apigenin and bisabolol

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) has a long history of use in herbal medicine with various applications, and the flower heads contain numerous secondary metabolites which are medicinally active. In the major crop plants, next generation sequencing (NGS) approaches are intensely applied to exploit genetic resources, to develop genomic resources and to enhance breeding. Here, genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) has been used in the non-model medicinal plant chamomile to evaluate the genetic structure of the cultivated varieties/populations, and to perform genome wide association study (GWAS) focusing on genes with large effect on flowering time and the medicinally important alpha-bisabolol content.. GBS analysis allowed the identification of 6495 high-quality SNP-markers in our panel of 91 M. recutita plants from 33 origins (2-4 genotypes each) and 4 M. discoidea plants as outgroup, grown in the greenhouse in Gatersleben, Germany. M. recutita proved to be clearly distinct from the outgroup, as was demonstrated by different cluster and principal coordinate analyses using the SNP-markers. Chamomile genotypes from the same origin were mostly genetically similar. Model-based cluster analysis revealed one large group of tetraploid genotypes with low genetic differentiation including 39 plants from 14 origins. Tetraploids tended to display lower genetic diversity than diploids, probably reflecting their origin by artificial polyploidisation from only a limited set of genetic backgrounds. Analyses of flowering time demonstrated that diploids generally flowered earlier than tetraploids, and the analysis of alpha-bisabolol identified several tetraploid genotypes with a high content. GWAS identified highly significant (P < 0.01) SNPs for flowering time (9) and alpha-bisabolol (71). One sequence harbouring SNPs associated with flowering time was described to play a role in self-pollination in Arabidopsis thaliana, whereas four sequences harbouring SNPs associated with alpha-bisabolol were identified to be involved in plant biotic and abiotic stress response in various plants species.. The first genomic resource for future applications to enhance breeding in chamomile was created, andanalyses of diversity will facilitate the exploitation of these genetic resources. The GWAS data pave the way for future research towards the genetics underlying important traits in chamomile, the identification of marker-trait associations, and development of reliable markers for practical breeding.

Topics: Breeding; Chamomile; Diploidy; DNA, Plant; Flowers; Genetic Loci; Genome-Wide Association Study; Genotyping Techniques; Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Sequence Analysis; Sesquiterpenes; Tetraploidy

Herbal liqueurs are alcoholic beverages produced by the maceration or distillation of aromatic and medicinal plants in alcohol, and are also highly valued for their medicinal properties. The process conditions, as well as the number and quantity of the plants employed, will have a great influence on the quality of the liqueur obtained. The aim of this research was to optimize these important variables.. A Box-Benhken experimental design was used to evaluate the independent variables: alcohol content, amount of plant and time during the experimental maceration of plants in grape marc distillate. Four plants were assessed, with the main compound of each plant representing the dependent variable evaluated with respect to following the evolution of the maceration process. Bisabolol oxide A in Matricaria recutita L., linalool in Coriander sativum L. and eucalyptol in Eucalyptus globulus Labill. were quantified using a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. Glycyrrhizic acid in Glycyrrhiza glabra L was determined using a high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector. Other dependent variables were also evaluated: total phenolic content, color parameters and consumer preference (i.e. appearance).. The experimental designs allowed the selection of the optimal maceration conditions for each parameter, including the preference score of consumers: 70% (v/v) of ethanol, 40 g L

Topics: Acyclic Monoterpenes; Chamomile; Coriandrum; Cyclohexanols; Eucalyptol; Eucalyptus; Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes; Monoterpenes; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Sesquiterpenes; Vitis

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in kidney is commonly related to acute kidney injury (AKI), essentially through oxidative stress. (-)-α-Bisabolol is a sesquiterpene isolated from the essential oil of a variety of plants, including chamomile, which has important antioxidant activity.. This study intends to evaluate the nephroprotective activity of (-)-α-bisabolol (Bis) in both in vivo and in vitro models of kidney I/R.. Male Wistar rats were submitted to right nephrectomy, followed by ischemia by clamping of the renal artery in the left kidney for 60min. and 48h of reperfusion. The animals were treated orally with Bis (100mg/kg) or vehicle for 24h after reperfusion, and placed in metabolic cages, to evaluate water consumption, diuresis, urinary osmolality, classic biochemical markers and urinary KIM-1 (kidney injury molecule-1). Additionally, the left kidney was collected for histological evaluation and determination of glutathione (GSH) and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) levels. Tubular epithelial cells LLC-MK2 were used to assess Bis effect on in vitro I/R, by MTT assay. It was performed the cellular respiration tests by flow cytometry: evaluation of the production of cytoplasmic reactive oxygen species by DCFH-DA assay and mitochondrial transmembrane potential analysis with the dye rhodamine 123.. I/R caused alterations in diuresis, water intake, urinary osmolality, plasmatic creatinine, urea and uric acid, creatinine clearance, proteinuria and microalbuminuria. Treatment with Bis ameliorated all of these parameters. Also, KIM-1 level enhanced by I/R was also diminished in groups treated with Bis. The histological examination showed that Bis attenuated the morphological changes caused by I/R, markedly vascular congestion and intratubular deposits of proteinaceous material. Additionally, Bis was able to reduce the changes observed in TBARS and GSH levels in kidney tissue. In in vitro assay, Bis was capable to partially protect the cell lineage against cell damage induced by I/R.. (-)-α-Bisabolol has a nephroprotective effect in kidney I/R, with antioxidant effect. Moreover, this result seems to be associated to a direct protective effect on tubular epithelia.

Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Animals; Antioxidants; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Chamomile; Fluoresceins; Glutathione; Kidney; Kidney Tubules; Male; Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes; Nephrectomy; Oils, Volatile; Oxidative Stress; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Protective Agents; Proteinuria; Rats, Wistar; Reactive Oxygen Species; Reperfusion Injury; Sesquiterpenes; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Uric Acid

The number of skin cancers continues to rise, accounting for approximately 40% of all cancers reported in the United States and approximately 9,500 deaths per year. Studies have shown reactive oxygen species (ROS) type free radicals are linked to skin cancer and aging. Therefore, it is important for us to identify agents that have anti-oxidant properties to protect skin against free radical damage. The purpose of this research is to investigate the anti-oxidant properties of bisabolol, silymarin, and ectoin that are components from chamomile, milk thistle, and halophilic bacteria, respectively. We measured the ability of bisabolol, silymarin, and ectoin to modulate the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced upregulation of ROS free radicals in normal human skin fibroblasts in vitro. Using a flow cytometry-based assay, we demonstrated that varying concentrations of these natural components were able to inhibit upregulation of H2O2-generated free radicals in human skin fibroblasts in vitro. Our results indicate components of chamomile, milk thistle, and halophilic bacteria exhibit anti-oxidant capabilities and warrant further study in clinical trials to characterize their anti-cancer and anti-aging capabilities.

Topics: Amino Acids, Diamino; Antioxidants; Bacteria; Cells, Cultured; Chamomile; Fibroblasts; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes; Reactive Oxygen Species; Sesquiterpenes; Silybum marianum; Silymarin; Skin

(-)-Alpha-bisabolol was found to form an inclusion complex with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) in solution as well as in the solid state. To investigate molecular associations of beta-CD with pure (-)-alpha-bisabolol or (-)-alpha-bisabolol as a component of camomile essential oil, phase solubility studies were undertaken. A B(s) type solubility with an apparent complex constant of 273 M(-1) for the pure (-)-alpha-bisabolol and 304 M(-1) for (-)-alpha-bisabolol as a constituent of the essential oil were obtained. The two curves in the phase solubility diagram reach their plateau at different concentrations of (-)-alpha-bisabolol, 7.04 x 10(-4) M for the pure substance and 2.88 x 10(-4) M for the substance as a component of the essential oil. Although the shapes of the curves are almost similar, the intrinsic solubility's of pure (-)-alpha-bisabolol (4.85 x 10(-4) M) and (-)-alpha-bisabolol as a component of the essential oil (1.82 x 10(-4) M) differ significantly. An inclusion complex having a stoichiometric composition of 2:1 (beta-CD: drug) was obtained. A mechanism of complexation has been proposed on the basis of the stability constant calculated from phase solubility data and the stoichiometric ratio of the solid state complexation.

Topics: beta-Cyclodextrins; Chamomile; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Chromatography, Gas; Cyclodextrins; Drug Stability; Ethanol; Models, Molecular; Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes; Oils, Volatile; Sesquiterpenes; Solubility; Surface Tension; Time Factors; Water

The present study aimed to identify morphological traits whose performance depends on plant ploidy in Chamomilla recutita. Flowerhead diameter, 100-flowerhead weight, 1000-seed weight, pollen grain diameter, stoma length, and number of chloroplasts per guard cell, were examined in 5 tetraploid and 5 diploid strains. Out of these traits, stoma length, number of chloroplasts per guard cell, 100-flowerhead weight, and 1000-seed weight, proved to be significantly higher in tetraploid than in diploid strains, and can be used for indirect identification of tetraploid and diploid genotypes in various developmental stages of this species.

Topics: Chamomile; Chromosomes; Diploidy; Genes, Plant; Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Ploidies; Sesquiterpenes

The effects of various plant growth regulators and culture conditions on the production of volatile secondary metabolites from callus cultures of Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) inflorescence were investigated and the most efficient conditions were determined. The essential oil composition was assayed by GC-MS analysis and found to contain chamomillol, gossonorol, cubenol, alpha-cadinol, (-)-alpha-bisabolol, 1-azulenethanol acetate and (-)-alpha-bisabolol acetate.

Topics: Azulenes; Chamomile; Culture Techniques; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Greece; Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes; Oils, Volatile; Plant Growth Regulators; Sesquiterpenes; Terpenes