Enhancing the nitric oxide inhibitory activity using a combination of plant essential oils and mixture design approach.

The synergistic effects of essential oils (EOs) from three aromatic plant species, Foeniculum vulgare subsp. piperitum (C.Presl) Bég. (FV), Origanum heracleoticum L. (OH) and Lavandula austroapennina N.G.Passal., Tundis & Upson. (LA), were evaluated for their inhibitory properties on nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We utilized a Design of Experiments (DoE) methodology to optimize a formulation by combining three Essential Oils (EOs), while simultaneously taking into account two response variables, maximization of NO inhibition with minimum cytotoxicity. The optimal blend of components was predicted, and the statistical outcome's efficacy was experimentally verified. The combination corresponding to 87.7 % FV, 12.3 % LA and 0.0 % OH showed high inhibitory effect (76.3 %) with negligible cytotoxicity (4.5 %). This research provides new information on the interactions among fennel, oregano and lavender essential oils and shows how they can synergistically inhibit in vitro LPS-induced NO production.

Identification of Pinosylvin in Pinus nigra subsp. laricio: A Naturally Occurring Stilbenoid Suppressing LPS-Induced Expression of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Mediators and Inhibiting the JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway.

Stilbenoids, a group of phytoalexin polyphenols produced by plants as a defence mechanism in response to stress conditions, are known for their anti-inflammatory potential. Pinosylvin, a naturally occurring molecule traditionally found in pinus trees, was here identified in Pinus nigra subsp. laricio var. calabrica from Southern Italy through HPLC analysis. Both this molecule and its well-known analogue resveratrol, the most famous wine polyphenol, were compared for their in vitro potential anti-inflammatory activity. Pinosylvin significantly inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and NO mediator in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, its ability to inhibit the JAK/STAT signaling pathway was assessed: Western blot analyses showed a downregulation of both phosphorylated JAK2 and STAT3 proteins. Finally, in order to verify whether this biological activity could be attributed to a direct interaction of pinosylvin with JAK2, a molecular docking study was performed, confirming the capability of pinosylvin to bind the active site of the protein.

Ranunculus species suppress nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Aerial parts and roots from three Ranunculus species were extracted with 70% ethanol. The phytochemical composition was investigated using GC-MS and multivariate data analysis. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also assessed. The in vitro inhibitory properties were evaluated as nitrite concentration in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. All the samples induced concentration-dependent inhibitory effects, with R. sceleratus aerial parts extract being the most interesting sample (IC50 = 22.08 ± 1.32 µg/mL), even more active than the reference compound indomethacin. A very good activity was also observed for R. sardous and R. ficaria aerial parts extracts (IC50 = 51.61 ± 3.12 µg/mL and 84.55 ± 3.40 µg/mL). A lesser but noteworthy potential was also demonstrated for the root extracts. The results suggest that Ranunculus hydroalcoholic extracts are able to inhibit nitrite accumulation and may be useful in preventing inflammatory diseases mediated by excessive production of NO.

Beneficial Role of Fruits, Their Juices, and Freeze-Dried Powders on Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Related Dysbiosis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of complex chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract. It is linked to a number of genetic and environmental factors able to perturb the immune-microbiome axis. Diet is the most investigated variable both for its role in the etiology of IBD and for its beneficial potential in the treatment of the symptoms. Dietary products may influence intestinal inflammation through different mechanisms of action, such as the modulation of inflammatory mediators, the alteration of gene expression, changes in gut permeability, and modifications in enteric flora composition. A consisting number of studies deal with the link between nutrition and microbial community, and particular attention is paid to plant-based foods. The effects of the dietary intake of different fruits have been investigated so far. This review aims to present the most recent studies concerning the beneficial potential of fruit consumption on human gut microbiota. Investigated plant species are described, and obtained results are presented and discussed in order to provide an overview of both in vitro and in vivo effects of fruits, their juices, and freeze-dried powders.

The anemonin content of four different Ranunculus species.

The Ranunculus species are poorly known as medicinal plants. They have potential toxicity given by the ranunculin and its enzymatic degradation compounds: protoanemonin and anemonin. This paper aims to evaluate the anemonin content of four species: R. bulbosus, R. ficaria, R. sardous and R. sceleratus. The evaluation was performed by TLC and HPLC. There were evaluated two types of extracts hydroalcoholic (HA) and glycerol-ethanol (GE). The most concentrated extract in anemonin was found to be the R. sardous aerial part HA extract: 2.66 mg/ml. The lowest anemonin content is in R. sceleratus: 0.13-0.19 mg/ml. In R. bulbosus aerial part the anemonin content is less than the used HPLC method detection limits (7.68 mg/ml). In all cases the GE extracts are less concentrated in anemonin, being more safely for human administration.

