Fatty acids, sterols, phenols and antioxidant activity of Phoenix theophrasti fruits growing in Crete, Greece.

In the present study we report the chemical composition of the Cretan Phoenix theophrasti Gr. fruits, in comparison with dates, from its close relative Phoenix dactylifera L. for their nutritional value and their potential exploitation as a source of bioactive components such as phytosterols, lipids and polyphenols. The non polar dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) extract of the fruits was analysed by several techniques (TLC, CC, GC and GC-MS) and was found to consist mainly from fatty acids, hydrocarbons and phytosterols. Palmitic acid was the most abundant fatty acid, 12.49% of total saponifiables, while beta-sitosterol was the most prevalent phytosterol, 29.46% of total unsaponifiable lipid fraction. The polar methanolic extract was examined for its total phenolic content, by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, as well as for its antioxidant activity through DPPH assay, in comparison with previous studies on the fruits of several Phoenix dactylifera varieties. This fraction was found to possess strong antioxidant activity despite its lower content of phenolic compounds in comparison with previously studied Phoenix dactylifera specimens.

Walnut extract (Juglans regia L.) and its component ellagic acid exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in human aorta endothelial cells and osteoblastic activity in the cell line KS483.

Epidemiological studies suggest that the incidence of CVD and postmenopausal osteoporosis is low in the Mediterranean area, where herbs and nuts, among others, play an important role in nutrition. In the present study, we sought a role of walnuts (Juglans regia L.) in endothelial and bone-cell function. As the endothelial cell expression of adhesion molecules has been recognised as an early step in inflammation and atherogenesis, we examined the effect of walnut methanolic extract and ellagic acid, one of its major polyphenolic components (as shown by HPLC analysis), on the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in human aortic endothelial cells. After incubating the cells with TNF-alpha (1 ng/ml) in the absence and in the presence of walnut extract (10-200 microg/ml) or ellagic acid (10- 7-10- 5 m), the VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression was quantified by cell-ELISA. We further evaluated the effect of walnut extract (10-50 microg/ml), in comparison with ellagic acid (10- 9-10- 6m), on nodule formation in the osteoblastic cell line KS483. Walnut extract and ellagic acid decreased significantly the TNF-alpha-induced endothelial expression of both VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 (P < 0.01; P < 0.001). Both walnut extract (at 10-25 microg/ml) and ellagic acid (at 10- 9-10- 8 m) induced nodule formation in KS483 osteoblasts. The present results suggest that the walnut extract has a high anti-atherogenic potential and a remarkable osteoblastic activity, an effect mediated, at least in part, by its major component ellagic acid. Such findings implicate the beneficial effect of a walnut-enriched diet on cardioprotection and bone loss.

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of naphthazarine derivatives from Onosma leptantha.

The root extracts of Onosma leptanhtha were evaluated for their anti-iflammatory and cytotoxic activities. The cyclohexane extract, which appeared as the most active in both assays, has been further subjected to bioassay-directed fractionation to afford the naphthazarine derivatives: beta,beta-dimethylacrylshikonin (1), isovalerylshikonin (2) and acetylshikonin (3). The evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity was performed on carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test. All the tested compounds proved to be active, while compound 3 showed the best anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, the cytotoxic activity of the extracts and isolated compounds, was also assayed against L1210 murine lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, and human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells. Compound 1 exhibited remarkable cytotoxic activity (390 nM for L1210 cells), which is superior to that of shikonin, which was used as control.

Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Hypericum rumeliacum subsp. apollinis (Boiss. & Heldr.).

The composition and the antimicrobial activity of the aerial parts of Hypericum rumeliacum are reported. Analysis was carried out by GC/MS. The major constituents were alpha-pinene (43.80%), beta-pinene (9.82%), dehydro-aromadendrene (6.81%) and alpha-copaene (5.41%). The essential oil showed a moderate in vitro activity against the six Gram negative and positive bacteria and a stronger one against the three-tested pathogenic activity.

Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Ballota pseudodictamnus L. Bentham.

The chemical composition of the essential oil of Ballota pseudodictamnus obtained from the aerial parts was analysed by GC/MS. From the 52 identified constituents of the oil, caryophyllene oxide, phytol and gamma-muurolene were the major components. Furthermore, the essential oil was investigated for its antimicrobial activity.

Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Salvia ringens.

The essential oils of Salvia ringens (samples A and B), were analyzed by means of GC and GC/MS. From the seventy-five identified constituents representing 99.82 and 99.86% of the oils, 1,8-cineole and alpha-pinene were the major components. Furthermore, sample B exhibited a very interesting antimicrobial profile after it was tested against six gram (+/-) bacteria and three pathogenic fungi.

Essential oil of Phlomis lanata growing in Greece: chemical composition and antimicrobial activity.

The essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of Phlomis lanata has been analyzed by GC/MS. 48 compounds representing 96.85% of the oil were identified; alpha-pinene, limonene and trans-caryophyllene were found as its main components. The essential all showed a moderate in vitro activity against six Gram (+/-) bacteria and a stronger one against the three tested pathogenic fungi.

Antibacterial and cytotoxic natural and synthesized hydroquinones from sponge Ircinia spinosula.

In order to check the structure-activity relationship and find more potent derivatives of the natural products 1 and 2 obtained from sponge Ircinia spinosula, a series of oxidation, hydrogenation, acetylation and methylation derivatives was prepared. All compounds (natural and synthetic ones) were screened for their cytotoxic and antibacterial activities. The biological studies showed a wide range of antibacterial activity even though only 2 and 2d showed a moderate cytotoxicity against the clone C98. The oxidation of the hydroquinone to quinone and the hydrogenation of the side-chain increased the antibacterial effect of the molecules.

Cytotoxic coumarins from the aerial parts of Tordylium apulum and their effects on a non-small-cell bronchial carcinoma line.

Seven coumarins were isolated from the aerial parts of Tordylium apulum; their structures were established by spectroscopic means. All compounds were tested in vitro for their cytotoxicity against two cell line systems. The antiproliferative effects for three of them were studied at the level of the cell cycle in asynchronous cells of the NSCLC-N6 line with a flow cytometry apparatus.

Polyphenolic constituents from the leaves of two Cynara species growing in Greece.

The chemical analyses of two Cynara species: C. humilis and C.cornigera revealed various combinations of flavones, flavonols, flavanones, coumarins, phenolic acids, and an aurone. All the identified constituents are reported for the first time from the two species, while the presence of the aurone is reported for the second time in the genus.

Synthesis and anticancer activity of new phenyl-ring substituted 4-morpholino-1-phenylthio-2-butanones [Mannich bases].

The preparation of phenyl-ring substituted 4-morpholino-1-phenylthio-2-butanones 4a-e is described. These compounds were evaluated against P-388 leukemia and human cancer rhinopharynx KB cells in vitro; some compounds were found to exhibit activity against these cell lines.

Cytotoxic and antibacterial labdane-type diterpenes from the aerial parts of Cistus incanus subsp. creticus.

Seven labdane-type diterpenoids were isolated from the leaves of Cistus incanus subsp. creticus; their structures were established by spectroscopic means. All compounds were tested in vitro for their cytotoxicity against three cell line systems: KB, P-388; and NSCLC-N6. Their antibacterial and antifungal activities were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosae, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Torulopsis glabrata, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Candida albicans as well.