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.

Total flavones from Sonchus arvensis L. ameliorate colitis by adjusting the gut microbiota.

OBJECTIVE: Sonchus arvensis L. is traditional Chinese food and medicine. We investigated protective effects of flavones from Sonchus arvensis L. (SAF) on colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice by regulating gut microbiota (GM). METHOD: C57BL/6 mice were divided randomly: control group (CL); DSS group (ML); positive control + DSS group (AN); SAF + DSS (FE) group. The protective effects of SAF on ulcerative colitis (UC) were estimated by food intake, water intake, bodyweight loss, diarrhea, blood in stools, colon length, histology, disease activity index (DAI) score, and blood parameters. The sequencing of 16S rRNA gene was detected to investigate effect of SAF on GM. RESULTS: SAF attenuate bodyweight loss significantly. The DAI score was lower in FE group than that in ML group. Colon length was improved significantly in ML group. Pathologic changes could be ameliorated after SAF was administered to UC mice. SAF improved blood parameters of model mice. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that it was very important to ameliorate colitis with bacteria of the phylum Verrucomicrobiota, class Verrucomicrobiae, order Verrucomicrobiales, family Akkermansiaceae, and genus Akkermansia. CONCLUSION: The SAF protective effect against colitis induced by DSS in mice may have a connection with GM diversity.

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.

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.

Plastomes of Sonchus (Asteraceae) endemic to the Atlantic Madeira archipelago: Genome structure, comparative analysis, and phylogenetic relationships.

The woody Sonchus alliance, a spectacular example of adaptive radiation with six genera and approximately 31 species, is found exclusively on three Macaronesian Islands (Madeira, Canaries, and Cape Verdes) in the Atlantic Ocean. Four of the Sonchus taxa are restricted to Madeira, including shrubs and small trees at higher elevations (S. fruticosus and S. pinnatus), and caudex perennials in the lower coastal areas (S. ustulatus subsp. maderensis and S. ustulatus subsp. ustulatus). The Madeiran Sonchus stemmed from a single colonization event that originated from the Canaries < 3 million years ago. However, the plastome evolution and species relationships remains insufficiently explored. We therefore assembled and characterized the plastomes of four Sonchus taxa from Madeira and conducted a phylogenomic analysis. We found highly conserved plastome sequences among the taxa, further supporting a single and recent origin. We also found highly conserved plastomes among the cosmopolitan weedy Sonchus, Macaronesian Sonchus in the Atlantic, and Juan Fernández Islands Dendroseris in the Pacific. Furthermore, we identified four mutation hotspot regions (trnK-rps16, petN-psbM, ndhF-Ψycf1, and ycf1) and simple sequence repeat motifs. This study strongly supports the monophyly of Madeiran Sonchus. However, its relationship with the remaining woody Sonchus alliance from the Canary Islands requires further investigation.

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.

Population structure of ALS-inhibiting herbicide-resistant Sonchus oleraceus in South Australia.

BACKGROUND: Annual sowthistle is a weed that is difficult to control in lentil crops in southern Australia due to a lack of herbicide options, widespread herbicide resistance and prolific production of highly mobile seed. This study investigates herbicide resistance in annual sowthistle in the Mid-North (MN) and Yorke Peninsula (YP) regions of South Australia, identifies and characterizes the mechanisms of acetolactate-synthase (ALS)-inhibitor resistance in this amphidiploid species, and combines this with analyses of population structure and gene flow. RESULTS: ALS-inhibitor-resistant annual sowthistle is widespread across the YP and MN of South Australia and is associated with a variety of Proline-197 mutations of the ALS gene, including leucine, alanine, arginine, serine, threonine and histidine. These mutations were found in different combinations on either of the two copies of the ALS gene. An additional 200 tissue samples were collected from across a single field on the YP and the ALS gene was sequenced for all these individuals. Different ALS-inhibitor resistance profiles were evident between mutation combinations and within mutation combinations, possibly mediated by differing subgenome assortment of the mutations, or altered gene experession of the two ALS homeologs. Population genetics analysis showed evidence of long-distance dispersal, resulting in highly mobile resistance genes, and multiple instances of resistance mutation evolution. CONCLUSIONS: Continuing selection of Sonchus oleraceus populations with ALS-inhibiting herbicides has resulted in the accumulation of additional mutations within the ALS gene. New practices to control herbicide-resistant S. oleraceus should be examined, and control should focus on reducing seed set and dispersal to prevent the spread of emerging cases of resistance. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

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 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.

In vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activities of leaf extracts from Sonchus arvensis L.

