Multifactorial action of lavender and lavandin oils against filamentous fungi.

AIMS: In this study, five essential oils (EOs) from different species of Lavandula hybrida abrialis, for Lavandula hybrida R.C., Lavandula hybrida 'super A', Lavandula hybrida 'super Z' and Lavandula vera and its hybrids Lavender were evaluated against 26 dust-isolated fungal strains from North Africa. METHODS AND RESULTS: The composition of the different EOs was determined from volume to dry weight. The photochemical analyses were performed via gas chromatography (GC). The cytotoxic effect of five lavender EOs on human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) cell line was done. A total of 26 strains of filamentous fungi including Aspergillus spp., Botrytis cinerea, Ceriporia spp., Fusarium spp. and Penicillium glabrum were isolated from sand dust samples via molecular diagnostic tool of PCR. Fungal strains with the lowest minimal lethal concentration (MLC) were Penicillium glabrum, Ceriporia spp. and a strain of Aspergillus spp. CONCLUSIONS: More studies are needed to verify the activity of this EO against more different fungal species, and determine the active ingredients.Significance and impact of study: MIC of the antifungal efficacy relating to EOs was evaluated. The EOs tests showed no cytotoxic effect at very low concentrations, ranging from 0.03% (IC50 0.9132 mg/mL) (L. hybrid Abrialis) to 0.001% (IC50 1.631 mg/mL) (L. hybrid R.C.).

Chemical characterization and complement fixation of pectins from Cola cordifolia leaves.

Defatted leaves from the medicinal tree Cola cordifolia were extracted with 50% EtOH, 50 °C and 100 °C water. The polysaccharide rich extracts were fractionated and the structure of the polysaccharides elucidated. Linkage analysis of the polysaccharides indicates a rhamnogalacturonan type I backbone where both Rha and parts of GalA are substituted in position 3, indicating a highly branched polymer with short side chains. The purified fractions were tested for complement fixation, macrophage stimulating activity and anti-adhesion activity towards Helicobacter pylori. Here we report on complex and polydisperse types of pectins (Mw: 3-1300 kDa) as well as the presence of low Mw (<3 kDa) acidic oligosaccharides. The fractions showed a moderate complement fixing activity and no macrophage activating effects after LPS removal. Anti-adhesion activity towards H. pylori was not found.

Acute toxicity and cytotoxic effect of Chlorophytum laxum R. Br. (Anthericaceae) \r\n', u'\r\n', u'

Background: Chlorophytum laxum R. Br. (Anthericaceae) are medicinal plants used by people to restore and improve the health of women after birth to boost energy quickly. Objectives: To anounce the results of acute toxicity and cytotoxic effect of Chlorophytum laxum R. Br. (Anthericaceae). Subjects and method: Using an acute toxicity test on Chlorophytum laxum R. Br. (Anthericaceae) collected at Thua Thien Hue province on September, 2005. The data was analysed by bio statistic based on the data analysis of Microsoft Excel. Results:At the dose of 120g/kg body weigh we have not found the oral LD\xac 50 so of the aqueous extract of Chlorophytum laxum R. Br. in mice. Methyl caffeate and 1,2Di-O-(9Z, 12Z- octadecatrienoyl) -3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosylglycerol were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots from Chlorophytum laxum R. Br. have antitumor activity in lung, liver cancer cells and pericardioma. Conclusion: This is the first scientifically published article on the biological effects of Chlorophytum laxum R. Br plant roots, particularly the cytotoxic effects on common cancer cell such as liver cancer, lung cancer from the isolated compounds in pure.