Nepetalactone: A New Opioid Analgesic from Nepeta caesarea Boiss

The essential oils of Nepeta species including Nepeta phyllochlamys P. H. Davis, N. nuda L. ssp. nuda, and N. caesarea Boiss. have been screened by use of the tail-flick and tail immersion (52.5°C) methods. Of the species studied, only N. caesarea showed significant analgesic activity, besides marked sedation, which was also blocked by naloxone, indicating involvement of opioid receptors. Moreover, it was only active on mechanical, not thermal, algesic response which suggests specificity for specific opioid receptor subtypes, excluding μ-opioid receptors. Because 4aα,7α,7aα-nepetalactone is the main component of the essential oil of N. caesarea, and is present at very high levels (92–95%), it is concluded that 4aα,7α,7aα-nepetalactone is the active principle and has a specific opioid receptor subtype agonistic activity.     

Constituents of Essential Oils from Mentha longifolia Growing Wild in Greece

The essential oils from 9 populations of MENTHA LONGIFOLIA (L.) L., ssp. LONGIFOLIA and ssp. PETIOLATA (Boiss.) Kokkini, growing wild in Greece, were investigated by means of GLC and GLC-MS. Piperitone oxide has been found as the main component in the essential oils of both subspecies while carvone only in some individuals of ssp. PETIOLATA (chemotype 2).     

Composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oils of Stachys candida and S. chrysantha from southern Greece

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the aerial parts of Stachys candida and S. chrysantha were analysed with GC and GC/MS. Forty-two constituents were identified from the two oils and alpha-cadinol, manoyl oxide, caryophyllene oxide, epi-alpha-muurolol and (E)-caryophyllene were found to be the major components. Furthermore, the oils were tested against six Gram (+/-) bacteria and it was found that one of them exhibited significant antibacterial activity.     

Analysis of the essential oil of Origanum dubium growing wild in Cyprus. Investigation of its antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity

The volatile composition of Origanum dubium in two different maturation stages has been studied. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation in a modified Clevenger-type apparatus, and their analyses were performed by GC and GC-MS. Identification of the components was made by comparison of mass spectra and retention indices with literature records and by co-chromatography with authentic compounds. Carvacrol was shown to be the main constituent. The essential oils were evaluated for antimicrobial activity and proved to be active against all tested microorganisms. Furthermore, their potential antioxidant activity was investigated and found to be significant in scavenging O2-. The samples were further evaluated for inhibition of soybean lipoxygenase LOX and showed high inhibitory activity.     

Antrodia camphorata inhibits proliferation of human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Antrodia camphorata (A. camphorata) has been shown to induce apoptosis in cultured human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). In this study, we report the effectiveness of the fermented culture broth of A. camphorata in terms of tumor regression as determined using both in vitro cell culture and in vivo athymic nude mice models of breast cancer. We found that the A. camphorata treatment decreased the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells by arresting progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle. This cell cycle blockade was associated with reductions in cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK4, cyclin A, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and increased CDK inhibitor p27/KIP and p21/WAF1 in a dose and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, the A. camphorata treatment was effective in delaying tumor incidence in the nude mice inoculated with MDA-MB-231 cells as well as reducing the tumor burden when compared to controls. A. camphorata treatment also inhibited proliferation (cyclin D1 and PCNA) and induced apoptosis (Bcl-2 and TUNEL) when the tumor tissue sections were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. These results suggest that the A. camphorata treatment induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of human breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo.     

Antioxidant Activity of the Essential Oils of Different Parts of Juniperus communis. subsp. hemisphaerica. and Juniperus oblonga.

