Search Results (52)

Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) is a medicinal and edible homologous plant whose roots contain many bioactive substances such as polysaccharides and phenolics. This study explored the integration of burdock powder and lactic acid bacteria fermentation to enhance the nutritional quality, sensory attributes, and flavor profiles of duck sausages. Three bacterial strains, Lacticaseibacillus casei, L. helveticus, and L. plantarum, were selected based on sensory analysis, and their effects on sausage properties were evaluated through combined fermentation trials. The results demonstrated that duck sausages fermented with L. plantarum and L. helveticus and supplemented with 3% burdock powder (PHB group) exhibited > 1.5-fold higher antioxidant activity (ABTS at 85.2 μmol trolox/g and DPPH at 92.7 μmol trolox/g, respectively; p < 0.05) and 15% increase in total phenolic content (8.24 mg gallic acid/g) compared to non-fermented counterparts. The PHB formulation also enhanced color stability (lightness, redness, yellowness), textural characteristics (hardness, springiness, cohesiveness), and sensory acceptability. Volatile compound analysis revealed a reduction in off-odor aldehydes (hexanal, (E)-2-octenal, (E)-2-decenal, and (E,E)-2,4-decadienal) and increased production of desirable aromatic compounds like tetramethyl-pyrazine. These findings highlight the potential of combining lactic acid bacteria fermentation with burdock powder to develop functional duck sausages with improved nutritional and sensory properties. Full article

This study systematically investigated the inhibitory mechanism of Arctium lappa L. polyphenols (ALP) against human neutrophil elastase (HNE). Molecular docking techniques were employed to predict the binding patterns and inhibition types between polyphenolic components and HNE, complemented by in vitro enzymatic tests to validate inhibitory efficacy. Combination index (CI) analysis was applied to evaluate synergistic effects. Through preliminary in vitro screening, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and isochlorogenic acid A were identified as key bioactive constituents. Experimental results demonstrated that the half-inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of individual compounds against HNE ranged from 46.4 to 203.3 μM, while ALP extract exhibited dose-dependent inhibition (IC₅₀ = 0.99 mg/mL). Drug combination ratios based on individual IC₅₀ values revealed synergistic effects (CI < 1) in chlorogenic acid-quercetin and isochlorogenic acid A-quercetin combinations, whereas antagonism (CI > 1) was observed in chlorogenic acid-isochlorogenic acid A pairs. The molecular docking results predicted that chlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acid A competitively occupy the same binding site of the target protein (HNE) to exert inhibitory effects, thereby explaining the antagonism produced by their combination. In contrast, quercetin may inhibit HNE with a binding site different from that of chlorogenic acid or isochlorogenic acid A, which accounts for the observed synergistic effects. This study provides the first systematic elucidation of synergistic mechanisms of ALP as natural HNE inhibitors, providing theoretical foundations for developing novel natural HNE inhibitors with potential applications in acute lung injury, COVID-19-associated inflammatory conditions, and chronic inflammatory diseases. Full article

Arctium lappa L., commonly known as burdock, is a biennial plant whose roots are a valuable source of bioactive phenolic compounds with notable health-promoting properties. However, the bioactivity of these compounds is influenced by both extraction parameters and plant growth conditions. This study investigated the combined effect of extraction temperature, land management, and cultivation altitude on the antioxidant and anticholinergic potential of burdock root extracts obtained through pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). Extractions were performed at 50 °C, 100 °C, and 150 °C, with 50 °C being the temperature that best preserved phenolic content and bioactivity. Remarkably, root extracts obtained at 50 °C and collected from an untreated organic field at 150 m altitude yielded higher phenolic levels (42 mg gallic acid/g extract) than conventional solid–liquid extraction (38 mg gallic acid/g extract). A comparative analysis of three ecotypes, including Organic Land Ecotype (OLE) and Spontaneous Land Ecotype (SPLE), both collected at 150 m altitude, and Spontaneous Mountain Ecotype (SPME), collected at 800 m (over sea level), revealed that a higher altitude significantly increased phenolic content and anticholinergic potential. Furthermore, roots from non-weeded soils exhibited superior bioactivity compared to those from weeded areas. These findings underline that the successful obtention of highly bioactive burdock root extracts depends not only on extraction conditions, but also critically on cultivation altitude and land management strategies. Full article

The present study aimed to investigate Greek Kollitsida root samples from different geographical regions based on physicochemical and antibacterial analyses. For this purpose, samples were treated with different solvents, deionized water (solvent A) and ethanol of grape origin (solvent B), to monitor if the physicochemical and phytochemical parameter values can be affected by the type of solvent. Results showed that the extraction solvent affected the physicochemical and phytochemical profile of Kollitsida. In addition, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus, which was also affected by the geographical origin of Kollitsida samples. Finally, the application of multivariate analysis on the data obtained using deionized water or ethanol of grape origin as an extraction solvent for the analyses classified samples according to their geographical origin by 100%, using the cross-validation method of linear discriminant analysis. The study brings new knowledge regarding the physicochemical, phytochemical, and antibacterial profiles, along with the authenticity, of Greek Kollitsida. Full article

