Antibacterial Property of Silver Nanoparticles Green Synthesized from Stachys schtschegleevii Plant Extract on Urinary Tract Infection Bacteria.

Urinary tract infections are one of the most common infections worldwide. Given the increasing antibiotic resistance, monitoring antibiotic sensitivity patterns is crucial. Furthermore, silver nanoparticles synthesized from Stachys schtschegleevii can exhibit potent antibacterial, antibiotic, and antifungal properties. The plant S. schtschegleevii was collected from its natural habitat, dried, and its extract was then exposed to silver nitrate. Under specific conditions, silver nanoparticles were synthesized from it. Subsequently, the production and validation of silver nanoparticles were confirmed through techniques such as FTIR analysis, UV-Vis analysis, TEM, SEM, EDX analysis, and zeta potential analysis. In the in vitro section of the research, the impact of the extracted silver nanoparticles on bacteria isolated from patients' urine and standard bacterial culture (control) was assessed using the disc diffusion and MIC test methods. The results of the analyses are FTIR (high protein content; proteins and phenols serve as stabilizing agents), UV-Vis (peak of 460 nm), TEM (spherical to occasionally elliptical shapes), SEM (sizes: 26 to 72 nm), EDX (peak at 3 keV), and zeta potential (- 15.76 ± 0.05 mV). The effect of silver nanoparticles by disc diffusion method (mm) is Enterococcus faecalis = 18.31 ± 0.35, Escherichia coli = 21.51 ± 0.61, and Staphylococcus aureus = 19.02 ± 1.28, and by MIC test (µg/ml), E. faecalis = 19, E. coli = 18, and Staphylococcus aureus = 16. Antibacterial activity of the silver nanoparticles synthesized from S. schtschegleevii means that these herbal nanoparticles treat urinary tract infections caused by some of the test isolates.

Uncovering chemical profiles, biological potentials, and protection effect against ECM destruction in H2 O2 -treated HDF cells of the extracts of Stachys tundjeliensis.

The genus Stachys L., one of the largest genera of the Lamiaceae family, is highly represented in Turkey. This study was conducted to determine the bio-pharmaceutical potential and phenolic contents of six different extracts from aerial parts of Stachys tundjeliensis. The obtained results showed that the ethanol extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in the antioxidant assays. Meanwhile, the ethanol extract displayed strong inhibitory activity against α-tyrosinase, the dichloromethane extract exhibited potent inhibition against butyrylcholinesterase, and the n-hexane extract against α-amylase. Based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis, more than 90 secondary metabolites, including hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, and their glycosides, acylquinic acids, phenylethanoid glycosides, and various flavonoids were identified or tentatively annotated in the studied S. tundjeliensis extracts. It was observed that the application of S. tundjeliensis eliminated H2 O2 -induced oxidative stress. It was determined that protein levels of phospho-nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), receptor for advanced glycation endproducts, and activator protein-1, which are activated in the nucleus, decreased, and the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 also decreased to basal levels. Overall, these findings suggest that S. tundjeliensis contains diverse bioactive compounds for the development of nutraceuticals or functional foods with potent biological properties.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Stachys spectabilis: Identification, catalytic degradation, and antioxidant activity.

Nanotechnology has become the focus of scientific research due to its widespread and effective use. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were produced utilizing Stachys spectabilis, and their antioxidant effect and catalytic degradation of methylene blue were investigated. The structure of ss-AgNPs was clarified by spectroscopy. FTIR demonstrated the possible functional group responsible for reducing agents. The absorption at 498 nm in the UV-Vis measurement verified the nanoparticle structure. XRD measurement demonstrated the nanoparticles to be face-centered cubic crystalline structures. TEM image proved the nanoparticles as spherical, and the size was determined as 10.8 nm. The intense signals at 2.8-3.5 keV in EDX confirmed desired product. The observation of zeta potential at -12.8 mV indicated the stability of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles can degrade the methylene blue with 54% at 40 h. The antioxidant effect of extract and nanoparticles was performed by ABTS radical cation, DPPH free radical scavenging, and FRAP assay. Nanoparticles revealed excellent ABTS activity (4.42 ± 0.10) in comparison to the standard BHT (7.12 ± 0.10). ss-AgNPs may be a promising agent for the pharmacy.

Isolation and Purification of Harpagogenin as an Nrf2-ARE Activator from the Tubers of Chinese Artichoke (Stachys sieboldii).

