Phytochemical Analysis and Total Antioxidant Capacity of Rhizome, Above-Ground Vegetative Parts and Flower of Three Iris Species

Pro-apoptotic effect of chloroform fraction of Moraea sisyrinchium bulb against glioblastoma cells

INTRODUCTION

Glioblastoma is a common malignant brain tumor, with limited therapeutic options. In our previous study, the Moraea sisyrinchium plant showed cytotoxicity against glioblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Among different parts of this plant (flower, stem, and bulb), the bulb showed better anticancer potential. The present work aimed to test the anticancer activity of different fractions of the bulb extract, to determine its phytochemicals, and to study its mechanism action on glioblastoma.

METHODS

The bulb extract was partitioned into different fractions using immiscible solvents. The U87 glioblastoma cells were incubated with the obtained fractions. Then, the cell proliferation assay (MTT), cell migration test (scratch), cell cycle analysis (propidium iodide staining), apoptosis/necrosis assay (annexin V/propidium iodide staining), and real-time PCR (PTEN, Akt, mTOR, BAX and BCL-2 genes) were performed. Phytochemicals were determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy.

RESULTS

The chloroform fraction showed more antiproliferative effect than n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions. Also, chloroform fraction induced cell cycle arrest, increased apoptosis, and inhibited cell migration ability (P < 0.05). The expression of PTEN, mTOR, and BAX genes was significantly up-regulated, while the expression of Akt and Bcl-2 showed down-regulation. The phytochemicals identified in the chloroform fraction were mainly xanthones, phytosterols, and isoflavones.

CONCLUSION

The chloroform fraction of Moraea sisyrinchium bulb inhibits the proliferation and migration of glioblastoma cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by upregulation of the PTEN gene and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. The identified compounds in the chloroform fraction are potential candidates for further investigation as anticancer agents against glioblastoma.

Evaluation of Anticancer Activity of 76 Plant Species Collected in Andalusia (Spain) against Lung Cancer Cells

Every year, cancer kills millions of people around the world. Finding more selective anticancer agents is essential to improve the low survival rates of patients with metastatic cancers. Since the research of natural products is a valuable approach to the discovery of new compounds and the Iberian flora offers a rich source of unstudied plants, we have carried out a random screening of 76 plant species from 43 families collected in Andalusia (South of Spain). Using non-malignant cells (HaCaT) and lung cancer cells (A549), we found that the extract from Arum italicum Mill. subsp. italicum (Araceae), Mandragora autumnalis Bertol. (Solanaceae), Rhamnus alaternus L. (Rhamnaceae), and Lomelosia simplex (Desf.) Raf. subsp. dentata (Jord. & Fourr.) Greuter & Burdet (Dipsacaceae) showed selective cytotoxicity against lung cancer cells. Extracts of plant species belonging to the Iridaceae family showed high selective activity against cancer cells, highlighting that the Xiphion xiphium (L.) M.B. Crespo, Mart.-Azorín & Mavrodiev flower extract was more selective against lung cancer cells than the standard anticancer drugs, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. This extract also showed modest selective cytotoxicity against bladder carcinoma cells (T24). The number of cells in the G1 phase increased after treatment with the extract from Xiphion xiphium. Our research indicates that various plants are potential sources for the isolation and development of new anticancer drugs.

Solanum dulcamara L. Berries: A Convenient Model System to Study Redox Processes in Relation to Fruit Ripening

The present study provides, for the first time, a physicochemical and biochemical characterization of the redox processes associated with the ripening of Solanum dulcamara L. (bittersweet) berries. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (EPRS) and Imaging (EPRI) measurements of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were performed in parallel with the tissue-specific metabolic profiling of major antioxidants and assessment of antioxidant enzymes activity. Fruit transition from the mature green (MG) to ripe red (RR) stage involved changes in the qualitative and quantitative content of antioxidants and the associated cellular oxidation and peroxidation processes. The skin of bittersweet berries, which was the major source of antioxidants, exhibited the highest antioxidant potential against DPPH radicals and nitroxyl spin probe 3CP. The efficient enzymatic antioxidant system played a critical protective role against the deleterious effects of progressive oxidative stress during ripening. Here, we present the EPRI methodology to assess the redox status of fruits and to discriminate between the redox states of different tissues. Interestingly, the intracellular reoxidation of cell-permeable nitroxide probe 3CP was observed for the first time in fruits or any other plant tissue, and its intensity is herein proposed as a reliable indicator of oxidative stress during ripening. The described noninvasive EPRI technique has the potential to have broader application in the study of redox processes associated with the development, senescence, and postharvest storage of fruits, as well as other circumstances in which oxidative stress is implicated.

