Identification of Echinacea Purpurea (L.) Moench Root LysM Lectin with Nephrotoxic Properties

Abstract

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (EP) is a well-studied plant used for health benefits. Even though there are a lot of data on EP secondary metabolites, its active proteins are not studied well enough. The aim of our experiment was to purify lectin fraction from EP roots and evaluate its biological activity in vitro as well as its effect on kidney morphology in vivo. An EP root glycoprotein fraction was purified by affinity chromatography, identified by LC-MS/MS, and used for biological activity tests in vitro and in vivo. Identified glycoproteins were homologous with the LysM domain containing lectins from the Asteraceae plants Helianthus annuus L., Lactuca sativa L., Cynara cardunculus L. A purified fraction was tested by hemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition (by carbohydrate reactions) in vitro. We purified the hemagglutinating active ~40 kDa size lactose, D-mannose, and D-galactose specific glycoproteins with two peptidoglycan binding LysM (lysine motif) domains. Purified LysM lectin was tested in vivo. Eight-week old Balb/C male mice (n = 15) were treated with 5 μg of the purified lectin. Injections were repeated four times per week. At the fifth experimental week, animals were sedated with carbon dioxide, then euthanized by cervical dislocation and their kidney samples were collected. Morphological changes were evaluated in hematoxylin and eosin stained kidney samples. The purified LysM lectin induced a statistically significant (p < 0.05) kidney glomerular vacuolization and kidney tubular necrosis (p < 0.001).

Improving Essential Oil Compositions of Purple Coneflower (Echinacea Purpurea L.) Medicinal Plant Using Novel Growing Media and Nutrition Pattern in Hydroponics

“…The antimicrobial properties of germacrene D were reported in previous researches (Shari -Rad et al, 2018). Anti-in ammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects of germacrene D are also well known (Balciunaite et al, 2020). The anti-insect in uence of germacrene D has been reported in previous studies (Shari -Rad et al, 2018).…”

“…Using of E. purpurea essential oil in medicinal, cosmetic, and food industries is common in all over the world (Maggini et al, 2019). The effect of E. purpurea essential oils on antimicrobial properties has been proven in previous studies (Balciunaite et al, 2020). Also accepted is the role of some constituents of the essential oil of E. purpurea, including α-phellandrene, myrcene, limonene, α-pinene, β-pinene a, δcadinene, germacrene D, and β-caryophllyene, as antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial agents (Shari -Rad et al, 2018).…”

“…Germacrene D is a natural hydrocarbon, belongs to sesquiterpenes, which is found in aromatic plants (Kaya et al, 2019). The hydrocarbon is a useful bioactive phytochemical compound in human health Maintains healthy blood pressure is one of the important roles of germacrene compounds in humans (Balciunaite et al, 2020). The antimicrobial properties of germacrene D were reported in previous researches (Shari -Rad et al, 2018).…”

Improving growth properties and phytochemical compounds of Echinacea purpurea (L.) medicinal plant using novel nitrogen slow release fertilizer under greenhouse conditions

“…The mixture was shaken for 3 min and the absorbance of the solution was measured at 420 nm by spectrophotometer 23 . The percentage of scavenging effect was expressed as 2 : where A 0 is the HCl buffer absorbance and A 1 is the extract absorbance.…”

“…Many of researchers are pay attention to herbal and medicinal plants as natural remedies due to their bioactive compounds recently 1 , 2 . Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench is one of the most important medical plants of Asteraceae family with various pharmacological effects 3 .…”