Pharmacognostic Studies of the Leaves and Fructus of Arctium lappa L. (Asteraceae Bercht. & J. Presl)

Abstract

Arctium lappa L. is one of the six species of the genus Arctium L., of the family Asteraceae Bercht. & J.Presl widely distributed as a weed in Europe, the USA, Uruguay, Argentina, the Himalayas, China, Japan, the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, Western Siberia, and the Far East. 1,2 Burdock has been used in folk medicine in different countries since ancient times. Burdock oil was used to strengthen and nourish hair, as a remedy for lice, rashes, lichen, trophic ulcers. Fresh burdock leaves were used for burns, rashes, itching, eczema, ulcers and dermatitis, mouth and eyes mold lesions. Juice and decoctions were used for gout, to stimulate metabolism, treat arthritis and arthrosis, articular rheumatism, sciatica, bad breath, urolithiasis, stomach ulcer. Antibacterial properties of big burdock were used for sore throats, syphilis, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the genitals, initial forms of upper respiratory tract diseases, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, gums, throat, and, due to their anti-parasitic effect, they are used for intestinal worms. [3][4][5][6][7] Folk medicine has accumulated the experience in treatment of prostate adenoma and other oncological diseases with fresh juice, galenic preparations of burdock roots, leaves, inflorescences. 8,9 In China, the seeds and roots of big burdock are used for insect and venomous snake bites, edema, hemorrhages, boils, as well as cholagogic, diuretic treatments. 10 In Russian official medicine only three types of burdock roots are used -Arctium lappa L., Arctium tomentosum Mill., Arctium minus Mill. 11 In Japanese official medicine the fructus of Arctium lappa L are used. 12 Fresh roots of Arctium lappa L. harvested in the autumn of the first year or in the spring of the second year before florification are used to obtain pharmacopoeial homeopathic preparations. 13 In several in vitro, in vivo studies and clinical trials on volunteers antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, antitumor properties of extracts, aqueous extraction, essential oil, resinous substances and root juice were proven; anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory potential of extracts and leaf juice was shown. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] Burdock roots have a promising anti-diabetic effect which is manifested in the improvement of glucose homeostasis and a decrease in insulin resistance. 33 Big burdock root inulin is used for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus, normalization of pancreatic function. [34][35][36][37] Water and ethanol fructus extracts reduce the production of histamine and pro-inflammatory