BACKGROUND: Malaria continues to be a global problem due to the limited efficacy of current drugs and the natural products are a potential source for discovering new antimalarial agents. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate phytochemical properties, cytotoxic effect, antioxidant, and antiplasmodial activities of Sonchus arvensis L. leaf extracts both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: The extracts from S. arvensis L. leaf were prepared by successive maceration with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol, and then subjected to quantitative phytochemical analysis using standard methods. The antimalarial activities of crude extracts were tested in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain while the Peter's 4-day suppressive test model with P. berghei-infected mice was used to evaluate the in vivo antiplasmodial, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and immunomodulatory activities. The cytotoxic tests were also carried out using human hepatic cell lines in [3(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay. RESULT: The n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanolic extracts of S. arvensis L. leaf exhibited good in vitro antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values 5.119 ± 3.27, 2.916 ± 2.34, and 8.026 ± 1.23 µg/mL, respectively. Each of the extracts also exhibited high antioxidant with low cytotoxic effects. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate extract showed in vivo antiplasmodial activity with ED50 = 46.31 ± 9.36 mg/kg body weight, as well as hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and immunomodulatory activities in mice infected with P. berghei. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the antiplasmodial activities of S. arvensis L. leaf ethyl acetate extract against P. falciparum and P. berghei as well as the antioxidant, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory activities with low toxicity. These results indicate the potential of Sonchus arvensis L. to be developed into a new antimalarial drug candidate. However, the compounds and transmission-blocking strategies for malaria control of S. arvensis L. extracts are essential for further study.

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

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

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

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

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.

Selective Phytotoxic Effects of Sesquiterpenoids from Sonchus arvensis as a Preliminary Approach for the Biocontrol of Two Problematic Weeds of Wheat.

The objective of this study is to find new selective allelochemicals for managing two problematic weeds redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) and common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) with minimal negative effects on wheat, thereby facilitating the development of eco-friendly botanical herbicide. Three new sesquiterpenoids, sonarvenolide A-C (1-3), and nine known sesquiterpenoids (4-12) were isolated from Sonchus arvensis. Compound 1 was a rare peroxide-substituted eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid, and compound 3 was a rare iphionane-type sesquiterpenoid. Notably, compounds 1, 3, 4, 6-8, and 11 showed selectivity phytotoxic activity. In particular, compounds 1, 3, and 4 exhibited excellent germination inhibitory effect on A. retroflexus (IC50 = 32.0-129.0 µM), higher than that of the positive control triasulfuron (IC50 = 141.7 µM), and compound 4 showed excellent inhibition on C. album (IC50 = 82.0 µM), higher than that of triasulfuron (IC50 = 100.9 µM). In addition, compounds 1, 3, and 4 showed allelopathy to the growth of two weeds, which were more potent than or close to that of triasulfuron. Furthermore, these compounds were not toxic to wheat even at a high concentration (1000 µM). Structure-activity relationships (SARs) revealed that the presence of peroxides or the absence of hydroxyl at C-5 in the eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids could strengthen the inhibitory activities. The discovery of selective allelochemicals provides not only a new choice to control two problematic weeds of wheat but also new natural lead compounds for herbicides.

Alternanthera yellow vein virus (AYVV); a betasatellite independent begomovirus infecting Sonchus palustris in Pakistan.

Satellites associated begomoviruses are the most diverse group of plant viruses in tropical and subtropical regions. In Pakistan, during field surveys in 2019-2020, Sonchus palustris (a weed plant) was observed showing begomovirus symptoms i.e., vein yellowing and mosaic patterns on leaves. Rolling circle amplification from total isolated DNA of symptomatic leaves was performed to amplify circular viral genomes. Subsequent cloning and sequencing showed that a new strain of Alternanthera yellow vein virus (AlYVV) is associated with vein yellowing disease of S. palustris. The identity percentage analysis through BLAST search and SDT analysis showed that the new strain is 94-98% identical to AlYVV isolates reported from Pakistan, India and China. In phylogenetic tree, it clustered with AlYVV-[PK:E prostrata:15-KX710155], AlYVV-[PK:E prostrata:13]-KX906697] and AlYVV-[PK:E prostrata:11]-KX906694] previously reported from Pakistan. There was no detectable level of betasatellite or any other satellite molecule in the samples studied here. Phylogenetic analysis of Rep and CP genes of AlYVV with corresponding genes of closely related viruses circulating in Southeast Asia showed intra-specific recombination involving both complementary and virion sense region of virus. Relaxed clock and Bayesian Skyline Plot analysis based on CP gene sequences indicated slight higher substitution rates (4.75 x 10-3 substitutions/nucleotide/year). In the Indian subcontinent satellite-associated monopartite begomoviruses predominately infect crops and non-crop plants. But AlYVV is found infecting mostly non-crop plants independent of satellite molecules. We hypothesize here that AlYVV evolved as a true monopartite begomovirus in the Indian sub-continent and could be a great threat to introduced crops under suitable conditions. Such studies are crucial to understand probable future epidemics of begomoviruses in the region.

