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This study investigated the possible protective and therapeutic effects of Myrtus communis subsp. communis ethanol extract (MC) in aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and D-galactose (D-Gal) induced Alzheimer's disease in rats. MC was orally given to rats as a protective treatment for 90 days and, in other two groups starting from the 60th day MC (100-200 mg/kg) was administered, concomitantly with AlCl3 and D-Gal. Learning and memory functions were evaluated by the behavioral tests. Biological activities of MC treatment were examined in hippocampal tissues by ELISA tests. D-Gal and AlCl3-treated rats showed increased amyloid beta (Aβ) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8- OHdG) levels, acetylcholinesterase activity and decreased neprilysin, Na+-K+ATPase and SOD levels in parallel with a decrease in Novel Object Recognition Test, Morris Water Maze and Passive Avoidance Test scores. On the other hand, MC administration reversed the behavioral impairments and improved learning and memory. Moreover, MC treatment decreased Aβ and 8-OHdG levels and acetylcholinesterase activity and increased neprilysin levels, Na+-K+ATPase and SOD levels. Our results suggest that MC has beneficial effects on cognitive and neuronal functions through its anticholinesterase and antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall aim of the present research is to evaluate for the first time the curative effect of Cotinus coggygria leaves on burn injury in an experimental burn model along with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity potential. Also, phenolic compounds of C. coggygria were characterised by LC-MS/MS. Wistar albino rats weighing 200-250 g were exposed to 90°C bath for 10 s to induce burn injury, involving 30% of the total body surface area. In the treatment groups, 5% C. coggygria ethanol extract was applied topically as a cream immediately after the burn. Blood and skin tissue samples were taken after decapitation at the 4th and 48th hours following the burn procedure. Interleukin 1-β (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) were determined in serum samples, and hydroxyproline, prostoglandin E2 (PGE2), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxy-guanosine (8-OHdG) levels were determined in skin tissue samples. Increased levels of serum cytokines were decreased with C. coggygria treatment in both periods. MPO activity, prostaglandine (PGE2), and 8-OhdG levels increased, while hydroxyproline levels decreased due to burn damage. On the other hand, these parameters were returned to its normal levels with C. coggygria treatment. In addition, the tissue histology of animals treated with C. coggygria showed a complete epithelialization with increased collagenation. As a result, C. coggygria may be an alternative treatment approach for burns-induced skin damage and wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to determine whether Platanus orientalis (PO) which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and diuretic properties and used in the treatment of kidney stones as traditional folk medicine, will reduce or prevent the stone formation in the urinary system. To simulate the urolithiasis model 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) and 1% ammonium chloride (AC) were applied to Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were divided into four groups (n=8). The control group was given standard drinking water for 5 weeks. EG group received 0.75% EG in their drinking water containing 0.75% EG and 1% AC. PO extract (100 mg/kg) was given orally for 5 weeks to the preventive group and for last 2 weeks to the therapeutic group, respectively. At the end of experiment, 24-hour urine and kidney samples were obtained. In urine samples, calcium and citrate levels were decreased and oxalate level was increased in the EG group. In kidney samples myeloperoxidase, caspase-3, N-acetyl-ß-glycosaminidase (NAG) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-1ß levels were increased while superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione levels were decreased in the EG group. These biochemical parameters returned to control levels in both PO treatment groups. Histological findings also correlate with these results. Our findings are suggested that PO treatments is effective in both preventive and therapeutic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, methanol extract (CSM) and their hexane (CSH), chloroform (CSC), ethyl acetate (CSEA) and aqueous methanol fractions (CSAM) prepared from aerial parts of Centaurea saligna (K.Koch) Wagenitz were investigated for in vitro antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Anticancer, antioxidant, antiinflammatory activities of these extracts were carried out by MTT, DPPH-ABTS, 5-lipoxygenase methods, respectively. Methanol extract and its fractions of C. saligna were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against MCF-7, A549, HeLa, HT-29, PC-3 cell lines at a concentration of 50 µg / ml. Total flavonoid and phenolic contents of extracts were detected by AlCI3 and Folin-Ciocalteu methods, respectively. Analysis of phytochemical of CSEA, showing a strong anti-inflammatory activity with good antioxidant activity, was performed by LC-MS/MS. CSC exhibited the best antiproliferative activity against HeLa, HT-29, MCF-7 cell lines with 50.18%, 46.88%, 45.42% mortality, respectively. CSEA showed the highest antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 82.05 µg/ml and 108.4 µg/ml against ABTS and DPPH radicals, respectively. The highest total phenolic amounts have been determined in CSEA with value of 379.2 mg GAE/g extract. In the same way, the highest