Structural Characteristics and Content of Polyphenolic Compounds in Healthy Organs and Galls Induced by Allodiplosis crassa Kieff. and Jörg (Cecydomyiidae, Diptera) on Geoffroea decorticans (Hook. and Arn.) Burkart (Leguminosae)

Chañar (Geoffroea decorticans- Fabaceae) is a tree from South America that is normally infected with galls originated by insects. One of its parasites is Allodiplosis crassa (Cecidomyiidae, Diptera) which produces globular galls with sticky prolongations. Since this plant has medicinal uses in Argentina, its infestation could alter the quality of the plant drug. The surface of insect-induced galls usually contains defensive features such as trichomes, increased hardness and an increase in the content of polyphenolic compounds. The objective of this research is to assess the structural and histochemical features of the gall and to compare the content of polyphenolic metabolites in the gall, in the healthy leaf and in lignified stems of G. decorticans. The methanolic extract from the galls showed the highest amount of polyphenolic and proanthocyanidins and the lowest amount of hydroxycinnamic derivatives and flavonoids compared to the methanolic extract of the leaves. The photographs taken from the external surface of the gall showed that some prolongations have heads. The histochemical analysis showed that the prolongations have a high amount of proanthocyanidins and flavonoids; and that the heads are reactive to Sudan III. These phytochemical and histological characteristics may have a defensive role against harmful fungi and parasites that attack the larvae of the A. crassa. The results of this study show the presence of defensive features in an insect-induced gall of a medicinal plant with potential implications in the pharmacological activity of this species. This is the first report of a histochemical and phytochemical study in G. corticans galls.

o-Hydroxycinnamic derivatives as prospective anti-platelet candidates: in silico pharmacokinetic screening and evaluation of their binding sites on COX-1 and P2Y12 receptors

Background The high prevalence of thrombotic abnormalities has become a major concern in the health sector. This is triggered by uncontrolled platelet aggregation, which causes complications and death. The problem becomes more complicated because of the undesirable side effects of the drugs currently in use, some of which have reportedly become resistant. This study aims to evaluate the potency of o-hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (OCA1a–22a) and their pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity for them to be developed as new antiplatelet candidates. Methods In silico analysis of pharmacokinetics was carried out using pKCSM. Molecular docking of the compounds OCA 1a–22a was performed using the Molegro Virtual Docker. In silico evaluation of the potency of biological activity was done by measuring the bonding energy of each tested compound to the target receptor i.e. COX-1 and P2Y12, as the Moldock score (MDS). Results pKCSM analyses showed that more than 90% of OCA 1a–22a are absorbed through the intestine and distributed in plasma. Most tested compounds are not hepatotoxic, and none is mutagenic. An evaluation of the COX-1 receptor showed that OCA 2a–22a have lower binding energy compared to aspirin, which is the COX-1 inhibitor used today. So, it can be predicted that OCA 2–22a have stronger activity. Interactions with P2Y12 show lower MDS than aspirin, but slightly higher than ibuprofen, which is the standard ligand. Conclusions ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) profile prediction shows that OCA 1a–22a have the potential to be developed as oral preparations. OCA 1a–22a have strong potential to interact with COX-1 and P2Y12 receptors, so they are prospective anti-platelet candidates.

Polyphenols and Volatile Compounds in Commercial Chokeberry (Aronia Melanocarpa) Products

Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott commercial products (dried fruit, juice and compote) were analyzed for their polyphenol content by chromatographic and spectrophotometric analyses in order to ascertain the fate of this group of compounds when fresh fruit is processed and sold in different forms on the market. Different classes of polyphenols were investigated: hydroxycinnamic derivatives ranged from 0.65 mg/g to 4.30 mg/g, flavonoids from 0.36 mg/g to 1.12 mg/g, and anthocyanins from 0.65 to 7.08 mg/g sample. 4- O-Caffeoyl-quinic acid was tentatively identified for the first time in Aronia. In order to characterize better chokeberry juice, a GC profile of aroma compounds was obtained. The aroma juice compounds belong mainly to the chemical classes of alcohols (48.9%) and ketones (30.28%). The most abundant compound is 3-penthen-2-one (23.6%).

Phenolic compounds variation in Mentha L. Species in the course of a four-years period / Kolísanie fenolových látok v rôznych druhoch Mentha L. Počas 4 ročného obdobia

Mints rank among the most important Lamiaceae plants. In addition to essential oil, they contain many valuable phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids that participate in mints’ pharmacological properties. In this work, we examined the contents of phenolic compounds variation in the course of 4 years of vegetation. We compared the contents of total hydroxycinnamic derivatives expressed as rosmarinic acid (λ = 505 nm), total polyphenols and tannins expressed as rosmarinic acid (λ = 760 nm), and flavonoids expressed as luteolin-7-O-glucoside (λ = 392 nm) and quercetin (λ = 420 nm) in 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old plants’ dry leaves, respectively. Spectrophotometric methods of the European Pharmacopoeia were employed. Our results show high levels of active phenolic compounds, particularly in 3- and 4-year-old plants.

