Scorzonera L.: History
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Subjects: Plant Sciences
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Scorzonera L. is a genus in the Cichorieae tribe of the Asteraceae family.  It is spread mostly in central and southern parts of Europe, Eurasia, and Africa in arid areas. The genus comprises approximately 180–190 species.

  • Scorzonera
  • biological activity
  • herbal medicine
  • phytochemical composition

Scorzonera L. is a genus in the Cichorieae tribe of the Asteraceae family. It is spread mostly in central and southern parts of Europe, Eurasia, and Africa in arid areas [1,2]. Numerous species are endemic to Anatolia (Turkey) [1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11], Mongolia [12,13,14,15], and China [16,17,18] The genus comprises approximately 180–190 species [19], including S. hispanica, whose roots are a valued vegetable, with the taste similar to asparagus [20], and S. tau-saghyz (a species of interest in terms of obtaining natural rubber) [21]. Several Scorzonera species are a source of feed for farming animals in arid regions [15]. Typically, plants within the Scorzonera genus are perennial herbs characterized by the presence of a caudex or tuber. Biennial plants or dwarf subshrubs are rare [19]. Plants within the genus Scorzonera are reported to contain flavonoids [12,13,22,23,24], phenolic acid derivatives [8,13,25,26], triterpenoids [18,23,27,28,29,30,31], sesquiterpenoids [14,17,20,32,33,34], dihydroisocoumarins [7,35,36,37], and other bioactive compounds. Scorzonera species have been commonly used as medicinal plants in European and Asian herbal therapy for ages. In Turkey, they are known as hemostatic agents, as well as, when used externally, as plasters in the process of wound healing [38]. The plants are also present in folk medicine as a remedy for hypertension, atherosclerosis, or kidney dysfunction [39].

Scorzonera in Traditional Medicine

Genera within the family Asteraceae have been present in folk medicine across Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. That includes species within the Scorzonera genus, which are a significant part of Turkish traditional medicine in the therapy of arteriosclerosis, kidney disorders, wounds, rheumatism, but also as antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and antinociceptive medications [5]. The leaves of S. latifolia (Fisch and Mey.) DC., applied topically, act as plaster and prevent nausea. Turkish folk medicine uses latex obtained from S. latifolia to treat infertility and as an anthelmintic and pain-relieving medication [3,6,38,47]. Roots of S. tomentosa L. are believed to have hemostatic properties when ingested [38]. Aerial parts of S. laciniata L. are known as antipyretic, antipyogenic, antiatherosclerotic, antidiabetic, antirheumatic, and blood pressure-lowering agents in folk therapy [39]. Turkish folk medicine uses S. phaeopappa Boiss., S. sosnowskyii Lipsch., and S. mirabilis Lipsch. for headaches. S. mollis Biela is used as a diuretic and against kidney stones [48]. In Algerian traditional medicine, S. undulata ssp. deliciosa is a part of the treatment of snake bites [49]. Mongolian folk remedies for various ailments include Scorzonera species as well. There are reports for the use of S. pseudodivaricata Lipsch. as antipyretic in viral and bacterial infections, anti-diarrheal and diuretic agents, as well as for the treatment of lung edema and diseases caused by parasite infections. Aerial and subaerial parts of S. divaricata Turcz. are used to treat ulcers and stomach tumors. [14]. Leaves and shoots of S. divaricata are also present in the folk medicine of India in the therapy of jaundice [50]. Traditional Chinese medicine uses S. mongolica Maxim. root to reduce fever and treat carbuncle mastitis, as well as an antineoplastic agent [31]. Roots of Scorzonera hispanica L., currently cultivated and eaten as a vegetable, were formerly used in European folk medicine as a mucolytic agent in pulmonary diseases, appetite stimulator, and to defeat a cold. [14,32]. Tibetan folk medicine has used S. austriaca Willd. for the treatment of carbuncle, inflammation, and fever [17,28]. Scorzonera radiata Fisch. is a Mongolian traditional remedy for bacterial and viral infection-induced fever, poisonous ulcers, and as a lactation-inducing and diuretic agent [15]. In Libya, Scorzonera resedifolia L. is known as a folk medication for liver pain [51].

Phytochemical Composition of Scorzonera Species

Species within the Scorzonera genus are a source of flavonoid aglycones and glycosides, phenolic acids and their derivatives, lignans, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, dihydroisocoumarins, bibenzyl derivatives, as well other compounds [4,10,14,27,35,36,52,53,54,55].

Biological Activity

The biological activity of species within the Scorzonera genus is the subject of research due to their presence in folk medicine in Eurasia and northern Africa. Species that belong to the Scorzonera genus are reported to be the source of numerous bioactive compounds. Researchers evaluate their potential as antioxidant [58,59,62,74], anti-inflammatory [27,68,75], and pain-relieving agents [6,70], as well as their cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines [20,28,59] and wound healing properties [4,5].

This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/ijms22105128

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