Ferula Gummosa Research Articles

Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Ferula gummosa Boiss: extract on human breast adenocarcinoma cell line.

Ferula gummosa Boiss. is a well-known and valuable medicinal plant in Iran. Research has shown that this plant has several pharmacological properties, including anti-bacterial, anti-cancer and etc. In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxic properties of F. gummosa Boiss. extract in MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cells. The cytotoxicity and pro-apoptotic properties of the extract were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test and propidium iodide (PI) stained cells, respectively. Apoptosis and necrosis were evaluated by annexin V-PI staining. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS),malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was determined to evaluate oxidative stress. The cell migration and the gene expression were assessed by scratch assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-RT-PCR), respectively. The extract of F. gummosa decreased the viability and cell cycle progression of MCF-7 cells by inducing apoptosis and necrosis, increasing ROS and MDA levels, and decreasing GSH levels and SOD activity. It also lowered the cells' migration capability by enhancing p53 mRNA levels and reducing MMP-9 mRNA expression. F. gummosa exhibited pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative, and anti-metastatic effects on MCF-7 cells. It is therefore recommended that detailed future research be done on different parts of the plant or its secondary metabolites to find anti-cancer lead compounds.

Investigation of physio-mechanical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of starch–zinc oxide nanoparticles active films reinforced with Ferula gummosa Boiss essential oil

The production of surface compounds coated with active substances has gained significant attention in recent years. This study investigated the physical, mechanical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of a composite made of starch and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) containing various concentrations of Ferula gummosa essential oil (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%). The addition of ZnO NPs improved the thickness, mechanical and microbial properties, and reduced the water vapor permeability of the starch active film. The addition of F. gummosa essential oil to the starch nanocomposite decreased the water vapor permeability from 6.25 to 5.63 g mm−2 d−1 kPa−1, but this decrease was significant only at the concentration of 1.5% of essential oils (p < 0.05). Adding 1.5% of F. gummosa essential oil to starch nanocomposite led to a decrease in Tensile Strength value, while an increase in Elongation at Break values was observed. The results of the antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposite revealed that the pure starch film did not show any lack of growth zone. The addition of ZnO NPs to the starch matrix resulted in antimicrobial activity on both studied bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli). The highest antimicrobial activity was observed in the starch/ZnO NPs film containing 1.5% essential oil with an inhibition zone of 340 mm2 on S. aureus. Antioxidant activity increased significantly with increasing concentration of F. gummosa essential oil (P < 0.05). The film containing 1.5% essential oil had the highest (50.5%) antioxidant activity. Coating also improved the chemical characteristics of fish fillet. In conclusion, the starch nanocomposite containing ZnO NPs and F. gummosa essential oil has the potential to be used in the aquatic packaging industry.

Efficient extraction of oleoresin from Ferula gummosa roots by natural deep eutectic solvent and its structure and chemical characterizations

Deep eutectic solvents in the extraction of plant metabolites have found many advantages, such as low toxicity, biodegradability, low cost and ease of preparation over the conventional methods. This work aims to compare natural deep eutectic solvents in extraction and optimization of oleoresin from Ferula gummosa and determining its chemical and structure properties. Box–Behnken design was applied to optimize the extraction of oleoresin from Ferula gummosa using eutectic solvents. The variables of extraction were extraction time, temperature, and ratio of eutectic solvents. Six mixtures of eutectic solvents including choline chloride/urea, acetic acid, lactic acid, formic acid, formamide and glycerol at ratios of 2:1 and 3:1 were evaluated. The highest yields were obtained for choline chloride/formic acid, choline chloride/formamide. The quadratic regression equation was set up as a predictive model with an R2 value of 0.85. The optimum condition was 6 h, 40 °C, and ratio 12.5% (w/v). No significant difference was found between the predicted and experimental yield. The main components of the oleoresin were β-pinene (40.27%), cylcofenchen (11.93%) and α-pinene (7.53%) as characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The chemical structure study by spectroscopy showed that no solvents remained in the oleoresin. Therefore, F. gummosa oleoresin can be explored as a novel promising natural pharmaceutical ingredient extracted with eutectic solvents.

