Chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of Tagetes minuta and Ocimum basilicum essential oils

Effect of Essential Oils and Dried Herbs on the Shelf Life of Fresh Goat Lump Cheese

In recent years, the use of natural preservatives in food products has gained significant attention due to their potential health benefits and effectiveness. A standardized microbiological analysis was conducted on Slovak farm-produced lump goat cheese samples to determine the antibacterial activity of dry herbs and essential oils added to vacuum-packed goat cheese. We employed five dried herbs and five essential oils derived from the same plants. The microbiological quality of 145 fresh and vacuum-packed goat cheese samples was assessed. The number of coliform bacteria, total viable count, lactic acid bacteria, and microscopic filamentous fungi were examined in raw cheese samples stored for 12 days at 4 °C. All cheese samples were vacuum-packed (control samples were packed without vacuum). This study evaluated the potential benefits of using essential oils and dried herbs from thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.), black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), clove (Eugenia caryophyllus Thunb.), mint (Mentha × piperita L.), and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) as preservatives. The essential oils were obtained from Hanus Ltd., Nitra, Slovakia, and were applied at a concentration of 2%. The dried herbs were obtained from Popradský čaj (Poprad, Slovakia) and Mäspoma Ltd. (Zvolen, Slovakia). The results showed that all microorganism groups were significantly reduced in cheese samples following the application of essential oils throughout the entire storage period. During the preservation of cheese samples in polyethylene bags used for vacuum packing food, Lactococcus garvieae, L. lactis, Enterobacter cloacae, and Serratia liquefaciens were the most frequently isolated microbiota. Essential oils and dried herbs demonstrated antimicrobial potential during the storage of vacuum-packed goat cheese.

Chemical composition and anti-proliferative activity of essential oils from some medicinal plants from Cachicadán, Región La Libertad, Perú

This study evaluated the chemical composition and anti-proliferative activity of essential oils (EOs) obtained by hydrodistillation from seven medicinal plants from Cachicadán, La Libertad Región, Perú. Limonene (0.64 to 44.43%) and linalool (0.36 to 2.12%) were identified in all EOs by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis. The major components (relative intensity ≥ 10%) were cis-dihydro carvone, carvone, and cis-piperitone epoxide for Minthostachys mollis leaves; β-pinene, limonene, and ledol for Lepechinia heteromorpha leaves; limonene, neral, and geranial for Aloysia citriodora, both leaves and flowers; α-pinene, and limonene for Myrcianthes myrsinoides leaves; and α-pinene, β-myrcene, and (E)-β-Ocimene for Dalea carthagenensis leaves. Constituted by (Z)-β-ocimene, dihydrotagetone, (Z)-tagetone, and car-3-en-2-one, EO of Tagetes minuta leaves induced an irreversible cytostatic effect against MCF-7 human breast tumor cells. Further in vivo studies must be carried out to establish the safe and efficient dose of T. minuta EO as adjuvant treatment in oncological therapies.

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Geraniol and Selected Geraniol Transformation Products against Gram-Positive Bacteria

Both geraniol and the products of its transformation, thanks to their beneficial properties, find a variety of applications in cosmetics. Due to their antioxidant and moisturizing properties, these compounds can be added to skin care products such as face creams, lotions, oils, and masks. In addition, these compounds show some antibacterial and antifungal properties, making them suitable for application in skin care products to help fight against bacteria or fungi. This study determined the antimicrobial activity of geraniol and the compounds which were formed during its transformation in relation to selected Gram-positive bacteria, and the preliminary assessment was made whether these compounds can act as ingredients of preparations with potential antimicrobial activity in the treatment of various human diseases (for example diseases of the skin, digestive system, or urinary tract). In addition, this work presents studies on the microbiological purity of cream samples obtained with different contents of geraniol and its transformation products (contents of the tested compounds: 0.5%, 1.5%, 2.5%, 4%, 8%, and 12%). Antibacterial activity tests were performed using the disc diffusion method against Gram-positive cocci, including the reference strains Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, and against the clinical strains Staphylococcus aureus MRSA, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis VRE VanB, Enterococcus faecium VRE VanA, and Enterococcus faecium VRE VanB. The most active ingredient against bacteria of the Staphylococcus genus was citral, followed by linalool and then geraniol. During our tests, in the case of bacteria of the Enterococcus genus, citral also showed the highest activity, but linalool, ocimenes, and geraniol showed a slightly lower activity. Moreover, this study examined the microbiological purity of cream samples obtained with various contents of geraniol and its transformation products. In the tests of the microbiological purity of cream samples, no growth of aerobic bacteria and fungi was found, which proves the lack of microbiological contamination of the obtained cosmetic preparations. On this basis, it was assessed that these compounds have preservative properties in the prepared creams. The addition of the analyzed compounds also had influence on the durability of the creams and had no effect on the change in their consistency, did not negatively affect the separation of phases during storage, and even had a positive effect on organoleptic sensations by enriching the smell of the tested samples.

Current status, technology, regulation and future perspectives of essential oils usage in the food and drink industry

Nowadays, essential oils (EOs) have a wide use in many applications such as in food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and animal feed products. Consumers' preferences concerning healthier and safer foodstuffs lead to an increased demand for natural products, in replacement of synthetic substances, used as preservatives, flavourings etc. EOs, besides being safe, are promising alternatives as natural food additives, and much research has been carried out on their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The initial purpose of this review is to discuss conventional and 'green' extraction techniques along with their basic mechanism for the isolation of EOs from aromatic plants. This review aims to provide a broad overview of the current knowledge about the chemical constitution of EOs while considering the existence of different chemotypes, since bioactivity is attributed to the chemical composition - qualitative and quantitative - of EOs. Although the food industry primarily uses EOs as flavourings, an overview on recent applications of EOs in food systems and active packaging is provided. EOs exhibit poor solubility in water, oxidation susceptibility, negative organoleptic effect and volatility, restricting their use. Encapsulation techniques have been proven to be one of the best approaches to preserve the biological activities of EOs and minimize their effects on food sensory qualities. Herein, different encapsulation techniques and their basic mechanism for loading EOs are discussed. EOs are highly accepted by consumers, who are often under the misconception that 'natural' means safe. This is, however, an oversimplification, and the possible toxicity of EOs should be taken into consideration. Thus, in the final section of the current review, the focus is on current EU legislation, safety assessment and sensory evaluation of EOs. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Assessments of Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory Potential of Tagetes Flavonoids through In Vitro, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies

Diabetes is a chronic fast-growing metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose levels. Tagetes minuta L. has been used as a traditional remedy for various illnesses for many years, and, furthermore, its oil is used in the perfume and flavor industries. T. minuta contains various metabolites, such as flavonoids, thiophenes, terpenes, sterols, and phenolics, with varied bioactivities. Flavonoids can inhibit carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, such as alpha-amylase, which is a convenient dietary strategy for controlling hyperglycemia. In the current investigation, the isolated flavonoids quercetagetin-6-O-(6-O-caffeoyl-β-D-glucopyranoside), quercetagetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, quercetagetin-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, minutaside A, patuletin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, quercetagetin-7-methoxy-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, tagenols A and B, quercetagetin-3,7-dimethoxy-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, patuletin, quercetin-3,6-dimethyl ether, and quercetin-3-methyl ether from T. minuta were assessed for their alpha-amylase inhibition (AAI) efficacy using an in vitro assay, as well as molecular docking, dynamics simulation, and ADMET analyses. Our findings show that quercetagetin-6-O-(6-O-caffeoyl-β-D-glucopyranoside) (1), quercetagetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), quercetagetin-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), minutaside A (4), patuletin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), and quercetagetin-7-methoxy-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6) had a notable AAI capacity (IC₅₀s ranged from 7.8 to 10.1 μM) compared to acarbose (IC₅₀ 7.1 μM). Furthermore, these compounds with the highest binding affinity among the tested flavonoids revealed high docking scores for AA (ranging from -12.171 to 13.882 kcal/mol) compared to that of acarbose (-14.668 kcal/mol). In MDS, these compounds were observed to show maximum stability and the greatest binding free energy, suggesting that they may contend with native ligands. In addition, the ADMET analysis showed that these active compounds had a broad span of drug-like, pharmacokinetic, and physicochemical features and did not possess any considerable undesired effects. The current results suggest the potential of these metabolites as AAI candidates. However, further in vivo and mechanistic studies are warranted to specify the efficacy of these metabolites.

On the Future Perspectives of Some Medicinal Plants within Lamiaceae Botanic Family Regarding Their Comprehensive Properties and Resistance against Biotic and Abiotic Stresses

Lamiaceae is one of the largest botanical families, encompassing over 6000 species that include a variety of aromatic and medicinal spices. The current study is focused on three plants within this botanical family: basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), and summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.). These three species contain primary and secondary metabolites such as phenolic and flavonoid compounds, fatty acids, antioxidants, and essential oils and have traditionally been used for flavoring, food preservation, and medicinal purposes. The goal of this study is to provide an overview of the nutraceutical, therapeutic, antioxidant, and antibacterial key features of these three aromatics to explore new breeding challenges and opportunities for varietal development. In this context, a literature search has been performed to describe the phytochemical profile of both primary and secondary metabolites and their pharmacological uses, as well as to further explore accession availability in the medicine industry and also to emphasize their bioactive roles in plant ecology and biotic and abiotic stress adaptability. The aim of this review is to explore future perspectives on the development of new, highly valuable basil, summer savory, and thyme cultivars. The findings of the current review emphasize the importance of identifying the key compounds and genes involved in stress resistance that can also provide valuable insights for further improvement of these important medicinal plants.

Antifungal and Antibiofilm Activity of Colombian Essential Oils against Different Candida Strains

Most Candida species are opportunistic pathogens with the ability to form biofilms, which increases their resistance to antifungal drug therapies and the host immune response. Essential oils (EOs) are an alternative for developing new antimicrobial drugs, due to their broad effect on cellular viability, cell communication, and metabolism. In this work, we evaluated the antifungal and antibiofilm potential of fifty EOs on C. albicans ATCC 10231, C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019, and Candida auris CDC B11903. The EOs’ antifungal activity was measured by means of a broth microdilution technique to determine the minimum inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations (MICs/MFCs) against the different Candida spp. strains. The effects on biofilm formation were determined by a crystal violet assay using 96-well round-bottom microplates incubated for 48 h at 35 °C. The EOs from Lippia alba (Verbenaceae family) carvone-limonene chemotype and L. origanoides exhibited the highest antifungal activity against C. auris. The L. origanoides EOs also presented antifungal and antibiofilm activity against all three Candida spp., thus representing a promising alternative for developing new antifungal products focused on yeast infections, especially those related to biofilm formation, virulence factors, and antimicrobial resistance.

Synergistic Antioxidant Activity of Four—Component Mixture of Essential Oils: Basil, Cedarwood, Citronella and Thyme for the Use as Medicinal and Food Ingredient

Mixture design is a statistical tool used to obtain the maximum desired effect using the minimum number of experiments. The aim of the presented work was the optimization of the composition of a mixture of essential oils from basil, citronella, cedarwood and thyme using simplex-lattice mixture design method. The optimized parameter was an antioxidant activity measured in DPPH assay and expressed as effective concentration (EC50). The test results showed an interesting synergy between the components of essential oils. The prepared binary and quaternary mixtures were characterized by higher activity than simple average activity. The designed mixture with approximated highest antioxidant activity was composed of: 54.4% citronella essential oil, 33.0% thyme essential oil, 9.2% cedarwood essential oil and 3.4% basil essential oil and its approximated activity was in agreement with experimental values. This work confirmed that it is possible to approximate the best antioxidant composition of four essential oils used as a potential medicinal and food ingredient.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Essential Oil Obtained from Chincho (Tagetes elliptica Sm) Leaves Grown in the Peruvian Andes

The chemical composition, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of the essential oil from the leaves of Tagetes elliptica Sm., grown in Peru, were studied. The EO was extracted using steam distillation, and its chemical composition was analyzed using GC-MS, while the antioxidant activity was evaluated using the radical, scavenging capacity (DPPH and ABTS assays), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, ferrous ion chelating (FIC) activity, and the Rancimat test. The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella infantis was studied using the agar well diffusion method. Twenty-seven compounds were identified in the essential oil, and the major components were cis-tagetenone (37.27%), trans-tagetenone (18.84%), dihydrotagetone (14.38%), and trans-tagetone (5.15%). With regard to antioxidant properties, the IC₅₀ values obtained for the DPPH, ABTS, and FIC assays were 53.37, 46.38, and 22.65 mg/mL, respectively. These values were lower than those obtained for standard butylated hydroxytoluene and ascorbic acid. In the Rancimat test, antioxidant activity was achieved only at high concentration. T. elliptica essential oil showed a marked antibacterial activity against all bacterial strains at all concentrations assayed. This study demonstrated that T. elliptica essential oil could be considered as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants and antimicrobial agents in the food industry.

