Comparative GC-MS based nutrients profiling of less explored legume seeds of Melilotus, Medicago, Trifolium, and Ononis analysed using chemometric tools.

Exploring novel sources of plant protein for nutrition of both humans and animals is motivated mainly by its growing demand worldwide, besides identifying healthy alternatives for animal protein. The present study evaluates metabolome diversity within 15 legume seed species. The examined samples comprised three Melilotus, four Medicago, four Trifolium, and four Ononis seed species. A holistic approach for metabolites profiling using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) led to the annotation and quantification of 87 metabolites comprising alcohols, free amino acids, aromatics, fatty acids/esters, nitrogenous compounds, organic acids, sugar alcohols, sugars, terpenes, and steroids. Fatty acids represented the major metabolite class represented by palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids. Sucrose and pinitol were the major sugars and sugar alcohols among seeds. Ononis seeds (OR, OS and OA) were the most abundant in fatty acids, sugars, sugar alcohols, and free amino acids, whereas Melilotus species (MO and MS) were least enriched in these key nutrients posing Ononis as potential food source for humans and animals. The examined seeds were generally low in sulfur-containing free amino acids and lacking many of the essential free amino acids. Multivariate data analysis aided in the identification of Ononis metabolite markers belonging to various classes i.e., (alcohol) glycerol, (sugar) allofuranose, and (sugar alcohol) pinitol, although the differentiation between Medicago, Melilotus, and Trifolium genera was not attained suggestive for other analytical platforms for its classification.

In vitro and in silico evaluation of Ononis isoflavonoids as molecules targeting the central nervous system.

Isoflavonoids with various structural elements show a promising potential effect on central nervous system activities. Despite their favorable medicinal properties, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of this thoroughly investigated group of natural phenolics have only been described to a limited extent. Regarding the lack of information about the BBB permeability of isoflavones, isoflavanones, and pterocarpans found in Ononis species, the aim of our study was to investigate their physico-chemical properties influencing their absorption and distribution. Furthermore, we aimed to characterize the possible MAO-B inhibiting features of Ononis isoflavonoids in silico. Octanol-water partitioning and BBB-PAMPA permeability of formononetin, calycosin D, onogenin, sativanone, medicarpin and maackiain were assessed for the first time in our study. The log P values ranged from 2.21 to 3.03 and log D7.4 values from 2.48 to 3.03, respectively, indicating optimal polarity for BBB permeation. The results of PAMPA-BBB expressed as log Pe values fell between -5.60 and -4.45, predicting their good permeation capability as well. The effective permeability values showed structure-dependent differences, indicating that the pterocarpan type skeleton was the most preferred type, followed by isoflavanones, then isoflavones. The methoxy or methylenedioxy substitution of the same skeleton did not influence the permeability significantly, contrary to an additional hydroxyl group. Membrane retention showed a similar structure dependent pattern to that of effective permeability, ranging from 16% to 70%. For the identification of volumes of chemical space related to particular biological activities the ChemGPS-NP framework was used. The MAO-B inhibitory potency and selectivity were also predicted and validated. Based on our results, MAO-B inhibitory potency could be predicted with good precision, but in the case of selectivity, only the direction could be concluded (favors MAO-B or MAO-A), not the magnitude. Our finding reflects that Ononis isoflavonoid aglycones show an excellent fit with the suggested parameters for BBB permeability and this is the first study to confirm the highly favorable position of these natural products for MAO-B inhibition.

A new cyclic polyketide and other constituents from Ononis spinosa growing wildly in Jordan and their antioxidant activity.

The new cyclic polyketide 7,9,11-trihydroxytetracos-2-eneoic acid δ-lactone (1), together with other eleven known compounds, were isolated from Ononis spinosa, growing wildly in Jordan. All isolated compounds were identified by thorough investigation of their spectral data including NMR and HRESIMS. Antioxidant activity testing of puerol B, specionin and the new cyclic polyketide revealed that puerol B had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 0.09 ± 0.006 mg/ml) as compared to α-tocopherol (IC50 0.039 ± 0.0006 mg/ml), while specionin had the highest ABTS radical scavenging power (IC50 0.013 ± 0.0008 mg/ml) as compared to α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid (IC50 0.042 ± 0.0004; 0.026 ± 0 .0007 mg/ml; respectively).

