Betanin inhibits the myeloperoxidase/nitrite-induced oxidation of human low-density lipoproteins

Research Progress on Bioactive Substances of Beets and Their Functions

As a globally cultivated and economic crop, beets are particularly important in the cane sugar and feed industries. Beet pigments are among the most important natural pigments, while various chemical components in beets display beneficial biological functions. Phenolic substances and betalains, as the main bioactive compounds, determine the functional characteristics of beets. This review categorizes the basic types of beets by the chemical composition of bioactive substances in their leaves, stems, and roots and emphatically summarizes the research progress made on the functions of two major substances in different types of beets: phenolic compounds and betalain pigments. This study provides useful insights for the comprehensive and effective application of beets in the health food and pharmaceutical industries.

Peripheral neutrophils and oxidative stress-associated molecules for predicting the severity of asthma: a cross-sectional study based on multidimensional assessment

Objectives

This study aims to explore the relationship between the severity of asthma and neutrophils and related oxidative stress-associated molecules in peripheral blood and induced sputum.

Methods

A total of 67 subjects were included in this study, namely, 25 patients with severe asthma and 42 patients with non-severe asthma. Clinical data, induced sputum and peripheral blood were collected. Lung function and molecules related to oxidative stress in induced sputum and peripheral blood of asthma patients were detected. The relationship between neutrophils and asthma severity was analyzed. HDAC2 mRNA and protein expression levels and HDAC2 activity were also analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to select statistically significant variables.

Results

The absolute value of neutrophils and percentage of neutrophils were higher in the severe asthma patients. These two values were used to predict the severity of asthma by ROC analysis, with the best cutoff values being 4.55 × 109/L (sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 64.0%) and 55.15% (sensitivity 54.8%, specificity 88.0%). The ROS concentration of neutrophils in the induced sputum samples and the 8-iso-PGF2α concentration in the peripheral blood samples were higher in the severe asthma group (P = 0.012; P = 0.044), whereas there was reduced HDAC2 protein activity in PBMCs (P < 0.001). A logistic equation and a nomogram were created to give a precise prediction of disease severity.

Conclusion

Oxidative stress is increased in severe asthma patients. Peripheral blood neutrophils and 8-iso-PGF2α can be used as biomarkers to predict the severity of asthma. A prediction model was created for evaluating asthma severity.

Neuroprotective effects of betanin in mice with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Cerebral ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury as found in stroke is a complex and heterogeneous disorder and closely related to disability and death. Today, nutraceuticals and protective therapy to increase neuronal integrity and prevent pathological complication are common. We investigated the neuroprotective effect of betanin against cerebral IR injury in mice. Forty male institute of cancer research (ICR) mice were divided into Sham-veh, IR-veh, IR-Bet50 and IR-Bet100 groups. After 2 weeks of oral administration of normal saline (vehicle; veh) or 50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg of betanin (Bet), mice were subjected to IR induction using 30-min bilateral common carotid artery occlusion, followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Brain infarction, oxidative status, cortical and hippocampal neurons and white matter pathologies were evaluated. Results showed that IR significantly increases brain infarction, Cornus Ammonis 1 (CA1) hippocampal and corpus callosum (CC) and internal capsule (IC) white matter degeneration (P<0.05). Brain oxidative status revealed significant elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) together with a significant decrease in catalase (CAT) activity, induced by IR (P<0.05). Pretreatment with betanin 100 mg/kg led to a significant reduction in brain infarction and MDA, CA1 hippocampus, CC and IC white matter degeneration. Betanin also led to a significant increase in CAT activity (P<0.05), with enhancing effect on reduced glutathione levels (GSH, P<0.05). The present study revealed the neuroprotective efficacy of betanin against IR injury in mice's brains, including its inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and boosting of GSH and CAT activity.

Salinity Stress Ameliorates Pigments, Minerals, Polyphenolic Profiles, and Antiradical Capacity in Lalshak

Previous studies have shown that salinity eustress enhances the nutritional and bioactive compounds and antiradical capacity (ARC) of vegetables and increases the food values for nourishing human diets. Amaranth is a salinity-resistant, rapidly grown C4 leafy vegetable with diverse variability and usage. It has a high possibility to enhance nutritional and bioactive compounds and ARC by the application of salinity eustress. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of sodium chloride stress response in a selected Lalshak (A. gangeticus) genotype on minerals, ascorbic acid (AsA), Folin−Ciocalteu reducing capacity, beta-carotene (BC), total flavonoids (TF), pigments, polyphenolic profiles, and ARC. A high-yield, high-ARC genotype (LS6) was grown under conditions of 0, 25, 50, and 100 mM sodium chloride in four replicates following a block design with complete randomization. We recognized nine copious polyphenolic compounds in this accession for the first time. Minerals, Folin−Ciocalteu reducing capacity, AsA, BC, pigments, polyphenolic profiles, and ARC of Lalshak were augmented progressively in the order: 0 < 25 < 50 < 100 mM sodium chloride. At 50 mM and 100 mM salt concentrations, minerals, AsA, Folin−Ciocalteu reducing capacity, BC, TF, pigments, polyphenolic profiles, and ARC of Lalshak were much greater than those of the control. Lalshak could be used as valuable food for human diets as a potent antioxidant. Sodium chloride-enriched Lalshak provided outstanding quality to the final product in terms of minerals, AsA, Folin−Ciocalteu reducing capacity, BC, TF, pigments, polyphenolic profiles, and ARC. We can cultivate it as a promising alternative crop in salinity-prone areas of the world.

