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Phytobiotics are promising diet alternatives, yet their effectiveness in high-risk aquaculture conditions remains underexplored. Therefore, a 90-day feeding trial was conducted based on dietary supplementation of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus , with herbal extracts, namely, lemon balm [ Melissa officinalis (MOE)], marjoram [ Origanum majorana (OME)], and chamomile [ Matricaria chamomilla (MCE)] with 0% water change. The treated groups were compared to groups untreated with herbs or control groups [positive control (PC; 0% water change) and negative control (NC; 20% water exchange per day]. Fish were cultured at stocking density (20 fish m-3: 1.8kg of biomass/m3). We conducted a physicochemical analysis of the water and the clinical responses, growth, and immune responses of the fish were evaluated. Furthermore, the herbal-supplemented fish were then challenged with a pathogenic Edwardseilla tarda strain and mortality was monitored. In the 1st and 2nd months, the water parameters were within the permissible limits. After that, a fatally low dissolved oxygen concentration and the highest levels of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH were recorded during the 3rd month. Blood and immune assays were conducted in the treated groups and control groups. The herbal-treated groups appeared healthy, but during the 3rd month, lethargy and decreased appetite were evident. Generally, the herbal-treated fish showed improved growth performance parameters, survival rates, and resistance against pathogenic bacteria E. tarda , particularly in the OME and MOE-treated groups compared to the positive control group. Finally, phytobiotic supplements were shown to improve fish stress tolerance and immune activation for a certain period under stressful conditions or unchanged water, based on the stocking density, dosages of herbs used, and the extent of deterioration of the water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Folia Pharmaceutica Cassoviensia is the property of University of Veterinary Medicine & Pharmacy in Kosice and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Melissa officinalis L. ( lemon balm) is one of the more widely cultivated medicinal and aromatic plants that has long been used in traditional medicine to treat many disorders. The present study investigates Melissa officinalis L. hydro-alcoholic extract regarding pituitary-gonadal axis in diabetic mice. Methods: 45 NMRI mice with a mean weight of 35.6±4.5 g were divided into five groups: control group (0.2 ml of physiological serum intraperitoneally injection), diabetic mice (without treatment), and three experiment groups (diabetic groups receiving 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of Melissa officinalis extract intraperitoneally injection). Melissa officinalis extract was injected intraperitoneally for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken to determine the biochemical indicators level (glucose, LH, FSH, and testosterone), and the left testicle was weighed and examined histologically. Results: The results showed that the lowest amount of glucose and the highest level of LH were observed in the treatment group at a dose of 100 mg/kg of Melissa officinalis extract. The highest level of FSH was observed at a dose of 200 mg/kg. Histological study of the testis showed a more favorable condition in the experimental group of 200 mg/kg of lemon balm extract (P

Introduction. The article discusses a new trend in dermatological and cosmetological practice – the use of plant-derived exosomes. Exosomes are microscopic extracellular vesicles that can transfer bioactive molecules between cells. The article describes in detail the characteristics of plant exosomes, as well as their potential applications in clinical practice of a dermatovenerologist, cosmetologist.Objective. The aim of the study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of Melissa officinalis exosome-based composition in correcting age-related skin changes (visible wrinkles and skin texture).Materials and methods. 30 patients with type II photoaging according to Glogau (the average age was about 41.2 years) and skin phototype III or IV according to Fitzpatrick were under observation. The patients were divided into two groups: the main group (n = 15) received local therapy preparation based on M. оfficinalis exosomes using a mesoroller; the control group (n = 15), where the patients underwent only с therapy without adding exosomes. The course consisted of 3 procedures with an interval of 14-20 days. To assess clinical effectiveness, a three-dimensional analysis of the skin surface was performed and statistical analysis.Results. The cumulative assessment of the regression of clinical manifestations of visible skin folds (wrinkles) and skin texture (pores) showed the advantages of procedures using M. оfficinalis exosomes. With microneedling without the use of exosomes, the reduction in the depth index was 79.64%, and with the addition of M. оfficinalis exosomes – 53.35%. When assessing skin texture (pores), the reduction in the index was 73.25% without adding exosomes, and with addition – the decrease was 54.58%.Conclusion. A correlation has been revealed between the use of exosomal therapy based on M. officinalis and external age-related changes accompanying the aging process.

Background and Aim: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major health challenge in the world today. The present study aimed to determine the effect of aerobic exercise and Melissa officinalis extract on the expression of p53, p21, and caspase-3 genes in male rats with AD. Methods: In this experimental study, 48 rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: control, AD, control + aerobic exercise, AD + aerobic exercise, AD + aerobic exercise + extract, and AD + extract. The AD model was induced by injecting amyloid beta 42-1 into the hippocampus. Aerobic exercise was performed for 8 weeks. Melissa officinalis extract was dissolved in 2 ml of distilled water at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight and gavaged to rats for 8 weeks. Real-Time PCR was used to determine the expression levels of p53, p21, and caspase-3 genes. Results: After 8 weeks of aerobic exercise combined with Melissa officinalis extract, the expression of the p21 gene in the intervention groups significantly increased compared to the AD group (P

Medicinal plants Melissa officinalis (M. officinalis), Atropa belladonna (A. belladonna), and Artemisia siberia (A. siberia) have been widely used in traditional medicine in Iran and other countries due to their numerous ethno-pharmacological effects. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to compare the sedative and pre-anesthetic effects of, M. officinali, A. belladonna, A. siberia and diazepam in rats. For this purpose, during an experimental study, 150 female Wistar rats which were allocated into different experimental groups received intra-peritoneal injections of 150, 300 and 450 mg per kilogram of A. belladonna extract, 50, 200 and 350 mg per kilogram of M. officinalis extract, 100, 200 and 400 mg per kilogram of A. siberia extract, 1.2 mg per kilogram of the drug diazepam and equal volumes of the chemical substance dimethyl sulfoxide as placebo. The obtained results showed a significant increase in the duration of sleep induced by ketamine, as well as a significant increase in the treatment groups with higher doses of the extract (pA. belladonna, A. siberia, and M. officinalis plant extracts respectively. According to the results, extracts of A. belladonna, A. siberia, and M. officinalis have significant sedative and pre-anesthetic effects.

