Asperugo Procumbens: a Review of Botany, Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 3092-3095
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Łazarski

Asperugo procumbens is a medicinal plant widely distributed in the world, which is commonly used in the traditional medicine of the Middle East, while currently overlooked in European pharmacopoeias. The aim of the study is to present a comprehensive overview of A. procumbens in botany, traditional medicine, phytochemistry and pharmacology according to the up-to-date data. Scientific literature on the species was collected based on publicly available databases such as: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google, Google Scholar as well as monographs and PhD theses. In traditional medicine the aerial part of A. procumbens is used for treatment of skin infections, herpes, liver and respiratory tract diseases, to strengthen the heart and the nervous system, and others. Contemporary studies on the pharmacological activity of A. procumbens revealed that it exhibits a wide range of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antidepressant, sedative-hypnotic, antibacterial, as well as chemopreventive and antihypertensive properties. Despite many proven medicinal properties, the species does not have a developed phytochemical profile and its chemical composition is very poorly understood. The species is known to contain tannins, flavonoids and phenolics. Only the content of fatty acids is recognised in detail. The species is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids – stearidonic acid (SDA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), and omega-6 fatty acid – γ-linolenic acid (GLA). This article, based on the available literature, highlights the traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of A. procumbens, which may provide a foundation for further pharmacological study as well as clinical application of the species. Keywords: Asperugo procumbens, German madwort, Boraginaceae, traditional uses

2021 ◽  
Vol 854 (1) ◽  
pp. 012081
Author(s):  
Dragan Sefer ◽  
Stamen Radulovic ◽  
Dejan Peric ◽  
Matija Sefer ◽  
Lazar Makivic ◽  
...  

Abstract Literature data show that the relationship between two groups of polyunsaturated fatty acids in diet, omega 3 acids, whose basic representative is a-linolenic acid (C18: 3 n-3), and omega 6 acids, whose basic representative is linoleic acid (C18: 2 n-6), has a significant role in development of cardiovascular diseases in humans. The optimal ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids is around 4:1. In monogastric animals, the fatty acids in feed are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract largely unchanged. This means the fatty acid profile of the animal’s diet directly reflects the fatty acid profile of the tissue. The daily intake of unsaturated fatty acids can be increased by an adequate animal nutrition strategy. Flaxseed contains ten times more unsaturated (32.26%) than saturated (3.66%) fatty acids. The largest amount of unsaturated fatty acids (about 70%) is a-linolenic acid (ALA), which is a precursor of the entire omega 3 series of fatty acids, and which makes flaxseed an ideal raw material for the production of a wide range of omega 3 enriched products. In order to obtain chicken meat rich in omega 3, an experiment was organized with a specific diet for broilers at fattening. Thanks to the designed animal feed, it was possible to get products (meat, breast, drumstick, liver, subcutaneous fat) with significantly higher amounts of omega 3 fatty acids compared to the same products obtained from broilers fed with conventional mixtures, or with almost the ideal ratio between omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 461
Author(s):  
Debora Melo van Lent ◽  
Sarah Egert ◽  
Steffen Wolfsgruber ◽  
Luca Kleineidam ◽  
Leonie Weinhold ◽  
...  

Background. Omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may have different effects on cognitive health due to their anti- or pro-inflammatory properties. Methods. We aimed to prospectively examine the relationships between n-3 and n-6 PUFA contents in serum phospholipids with incident all-cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease dementia (AD). We included 1264 non-demented participants aged 84 ± 3 years from the German Study on Ageing, Cognition, and Dementia in Primary Care Patients (AgeCoDe) multicenter-cohort study. We investigated whether fatty acid concentrations in serum phospholipids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA), dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA), and arachidonic acid (AA), were associated with risk of incident all-cause dementia and AD. Results. During the follow-up window of seven years, 233 participants developed dementia. Higher concentrations of EPA were associated with a lower incidence of AD (hazard ratio (HR) 0.76 (95% CI 0.63; 0.93)). We also observed that higher concentrations of EPA were associated with a decreased risk for all-cause dementia (HR 0.76 (95% CI 0.61; 0.94)) and AD (HR 0.66 (95% CI 0.51; 0.85)) among apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE ε4) non-carriers but not among APOE ε4 carriers. No other fatty acids were significantly associated with AD or dementia. Conclusions. Higher concentrations of EPA were associated with a lower risk of incident AD. This further supports a beneficial role of n-3 PUFAs for cognitive health in old age.


