Date of harvesting affects yields and quality of Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum (Link) Ietswaart.

Background: The aim of this experiment was to determine the essential oil, flavonoid and phenolic acid contents as well as yields of raw material collected from different morphological parts of Greek oregano in five consecutive developmental stages. Antibacterial and antifungal properties of methanol and hexane extracts from the aerial parts of Greek oregano were assessed as well.

Results: The findings showed that Greek oregano grown in the cool climate of central Europe had a considerable variation in the essential oil yield and chemical composition related to the harvesting stage.

Peruvian Maca (Lepidium peruvianum): (II) Phytochemical Profiles of Four Prime Maca Phenotypes Grown in Two Geographically-Distant Locations.

Peruvian Maca crops (Lepidium peruvianum), grown in two geographically-distant cultivation sites located at similar altitudes in the highlands of the Peruvian Andes (Junin at 4,200 m a.s.l.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of extracts from herb of Chelidonium majus L.

The aim of the study was to evaluate analgesic activity ("hot plate" test), anti-inflammatory activity (carrageenan-induced paw edema) and locomotor activity in rats under the influence of three fractions of Chelidonium majus herb extract: full water extract (FWE), protein enriched fraction (PEF), and non-protein fraction (NPF). Effects of the fractions on the level of chosen cytokines and their mRNA levels were also assessed using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration as a proinflammatory cue. All fractions and diclofenac did not affect the locomotor activity of rats in comparison with the control group.

Peruvian Maca (Lepidium peruvianum): (I) Phytochemical and Genetic Differences in Three Maca Phenotypes.

Glucosinolates were previously reported as physiologically-important constituents present in Peruvian Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon) and linked to various therapeutic functions of differently-colored Peruvian Maca hypocotyls. In two separate Trials, three colours of Maca hypocotyls "Black", "Red" and "Yellow" (termed "Maca phenotypes"), were selected from mixed crops of Peruvian Maca for laboratory studies as fresh and after being dried. Individual Maca phenotypes were cultivated in the highlands of the Peruvian Andes at 4,200m a.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of new (E)-4-[piperidino (4'-methylpiperidino-, morpholino-) N-alkoxy]stilbenes.

The synthesis of twenty-one new (E)-4-[piperidino-(4;-methylpiperidino-, morpholino-)N-alkoxy] stilbenes is reported. The compounds were tested for antimicrobial activities against Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria, and fungi. In particular, compounds 3b, 3c, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3k, 3l showed good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and 3h, 3k, 3m, 3n also against Bacillus subtilis, as well as 3h, 3n also against Streptococcus faecalis.

Antimicrobial activity of 10-isobutyryloxy-8,9-epoxythymol isobutyrate.

10-Isobutyryloxy-8,9-epoxythymol isobutyrate was found to be a major constituent of Inula helenium and Inula royleana root cultures. The compound showed moderate antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherischia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans.

Antimicrobial activity of some N-alkyl substituted of (E)-4-azachalconium and (E)-3'-hydroxy-4-azachalconium bromides.

Twelve new N-substituted (E)-azachalconium bromides were synthesized and tested for antimicrobial and antifungal activities. Compounds 5c, 5d and 5h-5l showed very good antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcusfaecalis as well as Bacillus subtilis and 5h-5j showed moderate activity against Escherichia coli. In particular, (E)-N-dodecyl-4-azachalconium bromide (5i) and (E)-N-tetradecyl-4-azachalconium bromide (5j) showed the most intensive activity against all tested microorganisms.