Positive effects of leaves of Erodium glaucophyllum on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defence depletion induced by obesity.

Medicinal plants are sources of natural antioxidants thanks to their secondary metabolites. Previous studies showed that administration of Erodium glaucophyllum (EG) (Geraniaceae family) was found to alleviate the deleterious effects of obesity-induced damage on liver, heart and kidney. This study, carried out on adult male Wistar rats, evaluates the inhibitory effects of supplementation with E. glaucophyllum extract on obesity. Under our experimental conditions, administration of Erodium aqueous extract decreased the total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides levels as well as ASAT, ALAT, LDH, PAL levels and TBARS concentration; and increased the (HDL) with the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) in liver, heart and kidney, compared to HFD group. The anti-obesity effects of the Erodium extract in several organs were mainly due to the interaction of these bioactive molecules (polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannin compounds) and the enzyme system which could be determined by phytochemical analysis.

Flavonoid compounds isolated from Tibetan herbs, binding to GABAA receptor with anxiolytic property.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Previously, the phytochemical constituents of Biebersteinia heterostemon Maxim (BHM) and Arenaria kansuensis Maxim (AKM) were studied and the evaluation of anxiolytic effect based on their extracts was also investigated. The two traditional Tibetan herbs, BHM and AKM, have been widely used in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau for cardiopulmonary disorders and neuropsychiatric diseases. The anxiolytic activities of a number of agents mediated by α2/3-containing GABAA receptors (GABAARs) have been demonstrated through the genetic and pharmacological studies. Flavonoids, such as flavones and flavanols, are a class of ligands that act at GABAARs and exhibit anxiolytic effects in vivo. Here, the flavonoids are the predominant constituents isolated from BHM and AKM. And our purpose is to investigate structure-activity relationships of the flavonoid compounds with binding to BZ-S of GABAAR complexes, and to search for anxiolytic constituents that lack undesirable-effects such as sedation and myorelaxation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The flavonoid constituents were separated and purified through the repeatedly silica gel or/and C18 column chromatography. The affinities of the compounds for BZ-S of GABAARs were detected by the radioreceptor binding assay with bovine cerebellum membranes, in which the different recombinant subunits-containing GABAARs were expressed in HEK 293T cells. The behavior tests, including elevated plus maze, locomotor activity, holeboard, rotarod and horizontal wire, were used to determine and evaluate the anxiolytic, sedative, and myorelaxant effects of these flavonoids. RESULTS: Eleven total flavonoid compounds were obtained from the Tibetan herbs (BHM and AKM). The flavones with 6-and/or 8-OMe possessed the most potent binding affinity to GABAARs, which were based on the result of structure-activity relationships analysis. Demethoxysudachitin (DMS, Ki = 0.59 µM), a flavone that binds to recombinant α1-3/5 subunit-containing GABAARs, was isolated from BHM, and exhibited high anxiolytic activity, without inducing sedation and myorelaxation. Moreover, the anxiolytic effect of DMS was antagonized by flumazenil, suggesting that a mode of action was mediated via the BZ-S of GABAARs. CONCLUSIONS: This present study indicated that the flavones, especially DMS, are novel GABAAR ligands and therapeutic potential candidates for anxiety.

First Extensive Polyphenolic Profile of Erodium cicutarium with Novel Insights to Elemental Composition and Antioxidant Activity.

Erodium cicutarium is known for its total polyphenolic content, but this work reveals the first highly detailed profile of E. cicutarium, obtained with UHPLC-LTQ OrbiTrap MS4 and UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS techniques. A total of 85 phenolic compounds were identified and 17 constituents were quantified. Overall, 25 new compounds were found, which have not yet been reported for the Erodium genera, or the family Geraniaceae. Along with methanolic extracts, the so far poorly investigated water extracts exhibited in vitro antioxidant activity according to all performed assays, including the ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay (ABTS) and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity assay (CUPRAC). Elemental composition analysis performed with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and, additionally, hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HydrEA-ETAAS) showed six most abundant elements to be decreasing as follows: Mg>Ca>K>S>P>Na, and gave first data regarding inorganic arsenic content (109.3-248.4 ng g-1 ). These results suggest E. cicutarium to be a valuable source of various phenolic compounds with substantial potential for further bioactivity testing.

Phytochemical analyses and antibacterial activities of Erodium, Euphorbia, Logoecia and Tamarix species.

