Phytochemical profiles and evaluation of the biological potential of ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of the aerial parts of Cistus albidus L.

The phytochemical profiles of the ethyl acetate (EAFCA) and n-butanol (BFCA) fractions of the aerial parts of Cistus albidus L., were characterised by a developed LC-ESI-MS/MS method, using 53 fingerprint phytochemicals, revealing the presence of 26 and 22 compounds, respectively with quinic acid, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, catechin, gentisic acid, tannic acid, ellagic acid, quercitrin, astragalin as the major compounds of the EAFCA, in very higher amounts than in the BFCA. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using six methods (DPPH•, ABTS•+, GOR•, CUPRAC, FRAP and Phenanthroline). In agreement with its highest polyphenolic content (430.12 ± 1.02 µg GAE/mg of extract) and largest amounts of identified polyphenolics, the EAFCA exhibited a higher antioxidant activity than the BFCA. Additionally, the EAFCA showed the highest acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition (IC50 of 25.1 ± 2.58 µg/mL). Moreover, both EAFCA and BFCA demonstrated high photoprotective activity, with sun protection factor (SPF) values of 36.49 and 36.52, respectively.

A new acylated flavonol triglycoside and evaluation of the antioxidant activity of Astragalus armatus subsp. numidicus (Murb.) Emb. & Maire.

A new acylated flavonol triglycoside, quercetin-3-O-(5'-p-hydroxybenzoyl)-ß-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)]-ß-D-galactopyranoside (1), was isolated from the aerial parts of Astragalus armatus subsp. numidicus (Murb.) Emb. & Maire as well as ten known compounds, one phenolic compound, one flavonol-aglycone and eight flavonol-glycosides distributed into two monoglycosides, three diglycosides and three triosides. Their structures were mainly determined by 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments (1H,13C, COSY, HSQC, HMBC). The chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and hydroethanol extracts were tested for their antioxidant activity using five methods (DPPH, ABTS, Reducing power, CUPRAC and Phenanthroline). The ethyl acetate extract was the most active in CUPRAC (A0.5: 50.28 ± 2.16 µg/mL), ABTS (IC50: 49.73 ± 1.55 µg/mL) and Reducing power (A0.5: 58.13 ± 4.35 µg/mL) assays, whereas the hydroethanol and n-BuOH exhibited the highest activity in the Phenanthroline assay (A0.5: 9.93 ± 0.16) and (A0.5: 10.27 ± 0.44 µg/mL), respectively.

Review on Propolis Applications in Food Preservation and Active Packaging.

Propolis is a natural hive product collected by honeybees from different plants and trees. The collected resins are then mixed with bee wax and secretions. Propolis has a long history of use in traditional and alternative medicine. Propolis possesses recognized antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Both properties are characteristics of food preservatives. Moreover, most propolis components, in particular flavonoids and phenolic acids, are natural constituents of food. Several studies suggest that propolis could find use as a natural food preservative. This review is focused on the potential application of propolis in the antimicrobial and antioxidant preservation of food and its possible application as new, safe, natural, and multifunctional material in food packaging. In addition, the possible influence of propolis and its used extracts on the sensory properties of food is also discussed.

Semipapposides A-M, triterpenoid bidesmosides saponins from the roots of Scabiosa semipapposa.

Phytochemical investigations of the roots of Scabiosa semipapposa Salzem ex D.C. have led to the isolation of 12 undescribed triterpenoid saponins named semipapposides A-L, one undescribed saponin semipapposide M obtained as an inseparable mixture, together with three known oleanolic acid glycosides. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of 1D and 2D-NMR (1H-1H COSY, TOCSY, HSQC-TOCSY, HSQC, ROESY or NOESY, and HMBC) spectroscopic data and mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), and by comparison with those of related metabolites. All saponins possess a partial sequence rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-xylopyranosyl or rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-arabinopyranosyl- at C-3 of the aglycon and a gentiobiose unit at C-28. These results represent a contribution to the knowledge of the saponins of Scabiosa species and their chemotaxonomy.

Chemical constituents of Genista numidica Spach aerial parts and their antimicrobial, antioxidant and antityrosinase activities.

