Search Results (12)

The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of high temperature on the extraction of polyphenols and flavonoids from Fumaria officinalis. The polyphenol yield varied from 16.56 to 18.33 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of dried plant material, achieving the highest value in the extract prepared using heat-assisted extraction (HAE) for 30 min. The same trend was noticed for the flavonoid concentration in the extracts (7.14–8.48 mg catechin equivalent/g of dried plant material): macerate after 60 min ≤ macerate after 90 min ≤ HAE extract after 15 min ≤ HAE extract after 30 min. Compared to maceration and taking into consideration the industrial requirements such as high extraction yield for a shorter time, HAE could be recommended as a convenient technique for polyphenol and flavonoid extraction from fumitory. Full article

The aim of the present study was the characterization of fumitory extract-loaded liposomal vesicles after UV irradiation via the determination of the encapsulation efficiency, size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, mobility, and conductivity. The encapsulation efficiency was the same before and after UV irradiation (>69%). The particle size and PDI of the UV-irradiated liposomes with the fumitory extract were 294.2 ± 4.1 nm and 0.387 ± 0.011, respectively. The zeta potential after UV irradiation was −5.51 ± 0.4 mV. The mobility and conductivity of the obtained liposomal particles were −0.429 ± 0.012 µmcm/Vs and 0.468 ± 0.005 mS/cm, respectively. The results indicate the existence of nanoparticles and a non-uniform system, while a negative zeta potential value is related to the organization of phospholipids. Since UV irradiation did not cause significant changes in all of the mentioned parameters of the fumitory extract-loaded liposomes, it can be employed as a sterilization step in the preparation of liposomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the physical, rheological, and antioxidant properties of nano-liposomal formulations encapsulating Fumaria officinalis L. (fumitory) extract, focusing on their stability and performance under ultraviolet (UV) exposure, as well as polyphenol release within simulated skin conditions in a Franz diffusion cell. Methods: Liposomal formulations, composed of phospholipids with or without β-sitosterol or ergosterol, were evaluated for their encapsulation efficiency, liposome size, size distribution, zeta potential, viscosity, surface tension, density, oxidative stability, antioxidant capacity, and polyphenol recovery. Results: Encapsulation efficiency was the highest in phospholipid liposomes (72.2%) and decreased with the incorporation of sterols: 66.7% for β-sitosterol and 62.9% for ergosterol liposomes. Encapsulation significantly increased viscosity and reduced surface tension compared to the plain liposomes, suggesting modified interfacial behavior. The inclusion of fumitory extract significantly increased the viscosity of liposomes (from ~2.5 to 6.09–6.78 mPa × s), consistent with the observed reduction in particle size and zeta potential. Antioxidant assays (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances—TBARS, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid—ABTS, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl—DPPH) confirmed enhanced lipid peroxidation inhibition and radical scavenging upon encapsulation, with ABTS activity reaching up to 95.05% in sterol-containing liposomes. Release studies showed that the free extract exhibited the fastest polyphenol diffusion (5.09 × 10⁻⁹ m²/s), while liposomes demonstrated slower/controlled release due to bilayer barriers. UV-irradiated liposomes released more polyphenols than untreated ones, particularly in the sterol-containing formulations, due to oxidative destabilization and pore formation. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of fumitory extract-loaded liposomes as stable, bioactive carriers with tunable polyphenol antioxidant release properties for dermal applications. Overall, liposomal formulations of fumitory extract exhibit significant potential for further development as a pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or dermo-cosmetic ingredient for use in the prevention and treatment of various skin disorders. Full article

The present research aimed to extract antioxidants from the fumitory aerial part in the flowering stage (containing leaves, stems, and flowers) by performing traditional and novel extraction procedures (maceration, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE)). The fumitory macerate showed significantly lower ABTS radical scavenging activity, expressed as a higher IC₅₀ value (the concentration of extract required to neutralize 50% of radicals, 11.4 ± 0.1 mg/mL), in comparison to the other two extracts, whose IC₅₀ values varied in a narrow range (8.6–9.5 mg/mL). In the DPPH assay, the trend was different: MAE (11.4 ± 0.3 mg/mL) ≥ UAE (12.0 ± 0.8 mg/mL) ≥ macerate (12.8 ± 0.1 mg/mL). In the CUPRAC assay, the UAE and MAE extracts (17.84 ± 0.85 and 18.05 ± 0.71 µmol Trolox equivalents (TE)/g, respectively) showed significantly higher antioxidant activity compared to the macerate (16.43 ± 0.45 µmol TE/g). Regarding the results of the FRAP method, there was no statistically significant difference in ferric ion reduction between the macerate, UAE, and MAE extracts (3.00–3.27 µmol Fe²⁺/g). However, the extract prepared using MAE provided the highest antioxidant potential, as shown in all four tests used. Due to demonstrated extracts’ antioxidant properties, additional research could address additional biological effects or the creation of delivery systems or encapsulates for the controlled delivery of fumitory bioactives. Full article

