- Journal List
- Heliyon
- v.6(6); 2020 Jun
- PMC7284062
As a library, NLM provides access to scientific literature. Inclusion in an NLM database does not imply endorsem*nt of, or agreement with, the contents by NLM or the National Institutes of Health.
Learn more: PMC Disclaimer | PMC Copyright Notice
Heliyon. 2020 Jun; 6(6): e04150.
Published online 2020 Jun 7. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04150
PMCID: PMC7284062
PMID: 32548330
Author information Article notes Copyright and License information PMC Disclaimer
Abstract
Stellaria media Vill. is a representative of Caryophyllaceae family. The plant is widely dispersed all over the world and has been used as therapeutic substance since time immemorial. This review is aimed at exploring the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of S.media. The findings revealed important secondary metabolites such as flavonoid, oligosaccharide stellariose, anthraquinone derivatives, fatty acid, steroid saponins and phenolic compounds. These bioactive metabolites displayed diverse pharmacological activities such as anti-obesity, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidiabetic and anxiolytic activities. All findings revealed that S.media is a major species of Caryophyllaceae family. However, bioactive constituents and pharmacological potential of are not well appraised. Hence, extracts with established pharmacological activities should be subjected to bioassay guided isolation so as to obtain compounds with novel structural moieties prior to toxicogenetic appraisals.
Keywords: Stellaria media, Caryophyllaceae, Ethnopharmacological, Phytochemistry, Biological activities, Plant biology, Pharmaceutical science, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Evidence-based medicine
Stellaria media; Caryophyllaceae; ethnopharmacological, phytochemistry; biological activities; Plant Biology; Pharmaceutical Science; Biochemistry; Pharmacology; Evidence-Based Medicine
1. Introduction
Medicinal herbs are regarded as the fundamental and safest therapeutic approach since primordial time and have significantly played life-saving roles in primary health care development [1, 2, 3]. According to World Health Organisation, herbal medicine is appraised as alternative therapeutic system to achieve total health care against various diseases such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, typhoid, malaria, cholera, measles, and ulcer [4]. Medicinal plants are natural resources, generally acceptable and assumed to have fewer side effects [5, 6]. Medicinal plants are widely distributed all over the world and their curative properties have been appraised on several ailments [7, 8]. Stellaria media Linn. is a perennial plant widely dispersed in cold and temperate regions [9]. Due to its geographical distribution, it has numerous common names, however, universally known as chickweed and about 120 species have been reported [10]. Different parts of the plant have been used to treat various gastrointestinal disorders, asthma, diarrhoea, measles, jaundice, renal, digestive, reproductive and respiratory tracts inflammations. They also lessen swelling and used as plasters for broken bones [11].
The appraisal of bioactive metabolites from different parts of S.media revealed over 80 secondary metaboltes. Some of these compounds are saponins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, fatty acids, tannins and terpenoids [12, 13, 14]. The crude extracts and isolated compounds of S.media demonstrated significant pharmacological activities such as anti-hepatoma [15], anti-obesity [16, 17], anticancer [18], antipyretic, anti-inflammatory [19], anti-oxidant [20], antimicrobial [21, 22] and anxiolytic potentials [23]. The plant has played remarkable drug discovery roles in conventional and modern medicine. However, there is no comprehensive information on the phytochemical and pharmacological activities of crude extracts and isolated compounds. Therefore, this review is tailored towards exploring the botanical description, traditional significance, phytochemical profile and pharmacological activities of the S.media.
2. Review methodology
Literature were explored from major scientific catalogues such as Science Direct, PubMed, MedLine, Google Scholar and Scopus with the keyword “Stellaria media L.,” “phytochemicals,” “ethnopharmacology” and “pharmacological activities”. Several published articles (2005–2019) were queried to procure information on phytochemistry and pharmacological assessments of S.media.
2.1. Ethnobotanical description
Stellaria media L. germinates in autumn and springs flowers between May and October [24]. It has characteristic weak willowy stems, oval leaves, small white flowers with deep lobed petals followed quickly by the seed pods. The plant grows up to 40 cm in moist-fertile and nitrogen-rich soils especially in meadow, lawns and dumping sites (Figure1). It is widely distributed mostly in Asia, North America, Africa and Europe, having distinctive fine hairs on one facet of the stem [25].
2.2. Taxonomy
The plant belongs to family Caryophyllaceae (Table1).
Table1
Taxonomy of Stellaria media L.
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Subkingdom: | Viridiplantae |
| Division: | Tracheophyta; |
| Subdivision: | Spermatophytina; |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida; |
| Superorder: | Caryophyllanae; |
| Order: | Caryophyllales; |
| Family: | Caryophyllaceae; |
| Genus: | Stellaria L. |
| Species: | Stellaria media (L.). |
2.3. Ethnopharmacology
Traditionally, leaves decoction of S.media has been reported for its curative applications. In Asia and tropical Africa, leaves decoction is used to treat acute gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases. Also, dried leaves are processed into pills, powders, or decoctions majorly to treat dermal infections, leg swelling, heart infections, thyrotoxicosis and haemorrhoids [16, 26]. In India, leaf decoction is used to dressed deep wounds, stop bleeding and lessen tumour [27], pulverized leaves, stem and root is used in form of plaster for dislocated bones and swelling [28]. The whole plant is used to treat asthma, bronchitis, pulmonary diseases and obesity [29]. The plant decoction has unique moisturizing and soothing properties which encourage its usage to relieve dermal itching, menstrual pain and mange [30]. Also, mixture of leaves, stem, flowers and root are often macerated and is effective in regulating psychological disorder, respiratory and reproductive tracts inflammations [31].