Prospects and potentials of underutilized leafy Amaranths as vegetable use for health-promotion

Climate change causes environmental variation worldwide, which is one of the most serious threats to global food security. In addition, more than 2 billion people in the world are reported to suffer from serious malnutrition, referred to as 'hidden hunger.' Dependence on only a few crops could lead to the loss of genetic diversity and high fragility of crop breeding in systems adapting to global scale climate change. The exploitation of underutilized species and genetic resources, referred to as orphan crops, could be a useful approach for resolving the issue of adaptability to environmental alteration, biodiversity preservation, and improvement of nutrient quality and quantity to ensure food security. Moreover, the use of these alternative crops will help to increase the human health benefits and the income of farmers in developing countries. In this review, we highlight the potential of orphan crops, especially amaranths, for use as vegetables and health-promoting nutritional components. This review highlights promising diversified sources of amaranth germplasms, their tolerance to abiotic stresses, and their nutritional, phytochemical, and antioxidant values for vegetable purposes. Betalains (betacyanins and betaxanthins), unique antioxidant components in amaranth vegetables, are also highlighted regarding their chemodiversity across amaranth germplasms and their stability and degradation. In addition, we discuss the physiological functions, antioxidant, antilipidemic, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities, as well as the biosynthesis pathway, molecular, biochemical, genetics, and genomic mechanisms of betalains in detail.

Solvent polarity dictates the anti-inflammatory potency and mechanism of two purslane (Portulaca oleracea) seed extracts

This study aimed to assess the effect of solvent polarity on anti-inflammatory potency and the underlying mechanisms of two purslane seed extracts. Methanol and dichloromethane extracts were prepared using Soxhlet extraction and chromatographically analyzed. Antioxidant activities were assessed by different assays, while the anti-inflammatory potentials were assessed in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Methanol extraction yielded 15.5% water-soluble extract while dichloromethane produced 3.74% fixed oil. Nineteen phenolic compounds were chromatographically identified in methanol extract compared with 16 in the fixed oil including omega fatty acids and phytosterols. Methanol extract showed significantly higher capacity in radical scavenging assays (p < .001), but the fixed oil showed higher total antioxidant capacity (p < .001). Both extracts demonstrated anti-inflammatory potentials with different mechanisms, where the phenol-rich methanol extract significantly reduced TNF-α (p = .0371) and IL-1β (p = .0029) production through an antioxidant-mediated pathway, while the fixed oil inhibited COX1, COX2, and PGE2 gene expression through the upregulation of IL-10. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Both purslane extracts presented herein demonstrated remarkable antioxidant/ anti-inflammatory potentials that could be safely utilized as natural antioxidants and inflammation remedies or as functional food products, particularly that they showed no cytotoxic effects.

Colorant Pigments, Nutrients, Bioactive Components, and Antiradical Potential of Danta Leaves (Amaranthus lividus)

In the Indian subcontinent, danta (stems) of underutilized amaranth are used as vegetables in different culinary dishes. At the edible stage of the danta, leaves are discarded as waste in the dustbin because they are overaged. For the first time, we assessed the colorant pigments, bioactive components, nutrients, and antiradical potential (AP) of the leaves of danta to valorize the by-product (leaf) for antioxidant, nutritional, and pharmacological uses. Leaves of danta were analyzed for proximate and element compositions, colorant pigments, bioactive constituents, AP (DPPH), and AP (ABTS+). Danta leaves had satisfactory moisture, protein, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber. The chosen danta leaves contained satisfactory magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, copper, and zinc; adequate bioactive pigments, such as betacyanins, carotenoids, betalains, β-carotene, chlorophylls, and betaxanthins; and copious bioactive ascorbic acid, polyphenols, flavonoids, and AP. The correlation coefficient indicated that bioactive phytochemicals and colorant pigments of the selected danta leaves had good AP as assessed via ABTS+ and DPPH assays. The selected danta leaves had good ROS-scavenging potential that could indicate massive possibilities for promoting the health of the nutraceutical- and antioxidant-deficit public. The findings showed that danta leaves are a beautiful by-product for contributing as an alternate origin of antioxidants, nutrients, and bioactive compounds with pharmacological use.

