Volatile β-diketones from Helichrysum italicum L. ssp. italicum

Introduction. In the family Myrtaceae (Myrtaceae L.) there are more than 100 genera and more than 3000 representatives. Insufficiency of data on diagnostics of raw materials of common myrtle and closely related species is an actual problem of modern pharmacognosy. The aim of the present study is a comparative qualitative and quantitative analysis of essential oil components of leaves of common myrtle, closely related to Myrtle species – Eucalyptus twiggy of family Myrtaceae, as well as industrial samples of essential oils of Myrtle and Eucalyptus by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Material and methods. Leaves of common myrtle harvested in the Republic of Crimea (Russia) and Relizane province (Algeria) were used as objects of research. Also as objects of comparison were used leaves of eucalyptus twiggy, harvested in Abkhazia, and industrial samples of common myrtle and eucalyptus twiggy essential oils. Samples of essential oil were obtained from leaves of myrtle and eucalyptus. Essential oil samples were obtained from myrtle and eucalyptus leaves and the qualitative and quantitative composition of their components was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results and discussion. Essential oils samples of Myrtaceae representatives leaves are characterised by a high content of mono- and bicyclic monoterpenes, but they differ significantly in dominant components depending on the place of growth. In a sample of essential oil from the leaves of Crimean Myrtle, 1,8-cineol (eucalyptol) dominates, and in a sample from the leaves of Algerian Myrtle, α-pinene dominates. In the study, it was found that some identified components of the common myrtle essential oil, such as myrtenyl acetate, humulene, linalyl acetate, β-myrcene and their derivatives, were absent in the eucalyptus twiggy essential oil, which may serve as a diagnostic sign for Myrtus species. On the contrary, the presence of globulol and its derivatives in the component composition of essential oil was found only in samples of Eucalyptus viminalis L. species and are not determined in the common myrtle essential oil. Industrial samples of essential oils are characterised by the absence of such important components of Myrtle essential oil as α-pinene, globulol, myrtenyl acetate, geraniol, linalool, terpinen-4-ol, humulene and its derivatives. Conclusion. Species specificity of the common myrtle can be confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry on diagnostically significant components of the common myrtle essential oil, which are absent in the essential oil of the species closely related to myrtle – еucalyptus twig, which can be used in the preparation of the draft pharmacopoeial article on a new type of medicinal plant raw material – ‘Common myrtle leaves’.

The results are given of the gas-chromatographic analysis in a nonpolar capillary column, after preliminary separation by means of adsorption chromatography on alumina, of samples of the essential oils of three populations of the endemic speciesArtemisia glabella Kar. et Kir. (Asteraceae) of Kazakhstan. The complex component composition of the samples of essential oils was practically independent of the conditions of the growth site. The results obtained witness a chemosystematic difference betweenA. glabella andA. obtusiloba.

Satureja montana L. is widely used in traditional medicine and culinary. New varieties of this species are created and grown with different purposes. The essential oil (EsO) samples were obtained from the fresh flowering shoots of four new Ukrainian cultivars of S. montana: 'Krymski smaragd', 'Lunata', '697-1', and 'N3-18'. The EsO of cultivars ''Lunata' and 'Krymski smaragd' were studied in two following harvest years (2019 and 2020). The EsO samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). More than 60 components were identified in the studied EsO. Carvacrol was the principal component of all the samples (58.3-87.0% (as GC-MS relative abundances). p-Cymene was the second predominant component (5.0–8.8%) in the EsO of all the cultivars collected in the 2020 year, while cultivars ''Lunata' and 'Krymski smaragd' gathered in 2019 contained it in much fewer amounts (1.7% and 0.5%, respectively). γ-Terpinene was the third main component of EsO of the most studied varieties (0.9% to 6.6%). Only cultivar 'N697-1' contained carvacrol methyl ether at a significant level (11.7%). All the tested samples met the requirements of International Standard Organization (ISO) 79284:1991(E), supposing that the qualitative composition of the S. montana EsO should comprise the following main constituents: γ-terpinene, p-cymene, linalool, terpinen-4-ol, and carvacrol. It can be concluded that we dealt with the carvacrol chemotypes of S. montana. It was also revealed that growth year influenced the EsO composition of 'Krymski smaragd' and 'Lunata' cultivars. Our results afforded to compare the EsO of the S. montana new cultivars

Cytotoxicity and gene induction by some essential oils in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Chemical composition of Lippia origanoides Kunt. and Ocimum gratissimum L. essential oils stored at −20 °C

