Major antioxidant constituents fromSatureja hortensisL. extracts obtained with different solvents

Novel Eco-friendly, One-Pot Method for the Synthesis of Kynurenic Acid Ethyl Esters

The synthesis of kynurenic acid derivatives with potential biological effect was investigated and optimized for one-batch, two-step microwave-assisted reactions. Utilizing both chemically and biologically representative non-, methyl-, methoxy-, and chlorosubstituted aniline derivatives, in catalyst-free conditions, syntheses of seven kynurenic acid derivatives were achieved in a time frame of 2-3.5 h. In place of halogenated reaction media, tuneable green solvents were introduced for each analogue. The potential of green solvent mixtures to replace traditional solvents and to alter the regioisomeric ratio regarding the Conrad-Limpach method was highlighted. The advantages of the fast, eco-friendly, inexpensive analytic technique of TLC densitometry were emphasized for reaction monitoring and conversion determination in comparison to quantitative NMR. Moreover, the developed 2-3.5 h syntheses were scaled-up to achieve gram-scale products of KYNA derivatives, without altering the reaction time in the halogenated solvent DCB and more importantly in its green substitutes.

Sunscreen exposure interferes with physiological processes while inducing oxidative stress in seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile

The effects of a commercial sunscreen mixture on the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica were investigated, evaluating its response in physiological processes and biochemical indicators of oxidative stress. Short-term laboratory experiments were conducted recreating summer conditions, and two sunscreen concentrations were tested in whole P. oceanica plants placed inside aquaria. Although primary productivity of leaf segments seemed to benefit from sunscreen addition, probably due to inorganic nutrients released, the rest of the biological parameters reflected possible impairments in the overall functioning of P. oceanica as a result of oxidative damages. Chlorophyll production and nitrogen fixation associated with old leaves were inhibited under high sunscreen concentrations, which concurred with elevated reactive oxygen species production, catalase activity and polyphenols content in the seagrass leaves. These results emphasize the importance of directing future investigations on determining which specific components of sunscreen products are likely threatening the wellbeing of critical species, such as P. oceanica.

Flavonoid Accumulation in an Aseptic Culture of Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis L.)

Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) is a medicinal and aromatic plant of the Lamiaceae family, a source of valuable secondary metabolites (monoterpenoids, rosmarinic acid, flavonoids). For this paper, flavonoid accumulation in an aseptic culture of summer savory was determined by using a colorimetric method. The organ specificity of flavonoid accumulation in aseptic plants was revealed: In leaves (8.35 ± 0.17 mg/g FW), flower buds (7.55 ± 0.29 mg/g FW), and calyx (5.27 ± 0.28 mg/g FW), flavonoids accumulated in significantly higher amounts than in stems (1.50 ± 0.22 mg/g FW) and corolla (0.78 ± 0.12 mg/g FW). We found that primary callus tissue formed from cotyledon and hypocotyl explants retains the ability to synthesize flavonoids at deficient levels (0.50 ± 0.09 mg/g FW and 0.44 ± 0.11 mg/g FW, respectively), that remained stable throughout six subcultures. Placing the callus tissue in monochrome lighting conditions with blue, green, and red light-emitting diode (LED) lamps leads to morphological changes in the tissue and decreased flavonoid accumulation compared to fluorescent lamps.

Establishment of actinobacteria-Satureja hortensis interactions under future climate CO2-enhanced crop productivity in drought environments of Saudi Arabia

Drought is a significant global constraint on agricultural production and food security. As a promising approach to improve plant growth and yield under challenging conditions, plant growth-promoting actinobacteria has attracted much interest. Further, elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 (eCO2) may promote the plant-actinobacteria interactions which could be effective to improve the plant growth for food production. Herein, we have investigated the impact of actinobacteria and/or CO2 on biomass production, photosynthesis, macronutrients, levels of organic acids, amino acids, and essential oils as well as antioxidant activities of Satureja hortensis under water-deficit conditions. Among different actinobacterial isolates evaluated for development of secondary metabolites and biological activities, Ac9 was highly capable of producing flavonoids, and it also showed high antioxidant and microbial activities. It markedly induced the plant growth, photosynthesis, and global metabolic improvement, under water-deficit conditions. Interestingly, treatment with Ac9 in combination with eCO2 substantially minimized drought stress-induced biomass and photosynthesis reductions in Satureja hortensis. Improved photosynthesis by Ac9 and/or eCO2 induced the primary and secondary metabolisms in drought-stressed plants. The levels of the majority of the detected organic acids, essential oil, and amino acids were further improved as a result of the synergistic action of Ac9 and eCO2, as compared to the individual treatments. Furthermore, Ac9 or eCO2 significantly improved the antioxidant activities in stressed plants; however, much more positive impact was obtained by their synchronous application. Thus, the current study suggests that actinobacterial treatment induces global metabolic changes in water-stressed Satureja hortensis, the effects that have been much more strengthened under eCO2.

