The essential oil composition of aerial parts of Anthemis tricolor Boiss. from Cyprus.

The water-distilled essential oil from the aerial parts of Anthemis tricolor Boiss. (Asteraceae), an endemic taxon from Cyprus, was analysed by GC and GC-MS. The analysis revealed 40 compounds accounting for 84.5% of the oil. Muurola-4,11-diene (20.2%), ß-caryophyllene (9.1%) and germacrene-D (5.5%) were the main compounds of A. tricolor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detailed study of the essential oil composition of A. tricolor collected from Cyprus.

Dietary plant bioactives for poultry health and productivity.

1. Plants and their biologically active chemical constituents, sometimes called secondary metabolites or bioactives, present numerous opportunities for the improvement of livestock production by inclusion in the diet. 2. Many such plant derived materials have well established therapeutic values in man; however, their potential as feed additives in animal production, particularly of poultry, remains largely unexploited. 3. There is increasing evidence indicating that they can be efficient in controlling diseases, and plant bioactives may also influence production parameters such as feed efficiency and product quality. 4. It has been reported that they may even replicate some of the effects of antibiotic growth promoters, which were banned from use in Europe from 2006. 5. This review assesses the status of plant bioactives in poultry production and their mode of action on avian physiology, particularly in the digestive tract.

Effect of absorbent pads containing oregano essential oil on the shelf life extension of overwrap packed chicken drumsticks stored at four degrees Celsius.

The addition of sachets or pads containing volatile antimicrobial agents into packages has been the most successful commercial application of antimicrobials to packaging. In this study, the effect of oregano (Origanum onites) essential oil on the extension of shelf life of overwrap packed fresh chicken drumsticks was investigated. Meat exudate absorbent pads were sprayed with 5 mL of oregano essential oil at a concentration of 1.5% in distillate water. Sampling was carried out at 0, 3, 5, and 7 d of the refrigerated storage. Total viable count, psychrotrophs, pseudomonads, members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts, and lactic acid bacteria were enumerated. Physicochemical analysis and sensorial evaluation were also conducted. The shelf life of fresh chicken drumsticks was approximately 3 d. Oregano essential oil extended product shelf life by approximately 2 d. Thus, incorporation of essential oils to absorbent pads may have supplementary applications in food packaging.

Effects of Origanum onites on endothelial function and serum biochemical markers in hyperlipidaemic patients.

The effects of Origanum onites on endothelial function and antioxidative status were investigated in 48 patients with mild hyperlipidaemia who required no drug therapy. All participants were given lifestyle and low-fat dietary advice, however 32 of the patients (study group) were also prescribed 25 ml of aqueous distillate of Origanum onites to be taken after each meal for 3 months. The remaining 16 patients were the control group. Various biochemical markers and endothelial function parameters were measured at baseline and after 3 months. A significantly greater increase in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and significantly greater decreases in low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein occurred in the study group compared with the control group over the 3-month study period. Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities, and flow- and nitroglycerine-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery showed significantly greater increases in the study group compared with the changes in the control group. In conclusion, consumption of Origanum onites distillate had beneficial effects on lipid profiles, antioxidant status and endothelial function in patients with mild hyperlipidaemia.

Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Centaurea aladagensis.

Composition of the water-distilled oil of the aerial parts of Centaurea aladagensis, endemic in Turkey, was analysed by GC-MS. Hexadecanoic acid (39.3%), caryophyllene oxide (6.6%) and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (4.3%) were found as main constituents in the oil. The oil was tested against 7 human pathogenic microorganisms.

The in vitro pharmacological activities and a chemical investigation of three South African Salvia species.

Salvia species (sage) are well known in folk medicine throughout the world. In South Africa sage is used against fever and digestive disorders. Three closely related South African species (Salvia stenophylla, Salvia repens and Salvia runcinata) were investigated for their anti-oxidant (DPPH assay); anti-inflammatory (5-lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase assays); antimalarial (tritiated hypoxanthine incorporation assay); antimicrobial (disc diffusion and micro-dilution assays) properties and toxicity profile (tetrazolium-based assay). The solvent extracts exhibited anti-oxidant, antimalarial and antibacterial and poor anti-inflammatory properties. The essential oils exhibited anti-inflammatory and antimalarial properties, but displayed poor anti-oxidant and antimicrobial activity. The extract of Salviastenophylla and the essential oil of Salvia runcinata displayed the highest toxicity profile. Overall, Salvia runcinata displayed the most favorable activity of all three taxa tested with an IC(50) value of 6.09 (anti-oxidant); 29.05 (antimalarial) and 22.82 microg/ml (anti-inflammatory). Analytical procedures (GC-MS and HPLC-UV) were employed to generate chromatographic profiles for the essential oils and solvent extracts respectively. The HPLC analysis revealed the presence of rosmarinic acid in all three taxa while carnosic acid was only present in Salvia repens and Salvia stenophylla. The GC-MS analysis showed that oils were qualitatively and quantitatively variable. beta-Caryophyllene was present in large amounts in all three taxa. Other components present include camphor, alpha-pinene and alpha-bisabolol. The results of the in vitro pharmacological activities provide a scientific basis to validate the use of these Salvia species in traditional medicine in South Africa.

