Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts of Daylily Flower (Hemerocallis fulva L.) Protect HUVE Cells Against High Glucose

Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva Linn.) flowers improve sleep quality in human and reduce nitric oxide and interleukin-6 production in macrophages

The flowers of daylily (Hemerocallis fulva Linn.) have been used as vegetable and medicinal herb for thousands of years in Taiwan and eastern Asia. Daylily flowers have been demonstrated to exert several biomedical properties. In this study, we provided the evidences show that daylily flowers exert anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and improved the sleep quality in vivo. We demonstrated that adult volunteers received water extract of daylily flowers improved sleep quality, sleep efficiency and daytime functioning, while sleep latency was reduced, compared to the adult volunteers received water. In addition, we demonstrated that aqueous and ethanol extracts of daylily flowers inhibited nitric oxide and interleukin-6 production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages. Furthermore, the quantitative high performance liquid chromatography-based analysis showed the rutin content of the aqueous extract, ethanolic extract, ethyl acetate fractions of ethanolic extract, and water fractions of ethanolic extract were 7.27, 23.30, 14.71, and 57.43 ppm, respectively. These results indicate that daylily flowers have the potential to be a nutraceutical for improving inflammatory-related diseases and sleep quality in the future.

Study on the Detection Method for Daylily Based on YOLOv5 under Complex Field Environments

Intelligent detection is vital for achieving the intelligent picking operation of daylily, but complex field environments pose challenges due to branch occlusion, overlapping plants, and uneven lighting. To address these challenges, this study selected an intelligent detection model based on YOLOv5s for daylily, the depth and width parameters of the YOLOv5s network were optimized, with Ghost, Transformer, and MobileNetv3 lightweight networks used to optimize the CSPDarknet backbone network of YOLOv5s, continuously improving the model's performance. The experimental results show that the original YOLOv5s model increased mean average precision (mAP) by 49%, 44%, and 24.9% compared to YOLOv4, SSD, and Faster R-CNN models, optimizing the depth and width parameters of the network increased the mAP of the original YOLOv5s model by 7.7%, and the YOLOv5s model with Transformer as the backbone network increased the mAP by 0.2% and the inference speed by 69% compared to the model after network parameter optimization. The optimized YOLOv5s model provided precision, recall rate, mAP, and inference speed of 81.4%, 74.4%, 78.1%, and 93 frames per second (FPS), which can achieve accurate and fast detection of daylily in complex field environments. The research results can provide data and experimental references for developing intelligent picking equipment for daylily.

Photolysis and cytotoxicity of the potentially toxic composition of daylily flower: colchicine

The photolysis of colchicine under ultraviolet and visible light irradiation was studied by ultraviolet (UV) scanning and HPLC-MS. The photoproduct was proposed and the cytotoxicity change before and after irradiation was investigated. Results showed that both ultraviolet and visible light irradiation could effectively degrade colchicine into deacetamido-lumicolchicine. The process conformed to first-order kinetics, in which a high degradation rate (K = 0.5862 h^− 1) was observed when colchicine was dissolved in ethanol and irradiated by UV light. Cell viability and cell cycle studies proved that a photolysis treatment of colchicine could weaken the cytotoxicity effectively. Colchicine inhibited the division of BRL 3 A cells in G2/M phase with an IC₅₀ value of 0.48 µg/mL, while the toxic effect could be reduced significantly with IC₅₀ 2.1 µg/mL when colchicine was exposed to UV irradiation. Results are beneficial to the toxicity elimination of colchicine in the processing of daylily flower in food industry, and can also provide photochemistry reference for colchicine-related studies.