Phytonutrients, Colorant Pigments, Phytochemicals, and Antioxidant Potential of Orphan Leafy Amaranthus Species

The underutilized Amaranthus leafy vegetables are a unique basis of pigments such as β-cyanins, β-xanthins, and betalains with radical scavenging capacity (RSC). They have abundant phytonutrients and antioxidant components, such as pigments, vitamins, phenolics, and flavonoids. Eight selected genotypes (four genotypes from each species) of underutilized Amaranthus leafy vegetables were evaluated for phytonutrients, pigments, vitamins, phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidants in a randomized complete block design under ambient field conditions with three replicates. The studied traits showed a wide range of variations across eight genotypes of two species of Amaranthus leafy vegetables. The highest fat, β-xanthins, K, dietary fiber, Mg, β-cyanins, Mn, chlorophyll ab, Zn, TP, TF, betalains, chlorophyll a content, and (RSC) (DPPH) and RSC (ABTS+) were obtained from A. tricolor accessions. Conversely, the highest protein, Cu, carbohydrates, Ca, and chlorophyll b content were obtained from A. lividus accessions. The highest dry matter, carotenoids, Fe, energy, and ash were obtained from A. tricolor and A. lividus. The accession AT2 confirmed the highest vit. C and RSC (DPPH) and RSC (ABTS+); AT5 had the highest TP content; and AT12 had the highest TF content. A. tricolor accessions had high phytochemicals across the two species, such as phytopigments, vitamins, phenolics, antioxidants, and flavonoids, with considerable nutrients and protein. Hence, A. tricolor accessions can be used as high-yielding cultivars comprising ample antioxidants. The correlation study revealed that vitamin C, pigments, flavonoids, β-carotene, and phenolics demonstrated a strong RSC, and showed a substantial contribution to the antioxidant potential (AP) of A. tricolor. The investigation exposed that the accessions displayed a plentiful origin of nutritional values, phytochemicals, and AP with good quenching ability of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that provide enormous prospects for nourishing the mineral-, antioxidant-, and vitamin-threatened community.

Benefits of betanin in rotenone-induced Parkinson mice

The present study aimed to investigate betanin's neuroprotective effect in mice with rotenone-induced Parkinson-like motor dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Forty male ICR mice were divided into 4 groups: Sham-veh, Rot-veh, Rot-Bet100 and Rot-Bet200. Rotenone at 2.5 mg/kg/48 h was subcutaneous injected in Rot groups, and betanin at 100 and 200 mg/kg/48 h were given alternately with the rotenone injections in Bet groups for 6 weeks. Motor dysfunctions were evaluated weekly using hanging wire and rotarod tests. Brain oxidative status including malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, with neuronal degeneration in the motor cortex, striatum and substantia nigra par compacta were evaluated. The immunohistochemical densities of tyrosine hydroxylase in striatum and in substantia nigra par compacta were also measured. We found that rotenone significantly decreased the time to fall in a hanging wire test after the 4^th week and after the rotarod test at the 6^th week (p < 0.05). The percentage of neuronal degeneration in substantia nigra par compacta, striatum and motor cortex significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the tyrosine hydroxylase density in substantia nigra par compacta and in striatum significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Betanin at 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly prevented substantia nigra par compacta, striatum and motor cortex neuronal degeneration (p < 0.05) and maintained tyrosine hydroxylase density in substantia nigra par compacta and in striatum (p < 0.05). These findings appeared concurrently with improved effects on the time to fall in hanging wire and rotarod tests (p < 0.05). Treatment with betanin significantly prevented increased malondialdehyde levels and boosted reduced glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities (p < 0.05). Betanin exhibits neuroprotective effects against rotenone-induced Parkinson in mice regarding both motor dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Betanin's neurohealth benefit relates to its powerful antioxidative property. Therefore, betanin use in neurodegenerative disease is interesting to study.

Beetroot as a functional food with huge health benefits: Antioxidant, antitumor, physical function, and chronic metabolomics activity

Previously, beetroot is mainly consumed as a food additive. In recent years, the beetroot, especially the betalains (betanin) and nitrates it contains, now has received increasing attention for their effective biological activity. Betalains have been proven to eliminate oxidative and nitrative stress by scavenging DPPH, preventing DNA damage, and reducing LDL. It also has been found to exert antitumor activity by inhibiting cell proliferation, angiogenesis, inducing cell apoptosis, and autophagy. In some chronic diseases, nitrate is the main component for lowing blood lipids, glucose, and pressure, while its role in treating hypertension and hyperglycemia has not been clearly stated. Moreover, the intake of nitrate-rich beetroot could enhance athletic performance and attenuate muscle soreness in certain types of exercise. The objective of this review is to provide sufficient evidence for the clarification of health benefits of beetroot, especially in the aspect of biooxidation, neoplastic diseases, some chronic diseases, and energy supplementation.

