Department of General Biochemistry, Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-236 Lodz, Poland.
Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Mar 16;22(6):3009. doi: 10.3390/ijms22063009.
The family is one of the largest flowering plant families, with over 1600 genera and 2500 species worldwide. Some of its most well-known taxa are lettuce, chicory, artichoke, daisy and dandelion. The members of the have been used in the diet and for medicine for centuries. Despite their wide diversity, most family members share a similar chemical composition: for example, all species are good sources of inulin, a natural polysaccharide with strong prebiotic properties. They also demonstrate strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity, as well as diuretic and wound healing properties. Their pharmacological effects can be attributed to their range of phytochemical compounds, including polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, acetylenes and triterpenes. One such example is arctiin: a ligand with numerous antioxidant, antiproliferative and desmutagenic activities. The family is also a source of sesquiterpene lactones: the secondary metabolites responsible for the bitter taste of many plants. This mini review examines the current state of literature regarding the positive effect of the family on human health.
家族是最大的开花植物科之一，全世界有超过 1600 属和 2500 种。它的一些最著名的类群包括生菜、菊苣、朝鲜蓟、雏菊和蒲公英。该家族的成员在饮食和医学上已经使用了几个世纪。尽管它们的多样性很广，但大多数家族成员的化学成分相似：例如，所有物种都是菊粉的良好来源，菊粉是一种具有很强益生元特性的天然多糖。它们还具有很强的抗氧化、抗炎和抗菌活性，以及利尿和伤口愈合特性。它们的药理作用可以归因于其广泛的植物化学化合物，包括多酚、酚酸、类黄酮、炔烃和三萜。其中一个例子是牛蒡苷：一种具有多种抗氧化、抗增殖和抗诱变活性的配体。该家族也是倍半萜内酯的来源：负责许多植物苦味的次生代谢物。本篇迷你综述考察了关于家族对人类健康的积极影响的文献现状。
