Biological activities of chamomile(Matricaria chamomile) flowers' extract against the survival and egg laying of the cattle fever tick(Acari Ixodidae)

In the present work, the potential of acaricidal activity of chamomile flowers＇ extract was studied against engorged Rhipicephalus annulatus tick under laboratory condition. For this purpose, the engorged females ofRhipicephalus annulatus were exposed to two-fold serial dilutions of chamomile flowers＇ extract （0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 4.0% and 8.0%） using ＂dipping method＂ in vitro. The engorged ticks were immersed in different plant dilutions （five ticks for each dilution） for l rain and they were immediately incubated in separate Petri dishes for each replicate at 26℃ and 80% relative humidity. Mortality rate for each treatment was recorded 5 d after incubation. The mortality rate caused by different dilutions of chamomile flowers＇ extract ranged from 6.67% to 26.7%, whereas no mortality was recorded for non-treated control group. The mass of produced eggs varied from 0.23 g （in 8.0% solution） to 0.58 g （in control）, with no statistical differences between the treatments and control （/＇〉0.05）. Also the chamomile flowers＇ extract in highest concentration used （8.0%） caused 46.67% failure in egg laying in engorged females while no failure was observed for non-treated control group. Macroscopic observations indicated that in effective concentrations of plant （4.0% and 8.0%）, patchy hemorrhagic swelling appeared on the skin of treated ticks. The results presented for the first time in this study imply that chamomile may be considered as a promising plant for biocontrol of cattle fever tick disease in the field condition.

Evaluation of proline, chlorophyll, soluble sugar content and uptake of nutrients in the German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) under drought stress and organic fertilizer treatments

Objective: To investigate the effect of drought stress and organic fertilizer on German chamomile(Matricaria chamomilla) nutrient uptake, leaf chlorophyll content and osmotic adjustment under field conditions.Methods: This experiment was carried out through a randomized complete block design with a split factorial arrangement of treatments in three replications. The main plots were subjected to the following irrigation treatments: irrigation after 60, 90, 120, 150 and180 mm evaporation from Class A pan. The sub-plots were treated with three vermicompost doses(0, 5 and 10 t/ha).Results: Although drought stress reduced the nutrient percentages in the shoots, application of vermicompost enhanced the nutrient percentages, particularly when the plants were subjected to moderate to severe drought stress conditions. Moreover, the results of this study showed that the interaction between irrigation treatments and vermicompost rates on leaf chlorophyll content was significant. Comparison between the combined treatments indicated that under normal irrigation and moderate drought stress conditions chamomile plants received 5 and 10 t/ha vermicompost showed significantly higher leaf chlorophyll content comparing to the control treatment.Conclusions: Totally, organic fertilization by vermicompost could partly alleviate the effect of drought stress on chamomile by increasing N, P and K uptake and leaf soluble sugar, especially in stressed treatments.

Control of Tetranychus urticae Koch by extracts of three essential oils of chamomile,marjoram and Eucalyptus

Objective:To evaluate the acaricidal activity of extracts of three essential oils of chamomile,marjoram and Eucalyptwi against Tetranychus urtiaie(T.urticae.)Koch.Methods:Extracts of three essential oils of chamomile,marjoram and Eucalyptus with different concentrations(0.5%,1.0%,2.0%,3.0%and 4.0%)were used to control T.urticae Koch.Results:The results showed that chamomile(Chamomilla recutita)represented the most potent efficient acaricidal agent against Tetranychus followed by marjoram(Marjorana hortensis)and Eucalyptus.The LC_(50)values of chamomile,marjoram and Eucalyptus for adults were 0.65,1.84 and 2.18,respectively and for eggs 1.17,6.26 and 7.33,respectively.Activities of enzymes including glutathione-Stxansferase,esterase(α-esterase andβ-esterase)and alkaline phosphatase in susceptible mites were determined and activities of enzymes involved in the resistance of acaricides were proved.Protease enzyme was significantly decreased at LC_(50)of both chamomile and marjoram compared with positive control.Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer(CC-MS)proved that the major compositions of Chamomilla recutita areα-bisabolol oxide A(35.251%),and trans-3-farersene(7.758%),while the main components of Marjorana hortensis are terpincne-4-ol(23.860%),p-cymene(23.404%)and sabinene(10.904%).Conclusions:It can be concluded that extracts of three essential oils of chamomile,marjoram and Eucalyptus possess acaricidal activity against T.urticae.

