Search Results (7)

Investigations have shown that storage bugs seriously harm grains during storage. In the interim, essential oils (EOs) have been proven to be a good botanical pesticide. The anti-Lasioderma serricorne properties of Elsholtzia ciliata essential oil, which was obtained by steam distillation, were evaluated using DL-limonene, carvone, and their two optical isomer components using contact, repelling, and fumigation techniques. Simultaneously, the fumigation, contact, and repellent activities of carvone and its two optical isomers mixed with DL-limonene against L. serruricorne were evaluated. The results showed that E. ciliata, its main components (R-carvone, DL-limonene), and S-carvone exhibited both fumigations (LC₅₀ = 14.47, 4.42, 20.9 and 3.78 mg/L) and contact (LD₅₀ = 7.31, 4.03, 28.62 and 5.63 µg/adult) activity against L.serricorne. A binary mixture (1:1) of R-carvone and DL-limonene displayed an obvious synergistic effect. A binary mixture (1:1) of carvone and its two optical isomers exhibited an obvious synergistic effect, too. Furthermore, the repellent activity of the EO, carvone, and its two optical isomers, DL-limonene, and a combination of them varied. To stop insect damage during storage, E. ciliata and its components can be utilized as bio-insecticides. Full article

A recent in vivo study in pigs demonstrated the hypotensive properties of essential oil extracted from the blossoming plant Elsholtzia ciliata. This study was designed to examine the effect of E. ciliata essential oil (EO) on smooth muscle contraction. Tension measurements were performed on prostate strips and intact aortic rings isolated from rats. Results showed that EO caused a concentration-dependent reduction in phenylephrine-induced contraction of both the prostate and aorta, with a more pronounced inhibitory effect in the prostate. The IC₅₀ of EO for the prostate was 0.24 ± 0.03 µL/mL (n = 10) and for the aorta was 0.72 ± 0.11 µL/mL (n = 4, p < 0.05 vs. prostate). The chromatographic analysis identified elsholtzia ketone (10.64%) and dehydroelsholtzia ketone (86.23%) as the predominant compounds in the tested EO. Since both compounds feature a furan ring within their molecular structure, other furan ring-containing compounds, 2-acetylfuran (2AF) and 5-methylfurfural (5MFF), were examined. For the first time, our study demonstrated the relaxant effects of 2AF and 5MFF on smooth muscles. Further, results showed that EO, 2AF, and 5MFF altered the responsiveness of prostate smooth muscle cells to phenylephrine. Under control conditions, the EC50 of phenylephrine was 0.18 ± 0.03 µM (n = 5), while in the presence of EO, 2AF, or 5MFF, the EC50 values were 0.81 ± 0.3 µM (n = 5), 0.89 ± 0.11 µM (n = 5), and 0.69 ± 0.23 µM (n = 4), respectively, p < 0.05 vs. control. Analysis of the affinity of EO for α₁-adrenergic receptors in the prostate suggested that EO at a certain range of concentrations has a competitive antagonistic effect on α₁-adrenergic receptors. In conclusion, EO elicits a relaxant effect on smooth muscles which may be related to the inhibition of α₁-adrenoreceptors. Full article

Elsholtzia ciliata essential oil (E. ciliata) has been reported to have an impact on the cardiovascular system. However, its toxicity remains unknown. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to evaluate the toxicological aspects of the E. ciliata extract. Male Balb/c mice were subjected to either acute (a single dose administered for 24 h) or sub-chronic (daily dose for 60 days) intraperitoneal injections of the E. ciliata extract. The mice were assessed for blood hematological/biochemical profiles, mitochondrial functions, and histopathological changes. Additionally, in vitro cytotoxicity assessments of the E. ciliata extract were performed on immobilized primate kidney cells (MARC-145, Vero) and rat liver cells (WBF344) to evaluate cell viability. The control groups received an equivalent volume of olive oil or saline. Our results demonstrated no significant detrimental effects on hematological and biochemical parameters, mitochondrial functions, cellular cytotoxicity, or pathological alterations in vital organs following the intraperitoneal administration of the E. ciliata extract over the 60-day sub-chronic toxicity study. In general, E. ciliata displayed no indications of toxicity, suggesting that the E. ciliata extract is a safe natural product with a well-defined therapeutic and protective index (found to be 90 and 54, respectively) in Balb/c mice. Full article

