A status review on the medicinal properties of essential oils

OBJECTIVE To establish an indirect immunofluorescent test so as to improve the sensitivity and specificity of examination of antibodies to beta(2)-glycoprotein METHODS Full-length beta(2)GP cDNA was obtained from human hepatocellular cancer cell line HepG2 by RT-PCR and cloned into the mammalian expression vector pEGFP-C1 The recombinant plasmid pEGFP-beta(2)GP was transfected into HEp-2 cells RT-PCR, immunoblotting (IBT), confocal fluorescence microscopy, and indirect immunofluorescent test (IIF) were used to confirm the expression, localization, and antigenicity of fusion protein of green fluorescent protein (GFP) Serum specimens from 19 patients suspected as with secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), 1 patient diagnosed as with primary APS, and 10 normal persons were detected with IIF-IgG-beta(2)GP1, ELISA-IgG-ACL, and ELISA-IgG-beta(2)GP I simultaneously RESULTS (1) The HEp-beta(2)GP I cells thus obtained retained their ability of expression of beta(2)GP-I-GFP for more than ten generations This beta(2)GP-I-GFP showed the antigenicity of beta(2)GP-I with a characteristic feature (2) Seven of the 20 serum specimens from APS patients showed characteristic immunofluorescent pattern No serum specimen from normal persons showed immunofluorescent staining The comparison of results of the three methods showed that the concordance between IIF-IgG-beta(2)GP I and ELISA-IgG-beta(2)GP I was the most perfect (Kappa = 0886) (3) HEp-beta(2)GP I retained the immunofluorescent property of HEp-2 cell CONCLUSION As a new kind of substrate of IIF, beta(2)GP I transfectant can be used to detect anti-beta(2)GP-I antibodies Transfeted HEp-2 cells keep the immunofluorescent property of HEp-2 cells in IFANA test and can be used as substrate for routine IFANA detection

[Expression of fusion proteins in beta(2)GP I gene-transfected HEp-2 cells and its clinical application].

Essential oils are complex mixtures isolated from aromatic plants which may possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of interest in thye food and cosmetic industries as well as in the human health field. In this work, a review was done on the most recent publications concerning their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. At the same time a survey of the methods generally used for the evaluation of antioxidant activity and some of the mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory activities of essential oils are also reported.

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Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of essential oils: a short review.

A comprehensive review of the antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral potential of essential oils and their chemical constituents against drug-resistant microbial pathogens

The antimicrobial activity of essential oils is discussed in this review taking in account studies which were published in the period of time from 2008 until September 2010. Furthermore, the most important methods to examine the antimicrobial efficiency of essential oils are presented. The studies are divided into the following two groups, namely antibacterial and antifungal active agents depending on the activity of the applied essential oil against the test microorganisms. Various interesting possible applications are revealed such as the use of essential oils instead of synthetic drugs to circumvent the increasing resistance of some pathogens. Moreover, they could not only be used for the therapy of infectious illnesses, but also as preservatives in the food industry. A further possibility is, among others, the application of essential oils in skin products in order to treat or avoid dermal infections. Additionally, the prevalent constituents of the individual antimicrobial active essential oils are elaborated. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A review on recent research results (2008–2010) on essential oils as antimicrobials and antifungals. A review.

https://estudogeral.sib.uc.pt/bitstream/10316/15792/1/EO%20-%20DAUCUS%20CAROTA%20SUBSP%20HALOPHYLUS.pdf

Essential oil of Daucus carota subsp. halophilus: composition, antifungal activity and cytotoxicity.

https://estudogeral.sib.uc.pt/bitstream/10316/15686/1/JEP%20Distichoselinum%20essential%20oils%206142.pdf

Essential oils from Distichoselinum tenuifolium: chemical composition, cytotoxicity, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

Composition and biological activity of the essential oil from Thapsia minor, a new source of geranyl acetate

Composition, antifungal activity and cytotoxicity of the essential oils of Seseli tortuosum L. and Seseli montanum subsp. peixotoanum (Samp.) M. Laínz from Portugal

Daucus carota subsp. halophilus, is a wild crop relative of domestic carrot. It is an aromatic plant widely used in folk medicine due to recognized therapeutic properties of its essential oils. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the potential of in vitro propagation techniques to the conservation of this endemic and endangered taxon. The results showed that shoot tips of in vitro germinated seeds were able to proliferate in the presence of benzyladenine, with the best results being achieved using 4.4 µM, both in the first and second cultures. Shoots rooted after being transferred to 1/2-Murashige and Skoog basal medium. The results indicated that the concentration of benzyladenine used during the multiplication phase did not interfere with the rate of root formation. The obtained plantlets were morphologically and anatomically identical to those obtained by seeds. Some of the in vitro produced shoots developed flowers that produced viable pollen. Plant regeneration was also achieved by somatic embryogenesis induction in cotyledons and root segments cultured in the presence of 4.5 µM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Somatic embryos converted into plantlets in a medium without growth regulators. Plants obtained either by shoot proliferation or somatic embryogenesis were acclimatized and are now growing at the Coimbra Botanical Garden. The first attempts to reintroduce these plants in the original habitat were successful. It can be concluded that the protocols developed are a useful approach to the conservation of this endemic species.

/pdf/in-vitro-propagation-of-the-wild-carrot-daucus-carota-l-1rwpyt6mpe.pdf

Ana Cristina Tavares

Papers

Essential oil of Daucus carota subsp. halophilus: composition, antifungal activity and cytotoxicity.

Essential oils from Distichoselinum tenuifolium: chemical composition, cytotoxicity, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

Composition and biological activity of the essential oil from Thapsia minor, a new source of geranyl acetate

Composition, antifungal activity and cytotoxicity of the essential oils of Seseli tortuosum L. and Seseli montanum subsp. peixotoanum (Samp.) M. Laínz from Portugal

In vitro propagation of the wild carrot Daucus carota L. subsp. halophilus (Brot.) A. Pujadas for conservation purposes