Citrus limon (L.) Burm f. Essential Oil Has Anxiolytic and Sedative Properties by Modulating GABAA-Receptors

Abstract The high prevalence of anxiety disorders associated with pharmacotherapy side effects have motivated the search for new pharmacological agents. Species from Citrus genus, such as Citrus limon (sicilian lemon), have been used in folk medicine as a potential therapy to minimize emotional disorders. In order to searching for new effective treatments with fewer side effects, the present study evaluated the anxiolytic mechanism of action and the hypnotic-sedative activity from the Citrus limon fruit's peels essential oil (CLEO). Adults male Swiss mice were submitted to barbiturate-induced sleep test; elevated plus-maze (EPM) and light-dark box (LDB) (evaluation of the mechanism of action); rotarod; and catalepsy tests. CLEO oral treatment decreased latency and increased the sleep total time; moreover it induced in animals an increased the number of entries and percentage of time spent into open arms of the EPM; an increased the number of transitions and the percentage of time into light compartment in the LDB; which were only antagonized by flumazenil pretreatment, with no injury at motor function. Thus, results suggest that CLEO treatment induced an anxiolytic behavior suggestively modulated by the benzodiazepine binding site of the GABAA receptor or by an increase of GABAergic neurotransmission, without cause impairment in the motor coordination.

Evaluation Of Gastric Antisecretory Antiulcer Activity Of Jambira (citrus Limon Linn.): An Experimental Study

Acid peptic disorders, especially hyperacidity is not uncommon in the current era because of altered life style of human being. In India prevalence of H. Pyloric infection in young age is 83.8%. Peptic ulcer occurs at young age with highest incidence between 20-40 years, men are affected more than women. If these Acid peptic disorders are not treated in time, it may lead to peptic ulcer, haematemasis, malena and perforation of duodenal ulcer which are common now a day with 50% mortality. Generally it is accepted that gastric ulcers result from an imbalance between aggressive factors and the maintenance of the mucosal integrity through endogenous defense mechanisms. Use of synthetic antiulcer drugs may damage to the cell membrane of mucosal, parietal and endothelial cells. To avoid such hazards, it is essential to find out some antiulcer agents from Ayurvedic treasure of therapeutics. Ancient sages have explained many herbal preparations which are beneficial in pain in abdomen (Shoola) and/or hyperacidity (Amlapitta) etc. Jambira (Citrus limon Linn.), mentioned as Shoola-hara (pain relieving) drug in Ayurvedic classics, is abundantly available and cost effective drug and may satisfy the need of present day situation by acting as potent herbal antacid drug. With this perspective, the study was taken for the critical assessment of gastric anti-secretory and anti-ulcer activity of Jambira (Citrus limon Linn.) as an experimental study but the results of experimental study did not support that Jambira (Citrus limon Linn.) fruit juice is a potent antisecretory and antiulcer natural source compared to control in pylorus ligation rat model.

Anxiolytic-like effect of Citrus limon (L. ) Burm f. essential oil inhalation on mice / Efeito ansiolítico da inalação do óleo essencial de Citrus limon (L. ) Burm f. em camundongos.

ABSTRACT Experimental in vivo study aimed to characterize the anxiolytic-like effect of the Citrus limon fruit peel’s essential oil (CLEO) in animal models of anxiety, besides evaluating the viability J774.A1 cells in vitro through the MTT reduction method at the concentrations of 10 and 100 µg/mL. The anxiolytic behavior was evaluated in Swiss mice (n = 8) using the methodology of Elevated Plus-Maze (EPM) and Open-Field (OF). CLEO was tested by inhalation at the doses of 100, 200, and 400 µL, and as control, animals were subjected to inhalation of the vehicle (saline solution 0.9% + Tween80®) and intraperitoneal administration of diazepam (1.5 mg/kg). In the cell viability assay, it was observed that none of the concentrations showed cytotoxicity. OF test showed significant anxiolytic activity at all tested doses of OECL, compared to the control group, without changing the motor performance of the animals. Corroborating OF data, the EPM test confirmed anxiolytic activity in at least two doses of the tested oil (200 and 400 µL), justified by the number of entries and increase in the percentage of time in the open arms. The data analysis of this study evidenced that inhalation of OECL was able to induce an anxiolytic behavior in mice; however, further studies are required to ensure its safe use by the population.

