Aromatic Plants from Western Balkans: A Potential Source of Bioactive Natural Compounds

Documentation of traditionally used aromatic and medical plants has been carried out in many European countries over the last several years. Over the last decade, the Western Balkans has become the area of a huge number of ethnobiological field studies. Many of those focused on Balkans ethnobotany are linked to the long and ongoing history of gathering and trading local wild aromatic and medicinal plants from this territory into Western European markets. But only less than a half percent of these have been studied for their chemical composition and medicinal value. The most investigated aromatic species in this area belongs to the few biggest families: Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Lamiaceae and Rosaceae. Medicinal value of plants lies in some chemical substances that produce physiological action on the human body, which leads to positive effect on health. Essential oils are secondary metabolites which are the most examined, as well as various plant extracts. Isolation and identification of the compounds in combination with its biological screening can considerably contribute to plant studies. Also, application of new activities and novel techniques for susceptibility testing provide better knowledge of wild growing medicinal plants as potential sources of biological agents and justified their traditional uses

Radical scavenging and antimicrobial activity of essential oil and extracts of Echinophora sibthorpiana Guss. from Macedonia

This study was undertaken to determine the antioxidant and antimicrobial effect of essential oil and extracts of Echinophora sibthorpiana Guss. (fam. Apiaceae) collected in Macedonia. The chemical composition of E. sibthorpiana essential oil was characterized by the presence of methyl eugenol (60.40%), p-cymene (11.18%) and α-phellandrene (10.23%). The free radical scavenging activity of extracts and essential oil was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS assays. The aqueous extract of aerial parts exhibited the strongest scavenging activity (IC50=1.67 mg/ml); results of the ABTS test showed that the most effective was the ethanol extract of aerial parts (1.11 mg vit. C/g). The essential oil showed stronger antioxidant activity compared to hydroxyanisole, ascorbic acid and quercetin that were used in the DPPH and ABTS tests, respectively. The total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations in the extracts ranged between 38.65-60.72 mg GA/g, and 3.15-19.00 mg Qu/g, respectively. The antimicrobial properties of the extracts and essential oil were investigated using a micro-well dilution technique against human pathogenic strains. The results were comparable with the effects of the positive controls, streptomycin and fluconazole. These findings indicate that E. sibthorpiana extracts and oil can be used in preventive treatments and as an alternative for synthetic preservatives. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173029 i br. 173021

Bioactivity and phenolics profile of aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts of Satureja kitaibelii Wierzb. ex Heuff. obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction

The aim of the study was to investigate the biological activity and chemical composition of Satureja kitaibelii Wierzb. ex Heuff. LC–PDA/MS analyses for the aqueous extracts (A1-stem, leaves and flowers, A2-leaves and flowers) and ethyl-acetate extracts (E1-stem, leaves and flowers, E2-leaves and flowers) obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction enabled the identification of thirty-four compounds. Quantitative analysis revealed that the aqueous extract obtained from leaves and flowers was the richest in total phenolic acids (65.36 mg/g) and flavonoids (21.17 mg/g). The total polyphenol content was the highest in the aqueous extract obtained from leaves and flowers (274 ± 2.4 mg Gallic Acid equivalents/g). The best antioxidant activity was observed for the same extract using the DPPH (SC50 20 ± 10 µg/mL), ABTS (2.834 ± 0.02 mg Ascorbic Acid/g), FRAP (1.922 ± 0.03 mmol Fe2+/mg), and total reducing power tests (16.4 ± 1.0 mg Ascorbic Acid/g). Both ethyl acetate extracts were the most active against strains of Bacillus cereus and Micrococcus flavus (MIC 1.70–1.99 mg/mL and 1.99–3.41 mg/mL, respectively). They were more efficient against Aspergillus ochraceus (MFC 0.86 mg/mL) and towards HeLa cell lines. All the obtained results implied the good potential of the investigated extracts to be used as effective preservatives and functional ingredients in food products and dietary supplements

Bioactivity of Juniperus communis essential oil and post-distillation waste: Assessment of selective toxicity against food contaminants

Previously chemically characterized Juniperus communis essential oil (EO) and post-distillation waste (PDW) were tested for cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity against food contaminants. Microdilution assay showed that PDW induced moderate antifungal (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values, ranging between 0.118-0.900 mg mL-1), and an antibacterial effect against Listeria monocytogenes (MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were 0.39 and 0.74 mg mL-1, respectively). Combinations of EO/PDW with selected antibiotics induced synergistic antilisterial activity in the checkerboard assay. The MTT assay determined that cytotoxicity against colon cancer cells was high for the EO but negligible for PDW (IC50 values were 0.087-0.106 and 1.450-6.840 mg mL-1, respectively). The selectivity indices indicated high selectivity of PDW against tested fungi and L. monocytogenes. In the adhesion-inhibition assay, PDW reduced in vitro adhesion of L. monocytogenes to colon cells (29-62% of inhibition). In conclusion, PDW exhibited an antimicrobial effect against important food spoilage and poisoning fungi and L. monocytogenes, and also reduced in vitro adhesion of L. monocytogenes to colon cells. The results indicate that J. communis PDW could be considered as natural preservative against food spoilage and poisonous fungi, and as an adjuvant to conventional therapy of listeriosi

