Anise Research Articles

Impact Laying Times of Broiler Breeder Supplement with Aromatic Oils (Miarom) in drinking water on Hatchability, Maternal immunity and serum antioxidant and antioxidant Statues hatched chicks

Adding aromatic oils (Miarom) in drinking water of broiler breeder was evaluated experimentally of its effect on hatchability percentage, immunity, Lipid profile, and biochemical traits at different laying times (10:00 AM and 02:00 PM). A total of 3600 eggs of broiler breeder (Ross-308) at age 60 weeks, were collected and divided into 5 treatments of different times of egg collection and laying times as follows: (T1: General Control, T2: Control 10:00 AM, T3: Control 02:00 PM, T4: Miarom 10:00 AM and T5: Miarom 02:00 PM). Results indicated the used Miarom from Miavit company - Germany (this extract contains: 200 grams essential oils mixture such as eucalyptus oil, anise oil, thyme oil, and peppermint oil) per litter it added in drinking water 1ml/10L for 7 days. The results of this study showed (p≤0.01) increased in hatching traits percentage, chick’s antibody titer against Newcastle Disease (ND) and Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) by ELISA, high-density lipoprotein HDL, total protein and glutathione GSH-Px antioxidant enzyme. Also, significantly (p≤0.01) reduced infertile eggs, triglycerides TG, total cholesterol TCH, low-density lipoprotein LDL, corticosterone hormone, and malondialdehyde antioxidant enzyme. In conclusion, results showed that aromatic oils supplementation in broiler breeders leads to improve hatchability and immune status at different laying times, noticed that both Miarom treatments had a positive effect on studied parameters and T4 10:00 AM laying time was most effective in all parameters of the study.
 

The Large Japanese Field Mouse (Apodemus speciosus) as a Consumer and Potential Disperser of Seeds of the Neurotoxic Japanese Star Anise (Illicium anisatum)

The small Japanese field mouse Apodemus argenteus is known to disperse the highly toxic seeds of the Japanese star anise Illicium anisatum (Schisandraceae); however, whether the large Japanese field mouse A. speciosus does so remains unexplored. Seeds of I. anisatum were placed in mesh cages with openings sized only for small rodents and monitored at two forest sites in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, in autumn 2018. Any animals approaching or entering the cages were recorded by automated cameras with infrared motion sensors. Only A. speciosus was recorded entering the cages. At both sites, some seeds were consumed inside the cages or transported outside them. These results show that A. speciosus interacts with seeds of I. anisatum and is a potential agent of seed dispersal. Further study is needed to determine whether it can tolerate anisatin, the main neurotoxin in I. anisatum, and the possible tolerance mechanism.

Bioactivity and chemical composition of forty plant essential oils against the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum revealed peppermint oil as a promising biorepellent

The pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris is a major insect pest of Fabaceae crops causing significant damage and economic losses. Its management is a real challenge and the use of plant essential oils (EOs) as biorepellents is a serious alternative to chemical pesticides. Here, we conducted for the first time an in-depth study on the effects of forty plant EOs and their chemical compounds on A. pisum. Using choice bioassays, we reveal the strong repellency of Chinese cinnamon, peppermint, anise, basil, spearmint, and dill oils. Analysis of their chemical composition shows that their respective high contents of trans-cinnamaldehyde, trans-anethole, menthol + menthone, estragole and carvone could be responsible for their high repellency. An additional economic analysis underlines that peppermint EO is the most available and the cheapest. Our data show that peppermint EO with menthol and menthone as major compounds seems to be the most promising EO as biorepellent against the pea aphid. Overall, the repellent activity of peppermint EO may provide a new way to control A. pisum in the future, which may lead to effective strategies for controlling these sucking pests.

