Chemical composition and bioactivity of essential oils of Hypericum helianthemoides. Hypericum perforatum and Hypericum scabrum

Context: A number Hypericum species are well known for their therapeutic efficacy and use in traditional medicine. The various species of Hypericum have been traditionally used for the treatment of wounds, eczema, burns, trauma, rheumatism, neuralgia, gastroenteritis, ulcers, hysteria, bedwetting and depression.

Objective: This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial and phytochemical properties of essential oils of Hypericum helianthemoides (Spach) Boiss., Hypericum perforatum L. and Hypericum scabrum L. (Hypericaceae) collected from alpine region of Southwest Iran.

Materials and methods: The essential oils obtained from dried flowering aerial parts of three Hypericum species were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to determine chemical compositions. The antibacterial activity of essential oils within concentration ranges from 16 to 500?µg/mL was individually evaluated against Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes. Proteus vulgaris and Salmonella typhimurium. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrilhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of essential oils was determined using DPPH assay.

Results: Essential oil yield of H. helianthemoides. H. scabrum and H. perforatum were 0.12, 0.20 and 0.21?mL/100?g dried material, respectively. The major constituents of the essential oils were α-pinene (12.52–49.96%), β-pinene (6.34–9.70%), (E)-β-ocimene (4.44–12.54%), β-caryophyllene (1.19–5.67%), and germacrene-D (2.34–6.92%). The essential oils of three Hypericum species indicated moderate-to-good inhibitory activities against four bacteria, especially against L. monocytogenes.

Discussion and conclusion: The essential oils of the three studied Hypericum species sourced in alpine region of West Iran were rich in monoterpene and sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons. Among the three tested species, the essential oil of H. scabrum showed the highest antibacterial and antioxidant activities.     

The in vivo evaluation of anti-angiogenic effects of Hypericum essential oils using the chorioallantoic membrane assay

Context. Hypericum species including Hypericum confertum Choisy, H. hircinum L., H. hyssopifolium Chaix. subsp. elongatum (Ledeb.) Woron var. microcalycinum (Boiss. &; Heldr.) Boiss. and H. perforatum L. (Clusiaceae) are used as medicinal plants in Turkey.

Objective: The anti-angiogenic evaluation of Hypericum essential oils using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay are performed with this study for the first time.

Materials and methods: The anti-angiogenic activity of Hypericum essential oils (0.5–5.0?mg/ml) was evaluated in vivo using the CAM assay, compared to standard anti-angiogenic substances at the same concentrations, in trice replicated independent assays. GC and GC-MS analyses were carried out simultaneously to identify the chemical compositions of the Hypericum essential oils.

Results: The CAM treated with H. perforatum essential oil showed anti-angiogenic effect (score 0.6?±?0.3) at 50?µg/pellet concentration, whereas other tested Hypericum essential oils showed no effect compared to the standards (e.g. suramin score 0.5?±?0.2). Furthermore, the tested oils showed neither membrane toxicity nor irritation at the tested concentrations. The major compound of the essential oil of H. confertum was identified as germacrene D (30.2%). The major compound of the essential oils of the H. hircinum. H. hyssopifolium subsp. elongatum var. microcalycinum and H. perforatum was identified as α-pinene (88.3, 57.8, 33.3%), respectively.

Discussion and conclusion. Hypericum species and in particular H. perforatum essential oil may have important effect toward wound healing and various inflammations. The data obtained in this experiment suggest further investigations on various cancers due to its anti-angiogenic effects observed.     

Morphogenetic changes in essential oil composition of Hypericum perforatum during the course of ontogenesis

Context: In the past few years, an increasing interest in the volatile secondary metabolites of Hypericum perforatum L. (Guttiferae) has been arising.

Objective: The present study is a contribution to better understand the relationship between the morphological variations and volatile composition during the phenological cycle.

Materials and methods: Leaves at the stages of vegetative, floral budding, flowering and green capsule, buds, full opened flowers and green capsules were assayed for essential oil (EO) components by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and GC-mass spectrometry (MS).