INTRODUCTION: Resistance against commonly used antibacterial agents has become a globally recognized threat to human health. Therefore, the development of new and effective antibacterial agents is necessary to treat infections caused by resistant bacterial strains; plants are a promising source of new agents to be tested. METHODOLOGY: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of ethanolic extracts of Erodium gruinum, Euphorbia hierosolymitana, Logoecia cuminoides, and Tamarix tetragyna against 10 Gram-negative and 5 Gram-positive bacteria were determined using agar well diffusion and microtiter plate dilution methods, respectively. The phytochemical composition of the crude extracts of the plants was determined using HPLC. RESULTS: Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Acinetobacter baumannii were sensitive to E. gruinum and E. hierosolymitana extracts. P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and M. catarrhalis were sensitive to L. cuminoides extract. P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, P. mirabilis, and K. pneumoniae were sensitive to T. tetragyna extracts. For Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 33591 and ATCC 43300 were sensitive to E. gruinum and E. hierosolymitana extracts. S. aureus ATCC 43300 and ATCC 33591 and Group D Streptococcus were sensitive to T. tetragyna extract. All Gram-positive bacteria were completely resistant to the extract of L. cuminoides. The major phytochemical components of the plant extracts belonged to flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, quinones, phytosterols, phytoestrogens, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and coumarin. CONCLUSION: The study showed the potential of the development of antibacterial agents from these plants. Phytochemical analysis revealed compounds that are candidates for new antibacterial drugs.

Biofabrication of polyphenols coated Nano palladium and its in-vitro cytotoxicity against human leukemia cell lines (K562).

The biofabrication of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) using aqueous leaf extract of Pelargonium graveolens is reported herein. The polyphenols present in the Pelargonium graveolens extract are mainly responsible for reduction and subsequent stabilization of formed PdNPs. UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) absorption and reaction color change from yellow to brown indicated the formation of PdNPs. The as synthesized PdNPs were studied by using characterization techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Zeta potential measurements and Selected area electron diffraction (SAED). FTIR analysis and Zeta potential measurements showed the capping of polyphenols onto the surface of PdNPs, which further responsible for preventing aggregation of PdNPs. TEM image showed that the PdNPs exists in the range from 50 to 150nm. Also, XRD pattern revealed the crystalline nature of as synthesized PdNPs. The in vitro cytotoxicity studies of Pelargonium graveolens extract capped PdNPs was conducted using human leukemia cell lines (K562) by following an MTT cell viability assay and is found that the cytotoxicity is dose dependent. Further, the synthesized PdNPs will open a new opportunities in the field of biomedicine. Also, the produced method is an alternative to the chemical synthetic approaches that are being used nowadays.

Pharmacological and phytochemical screening of Palestinian traditional medicinal plants Erodium laciniatum and Lactuca orientalis.

BACKGROUND: Various epidemiological studies showed that herbal remedies containing polyphenols may protect against various diseases such as cancers, vascular diseases and inflammatory pathologies. Currently, such groups of bioactive compounds have become a subject of many antimicrobials and antioxidant investigations. Accordingly, the current study aimed to conduct biological and phytochemical screening for two Palestinian traditional medicinal plants, Erodium laciniatum and Lactuca orientalis. METHODS: Current plants phytoconstituents and their antioxidant activities were evaluated by using standard phytochemical methods; meanwhile, antimicrobial activities were estimated by using several types of American Type Culture Collection and multidrug resistant clinical isolates by using agar diffusion well-variant, agar diffusion disc-variant and broth microdilution methods. RESULTS: Phytochemical screenings showed that L. orientalis and E. laciniatum contain mixtures of secondary and primary metabolites Moreover, total flavonoid, tannins and phenols content in E. laciniatum extract were higher than the L. orientalis extracts with almost the same antioxidant potentials. Additionally, both plants organic and aqueous extracts showed various potentials of antimicrobial activity Conclusions: Overall, the studied species have a mixture of phytochemicals, flavonoids, phenols and tannins also have antioxidant and antimicrobial activities which approved their folk uses in treatments of infectious and Alzheimer diseases and simultaneously can be used as therapeutic agents in the pharmaceutical industries.

