Evaluation of solvent effect on the extraction of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities from the berries: application of principal component analysis

A new UHPLC-HRMS metabolomics approach for the rapid and comprehensive analysis of phenolic compounds in blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, cranberry and cherry fruits

Phenolic compounds are considered an important group of bioactive molecules that are present in abundant quantities in fruits such as berries and cherries; hence, the analysis and quantification of these compounds are of significant interest to the scientific community. The current study aimed to develop a novel analytical method using liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) for the rapid, comprehensive and simultaneous analysis of 66 phenolic compounds optimized for the selected five types of fruits commercially available in Canada. Bioactive compounds that could potentially be metabolite markers for each berry were identified. Various phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in all five selected fruits. Notably, blackberries were rich in anthocyanins such as cyanidin-3-glucoside (368.4 ± 6 µg/g), while blueberries were rich in peonidin-3-glucoside (1083 ± 9 µg/g). In addition, raspberries and cherries contained significant amounts of cyanidin-3-rutinoside, at 3156 ± 36 µg/g and 301.3 ± 2 µg/g, respectively, while cranberries contained the highest concentrations of petunidin at 829.7 ± 3 µg/g. The newly developed and validated UHPLC-HRMS method proved helpful in comprehensively analyzing phenolic compounds in blueberry, raspberry, cranberry, blackberry and cherry. Identifying and quantifying bioactives can lead to applications in neutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries by using phenolic-rich berry extracts in functional foods, supplements, or pharmaceutical products.

Optimization of an ultrasound-assisted extraction method to obtain gallic acid-rich extracts from mango seed kernels

Gallic acid is a widely recognized bioactive compound that falls under the category of secondary polyphenolic metabolites and is fairly found in mango fruit waste, specifically in mango seed kernel (MSK). This study aimed to adopt a green extraction approach to extract this valuable compound via ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) without using organic solvents but only water to obtain hazard-free extracts, and the cost of extraction can be minimal. pH (2-8), solvent ratio (20-60 mL/g), temperature (30-60°C) and time (30-60 min) of extraction were the independent variables used for extraction optimization. Single-factor experiments to obtain working ranges for selected extraction variables were carried out. A central composite design using response surface methodology was used to determine the optimum condition to obtain the maximum yield of gallic acid from MSK. The optimized extraction conditions were 3.9 pH, 36.25 mL/g solvent ratio, and 39.4°C of extraction temperature for 21.3 min. As a result, the optimized yield was 5.76 ± 0.41 mg/g, which was comparably equal to and/or better than the other solvent extraction systems. The results showed that gallic acid could efficiently be extracted via UAE under these optimal conditions. It is safer than extraction systems involving hazardous solvents that can be feasibly used for its nutraceutical and therapeutic applications.

Chemical composition and biological activities of essential oils of seven Cultivated Apiaceae species

The Apiaceae family contains many species used as food, spice and medicinal purposes. Different parts of plants including seeds could be used to obtain essential (EO) oils from members of the Apiaceae family. In the present study, EOs were components obtained through hydrodistillation from the seeds of anise (Pimpinella anisum), carrot (Daucus carota), celery (Apium graveolens), dill (Anethum graveolens), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), and cumin (Cuminum cyminum). EO constituents were determined with Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas Chromatography/Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and their antioxidant capacities were determined with the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) methods. The antimicrobial activity of EOs were tested against four pathogenic bacteria. Phenylpropanoids in anise (94.87%) and fennel (92.52%), oxygenated monoterpenes in dill (67.59%) and coriander (98.96%), monoterpene hydrocarbons in celery (75.42%), mono- (45.42%) and sesquiterpene- (43.25%) hydrocarbons in carrots, monoterpene hydrocarbon (34.30%) and aromatic hydrocarbons (32.92%) in cumin were the major compounds in the EOs. Anethole in anise and fennel, carotol in carrot, limonene in celery, carvone in dill, linalool in coriander, and cumin aldehyde in cumin were predominant compounds in these EOs. The high hydrocarbon content in cumin EO gave high CUPRAC activity (89.07 µmol Trolox g-1), and the moderate monoterpene hydrocarbon and oxygenated monoterpene content in dill EO resulted in higher DPPH activity (9.86 µmol Trolox g-1). The in vitro antibacterial activity of EOs against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli was evaluated using the agar diffusion method and the minimum bactericidal concentration was determined. Coriander, cumin and dill EOs showed inhibitory effect against all tested strains except P. aeruginosa. While fennel and celery EOs were effective against E. coli and B. cereus strains, respectively, anise and carrot EOs did not show any antibacterial effect against the tested bacteria. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) produced four groups based on EO constituents of seven species. The potential adoption of the cultivated Apiaceae species for EO extraction could be beneficial for the wild species that are endangered by over collection and consumption.

Unveiling antioxidant capacity of standardized chitosan-tripolyphosphate microcapsules containing polyphenol-rich extract of Portulaca oleraceae

The medicinal plant Portulaca oleraceae has a long history of usage in traditional medicine. Plant extracts have several interesting pharmacological effects but have some drawbacks that can be addressed via capsulation with chitosan. This work set out to do just that tally up the antioxidant effects of a polyphenol-rich P. olerace extract and see how capsulation affected them. The reflux extraction and response surface methodology (RSM) were carried out to optimize the phenolic and flavonoid content of P. oleraceae extract. Additionally, high-resolution mass spectrometry was employed to determine the secondary metabolite present in the extract. The microcapsules of extract-loaded chitosan were prepared using the ionic gelation method and characterized in terms of size, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and morphology of microcapsules. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was used to observe the successful production of microcapsules with a principal component analysis (PCA) approach. The antioxidant activity of microcapsules was established using the radical scavenging method. According to RSM, the highest amounts of TPC and TFC were obtained at 72.894 % ethanol, 2.031 h, and 57.384 °C. The compounds were employed from the optimized extract of P. oleraceae including phenolics and flavonoids. The microcapsules were secured with a %EE of 43.56 ± 2.31 %. The characteristics of microcapsules were approved for the obtained product's successful synthesis according to the PCA. The microcapsules have antioxidant activity in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.0001). The findings of this study underscored the benefits of employing chitosan as a nanocarrier for extract, offering a promising approach to enhance plant-derived therapies.

Spray-Drying Microencapsulation of Bauhinia ungulata L. var. obtusifolia Aqueous Extract Containing Phenolic Compounds: A Comparative Study Using Different Wall Materials

Species belonging to the Bauhinia genus, usually known as "pata-de-vaca", are popularly used to treat diabetes. Bauhinia ungulata var. obtusifolia (Ducke) Vaz is among them, of which the leaves are used as a tea for medicinal purposes in the Amazon region. A microencapsulation study of lyophilized aqueous extract from Bauhinia ungulata leaves, which contain phenolic compounds, using five different wall materials (maltodextrin DE 4-7, maltodextrin DE 11-14; β-cyclodextrin; pectin and sodium carboxymethylcellulose) is described in this paper. The microstructure, particle size distribution, thermal behavior, yield, and encapsulation efficiency were investigated and compared using different techniques. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, phenolics, and flavonoids were detected and quantified in the microparticles. The microparticles obtained with a yield and phenolics encapsulation efficiency ranging within 60-83% and 35-57%, respectively, showed a particle size distribution between 1.15 and 5.54 µm, spherical morphology, and a wrinkled surface. Among them, those prepared with sodium carboxymethylcellulose or pectin proved to be the most thermally stable. They had the highest flavonoid content (23.07 and 21.73 mg RUTE/g Extract) and total antioxidant activity by both the DPPH (376.55 and 367.86 µM TEq/g Extract) and ABTS (1085.72 and 1062.32 µM TEq/g Extract) assays. The chromatographic analyses allowed for quantification of the following substances retained by the microparticles, chlorogenic acid (1.74-1.98 mg/g Extract), p-coumaric acid (0.06-0.08 mg/g Extract), rutin (11.2-12.9 mg/g Extract), and isoquercitrin (0.49-0.53 mg/g Extract), compounds which considered to responsible for the antidiabetic property attributed to the species.

