Determination of the Total Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Activity and Cytotoxicity of Selected Aromatic Herbs

Aromatic plants used as culinary herbs contain phytochemicals with distinct properties affecting the population that utilizes them, yet there is still insufficient data on their bioactive profile. The present study investigated the antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of five aromatic herbs: Allium schoenoprasum L. (ASPR), Allium ursinum L. (AUR), Anthriscus cerefolium L. Hoffm. (ACH), Capsicum annuum L. var. annuum (CAF) and Foeniculum vulgare Mill (FVH). Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined by Folin- Ciocalteu method and AlCl3 method. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was examined by 2,2’-diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), Non- site-specific-degradation (NSSOH) and Site-specific-deoxyribose-degradation (SSOH) assays. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was evaluated by Brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA). Considerable variations were observed for TPC values from 65.03 to 253.74 mg GAE/g crude extract and TFC values from 8.02 to 49.58 mg QE/g crude extract. Highest quantity of total polyphenols and flavonoids was measured in CAF, which also demonstrated strong radical scavenging ability, reducing power and chelating activity. ACH showed lower amount of polyphenols and weak antioxidant activity. Obtained LC50 values by BSLA revealed strong cytotoxicity for CAF, moderate for FVH and ASPR, weak cytotoxicity for AUR, while ACH caused no toxic effects against the shrimps

Hepatoprotektivni učinak etil-acetatnog ekstrakta biljke Teucrium polium L. na jetru štakora oštećenu tetraklormetanom

Hepatoprotective activity of the ethyl acetate extract of Teucrium polium (L.) was investigated using rats with CCl4-induced liver damage. Specific biochemical parameters (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and total antioxidative status) were estimated in blood and in liver homogenate. Lipid peroxidation in CCl4-intoxicated rats was evidenced by a marked increment in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Histopatological examinations of the liver were undertaken to monitor the liver status. Silymarin was used as a standard to compare the hepatoprotective activity of the extract. Some biochemical parameters in groups treated with the Teucrium polium extract at a dose of 25 mg kg-1, showed significantly different values than that of the CCl4-treated group. The liver biopsy of all experimental rat groups treated with the Teucrium polium ethyl acetate extract showed significant restoration of the normal histomorphological pattern of liver cells. The study substantiates the potential hepatoprotective activity of the ethyl acetate extract of Teucrium polium L.Hepatoprotektivno djelovanje etil-acetatnog ekstrakta biljke Teucrium polium L. ispitivano je na štakorima čija je jetra oštećena tetraklormetanom. Specifični biokemijski parametri (glutation peroksidaza, superoksid dismutaza, reducirani glutation i ukupni antioksidativni status) procijenjeni su u krvi i homogenatu jetre. Lipidna peroksidacija u štakora intoksiciranih tetraklormetanom dokazana je povećanjem koncentracije reaktivnih derivata tiobarbiturne kiseline. Stanje jetre procijenjeno je histopatološkim ispitivanjima. U ispitivanjima hepatoprotektivnog djelovanja ekstrakta Teucrium polium upotrebljen je silimarin kao standard. Neki biokemijski parametri u skupini životinja tretiranih ispitivanim ekstraktom u dozi od 25 mg kg-1 imali su značajno različite vrijednosti od skupine tretirane s CCl4. Biopsija jetre u svim ispitivanim životinjama tretiranim ekstraktom pokazala je uspostavu normalnih histomorfoloških uvjeta u stanicama, što ukazuje na hepatoprotektivno djelovanje biljke Teucrium polium

In vitro antioksidativno djelovanje nekih Teucrium vrsta (Lamiaceae)

