Composition and Antimicrobial Properties of Essential Oils of Laser trilobum Rhizomes and Fruits.

The compositions of hydrodistillated essential oils of Laser trilobum (L.) Borkh. rhizomes and fruits from Serbia, were investigated using GC and GC/MS. In the dark-blue rhizome oil forty-six compounds (93.1% of the total oil) were identified, with a-pinene (31.5%), y-terpinene (9.0%), p-cymene (7.9%), ß-pinene (6.1%) and 1,4-dimethylazalene (6.0%) as the major components. In the colorless fruits oil, twenty components (96.8% of the total oil) were identified, and the main constituents were limonene (51.6%) and perillaldehyde (26.8%). The antimidrobial activity of the oils was tested using the broth microdilution method against nine bacterial and two fungal strains. The oils revealed significant antimicrobial effect, mainly better than that of thymol, used as a reference compound. The strongest activity was recorded for the rhizome oil against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans (MICs=25 µg/mL), and the fruit oil against C. albicans ATCC 10259 (MIC=12.5 µg/mL).

Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of Laserpitium latifolium L. and L. ochridanum Micevski (Apiaceae).

The chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Laserpitium latifolium and L. ochridanum were investigated. The essential oils were isolated by steam distillation and characterized by GC-FID and GC/MS analyses. All essential oils were distinguished by high contents of monoterpenes, and α-pinene was the most abundant compound in the essential oils of L. latifolium underground parts and fruits (contents of 44.4 and 44.0%, resp.). The fruit essential oil was also rich in sabinene (26.8%). Regarding the L. ochridanum essential oils, the main constituents were limonene in the fruit oil (57.7%) and sabinene in the herb oil (25.9%). The antimicrobial activity of these essential oils as well as that of L. ochridanum underground parts, whose composition was reported previously, was tested by the broth-microdilution method against four Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria and two Candida albicans strains. Except the L. latifolium underground-parts essential oil, the other investigated oils showed a high antimicrobial potential against Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, or Candida albicans (minimal inhibitory concentrations of 13.0-73.0 µg/ml), comparable to or even higher than that of thymol, which was used as reference compound.

Antinociceptive and anti-edematous activities of the essential oils of two Balkan endemic Laserpitium species.

In this paper antinociceptive and anti-edematous effects are examined of the essential oils of the underground parts of two Balkan endemic Laserpitium species (Apiaceae), L. zernyi and L. ochridanum. Furthermore, the essential oil of the underground parts of L. ochridanum is chemically characterised by GC and GC-MS. Antinociceptive and anti-edematous effects were measured in a rat model of localized inflammation, induced by carrageenan, using apparatus for the modified paw-pressure test, and plethysmometer, respectively. The effects of both Laserpitium essential oils were measured after oral gavage administration to male Wistar rats in doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg. The main constituents of L. ochridanum essential oil were: alpha-pinene (33.2%), alpha-bisabolol (10.3%) and chamazulene (14.9%). The essential oil of L. zernyi was previously shown to be rich in alpha-pinene (31.6%) and alpha-bisabolol (30.9%). Both examined essential oils produced a significant dose-dependent antinociceptive effect. The corresponding ED50 +/- SEM in producing antinociception were 45.9 +/- 4.9 mg/kg and 42.4 +/- 2.1 mg/kg for L. zernyi and L. ochridanum oil, respectively. Both essential oils also significantly reduced paw edema in a dose-dependent manner. The estimated ED50 +/- SEM values for the anti-edematous effect were 36.3 +/- 4.5 mg/kg for L. zernyi oil and 45.1 +/- 11.3 mg/kg for L. ochridanum oil. These results suggest that the essential oils of both investigated Laserpitium species may be effective against pain and edema present in various inflammatory conditions.

Antihyperalgesic and antiedematous activities of bisabolol-oxides-rich matricaria oil in a rat model of inflammation.

From the dried flower heads of Matricaria recutita L., essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation, and in the obtained blue oil, α-bisabolol oxide A (21.5%), α-bisabolol oxide B (25.5%) and (Z)-spiroether (cis-en-yn-spiroether) (10.3%) were identified as the main compounds, by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry analyses. The antihyperalgesic effects of this oil were examined in a rat model of inflammation induced by carrageenan, through a modified 'paw-pressure' test. Antiedematous effects were examined in a rat model of inflammation induced by carrageenan, dextran and histamine, through plethysmometry. Matricaria oil (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited a significant dose-dependent reduction of hyperalgesia and edema induced by carrageenan in both prophylactic and therapeutic treatment schemes. It was more efficacious in the prophylactic treatment scheme, and the corresponding median effective dose (ED50 ) ± standard error of the mean (SEM) values were 49.8 ± 6.0 and 42.4 ± 0.2 mg/kg for antihyperalgesic and antiedematous effects, respectively. Prophylactic treatments with matricaria oil (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) caused a significant dose-dependent antiedematous effect in dextran-induced edema with lower efficacy than in the carrageenan model. In a dose of 100 mg/kg, p.o., matricaria oil caused a slight reduction of histamine-induced edema. These results suggest that bisabolol-oxide-rich matricaria oil may be effective against pain and edema present in various inflammatory conditions, which supports matricaria traditional uses.

