Novel β-Cyclodextrin and Catnip Essential Oil Inclusion Complex and Its Tick Repellent Properties

Cyclodextrin inclusion complexes have been successfully used to encapsulate essential oils, improving their physicochemical properties and pharmacological effects. Besides being well-known for its effects on cats and other felines, catnip (Nepeta cataria) essential oil demonstrates repellency against blood-feeding pests such as mosquitoes. This study evaluates the tick repellency of catnip oil alone and encapsulated in β-cyclodextrin, prepared using the co-precipitation method at a 1:1 molar ratio. The physicochemical properties of this inclusion complex were characterized using GC-FID for encapsulation efficiency and yield and SPME/GC-MS for volatile emission. Qualitative assessment of complex formation was done by UV-Vis, FT-IR, 1H NMR, and SEM analyses. Catnip oil at 5% (v/v) demonstrated significant tick repellency over time, being comparable to DEET as used in commercial products. The prepared [catnip: β-CD] inclusion complex exerted significant tick repellency at lower concentration of the essential oil (equivalent of 1% v/v). The inclusion complex showed that the release of the active ingredient was consistent after 6 h, which could improve the effective repellent duration. These results demonstrated the effective tick repellent activity of catnip essential oil and the successful synthesis of the inclusion complex, suggesting that β-CDs are promising carriers to improve catnip oil properties and to expand its use in repellent formulations for tick management.

Effects of catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) and Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia L.) density on growth, yield, and proximate composition of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.)

Purpose. Jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) is a mucilaginous vegetable and fiber crop cultivated in the tropics, where catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) and Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia L.) are common weeds. Hence, the study investigated the growth, yield, and nutrient level of jute mallow in weed-free, catnip, and Mexican sunflower environments. Methods. The study involved two screen-house experiments in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with six replications. The treatments were 0 (control), 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weed plants per pot in both experiments. These are 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 weed count per square meter equivalent, based on the surface area of the pots used. Mexican sunflower and catnip plants interacted with jute plants in the first and second experiments, respectively. Growth parameters of jute mallow were recorded weekly from 5 to 8 weeks after sowing (WAS), and harvesting was done at 8 WAS. The proximate composition of jute was evaluated using standard procedures outlined by AOAC. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at P < 0.05. Results. Catnip and Mexican sunflower negatively impacted the morphological features of jute mallow from 100 plants per square meter upwards. Catnip and Mexican sunflower, at 300 and 100–500 plants per square meter, respectively, reduced the dry weight of jute mallow. The crude protein content of jute mallow was also lessened by Mexican sunflower at some point. Conclusions. The study recommends that the density of catnip and Mexican sunflower plants interacting with jute mallow should be maintained below 100 plants per square meter to prevent yield loss.

Development of cryopreservation methods of seed of Nepeta cataria

This article presents the summarized data on cryopreservation of seeds of the medical plant Nepeta cataria. Cryopreservation is a highly promising method for saving of seed materials, allowing to organize long-term storage without viability loss. The purpose of present work is to optimize conditions of cryopreservation of seed materials of Nepeta cataria. Assessment of seed survival rate in the storage showed a linear decrease in seed viability and energy of germination. After 30 months of storage at the low positive temperature (+5 ºC) in paper pack seed rate decreased to 12.0 % and energy of germination to 11.2 %; after 4 years of storage seeds lost viability. During conduction of research the type of container, condition of thawing, optimal moisture of seeds and cryoprotectants are optimized. The optimal container for cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen was plastic cryo tubes; defrosting at room temperature. The best seed rate is found at moisture 3 %; the best cryoprotectant was glucose, the optimal concentration was 15 %. The result of the research is used for creation of the long-term storage medicinal cultures’ seed bank in the liquid nitrogen.

Chromosome numbers in some alien plant species of Novosibirsk Region: post II

Chromosome numbers (2n) for 12 alien species (Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Campanulaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, Onagraceae, Poaceae, Polygonaceae) from the Novosibirsk Region are given. For the first time for Russia, the number of chromosomes of Xanthogalum purpurascens (2n = 22) is given, for Siberia – Nepeta cataria (2n = 34), Malva pusilla (2n = 42) and Koenigia weyrichii subsp. weyrichii (2n = 20). For all studied species, short information on the general distribution and dispersal in the Novosibirsk Region, literature data on the number of chromosomes from the territory of Russia are presented.

New records of adventive vascular plants in the Ulan-Ude city and its neighborhood (Western Transbaikalia)

New data on 10 adventive plant species are given. Two species and one subspecies (Atriplex hortensis, Solanum nigrum subsp. schultesii, Nepeta cataria) are new for the Republic of Buryatia. Five species and two interspecies hybrids (Arctium × mixtum, Galinsoga parviflora, Hesperis pycnotricha, Lactuca serriola, Medicago × varia, Onobrychis viciifolia, Viola tricolor) are recorded for the first time in the Ulan-Ude city and its neighborhood.

