ArticlePDF AvailableLiterature Review

Abstract

Several species of the family Caryophyllaceae are widely used by many ethnic communities as traditional medicine throughout the world. The highest numbers of plants of the family are used in Chinese traditional medicine. The ethnopharmacologial studies of this family indicated that plants of the family possess anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Other miscellaneous properties reported are ribosome inactivation properties, inhibition of prostatic enlargement in rats, and inhibition of intestinal enzyme carboxyelasterase in rats, cerebro-protective activity and anti-obesity in rats. Few reviews have been published yet, providing information about medicinal plants of family and their biomedical properties. All published the review have focused either on a particular taxa or few species. The present review is focused on the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the family Caryophyllaceae along with phytochemical and pharmacological studies of the family. Study of literature revealed significant traditional medicinal importance of the family. Major chemical constituents of Caryophyllceae are saponins, phyroecdysteroids, benzenoids, phenyl propanoids and nitrogen containing compounds. The most important property of plants of the family is anti-cancer activity and shown by large number of plant species studied. This review of traditional medicinal and pharmacological uses of plants of family, provide a ground for future research in the family.
integr
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123–131
Available
online
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Integrative
Medicine
Research
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l
h
omepage:
www.imr-journal.org
Review
Article
Medicinal
plants
of
the
family
Caryophyllaceae:
a
review
of
ethno-medicinal
uses
and
pharmacological
properties
Satish
Chandra
,
D.S.
Rawat
Department
of
Biological
Sciences,
College
of
Basic
Science
&
Humanities,
Govind
Ballabh
Pant
University
of
Agriculture
and
Technology
Pantnagar,
Pantnagar,
India
a
r
t
i
c
l
e
i
n
f
o
Article
history:
Received
16
March
2015
Received
in
revised
form
25
June
2015
Accepted
25
June
2015
Keywords:
Caryophyllaceae
Dianthus
pharmacological
properties
Silene
traditional
medicinal
systems
a
b
s
t
r
a
c
t
Several
species
of
the
family
Caryophyllaceae
are
widely
used
by
many
ethnic
communities
as
traditional
medicine
throughout
the
world.
The
highest
number
of
plants
of
the
family
are
used
in
Chinese
traditional
medicine.
The
ethnopharmacologial
studies
of
this
fam-
ily
indicate
that
plants
of
the
family
possess
anticancer,
antibacterial,
antifungal,
antiviral,
antioxidant,
and
anti-inflammatory
properties.
Other
miscellaneous
properties
reported
are
ribosome
inactivation
properties,
inhibition
of
prostatic
enlargement
in
rats,
and
inhibition
of
intestinal
enzyme
carboxyelasterase
in
rats,
cerebro-protective
activity,
and
antiobesity
in
rats.
Few
reviews
have
been
published
yet,
providing
information
regarding
medicinal
plants
of
the
family
and
their
biomedical
properties.
All
published
reviews
have
focused
either
on
a
particular
taxa
or
a
few
species.
The
present
review
is
focused
on
the
traditional
medicinal
uses
of
the
plants
of
the
family
Caryophyllaceae
along
with
phytochemical
and
pharmacological
studies
of
the
family.
A
study
of
the
literature
revealed
significant
tradi-
tional
medicinal
importance
of
the
family.
Major
chemical
constituents
of
Caryophyllceae
are
saponins,
Phytoecdysteroids,
benzenoids,
phenyl
propanoids,
and
nitrogen
containing
compounds.
The
most
important
property
of
plants
of
the
family
is
anticancer
activity
and
is
shown
by
the
large
number
of
plant
species
studied.
This
review
of
traditional
medicinal
and
pharmacological
uses
of
plants
of
the
family,
provide
a
ground
for
future
research
in
the
family.
©
2015
Korea
Institute
of
Oriental
Medicine.
Published
by
Elsevier.
All
rights
reserved.
1.
Introduction
The
Caryophyllaceae
Juss.
is
one
of
the
major
dicot
family
of
angiosperms
and
is
globally
represented
by
85
genera
and
Corresponding
author.
Department
of
Biological
Sciences,
College
of
Basic
Science
and
Humanities,
Govind
Ballabh
Pant
University
of
Agriculture
and
Technology
Pantnagar,
Pantnagar
263145,
Uttarakhand,
India.
E-mail
address:
satishchandrasemwal07@gmail.com
(S.
Chandra).
2,630
species.
1
This
family
is
popularly
known
as
the
pink
family
or
carnation
family.
Plants
of
the
family
are
present
worldwide
particularly
in
the
Northern
Hemisphere
with
the
exception
of
most
of
the
wet
tropics.
The
Caryophyllaceae
family
is
mainly
centered
in
the
Mediterranean
area
and
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2015.06.004
2213-4220/©
2015
Korea
Institute
of
Oriental
Medicine.
Published
by
Elsevier.
All
rights
reserved.
Integr
Med
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124
exhibits
great
diversity
in
the
habitat
and
growth
form
there.
Plants
of
the
family
are
erect,
prostrate,
annual
or
perennial
herbs
or
small
shrubs,
and
few
species
(Sanctambrosia
spp.)
are
larger
shrubs
or
small
trees.
The
family
is
characterized
by
swollen
nodes,
with
simple
opposite
leaves,
solitary
flowers
or
dichasial
cymes
inflorescence,
actinomorphic
pentamerous
or
tetramerous
flowers,
clawed
petals,
ten
stamens
or
less
in
obdiplostemonous
condition,
ovary
superior
with
free-central
placentation,
fruit
capsule
opening
by
teeth
or
valve
and
pres-
ence
of
anthocyanin
pigments.
