Burdock Root

BACKGROUND: The elderly's health issues are often complex and tend to lead to chronic diseases; such issues can be due to a fitness decline resulting from a lack of physical activities. The burdock root is a blood purifier, lymphatic system strengthener, and natural diuretic. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of aquarobic exercise and burdock intake on serum blood lipids and vascular elasticity in elderly women by implementing a 12-week program with these interventions. METHODS: Forty elderly female volunteer subjects aged 70 to 80years comprised the control group (n=8), aquarobic exercise group (n=11), aquarobic exercise and burdock intake combination group (n=11), and burdock intake group (n=10). The variables of serum blood lipids, and vascular elasticity were measured in all participants before and after the 12-week study. RESULTS: Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels significantly decreased in the aquarobic exercise group and aquarobic exercise and burdock intake combination group (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001). No statistically significant changes in pulse wave velocity were also found within or between the groups before and after participation in the 12-week program. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that aquarobic exercise and burdock intake improved the serum blood lipid levels and vascular elasticity of Korean elderly women. Additionally, burdock extract intake may be useful in vascular health by playing a secondary role in disease prevention and health promotion.

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent disorders of the endocrine system, with significant implications for female fertility. Antioxidant supplementation may contribute to its better management. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Arctium lappa L. root powder as an antioxidant on some markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, ovary volume, hirsutism score, and menstrual frequency in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted in 2023-2024 at Arak University of Medical Sciences. Sixty subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome were selected by convenience sampling method and allocated to Arctium lappa L. (n=30) and placebo (n=30) by permuted block randomization method and then treated with Arctium lappa L. root powder (460 mg/day) or placebo (460 mg/day) for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, some markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, ovary volume, hirsutism score, and menstrual frequency were measured and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The values of antioxidative markers, such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, increased significantly (p<0.001). Furthermore, values of oxidative and inflammation markers such as malondialdehyde and C-reactive protein decreased significantly (p<0.001) in the Arctium lappa L. compared to the placebo group. Moreover, the volume of the right and left ovaries was also reduced significantly (p=0.02, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Consuming 460 mg of Arctium lappa L. root powder daily for 12 weeks can reduce ovarian volume and lower oxidative stress and inflammation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

AIM: This study was designed to examine the effect of Burdock root tea on inflammatory markers and oxidative stress indicators in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Thirty-six patients (10 men and 26 women) aged 50-70 years old with knee osteoarthritis referred to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Hospitals, were selected for the study and randomly divided into two groups. Anthropometric measurements, including height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were measured. For all individuals along the 42 days of study period, the same drug treatments, including two lots of 500 mg acetaminophen twice a day and one glucosamine 500 mg once a day,were considered. The intervention group received daily three cups of Burdock root tea (each cup containing 2 g/150 mL boiled water) half-hour after the meal. The control group received three cups containing 150 cc boiled water daily. We assessed inflammatory markers such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and oxidative stress indicators such as total antioxidants capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The results showed that burdock root tea significantly decreased the levels of serum IL-6 (P = 0.002), hs-CRP (P = 0.003) and malondialdehyde (P < 0.001), while the levels of serum TAC (P < 0.001) and activities of SOD (P = 0.009) were significantly increased. GPX activities increased but not significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that Arctium lappa L. root tea improves inflammatory status and oxidative stress in patients with knee osteoarthritis. © 2014 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most prevalent form of arthritis globally, is characterized by debilitating pain driven by inflammatory and degenerative processes in chondrocytes. Here, we demonstrate that arctigenin (ATG), a bioactive lignan from Arctium lappa, alleviates OA pain by suppressing chondrocyte pyroptosis through the POU Class 2 Homeobox 1 (POU2F1)/growth factor receptor Bound Protein 10 (GRB10) signaling axis. In a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA rat model, ATG administration reduced pain hypersensitivity, lowered pro-inflammatory cytokines, and elevated anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10), while diminishing expression of pyroptosis effectors including cleaved caspase-1, Gasdermin-D-N (GSDMD-N), and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3). In vitro studies in C28/I2 chondrocytes revealed that ATG dose-dependently attenuated inflammation and pyroptosis markers. Mechanistically, ATG upregulated POU2F1, a transcription factor that directly binds and activates the GRB10 promoter, as confirmed by enrichment and binding assays. Silencing POU2F1 or GRB10 reversed ATG's inhibitory effects on pyroptosis. In vivo validation further showed that ATG's pain-relieving effects in OA rats depend on this axis to curb chondrocyte pyroptosis. Collectively, these findings highlight ATG's potential as a novel analgesic agent for OA by targeting pyroptotic pathways, offering insights into inflammation-driven pain mechanisms. © 2026 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses an escalating global threat, demanding the discovery of innovative therapeutics with novel mechanisms of action. Essential oils (EOs) from medicinal plants are promising candidates due to their multitarget effects and reduced risk of resistance development. This study investigates the chemical profile and antimicrobial mechanisms of essential oil obtained from the aerial parts (leaves and flowers) of Arctium lappa (ALEO), a species with strong ethnopharmacological relevance yet poorly characterized in Tunisia. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) revealed 1,3-cyclooctadiene (48.6%), caryophyllene oxide (31.7%), and aromadendrene (12.0%) as major constituents. ALEO demonstrated potent in vitro antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA ATCC 43300), Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27,853, and Candida auris clinical isolates, with MIC values comparable to reference drugs. Complementary molecular docking identified strong binding affinities of caryophyllene oxide and aromadendrene to bacterial DNA gyrase B and fungal lanosterol 14α-demethylase, while molecular dynamics simulations confirmed stable ligand–protein interactions (RMSD < 2.5 Å) and favorable binding energies (ΔG ≤ − 17 kcal/mol). Together, these findings highlight ALEO as a multitarget antimicrobial agent with therapeutic potential against WHO-priority pathogens, bridging traditional medicinal knowledge and modern drug discovery approaches.

