Sage, Salvia officinalis L., Constituents, Hepatoprotective Activity, and Cytotoxicity Evaluations of the Essential Oils Obtained from Fresh and Differently Timed Dried Herbs: A Comparative Analysis

Linalool and Geraniol Defend Neurons from Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Iron Accumulation in In Vitro Parkinson's Models

Parkinson's disease is one of the most prevalent neurological disorders affecting millions of people worldwide. There is a growing demand for novel and natural substances as complementary therapies. Essential oils and their various compounds are highly investigated natural plant-based products as potential treatment options for common human diseases, such as microbial infections, chronic diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. The present study focuses on the beneficial effects of linalool and geraniol, the major compounds of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.) and geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér. in Aiton) essential oils, on oxidative stress, inflammation, and iron metabolism of the rotenone and 6-hydroxydopamine-induced in vitro Parkinson's models. The experiments were carried out on all-trans retinoic acid differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. The effects of linalool and geraniol were compared to rasagiline, an MAO-B inhibitor. The results revealed that both essential oil compounds reduce the level of reactive oxygen species and alter the antioxidant capacity of the cells. They lower the secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1β pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, linalool and geraniol change the expression of iron-related genes, such as the iron importer transferrin receptor 1, heme-oxygenase-1, and ferroportin iron exporter, and influence the intracellular iron contents. In addition, it has been unveiled that iron availability is concatenated with the actions of the essential oil compounds. Based on the results, linalool and geraniol are vigorous candidates as an alternative therapy for Parkinson's disease.

Chemical and Bioactive Evaluation of Essential Oils from Edible and Aromatic Mediterranean Lamiaceae Plants

The Lamiaceae family, which includes several well-known aromatic plants, is scientifically relevant due to its essential oils (EOs). In this work, four EOs from Mediterranean species, namely Origanum vulgare L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Salvia officinalis L., and Thymus vulgaris L., were evaluated for their volatile profiles and the biological activity in vitro to assess their potential use in the food and cosmetic sector. GC/MS analysis revealed dominant compounds, such as carvacrol, thymol, and eucalyptol. Regarding biological action, the samples exhibited antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities, with O. vulgare and T. officinalis standing out. T. vulgaris showed the lowest EC50 in the reducing power assay, and O. vulgare had the lowest EC50 in the DPPH assay. Most EOs also displayed excellent anti-inflammatory responses and antifungal properties, with O. vulgare and T. vulgaris also demonstrating antibacterial activity. All EOs from Mediterranean species showed cytotoxicity against tumoral cell lines. Overall, the selected EOs stood out for their interesting bioactivities, with the obtained results underscoring their potential as natural preservatives and bioactive agents in various industrial applications, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

Haplophyllum tuberculatum (Forssk.) A. Juss Essential Oils: Seasonal Contents Variation, Bioactivity of the Traditionally-favored, High-yield and Frequent-use Summer Season Oil

Haplophyllum tuberculatum (Forssk.) A.Juss. volatile oils were obtained by distillation of the aerial parts of the plant growing in Libya during the summer and spring seasons. A yield and componential analysis revealed that the summer season oil, which is frequently used in traditional medicaments by North African communities, was high in yield (0.858%) compared to the spring season oil (0.47%), and distinguished by the presence of major and various diverse constituents, some of which are considered chemical markers. Owing to the traditional and high incidence of use of the summer-produced essential oil for the treatment of several disorders, including hepatic diseases, and fatigue, the oil was pharmacologically investigated for its varied bioactivities of anti-microbial, in vivo anti-oxidant, and in vitro anti-cancer properties. Thirty-three compounds were identified and represented 96.2% of the peaks in the GCchromatogram of the summer oil, in which the major volatile constituents were δ-3-carene (21.5%), bornyl acetate (16.9%), and limonene aldehyde (15.2%). The summer-based essential oil of the plant demonstrated moderate anti-bacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and a relatively strong antibacterial effect against Gram-negative bacteria as compared to the positive antibacterial controls, ampicillin and gentamicin, respectively. Also, antifungal activity against Aspergillus sp. was observed. The summerproduced oil also exhibited in vivo antioxidant and in vitro anti-cancer activities.

Natural Compounds of Salvia L. Genus and Molecular Mechanism of Their Biological Activity

The study of medicinal plants is important, as they are the natural reserve of potent biologically active compounds. With wide use in traditional medicine and the inclusion of several species (as parts and as a whole plant) in pharmacopeia, species from the genus Salvia L. are known for the broad spectrum of their biological activities. Studies suggest that these plants possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiangiogenic, hepatoprotective, cognitive and memory-enhancing effects. Phenolic acids, terpenoids and flavonoids are important phytochemicals, which are primarily responsible for the medicinal activity of Salvia L. This review collects and summarizes currently available data on the pharmacological properties of sage, outlining its principal physiologically active components, and it explores the molecular mechanism of their biological activity. Particular attention was given to the species commonly found in Kazakhstan, especially to Salvia trautvetteri Regel, which is native to this country.

Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Protective Effects of Fucoxanthin against Paracetamol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Paracetamol or acetaminophen (PAC) is a commonly used analgesic and antipyretic drug. It has been shown that overdoses beyond the therapeutic range can cause hepatotoxicity and acute liver injury. The most common cause of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in Saudi Arabia and worldwide is paracetamol overdose. Fucoxanthin (FUC) is an allenic carotenoid that is found in edible brown seaweeds, and it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Several studies have shown the potential therapeutic effects of FUC in diabetes, cancers, and inflammatory disorders. This study aims to investigate the protective effect of FUC against PAC-induced acute liver injury in rats. FUC was administered (100, 200, and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) for 7 days, and then the liver injury was induced by the administration of PAC (2000 mg/kg, oral). Blood and liver tissue samples were collected from PAC-positive untreated, treated, and negative control rats. Biochemical and inflammatory parameters in the blood were measured. In addition, RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were performed for liver tissue. The serum levels of liver biomarkers (ALT, AST, and ALP) increased after PAC-induced liver toxicity; FUC-treated rats showed lower levels compared to the positive control. There was an increase in the expression of TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, NF-kB, INF-γ, and iNOS and a decrease in IL-10, IL-22, and IL-10R expression after the FUC treatment of injured liver rats. For the hepatic inflammation and PAC-toxicity-induced oxidative stress genes and proteins, FUC-treated rats (100, 200, and 500 mg/kg) showed a reduction in the expression of oxidative stress genes. These results showed that FUC protected the liver against PAC-induced injury through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. However, further clinical studies are required to confirm the findings.

The Effect of Salvia Officinalis on Hot Flashes in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

The experience of hot flashes during menopause has a negative effect on quality of life and can cause disturbance in the workplace and disrupt daily activities. Phytoestrogens in Salvia officinalis reduce menopause symptoms due to their anti-dopaminergic effects. This study was conducted to systematically review and summarize the results of clinical trials on the effect of Salvia officinalis on hot flashes in postmenopausal women.

Methods

In this systematic review, databases including Pubmed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, Scopus, SID, and Magiran were searched using keywords such as menopause, hot flashes, Salvia officinalis, and herbal medicines; all possible combinations of these words were used with the Boolean operators of "OR" and "AND". To evaluate the quality of articles, we used Cochrane's Risk of bias tools.

Results

After eliminating the duplicates, a total of 148 articles were found. Following the exclusion of irrelevant articles, 4 studies with number of 310 people were examined. Among them, 3 out of 4 studies examined the effect of Salvia officinalis on the frequency of hot flashes, 3 out of 4 studies examined the severity of hot flashes, and only 1 out of 4 studies examined the effect of Salvia officinalis on the duration of hot flashes. All 4 reviewed studies indicated that the use of Salvia officinalis reduced the frequency and severity of hot flashes in postmenopausal women. Meta-analysis results showed that the effect of Salvia Officinalis on the frequency [ES=-1.12 (%95 CI:-2.37; 0.14), I2=71%] of hot flashes in postmenopausal women was significant compared to placebo, but severity [ES=-2.05 (%95 CI:-6.53; 2.43), I2=70%] was not significant.

Conclusion

Salvia officinalis can be used to reduce the frequency of menopausal hot flashes. Expansive use of this plant can be suggested in case it is confirmed in further investigations.

In Vitro Anticancer and Antibacterial Activities of the Essential Oil of Forsskal’s Basil Growing in Extreme Environmental Conditions

Many species belonging to the genus Ocimum are used for aromatic, medicinal, and cosmetic purposes. The essential oil (OFEO) obtained by hydrodistillation of the flowering aerial parts of Forsskal’s Basil “Ocimum forskolei Benth” growing in extreme environmental conditions in Mecca Region, Saudi Arabia was analyzed by GC-MS. The main constituents were phenylpropanoids (methyl eugenol 55.65% and eugenol 11.66%), monoterpene (linalool 9.75%), and sesquiterpenes (germacrene D 3.72% and β-caryophyllene 2.57%). The OFEO was tested against MCF7, HT29, and HCT116 cancer cells and compared with normal fibroblast cells (MRC5). The MTT assay showed that HCT116 was more sensitive to OFEO (IC50 5.34 μg/mL), which reduced the number of HCT116 colonies at 6 μg/mL, while causing complete colony death at 12 and 24 μg/mL. Western Blotting and qRT-PCR were used to evaluate the level change of different proteins with respect to GAPDH. OFEO upregulated the apoptotic protein (caspase 3), and downregulated the cell proliferation proteins (AKT and pAKT), cell cycle arrest (PCNA, Cyclin D1), and the anti-apoptotic Bcl2 proteins. OFEO was also tested against reference strains of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus by using the well-diffusion and assessing their MICs, which ranged from 250 to 500 μg/mL.

