Dill seed oil as a possible contraceptive agent: antiangiogenic effects on endothelial cells

Abstract Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) essential oil is wide spread in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. Dill is a member of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family. It has the following biological activities: antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antihyperlipidemic, antihypercholesterolemic, antispasmodic, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory. Aqueous extract of dill seed has reported effects on sex hormones and infertility potential. Moreover, boiled dill seed has an impact on reducing labor duration in giving birth. Implantation and placentation are necessary for a healthy pregnancy in the early stages. Angiogenesis is responsible for these essential processes. This study aimed to investigate dill seed oil's cytotoxic and antiangiogenic effects on rat adipose tissue endothelial cells (RATECs). Dill seed oil showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity on RATECs. It disrupted endothelial tube formation and depolymerized F-actin stress fibers. According to this study, depolymerization of F-actin stress fiber by dill seed oil could inhibit angiogenesis by suppressing endothelial cell proliferation, tube formation and motility. In other words, dill seed oil can be a new anti-angiogenic agent and a novel contraceptive.

Efficacy of an herbal compound in decreasing steatosis and transaminase activities in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract Hepatoprotective effects of many herbal agents have been reported in animal studies and clinical trials. In this study, five hepatoprotective plants with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic effects were chosen to prepare a polyherbal compound for managing NAFLD. Sixty patients with NAFLD were randomly divided into treatment and control groups (2:1 ratio). Both group were advised to take healthy diet and exercise. The treatment group also received herbal capsules containing 400 mg of the mixture of Anethum graveolens, Citrus aurantium, Cynara scolymus, Portulaca oleracea, and Silybum marianum (2 capsules, thrice daily, for two months). The liver ultrasound and biochemical markers including the serum lipids, liver enzymes, and glucose were evaluated before starting the study and at the end of the treatment. Thirty patients in the treatment group and sixteen patients in the control group completed the study. The herbal compound significantly decreased the serum level of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and total cholesterol. Treatment with the herbal compound significantly improved the grade of the fatty liver, but no significant change was found in the control group. In conclusion, the formulated herbal compound appeared to be effective in biochemical improvement and decreasing the grade of the fatty liver in the patients with NAFLD.

Efecto del extracto de Anethum graveolens, Melissa officinalis y Calendula officinalis sobre espermatozoides humanos / Effect of extracts from Anethum graveolens, Melissa officinalis y Calendula officinalis on the human spermatozoa

Introducción: aunque existe una amplia disponibilidad de métodos anticonceptivos, la tasa de embarazos no deseados parece no disminuir. Uno de los métodos contraconceptivos empleados son los espermicidas. Objetivo: evaluar el efecto del extracto de tres plantas: Anethum graveolens L. (Apiaceae), Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) y Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) sobre la movilidad y la viabilidad de los espermatozoides humanos. Métodos: las muestras de semen de voluntarios sanos se incubaron con el extracto de cada planta a diferentes concentraciones, posteriormente se evaluó su efecto sobre la movilidad y la viabilidad espermática. Resultados: el extracto de Anethum graveolens redujo la movilidad y la viabilidad en 65,3 % y 16 % (p< 0,05, 5 min vs. control), respectivamente; el extracto de Melissa officinalis generó un descenso en la movilidad de 78,2 % y 22,3 % en la viabilidad (p< 0,05, 5 min vs. control). Por último, el extracto de Calendula officinalis redujo la movilidad y la viabilidad en 55,3 y 48,4 % (p< 0,05, 5 min vs. control), respectivamente. Conclusión: ninguno de los extractos de las plantas a las concentraciones empleadas en este ensayo tiene efecto espermicida sobre los espermatozoides humanos.

Introduction: there is wide availability of contraceptives; however unwanted pregnancy rate is not decreasing. One of the contraceptive methods employed are spermicides. Objective: the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracts from three plants extract: Anethum graveolens L. (Apiaceae), Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae), and Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) on the motility and viability of the human spermatozoon. Methods: semen samples from healthy volunteers were incubated with each plant extract at different concentrations, and the effects on spermatozoon motility and viability were evaluated. Results: Anethum graveolens extract reduced motility and viability by 65.3 and 16 % (p< 0.05, 5 min vs. control), respectively; Melissa officinalis extract decreased motility by 78.2 % and viability by 22.3 % (p< 0.05, 5 min vs. control). Finally, Calendula officinalis extract reduced motility and viability by 55.3 and 48.4 %, respectively (p< 0.05, 5 min vs. control). Conclusions: none of the plant extracts at concentrations used in this assay has spermicidal effect on human sperm.

