Chemical and biological study of natural substances active on the central nervous system

2016 - 2017The research project "Chemical and biological study of natural substances active on the Central Nervous System" has been focused on the possible effects of essential oils, their main constituents (in particular monoterpenes), plant extracts and/or their fractions and/or their constituents on the expression of some proteins involved in the adenylate cyclase 1 pathway, on cell electrophysiology and their potential effect on in vivo models. Eight species were selected including three aromatic plants (Lavandula angustifolia, Coriandrum sativum, Laurus nobilis); two Citrus medica cultivars (cv 'liscia' and cv 'rugosa'); two species of Ipomea genus known because also Ipomea violacea, a famous 'smart drugs', belongs to this genus; and Hypericum hircinum belonging to the same genus of Hypericum perforatum known for its antidepressive properties. Essential oils have been obtained from the aerial parts of L. angustifolia and L. nobilis, from C. sativum fruits and from the two cultivars of C. medica flavedo, while from the aerial parts of the two Ipomea species and H. hircinum we obtained different extracts by using solvents with increasing polarity. We analyzed the chemical composition of essential oils and the extracts by GC-MS for the first one, and by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), adsorption chromatography and HPLC for the second one. With this procedure it was possible to identify the main constituents of essential oils and the fractions with a chemical profile of interest. Subsequently, were performed several in vitro and in vivo assays following a bioassay guided fractionation. We evaluated the cytotoxicity of the substances on human neuroblastoma cells (SHSY5Y) in order to determine the most appropriate concentrations to treat the cells to study the effect on adenylate cyclase 1, protein kinase A, pERK and ERK protein expression. In collaboration with the University of Genoa, we evaluated the possible effects on cellular electrophysiology of L. angustifolia essential oil, its main constituent and of H. hircinum methanolic extract. Finally, in the period of research carried out at the Department of Psychobiology of the University of Valencia in Spain, we evaluated the effects of the essential oil of L. angustifolia and of the linalool on stress and social interactions with different experimental procedures in vivo. [edited by author]XVI n.s

Il gruppo come risorsa per familiari di soggetti con disagio psichico nella Fondazione Internazionale Don Luigi di Liegro

Lo studio approfondisce la relazione tra associazioni di familiari e istituzioni mediante lo studio di caso di un gruppo di familiari di disabili psichici, all’interno di un’organizzazione No Profit romana, in una fase di ripensamento della loro funzione. Ci si propone di rilevare aspetti della cultura locale, esplorando le dinamiche simbolico-emozionali del gruppo tramite l’analisi dei testi prodotti nei diversi incontri, con lo scopo di individuare nuove possibili funzioni del gruppo in questo contesto. I risultati mostrano un processo di sviluppo delle rappresentazioni del malato mentale e nella definizione di una domanda ai servizi di salute mentale, in relazione al cambiamento culturale organizzativo.This study aims at investigating the relationship between family associations, Mental Health Services and Non-Profit Organizations. Specifically, we present a case study of a group of relatives of persons with psychological disorders, in a Non-Profit organization in Rome. The research has the purpose to detect some components of the local culture, based on the exploration of the emotional symbolic dynamics during the group meetings, entirely recorded, processed through a text analysis, in order to identify and develop a new function of the group in this context. Findings from the data suggest a possible change in this group of family members- that concerns their representation of their relatives with psychological disorders and their demand to the institutions- and a relation with the cultural change of the Organization

Characterization and Phytotoxicity Assessment of Essential Oils from Plant Byproducts

The present work describes the chemical characterization and the phytotoxicity assessment of essential oils (EOs) obtained from spent materials or pruning waste of four plant species: Zingiber officinale Roscoe used in the juicing industry, Pistacia vera L. var. Bronte used in the food industry, discarded material of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L. var. Futura 75), and pruning waste from Cupressus sempervirens L. The phytochemical profile of the EOs was evaluated by gas chromatographic flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and GC-MS analyses, which highlighted the presence of several compounds with a wide range of biological activities. Among them, application possibilities in agriculture were evaluated by studying the phytotoxic activity in vitro against germination and initial radical growth of several seeds such as Raphanus sativus L., Lepidium sativum L., Lactuca sativa L., Solanum lycopersicum L., Lolium multiflorum Lam., and Portulaca oleracea L

Health and Well-Being in Surviving Congenital Heart Disease Patients: An Umbrella Review With Synthesis of Best Evidence