2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 284-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio A. Cañoles ◽  
Randolph M. Beaudry ◽  
Chuanyou Li ◽  
Gregg Howe

Six-carbon aldehydes and alcohols formed by tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) leaf and fruit tissue following disruption are believed to be derived from the degradation of lipids and free fatty acids. Collectively, these C-6 volatiles comprise some of the most important aroma impact compounds. If fatty acids are the primary source of tomato volatiles, then an alteration in the fatty acid composition such as that caused by a mutation in the chloroplastic omega-3-fatty acid desaturase (ω-3 FAD), referred to as LeFAD7, found in the mutant line of `Castlemart' termed Lefad7, would be reflected in the volatile profile of disrupted leaf and fruit tissue. Leaves and fruit of the Lefad7 mutant had ≈10% to 15% of the linolenic acid (18:3) levels and about 1.5- to 3-fold higher linoleic acid (18:2) levels found in the parent line. Production of unsaturated C-6 aldehydes Z-3-hexenal, Z-3-hexenol, and E-2-hexenal and the alcohol Z-3-hexenol derived from 18:3 was markedly reduced in disrupted leaf and fruit tissue of the Lefad7 mutant line. Conversely, the production of the saturated C-6 aldehyde hexanal and its alcohol, hexanol, were markedly higher in the mutant line. The shift in the volatile profile brought about by the loss of chloroplastic FAD activity in the Lefad7 line was detected by sensory panels at high significance levels (P < 0.0005) and detrimentally affected fruit sensory quality. The ratios and amounts of C-6 saturated and unsaturated aldehydes and alcohols produced by tomato were dependent on substrate levels, suggesting that practices that alter the content of linoleic and linolenic acids or change their ratios can influence tomato flavor.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smita Eknath Desale ◽  
Subashchandrabose Chinnathambi

Abstract Background The seeding effect of extracellular Tau species is an emerging aspect to study the Tauopathies in Alzheimer’s disease. Tau seeds enhance the propagation of disease along with its contribution to microglia-mediated inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to exert the anti-inflammatory property to microglia by modulating cell membrane compositions. The immunomodulatory function of omega-3 fatty acids exerts anti-inflammatory properties to microglia. Owing to the imparted anti-inflammatory nature enhance phagocytosis and increased migration property has been observed in microglia. The dietary omega-3 fatty acids are found to change the lipid composition of the cell membrane that predominated many signaling cascades and by modulating specific receptor response. Thus the omega-3 fatty acids influence microglial response in Tauopathy. Methods N9 microglia cells were exposed to extracellular full-length Tau monomer and aggregates along with ALA (α- Linolenic acid) to study the internalization of exposed Tau. The degradation of internalized Tau studied with the endosomal markers Rab5 and Rab7. The final degradation step in phagocytosis has been studied with LAMP-2A as lysosomal markers. The changes in the rate of migration of microglia were assessed by wound-scratch assay along with Microtubule organizing center (MTOC) reorientation were studied after exposure of Tau and ALA as the property of highly migratory microglia. Results The increased phagocytosis of extracellular Tau monomer and aggregates has been observed upon ALA exposure to microglia cells. The intracellular degradation of internalized Tau species was targeted by early and late endosomal markers Rab5 and Rab7. The increased levels of LAMP-2A and colocalization with internalized Tau indicated the degradation via lysosome. These results indicate the degradation of internalized Tau species in the presence of ALA instead of getting accumulated in the cell. The enhanced migratory ability of microglia in the presence of ALA induces the MTOC repolarization and reduces the nuclear-centrosomal axis polarity and favorable anterior positioning of MTOC. Conclusions Tau seeds greatly contribute to the spread of disease, one way to reduce the spreading is to reduce the presence of extracellular Tau seed. Microglia could be influenced to reduce extracellular Tau seed with dietary fatty acids. Our results suggest that dietary fatty acids ALA significantly enhances phagocytosis and intracellular degradation of internalized Tau. Enhanced migration supports the phagocytosis process. Our approach provides insights into the beneficial role of ALA as an anti-inflammatory dietary supplement to treat AD.


Author(s):  
Ahmed Abdullah Bakhashwain Ahmed Abdullah Bakhashwain

This study was carried out in the Faculty of Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University to evaluate 7 flax genotypes from different geographical regions concerning their composition from oil and protein contents, fatty acids and amino acids, besides, calculate the correlation coefficients between the fatty acids and also between the amino acids.The main results showed that Verum cv. had the highest oil content and linolenic acid (Omega-3) while Hiera cv. was the highest in meal protein content and most amino acids. The highest amino acid concentration was proline and it ranged from 27.15% to 30.21%. Linolenic acid (Omega-3) negatively and significantly correlated with Oleic and Linoleic (Omega-6) fatty acids. Lysine amino acid positively and significantly correlated with the amino acids of Glutamine, Aspartic, Leucine, Serine and Isoleucine.


2022 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Tarique ◽  
Badruddeen ◽  
,Shahla Parveen ◽  
Farogh Ahsan ◽  
Mohammad Irfan Khan ◽  
...  

