Heracleum persicum Desf. ex Fisch., C.A.Mey. & Avé-Lall. fruit essential oil: content, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity against ovarian cancer cell line

Comparison of quantity, quality and antibacterial activity of essential oil Mentha longifolia (L.) L. under different traditional and modern extraction methods

Extraction is the first and most important step in obtaining the effective ingredients of medicinal plants. Mentha longifolia (L.) L. is of considerable economic importance as a natural raw material for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Since the effect of different extraction methods (traditional and modern methods) on the quantity, quality and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of this plant has not been done simultaneously; the present study was designed for the first time with the aim of identifying the best extraction method in terms of these features. For this purpose, extracting the essential oil of M. longifolia with the methods of hydrodistillation with Clevenger device (HDC), steam distillation with Kaiser device (SDK), simultaneous distillation with a solvent (SDE), hydrodistillation with microwave device (HDM), pretreatment of ultrasonic waves and Clevenger (U+HDC) and supercritical fluid (SF) were performed. Chemical compounds were identified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Antimicrobial activity of essential oils against various clinical microbial strains was evaluated by agar diffusion method and determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration (MIC and MBC). The results showed that the highest and lowest yields of M. longifolia leaf essential oil belonged to HDC (1.6083%) and HDM (0.3416%). The highest number of compounds belonged to SDK essential oil and was equal to 72 compounds (with a relative percentage of 87.13%) and the lowest number of compounds was related to the SF essential oil sample (7 compounds with a relative percentage of 100%). Piperitenone (25.2-41.38%), piperitenone oxide (22.02-0%), pulegone (10.81-0%) and 1,8-cineole (5-35.0%) are the dominant and main components of M. longifolia essential oil were subjected to different extraction methods. Antimicrobial activity results showed that the lowest MIC value belonged to essential oils extracted by HDM, SDK, SDE and U+HDC methods with a value of 1000 μg/mL was observed against Gram-negative bacteria Shigella dysenteriae, which was 5 times weaker than rifampin and 7 times weaker than gentamicin. Therefore, it can be concluded that in terms of efficiency of the HDC method, in terms of the percentage of compounds of the HDM method, and in terms of microbial activity, the SDK, HDM and U+HDC methods performed better.

Ceragenin-mediated disruption of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

BACKGROUND

Microbial biofilms, as a hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease and other chronic infections, remain a desirable target for antimicrobial therapy. These biopolymer-based viscoelastic structures protect pathogenic organisms from immune responses and antibiotics. Consequently, treatments directed at disrupting biofilms represent a promising strategy for combating biofilm-associated infections. In CF patients, the viscoelasticity of biofilms is determined mainly by their polymicrobial nature and species-specific traits, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa filamentous (Pf) bacteriophages. Therefore, we examined the impact of microbicidal ceragenins (CSAs) supported by mucolytic agents-DNase I and poly-aspartic acid (pASP), on the viability and viscoelasticity of mono- and bispecies biofilms formed by Pf-positive and Pf-negative P. aeruginosa strains co-cultured with Staphylococcus aureus or Candida albicans.

METHODS

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of ceragenins against P. aeruginosa in mono- and dual-species cultures was assessed by determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC). Inhibition of P. aeruginosa mono- and dual-species biofilms formation by ceragenins alone and in combination with DNase I or poly-aspartic acid (pASP) was estimated by the crystal violet assay. Additionally, the viability of the biofilms was measured by colony-forming unit (CFU) counting. Finally, the biofilms' viscoelastic properties characterized by shear storage (G') and loss moduli (G"), were analyzed with a rotational rheometer.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrated that ceragenin CSA-13 inhibits biofilm formation and increases its fluidity regardless of the Pf-profile and species composition; however, the Pf-positive biofilms are characterized by elevated viscosity and elasticity parameters.

CONCLUSION

Due to its microbicidal and viscoelasticity-modifying properties, CSA-13 displays therapeutic potential in biofilm-associated infections, especially when combined with mucolytic agents.

Evaluation of Yield, Chemical Profile, and Antimicrobial Activity of Teucrium polium L. Essential Oil Used in Iranian Folk Medicine

Teucrium polium L. is used to treat many diseases like abdominal pains, indigestion, colds, and reproductive system diseases in Iranian folk medicine. This study was designed to investigate the yield, chemical profile of essential oil, and antibacterial and antifungal activity of this species. The flowering aerial parts of T. polium were collected from the Margh region of Kashan, Iran. The essential oil of the plant was extracted and separated using the Clevenger apparatus and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil against a variety of standard microbial strains was investigated with the Agar well-diffusion method and determination of the lowest growth inhibitory and lethal concentration (MIC and MBC). The results showed that the yield of T. polium essential oil (TPEO) was 0.5778%. Based on the results of GC-MS, 76 compounds (99.3%) were identified in the TPEO, of which α-pinene (9.67%), β-caryophyllene (8.07%), β-pinene (5.04%), nerolidol (4.94%), and oleic acid (4.57%) were the dominant components. The results of antimicrobial tests showed that the TPEO on Staphylococcus aureus created the largest zone of inhibition (~ 14.29 mm). The dominant inhibitory activity of this essential oil was against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (~ 9.00 mm), which was almost similar to rifampin (~ 11 mm). It seems that the predominance of terpenoid and acidic compounds of the essential oil is one of the possible factors of the anti-bacterial activity of this essential oil. Therefore, the TPEO may be a promising and potential strategy to inhibit some bacterial strains.