Development of a mucilage coating including nanoencapsulated essential oils for extending shelf life of button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus)

The shelf life of mushrooms is limited, which prevents distribution and marketing as a fresh product. The aim of present research is to coat Agaricus bisporus mushroom by chia seed mucilage containing encapsulated essential oils for Ferula gummosa Boiss. (FG) and Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. (ZC) with 100 and 500 ppm concentrations in order to extend during 16 days. The results for technological assays illustrated that coatings including FG and ZC essential oils at 500 ppm level caused to reduction in respiration rate, lose weight, browning degree and microbial population and also enhanced firmness feature, total phenol, antioxidant attributes and vitamin C compared to control during shelf life. Microscopy analysis confirmed that formation of a uniform structure was observed. Overall, results suggest that a coating chia seed mucilage containing encapsulated essential oils for FG and ZC can be a promising approach and suitable factor to prolong shelf life of perishable mushroom.

Evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss plant gum: An in-vitro study

Evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss plant gum: An in-vitro study

Comparison effects of Ferula gummosa essential oil and Beta-pinene Alginate nanoparticles on human melanoma and breast cancer cells proliferation and apoptotic index in short term normobaric hyperoxic model

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and melanoma is the most dreadful type of skin cancer. Due to the side effects of chemotherapy drugs, the development of new herbal nano-medicines has been considered.MethodsThis study first investigated the chemical composition of Ferula gummosa essential oil using GC-MS analysis; β-pinene, with 61.57%, was the major compound. Next, alginate nanoparticles containing β-pinene and the essential oil with particle sizes of 174 ± 7 and 137 ± 6 nm were prepared. Meanwhile, their zeta potentials were 12.4 ± 0.7 and 28.1 ± 1 mV. Besides, the successful loading of β-pinene and the essential oil in nanoparticles was confirmed using ATR-FTIR analysis. After that, their effects on viability and apoptotic index of human melanoma and breast cancer cells were investigated in normoxia and normobaric hyperoxia (NBO) conditions.ResultsThe best efficacy on A-375 and MDA-MB-231 cells was achieved by alginate nanoparticles containing the EO at hyperoxic and normoxia conditions; IC50 76 and 104 µg/mL. Besides, it affected apoptosis-involved genes; as Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was higher than 1, conditions for induction of apoptosis were obtained. Higher sensitivity was observed in the A-375 cell line treated with Alg-EO in the NBO model.ConclusionsAlginate nanoparticles containing F. gummosa EO could be considered for further investigation in anticancer studies. Also, it may be expected that NBO can be a new strategy for delaying cancer progression and improving nanotherapy efficacy.

Ag/g-C3N4 nanocomposite: Green fabrication and its application as a catalyst in the synthesis of new series of depsipeptides as biologically active compounds and investigation on their anti-breast cancer activity

In this study, we bring forward a green and novel eco-friendly strategy for the fabrication of Ag/g-C3N4 nanocomposite via a fast in-situ generation method using Ferula Gummosa extracts as both stabilizer and reducing agent. Ag/g-C3N4 nanocomposite was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX-MAP), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). After procurement and characterization, the catalytic activity of the prepared reagent was surveyed in the synthesis of a new series of depsipeptides using aspirin/ketoprofen, cyclohexyl isocyanide, and aryl aldehydes at ambient temperature in EtOH/H2O as a green media. Taking into account the economic and environmental facets, the method bestows some advantages such as using plant extracts as green media for the preparation of Ag nanoparticles, simple work-up procedure, mild reaction conditions, short reaction times, and high yields of the products. Additionally, the Ag/g-C3N4 nanocomposite catalyst can be recycled effectually and reused several times without a substantial loss in reactivity.

Exploring the anticancer properties of the gum of Ferula gummosa: impact on cytotoxicity, caspase 3/7 activity and apoptosis, and gene expression in SW-480 cells

ABSTRACT Ferula gummosa Boiss. is a well-known Iranian endemic plant that grows in the north and northeast regions of Iran. In Iranian traditional medicine, its gum is utilized to treat inflammation, pain, and infections of the gastrointestinal system. However, no studies have been conducted to investigate the anticancer potential of its gum against colorectal cancer cells. This study aimed to identify the chemical components of the gum of F. gummosa and investigate its effects on SW-480 cells. The experiments included MTT, clonogenic, micronucleus formation, acridine orange/ethidium bromide stain, DNA degradation, caspase 3/7 activity assay, and in vitro wound-healing experiment and investigating the expression of BAX, BCL2, MTOR, and PTEN genes. Chemical analysis using GC/MS identified 102 compounds. The gum had a significant cytotoxic effect on SW-480 cells, with an IC50 value of 1.8 µg/ml for 48 hours. The gum induced apoptosis. Microscopic observations revealed a decrease in cell proliferation, as evidenced by nuclear condensation, increased micronucleus formation, and inhibition of colony formation. Additionally, the gum suppressed cell migration, induced the expression of PTEN and BAX, and down-regulated MTOR and BCL2 genes. These findings suggest that Ferula gummosa has strong cytotoxic properties and warrants further investigation.

