Search

The essential oil of Blumea eriantha DC. (Asteraceae) herb (leaves and stems) (BEHO) and roots (BERO) was obtained by hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC–FID and GC–MS. The chemical constituents of BEHO and BERO were identified according to their mass spectra and relative retention indices. Fifty-two and thirty-eight compounds were identified, comprising 97.1% and 95.5% of the BEHO and BERO, respectively. The prodigious differences were observed in the major constituents of BEHO and BERO. The major compounds were chrysanthenone (52.8%) and 2,4-dimethylether phloroacetophenone (15.1%) (BEHO), 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene (31.3%), epi-α-cadinol (12.7%) and γ-cadinene (10.5%) (BERO). The BEHO found a higher concentration of oxygenated monoterpenes, while BERO with phenyl derivatives type of constituents.

Triterpenoids are accessible in several terrestrial plants as well as marine organisms, including sponges, algae, fungi, and sea cucumbers are examples of marine creatures. So far, more than 20,000 natural triterpenoids have exhibited several varied bioactivities, including anticancer, antimalarial, anti-HIV, inhibit HIF-1 activation, antibacterial, chemopreventive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardioprotective, antiviral, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, insecticidal, antidiabetic, cytotoxic. Several plants are used in folklore medicine to treat numerous ailments, and the preparation or uses of traditional practices have been scientifically validated. Although various structural diversity has been observed in the triterpenoids, this chapter presents the sources and uses of those triterpenoids that showed significant biological activities which could be accessible and promoted to familiar people in the form of traditional medicine or for industrial, pharmaceutical applications.

The hydro-distillation essential oil was obtained from the leaf, stem, and flower of Blumea paniculata (Willd.) M.R.Almeida (Asteraceae) and analysed using gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionisation detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Fifty-eight, sixty-nine and, fifty-seven constituents were identified from leaf oil (LO), stem oil (SO) and flower oil (FO), representing 95.8%, 96.3% and 95.1% of the total oil constituents, respectively. The major constituents were identified as germacrene D (39.6–48.1%), α-humulene (4.9–8.9%), β-caryophyllene (4.8–7.7%), and α-cadinol (2.9–6.8%) from different parts of the plant B. paniculata. The oils were found to be rich in sesquiterpenoid-type constituents.

Sauropus androgynus L. Merr. (Euphorbiaceae) commonly known as "multigreen" and "multivitamin" is consumed as a vegetable and used in traditional medicine to relieve fever.This in vitro study is aimed to explore the activities of the lipophilic fraction of the leaves of S. androgynus (LFSA) against dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses and malaria (P. falciparum strain 3D7) parasite.The LFSA was analyzed by using GC-FID and GC-MS. The antiviral activity of LFSA was studied using the Vero CCL-81 cell line. The cytotoxicity assay was performed using 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT). Focus forming unit (FFU), cell-based immunofluorescence (IFA) assays, and quantitative RT-PCR, were used to determine and confirm antiviral activity against DENV and CHIKV. The antiparasitic activity of LFSA was carried out against P. falciparum strain 3D7 grown in fresh O+ human erythrocytes culture.Twelve compounds were identified in LFSA using GC/MS. The most abundant compound was squalene (36.9%), followed by vitamin E (12.5%) and linolenic acid (10.2%). Significant reduction in DENV titre was observed under pre- and post-infection treatment conditions at a concentration of 31.25 μg/ml, but no anti-malarial and anti-CHIKV activity was observed. The Autodock-Vina-based in-silico docking study revealed that β-sitosterol could form a strong interaction with the DENV E glycoprotein.Our findings suggest that LFSA can inhibit DENV infection and might act as a potent prophylactic/therapeutic agent against DENV-2. In-silico results suggested that β-sitosterol may block the viral entry by inhibiting the fusion process.