The anti-spermatogenic activity of nanoliposomes loaded with Heracleum persicum phenolic compounds in Balb/C mice

There are various types of bioactivities that have been reported for Heracleum persicum species, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxicity properties. In the current study, the bio-accessibility of H. persicum bioactive compounds was improved by purifying its phenolic-enriched fractions (PEF) and encapsulating them into nanoliposomes to analyze its cytotoxic impacts on mice testicular tissue and their fertility status. Nano liposomal H. persicum PEF (NL-HPEF) was prepared by ultrasound-based encapsulation of HPEF and L-agranular lecithin mixture. The size, morphology, and stability of NL-HPEF were characterized by dynamic light scattering, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and zeta potential analysis. The 18 white male Balb/c mice (20-25 g) at 3 treatment groups were provided to study the NL-HPPF cytotoxicity by measuring the mice liver enzyme including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ALP and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), testis lipid peroxidation, and testicular tissue destruction levels. Moreover, the mice's fertility was evaluated by studying the Adam3, Prm1, Spata19, and Tnp2 gene expression in the testicular tissues. The obtained results manifested that the synthesized NL-HPEF was stable (193.7 nm) and exhibited a notable cytotoxic impact on the mice's liver (ALT and AST enhancement levels) and testicular tissues. Moreover, their increasing treatment doses impaired the male mice's fertility by decreasing the sperm count, viability, and motility. In addition, fertility suppression was verified by decreasing serum testosterone and downregulating the Adam3, Prm1, Spata19, and Tnp2 gene expression in their testicular tissues. The male mice's fertility was significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed by increasing treatment doses of NL-HPEF. Hence, the NL-HPEF could be considered a promising alternative to replace the male chemical contraceptives drugs.

Chemical Composition, In Vitro Antitumor Effect, and Toxicity in Zebrafish of the Essential Oil from Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist (Asteraceae)

The essential oil from Conyza bonariensis (Asteraceae) aerial parts (CBEO) was extracted by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus and was characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antitumor potential was evaluated against human tumor cell lines (melanoma, cervical, colorectal, and leukemias), as well as non-tumor keratinocyte lines using the MTT assay. The effect of CBEO on the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) was evaluated by DCFH-DA assay, and a protection assay using the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) was also performed. Moreover, the CBEO toxicity in the zebrafish model was assessed. The majority of the CBEO compound was (Z)-2-lachnophyllum ester (57.24%). The CBEO exhibited selectivity towards SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells (half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50 = 18.65 ± 1.16 µg/mL), and induced a significant increase in ROS production. In addition, the CBEO's cytotoxicity against SK-MEL-28 cells was reduced after pretreatment with NAC. Furthermore, after 96 h of exposure, 1.5 µg/mL CBEO induced death of all zebrafish embryos. Non-lethal effects were observed after exposure to 0.50-1.25 µg/mL CBEO. Additionally, significant alterations in the activity of enzymes associated with oxidative stress in zebrafish larvae were observed. These results provide evidence that CBEO has a significant in vitro antimelanoma effect by increasing ROS production and moderate embryotoxicity in zebrafish.

Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities of essential oils from Moroccan medicinal plants: Mentha suaveolens, Lavandula stoechas, and Ammi visnaga

Mentha suaveolens, Lavandula stoechas, and Ammi visnaga are widely used in Moroccan folk medicine against several pathological disorders, including diabetes and infectious diseases. This work was designed to determine the chemical profile of M. suaveolens (MSEO), L. stoechas (LSEO), and A. visnaga (AVEO) essential oils and assess their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic effects. The volatile components of LSEO, AVEO, and MSEO were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The in vitro antidiabetic activity was assessed using α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, while DPPH, FRAP, and β-carotene/linoleic acid methods were used to determine the antioxidant capacity. The antimicrobial activities were investigated using disc diffusion and broth-microdilution assays. GC-MS investigation revealed that the main components were fenchone (29.77 %) and camphor (24.9 %) for LSEO, and linalool (38.29 %) for AVEO, while MSEO was mainly represented by piperitenone oxide (74.55 %). The results of the antimicrobial evaluation showed that all examined essential oils (EOs) had noticeable antimicrobial activity against both bacteria and yeast, especially Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus subtilis. The MIC, MBC, and MFC values were ranged from 0.015 % to 0.5 %. The MBC/MIC and MFC/MIC ratios were less than or equal to 4.0 % (v/v), indicating their noticeable bactericidal and candidacidal efficacy. Moreover, the three EOs showed significant inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase (p < 0.05). It also exerted remarkable activity on FRAP, β-carotene, and DPPH radicals. These findings demonstrated that the tested plants have promising biological activities, validating their ethnomedicinal value and providing potential applications as natural drugs.