Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Bruno Goulart Passos, Ricardo Diego Duarte Galhardo de Albuquerque, Amner Munoz-Acevedo, Javier Echeverria, Alejandrina M. Llaure-Mora, Mayar L. Ganoza-Yupanqui, Leandro Rocha
Summary: This review discusses the chemical composition and biological properties of essential oils from plants of the Ocotea genus, mainly focusing on species from South America but also including species from North America and Africa. Countries with the highest number of species mentioned in the review are Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Ecuador.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jiahui Sun, Peipei Sun, Chuanzhi Kang, Lanyue Zhang, Lanping Guo, Yaping Kou
Summary: In recent years, essential oils have gained wide attention for their extensive applications in natural functional ingredients, pharmaceutical preparations, biomedical products, and the cosmetics industry. This study analyzed the chemical compositions and biological activities of essential oils extracted from six Lamiaceae herbs, showing their excellent and diverse biological activities that make them perfect natural functional ingredients in antioxidant, antitumor, or anti-arthritic drugs.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vineet Sharma, Dev Nath Singh Gautam, Andrei-Flavius Radu, Tapan Behl, Simona Gabriela Bungau, Cosmin Mihai Vesa
Summary: Embelia ribes, a medicinal plant known as Vidanga in Ayurveda, has shown significant therapeutic benefits and its bioactive constituent embelin holds potential for innovative drugs. This study provides comprehensive understanding of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological characteristics, highlighting the importance of essential oils extracted from E. ribes which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hui Zhao, Shan Ren, Han Yang, Shun Tang, Chenyang Guo, Maolun Liu, Qiu Tao, Tianqi Ming, Haibo Xu
Summary: This review provides an overview of the extraction and isolation methods, biological activities, pharmacological effects, toxicity and applications of peppermint essential oil (PEO). PEO contains various active constituents and has protective effects on the gastrointestinal, liver, kidney, skin, respiratory, brain and nervous systems, as well as hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects. Clinically, PEO is widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, skin diseases, and as adjuvant therapy after surgery.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elwira Sieniawska, Lukasz Swiatek, Kouadio Ibrahime Sinan, Gokhan Zengin, Anastazja Boguszewska, Malgorzata Polz-Dacewicz, Nabeelah Bibi Sadeer, Ouattara Katinan Etienne, Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally
Summary: This study evaluated the biological and chemical properties of Ficus sur Forssk. extracts, revealing their antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, anticancer, and antiviral activities. The findings provide valuable scientific data for the development of innovative phytopharmaceuticals.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Bailen, Cristina Illescas, Monica Quijada, Rafael Alberto Martinez-Diaz, Eneko Ochoa, Maria Teresa Gomez-Munoz, Juliana Navarro-Rocha, Azucena Gonzalez-Coloma
Summary: The antiparasitic activity of 23 essential oils from plants was evaluated against Leishmania and Phytomonas, finding that oils from Satureja montana, Thymus vulgaris, Mentha suaveolens, and Lavandula luisieri exhibited the best activity. Steam distillation increased the content of certain compounds in the oils. Thymol and carvacrol were identified as the major active components.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria Francesca Bozzini, Ylenia Pieracci, Roberta Ascrizzi, Basma Najar, Marco D'Antraccoli, Luca Ciampi, Lorenzo Peruzzi, Barbara Turchi, Francesca Pedonese, Alice Alleva, Guido Flamini, Filippo Fratini
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial effectiveness and chemical composition of Salvia essential oils (EOs) on Listeria monocytogenes. The results showed that S. chamaedryoides EO exhibited the best inhibitory activity and may be used as a natural preservative in the food industry.