2
The
family
Caryophyllaceae
is
well
known
for
ornamental
flowering
plants
such
as
Dianthus
chinensis
(Pink),
Dianthus
barbatus
(Sweet
William),
Gypsophila
spp.
(Baby’s
Breath),
Agrostemma
spp.
(Corn
Cockle),
Saponaria
spp.
(Soapwort),
Lychnis
spp.
(Fire
Pink),
and
Silene
spp.
(Cam-
pions)
which
form
a
major
fraction
of
world’s
cut
flower
trade.
Some
species
of
Caryophyllaceae
as
Stellaria
media
(Chick-
weed),
Cerastium
cerastoides
(Mouse-ear
Chickweed)
and
other
Stellaria
spp.
Cearstium
spp.,
Silene
spp.,
etc.
are
noxious
weeds
of
agricultural
lands.
3
The
family
Cayophyllaceae
is
widely
known
for
gardening
herbs
but
medicinal
importance
of
its
members
is
sparsely
known.
In
the
present
work
we
have
tried
to
compile
infor-
mation
regarding
the
medicinal
plants
of
the
family,
their
ethnomedicinal
uses,
and
pharmacological
significance
of
these
plants
in
different
diseases.
Only
a
few
reviews
provide
information
regarding
medicinal
plants
of
the
family
and
their
biomedical
properties
have
been
published
yet.
All
of
these
reviews
are
either
focused
on
particular
taxa
4–6
or
a
few
species.
7
This
review
is
unique
for
this
family
and
fills
the
knowledge
gap
related
to
the
medicinal
importance
of
this
family.
This
review
will
also
help
others
in
future
for
compila-
tion
of
such
information
of
this
family.
2.
Methods
For
the
present
review,
information
regarding
medicinal
prop-
erties
and
biochemical
properties
of
plants
was
gathered
via
searching
books
and
scientific
databases
including
PubMed,
Elsevier,
GoogleScholar,
Springer,
etc.
3.
Phytochemistry
of
the
family
The
family
is
characterized
by
the
presence
of
antho-
cyanin
pigments
instead
of
the
betalain.
Proanthocyanidin
pigments
are
rarely
detected
from
the
seed
coats
and
C-
glycosylflavonoids
pigment
are
rather
common
in
the
family.
2
The
unusual
characteristic
of
the
family
is
appearance
of
sta-
ble
and
endurable
foam
when
parts
of
the
plants
are
put
into
water
and
shaken.
This
behavior
is
due
to
the
occur-
rence
of
high
amount
of
saponins
in
the
family.
The
saponins
are
found
in
various
organs
of
the
plants,
especially
in
roots
of
Saponaria
spp.
Silene
spp.
Gypsophila
spp.,
etc.
and
seeds
of
Agrostemma
githago.
8
The
phytoecdysteroids
mimics
insect
molting
hormone
and
strongly
interferes
with
metamorpho-
sis
of
the
insects.
Phytoecdysteroids
are
synthesized
mainly
in
the
tribe
Lychnideae
of
the
subfamily
Caryophylloideae
of
Caryophyllaceae,
whereas
Silene,
Lychnis,
Petrocoptis,
Sagina,
and
Saponaria
are
main
phytoecdysteroid
synthesizing
genera
of
the
family.
9,10
A
number
of
other
compounds
such
as
fatty
acid
derivatives,
benzenoids,
phenyl
propanoids,
isoprenoids,
and
nitrogen
containing
compounds
are
also
isolated
from
the
plants
belonging
to
the
family.
11–13
4.
Medicinal
properties
of
plants
4.1.
Plants
used
by
ethnic
communities
for
health
care
Ethnobotany
is
the
study
of
how
people
of
a
particular
cul-
ture
and
region
use
indigenous
plants
in
their
lives
for
their
daily
health
management
and
other
needs.
The
American
biologist
R.E.
Schultes
14
described
ethnobotany
as
“the
study
of
the
relationship
which
exists
between
people
of
primi-
tive
societies
and
their
environment”.
In
more
simple
words,
it
is
an
anthropological
approach
to
botany.
The
father
of
Indian
Ethnobotany
S.K.
Jain
15
described
it
as
“the
study
of
the
direct
relationship
between
plants
and
man
is
an
interdisciplinary
science
and
called
Ethnobotany”.
A
total
of
422,000
plant
species
are
present
on
the
earth,
among
which
52,885–72,000
plant
species
are
used
as
medicinal
plants
around
the
world.
16,17
Thus,
17.1%
of
the
total
world
flora
comprises
medicinally
important
plants.
These
plants
are
used
to
cure
many
diseases
in
different
medicinal
systems
around
the
world.
It
is
estimated
that
70–80%
of
people
world-
wide
rely
chiefly
on
traditional
herbal
medicine
to
meet
their
primary
health
care
needs.
18
Among
2,630
species
of
the
family
1
,
only
a
small
fraction
(50–90
species)
is
known
to
have
medicinal
properties.
The
majority
of
the
plants
are
used
for
some
common
ailments
as
cold,
cough,
fever,
diarrhea,
throat
infection,
and
gastroin-
testinal
infection
etc.
Table
1
summarizes
ethnomedicinal
uses
of
different
plants
of
the
family,
their
parts
used,
and
references
from
different
part
of
the
world.
Though,
Table
1
makes
no
claim
to
be
really
complete,
it
represents
the
most
up
to
date
published
account
of
medicinally
important
plants
of
the
family.
4.2.
Plants
used
in
pharmacological
studies
4.2.1.
