Cornus mas (L.) Fruit as a Potential Source of Natural Health-Promoting Compounds: Physico-Chemical Characterisation of Bioactive Components

The antibacterial activity of Cornus mas L. against uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase

The emergence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains that produce ESBLs is a major global health issue. The purpose of this work is to examine the fruit pulp extract from Cornus mas L.'s in vitro antibacterial efficacy against uropathogenic E. coli strains that produce ESBLs. In this study, the antibacterial activity of C. mas extract against E. coli isolates that produced ESBLs was evaluated using the microdilution method. The MIC value of C. mas against sensitive E.coli strains was reported to be 62.5 μg/mL. The MIC values for E. coli strains with β-lactamase resistance genes were 62.5 μg/mL (35 %) and 125 μg/mL (65 %). As a result, C. mas can be used to prevent UTIs and may help limit the spread of resistant uropathogenic bacterial strains. High concentrations of rutin (1.0249 ± 0.0081 mg/g) and gallic acid (1.0582 ± 0.0003 mg/g) were found in the HPLC analysis research conducted on the methanol extract of C. mas fruit pulp. The binding potential of the major phytocomponents of C. mas extract, gallic acid, and rutin, to form a stable complex with CTX-M-15 was explored through molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The docking study showed that rutin had the highest binding potential to bind to the protein relative to gallic acid as well as the co-crystallized ligand. According to the MD analysis results, the stability of the protein-rutin complex procured from the docking was found to be stable. Furthermore, rutin is anticipated to remain inside the binding region of the target protein during the simulation period.

Comparison in Antioxidant Potential and Concentrations of Selected Bioactive Ingredients in Fruits of Lesser-Known Species

Fruits with a high content of biologically active compounds are essential in preventing many diseases. Therefore, the interest in searching for and testing new plant sources for bioactive constituents remains strong. Although many publications on individual species exist, their results are difficult to compare directly due to varying methods and conditions of analysis. Only a few studies have investigated many different species in a single analysis. Therefore, we examined and compared 21 different genotypes, using various measurement methods for total phenolic content (TPC) (Folin-Ciocalteu, FBBB), total antioxidant capacity (ABTS, FRAP, DPPH), and the HPLC technique for the total ascorbate concentration in freshly harvested fruits. One-way ANOVA, Principal Component Analysis, and Pearson Correlation were used to analyse and compare the results. The tested samples showed significant differences in TPC, ascorbate content, and antioxidant capacity. The correlation between the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity depended on the analytical methods, with results obtained using the FRAP test being the most strongly correlated. Due to higher levels of polyphenols, ascorbate, and antioxidant potential, the most promising species for further evaluation appear to be Chaenomeles × californica, Actinidia kolomikta, Mespilus germanica, and ×Sorboaronia fallax.

Comparison of the Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Properties of Extracts from Different Cultivars of Cornus mas L

Cornus mas L. is a rich source of vitamin C and polyphenols. Due to their health-benefit properties, C. mas L. extracts have been used in, e.g., dermatology and cosmetology, and as a food supplement. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and its co-activator (PGC-1α) are now suspected to be the main target of active substances from C. mass extracts, especially polyphenols. Moreover, the PPARγ pathway is involved in the development of different diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), cancers, skin irritation, and inflammation. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the PPARγ pathway activation by the most popular water and ethanol extracts from specific C. mas L. cultivars in an in vitro model of the human normal fibroblast (BJ) cell line. We analyzed the content of biologically active compounds in the extracts using the UPLC-DAD-MS technique and revealed the presence of many polyphenols, including gallic, quinic, protocatechuic, chlorogenic, and ellagic acids as well as iridoids, with loganic acid being the predominant component. In addition, the extracts contained cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside, and quercetin 3-glucuronide. The water-ethanol dark red extract (DRE) showed the strongest antioxidant activity. Cytotoxicity was assessed in a normal skin cell line, and positive effects of all the extracts with concentrations ranging from 10 to 1000 µg/mL on the cells were shown. Our data show that the studied extracts activate the PPARγ/PGC-1α molecular pathway in BJ cells and, through this mechanism, initiate antioxidant response. Moreover, the activation of this molecular pathway may increase insulin sensitivity in DM2 and reduce skin irritation.

Health-Promoting Properties of Anthocyanins from Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Fruits

The cornelian cherry is a plant that annually provides fruits, drupe-type, ranging in color from yellow through pink, red, carmine, and almost black. Cornelian cherry bears abundant fruit in temperate climate conditions, which means that its dark-colored fruits can be treated as an excellent source of anthocyanins. After consuming, anthocyanins have a protective function in the human body. Raw fruit extracts and their pure isolates, rich in anthocyanins, have a wide spectrum of health-promoting properties. This review focuses on the health-promoting properties of anthocyanins from fruits of cornelian cherry, documented in research conducted in vitro, in vivo, and in humans. The results obtained so far confirm the beneficial effects of anthocyanins on the blood parameters, whose values are important in predicting and assessing the risk and progression of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. A beneficial effect on molecular and histopathological changes in target organs such as the heart, brain, kidneys, and liver has also been demonstrated. Anthocyanins from cornelian cherry have a strong antioxidant effect, which explains their protective effects on organs and anticancer effects. Moreover, they have antiglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The work highlights the perspectives and directions of necessary research.

A comprehensive review of Cornus officinalis: health benefits, phytochemistry, and pharmacological effects for functional drug and food development

Introduction

Cornus officinalis sieb. et zucc, a deciduous tree or shrub, is renowned for its "Cornus flesh" fruit, which is widely acknowledged for its medicinal value when matured and dried. Leveraging C. officinalis as a foundational ingredient opens avenues for the development of environmentally friendly health foods, ranging from beverages and jams to preserves and canned products. Packed with diverse bioactive compounds, this species manifests a spectrum of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective properties.

Methods

This study employs CiteSpace visual analysis software and a bibliometric analysis platform, drawing upon the Web of Science (WOS) database for literature spanning the last decade. Through a comprehensive analysis of available literature from WOS and Google Scholar, we present a thorough summary of the health benefits, phytochemistry, active compounds, and pharmacological effects of C. officinalis. Particular emphasis is placed on its potential in developing functional drugs and foods.

