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Key message: This study provides novel insights into the evolution, diversification, and functions of melatonin biosynthesis genes in Prunus species, highlighting their potential role in regulating bud dormancy and abiotic stresses. The biosynthesis of melatonin (MEL) in plants is primarily governed by enzymatic reactions involving key enzymes such as serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT), tryptamine 5-hydroxylase (T5H), N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT) and tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC). In this study, we analyzed Melatonin genes in four Prunus species such as Prunus avium (Pavi), Prunus pusilliflora (Ppus), Prunus serulata (Pser), and Prunus persica (Pper) based on comparative genomics approach. Among the four Prunus species, a total of 29 TDCs, 998 T5Hs, 16 SNATs, and 115 ASMTs within the genome of four Prunus genomes. A thorough investigation of melatonin-related genes was carried out using systematic biological methods and comparative genomics. Through phylogenetic analysis, orthologous clusters, Go enrichment, syntenic relationship, and gene duplication analysis, we discovered both similarities and variations in Melatonin genes among these Prunus species. Additionally, our study revealed the existence of unique subgroup members in the Melatonin genes of these species, which were distinct from those found in Arabidopsis genes. Furthermore, the transcriptomic expression analysis revealed the potential significance of melatonin genes in bud dormancy regulation and abiotic stresses. Our extensive results offer valuable perspectives on the evolutionary patterns, intricate expansion, and functions of PavMEL genes. Given their promising attributes, PavTDCs, PavT5H, PavNAT, and three PavASMT genes warrant in-depth exploration as prime candidates for manipulating dormancy in sweet cherry. This was done to lay the foundation for future explorations into the structural and functional aspects of these factors in Prunus species. This study offers significant insights into the functions of ASMT, SNAT, T5H, and TDC genes and sheds light on their roles in Prunus avium. Moreover, it established a robust foundation for further exploration functional characterization of melatonin genes in fruit species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rootstocks for stone fruits (Prunus spp.) provide numerous and diverse production benefits, not least of which is the ability to produce high quality improved clonal fruit varieties, but also for better adaptation to orchard site variations and adoption of improved production techniques. These include mitigation of potential abiotic (soil, climate) and biotic (disease, pest) production limitations, as well as modification of natural tree vigor, precocity, and canopy architecture. Stone fruit production has lagged far behind that of apples with regard to rootstock-based control of vigor, which has contributed to comparatively less efficient production methods. Sweet cherries were the first stone fruits to have to a full range of vigor-controlling rootstocks become commercially available, about 25 years ago. It is primarily over the past decade that rootstocks conferring an increasing range of vigor control have begun to look promising for the larger-fruited stone fruits (peaches, apricots, plums), based on various scientific and commercial evaluation trials. This is likely to be a significant component of the overdue adoption of improved orchard training systems, particularly planar or "fruiting wall" canopies that are more labor efficient for pruning, fruit thinning, and harvest, and often contribute to better and/or more uniform fruit coloration, ripening, and quality. Such training systems also facilitate new and developing orchard data acquisition technologies and precision management techniques. General guidelines for the choice of stone fruit rootstocks for both specific growing conditions and anticipated contemporary production systems are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Prunus genus encompasses a group of economically important and closely related crops, sharing an essentially common genome and, thereby, a high level of conserved and transferable microsatellite (SSR) loci. In Southern Italy, many of the local and/or neglected varieties are abandoned and at risk of extinction due to the high degree of urbanization and agricultural intensification, despite their value as genetic resources for crop improvement. This research aimed to genetically and morphologically characterize the traditional apricot (P. armenica) and peach (P. persica) germplasms collected in old family orchards. Most of the official descriptor categories were scored, thus revealing a rather high level of phenotypic variation in both collections. Genetic data allowed the discovery of diversity masked by morphological traits. Genotyping in 15 and 18 SSRs, eight of which were transferable across both species, showed an average polymorphic informativeness (PIC) of 0.44 and 0.59 for apricot and peach, respectively, and a total of 70 and 144 alleles. A reliable identification of each