Volatile constituents of Calamintha origanifolia boiss. Growing wild in Lebanon

The essential oil of aerial parts of Calamintha origanifolia Boiss. (Lamiaceae), growing wild in Lebanon, was obtained by hydrodistillation and was analysed by GC and GC-MS. 49 compounds, representing 92.2% of the oil, were identified. The major components, belonging to the class of oxygenated monoterpenes, were pulegone (22.5%), isomenthone (12.2%) and piperitenone (9.6%). The oil showed a slight antimicrobial activity against three bacterial strains.

Composition and allelopathic effect of essential oils of two thistles: Cirsium creticum (Lam.) D.�Urv. ssp. triumfetti (Lacaita) Werner and Carduus nutans L.

Abstract Cirsium and Carduus are two of the main genera of true thistles. Different species in these genera share a quantity of secondary metabolites and have interesting ecological properties. The essential oils of two species, Cirsium creticum and Carduus nutans, were analysed, showing the presence as main compounds of 4-ethyl guaiacol (15%), hexadecanoic acid (10.6%), (E)-β-damascenone (7.8%), dihydroactinidiolide (6.0%) and 4-vinyl guaiacol (4.5%) for C. creticum and hexadecanoic acid (18.6%), hexahydrofarnesylacetone (7.8%), heptacosane (5.9%), 4-vinyl guaiacol (5.8%), pentacosane (3.8%) and eugenol (3.6%) for C. nutans. The oils were evaluated at different doses for their effect on ge…

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from aerial parts of Micromeria fruticulosa (Bertol.) Grande (Lamiaceae) growing wild in Southern Italy

The essential oil of aerial parts of Micromeria fruticulosa (Lamiaceae) growing wild in Southern Italy was obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC and GC–MS. Sixty-one compounds, representing 91.3% of the oil, were identified. The major components were γ-terpinene (14.5%), β-caryophyllene (12.6%), p-cymene (8.9%), α-pinene (8.2%) and β-bisabolene (7.2%). The essential oil showed action mainly against Gram-positive bacteria. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Chemical composition of the essential oils of Centaurea sicana and C. giardinae growing wild in Sicily

The essential oils of Centaurea sicana (S) and C. giardinae (G) were studied by GC and GC-MS. Thirty constituents for S, representing 81.5% of the total oil, and 24 compounds for G (94.2% of the total) were identified. The oils were rich in sesquiterpenoids (47.9% for S and 54.7% for G) and hydrocarbons (25.9% for S and 31.7% for G). Germacrene D (13.3%), ( E)-β-farnesene (8.3%), nonacosane (7.3%), heptacosane (6.5%) and phytol (6%) were recognized as the main constituents for S, while caryophyllene oxide (17.7%), nonacosane (14.5%), germacrene D (11.5%), caryophyllene (11.2%) and heptacosane (10.3%) were the main compounds for G.

Antiproliferative activity against leukemia cells of sesquiterpene lactones from the Turkish endemic plant Centaurea drabifolia subsp. detonsa

The apolar organic extract obtained from aerial parts of Centaurea drabifolia Sibth. & Sm. subsp. detonsa (Bornm.) Wagenitz, growing wild in Turkey, was investigated for the first time for its secondary metabolite composition. Seven sesquiterpene lactones belonging to the guaiane class (1-7), including the new compound 4, along with a fatty acid lactone derivative (8), were isolated. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques, with the stereostructure of the new guaiane 4 determined with the help of MTPA derivatization. Cytotoxic activities of compounds 1-7 were evaluated against two cancer cell lines, namely acute…

Volatile Components from Aerial parts of Centaurea gracilenta and C. ovina ssp. besserana Growing Wild in Bulgaria

The essential oils of Centaurea gracilenta Velen. (CG) and C. ovina Pall. ex Willd. ssp. besserana (DC.) Dostál (COB) growing wild in Bulgaria, were studied by GC and GC-MS. Forty-five compounds for CG, representing the 90.1% of the oil, and 68 compounds for COB, representing the 91.9% of the oil, were identified. The oils were rich in sesquiterpenoids (33.4% for CG and 27.3% for COB), hydrocarbons (28.3% for CG and 10.7% for COB) and carbonylic compounds (12.7% for CG and 13.1% for COB). Fatty acids were abundant only for COB (31.3%). β-Eudesmol (12.8%), nonacosane (11.8%) and p-vinyl guiacol (7.5%) were recognized as the main constituents for CG, while hexadecanoic acid (21.4%), spathule…

Phytochemical composition, anti-inflammatory and antitumour activities of four Teucrium essential oils from Greece

Abstract The essential oils of four Teucrium species were studied and 150 components, in all, were identified. All oils were rich in sesquiterpenes (50.1–55.8%). Spathulenol and δ-cadinene were the main compounds of Teucrium brevifolium oil; caryophyllene and 4-vinyl guaiacol predominated in Teucrium flavum . Carvacrol and caryophyllene oxide predominated in Teucrium montbretii ssp. heliotropiifolium , while carvacrol and caryophyllene were the most abundant components in Teucrium polium ssp. capitatum . The oil which most effectively inhibited LPS-induced NO production in macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 was that from T. brevifolium (IC 50  = 7.1 μg/ml), followed by T. montbretii ssp. heliot…

Anthemis wiedemanniana essential oil prevents LPS-induced production of NO in RAW 264.7 macrophages and exerts antiproliferative and antibacterial activities in vitro.