Results and Discussion

While this review enhances our understanding of C. officinalis as a prospective therapeutic agent, its clinical applicability underscores the need for further research and clinical studies to validate findings and establish safe and effective clinical applications.

Iridoid- and flavonoid-enriched fractions of Cornus sanguinea and Cornus mas exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and inhibit key enzymes in the treatment of metabolic disorders

Background: Berry fruits are recognized as a "superfood" due to their high content of bioactive compounds and health benefits. Scope and approach: Herein, extracts of Cornus sanguinea and Cornus mas fresh and dried fruits obtained by different extraction procedures (ethanolic and hydroalcoholic maceration, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and Soxhlet apparatus) were analysed using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS) and compared to identify the main healthy compounds and their impact on the inhibition of key enzymes (pancreatic lipase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase) associated with metabolic disorders. The antioxidant activity and inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) and NF-κB pathway were also investigated. Key findings and conclusions: Flavonoids, iridoids, and phenolic acids were the main classes of identified compounds. Herein, kaempferol 3-O-galactoside, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, quercetin, quercetin 3-O-xyloside, and myricetin 3-O-galactoside were detected for the first time in C. sanguinea. Remarkable antioxidant effects and promising α-glucosidase and lipase inhibitory activity were observed with extracts obtained by hydroalcoholic maceration of both Cornus dried fruits. Consequently, these extracts were subjected to fractionation using Amberlite XAD-16 resin. The most promising biological activities, which are attributed to the presence of some flavonoids and iridoids, were detected with the C. sanguinea fractions, in particular SD2(II). The results of this study offer new insights into the potential development of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and food supplements using the Cornus species.

Comparative Study of Cytotoxicity and Antioxidant, Anti-Aging and Antibacterial Properties of Unfermented and Fermented Extract of Cornus mas L

Due to the high demand for products that can help treat various skin conditions, the interest in plant extracts, which are a valuable source of phytochemicals, is constantly growing. In this work, the properties of extracts and ferments from Cornus mas L. and their potential use in cosmetic products were compared. For this purpose, their composition, antioxidant properties and cytotoxicity against skin cells, keratinocytes and fibroblasts were assessed in vitro. In addition, the ability to inhibit the activity of collagenase and elastase was compared, which enabled the assessment of their potential to inhibit skin aging. Microbiological analyses carried out on different bacterial strains were made in order to compare their antibacterial properties. The conducted analyses showed that both dogwood extract and ferment have antioxidant and anti-aging properties. In addition, they can have a positive effect on the viability of keratinocytes and fibroblasts and inhibit the proliferation of various pathogenic bacteria, which indicates their great potential as ingredients in skin care preparations. The stronger activity of the ferment compared to the extract indicates the legitimacy of carrying out the fermentation process of plant raw materials using kombucha in order to obtain valuable products for the cosmetics industry.

Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cytoprotective Effects of Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Fruit Extracts

Cornus mas L. is characterized by an increased quantity of bioactive compounds, namely polyphenols, monoterpenes, organic acids, vitamin C and lipophilic compounds such as carotenoids, being anciently used in the treatment of various diseases. This paper’s objectives were to characterize the phytochemical profile of Cornus mas L. fruits and to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytoprotective effects on renal cells exposed to gentamicin. As such, two ethanolic extracts were obtained. The resulting extracts were used to assess the total polyphenols, flavonoids and carotenoids through spectral and chromatographic methods. The antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays. Due to the high content of phenolic compounds analyzed in fruits and the results obtained regarding antioxidant capacity, we decided to further use the ethanolic extract to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial and cytoprotective effects on renal cells stressed with gentamicin. The antimicrobial activity was assessed using agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods, with great results regarding Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The cytotoxic activity was assessed using MTT and Annexin-V assays. According to the findings, extract-treated cells had a higher cell viability. However, at high concentrations, viability was shown to decline, most likely due to the extract and gentamicin’s additive effects.

Improvement of Caciotta-like cheese nutritional value by means of enrichment with blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) and Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas)

Introduction

In this study, we supplemented models of Caciotta-like cheese with blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) and Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), as they have a high content of polyphenols, known as phytochemicals associated with health benefits. We evaluated the microbial composition, organoleptic aspects, total phenolic content, and chemical composition of model cheeses enriched with blackcurrant and Cornelian cherry.

Methods

Two different suppliers have been tested: a conventional and an organic one. Two different conditions of preparation (freeze-dried and not freeze-dried) were tested in two different amounts (0.3 and 0.6% dry weight w/v milk volume). Polyphenols were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reaction and spectrometry; microbial community was determined with selective 24 media and plate counts; composition was determined using nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. Organoleptic tests with an untrained panel have been performed.

Results

The enrichments with blackcurrant and Cornelian cherry increased the total polyphenol content in model cheeses, in particular, when blackcurrant and Cornelian cherry were from conventional farming. Blackcurrant-enriched cheeses showed higher counts of lactic acid bacteria, higher levels of organic acids, amino acids, gamma-aminobutyric acid, histamine, and lower amount of monosaccharides deriving from bacterial lactose fermentation in cheese, suggesting a positive effect of blackcurrant compounds on the growth and activity of lactic acid bacteria. The enrichments did not affect the acceptance of the cheese, neither by blackcurrant nor by Cornelian cherry incorporation, with the exception of the appearance.

Discussion

Overall, we showed that cheeses enriched with blackcurrant or Cornelian cherry from conventional farming increased the bioactive potential of the dairy product without having an adverse effect on the microbial community, physiochemical properties, or organoleptic properties.

Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas) Powder as a Functional Ingredient for the Formulation of Bread Loaves: Physical Properties, Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Composition, and Sensory Attributes

In the current study, Cornelian cherry powder (CCP, Cornus mas) was investigated as a functional ingredient for bread production. Experimental bread loaves were prepared using five levels of CCP (0, 1, 2, 5, and 10% w/w) to replace wheat flour in bread formulation. The final products were analyzed regarding their proximate composition, content of selected biologically active substances, antioxidant activity (AA), volume, and sensory attributes. Increasing the incorporation of CCP led to significantly (p < 0.05) higher concentrations of carbohydrate, ash, energetic value, total polyphenols, phenolic acids and AA, and reduced fat and protein contents (p < 0.05). Moreover, up to 5% addition of CCP positively affected the volume (642.63 ± 7.24 mL) and specific volume (2.83 ± 0.02 cm³/g) of bread loaves, which were significantly (p < 0.05) higher compared to the control (no addition of CCP; 576.99 ± 2.97 mL; 2.55 ± 0.002 cm³/g). The sensory attributes chewiness, crumb springiness, bitterness, and sourness had lower scores (p < 0.05) in bread formulated with 10% CCP compared to the control. Overall, results show that the bread loaves produced with up to 5% CCP addition were considered the preferred formulation among the experimental samples tested, taking into consideration their composition, bioactive content, sensory, and physical properties.

