Antioxidant properties of Ballota species growing in Turkey

Ballota saxatilis from Jordan: Evaluation of Essential Oil Composition and Phytochemical Profiling of Crude Extracts and Their In-Vitro Antioxidant Activity

The chemical composition of essential oil extracted from the aerial parts of Ballota saxatilis Sieber ex C.Presl from Jordan has been elucidated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, aqueous methanol (BsA), Butanol (BsB) and water (BsW) extracts were screened for their total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities using the 2,2 Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) methods. The most potent extracts were screened for their phenolic acids and flavonoid content using liquid the chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technique. The results indicated that the essential oil predominantly contained cis-pinane (14.76%), β-caryophyllene (8.91%) and allo-aromadendrene epoxide (6.39%). Among the different extracts investigated, the BsB fraction had the most TPC and TFC (455.79 ± 1.03 µg gallic acid/g dry extract; 272.62 ± 8.28 µg quercetin/g dry extract, respectively) and had the best radical and radical cation scavenging activities, as determined using the DPPH and ABTS methods. Quantitative and qualitative LC-MS analyses of BsA and BsB using LC-MS revealed each of the kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (30.29%), chrysoeriol-7-glucoside (7.93%) and luteolin 7-o-glucoside (7.76%) as the main constituents of the BsA fraction. The BsB fraction was rich in 7,4′-dimethoxy-3-hydroxyflavone (34.68%), kaempferol-3,7,4′-trimethyl ether (29.17%) and corymbosin (9.66%) and lower concentration levels of kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (1.63%) and chrysoeriol-7-glucoside (0.51%).

Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases with Plant Phytochemicals: A Review

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the world's leading killers, accounting for 30% deaths. According to the WHO report, CVDs kill 17.9 million people per year, and there will be 22.2 million deaths from CVD in 2030. The death rates rise as people get older. Regarding gender, the death rate of women by CVD (51%) is higher than that of men (42%). To decrease and prevent CVD, most people rely on traditional medicine originating from the plant (phytochemicals) in addition to or in preference to commercially available drugs to recover from their illness. The CVD therapy efficacy of 92 plants, including 15 terrestrial plants, is examined. Some medicinal plants well known to treat CVD are, Daucus carota, Nerium oleander, Amaranthus Viridis, Ginkgo biloba, Terminalia arjuna, Picrorhiza kurroa, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Tinospora cordifolia, Mucuna pruriens, Hydrocotyle asiatica, Bombax ceiba, and Andrographis paniculate. The active phytochemicals found in these plants are flavonoids, polyphenols, plant sterol, plant sulphur compounds, and terpenoids. A general flavonoid mechanism of action is to prevent low-density lipoprotein oxidation, which promotes vasodilatation. Plant sterols prevent CVD by decreasing cholesterol absorption in the blood. Plant sulphur compound also prevent CVD by activation of nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and inhibition of cholesterol synthesis. Quinone decreases the risk of CVD by increasing ATP production in mitochondria while terpenoids by decreasing atherosclerotic lesion in the aortic valve. Although several physiologically active compounds with recognized biological effects have been found in various plants because of the increased prevalence of CVD, appropriate CVD prevention and treatment measures are required. More research is needed to understand the mechanism and specific plants' phytochemicals responsible for treating CVD.

Ballodiolic Acid A and B: Two New ROS, (•OH), (ONOO-) Scavenging and Potent Antimicrobial Constituents Isolated from Ballota pseudodictamnus (L.) Benth

