Antifungal Effect of Eugenol and Nerolidol against Microsporum gypseum in a Guinea Pig Model

Preparation of Cellulose Fiber Loaded with CuO Nanoparticles for Enhanced Shelf Life and Quality of Tomato Fruit

The present study reports on the preparation of a cellulose fiber (CF) composite from D. lutescens, combined with copper oxide nanoparticles (DL@CF/CuO), to prolong the shelf life of tomatoes after harvest. The isolated cellulose fiber material was comprehensively characterized using XRD, FTIR, and FE-SEM analyses. The DLCF and DL@CF/CuO nanoparticles exhibited crystalline cellulose, as indicated by the XRD investigation. Both DLCF and DL@CF/CuO showed O-H and C-H FTIR spectra with identifiable vibrational peaks. The FE-SEM images depicted the dispersion of DL@CF/CuO-based fibers in a cellulose fiber matrix containing CuO nanoparticles. A 0.3% (wt/wt), a solution of DL@CF/CuO was coated onto the surface of early ripening tomato fruits. After a 25-day storage period at 25-29 °C and 85% RH, the results showed a significant extension in the shelf life of the tomato fruits, in line with changes in physiological properties and fruit quality. The extension of shelf life in tomato fruit epidermis treated with DL@CF/CuO was confirmed through FE-SEM analysis. L929 fibroblast cells were treated with the developed DL@CF/CuO nanocomposite, and no signs of toxicity were detected up to 75 µg/mL. Additionally, the DL@CF/CuO nanocomposite exhibited significant antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights for sustainable food security and waste control in the agricultural and food industries.

Enhancing Trans-Nerolidol Productivity in Yarrowia lipolytica by Improving Precursor Supply and Optimizing Nerolidol Synthase Activity

The low enzymatic capability of terpene synthases and the limited availability of precursors often hinder the productivity of terpenes in microbial hosts. Herein, a systematic approach combining protein engineering and pathway compartmentation was exploited in Yarrowia lipolytica for the high-efficient production of trans-nerolidol, a sesquiterpene with various commercial applications. Through the single-gene overexpression, the reaction catalyzed by nerolidol synthase (FaNES1) was identified as another rate-limiting step. An optimized FaNES1^G498Q was then designed by rational protein engineering using homology modeling and docking studies. Additionally, further improvement of trans-nerolidol production was observed as enhancing the expression of an endogenous carnitine acetyltransferase (CAT2) putatively responsible for acetyl-CoA shuttling between peroxisome and cytosol. To harness the peroxisomal acetyl-CoA pool, a parallel peroxisomal pathway starting with acetyl-CoA to trans-nerolidol was engineered. Finally, the highest reported titer of 11.1 g/L trans-nerolidol in the Y. lipolytica platform was achieved in 5 L fed-batch fermentation with the carbon restriction approach.

Microsporum gypseum Isolated from Ailuropoda melanoleuca Provokes Inflammation and Triggers Th17 Adaptive Immunity Response

Microsporum gypseum causes dermatomycoses in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). This study aimed to investigate the immune response of M. gypseum following deep infection. The degree of damage to the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys was evaluated using tissue fungal load, organ index, and histopathological methods. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) detected the mRNA expression of receptors and cytokines in the lung, and immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry, were used to assess immune cells in the lung. The results indicated that conidia mainly colonized the lungs and caused serious injury with M. gypseum infection. Furthermore, dectin-1, TLR-2, and TLR-4 played a role in recognizing M. gypseum cells. Numerous inflammatory cells, mainly macrophages, dendritic cells, polymorphonuclear neutrophils, and inflammatory cytokines (TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-23), were activated in the early stages of infection. With the high expression of IL-22, IL-17A, and IL-17F, the Th17 pathway exerted an adaptive immune response to M. gypseum infection. These results can potentially aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases caused by M. gypseum in giant pandas.

Polyphenols and Small Phenolic Acids as Cellular Metabolic Regulators

Polyphenols and representative small phenolic acids and molecules derived from larger constituents are dietary antioxidants from fruits, vegetables and largely other plant-based sources that have ability to scavenge free radicals. What is often neglected in polyphenol metabolism is bioavailability and the role of the gut microbiota (GMB), which has an essential role in health and disease and participates in co-metabolism with the host. The composition of the gut microbiota is in constant flux and is modified by multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including antibiotics. Dietary or other factors are key modulators of the host gut milieu. In this review, we explore the role of polyphenols and select phenolic compounds as metabolic or intrinsic biochemistry regulators and explore this relationship in the context of the microbiota–gut–target organ axis in health and disease.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis plasma membrane characterization by EPR spectroscopy and interactions with amphotericin B, miltefosine and nerolidol

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of spin labels was used to characterize the interactions of amphotericin B (AmB), miltefosine (MIL) and nerolidol (NER) with the plasma membrane of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Spin-labeled analogs of stearic acid and steroid androstane distributed into the plasma membrane of the fungus treated with AmB, showed strong interactions with putative AmB/sterol complexes. The observed increase in the EPR parameter 2A_// caused by AmB can be interpreted as a remarkable reduction in the spin label mobility and/or an increase in the local polarity. The 2A_// parameter reduced gradually as the concentration of MIL and NER increased. The membrane-water partition coefficient (K_M/W) of the three compounds under study was estimated based on the minimum concentration of the compounds that causes a change in EPR spectrum. The K_M/W values indicated that the affinity of the compounds for the P. brasiliensis membrane follows the order: AmB > MIL > NER. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were lower than the respective minimum concentrations of the compounds to cause a change in the EPR spectrum, being ∼3.5-fold lower for AmB, 3.9-fold for MIL and ∼1.4-fold for NER. Taken together, the EPR spectroscopy results suggest that the anti-proliferative effects of the three compounds studied are associated with alterations in cell membranes. One of the most likely consequences of these changes would be electrolyte leakage.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Discovery of evodiamine derivatives as potential lead antifungal agents for the treatment of superficial fungal infections

Mycosis, especially superficial fungal infections (SFIs), has been a serious threat to humans in recent years. Evodiamine (EVO), as an effective component of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Evodia rutaecarpa, has good antibacterial effects and low toxicity. In order to find out the potential therapeutic agents against SFIs, a series of EVO derivatives were synthesized and systematic evaluations of antifungal activity were carried out. Among them, compound A7 exhibited great antifungal activity with the values of MIC₁₀₀ were 38, 38 and 2 μg/mL, respectively, against T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and C. albicans, and even stronger than that of ketoconazole (KCZ) with the values of MIC₁₀₀ were 106, 106 and 3 μg/mL, respectively. Further antifungal evaluations in vitro verified that compound A7 indeed had favorable antifungal activity. Moreover, compound A7 could exert excellent antifungal effect on T. rubrum-infected guinea pigs, suggesting that A7 was an attractive molecule and could be a potential lead compound for the development of anti-fungal agents, and providing a great promising therapeutic strategy for fungal disease.

