Search Results (241)

Wound-associated infections persist as a major global health concern, particularly in the context of increasing antimicrobial resistance and reduced efficacy of conventional therapies. Essential oils (EOs) obtained from medicinal plants represent promising alternatives due to their antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. This study evaluated the chemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and interaction effects of Hypericum perforatum (HP) and Achillea millefolium (AM) EOs, tested individually and in fixed-ratio combinations. Chemical profiling by GC–MS revealed that HP EO is dominated by caryophyllene (20.74%) and β-thujone (18.47%), while AM EO is characterized by aromadendrene (19.12%), caryophyllene (12.97%), and chamazulene (10.13%). Antimicrobial activity was assessed against wound-associated microorganisms using MIC and MBC/MFC assays, and interactions were assessed by the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) and heatmap analysis. The results displayed higher susceptibility of Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis, with MIC values as low as 0.56 µL/mL in EO combinations. Synergistic effects were observed exclusively for S. epidermidis in mixtures enriched in HP EO (60:40 and 70:30; FICI = 0.34), while Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans exhibited predominantly indifferent responses. These findings indicate that optimized EO combinations may enhance antimicrobial efficacy and support their potential application in wound management. Full article

Explosive ordnance (EO), including AXO (abandoned explosive ordnance), IEDs (improvised explosives devices), and UXO (unexploded ordnance), are widely recognised for their blast and fragmentation hazards, but they also represent a persistent and under-addressed source of occupational chemical exposure for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel. EOD core activities liberate mixed metals and energetic chemicals, resulting in exposures that are multi-route (inhalation of dusts and fumes, dermal loading amplified by sweat and glove occlusion, and ingestion via hand-to-mouth transfer during eating, drinking, or smoking) and multi-temporal (repeated low-dose background plus task-driven spikes), as well as chemically complex. Clinically, this can present as syndromic overlap across acute and chronic domains, with symptoms that are easily misattributed to heat stress, dehydration, infection, or fatigue. Acute effects of concern include neurotoxic presentations (headache, dizziness, confusion, tremor, and seizure), respiratory and mucosal irritation following dust or fume events, gastrointestinal symptoms, and patterns suggestive of acute hepatic or renal stress, particularly when high-intensity tasks occur in hot environments that compound physiologic strain. Chronic outcomes relevant to repeatedly exposed EOD personnel include renal function decline, neurocognitive effects that can degrade operational decision making and safety, persistent haematologic abnormalities, and endocrine disruption signals, with long-latency risks requiring cautious interpretation given sparse longitudinal data and confounding co-exposures. This review synthesises the current evidence base through an EOD lens and translates it into pragmatic clinical and programmatic actions: task-based exposure characterisation; tiered biomonitoring and medical surveillance aligned to operational tempo; incident-triggered assessment pathways after high-residue events; and prevention strategies that work under field constraints, including contamination control zones, hygiene enforcement, glove and respiratory protection optimisation, tool and vehicle decontamination, and measures to prevent secondary transfer and take-home exposure. The central takeaway is practical: EOD programs can reduce morbidity and improve readiness by treating explosive ordnance as a chemical mixture exposure problem, adopting mixture-aware clinical triage, and embedding surveillance and controls that match how EOD work is actually performed. Full article

Essential oils (EOs) are complex plant-derived mixtures increasingly investigated for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasoprotective properties. Thromboinflammation, a process integrating coagulation, platelet activation, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammatory signaling, plays a central role in vascular pathology; however, the contribution of EOs to this process remains insufficiently characterized. This narrative review aims to synthesize current molecular and experimental evidence regarding the effects of EOs and their major bioactive constituents on pathways converging toward thromboinflammation. A focused PubMed/MEDLINE search, supplemented by manual reference screening, was conducted to identify experimental and translational studies on EOs and selected constituents relevant to inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, platelet activation, and thrombotic pathways. Available data from predominantly preclinical experimental models indicate that EOs can exert multi-target effects, including modulation of cytokine production, attenuation of oxidative stress, improvement in endothelial function, and inhibition of platelet aggregation, thereby influencing key components of thromboinflammatory pathways. Despite these promising findings, heterogeneity in chemical composition, limited standardization, uncertain exposure relevance, and the predominance of preclinical data remain important limitations. In conclusion, EOs represent a promising but still largely preclinical class of natural compounds capable of modulating interconnected mechanisms relevant to thromboinflammation; however, further translational and clinical studies are required to validate their therapeutic potential. Full article

