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Background: This study focuses on the investigation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of alcohol extracts from Ribes nigrum leaves on murine BV-2 microglial Wt and Acyl-CoA oxidase 1 deficient (Acox1−/−) cell line models, useful for the investigation of some neurodegenerative disorders. Methods: The extract chemical composition was analyzed via LC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS. Various assays, including DPPH, MTT, and H2DCFDA, were used to assess the extract's antioxidant capacity, cell viability, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Immunoblotting and RT-qPCR techniques were employed to measure protein expression and gene transcription in treated cells. Statistical analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism, with significance determined at p < 0.05. Results: Investigations showed the presence of phenolic compounds in this extract, among which flavan-3-ols, flavonols, furanocoumarins, hydroxycinnamates were major components, which are known for their biological activity in various test systems. The MTT test revealed a concentration of 0.125 mg/mL of R. nigrum extract as the highest non-toxic. The investigated extract showed high antioxidant activity in chemical-based tests. The antioxidant potential of the R. nigrum leaf extract was furtherly explored using the BV-2 microglial cell line models. Moreover, the extract was found to alter the activity of the main antioxidant enzyme, catalase and fatty acid oxidation enzyme, Acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1) as well as the expression of appropriate genes in Wt and Acox1−/− BV-2 microglial cells such as Cat, iNos, Il-1β, Tnf-α, and Abcd1. In Wt cells, after the 24-hour treatment with R. nigrum leaf extract, ACOX1 activity was downregulated, meanwhile the catalase activity remains unchanged. Further treatment led to the downregulation of catalase and the upregulation of ACOX1 activity. However, in Acox1−/− cells, which represent a model of oxidative stress, an increase in catalase activity was observed only after 48 h of treatment. It was also observed the reduced ROS and NO formation in cells, showing the pronounced antioxidant capacity of R. nigrum extract in the investigated cell-models. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the protective effects of R. nigrum leaf extracts on BV-2 microglial cells by reducing oxidative and nitrosative stress, decreasing pro-inflammatory gene expression, and normalizing peroxisomal function, highlighting the potential of these extracts as therapeutic agents for managing oxidative stress and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background This study focuses on the investigation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of alcohol extracts from Ribes nigrum leaves on murine BV-2 microglial Wt and Acyl-CoA oxidase 1 deficient (Acox1 −/− ) cell line models, useful for the investigation of some neurodegenerative disorders. Methods The extract chemical composition was analyzed via LC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS. Various assays, including DPPH, MTT, and H2DCFDA, were used to assess the extract’s antioxidant capacity, cell viability, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Immunoblotting and RT-qPCR techniques were employed to measure protein expression and gene transcription in treated cells. Statistical analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism, with significance determined at p

In this investigation, we assessed the antibacterial properties of menthol using Escherichia coli strains, including a tetracycline-resistant (BN407) and a non-resistant reference (K12) strains. The disc-diffusion assay indicated remarkable antibacterial activity of menthol, warranting further exploration. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for menthol was determined to be 500 µg/ml for both strains. Despite identical MIC values, menthol exhibited different effects on the colony-forming units (CFUs) of the strains, reducing CFUs by 55% in E. coli K12 and 40% in E. coli BN407.Growth kinetics studies revealed that menthol extended the Lag phase by 50% and decreased the specific growth rate and mean generation time by nearly 50% for both strains. These findings illustrate menthol's significant impact on bacterial replication and adaptation processes. Additionally, menthol disrupted membrane-associated properties, as evidenced by reduced H+-flux through bacterial membranes, affecting both N,N-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD)-sensitive and non-sensitive proton flux rates. This indicates that menthol compromises the proton motive force critical for ATP synthesis and nutrient transport.In summary, menthol demonstrates potent antibacterial activity, influencing bacterial growth and survival. This activity is supposed to be due to the influence on membrane functionality. These effects are consistent across both tetracycline-resistant and non-resistant E. coli strains.