Preparation and Characterization of Blank and Nerolidol-Loaded Chitosan–Alginate Nanoparticles

Recently, there has been a growing interest in using natural products as treatment alternatives in several diseases. Nerolidol is a natural product which has been shown to have protective effects in several conditions. The low water solubility of nerolidol and many other natural products limits their delivery to the body. In this research, a drug delivery system composed of alginate and chitosan was fabricated and loaded with nerolidol to enhance its water solubility. The chitosan–alginate nanoparticles were fabricated using a new method including the tween 80 pre-gelation, followed by poly-ionic crosslinking between chitosan negative and alginate positive groups. Several characterization techniques were used to validate the fabricated nanoparticles. The molecular interactions between the chitosan, alginate, and nerolidol molecules were confirmed using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The ultraviolet spectroscopy showed an absorbance peak of the blank nanoparticles at 200 nm and for the pure nerolidol at 280 nm. Using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy, the nanoparticles were found to be spherical in shape with an average size of 12 nm and 35 nm for the blank chitosan–alginate nanoparticles and the nerolidol-loaded chitosan–alginate nanoparticles, respectively. The nanoparticles were also shown to have a loading capacity of 51.7% and an encapsulation efficiency of 87%. A controlled release profile of the loaded drug for up to 28 h using an in vitro model was also observed, which is more efficient than the free form of nerolidol. In conclusion, chitosan–alginate nanoparticles and nerolidol loaded chitosan–alginate nanoparticles were successfully fabricated and characterized to show potential encapsulation and delivery using an in vitro model.

Olorofim Effectively Eradicates Dermatophytes In Vitro and In Vivo

Superficial fungal infections are prevalent worldwide, with dermatophytes as the most common cause. Various antifungal agents including azoles and allylamines are commonly used to treat dermatophytosis. However, their overuse has yielded drug-resistant strains, calling for the development of novel antimycotic compounds. Olorofim is a newly developed antifungal compound that targets pyrimidine biosynthesis in molds. The purpose of this study was to determine the in vitro and in vivo antifungal effects of olorofim against common dermatophytes. The in vitro activity of olorofim against dermatophytes was assessed by microtiter broth dilution method. Bioinformatic analysis of olorofim binding to dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) of dermatophytes was also performed, using Aspergillus fumigatus DHODH as a template. The in vivo efficacy of the drug was investigated, using a guinea pig model, experimentally infected with Microsporum gypseum. Microtiter assays confirmed the high in vitro sensitivity of dermatophytes to olorofim (MIC = 0.015-0.06 mg/liter). Amino acid sequence analysis indicated that DHODH is highly conserved among dermatophytes. The critical residues, in dermatophytes, involved in olorofim binding were similar to their counterparts in A. fumigatus DHODH, which explains their susceptibility to olorofim. Typical skin lesions of dermatophyte infection were observed in the guinea pig model at 7 days postinoculation. Following 1 week of daily topical administration of olorofim, similar to the clotrimazole group, the skin lesions were resolved and normal hair growth patterns appeared. In light of the in vitro and in vivo activity of olorofim against dermatophytes, this novel agent may be considered as a treatment of choice against dermatophytosis.

Formulation, optimization, and nephrotoxicity evaluation of an antifungal in situ nasal gel loaded with voriconazole‒clove oil transferosomal nanoparticles

Fungal infections of the paranasal cavity are among the most widely spread illnesses nowadays. The aim of the current study was to estimate the effectiveness of an in situ gel loaded with voriconazole‒clove oil nano-transferosomes (VRC-CO-NT) in enhancing the activity of voriconazole against Aspergillus flavus, which causes rhinosinusitis. The nephrotoxic side effects of voriconazole may be reduced through the incorporation of the clove oil, which has antioxidant activity that protects tissue. The Box‒Behnken design was applied to formulate the VRC-CO-NT. The particle size, entrapment efficiency, antifungal inhibition zone, and serum creatinine concentration were considered dependent variables, and the soybean lecithin, VRC, and CO concentrations were considered independent ones. The final optimized formulation was loaded into a deacetylated gellan gum base and evaluated for its gelation, rheological properties, drug release profile, permeation capabilities, and in vivo nephrotoxicity. The optimum formulation was determined to be composed of 50 mg/mL lecithin, 18 mg/mL VRC, and 75 mg/mL CO, with a minimum particle size of 102.96 nm, an entrapment efficiency of 71.70%, an inhibition zone of 21.76 mm, and a serum creatinine level of 0.119 mmol/L. The optimized loaded in situ gel released 82.5% VRC after 12 hours and resulted in a 5.4-fold increase in drug permeation. The in vivo results obtained using rabbits resulted in a nonsignificant differentiation among the renal function parameters compared with the negative control group. In conclusion, nasal in situ gel loaded with VRC-CO-NT is considered an efficient novel carrier with enhanced antifungal properties with no signs of nephrotoxicity.

