New terpenoids in cultivated and wild chamomile (in vivo and in vitro)

Phytochemical Characterization of Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) Roots and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potential

Matricaria recutita L., German chamomile, is one of the most widely used medicinal plants, whose efficacy has been proven in numerous studies. However, its roots have attracted only little interest so far, since mainly above-ground plant parts are used for medicinal purposes. To broaden the knowledge of chamomile roots, a profound phytochemical characterization was performed along with a bioactivity screening of corresponding root extracts. While volatile constituents such as chamomillol and polyynes were detected using GC-MS, HPLC-MSⁿ analyses revealed the occurrence of four coumarin glycosides, more than ten phenolic acid esters and five glyceroglycolipids. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated. Polar extracts revealed IC₅₀ values ranging from 13 to 57 µg/mL in the DPPH radical scavenging assay, which is in the same range as reported for chamomile flower extracts. In addition, superoxide radical scavenging potential and mild antibacterial effects against S. aureus und B. subtilis were demonstrated. Moreover, to assess interspecies variation in chamomile roots, extracts of M. recutita were compared to those of M. discoidea DC. Interestingly, the latter revealed stronger antioxidant activity. The presented results aim at the valorization of chamomile roots, previously discarded as by-product of chamomile flower production, as a sustainable source of bioactive phytochemicals.

Enhanced Production of β-Caryophyllene by Farnesyl Diphosphate Precursor-Treated Callus and Hairy Root Cultures of Artemisia vulgaris L

Artemisia vulgaris L. produces a wide range of valuable secondary metabolites. The aim of the present study is to determine the effects of various concentrations of farnesyl diphosphate (FDP) on β-caryophyllene content in both callus and hairy root (HR) cultures regeneration from leaf explants of A. vulgaris L. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D; 4-13 μM), α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA; 5-16 μM), and FDP (1 and 3 μM) was used for callus induction and HR regeneration from leaf explants of A. vulgaris L. In this study, precursor-treated (2,4D 13.5 μM + FDP 3 μM) callus displayed the highest biomass fresh weight (FW)/dry weight (DW): 46/25 g, followed by NAA 10.7 μM + FDP 3 μM with FW/DW: 50/28 g. Two different Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains (A₄ and R₁₀₀₀) were evaluated for HR induction. The biomass of HRs induced using half-strength MS + B₅ vitamins with 3 μM FDP was FW/DW: 40/20 g and FW/DW: 41/19 g, respectively. To determine β-caryophyllene accumulation, we have isolated the essential oil from FDP-treated calli and HRs and quantified β-caryophyllene using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The highest production of β-caryophyllene was noticed in HR cultures induced using A₄ and R₁₀₀₀ strains on half-strength MS medium containing 3 μM FDP, which produced 2.92 and 2.80 mg/ml β-caryophyllene, respectively. The optimized protocol can be used commercially by scaling up the production of a β-caryophyllene compound in a short span of time.

Estimation of the Content of Selected Active Substances in Primary and Secondary Herbal Brews by UV-VIS and GC-MS Spectroscopic Analyses

Primary and secondary herbal brews were tested for the content of polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, and essential oil. The brewing process was carried out at an initial temperature of 95°C and different time parameters (5, 10, 15, and 30 min). A secondary brewing was also carried out to estimate the reuse of the herbal material. The highest content of polyphenol compounds and flavonoids was determined in the primary peppermint brews (4017 mg L^-1 and 360 mg L^-1, respectively). The secondary brews were characterised by a lower content of active substances than the primary brews. The study showed that the herbal postbrewing material contained significant levels of essential oil (from 13.04% to 95.65%) and may be an alternative source of volatile bioactive compounds.