Development of approach for flavonoid profiling of biotechnological raw materials Iris sibirica L. by HPLC with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry

INTRODUCTION

Iris L. are promising in medicine due to the biological activity of extracts. Iris sibirica L. is spread in Russia but its phytochemical composition has not been studied in detail though it is included in the Red Book. For this reason, I. sibirica L. biotechnology is in high demand. One of the key points in biotechnology is the regulation of plant metabolism using phytohormones. Obtaining of chromatographic metabolite profiles allows to control this process.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to develop an approach for effective control of biotechnological raw materials of I. sibirica L. by flavonoid profiles using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and to investigate the influence of phytohormones in nutrient media on content of flavonoids.

METHODOLOGY

Iris sibirica L. regenerated plants were grown on Murashige-Skoog media with 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) and α-naphtylacetic acid (NAA) additives. To optimise extraction conditions, the design of the experiment was used. Profiles of polyphenols were obtained by HPLC-MS/MS in the positive and negative ionisation modes.

RESULTS

The process for efficient extraction from leaves of I. sibirica L. were developed. The factors influencing the extraction efficiency of flavonoids have been determined. A total of 36 compounds were identified by HPLC-MS/MS. Among them isoflavones and their glycosides are the main classes. Addition of an auxin-like hormone increased the non-polar flavonoid levels, but decreased the polar ones. The variation in concentration of cytokinin (6-BAP) affected almost all of the analytes.

CONCLUSION

The methodology for effective control of I. sibirica L. raw plant material biotechnology was developed by analysing obtained chromatographic polyphenol profiles.

Innovative GACP Approaches for Obtaining the Quality Iris hybrida Leaves for the Pharmaceutical Industry

The ever-growing demand for active compounds of plant origin contributes to the implementation of cultivation methods for medicinal plants, according to the WHO guideline "Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for Starting Materials of Herbal Origin" to obtain high-quality raw material with the stable phytocomponent composition. Therefore, the development of the cultivation and processing stages of Iris varieties leaves is necessary and promising. The present article showed the potential of proper cultivation with GACP recommendations on affecting the phenolic compounds content in Iris×hybrida hort. 'Indian Pow Waw', Iris×hybrida hort. 'Galleon Gold', and Iris×hybrida hort. 'Mini Dinamo' leaves. The cultivation process was carried out on the experimental sites of the flowering and ornamental plants department of M.M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine) during 2018-2021. A positive effect of Iris samples proper cultivation and content of isoflavonoids (tectoridin, nigricin D-glucoside, genistin, iristectorigenin B, nigricin, irigenin, irisolidone), xanthone mangiferin, and also chlorogenic acid in Irises leaves by HPLC has been established. According to the analysis mangiferin (7.57∼28.75 μg/g), genistin (3324.82∼14642.10 μg/g), irisolidone (673.53∼2015.81 μg/g), and irigenin (3904.37∼1595.94 μg/g) were the dominant components and these compounds can be proposed as chemical markers for Iris raw material. The obtained results indicate a significant positive effect of the introduction and observance of the proper cultivation of medicinal plants to obtain a stable bioactive compounds content, in this case, on the example of Iris genus plants. Further work on the implementation of the good practice recommendation is planned to be carried out for various medicinal plants, since only controlled cultivation makes it possible to obtain high-quality raw materials with a standardized composition.

Hieracium waldsteinii (Asteraceae) and Onosma stellulata (Boraginaceae) as a Source of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Agents

The current study aimed to phytochemically characterize (including a detailed phenolic profile) two endemic Balkan's species (Hieracium waldsteinii and Onosma stellulata) and determine their possible application as a source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents. The main phenolic compound in both species (in all examined parts) was chlorogenic acid. Eriodictyol, genistein and naringenin were quantified only in H. waldsteinii while isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside and sinapic acid were characteristic for O. stellulata. The highest antioxidant activity (98 mg AAE/g dry weight for TAC assay) was ascribed to the flower extract of H. waldsteinii while the lowest results (∼4.3 mg AAE/g dry weight for FRP assay) were exhibited by the extracts obtained from the plant's stem. Antimicrobial assays showed moderate antibacterial, i. e., moderate/strong activity against several tested fungi (in particular Trichoderma viride). Correlation analysis revealed strong positive connection between phenolic compounds and reducing power of extracts as well as between total phenolic and flavonoid content and the obtained minimal inhibitory concentration recorded in antibacterial assays.