RESUMO O estudo experimental in vivo objetivou caracterizar o efeito ansiolítico do óleo essencial das cascas do fruto de Citrus limon (OECL) em modelos animais de ansiedade, além de avaliar in vitro a viabilidade de células J774.A1 através do método de redução do MTT nas concentrações de 10 e 100 µg/mL. O comportamento ansiolítico foi avaliado em camundongos Swiss (n = 8), utilizando a metodologia do Labirinto em Cruz Elevado (LCE) e do Campo Aberto (CA). O OECL foi testado por inalação nas doses de 100, 200 e 400 µL, e como controle, os grupos foram submetidos à inalação do veículo (Solução fisiológica 0,9% + Tween80®) e administração intraperitoneal de diazepam (1,5 mg/kg). No ensaio de viabilidade celular, observou-se que nenhuma das concentrações apresentou citotoxicidade. O teste de CA demonstrou atividade ansiolítica significativa em todas as doses testadas do OECL, comparada ao grupo controle, sem alterar a performance motora dos animais. Corroborando os dados do CA, o teste do LCE confirmou a atividade ansiolítica em pelo menos duas das doses do óleo testadas (200 e 400 µL), justificada pelo número de entradas e aumento na percentagem de tempo nos braços abertos. A análise dos dados deste estudo evidenciou que a inalação do OECL foi capaz de induzir um comportamento ansiolítico em camundongos; entretanto, outros estudos são necessários para garantir o seu uso seguro pela população.

Efecto sobre el sistema de la coagulación del zumo de frutas y hortalizas peruanas / Effect on the clotting system of Peruvian fruit and vegetable juice

OBJETIVO: Comprobar el efecto anticoagulante in vitro e in vivo de frutas y hortalizas peruanas e identificar la vía de la coagulación sobre la que actúa. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se extrajo los zumos de Ananascomosus (L.) Merr, Citrus limonun Risso, Carica papaya L., Alliumsativum L., Allium cepa L. y Zingiber officinale L. Roscoe. Se realizó un estudio in vitro con plasma humano e in vivo administrando el zumo vía oral a ratas por catorce días. La actividad anticoagulante fue evaluada midiendo el tiempo de protrombina (TP) y el tiempo de tromboplastina parcial activado (TTPa), además se determinó el fibrinógeno. RESULTADOS: In vitro los zumos de Ananas y Zingiber prolongaron el TP, Carica el TTPa y los de Citrus, Alliumsativumy cepa ambas pruebas. In vivo los zumos de Allium cepa y Carica prolongaron el TP, Citrus el TTPa, Ananas ambas pruebas. Los zumos de Ananas, Citrus, Allium sativum y Zingiber disminuyeron el fibrinógeno. CONCLUSIÓN: In vitro e in vivo los zumos de Ananascomosus, Citrus limonun, Carica papaya y Allium cepa tienen efecto anticoagulante. Los zumos de Allium sativum y Zingiber officinale,tienen este efecto solo in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: Verify the anticoagulant effect in vitro and in vivo of Peruvian fruit and vegetable juice and identify the coagulation pathway on which it acts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Extracted juices of Ananascomosus (L.) Merr, Citrus limonunRisso, Carica papaya L., Allium sativum L., Allium cepa L. and Zingiber officinale L. Roscoe. An in vitro study with human plasma and in vivo administering juice orally to rats for 14 days. Anticoagulant activity was evaluated by measuring the prothrombin time (PT) and partial activated thromboplastin time (APTT), the Fibrinogen was also determined. RESULTS: In vitro juices of Ananas and Zingiber prolonged PT, Carica prolonged APTT and Citrus, Allium sativum and cepa prolonged both tests. In vivo, juices of Allium cepa and Carica prolonged PT, citrus prolonged APTT, and Anannas both tests. The juices of Anannas, Citrus, Allium sativum and Zingiber decreased Fibrinogen. CONCLUSION: In vitro and in vivo Ananascomosus, Citrus limonun, Carica papaya and Allium cepa juices have anticoagulant effect. The juices of Allium sativum and Zingiber officinale, have this effect only in vitro.

