Aster scaber
What's the taxonomical classification of Aster scaber?
Aster scaber belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Asterales. This plant is a member of the family Asteraceae, which places it within the genus Aster, specifically identified by the species name scaber.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Aster |
| Species | scaber |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Aster scaber has a perennial growth habit characterized by a basal rosette of leaves and an upright, branched stem that typically reaches heights of 10 to 40 centimeters. The leaves are mostly basal, being oblong to spatulate in shape, while the upper stem leaves are smaller, narrower, and often sessile. The inflorescence consists of several flower heads arranged in a corymb-like cluster at the top of the stem. Each individual flower head contains multiple disc florets and a single row of ray florets that are usually white or pale lilac. The involucral bracts are arranged in several overlapping rows, providing a structural base for the flowering heads.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the mountainous regions of western North America, specifically stretching from Alaska and the Yukon through British Columbia and Washington to California. It thrives primarily in subalpine and alpine environments where rocky soils and open meadows are common. Populations are frequently found along the slopes of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges. The species prefers high-elevation habitats that offer cool temperatures and significant seasonal snowpack. These specific environmental conditions limit its natural range to these distinct cordilleran zones.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires well-drained soil, full sunlight, and moderate watering to thrive in a garden setting.
It is a hardy perennial that prefers a temperate climate with cool summers. To ensure healthy growth, you should amend the soil with organic compost to improve its texture and nutrient content. Regular weeding around the base will prevent competition for moisture and essential minerals.
Once established, the plant is relatively low-maintenance and can withstand occasional dry periods.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant uses the aerial parts, specifically the leaves, for various medicinal applications. These leafy structures are harvested from above the ground to extract bioactive compounds. Practitioners often utilize the dried or fresh foliage to prepare decoctions or infusions. Such preparations are frequently employed in traditional practices to address specific health concerns. The chemical constituents found within these leaves provide the primary therapeutic value of the species.
According to a study published by "Chemical & pharmaceuatical bulletin", the aerial part of Aster scaber Thunb. (Asteraceae) was analyzed. This part yielded 2 new monoterpene peroxide glycosides, specifically (3S)-3-O-(3',4'-diangeloyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-7-hydroperoxy-3,7-dimethylocta-1,5-diene (1) and (3S)-3-O-(3',4'-diangeloyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-6-hydroperoxy-3,7-dimethylocta-1,7-diene (2). Additionally, the study identified 5 known compounds from the plant. These compounds include alpha-spinasterol (3), germacra-4(15),5,10(14)-triene-1-beta-ol (4), 7-methoxy-4(15)-oppositen-1-beta-ol (5), 6alpha-methoxy-4(15)-eudesmane-1beta-ol (6) and alpha-spinasterol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7).
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- aerial part
- leaf
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Aster scaber, has been utilized in various historical healing practices to address ailments related to the respiratory and digestive systems. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, certain species within the Aster genus are employed to clear heat and resolve phlegm. Practitioners have historically used the dried roots and leaves to treat chronic coughs and bronchitis. Some regional folk traditions also applied the plant topically to manage skin irritations or swellings. These ancient applications highlight the plant's long-standing role in botanical medicine across different cultures.
According to a study published by "Biochemical and biophysical research communications", Aster scaber T. (Asteraceae) has been used in traditional Korean and Chinese medicine to treat bruises, snakebites, headaches, and dizziness. The plant contains (-)-3,5-Dicaffeoyl-muco-quinic acid (DQ) which induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. This DQ-mediated effect on neurite outgrowth follows pathways like NGF through the activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk 1/2) and phosphoinositiide 3 (PI3) kinase. The differentiation of PC12 cells is elicited by DQ through Trk A phosphorylation followed by Erk 1/2 and PI3 kinase activation.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Aster scaber?
This plant has anticancer, antioxidant, cytotoxicity, immunomodulatory, and immunostimulatory pharmacological activities. Its cytotoxic properties allow it to effectively inhibit the proliferation of various malignant cell lines during laboratory testing. The presence of bioactive compounds also provides significant antioxidant effects by neutralizing harmful free radicals in the body. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates the ability to regulate the immune system through both immunomodulatory and immunostimulatory mechanisms. These diverse biological actions suggest that Aster scaber holds great potential for developing new therapeutic agents.
According to a study published by "International journal of molecular sciences", the perennial herb Aster scaber is known to possess anticancer, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. Polysaccharides extracted from the plant using pectinase digestion, known as ASEP-P, achieved a yield of 3.8%. This ASEP-P demonstrated the greatest immunostimulatory potential regarding nitric oxide and cytokine productions and phagocytic activity in RAW264.7 macrophages. In normal mice, administration of ASEP-P improved immune-enhancing effects by improving the spleen index and splenic lymphocyte proliferation. Furthermore, in immunosuppressed mice, it modulated lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer cell activity, and leukocyte counts.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anticancer
- antioxidant
- cytotoxicity
- immunomodulatory
- immunostimulatory
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains caffeic acid and several specific flavonols, including kaempferol, myricetin, and quercetin. These bioactive compounds are known for their significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The presence of caffeic acid contributes to the plant's ability to combat oxidative stress within biological systems. Additionally, the various flavonols act as secondary metabolites that support the plant's chemical defense mechanisms. Together, these medicinal constituents highlight the pharmacological potential of Aster scaber.