genotype was achieved, and the presence of possible mislabeling and/or erroneous denominations was solved. These results are encouraging for the valorization of the still poorly explored Italian Prunus germplasm, with significant economic consequences for bioresource conservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two intergenic spacers cpDNA barcoding regions were used to assess the genetic diversity and phylogenetic structure of a collection of 25 Prunus accessions. The trnH-psbA and trnL-trnF intergenic spacers were able to distinguish and identify only four Prunus species. The average aligned length was 316–352 bp and 701–756 bp for trnH-psbA and trnL-trnF, respectively. The overall evolutionary divergence was higher in trnH-psbA than trnL-trnF. The transition/transversion bias (R) recorded as 0.59 in trnL-trnF and 0.89 in trnH-psbA. The number of invariable sites, nucleotide diversity (Pi), and the average number of nucleotide differences (k) was higher in the trnH-psbA region. The trnL-trnF records was above the other region in the number of variable sites, number of singleton variable sites, and the parsimony informative sites. Phylogenetic relationships among the 25 accessions of Prunus species were investigated. Most of the different Prunus species clustered in a homogenized distribution in both regions, except for the plum (P. domestica) accession (African Rose) was assigned with the peach (P. persica) accessions. The two intergenic cpDNA trnH-psbA and trnL-trnF were able to distinguish and identify the four Prunus species accessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Prunus genus encompasses a group of economically important and closely related crops, sharing an essentially common genome and, thereby, a high level of conserved and transferable microsatellite (SSR) loci. In Southern Italy, many of the local and/or neglected varieties are abandoned and at risk of extinction due to the high degree of urbanization and agricultural intensification, despite their value as genetic resources for crop improvement. This research aimed to genetically and morphologically characterize the traditional apricot (P. armenica) and peach (P. persica) germplasms collected in old family orchards. Most of the official descriptor categories were scored, thus revealing a rather high level of phenotypic variation in both collections. Genetic data allowed the discovery of diversity masked by morphological traits. Genotyping in 15 and 18 SSRs, eight of which were transferable across both species, showed an average polymorphic informativeness (PIC) of 0.44 and 0.59 for apricot and peach, respectively, and a total of 70 and 144 alleles. A reliable identification of each genotype was achieved, and the presence of possible mislabeling and/or erroneous denominations was solved. These results are encouraging for the valorization of the still poorly explored Italian Prunus germplasm, with significant economic consequences for bioresource conservation and management.

In this study, genome-wide identification, phylogenetic relationships, duplication time and selective pressure of the NBS-LRR genes, an important group of plant disease-resistance genes (R genes), were performed to uncover their genetic evolutionary patterns in the six Prunus species. A total of 1946 NBS-LRR genes were identified; specifically, 589, 361, 284, 281, 318, and 113 were identified in Prunus yedoensis, P. domestica, P. avium, P. dulcis, P. persica and P. yedoensis var. nudiflora, respectively. Two NBS-LRR gene subclasses, TIR-NBS-LRR (TNL) and non-TIR-NBS-LRR (non-TNL), were also discovered. In total, 435 TNL and 1511 non-TNL genes were identified and could be classified into 30/55/75 and 103/158/191 multi-gene families, respectively, according to three different criteria. Higher Ks and Ka/Ks values were detected in TNL gene families than in non-TNL gene families. These results indicated that the TNL genes had more members involved in relatively ancient duplications and were affected by stronger selection pressure than the non-TNL genes. In general, the NBS-LRR genes were shaped by species-specific duplications, and lineage-specific duplications occurred at recent and relatively ancient periods among the six Prunus species. Therefore, different duplicated copies of NBS-LRRs can resist specific pathogens and will provide an R-gene library for resistance breeding in Prunus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This pest survey card was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M- 2017-0137), at the request of the European Commission. Its purpose is to assist the Member States in preparing their survey activities for Aromia bungii using a statistically sound and risk-based pest survey approach. A. bungii is a quarantine species in the EU. The cerambycid beetle is native to East and South- East Asia and in the EU is currently reported as 'present under eradication' in Italy and 'transient under eradication' in Germany. Prunus species are its main host, in particular stone fruit trees, such as peach, apricot, plum, cherry and almond. However, other species such as pomegranate, kaki and olive trees are reported as potential hosts. Depending on local conditions the life cycle takes from two to four years (from egg laying to adult emergence). The larvae and pupae complete their development in the trunks of the host trees or in its basal branches. In the EU, the climate suitability and host plant availability are not limiting factors for the establishment of the species. Wood packaging, wood or wooden products from Prunus species are the main introduction pathways of A. bungii into the EU. Therefore, areas where Prunus species are grown that surround ports, packhouses and warehouses are risk areas that are particularly relevant for detection surveys. In addition, plants for planting (saplings and bonsais) can also sustain eggs or initial larval stages. Therefore, nurseries where Prunus species are cultivated are also prime targets for detection surveys. For early detection of A. bungii, the preferred method is pheromone-based trapping in combination with the visual inspection of main target host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) remains recalcitrant for genetic transformation due to the lack of efficient plant regeneration systems via organogenesis or somatic embryogenesis. In this study, in vitro shoot cultures were derived from a single mature embryo (open pollinated) of 'Selah' sweet cherry. Leaf explants were cultured on Woody Plant Medium supplemented with different plant growth regulators to induce shoot regeneration. The optimal regeneration at a frequency of 32.5% and an average of 1.1 shoots per explant occurred on the medium containing 4.54 µM thidiazuron (TDZ) and 2.95 µM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Transient transformation showed an efficient delivery of the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene (gusA) using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105. Under the optimal gene delivery conditions, stable transformations were conducted using pGA643 and pBI-VcFT containing a blueberry FLOWERING LOCUS T (VcFT). A total of 500 leaf explants, 250 for each construct, were used for transformation. After 10-week selection, three leaf explants transformed with the pGA643 produced four kanamycin-resistant shoots, in which stable integration and expression of the nptII were confirmed by Southern blot and RT-PCR analysis, respectively. This study demonstrated that it was possible to produce stable transgenic sweet cherry using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of leaf explants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic variation at molecular level was evaluated among three species of Prunus genus and a wild species, (P. arabica (wild), P. argentea (wild), P. dulcis (local), and P. dulcis (wild ). The genetic variation assessment was carried out using SRAP molecular markers. The genetic similarity coefficient revealed the genetic relationship among the samples tested in which the highest genetic distance was between P. dulcis (local), and P. dulcis (wild), and lowest genetic distance was between P. arabica (wild), P. argentea (wild). The phylogenetic tree was obtained using UPGMA method depending on the total number of SRAP bands. There were two main groups in the dendrogram: the first one consists of two subgroup: P. arabica and P. argentea cluster together in one Subgroup and P. dulcis (wild) appear alone in this subgroup. P. dulcis (Local variety) appear in the second group alone.

Shot hole disease of stone fruits caused by Thyrostroma carpophilum has become a major threat to stone fruit industry of Jammu and Kashmir, India because of the failure in its management with fungicides. To understand the diversity in shot hole pathogen, a combination of conventional (morphological, cultural and pathological) and molecular (ISSR and ITS markers) approaches were employed to discern variability in 25 isolates of T. carpophilum isolated from peach, plum, apricot, almond and cherry leaves collected from Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The studies revealed a high level of variability among the pathogen. Based on the morpho-cultural and pathological studies, the isolates were grouped into different categories based on colony growth, texture, margin and colour besides change in media colour, incubation period, leaf area infected, etc. Using ISSR markers, a high level of polymorphism in different isolates of T. carpophilum was observed which indicated that these markers are suitable for studying the genetic diversity in this pathogen. Based on dendrogram, the isolates were grouped irrespective of their geographical origin or host species. Phylogenetic analysis of the 25 sequences based on ITS region showed maximum similarity with T. carpophilum (Syn. Wilsonomyces carpophilus) sequences retrieved from NCBI and grouped them in a single clade which proved it as a powerful tool for authentic identification. The pathogen was highly variable based on morpho-cultural, pathological and molecular (ISSR) characterisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to investigate the in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrycholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities of essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from the leaves