New and rare species in the flora of the Novosibirsk Region

New species for the Novosibirsk Region are reported: Avena sativa L., Chaerophyllum aromaticum L., Colchicum speciosum Steven, Petasites hybridus (L.) G. Gaertn., B. Mey. et Scherb., Prunus cerasus L., Ribes uva-crispa var. sativum DC., Syringa vulgaris L. New localities of rare adventive Aquilegia vulgaris L., Campanula persicifolia L., Echinops sphaerocephalus L., Galium mollugo L., Linum usitatissimum L., Lolium perenne L., Narcissus poeticus L., Nepeta cataria L., Oxalis stricta L., Quercus robur L., as well as native Cerastium maximum L., Pilosella cymosasubsp. vaillantii (Tausch) S. Bräut. et Greuter and Urtica dioica subsp. sondenii (Simmons) Hyl. were noted.

ANTI-INFLUENZA ACTIVITY OF PLANT EXTRACTS OF THE LAMIACEAE FAMILY

In this work, it was revealed that water and ethanol extracts of the plants Nepeta cataria, Nepeta sibirica, Scutellaria baicalensis, Hyssopus officinalis, Betonica officinalis, and water extracts of Dracocephalum moldavica, Glechoma hederacea, Mentha arvensis, Prunella vulgaris, Melissa officinalis ethanol extracts of Mentha piperita, Mentha crispa, Origanum vulgare, Hyssopus officinalis, Salvia verticillata showed antiviral activity against the influenza virus subtype H5N1. Aqueous extracts of Nepeta cataria and Glechoma hederacea (NI 3.75) showed the highest antiviral effect against the H5N1 subtype. It was revealed the antiviral activity against influenza virus subtype H3N2 of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis, Mentha piperita, Mentha arvensis, Mentha crispa, aqueous extract of Dracocephalum moldavica and ethanol extracts of Glechoma hederacea, Origanum vulgare, Prunella vulgaris, Hyssopus officinalis, Betonica officinalis, Salvia verticillata. Ethanolic extract of Betonica officinalis (NI 4.25) showed the highest virus neutralizing activity against the H3N2 subtype. It was carried out chemical analysis of the aerial parts of plants of the Lamiaceae family. It was shown that the highest content of flavonols was observed in Dracocephalum nutans (4.47±0.04%), the highest content of tannins was found in Mentha arvensis (17.62 ± 0.78%), and the highest content catechins were found in Nepeta cataria (0.43 ± 0.007%). Thus, plant extracts of the Lamiaceae family are promising sources for further studies to develop new antiviral drugs.

Comparison of anti-inflammatory activity of various species of lamiaceae

The process of inflammation is often triggered by the stimulus from outside sources that usally cause harm to human skin and tissues. It is a response of the body that protects itself from external agents but when it is excess and built up in the body it causes some worsening symptoms. Synthetic drugs usually cause side effects and adverse effects. Herbs are normally known to combat inflammations and fight free radicals. The antioxidants present in the herbs causes the preventive action of the oxidation and causes lowering of the inflammation. There were also investigations performed on the plant to prove the above activities. Among all the plants that are available in nature lamiaceae members, plants like Molucella laevis, Nepeta cataria, Vitex agnus, Origanum dictamnus and Mentha piperata were considered as major medicinal plants with a lot of medical applications. 5 members of lamiaceae were selected to study and compare the anti-inflammatory activity and the data suggests all the plants have better activity and out of all the Mentha extract showed a significantly better activity compared to the standard drug.

Antibacterial Activities of Nepetalactones Against Public Health-Related Pathogens

The antimicrobial activities of ( Z,E)- and ( E,Z)-nepetalactones, 2 major compositional compounds from the essential oil of catnip ( Nepeta cataria), were first discovered from fly larval development media studies with over 98% inhibition of bacterial growth. Further investigation demonstrated inhibition of the growth of various bacterial species of public health significance. Catnip oil showed antibacterial activity against 5 Gram-positive and 9 Gram-negative bacteria. The antimicrobial activity varied among the original essential oil from the plant and its major compositional compounds as a blended mixture or an individual compound. Growth inhibition was observed against 5 Neisseria species, with particularly strong inhibition against Neisseria sicca (with MICs ranging from 0.5 to 5 mg/mL) that provided comparable or increased levels of growth control produced by 2 antibiotics (Ceftiofur and Cephalothin). The development of plant-based antibacterial agents to prevent or delay the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria is discussed.

Identification of Mint Scents Using a QCM Based E-Nose

Mints emit diverse scents that exert specific biological functions and are relevance for applications. The current work strives to develop electronic noses that can electronically discriminate the scents emitted by different species of Mint as alternative to conventional profiling by gas chromatography. Here, 12 different sensing materials including 4 different metal oxide nanoparticle dispersions (AZO, ZnO, SnO2, ITO), one Metal Organic Frame as Cu(BPDC), and 7 different polymer films, including PVA, PEDOT:PSS, PFO, SB, SW, SG, and PB were used for functionalizing of Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) sensors. The purpose was to discriminate six economically relevant Mint species (Mentha x piperita, Mentha spicata, Mentha spicata ssp. crispa, Mentha longifolia, Agastache rugosa, and Nepeta cataria). The adsorption and desorption datasets obtained from each modified QCM sensor were processed by three different classification models, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and k-Nearest Neighbor Analysis (k-NN). This allowed discriminating the different Mints with classification accuracies of 97.2% (PCA), 100% (LDA), and 99.9% (k-NN), respectively. Prediction accuracies with a repeating test measurement reached up to 90.6% for LDA, and 85.6% for k-NN. These data demonstrate that this electronic nose can discriminate different Mint scents in a reliable and efficient manner.