Chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of the leaf essential oil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eugenia zuchowskiae</Emphasis> from Monteverde,Costa Rica

The leaf essential oil of Eugenia zuchowskiae from Monteverde, Costa Rica, has been obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC–MS. The principal constituents of E. zuchowskiae leaf oil were α-pinene (28.3%), β-caryophyllene (13.2%), α-humulene (13.1%), and α-copaene (8.1%). The leaf essential oil of E. zuchowskiae showed pronounced in-vitro cytotoxic activity against MCF-7, MDA-MB-468, and UACC-257 human tumor cell lines. The major components showed cytotoxic activities comparable to doxorubicin (LC₅₀ 14–70 μg/ml).     

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eugenia</Emphasis> species

The essential oils of the leaves of Eugenia brasiliensis, Eugenia beaurepaireana, and Eugenia umbelliflora were analyzed by GC–MS. The major compounds found in the oil of E. brasiliensis were spathulenol (12.6%) and τ-cadinol (8.7%), of E. beaurepaireana were β-caryophyllene (8.0%) and bicyclogermacrene (7.2%), and of E. umbelliflora were viridiflorol (17.7%) and β-pinene (13.2%). These oils were assayed to determine their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. All of the oils analyzed showed antibacterial activity, ranging from moderate to strong, which was most accentuated for the E. umbelliflora and E. brasiliensis oils, which strongly inhibited the growth of S. aureus giving values of MIC = 119.2 and 156.2 μg/mL, respectively.     

Composition of the essential oil from the root of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia annua</Emphasis>

Upon hydrodistillation, dried roots of Artemisia annua L. cultivar Jwarharti gave a pleasantly fragrant essential oil with a yield of 0.25%. GC and GC–MS analyses of the oil enabled the identification of 52 components representing 83.2% of the oil. The oil was rich in sesquiterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenes and had cis-arteannuic alcohol (25.9%), (E)-β-farnesene (6.7%), β-maaliene (6.3%), β-caryophyllene (5.5%), caryophyllene oxide (4.4%) and 2-phenylbenzaldehyde (3.5%) as its major components. The oil was found to possess considerable fumigant activity and ability to repel adult Tribolium castaneum beetles.     

Analysis of the essential oil from the aerial parts of Psoralea pubescence (Miq.) Standl and its antibacterial activity

The essential oil from aerial parts of Psoralea pubescence (Miq.) Standl (Leguminoseae) was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectroscopy systems. The major components identified were psoralen (24.8%), bakuchiol (21.3%), β-caryophyllene (8.5%), germacrene D (6.8%), and α-humulene (4.6%). The major volatiles released by β-glucosidase treatment of the aqueous plant residue were δ-pinene (28.3%), germacrene D (13.6%), and tricyclene (10.2%). The oil showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while the β-glucosidase-liberated fraction was inactive.     

Antioxidant activities of the essential oils and methanol extracts from myrtle (Myrtus communis var. italica L.) leaf,stem and flower

This study was designed to examine the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oils and methanol extracts of Myrtus communis var. italica L. leaf, stem and flower. Myrtle leaf and flower were the valuable organs for the essential oil production representing a yield of 0.61% and 0.30% (w/w), respectively. The essential oil composition of myrtle leaf and flower was characterized by high proportions of α-pinene, the main compound of monoterpene hydrocarbon class, with 58.05% for leaf and 17.53% for flower. Stem was rich in oxygenated monoterpenes, largely due to 1,8-cineole with 32.84%. The total phenol contents varied between different myrtle parts; leaf extract had higher total phenol content (33.67 mg GAE/g) than flower (15.70 mg GAE/g) and stem (11.11 mg GAE/g) extracts. Significant differences were also found in total tannin contents among different myrtle parts, representing 26.55 mg GAE/g in leaf, 11.95 mg GAE/g in flower, 3.33 mg GAE/g in stem. The highest contents of total flavonoids and condensed tannins were observed in stem (5.17 and 1.99 mg CE/g, respectively) and leaf (3 and 1.22 mg CE/g, respectively) extracts. The HPLC analysis indicated that the main phenolic class was hydrolysable tannins (gallotannins) in leaf (79.39%, 8.90 mg/g) and flower (60.00%, 3.50 mg/g) while the stem was characterized by the predominance of flavonoid class (61.38%, 1.86 mg/g) due to the high presence of catechin (36.91%, 1.12 mg/g). Antioxidant activities of the essential oil and the methanolic extract from different myrtle parts were evaluated by using DPPH radical scavenging, β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching, reducing power and metal chelating activity assays. In all tests, methanolic extracts of different myrtle parts showed better antioxidant activity than essential oils.     

