Selenium content, chemical composition and volatile components of essential oil and hydrosol from flowers of Cardamine violifolia.

Cardamine violifolia is a unique selenium hyperaccumulating vegetable in China, but its flowers are commonly wasted in large-scale cultivation. To better utilize this resource, this study explored the selenium content, chemical composition, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of hydro-distilling essential oil (EO) and hydrosol from C. violifolia flowers. ICP-MS results indicated that the EO and hydrosol contained selenium reaching 13.66±2.82 mg/kg and 0.0084±0.0013 mg/kg, respectively. GC-MS analysis revealed that organic acids, hydrocarbons, and amines were the main components of EO. Additionally, benzyl nitrile, benzaldehyde, benzyl isothiocyanate, benzyl alcohol, megastigmatrienone, and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol also existed in considerable amounts. The hydrosol extract had fewer components, mainly amines. HS-SPME-GC-MS corresponded to the composition analysis and aromatic compounds were the prevalent VOCs, while HS-GC-IMS primarily identified C2-C10 molecular alcohols, aldehydes, ethers, and sulfur-containing compounds. This study first described the chemical composition and VOC profiles of EO and hydrosol from selenium hyperaccumulating plant.

Selenium-enriched Cardamine violifolia protects against sepsis-induced intestinal injury by regulating mitochondrial fusion in weaned pigs.

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the dysregulated response of the host to an infection, and treatments are limited. Recently, a novel selenium source, selenium-enriched Cardamine violifolia (SEC) has attracted much attention due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but little is known about its role in the treatment of sepsis. Here, we found that SEC alleviated LPS-induced intestinal damage, as indicated by improved intestinal morphology, and increased disaccharidase activity and tight junction protein expression. Moreover, SEC ameliorated the LPS-induced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as indicated by decreased IL-6 level in the plasma and jejunum. Moreover, SEC improved intestinal antioxidant functions by regulating oxidative stress indicators and selenoproteins. In vitro, TNF-α-challenged IPEC-1 cells were examined and showed that selenium-enriched peptides, which are the main functional components extracted from Cardamine violifolia (CSP), increased cell viability, decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity and improved cell barrier function. Mechanistically, SEC ameliorated LPS/TNF-α-induced perturbations in mitochondrial dynamics in the jejunum and IPEC-1 cells. Moreover, CSP-mediated cell barrier function is primarily dependent on the mitochondrial fusion protein MFN2 but not MFN1. Taken together, these results indicate that SEC mitigates sepsis-induced intestinal injury, which is associated with modulating mitochondrial fusion.

Selenium-enriched peptides isolated from Cardamine violifolia are potent in suppressing proliferation and enhancing apoptosis of HepG2 cells.

Selenium (Se)-enriched peptides were isolated from Cardamine violifolia by enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrafiltration. S3 (molecular weight [MW] distribution of 3-5 kDa) exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on HepG2 cells and was thus screened using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay; it was found to have a high organic Se content. Its amino acid sequence was determined using HPLC-MS/MS. We then examined its ability to inhibit tumor cell proliferation and found that it arrested tumor cells in the S phase; moreover, it could induce cancer cell apoptosis. Following S3 treatment, we observed a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase in cell calcium content. Upon S3 treatment at 60 µg/ml, the relative activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 increased by 1.48 times and 2.17 times, and the contents of PI3K and AKT decreased from 2.05 ng/L and 1.95 ng/L to 0.71 ng/L and 0.50 ng/L, respectively, when compared with the control group. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant changes in the PI3K-AKT pathway following S3 treatment. This study thus established a foundation for additional development of Se-enriched peptides from C. violifolia as a functional food. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Cardamine violifolia is a Se-tolerant cruciferous plant that can metabolically transform inorganic Se into organic Se that exists in the form of a selenoprotein. Se-enriched peptide obtained by extraction and enzymolysis of selenoprotein, as an organic combination of organic Se and peptide, possess valuable biological activities. In this paper, the effect of Se-enriched peptides of C. violifolia on tumor cells was studied via cell experiments, and its mechanism was preliminarily discussed, which should provide a theoretical basis for developing functional foods containing C. violifolia.

