Search Results (32)

Fleas have major veterinary and public health relevance by causing dermatopathies and transmitting zoonotic agents. The limitations and environmental impact of synthetic insecticides have driven the search for safer and more sustainable tick control alternatives, such as essential oils (EOs) and their bioactive compounds. We conducted searches in the PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases (May–August 2025), using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in 25 studies. The species investigated most was Ctenocephalides felis, followed by Xenopsylla cheopis. The most common botanical families were Lamiaceae, Cupressaceae, Rutaceae, and Lauraceae, comprising 48 plant species. For C. felis, the EOs of Cinnamomum spp., Ocimum gratissimum, Syzygium aromaticum and Piper aduncum showed the most pronounced insecticidal effects, as did their bioactive compounds cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and dillapiole, respectively. For X. cheopis, the EOs of Cinnamomum verum, Calocedrus decurrens, and Salvia rosmarinus were the most effective. Essential oils from different plant species also exhibited repellent activity against C. felis, Pulex irritans and Diamanus montanus. In summary, essential oils and their bioactive compounds have promising potential for the control of fleas of medical and veterinary importance, representing sustainable alternatives with reduced environmental impacts. Full article

Juniperus is one of the vital genera of the Cupressaceae family; many Juniperus species (juniper) have served as traditional folk medicines. The aims of this study are to analyze its chemical composition and to evaluate the mosquito larvicidal activity of leaf essential oil and its constituents. The constituents of leaf essential oil were analyzed by GC-MS. Leaf essential oil is mainly composed of hydrocarbon monoterpenes and, secondly, oxygenated monoterpenes. Leaf essential oil exhibited good brine shrimp lethality activity, which is highly correlated with larvicidal activity, with the LC₅₀ of 49.89 μg/mL. Leaf essential oil showed a strong mosquito larvicidal activity against two Dengue vector mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus, the LC₅₀ values for both species were lower than 50 μg/mL. Among the major constituents of leaf essential oil, compounds limonene, sabinene, and β-myrcene also exhibited a significant larvicidal effect. Through these investigations, it is expected that leaf essential oil from J. chinensis var. kaizuka and its constituents are of potential use as environmental control chemicals against Dengue vector mosquitoes. Full article

This investigation focuses on urban ornamental greenery, a field of research that is still relatively unexplored in Italy but is becoming increasingly important both from a botanical point of view and in relation to sustainable land management and planning. A checklist of the ornamental vascular flora of Basilicata (Southern Italy) is reported here. A total of 281 taxa were recorded, including trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, and succulents cultivated in parks, gardens, and street trees. Such taxa (including 265 species s. str., 6 varieties, 5 subspecies, and 11 forms) belong to 201 genera, included in 94 families, among which the most represented are Rosaceae, Oleaceae, Asteraceae, Pinaceae, Cupressaceae, and Fabaceae. Phanerophytes represent the dominant growth form, and the chorological spectrum is composed mainly of Asian and American taxa. Taxa from subtropical and tropical biomes also showed a significant presence. This study highlighted the clear prevalence in the Basilicata ornamental flora of alien taxa (approximately 80%, of which 21% are naturalized aliens) compared to native ones, which is a phenomenon that is unfortunately widespread and observed worldwide. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chamaecyparis pisifera (C. pisifera; family Cupressaceae) is known to have insecticidal and antibacterial activities, but its effects on skin depigmentation-related activities have not been elucidated. Thus, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the anti-hyperpigmentation potential of C. pisifera var. filifera leaf essential oil (CPEO), specially focusing on responses related to melanogenesis and melanin transport, using B16BL6 cells. Methods: CPEO was extracted by steam distillation, and its composition was determined by GC/MS spectrometry. The biological activities of CPEO on B16BL6 melanoma cells were analyzed using the water soluble tetrazolium salt, BrdU incorporation, ELISA, and immunoblotting assays. Results: Twenty-eight components were identified in CPEO. CPEO was noncytotoxic to B16BL6 cells at 1–100 μg/mL and reduced serum-induced proliferation in B16BL6 cells. CPEO significantly inhibited α-MSH-stimulated increases in melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in the cells (e.g., at 100 μg/mL CPEO, melanin synthesis: 117.89 ± 0.00% vs. 571.94 ± 0.81% with α-MSH; tyrosinase activity: 73.62 ± 0.00% vs. 322.60 ± 3.10% with α-MSH). CPEO also downregulated the expression levels of melanogenesis-related proteins (MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1 and -2) and melanosome transport-related proteins (Rab27a, melanophilin, myosin Va) in cells exposed to α-MSH. Moreover, the essential oil increased the phosphorylations of MAPKs (p38, ERK1/2, and JNK) in α-MSH-treated B16BL6 cells. In addition, CPEO reduced the ultraviolet A (UVA) induced increases in α-MSH levels in HaCaT cells. In addition, conditioned medium from HaCaT cells irradiated with UVA (CM-UVA) in the presence of CPEO reduced melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in B16BL6 cells (e.g., at CM-UVA with 100 μg/mL CPEO, melanin synthesis: 100.92 ± 0.99% vs. 134.44 ± 0.97% with CM-UVA; tyrosinase activity: 101.02 ± 1.81% vs. 133.77 ± 1.88% with CM-UVA). Conclusions: These findings suggest that CPEO inhibits melanin production (probably through the regulation of MAPKs) and transport-related activities in B16BL6 cells, and that CPEO may serve as a potential natural anti-hyperpigmentation or skin whitening. Full article

Background: The peach allergen Pru p 7, a member of the Gibberellin-Regulated Protein (GRP) family, has emerged as a key marker of severe fruit-induced allergies. It is hypothesized to mediate cross-reactivity between fruit allergens and cypress pollen. Given the increasing prevalence of food allergies and the complex patterns of cross-sensitization, the role of Pru p 7 in clinical allergy diagnostics warrants further investigation. Objective: This study aims to characterize the sensitization profile to Pru p 7 in a cohort of patients with suspected fruit allergy and to assess its relationship with cypress pollen allergy, particularly to Cup s 7, a homologous GRP from Cupressus sempervirens. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 patients evaluated at the Allergy Unit of the Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo. Specific IgE (sIgE) levels to peach extract, Pru p 7, and Cup a 1 (cypress extract) were assessed using the ImmunoCAP^® system (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Waltham, MA, USA). Statistical associations between sensitizations were evaluated using chi-square tests and Spearman’s correlation. Results: Sensitization to peach extract, Pru p 7, and cypress pollen was detected in 38%, 30%, and 45% of patients, respectively. Significant associations were observed between peach and cypress (χ² = 8.80, p = 0.003), peach and Pru p 7 (χ² = 8.23, p = 0.004), and cypress and Pru p 7 (χ² = 6.55, p = 0.01). Notably, all patients sensitized to Pru p 7 also tested positive for both peach and cypress allergens, supporting the hypothesis of pollen–food cross-reactivity. Conclusions: Pru p 7 is a clinically relevant allergen that may account for severe allergic responses in patients not sensitized to classical peach allergens. Its cross-reactivity with Cupressaceae-derived GRPs, such as Cup s 7, highlights the importance of molecular diagnostics in evaluating food allergies, particularly in regions with significant exposure to cypress pollen. Full article

Skin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma cancers (basal and squamous cell carcinomas), is the most common type of cancer. UV radiation, family history, and genetic predisposition are the main risk factors. Although surgical excision is the standard treatment, essential oils are attracting growing interest for their anti-cancer effects. This study tested the effects of Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb. (Cupressaceae), Lavandula vera DC. (Lamiaceae), and Salvia fruticosa (Mill). (Lamiaceae) essential oils extracted from Middle Eastern medicinal plants on HaCaT (normal), A5 (benign), and II4 (low-grade malignant) keratinocytes. Essential oils were extracted from Juniperus excelsa, Lavandula vera, and Salvia libanotica using steam distillation and then were chemically analyzed. The oils were sterilized, dissolved in DMSO, and prepared at concentrations of 0.75, 0.5, and 0.25 mg/mL. Human keratinocyte (HaCaT), benign (A5), and malignant (II4) cell lines were cultured in DMEM and treated with the essential oils for 24 or 48 h. Cell viability was assessed using the Trypan Blue Exclusion Test, while cell proliferation was evaluated using the MTT assay. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA with appropriate post hoc tests, considering p < 0.05 as significant. The results show that J. excelsa is cytotoxic but lacks selectivity, limiting its efficacy. In contrast, L. vera and S. fruticosa preferentially target malignant cells, particularly at low concentrations, while sparing normal cells. These oils have dose-dependent anticancer effects, with L. vera efficacy increasing as the concentration increases. In conclusion, L. vera and S. fruticosa are promising candidates for the treatment of skin cancer, although further in vivo studies are required. Full article

Platycladus orientalis, an evergreen tree belonging to the Cupressaceae family, has been traditionally used to treat various ailments, including fever, cough, diarrhea, diuresis, cold symptoms, and gastrointestinal disorders in folk medicine. As part of our ongoing investigation aimed at discovering bioactive natural products and elucidating their mechanisms of action from various natural sources, we investigated a methanol (MeOH) extract of P. orientalis leaves. This investigation led to the isolation and identification of a labdane-type diterpene, lambertianic acid (LA), via column chromatography and HPLC purification. The structure of LA was elucidated using LC/MS and NMR spectroscopic analyses, including HR-ESIMS, while its absolute configuration was confirmed through electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Recent studies have reported that labdane-type diterpenes exhibit diverse pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and hypolipidemic effects. Notably, LA has been shown to modulate adipocyte metabolism via AMPK signaling; however, its role in skeletal muscle atrophy remains unexplored. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of LA on dexamethasone (Dex)-induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 myotubes. Treatment with LA at concentrations of 25 µM and 50 µM significantly rescued myotube diameter and reduced the expression of atrophy-related proteins, including MuRF-1 and atrogin-1/MAFbx, without compromising cell viability at these moderate concentrations. These findings suggest that LA derived from P. orientalis exerts protective effects against skeletal muscle atrophy, highlighting its potential as a promising natural therapeutic candidate for muscle-wasting disorders. Full article

The evergreen coniferous tree Thuja occidentalis is a member of the Cupressaceae family. This study included biological, cytotoxic, and in silico docking analyses in addition to a phytochemical composition analysis of the plant leaves and stem ethanolic extracts. The extracts’ in vitro cytotoxicity efficacy against various cancer cell lines was examined. Additionally, certain phytochemical compounds were identified by gas chromatographic analysis and subsequently assessed in silico against anticancer molecular targets. Also, their antiviral effect was assessed. Good cytotoxic activity was demonstrated by plant extracts against the lung and colorectal cancer cell lines. With half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of 18.45 μg/mL for the leaf extract and 33.61 μg/mL for the stem extract, apoptosis and S-phase arrest was observed in the lung cancer cell line. In addition, the leaf extract demonstrated effective antiviral activity, with suppression rates of 17.7 and 16.2% for the herpes simplex and influenza viruses, respectively. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of relevant bioactive components such as Podocarp-7-en-3β-ol, 13β-methyl-13-vinyl, Megastigmatrienone, and Cedrol, which were tested in silico against anticancer molecular targets. Our findings suggest that plant ethanolic extracts may have potential therapeutic uses as anticancer drugs against lung cancer in addition to their antiviral properties, which opens up further avenues for more investigation and applications. Full article

The juniper (Taxodium mucronatum Ten. of the Cupressaceae family) is a long-lived species that forms gallery forests. Dozens of dead junipers > 100 years old have been identified in the San Pedro Mezquital watershed in Durango, Mexico. This work determines the causes of death of these specimens. The work was carried out in the field and in the laboratory, where in the former the surface of the damaged trees was identified, together with the changes observed in the watercourses. In the latter, sabino seedlings were transported to the work center and exposed for 7 days in containers with gravel to five types of wastewater generated in the region. With the above, the conditions experienced by the adult trees in the field were studied, as well as the sensitivity of the young specimens to the types of water quality, and the differences were validated with ANOVA tests. Five sites with dead junipers were found, ranging in size from 0.5 to 4 ha, with ages between 200 and 400 years. It was found that during the dry season, water is diverted to irrigated areas, leaving some areas without water for several months. The shoots survived in most of the water qualities, except the one with high salinity (3.34 mS/cm). It is concluded that the lack of water in the rivers had a stronger influence than the water quality and is the probable cause of the death of the sabino. Full article

