The regulatory framework for the quality and safe use of essential oils as herbal medicinal products. Selected examples from our Balkan “Neighbourhood”

All over the world medicinal plants and essential oils have been used therapeutically for centuries, and there are many conducted scientific studies that describe their remarkable healing properties. It is well known, that the chemistry of essential oils is influenced by the local geography, weather conditions, season and time of harvest, processing, packaging and storing conditions. The essential oils can be used mainly to be applied to the skin; to be inhaled; gargled and ingested, as well as bath additives. The methods of their administration result in absorption through the skin or oromucosa, and by inhalation.                The European Union has considered the medicinal use of essential oils as herbal products mainly through the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (Directive 2004/24EC amending Directive 2001/83/EC as regards THMPs). The Herbal Medicinal Products Committee (HMPC) at the European Medicines Agency (EMA, London) has drafted and adopted guidelines which are intended to support assessment of THMPs considering their particular characteristics, while HMPC has established community monographs of herbal substances, and currently, about 13 monographs on essential oils (fennel, anise, peppermint, thyme, rosemary, lavender etc.), have been finalised and are available onEMA’s website. In these monographs, the accepted quality, as well as the finally adopted indications among EU countries, together with potential risks, adverse reactions and contraindications in their uses, are presented, based in their longstanding medicinal uses and European experience. A viewpoint of the regulatory Authorities Experience in EU will be discussed, in detail, through Selected Examples mainly coming from our Balkan “Neighbourhood” (essential oils and other aromatic plants from the Balkan Peninsula)

Chemical analyses of truffle flavored (Tuber spp.) olive oils on the Greek market with HS-SPME

Truffles are subterranean edible fungi of the genus Tuber (Ascomycota, Pezizales), with a high commercial interest and economic value due to their unique aroma [1]. There are a number of foods flavored with truffles, such as oils etc. The aroma profile of such flavored foods has been studied thoroughly during the last decades. In the framework of this study, 5 truffle olive oils from the Greek market were investigated, coming from white (T. magnatum) and black (T. melanosporum) truffles. All samples were analyzed by Headspace Solid-Phase Micro-Extraction (HS-SPME) coupled with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and a total of 31 metabolites were identified, including a variety of sulfur-containing volatiles. 2,4-Dithiapentane, well known as a volatile chemical marker of white truffles [2], was detected in high concentrations in both white and black truffle olive oils, however, probably as the main constituent of synthetic flavor additives. Furthermore, other artificial sulfur-containing compounds were identified in the oils available in the market, e.g. 1-propanethiol, diallyl sulfide, and allyl isothiocyanate, which have not been detected previously in other truffle olive oils but have been reported among the volatiles of Allium spp. [3,4] and Brassica nigra [5], respectively. In conclusion, this study confirmed that all studied truffle olive oils from the Greek market are produced by the addition of synthetic aroma compounds. These flavors are of low cost, highly effective olfactorily [6], and of low toxicity, used widely according to European regulations in order to imitate the aroma of truffles

Kainari, a Unique Greek Traditional Herbal Tea, from the Island of Lesvos: Chemical Analysis and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties

The chemical composition, as well as the total phenolic content (TPC) and the potential antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, of three Kainari-herbal tea samples from different areas of Lesvos Island (Greece) was evaluated. The rich aroma of the mixtures was studied through GC-MS, as well as through Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction (HS-SPME)/GC-MS analyses. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, pepper, and ginger were identified as main ingredients, while, throughout the chemical analysis of the volatiles of one selected sample, several secondary metabolites have been isolated and identified on the basis of GC-MS as well as spectral evidence as eugenol, cinnamic aldehyde and myristicin, cinnamyl alcohol, alpha-terpinyl acetate, and β-caryophyllene. Furthermore, two food dyes, azorubine and amaranth, were also isolated and identified from the infusions. The total phenolic content was estimated and the free radical scavenging activity was determined by DPPH and ABTS assays and the antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested showing a very interesting profile against all the assayed microorganisms. Due to its very pleasant aroma and taste properties as well as to its bioactivities, Kainari-herbal tea could be further proposed as functional beverage

