Sonchus asper (L.) Hill: from weed to high value product with antioxidant and hypoglycaemic potential

The aim of this study was investigation of Sonchus asper (L.) Hill. (Asteraceae) to contribute to its rediscovery as a wild edible plant, both as raw and nano formulated products. S. asper is used as a food ingredient in South Italy traditional cuisine, but it is also a source of health-promoting specialised metabolites. In the extracts obtained from edible leaves 38 compounds, belonging to phenolic acids, flavonoids and polyunsaturated fatty acids, were characterised using LC-MS/MS analyses. The extract obtained from discarded leaves (SAD), not usually consumed as food, showed the same chemical composition as edible parts. Due to these similarities, and with the aim to propose the by-products utilisation as an antidiabetic supplement, the extract was incorporated in eudragit-coated liposomes. The evaluation of the potential hypoglycaemic effect of SAD extract was carried out in intestinal STC-1 cell line that represents a model cell line for gut hormones secretion and glucose uptake studies, due to their common features to L-enteroendocrine cells. The SAD extract exhibited a significant glucose uptake inhibition compared to untreated cells, in a dose-dependent manner, and interestingly the activity was maintained in the liposomal formulation. This study could contribute to the rediscovery of ancient dishes based on wild herbs together with the reuse of the discarded leaves as a high healthy-value supplement. Furthermore, an economical evaluation of S. Asper utilisation was carried out to demonstrate that the promotion of actions and strategies to preserve wild species could generate economic return to both landowners and the community.

Publication History

Article published online:
16 November 2023