Results: Significant amounts of sesquiterpenes (oxygenated 26–50% and hydrocarbons 20–40%) and oxygenated hydrocarbons (13–38%) characterized the all analyzed samples showing peculiar fluctuations during the seven phenological stages. Although monoterpenes were present in much lower amounts (monoterpene hydrocarbons 0.4–6%; oxygenated monoterpenes 0.8–6%) they were considered also important discrimination for several stages. The green capsules and the full opened flowers collected at flowering stage were clearly distinguished in terms of EO compositions from the other samples.

Discussion: For the first time, the EO composition of Turkish wild Hypericum perforatum was monitored by the hydrodistillation of different plant organs collected at different seven stages in order to point out the modification of target volatiles related to each phenological step.

Conclusions: Based on the EO composition monitored during these seven morphological stages by GC-MS, principal component analysis and cluster analysis, significant metabolite modifications were observed during the phenological cycle which involved the levels of specific volatile target compounds belonging to the chemical classes of hydrocarbons, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes.     

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 from Schinus terebinthifolius leaves – chemical composition and in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation

Context: In folk medicine, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), has been used as a remedy for ulcers, respiratory problems, wounds, rheumatism, gout, diarrhea, skin ailments and arthritis, as well as to treat tumors and leprosy.

Objective: To investigate the chemical composition and cytotoxicity of essential oil from leaves of S. terebinthifolius as well as the identification of active compounds from this oil.

Material and methods: Essential oil from S. terebinthifolius leaves, obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus, was characterized in terms of its chemical composition. Also, the crude oil was subjected to chromatographic separation procedures to afford an active fraction composed of α- and β-pinenes. These compounds, including hydrogenation (pinane) and epoxydation (α-pinene oxide) derivatives from α-pinene, were tested in vitro against murine melanoma cell line (B16F10-Nex2) and human melanoma (A2058), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7), leukemia (human leukemia (HL-60) and cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines.

Results: Forty-nine constituents were identified in the oil (97.9% of the total), with germacrene D (23.7%), bicyclogermacrene (15.0%), β-pinene (9.1%) and β-longipinene (8.1%) as the main compounds. The crude essential oil showed cytotoxic effects in several cell lines, mainly on leukemia and human cervical carcinoma. Fractions composed mainly of α- and β-pinenes as well as those composed of individually pinenes showed effective activities against all tested cell lines. Aiming to determinate preliminary structure/activity relationships, α-pinene was subjected to epoxydation and hydrogenation procedures whose obtained α-pinene oxide showed an expressive depression in its cytotoxicity effect, similar as observed to pinane derivative.

Discussion and conclusion: The obtained results indicated that the monoterpenes α- and β-pinenes could be responsible to the cytotoxic activity detected in the crude oil from leaves of S. terebinthifolius. In addition, it was possibly inferred that the presence of double bond in their structures, mainly at endocyclic position, is crucial to cytotoxic potential detected in these derivatives.     

GC-MS Analysis and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil from the Stem of the Jordanian Toothbrush Tree Salvadora persica.

Abstract

Chemical composition of the essential oil of the stem of the toothbrush tree Salvadora persica. L. grown in Jordan was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The oil obtained by hydrodistillation (yield: 0.6% w/w) was determined as a mixture of monoterpene hydrocarbons (11%), oxygenated monoterpenes (54%), and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (21%). The major components identified were 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) (46%), α-caryophellene (13.4%), β-pinene (6.3%), and 9-epi.-(E.)-caryophellene. The antimicrobial activity of the volatile oils and aqueous and alcohol extracts of the plant has been also evaluated. Among all tested fractions, the volatile oils exhibited potent activity against both sensitive and resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (Schroeter and Migula) and Staphylococcos aureus. (Rosenbach). Moreover, the oil revealed significant inhibition against Candida albicans. (C. P. Robin) and Trichosporon cutaneum. (Beurm, Govgerot and Vaucher).     

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.     

