Phytochemistry and Therapeutic Potential of Cupressus torulosa Needles Essential Oil from India.

Cupressus torulosa is an evergreen tree with a wide distribution in north-western Himalayan region of India. Its needles have long been used in traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties. This study aimed to scientifically validate the traditional claim of the needles to treat inflammation by evaluating the chemical composition, antioxidant potential, and anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil extracted from the needles (CTEO) using hydro-distillation. Qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of the CTEO was determined with the aid of GC-MS and GC-FID techniques. The major constituents of the CTEO were terpinen-4-ol (393.8±12.5 µg/mg), totarol (55.0±17.2 µg/mg), and sabinene (43.7±2.8 µg/mg). CTEO exhibited significant antioxidant activity when evaluated using DPPH free radical scavenging and reducing power assays. Furthermore, the CTEO demonstrated good anti-inflammatory behavior in in vitro egg albumin denaturation assay, with an IC50 of 27.32 µg/mL. In vivo tests using carrageenan-induced paw edema and xylene-induced ear edema in rats showed significant effects at doses of 30 mg/kg for up to 1 hour. The significant discoveries not only support the established assertions about the anti-inflammatory properties of C. torulosa needles but also highlight their potential as a useful resource in the growing herbal, complementary, and alternative medicine sectors.

[CLINICAL EFFICACY OF SUBLINGUAL IMMUNOTHERAPY WITH CEDAR POLLEN IN A YEAR OF MASSIVE CEDAR POLLEN DISPERSAL AND ITS EFFECT ON JAPANESE CYPRESS POLLINOSIS].

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effect of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) on Japanese cedar and cypress pollinosis in a mass scattering year of cedar pollen (total counts: 12353 grains/cm2, approximately four times the average). METHODS: SLIT patients of 84 in the first year, 107 in the second year and 67 in the third year treated with Cedarcure® were included. During the 2023 cedar and cypress pollen dispersal season, nasal and eye symptoms and general symptoms were examined using a visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: The VAS during the cedar season significantly decreased to improve with the number of years of SLIT, but the VAS during the cypress period slightly increased. A questionnaire survey before SLIT revealed that only 0.9% to 3.6% of patients had strong cypress symptoms. However, sneezing (p＜0.01), rhinorrhea, itchy eyes and total symptoms (p＜0.05) in the third year of SLIT were significantly stronger during the cypress period than during the cedar period. The VAS of total symptoms during the Japanese cedar pollen season were not affected by the pollen count, and the cure rate was affected by SLIT in the third year. CONCLUSION: The clinical efficacy of cedar SLIT on cedar pollinosis was high even in a mass scattering year, and the effect increased with the number of years of treatment. On the other hand, it was shown that the clinical efficacy on cypress pollinosis was insufficient.

[A MULTICENTER CLINICAL SURVEY ABOUT THE PREVALENCE OF JAPANESE CYPRESS POLLINOSIS AND THE EFFICACY OF SUBLINGUAL IMMUNOTHERAPY WITH JAPANESE CEDAR POLLEN EXTRACT DURING JAPANESE CYPRESS POLLEN DISPERSAL PERIOD].

BACKGROUND: Little is known whether sublingual immunotherapy using Japanese cedar pollen extract (cedar SLIT) is effective for not only Japanese cedar pollinosis but also Japanese cypress pollinosis. We investigated the prevalence rate of Japanese cypress pollinosis, efficacy of cedar SLIT on cypress pollinosis and patients' wish to receive cypress SLIT. METHODS: We investigated a multi-center (31 institutions), cross-sectional survey using a self-administrated questionnaire with four questions for patients received cedar SLIT aged from 5 to 69 years old. RESULTS: 2523 subjects were enrolled for analysis. 83.4% of them had pollinosis symptoms during cypress season before cedar SLIT. In such patients, 37.4% experienced lessened efficacy of cedar SLIT during cypress season. Both the prevalence of cypress pollinosis and the lessened efficacy of cedar SLIT on cypress pollinosis were significantly seen in western Japan as compared to eastern Japan. 76.1% of the subject having cypress pollinosis before SLIT wished to receive cypress SLIT if it is available. CONCLUSION: A lessened efficacy of cedar SLIT during cypress season was broadly seen in Japan, and further showed a regional difference. Together with the finding of high wish by patients, these results suggest a development of cypress SLIT is desirable.