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Geniosporum rotundifolium Briq and Haumaniastrum villosum (Bene) AJ Paton (Lamiaceae) Essential Oils from Tanzania

Purpose: To determine the chemical composition and antimicrobial potential of essential oils from two aromatic plants of Tanzania, Geniosporum rotundifolium Briq. and Haumaniastrum villosum (Benè) A.J. Paton (Lamiaceae).Method: Essential oils from the aerial parts of the plants were extracted by hydro-distillation for 3 h using a Clevenger type of apparatus. The constituents were analyzed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC/MS).The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the essential oils were determined for eight bacterial strains and three pathogenic fungi using agar dilution method.Results: The constituents of G. rotundifolium oil were mainly oxygenated derivatives of mono- and sesquiterpenes; spathulenol (12.46 %), α-terpineol (4.65 %) and germacrene-D (3.71 %) were the most abundant. Those of H. villosum oil were predominantly sesquiterpenes (72.61 %) with caryophyllene oxide (19.01 %), humulene epoxide II (11.95 %), β-bourbonene (5.7 %), α-humulene (5.63 %) and β- caryophyllene (5.39 %) being more abundant. The oil of G. rotundifolium exhibited weak to moderate activity against the bacterial species but showed no activity against the test fungi. However, H. villosum oil showed very promising activity against all the test microorganisms (MIC 0.08 – 10.34 mg/mL).Conclusion: The major components of G. rotundifolium essential oil were oxygenated derivatives of mono- and sesquiterpenes whereas those of H. villosum were sesquiterpenes. All tested microorganisms were susceptible to H. villosum oil.Keywords: Geniosporum rotundifolium, Haumaniastrum villosum, Essential oils, Chemical composition, Antimicrobial activit

Phytochemical analysis and biological evaluation of three selected Cordia species from Panama

The aim of the present study was the phytochemical analysis of the leaves from three not previously studied tropical species Cordia bicolor, Cordia megalantha and Cordia dentata (Boraginaceae) collected from Panama. The genus Cordia is one of the major and most important of the family and involves a wide range of therapeutic uses in traditional medicine. Eleven known compounds allantoin (1), rosmarinic acid (2), caffeic acid (3), isoquercetin (4), rutin (5), quercetin-3-Ο-β-D-neohesperidoside (6), kaempferol 3-Ο-β-D-neohesperidoside (7), helichrysoside (8), kaempferol 3-O-(2″-O-α-L-rhamnosyl-6″trans-p-coumaroyl)-β-D-glucoside (9), quercetin 3-O-(6″ trans-p-coumaroyl)-β-D-galactoside (10), 4-hydroxyphenyl lactic acid (11), have been isolated and structurally elucidated. Compounds 6 and 7 have been isolated for the first time in Cordia genus, compounds 8-10 are reported for the first time in the Boraginaceae family, while secondary metabolite 9 is isolated as natural product for the second time. The methanolic extracts of the plants have been assayed for their antioxidant properties by free radical scavenging, reducing power, phosphomolybdenum and metal chelating assay. Enzyme inhibitory activity has been also evaluated against cholinesterases, α-amylase and α-glucosidase. C. megalantha exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity compared to the other studied Cordia species and a high inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase, which suggests that this herbal material could be used for further studies as a potential source for therapeutic applications

Fatty Acids Derived from Royal Jelly Are Modulators of Estrogen Receptor Functions