Introduction: Visceral pain represents the most common digestive issue, frequently resulting from long-term inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel diseases. The lack of effective drugs prompted search of new therapeutic approaches. In this regard, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and Melissa officinalis (Mo) appear as excellent candidates as they were recognized to have several positive effects on the digestive system. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of a compound containing GABA and Mo (GABA-Mo 5:1) in inflammation-induced intestinal damage and visceral pain. Methods: Colitis was induced in rats by intrarectal 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS) administration. DNBS-treated animals received GABA-Mo (80 mg/kg BID), starting 3 days before DNBS administration, until 14 days after colitis induction (preventive protocol), or starting 7 days after DNBS until day 21 (curative protocol). Visceral pain was assessed by measuring the viscero-motor response (VMR) and the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) to colorectal distension on day 7, 14 (both protocols) and 21 (curative protocol) after DNBS administration. Results: In the preventive protocol, GABA-Mo reduced AWR at day 14 but had no effect on VMR. In the spinal cord, treatment with GABA-Mo significantly prevented microglia reactivity (Iba-1 positive cells). In the colon, the supplement significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA, index of oxidative stress) and IL-1β levels and counteracted the decreased expression of claudin-1. Moreover, GABA-Mo normalized the increased levels of plasma lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP, index of altered intestinal permeability). In the curative protocol, GABA-Mo significantly counteracted visceral hypersensitivity persistence in DNBS-treated animals (day 14 and 21). In the spinal cord, GABA-Mo significantly reduced GFAP positive cell density (astrocytes). Histological evaluations highlighted a mild but significant effect of GABA-Mo in promoting healing from DNBS-induced colon damage. Colonic MDA and myeloperoxidase (index of leukocyte infiltration) levels were reduced, while the decreased colonic claudin-1 expression was normalized. In addition, the increased levels of plasma LBP were normalized by GABA-Mo administration. Discussion: In conclusion GABA-Mo, particularly in the curative protocol, was able to reduce visceral pain and intestinal inflammation, likely through a reinforcement of intestinal barrier integrity, thus representing a suitable approach for the management of abdominal pain, especially in the remission stages of colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Nutrition & Food Security is the property of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Nutrition & Food Security Research Center and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize actinobacteria from the rhizosphere of medicinal and aromatic plants, specifically lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), and oregano (Origanum vulgare L.). Rhizospheric soil samples revealed a high abundance of culturable actinobacteria (6.97–7.23 log10 CFU/g). Six isolates were selected for their promising enzymatic activities (lignin peroxidase, carboxymethyl cellulase) and antimicrobial properties. Isolates M345 and M162 exhibited the highest cellulase activity indices (3.19 ± 0.71 and 2.54 ± 0.22, respectively), with five isolates producing lignin peroxidase. These actinobacteria also demonstrated plant growth-promoting traits such as phosphate solubilization and nitrogen fixation, along with strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria and phytopathogenic fungi. Additionally, they significantly enhanced maize seed germination, increasing the vigor index from 4283.33 ± 1264.37 to 6248.28 ± 1661.94 compared to that of the control. These results indicate that the isolated actinobacteria strains hold potential as microbial inoculants for sustainable agriculture, contributing to soil health, plant growth, and pathogen management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study involved extracting 2D structures of fifty-one (51) GC-MS chromatogram-generated compounds from PubChem a free depository database for generating a library of compounds and obtaining the 3D structure of polyketide synthase A, an enzyme recognized for the biosynthesis of aflatoxin in Aspergillus species, from the protein data bank. In silico (molecular docking was performed to assess the interactions of the phytochemicals in the sample and were screened for their inhibitory potential, having higher binding energy, and favorable pharmacokinetics profiles. The docking analysis outcome indicates that nine (9) compounds exhibited binding energies ranging from −11.314 to −8.365 kcal/mol which is higher than the control (PLM) with a binding energy of −8.131 kcal/mol. It is observed that many of the compounds interacted with the target using hydrophobic interaction and only a few added hydrogen bonds and salt bridges. This research has shown a potential of the aerial part of Melissa officinalis vegetable for drug development to inhibit the synthesis of aflatoxins from Aspergillus flavus. The study has showcased good scientific information for the development of natural products for the prevention and treatment of aflatoxin contamination in agricultural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food packaging plays a critical role in maintaining the freshness and quality of foods by minimizing oxidation and microbial contamination. Active packaging systems based on biodegradable polymers with green production have received great attention. Here, Melissa officinalis extract (ME) with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties was incorporated into chitosan (Cs)/ polyethylene oxide (PEO) electrospun nanofibers. Nanofibers were fabricated through electrospinning as an efficient and versatile technique with an applied voltage of 18 kV and a tip-to-collector distance of 18 cm. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of ME was measured. By incorporating ME into the nanofibers, the need for synthetic additives or preservatives can be reduced, promoting eco-friendly packaging solutions. The nanofibers were characterized regarding morphology, water contact angle, swelling degree, weight loss, mechanical strength, and vapor permeability. To improve the mechanical properties of nanofibers, photo-cross-linking was applied with benzophenone. Nanofibers were evaluated in terms of antioxidant and antifungal activities as well as their ability to protect edible mushroom quality. ME contained a significant amount of phenolic compounds as well as 1.3 mg caffeic acid/g herbal extract. Cs/PEO/ME nanofibers showed uniform and bead-free structures with an average fiber diameter of 157.7 nm. Photo-cross-linked nanofibers exhibited higher water resistance and mechanical properties compared with the as-spun formulation. ME-loaded nanofibers had higher antioxidant and antifungal activities than the empty formulation. Cross-linked Cs/PEO/ME nanofibers prolonged the shelf life of mushrooms compared to empty mats and plastic films. In conclusion, the multifunctional cross-linked Cs/PEO/ME nanofibers have broad prospects in active food packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to formulate a novel herbal mixture of Hypericum perforatum (H) and Melissa officinalis (M) and evaluate its toxicity, microbial load, and phytochemical content. Materials and Methods: Total flavonoids were measured using the AlCl3 /NaNO2 complex formation method and colorimetric assay. The quercetin content of the herbal mixture was determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The in vitro and in vivo safety of the herbal formulations were analyzed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and acute oral toxicity analysis in the rat model, respectively. Results: The formulated extract (HM), compared with the standard rutin extract, had a total flavonoid content of 15.29 ± 0.64 mg rutin per mL sample. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography revealed a quercetin content of 0.187 mg/mL. Microbial tests for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp. were negative. Colony counts for total aerobic microbial and yeast and mold counts were 10 in each case. The MTT assay (with up to about 5% v/v HM extract) using the NIH/3T3 cell line revealed no cell toxicity in the range of concentrations tested. Acute oral toxicity was tested in the Wistar rat model, and the LD50 was 695.2 ± 7.5 mg/kg. The dry weight of the HM extract was 38.1 mg/mL. Conclusion: Preliminary results proved the safety of the HM herbal mixture, with its toxicity and microbial load within the limits of accepted guidelines allowable for use in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melissa officinalis (MO) is a valuable medicinal herb from the Lamiaceae family, MO extracts possess different beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, memory enhancer, anxiolytic, and anti-depression. It seems that phytochemicals found in MO including flavonols (luteolin and apigenin) and polyphenols (rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid) are responsible for the beneficial effects of MO. The present study aimed to assess the role of opioid receptors in the effect of MO in anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in stressed rats. Male hooded rats received oral administration of MO (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg), with or without intraperitoneal injection of naloxone (1 mg/kg), and were exposed to 30 min stress, then anxiety-like and OCD-like behaviors were evaluated using light/dark box and marble burying test. Our results showed that oral administration of MO has anxiolytic effects and a reduction in OCD-like behavior in stressed rats that could be inhibited by injection of naloxone. On the other hand, in silico study showed that phytochemicals found in MO have a possible affinity for opioid receptors. Taken together, these data revealed that the opioid receptors may be involved in the anxiolytic effect of MO in stressed rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melissa officinalis and Stachys ocymastrum are aromatic and therapeutic plants from the Lamiaceae family. This study aimed to analyze the phytochemical content and antioxidant and antibacterial properties of acetone and methanol extracts of M. officinalis and S. ocymastrum. The quantification included