Chemical composition, anticancer, antimicrobial activity of Aloysia citriodora Palau essential oils from four different locations in Palestine.

The primary aim of this investigation was to determine the anticancer and antimicrobial properties of essential oils (EOs) extracted from the leaves of Aloysia citriodora Palau, which were procured from four separate locations in Palestine, in addition to analyzing their chemical composition. These areas include Jericho, which has the distinction of being the lowest location on Earth, at 260 m below sea level. The EOs were acquired by hydrodistillation, and their chemical composition was examined utilizing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of EOs was assessed against six bacterial strains and one fungal species using 96-well microtiter plates. The primary components found in these oils are geranial (26.32-37.22%), neral (18.38-29.00%), and α-curcumene (7.76-16.91%) in three regions. α-Curcumene (26.94%), spathulenol (13.69%), geranial (10.79%), caryophyllene oxide (8.66%), and neral (7.59%) were found to be the most common of the 32 chemical components in the EO from Jericho. The EOs exhibited bactericidal properties, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and showed highly effective fungicidal activity. Nevertheless, the antifungal efficacy of the EO was found to surpass its antibacterial activity when administered at lower dosages. The EOs exhibited anticancer activities against melanoma cancer cells, as indicated by their IC50 values, which ranged from 4.65 to 7.96 µg/mL. A. citriodora EO possesses substantial antifungal and anticancer characteristics, rendering it appropriate for utilization in food-related contexts, hence potentially enhancing the sustainability of the food sector.

Water stress modulates terpene biosynthesis and morphophysiology at different ploidal levels in Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Brown (Verbenaceae).

Monoterpenes are the main component in essential oils of Lippia alba. In this species, the chemical composition of essential oils varies with genome size: citral (geraniol and neral) is dominant in diploids and tetraploids, and linalool in triploids. Because environmental stress impacts various metabolic pathways, we hypothesized that stress responses in L. alba could alter the relationship between genome size and essential oil composition. Water stress affects the flowering, production, and reproduction of plants. Here, we evaluated the effect of water stress on morphophysiology, essential oil production, and the expression of genes related to monoterpene synthesis in diploid, triploid, and tetraploid accessions of L. alba cultivated in vitro for 40 days. First, using transcriptome data, we performed de novo gene assembly and identified orthologous genes using phylogenetic and clustering-based approaches. The expression of candidate genes related to terpene biosynthesis was estimated by real-time quantitative PCR. Next, we assessed the expression of these genes under water stress conditions, whereby 1% PEG-4000 was added to MS medium. Water stress modulated L. alba morphophysiology at all ploidal levels. Gene expression and essential oil production were affected in triploid accessions. Polyploid accessions showed greater growth and metabolic tolerance under stress compared to diploids. These results confirm the complex regulation of metabolic pathways such as the production of essential oils in polyploid genomes. In addition, they highlight aspects of genotype and environment interactions, which may be important for the conservation of tropical biodiversity.

Assessment of the in Vitro Antimelanoma Potential of Lippia microphylla Cham (Verbenaceae) Essential Oil.

Essential oils stand out among natural products for their complex composition, frequently described in the literature with a range of biological effects. This study evaluated the cytotoxic activity against several human cancer cell lines of essential oils extracted from the leaves of Lippia microphylla (EO-LM) Cham. (Verbenaceae). The melanoma cell line SK-MEL-28 was the most sensitive to the EO-LM, presenting an IC50 of 33.38±1.16 µg/mL. Afterward, the effects of EO-LM on the cell cycle, induction of apoptosis, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated. We stated a significant increase in the sub-G1 population, indicating apoptosis, later confirmed by an increase of SK-MEL-28 cells labeled with Annexin V-FITC and by the formation of apoptotic bodies and membrane blebs, observed by confocal microscopy. Additionally, EO-LM reduced the production of ROS, indicating antioxidant activity. Therefore, EO-LM exhibits anti-melanoma activity in vitro, suggesting its potential as an anticancer agent.

