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The chemical composition of the essential oil of flowering aerial parts of Helichrysum italicum subsp. italicum cultivated in central Italy, Marche region, was analyzed by means of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Seventy-eight components, accounting for 98.71% of the whole essential oil composition, were identified and quantified. Neryl acetate showed the largest relative abundance in the composition, accounting for 15.75% of the oil, followed by α-pinene (8.21%); 4,6,9-trimethyl-8-decene-3,5-dione, (Italidione I), (7.34%); ar-curcumene and β-selinene (5.37%); γ-curcumene (4.83%); nerol (4.75%); α-selinene (4.68%); limonene (4.55%); linalool (4.42%), and 2,4,6,9-tetramethyl-8-decene-3,5-dione (Italidione II), (4.26%). The oil inhibited in vitro collagenase and elastase activities, with IC50 values of 36.99 ± 1.52 and 135.43 ± 6.32 μg/mL, respectively. Neryl acetate, nerol, and linalool, distinctive compounds of the oil obtained from this plant, tested alone or in mixture, at the same percentages shown in the essential oil, exhibited no activity against the two enzymes. On the contrary, α-pinene and limonene, tested alone and in mixture, showed inhibitory activity on both collagenase and elastase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of herbs with medicinal value and biomedical effects has increased tremendously in the last years. However, inadequate basic knowledge of their mode of action is the main issue related to phytotherapy, although they have shown promising potential. To provide insights into these important issues, we tested here on appropriate in vitro models the efficacy of Angelica archangelica essential oil (Aa-EO) for anti-inflammatory properties. The results demonstrated that Aa-EO induced significant apoptosis and necrosis at high doses in U937 cells. We used nontoxic concentrations to treat for anti-inflammatory capacity. The results also demonstrated a decreased proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 level in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, as senescence in vitro model, when cells are challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), one of the most powerful proinflammatory inducer in the presence of Aa-EO. In addition, down expression of miR-126 and miR-146a (inflammamirs) produced by LPS stimulation was reverted by Aa-EO simultaneous treatment. These results provide noteworthy basis for the development/formulation of new drugs for future clinical uses and new food products or dietary supplements for contrasting inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of different wavelengths on plants morphological characters has been widely described, but also the chemical composition of the essential oil is influenced by the lighting conditions in which they are grown. In the present study, the effect of both the enrichment (reverse Emerson effect) and the monochromatic lighting treatments with red light has been evaluated on the essential oil compositions of parsley ( Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss). Multivariate statistical analysis was performed on the results, with both the hierarchical cluster and principal component analyses. Whilst the red-enrichment of the light spectrum did not induce major changes in the essential oil composition, the end of the day monochromatic red (660 nm) treatment caused a chemotype switch in the essential oil and relevant differences in the overall composition, with an increment of the relative abundance of oxygenated compounds, coupled with a relevant decrement in the abundance of phenylpropanoids. The extraction yields remained unchanged in all the three tested conditions of light (control, red-enriched and monochromatic red). Different lighting conditions could be used as a tool to modulate the compounds present in the essential oil, but further studies would be advisable to assess the effects on different species and chemical classes of compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demethylfruticuline A and fruticuline A, the most abundant compounds from the surface extract of Salvia corrugata Vahl., have shown antibacterial, antitumor and cytotoxic activities. In order to obtain these icetexane diterpenes from in vitro cultures of S. corrugata , protocols were developed for callus production, micropropagation and shoot regeneration. Analysis of the regenerated shoots showed the presence of both icetexanes, micropropagated plants contained only fruticuline A, while the callus contained trace amounts of both diterpenes. The yield of fruticuline A was higher in the methanolic extract of regenerated shoots than in those of fresh leaves and fresh shoot tips. In addition to these diterpenes, the regenerated shoot and micropropagated plant extracts afforded seven other diterpenes, one icetexane and six abietanes, identified by UV, IR, 1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-MS analysis. Five compounds (19-acetoxy-7α-hydroxyroyleanone, 7β,20-epoxy-11,12,19-trihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-triene, 7,20-dihydrofruticuline A, 7β-acetoxy-20-hydroxy-19,20-epoxyroyleanone, 