Anticancer
properties
4.2.1.1.
Dianthus
caryophyllus
L.
A
glycosylated
flavonol
Kaempferide
triglycoside
isolated
from
Dianthus
caryophyllus
exhibit
inhibitory
properties
for
human
colon
cancer
cell
line
carrying
induced
to
over
express
estrogen
receptor
(ER-
).
Kaempferide
triglycoside
suppresses
the
proliferation
of
colon
cancer
cells
over
expressing
ER-
not
through
ligand
binding
to
estrogen
receptor.
However,
it
affects
progres-
sion
of
HCT8
cell
cycle
by
enhancing
the
G
0
/G
1
cell
fraction
and
increased
antioxidant
enzymes
production
in
ER-
over
expressing
cells.
73
This
flavonol
is
able
to
suppress
DNA
repli-
cation
and
cell
growth
in
a
dose-dependent
manner
and
shows
significant
effects
in
cells
over
expressing
ER-.
Kaempferide
triglycoside
is
able
to
push
cells
into
G0/G1
starvation
and
to
over
expression
of
two
important
antioxidant
proteins
metal-
lothionein
type
2
(MT2A)
and
proteins
superoxide
dismutase
type
2
(SOD2).
73
Cellular
Zn
metabolism
regulates
metallothionein
by
interacting
with
Zn
ions
through
–SH
groups.
Accordingly,
125
S.
Chandra
and
D.S.
Rawat/Medicinal
plants
of
the
family
Caryophyllaceae
Table
1
List
of
ethnomedicinal
uses
of
plants
of
the
family
Caryophyllaceae
Plant
name
Part
used
Ethnomedicinal
use
Refs
Acanthophyllum
squarrosum
Boiss
Root
Inhibit
urease
activity
&
thus
prevent
gastric
upsets
19
Arenaria
bryophylla
Fernald
Whole
plant
Tablets
used
to
control
inflammation/pain
of
kidney
&
burning
sensation
of
bladder/urine
tract
20,21
Arenaria
festucoides
Benth.
Aerial
parts
In
Tibetan
system
of
medicine
used
to
cure
tsha-ba
of
lungs
22
Arenaria
griffithii
Boiss. Aerial
parts Used
in
menstruation
disorder
&
bile
disorder
23,24
Arenaria
rubra
L.
=
(Spergularia
rubra
J.
et
Prestl.)
Aerial
parts Decoction
used
as
diuretic,
antiseptic,
for
treating
diseases
related
to
the
renal
systems
25–27
Arenaria
serpyllifolia
L.
Aerial
parts
Decoction
used
in
bladder
diseases,
calculus
troubles,
chronic
cystitis,
&
along
with
minerals
&
medicinal
stones
used
to
promote
kidney
functions
28,20
Cerastium
cerastoides
(L.)
Britton.
Leaf,
aerial
shoot
parts
Used
in
headache,
renal
colic,
body
ache,
&
decoction
used
in
cough
23,29
Cerastium
chlorifolium
Fisch.
&
C.A.
Mey
Aerial
parts
Used
as
antiseptic
in
wounds
30
Cerastium
fontanum
Baumg
Whole
plant
Used
in
fever,
coughs,
&
as
refrigerant
31,32
Cerastium
glomeratum
Thuill.
Whole
plant
Traditionally
used
as
diuretic,
galactofuge,
&
tonic
33
Corrigiola
telephiifolia
Pourr.
Root
Used
to
treat
flu,
dermatological
diseases,
inflammation,
ulcer,
coughs,
jaundice,
anaesthetic,
&
diuretic
34
Dianthus
anatolicus
Boiss
Whole
plant
As
an
antipyretic
in
intermittent
fever
&
general
tonic
35,36
Dianthus
barbatu
s
L.
Whole
plant
Used
as
substitute
of
Dianthus
chinensis
L.
37
Dianthus
basuticus
Burtt.
Dav.
Root
Decoction
for
purification
of
blood,
flatulency,
&
fertility
in
bulls
38
Dianthus
caryophyllus
L.
Flower
buds
In
the
treatment
of
gum
infections,
gastro-intestinal
disorder,
wounds,
throat
infection,
cardiotonic,
diaphoretic,
alexiteric,
and
used
as
vermifuge
39,40
Dianthus
chinensis
L.
Whole
plant
In
the
treatment
of
menostasis,
gonorrhea,
diuretic,
emmenagogue,
&
coughs
37,41
Drymaria
cordata
(L.)
Willd.
ex
Schult.
Whole
plant,
fresh
leaves
Paste
applied
on
fore
head
to
cure
headache,
to
cure
itching
&
ring
warm,
cure
peptic
ulcer
&
nephritis
42,43
Drymaria
villosa
Schltdl.
&
Cham.
Whole
plant
Juice
used
to
treat
gastric
troubles,
pneumonia,
&
sinusitis
44,45
Gypsophila
oldhamiana
Miq.
Aerial
parts
Used
to
treat
lung
diseases,
typhoid,
jaundice,
rheumatism,
fever,
&
infantile
malnutrition
syndrome
46,47
Gypsophila
paniculata
L
Root
Used
for
washing
hair
&
clothes
35
Herniaria
erckertii
F.
Herm
Whole
plant
Decoction
used
to
cure
sore
throat
38
Lepyrodiclis
holosteoides
(C.A.
Mey.)
Fenzl
ex
Fisch.
&
C.A.
Mey.
Aerial
parts
Used
as
a
vegetable,
considered
an
appetizer
&
laxative
48
Lychnis
coronaria
(L.)
Desr.=
(Silene
coronaria
(Desr.)
