Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Melissa officinalis Extracts: A Comparative Study.

Melissa officinalis L. (MO), traditionally referred to as lemon balm, is one of the lemon-scent aromatic herbs widely used in traditional medicine due to its calming, sedative, and anti-arrhythmic effects. Furthermore, several studies have linked its therapeutic potential with its antioxidant properties. Here, we aimed to evaluate and compare the content of active components, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory potential of three different MO extracts (MOEs), ethanolic macerate (E1), aqueous (E2), and ethanolic (E3), obtained under reflux and their effects on systemic redox status after acute per os administration in vivo post-carrageenan application. The HPLC analysis revealed that the most abundant constituent in all the three extracts was rosmarinic acid (RA), with higher content in E1 and E3 than in E2 (P < 0.05). The highest flavonoid content was found in the aqueous extract, especially quercetin (P < 0.05). For the carrageenan-induced paw edema model, dark agouti rats were used and divided into the groups: Control, indomethacin, E1, E2, and E3 subgrouped according to applied doses: 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg. Ethanolic macerate (E1200) and aqueous (E2100) MOE were shown to be anti-inflammatory agents in the carrageenan paw edema model, with the most prominent edema inhibition in the sixth hour post-carrageenan (63.89% and 69.44%, respectively, vs. 76.67% in the indomethacin group). All the three extracts reduced the production of pro-oxidants H2O2 and TBARS post-carrageenan and increased GSH levels compared to control (P < 0.05). These data imply the possible future usage of MOEs to prevent inflammatory and oxidative stress-related diseases.

In vitro, in vivo and in silico evaluation of the anti-inflammatory potential of Hyssopus officinalis L. subsp. aristatus (Godr.) Nyman (Lamiaceae).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Medicinal properties of hyssop have been used in traditional medicine since ancient times, inter alia, in diseases/conditions with an inherent inflammatory process. AIM OF THE STUDY: Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of hyssop herb preparations (essential oil and methanol extracts) in vivo, in vitro and in silico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For in vitro testing of essential oils and extracts of hyssop herb, the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme assays were used. In vivo anti-inflammatory potential of the extracts (at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) was assessed using the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test. Molecular docking and dynamics were used for in silico testing of the inhibitory activity of chlorogenic (CA) and rosmarinic (RA) acids, as the dominant compounds in the tested methanol extracts against COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. RESULTS: Significant inhibitory activity was shown in the COX-2 test regarding extracts (essential oils did not exhibit any significant activity). Namely, all analyzed extracts, at a concentration of 20 µg/mL, showed a percentage of inhibition of COX-2 enzyme (54.04-63.04%), which did not indicate a statistically significant difference from the positive control of celecoxib (61.60%) at a concentration of 8.8 µM. In vivo testing showed that all methanol extracts of hyssop herb, at the highest test dose of 200 mg/kg in the third and fourth hours, after carrageenan administration, exhibited a statistically significant (p < 0.05) inhibitory effect on the increase in rat paw edema in relation to control. This activity is comparable or higher in relation to the reference substance, indomethacin, at a concentration of 8 mg/kg. The preliminary in silico results suggest that investigated compounds (RA and CA) showed better inhibitory activity against COX-1 and COX-2 than standard non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), ibuprofen, as evident from the free binding energy (ΔGbind in kJ mol-1). The binding energies of the docked compounds to COX-1 and -2 were found to be in the range between -47.4 and -49.2 kJ mol-1. Ibuprofen, as the one NSAID, for the same receptors targets, showed remarkably higher binding energy (ΔGbind = -31.3 kJ mol-1 to COX-1, and ΔGbind = -30.9 kJ mol-1 to COX-2). CONCLUSION: The results obtained not only support the traditional use of hyssop herb in inflammatory conditions in folk medicine, but also open the door to and the need for further in vivo testing of extracts in order to examine the molecular mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity in living systems and possibly develop a new anti-inflammatory drug or supplement.

The effects of methanol extract of Galium verum L on cardiac redox state in hypertensive rats

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the effects of methanol extract of G. verum on redox status of isolated heart of spontaneously hypertensive rats after ischemia. Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: untreated control rats and rats that received 125 and 250 mg/kg G. verum extract for 4 weeks per os. Index of lipid peroxidation (measured as TBARS) and parameters of antioxidative defence system such as level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were spectrophotometrically determined in heart homogenate. The index of lipid peroxidation in heart tissue was lower in both treated groups compared to the control group. On the other hand, the activity of SOD was significantly higher after consumption of both doses, while the activity of CAT was significantly higher only after treatment with a higher dose of extract. Based on our results we might conclude that 4-week treatment with methanol extracts of G. verum has the potential to modulate myocardial redox signaling after ischemia, thus significantly alleviating cardiac oxidative stress and exerting dose-dependent antioxidant properties. Future studies are certainly necessary to fully clarify the role of this plant species in myocardial I-R injury.

Improving Oxidative Stability of Cosmetic Emulsions with Plant Extracts: Current Status and Potential.

