Antimikrobni učinak etanolnog ekstrakta sjemenki i pulpe ploda grejpa

Antibacterial and antifungal activity of ethanolic extract of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf., Rutaceae) seed and pulp was examined against 20 bacterial and 10 yeast strains. The level of antimicrobial effects was established using an in vitro agar assay and standard broth dilution susceptibility test. The contents of 3.92% of total polyphenols and 0.11% of flavonoids were determined spectrometrically in crude ethanolic extract. The presence of flavanones naringin and hesperidin in the extract was confirmed by TLC analysis. Ethanolic extract exibited the strongest antimicrobial effect against Salmonella enteritidis MIC 2.06%, m/V). Other tested bacteria and yeasts were sensitive to extract concentrations ranging from 4.13% to 16.50% (m/V).Ispitano je djelovanje etanolnog ekstrakta sjemenki i pulpe ploda grejpa (Citrus paradisi Macf., Rutaceae) na 20 sojeva bakterija i 10 sojeva kvasnica. Antibakterijski i antifugalni učinak ekstrakta testiran je postupkom difuzije na hranjivom agaru i standardnom metodom dilucije. Spektrofotometrijski je određeno da suhi ekstrakt sadrži 3,92% ukupnih polifenola, dok je udio flavonoida iznosio 0,11%. Prisutnost flavonona naringina i hesperidina u etanolnom ekstraktu potvrđena je tankoslojnom kromatografijom. Ekstrakt je pokazao najsnažniji učinak na vrstu Salmonella enteritidis (MIC 2,06%, m/V), dok je na ostale ispitane bakterije i kvasnice djelovao u koncentracijama od 4,13% do 16,50% (m/V)

Antimikrobni učinak etanolnog ekstrakta sjemenki i pulpe ploda grejpa

Antibacterial and antifungal activity of ethanolic extract of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf., Rutaceae) seed and pulp was examined against 20 bacterial and 10 yeast strains. The level of antimicrobial effects was established using an in vitro agar assay and standard broth dilution susceptibility test. The contents of 3.92% of total polyphenols and 0.11% of flavonoids were determined spectrometrically in crude ethanolic extract. The presence of flavanones naringin and hesperidin in the extract was confirmed by TLC analysis. Ethanolic extract exibited the strongest antimicrobial effect against Salmonella enteritidis MIC 2.06%, m/V). Other tested bacteria and yeasts were sensitive to extract concentrations ranging from 4.13% to 16.50% (m/V).Ispitano je djelovanje etanolnog ekstrakta sjemenki i pulpe ploda grejpa (Citrus paradisi Macf., Rutaceae) na 20 sojeva bakterija i 10 sojeva kvasnica. Antibakterijski i antifugalni učinak ekstrakta testiran je postupkom difuzije na hranjivom agaru i standardnom metodom dilucije. Spektrofotometrijski je određeno da suhi ekstrakt sadrži 3,92% ukupnih polifenola, dok je udio flavonoida iznosio 0,11%. Prisutnost flavonona naringina i hesperidina u etanolnom ekstraktu potvrđena je tankoslojnom kromatografijom. Ekstrakt je pokazao najsnažniji učinak na vrstu Salmonella enteritidis (MIC 2,06%, m/V), dok je na ostale ispitane bakterije i kvasnice djelovao u koncentracijama od 4,13% do 16,50% (m/V)

Phytochemical Aspects and Therapeutic Perspective of Cannabinoids in Cancer Treatment

Cannabinoids comprise the plant‐derived compounds and their synthetic derivatives as well as endogenously produced lipophilic mediators. Phytocannabinoids are terpenophenolic secondary metabolites predominantly produced in Cannabissativa L. The principal active constituent is delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which binds to endocannabinoid receptors to exert its pharmacological activity, including psychoactive effect. The other important molecule of current interest is non‐psychotropic cannabidiol (CBD). Since 1970s, phytocannabinoids have been known for their palliative effects on some cancer‐associated symptoms such as nausea and vomiting reduction, appetite stimulation and pain relief. More recently, these molecules have gained special attention for their role in cancer cell proliferation and death. A large body of evidence suggests that cannabinoids affect multiple signalling pathways involved in the development of cancer, displaying an anti‐proliferative, proapoptotic, anti‐angiogenic and anti‐metastatic activity on a wide range of cell lines and animal models of cancer. These findings have led to the development of clinical studies to investigate potential anti‐cancer activity in humans, but reliable clinical evidence for this therapeutic option is still missing

