Showing papers on "Melissa officinalis published in 2011"
TL;DR: This review assesses the current evidence for the efficacy of a range of readily available plant-based extracts and chemicals that may improve brain function and which have attracted sufficient research in this regard to reach a conclusion as to their potential effectiveness as nootropics.
563 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report on the plant extracts encapsulation by spray-drying in a maltodextrin/applepectin based matrix, and compare the physicochemical and technological characteristics, organoleptic and antioxidant properties of the resulting powders, were examined and compared to both unprocessed extracts and industrial products.
235 citations
TL;DR: The cytoprotective effect of the extracts could be partly due to their flavonoid content and to their free radical scavenging properties, and the anti-ulcerogenic activity was also confirmed histologically.
Abstract: Extracts from the plants Iberis amara, Melissa officinalis, Matricaria recutita, Carum carvi, Mentha × piperita, Glycyrrhtza glabra, Angelica archangelica, S-lybum marianum and Chelidonium majus, singly and combined in the form of a commercial preparation, STW 5 (Iberogast®) and a modified formulation, STW 5-II, lacking the last 3 constituents, were tested for their potential anti-ulcerogenic activity against indometacin induced gastric ulcers of the rat as well as for their antisecretory and cytoprotective activities. All extracts produced a dose dependent anti-ulcerogenic activity associated with a reduced acid output and an increased mucin secretion, an increase in prostaglandin E2 release and a decrease in leukotrienes. The effect on pepsin content was rather variable and did not seem to bear a relationship with the anti-ulcerogenic activity. The most beneficial effects were observed with the com-bined formulations STW 5 and STW 5-II in a dose of 10 ml/kg b.w., comparable with cimetidine in a dose of 100 mg/kg b.w. The anti-ulcerogenic activity of the extracts was also confirmed histologically. The cytoprotective effect of the extracts could be partly due to their flavonoid content and to their free radical scavenging properties.
174 citations
TL;DR: The potential and actual therapeutic strategies for dementia in relation to the known mechanisms of dementia pathology are presented and plant extracts that have shown relevant mechanistic effects for dementia and promising clinical data, but require more evidence for their clinical efficacy and safety are presented.
Abstract: Dementia pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are reaching epidemic proportions, yet they are not successfully managed by effective symptomatic treatments. Only five drugs have been developed to alleviate cognitive symptoms, and more effective and safe treatments are needed for both the cognitive symptoms and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). As two of these licensed drugs (cholinesterase inhibitors [ChEIs]) are naturally derived (galantamine and rivastigmine), the potential for plants to yield new therapeutic agents has stimulated extensive research to discover new ChEIs together with plant extracts, phytochemicals and their derivatives with other mechanistic effects relevant to dementia treatment. This review presents the potential and actual therapeutic strategies for dementia in relation to the known mechanisms of dementia pathology. Phytochemicals that have shown mechanistic effects relevant to the pathological targets in dementia are discussed, with an emphasis on those showing positive clinical trial evidence. Those phytochemicals discussed include the alkaloid physostigmine, a ChEI from the calabar bean (Physostigma venenosum), which has been used as a template for the development of synthetic derivatives that inhibit acetylcholinesterase, including the drug rivastigmine. Also discussed are other ChEI alkaloids including huperzine A, from Huperzia serrata, and galantamine, originally from the snowdrop (Galanthus woronowii); both alkaloids improve cognitive functions in AD patients. Other phytochemicals discussed include cannabinoids (e.g. cannabidiol) from Cannabis sativa, which are emerging as potential therapeutic agents for BPSD, and resveratrol (occurs in various plants) and curcumin (from turmeric [Curcuma longa]), which have been investigated for their pharmacological activities relevant to dementia and their potential effects on delaying dementia progression. The review also discusses plant extracts, and their known constituents, that have shown relevant mechanistic effects for dementia and promising clinical data, but require more evidence for their clinical efficacy and safety. Such plants include Ginkgo biloba, which has been extensively studied in numerous clinical trials, with most outcomes showing positive effects on cognitive functions in dementia patients; however, more reliable and consistent clinical data are needed to confirm efficacy. Other plants and their extracts that have produced promising clinical data in dementia patients, with respect to cognition, include saffron (Crocus sativus), ginseng (Panax species), sage (Salvia species) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), although more extensive and reliable clinical data are required. Other plants that are used in traditional practices of medicine have been suggested to improve cognitive functions (e.g. Polygala tenuifolia) or have been associated with alleviation of BPSD (e.g. the traditional prescription yokukansan); such remedies are often prescribed as complex mixtures of different plants, which complicates interpretation of pharmacological and clinical data and introduces additional challenges for quality control. Evidence for the role of natural products in disease prevention, the primary but considerably challenging aim with respect to dementia, is limited, but the available epidemiological and clinical evidence is discussed, with most studies focused on ChEIs, nicotine (from Nicotiana species), curcumin, wine polyphenols such as resveratrol and G. biloba. Challenges for the development of phytochemicals as drugs and for quality control of standardized plant extracts are also considered.
