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Cytotoxic activity of 16Hypericumethanolic extracts was evaluated by MTT assay on two human cancer cell lines: glioblastoma A1235 and breast cancer MDA MB-231. Morphology and the type of induced cell death were determined using light and fluorescence microscopy. The majority ofHypericumextracts had no significant cytotoxic effect on MDA MB-231 cells. Eight extracts exhibited mild cytotoxic effect on A1235 cells after 24 h incubation, ranging from 8.0% (H. patulum) to 21.7% (H. oblongifolium). After 72 h of treatment, the strongest inhibition of A1235 viability was observed for extracts ofH. androsaemum(26.4–43.9%),H. balearicum(25.8–36.3%),H. delphicum(14.8–27.4%) andH. densiflorum(11.2–24.1%). Micro-scopic examination of cells showed apoptosis as the dominant type of cell death. Due to observed high viability of treated cells, we propose that cytotoxic effects ofHypericumextracts could be related to alternations/interruptions in the cell cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qualitative phytochemical analyses of eight species from the genus Galium (G. corrudifolium, G. cruciata, G. divaricatum, G. lucidum, G. mollugo, G. palustre, G. parisiense, and G. verum), followed by spectrophotometric evaluation of their total phenolic, flavonoid and iridoid content, as well as antiradical capacity, were conducted. G. cruciata contained the greatest amount of total phenolics (111.00 mg gallic acid equivalents g-1 dry extract), while G. verum had the greatest amount of flavonoids (23.11 mg quercetin equivalents g-1 dry extract) and iridoids (461.30 mg aucubin equivalents g-1 dry extract). The best antioxidant (antiradical) activity was shown by G. cruciata (IC50 (ABTS) = 30.30 µg mL-1; IC50 (DPPH) = 27.62 µg mL-1), followed by G. divaricatum, G. verum and G. palustre. The same species were rich in various bioactive constituents and would be appropriate for inclusion in further investigations considering their biomedical potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aerial parts of H. perforatum subsp. perforatum and H. perforatum subsp. angustifolium were investigated for their chemical composition and antimicrobial activity. Spectrophotometric analysis indicated that H. perforatum subsp. perforatum is richer in flavonoids and tannins than the other subspecies. HPLC analysis confirmed the higher yield of flavonoids in H. perforatum subsp. perforatum and gave also a higher content of phenolic acids. H. perforatum subsp. angustifolium contained more hypericin. The presence of rutin was proven only in H. perforatum subsp. perforatum. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts of both subspecies was evaluated based on the inhibition zone diameters using the hole-plate diffusion method. The MeOH extracts, dichloromethane and petroleum ether fractions were effective against Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis. The results indicate that H. perforatum subsp. angustifolium had a stronger antimicrobial effect than the other subspecies.