7β-ethoxy-6β,20:19,20-diepoxyroyleanone) were previously undescribed. Although the crude plant surface extract did not possess any antibacterial activity, methanolic extracts of in vitro tissues and two compounds, namely 7β-acetoxy-20-hydroxy-19,20-epoxyroyleanone and 7β-ethoxy-6β,20:19,20-diepoxyroyleanone, isolated in suitable amounts, were active in varying degrees against multidrug resistant clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium , displaying MIC values ranging from 32, 64 to 128 μg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the chemical composition and the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Angelica archangelica L. (Apiaceae) roots from central Italy were analyzed. The major constituents of the oil were α-pinene (21.3%), δ-3-carene (16.5%), limonene (16.4%) and α-phellandrene (8.7%). The oil shows a good antimicrobial activity against Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens, Enterococcus faecalis, Eubacterium limosum, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, and Candida albicans with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 0.25, 0.25, 0.13, 0.25, 2.25, and 0.50% v/v, respectively. A weaker antimicrobial activity against bifidobacteria and lactobacilli-very useful in the intestinal microflora-has also been shown with MIC values >4.0% v/v. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first report about the composition of the essential oil from flowering aerial parts of Cotinus coggygria Scoop. (Anacardiaceae) from Italy. The major compounds identified by GC-MS were limonene (47.1%), (Z)-β-ocimene (15.2%), a-pinene (8.5%) and (E)-β-ocimene (5.3%). The oil showed antimicrobial activity against three Gram (+) bacteria: Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and S. epidermidis, and three Candida strains: C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis, while it was inactive against three Gram (-) bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volatile composition of different parts (whole fruit, peel and flesh) of a rare wild red apple named "Mela Rossa Val Metauro" was established by SPME (Solid Phase Micro-Extraction) sampling, followed by GC-MS analysis. The most prominent constituent in all the three parts was the sesquiterpene (E,E)-α-farnesene. The presence of the ester ethyl hexanoate particularly in the flesh (39.8%) gives a special exotic flavor to the fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The topical anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging and antifungal activities of essential oils and extracts of Commiphora erythraea (Ehrenb.) Engl. resin were investigated. The hexane extract significantly inhibited oedema when applied topically in Croton oil-induced ear oedema assay in mice. The same extract showed antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging assay. A bioguided separation of the hexane extract led to the isolation of furanosesquiterpenoids 1 and 2 that showed a weak antifungal activity, while compounds 3–5 resulted to be antioxidant (EC50 4.28, 2.56 and 1.08mg/mL, respectively) and anti-inflammatory (30, 26 and 32% oedema reduction, respectively). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A regeneration protocol from leaf explants of Grindelia robusta Nutt. was developed. The combination of 0.5 mg l-1 IBA plus 0.5 mg l-1 or 1 mg l-1 BA added to Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium resulted in the best callus induction frequency; the combination of 0.4 or 0.9 mg l-1 BA plus 1.2 mg l-1 GA3 resulted in the best shoot regeneration. Rooting was successful on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l-1 IBA. Hardening of G. robusta plants was accomplished in 30 days with 85% survival rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabis sativa L. has been used for a long time to obtain food, fiber, and as a medicinal and psychoactive plant. Today, the nutraceutical potential of C.sativa is being increasingly reappraised; however, C. sativa roots remain poorly studied, despite citations in the scientific literature. In this direction, we identified and quantified the presence of valuable bioactives (namely, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, friedelin, and epi-friedelanol) in the root extracts of C. sativa, a finding which might pave the way to the exploitation of the therapeutic potential of all parts of the C. sativa plant. To facilitate root harvesting and processing, aeroponic (AP) and aeroponic-elicited cultures (AEP) were established and compared to soil-cultivated plants (SP). Interestingly, considerably increased plant growth—particularly of the roots—and a significant increase (up to 20-fold in the case of β-sitosterol) in the total content of the aforementioned roots' bioactive molecules were observed in AP and AEP. In conclusion, aeroponics, an easy, standardized, contaminant-free cultivation technique, facilitates the harvesting/processing of roots along with a greater production of their secondary bioactive metabolites, which could be utilized in the formulation of health-promoting and health-care products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from