The comparative perspective of phytochemistry and biological properties of the Apiaceae family plants

Despite the availability of numerous reports on the discovery of medicinal plant compounds and their properties, one may encounter contradictory results released by these reports at the level of plant families and even within species. To establish an accurate perspective of the Apiaceae family, this study examined the fruit essential oil and methanolic extract of wild and common species of this family. According to the measurement of the antioxidant property in the methanolic extract of the fruits using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, Ferula gummosa, Pimpinella anisum and Cuminum cyminum have high power in inhibiting free radicals. However, Bunium persicum had the strongest DPPH radicals inhibitory potential among all essential oils. The results of antimicrobial tests and their classification analysis showed that C. cyminum and B. persicum fruit essential oil with a high amount of cuminaldehyde had the most antibacterial properties. At the same time, the antifungal properties of H. persicum essential oil (rich in aliphatic ester) were stronger than those of the all the studied plants. Also, the essential oils of F. gummosa and Kelussia odoratissima had favourable antimicrobial properties compared to other studied plants. The investigation of the bacterial structure by scanning electron microscope confirmed the effect of the applied essential oils dose and their antibacterial potential. In general, for the first time, this paper determined the biological values of the fruit essential oil of some wild plants, such as K. odoratissima and H. persicum. Besides, in vitro examination and the mathematical models provided a suitable classification, which makes a comprehensive view in terms of the properties of the Apiaceae family.

Plant Gel-Mediated Synthesis of Gold-Coated Nanoceria Using Ferula gummosa: Characterization and Estimation of Its Cellular Toxicity toward Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

In this study, a novel method using Ferula gummosa gums as a capping agent was used to synthesize the nanoceria for the first time. The method was economical and performed at room temperature. Furthermore, it was coated with gold (Au/nanoceria) and fully characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential (ζ potential). The crystallite size obtained from the results was 28.09 nm for Au/nanoceria. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis of Au/nanoceria revealed the compositional constituents of the product, which display the purity of the Au/nanoceria. The cell toxicity properties of the non-doped and Au-coated nanoceria were identified by a MTT analysis on a breast cancer cell line (MCF7). Additionally, human foreskin fibroblast cells (HFF) were used as a normal cell line. The cytotoxicity results indicated that the toxicological effect of Au/nanoceria on cancer cells was significant while having little toxic effect on normal cells. The toxicity effect of nanoceria clearly shows the dependence on dose and time, so, with increasing the dose of Au/nanoceria, the death of cancer cells also increases.

In silico molecular modeling, neuro-behavioral profile, and toxicity assessment of the essential oil of Ferula gummosa Boiss. as an anti-seizure agent.

Ferula gummosa Boiss., known in Persian as "Baridje," belongs to the Apiaceae family. All parts of this plant, especially the root, contain galbanum. Galbanum, the oleo-gum resin of F. gummosa, is one of the essential traditional herbal medicines in Iran, which is used as a tonic for epilepsy and chorea, memory enhancement, gastrointestinal diseases, and wound healing. We investigated the toxicity, anticonvulsant effects, and molecular modeling of the essential oil (EO) distilled from the oleo-gum resin of F. gummosa. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify the EO components. The cytotoxicity of EO on HepG2 cell lines was assessed by the MTT method. Male mice were arranged as follows: negative control groups (sunflower oil (10ml/kg, i.p.) or saline (10ml/kg, p.o.)), EO groups (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2.5ml/kg, p.o.), and positive control groups (ethosuximide (150mg/kg, p.o.) or diazepam (1.0 or 2mg/kg, i.p.)). The motor coordination and neurotoxicity of EO were studied using the rota-rod test. Open-field, novel object recognition, and passive avoidance learning tests were used to investigate the effect of EO on locomotor activity and memory function. An acute pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure model was utilized to evaluate the anticonvulsant properties of the EO. The interaction of the EO main components with the GABAA receptor was investigated by coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. β-pinene, sabinene, α-pinene, and ρ-cymene were the main components of EO. The IC50 of the EO at 24, 48, and 72h was found to be 59.90, 12.96, and 3.93μl/ml, respectively. No adverse effects were observed in memory, motor coordination, and locomotor activity in mice treated with EO. Administration of EO (1, 1.5, and 2.5ml/kg) improved survival rates in mice receiving pentylenetetrazole (PTZ; to induce an epileptic seizure). Sabinene was able to bind to the binding site of benzodiazepines at the GABAA receptor. Acute treatment with the EO of F. gummosa caused antiepileptic effects and could effectively increase the survival rate in PTZ-treated mice with no significant toxicity.