Effect of Pickering emulsion on the physical properties, microstructure and bioactivity of corn starch/cassia gum composite films

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of anise essential oil Pickering emulsion (AEO-PE) on the corn starch/cassia gum (CS/CG) composite films in terms of mechanical properties, microstructure and bioactivity, to obtain non-polluting food-active packaging composite films that can replace plastic products. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) image results demonstrated that AEO-PE with an oil/water phase ratio of 6:4 (AEO-PE-6:4) was evenly distributed within the matrix of the composite films. The results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated an improvement in the thermal stability of the composite films. The results of water vapor permeability (WVP) showed a significant improvement in the capacity of the composite film to block water vapor. Further, the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging rates of the composite films significantly increased after adding of AEO-PE emulsion, and an excellent barrier effect on UV light was observed. These results proved that the composite films had good antioxidant activity. It was also found that the combination of the CS/CG films and AEO-PE-6:4 effectively inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Overall, the incorporation of AEO-PE-6:4 resulted in enhanced antioxidant, antibacterial, mechanical, and barrier properties of the CS/CG composite films. The application of the CS/CG-PE-0.7% film to A. bisporus effectively retarded browning and spoilage and maintained the texture and color of the A. bisporus. This study might provide a theoretical basis for the incorporation of PE into starch hydrophilic colloidal matrix composite films, facilitating the disposal of plastic waste.

Evaluation Effect of the Essential Oil of Green Anis (Pimpinella Anisum) on The Liver Function of Young Rats Following Exposure to Mercury Chloride

Green anis is a plant known since antiquity with its different therapeutic effects such as; antifungal, antimicrobial, antiviral, analgesic, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. However, mercury is a trace element metal that is very common in the environment and has adverse effects on human health. The liver is considered to be the seat of metabolism and the elimination of drugs and exogenous substances from the body.

Essential Oils and Chitosan Applications to Protect Apples against Postharvest Diseases and to Extend Shelf Life

Apple fruits are susceptible to pathogenic fungi such as Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium expansum which are responsible for significant pre- and postharvest fruit losses. Given the strong restriction in the use of synthetic agrochemicals, especially during the postharvest phase, alternatives are currently sought for a more sustainable management of apple storage. The antifungal activity of thyme, clove, anise, camphor, and juniper essential oils (EOs) was evaluated with in vitro tests and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. Thyme and anise EOs showed a MIC value of 0.5 and 1 mL L−1 against B. cinerea, respectively. A MIC of 0.5 mL L−1 was found for clove EO against P. expansum. Camphor and juniper EOs were found to be less effective. Although in those experiments the antifungal activity of EOs was proven, when EOs were applied in in vivo conditions they did not demonstrate the same effectiveness. In order to preserve EO inhibitory performances, edible coatings combining polysaccharide matrices (chitosan, arabic gum, and xanthan gum) with EOs were tested. After considering consistency, uniform coverage of the fruit surface, and antifungal properties of the matrix, chitosan was identified as the most suitable component for EO encapsulation. Treatments with chitosan in combination with thyme EO on apple fruits (cv. ‘Braeburn’) showed inhibitory effects on infection caused by B. cinerea (−48% of infected wounds compared to untreated). Similarly, clove EO combined with chitosan reduced the Penicillium infections in apple cv. ‘Golden Delicious’ by 62%. These results therefore suggest the effectiveness of the use of EOs encapsulated with chitosan for the control of postharvest diseases of apple fruits during storage.

Protective effectiveness of anise against testicular ischemia and reperfusion injury: An experimental study in rats.

Testicular torsion is a frequently encountered clinical condition that requires urgent treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) in treating the pathological condition due to ischemia and reperfusion injury by using biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. A total of 6 groups were formed with 8 male Wistar Albino rats in each group. Group 1 (n=8): control group, Group 2 (n=8): Anise aqueous solution was given orally 5 ml/kg by gavage for 30 days. Group 3 (n=8): Ischemia and Reperfusion (I/R) group, bilateral testicles were rotated 270° and reperfused after 30 minutes of ischemia. Group 4 (n=8): I/R+ Anise group, Group 5 (n=8): Anise+ I/R group and Group 6 (n=8): Anise+ I/R+ Anise group. The results of the Anise group and the Control group were similar. However, the damage in the I/R group was considerably more severe than in any of the other study groups. While it was observed that spermatogenic cells started to regenerate in the I/R+Anise group, edema and congestion were observed in the Anise+I/R group. In the Anise+I/R+Anise group, all histological findings and biochemical parameters were similar to those of the control group. It was observed that anise had protective effects in ischemia and reperfusion injury in rat testicles.

