P. L. Cioni

Composition and antimicrobial properties of essential oils of four Mediterranean Lamiaceae

Essential oils from Satureja montana L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Thymus vulgaris L., and Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi, were chemically analysed and their antimicrobial and fungicide activities evaluated on the basis of their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). All four oils have a biotoxic effect, the most active being those from Calamintha and Thymus.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts and isolated constituents of Rubus ulmifolius

The antimicrobial activity on bacteria and fungi of increasing polarity extracts of Rubus ulmifolius and that of some isolated constituents, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronide; kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucuronide, gallic acid, ferulic acid and tiliroside was evaluated. The phenolic and tannins fractions showed an high antimicrobial activity.

Acaricidal activity of aqueous extracts of camomile flowers, Matricaria chamomilla, against the mite Psoroptes cuniculi

Abstract.  Arcaricidal properties of decoctions, infusions and macerates of dried flower heads of camomile, Matricaria chamomilla L. (Asterales: Asteraceae) were tested in vitro against the mite Psoroptes cuniculi Delafond (Parasitiformes: Psoroptidae). This mite species is responsible for otoacariasis in domestic animals. Mites were exposed to the extracts for 24, 48 or 72 h. All the extracts tested showed highly significant acaricidal activity when compared with controls. Among them, a decoction of 10% was the only formulation which gave 100% activity at all the three observations times.

Volatile constituents of two endemic Centaurea species from Turkey: C. pseudoscabiosa subsp. pseudoscabiosa and C. hadimensis

The essential oils obtained from two endemic Centaurea species (Compositae) from Turkey, C. pseudoscabiosa subsp. pseudoscabiosa Boiss. et Buhse (Sect. Acrocentron) and C. hadimensis Wagenitz, K. Ertugrul et H. Dural (Sect. Psephelloideae), have been studied. Germacrene D was the major component (36.0 and 44.3%, respectively), followed by β-caryophyllene, bicyclogermacrene and β-sesquiphellandrene.

The activity of volatile compounds from Lavandula angustifolia against Psoroptes cuniculi

Previously we demonstrated the acaricidal properties of Lavandula angustifolia Miller essential oil and of linalool, one of its main components, against Psoroptes cuniculi detected following direct contact of the substances with the mites.

Therapeutic efficacy of linalool for the topical treatment of parasitic otitis caused by Psoroptes cuniculi in the rabbit and in the goat

The persistence in the environment and the toxicity to nontarget organisms shown by drugs commonly used in controlling ectoparasites of animals and plants are increasingly becoming a problem (Menzies, 1972; Couch, 1975; Halley et al., 1993). In addition, arthropods have become resistant to pesticides (Beesley, 1973; Roush, 1993). In light of these problems, alternative drugs such as new, natural and more biodegradable compounds are needed to control acari and insect pests. Compounds of natural origin have served mankind as a source of medicinal agents since its earliest times, with higher plants as the principal source (Balandrin et al., 1993). The biological activity of many essential oils from plants against a large number of pathogens and arthropods has been confirmed by many laboratory investigations (Sharma et al., 1981; Chaumont & Bardey, 1989; Buchbauer etal., 1993; Panizzi et al., 1993; Perrucci et al., 1995). The biological activity of essential oils is mostly due to monoterpenoids that are their principal components (Charlwood & Charlwood, 1991). Linalool, an alcoholic monoterpenoid that is the constituent of many plant essential oils, has been found to be toxic against several species of acari and insects (Hink et al., 1988; Rice & Coats, 1994a, b; Perrucci, 1995). In some of our previous studies (Perrucci et al., 1995,1996) this compound has been found in vitro-to be acaricidal against Psomptes cuniculi (Delafond) (Acari: Psoroptidae), a mite causing ear mange in several animal species (Sweatman, 1958). Linalool is presently used in commercial flea shampoos for pets and in insecticidal sprays for house plants (Powers et al., 1988; Rice 8i Coats, 1994~). In this study the therapeutic efficacy of linalool for the topical treatment of parasitic otitis caused by Psoroptes cuniculi is evaluated in vivo in the rabbit and the goat. Forty-five New Zealand rabbits, 5 months old and with no clinical signs of ear mange, were experimentally infected using fresh scabs collected from the ears of three rabbits with ear mange caused by Rcuniculi. The scabs, containing all life stages of the mite, were broken into small pieces and mixed with sterile

In vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts and isolated constituents of Geum rivale.

