RESUMO
Artichokes (Cynara scolymus L.) are valuable foods, thanks to their health benefits, but they generate significant waste during their production, harvesting, and processing, which poses sustainability issues. This study applied an agroprospecting approach to convert Tema artichoke biowaste (TB) into valuable resources, starting from a global perspective of the production chain to the targeted applications based on chemical and biological analysis. The major TB was identified in the outer bracts of the immature flower heads, which were collected throughout the harvesting season, extracted, and analyzed. The most abundant compounds were phenolic acids including chlorogenic acid and caffeoylquinic derivatives. Among flavonoids, cynaroside was the most abundant compound. Multivariate analysis distinguished batches by collection period, explaining 77.7% of the variance, with most compounds increasing in concentration later in the harvest season. Subsequently, TB extracts were analyzed for their potential in wound healing and anti-aging properties. Fibroblasts were used to assess the effect of selected extracts on cell migration through a scratch wound assay and on cellular senescence induced by etoposide. The results show a significant decrease in senescence-associated ß-galactosidase activity, γH2AX nuclear accumulation, and both p53 and p21 protein levels. Overall, this study ascribes relevant anti-skin aging effects to TB, thus increasing its industrial value in cosmeceutical and nutraceutical applications.
Assuntos
Cynara scolymus , Extratos Vegetais , Cynara scolymus/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/química , Humanos , Cicatrização/efeitos dos fármacos , Senescência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Movimento Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Flavonoides/farmacologia , Flavonoides/química , Flavonoides/análise , Compostos Fitoquímicos/farmacologia , Compostos Fitoquímicos/química , Fibroblastos/efeitos dos fármacos , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Hidroxibenzoatos/farmacologia , Hidroxibenzoatos/químicaRESUMO
Vinca sardoa (Stearn) Pignatti, known as Sardinian periwinkle, is widely diffused in Sardinia (Italy). This species contains indole alkaloids, which are known to have a great variety of biological activities. This study investigated the antileukemic activity against a B lymphoblast cell line (SUP-B15) of V. sardoa alkaloid-rich extracts obtained from plants grown in Italy, in Iglesias (Sardinia) and Rome (Latium). All the extracts showed a good capacity to induce reductions in cell proliferation of up to 50% at the tested concentrations (1-15 µg/mL). Moreover, none of the extracts showed cytotoxicity on normal cells at all the studied concentrations.
Assuntos
Alcaloides , Antineoplásicos , Vinca , Alcaloides/farmacologia , Alcaloides Indólicos/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Proliferação de Células , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologiaRESUMO
Salinibacter ruber is an extremophilic bacterium able to grow in high-salts environments, such as saltern crystallizer ponds. This halophilic bacterium is red-pigmented due to the production of several carotenoids and their derivatives. Two of these pigment molecules, salinixanthin and retinal, are reported to be essential cofactors of the xanthorhodopsin, a light-driven proton pump unique to this bacterium. Here, we isolate and characterize an outer membrane porin-like protein that retains salinixanthin. The characterization by mass spectrometry identified an unknown protein whose structure, predicted by AlphaFold, consists of a 8 strands beta-barrel transmembrane organization typical of porins. The protein is found to be part of a functional network clearly involved in the outer membrane trafficking. Cryo-EM micrographs showed the shape and dimensions of a particle comparable with the ones of the predicted structure. Functional implications, with respect to the high representativity of this protein in the outer membrane fraction, are discussed considering its possible role in primary functions such as the nutrients uptake and the homeostatic balance. Finally, also a possible involvement in balancing the charge perturbation associated with the xanthorhodopsin and ATP synthase activities is considered.
