Analyzing the Antioxidant Activity and Fatty Acid Composition of Monofloral Mullein (Verbascum sp.) Pollen Oil obtained via Various Extraction Techniques

This study focused on characterizing fatty acids and evaluating the antioxidant properties in oils extracted from mullein (Verbascum sp.) bee-collected pollen, utilizing soxhlet and ultrasound-assisted methods with acetone and hexane solvents. Soxhlet extraction demonstrated high efficiency in mullein bee pollen oil extraction. The highest levels of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH⋅, and ABTS⋅+ activities (41.07±1.43 mg GAE/g extract; 1.86±0.01 mg QE/g extract; 16.23±0.68 mg TE/g extract; 56.88±0.43 mg TE/g extract, respectively) were observed in oil extracted using the soxhlet method with acetone solvent. Conversely, ultrasound-assisted extraction with hexane yielded oils rich in saturated fatty acids, while acetone extraction contained higher monounsaturated fatty acids. Palmitic, linoleic, and oleic acids were predominant in the extracted oils. This study introduces, for the first time, the identification of fatty acids found in mullein bee pollen oil, along with an examination of their antioxidant properties. The choice of solvent was found to significantly influence compound extraction compared to the extraction method.

In vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, essential oil composition, and in silico molecular modeling analysis of secondary metabolites from roots of Verbascum sinaiticum

Verbascum sinaiticum is locally used to treat wound, stomachache, viral infection, cancer, sunstroke fever, abdominal colic, diarrhea, hemorrhage, anthrax, and hepatitis. The objective of this study was to identify the compounds and to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the extracts and isolated compounds from V. sinaiticum. The 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and DEPT-135 were used to elucidate the structures of isolated compounds. Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation method and their chemical analyses were performed by GC-MS. The broth microdilution method was used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity. The radical scavenging activity of the extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated using DPPH method. Silica gel column chromatographic separation of root extracts afforded seven known compounds: 3'-(4''-methoxy phenyl)-3'-oxo-propionyl hexadecanoate (1), harpagoside (2), pulverulentoside I (3), scrophuloside B4 (4), scropolioside A (5), scropolioside-D2 (6), and harpagide 6-O-β-glucoside (7), which are all reported from this species for the first time. The EO extracts from leaves and roots were the most susceptible to Streptococcus agalactiae, with a 2 mg/mL MIC. The EO from roots was effective against Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, with a MIC of 8 mg/mL. The MeOH and CH2Cl2/CH3OH (1:1) root extracts showed the maximum activity against S. epidermidis with MIC values of 0.25 mg/mL. The strongest antibacterial effects were demonstrated against Staphylococcus epidermidis, which exhibited a 0.0625 mg/mL MIC for compound 1. The strongest radical scavenging activity was exhibited by the methanol extract (IC50 = 3.4 μg/mL), and compounds 4, 6, 5, 3, 7, and 2 with IC50 values of 3.2, 3.38, 3.6, 3.8, 4.2, and 4.7 μg/mL, respectively, in comparison with ascorbic acid (IC50 = 1.3 μg/mL). The results of the molecular docking analysis of compounds revealed minimal binding energies range from -38.5 to -43.1 kJ/mol, -33.1 to -42.7 kJ/mol, -34.7 to -39.3.7 kJ/mol, -25.5 to -37.6 kJ/mol against human myeloperoxidase (PDB ID: 1DNU), murA enzyme (PDB ID: 1UAE), human topoisomerase IIβ (PDB ID: 4fm9), S. epidermidis FtsZ (PDB number: 4M8I) proteins, respectively. The docking results and the in vitro antibacterial activity are in good agreement. These findings show that the isolated compounds 2-7 can act as potential antioxidants and strong antibacterials against Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis. As a result, V. sinaiticum root extracts have the potential to be effective in treating diseases caused by bacteria and free radicals, as long as further investigation has been suggested for the ultimate decision of this plant's potential candidate.