Terpenic profile of different Rosmarinus officinalis extracts.

The Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), a well-known medicinal and culinary herb, was studied to compare the terpenic profile of different extracts obtained from dry and fresh herb. There were studied the volatile oil extracted by hydro distillation from dry plant, the hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from fresh respectively dry plant and the glycerol macerate obtained from fresh plant, by GC-MS using headspace injection. The separated compounds were identified using a MS spectra library. The quantitative determination was performed by normalization respectively by calibration curve method for 1,8-cineole, alpha-pinene and D-limonene. The main separated compounds were alpha-pinene, 1,8-cineol, camphene, camphor, D-limonene and cymene. A significant difference was observed between the 4 samples volatile profiles. 1,8-cineole was found major component of the essential oil (VO-21.39%) and glycerol macerate (GM-35.60%), while and α-pinene was detected as the main constituent of the two tinctures (T-46.05%; MT-31.93%). The highest 1,8-cineol content, determined by calibration curve method, was found in the volatile oil, while the fresh plant hydroalcoholic extract was richer in α-pinene and D-limonene.

The Effect of Electroporation of a Lyotroic Liquid Crystal Genistein-Based Formulation in the Recovery of Murine Melanoma Lesions.

A lamellar lyotropic liquid crystal genistein-based formulation (LLC-Gen) was prepared in order to increase the aqueous solubility of the lipophilic phytocompound genistein. The formulation was applied locally, in a murine model of melanoma, with or without electroporation. The results demonstrated that, when the formulation was applied by electroporation, the tumors appeared later. During the 21 days of the experiment, the LLC-Gen formulation decreased the tumor volume, the amount of melanin and the degree of erythema, but when electroporation was applied, all these parameters indicated a better prognosis even (lower tumor volume, amount of melanin and degree of erythema). Although hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining confirmed the above events, application of the LLC-Gen formulation by electroporation did not lead to a significant effect in terms of the serum concentrations of the protein S100B and serum neuron specific enolase (NSE), or the tissue expression of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor ß (PDGFRß) antibody.

Comparative Studies on Polyphenolic Composition, Antioxidant and Diuretic Effects of Nigella sativa L. (Black Cumin) and Nigella damascena L. (Lady-in-a-Mist) Seeds.

This study was performed to evaluate the phenolic profile, antioxidant and diuretic effects of black cumin and lady-in-a-mist seeds. In the phenolic profile, differences between the two species are significant. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the phenolic compounds were performed using a HPLC-UV/MS method. Hyperoside was the only identified flavonoid glycoside (1.08 ± 0.01 µg∙g-1 dw plant material), in the N. damascena extract. Regarding the flavonol profile, kaempferol was identified before the hydrolysis, only in the N. sativa extract (6.06 ± 0.02 µg∙g-1 dw plant material) and quercetin only in N. damascena seeds (14.35 ± 0.02 µg∙g-1 dw plant material). The antioxidant potential of the two species was tested through several electron transfer assays, which indicated, excepting for the FRAP assay, N. damascena as exhibiting a higher free radical scavenging activity. The diuretic activity of the two extracts was tested using a rat-experimental model on acute diuresis. Administration of the ethanolic extract of N. sativa (100 mg∙kg-1) resulted in a significant increase in urine volume, although less than found with the reference drug; in addition N. damascena extract did not present a diuretic effect. In reference to the elimination of Na+, K+ and uric acid, the black cumin extract exhibited a higher natriuretic than kaluretic effect and a similar uricosuric effect with control and N. damascena. For N. damascena, the Na+/K+ ratio was sub unitary, but not due to an increasing of the kaluretic effect, but mostly to a decrease of Na+ excretion.

[Anti-leishmaniasis activity of some extracts isolated from Nigella damascena (Ranunculaceae)]. / Actiunea antileishmaniazica a unor extracte obtinute din specia Nigella damascena (Ranunculaceae).

UNLABELLED: Nigella damascena L. (Ranunculaceae) originates from Magreb's countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt) and from the Middle Orient (Syria). In these countries the seeds are venerated by all the Muslim people and thus they are quoted in the Koran for their therapeutic effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the effects of different extracts isolated from Nigellae damascenae semen and Nigellae damascenae herba on three types of cells: THP1 cells (human monocytes which were used for evaluating the toxicity of the extracts) and two different forms of Leishmania infatum: promastigote cells and amastigote cells. RESULTS: Dichlormethanic extracts isolated from Nigellae damascenae semen and Nigellae damascenae herba were active on Leishmania promastigotes. CONCLUSIONS: Dichlormethanic extracts could be an alternative to the therapy based on pentamidine and amphotericin B.