A caryophyllene oxide and other potential anticholinesterase and anticancer agent in Salvia verticillata subsp. amasiaca (Freyn & Bornm.) Bornm. (Lamiaceae)

Chemical Composition and Insecticidal Potential of Essential Oil from Murraya koenigii (L.) Obtained by Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents

Aphis craccivora Koch and Planococcus lilacinus Cockerell are phloem feeders and act as vectors for transmitting plant viruses to agricultural and horticultural crops thereby damaging them. The persistent and widespread use of synthetic, wide-spectrum pesticides has resulted in resistance development that is detrimental to the environment, human health, and natural enemies of pests. The present investigation uses various extraction mediums to examine the insecticidal efficacy of essential oils (EOs) isolated from Murraya koenigii (L.) leaves. Increase in yield was observed in the EO extracted using NADES-AHD [0.16% (obtained with hydro-distillation)] to 0.30% [obtained with N-1 (glycerol:lactic acid)]. EO obtained with water was found more effective against A. craccivora (LD50 = 0.89 µL/insect) and followed by N-1 (glycerol:lactic acid), and N-3 (choline chloride:citric acid) (LD50 = 1.29-1.38 µL/insect). Similarly, EO isolated by water and N-4 (choline chloride:oxalic acid) was effective against P. lilacinus (LD50 = 2.63-3.06 µL/insect). Additionally, the EO prepared by water substantially reduced glutathione S-transferase (GST) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in target pests, suggesting that these enzymes may be the EOs' site of action. NADES-AHD has enhanced the EO yield as compared to the conventional method. The EO obtained with water showed promising toxicity against target pests and target site of action. Therefore, based on field and greenhouse bio-efficacy experiments, EOs/biopesticides/botanicals can be proposed for controlling the spread of mealy bugs and aphids.

Exploring the aroma profile and biomedical applications of Scutellaria nuristanica Rech. F.: A new insight as a natural remedy

BACKGROUND

The Scutellaria genus has promising therapeutic capabilities as an aromatherapy. Based on that and local practices of S. nuristanica Rech. F. The essential oil was studied for the first time for its diverse biomedical applications.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate and validate their therapeutic capabilities by screening the essential oil ingredients and examining their antimicrobial, antioxidant, carbonic anhydrase, and antidiabetic using further In silico assessment and In vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic capabilities to devise novel sources as natural remedies alternative to the synthetic drugs.

METHODS

Essential oil was obtained through hydrodistillation, and the constituents were profiled using GC-MS. The antimicrobial assessment was conducted using an agar well diffusion assay. Free radical scavenging capabilities were determined by employing DPPH and ABTS assay. The carbonic anhydrase-II was examined using colorimetric assay, while the antidiabetic significance was performed using α-Glucosidase assay. The anti-inflammatory significance was examined through carrageenan-induced paw edema, and the analgesic features of the essential oil were determined using an acetic acid-induced writhing assay.

RESULTS

Fifty constituents were detected in S. nuristanica essential oil (SNEO), contributing 95.93 % of the total EO, with the predominant constituents being 24-norursa-3,12-diene (10.12 %), 3-oxomanoyl oxide (9.94 %), methyl 7-abieten-18-oate (8.85 %). SNEO presented significance resistance against the Gram-positive bacterial strains (GPBSs), Bacillus atrophaeus and Bacillus subtilis, as compared to the Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae, Gram-negative bacterial strains (GNBSs) as well as two fungal strains Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus niger associated with their respective standards. Considerable free radical scavenging capacity was observed in DPPH compared to the ABTS assay when correlated with ascorbic acid. In addition, when equated with their standards, SNEO offered considerable in vitro carbonic anhydrase II and antidiabetic capabilities. Additionally, the antidiabetic behavior of the 9 dominant compounds of SNEO was tested via In silico techniques, such as molecular docking, which assisted in the assessment of the significance of binding contacts of protein with each chemical compound and pharmacokinetic evaluations to examine the drug-like characteristics. Molecular dynamic simulations at 100 ns and binding free energy evaluations such as PBSA and GBSA models explain the molecular mechanics and stability of molecular complexes. It was also observed that SNEO depicted substantial anti-inflammatory and analgesic capabilities.

CONCLUSION

Hence, it was concluded that the SNEO comprises bioactive ingredients with biomedical significance, such as anti-microbial, antioxidant, CA-II, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic agents. The computational validation also depicted that SNEO could be a potent source for the discovery of anti-diabetic drugs.

