Inula britannica
What's the taxonomical classification of Inula britannica?
Inula britannica belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta. Moving down the taxonomic hierarchy, it is placed in the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, this plant is a member of the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific classification is defined by the genus Inula and the species britannica.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Inula |
| Species | britannica |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Inula britannica has erect, unbranched stems that typically reach heights of 30 to 80 centimeters and bear alternate, lanceolate leaves with serrated margins. The foliage is characterized by a distinctively rugose texture and a somewhat hairy surface on both sides. At the apex of the stems, the plant produces large, solitary flower heads consisting of bright yellow ray florets surrounding a central disc of tubular florets. These composite inflorescences are supported by involucral bracts that are often tinged with purple. The overall structure presents a robust, herbaceous appearance common to many members of the Asteraceae family.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is endemic to the British Isles, specifically occurring in fragmented populations across parts of England, Scotland, and Wales. It is primarily found in coastal regions where salt spray and sandy soils create its niche habitat. Most sightings are concentrated along the western shores of Britain due to the specific maritime climate required for its survival. These populations are often isolated from one another by stretches of unsuitable inland terrain. Conservation efforts focus on these specific maritime zones to protect its limited range.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, Inula britannica, requires full sun to partial shade and well-drained, moist, nutrient-rich soil to thrive.
You should sow the seeds in early spring or autumn to ensure successful germination. Regular watering is essential during the growing season to prevent the soil from drying out completely. Once established, the plant is relatively hardy and can tolerate various soil types as long as drainage is adequate.
Pruning the stems in late winter helps promote vigorous new growth and more abundant yellow flowering in the summer.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Inula britannica is used medicinally through its aerial parts, which specifically include the flowers and the flower heads. The harvested material consists of the above-ground structures that contain the plant's active compounds. These components are often prepared as infusions or tinctures to treat various ailments. Practitioners value the chemical properties found within the blossoms and the surrounding stalks. Using these specific sections allows for the extraction of the necessary therapeutic elements.
According to a study published by "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", the aerial parts of Inula britannica were used to create methanolic and ethanolic extracts. The methanolic extract contained 58.02 mg GAE/g of polyphenols and 21.69 mg QUE/g of flavonoids, whereas the ethanolic extract contained 43.44 mg GAE/g of polyphenols and 13.91 mg QUE/g of flavonoids. In both extracts, 15 compounds were identified, including cynarine at 13.96 and 11.68 mg/g and chlorogenic acid at 9.22 and 5.09 mg/g. The methanolic extract showed higher antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay at 19.78 ± 0.12 mg GAE/g and the FRAP method at 5.07 ± 0.18 mmol Fe2+/g compared to the ethanolic extract at 15.56 ± 0.24 mg GAE/g and 0.39 ± 0.01 mmol Fe2+/g. Both extracts demonstrated similar antimicrobial properties, with the highest activity recorded against Helicobacter pylori ATCZ 43504 at an MIC of 0.125-0.25 mg/mL.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- aerial parts
- flower
- heads
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Inuula britannica, has been utilized historically within traditional Chinese medicine and the Japanese Kampo system to address various ailments. Practitioners in these systems often employed its extracts to manage inflammatory conditions and digestive issues. The plant's chemical properties were valued for their potential to restore balance within the body's internal organs. Historical records suggest that its botanical components were integrated into complex herbal formulas to enhance therapeutic outcomes. These traditional applications reflect a long-standing reliance on the plant's biological activities in Eastern healing practices.
According to a study published by "Phytotherapy research : PTR", Inula britannica L. is a Kampo medicine prepared from the heads of Compositae plants. This plant has been used clinically as a remedy for nausea, hiccup and excessive sputum. The study shows that administration of Inula britannica improves the survival rate of mice with hepatic injury induced by LPS/PA. It is also suggested that Inula britannica significantly reduces the fluctuation in the amount of cytokine in the spleen of mice with hepatic injuries. In vitro testing suggests that Inula britannica suppresses Th1 differentiation and induces Th2 differentiation by inhibiting the production of macrophage IL-12 and promoting the production of IL-10.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Kampo
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Inula britannica?
This plant has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antitumor pharmacological activities. Its phytochemical constituents work together to neutralize harmful free radicals within the body. These properties allow the plant to effectively combat various infectious pathogens and reduce systemic swelling. Additionally, the bioactive compounds demonstrate a capacity to inhibit the growth of malignant cells. Such diverse biological functions suggest that the species holds significant potential for pharmaceutical development.
According to a study published by "Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry", the extracts of Inula britannica possess anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-hepatitic, and anti-tumor activities. Various sesquiterpene lactones with cytotoxic properties, such as 1-O-acetylbritannilactone (1), have been isolated from this plant. Eight derivatives of 1-O-acetylbritannilactone, specifically (2-O-alkyloxime-3-phenyl)-propionyl-1-O-acetylbritannilactone esters, were designed and synthesized. Four of these compounds were tested to demonstrate inhibitory activity on the growth of human leukemia HL-60 and cancer Bel-7402 cell lines.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-bacterial
- anti-inflammatory
- antimicrobial
- antioxidant
- antitumor
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds inubrita nolides A, inubritanolides B, eupatolid, 1-O-acetyl-6-O-chloracetylbritannilactone, and 1-O-acetylbritannilactone. These specific sesquiterpene lactones serve as the primary bioactive constituents within the species. Researchers study these chemical structures to understand their potential pharmacological properties and biological activities. The presence of these diverse lactone derivatives contributes to the complex chemical profile of the plant. Each unique molecule offers different insights into the therapeutic possibilities of Inula britannica.