ABSTRACT. The chemical composition of hydro-distilled essential oil of dried roots of Anaphalis contorta Hook F. was analyzed for the first time by using gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The compounds of essential oil were identified according to their mass spectra and their relative retention indices determined on a capillary GC column (non-polar stationary phase). Twenty-seven compounds were identified representing 94.8% of the total oil. The major constituents were 2,2-dimethyl-2[2,4,6-trimethylphenyl] acetic acid (12.1%), labda-8,14-dien-13-ol (8.4%), δ-cadinene (8.1%), labda-7,14-dien-13-ol (6.9%), α-gurjunene (6.7%), viridiflorene (5.1%), and caryophyllene oxide (4.9%). The root essential oil of A. contorta produced different chemotypes. KEY WORDS: Anaphalis contorta Hook F., Essential oil composition, 2,2-Dimethyl-2[2,4,6-trimethylphenyl] acetic acid. labda-8,14-dien-13-ol, GC/MS Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2022, 36(1), 235-240. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v36i1.19 &nbsp

Medicinal and aromatic plants are garnering an increasing interest in industry, academia and health sciences. In passing from plant production to the bioactive product used by Human, many research studies are involved. The current research aimed to determine the chemical composition and to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of the essential oil extracted from the black psyllium (Plantago afra L.). The aerial parts essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation was analyzed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and flame ionization detection (GC-FID), whereas the microdilution technique was developed to evaluate its antimicrobial efficacy. The main identified constituents were thymol (14.3%), 3-[4-(t-Butyl) phenyl] furan-2,5‑dione (12.7%), palmitic acid (8.9%) and eudesmane (4.7%). The antimicrobial activities were assessed against five standard bacterial strains: Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Salmonella enterica (CIP 8039), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633) along with the yeast Candida albicans (ATCC 30031). The results demonstrated that the effective Plantago afra essential oil could be potentially utilised in controlling some phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria.

Essential oils possessing several therapeutic benefits are considered of a paramount importance in human life. They have been used since antiquity in flavour as condiments and in medicine as antimicrobial agents. Carrot is one of the main vegetables displaying numerous interesting nutritional and pharmacological benefits. The present study was undertaken to determine the interspecific chemical variability and evaluate the antibacterial effects of the essential oils from two Daucus carota subspecies; D. carota subsp. drepanensis (Lojac.) Heywood (EOCD) and D. carota subsp. hispidus (Ball) Heywood (EOCH) growing wildly in Tunisia. Analysis of both resulting essential oils using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC/FID) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) allowed to observe variations in contents of the main constituents. Thus, sixty-two volatiles representing respectively, 98.6% (EOCD) and 98.3% (EOCH) of the total essential oils were identified. Major constituents are (E)-methyl isoeugenol (58.7%) and elemicin (24.3%) for (EOCD) and α-cadinol (13.6%), premnaspirodiene (11.4%) and (E)-methyl isoeugenol (11.4%) for (EOCH). Both essential oils were individually tested against the pathogenic strains: Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 1408, Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. The inhibitory effect of D. carota subs. hispidus essential oils was detected over all the strains studied, the MIC ranged from 1.25 to 2.50 mg mL−1.

In the present study, volatile oils from Onopordum arenarium fresh flowers and stems were obtained by hydrodistillation and the non-polar aerial part hexane extract was prepared using a Soxhlet apparatus. The constituents of different organs were identified for the first time by gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. A total of 29 and 25 compounds were identified constituting over 91.6 and 89.2% of the whole constituents from flower and stem volatile oils, respectively. Both organs were constituted mainly of long-chain hydrocarbons (23.3–36.4%) followed by oxygenated long-chain hydrocarbons (31.5–33.8%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (14.4–6.6%). The major identified compound was palmitic acid [25.5% in O. arenarium flower essential oil (EO) and 28.7% in the stem EO]. Eighteen compounds representing 80.7% of the whole constituents were identified in the n-hexane extract, which was characterized by high amounts of triterpenoids (39.6%) and dominated by lupeol acetate (19.2%) and β-amyrin acetate (10.1%). Moreover, all extracts were evaluated for antioxidant potential using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical assay. The obtained results demonstrated that the EOs and the hexane extract could be a new source of natural potentially bioactive molecules.

