Chemical Characteristics,Antimicrobial, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Egyptian Cinnamomum glanduliferum Bark

The essential oil isolated from the bark of Cinnamomum glanduliferum (Wall ) Meissn grown in Egypt was screened for its composition as well as its biological activity for the first time. The chemical composition was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was assessed using agar‐well diffusion method toward representatives for each of Gram‐positive bacteria, Gram‐negative bacteria, and fungi. The cytotoxic activity was checked using three human cancer cell lines. Twenty seven compounds were identified, representing 99.07% of the total detected components. The major constituents were eucalyptol (65.87%), terpinen‐4‐ol (7.57%), α‐terpineol (7.39%). The essential oil possessed strong antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli, with an activity index of one and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) equaling to 0.49 μg/ml. The essential oil possessed good antimicrobial activities against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Geotrichum candidum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Helicobacter pylori, Aspergillus fumigatus (MIC: 7.81, 1.95, 7.81, 0.98, 31.25, and 32.5 μg/ml, respectively). A considerable activity was reported against S. aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MIC; 32.5 and 31.25 μg/ml, respectively). The extracted oil was cytotoxic to colon (HCT‐116), liver (HepG2), and breast (MCF‐7) carcinoma cell lines with IC₅₀ of 9.1, 42.4, and 57.3 μg/ml, respectively. These results revealed that Egyptian Cinnamomum glanduliferum bark oil exerts antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities mainly due to eucalyptol and other major compounds.     

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils from the Aerial Parts of Asteriscus graveolens (Forssk.) Less. and Pulicaria incisa (Lam.) DC.: Two Asteraceae Herbs Growing Wild in the Hoggar

In recent years, antimicrobial activities of essential oils have been intensively explored, mainly in researching and developing new antimicrobial agents to overcome microbial resistance. The present study investigates the chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of essential oils obtained from two Asteraceae: Asteriscus graveolens (Forssk .) Less . and Pulicaria incisa (Lam .) DC. Chemical analysis was performed using a combination of capillary GC‐FID and GC/MS analytical techniques. The major component of Asteriscus graveolens were cis‐chrysanthenyl acetate (31.1%), myrtenyl acetate (15.1%), and kessane (11.5%), while for Pulicaria incisa the main components were chrysanthenone (45.3%) and 2,6‐dimethylphenol (12.6%). The oils obtained from the aerial parts were tested against sixteen microbial strains by agar well diffusion technique and dilution methods and showed minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in the range of 19 – 1250 μg/ml. A good antibacterial activity against a common nosocomial pathogen, Acinetobacter baumanniiATCC 19606 was observed, especially from Pulicaria incisa essential oil, with a MIC value up to 19 μg/ml. These results give significant information about the pharmacological activity of these essential oils, which suggest their benefits to human health, having the potential to be used for medical purposes.     

Phenolic Composition,Anti‐Inflammatory,Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities of Alchemilla mollis (Buser) Rothm.

The current study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of Alchemilla mollis (Buser ) Rothm . (Rosaceae) aerial parts extracts. Chemical composition was analyzed by spectrophotometric and chromatographic (HPLC) techniques. The antioxidant properties assessed included DPPH^· and ABTS^·+ radical scavenging, β‐carotene‐linoleic acid co‐oxidation assay. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated with disc diffusion and micro dilution method. In order to evaluate toxicity of the extracts, with the sulforhodamine B colorimetric assay L929 cell line (mouse fibroblast) was used. The anti‐inflammatory activities of the potent antioxidant extracts (methanol, 70% methanol, and water extracts) were determined by measuring the inhibitory effects on NO production and pro‐inflammatory cytokine TNF‐α levels in lipopolysaccharide stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. 70% methanol and water extracts which were found to be rich in phenolic compounds (184.79 and 172.60 mg GAE/g extract) showed higher antioxidant activity. Luteolin‐7‐O‐glucoside was the main compound in the extracts. Ethyl acetate and 70% methanol extracts showed higher antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enteritidis with MIC value of 125 μg/ml. 70% methanol extract potentially inhibited the NO and TNF‐α production (18.43 μm and 1556.22 pg/ml, respectively, 6 h).     

