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Artichokes (Cynara scolymus L.) are valuable foods, thanks to their health benefits, but they generate significant waste during their production, harvesting, and processing, which poses sustainability issues. This study applied an agroprospecting approach to convert Tema artichoke biowaste (TB) into valuable resources, starting from a global perspective of the production chain to the targeted applications based on chemical and biological analysis. The major TB was identified in the outer bracts of the immature flower heads, which were collected throughout the harvesting season, extracted, and analyzed. The most abundant compounds were phenolic acids including chlorogenic acid and caffeoylquinic derivatives. Among flavonoids, cynaroside was the most abundant compound. Multivariate analysis distinguished batches by collection period, explaining 77.7% of the variance, with most compounds increasing in concentration later in the harvest season. Subsequently, TB extracts were analyzed for their potential in wound healing and anti-aging properties. Fibroblasts were used to assess the effect of selected extracts on cell migration through a scratch wound assay and on cellular senescence induced by etoposide. The results show a significant decrease in senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, γH2AX nuclear accumulation, and both p53 and p21 protein levels. Overall, this study ascribes relevant anti-skin aging effects to TB, thus increasing its industrial value in cosmeceutical and nutraceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acacia saligna (Labill.) Wendl. is native of southwestern Australia, but has been planted extensively in many areas of the world, including the Mediterranean region, becoming highly invasive especially in coastal habitats. The aim of this study was to test whether the indigenous Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oil (EO), loaded in liposomes, can inhibit the seed germination of the invasive alien Acacia saligna. Variability in seed germination requirements and responses among populations were evaluated. Germination tests under light, at constant temperatures and three concentrations of rosemary EO were carried out. Among the examined factors, only the EO amount and temperature had a highly significant effect on seed germination. The lowest EO quantity did not show differences compared with the control, while the highest amount inhibited significantly seed germination of all populations at all the tested temperatures. No seed recovered the ability to germinate after the EO treatment with either of the two washing methods. Our results allowed us to identify the minimum amount of rosemary EO capable of inhibiting the seed germination of the invasive Acacia saligna. These results could be useful for the control of this invasive alien species, thus allowing the conservation of indigenous Mediterranean plant species and habitats. Keywords: essential oil, invasive alien species, liposomes, Rosmarinus officinalis, seed germination. Acacia saligna (Labill.) Wendl. est indigene dans le sud-ouest de l'Australie, mais elle a ete largement plantee dans plusieurs regions dans le monde, y compris dans la region mediterraneenne, devenant hautement envahissante, specialement dans les habitats cotiers. L'objectif de cette etude consistait a tester si l'huile essentielle (HE) de Rosmarinus officinalis L. indigene, chargee dans des liposomes, peut inhiber la germination des graines de l'espece exotique envahissante Acacia saligna. La variabilite des besoins pour la germination des graines et les reponses des populations ont ete evaluees. Des tests de germination sous la lumiere, a des temperatures constantes et en presence de trois concentrations d'HE de romarin ont ete realises. Parmi les facteurs examines, seules la quantite d'HE et la temperature exercaient un effet hautement significatif sur la germination des graines. La quantite d'HE la plus faible n'etait pas differente du controle, alors que les quantites les plus elevees inhibaient significativement la germination des graines de toutes les populations a toutes les temperatures examinees. Aucune des graines ne recuperait la capacite de germer apres un traitement a l'HE, quelle que soit la methode de lavage utilisee parmi les deux qui ont ete testees. Les resultats ont permis aux auteurs d'identifier une quantite minimale d'HE de romarin capable d'inhiber la germination des graines de l'espece envahissante Acacia saligna. Ces resultats pourraient etre utiles pour controler cette espece exotique envahissante, permettant ainsi la conservation des especes indigenes mediterraneennes et de leurs habitats. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : huile essentielle, espece exotique envahissante, liposomes, Rosmarinus officinalis; germination des grains., Introduction Invasive alien species (IAS) are considered, after habitat loss and fragmentation, as one of the greatest threats to the conservation of indigenous species and habitats worldwide (Crisostomo et al. [...]

