Analysis of aroma and phenolic components of selected Achillea species

In Vitro Bioactivities of Food Grade Extracts from Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) and Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) Leaves

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L., AM) and nettle (Urtica dioica L., UD) are bioactive plants used commercially in functional food and supplement applications and traditionally to alleviate gastric disorders. In this work, the effects of food-grade optimized extracts of Finnish early-season AM and UD were tested on bacterial growth including potential beneficial and foodborne pathogens, as well as murine norovirus (MNV). The anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts were also tested in vitro by NF-κB reporter cells. The food-grade extraction was optimized with the response surface modelling in terms of total carotenoid, chlorophyll, and phenolic compounds contents and antioxidant capacities. The optimal food-grade extraction parameters were a 1-h extraction in 70% ethanol at 45 °C for AM, and at 49 °C for UD. There were no significant effects on the beneficial bacteria (Lacticaseibacillus and Bifidobacterium strains), and the extracts were more effective against gram-positive than gram-negative foodborne bacteria and potential pathogens. Listeria innocua was the most susceptible strain in the optimized extracts with a growth rate of 0.059 ± 0.004 for AM and 0.067 ± 0.006 for UD, p < 0.05 compared to control. The optimized extracts showed a logarithmic growth reduction of 0.67 compared to MNV. The hydroethanolic extracts were cytotoxic to both cell lines, whereas aqueous AM and UD extracts induced and reduced TLR4 signalling in a reporter cell line, respectively. The results provide novel food-grade extraction parameters and support the bioactive effects of AM and UD in functional food applications, but more research is needed to elucidate the precise biological activity in vivo for gastric health.

A review of drying methods for improving the quality of dried herbs

A large number of herb-drying studies have been conducted in recent decades and several herb-drying techniques have been introduced. However, the quality of commercial dried herbs is still lower than that of fresh herbs. In this paper, studies regarding the effect of drying techniques and pre-drying treatments on the aroma and color of dried herbs are reviewed with the aim of providing an overview of different technological strategies developed for improving the quality of aromatic herbs for their industrial drying.

In Vitro Antileishmanial Activity and GC-MS Analysis of Whole Plant Hexane Fraction of Achillea wilhelmsii (WHFAW)

In this study, GC-MS analysis has shown that whole plant hexane fraction of Achillea wilhelmsii (WHFAW) consists of 66 compounds which exhibited antileishmanial activity. Antileishmanial bioassay was the method used for determining antileishmanial activity. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) which was observed for whole plant hexane fraction of Achillea wilhelmsii (WHFAW) against parasitic and vector-borne disease, leishmaniasis, is 58.27 ± 0.52 μg/mL. For leishmanicidal assay, Leishmania major is the species used for analysis. Whole plant methanol extract of Achillea wilhelmsii (WMEAW) and whole plant aqueous fraction of Achillea wilhelmsii (WAFAW) exhibited no antileishmanial activity.

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Achillea tenuifolia Lam. Essential Oil at Different Phenological Stages from Khoy

Achillea species and in particular Achillea tenuifolia Lam. is generally used as a food flavor and traditional remedies, especially in the initial developmental stage for medical conditions in the Mediterranean part of Iran. In this report, we extracted the essential oil from the aerial parts of A. tenuifolia (collected from Khoy), at various developmental stages (i. e., vegetative, flowering and fruiting), characterized them and studied their antibacterial activities. Of 46, 51 and 38 components found in the vegetative, flowering, and fruiting stages, respectively, 35 were present in all three stages, including oxygenated terpenes such as carvacrol (30.85-34.11), germacrene C (16.21-17.87), spathulenol (7.26-8.96), β-sesquiphellandrene (4.11-4.25), τ-muurolol (2.27-3.25) and α-cadinol (2.01-3.29). We witnessed that the composition of the essential oils varies with phenological stages and geographic regions. The essential oil demonstrated substantial antibacterial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, indicated by disk method, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) assays. Except Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the essential oils of various phenological stages showed higher antibacterial activity against tested bacteria, with Bacillus anthracis as the most sensitive strain. Moreover, although antibacterial characteristics of the essential oil from the vegetative and flowering stages were similar (p=0.91), they were significantly different from those of fruiting stage (p<0.005 in both MIC and MBC tests). This emphasizes the importance of the developmental stage of the plant in the biological properties of its essential oil and justifies the widespread application of this plant in the vegetative stage.

Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity in Trifolium Germplasm from Different Environments

Phenolics are important mediators in plant-environment interactions. The presence and concentration of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity were evaluated in leaves and flowers of a set of Trifolium species originating from contrasting environments encompassing lowland and mountain sites. The current germplasm proved a great reservoir of phenolic compounds, with different chemical structure and, possibly, diversified biological activity. Germplasm groups with specific phenolic composition were observed. In some cases, different patterns bore a taxonomic meaning. Lowland germplasm showed higher concentration of total phenolics in leaves than mountain accessions (50.30 vs. 34.19 mg/g dry matter (DM)), while the latter had higher concentration in flowers (114.16 vs. 57.44 mg/g DM). Outstanding concentration of isoflavones was observed in leaves of lowland germplasm (24.19 mg/g DM), and of both proanthocyanidins and flavonoids in flowers of mountain germplasm (53.81 and 56.62 mg/g DM, respectively). The pattern of phenolic composition in lowland and mountain germplasm was suggestive of different adaptive strategies. Three assays of antioxidant activity were tested, which were characterised by rather different reactivity towards phenolic composition. The scavenging activity was higher for leaf extracts of lowland germplasm, and for flower extracts of mountain germplasm. Besides identifying germplasm of interest, this study also suggested possible links between environmental factors and concentration and composition of phenolic compounds.

Effective Medicinal Plant in Cancer Treatment, Part 2: Review Study

Cancer is the second cause of death after cardiovascular diseases. With due attention to rapid progress in the phytochemical study of plants, they are becoming popular because of their anticancer effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effective medicinal plants in the treatment of cancer and study their mechanism of action. In order to gather information the keywords “traditional medicine,” “plant compounds,” “medicinal plant,” “medicinal herb,” “toxicity,” “anticancer effect,” “cell line,” and “treatment” were searched in international databases such as ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Scopus and national databases such as Magiran, Sid, and Iranmedex, and a total of 228 articles were collected. In this phase, 49 nonrelevant articles were excluded. Enhancement P53 protein expression, reducing the expression of proteins P27, P21, NFκB expression and induction of apoptosis, inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway, and reduction of the level of acid phosphatase and lipid peroxidation are the most effective mechanisms of herbal plants that can inhibit cell cycle and proliferation. Common treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy can cause some complications. According to results of this study, herbal extracts have antioxidant compounds that can induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation by the investigated mechanisms.

Cardioprotective effects of Achillea wilhelmsii on the isolated rat heart in ischemia-reperfusion

Context

There are some reports about protective effects of Achillea on the heart.

Objective

We investigated the effect of Achillea wilhelmsii extract on cardiac function during ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury in the isolated rat heart.

Materials and methods

60 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups; 1: Control group, 2: Control-ischemia (CI) 3: vitamin C (10 mg/kg), 4–6: Extract groups (E 100, E 200 and E 400 mg/kg). The animals received normal saline, vitamin C or A. wilhelmsii extract orally for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, the hearts were subjected to in vitro I/R Injury (20 min of global ischemia, followed by 40 min of reperfusion, Langendorff's mode). Heart rate (HR) and left ventricular pressure (LVP) were measured using a pressure transducer connected to a data acquisition system. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) activities in the effluent were measured to determine the myocardial injury degree. The malondialdehyde (MDA), total thiol groups (-SH), superoxide anion dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in myocardial tissue were detected to determine the oxidative stress degree.

Results

Pretreatment with Achillea wilhlemsii significantly decreased the LDH, CK activities, and MDA level, while it increased the LVDP, ±dp/dt_max, rate-pressure product (RPP), SH groups, SOD and CAT activities, and also the coronary artery flow.

Discussion and conclusion

Our findings indicated that Achillea wilhelmsii could provide protection for heart against the I/R injury which may be related to the improvement of myocardial oxidative stress states.

The Chemical Composition of Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch and Its Desirable Effects on Hyperglycemia, Inflammatory Mediators and Hypercholesterolemia as Risk Factors for Cardiometabolic Disease

This study was done to identify the content compounds of Achillea wilhelmsii (A. wilhelmsii) and to evaluate its hypoglycemic and anti-hypercholesterolemic activity and effect on inflammatory mediators. The extracts and fractions of A. wilhelmsii were thoroughly analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the total content of phenols and flavonoids was determined. The hypoglycemic activity was evaluated in vivo using alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The effect upon inflammatory mediators was evaluated in vitro using the human monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1). The anti-hypercholesterolemic activity was evaluated in vitro using the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase assay kit. The water extract (WE)-treated group showed the highest reduction in the fasting blood glucose levels (FBGL). The chloroform fraction (CF) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) both showed a significant ability to reduce the secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). The EAF, however, also attenuated the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). The CF showed the most significant 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) inhibition activity. The five main compounds in the CF were isolated and identified. Out of the five compounds in the CF, 1β,10β-epoxydesacetoxymatricarin (CP1) and leucodin (CP2) showed the highest anti-hypercholesterolemic potential. A molecular docking study provided corresponding results.