Anthemis wiedemanniana is known in folk medicine for the treatment of microbial infections, cancer and also urinary and pulmonary problems. In this study, the chemical composition of the essential oil from A. wiedemanniana was evaluated and its antibacterial activity was tested against 10 bacterial strains. The oil was also tested for its potentiality to inhibit nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages and for its cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines. A. wiedemanniana oil, rich of oxygenated monoterpenes (25.4%), showed a good antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and a good activity against the two Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Proteus vu…

Characterisation of the essential oil of Nepeta glomerata Montbret et Aucher ex Bentham from Lebanon and its biological activities.

The essential oil of Nepeta glomerata from Lebanon was studied by means of GC and GC/MS analysis; 70 compounds were identified. The oil was constituted mainly by monoterpenes and the most abundant components were α-pinene, spathulenol and carvacrol. Nepeta glomerata oil showed antibacterial activity, particularly towards Gram-positive bacteria, and also inhibited LPS-induced NO production in macrophage cell line RAW 264.7, with an IC(50) value of 78.1 µg mL(-1). Furthermore, an in vitro cytotoxic assay showed that the oil was more active on a renal adenocarcinoma cell line (48% of inhibition of proliferation at 100 µg mL(-1)) in comparison to an amelanotic melanoma.

Essential oil composition and antifeedant properties of Bellardia trixago (L.) All. (sin. Bartsia trixago L.) (Scrophulariaceae)

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Acetonic Extract from Paullinia cupana Mart Seeds

The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the acetone extract from Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis Mart. (Sapindaceae) seeds, commonly called guarana, were assessed against selected bacterial and fungal strains. We tested the extract against both standard American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and clinically isolated (CI) bacterial strains and three fungal strains. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values for bacteria and MIC and minimum fungicidal concentration for fungi were determined. The extract showed an activity against the nine bacterial strains tested, both CI and ATCC strains (MIC comprised between 32 and 128 μm/mL and MBC bet…

Attività antibatterica dei composti fenolici isolati da Marrubium globosum ssp. libanoticum

Chamazulene-Rich Artemisia arborescens Essential Oils Affect the Cell Growth of Human Melanoma Cells

Artemisia arborescens is an aromatic shrub whose essential oils are considered a potential source of molecules with industrial and pharmaceutical interest. The chemical profile of A. arborescens essential oils (EOs) was shown to be quite variable and various chemotypes have been identified. In this study, we compared the EOs composition of A. arborescens leaves and flowers collected from four different locations in Sicily. The EOs were assayed for their antiproliferative activity against A375 human malignant melanoma cells, also testing cell viability and cell membrane integrity. The evaluation of DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity assay was employed for the detection of apoptosis. Th…

Comparison of essential oil components and in vitro anticancer activity in wild and cultivated Salvia verbenaca.

The objectives of our research were to study the chemical composition and the in vitro anticancer effect of the essential oil of Salvia verbenaca growing in natural sites in comparison with those of cultivated (Sc) plants. The oil from wild (Sw) S. verbenaca presented hexadecanoic acid (23.1%) as the main constituent, while the oil from Sc plants contained high quantities of hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (9.7%), scarce in the natural oil (0.7%). The growth-inhibitory and proapoptotic effects of the essential oils from Sw and Sc S. verbenaca were evaluated in the human melanoma cell line M14, testing cell vitality, cell membrane integrity, genomic DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity. Both t…

Volatile compounds of flowers and leaves of Sideritis italica (Miller)Greuter et Burdet (Lamiaceae), a plant used as mountain tea

Sideritis italica (Miller) Greuter et Burdet (Lamiaceae), widely used in ethnopharmacological medicine, occurs in Southern Italy and Sicily. The phytochemical composition of the essential oils of S. italica flowers and leaves, harvested in Piano Battaglia (Sicily), was analysed by GC and GC-MS. Of the 51 compounds, 43 in the oil from flowers and 29 in the oil from leaves were identified. Kaur-15-ene (20.0%) was recognised as the main constituent of the oil from flowers, together with beta-cubebene (12.1%), beta-pinene (8.5%), (Z)-nuciferol (6.5%), tricyclene (4.5%) and alpha-bisabolol (4.0%). In the oil from leaves, p-methoxyacetophenone (26.0%) prevailed, as did hexadecanoic acid (21.3%), …

