In Vitro and In Silico Evaluation of ACE2 and LOX Inhibitory Activity of Origanum Essential Oils and Carvacrol.

Origanum spp. are used both for culinary purposes and for their biological activities. In this study, commercial Origanum majorana, Origanum minutiflorum, Origanum vulgare, and Origanum onites essential oils and their prominent constituent carvacrol were evaluated for their in vitro and in silico angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and lipoxygenase enzyme inhibitory potentials. The essential oils were analysed by gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, where carvacrol was identified as the major component (62 - 81%), confirming the quality. In vitro enzyme inhibition assays were conducted both with the essential oils (20 µg/mL) and with carvacrol (5 µg/mL). The comparative values of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 percent inhibition for O. majorana, O. minutiflorum, O. vulgare, and O. onites essential oils were determined as 85.5, 79.1, 74.3, and 42.8%, respectively. As a result of the enzyme assays, carvacrol showed 90.7% in vitro angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 inhibitory activity. The in vitro lipoxygenase inhibition of the essential oils (in the same order) was 89.4, 78.9, 81.1, and 73.5%, respectively, where carvacrol showed 74.8% inhibition. In addition, protein-ligand docking and interaction profiling was used to gain structural and mechanistic insights into the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and lipoxygenase inhibitory potentials of major Origanum essential oil constituents. The in silico findings agreed with the significant enzyme inhibition activity observed in vitro. Further in vivo studies are suggested to confirm the safety and efficacy of the oils.

Review of Studies on Phlomis and Eremostachys Species (Lamiaceae) with Emphasis on Iridoids, Phenylethanoid Glycosides, and Essential Oils.

As the sixth-largest Angiosperm family, Lamiaceae contains more than 245 genera and 7886 species that are distributed worldwide. It is also the third-largest family based on the number of taxa in Turkey where it is represented by 46 genera and 782 taxa with a high endemism ratio (44%). Besides, Lamiaceae are rich in plants with economic and medicinal value containing volatile and nonvolatile compounds. Many aromatic plants of Lamiaceae such as Salvia, Sideritis, Stachys, Phlomis, and Teucrium species are used in traditional herbal medicine throughout Turkey as well as in other Mediterranean countries. Salvia (Sage tea "Adaçayi"), Sideritis (Mountain tea "Dagçayi"), Stachys (Hairy Tea "Tüylü Çay"), and Phlomis (Turkish sage "Çalba or Salba") are the largest genera that are used as herbal teas. This review focuses on the volatile and nonvolatile compounds of Lamiaceae from the genera Phlomis and Eremostachys of the subfamily Lamioideae with emphasis on iridoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, and essential oils.

Insecticidal and Biting Deterrent Activities of Magnolia grandiflora Essential Oils and Selected Pure Compounds against Aedes aegypti.

In our natural products screening program for mosquitoes, we tested essential oils extracted from different plant parts of Magnolia grandiflora L. for their insecticidal and biting deterrent activities against Aedes aegypti. Biting deterrence of seeds essential oil with biting deterrence index value of 0.89 was similar to N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET). All the other oils were active above the solvent control but the activity was significantly lower than DEET. Based on GC-MS analysis, three pure compounds that were only present in the essential oil of seed were further investigated to identify the compounds responsible for biting deterrent activity. 1-Decanol with PNB value of 0.8 was similar to DEET (PNB = 0.8), whereas 1-octanol with PNB value of 0.64 showed biting deterrence lower than 1-decanol and DEET. The activity of 1-heptanol with PNB value of 0.36 was similar to the negative control. Since 1-decanol, which was 3.3% of the seed essential oil, showed biting deterrence similar to DEET as a pure compound, this compound might be responsible for the activity of this oil. In in vitro A & K bioassay, 1-decanol with MED value of 6.25 showed higher repellency than DEET (MED = 12.5). Essential oils of immature and mature fruit showed high toxicity whereas leaf, flower, and seeds essential oils gave only 20%, 0%, and 50% mortality, respectively, at the highest dose of 125 ppm. 1-Decanol with LC50 of 4.8 ppm was the most toxic compound.