Efficacy and toxicity of anise oil as a potential topical wound healer: a cell culture study.

We studied the cytotoxic effects of topical anise oil on NIH/3T3 fibroblast cells using a cell culture assay. NIH/3T3 fibroblast cells were grown in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) supplemented with fetal bovine serum (10%) and penicillin/streptomycin under standard cell culture conditions in a humidified incubator containing 5% carbon dioxide. For the MTT cytotoxicity experiment, NIH/3T3 cells were plated in triplicate at a concentration of 3x103 per well in 96-well plates and incubated for 24 hours. The cells were treated with anise oil concentrations ranging from 3.13 to 100 μM, and the plates were cultured for 24, 48, and 72 hours under standard cell culture conditions. For assessment by confocal microscopy, NIH/3T3 cells were seeded on sterilized coverslips in 6-well plates at a concentration of 105 cells per well in triplicate. For 24 hours, cells were treated with 100 μM of anise oil. Three wells that were not treated with anise oil served as the control group. The MTT findings demonstrated that anise oil is not cytotoxic to NIH/3T3 fibroblast cells. Anise oil stimulated cell growth and triggered cell division at all three incubation intervals of 24, 48, and 72 hours. The maximum growth was obtained in the applied highest concentration of 100 μM anise oil. At doses of 25, 50, and 100 μM, there was also a statistically significant improvement in cell viability. At 72 hours of incubation, dosages of 6.25 and 12.5 micro of anise oil were shown to be viability-inducing for NIH/3T3 cells. In the confocal microscopy pictures, it was found that anise oil was not cytotoxic on NIH/3T3 cells at the applied maximal dose. The experimental group of NIH/3T3 cells exhibited the same cell morphology as the untreated control group. In both sets of NIH/3T3 cells, the nucleus was round and undamaged, and the cytoskeleton was determined to be compact. Anise oil is not cytotoxic on NIH/3T3 fibroblast cells and initiates cell growth. Anise oil could be used topically to enhance wound healing after surgical procedures if clinical trials will confirm experimental data.

Assessment of larvicidal efficiency of nanoemulsion from Pimpinella anisum L. essential oil on Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae

Assessment of larvicidal efficiency of nanoemulsion from Pimpinella anisum L. essential oil on Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae

Molecular phylogenetic study of flavonoids in medicinal plants: a case study family Apiaceae

The current study examined the phylogenetic pattern of medicinal species of the family Apiaceae based on flavonoid groups production, as well as the overall mechanism of the key genes involved in flavonol and flavone production. Thirteen species of the family Apiaceae were used, including Eryngium campestre from the subfamily Saniculoideae, as well as Cuminum cyminum, Carum carvi, Coriandrum sativum, Apium graveolens, Petroselinum crispum, Pimpinella anisum, Anethum graveolens, Foeniculum vulgare, Daucus carota, Ammi majus, Torilis arvensis, and Deverra tortuosa from the subfamily Apioideae. The seeds were cultivated, and the leaves were collected to estimate flavonoids and their groups, physiological factors, transcription levels of flavonol and flavone production-related genes. The phylogenetic relationship between the studied species was established using the L-ribosomal 16 (rpl16) chloroplast gene. The results revealed that the studied species were divided into two patterns: six plant species, E. campestre, C. carvi, C. sativum, P. anisum, An. graveolens, and D. carota, contained low content of flavonoids, while the other seven species had high content. This pattern of flavonoids production coincided with the phylogenetic relationships between the studied species. In contrast, the phylogeny of the flavonol and flavone synthase genes was incompatible with the quantitative production of their products. The study concluded that the increment in the production of flavonol depends on the high expression of chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase, flavanone 3 hydroxylase, flavonol synthase, the increase of Abscisic acid, sucrose, and phenyl ammonia lyase, while flavone mainly depends on evolution and on the high expression of the flavone synthase gene.

