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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This study is the first to investigate the chemical composition and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of leaf oil. A yellow oil was obtained...
This study is the first to investigate the chemical composition and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of leaf oil. A yellow oil was obtained through hydro-distillation, with a yield of 0.1% (/). The GC-MS analysis revealed 66 compounds, constituting 99.6% of the oil. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons predominated (70.4%), followed by monoterpene hydrocarbons (13.2%), oxygenated sesquiterpenes (12.4%), non-terpenic compounds (2.0%), and oxygenated monoterpenes (1.6%). Major constituents included germacrene D (25.1%), ()-caryophyllene (17.4%), bicyclogermacrene (6.6%), -pinene (6.2%), and -pinene (4.7%). The assessment of antioxidant capacity via 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay yielded a weak effect, with an IC value > 100 µg/mL. The inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells was quantified using the MTT assay, showing an IC value of 15.15 ± 0.68 µg/mL. Furthermore, cytotoxic effects on SK-LU-1 cell line growth were evaluated using the sulforhodamine B assay, resulting in an IC value of 37.45 ± 2.43 μg/mL. The anti-inflammatory activity was notable among the analyzed bioactivities of this oil. By employing a computational model, the predominant secondary metabolites in the essential oil were selected as candidates for interaction analysis with cyclooxygenase-2, an enzyme implicated in the inflammatory response. Our findings suggest that leaf oil could serve as a potential source of natural compounds with prospective therapeutic effects in treating inflammatory conditions.
Topics: Oils, Volatile; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Mice; Animals; RAW 264.7 Cells; Peperomia; Nitric Oxide; Plant Leaves; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Computer Simulation; Southeast Asian People
PubMed: 38930872
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122808 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024is a species of pharmacological interest for providing volatile and non-volatile extracts with antifungal and amebicidal properties. The biological activities of...
is a species of pharmacological interest for providing volatile and non-volatile extracts with antifungal and amebicidal properties. The biological activities of non-volatile extracts may be related to the presence of coumarins, a promising group of secondary metabolites. In the present study, leaves and inflorescences previously used for the extraction of essential oils instead of being disposed of were subjected to extraction with supercritical CO after pretreatment with microwaves. An experimental design was followed to seek the best extraction condition with the objective function being the maximum total extract. Pressure and temperature were statistically significant factors, and the optimal extraction condition was 240 bar, 60 °C, and pretreatment at 30 °C. The applied mathematical models showed good adherence to the experimental data. The extracts obtained by supercritical CO were analyzed and the presence of coumarins was confirmed. The extract investigated for cytotoxicity against bladder tumor cells (T24) exhibited significant reduction in cell viability at concentrations between 6 and 12 μg/mL. The introduction of green technology, supercritical extraction, in the exploration of as a source of coumarins represents a paradigm shift with regard to previous studies carried out with this species, which used organic solvents. Furthermore, the concept of circular bioeconomy was applied, i.e., the raw material used was the residue of a steam-distillation process. Therefore, the approach used here is in line with the sustainable exploitation of native plants to obtain extracts rich in coumarins with cytotoxic potential against cancer cells.
Topics: Coumarins; Carbon Dioxide; Plant Extracts; Humans; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid; Plant Components, Aerial; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
PubMed: 38930806
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122741 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The present study provides a comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition of essential oils from species of the genus and their applications. The compiled results... (Review)
Review
The present study provides a comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition of essential oils from species of the genus and their applications. The compiled results highlight the chemical diversity and biological activities of these oils, emphasizing their potential importance for various therapeutic and industrial applications. The findings reveal that essential oils present a variety of bioactive compounds, such as monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which demonstrate antimicrobial activities against a range of microorganisms, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as yeasts. Furthermore, this study highlights the phytotoxic activity of these oils, indicating their potential for weed control. The results also point to the insecticidal potential of essential oils against a range of pests, showing their viability as an alternative to synthetic pesticides. Additionally, species of the genus have demonstrated promising hypoglycemic effects, suggesting their potential in diabetes treatment. This comprehensive synthesis represents a significant advancement in understanding essential oils, highlighting their chemical diversity and wide range of biological activities. However, the need for further research is emphasized to fully explore the therapeutic and industrial potential of these oils, including the identification of new compounds, understanding of their mechanisms of action, and evaluation of safety and efficacy in different contexts.