Royal jelly (RJ) excreted by honeybees and used as a nutritional and medicinal agent has estrogen-like effects, yet the compounds mediating these effects remain unidentified. The possible effects of three RJ fatty acids (FAs) (10-hydroxy-2-decenoic-10H2DA, 3,10-dihydroxydecanoic-3,10DDA, sebacic acid-SA) on estrogen signaling was investigated in various cellular systems. In MCF-7 cells, FAs, in absence of estradiol (E2), modulated the estrogen receptor (ER) recruitment to the pS2 promoter and pS2 mRNA levels via only ERβ but not ERα, while in presence of E2 FAs modulated both ERβ and ERα. Moreover, in presence of FAs, the E2-induced recruitment of the EAB1 co-activator peptide to ERα is masked and the E2-induced estrogen response element (ERE)-mediated transactivation is inhibited. In HeLa cells, in absence of E2, FAs inhibited the ERE-mediated transactivation by ERβ but not ERα, while in presence of E2, FAs inhibited ERE-activity by both ERβ and ERα. Molecular modeling revealed favorable binding of FAs to ERα at the co-activator-binding site, while binding assays showed that FAs did not bind to the ligand-binding pocket of ERα or ERβ. In KS483 osteoblasts, FAs, like E2, induced mineralization via an ER-dependent way. Our data propose a possible molecular mechanism for the estrogenic activities of RJ's components which, although structurally entirely different from E2, mediate estrogen signaling, at least in part, by modulating the recruitment of ERα, ERβ and co-activators to target genes

Chemical analysis of Greek pollen - Antioxidant, antimicrobial and proteasome activation properties

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pollen is a bee-product known for its medical properties from ancient times. In our days is increasingly used as health food supplement and especially as a tonic primarily with appeal to the elderly to ameliorate the effects of ageing. In order to evaluate the chemical composition and the biological activity of Greek pollen which has never been studied before, one sample with identified botanical origin from sixteen different common plant taxa of Greece has been evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three different extracts of the studied sample of Greek pollen, have been tested, in whether could induce proteasome activities in human fibroblasts. The water extract was found to induce a highly proteasome activity, showing interesting antioxidant properties. Due to this activity the aqueous extract was further subjected to chemical analysis and seven flavonoids have been isolated and identified by modern spectral means. From the methanolic extract, sugars, lipid acids, phenolic acids and their esters have been also identified, which mainly participate to the biosynthetic pathway of pollen phenolics. The total phenolics were estimated with the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and the total antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH method while the extracts and the isolated compounds were also tested for their antimicrobial activity by the dilution technique.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The Greek pollen is rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids which indicate the observed free radical scavenging activity, the effects of pollen on human fibroblasts and the interesting antimicrobial profile.</p

STUDY ON THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF THE LEAVES OF CYNARA SCOLYMUS L.