Protective Roles of Monsonia angustifolia and Its Active Compounds in Experimental Models of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by the accumulation of neurotoxic ß-amyloid (Aß) peptides, which consequently affects cognitive decline and memory impairment. Current research on AD treatment is actively focusing on the prevention of neurotoxic Aß peptide accumulation. Monsonia angustifolia is reported to be consumed as an indigenous vegetable in Tanzania. In this study, we investigated the effect of the ethanol (EtOH) extract of M. angustifolia dried ground material on Aß production and spatial learning ability as protection against AD. The formation of Aß peptides was significantly reduced in HeLa cells stably transfected with the Swedish mutant form of ß-amyloid precursor protein (APPsw) after treatment with a 60% EtOH extract of M. angustifolia. We next examined the cognitive-improving effects of the EtOH extract in vivo. Tg2576 mice were treated with extract for 6 months and subjected to Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests. The results showed that the 60% EtOH extract of M. angustifolia significantly ameliorated behavioral deficits of the AD transgenic mice and reduced the level of insoluble Aß42 in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. We further found that the 60% EtOH extract was effective for memory function recovery after shorter treatment (4 months). In addition, we isolated and identified several single compounds, justicidin A, 5-methoxyjusticidin A, chinensinaphthol, retrochinensinaphthol methyl ether, and suchilactone, from M. angustifolia and tested these compounds. Among them, justicidin A potently decreased the formation of Aß in APPsw-transfected cells. These data suggest that the 60% EtOH extract of M. angustifolia has the potential to be developed as a treatment of AD. Furthermore, justicidin A may contribute, at least partially, to the Aß alteration observed with the extract treatment.

Analysis of 1,3 dimethylamylamine concentrations in Geraniaceae, geranium oil and dietary supplements.

1,3-Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) is a sympathomimetic compound currently incorporated into some dietary supplements. Significant controversy exists regarding the 'natural' origin of DMAA, as claimed by manufacturers of supplements. Manufacturers often refer to its presence by the name Geranamine® implying that DMAA is found in the plant species Geranium and Pelargonium known collectively as Geraniaceae. This study determined whether DMAA is present in the plant species, Geranium and Pelargonium. In addition, concentrations of DMAA in popular dietary supplements and commercial Geranium and Pelargonium oils were assessed. One Pelargonium cultivar, one Geranium cultivar, three essential oils from Pelargonium or Geranium, raw DMAA powder, and seven dietary supplements (DS) sold as finished products and labelled as containing DMAA, or one of its synonyms, were analyzed for the presence of DMAA by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). No measurable levels of DMAA in Geranium, Pelargonium or essential oils at a detection limit of 1-2 ng/g were present. UPLC/MS/MS analysis confirmed the presence of DMAA in spiked plant and oil samples, all seven DS products, and raw DMAA powder. Concentrations (weight%) of DMAA provided in DS ranged from 0.11% to 673%. This study indicates DMAA contained in DS is of a synthetic origin and is not present in the plant species Geranium and Pelargonium; thus the 'natural' origin and use of DMAA as an ingredient in DS is not substantiated.

Volatiles of Geranium purpureum Vill. and Geranium phaeum L.: chemotaxonomy of balkan Geranium and Erodium species (Geraniaceae).

The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of Geranium purpureum and G. phaeum were characterized by GC-FID and GC/MS analyses (the former for the first time in general). In total, 154 constituents were identified, accounting for 89.0-95.8% of the detected GC peak areas. The investigated essential oils consisted mainly of fatty acids and fatty-acid-derived compounds (45.4-81.3%), with hexadecanoic acid and (E)-phytol as the major components. The chemotaxonomic significance of the variations in the essential-oil composition/production of the presently and previously investigated Geranium and highly related Erodium taxa from Serbia and Macedonia was assessed by multivariate statistical analyses. The main conclusions drawn from the high chemical similarity of the two genera, visible from the obtained dendrograms and biplots, confirm the close phylogenetic relationship between the investigated Geranium and Erodium taxa, i.e., that there is no great intergeneric oil-composition variability. Changes in the composition and production of essential oils of the herein investigated taxa and 60 other randomly chosen species belonging to different plant genera were also statistically analyzed. The results put forward pro arguments for the oil-yield-oil-composition correlation hypothesis.

Coumarin compounds of Biebersteinia multifida roots show potential anxiolytic effects in mice.

