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Pinus nigra Arn. bark extracts from Mokra gora (MG) and Tara mountains were analyzed with regard to their polyphenolic profile and antioxidative and antiproliferative activity. The ethanol extract from MG showed the highest phenolic, flavonoid, tannin, and proanthocyanidin content when compared with the acetone and methanol extracts from both sites. The same extract exhibited the highest ABTS (2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) radical scavenging ability and total antioxidant activity (TAA). On the basis of high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, catechin, caffeic, syringic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids were predominantly present in the MG extracts. The ethanol extract from MG was rich in syringic acid, epicatechin and its derivatives, and ferulic acid and its derivatives. The bark extracts also exerted a high cytotoxic bioactivity against all evaluated cell lines (HeLa, MCF7, HT-29, and MRC-5). The antiproliferative activity of P. nigra bark is probably related to the ferulic acid content and its synergistic activity to caffeic acid and taxifolin. The antioxidative role of the presented phenols was confirmed through the obtained significant linear correlation between the total phenolic content and DPPH (r = .934) as well as the FRAP% of the extracts (r = .948). Also, the TAA significantly depended on the proanthocyanidins (r = .902) and tannin contents (r = .914). The composition of the presented compounds could be related to promising antioxidant and antiproliferative efficacy of MG bark., (© 2021 Deutsche Pharmazeutische Gesellschaft.)

Management of storage pest insects relies heavily on chemical control, and there is a need to develop more sustainable management practices. Here, we evaluated the impact of 2% ethanol plant extracts of Ajuga reptans L., Ajuga pyramidalis L. (both Lamiaceae), Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae), and Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae) plants on mortality, population growth, and developmental stability [measuring fluctuating asymmetry (FA)] of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a worldwide stored product pest. FA refers to small, random deviations occurring between the left and right sides of bilaterally symmetrical organisms; these deviations increase in response to environmental stress, making FA a reliable method to measure the impact of stress. FA was measured by means of geometric morphometrics, a method that allows for analyzing the whole landmark configuration of the insect, rather than taking single measurements. Extracts of the mentioned plants were used to treat maize (Zea mays L., Poaceae) kernels on which experimental populations of the rice weevil were grown, and we assessed mortality after 24–72 h, population growth after 30–90 days, and developmental stability after 90 days. Screening bioassays showed that S. oryzae adults were most affected by Ajuga extracts; Ajuga spp., especially A. reptans, significantly reduced population growth. In concordance, Ajuga extracts increased FA. The effects of U. dioica and C. sativa extract were less pronounced. None of the extracts significantly affected insect mortality. Overall, it can be concluded that A. reptans and A. pyramidalis are potential sources of bioactive compounds that may be further used for S. oryzae control. The results obtained confirm that variation in body shape asymmetry can be used as an indicator of population disturbance when insects are exposed to different types of stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Plants which belong to Lamiaceae family are good potential sources of natural antioxidants useful for preventing oxidative stress-related diseases. The food industry is becoming increasingly interested in aromatic herbs, including plants from Lamiaceae family, because of their anti- inflammatory properties and antioxidant activities, due to growing consumer demands for healthy foods of natural origin. In the present investigation, the comparative antioxidant potential of aqueous and acetone extracts of three Lamiaceae species are described: Clinopodium menthifolium (Host), Satureja montana L., and Salvia sclarea L., using three methods: 2,2–azinobis (3–ethyl–benzothiazoline– 6–sulfonic acid) radical (ABTS) scavenging, 1,1–Diphenyl– 2–picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and their correlations with total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Antioxidant capacity showed a positive relationship comparing three above mentioned tests. Antioxidant capacity detected by antioxidant ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays was positively correlated with total phenolics content. Aqueous extract of C. menthifolium showed greater antioxidant potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive use of synthetic pesticides has negative effects on the environment and on human and animal health. Knowledge on allelopathic interactions could provide effective tools for a better