Antimicrobial, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, and Anticoagulant Activities of Cupressus sempervirens In Vitro and In Silico.

In the last decade, the urgent need to explore medicinal plants or drug development has increased enormously around the world to overcome numerous health problems. In the present investigation, HPLC indicated the existence of 18 phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the Cupressus sempervirens extract. Hesperetin represents the greatest concentration (25,579.57 µg/mL), while other compounds, such as pyro catechol, rutin, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, naringenin, and quercetin, were recognized in concentrations of 2922.53 µg/mL, 1313.26 µg/mL, 1107.26 µg/mL, 389.09 µg/mL, 156.53 µg/mL, and 97.56 µg/mL, respectively. The well diffusion method documented the antibacterial/antifungal activity of C. sempervirens extract against E. faecalis, E. coli, C. albicans, S. typhi, S.aureus, and M. circinelloid with 35, 33, 32, 25, 23, and 21 mm inhibition zones, respectively, more than the standard antibiotic/antifungal agent. Low values ranging from 7.80 to 15.62 µg/mL of MIC and MBC were recorded for E. faecalis, E. coli, and C. albicans. From the 1- diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, promising antioxidant activity was recorded for C. sempervirens extract with IC50 of an 8.97 µg/mL. Moreover, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity assays (TAC) confirmed the antioxidant activity of the extract, which was expressed as the ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE) of 366.9 ± 0.2 µg/mg and 102 ± 0.2 µg/mg of extracts, respectively. α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition % were determined to express the antidiabetic activity of the extract in vitro, with promising IC50 value (27.01 µg/mL) for α-amylase compared to that of acarbose (50.93 µg/mL), while IC50 value of the extract for α-glucosidase was 19.21µg/mL compared to that of acarbose 4.13 µg/mL. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) revealed the role of C. sempervirens extract as an anticoagulant agent if compared with the activity of heparin. Binding interactions of hesperetin and gallic acid were examined via the Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) Dock software against E. faecalis (PDB ID: 3CLQ), C. albicans (PDB ID: 7RJC), α-amylase (PDB ID: 4W93), and α-glucosidase (PDB ID: 3TOP). The obtained results shed light on how molecular modeling methods might inhibit the tested compounds, which have the potential to be useful in the treatment of target proteins.

In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of Cupressus torulosa D.DON needles extract and its chemical characterization.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cupressus torulosa (family Cupressaceae), widely distributed in the north western Himalayan region of India, is a coniferous aromatic tree with various traditional uses of its aerial parts. Its needles have been used for anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties. AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aimed at investigating the previously unknown anti-inflammatory activity of the hydromethanolic extract of the needles employing in vitro and in vivo assays and scientifically validate traditional claim of their use in treatment of inflammation. Chemical characterization of the extract with the aid of UPLCQTOFMS was also of interest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C. torulosa needles were first defatted with hexane and sequentially extracted with chloroform and 25% aqueous methanol (AM). Since the presence of phenolics (TPCs, 208.21 ± 0.95 mg GAE/g needles) and flavonoids (TFCs, 84.61 ± 1.21 mg QE/g needles) was observed in the AM extract only, it was chosen for biological and chemical examinations. Acute toxicity of the AM extract on female mice was evaluated following the OECD guideline 423. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the AM extract was examined using egg albumin denaturation assay while carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin-induced paw edema models at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg po were used to determine the in vivo activity of the AM extract on Wistar rats of either sex. The components of the AM extract were analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS method using non-targeted metabolomics approach. RESULTS: AM extract was found to be non-toxic at 2000 mg/kg b.w. with no signs of abnormal locomotion, seizures and writhing. The extract demonstrated promising in vitro anti-inflammatory activity (IC50 160.01 µg/mL) compared to standard diclofenac sodium (IC50 73.94 µg/mL) in egg albumin denaturation assay. In carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin-induced paw edema tests the extract showed significant anti- inflammatory activity (57.28% and 51.04% inhibition of paw edema, respectively) at the dose of 400 mg/kg p.o. after 4 h in comparison to the standard diclofenac sodium which displayed 61.39% and 52.90% inhibition, respectively, at the dose of 10 mg/kg p.o. after 4 h in these models. A total of 63 chemical constituents, majority of them being phenolics, were found in the AM extract of the needles. Two compounds namely monotropein (iridoid glycoside), (±)12-HETE (eicosanoid) and fraxin (coumarin glycoside) were reported to have anti-inflammatory effect. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time our study demonstrated that hydro-methanolic extract of C. torulosa needles exhibit anti-inflammatory activity thereby supporting their traditional use in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. UPLCQTOFMS assisted chemical profile of the extract was also unveiled.