The composition, geographical variation and antimicrobial activity of Lippia javanica (Verbenaceae) leaf essential oils.

Lippia javanica is widely distributed throughout South Africa where it is used extensively in traditional herbal preparations. An infusion of the leaves is commonly used as a decongestant for colds and coughs. A preliminary study indicated that the essential oil chemistry varies dramatically both within and between natural plant populations. As the antimicrobial activity may be directly related to the specific composition of the oil, the activity may also fluctuate. The aerial parts of Lippia javanica were collected from various localities in southern Africa to study the essential oil composition and the antimicrobial activity thereof. The hydrodistilled essential oils were analysed by GC/MS and a cluster analysis was performed on the essential oil dataset. From 16 samples (representing five natural populations), 5 chemotypes were identified; a myrcenone rich-type (36-62%), a carvone rich-type (61-73%), a piperitenone rich-type (32-48%), an ipsenone rich-type (42-61%) and a linalool rich-type (>65%). The myrcenone and linalool chemotypes have been mentioned in the literature but the carvone, ipsenone and piperitenone chemotypes have not previously been reported for Lippia javanica. Time kill studies were performed on three microbial respiratory isolates to document the scientific rationale of using Lippia to treat respiratory complaints in traditional herbal medicine. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Cryptococcus neoformans and Bacillus cereus showed reduction in microbial populations with the strongest bacteriostatic effect observed for Klebsiella pneumoniae.

In vitro biological activity and essential oil composition of four indigenous South African Helichrysum species.

Helichrysum species are used widely to treat various medical conditions. In this study, the anti-microbial, anti-oxidant (DPPH assay) and anti-inflammatory activity (5-lipoxygenase assay) of Helichrysum dasyanthum, Helichrysum felinum, Helichrysum excisum and Helichrysum petiolare were investigated. The essential oil compositions of these species were determined. The acetone and methanol extracts as well as the essential oils exhibited activity against Gram-positive bacteria, while both the methanol and acetone extracts of all four species were active in the anti-oxidant assay. The essential oils, on the other hand, displayed activity in the 5-lipoxygenase assay, which was used as an indication of anti-inflammatory activity. Two extracts exhibited promising activity in the anti-microbial assay, the acetone extract of Helichrysum dasyanthum with a MIC value of 15.63 microg/ml and the methanol extract of Helichrysum excisum with a MIC value of 62.5 microg/ml. The acetone extract of Helichrysum dasyanthum was the most active free radical scavenger in the DPPH assay (IC(50) of 9.53 microg/ml) while values for the anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oils ranged between 25 and 32 microg/ml. The essential oil compositions of three species (Helichrysum dasyanthum, Helichrysum excisum and Helichrysum petiolare) were dominated by the presence of monoterpenes such as alpha-pinene, 1,8-cineole and p-cymene. In the oil of Helichrysum felinum, monoterpenes were largely absent. Its profile consisted of a variety of sesquiterpenes in low concentrations with beta-caryophyllene dominating.

Inhibition of DNA synthesis by carvacrol in mouse myoblast cells bearing a human N-RAS oncogene.

Monoterpenes are dietary components found in the essential oils of a wide variety of plants. A number of these monoterpenes have antitumor activity. We have investigated the effects of carvacrol obtained by fractional distillation of Origanum onites L. essential oil, on DNA synthesis of N-ras transformed myoblast cells, CO25. Incubation of the cells with different doses of carvacrol prevented DNA synthesis in the growth medium and ras-activating medium, which contains dexamethasone. This result demonstrates that carvacrol inhibits growth of myoblast cells even after activation of mutated N-ras oncogene, suggesting the possibility that carvacrol may find application in cancer therapy.

Composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oils from Satureja wiedemanniana (Lallem.) Velen.

Satureja wiedemanniana (Lallem.) Velen (Lamiaceae) is an endemic species of Turkey. Aerial parts of the plant collected from eleven different localities in Turkey were subjected to hydrodistillation to yield essential oils which were analysed by a GC/MS system. Carvacrol, thymol, p-cymene and gamma-terpinene were found as the main constituents. Antibacterial evaluation of the oils was also carried out.

Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of Micromeria cristata subsp. phrygia and the enantiomeric distribution of borneol.

Water-distilled essential oils from herbal parts of Micromeria cristata (Hampe) Griseb. subsp. phrygia P. H. Davis (Endemic) (Lamiaceae) collected from three different localities were analyzed by GC-MS. The major component characterized in the three oils was borneol (27-39%). Other main components were determined as camphor (9-15%), caryophyllene oxide (4-6%), and trans-verbenol (4-6%) in the oils. Enantiomeric distributions of borneol and camphor in the oils were determined on a fused silica Lipodex-E capillary column using a multidimensional GC-MS system. The three essential oils and both enantiomers of borneol have been evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. They showed inhibitory effects on Gr (-) and Gr (+) pathogenic microorganisms.