Chemical composition and antifungal activity of Salvia sclarea (Lamiaceae) essential oil

Clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) is native to Southern Europe and is cultivated worldwide. The essential oil of clary sage was analyzed as a potential antifungal agent. The main compounds in the oil were linalyl acetate (52.83%) and linalool (18.18%). Food poisoning agents, spoilage fungi, and plant and animal pathogens were among the tested fungal species. The microdilution method was used to establish minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFC). The commercial antimycotic bifonazole was used as a control. A concentration of 25 μl/ml showed fungicidal activity against Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium species and Trichoderma viride. For the species Mucor mucedo and Aspergillus viride, the MFC was 15μl/ml; for Candida albicans, it was 10 μl/ml, as in the case of bifonazole. Fungistatic and fungicidal activities of the oil against Cladosporium cladosporioides and Trichophyton menthagrophytes were recorded at concentrations of 2.5 μl/ml and 5 μl/ml. The most sensitive micromycetes were Cladosporium fulvum, Alternaria alternata, Phomopsis helianthi, and Phoma macdonaldii, where a concentration of 2.5 μl/ml was lethal.Šarlahna žalfija (Salvia sclarea L.) je kao samonikla vrsta rasprostranjena u Južnoj Evropi, a kultivisana širom sveta. U radu je analizirano etarsko ulje ove vrste i utvrđivana njegova antifungalna aktivnost. Glavne komponente etarskog ulja su linalil acetat (52.83%) i linalol (18.18%). Kao test organizmi korišćene su gljivice koje izazivaju kvarenje hrane, kao i patogeni biljaka i životinja. Korišćenjem mikrodilucione metode određivane su minimalne inhibitorne (MIC) i minimalne fungicidne koncentracije (MFC). Komercijalni antimikotik bifonazol je korišćen kao kontrola. U koncentraciji od 25 µl/ml ulje je delovalo fungicidno na vrste rodova Aspergillus, Penicillium i Fusarium i vrstu Trichoderma viride. Za vrste Mucor mucedo i Aspergillus viride MFC je bila 15 µl/ml, i 10 µl/ml za C. albicans, slično kao za bifonazol. Potpuno zaustavljanje rasta micelija Cladosporium cladosporioides i Trichophyton menthagrophytes je postignuto pri koncentracijama 2.5 µl/ml i 5 µl/ml. Najosetljivije mikromicete bile su Cladosporium fulvum, Alternaria alternata, Phomopsis helianthi i Phoma macdonaldii, za koje je letalna koncentracija bila 2.5 µl/ml.Projekat ministarstva br. 143041 i 14304

The chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil of Salvia fruticosa growing wild in Libya

The composition of essential oil isolated from Salvia fruticosa, wild growing in Libya, was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Forty-five compounds could be identified. The essential oil contained 1,8-cineole (49.34%), camphor (7.53%), β-pinene (7.38%), myrcene (7.38%), α-pinene (5.15%), β-caryophyllene (4.13%) and α-terpineol (3.25). Antioxidant activity was analyzed using the DPP H free radical scavenging method and low antioxidant activity was found (IC50 = 15.53 mg/ml). The oil was also screened for its antimicrobial activity against eight bacteria (four Gram-negative and four Gram-positive) and eight fungi. The essential oil of S. fruticosa showed minimal inhibitory activity (MIC) at 0.125-1.5 mg/ml and bactericidal (MBC) at 0.5-2.0 mg/ml. In addition, it exhibited fungistatic (MIC) at 0.125-1.0 mg/ml and fungicidal effect (MFC) at 0.125-1.5 mg/ml.Projekat ministarstva br. 173029 i br. 17303

Laserpitium ochridanum: antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-quorum sensing activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

This study shows Laserpitium ochridanum essential oil composition, its antifungal potency, and possible antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-quorum sensing activities of different extracts. Monoterpene hydrocarbons (40.9%) found to be the most abundant group of constituents in the oil. Sabinene (22.8%), viridiflorol (14.7%) and α-pinene (11.40%) were the main compounds of the oil. Ethanolic extract had the highest antioxidant capacity in DPPH and ABTS assays and was the richest in polyphenols. Microdilution method revealed the strongest antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts in comparison to other tested extracts and streptomycin. L. ochridanum oil evidenced the best antifungal potential against used micromycetes. Results of anti-quorum sensing activity assay indicated high affection of aqueous extract in reduction of PAO1 pyocianin production (18.07%).Used samples possessed slight reduction of twitching and swimming mobility. Excellent antifungal oil activity, good antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-quorum activity of L. ochridanum extracts was found. This study shows for the first time anti-guorum sensing activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa of L. ochridanum, as well as its significant antioxidant potential. This study was conducted due to adventives of usage of natural products as efficient substitution for synthetic agents in treatment of various medical conditions