Medicinska konoplja u onkologiji

Although today among oncology patients use of various preparations of complementary and alternative medicine is more and more frequent, there is unequivocal scientifi c base for their use. Among the often used preparations, especially in the treatment of cancer pain, is cannabis and its derivatives. Cannabinoids act on the endogenous cannabinoid system, with widespread receptors in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. Although the pharmacology of the cannabinoids is still largely unknown, numerous of their eff ects were investigated. In oncology, studies have been conducted on the effect of cannabinoids on nausea and vomiting during the oncological treatment, the cancer pain and neuropathy, on appetite and weight loss, and the impact on mood, depression and anxiety. It is also observed that some of the cannabinoids have antitumor, but also protumorous activity. There have been many diff erent side eff ects of cannabinoids detected, and in a smaller percentage also the development of addiction. Best known preparations nowadays are dronabinol, nabilon and nabiximol. At the moment, the evidence lack strenght, and large randomized clinical trials are required, which would confi rm predominatly positive results of the research.Iako je danas među onkološkim bolesnicima sve učestalija uporaba različitih pripravaka komplementarne i alternativne medicine, za njihovu uporabu nema nedvojbene znanstvene potvrde. Među češće primjenjivanim pripravcima, osobito u liječenju karcinomske boli, je i kanabis i njegovi derivati. Kanabinoidi djeluju u organizmu preko endokanabinoidnog sustava, s rasprostranjenim receptorima u središnjem živčanom sustavu i perifernim tkivima. Iako je farmakologija kanabinoida još uvijek uglavnom nepoznata, do sada su istraživani njihovi brojni učinci. U onkologiji su provedena istraživanja utjecaja na mučninu i povraćanje prilikom onkološkog liječenja, na karcinomsku bol te neuropatiju, na apetit i gubitak tjelesne mase te utjecaj na raspoloženje, depresiju i tjeskobu. Također je opažen antitumorski, ali i protumorski učinak nekih kanabinoida. Zabilježeni su brojni različiti neželjeni učinci kanabinoida, a u manjem postotku i razvoj ovisnosti. Najpoznatiji pripravci danas jesu dronabinol, nabilon i nabiksimol. Sveukupno, za sada nisu osigurani dovoljno snažni i nedvojbeni dokazi i potrebne su velike randomizirane kliničke studije, koje bi potvrdile do sada opažene pozitivne rezultate istraživanja

Determination of Phenolic Content and DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity of Functional Fruit Juices Fortified with Thymus serpyllum L. and Salvia officinalis L. Extracts

The objective of this study was to spectrophotometric determinate the total phenolic, flavonoid, hydroxycinnamic acid, and flavonol content of orange, pineapple, and apple juices fortified with wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.), Dalmatian sage (Salvia officinalis L.), and wild thyme-Dalmatian sage (3 : 1, v / v) extracts, and to evaluate their DPPH radical scavenging activity as a contribution to the development of a new functional beverage. The plant extracts addition increased the amount of phenolic compounds in fruit juices and improved their antioxidant properties. The highest concentrations of bioactive compounds and the greatest DPPH radical activity were obtained by adding Dalmatian sage extract to orange juice. Our study provides the novelty of fortifying fruit juices with wild thyme and Dalmatian sage extracts and offers significant potential for the creation of functional beverages

Flavonoid diosmetin increases ATP levels in kidney cells and relieves ATP depleting effect of ochratoxin A

Diosmetin (DIOS) is a flavone aglycone commonly occurring in citrus species and olive leaves, in addition it is one of the active ingredients of some medications. Based on both in vitro and in vivo studies several beneficial effects are attributed to DIOS but the biochemical background of its action seems to be complex and it has not been completely explored yet. Previous investigations suggest that most of the flavonoid aglycones have negative effect on ATP synthesis in a dose dependent manner. In our study 17 flavonoids were tested and interestingly DIOS caused a significant elevation of intracellular ATP levels after 6- and 12-h incubation in MDCK kidney cells. In order to understand the mechanism of action, intracellular ATP and protein levels, ATP/ADP ratio, cell viability and ROS levels were determined after DIOS treatment. In addition, impacts of different enzyme inhibitors and effect of DIOS on isolated rat liver mitochondria were also tested. Finally, the influence of DIOS on the ATP depleting effect of the mycotoxin, ochratoxin A was also investigated. Our major conclusions are the followings: DIOS increases intracellular ATP levels both in kidney and in liver cells. Inhibition of glycolysis or citric acid cycle does not decrease the observed effect. DIOS-induced elevation of ATP levels is completely abolished by the inhibition of ATP synthase. DIOS is able to completely reverse the ATP-depleting effect of the mycotoxin, ochratoxin A. Most probably the DIOS-induced impact on ATP system does not originate from the antioxidant property of DIOS. Based on our findings DIOS may be promising agent to positively influence ATP depletion caused by some metabolic poisons

Hepatoprotective effects of Micromeria croatica ethanolic extract against CCl4–induced liver injury in mice

Abstract BACKGROUND: Micromeria croatica (Pers.) Schott is an aromatic plant from Lamiaceae family previously found to possess potent in vitro antioxidant activity which is mainly attributed to the high level of polyphenolic substances. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective activity and possible underlying mechanisms of Micromeria croatica ethanolic extract (MC) using a model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury in mice. METHODS: Male BALB/cN mice were randomly divided into seven groups: control group received saline, MC group received ethanolic extract of M. croatica in 5% DMSO (100 mg/kg b.w., p.o.), and CCl4 group was administered CCl4 dissolved in corn oil (2 mL/kg, 10% v/v, ip). MC50, MC200 and MC400 groups were treated with MC orally at doses of 50, 200 and 400 mg/kg once daily for 2 consecutive days, respectively, 6 h after CCl4 intoxication. The reference group received silymarin at dose of 400 mg/kg. At the end of experiment, blood and liver samples were collected for biochemical, histopathological, immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses. In addition, major phenolic compounds in MC were quantified by HPLC-DAD. RESULTS: CCl4 intoxication resulted in liver cells damage and oxidative stress and triggered inflammatory response in mice livers. MC treatment decreased ALT activity and prevented liver necrosis. Improved hepatic antioxidant status was evident by increased Cu/Zn SOD activity and decreased 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) formation in the livers. Concomitantly, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were overexpressed. The hepatoprotective activity of MC was accompanied by the increase in nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) activation and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression, indicating amelioration of hepatic inflammation. Additionally, MC prevented tumor growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, suggesting the potential for suppression of hepatic fibrogenesis. CONCLUSION: These results of the present study demonstrated that MC possesses in vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and exhibits antifibrotic potential, which are comparable to those of standard hepatoprotective compound silymarin