Determination of Chemical Composition and Investigation of Biological Activities of Ocimum basilicum L

This study aimed to determine the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of Ocimum basilicum L., as well as to evaluate the antibacterial, antidiabetic, dermatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties, and the EOs and aqueous extracts of O. basilicum. The antibacterial activity was evaluated against bacterial strains, Gram-positive and Gram-negative, using the well diffusion and microdilution methods, whereas the antidiabetic activity was assessed in vitro using two enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion, α-amylase and α-glucosidase. On the other hand, the dermatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities were studied by testing tyrosinase and lipoxygenase inhibition activity, respectively. The results showed that the chemical composition of O. basilicum EO (OBEO) is dominated by methyl chavicol (86%) and trans-anethol (8%). OBEO exhibited significant antibacterial effects against Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains, demonstrated by considerable diameters of the inhibition zones and lower MIC and MBC values. In addition, OBEO exhibited significant inhibition of α-amylase (IC50 = 50.51 ± 0.32 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 39.84 ± 1.2 μg/mL). Concerning the anti-inflammatory activity, OBEO significantly inhibited lipoxygenase activity (IC50 = 18.28 ± 0.03 μg/mL) compared to the aqueous extract (IC50 = 24.8 ± 0.01 μg/mL). Moreover, tyrosinase was considerably inhibited by OBEO (IC50 = 68.58 ± 0.03 μg/mL) compared to the aqueous extract (IC50 = 118.37 ± 0.05 μg/mL). The toxicological investigations revealed the safety of O. basilicum in acute and chronic toxicity. The finding of in silico analysis showed that methyl chavicol and trans-anethole (main compounds of OBEO) validate the pharmacokinetics of these compounds and decipher some antibacterial targets.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant activity properties of Petiveria alliacea L

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Petiveria alliacea L. is traditionally used as a folk medical herb in different regions of the world to treat different ailments including those related to the central nervous system. Previous studies have proved that extracts from P. alliacea show improvement in memory and learning process.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To study extracts, fractions, subfractions and isolated compounds from P. alliacea on acetylcholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant activity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Extracts obtained with different polarity solvents and fractions from P. alliacea were evaluated for their inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase by Ellman method. This screening allowed the selection of the methanol fraction as the most active and continued a bio-guided study. The compounds identified in methanol fraction were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Identification of (E)-Tagetone was performed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra. Moreover, the antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS methods, and the cell viability was assessed by WST-1 method.

RESULTS

Two extracts of different polarity were obtained from P. alliacea. The methanol extract and its fraction showed an inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase; however, methanol fraction was found to be most potent with 86.5 % AChE inhibition. The methanol fraction also showed antioxidant activity and was not toxic on SH-SY5Y cells. Different compounds including capreoside, narcissin, indane, (-)-isocaryophyllene, (-)-β-pinene, (E)-tagetone and peonidin 3-O-sambubioside 5-O-glucoside were identified.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report indicating that P. alliacea methanol fraction and its subfractions bear acetylcholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant activity properties. This work establishes the basis for further studies in the development of new therapies for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer 's disease.

Foliar Spraying with Potassium Bicarbonate Reduces the Negative Impact of Drought Stress on Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

In recent years, special attention has been paid to climate change assessment and research into our changing environment. The greatest economic losses worldwide are due to the negative effects of drought stress and extreme temperature on the plants’ morphological, physiological, and biochemical properties which limit crop growth and productivity. Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the most popular plants widely grown around the world as a spice, as well a medicinal, aromatic plant. The seedlings with 5–6 true leaves were divided into two groups, and one group of seedlings was sprayed with 10 mM potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3). Three days after potassium bicarbonate treatment, half of the plants from each group were subjected to a water deficit (drought stress), and the other half were grown under stress-free conditions (well-watered). The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) on morphophysiological parameters, phenolics content and the antioxidant activity of basil under drought conditions. The application of potassium bicarbonate to drought stressed plants significantly increased the chlorophyll content, fresh and dry weight, phenolics content in the two of tested cultivars, and antioxidant activity, determined by DPPH and ABTS methods. Principal component analysis showed that the first factor was highly and positively related to all the investigated parameters. Hierarchical clustering analysis showed that the first cluster was formed by being well-watered, well-watered and sprayed with potassium bicarbonate, and grown under drought conditions and sprayed with potassium bicarbonate basil cultivars, while the second cluster was formed by all the tested cultivars grown under drought conditions.

Age-Defying and Photoprotective Potential of Geranium/Calendula Essential Oil Encapsulated Vesicular Cream on Biochemical Parameters against UVB Radiation Induced Skin Aging in Rat

UVB irradiation promotes the production of reactive oxygen species, which can lead to an increase in oxidative stress in the cell and the generation of toxic components, resulting in photoaging. Essential oils (EOs) are well-known in the cosmetics sector for their beneficial effects, as they have a wide range of biological activities. Considering this fact, the current study investigates the photoprotective potential of geranium essential oil (GEO)/calendula essential oil (CEO) encapsulated vesicular cream on the biochemical parameters of the skin of albino rats exposed to UVB radiation. After 30 days of treatment with cream formulations and UVB irradiation, the skin tissue was assayed for several biochemical parameters and histopathology analysis. The results of biochemical study revealed that, in comparison to non-vesicular creams, vesicular cream formulations were able to protect the endogenous skin natural antioxidant system by maintaining superoxide dismutase, catalase, total protein, ascorbic acid, and hydroxyproline levels and by decreasing malondialdehyde levels in the skin after UVB exposure. Changes in various cellular structures along with the change in the epidermis and dermis of the skin after UVB exposure in the treated group were observed by a histopathology of skin tissue and compared to the non-treated group, which revealed the skin damaging effect of UVB radiation and the protective effect of vesicular creams. The results suggest that the GEO/CEO-encapsulated vesicular creams have the potential to protect the skin against harmful UVB radiation by maintaining the natural antioxidant defence mechanism of the skin. In conclusion, this research presents novel herbal cosmetic formulations with improved antioxidant capacity and photoprotective potential that may help to slow down the skin aging process.

