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Wintergreen oil is obtained from the leaves of aGaultheria procumbensand is commonly used as a folk remedy. On the other hand neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer of the sympathetic nervous system that originates from developing neural crest cells and is the second most common solid tumour. It was aimed to investigate the biological activity of Wintergreen oil on primary rat healthy neuron and N2a neuroblastoma cell in relation with concentration for the first time in the extent of this study. The effects of Wintergreen oil at various concentrations (0-400 mg/L) on cell proliferation were determined on both cell culture types by 3-(4,5 dimetylthiazol -2-yl) - 2,5 diphenltetrazolium bromide assay. And total antioxidant capacity and total oxidative stress parameters were used for the assessments ofin vitrooxidative effects. In addition, the genetic effect of Wintergreen oil on healthy and cancerous brain cells was assessed by single cell gel electrophoresis (or Comet assay). Our results clearly revealed that Wintergreen oil exhibited antioxidant activities at their low concentrations and cytotoxic at high concentrations. The mean values of the total scores of cells showing DNA damage (for Comet assay) was not found significantly different from the control values in both cell types. Again, Wintergreen oil showed weak anticarcinogenic activity against neuroblastoma cells. In conclusion, within the light of the findings of thisin vitrostudy, it is possible to denote that Wintergreen oil has low potential in cancer prevention and therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The number of multidrug resistant (MDR) microorganisms is increasing and the antimicrobial resistance expressed by these pathogens is generating a rising global health crisis. In fact, there are only a few antimicrobial agents left that can be used against MDR bacteria and fungi. Objective: In this study, the antimicrobial activities of selected natural products from the flora of Northern Ontario against selected microorganisms are reported. Materials and methods: Plants were collected from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, and ethanol extracts were prepared using EtOH:H2O (1:1, v/v). Fungal cultures used in this study were Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Schizosaccharomyces octosporus. Bacterial cultures employed included Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Mycobacterium phlei ATCC 11758, and Streptococcus lactis ATCC 19435. The microplate resazurin assay was used to screen for antimicrobial activity. Results: Extracts of four plant species Chimaphila umbellata L. (Pyrolaceae), Betula papyrifera Marshall (Betulaceae), Rhus typhina L. (Anacardiaceae), and Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall (Oleaceae), and six compounds (gallic acid, ethyl gallate, caffeic acid, sinapic acid, gentisic acid, and chlorogenic acid) demonstrated antibacterial or antifungal activities with MICs ranging from 62.5 to 1000 µg/mL, respectively, for a chemical fraction of an extract from Betula papyrifera against the bacterium S. aureus. Discussion and conclusion: The present study has shown that certain plant extracts and select fractions and standard chemical compounds exhibit antimicrobial effects. Prince's Pine, Chimaphila umbellate, White Birch, Betula papyrifera, Staghorn Sumac, Rhus typhina, and Green Ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica were the principal extracts exhibiting notable antibacterial and/or antifungal activities; while gallic acid, ethyl gallate, and caffeic acid demonstrated antibacterial activities and sinapic acid, gentisic acid, and chlorogenic acid demonstrated antifungal activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]