Multi-colored shades of betalains: recent advances in betacyanin chemistry

Covering: 2001 to 2021Betacyanins cover a class of remarkable natural red-violet plant pigments with prospective chemical and biological properties for wide-ranging applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and the cosmetic industry. Betacyanins, forming the betalain pigment group together with yellow betaxanthins, have gained much attention due to the increasing social awareness of the positive impact of natural products on human health. Betalains are commercially recognized as natural food colorants with preliminarily ascertained, but to be further investigated, health-promoting properties. In addition, they exhibit a remarkable structural diversity based on glycosylated and acylated varieties. The main research directions for natural plant pigments are focused on their structure elucidation, methods of their separation and analysis, biological activities, bioavailability, factors affecting their stability, industrial applications as a plant-based food, natural colorants, drugs, and cosmetics as well as methods for high-yield production and stabilization. This review covers period of the last two decades of betacyanin research. In the first part of the review, we present an updated classification of all known betacyanins and their derivatives identified by chemical means as well as by mass spectrometric and NMR techniques. In the second part, we review the current research reports focused on the chemical properties of the pigments (decarboxylation, oxidation, conjugation, and chlorination reactions as well as the acyl group migration phenomenon) and describe the semi-synthesis of natural and artificial fluorescent betalamic acid conjugates, showing various prospective research directions.

Biological Properties and Applications of Betalains

Betalains are water-soluble pigments present in vacuoles of plants of the order Caryophyllales and in mushrooms of the genera Amanita, Hygrocybe and Hygrophorus. Betalamic acid is a constituent of all betalains. The type of betalamic acid substituent determines the class of betalains. The betacyanins (reddish to violet) contain a cyclo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (cyclo-DOPA) residue while the betaxanthins (yellow to orange) contain different amino acid or amine residues. The most common betacyanin is betanin (Beetroot Red), present in red beets Beta vulgaris, which is a glucoside of betanidin. The structure of this comprehensive review is as follows: Occurrence of Betalains; Structure of Betalains; Spectroscopic and Fluorescent Properties; Stability; Antioxidant Activity; Bioavailability, Health Benefits; Betalains as Food Colorants; Food Safety of Betalains; Other Applications of Betalains; and Environmental Role and Fate of Betalains.

Natural products: The role and mechanism in low-density lipoprotein oxidation and atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory, metabolic, and epigenetic disease, which leads to the life-threatening coronary artery disease. Emerging studies from bench to bedside have demonstrated the pivotal role of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. This article hereby reviews oxidation mechanism of LDL, and the pro-atherogenic and biomarker role of oxidized LDL in atherosclerosis. We also review the pharmacological effects of several representative natural products (vitamin E, resveratrol, quercetin, probucol, tanshinone IIA, epigallocatechin gallate, and Lycopene) in protecting against LDL oxidation and atherosclerosis. Clinical and basic research supports the beneficial effects of these natural products in inhibiting LDL oxidation and preventing atherosclerosis, but the data are still controversial. This may be related to factors such as the population and the dosage and time of taking natural products involved in different studies. Understanding the mechanism of LDL oxidation and effect of oxidized LDL help researchers to find novel therapies against atherosclerosis.

The neuroprotective effect of betanin in trimethyltin-induced neurodegeneration in mice

Betanin, a natural food colorant with powerful antioxidative properties, has not been studied in terms of neurodegenerative disease intervention. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of betanin against trimethyltin chloride (TMT) -induced neurodegeneration in mice. Forty male ICR mice were randomly divided into four groups: Sham-veh, TMT-veh, TMT-Bet50 and TMT-Bet100. In the TMT groups, neurodegeneration was induced with a one-time intraperitoneal injection of 2.6 mg/kg TMT. Betanin-treated groups (Bet) were given oral doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg dissolved in normal saline solution. Administrations were started 24 h prior to TMT injection and continued for 2 weeks. Anxious behavior and spatial cognition were evaluated, respectively. After behavioral tests, brain oxidative status, hippocampal histology and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity were evaluated. Results showed that TMT significant induce anxious behavior and spatial learning and memory deficits (p < 0.05). These were found concurrently with significant decreases in CA1 ChAT activity, brain tissue catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities with significant increase in hippocampal CA1 degeneration (p < 0.05). Betanin 100 mg/kg exhibited significant anxiolytic effect, preventive effect on CA1 degeneration and CA1 ChAT activity alteration as well as improvement of spatial learning and memory deficits (p < 0.05). These were found concurrently with significant increases of reduced glutathione, CAT and SOD activities as well as the decrease in malondialdehyde (p < 0.05). We conclude that betanin 100 mg/kg exhibits neuroprotective effects against TMT-induced neurodegeneration in mice via its anti-oxidative properties, protective against hippocampal CA1 degeneration and ChAT activity alteration. Therefore, betanin is interesting in further neurodegenerative therapeutic study and applications.