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Anthriscus nemorosa root essential oil.

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from the roots of Anthriscus nemorosa (Bieb.) Sprengel (Umbelliferae) was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Among sixty-two compounds identified (representing 89.0% of the total oil), the main components were: n-nonane (12.1%), n-hexadecanol (6.9%), delta-cadinene (6.4%), beta-pinene (6.0%) and germacrene D (5.4%). Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of the oil was evaluated against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228) and Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and a yeast Candida albicans (ATCC 10259 and ATCC 24433) using the broth microdilution method.

Comparative analysis of essential oils of six Anthemis taxa from Serbia and Montenegro.

The essential-oil composition of six Anthemis taxa from several populations in Serbia and Montenegro, Anthemis triumfetti (L.) DC., A. tinctoria L., A. austriaca Jacq., A. ruthenica Bieb., A. cotula L., and A. cretica ssp. carpatica (Willd.) Grierson were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The main constituents have been identified as follows: camphor (13.8-15.4%), alpha-pinene (5.2-9.3%), beta-pinene (4.9-7.8%), and (E)-caryophyllene (7.3-9.8%) in three populations, and cis-chrysanthenol (27.0%) and 1,8-cineole (8.4%) in one population of A. triumfetti; 1,8-cineole (9.0-25.8%) in the oils of five populations, and borneol (16.0%) and spatulenol (16.0%) in the oil of one population of A. tinctoria; cis-chrysanthenyl acetate (17.5-22.0%), beta-pinene (8.6-13.2%), and 1,8-cineole (7.2-10.4%) in the oils of A. austriaca; germacrene D (8.3-11.3%) and terpinen-4-ol (6.3-7.3%) in A. ruthenica oils; beta-cedrene (10.3-19.0%), (E)-beta-farnesene (7.8-13.5%), and germacrene D (5.2-9.1%) in the oils of A. cotula; cis-thujone (39.0%), trans-thujone (13.5%), and yomogi alcohol (7.1%) in the oil of A. cretica ssp. carpatica. The essential oil of A. austriaca was studied for the first time. A cluster analysis based on the relative percentages of all components of the essential oils was used to determine the distances between taxa and populations.

Essential oil of Myrtus communis L. as a potential antioxidant and antimutagenic agents.

The present study describes DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and antimutagenic properties of the essential oil of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.). Plant samples were collected from the two distant localities (southernmost and northern point) of the Montenegro coastline. Chemical profiles of the two samples were evaluated by GC-MS. In both of the samples monoterpenes were found to be the predominant compounds. Among them alpha-pinene, linalool, 1,8-cineole, and myrtenyl acetate were the major compounds. Significant differences between the samples were found in the ranges of alpha-pinene (14.7%-35.9%) and myrtenyl acetate (5.4%-21.6%). Both oils exhibited moderate DPPH scavenging activity, with IC50 values of 6.24 mg/mL and 5.99 mg/mL. The antimutagenic properties were assayed against spontaneous and t-BOOH-induced mutagenesis in Escherichia coli oxyR mutant IC202, a bacterial strain deficient in removing ROS. Reduction of the spontaneous mutagenesis in presence of myrtle EO was only slight, up to 13% at the highest concentration tested. When the oxidative mutagen was used, EO expressed higher reduction of mutagenesis, in a concentration dependent manner, with statistical significance for effect at the highest concentration tested (28%). Suppression of t-BOOH induced mutagenesis was correlated with the observed scavenging activity.

Essential oil from the underground parts of Laserpitium zernyi: potential source of alpha-bisabolol and its antimicrobial activity.

The composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from the underground parts (roots and rhizomes) of Laserpitium zernyi Hayek (Apiaceae) were investigated. The pale blue essential oil, obtained by hydrodistillation, was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Forty-three compounds were identified (94.3% of total oil). The main constituent, beside alpha-pinene (31.6%) was alpha-bisabolol (30.9%), so this oil may be a novel potential natural source of this sesquiterpene alcohol. The antimicrobial activity was tested using the microdilution method against Gram (+) bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus faecalis), Gram (-) bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli), and two strains of yeast (Candida albicans). L. zernyi oil showed significant antibacterial activity against S. epidermidis, S. aureus and M. luteus, but lower activities against the other tested strains.