Chemical composition and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of Artemisia maderaspatana essential oil

Abstract

Context: To date, there are no reports to validate the Indian traditional and folklore claims of Artemisia maderaspatana L. (syn. Grangea maderaspatana L.) (Asteraceae) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Objective: The present study characterizes the volatile components (non-polar compounds) of A. maderaspatana and evaluates its acetylcholinesterase inhibition potential.

Materials and methods: The essential oils (yield 0.06% v/w) were obtained from fresh aerial part of A. maderaspatana. The characterization of volatile components (non-polar compounds) was performed by GC–MS data and with those of reference compounds compiled in the spectral library of in-house database. The in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition of the volatile organic constituents (VOC’s) of A. maderaspatana aerial part was evaluated in varying concentration ranges (0.70–44.75?µg/mL) with Ellman’s method.

Results: The major components were α-humulene (46.3%), β-caryophyllene (9.3%), α-copaene (8.2%), β-myrcene (4.3%), Z(E)-α-farnesene (3.7%), and calarene (3.5%). Chemical variability among other Artemisia spp. from different climatic regions of India and countries namely Iran and France was observed. The experimental results showed that diverse volatile organic constituents of A. maderaspatana have significant acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (an IC₅₀ value of 31.33?±?1.03?µg/mL). This is the first report on the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase properties of essential oil of A. maderaspatana obtained from fresh aerial part.

Conclusions: The present results indicate that essential oil of A. maderaspatana isolated from the northern region of India could inhibit AChE moderately. Therefore, the possibility of novel AChE inhibitors might exist in VOCs of this plant.     

Volatile composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Artemisia absinthium growing in Western Ghats region of North West Karnataka,India

Abstract

Context: Artemisia absinthium L. (Asteraceae) is an aromatic, herbaceous, perennial plant commonly known as wormwood. Artemisia absinthium is traditionally used as an anthelmintic, antiseptic, antispasmodic and for bacillary dysentery, cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective: The essential oil composition of the leaves of A. absinthium growing in the Western Ghats region of North West Karnataka, India, is investigated for the first time in this region and the oil was screened for antimicrobial properties.

Materials and methods: The chemical composition of the hydro-distilled essential oil obtained from the leaves of A. absinthium was analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. The oil was tested against five Gram positive and, eight Gram negative bacteria and three fungi by the tube-dilution method at a concentration range of 5000–9?µg/mL.

Results: Results demonstrated that the leave oil was found to be rich in oxygenated monoterpenes (39.7% and 41.1%). The major compounds were borneol (18.7% and16.7%), methyl hinokiate (11.9% and 12.9%), isobornyl acetate (4.0% and 4.7%), β-gurjunene (3.8% and 4.4%) and caryophyllene oxide (3.7% and 4.3%), among 64 identified compounds, comprising 91.7% and 90.1% of the total oil. The organism Micrococcus luteus was found more susceptible to the oil with an MIC value of 25?±?4?µg/mL, followed by Micrococcus flavus, Bacillus subtilis, Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus fumigatus with MIC values of 58?±?8, 65?±?8, 84?±?15 and 91?±?13?µg/mL, respectively.

Discussion and conclusion: The oil showing antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi validate the traditional use of the plant as an antiseptic.     

Identification and comparison of the volatile constituents of fresh and dried leaves of Spondias mombin found in North-central Nigeria: in vitro evaluation of their cytotoxic and antioxidant activities

Context: Various studies have shown that the leaf extracts of Spondias mombin Linn (Anacardiaceae) possess pharmacological properties such as antioxidant and antiviral effects. However, no biological activity from its essential oil has been reported in literature.

Objective: To analyse the chemical constituents, cytotoxic activity and antioxidant capability of the essential oils from fresh and dried leaves of S. mombin.

