Gentianella germanica displays radioprotective properties on human lymphocytes

The most important chemicals present in plants which are of considerable pharmacological significance are the polyphenols and caffeine. Among poliphenols the flavanols as water soluble substances are the most suitable for in vitro investigations of their effects on human lymphocytes. Since antioxidative nutritienst, particularly polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids recently have been focused as anticancerogens, and antimutagents the purpose of this study was to assess the cytogenetic effects in vitro of a plant extracts of Gentianella germanica, Sanguisorba minor, Cotinus cogyggria, Cornus mass, Crategus monogyna and Anthyllis vulneraria. Peripheral blood used in experiment was obtained from healthy, nonsmoking young male donors. Aliquot of heparinized whole blood were irradiated using 60 Coχ ray source, dose 2Gy. Micronuclei formation was quantified in cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes employing Cytochalasin-block micronucleus test (CBMN) using concentrations of plant extracts from 2-20µl/ml. All lymphocyte cultures were set up in duplicate. After 72 hours of incubation, parallel cultures were separated on Lymphoprep (Nycomed), collected by centrifugation, washed in physiological saline, and were prepared for measurement of myeloperoxidase activity. Sanguisorba minor, Cotinus cogyggria, Cornus mass, display radioprotective properties: reduce the level of radiation-induced micronuclei in a concentration-dependent manner. The best radioprotective potential was obtained using water solublile extracts of Gentianella germanica: the yield of radiation-induced micronuclei was reduced for 58% at concentrations ranged from 5-10µl/ml. The same concentration range decrease myeleoperoxidase activity. Treatment of irradiated cells with higher concentrations of Gentianella germanica (up to 20µl/ml) leads to increase of the incidence of micronuclei reaching control (untreated) level. Inverse relationship between incidence of micronuclei and myeloperoxidase activity was observed.3rd European-American School in Forensic Genetic and Mayo Clinic Course in Advanced Molecular and Cellular Medicin

ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIPLATELET AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY OF EXTRACT OF CYSTOSEIRA AMENTACEA FROM THE COAST OF MONTENEGRO (SOUTH-EAST ADRIATIC SEA)

Seaweeds are an excellent source of compounds with biological activity. Since algae have been used in traditional medicine for a long time and also some algal substances have shown cytotoxic, anticoagulant and antiplatelet activity, they have been extensively studied. We examined the cytotoxicity and cell cycle distribution of acetone extract of Brown alga Cystoseira amentacea, on different human malignant cell lines. The antioxidant and antiplatelet activity of the extract has been evaluated. The results indicated that extract of Cystoseira amentacea significantly decreased cell survival in all tested cell lines. The IC50 values in the MTT assay in human cervix carcinoma (HeLa), two human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-361 and MDA-MB-453) and a human colon carcinoma (LS174) cells were ranged from 22.87±1.26 to 64.34±2.78µg/ml. In vitro antitumor activites was accompained by an important sub-G1 accumulation of all cells after treatment of tested cell lines with extract. Antioxidant activity of Cystoseira amentacea extract in vitro was shown using chemically and cell-based assays, in erythrocytes and neutrophils. Finally, extract of Cystoseira amentacea showed significant in vitro inhibitory effects on both platelet activation and aggregation with other blood cells in response to agonist in healthy donors

Antidiabetic Effects of Aronia melanocarpa and Its Other Therapeutic Properties

Diabetes is a global pandemic which warrants urgent attention due to its rising prevalence and economic burden. Thus, many alternative therapies are being researched for antidiabetic properties, given the inefficacy of current medicinal treatments. From this perspective, Aronia melanocarpa or black chokeberry has been investigated for its therapeutic properties in many studies, especially for its ability to combat hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and the macrovascular complications of diabetes including cardiovascular disease. Though A. melanocarpa is native to the eastern areas of North America, it has been planted extensively in Europe and Asia as well. Several in vivo studies have displayed the antioxidant properties of A. melanocarpa berry juice and plant extract in rat models where oxidative stress markers were observed to have significant reductions. Some of the potent bioactive compounds present in the fruits and other parts of the plant were identified as (−)-epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, and cyanidin-3-galactoside. Overall, A. melanocarpa could be considered a good source of antioxidants which is effective in combating hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress

DOI:10.2298/ABS1002403D THE EFFECTS OF A NEW PLANT MIXTURE ON LIPID LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME

The metabolic syndrome describes a condition characterized by the presence of coexisting traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance and obesity, in addition to non-traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors such as inflammatory processes and abnormalities of the blood coagulation system (Cefalu et al., 2008). It is an important pathological entity, associated with the risks for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality. Prevention and treatment are therefore of great importance (Grundy et al., 2004). Overall mortality in Serbia, compared to the other countries in the region, is among the highest and more than 60 % higher than in the EU (European Mortalit

Medicinal plants in Northern Montenegro: Traditional knowledge, quality, and resources

The main objectives of this study were to collect information on the use of wild medicinal plants by local people living in the high mountain region of northern Montenegro and to conduct local botanical and ecological surveys. During terrain expeditions, 412 plant species (38 endemic) were identified, and the most abundant family was Rosaceae, followed by Cupressaceae and Lamiaceae. Plant use was documented by speaking with 75 people (mean age 57, 61∈% female, 39∈% male) who were born in and residents of northern Montenegro. Information on 116 plant species belonging to 40 families for the treatment of various human ailments was gathered. Botanical families, such as Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Lamiaceae, were represented by the highest number of species reported by informants (14, 13, and 7 species, respectively). The most frequently reported medicinal uses were ones for treating gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases. Aerial parts (33.3∈%) were found to be highly utilized plant parts followed by roots (20.8∈%) and leaves (17.3∈%). Only two endemic species (Dianthus knapii and Pinus peuce) proved useful in folk tradition. Active ingredients of plant species officinal in the European Pharmacopoeia 6.0 (Ph. Eur. 6.0) were studied, and we assessed possibilities for commercial exploitation for local economic development. This work increases the ethnobotanical data from Montenegro, safeguards local folk knowledge, and provides information on new or scarcely reported properties of medicinal plants, whose traditional use requires experimental validation. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York. All rights reserved