to differentiate human adipose-derived stem cells into dermal keratinocytes

Regenerative medicine and drug delivery systems provide promising approaches for the treatment of skin lesions. However, the design of engineered substrates containing therapeutic agents for cell proliferation and its differentiation into skin cells, with skin-like patterns, is the major challenge. Here, to overcome this problem, a hybrid scaffold conjugated with nanoparticles containing the extract of Verbascum sinuatum L. flowers (HE) was designed. To this end, (chitosan-PEG)-based nanocarriers (Chi-PEG) were first prepared in the volume ratios of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, and 50:50 v/v. The results indicated that the 70:30 ratio possessed better physical/morphologic properties along with more suitable stability than other nanoparticles (encapsulation-efficiency:86.34 %, zeta-potential:21.2 mV, and PDI:0.30). Afterward, PCL-collagen biologic scaffold (PCL-Coll) were prepared by the lyophilization method, then conjugated with selected nanoparticles(Chi-PEG70:30-HE). Notably, in addition to PCL-Coll/Chi-PEG-HE, two scaffolds of PCL-Coll and PCL-Coll/Chi-PEG were prepared to evaluate the role of conjugation in the release behavior of herbal bio-macromolecules. Based on the results, the conjugation process was led to a more stable release, compared to unconjugated nanoparticles. The mentioned process also created an integrated network along with better physicomechanical properties [modulus:12.31 MPa, tensile strength:4.44 MPa, smaller pore size(2 μm), and better swelling (100.27 %) with a symmetrical wettability on the surface]. PCL-Coll/Chi-PEG-HE scaffold was also resulted in higher expression levels of K10 and K14 keratinocytes with biomimetic patterns than PCL-Coll/Chi-PEG scaffold. This could be due to the active ingredients of V. sinuatum extract like alkaloids, flavonoids, and triterpenoids which imparts the wound healing (anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant) properties to this scaffold. It seems that the use of bioactive materials like herbal extracts, in the form of encapsulated into polymeric nanocarriers, in the structure of engineered scaffolds can be a promising option for regenerating damaged skin without scarring. Hence, this study can provide innovative insights into the combination of two techniques of drug delivery and tissue engineering to design bio-scaffolds containing bioactive molecules with better therapeutic approaches.

Antioxidant, AChE inhibitory, and anticancer effects of Verbascum thapsus extract

Verbascum thapsus (VT) is a medicinal plant that is used in folk medicine to treat a variety of ailments. For this study, the biological functions of VT methanol extract were determined in vitro. The plant's methanol extract was created through the maceration process. The phytochemical composition of plant extracts was investigated using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The antioxidant capacity of the extract was determined using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil) and ABTS (2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) tests and its cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT ((3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, a tetrazole)) assay on the Caco-2 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells), LNCaP (Lymph Node Carcinoma of the Prostate), and HEK293 cell lines (Human embryonic kidney 293 cells) used to model colon, prostate, and non-cancerous cells. VT extract showed low DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities compared to standard antioxidants at 30 mg/ml concentration. In addition, it was determined that VT extract inhibited acetylcholinesterase enzyme.

Bioactive Compounds of Verbascum sinuatum L.: Health Benefits and Potential as New Ingredients for Industrial Applications

Verbascum sinuatum (V. sinuatum) is a plant belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family that has been used as an ingredient in traditional medicine infusions for the treatment of many diseases. The aerial part of this plant is a source of bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols and iridoids. Moreover, antioxidant activity studies have shown that V. sinuatum phenolic and flavonoid composition is higher than those in other plants of the same genus. V. sinuatum bioactive compound composition could vary according to the harvesting location, growing conditions of the plants, sample preparation methods, type and concentration of the extraction solvent, and the extraction methods. The obtention of these compounds can be achieved by different extraction techniques, most commonly, maceration, heat assisted extraction, and infusion. Nevertheless, since conventional extraction techniques have several drawbacks such as long times of extraction or use of large amounts of solvents, the use of green extraction techniques is suggested, without affecting the efficiency of the extraction. Moreover, V. sinuatum bioactive compounds have several biological activities, such as antioxidant, anticancer, cardiovascular, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective activities, that may be increased by encapsulation. Since the bioactive compounds extracted from V. sinuatum present good potential as functional food ingredients and in the development of drugs or cosmetics, this review gives an approach of the possible incorporation of these compounds in the food and pharmacological industries.

Phenolic and flavonoid compounds and antioxidant activity in flowers of nine endemic Verbascum species from Iran

BACKGROUND

In this study, flowers of nine mullein species (Verbascum erianthum, V. songaricum, V. speciosum, V. szovitsianum, V. stachydiforme, V. sinuatum, V. haussknechtianum, V. cheirantifolium, and V. saccatum) were collected from Iran. The total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity, total carotenoid (TCC), β-carotene content and the amount of phenolic compounds were determined in all of the collected mullein species. Quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD).