Effects of day-of-hatch intramuscular administration of a herbal extract mixture and its re-supplementation in drinking water on growth performance, stress indicators, and antioxidant status of broiler chickens reared under hot summer conditions.

Broilers under oxidative stress from high ambient temperatures may benefit from the use of additives that have antioxidant properties. This experiment investigated the efficacy of a herbal extract mixture (HEM; aqueous extracts from Ferula gummosa, Thymus vulgaris, and Trachyspermum copticum) in day-old chicks, injected intramuscular (deep pectoral muscle; (0, 30, 60, and 90 μL/0.1 mL of sterilized and distilled water)), and supplemented in drinking water (0 and 0.25 mL/L) during the rearing period. Broilers were reared in battery cages under summer temperature conditions, with average maximum temperature of 35.5°C, average minimum temperature of 25.5°C, and average relative humidity of 50-60%. A total of 400 1-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 8 treatment groups (5 replicates/treatment with 10 birds per replicate). From d1 to d10, the indoor air temperature was adjusted to match fluctuating outdoor summer temperatures, and was set at 30-34°C and 50-60% relative humidity; and from d10 onwards, no adjustments were made. Injection of HEM linearly decreased feed:gain (P = 0.005), heterophile-to-lymphocyte (H/L) ratio (P = 0.007), and serum concentrations of cholesterol (P = 0.008), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (P < 0.001), malondialdehyde (P = 0.005), and cortisol (P = 0.008). The 60 μL of HEM injection produced the best results in terms of final body weight (BW; P = 0.003), overall average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.002), European performance index (P < 0.001), carcass yield (P < 0.001), and serum glutathione peroxidase activity (P < 0.001). Supplementation of HEM in drinking water also increased final BW (P = 0.048), overall ADG (P = 0.047), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.042), and total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.030), while decreasing the H/L ratio (P = 0.004) and serum LDL concentration (P = 0.031). There were interactions between injection and water supplementation for BW (day 24; P = 0.045), carcass yield (day 42; P = 0.014), and serum superoxide dismutase activity (day 42; P = 0.004). In conclusion, administering an injection of HEM at a dose of 60 μL at the time of hatching, followed by supplementation at a dose of 0.25 mL/L via drinking water during the rearing period could be a useful strategy for improving the performance and health status of heat-stressed broiler chickens.

Ferula Gummosa a Good Candidate to Promote Cutaneous Wound Healing Infected with Staphylococcus Aureus

Ferula Gummosa a Good Candidate to Promote Cutaneous Wound Healing Infected with Staphylococcus Aureus

Antioxidant, cytotoxic, and genotoxic potentials of the gum of Ferula gummosa Boiss on PC-3 cells.

Ferula gummosa Boiss is a well-known Iranian endemic plant that has been used in Iranian traditional medicine against various diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic capacity of F. gummosa gum on prostate cancer PC-3 cells. In this study, we evaluated the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant potentials of the gum. The MTT experiment was conducted to assess the cytotoxic potential of the gum on PC-3 cells. The clonogenic, micronucleus formation, and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining methods were used to evaluate the survival and proliferation of PC-3 cells. DNA degradation and caspase 3/7 activity evaluations were used to assess apoptosis. The inhibitory effect on the migration of PC-3 cells was examined by in vitro wound-healing experiment. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant potential of the gum were 9.22 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g, 3.6 mg of quercetin equivalents (QE) /g of the extract, and 13 μg/ml, respectively (compared to gallic acid and quercetin, respectively) (p<0.05). The IC50 value was 9.14 µg/ml for 48 hours (compared to non-treated cells) (p<0.01). The pattern of DNA degradation, and caspase 3/7 activity levels (compared to non-treated cells) (p<0.05) proposed decreased cell viability that may be due to apoptosis induction. Microscopic observations revealed nuclear condensation, a significant increase in the formation of micronuclei, and inhibition of forming colonies (compared to non-treated cells) (p<0.01) in PC-3 cells treated with 8 and 10 μg/ml of the gum. Wound-healing assessment showed the migration suppression potentials of the gum (compared to non-treated cells) (p<0.05). These results indicate that F. gummosa has considerable antioxidant and cytotoxic properties that can make it a good nominee for subsequent investigations.

