Cytotoxic evaluation and LC-MS/MS analysis of aerial parts of Eryngium kotschyi Boiss. grown in Turkey

Abstract Increasing biological activity and phytochemical investigations on Eryngium species showed its potential as pharmaceutical approach. Eryngium kotschyi Boiss. is one of the species of Eryngium genus and is endemic to Turkey. It is known that this plant is traditionally used in the South-western part of Turkey for the treatment of various diseases. This study focuses on cytotoxic activities of methanol extract and ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water sub-extracts from E. kotschyi in A549, COLO 205 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines by Sulforhodamin B assay and qualitative and quantitative determination of phytochemical constituents in active extract by LC-MS/MS. From the result of the study, it was seen that E. kotschyi ethyl acetate (EKE) sub-extract showed the strongest cytotoxic effect with the low IC50 values (50.00; 31.96 and 22.26 µg/mL in A549; COLO 205 and MDA-MB-231 cells at 48 h, respectively). Preliminary examination of the mass spectrums revealed the presence of 15 phytochemical compounds in active sub-extract and 7 of them was quantified. According to quantitative analyses the main compounds of EKE sub-extract were rosmarinic acid (485.603 µg/mgextract), chlorogenic acid (62.355 µg/mgextract) and caffeic acid (59.266 µg/mgextract). Moreover, this preliminary study on inhibitory activity of EKE sub-extract suggests further toxicologic investigations and detailed investigation on cytotoxic effect of various combinations of determined compounds

Together but different: co-occurring dune plant species differ in their water- and nitrogen-use strategies.

Stress factors may severely constrain the range of plant physiological responses in harsh environments. Convergence of traits is expected in coastal dunes because of environmental filtering imposed by severe abiotic factors. However, the wide range of morphological and phenological traits exhibited by coexisting dune species suggests considerable variation in functional traits. We hypothesized that the constraints imposed by structural traits ought to translate into physiological differences. Five dominant species with different morphological traits, but coexisting in a homogeneous dune area in Northwest Spain, were selected for study. Soil characteristics and leaf functional traits were measured in April, June and November 2008. Integrated water-use efficiency (assessed by C isotope discrimination) and N acquisition and use strategies (estimated by N isotope composition) varied significantly among species and the differences changed over time. Species differences in specific leaf area, relative water content, leaf N and C:N ratio, also varied over time. The species differed in stomatal density but not in soil characteristics, with the exception of pH. Species differences in functional traits related to the use of resources suggest species niche segregation. Species-specific temporal effects on the use of these resources support temporal niche differentiation. Somewhat in contrast to the findings of previous studies on harsh environments, this study revealed a considerable level of functional diversity and complexity, suggesting that dune plant species have evolved species-specific strategies to survive by partitioning growth-limiting resources.