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Hungarian thyme (Thymus pannonicus All., Lamiaceae) is an aromatic herb used as traditional remedy, a refreshing beverage and a food aromatizer. Herbal teas, i.e., infusions, of Hungarian thyme from eight localities in Serbia were analyzed regarding their polyphenolic and volatile composition, and tested for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The total polyphenolics content, determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, ranged from 1122.25 to 1979.93 mg gallic acid/L. HPLC analysis revealed rosmarinic acid (367.42-1199.47 mg/L) and luteolin glucuronides as the main polyphenolics. The volatile fractions of the infusions, analyzed by static headspace extraction coupled with GC and GC-MS analyses, contained citral, 3-octanone, 1-octen-3-ol, linalool and 1,8-cineole as the dominant constituents. The antioxidant activity of the infusions was examined through the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (68.09-124.58 mmol Fe2+/L) and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical tests (SC50 1.32-2.96 μL/mL). The antimicrobial activity was tested by the broth microdilution method against standard strains of Gram(+) Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis and Gram(-) bacteria Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and one strain of yeast Candida albicans. The infusions inhibited microbial growth in the tested concentration range (31.25-500.00 μL/mL) and the strongest activity was exhibited against the strain of C. albicans (MIC 31.25-62.50 μL/mL). The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the infusions were, to some extent, in correlation with the composition and content of the polyphenolic compounds, whereas the volatiles noticeably influenced the exhibited antimicrobial activity. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.

The essential oil from the aerial parts of Marrubium incanum Desr. (Lamiaceae), obtained by hydrodistillation, was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Forty-six compounds were identified, representing 96.3% of the total oil. The main components of the oil were (E)-caryophyllene (27.0%), germacrene D (26.2%) and bicyclogermacrene (11.5%). The microbial growth inhibitory properties of the isolated essential oil were determined using the agar diffusion and broth microdilution method against seven bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, S. epidermidis ATCC 12228, Micrococcus flavus ATCC 10240, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Klebsiella pneumoniae NCIMB 9111, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853), and two strains of the yeast Candida albicans (ATCC 10259 and ATCC24433). The essential oil showed activity against all the microorganisms tested, but differences in microbial susceptibility were registered.

A RP-HPLC method for quantification of allantoin in silk of fifteen maize hybrids (Zea mays L., Poaceae) was described. Following extraction of the plant material with an acetone-water (7:3, V/V) mixture, filtration and dilution, the extracts were analyzed without previous chemical derivatization. Separation and quantification were achieved using an Alltech Econosil C18 column under isocratic conditions at 40 degreesC. The mobile phase flow (20% methanol -80% water with 5 mM sodium laurylsulfate added at pH 2.5, adjusted with 85% orthophosphoric acid; pH of water phase was finally adjusted at 6.0 by addition of triethylamine) was maintained at 1.0 mL/min. Column effluent was monitored at 235 nm. This simple procedure afforded efficient separation and quantification of allantoin in plant material, without interference of polyphenols or other plant constituents of medium to high polarity, or similar UV absorption. Our study revealed that the silk of all investigated maize hybrids could be considered relatively rich in allantoin, covering the concentration range between 215 and 289 mg per 100 g of dry plant material.

Pantoprazole is a new proton pump inhibitor with a potent antisecretory activity, well defined pharmacokinetics and safety profile. The aim of this single blind, randomized clinical trial was to compare the efficacy of pantoprazole (PAN) 40 mg/day and omeprazole (OME) 20 mg/day in patients with grade I and II GERD (Savary-Miller classification). A total of 120 patients were included (PAN = 60 and OME = 60). In the per protocol/analysis, healing rates at 4 weeks were 76.3% PAN and 71.2% OME (ns), and at 8 weeks 94.7% PAN and 92.9% OME (ns). In the intention to treat analysis, healing rates at 4 weeks were 75% PAN and 70% OME (ns), and at 8 weeks 90% PAN and 86.6% OME (ns). Both pantoprazole and omeprazole were well tolerated with no serious drug related adverse events. Pantoprazole 40 mg/day was found to be safe and effective therapy comparable to omeprazole 20 mg/day in the short-term treatment for reflux esophagitis (grade I and II).

Factors influencing the relative rates of the homolytic and heterolytic processes in the lead tetra-acetate oxidation of unbranched primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols have been investigated, with a view to determine the conditions giving optimal yields of cyclic ethers or carbonyl compounds.

The action of lead tetraacetate, in benzene solution, on various unbranched primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols containing 4 to 12 carbon atoms has been investigated and the ratio of carbonyl compounds, cyclic ethers and fragmentation products determined. The results obtained are discussed with regard to the number and length of the n-alkyl rests attached to the carbinol carbon atom of the starting alcohol.

Maydis stigma (corn silk) is a herbal drug reputed for the treatment of urinary ailments in various traditional medicine systems. To determine its influence on urinary volume and the excretion of sodium, potassium and chloride, 5% and 10% decoctions were administered daily to adult male Wistar rats for eight days. The concentration of electrolytes and urea in plasma, the influence of treatment on urinary pH value as well as creatinine clearance were also investigated. Daily oral administration of 5% decoction at the dose of 10 ml/kg led to a significant and acute diuresis in rats, reaching the peak value in the first 24 h of treatment. Over a similar period, application of 10% decoction did not affect urinary excretion of water, but significantly increased the pH value of excreted urine. A significant decrease in sodium and chloride plasma levels was observed in both treated groups. The creatinine clearance was markedly increased after the treatment with both extracts. Our findings indicate that the diuretic effect of 5% aqueous Maydis stigma extract is in accordance with the increase in glomerular filtration rate and inhibition of sodium and chloride tubular reabsorption, caused a by still unidentified intrinsic factor, but not the salt-loading effect.