The effectiveness of acaricidic drugs based on herbal raw material

Limitation the number of ixodes ticks is one of the most important tasks of modern science and requires the search for new, highly effective and environmentally hazardous acaricides, so our experiment was aimed at identifying acaricidal properties of essential oils and their individual active components in the population of ixodes ticks in Zaporizhzhia region. The study of acaricidal properties of essential oils was performed in the laboratory conditions. Tampons with wool were soaked in various concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, 3%, 5% and 10% aqueous emulsion of essential oils such as Caryophyllus floris aetheroleum and Limonis aetheroleum, and essential oils of Thymus serpyllum L., Рinus sylvestris L., Salvia officinalis L., Mentha x piperita L. and Eucalyptus viminalis Labill. The essential oils had a significant effect on the lifespan of adult ticks. The results showed the acaricidal effect of Thymus serpyllum essential oils. When searching the acaricidal and repellent properties of individual essential oils components thymole, menthol and citral showed the high activity as acaricides. In the same time, eugenol and borneol proved the effectiveness as repellent. Our research schowed that essential oils are promising as alternative methods of controlling the number of Ixodes ticks in areas where there are conditions for infection with tick infections.

Sources of phenotypic variation of wood density and relationships with mean growth in two Eucalyptus species in Argentina

Aims of the study: To describe the radial patterns of wood density, and to identify their main sources of variation, and the potential tradeoffs with mean tree growth, in two Eucalyptus species. Area of study: Mesopotamian (Corrientes and Entre Ríos provinces) and Pampean region (Buenos Aires province) of Argentina. Materials and methods: Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus viminalis, growing in genetic trials installed in two sites per species were studied. X-ray wood microdensity profiles were developed from core samples. Each profile was proportionally divided in 10 sections. Mean, maximum, minimum and the standard deviation of wood density, for each section were computed. Mean annual growth was used to study the relationships with wood microdensity variables. A linear mixed-effects model computed the significance of different sources of phenotypic variation. Pearson´s correlation computed the relationships between variables. Main results: The pattern of radial variation in E. grandis showed a decrease in wood density from pith to bark, mainly due to the decrease in minimum wood density, while in E. viminalis, wood density increased towards the outer wood. In both species, the standard deviation of the wood density increased along the radial profile from pith to bark. Significant variation in wood density was explained by site, provenance and clone/family effects. In E. grandis mean, maximum and minimum wood density were negatively correlated with mean growth, whereas in E. viminalis correlations were positive but close to zero. Research highlights: Both the pattern of radial variation of wood density and the relationship between wood density and mean growth were different in the studied Eucalyptus species, and they varied within species depending on the site they were growing and genetic provenance.

Scientific evidence for efficiency of medicinal plants in otorhinolaryngology

Objectives to provide scientific evidence for rational use of herbal medicines in otorhinolaryngological practice. Material and methods. The study included the following plants: Eucalyptus viminalis leaves, Monarda fistulosa herbs, Melissa officinalis herbs, Echinacea purpurea herbs, Calendula officinalis flowers, rhizomes of Rhodiola rosea, rhizomes of Eleutherococcus senticosus, Glycyrrhiza glabra roots, Macleaya microcarpa herbs, Macleaya cordata herbs, Plantago major leaves, Origanum vulgare herbs, Thymus serpyllum herbs. Phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, euglobals, monoterpene phenols, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids of essential oils, saponins and alkaloids were isolated from the medicinal plants and studied with thin-layer chromatography, spectrophotometry, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and various chemical transformations. Results. It was scientifically proved that medicinal plants containing such biologically active compounds as phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, euglobals, terpenoid and phenolic components of essential oils, saponins, carotenoids, alkaloids and polysaccharides are useful for otorhinolaryngology. The active substances of the mentioned chemical groups in combination can provide antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, regenerating, antihistamine, adaptogenic and immunomodulatory effects. Conclusion. The expediency of using medicinal herbal preparations containing euglobals, monoterpene phenols, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids of essential oils, saponins, alkaloids and polysaccharides in otorhinolaryngological practice was scientifically justified.

