UHPLC/HR‐ESI‐MS/MS Profiling of Phenolics from Tunisian Lycium arabicum Boiss. Antioxidant and Anti‐lipase Activities’ Evaluation

This study was performed in the aim to evaluate nine different extracts from Tunisian Lycium arabicum for their total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, phytochemical analyses as well as their antioxidant and anti‐lipase activities. The in vitro antioxidant property was investigated using three complementary methods (DPPH, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and β‐carotene‐linoleic acid bleaching assays) while anti‐lipase activity was evaluated using 4‐methylumbelliferyl oleate method. From all of the tested extracts the most potent found to be the polar MeOH extracts especially those of stems and leaves. In order to investigate the chemical composition of these extracts and possible correlation of their constituents with the observed activities, an UHPLC/HR‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis was performed. Several compounds belonging to different chemical classes were tentatively identified such as rutin and kampferol rutinoside, the major constituents of the leaves, and N‐caffeoyltyramine, lyciumide A, N‐dihydrocaffeoyltyramine as well as fatty acids: trihydroxyoctadecadienoic acid and hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid isomers were detected abundantly in the stems. These results showed that the MeOH extracts of stems and leaves of L. arabicum can be considered as a potential source of biological active compounds.     

Antimicrobial activity of fatty acids from fruits of Peucedanum cervaria and P. alsaticum

Plants of the genus Peucedanum have been used in traditional medicine for a long time to treat different diseases including infectious diseases. The hexane fruits extracts of Peucedanum cervaria and P. alsaticum were examined for antimicrobial activity and analyzed for their fatty acid content. Fatty acid composition of oils were analyzed by GC/FID in methyl ester form. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of fatty acid fractions against twelve reference bacterial and yeast strains were performed by the twofold serial microdilution broth method. Fourteen fatty acids were identified. Oleic and linoleic acids were found to be dominant. The extracts from both plants examined exhibited inhibitory effects against Gram‐positive strains tested with different MIC values (0.25–2 mg/ml); however, extract from P. alsaticum possessed stronger antibacterial properties and a broader spectrum. The growth of Gram‐negative bacteria and Candida spp. strains was not inhibited even at the highest extract concentration used (MIC>4 mg/ml). Standard fatty acids exhibited inhibitory effects towards all bacterial and yeast strains used in this study; however, the majority of bacteria were more sensitive to linoleic than to oleic acid. These results revealed, for the first time, that hexane extracts obtained from fruits of P. alsaticum and P. cervaria possess moderate in vitro antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria including staphylococci. Linoleic and oleic acids appear to be the compounds responsible for this effect, and a synergistic antimicrobial effect between these two fatty acids was indicated.     

Biological effects of active fraction isolated from Hydnocarpus pentandra (Bunch. –Ham.) Oken seeds against Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Hydnocarpus pentandra (Flacourtiaceae) seeds were tested for antifeedant, larvicidal, pupal mortality and adult deformations activities against Helicoverpa armigera. Crude extracts were screened at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% concentrations. Bioassay-guided fractionation method was followed to isolate the active fraction from the crude extract. Active fraction was analysed by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and GC-MS. Hexane extract presented the highest antifeedant (87.89%), pupal mortality (41.67%) and adult malformation activities at 2% concentration. Seven different fractions were isolated from hexane extract, among which fraction-2 showed the highest antifeedant (81.43%) activity and recorded the lowest LC₅₀ of 792.07 ppm. The fraction-2 contained two cyclopentenyl carboxylic acids, such as hydnocarpic acid (1) and chaulmoogric acid (2) in the ratio of 2:1. These compounds were major constituents in the active fraction of hexane extract of H. pentandra seeds. Fraction-2 can be used for agricultural pest management.     

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.     