A previously undescribed triterpenoid saponin, 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-{ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-}ß-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl]-sophoradiol (1), in addition to twenty-nine known constituents (2-30) were isolated from the aerial parts of Genista numidica Spach. Structures elucidation was performed by comprehensive 1D- and 2D-NMR analyses and HRESIMS. The extracts, fractions and isolated compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial, antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities. The experimental findings indicated that genistin (16), isosalipurpol (27), and koaburaside (29) have moderate to low antibacterial activity against E. faecalis, S. aureus, S. epidermidis and P. aeruginosa bacteria with MICs ranging from 31.2 to 125 µg/mL. Compounds 19 and 27 exhibited a good antiradical activity potential (IC50 11.8 and 11.1 µg/mL, respectively). Only compounds 23, 27 and 28 exhibited low inhibitory effect against mushroom tyrosinase (IC50 from 90.2 to 225.6 µg/mL).

EVALUATION OF CRUDE FLAXSEED (Linum usitatissimum L) OIL IN BURN WOUND HEALING IN NEW ZEALAND RABBITS.

BACKGROUND: Burns are among the most prevalent injuries in humans with high cost in health care and heavy prolonged or permanent physical, psychological and social consequences. Commercial antimicrobial creams and dressing agents are unsuccessful in healing deep burn wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study was conducted to assess the impact of crude linseed oil (LSO) topical application on burn wounds healing in rabbits in comparison with untreated wounds (NAT) and those treated with Vaseline gel (VAG) and Cicatryl-Bio ointment (CBO). By the 28th day post burning, skin biopsies were analyzed for histological and cytological lesions. The presence of various bioactive phytochemical groups in linseed was also screened. RESULTS: Phytochemical screening has resulted in high concentrations of flavonoids and terpenoids, low amounts of catechic tannins and total absence of alkaloids and saponosides. All along the trial, the rate of wounds contraction was found to be significantly higher in burns treated with LSO which had also a significant shorter healing period (26±5.89 days) as compared to the other treatments. LSO healed wounds included less inflammatory cells, complete epithelium regeneration with a reduced thickness of the new formed dermis, discreet fibrosis, enhanced neo-vascularization, increased number of collagen fibers, fibroblasts and many myofibroblasts. Additionally, no adverse effects of LSO on cicatrization process were recorded. CONCLUSION: These findings prove the safety and efficaciousness of linseed oil topical application in the therapy of burn wounds.

Antioxidant Flavonoids from Asteriscus maritimus.

One new flavonol glycoside, patuletin-7-Ο-[6-Ο-caffeoyl-2-Ο-[(S)-3-hydroxyisobutanoyl]glucopyranoside] (astermaritimoside) (1) and four known flavonoids, patuletin-7-Ο-ß-[-6-Ο-[(S)-3-hydroxyisobutanoyl]glucopyranoside] (2), patuletin-7-Ο-[6-Ο-caffeoylglucopyranoside] (3), patuletin-7-Ο-ß-D- glucopyranoside (4) and quercetin-3-Ο-ß-rutinoside (5) have been isolated from Asteriscus maritinus (L.) Less. Chemical structures were elucidated by mass spectrometric, and ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, COSY, HMQC and HMBC spectroscopic techniques. The antioxidative effect was evaluated using an electronic spin resonance (ESR) method in order to visualize the inhibition of the DPPH radical. The n-butanol fraction was found to possess a remarkable antioxidant activity that was correlated with the total amount of phenolics. The isolated compounds exhibited good antioxidant activity.

Triterpene saponins of Genista ulicina Spach.

From the n-BuOH extract of the aerial parts of Genista ulicina, six triterpene saponins, 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-olean-12-ene-3ß,27,28,30-tetraol, 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-olean-12-ene-3ß,27,28,29-tetraol, 3,29-di-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-olean-12-ene-3ß,27,28,29-tetraol, 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-olean-12-ene-3ß,28,29-triol-27-oic acid, 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-olean-12-ene-3ß,27,28-triol-29-oic acid, and 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-14-H-27-nor-olean-12-ene-3ß,28,29-triol, were isolated together with eight known triterpene saponins and six flavonoids. Their structures were established mainly by means of spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D-NMR as well as HR-ESI-MS). The n-BuOH extract, investigated for its antitumor growth inhibition of human colon cancer HT-29 cells, presented no significant activity (IC50>100 µg).

GC/MS analysis and analgesic effect of the essential oil of Matricaria pubescens from Algeria.

The essential oil of Matricaria pubescens (Asteraceae) collected at Ghardaia (Algerian Septentrional Sahara) was studied by GC and GC-MS. Isochrysanthemic acid ethyl ester (26.5%), spathulenol (19.4%), alpha-cadinol (12.9%) and geranylisovalerate (8.2%), were identified as the major components of the essential oil, which was investigated for its analgesic effect.