total flavonoid amounts have been observed in CSEA with values of 170.3 mg QE/g extract. CSEA showed strong anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 value of 0.10 µg/ml when compared to indomethacine as standard (22.39 µg/ml). Analysis of CSEA by LC-MS/MS revealed that the major compounds were quinic acid, 5-caffeoylquinic acid, apigenin C-hexoside-C-pentoside, p-coumaroylquinic acid, quercetin glucoside, di-caffeoylquinic acid, isorhamnetine glucoside, isorhamnetin glucuronide and isorhamnetin derivative. These results proved that CSEA has significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity and CSC has good antiproliferatif activity. Also, the results demostrate that CSEA and CSC are a good source for further bioactivity-guided isolation in discovering new active antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of essential oils of aerial parts of Daucus carota (DEO) and Foeniculum vulgare (FEO) was specified by GC/MS. Antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of oils were tested by α-glucosidase inhibitory, 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory, DPPH/ABTS radical scavenging, and broth microdilution methods, respectively. Thirty components were identified in DEO (87.7%). Carotol (27.7%), elemicin (18.1%), and limonene (16.0%) were determined as the main compounds in DEO. Seventeen constituents were identified in FEO (100.0%). Estragole (34.0%), limonene (27.1%), and α-pinene (19.5%) were found as major components in FEO. Both oils displayed weak antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. However, the oils were not effective on Grampositive bacteria. DEO with IC50 values of 1359 and 1579 µg/mL and FEO with IC50 values of 3106 and 1654 µg/mL showed weak antioxidant activities against DPPH and ABTS radicals, respectively. DEO and FEO exhibited good antilipoxygenase activities with IC50 values of 87.24 and 58.35 µg/mL, respectively. DEO presented significantly α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 44.78 µg/mL while FEO displayed poor activity with an IC50 value of 1967 µg/mL. This study is the first report on the 5-lipoxygenase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of aerial parts of DEO as well as on the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of aerial parts of FEO. These results indicated that DEO, which has a good antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activity, is rich in oxygenated sesquiterpene and monoterpene. Also, it showed that FEO, which has a significant anti-inflammatory activity, is rich in monoterpene and phenylpropanoid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity causes cognitive weakening and increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Myrtus communis extract (MC) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the effects of Myrtus communis on oxidative brain damage caused by a high-fat diet (HFD), using behavioral and biochemical parameters. Twenty-four Wistar albino rats (200-250 g) were divided into three groups. The control group (C) received a standard diet, while HFD groups were received HFD for 16 weeks. MC (100 mg/kg, oral) was given to the HFD + MC group for the last 4 weeks. At the end of the study, the novel object recognition test (NORT) was performed and the hippocampus and blood samples were collected. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Na+/K+- ATPase activities, malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were measured in the hippocampal samples and cholesterol levels were analyzed in sera. Findings have shown that NORT performance of the HFD group was reduced, while administration of MC prevents this reduction and in parallel, increased AChE and decreased Na+/K+ -ATPase activities were ameliorated by administration of MC. Increased MDA and 8-OHdG levels observed in the HFD group, were decreased in the MC treated HFD group. Our results point out that MC has ameliorative effects on hippocampal oxidative stress and cognitive impairment in high fat nutritioninduced obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro cytotoxic effects of previously isolated compounds (taraxasterol, salvigenin, 3'-O-methyleupatorin, oleanolic acid, jaceosidin and pectolinarigenin) from Centaurea kilaea chloroform extract on hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, HepG2 and Hep3B, as well as to evaluate the effect on the normal cell line, NIH3T3. In vitro antihepatocellular carcinoma activity of compounds was assessed by MTT method. All compounds except pectolinarigenin caused more inhibition on HepG2 rather than Hep3B. Among these compounds, it was found that Jaseosidin had the highest anticancer activity with IC50 values of 137.66 µg/mL and 147.66 µg/mL on the HepG2 and Hep3B cell lines, respectively. 3'-O- methyleupatorin showed the second highest cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 151.98 µg/mL and 159.24 µg/mL against the HepG2 and Hep3B cell lines, respectively. The results indicated that Jaseosidin and 3'-O- methyleupatorin, had the best antiproliferative activity against hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Also, according to our best knowledge, this study is first report on antihepatocellular carcinoma activity of Jaseosidin and 3'-O- methyleupatorin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nephrolithiasis is common urological problem and stone formation has multiple underlying pathogenetic factors. We investigated the possible preventive and therapeutic effects of Urtica dioica ethanol extract (UD) on ethylene glycol-induced nephrolithiasis model in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 10). The control group was given normal drinking water for 8 weeks and was administered vehicle by gastric