Microbial conversion and anticandidal effects of bioconverted product of cabbage (Brassica oleracea) by Pectobacterium carotovorum pv. carotovorum 21

This study was undertaken to examine the anticandidal effects of microbially bioconverted product of cabbage, obtained from the microbial conversion of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) by a bacterial strain Pectobacterium carotovorum pv. carotovorum 21 (Pcc 21) against various isolates of Candida species including a clinical isolate. The bioconverted product (10 μl, corresponding to 500 μg/disc) displayed potential anticandidal effect against Candida albicans KACC 30062, Candida geochares KACC 30061, Candida albicans KACC 30003, Candida saitoana KACC 41238 and Candida glabrata P00368 (clinical isolate) as a diameter of zones of inhibition, found in the range of 14 ± 0.9 to 19 ± 1.1 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values of bioconverted product against the tested isolates were found in the range of 62.5–250 and 125–250 μg/ml, respectively. Also the bioconverted product had remarkable anticandidal effect on the viable counts of the tested Candida isolates. Further, scanning electron microscopic study revealed potential detrimental effect of bioconverted product on the morphology of C. albicans KACC 30062 at MIC concentration. All these findings together indicate that bioconverted product of cabbage has potential therapeutic value of medicinal significance to control Candida species including clinical isolates.     

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of Symplocos cochinchinensis S. Moore leaves containing phenolic compounds

Methanol extract of Symplocos cochinchinensis S. Moore leaves was evaluated for its in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity. The total phenolic content of the extract was 230 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g extract. The extract showed very good scavenging activity on 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (IC₅₀ 620.30 ± 0.14 μg/ml), hydroxyl (IC₅₀ 730.21 ± 1.05 μg/ml), nitric oxide (IC₅₀ 870.31 ± 0.19 μg/ml) radicals, as well as high reducing power. The extract also showed strong suppressive effect on lipid peroxidation. In in vivo study CCl₄ induced oxidative stress produced significant increase in SGOT, SGPT and LDH levels along with reduction in liver SOD, CAT, GSH and GPx levels. Pre-treatment of rats with the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) for 7 days showed significant reduction in the levels of SGOT, SGPT and LDH compared to CCl₄ treated rats. SOD, CAT, GSH and GPx levels were increased significantly due to treatment with the extract. The activity of the extract was comparable to the standard drug, silymarin (25 mg/kg). The results suggest that the leaves of S. cochinchinensis are a source of natural antioxidants.     

Chemical compositions,antifungal and antioxidant activities of essential oil and various extracts of Melodorum fruticosum L. flowers

This research presents the chemical composition antifungal and antioxidant activities of essential oils and various extracts from Melodorum fruticosum flowers. The essential oil composition of M. fruticosum flowers were investigated by GC–MS with 88 identified volatile constituents. Phenyl butanone, linalool, benzyl alcohol, α-cadinol, globulol and viridiflorol were found to be the major components, respectively. The dichloromethane extract played a major role as a remarkable fungicide according to their inhibition action against all tested pathogens followed by hexane extract, essential oil and methanol extract, respectively, along with their respective MIC values ranging from 125 to 1000 μg/ml. The dichloromethane extracts were also evaluated to be superior to all extracts tested with an IC₅₀ value of 87.6 μg/ml whereas other extracts showed their IC₅₀ values ranging from 100.13 to 194.50 μg/ml.     

Controlled non-invasive transdermal iontophoretic delivery of zolmitriptan hydrochloride in vitro and in vivo

