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Lemon balm (Agastache mexicana) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) were dried using a mixed‐mode solar dryer. A 23‐factorial design was carried out: operation mode (mesh shade and direct irradiance), airflow (natural convection and forced convection), and type of flat plate solar collector cover (polycarbonate and glass). The drying kinetics of lemon balm and rosemary ranged from 4.5 to 6.5 h and 4 to 7 h, respectively, according to the operation mode of the solar dryer. The highest percentage of antioxidant activity in the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazil tests was lemon balm, with values between 88% and 93% (100 µg/mL), and rosemary, 88% and 92% (100 µg/mL). When forced convection was applied, solar collector thermal efficiency increased from 3.97%–5.11% to 17.20%–24.75%, dryer efficiencies ranged from 4.78% to 6.05%, and drying efficiencies between 14.17% and 44.23%. The lowest color difference (6.01) for lemon balm was shown with the mesh shade, forced convection, and glass cover collector, and for rosemary, the lowest color difference (12.87) resulted from using the mesh shade and natural convection; according to the analysis of variance, the cover collector did not affect significantly the color difference. Dehydrated lemon balm and rosemary could be used as an additive for medicinal, gastronomic, and food preservative applications. Practical Application: The results are significant for designing dryers for community centers in areas where the production and losses of fruits, vegetables, aromatic herbs, and edible flowers are high. The novelty of this research is to introduce a new product for the consumer; in this case, the traditional dried rosemary and lemon balm in powder form as a nutritional source, both for the preparation of remedies and for direct consumption in dishes, powders, or healthy pills and food supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave-induced combustion was evaluated as a sample preparation method for several types of tea (black, green, lemon balm, boldo, and mint) for further determination of bromine, chlorine, fluorine, iodine, and sulfur by ion chromatography. Parameters such as the sample mass efficiently decomposed and the most suitable absorbing solution (ultrapure water and 25, 50, 100, and 150 mmol L−1 NH4OH) were evaluated, considering the characteristics of the analytes and the determination technique used. The maximum sample mass possible to be decomposed was 900 mg of milled tea in the form of pellets, and the absorbing solution chosen was 100 mmol L−1 NH4OH, which provided suitable stabilization of the analytes (recoveries between 95 % and 103 %). To assess the accuracy of the proposed method, a certified reference material (BCR 060, aquatic plant) was analyzed. Agreements with the certified values ranged from 101 % to 107 %. The proposed method was used to analyze tea samples and the concentrations ranged from 549 to 2,549 mg kg−1 for chlorine, 223 to 828 mg kg−1 for fluorine, and 786 to 4,023 mg kg−1 for sulfur; bromine and iodine concentrations were below the limits of quantification (42 and 80 mg kg−1, respectively) in all evaluated samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melissa officinalis L. is a plant with different medicinal and culinary uses, which is considered one of the essential oils with the highest market value, mainly because of its low yield. The use of technologies that improve the extraction of this essential oil is justified. The study evaluated the use of cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDE) obtained from Pleorotus djamor to extract essential oil of Melissa officinalis L.. For the optimization of the enzymatic pre-treatment, the independent variables time and CWDE/H 2 O ratio were evaluated through central composite rotational design (CCRD). The essential oil extraction was carried out by hydrodistillation after pre-treatment. The results showed that the pre-treatment was able to increase the essential oil yield by 71 % and reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 42 %, when applied for 60 minutes and CWDE/H 2 O ratio (25/450 mL.mL−1). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to evaluate the essential oil composition. The majority of compounds were citral (Neral +Geranial). In addition, the increase of this compound was observed at about 24 %. The lemon balm plant cell wall was degraded. Considering the production and energy costs and increase yield as well as the quality of lemon balm essential oil, the application of CWDE was efficient. [Display omitted] • Multienzyme extract was extracted from the solid-state fermentation of P. djmour. • Association of enzymes with hydrostillation was considered an eco-friendly process. • Lignocellulosic enzymes acted on the cell wall of the trichomes. • Pretreatment on M. officinalis leaves increase of the essential oil yield by 71 %. • The concentration of Citral in the essential oil of Melissa officinalis increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Nanoparticles (NPs) are well‐known biostimulants in plant biotechnology, utilised to enhance the physical properties of plants and exhibit positive effects on them. The important key role is the most suitable type, effective dose and size of NP to be used in plant tissue culture systems. In this study, various concentrations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs; 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 μg L−1) were tested as elicitors in callus culture with the aim of enhancing secondary metabolite production in lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.). According to the results obtained, callus formation rates have shown an increase in all applications compared to the control group. The highest callus formation, weight and diameter were observed in 50 μg L−1 application. In this application, the callus structure was compact and its colour was green. However, the aromatic compounds, neral and geranial increased significantly in 25 μg L−1 application. The maximum increase in phenolic compounds such as caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, proto‐catechic acid, hesperidin and p‐coumaric acid was observed in the 75 μg L−1 AgNP and the highest increase in rosmarinic acid compound was determined in the 50 μg L−1 application. The study found that AgNP applications are an effective method for increasing the