In vitro analysis of the properties of Beiqishen tea

Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Properties of Natural Bioactive Monoterpenes Nerol, Estragole, and 3,7-Dimethyl-1-Octanol

The therapeutic potential of medicinal plants is noted because of the presence of varieties of biochemicals. The monoterpenes, like nerol, estragole, and 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol, have been reported for antimicrobial, antifungal, anthelmintic, and antioxidant activities. This study evaluated the toxic, cytotoxic, and oxidant/antioxidant effects of these compounds by several in vitro (DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging, and ferric reducing potential), ex vivo (hemolysis), and in vivo (Artemia Salina and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) assays. Results suggest that estragole and 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol at 31.25-500 μg/mL did not exhibit significant cytotoxic effects in the A. Salina and hemolysis tests. Nerol showed significant cytotoxic effects on these test systems at all test concentrations. The monoterpenes showed radical (ABTS•+ and DPPH•) scavenging capacities in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro tests. However, they did not oxidize the genetic material of S. cerevisiae (SODWT, Sod1Δ, Sod2Δ, Sod1/Sod2Δ, Cat1Δ, and Cat1Δ/Sod1Δ) lines. Among the three monoterpenes, nerol may be a good candidate for antioxidant and anti-tumor therapies.

Role of food-derived antioxidant agents against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity

Context Acetaminophen (APAP), also known as paracetamol and N-acetyl p-aminophenol, is one of the most frequently used drugs for analgesic and antipyretic purposes on a worldwide basis. It is safe and effective at recommended doses but has the potential for causing hepatotoxicity and acute liver failure (ALF) with overdose. To solve this problem, different strategies have been developed, including the use of compounds isolated from food, which have been studied to characterize their efficacy as natural dietary antioxidants. Objective The objective of this study is to show the beneficial effects of a variety of natural compounds and their use against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods PubMed database was reviewed to compile data about natural compounds with hepatoprotective effects against APAP toxicity. Results and conclusion As a result, the health-promoting properties of 13 different food-derived compounds with protective effect against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity were described as well as the mechanisms involved in hepatoprotection.

Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Sour Cherries Characterized by Different In Vitro Antioxidant Power and Polyphenolic Composition

The aims of the present study were to clarify in vivo effects of three sour cherry cultivars characterized by different polyphenolic composition in hyperlipidemic animals in a short term experiment. The three different sour cherry cultivars were chosen based on their total in vitro antioxidant capacity, total polyphenolic, monomeric anthocyanin and flavonoid content. Male Wistar rats were divided randomly into eight groups: rats kept on normal diet (control) and normal diet supplied with sour cherry powder of one of the three cultivars; others were kept on fat-rich diet and fat-rich diet supplied with sour cherry powder prepared from one of the three cultivars. The treatment lasted 10 days. Lyophilized sour cherry administered in the diet decreased both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, and increased the HDL cholesterol concentration in sera of hyperlipidemic animals. Significant differences were found in the efficacy of different sour cherry cultivars in case of hyperlipidemia. Sour cherries characterized by higher polyphenol content seem to have a more pronounced effect on serum cholesterol levels. Our results suggest that besides anthocyanins, colourless polyphenols also have lipid lowering effect.

Influence of pressure cooking on antioxidant activity of wild (Ensete superbum) and commercial banana (Musa paradisiaca var. Monthan) unripe fruit and flower

Banana is a highly nutritious fruit crop consumed by many people's worldwide while endangered species are consumed by limited peoples and their health benefits are not explored. The unripe fruits and flowers of wild and commercial banana are consumed by peoples after cooking only. Hence, the present study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the effect of pressure cooking on antioxidant activity of wild and commercial banana species. The raw and processed samples were extracted with 70 % acetone. Except wild flower, thermal processing enhanced the content of phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, hydroxyl and peroxidation activity than raw. Wild species presented higher phenolics, tannins, DPPH, ABTS and FRAP activity than commercial ones. Except few samples, wild species and commercial species exhibit similar activity in superoxide, hydroxyl and peroxidation activity. FRAP (r (2)  = 0.922; 0.977) and hydroxyl (r (2)  = 0.773; 0.744) activities were dependent on phenolics and tannin content whereas tannins may be responsible for DPPH scavenging activity (r (2)  = 0.745). Thermal processing enhanced the antioxidant activity might be due to the release of bound phenolics from cell wall and oxidation and polymerisation of compounds present in it. This wild species may be an alternative to commercial ones and will be valuable to consumers for protecting from chronic diseases.

[Research in the PhD Program led by János Fehér between 1993 and 2010 at the Biochemical Research Laboratory, 2nd Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University]

Author wish to express gratitude to late professor János Fehér for the invitation to participate in "Free Radical and Immunological References of Hepatology" PhD program in 1993 and for providing opportunity to establish a laboratory at the 2nd Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University. He established a joint medical and biological research that is continuing unbrokenly. In this research group, between 1993 and 2010, eleven Ph.D. students received their scientific degrees and two candidate dissertations were prepared. Three students are working in this very exciting field even today. Author would like to salute before János Fehér's remembrance by giving a list of results of topics under her leadership.

The effect of hibiscus sabdariffa on lipid profile, creatinine, and serum electrolytes: a randomized clinical trial

Background. Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. (HS), a member of malvaceae family, is a medicinal plant with a worldwide fame. Its effect on reducing serum lipids is mentioned in several studies. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of this plant in reducing the serum's lipids in hypertensive patients. Materials and Methods. Ninety hypertensive patients were randomly assigned to receive Hibiscus Sabdariffa (HS) tea or black tea for 15 days. The patients were asked to drink the tea within 20 minutes following its preparation. This process had to be repeated two times, daily. Patient's FBS and lipid profile were collected at the first visit day (day 0) and on the day 30. Results. There was no significant differences between pre and post experiment values within the two groups. An upward trend in total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL cholesterol was evident in both groups. The increase in total and HDL cholesterol in both groups relative to their initial values were significant. Conclusion. Hibiscus Sabdariffa is probably a safe medicinal plant. No significant harmful changes in cholesterol, triglyceride, BUN, serum creatinine, Na and K levels were observed within 15 days after the discontinuation of the medication.

Metal ion and antioxidant alterations in leaves between different sexes of Ginkgo biloba L

A comparative study was carried out to determine some valuable phytochemical components, macro- and microelement and redox parameters in leaves of male and female Ginkgo biloba trees and in extracts made from them. G. biloba extracts have become more popular as a therapeutic agent in the modern pharmacology in neurodegenerative diseases, in which increased brain metal levels can be observed and free radical reactions are involved. Macro- and microelement components, total phenol content, H-donating activity and reducing power as well as total scavenger capacity were determined in the samples. Well detectable differences were obtained for micro- and macroelement contents between male and female samples, but no toxic elements could be detected in the extracts. Male extracts contained more hazardous metals (e.g. Fe) compared to the female ones, while extracts from female leaves had higher levels of ions, which are known to have beneficial effects in neurodegenerative diseases. The ethanolic extracts of male leaves showed the highest H-donating activity, reducing power and total phenol content, as well as the best total scavenger activity. Ginkgo extracts due to the antioxidant properties may have favourable effects as dietary supplements in several neurodegenerative diseases, but this study draws the attention that critical evaluation is required in view of the potential hazard induced by their metal ion constitution. Our results lead us to the conclusion that although the aqueous extracts of female leaves are characterized by relatively lower antioxidant properties, they may be more eligible for these purposes due to their favourable metal ion constitution.