Antiprotozoal Activity of Turkish Origanum onites Essential Oil and Its Components.

Essential oil of Origanum species is well known for antimicrobial activity, but only a few have been evaluated in narrow spectrum antiprotozoal assays. Herein, we assessed the antiprotozoal potential of Turkish Origanum onites L. oil and its major constituents against a panel of parasitic protozoa. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation from the dried herbal parts of O. onites and analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The in vitro activity of the oil and its major components were evaluated against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, T. cruzi, Leishmania donovani, and Plasmodium falciparum. The main component of the oil was identified as carvacrol (70.6%), followed by linalool (9.7%), p-cymene (7%), γ-terpinene (2.1%), and thymol (1.8%). The oil showed significant in vitro activity against T. b. rhodesiense (IC50 180 ng/mL), and moderate antileishmanial and antiplasmodial effects, without toxicity to mammalian cells. Carvacrol, thymol, and 10 additional abundant oil constituents were tested against the same panel; carvacrol and thymol retained the oil's in vitro antiparasitic potency. In the T. b. brucei mouse model, thymol, but not carvacrol, extended the mean survival of animals. This study indicates the potential of the essential oil of O. onites and its constituents in the treatment of protozoal infections.

Assessment of selected Saudi and Yemeni plants for mosquitocidal activities against the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti.

As part of our continuing investigation for interesting biological activities of native medicinal plants, thirty-nine plants, obtained from diverse areas in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, were screened for insecticidal activity against yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.). Out of the 57 organic extracts, Saussurea lappa, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Taraxacum officinale, Nigella sativa, and Hyssopus officinalis exhibited over 80% mortality against adult female Ae. aegypti at 5 µg/mosquito. In the larvicidal bioassay, the petroleum ether extract of Aloe perryi flowers showed 100% mortality at 31.25 ppm against 1st instar Ae. aegypti larvae. The ethanol extract of Saussurea lappa roots was the second most active displaying 100% mortality at 125 and 62.5 ppm. Polar active extracts were processed using LC-MS/MS to identify bioactive compounds. The apolar A. perryi flower extract was analyzed by headspace SPME-GC/MS analysis. Careful examination of the mass spectra and detailed interpretation of the fragmentation pattern allowed the identification of various biologically active secondary metabolites. Some compounds such as caffeic and quinic acid and their glycosides were detected in most of the analyzed fractions. Additionally, luteolin, luteolin glucoside, luteolin glucuronide and diglucuronide were also identified as bioactive compounds in several HPLC fractions. The volatile ketone, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one was identified from A. perryi petroleum ether fraction as a major compound.

Essential Oils of Echinophora lamondiana (Apiales: Umbelliferae): A Relationship Between Chemical Profile and Biting Deterrence and Larvicidal Activity Against Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae).

The essential oils from the flower, leaf, and stem of Echinophora lamondiana B.Yildiz et Z.Bahcecioglu were analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In total, 41, 37, and 44 compounds were identified, which accounted for 98.0, 99.1, and 97.0% of flower, leaf, and stem essential oils, respectively. The monoterpenic hydrocarbons were found to be high in all samples of the essential oils. The major components of essential oils from flower, leaf, and stem of E. lamondiana were δ-3-carene (61.9, 75.0, and 65.9%, respectively), α-phellandrene (20.3, 14.1, and 12.8%, respectively), and terpinolene (2.7, 3.3, and 2.9%, respectively). Flower and leaf essential oils and terpinolene produced biting deterrence similar to 25 nmol/cm(2) N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET; 97%) against Aedes aegypti (L.) and Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say. Compounds (+)-δ-3-carene, (R)-(-)-α-phellandrene, and water-distilled essential oils were significantly less repellent than DEET. Among essential oils, leaf oil was the least toxic of the oils, with an LC50 value of 138.3 ppm, whereas flower essential oil killed only 32% larvae, and no mortality of stem oil at highest tested dosages against Ae aegypti was observed. Terpinolene and α-phellandrene showed higher toxicity than δ-3-carene in both the species. In contrast to Ae. aegypti, all the essential oils showed toxicity in An. quadrimaculatus, and toxicity was higher in leaf oil than the other two oils. These results could be useful in finding new, safe, and more effective natural biopesticides and biting deterrent or repellents against Ae. aegypti.