Salvia verticillata (L.)-Biological Activity, Chemical Profile, and Future Perspectives

Species belonging to the genus Salvia, Lamiaceae, have been deeply involved in the folk medicine of different nations since ancient times. Lilac sage, or Salvia verticillata L. (S. verticillata) is a less studied species from the genus. However, it seems to have a prominent potential for the future drug discovery strategies of novel phytopharmaceuticals. This review aims to summarise the data on the biological activity and the phytochemical profile of extracts and essential oils derived from S. verticillata. This review is based on data from 57 in vitro and in vivo studies. The chemical profile of S. verticillata includes different synergic compounds like phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenes, and salvianolic acids. Although some small amounts of salvianolic acid B were found in S. verticillata extracts, the major compound among the salvianolic acids is salvianolic acid C, a compound associated with the potential for improving liver fibrosis, cardio- and hepatoprotection, and the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The cannabinoid type 2 receptor agonist β-caryophyllene is one of the major compounds in S. verticillata essential oils. It is a compound with a prominent potential in regenerative medicine, neurology, immunology, and other medical fields. The in vivo and the in vitro studies, regarding S. verticillata highlighted good antioxidant potential, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal activity. S.verticillata was also reported as a potential source of drug candidates for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, because of the inhibitory activity on the acetylcholinesterase. However, the number of studies in this direction is limited.

The impact of seasonal variation on the composition of the volatile oil of Polyalthia suberosa (Roxb.) Thwaites leaves and evaluation of its acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity

BACKGROUND

Polyalthia suberosa (Roxb.) Thwaites (Annonaceae) is a medicinal plant that has been reported for its various pharmacological potentials, such as its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, and neuropharmacological activities. This study aimed to analyze the leaf essential oils of P. suberosa (PSLO) collected in different seasons, to evaluate the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, and to corroborate the obtained results via in-silico molecular docking studies.

METHODS

The leaf essential oils of P. suberosa collected in different seasons were analyzed separately by GC/MS. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of the leaves oil was assessed via colorimetric assay. In-silico molecular docking studies were elucidated by virtual docking of the main compounds identified in P. suberosa leaf essential oil to the active sites in human acetylcholinesterase crystal structure.

RESULTS

A total of 125 compounds were identified where D-limonene (0.07 - 24.7%), α-copaene (2.25 - 15.49%), E-β-caryophyllene (5.17 - 14.42%), 24-noroleana-3,12-diene (12.92%), β-pinene (0.14 - 8.59%), and α-humulene (2.49-6.9%) were the most abundant components. Results showed a noteworthy influence of the collection season on the chemical composition and yield of the volatile oils. The tested oil adequately inhibited acetylcholinesterase enzyme with an IC50 value of 91.94 µg/mL. Additionally, in-silico molecular docking unveiled that palmitic acid, phytol, p-cymene, and caryophyllene oxide demonstrated the highest fitting scores within the active sites of human acetylcholinesterase enzyme.

CONCLUSIONS

From these findings, it is concluded that P. suberosa leaf oil should be evaluated as a food supplement for enhancing memory.

Comparative Study of Essential Oils from Different Organs of Syzygium cumini (Pamposia) Based on GC/MS Chemical Profiling and In Vitro Antiaging Activity

Syzygium cumini L. is an evergreen tree belonging to family Myrtaceae, employed for different traditional uses like diabetes, inflammation, and fever. The current study aimed to compare the chemical compositions of the essential oils (EOs) isolated from different organs of Syzygium cumini (leaves (Scl), fruits (Scf), seeds (Scs), and bark (Scb)) using a GC/MS analysis. Also, a chemometric analysis was applied to explore the main similarities and differences among different organs using a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and a hierarchal cluster analysis (HCA). Furthermore, in vitro antiaging activities were investigated via anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, and anti-hyaluronidase assays. The GC-MS analysis revealed 82 compounds representing 92.13%, 99.42%, 100%, and 92.97% in Scl, Scf, Scs, and Scb, respectively. The predominant components were α-pinene, β-pinene, (E)-β-caryophyllene, α-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, and α-humulene epoxide II with variable percentages. All EOs were positioned on positive PC1, except for Scs, which was positioned on the negative side in a separate quadrant. The HCA dendrogram displayed the closeness of Scl and Scb, which was not clearly recognized in the PCA score plot. Moreover, the Scs oils were totally discriminated from other parts. The Scl and Scs oils showed superior anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, and anti-hyaluronidase activities. Thus, S. cumini oils should be considered for cosmetic preparations to retard skin aging manifestations.