RESULTS

Verbascum saccatum and V. songaricum, in particular, were found to be rich in total flavonoids and exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity. The HPLC-DAD analysis revealed that V. erianthum possessed the highest amount of caffeic acid (0.022 g kg^-1 DW), chlorogenic acid (2.649 g kg^-1 DW), p-coumaric acid (0.253 g kg^-1 DW), and apigenin (0.066 g kg^-1 DW). The highest gallic acid (0.134 g kg^-1 DW), rutin (5.254 g kg^-1 DW), quercetin (1.303 g kg^-1 DW), and cinnamic acid (1.031 g kg^-1 DW) content were observed in V. saccatum. Our results demonstrate the considerable variations in the TFC, antioxidant activity, TCC, and β-carotene content among the mullein species.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study provide useful information for breeding strategies, and for choosing the best species with high phenolic compound content to produce natural antioxidants for medical and pharmaceutical use. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Vocabulary of Infants with an Elevated Likelihood and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Infant Language Studies Using the CDI and MSEL

Diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are typically accompanied by atypical language development, which can be noticeable even before diagnosis. The siblings of children diagnosed with ASD are at elevated likelihood for ASD diagnosis and have been shown to have higher prevalence rates than the general population. In this paper, we systematically reviewed studies looking at the vocabulary size and development of infants with autism. One inclusion criterion was that infants were grouped either pre-diagnostically as elevated or typical likelihood or post-diagnostically as ASD or without ASD. This review focused on studies that tested infants up to 24 months of age and that assessed vocabulary either via the parent-completed MacArthur–Bates Communicative Developmental Inventory (CDI) or the clinician-administered Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL). Our systematic search yielded 76 studies. A meta-analysis was performed on these studies that compared the vocabulary scores of EL and TL infants pre-diagnostically and the scores of ASD and non-ASD infants post-diagnostically. Both pre- and post-diagnostically, it was found that the EL and ASD infants had smaller vocabularies than their TL and non-ASD peers, respectively. The effect sizes across studies were heterogenous, prompting additional moderator analyses of age and sub-group analyses of the language measure used (CDI or MSEL) as potential moderators of the effect size. Age was found to be a moderator both in the pre- and post-diagnostical groups, however, language measure was not a moderator in either diagnostic group. Interpretations and future research directions are discussed based on these findings.

Influence of soil pollution on the morphology of roots and leaves of Verbascum thapsus L

The impact of inorganic pollutants in the zone of industrial wastewater settling tanks (South of Russia) was studied. The levels of Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd were determined for Verbascum thapsus L., which are part of the mesophilic succession of wild plants in the studied technogenically polluted territory. The bioavailability of heavy metals (HM) for plants from transformed soils has been established. Anatomical and morphological features in the tissues of the plants affected by HM were analyzed using light-optical and electron microscopic methods. Contamination of the soil cover with Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd has been established with maximum content of Zn. It was revealed that the HM content in the V. thapsus plants exceeded the maximum permissible levels (Russian state standard): Zn by 23, Pb by 2, Cr by 31 and Cd by 3 times. The lower level of HM content in the inflorescences of mullein plants in comparison with the root system, stems and leaves indicates the resistance of generative organs to technogenic pollution. In the root and leaves of the V. thapsus, the anatomical and ultrastructural observation were carried out using light-optical and transmission electron microscopy. Changes in the ultrastructure of plants under the influence of anthropogenic impact have been revealed. The most significant changes of the ultrastructure of the polluted plants were found in the cell organelles of leaves (mitochondria, plastids, peroxisomes, etc.) including spatial transformation of the thylakoid system of plastids during the metal accumulation by plants, which may determine the mechanism of plant adaptation to technogenic pollution.

Mullen Scales of Early Learning Adaptation for Assessment of Indian Children and Application to Tuberculous Meningitis

INTRODUCTION

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) results in significant morbidity and mortality among children worldwide. Associated neurocognitive complications are common but not well characterized. The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL), a well-established measure for assessment of neurodevelopment, has not yet been adapted for use in India. This study's goal was to adapt the MSEL for local language and culture to assess neurocognition among children in India, and apply the adapted measure for assessment of children with TBM.

METHODS

Administration of MSEL domains was culturally adapted. Robust translation procedures for instructions took place for three local languages: Marathi, Hindi and Tamil. Multilingual staff compared instructions against the original version for accuracy. The MSEL stimuli and instructions were reviewed by psychologists and pediatricians in India to identify items concerning for cultural bias.

RESULTS

MSEL stimuli unfamiliar to children in this setting were identified and modified within Visual Reception, Fine-Motor, Receptive Language and Expressive Language Scales. Item category was maintained for adaptations of items visually or linguistically different from those observed in daily life. Adjusted items were administered to six typically developing children to determine modification utility. Two children diagnosed with confirmed TBM (ages 11 and 29 months) were evaluated with the adapted MSEL before receiving study medications. Skills were below age-expectation across visual reception, fine motor and expressive language domains.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to assess children with TBM using the MSEL adapted for use in India. Future studies in larger groups of Indian children are warranted to validate the adapted measure.

