PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Agrostemma githago (common corncockle) is an herbaceous plant containing toxic ribosome-inactivating proteins and triterpenoid saponins [PMID:38931105, PMID:32958800].
Background
Agrostemma githago L., also known as common corncockle, is an herbaceous plant primarily found in Europe [PMID:32958800]. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family [PMID:38931105].
Traditional uses
The plant has been used in folk medicine to treat cancers and warts [PMID:26196402] and has been recommended as a drug by various herbalists [PMID:38931105]. Historical evidence from Pompeii mosaics and Pliny the Elder suggests it may have been recognized for diuretic properties [PMID:7847479].
Active compounds
Key compounds include triterpenoid saponins (such as agrostemmoside E and agrostemmasaponins) [PMID:38931105, PMID:32861772, PMID:14648395], ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) including agrostin [PMID:32958800, PMID:6667259], a cyclic nonapeptide called agroscyclopeptide A [PMID:41432934], and phenolic and flavonoid contents [PMID:36287364].
Mechanism of action
Agrostin (a type 1 RIP) acts as an N-glycosylase that inactivates ribosomal RNA, leading to irreversible inhibition of protein synthesis and cell death [PMID:32958800]. Aqueous extracts have demonstrated anti-angiogenic effects by regulating the Notch/VEGF, MMP2/9, ANG2, and VEGFR2 pathways [PMID:36287364], and can induce apoptosis by inhibiting caspase-3 and down-regulating anti-apoptotic bcl-2 protein expression [PMID:26196402, PMID:11408934].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DHypercholesterolemia
Ethanolic extracts decreased serum cholesterol concentration in mice fed a high-cholesterol diet [PMID:16713156]
Evidence DCancer (In vitro)
Aqueous extract of seeds induced cell-cycle arrest at G1 phase and apoptosis in gastric cancer cell line (AGS) [PMID:26196402]; agroscyclopeptide A showed dose-dependent inhibition of non-small cell lung carcinoma H460 cells with an IC50 of 4.6 μM [PMID:41432934]; agrostin inhibited proliferation in human leukemic HL-60 cells [PMID:11408934].
Safety & adverse effects
The seeds are toxic and were historically a serious hazard due to cereal grain contamination, leading to widespread poisonings [PMID:38931105, PMID:32958800]. Toxicity is attributed to both triterpenoid secondary metabolites and ribosome-inactivating proteins [PMID:32958800]. Case reports indicate presumptive intoxication of cattle [PMID:9251181].
Evidence summary
The available evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies (cell lines), animal models (mice), and biochemical analyses. There are no human clinical trials provided; therefore, the overall strength of clinical evidence is low.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 38931105 (2024) — Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of Agrostemma Genus-A Review. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
- 2.PMID: 32958800 (2020) — An unusual type I ribosome-inactivating protein from Agrostemma githago L. · Scientific reports
- 3.PMID: 36287364 (2023) — Anti-angiogenic effects of aqueous extract from Agrostemma githago L. seed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells via regulating Notch/VEGF, MMP2/9, ANG2, and VEGFR2. · Environmental science and pollution research international
- 4.PMID: 6667259 (1983) — Ribosome-inactivating proteins from the seeds of Saponaria officinalis L. (soapwort), of Agrostemma githago L. (corn cockle) and of Asparagus officinalis L. (asparagus), and from the latex of Hura crepitans L. (sandbox tree). · The Biochemical journal
- 5.PMID: 26196402 (2015) — Aqueous extract of Agrostemma githago seed inhibits caspase-3 and induces cell-cycle arrest at G1 phase in AGS cell line.