Review of Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used to Treat Diarrhea by the People in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia

Background

Diarrheal illness is the second-most common cause of death in under-five children. Worldwide, it results in about 1.7 billion illnesses and 525,000 deaths among under-five children annually. It is the leading cause of malnutrition among under-five children. Different people use medicinal plants to treat diarrhea. The present study aimed to review the medicinal plants used to treat diarrhea by the people in the Amhara region and to diagnose whether the antidiarrheal activities of the medicinal plants have been confirmed by studies using animal models.

Methods

The author searched 21 articles from worldwide databases up to December 2022 using Boolean operators ("AND" and "OR") and the terms "ethnobotanical studies," "ethnobiology," "traditional medicine," "ethnobotanical knowledge," and "Amhara region."

Results

From the 21 studies reviewed, 50 plant species grouped into 28 families were reported to treat diarrhea by the people in the Amhara region. The top most used families were Lamiaceae (12%), Fabaceae (8%), Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Poaceae (6% each). The modes of administration of the plant parts were orally 98.88% and topically 1.12%. The different extracts of 18 (or 36%) of the medicinal plants traditionally used to treat diarrhea by the people in the Amhara region have been proven experimentally in animal models.

Conclusions

The people in the Amhara region use different medicinal plants to treat diarrhea. Most of them take the medicinal plants orally. The traditional claim that 60% of medicinal plants are antidiarrheal has been confirmed in in vitro studies.

Exploring the chemical composition, in vitro and in silico study of the anticandidal properties of annonaceae species essential oils from the Amazon

Chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) from the leaves of five Annonaceae species found in the amazon region was analyzed by Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The antifungal activity of theses EOs was tested against Candida albicans, Candida auris, Candida famata, Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis. In addition, an in silico study of the molecular interactions was performed using molecular modeling approaches. Spathulenol (29.88%), α-pinene (15.73%), germacra-4(15),5,10(14)-trien-1-α-ol (6.65%), and caryophylene oxide (6.28%) where the major constitents from the EO of Anaxagorea dolichocarpa. The EO of Duguetia echinophora was characterized by β-phellanderene (24.55%), cryptone (12.43%), spathulenol (12.30%), and sabinene (7.54%). The major compounds of the EO of Guatteria scandens where β-pinene (46.71%), α-pinene (9.14%), bicyclogermacrene (9.33%), and E-caryophyllene (8.98%). The EO of Xylopia frutescens was characterized by α-pinene (40.12%) and β-pinene (36.46%). Spathulenol (13.8%), allo-aromadendrene epoxide (8.99%), thujopsan-2-α-ol (7.74%), and muurola-4,10(14)-dien-1-β-ol (7.14%) were the main chemical constituents reported in Xylopia emarginata EO. All EOs were active against the strains tested and the lowest inhibitory concentrations were observed for the EOs of D. echinophora, X. emarginata, and X. frutescens against C. famata the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration values of 0.07, 0.019 and 0.62 μL.mL-1, respectively. The fungicidal action was based on results of minimum fungicidal concentration and showed that the EOs showed fungicide activity against C. tropicalis (2.5 μL.mL-1), C. krusei (2.5 μL.mL-1) and C. auris (5 μL.mL-1), respectively. The computer simulation results indicated that the major compounds of the EOs can interact with molecular targets of Candida spp.

Secondary Metabolites Generated from Saussurea lappa and Ligusticum sinensis Essential Oils by Microwave-Assisted Hydrodistillation: in Silico Molecular Docking and in Vitro Antibacterial Efficacy

In the current study, both the essential oil composition and biological activity of Saussurea lappa and Ligusticum sinensis were investigated by means of microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) and characterized by Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), whereas the antimicrobial efficiency of MAHD essential oils was examined against four pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans responsible for microbial infections. The goal was to spot synergy and a favorable method that gives essential oils to possibly use as alternatives to common antimicrobial agents for the treatment of bacterial infections using a microdilution assay. S. lappa's 21 compounds were characterized by MAHD extraction. Sesquiterpene lactones (39.7 % MAHD) represented the major components, followed by sesquiterpene dialdehyde (25.50 % MAHD), while L. sinensis's 14 compounds were identified by MAHD extraction. Tetrahydroisobenzofurans (72.94 % MAHD) was the predominant compound class. S. lappa essential oil collection showed the strongest antimicrobial activity with MIC values of 16 μg/ml against all pathogens tested, while L. sinensis showed strong antibacterial activity and moderate antifungal activity with MIC values of 32 μg/ml and 500 μg/ml, respectively. The principal components of both oils, (velleral, eremanthin and neocnidilide), were docked into the bacterial histidine kinase (HK) and the fungal heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90).

