Composition of essential oil ofStachys alpina L. ssp.dinarica Murb

A new essential oil from the native Ecuadorian species Steiractinia sodiroi (Hieron.) S.F. Blake (Asteraceae): chemical and enantioselective analyses

In the present study, the essential oil from dry leaves of Steiractinia sodiroi (Hieron.) S.F. Blake is described for the first time. The plant material, collected in the Province of Loja (Ecuador), was analytically steam-distilled in a Marcusson-type apparatus, affording an essential oil with a 0.2 ± 0.12% yield. The volatile fraction was submitted to GC-MS and GC-FID analyses, on two stationary phases of different polarity. A total of sixty-seven compounds, corresponding to 95.6-91.2% by weight of the whole oil mass, on the two columns respectively, were detected and quantified with at least one column. The quantification was carried out calculating the relative response factors of each constituent according to their combustion enthalpy. The major components were limonene (25.6-24.9%), sabinene (11.7-12.4%), germacrene D (7.7-7.0%), α-pinene (7.8-6.9%), δ-cadinene (7.3-7.0%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (4.8-4.5%), and bicyclogermacrene (3.6-3.0%). The chemical composition was complemented with the enantioselective analysis of some major chiral compounds, conducted by means of two β-cyclodextrin-based capillary columns. Three constituents, (S)-(+)-α-phellandrene, (R)-(-)-1-octen-3-ol, and (S)-(-)-limonene were enantiomerically pure, whereas (1R,5R)-(+)-β-pinene, (1S,5S)-(-)-sabinene, (R)-(-)-terpinen-4-ol, (R)-(+)-α-terpineol, and (R)-(+)-germacrene D presented an enantiomeric excess. Finally, α-pinene was present as a racemic mixture.

Manufacture of a Potential Antifungal Ingredient Using Lactic Acid Bacteria from Dry-Cured Sausages

The growing interest in functional foods has fueled the hunt for novel lactic acid bacteria (LAB) found in natural sources such as fermented foods. Thus, the aims of this study were to isolate, identify, characterize, and quantify LAB’s antifungal activity and formulate an ingredient for meat product applications. The overlay method performed a logical initial screening by assessing isolated bacteria’s antifungal activity in vitro. Next, the antifungal activity of the fermented bacteria-free supernatants (BFS) was evaluated by agar diffusion assay against six toxigenic fungi. Subsequently, the antifungal activity of the most antifungal BFS was quantified using the microdilution method in 96-well microplates. The meat broth that showed higher antifungal activity was selected to elaborate on an ingredient to be applied to meat products. Finally, antifungal compounds such as organic acids, phenolic acids, and volatile organic compounds were identified in the chosen-fermented meat broth. The most promising biological candidates belonged to the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus. P. pentosaceus C15 distinguished from other bacteria by the production of antifungal compounds such as nonanoic acid and phenyl ethyl alcohol, as well as the higher production of lactic and acetic acid.

A New Essential Oil from the Leaves of Gynoxys rugulosa Muschl. (Asteraceae) Growing in Southern Ecuador: Chemical and Enantioselective Analyses

An essential oil, distilled from the leaves of the Andean species Gynoxys rugulosa Muschl., is described in the present study for the first time. The chemical composition was qualitatively and quantitatively determined by GC-MS and GC-FID, respectively. On the one hand, the qualitative composition was obtained by comparing the mass spectrum and the linear retention index of each component with data from literature. On the other hand, the quantitative composition was determined by calculating the relative response factor of each constituent, according to its combustion enthalpy. Both analyses were carried out with two orthogonal columns of nonpolar and polar stationary phases. A total of 112 compounds were detected and quantified with at least one column, corresponding to 87.3-93.0% of the whole oil mass. Among the 112 detected components, 103 were identified. The main constituents were α-pinene (5.3-6.0%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (2.4-2.8%), α-humulene (3.0-3.2%), germacrene D (4.9-6.5%), δ-cadinene (2.2-2.3%), caryophyllene oxide (1.6-2.2%), α-cadinol (3.8-4.4%), 1-nonadecanol (1.7-1.9%), 1-eicosanol (0.9-1.2%), n-tricosane (3.3-3.4%), 1-heneicosanol (4.5-5.8%), n-pentacosane (5.8-7.1%), 1-tricosanol (4.0-4.5%), and n-heptacosane (3.0-3.5%). Furthermore, an enantioselective analysis was carried out on the essential oil, by means of two cyclodextrin-based capillary columns. The enantiomers of α-pinene, β-pinene, sabinene, α-phellandrene, β-phellandrene, linalool, α-copaene, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, and germacrene D were detected, and the respective enantiomeric excess was calculated.

