Agastache Research Articles

Antiradical and Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oils from the Lamiaceae Family Plants in Connection with their Composition and Optical Activity of Components

Antiradical activity of essential oils of korean mint (Agastache rugosa (Fisch. et Mey)), blue giant hyssop (Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze), hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.), lavander (Lavandula angustifolia L.), peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), lemon mint (Mentha piperita var. citrata (Ehrh.) Briq), monarda (Monarda fistulosa L.), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), common sage (Salvia officinalis L.), clary (Salvia sclarea L.), and winter savory (Satureja montana L.) cultivated in the Central Botanical Garden of NAS of Belarus was investigated in the reaction with the cation-radicals of 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS+·). The most pronounced antiradical activity was observed for the essential oils with a high content of phenolic compounds: winter savory and monarda. Antiradical properties of the essential oils and individual phenolic and terpene compounds (eugenol, carvacrol, thymol, citral, (+)-pulegone) in the reaction with ABTS+· significantly differ in aqueous solutions and ethanol-water mixtures. Нigh antibacterial activity of selected components of essential oils from the Lamiaceae plants, carvacrol, citral, and linalool, towards test organisms Sarcina lutea, Esherichia coli, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas putida was shown. The antibacterial activity of enantiomers of pinene and limonene was determined. The dextrorotary isomer of α-pinene possesses a significantly higher level of activity as compared with the levorotary one. S-(-)-limonene proves itself as a more active antimicrobial component towards Sarcina lutea and Staphylococcus saprophyticus than R-(+)-limonene. Both enantiomers show comparable activity towards Esherichia coli. Due to the high antibacterial activity the essential oils from Satureja montana and Monarda fistulosa can be considered as effective antibacterial agents.

Chemical composition of essential oils isolated from Mexican giant hyssop [Agastache mexicana (Kunth.) Link. & Epling.] via hydrodistillation in Deryng and Clevenger apparatuses

Flowering herb of Agastache mexicana (Kunth.) Link. & Epling. was collected, dried in natural conditions and distilled in order to extract the essential oils. The extraction method involved hydrodistillation in either Deryng or Clevenger apparatus. The extracted oils were subjected to GC-MS analysis. The most abundant compounds identified in the extracts were pulegone (47.77–49.48%), limonene (15.45–15.93%) and cis-menthone (12.25–12.89%). The study showed that the distillation method did not significantly affect either qualitative or quantitative composition of the essential oil of Agastache mexicana (Kunth.) Link. & Epling.

Overview Regarding the Bioactivity of Agastache foeniculum and Nepeta cataria species

In this study, we summarize the recent advances on chemical composition and bioactivity of giant hyssop (Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze) and catnip (Nepeta cataria L.). Extracts from giant hyssop and catnip have a significant bioactivity, antibacterial and antioxidant activity (Suschke et al., 2007; ZieliA„ska and Matkowski, 2014; Mihaylova et al., 2013). This literature review wants to emphasize the value of these two plants and the opportunity of using them to obtain bioactive extracts with applicability in beekeeping for different pest control. Different parts of the mentioned plants were used for the determination of active principles from macerates and essential oils. Spectrophotometric methods as well as high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography are generally used for determination of bioactive principles from the classes of polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids and aromatic acids. Remarkable results have been obtained using the essential oil from Agastache foeniculum as an insecticide for the control of pests like the Red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum Herbst), Lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica F.), Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella) and the Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella) from the grain and food warehouses (Ebadollahi, 2011). The anti-microbial activity of catnip (Nepeta cataria) was proven in over five bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtillis (Bandh et al., 2011).Considering the results obtained and reported in the literature on the control of various pests and diseases, we consider appropriate to extend the research in the field of beekeeping as well, for a natural treatment of different bacterial diseases and pests.

Anti-aging Potential of Extracts Prepared from Fruits and Medicinal Herbs Cultivated in the Gyeongnam Area of Korea.

Many recent studies have focused on maintaining a healthy life by preventing and/or postponing the aging process. Numerous studies have reported that continuous exposure to reactive oxygen species can stimulate skin aging and that excessive accumulation of fat can cause an impaired skin barrier and tissue structure alterations. Thus, the maintenance of antioxidant homeostasis and the suppression of adipose accumulation are important strategies for skin anti-aging. Here, we prepared three types of extracts [whole juice, acetone-perchloric acid (PCA), and ethanol] from 20 fruits and medicinal herbs native to the Gyeongnam area of Korea. The total phenolic content of each extract was analyzed, and we observed higher total phenolic contents in the medicinal herbs. Consistent with this, the results of the oxygen radical absorbance activity capacity assay indicated that the in vitro antioxidant activities of the medicinal herb extracts were stronger than those of the fruit extracts. The fruits and medicinal herbs had strong effects on cell-based systems, including H2O2-induced oxidative stress in human keratinocytes and 3T3-L1 lipid accumulation. Nishimura Wase persimmon, Taishu persimmon, wrinkled giant hyssop, sweet wormwood, Chinese cedar, red perilla, tan shen, hiyodori-jogo, and cramp bark may be natural anti-aging materials with effective antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities. Taken together, our findings may provide scientific evidence supporting the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals from fruits and medicinal herbs.