production of secondary metabolites in medicinal and aromatic plants, such as lemon balm, in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Citral, a naturally occurring acyclic monoterpene aldehyde, is present in the essential oils of various plants, but only a few produce it in abundance. Despite its importance as a key aroma molecule, knowledge regarding the in‐planta biosynthesis of citral and its metabolic origin remains limited. Here, we have elucidated the functions of an alcohol dehydrogenase (CfADH1) and an aldoketo‐reductase (CfAKR2b) in citral biosynthesis in lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), one of the most cultivated aromatic crops for its citral‐rich essential oil. Expression of both CfADH1 and CfAKR2b showed correlation with citral accumulation in different developmental stages. Recombinant CfADH1 and CfAKR2b, despite their sequence unrelatedness, catalyzed citral formation from geraniol with NADP cofactor. Virus‐induced gene silencing in lemongrass and transient expression in lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) demonstrated the in‐planta involvement of CfADH1 and CfAKR2b in citral biosynthesis. While CfADH1 exhibited a dual cytosolic/plastidial localization, CfAKR2b was localized to the cytosol. This was supported by higher citral‐forming activity in the cytosolic fraction than in the chloroplast fraction of lemongrass leaf extract. Moreover, feeding lemongrass seedlings with inhibitors specific to the cytosolic mevalonate pathway and the plastidial methylerythritol phosphate pathway, combined with volatile profiling, supported the involvement of both pathways in citral formation. Taken together, our results indicate that high citral production has evolved in lemongrass through the recruitment of phylogenetically distant enzymes localized in both the cytosol and plastids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The utilization of nutrition management, has recently been developed as a means of improving the growth and production of phytochemical compounds in herbs. The present study aimed to improve the growth, physiological, and phytochemical characteristics of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) using different NH4+ (ammonium) to NO3̄ (nitrate) ratios (0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0) under floating culture system (FCS). Results: The treatment containing 0:100 - NH4+:NO3̄ ratio showed the most remarkable values for the growth and morpho-physiological characteristics of M. officinalis. The results demonstrated that maximum biomass (105.57 g) earned by using the ratio of 0:100 and minimum at 75:25 ratio of NH4+: NO3̄. The plants treated with high nitrate ratio (0:100 - NH4+:NO3̄) showed the greatest concentration of total phenolics (60.40 mg GAE/g DW), chlorophyll a (31.32 mg/100 g DW), flavonoids (12.97 mg QUE/g DW), and carotenoids (83.06 mg/100 g DW). Using the 75:25 - NH4+:NO3̄ ratio caused the highest dry matter (DM), N and K macronutrients in the leaves. The highest antioxidant activity by both DPPH (37.39 µg AAE/mL) and FRAP (69.55 mM Fe++/g DW) methods was obtained in 75:25 - NH4+:NO3̄ treatment. The p-coumaric acid as a main abundant phenolic composition, was detected by HPLC analysis as the highest content in samples grown under 0:100 - NH4+:NO3̄ treatment. Also, the major compounds in M. officinalis essential oil were identified as geranial, neral, geranyl acetate and geraniol by GC analysis. With increasing NO3̄ application, geraniol and geranyl acetate contents were decreased. Conclusions: The findings of present study suggest that the management of NH4+ to NO3̄ ratios in nutrient solutions could contribute to improving growth, physiological and phytochemical properties of M. officinalis. The plants treated with high nitrate ratio (especially 0:100 - NH4+:NO3̄) showed the greatest effects on improving the growth and production of morpho-physiological and phytochemical compounds. By comprehensively understanding the intricate dynamics among nitrogen sources, plants, and their surroundings, researchers and practitioners can devise inventive approaches to optimize nitrogen management practices and foster sustainable agricultural frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and purpose: Oral thrush, a mucocutaneous infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, manifests as white, curd-like lesions on oral mucosal surfaces, often accompanied by burning sensations and altered taste perception. Conventional treatment modalities primarily rely on antifungal medications, while adjunctive therapies include topical saline or sodium bicarbonate rinses and rigorous oral hygiene practices. The current investigation seeks to elucidate and document the indigenous medicinal flora of Iran that is employed in the treatment of oral thrush induced by Candida albicans. Methodology: In this review article, a search was made in Web of Science, PubMed, Magiran, SID, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases using keywords such as medicinal plants, extract, essential oil, traditional medicine, candidiasis, and Candida albicans. Articles that were not relevant were removed and finally, relevant articles were used for literature review. Results: A variety of medicinal herbs, including Purple Coneflower, Persica, Matrica, Cinnamol, Jaftex, Green Cumin, Lemon Balm, Green Tea, Valerian, Oregano, Water Hyacinth, Ginger, Jujube, Hatchet Vetch, Sumac, Blue Mint Bush, Dandelion, Zaatar, Yarrow, Ephedra, Danish Thyme, Cinnamon, Curly Catnip, Barberry, Myrtle, Garlic, Kah-makki and Putar, Black Caraway, Nettle, Chamomile, Tarragon, Harmala, Lavender, Honey Garlic, Asafoetida (Devil's Dung), and Saffron, are indigenous to Iran. These plants demonstrate an anti-candidal effect against Candida albicans in the oral cavity, particularly when compared to commercial mouthwashes and standard chemical treatments. Conclusion: Medicinal plants offer a promising therapeutic approach to oral thrush due to their inherent antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Herbal mouthwashes containing phytochemicals derived from plants like thyme, chamomile, and sage can effectively alleviate oral thrush symptoms and suppress Candida overgrowth. As a natural and well-tolerated alternative to synthetic antifungals, these mouthwashes can be employed as adjunctive or primary treatments for oral candidiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotubes as novel plant elicitors