María P. Zunino

Effect of monoterpenes on lipid oxidation in maize

The monoterpenes 1,8-cineole, thymol, geraniol, menthol and camphor strongly inhibited the root growth of Zea mays L. seedlings. They induced an oxidative stress as measured by the production of malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes and peroxides. This oxidative stress depended on the length of the exposure and on the monoterpene applied. The total fatty acid content was measured and fatty acid composition was analyzed. Unsaturated fatty acids increased in the treated samples. The alcoholic and non-alcoholic monoterpenes appeared to have different modes of action.

In vitro activity of natural phenolic compounds against fluconazole-resistant Candida species: a quantitative structure–activity relationship analysis

To evaluate the antifungal activity and to analyse the structure–activity relationship of eleven natural phenolic compounds against four Candida species which are resistant to fluconazole.

Composition of the essential oil of Baccharis crispa Spreng. and Baccharis salicifolia Pers. grown in Cordoba (Argentina)

Samples of the essential oil from Baccharis salicifolia Pers. and Baccharis crispa Spreng. collected in the province of Cordoba (Argentina) were analysed by GC and GC–MS. The major constituents were B. salicifolia α-cadinol (9.4%), germacrene-D (8.8%) and B. crispa trans-nerolidol (27.0%).

Changes in the Composition of Phospholipid Fatty Acids and Sterols of Maize Root in Response to Monoterpenes

Terpenes are thought to be important in plant–plant interactions because of their phytotoxic action on seed germination and growth. Herein, the effects of five volatile monoterpenes on root sterols and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) composition have been studied during maize seedling germination. The investigated monoterpenes (camphor, 1–8 cineole, geraniol, menthol, and thymol) were applied at their respective IC80 (concentration causing 80% inhibition). They quantitatively affected free sterols and PLFA composition, thus producing an increase in the percentage of unsaturated PLFAs, stigmasterol of the free sterol fraction, and saturated steryl ester fatty acids. Alcoholic and nonalcoholic monoterpenes appeared to have different modes of action. The former affected unsaturated fatty acid and stigmasterol to a greater extent, and accordingly they could interfere in seedling growth by changes in the membrane lipids.

Essential oil of Baccharis cordobensis Heering

The essential oil of the aerial parts of Baccharis cordobensis was examined by GC and GC–MS. The major constituents were trans-nerolidol (15.8%), T-cadinol (14.7%) and cubenol (8.8%). Copyright

Aromatic plants of northwest Argentina. Constituents of the essential oils of aerial parts of seven Verbenaceae: Lantana and Aloysia.

Abstract The chemical composition of essential oil samples of the aerial parts of Lantana canescens, Lantana tilcarensis, Lantana trifolia, Aloysia citriodora, Aloysia gratissima, Aloysia castellanosii and Aloysia catamarcensis from northwest Argentina, phytogeographic areas of Yungas, Puna, Parque Chaqueño and Monte, have been analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The main oil component group present in the oils of the aerial parts of Lantana species were sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (> 24.8%). In contrast, the main compound group found in the oils of Aloysia species were oxygenated monoterpenes (> 19.6%). The comparison with previous studies performed by other authors points to a significant variation in the chemical composition of essential oil depending on the origin of the plants.

Chemical compositions and properties of Schinus areira L. essential oil on airway inflammation and cardiovascular system of mice and rabbits

The main purpose was to investigate the effects of essential plant-oil of Schinus areira L. on hemodynamic functions in rabbits, as well as myocardial contractile strength and airways inflammation associated to bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. This study shows the important properties of the essential oil (EO) of S. areira studied and these actions on lung with significant inhibition associated to LPS, all of which was assessed in mice bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and evidenced by stability of the percentage of alveolar macrophages, infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and tumor necrosis factor-α concentration, and without pathway modifications in conjugated dienes activity. Clinical status (morbidity or mortality), macroscopic morphology and lung/body weight index were unaffected by the administration of the EO S. areira. Furthermore, the ex vivo analysis of isolated hearts demonstrated the negative inotropic action of the EO of S. areira in a mice model, and in rabbits changes in the hemodynamic parameters, such as a reduction of systolic blood pressure. We conclude that EO S. areira could be responsible for modifications on the cardiovascular and/or airway parameters.