2.4. Phytochemical profile of Stellaria media
Phytochemical appraisals of extracts and fractions of different parts of S.media have led to identification of about 50 bioactive metabolites. Few chemical compounds have been reported from bioassay isolation of different crude or purified fractions. Most of the bioactive metabolites reported till date belongs to phenolic compounds and saponins. Preliminary phytochemical investigation of ethanolic, ethyl acetate, methanolic, chloroform and aqueous extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, fatty acids, tannins, terpenoids and phenolic compounds, however, phlobatannins and anthraquinones were undetected [12, 14, 32]. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) appraisals of purified fraction of leaf extracts revealed important bioactive metabolites such as luteolin, flavones, C-glycosyl flavones, vicenin-2, isoquercetin, genistein and apigenin [33]. In another study, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, chlorogenic and ferulic acid were identified (Kitanov, 1992). Two essential triterpenoid saponins, that is, gypsogenin and oleanolic acid were isolated from the S.media (Figure2) [34]. Three novel metabolites; 2, 4, 5, 7 tetramethyloctane, 2,2,4-trimethyloctan-3-one, 6-methyl heptyl-3′-hydroxy-2′ methylpropanoate were isolated from aerial parts of S.media. These metabolites displayed exceptional anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory activities (Figure3) [35].
The chemical constituents isolated from aerial parts of Stellaria media Linn. (1) - 2, 4, 5, 7-tetramethyloctane, (2) - 2,2,4-trimethyloctan-3-one, (3) - 6-methyl heptyl-3′-hydroxy-2′-methylpropanoate.
Important dietary supplements were identified in leaves extract of S.media through GC-MS technique. The metabolites are methyl stearate, hexacosanyl palmitate, ß-sitosterol, 6,7-dimethyl heptacosane, 3-methyl-6- hydroxy-heneicos-3-enyl acetate, triacontanoic acid, tricontanol, hentriacontane and pentacosanol [36]. Fresh and mature leaves are appraised to contain high proportion of ascorbic acid, carotenoids and tocopherol [37]. The leaves is also appraised to contain important essential and non-essential amino acids such as glycine, alanine, lysine, thymine, uracil, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, proline, thymidine, tyrosine, 2- histidine, g-aminobutyric acid and threonine [38]. Aside amino acid, mature leaves and stem of S.media was reported to contain important flavonoids such as parietin, questin, daucosterol, anthraquinones emodin, 1-hexacosanol, kaempferol-3,7-ß-L-dirhamnoside and stellariose [13, 39, 40]. Phytochemical investigation of leaf extract of S.media revealed the presence of high proportion of total saponins (1.19 μg/g), total phenolic (45.5 ± 0.25 mg/g) and total flavonoid (1.4 mg/g) [41, 42]. Essential dietary minerals identified in S.media nickel, zinc, copper, sodium, cobalt, magnesium, lead, iron, manganese, cadmium and mercury [41].
2.5. Pharmacological activities of Stelleria media
Pharmacological appraisals of medicinal herbs are connected to the bioactive metabolites present [2]. Pharmacological assessments of different parts of S.media authenticated its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, anxiolytic and antileishmanial activities (Table2). The pronounced pharmacological activities of S.media could be linked to the ethnopharmacological beliefs [42].
Table2
Pharmacological activities of S. media.
| S.media constituent | Experimental models | Pharmacological activities | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aqueous leaf extract of S.media with Chenopodium album, Eclipta prostrata, Euphorbia pulcherima and Oxalis corniculata | In vitro | Antifungal activities were examined against the growth and sporulation of fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus | [81] |
| Alkaloids and phenolics of whole plant extracts of S.media | In vitro | Antibacterial activities were examined on clinical isolates of E. coli, S. typhi, K. pneumonia, Staph. aureus, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis | [42] |
| Methanolic leaf extract of S.media (L.) Vill | In vivo (mice) | The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect was studied using albumen induced paw oedema and formalin-induced paw lick | [30] |
| Lyophilized juice (LJ) of S.media | In vitro and in vivo (mice) | Anti-obesity activity was assessed by evaluating the inhibitory activity of LJ on pancreatic amylase and lipase and measurement of plasma triacylglycerol levels after oral administration of lipid emulsion | [41] |
| Ethanol extract S.media | In vitro and in vivo (mice) | The hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic effects was assessed and show decrease in fasting blood level | [48] |
| Crude extract of S.media | In vivo (Sprague-Dawley) rats | Androgenic and antioxidant activity was investigated the effects of ameliorating vital organ damage and spermatogenesis impairment induced by Dichlorvos following sub-chronic exposure | [12] |
| Methanolic extracts of leaf of S.media, Cajanus cajan and root of Tetracera potatoria | In vitro | Pronounced anti-oxidant activities was observed by DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP assays | [32] |
| Stellarmedin A isolated from S.media | In vitro | Antiproliferative and peroxidase activities from S.media. Stellarmedin A affects the initial stage of HSV-2 infection and inhibit the proliferation of promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 and colon carcinoma LoVo cells | [31] |
| Methanolic extract of S.media | In vivo (Wistar rats) | Methanolic extract show a strong anti-obesity effect with LD50 found to be more than 5000 mg/kg. | [16] |
| Sub-fraction EAF5 of bioactive ethyl acetate fraction derived from the methanol extract | In vivo (mice) | The anxiolytic activity show pronounced activities at dose of 20 mg/kg, po | [23] |
| Methanolic extract of S.media | In vitro | Antioxidant activity of 1020 ± 0.68 μg/ml | [37] |
| Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of chickweed herb | In vitro | The aqueous extract decreased intracellular ROS production by fibroblasts in a concentration-dependent manner and also reduced intracellular ROS production | [41] |
2.6. Anti-inflammatory activities
Few studies appraised the anti-inflammatory potential of S.media in animals. Till date, only the in vitro appraisal of crude or purified fractions was reported. The inflammatory effect of methanolic leaf extract (MLE) was investigated on test rats of different body weights (100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg). Pronounced reduction in inflammation was exhibited on formalin-induced paw lick and albumen induced paw oedema after oral administration of MLE, indomethacin (5 mg/kg b.w) and distilled water (10 mg/kg b.w). Also, MLE considerably inhibited egg albumen-induced paw oedema at p < 0.05 [30].
