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In recent years head-to-tail monoterpene geraniol has been widely explored as a potential anticancer agent. Natural analogs like alcohol nerol, aldehydes geranial, and neral have been investigated. We explored the synergism of these terpenes with clinically and non-clinically used compounds as potential candidates for treating different types of cancer. Promising activity for these compounds has also inspired new analog syntheses. The anticancer potential of these compounds is described in this review.

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ETHNOBOTANICAL AND ETHNOMEDICINAL RELEVANCE: In southern Ecuador, horchata lojana is a popular aromatic and refreshing beverage that is prepared from an aqueous infusion of different mixtures of local medicinal and aromatic plants. The drink is considered a traditional anti-inflammatory agent and brain tonic; due these properties, it has been drunk since Colonial Times. Several pharmacological studies have evaluated the effects of horchata aqueous infusion. However, the aromatic profile and the contribution of the volatile components to the biological activity of the drink have not been investigated so far. For these reasons, we have determined the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) distilled from five mixtures of aromatic plants commonly used for the preparation of this traditional drink. Moreover, to support the curative properties of the aromatic plants, the anticholinesterase activity of the EOs was examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Different bunches of fresh mixed medicinal and aromatic plants, called tongos, are sold at local markets in the province of Loja for the preparation of different types of horchata. In this research we have purchased plant bunches sold at five popular markets of Loja province. Subsequently, aromatic plants in each bunch were separated from medicinal plants and were then hydrodistilled to give the corresponding EOs. Subsequently, the chemical composition of each EO was determined by GC-MS/GC-FID techniques, whereas the cholinesterase inhibitory activity in vitro was determined against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzymes. AIMS OF THE STUDY: i) to contribute to the chemical and pharmacological study of the aroma components of the traditional Ecuadorian drink horchata lojana; ii) to identify botanically the mixtures of aromatic plants used to make the drink; iii) to establish, on the basis of the chemical composition of the EOs, the compounds mainly responsible for the characteristic beverage flavor; iv) to establish the possible existence of an aromatic pattern characteristic of each horchata preparation; v) to test the anticholinesterase activity of the EOs against AChE and BuChE in order to support the traditional consume of the drink as an effective brain tonic. RESULTS: A total of 23 botanical families and 32 species of plants used for the preparation of five different variants of the traditional horchata lojana beverage, have been identified. Fourteen aromatic species were determined to be responsible for the characteristic flavor of the drink. All the analyzed EOs belong to the monoterpene type. A total of 88 compounds have been identified in the different EOs, twenty-four of which are common components of the oils. CONCLUSIONS: According to the main components of the EOs distilled from the five groups of horchata lojana plants, four aromatic profiles have been defined: (i) neral + geranial + carvone, (ii) neral + geranial + myrcene; (iii) geranial + methyl eugenol + isomenthone + neral + citronellol; (iv) (E)-anethole + geranial + pulegone. Moreover, according to the literature, several aromatic plants and individual EOs components exhibit a wide range of biological activities. This finding as well as the significant BuChE inhibitory activity exhibited in vitro by the EOs give scientific support to the use of identified aromatic plants in the traditional preparation of horchata, that is considered a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory remedy, and an effective brain tonic.

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The pet industry is currently expanding and specializing mainly in the field of domestic felines. Problems related to antimicrobial resistance are frequent, and the use of essential oils (EOs) in animal feed has become a novel treatment strategy. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the bacteriostatic activity of Brazilian lemon balm (Lippia alba), lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), and oregano (Origanum vulgare) in bacterial isolates from 12 samples of cat food sold in bulk. The EOs from fresh leaves of crops were obtained from the Medicinal Garden of Paranaense University, Umuarama, Paraná. Cat food samples were processed for identification of gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. The determination of the bacteriostatic activity of the EOs was performed by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at dilutions of 2.5, 1.25, and 0.62 mg/mL. The diffusion disc technique was used to evaluate the resistance profile to the main antimicrobials used in the feline clinic and to analyze the effect of the association of these antimicrobials with the EOs studied. A total of 23 isolates were obtained, of which 16 were gram-negative and seven were gram-positive. As for the oil composition for L. alba, C. citratus, and O. vulgare, 40, 24, and 44 compounds were identified, respectively, with the major ones being geranial, geranial/α-citral, and carvacrol, respectively. Regarding MIC, no differences were found for any EOs tested. The lowest MIC value was obtained for the C. citratus EO (0.83 mg/mL) for two bacteria (coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium kutscheri)...