polyphenols, flavonoids, condensed tannins, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins. Antioxidant activities were evaluated through DPPH radical scavenging, ferric-reducing power, and ferrous chelation tests. Antibacterial effects were assessed using disk diffusion and microdilution methods. The findings revealed significant levels of polyphenols (ranging between 94.05 and 15.54 mg EGA/g DW), flavonoids, tannins, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins in both M. officinalis and S. ocymastrum extracts. Therefore, the two plants exhibited a notable ability to combat free radicals, reduce, and chelate iron, displaying their potent antioxidant properties. However, S. ocymastrum has significant DPPH' free radical scavenging activity (IC50 values: 0.06 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mL, and 0.09 mg/mL, respectively). Moreover, both plants displayed substantial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, underscoring M. officinalis and S. ocymastrum's potential as effective antibacterial agents. This plant holds promise for future advancements in medicine and nutrition, reinforcing its traditional use as a health-promoting herbal infusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antibiotics are used to inhibit the growth of bacterial infections. However, antibiotic resistance is increasing due to their use. Plant extracts are natural compounds with unique medical properties. The current study investigated the effect of Melissa officinalis collected from Marivan, Iran, against urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods: The plant extract was prepared using the Soxhlet method. The bacterial strains were isolated from UTI patients at Al- Zahra Hospital in Najaf, Iraq. The antibacterial activity of M. officinalis extract was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was also determined by the microdilution method. Results: According to the inhibition zone results, M. officinalis greatly affected Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The plant extract showed the highest antimicrobial activity on the standard and clinical strains of S. aureus with the highest inhibition zone record of 8.4 ± 0.163 and 9 ± 0.0 mm and MIC of 0.09 and 0.06 mg/mL, respectively. Also, M. officinalis extract indicated an antimicrobial effect against the standard and clinical strains of K. pneumoniae with the highest inhibition zone record of 8 ± 0.0 and 9 ± 0.0 mm and MIC of 0.06 and 0.06 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the plant extract showed the most antimicrobial activity on the standard and clinical strains of P. vulgaris, with the highest records of 7.9 ± 0.23 and 9 ± 0.0 mm and MICs of 0.14 and 0.06 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: Melissa officinalis extract can be a suitable candidate as an alternative to antibiotics for treating UTIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphological, cytophysiological, and biochemical (formation of phenolic compounds) characteristics of the population of callus cultures cells of lemon balm (Melissaofficinalis L.), a valuable medicinal and essential oil plant, were studied. Callus cultures were obtained from explants of hypocotyls and cotyledons of seedlings in vitro and were grown for more than 1.5 years (19 cultivation passages). The increase in callus weight did not differ significantly during the first seven passages; however, with further subcultivation, the intensity of crop growth (callus weight at the end of the growing cycle) increased. The maximum increase in callus was observed in passages 17–19: the growth indices of calli initiated from cotyledons and hypocotyls reached 13.7 and 11.5, respectively, which is 3.0–3.4 times higher than in the first cycles of crop cultivation. The obtained data indicate the possibility of long-term subcultivation of callus cultures of lemon balm cells, during which autoselection of cells occurs based on growth intensity. The dynamics of callus growth, density and viability of the cell population, and the ratio of various cell types in the culture growth cycle were determined for cell culture M. officinalis for the first time. The duration of the main phases of cell population growth has been established: lag phase from 1 to 6 days; growth acceleration phase from 6 to 10 days. The exponential growth phase took place from 10 to 14 days and was characterized by a high specific growth rate µ = 0.21 days–1 From days 14 to 20, fixed phase of slowing down the growth of the culture (µ = 0.05 days–1), which gave way to a phase of linear growth (20–30 days, µ = 0.08 days–1) and stationary phase (30–40 days of the growth cycle). Thus, a “stepwise” character of culture growth has been established, which may be due to the presence in the culture of subpopulations of cells with different growth rates. During the initial screening, flavonoids and phenolcarboxylic acids were identified in calli of leaf origin in quantities comparable to leaves of intact plants, which indicates preservation of in vitro cells ability to form secondary metabolites and the prospects for further research in this direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major hepatotropic virus that affects humans with increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. The bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) causes abortion, calf mortality and poor reproductive performance in cattle. Due the difficulties of in vitro cultivation for HCV, BVDV has been used as surrogate for in vitro assessment of the efficacy of antivirals. Essential oils (EOs) display antiviral and virucidal activity on several viral pathogens. In this study, the virucidal activity of five EOs, Salvia officinalis L. EO (SEO), Melissa officinalis L. EO (MEO), Citrus lemon EO (LEO), Rosmarinus officinalis L. EO (REO) and Thymus vulgaris L. EO (TEO) against BVDV was evaluated in vitro at different concentrations for several time contacts. MEO and LEO were able to considerably inactivate BVDV with a time- and dose-dependent fashion. MEO and LEO at the highest concentrations decreased viral titer by 2.00 and 2.25 log10 TCID50/50 μL at 8 h contact time, respectively. SEO, REO and TEO displayed mild virucidal activity at the highest concentrations for 8 h contact times. In this study, the virucidal efficacies of MEO and LEO against BVDV were observed regardless of compound concentration and contact time. Further studies are needed to confirm the potential use of MEO and LEO as surface disinfectants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytobiotics are promising diet alternatives, yet their effectiveness in high-risk aquaculture conditions remains underexplored. Therefore, a 90-day feeding trial was conducted based on dietary supplementation of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, with herbal extracts, namely, lemon balm [Melissa officinalis (MOE)], marjoram [Origanum majorana (OME)], and chamomile [Matricaria chamomilla (MCE)] with 0% water change. The treated groups were compared to groups untreated with herbs or control groups [positive control (PC; 0% water change) and negative control (NC; 20% water exchange per day]. Fish were cultured at stocking density (20 fish m-3: 1.8kg of biomass/m3). We conducted a physicochemical analysis of the water and the clinical responses, growth, and immune responses of the fish were evaluated. Furthermore, the herbal-supplemented fish were then challenged with a pathogenic Edwardseilla tarda strain and mortality was monitored. In the 1st and 2nd months, the water parameters were within the permissible limits. After that, a fatally low dissolved oxygen concentration and the highest levels of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH were recorded during the 3rd month. Blood and immune assays were conducted in the treated groups and control groups. The herbal-treated groups appeared healthy, but during the 3rd month, lethargy and decreased appetite were evident. Generally, the herbal-treated fish showed improved growth performance parameters, survival rates, and resistance against pathogenic bacteria E. tarda, particularly in the OME and MOE-treated groups compared to the positive control group. Finally, phytobiotic supplements were shown to improve fish stress tolerance and immune activation for a certain period under stressful conditions or unchanged water, based on the stocking density, dosages of herbs used, and the extent of deterioration of the water quality.

Utilizing synthetic insecticides to control mosquito populations has many adverse side effects as they can cause environmental pollution and insecticide resistance. Therefore, the search for eco-friendly and effective mosquito control agents has led to the exploration of plant extracts with larvicidal efficacy. In this study, we aimed to explore the larvicidal activity of four Egyptian plant extracts: Rosmarinus officinalis, Melissa officinalis, Cichorium intybus, and Beta vulgaris var. cicla against Culex pipiens and to identify the chemical constituents present in the active extracts. The methanolic extracts of the four plants were prepared and tested against the third instar larvae of C. pipiens using a standard method. The lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90) were calculated using probit analysis. The active extracts were subjected to ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis and the data were processed using the global natural products social molecular networking (GNPS) platform to generate molecular networks and identify the compounds based on spectral similarity and database matching. The methanolic extracts of R. officinalis L. and M. officinalis L. had the highest larvicidal activity, where LC50 values were 9.795 and 26.505 μg/mL, respectively. Their exposure caused a high mortality rate and disrupted the biochemical and physiological parameters (total carbohydrates, total lipids, total protein, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the body of C. pipiens when compared with Cichorium intybus (Chicory) and Beta vulgaris var. cicla (Chard). The UPLC-MS/MS analysis with the aid of the GNPS platform, revealed the presence of 23 and 41 metabolites from R. officinalis L. and M. officinalis L., respectively. The identified metabolites may act as larvicidal agents by interfering with the physiological or biochemical processes of the mosquito larvae. Overall, the findings suggest that the methanolic extracts of R. officinalis and M. officinalis are potential sources of natural larvicides for mosquito control.