Evaluation of chamomile oil and nanoemulgels as a promising treatment option for atopic dermatitis induced in rats

Background: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that remarkably affects the quality-of-life of patients. Chamomile oil is used to treat skin inflammations. We evaluated the efficacy of chamomile oil and nanoemulgel formulations as a natural alternative therapeutic option for atopic dermatitis.Research design and methods: Formulations were developed comprising chamomile oil: olive oil (1:1), Tween 20/80 or Gelucire 44/14 as surfactant-cosurfactant mixtures, propylene glycol (10%w/w), water and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (3%w/w). In-vitro physicochemical characterization, stability testing and in-vivo assessment of inflammatory biomarkers and histopathological examination of skin lesions were conducted in rats induced with atopic dermatitis.Results: Nanoemulgels G₁ and X₁ which displayed the smallest particle size of 137.5 ± 2.04 and 207.1 ± 5.44 nm, good homogeneity and high zeta-potential values of -26.4 and -32.7 mV were selected as the optimized emulgel. Nanoemulgels were nonirritating of pH value 5.56, readily spreadable, and were physically stable following 10 heating-cooling cycles. Treatment with nanoemulgels showed a two-fold decrease in duration of skin healing and no spongiosis compared to chamomile oil. Levels of biomarkers were reduced after topical application of both nanoemulgels and chamomile oil.Conclusion: Nanoemulgels are a potential cost effective, safe topical carrier system for chamomile in treating atopic dermatitis.

Effects of Matricaria chamomilla Extract on Growth and Maturation of Isolated Mouse Ovarian Follicles in a Three-dimensional Culture System

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to design and assess the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Matricaria chamomilla (MC) on preantral follicle culture of mouse ovaries in a three-dimensional culture system.

METHODS

Isolated preantral follicles were randomly divided into three main groups: the control group containing 10% fetal bovine serum without MC extract (G1), the first experimental group supplemented with 25 μg/ml hydroalcoholic extract of chamomile (G2), and the second experimental group supplemented with 50 μg/ml hydroalcoholic extract of chamomile (G3).

RESULTS

After 12 days of culture, the survival rate (P < 0.05), antrum formation (P < 0.01), metaphase two oocytes (P < 0.01), and the expression of PCNA (P < 0.05) and FSHR (P < 0.05) genes significantly decreased in G3 as compared with G1. On the other hand, at the last day of culture (day 12), the mean diameter of follicles cultured in the medium which was supplemented with 50 μg/ml hydroalcoholic extract of chamomile significantly decreased as compared with the G1 (P < 0.05). In addition, the levels of progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone hormones significantly increased in the medium of G3 relative to G1 (P < 0.01), while in the medium of G1, the level of 17β-estradiol was significantly higher than that of other groups (P < 0.01). Reactive oxygen species levels of metaphase II oocytes were significantly decreased in G2 as compared with G1 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Adding chamomile extract to culture media appeared to decrease follicular function and development.

Proliferative effect of plants used for wound healing in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Wounds are normally resolved in a few days, but chronic wounds represent a major burden because of economic and social factors. Thereby, the search for new agents is ongoing and natural products become a great target. Also, Brazil as a consumer of herbal medicines with rich social diversity is promising for ethnopharmacological studies.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The study aims to find the plants popularly used for wound healing purposes in Rio Grande do Sul state, and test the traditional knowledge through an in vitro screening.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethnobotanical studies from state of Rio Grande do Sul were analyzed to find the most used plants to treat wounds. The selected species were collected, identified and ethanolic and aqueous extracts were prepared. After, proliferative capacity was accessed by MTT assay in a keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT).

RESULTS

The survey comprehended almost all state regions and led to 117 plant species from 85 genera, from which 14 were selected for in vitro testing. Aqueous extracts from Achyrocline satureioides DC Lam., Matricaria recutita L., Melia azedarach L. and Mirabilis jalapa L. demonstrated the ability to stimulate keratinocyte growth up to 120% in concentrations of 25 µg/mL and 50 µg/mL. The ethanolic extract of A. satureioides was able to stimulate keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation on the lower concentration tested, 1 µg/mL, being the most promising species.

CONCLUSIONS

The traditional knowledge collected from the ethnobotanical studies was accessed by in vitro investigation and extracts from Achyrocline satureioides, Matricaria recutita, Melia azedarach and Mirabilis jalapa can influence positively cell proliferation.

Ethnobotany, therapeutic value, phytochemistry and conservation status of Bowiea volubilis: A widely used bulbous plant in southern Africa

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Bowiea volubilis Harv. ex Hook.f. (Family: Asparagaceae) is a bulbous medicinal plant widely used against numerous ailments including headache, muscular pains, infertility, cystitis and venereal diseases in southern Africa.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

To provide a critical and updated review of Bowiea volubilis with regards to its abundance, medicinal importance, conservation status and potential means to sustain its availability for future generations.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search using online databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus and Springerlink as well as ethnobotanical literature was done in order to obtain, collate, synthesize and critically analyze available information on Bowiea volubilis.

