Malaysian brown macroalga Padina australis mitigates lipopolysaccharide-stimulated neuroinflammation in BV2 microglial cells.

Objectives: Neuroinflammation and microglial activation are pathological features in central nervous system disorders. Excess levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in exacerbation of neuronal damage during chronic activation of microglial cells. Padina australis, a brown macroalga, has been demonstrated to have various pharmacological properties such as anti-neuroinflammatory activity. However, the underlying mechanism mediating the anti-neuroinflammatory potential of P. australis remains poorly understood. We explored the use of Malaysian P. australis in attenuating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated neuroinflammation in BV2 microglial cells. Materials and Methods: Fresh specimens of P. australis were freeze-dried and subjected to ethanol extraction. The ethanol extract (PAEE) was evaluated for its protective effects against 1 µg/ml LPS-stimulated neuroinflammation in BV2 microglial cells. Results: LPS reduced the viability of BV2 microglia cells and increased the levels of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). However, the neuroinflammatory response was reversed by 0.5-2.0 mg/ml PAEE in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) of PAEE subfractions revealed five compounds; methyl α-eleostearate, ethyl α-eleostearate, niacinamide, stearamide, and linoleic acid. Conclusion: The protective effects of PAEE against LPS-stimulated neuroinflammation in BV2 microglial cells were found to be mediated by the suppression of excess levels of intracellular ROS and pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, denoting the protective role of P. australis in combating continuous neuroinflammation. Our findings support the use of P. australis as a possible therapeutic for neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.

Essential Oil Compositions and Antimicrobial Activities of Thymbra spicata L. var. spicata L., Lavandula X Intermedia Emeric ex Loisel., Satureja macrantha C. A. MEYER and Rosmarinus officinalis L

Abstract Medicinal and aromatic plants have been widely using in folk medicine as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive agents. The aim of this study was to determine essential oil composition and antimicrobial activity of T. spicata, L. X Intermedia, S. macrantha and R. officinalis. Essential oil components of these plants were obtained by water vapor distillation method using Neo-Clevenger apparatus. Essential oil components were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The main components of these plants are carvacrol (74.26 %) and γ-terpinene (10.28%) in T. spicata, 1,8-cineol (32.48%), linalool (24.38%) and camphor (14.73%) in L. X Intermedia, p-cymene (56.70%), carvacrol (10.96 %) in S. macrantha and camphor (18.26 %), α-pinene (15.51%), 1,8-cineole (11.86%) and borneol (10.39%) in R. officinalis were determined. T. spicata and S. macrantha showed strong effects against three microorganisms. L. X Intermedia and R. officinalis showed strong activity against Candida albicans, while they had moderate effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli.

Morphological and metabolomics impact of sublethal doses of natural compounds and its nanoemulsions in Bacillus cereus.

Microbiological safety in food industry are always a concern regarding sublethal tolerance in bacteria for common and natural sanitizers. Natural bacteriocins, such as nisin (NIS), may negatively interfere in the efficiency of major compounds of essential oils against foodborne pathogenic bacteria. However, nanoemulsioned forms increase the bactericidal potential of natural compounds acting synergistically. In this study, cinnamaldehyde (CIN), citral (CIT), and linalool (LIN) were evaluated independently, associated with NIS, and in nanoemulsions (NEs) against Bacillus cereus using untargeted-metabolomics. Results revealed morphological changes in the structure of B. cereus treated with NEs of CIN and CIT, both NIS-associated. In addition, sensibility tests and UHPLC-QTOF-MS analyses indicated that NIS might react together with CIT reducing the bactericidal efficiency, while the nanoemulsion of CIT effect was enhanced by NIS in nanoemulsioned forms. This study highlights the importance of prudent administration of natural compounds as antimicrobial agents to prevent sublethal tolerance in pathogenic bacteria.

