Anti-inflammatory Activity and Chemical Characterisation of Opuntia ficus-indica Seed Oil Cultivated in Saudi Arabia

Estimation of Secondary Metabolites, Nutrients, Minerals, and Anti-Inflammatory and Antidiarrheal Agents in Heliotropium rariflorum Stocks at Two Phenological Stages

The medicinal value of plants depends on minerals and nutrients and their complexation with chemotherapeutic compounds. The present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition with anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal potential of Heliotropium rariflorum. Among nutrients, fibers were maximum (25.3% in leaves, 53.05% in stem, 57.01% in roots) during flowering period. Leaves were rich in ash contents. Fat contents were minimum (0.94%-7.22%) in plant parts during both periods. The highest gross energy was calculated for leaves during vegetative period (210.136 kcal/100 g). Similarly, macro-minerals (Ca & K contents) were highest at both stages, whereas micro-minerals (Cu contents) were at flowering stage as compared to the rest of the elements. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) revealed that the leaves methanolic extract was rich in 16,28-secosolanidan-3-ol and tetrahydro-solasodine (1.40%), stem in 6-octadecenoic acid (29.24%) (9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z) and cis-7-dodecen-1-yl acetate; 14.30%), and roots in 4-(1-methyle 2-cyclohexen)-1-one, 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, and 2,4-dimethylfuran (0.83%). The plant exhibited statistically significant (p < 0.01) anti-inflammatory while mild antidiarrheal properties (p > 0.01). It is recommended that H. rariflorum is a good source of nutrients, minerals, and secondary metabolites and can be used in food and pharmaceutical industries, especially as an anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal agent.

Algerian Prickly Pear Seed By-Products: Fatty Acids Composition, Antioxidant, Enzyme Inhibitory Activities towards Tyrosinase, Urease, α-Amylase, and Cholinesterase, along with the Ability to Protect from Thermal Protein Denaturation

Prickly pear seed is a source of the most expensive oil in the world, which is rich in vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Its extraction generates a large quantity of press cake. These two by-products need to be valued. The current study aimed to assess the fatty acid composition of oil and the phytochemical composition of press cake. In addition, the antioxidant and the inhibition of thermal protein denaturation effects of both Algerian seed by-products were evaluated with their inhibitory action against the activities of urease, tyrosinase, α-amylase, and cholinesterase enzymes. The GC MS analysis result revealed the richness of our oil in linoleic (74%) and palmitic (13%) acids methyl esters, respectively. The chemical composition of press cake was characterized by a high value of dry matter (94.94 ± 0.05%), especially the carbohydrates (85.13 ± 0.94%). The results of antioxidant activity presented by IC50 and A0.5 ranged from 7.51 ± 0.03 to 88.10 ± 0.92 µg/mL. Furthermore, the IC50 values were 40.19 ± 1.21 and 61.18 ± 0.03 µg/mL in thermal protein denaturation assay, and ranging from 22.97 ± 0.72 to 385.99 ± 0.27 µg/mL for the inhibition of enzymatic activities. These results indicate that the studied oil can be one of the strongest oils for its impressive effects and also encourage us to reuse its press cake in feed livestock.

Fatty acids characterisation by GC-MS, antiglycation effect at multiple stages and protection of erythrocytes cells from oxidative damage induced by glycation of albumin of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill seed oil cultivated in Eastern Morocco: Experimental and computational approaches

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill is frequently observed in the Moroccan traditional medicinal system, where these approaches are employed to mitigate the onset of diabetes and the subsequent complications it may entail.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this research was to examine the effectiveness of Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil in preventing diabetic complications. Specifically, the study assessed its ability to counteract glycation at various stages, protected red blood cells from the harmful effects of glycated albumin, and inhibited pancreatic lipase digestive enzymes to understand its potential antihyperglycemic properties. Additionally, the study aimed to identify the chemical components responsible for these effects, evaluate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and conduct computational investigations such as molecular docking.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The assessement of Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil antiglycation properties involved co-incubating the extract oil with a bovine serum albumin-glucose glycation model. The study investigated various stages of glycation, incorporating fructosamine (inceptive stage), protein carbonyls (intermediate stage), and AGEs (late stage). Additionally, measurement of β-amyloid aggregation of albumin was performed using Congo red, which is specific to amyloid structures. Additionally, the evaluation of oil's safeguarding effect on erythrocytes against toxicity induced by glycated albumin included the measurement of erythrocyte hemolysis, lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione. The fatty acid of Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The in vitro evaluation of antihyperglycemic activity involved the use of pancreatic lipase enzyme, while the assessement of antioxidant capability was carried out through the utilization of the ABTS and FRAP methods. The in vitro assessement of the denaturation of albumin activity was also conducted. In conjunction with the experimental outcomes, computational investigations were undertaken, specifically employing ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) analysis. Furthermore, molecular docking was utilized to predict antioxidant and antiglycation mechanisms based on protein targets.

