Variation in Essential Oil Content and Composition (Pimpinella anisum L.)

The essential oils were isolated from dried Pimpinella anisum L. seeds by Cleavenger aperture extraction, and fractions were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). 51 components were detected in aniseed. The components were mainly 19 sesquiterpenes (37.25 % ), ten monoterpene (19.60%) , tow diterpene (3.92%) and one hemiterpene (1.96 %). The major components identified in the essential oil of Pimpinella anisum was trans-Anethole or Anisole (71.52 %) , benzocycloheptene (6.59 %),and Isoeugenyl acetate ( 4.63 %). In addition  44 components were present at less than 1%. Keywords: Pimpinella anisum, anise, essential oils, trans-Anethole, GC-MS

Identification of a predominant isolate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using molecular and clinical epidemiology tools and in vitro cytokine responses

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) surveillance programs in Canada have established that TB in Canada is becoming a disease of geographically and demographically distinct groups. In 1995, treaty status aboriginals from the province of Manitoba accounted for 46% of the disease burden of this sub-group in Canada. The TB incidence rates are dramatically high in certain reserves of Manitoba and are equivalent to rates in African countries. The objective of our study was to identify prevalent isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the patient population of Manitoba using molecular epidemiology tools, studying the patient demographics associated with the prevalent strain and studying the in vitro cytokine profiles post-infection with the predominant strain. METHODS: Molecular typing was performed on all isolates available between 1992 to1997. A clinical database was generated using patient information from Manitoba. THP-1 cells were infected using strains of M. tuberculosis and cytokine profiles were determined using immunoassays for cytokines IL-1β, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF-α. RESULTS: In Manitoba, 24% of the disease burden is due to a particular M. tuberculosis strain (Type1). The strain is common in patients of aboriginal decent and is responsible for at least 87% of these cases. Cytokine assays indicate that the Type1 strain induces comparatively lower titers of IL-1β, IFN-γ and TNF-α in infected THP-1 cells as compared to H37Ra and H37Rv strains. CONCLUSION: In Manitoba, Type1 strain is predominant in TB patients. The majority of the cases infected with this particular strain are newly active with a high incidence of respiratory disease, positive chest radiographs and pulmonary cavities. In vitro secretion of IL-1β, IFN-γ and TNF-α is suppressed in Type1 infected culture samples when compared to H37Ra and H37Rv infected cells

Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used in Palestine (Northern West Bank): A comparative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A comparative food ethnobotanical study was carried out in fifteen local communities distributed in five districts in the Palestinian Authority, PA (northern West Bank), six of which were located in Nablus, two in Jenin, two in Salfit, three in Qalqilia, and two in Tulkarm. These are among the areas in the PA whose rural inhabitants primarily subsisted on agriculture and therefore still preserve the traditional knowledge on wild edible plants.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data on the use of wild edible plants were collected for one-year period, through informed consent semi-structured interviews with 190 local informants. A semi-quantitative approach was used to document use diversity, and relative importance of each species.</p> <p>Results and discussion</p> <p>The study recorded 100 wild edible plant species, seventy six of which were mentioned by three informants and above and were distributed across 70 genera and 26 families. The most significant species include <it>Majorana syriaca, Foeniculum vulgare, Malvasylvestris</it>, <it>Salvia fruticosa, Cyclamen persicum, Micromeria fruticosa, Arum palaestinum, Trigonella foenum-graecum</it>, <it>Gundelia tournefortii</it>, and <it>Matricaria aurea</it>. All the ten species with the highest mean cultural importance values (mCI), were cited in all five areas. Moreover, most were important in every region. A common cultural background may explain these similarities. One taxon (<it>Majoranasyriaca</it>) in particular was found to be among the most quoted species in almost all areas surveyed. CI values, as a measure of traditional botanical knowledge, for edible species in relatively remote and isolated areas (Qalqilia, and Salfit) were generally higher than for the same species in other areas. This can be attributed to the fact that local knowledge of wild edible plants and plant gathering are more spread in remote or isolated areas.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Gathering, processing and consuming wild edible plants are still practiced in all the studied Palestinian areas. About 26 % (26/100) of the recorded wild botanicals including the most quoted and with highest mCI values, are currently gathered and utilized in all the areas, demonstrating that there are ethnobotanical contact points among the various Palestinian regions. The habit of using wild edible plants is still alive in the PA, but is disappearing. Therefore, the recording, preserving, and infusing of this knowledge to future generations is pressing and fundamental.</p

The Protective Effects of Syzygium aromaticum Essential Oil Extract against Methotrexate Induced Hepatic and Renal Toxicity in Rats

The essential oils were isolated from dried Syzygium aromaticum L. seeds by Cleavenger aperture extraction, and fractions were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). 53 components were detected in Syzygium aromaticum. The components were mainly 21 sesquiterpenes (39.62 %), eight monoterpenes (15.09%), onediterpene (1.88%). The leading components specific in the essential oil was eugenol (64.74 %), caryophyllene (14.36 %), 3-Allyl-6-methoxyphenyl acetate (13.28 %) and 1,4,7, Cycloundecatriene, 1,5,9,9-tetramethy (2.55 %). Biochemically, Results found that the rats treated with (MTX) revealed a significant increase in AST, ALT and ALP levels in compare with controls. Clove essential oil recorded a significant decrease in AST, while, there was a decrease in all enzymes levels in serum of rats related to (MTX) and clove essential oil groups in comparison with control group. The results showed that the administration of clove essential oil significantly decreased elevate levels of ALT, AST and ALP. On the other hand, Histological examination of liver sections of rats treated with (MTX) showed several changes included infiltration of inflammatory cells, congestion, hyperplasia, cytoplasmic vacuolation, degeneration and necrosis. The results showed a normal liver structure in rats that treated with (MTX) and clove essential oil. Rats treated to (MTX) showed sever histopathological changes in the kidney tissues such as necrosis, hemorrhage, degeneration and inflammatory cells. While, in rats treated with (MTX) and essential clove oil a few changes in the kidney tissues were observed