Activity of essential oils of Lippia alba chemotypes and their major monoterpenes against phytopathogenic fungi / Atividade dos óleos essenciais de quimiotipos de Lippia alba e seus monoterpenos majoritários sob fungos fitopatogênicos

This work aimed to evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of the essential oils of L. alba belonging to the carvone chemotype (LA-13 and LA-57) and the citral chemotype (LA-10, LA-29, and LA-44); the carvone enantiomers (R)-(-)-carvone and (S)-(+)-carvone; and citral on phytopathogenic fungi Lasiodiplodia theobromae (LT), Fusarium pallidoroseum (FP) and Fusarium solani (FS). Concentrations of 0.01; 0.05; 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.5 and 1.0 mL/100 mL were tested, and the percentage of mycelial growth inhibition (MGI) was calculated after 96h in relation to the control. Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) and Minimal Fungicide Concentrations (MFC) were obtained for essential oils and compounds. From the concentration of 0.2 mL/100 mL, all the accessions and carvone enantiomers were effective against the fungus LT, except the accession LA-44, for which the maximum inhibition occurred from the concentration of 0.3 mL/100 mL. Citral was the most effective compound against LT, with 100% of MGI from the concentration of 0.05 mL /100 mL. All accessions and enantiomers caused 100% of MGI against FP fungus from the concentration of 0.2 mL/100 mL. Once again, citral stood out by providing the same result as the other treatments from the concentration of 0.1 mL/100 mL. Considering the fungus FS, carvone enantiomers and citral caused 100% of MGI from the concentration of 0.1 mL/100 mL while all accessions caused 100% of MGI from the concentration of 0.2 mL/100 mL. Citral and carvone enantiomers presented the lowest MIC values (0.1 mL/100 mL) against FS fungus. The MIC of citral for LT and FP were not determined at the concentrations tested. (R)-(-)-carvone enantiomer presented the lowest MIC (0.1 mL/100 mL) for the LT fungus. Most of the other accessions presented MIC of 0.2 mL/100 mL for the three fungi. In relation to the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), citral stood out with values from 0.05 mL/100 mL (LT). Citral and carvone presented the same MFC for FS (0.2 mL / 100 mL). The other accessions showed MFC values from 0.3 mL/100 mL for the three fungi. Essential oils of L. alba accessions, carvone enantiomers, and citral were efficient in phytopathogen control and could be considered as an alternative to fungicides for presenting inhibitory and fungicidal effect against these microorganisms at low concentrations.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a atividade antifúngica in vitro de óleos essenciais de Lippia alba pertencentes ao quimiotipo carvona (LA-13 e LA-57) e ao quimiotipo citral (LA-10, LA-29 e LA-44); dos enantiômeros da carvona: (R)-(-)-carvona e (S)-(+)-carvona; e do citral sobre os fungos fitopatogênicos Lasiodiplodia theobromae (LT), Fusarium pallidoroseum (FP) e Fusarium solani (FS). Foram testadas as concentrações 0,01; 0,05; 0,1; 0,2; 0,3; 0,5 e 1,0 mL/100 mL, e, após 96h de incubação, a porcentagem de inibição do crescimento micelial (ICM) foi calculada em relação ao controle. Foram determinadas as Concentrações Inibitórias Mínimas (CIM) e Fungicidas Mínimas (CFM) para os óleos essenciais e compostos. A partir da concentração de 0,2 mL/100 mL todos os acessos e os enantiômeros da carvona foram efetivos contra LT, exceto o acesso LA-44, que proporcionou máxima inibição a partir da concentração de 0,3 mL/100 mL. O monoterpeno citral foi o mais efetivo contra LT, pois a partir da concentração de 0,05 mL /100 mL, 100% de ICM foi observada. Todos os acessos e enantiômeros da carvona causaram 100% de ICM contra o fungo FP, a partir da concentração de 0,2 mL/100 mL. Novamente, o composto citral de destacou por causar máxima ICM a partir da concentração de 0,1 mL/100 mL. Contra o fungo FS, os enantiômeros da carvona e o citral causaram 100% de ICM a partir da concentração de 0,1 mL/100 mL, enquanto os acessos proporcionaram mesmos resultados a partir da concentração de 0,2 mL/100 mL. O citral e os enantiômeros da carvona apresentaram os menores valores de CIM (0,1 mL/100 mL) frente ao FS. Não foi possível determinar a CIM do citral para LT e FP nas concentrações testadas. O enantiômero (R)-(-)-carvone apresentou a menor CIM (0,1 mL/100 mL) para o fungo LT. Os acessos apresentaram CIM a partir de 0,2 mL/100 mL para os três fungos. Em relação à concentração fungicida mínima (CFM), o citral se destacou com a menor CFM (0,05 mL/100 mL) para LT. Citral e carvonas apresentaram a mesma CFM para FS (0,2 mL / 100 mL). Os acessos apresentaram CFM a partir de 0,3 mL/100 mL para os três fungos. Os óleos essenciais dos acessos de L. alba, e os monoterpenos carvona e o citral foram eficientes no controle dos fungos fitopatogênicos e são considerados como uma alternativa em relação aos fungicidas sintéticos por apresentarem efeitos inibitórios e fungicidas contra esses microorganismos quando utilizados em baixas concentrações.