146 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated the antioxidant and radical scavenging performance of water extract of Melissa officinalis (WEM) and ethanol extract of M. officinalsis (EEM) by means of the DPPH and DMPD assays.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate antioxidant activities of water extract of Melissa officinalis (WEM) and ethanol extract of M. officinalis (EEM), comparatively. The WEM and EEM were evaluated for their radical scavenging activities by means of the DPPH and DMPD assays. WEM scavenged radicals effectively with IC50 values of 31.4 µg/mL for DPPH free radical and 60.5 µg /mL for DMPD cation radical. Similarly, EEM scavenged radicals effectively with IC50 values of 202.7 µg/mL for DPPH free radical and 120.9 µg/mL for DMPD cation radical. Also, total reducing power of WEM was found higher than EEM with both potassium ferricyanide reduction (FRAP) and cupric ions reduction capacity methods (CUPRAC). The present study showed that WEM have effective antioxidant and radical scavenging activities as compared to EEM.
Key words: Antioxidant activity, Melissa officinalis, reducing power, radical scavenging.
137 citations
TL;DR: There is no evidence that melissa aromatherapy is superior to placebo or donepezil, in the treatment of agitation in people with Alzheimer’s disease, but the sizeable improvement in the placebo group emphasizes the potential non-specific benefits of touch and interaction.
Abstract: Background/Aims: Behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD) are frequent in people with Alzheimer’s disease and cause considerable stress to patients and their carers. Antipsychotics have been widely used as a first-line treatment, resulting in an estimated 1,800 excess strokes and 1,600 excess deaths in the UK alone. Safe and effective alternatives are urgently needed. Based upon preliminary evidence from clinical trials, aromatherapy with melissa oil may be such an alternative, but initial studies have been modest in size, and adequate blinding has been problematic. Our objective was to assess the efficacy of melissa aromatherapy in the treatment of agitation in people with Alzheimer’s disease in an adequately powered and robustly blinded randomized controlled trial comparing it with donepezil, an anticholinesterase drug used with some benefit to treat BPSD. Methods and Findings: The study was a double-blind parallel-group placebo-controlled randomized trial across 3 specialist old age psychiatry centres in England. Participants had probable or possible Alzheimer’s disease, were resident in a care home, had clinically significant agitation (defined as a score of 39 or above on the Cohen Mansfield Agitation Inventory) and were free of antipsychotics and/or anticholinesterase for at least 2 weeks. Participants were allocated to 1 of 3 groups: placebo medication and active aromatherapy; active medication and placebo aromatherapy or placebo of both. Main Outcome: The primary outcome measure was reduction in agitation as assessed by the Pittsburgh Agitation Scale (PAS) at 4 weeks. This is an observational scale, and raters were required to wear nose clips to ensure that full blinding was maintained. The PAS, Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI; another measure of BPSD) and other outcome measures were completed at baseline, 4-week and 12-week follow-ups. 114 participants were randomized, of whom 94 completed the week 4 assessment and 81 completed the week 12 assessment. Aromatherapy and donepezil were well tolerated. There were no significant differences between aromatherapy, donepezil and placebo at week 4 and week 12, but importantly there were substantial improvements in all 3 groups with an 18% improvement in the PAS and a 37% improvement in the NPI over 12 weeks. Conclusion: When assessed using a rigorous design which ensures blinding of treatment arms, there is no evidence that melissa aromatherapy is superior to placebo or donepezil, in the treatment of agitation in people with Alzheimer’s disease. However, the sizeable improvement in the placebo group emphasizes the potential non-specific benefits of touch and interaction in the treatment of agitation in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
134 citations
TL;DR: Exined medicinal plants showed to be a valuable supplement to a daily intake of bioactive compounds, and the distribution of detected phenolic compounds showed a wide variability with regard to their botanical origin.
