Comprehensive Bio-Screening of Phytochemistry and Biological Capacity of Oregano (Origanum vulgare) and Salvia triloba Extracts against Oral Cariogenic and Food-Origin Pathogenic Bacteria.

This study utilized phytochemical screening to conduct the qualitative analysis of plant extracts, aiming to identify various classes of secondary metabolites. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of different types of Oregano vulgare and Salvia triloba extracts was determined. To achieve the aim of this study, aqueous, ethanolic, and enzymatic extracts were prepared and screened for phytochemical capacity and antioxidant activities. The determination of the antibacterial activity included phenotypic screening of antibiotic susceptibility pattern of oral and food pathogenic bacterial strains, determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration-via microdilution broth test and in vitro valuation of antibacterial efficacies-of the anti-biofilm properties of the studied herbal extractions. Results: Our study evaluated the phytochemical composition and the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-biofilm properties of O. vulgare and S. triloba extracts. The analyzed samples contained bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and flavonoids, contributing to the observed strong antioxidant effect. Furthermore, they exhibited notable activity against oral biofilm formation and demonstrated significant antibacterial efficacy against dental caries' microorganisms as well as food pathogens. Despite methodological variations, all extracts showed significant antioxidant capacity and promising antibacterial activity against various pathogens, including resistant strains, while also inhibiting biofilm formation. Although limited to two plant species and facing methodological constraints, this study lays the groundwork for future research, indicating the therapeutic potential of O. vulgare and S. triloba extracts. Further exploration is needed to report on underlying mechanisms and validate efficacy through clinical trials.

Antiamoebic Properties of Metabolites against Naegleria fowleri and Balamuthia mandrillaris.

Naegleria fowleri and Balamuthia mandrillaris are free-living, opportunistic protists, distributed widely in the environment. They are responsible for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), the fatal central nervous infections with mortality rates exceeding 90%. With the rise of global warming and water shortages resulting in water storage in tanks (where these amoebae may reside), the risk of infection is increasing. Currently, as a result of a lack of awareness, many cases may be misdiagnosed. Furthermore, the high mortality rate indicates the lack of effective drugs available. In this study, secondary metabolites from the plants Rinorea vaundensis and Salvia triloba were tested for their anti-amoebic properties against N. fowleri and B. mandrillaris. Three of the nine compounds showed potent and significant anti-amoebic activities against both N. fowleri and B. mandrillaris: ursolic acid, betulinic acid, and betulin. Additionally, all compounds depicted limited or minimal toxicity to human cells and were capable of reducing amoeba-mediated host cell death. Moreover, the minimum inhibitory concentration required to inhibit 50% of amoebae growth, the half-maximal effective concentration, and the maximum non-toxic dose against human cells of the compounds were determined. These effective plant-derived compounds should be utilized as potential therapies against infections due to free-living amoebae, but future research is needed to realize these expectations.

Effects of Syzygium aromaticum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Salvia triloba extracts on proliferation and differentiation of dental pulp stem cells

Abstract Hypersensitivity, local irritative and cytotoxic effects are known for the chemical components of Syzygium aromaticum and Cinnamomum zeylanicum contained in dental materials. However, there is no intimate data in dentistry using the whole extracts of these plants and introducing new ones. Salvia triloba is a well-known anti-inflammatory plant that correspondingly could be used in several dental traumas. Objectives: We aimed to show and compare the effect of S. aromaticum, C. zeylanicum, and S. triloba extracts on dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) proliferation, differentiation, and immune responses. Material and Methods: Using xCELLigence, a real time monitoring system, we obtained a growth curve of DPSCs with different concentrations of the Extracts. A dose of 10 μg/mL was the most efficient concentration for vitality. Osteogenic differentiation and anti-inflammatory activities were determined by using an ELISA Kit to detect early and late markers of differentiation. Results: The level of osteonectin (ON, early osteogenic marker) decreased, which indicated that the osteogenic differentiation may be accelerated with addition of extracts. However, the level of osteocalcin (OCN, late osteogenic marker and sign of calcium granulation) differed among the extracts, in which S. aromaticum presented the highest value, followed by S. triloba and C. zeylanicum. Surprisingly, the determined calcium granules were reduced in S. aromaticum and S. triloba. In response to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), S. triloba-treated DPSCs showed the most reduced level of IL-6 cytokine level. We suggest C. zeylanicum as a promising osteogenic inducer and S. triloba as a potent anti-inflammatory agent, which could be used safely in biocomposite or scaffold fabrications for dentistry. Conclusions: Because calcium granule formation and cell viability play a critical role in hard tissue formation, S. aromaticum in dentistry should be strictly controlled, and the mechanism leading to reduced calcium granule formation should be identified.

Apoptotic and anti-angiogenic effects of Salvia triloba extract in prostate cancer cell lines.

Plants, due to their remarkable composition, are considered as natural resources of bioactive compounds with specific biological activities. Salvia genus (Lamiaceae) has been used around the world in complementary medicine since ancient times. We investigated the cytotoxic, apoptotic and anti-angiogenic effects of methanolic Salvia triloba extract (STE) in prostate cancer cells. Cell viability was evaluated by XTT; apoptosis was investigated by DNA fragmentation and caspase 3/7 activity assays. Changes in the angiogenic cytokine levels were investigated by human angiogenesis antibody array. Scratch assay was used to determine the cell motility. STE induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner in both cancer cells; however, it was not cytotoxic to normal cells. Cell motility was reduced in PC-3, DU-145 and HUVEC cells by STE treatment. ANG, ENA-78, bFGF, EGF, IGF-1 and VEGF-D levels were significantly decreased by -2.9, -3.7, -1.7, -1.7, -2.0 and -1.8 fold in STE-treated DU-145 cells, however, ANG, IL-8, LEP, RANTES, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and VEGF levels were significantly decreased by -5.1, -2.0, -2.4, -3.1, -1.5, -2.0 and -2.5 fold in PC-3 cells. These data suggest that STE might be a promising candidate for anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic treatment of prostate cancer.