Essential oil composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the aerial parts of Salvia eremophila Boiss. from Iran

The essential oil composition and in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and methanol extract of Salvia eremophila were evaluated in this research. GC and GC/MS analysis of the plant essential oil resulted in the identification of 28 compounds representing 99.24% of the oil. Borneol (21.83%), α-pinene (18.80%), bornyl acetate (18.68%) and camphene (6.54%) were detected as the major components consisting 65.85% of the oil. The plant essential oil and methanol extract were also subjected to screenings for the evaluation of their antioxidant activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and β-carotene–linoleic acid tests. While the plant essential oil showed only weak antioxidant activities, its methanol extract was considerably active in both DPPH (IC₅₀ = 35.19 μg/ml) and β-carotene–linoleic acid (inhibition percentage: 72.42%) tests. Appreciable total phenolic content (101.25 μg/mg) was also detected for the plant methanol extract as gallic acid equivalent in the Folin–Ciocalteu test. The plant was also screened for its antimicrobial activity and good to moderate inhibitions were recorded for its essential oil and methanol extract against most of the tested microorganisms.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activities of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Psammogeton canescens

This study is outlined to probe the chemical composition of essential oil and in vitro antioxidant activity of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Psammogeton canescens. The chemical composition of the hydrodistilled essential oil of the aerial parts of P. canescens was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The main constituents of the oil were found to be β-bisabolene (33.35%), apiole (28.34%), α-pinene (11.86%) and dill apiole (8.17%). Antioxidant activities of the samples were determined by three various testing systems namely DPPH, β-carotene/linoleic acid, and reducing power assay. In DPPH system, the highest radical-scavenging activity was seen by the polar subfraction of methanol extract (49.5 ± 1.21 μg/ml). Furthermore, in the second case the inhibition capacity (%) of the polar subfraction (92.40% ± 0.72) found to be the stronger one. However, in the reducing power assay, a reverse activity pattern more than in the first two systems was observed, and the essential oil was stronger radical reducer than was the methanol extract in all of the concentration tested. Our findings demonstrate that the essential oil and methanol extracts of P. canescens possess significant antioxidant activities and may be suggested as a new potential source of natural antioxidant.     

Chemical composition,antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of Sideritis erythrantha Boiss. and Heldr. (var. erythrantha and var. cedretorum P.H. Davis) endemic in Turkey

In the present study, chemical compositions, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of Sideritis erythrantha var. erythrantha (SE) and Sideritis erythrantha var. cedretorum (SC), which are endemic taxa in Turkey, were investigated. The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). α-Pinene was the major component of the essential oils of SC and SE. SC essential oil was as effective as antibiotic against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), ampicillin resistant Haemophilusinfluenzae and vancomycin sensitive E. faecalis. Similarly, SE essential oil was also as effective as antibiotic against VRE and ampicillin resistant H. influenzae. Antioxidant activities of the essential oils of SC and SE were determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), β-carotene/linoleic acid and reducing power. Both essential oils exhibited weak antioxidant activity. This is the first report on antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of SC and SE.     

The antioxidative effect of Iranian Mentha pulegium extracts and essential oil in sunflower oil

The aim of the present study was to evaluate antioxidative activities of the essential oil, methanol and water extracts of Iranian pennyroyal in vegetable oil during storage. Different concentrations (0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 ppm) of essential oil, water and methanol extracts and beta-hydroxy toluene (BHT; 200 ppm) were added to sunflower oil emulsion in the presence of cupric ions and incubated for 7 days at 60 °C. Peroxide values (PVs) and thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) levels were measured in each day up to day of seven. Furthermore, antioxidant capacity of the essential oil and extracts were determined using DPPH and β-carotene–linoleic acid methods. Values were compared among groups in each incubation time points using ANOVA. Results showed that DPPH and β-carotene–linoleic acid assay findings on the Mentha pulegium extracts were comparable to those found on BHT. Furthermore, in all incubation time points, M. pulegium extracts lowered PVs and TBARS levels when compared to the control (p < 0.001). In this respect, water extract was more potent than the methanol extract. Essential oil did not show considerable antioxidative effect. It seems that water extract of M. pulegium is a potent antioxidant which makes it as a potential antioxidant for oil and oily products during storage.     

