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1.
Chem Biodivers ; 21(5): e202400274, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38466647

ABSTRACT

The aim of the current study was to compare some biological activities of edible oils enriched with 10 % of cannabidiol (CBD samples) from the Slovak market. In addition, hemp, coconut, argan, and pumpkin pure oils were also examined. The study evaluated the fatty acids content, as well as antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and phytotoxic activities. The CBD samples presented antimicrobial activity against the tested bacterial strains at higher concentrations (10000 and 5000 mg/L) and antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata, Penicillium italicum and Aspergillus flavus. DPPH⋅ and FRAP assays showed greater activity in CBD-supplemented samples compared to pure oils and vitamin E. In cell lines (IPEC-J2 and Caco-2), a reduced cell proliferation and viability were observed after 24 hours of incubation with CBD samples. The oils showed pro-germinative effects. The tested activities were linked to the presence of CBD in the oils.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants , Cannabidiol , Cell Proliferation , Cannabidiol/pharmacology , Cannabidiol/chemistry , Humans , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Antioxidants/chemistry , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Caco-2 Cells , Cell Survival/drug effects , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Plant Oils/pharmacology , Plant Oils/chemistry , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/chemistry , Penicillium/drug effects , Alternaria/drug effects , Aspergillus flavus/drug effects
2.
Molecules ; 28(21)2023 Nov 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37959858

ABSTRACT

Plants with medicinal benefits are a crucial source of compounds for developing drugs. This study was designed to determine the chemical composition, antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anti-enzymatic activities of Pulicaria incisa (Lam.) DC. We also reported the molecular interaction between identified molecules and several receptors associated with antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities. A total of seventeen and thirteen compounds were identified in aqueous and methanolic extracts of P. incisa, respectively. The methanolic extract yielded a higher total content of polyphenols and flavonoids of about 84.80 ± 2.8 mg GAE/g and 28.30 ± 1.2 mg QE/g, respectively. Significant antibacterial activity was recorded for both extracts, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 30 to 36 µg/mL, and the result was comparable to the reference antibiotic control. Antibiofilm assays revealed that both extracts were able to reduce the attachment of bacterial cells to 96-well plates, but the highest antibiofilm activity was recorded against Staphylococcus aureus. The methanolic extract also showed anti-enzymatic potency and high antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by all assays used, including DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS. These results were further validated by in silico approaches, particularly the molecular interaction of the identified compounds with the targeted receptors. These findings present P. incisa as a significant source of antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anti-enzymatic molecules.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants , Pulicaria , Antioxidants/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Phytochemicals/pharmacology , Phytochemicals/chemistry , Methanol
3.
Sci Rep ; 12(1): 3845, 2022 03 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35264638

ABSTRACT

Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) is mainly cultivated, both as fresh and dried herb, for several purposes, such as ailments, drugs, and spices. To evaluate the influence of some drying methods on the chemical composition of the essential oil of oregano, its aerial parts were dehydrated by convective drying techniques (shade, static oven), microwave-assisted heating (three different treatments) and osmotic treatment. The oils were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The highest essential oil yield was achieved from microwave and shade drying methods. In total, 39 components were found, with carvacrol (ranging from 56.2 to 81.4%) being the main constituent; other compounds present in lower amounts were p-cymene (1.6-17.7%), γ-terpinene (0.8-14.2%), α-pinene (0.1-2.1%), thymol methyl ether (0.4-1.8%) and thimoquinone (0.5-3.5%). The essential oil yields varied among the different treatments as well as the relative compositions. The percentages of p-cymene, γ-terpinene and α-pinene decreased significantly in the dried sample compared with the fresh sample; on the other hand, carvacrol, isoborneol and linalool increased significantly in the dried materials. The choice of the drying method for obtaining the essential oil therefore appears crucial not only in relation to the higher yield but also and above all in reference to the percentage presence of components that can direct the essential oil toward an appropriate use.