The objective was to investigate the transdermal delivery kinetics of zolmitriptan from an iontophoretic patch system in Yorkshire swine in vivo. Preliminary in vitro experiments showed that cumulative drug transport during a 6-h current application (0.25 mA cm⁻²) was independent of patch load (263.7 ± 92.7, 357.2 ± 85.9, 374.9 ± 74.3 and 335.9 ± 27.7 μg cm⁻² for 7.5, 15, 45 and 90 mg patch loads, respectively; ANOVA, p < 0.05); the steady-state flux was ∼92 μg cm⁻² h⁻¹. The in vivo studies used multistep current profiles to demonstrate (i) rapid drug uptake and (ii) the effect of superposing a bolus input on basal drug levels. In both studies, zolmitriptan was detected in the blood after 2.5 min; drug levels were 7.1  1.7 and 10.4 ± 3.5 ng ml⁻¹ at t = 30min in Studies 1 and 2, respectively. In Study 2, increasing current intensity from 0.2 to 1.4 mA (0.05-0.35 mA cm⁻²) at t = 180 min caused zolmitriptan levels to rise from 9.38 ± 0.93 ng ml⁻¹ at t = 180 min to 13.57 ± 1.85 ng ml⁻¹ at t = 190 min; a ∼50% increase in 10 min. Extrapolation of these results to humans suggests the feasibility of delivering therapeutic amounts of zolmitriptan at faster rates than those from existing dosage forms.     

In vitro antioxidant,antidiabetic and antilipidemic activities of Symplocos cochinchinensis (Lour.) S. Moore bark

Symplocos cochinchinesis is used in Indian system of traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus. The present study investigates the in vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic and antilipidemic activities of S. cochinchinensis bark methanolic extract (SCBe) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. In in vitro studies SCBe showed very good scavenging activity on 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (IC₅₀ 820.34 ± 1.74 μg/ml), hydroxyl (IC₅₀ 884.19 ± 0.45 μg/ml) and nitric oxide (IC₅₀ 860.21 ± 1.18 μg/ml) radicals, as well as high reducing power. SCBe (250 and 500 mg/kg) was administered to STZ (40 mg/kg) induced diabetic rats for 28 days. SCBe showed a significant decrease in blood glucose and significant increase in plasma insulin and liver glycogen levels in treated diabetic rats. Further, SCBe showed antilipidemic activity as evidenced by significant decrease in serum TC, TG, LDL-C levels and significant increase in HDL-C level in treated diabetic rats. SCBe also restored the altered plasma enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP), total protein, urea and creatinine levels to near normal. The action of SCBe was comparable to the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide. Results of this experimental study indicated that SCBe possessed antioxidant, antidiabetic and antilipidemic activities.     

Phenolic composition and biological activities of Juniperus drupacea Labill. berries from Turkey

The present study was designed to define the phenolic profile and the biological potential of berries methanol extract of Juniperus drupacea Labill. from Turkey.The total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteau assay) was 48.06 ± 0.99 mg GAE/g extract. The HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis allowed the determination of the complete phenolic profile of J. drupacea berries. Phenolic acids represented more than 60% of the total phenolics, and tyrosol was the major one (1324 ± 0.64 μg/g extract); within the flavonoids amentoflavone was detected as the main constituent (927 ± 0.35 μg/g extract).The extract exhibited good antioxidant properties, as determined by different in vitro models: DPPH test (IC₅₀ 0.38 ± 0.02 mg/mL), reducing power (12.63 ± 0.14 ASE/mL), Fe²⁺ chelating ability (IC₅₀ 2.26 ± 0.06 mg/mL), and TBA test (IC₅₀ 2.47 ± 1.13 μg/mL).Cytotoxicity against Artemia salina was highlighted (LC₅₀ 489.47 ± 27.8 μg/mL), and a significant decrease (p ? 0.05; p ? 0.01) in HepG2 cells viability was observed at the higher concentrations (5-10 μg/mL).The extract displayed good antibacterial activity towards Gram-positive bacteria and in particular Staphylococcus aureus was the most susceptible strain (MIC 78.12 μg/mL).     

