Adverse Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extracts and the Major Components in the Stems ofImpatiens balsaminaL. onCaenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

Impatiens balsamina L. (Balsaminaceae), an annual herb found throughout China, has been extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, our knowledge regarding the adverse effects of I. balsamina in vivo is very limited. In this present study, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans model was employed to fully assess the adverse effects of hydroalcoholic (EtOH 55%) extracts of I. balsamina stems (HAEIBS) in vivo. After exposure to 10 mg/mL HAEIBS, the major organism-level endpoints of C. elegans of percent survival, frequency of head thrash and body bends, and reproduction had decreased by 24%, 30%, and 25%, respectively. The lifespan of C. elegans was also greatly reduced after HAEIBS exposure compared to the controls. The active compounds in HAEIBS were separated using high speed countercurrent chromatograph (HSCCC) and characterized by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Two compounds, lawsone and 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (MNQ), and their adverse effects were then more thoroughly detailed in this study. It was found that lawsone is the major toxin in HAEIBS with a higher toxicity than MNQ in terms of negative impact on C. elegans mortality, locomotion, reproduction, and lifespan. Our data also suggests that the C. elegans model may be useful for assessing the possible toxicity of other Chinese medicines, plant extracts, and/or compounds.

Comparative chloroplast genome analysis of Impatiens species (Balsaminaceae) in the karst area of China: insights into genome evolution and phylogenomic implications

“…In ancient China, Impatiens plants were called 'zhijiahua' and were crushed into a mash and directly applied to the nails [17]. Pharmaceutical and chemical products of annual herbs can be used for the medical treatment of rheumatism, beriberi, bruises, pain, warts, snakebite, fingernail inflammation, and onychomycosis [18,19]. Additionally, previous research demonstrated that high levels of metals such as copper, zinc, chromium, and nickel could be accumulated by Impatiens species [20].…”

Complete Chloroplast Genomes and Comparative Analyses of Three Ornamental Impatiens Species

“…Tropical Africa, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Himalayas, and Southeast Asian are the five biodiversity hotspots for the endemic Impatiens ( Grey-Wilson, 1980 ; Chen, 2001 ). Due to the diverse flowering and morphological variables, many cultivars ( Impatiens balsamina, I. hawkeri, and I. walleriana ) are widely used as urban ornamental and gardening plants ( Jiang et al, 2017 ; Torrecilha et al, 2013 ; Kim et al, 2017 ). I. balsamina was also called “zhijiahua” in ancient China, the plant can be mashed and directly applied on the nails ( Chen et al, 2007 ).…”

Complete chloroplast genomes of Impatiens cyanantha and Impatiens monticola: Insights into genome structures, mutational hotspots, comparative and phylogenetic analysis with its congeneric species

“…In ancient China, Impatiens were called ’zhijiahua’, which were used for crushing into mashes and directly applied on the nails [ 8 , 9 ]. They are also considered as annual herbs for the medical treatment of rheumatism, beriberi, bruises, pain, wart, snakebite, fingernail inflammation, and onychomycosis [ 10 , 11 ]. A broad range of pharmaceutical and chemical products such as fatty acids, naphthoquinones, phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanidins, peptides, and saponins have recently been characterized in this plant [ 12 ].…”