzymatic browning.

Accumulation and Transfer of Cadmium Isotope (112Cd) by Sonchus asper Intercropped with Vicia faba and Implications for Phytoremediation.

Accumulation and transfer of Cd by Sonchus asper intercropped with a legume crop, Vicia faba were determined via 112Cd as a tracer to assess the potential of Sonchus asper as a hyperaccumulator. In this study, Sonchus asper and Vicia faba were planted side by side in soils amended with arbuscular mycorrhizae, and 112Cd was applied to either Sonchus asper or Vicia faba planted soils while the neighboring plant received 112Cd across a nylon net impermeable to the roots. Mean concentration of 112Cd in the shoot of Sonchus asper was 7.0 times higher than Vicia faba. The translocation factor of 112Cd in Sonchus asper were 39 and 400 times higher than in Vicia faba under the 112Cd direct and indirect treatments, respectively. The results suggested that the intercropping of Sonchus asper as a hyperaccumulator with Vicia faba, might be a feasible approach for phytoremediation of Cd contaminated soil.

Cytotoxic Sesquiterpenes from Sonchus oleraceus.

BACKGROUND: Sonchus oleraceus is a large and widespread plant in the world. It is edible to humans as a leaf vegetable and is also used as a folklore medicinal herb in the treatment of infections and inflammatory disease, but limited research on its chemical constituents has been done. OBJECTIVE: To isolate and identify the bioactive ingredients from S. oleraceus. METHODS: 20kg of S. oleraceus was extracted twice with 75% alcohol. The concentrated extract was suspended in H2O and partitioned with petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol, respectively. The ethyl acetate phase was subjected to repeated normal chromatography on a silica gel column chromatography and eluted with a gradient of CH2Cl2-MeOH to give 12 crude fractions. Fraction 6 was subjected to ODS silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 and HPLC to yield 1 and 2. Cell viability of 1 and 2 on A549, H292 and Caco2 cell lines were assayed by MTT method. Apoptosis analysis and apoptosis related proteins were detected subsequently. RESULTS: Two new sesquiterpenes were isolated from S. oleraceus and identified by NMR spectra and HR-ESIMS. 1 selectively suppressed the viability of A549 and H292 cells with IC50 values of 14.2, and 19.5µM respectively, while possessing no cytotoxicity against Caco2 cells (IC50 > 100µM). 2 did not exhibit cytotoxicity against A549, H292 and Caco2 cells (IC50 > 100µM). 1 significantly decreased the density of live cells and could cause cell apoptosis at 10 and 20µM in a dose-dependent manner. After treatment of 1 for 24h, the level of cleaved caspase-3 was increased accompanied by the reduction in procaspase-3 expression, and the downregulation of Bcl-2 was associated with the enhancement of Bax expression. 1 could lead to the up-regulation of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-9. CONCLUSION: 1 and 2 are new sesquiterpenes from S. oleraceus. 1 could induce apoptosis in A549 and H292 cells through Bax/caspase-9 pathway.

Sonchus oleraceus Linn extract enhanced glucose homeostasis through the AMPK/Akt/ GSK-3ß signaling pathway in diabetic liver and HepG2 cell culture.

The extracts of S. oleraceus Linn (SOL) and its main phenolic compounds have shown anti-diabetic effects, but their underlying mechanisms for glucose homeostasis remain unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-diabetic mechanism of SOL by using the streptozocin (STZ) induced diabetic rat model. When diabetic rats were fed with SOL at a dose of 400 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks, the concentrations of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were reduced by 43%, 22%, and 16%, respectively. Meanwhile, it was also found that daily feeding of SOL to diabetic rats led to a decrease in plasma glucose level by approximately 23%. Positive effects were observed on glucose homeostasis due to the down-regulation of AMPK/Akt/GSK-3ß pathway, as indicated by the suppressions of adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), protein kinase (Akt) phosphorylation, glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3ß), and the hepatic insulin resistance. In HepG2 cells, AMPK, Akt and GSK-3ß showed a consistent transcript regulation. SOL at dose of 400 mg/kg/day feeding for 6 weeks showed a positive effect comparable to metformin.

Anti-inflammatory effect of self-emulsifying delivery system containing Sonchus oleraceus Linn extract on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Edible Sonchus oleraceus Linn is a medicinal plant with many bioactivities such as anti-diabetic activity and anti-inflammatory activity. However, the main bioactive components such as polyphenols in S. oleraceus Linn are poorly absorbed in gastrointestinal tract and rapidly metabolized. Thereby, a self-emulsifying delivery system containing S. oleraceus Linn extracts (SSEDDS) was introduced to evade these problems. Herein, the anti-inflammatory effect of SSEDDS on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was investigated. The plasma glucose level was increased and plasma insulin level was decreased in diabetic rats. The levels of NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the liver were significantly improved in diabetic rats (p < 0.05). Conversely, daily fed diabetic rats with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day of SSEDS and 1 mg/kg/day metformin for 4 weeks, significantly (p < 0.05) restored all the above mentioned parameters to near normal levels. The immuno-histochemical studies confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of SSEDDS.

