Diuretic activity of thick extract and flavonoids of fruits of the Filipendula Ulmaria (L.) Maxim.

Objectives comparative study of the diuretic activity of a thick extract of Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. fruits and flavonoids spireoside and quercetin isolated from Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. fruits by column chromatography. Material and methods. The extractum spissum was obtained by extracting the fruits of Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. using 70% ethyl alcohol, followed by vacuum evaporation. Spireoside and quercetin were isolated from the fruits of meadowsweet by the method of column chromatography with further purification by recrystallization. The isolated flavonoids were identified using 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, UV spectroscopy, several chemical transformations, and thin-layer chromatography. The thick extract from the fruits of meadowsweet, and also flavonoids spireoside and quercetin were investigated for diuretic activity in albino rats. Results. The thick extract of the fruits of Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. at a dose of 50 mg/kg significantly increases diuresis for 4 and 24 hours. At the same time, significant diuretic activity of spireoside was detected only at a dose of 10 mg/kg in the experiment, when diuresis was studied for 4 and 24 hours. Quercetin at a dose of 5 mg/kg increases the daily diuresis of laboratory animals. Conclusion. A extractum spissum of the fruits of Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. shows diuretic activity at a dose of 50 mg/kg for 4 and 24 hours of the experiment. Spireoside has diuretic activity at a dose of 10 mg/kg for 4 and 24 hours of the experiment. Quercetin at a dose of 5 mg/kg has the ability to increase diuresis for 24 hours of the experiment. The fruits of Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. appear to be a promising source of medicines.

How to remove expansive perennial species from sedge-dominated wetlands: results of a long-term experiment in lowland river valleys

Grasslands belong to valuable ecosystems facing, all over Europe, a drastic decline in their range and loss of species diversity. Severe floristic transformation may result from the cessation of traditional low-input agricultural use, and consequently, the massive spread of perennial herbs and tall grasses. Invaders can quickly form dense stands and displace endemic vegetation, which results in a nearly complete turnover of phytocenoses. In European protected areas, the only legally acceptable means for suppressing alien species and native dominants within protected areas are biological methods and mowing. We investigated the effect of cutting on the presence of three megaforbs: Lysimachia vulgaris, Lythrum salicaria, and Filipendula ulmaria in fen meadows. We hypothesized that long-term, systematic management mimicking a traditional agricultural practice, would suppress the expansion of megaforbs. Management effectively stopped Lysimachia vulgaris only in marshes, where groundwater in the growing season fell deeper than 50 cm. Coverage of Lythrum salicaria fluctuated over the years, while Filipendula ulmaria did not give in to mowing pressure; on the contrary, it increased its coverage in some places. In light of the results of the long-term experiment, we conclude that mowing appeared to be low effective in preventing the spread of tall perennials. It was likely that indirect factors caused the local withdrawal of megaforbs, i.e., mowing-driven stimulation of other species’ development (e.g., Carex spp., Phragmites) that outcompete Lysimachia vulgaris.

Gut Microbiota of Pigs Metabolizes Extracts of Filipendula ulmaria and Orthosiphon aristatus–Herbal Remedies Used in Urinary Tract Disorders

Urinary tract infections influence the mortality rate in pigs and are linked to extensive antibiotic usage in the farm industry. Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. and Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq. are widespread medicinal plants traditionally used to treat urinary tract disorders. As their preparations are orally administered, the metabolism of their constituents by gut microbiota before absorption should be considered. Until now, no experiments had been performed to describe the biotransformation of tthose plantsʼ extracts by animal gut microbiota. The study evaluates the influence of pig intestinal microbiota on the structure of active compounds in flowers of F. ulmaria and leaves of O. aristatus. The incubations of the extracts with piglet gut microbiota were performed in anaerobic conditions, and the samples of the batch culture were collected for 24 h. In F. ulmaria, the main metabolites were quercetin and kaempferol, which were products of the deglycosylation of flavonoids. After 24 h incubation of O. aristatus extract with the piglet gut microbiota, 2 main metabolites were observed. One, tentatively identified as 3-(3-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid, is likely the primary metabolite of the most abundant depsides and phenolic acids. The results confirm the formation of the compounds with anti-inflammatory and diuretic activity in the microbiota cultures, which might suggest F. ulmaria and O. aristatus for treating urinary tract disorders in piglets. Based on the similarities of human and pig gut microbiota, the pig model can help estimate the metabolic pathways of natural products in humans.