The inhibition of hyaluronidase, lipoxidase and collagenase potentials of aqueous and ethanolic extracts at concentrations of 50–500 μg/mL, 10–200 μg/mL (hydrogen peroxide, H2O2 and O2-, superoxide anion), 5–50 μg/mL (NO·, nitrogen oxide) and 100–500 μg/mL (ONOO−, peroxynitrite) was appraised in vitro in cell-free systems via high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Diode Array Detector and Ion Trap Mass Detector. Ethanolic extract exhibited significant scavenging activity against the radicals with scavenging concentration at 50% of 132.8 ± 3.9 μg/mL (H2O2), 16.5 ± 0.4 μg/mL (NO·) and 11.9 ± 1.1 μg/mL (ONOO−). However, aqueous extract displayed significant inhibitory concentration against superoxide anion (62.7 ± 8.1 μg/mL) when compared with ethanolic extract. Apigenin glycoside was appraised as bioactive metabolite in the extracts [43].
2.7. Antioxidant activity
The scavenging potential of S.media is appraised using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferrulic reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP). The scavenging activity of apigenin glycosides in aqueous extract of S.media leaf is appraised on human skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts after ultra violet irradiation via DPPH assay. The extract displayed significant inhibitory activity of 62.75 g/mL against xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. The activity is linked to the decrease in the production of intracellular ROS exhibited by the flavonoid-rich extract [44]. In a similar study, alcoholic leaf extract of S.media is appraised in Sprague-Dawley rats (25 mg/kg/bw/day) for their potential in ameliorating spermatogenesis impairment and vital organ damage stimulated by Dichlorvos. The leaf extract significantly ameliorate epididymal (29.91%), liver (20.16%), body (10.73%) and testes (32.21%) weight which causes severe mutilation to reproductive organs and liver hepatocytes [12]. The phytochemical appraisal of leaf extract of S.media revealed the presence of tannins, phlobatannins and flavonoid. The crude extract exhibited strong free radical scavenging activity of 76% and 79% via DPPH and FRAP respectively [32].
2.8. Antimicrobial activity
The effect of S.media crude extract or purified fractions on microbial infections has been comprehensively studied. The first antibacterial activity of S.media was appraised on phenolic and alkaloids-rich aqueous and chloroform leaf extracts with concentrations of 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/ml. The extracts significantly inhibit the microbial growth of S.aureus, E. coli, S. typhi, P. aureginosa, K. pneumonia and B.cereus [42]. The aqueous, methanol and ethanol leaf extracts of S.media were appraised on E.coli, S. epidermidis, S. pyogenes,S. typhimurium, E. cloacea, P.vulgaris, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, S. marcescens and P.aeruginosa. The extracts significantly inhibited the microbial growth of the gram positive and negative bacteria [45]. In a recent study, peptides genepro-SmAMP2 and β-actin gene isolated from S.media significantly displayed strong inhibitory activity against the tested bacterial isolates whereas Sm-AMP-X exhibited significant inhibitory activity against phytopathogenic fungi due to the N- and C- terminal regions of the specified peptide [46, 47].
2.9. Anti-obesity activity
The anti-obesity potential of ethanolic and methanolic leaves and stem crude extracts was appraised in induced female Wistar mice. The phytochemical appraisal of methanolic leaf extract revealed the presence of flavonoids and β-sitosterol. The alcoholic leaf extract significantly inhibit growth of calorie in the test organisms with lethal dosage at 50% (LD50) of body weight less than 5000 mg/kg [16]. The pancreatic lipase potential of lyophilized juice (LJ) was investigated on plasma triacylglycerol in Swiss albino mice at dosage rate (400–900 mg/kg) for 42 days. LJ significantly reduced lipase and pancreatic amylase growth rate whereas triacylglycerol level is increased. Similarly, body and liver weight, retropertoneal adipose tissue levels were considerably suppressed which led to noticeable decrease in total triglyceride and cholesterol (900 mg/kg b.w) [41].
