The Asteraceae is characterized by structurally diverse sesquiterpene lactones and furanosesquiterpenes. In this review the tribal, subtribal and generic distribution of sesquiterpene lactones is examined and the compounds’ utility as taxonomic characters discussed. Sesquiterpene lactones fulfill the major requirements for good analytic and synthetic characters. Studies of infraspecific sesquiterpene lactone variation indicate that different elements within complex taxa are often defined by distinct chemistries, termed chemotypes. Chemotypes have been identified within many of the thoroughly investigated taxa:Ambrosia camphorata, A. chamissonis, A. confertiflora, theA. cumanensis-A. psilostachya-A. artemisiifolia complex,A. dumosa, Artemisia tridentata, Gaillardia pulchella andMelampodium leucanthum. Such an analytic usage is mostly restricted to the infraspecific level. Synthetic usage at the interspecific level and above profits from the application of a biogenetically based methodology for sorting out the complex molecules’ carbon-skeletal and substitutional features into unit characters. Cladistics or Hennigian phylogenetic systematics provides a useful framework for such an analysis. Preliminary surveys indicate that sesquiterpene lactones are especially good characters for differentiating subtribes within several major tribes: the Vernonieae, Heliantheae and Mutisieae. As yet, too few data are available for other tribes to discern such patterns. Species surveys inVernonia, Ambrosia, Iva, Parthenium,Tetragonotheca andArtemisia demonstrate that sesquiterpene lactones are useful in discerning infrageneric groups. The biogenetic cladistic analysis of the interspecific sesquiterpene lactone variation inIva shows the efficacy of this analytical methodology. At present, such biogenetically based approaches are impeded by limited biosynthetic evidence and the erratic distribution of sesquiterpene lactones within the family. Instances of apparent displacement of sesquiterpene lactones by other terpenoids (i.e. sesquiterpene furans, alcohols and acids, diterpenes, diterpene acids, etc.) at various taxonomic levels suggest that ultimately sesquiterpene lactones must be interpreted as taxonomic characters in the context of the family’s total terpene chemistry. All taxa from which sesquiterpene lactones have been reported are listed together with the compound names, major structural features and the literature cited. A less-complete listing is provided for taxa producing furanosesquiterpenes. Structures for all reported compounds are included. Two appendices listing alphabetically taxa and compounds and relevant text page numbers permit cross-indexing of plants and compounds.

Sesquiterpene lactones as taxonomic characters in the asteraceae

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.

International prospective study of klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia: Implications of extended-spectrum β-lactamase production in nosocomial infections

Background: β-Caryophyllene (BCP) is a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene abundantly found in essentialoils from various spices, fruits and medicinal as well as ornamental plants. It is approved by United States Foodand Drug Administration and European agencies as food additive, taste enhancer and flavoring agent and termed asa phytocannabinoid. Methods: All the available literature on BCP and its synonyms were collected through different literature databases.Results: BCP was found to elicit a full agonist action on cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptors, a G-protein coupled receptor representingimportant therapeutic target in several diseases. Activation of CB2 receptors notably appeared devoid of psychotropic adverse effect ofcannabinoids contrary to the CB1 receptors. In addition, it activates peroxisome proliferated activator receptors (PPARs) isoforms;PPAR-α &-γ and inhibits pathways triggered by the activation of toll like receptor complex; CD14/TLR4/MD2, reduce immuneinflammatoryprocesses and exhibit synergy with µ-opioid receptor dependent pathways. Additionally, it found as potent antagonist ofhomomeric nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7-nAChRs) and devoid of effects mediated by serotonergic and GABAergic receptors. Italso modulates numerous molecular targets by altering their gene expression, signaling pathways or through direct interaction. Variouspharmacological activities such as cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, antioxidant,anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and immune-modulator have been reported in experimental studies. It has shown potent therapeuticpromise in neuropathic pain, neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases. Conclusion: The present review provides a comprehensive insightof pharmacological and therapeutic potential of BCP, its molecular mechanism and signaling pathways in different pathologicalconditions. The review also examines the possibility of its further development as a novel candidate for various pathologies consideringthe polypharmacological and multifaceted therapeutic properties potential along with favorable oral bioavailability, lipophilicity andphysicochemical properties.

Polypharmacological Properties and Therapeutic Potential of β-Caryophyllene: A Dietary Phytocannabinoid of Pharmaceutical Promise.

Chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of Tagetes minuta (TM) essential oil (TMO) and Ocimum basilicum (OB) essential oil (OBO) were examined. The main components for TMO were dihydrotagetone (33.9%), E-ocimene (19.9%), tagetone (16.1%), cis-β-ocimene (7.9%), Z-ocimene (5.3%), limonene (3.1%) and epoxyocimene (2.03%). The main components for OBO were methylchavicol (46.9%), geranial (19.1%), neral (15.15%), geraniol (3.0%), nerol (3.0%), caryophyllene (2.4%). Inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) scavenging were 12–17 and 200–250 μg/mL of TMO and OBO, respectively. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans were 150 ± 8, 165 ± 9, 67 ± 8, 75 ± 7, 135 ± 15, and 115 ± 8 μg/mL of TMO, respectively. MIC for S. typhi, E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis, A. niger, and C. albicans were 145 ± 8, 160 ± 7, 45 ± 4, 40 ± 3, 80 ± 9, and 95 ± 7 μg/mL of OBO, respectively. IC50 for nasopharyngeal cancer cell line (KB) and liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) were 75 ± 5 and 70 ± 4 μg/mL of TMO, respectively. IC50 for KB and HepG2 were 45 ± 4 and 40 ± 3 μg/mL of OBO, respectively. Thus, they could be used as an effective source of natural antioxidant and antibacterial additive to protect foods from oxidative damages and foodborne pathogens. Furthermore, they could be promising candidate for antitumor drug design.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/fsn3.85

Chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of Tagetes minuta and Ocimum basilicum essential oils

Antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Lippia oreganoides was evaluated against thirty-nine multiresistant bacterial strains of nosocomial origin and five reference bacterial strains using the disk diffusion agar method. The results obtained have revealed strong antibacterial activity against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, extended spectrum β-lactamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, and multiresistant Acinetobacter baumannii with MIC values ranging from 20 to 40 μg/mL. The low dose antibacterial activity observed in this investigation suggested that the essential oil of L. oreganoides could be used in pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of infections caused by multiresistant bacteria. According to the literature consulted, this is the first time that antibacterial activity of this species against multiresistant bacterial strains of nosocomial origin has been reported.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1934578X0700200117

Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Lippia oreganoides against Multiresistant Bacterial Strains of Nosocomial Origin

The essential oils from the leaves of Lippia oreganoides collected in June 2003 (rainy season) and February 2004 (dry season) were analyzed by GC/MS Thymol (619% and 447%, respectively) and carv

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1934578X0600100306

Comparative study of the chemical composition of the essential oil of Lippia oreganoides collected in two different seasons in Venezuela

Hypochaerin: a new sesquiterpene lactone from Hypochaeris setosus☆

Hydrodistillation of Vismia macrophylla Kunth (Hypericaceae) leaves (L) and fruits (F) yielded 1.3%, v/w, and 5.6%, v/w, of essential oil, respectively. GC and GC-MS analyses showed the presence of twenty-four (96.4%, L) and thirty-one (96.6%, F) components, respectively. Major compounds identified in the leaf oil were γ-bisabolene (44.4%) and β-bisabolol (14.9%), while those in the fruit oil were germacrene-D (12.1%), 6-cadinene (10.7%) and γ-bisabolene (22.3 %). Oil obtained from the fruits of V. macrophylla showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive (S. aureus ATCC 25923 and E. faecalis ATCC 29212) as well as Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli ATCC 25922), with MIC values ranging from 150 μL/mL to 740 μL/mL. Oil obtained from leaves were active only on the Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus (100 μL/mL) and E. faecalis (500 μL/mL), but also showed antiyeast activity against Candida albicans CDC-B385 and C. krusei ATCC 6258 (600 μL/mL, each).

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1934578X1501000244

Essential oil composition and antimicrobial activity of Vismia macrophylla leaves and fruits collected in Táchira-Venezuela.

Resumen en: In the present investigation the evaluation of the antibacterial activity of Euphorbia caracasana Boiss and Euphorbia cotinifolia L. has been evaluated ...

Evaluation of antibacterial activity on different solvent extracts ofEuphorbia caracasana Boiss and Euphorbia cotinifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) collected in Venezuela

Antonio Morales

Papers

Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Lippia oreganoides against Multiresistant Bacterial Strains of Nosocomial Origin

Comparative study of the chemical composition of the essential oil of Lippia oreganoides collected in two different seasons in Venezuela

Hypochaerin: a new sesquiterpene lactone from Hypochaeris setosus☆

Essential oil composition and antimicrobial activity of Vismia macrophylla leaves and fruits collected in Táchira-Venezuela.

Evaluation of antibacterial activity on different solvent extracts ofEuphorbia caracasana Boiss and Euphorbia cotinifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) collected in Venezuela