Spicy and Aromatic Plants for Meat and Meat Analogues Applications

Aromatic and spicy plants are an important factor that contributes not only to improving the taste of meat, meat products, and meat analogues, but also to increasing the nutritional value of the products to which they are added. The aim of this paper is to present the latest information on the bioactive antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the most commonly used herbs and spices (parsley, dill, basil, oregano, sage, coriander, rosemary, marjoram, tarragon, bay, thyme, and mint) used in the meat and meat analogues industry, or proposed to be used for meat analogues.

Seasonal variability in essential oil composition and biological activity of Rosmarinus officinalis L. accessions in the western Himalaya

Rosmarinus officinalis L. is an imperative herb used in pharmaceutical yet knowledge on chemical and activity profile of essential oil (EO) to harvest seasons and accessions from the Himalayan region is limited. Thus, accessions were evaluated to determine the EO content, compositional, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic potential of rosemary in different harvest seasons during 2018‒2019. EO content was 30.5% higher in IHBT/RMAc-1 compared with IHBT/RMAc-2 accession while 27.9% and 41.6% higher in the autumn as compared with summer and rainy season, respectively. Major EO compound was 1,8-cineole; ranged from 32.50‒51.79% during harvest seasons and 38.70‒42.20% in accessions. EO was active against both the tested Gram-positive bacteria (Micrococcus luteus MTCC 2470 and Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 96). EOs showed inhibition of Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella typhi MTCC 733), while Klebsiella pneumoniae MTCC 109 was found to be resistant. The rosemary EO of T1 (Rainy season IHBT/RMAc-1) was most effective against S. aureus MTCC 96 with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4% (v/v). In vitro cytotoxicity evaluation showed no potential anti-proliferative activity of EO. The rosemary EO profile in the western Himalayan region was influenced by harvesting seasons and genetic variability within the accessions; furthermore, a promising antibacterial agent in pharmaceutical and flavour industries.

Ocimum basilicum Essential Oil Modulates Hematotoxicity, Oxidative Stress, DNA Damage, and Cell Cycle Arrest Induced by β-cyfluthrin in Rat Liver

Pesticides are used in large quantities infrequently, resulting in environmental damage and health issues. The goal of the current study was to explore the ameliorating effect of Ocimum basilicum (Basil) leaves essential oil versus the harmful effects of β-cyfluthrin in rat liver. Male Wistar rats were classified at random into four groups; negative control (corn oil), basil leaves essential oil (BEO, 3 ml/kg), β-cyfluthrin (positive control) (β-Cyf; 15 mg/kg BW, 1/25 LD50), and BEO plus β-Cyf, respectively. The rats were given their doses orally every day for a month. Results revealed that BEO yielded 6.32 mg/g with 33 identified components, representing 97% of the total oil. BEO implicated a considerable level of total phenolic contents, DPPH radical scavenging capacity, ABTS activity, and FRAP. The treatment of β-Cyf dramatically elevated lipid peroxidation (TBARS and H2O2) (LPO), protein oxidation (PC, AOPP, and HYP), and considerably reduced enzymatic (SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, and GST) and non-enzymatic (GSH) antioxidants. After β-Cyf treatment, hematological parameters, body and liver weights, enzyme activity (AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH), as well as protein, albumin, globulin, and total bilirubin levels were all considerably affected. Furthermore, β-Cyf increased the expression of pro-inflammatory genes (TNF-α, IL-6) as well as DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and decreased the number of cells in S and G2/M phase of liver cells. Moreover, rats given BEO then intoxicated with β-Cyf showed substantial changes in the majority of the parameters tested. Finally, BEO was shown to have high antioxidant efficacy in combating β-Cyf toxicity because of its high phenolic content.

Determination of amino acids content of the Tagetes lucida Cav. by GC/MS

Plant raw materials are widely used for the prevention and treatment providing of many diseases. The interest is the in-depth research of the flowers, leaves, and herb of Tagetes lucida. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the content of primary metabolites, namely amino acids in the raw materials of this plant. The amino acids composition and content in flowers, leaves, and herb were determined by the GC/MS method. The results of the study revealed that the raw material of Tagetes lucida contains more bound and less free amino acids. Free and bound L-proline, L-isoleucine were present in all the analyzed samples in the greatest amount (1.909 mg/g and 20.999 mg/g, 0.804 mg/g and 18.908 mg/g in the flowers; 2.721 mg/g and 18.973 mg/g, 3.459 mg/g and 28.518 mg/g in the leaves; 6.436 mg/g and 18.817 mg/g, 0.245 mg/g and 0.222 mg/g in the herb). Another free amino acid with a high content in flowers (1.321 mg/g) and herb (0.825 mg/g) of Tagetes lucida was L-aspartic acid. In addition, high content of L-phenylalanine in bound form was found in the leaves (11.843 mg/g) of the study plant. These amino acids to be considered distinguishing markers of the Tagetes lucida. This research contributes to already known information of Tagetes lucida use as herbal medicine, nutraceutical, and food reinforcement.

Principal Metabolites in Extracts of Different Plants Responsible for Antibacterial Effects

The increase in bacterial resistance and decreased effectiveness of antibacterial agents has forced researchers to look for new antibacterial agents from environmentally friendly sources such as essential oils and oil extracts. The functional group of the metabolites present in the essential oils or plant extract and the synergy effects between them play an important role in the biological activity and can be the principal factor affecting the antibacterial effect. All of these bioactive oils showed the same action mechanism, and the best way to implement them is by extracting them without changing their original properties, whereby the characterization and evaluation of the compounds are important steps. All of these themes are extensively reviewed, analyzed, and discussed in this work.

Hydroalcoholic extract of Tagetes minuta L. inhibits inflammatory bowel disease through the activity of pheophytins on the NF-κB signalling pathway

ETHNO-PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Species of the genus Tagetes are well known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Tagetes minuta "Huacatay" is an endemic species of South America that has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times as a remedy for stomach and intestinal discomfort.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of the Huacatay, identifying the compounds responsible for this activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Anti-inflammatory activity of the compounds, fractions and extracts was evaluated in Hs 746T (stomach), HIEC-6 (intestine) and THP-1 (monocytes peripheral blood) cells by measuring their inhibitory capacity against the NF-κB production.