Polysaccharide from Hemerocallis citrina Borani by subcritical water with different temperatures and investigation of its physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity

Hemerocallis citrina Borani as a low-cost vegetable, has various health benefits. However, the industry of H. citrina Borani is in the state of primary processing, with poor economic benefits. This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical properties, and the antioxidant activity of H. citrina Borani polysaccharide (HCBP) using subcritical water extraction (SWE) at different temperatures, to expand the value of H. citrina Borani. HCBP mainly composed of nine monosaccharides (glucose, galactose, rhamnose, fucose, mannose, arabinose, xylose, galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid), among which the content of neutral sugar was higher and uronic acid was lower. HCBP contained glycosidic bond of β-configurations and trace quantities protein. The molecular weight of HCBP decreased with increasing temperature. Shear thinning occurred in HCBP with the increase of shear rate (0.01-1 s-1), and the apparent viscosity of HCBP decreased at higher temperature (150-160°C) with the increase continuously of shear rate (1-10 s-1), but almost remained constant at lower temperature (130-140°C). Scanning electron microscope showed that HCBP had rough surface, loose structure, obvious particle gap, and irregular shape. In addition, HCBP extracted at 160°C had strong FRAP activity, and HCBP extracted at 130 and 140°C had better ABTS radical scavenging activity. This study suggests that HCBP extracted by SWE could provide a cheap raw material as food thickening agent and natural antioxidants.

Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Properties of 2 Taxa of Macadamia Flowers

This study investigated the differences in phenolic composition and antioxidant properties among 4 extracts (eg,70% acetone, 70% methanol, 70% ethanol, and water) of 2 taxa of Macadamia flowers (“Nanya No.2” and “HAES695” cultivars). The results showed that the phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of the extracts were taxa- and solvent-dependent. “Nanya No.2” flowers possessed remarkably more phenolics and flavonoids, with more robust antioxidant activities than “HAES695”. The 70% acetone extract exhibited the highest polyphenol levels and antioxidant capacities, indicating that 70% acetone would be the most efficient solvent for extracting phenolic antioxidants from macadamia flowers. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed rutin and catechin as the richest compounds in the extracts of both cultivars. Ferulic acid, catechin, phlorizin, quercetin, and kaempferol positively correlated with the antioxidant properties of the macadamia flowers. These results provide valuable information for utilizing macadamia flowers in antioxidant foods.

Study on Extraction and Antioxidant Activity of Flavonoids from Hemerocallis fulva (Daylily) Leaves

Hemerocallis fulva is a medical and edible plant. In this study, we optimized the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) process of extracting flavonoids from Hemerocallis fulva leaves by single-factor experiments and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum extraction conditions generating the maximal total flavonoids content was as follows: 70.6% ethanol concentration; 43.9:1 mL/g solvent to sample ratio; 61.7 °C extraction temperature. Under the optimized extraction conditions, the total flavonoid content (TFC) in eight Hemerocallis fulva varieties were determined, and H. fulva (L.) L. var. kwanso Regel had the highest TFC. The cytotoxicity of the extract was studied using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8 assay). When the concentration was less than 1.25 mg/mL, the extract had no significant cytotoxicity to HaCaT cells. The antioxidant activity was measured via chemical antioxidant activity methods in vitro and via cellular antioxidant activity methods. The results indicated that the extract had a strong ABTS and •OH radical scavenging activity. Additionally, the extract had an excellent protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative damage at a concentration of 1.25 mg/mL, which could effectively reduce the level of ROS to 106.681 ± 9.733% (p < 0.001), compared with the 163.995 ± 6.308% of the H2O2 group. We identified five flavonoids in the extracts using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Infrared spectroscopy indicated that the extract contained the structure of flavonoids. The results showed that the extract of Hemerocallis fulva leaves had excellent biocompatibility and antioxidant activity, and could be used as a cheap and potential source of antioxidants in the food, cosmetics, and medicine industries.

Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from Hemerocallis citrina and the antioxidant activity study