Comparative chemical composition, free radical-scavenging and cytotoxic properties of essential oils of six Stachys species from different regions of the Mediterranean Area

Abstract The chemical composition of essential oils of six Stachys species, S. cretica L. ssp. vacillans Rech. fil., S. germanica L., S. hydrophila Boiss., S. nivea Labill., S. palustris L. and S. spinosa L., obtained by hydrodistillation, was studied by GC and GC–MS. All the oils have in common a great percentage of fatty acids and esters (24.2–58.5%) and a high amount of sesquiterpenes (16–35.9%), with the exception of the oil from S. palustris , which consisted mainly of carbonylic compounds (25.4%). The antioxidant activity by DPPH test and the antiproliferative activity on a series of human cancer cell lines (C32, amelanotic melanoma and ACHN, renal cell adenocarcinoma) were investigat…

Involvement of Bax and Bcl-2 in induction of apoptosis by essential oils of three Lebanese Salvia species in human prostate cancer cells

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men, and research to find more effective and less toxic drugs has become necessary. In the frame of our ongoing program on traditionally used Salvia species from the Mediterranean Area, here we report the biological activities of Salvia aurea, S. judaica and S. viscosa essential oils against human prostate cancer cells (DU-145). The cell viability was measured by 3(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was used to quantify necrosis cell death. Genomic DNA, caspase-3 activity, expression of cleaved caspase-9, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X (Ba…

Labdane Diterpenoids from Marrubium globosum ssp. libanoticum

From the aerial parts of Marrubium globosum ssp. libanoticum, seven labdane diterpenoids were isolated. Three of them are new natural products [(13R)-9alpha,13alpha-epoxylabda-6beta(19),16(15)-diol dilactone (2), deacetylvitexilactone (7), marrulanic acid (8)], whereas the other four, namely, (13S)-9alpha,13alpha-epoxylabda-6beta(19),16(15)-diol dilactone (1), cyllenin A (3), 15-epi-cyllenin A (4), and marrulibanoside, are previously known compounds. The structures of 2, 7, and 8 were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods.

Chemical composition of the essential oil of Phagnalon saxatile (L.) Cass. (Asteraceae) growing wild in Southern Italy

Abstract The essential oil from aerial parts of Phagnalon saxatile (L.) Cass. (Asteraceae) was obtained by hydrodistillation. The oil content was 0.15% (v/w), on a dry weight basis. The oil composition was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Altogether 66 compounds were identified accounting for 93.2% of the oil. Sesquiterpenes represent the 23.9% of the oil. In the oil were also present fatty acids (21.8%) and waxes (19.3%). The oil shows no antibacterial activity.

Volatile constituents of aerial parts of three endemicCentaureaspecies from Turkey:Centaurea amanicolaHub.-Mor.,CentaureaconsanguineaDC. andCentaurea ptosimopappaHayek and their antibacterial activities

The volatile constituents of the aerial parts of Centaurea amanicola Hub.-Mor., Centaurea consanguinea DC. and Centaurea ptosimopappa Hayek were extracted by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC and GC–MS. Altogether 94 components were identified. Sesquiterpenoids, fatty acids and carbonylic compounds were the most abundant components in the oils. Hexadecanoic acid and (Z,Z )-9,12-octadecadienoic acid were the main fatty acids in all the examined samples, that showed different patterns of composition. The study on the biological activity of the oils showed an action mainly against the Gram-positive pathogens.

Cytotoxic properties of Marrubium globosum ssp. libanoticum and its bioactive components

Marrubium globosum Montbr. et Auch. ex Benth. ssp. libanoticum Boiss. (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant used in Lebanon for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, asthma, coughs and other pulmonary and urinary problems. The goal of our study was to assess the biological activity of M. globosum by testing different extracts of the aerial parts for their antiproliferative activity against human melanoma cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The chloroform fraction showed the greatest activity. The compounds isolated from the extracts were also tested: the mixture of (13 S)-9α,13α-epoxylabda-6β(19),16(15)-diol dilactone and (13 R)-9α,13α-epo…

Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the essential oil of Salvia lanigera from Cyprus

The essential oil of aerial parts of Salvia lanigera Poir. (Lamiaceae) growing wild in Cyprus was obtained by hydrodistillation and was analysed by GC and GC-MS. A total of 67 compounds, representing 93.6% of the oil, were identified, and the major components were showed to be thymol (12.1%), hexadecanoic acid (6.0%), carvacrol and α-thujone (5.7%). The essential oil was assayed for its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Antimicrobial activity of the oil, evaluated using the broth dilution method, resulted higher against Gram-positive bacteria than the other referenced strains tested. Antioxidant activity of the oil was evaluated by using DPPH and FRAP methods together with three ant…

