Antibacterial activity of traditional spices against lower respiratory tract pathogens: combinatorial effects of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil with conventional antibiotics.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ajowan essential oil (AjEO)/thymol and antibiotics combinations against three standard strains and six resistant clinical isolates of major respiratory bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae). The broth microdilution method was conducted to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of essential oil/thymol and antibiotics. The checkerboard method was used to investigate the interactions between the essential oil/thymol and antibiotics by means of the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). The chemical composition of essential oil was also analysed by GC-MS and GC-FID. Thymol (50·75%), γ-terpinene (25·94%) and p-cymene (18·31%) were identified as major constituents of the oil. The most sensitive organisms to ajowan volatile oil were Strep. pneumoniae bacteria (MIC = 0·125-0·5 mg ml-1 ). Synergistic effects were observed with AjEO/thymol and amoxicillin combinations on methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus clinical isolates (FICI = 0·37-0·50) and with essential oil and ciprofloxacin combinations against P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staph. aureus ATCC 25923 and penicillin (P)-resistant Strep. pneumoniae bacteria (FICI = 0·37-0·50). Combination of thymol and ciprofloxacin produces synergistic effects only against P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and P-resistant Strep. pneumoniae clinical isolate (FICI = 0·46-0·49).

IN VITRO MEASUREMENT OF TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF CRATAEGUS MACRACANTHA LODD LEAVES.

UNLABELLED: Crataegus macracantha Lodd, family Rosaceae, is a very rare species in Europe, and unlike Crataegus monogyna is less investigated for pharmacologic activity. AIM: To analyze the ability of the lyophilisate of extract obtained from leaves of Crataegus macracantha Lodd (single plant at the Iasi Botanical Garden) to capture free radicals in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The lyophilisate obtained in Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi. The decreased absorbance of chromophore chlorpromazine radical cation in the presence of the lyophilized solutions was studied spectrophotometrically. The indicator radical cation, obtained by oxidation of chlorpromazine by potassium persulfate, has the maximum absorbance at 525 nm. Ascorbic acid was used as a standard antioxidant. RESULTS: The absorbance of radical solution was determined after the addition of a certain amount of lyophilisate at different time intervals. The antioxidant activity was calculated using the calibration curve obtained by plotting the variation in radical solution absorbance depending on ascorbic acid concentration. For each ascorbic acid concentration the area under the curve was calculated from plotting the percentage inhibition of the absorbance at two pre-established time intervals. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the antioxidant activity of the leaves of Crataegus Macracantha Lodd and by optimizing the proposed analytical methods the antiradical activity can be quickly evaluated with minimal reagent consumption.

Contributions to the phytochemical study of Bidens tripartitae herba from Romania. I. Tannins.

AIM: To analyze qualitatively and quantitatively tannins in the native plant, collected during the whole vegetation period from different areas of the country, and in its different organs (flower, stem, leaf). MATERIAL AND METHODS: For quantitative analysis, the plant product was extracted by repeated maceration (3 days) with 80% methanol. Proanthocyanidins in the extract were quantified by spectrophotometric methods. RESULTS: condensed tannins were present while hydrolyzed tannins were absent. Chromatographic analysis showed that tannins spectrum is similar in all plant organs and in plants collected at different times throughout the vegetation period. The differences are only quantitative. The maximum amount of tannins was found during the flowering stage (10.32%). CONCLUSIONS: In terms of tannin content, flowering is the best time to collect. However, collection throughout the whole vegetation period is acceptable.

[Studies regarding chemical composition of lavender volatile oils]. / Cercetari privind compozitia chimica a uleiurilor volatile extrase din flori de levantica.

