Biological effects of essential oils - A review

A status review on the medicinal properties of essential oils

Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of Thymus vulgaris, Thymus zygis and Thymus hyemalis essential oils

Essential oils extracted by hydrodistillation from fruits of Cuminum cyminum L. and Carum carvi L. were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (MS). The main components of C. cyminum oil were p-mentha-1,4-dien-7-al, cumin aldehyde, γ-terpinene, and β-pinene, while those of the C. carvi oil were carvone, limonene, germacrene D, and trans-dihydrocarvone. Antibacterial activity, determined with the agar diffusion method, was observed against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species in this study. The activity was particularly high against the genera Clavibacter, Curtobacterium, Rhodococcus, Erwinia, Xanthomonas, Ralstonia, and Agrobacterium, which are responsible for plant or cultivated mushroom diseases worldwide. In general, a lower activity was observed against bacteria belonging to the genus Pseudomonas. These results suggest the potential use of the above essential oils for the control of bacterial diseases. Keywords: Cuminum cyminum L.; Carum carvi L.; Apiaceae; plant ext...

http://oldwww.unibas.it/utenti/iacobellis/pubblicazioni%20pdf/rivista%20internazionale/Iacobellis%20et%20al.,%202005.pdf

Antibacterial Activity of Cuminum cyminum L. and Carum carvi L. Essential Oils

Chemical and biological characteristics of Cuminum cyminum and Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils

Essential oils were extracted from the fruits of Coriandrum sativum L. and Foeniculum vulgare Miller var. vulgare (Miller) and assayed in vitro for antibacterial activity to Escherichia coli and Bacillus megaterium, bacteria routinely used for comparison in the antimicrobial assays, and 27 phytopathogenic bacterial species and two mycopathogenic ones responsible for cultivated mushroom diseases. A significant antibacterial activity, as determined with the agar diffusion method, was shown by C. sativum essential oil whereas a much reduced effect was observed for F. vulgare var. vulgare oil. C. sativum and F. vulgare var. vulgare essential oils may be useful natural bactericides for the control of bacterial diseases of plants and for seed treatment, in particular, in organic agriculture. The significant antibacterial activity of essential oils to the bacterial pathogens of mushrooms appears promising.

http://oldwww.unibas.it/utenti/iacobellis/pubblicazioni%20pdf/rivista%20internazionale/Lo%20Cantore%20et%20al.,%202004.pdf

Antibacterial activity of Coriandrum sativum L. and Foeniculum vulgare Miller Var. vulgare (Miller) essential oils.

Bisacodyl and phenolphthalein are diphenylmethane laxatives that have effects on intestinal water and electrolyte transport and smooth muscle contractility. Nitric oxide (NO) is produced in the intestine, where it stimulates electrolyte secretion and relaxes smooth muscle. Therefore, we studied in rats the effect of these laxatives on diarrhea, fluid transport in vivo, gastrointestinal transit and NO synthase activity in the absence and presence of inhibitors of NO synthesis. Both laxatives (50 mg/kg p.o.) produced diarrhea, which was delayed in onset by 25 mg/kg (i.p.) of the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The L-NAME effect was reversed by the NO donor isosorbide-5-mononitrate (30-120 mg/kg i.p.). L-Arginine (600 and 1500 mg/kg i.p.) prevented the inhibitory effect of L-NAME on diarrhea. The laxatives evoked water and electrolyte secretion and enhanced the transit of a suspension of charcoal through the gastrointestinal tract. This was inhibited by L-NAME but not D-NAME. The inhibitor of inducible NO synthase, dexamethasone (0.03-0.3 mg/kg i.p.), prevented the effects of both laxatives on electrolyte and water transport. Stimulation by these drugs of NO synthase was also inhibited by dexamethasone. The results demonstrate that bisacodyl and phenolphthalein stimulate water and electrolyte secretion, promote transit of intraluminal contents and produce diarrhea in association with enhanced production of NO. Furthermore, it appears that the NO is derived principally from activation of an inducible form of NO synthase.

Nitric oxide as a mediator of bisacodyl and phenolphthalein laxative action: induction of nitric oxide synthase.

Eicosanoids and platelet-activating factor (PAF) production increases in experimental colitis. Both eicosanoids and PAF seem to arise from similar membrane phospholipids. To support both these suggestions we have investigated whether a fat-free diet, which should alter production of eicosanoids and PAF, affects experimental colitis. Essential fatty acid deficient (EFAD) rats were obtained by putting 4-week-old animals on a fat-free diet for 3 months. Experimental colitis was induced by a single intracolonic administration of 2 ml of 4% acetic acid. One to seven days later the animals were sacrificed and the colon removed to assess macroscopically and histologically intestinal damage. Eicosanoids and PAF levels were also measured in the mucosa scrapings by specific radioimmunoassay. The injury to the colon was more evident in control rats compared with EFAD rats. Besides colonic tissue of control rats showed a highly significant increase of PGE2, LTB4 and PAF, compared with levels in EFAD rats. Our results indicate that fat-free diet reduces tissue damage, and at the same time PGE2, LTB4 and PAF colonic content.

F. Capasso

Papers

Antibacterial Activity of Cuminum cyminum L. and Carum carvi L. Essential Oils

Antibacterial activity of Coriandrum sativum L. and Foeniculum vulgare Miller Var. vulgare (Miller) essential oils.

Nitric oxide as a mediator of bisacodyl and phenolphthalein laxative action: induction of nitric oxide synthase.

Acetic acid-induced colitis in normal and essential fatty acid deficient rats.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in alcoholic extract of Tamus communis L.