Chemical Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Nine Hypericum Species from Greece

Hypericum L. comprises about 500 species distributed almost worldwide. Research has mainly focused on H. perforatum with confirmed biological activity on the alleviation of depression symptoms, among others. The compounds responsible for such activity are considered naphthodianthrones and acylphloroglucinols. Other Hypericum species are less studied or not studied, and further research is needed to complete the characterization of the genus. In this study we evaluated the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical profile of nine Hypericum species native to Greece, namely H. perforatum, H. tetrapterum, H. perfoliatum, H. rumeliacum subsp. apollinis, H. vesiculosum, H. cycladicum, H. fragile, H. olympicum and H. delphicum. Qualitative analysis was performed using the LC/Q-TOF/HRMS technique, while quantitative data were calculated with the single point external standard method. Additionally, we estimated the antioxidant activity of the extracts using DPPH and ABTS assays. Three species endemic to Greece (H. cycladicum, H. fragile, H. delphicum) were studied for the first time. Our results indicated that all studied species are rich in secondary metabolites, mainly of the flavonoids family, with strong antioxidant activity.

Origanum majorana Essential Oil-A Review of Its Chemical Profile and Pesticide Activity

Origanum majorana is a medicinal and aromatic plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is cultivated in several parts of the world and, due to its splendid aroma and taste, is widely used for culinary purposes and in perfumes. The essential oil of the plant, to which is attributed its aroma, contains many secondary metabolites with valuable biological activity. One of them is the pesticide activity, which has attracted much interest. Given the necessity of replacing synthetic pesticides, essential oils are studied in an attempt to find naturally derived products. Thus, the aim of this review paper is to discuss the chemical profile of O. majorana essential oil and to present data regarding its insecticidal, repellent and fumigant activity. Data were collected from 1992 to 2022. Databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and Scopus, were used for the research, and keywords, including O. majorana, sweet marjoram, essential oil, volatiles, pesticide, insecticide and repellent activity, were used. The results of this review paper indicate that O. majorana essential oil can be an alternative agent to manage pests. However, still, much research should be conducted to evaluate its toxicity against beneficial insects and to ensure its safety for human health.

Chemical Characterization, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Different Types of Tissue of Cedrus brevifolia Henry Extracts

This study aimed to determine the chemical composition of different types of tissue of Cedrus brevifolia Henry (Pinaceae) methanolic extracts, namely needles, twigs, branches, and bark. Cedrus brevifolia is a narrow endemic coniferous tree species of Cyprus, growing in a sole population in the mountainous area of Paphos Forest. Chemical analysis of the extracts was performed using liquid chromatography combined with time-of-flight high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC/Q-TOF/HRMS). The majority of the 36 compounds tentatively identified belonged to the flavonoids family. The extract of needles was the richest extract in terms of secondary metabolites. The extracts were studied for their antioxidant activity using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Additionally, the antibacterial activity was evaluated by determining both the minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. All extracts demonstrated antioxidant property, while bark gave the highest antioxidant capacity (IC₅₀ value of 0.011 mg/mL) compared to the other tissues. Antibacterial activity was observed against both types of bacteria, with the extract of branches presenting the strongest activity against S. aureus (MIC, 0.097 mg/mL and MBC, 0.195 mg/mL). This is the first time that extracts of needles, twigs, branches, and bark of C. brevifolia are compared regarding their chemical composition as well as their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

The Use of SPME-GC-MS IR and Raman Techniques for Botanical and Geographical Authentication and Detection of Adulteration of Honey

The aim of this review is to describe the chromatographic, spectrometric, and spectroscopic techniques applied to honey for the determination of botanical and geographical origin and detection of adulteration. Based on the volatile profile of honey and using Solid Phase microextraction-Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) analytical technique, botanical and geographical characterization of honey can be successfully determined. In addition, the use of vibrational spectroscopic techniques, in particular, infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy, are discussed as a tool for the detection of honey adulteration and verification of its botanical and geographical origin. Manipulation of the obtained data regarding all the above-mentioned techniques was performed using chemometric analysis. This article reviews the literature between 2007 and 2020.

Crocins: The Active Constituents of Crocus Sativus L. Stigmas, Exert Significant Cytotoxicity on Tumor Cells In Vitro

Background::

Tumors of the childhood are considered to be grave and devastating pathologies, with high mortality rates. Current therapeutic options like cytotoxic drugs and radiotherapy target both healthy and malignant cells, thus resulting in long-term neurological and intellectual sequelae and endocrinological disorders.