Abstract

The essential oils of different parts of Juniperus communis. subsp. hemisphaerica. (Presl) Nyman (Cupressaceae) and Juniperus oblonga. M. B. were examined for their potential radical scavenging activity. The compositions of the essential oils of these plants were studied qualitatively and quantitatively by GC and GC-MS. The main components of the essential oils as well as positive controls were subjected to antioxidant testing. A rapid evaluation for antioxidants, using two TLC screening methods, showed that all tested oils and their main components have antioxidant activity. The abilities of the volatile oils to act as nonspecific donors for hydrogen atoms for electron were checked in the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. In the DPPH assay, the strongest effect among the essential oils was measured for the oil of leaves of male J. communis. subsp. hemisphaerica. at a concentration of 4 µL/mL (24.0%) In the deoxyribose degradation assay, the essential oils, pure components, and positive controls were tested at different concentrations. Most of the tested compounds showed some antioxidant effects. The fruit oil of J. oblonga. has the strongest effect among the tested volatile oils.

The deoxyribose assay was modified in three different ways to assess whether the oils exhibited site-specific effects. The results of the current study, which demonstrate the DPPH scavenging activity of the essential oils of the of leaves of male J. communis. subsp. hemisphaerica. and the OH radical scavenging effects of the fruit oil of J. oblong. suggest the use of these two essential oils in very low concentrations for preserving food materials.     

Essential oil polymorphism in finnish thymus species

Chemical polymorphism concerning the essential oils of the genus THYMUS is a widespread phenomenon, especially in the northern species. The two Finnish species, T. SERPYLLUM ssp. SERPYLLUM and T. SERPYLLUM ssp. TANAENIS, turned out to form four different chemotypes each, with hedycaryol, germacra-1(10),5-dien-4-ol, germacra-1(10),4-dien-6-ol, linalool, and linalyl acetate as type-characterizing compounds. Otherwise the oils of the two subspecies were similar containing myrcene, TRANS-beta-ocimene, beta-caryophyllene, and germacrene D as the main terpene hydrocarbons. 1,8-Cineol and camphor represented another great portion in both oils. If Finland is regarded as an area of T. SERPYLLUM (s.l.), a total of six types of plants can be defined with regard to the essential oil chemistry only. Including the frequency of these six types at the four areas investigated, a certain gradient from the south to the north can be seen. A most interesting aspect is the fact that the most frequent, linalyl acetate containing chemotype of the northern Lapland has nearly the same oil composition as T. PRAECOX ssp. ARCTICUS in Island, Norway, and Greenland.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of Pistacia lentiscus var. chia

The chemical composition of the three essential oils obtained by steam distillation of the mastic gum, leaves and twigs of Pistacia lentiscus var. chia, was studied by GC/MS. Sixty nine constituents were identified from the oils. alpha-Pinene, myrcene, trans-caryophyllene and germacrene D were found to be the major components. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the three essential oils and of the resin (total, acid and neutral fraction) against six bacteria and three fungi is reported.     

香叶天竺葵挥发油的化学成分及抗瘤作用

用高分离效能的交联石英毛细管柱气相色谱法和气相色谱/质量选择检测器分离和鉴定了三种香叶油,并作了对比。结果表明这些香叶油的化学成分极为相似,但某些成分的含量却有明显差别。香茅醇、香叶醇、甲酸香茅酯和乙酸香茅酯均有一定的抗瘤活性。     

广西生姜挥发油化学成分的GC-MS研究

目的:测定广西境内5个不同产地的生姜挥发油的化学成分。方法:采用水蒸气蒸馏法提取挥发油,并用气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)联用法对广西生姜挥发油化学成分进行分析。结果:广西5个产地的生姜挥发油得油率在0.11%～0.23%之间。5个产地的生姜挥发油中共有化学成分21个,相对百分含量在60%～85%之间。共有化学成分主要有1S-α-蒎烯(1S-α-Pinene)、莰烯(Camphene)、桉油精(Cineole)、龙脑(Borneol)、橙花醇(Nerol)和柠檬醛(Citral)。不同产地的生姜挥发油中,同一成分相对百分含量差异较大,其中橙花醇的相对百分含量相差近10倍。结论:广西境内不同产地的生姜挥发油的化学成分差异不大,但同一成分的相对百分含量差异较大。     

