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Porous hydrogels have brought more advantages than conventional hydrogels when used as chromatographic materials, controlled release vehicles for drugs and proteins, matrices for immobilization or separation of molecules and cells, or as scaffolds in tissue engineering. Polysaccharide-based porous hydrogels, in particular, can address challenges related to bioavailability, solubility, stability, and targeted delivery of natural antioxidant compounds. Their porous structure enables the facile encapsulation and controlled release of these compounds, enhancing their therapeutic effectiveness. In this context, in the present study, the cryogelation technique has been adopted to prepare novel dextran (Dx)-based porous hydrogels embedding polyphenol-rich natural extract from Picea abies spruce bark (SBE). The entrapment of the SBE within the Dx network was proved by FTIR, SEM, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). SEM analysis showed that entrapment of SBE resulted in denser cryogels with smaller and more uniform pores. Swelling kinetics confirmed that higher concentrations of Dx, EGDGE, and SBE reduced water uptake. The release studies demonstrated the effective stabilization of SBE in the Dx-based cryogels, with minimal release irrespective of the approach selected for SBE incorporation, i.e., during synthesis (~3-4%) or post-synthesis (~15-16%). In addition, the encapsulation of SBE within the Dx network endowed the hydrogels with remarkable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. These porous biomaterials could have broad applications in areas such as biomedical engineering, food preservation, and environmental protection, where stability, efficacy, and safety are paramount.

Biobased porous hydrogels enriched with phytocompounds-rich herbal extracts have aroused great interest in recent years, especially in healthcare. In this study, new macroporous hybrid cryogel constructs comprising thiourea-containing chitosan (CSTU) derivative and a Hypericum perforatum L. extract (HYP E ), commonly known as St John's wort, were prepared by a facile one-pot ice-templating strategy. Benefiting from the strong interactions between the functional groups of the CSTU matrix and those of polyphenols in HYP E , the hybrid cryogels possess excellent liquid absorption capacity, mechanical resilience, antioxidant performance, and a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity simultaneously. Thus, owing to their design, the hybrid constructs exhibit an interconnected porous architecture with the ability to absorb over 33 and 136 times their dry weight, respectively, when contacted with a phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4) and an acidic aqueous solution (pH 2). These cryogel constructs have extremely high compressive strengths ranging from 839 to 1045 kPa and withstand elevated strains of over 70% without developing fractures. Moreover, the water-swollen hybrid cryogels with the highest HYP E content revealed a complete and instant shape recovery after uniaxial compression. The incorporation of HYP E into CSTU cryogels enabled substantial improvement in scavenging reactive oxygen species and an expanded antibacterial spectrum toward multiple pathogens, including Gram-positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis ), Gram-negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ), and fungi ( Candida albicans ). Cell viability experiments demonstrated the cytocompatibility of the 3D cryogel constructs, which did not induce changes in the fibroblast morphology. This work showcases a simple and effective strategy to immobilize HYP E extracts on CSTU 3D networks, allowing the development of novel multifunctional platforms with promising potential in hemostasis, wound dressing, and dermal regeneration scaffolds.

Over the years, polysaccharides such as chitosan, alginate, hyaluronic acid, k-carrageenan, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, pectin, and starch, alone or in combination with proteins and/or synthetic polymers, have been used to engineer an extensive portfolio of hydrogels with remarkable features. The application of polysaccharide-based hydrogels has the potential to alleviate challenges related to bioavailability, solubility, stability, and targeted delivery of phytocompounds, contributing to the development of innovative and efficient drug delivery systems and functional food formulations. This review highlights the current knowledge acquired on the preparation, features and applications of polysaccharide/phytocompounds hydrogel-based hybrid systems in wound management, drug delivery, functional foods, and food industry. The structural, functional, and biological requirements of polysaccharides and phytocompounds on the overall performance of such hybrid systems, and their impact on the application domains are also discussed., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The Salvia genus comprises about 1000 species endowed with medicinal, aromatic, cosmetic, and ornamental applications. Even though the genus is one of the most-studied taxa of the Lamiaceae family, data on the chemical composition and biological properties of certain locally used Salvia species are still scarce. The present work aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profile and antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic potential of ten Salvia species that grow in Eastern Europe (e.g., the Republic of Moldova). LC-HRMS/MS metabolite profiling allowed for the annotation of 15 phenolic and organic acids, 18 flavonoids, 19 diterpenes, 5 sesterpenes, and 2 triterpenes. Multivariate analysis (e.g., principal component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis) revealed that S. austriaca , S. nutans , and S. officinalis formed individual clusters, whereas the remaining species had a similar composition. S. officinalis showed the highest activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae (MIC = 0.625 mg/mL). As evaluated in DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, S. officinalis was one of the most potent radical scavenging and metal-reducing agents (CE 50 values of 25.33, 8.13, and 21.01 μg/mL, respectively), followed by S. verticillata , S. sclarea , S. kopetdaghensis , S. aethiopis , and S. tesquicola. Pearson correlation analysis revealed strong correlations with rosmarinic acid, luteolin- O -glucuronide, and hydroxybenzoic acid. When the cytotoxic activity was evaluated in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, no significant reduction in cell viability was observed over the concentrations ranging from 25 and 100 μg/mL. The results confirm the potential use of understudied Salvia species as promising sources of antioxidant compounds for developing novel pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, or cosmeceutical products., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Despite progress in understanding the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the development of effective therapeutic strategies is a challenging task that requires more research to attain its full potential. This review discusses current pharmacotherapy in atherosclerosis and explores the potential of some important emerging therapies (antibody-based therapeutics, cytokine-targeting therapy, antisense oligonucleotides, photodynamic therapy and theranostics) in terms of clinical translation. A chemopreventive approach based on modern research of plant-derived products is also presented. Future perspectives on preventive and therapeutic management of atherosclerosis and the design of tailored treatments are outlined.