The present study discussed the optimization of the ultrasonic-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from daylily polysaccharides (DPs). The extracted crude polysaccharides were further separated and purified, and the antioxidant activities including 1,1-diphenyl-2-111 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS) radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activities of the obtained fractions were also evaluated. The results showed that the optimal ultrasonic-assisted extraction parameters with DPs yield of 15.25 ± 1.13% were water to powder ratio of 25 ml/g, extraction power of 694 W, extraction temperature of 71°C, extraction time of 38 min, and three times extraction. By DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow column, four water-soluble polysaccharide fractions (DP-1, DP-2, DP-3, and DP-4) were successfully obtained. Monosaccharide component analysis showed that the four obtained fractions were all hetero-polysaccharides that mainly contained rhamnose, arabinose, fructose, galactose, glucose, galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid in different molar ratios. All the four DP fractions did show obvious antioxidant activities in vitro, and the DP-3 component had relatively high ABTS free radical scavenging activity. Overall, our research showed that DPs could provide cheap raw materials for the development of natural antioxidants in medicines, functional foods, and even cosmetics. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This article deals with the optimization of the ultrasonic-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from daylily and its antioxidant activities. The results showed that the optimal ultrasonic-assisted extraction yield of DPs was 15.25 ± 1.13%. By DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow column, four water-soluble polysaccharide fractions were successfully obtained, and all the four DP fractions did show obvious antioxidant activities in vitro. Daylily polysaccharides could provide cheap raw materials for the development of natural antioxidants in medicines, functional foods, and even cosmetics.

Antioxidant and anticancer potentials of edible flowers: where do we stand?

Edible flowers are attracting special therapeutic attention and their administration is on the rise. Edible flowers play pivotal modulatory roles on oxidative stress and related interconnected apoptotic/inflammatory pathways toward the treatment of cancer. In this review, we highlighted the phytochemical content and therapeutic applications of edible flowers, as well as their modulatory potential on the oxidative stress pathways and apoptotic/inflammatory mediators, resulting in anticancer effects. Edible flowers are promising sources of phytochemicals (e.g., phenolic compounds, carotenoids, terpenoids) with several therapeutic effects. They possess anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-depressant, anxiolytic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective effects. Edible flowers potentially modulate oxidative stress by targeting erythroid nuclear transcription factor-2/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (Nrf2/ERK/MAPK), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant response elements (AREs). As the interconnected pathways to oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), interleukins (ILs) as well as apoptotic pathways such as Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2, caspase and cytochrome C are critical targets of edible flowers in combating cancer. In this regard, edible flowers could play promising anticancer effects by targeting oxidative stress and downstream dysregulated pathways.

Hemecitones A and B: two phenanthrenes with cytotoxicity from Hemerocallis fulva (L.) L

Two new phenanthrenes, Hemecitones A and B, were isolated from Hemerocallis fulva (L.) L. Their structures were determined by UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR analysis. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of compounds 1 and 2 were studied against breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231, hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 and lung carcinoma A549 cell lines. And compounds 1 and 2 exhibited anti-proliferative effects against these least one of the three types of cell lines with IC₅₀ ranging from 12.57 ± 2.34 to 31.22 ± 1.36 μM.

An Evaluation of the DNA-Protective Effects of Extracts from Menyanthes trifoliata L. Plants Derived from In Vitro Culture Associated with Redox Balance and Other Biological Activities

Menyanthes trifoliata L. is a valuable medical plant found in Europe, North America, and Asia, which grows on peat bogs and swamps. It has long been used in folk medicine as a remedy for various ailments. This is the first report to demonstrate the protective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of aqueous methanolic extracts derived from the aerial parts (MtAPV) and roots (MtRV) of in vitro grown plants on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). It describes the influence of the tested extracts on the expression of antioxidant (HO-1, NQO1, NRF2, kEAP1, and GCLC) and inflammation-related genes (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) in cells stimulated with H₂O₂ or LPS, respectively. In addition, M. trifoliata extracts were found to moderately affect the growth of certain bacterial and fungal pathogens, with the strongest antibacterial effect found against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis. M. trifoliata extracts demonstrated protective effects against mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA) damage caused by ROS, decreasing the numbers of mtDNA lesions in the ND1 and ND2 genes and nDNA damage in the TP53 and HPRT1 genes and reducing cleavage in PARP1- and γ-H2A.X-positive cells. The root extract of in vitro M. trifoliata (MtRV) appears to have better anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and protective properties than the extract from the aerial part (MtAPV). These differences in biological properties may result from the higher content of selected phenolic compounds and betulinic acid in the MtRV than in the MtAPV extract.