The role of bioactive substances in controlling foodborne pathogens derived from Metasequoia glyptostroboides Miki ex Hu

In an attempt to isolate bioactive substances, ethyl acetate cone extract of Metasequoia glyptostroboides was subjected to a column chromatographic analysis that resulted in isolation of an abietane type diterpenoid, taxoquinone. Its structure was elucidated by spectroscopic means. In further, taxoquinone showed potential antibacterial effect as diameters of zones of inhibition against foodborne pathogenic bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19166, Salmonella typhimurium KCTC 2515, Salmonella enteritidis KCTC 2021, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, E. coli O157:H7 ATCC 43888, Enterobacter aerogenes KCTC2190, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and S. aureus KCTC 1916, which were found in the range of 10.6–15.8 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of taxoquinone against the employed bacterial pathogens were found in the range of 62.5–250 and 125–500 μg/ml. Also the compound had strong antibacterial effect on the viable counts of the tested bacteria. Further, scanning electron microscopic study demonstrated potential detrimental effect of taxoquinone on the morphology of E. coli ATCC 8739. These findings indicate that bioactive compound taxoquinone present in M. glyptostroboides could be used as a promising antibacterial agent in food industry to inhibit the growth of certain important foodborne pathogens.     

Evaluation of in vitro cytotoxicity of 6-benzylaminopurine carboplatin derivatives against human cancer cell lines and primary human hepatocytes

A series of seven platinum(II) cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylato (cbdc) complexes {[Pt(cbdc)(L_n)₂], 1-7}, derived from carboplatin by a substitution of two NH₃ molecules for two 2,6,9-trisubstituted 6-benzylaminopurine-based N-donor ligands (L_n), was studied by the MTT assay for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against seven human cancer cell lines, i.e. lung carcinoma (A549), cervix epithelioid carcinoma (HeLa), osteosarcoma (HOS), malignant melanoma (G361), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7), ovarian carcinoma (A2780) and its cisplatin-resistant analogue (A2780cis), and against two primary cultures of human hepatocytes (LH31 and LH32). The prepared complexes were cytotoxic against several cancer cells, in some cases even more than cisplatin. The best results were achieved for complexes 1 (IC₅₀ = 17.4 ± 2.0 μM) and 2 (IC₅₀ = 14.8 ± 2.1 μΜ) against HOS cells, 1 (IC₅₀ = 15.1 ± 6.8 μM), 2 (IC₅₀ = 13.6 ± 5.2 μM) and 6 (IC₅₀ = 19.0 ± 6.6 μM) against MCF7, 6 (IC₅₀ = 6.4 ± 0.1 μM) against A2780, and 1-6 (IC₅₀ = 15.6 ± 4.0, 12.9 ± 3.7, 15.8 ± 3.8, 16.6 ± 5.5, 22.1 ± 2.5, and 5.6 ± 1.7 μM, respectively) against A2780cis. Viability of human hepatocytes was not declined by the tested complexes up to the concentration of 50 μM (for 1, 3-7) and 20 μM (for 2; caused by lower solubility of this complex).     

In vitro inhibitory effects of asiaticoside and madecassoside on human cytochrome P450

The inhibitory effects and types of inhibition of asiaticoside and madecassoside on human CYPs were studied in vitro using recombinant human CYPs. The median inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of asiaticoside and madecassoside were determined for CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4. Asiaticoside inhibited CYP2C19 (IC₅₀ = 412.68 ± 15.44 μM) and CYP3A4 (IC₅₀ = 343.35 ± 29.35 μM). Madecassoside also inhibited CYP2C19 (IC₅₀ = 539.04 ± 14.18 μM) and CYP3A4 (IC₅₀ = 453.32 ± 39.33 μM). Asiaticoside and madecassoside had no effect on the activities of CYP1A2, CYP2C9 and CYP2D6 and CYP2E1. Assessment of mechanism-based inhibition and the type of inhibition were performed for asiaticoside and madecassoside with CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. These results suggested that madecassoside is a mechanism-based inhibitor of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. Assessment of mechanism-based inhibition by asiaticoside was limited by its low solubility. Asiaticoside exhibited non-competitive inhibition of CYP2C19 (K_i = 385.24 ± 8.75 μM) and CYP3A4 (K_i = 535.93 ± 18.99 μM). Madecassoside also showed non-competitive inhibition of CYP2C19 (K_i = 109.62 ± 6.14 μM) and CYP3A4 (K_i = 456.84 ± 16.43 μM). These results suggest that asiaticoside and madecassoside could cause drug-drug interactions via inhibition of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. An in vivo study is needed to examine this further.     

