Traditional Knowledge and Efficacy Analysis of an Emerging Medicinal Food Plant: <i>Disporopsis aspersa</i>

<i>Disporopsis aspersa</i> (Hua) Engl. ex K. Krause, locally known as <i>kucai</i> (bitter greens) or <i>yexiahua</i>, is a widely consumed wild vegetable and traditional herbal medicine in western Yunnan. Despite its local significance, its nutrient composition a...

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Main Authors: Qingyu Chen, Miaomiao Wang, Xian Hu, Jihai Zhang, Qing Zhang, Congli Xu, Chunlin Long
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/1/72
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author Qingyu Chen
Miaomiao Wang
Xian Hu
Jihai Zhang
Qing Zhang
Congli Xu
Chunlin Long
author_facet Qingyu Chen
Miaomiao Wang
Xian Hu
Jihai Zhang
Qing Zhang
Congli Xu
Chunlin Long
author_sort Qingyu Chen
collection DOAJ
description <i>Disporopsis aspersa</i> (Hua) Engl. ex K. Krause, locally known as <i>kucai</i> (bitter greens) or <i>yexiahua</i>, is a widely consumed wild vegetable and traditional herbal medicine in western Yunnan. Despite its local significance, its nutrient composition and bioactive properties have not been investigated. This study aims to determine the nutritional content and evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the aerial parts extracts of <i>D. aspersa</i>. The levels of protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals were measured and compared to those of common vegetables. The results showed that <i>D. aspersa</i> contains 16 amino acids, with a total content of up to 19.13 g/100 g, including 3.0 g/100 g of lysine. In vitro evaluations of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities demonstrated that the ethanolic extract exhibited low cytotoxicity against mouse RAW 264.7 murine macrophages cell line at concentrations of 0–120 μg/mL. The IC<sub>50</sub> for nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity was 72.7 ± 7.43 μg/mL, showing dose dependence. Additionally, the ethanolic extract also exhibited ABTS<sup>+</sup>· scavenging capacity and total antioxidant capacity. These findings suggest that <i>D. aspersa</i> is rich in carbohydrates, fat, dietary fiber, and amino acids. It also contains various bioactive substances, supporting its traditional practices for both medicinal and dietary purposes by local people. <i>D. aspersa</i> has the potential to be developed into a novel anti-hypertensive food, nutraceutical, or dietary supplement in western Yunnan and neighboring regions, promoting local development.
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spelling doaj-art-b99cf0881b3f4e2db7677a992980b7582025-08-20T02:36:06ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582024-12-011417210.3390/foods14010072Traditional Knowledge and Efficacy Analysis of an Emerging Medicinal Food Plant: <i>Disporopsis aspersa</i>Qingyu Chen0Miaomiao Wang1Xian Hu2Jihai Zhang3Qing Zhang4Congli Xu5Chunlin Long6Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing 100081, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing 100081, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing 100081, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing 100081, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing 100081, ChinaYunnan Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve, Baoshan Bureau, Baoshan 678000, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing 100081, China<i>Disporopsis aspersa</i> (Hua) Engl. ex K. Krause, locally known as <i>kucai</i> (bitter greens) or <i>yexiahua</i>, is a widely consumed wild vegetable and traditional herbal medicine in western Yunnan. Despite its local significance, its nutrient composition and bioactive properties have not been investigated. This study aims to determine the nutritional content and evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the aerial parts extracts of <i>D. aspersa</i>. The levels of protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals were measured and compared to those of common vegetables. The results showed that <i>D. aspersa</i> contains 16 amino acids, with a total content of up to 19.13 g/100 g, including 3.0 g/100 g of lysine. In vitro evaluations of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities demonstrated that the ethanolic extract exhibited low cytotoxicity against mouse RAW 264.7 murine macrophages cell line at concentrations of 0–120 μg/mL. The IC<sub>50</sub> for nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity was 72.7 ± 7.43 μg/mL, showing dose dependence. Additionally, the ethanolic extract also exhibited ABTS<sup>+</sup>· scavenging capacity and total antioxidant capacity. These findings suggest that <i>D. aspersa</i> is rich in carbohydrates, fat, dietary fiber, and amino acids. It also contains various bioactive substances, supporting its traditional practices for both medicinal and dietary purposes by local people. <i>D. aspersa</i> has the potential to be developed into a novel anti-hypertensive food, nutraceutical, or dietary supplement in western Yunnan and neighboring regions, promoting local development.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/1/72<i>Disporopsis aspersa</i>traditional knowledgenutritional compositionmedicinal food plantsethnobotany
spellingShingle Qingyu Chen
Miaomiao Wang
Xian Hu
Jihai Zhang
Qing Zhang
Congli Xu
Chunlin Long
Traditional Knowledge and Efficacy Analysis of an Emerging Medicinal Food Plant: <i>Disporopsis aspersa</i>
Foods
<i>Disporopsis aspersa</i>
traditional knowledge
nutritional composition
medicinal food plants
ethnobotany
title Traditional Knowledge and Efficacy Analysis of an Emerging Medicinal Food Plant: <i>Disporopsis aspersa</i>
title_full Traditional Knowledge and Efficacy Analysis of an Emerging Medicinal Food Plant: <i>Disporopsis aspersa</i>
title_fullStr Traditional Knowledge and Efficacy Analysis of an Emerging Medicinal Food Plant: <i>Disporopsis aspersa</i>
title_full_unstemmed Traditional Knowledge and Efficacy Analysis of an Emerging Medicinal Food Plant: <i>Disporopsis aspersa</i>
title_short Traditional Knowledge and Efficacy Analysis of an Emerging Medicinal Food Plant: <i>Disporopsis aspersa</i>
title_sort traditional knowledge and efficacy analysis of an emerging medicinal food plant i disporopsis aspersa i
topic <i>Disporopsis aspersa</i>
traditional knowledge
nutritional composition
medicinal food plants
ethnobotany
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/1/72
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