Chemical composition, larvicidal, and biting deterrent activity of essential oils of two subspecies of Tanacetum argenteum (Asterales: Asteraceae) and individual constituents against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Water-distilled essential oils from dried aerial parts of Tanacetum argenteum (Lam.) Willd. subsp. argenteum (Lam.) and T. argenteum (Lam.) Willd. subsp. canum (C. Koch) Grierson were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In total, 27 and 32 components were identified representing 97.2 and 98.7% of essential oils of subsp. argenteum and canum, respectively. Main compounds of T. argenteum subsp. argenteum were alpha-pinene (67.9%) and beta-pinene (4.8%), whereas alpha-pinene (53.6%), 1, 8-cineole (14.8%), and camphor (4.7%) were the major constituents of subsp. canum. Essential oil of T. argenteum subsp. canum at 10 microg/cm2 with Biting Deterrent Index (BDI) value of 0.73 showed activity similar to N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) at 25 mol/cm2, whereas the activity of essential oil of subsp. argenteum was lower (BDI = 0.47) than subsp. canum and DEET. Based on 95% CIs, activity of beta-caryophyllene (BDI value = 0.54) and caryophyllene oxide (BDI = 0.66) were significantly lower than DEET. In larval bioassays, essential oil of T. argenteum subsp. argenteum showed LC50 value of 93.34 ppm, whereas T. argenteum subsp. canum killed only 40% of the larvae at the highest dose of 125 ppm. Among the pure compounds, beta-caryophyllene (LC50 = 26 ppm) was the most potent compound followed by caryophyllene oxide (LC50 = 29 ppm), which was also similar to (-)-beta-pinene (LC50 = 35.9 ppm) against 1-d-old Ae. aegypti larvae at 24-h post treatment. Compounds (-)-alpha-pinene and (+)-beta-pinene showed similar larvicidal activity. Activity of (+)-alpha-pinene with LC50 value of was similar to the essential oil of T. argenteum subsp. argenteum.

Biotransformation of (-)-(R)-α-phellandrene: antimicrobial activity of its major metabolite.

Terpene derivatives converted by microbial biotransformation constitute an important resource for natural pharmaceutical, fragrance, and aroma substances. In the present study, the monoterpene α-phellandrene was biotransformed by 16 different strains of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and yeasts). The transformation metabolites were initially screened by TLC and GC/MS, and then further characterized by NMR spectroscopic techniques. Among the six metabolites characterized, 6-hydroxypiperitone, α-phellandrene epoxide, cis-p-menth-2-en-1-ol, and carvotanacetone, which originated from (-)-(R)-α-phellandrene, are reported for the first time in this study. Additionally, the substrate and the metabolite 5-p-menthene-1,2-diol were subjected to in vitro antibacterial and anticandidal tests. The metabolite showed moderate-to-good inhibitory activities (MICs=0.125 to >4 mg/ml) against various bacteria and especially against Candida species in comparison with its substrate (-)-(R)-α-phellandrene and standard antimicrobial agents.

Phytochemical composition and pharmacological activities of Teucrium polium L. collected from eastern Turkey.

Teucrium species that belong to the family Lamiaceae have been traditionally used for their medicinal properties. T. polium is one the most widespread members of the genus for its use in the treatment of several diseases. In this study, the essential oil and phenolic composition of the aerial parts from T. polium were assessed by GC-FID, GC/MS, and LC-MS/MS as well as for its total phenolic content. Several extracts such as n-hexane, chloroform, methanol, and infusion were prepared and their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and also acetylcholinesterase activities were studied. According to GC/MS results, ß -caryophyllene (8.8%), t-cadinol (6.2%), (E)-nerolidol (5%), α -cadinol (5.4%), and α-pinene (4.7%) were identified as main constituents of the essential oil. LC MS/MS analysis of the infusion and the methanol extract showed the presence of 15 phenolic compounds. Moreover, the total phenolic content of each sample was also determined and the infusion had the highest percentage of phenolics. To evaluate the antioxidant properties, the samples were tested by using DPPH" free radical scavenging, FRAP, and CUPRAC activity methods. The infusion showed the strongest radical scavenging activity, whereas n-hexane and chloroform extracts exhibited considerable reducing power effects. The MIC values for all of the examined microorganisms ranged from 15 to 2000 µg/mL with respect to antimicrobial activities.