Abstract: Linum usitatissimum (Linn.), Commonly known as flaxseed or flaxseed, belongs to the family Linaceae. Flaxseed is a crop of blue flowers that produce small, flat seeds of golden yellow to reddish-brown color. It is a native of the Mediterranean and West Asia. Due to its health benefits associated with the high content of linolenic acid (ALA), flaxseed has played a major role in diet and research. The ALA is an essential omega-3-fatty acid, and also due to its presence a major lignan, i.e. secoisolaricyrcinol diglucoside (SDG). There is also a wide range of uses of flaxseed oil in skin health, anticoagulants, anticancer, ulcer treatment, muscle growth, and weight loss. The nutritional composition of flaxseed is about 30% carbohydrate, 18% protein, and 39% fat. Flaxseed contains most carbohydrates in the form of fiber and contains more than 45% omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains dietary fibers, proteins and polyunsaturated fatty acids. All the ingredients possess different health benefits. Although plant resources are the key ingredient in drug discovery, the popularity of flaxseed always fascinate scientists, the number of articles giving information about the chemical components of flaxseed and its potential clinical use is very little. This review provides a systematic summary of the research completed over the past decade and provides an up-to-date summary of the various bioactive and outlines the relationship between the nutritional and pharmacological use of chemical ingredients and its flaxseed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 8-12
Author(s):  
Иван Александрович Кечкин ◽  
Георгий Несторович Панкратов ◽  
Ирина Сергеевна Витол

Введение в ежедневный рацион продуктов, обогащенных эссенциальными нутриентами, является актуальной задачей стратегии здорового питания. В этой связи особое место занимают продукты переработки зерна, как основы пирамиды здорового питания. Среди наиболее востребованных незаменимых нутриентов следует выделить полиненасыщенные жирные кислоты, и особенно жирные кислоты семейства ɷ-3. Главным источником линоленовой кислоты из растительного сырья является льняное масло, которое может быть введено в виде тонкоизмельченных семян льна в состав хлебопекарной муки. Химический состав продуктов питания на зерновой основе, полученных с использованием традиционной технологии, характеризуется недостаточной сбалансированностью, невысокой пищевой и биологической ценностью. В связи с этим с целью расширения ассортимента зерновых продуктов функциональной направленности общего, диетического и профилактического назначения на основе полизерновых смесей разработаны методология управления мукомольными свойствами зернового сырья при его переработке для получения продуктов питания на зерновой основе заданного состава и свойств; показана возможность совместного размола пшенично-льняной смеси с получением муки, обогащенной незаменимыми жирными кислотами (НЖК) - омега-3 (линоленовая кислота) и омега-6 (линолевая кислота); сформированы новые виды муки, обогащенные незаменимыми жирными кислотами; определены некоторые физико-химические характеристики пшеничной муки, обогащенной НЖК; выявлены особенности хлебопекарных свойств пшенично-льняной муки. На основании динамики изменения показателя кислотного числа жира (КЧЖ) спрогнозирован срок безопасного хранения пшенично-льняной муки, который составил 9,4 месяца. The introduction of foods fortified with essential nutrients into the daily diet is an urgent task of a healthy eating strategy. In this regard, grain processing products occupy a special place, as the basis of the pyramid of healthy nutrition. Among the most demanded essential nutrients are polyunsaturated fatty acids and especially fatty acids of the ɷ-3 family. The main source of linolenic acid from plant raw materials is linseed oil, which can be added in the form of finely ground flax seeds to baking flour. The chemical composition of grain-based food products obtained using traditional technology is characterized by insufficient balance, low nutritional and biological value. In this regard, in order to expand the range of functional grain products for general, dietary and prophylactic purposes on the basis of polygrain mixtures, the following have been developed: a methodology for controlling the milling properties of grain raw materials during its processing to obtain food products based on a grain basis of a given composition and properties; the possibility of joint grinding of a wheat-flax mixture to obtain flour enriched with essential fatty acids (EFA) - omega-3 (linolenic acid) and omega-6 (linoleic acid) is shown; formed new types of flour, enriched with essential fatty acids; some physicochemical characteristics of wheat flour enriched with EFA have been determined; the features of the baking properties of wheat-flax flour are revealed. Based on the dynamics of changes in the acid number of fat (FAT), the period of safe storage of wheat-flaxseed flour was predicted, which was 9.4 months.


1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 35-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Dewhurst ◽  
P.J. King

Ruminant products have been criticised for the possible adverse effects of their saturated fatty acids on human health. Conversely, the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, notably those in fish oils, have been identified as beneficial components of the human diet. Earlier studies have shown that a small, but useful, amount of forage α-linolenic acid (C18:3), an omega-3 fatty acid, appears in ruminant products (Wood and Enser, 1996). The objective of the current work was to evaluate the range of α-linolenic acid concentrations in laboratory grass silages in order to assess the opportunities to modify ensiling techniques to increase the natural delivery of omega-3 fatty acid from grass silage to milk or meat.


2017 ◽  
Vol 221 (3) ◽  
pp. jeb165373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cornelia W. Twining ◽  
Peter Lawrence ◽  
David W. Winkler ◽  
Alexander S. Flecker ◽  
J. Thomas Brenna

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