Rosmarinic acid biosynthesis in callus and cell cultures of Agastache rugosa Kuntze

Callus and cell suspension cultures of Agastache rugosa were established to investigate the production of rosmarinic acid in vitro. For callus induction 2,4-D treatment was more effective than that of NAA. The best callus induction rate (92%) and callus growth A. rugosa were obtained in MS medium containing 2 mg/l 2, 4-D. In cell suspension culture of A. rugosa, the maximum growth (7.7 g/l) and the highest rosmarinic acid production (11.5 mg/g) were attained in the liquid B5 medium supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.1 mg/l BAP at 10 days after culture. The present results demonstrate that cell culture of A. rugosa might be an alternative approach for the production of rosmarinic acid. Key words: Agastache rugosa, callus, cell suspension, rosmarinic acid.

Technology elements of growing of savory and giant hyssop in the Lower Volga Region

The production of environmentally safe agricultural products, such as foods and raw material for perfumery, cosmetology, and pharmacological industry is very important today. For the first time the morphological and technological features of spicy-flavor savory and giant hyssop were studied in the condition of Lower Volga Region. The efficiency of the cultivation of these crops in chernozemic zone has been shown.

Results on the Multiplication of Plants of Agastache Foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntz by Seedling

Agastache foeniculum has its origins in North-America. In Europe has been planted for the first time as a decorative plant in flower gardens (Small E., 2006). For species Agastache foeniculum varies common names have been used: Anise hyssop, Blue giant hyssop, Giant fennel hyssop (Allen Gary, The Herbalist In The Kitchen, 2007). Multiplication of the species can be achieved by transplantation of the seedlings in cellular packages or small containers, 15 to 20 days after seeding (Armitage A.M. and Laushman J.M., 2003). 
 Multiplication of the species can be achieved by transplantation of the seedlings in cellular packages or small containers, 15 to 20 days after seeding. The most recommended temperatures for young plants are bellow 15˚C. The plants will bloom at 12-16 weeks after seeding (Armitage A.M. and Laushman J.M., 2003).

Chemical constituents and toxicity of Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) kuntze essential oil against two stored-product insect pests

The uncontrolled use of synthetic insecticides is a great hazard for the environment and consumers. Essential oils were introduced as low toxic agents against mammals and non-targeted insects. In this study, essential oil from aerial parts of blue giant hyssop (Agastache foeniculum [Pursh] Kuntze) (Lamiaceae) was isolated by the water steam distillation method with a Clevenger apparatus, and its chemical composition was studied by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The toxicity of A. foeniculum essential oil against red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), and lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) was evaluated by fumigation at 24, 48, and 72 h exposure times. Estragole and 1,8-cineole were identified as major constituents of the A. foeniculum oil. Fumigation bioassays revealed that A. foeniculum oil had strong insecticidal activity on experimental insects. Rhyzopertha dominica was more susceptible than T. castaneum for all exposure times. Insecticidal activity varied with essential oil concentration and exposure time. Probit analysis showed that increased exposure time and essential oil concentration increased mortality. These results indicated that A. foeniculum essential oil can be applied in the management of stored-product insects to decrease the detrimental effects of synthetic insecticides.

The Number of Seeds Produced by Certain Plants

Although there have been several studies of the number of spores, seeds, or fruits produced by various plants, for the great majority of our common wild plants little or nothing is actually known about this subject. The following notes may therefore be of interest. In May, 1956, I transplanted from woods in Robert Allerton Park, near Monticello, Piatt Co., Illinois, one plant of giant hyssop, Agastache nepetoides (L.) Kuntze (Labiatae) to my garden in Urbana. This plant soon grew about six feet tall and developed twenty or more lateral branches. It produced flowers continuously for about four months, from July until the end of October and the beginning of November. Toward the end of the flowering period I counted 48 inflorescences on the plant. The average number of whorls of flowers in each inflorescence was 32, with an average number of 42 flowers in each whorl. It is well known to botanists that the pistil of flowers of the mint family is bicarpellate. Early in its development a constriction appears in the ovary dividing each carpel into two locules. Each locule has one basal erect anatropous ovule, and the fruit is a group of four achenes or nutlets each containing one seed, if all mature. Hence it will be seen that if the plant under observation produced an estimated number of 64,512 flowers, the possible total number of seeds would be approximately 258,048 or something over a quarter of a million. It should be noted, however, that the number of seeds produced under cultivation is probably higher than that produced by most wild plants, as cultivated plants may attain a larger size, and their flowering season may be longer. Calculations made from herbarium specimens are likely to indicate a somewhat smaller number of seeds, as such specimens are usually taken from smaller plants in prime flowering condition, with shorter and less mature inflorescences. In any case, only a small part of the full grown plant can be made into a standard herbarium specimen. By way of comparison, the average number of corn plants (Zea mays) per acre in Illinois is said to be about 12,000. If all the seeds from one giant hyssop germinated and were planted in rows like those of maize, the number of plants would be sufficient to fill a 21-acre field.