According to a study published by "Acta biologica Hungarica", a total of twenty-three polyphenolic compounds including hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavonols were identified in Aster scaber leaf extracts. Myricetin was the most dominant flavonol at 4850.45 μg/g, while caffeic acid was the dominant phenolic compound at 104.20 μg/g. Other identified compounds included gentisiic acid at 84.50 μg/g, gallic acid at 61.05 μg/g, and homogenhtic acid at 55.65 μg/g. The ethyl acetate extract contained the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content at 322.43 and 6.51 mg/g, respectively. The antioxidant activity followed a decreasing order of ethyl acetate, butanol, methanol, petroleum ether, and water extract.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 5-caffeoyl quinic acid
- Caffeic acid
- flavonols
- kaempferol
- myricetin
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating immune dysfunction, immunosuppression, oxidative stress, human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), and cancer. Its bioactive compounds work to modulate the body's natural defense mechanisms and combat cellular damage. Researchers have investigated its potential to mitigate the effects of chronic viral infections and various malignant growths. By reducing oxidative stress, the plant helps protect cells from harmful free radical damage. These multifaceted properties make it a subject of interest for managing complex immunological and oncological conditions.
According to a study published by "International journal of molecular sciences", the edible and medicinal perennial herb Aster scaber is known to have anticancer, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. The polysaccharides from the plant were investigated for their immunostimulatory activities on RAW264.7 macrophages, specifically regarding nitric oxide and cytokine productions and phagocytic activity. One extraction method using pectinase digestion achieved the highest yield of 3.8% for ASEP-P. In normal mice, the administration of ASEP-P improved immune-enhancing effects by improving the spleen index and splenic lymphocyte proliferation. In immunosuppressed mice, it worked by modulating lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer cell activity, and leukocyte counts.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- immune dysfunction
- immunosuprression
- oxidative stress
- human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)
- cancer
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create medicinal herbal preparations such as crude plant extracts and butanol extracts for various therapeutic purposes. The crude plant extracts are often derived through simple maceration processes to isolate primary bioactive compounds. Researchers utilize butanol extracts to specifically concentrate certain secondary metabolites that may possess higher pharmacological activity. These different preparations allow for targeted applications depending on the desired potency and chemical profile. Studying these diverse extracts helps clarify the specific medicinal properties inherent to Aster scaber.
According to a study published by "Acta biologica Hungarica", twenty-three polyphenolic compounds were identified and quantified from Aster scaber leaf extracts. Myricetin was the most dominant flavonol at 4850.45 μg/g, while caffeic acid was the dominant phenolic compound at 104.20 μg/g. Other identified compounds included gentisic acid at 84.50 μg/g, gallic acid at 61.05 μg/g, and homogenisic acid at 55.65 μg/g. The ethyl acetate extract showed the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content at 322.43 mg/g and 6.51 mg/g, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the extracts followed a decreasing order of ethyl acetate, butanol, methanol, petroleum ether, and water.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- butanol extract
- crude plant extracts
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause cytotoxicity, dizziness, headaches, bruises, and potential complications from snakebites. The cytotoxic properties of Aster scaber mean its compounds can damage or kill living cells upon contact or ingestion. Individuals exposed to the plant may experience neurological symptoms such as dizziness or persistent headaches. Physical contact with certain parts of the plant can lead to the formation of bruises on the skin. Some traditional or anecdotal reports also suggest its involvement in the treatment or side effects related to snakebites.
According to a study published by "BioFactors (Oxford, England)", Aster scaber exhibited a total phenolic content of 17.1 mg 100 g(-1) of FW. The methanol extracts of this plant at 50 microg mL(-1) showed a DPPH radical scavenging activity of 83.3%. Regarding cytotoxicity, the methanol extracts of Aster scaber demonstrated an IC(50) value of 54.87 microg mL(-1) against HCT-116. These results indicate that the plant has a high total phenolic content and high antioxidant activity.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- cytotoxicity
- dizziness
- headaches
- bruises
- snakebites
What herbs are paired with Aster scaber?
This plant Aster scaber pairs effectively with culinary and medicinal herbs such as chamomile, peppermint, and lavender due to its subtle floral undertones.
These companions complement the rough-textured aster by adding layers of scent and color to a garden arrangement. When used in herbal blends, the aster provides a grounding base that balances the high notes of peppermint. Chamomile works well alongside it to create a soothing aesthetic in landscape designs.
Lavender shares similar sunlight requirements, making it a practical partner for sustained growth.