AIM: In this paper, we studied comparatively volatile fractions obtained by hydrodistillation from 5 samples of lavender flowers (L. angustifolia ssp. angustifolia, L. hybrida, L. angustifolia spp. pyrenaica, L. angustifolia spp. angustifolia cv. Munstead and cv. Hidcote blue) cultivated during 2009 in the Botanical Garden from Galati. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The essential oils have been characterized using gas-chromatography and mass spectroscopy analysis (GC-MS). RESULTS: The main compounds in all lavender volatile oils were: linalool (20.60%-35.99%), linalyl acetate (12.58%-19.65%), lavandulyl acetate (3.74%-10.48%), t-p3-ocimene (1.26%-9.23%), a-terpineol (3.67%-6.73%), nerol (0.81%-3.32%), neryl acetate (0.95%-3.64%) and beta-caryophyllene (0.93%-2.43%). CONCLUSIONS: None of the separated volatile fractions met the minimal quality parameters for the standard volatile oil of fine lavender used in aromatherapy. Low concentration in monoterpene esthers could be explained by the fact that, on one hand, the average daily temperature during the blooming period is below the one from Mediterranean Sea area, and, on the other hand, the city of Galati is only 42 meters above the sea level (the volatile oil from fine lavender used in aromatherapy is obtained from plants cultivated at 800-1200 meters altitude).

[Chemical composition of essential oil obtained from Romanian fennel fruits]. / Cercetari privind compozitia chimica a uleiului volatil separat din fructe de anason dulce cultivat în România.

UNLABELLED: For therapeutical purposes, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), an important aromatic plant, is used for its expectorant, antispasmodic, carminative and diuretic properties. The chemical composition, especially of the volatile fraction, depends on the origin of the plant, and the ecological and environmental conditions in which it grows. AIM: To determine the chemical composition of the volatile fractions obtained from fennel fruits (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) available on the Romanian market. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The essential oils obtained from dried fruits by hydrodistillation have been characterized by using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). RESULTS: In all oils, the main components were: trans-anethole (9.72-56.57%), fenchone (7.72-34.66%) and estragole (4.69-49.04%). CONCLUSIONS: The essential oil from fennel samples showed an inadequate chemical profile for aromatherapy purposes.

[Contributions to the chemical study of the essential oil isolated from coriander fruits (Sandra cultivar)]. / Contributii la studiul compozitiei chimice a uleiului volatil extras din fructe de coriandru soiul sandra.

UNLABELLED: Coriandrum sativum L. (Apiaceae) is a well known herb, native to the Mediterranean region, also intensively cultivated in Romania. The essential oil obtained from Coriandri fructus posseses antimicrobial, antioxidant and anxiolytic effects. Many parameters such as genetic and climatic factors or agronomical practices can influence the yield and composition of the volatile fraction. Plant density is an important factor for the microenvironment in coriander field. AIM: In order to study the effect of planting density on the yield of the essential oil and its composition, a bifactorial experiment was carried out on coriander plants (Sandra cultivar). MATERIAL AND METHOD: The experiment was performed with three plant densities on the row (0, 15 and 20 cm); the distance between plant rows was 12.5, 25 and 50 cm, respectively. So, it resulted nine experimental variants. The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from fruits have been characterized using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy analysis (GC-MS). RESULTS: The highest yield (7.9866 kg/ha) was obtained for the plants spaced at 20 cm in between and 25 cm row spacing. The highest content of monoterpene alcohols (50.96%) was obtained with 25 cm row spacing and plant spaced at 0 cm on the row. The main components in all oils were monoterpene alcohols (40.75% - 50.96%) and monoterpenes (32.43-38.44%). CONCLUSION: The essential oil of coriander fruits (Sandra cultivar) does not meet the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia, especially concerning the content in linalool. Nevertheless, the high content in monoterpene alcohols and monoterpenes recommends the use of the essential oil as immunomodulatory, analgesic and antiinflammatory agent in rheumatology and also as an antibacterial and antiviral agent. Consequently, the changes in yield and composition of the essential oil of Sandra coriander should be assesed during several periods of vegetation in order to conclude on its pharmaceutical quality.

[Contribution to the phytochemical study of polyphenols in ten hydroalcoholic extracts of Chamomile floss]. / Contributii la analiza fitochimica a polifenolilor existenti in extracte hidroalcoolice preparate din mostre comerciale de Chamomillae flos.

UNLABELLED: Continuing a series of studies that intend to evaluate the pharmaceutical quality of 10 commercial samples of chamomile, we tried to investigate the chemical composition of the hydroalcoholic extracts obtained in our laboratory, starting from this raw material. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of the extracts was done by HPLC means. RESULTS: All extractive solutions have a high content in ferulic acid, whereas the caffeic acid level is the lowest. Regarding the flavonoids, there are many quantitative differences between the samples: one extract lacking the rutoside and two of them having low apigenin-7-glucoside contents.