Essential oils of Salvia bracteata and Salvia rubifolia from Lebanon: Chemical composition, antimicrobial activity and inhibitory effect on human melanoma cells

Aim of the study: Salvia bracteata Banks et Sol. and Salvia rubifolia Boiss. are known in folk medicine of Lebanon for the treatment of microbial infections, cancer, urinary and pulmonary problems. In the present study the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils from aerial parts of Salvia bracteata and Salvia rubifolia collected in Lebanon were evaluated. The oils were also tested for their potential antiproliferative effects against M14 human melanoma cells. Material and methods: The oils were studied by GC and GC-MS and their antibacterial activity (MIC and MBC) was tested against ten bacteria species using the broth dilution method. The inhibitory effect on hum…

Composition of the essenthial oil of Petagnaea gussonei (Sprengel) Rauschert, a relict species from Sicily (Southern Italy).

The essential oil from leaves, stems and roots of Petagnaea gussonei (Sprengel) Rauschert ( = Petagnia saniculifolia Guss.), endemic to the Nebrodi Mountains (Sicily, Italy), has been analysed by the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) system on two fused-silica capillary columns of different polarities. A total of 94 components were identified. Quantitative and qualitative differences were found among the analysed parts. The principal compounds from the leaves oil were found to be (w/w%) germacrene D (19.9%), γ-muurolene (7.96%) and caryophyllene oxide (6.85%), while in the oil from stems hexadecanoic acid (23.40%), germacrene D (18.50%) and (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid (13.20%…

Volatile constituents of Scutellaria rubicunda Hornem subsp. linnaeana (Caruel) Rech. (Lamiaceae) endemic in Sicily

Volatile constituents of Stachys palaestina L. (Palestine woundwort) growing in Lebanon

The hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of Stachys palaestina L. collected in Lebanon in the Kadisha Valley, yielded 0.1% (w/w) of essential oil. GC and GC-MS analyses enabled the identification of 87 compounds representing 90.8% of the total oil. Hexadecanoic acid (10%), hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (6.9%), eugenol (4.3%) and (E)-caryophyllene (4.3%) were the main components. On the whole, the oil was constituted mainly of sesquiterpenes (37.7%), among which sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (20.7%) slightly prevailed over oxygenated sesquiterpenes (17.0%). This is the first report on the chemical composition of S. palaestina essential oil.

Effects of air pollution on production of essential oil in Feijoa Sellowiana Berg. grown in the "Italian triangle of death"

The composition of the essential oils of fruits from Feijoa sellowiana grown in the district of Acerra is compared with those collected from unpolluted sites. Essential oils from the fruits of F. sellowiana were analysed by GC/MS. Sixty compounds, representing 96.6% and 97.8% (unpolluted site and Acerra site, respectively) of the oils, were identified. The major constituents were β-caryophyllene (12.4% and 16.8%), ledene (9.6% and 11.1%), α-humulene (6.3% and 8.2%), β-elemene (4.9% and 5.3%) and δ-cadinene (4.7% and 5.2%) in the control site and Acerra site, respectively. The antioxidant components were increased in response to polluted condition. The acetonic extracts of F. sellowiana from…

Analysis of Essential Oils from Scutellaria orientalis ssp. alpina and S. utriculata by GC and GC-MS

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from aerial parts of Scutellaria orientalis L. ssp. alpina (Boiss.) O. Schwarz and S. utriculata Labill. growing wild in Lebanon, were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. In S. orientalis ssp. alpina, strongly characterized by sesquiterpenes (41.2%) and particularly sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (31.7%), hexahydrofarnesylacetone (11.7%) was recognized as the main constituent, together with hexadecanoic acid (7.6%), caryophyllene (7.4%), caryophyllene oxide (6.8%), 4-vinylguaiacol (5.4%) and germacrene D (5.4%). S. utriculata oil was instead constituted above all by monoterpenes (42.2%), particularly oxygen containing monoterpenes (39.9%), and in t…

Apoptosis induction of essential oils from Artemisia arborescens L. in human prostate cancer cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Prostate cancer originates from cells inside a gland, which begin to grow out of control. In the world, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the male population. New therapeutic strategies are needed for this tumor which still has a high mortality. A. arborescens leaves and aerial parts have various ethnopharmacological uses such as anti-spasmodic, and their decoctions were used to resolve urticaria, neuralgia and several lung diseases. Often this species has been also used to treat different inflammatory-related diseases such as cancer. Aim of the study: In a continuation of our research on essential oils from medicinal plants, we have selected, two …

Flavonoids in Subtribe Centaureinae (Cass.) Dumort. (Tribe Cardueae, Asteraceae): Distribution and 13C-NMR Spectral Data

Abstract This review reports the occurrence of flavonoids in subtribe Centaureinae of Asteraceae family. It extensively covers the literature up to 2010 and collects all available (13)C-NMR data.