Atualmente, a indústria pet vem se expandido e se especializando principalmente na área de felinos domésticos. Além disso, problemas relacionados à resistência aos antimicrobianos são frequentes e o uso de óleos essenciais (OEs) nas rações destinadas à alimentação animal têm se tornado uma nova estratégia de tratamento. Dessa forma, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a atividade bacteriostática dos OEs de erva-cidreira brasileira (Lippia alba), capim-limão (Cymbopogon citratus) e orégano (Origanum vulgare) em isolados bacterianos oriundos de 12 amostras de rações de gato comercializados a granel. Os OEs foram obtidos das folhas frescas de culturas oriundas do Horto Medicinal da Universidade Paranaense, Umuarama, Paraná. As amostras de ração foram processadas para identificação dos micro-organismos Gram-positivos e Gram-negativos. A determinação da atividade bacteriostática dos OEs foi feita por meio da determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) para as diluições de 2,5; 1,25 e 0,62 mg/mL. A técnica de disco difusão foi utilizada para avaliar o perfil de resistência aos principais antimicrobianos utilizados na clínica de felinos e para a análise do efeito da associação destes com os OEs estudados. Foram obtidos 23 isolados, dos quais 16 eram gram-negativos e sete gram-positivos. Em relação à composição dos OEs, foram identificados para os óleos de L. alba, C. citratus e O. vulgare, 40, 24 e 44 compostos respectivamente, cujos compostos majoritários foram geranial, geranial/α-citral e carvacrol, respectivamente. Em relação à CIM, não foram verificadas diferenças para nenhum dos OEs testados. O menor valor da CIM foi obtido para OE de C. citratus (0,83 mg/mL) para duas bactérias (Staphylococcus coagulase negativa e Corynebacterium kutscheri)...

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The pet industry is currently expanding and specializing mainly in the field of domestic felines. Problems related to antimicrobial resistance are frequent, and the use of essential oils (EOs) in animal feed has become a novel treatment strategy. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the bacteriostatic activity of Brazilian lemon balm (Lippia alba), lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), and oregano (Origanum vulgare) in bacterial isolates from 12 samples of cat food sold in bulk. The EOs from fresh leaves of crops were obtained from the Medicinal Garden of Paranaense University, Umuarama, Paraná. Cat food samples were processed for identification of gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. The determination of the bacteriostatic activity of the EOs was performed by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at dilutions of 2.5, 1.25, and 0.62 mg/mL. The diffusion disc technique was used to evaluate the resistance profile to the main antimicrobials used in the feline clinic and to analyze the effect of the association of these antimicrobials with the EOs studied. A total of 23 isolates were obtained, of which 16 were gram-negative and seven were gram-positive. As for the oil composition for L. alba, C. citratus, and O. vulgare, 40, 24, and 44 compounds were identified, respectively, with the major ones being geranial, geranial/α-citral, and carvacrol, respectively. Regarding MIC, no differences were found for any EOs tested. The lowest MIC value was obtained for the C. citratus EO (0.83 mg/mL) for two bacteria (coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium kutscheri)...(AU)