Exploring the Use of Iris Species: Antioxidant Properties, Phytochemistry, Medicinal and Industrial Applications

The genus Iris from the Iridaceae family consists of more than 262 recognized species. It is an ornamental and medicinal plant widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. Iris species convey a long history as valuable traditional drugs with a wide variety of applications in various cultures, having been recorded since medieval times. Currently, Iris spp. still find application in numerous fields, including cosmetics, pharmaceutics and the food industry. Moreover, many of their empirical uses have been validated by in vitro and in vivo studies, showing that Iris spp. exhibit potent antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective and anti-microbial properties. Phytochemicals investigations have revealed that the plant extracts are rich in phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids and phenolic acids. As such, they constitute a promising lead for seeking new drugs with high susceptibilities towards various health issues, particularly oxidative-stress-related diseases such as cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc. Herein, we present a literature review of the genus Iris intending to determine the plant’s chemical profile and establish a coherent overview of the biological applications of the plant extracts with reference to their traditional uses.

Genetic and Environmental Factors Jointly Impact Leaf Phenolic Profiles of Iris variegata L

A plant’s main mechanism to diminish the effects caused by high free radical levels generated during high irradiance is the synthesis of various secondary metabolites. In addition to interspecies differences, their concentrations may be influenced by genetic, ontogenic, morphogenetic or environmental factors. We investigated the influence of genetic (genotypes from different natural habitats) and environmental (contrasting light regimes as well as successive parts of the vegetation period) variability on the accumulation of 10 selected phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and xanthones) in Iris variegata genotypes. Genotypes originated from either sun-exposed or shaded natural habitats were transplanted to two experimental light treatments (high light intensity with a higher R/FR ratio and low light intensity with a lower R/FR ratio). Significant impacts of both genetic and environmental seasonal variability (spring, summer and fall during the vegetation period) on phenolic compound profiles were detected. Their highest amounts were detected in spring. The magnitude of difference between light treatments (high vs. low light intensity) and the direction of this change varied depending on the secondary compound class. Phenotypic correlations among the 10 analyzed secondary metabolites differed across the experimental light treatments and their number decreased from spring to fall.

New Evidence for Artemisia absinthium L. Application in Gastrointestinal Ailments: Ethnopharmacology, Antimicrobial Capacity, Cytotoxicity, and Phenolic Profile

Artemisia absinthium L. (Asteraceae) is traditionally used for gastrointestinal ailments and disorders linked to numerous risk factors including microbial infections. We aimed to provide contemporary evidence for its ethnopharmacological use and determine its antimicrobial capacity and mode of action, cytotoxicity, and phenolic constituents. Ethnopharmacological survey was conducted using semistructured interviews. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm capacities were determined by microdilution/crystal violet assay, respectively. Modes of action tested include estimation of exopolysaccharide production (congo red binding assay) and interference with membrane integrity (crystal violet uptake and nucleotide leakage assay). Cytotoxicity was determined using crystal violet assay. Polyphenolic profiling was done by advanced liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ OrbiTrap MS). Artemisia absinthium in Serbia is traditionally used for gastrointestinal disorders, among others. Further study revealed high antifungal capacity of herb ethanolic extract towards range of Candida species (MIC 0.5–1 mg/mL) along with promising antibacterial activities (MIC 0.25–4 mg/mL). Interference with membrane integrity could be observed as a possible antimicrobial mechanism. Antibiofilm potential can be considered as high (towards C. krusei) to limited (towards P. aeruginosa) and moderate based on reduction in exopolysaccharide content. In concentrations up to 400 µg/mL, no cytotoxicity was observed towards HaCaT and HGF-1 cell lines. Polyphenolic analysis revealed twenty-one different constituents. A. absinthium usage as a gastrointestinal ailment remedy has been confirmed in vitro by its antimicrobial capacity towards microorganisms whose presence is linked to the diseases and associated complications and noncytotoxic nature of the natural product. The observed activities could be attributed to the present phenolic compounds.

