Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) Profiling of Commercial Enocianina and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Watermelon: setup and validation of an in silico fragment-based approach

We present a new computational approach, named Watermelon, designed for the development of pharmacophore models based on receptor structures. The methodology involves the sampling of potential hotspots for ligand interactions within a protein target's binding site, utilising molecular fragments as probes. By employing docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the most significant interactions formed by these probes within distinct regions of the binding site are identified. These interactions are subsequently transformed into pharmacophore features that delineates key anchoring sites for potential ligands. The reliability of the approach was experimentally validated using the monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) enzyme. The generated pharmacophore model captured features representing ligand-MAGL interactions observed in various X-ray co-crystal structures and was employed to screen a database of commercially available compounds, in combination with consensus docking and MD simulations. The screening successfully identified two new MAGL inhibitors with micromolar potency, thus confirming the reliability of the Watermelon approach.

Phytochemical analyses by LC-HRMS, FTIR spectral analysis, antioxidant, antidiabetic and antityrosinase activity of Crataegus orientalis Pall. ex M. Bieb fruit extracted with various solvents

BACKGROUND

Crataegus orientalis Pall. ex M. Bieb fruit (COPMB) is extensively used as a source of various products in the medicinal-aromatic field and holds the potential for erosion control, ornamental purposes, food source, and economic benefits for forest villagers from its fruits. This study aims to determine the chemical components and biological activities of extracts prepared from COPMB using different solvents.

RESULTS

The present work was designed to define the antioxidant activity [phosphomolybdenum (total antioxidant capacity), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), cupric ion-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and metal chelating activity (MCA)], phytochemical screening analysis, enzyme inhibitor (α-amylase, α-glucosidase and tyrosinase) potential, and liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) secondary metabolite profiling in different extracts of COPMB. The results of LC-HRMS revealed that fumaric acid was the main phenolic compound in all extracts. Among the extracts, ethyl acetate extract has the highest phytochemical and antioxidant properties [total phenolic content (TPC): 32.5 mg GAE/g, total flavonoid content (TFC): 12.2 mg QE/g, ABTS: 213.0 mg TE/g; CUPRAC: 126.0 mg TE/g, MCA: 145.0 mg EDTA/g; FRAP: 122.8 mg TE/g; TAC: 2.8 mmol TE/g]. Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts are more effective in α-amylase (0.27 ± 0.01 mg/mL; 0.12 ± 0.00 mg/mL), α-glucosidase (0.63 ± 0.02 mg/mL; 0.77 ± 0.02 mg/mL) and tyrosinase (0.03 ± 0.00 mg/mL; 0.03 ± 0.00 mg/mL) enzyme inhibition potentials compared to standard acarbose (0.75 ± 0.02 mg/mL for α-amylase; 1.11 ± 0.03 mg/mL for α-glucosidase) and kojic acid (0.04 ± 0.00 mg/mL).

CONCLUSION

The findings from this study suggest that COPMB could serve as a valuable source of natural agents for the food and pharmaceutical industry. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Unraveling the parahormetic mechanism underlying the health-protecting effects of grapeseed procyanidins

Proanthocyanidins (PACs), the predominant constituents within Grape Seed Extract (GSE), are intricate compounds composed of interconnected flavan-3-ol units. Renowned for their health-affirming properties, PACs offer a shield against a spectrum of inflammation associated diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, degenerations and possibly cancer. While monomeric and dimeric PACs undergo some absorption within the gastrointestinal tract, their larger oligomeric and polymeric counterparts are not bioavailable. However, higher molecular weight PACs engage with the colonic microbiota, fostering the production of bioavailable metabolites that undergo metabolic processes, culminating in the emergence of bioactive agents capable of modulating physiological processes. Within this investigation, a GSE enriched with polymeric PACs was employed to explore in detail their impact. Through comprehensive analysis, the present study unequivocally verified the gastrointestinal-mediated transformation of medium to high molecular weight polymeric PACs, thereby establishing the bioaccessibility of a principal catabolite termed 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone (VL). Notably, our findings, encompassing cell biology, chemistry and proteomics, converge to the proposal of the notion of the capacity of VL to activate, upon oxidation to the corresponding quinone, the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway-an intricate process that incites cellular defenses and mitigates stress-induced responses, such as a challenge brought by TNFα. This mechanistic paradigm seamlessly aligns with the concept of para-hormesis, ultimately orchestrating the resilience to stress and the preservation of cellular redox equilibrium and homeostasis as benchmarks of health.