Quantification of some secondary metabolites in selected Cornaceae species / Stanovenie vybraných sekundárnych metabolitov v niektorých druhoch čeľade Cornaceae

Leaves of selected species of the Cornaceae family (Swida alba, Swida australis, Swida controversa, Swida coreana, Swida baileyi, Cornus kousa, Cornus mas) were investigated in this study. These shrubs or small trees with hard wood are cultivated in Slovakia (Tesarske Mlyňany Arboretum). Some species (C. mas and C. kousa) have edible fruits. Cornels find broad ethnopharmacological use, for example, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where fruits of C. officinalis are used for the treatment of several disorders, such as organ hypersecretion or diabetes. They are also used as tonics and for astringent effects. Leaves and fruits of C. kousa have been reported to possess antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties. The aim of our study is to compare the content of selected secondary metabolites groups in the leaves of above-mentioned species. The plant material was collected in the Tesarske Mlyňany Arboretum, Slovakia, in September 2010. Modified spectrophotometric methods of the European Pharmacopoeia, 8th edition (Ph. Eur. 8) were used for all assays. Results show that the total hydroxycinnamic derivatives (THD) content varied from 1.14 (S. alba) to 2.86% (S. coreana) when expressed as rosmarinic acid, and from 1.01 (S. alba) to 2.55% (S. coreana) when expressed as caffeic acid. The flavonoids content ranged from 0.21 (C. mas) to 1.37% (S. coreana), total polyphenols content from 9.6 (C. kousa) to 7.27% (S. coreana), and tannins content from 7.17 (C. kousa) to 4.04% (S. coreana). Leaves of Korean dogwood (S. coreana) were observed to show the highest content of THD expressed as rosmarinic acid (2.86%) and caffeic acid (2.55%), as well as of flavonoids (1.37%). Kousa dogwood (C. kousa) contained the highest amounts of tannins (7.17%) and total polyphenols (9.6%) on the other hand.

Hydroxycinnamic derivatives content in plant organs linked to harvest time of Salvia officinalis L. cv. ‘Krajová’ / Obsah hydroxyškoricových derivátov v rastlinných orgánoch Salvia officinalis L. cv. ‘Krajová’ v závislosti od termínu zberu

Salvia officinalis L. (sage) is an important essential oil containing Mediterranean medicinal plant that is commonly cultivated for pharmaceutical uses. In addition to essential oil, other compounds participate on the biological effects of sage, mainly diterpenes, triterpenes and phenolic compounds of the hydroxycinnamic and flavonoid types. Sage essential oil content is known to differ in plant parts, and to be influenced by plant phenophase, climatic and edaphic conditions. This work deals with the study of total hydroxycinnamic derivatives (THD), and specifically rosmarinic acid (RA), content variation in different aerial parts of sage linked to different harvest times. Dry sage leaves (Salviae officinalis folium) THD content was quantified using a pharmacopoeial method, and varied between 3.06 % and 3.52 % in different harvest times, with maxima in youngest plant shoot leaves and newly-grown shoots in September. Sage stems showed similar THD content variations when linked to harvest times, however with lower percentage, 1.33 - 3.04 %. Rosmarinic acid variability showed the same trends, its content ranged between 0.76 % and 1.65 % in leaves, and between 0.19 % and 0.83 % in stems, respectively. Highest percentages of both THD and RA were found in top leaves, lowest in leaves from the middle of the stem. When linked to plant phenophase, the content of THD and RA decreased at flowering time.

Quality Control and Analytical Test Method for Taxus baccata Tincture Preparation

The homeopathic tincture of Taxus baccata L. is monographed in the current German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (HAB 2009). However, the described identification test is a common comparative TLC procedure that might be updated. The purpose of the current work was the quali-quantitative analysis by HPLC/DAD/MS of Taxus tincture. In this study we characterized polyphenolic compounds, in particular four hydroxycinnamic derivatives (0.85 mg/mL) and four flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol 3- O-rutinoside and xylosyl glucosides); the total polyphenol content was 1.265 mg/mL of tincture. Starting from the official German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia method of preparation, the aim of this work was to optimize a rapid and reproducible method for the analysis of herbal drugs and tincture, directly prepared in store or the herbalist's shop, to ensure safety and efficacy of the preparation. The procedure has to ensure validation, robustness of the results, and provide a quick response about the composition of compounds in the herbal drug preparation.

The content of phenolic compounds in underground and aerial parts of different Mentha species

The content of phenolic compounds in underground and aerial parts of different Mentha speciesMentha L., the genus belonging to family Lamiaceae, subfamily Nepetoidae, has high commercial importance in the pharmacy as well as in food industry. Mints are available in all five continents and are important sources of each traditional medicine in the prevention and therapy of plenty of diseases. The most active compounds are essential oil and polyphenols. In the past the secondary metabolites in aerial parts were examined, but there is no evidence about the determination of secondary metabolites in underground parts of mints. Therefore the object of this work was to determine the content of phenolic compounds (total hydroxycinnamic derivatives (THD) and flavonoids) of methanol extracts of rhizomes of different Mentha L. and their comparison with leaves extracts. The contents of secondary metabolites were determined using spectrophotometric methods of Slovak Pharmacopoeia. We have detected similar quantities of THD in leaves (0.79 - 2.48 %) and rhizomes (0.96 - 2.18 %), but underground parts were poor in content of flavonoids (< 0.1 %). The free radical scavenging activity using DPPH free radical was investigated as well. A bit stronger antioxidant activity was shown in leaves extracts considering flavonoids content.