Effect of Marrubium globosum ssp libanoticum on intestinal motility

New diterpenes from Marrubium globosum Montbr. et Auch. ex Benth. ssp. libanoticum Boiss. (Lamiaceae)

Chemical composition and anticancer activity of essential oils of Mediterranean sage (Salvia officinalis L.) grown in different environmental conditions

Salvia officinalis L. can be found worldwide and its leaves are commonly used as ingredient in food industry. Sage essential oil is applied in the treatment of a range of diseases and has been shown to possess different biological activities. The objectives of our research were to study the effects of environment on crop, chemical composition and anticancer activity on S. officinalis essential oil. Sage was cultivated at eighteen experimental sites in south-central Italy (Molise) in different growing environments. The essential oils (S1-S18), extracted by hydrodistillation, were analyzed by GC and CG/MS. Results show that the main components were α-thujone, camphor, borneol, γ-muurolene and…

Potential allelopathic activity ofSideritis italica(Miller) Greuter et Burdet essential oil

Sideritis italica (Miller) Greuter et Burdet is a widespread Mediterranean Lamiacea. Essential oils from S. italica flowerheads and leaves were extracted by hydrodistillation and then tested for their potential allelopathic activity against Raphanus sativus L. (Magnoliophyta) and the moss Tortula muralis (Hedw.) (Bryophyta), two organisms already tested for allelopathy, and against two bryophytes growing in the same environment as S. italica: the moss Bryum capillare Hedw. and the liverwort Lunularia cruciata (L.) Dum. For R. sativus, we considered seed germination and root and epicotyl growth. For the mosses, we used spore germination and protonemata development, while for the liverwort, w…

Phenolic compounds of Marrubium globosum ssp.libanoticum from Lebanon

Phytotoxic effects of essential oils of Nepeta curviflora Boiss and Nepeta nuda L.subsp. albiflora growing wild in Lebanon

The chemical composition of the essential oils of two Nepeta species collected in Lebanon was studied by means of GC and GC-MS analysis. The essential oil from N. curviflora Boiss. contained high amounts of β-caryophyllene (41.6%), caryophyllene oxide (9.5%), (E)-β-farnesene (6.2%) and (Z)-β-farnesene (4.8%); in the oil from N. nuda L. subsp. albiflora (Boiss.) Gams. collected in Laklouk the main compounds were β-bisabolene (11.8%), pulegone (10.8%), (E,Z)-nepetalactone (8.0%), (E)-β-farnesene (7.1%) and caryophyllene oxide (6.9%), while N. nuda L. subsp. albiflora collected in Tannourine Cedar Forest contained high percentages of hexadecanoic acid (10.1%), β-bisabolene (7.8%), caryophyllen…

GC and GC-–MS Analysis of Volatile Compounds From Ballota nigra subsp. uncinata Collected in Aeolian Islands, Sicily (Southern Italy)

In the present study, the chemical composition of the essential oils from aerial parts of Ballota nigra subsp. uncinata (Bég.) Patzak collected in Sicily was evaluated by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry. The main components of the oil were ( E)-phytol (20.0%), α-pinene (9.0%), hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (5.7%), and α-selinene (5.1%). Cluster analysis of the essential oil compositions of all the taxa belonging to B. nigra s.l. group was performed.

Phytochemical profile of three Ballota species essential oils and evaluation of the effects on human cancer cells

Three Ballota species, Ballota undulata, Ballota saxatilis and Ballota nigra ssp. foetida, were investigated for their cytotoxicity against two human cancer cells, hepatoma HepG2 cell line and breast cancer MCF-7 cell line, and for their antioxidant activity. The chemical composition of essential oils was studied by GC and GC–MS. Sesquiterpenes were the main constituents. The most antiproliferative essential oil against HepG2 cells was B. undulata with a percentage of inhibition of 81.36 ± 3.54 at a concentration of 100 μg/mL, while against MCF-7 cells essential oil from B. saxatilis was the most active with a percentage of inhibition of 24.18 ± 1.13 at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. The ant…

Phytochemical Profile and Apoptotic Activity of Onopordum cynarocephalum.

A phytochemical investigation of acetone and chloroform extracts of the aerial parts of Onopordum cynarocephalum Boiss. et Blanche was carried out. It led to the isolation of two new sesquiterpenes, the elemane aldehyde (2) and the eudesmane (11), together with 15 known compounds: two lignans (1 and 15) and 13 sesquiterpenes (3–10, 12–14, 16, 17). The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, especially 1D and 2D NMR spectra. The anti-growth effect against three human melanoma cell lines, M14, A375, and A2058, of the different extracts and compounds of O. cynarocephalum was also investigated. Among them, the chloroform extract exhibited the strongest biological activity, while t…

Volatile constituents of aerial parts of Lasiopogon muscoides

Effects of solvent-free microwave extraction on the chemical composition of essential oil of Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi compared with the conventional production method

The essential oil of Calamintha nepeta has been obtained by solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) and by classical hydrodistillation (HD). A comparative qualitative-quantitative study on the composition of the oils was carried out. A total of 38 compounds, constituting 97.6% of the oil, were identified in the oil obtained by SFME, whereas 46 compounds, representing 95.4% of the oil, were characterized in the HD oil. SFME-distilled oil is richer in lightly oxygenated monoterpenes (LOM) than HD oil. It also has a higher amount of sesquiterpenes and a lower quantity of hydrocarbon monoterpenes. HD oil seems to be affected by chemical changes more than SFME oil.