Production of Antioxidant, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory and Osteogenic Gelatin Hydrolysate from Labeo rohita Swim Bladder

Optimization of antioxidants and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory potential gelatin hydrolysate production from Labeo rohita (rohu) swim bladder (SBGH) by alcalase using central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM) was investigated. The maximum degree of hydrolysis (DH), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), total antioxidants (TAO), and ACE inhibitory activity were achieved at 0.1:1.0 (w/w) enzyme to substrate ratio, 61 °C hydrolysis temperature, and 94-min hydrolysis time. The resulting SBGH obtained at 19.92% DH exhibited the DPPH (24.28 µM TE/mg protein), ABTS (34.47 µM TE/mg protein), TAO (12.01 µg AAE/mg protein), and ACE inhibitory (4.91 µg/mg protein) activity. Furthermore, SBGH at 100 µg/ml displayed osteogenic property without any toxic effects on MC3T3-E1 cells. Besides, the protein content of rohu swim bladder gelatin (SBG) and SBGH was 93.68% and 94.98%, respectively. Both SBG and SBGH were rich in glycine, proline, glutamic acid, alanine, arginine, and hydroxyproline amino acids. Therefore, SBGH could be an effective nutraceutical in functional food development.

Research Progress on Extraction and Detection Technologies of Flavonoid Compounds in Foods

Flavonoid compounds have a variety of biological activities and play an essential role in preventing the occurrence of metabolic diseases. However, many structurally similar flavonoids are present in foods and are usually in low concentrations, which increases the difficulty of their isolation and identification. Therefore, developing and optimizing effective extraction and detection methods for extracting flavonoids from food is essential. In this review, we review the structure, classification, and chemical properties of flavonoids. The research progress on the extraction and detection of flavonoids in foods in recent years is comprehensively summarized, as is the application of mathematical models in optimizing experimental conditions. The results provide a theoretical basis and technical support for detecting and analyzing high-purity flavonoids in foods.

Exploring morphological variability, in vitro antioxidant potential, and HR-LCMS phytochemical profiling of Phlomis cashmeriana Royle ex Benth. across different habitats of Kashmir Himalaya

Phytochemicals are broadly acknowledged for their health-promoting effects owing to the fact of their capacity to counteract free radicals (e.g., superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical, hydroperoxyl radical, singlet oxygen, hypochlorite, and nitric oxide) and shield against oxidative stress induced by environmental factors. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between altitude, morphology, soil parameters, in vitro antioxidant potential and phytochemical composition of Phlomis cashmeriana collected from four different locations of Kashmir Himalaya characterized by diverse habitats and elevations. Various factors, such as extraction method, solvent polarity, and habitat conditions, can impact the quantity and efficacy of phytochemicals in plants. The aim of current study was to analyze phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of P. cashmeriana, an important medicinal plant found in the Kashmir Himalaya region. The antioxidant activity was accessed using several assays and the plant populations were selected based on their diverse habitat features and altitudes. HR-LCMS was conducted for both below-ground and above-ground parts. Some important compounds such as, catechin, vinainsenoside, acutilobin, and kaempferol were reported for the first time from P. cashmeriana. Results showed that methanol was the most efficient solvent for extracting phytochemicals. During the current study, it was also found that the below-ground parts exhibited superior antioxidant activity compared to the above-ground parts. Notably, Site IV demonstrated the highest antioxidant potential; a positive correlation between altitude and antioxidant activity was also found. In conclusion, present research identified specific elite populations having highest antioxidant potential and are well-suited for large-scale cultivation of P. cashmeriana.

Exploring a Sustainable Process for Polyphenol Extraction from Olive Leaves

Olive leaves are residues from pruning and harvesting and are considered an environmental management problems. Interestingly, these residues contain high polyphenol concentrations, which can be used to treat chronic diseases. However, these compounds are a technological challenge due to their thermolability and reactivity during extraction. Thus, this study assessed the use of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) with green solvents like water-ethanol and water-glycerol mixtures (0-15%) at 50 °C and 70 °C to yield polyphenol-rich antioxidant extracts with reduced glucose and fructose content. The use of 30% ethanol at 70°C presented the highest polyphenol content (15.29 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight) and antioxidant capacity, which was expressed as IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration): 5.49 mg/mL and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC): 1259 μmol Trolox equivalent/g dry weight, as well as lower sugar content (glucose: 3.75 mg/g dry weight, fructose: 5.68 mg/g dry weight) compared to water-glycerol mixtures. Interestingly, ethanol exhibits a higher degree of effectiveness in recovering flavanols, stilbenes and secoiridoids, while glycerol improves the extraction of phenolic acids and flavonols. Therefore, to enhance the efficiency of polyphenol recovery during the PLE process, it is necessary to consider its solvent composition and chemical structure.

Investigation of microwave extraction of red cabbage and its neurotherapeutic potential

In the pursuit of bioactive compounds with health benefits from food and medicinal plants, optimization of process to reduce solvent, raw material, energy and time consumption has been a valuable research objective. Sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources are of critical importance for sustainability goals. In this manner, microwave extraction of red cabbage which has been a mass cultivated plant for food purposes, was optimized for maximizing acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase inhibitory activity and bioactive content. Quantitative analysis of total phenol, flavonoid and anthocyanin content were performed using spectrophotometry and UPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. Optimum conditions were determined as 600 W, 100% ethanol, 12 min for butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory and 800 W, 50% ethanol, 4 min for tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Microwave extraction outperformed conventional solvent extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran, ethanol, 70% ethanol and water) in terms of activity and content. The isolated fraction containing major anthocyanins as cyanidin-3-sophoroside-5-glucoside and cyanidin-3-(sinapoyl)-sophoroside-5-glucoside was identified as the responsible portion for tyrosinase inhibitory activity. The dominant anthocyanins rich fraction of the optimum microwave extract can be considered for the production of antityrosinase products, while the identification of inhibitor metabolites for acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase can be targeted for future studies considering red cabbage as a valuable source.

HPLC-DAD-MS Characterization, Antioxidant Activity, α-amylase Inhibition, Molecular Docking, and ADMET of Flavonoids from Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) has a great beneficial health effect; it has been used in traditional medicine by many cultures. Likewise, the α-amylase inhibitors are potential compounds in the development of drugs for the treatment of diabetes. The beneficial health effects of fenugreek lead us to explore the chemical composition of the seeds and their antioxidant and α-amylase inhibition activities. The flavonoid extraction from fenugreek seeds was achieved with methanol through a Soxhlet apparatus. Then, the flavonoid glycosides were characterized using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis. The antioxidant capacity of fenugreek seed was measured using DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and CUPRAC assays. Finally, the α-amylase inhibition activity was carried out using in vitro and in silico methods. The methanolic extract was found to contain high amounts of total phenolics (154.68 ± 1.50 μg GAE/mg E), flavonoids (37.69 ± 0.73 μg QE/mg E). The highest radical-scavenging ability was recorded for the methanolic extract against DPPH (IC50 = 556.6 ± 9.87 μg/mL), ABTS (IC50 = 593.62 ± 9.35 μg/mL). The ME had the best reducing power according to the CUPRAC (A 0.5 = 451.90 ± 9.07 μg/mL). The results indicate that the methanolic extracts of fenugreek seed best α-amylase inhibition activities IC50 = 653.52 ± 3.24 μg/mL. Twenty-seven flavonoids were detected, and all studied flavonoids selected have good affinity and stabilize very well in the pocket of α-amylase. The interactions between the studied flavonoids with α-amylase were investigated. The flavonoids from fenugreek seed present a good inhibitory effect against α-amylase, which is beneficial for the prevention of diabetes and its complications.