Background & objectives: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death worldwide is responsible for over 17 million deaths globally, of which 10 per cent deaths have been expected due to consumption of tobacco. The association between CVD and chewing of tobacco is limited and remains arguable. The aim of this study was to find out the correlation between urinary cotinine level and cardiovascular autonomic function tests of tobacco chewers. Methods: In the present study, 600 participants, 300 smokeless tobacco chewers (STC) and 300 non-tobacco chewers (NTC), between 18 and 65 yr were selected. Various parameters such as anthropometric, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), autonomic function tests and urinary cotinine levels were measured. Results: Significant difference (P

The volatile organic constituents from the leaf, stem and flower of Pogostemon plectranthoides Desf. were obtained by hydro-distillation and analysed using gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionisation detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Sixty-two, fifty-seven and forty-four compounds were identified from leaf oil (LO), stem oil (SO) and flower oil (FO). The identification was done according to their mass spectra, and their relative retention indices were determined on a non-polar stationary phase capillary column (ZB-5), representing 96.4% (LO), 94.9% (SO) and 95.2% (FO) of the total oil constituents. The major constituents were identified as (E)-β-ocimene (42.6–6.9%), germacrene D (21.1–5.9%), trans-β-guaiene (10.6–6.8%) and β-caryophyllene (9.6–6.3%) from various parts of the plant P. plectranthoides. The oil was found (E)-β-ocimene-germacrene D-trans-β-guaiene chemotypes from the plant growing in the Western Ghats of this region.

The hydrodistilled essential oil obtained from leaves of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (Lauraceae) collected throughout the year was examined using gas chromatography fitted with flame ionization detector (GC‐FID) and gas chromatography connected with mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). The variation in essential oil yield was found to be in the range of 1.1–1.4% (w/w). Between 28 and 40 components, representing 97.92 ± 0.15% of the total oil, were identified. The chief compound was identified as eugenol, varying from 60.24 ± 0.42 to 89.82 ± 0.55%. The other constituents were eugenyl acetate (ranging from 0.10 ± 0.01 to 19.87 ± 0.52%), α‐phellandrene (ranging from 0.76 ± 0.04 to 6.23 ± 0.13%), benzyl benzoate (ranging from 0.91 ± 0.05 to 5.03 ± 0.20%), linalool (ranging from 1.11 ± 0.04 to 3.25 ± 0.08%), and β‐caryophyllene (ranging from 0.50 ± 0.01 to 2.92 ± 0.10%). The essential oils collected throughout the year were found to be rich in phenyl derivative constituents (88.49 ± 0.97%). The biosynthesis and conversion of eugenyl acetate to eugenol appeared as the leaves of C. zeylanicum reached maturity. It was noticed that when leaves were immature, in July and August during the full rainy season, the content of eugenyl acetate was found to be highest, as compared with mature leaves in the other months, with the exception of February (flowering season).

The hydro-distilled volatile constituents from the stem with leaf and flower of Neanotis lancifolia (Hook.f.) W.H.Lewis (Rubiaceae) were investigated for the first time by using gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector (GC–FID) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Forty-two and twelve compounds were identified from the stem with leaf and flower parts oils, respectively, representing 98.5% and 97.1% of the total oil constituents, respectively. The major constituents were identified as linalool (35.9% stem with leaf; 23.3% flower) and borneol (15.0% stem with leaf; 29.2% flower). The volatile oils of both parts of the plant N. lancifolia were found to be rich in oxygenated monoterpene type of constituents.

The present study explored essential oil constituents of the medicinal plants used in traditional medicine and growing wild in the Western Ghats region of India, which is one of the 34 global biodiversity hotspots. The hydro distilled essential oils of Blumea lanceolaria (Roxb.) Druce. (Asteraceae), Heliotropium indicum L. (Boraginaceae) and Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq. (Tiliaceae) were analyzed using gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). Thirty-six, twenty-seven, and fifty constituents were identified from the essential oils of B. lanceolaria, H. indicum, and T. rhomboidea, respectively comprising 97.3% (B. lanceolaria), 98.2% (H. indicum) and 97.6% (T. rhomboidea) of the total oil constituents. The major compounds of B. lanceolaria, H. indicum, and T. rhomboidea were identified as β-pinene (82.3%), methyl salicylate (54.3%), and β-caryophyllene (28.9%), respectively. The essential of B. lanceolaria was found to be rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons (90.4%), while H. indicum and T. rhomboidea oils were rich in phenyl derivative (72.8%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (69.5%) type constituents, respectively. The common compounds viz., terpin-4-ol and eugenol were identified in the essential oils of B. lanceolaria, H. indicum, and T. rhomboidea.

