Phenolic Compounds and Antifungal Activity of Hedera helix L. (Ivy) Flowers and Fruits

Identification and quantitative analysis of the phenolic compounds from Hedera helix L. (ivy) flower and fruit ethanol extracts by LC/MS, in vitro germination and growth inhibition effects on Aspergillus niger, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. tulipae, Penicillium gladioli and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were performed. In the non-hydrolyzed samples of flower and fruit extracts were determined, in different amounts, five polyphenols (p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, rutoside, quercetol and kaempferol) while quercitrin was identified only in the ivy flower extract. The hydrolyzed samples of the same ivy extracts indicated four phenolic compounds (p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, quercetol and kaempferol), in different concentrations, whereas sinapic acid was only detected in the ivy fruit extract. The antifungal activity of the fresh flower extract was stronger than that of the fresh fruit extract and was compared to that of an antimycotic drug

Chemical composition and antifungal activity of Hedera helix leaf ethanolic extract

The 50% ethanol extract obtained from Hedera helix leaves was investigated regarding the presence and quantity of polyphenols, sterols and in vitro antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi. The chemical analysis revealed the presence of rutin, quercetin and kaempferol in the non-hydrolysed sample and quercetin and kaempferol in the hydrolysed sample and stigmasterol in the ivy leaf extract (nonhydrolysed sample). The antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi (Aspergillus niger, Botrytis cinerea, B. tulipae, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tulipae, Penicillium gladioli, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) was assessed using an agar dilution assay. The results are expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC = 10–14%) and were compared to a synthetic antifungal drug – fluconazole (MIC = 8–30%). This report presents the first screening of the antifungal activity of the ivy leaf extract on these plant pathogenic fungi species, aiming to use the ivy leaf extract for controlling different diseases of vegetables and ornamental plants, in addition to human disorders

Evolution of phenolic profile of white wines treated with enzymes

The aim of this study is to monitor the evolution of the principal phenolic compounds throughout the fermentation stage of white wines treated with different enzymes. The effect of five commercial enzymes on the evolution of the phenolic profile during the alcoholic fermentation of white wines obtained from Fetească regală and Sauvignon blanc varieties was evaluated. Physicochemical properties of resulted wine samples have been analyzed according to OIV standards and regulations. The evolution of the principal phenolic compounds was carried out using HPLC method. Enzymatic treatments did not significantly affect the physicochemical composition of the obtained wines. The analyzed samples showed different variations on the phenolic compound content, depending on the type of added enzyme and grape variety. The statistical analysis confirms that enzymes significantly contributed to the enrichment of the wines with phenolic compounds, especially with pcoumaric, gentisic, caftaric, and protocatechuic acids

Biologically Active Ajuga Species Extracts Modulate Supportive Processes for Cancer Cell Development

Backround:Ajuga species have been used in traditional medicine for their diuretic, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and hepatoprotective properties.Purpose: The phytochemical profile and anticancer potential of three Ajuga sp. (A. genevensis, A. chamaepitys, and A. laxmannii) from Romania was investigated.Materials and Methods: The phytochemicals were extracted from the aerial parts of Ajuga sp. by using different solvents and methods. The hydroalcoholic extracts were examined for total phenolic, flavonoid and iridoid contents, and HPLC/MS was used to analyze the polyphenolic compounds and iridoids. The phytochemical profile was also evaluated by principal component analysis in connection with antitumor efficacy of extracts. The antiproliferative potential was evaluated using the ELISA BrdU-colorimetric immunoassay. Western Blot with regard to inflammatory protein NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) p65 subunit expression in cell lysates was performed. Quantification of oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant capability was assessed by measuring catalase activity and by evaluating the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of treated cells.Results:Ajuga laxmannii ethanol extract showed the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content, while A. genevensis ethanol extract was more abundant in iridoids. The overall cytostatic effect of the investigated plant extracts was exerted through strong inhibitory actions on NF-κB, the key molecule involved in the inflammatory response and via oxidative stress modulatory effects in both murine colon carcinoma and melanoma cell lines.Conclusion:Ajuga laxmannii showed the most significant antitumor activity and represents an important source of bioactive compounds, possibly an additional form of treatment alongside conventional anticancer drugs