Herein, we entrapped Thymus vulgaris essential oil (EO) within the physically cross-linked sponge-like architecture of cryogels by ice template-assisted freeze-drying. Their 3D cryogenically-structured network was built through hydrogen bonding formed by blending two naturally-derived polysaccharides, chitosan and dextrin. The embedment of EOs within the cryogel matrix generates porous films with an increased elasticity that allows their fast shape recovery after full compression. Thus, the swollen EOs-loaded cryogel films exhibited an elastic modulus of 3.00 MPa, which is more than 40 times higher than that of polysaccharide films without EOs (an elastic modulus of only 0.07 MPa). In addition, the encapsulation of bioactive compounds endows the bio-based films with both antioxidant and antifungal properties, showing a radical scavenging activity of 65% and a zone inhibition diameter of 40 mm for Candida parapsilosis fungi. Our results recommend the entrapment of EOs into bio-based cryogel carriers as a straightforward approach to provide 'green' polysaccharide-based films having both improved physicochemical properties and remarkable antifungal activity., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Pectins are a part of daily diet as well as food additives that are indigestible polysaccharides by human enzymes, however, they can be easily degraded by gut bacteria with the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Knowledge of pectin gut homeostasis and further how pectin affect gut bacterial communities is insufficient and limited. This review focuses on providing the whole story of how pectin functions as prebiotics in the gut. Understanding the interplay between functional and immunological responses inside animal or human gut as influenced by pectin in diets is provided. The interaction between pectin and gut microbiota is presented from both sides, in terms of how pectin affects gut microbiome and or the fermentation products produced in response by gut bacteria. This knowledge can be used to define preferred dietary pectins, targeting beneficial bacteria, and favoring balanced microbiota communities in the gut to maximize pectins' health benefits., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Combination of antibiotics with natural products is a promising strategy for potentiating antibiotic activity and overcoming antibiotic resistance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether morusin and kuwanon G, prenylated phenolics in Morus species, have the ability to enhance antibiotic activity and reverse antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis . Commonly used antibiotics (oxacillin, erythromycin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, clindamycin) were selected for the combination studies. Checkerboard and time-kill assays were used to investigate potential bacteriostatic and bactericidal synergistic interactions, respectively between morusin or kuwanon G and antibiotics. According to both fractional inhibitory concentration index and response surface models, twenty combinations (14 morusin-antibiotic combinations, six kuwanon G-antibiotic combinations) displaying bacteriostatic synergy were identified, with 4-512-fold reduction in the minimum inhibitory concentration values of antibiotics in combination. Both morusin and kuwanon G reversed oxacillin resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, morusin reversed tetracycline resistance of Staphylococcus epidermidis . At half of the minimum inhibitory concentrations, combinations of morusin with oxacillin or gentamicin showed bactericidal synergy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Fluorescence and differential interference contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed an increase in the membrane permeability and massive leakage of cellular content in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus exposed to morusin or kuwanon G . Overall, our findings strongly indicate that both prenylated compounds are good candidates for the development of novel antibacterial combination therapies., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2020 The Author(s).)

The emergence of multidrug resistant pathogens is a great challenge to the medical field and a major global health threat requiring novel therapeutic strategies. Among plant products, essential oils have significant antimicrobial properties that make them promising agents in the fight against drug resistant human pathogens. The aim of the present review was to highlight the most important essential oil-based antimicrobial strategies as revealed by recent studies. Synergistic interactions between essential oils or their bioactive compounds in combination with known antibiotics are presented. Also, nanoformulation approaches to boost the antimicrobial activity of essential oils are reviewed in terms of bioefficiency, stability and design of the nanostructured delivery systems. The focus was mainly put on the antimicrobial activity against multi-drug resistant pathogens, also called "ESKAPE" organisms ( Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus , Klebsiella spp., Acinetobacter baumannii , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Enterobacter spp.). Thus, essential oils in combinatorial and nano-based strategies may cope with infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria and may offer possibilities for reducing antibiotic use. Research on the in vivo efficacy and safety of such strategies is required for further clinical antimicrobial chemotherapy. In this regard, the understanding of the interactions between essential oil-based strategies and biological interface is essential.

A polyphenol-rich diet protects against chronic pathologies by modulating numerous physiological processes, such as cellular redox potential, enzymatic activity, cell proliferation and signaling transduction pathways. However, polyphenols have a low oral bioavailability mainly due to an extensive biotransformation mediated by phase I and phase II reactions in enterocytes and liver but also by gut microbiota. Despite low oral bioavailability, most polyphenols proved significant biological effects which brought into attention the low bioavailability/high bioactivity paradox . In recent years, polyphenol metabolites have attracted great interest as many of them showed similar or higher intrinsic biological effects in comparison to the parent compounds. There is a huge body of literature reporting on the biological functions of polyphenol metabolites generated by phase I and phase II metabolic reactions and gut microbiota-mediated biotransformation. In this respect, the review highlights the pharmacokinetic fate of the major dietary polyphenols (resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, rutin, genistein, daidzein, ellagitannins, proanthocyanidins) in order to further address the efficacy of biometabolites as compared to parent molecules. The present work strongly supports the contribution of metabolites to the health benefits of polyphenols, thus offering a better perspective in understanding the role played by dietary polyphenols in human health.

The Romanian coastlines of the Black Sea have abundant seaweed resources, but little effort has been done to investigate their biological potential. The aim of the present study was to assess the in vitro antioxidant and anti-proliferative effects of Cystoseira barbata (Stackhouse) C. Agardh (Sargassaceae), a brown alga inhabiting the Black Sea coast of Romania. The 70% acetone, methanol and water extracts of C. barbata were evaluated for their total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and anti-proliferative potential against human tumor cell lines (pulmonary A549, colon HT-29, mammary MCF-7) and the non-tumor mammary epithelial MCF-10A cell line. C. barbata 70% acetone extract (CBAE) displayed the highest antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The mechanism of CBAE anti-proliferative activity involved initially increased intracellular ROS accumulation, followed by increased DNA content in the subG1 phase and DNA fragmentation leading to excessive apoptosis. Thus, our study provides a theoretical basis for the use of CBAE as a tumor preventive agent. Furthermore, UHPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS analysis of CBAE tentatively identified 18 phlorotannins as fucophlorethol and eckol derivatives, containing three up to seven phloroglucinol units. In conclusion, C. barbata represents a valuable source for the development of macroalgal-based products with putative use as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The growing use of plant products among patients with cardiovascular pharmacotherapy raises the concerns about their potential interactions with conventional cardiovascular medicines. Plant products can influence pharmacokinetics or/and pharmacological activity of coadministered drugs and some of these interactions may lead to unexpected clinical outcomes. Numerous studies and case reports showed various pharmacokinetic interactions that are characterized by a high degree of unpredictability. This review highlights the pharmacokinetic clinically relevant interactions between major conventional cardiovascular medicines and plant products with an emphasis on their putative mechanisms, drawbacks of herbal products use, and the perspectives for further well-designed studies., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2019 Irina-Iuliana Costache et al.)