Objectives::

In this study, we focused on the anticancer potency of crocins, the main constituents of Crocus sativus L, stigmas. Crocins were first extracted using organic solvents from the dried stigmas and then were identified using the HPLC analysis.

Materials and Methods::

TE-671 cells were treated with the extract of crocins using a range of concentrations between 0.25-mg/ mL and 16 mg/mL. Viability of the cells was measured at 24h, 48h, 72h and 96h. In addition, we have examined the expression levels of the p53 gene using Real-Time Reverse Transcription PCR.

Results::

Results showed that crocins exerted significant cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects in a concentration and time - dependent-manner on TE-671 cells. Furthermore, p53 manifested similar expression pattern as the anti-proliferative effect of crocin.

Conclusion::

Our data demonstrate that crocins could be a novel promising agent for the improvement of tumor treatment.

Twenty-four hour continuous ECG recordings in long-distance runners

Twenty-four hour ambulatory ECG recordings were performed on 20 male long-distance runners, aged 19 to 28 years, during normal activities other than running. Average, maximum, and minimum waking heart rates, respectively, ranged from 58 to 108 (mean +/- SD, 73 +/- 15), 90 to 164 (120 +/- 19), and 34 to 53 (43 +/- 5) beats/min. Longest waking sinus pauses ranged from 1.35 to 2.55 (1.7 +/- 0.3) seconds. Average, maximum, and minimum sleeping heart rates, respectively, ranged from 38 to 58 (47 +/- 6), 69 to 114 (83 +/- 14), and 31 to 43 (36 +/- 3) beats/min. Longest sleeping sinus pauses ranged from 1.60 to 2.81 (2.0 +/- 0.3) seconds. All 20 runners had atrial premature beats, but only one (5 percent) had more than 100/24 hours. Fourteen runners (70 percent) had ventricular premature beats, but only two (10 percent) had more than 50/24 hours, and none had ventricular couplets or ventricular tachycardia. Eight runners (40 percent) had one or more episodes of type 1 second-degree atrioventricular (A-V) block. Compared with untrained males of similar age, the runners had slower heart rates (by approximately 10 beats/min), longer sinus pauses, and a higher prevalence of A-V block. Runners and untrained males did not differ with respect to prevalence of ventricular premature beats, R on T phenomenon, ventricular couplets, or ventricular tachycardia.

Reduced training duration effects on aerobic power, endurance, and cardiac growth

Thirteen subjects participated in an exercise program of bicycling and running 40 min/day, 6 days/wk. After 10 wk they continued to train either 26 of 13 min/day for an additional 15 wk. Intensity and frequency for the additional 15 wk remained the same as the last 3 wk of training. This study was undertaken to gain further insights into whether the increases in maximum uptake (VO2 max), endurance, and cardiac size can be maintained with reduced training durations. The average increases in VO2 max in response to 10 wk training were between 10 and 20% during the bicycle and treadmill testing. After reduced training, VO2 max continued to remain at the training levels in both groups. Short-term endurance (approx 5 min) was also maintained by both groups. Long-term endurance (2 h or more) remained the same in the 26-min group but decreased significantly (10%, 139-123 min) in the 13-min group. Calculated left ventricular mass increased 15-20% after training and remained elevated after reduced training in both groups. We conclude that it is possible to maintain almost all of the performance increases with up to a two-thirds reduction of training duration. Nevertheless, the data provide initial evidence that all aspects of the endurance-trained state may not be regulated uniformly in reduced training, particularly since VO2 max and short-term endurance were maintained, but long-term endurance decreased in the 13-min group.

Arrhythmias documented by 24-hour continuous ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring in young women without apparent heart disease

Results are reported of 24-hour ambulatory ECG recordings in 50 young women without apparent heart disease. During waking periods, maximum (sinus) rates ranged from 122 to 189 beats/min (bpm) (153 +/- 14 mean +/- SD) and minimum rates from 40 to 73 bpm (56 +/- 7). During sleeping periods, maximum and minimum rates ranged from 71 to 128 bpm (105 +/- 13) and from 37 to 59 bpm (48 +/- 6), respectively. Thirty-two subjects (64%) had atrial premature beats, with only one subject (2%) having greater than 100 beats/24 hrs. Twenty-seven subjects (54%) had ventricular premature beats, with only three subjects (6%) having greater than 50 beats/24 hrs. One subject (2%) had one three-beat episode of ventricular tachycardia. Two subjects (4%) had transient type I second-degree atrioventricular block.

