L. Taxa from the Balkans-Are There Unique Leaf Micromorphological and Phytochemical Patterns?

The concept of the genus L. has changed considerably since its first description. Most of the currently accepted species of the genus have traditionally been treated as separate genera in the group sensu lato: L.

Phytochemistry and Micromorphology of Epicuticular Waxes in Four Juniper Species With Fragmented Distribution in the Balkans.

The cuticle is important in the interaction between the plant and its environment, especially in the dry areas. Four species of junipers from the section Sabina wild growing in the Balkans were selected to study leaf wax composition using GC/MS and GC-FID and its surface morphology under SEM to understand the correlation between the distribution and/or habitat of these species and their cuticles. SEM micrographs showed continuous, smooth epicuticular layers with crusts in all species but with a species-specific distribution of different 3D crystalloid types and different cuticle thickness.

Leaves micromorphology, chemical profile, and bioactivity of in vitro-propagated Nepeta cyrenaica (Lamiaceae).

Introduction: The endemic species Nepeta cyrenaica Quézel & Zaffran, native to northeastern Libya, is valued as an important honey-bearing plant.

Objectives: This study was aimed to examine the micromorphology, phytochemistry, and bioactivity of in vitro-propagated N. cyrenaica for the first time.

Interactions between Natural Products-A Review.

Plant-based natural products have been used as a source for therapeutics since the dawn of civilization. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 80% of the world's population relies on traditional medicine for their primary healthcare. Numerous natural extracts, widely known in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Indian Ayurveda medicine and other practices, have led to the modern discovery and development of new drugs.

A Study of Phytochemistry, Genoprotective Activity, and Antitumor Effects of Extracts of the Selected Lamiaceae Species.

This study was designed to evaluate the genoprotective, antigenotoxic, as well as antitumor potential of methanolic, ethanolic, and aqueous extracts of , × , , , , and (Lamiaceae), in different model systems. The polyphenols in these extracts were quantified both spectrophotometrically and using HPLC-DAD technique, while DPPH assay was used to assess the antioxidant activity. The genoprotective potential was tested on pUC19 XL1-blue, and the antigenotoxicity on TA1535/pSK1002 and human lung fibroblasts, while the antitumor activity was assessed on colorectal cancer cells.

Bis-Bibenzyls from the Liverwort and Their Biological Activity.

Based on previous investigations where bis-bibenzyls isolated from liverworts showed various biological activities (cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and antiviral), we investigated their cytotoxic activity in several human cancer cell lines. From the methylene-chloride/methanol extract of the liverwort , three bis-bibenzyls of the perrottetin type were isolated, namely perrottetin E, 10'-hydroxyperrottetin E, and 10,10'-dihydroxyperrottetin E. The last two were found for the first time in this species.

A comprehensive assessment of the chemical composition, antioxidant, genoprotective and antigenotoxic activities of Lamiaceae species using different experimental models in vitro.

This research was aimed to assess the potential of Glechoma hederacea, Hyssopus officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia, Leonurus cardiaca, Marrubium vulgare and Sideritis scardica (Lamiaceae) methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts against the damaging effects of oxidative stress using different experimental models. The chemical characterization was done spectrophotometrically by quantifying total phenolics, phenolic acids, flavonoids and flavonols in the extracts, as well as by employing HPLC-DAD technique. Moreover, DPPH assay was used to assess the extracts' radical scavenging potential.

Essential Oil Composition and Micromorphological Traits of L., Bartel ex Vis., and Wierzb. Ex Heuff. Plant Organs.

The essential oil (EO) composition of plants is highly variable. Recent studies suggest that there is an even difference in the EO composition from different plant organs within the same plant. This study aims to examine the chemical profile of EOs and the micromorphological characteristics of different organs of three species.

Needle volatiles as chemophenetic markers in differentiation of natural populations of Abies alba, A. x borisii-regis, and A. cephalonica.

Seventeen native fir populations from the presumed zones of natural hybridization in the Balkan Peninsula were analyzed using headspace needle volatiles and GC-MS/FID analyses. The multivariate statistical analyses revealed clear differentiation between populations of Abies alba and A. cephalonica, suggesting that Silver and Greek Fir are characterized by distinct volatile profiles.

The impact of different extracts of six Lamiaceae species on deleterious effects of oxidative stress assessed in acellular, prokaryotic and eukaryotic models .

The main objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of L., L., L.

Lamiaceae in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Lamiaceae (Labiatae) are an important group of medicinal plants, which have been used for treating heart disease in traditional medicine for centuries. These mainly aromatic plants are used as essential oils, extracts or isolated components (polyphenols, phenolic compounds, terpenes, iridoids etc.).

Traditional uses of autochthonous medicinal and ritual plants and other remedies for health in Eastern and South-Eastern Serbia.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: River and mountain regions in Eastern and South-Eastern Serbia are geographically interesting and, historically they represent an important resource of plants used as food, spices and as remedies for treating many diseases. Different cultures have lived in these regions for ages. They have used wild plants and the methods of their preparation and application, which has remained throughout the history and now is passed on from generation to generation.

Epicuticular Waxes Provide Insights into Phytochemical Differentiation of Natural Populations of Pinus mugo Turra sensu stricto.