Coumarin’s Anti-Quorum Sensing Activity Can Be Enhanced When Combined with Other Plant-Derived Small Molecules

Coumarins are class of natural aromatic compounds based on benzopyrones (2H-1-benzopyran-2-ones). They are identified as secondary metabolites in about 150 different plant species. The ability of coumarins to inhibit cell-to-cell communication in bacterial communities (quorum sensing; QS) has been previously described. Coumarin and its derivatives in plant extracts are often found together with other small molecules that show anti-QS properties too. The aim of this study was to find the most effective combinations of coumarins and small plant-derived molecules identified in various plants extracts that inhibit QS in Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 31532 violacein production bioassay. The coumarin and its derivatives: 7-hydroxycoumarin, 7.8-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin, were included in the study. Combinations of coumarins with gamma-octalactone, 4-hexyl-1.3-benzenediol, 3.4.5-trimethoxyphenol and vanillin, previously identified in oak bark (Quercus cortex), and eucalyptus leaves (Eucalyptus viminalis) extracts, were analyzed in a bioassay. When testing two-component compositions, it was shown that 7.8-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin, 4-hexyl-1.3-benzendiol, and gamma-octalactone showed a supra-additive anti-QS effect. Combinations of all three molecules resulted in a three- to five-fold reduction in the concentration of each compound needed to achieve EC50 (half maximal effective concentration) against QS in C. violaceum ATCC 31532.

Effect of Essential Oils on the Release of TNF-α and CCL2 by LPS-Stimulated THP‑1 Cells

Plants and their constituents have been used to treat diverse ailments since time immemorial. Many plants are used in diverse external and internal formulations (infusions, alcoholic extracts, essential oils (EOs), etc.) in the treatment of inflammation-associated diseases, such as those affecting the respiratory tract or causing gastrointestinal or joint problems, among others. To support the traditional uses of plant extracts, EOs have been assessed for their alleged anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of EOs on the release of cytokines and chemokines has been much less reported. Considering their traditional use and commercial relevance in Portugal and Angola, this study evaluated the effect of EOs on the in vitro inhibition of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human acute monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1 cells). Twenty EOs extracted from eighteen species from seven families, namely from Amaranthaceae (Dysphania ambrosioides), Apiaceae (Foeniculum vulgare), Asteraceae (Brachylaena huillensis, Solidago virgaurea), Euphorbiaceae (Spirostachys africana), Lamiaceae (Lavandula luisieri, Mentha cervina, Origanum majorana, Satureja montana, Thymbra capitata, Thymus mastichina, Thymus vulgaris, Thymus zygis subsp. zygis), Myrtaceae (Eucalyptus globulus subsp. maidenii, Eucalyptus radiata, Eucalyptus viminalis) and Pinaceae (Pinus pinaster) were assayed for the release of CCL2 and TNF-α by LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. B. huillensis, S. africana, S. montana, Th. mastichina and Th. vulgaris EOs showed toxicity to THP-1 cells, at the lowest concentration tested (10 μg/mL), using the tetrazolium dye assay. The most active EOs in reducing TNF-α release by LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells were those of T. capitata (51% inhibition at 20 μg/mL) and L. luisieri (15–23% inhibition at 30 μg/mL and 78–83% inhibition at 90 μg/mL). L. luisieri EO induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of CCL2 release by LPS‑stimulated THP-1 cells (23%, 54% and 82% inhibition at 10, 30 and 90 μg/mL, respectively). These EOs are potentially useful in the management of inflammatory diseases mediated by CCL2 and TNF‑α, such as atherosclerosis and arthritis.