BACKGROUND: Advances in the management of congenital heart disease (CHD) patients have enabled improvement in long-term survival even for those with serious defects. Research priorities (for patients, families and clinicians) have shifted from a focus on how to improve survival to exploring long-term outcomes in patients with CHD. A comprehensive appraisal of available evidence could inform best practice to maximize health and well-being, and identify research gaps to direct further research toward patient and clinical need. We aimed to critically appraise all available published systematic reviews of health and well-being outcomes in adult patients with CHD. METHODS: We conducted an umbrella review, including any systematic reviews that assessed the association of having vs. not having CHD with any long-term health (physical or mental), social (e.g., education, occupation) or well-being [e.g., quality of life (QoL)] outcome in adulthood (≥18-years). RESULTS: Out of 1330 articles screened, we identified five systematic reviews of associations of CHD with adult outcomes. All but one (which studied QoL) explored health outcomes: one cardiovascular, two mental, and one mortality after transplant. CHD patients had a higher risk of stroke, coronary heart disease and heart failure, with the pooled relative risk (RR) for any outcome of 3.12 (95% CI: 3.01 to 3.24), with substantial heterogeneity (I(2) = 99%) explained by the outcome being studied (stronger association for heart failure) and geography (stronger in Europe compared with other regions). CHD patients had a higher risk of anxiety (OR = 2.58 (1.45 to 4.59)], and higher mean scores for depression/anxiety symptoms (difference in means = −0.11 SD (–0.28 to 0.06), I(2) = 94%)]. Compared with patients having a cardiac transplant for other (non-CHD) diseases, CHD patients had higher short-term mortality (RR at 30-days post-transplant = 2.18 [1.62 to 2.93)], with moderate heterogeneity (I(2) = 41%) explained by previous surgery (higher mortality with prior Fontan/Glenn operation). All domains of QoL were lower in patients with Fontan’s circulation than non-CHD adults. CONCLUSION: Adults with CHD have poorer cardiovascular, mental health and QoL outcomes, and higher short-term mortality after transplant. The paucity of systematic reviews, in particular for outcomes such as education, occupation and lifestyles, highlights the need for this to be made a priority by funders and researchers. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: [www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero], identifier [CRD42020175034]

Coriandrum sativum and Lavandula angustifolia essential oils: Chemical composition and activity on central nervous system

The aims of this study are to determine the chemical composition of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. and Coriandrum sativum L. essential oils, to evaluate their cytotoxic effects in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, to investigate whether an alteration of adenylate cyclase 1 (ADCY1) and of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) expression can take part in the molecular mechanisms of the essential oils, and to study their possible neuronal electrophysiological effects. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation, and studied by GC and GC-MS. In the oils from L. angustifolia and C. sativum, linalool was the main component (33.1% and 67.8%, respectively). SH-SY5Y cells were incubated with different concentrations of essential oils and of linalool. Cell viability and effects on ADCY1 and ERK expression were analyzed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide MTT andWestern blotting, respectively. Variation in cellular electrophysiology was studied in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons with a multi-electrode array (MEA)-based approach. The essential oils and linalool revealed different cytotoxic activities. Linalool inhibited ADCY1 and ERK expression. Neuronal networks subjected to L. angustifolia and C. sativum essential oils showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of spontaneous electrical activity

A selective cellulose/hemicellulose green solvents extraction from buckwheat chaff

A two-phase extraction process was adopted to obtain cellulose and hemicellulose from buckwheat chaff by using green solvents. We are proposing a combination of propylene carbonate (PC) and ionic liquids (ILs) in a 1:5 ratio. We compared the first-generation ILs 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium chloride (BdmimCl), and 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium acetate (BmimAc) with respect to the tetrabutyl ammonium acetate (TBAAc). The cellulose and hemicellulose were, firstly, extracted into the PC/IL mixture and subsequently precipitated by water addition. All precipitate materials were analysed by FTIR-ATR and TGA, while the organic phase and the supernatant after water addition were analysed by using self-diffusion NMR. The PC green co-solvent was proven to be an exceptional candidate to replace dimethyl sulfoxide. The highest amount of precipitate material after water addition was obtained with PC-BmimAc, while PC-TBAAc was showing the highest cellulose/hemicellulose selectivity. Furthermore, a preferential interaction of the supernatant cellulose residue with PC or acetate was observed by self-diffusion NMR

Chemical Characterization and Antibiofilm Activities of Bulbs and Leaves of Two Aglione (Allium ampeloprasum var. holmense Asch. et Graebn.) Landraces Grown in Southern Italy

The present study was carried out to determine some biochemical characteristics, in particular the total polyphenol content and the free radical scavenging activity, of the extracts recovered from bulbs and aerial parts (these last often considered as by-products) of two landraces of A. ampeloprasum var. holmense cultivated in Southern Italy. For the first time, the capacity of the extracts of these landraces to inhibit the formation of biofilm of different Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and to affect the metabolism of the cells present within the bacterial biofilm was evaluated. All extracts exhibited an amount of total polyphenols not lower than 2.86 mg/g of dried product and revealed a noteworthy antioxidant activity, with EC50 values not exceeding 4.95 mg. In both cases, the aerial parts extracts were more effective than the bulb extracts, which also showed a minor amount of total polyphenols. The extracts inhibited mainly the adhesive capability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, by 95.78% and 85.01%, respectively. The extracts demonstrated to inhibit also the metabolism of the bacterial cells reaching levels up to 90%. Finally, as assessed by the assays performed on the 24-h preformed biofilms, all the extracts were also capable to cause a reduction in bacterial biomass and to affect their metabolis