Search results for "Pharmaceutical"

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Prangos ferulacea Essential Oils

2022

Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl, which belongs to the Apiaceae family, is a species that mainly grows in the eastern Mediterranean region and in western Asia. It has been largely used in traditional medicine in several countries and it has been shown to possess several interesting biological properties. With the aim to provide new insights into the phytochemistry and pharmacology of this species, the essential oils of flowers and leaves from a local accession that grows in Sicily (Italy) and has not yet been previously studied were investigated. The chemical composition of both oils, obtained by hydrodistillation from the leaves and flowers, was evaluated by GC-MS. This analysis allowed us to …

2020

New soluble and intensely near-IR-absorbing transition metal (Ti, Zr, V, Ni) complexes were synthesized using a redox non-innocent N,N’-bis(3,5-di-tertbutyl-2-hydroxy-phenyl) -1,2-phenylenediamine (H4L) as a ligand precursor. In all the complexes, ([Ti(Lox)2, [Zr(Lox)2], [V(Lsq1)(HLox)] and [Ni(HLox)2], two organic molecules coordinate to the metal center as tri- or tetradentate ligands. The solid-state structures of the complexes were determined using single crystal XRD, and the compounds were further characterized with Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS). Thermoanalytical measurements indicated the thermal stabilities of the complexes. All compounds absorb strongly in the n…

Pharmaceuticals and other urban contaminants threaten Amazonian freshwater ecosystems

2021

Abstract Urban areas in the Brazilian Amazon have grown at an unprecedented rate during the last years. About 90% of the wastewater produced by these urban areas are discharged untreated into Amazonian freshwater ecosystems, constituting a potential environmental pathway for pharmaceuticals and other chemicals consumed by modern societies (e.g. psychostimulants, personal-care products, hormones). The distribution of these chemicals into the Amazon River and their potential risks for freshwater biodiversity have not been evaluated so far. Here, we show the results of the largest chemical monitoring campaign conducted in the Amazon region. We assessed exposure patterns for 43 pharmaceuticals …

Cnidarian Interaction with Microbial Communities: From Aid to Animal’s Health to Rejection Responses

2018

The phylum Cnidaria is an ancient branch in the tree of metazoans. Several species exert a remarkable longevity, suggesting the existence of a developed and consistent defense mechanism of the innate immunity capable to overcome the potential repeated exposure to microbial pathogenic agents. Increasing evidence indicates that the innate immune system in Cnidarians is not only involved in the disruption of harmful microorganisms, but also is crucial in structuring tissue-associated microbial communities that are essential components of the Cnidarian holobiont and useful to the animal’s health for several functions, including metabolism, immune defense, development, and behavior. Someti…

Marine Cryptophytes Are Great Sources of EPA and DHA

2017

Microalgae have the ability to synthetize many compounds, some of which have been recognized as a source of functional ingredients for nutraceuticals with positive health effects. One well-known example is the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are essential for human nutrition. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the two most important long-chain omega-3 (-3) PUFAs involved in human physiology, and both industries are almost exclusively based on microalgae. In addition, algae produce phytosterols that reduce serum cholesterol. Here we determined the growth rates, biomass yields, PUFA and sterol content, and daily gain of eight strains of marine…

Anthocyanins of Coloured Wheat Genotypes in Specific Response to SalStress

2018

The present study investigated the effect of salt stress on the development of adaptive responses and growth parameters of different coloured wheat genotypes. The different coloured wheat genotypes have revealed variation in the anthocyanin content, which may affect the development of adaptive responses under increasing salinity stress. In the early stage of treatment with salt at a lower NaCl concentration (100 mM), anthocyanins and proline accumulate, which shows rapid development of the stress reaction. A dose-dependent increase in flavonol content was observed for wheat genotypes with more intense purple-blue pigmentation after treatment with 150 mM and 200 mM NaCl. The content of Na⁺ a…

Comparison of Diatoms and Dinoflagellates from Different Habitats as Sources of PUFAs

2019

Recent studies have clearly shown the importance of omega-3 (&omega

Control of Erigeron bonariensis with Thymbra capitata, Mentha piperita, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Santolina chamaecyparissus Essential Oils

2020

In the search of sustainable and environmentally friendly methods for weed control, there is increasing interest in essential oils (EOs) as an approach to reduce synthetic herbicide use. The phytotoxicity of Thymbra capitata, Mentha piperita, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Santolina chamaecyparissus EOs against the noxious weed Erigeron bonariensis were evaluated in pre- and post-emergence assays in greenhouse conditions. The EOs were applied at 2, 4, and 8 &micro

Effect of methylparaben in Artemia franciscana.

2017

In this study, the toxicity of methylparaben (MeP) an emerging contaminant, was analysed in the sexual species Artemia franciscana, due to its presence in coastal areas and marine saltworks in the Mediterranean region. The acute toxicity (24 h-LC50) of MeP in nauplii was tested and its chronic effect (9 days) evaluated by measuring survival and growth under two sublethal concentrations (0.0085 and 0.017 mg/L). Also, the effect on several key enzymes involved in: antioxidant defences (catalase (CAT) and gluthathion-S-transferase (GST)), neural activity (cholinesterase (ChE)) and xenobiotic biotransformation (carboxylesterase (CbE), was assessed after 48 h under sublethal exposure. The result…

Herbicidal activity of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. essential oil

2020

The bioherbicidal potential of Thymbra capitata (l.) Cav. essential oil (EO) and its main compound carvacrol was investigated. In in vitro assays, the EO blocked the germination and seedling growth of Erigeron canadensis L., Sonchus oleraceus (l.) L., and Chenopodium album L. at 0.125 &micro