According to a study published by "Bioorganic chemistry", nineteen structurally diverse sesquiterpenoids were isolated from Inula britannica flowers extract. These compounds include two new sesquiterpenoid dimers, inubritanolides A and B (1, 2), and four new sesquiterpenoid monomers (3-6). Specifically, the monomers consist of 1-O-acetyl-6-O-chloracetylbritannilactone (3), 6-methoxybritannilactone (4), 1-hydroxy-10β-methoxy-4αH-1,10-secoeudesma-5(6),11(13)-dien-12,8β-olide (5), and 1-hydroxy-4αH-1,10-secoeudesma-5(6),10(14),11(13)-trien-12,8β-olide (6). Additionally, 13 known congeners (7-19) were identified from the source. Compounds 1 and 6 displayed strong neuroprotective potency against neuronal cells mediated by H2O2, 6-OHDA, and LPS.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- inubritanolides A
- inubritanolides B
- eupatolide
- sesquiterpene lactones
- flavonoids
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for managing cancer, inflammation, oxidative stress, digestive disorders, and various disorders of the digestive system. Its bioactive compounds help neutralize free radicals to mitigate the harmful effects of oxidative stress within the body. These properties also assist in reducing systemic inflammation that can contribute to chronic illness. Furthermore, the plant is utilized to soothe the gut and alleviate symptoms associated with various disorders of the digestive system. By addressing these diverse health conditions, it serves as a multifaceted botanical remedy.
According to a study published by "Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry", extracts of Inula britannica possess anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-hepatitic, and anti-tumor activities. Various sesquiterpene lactones with cytotoxic properties, such as 1-O-acetylbritannilactone (1), have been isolated from this plant. Eight derivatives of 1-O-acetylbritannilactone, specifically (2-O-alkyloxime-3-phenyl)-propionyl-1-O-acetylbritannilactone esters, were designed and synthesized. Four of these compounds were tested for their ability to show inhibitory activity on the growth of human leukemia HL-60 and cancer Bel-7402 cell lines.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- arthritis
- atherosclerosis
- inflammation
- digestive disorders
- disorders of the digestive system
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create various medicinal preparations including essential oil, ethanol extract, functional tea, chloroform and lactone-enriched fractions, and various other extracts. The essential oil is often isolated for its concentrated aromatic and therapeutic properties. Researchers utilize ethanol extract and functional tea methods to harness the plant's bioactive compounds for wellness applications. Specialized laboratory techniques yield chloroform and lactone-enriched fractions to study specific chemical constituents. These diverse extracts serve as the foundation for studying the plant's potential pharmacological benefits.
According to a study published by "Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials", the essential oil from Inula britannica L. was extracted using steam distillation. Analysis via GC-MS using a DB-5 30m x 0.25mm, 0.25 microm capillary column identified 62 peaks representing 68.4% of the total contents. The chromatographic conditions involved a carrier gas flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and a split ratio of 15:1. Temperature settings included an injector temperature of 250 degrees C and a column temperature starting at 70 degrees C for 2min, rising to 230 degrees C at 10 degrees C/min, and staying at 230 degrees C for 10 min. The main component identified in the Inula britannica L. essential oil was 1-Benzoxepin-3-ol,2,3,4,5-tetrahydro- at 4.276%.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- essential oil
- ethanol extract
- functional tea
- chloroform and lactone-enriched fractions
- extracts
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can induce severe health complications including cytotoxicity, digestive disorders, hemolysis, hepatotoxicity, and nausea. The presence of toxic compounds may lead to direct cell damage and the destruction of red blood cells. Ingesting the plant often results in significant gastrointestinal distress such as nausea and various other digestive disorders. Furthermore, the substances within the plant can cause serious harm to liver function through hepatotoxicity. These cumulative effects highlight the dangerous physiological impact of consuming the species.
According to a study published by "Archives of pharmacal research", the methanol extract of the dried flower of Inula britannica L. inhibits melanin synthesis in cultured melanoma cells. Bioassay-guided isolation of the chloroform fraction led to the identification of sesquiterpene compounds 1-O-acetylbritannilactonone (1), britannilactonone (2), and neobrittanilactonone B (3). Compounds 1 and 2 significantly reduced melanin production with IC50 values of 13.3 μM and 15.5 μM, respectively. In contrast, compound 3 was found to be cytotoxic. These findings suggest that these compounds may act as potent natural skin-lightening agents.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- cytotoxicity
- digestive disorders
- hemolysis
- hepatotoxicity
- nausea
What herbs are paired with Inula britannica?
This plant Inula britannica pairs most effectively with woody herbs like rosemary and sage to balance its subtle, earthy sweetness.
The floral undertones of the golden blooms also complement the bright, citrusy notes found in lemon thyme. When used in culinary applications, pairing it with lavender can enhance its delicate aromatic profile. Adding mint provides a refreshing contrast that prevents the plant's heavier scent from becoming overwhelming.
These combinations work well in both teas and garden arrangements to create a harmonious sensory experience.