Studies on the antioxidant activity of essential oil and different solvent extracts of Vitex agnus castus L. fruits from Turkey

This study is designed to examine the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oil and different solvent extracts of Vitex agnus castus. GC and GC–MS analysis was resulted in the detection of 27 components, representing 94.5% of the oil. Major components of the oil were 1,8-cineole (24.98%), sabinene (13.45%), α-pinene (10.60%), α-terpinyl acetate (6.66%), and (Z)-β-farnesene (5.40%). Antioxidant activities of the samples were determined by three different test systems, DPPH, β-carotene/linoleic acid and reducing power assays. In all systems, water extract exhibited excellent activity potential than those of other extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol) and the oil. As expected, amount of total phenolics was very high in this extract (112.46 ± 1.22 μg GAEs/mg extract). Dichloromethane extract has been found to be rich in flavonoids. A positive correlation was observed between the antioxidant activity potential and total phenolic and flavonoid levels of the extracts.     

Chemical composition,in vitro anti-microbial,antifungal and antioxidant activities of the essential oil and methanolic extract of Hymenocrater longiflorus Benth., of Iran

In this study we identified the chemical composition, anti-microbial and antioxidant effects of essential oil and methanolic extract of Hymenocrater longiflorus Benth. Totally 87 volatile compounds from the essential oil in H. longiflorus, were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). These compounds are mainly monoterpene hydrocarbons, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenoids compounds. The anti-microbial and antifungal activity of plants extracts against several pathogenic microorganisms was studied by disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration procedures. The results revealed that the essential oil and polar sub-fraction are effective mostly against Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The antioxidant activity was also determined by 1,1′-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, β-carotene linoleic acid assay and reducing power. In addition the total phenol of essential oil (54.6 ± 1.2), polar sub-fraction (50.0 ± 1.4) and non-polar sub-fraction (64.7 ± 2.0) were determined.     

Antioxidant and Anticholinesterase Activities in Various Parts of Sonneratia caseolaris (L.)

Cork tree, (Sonneratia caseolaris L.), family Sonneratiaceae, is a typical plant in mangroves. It is widespread in tropical and subtropical tideland throughout the World. It is reported to possess many medicinal properties. For searching new pharmacological activities of Cork tree, the total phenolic contents, antioxidant activities and the electric eel acetylcholinesterase inhibitions and the kinetics of extracts of various plant parts were determined. The graphs of trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power of all extracts showed good linearity with P-value of slopes less than 0.05. The methanol extract of calyxs by maceration method and methanol extract of stamen by soxhlet method presented moderate trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity values. For ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, all extracts gave fair to low antioxidant activities. The tacrine, stamen extract and seed extract by maceration using methanol showed noncompetitive inhibition on acetylcholinesterase activity. While, luteolin, luteolin glycoside and calyx extract and seed extract by boiling using water presented partial noncompetitive inhibition on acetylcholinesterase activity.     

Antioxidant and antitumor activities of Artemisia campestris and Thymelaea hirsuta from southern Tunisia

The essential oil of Artemisia campestris and the ethanol-water, hexane and water extracts of A. campestris and Thymelaea hirsuta collected in southern of Tunisia were investigated for their antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS and beta-carotene methods) and antitumor growth inhibition of human colon cancer HT-29 cells using MTT test activities.All the A. campestris extracts tested at high concentrations (100 μg/ml) showed activity ranging from 19.5% for essential oil to 64.4% of negative control growth for infusion extract, except the hexane extract. With T. hirsuta, all the extracts tested (hexane and ethanol-water), except the infusion extract, also exhibited antitumor activity (58.2% and 65.5% of control growth respectively).The ethanol-water and infusion extracts of A. campestris showed higher antioxidant activity, polyphenol and flavonoid contents than those of T. hirsuta. These results show that there is a positive correlation between the antitumor activity and the antioxidant activity, and of these two activities and with the levels of polyphenols and flavonoids.The essential oil and the other extracts of A. campestris, which exhibited significant antitumor activity against the HT-29 cells deserve further research into the chemoprevention and treatment of colon cancer.     