Vinca sardoa (Stearn) Pignatti, known as Sardinian periwinkle, is widely diffused in Sardinia (Italy). This species contains indole alkaloids, which are known to have a great variety of biological activities. This study investigated the antileukemic activity against a B lymphoblast cell line (SUP-B15) of V. sardoa alkaloid-rich extracts obtained from plants grown in Italy, in Iglesias (Sardinia) and Rome (Latium). All the extracts showed a good capacity to induce reductions in cell proliferation of up to 50% at the tested concentrations (1–15 µg/mL). Moreover, none of the extracts showed cytotoxicity on normal cells at all the studied concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Salvia L. genus (Lamiaceae) is largely used in the pharmaceutical and food industry. Several species of biological relevance are extensively employed in traditional medicine, including Salvia aurea L. (syn. S. africana-lutea L.), which is used as a traditional skin disinfectant and in wounds as a healing remedy; nevertheless, these properties have not been validated yet. The aim of the present study is to characterise S. aurea essential oil (EO), unveiling its chemical composition and validating its biological properties. The EO was obtained by hydrodistillation and subsequently analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Different biological activities were assessed: the antifungal effect on dermatophytes and yeasts and the anti-inflammatory potential by evaluating nitric oxide (NO) production and COX-2 and iNOS protein levels. Wound-healing properties were assessed using the scratch-healing test, and the anti-aging capacity was estimated through the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity. S. aurea EO is mainly characterised by 1,8-cineole (16.7%), β-pinene (11.9%), cis-thujone (10.5%), camphor (9.5%), and (E)-caryophyllene (9.3%). The results showed an effective inhibition of the growth of dermatophytes. Furthermore, it significantly reduced protein levels of iNOS/COX-2 and simultaneously NO release. Additionally, the EO exhibited anti-senescence potential and enhanced wound healing. Overall, this study highlights the remarkable pharmacological properties of Salvia aurea EO, which should be further explored in order to develop innovative, sustainable, and environmentally friendly skin products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salvia is widely recognized for its therapeutic potential. However, the biological relevance of some species remains unknown, namely Salvia cacaliifolia Benth. Therefore, the aim of this study is to unveil the chemical composition and relevant properties to its essential oil (EO). The EO was characterized by GC and GC-MS and its antifungal effect was evaluated according to the CLSI guidelines on dermatophytes and yeasts. The anti-inflammatory potential was assessed on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages, by assessing the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the effect on the protein levels of two key pro-inflammatory enzymes, iNOS and COX-2 by western blot analysis. Wound healing capacity was determined using the scratch wound healing assay, and the anti-aging potential was assessed by evaluating the senescence marker β-galactosidase. The EO was mainly characterized by γ-curcumene, β-bisabolene, bicyclogermacrene and curzerenone. It is effective in inhibiting the growth of dermatophytes and C. neoformans. The EO significantly decreased iNOS and COX-2 protein levels and concomitantly reduced NO release. Additionally, it demonstrated anti-senescence potential and promoted wound healing. Overall, this study highlights relevant pharmacological properties of the EO of Salvia cacaliifolia, which should be further explored envisaging the development of sustainable, innovative, and environmentally friendly skin products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human populations in various regions across the world exploit the medicinal properties of plants to treat a wide variety of diseases. Areas with both high rates of endemic taxa and persisting traditional uses of the local botanical resources are key sites for the investigation of Traditional Botanical Knowledge (TBK). Commonly, in these areas, information regarding the medicinal properties of native plants has been transmitted orally from generation to generation, however, a rapid decline in this knowledge has been observed, which can be attributed to socio-economic changes in recent years. The Mediterranean basin is one such site, where human history is intimately entwined with nature. The unique geographical situation and unrivaled environmental heterogeneity of the area, have allowed both the development of diverse civilizations as well as providing the basis for the evolution of extraordinary biodiversity. The Mediterranean basin can therefore be considered a global hotspot of endemic vascular plants, and of traditional knowledge of medicinal and aromatic species. This study researches the historical subregion of Marmilla (central-southern Sardinia, Italy), which was chosen because of its specific cultural and demographic characteristics: i.e., prolonged isolation and extreme longevity of the inhabitants of the area. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 145 people from the region, and 137 medicinal plants belonging to 62 families were identified, of which around 57,3% were taxa exclusive to the Mediterranean Basin. Findings showed that the most used parts of the plant were the leaves (49%), while as far as preparations are concerned, decoction (50%) was the most used to prepare medicinal formulations, making this the highest number of medico-botanical taxa reported in a study carried out in Sardinia using a similar methodology. In addition, this study contributes towards preventing the loss of TBK by documenting the medicinal traditions, passed down orally for centuries, in the words of the participants, shedding new light on the traditional knowledge of the inhabitants of the island. The findings lay the foundations for future applied studies in the fields of phytotherapy and phytochemical investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-migratory potential of the essential oil of Teucrium scordium subsp. scordioides (Schreb.) Arcang, a plant widely used in traditional medicine in Sardinia. The oil was rich in germacrene D (25.1%), δ-cadinene (12.9%) and alloaromadendrene (11.3%). The yeast Cryptococcus neoformans and the dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale and Epidermophyton floccosum were the most susceptible fungi to the action of the oil. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages, the oil was able to decrease nitric oxide production by ca. 30% at 1.25 μL/mL, without affecting cell viability. In the scratch wound assay, it allowed for ca. 36% of wound closure after 18 h, thus showing anti-migratory properties. Overall, this study highlights the potential of this species to mitigate fungal infections associated with an inflammatory response. Furthermore, we also reported for the first time its anti-migratory capacity, thus suggesting anticancer properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correct development of seeds is a pivotal requirement for species preservation. This process depends on the balance between sensing the environmental stimuli/stressors and hormone-mediated transduction, which results in physiological responses. The red and blue regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are known to influence seed dormancy and germination. Here, we report on the effects induced by the blue (peak at 430 nm) and red (peak at 650 nm) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum on seeds from photo- and skotomorphogenetic capsules developed under white, blue, or red light. Regardless of exposure, seeds from skotomorphogenetic capsules showed an almost absent dormancy in association with altered germination kinetics. Conversely, in seeds from photomorphogenetic capsules, the exposure to the blue region induced skotomorphogenetic-like effects, while the exposure to the whole visible range (350–750 nm), as well as to only the red region, showed a dose-related trend. The observed differences appeared to be dependent on the wavelengths in the red and to be based on transduction mechanisms taking place in fruits. While the molecular bases of this differential effect need to be clarified, the results hint at the role played by different light wavelengths and intensities in seed development and germination. These findings may be relevant for applications in crop production and species safeguarding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the chemical composition and the nutritional properties of fixed oils extracted from seeds and pericarps of the medicinal plant Whitania somnifera. W. somnifera wild germplasm was collected in Sardinia (Italy) and cultivated in Campidano subregion (Southern Sardinia). The main fatty acids of seed oil were 18:2 n-6 (53%, 73.6 mg/g of dry weight), 18:1 n-9 (21%, 29.3 mg/g of dry weight), 16:0 (19%), and 18:0 (4%). Trilinolein and dilinolein derivatives represented the main seed oil triacylglycerols. Linoleic (40%, 67.7 mg/g of dry weight), oleic (29%, 48.7 mg/g of dry weight), palmitic (22%), stearic (4%) and α-linolenic (3%), were the main fatty acids in pericarp oil, with higher total level of monounsaturated fatty acids than seed oil, while monolinolein and dilinolein derivatives represented the main triacylglycerols. The results of this study qualify Sardinian W. somnifera berries as an interesting source of oils with nutritional properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Santolina insularis is a Sardinian endemism that is widely used in traditional medicine. The essential oil was obtained with a yield of 2.7% and is mainly characterized by β-phellandrene (22.6%), myrcene (11.4%) and artemisia ketone (7.6%). The oil significantly reduced NO production without affecting macrophages viability. In addition, it substantially inhibited the expression of two key pro-inflammatory enzymes, iNOS