Biomolecular Screening of Pimpinella anisum L. for Antioxidant and Anticholinesterase Activity in Mice Brain.

Hundreds of the plants have been explored and evaluated for antioxidant and anti-amnesic activities, so far. This study was designed to report the biomolecules of Pimpinella anisum L. for the said activities. The aqueous extract of dried P. anisum seeds was fractionated via column chromatography and the fractions so obtained were assessed for the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) via in vitro analysis. The fraction which best inhibited AChE was so named as the P. anisum active fraction (P.aAF). The P.aAF was then chemically analyzed via GCMS, which indicated that oxadiazole compounds were present in it. The P.aAF was then administered to albino mice to conduct the in vivo (behavioral and biochemical) studies. The results of the behavioral studies indicated the significant (p < 0.001) increase in inflexion ratio, by the number of hole-pokings through holes and time spent in a dark area by P.aAF treated mice. Biochemical studies demonstrated that the oxadiazole present in P.aAF on one hand presented a noteworthy reduction in MDA and the AChE level and on the other hand promoted the levels of CAT, SOD and GSH in mice brain. The LD50 for P.aAF was calculated as 95 mg/Kg/p.o. The findings thus supported that the antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities of P. anisum are due to its oxadiazole compounds.

Screening and Evaluation of Potential Antifungal Plant Extracts against Skin Infecting Fungus Trichophyton rubrum

Pharmacognosy Research,2023,15,2,328-337.DOI:10.5530/pres.15.2.035Published:February 2023Type:Original Article Authors:Margret Kanimozhi A, and Caroline Rose J Author(s) affiliations:Margret Kanimozhi A1, Caroline Rose J2, * 1Department of Biotechnology, St. Jospeh’s College of Arts and Science for Women, Hosur, Tamil Nadu, INDIA. 2Department of Biotechnology, Arignar Anna Arts and Science College, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, INDIA. Abstract:Dermatophytosis is mainly caused by Trichophyton rubrum. The use of presently available conventional antifungal agents is limited due to various side-effects, requirement of long-term application, emergence of resistant organisms and cost-effectiveness. In the present study, methanolic extract of 12 medicinal plants was screened for antifungal activity against T. rubrum. To identify the phytochemicals in the extract qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed along with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). By analysing the samples using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the chemicals that were present were identified. Among the various plants studied, the methanolic extracts of Aegle marmelos leaves (AML-ME) and Pimpinella anisum seed (PMS-ME) showed high zone of inhibition of 16 and 22 mm, respectively. MIC of both the extracts was found to be 100 μg/ml. Some major compounds identified in AML-ME with alkaloids are N, N,-dimethyl-o-(1-methyl-butyl)-hydroxylamine, 13-tetradece-11-yn-1-ol (15.21%), n-hexadecanoic acid, Propanal, 2,3-dihydroxy-, (s)-(5.22%) and 1,3-butanediol, and in PAS-ME, hexamethylene chloroiodide, cyclopentene,3-hexyl, E-2-octadecadecen-1-ol, n-hexadecanoic acid and 2-cyclopentene-1-undecanoic acid, ethyl ester. Both AML-ME and PAS-ME showed dose-dependent in vitro antioxidant activity against the radicals such as DPPH and ABTS. Also, FRAP activity was found in both the extracts. Altogether, the presence of antifungal and antioxidant activity in the AML-ME and PAS-ME might be advantageous in exploring these extracts as either alternative or complementary therapy to the available antifungal agents further. The phytochemicals present in these extracts has acted synergistically against the T. rubrum and affected its viability. Keywords:Aegle marmelos, Antifungal activity, Bioactive compounds, Dermatophytosis., Pimpinella anisumView:PDF (419.79 KB)