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Bacteroidetes , Porinas , Porinas/metabolismo , Bacteroidetes/química , Bacteroidetes/metabolismo , Carotenoides/química , Carotenoides/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Alkaloids present in plants of the Amaryllidaceae family are secondary metabolites of high biological interest, possessing a wide range of pharmacological activities. In the search for new plant-derived compounds with antimicrobial activities, two alkaloid extracts obtained from bulbs and leaves of Pancratium illyricum L., a plant of the Amarillydaceae family, were tested for their effect on bacterial and yeast growth. METHODS: The broth microdilution susceptibility test was applied to study the effect of plant extracts on the growth of reference bacterial strains and Candida albicans reference and clinical isolates strains. Extracts obtained from the different parts of the plant were tested and compared with the pure components identified in the extracts. Since matrix metalloproteinase enzymes play a role in the dissemination process of Candida albicans, the effect of the bulb extract and pure alkaloids on in vitro collagenase activity was tested. Cell viability test was carried out on human embryo lung fibroblasts (HEL 299). RESULTS: Whilst both extracts did not show any inhibitory activity against neither Gram positive nor Gram negative bacteria, a strong antifungal activity was detected, in particular for the bulb extract. All clinical isolates were susceptible to the growth inhibitory activity of the bulb extract, with endpoint IC50 values ranging from 1.22 to 78 µg/mL. The pure alkaloids lycorine and vittatine, identified as components of the extract, were also assayed for their capacity of inhibiting the yeast growth, and lycorine turned very active, with endpoint IC50 values ranging from 0.89 to 28.5 µg/mL. A potent inhibition of the in vitro collagenase activity was found in the presence of the bulb extract, and this effect was much higher than that exerted by the pure alkaloids. Viability of cell lines tested was not affected by the extract. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, results suggest that the extract of Pancratium illyricum may act as antifungal agent both directly on the yeast growth and by altering the tissue invasion process.
Assuntos
Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Candida albicans/efeitos dos fármacos , Candida albicans/patogenicidade , Candidíase/microbiologia , Liliaceae/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Alcaloides/farmacologia , Candida albicans/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Candida albicans/isolamento & purificação , Humanos , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Folhas de Planta/química , Virulência/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Given their critical role in plant reproduction and survival, seeds demand meticulous regulatory mechanisms to effectively store and mobilize reserves. Within seeds, the condition of storage reserves heavily depends on environmental stimuli and hormonal activation. Unlike non-protein reserves that commonly employ dedicated regulatory proteins for signaling, proteinaceous reserves may show a unique form of 'self-regulation', amplifying efficiency and precision in this process. Proteins rely on stability to carry out their functions. However, in specific physiological contexts, particularly in seed germination, protein instability becomes essential, fulfilling roles from signaling to regulation. In this study, the elongation factor 1-alpha has been identified as a main proteinaceous reserve in Nicotiana tabacum L. seeds and showed peculiar changes in stability based on tested chemical and physical conditions. A detailed biochemical analysis followed these steps to enhance our understanding of these protein attributes. The protein varied its behavior under different conditions of pH, temperature, and salt concentration, exhibiting shifts within physiological ranges. Notably, distinct solubility transitions were observed, with the elongation factor 1-alpha becoming insoluble upon reaching specific thresholds determined by the tested chemical and physical conditions. The findings are discussed within the context of seed signaling in response to environmental conditions during the key transitions of dormancy and germination.
Assuntos
Nicotiana , Sementes , Nicotiana/metabolismo , Nicotiana/fisiologia , Sementes/metabolismo , Fator 1 de Elongação de Peptídeos/metabolismo , Fator 1 de Elongação de Peptídeos/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Germinação/fisiologia , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , TemperaturaRESUMO
Salvia is widely recognized for its therapeutic potential. However, the biological relevance of some species remains unknown, namely Salvia cacaliifolia Benth. Therefore, the aim of this study is to unveil the chemical composition and relevant properties to its essential oil (EO). The EO was characterized by GC and GC-MS and its antifungal effect was evaluated according to the CLSI guidelines on dermatophytes and yeasts. The anti-inflammatory potential was assessed on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages, by assessing the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the effect on the protein levels of two key pro-inflammatory enzymes, iNOS and COX-2 by western blot analysis. Wound healing capacity was determined using the scratch wound healing assay, and the anti-aging potential was assessed by evaluating the senescence marker ß-galactosidase. The EO was mainly characterized by γ-curcumene, ß-bisabolene, bicyclogermacrene and curzerenone. It is effective in inhibiting the growth of dermatophytes and C. neoformans. The EO significantly decreased iNOS and COX-2 protein levels and concomitantly reduced NO release. Additionally, it demonstrated anti-senescence potential and promoted wound healing. Overall, this study highlights relevant pharmacological properties of the EO of Salvia cacaliifolia, which should be further explored envisaging the development of sustainable, innovative, and environmentally friendly skin products.