Phytochemical diversity and differentiation of nine native populations of Pinus mugo sensu stricto from Julian Alps, Southern Carpathians and Balkan Peninsula were analyzed in regard to their epicuticular wax compounds. GC/MS and GC-FID analyses of the hexane extracts of needle samples, collected from 118 individuals of P. mugo, revealed the presence of six diterpenes, three primary alcohols and 10 n-alkanes ranging from C to C (except n-alkane C ).

The Healing Effects of Spices in Chronic Diseases.

Spices are not only just herbs used in culinary for improving the taste of dishes, they are also sources of a numerous bioactive compounds significantly beneficial for health. They have been used since ancient times because of their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and carminative properties. Several scientific studies have suggested their protective role against chronic diseases.

Chemical characterization, in vitro biological activity of essential oils and extracts of three L. species and molecular docking of selected major compounds.

Many species have been traditionally used as ornamental, edible or medicinal plants. The gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses have shown that the major compounds in the aerial parts were spathulenol (in and oils) and germacrene D (in oil). The main compounds in the root oil were nonanoic acid, 2,3,4-trimethylbenzaldehyde and octanoic acid for , and , respectively.

Chemotaxonomic Considerations of the n-Alkane Composition in Pinus heldreichii, P. nigra, and P. peuce.

The n-alkane composition in the leaf cuticular waxes of natural populations of Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii), Austrian pine (P. nigra), and Macedonian pine (P. peuce) was compared for the first time.

Juniperus phoenicea var. turbinata (Guss.) Parl. Leaf Essential Oil Variability in the Balkans.

In the present work, the leaf essential oil from 97 individuals of Juniperus phoenicea var. turbinata (Guss.) Parl.

Short communication: Cheese supplemented with Thymus algeriensis oil, a potential natural food preservative.

The essential oil of Thymus algeriensis was analyzed as a potential preservative in soft cheese. We developed a novel method to test the preserving properties of essential oil in soft cheese. Contamination incidence of Penicillium aurantiogriseum was absent after 30 d of storage at 4°C with 25 µL of essential oil added.

Research on Chemical Composition and Biological Properties Including Antiquorum Sensing Activity of Angelica pancicii Vandas Aerial Parts and Roots.

The essential oil, different extracts, and isolated compounds of Angelica pancicii Vandas (Apiaceae) were investigated for the first time. The GC-FID and GC-MS analyses revealed sesquiterpenoids as the main constituents of A. pancicii essential oil of aerial parts with bornyl acetate (8.

Secondary metabolites from endemic species Iris adriatica Trinajstić ex Mitić (Iridaceae).

This manuscript describes the first detailed chemical investigation of endemic species Iris adriatica, including isolation and structure elucidation. Chemical analyses of the rhizome CHCl/MeOH (2:1) extract revealed fourteen secondary metabolites, mainly isoflavonoids. Among isoflavonoids, two groups have been found: nigricin-type and tectorigenin-type.

Scanning Electron Microscopy Coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectrometric Analysis Reveals for the First Time Weddellite and Sylvite Crystals on the Surface of Involucral Bracts and Petals of two Xeranthemum L. (Compositae) Species.

In this work, weddellite and sylvite crystals are identified for the first time on the involucral bracts and petals of Xeranthemum annuum and Xeranthemum cylindraceum using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectrometric (SEM-EDS) analysis. Well-developed crystals of weddellite (CaC2O4·2H2O) occur in the form of a tetragonal bipyramid (hhl), rarely in combination of a bipyramid and tetragonal prism (h00). Indumentum of involucral bracts of X.

Terpenes as Useful Markers in Differentiation of Natural Populations of Relict Pines Pinus heldreichii, P. nigra, and P. peuce.

Comparative analysis of terpene diversity and differentiation of relict pines Pinus heldreichii, P. nigra, and P. peuce from the central Balkans was performed at the population level.

Needle Terpenes as Chemotaxonomic Markers in Pinus: Subsections Pinus and Pinaster.

Chemical compositions of needle essential oils of 27 taxa from the section Pinus, including 20 and 7 taxa of the subsections Pinus and Pinaster, respectively, were compared in order to determine chemotaxonomic significance of terpenes at infrageneric level. According to analysis of variance, six out of 31 studied terpene characters were characterized by a high level of significance, indicating statistically significant difference between the examined subsections. Agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis has shown separation of eight groups, where representatives of subsect.

Micromeria thymifolia Essential Oil Suppresses Quorum-sensing Signaling in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The chemical composition, antimicrobial and antiquorum sensing activity of the essential oil of Micromeria thymifolia (Scop.) Fritsch were investigated. Limonene, piperitone epoxide and piperitenone epoxide were found as the main constituents using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique.

Heracleum orphanidis: chemical characterisation, and comparative evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities with specific interest in the influence on Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1.

GC-FID and GC-MS were used to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil of the aerial parts of Heracleum orphanidis Boiss. Also, the HPLC-DAD/ESI-ToF-MS profile of the methanol extracts of aerial parts and roots was determined. The main components of the essential oil were n-octanol, octyl hexanoate and n-octyl acetate, while coumarins were the most prevalent compounds in methanol extracts.