Sonchus oleraceus L.: ethnomedical, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects.

Sonchus oleraceus L. (Asteraceae) is a cosmopolitan species native to Europe commonly known as lettuce, sowthistle, chicory, or fake dandelion, considered a weed. However, for many years in various cultures around the world, it has been used as food and medicinal plant. The aim of this integrative review is to document the ethnomedical, phytochemical, and pharmacological information of this species. Forty-one papers document the use of S. oleraceus to heal of a wide variety of diseases. However, gastrointestinal problems, diabetes, inflammation, infections, hepatitis, wounds, and to consume it as food are the most common uses. On the other hand, only 11 items highlight that the main groups of secondary metabolites in this species are flavonoids and terpene lactones. Finally, 45 items reveal that antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative and cytotoxic were the most studied pharmacological activities. In vitro and in vivo studies of extracts and components isolated from different parts of S. oleraceus have provided a concrete overview of the pharmacological properties of this species that supports its ethnomedical uses in cultures from different parts of the world. The reports of this species have focused solely on the study of the complete plant, leaves, and aerial parts, so it is necessary to study other parts of this species to search for bioactive compounds. No clinical studies were found, which creates an opportunity to expand scientific knowledge of this species.

Quality consistency evaluation on three species of North Patrininae herba by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry and network pharmacology approaches.

North Patrininae herba, a perennial herbaceous plant, has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat appendicitis, enteritis, and dysentery. Sonchus arvensis L., Sonchus oleraceus L., and Ixeris chinensis (Thunb.) Nakai are used as substitutes for North Patrininae in different regions, but the consistency of chemical composition and efficacy of these three species is still unknown. In this study, a detailed chemical analysis was carried out of the extract obtained from Sonchus arvensis L., Ixeris chinensis (Thunb.) Nakai and Sonchus oleraceus L. and a chemical component not previously reported in Ixeris chinensis (Thunb.) Nakai was found-Luteolin-7-O-(6''-malonylglucoside). The mechanism of action of the extract against inflammation and type II diabetes was investigated using network pharmacology and analysis of blood-absorbed components following oral dosing of rats. Finally, a highly accurate and reliable method was established for quality control purposes. The results showed that Sonchus arvensis L. and Sonchus oleraceus L. may be considered potential resources of a medicinal compound, whereas Ixeris chinensis (Thunb.) Nakai requires further evaluation.

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.

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.

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.

Stabilization of Black Rice (Oryza Sativa, L. Indica) Anthocyanins Using Plant Extracts for Copigmentation and Maltodextrin for Encapsulation.

Black rice (Oryza sativa L. indica) is one of the cereal commodities considered to be a source of anthocyanin. One of the obstacles of using anthocyanins as natural food colorants is their low stability. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of natural plants extracts on anthocyanin copigmentation and to study the stability of the encapsulated copigmented anthocyanin during storage under different temperatures and light exposure. Dried bilimbi leaves (BL) and sow thistle leaves (STL) were extracted using ethanol to obtain the crude flavonoid extract that was subsequently purified using solid phase extraction. Both crude (CBL, CSTL) and purified (PBL, PSTL) extract were used as copigment agents with the molar ratio of 1:0.1 to 1:10 at pH 1 and pH 3. The copigmentation effect was evaluated by measuring the wavelength and absorbance shifts at wavelengths of 500 to 600 nm. The stability of the dried anthocyanin powder was evaluated under different temperatures and light exposure for up to 4 weeks. Anthocyanin was successfully copigmented with BL and STL extracts showing a wavelength shift and absorbance increase at pH 1 and pH 3. Purification of BL enhanced the hyperchromic effect more than that of the crude form, in contrast to the STL. Meanwhile, the retention of absorbance (%) for encapsulated copigmented anthocyanin samples was within 74% to 83% at the end of the storage period. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Natural food pigment such as anthocyanin obtained from plant extract usually shows very limited stability under various processing conditions. This study shows that color stability of anthocyanin extracted from black rice can be improved by copigmentation with flavonoids extracted from particular plants. Encapsulation of the copigmented anthocyanin could further enhance its color stability. The availability of encapsulated and copigmented anthocyanins with improved color stability is expected to provide more alternatives for especially the beverage industry to choose suitable natural colorant for their products.