Essential oil composition and biological activities of Ononis alba Poir (Fabaceae).

The phytochemical and biological properties of Ononis alba Poir L. (Fabaceae) were investigated for the first time in this study. The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts was analysed by GC-MS. The phenolic contents of extracts obtained with different solvents were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay and the antioxidant activity was evaluated through DPPH and CUPRAC methods. The inhibitory potential of these extracts was evaluated on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, whereas the antimicrobial effect was verified against some bacteria and fungi through the well diffusion method. Ketones and carboxylic acids were the main essential oil constituents. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid content as well as the best antioxidant capacity were noticed on the n-butanol extract. All the extracts showed a greater efficiency than acarbose in the inhibition of α-amylase. On the other hand, they demonstrated a mild inhibition effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Fusarium oxysporum.

NMR Profiling of Ononis diffusa Identifies Cytotoxic Compounds against Cetuximab-Resistant Colon Cancer Cell Lines.

In the search of new natural products to be explored as possible anticancer drugs, two plant species, namely Ononis diffusa and Ononis variegata, were screened against colorectal cancer cell lines. The cytotoxic activity of the crude extracts was tested on a panel of colon cancer cell models including cetuximab-sensitive (Caco-2, GEO, SW48), intrinsic (HT-29 and HCT-116), and acquired (GEO-CR, SW48-CR) cetuximab-resistant cell lines. Ononis diffusa showed remarkable cytotoxic activity, especially on the cetuximab-resistant cell lines. The active extract composition was determined by NMR analysis. Given its complexity, a partial purification was then carried out. The fractions obtained were again tested for their biological activity and their metabolite content was determined by 1D and 2D NMR analysis. The study led to the identification of a fraction enriched in oxylipins that showed a 92% growth inhibition of the HT-29 cell line at a concentration of 50 µg/mL.

Efficacy of extract from Ononis spinosa L. on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of the extract from Ononis spinosa L. (O. spinosa) on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. METHODS: Phytochemical constituents of the extract from O. spinosa were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Rats were classified into 4 equal groups; ulcer control received oral vehicle; positive control was administered with 40 mg/kg esomeprazole (standard drug) and 2 groups received 0.5 and 1 g/kg of O. spinosa extract, respectively. Gastric ulcer was induced by absolute ethanol (5 mL/kg) orally to all groups. Measurement of ulcer index, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and determination of total glutathione level in gastric mucosa were performed. RESULTS: Oral administration of the extract from O. spinosa at doses 0.5 and 1 g/kg lowered the ulcer indices by 80.39% and 98.71% , respectively, compared to 67.89% by esomeprazole (40 mg/kg). Histologically, treatment with the extract decreased necrosis and hemorrhage in mucosa and edema and infiltration by inflammatory cells in submucosa. Using immunohistochemical technique, it was demonstrated that COX-2 expression increased in mucosa of animals treated with the extract as well as by esomeprazole. O. spinosa and esomeprazole increased total glutathione level in the stomach compared to control. Ononin was the major compound of the extract followed by trifolirhizin, myricitrin, gentisic acid, cycloartenol and quercetin. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the extract from O. spinosa was able to protect gastric mucosa from ethanol injury by at least 2 mechanisms, namely the induction of COX-2 and decreasing oxidative stress in the stomach.

Quantitative determination of isoflavonoids in Ononis species by UPLC-UV-DAD.

INTRODUCTION: The root of the Ononis species has been used internally and externally in ethnomedicine for centuries and contains biologically valuable isoflavonoid compounds. Therefore, it is important to obtain quantitative information about the isoflavonoid profile of these plants. OBJECTIVES: In this article we aimed to develop an optimised sample preparation protocol alongside a validated method for the quantitative measurement of isoflavones, isoflavanones and pterocarpans in the form of glucosides and aglycones, in order to compare the specialised metabolites of Ononis spinosa L. and O. arvensis L. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Quantitative determination was carried out by the means of ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet diode-array detection (UPLC-UV-DAD). RESULTS: An optimised sample preparation method was developed to transform malonyl glucosides to their glucosidic forms. Chromatographic methods were created for the baseline separation of isoflavones, isoflavanones and pterocarpans alongside with their glucosides. Altogether 12 compounds were evaluated quantitatively in samples of O. spinosa and O. arvensis. CONCLUSION: As a result, no characteristic change could be observed between the two species regarding their isoflavonoid pattern.