Monarda didyma stem with leaves and flowers was analyzed by GC and GC/MS and the components identified were 22, mainly thymol (57.3% and 51.7%, respectively), γ-terpinene (9.3% and 14.3%), p-cymene (10.5% and 9.7%), δ-3-carene (4.5% and 6.2%) and myrcene (3.7% and 3.7%). The two oils were qualitatively similar. The antifungal activity of the oil was evaluated against four phytopathogenic fungi by direct contact with the Agar diffusion method and with the fungistatc action of the vapors using the Microatmosphere method. The most sensitive fungus resulted Rhizoctonia solani in the first test and Botrytis cinerea in the second. The antioxidant activity of the oil was evaluated by DPPH test, were the oil showed an effect comparable to Trolox, and by lipid peroxidation test, where the activity of the oil was similar to that of BHT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from Teucrium marum subsp. marum (Lamiaceae) was analysed by GC/MS and 30 components were identified. Isocaryophyllene (20.24%), β-bisabolene (14.73%), β-sesquiphellandrene (11.27%), α-santalene (10.97%), dolichodial (9.38%) and, α-caryophyllene (7.18%) were the main components. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was assayed against four phytopathogenic fungi and Rhyzoctonia solani resulted to be the most sensitive microorganism with a MIC value of 250ppm. The antioxidant activity of the essential oil was evaluated using the DPPH test, 5-lipoxygenase test and luminol/xanthine/xanthine oxidase chemiluminescence assay. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The two essential oils isolated from plants of hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L. ssp. officinalis) grown in two different localities near Urbino (Marche, Italy) were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major components were pinocamphone (34% and 18.5%), isopinocamphone (3.2% and 29%) and β-pinene (10.5% and 10.8%). The major differences in the composition of the oils were detectable in the ratio of pinocamphone/isopinocamphone, in the percentage of linalool (0.2% and 7.9%) and camphor (0.3% and 5.3%).The oils showed antifungal activity against 13 strains of phytopathogenic fungi; the activity of the oil extracted from plants grown at 1000 m above sea level showed higher activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antioxidant activity of Citrus paradisi (grapefruit) seeds glyceric extract dissolved in ethanol and in aqueous media was evaluated using three different methods: evaluation by DPPH assay, by 5-lipoxygenase assay and by luminol/xanthine/xanthine oxidase chemiluminescence assay. The total phenolic content was determined by the Prussian Blue method opportunely modified. The grapefruit seeds glyceric extract utilized as aqueous solutions demonstrated antioxidant properties better than those displayed by alcoholic solutions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The essential oils isolated from wild and domesticated plants obtained from in vitro culture of Glechoma sardoa Bég. were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The main compounds in the oil obtained from wild and domesticated plants were germacrene D (19.8% and 17.4%), isofuranogermacrene (15.3% and 17.1%), β-elemene (18.3% and 16.3%), β-phellandrene (13.5% and 11.9%), elemol (12.9% and 11.3%), respectively. The tissue culture micropropagation of G. sardoa, obtained by a suitable ratio of NAA and Kinetin was succesful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from Grindelia robusta aerial parts from central Italy was analyzed by GC and GC/MS and 45 components were identified. Borneol (15.2%), α pinene (10.3%), trans-pinocarveol (7.0%), bornyl acetate (4.5%), limonene (4.3%) were the main components. The antioxidant activity of the essential oil was evaluated using the DPPH and 5-lipoxygenase tests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study focused on the evaluation of the chemopreventive potential of tissue in vitro culture of the "Mela Rosa Marchigiana" apple (MRM callus) that allows the amplification of secondary metabolites. The MRM pulp and MRM callus chemopreventive potential was evaluated in terms of antiproliferative activity, inhibition of tumorigenesis in soft agar cultures, cell cycle and western blotting analyses in CaCo2 and LoVo colon cancer cell lines and in JB6 promotion-sensitive (JB6 P+) cells. MRM callus induced a strong concentration-dependent inhibition of colon cancer cell proliferation and suppressed 12-o-tetra-decanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate-induced tumorigenesis of JB6 P+ cells in soft agar cultures. MRM callus inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK, p38, and eIF2alpha. Our data indicate that the MRM callus exerts a good antiproliferative and antitumorigenic potential through the MAP kinase inhibition and could provide natural compounds with chemopreventive properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The aim of this work was the study of the best conditions for obtaining a callus culture from the pulp of Acca sellowiana , and to perform a quali-quantitative analysis of the secondary metabolites yielded by the in vitro callus culture. To this end, callus was induced on both Murashige and Skoog and Gamborg B5 media containing various combinations of growth regulators. Three previously undescribed ursane-type triterpenoids, 2α,3β,6α,23-tetrahydroxy-18α,19α-urs-20-en-28-oic acid, 2α,3β,23-trihydroxy-18α,19α-urs-20-en-28-oic acid and 2α,3β,6β,23-tetrahydroxy-18α,19α-urs-20-en-28-oic acid were isolated from the methanolic extract of A. sellowiana culture and characterized by 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Moreover, the quali-quantitative analysis (ESI-MSn and GC–MS) also showed the presence of β-sitosterol, phloridzin, oleanolic, ursolic, 3β-hydroxy-18α,19α-urs-20-en-28-oic, maslinic, corosolic, 2α,3β-dihydroxy-18α,19α-urs-20-en-28-oic, and tormentic acid. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Optimal conditions to obtain callus cultures from A. sellowiana pulp were studied. • High content of triterpenic acids was found in A. sellowiana fruit pulp culture. • Three undescribed triterpenoids were characterized by 1D and 2D NMR spectra. • The in vitro production of triterpenic acids was higher than in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of the essential oil of the flowering aerial parts of Monarda didyma L. cultivated in central Italy was analyzed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The major compounds of the oil were thymol (59.3%), p-cymene (10.3%), terpinolene (9.2%), δ-3-carene (4.4%), myrcene (3.7%), and camphene (3.4%). The essential oil was tested in vitro for its anti-germination activity against Papaver rhoeas L., Taraxacum officinale F. H.Wigg., Avena fatua L., Raphanus sativus L. and Lepidium sativum L. seeds, demonstrating good inhibitory activity in a dose-dependent way. The exposure of the employed weed seeds to M. didyma essential oil and thymol solution (59.3%) increased the level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA), markers of oxidative stress, in emerging 5-day-old rootlets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present review focuses on the nutritional, functional and anti-infective properties of pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) peel (PoP) and peel extract (PoPx) and on their applications as food additives, functional food ingredients or biologically active components in nutraceutical preparations. Due to their well-known ethnomedical relevance and chemical features, the biomolecules available in PoP and PoPx have been proposed, for instance, as substitutes of synthetic food additives, as nutraceuticals and chemopreventive agents. However, because of their astringency and anti-nutritional properties, PoP and PoPx are not yet considered as ingredients of choice in food systems. Indeed, considering the prospects related to both their health promoting activity and chemical features, the nutritional and nutraceutical potential of PoP and PoPx seems to be still underestimated. The present review meticulously covers the wide range of actual and possible applications (food preservatives, stabilizers, supplements, prebiotics and quality enhancers) of PoP and PoPx components in various food products. Given the overall properties of PoP and PoPx, further investigations in toxicological and sensory aspects of PoP and PoPx should be encouraged to fully exploit the health promoting and technical/economic potential of these waste materials as food supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Our ongoing research to identify natural growth inhibitors with diterpene and triterpene skeletons exuding from the surface of the aerial parts of Salvia species led us to study Salvia miniata Fernald. Ten clerodane diterpenoids were found, along with three known diterpenes. Most of the isolated compounds from S. miniata inhibited the germination of Papaver rhoeas L. and Avena sativa L. in Petri dish experiments. Parallel results have been obtained in experiments carried out to evaluate the subsequent growth of the seedlings of the target species in the presence of the tested compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of Teucrium massiliense L. was analyzed by GC and GC/MS and the components identified were 34, mainly 3,7-dimethyloctan-2-one (15.2%), butyl 2-methylbutyrate (12.1%), linalool (10.6%), linalyl acetate (7.1%), zingiberene (4.7%), γ-cadinene (4.1%). The antioxidant activity of the oil was evaluated by the DPPH test, where the oil showed an effect comparable to Trolox, and by lipid peroxidation test, where the activity of the oil was three time less effective than that of Trolox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aim of examining the response of plant cells to extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMF), we investigated the behaviour of the phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate (PtdIns 4,5-P2) molecule (the precursor of the phosphoinositide signal transduction cascade) by exposing callus cells from Peganum harmala to 50 Hz, 1 gauss EMF for 10 min and by examining the level and the fatty acid composition of PtdIns 4,5-P2 after the exposure. Our results evidenced a statistically significant decrease in PtdIns 4,5-P2 concentrations and a different involvement of the constituting fatty acids in the induced breakdown. The manipulation of the lipid-based signalling pathway by phosphoinositide-phospholipase C (PI-PLC) inhibitors (i.e., neomycin, U-73122 and ET-18-OCH3) seems to support the hypothesis that, as in animals, also in plants, the cell membrane is the primary impact site of ELF electromagnetic stimulus and that this interaction could probably involve the activation of PI signal transduction pathway including a heterotrimeric G protein. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present study aimed to investigate the enzymatic potential of Silybum marianum leaves to bioconvert phenolic acids produced in S. marianum callus into silymarin derivatives as chemopreventive agent. Here we demonstrate that despite the fact that leaves of S. marianum did not accumulate silymarin themselves, expanding leaves had the full capacity to convert di-caffeoylquinic acid to silymarin complex. This was proven by HPLC separations coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis. Soaking the leaf discs with S. marianum callus extract for different times revealed that silymarin derivatives had been formed at high yield after 16 h. Bioconverted products displayed the same retention time and the same mass spectra (MS or MS/MS) as standard silymarin. Bioconversion was achieved only when using leaves of a specific age, as both very young and old leaves failed to produce silymarin from callus extract. Only medium leaves had the metabolic capacity to convert callus components into silymarin. The results revealed higher activities of enzymes of the phenylpropanoid pathway in medium leaves than in young and old leaves. It is concluded that cotyledon-derived callus efficiently produces compounds that can be bio-converted to flavonolignans in leaves tissue of S. marianum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • p -Coumaric acid stimulates geranylation in dill cultured calli. • Boropinic acid promotes farnesylation in dill calli. • New hypothesis on the prenylation biosynthetic pathway. Abstract Cultured calli from Anethum graveolens L. have been previously shown to biosynthetically manipulate selected precursors having a phenylpropanoid core leading to an increase or a decrease in their prenylation. In this article, an extension of previous studies in this field showing how two other cinnamic acid derivatives, namely p -coumaric acid and boropinic acid, are able to exert similar effects using the same experimental model will be reported. Lyophilized calli from A. graveolens has been powdered and extracted by an overnight maceration with EtOH. Selected oxyprenylated cinnamic acid derivatives were then quantified by HPLC analysis coupled to UV/Vis detection. The effect recorded after administration of p -coumaric acid was similar to that evoked by ferulic acid and consisted in a selective increase of its geranylation. The addition of boropinic acid stimulated the biosynthesis of ferulic acid with longer chain like 4′-farnesyloxyferulic acid. This study demonstrated that administration to cultured calli of phenylpropanoids with no free OH moiety has a deep influence on the prenylation biosynthetic pathways and led to the hypothesis that the elongation of the O -side chain of oxyprenylated cinnamic acid derivatives may occur by addition in sequence of isoprenic units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we established the effect on the extent of the geranylation step of selected O- prenyl phenylpropanoids by their biosynthetic precursors (e.g. ferulic acid and umbelliferone) in cultured calli from Anethum graveolens L. Lyophilized vegetable material has been extracted by an overnight maceration with EtOH and 3,3-dimethylallyl, geranyl, and farnesyl derivatives of both ferulic acid and umbelliferone quantified by HPLC analysis coupled to UV/Vis detection. In no case culture media supplemented with the parent molecule provided increases in the biosynthesis of the corresponding prenylated secondary metabolite. Quite surprisingly ferulic acid and umbelliferone exerted opposite effects, the first being an elicitor of the only O- geranylation of phenylpropanoid cores while the latter was seen to largely suppress this biosynthetic step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferulago campestris is an aromatic plant, distributed in Mediterranean Europe, and a source of essential oils (EOs) regarded as promising alternatives to synthetic herbicides and pesticides. F. campestris EO, hydrodistilled and analyzed, was tested for its antigerminative activity and for its effect on radicle elongation, hydrogen peroxide concentration, and lipid peroxidation on four infesting weed species (Papaver rhoeas, Taraxacum campylodes, Poa annua, and Setaria verticillata) and on Phaseolus vulgaris. Its repellent ability was also tested against Acanthoscelides obtectus, a pest commonly affecting P. vulgaris during storage. Moreover, a chitosan coating layer was developed with the addition of F. campestris EO and tested for its toxic and oviposition-deterring effects against A. obtectus. Myrcene, α-pinene, and γ-terpinene were detected as the main compounds in F. campestris EO. The EO demonstrated a selective in vitro antigerminative activity towards the weed species, without affecting the bean seeds. Moreover, the chitosan coating layer exerted a dose-dependent repellent effect against A. obtectus adults, thus effectively protecting the bean seeds, while preserving their germinative ability. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a chitosan–EO coating proposed with the aim of protecting bean seeds for sowing from insect attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) juice (PJ) is being increasingly proposed as a nutritional supplement to prevent atherosclerosis in humans. This therapeutically valuable potential has been attributed to PJ antioxidant capacity which has been mostly tested by means of cell-free assays: indeed, to the best of our knowledge, no study has focused on the direct antioxidant capacity of PJ in cultured cells. Here, the antioxidant capacity in cell free-systems of preparations from various parts of pomegranate has been compared with their cytoprotective –bona fide antioxidant – activity in cultured human cells (U937 promonocytes and HUVEC endothelial cells) exposed to an array of oxidizing agents. Pomegranate derivatives were PJ, arils only juice (AJ) and aqueous rinds extract (RE). In cell-free assays – 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), chemiluminescence luminol/xanthine/xanthine oxidase and lipoxygenase assays – all the preparations displayed good antioxidant capacity, the relative potency order being RE>PJ>AJ. On the contrary, only RE was capable of preventing the deleterious effects – cytotoxicity, DNA damage and depletion of non-protein sulphydrils (NPSH) pool – caused by treatment of cells with H2O2, tert-butylhydroperoxide (tB-OOH) or oxidized lipoproteins (Ox-LDL) via a mechanism which is likely to involve both direct scavenging of radical species and iron chelation. Surprisingly, AJ and PJ slightly sensitized cells to the cytotoxic effects of the three agents. Then it would appear that AJ, the major and tasty part of PJ, does not contain ellagic acid and punicalagin (i.e. the polyphenols highly represented in RE which are reputed to be responsible for the antioxidant capacity) in amounts sufficient to exert cytoprotection in oxidatively injured, living cells. Based on these results, the development and evaluation of rinds-only based derivatives for antiatherogenic preventive purposes in humans should be encouraged. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Smyrnium olusatrum L. is a biennal plant growing in western and southern Europe. Several phytochemical studies have identified flavonoids, phenolic acids and sesquiterpene lactones as main constituents. In this work the root, stem and leaf essential oils of Smyrnium olusatrum L. (Umbelliferae) collected in Urbino (Marche, Italy) were studied by GC and GC-MS. Myrcene (1, 13 and 14%), β-phellandrene (34, 17 and 9%), β-caryophyllene (1, 3 and 12%), furanodiene (19, 8 and 17%), curzerene (13, 6 and 12%), germacrene B (7, 14 and 10%) and germacrone (8, 7 and 8%) were identified as the major components in the root, stem and leaf oils, respectively. SPME analysis of fresh material of the same different organs showed β-myrcene (3, 21 and 36%), β-phellandrene (25, 34 and 12%), β-caryophyllene (1, 7 and 22%) and furanodiene (4, 7 and 7%) as typical components in the headspace of fresh roots, stems and leaves, respectively. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oil and solid phase micro extraction (SPME) samples of Bupleurum fruticosum micropropagated plants were analysed by GC and GC–MS and compared with those obtained from the leaves and the stems of field-grown parent plants. The main constituents of the essential oil of the micropropagated plants were β-phellandrene (61%), sabinene (13%), terpinen-4-ol, tricyclene and bicyclogermacrene (3%). Regarding to the field-grown B. fruticosum plants, the leaf essential oil showed the same major components detected in the micropropagated plants, while the stem oil showed γ-terpinene (50%) and α-phellandrene (18%) as the most important constituents. Furthermore, SPME analyses were carried out in order to show for the first time a complete investigation on the volatile organic constituents of the micropopagated and field-grown B. fruticosum parent plants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The exposure to a static magnetic field of 80±20 Gauss (8±2 mT) resulted in the inhibition of Serratia marcescens growth. Callus cell suspensions from Hordeum vulgare and Rubus fruticosus were also examined and only the former was found to be affected by the magnetic field, which induced a decreased viability. S. marcescens was shown to be virulent only toward H. vulgare and this virulence was reduced by the presence of the magnetic field. The modification of glutathione peroxidase activity under the different experimental conditions allowed us to speculate on the possibility of an oxidative-stress response of H. vulgare both to S. marcescens infection and magnetic field exposure. Since the control of microbial growth by physical agents is of interest for agriculture, medicine