Fumaria officinalis (fumitory), in the form of dust, was employed as a source of bioactive extracts whose chemical profile and biological potential were investigated. According to the results of the optimization of the extraction protocol, the extract with the highest polyphenol yield was prepared using fumitory dust under the optimal conditions determined using the statistical tool, 2³ full factorial design: 50% ethanol and a 30:1 mL/g ratio during 120 s of microwave extraction (22.56 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of plant material). LC-MS and spectrophotometric/gravimetric analyses quantified the polyphenol, flavonoid, tannin, alkaloid, and protein contents. Caffeoylmalic acid, quercetin dihexoside, quercetin pentoside hexoside, rutin, and methylquercetin dihexoside were the most dominant compounds. The highest total flavonoid, condensed tannin, alkaloid, and protein yields were determined in the extract prepared using microwaves. In addition to the proven antioxidant potential, in the present study, the anti-inflammatory activity of fumitory extracts is also proven in the keratinocyte model, as well as a significant reduction of H₂O₂-induced reactive oxygen species production in cells and the absence of keratinocyte cytotoxicity. Thus, detailed chemical profiles and investigated biological effects related to skin health benefits encourage the potential application of fumitory dust extracts in dermo-cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations for dermatological circumstances. Full article

Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) have been utilized to mediate Fumaria officinalis L., a plant known for its rich source of various phytogredients such as diterpenes, nor-diterpenoids, tri-terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. These natural compounds act as capping, reducing, and stabilizing agents, offering an affordable and safer approach to synthesize nanoparticles in line with sustainable and eco-friendly concepts, such as green nanoparticles. The cost-effective synthesized nanoparticles were employed to adsorb Pb(II) from an aqueous solution. For investigating the surface characteristics of the adsorbent, a range of techniques were employed, including Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and X-ray Diffraction. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was specifically applied to discern the functional groups present within the compounds. To optimize the adsorption process and achieve the best removal efficiency (R%), several parameters, including pH, initial concentration, temperature, and contact time, were optimized using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The experimental results indicated that the Langmuir isotherm provided a well-fitted model, suggesting a monolayer of Pb(II) capping on the surface of magnetite nanoparticles, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 147.1 mg/g. Moreover, the kinetic findings demonstrated a strong alignment with the pseudo-second-order model. The computed (qe) and observed outcomes associated with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model exhibited a commendable concurrence, underscoring the model’s remarkable precision in forecasting the adsorption mechanism of Pb(II) within the examined parameters. The antioxidant activity and green nanocomposite properties were determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and standard analytical methods. The phytochemical profile exhibited a total phenolic content of 596 ± 0.001 mg GAE/g dry weight and a total flavonoid content of 18.25 ± 0.001 mg QE/g dry weight. The DPPH radical’s inhibition showed potent antioxidant activity at various concentrations (44.74, 73.86, 119.791, and 120.16% at 200, 400, 600, and 800 μg/mL, respectively), demonstrating the potential of the plant as a natural capping and reducing agent during the green process of nanoparticle formation. Full article

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the impact of feed supplementation with organic zinc and/or a medicinal plants mixture on the composition and enzymatic activity of intestinal microflora as well as on the duodenal and jejunal barrier integrity in lambs. A total of 28 lambs were randomly allocated into 4 dietary treatments (n = 7) and were fed an unsupplemented basal diet (BD), or the BD enriched with organic Zn (Zn, 70 mg/kg diet), an herbal mixture (Herbmix, 100 g/day) or a combination of both additives (Zn+Herbmix). The Herbmix contained 33% each of Fumaria officinalis, Malva sylvestris, Matricaria chamomilla and 1% Artemisia absinthium. No significant effect on the fecal microbiota composition was observed due to the 35-day or 70-day dietary treatment. The intake of Zn alone resulted in decreased bacterial enzyme activities, such as β-glucuronidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase. The transepithelial electrical resistance of the small intestinal mucosa was not influenced by the dietary treatment, whereas simultaneous feeding of Zn and Herbmix exhibited higher claudin-1 and occludin levels in the jejunal mucosa. These results indicate that dietary intake of organic zinc and/or medicinal plants in the mentioned dosage did not alter the diversity of intestinal bacteria in growing lambs but did significantly influence bacterial enzyme activity. Supplementing the zinc and herbs combination showed the potential to regulate intestinal permeability by increasing the level of tight junction proteins in the jejunal mucosa. Full article

Alkaloids are heterocyclic bases with widespread occurrence in nature. Plants are rich and easily accessible sources of them. Most isoquinoline alkaloids have cytotoxic activity for different types of cancer, including malignant melanoma, the most aggressive type of skin cancer. The morbidity of melanoma has increased worldwide every year. For that reason, developing new candidates for anti–melanoma drugs is highly needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the alkaloid compositions of plant extracts obtained from Macleaya cordata root, stem and leaves, Pseudofumaria lutea root and herb, Lamprocapnos spectabilis root and herb, Fumaria officinalis whole plant, Thalictrum foetidum root and herb, and Meconopsis cambrica root and herb by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS. For determination of cytotoxic properties, human malignant melanoma cell line A375, human Caucasian malignant melanoma cell line G-361, and human malignant melanoma cell line SK-MEL-3 were exposed in vitro to the tested plant extracts. Based on the in vitro experiments, Lamprocapnos spectabilis herb extract was selected for further, in vivo research. The toxicity of the extract obtained from Lamprocapnos spectabilis herb was tested using an animal zebrafish model in the fish embryo toxicity test (FET) for determination of the LC₅₀ value and non-toxic doses. Determination of the influence of the investigated extract on the number of cancer cells in a living organism was performed using a zebrafish xenograft model. Determination of the contents of selected alkaloids in different plant extracts was performed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in a reverse-phase system (RP) on a Polar RP column with a mobile phase containing acetonitrile, water and ionic liquid. The presence of these alkaloids in plant extracts was confirmed by LC-MS/MS. Preliminary cytotoxic activity of all prepared plant extracts and selected alkaloid standards was examined using human skin cancer cell lines A375, G-361, and SK-MEL-3. The cytotoxicity of the investigated extract was determined in vitro by cell viability assays (MTT). For in vivo determination of investigated extract cytotoxicity, a Danio rerio larvae xenograft model was used. All investigated plant extracts in in vitro experiments exhibited high cytotoxic activity against the tested cancer cell lines. The results obtained using the Danio rerio larvae xenograft model confirmed the anticancer activity of the extract obtained from Lamprocapnos spectabilis herb. The conducted research provides a basis for future investigations of these plant extracts for potential use in the treatment of malignant melanoma. Full article

Turnip yellows virus (TuYV) is one of the most important pathogens of oilseed rape worldwide. The virus has a large host range including many crop species (e.g., oilseed rape, pea, chickpea) and weeds from more than twenty plant families. Other than oilseed rape, we detected TuYV in many commonly grown weed species that share the fields and vegetation period together with canola crops in Czech and Slovak Republics. TuYV was detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in at least 26 species including main crop hosts (oilseed rape), intercrops and weeds such as Amaranthus retroflexus, Atriplex patula (Amaranthaceae), Arctium lappa, Lactuca serriola, Taraxacum officinale, Tripleurospermum inodorum (Asteraceae), Phacelia tanacetifolia (Boraginaceae), Brassica napus, Capsella bursa–pastoris, Descurainia Sophia, Raphanus raphanistrum, Sinapis alba, Sisymbrium officinale, Thlaspi arvense (Brassicaceae), Silene alba, Stellaria media (Caryophyllaceae), Euphorbia helioscopia (Euphorbiaceae), Geranium rotundifolium (Geraniaceae), Lamium purpureum (Lamiaceae), Fumaria officinalis, Papaver rhoeas (Papaveraceae), Veronica persica (Plantaginaceae syn. Scrophulariaceae), Fallopia convolvulus (Polygonaceae), Solanum nigrum (Solanaceae), Urtica dioica (Urticaceae) and Viola arvensis (Violaceae). The detection of TuYV was further confirmed by RT-qPCR as well as Sanger sequencing of the PCR fragments. We discovered four new weed species as hosts of TuYV such as T. inodorum, S. alba, G. rotundifolium and E. helioscopia, representing their three respective plant families. The readthrough domain (RTD) gene sequence analysis of the Czech and Slovak TuYV isolates from oilseed rape and weed species showed similar within-group nucleotide divergence (7.1% and 5.6%, respectively) and the absence of geographical- or host-based phylogenetic clustering. The high-throughput sequencing of the P. rhoeas sample enabled the obtention of a nearly complete genome of TuYV and revealed the mixed infection of TuYV with turnip mosaic virus and cucumber mosaic virus. Our results thus show that weed species are an important TuYV reservoir and play a significant role in the spread and incidence of the disease in field crops such as oilseed rape. Full article