Helichrysum italicum (family Asteraceae), due to its various beneficial health effects, represents an important plant in the traditional medicine of Mediterranean countries. Currently, there is a renewed interest in this medicinal plant, especially in investigations involving the isolation and identification of its bioactive compounds from extracts and essential oils, as well as in experimental validation of their pharmacological activities. In this paper, we review the current knowledge on the beneficial health effects of Helichrysum italicum extracts, essential oils, and their major bioactive polyphenolic compounds, ranging from antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic activities to their antiviral, antimicrobial, insecticidal, and antiparasitic effects. This review also provides an overview of the most promising extraction and distillation techniques for obtaining high-quality extracts and essential oils from Helichrysum italicum, as well as methods for determining their antioxidative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic activities. Finally, new ideas for in silico studies of molecular mechanisms of bioactive polyphenols from Helichrysum italicum, together with novel suggestions for their improved bioavailability through diverse encapsulation techniques, are introduced.

A high performance Pluronic F68 glass capillary column has been used successfully for the analysis of various essential oil samples, the comparison of a number of perfumes, fruit aroma concentrates and the routine quality control of incoming Bouquette essential oil batches. No deterioration in the separation characteristics of the column has been observed over a period of 18 months during which the column was temperature programmed up to 240°C.

Techniques in partial differential equations: Clive R. Chester. 440 pages, diagrams, 6x9 in. New York, McGraw-Hill, 1971. Price $14.95 (approx. £5.65).

Acute and sub-lethal toxicity of eight essential oils of commercial interest against the filariasis mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus and the housefly Musca domestica

Chemical profile and eco-safety evaluation of essential oils and hydrolates from Cistus ladanifer, Helichrysum italicum, Ocimum basilicum and Thymbra capitata

Nontuberculous mycobacteria, like other opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens, produce resistant biofilms on various surfaces in the plumbing system including pipes, tanks, and fittings. Since standard methods of water disinfection are ineffective in eradicating biofilms, research into new agents is necessary. Essential oils (EOs) have great potential as anti-biofilm agents. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to investigate the potential anti-biofilm effect of common juniper (Juniperus communis) and immortelle (Helichrysum italicum) EOs. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC), and minimum effective concentrations of EOs on Mycobacterium avium, M. intracellulare, and M. gordonae were tested. Additionally, biofilms on the surface of a stainless steel disc were treated with single or mixed concentration of EOs, in order to investigate their degeneration via the bacterial count and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). H. italicum EO showed the strongest biofilm degradation ability against all Mycobacteria strains that were tested. The strongest effect in the biofilm degradation after the single or mixed applications of EOs was observed against M. gordonae, followed by M. avium. The most resistant was the M. intracellulare biofilm. Synergistic combinations of J. communis and H. italicum EOs therefore seem to be an effective substance in biofilm degradation for use in small water systems such as baths or hot tubs.

Pinus sylvestris is the most widespread species in Central, Northern, Western Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan and some other Asian countries. Its lumber, needles, branches are used in industry, buds and essential oil are used in medicine and parapharmaceuticals. Due to the fact that many commercial areas are located in the zone of intensive economic activity, the quality of raw materials, the assessment of the essential oil content and the composition of the major components of the oil are important. The raw materials for the study were prepared in Russia and Kazakhstan. The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation was analyzed by the GLC-MS method. It was found that in 59% of samples of buds essential oil from Siberia, the major substance is Δ3-karen, in 13% – α-pinene, in 11% – limonene+β-fellandrene, in all European samples – abietane derivatives, in 1 sample from Siberia Δ3-karen was not detected. The dominance of abietane derivatives in essential oils of the buds has been reported for the first time. The component composition of the essential oil of branches from Russia and Kazakhstan is more stable in composition and concentration of major substances. Α-pinene dominates in 81% of the samples of the essential oil of the branches, Δ3-karen dominates in 9%, and δ-kadinen dominates in 6%. Of the 54 buds samples, 13 samples do not meet the requirements of the FS in terms of essential oil content. A large number of samples of essential oil with a predominant accumulation of Δ3-karen, identified by the authors, served as the basis for further work in improving the quality requirements of raw materials, as well as studying acute, chronic toxicity, as well as other pharmacological properties of essential oils.