RESULTS

On the basis of its wide distribution in many Provinces in South Africa, Bowiea volubilis has a long history of applications among the different ethnic groups. These applications include its uses as purgatives and for the treatment or relief of microbial infections, skin disorders, pains and inflammation. Scientific validation of its diverse uses in traditional medicine has been demonstrated via antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and toxicity assays. Available results indicate a general poor antimicrobial activity especially with the bulb extracts while the anti-inflammatory activity appears promising. Phytochemical screenings revealed that Bowiea volubilis contains cardiac glycosides and related compounds while reports of other classes of compounds are unavailable. In line with its usage in traditional medicine, the majority of available studies on the species have focused on the use of different solvent extracts from the bulbs. The destructive harvesting of bulbs has led to a continuous decimation of wild populations. Consequently, there are increasing conservational concerns on the sustainability of this species for continuous supply to meet escalating demands.

CONCLUSIONS

Bowiea volubilis remains a widely used medicinal plant and available but limited scientific evidence indicates its anti-inflammatory potential. The abundance of cardiac glycosides in its phytochemical composition provides an indication on the therapeutic potential. More research efforts including the application of different biotechnological techniques are still required in order to guarantee its sustainable use over time.

Uptake of Eudragit Retard L (Eudragit® RL) Nanoparticles by Human THP-1 Cell Line and Its Effects on Hematology and Erythrocyte Damage in Rats

The aim of this study was to prepare Eudragit Retard L (Eudragit RL) nanoparticles (ENPs) and to determine their properties, their uptake by the human THP-1 cell line in vitro and their effect on the hematological parameters and erythrocyte damage in rats. ENPs showed an average size of 329.0 ± 18.5 nm, a positive zeta potential value of +57.5 ± 5.47 mV and nearly spherical shape with a smooth surface. THP-1 cell lines could phagocyte ENPs after 2 h of incubation. In the in vivo study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed orally or intraperitoneally (IP) with a single dose of ENP (50 mg/kg body weight). Blood samples were collected after 4 h, 48 h, one week and three weeks for hematological and erythrocytes analysis. ENPs induced significant hematological disturbances in platelets, red blood cell (RBC) total and differential counts of white blood cells (WBCs) after 4 h, 48 h and one week. ENP increased met-Hb and Co-Hb derivatives and decreased met-Hb reductase activity. These parameters were comparable to the control after three weeks when administrated orally. It could be concluded that the route of administration has a major effect on the induction of hematological disturbances and should be considered when ENPs are applied for drug delivery systems.

Characterization of volatile and semi-volatile compounds in green and fermented leaves of Bergenia crassifolia L. by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and ID-CUBE direct analysis in real time-high resolution mass spectrometry

Chemical compositions of volatile and semi-volatile components in green and fermented leaves of Bergenia crassifolia L. were studied. Leaf components were identified using gas chromatography with low resolution mass spectrometry and direct analysis in real time (DART) high resolution mass spectrometry with an ID-CUBE ion source. Phytol, nerolidol, geraniol, linalool, alpha-bisabolol, alpha-bisabololoxide B, alpha-cadinol, delta-cadinene, alpha-terpineol and several other marker compounds of special interest were defined, for which the process of fermentation significantly changed their content in the leaves. Low resolution El GC-MS and ID-CUBE DART-HRMS were found to be complementary methods, as they provide different information, helpful to increase the confidence of identification.

Comparative evaluation of the activity of plant infusions against Helicobacter pylori strains by three methods