武当玉兰花蕾及其枝条挥发油的化学成分分析和比较

用高效毛细管气相色谱法和气相色谱—质谱考察了武当玉兰花蕾及其枝条挥发油的化学成分,共检出40个组分,鉴定了其中的32个成分,并用峰面积归一法作了测定,其中含量在5%以上的有β-蒎烯、香桧烯、对-缴花烃、乙酸龙脑脂、反-丁香烯、丁香烯氧化物和β-桉油醇。比较结果表明,两者的化学成分有着明显的差别,花蕾挥发油所含倍半萜醇和倍半萜烃较枝条挥发油为多,而含单萜烃则较少。     

Chemical Composition of Essential Oils from Leaves and Twigs of Pistacia lentiscus,Pistacia lentiscus var. chia,and Pistacia terebinthus from Turkey

The composition of the essential oils from the leaves and twigs of Pistacia lentiscus L., Pistacia lentiscus var. chia (L.), and Pistacia terebinthus L. of Turkish origin were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Seventy-seven constituents were characterized from the essential oil of P. terebinthus leaves with α-cadinol (6.9%), phytol (5.4%), δ-cadinene (5.1%), α-terpineol (5.0%), and bornyl acetate (4.4%) as major constituents. Germacrene D (10%), β-pinene (7.5%), bornyl acetate (6.0%), α-cubebene (5.9%), and cubebol (5.4%) were found to be the main components among the 61 compounds characterized in the essential oil of P. terebinthus twigs. Forty-six compounds were characterized from the essential oil of P. lentiscus twigs with sabinene (23.2%), α-pinene (19.4%), germacrene D (14.1%), limonene (6.9%), β-phellandrene (6.5%), terpinene-4-ol (5.7%), and β-caryophyllene (5.7%) as the main constituents. Terpinene-4-ol (29.2%), β-caryophyllene (29.2%), and p-cymene (7.1%) were identified as the major components among the 64 compounds characterized in the essential oil of P. lentiscus leaves. Sixty-eight compounds were found on the essential oil of P. lentiscus var. chia leaves with germacrene D (20.1%), myrcene (13.9%), β-caryophyllene (10.8%), and α-terpinyl acetate (4.8%) as the major constituents. Myrcene (27.4%), germacrene D (21.7%), and β-caryophyllene (7.2%) were found to be the main components among 50 compounds characterized in the essential oil of P. lentiscus var. chia twigs.     

Sesquiterpene components from the flower buds ofMagnolia fargesii

From the Chinese crude drugshin-i, the flower buds ofMagnolia fargesii, four sesquiterpene, oplopanone (1), oplodiol (2), homalomenol A (3) and 1β,4β,7α-trihydroxyeudesmane (4) were isolated. These structures were elucidated and the¹³C-NMR chemical, shifts of these compounds were revised by means of various 2D-NMR techniques.     

Chemical composition,antimicrobial, and cytotoxicity studies on S. erianthum and S. macranthum essential oils

Context: Solanum erianthum D. Don and Solanum macranthum Dunal (Solanaceae) are widely used in traditional medicine. The leaves act as an abortifacient and in particular to treat leucorrhoea, sores, and skin irritations.

Objective: This study was undertaken to characterize the volatile constituents of the leaf and fruit essential oils of S. erianthum and S. macranthum; their antimicrobial and in vitro cytotoxic bioassay against human breast and prostate tumor cells.

Methods: The volatile oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed for their constituents by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) were determined using the microbroth dilution technique while the cytotoxic potentials were evaluated using the Cell Titre 96^(R) AQ_ueous Non-Radioactive Cell Proliferation Assay method.