Effects of Trichoderma harzianum on Photosynthetic Characteristics and Fruit Quality of Tomato Plants

The beneficial role of fungi from the Trichoderma genus and its secondary metabolites in promoting plant growth, uptake and use efficiency of macronutrients and oligo/micro-nutrients, activation of plant secondary metabolism and plant protection from diseases makes it interesting for application in environmentally friendly agriculture. However, the literature data on the effect of Trichoderma inoculation on tomato fruit quality is scarce. Commercially used tomato cultivars were chosen in combination with indigenous Trichodrema species previously characterized on molecular and biochemical level, to investigate the effect of Trichoderma on photosynthetic characteristics and fruit quality of plants grown in organic system of production. Examined cultivars differed in the majority of examined parameters. Response of cultivar Gružanski zlatni to Trichoderma application was more significant. As a consequence of increased epidermal flavonols and decreased chlorophyll, the nitrogen balance index in leaves has decreased, indicating a shift from primary to secondary metabolism. The quality of its fruit was altered in the sense of increased total flavonoids content, decreased starch, increased Bioaccumulation Index (BI) for Fe and Cr, and decreased BI for heavy metals Ni and Pb. Higher expression of swolenin gene in tomato roots of more responsive tomato cultivar indicates better root colonization, which correlates with observed positive effects of Trichodrema.

The Comparative Analysis of Carboxylic Acid Composition of Four Iris Species from Ukraine

The present article reports results of analysis of carboxylic acids in leaves of Iris species from Ukraine using a gas chromatography (GC) method with mass spectrometric (MS) detection (GC/MS). Carboxylic acids play significant roles in contemporary society as evidenced by multiple applications in fields of medicine, agriculture, pharmacy, food, and other industries. Study of natural plant products as a source of organic acids is of particular interest. Carboxylic acid composition of leaves of Iris hungarica Waldst. & Kit., Iris germanica L., Iris pallida Lam., and Iris variegate L. was studied for the first time applying GC/MS method. The mass spectrums of compounds were matched with NIST and WILEY Libraries. The GC/MS analysis revealed the presence of 26 common acids in the plant raw materials studied. The short-chain carboxylic acids, such as citric (1337.5-12364.4 mg/kg), malic (50.8-4558.0 mg/kg) and oxalic (1199.0-3435.2 mg/kg) acids were contained in significantly high quantity in all samples. Ferulic, p-coumaric and vanillic acids were the most abundant among phenolic acids. α-Linolenic acid was dominant in the leaves of I. germanica (869.5 mg/kg), I. pallida (753.3 mg/kg), and I. variegate (250.3 mg/kg) among polyunsaturated fatty acids, however, linoleic acid prevailed in the plant raw material of I. hungarica (1150.7 mg/kg). Since the leaves of Iris species studied contain carboxylic acids with diverse pharmacological activity, extracts of these raw materials are perspective for development food supplements and medicines.

Iris pseudacorus as an easily accessible source of antibacterial and cytotoxic compounds

Iris pseudacorus is one of the most widespread iris species and possesses complex secondary metabolites. Our study showed that its rhizomes are abundant with phenolic compounds of which 80 % belong to the tannin group. Methanolic extracts from garden cultured iris rhizomes possessed antibacterial activity against human Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis and Gram negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae pathogens including clinical isolates resistant to commercially available antibiotics. Moreover the extract from rhizome, in concentration 3.125 mg dry weight/mL, containing gallocatechin (1), effectively combats S. aureus biofilm. The same rhizome extract acts against human cancer cell lines, especially against estrogen positive MCF-7 breast cancer cell line (IC₅₀ = 11.75 μg/mL). In vitro culture of excised, anatomical roots of I. pseudacorus excreted three antistaphylococcal compounds into the plant medium, detected by using TLC-overlayer bioautography. By the use of HPLC-DAD-ESIMS system 2 active compounds were identified as 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,3'-dimethoxy-isoflavone (7) and unknown dimethoxy-dihydroxy-isoflavone (9). I. pseudacorus as a non-edible plant might be considered to be new, easy accessible, non-wood source of biologically active polyphenolics.

Nanoformulations to Enhance the Bioavailability and Physiological Functions of Polyphenols

Polyphenols are micronutrients that are widely present in human daily diets. Numerous studies have demonstrated their potential as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, and for cancer prevention, heart protection and the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. However, due to their vulnerability to environmental conditions and low bioavailability, their application in the food and medical fields is greatly limited. Nanoformulations, as excellent drug delivery systems, can overcome these limitations and maximize the pharmacological effects of polyphenols. In this review, we summarize the biological activities of polyphenols, together with systems for their delivery, including phospholipid complexes, lipid-based nanoparticles, protein-based nanoparticles, niosomes, polymers, micelles, emulsions and metal nanoparticles. The application of polyphenol nanoparticles in food and medicine is also discussed. Although loading into nanoparticles solves the main limitation to application of polyphenolic compounds, there are some concerns about their toxicological safety after entry into the human body. It is therefore necessary to conduct toxicity studies and residue analysis on the carrier.

