Unveiling the Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities and Chemical Compositional Information of an Invasive Plant: Lycium ferocissimum Miers.

In this study, the antioxidant (DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging, ferric-reducing, iron (II)-chelating), anti-inflammatory (LPS-induced Raw 264.7 cell line), and cytotoxic activities (Du145 and A549 cell lines) of raw fruit, ripe fruit and leaves of the Lycium ferocissimum species were examined. By using high-pressure liquid chromatography, p-OH benzoic acid, caffeic acid, and rutin were detected in the ethanol and water extracts. For the most active raw fruit ethanol extract, the IC50 in terms of the DPPH-scavenging activity was 0.57 mg/mL, and the ABTS inhibition percentage was 88.73% at a 3 mg/mL concentration. The raw fruit ethanol extract exhibited significant inhibition of viability in the Du145 cell line in the concentration range of 62.5-1000 µg/mL. Additionally, the extract effectively reduced the LPS-induced inflammation parameters (TNF-α, IFN-γ, PGE 2, and NO) at a concentration of 31.25 µg/mL. The biological activities of L. ferocissimum, which have been elucidated for the first time, have yielded promising results.

The Wound-Healing Potential of the Endemic Plant Helianthemum canum (L.) Baumg: Preclinical Studies Supported with Phytochemical Profiling.

The study's objective is to clarify the probable mechanisms underlying the wound-healing properties of Helianthemum canum L. (Cistaceae), a traditional anti-inflammatory and wound-healing medicine. LC/MS-MS was used to perform phytochemical analyses on a 70 % methanol extract of the plant's aerial parts. In vivo, linear incision and circular excision models were used to evaluate the wound healing activity. For anti-inflammatory effect, in vivo acetic acid capillary permeability assay and in vitro Interleukin 1, Interleukin 6, and Interferon É£ levels in LPS-induced FR skin fibroblast cell line were also evaluated. The extract significantly improved wound healing in experimental models, with tensile strength values of 27.8 % and a contraction value of 35.09 %. Histopathological examinations, hydroxyproline estimation, hyaluronidase, collagenase, and elastase enzyme inhibitory assays confirmed wound healing potential. Inflammatory cytokines were significantly inhibited in the LPS-induced FR cell line, with the highest effect seen on IL-6 (34.5±2.12 pg/mL). This study offered the first concrete proof that H. canum can be used to treat wounds by suggesting that the myricetin and quinic acid content identified by LCMS-MS analysis may be accountable for the effect of H. canum on wound contraction and hydroxyproline production.

In Vitro and In Silico Evaluation of ACE2 and LOX Inhibitory Activity of Origanum Essential Oils and Carvacrol.

Origanum spp. are used both for culinary purposes and for their biological activities. In this study, commercial Origanum majorana, Origanum minutiflorum, Origanum vulgare, and Origanum onites essential oils and their prominent constituent carvacrol were evaluated for their in vitro and in silico angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and lipoxygenase enzyme inhibitory potentials. The essential oils were analysed by gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, where carvacrol was identified as the major component (62 - 81%), confirming the quality. In vitro enzyme inhibition assays were conducted both with the essential oils (20 µg/mL) and with carvacrol (5 µg/mL). The comparative values of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 percent inhibition for O. majorana, O. minutiflorum, O. vulgare, and O. onites essential oils were determined as 85.5, 79.1, 74.3, and 42.8%, respectively. As a result of the enzyme assays, carvacrol showed 90.7% in vitro angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 inhibitory activity. The in vitro lipoxygenase inhibition of the essential oils (in the same order) was 89.4, 78.9, 81.1, and 73.5%, respectively, where carvacrol showed 74.8% inhibition. In addition, protein-ligand docking and interaction profiling was used to gain structural and mechanistic insights into the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and lipoxygenase inhibitory potentials of major Origanum essential oil constituents. The in silico findings agreed with the significant enzyme inhibition activity observed in vitro. Further in vivo studies are suggested to confirm the safety and efficacy of the oils.

Structure-antiradical activity relationships of 25 natural antioxidant phenolic compounds from different classes.

