Phytochemical studies performed on the aerial parts of Teucrium davaeanum Coss. resulted in the isolation of an iridoid diglycoside, teucardoside; two phenylethanoid triglycosides, poliumoside and 3-O-methyl-poliumoside; a flavon C-diglycoside, vicenin-2 (apigenin-6,8-di-C-glycoside); and a newly described bisdesmosidic oleanane-type triterpene saponin, davaeanoside. Structure elucidations of all isolated metabolites are based on extensive spectroscopic analysis and chemical derivatizations. The extract and isolated compounds (1–5) were tested for α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. IC50 values were measured for all extracts and compounds and compared against acarbose. Results revealed weak or moderate α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity at the tested concentrations of the isolated compounds, especially compound 5. However, these findings do not exclude antidiabetic activity mediated by other mechanisms such as modulation of insulin signaling, enhancement of glucose uptake, or antioxidant effects. Further studies are warranted to explore these potential pathways. In addition, the essential oils of T. davaeanum and T. zanonii were obtained by hydrodistillation and simultaneously analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. The major compounds of T. davaeanum essential oil were germacrene D (31.4%) and bicyclogermacrene (15.9%); the main compounds of T. zanonii were β-pinene (19.5%), α-muurolene (13.4%), oxo-7,8-dihydro-β-ionol (9.2%), and α-pinene (6.9%).

The increasing burden of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance underscores the urgent need for alternatives to conventional therapeutics. Although Eucalyptus essential oils (EOs) are well recognized for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties, their relatively high volatility and limited physicochemical stability restrict their practical applications. In this study, a systematic, design-driven comparative approach was employed to develop nanoemulsions containing Eucalyptus globulus, E. citriodora, and E. radiata EOs, with the aim of improving their stability and biological efficacy. Initially, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed to identify species-specific chemotypes, which guided rational formulation design. A Box-Behnken design enabled the precise optimization of critical colloidal parameters, resulting in nanoemulsions with droplet sizes below 200 nm, polydispersity indices below 0.3, and ζ-potentials of approximately -22 mV. Comprehensive structural characterization by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, together with stress testing, confirmed the robust physical stability of the formulations. In-vitro antimicrobial evaluations against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae revealed up to a 4-fold enhancement in antimicrobial activity and up to 80% inhibition of biofilm compared to the corresponding unformulated essential oils. The enhancements are most likely attributable to enhanced dispersion, increased interaction with greater microbial interfaces, and nanoscale stabilization of volatile bioactive constituents. Collectively, the optimized Eucalyptus nanoemulsions constitute reproducible, chemically well-defined nanocarrier systems with markedly improved antibacterial and antibiofilm performance, highlighting their promise as next-generation delivery systems for phytopharmaceutical applications. Further comprehensive biological and toxicological investigations are required to support the safe and effective translation of essential oil-containing nanocapsulations into practical use.

Currently, the treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) typically involves the use of 5-nitroimidazoles (such as metronidazole and tinidazole). However, an increasing failure in treatment is observed due to resistance developed to these drugs. For this reason, alternative drugs have been investigated, especially by using natural products. In our study, the anti-T. vaginalis activity of the Origanum majorana essential oil (OMEO), which is a Cyprus endemic plant, and its synergistic effect with metronidazole were investigated. The essential oil was extracted through hydrodistillation of the dried flowering tops of the plant. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were performed using the Agilent 5975 GC-MSD system. L929 mouse fibroblast cell line was used to determine cytotoxic activity. Two clinical strains and one metronidazole-resistant T. vaginalis standard strain were used. LC50, and MLC (minimum lethal concentration) values of OMEO and metronidazole were determined by the broth microdilution method in vitro in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The combination of OMEO with metronidazole was investigated against all strains by the checkerboard method. The major compounds in the OMEO content were determined as cis-sabinene hydrate (29.1%) and terpinen-4-ol (19.6%). In cytotoxic analyses, it was observed that the cell viability remained stable at low doses. OMEO is effective against all three T. vaginalis strains. There is a significant difference between the IC50 averages at the 24th and 48th hours (333.03 µg/mL and 226.43 µg/mL, respectively) in aerobic conditions (p=0.003). In addition, there is a statistically significant relationship between the results of the 24th and 48th hours (348.77 µg/mL and 238.80 µg/mL, respectively) in the anaerobic conditions (p=<0.0001). In general, OMEO has been shown to have a synergistic effect with metronidazole. In conclusion, we believe that OMEO is a potential natural agent that can be particularly used in the treatment of protozoan infections, including T. vaginalis.