Ultrasonication/dynamic maceration-assisted extraction method as a novel combined approach for recovery of phenolic compounds from pomegranate peel

According to recent studies, pomegranate peel (PP) has the potential to be inverted from environmental pollutant waste to wealth due to possessing valuable phenolic compounds at a higher amount compared to edible parts. So far, different types of biological activities such as antimutagenic, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and chemo-preventive properties were stated for pomegranate peel extract (PPE) according to chemical composition. In the present research, the probable intensifying effects of two extraction methods and optimum conditions for novel combined method of ultrasonication and dynamic maceration-assisted extraction of PPE using response surface methodology (RSM) were determined. A Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was employed to optimize three extraction variables, including sonication time (X1), sonication temperature (X2), and stirring speed (X3) for the achievement of high extraction yield of the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. The optimized conditions to obtain maximum extraction efficiency were determined as X1 = 70 min, X2 = 61.8°C, and X3 = 1000 rpm. The experimental values were in line with the values anticipated by RSM models, which indicates the appropriateness of the applied quadratic model and the accomplishment of RSM in optimizing the extraction conditions. The results suggest that the extraction of PPE by mix of ultrasonication as a modern method and dynamic maceration as a conventional method could improve its bioactive extractability and the obtained values were higher than any of the methods used. In other words, these two methods together have intensifying effects in increasing extraction efficiency which could further be utilized in food and agricultural industry.

Cocktail of three isoquinoline alkaloids derived from Glaucium grandiflorum Boiss. & A. Huet subsp. refractum (Nábelek) Mory inhibits the production of LPS-induced ROS, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and mediators through the down-regulation of p38 MAPK in BV-2 cells

Glaucium grandiflorum extracts have traditionally been used to treat brain-related disorders. G. grandiflorum extracts also exhibited inhibitory effects on cholinesterase enzymes, as well as antigenotoxic activity. However, no research has been done on the effect of G. grandiflorum alkaloid extracts on the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. In this study we aimed to evaluate the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of the alkaloid extract obtained from G. grandiflorum as well as the mechanisms responsible for their neuroprotective effects in neuronal damage caused by LPS in BV2 cells. We used LC-MS/MS and 1H, 13C NMR analysis to determine the presence of major alkaloids (allocryptopine, tetrahydropalmatine, and tetrahydroberberine N-oxide (trans-cannadine-N-oxide) in the alkaloid extracts. We used flow cytometry to study the alkaloid extracts' effects on ROS production; we also employed qRT-PCR and Western Blot to analyze the effects of oxidative stress and inflammation-related genes and proteins. ROS production within the cell was inhibited by chloroform alkaloid extract (CAE). There occurred marked CAE-induced reductions in IL-1β, Cox-2, and iNOS mRNA expressions. We also observed marked reductions in IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expressions with methanol alkaloid extract (MAE). CAE effectively suppressed IL-1β and iNOS protein levels, especially as in qRT-PCR studies, while MAE effectively reduced IL-6 and TNF-α protein levels. Additionally, MAE was found to be prominent in suppressing the levels of Cox-2 protein, unlike qRT-PCR studies. According to our study findings, oxidative stress brought about by inflammation was suppressed by alkaloid extracts from G. grandiflorum which can be attributed to their suppressor effects on the pro-inflammatory cytokines-mediators, and p38 MAPK. As a result, a drug active substance that suppresses oxidative stress and inflammation has been brought to the neuropharmacological field.

Phytoconstituents from Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) of Sikkim Himalaya and their molecular docking interactions revealed their nutraceutical potential as α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors

In this study, antioxidative methanolic leaf extract (MeOH-SIS) of Urtica dioica was characterized for anti-diabetic activity. The extract was purified on a column to yield seven homogenous fractions (F1-F7) which were further determined for DPPH radical scavenging activity. MeOH-SIS and the fraction F1 (selected based on % yield and activity) were evaluated for their in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The results showed inhibition of both enzymes in a dose dependent manner and F1 exhibited relatively higher inhibition than its mother extract MeOH-SIS. GC-MS analyses of both the extracts identified 24 major compounds among which 10 were previously described as bioactive compounds. Among all, 5 compounds demonstrated to have quality pharmacokinetics profiles and were examined for possible binding affinity against the active sites of α-amylase and α-glucosidase using molecular docking. The binding interaction of 2R-acetoxymethyl-1,3,3-trimethyl-4 T-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl)-1 T-cyclohexanol within the active sites of the target receptors was found to be significant among others, and can be developed as a potential inhibitor of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The leaf extract can be utilized to develop food additive for the control and management of oxidative stress induced diabetes.

Evaluation of biotechnological processing through solid-state fermentation of oilseed cakes on extracts bioactive potential

Oilseed cakes (OC) are natural sources of lignocellulosic biomass, produced every year in large amounts. In addition to their main applications as animal feed, plant or soil fertilizer, and compost, they present enormous potential for being used in biotechnological processes for the obtainment and extraction of valuable bioactive compounds. This work evaluated the effect of solid-state fermentation on the bioactive properties of extracts obtained from the bioprocessing of OC and evaluated the effect of solvents on the recovery of compounds with higher bioactive potential. A general decrease of EC50 values was observed for fermented extracts obtained using a mixture of water/methanol (1:1) as extraction solvent. A decrease in the minimum inhibitory concentration was observed for fermented water extracts compared to non-fermented. Additionally, growth inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes was observed when using aqueous methanolic fermented extracts. These extracts also exhibited a higher percentage of growth reduction against phytopathogenic fungi, and some extracts exhibited increased protection against genotoxic agents such as camptothecin and bisphenol A. It was demonstrated that bioprocessing of OC through SSF is an effective approach to obtaining valuable compounds with bioactive properties for use in the food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic industries.

Topical formulations containing Trichilia catigua extract as therapeutic options for a genital and an acyclovir-resistant strain of herpes recurrent infection

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) infect, respectively, 67% and 13% of the world population, most commonly causing mild symptoms, such as blisters/ulcers. However, severe conditions such as keratitis, encephalitis, and systemic infections may occur, generally associated with the patient's immunological condition. Although Acyclovir® (ACV) and its analogs are the reference drugs for herpetic infections, the number of ACV-resistant HSV infections is growing exponentially. Therefore, new natural products' bioactive compounds have been studied to develop novel effective anti-herpetics. Trichilia catigua is a plant widely used in traditional medicine, including the treatment of skin diseases and sexual infections. In our study, 16 extracts from the bark of T. catigua, obtained with different solvents and their combinations, were evaluated against HSV-1 AR and HSV-2, respectively, ACV resistance and genital strains in vitro. The extracts with the highest selectivity index were used to prepare new topical anti-herpetic formulations and confirmed in vivo. Two new topical formulations were suggested to treat cutaneous and genital herpetic recurrent lesions. The cytotoxicity and antiviral activity were tested using the MTT method. The cytotoxic (CC50) and inhibitory (IC50) concentrations of 50% and the selectivity index (SI: CC50/IC50) were determined. Tc12, Tc13, and Tc16 were added to the formulations. Infected BALB/c mice were treated for 8 days, and the severity of the herpetic lesions was analyzed daily. All CEs showed a CC50 value ranging from 143 to 400 µg/mL, except for Tc3 and Tc10. Tc12, Tc13, and Tc16 showed the best SI in the 0 h, virucidal, and adsorption inhibition assays. In the in vivo test against HSV-1 AR, the infected animals treated with creams were statistically different from the infected non-treated animals and similar to ACV-treated mice. In HSV-2-infected genitalia, similar effects were found for Tc13 and Tc16 gels. The present study demonstrated that extracts from the bark of T. catigua, traditionally used in folk medicine, are a valuable source of active compounds with anti-herpetic activity. The extracts showed a virucidal mechanism of action and prevented the initial stages of viral replication. The cutaneous and genital infections were strongly inhibited by the Tc12, Tc13, and Tc16 extracts. New topical therapeutic alternatives using Trichilia catigua extracts are suggested for patients infected with ACV-resistant strains of HSV.