and COX-2 (71% and 25% at 0.54 mg/mL). Furthermore, the oil had a promising antifungal activity being Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC = 0.13 mg/mL) and the majority of dermatophytes (MIC = 0.13 mg/mL) the most susceptible fungi. Moreover, it significantly decreased the yeast-to-hypha transition (80% inhibition at 0.13 mg/mL) on C. albicans long before showing inhibitory effects. Overall, these results show that S. insularis could be applied in the treatment of fungal infections and associated inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of two populations of Teucrium capitatum L. one from the coastline and the other one from the mountainous area of Sardinia (Italy) was assessed. Two chemotypes were identified: limonene/α-pinene/(E)-nerolidol chemotype predominant in the coastline, and limonene/α-pinene/α-trans-bergamotene/humulene epoxide II chemotype common in plants growing in the mountainous area. In addition, our results showed that the sample growing in the coastline had a more promising antifungal activity. Furthermore, this sample was highly effective in inhibiting C. albicans germ tube formation, at doses well below its MIC. Overall, this study shows that the edaphoclimatic characteristics play an important role on the essential oil composition and biological activity of Teucrium capitatum L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This work reports the results and the comparison concerning the chemical and biomolecular analyses and the antifungal activity of three wild Pistacia species (Anacardiaceae) from Sardinia. Volatile oils from leaves and twigs of Pistacia x saportae, Pistacia lentiscus and Pistacia terebinthus were characterised using GC-FID and GC-MS techniques and tested against some fungal strains. Two DNA nuclear regions (ITS and 5S-rRNA-NTS) were amplified through PCR technique and sequenced. The three **Pistacia have similar chemical profile, although there are some important quantitative differences. The analysis of ITS and 5S-rRNA-NTS regions, reveals a species-specific nucleotide variation among the three **taxa. This method could emerge as a powerful tool for the species identification, especially because the discrimination of these three **taxa appears difficult for non-expert botanists. Concerning the antifungal activity, P. lentiscus and P. x saportae show the highest activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, with a MIC value of 0.32 μL/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcopoterium spinosumfruits have been used to get extracts of different nature; two fixed oils were obtained by means of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO2at 250 bar and 40°C and usingn-hexane in a Soxhlet extraction (SE) apparatus. Aqueous solutions: an aromatic water (AW) and a residual water (RW) were obtained by hydrodistillation (HD). In the RW, following have been identified: quercetin glucuronide, luteolin 7-O-glucuronide, isorhamnetin 3-O-glucuronide, quercetin sulfate and quercetin. Among all tested plant extracts, the RW had the highest content of polyphenol (378 mg GAE/g of weight) and of flavonoids (26 mg QE/g of weight), and the highest antioxidant activity, comparable to that of Trolox. It was also the most active extract of this series (IC50 = 0.292 mg/mL) in the tyrosinase activity assays performed with L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) as substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the present work the chemical compositions, measured by GC and GC-MS, of the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from leaves of Pistacia terebinthus collected in Bizerte (Tunisia) and Baunei (Italy) are reported. Both essential oils possessed high content of monoterpene hydrocarbons (86.3% and 90.9%, respectively), being α-pinene (62.4 vs. 35.0)%, camphene (3.0 vs. 2.4)%, β-pinene (12.1 vs. 4.5)%, terpinolene (1.7 vs. 35.2)% and β-phellandrene (3.8 vs. 4.5)% the main components. The Tunisian essential oil exhibited higher antifungal activity than the Italian one. Cryptococcus neoformans and the majority of dermatophyte strains showed more sensitivity to the Tunisian oil, when compared to Candida strains, in particular Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum canis and Epidermophyton floccosum, with MIC and MLC values in the range (0.16–0.32) μL/mL. The results obtained support the use of the oil from Tunisia for the treatment of dermatophytosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the total phenols and flavonoids, liposoluble antioxidants, fatty acid and triacylglycerol profiles, and oxidative status of oil obtained from Lycium europaeum fruits following supercritical CO 2 extraction (at 30 MPa and 40 °C). Linoleic (52%), palmitic (18%), oleic (13%), and α-linolenic (6%) were the main oil fatty acids, while trilinolein and palmitodilinolein/oleodilinolein represented the main triacylglycerols. The oil was characterized by high levels of all- trans -zeaxanthin and all- trans -β-carotene (755 and 332 μg/g of oil, respectively), α-tocopherol (308 μg/g