Chinese artichoke tuber (Stachys sieboldii Miq.) is used as an herbal medicine as well as edible food. This study examined the effect of the Chinese artichoke extracts on the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway that induces the expression of antioxidant enzymes to explore its novel characteristics. Hot water extracts exhibited relatively high ARE activity. ARE activity was observed in two fractions when the hot water extracts were separated in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid using HPLC. Conversely, the highly active fraction disappeared when the hot water extracts were separated in the absence of trifluoroacetic acid. These results indicate that acidic degradation produces active ingredients. The structural analysis of the two active fractions identified harpagide, which is an iridoid glucoside, and harpagogenin. In vitro experiments revealed that harpagide was converted into harpagogenin under acidic conditions and that harpagogenin, but not harpagide, had potent ARE activity. Therefore, this study identified harpagogenin, which is an acid hydrolysate of harpagide, as an ARE activator and suggests that Nrf2-ARE pathway activation by Chinese artichoke contributes to the antioxidative effect.

Mechanical design of apertures and the infolding of pollen grain.

When pollen grains become exposed to the environment, they rapidly desiccate. To protect themselves until rehydration, the grains undergo characteristic infolding with the help of special structures in the grain wall-apertures-where the otherwise thick exine shell is absent or reduced in thickness. Recent theoretical studies have highlighted the importance of apertures for the elastic response and the folding of the grain. Experimental observations show that different pollen grains sharing the same number and type of apertures can nonetheless fold in quite diverse fashions. Using the thin-shell theory of elasticity, we show how both the absolute elastic properties of the pollen wall and the relative elastic differences between the exine wall and the apertures play an important role in determining pollen folding upon desiccation. Focusing primarily on colpate pollen, we delineate the regions of pollen elastic parameters where desiccation leads to a regular, complete closing of all apertures and thus to an infolding which protects the grain against water loss. Phase diagrams of pollen folding pathways indicate that an increase in the number of apertures leads to a reduction of the region of elastic parameters where the apertures close in a regular fashion. The infolding also depends on the details of the aperture shape and size, and our study explains how the features of the mechanical design of apertures influence the pollen folding patterns. Understanding the mechanical principles behind pollen folding pathways should also prove useful for the design of the elastic response of artificial inhomogeneous shells.

A Novel Based Synthesis of Silver/Silver Chloride Nanoparticles from Stachys emodi Efficiently Controls Erwinia carotovora, the Causal Agent of Blackleg and Soft Rot of Potato.

In recent years, the biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles has captured researchers' attention due to their unique chemical, physical and biological properties. In this study, we report an efficient, nonhazardous, and eco-friendly method for the production of antibacterial silver/silver chloride nanoparticles utilizing the leaf extract of Stachys emodi. The synthesis of se-Ag/AgClNPs was confirmed using UV-visible spectroscopy, DPPH free radical scavenging activity, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). An intense peak absorbance was observed at 437 nm from the UV-visible analysis. The Stachys emodi extract showed the highest DPPH scavenging activity (89.4%). FTIR analysis detected various bands that indicated the presence of important functional groups. The SEM morphological study revealed spherical-shaped nanoparticles having a size ranging from 20 to 70 nm. The XRD pattern showed the formation of a spherical crystal of NPs. The antibacterial activity performed against Erwinia carotovora showed the maximum inhibition by centrifuged silver nanoparticles alone (se-Ag/AgClNPs) and in combination with leaf extract (se-Ag/AgClNPs + LE) and leaf extract (LE) of 98%, 93%, and 62% respectively. These findings suggested that biosynthesized NPs can be used to control plant pathogens effectively.

Antimicrobial activity of Stachys rupestris Montbret et Aucher ex Benth. and inactivation of the pathogens inoculated on lab-made skin by the essential oil.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Stachys rupestris essential oil and inactivation of the pathogens on lab-made skin the oil in the fight against Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. S. rupestris EO was extracted by hydrodistillation, and its contents were analyzed by GCMS. Logarithmic reduction of the pathogens inoculated on the artificial skin surface by S. rupestris EO was studied for the first time. The highest inhibition zone was 22.1 mm on C. tropicalis, while the lowest IZ was 0.1 mm on E. coli. The other zones were 20.01 mm for Acinetobacter baumannii, 20.02 mm for Enterococcus faecalis, 20.01 mm for Staphylococcus aureus, 22.03 for Candida albicans (p < 0.05). As a result, S. rupestris essential oil was effective on most of the microorganisms and might be increased to use in the treatment of skin infections in the future.