Red Beetroot Betalains: Perspectives on Extraction, Processing, and Potential Health Benefits

In recent years, red beetroot has received a growing interest due to its abundant source of bioactive compounds, particularly betalains. Red beetroot betalains have great potential as a functional food ingredient employed in the food and medical industry due to their diverse health-promoting effects. Betalains from red beetroot are natural pigments, which mainly include either yellow-orange betaxanthins or red-violet betacyanins. However, betalains are quite sensitive toward heat, pH, light, and oxygen, which leads to the poor stability during processing and storage. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehend the impacts of the processing approaches on betalains. In this review, the effective extraction and processing methods of betalains from red beetroot were emphatically reviewed. Furthermore, a variety of recently reported bioactivities of beetroot betalains were also summarized. The present work can provide a comprehensive review on both conventional and innovative extraction techniques, processing methods, and the stability of betalains.

Betanin as a multipath oxidative stress and inflammation modulator: a beetroot pigment with protective effects on cardiovascular disease pathogenesis

Oxidative stress is a common physiopathological condition enrolled in risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Individuals in such a redox imbalance status present endothelial dysfunctions and inflammation, reaching the onset of heart disease. Phytochemicals are able to attenuate the main mechanisms of oxidative stress and inflammation and should be considered as supportive therapies to manage risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is a rich source of bioactive compounds, including betanin (betanidin-5-O-β-glucoside), a pigment displaying the potential to alleviate oxidative stress and inflammantion, as previously demonstrated in preclinical trials. Betanin resists gastrointestinal digestion, is absorbed by the epithelial cells of intestinal mucosa and reaches the plasma in its active form. Betanin displays free-radical scavenger ability through hydrogen or electron donation, preserving lipid structures and LDL particles while inducing the transcription of antioxidant genes through the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 and, simultaneously, suppressing the pro-inflammatory nuclear factor kappa-B pathways. This review discusses the anti-radical and gene regulatory cardioprotective activities of betanin in the pathophysiology of endothelial damage and atherogenesis, the main conditions for cardiovascular disease. In addition, betanin influences on these multipath cellular signals and aiding in reducing cardiovascular disorders is proposed.

Inhibitory Effect of Betanin FromHylocereus ocamponisAgainst Steatohepatitis in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Betanin is a phytocompound whose effect in steatohepatitis has not yet been tested. Betanin was extracted from the fruits of Hylocereus ocamponis, and its effects were evaluated in a mice model for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Six-week-old male BALB/c mice fed with a high-fat diet received 9.6 mg of betanin per day during 40 days. Body, liver, and epididymal fat pad weights and the levels of blood serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins, alanine aminotransferase, blood nitrogen urea, creatinine, and total antioxidant capacity were measured. Hepatosteatosis and inflammatory infiltration were categorized, and the relative cell area of hepatocytes was determined. Betanin inhibited the inflammatory infiltration of the liver ( P = 4.000 × 10−6) and the necrosis of hepatocytes ( P = 9.634 × 10−7); it also produced a predominance of microvesicular steatosis ( P = 9.634 × 10−7), decreased epididymal fat pad weight ( P = 8.250 × 10−4), and increased blood serum total cholesterol ( P = 0.011). Betanin is a promising compound for fatty liver, steatohepatitis, and chronic liver disease.

Study on bioaccessibility of betacyanins from red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus)

Betacyanins are bioactive dietary phytochemicals which can be found in red dragon fruit (RDF). Therefore, the bioaccessibility of betacyanins that present in fermented red dragon fruit drink (RDFD) and pressed red dragon fruit juice (RDFJ) was accessed in simulated gastric and intestinal digestion. Results disclosed that betacyanins from RDFD and RDFJ suffered minor loss (< 25%) at gastric-like environment but greater loss was observed during the intestinal phase digestion. After subjected to intestinal digestion, RDFD retained 46.42% of betanin while RDFJ retained 43.76%, with betanin concentration of 17.12 mM and 12.37 mM, respectively. Findings also revealed that RDFD exhibited higher antioxidant capacity compared to RDFJ after subjected to intestinal digestion, with values of 0.88 mM Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and 0.85 mM TEAC, respectively. The data suggests that betacyanins that present in RDF are bioaccessible while fermentation able to enhance the bioavailability with more betacyanins retained after intestinal digestion.

The Effect of Juicing Methods on the Phytochemical and Antioxidant Characteristics of the Purple Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus indica)—Preliminary Findings on Juice and Pomace