Araucaria heterophylla oleogum resin essential oil is a novel aldose reductase and butyryl choline esterase enzymes inhibitor: in vitro and in silico evidence

The essential oil isolated by hydrodistillation of the oleogum resin of Araucaria heterophylla has been analyzed by GC-MS. Twenty-four components accounting to 99.89% of the total detected constituents of this essential oil were identified. The major ones were: caryophyllene oxide (14.8%), ( +)-sabinene (12.07%), D-limonene (11.22%), caryophyllene (10.36%), α-copaene (8.00%), β-pinene (6.44%), trans-verbenol (5.88%) and α-pinene oxide (5.18%). The in vitro inhibitory activities of this oil against aldose reductase, BuCHE, COX-2 and SARS-CoV-2 Mpro enzymes were evaluated. This revealed promising inhibitory activity of the essential oil against both aldose reductase and BuCHE enzymes. The molecular docking study of the major components of the Araucaria heterophylla essential oil was carried out to correlate their binding modes and affinities for aldose reductase and BuCHE enzymes with the in vitro results. In conclusion, the in vitro inhibitory activity of the essential oil attributed to the synergistic effect between its components and the in silico study suggested that compounds containing epoxide and hydroxyl groups may be responsible for this activity. This study is preliminary screening for the oil to be used as antidiabetic cataract and Alzheimer's disease therapeutics and further investigations may be required.

Chemical Characterization and Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antiacetylcholinesterase and Antiproliferation Properties of Salvia fruticosa Miller Extracts

The Salvia fruticosa (Mill.) is the most medicinal plant used in Lebanon. The aim of this study is to investigate the phytochemical composition and the biological activities (in vitro) of its extracts. The plant was extracted by cold maceration with four solvents presenting an increasing polarity: cyclohexane (CHX), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and methanol (MeOH). The extracts were screened for their chemical composition by a HPLC-DAD detector for phenolic compounds identification and quantification and by GC-MS for volatile compounds detection. The antioxidant capacity (DPPH inhibition) was tested. Biological activities, mainly anti-Alzheimer activity (acetylcholinesterase inhibition), the antiproliferation of two human colon cancer cell lines (HCT-116 and Caco-2 cells) and antibacterial activity, were evaluated. Ten aromatic compounds were quantified by HPLC-DAD analysis. A total of 123 compounds were detected by GC-MS analysis. The MeOH extract showed a very interesting antioxidant activity with an inhibition percentage (IP) of 76.1% and an IC₅₀ of 19.4 μg/mL. The EtOAc extract exhibited the strongest inhibition against the acetylcholinesterase activity (IP = 60.6%) at 50 μg/mL. It also strongly inhibited the proliferation of the HCT-116 cells (IP = 87.5%), whereas the DCM extract gave the best result with the Caco-2 cells (IP = 72.3%). The best antibacterial activity was obtained with the MeOH extract against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 1.2 μg/mL) and with the EtOAc extract against Escherichia coli (MIC = 2.4 μg/mL). This study highlights the chemical composition and therapeutic potential of S. fruticosa. It is important to mention that the following chemical compounds were identified for the first time in plant extracts: 2,6,11,15-tetramethyl-hexadeca-2,6,8,10,14-pentaene; 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroxy-1,8,8,9-tetramethyl-8,9-dihydrophenaleno [1,2-b]furan-3-one; podocarpa-1,8,11,13-tetraen-3-one,14-isopropyl-1,13-dimethoxy; podocarpa-8,11,13-trien-3-one,12-hydroxy-13-isopropyl-,acetate; 3',8,8'-trimethoxy-3-piperidin-1-yl-2,2'-binaphthyl-1,1',4,4'-tetrone; and 2,3-dehydroferruginol, thus underlining the originality of this study.

