Antioxidant and antiinflammatory effect of Epilobium parviflorum Schreb.

Epilobium parviflorum Schreb. (Onagraceae) is used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but its biological action is not entirely identified. This paper aims to report data on E. parviflorum with respect to its antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. The aqueous acetone extract of E. parviflorum showed higher antioxidant effect in the DPPH assay than well known antioxidants and inhibited the lipid peroxidation determined by the TBA assay (IC(50) = 2.37 +/- 0.12 mg/mL). In concentrations of 0.2-15.0 microg/mL the extract possessed a protective effect, comparable to catalase (250 IU/mL), against oxidative damage, generated in fibroblast cells. In the COX inhibition assay E. parviflorum decreased the PGE(2) release, so showing inhibition of the COX-enzyme (IC(50) = 1.4 +/- 0.1 microg/mL).

Analysis of polar antioxidants in Heartsease (Viola tricolor L.) and Garden pansy (Viola x wittrockiana Gams.).

Heartsease (Viola tricolor L.) is a well-known medicinal plant. Its biological activities are supposed to be related to its antioxidant capacity. Garden pansies (Viola x wittrockiana Gams.) have been crossbred from heartsease and are applied as ornamental plants only. In this study, the mother and the daughter species are compared from a phytochemical point of view. Their flavonoid and anthocyanidin contents are determined by spectroscopic methods recommended by the European Pharmacopoeia 5.0. The compositions of the samples (heartsease and garden pansy varietas of several petal color) are analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection and their antioxidant capacity is determined by trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay. Our results suggest that garden pansy, especially its flower, is a promising source of natural antioxidants. In addition, a significant correlation is found between the flavonoid content and antioxidant activity.

Quantitative and qualitative investigation of the main flavonoids in heartsease (Viola tricolor L.).

Liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MSn) is used for the analysis of flavonoids in heartsease (Viola tricolor L.). Our data suggested that the two main flavonoid components were violanthin (6-C-glucosyl-8-C-rhamnosyl apigenin) and rutin (3-O-rutinosyl quercetin). The identification of rutin was confirmed by comparing its retention time, UV spectrum, molecular mass, and fragmentation pattern with the reference standard. In this paper, we also report on the quantitative analysis of rutin by high-performance liquid chromatography. According to our results, heartsease herb contained 420+/-1.17 microg/g rutin.

Herbal remedies of Solidago--correlation of phytochemical characteristics and antioxidative properties.

In this study the correlation of phytochemical characteristics and antioxidative properties of classical herbal tea extracts-Infusum solidaginis, Decoctum solidaginis, Maceratum solidaginis-and tinctures prepared by various concentration of ethanol (40, 70, 96% v/v) have been examined for the release of flavonoids and their antioxidant activity. Quantitative and composition determination of flavonoids were carried out by spectrophotometry, high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis, respectively. Hydrogen-donating ability and reducing power properties were used to define in vitro radical scavenging activity of Solidago extracts, but integral antioxidative capacity was determined by luminometry (Photochem), calculating the ascorbic acid equivalents. Chlorogenic acid, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-rutinoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-rhamnoside, kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside and quercetin were confirmed by retention times and UV spectra. Based on the dissolution rate, variance of flavonoid release and ascorbic acid equivalents it was concluded, that Tinctura solidaginis (70% v/v ethanol) and Infusum solidaginis are the most appropriate preparations.

[Efficiency of supercritical fluid extraction for the production of non-volatile terpenoids from Taraxaci radix]. / Szuperkritikus extrakció hatékonysága a Taraxaci radix nem illó növényi terpenoidjainak elóállítására.

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is an extraction technique which exploits the solvent properties of fluids above their critical point. As a result supercritical fluid extraction was used to gain various active substances from plants. The use of SFE to obtain bioactive substances from medicinal plants over the past twenty years has been proved to be a viable alternative for the extraction of natural compounds. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Wiggers et Webers, Asteraceae) is one of the best known European medicinal plants, not only as a traditional medicine but perspective raw material for modern phytopharmaceuticals. From the characteristic principles our attention has been directed to triterpenes and phytosterols with anti-inflammatory activity, which were extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide. Designed experiments were carried out to determine the optimal extraction parameters. The products obtained by supercritical fluids extraction were compared to extracts prepared by traditional extraction method (Soxhlet) with n-hexane and ethyl alcohol solvents. The content of triterpenes and sterols was monitored after saponification by thin layer chromatography-densitometry. The products gained by supercritical fluid extraction were different from the traditional ones both in their appearance and composition. Triterpenes and their esters were extracted quantitatively by supercritical fluid extraction using CO2 as solvent and the extraction dynamic for triterpenes and phytosterols was different. Triterpenes had a higher concentration in the SFE product then in the extracts prepared by traditional methods.

In vitro antioxidant properties of Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench.