Ononis natrix L. Lowers the Blood Glucose Concentration in Wistar Rats with Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Practitioners of traditional medicine use the decoction of Ononis natrix L. to treat hyperglycemia. The literature offers no evidence to support the use. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the decoction of Ononis natrix L. on the blood glucose concentration in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus. METHODS: We obtained 35 Wistar rats from the animal colony of The University of Jordan School of Medicine. We induced diabetes by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight) and 23 rats (66%) survived to allocation. We randomly assigned the rats to one of four groups: negative control (1% Tween 80 in distilled water), positive control (100 mg/kg metformin), high-dose treatment (7.5 mL of the decoction), and low-dose treatment (3.5 mL of the decoction). We administered the doses twice daily by oral gavage for two weeks and measured the tailblood glucose concentration twice daily, once before the first dose and another time after the second dose. We used linear mixed-effects regression to model the change in blood glucose concentration as a function of the experimentation groups, with adjustments for pseudoreplication and temporal variation. RESULTS: The estimated mean change was 1 mmol/L (-30 to 31 mmol/L) for the negative control group, -26 mmol/L (-56 to 5 mmol/L) for the positive control group, -75 mmol/L (-108 to -42) for the low-dose treatment group, and -82 mmol/L (-111 to -53 mmol/L) for the high-dose treatment group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we demonstrate, for the first time, the hypoglycemic effect of Ononis natrix L. in an animal model of diabetes.

Ononis spinosa L., an edible and medicinal plant: UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap/MS chemical profiling and biological activities of the herbal extract.

This study explored the chemical profile of the aerial parts of Ononis spinosa and further investigated its biological activities. Chemical profiling of the extract revealed the presence of 63 different compounds: phenolic acids, flavonoid glycosides and aglycones, isoflavonoid glycosides and aglycones, and other related compounds. Our results revealed that the extract was active against 8 strains of free floating bacteria. It showed anti-biofilm potential against Staphylococcus aureus and was able to supress the production of staphyloxanthin in S. aureus at sub-minimal inhibitory concentrations. Its antioxidant activity was evaluated by using several assays (phosphomolybdenum, DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP, and metal chelating assay), which showed that the extract exhibited a dose dependent activity. Inhibition of AChE, BChE, amylase, glucosidase and tyrosinase was achieved by the extract, demonstrating its anti-enzymatic activity. The antiproliferative potential of the extract towards human cancer cell lines (HepG2, MCF-7, SiHa and A172) was determined by using the crystal violet assay. Ki67, a marker of proliferation was downregulated in the A172 glioblastoma cell line.

Aqueous Root Extract from Ononis spinosa Exerts Anti-adhesive Activity against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Extracts from Ononis spinosa are traditionally used for urinary tract infections due to diuretic and anti-inflammatory activity. A potential influence on the virulence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli has not been investigated until now. The following study aimed to investigate the influence of an aqueous O. spinosa extract on uropathogenic E. coli and uropathogenic E. coli host cell interaction. A hot water extract from the roots of O. spinosa (O. spinosa extract) was characterized by LC-qTOF-MS. The influence of O. spinosa extract on the proliferation of uropathogenic E. coli UTI89 and on cell viability against human T24 bladder cells was investigated. Anti-adhesive activity of O. spinosa extract was assessed by flow cytometry, evaluating the adhesion of fluorescent-labelled UTI89 to T24 bladder cells. Internalization of uropathogenic E. coli into T24 cells was monitored by an invasion assay. O. spinosa extract was characterized by the presence of isoflavones, isoflavanones, licoagrosides, pterocarpans, tartaric acid derivatives, and saponines. O. spinosa extract had no influence on the proliferation of uropathogenic E. coli (125 - 1000 µg/mL) and did not influence the cell viability of T24 cells. Bacterial adhesion to T24 cells was significantly (p > 0.001) inhibited by O. spinosa extract in a concentration-dependent manner (125 - 1000 µg/mL) during coincubation. Preincubation of uropathogenic E. coli or T24 cells with O. spinosa extract reduced bacterial adhesion, but to a lower extent than during coincubation. Consequently, the reduced bacterial adhesion also leads to a reduced internalization of uropathogenic E. coli uropathogenic E. coli into the host cell. O. spinosa extract does not interact with FimH-mediated uropathogenic E. coli adhesion to host cells. From these data, the traditional use of O. spinosa extracts for urinary tract infections seems to be rationalized.