Chemical, Nutritional and Biological Evaluation of a Sustainable and Scalable Complex of Phytochemicals from Bergamot By-Products

The present paper reports a sustainable raw material obtained from the by-products derived from the industrial production of bergamot (Citrus × Bergamia Risso & Poiteau) essential oils. The procedure to obtain the raw material is designed to maintain as much of the bioactive components as possible and to avoid expensive chemical purification. It consists of spray-drying the fruit juice obtained by squeezing the fruits, which is mixed with the aqueous extract of the pulp, i.e., the solid residue remained after fruit pressing. The resulting powder bergamot juice (PBJ) contains multiple bioactive components, in particular, among others, soluble fibers, polyphenols and amino-acid betaines, such as stachydrine and betonicine. LC-MS analysis identified 86 compounds, with hesperetin, naringenin, apigenin and eridictyol glucosides being the main components. In the second part of the paper, dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity of PBJ and of stachydrine was found, but neither of the compounds were effective in activating Nrf2. PBJ was then found to be effective in an in vivo model of a metabolic syndrome induced by a high-sugar, high-fat (HSF) diet and evidenced by a significant increase of the values related to a set of parameters: blood glucose, triglycerides, insulin resistance, systolic blood pressure, visceral adipose tissue and adiposity index. PBJ, when given to control rats, did not significantly change these values; in contrast, they were found to be greatly affected in rats receiving an HSF diet. The in vivo effect of PBJ can be ascribed not only to bergamot polyphenols with well-known anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and lipid-regulating effects, but also to the dietary fibers and to the non-phenolic constituents, such as stachydrine. Moreover, since PBJ was found to affect energy homeostasis and to regulate food intake, a mechanism on the regulation of energy homeostasis through leptin networking should also be considered and deserves further investigation.

Effects of Different Brewing Technologies on Polyphenols and Aroma Components of Black Chokeberry Wine

The black chokeberry is a shrub of the Rosaceae family, which is characterized by strong acidity and astringency and is widely processed into wine and alcoholic beverages. However, due to the characteristics of black chokeberries, the wine brewed by traditional methods often has a strong sour taste, weak aroma, and poor sensory quality. In order to improve the sensory quality and explore the effects of different brewing technologies on polyphenols of black chokeberry wine, five brewing technologies (traditional fermentation, frozen fruit fermentation, co-fermentation, carbonic maceration, and co-carbonic maceration) were used in this study. The results showed that compared with the traditional method, the four alternative brewing technologies could reduce acidity, increase the contents of several major polyphenols, and enrich floral scents and fruity aroma, thus significantly improving the sensory qualities of black chokeberry wine. The proposed brewing technologies would be applied to the production of quality black chokeberry or other fruit wines.

Agri-Food Wastes as Natural Source of Bioactive Antioxidants

Nowadays, the health of the ecosystem and quality of life are jeopardized by the growing quantities of waste that are released into the environment [...].

Inversion Theory Leveling as a New Methodological Approach to Antioxidant Thermodynamics: A Case Study on Phenol

Antioxidants are various types of compounds that represent a link between biology and chemistry. With the development of theoretical and computational methods, antioxidants are now being studied theoretically. Here, a novel method is presented that aims to reduce the estimated wall times for DFT calculations that result in the same or higher degree of accuracy in the second derivatives over energy than is the case with the regular computational route (i.e., optimizing the reaction system at a lower model and then recalculating the energies at a higher level of theory) by applying the inversion of theory level to the universal chemical scavenger model, i.e., phenol. The resulting accuracy and wall time obtained with such a methodological setup strongly suggest that this methodology could be generally applied to antioxidant thermodynamics for some costly DFT methods with relative absolute deviation.

Phytochemicals Derived from Agricultural Residues and Their Valuable Properties and Applications

Billions of tons of agro-industrial residues are produced worldwide. This is associated with the risk of pollution as well as management and economic problems. Simultaneously, non-edible portions of many crops are rich in bioactive compounds with valuable properties. For this reason, developing various methods for utilizing agro-industrial residues as a source of high-value by-products is very important. The main objective of the paper is a review of the newest studies on biologically active compounds included in non-edible parts of crops with the highest amount of waste generated annually in the world. The review also provides the newest data on the chemical and biological properties, as well as the potential application of phytochemicals from such waste. The review shows that, in 2020, there were above 6 billion tonnes of residues only from the most popular crops. The greatest amount is generated during sugar, oil, and flour production. All described residues contain valuable phytochemicals that exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial and very often anti-cancer activity. Many studies show interesting applications, mainly in pharmaceuticals and food production, but also in agriculture and wastewater remediation, as well as metal and steel industries.

Polyphenols from Thinned Young Apples: HPLC-HRMS Profile and Evaluation of Their Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities by Proteomic Studies

The qualitative profile of thinned apple polyphenols (TAP) fraction (≈24% of polyphenols) obtained by purification through absorbent resin was fully investigated by LC-HRMS in positive and negative ion mode and using ESI source. A total of 68 polyphenols were identified belonging to six different classes: flavanols, flavonols, dihydrochalchones, flavanones, flavones and organic and phenolic acids. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were then investigated in cell models with gene reporter for NRF2 and NF-κB and by quantitative proteomic (label-free and SILAC) approaches. TAP dose-dependently activated NRF2 and in the same concentration range (10–250 µg/mL) inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation induced by TNF-α and IL-1α as pro-inflammatory promoters. Proteomic studies elucidated the molecular pathways evoked by TAP treatment: activation of the NRF2 signaling pathway, which in turn up-regulates protective oxidoreductases and their nucleophilic substrates such as GSH and NADPH, the latter resulting from the up-regulation of the pentose phosphate pathway. The increase in the enzymatic antioxidant cellular activity together with the up-regulation of the heme-oxygenase would explain the anti-inflammatory effect of TAP. The results suggest that thinned apples can be considered as a valuable source of apple polyphenols to be used in health care products to prevent/treat oxidative and inflammatory chronic conditions.