Polar and antioxidant fraction of Plumbago europaea L., a spontaneous plant of Sardinia.

Secondary metabolite isolation and analysis of Plumbago europaea L. (Plumbaginaceae) is the aim of this work, which is included in a project of our groups on spontaneous and endemic Sardinian species. Plumbago europaea is the only specie of the genera that grows wild in Italy. Metabolites from leaves and roots of this specie were compared. Moreover, at present, literature on the phytochemical characterisation of P. europaea is poor. Plumbagin was isolated in both of the samples analysed, confirming its nature in the Plumbaginaceae family as chemotaxonomic marker of the Plumbaginae tribe. In this work, hydroplumbagin-4-O-glucoside and myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside are isolated for the first time in the genus.

Iridoids from Euphrasia genargentea, a rare Sardinian endemism.

The phytochemical study of Euphrasia genargentea, a rare species only present in Sardinia, led to the identification of iridoid glucosides, i.e. aucubin, catalpol, mussaenosidic acid and melampyroside, which allowed chemotaxonomic considerations on the genus. On the basis of iridoid distribution in the genus, E. genargentea does not show any particular analogy with other Italian Euphrasia spp. This study is also important considering the severe risk of extinction of E. genargentea.

Intra-specific biodiversity of Italian myrtle (Myrtus communis) through chemical markers profile and biological activities of leaf methanolic extracts.

Methanolic extracts of Myrtus communis leaves from two Italian regions (Calabria and Sardinia) were processed to determine the content of myrtenol, linalool and eucalyptol. Among the Calabrian and Sardinian myrtle samples, linalool and eucalyptol chemotypes were prevalent. The extracts were also tested for antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activities. Myrtle leaves samples were dried and extracted through maceration. Partition chromatography was adopted to separate myrtenol, linalool and eucalyptol fractions. Analyses were performed through GC and GC-MS. Some of the samples showed a good scavenger activity evidenced by DPPH radical scavenging assay and beta-carotene bleaching test. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were generally weak. The phytochemical and biological characterization of all the extracts were determined with an aim to characterize the intra-specific biodiversity of myrtle populations.

Influence of environmental factors on composition of volatile constituents and biological activity of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) Don (Asteraceae).

The biovariability of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) Don grown wild in Calabria and Sardinia (Italy) was reported. This species has been characterized through the detection, isolation and quantitative evaluation of chemical markers (alpha-terpinolene, trans-cariophyllene and neryl acetate) by GC and GC-MS. Antioxidant activity of the methanolic H. italicum extracts using DPPH and beta-carotene bleaching test showed that the Calabrian samples were more active than those from Sardinia. The antibacterial activity of all extracts evidenced the best performance on the Gram positive bacteria particularly on Micrococcus luteus. Moreover, antifungal activity of all extracts was also tested evidencing important results particularly on the phytopathogene fungus Pythium ultimum. In general, as regards the antifungal activity, the extracts from Sardinia were more active than those from Calabria. The phytochemical analysis and the biological activity data suggested a possible use of these plant matrices in alimentary, cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields.

Antiproliferative effects of daucane esters from Ferula communis and F. arrigonii on human colon cancer cell lines.

Certain jaesekanadiol p-hydroxy- and p-methoxybenzoates - typical of Ferula communis and Ferula arrigonii sardinian plants - show antiproliferative activity on human colon cancer less. The inhibitory doses 50%, calculated after 72 h of treatment, revealed that the antiproliferative capacity of the compounds was in the following descending order: ferutinin > 2alpha-OH-ferutidin > ferutidin > siol anisate > lapiferin > jaeskeanadiol. Evidence is presented that interaction with type II estrogen-binding sites (EBS) underlies this activity.

The occurrence of iridoid glycosides in Cymbalaria spp. in Italy.

The occurrence of iridoid glycosides in a number of Cymbalaria spp. collected in Italy is shown and chemosystematic implications are discussed.

Ethnopharmacology of ogliastra (villagrande strisaili, sardinia, Italy).

The use of medicinal and aromatic plants was investigated in a group of 200 elderly people (60-104-year-old) from Villagrande Strisaili (Ogliastra, Sardinia, Italy), recording the use of 78 species for the treatment of various ailments, especially of the respiratory tract, the mouth, and the skin. Seventeen plants had never been described as medicinal species in peninsular Italy, while a few others turn out to have an original use for Sardinia.

Tocopherols, fatty acids and sterols in seeds of four Sardinian wild Euphorbia species.

Sardinian wild Euphorbia pithyusa, E. semiperfoliata, E. dendroides and E. characias seed oils were analyzed for their fatty acids, unsaponifiable and tocopherol content. Total tocopherol content showed a wide variability, ranging from 939 mg/kg in E. semiperfoliata seeds to its absence in E. characias. The results on tocopherol content were statistically correlated with both 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging test and the beta-carotene bleaching antioxidant test. All seeds were rich in linolenic acid, while no uncommon fatty acids were detected.

Analysis of pharmaceutically relevant taxoids in wild yew trees from Sardinia.

Needles from a series of wild yews (Taxus baccata L.) from Sardinia were investigated for their contents of 10-deacetyl baccatin III (DAB-III, 1), paclitaxel (Taxol) (2) and taxine (3). Despite a common geographical origin, ample variation of the taxoid profile was discovered, and several samples were surprisingly devoid of all terpenoid markers above. This finding is unprecedented within the European yew, while the general lack of taxine might rationalize the observation that most plants investigated are actively and impunently browsed by goats.

