The chemical composition of Pulicaria dysenterica(L.) Bernh. aerial parts essential oil (EO), growing wildin Bosnia and Herzegovina, was presented in the study. In addition to the EO composition, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities were also tested. The aerial parts of P. dysentericacontained 0.3% of yellow, liquid, fragrant EO. The 51 components identified accounted for 81.09% of the oil. The EO was characterized by the presence of a high concentration of oxygenated sesquiterpenes 51.83% while oxygenated monoterpenes constituted 15.57%, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons 9.32% and non-terpene compounds presented 4.37% of the EO. The dominant compounds were the sesquiterpenes caryophyllene oxide, (E)-nerolidol, β-caryophyllene and monoterpene nerol. The antimicrobial activity of EO was tested against selected ATCC strains of microorganisms, the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosaand Escherichia coli, and the fungus Candida albicans. The results showed that the investigated EO inhibited the growth of all selected ATCC strains of microorganisms. The best result was obtained against Escherichia colibacteria with MIC value of 1 mgmL-1. The cytotoxicity of EO was measured against the HeLa cell line using the MTT method with IC50of 188.52 μgmL-1.This study has provided scientific baseline data on the therapeutic properties of P. dysenterica. KEYWORDS:Pulicaria dysenterica, essential oil,antimicrobial activity,citotoxicity

Aims: The aims of the study were to analyse the polyphenols of Pulicaria dysenterica (L.) Bernh. methanolic extracts from aerial and underground parts, assessment of antioxidant activity and to evaluate their cytotoxicity on HeLa cells of cervical cancer. Methodology: The total phenolic content (TPC) of extracts was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu spectrophotometric method. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of individual polyphenolic compounds were performed by the reverse phase HPLC method. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated by both, 2,2-diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl radical and FRAP assay, while cytotoxicity of the extracts was assessed by MTT assay. Results: TPC of the samples were 127.62±2.22 and 244.12±8.84 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract. In the extracts chlorogenic acid in amount of 10.06±0.96 and 11.32±0.28 mg/g, flavonoid rutin in amount of 5.68±0.13 mg/g and three caffeic acid derivatives were recorded. Extract from underground parts achieved better antioxidant activity with IC50 value 55.36±0.75 µg/mL and FRAP value 2411.12±37.22 µmol Fe2+g-1 compared to the one from aerial parts. Extract from aerial parts achieved better cytotoxic activity with 50% inhibition of viability (IC50) at concentration of 0.389±0.07 mg/mL, against HeLa cells, compared to the extract from underground parts. Conclusion: Analyzed Pulicaria dysenterica extracts contained phenolic acids and flavonoids. The extracts showed good antioxidant activity and cytotoxic properties against HeLa cells in vitro.

Telekia speciosa (Schreb.) Baumg., Asteraceae, is widespread in Eastern and Central Europe and the Balkan Peninsula. Previous phytochemical investigations have revealed T. speciosa as a rich source of sesquiterpene lactone -isoalantolactone, especially in its underground parts. The aim of the present study was to analyze the essential oils from aerial and underground parts of T. speciosa and investigate their antimicrobial activity. Chemical composition of essential oils was determined by GC-FID/MS method leading to the identification of 67 compounds in total, with 15.77 % oxygenated monoterpenes, 7.77 % sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, 49.14 % oxygenated sesquiterpenes, and 12.37 % other compounds from aerial parts, and 3.80 % oxygenated monoterpenes, 3.13 % sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, 90.33 % oxygenated sesquiterpenes from underground parts essential oil. The main components from aerial parts were (E)-nerolidol (11.54 %) and caryophyllene oxide (10.54 %), while isoalantolactone was the predominant component from essential oil underground parts (83.41 %). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration of the essential oils were evaluated against six strains of bacteria and two strains of fungus using in vitro microdilution method. Both oils presented antimicrobial properties against pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Bacilus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Inhibition of growth of tested microorganisms by T. speciosa underground parts essential oil was achieved with MICs ranging from 1.0 to 11.0 mg mL -1 , while MICs of aerial parts essential oil varied from 4.0 to 30.0 mg mL -1 . The obtained results contribute to the knowledge of antimicrobial properties of T. speciosa, which support traditional uses underground parts of the plant.