Screening of biotransformation products of carvone enantiomers by headspace-SPME/GC-MS.

In the course of our continuing work on transformation of monoterpenes by microorganisms, the biotransformation of (+)- and (-)-carvone was carried out. The metabolites formed during microbial transformations were screened using a simple, rapid and efficient technique: Headspace-solid phase microextraction (SPME)/GC-MS. The results as well as the application of this technique are described.

Antibacterial activity and chemical composition of Turkish propolis.

The antibacterial activities of propolis samples have been examined in vitro, according to the principles accepted for the determination of a similar activity of antibiotics with the use of solid and liquid media. It has been found that propolis extracts showed antibacterial activity through a range of commonly encountered gram positive cocci (S. aureus, beta hem. Streptococus), but had weak activity against gram negative bacteria (E. coli, P. aeruginosa). GC/MS analysis showed that propolis samples contain a variety of chemical compounds including aromatic compounds, fatty acid esters and sesquiterpenes.

A new bisabolene derivative from the essential oil of Prangos uechtritzii fruits.

The fruits of endemic Prangos uechtritzii Boiss. & Hausskn. (Umbelliferae) were subjected to hydrodistillation and microdistillation. The resulting volatiles were investigated by GC-MS to determine the composition of the essential oils. 109 compounds representing 86.7% and thirty-two compounds representing 90.0% were identified and isolated by two different techniques, respectively. Column chromatography of the essential oil yielded a new bisabolene ether (7-epi-1,2-dehydrosesquicineole), which was characterized by spectral methods (GC-FTIR, 1D-, 2D NMR and HRESIMS).

New caryophyllene derivatives from Betula litwinowii.

Four new caryophyllene derivatives-14-hydroxy-4, 5-dihydro-beta-caryophyllene (1), 14-acetoxy-4, 5-dihydro-beta-caryophyllene (2), 4, 5-dihydro-beta-caryophyllene-14-al (3), and caryophylla-8(14)-en-5-one (4)-are reported from the essential oil of Betula litwinowii. Compounds 1-4 were characterized by MS and 1D and 2D NMR analyses and chemical transformations. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of 1 is also reported.

Betulenols from Betula species.

The essential oils from buds of five Betula species growing in Turkey were investigated by GC-MS. A major component in the essential oils was shown to be 14-hydroxy-beta-caryophyllene (6). The structure of beta-betulenal (12) which was isolated from Betula essential oils was also confirmed by synthesis. Chemical reactions yielded 14-acetoxy-beta-caryophyllene (15), 14-hydroxy-isocaryophyllene (10) and its acetate (14), giving evidence to the natural occurrence in Betula species of the formerly known alpha-betulenol acetate (3), beta-betulenol (2) and beta-betulenol acetate (4), respectively. Compounds 6, 9, 10, 12, and 15 were evaluated for antimicrobial activity.

Triterpenoid saponins from Bongardia chrysogonum.

Two new triterpenoid saponins, 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alph a-L-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin (1) and 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alph a-L-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin 28-O-[beta-L-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-L-glucopyranosyl] ester (2), together with five known saponins, were isolated from an ethanolic extract of the tubers of Bongardia chrysogonum. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined on the basis of spectroscopic studies.

Antimicrobial activities of Ferulago essential oils.

Essential oils from Ferulago asparagifolia Boiss., F. galbanifera (Miller) W. Koch, F. humilis Boiss. (Endemic), F. trachycarpa Boiss. growing in Turkey were evaluated against 15 microorganisms for their antifungal and antibacterial activity using an agar tube dilution and microdilution broth susceptibility assay, respectively. The essential oil compositions were investigated by GC/MS. Inhibitory effects against Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Candida albicans, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium moniliforme were remarkable. Results are discussed in comparison with the chemical composition of the essential oils.

Essential oils of annual sideritis species growing in Turkey.

Water distilled essential oils of five annual Sideritis species collected from different regions of Turkey were analysed by GC/MS. Results are tabulated and compared with main components of the essential oils of perennial Sideritis species from Turkey.

Analgesic activity of Nepeta italica L.

A screening study was performed on/by essential oils of Nepeta viscida Boiss and Nepeta italica L. using tail-flick and tail immersion (52.5 degrees C) methods. N. italica samples were collected from three different localities of Turkey. Surprisingly, only one of the essential oils showed significant activity, which was blocked by naloxone, indicating the involvement of opioid receptors. This was seen only with the mechanical but not the thermal algesic stimulus, suggesting a specific activity on opioid receptors, excluding mu receptors. The same, active essential oil also exhibited a non-competitive inhibition of acetylcholine contractions of isolated rat ileum but it was inactive on the isolated rat aorta. Furthermore, a correlation between the analgesic activity and the amount of 1,8-cineole was noticed.