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Herbal infusions are among the most widely consumed beverages throughout the world. Their popularity arises due to not only their pleasant aroma and taste, but also their high phenolic content and antioxidant activity. A vast number of in vitro studies revealed their high phenolic content, together with strong antioxidant activity. However, the majority of them seem to ignore some important physiological parameters, such as bioavailability or bioaccessibility. The present study was planned to evaluate the stability of phenolic content and antioxidant activities of seven most widely preferred herbal infusions. A stimulated version of gastrointestinal infusion was added to the study for comparative purposes. The results indicated the loss of both phenolic content and antioxidant activity of herbal infusions after being submitted to digestion.

Objective In this study, determination and documentation of folk medicines that are being used by indigenous people in Bafra was aimed. Materials and methods Scientific trips were organised to the region and folk medicines were identified by interviewing individuals which have knowledge of folk medicine. One hundred and fifty-five plant samples were collected during the study. Obtained data were statistically analysed by using four quantitative indices; “informant consensus factor”, “use value”, “relative frequency of citation” and “cultural importance index”. Results Fifty-three genera and 62 taxa belonging 33 families were recorded to be used in the treatment of different diseases. The usage of five species ( Anthemis coelopoda var. coelopoda , Tanacetum corymbosum , Quercus frainetto , Salvia forskahlei and Lavatera punctate) as folk medicine was previously undocumented in Turkey. In addition, new usages of 13 folk medicines [ Allium porrum , Brassica oleracea , Corylus maxima , Foeniculum vulgare , Helianthus annuus , Melissa officinalis subsp. altissima , Petroselinum crispum , Plantago major subsp. intermedia , Prunus avium , Punica granatum , Sedum pallidum , Vitis sylvestris and Zea mays ] in Turkey were also detected. Folk medicines are mostly used for muscle-skeletal (F IC =0.6935), respiratory (F IC =0.6909) and dermatological system disorders (F IC =0.5555). In addition, Cydonia oblonga (UV value=0.23), Urtica dioica (UV value=0.19), Sambucus ebulus (UV value=0.18) and Allium cepa (UV value=0.16) were the most cited species in Bafra. Conclusion Once again, the present investigation has highlighted the gradual reduction in the use of folk medicines, and ethnobotanical knowledge has been falling into oblivion rapidly. Therefore, ethnobotanical inventory surveys should be undertaken throughout Turkey before this important cultural heritage becomes lost.

Objectives Grapevine root system plays a great role in sensing and adapting to abiotic and biotic stresses. Identification of candidate genes involved in the tolerance to abiotic stress is becoming a crucial strategy to select and breed resilient genotypes. However, obtaining high quality RNA from grapevine roots under hydroponic culture is difficult. Hence, we have developed a new extraction procedure to improve RNA quality for root gene expression studies. Methods Conventional RNA extraction methods using CTAB are not suitable for gene expression studies and need to be improved. Here we report the application of a CTAB- based method for RNA extraction using an additional clean-up purification step. Results The RIN value of the resulting RNA indicated that our procedure allowed the purification of high RNA quality and quantity. Hence, the clean-up purification step efficiently eliminated contaminants which inhibit downstream applications. Derived RNA was successfully used for differential gene expression analysis in salt stressed grapevine by Northern Blot hybridizations. Conclusion In this study, we developed an efficient RNA isolation protocol from hydroponic cultivated grapevine roots which yielded RNA suitable for gene expression studies. This will open large perspectives in grapevine functional genomics with the identification of pertinent genes of agronomic interest.

Objective Chickpea phyllody caused by phytoplasma occurs worldwide. However, the alterations in the host physiology and its associated biochemical components induced by the infection with phytoplasma in chickpea plant remain unknown. Methods In present study, the changes in phenolic compounds, protein contents, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and chlorophyll contents were analyzed in phytoplasma-symptomatic and non-symptomatic plants of two Kabuli and three Desi type chickpea genotypes. Results Total phenols were statistically at par in symptomatic plants of both Kabuli and one Desi (Bittle-98) genotype but significantly increased in genotype Aug-424 and decreased in C-727. Protein contents were significantly decreased in symptomatic plants of all genotypes except CM-2008. PAL activity was significantly increased in all Kabuli but decreased in all the Desi genotypes. POX activity was significantly increased in Noor-2009 and Aug-424 but decreased in CM-2008 and Bittle-98. PPO activity was increased in two genotypes but decreased in others. CAT activity and chlorophyll contents were decreased in all genotypes. Conclusion The present finding indicates that phytoplasma causes non-specific, general stress response by interfering with host metabolism and photosynthesis. The study also provided significant insights for better understanding the mechanisms of chickpea plant response to phytoplasma.

