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PubMed2006

The chemical composition of essential oil and in vitro antibacterial activities of essential oil and methanol extract of Ziziphora persica Bunge.

This study was designed to examine the chemical composition of essential oil and the in vitro antibacterial activities of essential oil and methanol extracts of Ziziphora persica. The inhibitory effects of essential oil and methanol extracts of Ziziphora persica were tested against 98 laboratory strains belonging to 51 bacteria species by using disc-diffusion assay and micro-broth dilution methods, respectively. GC and GC/MS analyses revealed that the essential oil predominantly contains (+)-pulegone (79.33%), limonene (6.78%) and piperitenone (4.2%). The antibacterial test results showed that both methanol extract and in particular essential oil of Ziziphora persica had antibacterial activity against a number of bacteria tested. The lowest MIC values (7.81microg/ml) were obtained with the essential oil of Ziziphora persica against Bacillus dipsauri, Corynebacterium cystitidis and Corynebacterium flavescens.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2006

Inhibitory effects of Euterpe oleracea Mart. on nitric oxide production and iNOS expression.

The palm Euterpe oleracea is a plant of great economic value in Brazil. Although the heart of palm extracted from its trunk is considered a delicacy the world over, its fruits are popular only among Brazilians. In some poor regions of Brazil, there are reports on the popular use of its juice in the treatment of several disorders, mainly those of oxidative onset as cardiovascular ones. Because of its wide utilization; because there are very few scientific studies of this species, and to discover if its use in folk medicine for problems related with oxidation is in fact justifiable, we decided, in this study, to evaluate the effects of Euterpe oleracea flowers, fruits and spikes fractions on: nitric oxide (NO) production, NO scavenger capacity, and on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase enzyme, as well. Results showed that the fractions obtained from fruits were the most potent in inhibiting NO production, followed by those from flowers and spikes. Only in high doses, did some fractions reduce cell viability. Reduction on NO production was not due to NO scavenger activity. These results were accompanied by inhibition of iNOS expression. The more pronounced effect was observed in the fractions in which the concentration of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rhamnoside were higher. To sum up, our results indicate that fractions from Euterpe oleracea inhibits NO production by reducing the levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities in Sideritis italica (Miller) Greuter et Burdet essential oils.

Sideritis italica (Miller) Greuter et Burdet is a widespread Lamiacea in the Mediterranean region used in traditional medicine. Essential oils were antibacterial against nine ATCC and as many clinically isolated Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Antibacterial activity was also found against Helicobacter pylori: a dose-dependant inhibition was shown between 5 and 25 microg/ml. The antibacterial activity of the oils was expressed as MICs (minimum inhibitory concentrations) and MBCs (minimum bactericidal concentrations). At a concentration between 3.9 and 250 microg/ml the oils showed a significant antibacterial effect against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In particular the ATCC strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC=3.9 microg/ml and 7.8 for flowerheads and leaves, respectively), Proteus mirabilis (MIC=15.6 and 7.8 microg/ml), Salmonella typhi (MIC=7.8 microg/ml) and Proteus vulgaris (MIC=15.6 microg/ml) were the most inhibited. Only Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed MBC at a concentration between 62.6 and 125 microg/ml. The antioxidant activity of the essential oils was evaluated by two cell free colorimetric methods: ABTS and DMPD; leaf oil is more active (4.29 +/- 0.02 trolox equivalents and 4.53 +/- 0.67 ascorbic acid equivalents by ABTS and DMPD, respectively). Finally the antioxidant activity of the essential oils was also evaluated by their effects on human whole blood leukocytes (WB) and on isolated polymorphonucleate (PMN) chemiluminescence. Comparing the effects of the oils from leaves and flowerheads on both PMN and WB chemiluminescence emission, we found no significant differences. Essential oils showed a dose-dependent and linear inhibitory activity on isolated PMN as well as on WB CL emission when PMA-stimulated. On the contrary, the inhibitory activity on resting cells was nonlinear. Our data represent an answer to the continual demand for new antibiotics and antioxidants for the continuous emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains and the growing interest in the substitution of synthetic antioxidants with natural ones. Furthermore, our finding of antibacterial and antioxidant activities in the essential oils from Sideritis italica flowerheads and leaves validated the use of the plant for medical purposes.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2006

Taraxacum--a review on its phytochemical and pharmacological profile.