In this study, 11 hydroxybenzoic acids, 6 hydroxycinnamic acids, 6 flavonoids, and 2 synthetic phenolic antioxidants were evaluated according to their scavenging capacity and structure relationships. The IC50 was calculated for all compounds and the effects of the concentration of antioxidant and the length of the reaction on antioxidant capacity were taken into consideration. Based on the data of tested phenolics some structure-activity relationships were suggested and discussed in detail. Poor correspondence of the results between ABTS+• and DPPH• assays was attained, indicating that the antioxidant properties of each compound differ with regards to the applied method. Nevertheless, it can be argued that the number of electron-donating substituents (-OH and -OCH3) and their configuration has a significant impact on the antioxidant capacity. Undoubtedly, concerns about the reliability of these assays demand further in-depth investigations to give detailed insight into the structure and antioxidant activity relationships.

The Hybrid Compounds as Multi-target Ligands for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: Considerations on Donepezil.

The strategies to combat Alzheimer's Disease (AD) have been changing with respect to the failures of many drug candidates assessed in clinical studies, the complex pathophysiology of AD, and the limitations of the current drugs employed. So far, none of the targets, either validated or nonvalidated, have been shown to be purely causative in the generation and development of AD. Considering the progressive and the neurodegenerative characteristics of the disease, the main strategy has been based on the design of molecules capable of showing activity on more than one receptor, and it is defined as multi-target ligand design strategy. The hybrid molecule concept is an outcome of this approach. Donepezil, as one of the currently employed drugs for AD therapy, has also been utilized in hybrid drug design studies. This review has aimed to present the promising donepezil-like hybrid molecules introduced in the recent period. Particularly, multi-target ligands with additional activities concomitant to cholinesterase inhibition are preferred.

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Pelargonium endlicherianum Fenzl. Extracts in Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Macrophages.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Pelargonium endlicherianum Fenzl. and Pelargonium quercetorum Agnew. root extracts compared with the effects of commercial Pelargonium sidoides root extract by production of pro-inflammatory substances and inflammatory signal transduction on LPS-stimulated macrophages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To measure the effects of root extracts on pro-inflammatory mediators, we used the following methods: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (cell viability or cytotoxcicity), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cytokine production, prostoglandin E2 production), reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (COX-2, iNOS mRNA), Western blotting analysis [MAPK activation and NF-κB (p65) traslocation] and the Griess reaction (NO production). RESULTS: Stimulation of the RAW 264.7 cells with LPS (0.5 µg/mL, 6 hrs treatment) caused an elevated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), increased mRNA expression of COX-2 and inducible NO synthase with release of PGE2 and NO, activated MAPK (phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, P38) signalling pathway, and nuclear translocation of NF-κB (p65), which were markedly inhibited by the pre-treatment with 11% ethanol and 70% methanol root extracts of P. endlicherianum without causing any cytotoxic effects. P. quercetorum root extract only decreased TNF-α production and P. sidoides root extract alleviated P38/MAPK activation and COX-2 mRNA expression with PGE2 production. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that especially 11% ethanol root extract of P. endlicherianum targets the inflammatory response of macrophages via inhibition of COX-2, IL-6, and TNF-α through inactivation of the NF-κB signalling pathway, supporting the pharmacologic basis of P. endlicherianum as a traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of inflammation and its associated disorders.

Phenolic Composition, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities of Alchemilla mollis (Buser) Rothm.

The current study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of Alchemilla mollis (Buser) Rothm. (Rosaceae) aerial parts extracts. Chemical composition was analyzed by spectrophotometric and chromatographic (HPLC) techniques. The antioxidant properties assessed included DPPH· and ABTS·+ radical scavenging, ß-carotene-linoleic acid co-oxidation assay. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated with disc diffusion and micro dilution method. In order to evaluate toxicity of the extracts, with the sulforhodamine B colorimetric assay L929 cell line (mouse fibroblast) was used. The anti-inflammatory activities of the potent antioxidant extracts (methanol, 70% methanol, and water extracts) were determined by measuring the inhibitory effects on NO production and pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α levels in lipopolysaccharide stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. 70% methanol and water extracts which were found to be rich in phenolic compounds (184.79 and 172.60 mg GAE/g extract) showed higher antioxidant activity. Luteolin-7-O-glucoside was the main compound in the extracts. Ethyl acetate and 70% methanol extracts showed higher antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enteritidis with MIC value of 125 µg/ml. 70% methanol extract potentially inhibited the NO and TNF-α production (18.43 µm and 1556.22 pg/ml, respectively, 6 h).