Composition and antimicrobial activity of Marrubium incanum Desr. (Lamiaceae) essential oil.

The essential oil from the aerial parts of Marrubium incanum Desr. (Lamiaceae), obtained by hydrodistillation, was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Forty-six compounds were identified, representing 96.3% of the total oil. The main components of the oil were (E)-caryophyllene (27.0%), germacrene D (26.2%) and bicyclogermacrene (11.5%). The microbial growth inhibitory properties of the isolated essential oil were determined using the agar diffusion and broth microdilution method against seven bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, S. epidermidis ATCC 12228, Micrococcus flavus ATCC 10240, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Klebsiella pneumoniae NCIMB 9111, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853), and two strains of the yeast Candida albicans (ATCC 10259 and ATCC24433). The essential oil showed activity against all the microorganisms tested, but differences in microbial susceptibility were registered.

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from Chaerophyllum aureum L. (Apiaceae).

The essential oils of the aerial parts and fruits of Chaerophyllum aureum L., collected from two mountains in Serbia, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Sabinene (18.5-31.6%), p-cymene (7.9-25.4%) and limonene (1.9-10.9%) were characterized as the main constituents. The oils were tested against six bacterial strains and one strain of yeast, Candida albicans. The highest antimicrobial activity was observed against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and Micrococcus luteus, while of the Gram-negative strains, Escherichia coli was the most sensitive.

Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Achillea collina Becker ex Heimerl s.l. and A. pannonica Scheele essential oils.

The in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of two Achillea millefolium (Adanson) Koch s.l species essential oils (A. collina Becker ex Heimerl s.l. and A. pannonica Scheele, Asteraceae) originating from the Golija and Radan mountains (Serbia) were investigated. The chemical profiles of the essential oils were evaluated by GC-MS. Antioxidant activity was assessed as free radical scavenging capacity (RSC) towards 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radicals, together with effects on lipid peroxidation (LP). Antibacterial activity was examined on 21 bacterial strains. Based on the chemical composition of the essential oil, A. collina s.l. from Mount Golija was classified as a chamazulene chemotype (tetraploid). The high percentage of oxygenated monoterpenes and absence of azulene in the essential oil obtained from A. pannonica from Radan pointing that this population is octaploid. Essential oil of A. pannonica expressed stronger antimicrobial activity on almost all tested bacteria. Furthermore, this essential oil expressed higher scavenging effects on DPPH radical (IC(50) = 0.52 comparing to 0.62 mug/mL). Only in the LP evaluation, essential oil of A. collina s.l. from Golija exhibited stronger antioxidant activity (IC(50) = 0.75 comparing to 2.12 mug/mL).

Screening of some Greek aromatic plants for antioxidant activity.

The role of antioxidants in preventing oxygen radical and hydrogen peroxide induced cytotoxicity and tissue damage in various human diseases is increasingly recognized. In this study the in vitro antioxidant activity of the ethanol extracts obtained from 21 aromatic plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family was investigated. Of the extracts tested, those of Salvia ringens, Salvia pomifera, Stachys spruneri, Origanum dictamnus, Phlomis lanata, Ballota pseudodictamnus, Ballota acetabulosa, Teucrium polium, Calamintha glandulosa and Micromeria graeca exhibited the same activity as alpha-tocopherol.

Antioxidant activity of polyphenols from Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra.

From the aerial parts of Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra (Guttiferae) 3-8"-biapigenin, quercetin, rutin and chlorogenic acid were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by spectral techniques. Furthermore, the phenolic compounds were tested for antioxidant activity, using an in vitro method based on sodium arachidonoate, bleomycin and thiobarbituric acid with alpha-tocopherol as the reference solution.

Composition and antifungal activity on soil-borne pathogens of the essential oil of Salvia sclarea from Greece.

The hydrodistilled essential oils of the aerial parts of wild-growing Salvia sclarea originated from two localities in Greece were analyzed by GC-MS. Sixty-six compounds, representing 93.26-98.19% of the oils, were identified. Linalyl acetate (19.75-31.05%), linalool (18.46-30.43%), geranyl acetate (4.45-12.1%), and alpha-terpineol (5.08-7.56%) were the main components. The antifungal activity of the oil of one locality and of the main components, linalyl acetate and linalool, was evaluated in vitro against three soil-borne pathogens.

Two highly oxygenated eudesmanes and 10 lignans from Achillea holosericea.

Two new highly oxygenated eudesmanes and 10 known lignans were isolated from the aerial parts of Achillea holosericea. Their structures were elucidated by extensive application of one- and two-dimensional 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.