Bioassays guided phytochemical investigations on the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the root material of Ballota pseudodictamnus (L.) Benth. led to the isolation of two new compounds, ballodiolic acid A (1) and ballodiolic acid B (2), along with three known compounds ballodiolic acid (3), ballotenic acid (4), and β-amyrin (5), which were also isolated for the first time from this species by using multiple chromatographic techniques. The structures of the compounds (1–5) were determined by modern spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR techniques and chemical studies. In three separate experiments, the isolated compounds (1–5) demonstrated potent antioxidant scavenging activity, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 07.22–34.10 μM in the hydroxyl radical (^•OH) inhibitory activity test, 58.10–148.55 μM in the total ROS (reactive oxygen species) inhibitory activity test, and 6.23–69.01 μM in the peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) scavenging activity test. With IC₅₀ values of (07.22 ± 0.03, 58.10 ± 0.07, 6.23 ± 0.04 μM) for ^•OH, total ROS, and scavenge ONOO⁻, respectively, ballodiolic acid B (2) showed the highest scavenging ability. Antibacterial and antifungal behaviors were also exposed to the pure compounds 1–5. In contrast to compounds 4 and 5, compounds 1–3 were active against all bacterial strains studied, with a good zone of inhibition proving these as a potent antibacterial agent. Similarly, compared to compounds 3–5, compounds 1 and 2 with a 47 percent and 45 percent respective inhibition zone were found to be more active against tested fungal strains.

Ballota nigra L. – an overview of pharmacological effects and traditional uses

Ballota nigra, also known as black horehound is a common medical herb used in folk medicine around the world. First reported mentions of its medical properties and use goes as far as the 13th century. The use of black horehound depends on regions and countries. It is used mostly to treat e.g. mild sleep disorders, nervousness, upset stomach, wound healing. It can be used as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antifungal drug. Moreover, it has been reported as a potential cancer drug. This extensive usage is particularly interesting for us. The aim of this review is to present available data on B. nigra pharmacological effects and known traditional uses gathered from a wide range of scientific articles published in 1997–2020.

A Review on the Potential Use of Medicinal Plants From Asteraceae and Lamiaceae Plant Family in Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, and its rate of mortality is rising annually. In accordance with the current condition, studies on medicinal plants upon their activity on cardiovascular diseases are often being encouraged to be used in cardiovascular disease management, due to the availability of medicinal values in certain dedicated plants. This review was conducted based on two plant families, which are Asteraceae and Lamiaceae, to study on their action in cardiovascular disease relieving activities, to review the relationship between the phytochemistry of Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families and their effect on cardiovascular diseases, and to study their toxicology. The medicinal plants from these plant family groups are collected based on their effects on the mechanisms that affect the cardiovascular-related disease which are an antioxidant activity, anti-hyperlipidemic or hypocholesterolemia, vasorelaxant effect, antithrombotic action, and diuresis effect. In reference to various studies, the journals that conducted in vivo or in vitro experiments, which were used to prove the specific mechanisms, are included in this review. This is to ensure that the scientific value and the phytochemicals of the involved plants can be seen based on their activity. As a result, various plant species from both Asteraceae and Lamiaceae plant family have been identified and collected based on their study that has proven their effectiveness and uses in cardiovascular diseases. Most of the plants have an antioxidant effect, followed by anti-hyperlipidemia, vasorelaxant, antithrombotic, and diuretic effect from the most available to least available studies, respectively. These are the mechanisms that contribute to various cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack, stroke, coronary heart disease, and hypertension. Further studies can be conducted on these plant species by identifying their ability and capability to be developed into a new drug or to be used as a medicinal plant in treating various cardiovascular diseases.

GC and GC-–MS Analysis of Volatile Compounds From Ballota nigra subsp. uncinata Collected in Aeolian Islands, Sicily (Southern Italy)

In the present study, the chemical composition of the essential oils from aerial parts of Ballota nigra subsp. uncinata (Bég.) Patzak collected in Sicily was evaluated by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry. The main components of the oil were ( E)-phytol (20.0%), α-pinene (9.0%), hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (5.7%), and α-selinene (5.1%). Cluster analysis of the essential oil compositions of all the taxa belonging to B. nigra s.l. group was performed.