Clairv.
ex
Rchb)
Leaf,
root
Used
to
treat
leprosy,
diarrhea,
heal
cuts
&
inflamed
wounds;
root
show
hepato-protactive
function
49–51
Lychnis
coronata
Thunb. Flower,
leaf
Used
to
treat
skin
infection
&
inflammation,
&
applied
in
herpes
47
Melandrium
firmum
(Siebold
&
Zucc.)
Rohrb.
=
(Silene
firma
Siebold
&
Zucc.)
Whole
plant
Used
for
gonorrhoea,
galactagogue,
emmenagogue,
&
contraception
52
Pollichia
campestris
Aiton
Leaves,
flower,
roots
Leaves
&
flowers
of
plant
used
for
sore
throat
&
skin
diseases;
cooked
roots
to
treat
bronchitis
&
heavy
coughs
38,53
Polycarpaea
corymbosa
(L.)
Lam.
Whole
plant
Anti-inflammatory,
astringent,
demulcent;
plant-spermicidal,
applied
as
poultice,
prescribed
in
jaundice
in
the
form
of
pills
with
molasses
54
Polycarpon
prostratum
(Forssk.)
Asch.
&
Schweinf
Leaves,
whole
plant
Infusion
of
roasted
leaves
is
given
for
coughs
following
fever,
particularly
in
measles;
1–2
cup
of
decoction
in
an
empty
stomach
during
suffering
from
malarial
fever
54,55
Pseudostellaria
heterophylla
(Miq.)
Pax
Root
Used
as
paediatric,
geriatric
tonic,
&
to
treat
tuberculosis
47,56
Sagina
saginoides
(L.)
H.
Karst.
Whole
plant
Used
to
treat
food
poisoning,
diarrhea,
cold,
&
fever
23
Saponaria
officinalis
L.
Whole
plant
Used
for
cough,
bronchitis,
stomach
disorders,
bone
deformations,
rheumatism,
pimples,
skin
diseases,
bile
disorders,
hepatic
eruptions,
venereal
ulcers,
respiratory
system
diseases,
jaundice,
&
urine
remover
7,54
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126
Table
1
(Continued)
Plant
name
Part
used
Ethnomedicinal
use
Refs
Saponaria
vaccaria
L.
=
(Vaccaria
pyramidata
Medik.)
Whole
plant
The
mucilaginous
sap
used
as
febrifugal,
in
chronic
fevers,
treatment
of
furuncles
&
scabies
54
Silene
conoidea
L.
Root
Used
as
emollient,
to
wash
wounds
&
hair,
also
used
as
a
fumigant,
&
juice
used
in
opthalmia
57–59
Silene
flos-cuculi
(L.)
Greuter
&
Burdet
Flower
Decoction
(added
to
wine)
used
to
treat
headache,
malaria,
&
stomach
pains
60
Silene
italica
(L.)
Pers. Seed
To
cure
sore
throat
61
Silene
jenisseensis
Willd. Root
Used
to
treat
fever
in
infant
malnutrition
&
fever
due
to
Yin-deficiency
62
Silene
moorcroftiana
Wall.
ex
Benth
Leaf,
stem
Used
to
treat
ear
&
nose
problems,
leaves
warmed
in
mustard
oil
&
applied
on
the
swollen
skin
to
release
pus,
juice
of
boiled
leaves
used
as
a
mouthwash
&
gargle
for
inflammation
of
the
mouth
&
throat;
stem
is
chewed
as
an
aphrodisiac
agent
23,63
Silene
nigrescens
(Edgew.)
Majumdar
Root
Powder
consumed
with
hot
water
to
protect
from
cold,
cures
hair
diseases,
dandruff,
&
lice
64
Silene
pilosellifolia
Cham.
&
Schltdl.
Whole
plant
Treat
fever
in
delirious
patients
&
for
compounding
of
various
other
traditional
medicines
38
Silene
setisperma
Majumdar
Leaves
Used
as
vegetable
&
considered
as
appetizer
65
Silene
viridiflora
L.
Aerial
parts
Phytoecdysteroid
cocktail,
obtained
from
the
aerial
parts
recommended
as
an
effective
adaptogene
for
use
in
sports,
reduced
functioning,
medicine,
&
poor
restoration
after
serious
illnesses
&
heavy
physical
exertion
8,66
Silene
vulgaris
(Moench)
Garcke
Young
shoots,
leaves
Cooked
as
a
vegetable,
considered
as
good
for
bronchitis
&
asthma,
used
in
traditional
Spanish
dishes
57,67,68
Stellaria
aquatic
(L.)
Scop.
Leaves
Decoction
used
in
galactorrhea
54
Stellaria
dichotoma
L.
Root
Used
in
the
treatment
of
fever
&
infant’s
malnutrition
with
fever
70,79
Stellaria
media
(L.)
Vill.
Whole
plant
Used
as
antirheumatic,
anti-inflammatory,
astringent,
refrigerant,
demulcent,
emollient,
vulnerary,
antipruritic,
infusion
used
to
relieve
in
itching
&
to
cure
psoriasis;
whole
plant
applied
as
a
plaster
for
broken
bones
&
swellings
54,59,71
Stellaria
rubra
Scop.
Whole
plant
Juice
rich
in
vitamin
C
&
used
in
treatment
of
scurvy,
weakness
after
illness,
lung
congestion,
&
tuberculosis
69
Stellaria
vestita
Kurz
=
(Stellaria
saxatilis
Buch.-Ham.
ex
D.
