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This study aimed to determine the effects of Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. (EAP) flower absolute (EAPFAb) on neurotransmitter release-blocking events and muscle paralysis induced by botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A). For this study, EAPFAb was extracted from EAP flowers by solvent extraction and its composition was determined by GC/MS. Neurotransmitter release and SNARE protein expression were examined in PC12 cells by ELISA and immunoblotting. Rat hind limbs were tested for muscle paralysis. EAPFAb contained 23 components and prolonged the duration of BoNT/A-induced rat hind limb muscle paralysis. EAPFAb reduced neurotransmitter release induced by elevated extracellular potassium levels and attenuated SNARE protein expression in PC12 cells. These findings demonstrate that EAPFAb prolongs BoNT/A-induced muscle paralysis action, probably by inhibiting releases of neurotransmitters that are regulated by SNARE proteins in neural cells. EAPFAb may be a promising material for prolonging BoNT/A action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rose-scented geranium, Pelargonium graveolens L'Hérit. (Geraniaceae), is an economically important plant. GC-MS analysis of the essential oil, prepared by hydro-distillation from this plant species, showed the presence of iso-menthone (15.71%), epi-α-cadinol (15.49%), iso-menthol (6.46%), geranyl formate (6.22%), geraniol (6.16%) and citronellol (5.53%). The composition of the absolute prepared by solvent extraction was compared to that of the essential oil. Change in citronellol to geraniol ratio in the absolute was monitored during leaf development. Estimation of the ratio of the two compounds was carried out using 1H NMR spectroscopy. Geraniol content was highest in young leaves and citronellol content increased with increase in leaf age. Meta-analysis of the essential oil constituents reported from different countries was carried out. Menthone and isomenthone as well as citronellol and geraniol were negatively correlated. A significantly positive correlation was found between geraniol and linalool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A volatile alkaloid quinoline-4-carbonitrile (QCN) was isolated from the floral extract of Quisqualis indica. Major compounds were trans-linalool oxide (1.0, 4.5%), methyl benzoate (1.0, 4.0%), 2,2,6-trimethyl-6-vinyl-tetrahydropyran-3-one (7.4, 17.8%), 2,2,6-trimethyl-6-vinyl-tetrahydropyran-3-ol (1.0, 1.2%), (E,E)-α-farnesene (29.1, 16.1%), QCN (5.7, 1.3%) in live and picked flowers, respectively. Flower compositions were altered due to change in enzymatic reaction at the time of picking. Some rearrangements of oxygenated terpenoids occurred in the process of hydrodistillation to obtain essential oil. Chemical synthesis of QCN and its selectively reduced products derived from QCN were prepared through green reaction process. The catalytic modification of QCN has produced quinoline-4-methylamine; the later compound has shown enhanced bio-activities. QCN and floral extract (absolute) have shown potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Besides, floral absolute has shown significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities due to improved QCN (19.7%) content to synergize amongst terpenoids and benzenoids as compared to the essential oil with 1.1% of QCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]