Fermentation is widely recognized for enhancing the sensory attributes and nutritional value in foods, with recent research focusing on non-alcoholic and root-based functional beverages. In this study, the genomic and fermentation characteristics of Kluyveromyces marxianus LRCC8279 (KM8279) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae LRCC8293 (SC8293) were analyzed, specifically for their application in root extract-based low-alcohol fermentations. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that both strains harbored key genes involved in glucose, fructose, and sucrose metabolism and genes implicated in ethanol production. Although SC8293 harbored maltose-metabolizing genes, including MAL13 and MAL31, these genes were absent in KM8279. This genetic difference was evident in the fermentation performance, manifesting as distinct variations in alcohol production depending on the carbohydrate source. A further investigation of fermentation conditions demonstrated that both strains maintained low alcohol levels and exhibited a consistent growth at 15–20 °C within 72 h. Fermentation using extracts from Pueraria lobata, Arctium lappa (AL), Zingiber officinale (ZO), and Platycodon grandifloras revealed that KM8279 markedly increased the production of volatile compounds, contributing to floral and fruity sensory attributes in ZO and AL, whereas SC8293 contributed to a more complex flavor profile in AL. Notably, KM8279-ZO and KM8279-AL fermentations maintained alcohol contents below 1%, indicating their potential application in non-alcoholic beverages. Future studies are needed to investigate the relationship between the key volatile compound production and associated genetic characteristics, along with sensory evaluations, to develop optimized flavor modulation strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oral health is a complex concept involving physical, psychological, emotional, and social components. A key factor in maintaining oral tissue integrity is redox balance, which is disrupted by oxidative stress (OS) through an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defenses. This study examines the contribution of endogenous and exogenous sources to OS and explores the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants from the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families in restoring redox homeostasis and improving oral health. Methods: A literature review was conducted, analyzing the role of OS in oral diseases and the antioxidant mechanisms of selected Asteraceae species. Special attention was given to their phytochemical contents—polyphenols, flavonoids, and essential oils—and their biological relevance to oral health. Results: OS plays a critical role in the onset and progression of oral conditions such as caries, periodontitis, gingivitis, aphthous ulcers, abscesses, precancerous lesions, and oral cancers. ROS and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) cause inflammation, tissue breakdown, and salivary gland dysfunction. Asteraceae plants like Matricaria chamomilla, Calendula officinalis, Cichorium intybus, Taraxacum officinale, Arctium lappa, Achillea millefolium, and Solidago virgaurea demonstrate notable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties that help counteract OS and support oral homeostasis. Conclusions: Asteraceae and Lamiaceae species show high therapeutic potential in addressing OS-related oral disorders. Their bioactive compounds aid in restoring redox balance and protecting oral tissues. These findings support the integration of phytotherapeutic agents into oral healthcare and call for further clinical validation of plant-based strategies for disease prevention and management. Full article

This study introduces a novel pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) strategy utilizing biobased solvents to simultaneously extract non-polar and polar compounds with antioxidant and anticholinergic properties from burdock roots. The influence of altitude and weeding on the bioactive composition of three burdock root ecotypes was evaluated: two from 150 m (one subjected to weeding during growth and another not subjected to weeding) and one from 800 m without weeding. A simplex-centroid mixture design identified 100% 2-methyltetrahydrofuran as the optimal solvent for PLE, offering superior extraction of bioactive compounds due to its ability to form strong hydrogen bonds with phenolic groups. Extraction at 100 °C was found to be optimal, avoiding the low yields and undesirable reactions observed at 40 °C and 160 °C, respectively. Altitude emerged as the most significant factor influencing bioactivity and composition, with roots from 800 m exhibiting the highest bioactivity. Key bioactive compounds included caffeoylquinic acids, caryophyllene oxide, spathulenol, and bisnorallocholanic acid. At 150 m, weeding reduced anticholinergic capacity but increased antioxidant synthesis, though the levels were lower than those observed at higher altitudes. These findings highlight that burdock roots grown at high altitudes without weeding produce extracts rich in antioxidant and neuroprotective compounds, offering significant potential for functional ingredient development. Full article

