Labdane-type diterpene and two flavones from Salvia sharifii rech. f. and Esfan. and their biological activities

Two flavones, ladanein and 6-hydroxy-5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone and one labdane-type diterpene, ent-13-epi-manoyloxide, were isolated from an ethyl acetate-methanol extract of the aerial parts of Salvia sharifii. The compounds were purified using several chromatographic methods. Structural elucidation of the compounds was performed using their 1H and 13C-NMR data, EI mass and UV spectral data. The compounds have been subjected to antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. The diterpene showed higher cytotoxic activity than the flavones while the later compounds were better antioxidants compared with the isolated diterpene

Biotransformation of germacranolide from Onopordon leptolepies by Aspergillus niger

Terpenes are present in the essential oils obtained from herbs and spices. They are produced by these plant species as a chemical defense mechanism against phytopathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, terpenes have attracted great attention in the food industry, e.g., they have been used in foods such as cheese as natural preservatives to prevent fungal growth. Herein, we describe the microbial transformation of onopordopicrin [1] by Aspergillus niger. Four product 11alpha H-dihydroonopordopicrin [2], 11beta H-dihydroonopordopicrin [3], 3beta-hydroxy-11beta Hdihydroonopordopicrin [4], and 14-hydroxy-11 beta H-dihydroonopordopicrin [5] were obtained. Their structures were identified on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic data. All the four compounds were novel

Anti-inflammatory effect of ethanolic extract and essential oil of eucalyptus globulus in mice

Inflammation is a mechanism involving a complex series of events including dilatation of arterioles, venules and capillaries with increased vascular permeability, exudation of fluids including plasma proteins and leukocyte migration into the inflammatory area. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effects of Eucalyptus globulus alcoholic extract and essential oil leaves were studied in NMRI mice. In this experimental study, 15 minutes after intra-peritoneal injection of the ethanolic extract [50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.], essential oil [0.1, 0.4, 0.5 ml/kg, i.p.] and dexamethasone [10 mg/kg, i.p.], 0.03 ml of xylene was applied to the anterior surface of the right ear of NMRI mice. The left ear was considered as control. Two hours after xylene application, mice were sacrificed and both ears removed. The effect on acute inflammation was assessed using vascular permeability increased by xylene-induced ear edema in mice. Alcoholic extract of Eucalyptus globulus with doses 100 and 200 mg/kg and essential oil leaves of Eucalyptus globulus with doses of 0.4 and 0.55 ml/kg showed significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity against acute inflammation induced by xylene ear edema test. Its anti-inflammatory effects were similar to dexamethason. The present study indicated that Eucalyptus globule has anti-inflammatory effect on mice and should be considered in future therapeutic studies