RESUMO
The Salvia L. genus (Lamiaceae) is largely used in the pharmaceutical and food industry. Several species of biological relevance are extensively employed in traditional medicine, including Salvia aurea L. (syn. S. africana-lutea L.), which is used as a traditional skin disinfectant and in wounds as a healing remedy; nevertheless, these properties have not been validated yet. The aim of the present study is to characterise S. aurea essential oil (EO), unveiling its chemical composition and validating its biological properties. The EO was obtained by hydrodistillation and subsequently analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Different biological activities were assessed: the antifungal effect on dermatophytes and yeasts and the anti-inflammatory potential by evaluating nitric oxide (NO) production and COX-2 and iNOS protein levels. Wound-healing properties were assessed using the scratch-healing test, and the anti-aging capacity was estimated through the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity. S. aurea EO is mainly characterised by 1,8-cineole (16.7%), ß-pinene (11.9%), cis-thujone (10.5%), camphor (9.5%), and (E)-caryophyllene (9.3%). The results showed an effective inhibition of the growth of dermatophytes. Furthermore, it significantly reduced protein levels of iNOS/COX-2 and simultaneously NO release. Additionally, the EO exhibited anti-senescence potential and enhanced wound healing. Overall, this study highlights the remarkable pharmacological properties of Salvia aurea EO, which should be further explored in order to develop innovative, sustainable, and environmentally friendly skin products.
RESUMO
Aerial parts of Apium nodiflorum collected in Portugal and Italy were submitted to hydrodistillation; also a supercritical fluid extract was obtained from Italian plants. The extracts were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Both essential oils, obtained from Portuguese and Italian plants, posses high content of phenylpropanoids (51.6 vs. 70.8%); in the former, the percentage split in myristicin (29.1%) and dillapiol (22.5%), whereas in the latter, the total percentage is only of dillapiol (70.8%). The co-occurrence of myristicin and dillapiol is frequent because dillapiol results from enzymatic methoxylation of myristicin. Antimicrobial activity of phenylpropanoids has been patented, what suggest the potential of plants with high amounts of these compounds. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal lethal concentration, determined according to NCCLS, were used to evaluate the antifungal activity of the essential oils against yeasts, Aspergillus species and dermatophytes. Essential oils exhibited higher antifungal activity than other Apiaceae against dermatophytes, with MIC ranging from 0.04 to 0.32 µl/ml. These results support the potential of A. nodiflorum oil in the treatment of dermatophytosis and candidosis.
Assuntos
Apiaceae/química , Óleos Voláteis/química , Óleos Voláteis/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Arthrodermataceae/efeitos dos fármacos , Aspergillus/efeitos dos fármacos , Dióxido de Carbono/metabolismo , Cromatografia com Fluido Supercrítico/métodos , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , Itália , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Óleos Voláteis/isolamento & purificação , Extratos Vegetais/isolamento & purificação , PortugalRESUMO
We studied the chemical composition and the nutritional properties of fixed oils extracted from seeds and pericarps of the medicinal plant Whitania somnifera. W. somnifera wild germplasm was collected in Sardinia (Italy) and cultivated in Campidano subregion (Southern Sardinia). The main fatty acids of seed oil were 18:2 n-6 (53%, 73.6 mg/g of dry weight), 18:1 n-9 (21%, 29.3 mg/g of dry weight), 16:0 (19%), and 18:0 (4%). Trilinolein and dilinolein derivatives represented the main seed oil triacylglycerols. Linoleic (40%, 67.7 mg/g of dry weight), oleic (29%, 48.7 mg/g of dry weight), palmitic (22%), stearic (4%) and α-linolenic (3%), were the main fatty acids in pericarp oil, with higher total level of monounsaturated fatty acids than seed oil, while monolinolein and dilinolein derivatives represented the main triacylglycerols. The results of this study qualify Sardinian W. somnifera berries as an interesting source of oils with nutritional properties.
Assuntos
Ácidos Graxos , Withania , Ácidos Graxos/análise , Óleos de Plantas/química , Sementes/química , Triglicerídeos/análiseRESUMO
Human populations in various regions across the world exploit the medicinal properties of plants to treat a wide variety of diseases. Areas with both high rates of endemic taxa and persisting traditional uses of the local botanical resources are key sites for the investigation of Traditional Botanical Knowledge (TBK). Commonly, in these areas, information regarding the medicinal properties of native plants has been transmitted orally from generation to generation, however, a rapid decline in this knowledge has been observed, which can be attributed to socio-economic changes in recent years. The Mediterranean basin is one such site, where human history is intimately entwined with nature. The unique geographical situation and unrivaled environmental heterogeneity of the area, have allowed both the development of diverse civilizations as well as providing the basis for the evolution of extraordinary biodiversity. The Mediterranean basin can therefore be considered a global hotspot of endemic vascular plants, and of traditional knowledge of medicinal and aromatic species. This study researches the historical subregion of Marmilla (central-southern Sardinia, Italy), which was chosen because of its specific cultural and demographic characteristics: i.e., prolonged isolation and extreme longevity of the inhabitants of the area. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 145 people from the region, and 137 medicinal plants belonging to 62 families were identified, of which around 57,3% were taxa exclusive to the Mediterranean Basin. Findings showed that the most used parts of the plant were the leaves (49%), while as far as preparations are concerned, decoction (50%) was the most used to prepare medicinal formulations, making this the highest number of medico-botanical taxa reported in a study carried out in Sardinia using a similar methodology. In addition, this study contributes towards preventing the loss of TBK by documenting the medicinal traditions, passed down orally for centuries, in the words of the participants, shedding new light on the traditional knowledge of the inhabitants of the island. The findings lay the foundations for future applied studies in the fields of phytotherapy and phytochemical investigation.