Background Aspergillus fumigatus, an opportunistic fungal pathogen is associated with a wide array of diseases. It produces 1, 8-dihydroxy naphthalene (DHN) melanin that imparts greenish grey color to conidia and is an important virulence factor. It masks various molecular patterns associated with A. fumigatus and protects the fungus from host immune system. Myristica fragrans, enriched with secondary metabolites has been traditionally used for the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases. The present study was aimed to explore the anti-melanogenic effect of M. fragrans extracts on A. fumigatus. Methods M. fragrans extracts (hexane, chloroform, methanol and ethanol) were prepared through polarity guided extraction. Phytochemical analysis was performed to detect the chemical constituents of the extracts. The minimum effective concentration (MEC) of the extracts against A. fumigatus melanin was determined by broth micro-dilution assay. Various virulence factors were assayed by spectrophotometric methods. Electron microscopic studies were performed to evaluate the effect of the hexane extract of M. fragrans on A. fumigatus cell surface morphology. The major active compounds of the extract were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Docking was performed to study the interaction between the major identified compounds and the ketosynthase domain of polyketide synthase protein. Results The results indicated that the hexane extract of M. fragrans inhibited melanin production (76.09%), reduced ergosterol content (83.63%) and hydrophobicity of the cell (72.2%) at the MEC of 0.078 mg/mL. Altered conidial surface, disappearance of protrusions and absence of melanin layer on outer cell surface was observed in electron microscopy. Forty-two compounds were identified by GC-MS. The main constituents were identified as sabinene (12.2%), linoleic acid (11.7%), hexadecanoic acid (10.5%), safrole (8.1%) and elemicin (7.8%). Docking studies revealed that hexadecanoic acid, its derivative compound cis-9-hexadecenal and isoeugenol have lower binding energy forming proper hydrogen bond with ketosynthase domain of polyketide synthase protein. Conclusion The study concludes that the extract of M. fragrans has potential antifungal properties that can be explored in combination with available antifungals. This combination approach may be helpful for large number of patients suffering with A. fumigatus infections.

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Teucrium capitatum L. subsp. lusitanicum essential oil was investigated for the first time in the present study. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the chemical composition by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–FID and GC–MS) revealed the presence of 60 compounds representing 97.6% of the whole constituents. The main compounds were germacrene D (47.1%), spathulenol (5.8%), α-selinene (5.3%), germacrene A (2.9%), δ-cadinene (2.8%) and cubenol (2.7%). In vitro, the antimicrobial activity was investigated against five bacterial strains along with the yeast Candida albicans using broth microdilution assay. T. capitatum subsp. lusitanicum essential oil showed significant activity against the gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = MBC = 78 μg mL−1), Bacillus subtilis (MIC = MBC = 156 μg mL−1) and the yeast C. albicans (MIC = MFC = 156 μg mL−1). The great potential of antimicrobial effects is most likely due to the very high percentage of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons particularly to germacrene D, for which the antimicrobial properties have been previously reported.

The hydro-distilled essential oil from aerial parts of Orthosiphon pallidus Royle, ex Benth (Lamiaceae) was investigated by using gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionisation detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Fifty-two compounds, representing 98.4% of the total oil constituents, were identified. The major constituents were β-caryophyllene (17.4%) and 7-epi-α-selinene (15.2%). The other minor constituents were terpinolene (6.9%), β-pinene (6.8%), β-elemene (5.1%), α-humulene (4.9%), α-copaene (4.8%), epi-cubebol (4.5%) and zonarene (3.9%). The oil was found to be rich in sesquiterpene hydrocarbon type constituents. Lamiaceae

Triterpenoid isomers oleanolic acid (OA) and betulinic acid (BA) were densitometrically separated and quantified using an optimized high performance thin layer chromatography analysis in Vitex negundo. Multiple wavelengths (400–675 nm at 25 nm increment) were scanned during the densitometric analysis, and 600 nm was found optimum to quantify OA and BA simultaneously. This technique allowed optimum separation of OA and BA with distinguishing band color and corresponding Rf than the previous reports. The leaf extract contained higher amount of BA (56.74 ± 2.83 ng/band) compared to OA (16.25 ± 0.81 ng/band). The method provides better separation, resolution at optimized wavelength for these compounds at lower concentration levels.