Essential Oils from Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Cupressaceae and Lamiaceae Families Grown in Serbia: Comparative Chemical Profiling with In Vitro Antioxidant Activity.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemical profile and antioxidant activity of essential oils obtained from the most commonly grown plant species in Serbia. Aromatic and medicinal plants from Lamiaceae (Mentha x Piperita, Ocimum basilicum, Origanum majorana, Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis, Satureja hortensis, Satureja montana and Thymus vulgaris), Asteraceae (Ehinacea purpurea and Matricaria chamomilla), Apiaceae (Anethum graveolens, Carum carvi, Foeniculum vulgare, Petroselinum crispum and Pimpinella anisum) and Cupressaceae (Juniperus comunis) were selected as raw material for essential oils (EOs)' isolation. Hydrodistillation (HD) was used for the isolation of EOs while they were evaluated in terms of yield and terpenoid profiles by GC-MS. In vitro radical scavenging DPPH and ABTS+ radical activities were carried out for all EOs. Finally, a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed with the experimental results of the composition and antioxidant activity of the EOs, which showed a clear distinction between the selected plant species for the aforementioned responses. This work represents a screening tool for the selection of other EO candidates for further processing by emerging extraction techniques and the use of EOs as natural additives for meat products.

Preventive Effects of Pimpinella anisum L. and Dracocephalum moldavica L. Hydroalcoholic Extract Against Acute Contrast-induced Nephropathy

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is nephrotoxicity due to contrast media characterized by elevated serum creatinine levels. The formation of oxygen free radicals is one of the causes of CIN. Objective: Given the antioxidant properties of Pimpinella anisum L and Dracocephalum moldavica L, this study aimed to investigate the effects of their hydroalcoholic extracts on kidney tissue histopathology and CIN biochemical factors. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: 1) control, 2) contrast agent, 3) P. anisum+contrast agent, and 4) D. moldavica+contrast agent. After the tests, kidney tissue histopathological damages and related biochemical factors were evaluated. Results: Kidney tissue damage, levels of aspartate aminotransferase (GOT/AST), alanine aminotransferase (GPT/ALT) and blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine (P&lt;0.001), and malondialdehyde (P&lt;0.01) of kidney tissue were lower in both extract-treated groups than in contrast agent group, but the decrease in serum MDA was significant only in the group given P. anisum extract (P&lt;0.01). Serum antioxidant capacity was higher in P. anisum+contrast agent group than in the contrast agent group (P&lt;0.01). Kidney tissue antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in the groups given P. anisum and D. moldavica than in the contrast agent group (P&lt;0.01 and P&lt;0.001, respectively). In addition, hydroalcoholic extracts of P. anisum and D. moldavica resulted in a decrease in CIN. Conclusion: Given the decrease in CIN by P. anisum and D. moldavica extracts in rats, it seems that these plants are beneficial for people at risk who need to use contrast agents.

The effect of spraying Gibberellin and sea algae extracts on characteristics of Vegetative growth, mineral contents and some characteristics of volatile oils in the fruit of Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.)