Isoflavonoids with inhibiting effects on human hyaluronidase-1 and norneolignan clitorienolactone B from Ononis spinosa L. root extract.

Human hyaluronidase-1 (Hyal-1) is one of the main enzymes in the homeostasis of hyaluronic acid (HA), the main polysaccharide of extracellular matrix. Development of specific Hyal-1 inhibitors might be a promising target for improved wound healing, tissue regeneration, and looking at renal function for diuresis. By using surface-displayed Hyal-1 on Escherichia coli F470 cells, HA as substrate and stains-all method for quantification of undegraded HA, the respective enzyme activity can be determined easily. Based on the traditional use of extracts from the roots from Ononis spinosa L. (Restharrow root) as a weak diuretic to achieve flushing of the urinary tract and as an adjuvant in minor urinary complaints the herbal material was selected for bioactivity guided fractionation for compounds with Hyal-1 inhibition activity. Hot water and hydroalcoholic extracts showed moderate inhibiting effects (IC50 1.36 resp. 0.73 mg/mL) while dichloromethane extract exerted an IC50 of 190 µg/mL. Bioassay guided fractionation of the dichloromethane extract yielded four isoflavonoids with anti Hyal-1 activity: onogenin 1, sativanone 2, medicarpin 3 and calycosin-D 4 with inhibition rates of 25.4, 61.2, 22.4 and 23.0%, respectively at test concentration level of 250 µM. The norneolignan clitorienolactone B 5, the first time described for the genus Ononis, was inactive. The IC50 of sativanone, the most active compound was determined with 1501 µM, which was better than that of the positive control glycyrrhizinic acid (177 µM). Thus, a possible explanation for diuretic properties of Ononis spinosa L. root extract may be postulated from the results so far obtained.

Separation and characterization of homopipecolic acid isoflavonoid ester derivatives isolated from Ononis spinosa L. root.

Spiny restharrow root (Ononis spinosa L.) and its preparations are mainly used for the treatment of urinary infections or bladder stones in numerous countries. Spiny restharrow root is rich in isoflavonoids (formononetin, calycosin and pseudobaptigenin), pterocarpans (medicarpin and maackiain) and dihydroisoflavonoids (onogenin and sativanone), which metabolites are present as glucosides, glucoside malonates, glucoside acetates and free aglycones in the root. The in-depth analysis of tandem mass spectrometric (MS) and high-resolution MS (HR-MS) data revealed the presence of nitrogen-containing compounds in the root extracts. An ion-exchange-based purification and a preparative-scale reversed phase chromatographic isolation procedure was developed for the characterization of these new natural products. For the unambiguous identification of the isolated compounds NMR experiments were carried out. The thorough characterization confirmed the presence of six piperidin-2-yl-acetic acid (homopipecolic acid) esters of isoflavonoid glucosides. This is the first report of homopipecolic acid esters isolated from higher plants.

A Single Oxidosqualene Cyclase Produces the Seco-Triterpenoid α-Onocerin.

