The effect of pretreatment with essential oils (EOs) from eight aromatic plants on the seizure latency and severity of pentylenetetrazol- (PTZ-) induced seizures in mice was evaluated. Weight-dependent doses of Rosmarinus officinalis, Ocimum basilicum, Mentha spicata, Mentha pulegium, Lavandula angustifolia, Mentha piperita, Origanum dictamnus, and Origanum vulgare, isolated from the respective...

O regano is an herb that has been cultivated for centuries in the Mediterranean region, although now it can be found in most continents. The name oregano translates roughly into ‘‘mountain joy,’’ which explains in part its association for ancient Greeks and Romans with joy and happiness. Actually there is not simply one ‘‘oregano,’’ but rather several species that may contribute to the oregano ...

Seventeen microbial species including 10 fungal taxa, two yeasts and five bacteria, were isolated from freshly prepared orange, guava and banana juices kept in open bottles at room temperature for 7 days. Eight different essential oils, from local herbs, were tested for their antimicrobial activity against these test organisms. The essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus, Ocimum basilicum and Ori...

Both Origanum vulgare L. subsp. vulgare and O. vulgare subsp. hirtum (Link) Ietsw. occur in the Rhodopes in different habitats. Collection of O. v. subsp. hirtum is forbidden for trade purposes in Bulgaria by law. The aim of this study is to trace the traditional use and collection of both subspecies in the Rhodopes therefore ethnobotanical survey was carried out. O. vulgare was one of the most...

BACKGROUND Escherichia coli occurs naturally in the human gut; however, certain strains that can cause infections, are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Multidrug-resistant E. coli that produce extended-spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs), such as the CTX-M enzymes, have emerged within the community setting as an important cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bloodstream infections may be...

Plants are known to bioaccumulate many contaminants. Petroleum-derived compounds, such as saturated hydrocarbons and PAHs are widespread persistent environmental contaminants. Deposition of soot and precipitation of black rain have occurred in the Shadegan Wetland. In this study, PAHs in plant parts of two prominent species of halophytes, Halocnemum strobilaceum and Suaeda maritima were determi...