THE EFFECT OF MULTIPLE-DOSE PAROXETINE ON THE PHARMACOKINETIC PROFILE OF CARVEDILOL IN RATS

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of multiple-dose paroxetine upon the pharmacokinetic profile of carvedilol in rats. Carvedilol was orally administrated in rats (3.57 mg/kg body mass (b.m.)) in the absence of paroxetine or after a pre-treatment with multiple oral doses of paroxetine (7.14 mg/kg b.m.). The plasma concentrations of carvedilol were estimated by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. After carvediol co-administration with paroxetine, an approximately 4.5-fold increase in the exposure of carvedilol was observed, considering the significantly elevated value of AUC0-∞. Furthermore, an increase by 72% of peak plasma concentration was found, as well as an augmentation by 91% of the half life time of carvedilol was observed. Paroxetine co-administration led to a significant alteration of carvedilol’s pharmacokinetic profile in rats, these effects could be explained by the existence of a drug-drug interaction mediated by CYP2D6 inhibition

Solidago graminifolia L. Salisb. (Asteraceae) as a Valuable Source of Bioactive Polyphenols: HPLC Profile, In Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potential

Solidago species are often used in traditional medicine as anti-inflammatory, diuretic, wound-healing and antimicrobial agents. Still, the bioactive compounds and biological activities of some species have not been studied. The present work aimed to investigate the polyphenolic profile and the biological properties of Solidago graminifolia L. Salisb., a poorly explored medicinal plant. The hydroalcoholic extracts from aerial parts were evaluated for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and the polyphenolic compounds were investigated by HPLC-MS. The antioxidant potential in vitro was determined using DPPH and FRAP assays. Antibacterial and antifungal effects were evaluated by dilution assays and MIC, MBC and MFC were calculated. The results showed that Solidago graminifolia aerial parts contain an important amount of total phenolics (192.69 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (151.41 mg RE/g), with chlorogenic acid and quercitrin as major constituents. The hydroalcoholic extracts showed promising antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, with potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and important antifungal effect against Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis. The obtained results indicated that the aerial parts of Solidago graminifolia could be used as novel resource of phytochemicals in herbal preparations with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities

Atomoxetine and Duloxetine: Evaluation of a Potential Pharmacokinetic Drug-Drug Interaction

Objective: The present research aimed to investigate whether a pharmacokinetic drug interaction exists between atomoxetine, a substrate of CYP2D6 and duloxetine, an enzymatic inhibitor of the same metabolic pathway

Phytochemical Characterization of Veronica officinalis L., V. teucrium L. and V. orchidea Crantz from Romania and Their Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties

Aerial parts of Veronica species are used in Romanian traditional medicine for the treatment of various conditions like kidney diseases, cough, and catarrh, and are known for their wound-healing properties. In the present study, the phenolic and sterolic content and the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of three Veronica species (Plantaginaceae), V. officinalis L., V. teucrium L. and V. orchidea Crantz, were studied. The identification and quantification of several phenolic compounds and phytosterols were performed using LC/MS techniques and the main components were p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, luteoline, hispidulin and β-sitosterol. More than that, hispidulin, eupatorin and eupatilin were detected for the first time in the Veronica genus. Nevertheless, representatives of the Veronica genus were never investigated in terms of their phytosterol content. The antioxidant potential investigated by Trolox equivelents antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and EPR spectroscopy revealed that V. officinalis and V. orchidea extracts presented similar antioxidant capacities, whilst the values registered for V. teucrium extract are lower. Regarding the antimicrobial activity of the investigated species, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii were the most sensitive strains with MIC values between 3.9 and 15.62 mg/mL. The results obtained by this study may serve to promote better use of representatives from the genus Veronica as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents

Polyphenolic profile and biological activities of the leaves and aerial parts of Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. et A.Gray (Cucurbitaceae)

peer reviewedThe aim of the present study consisted in the quantification of the polyphenols in leaves and aerial parts of Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. et A.Gray and testing its biological potential. Analysis of polyphenols was performed by a HPLC-MS method. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was tested by DPPH, CUPRAC, FRAP, TEAC, EPR and SNPAC assays. Cytotoxic activity was assessed on cancerous and healthy cell lines. Anti-plasmodial tests were performed on two strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Ethanolic extracts of E. lobata contain mainly p-coumaric acid, isoquercitrin, rutin, quercitrin and kaempferol. Biological assays showed a significant antioxidant effect and no cytotoxic and anti-plasmodial activity. These results offer a new perspective on E. lobata, proving it as an important source of antioxidant compounds