Valorisation of Zingiber officinale Roscoe postharvest residues as byproducts with antioxidant capacity

During the postharvest phase of ginger, 2.6%-5% by weight of ginger rhizome residues are generated, which are disposed in landfills and constitute a continuous source of organic contamination causing serious environmental problems. The objective of this study was to valorise ginger postharvest residues (shoot, finger, slice, trunk, root, and rootles) from district Pichanaki (Peru) as dry powdered byproducts with an antioxidant capacity similar to that of rhizome. The nutrition composition, phenolic compounds, such as total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, 6-gingerol content, and 6-shogaol content, antioxidant capacity expressed by ferric reducing antioxidant power and IC50 of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, surface changes, and structural morphology were evaluated. In addition, the dependent variables were correlated using the Pearson's matrix and principal component analysis (PCA). The results for shoot, finger, slice, and trunk residues showed similar phenolic compound contents and antioxidant capacities to those of rhizome, but similar results were not obtained for root and rootlet residues. These results were corroborated by analyses of surface and structural morphologies. The Pearson's matrix showed that the content of phenolic compounds correlated with the antioxidant capacity and carbohydrate content for the rhizome and residues, except for the root. The PCAshowed that residues that exhibited higher contents of starch grains with reserve functions such as shoot, finger, slice, and trunk were correlated with higher contents of phenolic compounds with antioxidant capacity, while residues with higher contents of crude fibre and ash with a support function exhibited a low antioxidant capacity. Thus, the shoot, finger, slice, and trunk residues, from district Pichanaki (Peru), can be valorised and reincorporated as byproducts in the ginger value chain. They are important for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.

An Untargeted Metabolomics Approach to Study the Variation between Wild and Cultivated Soybeans

The differential metabolite profiles of four wild and ten cultivated soybeans genotypes were explored using an untargeted metabolomics approach. Ground soybean seed samples were extracted with methanol and water, and metabolic features were obtained using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) in both positive and negative ion modes. The UHPLC-HRMS analysis of the two different extracts resulted in the putative identification of 98 metabolites belonging to several classes of phytochemicals, including isoflavones, organic acids, lipids, sugars, amino acids, saponins, and other compounds. The metabolic profile was significantly impacted by the polarity of the extraction solvent. Multivariate analysis showed a clear difference between wild and cultivated soybean cultivars. Unsupervised and supervised learning algorithms were applied to mine the generated data and to pinpoint metabolites differentiating wild and cultivated soybeans. The key identified metabolites differentiating wild and cultivated soybeans were isoflavonoids, free amino acids, and fatty acids. Catechin analogs, cynaroside, hydroxylated unsaturated fatty acid derivatives, amino acid, and uridine diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine were upregulated in the methanol extract of wild soybeans. In contrast, isoflavonoids and other minor compounds were downregulated in the same soybean extract. This metabolic information will benefit breeders and biotechnology professionals to develop value-added soybeans with improved quality traits.

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Cancer Properties of Amygdalin Extracted from Three Cassava Varieties Cultivated in Benin

Given that cancer is a disease that is rampant in the world and especially in Africa, where the population has enormous difficulty treating it, plants are a safer and less expensive alternative. Cassava is a plant species valued in Benin because of its numerous medicinal and nutritional virtues. This study evaluated the biological activities of amygdalin from the organs of three cassava varieties most commonly produced in Benin (BEN, RB, and MJ). HPLC analysis was used to quantify amygdalin in cassava organs and derivatives. Phytochemical screening was performed to determine secondary metabolite groups. DPPH and FRAP methods were used to assess antioxidant activity. Cytotoxicity of the extracts was tested on Artemia salina larvae. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vivo in an albino mouse paw edema model induced by 5% formalin. The anticancer activity was evaluated in vivo on Wistar rats rendered cancerous by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) using 5-fluorouracil as a reference molecule. The results showed that the organs of all three-cassava varieties contained glycosides, flavonoids, saponosides, steroids, tannins, coumarins, and cyanogenic derivatives. Young stems and fresh cassava leaves had the highest amygdalin concentrations, with 11,142.99 µg 10 g-1 and 9251.14 µg 10 g-1, respectively. The Agbeli derivative was more concentrated in amygdalin, with a content of 401.56 µg 10 g-1 than the other derivatives. The antioxidant activity results showed that the amygdalin extracts were DPPH radical scavengers with IC50 values ranging from 0.18 mg mL-1 to 2.35 mg mL-1. The cytotoxicity test showed no toxicity of the extracts toward shrimp larvae. Administration of amygdalin extracts from the leaves of BEN and MJ varieties prevents inflammatory edema. The percentages of edema inhibition varied between 21.77% and 27.89%. These values are similar (p > 0.05) to those of acetylsalicylic acid (25.20%). Amygdalin extract of the BEN variety significantly (p < 0.0001) reduces edema. Both BEN extracts inhibited cancer induction with DMH. In preventive and curative treatments, rats fed with amygdalin extracts showed low anti-cancer activity under the effect of DMH and a significant difference in biochemical results. Thus, the organs of all three cassava varieties studied have secondary metabolites and good antioxidant activity. The leaves contain high levels of amygdalin and can be used as anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents.

Phytochemical profile, antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities of stem bark extract and fractions of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.: In vitro, in vivo and in silico approaches

This study aimed to assess the phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of the methanolic extract of Ailanthus excelsa (Simaroubaceae) stem bark and its fractions. Quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed that methanolic extract and all fractions contained a high level of flavonoids (20.40-22.91 mg/g QE), phenolics (1.72-7.41 mg/g GAE), saponins (33.28-51.87 mg/g DE), and alkaloids (0.21-0.33 mg/g AE). The antioxidant potential was evaluated in vitro using a range of assays, i.e., DPPH•, ABTS radical scavenging ability, and total antioxidant capacity. The chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed stronger antioxidant activity than the methanol extract. In vitro cytotoxic activity was investigated in three human tumor cell lines (A-549, MCF7 and HepG2) using the SRB assay. In addition, the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. The chloroform fraction showed a more pronounced effect by effectively controlling the growth with the lowest GI50 and TGI concentrations. The human lung cancer cell line (A-549) was found to be more sensitive to the chloroform fraction. Furthermore, the chloroform fraction exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity at a dose of 200 mg/kg in the latter phase of inflammation. Besides, methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction revealed a significant cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects. The chloroform fraction of stem bark showed a strong anti-inflammatory effect in experimental animals and significant COX-2 inhibitory potential in the in vitro experiments. GC-MS analysis of chloroform fraction identified the phytochemicals like caftaric acid, 3,4-dihydroxy phenylacetic acid, arachidonic acid, cinnamic acid, 3-hydroxyphenylvaleric acid, caffeic acid, hexadeconoic acid, and oleanolic acid. The in-silico results suggest that identified compounds have better affinity towards the selected targets, viz. the BAX protein (PDB ID: 1F16), p53-binding protein Mdm-2 (PDB ID: 1YCR), and topoisomerase II (PDB ID: 1QZR). Amongst all, caftaric acid exhibited the best binding affinity for all three targets. Thus, it can be concluded that caftaric acid in combination with other phenolic compounds, might be responsible for the studied activity. Additional in vivo and in vitro studies are required to establish their exact molecular mechanisms and consider them as lead molecules in developing of valuable drugs for treating oxidative stress-induced disorders, cancers, and inflammations.

Pomegranate peel as a source of antioxidants for the control of lipid and protein oxidation during the ripening of Iberian dry uncured sausages

This study aimed to evaluate a pomegranate peel extract (PPE), selected for its level of phytochemical compounds and antioxidant activities, as a nitrite substitute in dry sausages, as well as its effect on lipid and protein oxidative changes and instrumental colour during the drying period (28 days). Of the extraction solvents screened, water: acetone 3:7 (v/v) was the most effective extraction solvent, yielding extracts with the highest content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and condensed tannins and antioxidant activities (ABTS, DPPH and FRAP). Four batches of dry sausages were produced with different incoming amounts of sodium nitrite (NaNO₂) and PPE: 1) 150 ppm NaNO₂; 2) 0 ppm NaNO₂; 3) 0 ppm NaNO₂ + 1% PPE (v/w) and 4) 0 ppm NaNO₂ + 2% PPE (v/w). Nitrite removal increased lipid oxidation in uncured dry sausages, while nitrite and PPE caused lower TBA-RS values in cured and PPE treated sausages. During drying, both nitrite and PPE addition significantly decreased carbonyl and thiol contents compared to the uncured dry sausages. A dose-response was found for PPE, with lower carbonyl and thiol concentrations, the higher the level of PPE added. PPE significantly modified instrumental colour coordinates L*a*b* producing significant total colour changes compared to cured dry sausages.

Optimization of the Extraction Conditions of Antioxidant Phenolic Compounds from Strawberry Fruits (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) Using Response Surface Methodology

The subject of this study is to determine the best solvent and optimum extraction conditions for the extraction of maximum antioxidant phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity from strawberry fruits (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.). Extractions were carried out using solvents with different polarities (water, methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, and acetone). Box-Behnken Design was used to optimize extraction conditions, including extraction time (t), temperature (°C), and liquid/solid (L/S) ratio. In the study, extracts obtained with acetone indicated the highest total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity. The optimal extraction conditions for both responses were determined to be time of 17.5 min, temperature 52.5 °C, and liquid/solid ratio of 30:1. The maximum TPC and TFC values were found as 18.78 ± 0.22 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE/g) and 10.52 ± 0.35 mg of catechin equivalents (CE/g) under optimum extraction conditions. The results indicated that optimizing extraction conditions is critical for quantifying antioxidant phenolic compounds. The present model can contribute to finding a cheap way of delivering natural antioxidants in the food, cosmeceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. Furthermore, these results indicate that strawberry fruits (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) can be a natural food colorant in dietary applications with potential health benefits.

Antioxidant Guided Fractionation of Blackberry Polyphenols Show Synergistic Role of Catechins and Ellagitannins

In the present study, blackberry extract was prepared using a previously optimized solid-liquid extraction method in 70% aqueous acetone aimed at the recovery of its principal phenolics. Subsequently, 0.5 g of freeze-dried extract was subjected to flash chromatography fractionation, which was conducted on a C18 column using a binary solvent system of water and methanol at 10 mL/min. The total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activities of the obtained 42 flash fractions were determined, and a strong positive correlation (r ≥ 0.986) was exhibited among them. Furthermore, the graph of the antioxidant indices of the flash fractions resembled the flash chromatogram, suggesting a good correlation among the compounds within the chromatographic peaks and the antioxidant indices. LC-MS/MS identified as many 28 phenolics, including cinnamtannin A2 reported for the first time in blackberries. This study further established the role of dominant anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside), but uniquely those of ellagitannins and catechins on the antioxidant capacity of blackberries.

Collagenase and Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activities and Stability of Facial Cream Formulation Containing Cashew Leaf Extract

The cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale L.) is a tropical plant found widely in many Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, and contains bioactive phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity. The natural antioxidants such as collagenase and tyrosinase inhibitors found in medicinal plants are promising agents in cosmetic products. This study evaluated the inhibitory activities of the collagenase and tyrosinase from cashew leaf extracts by developing and evaluating the stability of facial cream formulations. The ethanol (DEN), ethyl acetate (DEA) and distilled water (DDW) crude extracts of cashew leaves were investigated for their bioactive compound efficacy. The DDW extract had the highest yield (24.97%). All the extracts were investigated for their antioxidant activities. The DEN extract showed the highest DPPH radical-scavenging ability, ferric-reducing power and flavonoid compounds, which were 152.04 ± 2.40 mg gallic acid/g extract, 37.90 ± 1.07 mg gallic acid/g dry weight and 7.63 ± 0.07 mg quercetin/g dry weight, respectively. The DDW extract exhibited the highest potent activity, which was 111.00 ± 0.78 mg gallic acid/g dry weight in terms of phenolic content, while the DEN extract showed the highest tyrosinase inhibition at 0.100 mg/mL (46.97 ± 3.34%) and collagenase activity at 40 µg/mL. The results suggested that the ethanolic extracts from cashew leaves showed promise for use in skincare product development. Cosmeceutical formulations for skincare were prepared. The formula mixed with DEN extract and added to whitening and anti-aging skincare cream demonstrated good stability and physical properties.

Changes in the Composition of Biologically Active Compounds during the Ripening Period in Fruit of Different Large Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) Cultivars Grown in the Lithuanian Collection

In our investigation, we evaluated the content of chlorogenic acid, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, flavonols, triterpenoids, and phytosterols in cranberry fruit extracts of the cultivars ‘Baifay’, ‘Early Black’, ‘Howes’, ‘Pilgrim’, ‘Red Star’, and ‘Stevens’ grown in Lithuania, as well as changes in the antioxidant activity in extracts of fruit samples of these cultivars during the period of berry maturation. The highest amount of proanthocyanidins (8.87 ± 0.57 mg EE/g EE) and flavonols (3688.52 ± 22.85 µg/g) was determined in cranberries of the cultivar ‘Howes’ harvested on 12 August. Remarkably, the highest anthocyanins content (9628.62 ± 266 µg/g) was determined in cranberries of the cultivar ‘Howes’ harvested on 22 October. The study showed that the content of phytochemical compounds in cranberries varied between 12 August and 22 October; the content of proanthocyanidins decreased by a factor of about 2, the content of chlorogenic acid decreased by a factor of about 1.3, the content of flavonols decreased by a factor of about 2, and the content of anthocyanins increased by 27 to 450 times. A strong correlation was found between the total proanthocyanidin content of cranberry fruit extracts and their in vitro antiradical and reducing activity (r = 0.781 and 0.726, respectively, p < 0.001). The data of our study detail the accumulation of the phytochemical composition of biologically active compounds in cranberry samples during the stages of maturity, therefore these data are significant for the assessment of harvest time of cranberry and can be applied to select cranberry cultivars for further cultivation in Lithuanian climatic conditions.

Studies of Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activity in Ready-to-Drink Wild Ganoderma Teas: An In Vitro Approach

Ganoderma is a medicinally important mushroom and has been used since ancient times. However, mostly G. lucidum has been used for therapeutic purposes, in form of tea, dietary and drug supplements but other species of Ganoderma are still remaining underexploited. This study is the first approach to valorize Ganoderma teas prepared from different wild species of Ganoderma other than G. lucidum with respect to both phytochemically and therapeutically through investigation of their phytochemical, carbohydrate contents and exploring their antioxidant activity. Phytochemical contents such as phenol and flavonoids were quantified using spectrophotometry methods. The carbohydrate content of the teas was estimated by phenol sulphuric acid method. The biochemical analysis revealed the teas contained a notable amount of phenolic compounds ranging from 19.15 to 40.2 µg GAE/mg of extract and also showed significant content of flavonoids. Further, antioxidant potential in terms of DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging ability and total antioxidant capacity was also evaluated. According to the results, G. resinaceum tea showed better potential in scavenging DPPH (EC50 36 ug/mL) and ABTS radicals (EC50 3 9 ug/mL) whereas the least effect was shown for the tea of G. ahmedi. Therefore, tea showing the best results, i.e. G. resinaceum tea, was also analyzed for cytotoxicity on breast cancer cells. It was found that the tea made from G. resinaceum inhibited cellular growth and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner with maximum growth inhibition (61%) observed at the highest concentration of 2.3 mg/mL. The presence of a greater quantity of carbohydrates in G. resinaceum tea also justified the remarkable anticancer potential of the tea. Overall, our findings indicated that a few wild species of Ganoderma other than G. lucidum have great potential to be valued as a healthy beverage with immense therapeutic benefits.

Cuscuta epithymum Murr. crude extract pre-conditioning protects C6 cells from L-glutamate-induced neurotoxicity

BACKGROUND

Cuscuta epithymum Murr. (C. epithymum), as an herbal medicine, has played an anti-cancerous role in various studies; however, its possible neuroprotective effects have been neglected. Here, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of C. epithymum seeds crude extract and different fractions on rat glioblastoma cells (C6) in L-glutamate oxidative condition.

METHODS

Initially, the total phenolic content of C. epithymum crude extract and the fractions (all produced by maceration method) was determined. Subsequently, C6 cells were pre-treated with the various concentrations of crude extract and fractions 24 h before L-glutamate exposure. Likewise, C6 cells were treated with the same concentrations of crude extract and fractions 24 h after exposure to L-glutamate. The cell viability and morphology were compared in crude extract and fractions groups, then superoxide dismutase (SODs) activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. The flow cytometry test was used to study C. epithymum crude extract's effects on the cell cycle and also to quantify the apoptosis, necrosis, and live cells population in different groups.