Don)
Whole
plant
Boiled
in
water
&
liquid
obtained
used
to
assuage
aching
bones,
treat
cough,
hemorrhage,
rheumatism
&
treat
cut
&
wounds
45,47
Stellaria
yunnanensis
Franch. Root
Decoction
used
in
appetite
loss
&
dizziness
72
metallothionein
controls
Zn-containing
enzymes,
e.g.,
Cu
Zn-superoxide
dismutase
(Cu
Zn-SOD),
proteins,
proapo-
ptotic
proteins
(e.g.,
p53),
and
transcription
factors
(TFIIA),
these
elements
are
essential
for
cellular
signaling
pathways.
Zn-containing
metallothioneins
work
as
tumor
inhibitory
pro-
teins
through
supplying
Zn
to
p53
for
its
stability
and
optimum
activity.
74
Thus,
activation
of
p53
cause
cell
cycle
arrest
at
the
G1
phase
and
prevents
DNA
replication.
Superoxide
dis-
mutase
(SOD)
catalyze
dismutation
of
superoxide
into
oxygen
and
hydrogen
peroxide
and
hence,
SOD
are
important
antioxi-
dant
defense
molecules
in
nearly
all
cells
exposed
to
oxygen.
75
SOD-2
acts
as
a
downstream
mediator
of
mac25/insulin-like
growth
factor
binding-protein
related
protein-1
(IGFBP-rP1)
in
the
inhibition
of
tumor
formation
and
its
proliferation
in
prostate
epithelial
cell
lines
and
human
breast
cells.
76
Further-
more,
kaempferide
triglycoside
induced
SOD
probably
inhibit
cell
growth
by
suppressing
effects
of
some
growth
factor
binding-proteins
and
growth
factor
binding-protein
related
proteins.
4.2.1.2.
Dianthus
chinensis
L.
Ethanol
extract
of
Dianthus
chinensis
is
used
in
the
treatment
of
Human
Hepatocellular
Carcinoma
HepG2
cells.
The
plant
extract
suppresses
HepG2
cell
viability
and
induces
apoptosis.
Proteins
such
as,
bcl-2,
bcl-xl,
mcl-1,
and
bax
belong
to
the
Bcl-2
family
of
pro-
teins
and
play
an
important
role
in
controlling
the
release
of
cytochrome
c
and
in
mitochondria-mediated
apoptosis.
77
The
ratio
between
the
level
of
proapoptotic
bax
protein
and
the
level
of
antiapoptotic
bcl-2
protein
in
the
cell
determines
the
fate
of
cells
either
survival
or
death.
The
ethanol
extract
of
D.
chinensis
did
not
alter
the
expression
of
bax
protein
in
HepG2
cells
but,
it
selectively
downregulates
the
expression
of
bcl-
2
and
bcl-xl
proteins
and
consequently
increases
the
ratio
of
bax:bcl-2
and
bax:bcl-xl.
High
bax:bcl-2
and
bax:bcl-xl
ratio
in
the
cytosol
causes
a
release
of
cytochrome
c
from
mitochon-
dria,
which
initiates
apoptosis
by
activating
caspase-3/7,
-8,
and
-9.
78
4.2.1.3.
Drymaria
cordata
(L.)
Willd.
ex
Schult.
The
leaf
extract
of
Drymaria
cordata
shows
cytotoxic
activity
against
HeLa
(cervical
cancer),
HT29
(colon
cancer),
and
MCF-7
(breast
cancer)
cell
lines.
79,80
by
an
unknown
mechanism.
4.2.1.4.
Melandrium
firmum
(Siebold
&
Zucc.)
Rohrb.
The
root
extract
of
Melandrium
firmum
shows
apoptotic
effects
in
Human
SH-SY5Y
neuroblastoma
cells.
81
The
root
extract
127
S.
Chandra
and
D.S.
Rawat/Medicinal
plants
of
the
family
Caryophyllaceae
exerts
its
anticancer
effects
by
regulating
expression
of
Bcl-2
protein
family,
same
as
of
Dianthus
chinensis.
4.2.1.5.
Acanthophyllum
squarrosum
Boiss.
The
triter-
penoid
saponins
isolated
from
the
roots
of
Acanthophyllum
squarrosum
were
tested
in
vitro
for
lymphocyte
antiprolifer-
ation.
The
results
revealed
that
they
have
cytotoxic
effect
on
lymphocytes
in
culture.
The
saponins
show
moder-
ate
concentration-dependent
cytotoxicity
to
lymphocytes,
saponin
concentration
of
10
g/mL
showed
no
cytotoxicity;
although,
higher
concentrations
showed
strong
cytotoxicity.
82
The
mechanism
is
not
yet
known.
4.2.1.6.
Saponaria
vaccaria
L.
The
total
methanolic
extracts
of
Saponaria
vaccaria
seed
were
evaluated
for
their
growth
inhibitory
activity
in
WiDr
(colon),
MDA-MB-
231
(breast),
NCI-417
(lung),
PC-3
(prostate)
human
cancer
cells,
and
the
nontumorigenic
fibroblast
BJ
(CRL-2522)
cell
lines.
Some
com-
pounds
such
as
cyclopeptide
segetalin
A,
monodesmosides,
vaccarosides
A,
vaccarosides
B,
bisdesmosides,
segetoside
H,
and
segetoside
I
were
present
in
the
extract
and
evaluated
for
growth
inhibitory
activity
of
different
cell
lines.
In
the
study
it
was
found
that
compounds
show
apoptotic
activity
by
acti-
vating
caspase
9.
Caspase
9
further
brought
many
changes
in
the
cell
and
cell
apoptosis
takes
place.