Chemical composition and biological investigation of Pelargonium endlicherianum root extracts.

CONTEXT: Pelargonium endlicherianum Fenzl. (Geraniaceae) roots and flowers are traditionally used in Turkey as a decoction treatment against intestinal parasites. Neither the chemical composition nor the potential bioactivity of the plant roots has been studied before. OBJECTIVES: The phenolic content and effects of P. endlicherianum root extracts on antioxidant enzyme levels on A549 cells were studied for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemical composition was analyzed via spectrophotometric and chromatographic (HPLC MS/MS and HPLC) techniques. The antioxidant activity was determined at different concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 2 mg/mL using DPPH• and ABTS•+ radical scavenging activity, ß-carotene-linoleic acid co-oxidation assay, protection of 2-deoxyribose and bovine brain-derived phospholipids against a hydroxyl radical-mediated degradation assay. Glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were also studied as well as the effects of the extracts on nitric oxide levels on IL-1ß stimulated A549 cells. RESULTS: The key parameters for the most active ethyl acetate extract included the following: DPPH• IC50: 0.23 mg/mL, TEAC/ABTS: 2.17 mmol/L Trolox, reduction: 0.41 mmol/g AsscE, and protection of lipid peroxidation IC50: 0.05 mg/mL. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate extract increased the SOD level significantly compared to control group (4.48 U/mL) at concentrations of 100 and 200 µg/mL SOD, 5.50 and 5.67 U/mL, respectively. Apocynin was identified as the major component, and the ethyl acetate fraction was found to be rich in phenolic compounds. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Pelargonium endlicherianum root extracts displayed antioxidant activity and increased the antioxidant enzyme levels in IL-1ß stimulated A549 cells, while decreasing the NO levels.

Phytochemical Profile and Biological Activities of Helianthemum canum l. baumg. from Turkey.

In the current study, antioxidant, antibacterial activities, and the phenolic compositions of extracts from Helianthemum canum L. Baumg. (Apiaceae) aerial parts were investigated for the first time. The H. canum was extracted with 70% methanol (HCMeOH) and water (HCW). Both extracts were determined by total phenolic contents (3 mg/ml), flavonoids (1.5 mg/ml), flavonols (1.5 mg/ml), qualitative-quantitative compositions, iron (II) chelation activities (0.1 - 5 mg/ml), free radical scavenging activities (DPPH• : 0.01 - 0.6 mg/ml and ABTS+• : 0.125 - 0.5 mg/ml) and the effect upon inhibition of ß-carotene/linoleic acid co-oxidation (1 mg/ml). The peroxidation level was also determined using the thiobarbituric acid method (0.01 - 1.5 mg/ml). The results of the activity tests given as IC50 values were estimated from non-linear algorithm and compared with standards. Antibacterial activities of extracts and standards were evaluated against Gram-negative and -positive ten standard strains using disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The MIC results (312.5 - 2500 µg/ml) against tested microorganisms varied from 625 to 2500 µg/ml. In HPLC analysis, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid was found as the main substance in both extracts. These results showed that HCMeOH was richer in phenolic compounds (284.13 ± 0.30 mg GAE/g extract) from HCW (244.55 ± 0.35 mg GAE/g extract). In conclusion, H. canum extracts showed in vitro antibacterial and antioxidant activities.

The Effect of Pelargonium endlicherianum Fenzl. root extracts on formation of nanoparticles and their antimicrobial activities.

Herein, we report the biosynthesis of Ag NPs, for the first time, using identified antimicrobial molecules (gallic acid+apocynin) and (gallic acid+apocynin+quercetin) from the medicinal plant Pelargonium endlicherianum Fenzl. and dramatically enhanced antimicrobial activity. We also investigate the role of each molecule on formation Ag NPs and explain the increase in the antimicrobial activity of identified molecules mediated Ag NPs. The extraction protocols, 11% ethanol and 70% methanol, resulted in identification of different constituents of gallic acid+apocynin (M1) and gallic acid+apocynin+quercetin (M2) with respective concentrations. The M1-Ag and M2-Ag NPs exhibit excellent inhibitory activities towards Gram negative bacteria; Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Gram positive bacteria; Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 3699 bacterial using in vitro microdilution method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of M1-Ag and M2-Ag NPs were determined to be 7.81 and 6.25ppm for S. epidermidis, respectively. Surprisingly, MIC value for both Ag NPs was indicated to be identical as 9. 37ppm for P. aeruginosa and E., coli.

