Evaluation of chemical composition and antiedematogenic activity of the essential oil of Hyptis martiusii Benth

Evaluations of the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants and their components have been the subject of many studies. Furthermore, the biological activities of various plant species have been reported in various pieces of literature. Hyptis martiusii Benth (Lamiaceae), popularly known as “mad balm” is commonly found in the North, Southeast, and Northeast of Brazil. Its leaves are used ethnobiologically as antiulcerogenic, antimicrobial, antitumor and as insecticide. This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of the essential oil of H. martiusii Benth (OEHM) by GC/MS as well as its possible topical activity as an antiedematogenic. This is verified by the models of ear edema induced by single (acute edema) and multiple (chronic edema) applications of croton oil topically, and systemically verified through the model of paw edema induced by carrageenan 1%. Doses of 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg OEHM were used in all tests. Chemical analysis of the oil revealed the 1,8-cineole (34.58%) and δ-carene (21:58%) as major components present in the essential oil. On the model of ear edema, acute and chronic OEHM in all the tested doses showed no significant antiedematogenic activity (p < 0.05). The systemic model of paw edema induced by carrageenin showed that a dose of 100 mg/kg effectively reduced swelling by 55.37% in the second hour evaluation when compared to the saline group. The anti-inflammatory systemic effect can give greater bioavailability of the components present in the essential oil and your interference in cytokines and leukotriene, thromboxane and prostaglandin biosynthesis. It is therefore concluded that OEHM presents systemic antiedematogenic activity but not topical activity at these doses.     

Humulus lupulus L. cv. Cascade grown in Northern Italy: morphological and phytochemical characterization

Abstract

Several aroma hops (Humulus lupulus L.) were recently introduced in Northern Italy as a small-scale production of excellence. In this preliminary study, the American cultivar Cascade was investigated in a combined morphological and phytochemical survey. Morphological investigation on trichome structure, density and distribution was performed by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. Essential oil composition, α/β-acid and polyphenol profiles over 3 years were determined by GC-MS and HPLC analyses. Two types of non-glandular (simple and cystolithic) and glandular (peltate and bulbous) trichomes were observed on leaves and female inflorescences. The peltate trichomes resulted as the main sites of terpene production and accumulation. The essential oil profiles showed myrcene, β-caryophyllene, (E)-β-farnesene and humulene epoxide II as the dominant compounds over the three collection times, although with different relative abundances. The presence of two exclusive compounds, γ-muurolene and trans-γ-cadinene, characterized the investigated cv. Cascade, potentially enhancing herbal, woody and spicy aroma traits of this cultivation in Northern Italy. The bitter acid composition showed quantitative values consistent with literature data only for the second and third monitoring year. Qualitative differences in polyphenol content were also recorded, for the presence of quercetin-3-O-malonylglucoside and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, which may characterize this peculiar Italian cultivation.     

Quantitative and qualitative assessment on the suitability of seed oil from water plant (Trichilia emetica) for soap making

Despite widespread and its local available as a naturalized hedge and shade plant, the potential of Trichilia emetica was not utilized in soap making by the majority of local community in various parts of Dodoma, Tanzania. This study aimed to assess the quantity (yields) and quality (Acid Values (AVs), %Free Fatty Acids (%FFAs) and Saponification Values (SVs) of seed oil from water plant (T. emetica), suitable for soap making application. Solvent extraction method was used during oil extraction, where by 50gm of preheated and powdered seed materials were immersed in 250 ml of n-hexane in 1:5 (w/v) to dissolve the oil contained in the seed cake. The oil was collected by vaporizing solvent out through Rotary evaporation at 60 °C. Also standard titration methods were used to obtain SVs, AVs and %FFAs of the extracted oil. Results showed that T. emetica seeds contained higher quantity of oil (48.4%−50.2%) than many reported commercial plant seed oils. Also, the study found higher AV (7.4 mgKOH/g−7.8 mgKOH/g), %FFA (3.7% to 3.9%) and SVs (189.5 mgKOH/g − 191.4 mgKOH/g) than the maximum acceptable limits of 0.50 mg KOH/g, 0.020% and 175 mgKOH/g − 187 mgKOH/g prescribed by ASTM standards (2002). The obtained results showed that, T. emetica seeds yielded high oil quantity with low qualities due to higher levels of acidity. But high SVs guarantees the possibility of using T. emetica seed oil in soap making. However, the oil requires purification in order to bring levels of acidity to acceptable standards and guarantee its normal use in soap making.     

Does transpiration have an essential function in long-distance ion transport in plants?

Abstract. Long-term effects of transpiration on growth and on long-distance ion transport were investigated in maize over a whole growth cycle. Maize plants were grown with nutrients supplied at adequate levels in hydroculture or in soil at 50–60% and at >95% relative humidity. Although the amount of water lost by the plants under these conditions differed by a factor 2 to 3, there was neither a decrease in growth (fresh weight and dry weight) nor in ash content of the 'humid'plants. This was also found when the upper part of the shoot (70–150 cm) was tested separately. It is suggested that transpiration is not essential for long-distance transport of mineral elements in plants. Alternatives are discussed.     

Somatic polyploidy in extraembryonic membranes of the snake,Elaphe guttata

Summary Video-densitometric DNA measurements of Feulgenstained tissues of 42 day old eggs of the corn snake,Elaphe g. guttata (Columbridae, Serpentes), revealed a basic DNA content of 2C=2.17 pg, with somatic polyploidy in the allantois, the chorioallontois, the yolk sac, and other extraembryonic membranes. The maximum value determined was 128C (in binucleate cells 2×128C) at the distal pole of the egg. This is the first report of somatic polyploidy in a snake, and one of the first in reptiles in general.     

Biochemical composition of the parasitic amphipod Hyperia galba in relation to age and starvation

Summary Hyperia galba was collected in the waters around Helgoland and in the Weser-Elbe-estuary during autumn. Its mode of life is a temporary but obligatory parasitism. The basal biochemical composition of the adults was analyzed in detail and related to the fresh, dry, and ash-free dry weight as well as sex and body length. Hyperia galba (males/females) consists of 85/86% water; the dry matter contains approximately 64/61% protein, 10/11% lipid, 1.2/1.5% carbohydrate, 10/8% chitin, and 23/23% ash. The analyses of basal elemental composition yielded approximately 38% C, 9% N and 6% H. Under natural conditions, individuals may encounter at least two periods of food shortage during their lives. Therefore, the analyses were carried out on individuals of different developmental stages also under food deprivation. The data are discussed with respect to the special mode of life of the species and compared with those found by other authors in several related crustacean species.Abbreviations AFDW ash-free dry weight - BL body length - DW dry weight - SD standard deviation - WW wet weight     

Lipid Droplet-Derived Monounsaturated Fatty Acids Traffic via PLIN5 to Allosterically Activate SIRT1

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