RESULTS

In vitro glycation assays, Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil displayed targeted inhibitory effects at multiple distinct stages. Within erythrocytes, in addition to mitigating hemolysis and lipid peroxidation induced by glycated albumin. GC-MS investigation revealed a richness of fatty acids and the most abundant compounds are Linoleic acid (36.59%), Palmitic acid (20.84%) and Oleic acid (19.33%) respectively. The findings of antioxidant ability showed a remarkable activity on FRAP and ABTS radicals. This oil showed a pronounced inhibitory impact (p < 0.001) on pancreatic lipase enzyme. It also exerted a notibale inhibition of albumin denaturation, in vitro.

CONCLUSION

The identified results were supported by the abundant compounds of fatty acids unveiled through GC-MS analysis, along with the computational investigation and molecular docking.

Cytotoxic Activity of Wild Plant and Callus Extracts of Ageratina pichinchensis and 2,3-Dihydrobenzofuran Isolated from a Callus Culture

Ageratina pichinchensis (Kunth) R.M. King & H. Rob. belongs to the Asteraceae family and is a plant native to Mexico to which several biological properties are attributed. In this study, the cytotoxic effect of four extracts from the wild plants and two extracts from A. pichinchensis callus culture were evaluated against carcinogenic cell lines including prostate carcinoma, cervical cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatoma human, lung cancer, and cellular keratinocytes. The extracts were obtained with ethyl acetate and methanol using both leaves and stems or the callus. Only the ethyl acetate extract of the callus culture influenced the cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) with an IC50 of 94.79 ± 2.0 µg/mL. From the ethyl acetate callus extract, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran was isolated and purified and also evaluated against cancer cells. The cytotoxic evaluation of this compound showed a significant effect against the HeLa cell line with an IC50 of 23.86 ± 2.5 µg/mL. Our results contribute to the development of biotechnological alternatives and extraction processes to produce compounds with possible potential against certain types of human cancer.

Phytochemical profiling, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities of hydroethanolic extracts of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus indica) fruit and pulp

Phenolic compounds in prickly pear [Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill.] are known to contribute to the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the prickly pear. The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidants and in vitro antimicrobial potential in the hydroethanolic extracts of different parts (fruit, cladode, and pulp) of prickly pear. Different polyphenolic compounds were analyzed by using high-performance liquid chromatography. The results indicated that cladode possessed a higher quantity of phenolics compared with that observed in fruit and pulp. The most important phenolic compound in high quantity was gallic acid (66.19 μg/g) in cladode. The 100% aqueous extract of cladode exhibited the highest antioxidant (92%) and antimicrobial activities against Salmonella typhi (3.40 mg/ml), Helicobacter pylori (1.37 mg/ml), Escherichia coli (1.41 mg/ml), and Staphylococcus aureus (1.41 mg/ml). Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that antioxidant activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) responses had a significant negative correlation with each other. Overall, the current results provided basic data for choosing prickly pear cladode with high antioxidant capacity for the development and consumption of antioxidant-based alternative medicines and value addition of formulated foods.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant, Antiviral, Antifungal, Antibacterial and Anticancer Potentials of Opuntia ficus-indica Seed Oil

Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) is a cactus that is widely cultivated in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia especially in the Taif region due to its favorable weather for growing, and it has benefits as a food and traditional medicine. The aim of the current study was to chemically characterize Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil from Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, using GC-MS and HPLC analysis and evaluate its antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and anticancer activities. Linolenic acid was the dominating fatty acid in OFI oil, followed by oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid. Total tocopherol (α-, β-, Ɣ-tocopherol) was found to be 24.02 μg/mL. Campesterol was the main phytosterol, followed by γ- & β -sitosterol, and Stigmasterol. The phenolic components scored 30.5 mg gallic acid equivalent per ml of oil with 89.2% antioxidant activity (% DPPH radical inhibition) at 200 µL/mL of OFI oil. OFI oil showed an inhibition efficacy against microbial strains especially Saccharomyces cervisiae with a diameter (28.3 ± 0.4), MBC (15 µg/mL) and MIC bacteriostatic (10 µg/mL). While OFI oil had no effect against Aspergillus niger, OFI oil showed weak inhibitory activity against A-2780 (Ovarian carcinoma) cell line, although it showed significant inhibitory activity against PC-3 (Prostate carcinoma) cell line. OFI oil exhibited an antiviral effect (22.67 ± 2.79%) at 300 µg/mL of Oil against herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) virus. The bioactive compounds of OFI oil, as well as its main biological activities, make it a promising candidate for the non-communicable disease management.