2.10. Antidiabetic activity
The antidiabetic appraisal of alcoholic leaf extract of S.media was assessed for their hyperlipidemic and hyperglycemic potential in alloxan induced diabetic mice using established documented procedures. Significant inhibitory activity was exhibited by pancreatic β-glucosidase and α-amylase. This instigated significant reduction in fasting blood sugar, serum transaminase and HbA1c (−48.4%) of tested organism when compared to control model. Also, blood glucose levels were acceptably maintained [48]. In a similar study, flavonoids, terpernoids, glutamic acid and arginine appraised in alcoholic leaf extract displayed significant antidiabetic effect on alloxan induced diabetic mice [49].
2.11. Anxiolytic activity
The tranquilizing and ability to lessen anxiety of methanol, aqueous, petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of S.media leaves at body weights of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg was appraised in mice via EPM model, diazepam (standard drug) (2 mg/kg) by actophotometre. Methanolic extract and diazepam displayed comparable activities in lengthening the time spent by test organisms in open arms and improve locomotory behaviour [23]. Ethyl acetate fraction of bioassay guided isolation of methanolic extract of S.media was assessed on Swiss albino mice via EPM model. The fraction and diazepam exhibited comparable activity at 20 mg/kg, po and 2 mg/kg respectively, thus, justifying the ethnomedical claim of S.media in alleviating anxiety [23].
2.12. Antileishmanial activity
Up to date, few studies have appraised the immunology or inhibitory effect of S.media against Leishmania parasites. In recent times, alcoholic extracts of S.media was appraised on Leishmania tropica KWH23 promastigote isolated from an infected patient in Peshawar, Pakistan, sprouted in M199 medium with HEPES buffer, 10% FCS, penicillin and streptomycin. The isolated parasite was cultured on a microtitter plate and incubated at 24 °C for 72 h. The inhibitory effect of the alcoholic extracts was appraised in microscope with aid of Neubauer counting chamber. From observation, methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts significantly inhibited the growth of L.tropica with inhibitory activity of 185.9 ± 7.5 μg/mL and 36.4 ± 2.5 μg/mL respectively, however, glucantime exhibited weak activity of 5.6 ± 0.25 μg/mL [14].
2.13. Toxicological profile
Herbal drugs is viewed as the safest and innocuous therapeutic system, however, recent side effects reported from the use of herbs has significantly disrupted its safety or efficacy claims and also, most herbal plants are not well cited nor documented [50]. The toxicological appraisal of herbal drugs will facilitates and justifies its authenticity and safety. However, few toxicological reports on in vitro and in vivo applications of different parts of S.media raise questions on the usage of the plant parts. However, the toxicological and immune-stimulatory effect of S.media was appraised on Swiss mice by critical assessment of serum biochemistry and haematology of the test organisms. The assessment was based on discrepancy in mean corpuscular volume, packed cell volume and white blood cell whereas albumin, creatinine, total protein and serum bilirubin levels were assessed on the kidney and liver. The extracts significantly increase the lymphocyte counts (4.6 – 8.6 × 103/mm3), however, 4.3 × 103/mm3 increment was observed in the control mice at P < 0.05. The extracts exhibited significant reduction in protein level of 3.3–3.8 g/dl and insignificant immune-stimulatory effect was exhibited on the haematology [32]. Phytochemical appraisals of different parts of S.media revealed the presence of important metabolites such as saponins, cardiac glycosides, phenolics, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, 1, 8-cineole, linalool, and mentol. These metabolites at high levels could cause contact dermatitis, diarrhoea, cyanosis, nausea, dizziness and erythema multiforme [51, 52]. In addition, nitrates identified in S.media are presumed to cause vertigo, weakness, headache, difficulty in breathing, cutaneous staining on fingers or lips and gestational pain [51, 52].
3. Discussion
Medicinal plants are referred to as major source of nourishments and natural metabolites for maintaining sound health [53]. They are also referred to as indispensable natural compounds with vast number of pharmacological activities [54, 55, 56]. Since inception, medicinal plants and herbal drugs are used in treatment of various kinds of acute and chronic diseases [2, 56, 57]. The therapeutic or curative significance of S.media in has gained global recognition mostly because of its relevance in traditional medicine. These curative applications could be due to bioactive metabolites such as minerals, vitamins, and other essential nutrients appraised [34]. Phytochemical assessment and dietary appraisals of different parts of S.media revealed presence of essential antioxidant vitamins, phenolic compounds and glycosides [12, 13, 23, 34, 41].
Generally, inflammation is appraised as body reaction to oxidative stress or pathogenic invasion and is often associated with severe pain or swelling of body surface and could lead acute or chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, osteoarthritis, allergies, and cancer [58, 59]. Plant secondary metabolites such as flavonoid glycosides and aglycone, g-aminobutyric acid, glutamic acid, anthraquinones emodin, and aspartic acid identified in S.media is reported to exhibit significant antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in human cells, animal models and pathogenic microbes [13, 32, 33, 38]. In addition, anthraquinones emodin, flavonoid glycosides and aglycone demonstrated pronounced therapeutic effects on inflammatory bowel syndrome and significantly inhibit related adverse conditions such as gastrointestinal pain and bloody diarrhoea [60]. Also, tannin-rich S.media extract exhibited strong prophylaxis potential and also displayed significant antimalarial activity [61].