Burdock (Arctium lappa L., Asteraceae) seeds, a rich source of dietary fibre, proteins, essential and fatty acids, also contain high levels of polyphenols and lignans, especially arctigenin and arctiin. This study investigated the incorporation of native and supercritical CO2-defatted burdock seed flour into gingerbread cookies formulated with sweetener xylitol compared to burdock seeds' free sugar-based and xylitol-based cookies as a control. Arctiin was the dominant lignan in both native and defatted seed flours (68.30 and 75.16 mg/g, respectively), while isochlorogenic acid was the most abundant phenolic acid (7.01 and 7.86 mg/g, respectively). Among enriched formulations, xylitol cookies with defatted burdock seed flour exhibited the highest soluble dietary fibre content (0.29 g/100 g) and reduced hardness, comparable to the xylitol control. All samples achieved "good" sensory quality (18.33-19.65 points), with no significant differences among formulations (p > 0.05). Storage studies (60 days) under varying temperature and light conditions revealed a significant decline in sensory quality only for sucrose-based control cookies stored at 40 °C. The concentrations of major phenolic compounds remained stable under all storage conditions. These results demonstrate the technological and nutritional potential of defatted burdock seed flour as a functional ingredient in bakery products.

4. Biomed Res Int. 2026;2026(1):e9836896. doi: 10.1155/bmri/9836896. RETRACTION: Arctigenin, a Potent Ingredient of Arctium lappa L., Induces Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Attenuates Subarachnoid Hemorrhage-Induced Vasospasm through PI3K/Akt Pathway in a Rat Model. Research International B. Retraction of Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:490209. doi: 10.1155/2015/490209.

OBJECTIVE: Hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) represents a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, resulting from perinatal oxygen deprivation and impaired cerebral blood flow. This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Arctiin, a bioactive lignan derived from Arctium lappa, recognized for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in a neonatal rat model of HIBD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Neonatal rats at postnatal day 8 were randomly assigned to four groups: Sham-operated (SHAM), Hypoxia-Ischemia (HI), Hypoxia-Ischmia with Solvent control (HI/SO), and Hypoxia-Ischemia treated with Arctiin (HI/Arc). HIBD was induced via unilateral carotid artery ligation followed by exposure to hypoxia. The HI/Arc group was administered Arctiin orally at a dosage of 60 mg/kg daily for seven consecutive days. Behavioral performance, biochemical parameters, histological integrity, and gene expression profiles were assessed to evaluate the neuroprotective efficacy of Arctiin. RESULTS: Arctiin administration resulted in a significant reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP), and total oxidant capacity (TOC). Simultaneously, it enhanced total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Histological analysis showed diminished infarct volume in the Arctiin-treated group. Moreover, gene expression studies revealed significant restoration of Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) in group treated by arctiin. Neurobehavioral assessments further confirmed significant improvements in sensorimotor function in the Arctiin-treated group. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence indicating that Arctiin mitigates hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in rat pups through a synergistic mechanism involving the suppression of inflammation and oxidative stress, coupled with the upregulation of critical neuroprotective genes and proteins, specifically NRG-1 gene expression and BDNF protein levels. Future studies should investigate the precise molecular pathways downstream of NRG-1 that mediate Arctiin's neuroprotective effects. © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease requiring multifunctional natural agents. Arctium lappa is traditionally used in Eastern and European medicine to address metabolic disorders. This comprehensive narrative review, conducted between 2000 and 2025 using international databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, and Google Scholar), evaluates the species through its ethnomedicine, phytochemistry, preclinical evidence, and safety. The available evidence suggests that A. lappa exerts antidiabetic effects via multi-layered mechanisms, including AMPK activation, insulin signaling modulation, and increased GLUT4 translocation. Key bioactives (arctigenin, arctiin, and inulin) collectively improve insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism. However, preclinical studies confirm these effects in animal models, while limited clinical data in non-diabetic cohorts focus on systemic inflammation. This highlights a significant gap in randomized controlled trials targeting glycemic control in diabetic populations. In this context, while A. lappa shows promise as a potential metabolic regulator; this evidence is currently derived primarily from in vitro and animal models. Systematic clinical trials are urgently required to establish glycemic efficacy in humans, validate its therapeutic potential, and determine the optimal dosage and safety profile. This review evaluates the multi-targeted biological potential of A. lappa to guide future research and evidence-based application.

Tussilago farfara L., a member of the Asteraceae family, is an economically valuable species due to its edible and medicinal properties. To elucidate the structural characteristics, genetic mechanisms, and evolutionary pathways of the organelle genomes of T. farfara, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated its mitochondrial genome for the first time. The complete mitochondrial genome of T. farfara spans 306,024 bp and contains 33 mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCGs), 3 rRNAs, and 22 tRNAs. Analysis of the nucleotide substitution rate and genetic diversity revealed that most mitochondrial genome genes may have undergone purifying selection, indicating a slow evolutionary rate and a relatively conserved genomic structure. We further identified 13 fragments of chloroplast-derived DNA integrated into the mitochondrial genome, evidencing intracellular gene transfer. Collinearity analysis showed that Arctium lappa shares the most extensive mitochondrial homologous sequences and the highest sequence similarity with T. farfara. Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial genome helped to clarify the evolutionary and taxonomic position of T. farfara within the Asteraceae family. The mitochondrial genome sequence of T. farfara provides a valuable genomic resource for species identification and for evolutionary studies within the Asteraceae family. © 2026. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Burdock (Arctium lappa L.), a pharmaco-culinary plant, is characterized by its high dietary fiber content. In this study, the bioaccessibility, polyphenol composition, and anti-inflammatory activity of bound polyphenols from burdock root dietary fiber (BRDF-BP) were investigated. In vitro digestion and colon fermentation results showed that BRDF-BP was mainly released from BRDF during the colon fermentation stage. BRDF-BP was characterized by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS, revealing 23 polyphenols including four phenolic acids, one stilbene, and 18 flavonoids. BRDF-BP significantly ameliorated the LPS-induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells by reducing ROS generation, inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors, and increasing antioxidant enzyme activities. Transcriptome results showed that BRDF-BP treatment significantly downregulated five inflammatory response-related signaling pathways, including NOD-like receptors, IL-17, and JAK-STAT. Network topology analysis revealed that Stat1 is a hub gene for BRDF-BP, which exerts anti-inflammatory effects. In conclusion, this study illustrates that BRDF-BP can be liberated during colonic fermentation and exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-025-02065-w. © The Korean Society of Food Science and Technology 2025. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Burdock is consumed as a vegetable in the Asian region and is also used in medicinal dishes or health soups. Our previous studies demonstrated that arctigenin, a natural agonist of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) occurring in burdock, can promote colonic mucosal healing in the context of ulcerative colitis (UC). Whether and how arctigenin intervenes in focal adhesion disassembly, a critical step for migration and wound healing of colon epithelial cells, were examined within this research. The results showed that arctigenin substantially accelerated focal adhesion disassembly and therefore facilitated migration and wound healing of colonic epithelial cells. Mechanistically, arctigenin reduced excitatory amino acid transport to specifically enhance autophagic degradation of paxillin, thereby accelerating focal adhesion disassembly through an ERβ-dependent pathway. In colitis-induced mice, ERβ knockout significantly attenuated promotion of colonic mucosal healing by arctigenin. These findings indicate that arctigenin is a promising mucosal healing promoter, which functions by accelerating focal adhesion disassembly in an ERβ-dependent manner.