RESUMO
Santolina insularis is a Sardinian endemism that is widely used in traditional medicine. The essential oil was obtained with a yield of 2.7% and is mainly characterized by ß-phellandrene (22.6%), myrcene (11.4%) and artemisia ketone (7.6%). The oil significantly reduced NO production without affecting macrophages viability. In addition, it substantially inhibited the expression of two key pro-inflammatory enzymes, iNOS and COX-2 (71% and 25% at 0.54 mg/mL). Furthermore, the oil had a promising antifungal activity being Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC = 0.13 mg/mL) and the majority of dermatophytes (MIC = 0.13 mg/mL) the most susceptible fungi. Moreover, it significantly decreased the yeast-to-hypha transition (80% inhibition at 0.13 mg/mL) on C. albicans long before showing inhibitory effects. Overall, these results show that S. insularis could be applied in the treatment of fungal infections and associated inflammatory response.
Assuntos
Asteraceae , Óleos Voláteis , Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Candida albicans , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Óleos Voláteis/farmacologiaRESUMO
The aim of this study is to demonstrate the antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-migratory potential of the essential oil of Teucrium scordium subsp. scordioides (Schreb.) Arcang, a plant widely used in traditional medicine in Sardinia. The oil was rich in germacrene D (25.1%), δ-cadinene (12.9%) and alloaromadendrene (11.3%). The yeast Cryptococcus neoformans and the dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale and Epidermophyton floccosum were the most susceptible fungi to the action of the oil. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages, the oil was able to decrease nitric oxide production by ca. 30% at 1.25 µL/mL, without affecting cell viability. In the scratch wound assay, it allowed for ca. 36% of wound closure after 18 h, thus showing anti-migratory properties. Overall, this study highlights the potential of this species to mitigate fungal infections associated with an inflammatory response. Furthermore, we also reported for the first time its anti-migratory capacity, thus suggesting anticancer properties.
Assuntos
Cryptococcus neoformans , Lamiaceae , Óleos Voláteis , Teucrium , Óleos Voláteis/farmacologia , Óleos Voláteis/química , Teucrium/química , Antifúngicos/farmacologiaRESUMO
The genus Teucrium L. (Lamiaceae) is a genus growing in mild climate zones, particularly in the Mediterranean Basin and Central Asia. It is represented by 11 taxa in Sardinia (Italy), living commonly in sunny habitats. In this study, the following eight Sardinian Teucrium taxa were selected, and the essential oils (EOs), obtained by stem distillation, were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS: T. capitatum subsp. capitatum, T. chamaedrys subsp. chamaedrys, T. flavum subsp. glaucum, T. marum, T. massiliense, T. scordium subsp. scordioides, T. scorodonia, and T. subspinosum. The comprehensive analyses led to the identification of 87 constituents representing the majority of the volatile compounds. Significant differences, both qualitative and quantitative, were observed between the taxa. Overall, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes characterized all Teucrium EOs: T. capitatum subsp. capitatum and T. flavum subsp. glaucum revealed the highest content of monoterpene hydrocarbons, while in the other Teucrium taxa sesquiterpene hydrocarbons prevailed. Worthy of note, diterpenes were found only in T. marum and T. subspinosum, whereas T. massiliense was rich in non-terpenic oxygenated compounds. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report on the chemical composition of EOs obtained from Sardinian Teucrium species.
