Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius L.) a Potential Source of Drugs against Cryptococcal Infections, Malaria and Leishmaniasis

Abstract

In this research we present that Carthamus Tinctorius L. (gen. Asteraceae, otherwise known as Safflower) (Fig. 1) may contain agents active in Cryptococcal infections, malaria and Leishmaniasis, as treatment options are becoming scarce due to drug resistance development. Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities (antimicrobial, antimalarial, antileishmanial) of C. tinctorius L. were analyzed. The composition of volatile oil of safflower dried flowers was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and in vitro sensitivity assays were performed to assess biological activity. 8 known and 3 unknown compounds were detected in the extract (Fig. 1). Then the Safflower ointment was manufactured and its acute toxicity study on rats was tested. The volatile oil of C. tinctorius L exhibited activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania donovani. Safflower volatile oil has anticryptococcal, antimalarial and antileishmanial effects. The prepared ointment had an excellent acute toxicity safety profile.

Phytochemical Profile, Preliminary Toxicity, and Antioxidant Capacity of the Essential Oils of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg. and Myrcia sylvatica (G. Mey) DC. (Myrtaceae)

“…Regarding the properties and applications of the major components, EOs containing high levels of ( Z )-α-trans-bergamotene may have antibacterial and antifungal activities [ 86 , 87 ]. This compound is also used in industry as a flavoring agent and can be found in the aromas of cereals and other derivatives [ 88 ]. α-Sinensal is responsible for the sapodilla aroma and is also used in the food, cosmetics, and perfumery industries as a flavoring because it has an intense orange aroma accompanied by distinct floral notes [ 89 , 90 ].…”

Study of Component Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Ophthalmic Emulsion Based on the Safflower Flowers (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

“…Thus, plant extract use with antifungal power is a promising alternative against these diseases [ 23 ]. Previous studies have shown that the safflower water extract has antibacterial properties against various bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis , Bacillus cereus , and Bacillus mycoides [ 24 ]. Another study showed that safflower methanolic and water extracts have a high potency in inhibiting the growth of S. aureus , E. coli , P. aeruginosa , and K. pneumonia bacteria and their inhibitory power varies depending on the type of bacteria [ 25 ].…”

Dimension-Enhanced Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Ion Mobility-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Combined with Intelligent Peak Annotation for the Rapid Characterization of the Multiple Components from Seeds of Descurainia sophia

“…However, there are some obstacles hindering the internationalization of TCM. As a distinctive feature, the multiple parts of plants, such as roots [4], leaves [5], flowers [6], and seeds [7], etc., can be used as a source for TCM. Generally, herbal medicines contain various chemical components, which are featured by the co-existance of primary and secondary metabolites with wide spans of acidity-base properties and molecular masses, different polarities, and sharply different contents, etc.…”