Evidence-Based Anti-Diabetic Properties of Plant from the Occitan Valleys of the Piedmont Alps

Data on urban and rural diabetes prevalence ratios show a significantly lower presence of diabetes in rural areas. Several bioactive compounds of plant origin are known to exert anti-diabetic properties. Interestingly, most of them naturally occur in different plants present in mountainous areas and are linked to traditions of herbal use. This review will aim to evaluate the last 10 years of evidence-based data on the potential anti-diabetic properties of 9 plants used in the Piedmont Alps (North-Western Italy) and identified through an ethnobotanical approach, based on the Occitan language minority of the Cuneo province (Sambucus nigra L., Achillea millefolium L., Cornus mas L., Vaccinium myrtillus L., Fragaria vesca L., Rosa canina L., Rubus idaeus L., Rubus fruticosus/ulmifolius L., Urtica dioica L.), where there is a long history of herbal remedies. The mechanism underlying the anti-hyperglycemic effects and the clinical evidence available are discussed. Overall, this review points to the possible use of these plants as preventive or add-on therapy in treating diabetes. However, studies of a single variety grown in the geographical area, with strict standardization and titration of all the active ingredients, are warranted before applying the WHO strategy 2014-2023.

"Improved quality assessment of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruit with regard to their processing potential"

The sensory properties and appropriateness of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) for processing is very closely related to its ripening stage, recognizable by firmness and skin colour to some extent. Due to the non-uniform ripening on the trees the quality of the fruits offered on the market depends very much on the harvest-method. Today, processors, who usually do not buy fresh fruits but frozen fruits or puree on the market, don`t have a suitable means for the accurate quality assessment of the raw material they need for the processing of high-quality products. The results of this work show for the first time that from the selected parameters (carbohydrates, organic acids, phenols) only flavonols, especially kaempferol-3-glucoside is appropriate to determine the stage of ripeness of cornelian cherries properly independent from species, provenance and crop year. Kaempferol 3-O-glucoside of about 1.75 mg/Kg in wild genotypes and of about 0.80 mg/Kg in most big cornelian cherry species can serve as a reference for sufficient ripeness and therefore for high fruit quality.

Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Extracts Exert Cytotoxicity in Two Selected Melanoma Cell Lines—A Factorial Analysis of Time-Dependent Alterations in Values Obtained with SRB and MTT Assays

Despite the fact that phytochemicals of Cornaceae species have long been discussed as possible auxiliary agents in contemporary treatment, the insights on their properties remain relatively scarce. This study focuses on Cornus mas L. (Cornelian cherry), the extracts of which are reported to exert a pleiotropic effect shown in both in vivo and in vitro studies. This study aimed to explore the cytotoxic effect of extracts from fruits of red (Cornus mas L. ‘Podolski’) and yellow (Cornus mas L. ‘Yantarnyi’ and ‘Flava’) Cornelian cherries on two melanoma cell lines (A375 and MeWo). The extracts were characterized in the context of the concentration of bioactive compounds of antioxidative properties. Cytotoxicity was investigated with the use of the following two assays: SRB and MTT. An additional, alternative protocol for the SRB assay was used in this study so as to account for possible bias. Cytotoxicity was assessed as a difference in the whole time series of cell viability, instead of analyzing differences in raw values (often found in the literature). Both extracts from Cornus mas L. induced cytotoxicity in both A375 and MeWo cell lines, although the response of these cells was different. Moreover, based on this study, there is no evidence for claiming a different magnitude of cytotoxicity between these two extracts.

Extraction and quantification of melatonin in cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) by ultra-fast liquid chromatography coupled to fluorescence detector (UFLC-FD)

Wild edible plants (WEPs) can be widely found in the world and defined as native species that grow naturally in their natural habitat. They have become part of the traditional food as human diet and used in folk medicine to treat diseases. They are very rich in terms of nutraceuticals. Melatonin is a natural hormone providing several benefits for human health. It has functions such as regulating growth and development and increasing tolerance to environmental stress factors in plants. It is stated that the serum melatonin level in humans increases after intake of foods containing melatonin. This study examined the presence of melatonin in wild grown cornelian cherry fruits by UFLC-FD and determined suitable extraction and chromatographic conditions. The optimum mobile phase, excitation/emission wavelength, and extraction solvent were determined as methanol: water: acetic acid, 275/345 nm, and methanol: water: HCl, respectively. Melatonin content in fruits ranged from 130.82 to 201.84 ng g−1 in fresh fruit.

Documenting Greek Indigenous Germplasm of Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) for Sustainable Utilization: Molecular Authentication, Asexual Propagation, and Phytochemical Evaluation

Wild-growing Cornelian cherries (Cornus mas L., Cornaceae) are well-known native fruits in Greece since ancient times that are still consumed locally nowadays. Modern research has highlighted the value of Cornelian cherries as functional food with exceptional health benefits on account of the fruits’ biochemical profile. However, apart from local consumption directly from wild growing individuals, Greek native C. mas populations have not yet been investigated or sustainably utilized. A multifaceted evaluation was conducted herein including authorized collection-documentation, taxonomic identification, and molecular authentication (DNA barcoding), asexual propagation via cuttings and phytochemical evaluation (multiple antioxidant profiling) of neglected and underutilized Greek native C. mas germplasm sources. Successive botanical expeditions resulted in the collection of 18 samples of genotypes from distant C. mas populations across different natural habitats in Greece, most of which were DNA fingerprinted for the first time. Asexual propagation trials revealed high variability in rooting frequencies among Greek genotypes with low (<25%), average (25−50%), and adequate propagation potential (>50%) using external indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) hormone application on soft- or hard-wood cuttings. The comparative phytochemical evaluation of the studied Greek genotypes showed significant potential in terms of antioxidant activity (>80% radical scavenging activity in 13 genotypes), but with variable phenolic content (47.58−355.46 mg GAE/100 g), flavonoid content (0.15−0.86 mg CE/100 g), and vitamin C content (1−59 mg AAE/100 g). The collected material is currently maintained under ex situ conservation for long-term monitoring coupled with ongoing pilot cultivation trials. The pivotal data create for the first time a framework for the sustainable utilization of Greek native C. mas germplasm as a superfood with significant agronomic potential.