Subject(s)
Oils, Volatile , Origanum , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods , Oils, Volatile/chemistry , Origanum/chemistry , Plant Oils/chemistry , Thymol/chemistry
4.
Nat Prod Res ; 36(2): 680-686, 2022 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32729327

ABSTRACT

Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (lavender) and Origanum heracleoticum L. (greek oregano) are aromatic plants used in traditional medicine for relief of convulsion, anxiety, insomnia and in the treatment of neurological disorders. On the basis of literature, we evaluated the changing in glutathione enzymatic activities provoked by the essential oils and pure components, linalool, carvacrol and limonene to study the mechanisms of action, responsible for several activities. Activities of SOD (superoxide dismutase) and GPx (glutathione peroxidase) tend to increase respect to control. SOD maximal increase reached up to 117% for carvacrol and limonene. Increase in GPx activity reached even up to value 1.229 for origanum oil in comparison to control 0.125 µkat/mg prot. Activities of GR (glutathione reductase), except for lavender, showed a biphasic response. Like for GR, the administration of compounds, resulted in a biphasic response in GST (glutathione-S-transferase) activities (with a consistent increase in activity at concentration 125 µg/mL for all compounds except lavender). Moreover, the changes in GSH (reduced glutathione), are no significant for different concentrations of essential oils. So, the biological properties of essential oils and specifically, the antioxidant ones, can be related to their capacity to modify the glutathione enzymatic activities.


Subject(s)
Lamiaceae , Lavandula , Oils, Volatile , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Glutathione , Glutathione Peroxidase , Oils, Volatile/pharmacology , Plant Oils/pharmacology , Superoxide Dismutase
5.
Molecules ; 26(3)2021 Jan 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33530639

ABSTRACT

The chemical composition and the qualitative and quantitative variability of the essential oils of three taxa belonging to the Teucrium genus were studied. The investigated taxa, that grow wild in Sicily, were Teucrium flavum L. (section Chamaedrys (Mill.) Scheb.), Teucrium montanum and Teucrium capitatum L. of section Polium (Mill.) Scheb. Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. In total, 74 compounds were identified. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were found to be the main group for T. flavum (48.3%). T. capitatum consisted essentially of monoterpene hydrocarbons (72.7%), with α-pinene (19.9%), ß-pinene (27.6%) and sylvestrene (16.6%) as the most abundant compounds whereas ledene oxide (12.1%), epiglobulol (13.5%) and longifolenaldehyde (14.5%) were identified as the main constituents among the oxygenated sesquiterpenes (63.5%) of T. montanum. Furthermore, a complete literature review on the composition of the essential oils of all the other accessions of these Teucrium taxa, studied so far, was performed. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) and Principal Component Analyses (PCA) were used in order to demonstrate geographical variations in the composition of the essential oils.


Subject(s)
Oils, Volatile/isolation & purification , Teucrium/classification , Teucrium/growth & development , Cluster Analysis , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Oils, Volatile/chemistry , Plant Components, Aerial/chemistry , Plant Components, Aerial/growth & development , Plant Oils/chemistry , Principal Component Analysis , Sicily , Species Specificity , Teucrium/chemistry
6.
Plants (Basel) ; 10(1)2021 Jan 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33466616

ABSTRACT

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruits are important sources of vitamins and minerals and widely used in the dietary supplement industry. An aqueous extract of its leathery exocarp (LEP) was obtained by a solid-phase micro-extraction method. The antifungal activity was examined against the phytopathogenic fungi, Fusarium oxysporum, Phytophthora cinnamomi, Penicillium digitatum and Botrytis cinerea, and the antibacterial activity was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Xanthomonas campestris, Bacillus megaterium and Clavibacter michiganensis. The antimicrobial assays showed, in some cases, a promising antimicrobial effect compared to the synthetic drugs. The possible anti-acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant activities of the LEP extract were investigated by the Ellman's assay and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test, respectively, and their results showed that the LEP extract has an effective anti-acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect and an antioxidant activity. Thus, the LEP extract could be valid as a candidate for further studies on the use of pomegranate in neurodegenerative diseases as a food preservative and a suitable substitute to control several phytopathogens.

