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The chemical composition of the essential oil of the flowering aerial parts of Monarda didyma L. cultivated in central Italy was analyzed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The major compounds of the oil were thymol (59.3%), p-cymene (10.3%), terpinolene (9.2%), δ-3-carene (4.4%), myrcene (3.7%), and camphene (3.4%). The essential oil was tested in vitro for its anti-germination activity against Papaver rhoeas L., Taraxacum officinale F. H.Wigg., Avena fatua L., Raphanus sativus L. and Lepidium sativum L. seeds, demonstrating good inhibitory activity in a dose-dependent way. The exposure of the employed weed seeds to M. didyma essential oil and thymol solution (59.3%) increased the level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA), markers of oxidative stress, in emerging 5-day-old rootlets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first report about the composition of the essential oil from flowering aerial parts of Cotinus coggygria Scoop. (Anacardiaceae) from Italy. The major compounds identified by GC-MS were limonene (47.1%), (Z)-β-ocimene (15.2%), a-pinene (8.5%) and (E)-β-ocimene (5.3%). The oil showed antimicrobial activity against three Gram (+) bacteria: Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and S. epidermidis, and three Candida strains: C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis, while it was inactive against three Gram (-) bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volatile composition of different parts (whole fruit, peel and flesh) of a rare wild red apple named "Mela Rossa Val Metauro" was established by SPME (Solid Phase Micro-Extraction) sampling, followed by GC-MS analysis. The most prominent constituent in all the three parts was the sesquiterpene (E,E)-α-farnesene. The presence of the ester ethyl hexanoate particularly in the flesh (39.8%) gives a special exotic flavor to the fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from Teucrium marum subsp. marum (Lamiaceae) was analysed by GC/MS and 30 components were identified. Isocaryophyllene (20.24%), β-bisabolene (14.73%), β-sesquiphellandrene (11.27%), α-santalene (10.97%), dolichodial (9.38%) and, α-caryophyllene (7.18%) were the main components. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was assayed against four phytopathogenic fungi and Rhyzoctonia solani resulted to be the most sensitive microorganism with a MIC value of 250ppm. The antioxidant activity of the essential oil was evaluated using the DPPH test, 5-lipoxygenase test and luminol/xanthine/xanthine oxidase chemiluminescence assay. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The two essential oils isolated from plants of hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L. ssp. officinalis) grown in two different localities near Urbino (Marche, Italy) were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major components were pinocamphone (34% and 18.5%), isopinocamphone (3.2% and 29%) and β-pinene (10.5% and 10.8%). The major differences in the composition of the oils were detectable in the ratio of pinocamphone/isopinocamphone, in the percentage of linalool (0.2% and 7.9%) and camphor (0.3% and 5.3%).The oils showed antifungal activity against 13 strains of phytopathogenic fungi; the activity of the oil extracted from plants grown at 1000 m above sea level showed higher activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study evaluated the phenolic content, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity (1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH, and 5'-lipoxygenase assay, respectively), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), in Cocomerina pear, an old and rare variety of Pyrus communis. There are two cultivars of this pear that ripen in August and October, both of which are nowadays cultivated only in a small area of central Italy. Significant differences in polyphenolic content were observed between these cultivars, with a 30-40% increase in the late ripening cultivar relative to the early ripening one. Anthocyanin concentration was also strongly affected by the period and stage of maturation. In particular, it was 126-fold higher in fruits that ripen in October as compared to those that ripen in August. Ripe fruits of the late cultivar also exhibited higher antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities. These findings suggest that this ancient pear variety should be recovered and considered in the framework of biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the chemical composition and the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Angelica archangelica L. (Apiaceae) roots from central Italy were analyzed. The major constituents of the oil were α-pinene (21.3%), δ-3-carene (16.5%), limonene (16.4%) and α-phellandrene (8.7%). The oil shows a good antimicrobial activity against Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens, Enterococcus faecalis, Eubacterium limosum, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, and Candida albicans with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 0.25, 0.25, 0.13, 0.25, 2.25, and 0.50% v/v, respectively. A weaker antimicrobial activity against bifidobacteria and lactobacilli-very useful in the intestinal microflora-has also been shown with MIC values >4.0% v/v. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The topical anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging and antifungal activities of essential oils and extracts of Commiphora erythraea (Ehrenb.) Engl. resin were investigated. The hexane extract significantly inhibited oedema when applied topically in Croton oil-induced ear oedema assay in mice. The same extract showed antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging assay. A bioguided separation of the hexane extract led to the isolation of furanosesquiterpenoids 1 and 2 that showed a weak antifungal activity, while compounds 3–5 resulted to be antioxidant (EC50 4.28, 2.56 and 1.08mg/mL, respectively) and anti-inflammatory (30, 26 and 32% oedema reduction, respectively). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) juice (PJ) is being increasingly proposed as a nutritional supplement to prevent atherosclerosis in humans. This therapeutically valuable potential has been attributed to PJ antioxidant capacity which has been mostly tested by means of cell-free assays: indeed, to the best of our knowledge, no study has focused on the direct antioxidant capacity of PJ in cultured cells. Here, the antioxidant capacity in cell free-systems of preparations from various parts of pomegranate has been compared with their cytoprotective –bona fide antioxidant – activity in cultured human cells (U937 promonocytes and HUVEC endothelial cells) exposed to an array of oxidizing agents. Pomegranate derivatives were PJ, arils only juice (AJ) and aqueous rinds extract (RE). In cell-free assays – 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), chemiluminescence luminol/xanthine/xanthine oxidase and lipoxygenase assays – all the preparations displayed good antioxidant capacity, the relative potency order being RE>PJ>AJ. On the contrary, only RE was capable of preventing the deleterious effects – cytotoxicity, DNA damage and depletion of non-protein sulphydrils (NPSH) pool – caused by treatment of cells with H2O2, tert-butylhydroperoxide (tB-OOH) or oxidized lipoproteins (Ox-LDL) via a mechanism which is likely to involve both direct scavenging of radical species and iron chelation. Surprisingly, AJ and PJ slightly sensitized cells to the cytotoxic effects of the three agents. Then it would appear that AJ, the major and tasty part of PJ, does not contain ellagic acid and punicalagin (i.e. the polyphenols highly represented in RE which are reputed to be responsible for the antioxidant capacity) in amounts sufficient to exert cytoprotection in oxidatively injured, living cells. Based on these results, the development and evaluation of rinds-only based derivatives for antiatherogenic preventive purposes in humans should be encouraged. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Smoking is recognized as the major cause of lung cancer. Healthcare professionals play an important role in lung cancer prevention policies, as they act as a source of guidance for patients and advocates. The following survey evaluated prevalence, knowledge, and attitudes toward tobacco smoking among a sample of workers in "IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" of Bari, an Italian cancer hospital. An anonymous questionnaire was completed by 104 healthcare professionals to collect personal and occupational data about smoking status, knowledge about the harms of smoking, current legislation in place, Second-Hand Smoke (SHS) awareness, and, for ex-smokers, the reasons for quitting. Among participants, 17.8% were current smokers, 26.2% former smokers, and 56% never smoked. Only 40% acknowledged that the smoking ban is generally respected, and 63.2% reported that they smoke during working hours. Most of the participants perceived tobacco control policy as an efficient way to protect public health. Currently, the implementation of Italian anti-smoking legislation has so far improved neither smoking cessation rates nor the will to quit smoking completely. Our experience highlights that to date the anti-smoking strategies have limited efficacy even in a cancer center; in fact, there is still a large prevalence of smokers among hospital personnel. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that interventions be shared with all healthcare workers, specifically aimed at developing a culture of health promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rutaceae are widely used in ethnomedicine to treat infectious diseases in humans and plants. In this study, the antifungal activity of the Vepris macrophylla leaf essential oil (VEO) and its main components, citral and citronellol, was evaluated against six phytopathogenic fungi. In addition, the possible action of VEO on the synthesis of mycotoxins was evaluated as well. To determine the antifungal activity of VEO we used the agar dilution method and VEO showed inhibitory activity against all the tested fungi. In particular, VEO resulted to be fungicidal against Phytophthora cryptogea and Fusarium avenaceum. For all other fungi VEO exhibited fungistatic activity and the weakest effect was observed on Alternaria solani. Citral was very effective against P. cryptogea, F. avenaceum, F. poae and F. graminearum. On the other hand, citronellol showed good activity towards P. cryptogea and F. avenaceum and weaker activity towards F. poae and F. graminearum. It can be concluded that VEO can be considered a promising antifungal agent, especially against P. cryptogea and F. avenaceum, suggesting a possible use in the formulation of new selective and natural fungicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In Europe the prevalence of tobacco use in adults and adolescents is increasing particularly among young people. • European Tobacco control including mass media campaigns, smoke free public areas, advertising bans, health warnings, is reviewed. • School programmes building skills against negative influences and technological tools need to be constantly sustained. In Europe the prevalence of tobacco use in adults and adolescents is among the highest within the WHO regions. Many resources have been allocated toward the prevention and support for smoking cessation. However, the implemented strategies in Europe have not been systematically evaluated. A systematic literature review was carried out to identify studies that analyzed the efficacy of the main smoking-prevention campaigns conducted in Europe. PRISMA guidelines were used to systematically review and extract data. A total of 24 studies meeting inclusion criteria were identified. Each article was thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for quality, design, and methodology, with reference to the main areas of intervention: school (8); mass media (4) and technological tools (4); smoke-free environments (3); packaging (2) and taxes (3). The school programmes focusing on building skills to recognize and resist negative influences, the intensive use of media and technological equipments, health warnings and excise taxes have showed to be effective tools in reducing the tobacco use. Intervention programmes to implement tobacco control policies and smoking cessation are active in many European countries. However, these programmes need to be constantly sustained to achieve a long term efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Smoking is the major risk factor for cancer and several respiratory diseases. Quitting smoking at any point of life may increase the effectiveness of treatments and improve prognosis of patients with any pulmonary disease, including lung cancer. However, few institutions in Europe offer to patients adequate counseling for smoking cessation. Objectives: Aim of this study was to investigate the level of counseling for smoking cessation offered by healthcare professionals to patients and their appreciation towards the intervention itself. Methods: Between January 2013 and February 2016, 490 patients, diagnosed with a respiratory diseases, were prospectively evaluated with an anonymous survey developed by WALCE (Women Against Lung Cancer in Europe). Results: The majority of patients enrolled (76%) declared to have stopped smoking after the diagnosis of a respiratory disease, 17% to smoke less, 7% to continue smoking. Patients who reported to have never received any counseling for smoking cessation were 38%. Almost 73% of the other patients reported a positive judgment about the quality of healthcare's intervention. Despite these favorable considerations, 83% of patients have disclosed they simply quit smoking overnight without help, 5% have used electronic cigarettes, 5% nicotine replacement treatments, 4% dedicated books, 3% have attended a referral clinic. Conclusions: Considering all the smoking‐related side effects, greater efforts should be made in order to better support patients in smoking cessation. Smoking should be considered as a real physical disorder and similar surveys should be encouraged with the aim to fight the ‘stigma’ of smoking that still exists among patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demethylfruticuline A and fruticuline A, the most abundant compounds from the surface extract of Salvia corrugata Vahl., have shown antibacterial, antitumor and cytotoxic activities. In order to obtain these icetexane diterpenes from in vitro cultures of S. corrugata , protocols were developed for