Potential for Prebiotic Stabilized Cornus mas L. Lyophilized Extract in the Prophylaxis of Diabetes Mellitus in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats

As a systemic disease, diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by the disruption of many glucose metabolic pathways. Therefore, it seems critical to study new therapies to support treatment to develop therapeutic systems that can operate across a broad metabolic spectrum. The current state of knowledge indicates an essential role of the gut microbiota in the development and course of the disease. Cornus mas fruits have demonstrated a rich biological activity profile and potential for application in the treatment of DM. As part of a preliminary analysis, the activity of four cultivars of Cornus mas fruits was analyzed. The cultivar Wydubieckij was selected as having the highest activity in in vitro conditions for further prebiotic system preparation. The study aimed to develop a unique therapeutic system based, first of all, on the mechanism of α-glucosidase inhibition and the antioxidant effect resulting from the activity of the plant extract used, combined with the prebiotic effect of inulin. The obtained system was characterized in vitro in terms of antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition capacity, and was then tested on diabetic rats. The study was coupled with an analysis of changes in the intestinal microflora. The system of prebiotic stabilized Cornus mas L. lyophilized extract with inulin offers valuable support for the prophylaxis and treatment of DM.

Vitis vinifera L. Pruning Waste for Bud-Preparations as Source of Phenolic Compounds–Traditional and Innovative Extraction Techniques to Produce New Natural Products

Herbal products are now considered among the most important sources of phenolic compounds: the FINNOVER project aimed at the creation and development of sustainable supply chains to extract and use natural biologically active agents. Vitis vinifera is one of the most utilised herbal products derived from buds and sprouts as polyphenolic food supplements for its homeostatic and astringent properties. This research was aimed to describe the antioxidant capacity and the phytochemical composition of V. vinifera herbal products by the application of spectroscopic and chromatographic fingerprints considering phenolics as potential markers to significantly differentiate traditional preparations (macerates) from innovative extracts obtained by an ultrasound extraction from V. vinifera buds. Two different commercial products were also considered. Flavonols were the most abundant class in ultrasound extracts (45%), while phenolic acids were the most important class in traditional macerates (49%) and commercial bud-preparations (about 50%). This study may support the potential use of V. vinifera bud-products (starting from pruning byproducts) as food supplements to integrate human diet with good amounts of phenolics. Finally, the use of different extraction methods on the same plant material could be an important development to produce innovative herbal products with a phytochemical composition similar to traditional preparations.

Changes in the Antioxidative Activity and the Content of Phenolics and Iridoids during Fermentation and Aging of Natural Fruit Meads

The aim of the study was to investigate changes in the content of biologically active compounds during the fermentation and aging of natural meads with the addition of three Cornelian cherry juices from three cultivars: 'Koralovyi', 'Podolski' and 'Yantarnyi', in the amount of 10% v/v. After the fermentation process the content of gallic and ellagic acids significantly increased, in relation to wort. Whereas the greatest losses were observed among unstable anthocyanins. The three-month aging process also reduced the content of the analyzed compounds except for ellagic acid, the content of which increased by up to 90%. The content of biologically active compounds, including iridoids and antioxidant phenolics, are constantly changing in the process of fermentation and aging of fruit meads. The studies proved that the addition of Cornelian cherry juice allows significantly enriched classic meads with new biologically active compounds, such as: exceptional iridoids (loganic acid, cornuside, loganine, sweroside), flavonols, phenolic acids and anthocyanins.

The effect of different drying techniques on color parameters, ascorbic acid content, anthocyanin and antioxidant capacities of cornelian cherry

Cornelian cherry was dehydrated using different drying techniques: namely natural, microwave, convective, and combined drying. The moisture content of cornelian cherry was reduced from 72.56% to 10.27%. The color parameters closest to the fresh samples were measured at 50 °C, 70 °C, 90 °C, and at 100 and 300 W. Both fresh and dried cornelian cherries show high antioxidant capacity and comprise of various polyphenolic compounds. TEAC_CUPRAC is the most suitable method for determining the total antioxidant capacity of cornelian cherry. We measured the total anthocyanin content closest to the fresh cornelian cherry with 2.62 and 2.11 mg (CDE) g^-1 (dw) at 70 °C and 300 W. Also, we found the closest vitamin C to the fresh ones with values of 25.02 and 20.08 mg 100 g^-1 (fw) at 300 and 500 W. Generally, the suitable drying technique in terms of physical parameters and phytochemical compounds was the microwave drying at 300 W.

Iridoids, Flavonoids, and Antioxidant Capacity of Cornus mas, C. officinalis, and C. mas × C. officinalis Fruits

The fruits of Cornus mas and Cornus officinalis have been known and appreciated in folk medicine for years and have a high biological value, which is mainly connected with their polyphenols and iridoids content. However, hybrids of C. mas × C. officinalis have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the iridoids, anthocyanins, and flavonols content, and antioxidant capacity of Cornus mas, Cornus officinalis, and C. mas × C. officinalis. Iridoids and flavonoids were quantified by the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method. Antioxidant capacity (AC) was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^•), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS^•+), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests. Total phenolic content (TPC) was evaluated using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. Among the C. mas cultivars and C. officinalis genotypes, there was considerable variation in the content of iridoids, flavonoids, and AC. Interspecific hybrids C. mas × C. officinalis contained more iridoids than C. mas and more anthocyanins than C. officinalis and additionally had higher AC and TPC than C. officinalis and most C. mas. AC, TPC, and the presence of iridoids, anthocyanins, and flavonols in hybrids C. mas × C. officinalis are reported for the first time. The Cornus species deserve special attention due to their highly biologically active substances, as well as useful medicinal properties.