Background/Objectives: The present experiment aimed to formulate four ointments that included mixtures of plant extracts (Hippophae rhamnoides, Calendula officinalis, Arctium lappa, and Achillea millefolium), apitherapy products (honey, propolis, and apilarnil) and natural polymers (collagen, chitosan, and the lyophilisate of egg white) in an ointment base. Methods: In order to investigate the therapeutic properties of the ointments, experimental in vivo injury models (linear incision, circular excision, and thermal burns) were performed on laboratory animals, namely Wistar rats. The treatment was applied topically, once a day, for 21 days. Clinical and macroscopic evaluation, determination of lesion shrinkage rate, re-epithelialization period, and histopathological examination were performed. Results: The results demonstrate that the tested ointments have a significant effect in healing skin lesions. On the ninth day of treatment, the wound contraction rate was 98.17 ± 0.15% for the mixed ointment group, compared to the negative control group’s rate of 14.85 ± 2.95%. At day 21, dermal collagenization and restoration of histological structure occurred for all treated groups. Conclusions: The tested ointments exerted in vivo wound healing and re-epithelialization effects on incision, excision, and thermal burn injuries. Full article

The bioactive compounds in burdock (Arctium lappa L.) roots, including chlorogenic acid (CGA) and cynarin, are valuable for use in nutraceutical foods. The ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive substances from dried burdock root powder (DBR) was investigated with 95% ethanol to reduce the impact of polysaccharide inulin on the extraction of free CGA and cynarin. The ethanolic extraction of CGA and cynarin was evaluated under ultrasound (300 W) at 40 kHz (U40) and 120 kHz (U120) with shaking at 120 rpm (S120) for comparison. Using a 1/30 (g/mL-solvent) solid-to-liquid ratio at 30 °C in 120 min, amounts of CGA and cynarin with U40 were as high as 818.74 μg/g-DBR and 173.68 μg/g-DBR, respectively, being much higher than those with U120 and S120. Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of the extract using U40 were significantly better than using U120 and S120. For U40 and U120, CGA increased with a decreasing solid-to-liquid ratio, while cynarin showed a decrease with a decreasing solid-to-liquid ratio using U120. Moreover, no observable degradations of free CGA and cynarin in ethanol were detected. By combining ultrasound and ethanol, the extracts with high-content CGA and cynarin from burdock roots were effectively achieved for use in health foods. Full article

Officinal plants are a source of metabolites whose chemical composition depends on pedoclimatic conditions. In this study, the NMR-based approach was applied to investigate the impacts of different altitudes and agronomical practices (Land, Mountain Spontaneous, and Organically Grown Ecotypes, namely LSE, MSE, and OE, respectively) on the metabolite profiles of Burdock root, Dandelion root and aerial part, and Lemon balm aerial part. Sugars, amino acids, organic acids, polyphenols, fatty acids, and other metabolites were identified and quantified in all samples. Some metabolites turned out to be tissue-specific markers. Arginine was found in roots, whereas myo-inositol, galactose, glyceroyldigalactose moiety, pheophytin, and chlorophyll were identified in aerial parts. Caftaric and chicoric acids, 3,5 di-caffeoylquinic acid, and chlorogenic and rosmarinic acids were detected in Dandelion, Burdock and Lemon balm, respectively. The metabolite amount changed significantly according to crop, tissue type, and ecotype. All ecotypes of Burdock had the highest contents of amino acids and the lowest contents of organic acids, whereas an opposite trend was observed in Lemon balm. Dandelion parts contained high levels of carbohydrates, except for the MSE aerial part, which showed the highest content of organic acids. The results provided insights into the chemistry of officinal plants, thus supporting nutraceutical–phytopharmaceutical research. Full article

Globally, cancer is one of the primary causes of both morbidity and mortality. To prevent cancer from getting worse, more targeted and efficient treatment plans must be developed immediately. Recent research has demonstrated the benefits of natural products for several illnesses, and these products have played a significant role in the development of novel treatments whose bioactive components serve as both chemotherapeutic and chemo-preventive agents. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring molecules obtained from plants that have potential applications in both cancer therapy and the development of new medications. These phytochemicals function by regulating the molecular pathways connected to the onset and progression of cancer. Among the specific methods are immune system control, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, preventing proliferation, raising antioxidant status, and inactivating carcinogens. A thorough literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Google Patent, Patent Scope, and US Patent to obtain the data. To provide an overview of the anticancer effects of several medicinal plants, including Annona muricata, Arctium lappa, Arum palaestinum, Cannabis sativa, Catharanthus roseus, Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hibiscus, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Moringa oleifera, Nerium oleander, Silybum marianum, Taraxacum officinale, Urtica dioica, Withania somnifera L., their availability, classification, active components, pharmacological activities, signaling mechanisms, and potential side effects against the most common cancer types were explored. Full article

