Antioxidant activity of supercritical extract of Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis and Melissa officinalis subsp. inodora

The antioxidant activity of Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis and of Melissa officinalis subsp. inodora extracts, obtained by using carbon dioxide under supercritical conditions was investigated. The samples were prepared in two steps. A preliminary extraction at 90 bar and 50 degrees C eliminated the essential oil, then a further extraction at 300 bar and 50 degrees C obtained the high molecular mass extract. These samples were tested for autoxidation and the iron or EDTA-mediated oxidation of linoleic acid at 37 degrees C in the absence of solvent, in in vitro systems. During linoleic acid autoxidation and its EDTA-mediated oxidation both M. officinalis and M. inodora extracts showed an antioxidant activity, and no significant differences in their efficacy were observed. None showed any prooxidant activity.     

缬草油体外抑菌活性研究

目的 探讨缬草油的抑菌活性.方法 以索氏提取法和水蒸气蒸馏法提取的缬草油为试材,用管碟法和微量稀释法比较两种方法提取的缬草油对供试菌的抑菌活性、最低抑菌浓度(MIC)和最小杀菌浓度(MBC).结果 两种方法提取的缬草油对细菌和真菌有一定程度的抑制作用.结论 缬草油有抑菌作用,具很大应用潜力.实验结果为其在食品、化妆品行业的开发应用提供了依据.     

药用缬草及其中国产近缘种的化学分类学研究

目的：对药用缬草（欧缬草）（ＶａｌｅｒｉａｎａｏｆｆｉｃｉｎａｌｉｓＬｉｎｎ．）及其５种国产近缘种植物进行化学分类学研究,明确其种间关系。为形态分类提供佐证。方法：分析比较每种植物茎叶甲醇提取液的紫外吸收光谱（ＵＶ）和黄酮类化合物层析谱,结果：我国产药用缬草近缘种与欧洲原产种在化学成分上存在较大差别,此外,各近缘种之间较之药用缬草区域较小,但亦存在或大或小的差别,结论：化学分类结果与形态分类基本一     

NF-kappaB modulators from Valeriana officinalis

Valeriana officinalis (Valerianaceae) has been of great interest for its therapeutic uses for treating mild nervous tension and temporary sleeping problems. In traditional European medicine it has been also reported as an antiinflammatory remedy. This study reports that the EtOAc extract of the underground parts of V. officinalis showed inhibitory activity against NF-kappaB at 100 microg/mL in the IL-6/Luc assay on HeLa cells and provided protection against excitotoxicity in primary brain cell cultures at micromolar concentrations. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the EtOAc extract led to the isolation of three known sesquiterpenes: acetylvalerenolic acid (1), valerenal (2) and valerenic acid (3), 1 and 3 were active as inhibitors of NF-kappaB at a concentration of 100 microg/mL. Acetylvalerenolic acid (1) reduced NF-kappaB activity to 4%, whereas valerenic acid (3) reduced NF-kappaB activity to 25%.     

Protective role of Melissa officinalis L. extract on liver of hyperlipidemic rats: a morphological and biochemical study

In this study, the effects of Melissa officinalis L. extract on hyperlipidemic rats were investigated, morphologically and biochemically. The animals were fed a lipogenic diet consisting of 2% cholesterol, 20% sunflower oil and 0.5% cholic acid added to normal chow and were given 3% ethanol for 42 days. The plant extract was given by gavage technique to rats to a dose of 2 g/kg every day for 28, 14 days after experimental animals done hyperlipidemia. The degenerative changes were observed in hyperlipidemic rats, light and electron microscopically. There was a significant increase in the levels of serum cholesterol, total lipid, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a significant decrease in the levels of liver tissue glutathione (GSH), a significant increase in the levels of tissue lipid peroxidation (LPO) in this group. On the other hand, the administration of Melissa officinalis L. extract reduced total cholesterol, total lipid, ALT, AST and ALP levels in serum, and LPO levels in liver tissue, moreover increased glutathione levels in the tissue. As a result, it was suggested that Melissa officinalis L. extract exerted an hypolipidemic effect and showed a protective effect on the liver of hyperlipidemic rats.     

Effects of the herbal formulation ColiMil on upper gastrointestinal transit in mice in vivo

Clinical evidence suggests that the herbal formulation ColiMil (which contains Matricaria recutita flowers extract, Foeniculum vulgare fruit extract and Melissa officinalis aerial parts extract) is effective in the treatment of breastfed colic in infants. Therefore the effect of this phytotherapeutic formulation and its herbal constituents on upper gastrointestinal transit was investigated in mice in vivo. Oral administration of the herbal formulation (0.4-0.8 mL/mice) dose-dependently delayed upper gastrointestinal transit. Among the herbal components, Matricaria recutita extract (0.89 and 1.78 mg/mouse) and Melissa officinalis extract (6.46 and 12.92 mg/mouse), but not Foeniculum vulgare (8.21 and 16.42 mg/mouse), reduced motility significantly. These results suggest that ColiMil reduces upper gastrointestinal motility in mice, with a major contribution by Matricaria recutita and Melissa officinalis. These experimental data may be important to better understand the observation that the herbal formulation ColiMil improves colic in breastfed infants.     