Volatile phenolics: A comprehensive review of the anti-infective properties of an important class of essential oil constituents

Historically, essential oils and their lead molecules have been extensively recognised for their anti-infective properties. In this context, certain volatile phenolics (VPs) have emerged as important antimicrobial compounds with excellent inhibitory activity against pathogenic bacteria and fungi, which further extends to drug-resistant and biofilm-forming micro-organisms. In this review, we aim to collate and discuss a number of published papers on the anti-infective activities of naturally occurring VPs with special emphasis on eugenol, isoeugenol, thymol and carvacrol, using Scopus Web of Science and PubMed databases. The biosynthesis and extraction of these VPs are discussed, while particular attention is given to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and the mechanisms of action. We highlight combinational studies of the VPs with other phytocompounds and with commercially available drugs, which may be a promising and a rewarding future approach to combat antimicrobial resistance. These VPs alone, or concomitantly with other compounds or drugs, have the potential to be incorporated into different formulations for biomedical applications. An in-depth assessment of 2310 articles retrieved from the Scopus database spanning a 35-year period indicated 23.1% increase in global publication growth in VPs anti-infective research, with authors from Italy, Portugal and Austria dominating the research landscape. The dominant areas of investigations are identified as antimicrobial activity, antibacterial mechanism of action, antifungal mechanism of action, extraction methods and phytochemistry, use in the food industry, and for oral and dental anti-infective activity. Specific research areas, which require future attention include; antituberculosis research, nanoparticle formulation of antimicrobial active VP molecules, preclinical and clinical trials. The antimicrobial testing of isoeugenol was found to be the least studied of the VPs and this requires further attention.

Phytochemical Analysis of the Essential Oils From Aerial Parts of Four Scutellaria “Skullcap” Species Cultivated in South Alabama: Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, S. Barbata D. Don, S. Incana Biehler, and S. Lateriflora L

Scutellaria (skullcap) are important medicinal plants. Scutellaria baicalensis and S.barbata have been used in Chinese traditional medicine, while S. incana and S. lateriflora were used as herbal medicines by Native Americans. In this work, the essential oils of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Scutellaria barbata D. Don , Scutellaria incana Biehler, and Scutellaria lateriflora L. were obtained from plants cultivated in south Alabama and analyzed by gas chromatographic techniques, including chiral gas chromatography. The most abundant components in the Scutellaria essential oils were 1-octen-3-ol (31.2% in S. incana), linalool (6.8% in S. incana), thymol (7.7% in S. barbata), carvacrol (9.3% in S. baicalensis), ( E)-β caryophyllene (11.6% in S. baicalensis), germacrene D (39.3% in S. baicalensis), ( E)-nerolidol (10.5% in S. incana), palmitic acid (15.6% in S. barbata), phytol (19.7% in S. incana), and linolenic acid (8.0% in S. barbata). These analyses of the essential oil compositions and enantiomeric ratios of predominant aromatic molecules add to our understanding of the medicinal phytochemistry of the genus Scutellaria.

Chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive potentials of ρ-coumaric acid - Squid chitosan nanogel loaded with Syzygium aromaticum essential oil

One of the most important trends in chemotherapy is the development of green chemotropic drugs with maximal activity and minimal side effects. The nanoencapsulation of phytochemical oils with natural polymers has been documented as a promising approach to producing nanodrugs with sustainable bioactivity and prolonged stability. In this context, Syzygium aromaticum essential oil (SAEO) and ultrasound-assisted deacetylated chitosan (UCS₃) were successfully extracted from clove buds and squid pens, respectively. Grafting of UCS₃ by ρ-coumaric acid (ρCA) has been performed to fabricate the ρCACS nanogel which was used for nanoencapsulation of SAEO to yield SAEO-loaded nanogel (ρCACS@SAEO). The findings of spectral, thermal, and morphological analyses have confirmed the success of the formation of new materials and SAEO encapsulation, as well. Based on the findings of the in vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer studies, the nanoencapsulation of SAEO by ρCACS has significantly boosted its chemotherapeutic effects, compared to unencapsulated oil. Therefore, ρCACS@SAEO nanogel could be considered as a multifunctional chemotherapeutic/chemopreventive agent for prevention or therapy of pathologies induced by oxidative stress, microbial infection, and breast and skin cancer.

Pharmacological Properties and Health Benefits of Eugenol: A Comprehensive Review

The biologically active phytochemicals are sourced from edible and medicinally important plants and are important molecules being used for the formulation of thousands of drugs. These phytochemicals have great benefits against many ailments particularly the inflammatory diseases or oxidative stress-mediated chronic diseases. Eugenol (EUG) is a versatile naturally occurring molecule as phenolic monoterpenoid and frequently found in essential oils in a wide range of plant species. EUG bears huge industrial applications particularly in pharmaceutics, dentistry, flavoring of foods, agriculture, and cosmeceutics. It is being focused recently due to its great potential in preventing several chronic conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared EUG as a nonmutant and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) molecule. The available literature about pharmacological activities of EUG shows remarkable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties and has a significant effect on human health. The current manuscript summarizes the pharmacological characteristics of EUG and its potential health benefits.

Determination of the Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Lavatera thuringiaca L. Medicinal Herb Material Extracted under Subcritical Conditions by the Liquid Carbon Dioxide Method

