Alev Tosun

Suppression of LPS‐induced inflammatory and NF‐κB responses by anomalin in RAW 264.7 macrophages

The treatment of inflammatory diseases today is largely based on interrupting the synthesis or action of the mediators that drive the hosts response to injury. It is on the basis of this concept that most of the anti‐inflammatory drugs have been developed. In our continuous search for novel anti‐inflammatory agents from traditional medicinal plants, Saposhnikovia divaricata has been a focus of our investigations. Anomalin, a pyranocoumarin constituent of S. divaricata, exhibits potent anti‐inflammatory activity. To clarify the cellular signaling mechanisms underlying the anti‐inflammatory action of anomalin, we investigated the effect of anomalin on the production of inflammatory molecules in LPS‐stimulated murine macrophages. The anomalin dose‐dependently inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) mRNA and protein expression in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage. Molecular analysis using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) revealed that several pro‐inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), were reduced by anomalin, and this reduction correlated with the down‐regulation of the NF‐κB signaling pathway. In addition, anomalin suppressed the LPS‐induced phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα. To further study the mechanisms underlying its anti‐inflammatory activity, an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) using a 32P‐labeled NF‐κB probe was conducted. LPS‐induced NF‐κB DNA binding was drastically abolished by anomalin. The present data suggest that anomalin is a major anti‐inflammatory agent and may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 2179–2188, 2011.

Essential Oil Composition of the Fruits of Seseli resinosum Freyn et Sint. and Seseli tortuosum L. Growing in Turkey

Abstract Essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from fruits of Seseli resinosum Freyn et Sint. and Seseli tortuosum L. were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-two compounds were characterized, representing 100.0% of the oil of S. resinosum, while 27 compounds were found, representing 98.3% of the oil of S. tortuosum. The main constituents were found to be β-pinene (37.5%), 4α-hydroxygermacra-1(10)-5-diene (21.7%), α-pinene (13.7%) for S. resinosum and (E)-sesquilavandulol (37.0%), sabinene (19.7%), α-pinene (13.5%), β-phellandrene (7.8%) for S. tortuosum.

Residues and contaminants in tea and tea infusions: a review

Consumers are very aware of contaminants that could pose potential health hazards. Most people drink tea as an infusion (adding hot water); however, in some countries, including India, China and Egypt, tea is drunk as a decoction (tea and water are boiled together). An infusion usually brings the soluble ingredients into solution, whereas a decoction brings all soluble and non-soluble constituents together. Therefore, a cup of tea may contain various kinds of contaminants. This review focuses on green and black tea because they are most commonly consumed. The target was to examine the transfer rate of contaminants – pesticides, environmental pollutants, mycotoxins, microorganisms, toxic heavy metals, radioactive isotopes (radionuclides) and plant growth regulators – from tea to infusion/brewing, factors contributing to the transfer potential and contaminants degradation, and residues in or on the spent leaves. It is concluded that most contaminants leaching into tea infusion are not detected or are detected at a level lower than the regulatory limits. However, the traditional practice of over-boiling tea leaves should be discouraged as there may be a chance for more transfer of contaminants from the tea to the brew.

Coumarins Isolated from the Roots of Seseli resinosum. in Turkey

Abstract Seseli resinosum. Freyn et Sint. (Umbelliferae) is a perennial herb that grows in the northern region of Anatolia, Turkey. The n.-hexane extract obtained from the roots of S. resinosum. was investigated for the presence of coumarins. Three angular-type pyranocoumarins and two linear-type furocoumarins were isolated from the roots. The compounds were identified as (+)-samidin [(3′S., 4′S.)-3′-senecioyloxy-4′-acetoxy-3′, 4′-dihydroseselin] (1), (−)-anomalin [(3′R., 4′R.)-3′, 4′-diangeloyloxy-3′, 4′-dihydroseselin] (2), calipteryxin (3′R., 4′R.)-3′-angeloyloxy-4′-senecioyloxy-3′, 4′-dihydroseselin (3), isoimperatorin (4), and deltoin (5). The structures were determined using spectroscopic methods (1H NMR, 13C NMR, 1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C COSY, HMBC, MS), physical methods (melting point and optical rotation), and chemical correlations with known compounds that have been described in the literature. The chemotaxonomic significance of these isolated coumarins is discussed in the genus Seseli. L.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of some Onosma L. species growing in Turkey