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Selected Plant Leaves.

Aims: To determine the antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of some readily available plant leaves in order to source for alternate antioxidants and antibiotics. Study Design: Randomized complete block design. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Akure Nigeria between Feb 2010 and Jan 2011. Methodology: Ethanol, hexane and water extracts from leaves of Anacardium occidentale (cashew), Cocos nucifera (coconut), Citrus sinesis (sweet orange), Citrus limon (lemon) and Carica papaya (pawpaw) were prepared and screened for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The total phenolic content (TPC) was determined by folin-Ciocalteu assay. Antioxidant property of the plant extracts were evaluated using inhibition of free radical 2, 2- diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH). The antimicrobial activity of the extract against microorganisms (Acinetobacter spp., Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus) was determined using modified agar-well diffusion method. Results: Total phenol content (TPC) of leaf extracts based on tannic acid equivalent revealed that the TPC of cashew leaf ranged from 2.21 to 7.49 mg TAE/g, coconut leaf extract (0.59-2.22 mg TAE/g), lemon leaf extract (0.97-3.9 mg TAE/g), sweet orange (0.54-0.69 mg TAE/g) and pawpaw leaf extract (0.22- 0.36mgTAE/g). At 0.2mg/ml concentration, the highest antioxidant activity was observed from hexane extracts (45.03%-76.05%) followed by water extracts (45.82% -71.7%) and ethanol extracts (32.75%-56.79%). Ethanol extract (0.2mg/ml) from A. occidentale and C. papaya showed antimicrobial activity against all the eight microorganisms tested with inhibition zones ranging from 2-12 mm. The highest inhibition zone of 12mm was observed in A. occidentale leaf against Shigella dysenteriae while C. limon leaf had the lowest inhibition zone of 2 mm against B. cereus. Conclusion: We may conclude that A. occidentale and C. papaya leaves demonstrated broad spectrum activities. The results provided evidence that the plant leaves investigated in this study might indeed be potential sources of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents if further investigated.

Antimicrobial activity of different aqueous lemon extracts.

Over three-quarter of the world’s population is using herbal medicines with an increasing trend globally. Plant medicines may be beneficial but are not completely harmless. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of different types and part of lemon against different microbial isolates. The antimicrobial effects of aqueous extracts of peel and juice from fresh and dried citrus and sweet lemon against 6 Gram-positive and 8 Gram-negative bacterial and one yeast isolates, including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhi, Proteus spp., Moraxella catarrhalis, Acinetobacter spp. and Candida albicans, all of them were studied. The water extracts of all the materials screened showed various inhibitory effects. The juice of Citrus limon has antimicrobial activities more than other types of extracts. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus agalactiae and Candida albicans showed the highest resistance to these extracts. Lemon species might have antimicrobial activity against different Gram-positive, Gram-negative and yeast pathogens and could be used for prevention of various diseases caused by these organisms.

