Antiproliferative, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. essential oil

Introduction: We studied the chemical composition and antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities of essential oils from flowers of Lavandula angustifolia grown in Southern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods: The chemical profile of essential oil was evaluated by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial activity was tested against six bacterial strains. The antioxidant activity by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test and the antiproliferative activity against three human cancer cell lines, MCF-7, NCI-H460, and MOLT-4, were investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide tests. Results: In L. angustifolia essential oil, monoterpene alcohols were the most represented class of volatiles (51.8%), including linalool, lavandulol, and terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol as the major components, followed by monoterpene esters (22.6%). The most important antibacterial activity of essential oil was expressed on Gram-negative strains. Investigated essential oil was able to reduce DPPH radicals into the neutral DPPH-H form (inhibitory concentration 50% [IC50] = 0.421 mg/ml), and this activity was dose dependent. The essential oil showed significant antiproliferative activity against three cancer cell lines, MOLT-4, MCF-7, and NCI-H460 cells, with IC50 values of 17, 94, and 97 µg/ml, respectively. The result of the antiproliferative assay indicates that MOLT-4 cell line was the most sensitive to investigated essential oil. Conclusion: The results revealed that L. angustifolia essential oil may be important growth inhibitor against the microbes studied. It also possesses significant antioxidant activity and demonstrated excellent antiproliferative activity against MOLT-4 cells

Anticoagulant activity of some Artemisia dracunculus leaf extracts

Platelet hyperactivity and platelet interaction with endothelial cells contribute to the development and progression of many cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and thrombosis. The impact of platelet activity with different pharmacological agents, such as acetylsalicylic acid and coumarin derivatives, has been shown to be effective in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Artemisia dracunculus, L. Asteraceae (Tarragon) is used for centuries in the daily diet in many Middle Eastern countries, and it is well known for its anticoagulant activity. The present study investigates the presence of coumarins in tarragon leaves and subsequently determines the extract with a major amount of coumarin derivatives. The solvents of different polarities and different pH values were used for the purpose of purifying the primary extract in order to obtain fractions with the highest coumarin content. Those extracts and fractions were investigated for their anticoagulant activity by determining prothrombin time (PT) and the international normalized ratio (INR), expressed in relation to the coagulation time of the healthy person. Purified extracts and fractions obtained from plant residue after essential oil distillation, concentrated in coumarin derivatives, showed the best anticoagulant activity, using samples of human blood. INR maximum value (2.34) and consequently the best anticoagulant activity showed the methanol extract at concentration of 5%.  The INR value of normal plasma in testing this extract was 1.05

Diferenças entre tela de movimento funcional e somatotipo em jovens jogadores de handebol e voleibol