The genus Taraxacum is a member of the family Asteraceae, subfamily Cichorioideae, tribe Lactuceae and widely distributed in the warmer temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. The perennial weed has been known since ancient times for its curative properties and has been utilized for the treatment of various ailments such as dyspepsia, heartburn, spleen and liver complaints, hepatitis and anorexia. However, its use has mainly been based on empirical findings. This contribution provides a comprehensive review of the pharmacologically relevant compounds of Taraxacum characterized so far and of the studies supporting its use as a medicinal plant. Particular attention has been given to diuretic, choleretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-carcinogenic, analgesic, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-coagulatory and prebiotic effects. Finally, research needs such as quantification of individual Taraxacum constituents and assessment of their pharmacological activities in humans have briefly been outlined.

Analgesics↗

PubMed2006

A phytotherapeutic extract of Equisetum myriochaetum is not genotoxic either in the in vivo wing somatic test of Drosophila or in the in vitro human micronucleus test.

Equisetum myriochaetum is a Mexican plant used in folk medicine to treat kidney diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The main constituents of the phytoextract are flavonol glycosides (kaempferol), phytoesterols and carbohydrates. In this study, phytotherapeutic extracts from Equisetum myriochaetum were investigated for genotoxicity in the in vivo wing spot test in Drosophila melanogaster and in the in vitro human micronucleus test. No acute toxicity of the phytoextract could be determined in Drosophila or in human lymphocytes in culture, ranging from 0.78 microg/ml to 3700 microg/ml for the wing assay and between 12.5 microg/ml and 500 microg/ml for the micronucleus test. The Drosophila wing somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) was applied in the standard version with basal biotransformation activity as well as in a variant version with increased cytochrome P450-dependent bioactivation capacity. The ranges of exposure concentrations for these genotoxicity experiments were between 0.78 microg/ml and 500 microg/ml. The human micronucleus test in vitro was performed with cultured lymphocytes obtained from four healthy donors. The concentrations assayed for these experiments ranged from 12.5 microg/ml to 500 microg/ml. No statistically significant increase was observed between treated series when compared with a concurrent negative (water solvent) control series in either assay. The results demonstrate clearly that the phytotherapeutic extract from Equisetum myriochaetum, under the experimental conditions tested, is not genotoxic in the in vivo experiments or in the in vitro studies.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Comparison of different extraction methods for the determination of podophyllotoxin and 6-methoxypodophyllotoxin in Linum species.

Three extraction methods for analysis of podophyllotoxin and its derivatives from Linum species were compared. No statistical difference on the percentage of recovery were found between the methods. The "glycosidase-method" showed the best result with respect to the accuracy studies; the "acetone-method" has an advantage compared to the other methods due to its capability to calculate the aglycone, lignan glycoside and total lignan. The content of podophyllotoxin and 6-methoxypodophyllotoxin in Linum mucronatum subsp. mucronatum Bertol, Linum arboreum L., and the endemic Turkey species of Linum flavum subsp. scabrinerve Davis were determined. This is the first report on the analysis of podophyllotoxin and 6-methoxy podophyllotoxin of natural collected Linum flavum subsp. scabrinerve and Linum arboreum.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2004

PLE in the analysis of plant compounds. Part II: One-cycle PLE in determining total amount of analyte in plant material.

Pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) is recognised as one of the most effective sample preparation methods. Despite the enhanced extraction power of PLE, the full recovery of an analyte from plant material may require multiple extractions of the same sample. The presented investigations show the possibility of estimating the true concentration value of an analyte in plant material employing one-cycle PLE in which plant samples of different weight are used. The performed experiments show a linear dependence between the reciprocal value of the analyte amount (E*), extracted in single-step PLE from a plant matrix, and the ratio of plant material mass to extrahent volume (m(p)/V(s)). Hence, time-consuming multi-step PLE can be replaced by a few single-step PLEs performed at different (m(p)/V(s)) ratios. The concentrations of rutin in Sambucus nigra L. and caffeine in tea and coffee estimated by means of the tested procedure are almost the same as their concentrations estimated by multiple PLE.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2004

Effect of drought and rewatering on the metabolism of Lupinus albus organs.

Alterations in the metabolism of Lupinus albus organs that result from and subsequently follow a period of severe water deficit (WD) are described. By means of 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), changes in the major metabolites were monitored in several plant organs (leaflets and petiole, roots, stem stele and cortex). During the stress, most of the leaves were lost and the stem functioned as a storage repository of sugars (glucose and sucrose) and amino acids (asparagine and proline). Upon rewatering, lupin plants rapidly re-established the relative water content (RWC) and produced new leaves. However, at the metabolic level, the events seem to be more complex, since proline (a stress related metabolite) disappeared rapidly while sugars and asparagine reached the initial pattern more slowly, particularly in the stem.

Asparagine↗

PubMed2005

Asparagine synthetase gene TaASN1 from wheat is up-regulated by salt stress, osmotic stress and ABA.