In continuation of our research focus on the characterization of the volatile components of the spontaneous Tunisian flora, the aim of the present work was to carry out the chemical analysis of the essential oil of wood betony, Stachys officinalis subsp. algeriensis (de Noe) Franco (Lamiaceae). The volatiles were extracted by hydro-distillation and determined by gas chromatography adopting a flame ionization detector and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry technique. 35 constituents were identified representing 97.7% of the total essential oil. Wood betony oil was found to be rich in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (41.1%) and by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (31.7%). The main metabolites were δ-cadinene (13.7%), followed by cubebol (12.4%), epi-cubebol (7.4%), and α-calacorene (6.9%). The present study—the first—on the antioxidant activity of essential oils obtained from this species collected in Tunisia, showed that the oils exhibit moderate antioxidant activity and reduce 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (radical DPPH⋅) with an effective concentration (IC50) value of 3.9 mg/mL.

Essential oils are generally produced to confer the protection of medicinal plants against several natural enemies. Variations of chemical and physical environmental factors exert significant influences on plant development. They hence may affect the quality and quantity of volatile organic metabolites of interest and, therefore, the economic applications of essential oils. This research focused on the effects of the harvest region on the production and analytes present in Tunisian Pimpinella lutea Desf. Apiaceae that were collected in three different growing environments (North and South Bizerta and Tabarka). Essential oils extracted from a variety of genotypes were analyzed, for the first time, using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/FID and GC/MS). The determination of the percentage of essential oil components allowed the recognition of three chemotypes: α-trans-Bergamotene quantified at a percentage of 18.1% in North Bizerta (NBEO), muurola-4,10(14)-dien-1-β-ol identified in South Bizerta (10.1%, SBEO) and acora-3,7(14)-dien present in a high level of 29.1% in Tabarka population (TEO). The richness of different populations in sesquiterpenes (60.2–78.1%) suggests that Pimpinella lutea Desf. may be used in different industrial segments.

The hydro-distilled volatile constituents from the stem with leaf and flower of

The present study was conducted to investigate for the first time the chemical composition and insecticidal and antimicrobial properties of Phlomis floccosa D. Don. essential oil isolated by hydro-distillation of its aerial parts. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the essential oil on the basis of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/FID and GC/MS) revealed the presence of 59 organic volatiles representing 86.9% of the total constituents. The major compounds were germacrene-D (19.7%) followed by β-caryophyllene (15.5%), caryophyllene oxide (8.3%), hexadecenoic acid (7.9%) and carvacrol (6.1%). The broth microdilution method was conducted to test the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil against five pathogens: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and the yeast Candida albicans. The oil of P. floccosa D. Don. shows promising activity against the Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and B. subtilis and the yeast C. albicans (minimum inhibitory concentration = 625 μg.mL-1 ). The effectiveness of the essential oil was assessed on both Tribolium confusum and Sitophilus zeamais pest insects and it was more pronounced against T. confusum, showing a moderate mortality of 47.5%.

The hydro-distilled essential oil from aerial parts of

Background: Tobacco usage is a foremost avoidable risk factor for the progress and development of the psychological disease, its deleterious psychological effects through multiple mechanisms.To find out psychosocial impact in correlation to urinary cotinine levels of tobacco chewers (TC) and non tobacco chewers (NTC). Materials and Methods: A total of 600 TC and NTC (18–65 years) were studied using the Hamilton anxiety (Ham-A) and Hamilton depression (Ham-D) scale, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence-Smokeless Tobacco (FTND-ST) scale, and structured questionnaire. Results: Psychosocial response by anxiety and depression scale for NTC and TC mean score comparison was found to be highly significant (P

Reinvestigation of essential oil constituents of Blumea malcolmii Hook. F. (Asteraceae) was carried out after 100 years using gas chromatography equipped with flame ionisation detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Eighteen constituents, representing 99.2% of the total oil, were identified. The major compound was identified by GC/MS and NMR (1H and 13C) as carvotanacetone (92.1%). The minor compounds of essential oil have also been identified for the first time in B. malcolmii. The oil was found to be rich in oxygenated monoterpene-type constituents (95.0%).