Different parts of chicken weed are significantly used as therapeutic substances in treatment of inflammation, mental health disorder and tension [23, 62, 63]. Phytochemical appraisals of flower extract of S.media revealed presence of some secondary metabolites with great potential in activating specified genes which dictate its therapeutic potential such as antimicrobial and anti-protozoal [47, 63]. Certain plant metabolites such as tannins and saponins contributed to pronounced inhibitory activities displayed by S.media leaf against different kinds of dermal infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus, however, alkaloids exhibited strong inhibitory activity against bacterial infections by P.aeruginosa and S. aureus [64].
Diabetes is one of the communal diseases of man contributing to stern socio-cultural, economic and health influences in humid, middle-income, sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and South America [65]. It is associated with metabolic disorders relating to endocrine abnormalities, inflammation and oxidative stress [65]. The ability of S.media leaf to lessen endocrine abnormalities in animals is related to the scavenging activity and inhibitory effects of glycosidase and amylase on enzymes which contributed to carbohydrate metabolism [66, 67]. In addition, metabolites such as tannins, saponins, flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides contribute to antidiabetic potential of chicken weed. Tannins is appraised to regulate blood glucose level and lipid profile concentration without increasing adiposity [68]. Saponins contributed to management of serum glucose level in diabetic patients [69, 70]. Flavonoids undergo metabolic processes to combat diabetic complications and enhance insulin secretion, proliferation of pancreatic β-cells. It also reduces oxidative stress, insulin resistance, apoptosis and inflammation in muscles [71, 72].
Antiobesity is a global health concern, majorly caused by nutrition and food supplements. The imprudent intake of fatty food substances has been appraised to significantly lead to more than 70% of global obesity. In recent times, obesity is linked to most cases of diabetes, hypertension, cancer and high blood pressure [73]. Flavonoids and β-sitosterol from S.media significantly inhibit lipase and pancreatic amylase growth rate in Swiss albino mice while decreasing total triglyceride and cholesterol [41]. Herbs with potential in healing wound and incision has been in search ever since inception of man [74]. The wound healing and anti-inflammatory potentials of medicinal plant is appraised to depend on tannins content [75, 76]. The wound healing potential of S.media is appraised to be due to presence of alkaloids [75, 77]. The production of free radicals in man has been identified as health challenge contributing to several neurological syndrome, cancer, endocrine illness and aging [78]. Phenolic and flavonoids is appraised to significantly promote collagen synthesis and cross-linking of collagen, however, it is discovered to abridge inflammation period [79]. Saponin is effective in management of inflammation, wound, bleeding, endocrine illness and neurological syndrome [75, 80].
4. Conclusion and perceptions
An extensive literature assessment on S.media revealed assortment of bioactive metabolites. In Traditional medicine, S.media has been used in treatment of obesity, diabetes, dermal infections, inflammation, gastric ulcers and stomach cramps. Major bioactive metabolites such as alkaloids, tannins, phenolic compounds, phenolic acids, saponins, triterpenoids, flavonoids and flavonoids aglycone are appraised to contribute to strong therapeutic potency. Crude extracts and isolated pure compounds from S.media displayed pronounced pharmacological activities justifying the different ethnopharmacological and ethnobotanical applications of S.media. Researchers have done little in authenticating the therapeutic properties displayed by this plant. However, further appraisals to isolate active bioactive metabolites responsible for the marked pharmacological activities could lead to development of novel therapeutic compounds.
Declarations
Author contribution statement
O. Oladeji and A.K. Oyebamiji: Conceived and designed the experiments; Performed the experiments; Analyzed and interpreted the data; Contributed reagents, materials, analysis tools or data; Wrote the paper.
Funding statement
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interest statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Additional information
No additional information is available for this paper.
References
1. Oladeji O.S., Adelowo F.E., Ayodele D.T., Odelade K.A. 2019. Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of Cymbopogon citratus: A Review Scientific Afr. [Google Scholar]
2. Oladeji O.S., Odelade K.A., Oloke J. Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial investigation of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts. Afr. J. Sci. Tech. Innov. Dev. 2020;20(1):79–84. [Google Scholar]
3. Oladeji O., Adelowo F., Oluyori A., Bankole D. Ethnobotanical description and biological activities of Senna alata Evidence-Based Complem. Alt. Med. 2020 [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
4. WHO, World Health Organization . 2016. Global Report on Diabetes WHO, Geneva. [Google Scholar]
5. Kumar R., Singh A., Gupta A., Bishayee A., Pandey A. Therapeutic potential of Aloe vera—a miracle gift of nature. Phytomed. 2019;60:152996. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
