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Highlights: [•] Thirteen compounds were identified with acteoside being the major compound. [•] Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive strain. [•] The methanolic extract showed strong antimutagenic activity. [•] The mehanolic extract statistically significant decreased tumour cell viability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The antioxidant activity and contents of various polyphenol classes in the seeds of 20 soybean hybrids were evaluated. Total polyphenols, tannins and proanthocyanidins were determined after extraction of plant material with 70% aqueous acetone. In addition, flavonoid content was determined. Antioxidant activity of seed extracts was evaluated by DPPH free radical scavenging activity assay. A positive linear correlation between antioxidant activity and contents of total phenols, tannins and proanthocyanidins was established. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in the extracts of hybrids which have higher levels of all polyphenol classes examined. The most of the single-cross hybrids were poor in tannins which recommend them as good source for ensiled livestock feed. Results suggested that polyphenol content should be considered as an important feature of the soybean seed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The antioxidant activity and contents of various polyphenol classes in the silks of fifteen maize hybrids with economic importance in Serbia were evaluated. Total polyphenols, tannins and proanthocyanidins were determined spectrophotometrically, after extraction of plant material with 70% aqueous acetone under sonication at room temperature. In addition, flavonoid content was determined. Antioxidant activity of aqueous acetone extracts was evaluated by FRAP assay. A positive linear correlation between antioxidant activity and contents of all investigated polyphenol classes was established. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in the extract of NS 640 hybrid, which had high levels of all polyphenol classes examined. Results suggested strongly that polyphenol content should be considered as an important feature of the herbal drug Maydis stigma. For that reason, the biological source of this herbal drug needs to be more precisely defined, as observed activities and polyphenol contents were greatly dependent on plant material source. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The antioxidant activity of the methanol extract of Filipendula hexapetala flowers was assessed by the assay for ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), the assay for DPPH free radical scavenging ability (DPPH) and the assay for the influence of lipid peroxidation in liposomes, induced by Fe2+/ascorbate system and measured by the TBA test (LP). The activity of the investigated extract in all test-systems was found to be significant. The principal constituent responsible for the observed effects was isolated and identified as spiraeoside. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Essential oil, isolated by hydrodistillation from Chenopodium botrys aerial parts, expressed significant bactericidal and fungicidal activity against selected strains of microorganisms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Meadowsweet ( Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.) and dropwort ( Filipendula vulgaris Moench) are herbaceous perennials employed in folk medicine for their antirheumatic, antipyretic and anti-ulcer properties. Aim of the study To assess ethnomedicinal claims through investigation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects of F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris lyophilized flower infusions (LFIs) as well as the F. vulgaris isolated flavonoids spiraeoside, kaempferol 4′- O -glucoside, astragalin 2′- O -gallate, mixture of hyperoside 2′- O -gallate and isoquercitrin 2′- O -gallate, and a tannin tellimagrandin II. Materials and methods Free radical scavenging activity of the tested samples was determined by examining their ability to neutralize DPPH and OH radicals in vitro , whereas reducing properties were assessed in Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. Anti-inflammatory activity was studied ex vivo in human platelets by monitoring the effect on eicosanoid biosynthesis. Gastroprotective action was estimated in animal model of acute gastric injury induced by ethanol. Results LFIs and spiraeoside exerted activities comparable to those of positive control in DPPH-radical scavenging and FRAP antioxidant assays, whereas notable hydroxyl radical scavenging ability was demonstrated only for spiraeoside (IC 50 = 5.1 μg/mL). Among tested samples, astragalin 2″- O -gallate (IC 50 = 141.1 μg/mL) and spiraeoside (IC 50 = 4.69 μg/mL) the most markedly inhibited production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandin E 2 and 12(S)-hydroxy-(5 Z ,8 Z ,10 E ,14 Z )-eicosatetraenoic acid in human platelets, respectively. Examination of LFIs (100–300 mg/kg, p.o.) gastroprotective action in rats revealed their capacity to preserve mucosal integrity. In addition, spiraeoside (50 mg/kg, p.o.) and tellimagrandin II (40 mg/kg, p.o.) showed ulcer preventive ability. Conclusion Current study supports documented traditional use of investigated herbs and indicates that flavonoid and tannin components are partially responsible for the demonstrated pharmacological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Meadowsweet ( Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.), and dropwort ( Filipendula vulgaris Moench) flowers are traditionally used to treat various ailments, including inflammatory conditions. The aim of the present study was to validate the aforementioned ethnomedicinal claim by assessing antihyperalgesic and antiedematous activities and toxicity of orally administered lyophilized flower infusions (LFIs) of