Anticandidal activity of the essential oil of Nepeta transcaucasica Grossh.

Hydrodistallation of the aerial parts of Nepeta transcaucasica Grossh. (Lamiaceae), collected in Agri, Dogubayazit Province, afforded an essential oil that was characterized by GC and GC/MS analyses. Twenty-seven compounds, representing 97.69% of the total oil composition, were identified, and 4aα,7α,7aß-nepetalactone (1; 39%), 4aα,7α,7aα-nepetalactone (2; 28%), and germacrene D (3; 15%) constituted the major components. The anticandidal effects of the oil were evaluated against seven Candida strains by using the broth microdilution method. The oil showed good inhibitory effects against C. glabrata and C. tropicalis at minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.09 and 0.375 mg/ml, respectively.

Iron(III) reducing and antiradical activities of three Sideritis from Turkey.

CONTEXT: Sideritis species (Lamiaceae) are widely used as herbal tea and have been used in folk medicine for their anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, digestive, and antimicrobial activities in Turkey. Sideritis dichotoma Huter., Sideritis erythrantha Boiss. var. cedrotorum, and Sideritis vuralii H. Duman et Baser are available as commercial products in Turkey. OBJECTIVE: The antiradical activities of the various solvent extracts of Sideritis species are investigated here for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plant samples were sequentially extracted with n-hexane, dichloromethane, methanol, and aqueous methanol (50%, v/v) in Soxhlet apparatus. The extracts of Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (Theaceae) were also prepared for use as a positive control. Total phenolics, iron(III) reductive effects, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) radical scavenging activities of the all extracts were measured colorimetrically. RESULTS: The aqueous MeOH and MeOH extracts contained the highest amount of total phenols, whereas the n-hexane extract contained the lowest amounts. The polar extracts of C. sinensis showed higher antiradical activity and also iron(III) reductive effects than the Sideritis species; however, the non-polar extracts of Sideritis species were found to be more active than those from C. sinensis in the iron(III) reductive assay and in the DPPH(•) assay as well. But none of the extracts was found to be as active as with positive controls, viz., ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and Trolox. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results can be shown to have antioxidant activities of these Sideritis species and support the ethnopharmacological use of these Sideritis plants.

In vitro Anti-Leishmanial Activity of Essential Oils Extracted from Plants Growing in Northern Cyprus Against Leishmania tropica