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Roots of Onosma species are used for the treatment of various disorders such as bronchitis, tonsillitis, hemorrhoids as well as alleviating pains in folk medicine in Turkey. AIM OF THE STUDY The chloroform and ethanol (70%) extracts obtained from the roots of Onosma species (Boraginaceae) growing in Turkey, Onosma aucheranum DC., Onosma isauricum Boiss. and Heldr. (endemic), Onosma sericeum Willd., Onosma tauricum Pallas ex Willd. var. brevifolium DC. (endemic) and Onosma tauricum Pallas ex Willd. var. tauricum (Syn: Onosma velenovskyi Davidov) were evaluated for in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS For the preliminary screening, carrageenan-induced hind paw edema for the anti-inflammatory activity and, p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test for the antinociceptive activity were used in mice. RESULTS The chloroform extracts from Onosma aucheranum and Onosma isauricum and ethanolic extracts from Onosma isauricum and Onosma sericeum demonstrated 28.0%, 34.3%, 24.6% and, 27.5% inhibition in p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test. The chloroform and ethanol (70%) extracts of Onosma isauricum and ethanol (70%) extract of Onosma sericeum also exhibited marked inhibition, ranging between 12.3-27.3%, 10.5-25.3%, 8.2-22.6%, respectively, in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model at 100mg/kg dose without gastric damage and the activity was quite comparable to indomethacin (32.0-38.4% inhibition) as a reference sample. Neither death nor gastric bleeding was observed for any of the plant extracts during the acute toxicity evaluation. CONCLUSION The experimental data demonstrated that Onosma aucheranum, Onosma isauricum and Onosma sericeum displayed remarkable anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities.

Anti-inflammatory effect of corymbocoumarin from Seseli gummiferum subsp. corymbosum through suppression of NF-κB signaling pathway and induction of HO-1 expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of corymbocoumarin, an angular-type pyranocoumarin isolated from Seseli gummiferum subsp. corymbosum in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Corymbocoumarin not only inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), but also inhibited the protein and mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Corymbocoumarin also attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Investigation of the effect on nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway showed that corymbocoumarin inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt and inhibitory κB (IκB)-α and decreased the subsequent translocation of the p65 and p50 NF-κB subunits to the nucleus. A further study revealed that corymbocoumarin exerted anti-inflammatory activity through induction of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression. The in vivo study showed that corymbocoumarin (20mg/kg, i.p.) reduced paw swelling in carrageenan-induced acute inflammation model. Taken together, these results suggest that corymbocoumarin exerts its anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by suppressing NF-κB activation and inducing HO-1 expression. Corymbocoumarin may provide a useful therapeutic approach for inflammation-associated diseases.

HPLC analysis of coumarins in Turkish Seseli species (Umbelliferae)

The n-hexane extracts of aerial and underground parts of three Seseli species, S. gummiferum subsp. corymbosum, S. resinosum, and S. hartvigii growing in Turkey were investigated concerning the presence of coumarins by normal-phase HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography). In this respect, two coumarins, osthol (1) and corymbocoumarin (2) [(−)-(3′S, 4′S)-3′-acetoxy-4′-isovaleryloxy-3′, 4′-dihydroseselin] isolated from aerial parts of S. gummiferum subsp. corymbosum, were used as standard samples. The amount of these compounds were discussed and evaluated in this study.

Essential Oil of Tordylium Ketenoglui H. Duman Et A. Duran (Umbelliferae) Growing in Turkey

Abstract The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from fruits of Tordylium ketenoglui H. Duman et A. Duran (Umbelliferae, Apiaceae) was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. In total, seventy-seven compounds were characterized, representing 91.6% of the oil. The main constituents were octyl octanoate (28.9%), octanol (11.6%) and bornyl acetate (7.2%).

Comparative pharmacological and phytochemical investigation on the wound-healing effects of the frequently used essential oils

Essential oils from several plants have been used for the first aid treatment of wounds, abscess, and burns. For this reason, we aimed to evaluate the wound-healing potential of some essential oils, obtained from Pimpinella anisum L., Eugenia caryophyllus (Spreng.) Bullock & S.G. Harrison, Cuminum cyminum L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Laurus nobilis L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill. ssp. angustifolia, and Melissa officinalis L., that have been frequently used in aromatherapy. In the present study, in vivo wound-healing activities of the selected essential oils were investigated by using linear incision and circular excision wound models. Moreover, the oils which are active in these test systems were analyzed by GC/MS for the identification of the major components. Essential oil obtained from L. angustifolia ssp. angustifolia and L. nobilis were found to be the most active among the tested samples. This research confirms the traditional usage of the active oils.

Composition of Tordylium aegyptiacum (L.) Lam. Essential Oil

Abstract The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from fruits of Tordylium aegyptiacum (L.) Lam. (syn.: Hasselquistia aegyptiaca L.) (Umbelliferae) was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. In total, 59 compounds were characterized, representing 93.9% of the oil. The main constituents were determined as hexadecanoic acid (40.1%), β-caryophyllene (10.6%), octyl octanoate (8.8%) and caryophyllene oxide (8.5%).