7.
Molecules ; 25(3)2020 Jan 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32013272

ABSTRACT

Searching for new bio-based herbicides is crucial for decreasing chemical pollution, protecting the environment, and sustaining biodiversity. Origanum vulgare is considered a promising source of essential oil with herbicidal effect. The mode of action is not known. The present study focused on (1) comparison of phytotoxic activity of Origanum vulgare EO on monocot (Triticum aestivum and Hordeum vulgare) and dicot species (Lepidium sativum and Sinapis alba); (2) and evaluating other antimicrobial biological activities against phytopatogen bacteria (Clavibacter michiganensis, Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola, Pseudomonas savastanoi, and Xanthomonas campestris); antifungal activity against Monilinia fructicola, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium expansum, and Botrytis cinerea; cytotoxic activity and antioxidant activity. According to the GC/MS analyses, the EO belongs to the thymol chemotype O. vulgare with its high content of thymol (76%). Germination of all four species was not influenced by EO. The phytotoxic effect was statistically significant in the monocot species, while in the dicot species the opposite was observed-a stimulation effect, which was also statistically significant. Strong biological activity of O. vulgare EO was noted on all phytopatogen bacteria and fungi in the highest dose. Cytotoxic activity showed an IC50 = 50.5 µg/mL. Antioxidant activity showed an IC50 = 106.6 µg/mL after 45 min experimental time. Based on the presented results, it is possible to conclude that thymol chemotype O. vulgare essential oil could be potentially used as a herbicide with selective effects on monocot plant species.


Subject(s)
Herbicides/pharmacology , Oils, Volatile/pharmacology , Origanum/chemistry , Plant Oils/pharmacology , Plants/drug effects , Thymol/pharmacology , Anti-Infective Agents/isolation & purification , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cytotoxins/isolation & purification , Cytotoxins/pharmacology , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , Free Radical Scavengers , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Herbicides/isolation & purification , Hordeum/drug effects , Humans , Lepidium sativum/drug effects , Oils, Volatile/chemistry , Oils, Volatile/isolation & purification , Plant Oils/chemistry , Plant Oils/isolation & purification , Sinapis/drug effects , Species Specificity , Thymol/chemistry , Thymol/isolation & purification , Triticum/drug effects
8.
Nat Prod Res ; 34(22): 3231-3233, 2020 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30689411

ABSTRACT

Solidago canadensis L. (SC) (Canadian goldenrod) is a dangerous plant invader in Europe, which suppress the indigenous flora. Essential oils (EOs) are considered biological control agents. GC-MS analysis for identification of main components was conducted and the potential phytotoxicity of six EOs were also evaluated. Limonene and ß-thujone were dominant components in Salvia officinalis L., menthone and menthol in Mentha × piperita L., carvacrol in Origanum vulgare L., estragole/anisole and anethole in Foeniculum vulgare Mill., limonene and carvone in Anethum graveolens L., and anethole in Pimpinella anisum L. Along with EOs, anethole, anisole, camphor, carvone, estragole, limonene, menthol, menthone, thujone and thymol were used independently to evaluate phytotoxic effect against Canadian goldenrod seed germination. A significant inhibitory effect was registered for origanum (1.250 µg.ml-1). The influence of single components was significant. The highest phytotoxic activity was registered with anethole and estragole. Phenolic compounds were the inhibitoriest, followed by oxygenated and hydrocarbon monoterpenes.


Subject(s)
Germination/drug effects , Herbicides/pharmacology , Oils, Volatile/pharmacology , Plant Weeds/drug effects , Solidago/drug effects , Camphor/analysis , Camphor/pharmacology , Foeniculum/chemistry , Herbicides/chemistry , Limonene/analysis , Limonene/pharmacology , Mentha piperita/chemistry , Menthol/analysis , Menthol/pharmacology , Monoterpenes/analysis , Oils, Volatile/chemistry , Origanum/chemistry , Seeds/drug effects , Thymol/analysis , Thymol/pharmacology
9.
J Ethnobiol Ethnomed ; 15(1): 50, 2019 Oct 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31623655

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To best of our knowledge, this is the first quantitative ethnobotanical study with the aim of documenting the local knowledge and practices of using plants for curing diseases in the Cava de' Tirreni area, Salerno Province, Campania Region, Italy. The present ethnobotanical field study, carried out during 2016-2017, documents the local uses of 119 plant species for medicinal, food and domestic purposes. METHODS: Ethnobotanical data were documented from 70 informants: field data were collected and information on the uses of plants was gathered through semi-structured and structured interviews with persons who still retain traditional ethnobotanical knowledge. Documented data were evaluated using the quantitative ethnobotanical index of use value (UV). RESULTS: Overall, the informants native of the area were interviewed and 277 use-reports have been recorded. The scientific names, local names, plant part used, preparation and administration processes are reported and compared with practices in other Southern Italian regions. In total, 101 species are documented as medicinal, 36 as food or food aromatizer, 29 for domestic and handicraft uses, 10 in veterinary medicine. More or less 64% of all species have more uses and over half of the food plants (23 species) are also used for medicinal purposes. CONCLUSIONS: The comparison of the documented species and their uses with ethnobotanical literature of other Italian regions reveals that the traditional plant knowledge in this area shows strong similarities with adjacent Southern Italian areas. Some of the recorded species and administration processes however seem to be unique for the zone.