Cytotoxicity, apoptosis inducing activity and Western blot analysis of tanshinone derivatives from Stachys parviflora on prostate and breast cancer cells.

Cytotoxic activities of methanolic crude extract of Stachys parviflora (Lamiaceae family) and its sub-fractions were primarily evaluated against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and prostate (PC3) cell lines. The methanolic extract exhibited the highest activity, and was chosen for the isolation procedure. Four diterpenoid quinones, namely miltirone [1], tanshinone IIA [2], 1-hydroxy-tanshinone IIA [3], and cryptotanshinone [4] were isolated. Notably, this is the first report on the isolation and/or characterization of the mentioned diterpenoids from the Stachys genus. In this study, 1-hydroxy-tanshinone IIA [3] displayed the highest cytotoxicity among the isolated compounds. The mechanism of the cytotoxicity of methanolic extract and isolated compounds was further investigated by the utilization of propidium iodide staining (PI) assay. The results showed that the methanolic extract and 1-hydroxy-tanshinone IIA [3] enhanced DNA fragmentation in PC3 and MCF-7 cells. Moreover, the western blotting analysis demonstrated increasing and decreasing protein levels of Bax and Bcl2, respectively, and cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). Further bioassay-guided phytochemical assessments of S. parviflora can be suggested as a promising approach for discovering potent bioactive secondary metabolites.

Untargeted metabolomics study and identification of potential biomarkers in the six sections of the genus Stachys L. (Lamiaceae) using HPLC-MQ-API-MS/MS.

INTRODUCTION: The genus Stachys L., belonging to the family Lamiaceae, is one of the largest genera with remarkable medicinal properties. Plants of this genus produce a broad range of secondary metabolites. OBJECTIVES: Due to the incomplete comprehensive assessment of chemical profiles in Stachys species, we conducted an untargeted metabolomics study and identified potential biomarkers in the six sections of Stachys with chemotaxonomic importance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dried leaves of 17 taxa were utilized for analysis of all the constituents using HPLC-MQ-API-MS. The obtained data were processed and analyzed using multivariate statistical methods, including heatmaps, PLS-DA score plots, functional analysis of metabolic pathways, metabolite set enrichment analysis, and biomarker and network analysis. RESULTS: Among the 129 metabolites, 111 flavonoids and 18 non-flavonoids were recognized. The most represented flavonoids, including 41 flavones and 20 flavonols, displayed remarkable abundance. In non-flavonoid compounds, a total of six coumarins and six phenolic acids were present at high levels. In terms of approved markers in six sections, 76 chemical compounds, mainly flavonoids, coumarins, quinic acids, and cinnamic acids, were identified as potential biomarkers or chemotaxonomic indicators. Accordingly, the taxonomic complexities of some Stachys species in sections Fragilicaulis, Aucheriana, and Setifolia were properly resolved. CONCLUSION: An HPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics approach integrated with multivariate statistical methods was employed to identify (1) valuable markers and analyze metabolic diversity and (2) predict the pharmaceutical properties of Stachys species. The obtained chemical profiles provide a new perspective for investigation of the Stachys genus.

Composition and bioactivity of essential oil from Stachys macrostachya (Wend.) Briq.

Stachys species belonging to Lamiaceae family have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemical compositions and antibacterial, anti-tyrosinase activities of the essential oil of Stachys macrostachya. The essential oil was prepared by hydrodistillation method using a Clevenger-type apparatus and chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography (GC). The antibacterial activity of essential oil was performed by the disc diffusion and microdilution broth method against five Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity was evaluated by minor modifications of Masuda's method. According to the results of GC analyses, twenty-three compounds were identified representing 91.9% of the total volatile composition. The main compounds were germacrene D (12.2%), globulol (10.9%), α-pinene (9.7%), and valencene (7.6%). The present study showed that the tested essential oil of S. macrostachya exhibited antibacterial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii (MIC 62.50 µg/mL) and tyrosinase inhibition activity (IC50 22.86 ± 0.82 µg/mL). These results suggest that the essential oil could be exploited as a potential source of natural antimicrobial agents of this bacterium as well as tyrosinase inhibitors.

Isolation of bioactive components with soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitory activity from Stachys sieboldii MiQ. by ultrasonic-assisted extraction optimized using response surface methodology.