Essential Oil and Non-Volatile Metabolites from Kaunia longipetiolata (Sch.Bip. ex Rusby) R. M. King and H. Rob., an Andean Plant Native to Southern Ecuador

Kaunia longipetiolata (Sch.Bip. ex Rusby) R. M. King and H. Rob. (Asteraceae) is a plant native to southern Ecuador. The dry leaves afforded, by steam distillation, an essential oil that was qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID, respectively, on two orthogonal columns of different polarity. Sesquiterpenes predominated in the volatile fraction, among which α-zingiberene (19.7-19.1%), ar-curcumene (17.3-18.1%), caryophyllene oxide (5.1-5.3%), (Z)-β-caryophyllene (3.0-3.1%), (2Z,6Z)-farnesal (2.6-3.6%), and spathulenol (2.0-2.1%) were the major components. In addition to the identified compounds, two main unidentified constituents (possibly oxygenated sesquiterpenes) with probable molecular masses of 292 and 230, respectively, were detected. They constituted about 5% and 8% (w/w), respectively, of the whole essential oil. The oil chemical composition was complemented with the enantioselective analysis of ten chiral components. Four scalemic mixtures and six enantiomerically pure terpenes were identified. An enantiomeric excess (ee) was determined for (1R,5R)-(+)-β-pinene (65.0%), (R)-(-)-α-phellandrene (94.6%), (S)-(+)-linalool (15.0%), and (R)-(-)-terpinen-4-ol (33.8%). On the other hand, (1R,5R)-(+)-α-pinene, (1R,5R)-(+)-sabinene, (S)-(-)-limonene, (S)-(+)-β-phellandrene, (1R,2S,6S,7S,8S)-(-)-α-copaene, and (R)-(+)-germacrene D were enantiomerically pure. Finally, the non-volatile fraction obtained by extraction of the leaves with MeOH was investigated. Eight known compounds were isolated by liquid column chromatographic separations. Their structures were determined by NMR spectroscopy as dehydroleucodine, kauniolide, (3S,3aR,4aR,6aS,9aS,9bR)-3-hydroxy-1,4a-dimethyl-7-methylene-5,6,6a,7,9a,9b-hexahydro-3H-oxireno[2',3':8,8a]azuleno[4,5-b]furan-8(4aH)-one, novanin, bisabola-1,10-diene-3,4-trans-diol, (R)-2-(2-(acetoxymethyl)oxiran-2-yl)-5-methylphenyl isobutyrate, eupalitin-3-O-glucoside, and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid. Literature data about the identified metabolites indicate that K. longipetiolata is a rich source of biologically active natural products.

Chemometric Analysis Based on GC-MS Chemical Profiles of Three Stachys Species from Uzbekistan and Their Biological Activity

The chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of Stachys byzantina, S. hissarica and S. betoniciflora growing in Uzbekistan were determined, and their antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activity were assessed. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of 143 metabolites accounting for 70.34, 76.78 and 88.63% of the total identified components of S. byzantina, S. hissarica and S. betoniciflora, respectively. Octadecanal (9.37%) was the most predominant in S. betoniciflora. However, n-butyl octadecenoate (4.92%) was the major volatile in S. byzantina. Benzaldehyde (5.01%) was present at a higher percentage in S. hissarica. A chemometric analysis revealed the ability of volatile profiling to discriminate between the studied Stachys species. The principal component analysis plot displayed a clear diversity of Stachys species where the octadecanal and benzaldehyde were the main discriminating markers. The antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric reducing power (FRAP), chelating and phosphomolybdenum (PBD). Moreover, the ability of the essential oils to inhibit both acetyl/butyrylcholinesterases (AChE and BChE), α-amylase, α-glucosidase and tyrosinase was assessed. The volatiles from S. hissarica exhibited the highest activity in both the ABTS (226.48 ± 1.75 mg Trolox equivalent (TE)/g oil) and FRAP (109.55 ± 3.24 mg TE/g oil) assays. However, S. betoniciflora displayed the strongest activity in the other assays (174.94 ± 0.20 mg TE/g oil for CUPRAC, 60.11 ± 0.36 mg EDTA equivalent (EDTAE)/g oil for chelating and 28.24 ± 1.00 (mmol TE/g oil) for PBD. Regarding the enzyme inhibitory activity, S. byzantina demonstrated the strongest AChE (5.64 ± 0.04 mg galantamine equivalent (GALAE)/g oil) and tyrosinase inhibitory (101.07 ± 0.60 mg kojic acid equivalent (KAE)/g) activity. The highest activity for BChE (11.18 ± 0.19 mg GALAE/g oil), amylase inhibition (0.76 ± 0.02 mmol acarbose equivalent (ACAE)/g oil) and glucosidase inhibition (24.11 ± 0.06 mmol ACAE/g oil) was observed in S. betoniciflora. These results showed that EOs of Stachys species could be used as antioxidant, hypoglycemic and skincare agents.

Iridoids from Stachys byzantina K. Koch (Lamb's Ears) and Stachys germanica L. (Downy Woundwort)

Iridoids are a class of secondary metabolites found in a wide variety of plants. Iridoids are typically found in plants as glycosides, most often found to glucose. The genus Stachys L. is one of the largest genera of the Lamiaceae family, containing iridoids.

Aim

The aim of this study was the isolation and identification of iridoids from the aerial parts of Stachys byzantina K. Koch and Stachys germanica L.

Methods

For the isolation and identification of the iridoids, different chromatographic methods (NP-TLC, CPC and RP-HPLC) were used. The structures were established by one- and two-dimensional NMR and mass spectrometry, also.