of Prunus armeniaca and P. domestica in relation to their composition, analysed by Gas Chromatography⁻Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses, at different times. Moreover, considering the role of free radicals in the progression of neurodegenerative disorders, the antioxidant properties of essential oils were investigated by using, 2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and β-carotene bleaching tests. The relative antioxidant capacity index (RACI) was used to achieve more comprehensive comparison between analysed antioxidant effects of essential oils. P. armeniaca oils were more active than P. domestica oils against AChE. Against BChE, the most active was the essential oil from P. domestica leaves collected in August with an IC50 value of 95.80 μg/mL. This oil exerted the highest inhibitory activity of lipid peroxidation with IC50 values of 11.15 and 11.39 μg/mL after 30 and 60 min of incubation, respectively. All samples demonstrated a remarkable ABTS radicals scavenging activity, with IC50 values in the range 0.45⁻0.57 μg/mL in comparison to the positive control, ascorbic acid.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological disorder of men. The ethnomedicinal use of an African plant Prunus africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman ( Pygeum ) in treating men's problems made it a popular remedy all over the globe for the treatment of BPH and related disorders. However, rampant collections made from the wild in Africa have pushed the plant to Appendix II of CITES demanding conservation of the species. Aim of the study In the present study, the aim was to unearth the protective effect of bark of different species of Prunus against BPH. The five selected Indian plants of family Rosaceae viz. Prunus amygdalus Stokes , Prunus armeniaca L. , Prunus cerasoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don , Prunus domestica L. and Prunus persica (L.) Batsch were evaluated against P. africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman for a suitable comparison of efficacy as antiBPH agents. Materials and methods The antiBPH activity was evaluated in testosterone (2 mg/kg/day, s.c , 21 days) induced BPH in Wistar rats. The parameters studied were body weights; histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry (PCNA) and biochemical estimations of the prostate; supported by prostatic index, testicular index, creatinine, testosterone levels; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory evaluation. The study also included chemical profiling using three markers ( β -sitosterol, docosyl ferulate and ursolic acid) and estimation of β -sitosterol content through GC. Results The Prunus species showed the presence of all the three markers in their TLC fingerprint profile and maximum amount of β -sitosterol by GC was observed in P. domestica . Interestingly, all the species exhibited significant amelioration in testosterone induced parameters with P. domestica showing the most encouraging effect as indicated from histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry and biochemical studies. The Prunus species further showed remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity signifying their role in interfering with various possible factors involved in BPH. Conclusions These findings are suggestive of a meaningful inhibitory effect of testosterone induced BPH by the bark of different species of Prunus in the order of P. domestica , P. persica , P. amygdalus , P. cerasoides and P. armeniaca with an efficacy of P. domestica comparable to P. africana and can be used as the potential backup of Pygeum for the management of BPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In fruit tree species, many important traits have been characterized genetically by using single- family descent mapping in progenies segregating for the traits. However, most mapped loci have not been sufficiently resolved to the individual genes due to insufficient progeny sizes for high resolution mapping and the previous lack of whole-genome sequence resources of the study species. To address this problem for Plum Pox Virus (PPV) candidate resistance gene identification in Prunus species, we implemented a genome-wide association (GWA) approach in apricot. This study exploited the broad genetic diversity of the apricot (Prunus armeniaca) germplasm containing resistance to PPV, next-generation sequence-based genotyping, and the high-quality peach (Prunus persica) genome reference sequence for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identification. The results of this GWA study validated previously reported PPV resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) intervals, highlighted other potential resistance loci, and resolved each to a limited set of candidate genes for further study. This work substantiates the association genetics approach for resolution of QTL to candidate genes in apricot and suggests that this approach could simplify identification of other candidate genes for other marked trait intervals in this germplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the oil content, fatty acid composition, and biodiesel properties of