Differential accumulation of paralytic shellfish toxins from Alexandrium minutum in the pearl oyster, Pinctada imbricata

To investigate the potential for differential accumulation of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) in various tissues of the akoya pearl oyster, Pinctada imbricata, two feeding trials were carried out using the PST-producing dinoflagellate, Alexandrium minutum. When fed with A. minutum at concentrations between 100 and 1300 cells ml⁻¹, the maximum clearance by P. imbricata was shown to occur at a density of 300 cells ml⁻¹. When fed twice daily at this rate for up 12 days, P. imbricata accumulated analogues of gonyautoxins (GTXs): GTXs 1,4 and 2,3. The levels of GTXs in the viscera increased progressively on days 4, 8 and 12 to peak at 17.9 ± 4.47 μg STX-equivalent 100 g⁻¹ biomass. Following 12 days of depuration, in the absence of A. minutum, GTX levels fell by approximately 65% to 6.0 ± 2.20 μg STX-equivalent 100 g⁻¹ biomass. No GTX was found in the oysters at the start of the trial or in untreated controls. The accumulation of GTX was found to be tissue specific. No GTX was detected in the muscle tissue of P. imbricata during the feeding trial.     

Isolation and pharmacological effects of leptoxin, a novel proteic toxin from Leptodactylus pentadactylus skin secretion

The in vivo and in vitro pharmacological effects of leptoxin, one of the most lethal protein toxins known at present date (LD₅₀ 0.5 ± 0.03 μg/kg i.v., mice) isolated from Leptodactylus pentadactylus skin secretion, were studied. In rats, leptoxin (1.0 μg/kg, i.v.) induced cardiorespiratory collapse with abundant tracheal secretion followed by sudden death. The cardiovascular shock, pulmonary edema and mortality were not prevented by pretreating the animals with effective doses of pharmacological blockers, i.e., atropine with or without bilateral vagotomy, phentolamine, propranolol, hexamethonium, captopril, dexamethasone, indomethacin, L-NAME, promethazine, Ginkgolide BN-52021 or tezosentan. Pulmonary macroscopic examination revealed increased tracheobronchial secretion, hemorrhagic areas and edema. Microscopic examination showed intense vascular congestion, alveolar and septal interstitial hemorrhage and alveolar edema, without infiltrated inflammatory cells. Leptoxin increased pulmonary index (0.67 ± 0.09 vs. 1.55 ± 0.24; p < 0.05) and the Evans blue concentration in the bronchoalveolar fluid (1.24 ± 0.17 vs. 4.17 ± 1.47 μg/μL; p < 0.01) and in the lung parenchyma (40.73 ± 3.27 vs. 65.33 ± 4.51 μg/μL; p < 0.03). Leptoxin increased the pulmonary perfusion pressure from 13.7 ± 5.3 to 54.0 ± 6.3 mmHg. It also induced a vasoconstrictor effect in the perfused mesenteric vascular bed that could be explained by a hyperreactivity to phenylephrine. Thus, the results suggest that leptoxin-induced death occurs by acute pulmonary edema due to increased microvascular pulmonary pressure evoked by direct vasoconstriction. Despite its strong toxicity, the role of leptoxin in L. pentadactylus skin remains unknown.     