Volatile constituents of the aerial parts of white salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius L., Asteraceae).

Tragopogon porrifolius L. grows as a vegetable in southern Italy and all parts of it are edible. In the present study the volatile components of the aerial part are described. Gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed the presence of 38 components in all. On the whole, the volatile fraction was constituted mainly by carbonylic compounds (24.6%), phenols (21.5%) and fatty acids and esters (19.7%). The most abundant compounds were 4-vinyl guaiacol (19.0%), hexadecanoic acid (17.9%), hexahydrofarnesylacetone (15.8%) and hentriacontane (10.7%).

Antispasmodic Effects and Structure−Activity Relationships of Labdane Diterpenoids from Marrubium globosum ssp. libanoticum

Marrubium globosum ssp. libanoticum is a medicinal plant used in Lebanon to reduce pain and smooth muscle spasms. A chloroform extract obtained from M. globosum aerial parts reduced acetylcholine-induced contractions in the isolated mouse ileum. The purification of this extract identified, among 12 isolated labdane diterpenoids, four new compounds, named 13-epicyllenin A (4), 13,15-diepicyllenin A (5), marrulibacetal (9), and marrulactone (11). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Compound 9, which exerted antispasmodic activity, is likely the active ingredient of the extract. Preliminary structure-activity relationships for this class of compounds are suggested.

Essential oils of three species of scutellaria and their influence on Spodoptera littoralis

Chemical composition and biological activity of Salvia verbenaca essential oil

Salvia verbenaca L. (syn. S. minore) is a perennial herb known in the traditional medicine of Sicily as “spaccapetri” and is used to resolve cases of kidney stones, chewing the fresh leaves or in decoction. The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from aerial parts of S. verbenaca collected in Piano Battaglia (Sicily) on July 2009, was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The oil was strongly characterized by fatty acids (39.5%) and carbonylic compounds (21.2%), with hexadecanoic acid (23.1%), ( Z)-9-octadecenoic acid (11.1%) and benzaldehyde (7.3%) as the main constituents. The in vitro activity of the essential oil against some microorganisms in comparison with chloramphenicol by the …

Volatile components from aerial parts of Centaurea gracilenta and C. ovina ssp. besserana growing wild in Bulgaria

The essential oils of Centaurea gracilenta Velen. (CG) and C. ovina Pall. ex Willd. ssp. besserana (DC.) Dostál (COB) growing wild in Bulgaria, were studied by GC and GC-MS. Forty-five compounds for CG, representing the 90.1% of the oil, and 68 compounds for COB, representing the 91.9% of the oil, were identified. The oils were rich in sesquiterpenoids (33.4% for CG and 27.3% for COB), hydrocarbons (28.3% for CG and 10.7% for COB) and carbonylic compounds (12.7% for CG and 13.1% for COB). Fatty acids were abundant only for COB (31.3%). beta-Eudesmol (12.8%), nonacosane (11.8%) and p-vinyl guiacol (7.5%) were recognized as the main constituents for CG, while hexadecanoic acid (21.4%), spathu…

Volatile constituents of aerial parts of three endemic Centaurea species from Turkey: Centaurea amanicola Hub.-Mor., Centaurea consanguinea DC. and Centaurea ptosimopappa Hayek and their antibacterial activities.

The volatile constituents of the aerial parts of Centaurea amanicola Hub.-Mor., Centaurea consanguinea DC. and Centaurea ptosimopappa Hayek were extracted by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC and GC-MS. Altogether 94 components were identified. Sesquiterpenoids, fatty acids and carbonylic compounds were the most abundant components in the oils. Hexadecanoic acid and (Z,Z )-9,12-octadecadienoic acid were the main fatty acids in all the examined samples, that showed different patterns of composition. The study on the biological activity of the oils showed an action mainly against the Gram-positive pathogens.

Analysis of Essential Oil from Teucrium maghrebinum Greuter et Burdet Growing Wild in Algeria

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from aerial parts of Teucrium maghrebinum growing wild in Algeria was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Among the 66 identified compounds, δ-cadinene (12.7%), germacrene D (11.4%), γ-cadinene (9.5%) and 4-vinyl guaiacol (4.0%) were the most abundant. The oil is strongly characterized by the presence of sesquiterpenes (61.5%), particularly hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes (49.6%).

