Antioxidant and scavenging capacity of Anacamptis pyrimidalis L.--pyrimidal orchid from Vojvodina.

In the present study we investigated the antioxidative properties of flowers and aboveground part of Anacamptis pyrimidalis L. from Vojvodina. Activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and glutathione peroxidase), quantities of malonyldialdehyde, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals and reduced glutathione and also the contents of chlorophylls a and b, carotenoids and soluble proteins were determined. Lipofuscin 'plant age pigments', total antioxidant capacity and scavenging activity were also determined. Our results indicated that the aboveground part of the plant exhibited higher antioxidant activity due to low MDA and lipofuscin pigment accumulation (2.82 nmol/mg protein; 92.90%), higher scavenging activity (54.16%) and antioxidant capacity (432.00 micromol Fe(2+)/dm(3)).

Contact sensitivity in patients with psoriasis in Vojvodina.

BACKGROUND: Immunologic studies indicate that psoriasis may represent an organ-integrated response. OBJECTIVE: We assessed contact hypersensitivity in plaque-type psoriasis, its frequency, etiology and association with severity of psoriasis. METHODS: Contact hypersensitivity was defined as a positive patch test (PT) to at least one of 44 ubiquitous contact allergens. Patients with exclusively plaque psoriasis and control groups (patients with allergic contact or extrinsic atopic dermatitis and healthy persons) were tested with the European standard series; plant-related standard allergens; Compositae allergens, and our own extracts from Compositae plants ubiquitous in Vojvodina. Sensitization rates to allergens were standardized for age and sex, and rates in women and in men were both standardized for age. Disease severity was evaluated using the Psoriasis Area Severity Index score. RESULTS: 15,123 PTs were performed. Among psoriatic patients in Vojvodina, the overall rate of sensitivity, standardized for age and sex, was 18.9%. Rates in women (27.7%) and men (5.8%), both standardized for age, were significantly different. Male psoriatic patients reacted less than healthy males, the difference being on the margin of significance. There was no relationship between severity of disease and PT reactivity. Yarrow extract, nickel and a Compositae mix were the most common allergens that produced positive reactions. CONCLUSION: Although patch testing in psoriatic patients can be quite challenging, time-consuming and difficult, it will provide further insight into the pathophysiology of psoriasis. Factors other than different exposure to allergens may also be responsible for a sex-related difference in contact sensitivity. Future studies should focus on this field.

Chemical composition of essential oil and leaf anatomy of Salvia bertolonii Vis. and Salvia pratensis L. (Sect. Plethiosphace, Lamiaceae).

The taxonomical relationship between Salvia pratensis and S. bertolonii has been unclear for a long time. Salvia bertolonii has alternatively been considered a synonym, a subspecies, a problematic subspecies and a form of Salvia pratensis. However, both these two species are sometimes used in traditional medicine instead of sage (Salvia officinalis) or as an adulteration for the same drug. In order to confirm the status of S. bertolonii, together with the potential identification characteristics for differentiation from sage, both taxa were analyzed through the analysis of their essential oils, together with the micromorphological characteristics of the leaf surface and the anatomy and morphology of the leaves. The obtained results show that there are clear differences in the quantity of essential oil (0.073% for S. pratensis and 0.0016% for S. berolonii). The major compound in the essential oil of S. pratensis was E-caryophyllene (26.4%) while in S. berolonii essential oil caryophyllene oxide was the major component (35.1%). The micromorphological differences are also pronounced in the leaf indumentum (density and distribution of certain types of non-glandular and glandular trichomes). Clear distinction between the investigated Salvia species is also observed in the leaf anatomy (in S. pratensis leaves are thinner, palisade tissue is made of 1-2 layers of cells, and leaves of S. bertolonii are characterized by 2-3 layers of palisade tissue cells, and consequently thicker).

[Is Vojvodina a risk area for contact weed allergies?].

INTRODUCTION: After detecting erythema multiforme due to contact with weeds, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale, Compositae) and common chickweed (Stellaria media, Caryophyllaceae), which are ubiquitous plants in Vojvodina, and concerning properties of commercial screening allergens in detection of allergy to plants, we investigated contact allergy to dandelion and to common chickweed, using their extracts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Epicutaneous tests were performed using originally prepared ether extracts of these plants, 0.1% and 3% pet., in 263 individuals: 43 with extrinsic atopic dermatitis, 55 with allergic contact dermatitis, 118 with non-allergic chronic inflammatory skin diseases and 47 healthy adults. RESULTS: Our results have shown that testing with both extracts (both concentrations) represents a safe method, since no irritation or sensibilization occurred. The overall prevalence of allergy to dandelion extract was 1.14%, and for common chickweed extract 2.28%. DISCUSSION: Plant allergies (especially Compositae) cannot always be detected by standard screening allergens. Additional testing with dandelion extract can detect most cases, which is in agreement with our results. Isolation of essential oil from common chickweed proved the allergenic potential of this plant. The prevalence of detected allergy to dandelion as well as to common chickweed was higher than 1%. CONCLUSION: These ubiquitous weeds and high prevalence of detected allergies have included Vojvodina into a risk zone for getting contact sensitivity to dandelion and common chickweed. Dandelion extract should be considered for Compositae screening series and common chickweed extract for specific plant series in Vojvodina.