The aim of this study was to determine the total phenolic content, evaluate antioxidant propertie and antimicrobial potential, and identify phenolic compounds in alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) stems collected in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Alcoholic extracts had higher contents of phenolic and flavonoid components, as well as the antioxidant and ferric reducing antioxidant capacity in comparison to aqueous extracts. All extracts were characterized by HPLC analysis. Furthermore, for the first time, the antimicrobial properties of wild cherry stem extracts were evaluated. Quercetin and (+)-catechin were the main compounds identified in the alcoholic extract, followed by chlorogenic acid and rutin. Quercetin was also the major component detected in aqueous extracts. Besides, alcoholic extract showed better antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus as a representative gram-positive bacteria than infusion, whereas none of the samples showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and fungus Candida albicans.

In the published paper [1], the following plant species are listed: Mentha longifolia var. lavanduliodora, Mentha spicata and Mentha spicata var. crispa.[...]

Ziel der Studie: Die medizinische Verwendung wild wachsender und kultivierter Pflanzen in sechs Landern auf der Balkanhalbinsel (Bosnien und Herzegowina, Kroatien, Monte Negro, Serbien, Slowenien und Rumanien) wird in dieser ethnobotanischen Studie, die in den Jahren 2006 bis 2009 stattfand, dargestellt. Das untersuchte Gebiet weist eine auserordentlich hohe Pflanzendiversitat (ca. 6.300 Gefaspflanzenarten) auf, wobei die Verwendung dieser naturlichen Ressourcen in der traditionellen Medizin bisher grostenteils unerforscht ist. Im Rahmen dieser Untersuchung wurde eine systematische Sammlung von Informationen uber die Verwendung von Arzneipflanzen in der Humanmedizin durchgefuhrt. Material und Methoden: Die Informationen wurden durch so genannte offene ethnobotanische Interviews erfasst. Namen, Alter und Beruf der interviewten Person, die geographische Lokalitat und Zeitpunkt des Interviews, Hintergrund des Rezepts, die verwendete Pflanze und der verwendete Pflanzenteil, die Rezeptur (inkl. der Zubereitungsverfahren) sowie die Indikationen wurden systematisch gesammelt. Die in den Rezepturen genannten Pflanzenarten wurden, so weit es moglich war gesammelt, taxonomisch bestimmt und im Herbarium des De¬partments fur Pharmakognosie der Universitat Wien (WUP) deponiert. Fur die anatomischen, morphologischen, und chemischen Analysen wurden Methoden der Morphometrie, quantitative Anatomie, Lichtmikroskopie, Elektronenmikroskopie, Gaschromatographie-Massenspektrometrie, Dunnschichtchromatographie und Spektralphotometrie verwendet. Ergebnisse: Es wurden 116 Lokalitaten besichtigt und 204 Personen befragt. 293 Pflanzenarten wurden als Herbarmaterial gesammelt und 3171 Rezepturen der traditionellen Nutzung wurden aufgenommen. Die Anwendungen umfassen ein ausgedehntes Spektrum an Indikationen, besonders haufig waren Beschwerden des Urogenital-, Respirations- und Magen-Darmtrakts, Hauterkrankungen, Herz-Kreislaufsystemstorungen und Rheumatismus. Der Aufguss war die haufigste Zubereitung, daneben existieren naturlich andere wie direkte Anwendung der Pflanzen ohne Vorbereitung, frisch gepresste Safte, Abkochungen, Tinkturen, Sirupe, Salben, Einreibungen, Mazerationen, Umschlage, Pulver und Zapfchen. Spezielle Zubereitungen der Region von Bosnien und Herzegowina sind „mehlems“ und eine Art Sirup - der so genannte „đulbe secer“. „Mehlems“ wurden aus frisch gehackten oder frisch gepressten Krauterteilen verschiedener Pflanzen zubereitet. Angewarmte Harze von Abies oder Picea Arten, Bienenwachs, Kuh- oder Schweinefett, Olivenol und Honig wurden als Zusatze in den Mehlem-Formulierungen benutzt. Vor allem Arten der Gattungen Arctium, Carlina, Euphrasia, Hypericum, Plantago, Teucrium und Urtica finden haufig Anwendung in diesen Salben. Die Hauptbestandteile von „đulbe secer“ sind Zucker oder Honig, Zitronen und Blutenteile einer speziellen Rosa-Art mit sehr kleinen Bluten, die in Bosnien „đulbe ruža“ oder „ruža secerka“ genannt wird. Die Rezepte wurden mundlich, normalerweise von Mutter zu Tochter, und sogar uber mehr als sechs Generationen uberliefert. Fur weitere Analysen und Vergleiche wurden die gesammelten Daten in die so genannte „VOLKSMED“ Datenbank der osterreichischen Rezepte eingegeben. Einige Arzneipflanzen wie Clinopodium vulgare L. (Lamiaceae), Lythrum salicaria L. (Lythraceae), Mentha pulegium L. (Lamiaceae) und Teucrium montanum L. (Lamiaceae), wurden genauer charaktierisiert (makroskopisch, mikroskopisch und phytochemisch). Schlieslich wurden fur die genannten Arten ausfuhrliche Beschreibungen erarbeitet. Auserdem wurden ein zuverlassiges und praktisches Konzept zur Identifizierung der Mentha-Arten in Bosnien-Herzegowina und der Slowakei und Richtlinien fur die Anwendung von morphologischen, phytochemischen und anatomischen Parametern in dieser taxonomisch komplizierten Gattung ausgearbeitet. Schlussfolgerungen: Abschliesend kann festgehalten werden, dass fur die medizinische Versorgung groser Teile der Bevolkerung, zumindest von Bosnien und Herzegowina, die traditionellen Arzneipflanzenanwendungen von hochster Bedeutung sind. Nur 70 der 293 erhobenen Pflanzenarten werden in der offiziellen Pharmazie angewendet. Weniger bekannte Arten, die seit Jahren in der traditionellen Medizin in dieser Region verwendet werden, konnten mogliche Quellen fur neue Therapeutika darstellen.