eight Prunus L. species in Inner Mongolia, to provide a basis for selecting appropriate species to produce biodiesel. In the eight species, oil content ranged from 38.92% to 58.82%. In Prunus pedunculata Pall., Prunus sibirica L., Prunus mongolica Maxim., Prunus humilis Bunge, Prunus ansu Kom., and Prunus triloba Lindl., oil contents were higher than 45%. Percentages of fatty acids varied greatly among different species, but all species contained a large percentage of critical oleic acid (35.03–77.02%). The biodiesel properties of seed kernel oil methyl ester of the eight species were determined and compared with the relevant specifications of ASTM D6751, EN 14214, and GB/T 20828. P. triloba Lindl., P. ansu Kom., P. pedunculata Pall., and P. sibirica L. were the most efficient feedstock for biodiesel production and suitable for further use and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author dealt with plum species representing different eco-geographic areas by their genetic adaptation and their hybrids, as European (P. domestica, P. italica, P. cerasifera), Asian (P. salicina, P. simonii, P. ussuriensis), American (P. americana, P. besseyi, P. munsoniana, P. tomentosa). The rootstocks of the trees examined were seedlings of C. 679 myrobalan with the exception of Laroda and Santa Rosa II, which were grown on three different stocks: seedlings of C. 174 myrobalan, C. 449 bitter almond and C. 471 sweet almond. The size of peduncle, length of pistil, stamen number per flower, relative stamen number (SN/PL) have been suitable for description and distinction of varieties. Similarly shape of leaves, length of petiole, length and width of blade helped the identification. The ratio of the dimensions of leaves, length of petiole and of leaf blade, also contributed to the distinction of European, Asian and American plum species, notwithstanding their relations with ecological conditions as well as historical, technical properties, pomological features, etc. Computed indicators (relative stamen number and shape-index of leaves) also have been useful data. Significant correlations have been found between colour of nectaries and mean values of variety-groups. The potential values of non-European varieties for purposes of commercial production could be forecasted from the point of view of quality, ecological, pomological as well as market value. It is important, however, to know the effect of the rootstock and growing site as well as their interaction, on the one hand, whereas the resistance or tolerance of the varieties as limiting factors, at least to the sharka (Plum pox) virus, Xanthomonas pruni, on the other hand (cf. Surányi & Erdős, 2004a and 2004b).

Shot hole disease is one of the most important diseases of stone fruit trees in Iran. The disease is wide spread among orchards of Prunus spp. During spring and summer of 2007, 80 monoconidial isolates of the pathogen were recovered from infected leaves, fruits and twigs of different Prunus spp. in West Azerbaijan, Tehran, Ghazvin and Razavi Khorasan provinces of Iran and were studied taxonomically. Based on morphological and physiological characteristics and growth optimal temperature, all isolates were identified as Wilsonomyces carpophilus. Seedlings of stone fruits (apricot, almond, peach, nectarine, plum, sweet cherry and sour cherry) were used for pathogenicity tests. All seedlings were susceptible to the fungal isolates and showed disease symptoms on twigs, leaves, buds and petioles. Genetic diversity of 28 selected fungal isolates was investigated based on DNA fingerprinting by random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR), using four random primers. Based on cluster analysis of the PCR results from the four primers, 10 fingerprinting groups (clonal lineages) and 27 haplotypes were identified. Clonal lineages “C”, “D” and “E”, each with six haplotypes formed the biggest clonal lineages, but other clonal lineages (“B”, “F”, “G”, “H”, “I” and “J”) included only one isolate. No correlation was detected among clonal lineages with the location of selected isolates and their host species. A correlation was found between the substrate (fruit, twig or leaf) and clonal lineages, particularly in “C” clonal lineage. The results showed that the fungus population had high genetic diversity which is distributed among the different areas of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Biotechnology has contributed to improvement and conservation of Prunus species. Biotechnological approaches involving in vitro tissue culture, genetic transformation, molecular marker development and cryopreservation were applied to various Prunus species. This report provides an overview of biotechnological research on Prunus species, with an emphasis on ornamental Prunus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sharka (Plum pox virus, PPV) severely affects the production of mostPrunusspecies in the areas affected by the disease. In this study, the resistance of 15Prunusrootstocks to a Dideron type isolate of PPV was evaluated under controlled conditions in an insect-proof greenhouse. After four cycles of study,‘GF677’ almond × peach hybrid,‘Myrobolan 29C’ plum and‘L2’ cherry did not show any symptoms and were ELISA-DASI and RT-PCR negative. These were considered resistant to PPV. The rest of the rootstocks assayed showed symptoms of sharka (confirmed by ELISA-DASI or RT-PCR), although the level of susceptibility was different for each rootstock.