Cupressus arizonica Greene: Phytochemical Profile and Cosmeceutical and Dermatological Properties of Its Leaf Extracts.

For many decades, natural resources have traditionally been employed in skin care. Here, we explored the phytochemical profile of the aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Cupressus arizonica Greene and assessed their antioxidant, antiaging and antibacterial activities in vitro. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis led to the tentative identification of 67 compounds consisting mainly of phenolic and fatty acids, diterpene acids, proanthocyanidins and flavonoid and biflavonoid glycosides. The aqueous extract demonstrated substantial in vitro antioxidant potential at FRAP and DPPH assays and inhibited the four target enzymes (collagenase, elastase, tyrosinase, and hyaluronidase) engaged in skin remodeling and aging with IC50 values close to those of the standard drugs. Moreover, the aqueous extract at 25 mg/mL suppressed biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterial pathogen causing common skin manifestations, and decreased its swarming and swimming motilities. In conclusion, C. arizonica leaves can be considered a promising candidate for potential application in skin aging.

Essential oil composition and total phenolic content in Cupressus arizonica G. in response to microbial inoculation under water stress conditions.

Arizona Cypress is one of the drought-resistant, aromatic, and aesthetically pleasing trees having several pharmacological uses. Certain microorganisms contribute to the secondary metabolism and synthesis of bioactive compounds in aromatic and medicinal plants. This study aimed to determine the photosynthetic pigments, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and essential oil composition of Arizona cypress under two irrigation regimes and microbial inoculations. We established a factorial experiment with three mycorrhizae inoculations (Rhizophagus irregularis, Funneliformis mosseae, and a mixture of R. irregularis and F. mosseae), a rhizobacterium inoculation (Pseudomonas fluorescens), and two irrigation regimes (well-watered and water stress). Under the water stress regime, seedlings inoculated with F. mosseae (0.46%) and non-inoculated control plants (0.29%) had the highest and lowest essential oil contents, respectively. GC-MS analysis revealed that limonen, a-pinene, terpinen-4-ol, and umbellulone were the most abundant compounds in the seedlings and treatments under study. The water stress regime had a significant and dominant effect on essential oil and antioxidant capacity, whereas seedling growth and photosynthetic pigments tended to decrease under stress conditions. However, co-inoculation of seedlings with mycorrhizae and the bacterium resulted in an increase in phenolic compounds and carotenoids. Under conditions of water stress and mycorrhizal symbiosis, the results of the current study may help increase the level of valuable compounds in Arizona cypress for further pharmaceutical applications.

Traffic-related NO2 affects expression of Cupressus sempervirens L. pollen allergens.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Traffic pollution has been recognized as directly worsening respiratory symptoms of allergic subjects, although whether urban air pollutants can also directly increase the allergenic potential of pollen has not yet been definitely proven. Therefore, the hypothesis that intra-urban air NO2 variation influences allergens expression in Cupressus sempervirens (Cs) L. pollen was tested. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mature microsporophylls were cut from Cs trees of similar age and height (14-17 m) present in three different sites of Florence (Italy) and processed in the laboratory. Cs pollen allergens amount was determined by a semi-quantitative analysis of electrophoretically separated pollen extracts fractions. NO2 air concentrations were recorded by air monitoring stations located at a distance not exceeding 50 m from each pollen collection site, and the relative annual mean values were acquired by a publicly available database (Tuscan Regional Agency for Environment Protection). RESULTS: Expression of three major Cs pollen allergens was non-linearly correlated with mean annual NO2 concentrations. Expression peak of all major allergens considered was reached at NO2 air concentration (67µg/m3), far below the value at risk for direct effect on the respiratory health (European Union Directive 2008/50/EC). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that intra-urban NO2 variations do affect the expression of Cs pollen major allergens, and an apparent low risk NO2 concentration should be regarded as indirectly harmful for increasing the allergenic potential of pollen.