Functional constipation (FC) has become a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder worldwide. Arctii Fructus, a plant used for both food and medicine, contains oils, dietary fiber and arctiin as its core components, which have been demonstrated to alleviate constipation. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study evaluated the interventive effects of the water extract of Arctii Fructus (WAF) in constipated mice induced by loperamide. Integrated metabolomics and 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that WAF significantly reshaped the gut microbiota structure, regulated the plasma metabolic profile, and inhibited the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway in constipated mice. MetOrigin analysis further indicated that microbiota-host interactions play a critical role in WAF-mediated constipation relief. Serum pharmacochemical analysis identified five WAF-dependent active components that were absorbed into the bloodstream following microbial transformation. Based on network pharmacology predictions, we proposed that WAF alleviates constipation by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. This mechanism was subsequently validated through assessment of the spleen index, histopathological examination of intestinal tissues, and detection of key protein expression in the NLRP3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, this study systematically elucidates the multi-dimensional mechanisms by which WAF alleviates functional constipation through the gut microbiota-metabolism-inflammation axis. These findings provide a solid scientific foundation for its development as a functional food to improve intestinal health.

In-stent restenosis (ISR) is the main risk for the failure of vascular stent implantation. Arctigenin (ARCG) as the active principle of Arctium lappa, possesses the ability to regulate proliferation and inflammation. This study was conducted to illuminate the role and mechanism of ARCG in ISR. The effects of ARCG on the inflammation and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were detected. Then we profiled RNA transcript expression in the femoral arteries of restenosis patients and healthy donors along with the SwissTargetPrediction to identify the target of ARCG. VSMCs were stimulated with IL-6 to assess the effect and mechanism of ARCG in vitro, and the restenosis mouse models generated by the wire injury of the femoral arteries were used to explore the effect of ARCG on restenosis in vivo. We reported significantly increased levels of inflammation and IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway in tissue samples from patients with restenosis and restenosis mouse models. And ARCG inactivated the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway, inhibiting proliferation and inflammation in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, ARCG treatment was found to inhibit intimal hyperplasia in restenosis mouse models. ARCG inhibits ISR by inhibiting proinflammatory response and proliferation of VSMCs via IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway, providing a promising drug candidate for ISR. © 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Synthetic anthelmintic drugs not only contribute to the development of pathogen resistance and environmental pollution but also to the development of pathogen resistance. Therefore, identifying the anthelmintic properties of widely used medicinal plants could be of great practical interest to veterinary and human medicine. In our experiment, we evaluated the in vitro survivability of the noninvasive and invasive (L1-2 and L3, respectively) larvae of Strongyloides papillosus and Haemonchus contortus subject to aqueous solutions of ethanolic tinctures of traditional medicinal plants (46 species). Most of the plant species we studied belonged to the families Asteraceae (Achillea millefolium, Arctium lappa, Artemisia absinthium, Bidens tripartita, Calendula officinalis, Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus, Echinacea purpurea, Helichrysum arenarium, Inula helenium, Matricaria chamomilla, Silybum marianum, Tanacetum vulgare, Taraxacum officinale, Tragopogon porrifolius), Rosaceae (Agrimonia eupatoria, Fragaria vesca, Sanguisorba officinalis), and Lamiaceae (Leonurus cardiaca, Mentha × piperita, Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis, Thymus vulgaris). Other plant families were represented by 1-3 species: Fabaceae (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hedysarum alpinum, Trifolium pratense), Salicaceae (Populus nigra, P. tremula, Salix alba), Fagaceae (Quercus robur), Betulaceae (Betula pendula), Juglandaceae (Juglans regia), Rhamnaceae (Frangula alnus), Acoraceae (Acorus calamus), Apiaceae (Foeniculum vulgare), Caprifoliaceae (Valeriana officinalis), Cucurbitaceae (Cucurbita pepo), Equisetaceae (Equisetum arvense), Ericaceae (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), Gentianaceae (Centaurium erythraea), Hypericaceae (Hypericum perforatum), Malvaceae (Althaea officinalis), Plantaginaceae (Linaria vulgaris, Plantago major), Poaceae (Zea mays), Polygonaceae (Polygonum aviculare), and Ranunculaceae (Nigella sativa). We determined Artemisia absinthium, Inula helenium, Matricaria chamomilla, Salvia officinalis, and Populus nigra, whose aqueous solutions of alcohol tinctures demonstrated nematocidal properties. The other plants we studied did not affect the viability of parasitic nematode larvae.

