A previous study from our laboratory has shown the facilitatory effect of Ceratonia siliqua L. (Fabaceae) on the dopaminergic function. This study investigates the involvement of monoamines in the antidepressant activity of the total polyphenol content of Ceratonia siliqua extract (CS) in mice using a tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST). The immobility time in the TST and FST were significantly reduced by CS (25 and 50 mg kg(-1), i.p.). The extract considerably attenuated the duration of immobility induced by prazosin (62.5 µg kg(-1), i.p., an α-adrenoceptor antagonist) and eticlopride (0.1 µg kg(-1), i.p., a classical D2-like dopamine receptor antagonist) in both TST and FST, whereas the extract could not modify the immobility in mice treated with p-chlorophenylalanine (100 mg kg(-1), i.p., ×3 days; an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis) and baclofen (10 mg kg(-1), i.p., GABAB agonist). This suggests that the antidepressant effect of CS is mediated by dopamine and noradrenaline.

The flavonoid fraction of the aerial parts of Genista cadasonensis Valsecchi (Leguminosae), an endemic plant from Sardinia, was examined and compared with the flavonoid pattern already known in the Genista genus. This comparison evidenced the endemic nature of this species, showing the presence of a rare flavonoid, the 6-hydroxy-genistein. The antioxidant activity of dichloromethanic, ethanolic and acetonic total extracts of aerial parts was evaluated.

This work reports the results and the comparison concerning the chemical and biomolecular analyses and the antifungal activity of three wild Pistacia species (Anacardiaceae) from Sardinia. Volatile oils from leaves and twigs of Pistacia x saportae, Pistacia lentiscus and Pistacia terebinthus were characterised using GC-FID and GC-MS techniques and tested against some fungal strains. Two DNA nuclear regions (ITS and 5S-rRNA-NTS) were amplified through PCR technique and sequenced. The three **Pistacia have similar chemical profile, although there are some important quantitative differences. The analysis of ITS and 5S-rRNA-NTS regions, reveals a species-specific nucleotide variation among the three **taxa. This method could emerge as a powerful tool for the species identification, especially because the discrimination of these three **taxa appears difficult for non-expert botanists. Concerning the antifungal activity, P. lentiscus and P. x saportae show the highest activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, with a MIC value of 0.32 μL/mL.

As a part of our endeavour to screen Mediterranean medicinal plants for various pharmacological activities, we evaluated antihistaminic, adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, hypotensive and locomotor properties, and antioxidant potential of Ephedra nebrodensis. (1)H-NMR spectroscopy was carried out to identify the plant metabolites, which confirmed the presence of ephedrinic skeleton alkaloids. The ethanol : acetone (1 : 1) extract exhibited dose-related antihistaminic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, hypotensive, antioxidant and locomotor stimulant activity. The plant bears potential for further studies.

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