Performance of Medicinal and Aromatic Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) under Different Planting, Manure cum Fertilizer Regimes in Kathmandu Valley

New and old genotypes of German chamomile(Matricaria chamomilla Linn.)were experimented under different planting methods,manure and fertilizer combinations first time in Kathmandu valley.The researches aimed at evaluating genotypes performance,identifying suitable planting method and optimum combination of manures and fertilizers.The germplasm evaluation experiment was conducted at the National Agriculture Research Institute(NARI)field,Khumaltar during January-May.Planting method trial was laid out in randomized complete block and manure cum fertilizer trial was in Latin square design(LSD).The results showed good performance of chamomile growth,development and oil content.Major agronomic traits had average figures in all experiments comparable to chamomile growing areas.Most data differed significantly and at par.New genotype produced relatively higher number of branches,leaves and flower heads maintaining more plant density.Growth was higher in row sown and transplanted plots,row sowing found more beneficial.Transplanted plots delayed maturity.Transplanted(0.95%)and broadcasted(0.80%)chamomile gave higher oil percentage,no difference found between genotypes.Significantly(p<0.05)higher and at par branch numbers,flower heads,biomass yield,plant height were recorded in the treatments with higher rate of farm yard manure(FYM)20 t/ha followed by combined application of NPK 60:40:20 kg/ha plus manure 10 t/ha.Oil content was the highest(0.95%)in FYM(20 t/ha)applied plots followed by combined fertilization(0.80%).Despite inferior to treatment N:P:K 60:40:20 kg/ha only to enhance growth and oil production,other results suggested suitable technology and successful cultivation of chamomile in valley conditions are recommended.

Efficacy of topical chamomile on the incidence of phlebitis due to an amiodarone infusion in coronary care patients:a double-blind,randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND：Amiodarone is a useful antiarrhythmic drug.Phlebitis,caused by intravenous amiodarone,is common in patients in coronary care units（CCUs）.OBJECTIVE：The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical chamomile on the incidence of phlebitis due to the administration of an amiodarone infusion into the peripheral vein.DESIGN,SETTING,PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS：This was a randomized,double-blind clinical trial,conducted on 40 patients（n=20 per group）in two groups—an intervention group（chamomile ointment）and a control group（lanoline,as a placebo）,hospitalized in the CCUs and undergoing an amiodarone infusion into the peripheral vein over 24 h.Following the cannulation and commencement of the infusion,placebo or chamomile ointment was rubbed in,up to 10 cm superior to the catheter and repeated every eight hours for three days.The cannula site was then assessed based on the phlebitis checklist.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：The incidence and time of occurrence of phlebitis,relative risk,severity of phlebitis were the main outcome measures.RESULTS：Nineteen patients（19/20）in the control group had phlebitis on the first day of the study and one patient（20/20）on the second day.In the intervention group,phlebitis occurred in 13 cases（13/20）on the first day and another two（2/7）was found on the second day.The incidence of phlebitis was significantly different between two groups（P=0.023）.The cumulative incidence of phlebitis in the intervention group（15/20）is significantly later and lower than that in the control group（20/20）during two days（P=0.008）.Two patients in the intervention group did not develop phlebitis at all during the 3-day study.Also,the relative risk of phlebitis in the two groups was 0.68（P=0.008 5）.A significant difference was not observed with regard to phlebitis severity in both groups.CONCLUSION：It seems that phlebitis occurred to a lesser extent and at a later time frame in the intervention group compared to control group.Topical chamomile may be effective in decreasing the incidence of phlebitis due to an amiodarone infusion.

Improved antioxidative and cytotoxic activities of chamomile(Matricaria chamomilla) florets fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum KCCM 11613P

Antioxidative and cytotoxic effects of chamomile（Matricaria chamomilla） fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum were investigated to improve their biofunctional activities. Total polyphenol（TP） content was measured by the Folin-Denis method, and the antioxidant activities were assessed by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl（DPPH） method and β-carotene bleaching method. AGS, HeL a, LoV o, MCF-7, and MRC-5（normal） cells were used to examine the cytotoxic effects by 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium（MTT） assay. The TP content of fermented chamomile reduced from 21.75 to 18.76 mg gallic acid equivalent（mg GAE）/g, but the DPPH radical capturing activity of fermented chamomile was found to be 11.1% higher than that of nonfermented chamomile after 72 h of fermentation. Following the β-carotene bleaching, the antioxidative effect decreased because of a reduction in pH during fermentation. Additionally, chamomile fermented for 72 h showed a cytotoxic effect of about 95% against cancer cells at 12.7 mg solid/ml of broth, but MRC-5 cells were significantly less sensitive against fermented chamomile samples. These results suggest that the fermentation of chamomile could be applied to develop natural antioxidative and anticancer products.