Current drugs for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have limited efficacy and often cause adverse side effects. Burdock leaves, known for their heat-clearing and anti-inflammatory properties, can be consumed as a vegetable or brewed into tea. According to traditional Chinese medicine, heat-clearing and anti-inflammatory strategies are considered beneficial for the treatment of AD. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether burdock leaves have neuroprotective effects or can alleviate neuroinflammation to delay AD progression. Herein, we found that the decline in learning and memory, as well as cognitive impairments in AD model rats, were significantly improved following burdock leaf intervention. Notably, the medium- and high-dose groups showed superior therapeutic outcomes compared to the low-dose group. Histopathological analysis of rat hippocampal tissue revealed that burdock leaves mitigated hippocampal lesions, neuronal loss, pathological amyloid β-protein accumulation, and abnormal phosphorylation of the microtubule-associated Tau protein. Metabolomics studies identified the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle as a key metabolic pathway modulated by burdock leaves in AD regulation. Western blot analysis revealed that the therapeutic effects of burdock leaves may be mediated through the suppression of the STAT3/NF-κB signaling pathway and downregulation of inflammatory protein expression. Of note, the present study uncovered that burdock leaves could delay AD progression by ameliorating metabolic dysregulation and inhibiting STAT3/NF-κB-mediated inflammatory pathways, positioning them as a promising candidate for further exploration in AD therapeutics. © 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Arctigenin (ATG) is an important component isolated from the fruit of the medicinal plant Arctium lappa L., with anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anti-tumor properties. Although ATG has been reported to induce hepatotoxicity in beagle dogs and SD rats, and the underlying mechanisms remained unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic activation of ATG and to define the potential correlation between the metabolic activation of ATG and its hepatotoxicity. A quinone methide intermediate was identified in vitro and in vivo, and CYP3A dominated the metabolic activation. ATG was found to show significant cytotoxicity at 50 μM in cultured mouse primary hepatocytes. The ATG-derived quinone methide metabolite assaulted cysteine residue of hepatic protein to form protein covalent binding. The observed protein modification was most likely associated with the cytotoxicity of ATG observed.

In recent years, the number of diabetes patients worldwide has been increasing daily, and more than 700 million people are in a prediabetic state. Fructus arctii exhibits notable anti-diabetic activity, but its active components remain unclear. In this study, a polysaccharide (FAP-W) was extracted and characterized using UV, FTIR, HPLC, NMR, AFM, the Congo red test, and SEM. FAP-W has a molecular weight of 1.99 × 104 Da and mainly consists of α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-d-fructofuranosyl-(1→2)]10-β-d-furanofructosyl units. Monosaccharide analysis revealed mannose, glucose, galactose, and arabinose in a 3.4:23.59:21.27:47.7 ratio. In insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, FAP-W significantly increased glucose consumption, enhanced glycogen content, and elevated HK and PK activities. It also decreased TG, MDA, and ROS levels while improving SOD activity. These results suggest that FAP-W ameliorates insulin resistance, regulates glucose-lipid metabolism, and alleviates oxidative stress, indicating its potential as a functional food or therapeutic candidate for diabetes.

The study presents a comprehensive approach to target prediction for gout (DOID: 13189) through the integration of disease ontology and network-based strategies. A total of 13 proteins associated with gout were identified and analyzed using the STRING database, which visualized protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Cytoscape, enhanced with the CytoHubba plugin, was used to prioritize key proteins, identifying Solute loading carrier family 22 member 12 (SLC22A12) and SLC22A9 genes as the most promising targets based on their high degree of interaction. Sequence alignment of these proteins (Urate Anion Exchanger 1-URAT1 and Organic anion transporter 7-OAT7) revealed significant homology, suggesting that they play complementary roles in uric acid transport and gout pathogenesis. Molecular docking by AutoDock Vina and AutoDock4 of whole Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) database, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Approved Drugs revealed three leads from the Woodfordia fruticosa (Heterophylliin A), Arctium lappa (Arctignan D), and Oroxylum indicum (Scutellarein 7-rutinoside) demonstrated strong binding affinities with URAT1 through favorable docking interactions over the best docked Fostemsavir and URAT1 inhibitors (Lesinurad and Benzbromarone) indicating their potential as modulators of uric acid transport. The molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) of URAT1 in membrane environment with the identified compounds by Desmond further supported that all three leads exhibited superior binding stability, binding energy and interaction profiles compared to the existing drugs. The results highlight the potential of these phytochemicals upon further experimental validation as therapeutic agents for gout. This integrative bioinformatics and computational approach provide a robust framework for discovering potent drug target and bioactive compounds with strong potential for effective gout treatment if further validated through in vitro and in vivo assays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-025-00476-5. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, pa

BACKGROUND: Burdock root is rich in gut fermentable fructan (inulin). This study aimed to clarify the effects of processed foods containing burdock on the gut microbiota by inoculating faecal slurries into cultures containing roasted burdock tea powder. METHODS AND RESULTS: Human faecal slurries (n = 5) were inoculated into cultures containing 4% (w/v) roasted burdock tea powder that washed with 85% (v/v) ethanol (WBT), 0.4% fructooligosaccharide (FO), or both WBT and FO (BF). After 24 h of anaerobic incubation, lactate and acetate levels significantly increased in the BF and WBT cultures. Putrefactive compounds, such as ammonia and indole, were suppressed in BF and WBT cultures. Analysis of 16S rDNA (V3-V4 region) amplicon sequencing revealed that WBT increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium spp. more than twofold; however, the effect varied among individuals. The amplicon sequences were used to predict metabolic functions using Tax4Fun and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database. Histidine biosynthesis was suggested to be promoted in WBT cultures. CONCLUSION: This in vitro study provides novel insights into the gut microbiota, typical WBT-responsible gut indigenous bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium spp., and fermentable dietary fibre. Overall, these findings show the potential applications of burdock. © 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.

