Lactic acid bacteria-mediated fermentation of Cudrania tricuspidata leaf extract improves its antioxidative activity, osteogenic effects, and anti-adipogenic effects

Isolation, characterization, immunoregulatory, and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Morinda officinalis fermented by Bacillus sp. DU-106

Morinda officinalis (M. officinalis) polysaccharides are valuable ingredients with various bioactive functions. This work aimed to investigate whether fermentation could enhance the bioactivities of M. officinalis polysaccharides. A strain of Bacillus sp. DU-106 was introduced to ferment M. officinalis. Two polysaccharides (namely NMP-1 and FMP-1) were isolated from raw M. officinalis and fermented M. officinalis, respectively. The structure, immunoregulatory, and antioxidant activities of NMP-1 and FMP-1 were investigated. Bacillus sp. DU-106 fermentation changed the monosaccharide composition and conformation of M. officinalis polysaccharides. After fermentation, FMP-1 dramatically stimulated IL-1β secretion in RAW 264.7 macrophages. In vitro, Bacillus sp. DU-106 fermentation of M. officinalis enhanced the DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, and superoxide anion scavenging activities. In vivo, FMP-1 extended the lifespan and ameliorated oxidative injury of Caenorhabditis elegans. Collectively, Bacillus sp. DU-106 fermentation significantly enhanced the immunoregulatory and antioxidant activities of M. officinalis polysaccharides.

The Antimutagenic and Antioxidant Activity of Fermented Milk Supplemented with Cudrania tricuspidata Powder

In this study, Cudrania tricuspidata (CT) containing abundant phytochemicals, such as xanthones and flavonoids, was evaluated as an additive to fortify the functionality and organoleptic quality of fermented milk. The physicochemical, functional, and sensory properties of fermented milk supplemented with different concentrations of CT powder were investigated. Increasing amounts of CT powder elevated the malic acid concentration, increasing the total acidity and decreasing the pH of fermented milk supplemented with CT powder. The viable cell count and free sugar contents of fermented milk indicated that supplementing with CT powder improved lactic acid fermentation slightly. The color of fermented milk supplemented with CT powder was darker, redder, yellower, and more pleasing than the control fermented milk. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of fermented milk supplemented with CT powder rose as the concentration of supplemented CT powder increased, resulting in enhanced antioxidant and antimutagenic activities. The CT powder improved the functionality of the fermented milk; still, at 2% or more, it had some unfavorable sensory properties, such as sourness, taste, and texture, which reduced the overall consumer preference. Therefore, a CT powder concentration of 0.5% or 1% may be acceptable to consumers.

Antioxidant Potential of Selected Korean Edible Plant Extracts

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of various plant extracts. A total of 94 kinds of edible plant extracts obtained from the Korea Plant Extract Bank were screened for cytotoxicity, following which the total phenolic content of 24 shortlisted extracts was determined. Of these, extracts from three plants, namely, Castanea crenata (CC) leaf, Camellia japonica (CJ) fruit, and Viburnum dilatatum (VD) leaf, were examined for antioxidant capabilities by measuring radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing/antioxidant power, and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity. In addition, cellular antioxidant activities of the three extracts were assessed by a cell-based dichlorofluorescein assay and antioxidant response element (ARE) reporter activity assay. The results demonstrated that all three extracts concentration-dependently scavenged free radicals, inhibited lipid peroxidation, reduced the cellular level of reactive oxygen species, and increased ARE-luciferase activity, indicating antioxidant enzyme-inducing potential. In particular, CJ extract showed significantly greater antioxidative activity and antimigratory effect in a breast cancer cell line compared to CC and VD extracts. Hence, CJ extract deserves further study for its in vivo functionality or biologically active constituents.

Cudrania tricuspidata: an updated review on ethnomedicine, phytochemistry and pharmacology

This review summarized the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology ofCudrania tricuspidata, and the limitations of the studies on this species were also discussed so as to serve as the basis for further research and development of this medicinal plant.