Chemistry of Cirsium and Carduus: a role in ecological risk assessment for biological control of weeds?

Abstract

Prediction of host plant range and ecological impact of exotic phytophagous insects, such as insects for classical biological control of weeds, represents a major challenge. Recently, the flowerhead weevil (Rhinocyllus conicus Fröl.), introduced from Europe into North America to control exotic thistles (Carduus spp.), has become invasive. It feeds heavily on some, but not all species of native North American thistles (Cirsium spp.). We hypothesized that such non-target use among native plants could be better predicted by knowledge of characteristic chemical profiles of secondary compounds to supplement the results of host specificity testing. To evaluate this hypothesis, we reviewed the literature on the chemistry of Cirsium and Carduus thistles. We asked what compounds are known to be present, what is known about their biological activity, and whether such information on chemical profiles would have better predicted realized host range and ecological effects of R. conicus in North America. We found an extensive, but incomplete literature on the chemistry of true thistles. Two main patterns emerged. First, consistent chemical similarities and interesting differences occur among species of thistles. Second, variation occurs in biologically active groups of characteristic compounds, specifically flavonoids, sterols, alkaloids and phenolic acids, that are known to influence host plant acceptance, selection, and feeding by phytophagous insects. Surprisingly, sesquiterpene lactones, which are characteristic in closely related Asteraceae, have not been extensively reported for Cirsium or Carduus. The minimal evidence on sesquiterpene lactones may reflect extraction methods vs. true absence. In summary, our review suggests further research on thistle chemistry in insect feeding is warranted. Also, since the exotic Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is an invasive thistle of current concern in North America, such research on mechanisms underlying host range expansion by exotic insects would be useful.

Occurrence of triterpenyl acetates in soil and their potential as chemotaxonomical markers of Asteraceae

“…Jewers and Manchada, 1970;Dutta and Ray, 1972;Woldu et al, 1988;Yoshizumi et al, 1998;Medeiros et al, 2001;Gasparetto et al, 2010). Taraxasteryl and -taraxasteryl acetates were overwhelmingly detected in Asteraceae, with 153 and 29 occurrences, respectively (Dutta and Ray, 1972;Madrigal et al, 1975;Jordon-Thaden and Louda, 2003;Jakupovic et al, 2011), and also in a few Apocynaceae (6 and 2 occurrences, respectively; Jewers and Manchada, 1970;Thakur et al, 1984;Abbott et al, 1990;Sen et al, 1992;Medeiros et al, 2001;Zhang et al, 2006;Yin et al, 2007;Pereira et al, 2008). Bauerenyl acetate was found in three Asteraceae spp., four Apocynaceae and Euphorbia chrysocoma (Cava et al, 1967;Cicció-Alberti and Hoet, 1981;Lao et al, 1983;Shi et al, 2005;Pereira et al, 2008;Jakupovic et al, 2011).…”

“…Similarly, taraxasteryl acetate can be produced by up to seven species of Asteraceae encountered in the catchment (Arctium lappa, Carduus nutans, Cirsium arvense, Onopordum acanthium, Sonchus oleraceus and Taraxacum officinale; Jakupovic et al, 2011;Jordon-Thaden and Louda, 2003;Dutta and Ray, 1972;Khalilova et al, 2004;Hänsel et al, 1980).  -Taraxasteryl acetate is also synthesised by Cirsium arvense (Tulloch and Hoffman, 1982), whereas lupeyl acetates are found in Cirsium arvense, Hieracium pilosella, Picris echioides and Sonchus oleraceus (Tulloch and Hoffman, 1982;Jakupovic et al, 2011).…”

“…X Jordon-Thaden and Louda, 2003 Cirsium arvense X X X X X Dutta and Ray, 1972;Tulloch and Hoffman, 1982;Jakupovic et al, 2011 Hieracium pilosella L. X Jakupovic et al, 2011 Onopordum acanthium X Khalilova et al, 2003Khalilova et al, , 2004Shoeb et al, 2007 Picris echioides X Jakupovic et al, 2011 Picris hieracioides X X X X X X X X X X X Shiojima et al, 1989a;b;1995;Jakupovic et al, 2011 Solidago virga-aurea X Choi et al, 2004 Sonchus oleraceus L. X X X Jakupovic et al, 2011 Taraxacum officinale X Hänsel et al, 1980 Total (a) X X X X X X X X X X X (b) Asteraceae genera Artemisia (2) X X X X X X Lao et al, 1983;1984;Yang et al, 1994;Jakupovic et al, 2011 Cirsium (7) X X X X X X Dutta and Ray, 1972;Ulubelen and Berkan, 1977;Tulloch and Hoffman, 1982;Jakupovic et al, 2011 Inula (1) X X X Ahmad and Ismail, 1991;Jakupovic et al, 2011 Total (a)+(b) X X X X X X X X X X X X X X (c) Other taxa Acer X X van Bergen et al, 1997;Ding et al, 2010 Euphorbia X X X X X X X X Dutta and Ray, 1972;Ahmad and Fizza, 1986;Liu et al, 2001;Shi et al, 2005;Haba et al, 2007 Total (a)+(b)+(c) X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X a (a) Asteraceae species in Lake Aydat catchment; (b) Asteraceae genera in which triterpenyl acetates have been described; b numbers into parentheses refer to number of species of a given genera described in the catchment according to Antonetti et al (2006).…”

Investigation of Some Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties of Wild Cirsium vulgare from Turkey

“…4 C. vulgare, characterized also as injurious weed, with edible tap roots and stems -according to earlier literature data -contains flavonoids, sterols, aliphatic aldehydes and phenolic acids. 5 The extracts from Cirsium species were also shown to possess antioxidant and antibacterial activity. 6 Antioxidants, exogenous and especially endogenous, are vital substances which possess the ability to protect the body from potent injuries caused by the free radicals.…”

Phenolic Compounds in Centaurea rupestris Tissues and Their Antiphytoviral Activity

“…They occur in almost all organs in nearly all vascular plants. 1,2 Different physiological roles, which include protection of plants against abiotic and biotic stress, have been attributed to phenolics. 3,4 Studies of the biological activities of phenolics, in particular flavonoids, have focused for years on their effects on human health 5 , but they are also active against bacteria, fungi, yeasts and viruses.…”