Alkaloids have protective functions for plants and can play an important role in living organisms. Alkaloids may have a wide range of pharmacological activities. Many of them have cytotoxic activity. Nowadays, cancer has become a serious public health problem. Searching for effective drugs with anticancer activity is one of the most significant challenges of modern scientific research. The aim of this study was the investigation of cytotoxic activity of extracts obtained from Corydalis lutea root and herb, Dicentra spectabilis root and herb, Fumaria officinalis, Macleaya cordata leaves and herb, Mahonia aquifolia leaves and cortex, Meconopsis cambrica root and herb on FaDu, SCC-25, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines. The cytotoxic activity of these extracts has not been previously tested for these cell lines. The aim was also to quantify selected alkaloids in the investigated extracts by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The analyses of alkaloid content were performed using HPLC in reversed phase (RP) mode using Polar RP column and mobile phase containing acetonitrile, water and ionic liquid (IL). Cytotoxic effect of the tested plant extracts and respective alkaloid standards were examined using human pharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells (FaDu), human tongue squamous carcinoma cells (SCC-25), human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7), human triple-negative breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MDA-MB-231). All investigated plant extracts possess cytotoxic activity against tested cancer cell lines: FaDu, SCC-25, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231. The highest cytotoxic activity against FaDu, SCC-25, and MCF-7 cell lines was estimated for Macleaya cordata leaf extract, while the highest cytotoxic activity against MDA-MB-231 cell line was obtained for Macleaya cordata herb extract. Differences in cytotoxic activity were observed for extracts obtained from various parts of investigated plants. In almost all cases the cytotoxic activity of investigated plant extracts, especially at the highest concentration against tested cell lines was significantly higher than the activity of anticancer drug etoposide. Our investigations exhibit that these plant extracts can be recommended for further in vivo experiments to confirm their anticancer activity. Full article

Conservative agriculture includes a range of management strategies with low energy inputs such as no-tillage, minimum tillage, and low application of fertilizers. Weed flora in arable fields is strictly affected by agronomic practices such as tillage and fertilization management. This study was conducted seven years after the beginning of a long-term—durum wheat–faba bean—rotation. It analyzes the combined effects on the soil seed bank of three different tillage systems (conservative, reduced, and conventional tillage) and two levels of nitrogen fertilization. The effects were investigated both using stepwise discriminant analysis and analysis of variance in order to find statistical differences among main factors and their interactions. The seed bank of Conyza canadensis, Papaver rhoeas, Solanum nigrum, Fallopia convolvulus, and Fumaria officinalis was higher in conservative or reduced tillage plots. The magnitude of the response to nitrogen supply varied among weed species. Conyza canadensis seemed to be favored by low nitrogen supply, whereas Sinapis arvensis by higher doses of nitrogen. Anagallis arvensis showed the lowest seed bank in conventionally tilled plots, without distinction of nitrogen supply. The results suggest that different tillage systems and, to a lesser extent, different nitrogen supply, produce changes in the seed bank size and composition, along the soil profile. Full article

Romanian traditional medicine describes the use of aerial parts of Fumaria species to treat hepatobiliary diseases as well as diuretic agents. The present study aims to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant properties, and diuretic effects of several Fumaria species. LC/MS analysis revealed that Fumaria species contain phenolic acids and high amounts of flavonoids with rutin and isoquercitrin as main compounds. Concerning antioxidant capacity, the most significant results were obtained for F. capreolata and F. vailantii. Both species showed a good correlation between the antioxidant capacity and a high amount of flavonoids. Furthermore, the extracts of F. officinalis and F. schleicheri produced a strong increase in urinary volumetric excretion of saline-loaded rats, 24 h after the oral administration of a single dose of 250 mg/kg bw. Moreover, both extracts of F. officinalis and F. schleicheri increased the urinary excretion of Na⁺ and K⁺. Results from the present study offer a new perspective concerning the chemical composition and bioactivities of traditionally used fumitory species. Full article