Materials and methods: Hydrodistillation using Clevenger-type apparatus was employed to obtain the essential oil. Oil analysis was performed using an HP 6890 Gas Chromatograph coupled with an HP 5973 Mass Selective Detector. The cytotoxicity bioassay was carried out using the brine shrimp lethality test (10,000–0.01?μg/mL). Additionally, the reactive oxygen species scavenging potential of the two S. mombin oils (1000–200?μg/mL) were investigated using a hydroxyl radical scavenging and ferric iron reducing system.

Results: Chemical analysis of essential oils from S. mombin revealed the presence of 41 compounds, with predominance of monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids and non-terpenoids derivatives. In both fractions, the principal component was β-caryophellene (27.9–30.9%), followed by γ-cadinene (9.7–12.3%). There was an increase in the oxygenated monoterpenoid contents and a concomitant decrease in the amounts of sesquiterpenoids hydrocarbons observed on drying the leaves. The oil obtained from the fresh leaves was more active than that obtained from dried leaves, with LC₅₀ values (from the brine shrimp lethality assay) of 0.01 and 4.78?μg/mL, respectively. The two oils (from fresh and dried leaves) at 1.0?mg/mL scavenged hydroxyl radical by 83% and 99.8%, respectively. Moreover, they reduced ferric ion significantly and compared favourably with vitamin C.

Conclusions: Essential oil derived from the leaves of S. mombin could hold promise for future application in the treatment of cancer-related diseases.     

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oils from flower,leaf and stem of Ferula cupularis growing wild in Iran

Abstract

Context: Ferula cupularis (Boiss.) Spalik et S. R. Downie (Apiaceae) is a common plant in Iran that grows in the foothills of Dena Mountain. In traditional folk medicine, this plant has different applications, but there are no studies proving their uses.

Objective: This study is the first attempt to investigate the chemical composition and antibacterial effect of the essential oils of F. cupularis.

Materials and methods: The essential oils from flower, leaf, and stem of F. cupularis were analyzed by using GC and GC-MS. Antibacterial activity of essential oils was determined by microdilution method against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Results: The essential oil from flower of F. cupularis contained 15 monoterpene, 13 oxygenated monoterpene, and 2 sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The leaf essential oil contained 12 monoterpene, 13 oxygenated monoterpene, 2 sesquiterpene, 6 oxygenated sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, and 3 non-terpenoid components. Stem essential oil contained one monoterpene, 23 oxygenated monoterpene, 2 sesquiterpene, and 6 oxygenated sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The MIC value of stem essential oil was 2.85?mg/mL against both Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria except P. aeruginosa which was inhibited at 22.75?mg/mL. The MIC values of leaf and flower essential oils were higher than 5.69 and 22.75?mg/mL, respectively.

Discussion: This study highlighted the strong antibacterial effect of Ferula cupularis’s essential oil which might be due to its high content of oxygenated monoterpene hydrocarbons.

Conclusion: Our results suggested that this plant may be a good candidate for further biological and pharmacological investigations.     

GC–MS profiling of the phytochemical constituents of the oleoresin from Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. and a preliminary in vivo evaluation of its antipsoriatic effect

Copaiba is the oleoresin (OR) obtained from Copaifera (Fabaceae), a neotropical tree which grows in Amazon regions. The balsam, constituted by an essential oil and a resinous fraction is used as folkloristic remedy in the treatment of several inflammatory diseases and for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Aim of this work was (a) to carry out a characterization by GC–MS of the volatile and nonvolatile constituents of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. oleoresin (OR); (b) to investigate the mechanism of its anti-inflammatory activity; (c) to evaluate its antipsoriatic effect after oral intake/topical application. The volatile fraction (yield: 22.51%, w/w) shows: α-bergamotene (48.38%), α-himachalene (11.17%), β-selinene (5.00%) and β-caryophyllene (5.47%). The OR residue (77.49%, w/w), after derivatization, showed as main constituents the following compounds: copalic, abietic, daniellic, lambertinic, labd-7-en-15-oic, pimaric, isopimaric acids and kaur16-en18-oic acid.     

Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Centella asiatica. Growing in South Africa

ABSTRACT

In South Africa, Centella asiatica. (L.) Urb is used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases. Analyses of the essential oil of this medicinal plant revealed 11 monoterpenoid hydrocarbons (20.20%), nine oxygenated monoterpenoids (5.46%), 14 sesquiterpenoid hydrocarbons (68.80%), five oxygenated sesquiterpenoids (3.90%), and one sulfide sesquiterpenoid (0.76%). α.-Humulene (21.06%), β.-caryophyllene (19.08%), bicyclogermacrene (11.22%), germacrene B (6.29%), and myrcene (6.55%) were the predominant constitutes. The essential oil extract exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activities against Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus.) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella sonnei.) organisms.     

Genotoxic effects of Campomanesia xanthocarpa extracts on Allium cepa vegetal system

Abstract

Context. Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg. (Myrtaceae), popularly known in Brazil as guabiroba, is a plant used as antidiarrheic, anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic agents, and in stomach and hepatic disorders.

Objective: The antiproliferative and genotoxic effects of aqueous extracts and essential oil of C. xanthocarpa were evaluated.

Materials and methods: Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the aqueous extracts (6 and 30?mg/mL) and essential oil (0.25%, v/v) obtained from leaves of C. xanthocarpa were evaluated using the Allium cepa L. (Amaryllidaceae) assay. Mitotic index was calculated as the percentage of dividing cells of total cells observed; chromosome abnormalities were observed and counted during cell division. Additionally, the composition of the essential oil and the quantification of the main compounds of the extracts were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector, respectively.

Results and discussion: Aqueous extracts (6 and 30?mg/mL) led to a reduction of 67.7% and 34.1% of the mitotic index, respectively, whereas the treatment with essential oil caused a 48.2% reduction in the mitotic index, when compared with negative control. Chromosomal mutations were observed and included anaphase bridges, delay chromosome, break chromosome, as well as metaphase with disorganized chromosomal and binuclear cells. The main compounds of the essential oil were β-caryophyllene (8.87%), viridiflorol (6.40%), spathulenol (5.16%), δ-cadinene (4.92%), linalool (4.46%) and α-cadinol (4.25%). Gallic acid (3.19%), chlorogenic acid (1.04%), quercetin (2.97%) and rutin (4.82%) were identified in an aqueous extract (30?mg/mL).

Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that genotoxic and antiproliferative activities are present in C. xanthocarpa infusions using the in vivo onion root-tip cell test.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of essential oils from Syzygium cumini and Psidium guajava

Abstract

Context: Despite the many biological activities reported for essential oils, their anti-inflammatory ability is relatively underexplored considering the wide variation in plant sources and in their volatile composition. Oils from Syzygium cumini Skells (SC) and Psidium guajava L. (PG) (Myrtaceae) have been described as having diverse pharmacological activities.

Objective: The current study seeks to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oils from the leaves of SC and PG, as well as some of their terpene-enriched fractions (+V?=?more volatile and ?V?=?less volatile) obtained by vacuum distillation. Both the pharmacological responses and chemical compositions were correlated.

Materials and methods: The relative contents of the oils and their fractions were evaluated by gas chromatography. Individual constituents in the oils were characterized by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Anti-inflammatory activity was accessed in the lipopolysaccharide-induced pleurisy model, by measuring the inhibition of total leukocyte, neutrophil and eosinophil migration in the mice pleural lavage, after oil treatment with the oils at 100?mg/kg.

Results: Eosinophil migration was inhibited by SC (67%), SC (+V) (63%), PG (76%), PG (+V) (67%) and PG (?V) (74%). This efficacy was correlated with the presence of β-pinene and β-caryophyllene in the oils, a result that was reinforced by evaluating both these pure components (38 and 50% inhibition, respectively). Synergistic effects associated with the presence of α-pinene were speculated.

Discussion and conclusion: Essential oils from SC and PG may be useful to treat inflammatory diseases by mechanisms that include the inhibition of eosinophil migration.     

Fatty acid composition and anticancer activity in colon carcinoma cell lines of Prunus dulcis seed oil

Context: Almond oil is used in traditional and complementary therapies for its numerous health benefits due to high unsaturated fatty acids content.