维药硬尖神香草与其混淆品大苞荆芥的生药学鉴别

目的:建立维药硬尖神香草与其混淆品大苞荆芥的生药学鉴别方法。方法:分别从性状、显微结构与理化性质3个方面对硬尖神香草与大苞荆芥进行生药学鉴别。结果:硬尖神香草茎不中空,大苞荆芥茎中空;硬尖神香草表皮细胞内侧有数列类圆形厚角组织细胞,大苞荆芥无;硬尖神香草木质部多呈单列扇形排列,大苞荆芥木质部宽广,均木化;三氯化铁冰醋酸试验中,大苞荆芥在两液界面呈现红棕色并渐渐变成浅绿色,上层即冰醋酸层变成蓝色,而硬尖神香草呈阴性反应。结论:本试验结果可作为硬尖神香草与其混淆品大苞荆芥的鉴别依据。     

Composition and antifungal activity of the essential oil of Solidago chilensis

Volatile constituents of the essential oils from leaves and inflorescences of Solidago chilensis Meyen were analyzed by GC-FID, GC-MS and 13C-NMR and thirty-six different compounds were identified. Pumiloxide, an unusual labdane diterpene, was found to be one of the major components in both oils (15.3 % and 12.3 %, respectively). Other important constituents were limonene and several sesquiterpenes, mainly gamma-cadinene. The antifungal activity of the leaf oil was assayed against five different strains of filamentous fungi and one yeast. Paper disk agar diffusion test showed human pathogenic dermatophytes to be the most sensitive.     

Volatile constituents of Origanum vulgare ssp. viride (syn. O. heracleoticum) from Iran

Constituents of the volatile oil of Origanum vulgare ssp. viride growing wild in Kodjour (N. Iran) were studied using TLC, GC, GC/MS, and 1H-NMR methods. The oil was composed of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The main components of the monoterpene fraction were linalyl acetate, sabinene, gamma-terpinene, trans-ocimene, and cis-ocimene. Low percentages of the phenolic monoterpenoids (thymol and carvacrol) were detected in the oil. The percentage of the identified sesquiterpenoid components was relatively high (44%). The main components of this fraction were beta-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, germacrene D, and gamma-elemene.     

Acetoxychavicol Acetate, an Antifungal Component of Alpinia galanga1

The essential oils from fresh and dried rhizomes of ALPINIA GALANGA showed an antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria, a yeast and some dermatophytes, using the agar overlay technique. The main components of the oils were also tested and terpinen-4-ol was found most active. An N-pentane/diethyl ether extract of dried rhizomes was active against TRICHOPHYTON MENTAGROPHYTES. 1'-Acetoxychavicol acetate, 1'-acetoxyeugenol acetate and 1'-hydroxychavicol acetate identified by MS and NMR were found in the antifungally active fractions obtained by LSC. Acetoxychavicol acetate was active against the seven fungi tested and its MIC value for dermatophytes ranged from 50 to 250 microg/ml. Dried sliced rhizomes contained 1.5% of this compound. The compound was not found in rhizomes of ALPINIA OFFICINARUM, ZINGIBER OFFICINALE and KAEMPFERIA GALANGA.     

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oils of Ferula vesceritensis Leaves, endemic in Algeria

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The biological importance of members of genus Ferula promoted us to investigate the leaves of Ferula vesceritensis Coss et Dur, (endemic plant) previously not investigated. The present work presents the chemical composition and antibacterial activities of the hydrodistilled oils. RESULTS: Volatile components of the leaves of Ferula vesceritensis have been studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to afford 23 compounds. The major components were found to be, 5,9-tetradecadiyne (24.72%), germacrene D (24.51%), farnesene(8.57%), alpha-bisabolene (8.57%). The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils were evaluated by disc diffusion method and tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The volatile oil showed a strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: These results reinforce the previous studies showing that the genus Ferula is considered a good source of essential oils. The results presented here can be considered as the first information on the antimicrobial properties of Ferula vesceritensis.     