Supplementary data for article: Mileski, K. S.; Trifunović, S. S.; Ćirić, A. D.; Šakić, Ž. M.; Ristić, M. S.; Todorović, N. M.; Matevski, V. S.; Marin, P. D.; Tešević, V. V.; Džamić, A. M. Research on Chemical Composition and Biological Properties Including Antiquorum Sensing Activity of Angelica Pancicii Vandas Aerial Parts and Roots. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2017, 65 (50), 10933–10949. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.7b04202

Supporting information for: [https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.7b04202]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2572

The effect of antioxidant status on overall survival in renal cell carcinoma

Introduction The oxidative stress contributes to all three phases of carcinogenesis and represents a concomitant condition in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). RCC is the most common type of neoplasm of the kidney, and despite numerous studies the set of predictive and prognostic markers of survival are still unknown. The aim of our study was to examine the relation between antioxidant (AO) status and overall survival (OS) in RCC patients. Material and methods Our study included 95 patients with RCC, who underwent radical nephrectomy. We analysed the prognostic role of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione, and malondialde-hyde) and other clinicopathological factors (size, grade, stage, and histological subtype) on the OS of RCC patients. Results The 5-year OS was 54.6%. The survival analysis related to AO parameters showed no significant difference in survival of RCC patients. The concentration of malondialdehyde, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, also had no significant effect on the survival rate of RCC pa-tients. Univariate and multivariate analysis confirmed the significance of clinicopathological parameters (size, p < 0.001; Fuhrman grade, p = 0.001, and stage, p < 0.001) for patients’ survival. Conclusions In our cohort of patients, different antioxidant parameters were not found to be predictors for OS of patients with RCC, who underwent radical nephrectomy

Chemical composition and antifungal activity of Salvia sclarea (Lamiaceae) essential oil

Clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) is native to Southern Europe and is cultivated worldwide. The essential oil of clary sage was analyzed as a potential antifungal agent. The main compounds in the oil were linalyl acetate (52.83%) and linalool (18.18%). Food poisoning agents, spoilage fungi, and plant and animal pathogens were among the tested fungal species. The microdilution method was used to establish minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFC). The commercial antimycotic bifonazole was used as a control. A concentration of 25 μl/ml showed fungicidal activity against Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium species and Trichoderma viride. For the species Mucor mucedo and Aspergillus viride, the MFC was 15μl/ml; for Candida albicans, it was 10 μl/ml, as in the case of bifonazole. Fungistatic and fungicidal activities of the oil against Cladosporium cladosporioides and Trichophyton menthagrophytes were recorded at concentrations of 2.5 μl/ml and 5 μl/ml. The most sensitive micromycetes were Cladosporium fulvum, Alternaria alternata, Phomopsis helianthi, and Phoma macdonaldii, where a concentration of 2.5 μl/ml was lethal.Šarlahna žalfija (Salvia sclarea L.) je kao samonikla vrsta rasprostranjena u Južnoj Evropi, a kultivisana širom sveta. U radu je analizirano etarsko ulje ove vrste i utvrđivana njegova antifungalna aktivnost. Glavne komponente etarskog ulja su linalil acetat (52.83%) i linalol (18.18%). Kao test organizmi korišćene su gljivice koje izazivaju kvarenje hrane, kao i patogeni biljaka i životinja. Korišćenjem mikrodilucione metode određivane su minimalne inhibitorne (MIC) i minimalne fungicidne koncentracije (MFC). Komercijalni antimikotik bifonazol je korišćen kao kontrola. U koncentraciji od 25 µl/ml ulje je delovalo fungicidno na vrste rodova Aspergillus, Penicillium i Fusarium i vrstu Trichoderma viride. Za vrste Mucor mucedo i Aspergillus viride MFC je bila 15 µl/ml, i 10 µl/ml za C. albicans, slično kao za bifonazol. Potpuno zaustavljanje rasta micelija Cladosporium cladosporioides i Trichophyton menthagrophytes je postignuto pri koncentracijama 2.5 µl/ml i 5 µl/ml. Najosetljivije mikromicete bile su Cladosporium fulvum, Alternaria alternata, Phomopsis helianthi i Phoma macdonaldii, za koje je letalna koncentracija bila 2.5 µl/ml.Projekat ministarstva br. 143041 i 14304