Essential Oils Of Different Species Research Articles

β-Caryophyllene (BCP) ameliorates MPP+ induced cytotoxicity

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases resulting from the continuous death of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra. MPP+ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium) has been reported to be a major neurotoxin causing neurotoxic insults on dopaminergic neurons in humans. β-Caryophyllene (BCP), an important cannabinoid derived from the essential oils of different species, has displayed pharmacological properties in different kinds of tissues and cells. However, neuroprotective effects of BCP in PD haven’t been reported before. Our results indicate that treatment with MPP+ in SH-SY5Y cells led to a significant decrease in cell viability, which was restored by BCP. Additionally, BCP suppressed MPP+-induced release of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In contrast, BCP treatment restored the reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) induced by MPP+. BCP treatment increased intracellular GSH and GPx activity. Also, we found that the antioxidant effects of BCP against MPP+- induced neurotoxicity are dependent on cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R). Moreover, our results indicated that BCP prevented MPP+-induced apoptosis of SH-SY5Y through inhibiting the up-regulation of cleaved Caspase-3, Bax, and restoring the expression of Bcl-2. Besides, BCP markedly suppressed HO-1 activation and c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) phosphorylation. We conclude that BCP might act as a promising therapeutic agent against MPP+ toxicity in neuronal cells.

<i>Alpinia Nigra</i> (Family Zingiberaceae): An Anthelmintic Medicinal Plant of North-East India

Traditionally used medicinal plants have been a source of relief in the control of different types of diseases throughout the globe. Economically backward people, who resides in remote areas of developing countries, rely heavily on indigenous way of get rid of parasitic infections using folk medicine. <i>Alpinia nigra</i> is one such medicinal plant, widely used in different parts of North-East India to cure intestinal helminth infection. Essential oils of different species of Alpinia contain flavonoids, terpenoids and kavalactones which have been in used to cure inflammation, hypertension, bacterial and helminth infection. In this review, the crude alcoholic extract of <i>A. nigra</i> that causes destruction and degeneration of surface architecture of tegument, inhibit energy metabolism related enzymes and also enzyme responsible for neuromuscular co-ordination are discussed.

Chemical composition of the essential oil of Salvia grossheimii from Iran

Fifty eight species of the genus Salvia (Lamiaceae) are found in Iran, 17 of which are endemic [1]. Due to the use of this genus or their essential oils in the food and drug industries [2], we are investigating the oils of Salvia spp. which grow wild or are cultivated in Iran. In this paper, we describe the analysis of the essential oil of S. grossheimii Sosn. which grows wild in many regions of Iran especially in Azarbayejan province. A literature search did not reveal any reference to previous work on the essential oil of this species. The aerial parts of Salvia grossheimii were collected from Azarbayejan province-koh Mishodagh. Essential oil isolated by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts was obtained in yields of 0.4% (w/w).The essential oil yields of other species in Iran were: S. nemorosa, 0.12% [3], S. reuterana, 0.15% [3], S. virgata, 0.48% [4], S. syriaca, 0.3% [4], S. atropatana, 0.1% [5], S. multicaulis, 0.2% [6], S. sahandica, 0.46% [7], S. spinosa 0.1% [8], S. limbata 0.07% [9], and S. mirzayanii, 2.2% [10]. A total of thirty-four compounds were characterized representing about 99.4% of the total components detected in S. grossheimii. The compounds identified with their percentages are given in Table 1. Based on the analysis of essential oil, the components were classified in three groups as follows: monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and esters. The oil was characterized by a high content of sesquiterpenes, which composed 88.8% of the oil. The main components were germacrene D (45.4%), -caryophyllene (22.4%), and bicyclogermacrene (7.1%). The identification of the compounds in the essential oil of different species of this genus in Iran shows that the major components of S. nemorosa, S. virgata, S. atropatana, and S. multicaulis is -caryophyllene [3–6]. Germacrene B and germacrene D are the main components in S. syriaca [4], while (E)--ocimene, -gurjunene, and germacrene D are the major constituents in S. reuterana [4]. (E)--ocimene, -caryophyllene, and isopentyl isovalerate are the major constituents in S. spinosa [8], while germacrene D, linalyl acetate, and linalool are the main components in S. limbata [9]. Twelve monoterpenes were identified in the essential oil of S. grossheimii, with contents ranging from 0.04 to 3.5% in the oil analyzed. Besides the mono- and sesquiterpenes, one ester, bornyl acetate (0.1%), was identified in the oil too. Plant Material and Isolation Procedure. Aerial parts of the plant (250 g) were collected during flowering in May 2006 from Azarbayejan province (Koh-Mishodagh) in Iran. A voucher specimen has been deposited in the Herbarium of the Research Institute of Forest and Rangelands (TARI). The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation of air-dried aerial parts in a clevenger-type apparatus for 3 h. The sample oil which was light yellow in color and was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and stored under nitrogen in a sealed vial until required. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. GC and GC-MS analyses were performed using a Shimadzu GC-9A gas chromatograph and Varian 3400 GC-MS system equipped with a DB-5 fused silica column based on techniques published before [8, 9]. Identification of Components. The components of the oil were identified by comparison of their mass spectra to with those of a computer library or with authentic compounds and confirmed by comparison of their retention indices, either those of authentic compounds or data published in the literature [11].

Determination of new retention indices for quick identification of essential oils compounds

The classical methods of chromatographic identification of compounds were based on calculation of retention indices by using different stationary phases. The aim of the work was to differentiate essential oils extracted from different plant species by identification of some of their major compounds. The method of identification was based on the calculation of new retention indices of essential oils compounds fractionated on a polar chromatographic column with temperature programming system. Similar chromatograms have been obtained on the same column for one plant family with two different temperature gradients allowing the rapid identification of essential oils of different species, sub-species or chemotypes of Citrus, Mentha and Thymus.