In traditional folk medicine, Verbascum species have been used since ancient times to treat respiratory disorders, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, wounds, eczema and other types of inflammatory skin conditions. Despite the fact that more than 200 bioactive constituents (phenylethanoids, flavonoids, neolignan glycosides, phenolic acids, iridoids, saponins and polysaccharides) have been previously isolated from various Verbascum species, to date preparative high-performance countercurrent chromatography (HPCCC) has never been employed for this purpose. Therefore, in this study, simple HPCCC methods were successfully developed with the aim to primarily isolate acylated iridoid diglycosides from Verbascum ovalifolium Donn ex Sims (oval-leaved mullein). By the use of several biphasic solvent systems containing n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol/methanol and water, premnacorymboside B (3, 4 mg, 95.4% purity), saccatoside (4, 6 mg, 95.7% purity), premnacorymboside A (7, 6 mg, 98.3%), scorodioside (8, 11 mg, 96.0%) and 6-O-(3'',4''-di-O-trans-cinnamoyl)-α-L-rhamnopyranosylcatalpol (9, 8 mg, 95.3%) were afforded; compounds 7, 8 and 9 have not been previously reported in Verbascum genus. Additionally, two phenolic acids (1, 2), two flavonoids (6, 10) and verbascoside (5) were secondarily isolated. Evaluation of interleukin 8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitory properties of the acylated iridoid diglycosides proved that these compounds down-regulated TNF-α release more efficiently than IL-8 secretion. The activity might be dependent on the degree of esterification, as diacyl derivatives showed more potent effects than monoesters. The HPCCC methods herein developed could serve to large scale isolation of constituents from Verbascum genus for extensive biological investigations., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of coriander essential oil and its major constituent, linalool, in combination with antibiotics against Gram-positive (methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli). The chemical composition of coriander essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization and mass spectrometry detection. The antibacterial activity of coriander essential oil, linalool and their combinations with antibiotics were assessed by the broth microdilution and checkerboard assays respectively. Thirty-four compounds were identified in coriander essential oil, linalool (70·11%) being predominant. Coriander essential oil and linalool showed synergistic interactions with antibiotics (oxacillin, amoxicillin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline) against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In these synergistic combinations, minimum inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics were markedly reduced; even antibiotic resistance reversal activity was recorded. These findings are very promising for the development of new therapeutic options for bacterial infections. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Gram-negative bacteria are still major threats to human health and, therefore, identification of new antibacterial agents or combinations with high potency is needed. Our study found synergistic interactions between coriander essential oil/linalool and antibiotics against MRSA and other Gram-positive bacteria (methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, S. epidermidis), but also Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli). Increase in antibiotic susceptibility and reversal of antibiotic resistance were also demonstrated. Combinations of coriander essential oil/linalool and antibiotics are thus very promising for the development of novel antibacterials., (© 2018 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Introduction: Plant species of Verbascum genus have been intensively investigated in the last decades but most studies focused on evaluation of their biological activities; there are only few studies dealing with their chemical characterisation., Objective: Detailed investigation of the qualitative and quantitative chemical composition, antioxidant and cytogenotoxic activities of a previously non-studied Verbascum species (V. ovalifolium Donn ex Sims)., Methods: Qualitative analysis of secondary metabolites was performed by HPLC-DAD-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS, whereas quantitative data were obtained through HPLC-DAD. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using in vitro assays; cytotoxic and genotoxic effects were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium (MTT) and comet assays, respectively., Results: More than 50 secondary bioactive metabolites belonging to various classes (iridoids, phenylethanoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids) were detected in the methanolic extract of V. ovalifolium and its fractions. The fragmentation pathways of acylated catalpol-type iridoid diglycosides are thoughtfully described herein. The extracts showed good free radical scavenging and ferric ion reducing properties correlated with phenolic, flavonoid, chlorogenic acid and verbascoside contents. Moreover, 24 h treatment of SK-MEL-2 cells with V. ovalifolium extracts produced significant changes in terms of tumour cell viability. The crude extract and the ethyl acetate fraction showed no important signs of cytogenotoxicity in non-tumour cells., Conclusion: The performed phytochemical and biological analyses contribute to the preclinical knowledge about V. ovalifolium and they could help exploiting it in novel herbal medicinal products., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ajowan essential oil (AjEO)/thymol and antibiotics combinations against three standard strains and six resistant clinical isolates of major respiratory bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae). The broth microdilution method was conducted to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of essential oil/thymol and antibiotics. The checkerboard method was used to investigate the interactions between the essential oil/thymol and antibiotics by means of the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). The chemical composition of essential oil was also analysed by GC-MS and GC-FID. Thymol (50·75%), γ-terpinene (25·94%) and p-cymene (18·31%) were identified as major constituents of the oil. The most sensitive organisms to ajowan volatile oil were Strep. pneumoniae bacteria (MIC = 0·125-0·5 mg ml -1 ). Synergistic effects were observed with AjEO/thymol and amoxicillin combinations on methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus clinical isolates (FICI = 0·37-0·50) and with essential oil and ciprofloxacin combinations against P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staph. aureus ATCC 25923 and penicillin (P)-resistant Strep. pneumoniae bacteria (FICI = 0·37-0·50). Combination of thymol and ciprofloxacin produces synergistic effects only against P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and P-resistant Strep. pneumoniae clinical isolate (FICI = 0·46-0·49)., (© 2018 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Ramaria largentii Marr & D. E. Stuntz (orange coral mushroom) is a wild edible mushroom whose chemical composition and bioactivity have not been investigated. Herein, we present a study on the phenolic constituents, antioxidant and antigenotoxic effects of a hydromethanolic extract of the fruiting bodies. Total phenolic content, estimated by Folin-Ciocalteu assay, was found to be 42.33 ± 0.18 mg GAE/g. Protocatechuic and vanillic acids were detected by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS. The extract showed good free radical scavenging and reducing capacities (EC 50  = 64.3 ± 0.2 and 61.54 ± 0.46 μg/mL, respectively). In normal Vero cells, the extract (100, 200 and 300 μg/mL) showed no genotoxic potential and moreover, almost completely protected DNA against H 2 O 2 -induced damage (2.09-7.91% tail DNA) (24 and 48 h pre-treatment). Taken together, the results of our study show that Ramaria largentii extract is devoid of genotoxicity and has a remarkable DNA protective activity against H 2 O 2 -induced damage., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Flavonoids, natural compounds found in plants and in plant-derived foods and beverages, have been extensively studied with regard to their capacity to modulate metabolic enzymes and drug transporters. In vitro, flavonoids predominantly inhibit the major phase I drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP450 3A4 and the enzymes responsible for the bioactivation of procarcinogens (CYP1 enzymes) and upregulate the enzymes involved in carcinogen detoxification (UDP-glucuronosyltransferases, glutathione S-transferases (GSTs)). Flavonoids have been reported to inhibit ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters (multidrug resistance (MDR)-associated proteins, breast cancer-resistance protein) that contribute to the development of MDR. P-glycoprotein, an ABC transporter that limits drug bioavailability and also induces MDR, was differently modulated by flavonoids. Flavonoids and their phase II metabolites (sulfates, glucuronides) inhibit organic anion transporters involved in the tubular uptake of nephrotoxic compounds. In vivo studies have partially confirmed in vitro findings, suggesting that the mechanisms underlying the modulatory effects of flavonoids are complex and difficult to predict in vivo. Data summarized in this review strongly support the view that flavonoids are promising candidates for the enhancement of oral drug bioavailability, chemoprevention, and reversal of MDR., (© 2017 New York Academy of Sciences.)