The antimicrobial activity of extracts of Geum rivale (Rosaceae) and that of some isolated constituents, on bacteria and fungi, was evaluated. The activity was concentrated in the triterpenes fraction and, for gram+ and gram− bacteria, also in the flavonoids fraction. Copyright

A multivariate statistical approach to Centaurea classification using essential oil composition data of some species from Turkey

The composition of the essential oils of ten Centaurea species from Turkey, Centaurea aladaghensis, C. antiochia var. prealta, C. antitauri, C. babylonica, C. balsamita, C. cheirolepidoides, C. deflexa, C. iconiensis, C. lanigera, C. ptosimopappoides have been studied. Multivariate statistical analyses (Principal Component Analysis, Multidimensional Scaling, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis) applied to GC-MS data, seem to be very useful to investigate and establish the natural taxonomic delimitation of this very difficult genus. The groupings resulted independent from the ecological similarities (i.e. plants that live in the same habitats or share similar morphological characteristics), so it seems that the environment has no influence on the biosynthesis of the volatiles of these plants.

Essential oil composition of different parts of Tetraclinis articulata.

Abstract The work evaluates the yield and the composition of the essential oil extracted from leafy and woody branches, cones, and seeds of a cultivated stand of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters (Cupressaceae) growing in Malta. The main components were α-pinene, limonene, camphor, bornyl acetate, borneol and germacrene D. Our results show a number of differences in composition to a Moroccan study of the essential oil derived from homologous parts.

In vitro and in vivo efficacy of extracts of Artemisia verlotorum against Psoroptes cuniculi.

Effeds of feeding grass silage to heifers on their claw health WHILE they were housed in cubicles as young stock and during early pregnancy, two groups of eight Holstein-Friesian heifers were fed diets based either on grass silage or meadow hay, both supplemented with 1-8 kg per day of barley concentrate mix. Claw lesions and lameness were monitored from approximately four weeks before calving until 20 weeks after calving. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the conformation of their claws and the rate of growth and wear of the horn, and both groups showed signs of net wear immediately after calving. However, 20 weeks after calving, the prevalence of poor locomotion and the extent of development of claw lesions were significantly greater (P<0-05) in the heifers fed the diet based on grass silage. OFFER, J. E., FISHER, G. E. J., KEMPSON, S. A. & LOGUE, D. N. (2001) The effect of feeding grass silage in early pregnancy on claw health during first lactation. Veterinary Journal 161, 186-193 Treatment (2.5 ml) Recovery (%) Oil 5 per cent* 100 Aqueous extract 20 per cent 33 Pyrethrum extract 100 Controls** 0 Untreated 0 * Diluted in a mixture of 98 per cent saline and 2 per cent vaseline oil ** Mixture composed of 98 per cent saline and 2 per cent of vaseline oil The Veterinary Formulary THE fifth edition of The Veterinary Formulary, published by the Pharmaceutical Press in association with the British Veterinary Association, has been extensively revised and is now available. The formulary is available, price £69.95, overseas £75, UK members £59.95, overseas members £65. Available from Cairns Mail Order Books, 2 Newstead Cottage, Chirnside, Berwickshire TDII 3JU, UK, telephone 01890 817145, fax 01890 818271, e-mail: cairns@tgscott.co.uk, website www.cairnsbooks.co.uk. (Visa/Mastercard/Eurocard accepted.) The Veterinary Record, June 30, 2001 IRRIFIRro-IM.