RESUMO
The chemical composition of two populations of Teucrium capitatum L. one from the coastline and the other one from the mountainous area of Sardinia (Italy) was assessed. Two chemotypes were identified: limonene/α-pinene/(E)-nerolidol chemotype predominant in the coastline, and limonene/α-pinene/α-trans-bergamotene/humulene epoxide II chemotype common in plants growing in the mountainous area. In addition, our results showed that the sample growing in the coastline had a more promising antifungal activity. Furthermore, this sample was highly effective in inhibiting C. albicans germ tube formation, at doses well below its MIC. Overall, this study shows that the edaphoclimatic characteristics play an important role on the essential oil composition and biological activity of Teucrium capitatum L.
Assuntos
Óleos Voláteis , Teucrium , Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Itália , Óleos Voláteis/farmacologia , Componentes Aéreos da PlantaRESUMO
The last decades have recorded an increase of plant-based drug discovery processes. Indeed, natural products possess a superior chemical diversity as compared to synthetic ones, leading to a renewal in searching for new therapeutic agents from the plant kingdom. In particular, since the structural variety of natural compounds reflects the biodiversity of their source organisms, regions of the world with high biodiversity and endemism deserve particular interest. In this context, Sardinia Island (Italy), with 290 endemic taxa (12% of the total flora), is expected to provide unique and structurally diverse phytochemicals for drug development. Several research groups built up a large program dedicated to the analysis of Sardinian endemic species, highlighting their peculiar features, both in respect of phytochemical and biological profiles. On this basis, the aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive overview on ethnobotanical uses, biological properties and phytoconstituents of Sardinian endemic plants in order to support their beneficial potential and to provide input for future investigations. We documented 152 articles published from 1965 to June 2020 in which a broad range of biological activities and the identification of previously undescribed compounds have been reported, supporting their great value as sources of therapeutic agents.
RESUMO
The study aimed to evaluate the protective role of myricetin obtained from Vitis vinifera (Vitaceae) on heart rate, electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns, vascular reactivity to catecholamines, cardiac marker enzymes, antioxidant enzymes together with morphological and histopathological changes in isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarction (MI) in male Wistar rats. Rats treated with isoproterenol (85 mg/kg, administered subcutaneously twice at an interval of 24 h) showed a significant increase in heart rate and ST elevation in ECG, and a significant increase in the levels of cardiac marker enzymes - lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum. Isoproterenol significantly reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity and increased vascular reactivity to various catecholamines. Pretreatment with myricetin (100 mg/kg, p.o. and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) for a period of 21 days significantly inhibited the effects of ISO on heart rate, levels of LDH, CK, AST, SOD, CAT, vascular reactivity changes and ECG patterns. Treatment with myricetin (100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) alone did not alter any of the parameters compared with vehicle treated Wistar rats. Myricetin treated animals showed a lesser degree of cellular infiltration in histopathological studies. Thus, myricetin (100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) ameliorates the cardiotoxic effects of isoproterenol and may be of value in the treatment of MI.
Assuntos
Flavonoides/uso terapêutico , Coração/efeitos dos fármacos , Infarto do Miocárdio/tratamento farmacológico , Fitoterapia , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Substâncias Protetoras/uso terapêutico , Vitis/química , Animais , Aspartato Aminotransferases/sangue , Biomarcadores/sangue , Catalase/sangue , Creatina Quinase/sangue , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Eletrocardiografia/efeitos dos fármacos , Flavonoides/farmacologia , Coração/fisiopatologia , Frequência Cardíaca/efeitos dos fármacos , Isoproterenol , L-Lactato Desidrogenase/sangue , Masculino , Infarto do Miocárdio/induzido quimicamente , Miocárdio/enzimologia , Miocárdio/patologia , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Substâncias Protetoras/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Superóxido Dismutase/sangueRESUMO
Ptilostemon casabonae (L.) Greuter is a Mediterranean endemism traditionally used for its health-giving properties. Little is known about this species, therefore this study provides additional information about the phytochemical and biomolecular patterns of this plant, to have a combined fingerprint as a taxonomic tool. Several P. casabonae specimens were therefore collected from three different sites, two from Sardinia (Italy) and one from Corsica and the hydroalcoholic extracts of their aerial parts were investigated through HPLC-PDA-MS/MS analysis to study the phenolic composition. Quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, apigenin and diosmetin O-glycosides, and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives were found as main components. Samples from the three sites showed similar phenolic profiles, although statistical analyses highlighted some quantitative differences for several compounds. The biomolecular analysis included amplification and sequencing of ITS, 5S-rRNA-NTS and psbA regions. No difference was found in the nucleotides among the P. casabonae samples from different geographical origins; however, a comparison with other Ptilostemon species sequences from Genbank, revealed an interspecific variability of ITS and psbA regions. The combination of the results of the phytochemical and biomolecular studies provide information on P. casabonae useful to depict this little-known plant, which can also be applied for future investigations and to obtain a fingerprint of it. Moreover, the stability of the phenolic profile within the species affords to identify a set of specialised metabolites useful for its chemotaxonomic characterization. At the same time, the stability of the biomolecular profile of P. casabonae, and the identification of sequences specific for this species, enables to identify useful biomolecular markers to distinguish it unequivocally.