IntroductionVisceral pain represents the most common digestive issue, frequently resulting from long-term inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel diseases. The lack of effective drugs prompted search of new therapeutic approaches. In this regard, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and Melissa officinalis (Mo) appear as excellent candidates as they were recognized to have several positive effects on the digestive system. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of a compound containing GABA and Mo (GABA-Mo 5:1) in inflammation-induced intestinal damage and visceral pain.MethodsColitis was induced in rats by intrarectal 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS) administration. DNBS-treated animals received GABA-Mo (80 mg/kg BID), starting 3 days before DNBS administration, until 14 days after colitis induction (preventive protocol), or starting 7 days after DNBS until day 21 (curative protocol). Visceral pain was assessed by measuring the viscero-motor response (VMR) and the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) to colorectal distension on day 7, 14 (both protocols) and 21 (curative protocol) after DNBS administration.ResultsIn the preventive protocol, GABA-Mo reduced AWR at day 14 but had no effect on VMR. In the spinal cord, treatment with GABA-Mo significantly prevented microglia reactivity (Iba-1 positive cells). In the colon, the supplement significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA, index of oxidative stress) and IL-1β levels and counteracted the decreased expression of claudin-1. Moreover, GABA-Mo normalized the increased levels of plasma lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP, index of altered intestinal permeability). In the curative protocol, GABA-Mo significantly counteracted visceral hypersensitivity persistence in DNBS-treated animals (day 14 and 21). In the spinal cord, GABA-Mo significantly reduced GFAP positive cell density (astrocytes). Histological evaluations highlighted a mild but significant effect of GABA-Mo in promoting healing from DNBS-induced colon damage. Colonic MDA and myeloperoxidase (index of leukocyte infiltration) levels were reduced, while the decreased colonic claudin-1 expression was normalized. In addition, the increased levels of plasma LBP were normalized by GABA-Mo administration.DiscussionIn conclusion GABA-Mo, particularly in the curative protocol, was able to reduce visceral pain and intestinal inflammation, likely through a reinforcement of intestinal barrier integrity, thus representing a suitable approach for the management of abdominal pain, especially in the remission stages of colitis.

Abstract Background According to traditional medicine, Melissa officinalis L., (lemon balm) has been known to remove harmful substances from the blood and is considered a cardiac tonic. Therefore, its use as a cardiovascular remedy may explain the lipid-lowering effects of lemon balm. Dyslipidemia can be considered as a significant preventable risk factor for atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The present study is the first meta-analysis to investigate the effects of M. officinalis administration on serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC). Methods From inception to October 2023, a thorough search through literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria of this study were randomized controlled trials, with or without blinding which provided adequate data for each group at the beginning and end of the follow-up period. Meta-analysis was performed on randomized controlled trials using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) V4 software. Risk of bias in the selected studies was examined according to the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Begg’s funnel plot symmetry status, Begg’s rank correlation, and Egger’s weighted regression tests were employed to evaluate potential publication bias. Results The meta-analysis comprised of 5 randomized controlled trials with a total of 302 patients. The findings of the meta-analysis indicated that the consumption of lemon balm had a significant decrease in TG (SMD (95% CI): -0.396(-0.620, -0.173), p-value = 0.001), TC (SMD (95% CI): -0.416 (-0.641, -0.192), p-value

Background and purpose: The role of free radicals in causing many diseases has been well proven. These particles can destroy biomolecules. Antioxidants can prevent these harmful effects. Considering that plants are a source of natural antioxidants, research in this field is increasing. Hypoxia means the reduction of oxygen in the body tissues, which can lead to dysfunction of the body. Hypoxia causes a significant increase in reactive oxygen species, thus, antioxidants are considered anti-hypoxia. Melissa officinalis L. is a well-known medicinal plant of Lamiaceae. Leaves of this plant have been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular and respiratory problems and as a memory enhancer. This investigation was carried out to examine the impact of extraction on total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of M. officinalis aerial parts. In addition, the Antihypoxic activities of all extracts were evaluated in three models in mice. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, dried aerial parts were extracted by three different methods, i.e. maceration method, ultrasonic-assisted, and soxhlet-assisted extraction. Antioxidative capacity was assessed by utilizing DPPH free radicals scavenging and reducing power. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined. The protective effects of extract in the initial dose of 62.5-250 mg/kg were evaluated against hypoxia-induced lethality in mice by three experimental models of hypoxia, i.e. asphyctic, haemic, and circulatory. The latencies for death for mice in minutes were recorded. The Institutional Animal Ethical Committee of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences approved the experimental protocol. In the asphyctic hypoxic model, phenytoin (50 mg/kg, i.p.) and in the next two tests, propranolol (20 and 30 mg/kg, i.p.) were used as the positive control. In all tests, Normal saline (0.5 ml, i.p.) was used as the negative control. Analysis of variance was performed followed by Newman-Keuls multiple comparisons (by GraphPad Prism 8) were used to determine the differences in means. Results: Meceration method and ultrasonic(P0.05). In the hemic model, none of the extracts showed any activity. Even the soxhlet-assisted extract at the dose of 250 mg/kg, even though it increased the death time by about one minute, could not cause a significant effect(P>0.05). In the circulatory model, none of the extracts showed any effect at the lowest tested dose i.e. 62.5 mg/kg but all the extracts showed a very potent activity at higher doses. All the extracts at a dose of 250 mg/kg showed a much stronger effect than propranolol 30 mg/kg. In the asphyctic model, all the extracts showed very good effects so we had to reduce the dosage many times. The extract obtained from the maceration method at a dose of 1.95 mg/kg and ultrasonic-assisted and soxhlet assisted extracts at the dose of 7.81 mg/kg showed the same activity as phenytoin(P>0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the current study indicated that extraction methods significantly affect antioxidant capacities and total phenolic contents. The ultrasonic-assisted extraction and maceration method were the most suitable methods for extracting phenolic and flavonoid compounds from this plant. All extracts showed high antioxidant activities. All extracts showed very strong effects in the asphyctic model.