Physicochemical Properties, Fatty Acid Composition, Volatile Compounds of Blueberries, Cranberries, Raspberries, and Cuckooflower Seeds Obtained Using Sonication Method.

Every year, thousands of tons of fruit seeds are discarded as agro-industrial by-products around the world. Fruit seeds are an excellent source of oils, monounsaturated fatty acids, and n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acids. This study aimed to develop a novel technology for extracting active substances from selected seeds that were obtained after pressing fruit juices. The proposed technology involved sonification with the use of ethyl alcohol at a low extraction temperature. Seeds of four species-blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), raspberry (Rubus idaeus), cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), and cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis)-were used for extraction. Following alcohol evaporation under nitrogen, the antioxidant activity, chemical composition, and volatile compounds of the obtained extracts were analyzed using chromatographic methods, including gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry (MS) (GC-MS/MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography-MS. We analyzed physicochemical properties, fatty acid, and volatile compounds composition, sterol and tocochromanol content of blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, and cuckooflower seed oils obtained by sonication. This method is safe and effective, and allows for obtaining valuable oils from the seeds.

The relieving effect of sun-dried protein tonic on sports fatigue / O efeito calmante na fadiga esportiva da proteína tônica secada ao sol / El efecto calmante en la fatiga deportiva de la proteína tónica secada al sol

ABSTRACT Fatigue is a comprehensive process that involves many physiological and biochemical factors. It is a normal physiological reaction when human physical or mental activities reach a certain level. In recent years, it has been verified that free radicals are closely related to exercise-induced fatigue. Cardamine bursa purified selenoprotein has good oxygen-free radical scavenging ability and anti-lipid peroxide. It could protect mitochondria, liver, and red blood cells from peroxide injury. Therefore, it was speculated that the purification of selenoprotein Cardamine may play an active role in attenuating exercise-induced fatigue by scavenging free radicals. This study cleared the selenite protein Capsella bursa (SPC) as a research object, and evaluated its structural characteristics in relieving exercise-induced fatigue. The selenoprotein index system for exercise-induced fatigue was constructed by combining two AHP methods, principal component analysis and factor analysis. Purity, subunit composition, amino acid composition and RCM content were evaluated. The corresponding RCM protein was preliminarily predicted. The results showed that SPCH could significantly prolong the swimming time (P <0.01), improve the lactate clearance capacity (P <0.01), increase the glycogen content of the liver (P <0.01), and reduce the level of the BUN (P <0.05). SPCH has a good effect in relieving exercise-induced fatigue in mice, so it can be considered for development as a nutritional supplement to alleviate exercise-induced fatigue.

RESUMO Fadiga é um processo abrangente envolvendo muitos fatores fisiológicos e bioquímicos. É uma reação fisiológica normal quando as atividades físicas ou mentais humanas atingem um certo nível. Nos últimos anos, verificou-se que os radicais livres estão intimamente relacionados com a fadiga induzida pelo exercício. A selenoproteina purificada de Cardamina bursa tem boa capacidade de depuração de radicais sem oxigénio e de peróxido anti-lípido. Poderia proteger as mitocôndrias, fígado e glóbulos vermelhos de lesões por peróxido. Por conseguinte, especulou-se que a purificação da selenoproteina de Cardamina pode desempenhar um papel activo na atenuação da fadiga induzida pelo exercício por meio de radicais livres de scavenging. Este estudo depurou a proteína selenita Capsella bursa (SPC) como objeto de pesquisa, e avaliou as suas características estruturais no alívio da fadiga induzida pelo exercício. O sistema de índice de selenoproteinas para a fadiga induzida pelo exercício foi construído por meio da combinação dos métodos de AHP, análise principal de componentes e a análise de fatores. Foram avaliados a pureza, a composição sub-unitária, a composição de aminoácidos e o conteúdo do RCM. A proteína correspondente do RCM foi prevista preliminarmente. Os resultados mostraram que o SPCH poderia prolongar significativamente o tempo de natação (P < 0.01), melhorar a capacidade de depuração do lactato (P< 0.01), aumentar o conteúdo do glicogênio do fígado (P < 0.01), e reduzir o nível do BUN (P< 0.05). o SPCH tem um bom efeito em aliviar a fadiga induzida pelo exercício em ratos, de modo que pode ser considerado para desenvolvê-lo como um suplemento nutricional para aliviar a fadiga induzida pelo exercício.