Essential Oils of Plants Used in Home Medicine in North of Argentina

Abstract Essential oils of the medicinal plants Satureja parvifolia, Satureja boliviana, Hyptis mutabilis, Leonorus sibiricus, Lippia turnerifolia, Xeroaloysia ovatifolia and Acantholippia salsoloides of north Argentina were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Seventy-five compounds, representing more than 90% of the oils, were identified. The oils of both populations of S. parvifolia studied were characterized by a high content of piperitone (41.9% and 46%) and piperitenone oxide (50.1% and 49.3%). The most abundant constituents identified in S. boliviana oil were isomenthone (33%) and pulegone (25.3%). Hyptis mutabilis oil was characterized by β-phellandrene (27.1%) and β-caryophyllene (59.4%). The main constituents of L. sibiricus oil were the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons β-caryophyllene (35.2%), α-humulene (22.1%) and α-cubebene (18.4%). The oils of L. turnerifolia and X. ovatifolia also had a high content of sesquiterpenes. These were α-humulene (40.1%) and β-bisabolene (22.9%) in the oil of L. turnerifolia and β-caryophyllene (14.4%), (E)-nerolidol (10.5%), spathulenol (21.6%) and epi-α-cadinol (21.9%) in the oil of X. ovatifolia. Acantholippia salsoloides oil from Jujuy accumulated high contents of p-cymene (52.8%) and thymol (46.8%), while the oil from the population of Catamarca accumulated α-thujone (98.8%) as the major compound.

Bio-efficacy of the Essential Oil of Oregano (Origanum vulgare Lamiaceae. Ssp. Hirtum)

The aim of this study was to investigate the bioactivity of the essential oil isolated from Origanum vulgare L. (EOv). We analyzed the in vivo anti-inflammatory properties in a mouse-airway inflammation model and the in vitro antimicrobial activity, genotoxicity over the anaphase-telophase with the Allium cepa strain and its cytotoxicity/viability in A549 culture cells. In vivo, EOv modified the levels of tumor necrosis factor -α and viable activated macrophages and was capable to mitigate the effects of degradation of conjugated dienes. In vitro, EOv reduced the viability of cultured A549 cells as well as the mitotic index and a number of chromosomal aberrations; however, it did not change the number of phases. We found that EOv presents antimicrobial activity against different Gram (−) and (+) strains, measured by disc-diffusion test and confirmed with a more accurate method, the AutoCad software. We postulate that EOv presents antibacterial, antioxidant and chemopreventive properties and could be play an important role as bioprotector agent.

Biphasic Modulation of Neutrophil Migration by Aqueous Extracts of Uncaria tomentosa in Murine Lung

In the history of medicine, the treatment of disease has been influenced by an intimate contact with nature. A mice model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury was used to evaluate the protective effects of long-term water-soluble administration ad libitum of Uncaria tomentosa extracts (20 gr/L; UTE) in lung inflammation. Swiss mice had LPS (1,67µg/ml) instilled intranasally 3hs before sacrificed, and were then pre-treated with UTE for 7, 15, 30 or 90 days or with a single dose of dexamethasone (2,5 mg/kg, DX). Inflammatory cell concentration was measured in the bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) and histology was performed. No acute or chronic toxicity signs were observed in the clinical status. In addition, body weight, food consumption, organ weight, kidney, liver, and lung pathology were not found to be affected by the UTE treatments. UTE or DX significantly reduced the lung edema, exudation and lung injury histology for 7 and 90 day treatments. In addition, pre-treatment with UTE revealed a biphasic attenuated recruitment in BALF from neutrophils at 7 and 90 days induced by endotoxin exposure compared to the control (p<0.05). These data suggest that UTE initially induces a nonspecific response that is transient protection from PMNs migration into the lung mice.