Several preclinical studies suggest the potential of edible plants in controlling blood sugar levels and stabilizing diet. The goals of the study were to examine, analyze, and describe whether there are chemical compounds in dandelion and burdock roots that could have antidiabetic properties. The 70% ethyl alcohol and lyophilizate extracts (AE and LE, respectively), were used, and analyses were carried out on their total polysaccharide (TP), total phenolic content (TPC), tannin, and inulin. The antioxidant activity of extracts was determined using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay, and hypoglycemic properties were based on α-amylase activity. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was used for the tentative identification of the chemical components. Qualitative techniques confirmed the presence of inulin in both roots. Analysis of TPC, tannin content, DPPH assay, and α-amylase activity revealed higher values for burdock compared to dandelion. However, dandelion exhibited higher TP content. Burdock contained a small amount of tannin, whereas the tannin content in dandelion was insignificant. All LE consistently exhibited higher values in all analyses and assays for all roots compared to AE. Despite burdock root showing overall better results, it is uncertain whether these plants can be recommended as antidiabetic agents without in vivo studies. Full article

Currently, scientists are increasingly focusing on utilizing the natural flora of the planet to search for and isolate individual bioactive substances that prevent various diseases, contribute to increased life expectancy, and affect all major life-supporting systems in the human body. This study describes the examination of the composition of plant raw materials from the Siberian Federal District. The research focuses on plant specimens from the root parts of Taraxacum officinale and Arctium lappa, collected in the Kemerovo region. The study determines the contents of the water-soluble vitamins B and C in the research subjects. The investigation includes assessing antioxidant properties, antimicrobial activity, and flavonoid content in extracts based on plant raw materials. All samples show a high percentage of antioxidant activity, with the highest antioxidant activity for T. officinale at 85.51 and that for A. lappa at 88.97. The results indicate low antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (growth inhibition zone up to 15.5 mm). Plant extracts contain significant amounts of B-group vitamins, with pyridoxine in T. officinale (156.40 μg/mL) and thiamine (46.20 μg/mL) and pyridoxine (357.10 μg/mL) in Arctium lappa. Flavonoids (rutin and quercetin) are identified in T. officinale and A. lappa extracts based on the study results. Full article

In this work, a novel sustainable approach was proposed for the integral valorisation of Arctium lappa (burdock) seeds and roots. Firstly, a preliminary recovery of bioactive compounds, including unsaturated fatty acids, was performed. Then, simple sugars (i.e., fructose and sucrose) and phenolic compounds were extracted by using compressed fluids (supercritical CO₂ and propane). Consequently, a complete characterisation of raw biomass and extraction residues was carried out to determine the starting chemical composition in terms of residual lipids, proteins, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, and ash content. Subsequently, three alternative ways to utilise extraction residues were proposed and successfully tested: (i) enzymatic hydrolysis operated by Cellulases (Thricoderma resei) of raw and residual biomass to glucose, (ii) direct ethanolysis to produce ethyl levulinate; and (iii) pyrolysis to obtain biochar to be used as supports for the synthesis of sulfonated magnetic iron-carbon catalysts (Fe-SMCC) to be applied in the dehydration of fructose for the synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). The development of these advanced approaches enabled the full utilisation of this resource through the production of fine chemicals and value-added compounds in line with the principles of the circular economy. Full article

The low bioavailability of most phytochemicals limits their anticancer effects in humans. The present study was designed to test whether combining arctigenin (Arc), a lignan mainly from the seed of Arctium lappa, with green tea (GT) and quercetin (Q) enhances the chemopreventive effect on prostate cancer. We performed in vitro proliferation studies on different cell lines. We observed a strong synergistic anti-proliferative effect of GT+Q+Arc in exposing androgen-sensitive human prostate cancer LNCaP cells. The pre-malignant WPE1-NA22 cell line was more sensitive to this combination. No cytotoxicity was observed in normal prostate epithelial PrEC cells. For an in vivo study, 3-week-old, prostate-specific PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) knockout mice were treated with GT+Q, Arc, GT+Q+Arc, or the control daily until 16 weeks of age. In vivo imaging using prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) probes demonstrated that the prostate tumorigenesis was significantly inhibited by 40% (GT+Q), 60% (Arc at 30 mg/kg bw), and 90% (GT+Q+Arc) compared to the control. A pathological examination showed that all control mice developed invasive prostate adenocarcinoma. In contrast, the primary lesion in the GT+Q and Arc alone groups was high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), with low-grade PIN in the GT+Q+Arc group. The combined effect of GT+Q+Arc was associated with an increased inhibition of the androgen receptor, the PI3K/Akt pathway, Ki67 expression, and angiogenesis. This study demonstrates that combining Arc with GT and Q was highly effective in prostate cancer chemoprevention. These results warrant clinical trials to confirm the efficacy of this combination in humans. Full article