Preventive role of chamomile fl owers and fennel seeds extracts against liver injury and oxidative stress induced by an immunosuppressant drug in rats

Aim:The present study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of chamomile fl owers methanolic extract(CFME)and fennel seeds methanolic extract(FSME)on azathioprine(AZA),an immunosuppressant drug,which induced a liver injury and oxidative stress in rats.Methods:Rats were divided into 6 groups(8 rats each)and treated orally for 28 consecutive days as follows.Group 1:rats were given normal saline and used as controls;group 2:rats treated with CFME(200 mg/kg);group 3:rats treated with FSME(200 mg/kg);group 4:rats treated with AZA(25 mg/kg);and groups 5 and 6:rats treated with CFME(200 mg/kg)or FSME(200 mg/kg)15 min prior to AZA(25 mg/kg)treatment.At the end of experimental period,blood and liver samples were collected from all groups for biochemical analysis and histological examination.Results:The obtained data revealed that AZA-induced hepatic injury in the rats as evidenced by the signifi cant increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase,alanine aminotransferase,alkaline phosphatase,cholesterol,and direct bilirubin as well as hepatic malondialdehyde level accompanied with signifi cant decrease in reduced glutathione content and total antioxidant capacity in the liver.Moreover,body weight gain showed the signifi cant decrease and relative liver weight showed the signifi cant increase on AZA treatment.The sequential signifi cant changes in biochemical parameters were accompanied by severe histological changes in the liver tissue,including hepatocytes disorganization with pyknotic nuclei,fatty degeneration,congestion,fi brosis,and bile duct necrosis around the portal tract.The areas of hemorrhages in blood vessels and in between hepatocytes were also seen.However,the results showed the potential hepatoprotective effects of CFME and FSME against AZA-induced liver injury and oxidative stress.They succeeded in restoring the biochemical parameters and improving the histological picture of the liver.This improvement was more pronounced in the rats pretreated with FSME.Conclusion:It could be concluded that CFME and FSME have hepatoprotective potentials against AZA probably due to their antioxidant properties and radical scavenging activity.

Evaluation of the Effect of Refined Extracts of <i>Matricaria recutita L</i>and <i>Chrysanthemum coronarium L</i>, Proposed as Bio-Pesticides for Agricultural Use, Determining the Variation of Biomarkers of Oxidative and Hepatotoxic Stress in Acutely Exposed Rats

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L) and Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium L. (Garland)) are plants belonging to the family Asteraceae. The pharmacological properties of these herbs result from interactions among their many components. Of these, over 120 secondary metabolites with pharmacological and/or potential pesticide activity have been identified. The diverse chemical and biological characteristics of this set of compounds, i.e., essential oils and organic extracts of genera Matricaria and Chrysanthemum, have been shown to have particular pesticidal effects, especially those rich in pyrethroids. This work characterizes chamomile and chrysanthemum extracts for their pesticidal properties and their effects following acute exposure in rats. Results show hepatotoxic and oxidative stress-inducing effects in the livers of rats exposed to C. coronarium extracts, but not those of M. recutita.

Attenuation of inflammation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rabbits by Matricaria chamomilla oil: A focus on targeting NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways

Objectives:The present study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of chamomile oil from Matricaria chamomilla against type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1 DM)and its potential mechanisms.Methods:T1 DM was established in male New Zealand white rabbits via a single intraperitoneal infusion of streptozotocin(STZ)(80 mg/kg body weight-1,dissolved in 0.2 m L of normal saline).Different doses of chamomile oil(25,50 and 100 mg/kg)were orally administrated to STZ induced diabetic rabbits for 21 consecutive days.The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was determined using ELISA assay.The expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 was measured using Western blot assay.Results:Compared with normal rabbits,STZ-induced diabetic rabbits exhibited significant increased levels of blood glucose and decreased levels of serum insulin that were reversed using middle and high tested dose of chamomile oil.Likewise,STZ-induced diabetic rabbits showed a significant increased expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 proteins in the pancreas tissue that was reversed by high tested dose of chamomile oil.Conclusion:Collectively,our findings demonstrated that chamomile oil possesses anti-hyperglycemic,and anti-inflammatory activities in STZ-induced diabetic rabbits by targeting inflammatory cytokines and NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways.