Evaluation of phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of various solvent extracts of Sonchus asper (L.) Hill

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Sonchus asper </it>(SA) is traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments associated with liver, lungs and kidneys. This study was aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of nonpolar (hexane, SAHE; ethyl acetate, SAEE and chloroform, SACE) and polar (methanol, SAME) crude extracts of the whole plant.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To achieve these goals, several parameters including free-radical (DPPH^•, ABTS^•+, H₂O₂and ^•OH) scavenging, iron chelating activity, scavenging of superoxide radicals, total flavonoids and total phenolic content (TPC) were examined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The SA extracts presented a remarkable capacity to scavenge all the tested reactive species with IC₅₀values being found at the μg ⁄ ml level. The SAME was shown to have the highest TPCs while lowest IC₅₀values for the DPPH^•, ABTS^•+radical scavenging capacities and iron chelating scavenging efficiency, moreover, SAME had best activities in scavenging of superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide as well as potently scavenged the hydroxyl radicals.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results suggest the potential of <it>S. asper </it>as a medicine against free-radical-associated oxidative damage.</p

Mathematical modeling of convective air drying of quinoa-supplemented feed for laboratory rats

Drying kinetics of quinoa-supplemented feed for laboratory rats during processing at 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90ºC was studied and modeled in this work. Desorption isotherm was obtained at 60ºC giving a monolayer moisture content of 0.04 g water/g d.m. The experimental drying curves showed that drying process took place only in the falling rate period. Several thin-layer drying equations available in the literature were evaluated based on determination coefficient (r²), sum squared errors (SSE) and Chi-square (&#967;2) statisticals. In comparison to the experimental moisture values, the values estimated with the Logarithmic model gave the best fit quality (r² >0.994, SSE < 0.00015 and &#967;2 < 0.00018), showing this equation could predict very accurately the drying time of rat feed under the operative conditions applied

BIOSYSTEMATIC STUDIES IN SEDUM OF TURKEY (CRASSULACEAE) .3. S-EUXINUM, A NEW SPECIES FROM NORTHEASTERN ANATOLIA

A new, yellow-flowered Sedum species is described from Turkey, S. euxinum. It is reported from three localities in the northeastern part of Anatolia. S. euxinum is classified in Sedum series Alpestria Berger. Its chromosome number is 2n = 48, but the species is considered to be diploid (x = 24). S. euxinum is regarded as a neo-endemic because of its high secondary basic number and restricted distribution at the periphery of the area of S. series Alpestria

Fatty acid composition of Dracunculus vulgaris Schott (Araceae) seed oil from Turkey

Dracunulus vulgaris Schott is only one taxon of the genus Dracunculus (Araceae) in Turkey, The tubers and the fruits with the seeds of D. vulgaris have long been in use for the treatment of rheumatism and hemorrhoids, respectively. The fatty acid composition of D. vulgaris seeds have been analyzed as their methyl esters by GC and GC-mass spectrometry. C16:0, C16:1n-7, C18:1n-9, C18:ln-7 (cis-vaccenic acid), C18:2n-6 and 13-phenyl tridecanoic acids were found to be the main components in the seed oil

BIOSYSTEMATIC STUDIES IN SEDUM (CRASSULACEAE) FROM TURKEY .4. THE CYTOLOGY OF SEDUM SUBSECT SPATHULATA BORISS

The diploid cytotypes of the species of Sedum series Involucrata and S. series Propontica of S. subsect. Spathulata differ more than five-fold in nuclear DNA amount, even though some occur in similar habitats and sometimes in mixed populations. Morphologically the two series are quite similar, but the basic chromosome numbers and karyotypes differ considerably, and they are probably only distantly related. The dysploid series in S. series Propontica, ranging from x = 7 to x = 5, is not a result of a simple series of successive Robertsonian translocations, but involves different kinds of chromosomal rearrangements as well. The 2C value of S. obtusifolium (x = 6) with the chromosome number 2n = 30 would indicate an octoploid (8x) level of ploidy, but the karyotype structure offers no explanation for the implicit loss of 18 chromosomes

Fatty acid composition of the seed oil of Arum italicum Miller

The genus Arum (Araceae) is represented by some 20 taxa in Turkey. Having tuberous roots, broadly hastate vigorous leaves, greenish-yellow spathes A. italicum grows in northern Turkey and flowers between April and May and its reddish berry type fruits ripen in July. Containing significant amount of calcium oxalate crystals, oxalic acid and oxalates in addition to volatile and/or easily destroyed irritating substances, Arum taxa are toxic. However, dried or fresh parts thereof are used for food and in folk medicine in Turkey. Tubers and ripe fruits are used in the treatment of rheumatism and hemorroids while the leaves are consumed as a food. The fatty acid composition of the seed oil of A. italicum oil was investigated by analyzing their methyl esters by GC and GC-mass spectrometry. The major fatty acids were 16:0, 16:1 n-7, 18:0, 18:1 n-9, 18:2 n-6 and 13-phenyltridecanoic acid in the seed oil. This is the first report on fatty acid composition and 13-phenyltridecanoic acid content of Arum italicum Miller seeds from Turkey

Screening of some Turkish plants for antibacterial activity

Some 14 ethanol extracts from 13 plant species collected from various regions of Turkey were assayed for in vitro antibacterial activity against two Gram positive and 5 Gram negative bacteria, using the disc-diffusion and dilution methods. The diameter of the inhibition zone in the disc-diffusion method shows that 12 extracts from the 14 plants studied have antibacterial activity in different levels. The broadest spectrum of activity was exhibited by Malva sylvestris against five bacteria, whereas the Verbascum spp. extract only showed activity against one. The highest antibacterial activity was produced by the extract of Hypericum perforatum. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of plant extracts with antibacterial activity ranged from 0.125 to 4 mg/ml. The high MIC values showed that the extracts had law to moderate activity compared with standard antibiotics. Based on the results from the present investigation, it is concluded that most of the plants studied may be sources of antibacterial agents

Antiinflammatory and antipyretic activity of Polygonum lapathifolium in rats

This study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacologic effects of Polygonum lapathifolium L. (Polygonaceae), growing naturally in Turkey. The antiinflammatory activity of the ethanol extract of the root and rhizome of P. lapathifolium was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. Intraperitoneal pretreatment with extract at doses ranging from 100 to 500 mg/kg significantly inhibited the acute phase of this experimental model of the inflammatory process in a dose-dependent manner. At maximal dose (500 mg/kg), it exhibited a significantly higher action when compared with those of other doses and was found to be 1.08 times as active as indomethacin. The extract also exhibited antipyretic activity in rats with hyperthermia after SC injection of brewer's yeast. The extract, in doses of 100-500 mg/kg, possesses a pronounced effect comparable to those of the classical antipyretic drug, paracetamol. The antipyretic effects of the extract at high dose levels (1000-4000 mg/kg) were associated with obvious signs of toxicity. Doses of 100 and 500 mg/kg did not decrease the body temperature of normothermic animals (without hyperthermic stimulus). These results demonstrated that the extract of P. lapathifolium has antiinflammatory and antipyretic activity