RESUMEN La fatiga es un proceso abarcador que envuelve muchos factores fisiológicos y bioquímicos. Es una reacción fisiológica normal cuando las actividades físicas o mentales humanas alcanzan un cierto nivel. En los últimos anos, se verificó que los radicales libres están íntimamente relacionados con la fatiga inducida por el ejercicio. La selenoproteína purificada de Cardamina bursa tiene buena capacidad de depuración de radicales sin oxígeno y de peróxido antilipídico. Podría proteger las mitocondrias, el hígado y los glóbulos rojos de lesiones por peróxido. Por consiguiente, se especuló que la purificación de la selenoproteína de Cardamina puede desempeñar un papel activo en la atenuación de la fatiga inducida por el ejercicio por medio de radicales libres de scavenging. Este estudio depuró la proteína selenita Capsella bursa (SPC) como objeto de investigación, y evaluó sus características estructurales en el alivio de la fatiga inducida por el ejercicio. El sistema de índice de selenoproteínas para a fatiga inducida por el ejercicio fue construido por medio de la combinación dos métodos de AHP, el análisis principal de componentes y el análisis de factores. Fueron evaluados la pureza, la composición sub-unitaria, la composición de aminoácidos y el contenido del RCM. La proteína correspondiente del RCM fue prevista preliminarmente. Los resultados mostraron que el SPCH podría prolongar significativamente el tiempo de natación (P < 0.01), mejorar la capacidad de depuración del lactato (P< 0.01), aumentar el contenido del glicógeno del hígado (P < 0.01), y reducir el nivel del BUN (P< 0.05). el SPCH tiene un buen efecto en aliviar la fatiga inducida por el ejercicio en ratones, de modo que puede ser considerado para desarrollarlo como un suplemento nutricional para aliviar la fatiga inducida por el ejercicio.

Cardamine hupingshanensis aqueous extract improves intestinal redox status and gut microbiota in Se-deficient rats.

BACKGROUND: As an essential trace element for mammalian species, selenium (Se) possesses powerful antioxidant properties and is a potential regulator of intestinal microbiota. However, effects of Cardamine hupingshanensis aqueous extract (CE), rich in Se, on balancing the intestinal redox status and regulating gut microbiota have been neglected. RESULTS: An Se-deficient rat model was established by feeding a low-Se diet (LD) for 5 weeks and CE was then supplemented to LD or normal-Se-diet (ND) rats. Antioxidant enzyme activities and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration were increased by CE in both LD and ND rats. CE improved the intestinal morphology of LD rats impaired by deficient Se. Intestinal microbiota demonstrated various changes; for example, Butyrivibrio was increased in LD rats, while Bacteroides, Christensenellaceae, Clostridiaceae and Blautia were enhanced in ND rats. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide evidence that CE shows potential in improving intestinal redox status and regulating gut microbiota. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Water soluble selenometabolome of Cardamine violifolia.

Low molecular weight selenium containing metabolites in the leaves of the selenium hyperaccumulator Cardamine violifolia (261 mg total Se per kg d.w.) were targeted in this study. One dimensional cation exchange chromatography coupled to ICP-MS was used for purification and fractionation purposes prior to LC-Unispray-QTOF-MS analysis. The search for selenium species in full scan spectra was assisted with an automated mass defect based filtering approach. Besides selenocystathionine, selenohomocystine and its polyselenide derivative, a total number of 35 water soluble selenium metabolites other than selenolanthionine were encountered, including 30 previously unreported compounds. High occurrence of selenium containing hexoses was observed, together with the first assignment of N-glycoside derivatives of selenolanthionine. Quantification of the most abundant selenium species, selenolanthionine, was carried out with an ion pairing LC - post column isotope dilution ICP-MS setup, which revealed that this selenoamino acid accounted for 30% of the total selenium content of the leaf (78 mg (as Se) per kg d.w.).