Differences in gene expression between salinity stressed and normally grown wheat seedlings were compared by the differential display (DD) technique. One DD-derived cDNA clone was characterized as a partial sequence of the wheat asparagine ynthetase (AS) gene by sequence analysis and homology search of GenBank databases. Two AS genes of wheat, TaASN1 and TaASN2, were further isolated by the RT-PCR approach. Comparison of the deduced polypeptide of TaASN1 and TaASN2 with AS proteins from other organisms revealed several homologous regions, in particular, the conserved glutamine binding sites and Class-II Glutamine amidotransferases domain. The functionality of TaASN1 was demonstrated by complementing an Escherichia coli asparagine auxotroph. TaASN1 transcripts were detected in roots, shoots, anthers and young spikes by RT-PCR analysis. Abundance of TaASN1 mRNA in young spikes and anthers was higher than that in shoots and roots under normal growth conditions. TaASN1 was dramatically induced by salinity, osmotic stress and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) in wheat seedlings. TaASN2 transcripts were very low in all detected tissues and conditions and were only slightly induced by ABA in roots.

Abscisic Acid↗

PubMed2004

Hypoglycaemic activity of Gentiana olivieri and isolation of the active constituent through bioassay-directed fractionation techniques.

Hypoglycemic effect of Gentiana olivieri Griseb. (Gentianaceae) flowering herbs on oral administration were studied using in vivo models in normal, glucose-hyperglycemic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Through in vivo bioassay-guided fractionation processes isoorientin, a known C-glycosylflavone, was isolated from the ethylacetate fraction by silica gel column chromatography as the main active ingredient from the plant. Isoorientin exhibited significant hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects at 15 mg/kg b.w.dose. Isoorientin concentration of the extracts and fractions were determined by HPLC in order to establish a correlation between the hypoglycaemic activity.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2006

Marrubium vulgare extract inhibits human-LDL oxidation and enhances HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage.

The objective of the present study was to elucidate the beneficial properties of aqueous extracts of Marrubium vulgare (AEM) towards cardiovascular disease by protecting human-LDL against lipid peroxidation and promoting HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux. Human-LDL were oxidised by incubation with CuSO(4) in the presence of increased concentrations of AEM (0-100 microg/ml). LDL lipid peroxidation was evaluated by conjugated diene formation, vitamin E disappearance as well as LDL-electrophoretic mobility. HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux assay was carried out in human THP-1 macrophages. Incubation of LDL with AEM significantly prolonged the lag phase (P=0.014), lowered the progression rate of lipid peroxidation (P=0.004), reduced the disappearance of vitamin E and the electrophoretic mobility in a dose-dependent manner. Also, incubation of HDL with AEM significantly increased HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux from THP-1 macrophages implicating an independent ATP binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) pathways. Our findings suggest that M. vulgare provides a source of natural antioxidants, which inhibit LDL oxidation and enhance reverse cholesterol transport and thus can prevent cardiovascular diseases development. These antioxidant properties increase the anti-atherogenic potential of HDL.

Cell Line↗

PubMed2004

Effect of anti-inflammatory drugs on pleurisy induced by latex of Calotropis procera in rats.

In present study, we have characterized the inflammation induced by latex of Calotropis procera in the rat pleurisy model and evaluated the effect of various inhibitors of inflammatory mediators. Injection of dried latex (DL) into the pleural cavity elicited an acute inflammatory response characterized by protein rich fluid accumulation and leucocyte (polymorphonuclear cells, and mononuclear cells) infiltration in the pleural cavity. The peak inflammatory response was obtained at 6h when the fluid volume, protein concentration and cell infiltration were maximum. All these parameters were attenuated by phenylbutazone (PBZ), celecoxib, dexamethasone, cyproheptadine and chlorpheniramine. All these drugs were also effective in inhibiting the production of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). Of all the drugs tested, dexamethasone was most effective in inhibiting DL induced pleurisy. The results clearly indicate that prostaglandins (PGs) and biogenic amines play a key role in the development of pleurisy induced by DL and it serves as a model to evaluate drugs inhibiting cellular influx associated with inflammatory response.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Activity of some Mexican medicinal plant extracts on carrageenan-induced rat paw edema.

The extracts obtained from 14 plants of the Mexican medicinal flora were assessed for anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. The i.p. administration of the extracts at a dose of 400 mg/kg produced a high reduction of edema with 70% of the plant extracts. Oenothera rosea methanol extract, Sphaeralcea angustifolia chloroform extract, Acaciafarnesiana, Larrea tridentata and Rubus coriifolius methanol extracts as well as the aqueous extract of Chamaedora tepejilote were demonstrated to be particularly active against the induced hind-paw edema. Moderate inhibition of edema formation was also demonstrated with the methanol extracts of Astianthus viminalis, Brickellia paniculata, C. tepejilote and Justicia spicigera.