Objective The objective of the current study is to investigate the protective effect of Solenostemma argel ( S. argel ) treatment on ethanol (EtOH)-induced hepatotoxicity in rat liver. Methods Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four groups as control, S. argel (100 mg/kg), EtOH (3 g/kg) and S. argel + EtOH groups. S. argel was given 1 h prior to EtOH by oral gavage for 28 days. Results The results showed that, administration of EtOH caused a significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum total protein and albumin, whereas ALT and AST and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were increased following EtOH treatment. S. argel treatment significantly (p<0.05) ameliorated the previous parameters. Protein carbonyl, reduced glutathione and LPO levels were significantly (p<0.05) increased along with glutathione-S-transferase activity was decreased (as markers of oxidative stress) in EtOH treated rat liver. Previous oxidative stress was attenuated significantly by S. argel treatment. Moreover, in EtOH group, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO) contents and cytochrome P450 2E1 activity were significantly increased in liver tissues showing oxidative organ damage. Co-administration of S. argel with EtOH significantly reversed the inflammation in rat livers. Conclusion S. argel had a hepatoprotective role against EtOH-induce oxidative stress and inflammation in rat liver.

Objective Nerium oleander is a member of the Apocynaceae family. All parts of the plant are considered toxic and can poison livestock and humans. Method The present paper was carried out to compare the toxic effect of oral administration of N. oleander extract at single doses of 10, 12.5, 15 and 25 mg/kg body weight in Balb/c mice and Wistar rat. The toxicity of this plant was determined by measuring serum levels of ALT, AST, total protein, albumin, BUN and creatinine. Histopathological examination was performed on the liver and kidney. Results Significant differences were observed in the level of the ALT, AST, BUN and creatinine. Interestingly, the biochemical changes were more severe in AST in rats compared with mice (15–16 and 4–5 times compared to control, respectively). In comparison, the values of BUN in rats were higher compared with mice (2–2.5 and 1–1.5 times, respectively). In mice and in rat more sever toxic lesions were observed in the liver and kidney, respectively. Conclusion In conclusion, the biochemical and pathological results of the current study suggested that mice have more susceptibility to hepatotoxicity of N. oleander intoxication. But, rats show more susceptibility to nephrotoxicity of N. oleander poisoning.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of cornelian cherry fruit extract against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in vitro. Materials and methods African green monkey kidney epithelial cells (Vero) were incubated with 100 mg/mL of cornelian cherry fruit extract, 50 μmol/L of cisplatin or 50 μmol/L of cisplatin plus 100 mg/mL of cornelian cherry fruit extract for 4 h. The wells containing cells without any supplementation served as control. Cell viability was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide assay. Culture mediums were collected, centrifuged and analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Results The cell viability was 59% in cells co-treated with cisplatin and cornelian cherry fruit extract simultaneously and 42% in cisplatin treated cells. The cellular damage ratio was elevated in cells treated with cisplatin. However, when cisplatin combined with cornelian cherry fruit extract the deleterious effects of cisplatin were significantly decreased. The MDA concentration was significantly higher (p<0.05), GSH concentration and GPx and SOD activities were significantly lower (p<0.05) in cisplatin treated group when compared with control group, cornelian cherry group, and cisplatin+cornelian cherry group. Conclusion The present study indicated that cornelian cherry fruit extract exert protective effects on oxidative damage in vitro induced by cisplatin.

Aim D-pinitol, a natural compound has shown various biological and pharmacological effects. Last studies are focused on the determination of its further pharmacological activities including mainly biological activity. Therefore, isolation of D-pinitol from the leaves of Colutea cilicica Boiss et Bal. and investigation of its apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activity on K562 cell lines were aimed in the concept of the study. Materials and methods Isolation of D-pinitol was performed by column chromatography. Chemical structure of the compound was confirmed by spectroscopic methods including 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, 2D NMR, HPLC-TOF/MS, and IR. Cell viability was evaluated by dose and time dependent in K562 cell lines. D-pinitol was isolated from C. cilicica leaves for the first time. Results Stimulation of cells with D-pinitol (0–80 μM) was observed for 24, 48 and 72 h. It is determined that D-pinitol inhibited protein expression of Cox-2 in K562 cells. We observed that Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein expression did not change, but Cox-2 protein expression reduced with non-cytotoxic concentrations of D-pinitol. Conclusion It is concluded that D-pinitol did not affect cell proliferation and apoptosis in K562 cells however reduced the inflammation, significantly. These results show that D-pinitol may be anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of K562 cells.