Inhibitory effect of the extract from Sonchus olearleu on the formation of carcinogenic heterocyclic aromatic amines during the pork cooking.

The aim of this study was to assess the inhibitory effects of Sonchus olearleu extract on the generation of heterocyclic amines in roasted pork patties cooked by pan-frying. All samples were cooked for two different durations (45 min and 105 min) under 200 °C and 230 °C. 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-ami- no-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinox-aline (4,8-DiMeIQx), harman, and norharman were detected and quantified. In patties cooked at 230 °C for 105 min, S. olearleu extract (0.5%) significantly inhibited the formation of IQ, harman, and norharman by 39%, 67%, and 63%, respectively. In contrast to IQ, the levels of harman and norharman were significantly reduced by the extracts tested. However, no such effects were observed for MeIQx and 4, 8-DiMeIQx. Notably, the inhibitory effect on heterocyclic amines is significantly correlated with the antioxidant potential and total phenolic content of S. olearleu extract.

Chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid from Sonchus oleraceus Linn synergistically attenuate insulin resistance and modulate glucose uptake in HepG2 cells.

The crude extract of Sonchus oleraceus Linn (CE) and its main phenolic acids (PA), chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid have anti-diabetic activity, but the mechanisms for their effects on glucose intake remain largely unknown. Aim of this study was to examine the synergistic effect of chlorogenic and caffeic acid from S. oleraceus Linn attenuate insulin resistance and modulate glucose uptake in HepG2 cells. Major phenolic acids in SOL were isolated and identified by HPLC. Insulin-resistance HepG2 cell model was used to elucidate the effect of CE on glucose metabolism. Pre-treatment of HepG2 cells with CE or PA enhanced levels of glucose production and avoided the decrease total levels of IRS-1 triggered by high insulin concentration. CE or PA pre-treatment also could prevent the inactivation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, as well as the diminution of GLUT4 levels induced by high glucose. These findings suggested that CE and its main phenolic acids improved insulin sensitivity of HepG2 cells treated with insulin, preventing or delaying a potential hepatic dysfunction through the attenuation of the insulin signaling blockade and the modulation of glucose consumption.

Sonchus oleraceus Linn protects against LPS-induced sepsis and inhibits inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sonchus oleraceus Linn (SOL) belongs to family of Asteraceae, is a traditional medicinal plant, which has been used to treat tumor, inflammatory diseases, infection and so on in Chinese folk culture. AIM OF THE STUDY: This work investigated the influence of aqueous ethanol extract of whole plant of SOL and contribution of its main components on inflammation METHODS AND RESULTS: Oral administration of SOL (10 mg/kg) to mice reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α, in the LPS-induced sepsis mouse model. Major phenolics in SOL were isolated and determined by HPLC. Results indicate that SOL at the concentration range from 25 to 100 µg/mL and its main components, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid (25-100 µM) significantly reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, attenuated iNOS and COX-2 expression in LPS-stimulated Macrophages. In addition, western blot analysis showed SOL suppressed inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression and the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). CONCLUSION: The underlying mechanism of anti-inflammation might be in according with the inhibition of MAPKs activation as well as down regulation of iNOS and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).

Identification of a sustainable two-plant diet that effectively prevents age-related metabolic syndrome and extends lifespan in aged mice.

The current system of food production is linked to both the increasing prevalence of chronic disease and the deterioration of the environment, and thereby calls for novel ways of producing nutritious foods in a sustainable manner. In the "longevity village" of Bama, China, we have identified two plant foods, hemp seed and bitter vegetable (Sonchus oleraceus), that are commonly consumed by its residents and grow abundantly in unfarmed land without fertilizers or pesticides. Here, we show that a diet composed of these two foods (the "HB diet") provides a sufficient variety of nutrients and confers significant health benefits. Aged mice allowed ad libitum access to the HB diet not only had longer life spans and improved cognitive function but were also protected against age-related metabolic syndrome, fatty liver, gut dysbiosis and chronic inflammation compared to aged mice fed a control Western diet. Furthermore, longevity-related genes (including 5'adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, sirtuin 1, nuclear respiratory factor 1 and forkhead box O3) were significantly up-regulated, while aging-related genes (including mammalian target of rapamycin and nuclear factor kappa B) were down-regulated. These results demonstrate that the HB diet is capable of promoting health and longevity, and present a sustainable source of healthy foods that can help control the prevalence of chronic diseases and reduce agricultural impact on the environment.

Capped antigenomic RNA transcript facilitates rescue of a plant rhabdovirus.