Cocoa is a rich source of high-quality antioxidant polyphenols. They comprise mainly catechins (29%-38% of total polyphenols), anthocyanins (4% of total polyphenols) and proanthocyanidins (58%-65% of total polyphenols). A growing body of experimental and epidemiological evidence highlights that the intake of cocoa polyphenols may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. Beyond antioxidant properties, cocoa polyphenols exert blood pressure lowering activity, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, metabolic and anti-atherosclerotic effects, and also improve endothelial function. This paper reviews the role of cocoa polyphenols in cardiovascular protection, with a special focus on mechanisms of action, clinical relevance and correlation between antioxidant activity and cardiovascular health.

Gram-negative bacteria cause infections that are difficult to treat due to the emergence of multidrug resistance. This review summarizes the current status of the studies investigating the capacity of essential oils and their components to modulate antibiotic activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Synergistic interactions are particularly discussed with reference to possible mechanisms by which essential oil constituents interact with antibiotics. Special emphasis is given to essential oils and volatile compounds that inhibit efflux pumps, thus reversing drug resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, indifference and antagonism between essential oils/volatile compounds and conventional antibiotics have also been reported. Overall, this literature review reveals that essential oils and their purified components enhance the efficacy of antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria, being promising candidates for the development of new effective formulations against Gram-negative bacteria.

Essential oils have significant antioxidant activity, being used frequently as preservatives in the food and cosmetic industries. Aim: To assess the in vitro antioxidant activity of essential oil from Carum carvi L. (caraway) cultivated in northeastern Romania. Materials and Methods: The essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation from dried caraway fruits. The chemical composition was investigated by gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by three different in vitro antioxidant assays (DPPH∙ and ABTS•+ scavenging and reducing power assays). Butylhydroxyanisole was used as reference standard. Results and Discussion: Carvone was the major compound of essential oil of caraway fruits (48.53%), followed by limonene (44.42%). Evaluation of the antioxidant activity (DPPH∙and ABTS•+ scavenging activity and reducing power) revealed significant effects, with IC50 values of 46.51 ± 1.61 µg/mL, 5.34 ± 0.07 µg/mL and 7.64 ± 0.22 µg/mL, respectively, as compared to those of the reference standard, butylhydroxyanisole (6.09 ± 0.27 µg/mL, 1.49 ± 0.00 µg/mL and 3.39 ± 0.07 µg/mL, respectively). Conclusions: Essential oil of Carum carvi cultivated in northeastern Romania belongs to carvone chemotype. Due to its high antioxidant activity it might be a potential alternative to conventional preservatives in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Aim: Catechins profile, caffeine content and antioxidant activity of different green tea and white tea samples commercialized on the Romanian market were investigated., Material and Methods: Five green tea samples and five white tea samples commonly available on the Romanian market were processed by infusion and the lyophilisates of infusions were analyzed. Total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Catechins and caffeine profile was analyzed by RP-HPLC-DAD (Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18 column, binary mobile phase (A) 3% acetic acid and (B) methanol). In vitro antioxidant activity was assessed by free radical scavenging and ferrous ion chelating assays., Results and Discussions: Total phenolic content ranged between 44.73 +/- 0.63 and 63.57 +/- 0.45 GAE% in green tea samples and between 9.69 +/- 0.90 and 52.99 +/- 0.45 GAE% in white tea samples. RP-HPLC-DAD analysis allowed the identification of epigallocatechin gallate (45.18-118.58 mg/g lyophilisate) and caffeine (47.79-108.07 mg/g lyophilisate) in all tea samples; epicatechin was detected in all samples (5.04-31.04 mg/g lyophilisate) except for two white teas infusions. Green tea samples scavenged DPPH radical and chelated ferrous ion with EC50=9.68 +/- 0.02-16.11 +/- 0.02 microg/mL and 10.91 +/- 0.04-18.65 +/- 0.03 microg/mL, respectively. For white teas, EC50 values varied between 9.50 +/- 0.02-20.95 +/- 0.02 microg/mL in DPPH assay and 12.49 +/- 0.03-20.32 +/- 0.07 microg/mL in ferrous ion chelating assay., Conclusions: This study showed a large variability in the content of catechins and caffeine and in the antioxidant capacity of both green and white tea samples.