‘GF305’ peach,‘Puebla de Soto’ plum and‘Real Fino’ apricot, were highly susceptible to PPV, showing strong sharka symptoms and being ELISA and RT-PCR positive.‘Marianna 2624’ plum,‘AC 9921-07’ hybrid and‘CP-2’ plum showed susceptibility to PPV confirmed by ELISA-DASI and RT-PCR positives.‘Nemaguard’ and‘Nemared’ hybrids,‘Torinel’ plum and‘STN2’ hybrid showed an intermediate susceptibility to PPV with slight sharka symptoms and were ELISA-DASI and RT-PCR positive. Whereas,‘Montclar’ peach and‘Evrica’ hybrid showed moderate resistance to PPV with slight sharka symptoms and were ELISA positive but RT-PCR negative. The results open new possibilities in the search for different sources of resistance to PPV withinPrunus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective plant regeneration system was developed for chokecherry (Prunus virginiana L.) by using in vitro leaf tissues. Adventitious shoots regenerated from in vitro leaf tissues only when cultured on Woody Plant Medium (WPM), but not on Murashige and Skoog medium, supplemented with benzyladenine (BA) or thidiazuron (TDZ). Three chokecherry clones (NN, 10, and 17) responded differently to types and concentrations of cytokinins, ranging from 16.7 to 91.7% leaf explants regenerating shoots. A mean of four shoots was produced from each explant, with the most shoots (> 10) from clone NN on media with 5-10 µM BA. Higher concentrations of TDZ (> 8 µM) caused serious vitrification and eventual death of newly induced shoots. Regenerated shoots (> 1.5 cm) produced roots in vitro in half strength MS medium or ex vitro in Cellular Rooting Sponge (CRS) rooting plugs with or without auxin (NAA or IBA) treatments. Rooting was affected by auxin, genotypes, and the rooting methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the course of the investigations of natural antioxidants, we examined the antioxidant activities of the methanol (MeOH) extracts of some selected Prunus species, including P. buergeriana, P. davidiana, P. padus, P. pendula for. ascendens, P. sargentii, P. serrulata var. spontanea and P. yedoensis by three methods as represented by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhy-drazyl (DPPH) radical, total ROS (reactive oxygen species) and the peroxynitrite (ONOO-) scavenging activity tests. We also evaluated the activities of the organic solvent-soluble fractions, including the dichloromethane (CH2CI2), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol ( n-BuOH) fractions and the water (H2O) layer of P. serrulata var. spontanea leaves. By means of bioassay-directed fractionation, we isolated eleven known flavonoids ( 1–11) from the EtOAc soluble fraction of the MeOH extract of the Prunus serrulata var. spontanea leaves, exhibiting strong antioxidant activity and characterized as prunetin ( 1), genistein ( 2), quercetin ( 3), prunetin 4′-O-β-glucopyranoside ( 4), kaempferol 3-O-β-arabinofuranoside ( 5), prunetin 5-O-β-glucopyranoside ( 6), kaempferol 3-O-β-xylopyranoside ( 7), genistin ( 8), kaempferol 3-O-β-glucopyranoside ( 9), quercetin 3-O-β-glucopyranoside ( 10) and kaempferol 3-O-β-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-glucopyr-anoside ( 11). Compounds 3 and 10 showed good activities in all tested model systems. Compounds 2 and 8 showed scavenging activities in the DPPH and ONOCr tests, while compounds 5, 7, 9 and 11 were active in the ONOO- and ROS tests. On the other hand, compounds 1, 4 and 6 did not show any activities in the tested model systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to investigate the in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrycholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities of essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from the leaves of Prunus armeniaca and P. domestica in relation to their composition, analysed by Gas Chromatography–Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses, at different times. Moreover, considering the role of free radicals in the progression of neurodegenerative disorders, the antioxidant properties of essential oils were investigated by using, 2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and β-carotene bleaching tests. The relative antioxidant capacity index (RACI) was used to achieve more comprehensive comparison between analysed antioxidant effects of essential oils. P. armeniaca oils were more active than P. domestica oils against AChE. Against BChE, the most active was the essential oil from P. domestica leaves collected in August with an IC50 value of 95.80 μg/mL. This oil exerted the highest inhibitory activity of lipid peroxidation with IC50 values of 11.15 and 11.39 μg/mL after 30 and 60 min of incubation, respectively. All samples demonstrated a remarkable ABTS radicals scavenging activity, with IC50 values in the range 0.45–0.57 μg/mL in comparison to the positive control, ascorbic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]