New antibacterial hydrophobic assay reveals Abies balsamea oleoresin activity against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA

The Biological Activity of Monarda didyma L. Essential Oil and Its Effect as a Diet Supplement in Mice and Broiler Chicken

The use of growth-promoting antibiotics in livestock faces increasing scrutiny and opposition due to concerns about the increased occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Alternative solutions are being sought, and plants of Lamiaceae may provide an alternative to synthetic antibiotics in animal nutrition. In this study, we extracted essential oil from Monarda didyma, a member of the Lamiaceae family. We examined the chemical composition of the essential oil and then evaluated the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of M. didyma essential oil and its main compounds in vitro. We then evaluated the effectiveness of M. didyma essential oil in regard to growth performance, feed efficiency, and mortality in both mice and broilers. Carvacrol (49.03%) was the dominant compound in the essential oil extracts. M. didyma essential oil demonstrated antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli (MIC = 87 µg·mL⁻¹), Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 47 µg·mL⁻¹), and Clostridium perfringens (MIC = 35 µg·mL⁻¹). Supplementing the diet of mice with essential oil at a concentration of 0.1% significantly increased body weight (+5.4%) and feed efficiency (+18.85%). In broilers, M. didyma essential oil significantly improved body weight gain (2.64%). Our results suggest that adding M. didyma essential oil to the diet of broilers offers a potential substitute for antibiotic growth promoters.

Anti-protozoal Activity of Conifer Green Needle Complex against Trichomonas vaginalis

Treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis typically involves using nitroimidazoles (such as metronidazole and tinidazole). Some T. vaginalis strains have become resistant to these drugs, so the development of new drugs is necessary. Clinical samples were taken from 80 males and 70 females (aged 17–45). The sensitivity of T. vaginalis in these samples to CGNC (100, 200, 300 and 500 mg/mL) and metronidazole (10, 15, 25 and 50 μg/mL) was evaluated. All 10 isolates were sensitive to at least one concentration of CGNC. Three strains were sensitive (all cells were killed) to 100 mg/mL CGNC, while there was a decrease in the number of Trichomonas present in the other samples when compared with the control. Six strains were sensitive to 200 mg/mL CGNC, while those strains that grew in the presence of CGNC showed a reduction in numbers when compared with the control. Nine strains were sensitive to 300 mg/mL CGNC. The strain not sensitive to 300 mg/mL CGNC showed a decrease in the number of Trichomonas present (<102 cells/mL) when compared to the control (104 cells/mL). All strains were sensitive to 500 mg/mL CGNC. Three strains (one motile and two non-motile) were sensitive to all concentrations of CGNC and one of the non-motile strains was resistant (MIC 50 μg/mL) to metronidazole. The other two strains were moderately resistant (MIC 15 and 25 μg/mL) to metronidazole. Of the 10 Trichomonas strains, four were resistant to metronidazole (MIC 50 μg/mL) and sensitive to at least one concentration of CGNC. CGNC may be used as a treatment for T. vaginalis infections and should be considered for clinical strains resistant to metronidazole.

Efficient Synthesis of the N-(buta-2,3-dienyl)carboxamide of Isopimaric Acid and the Potential of This Compound towards Heterocyclic Derivatives of Diterpenoids

The N‐(2,3‐butadienyl)carboxamide of isopimaric acid, that is, compound 3, was prepared through a two‐step synthetic procedure starting from the natural diterpene isopimaric acid. The Pd‐catalyzed cross‐coupling and subsequent cyclization of terpenoid allene 3 with several aryl iodides and aryl bromides gave access to optically active diterpenoid–oxazoline derivatives in good to excellent yields. The functional group tolerance in the aryl iodides was demonstrated by several examples, including substrates with additional N‐tert‐butoxycarbonyl‐protected amino, hydroxy, and carboxy substituents in the ortho position. The cross‐coupling–cyclization reaction of those compounds with allene 3 proceeded selectively with the formation of cyclization products on the substituent in the aromatic ring. This transformation opens a potential route to the synthesis of hybrid compounds containing a tricyclic diterpenoid and several heterocycles.

Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antibiotic, and Cytotoxic Activities of Tanacetum vulgare L. Essential Oil and Its Constituents

Background:Tanacetum vulgare L. (Asteraceae) is a perennial herb that has been used to treat multiple ailments. Regional variability of the chemical composition of T. vulgare essential oils is well-known. Despite these regional chemotypes, most relevant studies did not analyze the complete chemical composition of the T. vulgare essential oil and its constituents in relation to their biological activities. Here, we assess the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities of T. vulgare collected from northern Quebec (Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean), Canada. Methods: Essential oil was extracted from plants by steam distillation and analyzed using GC-FID. Biological activities of essential oil and its main constituents were evaluated in vitro. Results: We identified the major compounds as camphor, borneol, and 1,8-cineole. The oil possesses anti-inflammatory activity inhibiting NO production. It also inhibits intracellular DCFH oxidation induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide. Anti-inflammatory activity of essential oil appears driven mainly by α-humulene while antioxidant activity is provided by α-pinene and caryophyllene oxide. Essential oil from T vulgare was active against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with camphor and caryophyllene oxide responsible for antibacterial activity. Finally, T. vulgare essential oil was slightly cytotoxic against the human healthy cell line WS1 while α-humulene and caryophyllene oxide were moderately cytotoxic against A-549, DLD-1, and WS1. Conclusion: We report, for the first time, links between the specific compounds found in T. vulgare essential oil and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities. T. vulgare essential oil possesses interesting biological properties.