Essential Oil Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Anthemis mixta and A. Tomentosa(Asteraceae)

In the present study the chemical composition of the essential oils from aerial parts and roots of Anthemis mixta L. and A. tomentosa L. was evaluated by GC and GC-MS, and their antibacterial activity tested against ten bacterial species. Hexadecanoic acid (15.2%) was recognized as the main constituent of A. mixta, together with τ-cadinol (6.7%), while in both aerial parts and roots of A. tomentosa nonacosane (21.9% and 20.7%), heptacosane (8.1% and 6.0%), hexadecanoic acid (8.1% and 27.1%) and hexahydrofarnesylacetone (6.8% and 5.5%) prevailed. The oils from aerial parts of both species showed a good activity against Gram-positive bacteria. These results suggest that the plants could be p…

Chemical composition and phytotoxic effects of essential oils of Salvia hierosolymitana Boiss. and Salvia multicaulis Vahl. var. simplicifolia Boiss. growing wild in Lebanon

The chemical composition of the essential oils of S. hierosolymitana Boiss. and S. multicaulis Vahl. var. simplicifolia Boiss. collected in Lebanon was studied by means of GC and GC-MS analysis. In all 115 compounds were identified: 82 for S hierosolymitana and 72 for S. multicaulis var. simplicifolia. The presence of carbonylic compounds (17%) characterizes the oil from S. hierosolymitana, while S. multicaulis var. simplicifolia oil is rich of monoterpenes (34.5%) and sesquiterpenes (46.9%). The effects of the essential oils on germination and initial radical elongation of Raphanus sativus L. (radish) and Lepidium sativum L. (garden cress) were studied, indicating in a different activity a…

Phytochemical and pharmacological studies on the acetonic extract of Marrubium globosum ssp. libanoticum

A new natural labdane diterpene, marrulibanoside, was isolated from the acetonic extract of aerial parts of M. globosum Montbr. et Auch. ex Benth. ssp. libanoticum Boiss. (Lamiaceae). Its structure was determined by spectroscopic methods such as 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectrometry. Pharmacological studies have shown that the extract of M. globosum exerts anti-inflammatory effects in the rat paw oedema induced by carrageenin resulting in reduced paw swelling. This activity, which seems due to marrulibanoside, is a consequence of iNOS and COX-2 activities inhibition.

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of Otanthus maritimus (L.) Hoffmanns.Link essential oil from Sicily.

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the flowers of Otanthus maritimus L., a perennial plant growing wild in maritime sands in the Mediterranean region, was investigated by GC and GC-MS analyses. Totally 66 were identified. The oil was dominated by the high content of monoterpene compounds, especially oxygenated monoterpenes which accounted for 73.1%. The most abundant components were yomogi alcohol (20.8%), camphor (15.8%), artemisyl acetate (15.3%) and artemisia alcohol (13.7%). The oil was tested against two Gram (+) and six Gram (-) bacterial strains, both American Type Culture Collection standard strains and clinically isolated (CI), one potentially pathogenic ye…

Cytotoxicity of cucurbitacin E from Citrullus colocynthis against multidrug-resistant cancer cells

Abstract Background Cucurbitacin E (CuE) is an oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenoid isolated from the fruits of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. Purpose This study outlines CuE's cytotoxic activity against drug-resistant tumor cell lines. Three members of ABC transporters superfamily, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and ABCB5 were investigated, whose overexpression in tumors is tightly linked to multidrug resistance. Further factors of drug resistance studied were the tumor suppressor TP53 and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Methods Cytotoxicity assays (resazurin assays) were used to investigate the activity of Citrullus colocynthis and CuE towar…

Constituents of leaves and flowers essential oils of Helichrysum pallasii (Spreng.) Ledeb. growing wild in Lebanon.

The chemical compositions of the essential oils obtained from leaves and flowers of Helichrysum pallasii were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Among the 102 identified constituents, hexadecanoic acid (16.2%), (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid (6.8%), tetradecanoic acid (2.6%), and (Z)-caryophyllene (4.2%) were the main constituent of the oil from leaves, while in the oil from flowers hexadecanoic acid (14.7%), (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid (14.2%), (Z)-caryophyllene (3.6%), and delta-cadinene (3.1%) predominated. The oils were both characterized by sesquiterpenes (33.4% for leaves and 33.7% for flowers, respectively) and fatty acids and esters (30.3% …

Volatile components ofCentaurea cineraria L. subsp.umbrosa (Lacaita) Pign. andCentaurea napifolia L. (Asteraceae), two species growing wild in Sicily

The volatile components of the flowerheads of Centaurea cineraria L. subsp. umbrosa (Lacaita) Pign. and Centaurea napifolia L. were obtained by hydrodistillation and identified by GC and GC-MS. Altogether 55 components were identified, mostly sesquiterpenes and hydrocarbons. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils of Three Species of Apiaceae Growing Wild in Sicily: Bonannia graeca, Eryngium maritimum and Opopanax chironium