Assessment the copper-induced changes in antioxidant defense mechanisms and copper phytoremediation potential of common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.)

In this research, the Cu phytoremediation capacity of common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.) was evaluated concerning plant growth, antioxidant enzymes, and photosynthetic activities. Plants were subjected to five Cu concentrations (0, 125, 250, 375, and 500 mg/L) under the hydroponic conditions for 2 weeks. The results showed that at 125 mg/L, root and shoot biomass and chlorophylls remained the same as that of the control and then declined with increasing concentrations of Cu, when compared with control. The carotenoid contents remained unchanged up to 250 mg/L compared with control and then dropped with raising Cu dose. The raising of antioxidant enzymes activity reflected the occurrence of stress due to Cu exposure as manifested by increased MDA and ion leakage level. However, increased antioxidant enzymes may be associated with the tolerance capacity of V. thapsus to protect the plant from oxidative damage. Except for the highest concentration (500 mg/L), Cu accumulation in the roots and shoots all increased significantly with increasing Cu concentration, and the Cu accumulation in shoots was greater than roots. The Cu accumulation reached its maximum level at 375 mg/L Cu concentration, with 492.8 and 447.3 mg/kg DW in shoots and roots, respectively, which is highly greater than the threshold value for a Cu (hyper)accumulator plant. The extraction coefficient (EC) close to 1, and translocation factor (TF) > 1 from 125 to 375 mg/L Cu, suggested that V. thapsus could be used as a viable plant species for Cu phytoextraction.

Behavioral and electroantennogram responses of plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar, to selected noxious plant extracts and insecticides

Behavioral and electroantennogram responses of plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), adults were tested for several methanolic plant extracts and organically approved insecticides. Plant extracts were evaluated for their potential as antifeedants or oviposition deterrents. These extract responses were also compared to those elicited by the non-neurotoxic, organic irritant-insecticide kaolin clay. Both sexes of plum curculio exhibited antennal response as measured by electroantennogram, which ranged from 0.2 to 1.1 mV, to plant extracts and the organic irritant/insecticide, with the greatest response to the extract of rough cocklebur, Xanthium strumarium L. (1.1 mV). No choice tests were conducted to compare feeding and oviposition by plum curculio on untreated apples or on apples treated with one of the extracts or the insecticide. The insecticide pyrethrum and extracts of X. strumarium and greater burdock, Arctium lappa L., significantly reduced feeding. Also, pyrethrum, A. lappa, Humulus lupulus L. (common hop), X. strumarium, and Verbascum songaricum Schrenk extracts completely inhibited egg deposition. In no-choice assays, the effects of kaolin clay with incorporated plant extracts on plum curculio feeding and oviposition were monitored as complementary tests. A. lappa-kaolin, H. lupulus-kaolin, and X. strumarium-kaolin mixtures significantly reduced the feeding of plum curculio compared to the control or kaolin clay alone. Each of the plant extract-kaolin mixtures evaluated, with the exception of Bifora radians Bieberstein (wild bishop), completely inhibited plum curculio oviposition as compared to controls.

Verbascum xanthophoeniceum-derived phenylethanoid glycosides are potent inhibitors of inflammatory chemokines in dormant and interferon-gamma-stimulated human keratinocytes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Verbascum xanthophoeniceum is a representative of mullein species with a strong tradition of use in folk medicine as a remedy in inflammatory and infectious contexts. This plant accumulates phenylethanoid and iridoid metabolites with a partially characterized bioactivity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Here, we compared anti-inflammatory effects of Verbascum xanthophoeniceum crude extract, its fractions, isolated iridoid glycosides, including aucubin, ajugol, harpagide, harpagoside, nigroside III and nigroside VI, and phenylethanoid glycosides verbascoside and forsythoside B in primary cultures of normal human keratinocytes (NHK). The gene expression, synthesis, and release of soluble pro-inflammatory chemokines, such as IL-8, MCP-1 and IP-10, in dormant and IFN-γ-activated NHK were investigated, and IC(50) for each extract/individual substance was determined.

RESULTS

We found that the phenylethanoid glycosides verbascoside and forsythoside B were effective, dose-dependent inhibitors of gene expression and de novo synthesis of all the chemokines, whereas the iridoid glycosides and phenylpropanoid aglycone rosmarinic acid displayed a poor and selective inhibition. Accordingly, the fraction of the crude extract containing verbascoside effectively impaired both spontaneous and induced chemokine expression in NHK.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report on the identification of active constituents of Verbascum xanthophoeniceum possessing anti-inflammatory properties towards human keratinocytes. Phenylethanoid glycosides exerted exquisite corticosteroid-like inhibition of pro-inflammatory chemokines at transcriptional and translational levels.