A field experiment was conducted in the nursery of the Tikrit University/Faculty of Agriculture, the agricultural season 2013- 2014 on Anise plant. the Experiment design with randomized complete block design RCBD, the Experiment contained included two factors, the first one is Spraying Gibberellin GA3 with three levels (first, no Spraying labeled as A0 ,the second is Spraying with GA3 100 mg.L-1 labeled as A1, and the third is Spraying with GA3 200 mg.L-1 labeled as A2).The scend factor is Spraying with Sea Algae Extracts with four levels (the first is no Spraying level labeled as M0 ,the second is Spraying with Sea mino 1.5 ml.L-1 labeled as M1 the third is Spraying with Sea force 1 2.5 ml.L-1 labeled as M2, the fourth is Spraying with mixture of (Sea mino +Sea force 1 of concentration 1.5 ml. L-1 +2.5ml. L-1, labeled as M3) with three replications. the results showed the Spraying treatment of GA3 200mg. L-1gave the height average in all the studied Characteristics of the vegetative growth. The Spraying treatment of Spraying with mixture Sea Algae Extracts (Sea mino +Sea force 1 of concentration 1.5ml. L-1 +2.5ml.L-1) gave the heiht average in all the studied Characteristics of the vegetative growth compared to the other treatments and the comparing treatment. For the overlapping treatment The Spraying treatment (A2M3) (Gibberellin 200 mg. L-1 + mixture of Sea mino + Sea force 1 of concentration 1.5 ml. L-1 +2.5 ml. L-1) in all of the Characteristics of the vegetative growth including the height of the plant (95.75) cm. plant -1, number of leaves (26.31) leaves. plant -1, dry weight for the vegetative sum (9. 41) gm. plant-1 , and the content of the total chlorophyll in the leaves (11.77) mg. gm-1.The comparing treatment gave the least of the above Characteristics (58.11 cm. plant -1, 11.06 leaves . plant -1, 4.15gm. plant -1 and 10.7 mg. gm-1) respectively. The treatment (A2M3) which is Spraying with (Gibberellin of concentration 200 mg. L-1) and Spraying with mixture of Sea Algae Extracts (Sea mino + Sea force 1 of concentration 1.5 ml . L-1 +2.5ml. L-1) gave the hightest significant differences in the nutritious content of the leaves such nitrogen ,magnesium, iron, cuppar and zinc which are (2.513 %, 0.879 %, 80.27 mg. L-1, 14.34 mg. L-1 and 63.72 mg .L-1) respectively. The treatment (A2M1) which is Spraying with (gibberellin of concentration 200 mg. L-1) and spraying with (Sea mino of concentration 1.5ml. L-1) gave the hightest concentration of phosphorus and putaseom (0.393 % , and 2.873 %) respectively. For some of the physical Characteristics of the Oil, The treatment (A2M3) and ( A2M1), gave the hightest significant differences in terms of (Percentage, qualitative weight, Oil density, and reflection factor. The treatment (A2M3) gave the hightest concentration for the above Characteristics (2.49%, 0.961, 0.911 micro liter -1, 1.347degree) respectively.

Development and characterization of starch‑sodium alginate-montmorillonite biodegradable antibacterial films

The biodegradable antibacterial composite film blended with starch and sodium alginate was developed by solution casting method, using montmorillonite as the fortifier and star anise oil as the bacteriostat. Infrared analysis showed that montmorillonite and star anise oil were successfully incorporated into starch and sodium alginate to form a stable composite film. The addition of 6 wt% montmorillonite could enhance several properties of the films, including barrier properties, optical properties, thermal stability and mechanical properties. Meanwhile, the incorporation of star anise oil made the composite films have antibacterial properties to resist E. coli. Packing cherry tomatoes with starch‑sodium alginate-montmorillonite-star anise oil composite film could reduce the weight loss rate and decay rate of fresh cherry tomatoes. Soil burial experiments showed that the composite films exhibited a continuous biodegradation process. The starch‑sodium alginate-montmorillonite-star anise oil films decomposed into little pieces and were completely mixed in the soil within 22 days, which offered an application foreground for the development of biodegradable food packaging film with bacteriostatic activity.

Formulation, In Vitro and In Silico Evaluations of Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) Essential Oil Emulgel with Improved Antimicrobial Effects.

Over the past decade, researchers have made several efforts to develop gel-based formulations that provide an alternative to traditional hydrogels and emulgel. Due to its excellent antibacterial properties, anise, the main constituent of Pimpinella anisum L., widely used in pharmaceuticals, was selected as the active ingredient in this study. Since many bacteria have developed considerable antibiotic resistance, this research aimed to develop an herbal emulgel for treating skin infections caused by bacteria. Given these obstacles, we developed and evaluated a new, cost-effective topical emulgel solution containing anise essential oil against Escherichia coli (E. coli). Anise-based emulgels, potential drug delivery platforms, have been evaluated for various parameters, including physical properties, viscosity, pH, rheology, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release research. The AEOs emulgel demonstrated remarkable colloidal stability, with a zeta potential of 29 mV, a size of 149.05 nm, and considerable polydispersity. The efficacy of anise-loaded emulgels as antibacterial formulations was evaluated in vitro. E. coli was used as a model microbial organism for the antibacterial study. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were used to examine the biocompatibility of the emulgel. Molecular docking revealed that the essential oil components of Pimpinella anisum L. possess a high affinity for the bacterial adhesin protein FimH of E. coli. These findings indicate that the developed AEOs have the potential to be analyzed using E. coli as a model organism.