Macrocyclic diterpenoids from Euphorbia hyberna L. subsp. insularis and their reaction with oxyphilic reagents.

The aerial parts of Euphorbia hyberna subsp. insularis from Sardinia contain large amounts of macrocyclic diterpenoids of the jatrophane type, while phorboids could not be isolated. Treatment of the major constituent (1a) with various acidic and oxyphilic reagents was investigated, showing the surprising reluctance of the macrocyclic system to undergo transannular reactions. Dehydration, isomerization of the exocyclic double and acyl rearrangement were, however, observed after reduction of the 9-keto group.

Ethnobotanical research in the territory of Fluminimaggiore (south-western Sardinia).

The results of an ethnobotanical survey in the territory of Fluminimaggiore (south-western Sardinia) are presented. Sixty-five species with medicinal properties used for different pathologies, such as diseases of the skin and of the gastro-intestinal system have been recorded.

Oxygenated sesquiterpenoids from a nonpoisonous sardinian chemotype of giant fennel (Ferula communis).

The roots of the nonpoisonous chemotype of giant fennel (Ferula communis) from Sardinia afforded a novel cadinanetriol (1), whose structure was established by spectroscopic data and confirmed by synthesis from the E,E-Delta (1(10),5) germacradiene allohedycariol. A number of known compounds were also identified. Despite the lack of morphological differences, a broad chemical diversity exists within giant fennel, underlying the contrasting data on its poisonous properties.

Polycyclic diterpenoids from Euphorbia characias.

In addition to widespread flavonoids, a collection of Euphorbia characias from Sardinia afforded 13 oxygenated diterpenoids of the atisane, abietane, pimarane, and kaurane type. Four of these compounds (1, 3a, 7a,b) are new. The accumulation of substantial amounts of biologically active diterpenoids of limited availability, like ent-atisanes endowed with anti-HIV activity and ent-abietanolides active on the central nervous system, makes E. characias an interesting source of lead compounds for biomedical research.

Diterpenoids from euphorbia pithyusa subsp. cupanii

The aerial parts of Euphorbia pithyusa subsp. cupanii collected in Sardinia afforded eleven novel diterpenoids belonging to the lathyrane (1a), premyrsinane (4a-g), and tigliane (5a-c) types. Compounds 4a-g and 5a are esters of two new parent alcohols, named premyrsinol and 4,12,20-trideoxyphorbol, respectively. Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Puzzling differences between the NMR data of lathyrol (1c) and its esters were rationalized in terms of flipping of the exomethylene around the mean plane of the macrocycle.

Macrocyclic diterpenoids from Euphorbia semiperfoliata.

In addition to known compounds, the aerial parts of E. semiperfoliata afforded an abietanolide (3), 13 jatrophane polyesters (4-9, 12, 14-19), two 4-deoxyphorbol diesters (23, 24), and a pair of epimeric diterpenes (21, 22) with a novel carbon skeleton, which was named euphoperfoliane. Structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis, and the main conformational features of jatropha-6(17),11-dienes are discussed in detail. The obtained isolation yield of several jatrophanes was unprecedented within the spurges (Euphorbia spp.), making E. semiperfoliata a unique source of macrocyclic diterpenoids.

Quantitative ethnopharmacological study of the Campidano Valley and Urzulei district, Sardinia, Italy.

A new method has been developed for quantitative, phytotherapeutical analysis with a goal to create a general tool suitable for a wide range of research situations. This tool would allow one to gather data in such a format as to facilitate comparison with studies from other areas. The method was applied to data gathered from two sites in Sardinia, Italy (Campidano and Urzulei). Analysis was performed on 2635 responses (a) by plant, (b) by plant part, (c) by medicinal preparation and (d) by therapeutic use. This yielded specificity indexes which proved useful in comparing phytotherapeutic applications in the two geographic areas under study. In Urzulei the original phytotherapeutic heritage is deeply rooted in the local socio-economic history and clearly reflects the area's geographic isolation. Indeed, in this area, there is little reliance on modern health care. On the other hand, in Campidano, the body of phytotherapeutic application is more extensive. Indeed, due to migration-and to a lesser extent isolation- the latter area has been more affected by technological interference and cultural overlapping. In this area attention is widely focused on such modern ailments as glycemia, hypertension and constipation.

Comparison between the essential oils of Santolina insularis (Genn. ex Fiori) Arrigoni and Santolina corsica Jord. et Fourr. from the island of Sardinia (Italy).

A comparative study of the essential oils of Santolina insularis and Santolina corsica has been carried out. The two specimens are found in Sardinia and were indiscriminately used in traditional medicine on the island. The essential oil was extracted by steam distillation of fresh aerial parts and analysed by GC, GC-MS and GC-FTIR. The analysis of the essential oils shows substantial qualitative and quantitative differences. Some of the components identified were present in both investigated species, others were characteristic of one species only.

Itchy dermatitis from Gynaikothrips ficorum March in a family group.

This study reports on the occurrence of an itchy dermatitis in all 4 adult members of a family, 2 men and 2 women, following infestation in the family environment with Gynaikothrips ficorum. The skin manifestations and the environmental study are described.