6. Sharma U.K., Kumar R., Ganguly R., Gupta A., Sharma A.K., Pandey Cinnamaldehyde. An active component of Cinnamon provides protection against food colour induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in albino Wistar rats. Vegetos. 2018;31:123–129. [Google Scholar]
7. Saqib Z., Malik R., Shinwari M., Shinwari Z. Species richness, ethnobotanical species richness and human settlements along a himalayan altitudinal gradient: prioritizing plant conservation in Palas Valley, Pakistan. Pak. J. Bot. 2011;43:129–133. [Google Scholar]
8. Shinwari Z.K., Gilani S. Sustainable harvest of medicinal plants at bulashbar nullah, astore (northern Pakistan) J.Ethnopharm. 2003;84:289–298. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
9. Shan Y., Zhou J., Zhao H.G., Feng X., Dong Y., Xia B. Amino acid and mineral composition of Stellaria media. Chem. Nat. Compd. 2010;46:667–668. [Google Scholar]
10. Ankei T. Habitat gradient and reproductive habits of the seven Stellaria species in Japan. Bot. Mag. Tokyo. 1982;94:35–48. [Google Scholar]
11. Pande A., Shukla Y.N., Tripathi A.K. Lipid constituents from Stellaria media. Phytochemistry. 1995;39:709–711. [Google Scholar]
12. Iboroma M., Orlu E.E., Ebere N., Obulor A. Androgenic and antioxidant activity of Stellaria media on rat following sub-chronic exposure to dichlorvos. IOSR J. Pharm. Biol. Sci. 2018;13(6):38–46. [Google Scholar]
13. Melnyk M.V., Vodoslavskyi V.M., Obodianskyi M.A. Research of phenolic compounds of Ruta graveolensl. and Stellaria media (L.) Vill asian. J.Pharma Clin. Res. 2018;11(9) [Google Scholar]
14. Shah N.A., Khan M.R., Nadhman A. Antileishmanial, toxicity, and phytochemical evaluation of medicinal plants collected from Pakistan. BioMed Res. Int. 2014 [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
15. Lin L.T., Liu L.T., Chiang L.C., Lin C.C. In vitro anti-hepatoma activity of fifteen natural medicines from Canada. Phytother Res. 2002;16(5):440–444. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
16. Chidrawar V.R., Patel K.N., Bothra S.B., Shiromwar S.S. Anti–obesity effect of Stellaria media ethanolic extract in the murine model of cafeteria diet induced obesity. Int. J Nutr. Pharmacol. Neurol. Dis. 2012;2(2):121–131. [Google Scholar]
17. Chidrawar V.R., Patel K.N., Sheth N.R., Shiromwar S.S., Trivedi P. Antiobesity effect of Stellaria media against drug induced obesity in Swiss albino mice. AYU. 2011;2(4):576–583. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
18. Chon S.U., Heo B.G., Park Y.S., Kim D.K., Gorinstein S. Total phenolics level, antioxidant activities and cytotoxicity of young sprouts of some traditional Korean salad plants. Plant Foods Hum. Nutr. 2009;64:25–31. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
19. Morita H., Kayash*ta T., Shishido A., Takeya K., Itokawa H., Shiro M., Dichotomins A.–E. New cyclic peptides from Stellaria dichotoma L. Var. lanceolata bge. Tetrahedron. 1996;52:1165–1176. [Google Scholar]
20. Pieroni A., Janiak V., Durr C.M., Ludeke S., Trachsel E., Heinrich M. In vitro antioxidant activity of non-cultivated vegetables of ethnic Albanians in Southern Italy. Phytother Res. 2002;16:467–473. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
21. Kumarasamy Y., Cox P.J., Jaspars M., Nahar L., Sarker S.D. Screening seeds of Scottish plants for antibacterial activity. J.Ethnopharmacol. 2002;83(1-2):73–77. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
22. Shinde N.V., Himaja M., Bhosale S.K., Ramana M.V., Sakarkar D.M. Synthesis and biological evaluation of Delavayin-C. Ind. J. Pharm. Sci. 2008;70:827–831. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
23. Arora D., Sharma A. Evaluation of anxiolytic activity of Stellaria media Linn. extracts in mice. Pharmacol. Comm. 2012;2:58–61. [Google Scholar]
24. Van der Vegte F.W. Population differentiation and germination ecology in Stellaria media (L.) Vill, Oecologia. 1978;37:231–245. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
25. Hackney P.S., Alexander S. Information Systems Division, National Agricultural Library; 1992. Stewart and Corry's Flora of the north-east of Ireland. [Google Scholar]
26. Ma L., Song J., Shi Y. Anti–hepatitis B virus activity of chickweed [Stellaria media (L.) Vill.] extracts in HepG2. 2. 15 cells. Molecules. 2012;17(7):8633–8646. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
27. Prajapati R., Kalariya M., Umbarkar R., Parmar S., Sheth N. Colocasia esculenta: a potent indigenous plant. Int. J. Nutr. Pharmacol. Neurol. Dis. 2011;1:90–96. [Google Scholar]
28. Shinwari M.I., Khan M.A. Folk use of medicinal herbs of Margalla hills national park, Islamabad. J.Ethnopharmacol. 2000;69:45–56. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
29. Haragan P.D. The University Press of Kentucky; Lexington, Kentucky: 1991. Weeds of Kentucky and Adjacent States: a Field Guide; p. 278. [Google Scholar]
30. Oyebanji B.O., Saba A.B., Oridupa O.A. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of methanol extract of Stellaria media (L.) Vill. leaf. Afr. J. Biochem. Res. 2012;15:29–34. [Google Scholar]
31. Shan Y., Zheng Y., Guan F., Zhou J., Zhao H., Xia B., Feng X. Purification and characterization of a novel anti-HSV-2 protein with antiproliferative and peroxidase activities from Stellaria media. Acta Biochim. Biophys. Sin. 2013;45:649–655. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
