Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Dyssodia tagetiflora Lag.

Abstract

While plants of the genus Dyssodia are used by man to a certain extent, few phytochemical and pharmacological studies have been performed with species of this genus. D. tagetiflora is an endemic plant of Mexico and has been used as fodder. The aim of this research was to isolate and identify the main bioactive components and evaluate the insecticidal, antioxidant, genotoxic and cytoprotective activities of D. tagetiflora. The isolated substances included an essential oil composed of six monoterpenes, and extracts containing two flavonols, three flavonol-glycosides and four thiophenes. The compounds were characterized using spectroscopic and spectrometric methods, including GC/MS, MS and NMR. The essential oil showed insecticidal activity against Drosophila melanogaster larvae. The methanolic extract of D. tagetiflora (DTME) had strong antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals; DTME showed no evidence of genotoxic or cytotoxic effects. In contrast, DTME showed a cytoprotective effect attenuating the formation of H O -induced micronuclei in Vicia faba roots. This report is the first to describe the phytochemical and biological activity of D. tagetiflora.

Chemical Variation and Pharmacological Properties ofDyssodia decipiensEssential Oil

“…Contrary to the volatile profile of D. acerosa , the levels of camphor and borneol in D. decipiens were almost negligible in the essential oils studied, whereas those of linalool were evidently higher in D. decipiens than in D. acerosa [6] . In the same context, traces (<3%) of ocimene were found in D. decipiens , but this compound was one of the most abundant volatiles in D. tagetiflora essential oil [4] . Despite the essential oil composition of D. decipiens , D. acerosa and D. tagetiflora , is apparently dissimilar, the presence of substantial amounts of limonene could be considered as a common denominator in the three species [4,6] .…”

“…The genus Dyssodia is represented by only seven recognized species distributed in the Mexican territory, but some species are spread from the south of Canada to Guatemala [2] . These plants are perennial or mostly herbs with erect shoots (glabrous of finely pubescent), opposite pinnately lobed leaves, single or composed flower heads (yellow‐orange) which are a rich source of carotenoids and other antioxidants [3,4] . A common characteristic of these species is the strong aroma that emanates from their leaves and flowers which is highly appreciated in the rituals associated to the traditional ‘día de los muertos’ (day of the dead) in México.…”

“…Despite the significance of Dyssodia species as an economic resource, few studies focused on their chemistry and biological activity have been performed so far. Flavonols, thiophenes and polyacetylene esters were identified and isolated from Dyssodia tagetiflora, D. anthemidifolia, D. papposa and D. porophylla [4,5] . Bioassays using organic extracts of the two latter Dyssodia species showed promising growth inhibitory effects on Bacillus subtilis ATCC‐6051 as well as a strong phototoxic activity [4,6] .…”

“…Flavonols, thiophenes and polyacetylene esters were identified and isolated from Dyssodia tagetiflora, D. anthemidifolia, D. papposa and D. porophylla [4,5] . Bioassays using organic extracts of the two latter Dyssodia species showed promising growth inhibitory effects on Bacillus subtilis ATCC‐6051 as well as a strong phototoxic activity [4,6] . The essential oil of D. tagetiflora contained high amounts of limonene, α‐ocimene and, α‐terpinene whereas that of D. papposa contained chrysanthenone, limonene and camphor [4,6] .…”

“…Bioassays using organic extracts of the two latter Dyssodia species showed promising growth inhibitory effects on Bacillus subtilis ATCC‐6051 as well as a strong phototoxic activity [4,6] . The essential oil of D. tagetiflora contained high amounts of limonene, α‐ocimene and, α‐terpinene whereas that of D. papposa contained chrysanthenone, limonene and camphor [4,6] . These investigations were done in a single period of time with no additional chemical screening in subsequent years.…”