Effects of different exogenous selenium on Se accumulation, nutrition quality, elements uptake, and antioxidant response in the hyperaccumulation plant Cardamine violifolia.

Cardamine violifolia (Brassicaceae) is a novel selenium(Se) hyperaccumulation plant with rich nutrients, and serves as a good source of special vegetables in Enshi, China. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the application of selenate, selenite, and Se yeast (50-800 mg/L) on the growth, Se accumulation, nutrient uptake, and antioxidant response of C. violifolia. The results showed that the Se accumulation efficiency was selenate > selenite > Se yeast, the maximum Se concentration could achieve over 7000 mg/kg, and about 90% was organic Se. The major Se speciation found was mainly SeCys2 and the proportion of various Se species were affected by the Se forms and concentrations. Besides, the plant growth, nutrition quality indexes, element uptakes, and antioxidant responses indicated that 200 mg/L selenate was optimum for C. violifolia to accumulate Se without much impacts, while to obtain more proportion of organic Se, 200 mg/L selenite might be a better choice.

Antioxidant Activity of Selenium-Enriched Peptides from the Protein Hydrolysate of Cardamine violifolia.

Cardamine violifolia is a selenium (Se)-enriched plant found in China. In this study, the Se-enriched peptides of C. violifolia (CP) were isolated using a 1 kDa ultrafiltration membrane after enzymatic hydrolysis by alkaline and neutral proteases. The peptides were separated by DEAE-Sepharose FF anion-exchange chromatography and purified using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (prep-HPLC). The component with the highest antioxidant activity, CPR13, was identified by comparing the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), hydroxyl (•OH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+ •), and superoxide ( O 2 - · ) radical scavenging ability of each fraction. At a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL, the DPPH•, •OH, O 2 - · , and ABTS+ • scavenging activities of CPR13 were 89.2%, 26.3%, 40.6%, and 42.9%, respectively. Amino acid sequences were obtained by liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry as follows: GRVGSSSC, GRAGGSYM, GHPNFKLNCSGG, GTKSCKA, ASSNARDMI, TAGGCYIPI, and KNCALQ. The seleno-amino acids were identified as selenomethionine, methylselenocysteine, and selenocysteine. Correlation analysis among organic Se content, peptide content, and antioxidant activity revealed that organic Se plays a greater role in free radical scavenging than peptides, and that the organic Se content of the Se-enriched peptides was positively correlated with their antioxidant ability (P < 0.05). It indicated that CP has a great potential as natural functional materials for dietary supplement.

Cardamine komarovii flower extract reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting MyD88/TRIF signaling pathways.

In the present study, we investigated anti-inflammatory effect of Cardamine komarovii flower (CKF) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). We determined the effect of CKF methanolic extracts on LPS-induced pro-inflammatory mediators NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6), and related protein expression levels of MyD88/TRIF signaling pathways in peritoneal macrophages (PMs). Nuclear translocation of NF-κB-p65 was analyzed by immunofluorescence. For the in vivo experiments, an ALI model was established to detect the number of inflammatory cells and inflammatory factors (IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice. The pathological damage in lung tissues was evaluated through H&E staining. Our results showed that CKF can decrease the production of inflammatory mediators, such as NO and PGE2, by inhibiting their synthesis-related enzymes iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-induced PMs. In addition, CKF can downregulate the mRNA levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6 to inhibit the production of inflammatory factors. Mechanism studies indicated that CKF possesses a fine anti-inflammatory effect by regulating MyD88/TRIF dependent signaling pathways. Immunocytochemistry staining showed that the CKF extract attenuates the LPS-induced translocation of NF-kB p65 subunit in the nucleus from the cytoplasm. In vivo experiments revealed that the number of inflammatory cells and IL-1ß in BALF of mice decrease after CKF treatment. Histopathological observation of lung tissues showed that CKF can remarkably improve alveolar clearance and infiltration of interstitial and alveolar cells after LPS stimulation. In conclusion, our results suggest that CKF inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response by inhibiting the MyD88/TRIF signaling pathways, thereby protecting mice from LPS-induced ALI.