A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of the genus Ballota

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Ballota L. (Lamiaceae) comprises 33 to 35 species distributed mainly in temperate and subtropical regions of the world. Some species have been used in folk medicine as antiemetic, antispasmodic, sedative agents, vermifuge, antihemorrhoid and also in treatment of cough, etc. AIM OF THIS REVIEW: This review article aims to provide organized information on the available traditional uses, phytochemical and pharmacological studies of the genus Ballota, and to obtain new insights for further researches.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Electronic databases, including Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Springer Link were used as information sources. General web searches were carried out using Google and Yahoo search engines by applying related search terms. Additional information was derived from books and journals in English, Latin and Persian, and also Ph.D. theses and M.Sc. dissertations.

RESULTS

Terpenoids (particularly furanolabdane diterpenoids) and flavonoids were the main phytochemical classes identified in the extracts of Ballota species. Furanolabdane diterpenoids, e.g. ballonigrin, dehydrohispanolone, and hispanolone were reported in many species of Ballota. β-Caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, and germacrene D were found as the most common major compounds isolated from the essential oils of the genus Ballota. Sixty-four pharmacological studies conducted on cell lines, microorganisms, and animals were included in this review. Some species of Ballota exhibited various pharmacological activities, including promising antidepressant, anxiolytic, sedative-hypnotic, and antitussive activities in animal models. The pharmacological activities can be attributed to bioactive phytochemicals.

CONCLUSION

The genus Ballota is a valuable source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential in different diseases. Some pharmacological studies showed incomplete methodologies and ambiguous findings. Thus, the research designs of pharmacological studies based on traditional uses of Ballota species are strongly needed in cell lines and animal models. More in vitro and in vivo animal studies are required to confirm the safety, clarification of the effective doses, bioactive compounds, and the mechanisms of actions before future clinical studies.

An ethnomedicinal survey of a Tashelhit-speaking community in the High Atlas, Morocco

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional knowledge about medicinal plants from a poorly studied region, the High Atlas in Morocco, is reported here for the first time; this permits consideration of efficacy and safety of current practises whilst highlighting species previously not known to have traditional medicinal use.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our study aims to document local medicinal plant knowledge among Tashelhit speaking communities through ethnobotanical survey, identifying preferred species and new medicinal plant citations and illuminating the relationship between emic and etic ailment classifications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethnobotanical data were collected using standard methods and with prior informed consent obtained before all interactions, data were characterized using descriptive indices and medicinal plants and healing strategies relevant to local livelihoods were identified.

RESULTS

151 vernacular names corresponding to 159 botanical species were found to be used to treat 36 folk ailments grouped in 14 biomedical use categories. Thirty-five (22%) are new medicinal plant records in Morocco, and 26 described as used for the first time anywhere. Fidelity levels (FL) revealed low specificity in plant use, particularly for the most commonly reported plants. Most plants are used in mixtures. Plant use is driven by local concepts of disease, including "hot" and "cold" classification and beliefs in supernatural forces.

CONCLUSION

Local medicinal plant knowledge is rich in the High Atlas, where local populations still rely on medicinal plants for healthcare. We found experimental evidence of safe and effective use of medicinal plants in the High Atlas; but we highlight the use of eight poisonous species.

Phytochemical profile of three Ballota species essential oils and evaluation of the effects on human cancer cells

Three Ballota species, Ballota undulata, Ballota saxatilis and Ballota nigra ssp. foetida, were investigated for their cytotoxicity against two human cancer cells, hepatoma HepG2 cell line and breast cancer MCF-7 cell line, and for their antioxidant activity. The chemical composition of essential oils was studied by GC and GC-MS. Sesquiterpenes were the main constituents. The most antiproliferative essential oil against HepG2 cells was B. undulata with a percentage of inhibition of 81.36 ± 3.54 at a concentration of 100 μg/mL, while against MCF-7 cells essential oil from B. saxatilis was the most active with a percentage of inhibition of 24.18 ± 1.13 at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. The antioxidant activity was investigated by DPPH test for all the oils. B. undulata showed the highest antiradical effect, with IC₅₀ value of 529.7 ± 37.4 μg/mL.