This article presents the composition of the components of Lavatera thuringiaca L. (Malvaceae Juss. family), which has a certain antibacterial effect. The plant collection was carried out in the Shamalgan gorge of Mountain Range of the Trans-Ili Alatau in the territory of the Karasay district of the Almaty region, in the flowering phase. A CO₂ extract of the aboveground part of the medicinal plant Lavatera thuringiaca L. was obtained under subcritical conditions and, for the first time, studied for its component composition and antimicrobial activity. Determination of the chemical composition of the extract was carried out by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). To identify the obtained mass spectra, we used the Wiley 7^th edition and the NIST'02 data library. To determine the antimicrobial and antifungal activity, standard test strains of microorganisms were used: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538-P, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Streptococcus pneumonia ATCC 660, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. In the composition of thick CO₂Lavatera thuringiaca L. extract, the content of 31 components was proven: spathulenol 6.97%, pulegone 5 08%, cis-β-farnesene 7.63%, verbenone 1.93%, α-bisabolol oxide B 9.65%, bisabolol oxide A 8.26%, α-bisabolol 1.36%, linolenic acid, ethyl ether 3.15%, phytol 2.49%, herniarin 5.61%, linolenic acid 9.38%, linoleic acid 6.95%, myristic acid 2.33%, and elaidic acid 2.57%. Antimicrobial activity studies have shown that the CO₂ extract of Lavatera thuringiaca L. has a pronounced effect against clinically significant microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Streptococcus pneumonia, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. During testing, the method of serial dilutions proved that the extract of Lavatera thuringiaca L. has a bactericidal effect on Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration of 0.83 μg/μl, on Escherichia coli at a concentration of 3.33 μg/μl, on Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a concentration of 0.83 μg/μl, on Streptococcus pneumoniae at a concentration of 1.67 μg/μl, on a clinical isolate of Staphylococcus haemolyticus at a concentration of 26.65 μg/μl, on Staphylococcus saprophyticus at a concentration of 6.67 μg/μl, and against Klebsiella pneumoniae at a concentration of 13.36 μg/μl. The test result showed that the extract also has fungicidal activity against the test culture of Candida albicans at a concentration of 0.21 μg/μl. At tests, the disc diffusion method proved that the extract has antimicrobial activity with high values of the growth suppression zone exceeding 15 mm. The zones of growth retardation of the test strains were 19.33 ± 1.15 for Staphylococcus aureus; 17.33 ± 3.21 for Escherichia coli; 15.67 ± 0.57 for Pseudomonas aeruginosa; 20.0 ± 1.0 for Streptococcus pneumoniae; 16.0 ± 2.64 for Klebsiella pneumoniae; 15.0 ± 1.0 for Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and 22.0 ± 1.73 for Candida albicans. In relation to the clinical isolate of Staphylococcus haemolyticus, the extract has a bacteriostatic effect.

Development, optimization and characterization of nanoemulsion loaded with clove oil-naftifine antifungal for the management of tinea

Tinea is a common superficial infection caused by keratinophylic fungi called dermatophytes. The objective of the current investigation was to develop and optimize a self-nanoemulsion drug delivery system (SENDDs) using clove oil loaded with naftifine (NF). Clove oil possesses good anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties that can support naftifine action. Box–Behnken designs were used to prepare plain and naftifine loaded SENDDs. The plain SENDDs were evaluated for their globule size. The medicated formulations (NF-CO-SENDDs) were characterized by measuring their globular size, ex vivo % NF permeated, level of interleukin-31 in rats, and antifungal activity. The optimum clove oil level was found to be 10–17%, while NF-CO-SENDDs formulations displayed globular sizes ranging from 119 to 310 nm. The statistical design confirmed the synergistic effect of clove oil and NF in the treatment of fungal infections, confirming that the anti-inflammatory effect of clove oil can counteract the side effects of NF. The optimized formulation composed of 14% clove oil, 12.5 mg Naftifine, and prepared with an Smix ratio equaling 3:1, exhibited good antifungal and anti-inflammatory activity, achieving up to 2-, 3-, 5.75-, and 2.74-fold increases in the amount of permeated NF, steady-state flux, permeability, and diffusion coefficients, respectively, compared with a commercial product. Moreover, the optimum formulation revealed an adequate zeta potential value of 28.31 ± 1.37 mV and showed reasonable stability with no or mild signs of skin sensitivity. Therefore, the designed nanoemulsions containing a combination of clove oil and naftifine could be considered promising delivery systems for the treatment of tinea.

Use of Essential Oils in Veterinary Medicine to Combat Bacterial and Fungal Infections

Essential oils (EOs) are secondary metabolites of plants employed in folk medicine for a long time thanks to their multiple properties. In the last years, their use has been introduced in veterinary medicine, too. The study of the antibacterial properties of EOs is of increasing interest, because therapies with alternative drugs are welcome to combat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant strains. Other issues could be resolved by EOs employment, such as the presence of antibiotic residues in food of animal origin and in environment. Although the in vitro antimicrobial activity of EOs has been frequently demonstrated in studies carried out on bacterial and fungal strains of different origins, there is a lack of information about their effectiveness in treating infections in animals. The scientific literature reports some studies about in vitro EOs' activity against animal clinical bacterial and fungal isolates, but in vivo studies are very scanty. The use of EOs in therapy of companion and farm animals should follow careful studies on the toxicity of these natural products in relation to animal species and route of administration. Moreover, considering the different behavior of EOs in relation to both species and strain pathogen, before starting a therapy, an aromatogram should be executed to choose the oil with the best antimicrobial activity.

Comparison of volatile compounds in different parts of fresh Amomum villosum Lour. from different geographical areas using cryogenic grinding combined HS-SPME-GC-MS

BACKGROUND

The essential oil is one of the main active ingredients of Amomum villosum Lour. However, volatile compounds are easily lost during the drying, storage and even sample preparation procedure. Therefore, using fresh samples can obtain more accurately data for qualitative and comparative analysis.

METHODS

In this study, the volatile compounds in different parts of fresh A. villosum from different origins were systemic analyzed and compared by using cryogenic grinding combined HS-SPME-GC-MS for the first time. GC-MS analyses were performed on a 6890 Series GC instrument coupled to a 5973 N mass spectrometer. The volatile compounds were extracted by the SPME fiber (100 μm PDMS). Analytes separation was achieved on a HP-5MS capillary column. The oven temperature was initially programmed at 70 °C, then raised 4 °C/min to reach 125 °C and then programmed at 0.5 °C/min to 133 °C, then at 6 °C/min to 170 °C and finally, at 20 °C/min to 280 °C held for 2 min. The temperatures of the injection port, ion source and transfer line were set at 250 °C, 230 °C and 280 °C, respectively.

RESULTS

Forty-eight main compounds were identified in different parts of fresh A. villosum. The most abundant components in fresh fruit samples were camphor (3.91%), bornyl acetate (10.53%), caryophyllene (8.70%), β-bisabolene (11.50%), (E)-nerolidol (14.82%) and cubenol (10.04%). This is quite different with that of dried samples analyzed in our previous work. As different parts of the same plant, many common components with biological activities were detected in fruit and other parts. In principle components analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), four parts of A. villosum were divided into different groups clearly. Additionally, fruit and root samples also could be divided into two subgroups (HCA) in accordance with their regions.