Anethole is the main fragrance and bioactive compound of anise, fennel, and star anise spices and more than other 20 plant species. It is widely used as flavor agent in food industry and other industries, in cosmetics, perfumery, and pharmaceuticals. In the last few years, various studies have revealed multiple beneficial effects of anethole for human health, such as anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and chemopreventive, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, or antithrombotic, that are mediated by the modulation of several cell signaling pathways, mainly NF-kB and TNF-α signaling, and various ion channels. This chapter aims to review the scientific data and attempts to provide an insight into pharmacological activity of anethole and its therapeutic potential in human chronic diseases.

Cocoa originates from beans of the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao L.) and it is an important commodity in the world and the main ingredient in chocolate manufacture. Its value and quality are related to unique and complex flavors. Bulk cocoas (Forastero type) exhibit strong basic cocoa notes, whereas fine varieties (Criollo, Nacional) show aromatic, floral, or smoother flavor characteristics. About 600 various compounds (alcohols, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and pyrazines) have been identified as odor-active components. The specific cocoa aroma arises from complex biochemical and chemical reactions during the postharvest processing of raw beans, and from many influences of the cocoa genotype, chemical make-up of raw seeds, environmental conditions, farming practices, processing, and manufacturing stages. There has been much research on cocoa flavor components. However, the relationships between all chemical components that are likely to play a role in cocoa flavor, their sensory properties, and the sources and mechanisms of flavor formation are not fully understood. This paper provides an overview on cocoa flavor from a compositional and a sensory perspective. The nonvolatile and volatile chemical components of cocoa and chocolate flavor, and their sensory properties correlated to the main influences involved in flavor formation, are reviewed., (© 2015 Institute of Food Technologists®.)

Unlabelled: The red seaweed Phyllophora pseudoceranoides (Gmelin) New. et Tayl, commonly found in the Romanian Black Sea coastal waters, has not been studied regarding its chemical composition and biological activities., Aims: The aim of the present study was to isolate, characterize and assess the in vitro antioxidant activity of the crude polysaccharide from P. pseudocerano ides., Materials and Methods: The water soluble polysaccharide was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Total phenolic content was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by ABTS radical cation scavenging and reducing power assays. Commercial-grade carrageenan was used as positive control., Results and Discussion: FT-IR analysis of the crude polysaccharide showed characteristic bands of carrageenan-type structure. A total phenolic content of 25.08 ± 1.00 mg GAE/g was determined in the crude polysaccharide. At 1.5 mg/mL, the polysaccharide exhibited important ABTS scavenging activity (49.59 ± 0.03%) and showed a good reducing power (0.4060 ± 0.002), when compared with the positive control (ABTS scavenging activity: 30.30 ± 0.03% and reducing power: 0.2494 ± 0.002, at a concentration of 1.5 mg/mL)., Conclusions: The antioxidant activity of the sulfated polysaccharide suggests its possible use as an ingredient and antioxidant agent in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Aim: This study aims to assess the microbial load of some medicinal plants (Matricaria chamomilla, Achillea millefolium, Ocimum basilicum, Calendula officinalis, Tilia cordata, Hypericum perforatum) commonly used as medicinal teas., Material and Methods: A total of 24 samples collected from the local market, as well as from the spontaneous flora of Galati County, were analyzed in terms of the total number of germs, the content of coliform bacteria, yeasts and molds, and the presence of specific pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, Salmonella spp.)., Results: The values obtained for total number of germs, yeasts and molds were in accordance with the limits set by the European Pharmacopoeia for plant products to which hot water is added before use. In the case of specific pathogenic bacteria, the presence of E. coli was confirmed in 41.66% of the samples, the presence of Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus in 16.66% of the samples, and the presence of Bacillus cereus in 33.33% of the samples. Salmonella spp. was absent in all samples., Conclusions: The study highlights a certain microbial load of medicinal plants analyzed, emphasizing the importance of quality control in all stages of production.

Unlabelled: Armillaria mellea, known as honey mushroom, has been used both as food and medicine., Aim: In this work, the ethanolic and hydromethanolic extracts from Armillaria mellea fruiting bodies were investigated for their phenolic content, antioxidant and antihyperglycemic effects (in vitro studies)., Material and Methods: The total phenolics were quantified using Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by testing the free radical scavenging capacity, reducing power and ferrous ion chelating ability; in addition, the capacity to inhibit 15-lipoxygenase was also assessed. The antihyperglycemic activity was investigated by α-glucosidase assay., Results: Total phenolic contents of 21.68 ± 0.06 and 5.70 ± 0.28 mg/g were determined in the hydromethanolic and ethanolic extracts, respectively. The hydromethanolic extract showed higher free radical scavenging and reducing abilities (EC50 = 452.6 ± 2.7, 140.57 ± 1.45 and 129.45 ± 0.98 μg/mL in DPPH, ABTS and reducing power assays, respectively). The ethanolic extract proved to be more efficient in the ferrous ion chelation, 15-lipoxygenase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays (EC55 = 67.93 ± 0.35, 290.93 ± 2.05 and 8.54 ± 0.06 μg/mL, respectively)., Conclusions: Armillaria mellea extracts showed antioxidant and antihyperglycemic potential in in vitro models and therefore they are promising candidates for the development of dietary supplements and pharmaceutical products.