Objective: Natural plant products are considered as a source of novel and effective compounds for the treatment of leishmaniasis. In this study, the in vitro activities of essential oils obtained from Origanum dubium (OD), Origanum majorana (OM), Salvia fruticosa (SF) and Laurus nobilis (LN) plants in Northern Cyprus were investigated against Leishmania tropica. Methods: Leishmania tropica strain (MHOM/TR/2012/CBCL-LT) was obtained. RPMI-1640 was added to 96-well plates in 100 µL aliquots, 100 µg/mL essential oil was added to the first well of each row and serial 2-fold dilutions were performed. A promastigote suspension was pipetted into all wells, and the plates were incubated. The promastigotes were enumerated using a haemocytometer. Results: OD essential oil was effective at killing all promastigotes at a minimum inhibitor height (MIC)=0.2 µg/mL and had high activity at the lowest concentrations. Both SF and LN oils had MIC=1.56 µg/mL and LD50=0.78 µg/mL. SF was observed to impair promastigote morphology at the lowest concentrations, while LN did not exert any effect at concentrations <0.2 µg/mL. OM essential oil was found to have a MIC=3.13 µg/mL and a LD50=1.56 µg/mL. Conclusion: All tested essential oils inhibited promastigotes of Leishmania tropica. OD essential oil demonstrated the highest anti-leishmanial activity. Amaç: Bitkilerden elde edilen dogal ürünlerin leishmaniasis tedavisi için yeni ve etkili bilesiklerin üretilmesine öncülük edecegi düsünülmektedir. Çalismamizda, Kuzey Kibris'ta yetisen Origanum dubium (OD), Origanum majorana (OM), Salvia fruticosa (SF) ve Laurus nobilis (LN) bitkilerinden elde edilen uçucu yaglarin Leishmania tropica'ya karsi in vitro etkinlikleri arastirilmistir. Yöntemler: Çalismamizda, Leishmania tropica susu (MHOM/TR/2012/CBCL-LT) kullanildi. Düz tabanli 96'lik plaklarda, tüm kuyucuklara 100 µL RPMI-1640 ve ilk kuyucuklara 100 µg/mL uçucu yaglar eklenerek, seri dilüsyonlari yapildi. Ardindan tüm kuyucuklara Leishmania tropica promastigot süspansiyonundan pipetlendi ve inkübe edildi. Hemositometre yöntemiyle promastigotlarin sayisi incelendi. Bulgular: OD yaginin minimum inhibitör konsantrasyonu (MIK)=0,2 µg/mL'de tüm promastigotlari öldürürken, en düsük konsantrasyonlarda bile etkili oldugu görülmüstür. SF ve LN uçucu yaglarinin ikisinde de MIK=1,56 µg/mL, LD50=0,78 µg/mL olarak saptanmistir. SF'nin en düsük konsantrasyonlarinin bile promastigot morfolojisini bozdugu görülürken, Laurus nobilis'in ise 0,2 µg/mL'den sonraki konsantrasyonlarda etkisini kaybettigi belirlenmistir. OM uçucu yaginin MIK=3,13 µg/mL, LD50=1,56 µg/mL oldugu görülmüstür. Sonuç: Kullanilan tüm uçucu yaglarin Leishmania tropica promastigotlarini inhibe ettigi görülürken, en yüksek anti-leishmanial etkinlik Origanum dubium uçucu yaginda bulunmustur.

Essential oil compositions and antioxidant properties of the roots of twelve Anatolian Paeonia taxa with special reference to chromosome counts.

Essential oil compositions and antioxidant potentials of fourteen ethanol (75%) root extracts prepared from twelve taxa of the genus Paeonia (Paeoniaceae), including P. arietina Anders., P. daurica Andrews, P. xkayae N. Ozhatay, P. kesrouanensis Thiéb., P. mascula (L.) Miller subsp. arasicola G. Kaynak, ö. Yilmaz & R. Daskin, P. mascula (L.) Miller subsp. bodurii N. Ozhatay, P. cf. mascula L. (Mill.) subsp. mascula (two samples from central and northeastern Anatolia), P. cf. officinalis Retz., P. peregrina Miller (two samples from western and northwestern Anatolia), P. tenuifolia L., P. turcica Davis & Cullen, and P. wittmanniana Hartwiss ex Lindl. were assessed. The chromosome numbers of the root tips of the species were examined using chromosome staining technique with Shiff's reagent under Leitz microscope. The essential oils of the roots of the Paeonia species were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the major components were identified as salicylaldehyde (10%-94.4%), cis-myrtanal (5.5%-59.7%), and methyl salicylate (2%-52.2%). Antioxidant potentials were tested against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) radicals using propyl gallate and rutin as the references. Total phenolic contents of the ethanol extracts were determined using Folin-Ciocalteau's method. The extracts exerted moderate NO scavenger effect and displayed insignificant DPPH radical scavenger activity at 500 microg mL(-1). On the other hand, P. daurica, P. tenuifolia and P. cf. mascula subsp. mascula are diploids with 2n = 10, while other nine taxa are tetraploids with 2n = 20.

Effect of maturation on the composition and biological activity of the essential oil of a commercially important Satureja species from Turkey: Satureja cuneifolia Ten. (Lamiaceae).