RESULTS

Aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Tagetes minuta displayed anti-inflammatory activity in vitro, the hydroalcoholic extract being the most active (IC₅₀ between 59.72 and 66.42 μg/mL) in all cell lines. Bio-guided hydroalcoholic extract fractionation led to the isolation and characterisation of two pheophytins, pheophytin a (1) and 13²-hydroxy pheophytin a (2). Both compounds inhibited the production of NF-κB with IC₅₀ values in the low micromolar range, with an IC₅₀ between 12.32 and 16.01 μM for compound 1 and 7.91-9.87 μM for compound 2.

CONCLUSIONS

The two pheophytins isolated in this study inhibit the production of NF-κB, thus showing that the traditional anti-inflammatory use of Tagetes minuta can be proved through pharmacological assays. This contributes to understanding the anti-inflammatory activity of the Huacatay extracts and their use in the treatment of stomach and intestinal discomfort.

Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activities of Eight Plant Essential Oils from Morocco against Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Different Turkey Organs

The aim of the present study was to determine the chemical composition of eight plant essential oils and evaluate their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli strains isolated from different turkey organs. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. All essential oil yielded high in a range between 2.2 and 3.12%. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) revealed that the major constituents of Thymus vulgaris, Ocimum basilicum, Artemisia herba-alba, and Syzygium aromaticum oils were thymol (41.39%), linalool (37.16%), camphor (63.69%), and eugenol (80.83%), respectively. Results of the E. coli sensitivity evaluated by the standard antimicrobial sensitivity method varied depending on the organ of isolation. Similarly, the essential oils antimicrobial activity determined by the disc diffusion method varied all along within the organs of isolation. T. vulgaris essential oil showed the highest effective antibacterial activity against E. coli isolated from the throat with an inhibition zone diameter value of up to 23.33 mm. However, all the essential oils showed antibacterial activity and the MIC and MBC values were in the range of 1/3000 to 1/100 (v/v) and the ratios MBC/MIC were equal to 1. In conclusion, this study showed that the essential oils could be promising alternatives to overcome E. coli multiresistance in turkey.

Biological preservation of mayonnaise with Lactobacillus plantarum LBRZ12, dill, and basil essential oils

In this study, different variants of egg-free mayonnaise containing free and immobilized Lactobacillus plantarum LBRZ12 cells and essential oils taken from basil and dill were prepared. The composition and antimicrobial properties of essential oils were investigated. The main constituents of basil oil were methyl chavicol (36.81%), methyl eugenol (20.40%), β-linanool (14.35%), eugenol (10.55%), and L(-)-carvone (39.05%), whereas dill oil contained mostly d-limonene (21.11%) and α-phellandrene (22.68%). The essential oils exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against all test-microorganisms. The mayonnaise variants were kept refrigerated for 40 days and changes in pH, concentration of viable cells of lactobacilli, microbiological, and organoleptic characteristics were monitored. The pH decreased from 6.5 to 4.5 over the period of storage. The number of undesired microflora in mayonnaise preserved with lactobacilli and essential oils decreased significantly (0 after the 20th day) indicating their effectiveness as biological preservatives. The mayonnaise variants demonstrated pleasant organoleptic characteristics, thus meet customers' requirements.

Integration of medicinal plants into the traditional system of medicine for the treatment of cancer in Sokoto State, Nigeria

This study was designed to explore and record various medicinal plants integrated into the traditional system of medicine for the treatment of cancer. The traditional system of medicine is a routine practiced among the indigenous ethnic groups of Sokoto state. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed and used for data collection around the selected Local Government Areas. A substantial number of plant species were identified, recorded, and collected for preservation. Data collected for each specie was analysed to assess its frequent use among the medicinal plants. A total of 67 species belonging to 31 families have been identified and recorded. Out of the 473 frequency of citation (FC), Acacia nilotica was the most frequently cited specie (32 FC, 64% FC, 0.6 RFC), followed by Guiera senegalensis (27 FC, 54% FC, 0.5 RFC), Erythrina sigmoidea (17 FC, 34% FC, 0.3 RFC), and subsequently Combretum camporum (15 FC, 30% FC, 0.3 RFC). The most common parts of the plants used include the barks (55.2%), the roots (53.2%), and the leaves (41.8%). Additionally, decoction (74.6%), powdered form (49.3%), and maceration (46.3%) are the most frequently used mode of preparation. The historical knowledge of a traditional system of medicine practiced by the native traditional healers of Sokoto for the treatment of cancer has been documented. The present study further provides a baseline for future pharmacological investigations into the beneficial effects of such medicinal plants for the treatment of cancer.

Antibacterial, antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activity capacities of Doronicum macrolepis (FREYN&SINT): An endemic plant from Turkey

In the present study, the antioxidant, enzyme inhibition (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and cholinesterase) and antimicrobial (MIC) activities of three different solvent (ethanol, methanol, or ethyl acetate) extracts of stem, root, and flower of Doronicum macrolepis plant were investigated. In addition to this, the chemical composition and the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil were determined. Antioxidant activity was detected using ABTS and DPPH assays. Antimicrobial activity evaluated by microdilution method against to nineteen microorganisms. Also, enzyme inhibition activities were determined by colorimetric methods. Essential oil of the plant extracted by hydrodistilation and characterized using GC/MS. The antioxidant properties of the flower were determined to be higher than those of the other segments of this plant. Moreover, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also found to be higher in the flower parts. The highest enzyme inhibition activity was observed to be α-amylase (221.54 mmol ACAE/g extract) in flower ethylacetate extract, α-glucosidase (15.32 mmol ACAE/g extract) in flower ethanol extract, and cholinesterase (AChE: 2.4 and BChE: 22.35 mg GALE/g extract) in stem ethylacetate extract. Besides them, the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was found to be higher than the extracts. It showed a high level of inhibition especially on E. coli at 4 µg/ml concentration. Moreover, remarkable inhibition was observed for two candida strains tested. In conclusion, the results suggest that, because of its bioactivity including the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme inhibition properties, the D. macrolepis can be accepted as a promising and natural source for the industrial applications. The present study is the first study, in which the bioactive components and the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme inhibition properties of endemic D. macrolepis plant were determined.