Objective The present study aims to investigate the short-term effects of resveratrol on histopathological characteristics and inflammatory cytokines of the heart and thoracic aorta tissues in animal models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups; (1) control/vehicle, (2) control/20 mg/kg resveratrol, (3) diabetic/vehicle, (4) diabetic/20 mg/kg resveratrol. Heart and thoracic aorta were examined histopathologically and the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18 and tissue necrosis factor (TNF)-α were analyzed by ELISA. Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were determined with HPLC. Results Diabetes group had significantly higher vascular MDA content (p<0.05) as compared with the control and resveratrol treated groups. Resveratrol significantly reduced vascular MDA level in diabetic animals (p<0.05). Significant elevation in IL-1β and TNF-α contents in thoracic aorta and IL-18 contents in cardiac and arterial tissues with diabetes were almost normalized with resveratrol treatment. Additionally, diabetic animals demonstrated significant endothelial damage, irregularities in smooth muscle fibers and degeneration of elastic fibers in thoracic aortas together with significant irregularities and hypertrophy in cardiac muscle fibers. Resveratrol significantly improved most of these histopathological alterations. Conclusion Four-week-long intraperitoneal administration of resveratrol may restore the diabetes related inflammation and oxidative stress within the cardiovascular system.

Objective Therapeutic effects of thyme and the mechanism underlying the function of its active ingredients are the areas of active investigation. In this regard, understanding the potential interactions between the active ingredients of the thyme leaf and the serum albumin would bring about new insight on the bio-distribution, circulatory half-life and consequently their pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic properties. Methods The 3D structures of carvacrol, linalool, p-cymene and thymol molecules as the thyme active ingredients and the 3D structure of albumin were harnessed from the structural databases. Then, these structures were prepared for molecular docking analyses by Autodock vina software. Ultimately, the binding energies between docked albumin and thyme active ingredients were calculated and their interactions were predicted. Results Our results indicated that all active ingredients of thyme can interact with albumin molecule at drug binding site 3 and fatty acid binding site 5. The structural properties of the ingredients effect their interaction sites and binding energies. Conclusion It could be concluded that albumin, as the most abundant protein of the serum, could act as the bio-distributor of thyme active ingredients. This property would be of great significance to exert the desired therapeutic effects.

Objective The main purpose of this study was to screen effective proteolytic enzymes for producing hydrolysates from rapes protein, and to optimize hydrolysis conditions using response surface design to prepare hydrolysates with maximum ACE inhibitor activity. Methods RSM design was successfully applied to the hydrolysis conditions on the basis of single factor experiments which further derived a statistical model for experimental validation. The molecular weight distribution of rapeseed protein hydrolysates with different degree of hydrolysis was also investigated. Results All the proteolytic enzymes tested produced hydrolysates that possessed ACE inhibitory activity. Aiding RSM design the highest ACE inhibitory activity 56.3% was achieved under optimum hydrolysis conditions at the hydrolysis time, pH, hydrolysis temperature, and enzyme dosage were at 90.11 min, 8.88, 50°C and 3580.36 Ug −1 . The mathematical model demonstrated a good fit with experimental results. Furthermore, the molecular weight distribution of rapeseed protein hydrolysates showed remarkable changes, most notably the <500 Da fractions of the rapeseed protein hydrolysates. Conclusion Enzymatic hydrolysis and response surface methodology found good techniques in order to achieve hydrolysates with maximum ACE inhibitory activity. The findings of current research suggested that the hydrolysates obtained under optimized conditions could be utilized to formulate nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals

Aim The two Opuntia ficus indica seed oil fractions (glyceridic and unsaponifiable) were compared to their biological activities and then assessed with their bioactive compounds. Methods Based on the inhibition concentration at 50 percent (IC 50 ) values, the antioxidant activity of the two fractions was compared with three different tests. The antibacterial activity was assessed by the agar disk diffusion assay against five human pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, the main fatty acids composition and unsaponifiable compounds in Opuntia ficus indica seed oil were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometryand (GC/MS) and NP-HPLC. Results Results showed that antioxidant and antibacterial activities considerably varied depending on the fraction. In fact, unsaponifiable fraction has higher biological activities than the glyceridic ones. The unsaponifiable fraction has stronger effects of scavenging 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and it is more efficient against bleaching of β-carotene than the saponifiable extract, unlike the experimental results of 2,2′-azino-bis3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6- sulfonic acid (ABTS) scavenging test. Furthermore, the unsaponifiable fraction was more efficient against all pathogenic strains specially Escherichia coli . The major fatty acids identified were: linoleic (61.42%), oleic (20.55%) and palmitic acids (11.88%). Such a difference in biological capacities between the two fractions can be explained by the high content of some bioactive compounds in the unsaponifiable fraction. Low level of squalene was present in the seed oil. But high levels of terpenic alcohols (3169 mg/kg) and of coenzyme Q9 (75.3 mg/kg) were detected in the Opuntia seed oil. Conclusion Informations provided through this work are important for the valorization and use of this cactus vegetable oil in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

