Encapsulation of herb extracts (Aromatic and medicinal herbs)

Catalytic therapy (CT) is a cancer treatment modality based on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) using a combination of substrate molecules and a catalyst. The most frequently used substrate/catalyst pair is ascorbate/Co phthalocyanine (PcCo). In the present work, herb extracts containing pigments have been studied as a catalyst in place of PcCo. Extracts from herbs are expected to have efficiency comparable with that of phthalocyanines but as natural products, to exhibit fewer side effects. The present studies demonstrate that a combined use of ascorbate and herbal extracts results in ROS production and a significant decrease in the number of cancer cells after a singlein vitrotreatment. Treatment with ascorbate in conjunction with extracts prepared from several medicinal herbs stimulated apoptosis and disrupted the cell cycle. The number of cells accumulating in the sub-G0/G1 stage of the cell cycle was increased 2- to 7-fold, and cells in G2/M increased 1.5- to 20-fold, indicating that the treatment protocol was highly effective in suppressing DNA synthesis and potentially reflecting DNA damage in the tumor cells. In addition, 20–40% of the cells underwent apoptosis within 24 h of completing treatment. Our results suggest that herbal extracts can function as CT catalysts in the treatment of cancer.

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The investigation of antimicrobial and antifungal activity of some Artemisia L. species

Pharmacia ◽

10.3897/pharmacia.68.e47521 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 68 (1) ◽

pp. 93-100

Author(s):

Roman Andriiovych Hrytsyk ◽

Roman Volodymyrovych Kutsyk ◽

Oxana Ivanivna Yurchyshyn ◽

Оxana Аnatolievna Struk ◽

Igor Vladimirovich Kireev ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Antimicrobial Activity ◽

Antifungal Activity ◽

Medicinal Herbs ◽

Antifungal Drugs ◽

Artemisia Vulgaris ◽

Antimicrobial And Antifungal Activity ◽

Vitek 2 ◽

Artemisia Abrotanum ◽

Herb Extracts

Background: Throughout history pathogenic microorganisms cause infectious diseases. Medicinal herbs play an important role in human life because they are used for the therapy and production of herbal remedies. Therefore, it is relevant to study the antibacterial activity of medicinal herbs including Artemisia L. species. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial and antifungal activity of Artemisia L. species extracts and to identify their synergistic antimicrobial effects with erythromycin against skin isolates of Staphylococcus aureus with different mechanisms of MLS-resistance. Materials and methods: Artemisia absinthium L. herb extracts (AAs-4, AAs-7, AAs-9), Artemisia vulgaris L. herb extracts (AV-4, AV-7, AV-9) and Artemisia abrotanum L. herb extracts (AAr-4, AAr-7, AAr-9) were used in this study (solvents – 40%, 70% and 90% ethyl alcohol respectively). The determination of antimicrobial activity of extracts was performed using clinical isolates of antibiotic susceptible and antibiotic resistant microorganisms. Bacterial cultures were identified on the basis of the biochemical microtests “STAPHYtest 16”, “ENTEROtest 24”, “NEFERMENTtest 24” taking into account the complex of their morphological and cultural properties in accordance with the recommendations of the 9th edition of “Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology”. Yeast-like fungi cultures were identified on the basis of 40 biochemical tests with the help of the VITEK 2 system using the VITEK 2 YST ID card. The synergism of the antimicrobial activity of extracts with erythromycin was investigated using the clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus with the non-inductive MLS-resistance mechanism (resistant to erythromycin at minimum bacteriostatic concentration of 125 μg/ml and minimum bactericidal concentration of 250 μg/ml without induction of resistance to clindamycin). Research results: The evaluation of Artemisia L. herb extracts activity was carried out using standard strains of microorganisms which are recommended by the WHO. The results of the conducted studies indicate that Artemisia L. herb extracts are able to reduce the growth of microorganisms. The investigated extracts showed the potent bacteriostatic action against the cocci or rod-shaped microflora. The antimicrobial activity of Artemisia L. herb extracts directly depends on the concentration of ethanol as the solvent. Artemisia vulgaris L. herb extracts (solvents – 70% and 90% ethanol) and Artemisia abrotanum L. herb extract (solvent – 90% ethanol) show synergism of antimicrobial activity with erythromycin in relation to Staphylococcus aureus with efflux mechanism of MLS-resistance. The obtained Artemisia L. herb extracts can be used to create antifungal drugs, as well as antimicrobial drugs (against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria).

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