Constrictive pericardial disease following mitral valve replacement

Constrictive pericardial disease developing after open heart surgery is not a well-recognized complication of this procedure. It has been reported only a few times and usually not with good hemodynamic data before and after the subsequent pericardiectomy. We presently report a patient who developed constrictive pericardial disease five years after mitral valve replacement. This was documented with left- and right-sided heart catheterization. The patient underwent pericardiectomy with remarkable clinical improvement. Repeat right- and left-sided heart catheterization done three months postoperatively documented the resolution of the constrictive hemodynamic pattern present before pericardiectomy.

Intraosseous pressure in the lumbar spine

Intraosseus pressure in the lumbar spine is defined as the hydrostatic pressure of venous blood in the trabecular sinusoids of cancellous bone. Measurements of it in the lumbar vertebrae and the inferior vena cava confirm that the intraosseus pressure in the lumbar spine is identical to, and dependent upon, the pressure in the inferior vena cava. With Valsalva maneuver in the decubitus position, the pressure reaches levels of 90 mm Hg in the inferior vena cava and intraosseus space of lumbar spine.

Myotonia dystrophica and mitral valve prolapse

Two siblings are described, both afflicted with myotonia dystrophica and mitral valve prolapse. This family supports the recent association of these two familial diseases. One of the siblings had severe conduction disease and recurrent ventricular tachycardia, possibly reflecting potentiation of arrhythmia, because of the association of these two familial diseases.

Left ventricular responses to a program of lower-limb strength training

Nine healthy male subjects ages 18-27 exercised five days per week. Three days per week they performed five repetitions of squats, leg extensions and leg flexions with maximal resistance for a total of 11 sets. On the other two days each week subjects performed five leg presses and 20 calf raises with maximal resistance. Resting echocardiograms and physiologic evaluations were made prior to starting the strength training and again after ten weeks of training. Resting heart rate +/- SEM before and after training was 65 +/- 2 and 58 +/- 1.7 beats/min (P < .001). Maximal O2 uptake did not change significantly. Left ventricular wall thickness +/- SEM before and after training increased from 0.76 +/- .02 to 0.85 +/- 0.04 cm (P < .05). Left ventricular mass +/- SEM increased from 81.9 +/- 5 to 92.3 +/- 3.7 g (P < .05). The percentage of left ventricular fractional shortening +/- SEM increased from 32 percent +/- 1.2 to 36 percent +/- .9 (P < .001). Lower limb strength training in normal subjects did not increase maximal O2 uptake, but did induce increases in left ventricular wall thickness similar to that seen in champion strength-trained athletes. In addition, improvement in left ventricular performance without significant changes in left ventricular volumes was also observed.

Echocardiographic practice in a large metropolitan area

A survey performed concerning echocardiography in a metropolitan area. Of 110 hospitals in the area, 62 reported having echocardiographic facilities. Echocardiographic physicians and/or technicians from 41 of these hospitals responded to questionnaires designed to determine the following: (1) educational background and credentials of technicians, (2) average salaries of technicians, (3) role of the physician and technician in the performance and reporting of echocardiograms, (4) volume, cost, and method of storage of echocardiograms, and (5) number and type of echocardiographic units in use. Our data suggest various trends, including a lack of formal training among technicians, the prevalence of cardiologists-internists as directors of echocardiographic facilities, the performance of echocardiograms by cardiology fellows in only 46% of institutions with cardiology training programs, and the widespread projected availability of cross-sectional echocardiographic capability within the next two years.