The chemical composition and antioxidant activity of different extracts (diethyl ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanol) obtained from Teucrium species (T. chamaedrys, T. montanum, T. polium) were investigated in this work. Phytochemical screening of the plant extracts proved the presence of flavonoids: luteolin, apigenin and/or diosmetin. The chemical composition of extracts was evaluated by HPLC and spectrophotometry. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated using three complementary in vitro assays: inhibition of DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical, inhibition of hydroxyl radicals and protection of beta-carotene-linoleic acid model system. In the first two assays, strong inhibitory activity was shown by T. montanum and T. chamaedrys extracts. In the beta-carotene-linoleic acid model system, extracts from T. polium showed remarkable activity. These findings demonstrated that Teucrium species possess free radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity as well as antioxidant activity in vitro.U radu je opisan kemijski sastav i antioksidativno djelovanje različitih ekstrakata (dietil-eter, etil-acetat, n-butanol) iz Teucrium vrsta (T. chamaedrys, T. montanum, T. polium). Fitokemijska istraživanja ekstrakata HPLC metodom i spketrofotometrijom pokazala su prisutnost flavonoida luteolina, apigenina i/ili diosmetina. Antioksidativni učinci ekstrakata praćeni su in vitro pomoću tri komplementarne metode koje se temelje na inhibiciji DPPH (1,1-difenil-2-pikrilhidrazil) radikala, inhibiciji hidroksil radikala ili na zaštiti sustava -karoten-linoleinska kiselina. U prva dva modela dokazan je snažni inhibitorni učinak ekstrakata vrsta T. montanum, T. chamaedrys, dok su u trećem modelu ekstrakti iz T. polium pokazala značajni učinak. Rezulati ukazuju da Teucrium vrste imaju sposobnost vezanja slobodnih i hidroksil radikala i antioksidativni učinak in vitro

Determination of volatile aroma compounds in fresh Origanum vulgare and Hyssopus officinalis: Headspace GC/FID/MS profile

Origanum vulgare and Hyssopus officinalis are important aromatic and medicinal plants. The chemical composition of the volatile aroma compounds was defined in the fresh aerial part of Origanum vulgare (f-O) and Hyssopus officinalis (f-H), collected in Valbona (Albania). The analysis were made by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC/FID/MS) on HP5-ms column and equipped with automated headspace (HS) system. 0,3 g fresh plant material (homogenized samples from flower, leaf and stem) was put in sealed vials, heated (80 ͦC) and the gas phase was investigated. Total of 21 individual volatile aroma compounds were identified in f-O sample, 14 monoterpenes (78.35%) and 7 sesquiterpenes (3.03%). Dominant components were monoterpene hydrocarbons: sabinene (55.05%), trans-β-ocimene (5.19%) and γ-terpinene (4.05%), followed by cis-sabinene hydrate, α-terpinene and β-pinene. In f-H sample were identified 16 individual volatile aroma components, 11 monoterpenes (84.51%) and 5 sesquiterpenes (0.29%). The major components were monoterpene hydrocarbons: β-pinene (48.66%) and cispinocamphone (29.77%), followed by α-pinene and α-thujen

Biljni proizvodi u lečenju gojaznosti

Treating overweight and obesity with medications generally offers initial advantages but can result in weight regain after stopping the drugs, as well as in medication-related side effects, and the potential for substance misuse. The allure of herbal products lies in their natural origin, thus leading individuals towards these products in search of a healthier and more sustainable approach to weight loss. Understanding how herbal products interact with biological systems is crucial for assessing their therapeutic potential. Anti-obesity herbal products and their compounds can act through different mechanisms, such as: appetite suppression, digestion and absorption blocking, stimulation of thermogenesis, inhibition of adipogenesis, and modulation of these processes through gene expression. The physiological effects and therapeutic properties exhibited by herbal products are ascribed to the presence and activity of their active components, such as polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, stanols, sterols and alkaloids. Furthermore, the synergistic effects of various phytochemicals have been explored to enhance their anti-obesity properties.Lečenje prekomerne težine i gojaznosti lekovima obično je od kratkoročne koristi i često je povezano sa povećanjem telesne težine nakon prestanka terapije, neželjenim efektima lekova i rizikom od njihove zloupotrebe. Popularnost biljnih proizvoda potiče od njihovog prirodnog porekla, što navodi pojedince da ih upotrebljavaju u cilju zdravijeg i održivijeg pristupa mršavljenju i regulaciji telesne težine. Razumevanje načina na koji biljni proizvodi stupaju u interakciju sa biološkim sistemima je ključno za procenu njihovog terapeutskog potencijala. Biljne droge protiv gojaznosti i njihova jedinjenja mogu delovati kroz različitim mehanizmima, kao što su: suzbijanje apetita, blokiranje varenja i apsorpcije, stimulacija termogeneze, inhibicija adipogeneze i modulacija ovih procesa kroz ekspresiju gena. Fiziološki efekti i terapijska svojstva biljnih droga pripisuju se njihovim aktivnim sastojcima, kao što su polifenoli, tanini, flavonoidi, antocijanini, stanoli, steroli i alkaloidi. Takođe, analizirani su sinergistička delovanja različitih biljnih sastojka kako bi se poboljšali njihovi efekti protiv gojaznosti

