The chemical profile of Teucrium polium L. (T. polium) methanolic extract was tested using liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (HR-LCMS). Disc diffusion and microdilution assays were used for the antimicrobial activities. Coxsackievirus B-3 (CVB3) and Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) were used for the antiviral activities. Chromobacterium violaceum (ATCC 12472 and CV026) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 were used as starter strains for the anti-quorum sensing tests. Isoprenoids are the main class of compounds identified, and 13R-hydroxy-9E,11Z-octadecadienoic acid, valtratum, rhoifolin, sericetin diacetate, and dihydrosamidin were the dominant phytoconstituents. The highest mean diameter of growth inhibition zone was recorded for Acinetobacter baumannii (19.33 ± 1.15 mm). The minimal inhibitory concentrations were ranging from 6.25 to 25 mg/mL for bacterial strains, and from 6.25 to 25 mg/mL for Candida species. The 50% cytotoxic concentration on VERO (African Green Monkey Kidney) cell lines was estimated at 209 µg/mL. No antiviral activity was recorded. Additionally, T. polium extract was able to inhibit P. aeruginosa PAO1 motility in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the tested extract was able to inhibit 23.66% of the swarming and 35.25% of swimming capacities of PAO1 at 100 µg/mL. These results highlighted the role of germander as a potent antimicrobial agent that can interfere with the virulence factors controlled by the quorum-sensing systems.

Cancer is the second cause of mortality worldwide. Angiogenesis is an important process involved in the growth of primary tumors and metastasis. New approaches for controlling the cancer progression and invasiveness can be addressed by limiting the angiogenesis process. An increasingly large number of natural compounds are evaluated as angiogenesis inhibitors. The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay represents an in vivo attractive experimental model for cancer and angiogenesis studies as prescreening to the murine models. Since the discovery of tumor angiogenesis, the CAM has been intensively used in cancer research. The advantages of this in vivo technique are in terms of low time-consuming, costs, and a lower number of sacrificed animals. Currently, a great number of natural compounds are being investigated for their effectiveness in controlling tumor angiogenesis. Potential reducing of angiogenesis has been investigated by our group for pentacyclic triterpenes, in various formulations, and differences in their mechanism were registered.This chapter aims to give an overview on a number of phytocompounds investigated using in vitro, murine models and the chorioallantoic membrane assay as well as to emphasize the use of CAM assay in the study of natural compounds with potential effects in malignancies.

Cardiovascular diseases represent the main cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Obesity, sedentary life style, diet, smoking and stress are the principal inducers of hypertension, endothelium dysfunction and insulin resistance in the developed countries. The latest in vitro and in vivo studies on different type of extracts obtained from black-fruited Aronia highlight its excellent cardioprotective actions for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. So, this chapter aims to bring an up-to-date regarding the antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, antiplatelet, blood pressure, glucose and lipid reduction properties of black-fruited Aronia, as a possible new therapeutic strategy for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular pathologies.

In the present research, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Teucrium polium (germander) were studied regarding the content of biologically active substances - in particular polyphenols - antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity. The extracts have been found to be rich in polyphenolic compounds, kaempferol and epichatechin have been found to be present in the highest concentrations. The antioxidant activity evaluated by the method of capturing the free radicals with DPPH revealed values close to those produced by the ascorbic acid. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the diffusimetric method and S. aureus and E. coli microorganisms were found to be the most sensitive while P. aeruginosa and fungal species were not sensitive.

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential, antimicrobial activity, the in vitro anticancer effect (tested on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line), as well as the antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory potential of Populus nigra L. bud (Pg) extract collected from the western part of Romania. Results Populus nigra L. bud extract presents an important antioxidant activity, due to the rich phytochemical composition. Regarding the biological activity, results have shown that poplar bud extract presents a significant inhibitory activity against Gram-positive bacteria and a dose-dependent decrease of MCF-7 tumor cell viability with an IC50 of 66.26 μg/mL, while not affecting healthy cells. Phenomena of early apoptotic events at the maximum concentration tested (150 μg/mL) were detected by Annexin V-PI double staining. The extract induced G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest. In addition, Pg extract showed antiangiogenic potential on the chorioallantoic membrane. Also, at the highest concentration (150 μg/mL), good tolerability and no signs of toxicity upon vascular plexus were observed. Moreover, in low concentrations, the Pg extract had immunomodulatory activity on primary human dendritic cells by upregulating IL-12 and IL-23 subunits. Conclusion The study concludes that poplar bud extract elicited antioxidant activity, antitumor properties on the breast cancer cell line, followed by an antiangiogenic effect and an immunomodulatory potential on human primary dendritic cells. The biological activity of Populus nigra L. buds extract may open new directions of research on the topic addressed.

pigenin (API) is a phytocompound belonging to the subclass of flavones that can be found in both functional foods as well as medicinal plants. Recent studies have assigned API antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-viral, anti-thrombotic, anti-angiogenic and chemopreventive potential in vitro on various cell lines and/or in experimental animal models. Apigenin-7-O-glucoside (API-7) is one of its main glycosides and can be commonly found in chamomile flowers, parsley, celery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of API and its glycoside (apigenin-7-O-glucoside) against HeLa human cervical cancer cells. Results have shown that in the set experimental conditions both the aglycone as well as the heteroside elicit antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic potential against the screened cell line, the aglycone being more active than the heteroside.

Medicinal plants are highly investigated due to their multiple effects in human health. In the last two decades, plants belonging to Lamiaceae family have emerged as an important source of compounds with beneficial effects in various pathologies. Many species of the Lamiaceae family have a high volatile oil content which can be found in different parts of the plant. Some representative examples include Lavandula spp. Salvia spp. and Mentha spp. which are species with essential oils studied for antioxidant, antimicrobial and antitumor effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of six essential oils at skin level before and after encapsulation in hydroxypropyl-gamma-cyclodextrins. Results indicated that regardless of the tested form, the samples did not display an irritating or toxic effect at skin level, suggesting that the essential oils can be used in different formulations for topical application.

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