Introduction. Handball and volleyball are among the world's popular sports, which are played practically in every country at different levels of competition. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in somatotype and morphological characteristics between young handball players and volleyball players as well as the differences in the results of functional body mobility tests between the tested groups. Material and Methods. The research included a sample of 23 female athletes who were divided into two subsamples, as follows. A total of 12 athletes were from the Handball team and a total of 11 athletes were from the Volleyball team.  The following anthropometric measurements were conducted: Height and body mass, four skinfolds (triceps, subscapular, supraspinal and calf), breadths (humerus and femur diameters) and girths (arm and calf). Body mass (kg) and body fat (%) of the subjects were measured by the method of bioelectrical impedance (TANITA 545N) with an accuracy of 0.1 kg. Functional Movement Score is a scanning system which includes seven steps (i.e., deep squat, hurdle step, in-line lunge, shoulder mobility, active leg raise, trunk stability push-up, and rotary stability). Results. The results of the study in female handball players recorded a higher percentage of body fat and body mass index compared to female volleyball players (p <.05), while no statistically significant difference was recorded in body weight and height. Analyzing the somatotype of players, it is noticeable that handball players have higher values of endomorphism and mesomorphism, while volleyball players have higher values of ectomorphism. Statistically significant differences were observed in mesomorph and ectomorph (p <.001). In the Functional Movement Screen test, it was noticeable that statistically significant differences were recorded in the two variables (Shoulder mobility and trunk stability push up) in favor of the volleyball players, as well as in the overall standings, while in the other variables no statistically significant difference was recorded. Conclusions. Determining somatotype must occupy the attention of coaches who work with young athletes. Movement-based assessment serves to pinpoint functional deficits (or bio-markers) related to proprioceptive, mobility and stability weaknesses.Introducción. El balonmano y el voleibol se encuentran entre los deportes populares del mundo, que se juegan prácticamente en todos los países en diferentes niveles de competencia. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las diferencias en el somatotipo y las características morfológicas entre los jóvenes jugadores de balonmano y voleibol, así como las diferencias en los resultados de las pruebas de movilidad corporal funcional entre los grupos evaluados. Material y métodos. La investigación contó con una muestra de 23 mujeres atletas que fueron divididas en dos submuestras, de la siguiente manera. Un total de 12 atletas eran del equipo de Balonmano y un total de 11 atletas eran del equipo de Voleibol. Se realizaron las siguientes medidas antropométricas: altura y masa corporal, cuatro pliegues cutáneos (tríceps, subescapular, supraespinal y pantorrilla), anchos (diámetros de húmero y fémur) y perímetros (brazo y pantorrilla). El peso corporal (kg) y la grasa corporal (%) de los sujetos se midieron mediante el método de impedancia bioeléctrica (TANITA 545N) con una precisión de 0,1 kg. La puntuación de movimiento funcional es un sistema de escaneo que incluye siete pasos (es decir, sentadilla profunda, paso de obstáculos, estocada en línea, movilidad del hombro, elevación activa de la pierna, flexión de estabilidad del tronco y estabilidad rotatoria). Resultados. Los resultados del estudio en jugadoras de balonmano registraron un mayor porcentaje de grasa corporal e índice de masa corporal en comparación con las jugadoras de voleibol (p < 0,05), mientras que no se registró diferencia estadísticamente significativa en peso corporal y talla. Analizando el somatotipo de los jugadores, se destaca que los jugadores de balonmano tienen valores más altos de endomorfismo y mesomorfismo, mientras que los jugadores de voleibol tienen valores más altos de ectomorfismo. Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en mesomorfo y ectomorfo (p <.001). En el test Functional Movement Screen, se notó que se registraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las dos variables (Movilidad de hombros y estabilidad del tronco) a favor de las jugadoras de voleibol, así como en la clasificación general, mientras que en las demás variables no se registró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa. Conclusiones. La determinación del somatotipo debe ocupar la atención de los entrenadores que trabajan con atletas jóvenes. La evaluación basada en el movimiento sirve para identificar los déficits funcionales (o biomarcadores) relacionados con las debilidades propioceptivas, de movilidad y de estabilidad.Introdução. O handebol e o vôlei estão entre os esportes mais populares do mundo, praticados em praticamente todos os países em vários níveis de competição. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar as diferenças nas características somatotípicas e morfológicas entre jovens jogadores de handebol e voleibol, bem como as diferenças nos resultados dos testes funcionais de mobilidade corporal entre os grupos avaliados. Material e métodos. A pesquisa contou com uma amostra de 23 atletas do sexo feminino que foram divididas em duas subamostras, conforme segue. Um total de 12 atletas eram da equipe de Handebol e um total de 11 atletas da equipe de Voleibol. Foram realizadas as seguintes medidas antropométricas: estatura e massa corporal, quatro dobras cutâneas (tríceps, subescapular, supraespinal e panturrilha), larguras (diâmetros do úmero e do fêmur) e perímetros (braço e panturrilha). O peso corporal (kg) e a gordura corporal (%) dos sujeitos foram medidos pelo método de bioimpedância elétrica (TANITA 545N) com precisão de 0,1 kg. A pontuação do movimento funcional é um sistema de escaneamento que inclui sete etapas (ou seja, agachamento profundo, passo com barreira, estocada em linha, mobilidade do ombro, elevação ativa da perna, flexão de estabilidade do tronco e estabilidade rotacional). Resultados. Os resultados do estudo em jogadores de handebol registraram maior percentual de gordura corporal e índice de massa corporal em comparação com jogadores de voleibol (p < 0,05), enquanto não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa no peso corporal e na altura. Analisando o somatotipo dos jogadores, destaca-se que os jogadores de andebol apresentam valores mais elevados de endomorfismo e mesomorfismo, enquanto os jogadores de voleibol apresentam valores mais elevados de ectomorfismo. Diferenças estatisticamente significativas foram observadas em mesomorfo e ectomorfo (p <.001). No teste Functional Movement Screen, notou-se que foram registradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas nas duas variáveis ??(mobilidade do ombro e estabilidade do tronco) a favor dos jogadores de voleibol, bem como na classificação geral, enquanto nas demais variáveis ??não foram . uma diferença estatisticamente significativa foi registrada. conclusões. A somatotipagem deve ocupar a atenção dos treinadores que trabalham com jovens atletas. A avaliação baseada em movimento é usada para identificar déficits funcionais (ou biomarcadores) relacionados a fraquezas proprioceptivas, de mobilidade e de estabilidade

Anticoagulant activity of some Artemisia dracunculus leaf extracts

Platelet hyperactivity and platelet interaction with endothelial cells contribute to the development and progression of many cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and thrombosis. The impact of platelet activity with different pharmacological agents, such as acetylsalicylic acid and coumarin derivatives, has been shown to be effective in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Artemisia dracunculus, L. Asteraceae (Tarragon) is used for centuries in the daily diet in many Middle Eastern countries, and it is well known for its anticoagulant activity. The present study investigates the presence of coumarins in tarragon leaves and subsequently determines the extract with a major amount of coumarin derivatives. The solvents of different polarities and different pH values were used for the purpose of purifying the primary extract in order to obtain fractions with the highest coumarin content. Those extracts and fractions were investigated for their anticoagulant activity by determining prothrombin time (PT) and the international normalized ratio (INR), expressed in relation to the coagulation time of the healthy person. Purified extracts and fractions obtained from plant residue after essential oil distillation, concentrated in coumarin derivatives, showed the best anticoagulant activity, using samples of human blood. INR maximum value (2.34) and consequently the best anticoagulant activity showed the methanol extract at concentration of 5%.  The INR value of normal plasma in testing this extract was 1.05.