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil from the Edible Aromatic Plant Aristolochia delavayi

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Aristolochia delavayi Franch. (Aristolochiaceae), a unique edible aromatic plant consumed by the Nakhi (Naxi) people in Yunnan, China, was investigated using GC/MS analysis. In total, 95 components, representing more than 95% of the oil composition, were identified, and the main constituents found were (E)‐dec‐2‐enal (52.0%), (E)‐dodec‐2‐enal (6.8%), dodecanal (3.35%), heptanal (2.88%), and decanal (2.63%). The essential oil showed strong inhibitory activity (96% reduction) of the production of bacterial volatile sulfide compounds (VSC) by Klebsiella pneumoniae, an effect that was comparable with that of the reference compound citral (91% reduction). Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and the isolated major compound against eight bacterial and six fungal strains were evaluated. The essential oil showed significant antibacterial activity against Providencia stuartii and Escherichia coli, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 3.9 to 62.5 μg/ml. The oil also showed strong inhibitory activity against the fungal strains Trichophyton ajelloi, Trichophyton terrestre, Candida glabrata, Candida guilliermondii, and Cryptococcus neoformans, with MIC values ranging from 3.9 to 31.25 μg/ml, while (E)‐dec‐2‐enal presented a lower antifungal activity than the essential oil.     

Antimicrobial Compounds from Drypetes staudtii

Antimicrobial‐directed phytochemical investigation of the MeOH extract of Drypetes staudtii afforded two new compounds, 4,5‐(methylenedioxy)‐o‐coumaroylputrescine ( 1 ), 4,5‐(methylenedioxy)‐o‐coumaroyl‐4′‐N‐methylputrescine ( 2 ), along with seven known natural products 4α‐hydroxyeremophila‐1,9‐diene‐3,8‐dione ( 3 ), drypemolundein B ( 4 ), friedelan‐3β‐ol ( 5 ), erythrodiol ( 6 ), ursolic acid ( 7 ), p‐coumaric acid ( 8 ), and β‐sitosterol ( 9 ). Structures of compounds 1 – 9 were elucidated with the aid of extensive NMR and mass spectral studies. All of the isolates exhibited antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the range of 8 – 128 μg/ml. Compounds 1 – 2 were also moderately active against Candida albicans with an MIC value of 32 μg/ml.     

Composition and Activity against Oral Pathogens of the Essential Oil of Melampodium divaricatum (Rich.) DC.

The chemical composition of the essential oil isolated from the aerial parts of Melampodium divaricatum (Rich .) DC. (Asteraceae) was characterized by GC‐FID and GC/MS analyses. (E)‐Caryophyllene (56.0%), germacrene D (12.7%), and bicyclogermacrene (9.2%) were identified as the major oil components. The antimicrobial activity of the oil against seven standard strains of oral pathogens from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) was evaluated by determining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) using the microdilution method. MIC Values below 100 μg/ml were obtained against Streptococcus sobrinus (90 μg/ml), Lactobacillus casei (30 μg/ml), S. mutans (20 μg/ml), and S. mitis (18 μg/ml). In contrast, the MIC values of the major oil compound (E)‐caryophyllene were higher than 400 μg/ml against all pathogens, suggesting that the activity of the oil might depend on minor oil components and/or on synergistic effects. The M. divaricatum essential oil is a promising agent to include in anticariogenic oral rinse formulations for the control of oral pathogens.     

Identification of Predominant Phytochemical Compounds and Cytotoxic Activity of Wild Olive Leaves (Olea europaea L. ssp. sylvestris) Harvested in South Portugal

This study has been aimed at providing a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of selected phytochemicals such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, oleuropein, fatty acids profile, and volatile oil compounds, present in wild olive leaves harvested in Portugal, as well as at determining their antioxidant and cytotoxic potential against human melanoma HTB‐140 and WM793, prostate cancer DU‐145 and PC‐3, hepatocellular carcinoma Hep G2 cell lines, as well as normal human skin fibroblasts BJ and prostate epithelial cells PNT2. Gallic, protocatechuic, p‐hydroxybenzoic, vanillic acids, apigenin 7‐O‐glucoside, luteolin 7‐O‐glucoside, and rutin were identified in olive leaves. The amount of oleuropein was equal to 22.64 g/kg dry weight. (E)‐Anethole (32.35%), fenchone (11.89%), and (Z)‐3‐nonen‐1‐ol (8%) were found to be the main constituents of the oil volatile fraction, whereas palmitic, oleic, and alpha‐linolenic acid were determined to be dominating fatty acids. Olive leaves methanol extract was observed to exerted a significant, selective cytotoxic effect on DU‐145 and PC‐3 cell lines. Except the essential oil composition, evaluated wild olive leaves, with regard to their quantitative and qualitative composition, do not substantially differ from the leaves of other cultivars grown for industrial purposes and they reveal considerable antioxidant and cytotoxic properties. Thus, the wild species may prove to be suitable for use in traditional medicine as cancer chemoprevention.     

