Tatjana Kundaković

Treatment of venous ulcers with the herbal-based ointment Herbadermal®: a prospective non-randomized pilot study.

Background: Venous ulcers (ulcus cruris venosum) are a common chronic disease that requires continuing treatment and significantly influences a patient‘s way of life. The therapeutic effects of the ointment Herbadermal on epithelialization and microbial flora of venous ulcers in 25 patients (10 men and 15 women) were tested over a 7-week period. The major components of the ointment are extracts of garlic, St. John’s wort, and calendula. Material and Methods: The patients were over 18 years of age, with ulceration of the lower leg no longer than 2 months or recurrent ulceration during the last 6 months. The involved patients did not use any other phytomedicines or supportive therapies. Parameters were evaluated before the treatment and every 2 weeks during the period of 7 weeks. The total treatment response was evaluated on the basis of epithelialization, granulation, fibrin deposits, exudation, and edema. Results: The percentage of epithelialization was 99.1% after 7 weeks, without significant effects on the microbial flora. Conclusion: This combination of extracts can be recommended as topical treatment for wound healing because of its epithelizing, anti-erythematous, and anti-edematous properties.

Thermosensitive hydrogels for modified release of ellagic acid obtained from Alchemilla vulgaris L. extract

ABSTRACT Stimulus-sensitive hydrogels are used as carriers for modified release of pharmaceuticals. The synthesis of thermosensitive hydrogels poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), p(NIPAM), and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate), p(NIPAM-HPMet), is performed. The synthesized hydrogels are characterized using FTIR and scanning electron microscope methods and swelling properties, and applied for modified release of ellagic acid (EA). This work presents the selective extraction of EA, as a natural antioxidant, from the aerial parts of Alchemilla vulgaris L. EA and A. vulgaris extract are incorporated into p(NIPAM) and p(NIPAM-HPMet) hydrogels and characterized by FTIR method. The EA content in the extract by the UHPLC–DAD–HESI–MS/MS method is determined (0.64 mg cm−3). The total flavonoids content in the A. vulgaris extract was determined by the spectrophotometric method. Antioxidant activity of the A. vulgaris extract and EA is examined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. The p(NIPAM-HPMet) shows a better incorporation and release at 37°C of EA standard and A. vulgaris extract (98.87 and 96.45% respectively), compared with p(NIPAM). GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of Pyrus pyraster Burgsd. and Pyrus spinosa Forssk. (Rosaceae)

The cytotoxicity of Pyrus pyraster and Pyrus spinosa leaf and bark extracts, as well as their major compound, arbutin was tested against melanoma cell line (Fem-x) and healthy human embryonic lung fibroblast (MRC-5). The methanol extracts of P. pyraster (leaves and bark) exhibited significant cytotoxic effects towards Fem-x cells, with IC50 ranging from 11.55 to 46.78 μg/ml, and the corresponding dichlormethane extract IC50 ranging from 21.59 to 13.34 μg/ml. The dichlormethane extract of P. spinosa bark was active against both cells lines tested (IC50 11.97 and 12.92 μg/ml). Arbutin was found to be no cytotoxic against both Fem-x and MRC-5 cells in vitro with an IC50 > 200 μg/ml. Tested extracts have shown moderate and no cytotoxicity against healthy MRC-5 cell line. The wild pear’s extracts and arbutin showed antibacterial activity against all bacteria species. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged between 0.1-0.3 mg/ml, while minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 0.2-0.3 mg/ml. All extracts and arbutin showed antifungal activities in the MIC range of 0.05-0.2 mg/ml and MFC range of 0.1-0.3 mg/ml. Key words: Pyrus pyraster, Pyrus spinosa, arbutin, antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity.

Modeling and optimization of bioactive compounds from chickpea seeds (Cicer arietinum L)

ABSTRACT The aim of study was to model and optimize the extraction of polyphenols and flavonoids with expressed antioxidant activity from chickpea seeds using a central composite design. The optimal extraction conditions were the extraction time of 145.5 min, ethanol concentration of 83.7% and liquid-to-solid ratio of 24.9 (expressed as cm3 per g). The content of total polyphenol and flavonoid was 2.75 g gallic acid equivalent per kilogram of the dried extract and 0.147 g rutin equivalent per kilogram of the dried extract, respectively. Using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, it was found that the optimal extract had the IC50 of 1.55 mg cm−3.

Study of biological activity of Tricholoma equestre fruiting bodies and their safety for human

One of the species of mushrooms authorized for sale in some countries—Tricholoma equestre—can be harmful, and its excessive consumption can lead to serious health problems. Many authors have pointed to the relationship between the consumption of the T. equestre and the occurrence of rhabdomyolysis. The aim of this study was to analyze the composition of biologically active substances in the T. equestre fruiting bodies, and determine their biological activity. The main aim of the analyses performed in the present study was to determine whether the T. equestre is safe or dangerous for consumption by humans. The obtained results, in addition to the existing reports on poisoning caused by T. equestre consumption, are another reason to not take the risk of consuming the fruiting bodies of this species, as the natural environment is rich in other species of edible mushrooms that are not only tasty, but also exhibit healing properties.

Variations in Chemical Composition, Vasorelaxant and Angiotensin I‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Essential Oil from Aerial Parts of Seseli pallasii Besser (Apiaceae)

The present paper describes environmental and seasonal‐related chemical composition variations, vasorelaxant and angiotensin I‐converting enzyme (ACE) activities of essential oil from aerial parts of Seseli pallasii Besser. The composition was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Monoterpenes were found to be the most abundant chemical class with α‐pinene (42.7 – 48.2%) as the most prevalent component. Seseli pallasi essential oil relaxed isolated endothelium‐intact mesenteric arteries rings precontracted with phenylephrine with IC50 = 3.10 nl/ml (IC50 = 2.70 μg/ml). Also, S. pallasii essential oil was found to exhibit a dose‐dependent ACE inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 0.33 mg/ml. In silico evaluation of ACE inhibitory activity of the individual components showed that spathulenol exhibited the best binding affinity with ACE, and the lowest binding energy of −7.5 kcal/mol. The results suggested that combination of vasorelaxing and ACE inhibitory effects of the analyzed S. pallasii essential oil might have the potential therapeutic significance in hypertension.