Sesquiterpenoids and Cytochalasins with Immunosuppressive Activity from Sonchus wightianus.

The plant species, Sonchus wightianus DC., was historically used in China for both medicinal and dietary uses. In present study, seven new guaiane sesquiterpenoids (1-7) and one cytochalasin (8), along with five known guaianes (9-13) and two known cytochalasins (14 and 15), were isolated from the whole plants of S. wightianus. These guaianes showed structural variations in the substituents at C-8 and/or C-15, and compounds 6 and 7 are two sesquiterpenoid glycoside derivatives. Their structures were determined by extensive analysis of spectroscopic, electronic circular dichroism, and X-ray diffraction data, and chemical method. Biological tests revealed that compounds 5 and 8 are potent and selective immunosuppressive reagents.

Fatty acid based antimicrobials from Streptomyces sp. SORS-24, an endophyte isolated from Sonchus oleraceus.

Due to the rise in bacterial resistance towards various therapeutic agents, interest is now developing towards fatty acid based antimicrobials because of their non-specific mode of action. A strain SORS 24 isolated from Sonchus oleraceus (Sow thistle) showed significant activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (25 mm), Chlorella vulgaris (20 mm), Bacillus subtilis DSM 10 (ATCC 6051) and Pseudomonas sp. (15 mm). It displayed an LC50 value of 10 µg/ml against Artemia salina (Brine shrimp) nauplii and an EC50 value of 0.8 µg/ml in the (DPPH) diphenylpicrylhydrazyl antioxidant assay. The strain also displayed genotoxicity against a PolA deficient strain, E. coli K-12 AB 3027 (15 mm). Mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) showed that the strain produced oleamide (9-Octadecenamide) and erucamide (13-Docosenamide). Both of the purified fatty acid amides showed prominent activity against B. subtilis DSM 10 (ATCC 6051) (20 mm) and E. coli ATCC 25922 (15 mm). Significant genotoxicity was observed against E. coli K-12 AB 3027 (15 mm). The 16S gene sequencing revealed that the strain belonged to species, Streptomyces tanashiensis. As far as our understanding, this is the first report of this species producing these fatty acid based antimicrobials.

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.

Characteristics of the Complete Genome of Ageratum Yellow Vein China Virus Infecting Sonchus oleraceus.

Sonchus (Sonchus oleraceus) originated from Europe and is now cultivated worldwide. The wild resources of sonchus are very abundant, and it has rich nutritional and medicinal value. In this study, 15 sonchus samples with typical symptoms showing leaf curling, vein thickening, and enations were collected from Guigang and Baise City of Guangxi, China. Diseased sonchus were identified by PCR detection, whole genome sequence amplification, and phylogenetic and recombination analysis. The results showed that all the samples were confirmed infected by begomoviruses, and three full-length viral genomes were obtained from 15 sonchus, named GG7-13, GG8-6, and BS63-5. The full genome lengths were 2,584, 2,735, and 2,746 nt, respectively. The nucleotide identities among the three isolates ranged from 92.67 to 99.93%. All of them shared the highest identities (greater than 91.69%) with other isolates of ageratum yellow vein China virus (AYVCNV) (available on GenBank). According to the guidelines of classification of begomoviruses, the virus isolates obtained in this study are different isolates of AYVCNV; a phylogenetic tree analysis showed that these isolates formed a large branch with three other Guangxi isolates of AYVCNV, indicating their close evolution. The genome structures of GG8-6 and BS63-5 are consistent with the monopartite genome virus of the begomoviruses, and both have six open reading frames (ORFs), while GG7-13 has a 151-nt deletion between C2 and C3, resulting in a mutant strain of only five ORFs. This study is the first report on S. oleraceus infected by ageratum yellow vein China virus.

Phenolic Compounds from Sonchus arvensis Linn. and Hemerocallis citrina Baroni. Inhibit Sucrose and Stearic Acid Induced Damage in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Sonchus arvensis Linn. and Hemerocallis citrina Baroni. have been reported to improve body resistance. However, the underlying mechanism is not clear. In this study, Sonchus arvensis Linn. phenolic compounds (SAP) and Hemerocallis citrina Baroni. phenolic compounds (HCP) were extracted and their protective effects in Caenorhabditis elegans evaluated. SAP and HCP showed considerably different phenolic compositions. In the normal C. elegans model, HCP exhibited better effects in promoting growth than SAP. In the sucrose-incubated C. elegans model, both SAP and HCP showed positive effects against the high-sucrose-induced damage. In the stearic acid-incubated C. elegans model, both SAP and HCP improved lifespan, reproductive ability and growth, while HCP had a more evident effect than SAP on reproductive ability. The TGF-ß signaling pathway was confirmed to be involved in the protective effects of SAP and HCP. The antioxidant ability of SAP was also found to be related to skn-1. Our study shows that both SAP and HCP have protective effects against high sucrose- or high stearic acid-induced damage.

