Pulicaria glutinosa

Pulicaria glutinosa · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (0 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Pulicaria glutinosa, commonly known as common fleabane, is a perennial herb native to Europe and parts of Asia. This plant is easily identified by its distinctive, sturdy stems that support clusters of small, yellow flower heads. The stems play a crucial role in the plant's structure, lifting the blooms high above the surrounding foliage to attract pollinators. Historically, various parts of the plant have been utilized in traditional herbal remedies due to their unique chemical properties. Understanding the physical characteristics of its stems can help botanists accurately distinguish this species in the wild.

Quick facts
Synonyms
Pterochaete Glutinosa · Platychaete Glutinosa
Common names
Not available
Family
Asteraceae
Distribution
Not available
Plant Parts
Stem

Classification

Synonyms

Pulicaria glutinosa is a plant species that is frequently identified by various botanical names in scientific literature. One recognized synonym for this species is Platychaete glutinosa, a name that appears in certain historical taxonomic records. Additionally, the plant is also known by the synonym Pterochaete glutinosa. These different nomenclatures reflect the evolving nature of botanical classification and historical studies of the genus. Understanding these relationships is essential for researchers seeking to accurately identify the species across different databases.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Taxonomy

Pulicaria glutinosa is a distinctive member of the kingdom Plantae. This botanical specimen belongs to the class Equisetopsida and is categorized under the order Asterales. Within this broader structure, it is specifically nested in the family Asteraceae. It further receives its classification through the genus Pulicaria. Understanding these taxonomic relationships provides essential insight into the plant's biological lineage.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Asterales
Family Asteraceae
Genus Pulicaria

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

Geographic Regions

Pulicaria glutinosa exhibits a broad and diverse geographic range that spans across two major continents. In Africa, this species is found within the Northeast Tropical regions, specifically appearing in Djibouti and Somalia. Its presence extends into the temperate zones of Asia, where it is well-established throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Within this peninsula, the plant can be located in the Gulf States as well as in Oman and Saudi Arabia. This widespread distribution highlights the plant's ability to thrive in varied environmental conditions across these distinct territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Identification

Morphology

Pulicaria glutinosa is characterized by its distinct herb-like growth form.

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Biological Activities

Compounds

Conditions

Pulicaria glutinosa demonstrates significant anticancer potential through its application in various medicinal studies. When utilized as a reducing agent to synthesize silver-decorated highly reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites, the plant extract facilitates potent cytotoxicity against the A549 human lung cancer cell line. This specific nanocomposite induces apoptosis and G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest in these lung cancer cells. Additionally, methanolic extracts from the stem of Pulicaria glutinosa exhibit notable cytotoxic activities against the HepG2 human liver cancer cell line. Specifically, the stem extract showed an impressive cell viability of 24.2% during in vitro screening for anticancer properties.

Preparations

Parts used

Pulicaria glutinosa has shown significant promise in recent pharmacological studies investigating the anticancer potential of Saudi Arabian medicinal plants. Researchers specifically utilized the stem of this species to create methanolic extracts for testing against the HepG2 human liver cancer cell line. This particular extract demonstrated impressive cytotoxic activity, resulting in a cell viability of only 24.2%. Furthermore, GC-MS analysis of the most active extracts revealed that this plant contains key phytomolecules that contribute to its biological effects. These findings highlight the importance of exploring specific plant parts, such as the stem, in the search for new natural anticancer agents.