Polar compounds from <i>Parentucellia viscosa</i> (L.) Caruel from Sardinia

<div><p>In this work, we examined a sample of <i>Parentucellia viscosa</i> from Sardinia island, showing similarities and differences of the secondary metabolite content with respect to previous study conducted on an accession of continental origin, and also with <i>Bellardia trixago</i>, a species very close to <i>Parentucellia</i>. In this aspect, the proximity between these species, previously stated by a phylogenetic study, was confirmed by a phytochemical approach. Within the non-iridoidic fraction a chiral polyol (mannitol) and two aromatic acids (benzoic acid and gallic acid) were evidenced. These two acids are not common in Scropulariaceae since they have been reported only from a few species, and it is worth to note that gallic acid was never reported from the Orobanchaceae family.</p></div

Phytochemical study of <i>Caulerpa racemosa</i> (Forsk.) J. Agarth, an invading alga in the habitat of La Maddalena Archipelago

<div><p><i>Caulerpa racemosa</i> is a marine Chlorophyta widely distributed in tropical areas, introduced into the Mediterranean Sea since 1990. It has been invading the Mediterranean Sea causing ecological problems. This invasive event can be considered as one of the most serious in the history of species introduced into the Mediterranean Sea, even if <i>C. racemosa</i> has not triggered as much attention as the famous ‘killer alga’ <i>Caulerpa taxifolia</i>. The aim of this work is to analyse phytochemically <i>C. racemosa</i> in the northern Sardinia area for secondary metabolites. Marine algae shows the molecular pattern of bis-indole alkaloids, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes and sterols. The intention is to expand phytochemical analysis in order to understand just how significant the anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive actions can be.</p></div

A new glucosidic phthalide from <i>Helichrysum microphyllum</i> subsp. <i>tyrrhenicum</i> from La Maddalena Island (Sardinia, Italy)

<p>In this study, we reported the analysis of the medium polarity fraction obtained from an accession of <i>Helichrysum microphyllum</i> subsp. <i>tyrrhenicum</i> from La Maddalena Island. Besides several compounds already evidenced in this species and related genera, i.e. micropyrone (<b>1</b>), arzanol (<b>2</b>), helipyrone (<b>3</b>), acetyl-bitalin derivatives (<b>4</b>, <b>5</b>), gnaphaliol (<b>6</b>), caffeic acid (<b>7</b>), ursolic acid (<b>8</b>), 7-<i>O</i>-β-(d-glucopyranosyl)-5-methoxy-1(<i>3H</i>)-isobenzofuranone (<b>9</b>), gnaphaliol-9-<i>O</i>-β-d-glucopyranoside (<b>11</b>) and gnaphaliol-3-<i>O</i>-β-d-glucopyranoside (<b>12</b>), the presence of a new glycosidic phthalide, 6-<i>O</i>-β-(d-glucopyranosyl)-4-methoxy-1(<i>3H</i>)-benzofuranone (<b>10</b>), was evidenced for the first time, which resulted in a structural isomer of compound (<b>9</b>). The occurrence of this new benzofuranone derivative is an additional evidence of the deep intraspecific variability expressed by this species, which was also stated for the non-volatile components, and may be a distinctive trait of the population growing on La Maddalena Island.</p

Antimicrobial Phenolics and Unusual Glycerides from <i>Helichrysum italicum</i> subsp. <i>microphyllum</i>

During a large-scale isolation campaign for the heterodimeric phloroglucinyl pyrone arzanol (<b>1a</b>) from <i>Helichrysum italicum</i> subsp. <i>microphyllum</i>, several new phenolics as well as an unusual class of lipids named santinols (<b>5a</b>–<b>c</b>, <b>6</b>–<b>8</b>) have been characterized. Santinols are angeloylated glycerides characterized by the presence of branched acyl- or keto-acyl chains and represent a hitherto unreported class of plant lipids. The antibacterial activity of arzanol and of a selection of <i>Helichrysum</i> phenolics that includes coumarates, benzofurans, pyrones, and heterodimeric phloroglucinols was evaluated, showing that only the heterodimers showed potent antibacterial action against multidrug-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> isolates. These observations validate the topical use of <i>Helichrysum</i> extracts to prevent wound infections, a practice firmly established in the traditional medicine of the Mediterranean area

Time-of-addition assays with <i>S</i>. <i>desoleana</i> EO.

<p>A) Vero cells were treated with EO prior to virus infection (pre-treatment), during the infection period (during infection), or after infection (post-treatment). Data are presented as % of control. Values are means ± SEM of three independent experiments performed in duplicate. B) The histograms show the percentage of plaque area and plaque number of treated wells compared to that of untreated wells as a function of the concentration in the post-treatment assay. C) The images show representative plaques in Vero cells. The pictures and histograms shown are representative of many analyzed plaques, ranging from 15 to 25 per condition. * P< 0.0001.</p

Antiviral activity against HSV-2.

<p>Antiviral activity against HSV-2.</p

Chemical composition (expressed as g/100g) of <i>S</i>. <i>desoleana</i> essential oil and its fractions.

<p>Chemical composition (expressed as g/100g) of <i>S</i>. <i>desoleana</i> essential oil and its fractions.</p

Virus inactivation assay 10⁵ pfu of HSV-2 were incubated with 190 μg/ml of <i>S</i>. <i>desoleana</i> EO for 0 or 2 h at 37°C.

<p>The mixtures were then titrated on Vero cells at high dilutions at which the concentration of EO was not active. The titers, expressed as pfu/ml, are means and SEM for 3 independent experiments performed in duplicate.</p

Time-of-addition assays with SD1 fraction.

<p>A) Vero cells were treated with SD1 fraction prior to virus infection (pre-treatment), during the infection period (during infection), or after infection (post-treatment). Data are presented as % of control. Values are means ± SEM of three independent experiments performed in duplicate. B) The histograms show the percentage of plaque area and plaque number of treated wells compared to that of untreated wells as a function of the concentration in the post-treatment assay. C) The images show representative plaques in Vero cells. The pictures and histograms shown are representative of many analyzed plaques, ranging from 15 to 25 per condition. * P< 0.0001.</p

Antiviral activity against HSV-2 acyclovir resistant.

<p>Antiviral activity against HSV-2 acyclovir resistant.</p