Subject(s)
Ethnobotany , Medicine, Traditional , Plants, Medicinal , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Italy , Knowledge , Male , Middle Aged , Plant Preparations , Plants, Edible
10.
Molecules ; 24(7)2019 Mar 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30934783

ABSTRACT

Plant essential oils (EOs) are one of the most relevant natural products due to their biological, medicinal, and nutritional properties. The promising biological effects of many plants EOs encourage researchers to study their biochemical properties to be used as possible natural alternatives for commercial pesticides and not only as herbal medicines. The current research has been conducted to study the microbicide effect of Solidago canadensis L. EO to control some common plant diseases caused by several postharvest phytopathogenic fungi (Monilinia fructicola, Botrytis cinerea, Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium expansum) in comparison with Azoxystrobin as a large spectrum fungicide. The antibacterial activity has been carried out against some phytopathogenic bacteria (Bacillus megaterium and Clavibacter michiganensis (G+ve) and Xanthomonas campestris, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola (G-ve)) compared to the synthetic antibiotic Tetracycline. Minimum inhibitory concentration was carried out to determine the lowest effective EO dose using a 96-well microplate. The cell membrane permeability was also evaluated by measuring the electric conductivity (EC) to examine the possible mechanisms of action of S. canadensis EO. Chemical characterization of EO has been carried out using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Thirty-two identified components in S. canadensis EO presented 97.7% of total compounds in EO. The principal compounds were identified as germacrene D (34.9%), limonene (12.5%), α-pinene (11.6%), ß-elemene (7.1%), and bornyl acetate (6.3%). In addition, S. canadensis EO demonstrated promising in vitro antimicrobial activities against the majority of tested phytopathogens at all tested concentrations.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Oils, Volatile/chemistry , Oils, Volatile/pharmacology , Phytochemicals/chemistry , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Solidago/chemistry , Antifungal Agents/chemistry , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Bacteria/drug effects , Cell Membrane Permeability/drug effects , Fungi/drug effects , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Microbial Sensitivity Tests
11.
Molecules ; 23(11)2018 Oct 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30380739

ABSTRACT

To highlight the importance of the spices in the Mediterranean diet, the aim of the paper was to study the essential oil compositions and to clarify the potential differences in the biological activities of the three cardamom species. In the study, we compared the phytochemical profiles and biological activities of essential oils from Elettaria cardamomum, Aframomum corrorima and Amomum subulatum. The oils were analyzed using the GC and GC/MS techniques and were mainly constituted of the oxygenated monoterpenes which represents 71.4%, 63.0%, and 51.0% of all compounds detected in E. cardamomum, A. corrorima and A. subulatum essential oils, respectively, 1,8-cineole was the main common compound between the tree tested volatile oil. The essential oils showed significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms tested especially the fungal strains. The Ethiopian cardamom was the most active essential oil with fungal growth inhibition zone ranging from 12.67 to 34.33 mm, MICs values ranging from 0.048 to 0.19 mg/mL, and MBCs values from 0.19 to 1.75 mg/mL. The three tested essential oils and their main component (1,8-cineole) significantly increased the production of elastase and protease production, and motility in P. aeruginosa PAO1 in a dose dependent manner. In fact, at 10 mg/mL concentration, the three essential oils showed more than 50% of inhibition of elastolytic and proteolytic activities in P. aeruginosa PAO1. The same oils inhibited also the violacein production in C. violaceum strain. It was also noticed that at high concentrations, the A. corrorima essential oil significantly inhibited the germination of radish. A thorough knowledge of the biological and safety profiles of essential oils can produce applications of economic importance.


Subject(s)
Amomum/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry , Elettaria/chemistry , Oils, Volatile/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Eucalyptol/chemistry , Eucalyptol/isolation & purification , Eucalyptol/pharmacology , Fungi/drug effects , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects , Gram-Positive Bacteria/drug effects , Plant Oils/chemistry , Plant Oils/pharmacology
12.
Molecules ; 23(10)2018 Oct 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30336602