8,14-seco-Triterpenoids are characterized by their unusual open C-ring. Their distribution in nature is rare and scattered in taxonomically unrelated plants. The 8,14-seco-triterpenoid α-onocerin is only known from the evolutionarily distant clubmoss genus Lycopodium and the leguminous genus Ononis, which makes the biosynthesis of this seco-triterpenoid intriguing from an evolutionary standpoint. In our experiments with Ononis spinosa, α-onocerin was detected only in the roots. Through transcriptome analysis of the roots, an oxidosqualene cyclase, OsONS1, was identified that produces α-onocerin from squalene-2,3;22,23-dioxide when transiently expressed in Nicotiana bethamiana In contrast, in Lycopodium clavatum, two sequential cyclases, LcLCC and LcLCD, are required to produce α-onocerin in the N. benthamiana transient expression system. Expression of OsONS1 in the lanosterol synthase knockout yeast strain GIL77, which accumulates squalene-2,3;22,23-dioxide, verified the α-onocerin production. A phylogenetic analysis predicts that OsONS1 branches off from specific lupeol synthases and does not group with the known L. clavatum α-onocerin cyclases. Both the biochemical and phylogenetic analyses of OsONS1 suggest convergent evolution of the α-onocerin pathways. When OsONS1 was coexpressed in N. benthamiana leaves with either of the two O. spinosa squalene epoxidases, OsSQE1 or OsSQE2, α-onocerin production was boosted, most likely because the epoxidases produce higher amounts of squalene-2,3;22,23-dioxide. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy analysis demonstrated specific protein-protein interactions between OsONS1 and both O. spinosa squalene epoxidases. Coexpression of OsONS1 with the two OsSQEs suggests that OsSQE2 is the preferred partner of OsONS1 in planta. Our results provide an example of the convergent evolution of plant specialized metabolism.

Histological and antimicrobial study of Ononis arvensis L.

In this study field restharrow (Ononis arvensis) was investigated for histological and antimicrobial features. The aerial part and the root were embedded in synthetic resin and investigated following sectioning by a rotation microtome. The antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration of the solvent fractions of the aerial part were studied against four bacterial strains and one fungus. According to histology, the root covered by rhizodermis contains contiguous vascular elements, which are surrounded by sclerenchyma cells. The epidermis cells are anisodiametric in the stem, sepal, and petal. The bundles of the stem form a Ricinus type thickening. The adaxial side of the heterogeneous leaf is covered by unbranching non-glandular and capitate glandular trichomes. The stipule, petiole, sepals and petals are isolateral having mesomorphic stomata. Pollen grains are tricolpate. The different extracts of the herb showed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Data show that the extracts of the leaf contain compounds which may be responsible for the antifungal effect, while extracts obtained from display against the tested bacteria, except Escherichia coli. Further studies are required to complete the phytochemical analysis and identify the antimicrobial compounds of extracts.

Diversity and plant growth promoting properties of rhizobia isolated from root nodules of Ononis arvensis.

This is the first report describing isolates from root nodules of Ononis arvensis (field restharrow). The aim of this investigation was to describe the diversity, phylogeny, and plant growth promoting features of microsymbionts of O. arvensis, i.e., a legume plant growing in different places of the southern part of Poland. Twenty-nine bacterial isolates were characterized in terms of their phenotypic properties, genome fingerprinting, and comparative analysis of their 16S rRNA, nodC and acdS gene sequences. Based on the nodC and 16S rRNA gene phylogenies, the O. arvensis symbionts were grouped close to bacteria of the genera Rhizobium and Mesorhizobium, which formed monophyletic clusters. The acdS gene sequences of all the isolates tested exhibited the highest similarities to the corresponding gene sequences of genus Mesorhizobium strains. The presence of the acdS genes in the genomes of rhizobia specific for O. arvensis implies that these bacteria may promote the growth and development of their host plant in stress conditions. The isolated bacteria showed a high genomic diversity and, in the BOX-PCR reaction, all of them (except three) exhibited DNA fingerprints specific only for them. Our studies showed that restharrow isolates formed effective symbiotic interactions with their native host (O. arvensis) and Ononis spinosa but not with Trifolium repens and Medicago sativa belonging to the same tribe Trifolieae as Ononis species and not with Lotus corniculatus, representing the tribe Loteae.

Wound healing and anti-inflammatory activity of some Ononis taxons.