Inheritance study of yield components and essential oil constituents in linool type basil / Estudo da herança do rendimento e constituintes químicos do óleo essencial de manjericão tipo linalol

The aim of this study was to conduct an inheritance study for the agronomic and chemical characteristics of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) hybrid 'Genovese' x 'Maria Bonita'. F1 seeds were obtained from a cross of P1 (Genovese) x P2 (Maria Bonita). F2 seeds were obtained from selfing five F1 plants. In this experiment, a randomized block design with three replications was used. Each replication consisted of four treatments (generations). Seven plants from each P1, P2 and F1 generation and 21 plants from the F2 generation were grown for each replication. The following characteristics were evaluated at full bloom: plant height, leaf dry weight, essential oil content and yield in the leaves and the main essential oil chemical constituent concentrations in each plant. The characteristics plant height, essential oil yield and linalool content are controlled by more than one major gene, and these genes present additive and dominant effects. High heritability was observed for the characteristics plant height, leaf dry weight and content of linalool and 1,8-cineole. The hybrid 'Genovese' x 'Maria Bonita' presented a plant height and dry leaf weight heterosis of 32.31% and 131.54%, respectively.

O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um estudo de herança para as características agronômicas e químicas de manjericão (Ocimum basilicum L.) híbrido 'Genovese' x 'Maria Bonita'. Sementes F1 foram obtidos a partir de um cruzamento de P1 (Genovese) x P2 (Maria Bonita). Sementes F2 foram obtidas a partir de autopolinização cinco plantas F1. Neste experimento, foi utilizado um delineamento em blocos casualizados com três repetições. Cada repetição foi constituída por quatro tratamentos (gerações). Sete plantas de cada P1, P2 e geração F1 e 21 plantas da F2 foram cultivadas para cada repetição. As seguintes características foram avaliadas em plena floração: altura da planta, folha seca, teor de óleo essencial e de rendimento nas folhas e as principais concentrações essenciais constituintes químicos do óleo em cada planta. A altura características da planta, o teor de óleo essencial e rendimento de linalol são controlados por mais do que um gene principal, e estes genes presentes efeitos aditivos e dominantes. Foi observada alta herdabilidade para as características altura da planta, folha de peso seco e conteúdo de linalol e 1,8-cineol. O híbrido 'Genovese' x 'Maria Bonita' apresentou altura de planta e peso da heterose seca de 32,31% e 131,54%, respectivamente.

