Symptom → Plant Sources
Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus) as a tool for helping with Infection (general)
inferred from antimicrobial action
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Traditional medicine has long recognized the therapeutic potential of Cnicus benedictus , and recent scientific research has shed light on the pharmacological properties of this plant. The bioactive compounds that can be extracted from it, such as the sesquiterpene lactones arctigenin, arctiin, and cnicin, are very interesting to researchers.In this article, based on available data from pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo studies, we delve into the pharmacology of the active constituents of this plant to explore its potential therapeutic applications and underlying mechanisms of action. In addition, we present a computer analysis designed to reveal the pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of the main phytochemicals that are active in C. benedictus through new in silico techniques and predictive tools such as SwissADME and PubChem.The data from the in silico study presented here support the traditional use of C. benedictus , as well as its promise as a source of new therapeutic chemical compounds.
1 source supporting Blessed Thistle for Infection (general). Includes scientific publications, books, monographs and traditional-use references.
Mechanistic basis
This use is associated with the plant's antimicrobial action. Further evidence for that pharmacology:
The phenolic composition of Cnicus benedictus roots was characterised by HPLC-LC/MS, with trans-chalcone, 2,3-dihydroflavone, 3-hydroxyflavone, cinnamic acid and rutin as major components. The hydro-methanolic and hydro-ethanolic root extracts exhibited high anti-inflammatory activity (5-lipoxygenase inhibition), antioxidant and antibacterial activity (comparable to amoxicillin), and predicted anti-Alzheimer activity.
Two new sesquiterpene lactone glycosides and eight known compounds were isolated from the aerial part of Cnicus benedictus, one showing antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus, characterising the bioactive constituents of blessed thistle.