The hydro-distilled essential oil constituents of Salvia sp. (S. dominica-A, S. fruticosa-C, D, S. lanigera-B, and S. willeana-F, S. verbenaca-E,) growing wild in Cyprus were analyzed by GC-GC/MS. The major compounds of S. lanigera oil were alpha-terpinyl acetate (34.7%), linalyl acetate (10.6%), and linalool (4.5%), while those of S. dominica oil were alpha-terpinyl acetate (36.5%), linalyl acetate (16.2%), linalool (11.8%), alpha-pinene (8.9%), and alpha-terpineol (8.4%). HCA revealed a complex clustering pattern, with close chemotypic relationships between cluster 1, D, C, and F, and between cluster 2, A and B, based on the evaluation of whole oil. On the other hand, F was distinct but similar to A and B. PCA revealed Cluster 1, a 1,8-cineole-poor type, and Cluster 2, a 1,8-cineole-dominant type.

The genus Eucalyptus L’Hér., is native to Australia with 61 introduced taxa in Cyprus, including E. torquata Luehm., which has a wide distribution on the island. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible seasonal variations in the chemical composition of the essential oils of juvenile and mature leaves collected from Nicosia, Cyprus, by using multivariate statistical analysis. The leaves of 12 monthly collections were separately hydrodistilled, and GC-FID and GC/MS analyses were conducted. In general, the results revealed 1,8-cineole (mature: 3.6–27.8%; juvenile: 12.7–21.5%) and torquatone (mature: 27.6–48.8%; juvenile: 28.8–41.5%) as major compounds as well as an inverse relation between 1,8-cineole and torquatone content. Other important compounds found were α-pinene, β-eudesmol and α-eudesmol for all samples. The data support the existence of three major clusters, distinguished by the concentration of torquatone and miniatone. Minor compounds were also temporally relevant. The present study is among the first of its kind, analyzing the essential oils for a one-year period in Cyprus as well as conducting statistical analysis on E. torquata to reveal possible temporal variations between heterophyllous leaves, and also performing Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, determining the primary components of variability.

Several Polygala species have been widely used in folk medicine for the cure of mainly neurological disorders. Polygala vulgaris is one of the polyploid species in the flora of Türkiye. The studies on the dried roots of this species resulted in the isolation of seven sucrose mono- and diesters (1-7), a known lignan glycoside, liriodendrin (8), a xanthone O-glycoside, 7-O-β-glucopyranosyloxy-1-hydroxy-2,3,4-trimethoxyxanthone (9), three previously described tetrasaccharide multiesters fallaxoses C, D and senegose G (10-12), three newly described tetrasaccharide multiesters (vulgaroses A, B and C) (13-15) and two known saponins (polygalasaponin XLIV and E-senegasaponin c) (16-17). The structures of the compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods including 1D-NMR (1H-NMR,13C-NMR, DEPT-135, 1D selective ROESY), 2D-NMR (COSY, HSQC, HSQC-TOCSY, TOCSY, HMBC, NOESY, ROESY) and HRMS.