BACKGROUND: Recovery of recombinant negative-stranded RNA viruses from cloned cDNAs is an inefficient process as multiple viral components need to be delivered into cells for reconstitution of infectious entities. Previously studies have shown that authentic viral RNA termini are essential for efficient virus rescue. However, little is known about the activity of viral RNAs processed by different strategies in supporting recovery of plant negative-stranded RNA virus. METHODS: In this study, we used several versions of hammerhead ribozymes and a truncated cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter to generate precise 5' termini of sonchus yellow net rhabdovirus (SYNV) antigenomic RNA (agRNA) derivatives. These agRNAs were co-expressed with the SYNV core proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves to evaluate their efficiency in supporting fluorescent reporter gene expression from an SYNV minireplicon (MR) and rescue of full-length virus. RESULTS: Optimization of hammerhead ribozyme cleavage activities led to improved SYNV MR reporter gene expression. Although the MR agRNA processed by the most active hammerhead variants is comparable to the capped, precisely transcribed agRNA in supporting MR activity, efficient recovery of recombinant SYNV was only achieved with capped agRNA. Further studies showed that the capped SYNV agRNA permitted transient expression of the nucleocapsid (N) protein, and an agRNA derivatives unable to express the N protein in cis exhibited dramatically reduced rescue efficiency. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals superior activity of precisely transcribed, capped SYNV agRNAs to uncapped, hammerhead ribozyme-processed agRNAs, and suggests a cis-acting function for the N protein expressed from the capped agRNA during recovery of SYNV from plasmids.

Verrucosispora sonchi sp. nov., a novel endophytic actinobacterium isolated from the leaves of common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.).

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain NEAU-QY3T, was isolated from the leaves of Sonchus oleraceus L. and examined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The organism formed single spores with smooth surface on substrate mycelia. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain had a close association with the genus Verrucosispora and shared the highest sequence similarity with Verrucosispora qiuiae RtIII47T (99.17 %), an association that was supported by a bootstrap value of 94 % in the neighbour-joining tree and also recovered with the maximum-likelihood algorithm. The strain also showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Xiangella phaseoli NEAU-J5T (98.78 %), Jishengella endophytica 202201T (98.51 %), Micromonospora eburnea LK2-10T (98.28 %), Verrucosispora lutea YIM 013T (98.23 %) and Salinispora pacifica CNR-114T (98.23 %). Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis based on the gyrB gene sequences supported the conclusion that strain NEAU-QY3T should be assigned to the genus Verrucosispora. However, the DNA-DNA hybridization relatedness values between strain NEAU-QY3T and V. qiuiae RtIII47T and V. lutea YIM 013T were below 70 %. With reference to phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and DNA-DNA hybridization results, strain NEAU-QY3T was readily distinguished from its most closely related strains and classified as a new species, for which the name Verrucosispora sonchi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-QY3T (=CGMCC 4.7312T=DSM 101530T).

Potential effect of Olea europea leaves, Sonchus oleraceus leaves and Mangifera indica peel extracts on aromatase activity in human placental microsomes and CYP19A1 expression in MCF-7 cell line: Comparative study.

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) provide novel approaches to the adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers. In this study, different plant extracts from Olea europaea leaves (OLE), Sonchus oleraceus L. (SOE) and Mangifera indica peels (MPE) were prepared to identify phytoconstituents and measure antioxidant capacities. The effects of these three extracts on aromatase activity in human placental microsomes were evaluated. Additionally, the effects of these extracts on tissue-specific promoter expression of CYP19A1 gene in cell culture model (MCF-7) were assessed using qRT-PCR. Results showed a concentration-dependent decrease in aromatase activity after treatment with OLE and MPE, whereas, SOE showed a biphasic effect. The differential effects of OLE, SOE and MPE on aromatase expression showed that OLE seems to be the most potent suppressor followed by SOE and then MPE. These findings indicate that OLE has effective inhibitory action on aromatase at both the enzymatic and expression levels, in addition to its cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 cells. Also, MPE may be has the potential to be used as a tissue-specific aromatase inhibitor (selective aromatase inhibitor) and it may be promising to develop a new therapeutic agent against ER+ breast cancer.