Atualmente, a indústria pet vem se expandido e se especializando principalmente na área de felinos domésticos. Além disso, problemas relacionados à resistência aos antimicrobianos são frequentes e o uso de óleos essenciais (OEs) nas rações destinadas à alimentação animal têm se tornado uma nova estratégia de tratamento. Dessa forma, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a atividade bacteriostática dos OEs de erva-cidreira brasileira (Lippia alba), capim-limão (Cymbopogon citratus) e orégano (Origanum vulgare) em isolados bacterianos oriundos de 12 amostras de rações de gato comercializados a granel. Os OEs foram obtidos das folhas frescas de culturas oriundas do Horto Medicinal da Universidade Paranaense, Umuarama, Paraná. As amostras de ração foram processadas para identificação dos micro-organismos Gram-positivos e Gram-negativos. A determinação da atividade bacteriostática dos OEs foi feita por meio da determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) para as diluições de 2,5; 1,25 e 0,62 mg/mL. A técnica de disco difusão foi utilizada para avaliar o perfil de resistência aos principais antimicrobianos utilizados na clínica de felinos e para a análise do efeito da associação destes com os OEs estudados. Foram obtidos 23 isolados, dos quais 16 eram gram-negativos e sete gram-positivos. Em relação à composição dos OEs, foram identificados para os óleos de L. alba, C. citratus e O. vulgare, 40, 24 e 44 compostos respectivamente, cujos compostos majoritários foram geranial, geranial/α-citral e carvacrol, respectivamente. Em relação à CIM, não foram verificadas diferenças para nenhum dos OEs testados. O menor valor da CIM foi obtido para OE de C. citratus (0,83 mg/mL) para duas bactérias (Staphylococcus coagulase negativa e Corynebacterium kutscheri)...(AU)

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ETHNOBOTANICAL AND ETHNOMEDICINAL RELEVANCE: The importance given in Ecuador to the rescue of traditional knowledge and nutritional value of ancestral foods and drinks, has stimulated our investigation of the chemical composition and some biological activities of M. fragrans ('arrayán') essential oil, a natural aromatic additive used in the preparation of the traditional fruit-juice 'colada morada', which is typically drunk in the Day of the Dead or All Soul´s Day. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Different essential oils of Myrcianthes fragrans (Sw.) McVaught were obtained by hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of the plant collected in Cerro Villonaco (Loja-Ecuador) at three different phenological growth stages, i.e., during foliation (Fo), flowering (Fl) and fruiting (Fr) stages. The chemical compositions of the essential oils were determined by GC/MS and GC/FID techniques. The antimicrobial activities were determined by the broth microdilution method and reported as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC, ug/mL). AIMS OF THE STUDY: i) to investigate the traditional uses of arrayán (M. fragrans) in the South region of Ecuador; ii) to identify the main components of the essential oils isolated at different phenological stages; iiì) to test the antimicrobial activity of the essential oils against bacteria and yeasts causing human ailments and a yeast causing food spoilage. RESULTS: 37, 46 and 38 compounds, representing 96.5%, 96.2%, and 95.6% of the three essential oils (Fo, Fl and Fr), respectively, have been identified. Oxygenated monoterpenes (OM) were the major components with percentages of 63.1 (Fo), 49.4 (Fl), and 61.9% (Fr), respectively. The main constituents of the essential oils were the monoterpene aldehydes geranial (1) and neral (2), the content of which varied, depending on the phenological development stage of the plant, spanning from 31.1% and 23.6% (Fo), to 23.6% and 17.8% (Fl), and 29.7% and 24.3% (Fr), respectively. In vitro antimicrobial tests showed that the essential oils from M. fragrans exhibited good activity against the Gram-negative bacteria, K. pneumoniae, and against the yeasts, C. albicans and S. cerevisiae. CONCLUSIONS: The oil is characterized by a high concentration of the monoterpene aldehydes geranial and neral (citral), that make the aroma of colada morada prepared in southern Ecuador quite different from the beverage made in other regions of the country, where other types of myrtles (Myrtaceae spp.) are used. Moreover, the oil may become a new rich source of the important industrial chemical citral. The pleasant aromatic properties and the good in vitro antimicrobial activity of arrayán oil suggest a plausible scientific explanation for the traditional uses of the plant not only as a natural aromatizer of a traditional beverage but also as a natural anti-infective and anti-yeast agent.