and food sciences, the investigation presented herein could serve as a starting point for future studies on the efficacy of static magnetic field as low-cost/easy-handling preservative agent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Genetic engineering of plants has turned out to be an attractive approach to produce various secondary metabolites. Here, we attempted to produce kynurenine, a health-promoting metabolite, in plants of Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens with the gene, coding for human indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), an enzyme responsible for the kynurenine production because of tryptophan degradation. The presence of IDO1 gene in transgenic plants was confirmed by PCR, but the protein failed to be detected. To confer higher stability to the heterologous human IDO1 protein and to provide a more sensitive method to detect the protein of interest, we cloned a gene construct coding for IDO1-GFP. Analysis of transiently transfected tobacco protoplasts demonstrated that the IDO1-GFP gene led to the expression of a detectable protein and to the production of kynurenine in the protoplast medium. Interestingly, the intracellular localisation of human IDO1 in plant cells is similar to that found in mammal cells, mainly in cytosol, but in early endosomes as well. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the expression of human IDO1 enzyme capable of secreting kynurenines in plant cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prunus spinosa fruits (PSF) contain different phenolic compounds showing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Innovative drug delivery systems such as biomimetic nanoparticles could improve the activity of PSF extract by promoting (i) the protection of payload into the lipidic bilayer, (ii) increased accumulation to the diseased tissue due to specific targeting properties, (iii) improved biocompatibility, (iv) low toxicity and increased bioavailability. Using membrane proteins extracted from human monocyte cell line THP-1 cells and a mixture of phospholipids, we formulated two types of PSF-extract-loaded biomimetic vesicles differing from each other for the presence of either 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) or 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1′-rac-glycerol) (DOPG). The biological activity of free extract (PSF), compared to both types of extract-loaded vesicles (PSF-DOPCs and PSF-DOPGs) and empty vesicles (DOPCs and DOPGs), was evaluated in vitro on HUVEC cells. PSF-DOPCs showed preferential incorporation of the extract. When enriched into the nanovesicles, the extract showed a significantly increased anti-inflammatory activity, and a pronounced wound-healing effect (with PSF-DOPCs more efficient than PSF-DOPGs) compared to free PSF. This innovative drug delivery system, combining nutraceutical active ingredients into a biomimetic formulation, represents a possible adjuvant therapy for the treatment of wound healing. This nanoplatform could be useful for the encapsulation/enrichment of other nutraceutical products with short stability and low bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the study on the chemical constituents and antioxidant activity of the essential oil of Nepeta foliosa, which is found in Sardinia, Italy. The researchers analyzed the essential oil by gas chromatography (GM) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and found that it contains 16 compounds. It says that in vitro assays were used to determine the antioxidant activity of the oil.

There is a need to enhance the production of bioactive secondary metabolites and to establish new production systems, e.g., for liver-protective compounds of Silybum marianum seeds. Quantifying and identifying the produced phytochemicals, and examining their protective effects against genotoxic agents, is of great interest. This study established a protocol for the qualitative and quantitative production of hepatoprotective compounds in cotyledon-derived Silybum marianum callus through optimized supplementation of the MS medium with the growth regulators 2,4-D, benzylaminopurine, myoinositol, and asparagine. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) allowed for identification and quantification of the produced compounds. None of the growth medium combinations supported a detectable production of silymarin. Instead, the generated calli accumulated phenolic acids, in particular chlorogenic acid and dicaffeoylquinic acid, as revealed by HPLC and mass spectrometric analysis. 4-Nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPD) was employed in the AMES-test with Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 because it is a potent mutagen for this strain. Results revealed that callus extract had a high anti-genotoxic activity with respect to standard silymarin but more evident with respect seed extract. The callus produced chlorogenic acid and dicaffeoylquinic acid, which revealed higher bioactivity than silymarin. Both compounds were not formed or could not be detected in the seeds of Silybum marianum Egyptian ecotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]