Prickly Pear (PP) is often overlooked due to its’ short shelf-life. Juicing may improve marketability but often affects quality, thereby warranting investigation. Purple PP (whole (WF) and flesh (FF)) was juiced using blenders; stick (SB) and jug (JB); and juicers; commercial (CJ) and cold-pressed (CP). Juices and methanolic (70%) pomace extracts were analysed for; bioactives; Total Phenolic (TPC; µgGAE/mL), Flavonoid (TFC; µgCE/mL) and Betalain Content (TBC; mg/100 g; Betacyanin; BE; Betaxanthin; IE); and antioxidant characteristics; DPPH, FRAP (µMTE) and vitamin C (mgAAE/mL). Juicing techniques had effects on phytochemicals in; juice: TPC (WF/FF; p = 0.022–0.025), TFC (FF; p = 0.034), Betacyanin (WF/FF; p = 0.029–0.026), FRAP (WF/FF; p = 0.016–0.024) and Vitamin C (WF/FF; p = 0.015–0.016); and pomace: TPC (WF/FF; p = 0.015), TBC (FF; p = 0.034), Betacyanin (FF; p = 0.047), Betaxanthin (FF; p = 0.017), DPPH (WF/FF; p = 0.016–0.024), FRAP (WF/FF; p = 0.015–0.023) and Vitamin C (WF/FF; p = 0.016–0.022). Processing-style (blend/juice) affected; TPC, DPPH and FRAP in juice and pomace. Overall, fruit-preparation (WF/FF) had minimal effects. Additionally, correlations existed between; juice TFC and TBC (p = 0.001; τ = −0.044); TBC and vitamin C (p = 0.001; τ = −0.637); pomace TPC and DPPH (p = 0.003; τ = 0.440), TPC and vitamin C (p = 0.011; τ = 0.440); and TFC and FRAP (p = 0.001; τ = 0.519). The best methods overall for juice were SB (FRAP), JB (TPC, TBC), CJ (TFC) and CP (DPPH, VitC); and for pomace extracts; SB(FRAP), JB (TPC, VitC), CJ(TFC), and CP (TBC, DPPH).

Opuntia dillenii: A Forgotten Plant with Promising Pharmacological Properties

Generative and vegetative parts of the cactuses have had a long-lasting position in folk medicine and their effects could partly be confirmed in scientific experiments. Nowadays, the cactus, fruits, and cladodes are the focus of many studies because of their desirable properties. Therefore, the summarized reports of valuable properties of medicinal plants may be a good way to familiarize researches with a new source of drugs with lower side effects and higher efficacy.

Opuntia dillenii, a well-known member of the Cactaceae family, is used as a medicinal plant in various countries and grows in the desert, semi-desert, tropical and sub-tropical areas. It shows diverse pharmacological activities such as: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, hypotensive etc. OD fruit also possesses valuable constitutes for instance: betalains, ascorbic acid, total phenol, protein as well as essential elements which suggest the significant potential of this plant as a complementary therapy against several pathological conditions. This review describes experimental evidence about pharmacological and therapeutic potential of OD in order to give the basis of its application in the prevention and treatment of some chronic diseases. More studies on OD can help better understanding of its pharmacological mechanism of action to explain its traditional uses and to identify its potential new therapeutic applications.

Highly Chemo- and Regioselective Vinylation of N-Heteroarenes with Vinylsulfonium Salts

An efficient chemo- and regioselective N-vinylation of N-heteroarenes has been developed using vinylsulfonium salts. The reaction proceeded under mild and transition-metal-free conditions and consistently provided moderate to high yields of vinylation products with 100% E-stereoselectivity. This reaction is also highly chemoselective, and compatible with a variety of functional groups, such as -NHR, -NH₂, -OH, -COOH, ester, etc.

Brain Distribution and Modulation of Neuronal Excitability by Indicaxanthin From Opuntia Ficus Indica Administered at Nutritionally-Relevant Amounts

Several studies have recently investigated the role of nutraceuticals in complex pathophysiological processes such as oxidative damages, inflammatory conditions and excitotoxicity. In this regard, the effects of nutraceuticals on basic functions of neuronal cells, such as excitability, are still poorly investigated. For this reason, the possible modulation of neuronal excitability by phytochemicals (PhC) could represent an interesting field of research given that excitotoxicity phenomena are involved in neurodegenerative alterations leading, for example, to Alzheimer’s disease. The present study was focused on indicaxanthin from Opuntia ficus indica, a bioactive betalain pigment, with a proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, previously found to cross blood-brain barrier (BBB) and to modulate the bioelectric activity of hippocampal neurons. On this basis, we aimed at detecting the specific brain areas where indicaxanthin localizes after oral administration at dietary-achievable amounts and highlighting eventual local effects on the excitability of single neuronal units. HPLC analysis of brain tissue 1 h after ingestion of 2 μmol/kg indicaxanthin indicated that the phytochemical accumulates in cortex, hippocampus, diencephalon, brainstem and cerebellum, but not in the striato-pallidal complex. Then, electrophysiological recordings, applying the microiontophoretic technique, were carried out with different amounts of indicaxanthin (0.34, 0.17, 0.085 ng/neuron) to assess whether indicaxanthin influenced the neuronal firing rate. The data showed that the bioelectric activity of neurons belonging to different brain areas was modulated after local injection of indicaxanthin, mainly with dose-related responses. A predominating inhibitory effect was observed, suggesting a possible novel beneficial effect of indicaxanthin in reducing cell excitability. These findings can constitute a new rationale for exploring biological mechanisms through which PhC could modulate neuronal function with a relapse on complex cognitive brain process and related neurodegenerative conditions.

