Validation of Broth Macrodilution Volatilization Method for Testing of Essential Oils in Liquid and Vapor Phase: Chemical Composition, Cytotoxicity, and Antibacterial Effect of Indian Medicinal Plants against Pneumonia-Causing Pathogens.

Essential oils (EOs) have great potential in inhalation therapy for the treatment of respiratory infections. However, innovative methods for evaluation of antimicrobial activity of their vapors are still needed. The current study reports validation of the broth macrodilution volatilization method for assessment of the antibacterial properties of EOs and shows the growth-inhibitory effect of Indian medicinal plants against pneumonia-causing bacteria in liquid and vapor phase. Among all samples tested, Trachyspermum ammi EO exhibits the strongest antibacterial effect against Haemophilus influenzae, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 128 and 256 µg/mL in the liquid and vapor phases, respectively. Furthermore, Cyperus scariosus EO is found to be nontoxic to normal lung fibroblasts assessed by modified thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay. Chemical analysis performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified α-citral, cyperotundone, and thymol as the main constituents of Cymbopogon citratus, C. scariosus, and T. ammi EOs, respectively. In addition, ß-cymene is identified as the major compound of T. ammi EO vapors when analyzed using solid-phase microextraction and gas-tight syringe sampling techniques. This study demonstrates the validity of the broth macrodilution volatilization method for antimicrobial screening of volatile compounds in the vapor phase and suggests the therapeutic potential of Indian medicinal plants in inhalation therapy.

Antibacterial Activity of Thymus vulgaris L. Essential Oil Vapours and Their GC/MS Analysis Using Solid-Phase Microextraction and Syringe Headspace Sampling Techniques.

While the inhalation of Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil (EO) is commonly approved for the treatment of mild respiratory infections, there is still a lack of data regarding the antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of its vapours. The antibacterial activity of the three T. vulgaris EOs against respiratory pathogens, including Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes, was assessed in both liquid and vapour phases using the broth microdilution volatilisation (BMV) method. With the aim of optimising a protocol for the characterisation of EO vapours, their chemical profiles were determined using two headspace sampling techniques coupled with GC/MS: solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and syringe headspace sampling technique (HS-GTS). All EO sample vapours exhibited antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 512 to 1024 µg/mL. According to the sampling technique used, results showed a different distribution of volatile compounds. Notably, thymol was found in lower amounts in the headspace-peak percentage areas below 5.27% (HS-SPME) and 0.60% (HS-GTS)-than in EOs (max. 48.65%), suggesting that its antimicrobial effect is higher in vapour. Furthermore, both headspace sampling techniques were proved to be complementary for the analysis of EO vapours, whereas HS-SPME yielded more accurate qualitative results and HS-GTS proved a better technique for quantitative analysis.

Uso de plantas medicinales por la comunidad boliviana en el área metropolitana de Barcelona / Uso de plantas medicinais pela comunidade boliviana na área metropolitana de Barcelona / Use of medicinal plants by the Bolivian community in the Metropolitan Region of Barcelona

Las condiciones de vida que los inmigrantes de Sudamérica encuentran en España influye en sus prácticas para el cuidado de la salud. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron documentar la etnofarmacopea de los inmigrantes bolivianos en Barcelona y comprender sus pautas de comportamiento en relación con la necesidad de atención sanitaria. Para recabar información, tanto cualitativa como cuantitativa, se utilizaron cuestionarios y listados libres, asi como entrevistas semi-estructuradas y no estructuradas. Adicionalmente, se recogieron y documentaron todas las plantas medicinales y productos citados disponibles. A partir de entrevistas con 51 informantes, se registró un total de 60 remedios vegetales (115 citas de uso), con un total de 77 usos. Es común el pluralismo medicinal: los informantes utilizaban tanto los remedios vegetales en automedicación como la consultas con médicos de familia del sistema nacional de salud español. Los remedios vegetales culturalmente más relevantes incluyen infusiones de manzanilla (Matricaria recutita L.) y de hoja de coca (Erythroxylum coca Lam.) y Mentisan©, un ungiiento mentolado. A pesar de ser una muestra relativamente pequeña, este primer estudio sobre el uso de plantas medicinales por inmigrantes en España claramente indica que la comunidad boliviana sigue siendo fiel a sus tradiciones médicas (AU)

As condicoes de vida que os imigrantes da América do Sul encontram em Espanha influencia as suas práticas de cuidados de saúdo. Os objetivos deste estudo foram documentar a etnofarmacopeia do imigrantos bolivianos em Barcelona o entender sous padroes do comportamento em rolaçáo a necessidade de cuidados de saúdo. Para rocolhor informacoes, tanto qualitativas como quantitativas, foram utilizados questionários o listas livros, o entrevistas semi-estruturadas e nao estruturadas. Alem disso, recolhoram-se o documentaram-so todas as plantas medicinais o produtos citados disponíveis. A partir de entrevistas com 51 participantes, foram registados um total de 60 romádios vegetais (115 citacoes de uso), com um total de 77 usos. O pluralismo médico e comum: os informantes tanto usam remédios a base de plantas na auto-modicaçáo como consultas com médicos de familia do sistema nacional de saúde espanhol. Osremédios a base de plantas culturalmente mais relevantes incluem infusoes do camomila (Matricaria recutita L.) o de coca (Erythroxylum coca Lam.) o Mentisan©, um unguento mentolado. A pesar de ser uma amostra relativamente pequena, este primeiro estudo sobre o uso de plantas medicinais por imigrantes em Espanha indica claramente que a comunidade boliviana permanece fiel as suas tradicoes médicas (AU)

Living conditions that South American migrant communities encounter in Spain have an influence on their health care practices. The aims of this study are both to determine Bolivian migrants' ethnopharmacopeia in Barcelona and to understand the health-seeking strategies. Questionnaires and free-listings as well as semi-structured and unstructured interviews were used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data during the field work. Moreover, all accessible medicinal plants and herbal products mentioned were both collected and documented. As a result and on the basis of interviews with 51 informants, a total of sixty herbal remedies (115 use reports) were recorded used to treat with a total of 77 uses. Medical pluralism is common: informants used both plant remedies in self—medication and consultations with family doctors of the Spanish health care system. The most culturally salient plant remedies included chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) infusion, infusion of coca leaf (Erythroxylum coca Lam.) and Mentisan©, a mentholated ointment. Despite of a relatively small sample size, this first study on immigrant medicinal plant use in Spain clearly shows that the Bolivian community in Barcelona remains loyal to their medical traditions (AU)