In vitro activity of propolis on oral microorganisms and biofilms

Natural products are being discussed as alternatives to commonly used chemicals in an-timicrobial therapy. The study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of propolis against microbial species associated with caries, periodontal disease, and Candida infections. Two commer-cially available ethanolic extracts of Brazilian and one of European propolis (EEP) were used. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of propolis and controls against eight microbial strains were determined. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) images visual-ized the effect of propolis on microorganisms. Subsequently, the activity on three different multi-species biofilms (both formation and existing biofilms) was assessed. All MIC values of the Brazilian EEPs were low against the tested oral species (≤ 0.1 mg/mL–3.13 mg/mL propolis (Candida albicans)). The European EEP had slightly higher MICs than the Brazilian EEPs. The SEM and TEM images suggest an interaction of propolis with the microbial cell wall. The European EEP exhibited the strongest effect on retarding biofilm formation, whereas the Brazilian EEPs were highly active against preformed biofilms (100 mg/mL propolis of both EEPs reduced colony forming unit counts always by more than 6 log10). The antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities point to the potential of propolis as an adjunct in oral health care products

Leaves and fruits preparations of Pistacia lentiscus L.: A review on the ethnopharmacological uses and implications in inflammation and infection

There is an increasing interest in revisiting plants for drug discovery, proving scientifically their role as remedies. The aim of this review was to give an overview of the ethnopharmacological uses of Pistacia lentiscus L. (PlL) leaves and fruits, expanding the search for the scientific discovery of their chemistry, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antimicrobial activities. PlL is a wild-growing shrub rich in terpenoids and polyphenols, the oil and extracts of which have been widely used against inflammation and infections, and as wound healing agents. The more recurrent components in PlL essential oil (EO) are represented by α-pinene, terpinene, caryophyllene, limonene and myrcene, with high variability in concentration depending on the Mediterranean country. The anti-inflammatory activity of the oil mainly occurs due to the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the arachidonic acid cascade. Interestingly, the capacity against COX-2 and LOX indicates PlL EO as a dual inhibitory compound. The high content of polyphenols enriching the extracts provide explanations for the known biological properties of the plant. The protective effect against reactive oxygen species is of wide interest. In particular, their anthocyanins content greatly clarifies their antioxidative capacity. Further, the antimicrobial activity of PlL oil and extracts includes the inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, periodontal bacteria and Candida spp. In conclusion, the relevant scientific properties indicate PlL as a nutraceutical and also as a therapeutic agent against a wide range of diseases based on inflammation and infections

Siponimod (BAF312) prevents synaptic neurodegeneration in experimental multiple sclerosis

Data from multiple sclerosis (MS) and the MS rodent model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), highlighted an inflammation-dependent synaptopathy at the basis of the neurodegenerative damage causing irreversible disability in these disorders. This synaptopathy is characterized by an imbalance between glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission and has been proposed to be a potential therapeutic target. Siponimod (BAF312), a selective sphingosine 1-phosphate1,5 receptor modulator, is currently under investigation in a clinical trial in secondary progressive MS patients. We investigated whether siponimod, in addition to its peripheral immune modulation, may exert direct neuroprotective effects in the central nervous system (CNS) of mice with chronic progressive EAE

White Clover Seed Production in Two Mediterranean Environments of Tuscany and Sardinia

Purpose of the trialwas the identification of the most suitable varieties for white clover Trifolium repens L. seed production in Mediterranean environments. The main reason of this paper is to verify whether it is possible to produce seed of European varieties of white clover in south Europe considering that surfaces for seed production are decreasing in the northern European countries that were normally producers of white clo­ver seed. The production of clover seed in southern Europe could advantageously replace the import from New Zealand and California

Plant Genetic Resources Protection in the Mediterranean Basin: the Case of Sardinian Forage Species

A Regional Bill on “Protection of Sardinian Local plant genetic resources” and regulations regarding collection activities for scientific, economic and commercial purposes” has been worked out by the Authors of this paper and submitted to the Sardinian Regional Parliament in April 1999. Main objectives of the Regional Bill are the regulations and rationalization of collection activities of autochthonous plant genetic materials for economic and/or commercial purposes without constraints for the rights and interests of local populations and workers that take benefit from such resources. By means of this paper, we intend to bring the Sardinian Regional Bill to knowledge of all people involved in local germplasm protection and of public opinion as a whole, its set of rules could in fact be useful at the Mediterranean level