Ononis species are used for their laxative, diuretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, cytotoxic and antifungal effects as well as against skin diseases for wound healing activity. In the light of this information n-hexane, ethylacetate and methanol extracts prepared from Ononis spinosa L. subsp. leiosperma (Boiss.) Sirj., Ononis variegata L., Ononis viscosa L. subsp. brevifolia (DC) Nym. and Ononis natrix L. subsp. natrix L. were tested for their wound healing, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Linear incision and circular excision wound models and hydroxypyroline estimation assay were used for the wound healing activity. For the assessment of chronic inflammation FCA-induced arthritis and for acute inflammation carrageenan-induced hind paw edema, TPA-induced ear edema and acetic acid-induced increase in capillary permeability tests were conducted. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging activity assay, reducing power assay and hydroxyl radical (OH-) scavenging assay were used for determining antioxidant activities of the extracts. Results showed that O. spinosa subsp. leiosperma roots ethyl acetate extract exhibited remarkable wound healing activity with the 42.6% tensile strength value on the linear incision wound model and 60.1% reduction of the wound area at the day 12 on the circular excision wound model. Hydroxyproline content of the tissue treated by O. spinosa subsp. leiosperma roots ethyl acetate extract was found to be 41.3µg/mg. Acetic acid induced increase in capillary permeability test results revealed that O. spinosa subsp. leiosperma roots ethyl acetate extract and O. spinosa subsp. leiosperma roots methanol extract inhibited inflammation by 40.4% and 35.4% values respectively. O. spinosa subsp. leiosperma roots ethyl acetate extract showed 21.2-27.2% inhibition in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema test while did not posses activity on TPA-induced ear edema and FCA-induced arthritis models.

Effects of season and population size on pollination and reproductive output in a Mediterranean shrub.

Pollinator guilds may change throughout extended flowering periods, affecting plant reproductive output, especially in seasonal climates. We hypothesised a seasonal shift in pollinator guild and an autumn reduction in pollinator abundance, especially in small and sparse populations. We recorded pollinator identity, abundance and behaviour in relation to flower density from plant to population throughout the extended flowering of Ononis tridentata. We evaluated female reproductive output by recording pollination success and pre-dispersal seed predation in eight populations of contrasting size and density. Offspring quality was also characterised through seed weight and germination. A diverse guild of insects visited O. tridentata in spring, while only Apis mellifera was observed in autumn. Visitation frequency did not vary seasonally, but the number of flowers per foraging bout was lower, and seeds were heavier and had a higher germination rate in autumn. Plant and neighbourhood flowering display were not related to pollinator visitation frequency or behaviour. However, the rate of fertilised ovules, seed set and autumn flowering display size were positively related to population density. The maintenance of pollination in autumn enhances the reproductive performance of O. tridentata due to higher quality of autumn seed, and to a large reduction in seed predator pressure. We also suggest that observed changes in pollinator behaviour could be one of the processes behind seasonal variation in seed performance, since geitonogamous crosses were less likely to occur in autumn.

Phytochemical and antioxidant activity studies on Ononis angustissima L. aerial parts: isolation of two new flavonoids.

Ononis angustissima aerial parts extract and exudate were subjected to phytochemical and biological studies. Two new natural flavonoids, (3S)-7-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-isoflavanone 3'-ß-d-glucopyranoside (1) and kaempferol 3-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside-7-O-(2'''-acetyl)-ß-d-galactopyranoside (4), and sixteen known compounds were isolated through a bio-oriented approach. Their structural characterisation was achieved using spectroscopic analyses including 2D NMR. The phytochemical profile of the extracts was also performed, and the antioxidant activity of all compounds was tested by three different assays. To get a trend in the results and to compare the antioxidant capacity among the different methods used, the obtained data were transformed to a relative antioxidant capacity index.

Chemical composition of the essential oil from the aerial parts of Ononis reclinata L. (Fabaceae) grown wild in Sicily.

In the present study, the chemical composition of the essential oil from aerial parts of Ononis reclinata L., a species not previously investigated, collected in Sicily was evaluated by GC and Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry. The main components of O. reclinata were menthone (43.6%), isopimpinellin (38.4%) and pulegone (11.2%). The comparison with other studied oils of genus Ononis showed a peculiar and characteristic profile.