Traditional Medicine Plant, Onopordum acanthium L. (Asteraceae): Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Research

For many years, plants have been used in the traditional medicine of different cultures. The biennial plant of the family Asteraceae, <i>Onopordum acanthium</i> L., also known as Scotch thistle, is used in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and cardiotonic agent. The plant is widespread in the world; it grows in Europe and Asia and was introduced to America and Australia. Stems and buds of the first-year plant are used in cooking as an analogue of artichoke in European cuisine. Additionally, inflorescences contain a complex of proteolytic enzymes &#8220;onopordosin&#8222;, which may be used as a milk-clotting agent in the dairy industry. The chemical composition of the aerial part and roots of <i>O. acanthium</i> is represented by flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, lignans, triterpenoids, sesquiterpene lactones, and sterols. The anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and cardiotonic properties of the plant have been confirmed by pharmacological experiments with extracts and individual compounds using in silico, in vitro, and in vivo methods. This work is a review of information on the chemical composition and pharmacological studies of <i>O. acanthium</i> as a promising medicinal plant.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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