are intensively studied in biotechnology due to their concentration-dependent effects on plant health. This emphasizes the importance of studying nanomaterials in the field of plant nanotoxicology and enables a better understanding of their advantages and disadvantages for plant health. Researchers examined how various concentrations of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) affect growth and polyphenolic accumulation in the medicinal herb, Melissa officinalis. Two-month-old plant shoots were sprayed with various concentrations (0–250 mg L−1) of COOH- functionalized MWCNTs and harvested two and three weeks after elicitation. TEM images confirmed MWCNTs uptake into the mesophyll and the vessels of leaves. Low to moderate MWCNT concentrations (50–100 mg L−1) boosted growth indices and increased total amount of phenols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, peaking three weeks after treatment with 100 mg L−1 MWCNTs, without destroying the cells and subcellular organelles. HPLC analysis showed this treatment yielded the highest content of rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B, apigenin, and kaempferol. However, 250 mg L−1 MWCNTs damaged cells without boosting metabolite production. We suggest that elicitation with low to moderate MWCNT concentrations can be a useful tool for laboratory-scale production of phenolic metabolites in M. officinalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the impact of organic manures from different sources (poultry, sheep, and cattle) on lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L., Lamiaceae) during different harvests. Manure application increased the photosynthetic pigments levels (chlorophyll-a, 9–41%; chlorophyll-b, 24–60%), biomass (41–60%), and essential oil yield (60–71%). Sheep manure treatment exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity among all the manures tested. Through GC-MS and GC-FID analysis, 10 chemical constituents were identified in the essential oil, accounting together for 91–95% of the total composition. The primary chemical component was geranial (39–46%), followed by neral (28–35%), (E)-caryophyllene (4.7–11%), geranyl acetate (2.7–5.9%), and caryophyllene oxide (1.7–4.8%). The utilization of livestock manures significantly improved the quality of the essential oil in terms of neral and geranial percentages compared to the control. Notably, during mid-August and early October, there was a substantial rise in these valuable compounds. However, a decrease in geranyl acetate and oxygenated monoterpenes resulted in a decline of the antioxidant capacity to 3%. Consequently, it is recommended to utilize essential oils from the second and third harvests for industrial purposes. Overall, the use of livestock manures, especially sheep manure, as a nutrient source for lemon balm cultivation, proves to be a viable approach for producing high-quality essential oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal tea is considered natural and harmless. With a long history of use, herbal tea acts as a healing remedy in various traditional medicines and has become a popular beverage worldwide. However, detailed lipid nutrient data have not been thoroughly investigated. This study applied lipidomics strategy using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry to profile the lipid nutrients in ten types of herbal tea. Comprehensive lipidome analysis of herbal tea led to the identification of 299 lipid molecular species. Multivariate analysis revealed unique lipid compositions among different types of herbal tea. Five major lipid classes were characterized and semi-quantified including fatty acyls, sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, glycerolipids, and sterols. Fatty acyls are the major lipids with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are abundant in lemon balm, whereas saturated fatty acids (SFA) in lavender. Evaluation of the PUFA to SFA ratio for ten herbal teas showed that lemon balm and blue mallow have the highest values of 1.57 and 1.21 respectively. Furthermore, we uncovered seven isomeric fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) in these herbal teas for the first time using high-resolution mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry analyses. Hierarchical heatmap analyses revealed an abundance of phytoceramides in blue mallow and lysophospholipids in lemon balms. Triacylglycerols are unchanged in all the herbal teas analyzed. This extensive investigation of the lipid composition of herbal tea will help assess their nutritional benefits and potential uses in the food and health industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize actinobacteria from the rhizosphere of medicinal and aromatic plants, specifically lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), and oregano (Origanum vulgare L.). Rhizospheric soil samples revealed a high abundance of culturable actinobacteria (6.97–7.23 log10 CFU/g). Six isolates were selected for their promising enzymatic activities (lignin peroxidase, carboxymethyl cellulase) and antimicrobial properties. Isolates M345 and M162 exhibited the highest cellulase activity indices (3.19 ± 0.71 and 2.54 ± 0.22, respectively), with five isolates producing lignin peroxidase. These actinobacteria also demonstrated plant growth-promoting traits such as phosphate solubilization and nitrogen fixation, along with strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria and phytopathogenic fungi. Additionally, they significantly enhanced maize seed germination, increasing the vigor index from 4283.33 ± 1264.37 to 6248.28 ± 1661.94 compared to that of the control. These results indicate that the isolated actinobacteria strains hold potential as microbial inoculants for sustainable agriculture, contributing to soil health, plant growth, and pathogen management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Two main types of galenic formulation, immediate release and prolonged release, have been developed to optimize melatonin bioavailability. We recently described the kinetic profile of a prolonged-release form generating a peak of plasma melatonin 1 h (Tmax) after intake, followed by a prolonged decay over time. We have developed a new oral form of melatonin with the aim of producing a melatonin peak several hours after intake. Objective: The objective is to investigate melatonin bioavailability after administration of this new delayed-release form (DR