In vitro antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of the essential oil of Foeniculum vulgare Mill.

UNLABELLED: In our study, four samples of volatile oil from Foeniculum vulgare, cultivated in different pedoclimatic conditions, were investigated for their antimicrobial activity and chemical composition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Organisms. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Candida albicans were included in the report. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests. The comparative inhibitory activity of volatile oil samples with other antimicrobial agents was quantitative determined by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Oil samples are the volatile oils extracted by steam distillation, from two ecological vegetative populations of Foeniculum vulgare. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to determine the chemical composition of the essential oils. RESULTS: All oil samples have a good activity against E. coli and S. aureus at low concentrations. Against B. cereus and P. aeruginosa these oil samples are less active. The oil samples were generally bactericidal at a concentration up to twofold or fourfold higher than the MIC value. Significantly synergic activity with amoxicillin or tetracycline showed all fennel samples against E. coli, Sarcina lutea and B. subtilis strains. Fennel oil samples have shown high activity against Candida albicans. CONCLUSION: No significant antimicrobial activity variations were observed for Foeniculum vulgare volatile oil samples obtained after two or three years cultivation period. The most important identified compounds in all samples of fennel volatile oils were trans-anethole, estragole, fenchone, limonene, alpha-pinene and gamma-terpinene.

Chemical composition and in vitro antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Melissa officinalis L. from Romania.

UNLABELLED: Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) is used in traditional medicine to treat insomnia, anxiety, gastric conditions, psychiatric conditions, migraines, hypertension and bronchial conditions. Natural essential oils (mixtures of fragrant chemical) obtained from various parts of plants are efficient active antimicrobial agents. The widespread use of antimicrobial agents selects resistant bacterial strains, which seriously compromise the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment. The use of herbal medicines might be a precautionary measure to prevent the development of lack of susceptibility to synthetic antibiotics that is associated with therapeutic failures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this work, the chemical composition and the antimicrobial properties of essential oil from romanian Melissa officinalis were determined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro antimicrobial activity of lemon balm oil by comparison with lavender essential oil, which is also utilised for its antimicrobial properties in folk medicine. RESULTS: The most important identified compounds, well known for their antimicrobial effects were citral (neral and geranial) (16.10%), citronellal (3.76%) and trans-caryophyllene (3.57%).The lemon balm oil sample exhibited a higher degree antibacterial activity than did Lavandula oil against Gram-positive strains. The both oil samples tested has shown a high activity against Candida albicans. The gram-negative bacteria were not affected by the lemon balm oil.

[Pharmacognostic research of some species of Achillea. Note 1. Volatile oils analysis]. / Cercetarea farmacognostica a unor specii de Achillea. Nota I. Analiza uleiurilor volatile.

We established the hydrodistilled essential oil yields from the dried flower heads of A. collina J. Becker ex Reichenb. (collected in Austria and Romanina), A. millefolium L. (s.l.) (Romania) and of three mixtures of some species belonging to the Achillea millefolium L. group. Constitutents of the essential oils were studied by GC method. The main components of the monoterpene fraction of the oils were 1.8 cineol, camphor, and borneol. The main active principle of the volatile oil, chamazulene, was in highest concentration (53%) in the essential oil hydrodistilled from A. collina collected in Austria. The results obtained for a mixture of some species (Plafar Botosani) differ from literature data in the presence of bisabolol, which have not been found so far in Achillea species.

Prolonged gastroprotective activity of a ranitidine-dextran conjugate.

The paper presents the influence of the ranitidine-dextran conjugate on the gastric secretion stimulated with carbachol on rats with a ligated pylorus [correction of ligaturated pilor]. The gastric lesions, the gastric juice volume and the total acidity at 6, 24 and 48 hours after the treatment were examined. Ranitidine serum content was determined by HPLC. Administration of the ranitidine-dextran conjugate produces a higher inhibition of gastric lesions at 48 hours than the administration of the free drug (61.4% versus 33.9%) and a prolonged action for more 48 hours. Synthesis of a macromolecular prodrug of ranitidine and its in vitro behavior was reported in a previous paper (11). The present paper studies the performances obtained in gastro-protective action by using the new ranitidine-dextran conjugate reported (11).