Basil polysaccharides: A review on extraction, bioactivities and pharmacological applications

Traditional Chinese Medicine has been widely used in China and is regarded as the most commonly used treatment. As a natural plant used in traditional Chinese Medicine, Basil has various functions associated with a number of its components. There are many compositions in basil including polysaccharides, naphtha, steroids, flavone, coumarins, vitamins, and so on. Among these, polysaccharides play a significant role in based therapeutics. The article summarizes that basil polysaccharides have a lot of biological activities and pharmacological applications, such as their antitumor activity, antioxidant activity, anti-aging activity, immunity enhancement effect, hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerotic effects, antibacterial effect, treatment of diabetes mellitus, and so on. This review summarized the extraction method, purification method, compositions, pharmacological applications, molecular weight, biological activities, and prospects of basil polysaccharides, providing a basis for further study of basil and basil polysaccharides.

Atividade antimicrobiana e citotoxicidade in vitro do óleo essencial de Tagetes minuta L. visando à aplicação no controle da mastite bovina

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana in vitro do óleo essencial de Tagetes minuta L. contra Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli e a citotoxicidade sobre células epiteliais da glândula mamária bovina (MAC-T), visando a seu uso no tratamento da mastite bovina. A análise qualitativa do óleo revelou cis-tagetona (24,24%), di-hidrotagetona (16,65%), 1,3,6-octatrieno-3,7-dimetil-E (13,61%), trans-ocimenona (13,52%) e cis-ocimenona (10,06%) como compostos majoritários. Nos ensaios da atividade antimicrobiana, a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) verificada foi de 1 mg/mL para a cepa padrão (ATCC 25923), cinco isolados de S. aureus provenientes de leite de vacas com mastite e a cepa padrão resistente à meticilina (MRSA) (ATCC 33592). Para a cepa padrão de E. coli (ATCC 8739) e dois isolados de leite de vacas com mastite, a CIM foi de 3 mg/mL. Elevado efeito citóxico do óleo sobre as células da linhagem MAC-T foi constatado. Concentrações superiores a 10 (g/mL do óleo resultaram em mais de 90% de morte celular. Tais resultados sugerem que, apesar da atividade antimicrobiana contra agentes causadores da mastite bovina, a utilização intramamária do óleo de T. minuta não seria recomendada. É importante destacar a sensibilidade da cepa MRSA ao óleo essencial, o que evidencia seu potencial como antisséptico e sanitizante.

Leveraging phytochemicals: the plant phylogeny predicts sources of novel antibacterial compounds

AIM

The goal of this study was to use phylogenetic evidence to determine plant families with high representation of antibacterial activity and identify potential sources to focus on for antibacterial drug discovery.

MATERIALS & METHODS

We reconstructed the molecular phylogeny of plant taxa with antibacterial activity and mapped antibacterial mechanisms of action on the phylogeny.

RESULTS

The phylogeny highlighted seven plant families (Combretaceae, Cupressaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Zingiberaceae) with disproportionately represented antibacterial activity. Phytochemicals produced were primarily involved in the disruption of the bacterial cell wall/membrane and inhibition of quorum sensing/biofilm production.

CONCLUSION

The study provides phylogenetic evidence of seven plant families that should be examined as promising leads for novel antibacterial development.

Interspecies comparative features of trichomes in Ocimum reveal insights for biosynthesis of specialized essential oil metabolites

Ocimum species commonly referred to as "Tulsi" are well-known for their distinct medicinal and aromatic properties. The characteristic aroma of Ocimum species and cultivars is attributed to their specific combination of volatile phytochemicals mainly belonging to terpenoid and/or phenylpropanoid classes in their essential oils. The essential oil constituents are synthesized and sequestered in specialized epidermal secretory structures called as glandular trichomes. In this comparative study, inter- and intra-species diversity in structural attributes and profiles of expression of selected genes related to terpenoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathways have been investigated. This is performed to seek relationship of variations in the yield and phytochemical composition of the essential oils. Microscopic analysis of trichomes of O. basilicum, O. gratissimum, O. kilimandscharicum, and O. tenuiflorum (green and purple cultivars) revealed substantial variations in density, size, and relative proportions of peltate and capitate trichomes among them. The essential oil yield has been observed to be controlled by the population, dominance, and size of peltate and capitate glandular trichomes. The essential oil sequestration in leaf is controlled by the dominance of peltate glandular trichome size over its number and is also affected by the capitate glandular trichome size/number with variations in leaf area albeit at lower proportions. Comprehension and comparison of results of GC-MS analysis of essential oils showed that most of the Ocimum (O. basilicum, O. tenuiflorum, and O. gratissimum) species produce phenylpropanoids (eugenol, methyl chavicol) as major volatiles except O. kilimandscharicum, which is discrete in being monoterpenoid-rich species. Among the phenylpropanoid-enriched Ocimum (O. basilicum, O. gratissimum, O. tenuiflorum purple, O. tenuiflorum green) as well, terpenoids were important constituents in imparting characteristic aroma. Further, comparative abundance of transcripts of key genes of phenylpropanoid (PAL, C4H, 4CL, CAD, COMT, and ES) and terpenoid (DXS and HMGR) biosynthetic pathways was evaluated vis-à-vis volatile oil constituents. Transcript abundance demonstrated that richness of their essential oils with specific constituent(s) of a chemical group/subgroup was manifested by the predominant upregulation of phenylpropanoid/terpenoid pathway genes. The study provides trichomes as well as biosynthetic pathway-based knowledge for genetic improvement in Ocimum species for essential oil yield and quality.

Basil polysaccharide inhibits hypoxia-induced hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis and progression through suppression of HIF-1α-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Invasion and metastasis of cancerous cells affects the treatment and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HIF-1α-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical process associated with cancer metastasis. Basil polysaccharide (BPS), one of the major active ingredients isolated from Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), has been identified to possess an antitumor activity for HCC. In our current study, BPS was obtained by water extraction and ethanol precipitation method and the characterization was analyzed through ultraviolet absorption spectra and Fourier-transform infrared spectrum. A CoCl₂-induced hypoxia model and a HCC cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) model were used to explore the anti-metastasis efficacy and the mechanism that underlies the antitumor activity of BPS. The results showed that hypoxia could facilitate EMT and promote HCC cells migration and/or invasion. Conversely, BPS inhibited the progression and metastasis of tumor, as well as reversed EMT by causing cytoskeletal remodeling under hypoxic conditions. Moreover, BPS alleviated tumor hypoxia by targeting HIF1α, and the mesenchymal markers (β-catenin, N-cadherin and vimentin) were down-regulated, while the epithelial markers (E-cadherin, VMP1 and ZO-1) were up-regulated after BPS treatment under hypoxic conditions. Thus, these results suggested that BPS may be a valuable option for use in clinical treatment of HCC and other malignant tumors.