Acacia↗

PubMed2005

Activity of Wedelia calendulacea Less. in post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Wedelia calendulacea Less., a perennial herb containing isoflavanoids, is used in liver disorders, uterine hemorrhage and menorrhagia. Osteoporosis in women occurs mainly due to estrogen deficiency following menopause. Studies indicate that isoflavones are estrogenic enough to promote bone formation. Our study was aimed to investigate the antiosteoporotic effect of the ethanol extract of W. calendulacea in the ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis, at two different dose levels of 500 and 750 mg/kg/body wt. day. The findings, assessed on the basis of biomechanical and biochemical parameters, showed that the ethanol extract of the plant had a definite protective effect. This was further supported by the histopathological studies. Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of isoflavones and wedelolactone, which are known to act as phytoestrogens and may be responsible for the antiosteoporotic activity.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Osteoblastic proliferative activity of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim.

The effect of the extracts of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim. was investigated on proliferative activity in vitro. The osteoblast-like UMR106 cells was employed as an osteoblast model. The EtOH extract and the n-butanol fraction from the crude extract were found to show proliferation stimulating activity. Three flavonoid compounds (icariin, epimedin B and epimedin C) were isolated from this fraction by activity-guided assay, and the effects on cell proliferation were studied. Icariin produced the most significant promoting effect on the proliferation in osteoblast-like UMR106 cells. The results suggested that E. brevicornum Maxim. extracts might have potential activity against osteoporosis, and flavonoids such as icariin might be the active constituents stimulating osteoblasts.

Bone Remodeling↗

PubMed2005

Chemoprotective activity of an extract of Phyllanthus amarus against cyclophosphamide induced toxicity in mice.

The effect of 75% methanolic extract of the plant Phyllanthus amarus (P. amarus) was studied against cyclophosphamide (CTX) induced toxicity in mice. Administration of CTX (25 mg/kg b.wt, i.p.) for 14 days produced significant myelosuppression as seen from the decreased WBC count and bone marrow cellularity. Administration of P. amarus extract at doses 250 and 750 mg/kg b.wt significantly reduced the myelosuppression and improved the WBC count, bone marrow cellularity as well as the number of maturing monocytes. CTX treatment also reduced the activity of glutathione system and increased the activity of phase I enzyme that metabolize CTX to its toxic side products. P. amarus administration was found to decrease the activity of phase I enzyme. Administration of P. amarus also increased the cellular glutathione (GSH) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), thereby decreasing the effect of toxic metabolites of CTX on the cells. Administration of P. amarus did not reduce the tumor reducing activity of CTX. In fact, there was a synergistic action of CTX and P. amarus in reducing the solid tumors in mice. Results indicated that administration of P. amarus can significantly reduce the toxic side effects of CTX and is not interfering with the antitumor efficiency of CTX.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Anti-oxidant activity and effect of Pinus morrisonicola Hay. on the survival of leukemia cell line U937.

The free radical scavenging and anti-cancer activites of Pinus morrisonicola Hay. were studied using different parts of the pine, namely, needle, bark and cone. Results showed that pine needle water extract has the highest scavenging superoxide anion activity and the lowest IC50 value in inhibiting superoxide anion formation; however, the bark water extract showed the best anti-lipid peroxidation activity. Additionally, needle water extract displayed the highest inhibition of leukemia cell line U937 growth. The results indicated that P. morrisonicola Hay. possesses potential chemopreventative and therapeutic properties.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Naturally occurring neuronal NO-synthase inactivators found in Nicotiana tabacum (Solanaceae) and other plants.

NO-synthase (NOS) is a heme-containing enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of L-arginine to nitric oxide, an important cellular signaling molecule. Recently, it was found that aqueous extracts of tobacco cigarettes cause the inactivation of the neuronal isoform of NOS (nNOS) and that this may explain some of the toxicological effects of smoking. Although the exact identity of the chemical inactivator(s) is not known, we wondered if extracts prepared from other plants, including those closely related to tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum (Solanaceae), would similarly inactivate nNOS. We examined 33 plants, representing diverse members of the plant kingdom ranging from whisk fern, Psilotum nudum (Psilotaceae) to tobacco and discovered 18 plants that contain a chemical inactivator(s) of nNOS. Of these plants, 16 are members of the core asterids flowering plant group. Of these asterids, 6 are members of the Solanaceae family, of which tobacco is a member. Based on the phylogenetic relationship of the plants, it is possible that the same chemical or related chemical inactivator(s) exist. This, in turn, may help elucidate the structure of the chemical(s), as well as provide a source of a potentially novel inactivator of nNOS. The alkaloid nicotine can be excluded as putative nNOS inhibitor.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