In this investigation, we assessed the antibacterial properties of menthol using Escherichia coli strains, including a tetracycline-resistant (BN407) and a non-resistant reference (K12) strains. The disc-diffusion assay indicated remarkable antibacterial activity of menthol, warranting further exploration. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for menthol was determined to be 500 µg/ml for both strains. Despite identical MIC values, menthol exhibited different effects on the colony-forming units (CFUs) of the strains, reducing CFUs by 55% in E. coli K12 and 40% in E. coli BN407. Growth kinetics studies revealed that menthol extended the Lag phase by 50% and decreased the specific growth rate and mean generation time by nearly 50% for both strains. These findings illustrate menthol's significant impact on bacterial replication and adaptation processes. Additionally, menthol disrupted membrane-associated properties, as evidenced by reduced H+-flux through bacterial membranes, affecting both N,N-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD)-sensitive and non-sensitive proton flux rates. This indicates that menthol compromises the proton motive force critical for ATP synthesis and nutrient transport. In summary, menthol demonstrates potent antibacterial activity, influencing bacterial growth and survival. This activity is supposed to be due to the influence on membrane functionality. These effects are consistent across both tetracycline-resistant and non-resistant E. coli strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 3,800 species of vascular plant species have been registered in the flora of Armenia, of which chromosome numbers are known for 798. Additionally, many species have several cytoraces in Armenia (a total of 904 cytoraces have been recorded). The main goal of the study was to elucidate some specific features of florogenesis on the basis of karyological data, and the aim is to characterize the distributions of the cytoraces across floristic regions of Armenia, including elevational zones, and habitats. The study is underpinned by results of our long-term study of Armenian flora, which entailed comprehensively characterizing their chromosome numbers and karyotypes. Geographical elements were established based on general distribution. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the Armenian flora was formed over a long period, starting from the Paleocene period, and is composed of nearly equal proportions of migrants from the Boreal and Ancient Mediterranean subkingdoms, and species that evolved in the Armenian Highlands and in the Greater Caucasus. The possession of a significant percentage of endemics (mainly neoendemics) indicates that the territory of Armenia is also an arena of intensive formation and speciation. In addition, we also illuminated a large karyological diversity among species whose distribution is confined to the Ancient Mediterranean subkingdom or its parts, including the Armeno-Iranian province; this is indicative of speciation having occurred in these territories. The “northern root” species, Boreal and Caucasian, became establish in Armenia mainly in the form of karyologically stable cytoraces.

Compounds of plant origin are considered promising alternative approaches in the development of medicines for the prevention and treatment of cancer. The large diversity of herbal species still requires careful exploration as a source for new anticancer compounds. The goal of the study was to screen different herbal extracts traditionally used in Armenian folk medicine for their cytotoxic effect against some cancer cell lines, and to find the prospective plant species among them. The cytotoxicity of the plant ethanol extracts was evaluated with MTT test against HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) and A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma) cells. Antioxidant properties were assessed with DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Five of the tested ten herbal extracts exhibited significant growth-inhibiting activity on HeLa cells. Moreover, Alchemilla smirnovii and Hypericum alpestre extracts also showed potent cytotoxicity on human lung adenocarcinoma cells. These two plants possessed high antiradical activity as well. Their DPPH stoichiometric values were 0.4234 and 0.14437 respectively, meaning that 1 µg of plant extract brought the reduction of DPPH equal to the respective stoichiometric values in µg. Thus, A. smirnovii and H. alpestre extracts expressed themselves as potent cytotoxic and antioxidant agents and could have promising anticancer potential. Further evaluation of their in vivo anticancer properties has much interest.

The present article includes data on the possible selective cytotoxic effect of extract of Ribes nigrum L. growing at high Armenian landscape. For this purpose, different non-cancer (microglial BV-2 wild type (Wt), acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1) deficient (Acox1−/−) and cancer (human colon adenocarcinoma HT29 and human breast cancer MCF7) cell lines were applied. R. nigrum leaf ethanol extract showed a growth inhibition effect towards HT29 and MCF7 cells started from 6 h of treatment at the concentration of 0.5 mg/mL DW. The lowest concentration (0.125 mg/mL DW) of the investigated extract expressed cytotoxicity after 72 hours following cancer cell treatment. In contrast to the cancer cells, in the case of the tested non-cancer cells, cytotoxic effect was not observed at the applied concentrations. The extract sub-cytotoxic concentration, in this case, was reported to be the 1 mg/mL DW. Further investigations are needed to confirm the selective cytotoxicity and possible action mechanisms of the leaf extract of R. nigrum.

In the presented work, we aimed to investigate the antioxidant and possible neuroprotective capacity of extract of the aerial parts of Hypericum alpestre, found in high altitude Armenian landscape. The neuroprotective activity was evaluated using BV-2 wild type (WT) cells and acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1) deficient (Acox1-/-) microglial cell lines. In the chemical-based tests, H. alpestre extract showed high antioxidant activity, which was maintained even after heat treatment at 121 °C for 30 min. MTT test showed that the sub-cytotoxic concentration of investigated extracts for both microglial cell lines was 40 µg/mL. There were no significant changes in catalase activity during all period of treatment in both cell lines, meanwhile, SOD activity increased (up to 30%) in WT cells during the 48 h treatment. Increase of SOD activity (up to 50%) in Acox-/- cells was observed under the 24 h treatment. Significant modulation in activity of palmitoyl-CoA oxidase 1 was noticed only during the 48 h treatment of WT microglial cells. These results evidenced the pro-oxidant activity of the investigated extract. This finding can serve as a basis for further evaluation of plant extracts influence on cancer cell lines.