CONCLUSION

The developed method was successfully used for qualitative and comparative analysis of volatile compounds in fresh A. villosum samples. Additionally, using fresh samples can obtain much more information which is helpful for their performance in the fields of functional foods, agriculture and biomedical industry. Furthermore, our research is helpful for comprehensive utilization and quality control of A. villosum.

Antifungal Properties of Nerolidol-Containing Liposomes in Association with Fluconazole

(1) Background: Infections by Candida species represent a serious threat to the health of immunocompromised individuals. Evidence has indicated that nerolidol has significant antifungal properties. Nonetheless, its use is restricted due to a low water solubility and high photosensitivity. The incorporation into liposomes may represent an efficient alternative to improve the physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties of this compound. The present study aimed to characterize the antifungal properties of liposomal nerolidol, alone or in combination with fluconazole. Of note, this is the first study reporting the antifungal activity of liposomal nerolidol and its potentiating effect in association with fluconazole. (2) Methods: The Inhibitory Concentration 50%-IC₅₀ and minimum fungicide concentrations (MFC) of the substances against Candida albicans (CA), Candida tropicalis (CT), and Candida krusei (CK) were established by subculture in a solid medium. To evaluate the antifungal-enhancing effect, the MFC of fluconazole was determined in the presence or absence of subinhibitory concentrations of nerolidol (free or liposomal). The analysis of fungal dimorphism was performed through optical microscopy and the characterization of liposomes was carried out considering the vesicular size, polydispersion index, and zeta medium potential, in addition to a scanning electron microscopy analysis. (3) Results: The physicochemical characterization revealed that liposomes were obtained as homogenous populations of spherical vesicles. The data obtained in the present study indicate that nerolidol acts as an antifungal agent against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis, in addition to potentiating (only in the liposomal form) the effect of fluconazole. However, the compound had little inhibitory effect on fungal dimorphism. (4) Conclusions: The incorporation of nerolidol into liposomes improved its antifungal-modulating properties.

Star anise (Illicium verum): Chemical compounds, antiviral properties, and clinical relevance

Medicinal herbs are one of the imperative sources of drugs all over the world. Star anise (Illicium verum), an evergreen, medium-sized tree with star-shaped fruit, is an important herb with wide distribution throughout southwestern parts of the Asian continent. Besides its use as spice in culinary, star anise is one of the vital ingredients of the Chinese medicinal herbs and is widely known for its antiviral effects. It is also the source of the precursor molecule, shikimic acid, which is used in the manufacture of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), an antiviral medication for influenza A and influenza B. Besides, several other molecules with numerous biological benefits including the antiviral effects have been reported from the same plant. Except the antiviral potential, star anise possesses a number of other potentials such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, anthelmintic, insecticidal, secretolytic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, sedative properties, expectorant and spasmolytic, and estrogenic effects. This review aimed to integrate the information on the customary attributes of the plant star anise with a specific prominence on its antiviral properties and the phytochemical constituents along with its clinical aptness.

Medicinal Properties of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids in Cannabis, and Benefits in Migraine, Headache, and Pain: An Update on Current Evidence and Cannabis Science

BACKGROUND

Comprehensive literature reviews of historical perspectives and evidence supporting cannabis/cannabinoids in the treatment of pain, including migraine and headache, with associated neurobiological mechanisms of pain modulation have been well described. Most of the existing literature reports on the cannabinoids Δ⁹ -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), or cannabis in general. There are many cannabis strains that vary widely in the composition of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other compounds. These components work synergistically to produce wide variations in benefits, side effects, and strain characteristics. Knowledge of the individual medicinal properties of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids is necessary to cross-breed strains to obtain optimal standardized synergistic compositions. This will enable targeting individual symptoms and/or diseases, including migraine, headache, and pain.

OBJECTIVE

Review the medical literature for the use of cannabis/cannabinoids in the treatment of migraine, headache, facial pain, and other chronic pain syndromes, and for supporting evidence of a potential role in combatting the opioid epidemic. Review the medical literature involving major and minor cannabinoids, primary and secondary terpenes, and flavonoids that underlie the synergistic entourage effects of cannabis. Summarize the individual medicinal benefits of these substances, including analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

CONCLUSION

There is accumulating evidence for various therapeutic benefits of cannabis/cannabinoids, especially in the treatment of pain, which may also apply to the treatment of migraine and headache. There is also supporting evidence that cannabis may assist in opioid detoxification and weaning, thus making it a potential weapon in battling the opioid epidemic. Cannabis science is a rapidly evolving medical sector and industry with increasingly regulated production standards. Further research is anticipated to optimize breeding of strain-specific synergistic ratios of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other phytochemicals for predictable user effects, characteristics, and improved symptom and disease-targeted therapies.

Exploration of Fungal Lipase as Direct Target of Eugenol through Spectroscopic Techniques

BACKGROUND

Fungal lipase dependent processes are important for their pathogenicity. Lipases can therefore be explored as direct target of promising herbal antifungals.

OBJECTIVE

We explored Aspergillus niger lipase as a direct target of eugenol through spectroscopic techniques and compare results with Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme to comment on selectivity of eugenol towards lipase.

METHODS

In vitro activity assays of lipase are used to determine concentration ranges. UV-Visible, Fluorescence and Circular dichroism spectroscopy were employed to determine binding constant, stoichiometric binding sites and structural changes in Lipase, BSA and lysozyme following incubation with varying concentrations of eugenol.

RESULTS

In activity assays 50% inhibition of lipase was obtained at 0.913 mmoles/litre eugenol. UV-vis spectroscopy shows formation of lipase-eugenol, Bovine Serum Albumin-eugenol and lysozyme-eugenol complex well below this concentration of eugenol. Eugenol binding caused blue shift with Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme suggestive of compaction, and red shift with lipase. Negative ellipticity decreased with lipase but increased with Bovine Serum Albumineugenol and lysozyme-eugenol complexes suggesting loss of helical structure for lipase and compaction for Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme. Binding of eugenol to lipase was strong (Ka= 4.7 x 106 M-1) as compared to Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme. The number of stoichiometric eugenol binding sites on lipase was found to be 2 as compared to 1.37 (Bovine Serum Albumin) and 0.32 (lysozyme). Docking results also suggest strong binding of eugenol with lipase followed by Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme.