Anti-Fatigue Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Sonchus arvensis L. in Exercise Trained Mice.

Sonchus arvensis L. is a nutritious vegetable and herbal medicine that is consumed worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-fatigue effects and underlying effects of aqueous extract of Sonchus arvensis L. (SA). Male C57BL/6 mice from four groups designated vehicle, exercise, exercise with low dose (250 mg/kg) or high dose of SA (500 mg/kg), were trained by swimming exercise and orally administrated with SA every other day for 28 days. The anti-fatigue activity was determined by exhaustive swimming test, as well as the muscle structure, levels of blood hemoglobin, and metabolites including lactate and urea nitrogen. SA alleviated mice fatigue behaviors by eliminating metabolites, while improving muscle structure and hemoglobin levels. Moreover, SA enhanced glycogen synthesis of liver but not muscle via increasing GCK and PEPCK gene expressions. Importantly, SA improved antioxidant enzymes expression and activities in both liver and muscle, which was possibly related to its primary components polysaccharides and the antioxidant components including chlorogenic acid, luteolin, and chicoric acid. Taken together, the anti-fatigue effects of SA could be partly explained by its antioxidant activity and mediating effects on glycogen synthesis and metabolites elimination. Therefore, SA could be a potential nutraceutical for improving exercise performance and alleviating physical fatigue.

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.

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).

Nephroprotective Effect of Sonchus oleraceus Extract against Kidney Injury Induced by Ischemia-Reperfusion in Wistar Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is the main cause of delayed graft function in solid organ transplantation. Sonchus oleraceus is a plant with well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities; however, its effects on renal I/R are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether S. oleraceus extract (S.O.e.) has nephroprotective activity in an I/R model in Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animal groups (n = 6): sham, I/R (45 min/15 h), S.O.e (300 mg/kg p.o.), and S.O.e + I/R (300 mg/kg, p.o.; 45 min/15 h). Renal function, proinflammatory cytokines, alanine aminotransferase, markers of oxidative stress, and histology were evaluated. RESULTS: None of the mediators evaluated differed significantly between the S.O.e and sham groups. Levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, malondialdehyde (MDA), and proinflammatory cytokines were higher, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was lower in the I/R group than in the sham group. Histology showed tubular epithelial necrosis in the medulla and cortex in the I/R group. In the S.O.e + I/R group, S.O.e pretreatment attenuated the I/R-induced increases in BUN, creatinine, MDA, and proinflammatory cytokines induced, SOD was maintained, and histology showed discontinuous necrosis in the medulla but no necrosis in the cortex. CONCLUSIONS: S.O.e was neither hepatotoxic nor nephrotoxic. S.O.e. pretreatment showed a nephroprotective effect against I/R.

The anti-inflammatory effect of Sonchus oleraceus aqueous extract on lipopolysaccharide stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and mice.

CONTEXT: Sonchus oleraceus L. (Asteraceae) (SO) is a dietary and traditional medicinal plant in China. However, its underlying mechanism of action as an anti-inflammatory agent is not known. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous extract of SO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The extract of SO was used to treat RAW 264.7 cells (in the working concentrations of 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.3 and 15.6 µg/mL) for 24 h. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators produced in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were assessed. Meanwhile, the expression level of TLR-4, COX-2, pSTATs and NF-κB was tested. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract in vivo was assessed using xylene-induced mouse ear oedema model and the anti-inflammatory compounds in the extracts were analyzed by HPLC-MS. RESULTS: SO extract significantly inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators at gene and protein levels with the concentration of 31.3 µg/mL, and suppressed the expression of TLR-4, COX-2, NF-κB and pSTAT in RAW 264.7 cells. The anti-inflammatory activity of SO in vivo has significant anti-inflammatory effects with the concentration of 250 and 125 mg/kg, and less side effect on the weights of the mice at the concentration of 250 mg/kg. Moreover, HPLC-MS analysis revealed that the anti-inflammatory compounds in the extract were identified as villosol, ferulaic acid, ß-sitosterol, ursolic acid and rutin. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study indicated that SO extract has anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo, which will be further developed as novel pharmacological strategies in order to defeat inflammatory diseases.