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from aerial parts of Satureja cuneifolia Ten., collected in three different maturation stages such as preflowering, flowering, and postflowering, were analyzed simultaneously by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Thymol (42.5-45.2%), p-cymene (19.4-24.3%), and carvacrol (8.5-13.2%) were identified as the main constituent in all stages. At the same time, the essential oils and main components were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity using a microdilution assay resulting in the inhibition of a number of common human pathogenic bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the yeasts Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) varied between 62.5 and 250 microg/mL within a moderate antimicrobial activity range. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity of the essential oils and major components thymol and carvacrol were examined in vitro. The essential oils obtained from S. cuneifolia in three different stages and its main components were interacted with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH (*)) as a nitrogen-centered stable radical, resulting in IC 50 = 1.6-2.1 mg/mL. In addition, the effects on inhibition of lipid peroxidation of the essential oils were assayed using the beta-carotene bleaching method. All of the tested oils inhibited the linoleic acid peroxidation at almost the same level as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (93.54-94.65%). BHT and ascorbic acid were used as positive controls in the antioxidant assays.

Phenolic composition and biological activities of Salvia halophila and Salvia virgata from Turkey.

The aerial parts of Salvia halophila and Salvia virgata were subjected to Soxhlet extraction with different solvents such as n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous methanol (50%). Plants were also extracted with water under reflux. The effects of the extracts were studied in p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test for the assessment of antinociceptive activity and carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear edema models in mice for the anti-inflammatory activity. The extracts were analysed using a HPLC-PDA method. Results showed that methanol extract of S. virgata significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema and p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction at 100mg/kg dose, while it showed no effect in the TPA-induced ear edema. On the other hand, the other extracts did not show any inhibitory antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in these in vivo models. Rosmarinic acid was found as main constituent in the extracts, while caffeic acid and luteolin derivatives were also detected.

The effects of intra-rectal and intra-peritoneal application of Origanum onites L. essential oil on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis in the rat.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the treatment efficiency of intra-rectal (IR) and intra-peritoneal (IP) application of Origanum onites essential oil (OOEO), which is a well-known antioxidant, in the colitis model induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) and ethanol (E) in comparison with dexamethasone therapy through the morphologic damage score. Monoclonal antibodies against intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1, CD54), anti-rat granulocytes, and myeloperoxidase (MPO), were also investigated immunohistochemically. There was a significant difference in terms of ulceration, mucus cell depletion, inflammatory cell infiltration, vascular dilatation (p<0.001), crypt abscesses (p<0.01), and edema (p<0.05) between OOEO-1mg/kg-IR and control colitis groups. A significant difference was encountered in terms of mucus cell depletion, crypt abscesses, inflammatory cell infiltration, vascular dilatation (p<0.01), and ulceration (p<0.05) between the OOEO-0.1mg/kg-IR and control colitis groups. A significant difference was noticed in terms of ulceration, inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus cell depletion (p<0.001), vascular dilatation (p<0.01), and mucosal atrophy (p<0.05) between the OOEO-1mg/kg-IP and control colitis groups. There was a significant difference in terms of ulceration, mucus cell depletion, inflammatory cell infiltration (p<0.001), crypt abscesses, vascular dilatation (p<0.01), and mucosal atrophy (p<0.05) between the OOEO-0.1mg/kg-IP and control colitis groups. No significant difference was determined in terms of ulceration, inflammatory cyst, mucosal atrophy, edema, and vascular dilatation between the dexamethazone and control colitis groups (p>0.05). Under the present conditions, we concluded that IR and IP OOEO treatment, applied at the dosage of 0.1 or 1mg/kg/day, have a significant protective effect on the colonic injury.

Characterization of volatile constituents of Scaligeria tripartita and studies on the antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi.