The effect of Pimpinella Anisum herbal tea on human milk volume and weight gain in the preterm infant: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Background and aimsHuman milk supports pre-term infants to thrive. Yet human milk production can be inhibited when infants are born prematurely. Pimpinella Anisum has been evidenced to increase milk production and infant weight gain in previous animal studies. The present study aimed to determine the effect of Pimpinella Anisum herbal tea on human milk volume and preterm infant weight in human populations for the first time.MethodsHuman milk supports pre-term infants to thrive. Yet human milk production can be inhibited when infants are born prematurely. Pimpinella Anisum has been evidenced to increase milk production and infant weight gain in previous animal studies. The present study aimed to determine the effect of Pimpinella Anisum herbal tea on human milk volume and preterm infant weight in human populations for the first time.ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference in terms of milk volume in the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh days between the three groups of intervention, placebo, and control (p < 0.05). On the first day, the mean volume of pumped milk in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.008). On the second day, there was no statistically significant difference between groups. On the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh days, the mean volume of pumped milk in the intervention group was significantly higher than the placebo and control groups (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of preterm infant weight on days 0, 3 and 7 between the three groups.ConclusionThe use of Pimpinella Anisum or ‘Anise’ tea can increase the volume of human milk and since no specific side effects have been reported in its use, it may be incorporated easily, cheaply, and effectively in practice where appropriate to the benefit of preterm infant nutrition worldwide.

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with chemometric methods for the determination of fatty acid profiles in herbal oils.

The conventional method for analyzing fatty acid is gas chromatography (GC) with polar capillary columns. However, owing to the high cost and the sensitivity of these columns to the presence of water and oxygen, these columns are not the best choice for separation. Also, analyzing long-chain acids (>C28) with polar columns is impossible. On the other hand, complete separation with nonpolar columns is not possible for some saturated, unsaturated and long-chain fatty acids. Therefore, in this study, with the help of chemometric methods, a method was developed using GC/mass spectrometry (MS) with a nonpolar column to resolve the peaks to completely separate and accurately identify and quantify fatty acids. Using this method, the fatty acid profiles of the seed oils of Sesamum indicum L, Nigella sativa, Pimpinella anisum, Linum asitatissimum L, Silybum marianum and Amygdalus communis L. var. Amara and var. Dulcis were identified. Through applying the multivariate curve resolution method after GC/MS, the C-18 fatty acids such as α-linolenic, linoleic, oleic and stearic acids were separated and quantified. Also, the total percentages of identified fatty acids increased by 1-6% after resolving overlapping peaks. Finally, the obtained percentages of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were confirmed by reference reports.

Screening assessment of antibacterial activity of Thymus serpyllum L., Thymus marsсhallianus Willd. and Pimpinella anisum L. essential oils against uropathogens, isolated from pregnant women

Plant essential oils of certain genera and species are important sources of antimicrobial substances.The goal of this study was a screening assessment of antibacterial activity of Thymus serpyllum L., Thymus marsсhallianus Willd. and Pimpinella anisum L. essential oils against opportunistic gram-negative uropathogens. The essential oils were obtained by steam hydrodistillation, and the screening assessment of their antibacterial activity was performed by the disk diffusion method. Two standard species (Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922) and 6 clinical strains (1 — P. aeruginosa, 5 — E. coli), isolated from the pregnant women with infections of the urinary passages, were used as the test bacterial cultures. The study determined that T. marsсhallianus Willd. and T. serpyllum L. essential oils possess strong inhibitory action on all test cultures until the absence of the bacterial lawn. P. anisum L. essential oil did not show antibacterial activity against all test strains, no zones of visible bacterial growth inhibition were formed. T. serpyllum L. and T. marsсhallianus Willd. essential oils are promising antibacterial agents against uropathogens of the species P. aeruginosa and E. coli.