Fatty acid composition of fl owers of Crepis foetida subsp. rhoeadifolia from Turkey

This study aims to describe the fatty acid composition of flowers of Crepis foetida subsp. rhoeadifolia. In order todefine qualitative and quantitative profile, fatty acids were derived to their methyl esters, and then these wereanalyzed by gas chromatography - flame ionization detector. 20 fatty acids were determined in the oil. Palmitic(C 16:0), myristic (C 14:0), and linoleic acids (18:2 ω6) were found to be major fatty acids. Total saturatedfatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were 62.67%, 17.54%, and19.79%, respectively. Also, total essential fatty acids (EFA) were determined ad 14.48%. Therefore, the oil canbe considered as a new source of PUFA, especially EFA

Assessment of apigenin-7-glucoside and luteolin-7-glucoside as multi-targeted agents against Alzheimer's disease: a molecular docking study

Although the incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasing in society, unfortunately, no definite progress has been made in treating this disease yet. In this study, the potential of apigenin-7-glucoside (A7G) and luteolin-7-glucoside (L7G) to be used as multi-targeted agents in AD was investigated by molecular docking calculations against the acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), amyloid precursor protein (APP) and 42-residue beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ). A7G and L7G exhibited very high binding affinity (-9.42 and -9.60 kcal/mol for A7G; -9.30 and -9.90 kcal/mol for L7G) to AChE and BChE, respectively, while the affinities of these two flavonoid glycosides towards APP and Aβ peptide (-6.10 and -6.0 kcal/mol for A7G; -6.30 and -6.10 kcal/mol for L7G) were moderately strong. Compared to rivastigmine, A7G and L7G exhibited a highly significant binding affinity, even stronger than rivastigmine, for AChE and BChE. Although A7G showed a more drug-like physicochemical character than L7G, both ligands were within the normal range for ADMET and did not show high affinity for cellular proteins, according to the results of SwissTarget analysis. According to the STITCH interaction analysis, both ligands had the potential to inhibit enzymes predominantly in the inflammatory pathway (ADIPOQ, NOS1, NOS2 and NOS3). As a result, A7G and L7G exhibit multi-targeted agent properties in AD. Our results should also be verified by experimental enzyme inhibition studies, which may be performed simultaneously on AChE, BChE, APP, and Aβ peptides

Phytochemistry and biological activity of Onosma rascheyana extracts (Boiss.)

In recent years, it has been determined that Onosma species exhibit interesting biological/pharmacological activities. The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition, antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of the methanol (MeOH), water and ethyl acetate extracts obtained from the aerials parts of Onosma rascheyana (Boiss.). The chemical compositions of the extracts were determined using spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods. Biological activities of the extracts were determined using antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory test systems. The MeOH extract was found to be rich in both phenolics and flavonoids (31.55 mg GAEs/g and 15.20 mg REs/g, respectively). The MeOH extract also contained higher amounts of 4-hydroxybenzoic and p-coumaric acids compared to other phytochemicals. The MeOH extract exhibited remarkable activity in all antioxidant test systems. However, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) radical cation (ABTS) scavenging assay resulted in superiority of water extract (88.90 mg TEs/g). The relative antioxidant capacity indices (RACI) of the extracts and the correlations between these values and antioxidant activities confirmed the high activity of the MeOH extract. In the α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity tests, the ethyl acetate extract showed high activity, while the tyrosinase inhibitory activity assay resulted in the superiority of the MeOH extract (59.72 mg KAEs/g). It was concluded that the extracts of O. rascheyana could be used as alternative agents in the food, cosmetic and medical industries due to their antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities

GC/MS Evaluation and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oil and Solvent Extracts of an Endemic Plant Used as Folk Remedy in Turkey: Phlomis bourgaei

This study was outlined to examine the chemical composition of hydrodistilled essential oil and in vitro antioxidant potentials of the essential oil and different solvent extracts of endemic Phlomis bourgaei Boiss. used as folk remedy in Turkey. The chemical composition of the oil was analyzed by GC and GC-MS, and the predominant components in the oil were found to be β-caryophyllene (37.37%), (Z)-β-farnesene (15.88%), and germacrene D (10.97%). Antioxidant potentials of the solvent extracts and the oil were determined by four testing systems including β-carotene/linoleic acid, DPPH, reducing power, and chelating effect. In β-carotene/linoleic acid assay, all extracts showed the inhibition of more than 50% at all concentrations. In DPPH, chelating effect, and reducing power test systems, the water extract with 88.68%, 77.45%, and 1.857 (absorbance at 700 nm), respectively, exhibited more excellent activity potential than other extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol) and the essential oil at 1.0 mg/mL concentration. The amount of the total phenolics and flavonoids was the highest in this extract (139.50 ± 3.98 μg gallic acid equivalents (GAEs)/mg extract and 22.71 ± 0.05 μg quercetin equivalents (QEs)/mg extract)

Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities of Ducrosia flabellifolia: A Combined Experimental and Computational Approaches

Ducrosia flabellifolia Boiss. is a rare desert plant known to be a promising source of bioactive compounds. In this paper, we report for the first time the phytochemical composition and biological activities of D. flabellifolia hydroalcoholic extract by using liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) technique. The results obtained showed the richness of the tested extract in phenols, tannins, and flavonoids. Twenty-three phytoconstituents were identified, represented mainly by chlorogenic acid, followed by ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and sinapic acid. The tested hydroalcoholic extract was able to inhibit the growth of all tested bacteria and yeast on agar Petri dishes at 3 mg/disc with mean growth inhibition zone ranging from 8.00 ± 0.00 mm for Enterococcus cloacae (E. cloacae) to 36.33 ± 0.58 mm for Staphylococcus epidermidis. Minimal inhibitory concentration ranged from 12.5 mg/mL to 200 mg/mL and the hydroalcoholic extract from D. flabellifolia exhibited a bacteriostatic and fungistatic character. In addition, D. flabellifolia hydroalcoholic extract possessed a good ability to scavenge different free radicals as compared to standard molecules. Molecular docking studies on the identified phyto-compounds in bacterial, fungal, and human peroxiredoxin 5 receptors were performed to corroborate the in vitro results, which revealed good binding profiles on the examined protein targets. A standard atomistic 100 ns dynamic simulation investigation was used to further evaluate the interaction stability of the promising phytocompounds, and the results showed conformational stability in the binding cavity. The obtained results highlighted the medicinal use of D. flabellifolia as source of bioactive compounds, as antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal agent

Metal concentration and health risk assessment of fifteen wild mushrooms collected from the Ankara University Campus (Turkey)

The aim of this study is to analyze Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Co, Cd, Pb, and Ni contents of Cyclocybe cylindracea, Armillaria mellea, Bjerkandera adusta, Rheubarbariboletus armeniacus, Coprinellus disseminatus, C. micaceus, C. comatus, Inonotus hispidus, Lepista nuda, Leucoagaricus leucothites, Pleurotus ostreatus, Cerioporus squamosus, Schizophyllum commune, Scleroderma verrucosum, and Trametes trogii collected from the Ankara University Besevler 10th Year Campus (Turkey), an area where human settlement and traffic are intense. In addition to the elemental analysis, the daily intake of metal (DIM) and health risk index (HRI) values of the edible ones were also calculated. Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Co, Cd, Pb, and Ni concentrations of the samples were found to be 112.0-5079.0, 3.0-124.0, 4.0-77.0, 2.0-196.0, 0.18-2.98, 0.18-5.3, 0.04-10.98, and 0.22-8.23 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. As a result of DIM and HRI analysis, C. cylindracea, L. nuda, and C. squamosus were found to be within the reference dose limits determined by competent authorities and can be safely consumed in terms of all metals studied. However, the Cd, Co, and Fe contents of C. micaceus were found to be above 1.0 (1.06, 4.25, and 7.06, respectively). In addition, it has been found that A. mellea, R. armeniacus, C. comatus, L. leucothites, and P. ostreatus are toxic in terms of Cd/Co, Fe/Pb, Co/Fe, Cd, and Fe contents, respectively. As the area in question is a traffic intensive area, it has been concluded that the emissions of the vehicles should be controlled in terms of legal limits and that the consumption of some mushrooms in this region should not be preferred until necessary measures are taken

Polyphenol Profile and Biological Activity Comparisons of Different Parts of Astragalus macrocephalus subsp. finitimus from Turkey