Antimicrobial Activity of Scabiosa arenaria Forssk. Extracts and Pure Compounds Using Bioguided Fractionation

The emergence of multidrug resistant pathogens threatened the clinical efficacy of many existing antibiotics. This situation has been recognized globally as a serious concern and justifies further research to discover antimicrobial agents from natural origins including plant extracts. The aim of our work was to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of Scabiosa arenaria Forssk . extracts and pure compounds using a bioguided fractionation, and try to explain some traditional use of this genus. The best antimicrobial activity‐guided fractionation was obtained by BuOH fractions of flowers, fruits and (stems and leaves) against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values from 0.0195 to 5 mg/ml. Escherichia coli was the most affected bug, thus the MIC of fruits BuOH extract showed the best anti‐Escherichia coli activity (MIC = 0.0195 mg/ml), followed by the (stems and leaves) and flowers BuOH extracts; MIC = 0.078 and 0.15 mg/ml, respectively. Furthermore, the subfractions obtained from these three mixed fractions showed also an important antimicrobial activity against the three microorganisms, with MIC values between 0.0195 and 0.312 mg/ml. The fractionation of the aerial part BuOH fraction led to the isolation of oleanolic acid ( 1 ) and luteolin 7‐O‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ) which are reported here for the first time from S. arenaria. Both compounds showed good antimicrobial activities with MIC values ranging from 170 to 683 μm and 86 to 347 μm , respectively. These results support the use of the Scabiosa genus to inhibit the growth of tested pathogenic bacteria and yeasts which may reduce illnesses associated with their exposure.     

Chemical Composition and Antipathogenic Activity of Artemisia annua Essential Oil from Romania

The essential oil extracted by hydrodistillation from Romanian Artemisia annua aerial parts was characterized by GC/MS analysis, which allowed the identification of 94.64% of the total oil composition. The main components were camphor (17.74%), α‐pinene (9.66%), germacrene D (7.55%), 1,8‐cineole (7.24%), trans‐β‐caryophyllene (7.02%), and artemisia ketone (6.26%). The antimicrobial activity of this essential oil was evaluated by determining the following parameters: minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC), minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC), and minimal biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC). Moreover, the soluble virulence factors were quantified with different biochemical substrates incorporated in the culture media. The reference and resistant, clinical strains proved to be susceptible to the A. annua oil, with MICs ranging from 0.51 to 16.33 mg/ml. The tested essential oil also showed good antibiofilm activity, inhibiting both the initial stage of the microbial cell adhesion to the inert substratum and the preformed mature biofilm. When used at subinhibitory concentrations, the essential oil proved to inhibit the phenotypic expression of five soluble virulence factors (hemolysins, gelatinase, DNase, lipases, and lecithinases). Briefly, the present results showed that the A. annua essential oil contained antimicrobial compounds with selective activity on Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacterial strains as well as on yeast strains and which also interfere with the expression of cell‐associated and soluble virulence factors.     

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil from Aerial Parts and Roots of Eryngium barrelieri Boiss. and Eryngium glomeratum Lam. from Tunisia

The study of chemical composition and biological activity of unexplored essential oils may open new perspectives on their potential use in facing major health concerns such as drug‐resistant infections. The present study investigates the chemical composition and antimicrobial effects of previously unstudied essential oils obtained from genus Eryngium: Eryngium glomeratum Lam . and Eryngium barrelieri Boiss . The chemical compositions of the essential oils from aerial parts and roots of both species were studied using GC and GC/MS analytical technics. The analysis led to the identification of 102 compounds totalizing 85 – 94% of all detected compounds. Essential oils were characterized by the predominance of oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The oils obtained from aerial parts were tested against 36 microbial strains by agar dilution method and showed minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in the range of 2 – 625 μg/ml. A strong antibacterial activity against multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa was observed especially from E. glomeratum essential oil with MIC value up to 2 μg/ml. These findings give significant information about the pharmacological activity of these essential oils, which suggest their potential use to develop new remedies, or as sources of active compounds.     