Review
Plant Sciences
Rossella Gagliano Candela, Sergio Rosselli, Maurizio Bruno, Gianfranco Fontana
Summary: The genus Teucrium, a large and diverse genus of the Lamiaceae family, is mainly found in mild climate zones such as the Mediterranean basin and Central Asia. It is known for its rich chemical composition and biological properties, making it widely used in traditional medicine for various purposes.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Aurica P. Chiriac, Alina G. Rusu, Loredana E. Nita, Vlad M. Chiriac, Iordana Neamtu, Alina Sandu
Summary: This article reviews the possibilities of encapsulating essential oils (EOs) using natural polymers and synthetic macromolecular chains, and discusses the potential of using artificial intelligence to evaluate the bioactivity of EOs.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonios Chrysargyris, Ekaterina-Michaela Tomou, Katerina Goula, Konstantina Dimakopoulou, Nikolaos Tzortzakis, Helen Skaltsa
Summary: This review summarizes the research work on the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of essential oil of the genus Sideritis based on the currently valid taxonomy. The study finds that Sideritis essential oils have antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, and encourages researchers to investigate unexplored Sideritis taxa to contribute to revealing uncharted scientific territory and future perspectives on these plants.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sang-Hwan Lee, Dae-Shin Kim, Seong-Hee Park, Hyun Park
Summary: This article introduces the traditional and modern applications of camphor, including its use as a source of wood, camphor, and perfume, as well as its use in treating inflammation and pain. However, there is currently a lack of systematic studies on the extraction and separation of camphor, as well as the medicinal effects of its various components.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Asma Jayari, Francesco Donsi, Giovanna Ferrari, Abderrazak Maaroufi
Summary: This study aimed to enhance the effectiveness of Thymus capitatus and Thymus algeriensis essential oils as food preservatives by encapsulating them in nanoemulsions and biopolymeric nanoparticles. The most stable formulation was zein-based nanoparticles prepared with TC1 and stabilized with maltodextrins, which exhibited improved antioxidant and antibacterial activities. This formulation showed promise for the use of natural antibacterial compounds in the food industry.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jameel M. Al-Khayri, Akshatha Banadka, Murali Nandhini, Praveen Nagella, Muneera Q. Q. Al-Mssallem, Fatima M. M. Alessa
Summary: Essential oils, produced by plants in specialized secretory tissues, play an important ecological role and have been used in traditional healing systems. Coriander essential oil has various biological activities and can be a potential alternative in the food and pharmaceutical industries. This study discusses the phytochemical composition, variation, extraction methods, and pharmacological properties of coriander essential oil.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucia Barrientos Ramirez, Jose Antonio Silva Guzman, Edison Antonio Osorio Munoz, Carlos Alvarez Moya, Monica Reynoso Silva, Abraham Francisco Cetina Corona, Josefina Casas Solis, J. Jesus Vargas Radillo
Summary: The essential oils extracted from Satureja macrostema leaves in different regions of Mexico exhibited antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The main components were identified as trans-piperitone epoxide, cis-piperitone epoxide, and piperitenone oxide. The variability in the presence and abundance of these compounds in comparison with other studies can be attributed to climatic factors and plant maturity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nguyen Huy Hung, Pham Minh Quan, Prabodh Satyal, Do Ngoc Dai, Vo Van Hoa, Ngo Gia Huy, Le Duc Giang, Nguyen Thi Ha, Le Thi Huong, Vu Thi Hien, William N. Setzer
Summary: Essential oils have potential as environmentally friendly and safe pesticides, as well as therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease. Some plant species' essential oils showed good inhibition activity against acetylcholinesterase.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Siracusa, Cristina Occhiuto, Maria Sofia Molonia, Francesco Cimino, Marco Palumbo, Antonella Saija, Antonio Speciale, Concetta Rocco, Giuseppe Ruberto, Mariateresa Cristani
Summary: The aerial parts of Glycyrrhiza glabraL., a popular medicinal plant, have potential therapeutic properties, especially in protecting endothelial dysfunction related to insulin resistance. The methanolic extract from liquorice leaves contains abundant polyphenols and d-pinitol. Using a liquorice leaf phytocomplex instead of a pure compound can avoid purification procedures and is easily scalable for industrial applications.
ARCHIVES OF PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abderrahim Benkhaled, Yassine Reggami, Amel Boudjelal, Abderrahmane Senator, Hamama Bouriche, Ibrahim Demirtas, Abdelhakim Kheniche, Halima Benyettou, Nadia Larabi, Giuseppe Ruberto
Summary: This study chemically analysed and evaluated the effects of Limoniastrum guyonianum leaf extract on fructose-induced metabolic syndrome in rats. The results showed that the extract could ameliorate the metabolic abnormalities caused by fructose and protect the kidneys.
ARCHIVES OF PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Maria Sofia Molonia, Cristina Occhiuto, Claudia Muscara, Antonio Speciale, Giuseppe Ruberto, Laura Siracusa, Mariateresa Cristani, Antonella Saija, Francesco Cimino
Summary: This study examined the effects of a D-pinitol-rich methanolic extract from liquorice leaves on adipocytes exposed to palmitic acid, showing its potential in reducing lipid deposition and improving insulin sensitivity. The research suggests that liquorice leaves extract could be a promising candidate for preventing metabolically induced inflammation, commonly associated with metabolic disorders.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Amel Boudjelal, Edoardo Napoli, Abderrahim Benkhaled, Louiza Benazi, Rahima Bey, Davide Gentile, Giuseppe Ruberto
Summary: Pistacia vera oleoresin, traditionally used for wound management, has been proven to have high effectiveness in wound healing based on in vivo experiments. Italian and Algerian oleoresins both showed significant wound contraction and were comparable to a reference drug. These results support its traditional use and provide scientific evidence for traditional healers.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Siracusa, Edoardo Napoli, Giuseppe Ruberto
Summary: Inositols are natural compounds widely found in plants and animals. They play important roles as both cellular components and signaling molecules. The most important compound in this family is myo-inositol, which is derived from glucose, and other inositols are metabolically produced from this molecule. This review provides new insights into the occurrence and biological effectiveness of inositols and their derivatives in nature, with a particular focus on Mediterranean plants.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Carmelo Drago, Raffaele Morrone, Nicola D'Antona, Giuseppe Ruberto, Edoardo Napoli
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate two different procedures for the conversion of lemon seed oil to a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and glycerol derivatives for biofuel application. The first procedure involved irreversible transesterification using lipase B from Candida antarctica, while the second procedure utilized an acid-catalyzed transformation. Both procedures resulted in complete conversion of triglycerides to FAMEs and glycerol derivatives.