Objectives Saponins are secondary metabolites naturally found in plants with diverse pharmacological properties such as anticancer. This research aimed to explore the anti-cancer properties of Polygalasaponin XLIV (PS-XLIV) in a human colorectal carcinoma cell line derived from Polygala vulgaris roots.Methods HCT166 cells were treated with different PS-XLIV concentrations and incubated for 24 and 48 h. We used immunocytochemistry to investigate PS-XLIV's anti-cancer properties, employing antibodies targeting WNT3A, WNT11, STAT3, beta-catenin, and Ki-67. The IC50 value of PS-XLIV was 80 mu g/mL in HCT116 cells. WNT11, STAT3, beta-catenin, and Ki-67. Immunoreactivities significantly decreased in PS-XLIV-treated HCT116 cells than in control group cells.Results After PS-XLIV treatment, the epithelial morphology of cells was protected; however, the number of cells was less than that of the control group cells. While WNT3A immunoreactivity was similar in both groups, WNT11 and beta-catenin immunoreactivities were decreased after PS-XLIV application. In addition, the PS-XLIV treated group exhibited significantly weaker Ki-67 immunoreactivity, STAT3 immunoreactivty was moderated after PS-XLIV application.Conclusions For the first time, the anticancer effects of PS-XLIV isolated from P. vulgaris on HCT116 cells were shown. The anticancer effect may involve PS-XLIV reducing WNT11, beta-catenin, STAT3, and Ki-67 activation pathways in HCT116 cells.

This present study aims to characterize the essential oil compositions of the aerial parts of M. spicata L. and endemic M. longifolia ssp. cyprica (Heinr. Braun) Harley by using GC-FID and GC/MS analyses simultaneously. In addition, it aims to perform multivariate statistical analysis by comparing with the existing literature, emphasizing the literature published within the last two decades, conducted on both species growing within the Mediterranean Basin. The major essential oil components of M. spicata were determined as carvone (67.8%) and limonene (10.6%), while the major compounds of M. longifolia ssp. cyprica essential oil were pulegone (64.8%) and 1,8-cineole (10.0%). As a result of statistical analysis, three clades were determined for M. spicata: a carvone-rich chemotype, a carvone/trans-carveol chemotype, and a pulegone/menthone chemotype, with the present study result belonging to the carvone-rich chemotype. Carvone was a primary determinant of chemotype, along with menthone, pulegone, and trans-carveol. In M. longifolia, the primary determinants of chemotype were identified as pulegone and menthone, with three chemotype clades being pulegone-rich, combined menthone/pulegone, and combined menthone/pulegone with caryophyllene enrichment. The primary determinants of chemotype were menthone, pulegone, and caryophyllene. The present study result belongs to pulegone-rich chemotype.

Wild growing Origanum majorana L. var. tenuifolium Weston was collected from three different locations (Om1: Avtepe, Om2: Alevkayasi, Om3: Kozankoy) in North Cyprus. The essential oils were hydrodistilled and chemical composition analyses were simultaneously performed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The average yields of essential oils were 5.46-8.14%. Major compounds of flowering Om1 oil were cis-sabinene hydrate (45.0%) and terpinen-4-ol (11.1%) while those of Om3 (Kozankoy) oil were cis-sabinene hydrate (33.3%), terpinen-4-ol (12.3%) and alpha-terpineol (11.5%). In the post-flowering stage, the major compounds for Om1 and Om3, respectively, were cis-sabinene hydrate (16.7% and 18.8%), terpinen-4-ol (18.1% and 14.5%) and alpha-terpineol (23.9% and 20.0%). However, the main compound of the essential oils of the flowering and post-flowering oil of Om2 was alpha-terpineol (76.9% and 51.6%). Statistical Principal Component (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analyses (HCA) tools demonstrated the composition variations of the essential oils at different times and locations. Om1 and Om3 (HCA similarity level: 98.98%) were similar while Om2 (HCA similarity level: 46.32%) was discordant.

