Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
(B
16
F
1
), human breast cancer (MDA MB-231), and rat glioma (C
6
) cell lines
with IC
50
values of 698, 648, and 1,000 µg/ml, respectively (Pittella et al.,
2009). From the aerial parts of this species, a polyacetylene compound,
viz., methyl 5-[(E)-9-hydroxy-1-(1-hydroxyhexyl)-2-methoxyundeca-3,
10-diene-5,7-diynyloxy] pentanoate (cadiyenol), possessing cytoxic prop-
erty was isolated. This compound induced apoptosis (63%) independent
of the cell cycle regimen in mouse lymphoma cells (P388D1) at 28 µM
(IC
50
= 24 ± 2 µM) in 24 h (Govindan et al., 2007). Further, its asiatic
acid and asiaticoside have been reported to cure skin diseases and cancer.
Furthermore, its phenolic compounds and lavonoids possess antioxidant
properties (Pittella et al., 2009).
JUNCUS ACUTUS
LINNAEUS
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Poales
Family: Juncaceae
Common name: Spiny rush, sharp rush
Distribution: North Africa, Western Asia, North Europe, Southeast Europe,
Southwest Europe, Northern Mexico
Habitat: Freshwater wetland, saline and subsaline wetlands
Description: This perennial monocot species has short roots and robust rhi-
zomes and grows to a maximum height of 1.5 m, and it has a pith-illed
stem. The leaves arise from the base at different angles, giving a globe
shape. The lowers are of 2-4 mm diameter and hermaphroditic.
Compounds and activities: The bioactive compounds, viz., 8,8′-bidehydro-
juneusol (1,1′,6,6′-tetramethyl-5,5′-divenyl-8,8′-biphinanthrene-2,2′,7,7′-
tetraol) (a phenanthrenoid dimer) and a related phenanthrene monomer, a
phenolic chromone, and ive lavonoid derivatives, have been isolated from
this species. Among them, the phenanthrenoid dimer possesses antioxidant
properties (Behery et al.,
2012).