The choleretic, hepatoprotective and detoxifying activities of the inflorescence of Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench (everlasting, immortelle: Asteraceae-Helichrysi flos syn. Stoechados flos) have been known for a long time from herbal medicine in Hungary. Antioxidant properties of its main phenolics, flavonoids, are supposed to be responsible for these effects. The aim of this study is to verify the antioxidant properties of the lyophilized water extracts from inflorescences, and to define the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents in Helichrysi flos water extracts as well as in lyophilized water extracts. The hydrogen-donating ability and the reducing power property of the lyophilizates were determined spectrophotometrically; their OH&z.rad; scavenging activity was measured, in the H(2)O(2)/OH&z.rad;-luminol-microperoxidase system, by a chemiluminometric method. Results were compared with the activity of the flavonoid silibinin, the main agent of the well-known milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.).

Membrane stabilising effects of natural polyphenols and flavonoids from Sempervivum tectorum on hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidase system in hyperlipidemic rats.

The extensive role of the microsomal mixed-function oxidase (MFO) system in the oxidation of endo-and xenobiotics, in the detoxication, in the generation of reactive free radicals and in the decomposition of the end products of lipid peroxides is well documented in the literature. Steatotic liver is a very frequent damage with different etiology. Drug metabolising reactions are suppressed in fatty liver, in which pathologically increased production of reactive oxygen intermediates may lead to the peroxidation of microsomal membrane lipids and to the change of membrane bound enzyme activities because of overwhelmed protective mechanisms. The subnormal activity of the MFO system may diminish the non specific resistance of the organism. Therefore we have studied the effects of natural flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds on the mixed-function oxidases. Antioxidant, O(2)(-&z.rad;) and &z. rad;OH scavenger properties of Sempervivum tectorum extract (STF1) were proved by EPR spectroscopic and chemiluminometric techniques. Potential bioactive constituents were determined by chromatography (HPLC, TLC) and spectrometric (UV, UV-VIS) methods. In the present study we reflect on the membrane stabilising, antioxidant and lipid metabolism modifying effects of this extract. It was established that activities of NAD(P)H reductase and content of cytochrome P450 were normalised in liver microsomes of hyperlipidemic rats, if the animals were treated with STF1 (2 g/bwkg for 9 days in drinking water parallel with fat-rich diet feeding). Fatty acid composition, examined by HRGLC analysis, was changed beneficially. NADPH induced lipid peroxidation was also decreased in microsomes in in vivo and in vitro experiments. At the same time the STF1 had no significant influence on MFO system in normolipidemic animals and on cytochrome b5 concentration of microsome fractions of hyperlipidemic rats.

Free radical scavenging and membrane protective effects of methanol extracts from Anthriscus cerefolium L. (Hoffm.) and Petroselinum crispum(Mill.) nym. ex A.W. Hill.

The antilipoperoxidant activity of Anthriscus cerefolium L. (Hoffm.), chervil, Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nym. ex A. W. Hill., parsley extracts were evaluated with ascorbic acid induced lipid peroxidation on rat brain homogenates. These results are completed by the antiradical potential of these extracts against a solution of OH. radical. In all cases luteolin-7-O-glucoside was used as a reference material.

In vitro antioxidant activity of Anthriscus cerefolium L. (Hoffm.) extracts.

Standardised aqueous extracts of chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium L. Hoffm.) (Apiacae) were investigated for antioxidant effect. Numerous in vitro test methods were used to determine whether the extracts, from different vegetative parts (root, herb) had H-donor, metal binding, reductive, free radical scavenging and membrane protective activity. Apiin was used as a reference material. The herb extract showed better activity in all experiments than the root extract. The present results underline that the wateric chervil extracts have antioxidant and anti-lipoperoxidant activity.

The in vitro effect of dandelions antioxidants on microsomal lipid peroxidation.

Dandelions have long been used in herbal medicine for their choleretic, diuretic, antiinflammatory, appetite-stimulating and laxative properties. An antioxidant property can be supposed as a basis of their-therapeutic effects. To understand the mechanism of the drug's action, the effects of natural extracts on a microsomal fraction of rat liver were examined. The extracts diminished the enzymatically induced-lipid peroxidation and reduced the cytochrome c with and without NADPH in a concentration dependent manner.

Biologically active compounds of Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench.

The biologically important components of Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench are the flavonoids, which may have choleretic, hepatoprotective and antimicrobial properties. During our study, we examined the flavonoids present in the lyophilizate of the inflorescence of Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench (Helichrysi flos, syn. Stoechados flos) and in the tea made from the inflorescence via qualitative and quantitative analysis, and determined the flavonoid content. We examined the properties of the lyophilizate antioxidant, and measured the H-donor activity, reducing power property and total scavenger capacity via spectrophotometric and chemiluminescent methods. We compared the results with those of the agent present in milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.), the silibinin flavonoid. Regarding the H-donor activity, our lyophilizate was determined to be more effective than the silibinin at the same amounts; on the other hand, its reducing power property and total scavenger capacity was lower than that of silibinin. The flavonoid content, which is responsible for the lyophilizate effect, was found to be 0.47% according to our measurements; it is, therefore, possible that an extract with such a concentration of flavonoids may be of therapeutic benefit.