BIOFUELS BIOPRODUCTS & BIOREFINING-BIOFPR
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Fabio Gresta, Antonio Calvi, Carmelo Santonoceto, Tonia Strano, Giuseppe Ruberto
Summary: This study evaluated the adaptability of American hop varieties in the Calabria region and found that Comet was the most productive variety, Chinook was the earliest one, and Cascade and Comet had similar aromatic profiles, while Chinnok differed in terms of aroma content.
JOURNAL OF ESSENTIAL OIL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Giancarlo Fascella, Francesca D'Angiolillo, Michele Massimo Mammano, Giuseppe Granata, Edoardo Napoli
Summary: The petals of Rosa rugosa Thunb. are rich in bioactive compounds with high antioxidant properties and are widely used in the food and beverage industry. This study evaluated the morphological and phytochemical characteristics of different cultivars of R. rugosa petals and their impact on the quality of rose liqueur. The results showed that R. rugosa petals are suitable for use in the beverage industry due to their high antioxidant activity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edoardo Napoli, Giuseppe Ruberto, Alessandra Carrubba, Mauro Sarno, Claudia Muscara, Antonio Speciale, Mariateresa Cristani, Francesco Cimino, Antonella Saija
Summary: This study evaluated the phytochemical composition of wastewaters from hydrodistillation of five aromatic plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family and assessed their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The results showed that the wastewaters contained various phenolic compounds with good biological activities. This research contributes to the understanding of the polyphenolic composition of these wastewaters and their potential applications in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical fields.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Monika Hofbauerova, Magdalena Ruskova, Andrea Puskarova, Maria Buckova, Adriana Annusova, Eva Majkova, Peter Siffalovic, Giuseppe Granata, Edoardo Napoli, Corrada Geraci, Domenico Pangallo
Summary: The colonization of building materials by microorganisms is a major cause of degradation, posing health risks from fungal and bacterial products. The study evaluated the efficacy of oregano and thyme essential oils encapsulated in nanocapsules for protection and disinfection against various microorganisms. The results showed that these nanocapsules effectively disinfect and inhibit biofilm formation without causing visible color changes in the materials.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulia Cappelli, Daniela Giovannini, Laura Vilardo, Annalisa Basso, Ilaria Iannetti, Marianna Massa, Giuseppe Ruberto, Ryan Muir, Carlo Pastore, Igea D'Agnano, Francesca Mariani
Summary: Given the pro-oxidant status of tumour cells, the combination of anti- and pro-oxidant substances can enhance the cytotoxicity of anti-tumour drugs. In this study, the effect of C. zeylanicum essential oil (CINN-EO) on a human metastatic melanoma cell line (M14) was assessed. CINN-EO inhibited cell growth, disrupted cell cycle, increased ROS and Fe(II) levels, and depolarized mitochondrial membrane. It also affected iron metabolism and stress response gene expression. The induction of incomplete stress response specific to cancer cells by CINN-EO can inhibit melanoma cell proliferation and enhance drug cytotoxicity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Siracusa, Giuseppe Ruberto, Luigia Cristino
Summary: Cannabis sativa L. is a versatile plant that can thrive in various climates and has been used for different purposes. Although its cultivation and use were drastically reduced due to the presence of psychotropic substances, recent discoveries of low THC varieties and biotechnological advancements have led to a reassessment of this plant. The focus of current research is on phytochemistry, agricultural techniques, and new bioactivities.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Noui Hendel, Madani Sarri, Djamel Sarri, Soumia Seghiour, Edoardo Napoli, Mounir Selloum, Giuseppe Ruberto
Summary: The aim of this study was to analyze the essential oil of Lavandula dentata from Algeria and evaluate its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It was found that the essential oil exhibited significant antimicrobial and antifungal activity against various bacterial and fungal strains.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2023)