Objectives: This study investigated the composition and in vitro anticancer activity of almond oil from Northern Cyprus and compared with almond oil from Turkey.

Materials and methods: Almond oil from Northern Cyprus was obtained by supercritical CO₂ extraction and analyzed by GC-MS. Almond oil of Turkey was provided from Turkish pharmacies. Different concentrations of almond oils were incubated for 24 and 48?h with Colo-320 and Colo-741 cells. Cell growth and cytotoxicity were measured by MTT assays. Anticancer and antiprolifetarive activities of almond oils were investigated by immunocytochemistry using antibodies directed against to BMP-2, β-catenin, Ki-67, LGR-5 and Jagged 1.

Results: Oleic acid (77.8%; 75.3%), linoleic acid (13.5%; 15.8%), palmitic acid (7.4%; 6.3%), were determined as the major compounds of almond oil from Northern Cyprus and Turkey, respectively. In the MTT assay, both almond oils were found to be active against Colo-320 and Colo-741 cells with 1:1 dilution for both 24?h and 48?h. As a result of immunohistochemical staining, while both almond oils exhibited significant antiproliferative and anticancer activity, these activities were more similar in Colo-320 cells which were treated with Northern Cyprus almond oil.

Discussion and conclusion: Almond oil from Northern Cyprus and Turkey may have anticancer and antiproliferative effects on colon cancer cells through molecular signalling pathways and, thus, they could be potential novel therapeutic agents.     

Chemical composition,antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of essential oils of Tanacetum parthenium in different developmental stages

Context: Tanacetum parthenium Schultz Bip. (Asteraceae) is an aromatic perennial plant, widely distributed in the northern hemisphere. This species traditionally has been used in insecticides, cosmetics, balsams, dyes, medicines and preservatives.

Material and methods: The essential oil of T. parthenium was obtained by hydrodistillation in three developmental stages and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antibacterial activity of the oils was investigated against four Gram-positive and four Gram-negative bacteria. The oil was tested for cytotoxicity against THP-1 cells using the Trypan blue assay.

Results: Twenty-nine components were identified in the essential oil; the highest amount was extracted at the flowering stage. The main component, in the flowering stage, was camphor (18.94%) and other major components were bornyl acetate (18.35%), camphene (13.74%), bornyl isovalerate (3.15%), borneol (10.93%), juniper camphor (6.23%) and β-eudesmol (2.65%). Minimum inhibitory concentration of essential oil was evaluated from 4 µL mL^?1 against Staphylococcus subtilis to 38 µL mL^?1 against Entrobacter aerogenes. Toxicity assay showed that the oil has no significant toxicity at 5–15% v/v concentrations on THP-1 cells.

Discussion and conclusion: This study demonstrates the occurrence of camphor/bornyl acetate chemotype of T. parthenium in western regions of Iran. The finding showed also the studied oils have relatively good antibacterial activity without significant toxicity, thus have great potentiality to be used as natural health product.     

Major selected monoterpenes α-pinene and 1,8-cineole found in Salvia lavandulifolia (Spanish sage) essential oil as regulators of cellular redox balance

Abstract

Context: Salvia lavandulifolia has been employed in folk medicine for the treatment of memory and dementia problems. This specie contains numerous bioactive terpenes which may contribute to its effectiveness.

Objective: To analyze the composition of essential oil of S. lavandulifolia and to investigate the potential in vitro cytoprotective and antioxidant activities of its major compounds, α-pinene and 1,8-cineole, against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in the U373-MG cell line.

Materials and methods: Chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography; antioxidant capacity was measured using the ORAC assay, and cytoprotective activity was evaluated using the MTT assay (for cell viability) (range of concentrations: 10–400?μM), DCFH-DA assay (for intracellular ROS generation), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) method (for lipid peroxidation), and spectrofometric techniques and Western blot (for enzymatic activity and protein expression, respectively) at 10 and 25?µM.