Introduction. Hemp essential oil (Cannabis aetheroleum) is obtained by steam distillation of hemp panicles, harvested in full flower.It is characterized by a specific odor derived from volatile mono- and sesquiterpenes (α-pinene, β-pinene, Δ3-karen, myrcene, limonene, β-felandrene, cis-ocymene, trans-ocymene, α-terpinene, trans-α-bergamotene, β-caryophylene, β-humulene, β-farnesene, β-selinene, selina-3.7(11)-diene and others) and optical activity, it turns the plane of light polarization to the right. Exhibits antimicrobial properties (bacteria, yeast fungi, dermatophytes). Aim. Analysis of the chemical composition of essential hemp oil obtained at different harvest times, testing of optical rotation and conducting research in the field of safety of use and dermatological safety in humans. Material and methods. The material for the research was French varieties of fibrous hemp Futura 75. Samples subjected to steam distillation came from two harvest dates: September 8-19, 2020 (sample 1) and October 9-12, 2020 (sample 2). In the obtained samples of essential oils (1 and 2), the content of the main biologically active components was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The safety of using a cosmetic preparation containing hemp essential oil was investigated. Dermatological tests were also performed for the skin compatibility test and the optical rotation of the oil was assessed. Results. The tested samples of essential oil (1 and 2) were similar content of the components, the so-called terpene profile. The exceptions were α-pinene and cannabidiol, which were determined 3 times more in sample 2. Different oil contents were obtained in relation to the load depending on the date of harvesting cannabis (more at a latter harvest date). Based on the toxicological profile of the ingredients, the finished product and the fragrance composition, its safety for human health and the absence of side effects has been demonstrated. On the basis of the skin compatibility test, no allergic reactions to the use of cannabis oil were found. The optical rotation of the product was determined in the range [α] D = +2.26 – +2.470. Conclusions. The efficiency and content of the tested components of hemp oil were higher in the samples obtained from the harvest of the raw material between 9-12.10.2020. The research showed safety and no allergies after using the oil as a cosmetic preparation.

This work aims to elucidate the chemical composition of two essential oil (EO) samples obtained from the leaves of Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) collected in two regions of Northwestern Algeria (Tlemcen and Mostaganem) and to assess their in vivo acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity. Sixty-six compounds could be identified by means of simultaneous GC-FID and GC-MS, accounting for 99.3% of total thyme oil of Mostaganem (EO.TM) and 99.0% of Tlemcen (EO.TT). In both samples, thymol was the major component, amounting to 59.5% (EO.TM) and 67.3% (EO.TT) of the total oil. EO.TT proved to be acutely toxic to mice at a dose of 4500 mg/kg p.o., whereas EO.TM did not show signs of acute toxicity, even at the highest dose tested (5000 mg/kg p.o.). Both EO samples were proven to possess anti-inflammatory activities, significantly reducing carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice (after 6 hours at a dose -of 400 mg/kg p.o) at 58.4% for EO.TT and 50.4% for EO.TM, respectively. In conclusion, it could be demonstrated that EOs of T. vulgaris exhibit a considerable in vivo anti-inflammatory activity at non-toxic doses.

Introduction: Despite the increasing number of essential oils being reported on their potential therapeutic effects, some remain relatively unknown on their biological properties. That is the case of the essential oils obtained from copaiba (Copaifera officinalis L.), wintergreen (Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall.), everlasting (Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G.Don) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry), commonly labelled as being useful on the amelioration of conditions with an inflammatory background.Methods: To further broaden the current knowledge on the four essential oils, commercially available samples were approached on their effects upon a series of mediators that are involved on the inflammatory and oxidative response, both through in vitro cell-free and cell-based assays (5-lipoxygenase activity, lipid peroxidation, free radical and nitric oxide radical scavenging properties or tyrosinase inhibition).Results: The four oils proved to be active at some of the concentrations tested in most of the performed assays. Significant differences were found between the essential oils, S. aromaticum proving to tbe the most active, followed by G. fragrantissima against 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and linoleic acid peroxidation, proving their potential use as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. In fact, the IC50 value of S. aromaticum in the 5-LOX assay was 62.30 μg mL−1. Besides S. aromaticum efficiently scavenged superoxide radicals generated by xanthine/xanthine oxidase, displaying an IC50 value of 135.26 μg mL−1. The essential oil obtained from H. italicum exhibited a significant decrease in the nitric oxide levels on BV-2 cells, showing its potential as a cytoprotective agent against toxic damage. Copaiba oil ranked first as the most potent tyrosinase inhibitor, exhibiting an IC50 98.22 μg mL−1.Conclusion: More studies are needed to describe the essential oils properties, but these results confirm the potential of these essential oils as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents.