a Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; b Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy in Sarajevo, University of Sarajevo, Cekalusa 90, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; c Department of Pharmaceutical Botany and Ecology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; d Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; e Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Sarajevo, University of Sarajevo, Cekalusa 90, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Antimicrobial activity of crude acetone extract from the aerial part of Withania somnifera was tested in vitro against six pathogenic bacteria viz., Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermis, S. aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and S. pyogenes and five bifidobacteria viz., Bifidobacterium animalis, B. breve, B. catenulatum, B. infantis and B. longum evaluating its potential harmful effect on beneficial gastrointestinal microbiota using disk diffusion method. The results showed that pathogenic bacteria were significantly more susceptible to the extract of W. somnifera than bifidobacteria (average of diameters of inhibition zones 20.45 mm and 13.10 mm, respectively) at the concentration of 2 mg/disc. Among all bacteria tested, S. pneumoniae was the most sensitive, while B. animalis was the most resistant species. These results suggest W. somnifera as an effective antibacterial agent against human pathogenic bacteria with lowered harmful effect on bifidobacteria.

The tubers of Corydalis cava Schweigg. & Kort. were extracted with ethanol and the summary alkaloid extract was fractionated in silica gel chromatography column using step gradient elution with hexane, chloroform and ethanol. Repeated column chromatography, preparative TLC and crystallization led to the isolation of fifteen isoquinoline alkaloids. The chemical structures of isolated compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and by comparison with literature data. Isolated alkaloids were tested on ability to inhibit human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase, serum butyrylcholinesterase (IC50) and for its free-radical scavenging activities (EC50).

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a preparation from herbal extracts (PHE) on libido and semen quality in breeding artificial insemination boars. Ten fertile boars were divided into control and experimental groups according to significant difference of libido. There were no differences in semen quality between groups. Animals were fed a commercial feeding mixture for boars. The feeding mixture for the experimental group was enriched with PHE, which was prepared from Eurycoma longifolia, Tribulus terrestris and Leuzea carthamoides. Duration of the experiment was 10 weeks. Samples of ejaculate were collected weekly. Libido was evaluated according to a scale of 0-5 points. Semen volume, sperm motility, percentage of viable spermatozoa, sperm concentration, morphologically abnormal spermatozoa, daily sperm production and sperm survival were assessed. Amounts of mineral components and free amino acids were analysed in seminal plasma. Significant differences were found in these parameters: libido (4.05 ± 0.22 vs 3.48 ± 0.78; p < 0.001), semen volume (331.75 ± 61.91 vs 263.13 ± 87.17 g; p < 0.001), sperm concentration (386.25 ± 107.95 vs 487.25 ± 165.50 × 10(3) /mm(3); p < 0.01), morphologically abnormal spermatozoa (15.94 ± 11.08 vs 20.88 ± 9.19%; p < 0.001) and Mg concentration (28.36 ± 11.59 vs 20.27 ± 13.93 mm; p < 0.05). The experimental group's libido was increased by 20% in comparison with the beginning of the experiment. Results of this study showed positive effect of PHE on libido and some parameters of boar semen quality.

Iron overload both following transfusion therapy of thalassemia and as the result of an inherited disorder, is associated with tissue damage and increased mortality. Patients suffering from iron overload can be treated by administration of iron chelators. Because of some limitations of commonly used iron chelators, the research of new iron chelators is required. In this pilot study, eight flavonoids of different basic structure and two synthetic iron chelators from aroylhydrazone group (SIH, PIH) were compared with effect of clinically used deferoxamine (DEF). Ferrous and total iron chelation activity was assessed by a simple spectrophotometric assay. Shortly: Potential iron chelators were mixed with ferrous or ferric ions in various ratios. Concentration of unbound iron was established by ferrozine at 562nm. Because ferrozine colours specifically ferrous ions, in case of ferric ions, hydroxylamine 10 mM was used for their reduction. None of tested chelators was similarly effective ferrous chelator as compared with DEF. Interestingly, apigenin was more active than synthetic chelators PIH and SIH and rutin was more effective than SIH. Other flavonoids showed only negligible activity. On the contrary, ferric ions seemed to be chelated absolutely by synthetic iron chelators PIH and SIH in ratio 10:1, chelator: iron, respectively. DEF was more effective since its activity nears 100% in ratio 1:1. Tested flavonols (rutin, kaempferol and 3-OH flavone) together with flavone apigenin brought about significant ferric chelation while flavanones (hesperetin and naringenin) with flavanols (catechin and epicatechin) were again practically inactive. This study demonstrated that some flavonoids, especially flavonols, act as iron chelators in clinically relevant concentrations. Though their effect did not approached DEF and synthetic chelators, it should be taken in consideration that additionally to their antioxidant properties they may be useful in pathological conditions associated with oxidative stress due to catalytical role of iron.