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.

EVALUATIN OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE ACTIVITY OF SONCHUS ASPER L. IN RATS.

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of aerial parts of Sonchus asper L. in normotensive, glucose and egg feed diet induced hypertensive rats. Aqueous-methanolic extract of Sonchus asper in 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg doses was studied in normotensive and glucose induced hypertensive rats using the non-invasive technique. The results obtained showed that the extract has significantly (p < 0.5 - p < 0.001) decreased the blood pressure and heart rate in dose dependent manner. The dose 1000 mg/kg of the extract produced the maximum antihypertensive effect and was selected for further experiments. The extract was found to prevent the rise in blood pressure of egg and glucose fed rats as compared to control group in 21 days study. The LD50 of the plant extract was 3500 mg/kg b.w. in mice and sub-chronic toxicity study showed that there was no significant alteration in the blood chemistry of the extract treated rats. It is conceivable, therefore, that the aqueous-methanolic extract of Sonchus asper has exerted considerable antihypertensive activity in rats and has duly supported traditional medicinal use of plant in hypertension.

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.

Anti-ageing effects of Sonchus oleraceus L. (puha) leaf extracts on H2O2-induced cell senescence.

Antioxidants protect against damage from free radicals and are believed to slow the ageing process. Previously, we have reported the high antioxidant activity of 70% methanolic Sonchus oleraceus L. (Asteraceae) leaf extracts. We hypothesize that S. oleraceus extracts protect cells against H2O2-induced senescence by mediating oxidative stress. Premature senescence of young WI-38 cells was induced by application of H2O2. Cells were treated with S. oleraceus extracts before or after H2O2 stress. The senescence- associated ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) activity was used to indicate cell senescence. S. oleraceus extracts showed higher cellular antioxidant activity than chlorogenic acid in WI-38 cells. S. oleraceus extracts suppressed H2O2 stress-induced premature senescence in a concentration-dependent manner. At 5 and 20 mg/mL, S. oleraceus extracts showed better or equivalent effects of reducing stress-induced premature senescence than the corresponding ascorbic acid treatments. These findings indicate the potential of S. oleraceus extracts to be formulated as an anti-ageing agent.

Modulation of carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity in rats by n-hexane extract of Sonchus asper.

Sonchus asper is traditionally used in the treatment of renal dysfunction. In the present study, protective effects of S. asper against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced nephrotoxicity of rats were determined. In this study, 24 male albino rats (190-200 g) were equally divided into four groups. Group I (control group) was given saline (1 ml/kg body weight (b.w.), 0.85% NaCl) and dimethyl sulfoxide (1 ml/kg b.w.); group II was treated with CCl4 (1 ml/kg b.w. intraperitoneally); groups III and IV were administered with CCl4 and after 48 h with S. asper n-hexane extract (SHE; 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.). All the treatments were given twice a week for 4 weeks. The results revealed that CCl4-induced oxidative stress as evidenced by the significant depletion of antioxidant enzymes, namely, superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione contents, while increased lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances contents). Administration of SHE significantly ameliorated (p < 0.01) the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduced lipid peroxides. Coadministration revealed that S. asper extract can protect the kidney against CCl4-mediated oxidative damage by restoring the activity of antioxidant enzyme, due to the presence of plant bioactive constituents.

Effect of traditional leafy vegetables on the growth of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

Traditional leafy vegetables, apart from being a staple in the diet of most of sub-Saharan Africa, are an essential part of traditional medicine and are used daily by traditional healers in the region to treat a wide variety of ailments. In this study, a batch culture technique was used to investigate whether 25 infusions from 22 traditional leafy vegetables stimulated the growth of Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus lactis, Lactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium longum in pure culture. High performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the inulin content of the infusions. Sonchus oleraceus stimulated all four strains and Taraxacum officinale stimulated three strains. In total, 18 plants stimulated at least one of the four probiotic strains. The inulin content of the infusions varied between 2.5% and 3.6%, with Asparagus sprengeri containing the highest percentage. These results indicate that traditional leafy vegetables do stimulate the growth of the selected lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in pure culture and contain inulin. These infusions can now be tested for prebiotic potential using mixed culture systems or human hosts.