Evaluation of antioxidant activities and phenolic content of Berberis vulgaris L. and Berberis croatica Horvat

Antioxidant activities of the ethanolic extracts of roots, twigs and leaves of common barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) and Croatian barberry (Berberis croatica Horvat) were studied. All the extracts were found to possess some radical-scavenging and antioxidant activities, as determined by scavenging effect on the DPPH free radical, reducing power and β-carotene–linoleic acid model system. With the exception of the β-carotene–linoleic acid test, antioxidant activity correlated well with the content of main plant antioxidants, phenols and flavonols, which suggests an important role of these compounds in overall antioxidant activity of investigated plant organs. The antioxidant activity varied mostly in relation to the organ, while no significant statistically differences were found between B. vulgaris and B. croatica.     

Chemistry,antioxidant and antimicrobial investigations on essential oil and oleoresins of Zingiber officinale

The essential oil and oleoresins (ethanol, methanol, CCl₄ and isooctane) of Zingiber officinale were extracted respectively by hydrodistillation and Soxhlet methods and subjected to GC–MS analysis. Geranial (25.9%) was the major component in essential oil; eugenol (49.8%) in ethanol oleoresin, while in the other three oleoresins, zingerone was the major component (33.6%, 33.3% and 30.5% for, methanol, CCl₄ and isooctane oleoresins, respectively). The antioxidant activity of essential oil and oleoresins were evaluated against mustard oil by peroxide, anisidine, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging methods. They were found to be better antioxidants than butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The antimicrobial properties were also studied using various food-borne pathogenic fungal and bacterial species. The essential oil and CCl₄ oleoresin showed 100% zone inhibition against Fusarium moniliforme. For other tested fungi and bacteriae, the essential oil and all oleoresins showed good to moderate inhibitory effects. Though, both essential oil and oleoresins were found to be effective, essential oil was found to be better than the oleoresins.     

Essential oil composition and antioxidant activities of Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

The chemical composition of the hydro-distilled essential oil from leaves of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. was analysed by GC–MS. Twenty-three compounds representing 94.29% of the total oil were identified. The antioxidant activities of the oil and various extracts of C. aromatica were evaluated by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radical-scavenging assays. The oil and methanol extract showed potent DPPH radical-scavenging activities (IC₅₀ = 14.45 and 16.58 μg/ml, respectively), which were higher than butylated hydroxyanisole (IC₅₀ = 18.27 μg/ml). The extracts also exhibited remarkable superoxide radical-scavenging activities (IC₅₀ = 22.6–45.27 μg/ml) and the activity in the methanol extract was superior to all other extracts (IC₅₀ = 22.6 μg/ml). Furthermore, the amount of total phenolic compounds was determined and its content in ethyl acetate extract was the highest as compared to other extracts. The results indicate that the oil and extracts of C. aromatica could serve as an important bio-resource of antioxidants for using in the food industries.     

Relation between salt tolerance and biochemical changes in cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds

In this study, the effects of salinity on growth, fatty acid, essential oil, and phenolic composition of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds as well as the antioxidant activities of their extracts were investigated. Plants were treated with different concentrations of NaCl treatment: 0, 50, 75, and 125 mmoL. Plant growth was significantly reduced with the severity of saline treatment. This also caused important reductions in the seed yield and yield components. Besides, NaCl treatments affected fatty acid composition. Petroselinic and linoleic acids proportions diminished consistently with the increase in NaCl concentration, whereas palmitic acid proportion increased. Furthermore, NaCl enhanced essential oil production in C. cyminum seeds and induced marked changes on the essential oil quality. Essential oil chemotype was modified from γ-terpinene/1-phenyl-1,2 ethanediol in control to γ-terpinene/β-pinene in salt stressed plants. Total polyphenol content was higher in treated seeds, and salinity improved the amount of individual phenolic compounds. Moreover, antioxidant activities of the extracts were determined by four different test systems, namely 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, β-carotene/linoleic acid chelating, and reducing power assays. The highest antioxidant activities were reveled in severe stressed plants. In this case, cumin seeds produced under saline conditions may function as a potential source of essential oil and antioxidant compounds, which could support the utilization of this plant in a large field of applications such as food industry.     

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antioxidant properties of Cyclotrichium niveum, Thymus praecox subsp. caucasicus var. caucasicus, Echinacea purpurea and E. pallida

The dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and aqueous extracts of Cyclotrichium niveum (CN) and Thymus praecox subsp. caucasicus var. caucasicus (TP), Echinacea purpurea (EPU), and E. pallida (EPA) along with the essential oils of CN and TP were assessed for their anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and antioxidant activities. AChE inhibition was estimated using spectrophotometric method of Ellman. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and ferrous ion-chelating power tests. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of CN and TP were also tested. CN essential oil was found to contain isomenthone (56.21%) and pulegone (19.76%). The ethyl acetate (83.11–87.98%) and dichloromethane (73.45–84.02%) extracts of CN showed the highest AChE inhibition. The ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of TP exerted significant DPPH scavenger effect. The water extracts of CN and TP and the chloroform extract of the aerial parts of EPU displayed the highest ferrous ion-chelating effect. The leaf and flower essential oils of TP had the best FRAP.     