83
4.2.1.7.
Gypsophila
arrostii
Guss.
The
water
extract
of
Gyp-
sophila
arrostii
roots
was
evaluated
for
human
promyelocytic
leukemia
(HL
60)
cells.
The
extract
contains
compounds
such
as,
gypsogenin,
gypsogenin
thiosemicarbazone,
gypso-
genin
thiosemicarbazone
glyoxime,
Cu(II),
and
Co(II).
These
compounds
were
evaluated
for
antiproliferation
activities.
84
When
the
water
extract
of
the
plant
was
mixed
with
ethanol
and
hydrolyzed,
then
a
series
of
gypsogenin
(3-Hydroxy-23-
oxoolean-12-en-28-oic
acid)
and
their
derivatives
(1ai)
were
isolated,
where
1ai
are
3-hydroxy-23-(hydroxyimino)olean-
12-en-28-oic
acid,
3-(acetyloxy)-23-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic
acid,
benzyl
3-hydroxy-23-oxoolean-12-en-28-oate,
3-(acety-
loxy)-23-(hydroxyimino)olean-12-en-28-oic
acid,
3-(acetylo-
xy)-23-[(aminocarbonothioyl)
hydrazono]olean-12-en-28-oic
acid,
benzyl
3-hydroxy-23-(hydroxyimino)olean-12-en-28-
oate,
benzyl
23-[(aminocarbonothioyl)hydrazono]-3-hydroxy-
olean-12-en-28-oate,
benzyl
3-(acetyloxy)-23-oxoolean-12-en-
28-oate,
and
benzyl
3-(acetyloxy)-23-(hydroxyimino)olean-
12-en-28-oate,
respectively.
These
compounds
tested
for
antiproliferation
activity
against
HL-60
(acute
promyelo-
cytic
leukemia),
HT-29
(colorectal
adenocarcinoma),
Caco-2
(colorectal
adenocarcinoma),
Saos-2
(osteosarcoma),
MCF-7
(breast
cancer),
and
HeLa
(cervical
cancer)
cell
lines.
The
com-
pounds
1a,
1c,
and
1d
are
considered
as
possible
anticancer
agents
as
they
were
shown
to
causing
cell
cycle
arrest
and
cell
death.
85
4.2.1.8.
Gypsophila
oldhamiana
Miq.
The
root
extract
of
Gypsophila
oldhamiana
was
tested
for
apoptotic
activity
against
human
hepatoma
cell
lines
(SMMC-7721)
and
normal
human
hepatic
cell
line
(L02).
Caspase-3
plays
a
very
important
role
in
apoptosis
and
is
considered
to
be
the
terminal
event
preced-
ing
cell
death.
The
extract
induced
apoptosis
in
SMMC-7721
cells,
due
to
the
fact
that
caspase-3
can
be
activated
by
proteolytic
processing
at
internal
aspartate
residues
when
cells
receive
an
apoptosis
inducing
signal.
Mitogen
activated
protein
kinases
(MAPKs)
as
extracellular
signal-regulated
kinase
(ERK),
c-Jun
N-terminal
kinase/stress-activated
pro-
tein
kinase
(JNK/SAPK),
and
protein
p38
play
an
essential
role
in
apoptosis
of
cells.
The
root
extract
induces
apoptosis
via
activating
ERK,
JNK,
and
meanwhile
inhibits
phosphoryla-
tion
of
p38
in
SMMC-7721
cells.
Moreover,
the
antiproliferative
activity
of
the
root
extract
might
be
associated
with
apo-
ptosis
induction
through
MAPKs
and
caspase-3
signaling
pathways.
86
4.2.1.9.
Silene
viridiflora
L.
The
methanol
extract
and
pure
phytoecdysteroids
of
Silene
viridiflora
were
evaluated
for
anti-
tumor
activity
against
mice
murine
myeloma
cells
P3X.
The
studies
have
shown
that
the
methanol
extract
and
pure
phy-
toecdysteroids
suppressed
growth
of
cells
to
different
degrees.
The
methanol
extract
was
found
highest
for
an
antitumor
agent.
66
4.2.1.10.
Silene
fortunei
Vis.
The
root
extracts
of
Silene
for -
tunei
were
tested
for
apoptotic
activities
against
human
T-cell
leukemia
Jurkat
cells.
Saponins
1–3,
jenisseensosides,
and
their
derivatives
were
isolated
from
the
extract.
These
com-
pounds
were
found
to
stimulate
the
proliferation
of
the
Jurkat
tumor
cell
lines
at
low
concentrations,
whereas,
at
high
con-
centrations
they
inhibit
the
proliferation
of
the
cells
and
induce
apoptosis.
87
4.2.2.
Antibacterial
properties
Whole
plant
extracts
of
Dianthus
caryophyllus
show
antibac-
terial
activity
against
Klebsiella
pneumonia,
Bordetella
bron-
chiseptica,
and
Staphylococcus
epidermidis.
88
Two
antibacterial
compounds
thymol
and
eugenol
extracted
from
dried
buds,
show
activity
against
Gram-neg ative
bacteria
Proteus
mirabilis
and
Escherichia
coli
with
MIC
(minimum
inhibitory
concen-
tration)
value
of
7.8
g/mL,
whereas,
for
the
three
strains
of
Gram-positive
bacteria
Staphylococcus
aureus,
Bacillus
cereus,
and
Listeria
monocytogenes
antibiotic
activity
was
with
MIC
value
of
15.6
g/mL.