Essential oils of Varronia curassavica accessions have different activity against white spot disease in freshwater fish.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiprotozoal activity of essential oils from Varronia curassavica accessions against different stages of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. Essential oils from each accession were tested in vitro at the concentrations 0, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 200 mg/L. The VCUR-001, VCUR-202, VCUR-509, and VCUR-601 accessions presented the major compounds α-pinene, germacrene D-4-ol, (E)-caryophyllene and epiglobulol, and sabinene, respectively. These isolated compounds were tested in vitro at a concentration proportional to that found in the essential oil which caused 100% mortality of the parasite. The concentrations of 10 and 50 mg/L of the essential oil of accession VCUR-202 provided 100% mortality of trophonts and tomonts, respectively. For the accession VCUR-509, 100% mortality of trophonts and tomonts was observed at concentrations 75 and 200 mg/L of essential oil, respectively. The same mortality was observed at concentration 200 mg/L in both stages of the parasite for the other accessions. The major compounds α-pinene, sabinene, and the (E)-caryophyllene + epiglobulol mixture caused 100% mortality of trophonts and tomonts. The in vivo assay for white spot disease control was performed in a therapeutic bath of 1 h with the essential oil of accession VCUR-202 at concentrations of 0.5 and 2.0 mg/L. A significant reduction of about 30% of trophonts on infected fish was observed, independent of the oil concentration. The V. curassavica essential oil, especially the VCUR-202 accession, is a potential source of raw material for the formulation and commercialization of bioproducts to control freshwater white spot disease in fish.

Screening and Identification of the Metabolites in Rat Plasma and Urine after Oral Administration of Areca catechu L. Nut Extract by Ultra-High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Linear Ion Trap-Orbitrap Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Areca catechu L. nut, a well-known toxic traditional herbal medicine, has been widely used to treat various diseases in China and many other Asian countries for centuries. However, to date the in vivo absorption and metabolism of its multiple bioactive or toxic components still remain unclear. In this study, liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze the major components and their metabolites in rat plasma and urine after oral administration of Areca catechu L. nut extract (ACNE). A total of 12 compounds, including 6 alkaloids, 3 tannins and 3 amino acids, were confirmed or tentatively identified from ACNE. In vivo, 40 constituents, including 8 prototypes and 32 metabolites were identified in rat plasma and urine samples. In summary, this study showed an insight into the metabolism of ACNE in vivo, which may provide helpful chemical information for better understanding of the toxicological and pharmacological profiles of ACNE.

Effect of trans-anethole, limonene and your combination in nutritional components and their reflection on reproductive parameters and testicular apoptosis in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Spodoptera frugiperda is a major pest in several crops due to its polyphagous habit. Studies on the use of essential oils for pest control have been increasing over the years, presenting itself as a promising alternative with less environmental impact. Chemical profile evaluations of essential oils enable the knowledge and use of major compounds, providing a better understanding of their actions in the life history of insects. Thus, the study evaluated the effects of the major compounds limonene, trans-anethole and the combined effects upon nutrition, reproduction and testicular apoptosis in S. frugiperda. Larvae of third instar were submitted to the LD50 of the compounds by topical contact and 48 h later the amounts of lipids, proteins, total sugar and glycogen were evaluated. The testicular apoptosis was evaluated in the treated larvae after 48 h and the reproductive parameters were evaluated after adult emergence. All treatments reduced the amounts of lipid, protein, total sugar and glycogen when compared to control. The most significant results were obtained by the association of compounds. All treatments reduced the number of eggs, oviposition period and adult longevity when compared to control. There were no changes in the pre-oviposition and post-oviposition periods. Testicular apoptosis was observed in the limonene and in the combined treatments. It is concluded that limonene and trans-anethole, especially in association, cause adverse effects upon nutrition and reproduction in S. frugiperda, altering essential parameters for its survival and establishment on crops.

Identification of the Major Components of Buddleja officinalis Extract and Their Metabolites in Rat Urine by UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap.

Buddleja officinalis Maxim, one of the most popular herbal medicines in China, is widely prescribed for curing eye diseases for centuries. In this study, the major components of B. officinalis extract (BOE) and their metabolites in rat urine were detected and identified by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap-orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap). A total of 19 compounds, including 8 flavonoids and 11 phenylethanoid glycosides, were confirmed or tentatively identified from BOE. In vivo, 33 components, including 3 prototypes and 30 metabolies, were confirmed or tentatively identified in rat urine samples. The metabolic pathways of different types of compounds were also proposed. This study would effectively narrow the range of potentially bioactive constituents of BOE and shed light to its action mechanism.