Antioxidant activity, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, iridoid content and mutagenic evaluation of Leucosideasericea

Leucosidea sericea is an important medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine in southern Africa. Leaf and stem petroleum ether (PE), dichloromethane (DCM) and 50% aqueous methanol (MeOH) extracts were investigated for antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. The safety of the extracts was evaluated using the Ames test. In addition, the iridoid content of L. sericea stems and leaves were quantified. For DPPH radical-scavenging activity, the stem MeOH extract (EC₅₀ value: 1.6 μg/ml) was more potent than ascorbic acid (EC₅₀ value: 1.7 μg/ml). In the β-carotene-linoleic acid model system, antioxidant activity of the leaf DCM extract (89.8%) was not significantly different to that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (98.9%). All extracts showed a dose-dependent acetylcholinesterase inhibition; in terms of the IC₅₀ value, the leaf DCM extract (0.14 mg/ml) was the most potent sample. Total iridoid content was 35% higher in the stem extract than in the leaf extract. Based on the Ames test, L. sericea extracts were not mutagenic, either with or without S9 metabolic activation. These findings suggest the safety as well as the potential of L. sericea as a possible source of novel/alternative antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory compounds.     

Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Moltkia petraea (Tratt.) Griseb. flower,leaf and stem infusions

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities as well as the quantity of phenolic substances (total phenol, flavonoid and phenolic acid contents) were determined in aqueous extracts of leaves, stems and flowers of Moltkia petraea (Tratt.) Griseb. from two mountainous localities (Sveti Jure and Snije?nica) in Croatia. In addition, the profile of phenolic acids was analyzed by UPLC–MS/MS. Antioxidant activities of all extracts in different test systems, namely the DPPH radical scavenging, reducing power assay and chelating activity, increased with extract concentration. Activity of the extracts from Snije?nica in β-carotene-linoleic acid assay did not differ from the activity of standard, BHA. The leaf extracts from Snije?nica demonstrated superior antioxidant activity in most of the assays, while the stem extract from the same locality was the most effective Fe²⁺ ion chelator. In general, the extracts from Snije?nica were more effective antioxidants than the corresponding extracts from Sveti Jure. The aqueous extracts of M. petraea did not show antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi tested in the diffusion and dilution assays.     

Chemical profile and biological activities of Veronica thymoides subsp. pseudocinerea

Abstract

Context: In Turkey, Veronica species (Plantaginaceae) have been used as a diuretic and for wound healing in traditional medicine.

Objective: To examine the fatty acid and essential oil profiles, the antioxidant, anticholinesterase, antimicrobial, and DNA damage effects of Veronica thymoides P.H. Davis subsp. pseudocinerea M.A. Fischer as a potential source of natural active compounds.

Materials and methods: GC/MS was used to analyze essential oil and fatty acid obtained from whole plant. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the β-carotene-linoleic acid test system, DPPH-free and ABTS cation radicals scavenging, and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity assays. The anticholinesterase and antimicrobial activities were determined by Ellman and broth macrodillution methods, respectively. The effect of the methanol extract on DNA cleavage was investigated.

Results: Hexatriacontene (21.0%) was found to be the main constituent in essential oil, and linoleic acid (25.2%) and palmitic acid (20.6%) in fatty acid. Methanol extract demonstrated the best IC₅₀ values in lipid peroxidation (49.81?±?0.31?µg/ml) and DPPH-free radical scavenging activity (15.32?±?0.17?µg/ml). Methanol and water extracts possessed strong ABTS cation radical scavenging activity with IC₅₀ values 9.15?±?0.28 and 8.90?±?0.14?µg/ml, respectively. The acetone extract exhibited moderate butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. The highest antimicrobial activity was determined in methanol extract against Escherichia coli with 31.25?µg/ml MIC value. Inhibition of methanol extract on plasmid DNA cleavage by OH radicals was found to be 93.32% at 500?µg/ml.