The members of the genus Astragalus have great interest as traditional drugs in several folk systems including Turkey. In this sense, the present paper was aimed to explore the biological properties and chemical profiles of different parts (aerial parts, leaves, flowers, stems, and roots) of A. macrocephalus subsp. finitimus. Antioxidant (radical quenching, reducing power, and metal chelating) and enzyme inhibitory (α-amylase and tyrosinase) effects were investigated for biological properties. Regarding chemical profiles, individual phenolic compounds were detected by LC-MS, as well as total amounts. The leaves extract exhibited the strongest antioxidant abilities when compared with other parts. However, flowers extract had the best metal chelating ability. Hyperoside, apigenin, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids were identified as main compounds in the tested parts. Regarding enzyme inhibitory properties, tyrosinase inhibitory effects varied from IC50: 1.02 to 1.41 mg/mL. In addition, the best amylase inhibition effect was observed by leaves (3.36 mg/mL), followed by aerial parts, roots, stems, and flowers. As a result, from multivariate analysis, the tested parts were classified in three cluster. Summing up the results, it can be concluded that A. macrocephalus subsp. finitimus could be a precious source of natural bioactive agents in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmeceutical applications

Onosma polyanthavs.Onosma mollis: Analysis of Phenolic Compounds Using Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) and Assessment of the Antioxidant Activity

To our knowledge, this is the first work on the influence of species upon the bioactive molecules, antioxidant properties, and enzyme inhibitory capacities against tyrosinase and alpha-amylase ofOnosma polyanthaandO. mollis. The levels of phenolic compounds were from 6.55 to 10.37 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract. The concentrations of total flavonoids varied from 2.71 to 10.78 mg quercetin equivalent/g extract. Twenty-five compounds were quantified via liquid chromatography - electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Significant differences were found between the two species. Chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, hesperidin, and luteolin 7-glucoside were the major compounds in both species. Four antioxidant assays together with two enzyme tests confirmed thatO. polyanthaandO. mollisextracts exhibited remarkable antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory capacities. Statistical analyses confirmed that the biological activities depend on the synergism between phenolic compounds and radicals. The results proposedO. polyanthaandO. mollisspecies as potential sources of bioactive compounds for industrial application

Micromeria myrtifolia: The influence of the extracting solvents on phenolic composition and biological activity

Currently, there is much interest in using the active compounds that exist in plants as natural treatments. The pharmaceutical industry is also looking for novel chemical compounds from natural sources that do not have side effects. The purpose of this study was to identify the antioxidant and enzymatic inhibition activities of different extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol and water) of Micromeria myrtifolia from Turkey. The phenolic constituents in the extracts were also identified using liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The methanol and water extracts were rich in rosmarinic, syringic, chlorogenic, caffeic, and protocatechuic acids, while rosmarinic acid and apigenin were the main compounds in the ethyl acetate extract. Hence, the water extract showed the highest antioxidant activity and total phenol and flavonoid contents, followed by those of the methanol extract. However, inhibition of alpha-amylase and tyrosinase was the most efficient in the methanol extract

A comparative study on the phenolic composition, antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities of two endemic Onosma species

The studies on bioactivities of plant extracts are a fundamental requirement for future pharmacological research. Therefore, the present study extracted the phytochemicals from the two endemic species such as Onosma isaurica and O. bracteosa and tested their antioxidant, reducing power and enzyme inhibitory activities followed by scanning of the phytochemicals in the extracts by using liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The results revealed that the antioxidant activity in terms of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and ferrous ion chelating was not statistically significant between the species but 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazloine-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging was significant between the two species. Reducing power in terms of ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) reducing did not exhibit the significance while cupric ion (CUPRAC) reducing and phosphomolybdenum displayed significance between the two species. In case of the enzyme inhibitory assay, the alpha-amylase inhibitory activity was significant but tyrosinase inhibitory was not significant between the species. The bioactivities of the extracts were compared with standard positive controls as trolox for ABTS radical, DPPH radical, FRAP reducing, CUPRAC reducing and phosphomolybdenum; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for ferrous ion chelating; acarbose for a-amylase inhibition; and kojic acid for tyrosinase inhibition. Both of the species showed significantly higher bioactivity than their respective positive controls. Interestingly the bioactivity was found promising with O. bracteosa over O. isaurica due to the high presence of the phenolics. The richness of the phytochemicals in O. bracteosa was evidenced by LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. In conclusion, the two endemic species - O. isaurica and O. bracteosa which are rich in bioactivity deserve for conservation and sustainable utilization towards developing pharmaceutically valid natural products in the future