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Echinops macrophyllus Boiss & Hausskn, also known as "Shekartighal kohgiluyeh" in Persian, is a prickly perennial herbaceous plant. Various species within the genus Echinops have traditionally been used as remedies for severe coughs, nervous attacks, and infectious diseases. This study aimed to isolate and elucidate the structures of the compounds found in the aerial parts of E. macrophyllus. The ethyl acetate extract from the aerial parts of the plant was fractionated using column chromatography. The structures of the isolated compounds were characterized using ¹H NMR, 13C NMR, ¹H-¹H COSY, HSQC-DEPT, HMBC and NOESY techniques. Phytochemical analysis of the plant resulted in the isolation of six compounds (1-6), including one triterpenoid (α-amyrin) (4), three sterols involving 3-O-[β-D-(6'-tetradecanoate)-glucopyranosyl]-β-sitosterol (6), β-sitosterol (3), and daucosterol (5) as well as two phenolic compounds, namely p-hydroxybenzoic acid (1) and ethyl-2-hydroxy-trans-cinamate (2), from this species for the first time. It is noteworthy that these compounds have previously been reported to exhibit various biological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new phthalide, namely 7-methoxy-3-propylidenephthalide (1), along with two known compounds (2, 3) were isolated from the roots of the edible herb Levisticum officinale W.D.J. Koch, commonly known as lovage and well known in traditional medicine for its spasmolytic and diuretic effects. The structure of the new compound was established by HRMS and 1D & 2D NMR (1H 1H COSY, HMQC, and HMBC) spectroscopic analysis. All compounds are reported for the first time from L. officinale. Compounds 1-3 were tested against two Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and two Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus [VRE] faecium) bacteria strains. Compound 3 was active against S. aureus, E. coli and vancomycin-resistant E. faecium with MIC values of 16, 64, and 128 µg/mL, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The genus Salvia is a valuable origin of structurally diverse terpenoids. In a project directed at structurally interesting bioactive metabolites from Iranian Salvia species, we studied Salvia reuterana. Two new labdane diterpene, 6β, 14α-dihydroxy-15-acetoxysclareol (1), and 14α, 15- dihydroxy sclareol (2), were isolated from the aerial part of the plant. Their structures were established mainly by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques, including ¹H-¹H COSY, HSQC and HMBC methods and HR-ESI-TOFMS spectral data. Compound 1 and 2 were tested for their inhibitory activity toward HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines. Our results showed that S. reuterana is a rich source of labdane diterpenoids. These compounds are rather rare in Salvia species, although they are frequently found in other genera of the Lamiaceae. S. reuterana is a new source of these diterpenoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wound healing is a complex physiological process that is controlled by a well-orchestrated cascade of interdependent biochemical and cellular events, which has spurred the development of therapeutics that simultaneously target these active cellular constituents. We assessed the potential of Parrotia persica (Hamamelidaceae) in wound repair by analyzing the regenerative effects of its two main phenolic compounds, myricetin-3-O-β-rhamnoside and chlorogenic acid. To accomplish this, we performed phytochemical profiling and characterized the chemical structure of pure compounds isolated from P. persica, followed by an analysis of the biological effects of myricetin-3-O-β-rhamnoside and chlorogenic acid on three cell types, including keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Myricetin-3-O-β-rhamnoside and chlorogenic acid exhibited complementary pro-healing properties. The percentage of keratinocyte wound closure as measured by a scratch assay was four fold faster in the presence of 10 µg/mL chlorogenic acid, as compared to the negative control. On the other hand, myricetin-3-O-β-rhamnoside at 10 µg/mL was more effective in promoting fibroblast migration, demonstrating a two-fold higher rate of closure compared to the negative control group. Both compounds enhanced the capillary-like tube formation of endothelial cells in an in vitro angiogenesis assay. Our results altogether delineate the potential to synergistically accelerate the fibroblastic and remodelling phases of wound repair by administering appropriate amounts of myricetin-3-O-β-rhamnoside and chlorogenic acid [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Products of oxidation are known to trigger cancer through damaging cellular components and angiogenesis backs tumor growth and metastasis. Antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and catalase fight the stress posed by these products. Angiogenesis inhibition offers additional benefits toward tumor suppression. Nigella sativa L. is a plant traditionally used in Middle Eastern countries for its various benefits. Objectives: In this study, we attempted to examine the anti-tumor, antioxidant and antiangiogenic effects of N. sativa crude oil in breast tumor-bearing mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, three groups of female BALB/c mice, 5 animals in each, were respectively treated for a month with 1, 2 and 4 mL/kg/day of N. sativa oil 2 days after subcutaneous tumor transplantation. The fourth group, the control group, after subcutaneous tumor transplantation received distilled water. Tumor volumes, antioxidant enzymes' activity, endostatin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) amounts were measured to study N. sativa crude oil's proposed effects. Results: In comparison with the control group, mice receiving doses of 2 and 4 mL/kg/day of N. sativa crude oil had significantly reduced tumor volumes (P < 0.005), less VEGF (P < 0.005), more endostatin (P < 0.05 and P < 0.005, respectively) and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P < 0.05 and P < 0.005, respectively) and catalase (CAT) activity (P < 0.005). Conclusions: N. sativa crude oil seems to inhibit breast tumor growth partly through improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes' activity and partly by suppressing angiogenesis. Yet, more studies are required to intensely clarify the other involved mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]