Correlated Induction of Phytohormones and Glucosinolates Shapes Insect Herbivore Resistance of Cardamine Species Along Elevational Gradients.

Although the production of phytohormones has been commonly associated with production of plant defence and stress-related traits, few studies have simultaneously investigated this phenomenon across several plant species that grow along large-scale ecological gradients. To address these knowledge gaps, we performed a common garden experiment with six Cardamine species, which collectively encompass an elevational gradient of 2000 m. We quantified constitutive and Pieris brassicae caterpillars-induced phytohormones and chemical defences in leaves. We found a correlated expression of phytohormone production and the subsequent induction of chemical defences, and this correlated expression reduced herbivore performance. Furthermore, we found that abiotic conditions associated with the optimal elevation range of each species influenced the production of phytohormones and chemical defences, as well as plant growth and productivity. In particular, we found that plant species adapted to milder abiotic conditions at low elevations grew faster, were more productive and produced greater levels of chemical defences. In contrast, plant species adapted to harsher abiotic conditions at high elevations tended to produce greater levels of defence-related oxylipins. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of disentangling the role of phytohormones in mediating plant adaptations to shifting biotic and abiotic conditions.

Interspecific Differences in the Larval Performance of Pieris Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Are Associated with Differences in the Glucosinolate Profiles of Host Plants.

The tremendous diversity of plants and herbivores has arisen from a coevolutionary relationship characterized by plant defense and herbivore counter adaptation. Pierid butterfly species feed on Brassicales plants that produce glucosinolates as a chemical deterrent against herbivory. In turn, the larvae of pierids have nitrile specifier proteins (NSPs) that are expressed in their gut and disarm glucosinolates. Pierid butterflies are known to have diversified in response to glucosinolate diversification in Brassicales. Therefore, each pierid species is expected to have a spectrum of host plants characterized by specific glucosinolate profiles. In this study, we tested whether the larval performance of different Pieris species, a genus in Pieridae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), was associated with plant defense traits of putative host plants. We conducted feeding assays using larvae of three Pieris species and 10 species of the Brassicaceae family possessing different leaf physical traits and glucosinolate profile measurements. The larvae of Pieris rapae responded differently in the feeding assays compared with the other two Pieris species. This difference was associated with differences in glucosinolate profiles but not with variations in physical traits of the host plants. This result suggests that individual Pieris species are adapted to a subset of glucosinolate profiles within the Brassicaceae. Our results support the idea that the host ranges of Pieris species depend on larval responses to glucosinolate diversification in the host species, supporting the hypothesis of coevolution between butterflies and host plants mediated by the chemical arms race.

N1, N14-diferuloylspermine as an antioxidative phytochemical contained in leaves of Cardamine fauriei.

Most Brassicaceae vegetables are ideal dietary sources of antioxidants beneficial for human health. Cardamine fauriei (Ezo-wasabi in Japanese) is a wild, edible Brassicaceae herb native to Hokkaido, Japan. To clarify the main antioxidative phytochemical, an 80% methanol extraction from the leaves was fractionated with Diaion® HP-20, Sephadex® LH-20, and Sep-Pak® C18 cartridges, and the fraction with strong antioxidant activity depending on DPPH method was purified by HPLC. Based on the analyses using HRESIMS and MS/MS, the compound might be N1, N14-diferuloylspermine. This rare phenol compound was chemically synthesized, whose data on HPLC, MS and 1H NMR were compared with those of naturally derived compound from C. fauriei. All results indicated they were the same compound. The radical-scavenging properties of diferuloylspermine were evaluated by ORAC and ESR spin trapping methods, with the diferuloylspermine showing high scavenging activities of the ROO·, O2·-, and HO· radicals as was those of conventional antioxidants.

How Does Garlic Mustard Lure and Kill the West Virginia White Butterfly?