The opium poppy as a symbol of sleep in Bertel Thorvaldsen's relief of 1815.

Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844) is one of the most remarkable representatives of Neoclassicist sculptural art in Europe, which was largely inspired by the classical art and culture of Greek and Roman antiquity. A pair of marble reliefs, Night and Day, exhibited in the Thorvaldsen Museum (Copenhagen), marks the culmination of Thorvaldsen's relief art and is of particular interest to the history of sleep medicine. In the first relief, Night, an angel with her neck bent and eyes closed has two babies in her embrace and seems to be floating down in grief, with an owl hovering behind her. Her hair is also twined with opium poppies, the symbol of sleep and death in antiquity. Our findings suggest that this relief not only indicates a mythological association between the opium poppy and sleep but also has a strong connotation with the poppy's medicinal use for inducing sleep throughout the centuries.

In vitro effects of myricetin, morin, apigenin, (+)-taxifolin, (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, naringenin and naringin on cytochrome b5 reduction by purified NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase.

The microsomal NADH-dependent electron transport system consisting of cytochrome b5 reductase and cytochrome b5 participates in a number of physiologically important processes including lipid metabolism as well as is involved in the metabolism of various drug and xenobiotics. In the present study, we assessed the inhibitory effects of eight dietary flavonoids representing five distinct chemical classes on cytochrome b5 reduction by purified cytochrome b5 reductase. From the flavonoids tested, myricetin was the most potent in inhibiting cytochrome b5 reduction with an IC50 value of 0.35µM. Myricetin inhibited b5 reductase noncompetitively with a Ki of 0.21µM with respect to cofactor NADH, and exhibited a non-linear relationship indicating non-Michaelis-Menten kinetic binding with respect to cytochrome b5. In contrast to the potent inhibitory activity of myricetin, (+)-taxifolin was found to be a weak inhibitor (IC50=9.8µM). The remaining flavonoids were inactive within the concentration range tested (1-50µM). Analysis of structure-activity data suggested that simultaneous presence of three OH groups in ring B is a primary structural determinant for a potent enzyme inhibition. Our results suggest that inhibition of the activity of this system by myricetin or myricetin containing diets may influence the metabolism of therapeutic drugs as well as detoxification of xenobiotics.

Inhibitory effects of dietary flavonoids on purified hepatic NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase: structure-activity relationships.

The structure-activity relationships of flavonoids with regard to their inhibitory effects on NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase (E.C. 1.6.2.2), a clinically and toxicologically important enzyme, are not known. In the present study, the inhibitory effects of fourteen selected flavonoids of variable structure on the activity of purified bovine liver cytochrome b5 reductase, which shares a high degree of homology with the human counterpart, were investigated and the relationship between structure and inhibition was examined. Of all the compounds tested, the flavone luteolin was the most potent in inhibiting b5 reductase with an IC50 value of 0.11 µM, whereas naringenin, naringin and chrysin were inactive within the concentration range tested. Most of the remaining flavonoids (morin, quercetin, quercitrin, myricetin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, (-)-epicatechin, and (+)-catechin) produced a considerable inhibition of enzyme activity with IC50 values ranging from 0.81 to 4.5 µM except apigenin (36 µM), rutin (57 µM) and (+)-taxifolin (IC50 not determined). The magnitude of inhibition was found to be closely related to the chemical structures of flavonoids. Analysis of structure-activity data revealed that flavonoids containing two hydroxyl groups in ring B and a carbonyl group at C-4 in combination with a double bond between C-2 and C-3 produced a much stronger inhibition, whereas substitution of a hydroxyl group at C-3 was associated with a less inhibitory effect. The physiologically relevant IC50 values for most of the flavonoids tested regarding b5 reductase inhibition indicate a potential for significant flavonoid-drug and/or flavonoid-xenobiotic interactions which may have important therapeutic and toxicological outcomes for certain drugs and/or xenobiotics.