Antifungal activity of extracts of the lichens Parmelia reticulata,Ramalina roesleri,Usnea longissima and Stereocaulon himalayense

Antifungal activity of the hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous extracts of the lichens namely, Parmelia reticulata, Ramalina roesleri, Usnea longissima and Stereocaulon himalayense were evaluated against nine soil-borne pathogenic fungi namely Rhizoctonia bataticola, Sclerotium rolfsii, Alternaria alternata, Pythium debaryanum, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotina sclerotium and Pythium aphanidermatum by food poison technique. ED₅₀ (Effective dose for 50% of inhibition) was calculated using Probit analysis. Hexane and dichloromethane extracts from all the four lichen species were found most active against the test fungi while aqueous extract was found to be least effective against all the test pathogenic fungi. The highest inhibition was recorded with hexane extracts of P. reticulata, R. roesleri, U.longissima and S. himalayense against R. bataticola with ED₅₀ 25.1, 24.50, 18.91 and 51.36 μg ml^?1, respectively.     

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 ).     

THE BIOLOGICAL ACT'IVITIES OF YELLOW AZALEA,RHODODENDRON MOLLE G. DON AGAINST THE VEGETABLE LEAFMINER,LIRIOMYZA SATIVAE (DIPTERA: AGROMYZIDAE) *

Abstract The results of laboratory and greenhouse bioassays indicated that Rhodojaponin‐ III (Abbr. R‐ 1) and extracts of flowers from Rhododendron molle G. Don possessed signficant feeding inhibition and insectcidal properties against the larvae and adults of Liromyzia sativae. Treated with 500 mg/L R‐ III 1 000 mg/L molosul‐tap, and 10 000 mg/L methanol(MeOH) ethyl acetate (EtOAc), CH₂Cl₂, methanol‐water (MeOH‐H₂O) extracts the rates of feeding inhibition were 77. 34 % 74.30 % 82.15 % 77.50 % 67. 33 % 62.85 % against the 2nd instar larvae, and were 67.66% 55.21 % 49.72% 54.26% 46.81 % 38.53% against the 3rd instar larvae, respectively;LC₅₀ values against the 2nd instar larvae were 208.65, 166.05, 2.74 ± 10³,766.72, 5.95 ± 10³, 1.85 ± 10³mg/L, and against 3rd larvae were 300.62, 256.00, 4.33 ±10³, 1.03 ± 10³,9.79 ± 10³, and 2.62± 10³mg/L, respectively. Against the adults, LC₅₀ values of R‐III EtOAc extract and molosultap were 159.07.723.87 and 134.55mgL respectively after treatment for 24 h.     

Antibacterial and antilarval-settlement potential and metabolite profiles of novel sponge-associated marine bacteria

In this study, we screened seven novel sponge-associated marine bacteria for their antibacterial and antilarval-settlement activity in order to find possible new sources of non-toxic or less toxic bioactive antifoulants. The anti-bacterial-growth activity of crude extracts of each bacterium was evaluated by the disk-diffusion assay. Extracts of four potent bacteria with high and broad spectra of antibacterial activity were further separated with solvents of different polarities (hexane and ethyl acetate). To evaluate their indirect inhibitive effect on larval settlement, we tested for their antibiofilm formation activity against two of the test bacteria (Vibrio halioticoli and Loktanella hongkongensis) inductive to Hydroides elegans larval settlement. About 60 and 87% of the extracts inhibited biofilm formation by V. halioticoli and by L. hongkongensis respectively. The extracts were also tested for their direct antilarval-settlement activity against the barnacle Balanus amphitrite and the polychaete H. elegans; 87% of the extracts had a strong inhibitive effect on larval settlement of both species. Extracts of two of the isolates completely inhibited larval settlement of B. amphitrite at 70 μg ml⁻¹ and H. elegans at 60 μg ml⁻¹. The organic extracts of Winogradskyella poriferorum effectively inhibited the larval settlement of both H. elegans and B. amphitrite and the biofilm formation of the two bacterial species. The metabolites present in the active crude extracts were profiled using GC MS, and the most prevalent metabolites present in all extracts were identified. This study successfully identified potential new sources of antifouling compounds.