Results: Solanum erianthum essential oils were characterized by the abundance of α-terpinolene (17.8%), α-phellandrene (17.5%), p-cymene (15.7%) and β-pinene (11.7%) in the leaves; α-humulene (23.1%), humulene epoxide II (20.0%), caryophyllene oxide (16.5%), methyl salicylate (11.8%) and β-caryophyllene (10.9%) in the fruits. The leaf oil of S. macranthum consisted of (E)-phytol (29.0%), pentadecanal (28.1%) and pentadecane (7.7%) while the major fruit oil constituents were α-humulene (36.5%), β-caryophyllene (17.8%), ethyl palmitate (9.4%), and methyl salicylate (8.2%). Solanum erianthum leaf volatile oil demonstrated potent inhibitory activity against Hs 578T and PC-3 human breast and prostate tumor cells respectively. In addition, the Solanum essential oils exhibited significant antimicrobial activity (19.5–625 µg/mL) on pathogens employed in the assay.

Conclusion: The Solanum essential oils possess strong antimicrobial activity in addition to the potent cytotoxic potential of S. erianthum leaf oil against Hs 578T and PC-3 cells.     

Essential oils of petal,leaf and stem of the antimalarial plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia annua</Emphasis>

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from petals, leaves and stems of the flowering stage of plants of Artemisia annua cultivar Jwarharti was analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS); 86, 77, and 63 compounds were identified in the leaf, petal, and stem oils, respectively. Large compositional differences were detected between the three oils. The petal and leaf oils were rich in monoterpenes. The stem oil was rich in sesquiterpenes. Camphor, present in the leaf oil, was absent from petal oil.     

Two new secoiridoid glycosides from the rhizomes of Gentiana scabra Bunge

Two new secoiridoid glycosides, 4‴-O-β-D-glucopyranosyltrifloroside 1 and 4‴-O-β-D-glucopyranosylscabraside 2, along with three known secoiridoids were isolated from the rhizomes of Gentiana scabra (Gentianaceae) in our recent phytochemical study. Their chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR spectra. The chemotaxonomic significance of the secoiridoid glycosides is briefly discussed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Perilla frutescens</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">frutescens</Emphasis> in northern Laos

Twenty-eight samples of mericarps of Perilla frutescens var. frutescens were collected through fieldwork performed in Phongsali and Xieng Khouang provinces in northern Laos. No perilla samples were collected from Savannakhet province in the south although more than 20 sites were investigated. Perilla plants are mostly grown mixed with dry-paddy rice by slash-and-burn cultivation in Laos. The most popular local name for perilla mericarps in the area was “Ma Nga Chan”. Weight of 1,000 grains and hardness of the mericarps were measured, and all mericarps were found to be large (weight of 1,000 grains around 2 g) and soft (limit load weight under 300 g), which were preferred for culinary use in Laos. The composition of the essential oils obtained from the herbaceous plants raised from the mericarps was divided into five types, perillaketone, elemicine plus myristicine, shisofuran, piperitenon, and myristicine, and GC–MS analysis of these Laotian perilla samples showed that they were similar to those of corresponding types of known Japanese perilla strains. One of the shisofuran-type perilla contained large amounts of putative α-naginatene, which is likely to be an intermediate of the biosynthesis of naginataketone. The farmers' indifference to the oil type of the leaf seems to leave Laotian perilla as a good genetic resource for studies of the biosynthesis of oil compounds.     

Antioxidative compounds from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus salicina</Emphasis> Blume Stem

The chromatographic separation of MeOH extract from the Quercus salicina Blume Stem led to the isolation of five phenolic compounds. Using spectroscopic methods, the structures of these compounds were determined as D-threo-guaiacylglycerol 8-O-β-D-(6′-O-galloyl)glucopyranoside (1), 9-methoxy-D-threo-guaiacylglycerol 8-O-β-D-(6′-O-galloyl)glucopyranoside (2), 6″-O-galloyl salidroside (3), methyl gallate (4), quercetin (5). We measured radical scavenging activity with the DPPH method and the anti-lipid peroxidative efficacy on human LDL with TBARS assay, with the result that all these compounds exhibited the antioxidative activity.     

Chemical compositions and antimicrobial activities of essential oils extracted from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acanthopanax brachypus</Emphasis>

The essential oils from the flowers, leaves, barks, roots and fruits of A. brachypus were individually extracted by hydrodistillation, and their chemical constituents were isolated and characterized by means of gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 160 different constituents accounting for 86.45–96.54% of the total essential oils were identified, and 3 constituents were unidentified (< 0.8%), and significant qualitative and quantitative differences were observed among the oils, in which the yields varied between 0.61–1.83 (mL/100 g dried materials) under the same operational conditions. The oils from flowers, leaves, barks and roots consisted mainly of monoterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons as well as oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, while the fruit oil consisted mainly of fatty acids and esters. The antimicrobial activities of the essential oils was evaluated against 11 microorganisms (9 for bacteria and 2 for yeast) using agar disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The bacteria, including gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria, were more sensitive to the oils than yeasts.     

