Apart from a large amount (ca. 2.0%) of α-bisabolol β-D-fucopyranoside (2a), the aerial parts of the Mediterranean weed Carthamus glaucus afforded an unusual triglyceride (E-2-crotonyl-1,3-distearolylglycerol, 7), two lipophilic flavonoids (6a,b), and a series of bisabolane fucopyranosides variously acylated on the sugar moiety (2b-e) or oxidized on the terpenoid core (3, 4a,b, 5a,b). The fucopyranoside 2a is more soluble in polar media and more versatile in terms of formulation than its aglycone [(-)-α-bisabolol, 1], an anti-inflammatory cosmetic ingredient in current short supply in its natural form. A comparative investigation of the activity of α-bisabolol (1a), the fucopyranoside 2a, and its senecioate 2b on transcription factors involved in inflammation and cancer pathways (NF-κB and STAT-3) showed only marginal activity on NF-κB inhibition for all compounds, while STAT-3 was inhibited potently by the fucoside 2a and, to a lesser extent, also by α-bisabolol. These observations qualify 2a as an easily available compound, both as an apoptotic lead structure and as a potential alternative to natural α-bisabolol (1) for pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic development.

The genus Hypericum (Hypericaceae) contains a variety of structurally diverse natural products which possess a wide array of biological properties. The present study examined quantitative variations in total hypericin, phenols, and flavonoids in Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra. in relation to phenological development. Plant material was harvested at different phenological stages (vegetative, full flowering, and mature fruiting stages). The amounts of bioactive compounds in whole shoots were assayed. The highest total hypericin, phenolic, and flavonoid contents were observed at the full flowering stage.

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This study was conducted to increase total phenolics, flavonoids and hypericin accumulation in in vitro cultures of Hypericum retusum Aucher to determine the appropriate time of UV radiations. Proliferation of plantlets on Murashige-Skoog medium containing 0.5 mg L(- 1)N-6-benzylaminopurine was achieved under in vitro conditions. Then, the plantlets were exposed to UV-B radiation for different periods (15, 30, 45 and 60 min). The highest total phenolics, flavonoids and hypericin accumulation (43.17 ± 0.8; 35.09 ± 0.8; 2.7 ± 0.05 mg g(- 1), respectively) was achieved at 45 minutes of exposure to UV-B radiation when compared with the contents of naturally growing plants (23.33 ± 0.9, 18.62 ± 0.3 and 1.6 ± 0.01 mg g(- 1), respectively) and control groups (control group was not subjected to UV-B radiation).

The essential oils of Hypericum scabrum, Hypericum scabroides and Hypericum triquetrifolium were studied for the first time for their antimicrobial activity against nine organisms. All the essential oils exhibited some broad spectrum antibacterial activity, at a concentration of 80 microg/mL. The essential oils of Hypericum species showed antibacterial activity against the tested organisms and a yeast.

The oils of Achilles coarctata Poir and Aclzillea oligoceplzala DC. were analyzed by GC and GCIMS. The oil of A. coarctata Poir contained 1,8-cineole (20.1%), camphor (15.6%) and viridiflorol (11.8 %), while the oil of A. oligocepliala DC. contained 1,8-cineole (18.6%), a-terpineol(fi.X%) and lindool (6.0%) as inajor Components.

Fatty acid and 3-hydroxy fatty acid composition of two Hypericum species from TurkeyThe fatty acid compositions of flowering tops of Hypericum perforatum L. and Hypericum retusum Aucher (Guttiferae) were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major components were C16:0 (24.87%), C18:3 n-3 (21.94%), 3-OH-C18:0 (18.46%) and 3-OH-C14:0 (14.22%) for H. perforatum L. and 3-OH-C14:0 (28.29%), C18:0 (16.47%) and C16:0 (14.17%) for H. retusum Aucher. Besides widespread plant fatty acids, 3-hydroxy fatty acids, namely 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid (3-OH-C14:0) and 3-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid (3-OH-C18:0) were also obtained.

The current study was undertaken to determine the effects of different benzylaminopurine (BAP) concentrations on the accumulation of bioactive hypericin in Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra. via micropropagation. To achieve this objective, seeds of H. triquetrifolium Turra. were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with a BAP (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0), 3% sucrose and 5.5% agar. Apical tips of axenic germinated seeds were proliferated on a MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg L(-1)). The highest shoot number was obtained from a MS medium supplemented with a 2.0 mg L(-1) BAP. Hypericin percentages were found to be highest in a 1.0 mg L(-1) BAP supplemented medium. These results provide the indication that cytokinin BAP can change the chemical composition of H. triquetrifolium Turra.; thereby, seriously impacting the quality and the efficacy of natural plant products produced by an in vitro culture system for aseptic production of hypericin.