Proteomic Analysis of Hylocereus polyrhizus Reveals Metabolic Pathway Changes

Red dragon fruit or red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) is the only edible fruit that contains betalains. The color of betalains ranges from red and violet to yellow in plants. Betalains may also serve as an important component of health-promoting and disease-preventing functional food. Currently, the biosynthetic and regulatory pathways for betalain production remain to be fully deciphered. In this study, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based proteomic analyses were used to reveal the molecular mechanism of betalain biosynthesis in H. polyrhizus fruits at white and red pulp stages, respectively. A total of 1946 proteins were identified as the differentially expressed between the two samples, and 936 of them were significantly highly expressed at the red pulp stage of H. polyrhizus. RNA-seq and iTRAQ analyses showed that some transcripts and proteins were positively correlated; they belonged to “phenylpropanoid biosynthesis”, “tyrosine metabolism”, “flavonoid biosynthesis”, “ascorbate and aldarate metabolism”, “betalains biosynthesis” and “anthocyanin biosynthesis”. In betalains biosynthesis pathway, several proteins/enzymes such as polyphenol oxidase, CYP76AD3 and 4,5-dihydroxy-phenylalanine (DOPA) dioxygenase extradiol-like protein were identified. The present study provides a new insight into the molecular mechanism of the betalain biosynthesis at the posttranscriptional level.

Chlorination of Betacyanins in Several Hypochlorous Acid Systems

This study presents a comparative evaluation of chlorination of betanin, betanidin, and neobetanin exposed to sodium hypochlorite and myeloperoxidase (MPO)/H2O2/Cl(-) systems. For betanin/betanidin, the chlorination takes place at the aglycone unit, but for neobetanin, no chlorinated products in the reaction mixtures can be detected. In the RP-HPLC system, monochloro-betanin/-betanidin were eluted earlier than their corresponding nonchlorinated substrates. An influence of Cl(-) concentration on betanin/betanidin chlorination efficiency in sodium hypochlorite and MPO systems was investigated. At pH 3-5, the yields of formed monochloro-betanin/-betanidin decrease dramatically at higher Cl(-) concentrations, indicating that generated Cl2 is not the chlorinating agent in the presence of sodium hypochlorite. The intriguing low activity of Cl2 in betanin/betanidin chlorination compared to HOCl and/or Cl2O can be explained by a special position of the attack by molecules of HOCl and/or Cl2O. In the MPO/H2O2/Cl(-) system, the highest efficiency of monochloro-betanin/-betanidin generation is observed at pH 5.

Alternative Strategies in Response to Saline Stress in Two Varieties of Portulaca oleracea (Purslane)

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a globally-distributed plant with a long history of use in folk medicine and cooking. We have developed purslane as a model system for exploring plant responses to stress. We exposed two varieties of purslane to saline stress with the objective of identifying differences between the varieties in the plasticity of morphological and physiological traits. The varieties responded to saline stress with significantly different changes in the measured traits, which included inter alia biomass, flower counts, proline concentrations and betalain pigment concentrations. The alternative responses of the two varieties consisted of complex, simultaneous changes in multiple traits. In particular, we observed that while both varieties increased production of betalain pigments and proline under saline stress, one variety invested more in betalain pigments while the other invested more in proline. Proline and betalain pigments undoubtedly play multiple roles in plant tissues, but in this case their role as antioxidants deployed to ameliorate saline stress appears to be important. Taken holistically, our results suggest that the two varieties employ different strategies in allocating resources to cope with saline stress. This conclusion establishes purslane as a suitable model system for the study of saline stress and the molecular basis for differential responses.

Indicaxanthin from Opuntia ficus-indica Crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier and Modulates Neuronal Bioelectric Activity in Rat Hippocampus at Dietary-Consistent Amounts

Indicaxanthin is a bioactive and bioavailable betalain pigment from the Opuntia ficus-indica fruits. In this in vivo study, kinetic measurements showed that indicaxanthin is revealed in the rat brain within 1 h from oral administration of 2 μmol/kg, an amount compatible with a dietary consumption of cactus pear fruits in humans. A peak (20 ± 2.4 ng of indicaxanthin per whole brain) was measured after 2.5 h; thereafter the molecule disappeared with first order kinetics within 4 h. The potential of indicaxanthin to affect neural activities was in vivo investigated by a microiontophoretic approach. Indicaxanthin, administered in a range between 0.085 ng and 0.34 ng per neuron, dose-dependently modulated the rate of discharge of spontaneously active neurons of the hippocampus, with reduction of the discharge and related changes of latency and duration of the effect. Indicaxanthin (0.34 ng/neuron) showed inhibitory effects on glutamate-induced excitation, indicating activity at the level of glutamatergic synapses. A molecular target of indicaxanthin is suggested by in silico molecular modeling of indicaxanthin with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), the most represented of the glutamate receptor family in hippocampus. Therefore, at nutritionally compatible amounts indicaxanthin (i) crosses the rat BBB and accumulates in brain; (ii) can affect the bioelectric activity of hippocampal neurons locally treated with amounts comparable with those measured in the brain; and (iii) modulates glutamate-induced neuronal excitation. The potential of dietary indicaxanthin as a natural neuromodulatory agent deserves further mechanistic and neurophysiologic investigation.