32. Oyebanji B.O., Saba A.B. Phytochemistry and in vitro anti-oxidant activities of Stellaria media, Cajanus cajan and Tetracera potatoria methanolic extracts. J.Med. Plants Res. 2011;5(30):6622–6627. [Google Scholar]
33. Dong Q., Huang Y., Qiao S.Y. Studies on chemical constituents of Stellaria media: China. J.Chin. Mater. 2007;32(11):1048–1051. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
34. Bottger S., Melzig M.F. Triterpenoid saponins of the caryophyllacaea and illecebraceae family. Phytochem. Let. 2011;4:59–68. [Google Scholar]
35. Arora D., Sharma A. Isolation and characterization of the chemical constituents of Stellaria media Linn. Int J. Pharm. Sci. Res. 2014;5(9):3669–3673. [Google Scholar]
36. Pande A., Shukla Y.N., Tripathi A.K. Lipids constituents from Stellaria media. Phytochemistry. 1995;39:709–711. [Google Scholar]
37. Sharma A., Sharma V., Kumawat T.K., Seth R. Areview on antidermatophytic efficiency of plant essential oils. Int. J. Pure Appl. Biosci. 2014;2(6):265–278. [Google Scholar]
38. Hu Y., Wang H., Ye W., Liu G. Aqueous constituents from Stellaria media (L.) cyr. Zhongguo Yaoke Daxue Xuebao. 2005;36(6):523–525. [Google Scholar]
39. Huang Q., Lu G., Shen H.M., Chung M.C., Ong C.N. Anti-cancer properties of anthraquinones from Rhubarb. Med. Res. Rev. 2007;27:609–630. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
40. Vanhaecke M., Van den Ende W., Lescrinier E., Dyubankova N. Isolation and characterization of a pentasaccharide from Stellaria media. J.Nat. Prod. 2008;71:1833–1836. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
41. Rani N., Vasudeva N., Sharma S.K. Pharmacognostical and quality control parameters of Stellaria media Linn. Asian Pac. J. Trop. Dis. 2012:S84–S86. [Google Scholar]
42. Singh B., Yadav S.K. In vitro studies on antibacterial activity and phytochemical analysis of whole plant extracts of Stellaria media. Int. J. Phytomed. 2010;2:260–266. [Google Scholar]
43. Rogowska M., Parzonko A., Bazylko A. In vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and determination of chemical composition of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Stellaria media herb. Planta Med. 2015;81:35. [Google Scholar]
44. Rogowska M., Lenart M., Ziaja M., Parzonko A., Bazylko A. Chemical composition, antioxidative and enzyme inhibition activities of chickweed herb (Stellaria media L., Vill.) ethanolic and aqueous extracts. Ind. Crop. Prod. 2017;97:448–454. [Google Scholar]
45. Yildirim A., Mavi A., Kara A.A. Determination of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Rumex crispus L. extracts. J.Agric. Food Chem. 2001;49:4083–4089. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
46. Komakhin R.A., Vysotskii D.A., Shukurov R.R., Voblikova V.D., Komakhina V.V., Strelnikova S.R., Vetchinkina E.M., Babakov A.V. Novel strong promoter of antimicrobial peptides genepro-SmAMP2from chickweed (Stellaria media) BMC Biotechnol. 2016;16:43. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
47. Slavokhotova A.A., Rogozhin E.A., Musolyamov A.K., Andreev Y.A., Oparin B., Berkut A.A., Vassilevski A.A., Egorov T.A., Grishin E.V., Odintsova T. Novel antifungala-hairpinin peptide from Stellaria media seeds: structure, biosynthesis, gene structure and evolution. Plant Mol. Biol. 2013 [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
48. Ahmad W., Ahmad M., Khan R. Stellaria media attenuates the hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rat. Bangladesh J. Pharmacol. 2019;14:80–86. [Google Scholar]
49. Tsujita T., Takaku T., Suzuki T. Chestnut astringent skin extract, an alpha-amylase inhibitor, retards carbohydrate absorption in rats and humans. J.Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. 2008;54:82–88. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
50. Grollman A.P., Marcus D.M. Global hazards of herbal remedies: lessons from Aristolochia. EMBO Rep. 2016;17:619–625. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
51. Qiao S., Dong Q., Huang Y. Faming Zhuanli Shenqing Gongkai Shuomingshu; 2008. Method for Extracting Glycosyl Flavones from Stellaria as Hypolipemic Agent. [Google Scholar]
52. Jovanovic M., Poljacki M., Mimica-Dukic M. Sesquiterpene lactone mix patch testing supplemented with dandelion extracts in patients with allergic contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and non-allergic chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Contact Dermatitis. 2004;51:101–110. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
53. Mazzei R., De Marco E.V., Gallo O., Tagarelli G. Italian folk plant-based remedies to heal headache (XIX-XX century) J.Ethnopharm. 2018;210:417–433. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
54. Mishra A., Saklani S., Salehi B., Parcha V., Sharifi-Rad M., Milella L., Srivastava M. Satyrium nepalense, a high altitude medicinal orchid of Indian Himalayan region: chemical profile and biological activities of tuber extracts. Cell. Mol. Bioeng. 2018;64(8):35–43. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
55. Salehi B., Krochmal-Marczak B., Skiba D. Convolvulus plant—a comprehensive review from phytochemical composition to pharmacy. Phytother Res. 2019:1–14. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
56. Salehi B., Valussi M., Jugran A.K., Martorell M., Ramírez-Alarcón K., Stojanović-Radić Z.Z., Sharifi-Rad M. Nepetaspecies: from farm to food applications and phytotherapy. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 2018;80:104–122. [Google Scholar]
