Essential Oil Composition and Antibacterial Activity of the Leaves of Stachys schtschegleevii from Iran

Investigation of amino acids content in the herb and tubers of Stachys sieboldii

The aim of this research was the comparative study of the content of the amino acids in the herb and tubers of Stachys sieboldii. The study of the amino acid composition of the raw materials was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results obtained have shown that the aerial parts of plants investigated have higher amino acid content than the underground organs. Free and bound L-aspartic acid, L-proline, and L-phenylalanine were present in the analyzed samples in the greatest amount. Moreover, L-cysteine was found only in Stachys sieboldii tubers in amounts (8.11 mg/g). This research established that Stachys sieboldii herb and tubers have the most suitable amino acids composition and are prospective for further pharmacological studies.

Green synthesized silver nanoparticles obtained from Stachys schtschegleevii extract: ct-DNA interaction and in silico and in vitro investigation of antimicrobial activity

The aim of this study was the synthesis of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) by using Stachys schtschegleevii extract and checking the composition, morphology and size of the green synthesized AgNPs using the analytical techniques (UV-vis, DLS, zeta potential, SEM-EDX, FT-IR and TEM). The TEM images of AgNPs represent a smooth surface and are spherical in shape with an average particle size of 31.43 nm. The antioxidant activities of green synthesized AgNPs were appraised by radical scavenging 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl test and the green synthesized AgNPs showed a strong ability to scavenge free radicals. In addition, AgNPs displayed a remarkable antibacterial and antifungal activity against various microorganisms. We employed molecular docking to investigate the AgNPs interaction with Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans and there is a good agreement between molecular docking and our experimental results. The result of ct-DNA-AgNPs interaction demonstrated that AgNPs can bind to ct-DNA through partial intercalation binding mode.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Chemical composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of the essential oil from the leaves of Stachys pilifera Benth

Stachys pilifera Benth is an endemic species of Stachys family found in Iran with a wide application as an herbal tea. The objective of this research was to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of the essential oil from the aerial parts of S. pilifera. Essential oil (EO) composition analysis showed that cis-Chrysanthenyl acetate (24.9%), viridiflorol (18.3%), trans-Caryophyllene (9.8%), caryophyllene oxide (4.6%), α-terpineol (3.3%) and linalool (3.1%) were the most abundant components. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the EO showed a higher antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) than Gram-negative organisms (Escherichia coli, Shigella sonnei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica subsp. Enterica). The antioxidant activity of EO was studied using DPPH, FRAP and β-carotene/linoleic acid assays. IC50 for the DPPH, FRAP and β-carotene/linoleic acid tests were 23.2, 28.7 and 16.1 µg/mL, respectively, that it was higher than the results for BHT (P ≤ 0.05). The cytotoxic activity of the EO was evaluated using HT29 and HUVEC cells and it was observed that by increasing in EO concentration from 0.026 to 19.4 ug/mL, the viability of the cells for HT29 and HUVEC reduced to 6.8 and 7.1%, respectively. The results from this study suggest the possibility to use the essential oils from S. pilifera Benth as a natural preservative in processed or packaged food due to its high antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.

Protective Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Stachys pilifera on Oxidant-Antioxidant Status in Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injuries in Male Rats

Background

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) has a pivotal role in the progression of acute renal failure. Reactive oxygen species are considered the major constituents involved in the biochemical and pathophysiological changes that were shown during kidney I/R. The purpose of this study was to examine the renoprotective effects of Stachys pilifera ethanolic extract on oxidant-antioxidant status in renal I/R-injuries in male rats. Material and methods. Twenty-one male Wistar rats were arbitrarily distributed into 3 groups: sham control (SC), I/R, and I/R + Stachys pilifera ethanolic extract (500 mg/kg). The artery and vein of the right kidney were completely blocked, and the right kidney was completely removed in all groups. Then, the left kidney artery was blocked with suture thread for 30 minutes in only I/R and I/R + SP extract groups. Kidney function indices, oxidative stress markers, and hematoxylin and eosin staining were investigated in the plasma and kidney tissues.

Results

It was shown that the urine Na and K, fractional excretion of Na and K, and protein carbonyl content markedly increased in the merely I/R group as compared to SC rats, while the administration of SP extract markedly reduced these indices (P < 0.05). Also, glomerular filtration rate and total thiol meaningfully reduced in the I/R rats in contrast to the SC group, while the treatment with SP extract markedly augmented these indices (P < 0.05). However, in agreement with renal function tests, SP extract had no significant effects on histopathological examinations.

Conclusion

It seems that SP extract employs renoprotective effects on renal damage induced by I/R, possibly by improving of oxidant-antioxidant status in favor of the antioxidant system.

Monoterpenes: Essential Oil Components with Valuable Features

Medicinal plants have a wide range of secondary metabolites including monoterpene. These volatile compounds are the main components of essential oils, belonging to the isoprenoid group and possessing valuable features for plants and humans. This review provides comprehensive information on chemical structures and classification of monoterpenes. It describes their biosynthesis pathways and introduces plant families and species rich in noteworthy monoterpenes. Bio-activities, pharmacological and pesticide effects as well as their mechanism of action are reported. Applications of these compounds in various industries are also included.