Betanidin significantly reduces blood glucose levels in BALB/c mice fed with an atherogenic diet

Six weeks BALB/c mice were fed with an atherogenic diet for 24 weeks and purified water ad libitum. An experimental group was given betanidin, orally, during the last 40 days of the experiment at a dose of 9.6 mg per mouse per day. Negative controls were fed with standard rodent chow only. Glycemia was measured at the end of the experiment, after overnight fasting. The group treated with betanidin presented a highly significant reduction of 50.94% compared to positive controls. We conclude that betanidin reduces glycemia in BALB/c mice by an unidentified mechanism.

Drinking water with red beetroot food color antagonizes esophageal carcinogenesis in N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine-treated rats

This study was undertaken to determine if the oral consumption of red beetroot food color would result in an inhibition of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA)-induced tumors in the rat esophagus. Rats were treated with NMBA and given either regular water ad libitum or water containing 78 microg/mL commercial red beetroot dye, E162. The number of NMBA-induced esophageal papillomas was reduced by 45% (P < .001) in animals that received the food color compared to controls. The treatment also resulted in reduced rates of cell proliferation in both precancerous esophageal lesions and in papillomas of NMBA-treated rats, as measured by immunohistochemical staining of Ki-67 in esophageal tissue specimens. The effects of beetroot food color on angiogenesis (microvessel density by CD34 immunostaining), inflammation (by CD45 immunostaining), and apoptosis (by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling staining) in esophageal tissue specimens were also determined. Compared to rats treated with NMBA only, the levels of angiogenesis and inflammation in the beetroot color-consuming animals were reduced, and the apoptotic rate was increased. Thus, the mechanism(s) of chemoprevention by the active constituents of red beetroot color include reducing cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and inflammation and stimulating apoptosis. Importantly, consumption of the dye in the drinking water for a period of 35 weeks did not appear to induce any overt toxicity. Based on the fact that red beetroot color contains betanins, which have strong antioxidant activity, it is postulated that these effects are mediated through inhibition of oxygen radical-induced signal transduction. However, the sum of constituents of E162 has not been determined, and other components with other mechanisms may also be involved in antagonizing cancer development.

Correlation of Plasma Protein Carbonyls and C-Reactive Protein with GOLD Stage Progression in COPD Patients

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To investigate the correlation between the progression of COPD and plasma biomarkers of chronic inflammation and oxidative injury, blood samples were obtained from healthy volunteers (HV, n = 14) and stabilized COPD patients. The patients were divided into three groups according to their GOLD stage (II, n = 34; III, n = 18; IV, n = 20). C-reactive protein (CRP), protein carbonyls (PC), malondialdehyde (MDA), susceptible lipoperoxidation of plasma substrates (SLPS), and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) were measured. The plasma concentration of SLPS was measured as the amount of MDA generated by a metal ion-catalyzed reaction in vitro. PC, SLPS, and CPR were increased significantly (p < 0.001) in COPD patients when compared to HV. MDA concentrations and MPO activities were not significantly different from those of the HV group. In conclusion, increased oxidation of lipids and proteins resulting in a progressive increase in the amount of total plasma carbonyls and oxidative stress the presence of oxidative stress during COPD progression, concomitant with an increased oxidation of lipids and proteins resulting in a progressive and significant increase in the amount of total carbonyls formed from lipid-derived aldehydes and direct amino acid side chain oxidation in plasma, may serve as a biomarker and independent monitor of COPD progression and oxidative stress injury.

ChemGPS-NP(Web): chemical space navigation online

Internet has become a central source for information, tools, and services facilitating the work for medicinal chemists and drug discoverers worldwide. In this paper we introduce a web-based public tool, ChemGPS-NP(Web) (http://chemgps.bmc.uu.se), for comprehensive chemical space navigation and exploration in terms of global mapping onto a consistent, eight dimensional map over structure derived physico-chemical characteristics. ChemGPS-NP(Web) can assist in compound selection and prioritization; property description and interpretation; cluster analysis and neighbourhood mapping; as well as comparison and characterization of large compound datasets. By using ChemGPS-NP(Web), researchers can analyze and compare chemical libraries in a consistent manner. In this study it is demonstrated how ChemGPS-NP(Web) can assist in interpreting results from two large datasets tested for activity in biological assays for pyruvate kinase and Bcl-2 family related protein interactions, respectively. Furthermore, a more than 30-year-old suggestion of "chemical similarity" between the natural pigments betalains and muscaflavins is tested.