Traditional Foods and Sustainable Rural Development: Exploiting the Case of the Comoros Tea as a Potential Source of Bioactive Compounds

Although modern medicine is available in many developing countries, such as the Comoros Islands, the primary health-care needs of the local population are based on traditional foods and beverages derived from natural resources and medicinal plants for cultural and historical reasons. Aphloia theiformis (Vahl) Benn. (‘Mfandrabo’), Cinnamomum verum J.Presl (‘Mani yamdrara’), Ocimum gratissimum L. (‘Roulé’), Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. (‘Ynadombwe’), Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle (‘Sandze monach’) and Ocimum americanum L. (‘Kandza’) are six wild plants that are largely utilised to treat many diseases. The leaves of these plants are used in the traditional Comorian tea (aqueous infusion). This study aimed to identify and quantify the main health-promoting compounds in the traditional formulation of Comorian tea by HPLC profiling together with a preliminary assessment of antioxidant capacity to confirm the traditional use of these plants by the local population. The single plants were also studied. The Comoros tea presented a total polyphenolic content (TPC) of 4511.50 ± 74.41 mgGAE/100 g DW, a value higher than the TPCs of the different plants included in the Comorian tea. Moreover, the Comorian tea showed an antioxidant capacity (AOC) of 578.65 ± 6.48 mmol Fe2+/Kg DW, a value higher if compared to all the AOC values obtained in the single plants. The polyphenolic fraction (771.37 ± 35.76 mg/100 g DW) and organic acids (981.40 ± 38.38 mg/100 g DW) were the most important phytochemical classes in the Comorian tea (40.68% and 51.75% of the total phytocomplex, respectively), followed by the monoterpenes (5.88%) and vitamin C (1.67%), while carotenoids were detected in trace (0.02%). The Comorian tea could be important in meeting the high demand in the Comoros Islands and other developing countries for cost-effective and natural health-promoting foods and/or beverages to be produced by agri-food industries and used by the local population. This study may promote traditional foods in rural communities in the Comoros Islands and contribute to sustainable rural development and a commercial valorisation of these plants for health-promoting and food applications.

Potential Application of Cornelian Cherry Extract on Broiler Chickens: Growth, Expression of Antioxidant Biomarker and Glucose Transport Genes, and Oxidative Stability of Frozen Meat

Simple Summary

Supplementation of the poultry diet with plant extracts rich in polyphenolic compounds could improve the performance of animals as well as the oxidative stability of their derived meat. The present study evaluated the efficacy of cornelian cherry extract (CCE) on the expression of genes controlling glucose transporters and different assays regulating the oxidative stability of frozen, stored meat over a long period of time (90 days of storage). The results indicated that the addition of 200 mg/kg of CCE to the diet could improve the growth rate and antioxidant status of broiler chickens and thus increase their productivity. Moreover, polyphenolic compounds rich in CCE can act as antioxidant agents to increase the shelf-life extension of frozen, stored poultry meat. Finally, supplementation with CCE could increase the total concentration of phenolic compounds in poultry meat offered to human consumers.

Abstract

The use of natural plant extracts in poultry feed could improve their productivity as well as the oxidative stability of stored derived meat. The roles of cornelian cherry extract (CCE) in growth, cecal microbes, and meat antioxidative markers of broiler chickens were evaluated. A total of 500 Ross 308 broiler chicks were fed diets supplemented with CCE (0, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg of diet) for 38 days. The highest levels of weight gain and feed utilization were observed in a group fed 200 mg/kg of CCE. Maximum upregulation of glucose transporters—1 and 2 and sodium-dependent glucose transporter genes—were found in the group fed 200 mg/kg of CCE. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium colonization increased as the CCE levels increased. The greatest upregulation of antioxidant genes (glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) in breast meat was observed in groups fed CCE (200 and 400 mg/kg). Dietary CCE significantly delayed the lipid oxidation of breast meat compared with that of the control group. The total phenolic content, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrihydrzyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and reducing power in meat improved with higher levels of CCE. Dietary CCE improved the growth, performance of broilers, and meat antioxidant stability after 90 days of storage.

Physico-chemical characterization of Cornus kousa Burg. fruit: determining optimal maturity for fresh consumption

BACKGROUND

Japanese dogwood (Cornus kousa Burg.) is a popular ornamental plant which develops edible compound fruit utilized in traditional Asian medicine. Previous compositional studies have focused on a small fraction of secondary metabolites at a single maturity stage. In order to address the question of optimal ripeness of Japanese dogwood fruit for consumption the study provides a comprehensive insight into its primary and secondary metabolic profile.

RESULTS

The aim of the study was to investigate biochemical composition and morphological traits of Japanese dogwood (Cornus kousa Burg.) fruit at four maturity stages: GF, green fruit; BF, fruit with a defined red blush; RF, ripe fruit; OF, over-ripe fruit. Fruit was characterized by a nearly spherical shape, decreased water content in later stages of ripeness and highest a* values at RF and OF stages. Total sugars increased significantly from GF to OF stage and total organic acids and vitamin C decreased with maturation. Japanese dogwood fruit was characterized by four major phenolic groups: anthocyanins (three), flavonols (eight) hydroxycinnamic acids (three) and flavonoids (one) as well as by four lipophilic antioxidants: tocopherols (two), xanthophylls (five), carotenes (two) and chlorophylls (two). The progression of fruit ripening caused faster accumulation of individual phenolic compounds and lipophilic antioxidants which resulted in significantly higher total phenolic content at the RF and OF stages.

CONCLUSION

Japanese dogwood fruit is a rich alternative source of ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, flavonols and anthocyanins and should be consumed fresh at fully developed red colour of compound berries when their composition is optimal. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Analytical Strategies for Fingerprinting of Antioxidants, Nutritional Substances, and Bioactive Compounds in Foodstuffs Based on High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry: An Overview

New technology development and globalisation have led to extreme changes in the agri-food sector in recent years that need an important food supply chain characterisation from plant materials to commercial productions. Many analytical strategies are commonly utilised in the agri-food industry, often using complementary technologies with different purposes. Chromatography on-line coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the most selective and sensitive analytical methodologies. The purpose of this overview is to present the most recent MS-based techniques applied to food analysis. An entire section is dedicated to the recent applications of high-resolution MS. Covered topics include liquid (LC)– and gas chromatography (GC)–MS analysis of natural bioactive substances, including carbohydrates, flavonoids and related compounds, lipids, phenolic compounds, vitamins, and other different molecules in foodstuffs from the perspectives of food composition, food authenticity and food adulteration. The results represent an important contribution to the utilisation of GC–MS and LC–MS in the field of natural bioactive compound identification and quantification.