Abstract: Polyphenolic phytochemicals in traditionally used medicinal plants act as powerful antioxidants, which aroused an increasing interest in their application in functional food development. The effect of extraction time (5 and 15 minutes) and hydrolysis on the qualitative and quantitative content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of six traditionally used medicinal plants (Melissa officinalis L., Thymus serpyllum L., Lavandula officinalis Miller, Rubus fruticosus L., Urtica dioica L., and Olea europea L.) were investigated. The content of total phenols, flavonoids, flavan-3-ols and tannins was determined by using UV/Vis spectrophotometric methods, whilst individual phenolic acids, flavones and flavonols were separated and detected by using HPLC analysis. Also, to obtain the relevant data on the antioxidant capacity, two different in vitro assays (ABTS and FRAP) were used. The extraction efficiency of phenolics, as well as the antioxidant capacity of plant extracts, was affected by both prolonged extraction and hydrolysis. The overall highest content of phenolic compounds was determined in hydrolized extract of blackberry leaves (2160 mg GAE/L), followed by the non-hydrolized extract of lemon balm obtained after 15 minutes of extraction (929.33 mg GAE/L). The above extracts also exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity, while extracts of olive leaves were characterized with the lowest content of phenolic compounds, as well as the lowest antioxidant capacity. The highest content of rosmarinic acid, as the most abundant phenolic compound, was determined in non-hydrolized extract of lemon balm, obtained after 15 minutes of extraction. The distribution of detected phenolic compounds showed a wide variability with regard to their botanical origin. Examined medicinal plants showed to be a valuable supplement to a daily intake of bioactive compounds.
127 citations
TL;DR: It was concluded that modified resazurin assay could be effectively used for reliable assessment of antibacterial activity of the tested essential oils against several Gram positive and negative bacterial taxa.
Abstract: The aim of this work was to investigate the antibacterial activity of six Lamiaceae essential oils, against pathogenic and food spoilage bacteria. The chemical profiles of essential oils were evaluated by the means of GC and GC–MS. The major constituents of the oils were 1,8-cineol (29.2%), camphor (17.2%), α-pinene (11.5%) in Rosmarinus officinalis , citronellal (20.5%), β- geraniol (17.0%), β-citronellol (11.5%) in Melissa officinalis , 1,8-cineol (27.4%), α-thujone (16.3%), β-thujone (11.2%), borneol (10.4%), camphor (7.98%) in Salvia officinalis , linalool (25.1%), linalyl acetate (22.5%) in Lavandula angustifolia , thymol (52.4%), p- cymene (17.9%) in Thymus vulgaris and Patcholene alcohol (22.7%), α-bulnesene (17.1%), α-guaine (13.8%) in Pogostemon cablin . On quantitative basis, the amounts of 1,8-cineol, citronellal, 1,8-cineol, linalool, thymol and patchouli alcohol, calculated using calibrated curve with pure standard compounds, in the respective essential oils were found to be 28.4, 19.0, 26.7, 23.3, 51.1 and 21.1 g/100 g of oil, respectively. The modified resazurin microtitre-plate assay was used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the essential oils and their principal components. All the essential oils analyzed presented inhibitory effects on most of the strains tested. Thymus vulgaris essential oil showed the highest inhibition. It was concluded that modified resazurin assay could be effectively used for reliable assessment of antibacterial activity of the tested essential oils against several Gram positive and negative bacterial taxa. The present results also demonstrated that Lamiaceae essential oils exhibiting higher antibacterial activity were generally rich in oxygenated monoterpens.
127 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, two natural extracts from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.; Nutrox) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalises L.; Meliox) showing a potential antioxidant activity, have been evaluated and compared with a synthetic antioxidant (Butylated hydroxytoluene; BHT) and a control batch.
127 citations
TL;DR: It was found that Origanum vulgare and Melissa officinalis extracts present the most effective antioxidant capacity in scavenging DPPH radicals, while Lavandula angustifolia is less active.
119 citations
TL;DR: The killing rate studies of S. aureus biofilm treated with TTO, LEO, MEO and some of their constituents revealed that partial destruction of 24-h-old biofilms was achieved by the concentration 4-8 x MIC after 1 h, whereas 2-4 x MIC was enough to obtain 90% reduction in biomass metabolic activity after just 4 h of treatment.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to examine the antibiofilm activity of selected essential oils (EO): Lavandula angustifblia (LEO), Melaleuca alternifolia (TTO), Melissa officinalis (MEO) and some of their major constituents: linalool, linalyl acetate, alpha-terpineol, terpinen-4-ol. Biofilms were formed by Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and Escherichia coli NCTC 8196 on the surface of medical biomaterials (urinary catheter, infusion tube and surgical mesh). TTC reduction assay was used for the evaluation of mature biofilm eradication from these surfaces. Moreover, time-dependent eradication ofbiofilms preformed in polystyrene 96-well culture microplates was examined and expressed as minimal biofilm eradication concentration (evaluated by MTT reduction assay). TTO, alpha-terpineol and terpinen-4-ol as well as MEO, showed stronger anti-biofilm activity than LEO and linalool or linalyl acetate. Among the biomaterials tested, surgical mesh was the surface most prone to persistent colonization since biofilms formed on it, both by S. aureus and E. coli, were difficult to destroy. The killing rate studies of S. aureus biofilm treated with TTO, LEO, MEO and some of their constituents revealed that partial (50%) destruction of 24-h-old biofilms (MBEC50) was achieved by the concentration 4-8 x MIC after 1 h, whereas 2-4 x MIC was enough to obtain 90% reduction in biomass metabolic activity (MBEC90) after just 4 h of treatment. A similar dose-dependent effect was observed for E. coli biofilm which, however, was more susceptible to the action of phytochemicals than the biofilms of S. aureus. It is noteworthy that an evident decrease in biofilm cells metabolic activity does not always lead to their total destruction and eradication.