ANTIRADICAL ACTIVITY OF ESSENTIAL OILS OF FILIPENDULA ULMARIA (L.) MAXIM, HYPERICUM PERFORA-TUM L. AND PULMONARIA MOLLIS WULFEN EX HORNEM OF THE KRASNOYRSK TERRITORI FLORA

The antiradical properties of essential oils from the inflorescences of Filipendula ulmaria (L). Maxim, herbages Hypericum perforatum L. and Pulmonaria mollis Wulfen ex HORNEM., growing on the territory of the Krasnoyarsk territory were studied. For this purpose, the reaction of essential oil components with a stable free 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical was used. Essential oil of the plants under study received comprehensive hydroponically. The component composition of the oils was determined by chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main components of essential oil of F. ulmaria inflorescences are methyl salicylate (28.2%), salicylic aldehyde (2.8 %) and linalool (4.9%), essential oil of H. perforatum – γ - amorphene (30.7%), δ-cadinen (7.1%), (E, E)-β-farnesene (5.5%), caryophyllene (5.0%), ledol (5.0%), essential oil of P. mollis – di-n-butyl phthalate (18.7%), docosan (13.4%), tetracosan (11.6 %). The results of the DPPH test showed that the essential oils of the inflorescences of F. ulmaria and the aboveground part of H. perforatum and P. mollis exhibit antiradical activity (ARA). According to the size of the ARA of essential oils, the studied plants can be arranged in the following row: P. mollis > F. ulmaria > H. perforatum.

Comparative Histochemical analysis of above-ground parts of Filipendula vulgaris and Filipendula ulmaria growing in Central Kazakhstan

The histochemical analysis of medicinal plants and raw materials makes it possible to establish the presence of certain groups of active and related substances or products of their metabolism, as well as to study their localization in tissues. The article presents the results of histochemical analysis of leaves, flowers, petioles and stems of Filipendula vulgaris and Filipendula ulmaria. These types of plant are used in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and bactericidal agent. Our research objective - to determine the peculiarities of the localization features of individual groups of secondary metabolites in the aerial part of meadowsweet and meadowsweet growing in the territory of Central Kazakhstan at the microscopic level. Materials and Methods. Transverse sections of petioles, stem and whole flower; transverse and superficial sections of leaves of Filipendula vulgaris and Filipendula ulmaria were fixed in Strauss-Fleming solution, after which histochemical reactions were carried out to locate and identify essential oils, phenolic acids, flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, polysaccharides and alkaloids. The study of microscopic signs, as well as histochemical tests were carried out according to the methods of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Republic of Kazakhstan using a light microscope Biomed-4. Results and Discussion. The localization of biologically active substances in the studied types of plant raw materials was determined by histochemical methods using light microscopy. The presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, traces of essential oil, alkaloids and sesquiterpene lactones was established. The absence of polysaccharides in the investigated micropreparations was established. Conclusions. For the first time, the localization of secondary metabolites in the tissues of Filipendula vulgaris and Filipendula ulmaria was studied by histochemical tests. The results of histochemical studies can be used to confirm the authenticity, identification and standardization of the aerial parts of Filipendula vulgaris and Filipendula ulmaria.

Control of meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria through a change of management from grazing to mowing at an English floodplain meadow.