The aim of the study was to assess the activities of six plant infusions against Helicobacter pylori strains using a comparative screening assay (CSA), agar-well diffusion method (AWDM) and microscopy. Green tea, St John's wort (SJW), rooibos, peppermint, chamomile and lime flower aqueous infusion concentrations were chosen to mimic those in herbal teas/tisanes. CSA concentrations were 4.5 mg ml⁻¹ for chamomile and 6.8 mg ml⁻¹ for the other agents. AWDM amounts were 0.4 mg/well for the chamomile and 0.6 mg/well for the other agents. Using CSA, ≥8 × 10⁴ colony forming unit reduction was found in >60 % of the strains by the green tea (81.5 %), SJW (75.9 %) and rooibos (63.0 %) within 2 h. Similarly, by AWDM, the activity against >60 % of the strains was found by the green tea, SJW and rooibos. Gram staining results were alike, showing mostly/only coccoids in >66 % of the strains by the same three agents within 2 h. Lime flowers showed the lowest activity by all methods. In conclusion, CSA allows comparing the activities of many agents against numerous strains. To our knowledge, these are the first data about rooibos and lime flower activities against H. pylori. All the three methods revealed that the most active agents were the green tea, SJW and rooibos, which also possess additional beneficial properties, e.g. antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects, therefore these plants may have a beneficial use as prophylactic agents against or adjuvants in the therapy of H. pylori infection.

Content and composition of the essential oil of Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert from some European countries

Variations in the essential oil composition of Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert from different European countries were determined. A total of 39 components were identified, representing over 92% of the total oil yield. The principal biologically active compounds in chamomile oils were bisabolol oxide A (3.1-56.0%), alpha-bisabolol (0.1-44.2%), bisabolol oxide B (3.9-27.2%), cis-enyne-bicycloether (8.8-26.1%), bisabolon oxide A (0.5-24.8%), chamazulene (0.7-15.3%), spathulenol (1.7-4.8%) and (E)-beta-farnesene (2.3-6.6%). In 8 chamomile samples from 13, bisabolol oxide A (27.5-56.0%) was predominant (among them in three Estonian samples). alpha-Bisabolol (23.9-44.2%) was predominant in the samples from Moldova, Russia and the Czech Republic. The sample from Armenia was rich in bisabolol oxide B (27.2%) and chamazulene (15.3%). The oils were obtained in yields of 0.7-6.7 mL kg(-1) and the minimum limit of 4 mL kg(-1) stated by the European Pharmacopoeia was exceeded only in 13 samples from 13 analysed drugs.

Monitoring by HPLC of chamomile flavonoids exposed to rat liver microsomal metabolism

Three major flavonoid chamomile components (quercetin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside and rutin) were subjected to oxidative metabolism by cytochrome P-450 of rat liver microsomal preparations. Changes over time in their respective concentrations were followed using reversed-phase HPLC with UV detection. No clean-up had to be applied as only the specific flavonoid had to be separated from the background components originating from the rat liver microsome.

Neither the concentration of apigenin-7-O-glucoside nor that of the diglycoside rutin decreased during one hour of exposure to rat microsomal treatment. In contrast, the concentration of quercetin, a lipophilic aglycon, decreased.

Our analytical HPLC results complement the in silico calculated lipophilicity (logP) of these compounds; the relatively high lipophilicity of quercetin appears to predispose it to oxidative metabolism in order to decrease its fat solubility. In contrast the much less lipophilic compounds apigenin-7-O-glucoside and rutin were resistant in vitro to microsomal treatment.

Risks and benefits of commonly used herbal medicines in Mexico

In Mexico, local empirical knowledge about medicinal properties of plants is the basis for their use as home remedies. It is generally accepted by many people in Mexico and elsewhere in the world that beneficial medicinal effects can be obtained by ingesting plant products. In this review, we focus on the potential pharmacologic bases for herbal plant efficacy, but we also raise concerns about the safety of these agents, which have not been fully assessed. Although numerous randomized clinical trials of herbal medicines have been published and systematic reviews and meta-analyses of these studies are available, generalizations about the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines are clearly not possible. Recent publications have also highlighted the unintended consequences of herbal product use, including morbidity and mortality. It has been found that many phytochemicals have pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interactions with drugs. The present review is limited to some herbal medicines that are native or cultivated in Mexico and that have significant use. We discuss the cultural uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological, and toxicological properties of the following plant species: nopal (Opuntia ficus), peppermint (Mentha piperita), chaparral (Larrea divaricata), dandlion (Taraxacum officinale), mullein (Verbascum densiflorum), chamomile (Matricaria recutita), nettle or stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), linden flower (Tilia europea), and aloe (Aloe vera). We conclude that our knowledge of the therapeutic benefits and risks of some herbal medicines used in Mexico is still limited and efforts to elucidate them should be intensified.