A Systematic Review of Iran’s Medicinal Plants With Anticancer Effects

Increase in cases of various cancers has encouraged the researchers to discover novel, more effective drugs from plant sources. This study is a review of medicinal plants in Iran with already investigated anticancer effects on various cell lines. Thirty-six medicinal plants alongside their products with anticancer effects as well as the most important plant compounds responsible for the plants’ anticancer effect were introduced. Phenolic and alkaloid compounds were demonstrated to have anticancer effects on various cancers in most studies. The plants and their active compounds exerted anticancer effects by removing free radicals and antioxidant effects, cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of angiogenesis. The investigated plants in Iran contain the compounds that are able to contribute effectively to fighting cancer cells. Therefore, the extract and active compounds of the medicinal plants introduced in this review article could open a way to conduct clinical trials on cancer and greatly help researchers and pharmacists develop new anticancer drugs.

Chemical composition, antioxidant activity and in vitro antibacterial activity of Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch essential oil on methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus spp

The present study investigated the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) from aerial parts (flowering stage) of Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch by GC–MS. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the EO as well as its antimicrobial activity against methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains was tested. Antioxidant activity was measured by the ability of the EO to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals while the antimicrobial activity was assessed by the disc-diffusion method. In total, 52 compounds were recognized, accounting for 97.33 % of the EO. The main compounds in the EO were carvacrol (22.49 %), dihydrocarvone (13.23 %), linalool (12 %), 1,8-cineol (11.42 %), camphene (8.31 %), thymol (5.28 %), camphor (3.71 %), pulegone (2.82 %) α-terpineol (2.11 %), bornyl acetate (1.14 %), and farganol (1.01 %). The EC₅₀ value of the EO was 0.01 and 0.08 mg/mL for the antioxidant and DPPH-scavenging ability, respectively. A. wilhelmsii EO affected methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and MRSA, but the impact was more effective on MSSA.

A Characterization of Content, Composition and Scavenging Capacity of Phenolic Compounds in Parsnip Roots of Various Weight

The contents, composition and radical scavenging capacity of phenolic compounds from parsnips of various root weights grown in Serbia were examined. The content of phenolic compounds depended on root size, and the highest content was in the group where the samples with the lowest root size were grouped. The content of phenolic compounds varied from 109.7 to 125.3 μmol of chlorogenic acid per g dry extract, i.e.5470.8 to 6245.1 mg per kg fresh weight. Among the identified compounds were quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin and genkwanin glucosides and hydroxycinnamic and caffeoylshikimic acids. The highest antioxidant capacity was found for the group with the lowest root weight; the IC50 values ranged from 1.59 to 2.49 mg mL–1. There was positive correlation between the total phenolic content and scavenging capacity, and the kaempferol glucosides content could be an indicator of DPPH scavenging capacity of parsnip roots.

Mechanism of vasorelaxation induced by Achillea wilhelmsii in rat isolated thoracic aorta

BACKGROUND

Achillea wilhelmsii (A. wilhelmsii) is used in Iraninan folk medicine for the treatment of hypertension; also, in previous reports, the hypotensive and antihypertensive effects of this plant have been indicated. The aim of the present study is to investigate the vasorelaxant effect of the hydroalcholic extract of A. wilhelmsii and its underlying mechanisms in isolated rat aorta.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effect of the hydroalcholic A. wilhelmsii extract was tested on the contractile response of Wistar rat aorta induced by potassium chloride (KCl) and phenylephrine (PE) using a pressure transducer that is connected to the PowerLab.

