Phytochemical and antioxidant analysis of eight Hypericum taxa from Central Italy

Eight taxa of the Hypericum spp. growing in Central Italy (Appennino Umbro-Marchigiano) were analyzed by HPLC-DAD for constituents quantitation, for antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. H. perforatum subsp. veronense was the richest in phenolic compounds and hyperforin was detected for the first time in H. hircinum subsp. majus. Significant values of antioxidant activity were found in the investigated Hypericum taxa.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Chamaecyparis obtusa leaf essential oil

The essential oil obtained from the leaves of Chamaecyparis obtusa was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. alpha-Terpinyl acetate, sabinene, isobornyl acetate and limonene were found to be the major components. The oil showed relatively strong antibacterial activities against Gram (+) bacteria and some fungi.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oil from the rhizomes of Amomum cannicarpum

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of the rhizomes of Amomum cannicarpum was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Thirty-four compounds were identified, of which the major components were beta-terpineol (13.4%), beta-pinene (9.4%) and alpha-pinene (6.9%). The essential oil showed significant antimicrobial activity.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Momordica charantia seed essential oil

The essential oil obtained from the seeds of Momordica charantia was analyzed by GC/MS. Twenty-five components, representing 90.9% of the oil, were identified. The main constituents were trans-nerolidol, apiole, cis-dihydrocarveol and germacrene D. Furthermore, the oil was tested for its antibacterial and antifungal activities. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be the most sensitive microorganism with MIC values <500 microg/ml.     

Antibacterial activity of Leonurus sibiricus aerial parts

Different solvent extracts (carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, acetone and methanol) of Leonurus sibiricus were studied for their antibacterial activity. Carbon tetrachloride and chloroform extracts showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.     

Anti-ulcerogenic activity of the aerial parts of Lithraea molleoides

The hydro-alcoholic extract of the aerial parts of Lithraea molleoides, given orally at a dose of 1000 mg/kg, showed significant anti-ulcerogenic activity on ulcer induced by indomethacin and absolute alcohol in rats.     

Screening of antioxidant activity of three Euphorbia species from Turkey

Euphorbia acanthothamnos, E. macroclada and E. rigida were investigated for their antioxidant activity. The antioxidant potential of extracts of E. acanthothamnos, E. macroclada and E. rigida was evaluated using different complementary antioxidant tests.     

Contribution of methylated exudate flavonoids to the anti-inflammatory activity of Grindelia robusta

The flavonoid pattern of an acetonic extract of Grindelia robusta Nutt. was investigated in detail. The flavonoids were enriched by CC. In addition to twelve known methylated exudate flavonols four compounds were identified for the first time in G. robusta. Several substances of the flavonoid complex, among them the main compounds quercetin-3-methylether and 6-OH-kaempferol-3,6-dimethylether, were tested for their activity to inhibit neutrophil elastase. Quercetin-3-methylether was shown to be most active with an IC₅₀ of 19 µM, thus obviously contributing to the anti-inflammatory activity of the drug.     

Screening of Costus speciosus extracts for antioxidant activity

Different parts of Costus speciosus were investigated for their polyphenol content and antioxidant activity.     

Essential oil composition and antimicrobial activity of Oliveria decumbens

The essential oil of Oliveria decumbens was investigated for its components and antimicrobial activity against six bacteria and two fungal strains. The essential oil was characterized by a high amount of oxygenated monoterpene components of which thymol (47.06%) and carvacrol (23.31%) were the major components. The oil exhibited high antimicrobial activity against all tested Gram+ and Gram- bacteria and fungal strains.     

Composition and antifungal activity of the essential oil of Seseli annuum wild-growing in Serbia

The essential oil from the aerial parts of Seseli annuum, wild-growing in Serbia, was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed using GC and GC/MS. A total of 43 components were identified representing 96.5% of S. annuum oil. The most abundant compounds were germacrene D (29.8%), sabinene (10.3%), beta-ocimene Z (9.8%) and limonene (8.6%). The essential oil showed antifungal activity against fifteen fungi with MICs between 12.5 to 50 microl/ml.     

