Bintuğ Öztürk

Essential oil composition and antioxidant activity of endemic Ziziphora taurica subsp. cleonioides

The essential oil of Turkish endemic Ziziphora taurica subsp. cleonioides aerial parts was found to contain (+)-pulegone (81.86%), limonene (4.48%) and piperitenone (2.30%) activity. The essential oil showed relevant antioxidant activity.

Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra. extract exhibits antiinflammatory activity in the rat

The aim of the present study was to explore the probable antiinflammatory effect of Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra. in a rat model of carrageenan induced inflammation. Male Wistar rats were treated intraperitoneally with 0.4% dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) (as control group) and H. triquetrifolium extract (25, 50, 60 mg/kg), 30 min before 0.1 ml 1% carrageenan injection. Paw volume was measured before and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 h after the injection of carrageenan. The results are expressed as the mean+/-s.e. mean and the statistical significance of differences between groups was analyzed by One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The intraplantar injection of carrageenan caused a time-dependent paw edema in the rat although saline injection caused no swelling. Intraperitoneal administration of H. triquetrifolium extract (25, 50, 60 mg/kg) inhibited paw swelling dose-dependently at 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 h after carrageenan injection (P<0.05). We can conclude that H. triquetrifolium extract may exert an antiinflammatory effect in rats.

Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra. extract exhibits antinociceptive activity in the mouse.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the antinociceptive activity of Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra. extract. The lyophilized extract was administered to male Swiss mice. Formalin paw test and tail flick tests were used for the evaluation of the antinociceptive activity. Plant extract (10, 25, 50 and 60 mg kg(-1), i.p.) (n = 16-24 for each group) or vehicle (n = 27) was administered 30 min before the subplantar formalin injection. In the tail flick test, mice were examined for latency to withdraw their tails from a noxious thermal stimulus using a tail flick meter (n = 8 for each group). The effects of the extract on sensorimotor performance was also assessed (n = 16-24 for each group). The extract caused a significant dose-related inhibition of the first phase (50, 60 mg kg(-1), i.p.) and second phase (10, 25, 50 and 60 mg kg(-1), i.p.) of formalin induced hindpaw licking. Additionally, the extract administration (50, 60 mg kg(-1), i.p.) increased the tail flick latencies. No significant change was observed in any of the treatment groups in the sensorimotor performance test. The observed antinociceptive activity of the extract may be due to its noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake blocking activity. Moreover, the probable antiinflammatory activity of the extract may play a role in the dose-related inhibition of the second phase of formalin paw test.

Evaluation of the Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Satureja thymbra. L. Essential Oil

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oil of Satureja thymbra. L. (Lamiaceae). Antinociceptive activity of the essential oil was measured by the formalin test in mice and by the light tail-flick and hot-plate methods in rats. The paw-edema test was performed in rats to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of the essential oil. Motor coordination was assessed with a rotarod apparatus. Although the essential oil produced an antinociceptive effect during both the early (50 and 100 mg kg−1) and late phases (25, 50, and 100 mg kg−1) of the formalin test, it did not exert any significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in tail-flick and paw-edema tests, respectively. In addition, a significant antinociceptive effect was detected in the hot-plate test (100 and 200 mg kg−1). No significant change was detected in sensory motor performance. In conclusion, S. thymbra. L. essential oil does not exert any anti-inflammatory effect while it may have central analgesic activity in mice and rats.

Inhibitory Activities of Helichrysum. Taxa on Mammalian Type I DNA Topoisomerase

Abstract DNA topoisomerases are essential enzymes that regulate the conformational changes in DNA topology by catalyzing the concerted breakage and rejoining of DNA strands during normal cellular growth. During the past few years, there has been considerable pharmacological interest in these enzymes because the inhibitors of DNA topoisomerases represent a major class of anticancer drugs. In this study, we investigated the effects of the extracts, prepared from a number of Helichrysum. taxa, on mammalian DNA topoisomerase I via in vitro. supercoil relaxation assays using plasmid substrate, pBR322. Cytotoxic alkaloid, camptothecin, an inhibitor of eukaryotic topoisomerase I, was used as reference compound throughout the assays. Quantitative comparisons of the supercoiled and relaxed DNA band intensities on agarose gels suggested that the extracts from H. pallasii. (Sprengel) Ledeb., H. armenium DC subsp.. araxinum. (Kirp.) Takht, and H. plicatum DC subsp.. plicatum. manifested a considerable inhibition on the enzyme in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of mammalian DNA topoisomerase I by Helichrysum. extracts is a significant result because they can be potential sources of anticancer drugs.

Comparison of Chemical Compositions and Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oils of Two Ziziphora. Taxa from Anatolia

Abstract The aim of the current study was to investigate the protective effects of essential oils, used in traditional Turkish food and medicine, prepared from two Ziziphora. subspecies against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in human erythrocytes. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and effects of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels of the essential oils on erythrocyte were assessed. The results indicated that both essential oils of Ziziphora. species were effective on antioxidant enzyme systems of erythrocytes when compared with H2O2 group. Ziziphora taurica. Bieb. subsp. taurica. was more effective than endemic Ziziphora taurica. Bieb. subsp. cleonioides. (Boiss) P. H. Davis on CAT, GPx, and SOD enzyme systems of erythrocytes. In this study, we established that the essential oils of Z. taurica. subsp.. taurica. contained caryophyllene oxide (26.16%), β.-caryophyllene (24.80%), and germacrene-D (7.92%), and Z. taurica. subsp.. cleonioides. contained (+)-pulegone (69.24%), piperitenone (6.47%), and limonene (3.59%). Results presented here may suggest that the essential oils possess antioxidant properties, and therefore they can be used in the nutraceutical or pharmaceutical industry.

Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and Potassium Fertilization

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of potassium (K) fertilization and soil texture on total yield (1st and 2nd cuttings) and yield components of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized statistical design. Basil growth was examined in two different textured soils under three different doses of K fertilization. Generally, for the basil grown under clay soil conditions, moderate amounts of K fertilization is proposed to be sufficient if higher linalool contents are wanted. However, if the growing conditions are sandy loam in texture, it is suggested that higher doses of K be used. Results also highlighted the contribution of second cut as an important cultural practice in the cultivation of an annual basil.

Chemical Characterization, Phytotoxic, Antimicrobial and Insecticidal Activities of Vitex agnus-castus’ Essential Oil from East Mediterranean Region

Abstract Essential oil of Vitex agnus-castus’ leaves was analysed GC and GC-MS. The oil was predominantly rich in 1,8-cineole (24.38 %), sabinene (22.77 %), trans-β-farnesene (8.50 %), α-pinene (7.14 %), β-caryophyllene (6.49 %) and 1-terpinen-4-ol (5.23 %). In the phytotoxicity assay, the highest concentration of the oil (40 µL) completely inhibited the germinations of Lactuca sativa and Lepidium sativum. In the antimicrobial assays, essential oil was more active on yeast species and gram positive bacteria. The results of the insecticidal assays were also significant as the mortalities were 70 % and 96.67 % on Acanthoscelides obtectus and Tribolium castaneum at 34 µL L-1 and 136 µL L-1 oil (24 h), respectively. Essential oil of V. agnus-castus could be suggested as a potential source of bioagents for prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms in concern.