Chemical and Biological Studies of Achillea setacea Herba Essential Oil-First Report on Some Antimicrobial and Antipathogenic Features

The essential oil of Achillea setacea was isolated by hydrodistillation and characterized by GC-MS. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Achillea setacea essential oil was evaluated, as well as its biocompatibility (LDH and MTT methods). DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC methods were applied for antioxidant activity evaluation, while qualitative and quantitative assays (inhibition zone diameter, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum fungicidal concentration), NO release (by nitrite concentration determination), and microbial adhesion capacity to the inert substrate (the biofilm microtiter method) were used to investigate the antimicrobial potential. A total of 52 compounds were identified by GC-MS in A. setacea essential oil, representing 97.43% of the total area. The major constituents were borneol (32.97%), 1,8-cineole (14.94%), camphor (10.13%), artemisia ketone (4.70%), α-terpineol (3.23%), and γ-eudesmol (3.23%). With MICs ranging from 0.78 to 30 μg/mL, the A. setacea essential oil proved to inhibit the microbial adhesion and induce the NO release. To the best of our knowledge, the present study reports for the first time the antimicrobial activity of A. setacea EO against clinically and biotechnologically important microbial strains, such as Shigella flexneri, Listeria ivanovii, L. innocua, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida glabrata, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus nigricans, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Alternaria alternata, demonstrating its antimicrobial applications beyond the clinical field.

Active Compounds with Medicinal Potential Found in Maxillariinae Benth. (Orchidaceae Juss.) Representatives-A Review

Orchids are widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of a whole range of different health conditions, and representatives of the Neotropical subtribe Maxillariinae are not an exception. They are utilized, for instance, for their spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory activities. In this work, we analyze the literature concerning the chemical composition of the plant extracts and secretions of this subtribe's representatives published between 1991 and 2022. Maxillariinae is one of the biggest taxa within the orchid family; however, to date, only 19 species have been investigated in this regard and, as we report, they produce 62 semiochemicals of medical potential. The presented review is the first summary of biologically active compounds found in Maxillariinae.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activities of Essential Oils from Vietnamese Traditional Medicinal Plants

Essential oils are promising as environmentally friendly and safe sources of pesticides for human use. Furthermore, they are also of interest as aromatherapeutic agents in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, and inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) has been evaluated as an important mechanism. The essential oils of some species in the genera Callicarpa, Premna, Vitex and Karomia of the family Lamiaceae were evaluated for inhibition of electric eel AChE using the Ellman method. The essential oils of Callicarpa candicans showed promising activity, with IC₅₀ values between 45.67 and 58.38 μg/mL. The essential oils of Callicarpa sinuata, Callicarpa petelotii, Callicarpa nudiflora, Callicarpa erioclona and Vitex ajugifolia showed good activity with IC₅₀ values between 28.71 and 54.69 μg/mL. The essential oils Vitex trifolia subsp. trifolia and Callicarpa rubella showed modest activity, with IC₅₀ values of 81.34 and 89.38, respectively. trans-Carveol showed an IC₅₀ value of 102.88 µg/mL. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were performed on the major components of the studied essential oils to investigate the possible mechanisms of action of potential inhibitors. The results obtained suggest that these essential oils may be used to control mosquito vectors that transmit pathogenic viruses or to support the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant Potential and Toxicity Evaluation of the Essential Oils from Duguetia and Xylopia Species (Annonaceae) from the Brazilian Amazon