Antidiarrheal and Antibacterial Activities of Monterey Cypress Phytochemicals: In Vivo and In Vitro Approach.

Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) is a decorative plant; however, it possesses various pharmacological activities. Therefore, we explored the phytochemical profile of C. macrocarpa root methanol extract (CRME) for the first time. Moreover, we investigated its antidiarrheal (in vivo), antibacterial, and antibiofilm (in vitro) activities against Salmonella enterica clinical isolates. The LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of CRME detected the presence of 39 compounds, besides isolation of 2,3,2″,3″-tetrahydro-4'-O-methyl amentoflavone, amentoflavone, and dihydrokaempferol-3-O-α-l-rhamnoside for the first time. Dihydrokaempferol-3-O-α-l-rhamnoside presented the highest antimicrobial activity and the range of values of MICs against S. enterica isolates was from 64 to 256 µg/mL. The antidiarrheal activity of CRME was investigated by induction of diarrhea using castor oil, and exhibited a significant reduction in diarrhea and defecation frequency at all doses, enteropooling (at 400 mg/kg), and gastrointestinal motility (at 200, 400 mg/kg) in mice. The antidiarrheal index of CRME increased in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of CRME on various membrane characters of S. enterica was studied after typing the isolates by ERIC-PCR. Its impact on efflux and its antibiofilm activity were inspected. The biofilm morphology was observed using light and scanning electron microscopes. The effect on efflux activity and biofilm formation was further elucidated using qRT-PCR. A significant increase in inner and outer membrane permeability and a significant decrease in integrity and depolarization (using flow cytometry) were detected with variable percentages. Furthermore, a significant reduction in efflux and biofilm formation was observed. Therefore, CRME could be a promising source for treatment of gastrointestinal tract diseases.

[Appropriate protocol of treatment modulation for seasonal allergic rhinitis caused by cypress pollens].

Objective: To investigate appropriate protocol of treatment modulation for seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR) patients, in order to promote the implementation of personalized medicine. Methods: Total of 124 AR patients allergic to cypress pollens were recruited from January to February 2020 in Department of Allergy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, 43 males and 81 females with an average age of (41±9) years. The patients were divided into two groups with block randomization method. In the first group, treatment was modulated every two days according to the average daily rhinoconjunctivitis symptom score of the last two days (short-term symptom-score group); while in the second group, therapy regimen was adjusted every week based on the Allergic Rhinitis Control Test (ARCT) score of the last week (long-term ARCT group). The treatment level was up-regulated when the cypress pollen count increased and stayed at a high level (step-up pharmacotherapy stage); and treatment was down-regulated while the pollen count decreased (step-down pharmacotherapy stage). Daily symptom scores, medicine scores, and ARCT scores of the two groups were recorded and compared. Results: During the whole cypress pollen season, the daily rhinoconjunctivitis symptom score of short-term symptom-score group was significantly lower than that in long-term ARCT group(2.4±1.0 vs 2.7±1.0, P<0.01), and the difference between the two groups was more pronounced in the step-up pharmacotherapy stage than that in the step-down pharmacotherapy stage, while there was no statistical difference between the daily medicine scores of the two groups (P>0.05). During the pollen rising period, the ARCT score of short-term symptom-score group was significantly better than that of long-term ARCT group (21(19, 22) vs 20 (17, 21), P=0.049); while in the pollen peak period and decreasing period, the ARCT scores of the two groups showed no statistical difference (P>0.05). The proportion of incompliance with doctor's advice was higher in long-term ARCT group compared to that in short-term symptom-score group (30.1% vs 6.7%, P<0.001). Conclusion: The protocol of treatment modulation for seasonal AR patients allergic to pollens should be developed flexibly according to the variation trend of pollen allergen exposure, so as to implement the idea of personalized medicine.

