Leonurus cardiaca is a perennial plant indigenous to central Europe and Scandinavia, but it is also found in the area spanning temperate Russia to central Asia. It has been introduced to North America and has become established locally in the wild. Motherwort (Leonuri cardiacae herba) consists of aerial parts of Leonurus cardiaca gathered during the flowering period, dried at 35 °C and, according to European Pharmacopoeia 7th edition, should contain a minimum of 0.2% flavonoids, expressed as hyperoside. Compounds belonging to the group of monoterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, nitrogen- containing compounds, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids and phenolic acids, as well as volatile oils, sterols and tannins, have been identified in motherwort. Traditionally, extracts of the herb have been used internally, mainly for nervous heart conditions and digestive disorders. However, they have also been used for bronchial asthma, climacteric symptoms and amenorrhoea, as well as externally in wounds and skin inflammations. Mild negative chronotropic, hypotonic and sedative effects can be attributed to the herb and preparations thereof. Pharmacological studies have confirmed its antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, as well as its effects on the heart and the circulatory system. Sedative and hypotensive activity has been demonstrated in clinical trials.
The main objective of the work was to assess the phytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles synthesized biologically using Veronica officinalis extract. The silver nanoparticles obtained by means of biological synthesis were characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometry (UV-VIS), transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In order to assess the presence of biologically active compounds in V. officinalis extract, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used. AFM measurements indicated that the size of the obtained silver nanoparticles was about 15 nm. The phytotoxicity studies showed that biosynthesized silver nanoparticles did not exhibit any toxic effect throughout the range of concentrations examined during the study (0.0009-0.0675), both as regards Linum flavum and Lepidium sativum seeds.
The authors of this paper use an original method of diatomaceous earth fractionation, which allows for obtaining a filler with a specific particle size distribution. The method makes it possible to separate small, disintegrated and broken diatom frustules from those which maintained their original form in diatomaceous earth. The study covers a range of tests conducted to prove that such a separated diatomic fraction (3–30 µm) shows features different from the base diatomite (from 1 to above 40 µm) used as an epoxy resin filler. We have examined the mechanical properties of a series of diatomite/resin composites, considering the weight fraction of diatoms and the parameters of the composite production process. The studied composites of Epidian 601 epoxy resin cross-linked with amine-based curing agent Z-1 contained 0 to 70% vol. of diatoms or diatomaceous earth. Samples were produced by being casted into silicone molds in vacuum degassing conditions and, alternatively, without degassing. The results have shown that the size and morphology of the filler based on diatomaceous earth affects mechanical and rheological properties of systems based on epoxy resin. Elongation at rupture and flexural stress at rupture were both raised by up to 35%, and impact strength by up to 25%.
Lichens are a source of various biologically active compounds. However, the knowledge about them is still scarce, and their use in medicine is limited. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of the lichen Platismatia glauca and its major metabolite caperatic acid in regard to their potential application in the treatment of central nervous system diseases, especially neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumours, such as glioblastoma. First, we performed the phytochemical analysis of the tested P. glauca extracts based on FT-IR derivative spectroscopic and gas chromatographic results. Next the antioxidant properties were determined, and moderate anti-radical activity, strong chelating properties of Cu2+ and Fe2+ ions, and a mild effect on the antioxidant enzymes of the tested extracts and caperatic acid were proved. Subsequently, the influence of the tested extracts and caperatic acid on cholinergic transmission was determined by in vitro and in silico studies confirming that inhibitory effect on butyrylcholinesterase is stronger than against acetylcholinesterase. We also confirmed the anti-inflammatory properties of P. glauca extracts and caperatic acid using a COX-2 and hyaluronidase inhibition models. Moreover, our studies show the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activity of the P. glauca extracts against T98G and U-138 MG glioblastoma multiforme cell lines. In conclusion, it is possible to assume that P. glauca extracts and especially caperatic acid can be regarded as the source of the valuable substances to finding new therapies of central nervous system diseases.
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