CONCLUSION

Eugenol is found to be effective inhibitor and disruptor of secondary and tertiary structure of lipase, whereas its binding to Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme is found to be weak and less disruptive of structures suggesting selectivity of eugenol towards lipase.

Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Pimenta dioica and Rosmarinus officinalis Essential Oils

Essential oils (EOs) are natural products composed of a mixture of volatile and aromatic compounds extracted from different parts of plants that have shown antimicrobial activities against pathogens. In this study, EOs extracted from Pimenta dioica (Myrtaceae) and Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae) were assessed for their antimicrobial activities using a panel of pathogenic Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and fungal strains. The antimicrobial activity was measured by the minimal inhibitory concentration required for the growth inhibition of the microorganisms. The cytotoxicity of the EOs was tested ex vivo using the model of human-derived macrophage THP-1 cells. In addition, an inflammatory response was evaluated using the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. Results showed that both EOs had antimicrobial activity and different pathogens were exposed to concentrations ranging between 600 and 2000 μg/mL. In addition, the EOs showed no inflammatory activity when exposed to human macrophages, but a potent anti-inflammatory activity was measured when the oil from Rosmarinus officinalis was exposed to macrophages. This study demonstrates that the use of EOs is an effective alternative for pathogenic bacterial and fungal control, alone or in combination with antibiotic therapy. Moreover, the oil extracted from Rosmarinus officinalis could be used as potent anti-inflammatory agent.

Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae) Aerial Parts at Flowering Period

Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae) is a Brazilian native bush tree, and its leaf essential oil has been reported to possess some biological activities, but the antimicrobial activity of its aerial part essential oil at the flowering period is unknown or little studied, mainly against agents that cause foodborne diseases. Thus, this study aimed to determine the chemical composition and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of B. dracunculifolia aerial part at flowering period. This essential oil was obtained by hydro distillation and its chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, and minimum fungicidal concentration of the essential oil were evaluated against eight bacteria and eight fungi using 96-well microtiter plates. The essential oil yield was 1.8 ± 0.07%, and spathulenol (27%) and trans-nerolidol (23%), both oxygenated sesquiterpenes, were the major compounds found among 30 chemical constituents identified. The essential oil presented bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities, mainly against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and also fungistatic and fungicidal activities. However, its antibacterial activity was more effective than the antifungal one by using the essential oil at lower concentrations. Essential oil of B. dracunculifolia may be a potential alternative for food applications in order to reduce synthetic chemicals in a more sustainable food industry.

Recent development in antihyperalgesic effect of phytochemicals: anti-inflammatory and neuro-modulatory actions

INTRODUCTION

Pain is an unpleasant sensation triggered by noxious stimulation. It is one of the most prevalent conditions, limiting productivity and diminishing quality of life. Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used as pain relievers in present day practice as pain is mostly initiated due to inflammation. However, due to potentially serious side effects, long term use of these antihyperalgesic drugs raises concern. Therefore there is a demand to search novel medicines with least side effects. Herbal products have been used for centuries to reduce pain and inflammation, and phytochemicals are known to cause fewer side effects. However, identification of active phytochemicals of herbal medicines and clear understanding of the molecular mechanism of their action is needed for clinical acceptance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this review, we have briefly discussed the cellular and molecular changes during hyperalgesia via inflammatory mediators and neuro-modulatory action involved therein. The review includes 54 recently reported phytochemicals with antihyperalgesic action, as per the literature available with PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus.

CONCLUSION

Compounds of high interest as potential antihyperalgesic agents are: curcumin, resveratrol, capsaicin, quercetin, eugenol, naringenin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Current knowledge about molecular targets of pain and their regulation by these phytochemicals is elaborated and the scope of further research is discussed.

Eugenol Induces Phenotypic Alterations and Increases the Oxidative Burst in Cryptococcus

Eugenol is a phenolic compound and the main constituent of the essential oil of clove India. Although there are reports of some pharmacological effects of eugenol, this study is the first that proposes to evaluate the antifungal effects of this phenol against both Cryptococcus gattii and C. neoformans cells. The effect of eugenol against yeast cells was analyzed for drug susceptibility, alterations in cell diameter, capsule properties, amounts of ergosterol, oxidative burst, and thermodynamics data. Data demonstrated that there is no interaction between eugenol and fluconazole and amphotericin B. Eugenol reduced the cell diameter and the capsule size, increased cell surface/volume, changed positively the cell surface charge of cryptococcal cells. We also verified increased levels of reactive oxygen species without activation of antioxidant enzymes, leading to increased lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and reduction of lysosomal integrity in cryptococcal cells. Additionally, the results showed that there is no significant molecular interaction between eugenol and C. neoformans. Morphological alterations, changes of cellular superficial charges and oxidative stress play an important role in antifungal activity of eugenol against C. gattii and C. neoformans that could be used as an auxiliary treatment to cutaneous cryptococcosis.

In Vivo Evaluation of Galla chinensis Solution in the Topical Treatment of Dermatophytosis

Aim

Dermatophytosis is one of the main fungal diseases in humans and animals all over the world. Galla chinensis, a traditional medicine, has various pharmacological effects. The goal of this study was to evaluate the treatment effect of Galla chinensis solution (GCS) on dermatophytosis-infected dogs (Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, resp.).

Methods

The treatment effects of GCS were evaluated by mycological cure rates and clinical score comprised of three indices, including inflammation, hair loss, and lesion scale.

Results

The results showed that, in the three models of dermatophytosis, GCS significantly (P < 0.05) improved skin lesions and fungal eradication. GCS (10% and 5%) had higher efficacy compared to the positive control (Tujingpi Tincture). The fungal eradication efficacy exceeds 85% after treatment with GCS (10%, 5%, and 2.5%) on day 14.