Genetic toxicology evaluation of essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet and its chemoprotective effects against H2O2-induced DNA damage in cultured human leukocytes

Essential oil (EO) of Alpinia zerumbet leaves, at non-toxic concentrations (50–300 μg/mL), did not induce genotoxicity in human leukocytes. However, at the highest concentration (500 μg/mL) tested caused a reduction in cell proliferation and viability, and an increase in DNA damage. Moreover, in vivo experiments showed that EO (400 mg/kg) did not exert mutagenicity on peripheral blood cells and bone marrow in mice. In DPPH test, EO showed scavenging effects against DPPH radicals, and other free radicals (determination of intracellular GSH and lipid peroxidation assays). Furthermore, EO was able to reduce the intracellular levels of ROS, and prevented leukocytes DNA against oxidative damage. The ability of EO to reduce H₂O₂ toxicity was observed only when cells were treated with EO during and after exposure to H₂O₂. With the co- and post-treatment procedures, EO decreased the frequency of apoptotic and micronucleated leukocytes as well DNA strand breaks. However, a synergistic effect was observed in cultures exposed to 500 μg/mL EO. In conclusion, EO at concentrations up to 300 μg/mL or doses up to 400 mg/kg are not mutagenic in leukocytes and in mice, but do have antioxidative and protective effects against the cytotoxicity and clastogenesis induced by H₂O₂.     

Effects of Thai Musa species on prevention of UVB-induced skin damage in mice

The effects of oral administration of Musa sapientum and Musa suerier on prevention of UVB induced skin damages were investigated in male ICR mice. Animals were orally administered 50 mg/day ascorbic acid, or M. sapientum or M. suerier’s fruit pulps at dose of 0.5, 1 or 1.5 mg/g body weight/day for 12 weeks. Concurrently, the shaved backs of animals were irradiated with UVB for 12 weeks. The intensity of irradiation was progressively increased, from 54 mJ/cm² per exposure at week 1–126 mJ/cm² at week 11. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in skin elasticity (from 0.82 ± 0.02 to 0.42 ± 0.09) and total glutathione (from (193.6 ± 18.7 to 152.7 ± 7.8 ng/mg protein) as compared with the control group (water-administered UVB-irradiated mice) was observed after 12 weeks of UVB exposure. When l-ascorbic acid (0.72 ± 0.01) or 1 mg/g body weight/day M. suerier (0.84 ± 0.06) were administered to UVB-irradiated mice, the reduction in skin elasticity was significantly inhibited (p < 0.05). Moreover, the significant increase (p < 0.05) in level of total glutathione was found in these groups (220.8 ± 13.3 ng/mg protein for l-ascorbic acid and 224.9 ± 20.1 ng/mg protein for M. suerier). These findings suggest the potential effect of daily consumption of M. suerier on prevention of skin damage from repeated UVB exposure.     

Leptoglycin: A new Glycine/Leucine-rich antimicrobial peptide isolated from the skin secretion of the South American frog Leptodactylus pentadactylus (Leptodactylidae)

Antimicrobial peptides are components of innate immunity that is the first-line defense against invading pathogens for a wide range of organisms. Here, we describe the isolation, biological characterization and amino acid sequencing of a novel neutral Glycine/Leucine-rich antimicrobial peptide from skin secretion of Leptodactylus pentadactylus named leptoglycin. The amino acid sequence of the peptide purified by RP-HPLC (C₁₈ column) was deduced by mass spectrometric de novo sequencing and confirmed by Edman degradation: GLLGGLLGPLLGGGGGGGGGLL. Leptoglycin was able to inhibit the growth of Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Citrobacter freundii with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 8 μM, 50 μM, and 75 μM respectively, but it did not show antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus and Enterococcus faecalis), yeasts (Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis) and dermatophytes fungi (Microsporum canis and Trichophyton rubrum). No hemolytic activity was observed at the 2-200 μM range concentration. The amino acid sequence of leptoglycin with high level of glycine (59.1%) and leucine (36.4%) containing an unusual central proline suggests the existence of a new class of Gly/Leu-rich antimicrobial peptides. Taken together, these results suggest that this natural antimicrobial peptide could be a tool to develop new antibiotics.     

