Jelena Kukić

Investigation of kernel oils of Quercus robur and Quercus cerris

The kernel oils of Quercus robur and Quercus cerris were obtained by Soxhlet extraction using petroleum ether. Oil yields were found to be 5.2–5.6% and 4.3–4.8% for Q. robur and Q. cerris kernel, respectively (expressed in g per 100 g of dried plant material). The physical and chemical constants, unsaponifiable matter and total fatty acids were determined. The total fatty acid composition of oils was determined by GC in the methyl ester form. Considering the composition and content of fatty acids, the examined kernel oils were very similar. Seven fatty acid components were identified in both oils: palmitic, stearic, arachidic, palmitoleic, oleic, linoleic, and α-linolenic. In Q. robur and Q. cerris kernel oils the principal acids were oleic (44.3% and 43.0%, respectively) and linoleic (37.2% and 32.6%, respectively), followed by a significant amount of palmitic acid.

The antiinflammatory, gastroprotective and antioxidant activities of Hieracium gymnocephalum extract

The present study investigated the antiinflammatory, gastroprotective and antioxidant activities of a CH2Cl2 extract of western Balkan endemic Hieracium gymnocephalum Griseb. ex Pant. (Compositae). The carrageenan‐induced rat paw oedema test was used as an experimental model for screening the antiinflammatory activity. The extract was administrated p.o. in doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg to rats and its effects compared with indomethacin, used p.o. as a reference drug. The results showed that the investigated extract reduced the oedema in a concentration‐dependent manner. The obtained antiinflammatory effect was 5.9%, 11.7%, 31.2% and 44.1% at doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively, being statistically significant at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Indomethacin had a strong antiinflammatory effect of 73.4% at a dose of 8 mg/kg, but caused large gastric lesions. When the plant extract in the highest tested dose (200 mg/kg) was concomitantly given with indomethacin, the antiinflammatory effect was slightly enhanced, but the gastric lesions were significantly reduced. The antioxidant activity of the H. gymnocephalum extract, investigated using DPPH radical assay, OH‐radical assay and TBA‐test, was not substantial. Copyright

Chemical composition and antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Seseli rigidum flower essential oil

1) Institute of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade,Serbia, e-mail: silvana@pharmacy.bg.ac.yu; 2) Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac“, Faculty of Biology,University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: simicana@bfbot.bg.ac.yu; 3) Institute for MedicinalPlant Research “Josif Pancic”, Tadeusa Koscuska 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: iplb@sezampro.yu; 4) Department ofMicrobiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail:marinama@pharmacy.bg.ac.yu; 5) Mycological Laboratory, Department of Plant Physiology, Institute for Biological Research“Sinisa Stankovic“, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: mris@ibiss.bg.ac.yu. Published in KhimiyaPrirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 216–218, March–April, 2009. Original article submitted July 12, 2007.

Influence of Some Stachys. Taxa on Carrageenan-Induced Paw Edema in Rats

Abstract This work investigates the anti-inflammatory activity of methanol extracts of four endemic Stachys. (Labiatae) taxa from the Balkans: S. beckeana. Dörfler & Hayek, S. anisochila. Vis. et Pančić, S. plumosa. Griseb., and S. alpina. L. subsp. dinarica. Murb. As a model of acute inflammation, carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats was used. Extracts, applied at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg p.o., exhibited dose-dependent activity. S. beckeana. and S. anisochila. extracts were the most active ones (ED50 154.52 and 162.24 mg/kg, respectively), with the activity comparable with indomethacin at doses of 2 and 4 mg/kg. S. plumosa. extract has shown less-pronounced anti-inflammatory effect (ED50 220.81 mg/kg). Extract of S. alpina. subsp. dinarica. had the lowest efficiency, attenuating inflammation less than 50%.

Behavioural characterization of four endemic Stachys taxa.

We performed a basic behavioral characterization of methanol extracts of four Balkan endemic Stachys taxa: S. anisochila (SA), S. beckeana (SB), S. plumosa (SP) and S. alpina subsp. dinarica (SAD). The behavioral activity of extracts dosed intraperitoneally in the range 100–400 mg/kg was examined in adult male Wistar rats, in the elevated plus maze, spontaneous locomotor activity, and grip strength tests, mainly predictive of anxiolytic, sedative and myorelaxant actions, respectively. All investigated Stachys extracts lacked anxiolytic or myorelaxant activities, while SB at 400 mg/kg exerted an anxiogenic‐like effect. The study with the selective antagonist β‐CCt showed that the sedative effect of SAD was only partially mediated by GABAA receptors containing the α1‐subunit. While discernible, the behavioral effects of SA and SP were not distinct. In all extracts, chlorogenic acid and verbascoside were identified. In SA, SB, and SAD the flavonoid fraction was constituted of isoscutellarein and hypolaetine glycosides, while in SP chrysoeriol and apigenin glycosides were present. The results reveal the psychotropic potential of four endemic Stachys taxa, of which SAD appeared most promising as a natural sedative. Copyright