Botanical insecticides containing a mixture of plant essential oils (EOs) are considered suitable for the management of houseflies (M. domestica). The adulticidal efficacies of single EOs and mixtures of EOs, including lemongrass (C. citratus), star anise (I. verum), nutmeg (M. fragrans), and their components (geranial, trans-anethole, and α-pinene), against houseflies were determined in comparison to 2% (w/v) α-cypermethrin as the positive control and distilled water as the negative control. The mixture of star anise EO (1%) + geranial (1%) was the most effective adulticide, superseding single EOs, other combinations of EOs, and its active component, α-cypermethrin, and distilled water. This mixture was highly synergistic and was found to be over 74% more toxic than all single EOs and almost 2.6 times more toxic than α-cypermethrin. Furthermore, the tested EOs did not cause mortality in guppies (P. reticulata) or earthworms (E. fetida), and caused a maximum of 48% mortality in honeybees (A. mellifera) at 24 h; by contrast, α-cypermethrin led to 100% mortality in honeybees within 0.5 h and in guppies and earthworms within 24 h, although it had low toxicity toward houseflies. Thus, a mixture of star anise EO + geranial is a promising source of EO-derived insecticides for housefly control that is also safe for important non-target species. Full article

This study examines a low-processed, food-grade extraction concept for peppermint leaves (Mentha × piperita L.) using solvents consistent with the principles of green chemistry and an infusion-like protocol. Primary extraction (2–30 min; 50–100 °C) was carried out using water, plasma-treated nanowater, a glycerol–water mixture (65%), an ethanol–water mixture (50%; at room temperature and at 50 °C), and rapeseed oil. To evaluate the potential use of biomass within a circular economy model, the residue remaining after the first extraction was subjected to secondary extraction under identical time–temperature conditions. Primary and secondary extracts were characterized in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), essential oil (EO) recovery, and antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP), and extraction yields were expressed relative to a 70% methanolic reference (TPC/TFC) and to the initial EO content in the plant material. Under the most favorable conditions (10 min; 100 °C; ethanol–water at 50 °C), the highest extraction yields of polar phytochemicals (TPC and TFC) were obtained with water and nanowater, whereas the ethanol–water mixture (50%) and rapeseed oil provided the greatest recovery of essential oil (up to complete depletion after the second extraction). Antioxidant activity showed a similar dependence on solvent type, with water and nanowater extracts exhibiting the highest DPPH/FRAP values. Importantly, secondary extraction contributed a substantial share of the total recovered bioactive compounds (often >30% of combined TPC/TFC), confirming that post-extraction residues remain a valuable raw material. The results support a practical, sequential strategy for designing peppermint extracts: aqueous and glycerol systems for phenolic-rich extracts, and ethanol and oil systems for essential-oil-enriched preparations, with secondary extraction enabling simple, low-energy biomass valorization. Full article