BACKGROUND: Traditional preparations of the root of Biebersteinia multifida DC (Geraniaceae), a native medicinal plant of Irano-Turanian floristic region, have been used for the treatment of phobias as anxiolytic herbal preparation. METHODS: We utilized the phobic behavior of mice in an elevated plus-maze as a model to evaluate the anxiolytic effect of the plant extract and bio-guided fractionation was applied to isolate the active compounds. Total root extract, alkaline and ether fraction were administered to mice at different doses 30 and 90 min prior to the maze test. Saline and diazepam were administered as negative and positive controls, respectively. The time spent in open and closed arms, an index of anxiety behavior and entry time, was measured as an index of animal activity. RESULTS: The total root extract exhibited anxiolytic effect which was comparable to diazepam but with longer duration. This sustained effect of the crude extract was sustained for 90 min and was even more after injection of 45 mg/kg while the effect of diazepam had been reduced by 90 min. The anxiolytic effect factor was only present in the alkaline fraction and displayed its effect at lower doses than diazepam while pure vasicinone as the previously known alkaloid did not shown anxiolytic effect. The effect of the alkaline fraction was in a dose dependent manner starting at 0.2 mg/kg with a maximum at 1.0 mg/kg. Bio-guided fractionation using a variety of chromatographic methods led to isolation and purification of three coumarin derivatives from the bioactive fraction, including umbelliferone, scopoletin, and ferulic acid. CONCLUSION: For the first time, bio-guided fractionation of the root extract of B. multifida indicates significant sustained anxiolytic effects which led to isolation of three coumarin derivatives with well-known potent MAO inhibitory and anti-anxiety effects. These data contribute to evidence-based traditional use of B. multifida root for anxiety disorders.

[Discrimination of eleven genera of Chinese herbs in Geraniaceae by FTIR spectroscopy and clustering analysis].

A fast identification method of eleven genera of Chinese herbs in Geraniaceae was developed by the combination of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with clustering analysis. FTIR spectroscopy was employed to identify and analyze eleven genera of Chinese herbs in Geraniaceae. On the basis of a principal component analysis (PCA) model, three genera of Chinese herbs were rapidly classified by using the method of SIMCA clustering analysis. These samples could be successfully classified by SIMCA. Recognition rate and rejection rate reached up to 98%. The accuracy of clustering reached up to 91% during blind sample testing. It is concluded that in combination with clustering analysis, FTIR method provides an effective way to rapidly evaluate Chinese herbs in Geraniaceae.

[Six-month follow-up of the effect of neomenor in patients with painful menstruation].

Neomenor is herbal medication especially created to permanently relieve painful menstruation symptoms in girls and women with primary dysmenorrhea. It supplies the organism with substances essential for the metabolic processes that guarantee normal menstrual cycles. In some women these substances are out of balance, there is an excess of prostaglandins, which leads to painful periods, menstrual cramps and even migraine. Each NEOMENOR tablet contains 400 mg of standardized extracts from stalks of: Astragalus glycypyhyllos (Wild liquorice), Erodium cicutarium (Redstem Stork's Bill) and Geranium sanguineum (Bloody Cranesbill). Their biologically active substances inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins and their secretion into the uterus, hence strong muscle contractions are reduced and menstrual cramps disappear. The aim of this short study is to gain personal impressions about the action of the preparation. We have tested 35 girls and women with middle-age--18.74 on (14-28 years) with menarche--average at 12.8, suffering of primary dysmenorrhea. We have watched following factors: degree of dysmenorrhea, duration of complaints, habitus, gynecological and mental status, used painkillers. As a result of three months treatment 63% of the patients with III-d and 37% with II-nd grade of dysmenorrhea transformed in 42% with II-nd and 45% with I-st grade of dysmenorrhea. Only in 4 patients (11%) therapy was without success. The monitoring continues.

Flavonoid aglycones from the leaf and stem exudates of some Geraniaceae species.

Six species of Pelargonium and one species of Geranium were studied for their surface flavonoids. Some of them were found to exhibit an unexpectedly high number of methylated flavonoids, mostly flavonols. The chemotaxonomic significance of exudate flavonoid diversification is shortly addressed.