Betulinic acid (BA), oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) are the important pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds known for their anti-inflammatory, trypanocidal, antirheumatic, antiviral, antioxidant, antitumoral and many other activities. The quantitative analysis and distribution of BA, OA, and UA in different parts viz leaf, stem, and inflorescence of Ocimum basilicum (OB), O. gratissimum (OG), O. kilimandscharicum (OK), O. tenuiflorum (OT) was performed using reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography and further confirmed the presence of triterpenoids in OG by high performance thin layer chromatography analysis. Leaf of OG was rich in OA (0.141 ± 0.007 %) and UA (0.296 ± 0.015 %), while BA (0.043 ± 0.011 %) was higher in the inflorescence of OK. The yield of BA, OA and UA in OG and OK was very significant (p

This study was carried out to compare for the first time, the chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of essential oils from two Ballota species growing wild in different regions of Tunisia. The volatile oils obtained by hydro-distillation of Ballota bullata Pomel and Ballota nigra L. subsp. uncinata (Fiori & Beg.) Patzak were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to investigate the variations in chemical profiles. The results showed a significant difference in terms of essential oil yields and characteristic aroma. Valerianol (18.3%), α-muurolol (7.9%) and spathulenol (7.1%) were identified as the major odorants in B. bullata, while B. nigra subsp. uncinata oil was mainly composed of hexadecanoic acid (31.8%) and linoleic acid (17.9%). In addition, oxygenated sesquiterpenes were found to be the principal constituents of B. bullata essential oil (42.1%), whereas long chain oxygenated hydrocarbons form the main class in B. nigra (49.7%). Moreover, the antimicrobial activities were tested in vitro against five bacteria: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and the yeast Candida albicans. B. bullata essential oil showed stronger antibacterial effects comparing to B. nigra oil. Consequently, B. bullata essential oil holds promising antimicrobial potential, confirming its traditional medical use.

Tobacco-specific nitrosamines, viz. N′-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4-methylnitrosamino-13-pyridyl-1-butanone (NNK) were determined by using a modified ultra flow liquid chromatography-photo diode array (UFLC-PDA) technique using C18 100A Phenomenex column (Luna, 5 µm, 4.6 × 150 mm) with 10% acetonitrile (ACN) in 1 mM ammonium acetate buffer pH 8 by ammonium hydroxide; ACN and water with 0.75% glacial acetic acid (pH 2.82) solvent system. It was feasible to compute accurate calibration curve for both compounds using the solvent system by determining the peak area as a function of the concentration. Limits of detection of 0.12 µg/mL for NNN and 0.02 µg/mL for NNK were found. This technique allows a reasonably accurate detection of NNN and NNK with the solvent system developed. The study finds an optimum mobile phase for detecting NNN and NNK with effective resolution.

The aim of the present study was to investigate seasonal variation of the polyphenolic compounds viz., gallic acid, catechin, and epicatechin in the bark of Saraca asoca by using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector method. It was observed that epicatechin was present in abundance as compared to gallic acid throughout the seasons. In market samples epicatechin was not detected even in trace amount, but gallic acid was present in high amount as compared to freshly collected bark in different seasons.

Background: Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Wilde (Fabaceae) is a high valued but vulnerable medicinal plant of Western Ghats region. This plant is mainly known for its use in various gynecological disorders. Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate seasonal variation of the polyphenolic compounds viz ., epicatechin and gallic acid in the bark of S. asoca by using Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector (RP-HPLC-DAD) method. Materials and Methods: The bark was collected in six different Ritu (season) viz . Varsha (monsoon) , Sharad (autumn) , hemant (early winter) , Shishir (winter) , Vasanta (spring), and Grishma (summer) mentioned in Ayurveda. Results : The RP-HPLC-DAD analysis indicated that levels of epicatechin and gallic acid in the bark of S. asoca vary seasonally. The highest concentration of epicatechin was observed in Shishir Ritu (3315.19 ± 165.76 mg/100g) and gallic acid during Hemant Ritu (211.90 ± 10.60 mg/100 g). Conclusions: In present study, the ability to synthesize and accumulate both the compounds in bark of S. asoca varied greatly throughout the seasons. It was also observed that the compound epicatechin was present abundantly as compared to gallic acid throughout the seasons.