LC-ESI-MS/MS Chemical Characterization,Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Properties of Propolis Extracted with Organic Solvents from Eastern Anatolia Region

Geographic conditions (altitude, climate, and local flora) lead to significant differences in the chemical composition of propolis. Therefore, more research is needed for propolis in different geographical regions. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the phenolic profile, total phenolic content, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties of Pülümür propolis from Turkey. Methanol (MeOH), chloroform (CHCl₃), and hexane extracts of propolis were analyzed. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of the extracts showed that the most abundant phenolic compound is caffeic acid in the MeOH extract (2943.12±11.12 μg phenolics/g extract), while on the other hand, CHCl₃ extract had the highest total phenolic content (125.75±1.02 mg GAE/g extract). Antioxidant activity was measured using ABTS and DPPH assays, whereas CHCl₃ extract (IC₅₀=6.35±0.11 and 28.84±0.10 μg/mL, respectively) and MeOH extracts (IC₅₀=5.04±0.07 and 28.80±0.09 μg/mL, respectively) showed relatively high antioxidant activity. The MeOH extract showed better antidiabetic activity than the standard compound, acarbose (IC₅₀=0.544 and 0.805 mg/mL, respectively).     

α‐Glucosidase Inhibitory Xanthones from the Roots of Garcinia fusca

Two new compounds, fuscaxanthones J ( 1 ) and K ( 2 ), together with eight known xanthones ( 3 – 10 ) were isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of the roots of Garcinia fusca. Their structures were determined using spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR. α‐Glucosidase inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated and fuscaxanthone J ( 1 ) showed the most significant effect with an IC₅₀ value of 8.3 ± 1.8 μm (compared with acarbose, IC₅₀ = 214.5 ± 2.3 μm ).     

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).     

Hybrid Pharmacophore Design,Molecular Docking,Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Aldimine‐Type Schiff Base Derivatives as Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitor

A series of hybrid aldimine‐type Schiff base derivatives including trimethoxyphenyl ring and 1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thiol/thione were designed as tubulin inhibitors. The molecular docking simulations on tubulin complex (PDB: 1SA0) revealed that derivatives with nitro and/or chloro or dimethylamino substitutes (4‐nitro, 2‐nitro, 3‐nitro, 4‐Cl‐3‐nitro, and 4‐Me₂N) on the aldehyde ring were the best compounds with remarkable binding energies (?9.09, ?9.07, ?8.63, ?8.11, and ?8.07 kcal mol^?1, respectively) compared to colchicine (?8.12 kcal mol^?1). These compounds were also showed remarkable binding energies from ?10.66 to ?9.79 and ?10.12 to ?8.95 kcal mol^?1 on human (PDB: 1PD8) and Candida albicans (PDB: 3QLS) DHFR, respectively. The obtained results of cytotoxic activities against HT1080, HepG2, HT29, MCF‐7, and A549 cancer cell lines indicated that 4‐nitro and 2‐nitro substituted compounds were the most effective agents by mean IC₅₀ values of 11.84 ± 1.01 and 19.92 ± 1.36 μm , respectively. 4‐Nitro substituted compound (5 μm ) and 2‐nitro substituted compound (30 μm ) were able to strongly inhibit the tubulin polymerization compared to colchicine (5 μm ) and 4‐nitro substituted compound displayed IC₅₀ values of 0.16 ± 0.01 μm compared to that of colchicine (0.19 ± 0.01 μm ). This compound also showed the lowest MIC values on all tested microbial strains including three Gram‐positive, four Gram‐negative, and three yeast pathogens.     