Assuntos
Asteraceae/química , Compostos Fitoquímicos/análise , Biomarcadores/análise , ItáliaRESUMO
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Thistles species (Family: Compositae) are traditionally used in the Mediterranean area, particularly in Sardinia. They are usually gathered from the wild and used for both food and therapeutic purposes, including gastrointestinal disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: This work aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of eight wild thistles from Sardinia, in an in vitro model of gastric inflammation, and to identify the major active compounds in the extracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hydro-alcoholic extract of the aerial part of each species was prepared. After the induction of inflammation by the addition of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) (10ng/mL), AGS cells were treated with extracts/pure compounds under study. The inhibition of interleukin-8 (IL-8) release, IL-8 and NF-κB promoter activities and NF-κB nuclear translocation were evaluated. Extracts main components were identified by HPLC-PDA-MS/MS. RESULTS: Only Onopordum horridum Viv. and Onopordum illyricum L. hydro-alcoholic extracts reduced, in a concentration-dependent fashion, the IL-8 release and promoter activity in human gastric epithelial cells AGS. The effect was partially due to the NF-κB pathway impairment. Onopordum hydro-alcoholic extracts were also chemically profiled, and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives were the main compounds identified in the extract. Further investigations showed that 3,5 dicaffeoylquinic acid highly inhibited IL-8 secretion in AGS cells (IC50 0.65µM), thus suggesting that this compound contributed, at least in part, to the anti-inflammatory activity elicited by O. illyricum extracts. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Onopordum species may exert beneficial effects against gastric inflammatory diseases. Thus, these wild plants deserve further investigations as preventive or co-adjuvant agents in gastric diseases.
Assuntos
Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Células Epiteliais/efeitos dos fármacos , Onopordum/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Anti-Inflamatórios/administração & dosagem , Anti-Inflamatórios/isolamento & purificação , Linhagem Celular , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Células Epiteliais/patologia , Mucosa Gástrica/efeitos dos fármacos , Mucosa Gástrica/patologia , Gastrite/tratamento farmacológico , Humanos , Inflamação/tratamento farmacológico , Inflamação/patologia , Interleucina-8/metabolismo , Itália , NF-kappa B/metabolismo , Extratos Vegetais/administração & dosagem , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Espectrometria de Massas em Tandem , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismoRESUMO
This work reports the results and the comparison concerning the chemical and biomolecular analyses and the antifungal activity of three wild Pistacia species (Anacardiaceae) from Sardinia. Volatile oils from leaves and twigs of Pistacia x saportae, Pistacia lentiscus and Pistacia terebinthus were characterised using GC-FID and GC-MS techniques and tested against some fungal strains. Two DNA nuclear regions (ITS and 5S-rRNA-NTS) were amplified through PCR technique and sequenced. The three **Pistacia have similar chemical profile, although there are some important quantitative differences. The analysis of ITS and 5S-rRNA-NTS regions, reveals a species-specific nucleotide variation among the three **taxa. This method could emerge as a powerful tool for the species identification, especially because the discrimination of these three **taxa appears difficult for non-expert botanists. Concerning the antifungal activity, P. lentiscus and P. x saportae show the highest activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, with a MIC value of 0.32 µL/mL.
Assuntos
Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Óleos Voláteis/farmacologia , Pistacia/classificação , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Antifúngicos/química , Cryptococcus neoformans/efeitos dos fármacos , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , Ilhas , Itália , Óleos Voláteis/química , Pistacia/química , Extratos Vegetais/química , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Especificidade da EspécieRESUMO
Teucrium marum and T. subspinosum have been extracted with different polarity solvents, each crude extract was analysed with (1)H-NMR to compare the overall metabolic component. The polar extracts showed antioxidant activity in vitro. Verbascoside and arabinosyl-verbascoside were isolated and identified. Their concentrations were in connection to the antioxidant activity.