Role of Polyphenols from the Aqueous Extract of Aloysia citrodora in the Inhibition of Aflatoxin B1 Synthesis in Aspergillus flavus.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mycotoxin considered a potent carcinogen for humans that contaminates a wide range of crops. Various strategies have been established to reduce or block the synthesis of AFB1 in food and feed. The use of aqueous extracts derived from plants with high antioxidant activity has been a subject of study in recent years due to their efficacy in inhibiting AFB1. In this study, we assessed the effect of Aloysia citrodora aqueous extract on Aspergillus flavus growth and on AFB1 production. A bio-guided fractionation followed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Mass spectrometry analysis of the active fraction were applied to identify the candidate molecules responsible for the dose-effect inhibition of AFB1 synthesis. Our results revealed that polyphenols are the molecules implicated in AFB1 inhibition, achieving almost a total inhibition of the toxin production (99%). We identified luteolin-7-diglucuronide as one of the main constituents in A. citrodora extract, and demonstrated that it is able to inhibit, by itself, AFB1 production by 57%. This is the first study demonstrating the anti-Aflatoxin B1 effect of this molecule, while other polyphenols surely intervene in A. citrodora anti-AFB1 activity.

Volatile Compounds and Biological Activity of the Essential Oil of Aloysia citrodora Paláu: Comparison of Hydrodistillation and Microwave-Assisted Hydrodistillation.

Aromatic plants are a remarkable source of natural products. Aloysia citrodora Paláu (Verbenaceae), commonly known as lemon verbena, is a relevant source of essential oils with potential applications due to its lemony scent and bioactive properties. Studies carried out on this species have focused on the volatile composition of the essential oil obtained by Clevenger hydrodistillation (CHD), with little information available on alternative extraction methodologies or the biological properties of the oil. Therefore, this work aimed to compare the volatile composition, antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities of the essential oil extracted by conventional hydrodistillation by Clevenger (CHD) and Microwave-Assisted Hydrodistillation (MAHD). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed for some compounds, including the two major ones, geranial (18.7-21.1%) and neral (15.3-16.2%). Better antioxidant activity was exhibited by the MAHD essential oil in DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power assays, while no differences were observed in the cellular antioxidant assay. The MADH essential oil also presented higher inhibition against four tumoral cell lines and exhibited lower cytotoxicity in non-tumoral cells as compared with Clevenger-extracted essential oil. In contrast, the latter showed higher anti-inflammatory activity. Both essential oils were able to inhibit the growth of eleven out of the fifteen bacterial strains tested.

Prenylated-coumarins from Gmelina arborea and evaluation for neurotrophic activity.

A MeOH extract of the stem of Gmelina arborea Roxb. ex Sm. (Lamiaceae) exhibited neurite outgrowth-promoting activity in NGF-mediated PC12 cells. Bioassay-guided fractionation resulted in the isolation of eight previously undescribed prenylated coumarin compounds along with nine known compounds. Structural elucidation of these compounds was accomplished by analysis of extensive spectroscopic data, comparison with the literature, and chemical reactions. It was the first time to find prenylated coumarin compounds from G. arborea. Among the isolated compounds, N-methylflindersine and artanin showed neurite outgrowth-promoting activity in NGF-mediated PC12 cells.

Antibacterial Activity and Antibacterial Mechanism of Lemon Verbena Essential Oil.

The destructive effect and mode of action of lemon verbena essential oil on cells were investigated, taking the isolated Pseudosciaena D4 as the research object. The extracellular absorbance of the Pseudosciaena D4 increased at OD260 and OD280 after being treated with lemon verbena essential oil, which destroyed the integrity of Pseudosciaena D4 cells, showing a significant effect on preventing biomembrane formation and destroying the formed biomembrane. With an increased concentration of lemon verbena essential oil, extracellular polysaccharide showed a significant decrease in content and a significant increase in inhibition rate, indicating that the secretion of extracellular polysaccharide by Pseudosciaena D4 cells could be inhibited by lemon verbena essential oil during the process of biomembrane formation. Cell introcession and shrinkage appeared after the treatment with essential oil, and a transparent cavity was formed by the out-flowed cell content. Lemon verbena essential oil destroyed the cell wall, resulting in an enhanced permeability of the cell membrane and leakage of the contents, thereby causing cell death.

A new flavone and a newly synthesized alkaloid from Lippia rugosa A. Chev (Verbenaceae).