RESULTS

C. epithymum crude extract and fractions (hexanoic, dichloromethanolic, and methanolic) had concentration-dependent cytotoxicity (IC50:126.47, 2101.96, 140.97, and 218.96 µg/ml, respectively). The crude extract and methanolic fraction contained phenolic compounds (55.99 ± 2.795 and 50.80 ± 2.969 mg gallic acid/g extract), while in hexanoic and dichloromethanolic fractions, the phenolic content was undetectable. In the cell viability assay, in comparison to fractions, the crude extract showed a more protective effect against glutamate-induced oxidative condition (P < 0.0001). The crude extract increased the SODs activity (P < 0.001) and decreased MDA and ROS levels (P < 0.0001) in comparison to the glutamate group. The crude extract significantly increased the population of cells in G1 (from 63.04 to 76.29) and decreased the percentage of cells in G2 (from 11.56 to 6.7) and S phase (from 25.4 to 17.01). In addition, it decreased the apoptotic and necrotic cell populations (from 34 to 17.1) and also increased the percentage of live cells (from 66.8 to 83.4 percent) in the flow cytometry test.

CONCLUSION

C. epithymum crude extract plays a neuroprotective role by activating the defense mechanisms in cell against the oxidative condition.

Dysbiotic Gut Microbiota Modulation by Aronia Fruits Extract Administration

The administration of chokeberry extract in vitro in the GIS1 system was evaluated for the modulation capacity of the dysbiotic pattern resulting from the consumption of stevia. The microbial pattern determined by molecular method, the metabolomic one (fatty acids), the evolution of the antioxidant status, and the cytotoxic effect were determined comparatively for six months. This study presented for the first time that Aronia extract has a strong antimicrobial effect but also a presence of new organic acids that can be used as a biomarker. The functional supplement had the impact of a gradual increase in antioxidant status (DPPH scavenging activity) for up to three months and a subsequent decrease correlated with the reduction of the microbial load (especially for Enterobacteriaceae). The effect on metabolomic activity was specific, with butyric acid being generally unaffected (0.6-0.8 mg/mL) by the antimicrobial effect manifested after three months of administration. The pH was strongly acidic, corresponding to the constant presence of maximum values for acetic and lactic acid. The non-selective elimination of a part of the microbiota could also be correlated with a decrease in metabolomic efficiency. The results in the GIS1 system indicated for the first time that the controlled use of this extract had a pronounced antimicrobial and cytotoxic effect. This has helped to correct the dysbiotic pattern that results after the long-term use of sweeteners based on an increase of 0.2 log UFC/mL for favorable strains.

Valorization of Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) Grain Extracts for the Development of Alginate-Based Active Films

This research work investigates the development of alginate-based films incorporating phenolic compounds extracted from Amaranthus cruentus grain using different solvents. Alginate, glycerol, and amaranth grain phenolic compounds at various concentrations were used to produce the films. An experimental Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) was used to evaluate the effect of these variables on different film’s properties, i.e., water vapor permeability, hydrophobicity, moisture content, solubility, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties. This study demonstrated that high phenolic compound content and antioxidant capacity were obtained from amaranth grain using ethanol as the extraction solvent. Alginate films incorporating amaranth phenolic compounds were successfully manufactured, and this study can be used to tailor the formulation of alginate films containing amaranth phenolic compounds, depending on their final food application. For example, less flexible but more resistant and water-soluble films can be produced by increasing the alginate concentration, which was confirmed by a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis. This study showed that active alginate films with amaranth phenolic compounds can be tailored to be used as food packaging material with potential antioxidant activity.

Selected fungi of the genus Lactarius - screening of antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial activity, and genotoxicity

It is well-known that mushrooms of the genus Lactarius constitute a natural food resource providing health benefits as a nutritient. This genus contains 4 mushrooms identified as L. deliciosus, L. volemus, L. sanguifluus, L. semisanguifluus and L. piperatus which were collected in Serbia. The aim of this study aimed was to identify and characterize the content of phenolic compounds and examine the antioxidant potential of 5 wild edible mushrooms. L. sanguifluus contained the highest content of total phenol compounds (75.25 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per g dry extract weight (GAE/g DE) and exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity through the ability to remove radicals as evidenced by ABTS assay (8.99 mg of trolox equivalents (TE) per g dry extract weight (mg TE/g DE); total reducing power (TRP) assay mg ascorbic acid equivalents per mg of dry extract weight (0.42 mg AAE/g DE) and CUPRAC (14.23 mg TE /g DE). L. deliciosus methanolic extract produced greatest scavenging of the DPPH radical (46%). The methanol mushroom extracts were screened for in vitro antimicrobial activity against a panel of pathogenic bacterial strains using the microdilution method. Of all the extracts tested, L. sanguifluus extract showed the best antibacterial properties. The cytokinesis block micronucleus assay results for the examined mushrooms demonstrated that extracts at a concentration of 3 μg/ml decreased the number of micronuclei (MN) in the range of 19-49% which is significant bearing in mind that radioprotectant amifostine reduced the frequency of MN by only 16.3%. Data thus demonstrate that the 5 wild edible mushrooms of genus Lactarius contain constituents that are beneficial not only as nutrients but also have the potential as antioxidants, antibacterial and antigenotoxic properties.

In vitro total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of selected medicinal plants using different solvent systems

Recently, an interest has surged in utilizing indigenous medicinal plants to treat infectious illnesses and extract bioactive substances, highlighting the need to analyze medicinal plants for phytochemicals and bioactivities. The present study was aimed to evaluate the impact of different solvent systems (aqueous, ethanol, and methanol) used for extraction on total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity of three medicinal plants of Azad Kashmir (Achillea millefolium, Bergenia ciliata, and Aloe vera). High phenolic content was found in methanol extracts of B. ciliata (27.48 ± 0.58 mg GAE/g dry weight), A. vera (25.61 ± 0.33 mg GAE/g dry weight), and A. millefolium (24.25 ± 0.67 mg GAE/g dry weight). High flavonoid content was obtained in the ethanol extract of A. millefolium (27.13 ± 0.64 mg QE/g dry weight), methanol extract of B. ciliata (17.44 ± 0.44 ± 0.44 mg QE/g dry weight), and the methanol extract of A. vera (14.68 ± 0.67 mg QE/g dry weight). Strong 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH) was obtained with a methanol extract of B. ciliata (IC₅₀ = 60.27 ± 0.20 µg/mL). With a zone of inhibition and a minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 10.00 ± 0.66 to 24.67 ± 1.21 mm and 78 to 625 µg/mL, respectively, all of the studied plants demonstrated notable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. A. vera showed greater antibacterial activity as compared to other plants under study while methanolic extract showed greater antibacterial activity than ethanolic and aqueous extract. The findings of this research support the use of these medicinal plants to treat a variety of diseases.

Differences in Antioxidant Potential of Allium cepa Husk of Red, Yellow, and White Varieties

The effective management of agro-industry organic waste for developing high-commercial-value products is a promising facet of the circular economy. Annually, more than 550,000 tons of waste that is potentially rich in biologically active substances is generated worldwide while processing onions (Allium cepa L.). The antioxidant potential of red, yellow, and white onion husks was studied using FRAP, ORAC, chemiluminescence, and UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS analysis methods. The extraction of phenolic compounds from onion husks was more effective when using an aqueous solution of 70% ethanol as compared with water. Ethanolic extract from red onion husks exhibited the highest TAC_ORAC and TAC_FRAP values, averaging 2017.34 µmol-equiv. Trolox/g raw material and 2050.23 µmol-equiv. DQ/g raw material, respectively, while the white onion exhibited much lower levels of antioxidants. According to the chemiluminescence results, it was determined that the red and yellow onion husks contained antioxidants of three types of power, while white onion husks only contained medium and weak types. The highest content of flavonoids was found in red onion husks, averaging 1915.90 ± 9.92 µg-eq. DQ/g of raw material and 321.42 ± 2.61 µg-eq. DQ/g of raw material for ethanol and water, respectively, while yellow onion husks exhibited 544.06 ± 2.73 µg-eq. DQ/g of raw material and 89.41 ± 2.08 for ethanol and water, respectively. Quercetin and its glycosides were the most representative flavonoids, and a number of substances with different pharmacological and biological properties were also identified.