F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris in experimental animals. Materials and methods The phytochemical analysis of LFIs was performed by HPLC-DAD. Antihyperalgesic and antiedematous activities were estimated in a rat model of inflammation induced by intraplantar injection of carrageenan using Von Frey anesthesiometer and plethysmometer, respectively. Moreover, acute oral toxicity of LFIs in mice was evaluated by observing changes in animal behavior and mortality for a period of 14 days following the treatment. Results HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids in LFIs, among which spiraeoside was identified as the principal component (56.27±1.03 and 55.67±1.82 mg/g of LFI in F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris , respectively). The LFIs of F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris (100–300 mg/kg; p.o.) produced significant and dose-dependent antihyperalgesic effects: ED 50 ±SEM values were 164.8±15.4 mg/kg (110.3–246.3 mg/kg) and 172.2±6.2 mg/kg (147.4–201.3 mg/kg) for F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris , respectively. On the other hand, LFIs of both species (100–300 mg/kg; p.o.) did not significantly reduce edema. Good safety profiles were evidenced in the toxicological study. The median lethal dose (LD 50 ) of the tested extracts is likely to be greater than 2000 mg/kg. Conclusion The results of the present study support the use of F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris flowers in folk medicine for relieving pain in diseases with an inflammatory component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal properties of hyssop have been used in traditional medicine since ancient times, inter alia, in diseases/conditions with an inherent inflammatory process. Aim of the study : Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of hyssop herb preparations (essential oil and methanol extracts) in vivo, in vitro and in silico. For in vitro testing of essential oils and extracts of hyssop herb, the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme assays were used. In vivo anti-inflammatory potential of the extracts (at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) was assessed using the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test. Molecular docking and dynamics were used for in silico testing of the inhibitory activity of chlorogenic (CA) and rosmarinic (RA) acids, as the dominant compounds in the tested methanol extracts against COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Significant inhibitory activity was shown in the COX-2 test regarding extracts (essential oils did not exhibit any significant activity). Namely, all analyzed extracts, at a concentration of 20 μg/mL, showed a percentage of inhibition of COX-2 enzyme (54.04–63.04%), which did not indicate a statistically significant difference from the positive control of celecoxib (61.60%) at a concentration of 8.8 μM. In vivo testing showed that all methanol extracts of hyssop herb, at the highest test dose of 200 mg/kg in the third and fourth hours, after carrageenan administration, exhibited a statistically significant (p < 0.05) inhibitory effect on the increase in rat paw edema in relation to control. This activity is comparable or higher in relation to the reference substance, indomethacin, at a concentration of 8 mg/kg. The preliminary in silico results suggest that investigated compounds (RA and CA) showed better inhibitory activity against COX-1 and COX-2 than standard non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), ibuprofen, as evident from the free binding energy (Δ G bind in kJ mol−1). The binding energies of the docked compounds to COX-1 and -2 were found to be in the range between −47.4 and −49.2 kJ mol−1. Ibuprofen, as the one NSAID, for the same receptors targets, showed remarkably higher binding energy (Δ G bind = −31.3 kJ mol−1 to COX-1, and Δ G bind = −30.9 kJ mol−1 to COX-2). The results obtained not only support the traditional use of hyssop herb in inflammatory conditions in folk medicine, but also open the door to and the need for further in vivo testing of extracts in order to examine the molecular mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity in living systems and possibly develop a new anti-inflammatory drug or supplement. [Display omitted] • The extracts of H. officinalis showed significant inhibitory potential towards COX-2 activity in vitro. • Hyssop herb extracts in vivo exhibited a statistically significant (p < 0.05) degree of inhibition of rat paw edema. • Two dominant phenolic compounds in hyssop herb extracts were rosmarinic and caffeic acids. • Rosmarinic and caffeic acids achieved great interaction with COX-1 and -2 receptors in silico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the Veronica montana L. water extract and its main phenolic compound, protocatechuic acid. The antibacterial activity was determined by microdilution assay against six strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Listeria monocytogenes was the most sensitive of the tested bacterial species. Antibacterial preserving properties of protocatechuic acid were also evaluated after its incorporation in cream cheese, using L. monocytogenes as commonly cheese contaminant. The compound successfully inhibited L. monocytogenes development in cream cheese, at room temperature and in refrigerator (25°C and 4°C, respectively), after 3days of inoculation. Sensory evaluation was carried out in order to validate the mentioned food system. A possible mode of action of the tested compound towards bacterial cells was assessed and appears to be direct lysis of pathogenic cytoplasmic membrane. Prediction of pharmacokinetic properties was also performed using computational analyzes. The obtained results can serve as an important platform for the development of effective natural preservatives. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]