Comprehensive Analysis of Antioxidant Compounds from Lippia citriodora and Hibiscus sabdariffa Green Extracts Attained by Response Surface Methodology

Phenolic compounds have shown to have a high bioactive potential against various pathologies, postulating as an interesting alternative to manage some diseases. In this sense, both Lippia citriodora and Hibiscus sabdariffa are two botanical sources with a demonstrated high bioactive potential, in which their antioxidant capacity stands out. In this work, the optimization of the extraction conditions for the recovery of phytochemicals from L. citriodora leaves and H. sabdariffa calyces has been carried out using Response Surface Methodologies (RSM) considering their total polar compounds measured by HPLC-ESI-TOF/MS and Folin-Ciocalteu assay, and its antioxidant capacity evaluated by Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) assays. The results showed that to maximize the antioxidant capacity in H. sabdariffa, a moderate temperature and high ethanol percentage are needed, while a low temperature and a high percentage of ethanol are needed in L. citriodora. In addition, with the results obtained in the multiple response analysis, it is possible to affirm the importance of this type of analysis to develop functional ingredients, taking into account both total content of phenolic compounds and their bioactivity. Furthermore, as confirmed in this study, these analyses can be extrapolated in different techniques and in different matrices, with phenolic compounds from different families being important to develop new high added value products for food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic industries.

Cornelian Cherry Iridoid-Polyphenolic Extract Improves Mucosal Epithelial Barrier Integrity in Rat Experimental Colitis and Exerts Antimicrobial and Antiadhesive Activities In Vitro

Background and Aims

Inflammatory bowel disease pharmacotherapy, despite substantial progress, is still not satisfactory for both patients and clinicians. In view of the chronic and relapsing disease course and not always effective treatment with adverse effects, attempts to search for new, more efficient, and safer substances are essential and reasonable. This study was designed to elucidate the impact of cornelian cherry iridoid-polyphenolic extract (CE) and loganic acid (LA) on adherent-invasive E. coli growth and adhesion in vitro and to assess the effect of pretreatment with CE or LA on the course of intestinal inflammation in rat experimental colitis compared with sulfasalazine.

Methods

Antibacterial and antiadhesive activities of CE and LA were assessed using microdilution, Int407 cell adherence, and yeast agglutination assays. The colitis model was induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid. Studied substances were administered intragastrically for 16 days prior to colitis induction. Body weight loss; colon index; histological injuries; IL-23, IL-17, TNF-α, and chemerin levels; and STAT3, Muc2, and TFF3 mRNA expression were evaluated.

Results

Only CE exerted antimicrobial and antiadhesive activities in vitro and alleviated colonic symptoms. CE coadministrated with sulfasalazine was more effective than single compounds in reversing increased concentrations of TNF-α, IL-17, and chemerin and decreased Muc2 mRNA expression.

Conclusions

CE exerted a protective effect against experimental colitis via impaired mucosal epithelial barrier restoration and intestinal inflammatory response attenuation and given concomitantly with sulfasalazine counteracted colitis in a more effective way than sulfasalazine alone, which indicates their synergistic interaction. The beneficial effect of CE may also be due to its bacteriostatic and antiadhesive activities.

Hypoglycaemic, antioxidative and phytochemical evaluation of Cornus mas varieties

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is a plant growing in Central and Eastern Europe. Its fruits are a rich source of anthocyanins, flavonoids and iridoids. Among the iridoids, loganic acid is the most prevalent. The study aimed to examine the relation between loganic acid content, antioxidant capacity and hypoglycaemic effect in vivo for three Polish cultivars of C. mas. All tested cultivars strongly inhibited α-glucosidase and had similar amounts of highly bioabsorbable loganic acid. The loganic acid content was similar for each cultivar tested, while the cultivars differed in content of flavonoids and anthocyanins. The highest antioxidant potential was observed in the fruits of cv. Szafer, and the highest α-glucosidase inhibitor was cv. P5. A statistical analysis has shown that hypoglycaemic properties are prevalently driven by anthocyanin content and the antioxidant capacity, especially ferric-reducing ability partially based on loganic acid.

Influence of Different Sweeteners on the Stability of Anthocyanins from Cornelian Cherry Juice

Cornelian cherries are red fruits which can be considered as a valuable dietary source of antioxidant biologically active compounds, especially anthocyanins. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the anthocyanins degradation process in Cornelian cherry juice supplemented with different sweeteners. Four formulations of Cornelian cherry juice were prepared using different sugars (sucrose, fructose) or artificial sweeteners (aspartame and acesulfame potassium). The obtained juices were stored at three distinct temperatures (2 °C, 25 °C, and 75 °C) in order to evaluate the effects of the sweetener and storage conditions on the pigment stability. The rate constants (k) and the half time values (t_1/2) of the degradation processes were determined. The highest stability was observed for the anthocyanins from the unsweetened juice stored at 2 °C (k = 0.5·10^-3 h^-1), while the most accelerated degradation was registered for the fructose sweetened juice stored at 75 °C (k = 91.65·10^-3 h^-1). The presence of the different sweeteners in the Cornelian cherry juice affects their pigment stability during storage. The highest change in the retention of anthocyanins was determined by the presence of fructose, while acesulfame potassium had the less deleterious effect.

Identification of Polyphenolic Compounds in Edible Wild Fruits Grown in the North-West of Italy by Means of HPLC-DAD-ESI HRMS

The popularity of edible wild fruits has increased in industrialized countries due to their composition and positive effects. The aim of this study has been to characterize the polyphenolics and anthocyanins of black mulberry (Morus nigra L.), cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.), elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna L.), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) and rose hip (Rosa canina L.) harvested in the north-west of Italy by means of HPLC-DAD-ESI HRMS in positive ion mode. Although there is an abundant amount of literature related to the polyphenolics of cultivated fruit, a new type of comparison has here been conducted between wild and cultivated fruits on their polyphenolic content. The HPLC-DAD-ESI HRMS method has detected 64 different polyphenolic molecules and it can be used to perform qualitative and quantitative analyses. Furthermore, the cornelian cherry and elderberry samples showed the highest polyphenolic compound levels. The quercetin glycosylated compounds showed the highest percentage of flavonols in most of the analyzed wild fruits.