ABSTRACT

The problem of antibiotic resistance among pathogens encourages searching for novel active molecules. The aim of the research was to assay the anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS) and antibiofilm potential of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil and its main constituent, terpinen-4-ol, to prevent the infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains as an alternate to antibiotics. The tea tree oil (TTO) was evaluated for its potential in inhibiting QS-dependent phenomena such as violacein production in Chromobacterium violaceum, swarming motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, and biofilm formation in MRSA strains on glass. The results showed that terpinen-4-ol was able to inhibit MRSA strain biofilm formation on the glass strips by 73.70%. TTO inhibited the violacein production at a mean inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.048 mg/mL by 69.3%. At 100 µg/mL TTO and terpinen-4-ol exhibited inhibition in swarming motility of PAO1 by 33.33% and 25%, respectively. TTO revealed anti-QS and anti-biofilm activities at very low concentrations, but it could be further investigated for new molecules useful for the treatment of MRSA infections.


Subject(s)
Chromobacterium/drug effects , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Staphylococcal Infections/drug therapy , Terpenes/pharmacology , Biofilms/drug effects , Chromobacterium/pathogenicity , Humans , Melaleuca/chemistry , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/pathogenicity , Oils, Volatile/chemistry , Oils, Volatile/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/pathogenicity , Quorum Sensing/drug effects , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology , Tea Tree Oil/pharmacology , Terpenes/chemistry
13.
Molecules ; 22(6)2017 Jun 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28587201

ABSTRACT

Laurus nobilis is native to the southern Mediterranean region and cultivated mainly in Europe and the USA as an ornamental and medicinal plant. The chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) from leaves of L. nobilis, collected in Southern Italy, was studied by GC and GC-MS. In all, 55 compounds were identified, accounting for 91.6% of the total oil. 1,8-Cineole (31.9%), sabinene (12.2%), and linalool (10.2%) were the main components. Antimicrobial and antifungal activities of EO and 1,8-cineole were determined in vitro. The cytotoxicity of the EO was evaluated against SH-SY5Y cell line, as well as the influence of the EO on the expression of adenylate cyclase 1 (ADCY1), suggesting possible oil effects on the Central Nervous System.


Subject(s)
Laurus/chemistry , Oils, Volatile/chemistry , Oils, Volatile/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Adenylyl Cyclases/metabolism , Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Survival/drug effects , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Humans , Microbial Sensitivity Tests
14.
Pharm Biol ; 54(9): 1782-92, 2016 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26731632

ABSTRACT

Context Hypericum perforatum L. (Hypericaceae), used in moderate depression treatment, is active in experimental tests for antidepressant activity. For H. connatum Lam., a South American species lacking hyperforin, antidepressant effects have not been demonstrated. Objective This study evaluates the antidepressant-like effect of H. connatum in rats and identifies the components involved in this activity. Materials and methods First, the effects of acute and 14-d oral administrations of an extract derived from H. connatum aerial parts were studied using the Escape Deficit (ED) test. Next, methanol-extracted flavonoid-enriched fractions B and C and fraction-purified flavonoids (quercetin, rutin and isoquercitrin) were evaluated in the ED test after acute administration. To rule out possible confounding effects of the flavonoids, we examined nociceptive threshold using the tail-flick test and anxious behaviour using the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. Results Hypericum connatum increased reactivity of unavoidable stress-exposed rats after acute (0.5 and 1 g/kg: ED = 18.6/30 and 19.8/30, respectively) and repeated administration (0.5 g/kg twice daily: ED = 17.8/30). Protective effects were observed for fractions B and C (250 mg/kg: ED = 18.1/30 and 18.8/30, respectively), quercetin (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg: ED = 15.3/30, 18.3/30 and 21.6/30, respectively), rutin (5 and 10 mg/kg: ED = 15.4/30 and 13.0/30, respectively) and isoquercitrin (2.5 mg/kg: ED = 19.2/30). The flavonoids did not modify nociceptive threshold or performance in the EPM test. Discussion and conclusion Hypericum connatum showed protective activity in the ED test, a correlate of potential antidepressant-like effects that appeared to be related to the flavonoid components of this species.