The essential oils (EOs) of Duguetia echinophora, D. riparia, Xylopia emarginata and X. frutescens (Annonaceae) were obtained by hydrodistillation and the chemical composition was analyzed by GC-MS. An antioxidant assay using the ABTS and DPPH radicals scavenging method and cytotoxic assays against Artemia salina were also performed. We evaluated the interaction of the major compounds of the most toxic EO (X. emarginata) with the binding pocket of the enzyme Acetylcholinesterase, a molecular target related to toxicity in models of Artemia salina. The chemical composition of the EO of D. echinophora was characterized by β-phellandrene (39.12%), sabinene (17.08%) and terpinolene (11.17%). Spathulenol (22.22%), caryophyllene oxide (12.21%), humulene epoxide II (11.86%) and allo-aromadendrene epoxide (10.20%) were the major constituents of the EO from D. riparia. Spathulenol (5.65%) and caryophyllene oxide (5.63%) were the major compounds of the EO from X. emarginata. The EO of X. frutescens was characterized by α-pinene (20.84%) and byciclogermacrene (7.85%). The results of the radical scavenger DPPH assays ranged from 15.87 to 69.38% and the highest percentage of inhibition was observed for the EO of X. emarginata, while for ABTS radical scavenging, the antioxidant capacity of EOs varied from 14.61 to 63.67%, and the highest percentage of inhibition was observed for the EO of X. frutescens. The EOs obtained from D. echinophora, X. emarginata and X. frutescens showed high toxicity, while the EO of D. riparia was non-toxic. Because the EO of X. emarginata is the most toxic, we evaluated how its major constituents were able to interact with the Acetylcholinesterase enzyme. The docking results show that the compounds are able to bind to the binding pocket through non-covalent interactions with the residues of the binding pocket. The species X. emarginata and X. frutescens are the most promising sources of antioxidant compounds; in addition, the results obtained for preliminary cytotoxicity of the EOs of these species may also indicate a potential biological activity.

Chemical Composition, Antiaging Activities and Molecular Docking Studies of Essential Oils from Acca sellowiana (Feijoa)

This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of essential oils isolated from Acca sellowiana (feijoa) leaves and stems and elaborate on their relevance as natural anti-aging, coupled with molecular-docking studies. The isolated oils were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and investigated for inhibitory effects against acetylcholinesterase, β -secretase, collagenase, elastase and tyrosinase. Molecular-modelling study was performed using MOE-Dock program to evaluate binding interactions of major components with the above-mentioned targets. The leaf oil revealed the predominance of caryophyllene oxide (24.3%), linalool (7.9%), and spathulenol (6.6%), while the stem oil was presented by caryophyllene oxide (38.1%), α-zingiberene (10.1%) and humulene oxide II (6.0%). The stem oil expressed superior inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (IC 50 =0.15±0.01µg/mL), β -secretase (IC 50 =3.99±0.23µg/mL), collagenase (IC 50 =408.10±20.80 µg/mL), elastase (IC 50 =0.17±0.01 μg/mL) and tyrosinase (IC 50 =8.45 ± 0.40µg/mL). The valuable binding interactions and docking scores were observed for caryophyllene oxide and α-zingiberene with acetylcholinesterase. Besides, α-zingibirene followed by linalool and τ-cadinol revealed tight fitting with collagenase and elastase. Additionally, linalool, spathulenol and τ-cadinol showed the best binding energy to tyrosinase. This study provides valuable scientific data on A. sellowiana as potential candidates for the development of natural antiaging formulations.

An Insight into Salvia haematodes L. (Lamiaceae) Bioactive Extracts Obtained by Traditional and Green Extraction Procedures

Even though Salvia is one of the most known genera of the Lamiaceae family, some traditionally used Salvia species are still now less investigated. To that end, the present study aims to evaluate the chemical profile and the potential bioactivities of extracts and related fractions obtained from the endemic sage Salvia haematodes L. by applying a traditional extraction method such as Soxhlet apparatus (SHS) and the rapid solid–liquid dynamic extraction (RSLDE) by Naviglio extractor^® (SHN), considered among the “green techniques” operating at room temperature and with minimum solvent employment and minimum energy. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity was measured by a modified Ellman’s method. The antioxidant activity was investigated by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing ability power (FRAP), and β-carotene bleaching tests. The SHN methanol fraction resulted the most active in all assays in particular in inhibiting lipid peroxidation with IC₅₀ of 1.7 and 1.6 μg/mL, respectively, after 30 and 60 min of incubation. The SHN n-hexane fraction exhibited a selective activity against AChE with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 22.9 μg/mL, while the SHS n-hexane extract was more active against BChE (IC₅₀ of 30.9 μg/mL). Based on these results, these fractions were subjected to further bio-fractionation by Medium Pressure Liquid Chromatography (MPLC) and the relative obtained fractions were investigated for their AChE and BChE inhibitory activity. A comparative analysis with bio-activity and chemical profile was performed. The observed biological effects provided us with a good starting point for further studies on S. haematodes extracts and fractions such as agents beneficial for the treatment of AD.