Conclusion

The GCS has antidermatophytosis effect in dogs, which may be a candidate drug for the treatment of dermatophytosis.

Natural Products: An Alternative to Conventional Therapy for Dermatophytosis?

The increased incidence of fungal infections, associated with the widespread use of antifungal drugs, has resulted in the development of resistance, making it necessary to discover new therapeutic alternatives. Among fungal infections, dermatophytoses constitute a serious public health problem, affecting 20-25 % of the world population. Medicinal plants represent an endless source of bioactive molecules, and their volatile and non-volatile extracts are clearly recognized for being the historical basis of therapeutic health care. Because of this, the research on natural products with antifungal activity against dermatophytes has considerably increased in recent years. However, despite the recognized anti-dermatophytic potential of natural products, often advantageous face to commercial drugs, there is still a long way to go until their use in therapeutics. This review attempts to summarize the current status of anti-dermatophytic natural products, focusing on their mechanism of action, the developed pharmaceutical formulations and their effectiveness in human and animal models of infection.

Nerolidol: A Sesquiterpene Alcohol with Multi-Faceted Pharmacological and Biological Activities

Nerolidol (3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol) is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alcohol that is present in various plants with a floral odor. It is synthesized as an intermediate in the production of (3E)-4,8-dimethy-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT), a herbivore-induced volatile that protects plants from herbivore damage. Chemically, nerolidol exists in two geometric isomers, a trans and a cis form. The usage of nerolidol is widespread across different industries. It has been widely used in cosmetics (e.g., shampoos and perfumes) and in non-cosmetic products (e.g., detergents and cleansers). In fact, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also permitted the use of nerolidol as a food flavoring agent. The fact that nerolidol is a common ingredient in many products has attracted researchers to explore more medicinal properties of nerolidol that may exert beneficial effect on human health. Therefore, the aim of this review is to compile and consolidate the data on the various pharmacological and biological activities displayed by nerolidol. Furthermore, this review also includes pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies of nerolidol. In summary, the various pharmacological and biological activities demonstrated in this review highlight the prospects of nerolidol as a promising chemical or drug candidate in the field of agriculture and medicine.

Guterres Z, Violante IM, Lopes TF, Garcez WS, Garcez FR. Evaluation of mutagenic and antimicrobial properties of brown propolis essential oil from the Brazilian Cerrado biome

Biological, and particularly antimicrobial, activities have been demonstrated for the essential oil of propolis samples worlwide, yet their mutagenic effects remain unknown. To correlate antimicrobial effects with mutagenic risks, the present study evaluated the antifungal and antibacterial activities of the essential oil obtained from brown propolis collected from the Cerrado biome in Midwest Brazil (EOP), testing it against nine pathogenic microorganisms. Evaluation of mutagenic potential was based on the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) performed on wing cells of standard (ST) and high-bioactivation (HB) crosses of Drosophila melanogaster. EOP was extracted by hydrodistillation, and sesquiterpenes were characterized by GC⿿MS as its major constituents. The crude oil proved active against Cryptococcus neoformans and Enterococcus faecalis, as did two of its major constituents, spathulenol and (E)-nerolidol ⿿ the latter being also active against Staphylococcus aureus ⿿ isolated using chromatographic procedures. No significant increase in the number of somatic mutations was observed in the offspring of ST or HB crosses ⿿ the latter exhibiting enhanced levels of metabolizing enzymes of the cytochrome P450 type ⿿ treated with 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2% EOP. These findings revealed no mutagenic activity of EOP, even when tested against the HB strain, and demonstrated that its antimicrobial activities are not associated with DNA damage induction (investigated with SMART), suggesting the potential of EOP as a natural preservative.

Expression of IPT in Asakura-sanshoo (Zanthoxylum piperitum (L.) DC. f. inerme Makino) Alters Tree Architecture, Delays Leaf Senescence, and Changes Leaf Essential Oil Composition

The IPT gene encodes isopentenyl pyrophosphate transferase, a key enzyme in cytokinin biosynthesis. We introduced IPT under the control of the CaMV35S promoter into Asakura-sanshoo (Zanthoxylum piperitum (L.) DC. f. inerme Makino) via stable Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Three of 3-year-old transgenic Asakura-sanshoo lines Y5, Y16, and Y17 were used to evaluate the effects of IPT expression on the morphological characteristics, leaf senescence, and essential oil composition. Introduced IPT into Asakura-sanshoo stimulated an increase in cytokinin content and a decrease in auxin level. The increase in the cytokinin/auxin ratio affected the tree architecture in 3-year-old transgenic lines. The phenotypes of transgenic lines included reduced stem elongation, decreased leaf surface area, increased branching, and delayed leaf senescence. The expression of IPT in Asakura-sanshoo also affected the leaf essential oil composition. The amount of oxygenated sesquiterpenoid compounds in Y5 and Y16 was 21.1 and 15.8 % higher, respectively, than that in wild type (WT). The amount of aromatic compounds in Y5 and Y16 was 2.9 and 24.6 % lower, respectively, than that in WT. These results show that ipt expression in Asakura-sanshoo conferred desirable traits, including a dwarf growth habit, delayed senescence, and increased concentrations of some sesquiterpenoid compounds.

Antifungal activity of chitooligosaccharides against the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum

Antifungal activity against the dermatophytic fungus Trichophyton rubrum by a well-characterized chitooligosaccharides (COS) sample, hydrolyzed using a recombinant chitosanase, was investigated in vitro and in vivo. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of COS ranged between 0.25 and 0.50%, which was measured using a microdilution method. Analysis of inhibition rates using an agar diffusion method showed that treatment with 0.5% and 1% COS significantly suppressed T. rubrum cell growth (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively, in comparison with untreated control). Morphological changes and structural alterations of cells were observed by TEM. In vivo efficacy of COS in treatment of T. rubrum dermatophytosis was evaluated using a guinea pig model. Skin lesion scores revealed a strong, dose-dependent therapeutic effect of COS. The 5% COS group showed a reduction of skin lesions even greater than that of the positive control group treated with 1% fluconazole (FCZ). Histological analysis revealed no inflammation or tissue destruction in the groups treated with 5% COS or 1% FCZ. Hyperkeratosis was also observed, perhaps resulting from a defensive response of the tissue cells to COS. The findings indicate that COS has excellent potential for development of novel antifungal drugs for clinical treatment/remission of dermatophytoses.