40
Different
aerial
parts
extracts
of
Dry-
maria
cordata
were
tested
for
antibacterial
efficacy
against
Escherichia
coli
ATCC
10536,
Staphylococcus
aureus
ATCC
29737,
Bacillus
subtilis
ATCC
6633,
Bacillus
pumilis
ATCC
14884,
and
Pseudomonas
aeruginosa
ATCC
25619
and
found
effective.
89
4.2.3.
Antifungal
properties
The
plant
powder
of
the
Arenaria
rubra
was
screened
for
antifungal
activity
against
the
principal
postharvest
fun-
gal
pathogens
of
citrus
fruits
such
as,
Penicillium
digitatum,
Penicillium
italicum,
and
Geotrichum
candidum.
The
plant
pow-
der
inhibited
mycelial
growth
of
all
tested
fungi
by
>
50%
and
totally
inhibited
the
growth
of
the
P.
digitatum
fungus.
90
Kaempferide
triglycoside
along
with
C-
and
O-flavonoid
glyco-
sides
were
isolated
from
carnation
(Dianthus
caryophyllus).
The
isolated
compounds
and
other
flavonoid
glycoside
analogues
were
tested
against
Fusarium
wilt
causative
pathogenic
fungi
Fusarium
oxysporum
f.sp.
dianthi
pathotypes
and
exhibited
anti-
fungal
activity
against
the
same.
91
Integr
Med
Res
(
2
0
1
5
)
123–131
128
4.2.4.
Antiviral
properties
The
sap
of
the
Dianthus
caryophyllus
suppressed
local
lesion
development
of
tobacco
mosaic
virus
(TMV)
on
Nicotiana
glutinosa.
92
The
seed
extract
of
the
plant
shows
potent
antiviral
activity
against
herpes
simplex
virus-1
(HSV-1)
and
hepatitis
A
virus-27
(HAV-27).
93
The
seed
extract
of
Dianthus
barbatus
inhibits
the
growth
of
tobacco
mosaic
virus
ordinary
strain
(TMV-
OM).
94
The
lipophilic
extract
of
Silene
guntensis
were
tested
against
herpes
simplex
virus
(HSV)
and
parainfluenza
virus
(PIV)
and
showed
substantial
antiviral
activity
against
both
viruses.
95
4.2.5.
Antioxidant
properties
The
plants
of
the
Caryophyllaceae
family
contain
good
amounts
of
phenolics
and
flavonoids;
thus,
showing
a
good
amount
of
DPPH
(2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl
hydrate)
rad-
ical
scaveng ing
activity.
The
plant
extract
of
Arenaria
rubra
shows
good
DPPH
radical
scaveng ing
activity
and
acts
as
an
antioxidant.
96
The
methanol
extract
of
Silene
gynodioca,
Silene
spergulifolia,
and
Silene
swertiifolia
were
screened
for
antioxi-
dant
activities
by
three
complementary
tests
such
as,
DPPH
activity,
metal
chelating
activity,
and
-carotene/linoleic
acid
oxidation.
The
result
showed
that
the
extract
of
S.
swertiifolia
contain
the
highest
amount
of
flavonoid
and
phenolic
com-
pounds
and
also
exhibited
the
greatest
antioxidant
activity
among
all
species.
In
other
species,
radical
scaveng ing
activity
of
S.
spergulifolia
extract
was
high
followed
by
S.
gynodioca.
97
4.2.6.
Anti-inflammatory
properties
Two
saponins,
barbatosides
A
and
B
isolated
from
aerial
parts
of
Dianthus
barbatus
cultivar
“China
Doll”
have
shown
anal-
gesic
and
anti-inflammatory
activities.
98
The
butanol
fraction
of
the
methanol
extract
of
whole
plants
of
Melandrium
fir-
mum
inhibited
COX-2
(prostaglandin-endoperoxide
synthase
2)
and
5-LOX
(5-lipoxygenase)
production
of
prostaglandin
D2
(PGD2),
and
leukotriene
C4
(LTC4)
in
mouse
and
thus,
exhibit
anti-inflammatory
activity.
99
The
triterpene,
trans-p-
methoxycinnamoyl
isolated
from
the
roots
of
Silene
jenisseensis
in
vitro
exhibit
weak
inhibitory
effects
in
the
cyclooxygenase
inhibition
assay.
100
4.2.7.
Other
miscellaneous
properties
A
single
chain
ribosome-inactivating
protein
with
RNA
N-
glycosidase
activity
was
isolated
from
leaves
of
Dianthus
barbatus
L.
and
named
as
Dianthin
29.
101
This
compound
inhibits
functioning
of
Escherichia
coli
ribosomes
after
incu-
bation
of
intact
Escherichia
coli
ribosomes
with
Dianthin
29.
Dianthin
29
belongs
to
Type
1
ribosome
inhibitor
proteins
(RIPs)
category.
RIPs
generally
induce
apoptosis
and
subse-
quently
necrosis
both
in
organs
of
poisoned
animals
and
in
a
variety
of
cultured
cells,
102
this
property
of
D.
barbatus
is
still
to
be
evaluated.
Benign
prostatic
hyperplasia
(BPH),
a
mammalian
male
age-related
disease
characterized
by
prostatic
enlargement
coincides
with
distinct
alterations
in
tissue
histomorphology.
The
methanol
extract
of
Melandrium
firmum
effectively
inhibits
the
development
of
BPH
induced
by
testosterone
in
rats.
103
Phenolic
extracts
from
the
aerial
part
of
Arenaria
serpyllifolia
were
found
to
inhibit
rat
intestinal
enzyme
carboxylesterase
(CE)
significantly,
in
a
concentration-dependent
manner.