Objective: Angelica glauca Edgew (Apiaceae) is used in traditional medicine for treatment of several diseases including bronchial asthma. The present investigation was aimed to evaluate broncho-relaxant activity of A. glauca essential oil in histamine and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced broncho constriction in experimental animals. Materials and Methods: Airway was induced using histamine aerosol in guinea pigs (n = 24) and OVA aerosol in albino mice (n = 24). The number of inflammatory cells, namely, absolute eosinophils count in blood, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) in serum, eosinophils, and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and histopathological examination of lung tissues were investigated in A. glauca oil and dexamethasone-treated groups. A. glauca oil 200 μL/kg was given orally, and dexamethasone 2 mg/kg was given intraperitoneal. Both the treatments were repeated daily for 7 days. Results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, and P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Treatment with A. glauca essential oil significantly (P < 0.001) increased the time of preconvulsive dyspnea in histamine-induced guinea pigs. Oral treatment of A. glauca oil significantly (P < 0.001) decreased absolute blood eosinophil count (from 325 ± 3.69 to 200 ± 3.05 cells/mm3), serum level of IgE (from 6.10 ± 0.05 to 0.70 ± 0.08 IU/L), and the number of eosinophils (from 11.0% ±1.41% to 3.0% ±0.51%), neutrophils (from 13.0% ±1.12% to 5.0% ±1.39%) in BALF. Histopathological changes observed in lungs of untreated group were marked suppressed by treatment with A. glauca oil. Conclusion: The essential oil of A. glauca has bronchorelaxation in both histamine and OVA-induced bronchoconstriction in animals. The traditional use of A. glauca against asthma could be attributed to its bronchodilator property as observed in the present study.

The present investigation aimed to evaluate the activity of the essential oil of Mentha arvensis L. on exogenously induced bronchoconstriction in experimental animals. The anti-asthmatic effect of M. arvensis essential oil (MAEO) was studied using histamine aerosol-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs and ovalbumin (OVA) sensitised albino mice. Treatment with M. arvensis oil significantly (p 0.001) increased the time of preconvulsive dyspnoea in histamine-induced guinea pigs. Oral treatment of MAEO significantly (p 0.001) decreased absolute eosinophil count, serum level of IgE and the number of eosinophils, neutrophils in BALF. Histopathological examination of lungs showed that essential oil rescinded bronchial asthma. The present investigation provides evidence that MAEO relaxes bronchial smooth muscles and suppressed immunological response to OVA.

Triterpenoid betulinic acid (BA) was detected, quantified, and reported for the first time from leaf extract of Achyranthes aspera along with much known oleanolic acid (OA). Extraction was achieved using ultrasonic exposure, and reversed-phase.ultra flow liquid chromatographic (RP.UFLC) technique was employed during investigation. RP.UFLC separation was achieved on a Hibar 250–4.6 mm, 5 μ, Lichrospher 100, C18e column using methanol and water (90:10) as mobile phase with pH adjusted to 5.0 using glacial acetic acid (GAA) in an isocratic mode. The content of BA (0.25 mg g−1 fresh weight [FW]) was ∼75% higher than OA (0.06 mg g−1 FW). These results suggest BA to be the major triterpenoid compared to OA in the leaf of A. aspera. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) separation of the two triterpenic acids (oleanolic and betulinic acid) was also achieved on silica gel G 60 F254, 50 ×~ 100 mm glass TLC plates, using benzene, ethyl acetate, and formic acid as solvent system in a ratio of 67.9:22.7:...

Context: Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae) commonly known as sweet basil, has been used as a traditional medicinal plant for the treatment of headaches, coughs, diarrhea, constipation, warts, worms, and kidney malfunctions. Materials and Methods: The essential oil of the flowering aerial parts of O. basilicum growing in the Western Ghats region of North West Karnataka, India, was obtained by hydro-distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The oil was tested against six Gram-positive, eight Gram-negative bacteria, and three fungi by the tube-dilution method at a concentration range of 5.00-0.009 mg/mL. Results: Twenty-five constituents were identified in the essential oil of O. basilicum. The major constituents were identified as methyl eugenol (39.3%) and methyl chavicol (38.3%), accounting for 98.6% of the total oil. The oil was found to be active against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi with minimal bactericidal concentration values in the range of 0.143 ± 0.031 to 0.572 ± 0.127 mg/mL, 0.781 ± 0.382 to 1.875 ± 0.684 mg/mL, and 0.312 ± 0.171 to 0.442 ± 0.207 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The essential oil of O. basilicum of this region contains methyl eugenol/methyl chavicol chemotype and has bactericidal properties.