BACKGROUND: Arctium lappa L. (A. lappa), a plant of significant economic importance, is cultivated worldwide for its applications in food and medicine, presenting a compelling opportunity for genetic research within the Asteraceae family. Despite the importance of A. lappa genetic resources, the genome of the Peixian yellow A. lappa cultivar has not yet been sequenced. RESULTS: This study presents a chromosome-level genome of the Peixian yellow A. lappa, the genome consists of a comprehensive 1.69 Gb reference and a scaffold N50 of 91.02 Mb. By utilizing Hi-C data, we anchored 99.12% of the assembled sequences onto 18 chromosomes and identified 40,665 protein-coding genes. The genome is predominantly composed of repetitive sequences, which constitute 68.32%, with long terminal repeats (LTRs) accounting for 65.66% of the total. A comparative genomic analysis with the Gansu A. lappa genome revealed significant genetic variations, including 2,972,809 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 608,644 insertions/deletions (INDELs), and 11,800 structural variations (SVs). Furthermore, transcriptomic analyses comparing Peixian yellow A. lappa and Liu chuan li xiang A. lappa have shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying carotenoid biosynthesis in Peixian yellow A. lappa. A total of 16 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were specifically associated with the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. Among these, several genes, including PSY1, PDS, BCH2, VDE, NCED1, and NCED2, were downregulated in Peixian yellow A. lappa. In contrast, other genes such as DXS, IDI1, CCD8B, CCS, and CCD4 were upregulated. Additionally, several transcription factors linked to carotenoid biosynthesis were identified, including MYC2, WRK35, and HY5. Most of these transcription factors were downregulated in Peixian yellow A. lappa, with the exception of Arcla.08g00830, which encodes MYC2. CONCLUSION: This high-quality genomic resource is poised to enhance genome-informed breeding strategies and improve A. lappa quality, offering valuable insights for breeding programs aimed at enhancing desirable traits in A. lappa. © 2025. The Author(s).

Germination is a developmental stage in which plants accumulate higher levels of bioactive metabolites. However, this potential remains largely unexplored in medicinal herbs and therapeutic applications. Sprouting represents a brief yet metabolically dynamic phase in plant development, during which dormant seeds initiate enzymatic activation and begin synthesizing a range of bioactive compounds. Compared to dry seeds or mature plants, sprouts often contain higher levels of phenolics, flavonoids, vitamins, and other secondary metabolites, enhancing their nutritional and pharmacological value. While edible sprouts from food crops have been extensively studied, sprouts derived from medicinal plants remain largely overlooked. This is surprising given their natural richness in pharmacologically relevant phytochemicals. This perspective draws primarily on original experimental studies that investigated phytochemical and physiological changes during sprouting of medicinal plants. These studies were identified through searches in scientific databases using keywords related to medicinal plants, sprouts, and bioactive compounds. We summarize existing studies on species such as Trigonella foenum-graecum, Nigella sativa, Silybum marianum, Arctium lappa, Trifolium pratense, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and identify other promising candidates with high germination potential but uncharacterized phytochemical profiles at the sprout stage. Environmental variables, such as light quality, seed priming, or nutrient supplementation, can further modulate phytochemical composition during germination. We also discuss practical limitations, including low biomass yield, microbial safety concerns, and lack of standardized protocols. Overall, sprouts offer a responsive, scalable, and experimentally tractable model for exploring and optimizing phytochemical expression in medicinal plants. We propose that this early developmental window offers overlooked opportunities for phytopharmacology, functional foods, and natural product discovery. © 2025. The Author(s).

The structural transformation of dietary fiber within the gastrointestinal tract critically determines its efficacy in alleviating functional constipation (FC). This study explored the structural evolution of pH-responsive burdock root dietary fiber microspheres (BDFRM) in gastrointestinal environments and anti-constipation molecular mechanisms. In vitro digestion showed BDFRM maintained structural integrity in simulated gastric fluid but exhibited targeted swelling in simulated intestinal fluid (expansibility is 13.52 ± 0.10 mL/g), with a swelling ratio 2-fold higher than in SGF (expansibility is 6.82 ± 0.09 mL/g), and demonstrated superior water-holding capacity in simulated colonic fluid. In loperamide-induced constipated ageing rats, BDFRM significantly improved fecal parameters including weight-to-body ratio and moisture, accelerated intestinal transit, and shortened first black stool time (p < 0.05). It increased the concentration of Gas and MTL, inhibited VIP in serum, and enhanced the mRNA levels of c-Kit and ACh in intestine tissue. Meanwhile, BDFRM repaired mucosal injury, suppressed the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors, upregulated the mRNA expression level of tight junction proteins, and activated the Nrf2 pathway. Thus, BDFRM's site-specific structural changes multidimensionally enhance intestinal peristalsis. This study provides a promising targeted dietary strategy for managing FC in the ageing population and a practical approach for developing functional foods from dietary fiber.

BACKGROUND: Arctium lappa L. is a well-known medicinal herb recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of various diseases. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to explore the protective effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of A. lappa root in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats. METHODS: Arthritis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats through a single subcutaneous CFA injection into the right hind paws. After induction, the animals were orally administered A. lappa at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, or prednisolone (as a reference drug), for a duration of 30 days. Blood and ankle joint samples were collected for analysis. The anti-arthritic effects were assessed through nociceptive behavioral tests, paw edema, body weight measurements, serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and histopathological evaluations. RESULTS: The A. lappa root extract significantly improved body weight and reduced thermal hyperalgesia, as well as decreased paw edema in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001). Furthermore, A. lappa reduced inflammatory cytokines and increased antioxidant defenses in the serum of all treated rats (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Histologically, A. lappa notably restored the ankle joint architecture compared to untreated arthritic rats (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that A. lappa has significant anti-arthritic potential by reducing inflammatory cytokines and enhancing serum antioxidant levels, which supports its traditional use in the management of joint diseases.