Results: α-Pinene (18.39%) and 1,8-cineole (19.57%) were identified as major compounds in S. lavandulifolia essential oil. Pretreatments with these monoterpenes protected U373-MG cells against H₂O₂-induced oxidative injury by attenuating the loss of cell viability (IC₅₀ : 79.70?µM to α-pinene and 66.23?µM to 1,8-cineole) and cell morphology, inhibiting ROS production (the most active compound was 1,8-cineole by decreasing the ROS production over 30–45% at 10 and 25?μM) and lipid peroxidation and increasing the endogenous antioxidant status (glutathione levels and CAT, SOD, GR, GPx, and HO-1 activity and protein expression).

Conclusions: These findings demonstrate for the first time the effects of the monoterpenes 1,8-cineole and α-pinene identified in S. lavandulifolia essential oil as regulators of cellular redox balance in astrocytes.     

Chemical composition and analgesic activity of Senecio rufinervis essential oil

Context: Senecio rufinervis D.C (Asteraceae) is a tall aromatic herb, commonly found in Uttarakhand, India. No investigations on the biological activity of this plant have been published so far. Hence, this plant species became a subject of our scientific interest.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the chemical composition and analgesic activity of Senecio rufinervis essential oil in mice using both thermal and chemical models of pain.

Materials and methods: Essential oil from dried leaves of Senecio rufinervis was extracted by steam distillation and then subjected to GC-MS analysis. Varying doses of essential oil were given to mice, 30?min prior to the induction of abdominal constrictions and determination of mean reaction time in hot-plate maintained at 55° ± 0.5°C.

Results: The main component detected in the essential oil of Senecio rufinervis was germacrene D (40.19%) followed by β-pinene (12.23%), β-caryophyllene (6.21%) and β-longipinene (4.15%). Essential oil exhibited significant and dose-dependent analgesic activity against acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. The percentage inhibition in number of writhes produced by 25, 50 and 75?mg/kg doses was, respectively, 69, 80 and 85%. The oil, at doses 50 and 75?mg/kg, significantly increased the mean latency in the hot-plate after 15 and 30?min of drug administration as compared to the control group.

Discussion and conclusion: The results depicted both central and peripheral analgesic activity of S. rufinervis essential oil which was attributed to the presence of terpenes.     

Transdermal absorption enhancing effect of the essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis on percutaneous absorption of Na diclofenac from topical gel

Abstract

Context: Rosemary essential oil has been used topically for several purposes (analgesic, anti acne, and anti-inflammatory) in Iranian traditional medicine.

Objectives: This investigation aimed to study the effect of essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) on the transdermal absorption of Na diclofenac from topical gel.

Material and methods: Diclofenac sodium topical gel was prepared with HPMC K4M and Carbopol 934P as a gelling agent, and several vehicles. The most stable gel was chosen and enhancing effects of the essential oil with different concentrations (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% w/w) on the permeation of diclofenac were evaluated. The anti-nociceptive effect of preparations was evaluated based on the formalin and tail flick tests in mice.

Results: The major constituents of the essential oil were 1,8-cineol (15.96%), α-pinene (13.38%), camphor (7.87%), bornyl acetate (6.54%), verbenone (5.82%), borneol (5.23%), camphene (4.96%), and (E)-caryophyllene (3.8%). Topical diclofenac containing 0.5% essential oil showed more analgesic effect after 25, 30, and 35?min (p?<?0.001) than the reference drug in the tail flick test. The analgesic effect of preparation containing 1% essential oil was more than reference gel after 15?min (p?<?0.05). This difference was observed after 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40?min (p?<?0.001) too. Rosemary essential oil 1% promoted analgesic effect of drug in comparison with diclofenac gel in the formalin early phase (p?<?0.05). The enhancing effect of rosemary was observed in 0.5 and 1% concentration (p?<?0.05 and p?<?0.001, respectively) in the late phase.

Conclusion: This study proved the enhancing effect of 0.5 and 1% of rosemary essential oil on diclofenac percutaneous absorption.