Constituintes químicos e estudos toxicológicos do óleo essencial extraído das folhas de Citrus limon Burn (Rutaceae) / Chemical constituents and toxicological studies of the essential oil extracted from Citrus limon Burn (Rutaceae)

A caracterização química do óleo essencial de folhas de Citrus limon (Rutaceae) resultou na identificação de mistura de monoterpenos (limoneno, linalol, cis-óxido de limoneno, trans-óxido de limoneno, citronelal, neral, geranial, nerol e acetato de geranil). As estruturas dos compostos do óleo essencial foram identificadas por GC/MS, por comparação com dados da literatura. Os efeitos da administração crônica oral do óleo essencial de folhas de Citrus limon foram investigados sobre parâmetros bioquímicos e hematológicos em camundongos Swiss machos. Os animais (n = 10/grupo) foram tratados por via oral diariamente durante 30 dias com óleo essencial de folhas de Citrus limon, nas doses de 50, 100 ou 150 mg kg-1 de massa corporal e os parâmetros bioquímicos e hematológicos avaliados. O tratamento não causou nenhuma morte ou toxicidade nos animais. A administração do óleo essencial não alterou os parâmetros bioquímicos e hematológicos e a massa dos órgãos, exceto por diminuição de 21 e 11% em uréia e ácido úrico, respectivamente, e 9%, nos níveis plasmáticos de aspartato transaminase (AST). Para os parâmetros hematológicos, houve pequenas mudanças nas contagens de neutrófilos, linfócitos, eosinófilos e monócitos, mas estes não foram diferentes dos valores de referência. Além disso, houve diminuição significativa nos triglicerídeos detectado nos animais tratados com dose de 150 mg kg-1 de óleo essencial. Em conclusão, a administração crônica de óleo essencial não induziu nenhum efeito de risco na maioria dos parâmetros bioquímicos e hematológicos estudados em camundongos Swiss machos. No entanto, a diminuição dos níveis de uréia e ácido úrico em doses elevadas, sugere um possível efeito de insuficiência renal e aumento no teor de AST, sugerindo possível sobrecarga hepática que deve ser investigada com mais detalhe.

The chemical characterization of the essential oil of Citrus limon (Rutaceae) leaves resulted in the identification of a mixture of monoterpenes (limonene, linalool, cis-limonene-oxide, trans-limonene-oxide, citronellal, neral, geranial, nerol e geranyl acetate). The structures of the compounds of essential oil were identified by GC/MS by comparison with literature data. The effects of the chronic oral administration of the essential oil of Citrus limon leaves were investigated on biochemical and hematological parameters in male adult Swiss mice. These animals (n=10/group) were orally treated daily for 30 days with essential oil of Citrus limon leaves with doses of 50, 100 or 150 mg kg-1 body weight and the biochemical and hematological parameters were evaluated. The treatment did not cause any deaths or toxicity in the animals. The administration of essential oil did not change biochemical and hematological parameters and organ weight, except for decreases of 21 and 11% in blood urea nitrogen and uric acid respectively, and 9%, in aspatate transaminase (AST) plasma level. For the hematological parameters, there were slight changes in which neutrophil, lymphocytes, eosinophils and monocyte counts were not different from the reference values. In addition, with respect to serum triglyceride a significant decrease was detected in mice treated with a dose of 150 mg kg-1 of essential oil from Citrus limon. In conclusion, the chronic administration of essential oil of Citrus limon leaves did not induce any harzadous effects on most of the biochemical and hematological parameters studied in male adult Swiss mice. However, the decrease in the levels in blood urea nitrogen and uric acid in high doses, suggests a possible effect of renal insufficiency and an increase in AST content, which in its turn, suggests a possible hepatic overload which should be investigated in more details.

Effects of A-solution on Halitosis and Oral Status in Preoperative NPO Patients

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of A-solution on halitosis and oral status in preoperative NPO patients. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group, non-synchronized pretest-posttest design was used in this study. The participants in this study were 66 patients who were admitted for gynecologic surgery. The experimental treatment was to give oral gargling with A-solution, blended essential oils and diluted with distilled water. To identify the experimental treatment effects, halitosis, salivary pH, and oral status were measured by a portable halitosis detector, visual analogue scale, Bromo Thymol Blue (BTB), Bromo Cresol Purple (BCP) test paper and oral assessment guide. Data were analyzed using chi2-test, t-test with PASW 18.0 version. RESULTS: Participants were homogeneous before experimental treatment. Objective halitosis in the experimental group, measured by a portable halitosis detector (t= -8.34, p<.001) was significantly lower than the control group. Subjective halitosis was significantly lower in the experimental group (t= -9.29, p<.001). Salivary pH was significantly different between two groups (t=8.81, p<.001). Oral status was significantly better in the experimental group (t= -13.31, p<.001). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that oral gargling using A-solution is effective in reducing patient halitosis, and improving oral status.