Stachys sieboldii MiQ (SSM) is an important food and medicinal herb in Korea, used to improve memory of patients with senile dementia and cardiovascular diseases. However, little information on bioactive components from SSM or standardized extraction methods for these components is available. This study isolated and purified major components from SSM for the first time, and assessed their ability to inhibit soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). The results showed that acteoside is the most potent inhibitor of sEH, with an IC50 of 33.5 ± 0.5 µM. Additional active components, including harpagide, tryptophan, and 8-acetate-harpagide, along with acteoside, were tentatively identified using high-performance liquid chromatography photodiode array tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-PDA-MS/MS) and quantified using an ultraviolet detector at 210 nm. Further, an ultrasonic-assisted extraction technique for extraction of four bioactive compounds in SSM was developed and optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal extraction conditions were: extraction time, 30.46 minutes; extraction temperature, 67.95 °C, and methanol concentration 53.85%. The prediction model of RSM was validated with laboratory experiments. The similarity between predicted and actual values was 97.84%. The extraction method is thus a rapid, environment-friendly, energy-saving method can be applied to extract bioactive components from SSM in large quantities.

New Rare Ent-Clerodane Diterpene Peroxides from Egyptian Mountain Tea (Qourtom) and Its Chemosystem as Herbal Remedies and Phytonutrients Agents.

Genus Stachys, the largest genera of the family Lamiaceae, and its species are frequently used as herbal teas due to their essential oils. Tubers of some Stachys species are also consumed as important nutrients for humans and animals due to their carbohydrate contents. Three new neo-clerodane diterpene peroxides, named stachaegyptin F-H (1, 2, and 4), together with two known compounds, stachysperoxide (3) and stachaegyptin A (5), were isolated from Stachys aegyptiaca aerial parts. Their structures were determined using a combination of spectroscopic techniques, including HR-FAB-MS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR (1H, 13C NMR, DEPT, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY) analyses. Additionally, a biosynthetic pathway for the isolated compounds (1-5) was discussed. The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated diterpenoids of S. aegyptiaca in comparison to the previous reported ones from other Stachys species was also studied.

Ultrasound combined with manganese-oxide nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon for extraction and pre-concentration of thymol and carvacrol in methanolic extracts of Thymus daenensis, Salvia officinalis, Stachys pilifera, Satureja khuzistanica, and mentha, and water samples.

A dispersive micro solid-phase extraction (DMSPE) technique was developed using manganese-oxide nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon (Mn3O4-NPs-AC) as an effective sorbent combined with ultrasound for the extraction and determination of a trace amount of thymol and carvacrol in methanolic extracts of Thymus daenensis, Salvia officinalis, Stachys pilifera, Satureja khuzistanica and mentha, and water samples. Thymol and carvacrol phenolic compounds were extracted from real samples using acetonitrile (ACN) as the desorption solvent. Using central composite design (CCD), the effects of pH, ionic strength (NaCl), nano-sorbent mass, contact time, and desorption volume were investigated. Additionally, based on five-level variables, response surface methodology was used to determine the individual and interactive effects between factors on the process. The optimized extraction conditions included 12 mg of Mn3O4-NPs-AC as the sorbent, 300 µL of ACN as the desorption solvent, pH 3.0, 0.5 w/v% of NaCl, and 4.5 min sonication time. Under the optimized conditions, for all the samples, the limits of detection were 0.054-0.104 ng mL-1 and the limits of quantification were 0.178-0.345 ng mL-1. The correlation coefficients of the calibration curves were >0.985, i.e. in the range of 0.4-6000 ng mL-1. To validate the effects of the matrix, the recovery, reproducibility, repeatability, and overall uncertainty were calculated for the five methanolic extracts, at 50, 100, and 500 ng mL-1. The recovery ranged between 94.5% and 109.0% with a relative standard deviation of <8.0% for the repeatability and reproducibility precision, which strongly supports the favorable repeatability and reproducibility of the method. The presented method also has the excellent sorbent features of NPs for the sorption of the analyte, which is due to the use of ultrasound for dispersion of the material in the sample matrix.

Antiangiogenic Iridoids from Stachys ocymastrum and Premna resinosa.