Background According to traditional medicine, Melissa officinalis L., (lemon balm) has been known to remove harmful substances from the blood and is considered a cardiac tonic. Therefore, its use as a cardiovascular remedy may explain the lipid-lowering effects of lemon balm. Dyslipidemia can be considered as a significant preventable risk factor for atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The present study is the first meta-analysis to investigate the effects of M. officinalis administration on serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC). Methods From inception to October 2023, a thorough search through literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria of this study were randomized controlled trials, with or without blinding which provided adequate data for each group at the beginning and end of the follow-up period. Meta-analysis was performed on randomized controlled trials using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) V4 software. Risk of bias in the selected studies was examined according to the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Begg’s funnel plot symmetry status, Begg’s rank correlation, and Egger’s weighted regression tests were employed to evaluate potential publication bias. Results The meta-analysis comprised of 5 randomized controlled trials with a total of 302 patients. The findings of the meta-analysis indicated that the consumption of lemon balm had a significant decrease in TG (SMD (95% CI): -0.396(-0.620, -0.173), p-value = 0.001), TC (SMD (95% CI): -0.416 (-0.641, -0.192), p-value < 0.001) and LDL (SMD (95% CI): -0.23(-0.45, -0.008), p < 0.05) levels compared to the placebo group. While it had no statistically significant effect on HDL level (SMD (95% CI): 0.336(-0.091, 0.767), p-value = 0.123). No significant and detectable publication bias was found in the meta-analysis. Additionally, all included clinical studies demonstrated a low risk of bias for missing outcome data and selection of the reported results. The robustness of the results was demonstrated by a sensitivity analysis using the one-study remove method. Conclusions The findings of this meta-analysis provide evidence that lemon balm may be administered as a safe and beneficial herbal medicine for reducing TC, TG and LDL levels. According to the pooled results of 5 studies with a total of 302 patients, lemon balm intake had no significant effect on HDL level. This study reinforces the notion that lemon balm may have a substantial impact on serum lipid profile as a potential remedy in cases of dyslipidemia. The main concern of our research is the limited number of eligible studies and the relatively small population size of each individual study. The patients of these studies had different types of diseases and metabolic syndromes. However, the meta-analysis was sufficiently powered to detect the considerable effects of lemon balm in the combined population regardless of type of diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melissa officinalis is an important medicinal plant that is used and studied intensively due to its numerous pharmacological effects. This plant has numerous active compounds with biomedical potential; some are volatile, while others are sensitive to heat or oxygen. Therefore, to increase stability and prolong biological activities, the natural extract can be loaded into various nanostructured systems. In this study, different loading systems were obtained from mesoporous silica, like Mobile Composition of Matter family (MCM) with a hexagonal (MCM-41) or cubic (MCM-48) pore structure, simple or functionalized with amino groups (using 3-aminopropyl) such as triethoxysilane (APTES). Thus, the four materials were characterized from morphological and structural points of view by scanning electron microscopy, a BET analysis with adsorption–desorption isotherms, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and a thermogravimetric analysis coupled with differential scanning calorimetry. Natural extract from Melissa officinalis was concentrated and analyzed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography to identify the polyphenolic compounds. The obtained materials were tested against Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts and against both reference strains and clinical strains belonging to Gram-positive bacteria that were previously isolated from intra-hospital infections. The highest antimicrobial efficiency was found against Gram-positive and fungal strains. Good activity was also recorded against methicillin-resistant S. aureus, the Melissa officinalis extract inhibiting the production of various virulence factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a significant cancer treatment side effect that can influence both quality of life and treatment course. Melissa Officinalis (MO), due to its high content of flavonoids, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Materials and Methods: The cancer patients diagnosed with CIPN attended a referral center in Sari (Iran). The hydroalcoholic extract of MO leaves was extracted by the maceration method. The control group received a placebo along with gabapentin as the standard treatment, and the intervention group received 500 mg Melissa officinalis 2 times daily for 3 months plus gabapentin. Patients were evaluated at the baseline and 3 months later, according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Effects (CTCAE) and EORTC QLQ-C30 (Integrated System for Quality of Life Assessment). Results: A total of 40 patients were considered as group D (intervention group), and 35 patients completed the study. Out of 40 subjects in the placebo group (P), 3 patients could not tolerate the drug due to gastrointestinal disturbances. The final values of CTCAE showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.010). Indicators related to the quality of life in both groups showed a significant improvement. In the intervention group, the pain perception and diarrhea experience were significantly reduced. Conclusion: Quality of life indicators were improved by prescribing gabapentin with and without Melissa officinalis. The addition of Melissa officinalis to the chemotherapy regimen may improve diarrhea and pain perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candida albicans is the yeast strain that causes candidiasis, which can vary from minor skin and soft tissue infections to potentially fatal infections like candidemia, which can get worse due to drug resistance. Natural substances could be used as antifungal agents' alternatives, especially against C. albicans. Thereby, the main objective of this research was to define the chemical content and evaluate the bioactivity of Melissa officinalis and Lavandula stoechas essential oils (EOs). Additionally, the synergistic effect of both oils was carried out against C. albicans, in order to formulate EOs combination-based creams. Their chemical compositions were analyzed using the combination of gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The interaction with both EOs was also evaluated and analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS, and the development of anti-candidiasis formulations was tested in vitro. Our results showed that the main compounds of M. officinalis EO (MOEO) were geranial (35.7%) and neral (24.1%), whereas, 1.8-cineole (61.9%) was dominant in Lavandula stoechas essential oil (LSEO) and the main compounds of the combination between both EOs were 1,8-cineole and geranial. Moreover, the MOEO exhibited substantial antifungal action against all tested microorganisms with MIC values ranging from 0.125 to 0.0019. This EO also showed synergistic effect when combined with that of L. stoechas. These findings, suggest the good bioactive qualities of the topical creams developed against C. albicans, revealing their potential to be possibly applied as an antifungal agent in industrial pharmaceutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The role of free radicals in causing many diseases has been well proven. These particles can destroy biomolecules. Antioxidants can prevent these harmful effects. Considering that plants are a source of natural antioxidants, research in this field is increasing. Hypoxia means the reduction of oxygen in the body tissues, which can lead to dysfunction of the body. Hypoxia causes a significant increase in reactive oxygen species, thus, antioxidants are considered anti-hypoxia. Melissa officinalis L. is a well-known medicinal plant of Lamiaceae. Leaves of this plant have been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular and respiratory problems and as a memory enhancer. This investigation was carried out to examine the impact of extraction on total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of M. officinalis aerial parts. In addition, the Antihypoxic activities of all extracts were evaluated in three models in mice. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, dried aerial parts were extracted by three different methods, i.e. maceration method, ultrasonic-assisted, and soxhlet-assisted extraction. Antioxidative capacity was assessed by utilizing DPPH free radicals scavenging and reducing power. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined. The protective effects of extract in the initial dose of 62.5-250 mg/kg were evaluated against hypoxiainduced lethality in mice by three experimental models of hypoxia, i.e. asphyctic, haemic, and circulatory. The latencies for death for mice in minutes were recorded. The Institutional Animal Ethical Committee of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences approved the experimental protocol. In the asphyctic hypoxic model, phenytoin (50 mg/kg, i.p.) and in the next two tests, propranolol (20 and 30 mg/kg, i.p.) were used as the positive control. In all tests, Normal saline (0.5 ml, i.p.) was used as the negative control. Analysis of variance was performed followed by Newman-Keuls multiple comparisons (by GraphPad Prism 8) were used to determine the differences in means. Results: Meceration method and ultrasonic(P<0.0001) assisted extraction were the best methods for extraction of polyphenols. In DPPH radical scavenging activity, soxhlet-assisted extraction and extraction by the meceration method were more efficient than ultrasonic-assisted extraction(P>0.05). In the hemic model, none of the extracts showed any activity. Even the soxhlet-assisted extract at the dose of 250 mg/kg, even though it increased the death time by about one minute, could not cause a significant effect(P>0.05). In the circulatory model, none of the extracts showed any effect at the lowest tested dose i.e. 62.5 mg/kg but all the extracts showed a very potent activity at higher doses. All the extracts at a dose of 250 mg/kg showed a much stronger effect than propranolol 30 mg/kg. In the asphyctic model, all the extracts showed very good effects so we had to reduce the dosage many times. The extract obtained from the maceration method at a dose of 1.95 mg/kg and ultrasonic-assisted and soxhlet assisted extracts at the dose of 7.81 mg/kg showed the same activity as phenytoin(P>0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the current study indicated that extraction methods significantly affect antioxidant capacities and total phenolic contents. The ultrasonic-assisted extraction and maceration method were the most suitable methods for extracting phenolic and flavonoid compounds from this plant. All extracts showed high antioxidant activities. All extracts showed very strong effects in the asphyctic model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric cancer remains a global health concern, driving the exploration of natural products with anticancer potential. This study investigated the antiproliferative activity and chemical composition of a 70% ethanolic extract from Melissa officinalis L. against human gastric cancer cells. The extract was prepared and evaluated for total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and flavonoid content. The MTT test checked how well it stopped the growth of human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) and normal dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. Data analysis (SPSS Statistics) determined viable cell percentages and performed regression analysis (p<0.05). The extract exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against AGS cells compared to normal cells (p<0.05), with decreasing IC50 values (564.3, 258.0 and 122.5 µg/ml) over 24, 48 and 72 hours. It also displayed antioxidant activity (IC50=16.8±1.41µg/ml) and contained substantial phenolics (225.76±4.1 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (22.36±2.6 mg RUT/g). This study suggests the 70% ethanolic extract of M. officinalis effectively suppresses AGS cell growth and possesses promising antioxidant properties, highlighting its potential as a natural source of anticancer and antioxidant agents, deserving further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Asthma is an inflammatory chronic disease that has become prevalent internationally. Melissa officinalis L. as a medicinal plant has long been used in the European and the Iranian traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases. The biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-tumour, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects of M. officinalis has been reported. Therefore, the effect of Melissa officinalis L. extract on tracheal smooth muscle responsiveness, white blood cell (WBC) counts, and lung pathological changes of ovalbumin (OVA) induced asthma model rat was examined in the current study. Methods: The hydroalcoholic extract of M. officinalis was prepared using 300 g of powdered leaves. Tracheal smooth muscle responsiveness, lung pathology, and WBC counts were evaluated in control, sensitized to OVA, and sensitized rats treated with dexamethasone and three doses of M. officinalis extract (50, 150 and 200 mg/kg). Results: Tracheal smooth muscle responsiveness to methacholine hydrochloride in all sensitized groups was greater than that of the control group (p

The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize actinobacteria from the rhizosphere of medicinal and aromatic plants, specifically lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), and oregano (Origanum vulgare L.). Rhizospheric soil samples revealed a high abundance of culturable actinobacteria (6.97–7.23 log10 CFU/g). Six isolates were selected for their promising enzymatic activities (lignin peroxidase, carboxymethyl cellulase) and antimicrobial properties. Isolates M345 and M162 exhibited the highest cellulase activity indices (3.19 ± 0.71 and 2.54 ± 0.22, respectively), with five isolates producing lignin peroxidase. These actinobacteria also demonstrated plant growth-promoting traits such as phosphate solubilization and nitrogen fixation, along with strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria and phytopathogenic fungi. Additionally, they significantly enhanced maize seed germination, increasing the vigor index from 4283.33 ± 1264.37 to 6248.28 ± 1661.94 compared to that of the control. These results indicate that the isolated actinobacteria strains hold potential as microbial inoculants for sustainable agriculture, contributing to soil health, plant growth, and pathogen management.