Diversidade de predadores em coentro, endro e funcho sob manejo orgânico / Diversity of predators in coriander, dill and fennel under organic manegement

Espécies vegetais da família Apiaceae podem proporcionar recursos vitais para insetos predadores de pragas agrícolas, promovendo sua eficiência como agentes de controle biológico devido à oferta de recursos como sítios de refúgio, proteção e alimentação. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atração de insetos predadores pelas apiáceas coentro (Coriandrum sativum L.), endro (Anethum graveolens L.) e funcho (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). O experimento foi conduzido no campus da Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, MG, em blocos completos ao acaso, com três tratamentos e quatro repetições. Coletas semanais foram realizadas por meio de batida das plantas em bandejas, sendo os predadores aspirados e acondicionados em frascos com álcool 70%. Determinaram-se a curva do coletor, a riqueza de espécies, o índice de diversidade de Shannon-Wienner e o índice de similaridade (análise de Cluster). O funcho apresentou maior índice de Shannon-Wienner (H = 1,104) e riqueza, enquanto o coentro mostrou maior abundância, sobretudo para a espécie Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), um importante predador de tripes em hortaliças. Outras espécies predadoras de pragas de hortaliças foram encontradas, de maneira geral, em todas as apiáceas, destacando-se os adultos e larvas de coccinelídeos, importantes predadores de pulgões. A análise de Cluster indicou maior similaridade entre funcho e endro (55,03%). O período de floração promoveu considerável aumento na abundância de predadores, sobretudo no coentro.(AU)

Species of plants of the Apiaceae family can provide vital resources for predators of agricultural pests, boosting their efficiency as biological control agents, because they allow their maintenance in the environment by offering features such as sites of refuge, protection and food. The present study was aimed to evaluate the attraction of predator insects by 3 Apiaceae species, namely coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), dill (Anethum graveolens L.) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). The bioassay was conducted on the campus of UFLA (MG) in a randomized block design with 3 treatments and 4 replications. Weekly collections were carried out by beating the plants on white plastic trays, aspirating the predators and packing them into bottles with 70% alcohol. Determinations were made of the collector curve, the species richness, the Shannon-Wienner diversity index and the index of similarity (cluster analysis). The fennel had a higher richness and Shannon-Wienner index (H = 1.104), while the coriander was more abundant, especially for the species Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), a major predator of thrips in vegetables. Other predatory species of vegetable pests were found, generally, on all Apiaceae, especially adults and larvae of coccinellids, which are important predators of aphids. Cluster analysis indicated a greater similarity between fennel and dill (55.03%), and a lower value for the other pairs. The flowering period increased the abundance of predators, especially the coriander.(AU)

Diversidade de predadores em coentro, endro e funcho sob manejo orgânico / Diversity of predators in coriander, dill and fennel under organic manegement

Espécies vegetais da família Apiaceae podem proporcionar recursos vitais para insetos predadores de pragas agrícolas, promovendo sua eficiência como agentes de controle biológico devido à oferta de recursos como sítios de refúgio, proteção e alimentação. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atração de insetos predadores pelas apiáceas coentro (Coriandrum sativum L.), endro (Anethum graveolens L.) e funcho (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). O experimento foi conduzido no campus da Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, MG, em blocos completos ao acaso, com três tratamentos e quatro repetições. Coletas semanais foram realizadas por meio de batida das plantas em bandejas, sendo os predadores aspirados e acondicionados em frascos com álcool 70%. Determinaram-se a curva do coletor, a riqueza de espécies, o índice de diversidade de Shannon-Wienner e o índice de similaridade (análise de Cluster). O funcho apresentou maior índice de Shannon-Wienner (H’ = 1,104) e riqueza, enquanto o coentro mostrou maior abundância, sobretudo para a espécie Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), um importante predador de tripes em hortaliças. Outras espécies predadoras de pragas de hortaliças foram encontradas, de maneira geral, em todas as apiáceas, destacando-se os adultos e larvas de coccinelídeos, importantes predadores de pulgões. A análise de Cluster indicou maior similaridade entre funcho e endro (55,03%). O período de floração promoveu considerável aumento na abundância de predadores, sobretudo no coentro.

