Abstract
Cockleburs (Xanthiumspp.) are genera of flowering plants in the family of Asteraceae (Compositae), native to the Americas and eastern Asia. The number of species is debatable, ranging from a few to a dozen, and they are a model of plant–animal interaction. The name Xanthiumoriginated from “xanthos” meaning yellow (the fruit turns from green to yellow and finally to brown). Many plants contain defense structures located as external projections (thorns, burning hairs, repulsive odors, etc.), while other plants accumulate internal toxic compounds against their attackers and external assaults. These toxic plants belong to several botanical families. Among the poison plants is the Nettle (Urtica) which contains burning acids in its hairs. Others possess toxic compounds in their leaves, fruits, seeds, or bulbs. Among them are the poison ivy, black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), daffodils bulbs, oleander leaves, dumb cane (Dieffernbachiawhich possess them in all parts), castor bean seeds, wisteria (in their seeds, pods), oaks (within their foliage, acorns), mistletoe (in berries), nightshade (Datura), and Xanthiumspp. the cocklebur weeds, family Asteraceae (Compositae). The leaves of noxious cocklebur weed contain xanthanolies, such as xanthinin and xanthatin, which serve as plant regulators – and growth inhibitors – and contain other toxins. Recently, this plant has been turned into a useful medical herb.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Akter, R., Hasan, S.M.R., Hossain, Md. M., Jamila, M., Mazumder, Md. E.H. and Rahaman, S. (2009) In vitroantioxidatnt and in vivoantidiarrhoeal activity of hydromethnolic extract of Xanthiuim IndicumKoenig. Leaves. Eur. J. Sci. Res. 33(2): 305–312.
Ancuceanu, R.V. and Istudor, V. (2004) Pharmacologically active natural compounds for lung cancer. Altern. Med. Rev. 9(4): 402–419.
Cashmore, A.R., Jarillo, J.A., Wu, Y.-J. and Liu D. (1999) Cryptochromes: Blue light receptors for plants and animals. Sci. 284(5415): 760–765.
Cerdeiras, M.P., Alborés, S., Etcheverry, S., Lucián, V., Soubes, M. and Vázquez, A. (2007) Antimicrobial activity of Xanthium cavanillesii extract. Pharm. Biol. 45(3): 251–254.
Favier, L.S., Maria, A.O.M., Wendel, G.H., Borkowski, E.J., Giordano, O.S., Pelzer, L. and Tonn, C.E. (2005) Anti-ulcerogenic activity of Xanthium cavanillesiiin rats. J. Ethnopharmacol. 100(3): 260–267.
Ginesta-Peris, E., Grarcia-Breijo, F.J. and Primo-Yúfera, E. (1994) Antimicrobial activity of xanthatin from Xanthium spinosumL. Lett. Appl. Microbiol. 18(4): 206–208.
Joshi, S.P., Rojatkar R. and Nagasampagi, B. (1977) Antimalarial activity of Xanthium strumarium.J. Med. Aromat. Pt. Sci. 19: 366–368.
Khan, A.A. (1963) Isolation and characterization of inhibitors from Xanthiumand their relation to photomorphogenesis. Ph.D. thesis, University of Chicago. Chicago, IL, USA.
Khan, A.A. (1975) Primary, preventive and permissive roles of hormones in plant system. Bot. Rev. 41(4): 391–420.
Kovács, A., Vasas, A., Forgo, P., Réthy, B., Zupkó I. and Hohmann, J. (2009) Xanthanolides with antitumour activity from Xanthium italicum.Z. Naturforsch. 64: 343–349.
Levy, O., Appelbaum, L., Leggat, W., Gothlif, Y., Hayward, D.C., Miller, D.J. and Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (2007) Light-responsive cryptochromes from a simple multicellular animal, the coral Acropora millepora.Science 318(No. 5849): 467–470.
Masvingwe, C. and Mavenyengwa, M. (1998) Toxicological evaluation of the plant Xanthium strumariumin pigs in Zimbabewe. J. Venom Anim. Toxins 4(2): 113–119.
Olivaro, C. and Vazquez, A. (2009) A new bioactive xanthanolide from X. cavanillesii.Nat. Prod. Res. 23(4): 388–392.
Ramírez-Erosa, I., Huang, Y., Hickie, R.A., Sutherland, R.G. and Barl, B. (2007) Xanthatin and xanthinosin from the burs of Xanthium strumariumL. as potential anticancer agents. Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 85(11): 1160–1172.
Raushanara, A., Hasan, S.M.R., Hossain, M.M., Jamila, M., Mazumder, M.E.H. and Rahaman, S. (2009) In vitroantioxidatnt and in vivoantidiarrhoeal activity of hydromethnolic extract of Xanthiuim IndicumKoenig. Leaves. Eur. J. Sci. Res. 33(2): 305–312.
Roussakis, Ch., Chinou, I., Vayas, C., Harvala, C. and Verbist, J.F. (1994) Cytotoxic activity of xanthatin and the crude extract of Xanthium strumarium. Plant Med. 60: 473–474.
Scherer, R., Duarte, M.C.T., Catharino, R.R., Nachtigall, F.M., Eberlin, M.N., Teixeira Fiho, J. and Godoy, H.T. (2009) Xanthium strumariumL antimicrobial and carboxyatractyloside analysis through electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Rev. Bras. Pl. Med. Botucatu 11(2): 159–163.
Seckbach, J (1965) Studies on the control of axillary buds of Xanthium pensylvanicumand on the occurrence and properties of xanthinin deacylase. Dissertation, Ph.D. Division of Biological Sciences, the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Seckbach, J. (1969) Iron content and ferritin in leaves of iron treated Xanthium pensylvanicumplants. Plants Physiol. 44: 816–820.
Seckbach, J. (1971) Iron ferritin and plastid inclusions in leaf cells of iron treated Xanthiumplants. Cytobios 4: 183–192.
Seckbach, J. (1972) Electron microscopical observations on leaf ferritin from iron treated Xanthiumplants: localization and diversity in the organelle. Ultrastr. Res. 39: 65–76.
Seckbach, J. (1982) Ferreting out the secrets of plant ferritin – A review. J. Plant Nutr. 5(4–7): 369–394.
Seckbach. J. (1963) The effect of photoperiod and light quality on the xanthatin-xanthinin content of leaves of Xanthium pensylvanicum. Dissertation, Master of Science, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Talakal, T.S., Dwivedi, S.K. and Sharma, S.R. (1995) In vitro and in vivo antitrypanosomal activity of Xanthium strumariumleaves. J. Ethnopharmacol. 49(3): 141–145.
Tucker, D.J. and Mansfield, T.A. (1971) Effect of light quality on apical dominance in Xanthium strumariumand the associated changes in endogenous leaves of abscisic acid and cytokinins. Planta 102(2): 140–151.
Yokoe, H., Yoshida, M. and Shishido, K. (2008) Total Synthesis of (-) xanthatin. Tetrahedron Lett. 49(21): 3304–3306.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Seckbach, J. (2010). TheXanthiumGenus. In: Dubinsky, Z., Seckbach, J. (eds) All Flesh Is Grass. Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology, vol 16. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9316-5_14
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9316-5_14
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-481-9315-8
Online ISBN: 978-90-481-9316-5
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)