Dill seed oil as a possible contraceptive agent: antiangiogenic effects on endothelial cells

Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) essential oil is wide spread in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. Dill is a member of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family. It has the following biological activities: antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antihyperlipidemic, antihypercholesterolemic, antispasmodic, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory. Aqueous extract of dill seed has reported effects on sex hormones and infertility potential. Moreover, boiled dill seed has an impact on reducing labor duration in giving birth. Implantation and placentation are necessary for a healthy pregnancy in the early stages. Angiogenesis is responsible for these essential processes. This study aimed to investigate dill seed oil’s cytotoxic and antiangiogenic effects on rat adipose tissue endothelial cells (RATECs). Dill seed oil showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity on RATECs. It disrupted endothelial tube formation and depolymerized F-actin stress fibers. According to this study, depolymerization of F-actin stress fiber by dill seed oil could inhibit angiogenesis by suppressing endothelial cell proliferation, tube formation and motility. In other words, dill seed oil can be a new anti-angiogenic agent and a novel contraceptive

In vitro antiviral evaluations of coldmix(R): An essential oil blend against SARS-CoV-2

Coldmix® is a commercially available Eucalyptus aetheroleum and, Abies aetheroleum blend for medicinal applications. In this present study, the in vitro antiviral potential of Coldmix®, and its major constituents 1,8-cineole and α-pinene were evaluated by using the in vitro ACE2 enzyme inhibition assay as well as the direct contact test against SARS-CoV-2. The observed ACE2 enzyme inhibitory activity of Coldmix®, 1,8-cineole, and α-pinene were 72%, 88%, and 80%, respectively; whereas in the direct contact test in the vapor phase, the destruction of the virus was 79.9% within 5 min and 93.2% in the 30th min, respectively. In a similar Coldmix® vapor phase setup using the in vitro cytotoxicity cell assay, E6 VERO healthy cells were experimentally not affected by toxicity. According to the promising initial antiviral results of Coldmix® and the individually tested constituents, detailed further in vivo evaluation using different virus classes is suggested

Pollen morphology of Thalictrum L., species (Ranunculaceae) in Turkey

In this study, the pollen morphology of 11 taxa of the Thalictrum L. (Ranunculaccae) viz., T. orientale Boiss., T aquilegifolium L., T sultanabadense Stapf.,T foetidum L., T. isophyroides C.A.Mey., T.minus L., var. minus Boiss., T.minus var. majus (Crantz) Crepin, T minus L. var. microphyllum Boiss., T.lucidum L., T.flavum L. and T. simplex L., from Turkey was investigated with light microscope and scanning electron microscope. LM observations reveal that pollen grains of the taxa are periporate with operculum, spheroidal, ornamentation microechinate. The numbers of pores are between 6 and 17. This palynological investigation is the first one which has been done on Thalictrum L., distributed in Turkey

Chemical investigations on some Hypericum species growing in Turkey-I

The chemical composition of five taxa of the genus Hypericum L obtained from herbarium specimens has been investigated. Namely, R adenotrichum Spach (endemic), H. calycinum L., H. cerastoides (Spach) Robson, 11 montbretii Spach, and H. perforatum L. were subjected to microdistillation to isolate the volatile compounds, which were analyzed by GC/MS