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from stems and leaves, fruits and roots of Scaligeria tripartita oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 38 compounds were identified ranging 89-94% of the oil samples. Geijerene was found as a main compound in the oils of the stems and leaves (37%) and fruits (55%), whereas epoxypseudoisoeugenol angelate (37%) was found as a main compound in the root oil. Oils were subsequently evaluated for their antimalarial, antimicrobial against human pathogenic bacteria or fungi and antifungal activities against plant pathogens. Antifungal activity of Scaligeria oils was observed against the strawberry anthracnose-causing fungal plant pathogens Colletotrichum acutatum, C. fragariae and C. gloeosporioides using the direct overlay bioautography assay. Chemotaxonomically important pure compounds indicated in the bioautography assay were subsequently evaluated in a 96-well microdilution broth assay. The performance of overpressured layer chromatography (OPLC) and TLC for the analysis of Scaligeria essential oils was also compared.

Effect of brining on biological activity of leaves of Vitis vinifera L. (Cv. Sultani Cekirdeksiz) from Turkey.

Leaves of Vitis vinifera (Fam. Vitaceae) cv. 'Sultani Cekirdeksiz' cultivated in Manisa-Alasehir in western Turkey, were processed with or without brine. Fresh, brined, and nonbrined leaves (after being subjected to 3 months of fermentation) were sampled and extracted with distilled water under reflux. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive activities of the water extracts were investigated using in vitro and in vivo methods. Free radical scavenging activity (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH* assay), iron(III) reductive activity (reducing power activity assay), capacity of inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation (ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid method), anti-nociceptive activity (p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test), and anti-inflammatory activity (carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model) were used to determine biological activities of the extracts. In addition, the contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, and flavonols in the extracts were determined by spectrophotometrical methods. Results were compared with those of ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, and gallic acid as reference antioxidants. The extracts of fresh, brined, and nonbrined leaves showed almost the same activity in all antioxidant assays. These extracts inhibited the oxidation of linoleic acid to the same extent as BHT. Compositions of the extracts were analyzed by a reverse phase HPLC-PDA method. The occurrence of hydroxycinnamic acids (e.g., caffeic acid) and flavonoids (e.g., quercetin) was verified in the extracts. The content of total flavonoids as well as quercetin was increased by fermentation.

Composition, enantiomeric distribution, and antimicrobial activity of Tanacetum argenteum subsp. flabellifolium essential oil.

Tanacetum argenteum (Lam.) Willd. subsp. flabellifolium (Boiss. & Heldr.) Grierson of Asteraceae is an endemic species in Turkey. Hydrodistillation of aerial parts using a Clevenger apparatus yielded an essential oil, which was subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). alpha-Pinene (29%), (E)-sesquilavandulol (16%), and camphor (14%) were found as main constituents. Enantiomeric distribution of the monoterpenes alpha-pinene and camphor was determined on a fused silica Lipodex E capillary column using a multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (MDGC-MS) system, (-)-alpha-pinene (86%), (+)-alpha-pinene (14%), and (-)-camphor (100%) enantiomeric distributions were found in the oil. Furthermore, antimicrobial activity of the oil was carried out using a micro-dilution assay against human pathogenic bacteria and the yeast Candida albicans resulting in moderate inhibitory concentrations (MIC=125 microg/mL).

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive activities and composition of Lythrum salicaria L. extracts.

Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) known as "Tibbi hevhulma" in Turkish is used for its several beneficial health effects against as diarrhea, chronic intestinal catarrh, hemorrhoid and eczema in the form of a decoction or a fluid extract and to treat varicose veins, bleeding of the gums, hemorrhoid and eczema, externally. Dried herbal parts of Lythrum salicaria L. (Lythraceae) were sequentially extracted with different solvents such as petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and 50% aqueous methanol. Water extract of Lythrum salicaria was also prepared under reflux. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of all the extracts were investigated using in vitro and in vivo methods, respectively. Free radical scavenging activity (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH* assay), iron(III) reductive activity, capacity of the inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation and MDA formation, anti-nociceptive activity (p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test) and anti-inflammatory activity (carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model) were used for all the extracts. In addition, the content of total phenolics, flavonoids and flavonols in all the extracts were determined with spectrophotometric methods. Results were compared with reference antioxidants via ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, and gallic acid. Qualitative and quantitative compositions of all the extracts were analysed using a HPLC-PDA system. Polar fractions were found to be rich in flavonoids such as isovitexin and isoorientin.