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Many Gram-negative pathogens have the ability to produce N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) as signal molecules for quorum sensing (QS). This cell-cell communication system allows them to coordinate gene expression and regulate virulence. Strategies to inhibit QS are promising for the control of infectious diseases or antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS) and antibacterial potential of five essential oils isolated from Lippia alba on the Tn-5 mutant of Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, and on the growth of the gram-positive bacteria S. aureus ATCC 25923. The anti-QS activity was detected through the inhibition of the QS-controlled violacein pigment production by the sensor bacteria. Results showed that two essential oils from L. alba, one containing the greatest geranial:neral and the other the highest limonene:carvone concentrations, were the most effective QS inhibitors. Both oils also had small effects on cell growth. Moreover, the geranial/neral chemotype oil also produced the maximum zone of growth inhibition against S. aureus ATCC 25923. These data suggest essential oils from L. alba have promising properties as QS modulators, and present antibacterial activity on S. aureus.

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Many Gram-negative pathogens have the ability to produce N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) as signal molecules for quorum sensing (QS). This cell-cell communication system allows them to coordinate gene expression and regulate virulence. Strategies to inhibit QS are promising for the control of infectious diseases or antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS) and antibacterial potential of five essential oils isolated from Lippia alba on the Tn-5 mutant of Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, and on the growth of the gram-positive bacteria S. aureus ATCC 25923. The anti-QS activity was detected through the inhibition of the QS-controlled violacein pigment production by the sensor bacteria. Results showed that two essential oils from L. alba, one containing the greatest geranial:neral and the other the highest limonene:carvone concentrations, were the most effective QS inhibitors. Both oils also had small effects on cell growth. Moreover, the geranial/neral chemotype oil also produced the maximum zone of growth inhibition against S. aureus ATCC 25923. These data suggest essential oils from L. alba have promising properties as QS modulators, and present antibacterial activity on S. aureus.

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Many Gram-negative pathogens have the ability to produce N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) as signal molecules for quorum sensing (QS). This cell-cell communication system allows them to coordinate gene expression and regulate virulence. Strategies to inhibit QS are promising for the control of infectious diseases or antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS) and antibacterial potential of five essential oils isolated from Lippia alba on the Tn-5 mutant of Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, and on the growth of the gram-positive bacteria S. aureus ATCC 25923. The anti-QS activity was detected through the inhibition of the QS-controlled violacein pigment production by the sensor bacteria. Results showed that two essential oils from L. alba, one containing the greatest geranial:neral and the other the highest limonene:carvone concentrations, were the most effective QS inhibitors. Both oils also had small effects on cell growth. Moreover, the geranial/neral chemotype oil also produced the maximum zone of growth inhibition against S. aureus ATCC 25923. These data suggest essential oils from L. alba have promising properties as QS modulators, and present antibacterial activity on S. aureus.

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The essential oil of Lippia alba is reported as an antifungal against human pathogenic microorganisms but few articles report its use as an alternative to synthetic fungicides on green mould control. The objective of this study was to determine chemical characteristics of L. alba essential oil and its antifungal activity against green molds as an alternative to synthetic fungicides. Essential oil was extracted by Clevenger hydrodistillation, characterized by GC-MS analysis, and the structure of the main compounds confirmed by ¹H and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Microdilution assays evaluated the essential oil minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). Commercial fungicides Ketoconazole and Bifonazole were used as control. Essential oil yield is of 0.15 percent and the major components are neral (33.32 percent) and geranial (50.94 percent). The L. alba essential oil has MIC of 0.300-1.250 mg/mL and MFC of 0.600-1.250 mg/mL. Ketoconazole and Bifonazole show MIC ranging from 0.025-0.500 to 0.100-0.200 mg/mL, and MFC ranging from 0.250-0.100 to 0.200-0.250 mg/mL, respectively. L. alba essential oil is classified as citral type and the results indicate that it is a potential alternative to synthetic fungicides.