Lack of cardiovascular effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in chemically denervated men

We have previously reported that 25 micrograms/kg of intravenous (i.v.) delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC) produces marked increases in heart rate, prolongation of left ventricular ejection time corrected for heart rate (LVETc), and a shortening of the pre-ejection period in normal volunteers. Beta-adrenergic blockade partially attenuates these responses. To elucidate further the mechanism of action of delta-9-THC, we gave 10 normal volunteers 0.1 mg/kg of i.v. propranolol and 2 mg of i.v. atropine before they received 25 micrograms/kg of i.v. delta-9-THC. Systolic time intervals were compared in the denervated subjects before and after delta-9-THC. Post delta-9-THC responses were measured at a time approximating peak psychologic high. Mean +/- SEM heart rate before and after delta-9-THC was 89 +/- 4 and 87 +/- 3 beats/min (NS); mean +/- SEM pre-ejection period before and after delta-9-TCH was 107 +/- 5 and 109 +/- 4 ms (NS); and mean +/- SEM LVETc before and after delta-9-THC was 433 +/- 6 and 429 +/- 6 ms (NS). Since previous denervation of our subjects with atropine and propranolol totally abolished changes in heart rate and systolic time intervals, the cardiac effects of delta-9-THC appear to be mediated totally via the autonomic nervous system, probably reflecting direct central nervous system stimulation.

Arrhythmias documented by 24 hour continuous electrocardiographic monitoring in 50 male medical students without apparent heart disease

Results are reported of portable 24 hour dynamic electrocardiographic monitoring in 50 male medical students without cardiovascular disease, as defined by normal clinical and noninvasive cardiovascular examination. During waking periods, maximal sinus rates ranged from 107 to 180 beats/min (mean +/- 5). Twenty-five subjects (50 percent) had episodes of marked sinus arrhythmia as defined by spontaneous changes in adjacent cycle lengths of 100 percent or more. Fourteen subjects (28 percent) had sinus pauses of more than 1.75 seconds, usually during sinus arrhythmia. Transient nocturnal type I second degree atrioventricular (A-V) block was noted in three subjects (6 percent). Of 28 patients (56 percent) having atrial premature beats, only 1 (2 percent) had more than 100 such beats (141) in 24 hours. Of 25 patients (50 percent) having premature ventricular contractions, only 1 (2 percent) had more than 50 such contractions (86) in 24 hours. In conclusion, frequent atrial and ventricular premature beats are unusual in a young adult male population. In contrast, bradyarrhythmias (including marked sinus arrhythmia with sinus pauses, sinus bradycardia and nocturnal A-V block) are common. These findings are useful in evaluating the clinical significance of arrhythmias detected with portable monitoring.

The effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis) on cardiac performance with and without beta blockade

Systolic time intervals (STI) were measured in ten healthy male volunteers before and after intravenous (i.v.) administration of 25 mug/kg delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC). Mean +/- SEM heart rate increased 32 +/- 7 beats/min, while systolic and diastolic blood pressures were unchanged after delta-9-THC. Total electromechanical systole lengthened 17 +/- 4.2 msec, left ventricular ejection time (LVETc) prolonged 24 +/- 4.0 msec and pre-ejection period (PEP) shortened 17 +/- 5.1 msec after delta-9-THC. All of these changes were significant (P less than 0.01). In nine other subjects who underwent prior beta adrenergic blockade, similar but less marked changes were noted in heart rate, blood pressure, and STI after delta-9-THC. The shortening of PEP after delta-9-THC was only 9 msec (NS) in beta blocked subjects. Thus, delta-9-THC significantly increased heart rate, shortened PEP and prolonged LVETc without any change in afterload. Beta adrenergic blockade prevented significant shortening of PEP and blunted other responses. These findings suggest that delta-9-THC enhanced cardiac performance. Partial inhibition of this effect was achieved with prior beta adrenergic blockade.

Return of normal conduction after paroxysmal heart block. Report of a case with major discordance of electrophysiological and pathological findings

This report describes a 52-year-old male with paroxysmal heart block as well as left and right bundle branch block, resulting in Stokes-Adams attacks. The patient experienced a return to 1:1 atrioventricular (A-V) conduction with narrow QRS within 48 hours of the attacks and heart block never recurred. Electrophysiological studies three weeks later revealed a narrow QRS, a normal H-V interval (36 msec), 1:1 A-V conduction up to an atrial paced rate of 210 beats/min, and normal refractory periods with atrial extrastimulus techniques (His-Purkinje system refractory periods less than 370 msec). The patient died from a cerebral embolus incurred during diagnostic left heart catheterization two days after electrophysiological studies. Postmortem examination revealed calcific aortic stenosis with calcific impingement upon the pars membranacea resulting in compression of the distal His bundle and marked disruption of the proximal portions of both bundle branches. This report documents a major limitation of electrophysiological studies, this limitation being that these studies may be totally normal on one occasion in a patient with pathologically significant chronic conduction disease, which may become clinically manifest on another occasion.