Search

Trans-caryophyllene is a sesquiterpene present in many medicinal plants' essential oils, such as Ocimum gratissimum and Cannabis sativa. In this study, we evaluated the antinociceptive activity of transcaryophyllene in murine [...]

In this study we evaluated the antimycotic activity of Achillea ageratum essential oil against Candida albicans. The principal components of the essential oil were yomogi alcohol, 1,8-cineole, artemisia treine and artemisia alcohol. Most strains of C. albicans tested had an MIC 2.25 [micro]g/ml and an MFC between 2.25 and 4.5 [micro]g/ml; the MIC and MFC were low when compared to fluconazole.We also demonstrated that the essential oil was able to affect the major virulence factors of C. albicans; the inhibition of germ tube formation at the sub-inhibitory concentration of 0.29 [micro]g/ml and the inhibition of biofilm formation by over 60% at a concentration of 9 [micro]g/ml. In conclusion, Achillea ageratum essential oil showed a good activity in vitro against C. albicans and may be potentially used as anticandida agent.To support this, further studies are in preparaton to confirm these results. Key words: essential oil, Achillea ageratum, Candida albicans, antimycotic activity, biofilm

The aim of the present study was the chemical analysis of the essential oils of C. neilgherrensis and C. pseudomontana and the determination of their antimicrobial and antiinflammatory activities. The antibacterial effect was determined by disc diffusion method and the antifungal effect was determined by radial growth and biomass assay methods. The anti-inflammatory activity was observed in the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema at the doses of 50,100, 200 and 300 [micro]l/kg, using an animal model.The GC/MS technique was used and identification of major components ar-turmerone [beta]-cymene, and curlone were found in both plants. The essential oils of both plants were active against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans. The essential oils of C. neilgherrensis and C. pseudomontana showed significantly anti-inflammatory activity, preventing the formation of oedema after administration of carrageenan. Key words: antifungal activity, Curcuma, essential oils, rhizome, Zingiberaceae;

The genus Cymbopogon (Poaceae) is most important from the point of view of their essential oils. Essential oils from these species are widely used in flavours, fragrances, cosmetics, soaps, detergents and perfumery owing to their typical lemon and rose-like aroma. Cymbopogon essential oils and constituents present therein e.g. citral, geraniol, citronellol, citronellal and piperitone, have been known to possess impressive antibacterial, antifungal, antiyeast, insecticidal and insect repellent activities for a long time. However, the biological and pharmacological significance of these essential oils has been rapidly expanded in the past ten years; anti-inflammatory, anticancer, allelopathic, free radical scavanging and other useful biological activities have now been demonstrated. Cymbopogon essential oils and constituents offer outstanding biological activities and therefore may be used in the treatment of several diseases, including cancers, and in applications of industrial importance particularly food packaging.The present review discusses the chemical compositions and biological activities essential oils from Cymbopogon species and emphasizing mechanisms of action.These details were gathered from reports on the bioactivities of essential oils of Cymbopogon species published during 1999-2009. Keywords: allelopathic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, Cymbopogon species, essential oil, isointermedeol

Antimicrobial Effects of Thieves Oil and its Components. Ali Iceman, Veronica Riha, and Margaret M. Gorman, Madonna University This study focused on thieves oil as an antimicrobial agent. Minimal Inhibitory [...]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of safranal, an active constituent of the essential oil of Crocus sativus L. stigmas, against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced status epilepticus.The study was conducted in mice and status epilepticus was induced by administering i.p. 50 mg/kg of phenytoin, followed two hours later by PTZ (100 mg/kg s.c). From the study, it was concluded that safranal produced dose-dependent protection against PTZ-induced status epilepticus and mortality;therefore, it can be considered as useful additional therapy against status epilepticus. Key words: safranal, status epilepticus, seizures, PTZ, essential oil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and biological activity of the oil from the fruits of Galium tricornutum subsp, tricornutum, traditionally used in northern areas of Pakistan for treating microbial infections of skin and throat problems and is locally know as Khoug Jeshay. By GC/ MS analysis, the main components of the hydrodistilled oil were found to be oleic acid, eicosyl ester (12.7%), 9-octadecanoic acid (Z)-, tetradecyl ester (12.3%), hexadecanoic acid (5.6%), 9-octadecanoic acid (Z), 2-hydroxy-I-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester (5.5%), hexadecanoic acid, I-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2ethanediyl ester (5.2%), 4H-I-benzopyran-4-one, 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6, 8-di-a'-D-glucopyranosyl-5,7-dihydroxy-(3.6%)myrtenol (2.3%) and 9-octadecanoic acid (Z)-, tetradecyl ester(2%).The oil was tested against six stains of bacteria and showed activity against Escherichia coli.Among five fungal strains, Candida albicans was susceptible to the essential oil with 20% inhibition.The oil showed no cytotoxicity against Artemia salina and a non-significant phytotoxic activity against Lemna minor. Key words: oil composition, Galium tricornutum subsp, tricornutum, oleic acid, eicosyl ester, antifungal, antibacterial, phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity

The essential oils of Artemisia nilagirica (Clarke) Pamp. of the family Asteraceae collected from different altitudes of the Garhwai region were subjected to detailed GC/MS analysis in order to determine the variation of concentration in their constituents. Plants collected from 500 m altitude afforded [alpha]-thujone (36.99%) as a major constituent whereas only a small percentage of [alpha]-thujone was found in the plants collected from two other sites.The 4-nitrobenzonoic acid-4-methoxyphenyl ester (22.12%) was obtained in a high concentration from the plants collected at 1200 m altitude but in the plants from two other altitudes it was found only in small proportion. Similarly, I-linalool (32.47%) was the major constituent of plants at 2000 m altitude but in other plants it was detected in very low concentration. Since the concentration of plant constituents changed from one altitude to another, the medicinal properties of such plants would vary accordingly. Key words: Artemisia nilagirica, Asteraceae, anti-dermatophytic activity, [alpha]-thujone, I-linalool