Betül Sever Yılmaz

Antioxidant properties of Viburnum opulus and Viburnum lantana growing in Turkey

In the present study, antioxidant properties of the water extracts of different parts of Viburnum opulus and Viburnum lantana (Caprifoliaceae) were investigated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and superoxide anion scavenging methods. The extracts were prepared from the fruits, branches, and leaves of V. lantana and V. opulus species. The branch extracts of V. lantana and V. opulus inhibited superoxide anion in a concentration-dependent manner. Compared with α-tocopherol, the fruit extract of V. lantana did not show any scavenging effect on superoxide anion formation. V. lantana leaf extracts, however, showed a moderate scavenging effect on superoxide anion formation, whereas V. lantana branch extracts showed a strong scavenging effect (IC50=3.1 mg/ml) on superoxide anion in higher concentration. On the other hand, all extracts exhibited a scavenging effect on the DPPH radical with various potencies. When compared with butylated hydroxytoluene, V. opulus branch and V. lantana leaf extracts, as well as V. lantana branch, V. opulus fruit and V. lantana fruit extracts, showed strong DPPH radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 0.014, 0.035, 0.052, 0.057 and 0.085 mg/ml, respectively.

Enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities of Viburnum tinus L. relevant to its neuroprotective potential

In vitro neuroprotective activity of the extracts of Viburnum tinus L. was investigated via inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and tyrosinase (TYRO) by microtitre plate assays. Their antioxidant activity was tested using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylendiamine (DMPD), super oxide (SO), and nitric oxide (NO) radical-scavenging activities, ferric ion-chelation capacity, ferric- (FRAP), and phosphomolybdenum-reducing antioxidant power (PRAP) assays. Total phenol and flavonoid content of the extracts was determined spectrophotometrically. The branch-ethyl acetate and fruit-methanol extracts exerted potent anticholinesterase effects (66.4 ± 0.65% to 97.7 ± 0.47%), while the fruit-methanol extract had the highest TYRO inhibition (47.0 ± 0.68%). The methanol extracts showed higher activities in most of the antioxidant tests. All the extracts displayed notable NO-scavenging effects (47.5 ± 5.03% to 74.5 ± 1.80%). Only the fruit-ethyl acetate extract quenched SO radical (38.4 ± 1.01%) at 500 μg ml(-1). Our data indicate that the fruit and branch extracts of V. tinus may provide potential neuroprotection.

Chemotaxonomy of Ballota species

Sixteen taxa of Ballota were investigated by analyzing the contents of diterpenoid and flavonoid compositions, and the relationships were compared with their morphological properties. HPLC chromatograms of diterpenoids and flavonoids from acetone extracts of sixteen Ballota taxa revealed the presence of thirteen compounds. Isolated compounds from Ballota species were evaluated by the unweighted pair-group arithmetic average (UPGMA) clustering method. B. glandulosissima is distinct from all other taxa in the dendogram, and this species is morphologically different from other taxa by having a high number of glandular hairs. The second group is composed of B. saxatilis ssp. saxatilis and B. inaequidens; these two species are in close kinship as evidenced by their morphology (similar calyx shape). In the latter clusters at most, the affinities among taxa, as suggested by diterpenoid and flavonoid pattern, are only partially congruent with affinities based on other evidence. In general, morphologic, anatomic characters, distributions, and habitats are not concordant with the clusters. Also, no concordance was found between the sections, phylogenetic order [1], and those of the groups formed by cluster analyses.

Antilisterial Activity of Some Plants Used in Folk Medicine

Abstract Ethanol extracts from six species representing six different families, used in traditional medicine in Turkey were evaluated for their antilisterial activities. The antilisterial activities of Plantago major. L., Ononis spinosa. L., Lythrum salicaria. L., Juglans regia. L., Centranthus longiflorus. Stev., and Teucrium polium. L. were tested against four different Listeria. isolates (L. monocytogenes., L. ivanovii., L. innocua., and L. murrayi.) by the agar diffusion method and the macrodilution method. All plants showed antilisterial activity against L. monocytogenes..