There are increasing demands for cosmetic emulsions with natural active components such as plant extracts because of their myriad benefits. Quality of cosmetic emulsions may be affected by distribution and storage processes, which can lead to peroxidation of lipid components. Lipid peroxidation results in undesirable alterations in efficacy, texture, and appearance of the cosmetic product, thus indicating a need to find a safe and potent compound to be added in products to postpone oxidation processes. In that sense, the current article gives an overview of parameters influencing oxidative stability of emulsions, as well as methods for assessing the oxidative stability. Emphasis is given to the usage of plant extracts rich in phenolics for improving oxidative stability of cosmetic emulsions. Application of plant extracts in cosmetic emulsion is promising because of their significant antioxidant properties which may delay lipid peroxidation during storage. Plant species are a valuable source of biologically active compounds that might be exploited in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.

Cardioprotective effects of Galium verum L. extract against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The aim of our study was to determine a chemical composition of methanol extract of Galium verum as well as to assess its effects on functional recovery and redox status of isolated rat heart after ischemia. Rats were divided into control and G. verum group, which included animals treated with 500 mg/kg of methanol extract of G. verum for 28 days. Parameters of heart function and oxidative stress markers were estimated. Cell morphology was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Our results demonstrated for the first time that G. verum extract preserved cardiac contractility, systolic, and diastolic function as wells as structural damage of the heart after ischemia. Furthermore, G. verum extract modulated the activity of antioxidant enzymes and alleviated the production of pro-oxidants.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of Potentilla reptans L.

Potentilla species have been used in traditional medicine in the treatment of different ailment, disease or malady. Potentilla reptans (P. reptans) has been scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to test antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of P. reptans aerial part and rhizome. DPPH assay was used to measure antioxidant activity of aqueous plant extracts. Anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by experimental animal model of phenol-in-acetone induced mice ear edema. DPPH radical-scavenging activity of both tested extracts was concentration dependent with IC50 values 12.11 µg/mL (aerial part) and 2.57 µg/mL (rhizome). Maximum anti-inflammatory effect (61.37%) was observed after administration of 10 mg/ear of the rhizome extract and it was 89.24% of effect induced by dexamethasone as a standard. In conclusion, P. reptans rhizome aqueous extract possesses anti-inflammatory effect and higher antioxidant activity than aerial part.

Antioxidant and anxiolytic activities of Crataegus nigra Wald. et Kit. berries.

Hawthorn has been present for a long time in traditional medicine as antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, antimicrobial agent. Hawthorn can be used for the cure of stress, nervousness but there is no published paper about actions of Crataegus nigra Wald. et Kit. fruits. The present study was carried out to test free-radical-scavenging and anxiolytic activity of C. nigra fruits. DPPH (alpha,alpha-diphenyl-beta-picrylhydrazyl) assay was used to measure antioxidant activity. BHT, BHA, PG, quercetin and rutin were used as standards. The total amount of phenolic compounds, procyanidins, and flavonoids in the extracts, was determined spectrophotometrically. Results were expressed as equivalents of gallic acid, cyanidin chloride and quercetin equivalents, respectively. LC-MS/MS was used for identification and quantification of phenolic composition. The anxiety effect, expressed as the difference in time spent in the open and closed arms, was measured and compared between groups. Phenolic compound content of Crataegus nigra fruits was 72.7 mg/g. Yield of total flavonoid aglycones was 0.115 mg/g. Procyanidins were 5.6 mg/g. DPPH radical-scavenging capacity of the extracts showed linear concentration dependency, IC50 value were 27.33 microg/mL. Anxiolytic effect was observed. Species Crataegus nigra fruits hydroalcoholic extract showed antioxidant and anxiolytic activity.

Cytotoxic effect of Potentilla reptans L. rhizome and aerial part extracts.

Potentilla reptans L. belongs to the least studied of the plants from Rosaceae family, Potentilla genus. There are no data on cytotoxicity of P. reptans extracts, though traditionaly it was used as antiinflammatory and antiinfective. The aim of these studies was to investigate potential antitumor activity of aqueous extracts (rhizome and aerial parts) of P. reptans on 4T1 mouse breast cancer cell line. _Aqueous extracts of rhizome and aerial parts of P. reptans were tested for cytotoxicity by the MTT colorimetric assay on 4T1 cancer cell line in concentration range 100-800 microg/mL. Aqueous extracts of P. reptans rhizome and aerial parts show concentration dependent cytotoxic effect in the range of tested concentrations. ICE50 value of P. reptans rhizome extract was 280.51 +/- 1.16 microg/mL. IC50 value of P. reptans aerial parts extract was 310.79 +/- 1.22 microg/mL. The significant difference in cytotoxicity among tested concentrations was observed. Aqueous extracts of P. reptans rhizome and aerial parts demonstrated weak cytotoxic activity on 4T1 mouse breast cancer cell line, which is in correlation with current cytotoxicity data for aqueous herbal extracts. Rhizome extract of P. reptans has slightly higher antitumor activity than aerial parts extract. The results represent the first report on cytotoxicity for this plant and further research on human cell lines is indicated.