AIM To study the effects of elenoside, an arylnaph-thalene lignan from Justicia hyssopifolia, on gastro-intestinal motility in vivo and in vitro in rats. METHODS Routine in vivo experimental assessments were catharsis index, water percentage of boluses, intestinal transit, and codeine antagonism. The groups included were vehicle control (propylene glycol-ethanol-plant oil-tween 80), elenoside...

Flaxseed is mainly considered as oilseed crop. Moreover, the other nutritional parameters than its oil content, make it more favorable choice for food technologist to develop functional foods. Several studies reveal that these components work well for nutritional benefit in human being. Scientific evidence supports flaxseed consumption; however, a large sector of the population is still unaware...

A methanolic extract and two fractions (n-hexane and ethyl acetate) from Virola oleifera leaves and some compounds (one lignan and two flavonoids) were investigated to verify the analgesic activity by using the writhing test in mice. The crude methanolic extract showed a moderate analgesic effect (about 40% of inhibition in this test at 10 mg/kg), whereas n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions ca...

Bacterial infections represent one of the main threats to global public health. One of the major causative agents associated with high morbidity and mortality infections in hospitals worldwide is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, there is a need to develop new antibacterial agents to treat these infections, and natural products are a rich source of them. In previous studie...

BACKGROUND Because olive oil is an important component of the Mediterranean diet, it is necessary to establish unequivocal identification of the major potential antioxidant phenolic compounds it contains. METHODS The major phenolic antioxidants in extra virgin olive oil were isolated and purified. Structural analysis was conducted using several spectroscopic techniques, including mass spectro...