Quantitative analysis of lycorine in Sternbergia species growing in Turkey

Plants of the family Amaryllidaceae are well known not only for their ornamental value but also for the alkaloids they produce. Some of these alkaloids exhibit interesting pharmacological and/or biological properties. However, the most extensively studied effects are those of non-specific inhibition, such as antiviral and antitumour activities [1]. Sternbergia species, a member of this family, was found to contain lycorine as a major alkaloid. Sternbergia is represented by 6 taxa in Turkey [2].

Quantification of Galantamine in Sterbergia Species by High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Objectives: This study describes the qualitative and quantitative analysis of galantamine in Sternbergia species growing in Turkey. Materials and Methods: Galantamine was isolated from Sternbergia fischeriana bulbs and the structure of the compound elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of galantamine was investigated in Sternbergia lutea subsp. lutea, S. lutea subsp. sicula, Sternbergia candida, S. fischeriana, and Sternbergia clusiana using a specially developed and validated high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Results: S. lutea subsp. sicula had the highest content of galantamine, i.e., 0.0165±0.0002 g/100 g. The limits of detection and quantification were 7.5 μg and 25 μg, respectively. Conclusion: Isolation of galantamine from S. fischeriana growing in Turkey is reported for the first time. An HPLC method was developed for identification and quantification of galantamine in Sternbergia species.

Ethanol Extraction of Hyoscyamus niger and Hypericum calycinum Evaluated for Acaricidal Activity against Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Hyoscyamus niger L. (Solanaceae) and Hypericum calycinum L. (Hypericaceae) were collected from two provinces Bursa and Ankara in Turkey during flowering stages. Extracts obtained from H. niger and H. calycinum were tested against two-spotted mite as an acaricidal pesticide. Bioassay experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions using two different methods namely, leaf disc dipping and direct leaf spraying. Two-spotted mite was reared in insectary using Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabaceae). In the leaf dipping method, H. niger extract resulted in an effective adjusted mortality for larvae of 87.13% and for adults of 81.66%. For H. calycinum the adjusted mortality for larvae and adults was 77.77% and 85.97% respectively at the highest concentration. In larval stage, LC50 values were 5.47 w/v and 3.32 w/v dipping and spraying method respectively. In addition, adult stage, it was determined that LC50 values were 1.17 w/v and 3.56 w/v in both methods. For leaf spraying method. H. niger resulted in an adjusted showed an effect against larvae and adults mortality rate was 95% and 91% respectively. However, H. calycinum mortality percentage was 80% and 87% at 12% concentration, with LC50 values of 9.62 w/v and 2.13 w/v in dipping method. In this research apart from mortality effects on egg, reproduction was also investigated. Each concentration showed that treated females laid less eggs compared to the untreated females.

Investigation of the anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic activity and median lethal dose (ld50) level of limonene in mice and rats

Foeniculum vulgare Miller, (fennel) (Umbelliferae) is an annual, biennial or perennial aromatic herb, depending on the variety, and has been known since antiquity in Europe and Asia Minor. The leaves, stalks and seeds (fruits) of the plant are edible1. Extracts of the Foeniculum vulgare Miller (fennel) seeds are used in traditional Turkish medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent 2. The anti-inflammtory, hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective effects of fennel were ABSTRACT

Anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic activities of alpha-pinene

Foeniculum vulgare Miller, (family Umbelliferae) is an annual, biennial or perennial aromatic herb, depending on the variety, which has been known since antiquity in Europe and Asia Minor. The leaves, stalks and seeds (fruits) of the plant are edible1. Extracts of Foeniculum vulgare Miller (fennel) seeds are used as an anti-inflammatory agent in Turkish traditional medicine2. The antiinflammatory, hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective effects of fennel were demABSTRACT