Root-associated microbiota drive phytoremediation strategies to lead of Sonchus Asper (L.) Hill as revealed by intercropping-induced modifications of the rhizosphere microbiome.

Intercropping or assistant endophytes promote phytoremediation capacities of hyperaccumulators and enhance their tolerance to heavy metal (HM) stress. Findings from a previous study showed that intercropping the hyperaccumulator Sonchus asper (L.) Hill grown in HM-contaminated soils with maize improved the remediating properties and indicated an excluder-to-hyperaccumulator switched mode of action towards lead. In the current study, RNA-Seq analysis was conducted on Sonchus roots grown under intercropping or monoculture systems to explore the molecular events underlying this shift in lead sequestering strategy. The findings showed that intercropping only slightly affects S. asper transcriptome but significantly affects expression of root-associated microbial genomes. Further, intercropping triggers significant reshaping of endophytic communities associated with a 'root-to-shoot' transition of lead sequestration and improved phytoremediation capacities of S. asper. These findings indicate that accumulator activities of a weed are partially attributed to the root-associated microbiota, and a complex network of plant-microbe-plant interactions shapes the phytoremediation potential of S. asper. Analysis showed that intercropping may significantly change the structure of root-associated communities resulting in novel remediation properties, thus providing a basis for improving phytoremediation practices to restore contaminated soils.

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.

Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence of Sonchus brachyotus Helps to Elucidate Evolutionary Relationships with Related Species of Asteraceae.

Sonchus brachyotus DC. possesses both edible and medicinal properties and is widely distributed throughout China. In this study, the complete cp genome of S. brachyotus was sequenced and assembled. The total length of the complete S. brachyotus cp genome was 151,977 bp, including an LSC region of 84,553 bp, SSC region of 18,138 bp, and IR region of 24,643 bp. Sequence analyses revealed that the cp genome encoded 132 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The GC content was 37.6%. One hundred mononucleotide microsatellites, 4 dinucleotide microsatellites, 67 trinucleotide microsatellites, 4 tetranucleotide microsatellites, and 1 long repeat were identified. The SSR frequency of the LSC region was significantly greater than that of the IR and SSC regions. In total, 175 SSRs and highly variable regions were recognized as potential cp markers. By analyzing the IR/LSC and IR/SSC boundaries, structural differences between S. brachyotus and 6 other species were detected. According to phylogenetic analyses, S. brachyotus was most closely related to S. arvensis and S. oleraceus. Overall, this study provides complete cp genome resources for S. brachyotus that will be beneficial for identifying potential molecular markers and evolutionary patterns of S. brachyotus and its closely related species.

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.

Growth, secondary metabolite production, and in vitro antiplasmodial activity of Sonchus arvensis L. callus under dolomite [CaMg(CO3)2] treatment.

Malaria is still a global health problem. Plasmodium is a single-cell protozoan parasite that causes malaria and is transmitted to humans through the female Anopheles mosquito. The previous study showed that Sonchus arvensis L. callus has antiplasmodial activity. Several treatments are needed for callus quality improvement for antimalarial compound production. This study aimed to examine the effect of dolomite [CaMg(CO3)2] on growth (morpho-anatomical structure and biomass), secondary metabolite production, and in vitro antiplasmodial activity of S. arvensis L. callus. In this study, leaf explants were grown in Murashige and Skoog medium with a combination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D, one mg/L) and 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP, 0.5 mg/L) with dolomite (50, 75, 100, 150, and 200 mg/L). The 21 days callus ethanolic and methanolic extract were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The antiplasmodial test was performed on a blood culture infected with Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 using the Rieckmann method. The results showed that dolomite significantly affected callus growth, metabolite profile, and in vitro antiplasmodial activity. Dolomite (150 mg/L) showed the highest biomass (0.590 ± 0.136 g fresh weight and 0.074 ± 0.008 g dry weight). GC-MS analysis detected four compounds from callus ethanolic extract. Pelargonic acid, decanoic acid, and hexadecanoic acid were major compounds. One new terpenoid compound is based on TLC analysis. S. arvensis L. callus has antiplasmodial activity with the IC50 value of 5.037 µg/mL. It was three times lower than leaf methanolic extract and five times lower than leaf ethanolic extract.