Topics: Oils, Volatile; Anti-Infective Agents; Insecticides; Myrtaceae; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Animals; Plant Oils
PubMed: 38930786
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122720 -
Microorganisms May 2024Resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics represents a formidable global challenge, manifesting in intricate public health ramifications including escalated mortality... (Review)
Review
Resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics represents a formidable global challenge, manifesting in intricate public health ramifications including escalated mortality rates and augmented healthcare costs. The current efforts to manage antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are limited mainly to the standard therapeutic approaches. The aim of this study is to present and analyze the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the search for new phyto-compounds and novel interactions with antimicrobial effects. The ambition of the current research study is to support researchers by providing summarized information and ideas for future research in the battle with AMR. Inevitably, the AI role in healthcare is growing exponentially. The reviewed AI models reveal new data on essential oils (EOs) as potential therapeutic agents. In terms of antibacterial activity, EOs show activity against MDR bacteria, reduce resistance by sensitizing bacteria to the action of antibiotics, and improve therapeutic efficiency when combined with antibiotics. AI models can also serve for the detailed study of other therapeutic applications of EOs such as respiratory diseases, immune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and oncological diseases. The last 5 years have seen an increasing application of AI in the search for potential plant sources to control AMR. For the time being, the application of machine-learning (ML) models is greater in the studies of EOs. Future attention of research teams may also be directed toward a more efficient search for plant antimicrobial peptides (PAMPs). Of course, investments in this direction are a necessary preface, but the excitement of new possibilities should not override the role of human intelligence in directing research processes. In this report, tradition meets innovation to address the "silent pandemic" of AMR.
PubMed: 38930437
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061055 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024In the original publication [...].
Correction: Dassanayake et al. Synergistic Field Crop Pest Management Properties of Plant-Derived Essential Oils in Combination with Synthetic Pesticides and Bioactive Molecules: A Review. 2021, , 2016.
In the original publication [...].
PubMed: 38928897
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121874 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Over the years, consumer awareness of proper, healthy eating has increased significantly, but the consumption of fruits and vegetables remains too low. Smoothie drinks... (Review)
Review
Over the years, consumer awareness of proper, healthy eating has increased significantly, but the consumption of fruits and vegetables remains too low. Smoothie drinks offer a convenient way to supplement daily diets with servings of fruits and vegetables. These ready-to-eat beverages retain the nutritional benefits of the raw ingredients from which they are made. Furthermore, they cater to the growing demand for quick and nutritious meal options. To meet consumer expectations, current trends in the food market are shifting towards natural, high-quality products with minimal processing and extended shelf life. Food manufacturers are increasingly aiming to reduce or eliminate synthetic preservatives, replacing them with plant-based alternatives. Plant-based preservatives are particularly appealing to consumers, who often view them as natural and organic substitutes for conventional preservatives. Essential oils, known for their antibacterial and antifungal properties, are effective against the microorganisms and fungi present in fruit and vegetable smoothies. However, the strong taste and aroma of essential oils can be a significant drawback, as the concentrations needed for microbiological stability are often unpalatable to consumers. Encapsulation of essential oils in nanoemulsions offers a promising and effective solution to these challenges, allowing for their use in food production without compromising sensory qualities.
PubMed: 38928796
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121854 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Natural products have attracted great interest in the development of tissue engineering. Recent studies have demonstrated that unsaturated fatty acids found in natural...
Natural products have attracted great interest in the development of tissue engineering. Recent studies have demonstrated that unsaturated fatty acids found in natural plant seed oil may exhibit positive osteogenic effects; however, few in vivo studies have focused on the use of plant seed oil for bone regeneration. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of seed oil found in () on the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and bone growth in artificial bone defects in vivo. In this study, Wharton-jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) were co-cultured with seed oil. Cellular osteogenic capacity was assessed using Alizarin Red S staining. Real-time PCR was carried out to evaluate ALP and OCN gene expression. The potential of seed oil to enhance bone growth was assessed using an animal model. Four 6 mm circular defects were prepared at the parietal bone of New Zealand white rabbits. The defects were filled with hydrogel and hydrogel- seed oil, respectively. Quantitative analysis of micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) and histological images was conducted to compare differences in osteogenesis between oil-treated and untreated samples. Although our results showed no significant differences in viability between WJMSCs treated with and without seed oil, under osteogenic conditions, seed oil facilitated an increase in mineralized nodule secretion and upregulated the expression of ALP and OCN genes in the cells ( < 0.05). In the animal study, both micro-CT and histological evaluations revealed that new bone formation in artificial bone defects treated with seed oil were nearly doubled compared to control defects ( < 0.05) after 4 weeks of healing. Based on these findings, it is reasonable to suggest that seed oil holds promise as a potential candidate for enhancing bone healing efficiency in bone tissue engineering.
