Analysis of the essential oil components from different Carum copticum L. samples from Iran

Macroporous resin-assisted enrichment, characterizations, antioxidant and anticandidal potential of phytochemicals from Trachyspermum ammi

Extract of de-oiled seeds of Trachyspermum ammi was purified using macroporous resins and the performance of three resins were evaluated to enrich major phytochemical component. A HPLC method has been developed to separate major phytochemical constituents in the crude (CTAE) and partially purified extracts (PTAE). Macroporous resin assisted enrichment and purification suggested XAD-16 as the most efficient (yield 29.8%) followed by XAD-7HP and Diaion HP-20. Concentrated PTAE was subjected to multiple preparative-TLC to afford three compounds, namely, rosmarinic acid-3-O-glucopyranoside (TA-1), kaempferol-(coumaroyl-glucosyl)-rhamnoside (TA-2) and quercetin-3-O-galactoside (TA-3). The structure of these compounds was elucidated from their corresponding spectroscopic characterizations in FT-IR, HR-MS, and partially by ¹ H NMR. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were determined. Antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging, CUPRAC assays indicated the highest antioxidant potential of CTAE. Among the compounds, TA-1 exhibited the highest scavenging activity in ABTS (IC₅₀ 33.41 µg/ml) and DPPH (IC₅₀ 69.23 µg/ml), however, relatively lower than CTAE. In vitro anti-candidal activity against virulent strains of Candida spp. revealed C. albicans 4718 as the most susceptible (23.9 µg/ml) to PTAE. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Seeds of Trachyspermum ammi has been extensively investigated for volatile aromatic components of the essential oil. However, the de-oiled seeds have rarely been exploited for potential bioactive phenolics. The present investigation envisaged possible utilization of the de-oiled Trachyspermum seeds for its phenolic constituents, which could be used as natural antioxidant with additional benefits of anticandidal properties. Indeed, macroporous resin assisted enrichment and purification of extracts of T. ammi seeds generate valuable reference compounds, rosmarinic acid-3-O-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-(coumaroyl glucosyl)-rhamnoside, and quercetin-3-O-galactoside.

Improving ATPase and PPase activities, nutrient uptake and growth of salt stressed ajowan plants by salicylic acid and iron-oxide nanoparticles

Salicylic acid and iron-oxide nanoparticles alleviated salt toxicity and improved plant growth by stimulating the activities of H⁺-ATPase and H⁺-PPase and preventing nutrient imbalance. Two factorial experiments were undertaken in a greenhouse during 2018 and 2019, to evaluate the impacts of SA (1 mM) and nano-Fe₂O₃ (3 mM) sprays at 7 leaves and flowering stages on vacuolar H⁺-pumps, growth and essential oil of salt-subjected (0, 4, 8 and 12 dS m^-1 NaCl) ajowan plants. Measurements of plant traits were started at about 12 days after the last foliar spray and continued up to maturity. The H⁺-ATPase and H⁺-PPase activities and root ATP content were enhanced under low salinity, but higher salinities reduced these parameters. Rising salinity enhanced Na uptake and translocation, endogenous SA and DPPH activity, while reduced K⁺/Na⁺ ratio and nutrients uptake, leading to a reduction in plant biomass. Treatment with SA, nano-Fe₂O₃ and their combination improved H⁺-pumps activities and ATP content in roots and leaves. The SA-related treatments caused the highest activities of H⁺-pumps in roots, but Fe-related treatments resulted in the highest activities of these pumps in leaves. Increasing H⁺-pumps activities reduced sodium uptake and translocation and enhanced nutrients uptake. Foliar treatments, especially SA + nano-Fe₂O₃ augmented endogenous SA, DPPH activity, and plant growth in salt-stressed plants. Essential oil contents of vegetative and inflorescence organs under severe salinity and seeds under moderate and severe salinities were enhanced. Maximum essential oil was obtained from seeds of SA + nano-Fe₂O₃-treated plants, which was strongly correlated with endogenous SA and DPPH. Nevertheless, the SA + nano-Fe₂O₃ was the best treatment for diminishing salt toxicity and improving ajowan plant growth and essential oil production.

Improved in vitro and in vivo Anti-Candida albicans Activity of Cymbopogon nardus Essential Oil by Its Incorporation into a Microemulsion System

Purpose

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an opportunistic fungal infection that adversely affects a woman's health, due to unpleasant symptoms, therapeutic challenges, and the emergence of resistant strains. The association of natural products and nanotechnology is important to improve the antifungal potential of medicinal plants. We aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anti-Candida albicans activity of unloaded (EO) and loaded (ME+EO) essential oil of Cymbopogon nardus in the microemulsion (ME).

Methods

The chemical analysis of the EO was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The ME and ME+EO were characterized by scattering, zeta potential, polarized light microscopy, rheological assays, mucoadhesiveness and transmission electronic microscopy. The in vitro antifungal activity of the EO and ME+EO were evaluated by microdilution technique. The toxicity of EO and ME+EO was analyzed on human cell line HaCat and using alternative model assay with Artemia salina. The experimental in vivo VVC was performed in female mice (C57BL/6).