Naphthalene Derivatives and Quinones from Ventilago denticulata and Their Nitric Oxide Radical Scavenging,Antioxidant, Cytotoxic,Antibacterial, and Phosphodiesterase Inhibitory Activities

New naphthalene derivatives ( 1 and 2 ) and a new isomer ( 3 ) of ventilagolin, together with known anthraquinones, chrysophanol ( 4 ), physcion or emodin 3‐methyl ether ( 5 ), and emodin ( 6 ), were isolated from vines of Ventilago denticulata. The isolated compounds exhibited cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ values of 1.15 – 40.54 μg/ml. Compounds 1 – 3 selectively exhibited weak antibacterial activity (MIC values of 200.0 – 400.0 μg/ml), while emodin ( 6 ) displayed moderate antibacterial activity with MIC value of 25.0 μg/ml. The isolated compounds showed nitric oxide and DPPH radical scavenging activities. Compounds 1 – 3 and 6 exhibited weak xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity, while emodin ( 6 ) acted as an aromatase inhibitor with the IC₅₀ value of 10.1 μm . Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 8.28 μm and 6.48 μm , respectively.     

Chemical Composition and Biological Studies of the Essential Oil from Aerial Parts of Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima (L.) Arcang. Growing in Tunisia

The chemical composition, antioxidant, cytotoxic, anticholinesterase and anti‐tyrosinase activities of the hydrodistilled essential oil of the aerial parts of Beta vulgaris subsp. maritime (L.) Arcang . from Tunisia have been evaluated. The chemical composition of the oil (yield 0.037% [w/w]), determined by GC‐FID and GC/MS is reported for the first time. Twenty five components, accounting for 98.1% of the total oil have been identified. The oil was characterized by a high proportion of oxygenated sesquiterpenes (39.2%), followed by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (30.3%) and one apocarotenoids (26.3%). The main compounds were γ‐irone (26.3%), α‐cadinol (12.1%), T‐cadinol (10.6%), bicyclogermacrene (10.4%) and δ‐cadinene (6.0%). The isolated oil was tested for its antioxidant activity using the DPPH^·, ABTS^+·, catalase, and paraoxonase assays and also for its cytotoxic, anticholinesterase, and anti‐tyrosinase activities. The essential oil exhibited high antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 0.055 ± 0.006 mg/ml) and important result oncatalase (524.447 ± 2.58 Units/mg protein). Furthermore, it exerted a significant cytotoxic effect against A549 cell line, with IC₅₀ = 42.44 ± 1.40 μg/ml. The results indicate that the essential oil of B. vulgaris subsp. maritima (L.) Arcang . aerial parts may be used in future as an alternative to synthetic antioxidant agents, with potential application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Bioactive Constituents of Juniperus turbinata Guss. from La Maddalena Archipelago

A comprehensive phytochemical study of Juniperus turbinata (Cupressaceae) collected from La Maddalena Archipelago (Sardinia, Italy) is reported. Both the essential oil and the ethanolic extract obtained from the aerial parts were analyzed. The essential oil appears to belong to a new chemotype compared to other Mediterranean juniper accessions, as it was favored by geographic isolation of the isles. It showed a low content of monoterpene hydrocarbons and α‐terpineol, ent‐manoyl oxide, 1,10‐di‐epi‐cubenol as the major constituents. The ethanolic fraction contained mainly diterpenoids. Among these, 15‐formyloxyimbricatolic acid ( 7 ) is a new natural product since it has hitherto been obtained only by synthetic route. The phenolic fraction contained biflavonoids: cupressuflavone ( 9 ), followed by minor amounts of amentoflavone ( 10 ) and hinokiflavone ( 11 ). The essential oil and six purified compounds ( 1 – 4 , 8 and 9 ) were assessed for biological activities, namely antioxidant (assessed by DPPH^·, ABTS^·+ and FRAP methods) and cytotoxic effects towards selected human tumor cell lines (MDA‐MB 231, A375 and HCT116 cells). Compound 3 exhibited higher radical scavenging activity against ABTS^·+ radical than the reference Trolox. Noteworthy, compound 8 showed powerful effects towards tumor cell lines, with IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.060 – 0.201 μm , which make it a promising anticancer drug candidate.     

Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activity of Extracts of Ferula heuffelii Griseb. ex Heuff. and Its Metabolites

The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of isolates (CHCl₃ and MeOH extracts and selected metabolites) obtained from the underground parts of the Balkan endemic plant Ferula heuffelii Griseb . ex Heuff . were assessed. The CHCl₃ and MeOH extracts exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity, being more pronounced against Gram‐positive than Gram‐negative bacteria, especially against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC=12.5 μg/ml for both extracts) and Micrococcus luteus (MIC=50 and 12.5 μg/ml, resp.). Among the tested metabolites, (6E)‐1‐(2,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐3,7,11‐trimethyl‐3‐vinyldodeca‐6,10‐dien‐1‐one ( 2 ) and (2S*,3R*)‐2‐[(3E)‐4,8‐dimethylnona‐3,7‐dien‐1‐yl]‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐hydroxy‐2,3‐dimethylfuro[3,2‐c]coumarin ( 4 ) demonstrated the best antimicrobial activity. Compounds 2 and 4 both strongly inhibited the growth of M. luteus (MIC=11.2 and 5.2 μM , resp.) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC=22.5 and 10.5 μM , resp.) and compound 2 additionally also the growth of Bacillus subtilis (MIC=11.2 μM ). The cytotoxic activity of the isolates was tested against three human cancer cell lines, viz., cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa), chronic myelogenous leukemia (K562), and breast cancer (MCF‐7) cells. The CHCl₃ extract exhibited strong cytotoxic activity against all cell lines (IC₅₀<11.0 μg/ml). All compounds strongly inhibited the growth of the K562 and HeLa cell lines. Compound 4 exhibited also a strong activity against the MCF‐7 cell line, comparable to that of cisplatin (IC₅₀=22.32±1.32 vs. 18.67±0.75μM ).     

Chemical Variability,Antioxidant and Antifungal Activities of Essential Oils and Hydrosol Extract of Calendula arvensis L. from Western Algeria

The chemical composition of the essential oils and hydrosol extract from aerial parts of Calendula arvensis L. was investigated using GC‐FID and GC/MS. Intra‐species variations of the chemical compositions of essential oils from 18 Algerian sample locations were investigated using statistical analysis. Chemical analysis allowed the identification of 53 compounds amounting to 92.3 – 98.5% with yields varied of 0.09 – 0.36% and the main compounds were zingiberenol 1 (8.7 – 29.8%), eremoligenol (4.2 – 12.5%), β‐curcumene (2.1 – 12.5%), zingiberenol 2 (4.6 – 19.8%) and (E,Z)‐farnesol (3.5 – 23.4%). The study of the chemical variability of essential oils allowed the discrimination of two main clusters confirming that there is a relation between the essential oil compositions and the harvest locations. Different concentrations of essential oil and hydrosol extract were prepared and their antioxidant activity were assessed using three methods (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl, Ferric‐Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay and β‐carotene). The results showed that hydrosol extract presented an interesting antioxidant activity. The in vitro antifungal activity of hydrosol extract produced the best antifungal inhibition against Penicillium expansum and Aspergillus niger, while, essential oil was inhibitory at relatively higher concentrations. Results showed that the treatments of pear fruits with essential oil and hydrosol extract presented a very interesting protective activity on disease severity of pears caused by P. expansum.     

Chemical Composition and Biological Prospects of Essential Oils and Extracts of Aphyllocladus spartioides Growing in Northwest Argentina

Aphyllocladus spartioides Wedd . is a native and aromatic herb used in traditional medicine, however it is still poorly investigated. In this work, the volatile profile of A. spartioides growing in Hornillos‐Northwest Argentina was determined by GC/MS/FID and the phenolic compounds of hydroethanolic and decoction extracts were analyzed by HPLC‐DAD. The antibacterial potential, antioxidant activity and α‐glucosidase inhibition activity were checked by in vitro assays. The volatile profile allowed the identification of 68 compounds, being α‐pinene and cadinene the main ones. Eighteen phenolics were identified, isorhamnetin derivatives and different phenolic acid derivatives were found in higher amounts, mainly in the hydroethanolic extract. A concentration‐dependent activity was noticed against DPPH^·, , and α‐glucosidase, these activities being reported for the first time. Hydroethanolic extract was most active against DPPH^·, ^·NO and α‐glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 79, 206 and 181 μg/ml). Decoction extract proved to be better against (IC₅₀ = 20 μg/ml). Regarding the antibacterial activity, hydroethanolic extract was more active compared with decoction and essential oil. MICs of 0.3 – 0.6 mg/ml were obtained against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Micrococcus luteus. Results suggest that the extracts of A. spartioides from Northwest Argentina may be interesting to use as a source of natural antioxidants/antimicrobials for pharmaceutical incorporations or food supplementation.     