The chemical investigation of the leaf extract of a Cameroonian medicinal plant, Lippia rugosa A Chev (Verbenaceae) led to the isolation of a new flavonoid derivative flavolippia (1), alongside eleven known compounds: 2,4-dimethylpyridin-3,5-diol (2), 5-hydroxy-6,7,4'-trimethoxylflavone (3), 5-hydroxy-3,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone (4), 7-hydroxy-5,6,4'-trimethoxyflavone (5), 3ß-hydroxy-urs-12-en-3-ol (α-amyrin) (6), lupeol acetate (7), lup-20(29)-en-3ß-ol (lupeol) (8), lup-20(29)-en-3ß,28-diol (betulin) (9), fridelan-3-one (fridelan) (10), saccharose (11), cosanol (12). In addition, a new semi-synthetic alkaloid derivative named lippiamicin (13) was prepared from 2,4-dimethylpyridin-3,5-diol (2). Their structures were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data, as well as 1 D and 2 D NMR. Compounds 1-13 were evaluated for their antioxidant activities. The results obtained showed that compounds 2 and 12 were the most active with IC50 values of 0.145 ± 0.011 and 0.195 ± 0.017 µM/mL respectively (for DPPH•) and 0.241 ± 0.027 and 0.223 ± 0.024 µM/mL respectively (for FRAP) compared to butylated hydroxyltoluene used as positive control.

Efficacy of essential oil of Lippia sidoides (Verbenaceae) for controlling the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus on naturally parasitized animals under field conditions.

Efficacy of the essential oil of Lippia sidoides to control the bovine tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was evaluated in tests on naturally infested cattle under field conditions. Twenty cattle were allocated to one of two groups (Control and Treated). Animals in the treated group were sprayed with three liters of 1 % L. sidoides solution (10,000 ppm) and efficacy was calculated from teleogynous counts between 4.5 and 8 mm in length before (days -3, - 2 and - 1) and after treatment (days +3, +7, +14, +21 and +28). The essential oil of L. sidoides showed an average efficacy of 50.7 % between days + 3 and + 21, with greater efficacy in the larvae (63.2 % - p = 0.0001).

Anxiolytic-like activity of Aloysia virgatavar. platyphylla leaves extract in mice / Actividad ansiolítica del extracto de hojas de Aloysia virgatavar. platyphylla en ratones

Background: Medicinal plants are part of traditional medicine and should be considered a therapeutic alternative for mental diseases. Several plants belonging to the Verbenaceae family have proved useful in treating general anxiety disorders, the most prevalent psychiatric disorders. Objective: This research aimed to verify the extract's safety, the effect on general behavior, and the effect on sleeping time, as well as to evaluate the anxiolytic-like effect of the methanol extract of Aloysia virgata var. platyphylla (Avp), in mice. Methodology: The toxicity test was done according to the OECD guide (mice groups n=5), and general behavior was observed during the assay. Sleeping time was assessed using the pentobarbital-induced hypnosis method (n=8). Male Swiss albino mice (n=6) were treated with 50 to 400 mg/kg of Avp extract and diazepam as a control. The anxiolytic-like effect was tested through the hole board and elevated plus-maze test. Results: The Avp extract has no side effects in tested doses, and no central nervous system depressant activity was noted. A. virgatavar. platyphyllaincreased exploration (number and time) in the hole board. In the elevated plus-maze, increased number and time into open arms were evidenced compared to the control group. Conclusion: With all these results, we concluded that the Avp extract is safe and has a potential anxiolytic-like activity in the animal model used