Periodontal disease represents a condition that exhibits substantial global morbidity, and is characterized by the infection and inflammation of the periodontal tissue effectuated by bacterial pathogens. The present study aimed at evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of BenTooth, an edible natural product mixture comprising burdock root extract, persimmon leaf extract and quercetin, against periodontitis both in vitro and in vivo. BenTooth was examined for antimicrobial properties and its impact on cellular responses related to inflammation and bone resorption. Its effects were also assessed in a rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis. BenTooth demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against P. gingivalis and S. mutans. In RAW264.7 cells, it notably diminished the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, as well as reduced interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels triggered by P. gingivalis-derived lipopolysaccharide. Furthermore, BenTooth inhibited osteoclastogenesis mediated by the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand. In the rat model, BenTooth consumption mitigated the ligature-induced expansion in distance between the cementoenamel junction and the alveolar bone crest and bolstered the bone volume fraction. These results present BenTooth as a potential therapeutic candidate for the prevention and remediation of periodontal diseases. © 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Arctium lappa L. root is a well-known Chinese medicine with high medicinal and food values. Arctium lappa L. root polysaccharide (ALP), as the main component and bioactive substance, has a variety of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antithrombotic, immunomodulatory activity and improvement of intestinal flora. The biological activities of polysaccharides are closely related to their structures, and different extraction and purification methods will yield different polysaccharide structures. As a kind of natural polysaccharide, ALP has a broad application prospect in drug carrier. In this paper, we reviewed the research progress on the extraction, purification, structural characterization, biological activities, structure-activity relationship and drug carrier application of ALP, in order to provide basic reference for the development and application of medical and health care value. At the same time, the shortcomings of ALP research are discussed in depth, and the potential development prospect and future research direction are prospected.

Long-term consumption of Arctium lappa L. roots can lead to weight loss. To explore the relationship between anti-obesity and anti-inflammation, the effects and mechanism of A. lappa L. root powder (ARP) on intestinal inflammation in obese rats were investigated. Dietary obese rats were successfully established by feeding a high-fat and high-sugar diet. The control group (n = 6) consumed a normal diet. The intestines were compared among the groups (each n = 6) with and without the administration of ARP (intragastric 7.5 g/kg·bw/d). Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analysis revealed that ARP effectively inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory and inflammatory cytokines in the colons of obese rats. These cytokines included interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. The inhibition rates for all these cytokines exceeded 88 %. Moreover, ARP demonstrated the ability to down-regulate key genes involved in Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) complexes, namely Tlr4, myeloid differentiation protein-2 (Md2), and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (Myd88), along with downstream signaling molecules such as tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), with inhibition rates over 81 %. Additionally, ARP was observed to inhibit protein levels of TLR4, NF-κB, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the colons of obese rats, with inhibition rates of 65.6 ± 10.9 %, 84.4 ± 19.9 %, 80.8 ± 14.4 %, and 68.4 ± 17.5 %, respectively. This study confirmed the effectiveness of ARP in inhibiting intestinal inflammation through the blockade of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. It also suggested that ARP holds potential in improving intestinal health in the context of obesity, implying its possible application in the prevention and treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases. © 2023 The Authors.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Arctium lappa L., is a biennial plant that grows around the Eurasia. Many parts of Arctium lappa L. (roots, leaves and fruits, etc.) are medically used in different countries. Arctium lappa L. fruit, also called Arctii Fructus, is traditionally applied to dispel wind-heat, ventilate lung to promote eruption, remove toxicity substance and relieve sore throat. THE AIM OF THE REVIEW: The review aims to integrate the botany, ethnopharmacology, quality control, phytochemistry, pharmacology, derivatives and toxicity information of Arctii Fructus, so as to facilitate future research and explore the potential of Arctii Fructus as an agent for treating diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Related knowledge about Arctii Fructus were acquired from Science Direct, GeenMedical, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Web of Science, Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, Doctoral and Master's thesis, ancient books, etc. RESULTS: Arctii Fructus as an herb used for medicine and food was pervasively distributed and applicated around the world. It was traditionally used to treat anemopyretic cold, dyspnea and cough, sore throat, etc. To date, more than 200 compounds have been isolated and identified from Arctii Fructus. It contained lignans, phenolic acids and fatty acids, terpenoids, volatile oils and others. Lignans, especially arctigenin and arctiin, had the extensive pharmacological effects such as anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory activities. The ester derivatives of arctigenin had the anti-cancer, anti-Alzheimer's disease and immunity enhancing effects. Although Arctii Fructus extract had no toxicity, arctigenin was toxic at a certain dose. The alleviating effects of Arctii Fructus on chronic inflammation and ageing have been demonstrated by clinical studies. CONCLUSION: Arctii Fructus is regarded as a worthy herb with many chemical components and various pharmacological effects. Several traditional applications have been supported by modern pharmacological research. However, their action mechanisms need to be further studied. Although many chemical components were isolated from Arctii Fructus, the current resea

Arctium lappa L. is a medicinal edible homologous plant, commonly known as burdock or bardana, which belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is widely distributed throughout Northern Asia, Europe, and North America and has been utilized for hundreds of years. The roots, fruits, seeds, and leaves of A. lappa have been extensively used in traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). A. lappa has attracted a great deal of attention due to its possession of highly recognized bioactive metabolites with significant therapeutic potential. Numerous pharmacological effects have been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo by A. lappa and its bioactive metabolites, including antimicrobial, anti-obesity, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-allergic, antiviral, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective activities. Additionally, A. lappa has demonstrated considerable clinical efficacies and valuable applications in nanomedicine. Collectively, this review covers the properties of A. lappa and its bioactive metabolites, ethnopharmacology aspects, pharmacological effects, clinical trials, and applications in the field of nanomedicine. Hence, a significant attention should be paid to clinical trials and industrial applications of this plant with particular emphasis, on drug discovery and nanotechnology.