Hepatoprotective effect of Stachys pilifera ethanol extract in carbon tetrachloride-induce hepatotoxicity in rats

CONTEXT

Stachys pilifera Benth (Lamiaceae) has long been used to treat infectious diseases, respiratory and rheumatoid disorders in Iranian folk medicine. Antitumor and antioxidant activity of the plant have been reported.

OBJECTIVE

The study was designed to assess the hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extract of Stachys pilifera in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rats were randomly divided into six equal groups (n = 7). Group I was treated with normal saline; Group II received CCl₄ (1 mL/kg. i.p., twice a week) for 60 consecutive days; Groups III, IV and V were given CCl₄ plus Stachys pilifera (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/d,p.o.); Group VI received the extract (400 mg/kg/d, p.o.). Histopathological analysis and measurement of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialdehyde (MDA), total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) were performed.

RESULTS

CCl₄ caused a significant increase in the serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP and MDA as well as decreased ALB, and TP serum levels (p < 0.001). The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg/d) significantly normalized the CCl₄-elevated levels of ALT, AST, ALP and MDA (p < 0.001). The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg/d) also increased the serum levels of TP compared to CCl₄ group (p< 0.01). The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg/d) also decreased the histological injuries (inflammation and fatty degeneration) by CCl₄.

DISCUSSION

The results revealed that the Stachys pilifera extract could provide considerable protection against CCl₄ hepatotoxicity in rats that may be related to its antioxidant properties.

Phytochemical and biological studies of Stachys species in relation to chemotaxonomy: a review

The genus Stachys is comprised of about 300 species spread throughout the world, hence representing one of the largest genera of the Lamiaceae. Several Stachys species have been exploited in traditional medicine as astringent, wound-healing, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-nephritic and anti-inflammatory agents. Moreover, antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of some Stachys species are documented. Iridoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids and diterpenoids are reported as secondary metabolites of different species of this genus. The aim of the present review is to summarize and to highlight the recent advances in current knowledge on Stachys species and to compile reports of chemical constituents isolated from the genus Stachys over the past decades, together with their structural features, biological activities, and structure-activity relationships. Diversity of chemical constituents is discussed in relationship with current Stachys infrageneric taxonomy, classification and relationships with systematically close genera.

Antibacterial and free-radical-scavenging properties of Stachys schtschegleevii (Lamiaceae)

Stachys schtschegleevii Sosn. (Lamiaceae alt. Labiatae) is one of 34 Stachys species found in Iran, and is morphologically similar to Stachys inflata. This plant has been used in the Iranian traditional medicine as a remedy for bacterial infections, rheumatic fever and other inflammatory conditions. The n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) extracts of the non-flowering aerial parts of this plant were assessed for their antibacterial and freeradical- scavenging activities using the micro-titer-based antimicrobial assay incorporating resazurin as an indicator of cell growth and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, respectively. While the n-hexane extract did not show any free-radical-scavenging activity, the MeOH extract showed the highest level of activity with a RC50 value of 2.94 x 10-2 mg/mL, which was about ten-fold less active than the positive control Trolox? (RC50 = 2.60 x 10-3 mg/mL). None of the extracts showed any antibacterial property against Bacillus cereus and B. subtilis at test concentrations. However, all extracts were active against ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The MeOH extract was the most potent (MIC range 1.56-6.25 mg/mL) among the extracts and was most active against ampicillin-resistant E. coli (MIC = 1.56 mg/mL).

Biological Activity and Composition of the Essential Oil of Dracocephalum Moldavica L. Grown in Iran

The biological activity and composition of the essential oil of the aerial flowering parts of D. moldavica have been investigated. The oil analysis was performed by GC and GC-MS. Thirteen compounds were identified, representing 99.8% of the oil. Oxygenated monoterpenes (96.3%) were found to be the principal group of compounds, of which neral, geranial, geranyl acetate and geraniol with 32.1, 21.6, 19.9 and 17.6% of the total oil were the main constituents, respectively. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and its main components, citral, geraniol and geranyl acetate, showed that all of the tested microorganisms were highly inhibited by the essential oil with inhibition zones ranged from 15 – 41 mm for bacteria and 29 – 30 mm for fungi. The most sensitive microorganisms were Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis with the lowest MIC values of 0.9 mg/mL. Considering sensitivity screening, it is conceivable that the activity of the oil from D. moldavica could be attributed mainly to the presence of citral.

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of the Flowering Aerial Parts of Craniotome Furcata

The composition of the steam volatile constituents of the flowering aerial parts of Craniotome furcata (Link.) O. Kuntze was determined by GC, GC/MS and NMR. The oil was constituted mainly of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (68%). The main constituents were germacrene D (49.2%), germacrene D-4-ol (8.8%), epi-α-cadinol (5.9%) and 10- epi-γ-eudesmol (4.2%). Germacrene-derivative constituents represented 61.5% of the total oil.

Isolation and Structure Determination of Compounds from Stachys yemenensis Hedge

In spite of several studies of Stachys species, the literature lacks any information about the constituents of S. yemenensis Hedge. We report here the isolation of a new sesquiterpenetriol, stachytriol (1), along with the known compounds β-sitosterol (2), ursolic acid (3), penduletin (4), and benghalensin B (5). The structure elucidation of all isolated compounds was performed by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic investigation.