Scavenging effect and antispasmodic activity of the essential oil of Cyclotrichium niveum

The radical scavenging and the spasmolitic activity of Cyclotrichium niveum essential oil were evaluated in vitro. It showed an IC(50) of 1750 microg/ml on DPPH method and dose dependently (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml) inhibits the contraction induced by carbachol on rabbit bladder from 15 to 100%. Moreover, it was able to inhibit the rat ileum muscle by 30 to 100%.     

Phenolic constituents and the in vitro antioxidant activity of the flowers of Hypericum venustum

The phenolic constituents and antioxidant activity of ethanol and water extract of the flowers of Hypericum venustum, collected in Turkey, were investigated. The extracts possess strong reducing power, free radicals and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, as well as metal chelating ability.     

Antibacterial activity of the essential oil from Ferula gummosa seed

Antibacterial activity of Ferula gummosa essential oil was studied against bacterial laboratory ATCC standards using the disk diffusion method. The results showed activity against Gram(+) bacteria and Escherichia coli. Little antibacterial activity was found against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Chemical composition and pharmacological activity of essential oil of Canarium schweinfurthii

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of the resin of Canarium schweinfurthii growing in Central African Republic, was analysed by GC and GC/MS and its analgesic and antiinflammatory effects were studied. The major constituents of the essential oil were octylacetate (60%) and nerolidol (14%). At the doses of 1, 2 and 3 ml/kg i.p. essential oil shows a significant analgesic effect using acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate methods. However, its was unable to reduce inflammatory process in cotton pellet induced granuloma method.     

Antimicrobial activity of extractives of Solidago microglossa

The antimicrobial activity of the methanol extract from Solidago microglossa roots, essential oil from its aerial part and some isolated compounds was investigated. The oil exhibited concentration-dependent activity against all the tested bacteria and yeasts.     

Structure and antioxidant activity of polysaccharide POJ-U1a extracted by ultrasound from Ophiopogon japonicus

An ultrasonic technique was employed to extract polysaccharides from Ophiopogon japonicus. The ultrasonic extracted polysaccharides (POJ-U) were purified, and POJ-U1a (a homogeneous fraction) was obtained. The structural characteristics of POJ-U1a were investigated by infrared spectra, gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, methylation analysis, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results indicated that the relative molecular weight of POJ-U1a was 4.02 × 10³ Da. POJ-U1a was an α-configuration polysaccharide with a highly branched structure, and consisted of pyranoside and funanside. The backbone of POJ-U1a consisted of 1,6-α-d-glucopyranose and 1,3,6-α-d-glucofuranose in the molar ratio of 7:3, while the branched chains were mainly composed of 1,3-α-d-glucopyranose and 1-α-d-glucopyranose in the molar ratio of 1:3. The branched structure of POJ-U1a was proved intuitively by AFM. Significant antioxidant activity of POJ-U1a has been proved as shown by its DPPH radical scavenging, hydrogen radical scavenging and superoxide anion scavenging activities, which indicated that POJ-U1a showed strong antioxidant activity.     

In-vitro pediculicidal activity of Hedychium spicatum essential oil

The essential oil extracted from rhizomes of Hedychium spicatum was evaluated for in-vitro pediculicidal activity. At 5%, 2% and 1% concentration the essential oil showed more significant activity than 1% permethrin based product.     

Acute toxicity and diuretic studies of Rungia repens aerial parts in rats

Ethanolic extract of Rungia repens aerials parts (300 and 600 mg/kg p.o) showed diuretic activity in rats. The acute toxicity, orally evaluated in mice, was found to be higher than 3000 mg/kg.     

Essential oil of Lindera neesiana fruit: Chemical analysis and its potential use in topical applications

The composition of the essential oil of Lindera neesiana Kurz fruit was examined by GC-MS, ¹H, ¹³C and bidimensional NMR techniques (HMQC, HMBC, COSY, TOCSY). Forty compounds were identified, representing approximately 86% of the oil: Z-citral (15.08%), E-citral (11.89%), eucalyptol (8.75%), citronellal (6.72%), α-pinene (6.63%) and β-pinene (5.61%) were the major components. The essential oil of L. neesiana fruit showed significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans at non-cytotoxic doses in human keratinocytes, suggesting possible topical applications.