Polymorphisms in Cha o 1 and Cha o 2, major allergens of Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) pollen from a restricted region in Japan.

Japanese cedar pollinosis is a major seasonal allergy in Japan, and Japanese cypress pollinosis is a growing concern because the cypress pollen season follows the cedar pollen season and cross-reactivity among allergens occurs between these closely related species. Allergens purified from pollen under unspecified collecting conditions can potentially heterogenous allergens profiles and batch to batch variability, and amino acid sequence variants in allergens possibly exist among trees. Polymorphisms have not been investigated for the cypress pollen major allergens, Cha o 1 and Cha o 2. Our aim was to examine the homogeneity of allergen amino acid sequences. DNA sequences of Cha o 1 and Cha o 2 from pollen collected from Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures and from needles of 47 plus trees located at seed orchards in Chiba Prefecture were examined by amplicon sequencing and amino acid substitutions were deduced. Sequence analysis of the pollen samples revealed that eight and seven residues of Cha o 2 were polymorphic, respectively. Thirteen residues in Cha o 2, including those residues identified in pollen, were deduced to be polymorphic for the plus trees. Cha o 2 expressed by the 47 plus trees included amino acid differences when compared with that of isoallergen Cha o 2.0101. No substitution was deduced in Cha o 1 for pollen taken from the two prefectures. One conservative amino acid substitution was deduced in Cha o 1 for the plus trees. Of the 47 plus trees examined, 38 were deduced to express only the isoallergen Cha o 1.0101 isoform, whereas eight trees were heterozygous and a single tree was homozygous for the non-synonymous mutation, which indicates relative uniformity of Cha o 1. Cha o 2 was found to be a heterogeneous allergen which suggests that studies using pollen from different trees may not give the same results.

Green Synthesis of Copper Nano-Drug and Its Dental Application upon Periodontal Disease-Causing Microorganisms.

Dental pathogens lead to chronic diseases like periodontitis, which causes loss of teeth. Here, we examined the plausible antibacterial efficacy of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) synthesized using Cupressus macrocarpa extract (CME) against periodontitis-causing bacteria. The antimicrobial properties of CME-CuNPs were then assessed against oral microbes (M. luteus. B. subtilis, P. aerioginosa) that cause periodontal disease and were identified using morphological/ biochemical analysis, and 16S-rRNA techniques. The CME-CuNPs were characterized, and accordingly, the peak found at 577 nm using UV-Vis spectrometer showed the formation of stable CME-CuNPs. Also, the results revealed the formation of spherical and oblong monodispersed CME-CuNPs with sizes ranged from 11.3 to 22.4 nm. The FTIR analysis suggested that the CME contains reducing agents that consequently had a role in Cu reduction and CME-CuNP formation. Furthermore, the CME-CuNPs exhibited potent antimicrobial efficacy against different isolates which was superior to the reported values in literature. The antibacterial efficacy of CME-CuNPs on oral bacteria was compared to the synergistic solution of clindamycin with CME-CuNPs. The solution exhibited a superior capacity to prevent bacterial growth. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) of CME-CuNPs with clindamycin recorded against the selected periodontal disease-causing microorganisms were observed between the range of 2.6-3.6 µg/ml, 4-5 µg/ml and 0.312-0.5, respectively. Finally, the synergistic antimicrobial efficacy exhibited by CME-CuNPs with clindamycin against the tested strains could be useful for the future development of more effective treatments to control dental diseases.

Antimicrobial activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles, amoxicillin, and glass-ionomer cement againstStreptococcus mutansandStaphylococcus aureus.