Chemical characteristics and mineral composition of quinoa by near-infrared spectroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has been traditionally used as a foodstuff in the Andes and it has gained increasing interest in recent years owing to its high nutritional value. The potential of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for estimating chemical compounds in quinoa was studied because of the possibility of conducting direct measurement without prior sample treatment. RESULTS: The use of NIRS technology with a remote reflectance fiber-optic probe for the analysis of major compounds and mineral composition of 48 quinoa samples was studied. The calibration of the NIRS instrument was conducted using modified partial least squares (MPLS) analysis. This allowed the determination of protein (16.0-20.2 g 100g⁻¹), crude fiber (1.8-3.1 g 100g⁻¹), fat (4.4-7.5 g 100g⁻¹), calcium (298.8-1164.5 mg kg⁻¹), iron (0-948.5 mg kg⁻¹) and phosphorus (2735.0-4543.3 mg kg⁻¹). The correlation coefficients (RSQ) were 0.83 for protein, 0.73 for crude fiber, 0.93 for fat; 0.60 for calcium; 0.76 for iron and 0.75 for phosphorus. The robustness of the equations obtained was verified by external validation on unknown quinoa samples. CONCLUSIONS: NIRS with fiber-optic probe provides an alternative for the determination of chemical compounds of quinoa, faster and at lower cost, with results comparable with chemical methods.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of nine major compounds in the Bozhougyiqi-Tang using a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector and electrospray ionization mass spectrometer.

BACKGROUND: Bozhougyiqi-Tang (BZYQT) is of traditional herbal medicine used for enhancement of digestive capacity. OBJECTIVE: An accurate and reliable simultaneous determination using a HPLC-DAD and ESI-MS was developed and validated for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of 9 major compounds, ferulic acid (1), naringin (2), hesperidin (3), decursinol (4), glycyrrhizin (5), saikosaponin A (6), 6-gingerol (7), ginsenoside Rg3 (8), decursin (9), in traditional herbal medicine 'Bozhougyiqi-Tang.' MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chromatographic separation of 9 compounds was performed on a SHISEIDO C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., S-5 µm) using gradient elution with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The 9 compounds were identified based on peak retention time and UV spectrum and MS data of these compounds. RESULTS: This developed method showed good linearity (R(2) > 0.999). The LOD and LOQ of the major compounds were less than 0.09 and 0.28 µg/ml, respectively. The intra - day and inter - day RSD values were within 2.06% and 1.64%, respectively. The mean recoveries were from 92.10% to 108.56% with less than 1.88%. The results indicated that established method had good precision and accuracy. CONCLUSION: The new method was successfully applied to the simultaneous analysis of 9 compounds in Bozhougyiqi-Tangs samples.

Virtual screening of compounds from the patchouli oil of Pogostemon herba for COX-1 inhibition.

Our interest is to identify compounds from the patchouli oil of Pogostemon herba to inhibit the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) enzyme activity. The data for the major compounds (alpha-patchouli alcohol isomer (CD521903, CD442384, and/or CD6432585), alphabulnusene, seychellene and alpha-guaiene) of patchouli oil were explored from the PubChem database. The compounds to COX-1 interactions were studied using the molecular docking tools Hex 6.12 and LeadIT2 Bisolve. The interactions were further visualized using the Chimera 1.7s viewer software tool. The analysis of the major compounds of patchouli oil showed that alpha-Patchouli alcohol (CD521903) binds to COX-1 at many active sites including: Leu223B, Asp228B, Leu237B, Arg332B, Trp138A, Glu139A, Ser142A, and Asn143A. Further analysis revealed that these binding sites are maintained by hydrogen bonds with Ser142A, Glu139A, and Asp228B. The interaction energy between COX-1 and alpha-patchouli alcohol (CD521903) is -6 kJ/mol (without solvent) and -15 kJ/ mol (with solvent DMSO). These theoretical data suggests alpha-patchouli alcohol as a potential inhibitor of the COX-1 enzyme. However, these observations should be investigated and confirmed using experimental evidence.