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Ukrainian Iris Species: A Fresh Look on Their Antioxidant Content and Biological Activities

The major groups of antioxidant compounds (isoflavonoids, xanthones, hydroxycinnamic acids) in the rhizome methanol extracts of four Ukrainian Iris sp. (Iris pallida, Iris hungarica, Iris sibirica, and Iris variegata) were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed using HPLC-DAD and UPLC-MS/MS. Gallic acid, caffeic acid, mangiferin, tectoridin, irigenin, iristectorigenin B, irisolidone, 5,6-dihydroxy-7,8,3',5'-tetramethoxyisoflavone, irisolidone-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, germanaism B, and nigricin were recognized by comparing their UV/MS spectra, chromatographic retention time (tR) with those of standard reference compounds. I. hungarica and I. variegata showed the highest total amount of phenolic compounds. Germanaism B was the most abundant component in the rhizomes of I. variegata (7.089 ± 0.032 mg/g) and I. hungarica (6.285 ± 0.030 mg/g). The compound analyses showed good calibration curve linearity (r² > 0.999) and low detection and quantifications limit. These results validated the method for its use in the simultaneous quantitative evaluation of phenolic compounds in the studied Iris sp. I. hungarica and I. variegata rhizomes exhibited antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by the HPLC-ABTS system and NRF2 expression assay and anti-inflammatory activity on respiratory burst in human neutrophils. Moreover, the extracts showed anti-allergic and cytotoxic effects against cancer cells. Anti-coronavirus 229E and lipid formation activities were also evaluated. In summary, potent antioxidant marker compounds were identified in the examined Iris sp.

Effect of ecological factors on the accumulation of phenolic compounds in Iris species from Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine

INTRODUCTION

It is important to conduct studies on the influence of environmental factors on the accumulation of secondary metabolites in plants, as well as the cultivation of plants and harvesting of their raw material.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we examined the influence of habitat types, soil composition, climatic factors and altitude on the content of phenolic compounds in Iris species from different populations in Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine.

METHODOLOGY

According to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, 25 compounds (flavonoids, isoflavonoids, isoflavonoid glucosides, xanthones, phenolcarboxylic acids) were identified in the methanol extracts of 16 samples of Iris rhizomes. The quantitative data were further analysed by principal component analysis (PCA) to reveal the impact of environmental factors on the accumulation of compounds in plants.

RESULTS

Iris pseudacorus from Latvia and Lithuania had a more diverse composition of phenolic compounds than samples from Ukraine. Sampled plants of the Iris subg. Iris had a higher content of the analysed compounds than those of Iris subg. Limniris. PCA results showed that the levels of phenolic compounds in Iris rhizomes were influenced by the content of soil nutrients. The phosphorus and potassium content had a significant impact on the levels of phenolic compounds, whereas the impact of nitrogen content was not significant. Meteorological factors had a small impact; however, sunshine duration had a significant positive effect and the amount of precipitation had a significant negative impact.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that rhizomes of Iris species may be an important source of pharmacologically active compounds such as flavonoids, isoflavonoids and xanthones. Studies on the effect of environmental factors on the production and accumulation of secondary metabolites in Iris species are important because they contribute to knowledge of quantitative parameters of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants and could be employed for the cultivation and harvesting of raw material for medicinal purposes.

Phytochemical Composition and In Vitro Biological Activity of Iris spp. (Iridaceae): A New Source of Bioactive Constituents for the Inhibition of Oral Bacterial Biofilms

The inhibition and eradication of oral biofilms is increasingly focused on the use of plant extracts as mouthwashes and toothpastes adjuvants. Here, we report on the chemical composition and the antibiofilm activity of 15 methanolic extracts of Iris species against both mono-(Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus) and multi-species oral biofilms (Streptococcus gordonii, Veillonella parvula, Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum, and Actinomyces naeslundii). The phytochemical profiles of Iris pallida s.l., Iris versicolor L., Iris lactea Pall., Iris carthaliniae Fomin, and Iris germanica were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectroscopy (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) analysis, and a total of 180 compounds were identified among Iris species with (iso)flavonoid dominancy. I. pallida, I. versicolor, and I. germanica inhibited both the quorum sensing and adhesion during biofilm formation in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the extracts were less active against maturated biofilms. Of the five tested species, Iris pallida s.l. was the most effective at both inhibiting biofilm formation and disrupting existing biofilms, and the leaf extract exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect compared to the root and rhizome extracts. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was excluded in human fibroblasts. The inhibition of bacterial adhesion significantly correlated with myristic acid content, and quorum sensing inhibition correlated with the 7-β-hydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one content. These findings could be useful for establishing an effective tool for the control of oral biofilms and thus dental diseases.