Antecedentes: Las plantas medicinales forman parte de la medicina tradicional y deben ser consideradas una alternativa terapéutica para las enfermedades mentales. Varias plantas pertenecientes a la familia Verbenaceae han demostrado su utilidad en el tratamiento de los trastornos de ansiedad, uno de los trastornos psiquiátricos más prevalentes. Objetivo: Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo verificar la seguridad del extracto, el efecto sobre el comportamiento general y el efecto sobre el tiempo de sueño, así como evaluar el efecto tipo ansiolítico del extracto metanólico de Aloysia virgata var. platyphylla(Avp), en ratones. Metodología: La prueba de toxicidad se realizó de acuerdo con la guía de la OCDE (grupos de ratones n=5), y se observó el comportamiento general durante el ensayo. El tiempo de sueño se evaluó mediante el método de hipnosis inducida por pentobarbital (n=8). Se trataron ratones albinos suizos macho (n=6) con 50 a 400 mg/kg de extracto de Avp y diazepam como control. El efecto ansiolítico se probó a través de la placa perforada y prueba del laberinto en cruz elevado. Resultados: El extracto de Avp no tiene efectos secundarios en las dosis probadas y no se observó actividad depresora del sistema nervioso central. A. virgata var. platyphylla aumentó la exploración (número y tiempo) en el tablero de agujeros. En el laberinto en cruz elevado, se evidenció un mayor número y tiempo en los brazos abiertos en comparación con el grupo de control. Conclusión: Con todos estos resultados, concluimos que el extracto de Avp es seguro y tiene una potencial actividad ansiolítica en el modelo animal utilizado

In Silico Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Thymol-Major Compounds in the Essential Oil of Lippia thymoides Mart. & Schauer (Verbenaceae).

In this paper, we evaluated the drug-receptor interactions responsible for the antimicrobial activity of thymol, the major compound present in the essential oil (EO) of Lippia thymoides (L. thymoides) Mart. & Schauer (Verbenaceae). It was previously reported that this EO exhibits antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans (C. albicans), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Therefore, we used molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and free energy calculations to investigate the interaction of thymol with pharmacological receptors of interest to combat these pathogens. We found that thymol interacted favorably with the active sites of the microorganisms' molecular targets. MolDock Score results for systems formed with CYP51 (C. albicans), Dihydrofolate reductase (S. aureus), and Dihydropteroate synthase (E. coli) were -77.85, -67.53, and -60.88, respectively. Throughout the duration of the MD simulations, thymol continued interacting with the binding pocket of the molecular target of each microorganism. The van der Waals (ΔEvdW = -24.88, -26.44, -21.71 kcal/mol, respectively) and electrostatic interaction energies (ΔEele = -3.94, -11.07, -12.43 kcal/mol, respectively) and the nonpolar solvation energies (ΔGNP = -3.37, -3.25, -2.93 kcal/mol, respectively) were mainly responsible for the formation of complexes with CYP51 (C. albicans), Dihydrofolate reductase (S. aureus), and Dihydropteroate synthase (E. coli).

Caracterización in situ de poblaciones de Aloysia gratissima var. gratissima recolectadas del noreste de la provincia de San Luis, Argentina / In situ characterization of populations of Aloysia gratissima var. gratissima collected from the northeast of the province of San Luis, Argentina

Abstract: The aerial part of Aloysia gratissima (Gil lies & Hook. ex Hook.) Tronc., "Usillo", is used as aromatic and medicinal. It is a shrub of up to 3 meters, distributed in North America, from the south of the USA to the north of Mexico, and in South America up to the 37th parallel. As in other native sp ecies, the demand is covered by harvesting in wild populations, which brings about the deterioration of the resource and lack of homogeneity of the harvested product. The variability was characterized in nine populations of A. gratissima var. gratissima fr om the northeast of San Luis, Argentina, based on morphological and phytochemical characters. It was found that the species in the region presents considerable heterogeneity. Diversity was detected in the chemical characteristics of the essential oils anal yzed and the prevalence of mono and sesquiterpenes was related to the olfactory identities identified. The main components were the sesquiterpene spatulenol and the monoterpene 1,8 cineole

Resumen: La parte aérea de Aloysia gratissima (Gillies & Hook. ex Hook.) Tronc., "usillo", es utilizada como aromática y medicinal. Es un arbusto de hasta 3 metros, distribuido en Norteamerica, desde e l sur de EEUU hasta el norte de México, y en Sudamerica hasta el paralelo 37°. Al igual que en otras especies nativas, la demanda es cubierta por recolección en poblaciones silvestres, lo cual trae aparejado el deterioro del recurso y falta de homogeneidad del producto cosechado. Se caracterizó la variabilidad en nueve poblaciones de A. gratissima var. gratissima del noreste de San Luis, Argentina, en base a caracteres morfológicos y fitoquímicos. Se encontró que la especie en la región presenta una conside rable heterogeneidad. Se detectó diversidad en las características químicas de los aceites esenciales analizados y se relacionó la prevalencia de mono y sesquiterpenos con las identidades olfativas identificadas. Los componentes mayoritarios fueron el sesq uiterpeno espatulenol y el monoterpeno 1,8 cineol.