24 Mar 2011
TL;DR: Introduction to Botanical Microscopy Pharmacognosy: From Dioscorides to Modern Herbal Medicines What's in a Name?
Abstract: Introduction to Botanical Microscopy Pharmacognosy: From Dioscorides to Modern Herbal Medicines What's in a Name? Nomenclature of Botanical Materials To Be or Not To Be? A Focus on Botanical Adulteration Microscopy for Identification of Botanical Raw Materials: Uses and Limitations Setting Up a Microscopy Lab Major Plant Groups Structures of the Primary Plant Body and Basic Plant Anatomy Diagnostic Characteristics of Tissues Organization of Tissues in Medicinal Plant Parts Preparation of Samples for Microscopic Analysis Botanical Microscopy Atlas Achillea millefolium L. Aconitum carmichaeli Debx., Aconitum kusnezoffi Reicher Actaea racemosa L. syn. Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt Aesculus hippocastanum L. Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz Aletris farinosa L. Allium sativum L. Angelica archangelica L. Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels Arctium lappa L. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng Aristolochia fangchi Y. C. Wu ex L. D. Chou & S. M. Hwang Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom Arnica montana L. Astragalus mongholicus Bunge syn. A. membranaceus Bunge, A. membranaceus Bunge var. mongholicus(Bunge) P. K. Hsiao Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz Atropa belladonna L. Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell syn. Bacopa monnieria (L.) Wettstein Bupleurum spp Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx Centella asiatica (L.) Urb Cephaelis ipecacuanha (Brot.)Rich. and Cephaelis acuminata Karsten Chamaelirium luteum (L.) A. Gray Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All Chimaphila umbellata (L.) W.P.C. Barton Cinchona succirubra Pav. ex Klotzsch (syn. C. pubescens Vahl) Clematis armandii Franch Clematis chinensis Retz Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., Codonopsis tangshen Oliv Cola nitida (Vent.) A. Chev Coptis chinensis Franch., Coptis deltoidea C. Y. Cheng et Hsiao, Coptis teeta Wall Crataegus laevigata (Poir.) DC Hawthorn Fruit Crataegus laevigata (Poir.) DC Hawthorn Leaf and Flower Crataegus monogyna Jacq. Hawthorn Fruit Crataegus monogyna Jacq. Hawthorn Leaf and Flower Curcuma longa L. Datura stramonium L. Digitalis lanata Ehrh Digitalis purpurea L. Echinacea angustifolia DC Echinacea atrorubens Nutt Echinacea pallida (Nutt.) Nutt Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench Aerial Parts Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench Root and Rhizome Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench Seed Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim Ephedra sinica Stapf, Ephedra equisetina Bunge, E. intermedia Epimedium spp Equisetum arvense L. Eupatorium fistulosum Barratt syn. E. purpureum L. Eupatorium perfoliatum L. Frangula alnus Mill. syn. Rhamnus frangulaL. Frangula purshiana (DC.) J. G. Cooper syn. Rhamnus purshianaDC Ganoderma lucidum P. Karst Ginkgo biloba L. Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC., Glycyrrhiza inflata Batalin Glycyrrhiza Glabra L. Grifola frondosa (Dicks: Fr.) S.F. Gray Hamamelis virginiana L. Hedysarum polybotris Hand.-Mazz Humulus lupulus L. Hydrastis canadensis L. Leaf Hydrastis canadensis L. Rhizome and Root Hypericum perforatum L. Illicium anisatum L. Illicium verum J. D. Hook Larrea tridentata (Sesse & Moc. ex DC.) Coville Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Singer syn. Lentinus edodes (Berk) Singer Levisticum officinale W. Koch Ligusticum porteri J. M. Coult.& Rose Ligustrum lucidum W. T. Aiton Lycium chinense Mill.,L. barbarum L. Mahonia nervosa (Pursh.) Nutt Matricaria recutita L. Melissa officinalis L. Mentha x piperitaL. Mentha pulegium L. Mitchella repens L. Oplopanax horridus (Sm.) Miq Panax ginsengC. A. Mey. Root (unprocessed) Panax ginsengC. A. Mey. Root (processed) Panax pseudo ginseng (Burkill) F. H. Chen ex C. Chow & W. G. Huang Panax quinquefolius L. Parthenium integrifolium L. Passiflora incarnata L. Paullinia cupana Kunth Pausinystalia johimbe (K. Schum.) Pierre ex Beille Periploca sepium Bunge Petasites frigidus (L.) Frigs Phyllanthus emblica L Piper methysticum G.Forst Plantago lanceolata L. Plantago major L. Polygonum multiflorum Thunb Prunus africanum (Hook f.) Kalkman (syn. Pygeum africanum Hook. f.) Prunus serotina Ehrh Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth . ex Kurz Rheum spp. (Rheum officinale Baillon, Rheum palmatum L., Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf.) Rhodiola rosea L. Rumex crispus L. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. Root syn. Aucklandia costus Falc. Aucklandia lappa Decne. Saussurea lappa Decne. C. B. Clarke Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill Schisandra sphenanthera Rehder & E. H. Wilson Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi Scutellaria lateriflora L. Senna alexandrina Mill. (syn. Cassia senna, C. angustifolia, C. acutifolia) Senna alexandrina Mill Serenoa repens (W. Bartram) Small Serratula spp Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn Stephania tetrandra S. Moore Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni Symphytum officinale L. Leaf Symphytum officinale L. Root Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Sch.Bip Taraxacum officinale Weber ex F. H. Wigg. Leaf Taraxacum officinale Weber ex F. H. Wigg. Root Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn.) Roxb Terminalia chebula Retz Teucrium chamaedrys L. Trifolium pratense L. Tussilago farfara L. Ulmus rubra Muhl Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC Urtica dioica L. Aerial Parts Urtica dioica L. Rhizome and Root Urtica urens L. Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton Vaccinium myrtillus L. Valeriana officinalis L. Viburnum opulus L. Viburnum prunifolium L. Vitex agnus-castus L. Withania somnifera L. Dunal Zingiber officinale Roscoe Glossary of Botanical Microscopy Terminology References and Bibliography Index
TL;DR: A positive correlation was observed between total antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of the analyzed extracts of Origanum vulgare extract.
Abstract: A number of herbal plants from Romania widely used as natural food additives or for health promotion in traditional medicine were investigated for their antioxidant activity. Methanol extracts were obtained from plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family (lavender Lavandula angustifolia L.; lemon balm Melissa officinalis; sage Salvia officinalis; oregano Origanum vulgare L.; rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis L.; thyme Thymus vulgaris L.; mullein Verbascum phlomoides; mint Mentha longifolia), Clusiaceae family (St John’s wort Hypericum perforatum L.), and Compositae family (elecampane Inula helenium). Total phenolic concentration was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu phenol reagent method, while total flavonoids were measured using the aluminium chloride colorimetric method. Relationships between total antioxidant activity and composition of plant extracts were evaluated. Origanum vulgare extract showed the highest antioxidant activity and total phenolic content compared to the other plants extracts. A positive correlation was observed between total antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of the analyzed extracts.
TL;DR: High dose of rosmarinic acid was clearly cytotoxic against HCT-116 cells, with a significant decrease in cell number since the earliest time point (24 h), and IC50 values were highly correlated with the total phenolic and flavonoid content.
Abstract: Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) is consumed as a traditional herbal tea in the Mediterranean region. The cytotoxic effect of the 50% ethanolic and aqueous extract, determined by the MTT and NR assays, was evaluated in vitro on Human Colon Cancer Cell Line (HCT-116), using Triton 10% as positive control. The 50% ethanolic extract showed significant differences after 72 h of treatment, reducing cell proliferation to values close to 40%, even the lowest dose tested (5 μg/ml). In the MTT assay, the same extract caused the lowest cell viability with 13% at a concentration of 1,000 μg/ml after 72 h of treatment, being a value lower than Triton 10%. The antioxidant activity was also confirmed evaluating the capacity of the extracts to scavenge ABTS and DPPH radicals, and IC50 values were highly correlated with the total phenolic and flavonoid content. Bioassay guided fractionation led to the isolation of an anti-proliferative compound, rosmarinic acid. Its structural elucidation was performed by HPLC/DAD/ESI/MS analysis. High dose of rosmarinic acid (1,000 μg/ml) was clearly cytotoxic against HCT-116 cells, with a significant decrease in cell number since the earliest time point (24 h).
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the antioxidant and radical scavenging activities of essential oils of four Lamiaceae plants i.e. Pogostemon cablin, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis, and Salvia Officinalis were investigated.
