The genus Ruscus (Asparagaceae family) is native to the Mediterranean, Southern and Western Europe and is represented by perennial, rhizomatous, and evergreen shrubs. Among the approximately seven species spread throughout Europe up to Iran, Ruscus aculeatus L. (butcher's broom) is the most widely distributed and appreciated. This review provides an overview of the traditional use of Ruscus spp...

The genus Ruscus (Asparagaceae family) is native to the Mediterranean, Southern and Western Europe and is represented by perennial, rhizomatous, and evergreen shrubs. Among the approximately seven species spread throughout Europe up to Iran, Ruscus aculeatus L. (butcherʼs broom) is the most widely distributed and appreciated. This review provides an overview of the traditional use of Ruscus spp...

Calli cultures derived from Ruscus aculeatus rhizomes were investigated for their potential to biosynthesize saponins. The capacity of undifferentiated tissues to form steroidal saponins is very limited, but when the calli developed organogenesis, mainly aerial shoots and roots, the saponin production increased significantly. Plantlets regenerated from aerial shoots of Ruscus calli showed a sap...

The anti-inflammatory activity of Achillea and Ruscus extracts was studied in comparison with diclofenac sodium topical gel (diclosal Emulgel), using the carrageenan induced paw edema model in Albino rats. Gel formulation was prepared containing 6% of each extract in gel base, namely sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC). The kinetics of drug release from the prepared formulation was studied se...

Two new furostanol saponins 1–2 and three new sulphated glycosides 3a,b and 4 were isolated from the underground parts of Ruscus aculeatus L., along with four known furostanol and one spirostanol saponins 5–9 and three free sterols. All of the structures have been elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data 1D and 2D NMR experiments, MS spectra and GC analyses.

Ruscus aculeatus L. is a perennial semi-shrub with distinctive leaf-like branches (cladodes). Rhizomes and roots contain steroidal saponins (ruscogenins) that are used in medicine and cosmetics for their anti-inflammatory, venotonic and antihaemorroidal activity. Problematic cultivation of the species causes in many countries unsustainable over-collection from the wild. Tissue culture propagati...

Extracts of Ruscus aculeatus are a rich source of bioactive steroidal glycosides, such as ruscogenins which are reported to act against chronic venous disorders. Nowadays, several preparations of its roots, commonly used in traditional medicine, are on the market as food supplements for health care and maintenance. Although spirostanol deglucoruscin is one of the main metabolites in these extra...

Chromosome numbers of eleven angiosperm species, five dicots and six monocots from Georgia and Azerbaijan are reported. The chromosome number of Cruciata coronata (Rubiaceae) is provided for the first time (2n = 22). Additionally, karyotypes are presented for five species, those of Danae racemosa (Ruscaceae), Paris incompleta (Trilliaceae), and Ruscus hyrcanus (Ruscaceae) for the first time. Th...