Objective Achillea millefolium ( A. millefolium ) is a traditional herbal medicine that contains natural compounds with antioxidant activities and is used for a wide range of conditions among people. The aim of our study was to investigate antioxidant and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities of A. millefolium extracts to determine its potential therapeutic usage in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods Methanol extracts (ME) and ethanol extracts (EE) of A. millefolium were prepared to determine (a) in vitro antioxidant activities, (b) the effects on acetylcholinesterase kinetics (by using a colorimetric spectroscopic method) and (c) the effects on sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced lipid peroxidation in mice brain homogenate. Results ME had higher antioxidant activities compared to EE. Both extracts displayed a competitive inhibition of acetylcholinesterase; however, the inhibitory activity of ME was higher than EE. The inhibitory constant (K i ) values of ME and EE were found to be 28.43 and 68.47 μg/mL, respectively. Both extracts caused a significant concentration-dependent decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in mice brain homogenate, indicating a strong inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Conclusions Our results showed that A. millefolium has a high antioxidant capacity and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity due to its phenolic compounds, suggesting a potential use as adjuvant therapy in neurodegenerative conditions such as AD.

Objective Sorghum has received great interest for resistance to heavy metals. Therefore, effects of Aluminum (Al), Chromium (Cr) and Lead (Pb) concentrations (2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 ppm) on antioxidant enzyme systems of Sorghum in root and leaf tissues were investigated. Methods Seeds were cultivated in hydroponic Hoagland solution containing heavy metal concentrations in a growth chamber. Malondialdehyde (MDA), proline levels, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were evaluated after treatment. Results Al doses decreased chlorophyll a (Chl a) at 4 ppm and subsequent doses, and total Chl at 32 and 64 ppm doses, however, it did not cause any change at Chl b except at 2 ppm. Although 64 ppm of Al, Cr, and Pb decreased total Chl, it increased proline level (nearly 5, 21 and 40 times higher compared to control, respectively) in leaf. Common observation is that positive correlation was apparent between proline, MDA, APX and GST activity for Al and Cr treatments and GST activity for three elements in root. Also, the only positive correlation was evident between proline and MDA for Al and Cr applications in leaf. Conclusion Although sorghum is resistant to heavy metals, induction of antioxidant enzymes seem to be not enough at higher concentrations to protect cells from heavy metal toxicity; however, it has great importance for further studies to find out whether phenolic compounds produced in sorghum have additive role in this regard.

Aim C. sanguinea L. is a widespread European shrubby species. It is a potential source of biologically active compounds, especially antioxidants, as indicated by the dogberries’ black color. The aim of the present study was to determine the content of several quercetin derivatives in the dogberries and to evaluate phytogeographical variability of these compounds. Materials and methods The dogberries were collected in the middle of September at two natural habitats of this species: Mt. Avala and Lake Zlatar, Serbia. The extract obtained from fresh fruits was subjected to LC-MS/MS analysis to identify and quantify the content of five quercetin derivatives: quercetin-3- O -glucuronide (Q-3-O-GlcA), quercetin-3- O -galactoside (Q-3-O-Gal), quercetin-3- O -rutinoside (Q-3-O-Rut), quercetin-3- O -glucoside (Q-3-O-Glc) and quercetin-3- O -rhamnoside (Q-3-O-Rha). Results All of examined quercetin derivatives were detected in extract of fresh dogberries and their contents were in the following order: Q-3-O-GlcA>Q-3-O-Gal>Q-3-O-Rut>Q-3-O-Glc>Q-3-O-Rha. The average amount of Q-3-O- Rut varied significantly and depended on the geographic origin of the fruit sample. Conclusions These results indicate that dogberries could be a potential source of natural antioxidants, and encourage further investigation of this species considering that it has not yet been exploited in either nutrition or as a source of important pharmacological compounds.