Tagetes spp. Essential Oils and Other Extracts: Chemical Characterization and Biological Activity

Tagetes (marigold) is native to America, and its cultivation currently extends to other countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Many species of this genus, such as T. minuta, T. erecta, T. patula, and T. tenuifolia, are cultivated as ornamental plants and studied for their medicinal properties on the basis of their use in folk medicine. Different parts of the Tagetes species are used as remedies to treat various health problems, including dental, stomach, intestinal, emotional, and nervous disorders, as well as muscular pain, across the world. Furthermore, these plants are studied in the field of agriculture for their fungicidal, bactericidal, and insecticidal activities. The phytochemical composition of the extracts of different Tagetes species parts are reported in this work. These compounds exhibit antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and enzyme inhibitory properties. Cultivation and the factors affecting the chemical composition of Tagetes species are also covered. In the current work, available literature on Tagetes species in traditional medicine, their application as a food preservative, and their antimicrobial activities are reviewed.

In-vitro evaluation of apoptotic effect of OEO and thymol in 2D and 3D cell cultures and the study of their interaction mode with DNA

Oliveria decumbens is an Iranian endemic plant used extensively in traditional medicine. Recently, some studies have been performed on biological effects of Oliveria essential oil (OEO). However, to our knowledge, the anticancer activity of OEO has not been reported. Based on our GC/MS analysis, the basic ingredients of OEO are thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene and γ-terpinene. Therefore, we used OEO and its main component, thymol, to explore their effects on cell growth inhibition and anticancer activity. Despite having a limited effect on L929 normal cells, OEO/thymol induced cytotoxicity in MDA-MB231 breast cancer monolayers (2D) and to a lesser extent in MDA-MB231 spheroids (3D). Flow cytometry, caspase-3 activity assay in treated monolayers/spheroids and also fluorescence staining and DNA fragmentation in treated monolayers demonstrated apoptotic death mode. Indeed, OEO/thymol increased the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) level leading to mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, ΔΨm) loss, caspase-3 activation and DNA damage caused S-phase cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, immunoblotting studies revealed the activation of intrinsic and maybe extrinsic apoptosis pathways by OEO/thymol. Additionally, in-vitro experiments, indicated that OEO/thymol interacts with DNA via minor grooves confirmed by docking method. Altogether, our reports underlined the potential of OEO to be considered as a new candidate for cancer therapy.

Cosmeceutical potential of geranium and calendula essential oil: Determination of antioxidant activity and in vitro sun protection factor

The present investigation was aimed to find out the sun protection factor (SPF) and antioxidant potential of geranium essential oil (GEO) and calendula essential oil (CEO) because having a combination of these two properties moves up the oils as an active ingredient of various cosmeceutical formulations for their preventive and protective properties. Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation of Pelargonium graveolens leaves (GEO) and Calendula officinalis flowers (CEO). The composition and identification of chemical constituents of oils were determined by GCMS analysis. Free radical scavenging activity was measured by nitric oxide scavenging activity and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. It was observed that both GEO and CEO have the potential to reduce or prevent oxidative stress and can be used in skin care regimen to slow down skin aging via its antioxidant properties. In vitro SPF was determined by a very simple and rapid spectroscopic method. SPF value of GEO and CEO was found to 6.45 and 8.36, respectively. The SPF of CEO was higher than GEO, and the results of SPF show that these essential oils can be employed in sunscreen formulations to protect the skin from sunburn. From the results, it can be concluded that the combined antioxidant and SPF property of GEO and CEO can provide synergistic photoprotective effect or lift up the additional value of the cosmeceutical formulation.

The potential effects of Ocimum basilicum on health: a review of pharmacological and toxicological studies

INTRODUCTION

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L., OB) is a plant world widely used as a spice and a typical ingredient of the healthy Mediterranean diet. In traditional medicine, OB is indicated for many maladies and conditions; OB-containing nutritional supplements are increasingly sold. Conversely, safety concerns have been raised about the promutagens and procarcinogens alkenylbenzenes contained in OB. Areas covered: A critical review of the current status of OB as a nutraceutical, the pharmacology of its bioactive components, the rationale for its indications, and its safety. Expert opinion: Due to the polyphenolic and flavonoidic content, OB can be considered as an important ingredient in healthy diets; OB preparations may be effective as chemopreventive agents or adjunctive therapy in the treatment of different clinical conditions. From a toxicological perspective, since the tumorigenic potential of alkenylbenzenes is counteracted by other OB constituents such as nevadensin, it can be concluded that OB consumption in food and preparations is safe. The only concern relates to OB essential oils: in this case, a concentration limit for alkenylbenzenes should be precautionary defined, and the use of plant chemotypes with no or low levels of these alkylbenzenes for the preparation of essential oils should be made compulsory.

Evaluation of Volatile Profile, Fatty Acids Composition and in vitro Bioactivity of Tagetes minuta Growing Wild in Northern Iran

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemical properties of wild Tagetes minuta L. (family Astreacea) collected from Northern Iran during the flowering period concerning the chemical combination of the essential oil along with its antioxidant properties and composition of fatty acids.

Methods: The essential oil of the plant was extracted by a Clevenger approach and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (Capillary HP-5ms GC/MS Column). Fatty acid contents of this species as a result of hexane extraction were analyzed by means of gas chromatography (GC-FID) while their phenolic contents were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV). In this research also the total polyphenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) content was determined spectrophotometrically while the antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH (2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) bleaching method.

Results: GC/MS analysis of the essential oil identified monoterpenoid fractions (52.13%) as the main components and among them dihydrotagetone (23.44%) and spathulenol (10.56%) were the predominant compounds. The evaluation of fatty acid content revealed that saturated acids were prevailing compounds and the major components are: palmitic (30.74±0.4%) and capric (24.15±0.5%) acids. Chromatographic separation of its phenolic contents indicated that this herb contain sinapic acid derivatives rather than hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives. Also the essential oil showed an effective antioxidant capacity (TPC=153.27±0.9 mg/g, TFC=63.79±0.1 mg/g, IC₅₀ = 29.31±0.8 µg/ml).