form). Methods: In this single-centre open-label study, 12 healthy male volunteers received one tablet of the DR form containing 1.9 mg melatonin, 10 mg zinc and 200 mg lemon balm extract (Melissa officinalis L aerial parts). Blood samples were collected for 12 h, beginning at 8:00 am. Plasma concentrations of melatonin and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-SMT), the main hepatic melatonin metabolite, were determined by radioimmunoassay. Results: A progressive increase in plasma melatonin concentrations was observed from 20 min and a peak about 3 h after intake (Cmax 740 ± 824 pg/mL; Tmax 179 ± 60 min). Concentrations remained high between 140 and 220 min, the concentration remaining physiologically significant (over 100 pg/mL) up to 7 h after intake. The DR form was well tolerated. Conclusions: The melatonin release profile was consistent with what was anticipated for the DR form. The DR form generated a 2 h delayed Tmax compared with a prolonged-release form previously evaluated. This suggests that the DR form is suitable for the treatment of certain sleep disorders such as short sleep duration or early awakening. Trial Registry: Registration number: NCT05419466. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lemon balm postdistillation waste extracts are abundant source of rosmarinic acid. • Antioxidant, antibacterial and anticholinesterase effects are pronounced. • Deodorized lemon balm leaves extracts possess the hepatoprotective effect. • Herbal-drug interaction with midazolam was recorded in rotarod performace test. • Lemon balm leaves extract reduce the levels of anxiety in experimental animals. Melissa officinalis L., Lamiaceae (lemon balm) leaves, essential oil and extracts have a long tradition of use. This aromatic plant is cultivated worldwide and there is a growing demand for its mass production. The aim of this study was to chemically characterize lemon balm postdistillation waste such are deodorized leaves, decoction remaining after the hydrodistillation of essential oil and stems and to determine whether waste extracts possess pharmacological activities comparable to standard lemon balm extract. The potential usage of postdistillation waste would be important for both ecological and economic reasons. Prepared waste extracts were chemically characterized regarding total phenolics and flavonoids and using high performance liquid chromatography for quantification of specific phenolic compounds. Antioxidant effect was examined ex vivo on liver homogenate of experimental animals. Pharmacodynamic studies included rotarod performance, tail suspension, elevated plus maze and novel object recognition tests and potential interactions between examined lemon balm extracts and midazolam, fluoxetine and diazepam. Rosmarinic acid was determined as a dominant compound in all investigated extracts ranging from 15.82 to 42.98 mg/g of dried extracts. Ex vivo , hepatoprotective effect of deodorized leaves extract was confirmed. Examined lemon balm extracts influenced the metabolism of midazolam without interacting with fluoxetine or diazepam, nor expressing the antidepressant effect or influencing the memory of treated animals. However, anxiolytic effect of lemon balm extracts was recorded. Postdistillation waste of lemon balm could be used as a potential source for pharmaceutical industry for the isolation of pharmacologically active compounds and production of herbal medicinal products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study investigated the impact of different soil amendments on the growth of Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) under water deficit stress conditions. The experiment was conducted using a factorial design with three replicates in 2022 in the research greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture of Lorestan University. Treatments included three levels of severe water deficit stress, mild water deficit stress, and no water stress, and eleven levels of compost enriched with various amendments (biochar, Trichoderma, Thiobacillus + sulfur, and chemical fertilizer NPK), as well as a control without compost. The results showed that the highest fresh and dry shoot and root, and plant height were observed in the compost enriched with all amendments under no stress conditions. The lowest values of these traits were found in the severe stress and no compost treatment. Ion leakage increased with stress, but the application of treatments reduced ion leakage. Water deficit stress decreased the RWC, with severe stress reducing it by 48.7% compared to the control. Treatments significantly increased the RWC compared to the control. The highest levels of chlorophyll, carotenoids, and the highest essential oil yield were observed in the compost enriched with all amendments under no stress conditions, while the lowest levels of these traits were observed in the control. Overall, compost enriched with organic, biological and chemical treatments can mitigate the adverse effects of water deficit stress on plants and they are beneficial in improving both quantitative and qualitative plant traits. Enrichment of chicken manure compost with the mentioned treatments can be introduced as a suitable pre-planting fertilizer to increase the yield of plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study involved extracting 2D structures of fifty-one (51) GC-MS chromatogram-generated compounds from PubChem a free depository database for generating a library of compounds and obtaining the 3D structure of polyketide synthase A, an enzyme recognized for the biosynthesis of aflatoxin in Aspergillus species, from the protein data bank. In silico (molecular docking was performed to assess the interactions of the phytochemicals in the sample and were screened for their inhibitory potential, having higher binding energy, and favorable pharmacokinetics profiles. The docking analysis outcome indicates that nine (9) compounds exhibited binding energies ranging from −11.314 to −8.365 kcal/mol which is higher than the control (PLM) with a binding energy of −8.131 kcal/mol. It is observed that many of the compounds interacted with the target using hydrophobic interaction and only a few added hydrogen bonds and salt bridges. This research has shown a potential of the aerial part of Melissa officinalis vegetable for drug development to inhibit the synthesis of aflatoxins from Aspergillus flavus. The study has showcased good scientific information for