As it pertains to insect herbivores, the preference-performance hypothesis posits that females will choose oviposition sites that maximize their offspring's fitness. However, both genetic and environmental cues contribute to oviposition preference, and occasionally "oviposition mistakes" occur, where insects oviposit on hosts unsuitable for larval development. Pieris virginiensis is a pierine butterfly native to North America that regularly oviposits on an invasive plant, Alliaria petiolata, but the caterpillars are unable to survive. Alliaria petiolata has high concentrations of the glucosinolate sinigrin in its tissues, as well as a hydroxynitrile glucoside, alliarinoside. We investigated sinigrin as a possible cause of mistake oviposition, and sinigrin and alliarinoside as possible causes of larval mortality. We found that sinigrin applied to leaves of Cardamine diphylla, a major host of P. virginiensis that does not produce sinigrin, had no effect on oviposition rates. We tested the effect of sinigrin on larval performance using two host plants, one lacking sinigrin (C. diphylla) and one with sinigrin naturally present (Brassica juncea). We found no effect of sinigrin application on survival of caterpillars fed C. diphylla, but sinigrin delayed pupation and decreased pupal weight. On B. juncea, sinigrin decreased survival, consumption, and caterpillar growth. We also tested the response of P. virginiensis caterpillars to alliarinoside, a compound unique to A. petiolata, which was applied to B. oleracea. We found a significant reduction in survival, leaf consumption, and caterpillar size when alliarinoside was consumed. The 'novel weapon' alliarinoside likely is largely responsible for larval failure on the novel host A. petiolata. Sinigrin most likely contributes to the larval mortality observed, however, we did not observe any effect of sinigrin on oviposition by P. virginiensis females. Further research needs to be done on non-glucosinolate contact cues, and volatile signals that may induce P. virginiensis oviposition.

Cadmium accumulation characteristics of the winter farmland weeds Cardamine hirsuta Linn. and Gnaphalium affine D. Don.

In a preliminary study, we found that the cadmium (Cd) concentrations in shoots of the winter farmland weeds Cardamine hirsuta Linn. and Gnaphalium affine D. Don exceeded the critical value of a Cd-hyperaccumulator (100 mg kg(-1)), indicating that these two farmland weeds might be Cd-hyperaccumulators. In this study, we grew these species in soil containing various concentrations of Cd to further evaluate their Cd accumulation characteristics. The biomasses of C. hirsuta and G. affine decreased with increasing Cd concentrations in the soil, while the root/shoot ratio and the Cd concentrations in shoot tissues increased. The Cd concentrations in shoots of C. hirsuta and G. affine reached 121.96 and 143.91 mg kg(-1), respectively, at the soil Cd concentration of 50 mg kg(-1). Both of these concentrations exceeded the critical value of a Cd-hyperaccumulator (100 mg kg(-1)). The shoot bioconcentration factors of C. hirsuta and G. affine were greater than 1. The translocation factor of C. hirsuta was less than 1 and that of G. affine was greater than 1. These findings indicated that C. hirsuta is a Cd-accumulator and G. affine is Cd-hyperaccumulator. Both plants are distributed widely in the field, and they could be used to remediate Cd-contaminated farmland soil in winter.