[Phytochemical evaluation of essential oils, medicinal plants and their preparations]. / Illóolajok, illóolajtartalmú gyógynövények és készítményeik fitokémiai értékelése.

A surway is presented on the authors' work in the field of volatile oil research. The gas chromatographic method previously used for analysis of essential oils was transformed to capillary gas chromatographic conditions. The method is also suitable for separation of compound-pairs frequently occurring in essential oils (peppermint, rosemary, lavender, sage, clary sage, thyme oils). Beside the gas chromatographic analysis of essential oils, which was necessary for their standardization and qualification, the influence of different extraction methods and some biological facts e.g. the ontogenesis on the change of essential oil composition are also discussed. It has been established that the water steam distillation from acidic medium can be more advantageous than the traditional one, if the volatile terpene derivatives were bound in form of glycosides or dimeric quajazolide lactons were present in plant (oregano, Sideritis, wormwood oils). Comparing the composition of essential oil obtained by water steam distillation and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) it was found that the SFE fractions are richer in ester constituents because the possibility of hydrolysis is reduced, and the oils are more valuable than the classic oils. On the other hand, when the transformation processes are important (chamomile), the distillation is the better method. The change of essential oil composition of Ocimum basilicum L. and Anthriscus cerefolium L. was also studied during the vegetation period. It has been established that in budding and early flowering stages the basil oil was rich in monoterpenes; the quantity of sesquiterpenes and phenylpropane derivatives increased only in later stadiums. Finally the extraction and analytical processes are discussed which are used for standardization of complex plant preparations which contained essential oil as active agent and represented various medicinal forms.

[Investigation of the in vitro antioxidant effect of Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nym. ex A. W. Hill]. / A Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nym. ex A. W. Hill. in vitro antioxidáns hatásának vizsgálata.

Free radical reactions have excited excessive research in the past two decades. Since then it has been proven that these mechanisms may be important in the pathogenesis of certain diseases and aging. Many synthetic antioxidant components have shown toxic and/or mutagenic effects, which have directed most of the attention on the naturally occurring antioxidants. Their use has mainly centered around prevention, and the maintenance of health. Parsley, Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nym. ex A. W. Hill belonging to the Apiaceae family, is a well-known spice and vegetable. Its herb and root are widely known for their effects on digestion, stomach, kidney, blood, and liver. The essential oil obtained from the fruit has also strong action on the central nervous system. Characteristic constituents are: flavonoids (apiin, luteolin-, apigenin-glycosides), essential oil (apiol, miriszticin), cumarines, (bergapten, imperatorin) and vitamin C. In our experimental work, various extracts prepared from different vegetative organs of parsley have been investigated. The chemical composition of the extracts and fractions were analyzed by chromatographic (GC, HPLC) and spectroscopic (UV, UV-VIS) techniques. We intended to provide evidence for the antioxidant activity of vegetable drugs and also studied the free radical scavenger activities by means of spectrophotometry (H-donor activity, reducing capability, chelat formation) and chemiluminometry. To prove the free radical scavenging effect of the extracts, the reduced intensity of the H2O2/.OH-isoluminol, microperoxidase system was studied in vitro. The highest correlation was found between the chemical property and the antioxidant effect of the flavonoid rich samples. At the same time it was also observed that the essential oil plays a significant role in the scavenging effect as well. More experiments are in progress to study the most promising compounds in the vegetative and generative organs of parsley.

[Determination of 23 elements in lady's thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertner)]. / A máriatövis (Silybum marianum L. Gaertner) elemtartami vizsgálatai.

23 elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, Pb, S, Ti, V, Zn) were measured in lady's thistle (Silybum marianum L.) herba and fructus by ICP-AES technique after digestion in teflon vessels. This is the first report about the content of these elements in the plant originated from Hungary. This measurements is important in view of plant physiology and pharmacology. Significant amounts of aluminium and iron were measured in lady's thistle herba. In the course of tea making, the relative concentration of some elements decreases because of the poor solubility of the compounds of these elements. The low concentration of these elements in teas in favourable in pharmacological aspect. No significant differences were found in boron, calcium, potassium and magnesium concentrations of lady's thistle fructus samples of different origin.

[Spectrophotometric and chromatographic investigation of bilberry anthocyanins for qualification purposes]. / A fekete áfonya termés antociánjainak spektrofotometriás és kromatográfiás vizsgálata minösítés céljából.

Analysis of the bilberry anthocyanin extracts of different origin (French, Polish, Roumanian and Italian) was performed for qualification and identification. Direct spectrophotometry was considered as simple, informative method for controlling the purity of the extracts and proving the presence of polyphenols with the estimation of the ratio A1 cm1% 535/A1 cm1% 280. Thin-layer chromatography is an appropriate technique for the separation of 5 to 6 constituents in the extracts for qualification and for the evaluation of compound-ratios by TLC-densitometry. The new RP-HPLC gradient procedure seemed to be the best method for the standardization of bilberry extracts by the separation and quantitative estimation of 12 anthocyanins. Therefore it is of great value in the standardization of anthocyanin extracts and crude drugs containing them.