Duranta erecta Linn: A critical review on phytochemistry, traditional uses, pharmacology, and toxicity from phytopharmaceutical perspective.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Duranta erecta Linn. belonging to the Verbenaceae family is widely used in the traditional systems of medicines practiced in Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Brazil. The ethnomedicinal application as vermifuge, febrifuge, diuretic, anti-parasitic, and anti-malarial are well documented. D. erecta is also a significant source of phenylethanoid glycoside known as acteoside-a drug in clinical trials for IgA nephropathy patients. AIM OF THIS REVIEW: This review aims to critically highlight the existing studies on D. erecta, including its botanical authentication, geographical distribution, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties. Critical discussion is focused on the overview and gap in knowledge for future research. Additionally, the clinical significance of its major secondary metabolite, i.e., acteoside, has also been discussed with emphasis on biosynthesis, distribution, pre-clinical, and clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Professional research data from 1963 to 2021 appeared in scholarly journals, and books were retrieved from scientific database platforms viz. Sci-Finder, PubMed, CNKI, Science Direct, Web of Science, Wiley, Google Scholar, Taylor and Francis, Springer, and Scopus. The chemical structures for all the phytomolecules were validated using Sci-finder and first-hand references. While plant name and synonyms were corroborated by "The Plant List" (www.theplantlist.org). RESULTS: D. erecta and its key metabolite acteoside display various biological actions like antimalarial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, antinephritic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and antiviral properties. Acteoside literature analysis shows its presence in different stages of clinical trials for anti-nephritic, hepatoprotective, and osteoarthritic activity. The phytochemical review of D. erecta exhibited 64 compounds that have been isolated and identified from D. erecta, such as iridoid glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, phenolics, terpenoids, and saponins. The other significant secondary metabolites responsible for its medicinal properties are acteoside, durantol, pectolinaringenin, repenins, scutellarein, and repennoside. CONCLUSION: Duranta erecta is one of the Verbenaceae plants, widely used in ethnomedicines having various phytochemicals with understandable pharmacological actions mainly confined at the crude extract level. However, further bioactivity-guided or fingerprint-assisted studies are required to validate the ethnomedicinal uses, concerning cellular and molecular mechanisms, quality standardization, and safety with respect to its bioactive constituent(s). Therefore, the present review identified the gap in the research on scientific validation of Duranta based ethnomedicines and may provide critical information for the development of phytopharmaceuticals/Phyto-cosmeceuticals.

Inter and intra population phenotypic variability of Lippia integrifolia (Verbenaceae) and its natural situation in the west-center of Argentina / Variabilidad fenotípica inter e intra poblacional de Lippia integrifolia (Verbenaceae) y su situación natural en el centro-oeste de Argentina

The species Lippia integrifolia is an aromatic, sub-woody shrub, distributed from Northwest and Central Argentina to Bolivia. It is among the most important native aromatic species. It presents medicinal properties, some of which have been scientifically proven. As an alternative to harvesting, the process of domestication of the species was initiated. The objective of this work was to assess the phenotypic variability based on botanical-taxonomic and morpho-agronomic descriptors and the use of indicators to evaluate its natural situation in the west-center of Argentina. We worked in five wild populations, registering morphological variables, phenology, natural regeneration, herbivory and presence of diseases. L. integrifoliapresents a wide morphological variability, which can be explained with three morphological descriptors. Natural regeneration ́s rate is very low to zero, in four of the sites. The results obtained are of importance to make decisions related to the sustainable use in situ, and to begin a program of domestication of the species.