Arctium lappa L., also known as burdock, is a popular medicinal plant in traditional Chinese medicine due to its potential therapeutic properties. Saccharides from Arctium lappa L. root (ALR-S) have been extensively studied for their anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetes effects. Platelets play a pivotal role in thrombosis. The present study describes the effects of ALR-S on platelet activation and thrombosis using a laser injury thrombosis in vivo model. The study also measured the effects of ALR-S on platelet activation by analysing aggregation, ATP release, platelet spreading, adhesion and clot retraction in vitro. Specifically, the effects were ALR-S concentration-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation and ATP release. Activated platelets pretreated with ALR-S showed diminished CD62P expression levels and fibrinogen binding, as measured by flow cytometry. ALR-S inhibited platelet spreading on fibrinogen and adhesion on collagen under shear. ALR-S attenuated platelet activation by decreasing oxidative stress and thrombus formation. These results demonstrated the antiplatelet effects of ALR-S, suggesting the antithrombotic and cardiovascular protective activities of ALR-S as a functional food. Copyright: © Ruan et al.

Hyperglycemia-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress injury are thought to play important roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Attenuating high glucose (HG)-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury has become a potential approach to ameliorate DN. In recent years, burdock fructooligosaccharide (BFO), a water-soluble inulin-type fructooligosaccharide extracted from burdock root, has been shown to have a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic activities. However, the role and mechanism of BFO in rat renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E cells) have rarely been investigated. The present study investigated the protective effect of BFO on HG-induced damage in NRK-52E cells. BFO could protect NRK-52E cells against the reduced cell viability and significantly increased apoptosis rate induced by HG. These anti-oxidative stress effects of BFO were related to the significant inhibition of the production of reactive oxygen species, stabilization of mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased antioxidant (superoxide dismutase and catalase) activities. Furthermore, BFO increased the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and Bcl-2 and decreased the expression of Bax. In conclusion, these findings suggest that BFO protects NRK-52E cells against HG-induced damage by inhibiting apoptosis and oxidative stress through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

The roots and tubers of the Asteraceae family are known as a source of various oligosaccharides, and chicory roots and Jerusalem artichoke have stood out for its commercial viability. However burdock root (Arctium lappa L.), which is adapted to temperate climate, moist, and sandy soil, is still unknown as health food in the western world. This review showed the potential of burdock roots as a source of prebiotic fibers, chlorogenic acids, cinnarine, lignans, and quercetin. The extraction methods of burdock functional compounds are made with water, temperature and time variations only. Biological assays showed antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic properties, and gastric mucosal defense mechanisms, among others. Therefore, the use of burdock roots as functional food should be encouraged in countries that have imported products derived from other roots of the same family for health benefits.

BACKGROUND: Arctium lappa L. root (burdock root) has long been recommended for the treatment of different diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. Burdock root possesses anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-microbial activities. The aim of the study was to elucidate whether aqueous extract of burdock root regulates mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and differentiation. METHODS: Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in 2D high density culture and in 3D micromass pellets were treated with chondrogenic induction medium and chondral basal medium in the absence or presence of aqueous extract of burdock root. The chondrogenic differentiation was accessed by staining glucosaminoglycans, immunostaining SOX9 and type II collagen and immuonblotting of SOX9, aggrecan and type II collagen. RESULTS: Treatment of aqueous extract of burdock root increased the cell proliferation of hMSCs. It did not have significant effect on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, but significantly enhanced chondrogenic induction medium-induced chondrogenesis. The increment was dose dependent, as examined by staining glucosaminoglycans, SOX9, and type II collagen and immunobloting of SOX9, aggrecan and type II collagen in 2D and 3D cultures. In the presence of supplemental materials, burdock root aqueous extract showed equivalent chondrogenic induction capability to that of TGF-β. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that aqueous extract of Arctium lappa L. root promotes chondrogenic medium-induced chondrogenic differentiation. The aqueous extract of burdock root can even be used alone to stimulate chondrogenic differentiation. The study suggests that the aqueous extract of burdock root can be used as an alternative strategy for treatment purposes.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the aorta and is a major cause of cardiovascular disease. Arctium lappa root is a plant widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and Arctium lappa root extract (ALE) has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory capacity and to ameliorate endothelial dysfunction. Thus, we hypothesized that ALE would inhibit the early atherosclerotic stage. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of ALE on early arteriosclerosis and its mechanisms of action. ALE suppressed TNF-α-induced monocyte adhesion to the vascular endothelium by suppressing NF-κB signaling in HUVECs. In an acute mouse model of atherosclerosis, ALE suppressed TNF-α-induced monocyte infiltration of the vascular endothelium and the expression of genes encoding inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 in the mouse aorta. Moreover, inulin-type fructan and amino acids, especially L-aspartate and L-arginine (60.27 and 42.17 mg/g, respectively) were detected by NMR, MALDI-TOF MS, and HPLC analysis as the main components of ALE. Notably, L-arginine suppressed TNF-α-induced monocyte adhesion to HUVECs. Therefore, these results suggest that ALE may be a functional food for the suppression or prevention of early stages of atherosclerosis.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is considered growing risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma development in high-income countries. Diet- and chemically induced rodent models have been applied for the translational study of NASH-associated hepatocarcinogenesis due to their morphological and molecular similarities to the corresponding human disease. Arctium lappa L. (burdock) root tea has been extensively consumed in Traditional Chinese Medicine due to its potential therapeutic properties. Indeed, the bioactive compounds of A. lappa root, as the polyphenols, have already showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in different in vivo and in vitro bioassays. In this study, we investigated whether burdock root ethanolic extract (BRE) administration attenuates NASH-associated hepatocarcinogenesis. Eight-week-old male Wistar rats received choline-deficient high-fat diet for 8 weeks and multiple thioacetamide doses for 4 weeks in order to induce NASH and preneoplastic glutathione-S-transferase pi (GST-P)+ preneoplastic foci. Subsequently, rats were treated with BRE (100 or 200 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle by oral gavage for 2 weeks. BRE displayed high levels of chlorogenic and caffeic acids and BRE administration reduced total fatty acid and lipid hydroperoxide levels, while increasing the activities of antioxidant superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes in the liver. Furthermore, burdock intervention diminished the size of GST-P+ remodeling preneoplastic lesions (PNLs) and displayed a trend on reducing hepatocyte proliferation (Ki-67) inside them. These findings suggest that short-term exposure to BRE alleviated remodeling PNL development in NASH-associated hepatocarcinogenesis. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Depression is the root of various diseases. It is one of the most debilitating conditions globally. Antidepressant drugs are usually the first-line of depression treatment. Arctigenin (ARC), one of active ingredient of Arctium lappa L, has been found to exert neuroprotective, anti-decrepitude, and anti-inflammatory activities. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects of ARC using acute and chronic mild stress (CMS) mice model. ICR mice model received acute stress or chronic mild stress assessed by open field test (OFT), novelty suppressed feeding (NSF), sucrose preference test (SPT), forced-swimming test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST). After the final test, blood was collected to detect the serum levels of angiogenin (ANG), thrombopoietin (TPO), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The behavioral results showed that repeated ARC (10, 30 mg/kg) administration significantly relieved the antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects. And repeated ARC administration at the dose of 10 and 30 mg/kg could significantly block depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors caused by CMS. Finally, ELISA results showed that ARC administration increased the serum levels of angiogenin (ANG), thrombopoietin (TPO), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results showed that chronic ARC administration produces antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects, which provides direct evidence for the first time that ARC may be a novel strategy for the treatment of depression and even stress-related disorders. The present data supports further exploration for developing ARC administration as a novel therapeutic strategy for depression and even stress-related disorders.