Aim: The study in Northern Cyprus aimed to improve patient-centered care and healthcare practices by examining community perceptions of Herbal Products (HPs) for liver and biliary diseases. Materials and Methods: The self-administered questionnaire utilized in this cross-sectional study, which was carried out in Nicosia, Northern Cyprus from October 2021 to July 2022, allowed 446 participants to provide information on their sociodemographic characteristics and attitudes toward HPs. Results: It was observed that liver diseases are common in Northern Cyprus, with 48.2% suffering from some form. HP use was determined at 47.8%. Pharmacies were the most commonly sought-after sources of information at all education levels, followed by physicians. Camellia sinensis was the most commonly consumed plant, followed by Cynara scolymus, Curcuma longa, Taraxacum officinale and Glycyrrhiza glabra. On the other hand, Silybum marianum was unpreferred. Conclusion: The knowledge of both the healthcare profession (physicians, pharmacists, etc.) and the community in Northern Cyprus need to be improved on the HPs, however, there exists the need for more studies, and instruction on HPs with particular emphasis on safety.

Six known sucrose mono-, di- and triesters and five xanthone derivatives were isolated from the roots of Polygala peshmenii Eren, Parolly, Raus & Kürschner which is a narrow species endemic to Türkiye. Among the xanthones, 1,7-dihydroxy-2,3-methylenedioxy-5,6-dimethoxy-xanthone is an undescribed compound isolated for the first time from a natural source. The studies on the roots of P. azizsancarii Dönmez have resulted in the isolation of four known compounds including sucrose mono-, di- and triesters. The structures of the sucrose esters and xanthones isolated from P. azizsancarii and P. peshmenii were established by spectroscopic methods, including 1D-NMR (1H NMR, 13C NMR, DEPT-135), 2D-NMR (COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC). Neuroprotective activities of two xanthones, 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2,5,7-trimethoxyxanthone and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-1,6-dihydroxy-2,5,7-trimethoxyxanthone isolated from the roots of P. azizsancarii were evaluated in vitro using in a cellular model of Alzheimer's disease. SKNAS human neuroblastoma cells were used in the study and treated with different consecrations of Aβ₂₅₋₃₅ oligomer for up to 48 h. Cell viability was evaluated using MTT assay. The distribution of β-amyloid, α-synuclein, tau, JAK2, STAT3, caspase 3 and BMP-2 were investigated using indirect immunoperoxidase staining. Our results suggested that both xanthones control tau aggregation with no effect on β-amyloid plaque formation. In addition, for neuronal pathophysiology in AD cell model, decreased distributions of JAK/STAT3 and BMP2 signaling pathways were demonstrated, therefore they play a role in the protective effect on neurons in neurodegenerative disease. A significant decrease in caspase 3 immunoreactivity was detected after the administration of both compounds in AD cells. Therefore, both compounds control neuronal pathophysiology and rescue cell death in AD disease.

The genus Eucalyptus belonging to the Myrtaceae family, consists of tall, evergreen trees with leathery leaves. They are indigenous to Australia and contain about 900 species and subspecies. One important use is production of essential oils, which are valuable in both medicinal and pharmaceutical industries. There are about 62 species of Eucalyptus naturalized to Cyprus including E. camaldulensis and E. torquata. The essential oil constituents of leaves of these two species of Eucalyptus collected from Northern Cyprus were isolated by hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS, simultaneously. E. camaldulensis oil yield was higher (2.4%), and major compounds identified were alpha-phellandrene (10.3%) and beta-phellandrene (30.6%), respectively. These compounds were followed by p-cymene (8.2%), bicyclogermacrene (6.1%) and spathulenol (9.3%). On the other hand, E. torquata oil yield was relatively lower (1.6%), with major compounds being alpha-pinene (18.6%), 1,8-cineole (18.8%), beta-eudesmol (10.3%) and torquatone (29.2%).

: Amongst all cancer types, liver cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality. It is frequently stated as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and occurs in hepatocytes. Genetic alterations of hepatocytes such as Wnt/β-catenin and JAK / STAT signaling pathways play a key role for the development of the HCC. Currently, there are a few available treatments for HCC; such treatments include transplantation, surgical resections and anti-cancer drugs. Most of the anti-cancer drugs target the signaling pathways for achieving an effective treatment. However, these treatments have some undesirable side effects. Thus, there is a need for discovering alternative anti-cancer agents with no or lesser side effects. Plant constituents are promising anti-cancer agents. Cynara cornigera L. contains plenty of phenolic compounds including quercetin, apigenin, etc. This study aimed to analyze the anti-cancer property of the fractionated methanol extract of the flowers of C. cornigera . All the fractions obtained were analyzed to determine the cytotoxic activity on HepG2 cells. Two of the fractions containing polyphenolic compounds had a significant cytotoxic activity related to non-canonical Wnt11 signaling pathways on HepG2 cells.

