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Ethnopharmacological relevance The oil macerates of Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John׳s Wort=SJW) have a long history of medicinal use and SJW has been used in traditional medicine both orally and topically for centuries worldwide mainly for wound healing, ulcer and inflammation. Materials and methods We analyzed the fatty acid composition of 10 traditionally (home-made) and 13 commercially (ready-made) prepared SJW oil macerates by GC–MS. The acid, peroxide, iodine, saponification values, and the unsaponifiable matters of the samples were determined according to the European Pharmacopoeia. We also explored potential mechanism of wound healing effect of the samples, i.e. TNFα-induced NF-κB activation. Results The most home-made oil samples contained oleic acid predominantly and complied with the requirements set for olive oil by European Pharmacopoeia. However, majority of the ready-made samples appeared to have adulteration with some other oils. Moderate NF-κB inhibitory effects have been observed with some of the oil samples. Conclusion This study sheds light on the fact that application of the proper traditional method to prepare olive oil macerates from Hypericum perforatum is able to get bioactive constituents in the oil. Besides, inhibition of TNFα-induced NF-κB activation appears to be a potential mechanism for topical wound healing activity of SJW oil macerates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Galium species have been reported to be used against epilepsy in traditional Turkish folk medicine. Aim of study: The present work was undertaken to evaluate the in vivo anticonvulsant and in vitro neuroprotective effects of Galium spurium L. and to determine the major constituents by UPLC–TOF-MS. Materials and methods: Anticonvulsant activity of the aerial parts of Galium spurium was investigated using pentylenetetrazole, picrotoxin, and maximal electroshock-induced seizure animal models. In order to evaluate the safety, neurotoxicity (Rota rod test) of the ethanol extract was also determined. In vitro neuroprotective effect of the ethanol extract of Galium spurium was assessed by acetylcholinesterase and butrylcholinesterase inhibitions. Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (UPLC–TOF-MS) was used to identify the major compounds in the extract. Results: In pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure, the ethanol extract at doses of 250 and 1000mg/kg prolonged the onset of seizures. Similarly, Galium spurium (250 and 500mg/kg) significantly delayed the onset of picrotoxin-induced seizures in mice and these doses also exhibited 12.5% and 17% protection, respectively, against picrotoxin-induced seizures. Furthermore, Galium spurium extract showed a significant protective effect against maximal electroshock-induced seizures at doses of 250 and 1000mg/kg (50% and 37.5%, respectively) and also all tested doses prolonged the onset of seizures. No motor co-ordination was observed with intraperitoneal injection of Galium spurium extract at doses of 500 and 1000mg/kg. The extract exhibited 16.2% inhibition against butrylcholinesterase at 200μg/mL concentration, whereas it did not inhibit acetylcholinesterase. Phytochemical analysis of the extract based on the MS data by UPLC–TOF-MS, ten major compounds (phenolic and triterpenic acids, flavonoids and iridoids) were determined. Conclusions: The results indicate that Galium spurium may have anticonvulsant activity against picrotoxin and maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice. Phenolic acids, flavonoids and iridoids might be responsible for anticonvulsant activity. The results offer possible beneficial effects by the plant''s aerial parts and may suggest a realistic explanation for its traditonal usage in epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Galium species have been reported to be used against epilepsy in traditional Turkish folk medicine. Aim of study: The present work was undertaken to evaluate the in vivo anticonvulsant and in vitro neuroprotective effects of Galium spurium L. and to determine the major constituents by UPLC–TOF-MS. Materials and methods: Anticonvulsant activity of the aerial parts of Galium spurium was investigated using pentylenetetrazole, picrotoxin, and maximal electroshock-induced seizure animal models. In order to evaluate the safety, neurotoxicity (Rota rod test) of the ethanol extract was also determined. In vitro neuroprotective effect of the ethanol extract of Galium spurium was assessed by acetylcholinesterase and butrylcholinesterase inhibitions. Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (UPLC–TOF-MS) was used to identify the major compounds in the extract. Results: In pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure, the ethanol extract at doses of 250 and 1000mg/kg prolonged the onset of seizures. Similarly, Galium spurium (250 and 500mg/kg) significantly delayed the onset of picrotoxin-induced seizures in mice and these doses also exhibited 12.5% and 17% protection, respectively, against picrotoxin-induced seizures. Furthermore, Galium spurium extract showed a significant protective effect against maximal electroshock-induced seizures at doses of 250 and 1000mg/kg (50% and 37.5%, respectively) and also all tested doses prolonged the onset of seizures. No motor co-ordination was observed with intraperitoneal injection of Galium spurium extract at doses of 500 and 1000mg/kg. The extract exhibited 16.2% inhibition against butrylcholinesterase at 200μg/mL concentration, whereas it did not inhibit acetylcholinesterase. Phytochemical analysis of the extract based on the MS data by UPLC–TOF-MS, ten major compounds (phenolic and triterpenic acids, flavonoids and iridoids) were determined. Conclusions: The results indicate that Galium spurium may have anticonvulsant activity against picrotoxin and maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice. Phenolic acids, flavonoids and iridoids might be responsible for anticonvulsant activity. The results offer possible beneficial effects by the plant''s aerial parts and may suggest a realistic explanation for its traditonal usage in epilepsy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Salvia L. species are widely used against wounds and skin infections in Turkish folk medicine. Aim of the study: The aim of the present study is to evaluate wound healing activity of the ethanol (EtOH) extracts of Salvia cryptantha and Salvia cyanescens. Materials and methods: For the assessment of wound healing activity linear incision and circular excision wound models were employed on rats and mice. The wound healing effect was comparatively evaluated with the standard skin ointment Madecassol®. Inhibition of tyrosinase, a key enzyme in skin aging, was achieved using ELISA microplate reader. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radical scavenger effect, ferrous ion-chelating ability, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests. Results and Conclusions: The EtOH extract of Salvia cryptantha treated groups of animals showed 56.5% contraction, whereas the reference drug Madecassol® showed 100% contraction. On the other hand, the same extract on linear incision wound model demonstrated a significant increase (33.2%) in wound tensile strength as compared to other groups. The results of histopathological examination maintained the upshot of linear incision and circular excision wound models as well. These findings specify that Salvia cryptantha for wound healing activity can be appealed further phytochemical estimation for spotting its active components. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]