La especie Lippia integrifolia es un arbusto aromático, sub-leñoso, distribuido desde el noroeste y centro de Argentina hasta Bolivia. Es una de las especies aromáticas nativas más importantes. Presenta propiedades medicinales, algunas de las cuales han sido científicamente probadas. Como alternativa a la cosecha, se inició el proceso de domesticación de la especie. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la variabilidad fenotípica basada en descriptores botánico-taxonómicos y morfo-agronómicos y el uso de indicadores para evaluar su situación natural en el centro-oeste de Argentina. Trabajamos en cinco poblaciones silvestres, registrando variables morfológicas, fenología, regeneración natural, herviboría y presencia de enfermedades. L. integrifolia presenta una amplia variabilidad morfológica, que puede explicarse con tres descriptores morfológicos. La tasa de regeneración natural es muy baja a cero, en cuatro de los sitios. Los resultados obtenidos son importantes para tomar decisiones relacionadas con el uso sostenible in situ y para comenzar un programa de domesticación de la especie.

Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic specialised metabolites from the leaves of Glandularia × hybrida.

In our ongoing effort to investigate active specialised metabolites from genus Glandularia, phytochemical studies on the ethanolic extract of Glandularia × hybrida (Groenl. & Rümpler) G.L. Nesom & Pruski leaves resulted in the isolation of three undescribed compounds, a dibenzylbutyrolactolic lignan and two echinocystic acid based triterpenoid saponins, in addition to two known compounds. Interestingly, this study reports isolation of chemo-systematically valuable specialised metabolites for the first time from the genus under investigation. Additionally, the isolated metabolites were evaluated for their iNOS inhibition and cytotoxic activities using a combination of in silico and in vitro studies. The pharmacokinetics properties (ADMET) of some of the isolated compounds were determined using pkCSM-pharmacokinetics server. Molecular docking analysis showed that saponin compound possesses higher negative score (-9.59 kcal/mol) than the lignan compound (-6.56 kcal/mol). The isolated compounds also showed iNOS inhibition activity with IC50 values ranging between 6.6 and 49.7 µM and significant cytotoxic activity against a series of cell lines including SK-MEL, KB, BT-549, SK-OV-3, LLC-PK1 and VERO cells. Hence, this study reveals that specialised metabolites from G. hybrida plant are of significant anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity potentials.

Standardized aqueous stem bark extract of Gmelina arborea roxb. possesses nephroprotection against adriamycin-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats.

Nephrotoxicity is a major limitation of adriamycin (ADR) chemotherapy. We hypothesized that administration of standardized aqueous bark extract of Gmelina arborea Roxb. (GA) (Family; Verbenaceae), a traditional therapeutic agent, may reduce the nephrotoxicity caused by ADR in Wistar rats. The dose-dependent nephroprotective activity of the standardized GA extract was investigated in ADR-induced (20 mg/kg, ip) nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats (n = 6/group). The lyophilized powder of the aqueous refluxed (4 h) GA extract was administered at 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg doses orally for three consecutive days. Fosinopril sodium (0.09 mg/kg) was used as the positive control. Assessment of biochemical parameters on serum, urine and histopathology on H and E stained kidney sections were done at the end of the intervention. The treatment with GA and fosinopril decreased the elevation of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, cystatin C, ß2-microglobulin and loss of total protein in urine in nephrotoxic rats in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). In contrast, serum concentrations of albumin and total protein were increased significantly (p < 0.05). H and E stained kidney sections showed an attenuation of renal parenchymal injury following the treatment. The aqueous extract of GA demonstrated antioxidant potential in vitro. Present findings conclude that the standardized aqueous extract of GA stem bark exerted a dose-dependent protection against ADR-induced nephrotoxicity in vivo and may be a promising adjunct in ADR chemotherapy.

Implication of scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy for oil content determination and seed morphology of Verbenaceae.

Due to increase in energy catastrophe and accompanying environmental issues, the search for renewable and alternative energy resources is a fiercely disputed problem in the scientific world. Biodiesel has proven to be the finest sustainable alternative to gasoline. Because of their environment-friendly character and cost-effectiveness, nonedible oil-bearing seeds could be the possible resource for biodiesel production. Therefore, the present study uses scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate and identify micromorphological features of six novel, nonedible oil-bearing seeds of Verbenaceae as potential biodiesel feed stocks. Selected seeds of Verbenaceae range in size from 1 to 5 mm in width and 1.8 to 6.4 mm in length, according to light microscopic studies. The oil content of seeds ranges from14 to 19%. Seed texture, color, shape, size, periclinal and anticlinal wall patterns, and cell outline are all more variable in SEM-mediated seed ultrastructure analyses. The findings of this work imply that SEM could be a useful method for revealing hidden micromorphological features in a variety of nonedible oil-producing seeds, which could aid to future investigation, proper identification, seed categorization, and authenticity. These seeds were hard to be identified by the native people due to their resemblance in seed color and shape, so there is a need to give a detailed description of seed characters for proper identification of these plants. This work will determine the new features of the seeds, which will be helpful in near future.

