Phytochemical Constituents of Capsella bursa-pastoris and Their Anti-inflammatory Activity

Phytochemical investigation of 80% MeOH extract of the aerial parts of Capsella bursa-pastoris yielded fourteen compounds (1 – 14). The structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods to be methyl-1-thio-β-D-glucopyranosyl disulfide (1), 10-methylsulphinyl-decanenitrile (2), 11-methyl-sulphinyl-undecanenitrile (3), 1-O-(lauroyl)glycerol (4), phytene-1, 2-diol (5), (3S,5R,6S,7E)-5,6-epoxy-3-hydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one (6), loliolide (7), β-sitosterol (8), 3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone (9), 1-feruloyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (10), pinoresinol-4′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (11), luteolin (12), quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (13), and luteolin 6-C-β-glucopyranoside (14). Although compound 1 was reported as synthetic compound, 1 was first isolated from natural source. NMR spectral data assignments of 1, 2 and 3 were reported for the first time, and compounds 1 – 14 were for the first time reported from this plant source. The anti-inflammatory effects of 1 – 14 were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine microglia BV-2 cells. Compounds 12 exhibited strong inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production in LPS-activated BV-2 cells with IC50 values of 9.70 µM.

Reliable screening technique for evaluation of wild crucifers against mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.).

Wild crucifers namely Arabidopsis thaliana, Brassica fruticulosa, B. rugosa, B. spinescens, B. tournefortii, Camelina sativa, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Crambe abysinnica, Cronopus didymus, Diplotaxis assurgens, D. gomez-campoi, D. muralis, D. siettiana, D. tenuisiliqua, Enatharocarpus lyratus, Lepidium sativum and Sinapis alba along with five cultivated Brassica species including B. rapa (BSH-1), B. juncea (Rohini), B. napus (GSC-6), B. carinata (DLSC-2) and Eruca sativa (T-27) were screened against mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) with a standardized technique under definite level of aphid pressure developed using specially designed cages. Observations have revealed that B. fruticulosa, B. spinescens, Camelina sativa, Crambe abysinnica and Lepidium sativum were resistant to mustard aphid L. erysimi with aphid infestation index (AII) ≤1. Capsella bursa-pastoris was highly susceptible to bean aphid, Aphis fabae during its vegetative stage (with 100% mortality). Other genotypes were found in the range of ‘susceptible’ to ‘highly susceptible’ with AII ranging 3-5.

Chemical composition and biological screening of Capsella bursa-pastoris

Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. (Brassicaceae) is a wild herb with high nutritional value that can be eaten raw or cooked. A metabolomic study was performed with different extracts of its aerial parts that were tested concerning their antiradical, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antibacterial activities. Phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD, organic acids and amino acids were determined by HPLC-UV, while free fatty acids and sterols were analysed by GC-ITMS. The vegetal material was rich in kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (mean value 2247.09 mg/kg of dry plant), quinic acid (95628.00 mg/kg of dry plant), arginine (mean value of 1.18 mg/kg of dry plant), palmitic acid (284.48 mg/kg) and β-sitosterol (28 percent). The extracts presented a concentration-dependent antiradical activity (against DPPH•, O2•- and LOO•), being most effective against •NO (EC25 0.20 µg/mL). In addition, the extracts were also acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and antibacterial active, revealing that, besides the plant's good nutritional value, it presents important biological properties as well.