In vivo assessment of antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) in alloxan-diabetic rabbits

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), used in traditional Turkish folk medicine for the treatment of hyperglycaemia, is widely accepted as one of the medicinal herb with the highest antioxidant activity. Accordingly, the present study was designed to investigate the possible actions of ethanolic extract of the leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis on glucose homeostasis and antioxidant defense in rabbits. In the first set of experiments, hypoglycaemic effects of oral administration of various doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) of the extract were examined in normoglycaemic and glucose-hyperglycaemic rabbits. Optimal effect was observed in both of the animal groups with a dose of 200 mg/kg of the extract and this activity was independent from the effects of insulin. In another part of experiments, acute effect of various doses of the Rosmarinus officinalis extract on blood glucose and serum insulin levels was studied in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. Of the three doses of extract, the highest dose (200 mg/kg) significantly lowered blood glucose level and increased serum insulin concentration in alloxan-diabetic rabbits. The last set of experiments designed to investigate the subacute effect of the Rosmarinus officinalis extract on repeated administration in alloxan-diabetic rabbits. At the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, antihyperglycaemic effect of extract was accompanied by a significant increase in serum insulin levels in diabetic rabbits. Furthermore, during 1 week of treatment of diabetic rabbits with a dose of 200 mg/kg of the extract showed that the extract possessed a capability to inhibit the lipid peroxidation and activate the antioxidant enzymes. It was concluded that probably, due to its potent antioxidant properties, the Rosmarinus officinalis extract exerts remarkable antidiabetogenic effect.     

黔产宽叶缬草根挥发油提取工艺优选及其化学成分GC-MS分析

目的:确定黔产宽叶缬草根挥发油的最佳提取工艺,分析其化学成分.方法:用水蒸气蒸馏法提取缬草根挥发油,以挥发油提取率为指标,考察蒸馏时间、液料比、浸泡时间及粉碎度等影响因素,采用单因素试验和正交试验法优选宽叶缬草根挥发油提取工艺.采用GC-MS分析挥发油中化学成分.结果:宽叶缬草根挥发油最佳提取工艺为粉碎度为10 ～ 20目,料液比1∶10,蒸馏时间5h,浸泡时间4h;此工艺条件下,挥发油提取率达5.74％.缬草油中共鉴定出25种化学成分,以萜烯类化合物为主,分别含有烯、醇、酮、酯、醚类化合物,其中乙酸冰片酯、香树烯和坎烯占主导地位,其相对质量分数分别为37.94％,18.52％,10.26％.结论:该优选工艺稳定可行,可为缬草根挥发油工业化提取提供实验依据.     

宽叶缬草对高胆固醇血症大鼠肾组织内TGF-β1表达的影响

目的 :探讨宽叶缬草对高胆固醇血症大鼠肾组织内转化生长因子β₁(TGF-β₁)表达的影响及其意义。方法 :用含 4%胆固醇和 1%胆酸钠的高脂饲料饲喂大鼠建立高脂模型 ,观察宽叶缬草对大鼠血脂、尿蛋白和肾功能的影响 ,以及对肾小球细胞外基质增生、TGF-β₁和Ⅳ型胶原表达的影响。结果 :宽叶缬草有降低总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白、尿蛋白和血肌酐的作用 ,肾病理和免疫组化证实宽叶缬草在降脂同时 ,能减轻肾小球系膜病变和细胞外基质产生 ,降低肾组织内TGF-β₁和Ⅳ型胶原表达。结论 :宽叶缬草对高脂血症肾脏有保护作用 ,此作用可能与其降低肾组织内TGF-β₁表达有关。     