Ferula gummosa gum exerts cytotoxic effects against human malignant glioblastoma multiforme in vitro.

Ferula gummosa (F. gummosa), a potent medicinal herb, has been shown to possess anticancer activities in vitro. The present examination evaluated the cytotoxic and apoptogenic impacts of F. gummosa gum on the U87 glioblastoma cells. MTT assay to determine the cell viability, flow cytometry by annexin V/FITC-PI to apoptosis evaluation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, and quantitative RT-PCR were performed. The results revealed that F. gummosa inhibited the growth of U87 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner with IC50 values of 115, 82, and 52 μg/mL obtained for 24, 48, and 72 h post-treatment, respectively. It was also identified that ROS levels significantly decreased following 4, 12, and 24 h after treatment. The outcomes of flow cytometry analysis suggested that F. gummosa induced a sub-G1 peak which translated to apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Further examination revealed that F. gummosa upregulated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and p53 genes at mRNA levels. Collectively, these findings indicate that sub-G1 apoptosis and its related genes may participate in the cytotoxicity of F. gummosa gum in U87 cells.

Dormancy and germination response of Galbanum seeds (Ferula gummosa) under different hormonal pre-treatments and cold stratification

Dormancy and germination response of Galbanum seeds (Ferula gummosa) under different hormonal pre-treatments and cold stratification

In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Activity of Ferula Gummosa Essential Oil Nanoemulsions (FGEO-NE) for the Colon Cancer Treatment

This survey was performed to aim of synthesize Nano emulsion from Ferula gummosa essential oil (FEGO-NE) and to evaluate its anti-tumor effect. First, Ferula gummosa essential oil was analyzed by GC–MS method, and then the Nano emulsion was synthesized as O/W and after characterization by DLS, Zeta potential, AFM, FESEM and TEM methods, its toxicity was evaluated by MTT method. Then its pro-apoptotic effects were evaluated by qPCR (Caspase3, 9, Bax and Bcl-2) method and AO/PI staining. The cancer induction model was used to evaluate the antitumor effects in Balb/C mice. The anti-angiogenic and antioxidant effects were evaluated by qPCR (VEGF, CAT and SOD) method. The results of physicochemical studies showed the formation of droplet with dimensions of 24.6 nm, dispersion index of 0.41 and zeta potential of − 28.5 mV with a spherical morphology. The Nano emulsion synthesized at a concentration of 2.9 μg/mL inhibited about 50% of ht-29 cells, while up to a concentration of 4 μg/mL showed no inhibitory effect on normal cells. Increase of caspase 3, 9 and Bax and decrease of BCL-2 gene expression along with increase of apoptotic cells in AP/PI staining confirmed induction of apoptosis by FEGO-NE. The FEGO-NE showed an inhibitory effect on angiogenesis and an additive effect on the expression of antioxidant genes. In addition, the reduction of tumor volume (69.72% in 14 days) in samples treated with FEGO-NE was confirmed. The results of this study showed that FEGO-NE by various mechanisms are able to inhibit cancer cells and have a reducing effect on induced tumors in the in vivo model. These results suggest FEGO-NEs as a suitable candidate for cancer therapy studies.