In the present study the chemical composition of the essential oils from aerial parts of Bonannia graeca (L.) Halácsy and Opopanax chironium (L.) Kock, and from aerial parts and roots of Eryngium maritimum L. was evaluated by GC and GC-MS. α-Pinene (15.2%) and β-pinene were recognized as the main constituents of B. graeca, whereas the aerial parts of O. chironium contained mainly the diterpene cembrene and the coumarin angelicin. In both aerial parts and roots of E. maritimum germacrene D (10.4% and 15.9%, respectively) and 2,4,5-trimethylbenzaldehyde (8.3% and 6.7%) were the most abundant components.

Composition of the essential oil fromflowerheads ofChrysanthemum coronarium L.(Asteraceae) growing wild in Southern Italy

The essential oils from the aerial parts of Chrysanthemum coronarium L. (Asteraceae) growing wild in two different localities of Southern Italy, Lascari (L) and Palinuro (P), were obtained by hydrodistillation in a 0.13-0.16% yield. The oils were analysed by GC and GC-MS; 68 constituents, amounting to 89.0% of the oil (L), and 43 constituents, amounting to 91.6% of the oil (P), were identified. The trans-spiroketal-enol ether 2-(2,4- hexadiynylidene)-1,6-dioxaspiro(4,4)non-3-ene (trans-tonghaosu) with chrysanthenyl and lyratyl esters and camphor were the main components of the oils. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Antibacterial activity of flavonoids and phenylpropanoids from Marrubium globosum ssp. libanoticum.

Marrubium globosum Montbr. et Auch. ex Benth. ssp. libanoticum Boiss. (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, asthma, coughs and other pulmonary and urinary problems. The goal of our study was to assess the biological activity of M. globosum testing the methanol extract of aerial parts for its antibacterial activity against bacteria known to cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin and urinary disorders; the extract showed antibacterial effects against all the strains of bacteria used. A purification of this active extract showed the presence, as main constituents, of verbascoside, isorhamnetin 3-O-beta-D-rutinoside, quercetin 3-O-beta-D-rutinoside…

GC and GC–MS analysis of the essential oil of Nepeta cilicica Boiss. ex Benth. from Lebanon

The hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of Nepeta cilicica Boiss. ex Benth., collected in Lebanon in the Horsh Ehden reserve, yielded 0.13% (w/w) of essential oil. Gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectroscopy analysis enabled the identification of 75 compounds representing 96.8% of the total oil. The most abundant compounds were spathulenol (15.1%), hexadecanoic acid (14%), δ-cadinene (5.5%) and α-copaene (4.5%). On the whole, the oil was constituted mainly by sesquiterpenes (45.9%), among which sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (27.6%) slightly prevailed over oxygenated sesquiterpenes (18.3%).

Metabolite profile and in vitro activities of Phagnalon saxatile (L.) Cass. relevant to treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

The present study describes for the first time the in vitro properties (inhibition of NO production and anticholinesterase) of Phagnalon saxatile (L.) Cass. (Asteraceae). The methanolic extract showed antioxidant activity that was measured by DPPH assay and beta-carotene bleaching test. The same extract inhibited NO production in the murine monocytic macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition was assessed by modifications of Ellman's method. Purification of the MeOH extract of P. saxatile allowed the isolation of phenolic compounds. Among them, the compounds that most effectively inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production …

Effect of Germacrene-Rich Essential Oil of Parentucellia latifolia (L.) Caruel Collected in Central Sicily on the Growth of Microorganisms Inhabiting Historical Textiles

In the present study, the chemical composition of the essential oil from aerial parts of Parentucellia latifolia (L.) Caruel collected in Central Sicily was analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The results showed the presence of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, with germacrene D and germacrene B accounting, respectively, for 59.2% and 24.3% of the total oil. Different colonies of bacteria and fungi frequently affect cellulosic objects such as books stored in libraries and museums. The antibacterial and antifungal activity against some microorganisms infesting historical-artistic craftsmanship was determined, demonstrating that the essential oil was particular…

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities in Sideritis italica (Miller) Greuter et Burdet essential oils

Sideritis italica (Miller) Greuter et Burdet is a widespread Lamiacea in the Mediterranean region used in traditional medicine. Essential oils were antibacterial against nine ATCC and as many clinically isolated Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Antibacterial activity was also found against Helicobacter pylori: a dose-dependant inhibition was shown between 5 and 25 microg/ml. The antibacterial activity of the oils was expressed as MICs (minimum inhibitory concentrations) and MBCs (minimum bactericidal concentrations). At a concentration between 3.9 and 250 microg/ml the oils showed a significant antibacterial effect against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In …