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The essential oil of Lippia alba is reported as an antifungal against human pathogenic microorganisms but few articles report its use as an alternative to synthetic fungicides on green mould control. The objective of this study was to determine chemical characteristics of L. alba essential oil and its antifungal activity against green molds as an alternative to synthetic fungicides. Essential oil was extracted by Clevenger hydrodistillation, characterized by GC-MS analysis, and the structure of the main compounds confirmed by (1)H and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy. Microdilution assays evaluated the essential oil minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). Commercial fungicides Ketoconazole and Bifonazole were used as control. Essential oil yield is of 0.15% and the major components are neral (33.32%) and geranial (50.94%). The L. alba essential oil has MIC of 0.300-1.250 mg/mL and MFC of 0.600-1.250 mg/mL. Ketoconazole and Bifonazole show MIC ranging from 0.025-0.500 to 0.100-0.200 mg/mL, and MFC ranging from 0.250-0.100 to 0.200-0.250 mg/mL, respectively. L. alba essential oil is classified as citral type and the results indicate that it is a potential alternative to synthetic fungicides.

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The essential oil of Lippia alba is reported as an antifungal against human pathogenic microorganisms but few articles report its use as an alternative to synthetic fungicides on green mould control. The objective of this study was to determine chemical characteristics of L. alba essential oil and its antifungal activity against green molds as an alternative to synthetic fungicides. Essential oil was extracted by Clevenger hydrodistillation, characterized by GC-MS analysis, and the structure of the main compounds confirmed by ¹H and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Microdilution assays evaluated the essential oil minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). Commercial fungicides Ketoconazole and Bifonazole were used as control. Essential oil yield is of 0.15% and the major components are neral (33.32%) and geranial (50.94%). The L. alba essential oil has MIC of 0.300-1.250 mg/mL and MFC of 0.600-1.250 mg/mL. Ketoconazole and Bifonazole show MIC ranging from 0.025-0.500 to 0.100-0.200 mg/mL, and MFC ranging from 0.250-0.100 to 0.200-0.250 mg/mL, respectively. L. alba essential oil is classified as citral type and the results indicate that it is a potential alternative to synthetic fungicides.

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A produção de gengibre no Paraná concentra-se no município de Morretes, ocupando uma área de plantio de aproximadamente 300 ha. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o teor e a composição do óleo essencial de rizomas de gengibre produzidos em Morretes e submetidos a diferentes períodos de secagem em temperatura ambiente. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 5 x 5, com quatro repetições (quatro plantas por repetição), avaliando cinco procedências e cinco períodos de secagem a temperatura ambiente (0, 15, 30, 45 e 60 dias). As extrações de óleo essencial foram realizadas por hidrodestilação em aparelho graduado Clevenger durante três horas e a análise dos constituintes foi realizada por meio de cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas. A secagem de rizomas de gengibre em temperatura ambiente por até 60 dias resultou na diminuição de teores de óleo essencial na maioria das procedências. Os constituintes geranial e o neral apresentaram maior concentração em todas as procedências e tiveram teores superiores com o aumento nos períodos de secagem. Os teores de geraniol e acetato de geranila foram inferiores após a secagem em todas as procedências, assim como eucaliptol, canfeno, zingibereno e β-bisaboleno na maioria das procedências.

Ginger production in Paraná State, Brazil, has predominated in Morretes Municipality, with around 300 ha cultivated area. The aim of this work was to evaluate the essential oil yield and composition of ginger rhizomes produced in Morretes and subjected to different drying periods at room temperature. Experimental design was completely randomized, in a 5x5 factorial arrangement, with four replicates (four plants each), five origins and five drying periods at room temperature (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days). The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type device for 3h and the constituents were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The drying of ginger rhizomes at room temperature for up to 60 days decreased the essential oil yield in most origins. Geranial and neral levels were higher in all origins and as drying periods were longer. Geraniol and geranyl acetate levels decreased after drying in all origins, as well as eucalyptol, camphene, zingiberene and β-bisabolene in most origins.

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