Conclusion: The results proved that the plant could be used for nutritional and pharmaceutical purposes.

Plant extracts as a natural treatment against the fish ectoparasite Neobenedenia sp. (Monogenea: Capsalidae)

The toxicity of water-ethanol extracts of garlic (Allium sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), basil (Ocimum basilicum), bitter chaparro (Castela tortuousa), onion (Allium cepa) and papaya (Carica papaya) against adults, eggs and oncomiracidia of Neobenedenia spp. parasites was examined. Parasites were exposed to continuous immersion and treated as follows: extracts were tested at three dilutions: 1:10, 1:50 and 1:100 made with filtered seawater (35 g l-1); ethanol (70%) was evaluated at the same dilutions of 1:10 (7% ethanol), 1:50 (1.4% ethanol) and 1:100 (0.07% ethanol) and a seawater (35 g l-1) control. The antiparasitic effect was measured on: (1) adult survival, egg production and time to detachment from the culture vessel; (2) egg development and cumulative egg hatching; and (3) oncomiracidia survival. All three dilutions of ginger and dilutions 1:100 and 1:50 of basil extract reduced adult survival in vitro, time to detachment from the surface of the culture vessel, egg production and oncomiracidia survival. Bitter chaparro extract reduced adult egg production and oncomiracidia survival. Hatching success was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in basil extract (1:100) to 86.6% compared to the seawater control (100%). Dilutions 1:10 of ginger and basil exhibited the highest impact on the biological parameters of Neobenedenia sp. Our study demonstrates that water-ethanol extracts of ginger, basil and bitter chaparro are toxic against Neobenedenia sp. life stages.

Systematic review and technological overview of the antimicrobial activity of Tagetes minuta and future perspectives

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The antimicrobial potential of Tagetes minuta was correlated with its traditional use as antibacterial, insecticidal, biocide, disinfectant, anthelminthic, antifungal, and antiseptic agent as well as its use in urinary tract infections.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to systematically review articles and patents regarding the antimicrobial activity of T. minuta and give rise to perspectives on this plant as a potential antimicrobial agent.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search of studies published between 1997 and 2015 was conducted over five databases: MedLine (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Portal de Periódicos Capes and SciFinder, grey literature was explored using the System for Information on Dissertations database, and theses were searched using the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Full text database and the Periódicos Capes Theses database. Additionally, the following databases for patents were analysed: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Google Patents, National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and Espacenet patent search (EPO). The data were tabulated and analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2010.

RESULTS

After title screening, 51 studies remained and this number decreased to 26 after careful examinations of the abstracts. The full texts of these 26 studies were assessed to check if they were eligible. Among them, 3 were excluded for not having full text access, and 11 were excluded because they did not fit the inclusion criteria, which left 10 articles for this systematic review. The same process was conducted for the patent search, resulting in 4 patents being included in this study.

CONCLUSION

Recent advances highlighted by this review may shed light on future directions of studies concerning T. minuta as a novel antimicrobial agent, which should be repeatedly proven in future animal and clinical studies. Although more evidence on its specificity and clinical efficacy are necessary to support its clinical use, T. minuta is expected to be a highly effective, safe and affordable treatment for infectious diseases.

Chemical constituents, antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the essential oil flower of Tagetes minuta grown in Cala community Eastern Cape, South Africa

Background

Tagetes minuta has a long record of human use for the treatment of stomach and intestinal diseases. Most drugs used for diseases treatment are less efficacious with side effects and this brought the search for new treatment regimens mainly from medicinal plants.

Method

The essential oil (EO) was extracted by Clevenger’s-type apparatus and its chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial properties were determined by GC-MS, spectrophotometric and broth dilution methods respectively. S. uberis, E. cloacae, S. aureus, M. smegmatis, L. ivanovii, Vibrio spp. and E. coli bacteria strains were used as test bacteria.

Results

GC-MS analysis revealed 98 compounds in the EO flower of T. minuta and β-Ocimene (14. 40%) was the major chemical constituents. The EO exhibited highest inhibitory effect against DPPH radical, followed by its effect on ABTS, while LP radical showed the least sensitivity with IC₅₀ values of 2.45 mg/mL, 2.76 mg/mL and 3.23 mg/mL respectively. The EO showed antibacterial activities against all test organisms with MIC value for S. aureus, M. smegatis and S. uberis at 0.125 mg/mL and for L. ivanovii, Vibrio spp., E. cloacae and E. coli at 0.06 mg/mL. The EO showed MBC against E. cloacae and E. coli at 0.06 mg/mL at 0.5 mg/mL for S. uberis and 0.125 mg/mL for Vibrio spp.

Conclusion

Findings from this study suggest that the EO of T. minuta flower may be a useful candidate in the search for lead constituents for the synthesis of new potent antibacterial and antioxidant agent.

Activity of Tagetes minuta Linnaeus (Asteraceae) essential oil against L3 Anisakis larvae type 1

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate in vitro effects of Tagetes minuta L. essential oil (TEO) on L3 Anisakis larvae type 1.

METHODS

In order to evaluate the potential use of Tagetes minuta essential oil against L3 Anisakis larvae three different media were tested: 1) a saline solution (SS); 2) an industrial marinating solution (MS); 3) sunflower seeds oil (SO). For each media and concentrations of TEO (0.1%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 5.0% v/v), 20 parasites were introduced into plastic Petri dishes (diameter 90 mm) and maintained at room temperature. As controls, larvae were maintained without TEO under identical experimental conditions in SS, MS and SO. A total of 900 larvae were tested. The normalized mean viability, LT100, LT50 and the percentage of inactivation at 24 h were calculated.

RESULTS

In vitro tests revealed a complete inactivation of parasites in saline solution after 2 h with 5% and 1% of TEO. In marinating solution, a complete inactivation of parasites was observed after 4 h at all concentrations used. A slower activity for all TEO concentration was reported in SO.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained, showing a strong activity against Anisakis larvae, confirm TEO as a larvicidal agent in the treatment of human anisakidosis and in the industrial marinating process.