Plants have very important chemical components, known as secondary metabolites, for the pharmaceutical industry, as well as for the chemical, cosmetics, and agricultural control industries. These secondary metabolites isolated from essential oils are used to obtain the raw material or fragrance component of the drug by semi-synthesis. For this reason, plants have been used to treat many diseases in the past, and their active ingredients are still used in medicine today. Each plant, each drug, contains differences owing to their natural structure. However, making the drug obtained from a plant a standard product is important in terms of using it as a medicine in treatment. Therefore, in our study, both the characterization of secondary metabolites and the antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiproliferative potential of Melissa officinalis were investigated. β-Citral (30.900%) was the main component of the essential oil. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of M. officinalis were found to be 923.33 μg/mL gallic acid equivalent and 1.650 μg/mL quercetin equivalent. The free radical scavenging percentage of M. officinalis was 42.17%. M. officinalis had antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida parapsilosis. In mouse fibroblast cells, the cell viability was found to be 87.50%, 88.235%, and 94.118% respectively, at low doses. In a human breast cancer cell line, it was observed that the cell viability at low concentrations was 77.861%, 85.40%, and 89.474% respectively. The inhibitory concentrations IC50 of M. officinalis calculated for mouse fibroblast and human breast cancer cells in the GraphPad Prism 9.1.1 program were found to be 6229 and 4417 μg/mL respectively. In conclusion, M. officinalis has high bioactive secondary metabolites such as β-citral, β-caryophyllene, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, and cis-1,2-dihydroperillaldehyde, has strong antimicrobial activity, and inhibits viability on breast cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an aromatic and medicinal plant, rich in bioactive ingredients and with superior antioxidant activity. The essential oil of this plant is an expensive product, so the use of the by-products of the essential oil industry is particularly useful. The aim of this research was to process Melissa officinalis distillation by-products to develop a series of polyphenol-rich formulations. In the present research, lemon balm was distilled in a laboratory-scale distiller, and the recovered by-product was used for further successive extractions with acetone and water, using a fixed-bed semi-batch extractor. Acetone extract exhibited relatively poor results as far as yield, phenolic composition and antiradical activity are concerned. However, the aqueous extract presented high yield in both total phenolic content (i.e., 111 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g, on a dry herb basis (dw)), and anti-radical capacity (205 mg trolox equivalents (TE)/g dw). On a dried extract basis, the results were also impressive, with total phenols reaching 322 mg GAE/g dry extract and antiradical capacity at 593 mg TE/g dry extract. The phenolic components of the extract were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD. Rosmarinic acid was the major component and amounted to 73.5 mg/g dry extract, while the total identified compounds were quantified at 165.9 mg/g dry extract. Finally, formulations with two different wall materials (gum arabic–maltodextrin and maltodextrin) and two different drying methods (spray-drying and freeze-drying) were applied and evaluated to assess their performance, yield, efficiency and shelf-life of total phenolic content and rosmarinic acid concentration. From the present investigation, it is concluded that after one year of storage, rosmarinic acid does not decrease significantly, while total phenolic content shows a similar decrease for all powders. According to the yield and efficiency of microencapsulation, maltodextrin alone was chosen as the wall material and freeze-drying as the preferred drying method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melissa officinalis L. plant has been used in European and Iranian traditional medicine since ancient times. This plant possesses various phytochemicals such as volatile compounds, triterpenoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. The presence of substantial amounts of flavonoids in M. officinalis L. necessitates further examination of its usage as a source of natural colorants for developing natural and beautiful shades on wool yarns in addition to its pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food preservative applications. This will definitely add new direction to the use of M. officinalis L. as an effective natural dye source. Therefore, simple adsorption of aqueous dye extract on wool surface was done followed by the evaluation of build-up properties using different metal mordants and their binary combinations. The dyeing was carried out on pre-mordanted wool by exhaust dyeing method and dyed samples were analyzed via reflectance spectroscopy under D65 illuminant and 10° standard observer in terms of color strength, CIEL*a*b*, and CIEL*C*ho values. The results showed that overall 22 eco-friendly shades of very good to excellent washing, rubbing and light fastness properties were produced by facile use of different metallic salts and their combinations on wool fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melissa officinalis L., a well-known herb with diverse industrial and ethnopharmacological properties. Although, there has been a significant lack in the breeding attempts of this invaluable herb. This study aimed to enhance the agronomical traits of M. officinalis through in vitro polyploidization. Nodal segments were micropropagated and subjected to oryzalin treatment at concentrations of 20, 40, and 60 mM for 24 and 48 hours. Flow cytometry, chromosome counting, and stomatal characteristics were employed to confirm the ploidy level of the surviving plants. The survival rate of the treated explants decreased exponentially with increasing oryzalin concentration and duration. The highest polyploid induction rate (8%) was achieved with 40 mM oryzalin treatment for 24 hours. The induced tetraploid plants exhibited vigorous growth, characterized by longer shoots, larger leaves, and a higher leaf count. Chlorophyll content and fluorescence parameters elucidated disparities in photosynthetic performance between diploid and tetraploid genotypes. Tetraploid plants demonstrated a 75% increase in average essential oil yield, attributed to the significantly larger size of peltate trichomes. Analysis of essential oil composition in diploid and tetraploid plants indicated the presence of three major components: geranial, neral, and citronellal. While citronellal remained consistent, geranial and neral increased by 11.06% and 9.49%, respectively, in the tetraploid population. This effective methodology, utilizing oryzalin as an anti-mitotic agent for polyploid induction in M. officinalis, resulted in a polyploid genotype with superior morpho-physiological traits. The polyploid lemon balm generated through this method has the potential to meet commercial demands and contribute significantly to the improvement of lemon balm cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant (VRSA) Staphylococcus aureus in food raises a public health concern. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity of some Lamiaceae essential oils including Melissa Officinalis, Salvia officinalis, and Mentha piperita against MRSA and for the first time on VRSA strains. For this purpose, the disk diffusion test, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC), and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) were determined. Then, M. Officinalis essential oil compounds were investigated against PBP2a, agrA, and Bap proteins using AutoDocK Vina. Finally, pharmacokinetic properties were investigated using ADMETsar and SwissADME servers. Based on the obtained results, the MIC and MBC values of M. Officinalis essential oil against MRSA strain were equal to 0.05 and 0.112 mg/ml, and against VRSA strain were equal to 1.8 and 2.5 mg/ml, respectively. The MBIC and MBEC of M. Officinalis essential oil against MRSA strain were equal to 0.03 mg/ml and 0.112 mg/ml, and against VRSA strain were equal to 0.9 mg/ml and 3.2 mg/ml, respectively. The results of molecular docking showed that β-Caryophyllene had a greater binding affinity to PBP2a protein either in the active site or in the allosteric site (-6.6kcal/mol). On the other hand, the effective compounds of this essential oil, especially citronellol, thymol, and citral, were acceptable in terms of pharmacokinetic properties. Since natural antibiotics can be an alternative to conventional antibiotics in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus food-borne diseases, the results of this study showed that Melissa Officinalis essential oil is effective on the growth and biofilm of MRSA and VRSA strains, and it can be used as a drug candidate in the prevention and treatment of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant strains of this bacterium [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is one of the most important medicinal herbs with diverse medical and industrial applications. In the present study, genetic diversity and relationships of 12 Iranian and two exotic populations of Melissa officinalis L. were analyzed using inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism (IRAP) and retrotransposon-microsatellite amplified polymorphism (REMAP) markers. Both markers' systems revealed a high level of polymorphism and the average percent polymorphism for IRAP and REMAP was 96.35% and 90.78%, respectively. The IRAP with mean polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.27 and marker index (MI) of 14.4 was more polymorphic compared with REMAP (PIC = 0.28, MI = 11.7). Distance- and model-based cluster analyses and principal coordinate analysis results showed that the populations from Germany and Japan were closely clustered. The individuals from Iranian populations in most cases were also grouped together based on their origins. Our study revealed a high level of insertional polymorphism in lemon balm populations based on primers designed using barley's retrotransposons families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, bio-dyes are being increasingly explored as promising sustainable alternatives for cleaner dyeing and functional finishing of textiles. In this study, an ecological approach was presented for clean dyeing and functionalization of wool using flavonoid-based bio-dyes extracted from lemon balm plant. First, dyeing parameters (pH, time, temperature, and dye concentration) were optimized using one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) optimization technique. Afterwards, wool yarns were dyed using 75% (o.w.f.) of bio-dyes in conjunction with different bio-mordants (Quercus infectoria and Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves), metal salts (Cu2+ and Fe2+), and their binary combinations. Practically, nine different sober color shades (control dyeing: Yellowish brown; Fe2+: Raw umber color; Cu2+: Satin sheen gold color; GN: Tan color; EU: Fallow color; Fe/GN: Van dyke color; Fe/Eu: Wenge color; Cu/GN: Coyote color; Cu/Eu: Khaki color) were obtained. Additionally, dyed wool exhibited excellent antibacterial, antioxidant, and UV-protection behaviors. Indeed, the introduction of metal ions (Fe2+ and Cu2+) and bio-mordants enhanced the color depth and fastness properties and imparted a semi-durable antimicrobial and antioxidant finish with 80% retention of activity after 20 washing cycles. The results of this study confirmed the potential of lemon balm as a promising source of bio-dyes to impart a semi-durable antimicrobial and antioxidant finish with a bright future in the biomedical textile division and healthcare applications with UV protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is a member of the Brassicaceae family of root vegetables and both the roots and the leaves are consumed for their natural therapeutic value and health promoting effects owing to the presence of phytochemicals. Thus, the effect of three different solvents (Cold, hot and alcoholic) of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) extracts on germination and growth of radish was studied. A field experiment was carried out during October to December 2021 season with Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Alcoholic, hot water and cold water extraction at a concentration of 1 % showed a higher germination percentage compared to other concentrations, while Distilled water showed a major germination percentage 80% compared to other extractions. Regarding the chlorophyll content, alcoholic extraction at a concentration of 0.5 % showed higher Chlorophyll content of 19.5 compared to other treatments and even the control. The root length of radish for alcoholic extraction at a concentration of 1 % showed the highest root length. Alcoholic extraction at a concentration of 0.5 %, hot water extraction at a concentration of 3% and cold-water extraction at a concentration of 5% showed the highest stem diameter. Alcoholic extraction of lemon balm at concentration of 1 presented the biggest leaf diameter. This indicated that the Melissa officinalis extracts as a medicinal plant had different effects on radish germination and growth. Further research should evaluate radish development in different circumstances to see whether this strategy may boost the output of this vital crop.

Melissa officinalis L., a well-known herb with diverse industrial and ethnopharmacological properties. Although, there has been a significant lack in the breeding attempts of this invaluable herb. This study aimed to enhance the agronomical traits of M. officinalis through in vitro polyploidization. Nodal segments were micropropagated and subjected to oryzalin treatment at concentrations of 20, 40, and 60 mM for 24 and 48 hours. Flow cytometry, chromosome counting, and stomatal characteristics were employed to confirm the ploidy level of the surviving plants. The survival rate of the treated explants decreased exponentially with increasing oryzalin concentration and duration. The highest polyploid induction rate (8%) was achieved with 40 mM oryzalin treatment for 24 hours. The induced tetraploid plants exhibited vigorous growth, characterized by longer shoots, larger leaves, and a higher leaf count. Chlorophyll content and fluorescence parameters elucidated disparities in photosynthetic performance between diploid and tetraploid genotypes. Tetraploid plants demonstrated a 75% increase in average essential oil yield, attributed to the significantly larger size of peltate trichomes. Analysis of essential oil composition in diploid and tetraploid plants indicated the presence of three major components: geranial, neral, and citronellal. While citronellal remained consistent, geranial and neral increased by 11.06% and 9.49%, respectively, in the tetraploid population. This effective methodology, utilizing oryzalin as an anti-mitotic agent for polyploid induction in M. officinalis, resulted in a polyploid genotype with superior morpho-physiological traits. The polyploid lemon balm generated through this method has the potential to meet commercial demands and contribute significantly to the improvement of lemon balm cultivation.