Chemical Composition of Kickxia aegyptiaca Essential Oil and Its Potential Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

The exploration of new bioactive compounds from natural resources as alternatives to synthetic chemicals has recently attracted the attention of scientists and researchers. To our knowledge, the essential oil (EO) of Kickxia aegyptiaca has not yet been explored. Thus, the present study was designed to explore the EO chemical profile of K. aegyptiaca for the first time, as well as evaluate its antioxidant and antibacterial activities, particularly the extracts of this plant that have been reported to possess various biological activities. The EO was extracted from the aerial parts via hydrodistillation and then characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The extracted EO was tested for its antioxidant activity via the reduction in the free radicals, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). In addition, the EO was tested as an antibacterial mediator against eight Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial isolates. Forty-three compounds were identified in the EO of K. aegyptiaca, with a predominance of terpenoids (75.46%). Oxygenated compounds were the main class, with oxygenated sesquiterpenes attaining 40.42% of the EO total mass, while the oxygenated monoterpenes comprised 29.82%. The major compounds were cuminic aldehyde (21.99%), caryophyllene oxide (17.34%), hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (11.74%), ar-turmerone (8.51%), aromadendrene oxide (3.74%), and humulene epoxide (2.70%). According to the IC₅₀ data, the K. aegyptiaca EO revealed considerable antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 30.48 mg L^-1 and 35.01 mg L^-1 for DPPH and ABTS, respectively. In addition, the EO of K. aegyptiaca showed more substantial antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacterial isolates compared to Gram-negative. Based on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), the EO showed the highest activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus, with an MIC value of 0.031 mg mL^-1. The present study showed, for the first time, that the EO of K. aegyptiaca has more oxygenated compounds with substantial antioxidant and antibacterial activities. This activity could be attributed to the effect of the main compounds, either singular or synergistic. Thus, further studies are recommended to characterize the major compounds, either alone or in combination as antioxidants or antimicrobial agents, and evaluate their biosafety.

Essential Oil, Aroma, and Fatty Acid Profiles of Five Endemic Salvia Taxa from Turkey with Chemometric Analysis

The essential oil, aroma, and fatty acid compositions of Salvia cerino-pruinosa var. cerino-pruinosa, S. cerino-pruinosa var. elazigensis, S. pseudeuphratica, S. rosifolia, and S. kurdica collected in 2015, 2016, and 2017 were analysed by GC-FID, GC/MS/Head Space and GC/MS. The results were evaluated chemometrically for principal component analyses and hierarchical clustering analyses using Minitab program. The main components of their essential oils have been determined as germacrene-D (41.79 % highest for these species), camphor (55.80 %), linalool (33.38 %), caryophyllene oxide (32.99 %), 1,8-cineole (26.30 %) and geraniol acetate (31.63 %), while for aroma 1,8-cineole (45.95 % highest for these species), camphor (58.54 %), D-limonene (40.83 %), linalool (27.67 %) and cis-linalool oxide (25.87 %). Oleic (72.65 % highest for these species), erucic (44.61 %), 2-palmitoleic (42.17 %) and nervonic (32.61 %) acids were determined as major components of their fatty acids. According to the PCA and HCA, the essential oil components of these Salvia taxa unaffected by the years, and accordingly, the Salvia taxa grouped among themselves.

Vapors of Volatile Plant-Derived Products Significantly Affect the Results of Antimicrobial, Antioxidative and Cytotoxicity Microplate-Based Assays

Volatile plant-derived products were observed to exhibit broad spectrum of biological effects. However, due to their volatility, results of conventional microplate-based bioassays can be significantly affected by the vapors. With aim to demonstrate this phenomenon, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of three essential oils (Alpinia elegans, Cinnamomum iners, and Xanthostemon verdugonianus), one supercritical CO2 extract (Nigella sativa), and four plant-derived compounds (capsaicin, caryophyllene oxide, 8-hydroxyquinoline, and thymoquinone) were evaluated in series of experiments including both ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) Capmat sealed and nonsealed microplates. The results clearly illustrate that vapor transition to adjoining wells causes false-positive results of bioassays performed in nonsealed microtiter plates. The microplate layout and a duration of the assay were demonstrated as the key aspects defining level of the results affection by the vapors of volatile agents. Additionally, we reported biological activities and chemical composition of essential oils from A. elegans seeds and X. verdugonianus leaves, which were, according to our best knowledge, analyzed for the first time. Considering our findings, certain modifications of conventional microplate-based assays are necessary (e.g., using EVA Capmat as vapor barrier) to obtain reliable results when biological properties of volatile agents are evaluated.