Iron(III) reducing and antiradical activities of three Sideritis from Turkey.

CONTEXT: Sideritis species (Lamiaceae) are widely used as herbal tea and have been used in folk medicine for their anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, digestive, and antimicrobial activities in Turkey. Sideritis dichotoma Huter., Sideritis erythrantha Boiss. var. cedrotorum, and Sideritis vuralii H. Duman et Baser are available as commercial products in Turkey. OBJECTIVE: The antiradical activities of the various solvent extracts of Sideritis species are investigated here for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plant samples were sequentially extracted with n-hexane, dichloromethane, methanol, and aqueous methanol (50%, v/v) in Soxhlet apparatus. The extracts of Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (Theaceae) were also prepared for use as a positive control. Total phenolics, iron(III) reductive effects, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) radical scavenging activities of the all extracts were measured colorimetrically. RESULTS: The aqueous MeOH and MeOH extracts contained the highest amount of total phenols, whereas the n-hexane extract contained the lowest amounts. The polar extracts of C. sinensis showed higher antiradical activity and also iron(III) reductive effects than the Sideritis species; however, the non-polar extracts of Sideritis species were found to be more active than those from C. sinensis in the iron(III) reductive assay and in the DPPH(•) assay as well. But none of the extracts was found to be as active as with positive controls, viz., ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and Trolox. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results can be shown to have antioxidant activities of these Sideritis species and support the ethnopharmacological use of these Sideritis plants.

In vitro antioxidant properties and phenolic composition of Salvia halophila Hedge from Turkey.

An endemic plant of Turkey Salvia halophila Hedge (Lamiaceae) was examined for its antioxidant activity and phenolic compositions. The aerial part of S. halophila was extracted with different solvents in an order of increasing polarity such as hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and 50% methanol using a Soxhlet apparatus. Water extract was also prepared from S. halophila by reflux. All solvent fractions were investigated for their total phenolic contents, flavonoids, flavonols, qualitative-quantitative compositions, iron(III) reductive activities, free radical scavenging activities and the effect upon linoleic acid peroxidation activities. The peroxidation level was also determined by the TBA method. The results of activity tests given as IC50 values were estimated from non-linear algorithm and compared with standards via BHT, ascorbic acid, gallic acid. Polar fractions were found more active among the others in free radical activity system whereas non-polar fractions protected the peroxidation of linoleic acid. Rosmarinic acid was the most abundant component, in the extracts.

Salvia officinalis L.: composition and antioxidant-related activities of a crude extract and selected sub-fractions.

The composition and antioxidant properties of a methanol: acetic acid (99:1, v/v) soluble crude extract isolated from S. officinalis L. leaves through maceration and selected fractions isolated thereof are presented in this study. The total phenol content was estimated as gallic acid equivalents, whilst qualitative-quantitative phenolic content was determined using high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection. Antioxidant evaluation consisted of ferric reductive capacity and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl free radical scavenging determinations. The crude extract contained hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoids and diterpenoids, whilst caffeic acid, carnosic acid, luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and rosmarinic acid were identified from their chromatographic and spectral characteristics and quantified from their respective calibration curves. The crude extract and sub-fractions demonstrated varying degrees of efficacy in the antioxidant-related assays used, except the n-hexane fraction, which was unable to reduce iron(III) at reasonable concentrations. Although the positive controls, ascorbic acid, BHA and BHT, were more potent than the S. officinalis samples, two fractions were significantly (p < 0.05) more potent iron(III) reducing agents than pycnogenol, a proanthocyanidin-rich commercial preparation.

Phenolic profile and antioxidant evaluation of Mentha x piperita L. (peppermint) extracts.