Results

Iridoids (aucubin, harpagide, ajugoside and harpagoside) were isolated and identified by combination of different chromatographic methods from S. byzantina and S. germanica.

Conclusion

Stachys species may also be used as a potential source of iridoids.

Medicinal compounds, chemically and biologically characterised from extracts of Australian Callitris endlicheri and C.glaucophylla (Cupressaceae): used traditionally in Aboriginal and colonial pharmacopoeia

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Callitrisendlicheri and C.glaucophylla were highly valued by Australian Aboriginal people for use in medicinal applications. Pine needles were prepared using modalities of either smoking or topical preparations, requiring either aqueous or lipophilic extraction into animal fat. Extracts treated various ailments consistent with pathogenic infection, or other topical or tracheal ailments not clearly elucidated in ethnopharmacological records.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Here we aim firstly to investigate antimicrobial activities of both smoke, essential oil and solvent extracts and secondly to chemically characterise significant volatile compounds potentially related to medicinal or antimicrobial activities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Essential oils were produced using traditional hydrodistillation of pine needles collected from Callitrisendlicheri and C.glaucophylla. From the same material, solvent extracts were produced separately, using acetone and methanol, and then smoke extracts were produced with separate methods described herein, using fresh needles. All extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity against a range of bacterial organisms and sporicidal activity against pathogenic fungi (Trichophytonmentagrophytes, T.interdigitalis and T.rubrum).

RESULTS

Essential oils produced only modest antibacterial activity and the Callitris endlicheri essential oil had moderate antifungal activity. Smoke extracts demonstrated considerable broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, but solvent extracts demonstrated more selective activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and the yeast Candida albicans. Chemical character of essential oils was consistent with previous studies; however, solvent and smoke extracts from fresh needles produced high concentrations of potentially medicinal abietane diterpenes, specifically pisiferal, pisiferol and ferruginol; well known from Japanese species with demonstrated bioactivity.

CONCLUSION

The occurrence of these diterpenes and other phenolics, in conjunction with significant antimicrobial activities from the various extracts, is in alignment with the use of Australian Callitris species in Aboriginal medicinal practice.

Behavioural characterization of four endemic Stachys taxa

We performed a basic behavioral characterization of methanol extracts of four Balkan endemic Stachys taxa: S. anisochila (SA), S. beckeana (SB), S. plumosa (SP) and S. alpina subsp. dinarica (SAD). The behavioral activity of extracts dosed intraperitoneally in the range 100-400 mg/kg was examined in adult male Wistar rats, in the elevated plus maze, spontaneous locomotor activity, and grip strength tests, mainly predictive of anxiolytic, sedative and myorelaxant actions, respectively. All investigated Stachys extracts lacked anxiolytic or myorelaxant activities, while SB at 400 mg/kg exerted an anxiogenic-like effect. The study with the selective antagonist beta-CCt showed that the sedative effect of SAD was only partially mediated by GABAA receptors containing the alpha1-subunit. While discernible, the behavioral effects of SA and SP were not distinct. In all extracts, chlorogenic acid and verbascoside were identified. In SA, SB, and SAD the flavonoid fraction was constituted of isoscutellarein and hypolaetine glycosides, while in SP chrysoeriol and apigenin glycosides were present. The results reveal the psychotropic potential of four endemic Stachys taxa, of which SAD appeared most promising as a natural sedative.

Chemical composition of the essential oil of Stachys menthifolia Vis

Stachys menthifolia Vis. (Lamiaceae) is an endemic species from the Balkan Peninsula spread throughout Albania, Greece, Montenegro, and Croatia. This article presents the first investigation of the essential oil composition of this species from Croatia. Aerial parts of the plant were collected from three different natural habitats in the region of Biokovo Mountain. The studied populations showed similarity in qualitative, but not in quantitative, composition of their essential oils. Hydrodistilled volatile oil obtained from the plant material of S. menthifolia was subjected to gas chromatographic analysis coupled to mass spectrometry. More than 100 compounds were identified in the three samples, representing 86.8-90.8% of the total oil. The terpene profile of S. menthifolia is characterized by a high content of oxygenated sesquiterpenes (48.4-58.9%) and diterpene hydrocarbons (3.5-25.2%), with 8-alpha-acetoxyelemol (6.9-21.3%), abietatriene (3.5-21.1%), and 4'-methoxyacetophenone (4.5-17.0%) as the main constituents.

Chemical composition of the halophyte plant Stachys maritima Gouan from the Bulgarian Black Sea coast

Four groups of metabolites from the halophyte plant Stachys maritima Gouan, family Lamiaceae, were investigated: lipids, sterols, volatiles and polar compounds. Most of the metabolites have been previously reported to possess biological activity. Two of the main substances in the volatile fraction--phenidone and naphthalene, unusual for plants--were products of environmental contamination. This is a typical example of how marine pollutants could transfer and threaten terrestrial organisms via the trophic chain. The n-butanol extract possessed a relatively high antibacterial activity against S. aureus and Candida albicans, but was not active against Escherichia coli.