An overview of the genus Aloysia Paláu (Verbenaceae): Essential oil composition, ethnobotany and biological activities.

Aloysia Paláu is an important herbal genus from the Verbenaceae family and possesses numerous remedial properties in the folk medicine of Asian, European, and, in particular, South American countries. Only a few reports have discussed some phytochemical characteristics associated with Aloysia species. Right the lack of an exhaustive report prompted us to organize this review article. Accordingly, besides the ethnobotanical knowledge of Aloysia species, their essential oil profiles, phytochemistry of the polar isolated fractions, and the relevant biological activities are discussed in detail.[Formula: see text].

Essential oil of Aloysia citriodora Paláu and citral: sedative and anesthetic efficacy and safety in Rhamdia quelen and Ctenopharyngodon idella.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the efficacy of citral in inducing sedation and anesthesia in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and to assess the safety of essential oil (EO) of Aloysia citriodora and citral in inducing and maintaining anesthesia in silver catfish. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical study, randomized, parallel, multi-arm with control group in target species. ANIMALS: A total of 96 juvenile and 72 adult silver catfish and 80 juvenile grass carp were used. METHODS: Silver catfish and grass carp were exposed to different concentrations of citral, 15-675 and 15-600 µL L-1, respectively, during the maximum period of 30 minutes to verify sedation and anesthesia induction and recovery times. In addition, for anesthetic induction, silver catfish were exposed to the EO of A. citriodora and citral at 225 µL L-1 for 3.5 minutes. Then, fish were transferred to an anesthesia maintenance solution at 50 µL L-1 for 10 minutes to assess hematologic and biochemical variables at 60 minutes, 2 and 6 days after treatment. RESULTS: Citral only induced sedation from 15, 25 and 40 µLL-1 in both species. Anesthesia without mortality was induced in silver catfish at 50-600 µL L-1 and grass carp at 75-450 µL L-1. At 675 and 600 µL L-1, mortality was recorded in silver catfish and grass carp, respectively. The EO of A. citriodora and citral were safe in inducing and maintaining anesthesia in silver catfish, with mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration being the only variable that varied in relation to time and treatments. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Citral was effective in inducing sedation and anesthesia in both species. In addition, A. citriodora EO and citral were safe in inducing and maintaining anesthesia in silver catfish. Both agents are promising substances for the development of new drugs for fish.

Aloysia Citrodora Essential Oil Inhibits Melanoma Cell Growth and Migration by Targeting HB-EGF-EGFR Signaling.

Patients diagnosed with melanoma have a poor prognosis due to regional invasion and metastases. The receptor tyrosine kinase epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is found in a subtype of melanoma with a poor prognosis and contributes to drug resistance. Aloysia citrodora essential oil (ALOC-EO) possesses an antitumor effect. Understanding signaling pathways that contribute to the antitumor of ALOC-EO is important to identify novel tumor types that can be targeted by ALOC-EO. Here, we investigated the effects of ALOC-EO on melanoma growth and tumor cell migration. ALOC-EO blocked melanoma growth in vitro and impaired primary tumor cell growth in vivo. Mechanistically, ALOC-EO blocked heparin-binding-epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF)-induced EGFR signaling and suppressed ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Myelosuppressive drugs upregulated HB-EGF and EGFR expression in melanoma cells. Cotreatment of myelosuppressive drugs with ALOC-EO improved the antitumor activity and inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7 and -9 and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein9. In summary, our study demonstrates that ALOC-EO blocks EGFR and ERK1/2 signaling, with preclinical efficacy as a monotherapy or in combination with myelosuppressive drugs in melanoma.