A taxonomic study into the anatomical, morphological and phytochemical differentiation of the genus Mentha L (Lamiaceae) in Bosnia & Hercegovina and Slovakia is presented. Following a population-based approach and using hierarchical cluster analyses the following basic species and hybrids corresponding to exclusive branches, i.e. groups, in the constructed hierarchies were recognized: Mentha aquatica, M. spicata, M. arvensis, M. longifolia, M. rotundifolia, M. × piperita, M. × villosa, M. × verticillata, M. × gentillis, M. × gracilis and M. pulegium. These groups were independently found by separate analyses of the sampled anatomical and morphological variation. In contrast, these anatomically and morphologically defined species exhibited a high level of phytochemical polymorphism which was largely inconsistent with the hierarchical classification. Among the analysed characters, the inflorescence type, dentation of the leaf margin, hair density, the type of capitate glandular hairs, and the main containing compound in essential oil proved most useful for the discrimination of taxa. However, most of the observed traits were not exclusive to a particular species and only the combined consideration of traits revealed coherent taxonomic groups. Basic species and hybrids are described in detail based on the anatomical, morphological and phytochemical characters used for their definition. The performed cluster analysis finally supported hypotheses on the parentage of some of the studied hybrids.

The study of the present literature for pharmacognostical identification has shown that there is not enough information for the clear differentiation of Mentha species. There exist some data about chemical compounds and morphological aspects [1, 2] but proper anatomical descriptions are missing (except M. × piperita).