Evaluation of central nervous system effects of Citrus limon essential oil in mice

The central nervous system (CNS) depressant and anticonvulsant activities of Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck, Rutaceae, essential oil (EO) were investigated in animal models. The EO (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg) injected by oral route (p.o.) in mice caused a significant decrease in the motor activity of animals when compared with the control group, up to thirty days after the administration and the dose of 150 mg/kg significantly reduced the remaining time of the animals on the Rota-rod apparatus. Additionally, C. limon essential oil was also capable to promote an increase of latency for development of convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). The administration of FLU (10 mg/kg, i.p.), GABA A-benzodiazepine (GABA-BZD) receptor antagonist, antagonized the effect of C. limon essential oil at higher dose. This C. limon essential oil was also capable to promote an increase of latency for development of convulsions induced by picrotoxin (PIC) at higher dose. In the same way, the anticonvulsant effect of the EO was affected by pretreatment with flumazenil, a selective antagonist of benzodiazepine site of GABA A receptor. These results suggest a possible CNS depressant and anticonvulsant activities in mice that needs further investigation.

Avaliação do potencial neuroprotetor do óleo essencial de Citrus limon em hipocampo e corpo estriado de camundongos após convulsões induzidas pela pilocarpina / Evaluation of neuroprotective potential of Citrus limon essential oil in hippocampus and striatum of mice after pilocarpine-induced seizures

The seizures can produce neuronal damage in several brain structures. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential neuroprotective effect of essential oil of Citrus limon (EOCL) on the histopathological changes observed in the hippocampus and striatum of mice after seizures induced by pilocarpine. Adult Swiss mice were 2 months old. The animals were divided into four groups. The first group was treated with 0.05 percent Tween 80 (control group) and the second with pilocarpine (400 mg/kg group P400). The third and fourth group were treated with EOCL (150 mg/kg) and 30 min after received P400 (P400 +/- EOCL group) or 0.05 percent Tween 80, respectively. After treatment, all groups were observed for 24 h, then sacrificed and their brains removed for histopathological analysis. The group P400, presented with seizures that progressed to status epilepticus in 75 percent of animals. Pretreatment with OECL produced a 25 percent reduction in this index. Groups P400 and P400 + EOCL showed 83.33 percent and 25 percent of animals with brain damage in the hippocampus, respectively. In the striatum of group P400 was a compromise of 75 percent. In turn, in the striatal region of group EOCL P400 + was seen a decrease of 58.34 percent in this neuronal damage. The seizures induced by pilocarpine are installed by the cholinergic system and produce brain damage. According to our results we suggest that the EOCL may modulate epileptogenesis and promote neuroprotective effects during the seizures in the model investigated.