The Oral Wound Healing Potential of Thai Propolis Based on Its Antioxidant Activity and Stimulation of Oral Fibroblast Migration and Proliferation

Introduction. Propolis has demonstrated wound healing effects. Propolis’ effects vary based on its composition and geographical origin. However, there are few reports on the effects of propolis on oral wound healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and in vitro gingival wound healing effects of the n-hexane extract of propolis (HEP), ethyl acetate extract of propolis (EEP), and aqueous extract of propolis (AEP) fractions of the ethanol extract of Thai propolis. Materials and Methods. The crude ethanol extract of propolis was obtained by maceration with 95% ethanol that was sequentially fractionated with hexane, ethyl acetate, and distilled water. The chemical profiles of the samples were assessed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH and FRAP assays. The effects of the propolis fractions on human gingival fibroblast (HGF) proliferation, migration, and in vitro wound healing were determined by MTT, modified Boyden chamber, and scratch assay, respectively. Results. We found that solvent polarity greatly affected the extract yield and TLC profiles. The highest extract yield was found in HEP (38.88%), followed by EEP (19.8%) and AEP (1.42%). TLC revealed 7 spots in the crude ethanol extract (Rf 0.36–0.80), 6 spots in HEP (Rf 0.42–0.80) and EEP (Rf 0.36–0.72), and 4 spots in AEP (Rf 0.17–0.79). GC-MS analysis revealed a high amount of triterpenoids in HEP (82.97%) compared with EEP (28.96%). However, no triterpenoid was found in AEP. The highest antioxidant activity and stimulation of HGF proliferation were observed in HEP, followed by EEP and AEP. HEP and EEP, but not AEP, enhanced HGF migration. However, all propolis fractions induced wound closure. Conclusions. HEP contained a large amount of triterpenoids. Antioxidant and in vitro wound closure effects were found in HEP, EEP, and AEP fractions.

Comparison of Extraction Techniques for the Recovery of Sugars, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Compounds from Agro-Industrial Wastes

Agro-industrial wastes can be used to obtain high-value compounds rich in antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. This study aimed to compare different extraction techniques for the recovery of sugars, antioxidants, and antimicrobial compounds from brewer’s spent grain (BSG), blue agave bagasse (BAB), spoiled blackberries (BB), and raspberries (RB). Aqueous (AQ), enzymatic (E), chemical-enzymatic (CE), and hydroalcoholic (EOH) extractions were assessed, and sugars, phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanin contents were quantified. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated using the ABTS and DPPH assays, and antimicrobial activity was tested against three yeasts and six bacteria. The CE process gave the highest total and reducing sugars content for the four residues tested, and the highest antioxidant activity, phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanin content for BAB and BSG. Regarding BB and RB, the best treatment to obtain total and reducing sugars and antioxidant activity with ABTS was CE; the highest content of anthocyanins, phenolic, flavonoids and antioxidant activity with DPPH was obtained with EOH treatment. CE extracts of BSG and RB showed the highest inhibition against the strains studied. Results show that BSG, BB, and RB can be a source of antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Depending on the desired application and component of interest, one of the extraction techniques evaluated here could be used.

Study of Antioxidant Activity of Garden Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus L.) Extracts Obtained with Different Extraction Solvents

Blackberries are rich in antioxidants due to their high polyphenol and vitamin content, making them an excellent source of health protection. It is well known that good quality juices and fruit extracts can be obtained only from high quality fruits. The aim of this research is to characterize the antioxidant properties of garden blackberries fruits grown in Turia (Romania). Extracts were made from blackberry fruits with four different solvents, and the antioxidant capacity was studied by applying DPPH and FRAP assay. The total phenolic content (with Folin–Ciocâlteu reagent), total anthocyanin content (with the pH differential method), and total flavonoid content (with aluminum chloride colorimetric method) were also measured. The quercetin and gallic acid content were also determined by HPLC-DAD. As the best results were obtained with 90% v/v acidified acetonitrile, the Hansen parameters analysis was performed for the acetonitrile-water solvent mixture as a solvent and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside as a solute.

The Effect of Maturity and Extraction Solvents on Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Mulberry (Morus alba) Fruits and Leaves

Cultivation location, maturity levels, and extraction solvents could affect the bioactive compounds and biological activities of mulberry (Morus alba Linnaeus). The lack of study on Malaysia-grown mulberry causes its underutilization. This study investigated the bioactive compound content and the antioxidant activity of Sabah-grown mulberry at two different maturity stages (fruits: red mature and black fully ripe; leaves: young and mature) extracted using 70% (v/v) methanol, 60% (v/v) ethanol, and 65% (v/v) acetone. Analyses showed that mulberry fruits demonstrated maturity-dependent increment (except UHPLC-DAD quantification), while the leaves revealed maturity-dependent reduction. Principal component analysis (PCA) displayed 65% (v/v) acetone black fully ripe fruits as the best phenolics and antioxidant sources. However, the 60% (v/v) ethanol black fully ripe fruits contained 20.08–68.43% higher total anthocyanins. Meanwhile, the 65% (v/v) acetone and 70% (v/v) methanol red mature fruits were higher in chlorogenic acid (27.53–47.12%) and rutin (31.42–35.92%) than other fruit extracts, respectively. For leaves, 65% (v/v) acetone young leaves were the best phenolics and antioxidant sources. However, the 60% (v/v) ethanol young leaves possessed greater chlorogenic acid (19.56–74.11%) than other leaf extracts. Overall, Malaysia-grown mulberry is rich in phenolics and antioxidants, suggesting its potential application in food and pharmaceutical products.

Total Anthocyanin Content of Strawberry and the Profile Changes by Extraction Methods and Sample Processing

Anthocyanins are the primarily pigments in many flowers, vegetables, and fruits and play a critical role in human and plant health. They are polyphenolic pigments that are soluble in water and usually quantified by spectrophotometric methods. The two main methods that quantify anthocyanins are pH differential and organic solvent-based methods. Our hypothesis was that these methods extract different anthocyanin profiles. Therefore, this experiment was designed to identify anthocyanin profiles that are extracted by pH differential and organic solvent-based methods and observe their total anthocyanin content from strawberries. Six methods were tested in this experiment to quantify and profile anthocyanins in strawberry fruits by spectrophotometry and Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) respectively. Four methods used organic solvents (methanol, and chloroform-methanol) in different combinations. The next two methods were pH differential and a combination of organic solvent and the pH differential method. The results suggest that acidified chloroform-methanol extracted the highest anthocyanin content compared to water-based solvents. Methanol-water based solvents also performed better than methanol alone, because both methanol and water may extract different profiles of anthocyanins. Water-based extracts had the greatest absorbance at a lower wavelength (498 nm), followed by methanol (508 nm), and chloroform (530 nm). Chloroform-methanol solvent with higher pH (3.0) extracted pelargonidin as the main anthocyanin, while methanol and water-based solvents (with lower pH 1.0–2.0) extracted delphinidin as their main anthocyanin as identified by UHPLC. Therefore, chloroform-methanol and methanol-water solvents were the best solvents for extracting anthocyanins from strawberries. Also, freeze-dried strawberries had higher anthocyanin contents compared to fresh or frozen samples.

Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities of golden chamomile (Matricaria aurea (Loefl.) Schultz Bip)

Matricaria aurea (Loefl.) Schultz Bip. (Asteraceae), known as golden chamomile, has been traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents of total extract and different fractions of this plant were determined. The antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities were also evaluated. Moreover, the phenolic profiles of selected fractions were determined by HPLC and LC-MS/MS analysis. Results demonstrated total phenolic contents of 37.8-57.2 mg GAE/g and total flavonoid contents of 3.0-111.2 mg QE/g. The ethyl acetate and methanol fractions (EF and MF) had the highest concentrations of phenolic, tannin, and flavonoid compounds. In both DPPH radical scavenging assay and phosphomolybdenum reduction assay, EF showed the best antioxidant activity, followed by MF. EF and MF indicated also the best antibacterial activities against Bacillus subtilis (MIC 1.56 and 12.5 mg ml^-1) and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 0.78 and 12.5 mg ml^-1). Hexane fraction (HF) had no antibacterial effect. None of the samples had antifungal effect. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay revealed for EF and HF the highest antiproliferative activities (IC₅₀ values ranged from 111.8 to 294.6 μg ml^-1). The presence of chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, and luteolin-7-O-glucoside in MF, and p-coumaric acid in EF was confirmed and quantified.