IN THE PRESENT THESIS HAVE BEEN STUDIED THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF THE LEAVESOF C. SCOLYMUS L. IN PETROLEUM-ETHER EXTRACT, THE FOLLOWING CONSTITUENTS WERE ISOLATED AND STUDIED: B- CAROTENE, STEROLS, FATTY ACIDS CARBO-HYDRATE (CIS-TRIAKONTANIO) [BY GLC PC, TLC, AND SPECTRA NMR, UV, IR]. IN THE ETHER AND ALCOHOLICEXTRACT 95 AND 50 THE FOLLOWING SUBSTANCES WERE ISOLATED AND IDENTIFIED BY PC,TLC AND SPCETRA NMR, MS, UV-VIS AND IR: ESCULIN, SCOPOLETIN, AURONE MARITIMEINE, LUTEOLIN, LUTEOLIN-7-GLUCOSIDE, LUTEOLIN-7-DIGLUCOSIDE, RUTIN, HESPERIDIN, HESPERITIN, QUERCETIN. MINERAL ELEMENTS WERE ALSO DETECTED BY NETRONIC ACTIVATION (BR, FE, RD, NI, CR, SB, CO, SC, NA AND CL). FREE AMINO-ACIDS WERE ALSO DETECTED.ΤΑ ΦΥΛΛΑ ΤΟΥ ΦΥΤΟΥ CYNARA SCOLYMUS L. ΤΗΣ ΟΙΚΟΓΕΝΕΙΑΣ COMPOSITAE ΜΕΛΕΤΗΘΗΚΑΝ ΩΣΠΡΟΣ ΤΑ ΧΗΜΙΚΑ ΤΟΥΣ ΣΥΣΤΑΤΙΚΑ. Η ΤΑΥΤΟΠΟΙΗΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΔΟΜΗΣ ΤΩΝ ΟΥΣΙΩΝ ΕΓΙΝΕ ΜΕ ΦΑΣΜΑΤΑ 1H-NMR, MS, IR, ΚΑΙ Η ΑΠΟΜΟΝΩΣΗ ΤΟΥΣ ΕΓΙΝΕ ΜΕ ΧΡΩΜΑΤΟΓΡΑΦΙΕΣ ΧΑΡΤΟΥ, ΑΕΡΙΟ-ΥΓΡΟΧΡΩΜΑΤΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ (GLC) ΛΕΠΤΗΣ ΣΤΙΒΑΔΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΙΔΙΚΑ ΑΝΤΙΔΡΑΣΤΗΡΙΑ ΕΜΦΑΝΙΣΗΣ. ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΠΕΤΡΕΛΑΙΚΟ ΑΙΘΕΡΙΚΟ ΕΚΧΥΛΙΣΜΑ ΑΠΟΜΟΝΩΘΗΚΑΝ ΛΙΠΑΡΑ ΟΞΕΑ, ΣΤΕΡΟΛΕΣ, ΚΑΡΟΤΕΝΙΟ Β, ΚΑΙ ΤΟΝ ΥΔΡΟΓΟΝΑΝΘΡΑΚΑ Κ-ΤΡΙΑΚΟΝΤΑΝΙΟ. ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΑΙΘΕΡΙΚΟ ΑΙΘΑΝΟΛΙΚΟ 95 ΚΑΙ ΑΙΘΑΝΟΛΙΚΟ 50 ΕΚΧΥΛΙΣΜΑ ΑΠΟΜΟΝΩΘΗΚΑΝ ΟΙ ΠΑΡΑΚΑΤΩ ΠΟΛΥΦΑΙΝΟΛΙΚΕΣ ΟΥΣΙΕΣ: ΦΛΑΒΟΝΟΕΙΔΗ (ΑΠΙΓΕΝΙΝΗ, ΛΟΥΤΕΟΛΙΝΗ, ΚΕΡΚΕΤΙΝΗ, ΕΣΠΕΡΙΤΙΝΗ, ΑΠΙΓΕΝΙΝΟ-7- ΓΛΥΚΟΣΙΔΗΣ, ΛΟΥΤΕΟΛΙΝΟ-7-ΓΛΥΚΟΣΙΔΗΣ ΛΟΥΤΕΟΛΙΝΟ-7-ΓΕΝΤΙΟΒΙΟΣΙΔΗ, ΛΟΥΤΕΟΛΙΝΟ-7- ΡΟΥΤΙΝΟΣΙΔΗΣ, ΛΟΥΤΕΟΛΙΝΟ-4'-ΓΛΥΚΟΣΙΔΗΣ, ΡΟΥΤΙΝΗ, ΕΣΠΕΡΙΔΙΝΗ ΚΑΙ Η ΑΟΥΡΟΝΗ ΜΑΡΙΤΙΜΕΙΝΗ) ΚΟΥΜΑΡΙΝΕΣ (ΣΚΟΠΟΛΕΤΙΝΗ, ΑΙΣΚΟΥΛΙΝΗ) ΚΑΙ ΦΑΙΝΟΛΟΞΕΑ (ΧΛΩΡΟΓΕΝΙΚΟ, ΙΣΟΧΛΩΡΟΓΕΝΙΚΟ ΚΑΙ ΚΑΦΕΙΚΟ ΟΞΥ). ΜΕΛΕΤΗΘΗΚΑΝ ΑΚΟΜΗ ΑΜΙΝΟΞΕΑ ΤΟΥ ΦΥΤΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΤΑ ΑΝΟΡΓΑΝΑ ΙΧΝΟΣΤΟΙΧΕΙΑ