Background. The development of dental caries is associated with various microorganisms and secondary caries formation is the main cause of restorations failure. The advice for restorative dental materials that have antimicrobial properties has stimulated the introduction of materials containing different antibacterial agents.Objectives. The present study has been designed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and incorporate AgNPs and amoxicillin into glass ionomer cement (GIC) to synergize its effect on oral microbes. The effect of the added antimicrobial agents on compressive strength (CS) of GIC was also evaluated.Material and methods. Biosynthesis of AgNPs was done usingCupressus macrocarpaextract and AgNPs were characterized. A total of 120 disc-shaped specimens were prepared and classified into 4 main groups where Group A includes conventional GIC, Groups B and C include GIC with AgNPs or amoxicillin, respectively, while Group D included GIC with both AgNPs and amoxicillin. Each group was tested for the antimicrobial activity against bothStreptococcus mutans(S. mutans) andStaphylococcus aureus(S. aureus). The distribution of biofilm was examined via a scanning electron microscope. The CS of the tested material was measured using a Material Test System.Results. The UV-visible spectrum showed a peak of 429 nm. Transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction pattern and Fourier transform infrared analysis confirmed the formation of AgNPs with spherical to oblong polydispersed particles of diameter in the range of 13.5-25.8 nm. The maximum inhibitory zone was recorded for group D against both tested bacteria with a mean of 29 mm at first 24 h period to 15 mm at three weeks and showed antimicrobial rate 92.2% and 92.56%, against both strains, respectively. Additionally, group D disintegrated the structure ofS. aureusbiofilm and even kill bacteria in the biofilms. The addition of AgNPs and amoxicillin caused an insignificant effect on CS of GIC.Conclusion.TheAgNPs showed a synergistic effect in combination with amoxicillin and GIC dental restorative material against studied microorganisms. The agents can be safely added with minimal effect on the mechanical properties of the original cement.

CYPRESS POLLEN SESITIZATION IN GEORGIA: CLINICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERISTICS.

Cypress pollen allergy is a widely distributed, highly prevalent and severe winter pollinosis that may be caused by several Cupresaceae species around the Mediterranean basin, in North America and Asia. Exposure to cypress pollen has increased steadily over the last few decades and the prevalence of allergy to cypress pollen has also dramatically increased from 0.6% to 9.8% in the general population and from 9% to 35% in allergic patients, probably because of the allergen load has become more intense. The objective of the study was to evaluate cypress pollen allergy in Georgia and describe clinical characteristics and the molecular profile of sensitization. Patients attended to allergy clinic with suspected cypress pollen allergy (n=492) were included in the study. Diagnostic workup was performed according to local guidelines, specific IgE antibody against cypress allergen was performed using ImmunoCAP and ISAC assay platform. The airborne pollen monitoring was performed with a Burkard Seven Day Volumetric Spore-trap (Burkard Manufacturing Co Ltd, UK) during the seasons of 2019-2020, following the recommendations of European Aerobiology Society. 37.2% of studied cases were positive to cypress diagnostic test. From cypress positive 183 patients only 17 patients (9.2%) had no symptoms during the cypress season. The most frequent symptoms were sneezing and ocular itching (82.9% of patients for both symptoms), rhinorrhea was reported in 77.7% of cases and dry cough and shortness of breath - only in 22.3% (each symptoms). More than half of frequent symptoms were reported as severe. The cypress positive patients were mostly co-sensitized to plant allergen components: grasses (nCyn d1- 61.5% of ISAC positive cases, rPhl p 1 -72.5%, rPhl p 5 - 46.8%), trees (rBet v 1 - 27.5%, nCry j 1 - 78.9%, nPla a 2 - 32.1%) and weeds (nAmb a 1 - 48.6%, nArt v 1 - 20.2%). Our data show that in Georgia, the prevalence of sensitization to cypress pollen in patients attending the allergy clinic is high (every third patient). The clinical symptoms predominantly associated with allergic rhinitis and atopic conjunctivitis, in most cases which are expressing by acute sneezing and ocular itching during the pollen season and all patients are poly-sensitized. This was the first study to give a detailed description of the clinical characteristics of cypress pollen allergic patients in Georgia.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using pollen extract: Characterization, assessment of their electrochemical and antioxidant activities.