The roots of Vernonia kotschyana Sch. Bip. ex Walp. (Asteraceae) are used in Malian traditional medicine in the treatment of gastroduodenal ulcers and gastritis. Since oxidative stress is involved in gastric ulceration, the aim of this study was to screen the root extracts for their in vitro antioxidant activity and phenolic content. The roots were extracted successively with chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol and water. The antioxidant activity of root extracts was evaluated in both cell-free and cell-based assays. Their chemical characterization was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) whereas the total phenolic content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The ethyl acetate extract displayed the highest phenolic content and was found to be the most active in the free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays; it also showed a high antioxidant activity in MCF-12F cells. This study suggests a potential use of the ethyl acetate extract of Vernonia kotschyana not only as an antioxidant agent in gastroduodenal ulcers and gastritis, but also in other disorders characterized by high levels of oxidative stress.

A raw extract and four extractive fractions were obtained from Cedrus brevifolia (Cyprus cedar) bark. They were all studied regarding the phenolic content and profile using spectrophotometry and HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS. The antioxidant activity was investigated using in vitro assays: DPPH and ABTS radicals scavenging and reducing power assays. The ethyl acetate fraction had the highest total phenolic and proanthocyanidin contents; a taxifolin-O-hexoside, catechin, epicatechin and procyanidin oligomers (three dimers, two trimers) were identified in this fraction. The ethyl acetate fraction was found to possess the highest DPPH and ABTS radicals scavenging effects (EC50 = 13.9 +/- 0.3 and 2.3 +/- 0.0 microg/mL, respectively) and reducing capacity (EC50 = 9.1 +/- 0.1 microg/mL). Antioxidant effects were highly correlated with total phenolic and proanthocyanidin contents (r = 0.89-0.99). These results suggest that Cedrus brevifolia bark is a new source of antioxidants.

Unlabelled: Crataegus succulenta Schrad. ex Link is widely spread in North America. A literature survey revealed no studies on the chemical composition and biological effects of this species., Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the phenolic content, free radical scavenging and 15-lipoxygenase inhibitory effects of Crataegus succulenta leaf and flower extracts., Material and Methods: Total phenolic, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents were quantified by spectrophotometric methods. Both extracts were evaluated for their ability to scavenge DPPH, superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals and to inhibit 15-lipoxygenase activity., Results: There were noticed no striking differences in the total phenolic, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents between leaf and flower extracts. Both extracts showed similar 15-lipoxygenase inhibitory effects. Flower extract scavenged more effectively DPPH and superoxide radicals while leave extract was more active against hydroxyl radical. In superoxide anion radical scavenging assay, both extracts were more active than (+)-catechin. In hydroxyl radical scavenging and 15-lipoxygenase inhibition assays, the extracts were only 4-5 times less active than (+)-catechin., Conclusions: The high antioxidant potential of Crataegus succulenta extracts suggest a possible use as ingredients in functional foods for the prevention of oxidative stress-related diseases.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of anise essential oil alone and in combination with conventional antibiotics (amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin) against Streptococcus pneumoniae clinical isolates. MATERIAL AND METHODs: Anise essential oil (AEO) was isolated by hydrodistillation from dried powdered fruits. Its chemical composition was investigated by GC-MS and GC-FID. Broth dilution assay was used to evaluate the antibacterial effects of anise essential oil. The interactions with antibiotics were studied by the checkerboard assay., Results: Trans-anethole (90.18%) was identified as major constituent in anise essential oil. Almost all combinations AEO-amoxicillin and AEO-ciprofloxacin showed indifferent interactions (1 < FIC index < or = 2). Positive interactions (addition and weak synergism) were found only for four combinations AEO-amoxicillin (FIC index = 1,0.62, 0.75 and 0.5) and one combination AEO-ciprofloxacin (FIC index = 0.62)., Conclusions: Herbal products containing anise essential oil may be used as expectorants in combination with amoxicillin or ciprofloxacin in Streptococcus pneumoniae infections without diminishing antibiotic efficacy.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and the clinical-evolutionary implications of thyroid damage in patients treated with amiodarone in the Cardiology Clinic of the "Sf. Spiridon" University Hospital of Iasi., Material and Methods: The study included a group of 215 patients, 90 men and 125 women with ages between 35 and 87, hospitalized in the Cardiology Clinic between 2004 and 2014, who received amiodarone treatment, in most cases for the prophylaxis of various arrhythmias, both supra-ventricular and ventricular., Results: In 27.80% of the patients, the assessment of the thyroid function was imposed by the appearance of the clinical picture characteristic for hypo- and hyperthyroidism, and for 72.19% it was carried out as a routine examination. Amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism was clinically diagnosed in 20.85% of the patients. Hyperthyroidism occurring during treatment with Cordarone was found in 6.95% of the patients. The confirmation of the diagnosis of amiodarone-induced thyroid dysfunction was based on hormonal dosages (TSH, FT4 and even FT3 in some cases), on the endocrinological clinical consultation and on the imaging study--i.e. thyroid echography., Conclusions: Amiodarone-induced thyroid dysfunction is relatively rare compared to the number of patients treated with this anti-arrhythmic drug (27.8%) from the group under study. Thyroid dysfunction, regardless of the type (with hypo or hyper-function), represents a negative element in the evolution of patients with pre-existing heart diseases, not only by aggravating the clinical picture of the basic illness, but also by the necessity of permanently reviewing the therapeutic scheme imposed also by the association of thyroid dysfunction medication, according to case.

The aim of this study was to investigate the phenolic content and antibacterial activity of the methanol extract from Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench subsp. arenarium inflorescences against lower respiratory tract pathogens (standard strains and clinical isolates). The extract was characterised by a total phenolic content of 160.17 mg/g. Several caffeic acid conjugates (chlorogenic acid and dicaffeoylquinic acids) and flavonoids (apigenin, naringenin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside and naringenin-O-hexosides) were identified as major constituents by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 was more susceptible to Helichrysum extract than Streptococcus pneumoniae ATCC 49619 (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] = 0.62  and 1.25 mg/mL, respectively). The extract exhibited similar antibacterial effects against methicillin-resistant S. aureus and penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae clinical isolates (MIC = 2.5 mg/mL) displaying a higher activity against ampicillin-resistant Moraxella catarrhalis isolate (MIC = 0.15 mg/mL). The combination with ciprofloxacin exhibited additivity against both standard strains (fractional inhibitory concentration [FIC] index = 0.75 and 0.73) and S. aureus isolates (FIC index = 0.62) and synergy against S. pneumoniae isolates (FIC index = 0.5).