the development of natural products for the prevention and treatment of aflatoxin contamination in agricultural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lemon bee balm (Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex-Lag) is a noble industrial medicinal and aromatic plant species, which is used as digestive, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and menstrual irregularity remedies in traditional medicine. It is a common source of thymol and other active constituents with recognized antimicrobial properties. A multilocation field trial was performed to evaluate essential oil (EO) yield stability, secondary metabolites and economic returns in eight diverse geographical environment conditions (GEC) in India. The secondary metabolites viz., essential oil content and oil yield were found to be highest in tropical and sub-tropical regions. The essential oil content was found to be higher in inflorescence part at all the experimental sites and found to be highest (0.85±0.21%) at BR-JALAUN. The highest EO yield (130.25±3.25 kg ha−1), net return (Rs. 1,22,125.00±245.21 ha−1) and benefit cost (B:C) ratio (2.67±0.17) was recorded at FFDC-KANNAUJ. The thymol content percentage was found to be highest on physiological maturity (>95% flowering) [PM] and on 75% flowering [FS-II] and it began to decline on seed formation stage at all the experimental sites. The significantly highest thymol content percentage was found on PM (86.65±3.91%) and on FS-II (84.21±3.78%) at TBR-JHANSI. On the basis of the gas chromatography and mass spectrophotometry analysis, twenty constituents were isolated. The inflorescence EO contains more thymol than the EO from leaves with stem which in turn was characterized by a higher content of p-cymene, γ-terpinene, carvacrol, α-phellandrene, α-pinene, myrcene, α-terpinene, citral and β-caryophyllene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to formulate a novel herbal mixture of Hypericum perforatum (H) and Melissa officinalis (M) and evaluate its toxicity, microbial load, and phytochemical content. Materials and Methods: Total flavonoids were measured using the AlCl3 /NaNO2 complex formation method and colorimetric assay. The quercetin content of the herbal mixture was determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The in vitro and in vivo safety of the herbal formulations were analyzed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and acute oral toxicity analysis in the rat model, respectively. Results: The formulated extract (HM), compared with the standard rutin extract, had a total flavonoid content of 15.29 ± 0.64 mg rutin per mL sample. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography revealed a quercetin content of 0.187 mg/mL. Microbial tests for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp. were negative. Colony counts for total aerobic microbial and yeast and mold counts were 10 in each case. The MTT assay (with up to about 5% v/v HM extract) using the NIH/3T3 cell line revealed no cell toxicity in the range of concentrations tested. Acute oral toxicity was tested in the Wistar rat model, and the LD50 was 695.2 ± 7.5 mg/kg. The dry weight of the HM extract was 38.1 mg/mL. Conclusion: Preliminary results proved the safety of the HM herbal mixture, with its toxicity and microbial load within the limits of accepted guidelines allowable for use in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melissa officinalis (MO) is a valuable medicinal herb from the Lamiaceae family, MO extracts possess different beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, memory enhancer, anxiolytic, and anti-depression. It seems that phytochemicals found in MO including flavonols (luteolin and apigenin) and polyphenols (rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid) are responsible for the beneficial effects of MO. The present study aimed to assess the role of opioid receptors in the effect of MO in anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in stressed rats. Male hooded rats received oral administration of MO (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg), with or without intraperitoneal injection of naloxone (1 mg/kg), and were exposed to 30 min stress, then anxiety-like and OCD-like behaviors were evaluated using light/dark box and marble burying test. Our results showed that oral administration of MO has anxiolytic effects and a reduction in OCD-like behavior in stressed rats that could be inhibited by injection of naloxone. On the other hand, in silico study showed that phytochemicals found in MO have a possible affinity for opioid receptors. Taken together, these data revealed that the opioid receptors may be involved in the anxiolytic effect of MO in stressed rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to fabricate innovative fibrous materials with various biological activities from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), sodium hyaluronate (HA), chitosan (Ch), Melissa officinalis (MO), Hypericum perforatum (HP) extract, or a combination of both extracts. Electrospinning or electrospinning followed by dip coating and the subsequent formation of a polyelectrolyte complex were the methods used to prepare these materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR–FTIR) were applied for investigating the morphology of materials, their thermal characteristics, and their surface chemical composition. The composition and design of the mats had an influence on the in vitro release behavior of the main bioactive compounds present in the MO and HP extracts incorporated in the materials. It was found that as-created materials comprising a combination of both extracts and a Ch/HA complex exerted higher antioxidant activity than that of (non-)coated MO-containing mats and Ch/HA-coated mats containing HP. The novel materials manifested antibacterial efficacy towards the pathogenic bacteria S. aureus and E. coli, as evidenced by the performed microbiological screening. Furthermore, the mats possessed a great growth inhibitory effect on HeLa cancer cells but had a less pronounced effect on the growth of normal mouse BALB/3T3 fibroblasts. The loading of both extracts in the mats and the formation of coating led to the enhancement of the in vitro anticancer and antibacterial activities of the materials. Thus, the novel materials have potential for use in local cancer therapy as well as for use as wound dressings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor farming technologies, such as aquaponics and hydroponics, are crucial for advancing sustainable agriculture, especially in urban areas with limited land for conventional agriculture. As studies comparing these two systems are limited, this study explored the cultivation of five leafy vegetables--white leaf beets (Beta vulgaris var. cicla), hooker chives (Allium hookeri), basil (Ocimum basilicum), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), and spearmint (Mentha spicata)--in an indoor greenhouse facility using two different food production platforms: an aquaponic system (AS) with catfish (Silurus asotus) and a conventional hydroponic system (HS). The results showed that the plant growth in AS outperformed that in HS, while the general growth patterns in AS were significantly affected by the different light sources. In addition, the leaf yield of the herbal plants (basil and lemon balm) in AS was 60%-70% more than that in HS. The leaf growth of hooker chives in AS also showed significant improvement (200%) compared with that in HS. It appears that the nutrient sources provided by fish were remarkable, as the average concentration of NO3-N (64 mg/L) was easily achieved in AS. The proposed AS, therefore, would be a promising alternative to the production and supply of supplement organic food, ultimately contributing to promoting sustainable agriculture in a changing climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-friendly functional alginate films with plant extracts (chokeberry pomace (ChP) or lemon balm (LB) herb) were obtained. Moreover, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) based on choline chloride, glucose, and betaine were used to acquire the active substances from plant materials. The films were tested regarding the antioxidant, mechanical, and color properties. The results revealed that the films' antioxidant capacities (AC) depended on the extract type and DES used, namely AC values for alginate films with LB were higher than those with ChP. Moreover, the results of the films' mechanical properties depended only on the DES, which acted as a plasticizer in most cases. Furthermore, the color analysis of the studied films showed a dependence on the type of extract and DES. The lightness (L*) was influenced only by the DES type, while the solvent and extract type affected the a* and b* values. Our results show that the films can be applied as active packaging for food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The purpose of this study is to review the effectiveness of medicinal plants on memory and learning in both human and animal models. Material and Methods: Various electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library, were searched for randomized controlled trials published between 2010 and 2023. Results: The studies focused on thirty different herbs, including Bacopa monnieri , Polygonum odoratum , Morus alba , Ginkgo biloba , Salvia officinalis L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Melissa officinalis , Panax ginseng , Saraca asoca , Polygala tenuifolia , Boswellia papyrifera , Boswellia serrata , and Aegle marmelos. Conclusions: The inclusion criteria were adults, participants with cognitive impairment, and healthy participants, without age or gender restrictions. The studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Cochrane tool for randomized trials, and the findings were synthesized narratively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antibiotics are used to inhibit the growth of bacterial infections. However, antibiotic resistance is increasing due to their use. Plant extracts are natural compounds with unique medical properties. The current study investigated the effect of Melissa officinalis collected from Marivan, Iran, against urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods: The plant extract was prepared using the Soxhlet method. The bacterial strains were isolated from UTI patients at Al- Zahra Hospital in Najaf, Iraq. The antibacterial activity of M. officinalis extract was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was also determined by the microdilution method. Results: According to the inhibition zone results, M. officinalis greatly affected Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The plant extract showed the highest antimicrobial activity on the standard and clinical strains of S. aureus with the highest inhibition zone record of 8.4 ± 0.163 and 9 ± 0.0 mm and MIC of 0.09 and 0.06 mg/mL, respectively. Also, M. officinalis extract indicated an antimicrobial effect against the standard and clinical strains of K. pneumoniae with the highest inhibition zone record of 8 ± 0.0 and 9 ± 0.0 mm and MIC of 0.06 and 0.06 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the plant extract showed the most antimicrobial activity on the standard and clinical strains of P. vulgaris, with the highest records of 7.9 ± 0.23 and 9 ± 0.0 mm and MICs of 0.14 and 0.06 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: Melissa officinalis extract can be a suitable candidate as an alternative to antibiotics for treating UTIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, active coatings based on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were prepared using liposomes filled with an aqueous extract of Melissa officinalis retained in high acyl gellan gum (HAG), low acyl gellan gum (LAG), and their mixture (HAG/LAG). The objective was to investigate the effect of these coatings on postharvest preservation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruits. The tomato fruits were divided into four groups: (i) coating with HAG-based liposomes (WL-HAG), (ii) coating with LAG-based liposomes (WL-LAG), (iii) coating with HAG/LAG-based liposomes (WL-HAG/LAG), and (iv) control group treated with sterile water. Over a period of 10 days, various quality attributes, such as respiration rate, soluble solids, titratable acidity, luminosity, weight loss, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, hydrogen peroxide, total phenols, and DPPH scavenging ability, were studied. The results indicated that the WL-HAG coatings significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the respiration rate, hydrogen peroxide, and MDA content compared to the control fruits and other coatings. Therefore, WL-HAG could be considered a promising option to enhance postharvest preservation of tomato fruits in the Colombian fruit and vegetable industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of different bedding materials on both production performance and foot quality, assessed through the incidence, severity, and microbiological quality of foot pad dermatitis (FPD). A total of 2400 Ross 308 chickens were raised over 42 days, distributed across eight bedding material types (eight groups × four treatments × 75 chickens each). These pellets either lacked medicinal plant components or included 30% of plant parts, such as oregano (Origanum vulgare), summer savory (Satureja hortensis), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), salvia (Salvia officinalis), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris). Production performance controls included body weight (BW) at 42 days of age, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and mortality. The severity of FPD was evaluated at 28, 35, and 42 days using a scale ranging from S0 to S3. A microbiological analysis of the feet was based on the FPD score. Broilers raised on straw chaff (bedding: 24% oregano and 6% summer savory, 18% oregano and 12% summer savory, and 24% oregano and 6% thyme) exhibited the highest BW. Straw chaff-reared broilers demonstrated the lowest FCR. The highest mortality occurred on 18% oregano and 12% summer savory bedding, which may have been caused by the high share of summer savory, which could be toxic. At 35 and 42 days, broilers in the 24% oregano and 6% summer savory group exhibited the best foot quality, while those on straw chaff and 18% oregano and 12% summer savory had the worst one. The influence of medicinal plants in the pellets was particularly notable in reducing Listeria sp. This reduction was likely due to the presence of carvacrol from summer savory, quercetin from lemon balm, and thymol from thyme. Based on our research, the best bedding materials for foot quality are 24% oregano with 6% summer savory and 18% summer savory with 12% salvia, while 18% summer savory with 12% lemon balm and 18% summer savory with 12% thymus were the most effective in limiting Listeria sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to enhanced functionality of beer with natural materials such as selected herbs from Lamiaceae family (salvia, oregano, wild thyme, lemon balm) and consequently to determine the impact of the addition of herbs on the technological parameters and sensory profile of beer. For purposes of this study a top-fermented beer was produced and herbs: salvia (Salvia officinalis L), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) were used for beer fortification. The basic qualitative parameters of beer as real extract, alcohol content, pH, colour, total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity were determined. Results showed that in the analysed samples, the values of the actual extract ranged from 3.64 wt.% to 4.02 wt.%. Alcohol content ranged from 3.99 vol.% to 4.46 vol.%. Total polyphenol content was significantly increased by the herbs addition to beer. The content of phenolic substances increased the most in beer with oregano 801.63 mg GAE.g-1. Moreover, the antioxidant activity in beer samples enriched with herbs was significantly increased; it ranged from 50.30 mg TEAC.g-1 (control beer) to 78.17 mg TEAC.g-1 (beer with oregano). Values of antioxidant activity were positively correlated with the content of total polyphenols. Sensory evaluation of beer was conducted using a nine-level hedonic scale. Sensory analyses revealed that the most intense, pleasurable herbal aroma and taste was evaluated in beer with salvia. From the overall impression point of view beer enriched with wild thyme manifested the best performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although cancer therapy suppresses recurrence and prolongs life, it may be accompanied by strong side effects; thus, there is a strong demand for the development effective treatments with fewer side effects. Cancer therapy using plant-derived essential oils is attracting attention as one promising method. This study investigated the antitumor effects of essential oil volatiles on breast cancer cells and identifies four essential oils that display antitumor activity. Methods: Breast cancer cells were cultured in a 96-well plate, then one of twenty essential oils was added dropwise to the central well. The plate was incubated at 37 °C for 48 h and the effect of the volatile components of each essential oil on the surrounding breast cancer cell growth ability was examined using an MTT assay. Gas chromatography was used to investigate the concentration of the transpiration components that may affect cancer cells. Results: Of the 20 essential oils, Lemongrass, Lemon myrtle, Litsea, and Melissa displayed strong anti-tumor effects. These essential oils inhibited the growth of nearby breast cancer cells, even when diluted more than 500-fold. The transpiration component of lemon Myrtle showed the strongest antitumor effect, but was the least cytotoxic to mononuclear cells in normal peripheral blood (PBMC). Each of these essential oils contained a very large amount of citral. The IC50 against breast cancer cells when citral was volatilized from each essential oil was 1.67 µL/mL for geranial and 1.31 µL/mL for neral. Volatilized citral alone showed strong anti-proliferation and infiltration-inhibiting effects. Conclusion: The transpiration components of Lemongrass, Lemon myrtle, Litsea, and Melissa are thought to inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation due to their high levels of citral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major hepatotropic virus that affects humans with increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. The bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) causes abortion, calf mortality and poor reproductive performance in cattle. Due the difficulties of in vitro cultivation for HCV, BVDV has been used as surrogate for in vitro assessment of the efficacy of antivirals. Essential oils (EOs) display antiviral and virucidal activity on several viral pathogens. In this study, the virucidal activity of five EOs, Salvia officinalis L. EO (SEO), Melissa officinalis L. EO (MEO), Citrus lemon EO (LEO), Rosmarinus officinalis L. EO (REO) and Thymus vulgaris L. EO (TEO) against BVDV was evaluated in vitro at different concentrations for several time contacts. MEO and LEO were able to considerably inactivate BVDV with a time- and dose-dependent fashion. MEO and LEO at the highest