An ethnopharmacological study on Verbascum species: from conventional wound healing use to scientific verification

AIM OF THE STUDY

The leaves, flowers, and whole aerial parts of Verbascum L. (Scrophulariaceae) species are used to treat eczema and other types of inflammatory skin conditions and as a desiccant for wounds in Turkish traditional medicine. In the present study, the methanolic extracts of 13 Verbascum species growing in Turkey, including Verbascum chionophyllum Hub.-Mor., Verbascum cilicicum Boiss., Verbascum dudleyanum (Hub.-Mor.) Hub.-Mor., Verbascum lasianthum Boiss., Verbascum latisepalum Hub.-Mor., Verbascum mucronatum Lam., Verbascum olympicum Boiss., Verbascum pterocalycinum var. mutense Hub.-Mor., Verbascum pycnostachyum Boiss. & Heldr., Verbascum salviifolium Boiss., Verbascum splendidum Boiss., Verbascum stachydifolium Boiss. & Heldr and Verbascum uschackense (Murb.) Hub.-Mor. were assessed for their in vivo wound healing activity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In vivo wound healing activity of the plants were evaluated by linear incision and circular excision experimental models subsequently histopathological analysis. The healing potential was comparatively assessed with a reference ointment Madecassol(®), which contains 1% extract of Centella asiatica.

RESULTS

The methanolic extracts of Verbascum olympicum, Verbascum stachydifolium and Verbascum uschackense demonstrated the highest activities on the both wound models. Moreover, the methanolic extracts of Verbascum latisepalum, Verbascum mucronatum, and Verbascum pterocalycinum var. mutense were found generally highly effective. On the other hand, the rest of the species did not show any remarkable wound healing effect. Results of the present study support the continued and expanded utilization of these plant species employed in Turkish folk medicine.

CONCLUSION

The experimental study revealed that Verbascum species display remarkable wound healing activity.

Phytogrowth-inhibitory and antibacterial activity of Verbascum sinuatum

The methanolic extract of Verbascum sinuatum inflorescences and isolated compounds were tested for their antibacterial activity against 13 Gram(+) and Gram(-) bacteria and for their allelopathic activity against radish.

Taxonomical markers in two endemic plants of Sardinia: Verbascum conocarpum and Scrophularia trifoliata

The monoterpenoid composition of Verbascum conocarpum and Scrophularia trifoliata, both endemic plants of Sardinia, was examined. The main chemotaxonomic markers of Scrophulariaceae, the iridoids aucubin, verbascoside and catalpol, were isolated.

Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.): recent advances in research

Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.) is a medicinal plant readily found in roadsides, meadows and pasture lands and has been used to treat pulmonary problems, inflammatory diseases, asthma, spasmodic coughs, diarrhoea and migraine headaches. Although it has been used medicinally since ancient times, the popularity of common mullein has been increasing commercially for the past few years. Today, the dried leaves and flowers, swallow capsules, alcohol extracts and the flower oil of this plant can easily be found in health stores in the United States. The use of common mullein extracts in folk medicine begun recently to be supported by an increasing number of research studies. This paper thoroughly reviews all the scientific research related to Verbascum thapsus L. including plant tissue cultures and the biological properties of this plant.

Wiedemanniosides A-E: new phenylethanoid glycosides from the roots of Verbascum wiedemannianum

From the aerial parts of Verbascum wiedemannianum Fisch. & Mey. four new phenylethanoid glycosides (wiedemanniosides B - E) were isolated along with four known compounds; 6- O-acetylmartynoside (= wiedemanniosides A), verbascoside, martynoside, echinacoside and leucosceptoside B. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by employing spectroscopic techniques (NMR, HR-ESIMS, IR, and UV).

Biological activity of common mullein, a medicinal plant

Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus L., Scrophulariaceae) is a medicinal plant that has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, asthma, spasmodic coughs, diarrhea and other pulmonary problems. The objective of this study was to assess the biological activity of Common Mullein extracts and commercial Mullein products using selected bench top bioassays, including antibacterial, antitumor, and two toxicity assays--brine shrimp and radish seed. Extracts were prepared in water, ethanol and methanol. Antibacterial activity (especially the water extract) was observed with Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli. Agrobacterium tumefaciens-induced tumors in potato disc tissue were inhibited by all extracts. Toxicity to Brine Shrimp and to radish seed germination and growth was observed at higher concentrations of the extracts.