Characterization of Schinus lentiscifolius Marchand (Anacardiaceae) Bark Extract and Its Effects on Lymphocyte Oxidative Stress and Heat Shock Response

Schinus lentiscifolius Marchand has been used in folk medicine to treat immunoinflammatory related diseases, which are marked by OS and altered HSR. Our study aimed to evaluate OS and HSR in lymphocytes treated with S. lentiscifolius bark extracts. S. lentiscifolius barks were partitioned with solvents to obtain hexane (SL‐HEX), ethyl acetate (SL‐ACOET) and methanol (SL‐MEOH) extracts, and the presence of bioactive compounds was evaluated by thin layer chromatography. Total phenols were measured by the Folin–Ciocalteu method and flavonoids were identified by HPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS. Antioxidant capacity was verified by DPPH method, cell viability by Trypan Blue method, lipid peroxidation by TBARS and HSP70 by immunoblotting. The SL‐ACOET extract presented higher content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in vitro. It was able to reduce lipid peroxidation levels in lymphocytes induced by H₂O₂ and improved cell viability. The SL‐ACOET extract inhibited HSR by a decrease in both intracellular content and release of 70 kDa heat shock proteins (HSP70) and also by decrease extra‐to‐intracellular HSP70 ratio in lymphocytes submitted to heat shock (2 h, 41 °C). S. lentiscifolius bark extract has antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect on HSR probably due to the presence of polyphenols as the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol.     

Damage of staphylococcal cytoplasmic membrane by Quercus infectoria G. Olivier and its components

Aims: In traditional Thai medicine, nutgall of Quercus infectoria G. Olivier is well‐documented as an effective agent for wound and skin infections. The present study was aimed to establish modes of action of the ethanol extract of the plant as well as its main constituents to induce anti‐methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity. Methods and Results: The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)/minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of ethyl acetate I, ethyl acetate II, 95% ethanol and 30% ethanol fractions against MRSA were 0·06/0·25, 0·13/0·25, 0·25/0·5 and 0·5/1·00 mg ml^?1, respectively. Ellagic acid, gallic acid, syringic acid and tannic acid as major components of Q. infectoria nutgall extract were included in this study. Among these, gallic acid and tannic acid demonstrated good MIC/MBC values at 0·06/0·06 and 0·13/0·25 mg ml^?1, respectively. A lysis experiment demonstrated that the ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction I and all of the main components failed to lyse MRSA cells. In contrast, both MRSA and Staph. aureus ATCC 25923 treated with the ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction I, gallic acid and tannic acid displayed significant loss of tolerance to low osmotic pressure and high salt concentration. Conclusions: The results documented the effect of different fractions of Q. infectoria and purified compounds on MRSA and Staph. aureus. In addition, the study demonstrated that treatment with Q. infectoria extract and the purified compounds results in hypersensitivity to low and high osmotic pressure. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study provides scientific information to support the traditional uses of the nutgall extract and suggesting its anti‐MRSA mechanisms.     

Inhibitory effect of Terminalia chebula Retz. fruit extracts on digestive enzyme related to diabetes and oxidative stress

Terminalia chebula fruit extracts were prepared sequentially with hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and methanol–water (70:30) and tested for their α-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant potential. The study resulted in the formulation of an extract with high α-glucosidase inhibitory potential (IC₅₀ 0.19?±?0.03 µg mL^?1) enriched with hydrolysable tannins. Also, each of the extract was chemically characterized by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on the basis of their marker compounds chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid and corilagin in order to give explanation to the significant activity shown by the extracts. The antioxidant potential of the highly active extract was evaluated in the cellular level also using superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase and induced oxidative stress assays. The results indicated the possibility of using the extract as a nutraceutical health supplement in the management of type 2 diabetes.     