[Simultaneous determination of four acids active compounds in Erodium stephanianum by RP-HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a RP-HPLC method for the determination of four acids compounds including gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, corilagin and ellagic acid in Erodium Stephanianum. METHOD: The RP-HPLC separation was performed on an Agilent TC-C18 analytical column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm). The mobile phase was methanol (A) -water containing 0.4% H3PO4 (B) with gradient elution mode at the flow rate of 0.8 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength was set at 259 nm, and the column temperature was 30 degrees C. RESULT: The liner ranges of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, corilagin and ellagic acid were 0.059-2.360 g x L(-1) (r = 0.999 6), 0.017-0.672 g x L(-1) (r = 0.999 9), 0.351-14.040 g x L(-1) (r = 0.999 9), and 0.151-6.040 g x L(-1) (r = 0.999 8), respectively. The average recoveries (n = 3) were 99.45% (RSD 1.5%), 98.65% (RSD 1.7%), 100.3% (RSD 2.0%), and 98.90% (RSD 1.2%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The method is simple and accurate with a good reproducibility and can be used for quality control of Erodium stephanianum.

[Principal component analysis and cluster analysis of inorganic elements in Erodium stephanianum from different areas].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of inorganic elements in Erodium stephanianum. METHOD: The content of elements such as Li, B, Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Br, Rb, Sr, Ba, La, Ce and Rb in ten E. stephanianum samples were determined by means of ICP/MS. The results were used for the development of element distribution diagram. The principal component analysis of SPSS and Q-type cluster analysis were applied for the study of characteristic elements in E. stephanianum. RESULT: Five principal components which accounted for over 91% of the total variance were extracted from the original data. The analysis results showed that Al, Ti, V, Fe, La, Ce, Li, Ga and Ba may be the characteristic elements in E. stephanianum; The results of Q-type cluster analysis showed that the samples could be clustered reasonably into two groups, and the elemental distribution characteristics were related to the ecology and origins of E. stephanianum. CONCLUSION: The principal component analysis and Q-type cluster analysis could be used in data processing in inorganic elements.

Antihemolytic and antioxidant activities of Biebersteinia multifida.

OBJECTIVES: Biebersteinia multifida is a common herb known in Iran. Its roots have been used locally in folk medicine of western region of Iran in the treatment of many diseases. The antioxidant activity and its inhibition of erythrocyte hemolysis were investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH), nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities, Fe2+ chelating ability, reducing power and hemoglobin-induced linoleic acid peroxidation were used to evaluate antioxidant activities. Antihemolytic activity was evaluated by H2O2 induced hemolysis in rat erythrocyte. The total amount of phenolic compounds was determined as gallic acid equivalents and total flavonoid contents were calculated as quercetin equivalents from a calibration curve. RESULTS: Root had higher phenol contents (80.1 +/- 3.1 mg ml(-1)) and showed highest activity in DPPH radical-scavenging activity (95.9 +/- 3.2 microg ml(-1)). It also showed better reducing power than other parts. In Fe2+ chelating, leaf extract was the most potent (789 +/- 33 microg ml(-1)). Extracts exhibited good H2O2 scavenging in a concentration dependent manner. All extracts exhibited good protection against hemoglobin-catalyzed peroxidation linoleic acid system. In nitric oxide scavenging model, root extract showed the best activity (696 +/- 2.7 microg ml(-1)). Root and leaf extracts contained total phenol and flavonoids contents than other extracts. Tested extracts show weak activity in H2O2 induced hemolysis in rat erythrocyte which was not comparable with vitamin C. CONCLUSIONS: Biebersteinia multifida extracts exhibited different levels of antioxidant and antihemolytic activities in all tested models. Biological effects may be attributed, at least in part, to the presence of phenols and flavonoids in the extracts.