Activity of tea tree oil and nerolidol alone or in combination against Pediculus capitis (head lice) and its eggs

Head lice infestation is an emerging social problem in undeveloped and developed countries. Because of louse resistance increasing, several long-used insecticidal compounds have lost their efficacy, and alternatives, such as essential oils, have been proposed to treat this parasitic infestation. The present study investigated the efficacy of two natural substances: tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil and nerolidol (3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol) against lice and its eggs. Products were used alone and in combination (ratio 1:1 and 1:2) from 8 % dilution. The in vitro effect of natural substances at different concentrations were evaluated against 69 head lice (adults and nymphs) and 187 louse eggs collected from school children in Chieti-Pescara (Central Italy) over a 6-month period. The lice mortality was evaluated for 24 h by a stereo light microscope. The ovicidal activity was monitored by microscopic inspections for 15 days. Tea tree oil was more effective than nerolidol against head lice with 100 % mortality at 30 min and 1 % concentration. On the contrary, nerolidol expressed a more pronounced ovicidal activity inducing the failure of 50 % of the eggs to hatch at 1 % concentration after 4 days; the same effect was achieved by using a twice concentration of tea tree oil. The association of the two substances both in ratios 1:1 and 1:2 combined efficaciously their insecticidal and ovicidal effect; in particular, the ratio 1:2 (tea tree oil 0.5 % plus nerolidol 1 %) acted producing both the death of all head lice at 30 min and the abortive effect of louse eggs after 5 days. These results offer new potential application of natural compounds and display a promising scenario in the treatment of pediculosis resistant cases. The development of novel pediculicides containing essential oils could be, in fact, an important tool to control the parasitic infestation.

Eugenol--from the remote Maluku Islands to the international market place: a review of a remarkable and versatile molecule

Eugenol is a major volatile constituent of clove essential oil obtained through hydrodistillation of mainly Eugenia caryophyllata (=Syzygium aromaticum) buds and leaves. It is a remarkably versatile molecule incorporated as a functional ingredient in numerous products and has found application in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, fragrance, flavour, cosmetic and various other industries. Its vast range of pharmacological activities has been well-researched and includes antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-oxidant and anticancer activities, amongst others. In addition, it is widely used in agricultural applications to protect foods from micro-organisms during storage, which might have an effect on human health, and as a pesticide and fumigant. As a functional ingredient, it is included in many dental preparations and it has also been shown to enhance skin permeation of various drugs. Eugenol is considered safe as a food additive but due to the wide range of different applications, extensive use and availability of clove oil, it is pertinent to discuss the general toxicity with special reference to contact dermatitis. This review summarises the pharmacological, agricultural and other applications of eugenol with specific emphasis on mechanism of action as well as toxicity data.

Evaluation of antifungal activity in essential oil of the Syzygium aromaticum (L.) by extraction, purification and analysis of its main component eugenol

Antifungal properties of some essential oils have been well documented. Clove oil is reported to have strong antifungal activity against many fungal species. In this study we have evaluated antifungal potential of essential oil of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) against some common fungal pathogens of plants and animals namely, Fusarium moniliforme NCIM 1100, Fusarium oxysporum MTCC 284, Aspergillus sp., Mucor sp., Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum gypseum. All fungal species were found to be inhibited by the oil when tested through agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for all the species. Column chromatography was performed to separate the eugenol rich fraction from clove oil. Out of seven fractions maximum activity was obtained in column fraction II. TLC and HPLC data confirmed presence of considerable Eugenol in fraction II and clove oil. Microscopic study on effect of clove oil and column fraction II on spores of Mucor sp. and M. gypseum showed distortion and shrinkage while it was absent in other column fractions. So it can be concluded that the antifungal action of clove oil is due to its high eugenol content.

Nerolidol effects on mitochondrial and cellular energetics

In the present work, we evaluated the potential toxic effects of nerolidol, a sesquiterpenoid common in plants essential oils, both on mitochondrial and cellular energetics. Samples of enriched natural extracts of nerolidol (a racemic mixture of cis and trans isomers) were tested on rat liver mitochondria and a decrease in phosphorylative system was observed but not in the mitochondrial respiratory chain activity, which reflects a direct effect on F1-ATPase. Hence, respiratory control ratio was also decreased. Cellular ATP/ADP levels were significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner, possibly due to the direct effect of nerolidol on F(0)F(1)-ATPsynthase. Nerolidol stimulates respiratory activity probably due to an unspecific effect, since it does not show any protonophoric effect. Furthermore, we observed that mitochondrial permeability transition was delayed in the presence of nerolidol, possibly due to its antioxidant activity and because this compound decreases mitochondrial transmembrane electric potential. Our results also show that, in human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2), nerolidol both induces cell death and arrests cell growth, probably related with the observed lower bioenergetic efficiency.

Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil from Asteriscus graveolens against Postharvest Phytopathogenic Fungi in Apples

The essential oils of the aerial parts of Asteriscus graveolens have been studied using GC and GC-MS. Twenty-eight compounds were identified in the essential oil amounting to 94.9% of the total oil. The aerial part oils showed similar chromatographic profiles and were characterized by having a high content of oxygenated sesquiterpenes with 6-oxocyclonerolidol (66.7% ±5.5) and 6-hydroxycyclonerolidol (8.8% ±1.2) as the major components. The antifungal effect of the essential oil from A. graveolens leaves was evaluated in vitro against three phytopathogenic fungi of apples ( Alternaria sp., Penicillium expansum, and Rhizopus stolonifer). The results suggest that this essential oil has fungicidal properties towards Alternaria sp. from direct contact assay at 0.2% (v/v) and to P. expansum from vapor assay tests at 80 μL.