The essential oil of the leaves of Mentha spicata Linn. growing in Western Ghats region of North West Karnataka, India, was obtained by hydro-distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Twenty-four constituents were identified in the essential oil of M. spicata. The main constituents were identified as pulegone (72.1 %) and menthone (15.6 %), represented 98.4 % of the total oil. Commercially exploited M. spicata plants are always rich in carvone constituent, but in this report carvone is not detected even in trace amount.

Achyranthes aspera L. (Amaranthaceae) is used traditionally in Indian system of medicine as diuretic, astringent, purgative, anticancer, dropsy, piles, and skin eruptions. To explore anti-atherosclerotic potential of crude saponins and ethanol extract of A. aspera seeds husk on hyperlipidemic diet induced rats model was used to increase the lipid profile. After 2 weeks, all the animals showed symptoms of hyperlipidemia and were treated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg ethanol extract (EE) respectively, while saponins (SAPN) at a dose of 10 mg/kg by gavage for 28 days. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), serum glucose and atherogenic index (A.I.) level were estimated on 0th, 14th and 42th day by using autoanalyser. EE of husks decreases TC 40.71-46.77 %, TG 23.95-37.27 %, LDL 56.49-65.50 %, serum glucose 17.48-25.54 % and A.I. 51.27-77.05 % significantly (P

Artemisia absinthium L. (Asteraceae) is an aromatic, herbaceous, perennial plant commonly known as wormwood. Artemisia absinthium is traditionally used as an anthelmintic, antiseptic, antispasmodic and for bacillary dysentery, cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.The essential oil composition of the leaves of A. absinthium growing in the Western Ghats region of North West Karnataka, India, is investigated for the first time in this region and the oil was screened for antimicrobial properties.The chemical composition of the hydro-distilled essential oil obtained from the leaves of A. absinthium was analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. The oil was tested against five Gram positive and, eight Gram negative bacteria and three fungi by the tube-dilution method at a concentration range of 5000-9 µg/mL.Results demonstrated that the leave oil was found to be rich in oxygenated monoterpenes (39.7% and 41.1%). The major compounds were borneol (18.7% and 16.7%), methyl hinokiate (11.9% and 12.9%), isobornyl acetate (4.0% and 4.7%), β-gurjunene (3.8% and 4.4%) and caryophyllene oxide (3.7% and 4.3%), among 64 identified compounds, comprising 91.7% and 90.1% of the total oil. The organism Micrococcus luteus was found more susceptible to the oil with an MIC value of 25 ± 4 µg/mL, followed by Micrococcus flavus, Bacillus subtilis, Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus fumigatus with MIC values of 58 ± 8, 65 ± 8, 84 ± 15 and 91 ± 13 µg/mL, respectively.The oil showing antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi validate the traditional use of the plant as an antiseptic.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Cyathocline purpurea (D. Don.) O. Ktze. (Asteraceae) is a rare existence Indian medicinal plant and traditionally has antimicrobial property. Aim of the study The aim of the present study was to identify chemical composition of the essential oil from the roots of Cyathocline purpurea and to screened in vitro antibacterial activity against eight human pathogenic bacteria. Materials and methods The essential oil of roots was analyzed by using GC–FID and GC–MS. The antibacterial activity of oil was tested against four Gram-positive and four Gram-negative bacteria and antibacterial activity was determined by the tube dilution method. Results The main constituents of the oil were thymohydroquinone dimethyl ether (57.4%) and β-selinene (14.0%), among twenty five identified compounds, which represented 90.1% of the total oil. The oil was found active against Gram-positive bacteria with minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values in the range of 0.26–0.57 mg/mL. Conclusions This is the first report on the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil of roots of Cyathocline purpurea . The observation of MBC assay suggested that the Gram positive microorganisms were susceptible to essential oil, while oil was found to be resistant against Gram-negative bacteria, and the oil has bactericidal property.