Subject(s)
Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Depression/drug therapy , Escape Reaction/drug effects , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Hypericum , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Stress, Psychological/drug therapy , Administration, Oral , Animals , Antidepressive Agents/administration & dosage , Antidepressive Agents/isolation & purification , Depression/psychology , Disease Models, Animal , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Administration Schedule , Flavonoids/administration & dosage , Flavonoids/isolation & purification , Hypericum/chemistry , Locomotion/drug effects , Male , Maze Learning/drug effects , Nociception/drug effects , Pain Threshold/drug effects , Phytotherapy , Plant Components, Aerial , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Plants, Medicinal , Quercetin/analogs & derivatives , Quercetin/isolation & purification , Quercetin/pharmacology , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Rutin/isolation & purification , Rutin/pharmacology , Stress, Psychological/psychology
15.
Nat Prod Commun ; 11(11): 1721-1724, 2016 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30475516

ABSTRACT

A new menthol cultivar of Mentha x piperita L. bred in East Slovakia was evaluated for the biological activity of its essential oils (EOs). The content and composition of the EO components changed during plant development and the different effects of samples collected each month (April - September) within the growing season were noted. EOs are considered to be an important source of potential allelochemicals. Changes in EO composition influenced phytotoxic activity. Stimulation and inhibition of seed germination and root elongation occurred with different EO concentrations. The four tested bacterial strains: presented different resistance to the samples collected in different growing periods.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Herbicides/pharmacology , Mentha piperita/chemistry , Mentha piperita/classification , Oils, Volatile/pharmacology , Plant Oils/pharmacology , Seeds/drug effects , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Herbicides/chemistry , Lepidium sativum/drug effects , Oils, Volatile/chemistry , Plant Oils/chemistry , Raphanus/drug effects
16.
J Med Food ; 18(8): 929-34, 2015 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25599273

ABSTRACT

Plant essential oils (EOs) can potentially replace synthetic fungicides in the management of postharvest fruit and vegetable diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro and in vivo effectiveness of thymol, carvacrol, linalool, and trans-caryophyllene, single constituents of the EO of Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum against Monilinia laxa, M. fructigena, and M. fructicola, which are important phytopathogens and causal agents of brown rot of pome and stone fruits in pre- and postharvest. Moreover, the possible phytotoxic activity of these constituents was assessed and their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. In vitro experiment indicated that thymol and carvacrol possess the highest antifungal activity. Results of in vivo trials confirmed the strong efficacy of thymol and carvacrol against brown rot of peach fruits. The thymol MIC resulted to be 0.16 µg/µL against M. laxa and M. fructigena and 0.12 µg/µL against M. fructicola, whereas for carvacrol they were 0.02 µg/µL against the first two Monilinia species and 0.03 µg/µL against the third. Results of this study indicated that thymol and carvacrol could be used after suitable formulation for controlling postharvest fruit diseases caused by the three studied Monilinia species.


Subject(s)
Ascomycota/drug effects , Fruit/microbiology , Oils, Volatile/pharmacology , Origanum/chemistry , Plant Diseases/microbiology , Prunus persica/microbiology , Acyclic Monoterpenes , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Ascomycota/pathogenicity , Cymenes , Fruit/drug effects , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Monoterpenes/chemistry , Oils, Volatile/chemistry , Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes , Prunus persica/drug effects , Sesquiterpenes/chemistry , Thymol/chemistry
17.
J Sci Food Agric ; 95(3): 621-7, 2015 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24965379

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mentha × piperita is an important and commonly used flavoring plant worldwide. Its constituents, primarily menthol and menthone, change in the essential oil depending on internal and external factors, of which environmental conditions appear very important. The experiment was established in 2010 for three vegetation season, in order to observe the quantitative changes of the main components of peppermint. The determination of menthol, menthone, limonene, menthyl acetate, menthofuran and ß-caryophyllene was registered. RESULTS: In the experimental season 2011 and 2012 a higher mean temperature than in 2010 and extreme rainfall in July 2011 and 2012 were recorded. Different environmental conditions affected the development of M. × piperita plants and the content and composition of the essential oil. CONCLUSION: Seasonal and maturity variations are interlinked with each other, because the specific ontogenic growth stage differed as the season progressed. Fluctuations in monthly and seasonal temperature and precipitation patterns affected the quality of peppermint essential oil.


