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Background. Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is a plant growing in southeast Europe, in the past used in folk medicine. There are many previous publications showing the preventive effects of (poly)phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins, on cardiovascular diseases, but there is a lack of studies comparing the effects of (poly)phenolics and other constituents of fruits. Objectives. We have attempted to determine if iridoids and anthocyanins from cornelian cherry fruits may affect the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta as well as lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in the livers of cholesterol-fed rabbits. Material and methods. Fractions of iridoids and anthocyanins were analyzed using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods. Loganic acid (20 mg/kg b.w.) and a mixture of anthocyanins (10 mg/kg b.w.) were administered orally for 60 days to rabbits fed with 1% cholesterol. Histopathological samples of the aortas and the livers were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde - MDA) and redox status (glutathione - GSH, glutathione peroxidase - Gpx and superoxide dismutase - SOD) were analyzed using spectrophotometrical methods. Results. Both loganic acid (an iridoid) and a mixture of anthocyanins diminished the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta. Both substances also diminished lipid peroxidation, measured as a decrease of MDA, and attenuated oxidative stress, measured as an increase of GSH in the livers depleted by cholesterol feeding. Unexpectedly, cholesterol feeding decreased the Gpx activity in the liver, which was reversed by both investigated substances. Conclusions. We have shown that both iridoids and anthocyanins help prevent fed-induced atherosclerosis, and the consumption of fruits rich in these substances may elicit beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal formulations have been used in ethnomedicine and pharmacy around the world for thousands of years. One of them is Jerusalem Balsam (JB), which came into use in the seventeenth century. Today, people still produce and use it regularly as prophylactic supplement. JB has been widely used in Europe since the nineteenth century, as a remedy possessing antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities. The composition of the product was not known, although possible formulations were reported. In this study the original sample, which dated back to 1870, was investigated for chemical composition and cytotoxic activity. The obtained results were compared with results from more recently produced samples. Several tests were carried out, namely GC-MS, UPLC-PDA-Q-TOF-MS and MTT. Only the 150-year old sample showed a significant cytotoxic activity on cancer cell lines. At a concentration of 125 μg/mL after 72 h of incubation, the original sample inhibited almost 90% of cell metabolic activity, while contemporary samples showed none or little activity. None of the tested samples showed a significant impact on normal cells. These results may be attributed to the activities of benzoic acid and its derivatives, cinnamic acid derivatives, vanillin, group of sesquiterpenes and cembrene. • JB is a herbal formulation for consumers who are attracted to prophylactic administration of such products. • JBs has shown diversified chemical composition, strongly dependent on the raw materials composition. • It is possible to identify the potential cytotoxic constituents of JBs by comparing their chemical composition. • 150-year old JB showed significant cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines. • None of JBs showed significant cytotoxic activity against normal cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of higher plants for the production of plant growth biostimulants is receiving increased attention among scientists, farmers, investors, consumers and regulators. The aim of the present study was to examine the possibility of converting plants commonly occurring in Europe (St. John's wort, giant goldenrod, common dandelion, red clover, nettle, valerian) into valuable and easy to use bio-products. The biostimulating activity of botanical extracts and their effect on the chemical composition of celeriac were identified. Plant-based extracts, obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction and mechanical homogenisation, were tested in field trials. It was found that the obtained formulations increased the total yield of leaves rosettes and roots, the dry weight of leaves rosettes and roots, the content of chlorophyll a + b and carotenoids, the greenness index of leaves, the content of vitamin C in leaves and roots. They mostly decreased the content of polyphenols and antioxidant activities in leaves but increased them in roots and conversely affected the nitrates content. Extracts showed a varied impact on the content of micro and macroelements, as well as the composition of volatile compounds and fatty acids in the celeriac biomass. Due to the modulatory properties of the tested products, they may be used successfully in sustainable horticulture.