Abstract: The present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and radical scavenging activities of essential oils of four Lamiaceae plants i.e. Pogostemon cablin, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis, and Salvia officinalis native to Pakistan. The essential oil contents from the aerial parts of P. cablin, L. angustifolia, M. officinalis and S. officinalis were found to be 1.98, 0.58, 0.25 and 0.46%, respectively. The principal chemical constituent established in P. cablin L. angustifolia, M. officinalis, and S. officinalis essential oils, were patchouli alcohol, linalool, citronellal, and 1,8-cineol, respectively. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH ● ), percent inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation and bleaching β-carotene in linoleic acid system. The essential oils possessed appreciable antioxidant and radical scavenging activities revealing potential for therapeutic applications.
TL;DR: The mechanisms like acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, modification of monoamines, antiamyloid aggregation effect, and antioxidant activity which are actively entailed in the process of amelioration of AD symptoms are summarized.
Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastative neurodegenerative disorder which needs adequate studies on effective treatment options. The extracts of plants and their effect on the amelioration of AD symptoms have been extensively studied. This paper summarizes the mechanisms like acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, modification of monoamines, antiamyloid aggregation effect, and antioxidant activity which are actively entailed in the process of amelioration of AD symptoms. These effects are induced by extracts of a few plants of different origin like Yizhi Jiannao, Moringa oleifera (Drumstick tree), Ginkgo Biloba (Ginkgo/Maidenhair tree), Cassia obtisufolia (Sicklepod), Desmodium gangeticum (Sal Leaved Desmodium), Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm), and Salvia officinalis (Garden sage, common sage).
TL;DR: The RAS gene was shown to be intron-free and the enzyme was characterised with respect to enzyme properties, substrate preferences and kinetic data in crude plant extracts and as heterologously synthesised protein from Escherichia coli.
TL;DR: It is concluded that infusion of Lemon balm markedly improve oxidative stress condition and DNA damage in radiology staff when used as a dietary supplement for radiation protection.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the capability of Melissa officinalis L. (Lemon balm) infusion on improvement of oxidative stress status in radiology staff that were exposed to persistent low-dose radiation during work. The study was a before-after clinical trial performed on 55 radiology staff. They were asked to drink Lemon balm infusion which was prepared like a tea bag twice daily (1.5 g/100 mL) for 30 days. In the plasma, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, catalase, superoxide dismutase, myeloperoxidase, and glutathione peroxidase activity were measured before and after using Lemon balm infusion.Use of Lemon balm infusion in radiology unit workers resulted in a significant improvement in plasma levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase and a marked reduction in plasma DNA damage, myeloperoxidase, and lipid peroxidation. It is concluded that infusion of Lemon balm markedly improve oxidative stress condition and DNA damage in radiology staff when used as a dietary supplement for radiation protection.
TL;DR: Investigating in vivo its antigenotoxicity and antimutagenicity, as well as its genotoxic/mutagenic potential through comet and micronucleus assaying, indicates its medicinal relevance.
Abstract: Melissa officinalis (L.) (Lamiaceae), a plant known as the lemon balm, is native to the east Mediterranean region and west Asia. Also found in tropical countries, such as Brazil, where it is popularly known as “erva-cidreira” or “melissa”, it is widely used in aqueous- or alcoholic-extract form in the treatment of various disorders. The aim was to investigate in vivo its antigenotoxicity and antimutagenicity, as well as its genotoxic/mutagenic potential through comet and micronucleus assaying. CF-1 male mice were treated with ethanolic (Mo-EE) (250 or 500 mg/kg) or aqueous (Mo-AE) (100 mg/kg) solutions of an M. officinalis extract for 2 weeks, prior to treatment with saline or Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) doses by intraperitoneal injection. Irrespective of the doses, no genotoxic or mutagenic effects were observed in blood and bone-marrow samples. Although Mo-EE exerted an antigenotoxic effect on the blood cells of mice treated with the alkylating agent (MMS) in all the doses, this was not so with Mo-AE. Micronucleus testing revealed the protector effect of Mo-EE, but only when administered at the highest dose. The implication that an ethanolic extract of M. officinalis has antigenotoxic/antimutagenic properties is an indication of its medicinal relevance.
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of mannitol and saline irrigation water on the growth and content of lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis L.) plants were investigated, and the results showed that the plants that were treated with saltwater and mannolitol showed higher plant growth, essential oil, total soluble sugars, proline, macro and micronutrient values than those treated with saline irrigation, photosynthetic pigments and Na demonstrated an opposite trend.
TL;DR: It is suggested that MOE increases cell proliferation, neuroblast differentiation and integration into granule cells by decreasing serum corticosterone levels as well as by increasing GABA levels in the mouse DG.