Evaluación del impacto hidrológico de una forestación de Eucalyptus viminalis Labill. en un ambiente típico de la llanura Pampeana, Argentina

Las transiciones de sistemas herbáceos a leñosos, suelen tener las improntas hídricas más significativas. Este efecto sobre el recurso hídrico, tanto en el suelo como en el acuífero freático, puede magnificarse en territorios llanos. Para analizar la dinámica del agua en el suelo y acuífero de manera continua, se establecieron dos parcelas en un ambiente típico de la llanura Pampeana, una ubicada en una forestación con Eucalyptus viminalis Labill. y otra en un pastizal pareado. En la forestación se midió la transpiración promedio, la redistribución de las precipitaciones en los componentes trascolación, escurrimiento fustal e interceptación y en ambas parcelas la profundidad del acuífero freático y la humedad del suelo a 20 y 50 cm de profundidad durante 2 años. Asimismo, se realizó una simulación numérica para estimar la transpiración de los cultivos de verano más comunes en la región. En este estudio no se verificó una conexión de la vegetación con el acuífero. En la parcela forestal se encontró un perfil de suelo más seco que en la parcela herbácea y se registró una redistribución de los componentes de la precipitación similar a la reportada por otros autores en la región. Además, los valores medios de transpiración en la forestación fueron similares a los resultados obtenidos mediante el modelado numérico de un cultivo de Glycine max. Se concluyó que el horizonte petrocálcico cumple un rol fundamental en el ciclo hidrológico y que los menores valores de humedad del suelo bajo la parcela forestal no generan un impacto negativo sobre el acuífero freático.

Development and Standardization of Crayons with Eucalimine

Introduction. Promising sources of preparation of antiinflammatory drugs of interest for practical medicine are substances of plant origin. One of them is eucalimine, isolated from leaves or shoots of eucalyptus prutoid (Eucalyptus viminalis Labil) of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), is a purified sum of terpenoid phenoloaldehydes of the floroglucine series (euglobals) and triterpenoids.Aim. The purpose of the present work is to create drug pencils with eucalimine for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.Materials and methods. The object of research is eucalymin. The study of the shape and size of ekalimine particles and its distribution in various dispersion media: cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, emulsion wax, castor oil, peach oil, medical petroleum jelly was carried out.Results and discussion. The paper presents the results of experimental studies justifying the selection of adjuvants for medical pencils and their standardization.Conclusion. The composition and technology of medicinal pencils with eucalimine for external use has been developed, quality indicators have been established.

Qualidade e eficiência de produtos naturais no tratamento preservativo das madeiras de Araucaria angustifolia, Eucalyptus viminalis e Pinus taeda

A madeira, devido sua constituição orgânica, é altamente suscetível a agentes biodeterioradores, tornando-se essencial o tratamento preservativo àquelas que apresentam baixa durabilidade natural. Atualmente, os principais produtos utilizados no tratamento preservativo da madeira são o CCA e o CCB, os quais em razão da sua constituição são tóxicos ao meio ambiente e a saúde humana. Frente à essa situação, torna-se essencial o desenvolvimento de estudos acerca de produtos naturais que apresentem ação biocida, podendo assim ser utilizado no tratamento de madeira, conferindo maior proteção e aumentando a vida útil da peça. Levando em consideração esta perspectiva, o presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a qualidade (penetração e retenção) e eficiência de preservantes naturais aplicados no tratamento das madeiras de Araucaria angustifolia, Eucalyptus viminalis e Pinus taeda, submetidas ao apodrecimento acelerado em condições de laboratório. As madeiras das três espécies foram submetidas ao tratamento preservante com tanino, tall oil e óleo de nim, utilizando o método de imersão rápida a frio, na concentração de 5% do produto preservante, por cinco minutos. Na sequência foram avaliadas através do ensaio de apodrecimento acelerado sob à ação dos fungos apodrecedores Trametes versicolor e Gloeophyllum trabeum, seguindo as recomendações das normas ASTM D 2017 (2005) e ASTM D 1413 (1999). Com base nos resultados, observou-se que a madeira de P. taeda exibiu a melhor penetração aos preservantes óleo de nim e tall oil. O tanino retratou penetração vascular para as três espécies. Os melhores valores de retenção foram das madeiras de A. angustifolia e P. taeda, para todos os tratamentos aplicados. Quanto a eficiência, em comparação aos resultados encontrados para as outras espécies, todos os tratamentos foram eficientes para a madeira de P. taeda quando em contato ao fungo de podridão parda (G. trabeum).