Unlabelled: Sweet fennel fruits (Foeniculum vulgare subsp. vulgare var. dulce Mill.) are a spice with various uses in medicine, but also in food, pharmaceutic and cosmetic industries. Their biological activities as well as the flavoring properties are due to the essential oil., Aim: In this paper, the essential oils obtained from seven Romanian fennel herbal tea products were comparatively characterized in terms of their chemical composition., Material and Methods: The volatile oils obtained by hydrodistillation, according to the Ph. Eur. 6th edition, were analyzed by GC and GC-MS., Results: The volatile oil content of fennel herbal tea products varies widely (28.10-101.00 mL/kg dried fruits), but all the samples meet the requirements of the Ph Eur. 6th edition (min. 20 mL/kg dried fruits). Phenylpropanoid derivatives (52.12%-57.66%) and monoterpenes (39.25%-45.28%) represent the bulk of the fennel volatile oils. Trans-anethole, estragole, limonene, fenchone, a-pinene, y-terpinene and myrcene were the main compounds in all samples, but their levels vary greatly., Conclusions: The Romanian fennel herbal tea products showed important differences in terms of volatile oil content. The qualitative and quantitative differences in the chemical composition of fennel volatile oils were also observed. The most striking variations concern trans-anethole and estragole phenylpropanoid derivatives. Furthermore, these variations could have a significant impact on the flavouring and biological effects of fennel volatile oils.

Discovered in 1961 by Tondeur and Binon, two Belgian chemists, amiodarone was widely used, especially in Europe, initially as an antianginal agent, and later as an antiarrhythmic one (following the experiments conducted at the University of Oxford by Dr. Bramah Singh). Thus, the role of amiodarone was reconsidered, becoming, together with Sotalol, a class III antiarrhythmic--a group characterized by the action of extending the potassium channels refractory period. In time, amiodarone has proven its effectiveness in the treatment of both atrial and potentially malignant ventricular arrhythmias, being considered one of the antiarrhythmic agents involved in the prevention of sudden cardiac death due to arrhythmias. In December 1985, amiodarone was approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and the prevention of recurrent ventricular tachycardias. Despite this positive effect, the prescription of amiodarone began to be limited because serious side effects occurred, some of them disastrous, which were associated with the chronic use of the substance.

Unlabelled: Cedrus brevifolia (Hook. f.) Henry, a species endemic to Cyprus, has not been studied regarding its constituents and potential biological activities., Material and Methods: A crude extract from Cedrus brevifolia bark and its four fractions (diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions) were investigated regarding their capacity to inhibit 15-lipoxygenase and scavenge reactive oxygen species (superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals). Catechin was used as positive control in all antioxidant assays., Results and Discussion: In the superoxide anion radical scavenging assay, the crude extract showed the highest activity (EC50 = 57.73 +/- 1.25 microg/mL) comparable to that of the positive control, catechin (EC50 = 52.60 +/- 1.65 microg/mL). All other fractions exhibited noticeable scavenging effects against superoxide radical, their EC50 values ranging from 76.33 +/- 3.50 to 91.06 +/- 4.45 microg/mL. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were the most active in the hydroxyl radical scavenging (EC50 = 580.20 +/- 18.72 and 792.10 +/- 15.36 microg/mL, respectively) and 15-lipoxygenase inhibition assays (EC50 = 34.0 +/- 0.9 and 40.96 +/- 0.45 microg/mL, respectively)., Conclusions: Cedrus brevifolia bark is a valuable source of compounds with reactive oxygen species and 15-lipoxygenase inhibitory activities. These results support further studies for the identification and isolation of the bioactive constituents.

Unlabelled: The plants belonging to Lamiaceae family are widely used in medicine, cosmetic and food industry. Besides volatile oils, the main constituents of these plants are polyphenols. These compounds are secondary metabolites with multiple biological activities useful in the prevention and treatment of many disorders., Aim: To determine the flavonoids. hydroxycinnamic acids and total polyphenols content in several aromatic Lamiaceae plants available in Romanian pharmacies as herbal tea products: Melissa officinalis, Lavandula officinalis, Rosmarinus officinalis, Mentha piperita, Thymus vulgaris and Salvia pratensis., Material and Methods: The quantitative determination of different types of polyphenols was performed in ethanolic extracts 70% and 50%, respectively, of each sample, using spectrophotometric methods., Results and Discussion: The total polyphenols levels in the investigated products ranged between 3.10% and 6.51% (expressed as g GAE/100 g dry weight), the largest amount being identified in Melissa officinalis (6.51%). The samples of Salvia pratensis and Mentha piperita were the richest in flavonoid derivatives expressed as g rutin/100 g dry weight (1.83% and 1.53%, respectively), the optimal extraction being with 70% ethanol. The highest content in hydroxycinnamic acids expressed as g rosmarinic acid/100 g dry weight was found in Melissa officinalis sample (4.15%)., Conclusions: There is a wide variability of polyphenolic content not only by species, but also depending on the polyphenols type or solvent used for extraction. The best extraction rate of total polyphenols in the investigated Lamiaceae species was obtained with 50% ethanol.

Unlabelled: The fruits of Coriandrum sativum L. (Apiaceae) are used as a spicing and flavoring agent in food products and are also recommended as a drug in the treatment of digestive tract disorders. The safety of botanicals and botanical preparations used as food supplements is of great interest, as the market of such products is expanding worldwide., Aim: In this study, aimed at assessing the safety of coriander as food ingredient, we investigated the phytotoxicity of fruit extracts on Triticum aestivum L., Material and Methods: We studied the effects of methanolic coriander fruit extracts, Omagiu cultivar (VI-V3; three dilutions: 1%, 2.5% and 5% in distilled water), upon germination, elongation, and accumulation of fresh and dry biomass in the plants; also it was investigated the influence of the extracts on mythosis in root tissues., Results and Discussions: The extracts did not influence the germination and growth of test plants and did not inhibit root and shoot elongation of wheat plants (a 20% increase in root length over the control being registered for V2 1%). Frequency of aberrant anaphases and telophases in Triticum aestivum L. varied slightly around the percentage of the control, the highest percent of aberrant chromosomes (5.07 %) being observed in V3 2.5%., Conclusions: The investigated coriander fruit extracts did not have phytotoxic effects but had a slight stimulating effect on germination and growth of Triticum aestivum L.