Balkans' Asteraceae Species as a Source of Biologically Active Compounds for the Pharmaceutical and Food Industry

Herbal drugs are a useful source of different bioactive compounds. Asteraceae species, as the most widespread vascular plants, can be used both as food and as medicine due to the great diversity of recorded chemical components - different phenolic compounds, terpenes, carotenoids, vitamins, alkaloids, etc. The Balkan Peninsula is characterized by great diversity of plants from Asteraceae family, including presence of rare and endemic species. In this review, results of the survey of chemical composition and biological activity, mainly focusing on antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer effects of selected Balkans' Asteraceae species were provided. In addition, information on edible plants from Asteraceae family is presented, due to growing interest for the so-called 'healthy diet' and possible application of Balkans' Asteraceae species as food of high nutritional value or as a source of functional food ingredients.

Comparative Investigation of Amino Acids Content in the Dry Extracts of Juno bucharica, Gladiolus Hybrid Zefir, Iris Hungarica, Iris Variegata and Crocus Sativus Raw Materials of Ukrainian Flora

The aim of this research was the comparative study of the amino acids content in the dry extracts of Iridaceae plants of Ukrainian flora: Juno bucharica leaves and corms, Gladiolus hybrid Zefir leaves, Iris hungarica and Iris variegata rhizomes, and Crocus sativus stigmas, flowers, leaves and corms. A gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method has been used. Separation of amino acids in the samples was carried out using a Shimadzu GC-MS-QP2010 equipped with an Rxi-5ms (Restek Corporation capillary column (30 m long, 0.25 mm outer diameter and 0.25 µm) with a liquid stationary phase (5% diphenyl and 95% polysiloxane) after derivatization with N-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-N109 methyltrifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) reagent. The results obtained have shown that extracts from the aerial parts of plants investigated have a higher amino acid content and more diverse composition than the underground organs. Experimental data showed that Crocus leaves and Juno leaves extracts contain the highest general content of amino acids—31.99 mg/g and 14.65 mg/g respectively. All samples showed a high content of L-pyroglutamic acid (0.33–12.35 mg/g). Moreover, Crocus leaves and Juno leaves extracts had the most suitable amino acids composition and are prospective for further pharmacological studies.

Application of Polyphenol-Loaded Nanoparticles in Food Industry

Nanotechnology is an emerging field of science, and nanotechnological concepts have been intensively studied for potential applications in the food industry. Nanoparticles (with dimensions ranging from one to several hundred nanometers) have specific characteristics and better functionality, thanks to their size and other physicochemical properties. Polyphenols are recognized as active compounds that have several putative beneficial properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activity. However, the use of polyphenols as functional food ingredients faces numerous challenges, such as their poor stability, solubility, and bioavailability. These difficulties could be solved relatively easily by the application of encapsulation. The objective of this review is to present the most recent accomplishments in the usage of polyphenol-loaded nanoparticles in food science. Nanoparticles loaded with polyphenols and their applications as active ingredients for improving physicochemical and functional properties of food, or as components of active packaging materials, were critically reviewed. Potential adverse effects of polyphenol-loaded nanomaterials are also discussed.

Recent Trends in the Application of Chromatographic Techniques in the Analysis of Luteolin and Its Derivatives

Luteolin is a flavonoid often found in various medicinal plants that exhibits multiple biological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity. Commercially available medicinal plants and their preparations containing luteolin are often used in the treatment of hypertension, inflammatory diseases, and even cancer. However, to establish the quality of such preparations, appropriate analytical methods should be used. Therefore, the present paper provides the first comprehensive review of the current analytical methods that were developed and validated for the quantitative determination of luteolin and its C- and O-derivatives including orientin, isoorientin, luteolin 7-O-glucoside and others. It provides a systematic overview of chromatographic analytical techniques including thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), liquid chromatography (LC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC) and counter-current chromatography (CCC), as well as the conditions used in the determination of luteolin and its derivatives in plant material.