callus production, micropropagation and shoot regeneration. Analysis of the regenerated shoots showed the presence of both icetexanes, micropropagated plants contained only fruticuline A, while the callus contained trace amounts of both diterpenes. The yield of fruticuline A was higher in the methanolic extract of regenerated shoots than in those of fresh leaves and fresh shoot tips. In addition to these diterpenes, the regenerated shoot and micropropagated plant extracts afforded seven other diterpenes, one icetexane and six abietanes, identified by UV, IR, 1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-MS analysis. Five compounds (19-acetoxy-7α-hydroxyroyleanone, 7β,20-epoxy-11,12,19-trihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-triene, 7,20-dihydrofruticuline A, 7β-acetoxy-20-hydroxy-19,20-epoxyroyleanone, 7β-ethoxy-6β,20:19,20-diepoxyroyleanone) were previously undescribed. Although the crude plant surface extract did not possess any antibacterial activity, methanolic extracts of in vitro tissues and two compounds, namely 7β-acetoxy-20-hydroxy-19,20-epoxyroyleanone and 7β-ethoxy-6β,20:19,20-diepoxyroyleanone, isolated in suitable amounts, were active in varying degrees against multidrug resistant clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium , displaying MIC values ranging from 32, 64 to 128 μg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By bioguided fractionation of the hexane extract of Commiphora erythraea resin we isolated four furanosesquiterpenoids that were tested for their protective activity against oxidative stress. Furanodienone and 1,10(15)-furanogermacra-dien-6-ones showed to be potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation (IC50 of ∼0.087 μM), being more active than the methoxylated analogues. Furthermore, using BV2 microglial cells, we found that furanodienone from C. erythraea is able to counteract LPS-induced cell death and decrease LPS-induced NO generation thus protecting microglial cells from LPS-induced cytotoxicity. Finally, docking studies were undertaken to gain insight into the possible binding mode of the isolated compounds at 5-LOX binding site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Our ongoing research to identify natural growth inhibitors with diterpene and triterpene skeletons exuding from the surface of the aerial parts of Salvia species led us to study Salvia miniata Fernald. Ten clerodane diterpenoids were found, along with three known diterpenes. Most of the isolated compounds from S. miniata inhibited the germination of Papaver rhoeas L. and Avena sativa L. in Petri dish experiments. Parallel results have been obtained in experiments carried out to evaluate the subsequent growth of the seedlings of the target species in the presence of the tested compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A regeneration protocol from leaf explants of Grindelia robusta Nutt. was developed. The combination of 0.5 mg l-1 IBA plus 0.5 mg l-1 or 1 mg l-1 BA added to Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium resulted in the best callus induction frequency; the combination of 0.4 or 0.9 mg l-1 BA plus 1.2 mg l-1 GA3 resulted in the best shoot regeneration. Rooting was successful on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l-1 IBA. Hardening of G. robusta plants was accomplished in 30 days with 85% survival rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of Teucrium massiliense L. was analyzed by GC and GC/MS and the components identified were 34, mainly 3,7-dimethyloctan-2-one (15.2%), butyl 2-methylbutyrate (12.1%), linalool (10.6%), linalyl acetate (7.1%), zingiberene (4.7%), γ-cadinene (4.1%). The antioxidant activity of the oil was evaluated by the DPPH test, where the oil showed an effect comparable to Trolox, and by lipid peroxidation test, where the activity of the oil was three time less effective than that of Trolox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from Monarda didyma stem with leaves and flowers was analyzed by GC and GC/MS and the components identified were 22, mainly thymol (57.3% and 51.7%, respectively), γ-terpinene (9.3% and 14.3%), p-cymene (10.5% and 9.7%), δ-3-carene (4.5% and 6.2%) and myrcene (3.7% and 3.7%). The two oils were qualitatively similar. The antifungal activity of the oil was evaluated against four phytopathogenic fungi by direct contact with the Agar diffusion method and with the fungistatc action of the vapors using the Microatmosphere method. The most sensitive fungus resulted Rhizoctonia solani in the first test and Botrytis cinerea in the second. The antioxidant activity of the oil was evaluated by DPPH test, were the oil showed an effect comparable to Trolox, and by lipid peroxidation test, where the activity of the oil was similar to that of BHT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smyrnium olusatrum L. is a biennal plant growing in western