Intraspecific Chemical Variability of Essential Oil of Hoslundia opposita
Chemical investigation on leaves oil of Hoslundia opposita, aromatic plant used 
in traditional medicine, harvested from 20 localities of C?te d’Ivoire 
was realized by GC and GC/MS. In total, 101 compounds were identified 
accounting to 92% - 99%, aromatic compounds such benzyl benzoate and sesquiterpenes 
namely germacrene D, β-caryophyllene and α-humulene hydroxyl were found as the major constituents. As regard, 
the chemical profiles of our samples, it was found a great chemical variability 
suggesting a high polymorphism degree. In order to study this chemical 
variability, the results were submitted to the principal components and cluster 
analysis which allowed distinguishing two main groups of essential oils with 
respect to sampling site. The cluster I was dominated by benzyl benzoate (15%) 
and thymol (7.4%) comprising 6 localities, cluster II was characterized by 
phytol (8.5%) and α-humulene (7%) and constituted by 14 localities.
Antimicrobial and cytotoxicity activity of selected Pare folk medicinal plants
Aim: The study aimed to evaluate antimicrobial and cytotoxicity of Grewia villosa , Cassia abbreviata and Hoslundia opposita . Methods: Microdilution method and brine shrimp lethality test were employed to evaluate antimicrobial and cytotoxicity of plant extracts. Results: The extracts of G. villosa , C. abbreviata and H. opposita showed different levels of antimicrobial activities on Gram negative bacterial and fungal species tested. The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) ranges of G. villosa , C. abbreviata and H. opposita extracts were 0.391-25, 0.195-25 and 0.391-25 mg/mL respectively. Cassia abbreviata stem methanolic extracts and roots ethyl acetate extracts exhibited the highest activity with minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 0.195 mg/mL against S. typhi and K. oxytoca respectively. At least one of the extract from each plant exhibited a cytotoxicity nature when tested on brine shrimps where the G. villosa stem chloroform extract was the most cytotoxic with fifty percent lethal concentration (LC50) of 48.432 µg/mL. Conclusion: The findings in this study validate the traditional use of G. villosa , C. abbreviata and H. opposita in management of bacterial and fungal infections. Further phytochemical investigations on G. villosa , C. abbreviata and H. opposita growing in Pare Mountains are recommended to contribute to drug development.
Antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic,reproduction stimulatory properties and safety of essential oil of Satureja Khuzestanica in rat in vivo: a oxicopharmacological study.
BACKGROUND
Satureja Khuzestanica is an endemic plant of Iran that is widely distributed in the southern part of the country. It is famous for its medical uses as an analgesic and antiseptic in folk medicine. The present study was designed to explore the toxicological and pharmacological effects of essential oil of Satureja Khuzestanica (SKEO) in vivo.


MATERIAL/METHODS
The intraperitoneal LD50 of SKEO was determined. Teratogenicity was determined by administration of SKEO at doses of 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm to pregnant rats during days 6 to 015 of gestation. FRAP and TBARS assays were used to determine total antioxidant power and lipid peroxidation respectively. Diabetes and hyperlipidemia were induced by administration of streptozocin and lipid regimen in rats. SKEO (1000 ppm) was administered in drinking water for 10 days.


RESULTS
SKEO is not lethal up to a dose of 2 g kg-1 in rats. In the teratogenicity test, dams of the treated group were active and did not show any signs of toxicity. A significant increase in the number of implantation and live fetuses were observed with SKEO (500 and 1000 ppm) in comparison to the control group. SKEO treatment decreased the normal blood lipid peroxidation level and increased total antioxidant power. Significant decreases in fasting blood glucose and triglyceride levels were observed with SKEO in diabetic and antihyperlipidemic rats respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study indicates the safety and interesting stimulatory effect of SKEO on reproduction. The antioxidant properties of SKEO may explain its antidiabetic and triglyceride-lowering effects.