Spectral shift supported epichlorohydrin toxicity and the protective role of sage

In this study, the toxicity of epichlorohydrin, a chemical intermediate, was investigated by using Allium cepa L. test material as a bio-indicator. In addition, the protective role of sage leaf extract (Slex) against this toxicity was investigated. Toxicity was handled with the help of physiological (germination percentage, root elongation, and weight gain), cytogenetic (mitotic index = MI, micronucleus = MN, and chromosomal abnormalities = CAs), biochemical (malondialdehyde = MDA, superoxide dismutase = SOD, and catalase = CAT), and anatomical (root meristem cell damages) parameters. A. cepa bulbs were divided into 6 groups (1 control, 5 applications). The bulbs in the control group were treated with tap water, and the bulbs in the application group were treated with epichlorohydrin at a dose of 100 mg/L and Slex at two different doses (190 mg/L and 380 mg/L) and germinated. Germination process was continued uninterruptedly for 72 h in all groups. At the end of the period, physiological parameter measurements were carried out in the bulbs. In addition, root tips were collected and made ready for cytogenetic, biochemical, and anatomical measurements and microscopic observations. As a result, exposure to epichlorohydrin caused statistically significant (p < 0.05) decreases in germination percentage, root length, weight gain, and MI, and statistically significant (p<0.05) increases in MN frequency, CA numbers, MDA level, SOD, and CAT enzyme activities. Epichlorohydrin exposure induced CAs such as fragment, sticky chromosome, unequal distribution of chromatin, reverse polarization, and disordered mitosis in root meristem cells. The toxicity of epichlorohydrin was due to its interaction with DNA, and this interaction was confirmed by the spectral shift in the DNA spectrum. In addition, epichlorohydrin caused anatomical damages such as epidermis cell damage, cortex cell damage, thickening of the cortex cell wall, and flattened cell nuclei in root meristem cells. The application of Slex together with epichlorohydrin decreased the toxicity of epichlorohydrin and again caused statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvements in the values of all the parameters examined. In other words, germination percentage, root length, weight gain, and MI increased again and MN frequency, CAs numbers, MDA level, SOD, and CAT enzyme activities decreased. It was determined that this improvement was even more pronounced at 380 mg/L dose of Slex. As a result, it was determined that epichlorohydrin caused multiple-toxicity for the investigated indicator organism, and Slex had a reducing role in this toxicity. For this reason, Slex should be included in the daily diet as an antioxidant beverage in order to protect from the toxicity of chemical agents exposed in daily life or to reduce their effects.

In Vitro Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Anticoccidial, and Anti-Inflammatory Study of Essential Oils of Oregano, Thyme, and Sage from Epirus, Greece

Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum, Thymus vulgaris, and Salvia fructicosa are aromatic plants commonly found in Mediterranean countries and are traditionally used in Greece as a remedy for humans, since they are well known as potent antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agents. Essential oils (EOs) derived from plants cultivated in the mountainous region of Epirus, Greece, were investigated for their inhibitory activity against key microorganisms with relevance to avian health, while also assessing their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The total phenolic content (TPC) of the EOs was estimated according to the Folin−Ciocalteu method, while the antioxidant capacity was tested through the EOs’ ability to scavenge free radicals by means of the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects were examined by the agar disc diffusion method and the lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition test, respectively. Furthermore, the EOs’ ability to inhibit the invasion of sporozoites of Eimeria tenella (Wisconsin strain) along with any toxic effects were assayed in Madin−Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells. The antioxidant activity of the EOs was observed in descending order: oregano > thyme > sage. The antimicrobial effects of thyme and oregano were equivalent and higher than that of sage, while the anti-inflammatory effect of thyme was higher compared to both sage and oregano. The intracellular invasion of sporozoites was evaluated by the detection of E. tenella DNA by qPCR from cell monolayers harvested at 2 and 24 h post-infection. Parasite invasion was inhibited by the addition of oregano essential oil at the concentration of 100 μg/mL by 83% or 93% after 2 or 24 h, respectively, and was higher compared to the addition of thyme and sage, which had similar effects, but at a less intensive level. The cytotoxic assessment of all three essential oils revealed that they had no effect on MDBK cells compared to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), used as the control substance. The supplementation of oregano, thyme, and sage essential oils had a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticoccidial in vitro effect that is comparable to synthetic substances or approved drugs, justifying the need for further evaluation by in vivo studies in broilers reared in the absence of antimicrobial and anticoccidial drugs or synthetic antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory compounds.