concentrations decreased viral titer by 2.00 and 2.25 log10 TCID50/50 μL at 8 h contact time, respectively. SEO, REO and TEO displayed mild virucidal activity at the highest concentrations for 8 h contact times. In this study, the virucidal efficacies of MEO and LEO against BVDV were observed regardless of compound concentration and contact time. Further studies are needed to confirm the potential use of MEO and LEO as surface disinfectants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Officinal plants are a source of metabolites whose chemical composition depends on pedoclimatic conditions. In this study, the NMR-based approach was applied to investigate the impacts of different altitudes and agronomical practices (Land, Mountain Spontaneous, and Organically Grown Ecotypes, namely LSE, MSE, and OE, respectively) on the metabolite profiles of Burdock root, Dandelion root and aerial part, and Lemon balm aerial part. Sugars, amino acids, organic acids, polyphenols, fatty acids, and other metabolites were identified and quantified in all samples. Some metabolites turned out to be tissue-specific markers. Arginine was found in roots, whereas myo-inositol, galactose, glyceroyldigalactose moiety, pheophytin, and chlorophyll were identified in aerial parts. Caftaric and chicoric acids, 3,5 di-caffeoylquinic acid, and chlorogenic and rosmarinic acids were detected in Dandelion, Burdock and Lemon balm, respectively. The metabolite amount changed significantly according to crop, tissue type, and ecotype. All ecotypes of Burdock had the highest contents of amino acids and the lowest contents of organic acids, whereas an opposite trend was observed in Lemon balm. Dandelion parts contained high levels of carbohydrates, except for the MSE aerial part, which showed the highest content of organic acids. The results provided insights into the chemistry of officinal plants, thus supporting nutraceutical–phytopharmaceutical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melissa officinalis L., an aromatic herb is commonly known as lemon balm for its lemon fragrance. This study reports the outcome of simulation experiment conducted inside the plant growth chamber followed by conducting the same experiment in realtime condition in open environment for 21 days to see the response of postharvest lemon balm leaves in accumulating anthocyanin pigments. Detached leaves were found to accumulate anthocyanin up to 21 days in both the cases. Simulation experiment showed cyanidin concentration of 2.36 ± 0.37 g Kg-1 whereas it was 1.78 ± 0.49 g Kg-1 in realtime experiment. The accumulated anthocyanin appeared stable in different buffer solutions with variable pH ranges. Further, degradation of the major internal pool of volatile was observed in both the cases. However, rosmarinic acid content was found to be increased in realtime experiment in comparison to simulation experiment which was just unlike of cyanidin. Several primary metabolites mostly sugars were found to be varied between the detached leaves generated from the two experiments. Sucrose was found to be the highest contributors among all the primary metabolites detected in red leaves from simulation experiment whereas it is talose in the case of realtime experiment. Various food products were also prepared from these value-added leaves to demonstrate its immediate application potential.

Abstract Background According to traditional medicine, Melissa officinalis L., (lemon balm) has been known to remove harmful substances from the blood and is considered a cardiac tonic. Therefore, its use as a cardiovascular remedy may explain the lipid-lowering effects of lemon balm. Dyslipidemia can be considered as a significant preventable risk factor for atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The present study is the first meta-analysis to investigate the effects of M. officinalis administration on serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC). Methods From inception to October 2023, a thorough search through literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria of this study were randomized controlled trials, with or without blinding which provided adequate data for each group at the beginning and end of the follow-up period. Meta-analysis was performed on randomized controlled trials using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) V4 software. Risk of bias in the selected studies was examined according to the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Begg’s funnel plot symmetry status, Begg’s rank correlation, and Egger’s weighted regression tests were employed to evaluate potential publication bias. Results The meta-analysis comprised of 5 randomized controlled trials with a total of 302 patients. The findings of the meta-analysis indicated that the consumption of lemon balm had a significant decrease in TG (SMD (95% CI): -0.396(-0.620, -0.173), p-value = 0.001), TC (SMD (95% CI): -0.416 (-0.641, -0.192), p-value

Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) have been highlighted to improve plant growth and development in the recent years. Although positive effects of some NPs have been reported on medicinal plants, the knowledge for stimulations application of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) NPs is not available. Hence, the present work aimed to discover the effects of Fe NPs at 10, 20, and 30 mg L−1 and Zn NPs at 60 and 120 mg L−1 on growth, water content, photosynthesis pigments, phenolic content, essential oil (EO) quality, and rosmarinic acid (RA) production of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.). The results showed that Fe NPs at 20 and 30 mg L−1 and Zn NPs at 120 mg L−1 significantly improved biochemical attributes. Compared with control plants, the interaction of Fe NPs at 30 mg−1 and Zn NPs at 120 mg L−1 led to noticeable increases in shoot weight (72%), root weight (92%), chlorophyll (Chl) a (74%), Chl b (47%), RA (66%), proline (81%), glycine betaine (GB, 231%), protein (286%), relative water content (8%), EO yield (217%), total phenolic content (63%), and total flavonoid content (57%). Heat map analysis revealed that protein, GB, EO yield, shoot weight, root weight, and proline had the maximum changes upon Fe NPs. Totally, the present study recommended the stimulations application of Fe NPs at 20–30 mg L−1 and Zn NPs at 120 mg L−1 to reach the optimum growth and secondary metabolites of lemon balm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]