and southern Europe. Several phytochemical studies have identified flavonoids, phenolic acids and sesquiterpene lactones as main constituents. In this work the root, stem and leaf essential oils of Smyrnium olusatrum L. (Umbelliferae) collected in Urbino (Marche, Italy) were studied by GC and GC-MS. Myrcene (1, 13 and 14%), β-phellandrene (34, 17 and 9%), β-caryophyllene (1, 3 and 12%), furanodiene (19, 8 and 17%), curzerene (13, 6 and 12%), germacrene B (7, 14 and 10%) and germacrone (8, 7 and 8%) were identified as the major components in the root, stem and leaf oils, respectively. SPME analysis of fresh material of the same different organs showed β-myrcene (3, 21 and 36%), β-phellandrene (25, 34 and 12%), β-caryophyllene (1, 7 and 22%) and furanodiene (4, 7 and 7%) as typical components in the headspace of fresh roots, stems and leaves, respectively. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oil and solid phase micro extraction (SPME) samples of Bupleurum fruticosum micropropagated plants were analysed by GC and GC–MS and compared with those obtained from the leaves and the stems of field-grown parent plants. The main constituents of the essential oil of the micropropagated plants were β-phellandrene (61%), sabinene (13%), terpinen-4-ol, tricyclene and bicyclogermacrene (3%). Regarding to the field-grown B. fruticosum plants, the leaf essential oil showed the same major components detected in the micropropagated plants, while the stem oil showed γ-terpinene (50%) and α-phellandrene (18%) as the most important constituents. Furthermore, SPME analyses were carried out in order to show for the first time a complete investigation on the volatile organic constituents of the micropopagated and field-grown B. fruticosum parent plants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

With the aim of examining the response of plant cells to extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMF), we investigated the behaviour of the phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate (PtdIns 4,5-P2) molecule (the precursor of the phosphoinositide signal transduction cascade) by exposing callus cells from Peganum harmala to 50 Hz, 1 gauss EMF for 10 min and by examining the level and the fatty acid composition of PtdIns 4,5-P2 after the exposure. Our results evidenced a statistically significant decrease in PtdIns 4,5-P2 concentrations and a different involvement of the constituting fatty acids in the induced breakdown. The manipulation of the lipid-based signalling pathway by phosphoinositide-phospholipase C (PI-PLC) inhibitors (i.e., neomycin, U-73122 and ET-18-OCH3) seems to support the hypothesis that, as in animals, also in plants, the cell membrane is the primary impact site of ELF electromagnetic stimulus and that this interaction could probably involve the activation of PI signal transduction pathway including a heterotrimeric G protein. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The antioxidant activity of Citrus paradisi (grapefruit) seeds glyceric extract dissolved in ethanol and in aqueous media was evaluated using three different methods: evaluation by DPPH assay, by 5-lipoxygenase assay and by luminol/xanthine/xanthine oxidase chemiluminescence assay. The total phenolic content was determined by the Prussian Blue method opportunely modified. The grapefruit seeds glyceric extract utilized as aqueous solutions demonstrated antioxidant properties better than those displayed by alcoholic solutions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents the study on the chemical constituents and antioxidant activity of the essential oil of Nepeta foliosa, which is found in Sardinia, Italy. The researchers analyzed the essential oil by gas chromatography (GM) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and found that it contains 16 compounds. It says that in vitro assays were used to determine the antioxidant activity of the oil.

The essential oils isolated from wild and domesticated plants obtained from in vitro culture of Glechoma sardoa Bég. were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The main compounds in the oil obtained from wild and domesticated plants were germacrene D (19.8% and 17.4%), isofuranogermacrene (15.3% and 17.1%), β-elemene (18.3% and 16.3%), β-phellandrene (13.5% and 11.9%), elemol (12.9% and 11.3%), respectively. The tissue culture micropropagation of G. sardoa, obtained by a suitable ratio of NAA and Kinetin was succesful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from Grindelia robusta aerial parts from central Italy was analyzed by GC and GC/MS and 45 components were identified. Borneol (15.2%), α pinene (10.3%), trans-pinocarveol (7.0%), bornyl acetate (4.5%), limonene (4.3%) were the main components. The antioxidant activity of the essential oil was evaluated using the DPPH and 5-lipoxygenase tests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]