Barks Essential Oil,Secondary Metabolites and Biological Activities of Four Organs of Tunisian Calligonum azel Maire

This study is the first to investigate the chemical composition of barks essential oil (EO), secondary metabolites and biological activities of the MeOH and infusions extracts of seeds, leaves, barks and roots of Calligonum azel Maire (Polygonaceae) harvested from Tunisian desert. The gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) results showed the presence of fifty‐four compounds in barks EO. The major components were: viridiflorol (14.6%), α‐eudesmol (8.65%), trans‐caryophyllene (6.72%), elemol (6.63%), β‐eudesmol (6.21%). The obtained results showed that C. azel is a very rich plant in secondary metabolites. High contents in polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins were observed in both extracts of all studied organs. Significant differences were found between both extracts of the four organs. Thus, polyphenols and tannins were more abundant in leaves infusion extract, while, flavonoids showed a high level in barks extract. The antioxidant activity data demonstrated that all extracts showed strong antioxidant and radical scavenging activities. The MeOH extracts presented potential for antibacterial and antifungal activities against all tested microorganisms. The inhibition zones diameters and minimal inhibitrice concentration values were in the range of 9 – 15 mm and 2.5 – 20 μg/ml, respectively. This study demonstrated that C. azel can be regarded as an excellent plant source for natural antimicrobial agents.     

Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Dyssodia tagetiflora Lag.

While plants of the genus Dyssodia are used by man to a certain extent, few phytochemical and pharmacological studies have been performed with species of this genus. D. tagetiflora is an endemic plant of Mexico and has been used as fodder. The aim of this research was to isolate and identify the main bioactive components and evaluate the insecticidal, antioxidant, genotoxic and cytoprotective activities of D. tagetiflora. The isolated substances included an essential oil composed of six monoterpenes, and extracts containing two flavonols, three flavonol‐glycosides and four thiophenes. The compounds were characterized using spectroscopic and spectrometric methods, including GC/MS, MS and NMR. The essential oil showed insecticidal activity against Drosophila melanogaster larvae. The methanolic extract of D. tagetiflora (DTME) had strong antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals; DTME showed no evidence of genotoxic or cytotoxic effects. In contrast, DTME showed a cytoprotective effect attenuating the formation of H₂O₂‐induced micronuclei in Vicia faba roots. This report is the first to describe the phytochemical and biological activity of D. tagetiflora.     

Biological Activities of Phenolics from the Fruits of Phyllanthus emblica L. (Euphorbiaceae)

Seven phenolic compounds, 1 – 7 , including a new organic acid gallate, mucic acid 1‐ethyl 6‐methyl ester 2‐O‐gallate ( 7 ), were isolated from the MeOH extract of the fruits of Phyllanthus emblica L. (Euphorbiaceae). The structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. Upon evaluated for their antioxidant abilities by 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The inhibitory activities against melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells induced by α‐MSH, as well as cytotoxic activities against four human cancer cell lines were also evaluated. All phenolic compounds, 1 – 7 , exhibited potent antioxidant abilities (DPPH: IC₅₀ 5.6 – 12.9 μm ; ABTS: 0.87 – 8.43 μm Trolox/μm ; FRAP: 1.01 – 5.79 μm Fe²⁺/μm , respectively). Besides, 5 – 7 , also exhibited moderate inhibitory activities against melanogenesis (80.7 – 86.8% melanin content), even with no or low toxicity to the cells (93.5 – 101.6% cell viability) at a high concentration of 100 μm . Compounds 1 – 3 exhibited cytotoxic activity against one or more cell lines (IC₅₀ 13.9 – 68.4%), and compound 1 with high tumor selectivity for A549 (SI 3.2).     

Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oil and Extracts of Satureja subspicata Vis. Growing in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The phytochemical composition and the antioxidant activities of the essential oil, as well as methanol and hot water extracts of endemic Satureja subspicata Vis . growing in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), were described. β‐Caryophyllene, cis‐β‐ocimene, and α‐pinene, identified by GC/MS and GC‐FID, were the dominant oil components. The major compound of both of extracts, identified by HPLC‐DAD, was rosmarinic acid. The analyzed essential oil showed moderate antioxidant activity. In this first report on the extracts of S. subspicata growing in BiH, the obtained results showed a high content of rosmarinic acid, as well as considerable amount of total phenols and flavonoids. Compared to the hot water extract, the methanol extract exhibits higher antioxidant potential, measured by DPPH and FRAP assay (IC₅₀ = 0.45 g/l and 1879.43 equiv. Fe²⁺ μm ), while the hot water extract showed higher potential in inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation (51.7% and 61.5% for 1 and 10 g/l). A good antioxidant potential of the tested extracts indicates their potential use as antioxidants, particularly for lipid protection, and partly explains the justification of the use of this plant in traditional medicine of BiH.