Castanea spp. Agrobiodiversity Conservation: Genotype Influence on Chemical and Sensorial Traits of Cultivars Grown on the Same Clonal Rootstock

A large species diversity characterises the wide distribution of chestnuts in Asia, North America, and Europe, hence reflecting not only the adaptation of the genus Castanea to diverse environmental conditions, but also to different management strategies encompassing orchards. The characterisation and description of chestnut populations and cultivars are crucial to develop effective conservation strategies of one of the most important Italian and European fruit and wood species. Chestnut cultivars grown in the same pedoclimatic conditions and on the same clonal rootstock were characterised with sensory, spectrophotometric, and chromatographic analysis to determine the phytochemical composition and nutraceutical properties. A multivariate approach, including principal component analysis and conditional inference tree models, was also performed. The ease of peeling, seed colour, and intensity of sweetness were the sensory descriptors that allowed us to differentiate C. sativa cultivars. Antioxidant capacity ranged from 9.30 ± 0.39 mmol Fe+2 kg-1 DW ('Bouche de Bètizac') to 19.96 ± 1.89 mmol Fe+2 kg-1 DW ('Garrone Rosso'). Monoterpenes represented the main component, reaching 88% for hybrids, followed by polyphenols (10-25% for hybrids and chestnuts, respectively). A multivariate approach showed that phenolic acids and tannins were the bioactive classes with the highest discriminating power among different genotypes, and that genotype is a significant variable (p < 0.05). In addition, most of the analysed chestnut cultivars showed a content of bioactive compounds similar to or higher than the main hazelnut, walnut, and almond varieties. Chestnut agrobiodiversity could be intended as strictly associated to the genotype effect and underlines the large variability within the genus Castanea, and therefore, the importance of in farm and ex situ conservation of local germplasm is part of a global strategy aimed at increasing the levels of agrobiodiversity.

Phytochemical Characterization and Bioactivity Evaluation of Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) Pseudodrupes as Potential Sources of Health-Promoting Compounds

Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) is a deciduous shrub tree widely distributed in Asia and Southern Europe and grown as ornamental species. It is locally used for human consumption, as relevant medical value is attributed to the berries. Information about its composition, especially concerning the characterization of bioactive and health-promoting compounds, is limited. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the main bioactive compounds and nutraceutical proprieties of autumn olive fruits, via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint and spectrophotometric analysis, in order to strengthen the knowledge about this underrated species and promote potential applications as a food supplement. Concerning nutraceutical traits, total polyphenolic content (325.366 ± 13.019 mg of gallic acid equivalents (mg GAE)/100 of fresh weight (g FW)) and total anthocyanin content (194.992 ± 0.817 mg of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (mg C3G)/100 g FW) recorded considerable values. The phytochemical fingerprint revealed the presence 23 bioactive compounds. Polyphenols (65.56%) were the largest class, followed by monoterpenes (27.40%) and vitamin C (7.04%). Anthocyanins were the most represented compounds among polyphenols (71.9%). The antioxidant capacity (20.031 ± 1.214 mmol Fe2+/kg) was similar to that recorded for other small fruits with proven health-promoting properties. The present work underlined the potential of E. umbellata as a source of health-promoting bioactive compounds. Further studies should deepen the knowledge of nutraceutical aspects, which turned out to be interesting.

The exploitation of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) cultivars and genotypes from Montenegro as a source of natural bioactive compounds

Cornelian cherry (CC) fruits a source of bioactive compounds that are still being underutilized. In this study, a comprehensive characterization of 11 Montenegrin CC local or introduced genotypes and cultivars collected in the wild or from organic orchards is provided. Their potential utilizations as natural antioxidants, colorants and organic food ingredients were exploited. CC fruits had high level of vitamin C (48-108 mg/100 g), malic acid (104-375 mg/100 g), and total polyphenols (158-591mg_GAE/100 g). They also displayed high antioxidant activity based on DPPH (623-1903µmol_TE/100 g), ABTS (441-1475µmol_TE/100 g), and FRAP (1509-5954µmolFe²⁺/100 g) assays. UHPLC-PDA-HESI-MS/MS analyses were used to quantify the concentration of phenolic acids (7.69-19.87 mg/100 g), flavonoids (10.87-44.34 mg/100 g), anthocyanins (11.85-195.43 mg/100 g) and iridoids (129.07-341.20 mg/100 g). For each of this groups, the most abundant were caftaric acid (12.24 mg/100 g), quercetin 3-glucuronide (29.66 mg/100 g), cyanidin 3-O-galactoside (130.93 mg/100 g) and loganic acid (303.3 mg/100 g), respectively. PCA and cluster heatmap analysis highlighted potentials for further exploitation of local genotypes and cultivars through organic food processing and breeding program.

Traditional and Unconventional Dried Fruit Snacks as a Source of Health-Promoting Compounds

Dried fruits are important, healthy and popular snacks, despite the limited information on their nutritional profiles and phytochemical composition. The present work was aimed to study the chemical composition of freeze-dried fruits from four fruit species: two common commercial snacks (apple and goji) and two innovative products (kaki and kiwi). Sugar and organic acid levels, total phenolics (TPC), and main health-promoting phytochemicals were studied by HPLC fingerprinting analysis. Furthermore, in vitro antioxidant capacity (AOC) was preliminarily observed in these products. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was carried out as a multivariate approach as well. The TPC ranged from 210.9 mg GAE/100g DW (kiwi) to 872.6 mg GAE/100g DW (kaki), while dried fruit antioxidant capacity ranged from 23.09 mmol Fe²⁺/kg DW (goji) to 137.5 mmol Fe²⁺/kg DW (kaki). The most important phytochemical class in apple (two cultivars), kiwi, and kaki dried fruits was phenolics (from 74.6% to 93.3%), while monoterpenes were the first class in goji (67.5%). No anthocyanins have been identified in dried fruits because these compounds are most likely converted to phenolic acids during the drying process. This research intended to stimulate large-scale exploitation of commercial dried fruits as functional foods as well.