RESULTS

The cumulative concentrations of A. wilhelmsii (0.5-8 mg/ml) induced a vasorelaxation both in endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aortas precontracted by high K(+) (6 × 10(-2) M) or 10(-6) M PE. A. wilhelmsii, at a concentration of 4 mg/ml, reduced Ca(2+)-induced contraction (P < 0.001 vs. control) after PE or KCl had generated a stable contraction in the Ca(2+)-free solution. Furthermore, after incubation with diltiazem, the vasorelaxant effect of A. wilhelmsii reduced in the endothelium-denuded aortas precontracted by PE or KCl (P < 0.001 vs. control). In contrast, A. wilhelmsii-induced relaxation was not affected by glibenclamide, BaCl2, ruthenium red, methylene blue, or heparin.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that A. wilhelmsii had a vasorelaxation effect, which was not endothelium-dependent. The relaxation was mediated by inhibition of extracellular Ca(2+) influx through voltage- and receptor-operated Ca(2+) channels (VDDCs and ROCCs) in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Antispasmodic effects of yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) extract in the isolated ileum of rat

Achillea millefolium L. is cultivated in Iran and widely used in traditional medicine for gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of A. millefolium on the contraction and relaxation of isolated ileum in rat. In this experimental study, aerial parts of A. millefolium were extracted by maceration in ethanol 70% for 72 h. Terminal portion of ileum in 100 male Wistar rats was dissected and its contractions were recorded isotonically in an organ bath containing Tyrode solution (37 °C, pH 7.4) under one gram tension. Acetylcholine (1mM) and KCl (60mM) were used to create isotonic contractions. Propranolol and Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methylester hydrochloride (L-NAME) were used to investigate the mechanisms of action prior to giving the extract to the relevant groups. Data were compared by ANOVA and Turkey's post hoc test.. The results showed that the ileum contraction was induced by KCl and acetylcholine induced contraction was significantly reduced by A. millefolium extract. The cumulative concentrations of A. millefolium relaxed the KCl and acetylcholine induced contractions (n=14, p<0.001). The inhibitory effect of extract on contraction induced by KCl and acetylcholine was not significantly affected neither by propranolol (1µM) nor by L-NAME (100 µM). There was no significant difference in the rate of relaxation by propranolol and L-NAME between the two groups. In conclusion, A. millefolium can inhibit contraction of smooth muscle of ileum in rat, and it can be used for eliminating intestinal spasms. These results suggest that the relaxatory effect of A. millefolium on ileum contractions can be due to the blockade of voltage dependent calcium channels. In addition, the β-adrenoceptors, cholinergic receptors and nitric oxide production are not powerful actors in inhibitory effect of A. millefolium. So, the nitric oxide and adrenergic systems may also be involved in the antispasmodic effect of A. millefolium.

Effects of Achillea wilhelmsii on rat's gastric acid output at basal, vagotomized, and vagal-stimulated conditions

Background:

Achillea is a plant widely used in traditional medicine for gastrointestinal disorders. There are some reports on gastrointestinal effects of Achillea, such as antiulcer, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, choleretic, and antispasmodic. To investigate the effects of aqueous–ethanol extract of Achillea wilhelmsii on rat’s gastric acid output in basal, vagotomized (VX), and vagal-stimulated conditions.

Materials and Methods:

24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: control and test. Gastroduodenostomy was performed for each rat. Gastric content was collected for 30 min by washout technique. One milliliter of 3 doses (0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg) was introduced into the stomach of each rat in the test group and the same volume of saline was used in the control group. Total titratable acid was measured by a titrator.

Results:

The extract inhibited acid output significantly in basal condition by 1 and 2 mg/kg doses (P < 0.05) but in VX condition this inhibitory effect on acid output disappeared and the 1 and 2 mg/kg doses increased acid output significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). The extract showed a reduction in the acid output in vagal-stimulated condition by 1 and 2 mg/kg doses, which were not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

These results showed an inhibitory effect of A. wilhelmsii extract on acid output in basal condition. The inhibitory effect of the extract was exerted via gastric vagal parasympathetic nerve.

Antioxidant, antimicrobial and genotoxicity screening of hydro-alcoholic extracts of five serbian Equisetum species

The hydro-alcoholic extracts of five Equisetum species, E. arvense L., E. sylvaticum L., E. fluviatile L., E. palustre L. and E. telmateia Ehrh., growing-wild in Serbia were evaluated for their genotoxicity, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant capacity and the results related to the total phenol content and HPLC flavonoid profiles. The total phenol content was 92-349 micromol expressed as equivalents of chlorogenic acid per g of dried plant material. Main identified compounds were kaempferol-, quercetin- glycosides and caffeic acid derivatives. E. telmateia extract showed the greatest antioxidant capacity. Almost all tested microorganisms demonstrated some degree of sensitivity to the examined extracts. All tested extracts at 62.5 microg/ml showed higher incidence of micronucleus formation than in the control sample. The obtained data allowed mutual comparison of examined species and their assessment as possible sources of antioxidants, antimicrobials and/or genotoxic substances.