Search Results (3)

Based on a shortage of available data on Echinops spinosissimus in Saudi Arabia, the current study’s aim was to present some new information on the topic. Plant samples were collected from different locations in the northeast of Mecca. Out of fifteen species from this genus found in Saudi Arabia, one species was targeted in the current study. It was noted as a perennial subshrub that is 30–80 cm in length. Its stem is gray, striate, and slightly covered with glandular hairs. The epidermis is converted into cork cells in older stem parts. The vascular system showed a continuous siphonostelic structure and dissected vascular bundles. The lamina is abaxially rounded and straight. The pollen grains are monads, radially symmetric, medium-sized, and a prolate spheroidal shape with an aculeate–foveolate exine structure. Based on its historical pharmaceutical properties, the phytochemical properties were studied, and it was noted that ethyl acetate was the best solvent for producing high amounts of bioactive compounds such as phenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids. The obtained extracts appeared to exhibit high activity against Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. These extracts were identified by using HPLC and GC-MS. Many bioactive compounds were detected, such as protocatechuic acid, gallic acid, rutin, vanillic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol. Additionally, four main compounds, including hexadecanoic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids, were detected via GC-MS. The total antioxidants of E. spinosissimus extracts showed that the ethyl acetate extract exhibited a high total antioxidant capacity and free radical-scavenging properties. Full article

Echinops spinosissimus Turra subsp. bovei (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant in western Algeria. Traditionally, roots and inflorescences are employed as hypertensive agents and in the treatment of hemorrhoids. The current study evaluates the chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties of the root methanolic extract from E. spinosissimus subsp. bovei. The content of total phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins was determined. In addition, the phenolic profile was typified. The studied plant extract resulted in being primarily composed of Apigenin, Kaempferol, and their derivatives. The total phenolic content was equal to 95.31 ± 2.90 mg GAE/g DW, while the number of flavonoids and condensed tannins was 16.01 ± 0.16 mg CE/g DW and 8.30 ± 0.65 mg CE/g DW, respectively. The methanolic extract was found to exhibit antioxidant activity towards the DPPH radical, with an IC₅₀ of 7.99 ± 0.28 mg/mL and a TAC of 30.30 ± 0.54 mg AAE/g DW, as well as an antibacterial effect, especially against P. aeruginosa. No significant wound-healing property was observed, even though the histopathological observations showed enhanced wound-healing quality. According to our evidence, E. spinosissimus could represent a source of phytochemicals with potential beneficial effects for human health in terms of antioxidant and antibiotic properties, although further investigations on this species are needed. Full article

The conservation of medicinal plants, particularly endangered or endemic species, is of the utmost importance, especially in light of inevitable climate change and its consequences. Species inhabiting high altitudes adopt exceptional defense mechanisms in response to abiotic stresses as a survival strategy. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of altitudinal variations on secondary metabolite accumulation and antioxidant enzyme capacity in four plants (Cotoneaster orbicularis, Crataegus x sinaica, Echinops spinosissimus subsp. Spinosissimus, and Tanacetum sinaicum) growing naturally on the Sinai Peninsula’s high mountains. Plant leaves and soil samples were collected from three altitudes between 1500 and 2250 m a.s.l. to evaluate the adaptive responses of these species in relation to high-altitude oxidative stresses. The results showed that at higher altitudes, the electrical conductivity and the micronutrient contents of the soil decreased, which may be due to the prevalence of silt and clay decreasing at higher altitudes. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, ascorbic acid, and total soluble protein showed similar results in relation to higher altitudes for all species. On the other hand, proline, total soluble sugars, carotenoids, phenols, tannins, and flavonoids increased in response to high altitudes. The activity levels of catalase and ascorbic acid peroxidase showed a significant increase aligned with higher altitudes, while a significant decrease in activity levels was obtained for polyphenol oxidase. In conclusion, the present findings showed that Cotoneaster orbicularis exhibited the maximum response for coping with high-altitude stresses, followed by the remaining three species regarding the level of biochemical and physiological responses. The present work will help formulate conservation plans for important medicinal species. Full article