Seven extracts were prepared from Mentha x piperita (peppermint) leaves in sequence using a Soxhlet apparatus, viz. (40-60 degrees) light petroleum (PE), dichloromethane (CH2Cl2), acetonitrile (ACN), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), methanol (MeOH), n-butanol and water (H2O) extracts. The phenolic and flavonoid content of each extract were estimated using spectrophotometric methods whilst a qualitative-quantitative analysis was made by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA). Each extract was assessed in a battery of six antioxidant-related assays so as to determine their iron(III) reductive, iron(II) chelating and free radical scavenging abilities. The MeOH-soluble extract contained the greatest content of total phenols and flavonoids based upon the Folin-Ciocalteu and 2-aminoethyl diphenylborate reagent data and HPLC-PDA analysis. Based upon the chromatographic and UV-spectral data, the leaves principally contained the cinnamic acid caffeic acid, the depside rosmarinic acid and flavonoids (flavones and flavanones). Eriocitrin (383.3 +/- 2.2 mg/g extract) and rosmarinic acid (381.2 +/- 1.9 mg/g extract) were the most abundant components identified within the leaves, whilst naringenin-7-O-glucoside (0.8 +/- 0.01 mg/g extract) was the least abundant component identified being found only in the EtOAc-soluble extract. The EtOAc, ACN and H2O-soluble extracts demonstrated the most potent iron(III) reductive and 1,1'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrayl, 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) and hydroxyl free radical scavenging properties; however, the H2O and CH2Cl2-soluble extracts were the most potent extracts in the beta-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching inhibition assay. In terms of iron(II) chelation--an important antioxidant property--the PE, MeOH and H2O extracts demonstrated moderate iron(II) chelating activity.

In vitro antioxidant properties and phenolic composition of Salvia virgata Jacq. from Turkey.

Antioxidant activities and phenolic compositions of the active fractions of Salvia virgata Jacq. (Lamiaceae) from Turkey were examined. The aerial part of S. virgata was extracted with different solvents in an order of increasing polarity such as hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and 50% aqueous methanol using a Soxhlet apparatus. Water extract was also prepared from S. virgata by reflux. All solvent fractions were investigated for their total phenolic contents, total flavonoids, flavonols, qualitative-quantitative compositions (by HPLC-PDA analysis), iron(III) reductive activities, free radical scavenging activities (using DPPH*), and effect upon linoleic acid peroxidation activities; also, the peroxidation level was determined by the TBA method. The results of activity tests given as IC50 values were estimated from nonlinear algorithm and compared with standards, viz., butylated hydroxytoluene, ascorbic acid, and gallic acid. Polar fractions were found to be more active for free radical activity whereas nonpolar fractions protected the peroxidation of linoleic acid. Rosmarinic acid was the most abundant component in the extracts, followed by caffeic acid and lutelin-7- O-glycoside.

Effect of maturation on the composition and biological activity of the essential oil of a commercially important Satureja species from Turkey: Satureja cuneifolia Ten. (Lamiaceae).

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from aerial parts of Satureja cuneifolia Ten., collected in three different maturation stages such as preflowering, flowering, and postflowering, were analyzed simultaneously by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Thymol (42.5-45.2%), p-cymene (19.4-24.3%), and carvacrol (8.5-13.2%) were identified as the main constituent in all stages. At the same time, the essential oils and main components were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity using a microdilution assay resulting in the inhibition of a number of common human pathogenic bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the yeasts Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) varied between 62.5 and 250 microg/mL within a moderate antimicrobial activity range. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity of the essential oils and major components thymol and carvacrol were examined in vitro. The essential oils obtained from S. cuneifolia in three different stages and its main components were interacted with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH (*)) as a nitrogen-centered stable radical, resulting in IC 50 = 1.6-2.1 mg/mL. In addition, the effects on inhibition of lipid peroxidation of the essential oils were assayed using the beta-carotene bleaching method. All of the tested oils inhibited the linoleic acid peroxidation at almost the same level as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (93.54-94.65%). BHT and ascorbic acid were used as positive controls in the antioxidant assays.

Phenolic composition and biological activities of Salvia halophila and Salvia virgata from Turkey.

The aerial parts of Salvia halophila and Salvia virgata were subjected to Soxhlet extraction with different solvents such as n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous methanol (50%). Plants were also extracted with water under reflux. The effects of the extracts were studied in p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test for the assessment of antinociceptive activity and carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear edema models in mice for the anti-inflammatory activity. The extracts were analysed using a HPLC-PDA method. Results showed that methanol extract of S. virgata significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema and p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction at 100mg/kg dose, while it showed no effect in the TPA-induced ear edema. On the other hand, the other extracts did not show any inhibitory antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in these in vivo models. Rosmarinic acid was found as main constituent in the extracts, while caffeic acid and luteolin derivatives were also detected.