The global rise in antimicrobial resistance has spurred increased interest in alternative antimicrobial agents, particularly essential oils (EOs). These oils are complex mixtures of volatile compounds that exhibit documented biological activity. This study evaluated antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of selected EOs against clinically relevant bacterial and fungal pathogens. Antimicrobial activity against planktonic cells was assessed using disc diffusion assays with DMSO-diluted EO solutions against Escherichia coli (E.coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Candida albicans. Antibiofilm activity of E. coli and S. aureus was examined using ethanol-based EO formulations, with biofilm viability quantified by colony forming unit (CFU) enumeration. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) oil showed the strongest and most consistent activity, inhibiting planktonic and biofilm models. Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), rose (Rosa damascena), and jasmine (Jasminum officinale) oils showed significant planktonic antimicrobial effects, while jasmine oil (Jasminum officinale) demonstrated pronounced antibiofilm activity against S. aureus, including strong biofilm eradication in several replicates. In contrast, chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and sandalwood (Santalum austocaledonicum) oils showed limited or no activity. These findings highlight differences between planktonic and biofilm responses, emphasizing the importance of incorporating biofilm models into antimicrobial evaluation. Overall, Cinnamomum verum and Jasminum officinale oils may serve as complementary antimicrobial agents, warranting further investigation. Full article

Finding safe and efficient plant protection measures is one of the major challenges in horticulture. This study evaluated the biological effects of the Thymus vulgaris essential oil and of Bacillus halotolerans and B. velezensis bacterial mixture on strawberry growth and fruit quality properties, as well as on Botrytis cinerea severity. The experiment was conducted in a high-tunnel greenhouse with the strawberry cv. Sonsation. Treatments: (1) Control—untreated; (2) Bacteria—with Bacillus halotolerans and B. velezensis, four times during flowering; (3) Thyme I—T. vulgaris essential oil (EO), four times during flowering; (4) Thyme II—T. vulgaris EO, four applications supplemented by three additional applications during fruit ripening; (5) Biofungicide I—Bacillus subtilis QST 713, four times supplemented by three applications; (6) Biofungicide II—Clonostachys rosea J1446, four times during flowering. In the first year (2023), the highest total yield was observed in Thyme II, and in the second year (2024), the highest total yield was observed in Thyme I. The results did not reveal any visual phytotoxic effect on plant leaves. The average fruit diameter increased from 28 mm up to 31 mm in 2023 and from 35 mm to 39 mm in 2024. The average soluble solids content increased from 9.4 to 11.4 °Brix in 2023 and from 7.2 to 7.7 °Brix in 2024. The highest ascorbic acid content in 2023 was observed in Biofungicide II and Biofungicide I treatments, respectively, 79.9 mg % and 75.4 mg %. Similarly, in 2024, the highest ascorbic acid content was observed in Bacteria, Biofungicide I, and Biofungicide II treatments—39.3–40.2 mg %. In vitro, the lowest B. cinerea severity on strawberry leaves in 2023 was recorded in Thyme I and Thyme II treatments (~6–7%), while in 2024, the severity in these treatments was higher −20–22%. Thyme treatment showed a stable reduction in B. cinerea on leaves in vitro over both years. Full article