Valorization of Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) distillation waste as a potential source of phenolics/antioxidant: influence of extraction solvents

Solid residues obtained after essential oil extraction from Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt (Java citronella) was explored as a potential source of phenolics/antioxidant. Both the non-distilled plant materials and their solid residues were extracted with Soxhlet extraction method using solvents of various polarity viz. petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, ethanol, methanol, water and various combination of (50% and 75%) of methanol, ethanol, and acetone in water. Different antioxidant assays like 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), superoxide anion (SO) radical scavenging assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and iron chelating ability along with total phenol (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC) was measured to evaluate the extract. Compared to distilled materials, the non-distilled plant materials had significantly higher TPC/TFC content and also exhibited higher antioxidant activities. 50% aqueous methanol showed the highest extractive yield, whereas 75% aqueous methanol exhibited the highest TPC and TFC content. The 50% or 75% aqueous methanolic extract also exhibited the highest DPPH, ABTS and SO scavenging activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power activity. However, ethyl acetate and 75% aqueous acetone extract of non-distilled and distilled plant materials, respectively showed the highest iron chelating activity. The half maximal effective concentration (IC₅₀ = µg/mL) for DPPH, ABTS, SO and metal chelating ability in non-distilled plant extract ranged from 64-387, 92-761, 285-870, and 164-924, respectively, and corresponding value of distilled materials ranged from 144-865, 239-792, 361-833 and 374-867, respectively. The EC₅₀ (µg/mL) for FRAP assay ranged from 118-840 and 151-952 for non-distilled and distilled materials, respectively. The findings of this study indicate the potential of these by-products as a natural antioxidants source.

Protection against UV-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage by Amazon moss extracts

Amazon mosses, such as Holomitriopsis laevifolia and Leucobryum sp. are naturally exposed to high levels of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Theoretically, under environmental stress conditions these mosses have developed protective chemical and metabolic strategies against UV damage, by way of biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids. The present paper aimed to evaluate the free-radical scavenging activity, and the photoprotective, mutagenic and photomutagenic potencies of the methanolic (ME), aqueous (AE), hydroalcoholic (HE), ethanolic (EE) extracts of H. laevifolia and Leucobryum sp. The phenolic contents were evaluated by spectrophotometry and by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The present findings showed that the AE and HE of H. laevifolia and the AE of Leucobryum sp. presented the highest phenolic contents. The HPLC analysis indicated the presence mainly of phenolic and cinnamic acids, flavonols, flavones and flavanones. The AE and EE of H. laevifolia and the AE and HE of Leucobryum sp. efficiently scavenged the 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. All extracts showed significant values of in vitro Sun Protection Factor alone, and HE of Leucobryum sp. showed a synergistic effect in association with benzophenone-3. None of the extracts induced mutagenicity in the auxotrophic strains for histidine of Salmonella typhimurium, and photomutagenicity of the TA102 and TA104 strains was not detected after exposure to UV-A radiation. Besides, all extracts showed photoprotective activity against UV-A radiation for the TA104 strain, including synergistic protection in association with BP-3. Thus, the constituents in H. Laevifolia and Leucobryum sp. could be good candidates for cosmetic and dermatological applications, particularly in association with synthetic UV filters, since the concentration of the filters in the final product could be reduced.

Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) extract: Phytochemical profile and modulation of cisplatin-induced liver, renal and testicular toxicity

The aim of our study was to examine the potential ameliorating effect of the methanolic extract of Satureja hortensis L. (summer savory) aerial parts against cisplatin-induced oxidative damage in renal, hepatic, and testicular tissues. S. hortensis methanol extract at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of body weight were orally administered to Wistar rats once daily for 10 days. Toxicity was induced by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg of body weight) on the 5th day of the experiment. Applied treatment with S. hortensis extract restored tissue morphology, ameliorated levels of serum parameters for liver, renal and testes function, tissue oxidative stress parameters, and increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio as an indicator of apoptosis in experimental animals caused by application of cisplatin. UHPLC/DAD/HESI-MS/MS analysis revealed that S. hortensis extract was rich in phenolic compounds with rosmarinic acid (24.9 mg/g) as the main compound, followed by caffeic acid (1.28 mg/g) and naringenin (1.06 mg/g). Our findings suggest that S. hortensis may be a valuable source of dietary and pharmacologically important phenolic compounds, especially rosmarinic acid, in pharmaceutical and functional food formulations in order to maintain normal health conditions or as a remedy in various diseases caused by oxidative damage.