Gymnosperms originated in the Middle Devonian and have experienced a long evolutionary history with pulses of speciation and extinction, which resulted in the four morphologically distinct extant groups, i.e., cycads, Ginkgo, conifers and gnetophytes. For over a century, the systematic relationships within the extant gymnosperms have been debated because different authors emphasized different characters. Recent phylogenomic studies of gymnosperms have given a consistent topology, which aligns well with extant gymnosperms classified into three classes, five subclasses, eight orders, and 13 families. Here, we review the historical opinions of systematics of gymnosperms with special reference to several problematic taxa and reconsider the evolution of some key morphological characters previously emphasized by taxonomists within a phylogenomic context. We conclude that (1) cycads contain two families, i.e., the Cycadaceae and the Zamiaceae; (2) Ginkgo is sister to cycads but not to conifers, with the similarities between Ginkgo and conifers being the result of parallel evolution including a monopodial growth pattern, pycnoxylic wood in long shoots, and the compound female cones, and the reproductive similarities between Ginkgo and cycads are either synapomorphic or plesiomorphic, e.g., the boat-shaped pollen, the branched pollen tube, and the flagellate sperms; (3) conifers are paraphyletic with gnetophytes nested within them, thus gnetophytes are derived conifers, and our newly delimited coniferophytes are equivalent to the Pinopsida and include three subclasses, i.e., Pinidae, Gnetidae, and Cupressidae; (4) fleshy cones of conifers originated multiple times, the Podocarpaceae are sister to the Araucariaceae, the Cephalotaxaceae and the Taxaceae comprise a small clade, which is sister to the Cupressaceae; (5) the Cephalotaxaceae are distinct from the Taxaceae, because the former family possesses typical female cones and the fleshy part of the seed is derived from the fleshiness of integument, while the latter family has reduced female cones and preserves no traces of the seed scale complexes. Full article

The Cupressaceae family includes species considered to be medicinal. Their essential oil is used for headaches, colds, cough, and bronchitis. Cedar trees like Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (C. lawsoniana) are commonly found in urban areas. We investigated whether C. lawsoniana exerts some of its effects by modifying airway smooth muscle (ASM) contractility. The leaves of C. lawsoniana (363 g) were pulverized mechanically, and extracts were obtained by successive maceration 1:10 (w:w) with methanol/CHCl₃. Guinea pig tracheal rings were contracted with KCl, tetraethylammonium (TEA), histamine (HIS), or carbachol (Cch) in organ baths. In the Cch experiments, tissues were pre-incubated with D-600, an antagonist of L-type voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels (L-VDCC) before the addition of C. lawsoniana. Interestingly, at different concentrations, C. lawsoniana diminished the tracheal contractions induced by KCl, TEA, HIS, and Cch. In ASM cells, C. lawsoniana significantly diminished L-type Ca²⁺ currents. ASM cells stimulated with Cch produced a transient Ca²⁺ peak followed by a sustained plateau maintained by L-VDCC and store-operated Ca²⁺ channels (SOCC). C. lawsoniana almost abolished this last response. These results show that C. lawsoniana, and its active metabolite quercetin, relax the ASM by inhibiting the L-VDCC and SOCC; further studies must be performed to obtain the complete set of metabolites of the extract and study at length their pharmacological properties. Full article

The adaptive potential of plants in urban environments, responding to factors like air pollution, electromagnetic radiation, and specific microclimates, remains insufficiently understood. Our study focused on two evergreen Cupressaceae family species, Thuja occidentalis L. and Platycladus orientalis L. Franco, which are commonly found in Kazakhstan’s urban landscapes. Conducted in Almaty, one of Kazakhstan’s most polluted cities, our comparative analysis examined the anatomical features, photosynthetic activity, and secondary metabolite composition of these conifers. Both species exhibited xeromorphic traits, such as submerged stomata, resin passages, and a prominent leaf cuticle. T. occidentalis displayed higher photosynthetic activity values (quantum yield of photosystem II (YII), electron transport rate (ETR), and quantum yield of non-photochemical quenching (Y(NPQ))) than P. orientalis, while P. orientalis exhibited a higher quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation in PSII (Y(NO)) values. Chemical analysis revealed 31 components in T. occidentalis and 33 in P. orientalis, with T. occidentalis containing three times more thujone (16.42% and 5.18%, respectively) and a higher monosaccharide content (17.33% and 6.98%, respectively). T. occidentalis also contained 14.53% steroids, whereas P. orientalis showed no steroid presence. The cytotoxic activity of essential oils was determined by the survival of Artemia salina aquatic crustaceans, whereas tested essential oils from both species exhibited acute lethal toxicity to A. salina aquatic crustaceans across all tested concentrations. The connection between physiological traits, adaptation strategies, and cytotoxic effects offers a comprehensive view of the ecological and pharmacological importance of these two observed conifer species, highlighting their diverse roles in urban environments, as well as their potential medical uses. Full article

Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold & Zucc.) Endl. (C. obtusa) belongs to the Cupressaceae family and is native to East Asian regions. Essential oils extracted from the leaves, bark, branches, and roots of C. obtusa have both aesthetic and medicinal properties and are thus widely used. However, detailed analyses of the active ingredients of C. obtusa extract are lacking. In this study, the sabinene content in the hydro-distillation of C. obtusa leaf essential oil (COD) was analyzed using GC-MS, and the anti-inflammatory effect of COD was compared with that of pure sabinene. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay, and nitric oxide (NO) production was measured using Griess reagent. Relative mRNA and protein levels were analyzed using RT-qPCR and western blot, and secreted cytokines were analyzed using a cytokine array kit. The results showed that both COD and sabinene inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. COD and sabinene also reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-27, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of COD and sabinene partially overlap, as COD was shown to inhibit MAPKs and the JAK/STAT axis, and sabinene inhibited MAPKs, thereby preventing LPS-induced macrophage activation. Full article

Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold & Zucc.) Endl., which belongs to the Cupressaceae family, occurs naturally in North America and Asia, especially in Korea, Taiwan and Japan, where it is an evergreen, coniferous, sacred, ethnic tree. It has many useful varieties that are widespread throughout the world and grown for decorative purposes. It is most commonly used as an ornamental plant in homes, gardens or parks. It is also widely used in many areas of the economy; for example, its wood is used in architecture as well as furniture production. In addition, oil extracted from Chamaecyparis obtusa is increasingly used in cosmetology for skin care. Due to its wide economic demand, mainly in Japan, it represents the largest area of plantation forest. Despite this, it is on the red list of endangered species. Its use in ethnopharmacology has led to more and more research in recent years in an attempt to elucidate the potential mechanisms of its various biological activities, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, antiasthmatic, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, analgesic and central nervous system effects. It has also been shown that Chamaecyparis obtusa can be used as an insect repellent and an ingredient in plant disease treatment. This thesis provides a comprehensive review of the biological studies to date, looking at different areas of the economic fields of potential use of Chamaecyparis obtusa. Full article

Based on the literature data from 1973 to 2022, this work summarizes reports on spiro-flavonoids with a spiro-carbon at the center of their structure and how this affects their isolation methods, stereochemistry, and biological activity. The review collects 65 unique structures, including spiro-biflavonoids, spiro-triflavonoids, spiro-tetraflavonoids, spiro-flavostilbenoids, and scillascillin-type homoisoflavonoids. Scillascillin-type homoisoflavonoids comprise spiro[bicyclo[4.2.0]octane-7,3′-chromane]-1(6),2,4-trien-4′-one, while the other spiro-flavonoids contain either 2H,2′H-3,3′-spirobi[benzofuran]-2-one or 2′H,3H-2,3′-spirobi[benzofuran]-3-one in the core of their structures. Spiro-flavonoids have been described in more than 40 species of eight families, including Asparagaceae, Cistaceae, Cupressaceae, Fabaceae, Pentaphylacaceae, Pinaceae, Thymelaeaceae, and Vitaceae. The possible biosynthetic pathways for each group of spiro-flavonoids are summarized in detail. Anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities are the most important biological activities of spiro-flavonoids, both in vitro and in vivo. Our work identifies the most promising natural sources, the existing challenges in assigning the stereochemistry of these compounds, and future research perspectives. Full article