gavage. Stone formation was induced by adding 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) to their drinking water. UD (700 mg/kg) was given orally for 8 weeks to the preventive group and for last 4 weeks to the treatment group, respectively. At the end of the experiment, urine, blood samples and kidney tissues were obtained. In 24-hour urine samples, calcium and citrate levels were decreased and oxalate levels were increased in EG group whereas UD treatment groups reversed these parameters back to control levels. In addition, serum levels of creatinine and urea were increased in EG group, while UD significantly reduced these parameters. Malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and tumor necrosis alpha levels, and caspase- 3 and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase activities were elevated in EG group and showed a decrease in UD treated groups. Glutathione level was decreased in EG group, whereas it was increased in UD preventive group. Histological examination showed an improvement in UD treated groups. Our results suggest that UD is effective both in prevention and treatment for kidney stones. The mechanism underlying this effect may be the antioxidant effect of UD and the effect on the concentration of stone-forming components in the urine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it is aimed to investigate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extracts and their n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and aqueous ethanol fractions of the fruits, leaves, and branches of Paliurus spinachristi P. Mill. (Rhamnaceae). The antioxidant activity of the extracts was tested by DPPH and ABTS methods and the results were expressed as IC50 values. The total phenolic content was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method and the results were expressed as mg of gallic acid equivalent per g dry extract. Anti-inflammatory activity of extracts were evaluated against 5- lipoxygenase enzyme. In particular, all extracts obtained from branches of P. spina-christi, except hexane extract, showed strong antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals. Ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of branches of P. spina-christi showed the highest antioxidant activity in DPPH and ABTS assays with IC50 values of 15.54 and 22.06 µg/ml, respectively. Also, the highest total phenol content was found in the ethyl acetate extract of branches of P. spina-christi (286.6 mg/g). Ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of leaves of P. spina-christi with IC50 values of 66.28 and 76.75 µg/ml were found to have the best anti-inflammatory activity in the lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition assay used to evaluate anti-inflammatory activities of extracts. These results demonstrate that ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts from branches and leaves of Paliurus spina-christi have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Also, these results confirm the folk use of the plant as an antiinflammatory medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial and anti-proliferative activities of n-hexane, chloroform, methanol and aqueous methanol extracts obtained from Tanacetum argenteum subsp. argenteum aerial parts. Anti-proliferative activity was tested in vitro against four human cancer cell lines (A549: lung adenocarcinoma, Hela; cervix adenocarcinoma, HT-29: colon adenocarcinoma, MCF-7; breast adenocarcinoma) using MTT assay. Antimicrobial activity was assessed by micro-broth dilution technique against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 4352, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Proteus mirabilis ATCC 14153, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. Hexane extract inhibited proliferation of HT-29 and MCF-7 by 75 and 74% while chloroform extract against the same cancer cell lines displayed inhibition of 89 and 73% at the concentration of 30 µg/mL, respectively. Also, chloroform extract at the same concentration showed significant anti-proliferative activity against A-549 and HeLa with inhibition values of 75% and 62%. Chloroform extract exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis with the MIC values of 625 μg/mL. Methanol and aqueous methanol extracts showed weak antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans with MIC values of 1250 μg/ml. The results showed that n-hexane and chloroform extracts have significant anticancer activity against cancer cell lines used in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, antimicrobial activities and total phenolic contents of ten methanol extracts obtained by maceration from capitulums and aerial parts (except for capitulum) of five Centaurea species (C.stenolepis, C.kilaea, C.cuneifolia, C.iberica, C.solstitialis subsp. solstitialis). Free radical scavenging activities and total phenolic contents of the species were assayed by DPPH method and Folin-Ciocalteu method, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts were tested by the micro-broth dilution method against seven microbial species. In the DPPH radical scavenging assay, the IC50 values of tested ten methanol extracts were in range 1.767-4.665 mg while the total phenol contents of four extracts were found to range between 4.825 and 12.460 mg GAE/g dry material. Four extract showed moderate activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC: 312 μg/ml), while six out of ten extracts exhibited moderate activity against Candida albicans (MIC: 312 μg/ml). The methanol extract prepared from the aerial parts of C.cuneifolia possessed weak activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 625 μg/ml). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]