Floodplain meadow grassland is a diverse habitat which has become increasingly rare throughout Europe. Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, is a characteristic species of its plant community, however it can become overly dominant in the sward resulting in detrimental effects on the community as a whole. High abundance can reduce both the diversity of the sward, by shading out low growing species, and the quality of the hay crop. An eight-year management trial (2011-2019) was undertaken at Fancott Woods and Meadows SSSI by the BCN Wildlife Trust and the Floodplain Meadows Partnership, to test whether it was possible to reduce the dominance of meadowsweet through an annual hay cut with aftermath grazing instead of grazing management only, across three blocks of experimental treatments. A secondary aim of the trial was to investigate whether a change in management could also increase the plant-species diversity. Three plots were cut in June and then aftermath grazed, compared to three control plots that were only grazed from July onwards. The study found that cover of meadowsweet decreased from 55% to 6% under the annual cut and aftermath grazing treatment compared to a decrease from 58% to 35% in the control (grazed only) areas. This was accompanied by an increase in plant-species diversity in the cut areas compared to control plots. The study concluded that annual cutting can be used to control coarse and dominant meadowsweet effectively, and that cutting followed by aftermath grazing in a floodplain meadow delivers greater botanical diversity compared to grazing alone.

Insight into the Way the Content of Biologically Active Compounds in Meadowsweet Inflorescences (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.) Is Shaped by Phytosociological Habitats

A collection of herbs from the natural environment remains not only a source of raw material but also provides evidence of chemical differentiation of the local populations. This work aimed at performing a phytosociological analysis of seven different stands of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.) occurrence. A determination of total phenolic compounds and salicylates and the antioxidant activity of dried meadowsweet inflorescences (Flos ulmariae) was also performed. Active chemical compounds in F. ulmaria inflorescences were related to chemotype and diversified between investigated populations. Geographical distance and variation in phytosociological locations affected chemical composition in different ways, shaping the content of biochemical compounds crucial for herbal material quality. The obtained results can be a valuable indicator for Nexo and Baligród populations, which are good genetic material for research, breeding, and cultivation due to their biochemical composition, especially with respect to salicylates, as major compounds of determining market quality of Flos ulmariae.

The Antioxidant Supplementation with Filipendula ulmaria Extract Attenuates the Systemic Adverse Effects of Nanosized Calcium Phosphates in Rats

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the systemic toxicity of three nanosized calcium phosphates (CaPs): hydroxyapatite (HA), tricalcium phosphate (TCP), and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) in rats. Since those metallic compounds are widely used as bone replacement materials, including their use in oral surgery, CaPs were applied (per os) equimollary (17.8 mg/kg, 11 mg/kg, and 9.65 mg/kg b.w., respectively) for 30 days in order to mimic the previously described release rate from dental composites. Also, we employed antioxidant supplementation with Filipendula ulmaria (FU) extract. All the applied CaPs significantly increased serum calcium, triglycerides, LDL, and LDH, while serum levels of testosterone and LH declined, with no alterations in the liver enzymes. The evaluation of oxidative stress markers (in the liver, kidney, and testicle) showed an increase in TBARS values, while SOD and CAT activities and GSH levels were significantly reduced. The relative gene expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was shifted to proapoptotic action, accompanied by intense characteristic histological changes in architecture in all investigated organs. The toxic effects were most prominent in groups treated by ACP. FU administration attenuated the majority of nanosized CaP-induced adverse effects, thus recommending this therapeutic approach to minimize nano-CaP systemic toxicities.

Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors from Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. and Their Efficient Detections by HPTLC and HPLC Analyses

Filipendula ulmaria is a plant commonly used for the treatment of several pathologies, such as diarrhoea, ulcers, pain, stomach aches, fevers, and gout. Our study focused on the use of F. ulmaria for the treatment of gout disease. We first studied the chemical composition of a methanolic extract of the aerial parts and demonstrated its xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity. Then, we performed a fractionation and evaluated the most XO inhibitory active fractions by UV measurement. Purification of some fractions allowed the determination of the inhibitory activity of pure compounds. We demonstrated that spiraeoside, a glycosylated flavonoid, possesses an activity around 25 times higher than allopurinol, used as a reference in the treatment of gout disease. In order to easily and quickly identify potent inhibitors in complex matrix, we developed a complementary strategy based on an HPLC method and an Effect Directed Assay (EDA) method combining HPTLC and biochemical assays. The HPLC method, capable of determining compounds exhibiting interactions with the enzyme, could be an efficient strategy for evaluating potent enzyme inhibitors in a complex mixture. This strategy could be applied for quantitative assays using LC/MS experiments.