Sesquiterpene Lactones with Anti-Inflammatory Activity from the Halophyte Sonchus brachyotus DC.

There were five sesquiterpene lactones, belonging to the eudesmanolide class, isolated from the halophyte Sonchus brachyotus DC. The structures of the compounds were determined using spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR spectra, MS data, and optical rotation values. Compounds 4 and 5 were characterized by the position of p-hydroxyphenylacetyl group in the sugar moiety. In the evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophages, compound 1, 5α,6ßH-eudesma-3,11(13)-dien-12,6α-olide, potently suppressed the expression of iNOS and COS-2, as well as the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10. Treatment of 1 regulates the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Phenolic Profiles, Antihyperglycemic, Anti-Diabetic, and Antioxidant Properties of Egyptian Sonchus oleraceus Leaves Extract: An In Vivo Study.

This study aimed to investigate the phenolic and antioxidant properties of Egyptian Sonchus oleraceus leaves extract (SOE) while comparing the antihyperglycemic efficacy of SOE with that of conventional medicines (glibenclamide) in vivo as a substitution for insulin-deficient patients. Total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC) in SOE contributed around 127.66 ± 0.56 mg GAE/gm as gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 74.80 ± 0.55 mg QE/gm as quercetin equivalent (QE). SOE also showed significant DPPH scavenging activity at 43.46%. The presence of five phenolic and six flavonoid compounds in SOE was discovered by HPLC analysis. For the in vivo assay, 42 rats were distributed into six groups (7 Wister albino rats each). The standard control group was fed a basal diet. While the 35 rats were induced with a single dose of 100 mg kg-1 body weight (b.w.) alloxan, then treated orally with glibenclamide (GLI) at 10 mg kg-1, 100, 200, and 300 mg kg-1 SOE (positive control group) for 56 days of routine gastric oral gavages and compared to the effects of GLI, the treatment of SOE 200 and 300 mg kg-1 in diabetic rats for two months dramatically decreased blood glucose, total lipid, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) while boosting high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) levels and improving liver and kidney functions. The histological assay revealed that the SOE 300 mg kg-1 treatment significantly improved the pancreas tissues, implying the potential application of Egyptian SOE as a diabetes treatment.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rescue of a Plant Negative-Strand RNA Virus from Cloned cDNA: Insights into Enveloped Plant Virus Movement and Morphogenesis.

Reverse genetics systems have been established for all major groups of plant DNA and positive-strand RNA viruses, and our understanding of their infection cycles and pathogenesis has benefitted enormously from use of these approaches. However, technical difficulties have heretofore hampered applications of reverse genetics to plant negative-strand RNA (NSR) viruses. Here, we report recovery of infectious virus from cloned cDNAs of a model plant NSR, Sonchus yellow net rhabdovirus (SYNV). The procedure involves Agrobacterium-mediated transcription of full-length SYNV antigenomic RNA and co-expression of the nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), large polymerase core proteins and viral suppressors of RNA silencing in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Optimization of core protein expression resulted in up to 26% recombinant SYNV (rSYNV) infections of agroinfiltrated plants. A reporter virus, rSYNV-GFP, engineered by inserting a green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene between the N and P genes was able to express GFP during systemic infections and after repeated plant-to-plant mechanical passages. Deletion analyses with rSYNV-GFP demonstrated that SYNV cell-to-cell movement requires the sc4 protein and suggested that uncoiled nucleocapsids are infectious movement entities. Deletion analyses also showed that the glycoprotein is not required for systemic infection, although the glycoprotein mutant was defective in virion morphogenesis. Taken together, we have developed a robust reverse genetics system for SYNV that provides key insights into morphogenesis and movement of an enveloped plant virus. Our study also provides a template for developing analogous systems for reverse genetic analysis of other plant NSR viruses.

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.

Ancylobacter sonchi sp. nov., a novel methylotrophic bacterium frоm roots of Sonchus arvensis L.

An aerobic facultatively methylotrophic bacterium was isolated from roots of Sonchus arvensis L. and designated strain OsotT The cells of this strain were Gram-stain-negative, asporogenous, motile short rods multiplying by binary fisson. They utilized methanol, methylamines and a variety of polycarbon compounds as the carbon and energy sources. Methanol was assimilated after sequential oxidation to formaldehyde and CO2 via the ribulose bisphosphate pathway. The organism grew optimally at 22-29 °C and pH 7.5-8.0. The dominant phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol (cardiolipin). The major cellular fatty acids of strain OsotT cells grown in R2A medium were C18 : 1ω7c (49.0 %), C19 : 0ω8c cyclo (38.3 %) and C16 : 0 (8.4 %). The major ubiquinone was Q-10. The DNA G+C content of strain OsotT was 66.1 mol% (Tm). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis strain OsotT is phylogenetically related to the members of genus Ancylobacter (97.1-98.8 % sequence similarity). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and DNA-DNA relatedness (27-29 %) with type strains of the genus Ancylobacter, the novel isolate is classified as a new species of this genus and named Ancylobacter sonchi sp. nov.; the type strain is OsotT (=VKM B-3145T=JCM 32039T).

Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, and Hypolipidemic Potential of Sonchus asper Hill.

Context • The recently growing occurrence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the world is of immense concern. Sonchus asper Hill (SA) is traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes and urinary disorders in Pakistan. Objective • The present study intended to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of a Sonchus asper methanol extract (SAME) in rats. Design • Thirty male, Sprague-Dawley rats, from 180 to 190 g each, were randomly divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each and received the following treatments: (1) group 1 (untreated control group) administered distilled water only; (2) group 2 administered 200 mg/kg of SAME only; (3) group 3 (diabetic control group) administered 55 mg/kg body weight (BW) of streptozotocin (STZ) in distilled water to induce diabetes; (4) group 4 administered 55 mg/kg BW of STZ in distilled water to induce diabetes and given 100 mg/kg of SAME; and (5) group 5 administered 55 mg/kg BW of STZ to induce diabetes and administered 200 mg/kg of SAME. Setting • The study was conducted in the Department of Biotechnology Bannu (Bannu, Pakistan). Outcome Measures • The research team performed (1) a serum analysis for glucose, lipase, and insulin; (2) a measurement of the protein concentration of the supernatant from pancreatic tissue; (3) an assay of catalase activity; (4) an assay of superoxide activity; (5) an assessment of lipid peroxidation enzymes; (6) an assay of glutathione-S-transferase activity; (7) an assay of glutathione reductase activity; (8) an assay of glutathione-peroxidase activity; and (9) an assay of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) activity. Results • The administration of STZ caused significant alterations in the blood glucose levels, the lipase activity, insulin secretions, cholesterol profiles, serum marker enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, and contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the rats (P < .01). On oral administration, the SAME showed statistically significant effects by improving the activity of the antioxidant enzymes, TBARS contents, and cholesterol profile of the diabetic rats (P < .01). In treatment, the glucose and insulin levels of the SAME rats were significantly lower than the diabetic rats on day 21 (P < .01). Conclusions • The findings suggest that the significant antidiabetic potential of the SAME in ameliorating the diabetic conditions in diabetic rats might be due to the presence of the bioactive constituents in the extract.

Restoration of red mud deposits by naturally growing vegetation.

Disposal of red mud (RM) poses serious environmental problems such as wind erosion, air and water pollution. To overcome these problems, effective restoration of the disposal land through naturally growing vegetation is a sustainable and economical approach. The present study involved estimation of frequency (F), density (D), abundance (Ab), and important value index (IVI) of natural flora on abandoned RM sites in order to assess their metal toxicity tolerance capacity. Based on visual observations and highest IVI, S. Asper and S. punicea were identified as effective ecological tools for the restoration of barren RM sites. From the study, remarkable differences were observed between non-rhizospheric and rhizospheric RM of both species. These rhizospheric RM analyses confirm the ability of S. asper and S. punicea for enhancing the biological activities of abandoned RM. Translocation factor (TF) of iron was maximum (2.58) in S. asper, and bioconcentration factor (BCF) was found maximum (1.25) in S. punicea, but both TF (2.58) and BCF (1.35) were high in S. asper. Therefore, this plant could be reported as an iron hyperaccumulator plant. These results suggest that these plant species can be exploited for effective restoration of RM deposited land without any inputs or maintenance.

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.

Photosynthesis and biochemical responses to elevated O3 in Plantago major and Sonchus oleraceus growing in a lowland habitat of northern China.

A field experiment was carried out to compare the responses to ozone (O3) in two common herbaceous plant species, Plantago major L. and Sonchus oleraceus L., by building open-top growth chambers in situ to simulate O3 stress (+O3, 85±5ppb, 9hr/day for 30days) in a lowland habitat in Inner Mongolia, Northern China. Responses to O3 of gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, leaf pigment content, antioxidant capability, soluble protein content, membrane lipid peroxidation and dark respiration (Rd) were analyzed. Results showed that elevated O3 exposure significantly reduced the light-saturated net photosynthesis (PNsat), stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (E) in both species. Although non-significant interactive effect between species and O3 on PNsat was analyzed, the reduction in PNsat in S. oleraceus might be due primarily to the higher fraction of close PSII reaction centers and impaired activities of plant mesophyll cells as evidences by decreased maximum efficiency of PSII photochemistry after dark adapted state (Fv/Fm) and unchanged intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci). Besides, biochemical analysis showed that S. oleraceus had lower antioxidant ability compared to P. major. As a result, S. oleraceus was damaged to the larger extent in terms of lipid peroxidation and visible O3 injury, indicating that S. oleraceus was more sensitive to O3 than P. major. Our results indicated that wild herbaceous plant species growing in a lowland habitat in sandy grassland were sensitive to O3 stress and S. oleraceus can be considered as one of the bio-indicators for high O3 concentration in semi-arid grassland of northern China.

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.