Experimental diuretic effects of Rosmarinus officinalis and Centaurium erythraea

Herbal remedies are widely used in Moroccan pharmacopoeia. We assessed the diuretic effect of two medicinal plants: Rosmarinus officinalis L., Labiatae, and Centaurium erythraea L., Gentianaceae, both reputed for the treatment of urinary ailments. To determine the action of these herbs on urinary volume (UV) and the excretion of sodium (U(Na)V), potassium (U(K)V), and chloride (U(Cl)V), the aqueous extracts of both plants were administered daily to Wistar rats for 1 week. The concentration of electrolytes and urea in plasma and creatinine clearance were also investigated. Daily oral administration of the aqueous extracts of R. officinalis and C. erythraea at the dose of 10 ml/kg of 8 or 16% extract in distilled water significantly enhanced diuresis in rats compared to the control group from the fifth day of treatment. For R. officinalis at the dose of 8% the peak of urinary excretion of sodium, potassium and chloride was reached after 6 days of treatment (P<0.001). The aqueous extract of of R. officinalis at the dose of 16% did not significantly affect the excretion of water and electrolytes over a similar period but slight increases in urinary excretion of sodium and chloride on the seventh day and of potassium on the sixth day (P<0.05) were observed. No increase was recorded for 24 h urinary excretion of Na+, K+ and Cl- during the first 4 days of treatment for the groups treated with C. erythraea at the doses of 8 and 16% whereas their effects on the same parameters were highly significant thereafter. No change was observed in plasma electrolytes and urea in any group, except for a decrease in sodium and chloride concentration in the group treated with 16% of R. officinalis. A decrease in creatinine clearance was demonstrated after treatment with 8% of R. officinalis and C. erythraea. Our findings demonstrate a diuretic effect of aqueous extracts of R. officinalis L. and C. erythraea L. with the most effective dose for water and electrolyte excretion being 8% for both plants.     

The in vitro screening for acetylcholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant activity of medicinal plants from Portugal

Essential oil, ethanolic extract and decoction of 10 plant species from interior Portugal were analyzed for their activity towards acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme and their antioxidant activity. Of these, Melissa officinalis, Paronychia argentea, Sanguisorba minor, Hypericum undulatum and Malva silvestris are used in herbal medicine, Laurus nobilis and Mentha suaveolens as condiments, and Salvia officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula pedunculata also as aromatics. Melissa officinalis and Mentha suaveolens showed AChE inhibitory capacity higher then 50% in the essential oil fraction. Laurus nobilis, Hypericum undulatum, and Sanguisorba minor showed a high inhibition value of AChE in the ethanolic fraction, 64% (1 mg ml(-1)) 68% (0.5 mg ml(-1)), and 78% (1 mg ml(-1)), respectively. Higher values of AChE inhibitory activity were found using decoctions of Lavandula pedunculata, Mentha suaveolens and Hypericum undulatum, 68, 69 and 82% (at a concentration of 5mg dry plant ml(-1) of assay), respectively. The free radical scavenger activity was higher for the polar extracts. In the water extracts most of the plants showed values around 90%. When antioxidant activity was measured with the beta-carotene-linoleic acid assay high activity (65-95%) was also found in the water extracts. Hypericum undulatum, Melissa officinalis and Laurus nobilis showed both high AChE inhibitory capacity and antioxidant activity.     

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a standardized extract of Matricariae recutita, Foeniculum vulgare and Melissa officinalis (ColiMil) in the treatment of breastfed colicky infants

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to investigate the effectiveness and side effects of a phytotherapeutic agent with Matricariae recutita, Foeniculum vulgare and Melissa officinalis in the treatment of infantile colic. METHODS: 93 breastfed colicky infants were enrolled, the diagnosis was made according to Wessel's criteria. After a 3 day observation period, the infants were randomly divided into two groups, one treated with phytotherapeutic agent (PA) and the other with placebo twice a day for 1 week. Crying time and side effects were recorded. RESULTS: 88 infants completed the trial: 41 in the PA group and 47 in the control. The daily average crying time for the PA was 201.2 min/day (SD 18.3) at the baseline and 76.9 min/day (SD 23.5) at the end of the study; for the placebo it was 198.7 min/day (SD 16.9) and 169.9 min/day (SD 23.1) (p < 0.005). Crying time reduction was observed in 85.4% subjects for the PA and in 48.9% subjects for the placebo (p < 0.005). No side effects were reported. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that colic in breastfed infant improves within 1 week of treatment with an extract based on Matricariae recutita, Foeniculum vulgare and Melissa officinalis.     

缬草化学成分研究

从缬草中分离得到4个单体化合物,分别鉴定为缬草烯酸(valerenic acid)、β-谷甾醇(β-sitosterol)、熊果酸(ursolic acid)、4,4′,8,8′-四羟基-3,3′-二甲氧基-二苯基双四氢呋喃(4,4′,8,8′-tetrahydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxyl-dibenzyl-ditetrahydrofuran),其中熊果酸和4,4′,8,8′-四羟基-3,3′,-二甲氧基-二苯基双四氢呋喃为首次从该植物中发现。并采用GC-MS分析方法鉴定了其中的27种化合物:如石竹烯、十六酸乙酯、萘烯、瓦纶烯、亚麻酸乙酯等等。     

Triterpene, antioxidant, and antimicrobial compounds from Melissa officinalis

Six new triterpenes (1- 6) and four known compounds have been isolated from dried stems and leaves of Melissa officinalis. The known compounds were identified as quadranoside III, salvianic acid A, rosmarinic acid, and luteolin. The structures of compounds 1- 6 were established by analysis of spectroscopic data. Free radical scavenging and antimicrobial activities of the extracts and of rosmarinic acid, the major component, were evaluated.     