Species of plants of the Apiaceae family can provide vital resources for predators of agricultural pests, boosting their efficiency as biological control agents, because they allow their maintenance in the environment by offering features such as sites of refuge, protection and food. The present study was aimed to evaluate the attraction of predator insects by 3 Apiaceae species, namely coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), dill (Anethum graveolens L.) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). The bioassay was conducted on the campus of UFLA (MG) in a randomized block design with 3 treatments and 4 replications. Weekly collections were carried out by beating the plants on white plastic trays, aspirating the predators and packing them into bottles with 70% alcohol. Determinations were made of the collector curve, the species richness, the Shannon-Wienner diversity index and the index of similarity (cluster analysis). The fennel had a higher richness and Shannon-Wienner index (H’ = 1.104), while the coriander was more abundant, especially for the species Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), a major predator of thrips in vegetables. Other predatory species of vegetable pests were found, generally, on all Apiaceae, especially adults and larvae of coccinellids, which are important predators of aphids. Cluster analysis indicated a greater similarity between fennel and dill (55.03%), and a lower value for the other pairs. The flowering period increased the abundance of predators, especially the coriander.

Diversidade de predadores em coentro, endro e funcho sob manejo orgânico

Species of plants of the Apiaceae family can provide vital resources for predators of agricultural pests, boosting their efficiency as biological control agents, because they allow their maintenance in the environment by offering features such as sites of refuge, protection and food. The present study was aimed to evaluate the attraction of predator insects by 3 Apiaceae species, namely coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), dill (Anethum graveolens L.) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). The bioassay was conducted on the campus of UFLA (MG) in a randomized block design with 3 treatments and 4 replications. Weekly collections were carried out by beating the plants on white plastic trays, aspirating the predators and packing them into bottles with 70% alcohol. Determinations were made of the collector curve, the species richness, the Shannon-Wienner diversity index and the index of similarity (cluster analysis). The fennel had a higher richness and Shannon-Wienner index (H' = 1.104), while the coriander was more abundant, especially for the species Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), a major predator of thrips in vegetables. Other predatory species of vegetable pests were found, generally, on all Apiaceae, especially adults and larvae of coccinellids, which are important predators of aphids. Cluster analysis indicated a greater similarity between fennel and dill (55.03%), and a lower value for the other pairs. The flowering period increased the abundance of predators, especially the coriander.

Espécies vegetais da família Apiaceae podem proporcionar recursos vitais para insetos predadores de pragas agrícolas, promovendo sua eficiência como agentes de controle biológico devido à oferta de recursos como sítios de refúgio, proteção e alimentação. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atração de insetos predadores pelas apiáceas coentro (Coriandrum sativum L.), endro (Anethum graveolens L.) e funcho (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). O experimento foi conduzido no campus da Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, MG, em blocos completos ao acaso, com três tratamentos e quatro repetições. Coletas semanais foram realizadas por meio de batida das plantas em bandejas, sendo os predadores aspirados e acondicionados em frascos com álcool 70%. Determinaram-se a curva do coletor, a riqueza de espécies, o índice de diversidade de Shannon-Wienner e o índice de similaridade (análise de Cluster). O funcho apresentou maior índice de Shannon-Wienner (H' = 1,104) e riqueza, enquanto o coentro mostrou maior abundância, sobretudo para a espécie Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), um importante predador de tripes em hortaliças. Outras espécies predadoras de pragas de hortaliças foram encontradas, de maneira geral, em todas as apiáceas, destacando-se os adultos e larvas de coccinelídeos, importantes predadores de pulgões. A análise de Cluster indicou maior similaridade entre funcho e endro (55,03%). O período de floração promoveu considerável aumento na abundância de predadores, sobretudo no coentro.