广陈皮的超临界流体萃取和水蒸气蒸馏挥发油的比较分析

目的:比较两种不同提取方法所得的广陈皮挥发油的挥发性化学成分。方法:分别采用超临界CO2流体萃取(SFE)和水蒸气蒸馏(SD)的方法提取广陈皮的挥发油。运用气相色谱-质谱联用法分离和分析两挥发油的挥发性化学成分,主要成分棕榈酸和D-柠檬烯采用标准品的峰面积增大法进一步确认。结果:从广陈皮SFE和SD挥发油中共鉴定出22个成分,占色谱总流出峰面积的97%以上,两者的提取率分别为5.05%和0.46%。SFE挥发油的主要成分为挥发性较弱、相对分子量较大的棕榈酸,SD挥发油的主要成分为挥发性较强、相对分子量较小的D-柠檬烯。此外,SFE和SD挥发油中均有含量不低的2-甲胺基-苯甲酸甲酯。结论:采用两种方法提取广陈皮所得挥发油的挥发性成分不尽相同,且SFE法的提取率高于SD法;两种方法均能将广陈皮的特征性成分2-甲胺基-苯甲酸甲酯提取出来。     

Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of some essential oils

In this study the composition and antimicrobial properties of essential oils obtained from Origanum onites, Mentha piperita, Juniperus exalsa, Chrysanthemum indicum, Lavandula hybrida, Rosa damascena, Echinophora tenuifolia, Foeniculum vulgare were examined. To evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activities of these eight aromatic extracts; their in vitro antimicrobial activities were determined by disk diffusion testing, according to the NCCLS criteria. Escherichia coli (ATTC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATTC 27853 were used as standard test bacterial strains. Origanum onites recorded antimicrobial activity against all test bacteria, and was strongest against Staphylococcus aureus. For Rosa damascena, Mentha piperita and Lavandula hybrida antimicrobial activity was recorded only to Staphylococcus aureus. Juniperus exalsa, and Chrysanthemum indicum exhibited antibacterial activities against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. We also examined the in vitro antimicrobial activities of some components of the essential oils and found some components with antimicrobial activity.     

The effect of Nepeta cataria extract on adherence and enzyme production of Staphylococcus aureus

Nepeta cataria L., commonly known as catnip, is a perennial herb with a considerable folkloric reputation. A diethyl ether extract of this plant has been shown to have antimicrobial activity against fungi and Gram-positive bacteria. The aim of this work was to study the activity of N. cataria extract on 44 Staphylococcus aureus strains, some resistant to methicillin, and S. aureus 6538P (American Type Culture Collection) by evaluating the effect of subminimum inhibitory concentrations on coagulase, DNAse, thermonuclease and lipase production, and on in-vitro adherence. DNAse, thermonuclease and lipase were inhibited by concentrations equal to 1/2 and 1/4 MIC. A reduction of adherence was also observed.     

Composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Satureja parnassica subsp parnassica

The essential oils of Satureja parnassica subsp. parnassica (samples A and B), were analyzed by means of GC/MS. From the fifty-seven identified constituents representing 98.5 % and 99.35 % of the oils respectively, ( E)-caryophyllene, carvacrol and caryophyllene oxide were the major components of sample A (flowering stage), whereas in sample B (vegetative stage) major components were spathulenol, p-cymene and linalool. The oils were tested against Helicobacter pylori (HP), as well as against six aerobically growing bacteria. Both samples showed a moderate activity against Gram-positive bacteria; sample A oil showed greater anti-HP activity than sample B.     

Chemical constituents and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils from Sedum pallidum var. bithynicum and S. spurium grown in Turkey

Chemical compositions of the essential oil of Sedum pallidum Bieb. var. bithynicum (Boiss.) and S. spurium Bieb. (Crassulaceae) from Turkey were investigated by GC-MS, and antimicrobial activity of the oil samples were assessed against Gram-positive/negative bacteria and yeast-like fungi. Thirty-eight and thirty-five components were identified in the essential oils and the main components of these species were found to be caryophyllene oxide from S. pallidum var. bithynicum and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone from S. spurium in the ratios of 12.8% and 15.7%, respectively. The isolated essential oils of the plants showed low antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative/positive bacteria and yeast-like fungi, having the MIC values of 500-2000?μg/mL. Antibacterial activity was not observed against Bacillus cereus.