Review on Cardamine diphylla (Michx.) A. wood (Brassicaceae): ethnobotany and glucosinolate chemistry.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cardamine diphylla (Michx.) A. Wood, commonly called toothwort, is a spring perennial herb belonging to the Brassicaceae family. This endemic plant of Eastern North America has been widely used by multiple American First Nations (i.e. indigenous people of North America) for food and medicine for centuries. APPROACH AND METHODS: The aim of the review is to describe the botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and bioactivity of Cardamine diphylla. The review covers literature on Cardamine diphylla, and the alternative name Dentaria diphylla, from English and French language sources. RESULTS: Multiple traditional uses of Cardamine diphylla by American First Nations are well documented. Initial health studies showed that the tested concentrations of the extract were not toxic against brine shrimp larvae and the same extract had a weak free-radical scavenging activity. However, bioactive compounds in the form of aliphatic and indole glucosinolates and some indole alkaloids have been isolated from this plant. Ecological research regarding Cardamine diphylla-insect interactions (such as feeding and oviposition) is also available in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: The wide range of traditional uses by multiple American First Nations suggests that the antibacterial, antiviral, immunostimulant, analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory activities of this plant should be explored in in vitro and in vivo tests. Traditional modes of preparation of the plant suggest that some of the medicinal properties could certainly be attributed to glucosinolate degradation products (i.e. isothiocyanates), but a clear assignment of active molecules and mechanisms of action remain to be elucidated. The presence of glucosinolates indicates that the plant could be probed for cancer chemopreventive properties. Overall, the review shows that more investigation is necessary to determine the possible benefits of Cardamine diphylla extracts to pharmaceutical companies as a nutraceutic specialty phytotherapeutic agent against respiratory (cold and sore throat) or gastrointestinal problems.

A new acylated flavonol glycoside from the aerial parts of Cardamine tangutorum.

A new acylated flavonol glycoside, kaempferol-3-O-ß-D-(2-feruloylglucopyranosyl) (1 → 6)-[ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1 → 2)]-ß-D-glucopyranoside, named tangutorumoside A (1), together with 12 known compounds, was isolated from 50% acetone extract of Cardamine tangutorum. Their structures were elucidated by NMR and MS experiments. In addition, compound 1 could promote the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes and thymic lymphocytes with ConA in vitro.

Three new megastigmane glucopyranosides from the Cardamine komarovii.

Three new megastigmane glucopyranosides, komaroveside A [(3S,4R,5Z,7E)-3,4-dihydroxy-5,7-megastigmadien-9-one-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside] (1), komaroveside B [(3S,4S,5S,6R,7E)-5,6-epoxy-3,4-dihydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside] (2) and komaroveside C [(3S,4S,5S,6R,7E,9S)-5,6-epoxy-3,4,9-trihydroxy-7-megastigmen-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside] (3) were isolated, together with eight known compounds, from Cardamine komarovii. The identification of these compounds and the elucidation of their structures were based on 1D- and 2D-NMR spectral data analysis. The isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against four human tumor cell lines (A549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2, HCT15) in vitro using the sulforhodamine B bioassay.

Leaf and floral parts feeding by orange tip butterfly larvae depends on larval position but not on glucosinolate profile or nitrogen level.

In an attempt to identify chemical signals governing the general flower and silique feeding behavior of larvae of the orange tip butterfly, Anthocharis cardamines (L.), we investigated feeding behavior and chemistry of two major host plants: Cardamine pratensis L. and Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & Grande (garlic mustard). Larvae reportedly feed mainly on flowers and siliques rather than leaves in nature, and did so when observed on the original host plants. Behavioral experiments, using detached A. petiolata branches, however, showed that larvae readily accepted leaves and only the final instar showed a tendency for directed movement towards floral parts. To search for semiochemicals that control plant part preference and to assess possible nutritional consequences of floral parts feeding, we determined glucosinolate profiles and total nitrogen levels of floral parts and leaves. There was only moderate difference between glucosinolate profiles of leaves and floral parts within each of two host plant species. In contrast, the profiles of floral parts differed significantly between them. A. petiolata was dominated by 2-propenyl glucosinolate, while C. pratensis was dominated by aromatic glucosinolates and branched aliphatic glucosinolates, with considerable variation among populations. Nitrogen levels tended to be higher in floral parts than in leaves in A. petiolata, but not in C. pratensis, so floral feeding could not generally be attributed to higher N content. With the exception of a tendency of last instar larvae (L5) to move to the apex and ingest flowers and upper stem, we did not find either a plant chemistry basis or larval acceptance/rejection behavior that could explain the usual feeding of floral parts by orange tip larvae of all instars. However, by artificial manipulation of vertical larval position on host plants, we found that the frequency of leaf vs. flower feeding during 24 hr depended significantly on the initial larval position. Hence, we suggest that the placement of eggs on floral parts by ovipositing female butterflies is a major explanation of orange tip feeding habits previously known from field observations.