中国宽叶缬草药用功效研究概况

从宽叶缬草的镇静活性、抗抑郁活性、调节血脂及抗脂质过氧化作用、对肾脏的保护作用、以及对胆囊结石和心、脑血管系统疾病的治疗作用等七个方面综述了近三年来国内对宽叶缬草药用功效的研究进展。     

缬草挥发油的化学成分及药理活性研究进展

目的概述缬草挥发油的化学成分及药理活性。方法通过文献检索调查缬草挥发油。结果缬草挥发油含龙脑及其乙酸甲酯等成分,具有镇静催眠等作用。结论缬草挥发油是一类重要化学成分,具有多方面的生物活性。     

宽叶缬草治疗冠心病的临床研究

作者用宽叶缬草挥发油（ＶＯＬ－Ｉ）治疗冠心病心绞痛８２例（其中心肌缺血５０例），心绞痛症状疗效、心肌缺血疗效总有效率分别达８７．８０％、８８．００％；对照组复方丹参注射液治疗心绞痛３４例（其中心肌缺血２４例），总有效率分别为４１．１８％、３７．５０％，两组比较差异有非常显著性（Ｐ＜０．００１，Ｐ＜０．０１）。本文研究还探讨了宽叶缬草的作用机理和临床应用特点，提示宽叶缬草是一种治疗冠心病的新型有效药     

Biological and analytical characterization of two extracts from Valeriana officinalis

The anticoronaryspastic and antibronchospastic activities of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Valeriana officinalis L. roots were investigated in anaesthetized guinea-pigs and the results were correlated with the qualitative/quantitative chemical composition of the extracts in order to account for some of the common uses of this plant. The protective effects of orally administered ethanolic and aqueous extracts (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) were evaluated against pitressin-induced coronary spasm and pressor response in guinea-pigs and were compared with those of nifedipine. Furthermore, the protective effects against histamine-induced and Oleaceae antigen challenge-induced bronchospasm were evaluated. Finally, the two valerian extracts were analytically characterized by qualitative and quantitative chromatographic analysis. The results showed that the two valeriana extracts possessed significant anticoronaryspastic, antihypertensive and antibronchospastic properties. These were similar to those exhibited by nifedipine and are due to the structural features of the active principles they contain. This study justifies the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of some respiratory and cardiovascular disorders.     

Antibacterial activity of medicinal plant extracts against periodontopathic bacteria

This study was performed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Althaea officinalis L. roots, Arnica montana L. flowers, Calendula officinalis L. flowers, Hamamelis virginiana L. leaves, Illicium verum Hook. fruits and Melissa officinalis L. leaves, against anaerobic and facultative aerobic periodontal bacteria: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella spp., Fusobacterium nucleatum, Capnocytophaga gingivalis, Veilonella parvula, Eikenella corrodens, Peptostreptococcus micros and Actinomyces odontolyticus. The methanol extracts of H. virginiana and A. montana and, to a lesser extent, A. officinalis were shown to possess an inhibiting activity (MIC < or = 2048 mg/L) against many of the species tested. In comparison, M. officinalis and C. officinalis extracts had a lower inhibiting activity (MIC > or = 2048 mg/L) against all the tested species with the exception of Prevotella sp. Illicium verum methanol extract was not very active though it had a particular good activity against E. corrodens. The results suggest the use of the alcohol extracts of H. virginiana, A. montana and A. officinalis for topical medications in periodontal prophylactics.     

Bioassay‐guided fractionation of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) using an in vitro measure of GABA transaminase activity

A novel pharmacological mechanism of action for the anxiolytic botanical Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) is reported. The methanol extract was identified as a potent in vitro inhibitor of rat brain GABA transaminase (GABA‐T), an enzyme target in the therapy of anxiety, epilepsy and related neurological disorders. Bioassay‐guided fractionation led to the identification and isolation of rosmarinic acid (RA) and the triterpenoids, ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) as active principles. Phytochemical characterization of the crude extract determined RA as the major compound responsible for activity (40% inhibition at 100 µg/mL) since it represented approximately 1.5% of the dry mass of the leaves. Synergistic effects may also play a role. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.