Abstract: Lemon balm, leaves of Melissa officinalis L., has been used for anti-anxiety and spasmolytics. We observed the extract of Melissa officinalis L. (MOE) on cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of middle-aged mice (12 months of age) using Ki67 and doublecortin (DCX), respectively. We also observed changes in corticosterone, GAD67 and GABA-transaminase (GABA-T) to check their possible mechanisms related to neurogenesis. We administered 50 or 200 mg/kg MOE to the animals once a day for 3 weeks. For labeling of newly generated cells, we also administered 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) twice a day for 3 days from the day of the first MOE treatment. Administration of 50 or 200 mg/kg MOE dose-dependently increased Ki67 positive nuclei to 244.1 and 763.9% of the vehicle-treated group, respectively. In addition, 50 or 200 mg/kg MOE significantly increased DCX positive neuroblasts with well-developed (tertiary) dendrites. Furthermore, MOE administration significantly increased BrdU/calbindin D-28 k double labeled cells (integrated neurons into granule cells in the DG) to 245.2% of the vehicle-treated group. On the other hand, administration of MOE reduced corticosterone levels in serum and decreased GABA-T levels in the DG homogenates. These results suggest that MOE increases cell proliferation, neuroblast differentiation and integration into granule cells by decreasing serum corticosterone levels as well as by increasing GABA levels in the mouse DG.
TL;DR: The ability of aqueous extracts to inhibit early events within the HIV life cycle suggests that these extracts, or purified constituents responsible for the antiviral activity, are promising microbicides and/or antivirals against HIV-1.
Abstract: Background: The mint family (Lamiaceae) produces a wide variety of constituents with medicinal properties. Several family members have been reported to have antiviral activity, including lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), sage (Salvia spp.), peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.), hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.), basil (Ocimum spp.) and selfheal (Prunella vulgaris L.). To further characterize the anti-lentiviral activities of Prunella vulgaris, water and ethanol extracts were tested for their ability to inhibit HIV-1 infection. Results: Aqueous extracts contained more anti-viral activity than did ethanol extracts, displaying potent antiviral activity against HIV-1 at sub μg/mL concentrations with little to no cellular cytotoxicity at concentrations more than 100-fold higher. Time-of-addition studies demonstrated that aqueous extracts were effective when added during the first five hours following initiation of infection, suggesting that the botanical constituents were targeting entry events. Further analysis revealed that extracts inhibited both virus/cell interactions and post-binding events. While only 40% inhibition was maximally achieved in our virus/cell interaction studies, extract effectively blocked post-binding events at concentrations similar to those that blocked infection, suggesting that it was targeting of these latter steps that was most important for mediating inhibition of virus infectivity. Conclusions: We demonstrate that aqueous P. vulgaris extracts inhibited HIV-1 infectivity. Our studies suggest that inhibition occurs primarily by interference of early, post-virion binding events. The ability of aqueous extracts to inhibit early events within the HIV life cycle suggests that these extracts, or purified constituents responsible for the antiviral activity, are promising microbicides and/or antivirals against HIV-1.
TL;DR: Ethanol fractions of Melissa leaf exhibited the highest inhibitory effects on the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and the late stage of glycation process, which was mitigated by applying the herb extract.
TL;DR: In this paper, a new formulation of bologna-type sausage enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (8.75% linseed oil) was developed, using a lyophilized aqueous-ethanolic extract of Melissa officinalis.
TL;DR: The microbiological and toxicological quality of 51 samples of dried herbs cultivated in family‐managed farms in Molise Region (Italy) was evaluated.
Abstract: Aims: The microbiological and toxicological quality of 51 samples of dried herbs (Melissa officinalis, Salvia officinalis, Malva sylvestris, Matricaria chamomilla, Alchemilla vulgaris and Centaurea cyanus) cultivated in family-managed farms in Molise Region (Italy) was evaluated.
Methods and Results: All the samples were analysed by using conventional methods, and for samples preparation, an alternative Washing and Shaking (WaS) protocol was developed to reduce release of antimicrobial compounds. None of the samples were of unsatisfactory quality with respect to aflatoxin B1, and only three samples from Malva sylvestris exceeded the limit of total aflatoxins according to Recommendation 2004/24/EC. The International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods limits for mesophilic bacteria and total coliforms were exceeded in the 29·4 and 3·9% of samples, respectively: 7·8% of samples also exceeded the limit for Escherichia coli established by European Spice Association. When the ‘WaS’ method was used, higher microbial counts were obtained, especially for A. vulgaris, S. officinalis and M. officinalis.
Conclusions: Herbs cultivated in family-managed small agricultural areas showed a good microbiological and toxicological quality, irrespectively of preliminary washing or selection procedures.
Significance and Impact of the Study: Herb matrices may contain antimicrobial activity which should be considered when applying the conventional microbiological methods for sample preparation. Alternative preparation protocols may have advantages to reduce antimicrobial effects and should be further evaluated.