In this paper, the confusion of the sources of medicinal materials was briefly expounded, and the differences among the varieties were pointed out. At the same time, the chemical components and pharmacological properties of Elsholtzia ciliata (Thunb.) Hyland (E. ciliata) were reviewed. The structures of 352 compounds that have been identified are listed. These mainly include flavonoids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, and other chemical components. They have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, insecticidal, antiviral, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, analgesic, antiarrhythmic, antitumor, antiacetylcholinesterase, and immunoregulator activities. At present, there are many researches using essential oil and alcohol extract, and the researches on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and other pharmacological activities are relatively mature. This paper aims to summarize the existing research, update the research progress regarding the phytochemicals and pharmacology of E. ciliate, and to provide convenience for subsequent research. Full article

Elsholtzia ciliata essential oil (E. ciliata) has been developed in Lithuania and internationally patented as exerting antiarrhythmic properties. Here we demonstrate the pharmacological effects of this herbal preparation on cardiac electrical activity. We used cardiac surface ECG and a combination of microelectrode and optical mapping techniques to track the action potentials (APs) in the Langendorff-perfused rabbit heart model during atrial/endo-/epi-cardial pacing. Activation time, conduction velocity and AP duration (APD) maps were constructed. E. ciliata increased the QRS duration and shortened QT interval of ECG at concentrations of 0.01–0.1 μL/mL, whereas 0.3 μL/mL (0.03%) concentration resulted in marked strengthening of changes. In addition, the E. ciliata in a concentration dependent manner reduced the AP upstroke dV/dt_max and AP amplitude as well as APD. A marked attenuation of the AP dV/dt_max and a slowing spread of electrical signals suggest the impaired functioning of Na⁺-channels, and the effect was use-dependent. Importantly, all these changes were at least partially reversible. Our results indicate that E. ciliata modulates cardiac electrical activity preferentially inhibiting Na⁺ conductance, which may contribute to its effects as a natural antiarrhythmic medicine. Full article

Investigations have indicated that storage pests pose a great threat to global food security by damaging food crops and other food products derived from plants. Essential oils are proven to have significant effects on a large number of stored grain insects. This study evaluated the contact toxicity and fumigant activity of the essential oil extract from the aerial parts of Elsholtzia ciliata and its two major biochemical components against adults and larvae of the food storage pest beetle Tribolium castaneum. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis revealed 16 different components derived from the essential oil of E. ciliata, which included carvone (31.63%), limonene (22.05%), and α-caryophyllene (15.47%). Contact toxicity assay showed that the essential oil extract exhibited a microgram-level of killing activity against T. castaneum adults (lethal dose 50 (LD₅₀) = 7.79 μg/adult) and larvae (LD₅₀ = 24.87 μg/larva). Fumigant toxicity assay showed LD₅₀ of 11.61 mg/L air for adults and 8.73 mg/L air for larvae. Carvone and limonene also exhibited various levels of bioactivity. A binary mixture (2:6) of carvone and limonene displayed obvious contact toxicity against T. castaneum adults (LD₅₀ = 10.84 μg/adult) and larvae (LD₅₀ = 30.62 μg/larva). Furthermore, carvone and limonene exhibited synergistic fumigant activity against T. castaneum larvae at a 1:7 ratio. Altogether, our results suggest that E. ciliata essential oil and its two monomers have a potential application value to eliminate T. castaneum. Full article

Spray-drying is the most popular encapsulation method used for the stabilization and protection of biologically active compounds from various environmental conditions, such as oxidation, moisture, pH, and temperature. Spray-drying increases the bioavailability of the natural active compounds and improves the solubility of low-soluble compounds. The aim of this work was to study the effects of different wall materials and optimize wall material solution’s composition on physicochemical properties of microcapsules loaded with phenolics, extract rich in volatile compounds and essential oil from Elsholtzia ciliata herb. For encapsulation of elsholtzia and dehydroelsholtzia ketones, more suitable wall materials were used—beta-cyclodextrin and sodium caseinate. Four phenolics—sodium caseinate, skim milk, beta-cyclodextrin, and resistant-maltodextrin—were used. A D-optimal mixture composition design was used to evaluate the effect of wall material solution’s composition using sodium caseinate (0.5–1 g), skim milk (6–10 g), resistant-maltodextrin (8–12 g), and beta-cyclodextrin (0.5–1 g) for the encapsulation efficiency, drying yield, and physicochemical properties. The optimal mixture composition was 0.54 g of sodium caseinate, 10 g of skim milk, 8.96 g of resistant-maltodextrin, and 0.5 g of beta-cyclodextrin. These encapsulating agents had a good performance in the microencapsulation of E. ciliata ethanolic extracts by the spray-drying technique. It is proven that the produced microparticles have a good potential to be included in various pharmaceutical forms or food supplements. Full article