As convulsões podem produzir danos neuronais em diversas estruturas cerebrais. O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar o potencial efeito neuroprotetor do óleo essencial de Citrus limon (OECL) nas alterações histopatológicas observadas no hipocampo e corpo estriado de camundongos após convulsão induzida por pilocarpina. Foram utilizados camundongos Swiss adultos com 2 meses de idade. Os animais foram divididos em 4 grupos. O primeiro grupo foi tratado com Tween 80 0,05 por cento (grupo controle) e o segundo com pilocarpina (400 mg/kg, grupo P400). Já o terceiro e quarto grupo foram tratados com OECL (150 mg/kg), e 30 min depois receberam P400 (grupo OECL + P400) ou Tween 80 0,05 por cento 0.9 por cento (grupo OECL), respectivamente. Após os tratamentos, todos os grupos foram observados durante 24 h e em seguida sacrificados e seus cérebros removidos para as análises histopatológicas. O grupo P400, apresentou convulsões que progrediram para o estado epiléptico em 75 por cento dos animais. O pré-tratamento com OECL produziu uma redução de 25 por cento nesse índice. Os grupos P400 e OECL + P400 apresentaram 83,33 por cento e 25 por cento de animais com lesão cerebral no hipocampo, respectivamente. No corpo estriado dos animais do grupo P400 houve um comprometimento de 75 por cento. Por sua vez, na região estriatal dos animais do grupo OECL + P400 foi visto uma redução de 58,34 por cento nesse comprometimento. As convulsões induzidas pela pilocarpina são instaladas pelo sistema colinérgico e produzem dano cerebral. De acordo com nossos resultados podemos sugerir que o OECL pode modular a epileptogênese e promover ação neuroprotetora durante as convulsões no modelo investigado.

Extracto de Citrus limon para el control de aflatoxinas y hongos aflatoxigénicos en alimentos concentrados para pollos de engorde producidos en Venezuela / Citrus limon extract for aflatoxin and aflatoxigenic fungi control in concentrated chicken feed produced in Venezuela

Se evaluó la presencia de aflatoxinas totales en muestras de alimentos concentrados para pollos de engorde y se aplicaron técnicas de control para los hongos aflatoxigénicos y sus toxinas (aflatoxinas), utilizando un extracto comercial de Citrus limon. Para ello se recolectaron al azar 50 muestras de un lote de alimentos concentrados para pollos de engorde. Se cuantificaron las concentraciones de aflatoxinas a través del método de enzimoinmunoensayo competitivo (ELISA) y se aplicó un sistema de control contra aflatoxinas, utilizando un extracto de Citrus limon. Finalmente, se determinó la capacidad antifúngica del extracto sobre el crecimiento de los hongos aflatoxigénicos aislados de las muestras. Se detectó que el 90% de las muestras analizadas estaban contaminadas con aflatoxinas, encontrándose en el 54% de las mismas un rango de concentraciones entre 5 a 14 µg/kg. El extracto de Citrus limon resultó ser un potente antiaflatoxigénico y antifúngico, reduciendo las concentraciones de aflatoxinas en las muestras de alimentos para pollos de engorde hasta en un 73,6%, e inhibiendo por completo el crecimiento de los hongos descritos como aflatoxigénicos.

The presence of total aflatoxins in samples of concentrated chicken feed was evaluated, and control techniques for aflatoxigenic fungi and their toxins (aflatoxins) using a Citrus limon commercial extract were applied. For this purpose, 50 samples were collected randomly from a lot of concentrated chicken feed. The aflatoxin concentrations were quantified through a competitive enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay (ELISA), and an aflatoxin control system was applied using a Citrus limon extract. Finally, the antifungal capacity of the extract over the growth of the aflatoxigenic fungi isolated from the samples was determined. It was established that 90% of the analyzed samples were contaminated with aflatoxins, and 54% of them had a 5-14 µg/kg concentration range. The Citrus limon extract was a potently antiaflatoxigenic and antifungal, reducing the aflatoxin concentrations in the chicken feed samples in up to 73.6%, and totally inhibiting the growth of fungi described as aflatoxigenic.

O SPAD-502 como alternativa para a determinação dos teores de clorofila em espécies frutíferas / The SPAD-502 as alternative for determining chlorophyll content in fruit tree species

A relação entre o teor absoluto de clorofila e o teor relativo de clorofila obtido pelo SPAD-502 foi determinada em quatro espécies frutíferas (cupuaçu, araçá-boi, limão e urucum). O teor absoluto de clorofila foi determinado usando um espectrofotômetro após a extração dos pigmentos em acetona 80 por cento. O teor de clorofila total (y) foi relacionado com os valores do SPAD (x), como segue: y = 93,95e0,0356x, r² = 0,80 para o urucum; y = 125,41e0,0205x, r² = 0,67 para o cupuaçu; y = 67,58e0,0374x, r² = 0,80 para o limão e y = 66,96e0,0365x, r² = 0,92 para o araçá-boi.