Physicochemical Characterization and Prospecting Biological Activity of Some Authentic Transylvanian Essential Oils: Lavender, Sage and Basil

Essential oils are a category of agro-based industrial products experiencing increasing demand. In this research, three essential oils obtained by steam distillation from lavender, sage and basil plants cultivated in temperate continental conditions of Transylvania were investigated for chemical composition, physical characteristics and biological activity (antimicrobial and cytotoxic effect on cancer cell lines). The number of identified compounds varied: 38 for lavender, 29 for sage essential oil and 41 for basil. The volatile profile was dominated by terpenes and terpenoids (>80%). Major components were beta-linalool and linalool acetate in lavender essential oil; thujones and camphor in sage essential oil; beta-linalool, thujone, camphor and eucalyptol in basil essential oil. Refractive index of the essential oils was lowest for lavender and highest for sage. Antibacterial activity was strongest for basil, moderate for lavender and weakest for sage essential oil. The most active on both colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) and ovary carcinoma (A2780) was sage essential oil.

Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant Potential, and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Traditionally Used Artemisia absinthium L. (Wormwood) Growing in the Central Region of Saudi Arabia

Artemisia absinthium, a plant distributed worldwide, has been reported for its numerous traditional uses, and its phytoconstituents have been investigated in several previous publications. The current study was designed to investigate the chemistry and quality; i.e., the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities, of A. absinthium volatile oil from plant species growing in the central area of Saudi Arabia compared to reported data for the plant growing in other parts of the world. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) spectroscopic analyses, in addition to in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic assays, were conducted to fulfill the aims, and integrated the study's conclusion. A total of 34 compounds representing 99.98% of the essential oil of the plant were identified; among them, cis-davanone was found at the highest concentration (52.51%) compared to the other constituents. In addition, α-gurjunene (7.15%), chamazulene (3.38%), camphene (3.27), γ-eudesmol (2.49%), pinocarvone (2.18%), and ocimenone (2.03%) were also identified as major constituents of the plant's essential oil. The total percentage of davanones (53%) was the highest percentage found in the plant species growing elsewhere in the world. The antioxidant assays; i.e., the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-scavenging activity (DPPH-SA), evidenced the potential in vitro antioxidant activity of the A. absinthium essential oil, with 35.59, 10.54, and 24.00 mg Trolox equivalent per gram of the essential oil. In addition, the metal-cheating activity (MCA) of the essential oil was measured at 29.87 mg ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) equivalent per gram of the essential oil. Moreover, a limited cytotoxic effect of the essential oil against all tested cell lines was observed, which might be considered as an indicator of the safety of A. absinthium as a worldwide edible plant. In conclusion, the study confirmed the variations in the A. absinthium essential oil constituents in response to the environmental conditions. The study also highlighted the potential health benefits of the plant's essential oil as an antioxidant agent.

Bio-Evaluation of the Wound Healing Activity of Artemisia judaica L. as Part of the Plant’s Use in Traditional Medicine; Phytochemical, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antibiofilm Properties of the Plant’s Essential Oils

Artemisia judaica (ArJ) is a Mediterranean aromatic plant used traditionally to treat gastrointestinal ailments, skin diseases, atherosclerosis, and as an immuno-stimulant. This study describes ArJ essential oil constituents and investigates their wound healing activity. The in vitro antioxidant and antibiofilm activities of ArJ essential oil were investigated. The in vivo pro/anti-inflammatory and oxidative/antioxidant markers were compared with standard silver sulfadiazine (SS) in a second-degree skin burn experimental rat model. The gas chromatography-equipped flame ionization detector (GC-FID) analysis of ArJ essential oil revealed the major classes of compounds as oxygenated monoterpenes (>57%) and cinnamic acid derivatives (18.03%). The antimicrobial tests of ArJ essential oil revealed that Bacillus cereus, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger were the most susceptible test organisms. Two second-degree burns (each 1 inch square in diameter) were created on the dorsum of rats using an aluminum cylinder heated to 120 °C for 10 s. The wounds were treated either with ArJ or SS ointments for 21 days, while the negative control remained untreated, and biopsies were obtained for histological and biochemical analysis. The ArJ group demonstrated a significant increase in antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymatic activities, while lipid peroxide (LP) levels remained insignificant compared to the negative control group. Additionally, ArJ and SS groups demonstrated a significant decrease in inflammatory levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) compared to the negative group, while interleukin 1 beta (IL-1b) and IL-6 were comparable to the negative group. At the same time, anti-inflammatory IL-10 and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-b1) markers increased significantly in the ArJ group compared to the negative control. The ArJ results demonstrated potent wound healing effects, comparable to SS, attributable to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as well as a high proportion of oxygenated monoterpenes and cinnamate derivatives.