Anti-tumor effect of hot aqueous extracts from Sonchus oleraceus (L.) L. and Juniperus sabina L - Two traditional medicinal plants in China.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sonchus oleraceus (L.) L (SO) and Juniperus sabina L (JS) are traditional medicinal plants in China. And the aqueous extracts of them have been used to treat tumor, inflammatory diseases, infection and so on in Chinese folk culture. However, the underlying mechanisms of their anti-tumor activities have not been illustrated yet. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the inhibitory effects of aqueous extracts from SO and JS on tumor cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prepared aqueous extracts of SO and JS were used to treat HepG-2 and K562 tumor cells, while the human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were set as normal control. The viabilities, cell cycle and apoptosis of tumor cells after extracts treatment were assessed, in addition the expression of apoptosis-related genes (FasL, caspase 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10) were analyzed. Meanwhile, the adherence and migration of HepG-2 were tested, and the expression levels of MMPs and ICAM-1 were analyzed. On top of that, the pSTAT in the two cells were also analyzed and suggested the related signaling pathway that the extracts acted on with in these tumor cells. RESULTS: Results showed that aqueous extracts of SO and JS have inhibitory effects on HepG-2 and K562 cells by decreasing cell viability and inducing apoptosis via up-regulation of the expression of the apoptosis-related genes FasL, caspase 3 and caspase 9. The extracts had different IC50 on tumor cells and PBMCs, which could block the tumor cell cycle at the G(0)/G(1) stage and significantly inhibit the adherence of HepG-2 cells. The extracts inhibited migration of these cells by inhibiting the expression of ICAM-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9. Further study indicated that the inhibition of pSTAT1 and 3 might be responsible for the inhibitory effects of the extracts on tumor cells. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that SO and JS extracts had the anti-tumor effects, which may be developed as novel anti-tumor drugs and used in cancer therapy.

Effects of boiling and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on the antioxidant activity of Sonchus oleraceus leaves.

Leaves of Sonchus oleraceus L. are especially rich in phenolic compounds and have potent extractable antioxidants. However, it is not known how their antioxidant activity changes after cooking and gastrointestinal digestion. We recorded the profile of phenolics and their associated antioxidant activity in both raw and boiled S. oleraceus leaf extracts after in vitro gastric and intestinal digestion, and quantified their antioxidant potentials using Caco-2 and HepG2 cells. Boiling significantly diminished the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and concentrations of ascorbate and chicoric acid in the soluble fractions. In contrast, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and concentrations of caftaric and chlorogenic acids were unaffected. Phenolics in the soluble fraction were absorbed into cultured human cells and exerted antioxidant activity. Only chlorogenic acid content remained stable during gastrointestinal digestion. S. oleraceus appears to be an excellent dietary source of phenolic antioxidants.

A new stem nematode, Ditylenchus oncogenus n. sp. (Nematoda: Tylenchida), parasitizing sowthistle from Adriatic coast dunes in southern Italy.

Morphological and molecular analyses of a stem nematode causing a severe disease on infected sowthistle (Sonchus bulbosus) plants, involving the formation of gall-like structures on infected leaves and stems, have led to the description of a new species named Ditylenchus oncogenus n. sp. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by a medium to large body size (all adults more than 1 mm in length); a delicate stylet (9.0-11.0 µm long) with minute, rounded knobs; a long post-vulval uterine sac (c. 65% of the vulva-anus distance); six incisures at the lateral fields and characteristic D. destructor-pattern of spicules (with pronounced ventral tumulus and anteriorly pointed, less sclerotized, cuticle parts present within the lamina). The results of molecular analysis of rRNA gene sequences, including the D2-D3 expansion regions of 28S rRNA, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA, partial 18S rRNA gene, the protein-coding mitochondrial gene, cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI), and the heat-shock protein 90 (hsp90) gene, support the new species status. The results of a host-suitability test indicated that the new species does not parasitize potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers and broad bean (Vicia faba) seedlings. Histopathological observations on naturally infected sowthistle tissues revealed that D. oncogenus n. sp. causes floral stem neoplasia and midrib leaf gall formation on the type, and to date only known, host. The galls were characterized by extensive hyperplasia, where several necrotic cells in the neoplasic area were directly damaged by feeding of the nematode, whereas a number of adjacent cells showed typical cytological changes, such as granulated cytoplasm with hypertrophied nuclei and nucleoli.

Plantactinospora sonchi sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from the leaves of common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.).

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain NEAU-QY2T, was isolated from the leaves of Sonchus oleraceus L. specimen, collected from Wuchang, Heilongjiang Province, China. A polyphasic study was carried out to establish the taxonomic position of this strain. The organism formed single spores with rough surfaces on substrate mycelia. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain NEAU-QY2T belonged to the genus Plantactinospora and formed a monophyletic clade with its closest related strains Plantactinospora endophytica YIM 68255T (99.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Plantactinospora veratri NEAU-FHS4T (98.8 %) and Plantactinospora mayteni YIM 61359T(98.7 %), an association that was supported by a bootstrap value of 90 % in the neighbor-joining tree and also recovered with the maximum-likelihood algorithm. However, DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain NEAU-QY2T and the three closely related strains were below 70 %. With reference to phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and DNA-DNA hybridization results, strain NEAU-QY2T was distinguished from closely related strains and is classified as representing a novel species of the genus Plantactinospora, for which the name Plantactinospora sonchi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-QY2T (=CGMCC4.7216T=JCM 30345T).