The relationship between the absolute chlorophyll content and the relative chlorophyll content (SPAD-502 values) was determined in four fruit trees species (cupuassu, araza, lemon, and annato). The absolute chlorophyll content was determined using a spectrophotometer after pigment extraction in 80 percent acetone. Chlorophyll content (y) was related to SPAD values (x) as follows: y = 93.95e0.0356x, r² = 0.80 for annato; y =125.41e0.0205x, r² = 0.67 for cupuassu; y =67.58e0.0374x, r² = 0.80 for lemon and y =66.96e0.0365x, r² = 0.92 for araza.

Efeito antifúngico in vitro do Citrus limon linn. sobre Candidas / In vitro antifungal effect of Citrus linn. uppon Candidas

A atividade antifúngica, in vitro, do extrato da casca de Citrus limon linn. (limão) e clorexidina a 0,12% (controle positivo) foi avaliada sobre as leveduras Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. stellatoidea e C. Krusei. Foi realizada a técnica de difusão em ágar para determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM). O extrato do limão apresentou atividade sobre Candida albicans, C. tropicalis e C. Krusei com halos de inibição de 11 a 18mm, e a clorexidina apresentou atividade para todas as leveduras ensaiadas, com halos de 11 e 22mm. Os resultados sugerem a utilização terapêutica do extrato do limão como agente antifúngico na Odontologia.

Study on Quality Standard of Citrus iimon Oils / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To develop a quality standard of Citrus limon oils.Methods Limonene in Citrus limon oils was identified by capillary gas chromatography and its content was determined by internal standard method.A polyethylene glycol elastic quartz capillary column (30 m of length,0.32 mm of internal diameter,0.25?m of film thickness) was used,column temperature being 90℃and split ratio being 5:1.Results In the range of 0.0627 mg/mL～4.0136 mg/mL for limonene,an equation was obtained:Y=1.53321X-0.05275,r=0.999 9.The average recovery of limonene was 97.2 % with RSD being 0.6 %.Conclusion The method is stable and reliable,and can provide evi- dences for the development of quality standard of Citrus limon oils.

Técnicas cromatográficas para a diferenciação de óleos essenciais cítricos de limão siciliano e Tahiti / Chromatographic techniques for the differentiation of Sicilian lemon and Tahiti citrus essential oils

Para verificação das diferenças qualitativas e quantitativas dos óleos essenciais de limão dos tipos Sieiliano e Tahiti, foram estudadas duas técnicas cromatográficas: a da camada delgada e a gasosa. A técnica da cromatografia em camada delgada baseou-se na utilização de placas de vidro de 20 x 20 em, recobertas com sílica gel G; a fase móvel utilizada foi benzeno - acetato de etila - ácido acético glacial, na proporção de 90: 10: 1. A detecção foi feita de duas maneiras: uma, através da visualização na câmara de luz ultravioleta, outra através de pulverização com reagente químico. A técnica de cromatografia em fase gasosa utilizou o detector de ionização de chama, com fase estacionária de 5% SP-1000 em Supelcoport, para mostrar as diferenças existentes entre estes dois óleos. Verificou-se que, tanto na técnica da cromatografía em camada delgada quanto na cromatografia em fase gasosa, houve diferenças de comportamento destes dois óleos que permitem facilmente identificá-Ios. Na cromatografia em camada delgada houve diferença no número de manchas e, também, na intensidade de algumas. Na cromatografia em fase gasosa foram identificados picos e áreas diferentes dos componentes dos óleos essenciais (AU).