Subject(s)
Mentha piperita/chemistry , Oils, Volatile/chemistry , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Seasons , Terpenes/analysis , Cyclohexenes/analysis , Limonene , Menthol/analysis , Monoterpenes/analysis , Plant Oils/analysis , Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes , Sesquiterpenes/analysis
18.
Nat Prod Commun ; 9(7): 1003-6, 2014 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25230514

ABSTRACT

The chemical composition of the essential oil of Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis (Basellaceae), grown in Brazil, was studied by means of GC and GC-MS analysis. In all, 19 compounds were identified, accounting for 91.6% of the total oil; hydrocarbons were the main constituents (67.7%). The essential oil was evaluated for its in vitro potential phytotoxic activity against germination and initial radicle growth of Raphanus sativus L., Sinapis arvensis L., and Phalaris canariensis L. seeds. At 1.25 microg/mL and 0.625 microg/mL, the oil significantly promoted the germination of S. arvensis. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was assayed against ten bacterial strains. The essential oil showed a weak inhibitory activity against the Gram-positive pathogens.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Magnoliopsida/chemistry , Oils, Volatile/chemistry , Oils, Volatile/pharmacology , Plant Oils/chemistry , Plant Oils/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Bacteria/drug effects , Brazil , Herbicides/chemistry , Herbicides/pharmacology , Magnoliopsida/drug effects
19.
J Ethnopharmacol ; 155(2): 1236-42, 2014 Sep 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25038434

ABSTRACT

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The roots of Salvia milthorriza Bunge (Lamiaceae) known as "Danshen", are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a remedy for activating blood and eliminating stasis. TIIA, a diterpenoid of Salvia milthorriza, is one of active components in Danshen that exhibits a significant improvement of the blood flow in the coronary circulatory system and a reduction of myocardial infarction. However, its effect on platelet and underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. On this basis, this compound could be a promising agent to improve blood viscosity and microcirculation and to prevent CVD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to investigate the effects of TIIA on platelet functionality and its interaction with various platelet activation pathways, rat PRP were incubated with TIIA for 1 min at 37°C prior the addition of the stimuli (ADP or collagen). Aggregation was monitored in a light transmission aggregometer measuring changes in turbidity with continuous observation up to 10 min after the addition of the stimuli. MAPK signaling pathway and tubulin acetylation were analyzed by a Western blot technique. The effect of the TIIA was also studied in vivo on bleeding time in mice. RESULTS: TIIA selectively inhibited rat platelet aggregation induced by reversible ADP stimuli (3 µM) in a concentration-dependent manner (0.5-50 µM). Nevertheless, TIIA was less active against the irreversible stimuli induced by ADP (10 µM) and collagen (10 µg/mL). Moreover, experiments performed on platelet lysates collected at different time-point after the addition of the stimuli shown that TIIA modulated tubulin acetylation and inhibited Erk-2 phosphorylation. Concomitantly, TIIA administrated i.p. at 10 mg/kg significantly amplified the mice bleeding time with an increase of 58% compared to its control (2.06±0.29 min vs 1.30±0.07). ASA was used as reference drug for in vitro and in vivo experiments. CONCLUSIONS: This study clarifies the intracellular signaling pathway involved in antiplatelet action of TIIA and also gives preliminary evidences for its anticoagulant activity. On this basis, this compound could be a promising agent to improve blood viscosity and microcirculation and to prevent CVD.


Subject(s)
Abietanes/pharmacology , Blood Platelets/drug effects , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/metabolism , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/pharmacology , Platelet Aggregation/drug effects , Salvia miltiorrhiza , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Acetylation , Animals , Bleeding Time , Blood Platelets/enzymology , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Enzyme Activation , Hemostasis/drug effects , Male , Mice , Phosphorylation , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Plant Roots , Plants, Medicinal , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/isolation & purification , Platelet Function Tests , Rats, Wistar , Salvia miltiorrhiza/chemistry , Time Factors , Tubulin/metabolism
20.
Nat Prod Res ; 28(10): 764-8, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24483342

ABSTRACT

Biological activities of different varieties of tomato seed extracts were evaluated to verify the potential antioxidant and/or antiproliferative activity of the bioactive metabolites present in them. Findings demonstrated that among all the varieties investigated (San Marzano Rosso, San Marzano Giallo, Corbarino, Black Tomato and San Marzano/Black Tomato hybrid) San Marzano Rosso seed extract exhibited the highest free radical-scavenging activity with 68% of 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical inhibition, and the best cytotoxic activity evaluated by using the brine shrimp test (LD50: 23,198 ppm) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-phenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay on A375 cell line (IC50: 137.7 µg/mL).


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology , Antioxidants/isolation & purification , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Free Radical Scavengers/isolation & purification , Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Solanum lycopersicum/chemistry , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry , Antioxidants/chemistry , Artemia/drug effects , Biphenyl Compounds/pharmacology , Free Radical Scavengers/chemistry , Humans , Italy , Phenols/analysis , Phytotherapy , Picrates/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Seeds/chemistry
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