Preliminary antimycobacterial study on selected Turkish plants (Lamiaceae) against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and search for some phenolic constituents

Background

The global resurgence of tuberculosis is a significant threat. Lamiaceae members have been used in folk remedies for centuries. This study was designed to assess the in-vitro antimycobacterial activity of eighteen crude extracts from six plants (Lamiaceae) and to characterize their phenolic and flavonoid compounds.

Methods

Six Turkish medicinal plants of the family Lamiaceae (Stachys tmolea Boiss., Stachys thirkei C. Koch, Ballota acetabulosa (L.) Benth., Thymus sipthorpii Benth., Satureja aintabensis P.H. Davis, and Micromeria juliana (L.) Benth. ex Reich.) were collected in 2009 – 2010. Dried and crushed plant samples were subjected to sequential extraction with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and methanol in order of increasing polarity. A broth microdilution method was employed to screen extracts against four mycobacterial strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Phenolic and flavonoid compounds were characterized by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry.

Results

S. aintabensis, T. sibthorpii, and M. juliana were found to develop considerable activity against the four strains of M. tuberculosis with the minimal inhibitory concentrations value of 12.5-100 μg/ml. S. aintabensis and T. sibthorpii extracts killed M. tuberculosis with the minimum bactericidal concentration value of 50–800 μg/ml. On the basis of these prominent antimycobacterial activity, we suggest that they could be a source of natural anti-tuberculosis agents.

Conclusion

S. aintabensis and T. sibthorpii showed activity by killing Mycobacteria strains. The major phenolic compound was rosmarinic for T. sibthorpii and S. aintabensis. Flavonoids might be “a modal” for the drug design.

Radical quenching activity, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, and ferrous ion-chelating capacity of 16 Ballota species and their total phenol and flavonoid contents

The ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts of 16 Ballota species (Family Lamiaceae)-Ballota acetabulosa, Ballota antalyanse, Ballota cristata, Ballota glandulosissima, Ballota inaequidens, Ballota larendana, Ballota latibracteolata, Ballota macrodonta, Ballota nigra ssp. anatolica, B. nigra ssp. foetida, B. nigra ssp. nigra, B. nigra ssp. uncinata, Ballota pseudodictamnus ssp. lycia, Ballota rotundifolia, Ballota saxatilis ssp. brachyodonta, and B. saxatilis subsp. saxatilis-were screened for their 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical quenching, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, and ferrous ion-chelating capacity at 1mg/mL. Hispanolone, a major diterpene found in the Ballota genus, was also tested in the same manner. Total phenol and flavonoid contents of the extracts were determined by Folin-Ciocalteau and AlCl(3) reagents, respectively. The extracts showed insignificant quenching activity against DPPH radical, but they had moderate antioxidant activity (0.597 ± 0.03 to 1.342 ± 0.01) in the ferric-reducing test compared to chlorogenic acid (the reference compound) (3.618 ± 0.01). All of the extracts (ranging from 65.1 ± 0.64% to 96.3 ± 0.09%) and hispanolone (97.31 ± 0.30%) exerted a remarkable ferrous ion-chelating effect. The highest total phenol (gallic acid equivalent) and flavonoid (quercetin equivalent) contents were found in the ethyl acetate extract of B. glandulosissima (393.7 ± 3.03 and 140.6 ± 1.97 mg/g of extract, respectively). Therefore, Ballota species could be a good source of natural preservatives in foodstuffs.