Conclusion: The methanol extract having strong antioxidant and DNA damage effects could be investigated phytochemically to find natural active compounds.     

A comparative study on the in vitro antioxidant potentials of three edible fruits: Cornelian cherry,Japanese persimmon and cherry laurel

This study was designed in order to investigate in vitro antioxidant potentials of 80% methanolic extracts prepared from three edible fruits, Cornus mas L., Diospyros kaki L., Laurocerasus officinalis Roem. For this purpose, 8 different tests were performed including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radical scavenging tests, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), metal-chelating capacity, determination of total antioxidant capacity, β-carotene bleaching test in a linoleic acid emulsion system and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity. In addition, for evaluating the phenolic profile, total phenolic, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents were measured spectrophotometrically. Among the three fruits analyzed, Diospyros kaki L. showed the highest activity in all tests, except β-carotene bleaching test. Whereas, neither of three fruits showed metal-chelating activity. Also, a good correlation was found between the phenolic content and antioxidant parameters.     

In vitro Antioxidant Potential in Sequential Extracts of Curcuma caesia Roxb. Rhizomes

Present study deals with antioxidant potential of sequential extracts of fresh and dried rhizomes of Curcuma caesia, using solvents viz., hexane, petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and water, which was analyzed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay, total antioxidant capacity, ferric reducing activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive species assay. Total phenol content was estimated by the Folin-Ciocalteau method. C. caesia showed significant antioxidant activity in chloroform, benzene and ethyl acetate extracts. The chloroform extract was highly effective as free radical scavengers, electron-donating agents and reducing molybdate ions except for reducing lipid peroxidation. The highest total phenol content was also exhibited by chloroform and benzene extracts. Antioxidant potential expressed by C. caesia in the sequential extracts could be effectively utilized for identification of the bioactive compounds for future phytopharmacological applications.     

Antioxidant,free radical scavenging activities of Salvia brachyantha and its protective effect against oxidative cardiac cell injury

In this study, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of an endemic Salvia species (Salvia brachyantha (Bordz) probed. was assessed in vitro using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, β-carotene linoleic acid, superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical, and reducing power assays. Regarding our data, the plant extract exhibited antioxidant and radical scavenging activities at different magnitudes of potency. In addition, this study was undertaken to assess whether methanol extract of S. brachyantha could increase the endogenous antioxidant enzymes in cells, and where such increased cellular defences could provide protection against oxidative cell injury. Pre treatment of rat heart cell lines with 100 μg/ml of plant extract for 24 h significantly prevented cell damage and enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes induced by a treatment with xanthine/xanthine oxidase. Increased reactive oxygen species and cell apoptosis induced by xanthine/xanthine oxidase was dose-dependently prevented when cells were pre treated for 24 h with plant extract. These results indicated that S. brachyantha could protect against cell injury via induction of the antioxidant enzyme defences. The extract of this plant might be valuable antioxidant natural sources and seemed to be applicable in both healthy medicine and food industry.     

Scavenging capacity of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves on free radicals

Despite strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves had a long use in traditional medicine due to its antiseptic, diuretic, astringent and depurative properties, the potential of their antioxidant activity are still lacking. Our study goals to assess the antioxidant and free radical scavenging potential of water, ethanol, methanol and diethyl ether extracts of A. unedo leaves. Total phenols content was achieved spectrophotometrically using Folin–Ciocalteau reagent with gallic acid as standard. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using three different methods: reducing power of iron (III)/ferricyanide complex assay, scavenging effect on DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals and scavenging effect on superoxide radicals by using the PMS–NADH–nitroblue tetrazolium system. Ethanol extracts of A. unedo leaves were the highest in reducing power (IC₅₀ 232.7 μg/mL) and DPPH scavenging effect (IC₅₀ 63.2 μg/mL) followed by water extracts (with IC₅₀ of 287.7 and 73.7 μg/mL, respectively); whereas diethyl ether extracts were the lowest. In the scavenging on superoxide radical assay, methanol extracts obtained the best results (IC₅₀ 6.9 μg/mL). For all the methods tested the antioxidant activity was concentration dependent. In accordance with antioxidant activity, highest total phenols content were found in ethanol, followed by water, methanol and diethyl ether extract. The results indicated that A. unedo leaves are a potential source of natural antioxidants.