Comparison of Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity for Fermented and Unfermented Rooibos Samples Extracted with Water and Methanol

Rooibos is brewed from the medicinal plant Aspalathus linearis. It has a well-established wide spectrum of bio-activity properties, which in part may be attributed to the phenolic antioxidant power. The antioxidant capacity (AOC) of rooibos is related to its total phenolic content (TPC). The relation between TPC and AOC of randomly selected 51 fermented (FR) and 47 unfermented (UFR) rooibos samples was studied after extraction using water and methanol separately. The resulted extracts were assessed using two antioxidant assays, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The results were analyzed using both simple statistical methods and machine learning. The analysis showed different trends of TPC and AOC correlations of FR and UFR samples, depending on the solvent used for extraction. The results of the water extracts showed similar TPC and higher AOC of FR than UFR samples, while the methanolic extracted samples showed higher TPC and AOC of UFR than FR. As a result, the methanolic extracts showed better agreement between TPC and AOC than water extracts. Possible explanations are given for these observed results. Although, the current literature demonstrates direct correlations of the TPC and AOC of rooibos water extracts. This study showed deviation and highlighted the importance of solvent selection and analysis methodology as an important factor in determining the TPC/AOC correlation and subsequently the expectation of the actual health benefits of rooibos herbal tea. In particular, unfermented and fermented samples can be accurately identified on the basis of a combination of assays (any two of TPC, FRAP and TEAC), especially if methanol is the solvent used. Machine learning analysis of assay data provides nearly identical results with classical statistical analytical methods. This is the first report on machine learning analysis and comparison of the TPC and AOC of rooibos herbal tea extracted with methanol and water, and highlights the importance of using methanol as a solvent to evaluate its AOC.

Therapeutic Role of Mango Peels in Management of Dyslipidemia and Oxidative Stress in Obese Females

Obesity is a chronic metabolic and noncommunicable disease that affects 50% of world population. Reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress are interconnected with the obesity and several metabolic disorders, gaining the attention of scientific community to combat this problem naturally. Among various fruits, mango as a yellow fruit is rich in polyphenols, carotenoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that act as antioxidants to protect against free radicals produced in the body. The present study was performed to explore in vivo antioxidant potential of mango peels against dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in overweight subjects. The female volunteers (n = 31) between 25 and 45 years of age having a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0-29.9 (overweight) were included in this study, while participants with complications as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular, and liver diseases were excluded. The treatment group consumed 1 g mango peel powder for 84 days. The subjects were analyzed for biochemical analysis, antioxidant status, and anthropometric measurements at baseline and end of the study period. Further, at the end of study, the safety evaluation tests were also performed. The results showed that upon consumption of mango peel powder, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), cholesterol, triglyceride, urea, and creatinine levels were decreased and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level was increased (P ≤ 0.05), while thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) showed increased antioxidant status (P ≤ 0.05) which suggests that mango peels have a strong management potential against oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in obese subjects.

LC-MS/MS characterization, antidiabetic, antioxidative, and antibacterial effects of different solvent extracts of Anamur banana (Musa Cavendishii)

The main objective of this study was to examine the phenolic compounds and the antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-α-glucosidase and anti-α-amylase activities of the different extracts (methanol, ethanol and hexane) of Musa cavendishii collected from the Anamur district in Turkey. LC-MS/MS was used to identify phenolic compounds. Quinic acid, acotinic acid, hesperidin and amentoflavone were identified in methanol extract. These phenolic compounds, excluding hesperidin, were also identified in the ethanol extract. Methanolic extract appeared the most active in all enzyme inhibition, antibacterial and antioxidative activity assays which is mainly due to its rich phenolic content. The methanol extract of banana showed the highest anti-α-glucosidase and anti-α-amylase activities with IC50 values of 5.45 ± 0.39 mg/mL, 9.70 ± 0.29 mg/mL, respectively. This study showed that methanol and ethanol extract, especially the methanol extract, have potential for use in the development of functional foods for reducing the diabetes and bacterial risks.

Characterization of PACs profile and bioactivity of a novel nutraceutical combining cranberry extracts with different PAC-A oligomers, D-mannose and ascorbic acid: An in vivo/ex vivo evaluation of dual mechanism of action on intestinal barrier and urinary epithelium

In this paper, an A-type procyanidin (PAC)-rich cranberry extract (CB-B) was obtained mixing different extracts and was formulated with D-mannose and ascorbic acid to obtain a novel nutraceutical (URO-F) aimed at preventing non-complicated bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs). To assess the bioactivity of CB-B and URO-F, urine samples collected from six healthy volunteers undergoing a 2-days oral consumption of 0.41 g/day of CB-B or 10 g/day of URO-F (corresponding to 72 mg/day of PACs) were tested against uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) incubated on urinary bladder epithelial cells (T24). Urinary markers of CB-B and URO-F consumption were assessed in the same urine output by UPLC-QTOF-based untargeted metabolomics approach. CB-B and URO-F were evaluated for their ability to promote the intestinal barrier function by restoring the trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and to inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines in intestinal epithelial Caco2 cells. CB-B was characterized by a high PAC-A content (70% of total PACs) and a broad distribution of different PACs polymers (dimers-hexamers). Urine from subjects consuming CB-B and URO-F showed a significant effect in reducing the adhesion of UPEC to urothelium in vitro, supporting their efficacy as anti-adhesive agents after oral intake. CB-B inhibited the release of cytokine IL-8, and both products were effective in restoring the TEER. Overall, our results show that the beneficial effects of CB-B and URO-F on UTIs are not only due to the antiadhesive activity of cranberry on UPEC in the urothelium, but also to a multi-target activity involving anti-inflammatory and permeability-enhancing effects on intestinal epithelium.

Solvent Mixture Optimization in the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activities from Garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Garlic is a health promoter that has important bioactive compounds. The bioactive extraction is an important step in the analysis of constituents present in plant preparations. The purpose of this study is to optimize the extraction with the best proportion of solvents to obtain total phenolic compounds (TPC) and thiosulfinates (TS) from dried garlic powder, and evaluate the antioxidant activities of the optimized extracts. A statistical mixture simplex axial design was used to evaluate the effect of solvents (water, ethanol, and acetone), as well as mixtures of these solvents, after two ultrasound extraction cycles of 15 min. Results showed that solvent mixtures with a high portion of water and pure water were efficient for TPC and TS recovery through this extraction procedure. According to the regression model computed, the most significant solvent mixtures to obtain high TPC and TS recovery from dried garlic powder are, respectively, the binary mixture with 75% water and 25% acetone and pure water. These optimized extracts presented oxygen radical absorbance capacity. Pure water was better for total antioxidant capacity, and the binary mixture of water–acetone (75:25) was better for DPPH scavenging activity. These optimized extracts can be used for industrial and research applications.

Multivariate analysis of polyphenolic content and in vitro antioxidant capacity of wild and cultivated berries from Bosnia and Herzegovina

The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity, total phenolics, total flavonoid, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins content of eight berry species, namely serviceberry, gooseberry, blackberry, black chokeberry, bilberry, red currant, black currant, and cornelian cherry harvested in the regions of Sarajevo and Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The antioxidant activity was determined by a battery of in vitro tests including DPPH radical assay, FRAP assay, ABTS assay, and phosphomolybdate test for total antioxidant capacity. Total phenolics, total flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins ranged from 0.834 to 6.921 mg TAE (tannic acid equivalents), 0.081–0.673 mg of quercetin, and 0.162–3.247 mg of catechin per gram of fresh fruit, respectively. The water extract of fruits had considerable levels of tested constituents and antioxidant activity, with the highest results obtained for black chokeberry. The multivariate clustering analysis showed that water extracts of analyzed species of berries belong to four distinct types in terms of their antioxidants levels and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, these results support the opinion that employment of multiple antioxidant tests is indeed required for adequate in vitro assessment of antioxidant capacity. Results also emphasized the need for a more detailed evaluation of the fruit species with good antioxidant potential (relative to standards), such as cornelian cherry and gooseberry, which are abundant yet not frequently consumed in Bosnia and Herzegovina.