Simultaneous detection of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid in rat blood by in vivo microdialysis can provide important pharmacokinetics information. Microwave-assisted derivatization coupled with magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction was established for the determination of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. 2'-Carbonyl-piperazine rhodamine B was first designed and synthesized as the derivatization reagent, which was easily adsorbed onto the surface of Fe3O4/graphene oxide. Simultaneous derivatization and extraction of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid were performed on Fe3O4/graphene oxide. The permanent positive charge of the derivatization reagent significantly improved the ionization efficiencies. The limits of detection were 0.025 and 0.020 ng/mL for oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, respectively. The validated method was shown to be promising for sensitive, accurate, and simultaneous determination of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid. It was used for their pharmacokinetics study in rat blood after oral administration of Arctiumlappa L. root extract.

The present study aims to evaluate the potential uses of hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from Romanian native wild-growing plants. The hydroalcoholic extracts were obtained from the burdock roots and respectively the aerial parts of birdeye speedwell. The extracts were characterised by HPLC (quantifying 13 compounds in the V. persica extract, 6 compounds in the A. lappa extract and confirming the presence of arctiin and arctigenin in the burdock extract). The antioxidant potential of the crude extracts was evaluated using two methods: the DPPH assay (79.91% for speedwell extract, 76.23% for burdock extract) and the phosphomolybdate method (296.5 mg/g ascorbic acid equivalents for burdock, 324.4 mg/g for speedwell). The crude extracts were found to be active against both fungal lines used (Aspergillus niger and Penicillium hirsutum), inhibition zones - 17.1 mm and 13.1 mm against P. hirsutum, respectively ca. 22 mm for both extracts against A. niger. The cytogenetic effects (assessed using the Allium cepa assay) revealed a series of chromosomal aberrations and nuclear aberrations induced in the meristematic root cells. The anti-inflammatory effect, estimated in two inflammation experimental models, showed a significant effect, especially for the speedwell extract. The results recommend the evaluated extracts as promising sources of biologically-active compounds.

BACKGROUND: Arctium lappa, known as burdock, is widely used in popular medicine for hypertension, gout, hepatitis and other inflammatory disorders. Pharmacological studies indicated that burdock roots have hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging and antiproliferative activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate total phenolic content, radical scavenging activity by DPPH and in vitro antiproliferative activity of different A. lappa root extracts. METHODS: Hot and room temperature dichloromethanic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts; hydroethanolic and total aqueous extract of A. lappa roots were investigated regarding radical scavenging activity by DPPH, total phenolic content by Folin-Ciocalteau method and antiproliferative in vitro activity was evaluated in human cancer cell lines. The hydroethanolic extract analyzed by high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy. RESULTS: Higher radical scavenging activity was found for the hydroethanolic extract. The higher phenolic contents were found for the dichloromethane, obtained both by Soxhlet and maceration extraction and hydroethanolic extracts. The HRESI-MS demonstrated the presence of arctigenin, quercetin, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid compounds, which were identified by comparison with previous data. The dichloromethane extracts were the only extracts that exhibited activity against cancer cell lines, especially for K562, MCF-7 and 786-0 cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: The hydroethanolic extracts exhibited the strongest free radical scavenging activity, while the highest phenolic content was observed in Soxhlet extraction. Moreover, the dichloromethanic extracts showed selective antiproliferative activity against K562, MCF-7 and 786-0 human cancer cell lines. © 2011 Predes et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Arctium lappa, commonly known as burdock, is being promoted/recommended as a healthy and nutritive food in Chinese societies. Burdock has been used therapeutically in Europe, North America and Asia for hundreds of years. The roots, seeds and leaves of burdock have been investigated in view of its popular uses in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In this review, the reported therapeutic effects of the active compounds present in the different botanical parts of burdock are summarized. In the root, the active ingredients have been found to "detoxify" blood in terms of TCM and promote blood circulation to the skin surface, improving the skin quality/texture and curing skin diseases like eczema. Antioxidants and antidiabetic compounds have also been found in the root. In the seeds, some active compounds possess anti-inflammatory effects and potent inhibitory effects on the growth of tumors such as pancreatic carcinoma. In the leaf extract, the active compounds isolated can inhibit the growth of micro-organisms in the oral cavity. The medicinal uses of burdock in treating chronic diseases such as cancers, diabetes and AIDS have been reported. However, it is also essential to be aware of the side effects of burdock including contact dermatitis and other allergic/inflammatory responses that might be evoked by burdock.