The genus Teucrium L., belonging to the family Lamiaceae, is divided in ten sections including Polium (Mill.)Schreb.In Cyprus, this section is represented by five endemic species: T. micropodioides, T. cyprium, T. karpasiticum, T. kyreniae and T. salaminium.Essential oils of the aerial parts of these species were separately obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus.Chemical compositions of the obtained oils were analyzed by GC and GC/MS, simultaneously.The essential oil yields ranged between 0.03-0.75(v/w).The major components of the essential oil of T. kyreniae were β-caryophyllene (21.2%), (Ε)-nerolidol (10.9%), carvone (8.8%) and α-humulene (7.9%).T. salaminium essential oil was dominated by β-caryophyllene (15.2%), caryophyllene oxide (13.9%), germacrene D (11.6%) and bicyclogermacrene (10.0%).Major components of the oil of T. cyprium were β-pinene (35.4%), α-pinene (10.6%) and spathulenol (8.4%).Major compounds of the oils of T. micropodioides samples, collected from two different locations, were (1) limonene (47.0%), β-pinene (16.0%) and β-caryophyllene (6.9%), (2) δ-cadinene (11.2%), 1-epi-cubenol (7.8%), cubebol (4.7%), cubenol (4.1%), respectively.Main constituents of the essential oil of T. karpasiticum were limonene (43.9%), β-pinene (16.0%), α-bisabolol oxide A (7.8%), β-caryophyllene (5.5%) and α-pinene (4.6%).The section Polium, is considered a complex and the diversity of oil compositions from the species belonging to this section provided additional proof to this consideration.

Aim of the study is to evaluate the potential use of Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffm.& Link and Origanum dubium Boiss.essential oils and their major constituents; thymol and carvacrol in cancer therapies.For this aim hMSC-telo1 cells and their tumorigenic counterpart were exposed to varying concentrations of Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffm.& Link and Origanum dubium Boiss.essential oils, thymol and carvacrol and cellular viability and proliferation have been evaluated by MTT assay.TUNEL assay has used for evaluation of apoptosis.Study suggested that, Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffm.& Link essential oil and thymol have an enhancer effect once combined with conventional chemotherapeutic agents.0.005 v/v % of Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffm.& Link, 0.005 v/v % and 0.05 v/v % of thymol showed enchancer effect by sparing the normal hMSC-telo1 cells from the cytotoxicity of Deferasirox while these combinations were cytotoxic towards tumorigenic hMSC-telo1 cells.

Colchicum troodi belongs to Colchicaceae family that particularly rich in flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannin, fatty acids and alkaloids such as colchicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-proliferative and protective effects of Colchicum troodi ethanolic extract toward relevant molecular signalling pathways on Colo-320 primer and Colo-741 metastatic colon adenocarcinoma cell lines. Colchicum troodi was collected and extracted. Different concentrations of Colchicum troodi extract were incubated for 24 h and 48 h with Colo-320 and Colo-741 cells. Cell growth and cytotoxicity were measured by MTT assays. Anticancer and antiprolifetarive activities of Colchicum troodi were investigated by immunocytochemistry using antibodies directed against to beta-catenin, LGRS, jagged 1, IHH, CD133 and Ki-67 in Colo-320 and Colo-741 cells. In the MTT assay, 10 mu g/ml and 5 mu g/ml Colchicum troodi extract were found to be active against Colo-741 and Colo-320 cells, respectively. Colchicum troodi extract significantly increased caspase beta-catenin immunoreactivities while IHH immunostaining intensity was decreased in Colo-741 cells. We conclude that Colchicum troodi extract increased beta-catenin via Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in Colo-741 cells. Interestingly, it decreased IHH immunoreactivities which is an antagonist of constitutive activity of Wnt/ beta-catenin signaling and is assumed to play protective act during carcinogenesis.