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of loquat fruit (Eriobotrya japonica lindl.) skin and the feasibility of their application to improve the oxidative stability of soybean oil

The effects of ultrasound-assisted, supercritical CO2 and solvent extraction techniques on antioxidant activity of loqua (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) skin extract in oxidation stability of soybean oil was evaluated. The antioxidant efficacy of extracts was determined using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH(•)) radical scavenging capacity, β-carotene/linoleic acid, and Rancimat test system. Results showed that solvent extract of loquat fruit skin at 400 ppm had the highest antioxidant activity compared to ultrasound-assisted and supercritical CO2 extracts. Further, solvent extraction was the most effective method for extraction of phenolic compounds. Protective effects of extracts in stabilization of soybean oil during both frying and storage conditions were tested and compared to tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) by measuring their peroxide value, free fatty acids, conjugated dienes and trienes value. During frying process solvent extract of skin at 400 ppm (SOEA) exhibited stronger antioxidant activity in oil compared to other oil samples, but this antioxidant potential was lower than TBHQ in storage conditions. Present study showed that loquat fruit skin is a good source of natural antioxidant compounds, and has the potential to be used as a substitute for synthetic antioxidants in vegetable oils.

A pharmacological and phytochemical overview on Satureja

CONTEXT

Satureja (Lamiaceae) species are used as flavoring compounds in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries because of its sweetness and simple cultivation characteristics. They have traditionally been used as muscle pain relievers, tonic, and carminative agents to treat stomach and intestinal disorders such as cramps, nausea, indigestion, and diarrhea, due to their considerable phytochemical characteristics.

OBJECTIVE

This review evaluates some information published since 1989 on Satureja genus from a systematic perspective in terms of its pharmacological and phytochemical characteristics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched up to March 2014. "Satureja" was used as a research term without narrowing or limiting research elements. After obtaining all reports from database (a total number is about 637), the papers were carefully analyzed in order to find data related to the topic of this review.

RESULTS

In this review, 453 reports were used which were published between 1989 and 2014. The study was compiled into two sections (Pharmacology and Phytochemistry). In the pharmacology section, more than 50 different activities were studied. In the second section, in addition to other compounds and inorganic substances, volatiles, phenolic acids, and flavonoids were discussed.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

According to our contemporary information, Satureja species have been evaluated for their wide range of biological activities. However, a small part of these studies have been carried out on the active principles. Therefore, in the future, more studies should be carried out to identify responsible phytochemicals for the various activities.

Influence of extraction techniques on antioxidant properties and bioactive compounds of loquat fruit (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) skin and pulp extracts

In this study, the bioactive compounds of loquat fruit (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) skin and pulp extracted by two extraction methods (solvent and ultrasound-assisted) with three solvents (ethanol, water and ethanol-water) were compared to supercritical fluid extraction. The antioxidant activities of skin and pulp extracts were evaluated and compared to tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH˙) radical scavenging, β-carotene bleaching, and the Rancimat assays. In DPPH assay solvent extracts of skin by ethanol (SSE) and ethanol-water (SSEW) showed strong inhibitory activity. The SSEW also showed the highest inhibition percentage of 85.58% by the β-carotene bleaching assay and longest induction time of 4.78 h by the Rancimat method. The large amount of tocopherols and phenolics contained in the skin extract may cause its strong antioxidant ability. The results indicated that the solvent extraction with ethanol-water produced the maximum extraction yield of phenolic and tocopherol compounds from loquat fruit skin and pulp. Furthermore, solvent extraction was the most effective in antioxidant activity of the extracts compared to other extraction techniques.

Antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of some medicinal and aromatic plants used as herbal teas and condiments in Iran

Total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity of four Iranian herbs (Lamiaceae) were investigated. The antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of thyme (Thymus daenensis Celak.), Bakhtiari savory (Satureja bachtiarica Bung.), dragonhead (Dracocephalum multicaule Montbr & Auch), and woundwort (Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl.) was evaluated by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). A comparison of all plant extracts in the DPPH assay indicated that dragonhead and thyme were the most effective free radical scavenging agents. Thyme demonstrated a relatively strong antioxidant activity in both the FRAP and TEAC assays. The total phenolic content of all the extracts ranged from 99 to 208 mg TAE/g extract with thyme exhibiting the highest phenolic content. The flavonoid content of the extracts, which ranged from 10.1 to 22.2 rutin equivalents/g of extract, was highest in dragonhead. A positive correlation was noted between the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity in both the FRAP and TEAC assays, while no significant correlation was observed between the DPPH, TEAC, and FRAP assay and total flavonoid, suggesting that the level of antioxidant activity in these plants varies greatly, but the total phenolic in the plant extracts provided a substantial antioxidant activity. Experimental results indicate that thyme and dragonhead extracts could be an important dietary source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant capacity.