Unlabelled: Coriandrum sativum L. (Apiaceae) is a well known herb, native to the Mediterranean region, also intensively cultivated in Romania. The essential oil obtained from Coriandri fructus posseses antimicrobial, antioxidant and anxiolytic effects. Many parameters such as genetic and climatic factors or agronomical practices can influence the yield and composition of the volatile fraction. Plant density is an important factor for the microenvironment in coriander field., Aim: In order to study the effect of planting density on the yield of the essential oil and its composition, a bifactorial experiment was carried out on coriander plants (Sandra cultivar)., Material and Method: The experiment was performed with three plant densities on the row (0, 15 and 20 cm); the distance between plant rows was 12.5, 25 and 50 cm, respectively. So, it resulted nine experimental variants. The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from fruits have been characterized using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy analysis (GC-MS)., Results: The highest yield (7.9866 kg/ha) was obtained for the plants spaced at 20 cm in between and 25 cm row spacing. The highest content of monoterpene alcohols (50.96%) was obtained with 25 cm row spacing and plant spaced at 0 cm on the row. The main components in all oils were monoterpene alcohols (40.75% - 50.96%) and monoterpenes (32.43-38.44%)., Conclusion: The essential oil of coriander fruits (Sandra cultivar) does not meet the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia, especially concerning the content in linalool. Nevertheless, the high content in monoterpene alcohols and monoterpenes recommends the use of the essential oil as immunomodulatory, analgesic and antiinflammatory agent in rheumatology and also as an antibacterial and antiviral agent. Consequently, the changes in yield and composition of the essential oil of Sandra coriander should be assesed during several periods of vegetation in order to conclude on its pharmaceutical quality.

The chemical constituents and biological activity of Pinus cembra L. (Pinaceae), native to the Central European Alps and the Carpathian Mountains, are not well known. The aim of the present work was to examine the phenolic content, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of hydromethanolic extracts of Pinus cembra L. bark and needles. Bark extract had higher concentrations of total phenolics (299.3 vs. 78.22 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract), flavonoids (125.3 vs. 19.84 mg catechin equivalents/g extract) and proanthocyanidins (74.3 vs. 12.7 mg cyanidin equivalents/g extract) than needle extract and was more active as a free radical scavenger, reducing agent and antimicrobial agent. The EC₅₀ values in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and reducing power assays were 71.1, 6.3 and 26 mg/mL for bark extract and 186.1, 24 and 104 mg/mL for needle extract, respectively. In addition, needle extract showed ferrous ions chelating effects (EC₅₀ = 1,755 μg/mL). The antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Sarcina lutea, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans were assessed by the agar diffusion method. Both extracts (4 mg/well) were active against all the microorganisms tested; bark extract showed higher inhibition on all strains. These results indicate that Pinus cembra L. bark and needles are good sources of phytochemicals with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

Aim: In this paper, we studied comparatively volatile fractions obtained by hydrodistillation from 5 samples of lavender flowers (L. angustifolia ssp. angustifolia, L. hybrida, L. angustifolia spp. pyrenaica, L. angustifolia spp. angustifolia cv. Munstead and cv. Hidcote blue) cultivated during 2009 in the Botanical Garden from Galati., Material and Methods: The essential oils have been characterized using gas-chromatography and mass spectroscopy analysis (GC-MS)., Results: The main compounds in all lavender volatile oils were: linalool (20.60%-35.99%), linalyl acetate (12.58%-19.65%), lavandulyl acetate (3.74%-10.48%), t-p3-ocimene (1.26%-9.23%), a-terpineol (3.67%-6.73%), nerol (0.81%-3.32%), neryl acetate (0.95%-3.64%) and beta-caryophyllene (0.93%-2.43%)., Conclusions: None of the separated volatile fractions met the minimal quality parameters for the standard volatile oil of fine lavender used in aromatherapy. Low concentration in monoterpene esthers could be explained by the fact that, on one hand, the average daily temperature during the blooming period is below the one from Mediterranean Sea area, and, on the other hand, the city of Galati is only 42 meters above the sea level (the volatile oil from fine lavender used in aromatherapy is obtained from plants cultivated at 800-1200 meters altitude).

Unlabelled: For therapeutical purposes, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), an important aromatic plant, is used for its expectorant, antispasmodic, carminative and diuretic properties. The chemical composition, especially of the volatile fraction, depends on the origin of the plant, and the ecological and environmental conditions in which it grows., Aim: To determine the chemical composition of the volatile fractions obtained from fennel fruits (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) available on the Romanian market., Material and Methods: The essential oils obtained from dried fruits by hydrodistillation have been characterized by using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS)., Results: In all oils, the main components were: trans-anethole (9.72-56.57%), fenchone (7.72-34.66%) and estragole (4.69-49.04%)., Conclusions: The essential oil from fennel samples showed an inadequate chemical profile for aromatherapy purposes.

Unlabelled: Within a complex research regarding the pharmaceutical quality of Chamomillae flos commercialized in the Romanian pharmaceutical network (as well as the food chain), we investigated 9 samples of chamomile "tea" purchased in April/May 2005 in compliance to the European Pharmacopoeia., Aim: Since the vegetal material proved to be very different from the chemical composition point of view we tried to establish the antioxidant activity of some extracts (tinctures and infusions) obtained from the selected plant material., Material and Methods: Therefore we studied the scavenging abilities observed against DPPH and the ferrous binding propreties correlating its to the polyphenolic content previously determined in the chamomile extracts., Results: Surprisingly, the scavenging activity against DPPH indicates similar potential both for the hidro-alcoholic extracts as well as fot the infusions, meanwhile the chelation on the ferrous ion was higher for the tinctures that for infusions and different from one sample to the other.