Objectives:Verbascoside, also known as acteoside/kusaginin, has attracted a great attention due to its pharmacological features. In this study, we aimed to determine the cytotoxic effects of pure verbascoside isolated from Phlomis nissolii L. plant in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines in vitro.Materials and Methods:MCF-7 and MDA-MB 231 cells were treated with verbascoside (100, 48, 25, 10, 1, 0.5, and 0.1 μM) for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Cytotoxic effect of verbascoside in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells was assessed using TEBU-BIO cell counting kit 8.Results and Conclusion:IC50 values for 24, 48, and 72 h verbascoside exposure of MCF-7 cells were determined as 0.127, 0.2174, and 0.2828 μM, respectively. R2 values were calculated as 0.9630, 0.8789 and 0.8752, respectively. Two-Way ANOVA multiple comparison test results showed that 100 μM verbascoside has the highest cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 breast cancer (BC) cells after 72 h of exposure. IC50 values for 24, 48 and 72 h verbascoside exposure of MDA-MB 231 cells were determined as 0.1597, 0.2584 and 0.2563 μM, respectively and R2 values were calculated as 0.8438, 0.5107 and 0.9203, respectively. Two-Way ANOVA multiple comparisons test results showed that 100 μM verbascoside has the highest cytotoxic effect on MDA-MB 231 BC cells after 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure.

From the aerial parts of Teucrium creticum L. (Lamiaceae) eight compounds, 1 – 8 were isolated using chromatographical methods. Based on the results of spectroscopical analysis such as UV, 1D-NMR (1H-, 13C-NMR, DEPT-135), 2D-NMR (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY) and HRMS, the structure of the compounds were determined as two iridoids, 8-O-acetylharpagide (1) and teuhircoside (2), two phenylethanoid glycosides, verbascoside (= acteoside) (3) and lavandulifolioside (4), and four neoclerodane-type diterpenoids, teucrin H3 (= 19-acetylgnaphalin) (5), teucjaponin B (6), teucretol (7) and diacetylteumassilin (8).

The aim of the present study was to characterize the essential oil composition of Thymus integer Griseb. (Lamiaceae), an endemicspecies in Cyprus. Microdistilled essential oil was analysed simultaneously both by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector(GC-FID), and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Overall, 49 components were determined and the majorcomponents were characterized as borneol (22%), p-cymene (10.1%), ϒ- terpinene (9.6%), α-pinene (8.7%), camphene (7.7%), andterpinen-4-ol (5.4%), respectively.

Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) is an infective agent and the main resourceful factor of chronic, active type B gastritis, peptic and duodenal ulcer, gastric carcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoid tumors. Nowadays, pharmcological treatment of H. pylori infections attracts attention besides antibiotic treatment. The aim of this study is to analyse the chemical composition of the essential oils of Thymus capitatus and the antimicrobial activity against H. pylori. Aerial parts of wild-growing plant materials were collected during the flowering stage from three different locations. Essential oil composition analyses were performed simultaneously by GC-FID and GC-MS systems. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was tested by broth dilution method. The thymol percentage was determined as more than half of the essential oil composition of Thymus capitatusYedidalga (51.9%) and Thymus capitatus ñYıldırım (57.1%); however, the composition of thymol was 47.2% followed by 15.1% (p-cymene), 10.0% (γ-terpinene) and 5.7% (carvacrol) for Thymus capitatus-Boğaz/Girne. The essential oil from Thymus capitatusBoğaz/Girne showed the lowest MIC and MBC values and the strongest bactericidal activity against H. pylori compared to the other tested essential oils. Bactericidal efficacy of essential oil of Thymus capitatus on H. pylori could have been affected due to the varied rates of major compounds. Thymus capitatus essential oil could be an alternative way for the treatment of H. pylori infections.