For the first time, the chromosome number was determined for 5 species of the genus Pyrus L. (Rosaceae) from Armenia, viz. P. daralaghezii, P. hyrcana var. yeghegisi, P. medvedevii, P. oxiprion, P. takhtadzhianii, and the previous count of chromosome number for P. caucasica was confirmed. All the explored species have a diploid chromosome number 2n = 34 with the basic chromosome number x = 17. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compounds of plant origin are considered promising alternative approaches in the development of medicines for the prevention and treatment of cancer. The large diversity of herbal species still requires careful exploration as a source for new anticancer compounds. The goal of the study was to screen different herbal extracts traditionally used in Armenian folk medicine for their cytotoxic effect against some cancer cell lines, and to find the prospective plant species among them. The cytotoxicity of the plant ethanol extracts was evaluated with MTT test against HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) and A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma) cells. Antioxidant properties were assessed with DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Five of the tested ten herbal extracts exhibited significant growth-inhibiting activity on HeLa cells. Moreover, Alchemilla smirnovii and Hypericum alpestre extracts also showed potent cytotoxicity on human lung adenocarcinoma cells. These two plants possessed high antiradical activity as well. Their DPPH stoichiometric values were 0.4234 and 0.14437 respectively, meaning that 1 µg of plant extract brought the reduction of DPPH equal to the respective stoichiometric values in µg. Thus, A. smirnovii and H. alpestre extracts expressed themselves as potent cytotoxic and antioxidant agents and could have promising anticancer potential. Further evaluation of their in vivo anticancer properties has much interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the presented work, we aimed to investigate the antioxidant and possible neuroprotective capacity of extract of the aerial parts of Hypericum alpestre, found in high altitude Armenian landscape. The neuroprotective activity was evaluated using BV-2 wild type (WT) cells and acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1) deficient (Acox1-/-) microglial cell lines. In the chemical-based tests, H. alpestre extract showed high antioxidant activity, which was maintained even after heat treatment at 121 °C for 30 min. MTT test showed that the sub-cytotoxic concentration of investigated extracts for both microglial cell lines was 40 µg/mL. There were no significant changes in catalase activity during all period of treatment in both cell lines, meanwhile, SOD activity increased (up to 30%) in WT cells during the 48 h treatment. Increase of SOD activity (up to 50%) in Acox-/- cells was observed under the 24 h treatment. Significant modulation in activity of palmitoyl-CoA oxidase 1 was noticed only during the 48 h treatment of WT microglial cells. These results evidenced the pro-oxidant activity of the investigated extract. This finding can serve as a basis for further evaluation of plant extracts influence on cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrus browiczii Mulk. is a narrow endemic of the Vayots Dzor province of Armenia. It is the only pear species from the East Asian Pyrus section Pashia native to Armenian flora. Since the description by Ya. I. Mulkidzhanyan in 1969 so far P. browiczii was known by the type and single specimens in fruits. During the present study, P. browiczii was collected and observed in nature in flowering and fruiting phases. Article contains data on species taxonomy, ecology and particulars of habitat, complete description of the species, it is illustrated by original photos.

Aims: One of the strategies to combat antibiotic resistance can be the use of plant materials in combination with antibiotics, taking into account that phytochemicals can act as antibiotic resistance‐modifying agents. This can give a second life to the traditional antibiotics. The aim was to evaluate antibiotic modulatory effect of crude extracts from Agrimonia eupatoria, Hypericum alpestre, Rumex obtusifolius and Sanguisorba officinalis herbs towards several commercial antibiotics using some Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. Methods: The antibiotic modulatory activity was tested by determining MICs of antibiotics in the absence and presence of plant crude extracts at subinhibitory concentrations. Antiviral potential of different extracts of tested plant materials was also explored by double overlay plaque assay. Results: The tested plant crude extracts exhibited high modulatory activity towards used antibiotics. Particularly, high modulatory activity was observed with extracts of H. alpestre and R. obtusifolius. Many plant‐antibiotic combinations induced the decrease in MICs of antibiotics up to ~fourfold indicating synergy. Moreover, the similar change was observed at both subinhibitory concentrations (MIC/2 and MIC/4) of the same plant crude extract. High anti‐phage activity of plants with the exception of Lilium armenum against T4 phage of Escherichia coli C‐T4 was also shown. Conclusions: Plant crude extract or commercial antibiotic combinations significantly increased the efficiency of antibiotics. Tested plant materials with exception of L. armenum have antiviral property. Significance and Impact of the Study: For the first time, antibiotic modulatory activity of tested herb extracts was shown, which could have potential in practical applications. Tested plant materials with exception of L. armenum could have prospective, as a source of new antiviral compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]