This work aimed to create an extract of Melissa officinalis L. with strong antiradical efficacy, characterize it, and enhance its long-term efficacy by developing an ethosomal formulation. DPPH and ABTS assays were used to test the antiradical activity of extracts with different ethanol ratios obtained from the aerial part. Phytochemical characterization of the extract with the highest activity, ethyl acetate fraction of 60% ethanol extract, was analyzed by HPLC. The active ethyl acetate fraction was loaded into ethosomes, and characterization and release studies of the formulation were performed. The released extract from the formulation exhibited substantial antiradical action as well as inhibition of collagenase (71.5%) and elastase (75.5%) enzymes. The toxicity of the active extract and the formulation was determined in the mouse fibroblast cell line. This study successfully developed a long-term antioxidant and enzyme inhibitor formulation containing M. officinalis, which stands out for its medicinal properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Vulvovaginal candidosis (VVC) is a major therapy issue due to its high resistance rate and virulence factors such as the ability to form biofilms. The possibility of combining commonly used antifungals with natural products might greatly improve therapeutic success. (2) Methods: A total of 49 vulvovaginal isolates, causative agents of recurrent VVC, were tested for their susceptibility to fluconazole, nystatin, and Melissa officinalis essential oil (MOEO). This examination included testing the antibiofilm potential of antifungals and MOEO and the determination of their types of interaction with mature biofilms. (3) Results: Antimicrobial testing showed that 94.4% of the Candida albicans isolates and all the Candida krusei isolates were resistant to fluconazole, while all strains showed resistance to nystatin. The same strains were susceptible to MOEO in 0.156–2.5 mg/mL concentrations. Additionally, the results revealed very limited action of fluconazole, while nystatin and MOEO reduced the amount of biofilm formed by as much as 17.7% and 4.6%, respectively. Testing of the combined effect showed strain-specific synergistic action. Furthermore, the lower concentrations exhibited antagonistic effects even in cases where synergism was detected. (4) Conclusions: This study showed that MOEO had a very good antibiofilm effect. However, combining MOEO with antimycotics demonstrated that the type of action depended on the choice of antifungal drugs as well as the applied concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MO and TV caused a decrease in NF-κβ immunoreactivity in the SW480 colon cancer cell line. • It showed that MO and TV have effects on inflammation and signaling pathways that control cell cycle and apoptosis. • It also induced damage in cancer cells with an increased number of TUNEL positive cells and higher TNF-α and IL-6 immunoreactivity. The creation of novel therapeutic approaches and more potent chemotherapeutic agents is the current emphasis of research into cancer therapy. About 60% of drugs used for cancer treatment are isolated from natural products, and the plant kingdom has been the most important resource. The study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of Melissa officinalis L. (MO) and Thymus vulgaris L. (TV) extracts against SW480 cell lines, to elucidate cell death mechanisms and to determine their effect on inflammation. The effect of MO and TV on cell viability was evaluated using an MTT assay in SW480 cell line. After MO and TV treatment, apoptosis was evaluated by Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. An indirect peroxidase technique for immunocytochemical analysis of related proteins such as IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-kB was done. Significant differences in cell viability were observed 24 hours after MO and TV application in the cell line. In terms of TUNEL+ apoptotic cells, there was a statistically significant difference between the control group and the IC50 group in SW480 cell lines treated with both MO and TV. IL-6 and TNF-α, expression levels were found to be significantly lower after MO and TV administration in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas NF-kB expression was upregulated. Our findings show that it is effective on inflammation and signaling pathways that control the cell cycle and apoptosis, but more studies are needed to determine what mechanistic effect the active components of these plants have. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammation and oxidative activities within the gut play major roles in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to determine the effect of Melissa officinalis, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, on the colon histological characteristics in acetic acid (AA)-induced UC in rat models. Methods: Thirty-six male rats with AA-induced colitis were divided into 5 groups: no treatment (AA); daily treatment with 300 mg/kg Melissa officinalis orally (MO) and rectally (MR); and 100 mg/kg mesalamine orally (AO) and rectally (AR). Macroscopic and histopathological evaluation of the colon, along with a biochemical laboratory evaluation, were performed 10 days after UC induction. Results: All treatment groups demonstrated lower macroscopic grading scores compared to the AA group. After treatment with MO, 42.9% of cases demonstrated no macroscopic changes, while 14.3% demonstrated only mucosal erythema. In the MR group 28.6% of rats had no changes in their mucosal lining and 28.6% had only mucosal erythema. Following histopathological evaluation, the AO group had lower scores regarding the severity of ulcer, inflammation, destruction, crypt abscess, and disorganization compared to the MO group. (P=0.02) The MR group demonstrated lower microscopic scores compared to the MO group, and also lower macroscopic scores compared to the AR group, although not significantly (P>0.05). Conclusions: Both oral and topical administration of Melissa officinalis have satisfactory healing properties compared to mesalamine, with topical route having better Results:. Therefore, further studies are needed to establish the benefit of Melissa officinalis administration (both orally and topically) within a UC treatment protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic medical condition characterized by an accumulation of glucose in the bloodstream. Specifically, type 2 diabetes occurs when the body's cells are unable to efficiently respond to insulin, the hormone responsible for transporting circulatory glucose into cells. In the advanced stages of the disease, the body may also not produce sufficient amounts of insulin. As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more severe and potentially lead to a series of comorbidities. Although several medications are used to treat and control type 2 diabetes, these medications may have serious side effects. Hence, the use of herbal medicine to alleviate type 2 diabetes has been studied and has attracted widespread interest. Our major goal is to examine these herbs' effectiveness and related mechanisms of action in treating type 2 diabetes. Method: We studied worldwide traditional medicines, old texts, and published literature for anti-diabetic effect of Melissa officinalis and saffron. Electronic databases comprising PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched to collect articles published between 1990 and 2022 years. Results: We confirmed that a variety of herbal therapies, including saffron and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), had anti-diabetic activities based on the findings of various research. Conclusion: Saffron and Melissa officinalis have anti-diabetic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro drought stress has a considerable impact on the mass production of active compounds in medicinal plants. Nevertheless, photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and protein synthesis may be negatively affected by drought, which results in poor growth. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have recently been shown to play an important role in increasing nutrient uptake, resistance to various environmental stresses, and better plant growth. Regarding the importance of pharmaceutical metabolites of Melissa officinalis L., this experiment aimed to assess the role of TiO2 NPs in improving physiological responses and phytochemical properties in M. officinalis under in vitro drought stress. For this, two-week-old seedlings were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0, 50, and 100 mg L−1 TiO2 NPs and 0, 3, and 6% (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG). Two weeks after treatments, a reduction of chlorophyll, protein content, essential elements, and enhancement of H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were seen as a result of drought stress. It was observed that M. officinalis partially responded to the drought by increasing non-enzymatic antioxidants, including phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanin and ascorbate peroxidase activity. Moreover, PEG–induced drought stress increased some important essential oil content such as limonene, alpha-pinene, myrcene, γ-3-carene, citral, and carvacrol; however, the results showed that TiO2 NPs not only increased the quantity of essential oils but also led to tolerance to the drought stress by increasing photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant systems, absorption of essential nutrients, and decreasing H2O2 and MDA levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the use of traditional herbal remedies for the prevention and treatment of diseases along with exercise has become very popular. The aim of this study was to investigate acute effect of hydro alcoholic extract of melissa officinalis on metabolic rate, substrate oxidation and salivary cortisol during and after high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) in inactive women. Ten inactive women were selected based on criteria (BMI 22.28±0.60 kg/m2 ). Individuals participated in two separate sessions. In the first session, extract of melissa officinalis (500 mg) were intake one hour before HIIE. In the second session, the placebo (500 mg of starch) was intake. The HIIE program consisted of 11 alternates (1-minute with 90% vVO2max followed by 2-minute rest intervals with 60% vVO2max). Pre, during and after HIIE, respiratory gases was measured using the respiratory gas analyzer and was used to calculate metabolic rate (Energy Expenditure, VO2) and substrate oxidation (Fat oxidation, Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER)). Heart rate monitored by polar sensor. Salivary cortisol after collection was measured by chemiluminescence method. Based on results, there was no significant difference in VO2 (P =0.51), Fat Oxidation (P= 0.9), RER (P= 0.76), Heart rate (P= 0.42) and energy expenditure (P=0.6) between melissa officinalis and placebo intake. Also, there was no significant difference in salivary cortisol (P= 0.15). Generally, hydro alcoholic extract of melissa officinalis supplement intake along HIIE has no effect on metabolic rate, substrate oxidation and cortisol level in inactive women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]