In vitro and in vivo assessment of free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of Veronica persica Poir

With the appearance of new disorders along with inability of some conventional therapies for the treatment of diseases without any side effects, the discovery of safe and efficient therapeutic agents is of utmost importance in the medical area. In this context, medicinal plants as promising therapeutic candidates can provide a reliable and efficient profile. Since free radicals are at the center of various disorder pathways, reducing their production or complete removal of these chemical species could be advantageous for prevention and treatment of many diseases. In this experiment, free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of Veronica persica Poir., a known medicinal plant, were evaluated using in vitro and in vivo assays. Chemical characterization results showed a high phenolic content in the V. persica methanol extract. In addition, in vitro assays including DPPH radical-scavenging assay, nitric oxide-scavenging activity assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging test and bleomycin-dependent DNA damage test revealed significant antioxidant power and radical scavenging capacity of this plant. In accordance, in vivo experiments showed inhibitory effects of the methanol extract on lipid peroxidation, a main cause of cell damage. Our findings revealed the promising potential of this plant in reducing free radicals through different pathways. Moreover, our data suggested a correlation between the high phenolic content of the V. persica extract and its free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities

Rosmarinus plants: Key farm concepts towards food applications

Rosmarinus species are aromatic plants that mainly grow in the Mediterranean region. They are widely used in folk medicine, food, and flavor industries and represent a valuable source of biologically active compounds (e.g., terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids). The extraction of rosemary essential oil is being done using three main methods: carbon dioxide supercritical extraction, steam distillation, and hydrodistillation. Furthermore, interesting antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antileishmanial, anthelmintic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and antiamnesic effects have also been broadly recognized for rosemary plant extracts. Thus the present review summarized data on economically important Rosmarinus officinalis species, including isolation, extraction techniques, chemical composition, pharmaceutical, and food applications. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Effect of species on total phenol, antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds of different wild onion bulbs

This study was focused on investigation of phenolic compounds, total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of some wild onions (Crocus chrysanthus (SDA1), Hyacinthella campanislata (SDA2), Muscari armaniacum (SDA3), Ornithogalum armeniacum (SDA4), Gagea granatelli (SDA5), Hyacinthella heldreichii (SDA6), Muscari neglectum (SDA7), Ornithogalum lanceolatum (SDA-8). SDA-3 had the maximum total phenolic content, with the range of 88.19 mg/100 g, followed by SDA-1 (82.50 mg/100 g). SDA-1 (29.32%) exhibited the best antioxidant activity, followed by SDA-3 (27.92%). The major phenolic compound of SDA-3, SDA-4, SDA-5, SDA-6 and SDA-8 was (+)-catechin, with the ranges of 35.23, 30.76, 33.72, 44.42 and 50.85 mg/100 g, respectively. The dominant phenolic acid of SDA-1 (86.15 mg/100 g) and SDA-7 (22.07 mg/100 g) was determined as gallic acid. Additionally, SDA-2 contained the highest content of isorhamnetin (53.87 mg/100 g). Results indicate that the bulbs of studied plants are potential sources of phenolic compounds and their methanolic extracts have antioxidant activity.Selcuk University BAPSelcuk UniversityThe authors extend their appreciation to the Selcuk University BAP for funding this research work through

Echinacea plants as antioxidant and antibacterial agents : from traditional medicine to biotechnological applications

The genus Echinacea consists of 11 taxa of herbaceous and perennial flowering plants. In particular, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench is widely cultivated all over the United States, Canada, and in Europe, exclusively in Germany, for its beauty and reported medicinal properties. Echinacea extracts have been used traditionally as wound healing to improve the immune system and to treat respiratory symptoms caused by bacterial infections. Echinacea extracts have demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and to be safe. This survey aims at reviewing the medicinal properties of Echinacea species, their cultivation, chemical composition, and the potential uses of these plants as antioxidant and antibacterial agents in foods and in a clinical context. Moreover, the factors affecting the chemical composition of Echinacea spp. are also covered

Nigella Plants – Traditional Uses, Bioactive Phytoconstituents, Preclinical and Clinical Studies

Nigella is a small genus of the family Ranunculaceae, which includes some popular species due to their culinary and medicinal properties, especially in Eastern Europe, Middle East, Western, and Central Asia. Therefore, this review covers the traditional uses and phytochemical composition of Nigella and, in particular, Nigella sativa. The pharmacological studies reported in vitro, in vivo, and in humans have also been reviewed. One of the main strength of the use of Nigella is that the seeds are rich in the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid and provide an extra-source of dietary phytochemicals, including the bioactive thymoquinone, and characteristics saponins, alkaloids, and flavonoids. Among Nigella species, N. sativa L. is the most studied plant from the genus. Due to the phytochemical composition and pharmacological properties, the seed and seed oil from this plant can be considered as good candidates to formulate functional ingredients on the basis of folklore and scientific knowledge. Nonetheless, the main limations are that more studies, especially, clinical trials are required to standardize the results, e.g. to establish active molecules, dosage, chemical profile, long-term effects and impact of cooking/incorporation into foods