TL;DR: It is suggested that Ob-X, which has an anti-angiogenic activity, reduces body weight gain and visceral adipose tissue mass in genetically obese mice, providing evidence that obesity can be prevented by angiogenesis inhibitors.
Abstract: Context: The growth and development of adipose tissue leading to obesity is suggested to depend on angiogenesis. Our previous study showed that Melissa officinalis L. (Labiatae), Morus alba L. (Moraceae), and Artemisia capillaris Thunb. (Compositae) are involved in the regulation of angiogenesis. We hypothesized that Ob-X, a mixture of three herbs, M. alba, M. officinalis, and A. capillaris, can regulate obesity.Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Ob-X on obesity in genetically obese ob/ob mice.Materials and methods: The effect of Ob-X on angiogenesis was measured using a mouse Matrigel plug assay. The effects of Ob-X on obesity were investigated in ob/ob mice.Results: Ob-X inhibited angiogenesis in a dose-dependent manner, as evidenced by decreased blood vessel density in a mouse matrigel plug assay. Administration of Ob-X to ob/ob mice for 5 weeks produced a significant reduction in body weight gain by 27% compared with control (12.1 ± 3.01 vs. 16.6 ± 2.24 g, respectively). Ob-X also sign...
TL;DR: In this paper, photosynthetic functions have been investigated in ozone stressed (200ppb, 5h) Melissa officinalis plants at the end of fumigation and 24 and 48h after.
TL;DR: The procedure described for the determination of compounds is inexpensive and can be applied to routine analysis of analytes in medical herbs' samples after preliminary cleanup and concentration by SPE.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate an application of 2-D high-performance planar chromatography-diode array detector (DAD) and HPLC-DAD after solid-phase extraction (SPE) for identification and quantitative analysis of pesticides (isoproturon, aziprotryne, hexazinone, flufenoxuron, methabenzthiazuron, procymidone, and α-cypermethrin) in Melissa officinalis L. (Labiatae) samples. The procedure described for the determination of compounds is inexpensive and can be applied to routine analysis of analytes in medical herbs' samples after preliminary cleanup and concentration by SPE. Average recoveries on C18 SPE cartridges of pesticides eluted with 5 mL tetrahydrofuran by the proposed HPLC-DAD method, before and after 2-D-high-performance planar chromatography separation of analytes from M. officinalis L. samples spiked with pesticide at a concentration level of 10 μg/g in plant material are presented. Method validation parameters for the quantification of pesticides by the proposed HPLC-DAD after SPE method are also presented.
TL;DR: In this article, the potentials of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) stalk (LBS), a massive waste part of medicinal plant, for pulp and papermaking by assessing its fiber characteristics and chemical composition.
Abstract: This work investigates the potentials of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) stalk (LBS), a massive waste part of medicinal plant, for pulp and papermaking by assessing its fiber characteristics and chemical composition. In addition, LBS properties were compared with some important agro-residues such as bagasse stalk (BS), cotton stalk (CS) and tobacco stalk (TS). There is no information about suitability of the LBS in the open literature. Chemically, LBS fibers contain a relatively high percentage of alpha-cellulose (32.7%), but a low percentage of lignin (25%), which benefits pulping and bleaching. The hemicelluloses in LBS are mainly glucose and xylose. Ash content was about 6%, superior to the average value corresponding to woods, which makes pulping difficult. It was verified that the chemical compositions of the studied agro-residues vary significantly. Morphologically, the LBS fibers are comparable to those of hardwoods. Rather a significant amount of parenchyma cells was found in LBS. The TS has the highest average fiber length, while the LBS has the least, and the lengths of BS and CS fibers fall in between. In general, based on the results of this study, some propositions can be made about the possible applications of LBS as a non-wood renewable source of natural products for use in the production of pulp and paper.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The effects of clove powder, extracts of agrimony and lemon balm on broiler chicken performance, carcass and meat quality, and dry matter of thigh muscles derived from AC and LC broiler chickens were significantly higher when compared with control.
Abstract: Summary: The aim of the experiment was to study the effects of clove powder (Syzygium aromaticum L ) , extracts of agrimony ( Agrimonia eupatoria L.) and lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis L.) on broiler chicken performance, carcass and meat quality. Three treatment combinations were prepared: C – control group without any feed or water additive; AC – feed supplemented with clove powder and drinking water supplemented with agrimony extract; LC – feed supplemented with clove and drinking water supplemented with lemon balm extract. AC group chickens had significantly higher body weight (P 0.05) in selected parameters were not recorded in experimental groups AC and LC compared to control. Dry matter of thigh muscles derived from AC and LC broiler chickens were significantly higher (P 0.05) when compared with control and significantly higher (P 0.05) in com-parison with control group.