Results

The main compounds of the EO were found to be citronellal, geranial, geraniol, citronellol, and neral. The formulations exhibited suitable size, homogeneity, negative charge, isotropic behavior, highly organized structure, and pseudoplastic behavior, for vaginal application. TEM photomicrographs showed possible EO droplets inside the spherical structures. The EO, when loaded into the ME, exhibited an improvement in its antifungal action against C. albicans. The EO was not toxic against brine shrimp nauplii. An in vivo VVC assay showed that the use of the ME significantly improved the action of the EO, since only the ME+EO promoted the eradication of the fungal vaginal infection on the third day of treatment.

Conclusion

The EO and ME+EO are promising alternatives for the control of fungal infections caused by C. albicans, once the use of nanotechnology significantly improved the antifungal action of the EO, especially in an in vivo model of VVC.

Comparative transcriptome analysis to identify putative genes involved in thymol biosynthesis pathway in medicinal plant Trachyspermum ammi L

Thymol, as a dietary monoterpene, is a phenol derivative of cymene, which is the major component of the essential oil of Trachyspermum ammi (L.). It shows multiple biological activities: antifungal, antibacterial, antivirus and anti-inflammatory. T. ammi, commonly known as ajowan, belongs to Apiaceae and is an important medicinal seed spice. To identify the putative genes involved in thymol and other monoterpene biosynthesis, we provided transcriptomes of four inflorescence tissues of two ajowan ecotypes, containing different thymol yield. This study has detected the genes encoding enzymes for the go-between stages of the terpenoid biosynthesis pathways. A large number of unigenes, differentially expressed between four inflorescence tissues of two ajowan ecotypes, was revealed by a transcriptome analysis. Furthermore, differentially expressed unigenes encoding dehydrogenases, transcription factors, and cytochrome P450s, which might be associated with terpenoid diversity in T. ammi, were identified. The sequencing data obtained in this study formed a valuable repository of genetic information for an understanding of the formation of the main constituents of ajowan essential oil and functional analysis of thymol-specific genes. Comparative transcriptome analysis led to the development of new resources for a functional breeding of ajowan.

Modeling of Salmonella typhimurium growth under the effects of Carum copticum essential oil, temperature, pH and inoculum size

The purpose of this study was to elucidate some factors affecting the growth of Salmonella typhimurium. These factors included Carum copticum essential oil (0%, 0.015%, 0.03% and 0.06%), temperature (25 ˚C and 35 ˚C), pH (5, 6 and 7) and inoculum size (10³ and 10⁵ CFU mL^-1). Brain heart infusion broth was used as the growth medium. There were 48 treatment combinations and the experiment was carried out in triplicate. Growth was monitored by visible turbidity over a 30 days period. A parametric survival model based on the log-normal distribution was used to estimate the most influential factors on the time to detection of Salmonella growth. According to our results, the selected factors significantly affected the growth of Salmonella typhimurium. Furthermore, the final graph demonstrated good agreement between the values predicted by predictive model and the results which were observed in this study. So that a parametric survival model can be a useful and practical tool to predict how the parameters will influence the bacterial growth.

Cymene and Metformin treatment effect on biochemical parameters of male NMRI mice fed with high fat diet

Background

The increasing prevalence of obesity is considered a serious global health threat. Mainly due to change of diet and reduced physical activity, obesity is an important risk factor for chronic diseases. A higher level of cytokines and a general inflammatory state has also been associated with this condition. With this regard, potential anti-obesity compounds with anti-inflammatory properties could be beneficial in better control of the disease. p-Cymene is a natural aromatic compound that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, while the antidiabetic drug metformin has been observed to be effective as an aid for weight loss. In this study, the effect of these comounds was compared in a high fat diet treated mice model.

Methods

48 adult NMRI mice were randomly divided into six groups: control group receiving a normal diet, high fat diet (HFD) fed control group, sham group receiving HFD and sunflower seed oil, Experimental group1 (E1) receiving HFD and 20 mg/kg metformin, Experimental group2 (E2) receiving 20 mg/kg metformin and 20 mg/kg p-cymene, Experimental group3 (E3) receiving 20 mg/kg p-cymene. Compounds were administered by intragastric gavage for 45 days.

Results

Non-fasting glucose serum levels, ALT, and ALP of E2 and E3 decreased significantly compared to HFD control group. In the E3 group, AST levels decrease was also significant. In E1, non-fasting glucose and TG serum levels decreased significantly compared to HFD control group. Histological observations on liver tissue showed an increase of lipid droplets in the HFD control group compared with the normal group, while upon treatment with the compounds, lipid droplets decreased and the cells appeared to be more ordered.

Conclusion

p-Cymene has a potential to ameliorate biochemical parameters in high fat diet treated mice, and its concurrent use with metformin was effective.

Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague

Resistance to antibacterial agents has become a serious problem for global health. The current study evaluated the antimicrobial activities of essential oil and respective fractions of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague. Seeds of the essential oil were extracted and fractionated using column chromatography. All fractions were then analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Antifungal and antibacterial activities of the oil and its fractions were assessed using microdilution method. Compounds γ-terpinene (48.07%), ρ-cymene (33.73%), and thymol (17.41%) were determined as major constituents. The effect of fraction II was better than total essential oil, fraction I, and standard thymol. The greater effect of fraction II compared to standard thymol showed the synergistic effects of the ingredients in this fraction. As this fraction and also total oil were effective on the studied microorganism, the combination of these products with current antimicrobial agents could be considered as new antimicrobial compounds in further investigations.