of oil), total phenols (13.6 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of oil), and total flavonoids (6.8 mg quercetin equivalents/g of oil). The oil showed radical scavenging activities (ABTS and DPPH assays) and inhibited Caco-2 cell growth. Moreover, the incubation of differentiated Caco-2 cells with a non-toxic oil concentration (100 μg/mL) induced a significant intracellular accumulation of essential fatty acids. The results qualify L. europaeum oil as a potential source for food/pharmaceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: This report describes activity against Meloidogyne spp. and chemical characterisation of the essential oil and methanol extract of Petroselinum crispum aerial parts. The study was based on the hypothesis that P. crispum could be used as an intercrop and soil amendment in tomato culture for nematode control. RESULTS: The methanol extract and the essential oil exhibited significant nematicidal activity against M. incognita, M. hapla and M. arenaria, the first being the most sensitive species, with EC50/72 h values of 140±15 and 795±125 mg L-1 for the extractandoil respectively. The most abundant furanocoumarin compounds in the methanolic extract were xanthotoxin, psoralen, bergapten and oxypeucedanin; levels ranged from 1.77 to 46.04 mg kg-1 wet weight. The EC50/24h values of xanthotoxol, psoralen and xanthotoxin against M. incognita were 68±33, 147±88 and 200±21 mg L-1 respectively. The addition of fresh parsley paste to soil reduced the number of M. incognita females and plant galls on tomato roots; EC50 values were 24.79 and 28.07 mg g-1 respectively. Moreover, parsley paste enhanced tomato growth in a dose-response manner. CONCLUSIONS: Parsley exhibits promising nematicidal activity as an organic amendment and as a source of nematotoxic furanocoumarins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents Helichrysum italicum, an iconic plant of the Mediterranean area and outlines its ethnopharmacology given the modern molecular investigations of its constituents and their pharmacological targets. H. italicum is known and valued for its scent, referred to as rosy, exotic and spicy reminiscent of the perfume of licorice, Indian curry and roses. The plant has culinary uses and is the source of an expensive and highly sought-after European honeys, miele di spiaggia.

Candida species belong to the normal microbiota of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and vagina. The increasing incidence of drug-resistant pathogens and the toxicity of the antifungal compounds have drawn the attention towards the antimicrobial activity of natural products, an inexpensive alternative. The aim of this work was to evaluate the adhesion activity, the biofilm formation and the action of the Myrtus communis L. essential oil (EO) on the biofilm formation towards three species isolated from clinical samples: Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis. Furthermore, we evaluated the antimycotic activity of the EO towards the three species, and the results were compared with the minimum inhibitory concentration of six antimycotics. The activity of the EO against C. albicans and C. parapsilosis was better than that obtained against C. tropicalis; moreover, the strains used in the assay were adhesive and biofilm producer, and the effect of myrtle EO on the biofilm formation yielded encouraging results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the results concerning the qualitative and quantitative composition of the volatile oil obtained from the aerial parts of Tanacetum vulgare, collected in Lithuania, by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO2 at 90 bar and 40 °C and by hydrodistillation (HD). GC-MS and GC-FID analysis revealed that the oils mainly consisted of 1,8-cineole, trans-thujone, cis-chrysanthenol, borneol and myrtenol. Oils obtained by HD displayed, with respect to the SFE volatile oil, a higher amount of hydrocarbon monoterpenes. The hydrodistilled oil was particularly active against dermatophyte strains and Cryptococcus neoformans, with MIC values in the range of 0.16–0.64 μL/mL. The oil revealed a significant inhibitory effect on germ tube formation in Candida albicans at sub-inhibitory concentrations. At the concentration of 1/16 MIC, the inhibition of filamentation was more than 80% in comparison to untreated control cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alkaloids present in plants of the Amaryllidaceae family are secondary metabolites of high biological interest, possessing a wide range of pharmacological activities. In the search for new plant-derived compounds with antimicrobial activities, two alkaloid extracts obtained from bulbs and leaves of Pancratium illyricum L., a plant of the Amarillydaceae family, were tested for their effect on bacterial and yeast growth. Methods: The broth microdilution susceptibility test was applied to study the effect of plant extracts on the growth of reference bacterial strains and Candida albicans reference and clinical isolates strains. Extracts obtained from