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Properties of Cornus mas L. Fruit Juice

Cornus mas L. (Cornelian cherry) is a flowering plant indigenous to Europe and parts of Asia, mostly studied for the antimicrobial activity of its juice. In this report, we investigated the composition and the in vitro antioxidant capacity of Cornus mas L. fruit juice from Greece, as well as its antiproliferative properties in vitro and in vivo. The fruits showed a high content of citric, malic, and succinic acid, in contrast to their juice, which had a low concentration of organic acids. The juice demonstrated significant antioxidant activity against the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and modest antiproliferative potential against four human cancer cells lines and one murine: mammary adenocarcinoma MCF-7, hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 and colon adenocarcinomas Caco2, HT-29, as well as murine colon carcinoma CT26. Cell viability was reduced by 40-50% following incubation of the cells with the highest concentration of the juice. Although Cornelian cherry juice exhibited in vitro growth inhibitory effects against colon carcinoma cells, no tumor growth inhibition was observed in an in vivo experimental colon carcinoma model in mice following prophylactic oral administration of a daily dose of 100 L juice for a period of 10 days. Thus, our findings raise interesting questions for further research on Cornus mas L. fruit juice, and in parallel, the strong antioxidant potential implies that the plant could be further explored and exploited for its protective effect against oxidative damage.

Cornelian cherry fruit improves glycaemia and manifestations of diabetes in obese Zucker diabetic fatty rats

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) was in the past frequently used in Slovak Republic; meanwhile fell into oblivion despite the fact that it is known as antidiabetic supplement. However, there is no research investigated its effect on animal model of Diabetes mellitus (DM) 2 type as it is Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of C. mas fruit given orally on the development of DM symptoms in ZDF rats. In the experiment male ZDF rats (fa/fa) and their age-matched non-diabetic lean controls (fa/+) were used aged 12 weeks. Male ZDF rats were administered C. mas in two doses (500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight) using a gastric gavage for 10 weeks. One group of diabetic animals served as positive control and received only distilled water. We found significant decrease of glucose level after oral administration of C. mas in dose of 1000 mg/kg bw in pre-diabetic state of animals (until 7th week of the experiment) and significant restriction of water intake in both C. mas groups against the diabetic control. We presume that the higher dose of Cornelian cherry could be beneficial and helpful in prevention of diabetic symptoms when consumed regularly in young animals.

Effects of In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion on the Antioxidant Capacity and Anthocyanin Content of Cornelian Cherry Fruit Extract

Red fruits are considered a major source of antioxidant compounds in the human diet. They usually contain anthocyanins, phenolic pigments that confer them multiple health-promoting properties. The health benefits of these bioactive phytocompounds are strongly related to their bioavailability, which has been reported to be low. The aim of the present study is to investigate the changes in antioxidant capacity and anthocyanin content of Cornelian cherry fruit extract during gastrointestinal digestion. Thus, the work was designed using a simulated in vitro digestion model. The antioxidant capacity (AA) was tested by the 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazolyne-6-sulphonic acid) radical cation (ABTS) method, while quantification of anthocyanins (TAC) was accomplished by the means of the pH differential method and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that gastric digestion had no significant effect on the TAC of the extract, while the AA slightly increased. After duodenal digestion, only 28.33% of TAC and 56.74% of AA were maintained. Cornelian cherries’ anthocyanins were stable in stomach, so they can be absorbed in order to manifest their antioxidant capacity at the cellular level. The duodenal digestion dramatically decreased the TAC and AA level in the fruit extract.

Effects of Cornelian Cherry on Atherosclerosis and Its Risk Factors

Functional food represents an important alternative management of atherosclerosis, its risk factors, and clinical complications. Atherosclerosis is characterized by microinflammation, formation of atheromatous lipoprotein-rich plaques, and protrombogenic status. Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L., CC) contains polyphenols influencing all three components of atherosclerosis. Its high antioxidant potential, verified in experimental studies, exhibited a pronounced decrease of inflammatory markers. CC treatment demonstrated a favourable effect on lipid spectrum (comparable with statins), decrease of glycemia, and increase of insulin (comparable with glibenclamide). Polyphenols identified in CC exhibited both direct antiplatelet effects and reduction of platelet hyper-reactivity mediated via attenuation of oxidative stress. The first clinical trials confirmed a clinically relevant decrease of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerols, lipoproteins, amelioration of inflammatory activity, and insulin secretion improvement after the treatment with CC polyphenolic compounds. However, the limitation of published studies is the use of undefined cultivars of CC, their experimental nature, small scale, and missing longitudinal trials. Nevertheless, biochemical properties of CC, hitherto described, predispose its products for the adjuvant management of atherosclerosis.

Characteristics of Biologically Active Compounds in Cornelian Cherry Meads

In this study, we investigated the effect of Cornelian cherry cultivars differing in fruit color ("Yantaryi"-yellow fruits, "Koralovyi"-coral fruits, "Podolski"-red fruits) on physicochemical characteristics, antioxidative properties, and contents of iridoids and polyphenols in meads with the addition of juices made of their fruits. "Trójniak" type meads (1:2 honey to water volume) were manufactured from multifloral honey, to which Cornelian cherry fruit juice was added before fermentation. Concentrations of individual iridoids and polyphenols were determined using HPLC analysis with a thermostat refractometric detector, model RID-10A. The total polyphenol content was determined based on testing with Folin⁻Ciocalteu (F-C) reagent, whereas the antioxidative properties were determined using DPPH^• (2,2-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl), ABTS^•⁺ (2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays. Cultivar of Cornelian cherry fruits influenced both the antioxidative properties and the concentrations of polyphenols and iridoids. The highest concentration of total polyphenols (F-C), accounting for 898.7 mg gallic acid (GAE)/L, was determined in the mead with juice made of red fruits; this mead was also characterized by the strongest antioxidative capabilities measured with ABTS^•⁺ and FRAP assays. Among the iridoids determined in the Cornelian cherry meads, loganic acid was found to prevail and its highest concentration, reaching 77.8 mg loganic acid (LA)/L mead, was determined in the mead with the coral-fruit juice. Study results indicate that Cornelian cherry meads have a high content of biologically active iridoids and phenolic acids which display valuable antioxidative properties.