The
CE
inhibitory
phenolic
compounds
present
in
A.
serpyllifolia
extracts,
also
regulate
enterocyte
cellular
expression
via
bio-
chemical
mechanism.
104
Extracts
of
Lychnis
chalcedonica
in
a
daily
dose
of
150
mg/kg
for
5
days
reduced
the
severity
of
hemorheological
disorders
and
normalized
EEG
activity
in
mice.
Hence,
extracts
of
L.
chal-
cedonica
possess
cerebroprotective
activity
and
decrease
the
inhibitory
effect
of
ischemia
on
electrical
activity
of
the
mouse
brain.
105
The
aqueous
ethanolic
extract
from
the
roots
of
Stellaria
dichotoma
in
vivo
showed
antiallergic
effects
on
ear
passive
cutaneous
anaphylaxis
(PCA)
reaction
in
mice
and
in
vitro
inhibitory
activity
on
the
release
of
-hexosaminidase
in
RBL-
2H3
cells.
106
The
whole
plant
of
Stellaria
media
has
been
tested
for
its
antiobesity
activity
by
using
progesterone-induced
obesity
model
in
female
albino
mice.
107
The
leaves
of
S.
media
contain
vitamin
C,
carotene,
and
mucilage
and
are
rich
in
potassium
and
silicon.
54
5.
Conclusion
On
the
basis
of
data
mentioned
in
Table
1,
it
is
concluded
that,
plants
of
the
family
are
used
by
different
ethnic
communities
in
different
parts
of
the
globe,
such
as
D.
caryophyllus,
D.
chi-
nensis,
D.
anatolicus,
G.
oldhamiana,
Pseudostellaria
heterophylla,
S.
jenisseensis,
Stellaria
saxalis,
S.
dichotoma,
and
Stellaria
yunnanen-
sis
are
used
in
different
parts
of
China;
Arenaria
festucoides
used
in
Tibet;
Silene
firma
used
in
Korea;
Arenaria
bryophylla,
Are-
naria
griffithii,
A.
rubra,
Cerastium
cerastoides,
Drymaria
cordata,
Polycarpon
prostratum,
Polycarpaea
corymbosa,
Sagina
saginoides,
Silene
setisperma
used
in
different
parts
of
India;
Drymaria
vil-
losa,
Stellaria
vestita
used
in
Nepal;
Cerastium
fontanum,
Silene
conoidea,
S.
moorcroftiana,
used
in
Pakistan;
Lychnis
coronata
used
in
Cambodia;
Acanthophyllum
squarrosum,
Gypsophila
paniculata
used
in
Iran;
Cerastium
chlorifolium,
Lychnis
coronaria
used
in
Turkey;
Cerastium
glomeratum,
Silene
italica
used
in
Italy;
Silene
vulgaris
used
in
Spain;
Stellaria
rubra
used
in
temperate
Amer-
ica;
A.
serpyllifolia
used
in
temperate
Europe;
Dianthus
basuticus,
Herniaria
erckertii,
Pollichia
campestris,
Silene
pilosellifolia
are
used
in
Africa.
In
spite
of
diversity
in
culture
and
geography,
some
plants
of
the
family
such
as
D.
cordata
are
used
as
a
versatile
remedy
for
many
diseases
by
many
tribal
communities
around
the
world.
Thus,
biomedical
investigations
must
be
carried
out
on
such
plants
and
their
active
principals
for
different
activi-
ties
should
be
identified.
Moreover,
Silene,
Gypsophila,
Dianthus,
Stellaria,
and
Saponaria
are
the
most
studied
genera
for
both
ethanomedicinal
and
pharmaceutical
studies
so
far,
hence
biomedical
properties
of
the
rest
of
the
genera
of
the
fam-
ily
must
be
carried
out.
Due
to
various
promising
biomedical
activities,
further
studies
must
be
carried
out
on
drug
devel-
opment
from
different
plant
extracts
and
their
constituents.
In
the
present
review,
we
have
tried
to
summarize
ethanomedicinal
and
modern
pharmaceutical
studies
on
the
plants
of
the
Caryophyllaceae
family.
The
plants
of
the
fam-
ily
possess
high
amounts
of
secondary
metabolites
such
as
saponins,
a
number
of
compounds
such
as
fatty
acid
derivatives,
benzenoids,
phenyl
propanoids,
isoprenoids,
and
nitrogen
containing
compounds.
Indeed,
due
to
the
presence
129
S.
Chandra
and
D.S.
Rawat/Medicinal
plants
of
the
family
Caryophyllaceae
of
these
compounds,
plants
were
used
in
different
traditional
medicine
systems
and
show
many
biochemical
activities.
On
the
basis
of
data
collected
in
this
review,
it
is
evident
that
the
family
Caryophyllaceae
comprise
a
wide
range
of
phar-
maceutically
important
plants.
Furthermore,
a
large
number
of
plants
were
tested
for
biomedical
activities
and
have
shown
anticancer
activity
either
in
vitro
or
in
vivo
studies.
This
prop-
erty
of
the
plants
should
be
further
evaluated
and
tested
against
many
cancer
cell
lines.
As
cancer
is
one
of
the
least
curable
disease
of
the
present
time
and
causes
thousands
of
death
per
year,
hence
the
study
on
these
plants
may
be
helpful
in
future.
Conflicts
of
interest
The
authors
have
no
conflicts
of
interest.
Acknowledgments
The
authors
are
thankful
to
all
researchers
whose
results
are
included
in
the
present
review.
The
authors
are
also
thankful
to
anonymous
reviewers
for
their
valuable
suggestions.
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