the different parts of the plant were tested and compared with the pure components identified in the extracts. Since matrix metalloproteinase enzymes play a role in the dissemination process of Candida albicans, the effect of the bulb extract and pure alkaloids on in vitro collagenase activity was tested. Cell viability test was carried out on human embryo lung fibroblasts (HEL 299). Results: Whilst both extracts did not show any inhibitory activity against neither Gram positive nor Gram negative bacteria, a strong antifungal activity was detected, in particular for the bulb extract. All clinical isolates were susceptible to the growth inhibitory activity of the bulb extract, with endpoint IC50 values ranging from 1.22 to 78 µg/mL. The pure alkaloids lycorine and vittatine, identified as components of the extract, were also assayed for their capacity of inhibiting the yeast growth, and lycorine turned very active, with endpoint IC50 values ranging from 0.89 to 28.5 µg/mL. A potent inhibition of the in vitro collagenase activity was found in the presence of the bulb extract, and this effect was much higher than that exerted by the pure alkaloids. Viability of cell lines tested was not affected by the extract. Conclusions: Taken together, results suggest that the extract of Pancratium illyricum may act as antifungal agent both directly on the yeast growth and by altering the tissue invasion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress is the main factor in doxorubicin (DOX) induced cardiotoxicity. Wistar rats received either DOX (3 mg kg−1, i.p.) every other day or combination ofHypericum hircinum(100 and 200 mg kg−1, p.o.) and DOX orH. hircinum(200 mg kg−1, p.o.) extract alone for 2 weeks. Cardiotoxicity was assessed by recording changes in ECG, heart rate and measuring the levels of cardiac marker enzymes – lactic acid dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, the antioxidant defence enzymes – reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidative value (LPO) at the end of treatment schedule. Treatment withH. hircinumsignificantly (p < 0.05) decreased the levels of LPO and marker enzymes, increased the levels of GSH and SOD, reversed the changes in ECG and prevented the decrease in heart weight in DOX-treated group. The results suggest thatH. hircinumhas the potential to prevent the cardiotoxic effects induced by DOX. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the traditional Sardinian system of medicine, Rubia peregrina L. (Rubiaceae) is reported as an aphrodisiac herb. Since the aphrodisiacs may also have antioxidant and dopaminergic activities, the aim of this study was to study the effect of ethanolic extract of aerial parts of R. peregrina for the scavenging of free DPPH radicals and the inhibition of haloperidol-induced catalepsy in mice and reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia in rats. The extract exhibited significant antioxidant activity in a free radical DPPH assay with IC50 = 55.6 µg mL−1, which was very close to IC50 of ascorbic acid. The extract of R. peregrina (100 and 200 mg kg−1 intraperitoneally, i.p.) significantly inhibited haloperidol (1 mg kg−1 i.p.) – induced catalepsy in mice (p < 0.01). In rats, the extract (200 mg kg−1 i.p.) significantly (p < 0.01) inhibited the orofacial dyskinesia induced by intraperitoneal administration of reserpine (1 mg kg−1 on days 1, 3 and 5). This study demonstrates that R. peregrina has antioxidant activity and improves the dopaminergic function. Results therefore justify the development of further experiments to investigate the psychopharmacological profile of R. peregrina. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the traditional system of medicine in Sardinia, Rubia peregrina (RP) is reported as an aphrodisiac herb. Since aphrodisiacs may also have dopaminergic activity, and there can be a reciprocal relationship between dopaminergic and serotonergic functions in the central nervous system, the aim here was to study the effect of the ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of R. peregrina on monoamine-mediated behaviour. The RP (100 and 200 mg kg−1 intraperitoneally) significantly inhibited haloperidol (1 mg kg−1 i.p.) induced catalepsy in mice (p < 0.01, dopamine-mediated response) lithium sulphate induced head twitches in rats (serotonin-mediated response) and was without effect on clonidine-induced hypothermia in rats (noradrenaline-mediated response). The study concludes that R. peregrina improves the dopaminergic function, diminishes the serotonin-mediated function and is devoid of any effect on the noradrenergic function. The study suggests that we should carry out further experiments to investigate the psychopharmacological profile of R. peregrina. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the seeds of Casimiroa edulis cultivated in Sardinia (Italy) have been assayed on the two enzymatic-associated activities of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT), the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (RDDP) and the ribonuclease H. In biochemical assays, the extract inhibited both activities in a dose-dependent manner, showing a 10-fold more potent inhibition of the HIV-1 RT RDDP activity. Furthermore, the extract was cytotoxic on K562 cell replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition of supercritical CO2 extracts and essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of Bupleurum fruticosum L., growing spontaneously in Italy and Portugal, and its antifungal activity is reported. The collected extracts were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS methods. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimal lethal concentration (MLC) were used to evaluate the antifungal activity of the oils against Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. guillermondii, C. parapsilosis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, Epidermophyton floccosum, Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus and A. flavus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previous study from our laboratory has shown the facilitatory effect of Ceratonia siliqua L. (Fabaceae) on the dopaminergic function. This study investigates the involvement of monoamines in the antidepressant activity of the total polyphenol content of Ceratonia siliqua extract (CS) in mice using a tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST). The immobility time in the TST and FST were significantly reduced by CS (25 and 50 mg kg-1, i.p.). The extract considerably attenuated the duration of immobility induced by prazosin (62.5 µg kg-1, i.p., an α-adrenoceptor antagonist) and eticlopride (0.1 µg kg-1, i.p., a classical D2-like dopamine receptor antagonist) in both TST and FST, whereas the extract could not modify the immobility in mice treated with p-chlorophenylalanine (100 mg kg-1, i.p., ×3 days; an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis) and baclofen (10 mg kg-1, i.p., GABAB agonist). This suggests that the antidepressant effect of CS is mediated by dopamine and noradrenaline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The roots of Mirabilis jalapa are used traditionally in allergic skin disorders and asthma. The effect of an ethanol : acetone (1 : 1) extract of the roots of M. jalapa was studied for antihistaminic activity using a guinea pig tracheal chain preparation and clonidine-induced mast cell granulation in mice. Its antiallergic activity was evaluated using milk-induced eosinophilia and albumin-induced paw oedema in mice. The extract (0.5 mL of 100 mg mL-1) inhibited histamine-induced guinea pig tracheal chain contractions non-competitively. The extract (100 or 200 mg kg-1 i.p.) inhibited milk-induced eosinophilia, albumin-induced paw oedema and protected mast cells against clonidine-induced granulation. The study justified the folkloric use of M. jalapa in the treatment of allergic diseases and asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isolation of volatile concentrates from leaves, flowers and fruits of Vitex agnus-castus L. have been obtained by supercritical extraction with carbon dioxide. The composition of the volatile concentrates has been analysed by GC/MS. In all plant organs, the extracts are composed chiefly of α-pinene, sabinene, 1,8-cineole, α-terpinyl acetate, (E)-caryophyllene, (E)-β-farnesene, bicyclogermacrene, spathulenol and manool. The main difference observed was in the content of sclarene, which was not present in the samples from flowers or fruits. To complete the investigation, a comparison with the hydrodistilled oil has been carried out. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimal lethal concentration were used to evaluate the antifungal activity of the oils against dermatophyte strains (Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, T. rubrum, M. gypseum and Epidermophyton floccosum). Antifungal activity of the leaf essential oil was the highest, with MIC values of 0.64 µL mL-1 for most of the strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The previous study showed that chronic treatment with Withania somnifera extract (WS) inhibited haloperidol-induced catalepsy. It is suggested that caffeine and WS may be useful adjuvants in pharmacotherapy of Parkinson's disease. There are no studies on the effect of haloperidol on mice withdrawn from caffeine or W. somnifera. We therefore studied the effect of a single administration of standardised WS containing 5.1% total withanolides (WS, 30 or 100 mg kg-1 i.p.) and/or caffeine (3 mg kg-1 i.p.) and withdrawal from 6 days treatment with WS and/or caffeine, on haloperidol-induced catalepsy in albino mice. Single administration of both WS and caffeine, used either alone or in combination, significantly inhibited catalepsy. Mice withdrawn from caffeine significantly inhibited haloperidol-induced catalepsy, but mice withdrawn from WS showed increased catalepsy. The study indicated that withdrawal from WS does not retain anticataleptic activity, and caffeine but not WS may be a good adjuvant in pharmacotherapy of Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]