Opuntia ficus-indica Extract and Isorhamnetin-3-O-Glucosyl-Rhamnoside Diminish Tumor Growth of Colon Cancer Cells Xenografted in Immune-Suppressed Mice through the Activation of Apoptosis Intrinsic Pathway

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Opuntia ficus-indica extract (OFI-E) and its glycoside isorhamnetin-3-O-glucosyl-rhamnoside (IGR) on the growth of human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells and in a xenografted-immunosuppressed mice model. The IC₅₀ values of OFI-E and IGR on colon cancer cells (HT-29 RFP) were determinate, as well as their effects on the cell cycle and apoptosis induction. OFI-E and IGR produced an increased in apoptosis induction, ROS production and a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. In xenografted-inmunosupressed mice, OFI-E and IGR reduced the tumor growth rate, myeloperoxidase activity and total cholesterol levels. OFI-E and IGR reduced the tumor growth through the overexpression of cleaved Caspase-9, Hdac11, and Bai1 proteins. OFI-E reduced the expression of bcl-2. Results demonstrated the chemopreventive effects of OFI-E, and its purified compound IGR, showing their potential as an alternative in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Fatty Acid Composition, Antioxidant, and in vitro Anti-inflammatory Activity of Five Cold-Pressed Prunus Seed Oils, and Their Anti-biofilm Effect Against Pathogenic Bacteria

Background/Aim: Sweet almond (Prunus amygdalus dulcis) oil is one of the most famous cold-pressed seed oils. However, other species of Prunus can provide oils with healthy properties. We analyzed the fatty acid (FA) composition, as well as the antioxidant, the in vitro anti-inflammatory properties, and the antibiofilm activity of five commercial vegetable cold-pressed seed oils of apricot, peach, plum, cherry, and black cherry. Methods: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry was performed for the analysis of FAs The antioxidant property of the oils was carried using different tests [2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH assay)], Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), and the 2, 20 -azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS·+). The denaturation assay performed on bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used to evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. The anti-biofilm activity was assessed using five pathogenic strains, namely, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, through the crystal violet test and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), used to evaluate the metabolism of the microbial cells present within the biofilm. Results: Oleic acid and linoleic acids were the most abundant FAs. Black cherry seed oil exhibited the best antioxidant activity, but in general, the amount of oil needed to inhibit the activity of 1 ml of DPPH assay at 50% did not exceed 10 μg. The extract concentration for the 50% inhibition of the denaturation of the protein (IC50) did not exceed 4.4 μg. Linoleic and stearic acids affected the antioxidant activity of the oils; oleic acid, linolenic, and palmitoleic acids exhibited beneficial effects in preserving the BSA denaturation, as shown by the correlation data. The oils were able to inhibit the biofilm formation of the pathogens (up to 71.40% of inhibition) as well as act against their mature biofilm, although with different strengths, with values up to 61.54%. Concurrently, they also acted on the pathogen metabolism. Conclusion: The oils represent a valuable source of some healthy FAs. They showed potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in vitro activity, in addition, their potential effect on the biofilm can offer important ideas for research and reflection on their use as functional foods and/or ingredients.

Cold-pressed cactus pear seed oil: Quality and stability

Cold-pressed seed oil from twelve commercially produced cactus pear cultivars was assessed for oil yield, fatty acid composition, physicochemical properties, quality and stability. Large differences in oil content, fatty acid composition and physicochemical properties (IV, PV, RI, tocopherols, ORAC, % FFA, OSI and induction time) were observed. Oil content ranged between 2.51% and 5.96% (Meyers and American Giant). The important fatty acids detected were C16:0, C18:0, C18:1c9 and C18:2c9,12, with C18:2c9,12, the dominating fatty acid, ranging from 58.56-65.73%, followed by C18:1c9, ranging between 13.18-16.07%, C16:0, which ranged between 10.97 - 15.07% and C18:0, which ranged between 2.62-3.18%. Other fatty acids such as C14:0, C16:1c9, C17:0, C17:1c10, C20:0, C18:3c9,12,15 and C20:3c8,11,14 were detected in small amounts. The quality parameters of the oils were strongly influenced by oil content, fatty acid composition and physicochemical properties. Oil content, PV, % FFA, RI, IV, tocopherols, ORAC and ρ-anisidine value were negatively correlated with OSI. C18:0; C18:1c9; C18:2c9,12; MUFA; PUFA; n-6 and PUFA/SFA were also negatively correlated with OSI. Among all the cultivars, American Giant was identified as the paramount cultivar with good quality traits (oil content and oxidative stability).