In this paper, the isolation of one new iridoid glucoside, 6ß-acetoxyipolamiide (1: ), and thirteen (2:  - 14: ) known congeners from two Lamiaceae species, Stachys ocymastrum and Premna resinosa, leaf extracts is reported. The structural determination of the isolated compounds was performed by mono- and bidimensional NMR spectroscopic analysis as well as MS experiments. The isolates were assayed for their antiangiogenic activity by two in vivo models, zebrafish embryos and chick chorioallantoic membrane assays. The compounds with a significant antiangiogenic activity in both assays were ß-hydroxyipolamiide (2: ), ipolamiide (3: ), and buddlejoside A5 (8: ). 6-O-α-l-(3″-O-p-Methoxycinnamoyl-4″-O-acetyl)rhamnopyranosyl catalpol (13: ) and 6-O-α-l-(2″-trans-caffeoyl)rhamnopyranosyl catalpol (6: ) showed the best antiangiogenic response on blood vessel growth in zebrafish embryos, whereas saccatoside (10: ) and 6-O-α-l-(2″-O - : p-methoxycinnamoyl-3″-O-acetyl)rhamnopyranosyl catalpol (14: ) resulted in a strong reduction of capillary formation in the chorioallantoic membrane assay.

Functionally dissimilar soil organisms improve growth and Pb/Zn uptake by Stachys inflata grown in a calcareous soil highly polluted with mining activities.

Micro- and macro-organisms are key components of sustainable soil-plant systems; and are involved in plant growth stimulation and accumulation of heavy metals in the plant, with great contribution to phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils. However, the combined effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and earthworms on plant growth and metal uptake is not yet clear. The main objective of this study was to examine the combined influences of these soil organisms on the growth and metal uptake by a native plant species (Stachys inflata), and subsequently on potential phytoremediation in a soil highly polluted with Pb/Zn mining activities. Metal tolerant AMF, PGPR and earthworms were used either alone or in combination in a factorial pot experiment under greenhouse conditions for 4 months. Inoculation of AMF, PGPR and earthworm led to an increase of soil Pb/Zn availability with the greatest Zn availability (about 2 times) with triple inoculation of all the organisms and the highest Pb availability (about 3 times) with co-inoculation of PGPR and earthworms. Triple inoculation of soil organisms increased the total plant biomass 3 times, total Pb uptake 6 times and total Zn uptake 5 times as compared with the uninoculated plants. The growth-stimulating effect of combined soil organisms was much greater than that of individual or dually-inoculated organisms. These results showed that it is possible to use the combination of metal-tolerant soil organisms as a potential bioaugmentation tool to accelerate metal phytoremediation rate in calcareous soils polluted by Pb/Zn mining activity under arid conditions. This could occur as a consequence of the synergistic effects of AMF, PGPR and earthworms on metal availability in the soil, S. inflata growth, metal tolerance and uptake. However, it would practically require more than hundreds of cropping cycles (360 for Pb and 250 for Zn) to achieve metal maximum permissible limits under the conditions of this pot experiment.

Fingerprinting, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Cyclooxygenase and Metabolic Enzymes Inhibitory Characteristic Evaluations of Stachys viticina Boiss. Essential Oil.

The present study aimed to identify the chemical constituents and to assess the in-vitro, antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, metabolic enzymes and cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory properties of essential oil (EO) of Stachys viticina Boiss. leaves. The S. viticina EO was isolated and identified using microwave-ultrasonic and GC-MS techniques, respectively. Fifty-two compounds were identified, of which endo-borneol was the major component, followed by eucalyptol and epizonarene. The EO was evaluated against a panel of in-vitro bioassays. The EO displayed antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli and Epidermophyton floccosum, with MIC values of 0.039, 0.078 and 0.78 mg/mL, respectively. The EO exhibited cytotoxicity against HeLa (cervical adenocarcinoma) and Colo-205 (colon) cancer cell lines with percentages of inhibition of 95% and 90%, for EO concentrations of 1.25 and 0.5 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, it showed metabolic enzyme (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase) inhibitory (IC50 = 45.22 ± 1.1, 63.09 ± 0.26, 501.18 ± 0.38 µg/mL, respectively) and antioxidant activity, with an IC50 value of 19.95 ± 2.08 µg/mL. Moreover, the S. viticina EO showed high cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity against COX-1 and COX-2 with IC50 values of 0.25 and 0.5 µg/mL, respectively, similar to those of the positive control (the NSAID etodolac). Outcomes amassed from this investigation illustrate that S. viticina EO represents a rich source of pharmacologically active molecules which can be further validated and explored clinically for its therapeutic potential and for the development and design of new natural therapeutic preparations.

Chemical composition, cytotoxic effect and antimicrobial activity of Stachys koelzii Rech.f. essential oil against periodontal pathogen Prevotella intermedia.