Antiinflammatory effects in THP-1 cells treated with verbascoside

Verbascum thapsus commonly known as 'mullein' is part of a large family of Scrophulariaceae consisting of more than 360 species. From antiquity Verbascum thapsus has been used as a medicinal herb, it contains diverse polysaccharides, iroid glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, volatile oils and phenylentanoids. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) represents one of the three isoforms that produce nitric oxide using L-arginine as a substrate in response to an increase in superoxide anion activated by NF-kB. It is implicated in different pathophysiological events and its expression increases greatly during an inflammatory process, due to oxidative stress and the activation of the enzymes of the antioxidant network such as SOD, CAT and GPx.In this study an inflammatory state was reproduced by treating THP-1 cells (human myelomonocytic leukaemia) with pro-inflammatory stimuli, such as LPS and IFN-gamma, obtaining an up-regulation both in the expression and in the activity of iNOS. The aim of the work was to investigate the antiinflammatory action of verbascoside using a concentration of 100 mum. The results show a significant decrease of the expression and activity of iNOS, extracellular O(2) (-) production, SOD, CAT and GPx activity when the cells were treated with verbascoside. Based on these results it is hypothesized that verbascoside has antiinflammatory properties since it reduces the production of superoxide radicals and consequently reduces the activity of iNOS.

Antioxidant activity of selected plant species; potential new sources of natural antioxidants

The aim of this study was to examine six plants from Serbia for their potential antioxidant activity. Therefore, six antioxidant activity assays were carried out, including: total antioxidant capacity, DPPH free-radical scavenging, the inhibitory activity toward lipid peroxidation, Fe(3+)- reducing power, Fe(2+)- chelating ability and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined for each alcoholic extract. Cotinus coggygria extract contained the highest amount of total phenols (413mg GAE /g dry extract), while the highest proportion of flavonoids was found in the Echium vulgare methanol extract (105 mg RU/g). Cotinus coggygria and Halacsya sendtneri alcoholic extracts showed the highest total antioxidant capacity (313 and 231 mg AA/g dry extract), as well as DPPH free-radical scavenging (IC(50)=9 and 99 μg/ml), inhibitory activity toward lipid peroxidation (IC(50)=3 and 17 μg/ml) and reducing power. Whereas, the greatest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, as well as ferrous ion chelating ability showed Echium vulgare, Echium rubrum and Halacsya sendtneri.

Determination of the antimicrobial and antioxidative properties and total phenolics of two "endemic" Lamiaceae species from Turkey: Ballota rotundifolia L. and Teucrium chamaedrys C. Koch

This study was designed to examine the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and the amount of total phenolics of the methanol extracts of Ballota rotundifolia L. and Teucrium chamaedrys C. Koch. In the case of antimicrobial activity tests, polar sub-fractions of the methanol extracts of plant species exhibited weakest antimicrobial activity when compared with the non-polar ones. While, non-polar sub-fraction of B. rotundifolia showed moderate activity against A. lwoffii, C. perfringens and the yeasts, T. chamaedrys performed excellent activity pattern against all of the tested microorganisms. The sub-fractions were also screened for their possible antioxidant activities by two complementary tests, namely DPPH free radical-scavenging and beta-carotene/linoleic acid assays. Non-polar extracts of the plant species remained inactive in both test systems. On the other hand polar extracts showed remarkable antioxidant activities. In DPPH system, free radical scavenging effect of T. chamaedrys was measured as 18.00 +/- 1.42 microg.mg(-1). It is extremely important to point out that, polar sub-fraction of T. chamaedrys is found as effective as the positive control BHT. Non-polar sub-fraction of T. chamaedrys found to have the highest total phenolic amount (97.12 +/- 1.28 microg/mg). Results obtained from this experiment confirm the relationship between the amount of phenolics and biological activities.

Effects of extracts from Italian medicinal plants on planktonic growth, biofilm formation and adherence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

AIM OF STUDY

One-third of botanical remedies from southern Italy are used to treat skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI). Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of SSTI, has generated increasing concern due to drug resistance. Many plants possess antimicrobial agents and provide effective remedies for SSTI. Our aim was to investigate plants from different ethnobotanical usage groups for inhibition of growth and biofilms in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three groups were assessed: plant remedies for SSTI, plant remedies not involving the skin, and plants with no ethnomedical application. We screened 168 extracts, representing 104 botanical species, for activity against MRSA (ATCC 33593). We employed broth dilution methods to determine the MIC after 18 h growth using an optical density (OD 600 nm) reading. Anti-biofilm effects were assessed by growing biofilms for 40 h, then fixing and staining with crystal violet. After washing, 10% Tween 80 was added and OD 570 nm readings were taken.