Anti-herpesvirus bovine type 5 activities of extracts obtained from Plocamium brasiliense

Bovine herpesvirus type 5 (BoHV-5) is an important etiologic agent of meningoencephalitis in cattle and has been frequently identified in outbreaks of neurological disease in bovine in the southern hemisphere including Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect and the antiviral properties of extracts obtained from Plocamium brasiliense (Greville) Howe and Taylor in BoHV-5 RJ42/01 replication. The cytotoxic effects were measured in Madin-Darbin bovine kidney cells (MDBK) and cytotoxic concentration (CC₅₀) values have been determined for acyclovir (ACV) (223 μg?±?2.0), ethyl acetate extract from P. brasiliense (2,109 μg?±?10), hexane extract from P. brasiliense (7.181 μg?±?5), dichloromethane extract from P. brasiliense (2.356 μg?±?6.5), and hydroalcoholic extract from P. brasiliense (1.408 μg?±?5.8). As a first approach to characterize the action of these extracts on BoHV-5 RJ42/01, a virucidal assay activity was performed. A virus suspension containing 1?×?10⁵ plaque-forming units (PFU) of the BoHV-5 RJ42/01 was mixed with 600 μg of extract and acyclovir and kept at room temperature (24 °C) for 3 h. Meanwhile, a control of untreated infected virus was performed in the same conditions. Then, treated virus suspension and untreated control were diluted, and percentage of inhibition of infectivity was determined by plaque assay: ethyl acetate extract (99 %), hexane extract (90 %), dichloromethane extract (99 %), and hydroalcoholic extract (27 %). Acyclovir had a slight virucidal activity on viral particle. The inhibition of attachment was performed in MDBK cells inoculated with 100 PFU of BoHV-5 RJ42/01 in the presence or absence of various concentrations of extracts (0.3, 0.9, and 1.5 μg mL^?1). Acyclovir was also assayed at 2.8 and 11.25 μg mL^?1. The inhibition of adsorption was also tested in MDBK cells treated with the same concentrations of the extracts before virus inoculation. Results: hexane extracts inhibited virus attachment in pre-treated cell 0.9 μg (55 %) and 1.5 μg (71 %) and untreated MDBK cell only with 1.5 μg (63 %). Ethyl acetate extract on cell pre-treated with 0.3 μg (67 %), 0.9 μg (81 %), and 1.5 μg (91 %). Ethyl acetate extract on pre-treated cell 0.3 μg (67 %), 0.9 μg (81 %), and 1.5 (91 %) but discrete inhibition on cell untreated. Dichloromethane extract and acyclovir slightly inhibited virus binding on MDBK cell.     

Composition, and antimicrobial and remarkable antiprotozoal activities of the essential oil of rhizomes of Aframomum sceptrum K. Schum. (Zingiberaceae)

The essential oil from the rhizomes of Aframomum sceptrum (Zingiberaceae) was analyzed by GC/MS, and its major constituents were found to be β‐pinene (12.7%), caryophyllene oxide (10.0%), and cyperene (6.0%). The oil was also evaluated for antimicrobial activities, in comparison with β‐pinene, caryophyllene oxide, and the leaf essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae). The A. sceptrum essential oil exhibited bacteriostatic activity against the Gram‐positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and S. aureus, but not against Gram‐negative bacteria. Moreover, it showed mild fungicidal activity against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigates, and remarkable antiprotozoal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (MLC of 1.51 μl/ml) and Trichomonas vaginalis (IC₅₀ of 0.12±0.02 and MLC of 1.72 μl/ml).     

Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Evaluation and of Toddalia asiatica (Rutaceae) Extracts and Essential Oil by in Vitro and in Silico Approaches.

Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. is extensively used in traditional medicinal systems by various cultures. Despite its frequent use in traditional medicine, there is still a paucity of scientific information on T. asiatica growing on the tropical island of Mauritius. Therefore, the present study was designed to appraise the pharmacological and phytochemical profile of extracts (methanol, ethyl acetate and water) and essential oil obtained from aerial parts of T. asiatica. Biological investigation involved the evaluation of in vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potentials. The chemical profile of the EO was determined using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis, while for the extracts, the total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid content were quantified as well as their individual phenolic compounds by LC/MS/MS. Quinic acid, fumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, quercitrin and isoquercitrin were the main compounds in the extracts. Highest total phenolic (82.5±0.94 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE/g)) and flavonoid (43.8±0.31 mg rutin equivalent (RE/g)) content were observed for the methanol extract. The GC/MS analysis has shown the presence of 26 compounds with linalool (30.9 %), linalyl acetate (20.9 %) and β-phellandrene (7.9 %) being most abundant components in the EO. The extracts and EO showed notable antioxidant properties, with the methanol extract proved to be superior source of antioxidant compounds. Noteworthy anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and anti-butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) effects were recorded for the tested samples, while only the methanol and ethyl acetate extracts were active against tyrosinase. With respect to antidiabetic effects, the extracts and EO were potent inhibitors of α-glucosidase, while modest activity was recorded against α-amylase. Docking results showed that linalyl acetate has the highest affinity to interact with the active site of BChE with docking score of −6.25 kcal/mol. The findings amassed herein act as a stimulus for further investigations of this plant as a potential source of bioactive compounds which can be exploited as phyto-therapeutics.     

Inhibition of the growth and development of mosquito larvae of Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae) treated with extract from flower of Matricaria chamomilla (Asteraceae)

Mosquitoes can transfer many adverse diseases to human and animals therefore, there is a need to fight their spread. Among promising larvicidal sources is the use of plant extracts, which will play an important role in the future. This study was conducted to assess the larvicidal activity of Ferula hermonis Boiss,Achillea millefolium, Salvia officnalis, Psidium guaja and Matricaria chamomilla extract against Culex pipiens. The plant materials were extracted with hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol using a Soxhlet extractor. The extracts were evaluated for larvicidal activity against Cx. pipiens the mortality was monitored after 24 and 48 h of exposure. None of the extracts tested showed larvicidal acitivties except M. chamomilla. The ethyl acetate extract showed the most promising larvicidal activity with LC₅₀ values of 287.1 and 209.4 ppm after 24 and 48 h of exposure, respectively. Treatment of the eggs with different concentrations of the active extract decreased the hatchability of the eggs dose dependently from 95 to 86.49%. Similarly, the pupal duration increased in treated groups. The larval period lasted for 12 d, whereas that of the control group lasted for 10 d. Furthermore, the pupal period lasted 3 d (control 2 d) in treated groups. The data also revealed a significant decrease in the growth index in treated groups (0.00–7.53) than that of the control (8.5). The GC–MS analysis revealed the presence of 1.6.10‐dodecatriene, 7,11‐dimethyl‐3‐methylene (89.68%), 1,6‐cyclodecadiene, 1‐methyl‐5‐methylene‐8‐(1‐methylethyl)‐, [S‐(E,E)] (6.34%), 2H‐pyran ?3‐ol (4.04%), and 2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one (0.079%).     

NMR,HS‐SPME‐GC/MS,and HPLC/MSn Analyses of Phytoconstituents and Aroma Profile of Rosmarinus eriocalyx

In this work, a comprehensive study on the chemical constituents of the aerial parts of Rosmarinus eriocalyx (Lamiaceae), an aromatic shrub traditionally consumed as a food and herbal remedy in Algeria, is presented. The aroma profile was analysed by headspace solid phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) coupled with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC/MS), whereas the crude extract constituents were analyzed by ¹H‐NMR and by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC/MSⁿ). Thirty‐nine volatile compounds, most of them being monoterpenes, have been identified, with camphor, camphene, and α‐pinene as the most abundant constituents. ¹H‐NMR analysis revealed the presence of phenolic compounds and betulinic acid while HPLC/MSⁿ allowed the identification of glycosilated and aglyconic flavonoids as well as phenylpropanoid derivatives. Some of these constituents, namely as betulinic acid, rosmanol, and cirsimaritin were reported for the first time in R. eriocalyx.