Lignan glycosides and flavonoids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saraca asoca</Emphasis> with antioxidant activity

Five lignan glycosides, lyoniside, nudiposide, 5-methoxy-9-β-xylopyranosyl-(−)-isolariciresinol, icariside E₃, and schizandriside, and three flavonoids, (−)-epicatechin, epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin and procyanidin B₂, together with β-sitosterol glucoside, were isolated from a methyl alcohol (MeOH) extract of Saraca asoca dried bark. Their structures were determined by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopic analysis. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay.     

Detection of AmpC β-lactamase and drug resistance of Enterobacter cloacae

In order to provide useful information for effective control and clinical therapy of infection, the resistance status and the rate of carrying AmpC β-lactamase of Enterobacter cloacae (E. cloacae) were investigated. By VITEK (Bacterial automatic biochemical analyzer), the isolates of E. cloacae were identified and the drug resistance was measured. The AmpC enzyme was detected by the five-disk diffusion test. Antibiotic sensitivity test showed that the resistance effects of E. cloacae to cefazolin, cefoxitin and ampicillin were more serious, with resistant rates of 80.5%, 75.3% and 70.1%, respectively. However, it was more sensitive to Sulperazone (cefoperazone/sulbactam, 13.0%), amikacin (16.9%) and ciprofloxacin (19.5%). Meanwhile, the phenotype detection showed that 35.06%(27/77) isolates of E. cloacae produced AmpC β-lactamase. Most of E. cloacae are multi-drug resistant strains. Sulperazone (cefoperazone/sulbactam), a kind of component β-lactamase, is a more effective antibiotic for treating infection caused by E. cloacae. Unreasonable application of the third generation cephalosporins plays an important role in leading to emergence of high-yield AmpC β-lactamase strains, so antibiotics should be used wisely.     

Triacylglycerols of the lipid fraction from fruits of two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinacea</Emphasis> species

Fatty oils extracted from the fruits of Echinacea purpurea and E. pallida species have been analyzed. The extracts represent oily and readily mobile light yellow liquids. Fruits of E. purpurea contain 33.6% fatty oil; of E. pallida, 23.2%. NMR spectroscopy analyses of fatty oils from fruits of the two Echinacea species show that these substances belong to liquid plant oils such as linoleic acid, which is confirmed by the measured numerical indices. Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 43, No. 3, pp. 32 – 34, March, 2009.     

(<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>)-3-Hexenyl diglycosides from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spermacoce laevis</Emphasis> Roxb.

A new (Z)-3-hexenyl O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside was isolated from the aerial part of Spermacoce laevis, along with 17 known compounds: (6S,9R)-roseoside, (Z)-3-hexenyl O-β-d-glucopyranoside, (Z)-3-hexenyl O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside, (Z)-3-hexenyl O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside, phenyethyl O-β-d-glucopyranoside, phenyethyl O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside, phenyethyl O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside, benzyl O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside, benzyl O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside, asperuloside, 6α-hydroxyadoxoside, asperulosidic acid, kaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, quercetin 3-O-β-d-galactopyranoside, quercetin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-galactopyranoside, and rutin. The structure determinations were based on physical data and spectroscopic evidence.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of essential oil from leaves of Myrciaria tenella and Calycorectes sellowianus

The GC-MS analysis revealed that the leaf essential oils of Myrciaria tenella (DC.) Berg and Calycorectes sellowianus O. Berg (Myrtaceae) were composed of 34 and 37 compounds, respectively. The main constituents of M. tenella oil were β-caryophyllene (25.1%), and spathulenol (9.7%), while for C. sellowianus were guaiol (13.1%) and β-caryophyllene (8.6%). The anti-inflammatory effect of both essential oils was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Both oils reduced significantly (p < 0.005) the treated neutrophils chemotaxis with 93% and 91% inhibition for M. tenella and C. sellowianus, respectively. However, in the systemic treatment with the essential oils (50?mg/kg p.o.) only the M. tenella oil was able to significantly reduce the carrageenan-induced paw edema with a similar effect to that observed for indomethacin (10?mg/kg), the positive control.