Prevotella intermedia is associated with periodontal diseases and endodontic infections. Periodontitis can be suppressed by utilizing the antiseptics, which target the infectious bacteria. The member of Stachys sp. has been used traditionally in the form of decoction or infusion for management of infectious diseases. The subject of this article was to evaluate the chemical composition, antimicrobial and cytotoxic effect of Stachys koelzii essential oil and its main components against Prevotella intermedia. GC-FID and GC-MS analysis were used to determine the chemical composition. The antimicrobial effects of S. koelzii essential oil was evaluated by micro-broth dilution assay. Time kill curve assays, leakage of cytoplasmic materials and anti-biofilm effects were determined. Its cytotoxic effect was evaluated by MTT assay. Essential oil with main components of α-pinene, trans-caryophyllene and 1,8-cineole inhibited P. intermedia with MIC and MBC values of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/mL. Its biofilm formation was higher than α-pinene, followed by trans-caryophyllene and 1,8-cineole. Essential oil and its main components increased the leakage of cytoplasmic components. Essential oil showed cytotoxic effect on HeLa cell lines with IC50 0.06 mg/mL. The cytotoxic effect of α-pinene on healthy cell lines was higher than essential oil. S. koelzii essential oil can be used in mouthwash formulations and its efficacy should be evaluated in large clinical studies.

Nutritional Evaluation of Non-Conventional Vegetables in Brazil.

The objective of this study was to characterize the nutritional compounds of interest present in vegetables known as non-conventional, in Brazil. The following evaluations were carried out: antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, vitamin C, calories, carbohydrates, humidity, lipids, proteins, fiber, acidity and quantification of minerals (P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and B). The species studied were Amaranthus hybridus L., Amaranthus viridis L., Basella alba L., Eryngium campestre L., Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Lactuca canadensis L., Rumex acetosa L., Stachys byzantina K. Koch, Tropaeolum majus L. and Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Representative samples of plant structures of interest were harvested from each species suitable for human consumption such as leaves, flowers and flower buds. The results were submitted to multivariate analysis - principal components analysis (PCA). All the species present nutritional compounds of interest in different levels among the evaluated structures.

Identification of Insecticidal Constituents from the Essential Oil from the Aerial Parts Stachys riederi var. japonica.

The essential oil of Stachys riederi var. japonica (Family: Lamiaceae) was extracted by hydrodistillation and determined by GC and GC-MS. A total of 40 components were identified, representing 96.01% of the total oil composition. The major compounds in the essential oil were acetanisole (15.43%), anisole (9.43%), 1,8-cineole (8.07%), geraniol (7.89%), eugenol (4.54%), caryophyllene oxide (4.47%), caryophyllene (4.21%) and linalool (4.07%). Five active constituents (acetanisole, anisole, 1,8-cineole, eugenol and geraniol) were identified by bioactivity-directed fractionation. The essential oil possessed fumigant toxicity against maize weevils (Sitophilus zeamais) and booklice (Liposcelis bostrychophila), with LC50 values of 15.0 mg/L and 0.7 mg/L, respectively. Eugenol and anisole exhibited stronger fumigant toxicity than the oil against booklice. 1,8-Cineole showed stronger toxicity, and anisole as well as eugenol exhibited the same level of fumigant toxicity as the essential oil against maize weevils. The essential oil also exhibited contact toxicity against S. zeamais adults and L. bostrychophila, with LC50 values of 21.8 µg/adult and 287.0 µg/cm², respectively. The results indicated that the essential oil of S. riederi var. japonica and its isolates show potential as fumigants, and for their contact toxicity against grain storage insects.

Polar Constituents, Essential Oil and Antioxidant Activity of Marsh Woundwort (Stachys palustris L.).

Stachys palustris, well-known as marsh woundwort, is a perennial herb growing in wet environments of Europe. Its tubers, leaves and seeds are eaten raw or cooked. Alike other Stachys species, the plant is also used as a traditional remedy. Despite S. palustris has been consumed for centuries, little is known about its chemical constituents. In this work the main secondary metabolites of S. palustris from Hungary and France have been analysed. From the plant ethanolic extracts, ethanoid glucosides, isoscutellarein derivatives, caffeoyl-quinic acids and iridoids have been isolated and structurally characterized by NMR. The essential oils were analysed by GC/MS and showed (E)-phytol, fatty acids and carbonylic compounds as the most abundant compounds. The radical scavenging capacity of plant ethanolic extracts, as evaluated by the DPPH assay, was noteworthy, with IC50 values of 92.08 - 105.42 µg/ml.