Antidiarrhoeal activity of Geranium incanum Burm. f. (Geraniaceae) leaf aqueous extract in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Geranium incanum Burm. f. (Geraniaceae) is used in South Africa especially in rural communities by traditional medicine practitioners to treat diarrhoea. However, scientific evidence does not exist in any literature to corroborate the claim of therapeutic success of the plant species in diarrhoea. AIM OF STUDY: The study intended to investigate the antidiarrhoeal activity of the leaf aqueous extract of Geranium incanum in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Castor oil induced diarrhoeal test was used to assess the antidiarrhoeal activity of Geranium incanum. Gastrointestinal tract transit of charcoal meal test was used to assess the antipropulsive activity of the plant extract while the acute toxicity study and phytochemical analysis were carried out using well established protocols and methods. RESULTS: The antidiarrhoeal activity of Geranium incanum was investigated by studying the effect of leaf aqueous extract of the plant species on castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice. The leaf aqueous extract of Geranium incanum significantly reduced faecal output in castor oil -induced diarrhoea and also significantly reduced the number of diarrhoeal episodes. Geranium incanum significantly delayed the onset of diarrhoea induced by castor oil and significantly reduced the number of animals exhibiting diarrhoea. Loperamide, a standard antidiarrhoeal drug, produced similar effects to the leaf aqueous extract of Geranium incanum on castor oil-induced diarrhoea. Both Geranium incanum and loperamide significantly reduced the intestinal propulsion of charcoal meal in mice. The phytochemical analysis of the leaves revealed the presence of tannins, saponins particularly steroidal saponin, and flavonoids. The LD(50) of the plant species obtained was greater than 4000 mg/kg (p.o.). CONCLUSION: The data obtained indicate that the leaf aqueous extract of Geranium incanum has both antidiarrhoeal and antipropulsive activities The data also show that the plant material given orally may be safe and/or non toxic in mice. However, further investigation on the acute toxicity and on the mechanism of the antidiarrhoeal effect of the plant species needs to be carried out.

Plant extracts with anti-inflammatory properties--a new approach for characterization of their bioactive compounds and establishment of structure-antioxidant activity relationships.

Geranium robertianum L. (Geraniacea) and Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. (Rubiaceae) plant extracts, frequently used in traditional medicine for treatment of inflammatory and cancer diseases, were studied to identify potential bioactive compounds that may justify their therapeutic use and their underlying mechanisms of action. Since some of the pharmacological properties of these plant extracts may be linked to their antioxidant potential, the antioxidant activity, in relation to free radical scavenging, was measured by the ABTS/HRP and DPPH() assays, presenting U. tomentosa the higher activity. The antioxidant activity was also evaluated by scavenging of HOCl, the major strong oxidant produced by neutrophils and a potent pro-inflammatory agent. U. tomentosa was found to be a better protector against HOCl, which may justify its effectiveness against inflammatory diseases. SPE/LC-DAD was used for separation/purification purposes and ESI-MS/MS for identification/characterization of the major non-volatile components, mainly flavonoids and phenolic acids. The ESI-MS/MS methodology proposed can be used as a model procedure for identification/characterization of unknowns without the prerequisite for standard compounds analysis. The ESI-MS/MS data obtained were consistent with the antioxidant activity results and structure-activity relationships for the compounds identified were discussed.

[Pharmacognostical studies on root of Geranium strictipes].

OBJECTIVE: To establish pharmacognostical methods on Root of Geranium strictipes. METHODS: To study by the original plant identification, character identification. The organizational structure of root and powder features of this drug were observed and compared. TLC of the drug was also undertaken. RESULTS: It showed that Geranium strictipes powder microstructure contained many calcium oxalate cluster crystals and starch grains. TLC had good reappearance. CONCLUSION: This study provides reference information for further development and identification of this crude drug.

Insecticidal properties of several essential oils on the house fly (Musca domestica L.).

The insecticidal activity of 34 essential oils, extracted from plants, was screened against the house fly, Musca domestica L. under laboratory conditions. Essential oils from Pogostemon cablin proved to be the most efficient at a lethal dose of 3 microg/fly after topical application. Eight oils (P. roseum, O. vulgare, O. compactum, M. pulegium, O. basilicum, O. majorana, T. vulgaris and P. graveolens) were lethal in doses ranging from 10 to 20 microg (10, 13, 13, 13, 15, 17, 18 and 19 microg/fly, respectively). The lethal doses of another 13 oils were ascertained in the range 20-50 microg/fly, nine oils had lethal doses of 50-100 microg. For two oils, the lethal dose could not be for the topical application. In the fumigant test, the most efficient proved to be Mentha pulegium oil (4.7 microg/cm(2)). For 10 oils, a lethal dose between 5 and 10 microg/cm(2) was ascertained (T. bipinata, C. aurantifolia, T. occidentalis, T. matschiana, S. officinalis, T. vulgaris, M. quinquenervia, O. compactum, C. limonum and R. officinalis, respectively). For the other 10 oils a lethal dose from 10 but to 80 microg/cm(2) was ascertained, and for 13 oils the lethal dose was higher than the highest dose in the tests.