exploitation of natural resources in the management of weeds without using herbicides. One of highly resistant weed species is bromus. The effects of two concentrations (0.1% and 0.2%) of Salvia sclarea L. aqueous extract on the activity of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in leaves and roots of bromus (Bromus mollis L.) seedlings, were examined. Our results showed that both concentrations of the extract used (0.1% and 0.2%) stimulated the significant increase of the superoxide dismutase activity in leaves and roots of bromus 72 hours and 120 hours after the treatment. The significant increase of the catalase activity was recorded in roots of bromus 72 h after the treatment. Two tested extract concentrations affected activity of the antioxidant enzymes in the same way, but the higher activity was observed in the roots treated with higher concentration (0.2%). The increase of the activities of antioxidant enzymes, in response to stress induced by S. sclarea aqueous extract, indicate that the plant extract possesses allelopathic activity on treated plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of Satureja montana L. aqueous extract on soybean antioxidant properties so as to assess its possible side effects when applied as biohebicide in soybean organic production. The effects of two concentrations (0.1% and 0.2%) of S. montana aqueous extract on the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in leaves and roots of soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings were examined 24, 72 and 120 h after the treatment. Our results showed that the significant increase in the catalase activity was recorded in roots of soybean treated with both concentrations of the extract used. On the other hand, both concentrations of S. montana aqueous extract stimulated the significant increase of the superoxide dismutase activity in leaves and roots of soybean. Higher activity of the antioxidant enzymes in the roots of soybean compared with activity of the antioxidant enzymes in leaves showed that roots were more affected than leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of two extracting solvents (70% acetone and 70% ethanol) and maturity stage (semi ripe and ripe) on the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of fruits of three sweet cherry cultivars (Burlat, New Star and Peter) were investigated. Results showed that extraction solvent did not have significant effects on total phenolics (TP), tannins (TT) and flavonoids (TF) content and antioxidant activity (1,2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, ferricreducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay, total antioxidant activity (TAA) by phosphomolybedenum complex formation method and reducing power (RP) assay) in dried fruits of sweet cherry. The results did not showed significant changes in phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of fruits during the ripening. Among the investigated sweet cherry fruits, Peter cultivar contained the highest amounts of all groups of phenolics, followed by Burlat and New Star. TP in fruits ranged from 10.90 (ripe New Star, ethanol extract) to 28.92 (semi ripe Peter, acetone extract) mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight (DW). The highest amount of TF in fruits was detected in ethanol extract of semi ripe Peter cultivar (12.97 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g DW), while the lowest content was found in ethanol extracts of semi ripe New Star cultivar (7.80 mg QE/g DW). The examined cultivars possess a high antioxidant capacity, and all measured phenolic groups were highly correlated with performed antioxidant assays. The antioxidant activity values obtained with DPPH in the dry fruits (ranging from 7.68 to 13.29 mg trolox equivalents (TE)/g DW) were comparable to those obtained with FRAP 3.69 to 13.28 mg TE/g DW). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive use of synthetic insecticides, herbicides and other pesticides has negative effects on the environment and on human and animal health. Therefore, scientists are turning towards natural pesticides, such as active components of plant extracts. The effect of two concentrations (0.1 and 0.2%) of a Satureja montana L. aqueous extract on the lipid peroxidation process, as well as on the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), pyrogallol peroxidase (PPX) and catalase (CAT) in the leaves and roots of pepper and black nightshade seedlings were examined 24, 72 and 120 h after treatment. The results showed that the higher concentration of S. montana aqueous extract induced lipid peroxidation in black nightshade roots. Furthermore, significant increases of pyrogallol and guaiacol peroxidase were detected in black nightshade leaves treated with 0.2% of the S. montana aqueous extract. The second aim was to evaluate effectiveness of the aqueous extract as a contact toxicant against whitefly. It was observed that the 0.2% aqueous extract exhibited a toxic effect with 68.33% mortality after 96 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]