57. Prakash A.M., Sharifi-Rad M., Shariati M., Mabkhot Y., Al-Showiman S., Rauf A., Sharifi-Rad J. Bioactive compounds and health benefits of edible Rumex species-A review. Cell. Mol. Biol. 2018;64(8):27–34. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
58. Islam M.T. Concentration-dependent-activities of diterpenes: achieving anti-/pro-oxidant links. Asian J. Ethnopharm. Med. Foods. 2016;2:12–15. [Google Scholar]
59. Jin R., Liu L., Zhang S., Nanda A., Li G. Role of inflammation and its mediators in acute ischemic stroke. J.Cardiovasc. Trans. Res. 2013;16:834–851. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
60. Salaritabar A., Darvishi B., Hadjiakhoondi F., Manayi A., Sureda A., Nabavi F.S., Fitzpatrick R.L., Nabavi M.S., Bishayee A. Therapeutic potential of flavonoids in inflammatory bowel disease: a comprehensive review. World J. Gastroenterol. 2013;23:5097–5114. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
61. Lutgen P. Tannins in Artemisia: the hidden treasure of prophylaxis. Pharm. Pharmacol. Int. J. 2018;6:176‒181. [Google Scholar]
62. Duke J.A. CRC Press; Florida: 1985. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs; p. 458. [Google Scholar]
63. Thippeswamy B.S., Mishra B., Veerapur V.P., Gupta G. Anxiolytic activity of Nymphaea alba Linn. in mice as experimental models of anxiety. Indian J. Pharmacol. 2011;43(1):50. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
64. Mabhiza D., Chitemerere T., Mukanganyama S. Antibacterial properties of alkaloid extracts from Callistemon citrinus and Vernonia adoensis against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Int. J. Med. Chem. 2016 [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
65. Langenberg C., Lotta L.A. Genomic insights into the causes of type 2 diabetes. Lancet. 2018;391:2463–2474. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
66. Zeng H., Liu Q., Yu J., Wang M., Chen M., Wang R., Chen X. Separation of α-amylase inhibitors from Abelmoschus esculentus (L). Moench by on-line two- dimensional high-speed counter-current chromatography target-guided by ultrafiltration- HPLC. J.Separ. Sci. 2015;38:3897–3904. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
67. Lu Y., Demleitner M.F., Song L., Rychlik M., Huang D. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins are the active compounds in Abelmoschus esculentus Moench for its α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition activity. J.Func. Foods. 2016;20:463–471. [Google Scholar]
68. Kumari M., Jain S., Tannins An Antinutrient with positive effect to manage Diabetes. Res. J. Recent Sci. 2012;1:1–8. [Google Scholar]
69. Elekofehinti O.O. Saponins: anti-diabetic principles from medicinal plants - a review. Pathophysiology. 2015;22:95–103. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
70. El Barky A., Hussein A.S., Alm-Eldeen A., Hafez A.Y., Mohamed T. Saponins and their potential role in Diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Manag. 2017;7:148–158. [Google Scholar]
71. Testa R., Bonfigli R.A., Genovese S., De Nigris V., Ceriello A. The possible role of flavonoids in the prevention of Diabetic complications. Nutrition. 2016;8:310–355. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
72. Vinayagam R., Xu B. Antidiabetic properties of dietary flavonoids: a cellular mechanism review. Nutr. Metabol. 2015;12:60. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
73. Mokdad A.H., Ford F.S., Bowman B.A., Dietz W.H., Vinicor F., Bales V.S., Marks J.S. Prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and obesity-related health risk factors. J.Am. Med. Assoc. 2003;289:76–79. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
74. Budovsky A., Yarmolinsky L., Ben-Shabat S. Effect of medicinal plants on wound healing. Wound Repair Regen. 2015;23:171–183. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
75. Okwuonu U., Baxter-Grillo D., Njoya H., Iyemene P.T. Phytochemical, proximate and elemental constituents of Aspilia africana (Wild sunflower) flowers. J.Med. Plants Stud. 2017;5:22–27. [Google Scholar]
76. Su X., Liu X., Wang S., Li B., Pan T., Liu D., Wang F., Diao Y., Li K. Wound-healing promoting effect of total tannins from Entada phaseoloides (L.) Merr. in rats. Burns. 2017;43:830–838. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
77. Mahibalan S., Stephen M., Nethran R., Khan R., Begum S. Dermal wound healing potency of single alkaloid (betaine) versus standardized crude alkaloid enriched-ointment of Evolvulus alsinoides. Pharmaceut. Biol. 2016;54:2851–2856. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
78. Lupoli F., Vannocci T., Longo G., Niccolai N., Pastore A. The role of oxidative stress in Friedreich’s ataxia. FEBS Lett. 2018;592(5):718–727. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
79. Lodhi S., Singhai K.A. Wound healing effect of flavonoid rich fraction and luteolin isolated from Martynia annua Linn. on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Asian Pac. J. Tropical Med. 2013;6:253–259. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
80. Razika L., Thanina A.C., Nadjiba C.M., Narimen B., Mahdi D.M., Karim A. Antioxidant and wound healing potential of saponins extracted from the leaves of Algerian Urtica dioica L, Pakistan. J.Pharma. Sci. 2017;30:1023–1029. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
81. Sharf R., Abbasi H., Akhtar A. Evaluation of leaf extract of some medicinal wild plants on the growth and sporulation of Paecilomyces lilacinus. Int. J.Plants Animal Environ. Sci. 2014;4(1):280–283. [Google Scholar]
Articles from Heliyon are provided here courtesy of Elsevier