In the present study, a simple, cheaply and environmental friendly method was evaluated for the synthesis of silver nanoparticle via Cupressus sempervirens L. (CSPE) pollen extract as reducing and stabilizing agent. Various parameters such as volume of CSPE, temperature and reaction time on AgNPs formation were investigated spectrophotometrically to optimize reaction conditions. The electrochemical behavior of the biosynthesized AgNPs were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry techniques. An electrosensor based on AgNPs modified glassy carbon electrode were constructed and tested on electro reduction of hydrogen peroxide in phosphate buffer medium. The prepared electrosensor could detect the H2O2 in the range of 5.0 µM - 2.5 mM with a detection limit of 0.23 µM. In addition, the antioxidant activity of biosynthesized AgNPs were evaluated against DPPH free radical. Results obtained from the antioxidant study suggested that CSPE mediated AgNPs exhibit a good antioxidant effect.

Optimization of hybrid treatment of olive mill wastewaters through impregnation onto raw cypress sawdust and electrocoagulation.

This research investigation proposes a new method for sustainable olive mill wastewater (OMW) treatment and handling. It is based on the combination of its impregnation onto raw cypress sawdust (RCS) followed by electrocoagulation. The retention of OMW compounds onto various RCS doses show an important decrease of its chemical oxygen demand (COD) and its main cation and anion content. The maximum retention efficiencies of COD, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] were about 51.0%, 75.3%, 28.7%, 77.9%, 84.7%, 41.1%, 98.3%, and 90.9%, respectively, for the highest RCS dose (200 g L-1). This organic matter- and nutrient-loaded biomass could be thermochemically converted through pyrolysis into biofuel and biochar for energetic and agronomic purposes, respectively. The treatment by electrocoagulation of the pre-treated OMW using mild steel electrodes could be considered an attractive treatment method since 75.6% of COD removal efficiency was achieved. Besides, this approach permits a significant energy consumption reduction by 46% as compared with the electrocoagulation process alone. It allows also a significant improvement of the treated effluent quality in terms of both organic and mineral contents that could be reused for the irrigation of olive trees in the context of circular economy.

Sensitization to Gibberellin-Regulated Protein (Peamaclein) Among Italian Cypress Pollen-Sensitized Patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Peach gibberellin-regulated protein (peamaclein) has recently emerged as a relevant food allergen in cypress pollen-hypersensitive patients. Objective: We investigated monosensitization to peamaclein among Italian cypress pollen-allergic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 835 cypress pollen-hypersensitive patients from 28 Italian allergy centers underwent a thorough work-up to determine food-allergic reactions and performed skin prick testing with a commercial peach extract containing peamaclein. IgE to rPru p 3 was measured in peach reactors, and those with negative results were enrolled as potentially monosensitized to peamaclein. IgE reactivity to rPru p 7 was evaluated using immunoblot and an experimental ImmunoCAP with rPru p 7. RESULTS: Skin prick tests were positive to peach in 163 patients (19.5%); however, 127 (77.9%) were excluded because they reacted to Pru p 3. Twenty-four patients (14.7%) corresponding to 2.8% of the entire study population) were considered potentially monosensitized to peamaclein. No geographic preference was observed. Seventeen of the 24 patients (70.8%) had a history of food allergy, mainly to peach (n=15). Additional offending foods included other Rosaceae, citrus fruits, fig, melon, tree nuts, and kiwi. On peach immunoblot, only 3 of 18 putative peamaclein-allergic patients reacted to a band at about 7 kDa; an additional 4 patients reacted at about 50-60 kDa. Ten of 18 patients (56%) had a positive result for Pru p 7 on ImmunoCAP. CONCLUSION: Allergy and sensitization to peamaclein seem rare in Italy. Most patients react to peach, although other Rosaceae fruits and several citrus fruits may also be offending foods. Peach and cypress pollen probably also share cross-reacting allergens other than peamaclein.

Cypress pollen allergy in Milan: the story of an ongoing growth.

SUMMARY: Cypress pollen allergy was virtually absent in Lombardy about 30 years ago. A 15-year clinical survey on cypress pollen sensitization and allergy in the area north of Milan reveals that both cypress pollen sensitization and allergy increased steadily from 2003 to 2017 along with the prevalence of clinical allergy over sensitization. The pollen concentration data, recorded up from 1995 showed a dramatic increase in cypress Annual Pollen Index up from the beginning of the new millennium. Cypress pollen represents now a relevant allergen source in this area.