Essential Oils and Supercritical CO2 Extracts of Arctic Angelica (Angelica archangelica L.), Marsh Labrador Tea (Rhododendron tomentosum) and Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)—Chemical Compositions and Antimicrobial Activities

Traditionally, arctic Finnish Angelica (Angelica archangelica L.), marsh Labrador tea (Rhododendron tomentosum, syn. Ledum palustre) and common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) have been used as medicinal herbs in folklore medicine. However, these underutilised plants are a source of, e.g., oil-based compounds, which could benefit many modern applications implemented by the green chemistry extraction methods, as well. We extracted Angelica, marsh Labrador tea and common tansy by non-toxic and recyclable extraction methods, i.e., hydrodistillation and supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) extraction; characterised the essential oils (EOs) and scCO2 extracts by combination of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and in addition, analysed the antimicrobial properties. As expected for Angelica root and common tansy inflorescence, the scCO2 extraction method produced less amount of volatile compounds compared to hydrodistillation. On the other hand, more coumarins, alkanes, fatty alcohols and fatty acids were obtained. Additionally, sesquiterpenoids palustrol and ledol were predominant compounds in both marsh Labrador tea EO and scCO2 extract. According to our results, however, all the EOs and scCO2 extracts showed broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities against the selected microbes, but the effects were extract-specific. The strongest and broadest antimicrobial activities were performed by marsh Labrador tea scCO2 extract, which showed extremely strong effect on Staphylococcusaureus subsp. aureus and strong effect on Candida albicans.

Hypouricemic Significance of Ledum Palustre (Marsh Tea): A Review

The current review article is based on the facts to reveal the biological potentials of the genus ledum, and specie palustre. Although in the article all the species are well described with their distribution in all over the world and their pharmacological activities are also discussed. Rhododendron tomantosum is also known as Marsh Tea or northern Labrador tea, which is an evergreen shrub having the height of about 40 cm and the plant has about ten species in all over the world. Article has very informative aspect regarding Hypouricemic Significance of Ledum palustre (L. palustre), its chemical compounds extracted and analyzed by different spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques to report the active principles from the oil of the Rhododendron tomantosum fresh leaves. The main active compounds were found are given as (41.0–43.4%) ledol (23.3–26.7%) and ascaridole (15.1–4.5%). L. palustre has a very significant role in the gout and arthritis occurs due the presence of high amount of uric acid in the blood plasma. Various dosage forms are mentioned in the review article to explore the potentials of the drug. Hence according to literature if L. palustre is significantly capable to reduce the high level of the uric acid if give in the potency if 30 c (diluted 30 times)) and 1 M ((1000 dilutions) to the patients, and may be a good alternative to the allopurinol. So, this drug is frequently used in the homeopathic system of medicine to get the hypouricemic significance in the human beings.

Effects of Labrador Tea, Peppermint, and Winter Savory Essential Oils on Fusobacterium nucleatum

Bad breath or halitosis is an oral condition caused by volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) produced by bacteria found in the dental and tongue biofilms. Fusobacterium nucleatum is a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium that has been strongly associated with halitosis. In this study, essential oils (EO) from three plants, Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum [Oeder] Kron & Judd), peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.), and winter savory (Satureja montana L.), were investigated for their effects on growth, biofilm formation and killing, and VSC production by F. nucleatum. Moreover, their biocompatibility with oral keratinocytes was investigated. Using a broth microdilution assay, winter savory EO and to a lesser extent Labrador tea and peppermint EO showed antibacterial activity against F. nucleatum. A treatment of pre-formed biofilms of F. nucleatum with EO also significantly decreased bacterial viability as determined by a luminescence assay monitoring adenosine triphosphate production. The EO were found to permeabilize the bacterial cell membrane, suggesting that it represents the target of the tested EO. The three EO under investigation were able to dose-dependently reduce VSC production by F. nucleatum. Lastly, no significant loss of cell viability was observed when oral keratinocytes were treated with the EO at concentrations effective against F. nucleatum. This study supports the potential of Labrador tea, peppermint, and winter savory EO as promising agents to control halitosis and promote oral health.

ANALYSIS OF SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USING GIS-TECHNOLOGIES ON THE EXAMPLE OF LISINSKY SCIENTIFIC-EXPERIMENTAL FORESTRY

Harvesting of medicinal-plant raw materials is one of the most promising areas for Russian producers, the market of which is characterized as developing one. Research on spatial analysis and definition of biological stock of medicinal-plant raw materials is made on the example of Lisinsky scientific-experimental forestry. The following medicinal plants: lily of the valley (Convallária majalis L.), St. John's wort (Hypéricum perforátum L.), valerian (Valeriána officinális L.), wood sorrel (Óxalis acetosella L.), Labrador tea (Ledum palustre L.), stinging nettle (Urtíca dióica L.) are widespread on the territory of the forestry and have potential commercial value. Data on stocks and territorial location of the medicinal plants were obtained with the use of geoinformation technologies. Biological stocks of medicinal raw materials is defined by the regional table for average long-term yield based on the types of growing conditions, forest types and taxonomic characteristics of plants. If we consider the maximum yield of one specific type of forest, we can say that Labrador tea and stinging nettle has the greatest mass. In the result, it was determined that harvesting of medicinal plants in the territory of forestry is possible for all the considered types of medicinal plants, which will increase the volumes of harvesting and storage of valuable raw materials. Inventory information and location of medicinal plants will enable to optimize the choice of the routes for the priority procurement of raw materials. Using GIS technology the total biological stock of the types of medicinal plants in Lisinsky scientific-experimental forestry was determined. Spatial analysis allowed determining the areas with the highest yield of medicinal plants. Geographic information systems can be used as a tool for monitoring, inventory, protection and organization of the industrial harvesting of medicinal raw materials. The developed technology can be used to determine the yield of mushrooms and wild berries.