Plants have been used for medicinal purpose since ancient times. Due to the including bioactive secondary metabolites, plants have gained the great interest for drug discovery and development process. In this work, Galanthus woronowii was extracted with hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate sequentially. After removing of the solvent by rotary evaporator, crude extracts were yielded. Antioxidant activity including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and reducing power assays were executed on corresponding extracts. In addition, total phenolic content was presented. Ethyl acetate extract included the most phenolic compounds and also it revealed the most antioxidant activity. Hence, this plant could be considered as a promising antioxidant agent.

Schinus molle L. has been used as a folk medicine for many years. The aim of this study is to synthesize the silver nanoparticles, to identify them by spectroscopic techniques and to evaluate the antioxidant effects. In this study, Schinus molle was extracted with hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol successively. After removal of the solvent from each extract by reduced pressure, the crude extracts were yielded. Methanol extract was used for synthesis of silver nanoparticles (s-AgNPs). The methanol extract dissolved in distilled water was treated with silver nitrate solution to produce the s-AgNPs. The extensive spectroscopic study enabled the identification of synthesized s-AgNPs. UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis presented the maximum absorption of s-AgNPs at 486 nm. The average particle size of s-AgNPs was measured as 77.6 nm by Scanning electron microscope (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern revealed that the nanoparticles were face-centered cubic structure. The slight differences between extract and AgNPs in FTIR spectrum proved the formation of s-AgNPs. In that, some functional group such as hydroxyl in the extract was oxidized while reduction of silver ions. Elemental analysis displayed the silver percentage to be 75.79 %w/w. Antioxidant activity study including DPPH, ABTS•+ and FRAP assays displayed the considerable effect of s-AgNPs. This is the first report to present the synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Schinus molle L. methanol extract and to evaluate the antioxidant activity. HIGHLIGHTS Schinus molle was extracted with hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol successively Methanol extract was used for synthesis of silver nanoparticles (s-AgNPs) Antioxidant activity study including DPPH, ABTS+and FRAP assays displayed the considerable effect of s-AgNPs GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Medicinal plants have been employed commonly in many countries to remedy of various ailments. In this study, Inula graveolens leaves (5.0 g) were extracted with methanol (100 mL) for 24 hours at room temperature. After filtration with Whatman 1 filter pater, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to yield the crude extract. Quantification of natural products in methanol extract of Inula graveolens was determined by LC-MS/MS. Chlorogenic acid was determined as a chief product (3.5 mg/g extract). Furthermore, salicylic acid (0.055 mg/g extract), caffeic acid (0.054 mg/g extract), protocatechuic acid (0.026 mg/g extract), hesperidin (0.016 mg/g extract), rutin (0.0160 mg/g extract) were found in the methanol extract. Since Inula graveolens contains important bioactive compounds, it has the possibility to be used in pharmaceuticals and food.

Plants have been benefited as medicine and food since ancient times. After the discovery of spectroscopy, bioactive compounds in plants have been elucidated and have been utilized in drug development. Ebenus haussknechtii has been utilized for traditional medicine. In this study, Ebenus haussknechtii flowers were extracted in methanol and quantification of phenolics of this extract was conducted by LC-MS/MS. Antioxidant effect of E. haussknechtii flowers was carried out using DPPH free radical scavenging assay, ABTS radical cation scavenging assay, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay. Quantitative analysis revealed that shikimic acid (0.77 mg/g extract), protocatechuic acid (0.61), catechin (0.34), hydroxybenzaldeyde (0.32) were determined as major products. Hence, the interaction of shikimic acid and DNA gyrase enzyme was calculated theoretically. Moreover, MolDock score, and binding affinity were determined as -73.64 and -5.5 kcal/mol respectively. Ebenus haussknechtii flowers displayed good antioxidant activity. In DPPH assay, the extract displayed good activity with the value of 7.27 ± 0.173 (IC50, µg/mL). Moreover, the flower extract exhibited the outstanding ABTS activity with a value of 6.62 ± 0.23 (IC50, µg/mL) in comparison to the extract BHA (7.58 ± 0.15, IC50, µg/mL).

Origanum genus belonging to the Lamiaceae family is aromatic and medicinal plant. It has been used in many countries for medicinal and pharmaceutical purpose. Aerial part of the Origanum syriacum L. was dried at shade. The essential oil was generated by steam distillation and compounds were identified by GC-MS analysis. γ-terpinene (26.7%), thymol (26.6%) and carvacrol (22.9%) was detected as the mail constituents. The essential oil was tested for insecticidal activity against adult of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) using fumigation method. Essential oil revealed the excellent fumigant effect on R. dominica adults with a median lethal concentration (LC50) value of 0.124 µl/insect and 0.107 µl/insect for 48 h and 72 h respectively. LC50 values of S. oryzae were found as 0.173 µl/insect and 0.135 µl/insect for 48 h and 72 h respectively. As a result, essential oil of O. syriacum has a potency to be a natural insecticide.