Traditionally, Lasiocephalus ovatus Schltdl. (Asteraceae) has been used as an aromatic medicinal plant, particularly in the treatment of kidney-related ailments. However, scientific evidence validating its chemical composition and bioactivity remains limited. According to our literature search, there are no previous studies on the in vitro antibacterial, antioxidant, or anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oil from the aerial parts of Lasiocephalus ovatus; therefore, this study provides the first experimental evidence of these biological activities for this species. An essential oil (EO) was steam-distilled from the aerial parts of L. ovatus, grown at 4410 m above sea level in the paramos of Chimborazo Province (Ecuador), and subsequently analyzed. The distillation yield was 0.21% (w/w) based on dry plant material. Gas chromatography was employed for qualitative (GC-MS) and quantitative (GC-FID) analyses, using two different capillary columns, coated with 5% phenyl methyl polysiloxane (non-polar) and polyethylene glycol (polar) stationary phases. Dual stationary phases were required to provide complementary selectivity, which reinforced the identification and quantification of compounds. The major components of the EO were silphinene (3.4–3.5%), δ-selinene (3.6–3.1%), β-cyclogermacrene (18.7–18.1%), kessane (4.5–4.2%), spathulenol (13.3–13.3%), viridiflorol (3.1–3.0%) and neophytadiene (4.8–4.4%), values referred to the non-polar and polar phase respectively. The enantioselective analysis revealed that (1S,5S)-(−)-α-pinene, (1S,5S)-(+)-β-pinene and (R)-(−)-α-phellandrene were enantiomerically pure, whereas germacrene D was present as a scalemic mixture. The essential oil of L. ovatus exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 250 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and 500 µg/mL against Escherichia coli. Its antibacterial activity is likely associated with the presence of bioactive sesquiterpenes such as silphinene, δ-selinene, and spathulenol, which are known for their membrane-disruptive properties. Regarding its antioxidant potential, the observed moderate radical scavenging activity (SC₅₀ = of 375.7 µg/mL) can be attributed to its complex mixture, particularly to oxygenated terpenoids like viridiflorol and spathulenol, which are recognized for their radical-neutralizing capacity. In the anti-inflammatory assay, the EO’s moderate potency (IC₅₀ = 165.29 ± 4.75 μg/mL) is also consistent with the anti-inflammatory profile reported for several of its major constituents, including spathulenol and viridiflorol. While significantly lower than that of aspirin (28.85 ± 7.66 μg/mL), this bioactivity is considerable within the context of a plant extract. Overall, the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects are consistent with the EO’s terpene-rich composition, particularly oxygenated sesquiterpenes, while the enantiomeric distribution of chiral monoterpenes may further modulate bioactivity; consequently, future studies should include enantioselective quantification, broader antioxidant assays (e.g., ABTS, FRAP, ORAC, CUPRAC), cytotoxicity at active concentrations, and mechanistic and in vivo validation. Full article

This study demonstrates the potential of Helicrisum plicatum (H. plicatum), Petroselinum crispum (P. crispum) and Origanum vulgare (O. vulgare) essential oils and their combination against four strains of two bacterial species, Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), isolated from milk. GC/MS and GC/FID analyses of H. plicatum essential oil revealed α-pinene (27.61%), γ-curcumene (20.7%) and neryl acetate (5.88%) as the main compounds present in H plicatum essential oil. The main components of the essential oil of P. crispum were α-pinene (17.34%), 1,3,8-p-menthatriene (23.66%), β-phellandrene (10.41%) and myristicin (12.7%). In O. vulgare essential oil, carvacrol (58.3%), o-cymene (15.4%) and thymol (6.0%) were predominant compounds. Subsequently, an augmented simplex-centroid mixture design was applied to optimize the antibacterial efficacy of EO formulations against L. monocytogenes and E. coli. The simultaneous optimization all responses indicates that the optimal antimicrobial formulation was achieved using a ternary mixture of H. plicatum, P. crispum, and O. vulgare in a 16:16:68 (v/v/v) ratio. In parallel, an in silico study of four main essential oil components evaluated their drug-likeness, pharmacokinetic and toxicity properties, and binding to bacterial targets. These major compounds satisfy the main standards for drug-like molecules, with simulations pointing to good oral absorption, an acceptable safety profile, and stable binding to key enzymes in E. coli and L. monocytogenes, which supports their antibacterial potential. Overall, these combined experimental and computational results point to oregano, parsley, and immortelle essential oils as promising natural antimicrobial options for improving the preservation of dairy products. Full article

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematological malignancy with poor prognosis, frequent relapse, and treatment-related toxicity. The discovery of novel anti-leukemic agents with improved selectivity remains an urgent clinical need. In this study, rhizomes of Angiopteris evecta, a medicinal plant used in Thai traditional medicine, were collected from twelve locations in Thailand and extracted using solvents of increasing polarity. Among thirty-six crude fractional extracts, the ethyl acetate crude fractional extract from source No. 003 (AE EtOAc No. 003) exhibited the strongest cytotoxic activity against KG-1a and EoL-1 leukemic cell lines, with low toxicity toward normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Bioactivity-guided fractionation yielded the ternary mixture, a furanone-rich mixture dominated by 5-(1-hydroxyethyl)-dihydro-2-furanone. The ternary mixture inhibited leukemic cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis, causing cell cycle arrest, and downregulating WT1 expression in EoL-1 cells. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses implicated AKT1, MAPK signaling, apoptosis-related pathways, and WT1 as key molecular targets. In addition, AE EtOAc No. 003 and the ternary mixture suppressed TNF-α and IL-6 production in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Collectively, A. evecta-derived furanone compounds represent promising lead candidates for anti-leukemic drug development. Full article

Essential oils (EOs) are complex volatile mixtures that exhibit antioxidant activity through both chemical and biological pathways. Phenolic constituents act as efficient chain-breaking radical-trapping antioxidants, whereas some non-phenolic terpenes operate through distinct mechanisms. Notably, γ-terpinene functions via a “radical export” pathway, generating hydroperoxyl radicals that intercept lipid peroxyl radicals and accelerate chain termination. Recent methodological advances, such as inhibited autoxidation kinetics, oxygen-consumption assays, and fluorescence-based lipid peroxidation probes, have enabled more quantitative evaluation of these activities. Beyond direct radical chemistry, EOs also regulate redox homeostasis by modulating signaling networks such as Nrf2/Keap1, thereby activating antioxidant response element–driven enzymatic defenses in cell and animal models. Phenolic constituents and electrophilic compounds bearing an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl structure may directly activate Nrf2 by modifying Keap1 cysteine residues, whereas non-phenolic terpenes likely depend on oxidative metabolism to form active electrophilic species. Despite broad evidence of antioxidant efficacy, molecular characterization of EO–protein interactions remains limited. This review integrates radical-chain dynamics with redox signaling biology to clarify the mechanistic basis of EO antioxidant activity and to provide a framework for future research. Full article

Accurate knowledge of phase behavior in polyolefin–solvent mixtures is critical for ensuring stable operation and safe scale-up of industrial solution polymerization processes. The binary (n-hexane + ethylene/1-octene copolymer, POE96k-10) and ternary (α-olefin + n-hexane + POE96k-10) phase behaviors were investigated via a visual high-pressure cell (POE96k-10: M_w = 96 kg·mol^–1, M_w/M_n = 3.87, 1-octene mole fraction = 10.31 mol%) at temperatures of 380~480 K and pressures as high as 14 MPa. To systematically analyze the effects of α-olefin mass fraction and type on phase transition, four industrially relevant α-olefins (ethylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene) were investigated. The results show that the phase transition temperature and pressure for liquid–liquid and liquid–vapor transitions show an approximately linear dependence on α-olefin mass fraction. Ethylene, 1-butene, and 1-hexene lower the phase transition temperature, whereas 1-octene increases it. Ethylene exhibits a strong anti-solvent effect, significantly lowering the transition temperature while increasing the phase transition pressure. The modified Sanchez-Lacombe equation of state (MSL EOS) effectively correlates and reproduces the phase equilibrium data of the α-olefin + n-hexane + POE96k-10 ternary systems, though its accuracy decreases with increasing α-olefin chain length. Full article

Hemipteran insects such as Euschistus heros and Dysdercus peruvianus are important pests of soybean and cotton, respectively, making them relevant targets in pest management programs. This work aims to evaluate the insecticidal and chemical activity of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil (CC-EO) and its nanoemulsion against E. heros and D. peruvianus. A mixture of citral stereoisomers (59.5%) was identified as the major constituent of CC-EO The topical application of nanoemulsion resulted in 53.33% and 33.33% mortality in E. heros and D. peruvianus, respectively. Contact treatment caused 83.33% mortality in E. heros and 86.70% mortality in D. peruvianus, also inducing antennal deformities observed by scanning electron microscopy and reflected in altered behavioral responses in a Y-tube olfactometer assay. Ovicidal effects were observed in contact treatment for both species, affecting nymph emergence from eggs treated with nanoemulsion. Treatments with pure EO resulted in 100% nymph mortality and complete inhibition of egg hatching in both insects. Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) analysis revealed changes in the volatile profile of treated insects, showing the presence of semiochemicals related to defense and alarm, such as terpenes and alcohols. The multiple lethal and sublethal effects demonstrated by CC-EO highlight its potential as a candidate for integrated pest management programs, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical control methods. Full article

Several solutions are being explored to reduce methane intensity in dairy farms, but there is no consensus for commercial pastoral dairy systems in temperate zones. We evaluated the effects of essential oils (EO) supplementation on CH₄ intensity and performance in dairy cows within a commercial pasture-based system in southern Chile. Thirty multiparous cows were randomly assigned to a control group and a treated group, with a general average yield of 22.3 ± 5.37 kg/d and an average parity of 3.42 ± 1.13. The treated group received concentrate supplemented with a mixture of EOs. Enteric CH₄ emissions were measured using GreenFeed^®. Milk yield (kg/d), composition (% fat, % protein, urea, somatic cells), plasma biochemistry, and grassland proximal analysis (NIRs) were also evaluated. Results showed a significant increase in fat-corrected milk production (4.6 kg) in the treated group during the first trial period where the grassland was highly nutritious, offering 19.8% crude protein as well as a pool of long-chain fatty acids. Additionally, CH₄ intensity was significantly lower in the treated group (1.3 gCH₄/ECM) during the first phase. EO supplementation strategies represent a suitable non-invasive intervention suitable for commercial grassland-based systems in southern Chile that is strongly influenced by pasture quality. Full article

The study focused on essential oils (EOs) of plant origin, which are of great interest to scientists in the context of medical applications due to their biological properties, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. The objective of the study was to determine chemical profiles and biological activities of the essential oils extracted from five mixtures (M1 [Thymus vulgaris, Ammi visnaga, Syzygium aromaticum, Citrus sinensis]; M2 [Thymus vulgaris, Ammi visnaga, Cinnamomum verum, Citrus sinensis]; M3 [Mentha pulegium, Lavandula angustifolia, Zingiber officinale, Citrus sinensis]; M4 [Mentha pulegium, Lavandula angustifolia, Cinnamomum verum, Citrus sinensis]; M5 [Ammi visnaga, Lavandula angustifolia, Zingiber officinale, Syzygium aromaticum]). Each mixture was derived from a blend of four selected plants used in traditional medicine in Mostaganem, Algeria. When selecting the best composition, the interactions between plant components were considered in terms of potential therapeutic benefits. The chemical compositions of the EO mixtures were analyzed using GC-MS. The acute toxicity of the EO mixtures was evaluated in vivo following oral administration. The sensitivity of the microorganisms to the EO mixtures was determined using the agar diffusion method. Virucidal testing was performed using the quantitative suspension method to determine virucidal activity, as described in the European standard for disinfectants used in the medical field. The antioxidant activity of the EO mixtures was evaluated using a model membrane system based on liposomes derived from soybean phosphatidylcholine. Chemopreventive activity was assessed in vitro using cell culture. The main compounds identified were carvacrol and thymol in M1; geranial, cinnamylaldehyde, and carvacrol in M2; pulegone and limonene in M3; geranial and cinnamylaldehyde and limonene in M4; and eugenol and caryophyllene in M5. The selection of the “best” blend depended on the biological activity deemed most critical for the specific application. Specifically, M3, M4, and M5 exhibited the strongest anti-HSV-1, anti-HAdV-5, and anticancer activity, respectively. In contrast, M1, a potent antioxidant, demonstrated the strongest antibacterial and anticancer activity. These results indicate that M1, M3, M4, and M5 EOs have promising applications in the pharmaceutical industry and medical research. Full article