Antioxidant activity and ultra-performance LC-electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry for phenolics-based fingerprinting of Rose species: Rosa damascena, Rosa bourboniana and Rosa brunonii

Roses are one of the most important groups of ornamental plants and their fruits and flowers are used in a wide variety of food, nutritional products and different traditional medicines. The antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts from fresh flowers of three rose species (Rosa damascena, Rosa bourboniana and Rosa brunonii) was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical method. The ability to scavenge DPPH radical was measured by the discoloration of the solution. The methanolic extract from R. brunonii exhibited maximum free-radical-scavenging activity (64.5 ± 0.38%) followed by R. bourboniana (51.8 ± 0.46%) and R. damascena (43.6 ± 0.25%) at 100 μg/ml. Simultaneously, ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) was used to study phenolic composition in the methanolic extracts from the fresh flowers of rose species. The phenolic constituents were further investigated by direct infusion-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS in negative ion mode. Characteristic Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) spectra with other diagnostic fragment ions generated by retro Diels–Alder (RDA) fragmentation pathways were recorded for the flavonoids. Distinct similarities were observed in the relative distribution of polyphenolic compounds among the three species. The dominance of quercetin, kaempferol and their glycosides was observed in all the three species.     

Comparative analysis of the antioxidant and DNA protection capacities of Anadenanthera colubrina, Libidibia ferrea and Pityrocarpa moniliformis fruits

This study aimed to explore the antioxidant and DNA protection abilities of hydroalcoholic extracts from fruits of Anadenanthera colubrina (ACHE), Libidibia ferrea (LFHE) and Pityrocarpa moniliformis (PMHE). These extracts were tested by five antioxidant methods (phosphomolibdenium and reducing power assays; superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide scavenging) and DNA protection capacity. Total phenolic content was measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method. ACHE exhibited the highest phenolic content (578 mg/g GAE), followed by LFHE (460 mg/g GAE) and PMHE (448 mg/g GAE). In phosphomolibdenium assay, ACHE showed 24.81% of activity in relation to ascorbic acid, whereas LFHE and PMHE had 21.08% and 18.05%, respectively. These plants showed high ability to inhibit reactive species tested with IC50 values ranged from 10.66 to 14.37 μg/mL for superoxide radical; 26.05 to 45.43 μg/mL for hydrogen peroxide; 178.42 to 182.98 μg/mL for reducing power; and 199.2 to 283 μg/mL for nitric oxide. Furthermore, these extracts had capacity to break the DNA damage induced by hydroxyl radicals. The antioxidant activity of these plants is related with their higher phenolic content and show that they may be used as source of bioactive compounds, relevant to the maintenance of oxidative stability of the food matrix, cosmetics and/or pharmaceutical preparations.     

Correlation between in vitro and in vivo erosion behaviour of erodible tablets using gamma scintigraphy

In vitro and in vivo erosion behaviour of erodible tablets consisting of glyceryl behenate and low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose manufactured using three different methods: direct compression (DC), melt granulation (MG) and direct solidification (DS) was investigated. In vitro erosion behaviour was studied using gravimetric and scintigraphic methods. For scintigraphic investigations, the radiolabel was adsorbed onto activated charcoal and incorporated into tablets at a concentration that did not affect the erosion profile. A clinical study was carried out in six healthy volunteers using gamma scintigraphy. Tablet erosion was affected by the preparation method and was found to decrease in the order of preparation method, DC > MG > DS tablets. The mean in vivo onset time for all tablets (DC: 6.7 ± 3.8 min, MG: 18.3 ± 8.1 min, DS: 67 ± 18.9 min) did not differ significantly from in vitro onset time (DC: 5.3 ± 1 min, MG: 16.8 ± 3.9 min, DS: 61.8 ± 4.7 min). The mean in vivo completion times were found to be 36.6 ± 9.7 (DC tablets), 70 ± 18.3 min (MG tablets) and 192.5 ± 39.9 min (DS tablets). Among the three different erodible tablets, MG tablets showed the highest correlation between in vitro and in vivo mean erosion profile and suggested a potential platform to deliver controlled release of water-insoluble compounds.     

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.