RESULTS

Extracts from 10 plants exhibited an IC50<or=32 microg/ml for biofilm inhibition: Lonicera alpigena, Castanea sativa, Juglans regia, Ballota nigra, Rosmarinus officinalis, Leopoldia comosa, Malva sylvestris, Cyclamen hederifolium, Rosa canina, and Rubus ulmifolius. Limited bacteriostatic activity was evident.

CONCLUSION

This study has demonstrated that the anti-biofilm activity of medicinal plants used for SSTI is significantly greater than plants without any ethnomedical applications.

Alternative and complementary antileishmanial treatments: assessment of the antileishmanial activity of 27 Lebanese plants, including 11 endemic species

Aqueous, methanolic, and dichloromethane extracts from 27 Lebanese plants were investigated for their in vitro immunomodulatory and antileishmanial activities as compared to their toxicity against human cells. Extracts from yellow chamomile (Anthemis tinctoria), white larkspur (Consolida rigida), Syrian broom (Cytisus syriacus), coast spurge (Euphorbia paralias), shield fibigia (Fibigia clypeata), Auchers golden-drop (Onosma aucheriana), shell-flower sage (Salvia multicaulis), snowy woundwort (Stachys nivea), Palestine woundwort (Stachys palaestina), and polium-leaved speedwell (Veronica polifolia) exhibited interesting antileishmanial activities on the intracellular amastigote form of the parasite, while several extracts from A. tinctoria, F. clypeata, and O. aucheriana were shown to induce nitrous oxide (NO) production by human macrophages. Further experiments should be performed in order to purify and characterize the chemical compounds responsible for these activities.

Hypolipidaemic effects of Ballota undulata in rabbits

The aim of to study the effect of Ballota undulata (70% EtOH) extract on lipid profile on Rabbits. The plant extract was orally administered to the atherogenic rabbits (atherogenic diet + cholesterol powder supplement 400 mg/kg/body weight/day dissolved in 5 mL coconut oil) at dose of 1.2 g kg(-1) body weight/day. During the overall period of the experiment blood was collected and serum was analyzed for lipid profile. Animals were sacrificed; the heart and the liver were collected and kept at -20 degrees C until assayed. Biochemical analysis of blood serum and tissue (liver and heart muscle) level were made for cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides. In addition blood serum was analyzed further for HDL-Cholesterol. All the results were statistically analyzed using students t-test. Hypolipidaemic nature of Ballota undulata (70% EtOH) extract was studied in hyperlipidaemic Rabbits. The increased cholesterol levels were brought to normal by administration of Ballota undulata. Serum cholesterol levels dropped from 940.7 to 230.41 (75.55%) and further to 119.2 (87.32%) by the end of the experiment. Similarly, phospholipids and triglycerides levels were observed to be also reduced. The tissues lipids profiles of liver and heart muscle showed similar changes in those noticed in serum lipids. Ballota undulata possesses active hypolipidaemic constituents.

Effects of short and long term treatment of Ballota undulata on female albino rats fertility and pregnancy

The objectives of this study is to investigate the toxic effects of Ballota undulata (300 mg kg(-1) b.wt.) on the reproductive system after administration to female Sprague-Dawley rats for two time periods 4 and 12 weeks. Forty adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two treatment and two control groups of 10 rats each. The two treated groups received 15 mg kg(-1) b.wt. of Ballota undulata for two periods of 4 and 12 weeks. Female rats were allowed mating with males after treatment. Several pregnancy parameters were investigated including: total number of pregnant rats, body weight and reproductive organ weight, number of implantation sites, number of resorption sites and number of viable fetuses. The significance of these results was calculated using student's t and Chi-square tests. Exposure to Ballota undulata for 4 weeks did not have significant effects on most parameters investigated. However, a slight decrease in the relative ovarian and embryo weights was observed. Administration of Ballota undulata for 12 weeks significantly reduced the percentage of pregnancies and the number of implantation sites when compared with controls. In addition, a decrease in ovarian weights and in viable fetuses' number was also observed. Histological sections of ovaries of female treated with Ballota undulata were found to have congested blood vessels in cortical and medullary regions. We also noted the arrestment of developing follicles at primary and secondary stages in addition to presence of degenerative areas and hypercellullarity in medulla. Long term treatment with Ballota undulata might lead to diversified negative effects on fertility and pregnancy in female rats.

Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of some medicinal plants from the Lamiaceae

Antioxidative effects of methanolic extracts from six wild European Lamiaceae species have been studied with the use of three in vitro assays. The ability of scavenging free radicals was measured by DPPH reduction spectrophotometric assay. The reducing potential towards transition metals was tested by phosphomolybdenum method and the inhibition of lipid oxidation was tested by Fe/ascorbate system with photometric TBARS detection. All studied herbs exposed strong antioxidant capability, but the results were different for each species depending on the applied test. In DPPH scavenging the order from strongest to the weakest was: Leonurus cardiaca, Lamium album, Marrubium vulgare, Stachys officinalis, Lamium purpureum, Galeopsis speciosa. With phosphomolybdenum method the extract of S. officinalis was the strongest in both 40 degrees Celsius and 90 degrees Celsius but other species acted differently in both temperatures. In lipid peroxidation assay, the maximum inhibition of 78% was reached by S. officinalis and M. vulgare, whereas for both Lamium sp. and L. cardiaca slightly exceeded 70% and for G. speciosa reached 65%. The observed differences indicate the complexity of involved mechanisms and support the necessity of combining several assays in studying the antioxidant potential of medicinal plants.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Morus bombycis Koidzumi on CCl4-induced liver damage

The antioxidant activity and liver protective effect of Morus bombycis Koidzumi were investigated. Aqueous extracts of M. bombycis Koidzumi had higher superoxide radical scavenging activity than other types of extracts. The aqueous extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg showed significant hepatoprotective activity when compared with that of a standard agent. The biochemical results were confirmed by histological observations indicating that M. bombycis Koidzumi extract together with CCl(4) treatment decreased ballooning degeneration. The water extract recovered the CCl(4)-induced liver injury and showed antioxidant effects in assays of FeCl(2)-ascorbic acid-induced lipid peroxidation in rats. Based on these results, we suggest that the hepatoprotective effect of the M. bombycis Koidzumi extract is related to its antioxidative activity.

Hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities of Ballota glandulosissima

Water extract of Ballota glandulosissima Hub.-Mor & Patzak (Lamiaceae) (BG) was investigated for anti-inflammatory activity using the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema test and for hepatoprotective effect on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Biochemical parameters of hepatic damage such as serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin concentrations were determined. CCl(4) (0.8 mL/kg i.p. for 7 days) treatment increased the serum AST, ALT, ALP and bilirubin levels significantly as compared to controls. Treatment of animals with BG (100 mg/kg, i.p.) +CCl(4) (0.8 mL/kg i.p.) for 7 days significantly ameliorated the levels of AST, ALT and ALP elevated by the CCl(4) treatment alone. The results of biochemical tests were also confirmed by histopathological examination. BG together with CCl(4) treatment decreased the balloning degeneration but did not produced apoptosis of hepatocytes, centrilobular and bridging necrosis observed in the CCl(4) treatment alone. BG, at 100 mg/kg per os, showed a significant reduction (34.22%) in rat paw oedema induced by carrageenan. The reference anti-inflammatory drugs etodolac (50 mg/kg, p.o.) and indomethacin (3 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the oedeme by 43.42 and 95.70%, respectively. The present study reveals that the water extract of Ballota glandulosissima possesses promising protective activity against CCl(4) induced hepatic damage and anti-inflammatory activity in rats.