Encapsulated phenolic compounds from Ferula gummosa leaf: A potential phytobiotic against Campylobacter jejuni infection

This research was performed to encapsulate the phenolic-rich fraction (PRF) obtained from Ferula gummosa (F. gummosa) leaves by utilizing the spray-drying technique. Further, the physicochemical properties and antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the PRF were evaluated against Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) infection in mice. The results showed that the PRF encapsulated in modified starch, maltodextrin, and whey protein concentrate as wall material possessed a capsulation efficiency of 83.7% with a particle size of 314.6 nm. The phytochemical analysis of developed phytobiotic confirmed the presence of phenolic compounds, including gallic acid, vanillic acid, pyrogallol, cinnamic acid, ellagic acid, naringin, and chrysin. The developed phytobiotic could potentially improve the growth parameters, liver enzymes, and lipid peroxidation, enhance the ileum's morphometric parameters, and inhibit the ileal population of C. jejuni in the mice challenged by C. jejuni infection. Consequently, the phytobiotic developed based on F. gummosa leaf phenolic compounds could be considered a promising natural alternative to antibiotics. Practical applications There is an increasing interest in the use of medicinal plants as natural alternatives to synthetic drugs to combat antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. Microencapsulated products are extensively utilized in a wide spectrum of life science technologies, that is, healthcare, biosensors and biomedicine, cosmetics, veterinary medicine, and agricultural and pharmaceutical industries. Microencapsulation is simple, low cost, and one of the approaches to protect and improve the stability of natural bioactive components, including phenolic components. Encapsulation by the spray-drying technique is a feasible approach to secure plant bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds and to increase chemical/biological stability thereof. The microencapsulated phenolics from Ferula gummosa leaves investigated in the present study could be a promising and sustainable phytobiotic approach to combat campylobacter jejuni infections without any side effects.

Comparative Analysis of the Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils and Their Formulated Microemulsions against Foodborne Pathogens and Spoilage Bacteria.

The antimicrobial activity of several essential oils (EOs) and their related microemulsions (MEs) was investigated. EOs were obtained from Cannabis sativa L. cv CS (C. sativa), Carum carvi L. (C. carvi), Crithmum maritimum L. (C. maritimum), Cuminum cyminum L. (C. cyminum), x Cupressocyparis leylandii A.B. Jacks & Dallim. (C. leylandii), Cupressus arizonica Greene (C. arizonica), Ferula assa-foetida L. (F. assa-foetida)., Ferula gummosa Boiss. (F. gummosa), Juniperus communis L. (J. communis), Juniperus x pfitzeriana (Spath) P.A. Schmidt (J. pfitzeriana), Pimpinella anisum L (P. anisum). Preliminary screening revealed that Cuminum cyminum, Crithmum maritimum, and Pimpinella anisum (10% v/v) were effective against all tested microorganisms (Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Pseudomonas fluorescens DSM 4358, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231), with growth inhibition diameter from 10 to 25 mm. These EOs were used to formulate the MEs with an average size < 50 nm and a good stability over 30 days. EOs’ antimicrobial activity was further enhanced in the MEs, with a generalized lowering of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values. C. cyminum-ME reached, in most cases, MIC two times lower (0.312%) than the corresponding EO (0.625%) and even eight times lower against S. aureus (0.156 vs. 1.25%). A more remarkable microbicide effect was noted for C. cyminum-ME, with MBC values eight times lower (from 0.312 to 0.625%) than the corresponding EO (from 2.5 to 5%). Overall, MEs resulted in an efficient system for EOs encapsulation, enhancing solubility and lowering concentration to exert antimicrobial efficacy.

Effects of virginiamycin and galbanum (Ferula gummosa boiss) on performance, carcass traits, immune system and blood parameters of broiler chickens

Background: Some medicinal plants can stimulate growth in poultry. Objective: To compare the effects of dietary addition of virginiamycin antibiotic and galbanum plant (Ferula gummosa) on the performance, carcass characteristics, immune system, and blood factors of broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 250 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly assigned to five treatments with five replicates (10 birds per replicate). The treatments were: control (basal diet), virginiamycin (basal diet plus 0.1 g virginiamycin/kg of diet) or one of three levels of galbanum powder (2.5, 5, and 10 g galbanum/kg of diet). Results: Body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio improved in the groups containing galbanum compared to the other groups (p&lt;0.05). The percentage of liver, heart and abdominal fat decreased in the treatments containing 5 and 10 g galbanum compared to the control (p&lt;0.05). Spleen weight and antibody titers against Newcastle disease and SRBC were significantly increased in the treatment containing 10 g of galbanum compared to the other treatments (p&lt;0.05). The addition of galbanum powder resulted in a significant decrease in serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and LDL (p&lt;0.05). Additionally, galbanum increased serum total protein, albumin, globulin, and HDL (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Galbanum improves performance and the immune system of broiler chickens, and has similar growth promoting effects as virginiamycin.