Topics: Animals; Rabbits; Plant Oils; Seeds; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Osteogenesis; Bone Regeneration; Sapindus; Cell Differentiation; X-Ray Microtomography; Tissue Engineering; Humans; Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 38928455
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126749 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Olive oil phenols are recognized as molecules with numerous positive health effects, many of which rely on their antioxidative activity, i.e., the ability to transfer...
Olive oil phenols are recognized as molecules with numerous positive health effects, many of which rely on their antioxidative activity, i.e., the ability to transfer hydrogen to radicals. Proton-coupled electron transfer reactions and hydrogen tunneling are ubiquitous in biological systems. Reactions of olive oil phenols, hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleuropein, oleacein, oleocanthal, homovanillyl alcohol, vanillin, and a few phenolic acids with a DPPH• (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical in a 1,4-dioxane:water = 95:5 or 99:1 / solvent mixture were studied through an experimental kinetic analysis and computational chemistry calculations. The highest rate constants corresponding to the highest antioxidative activity are obtained for the ortho-diphenols hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, and oleacein. The experimentally determined kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) for hydroxytyrosol, homovanillyl alcohol, and caffeic acid reactions are 16.0, 15.4, and 16.7, respectively. Based on these KIEs, thermodynamic activation parameters, and an intrinsic bond orbital (IBO) analysis along the IRC path calculations, we propose a proton-coupled electron transfer mechanism. The average local ionization energy and electron donor Fukui function obtained for the phenolic compounds show that the most reactive electron-donating sites are associated with electrons above and below the aromatic ring, in support of the IBO analysis and proposed PCET reaction mechanism. Large KIEs and isotopic values of Arrhenius pre-exponential factor / determined for the hydroxytyrosol, homovanillyl alcohol, and caffeic acid reactions of 0.6, 1.3, and 0.3, respectively, reveal the involvement of hydrogen tunneling in the process.
Topics: Olive Oil; Hydrogen; Phenols; Electron Transport; Protons; Kinetics; Thermodynamics; Antioxidants
PubMed: 38928048
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126341 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Metabolic engineering enables oilseed crops to be more competitive by having more attractive properties for oleochemical industrial applications. The aim of this study...
Metabolic engineering enables oilseed crops to be more competitive by having more attractive properties for oleochemical industrial applications. The aim of this study was to increase the erucic acid level and to produce wax ester (WE) in seed oil by genetic transformation to enhance the industrial applications of . Six transgenic lines for high erucic acid and fifteen transgenic lines for wax esters were obtained. The integration of the target genes for high erucic acid ( and ) and for WEs ( and ) in the genome of cv. 'Derash' was confirmed by PCR analysis. The qRT-PCR results showed overexpression of and and downregulation of RNAi- in the seeds of the transgenic lines. The fatty acid profile and WE content and profile in the seed oil of the transgenic lines and wild type grown in biotron were analyzed using gas chromatography and nanoelectrospray coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. A significant increase in erucic acid was observed in some transgenic lines ranging from 19% to 29% in relation to the wild type, with a level of erucic acid reaching up to 52.7%. Likewise, the transgenic lines harboring and genes produced up to 25% WE content, and the most abundant WE species were 22:1/20:1 and 22:1/22:1. This study demonstrated that metabolic engineering is an effective biotechnological approach for developing into an industrial crop.
Topics: Erucic Acids; Metabolic Engineering; Plants, Genetically Modified; Waxes; Esters; Seeds; Brassica; Fatty Acids; Plant Oils; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 38928029
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126322 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The emergence of as a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen represents a significant global health challenge, especially given the growing issue of antifungal drug... (Review)
Review
The emergence of as a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen represents a significant global health challenge, especially given the growing issue of antifungal drug resistance. This review aims to illuminate the potential of essential oils (EOs), which are volatile plant secretions containing complex mixtures of chemicals, as alternative antifungal agents to combat , thus combining traditional insights with contemporary scientific findings to address this critical health issue. A systematic literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from 2019 to 2024, and using the Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol to identify relevant studies on the antifungal efficacy of EOs or their components against . Of the 90 articles identified, 16 were selected for detailed review. The findings highlight the diverse mechanisms of action of EOs and their components, such as disrupting fungal cell membranes, inducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and impeding biofilm formation, suggesting that some of them may be as effective as, or better than, traditional antifungal drugs while potentially limiting the development of resistance. However, issues such as variability in the composition of EOs and a paucity of clinical trials have been identified as significant obstacles. In conclusion, EOs and their active ingredients are emerging as viable candidates for creating effective treatments for , underscoring their importance as alternative or complementary antifungal agents in the face of increasing drug resistance. The call for future research underscores the need for clinical trials and standardization to unlock the full antifungal potential of EOs against .
PubMed: 38927234
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13060568