Chemical composition of berry essential oils from Juniperus communis L. (Cupressaceae) growing wild in Republic of Macedonia and assessment of the chemical composition in accordance to European Pharmacopoeia

Chemical composition of fifteen samples of juniper essential oil was analyzed using GC/FID/MS method. Thirteen samples of berries were collected on different locations in south-western part , two of them in central-north region of Republic of Macedonia. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger type apparatus using official method of European Pharmacopoeia. GC/MS analysis revealed 74 identified components. The predominant fractions of the oils were monoterpene hydrocarbons representing 39.11- 73.38%. Great variability in the chemical composition and content of some components was observed. The most variable components were α-pinene (15.59-43.19%), β-pinene (1.65%-5.35%), β-myrcene (2.89%-26.50%), sabinene (2.80-11.77%), and limonene (2.90-4.46%). In the fraction of oxidized monoterpenes the most abundant was terpene-4-ol (trace - 6.32%) followed by α-terpineol (0.18-1.63%). In the sesquiterpene fraction predominant components were: germacrene D (2.76-10.22%), β-elemene (1.13-3.40%) and trans-(E)-caryophyllene (1.8%- 4.05%). Twelve samples of Macedonian juniper oils comply with European Pharmacopoeia chemical composition requirements for juniper oil and three samples did not, due to lower amount of α-pinene

A review of phytotherapy of Acne vulgaris

Acne vulgaris (acne) is a cutaneous pleomorphic disorder of the pilosebaceous unit involving abnormalities in sebum production and is characterized by both inflammatory (papules, pustules and nodules) and non-inflammatory (comedones, open and closed) lesions. Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis are common pus-forming microbes responsible for the development of various forms of acne. This disease remains a common condition in industrialized societies, with many mainstream treatment options available. There are many acne products on the market, and making an appropriate selection can be daunting. Common therapies that are used for the treatment of acne include topical, systemic, hormonal, herbal and combination therapy. Topically used agents are benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics and retinoid. Systemically used agents are antibiotics and isotretinoin. However, all such treatments carry risks and none is completely satisfactory. Natural alternatives are gaining greater research support, and have much to offer clinically in this disorder. This review focuses primarily on herbal treatments for acne that show scientific evidence of clinical efficacy, as well as the more common herbs shown to be useful in the treatment of this dermatologic disorder

http://bulletin.mfd.org.mk/volumes/Volume%2051/51_005.pdf

The present study describes the ability of different extracts of H. plicatum obtained from flowers, stems and leaves, to act as natural antioxidants in different in vitro experimental models in which free radical reactions are involved: inhibition of DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl) radical, inhibition of hydroxyl radicals and protection of β-carotene-linoleic acid model system. Investigate extracts showed radical scavenging activity with IC50 from 6 to 11 mg/ml. The extracts are capable to reacting with OH• radical with inhibition of its production ranged between 33-58%. The high preventive activity against the bleaching of beta-carotene (15-49% of initial value after 120 minutes) was also observed. The antioxidative activity of the extracts in the experimental systems was compared with that of reference substances: luteolin, quercetin, BHA, BHT and sylimarin (the main agent of the well-known milk thistle – Silybum marianum L.). Results of this study suggest that Helichrysum plicatum represent a natural source with antioxidant potential

Identifikacija i opredeluvanje na flavonoidi vo Eryngii herba (Eryngium campestre L., Apiaceae)

Ispituvani se flavonoidni komponenti vo primeroci od Eryngii herba, Eryngium campestre L. (Apiaceae) sobrani od tri razlicni lokaliteti vo Kosovo. Vospostaveni se TLC i HPLC metodi za identifikacija, i metodi za kvantificiranje na sodrzina na vkupni flavonoidi (spektrofotometriski metod) i sodrzina na vkupni flavonoli (HPLC metod). Vo ekstrakti dobieni posle hidroliza na heterozidnite formi, utvrdeno e prisustvo na nekolku flavonoli od koi se identifikuvani kvarcetin i kemferol. Kvantitativna analiza pokaza deka dominanten aglikon e kemferol. Sodrzinata na vkupnite flavonoidi se dvizi vo granici od 0,12-0,14%, a na vkupnite flavonoli od 0,04-0,13 %, opredeleni so spektrofotometriski i so HPLC metod, soodvetno