Impact of Green Extraction on Curcuminoid Content, Antioxidant Activities and Anti-Cancer Efficiency (In Vitro) from Turmeric Rhizomes (Curcuma longa L.)

Secondary metabolite fingerprinting, anti-pathogenic activity, elite chemotype selection and conservation of Curcuma caesia- an ethnomedicinally underutilized species

Curcuma caesia Roxb. is an ethnomedicinally important, essential oil (EO) yielding aromatic plant. A total of twelve accessions of this plant rhizome were collected from six different agro-climatic zones of West Bengal, India and evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against eight disease-causing, multi-drug-resistant pathogenic strains of urinary-tract infection and respiratory-tract infection. The EO and extracts demonstrated antibacterial activity, with the highest inhibition zone of 18.00 ± 0.08 and 17.50 ± 0.14 mm against Klebsiella pneumoniae by accession 06, even where all the broad-spectrum antibiotics failed to respond. In this study, we employed high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) to quantify curcumin, the primary secondary metabolite of C. caesia, and the highest 0.228 mg/gm of curcumin resulted from accession 06. Hence, on the basis of all aspects, accession 06 was identified as the elite chemotype among all twelve accessions. The chemical profiling of EO from accession 06 was done using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Conceivably, about 13 medicinally significant compounds were detected. As this plant species is seasonal and has difficulties in conventional breeding due to dormancy, it must be conserved through in vitro tissue culture for a steady supply throughout the year in massive amounts for agricultural demand. A maximum number of 19.28 ± 0.37 shoots has been obtained in MS medium fortified with 6-Benzylaminopurine, Kinetin, and Naphthalene acetic acid. The genetic uniformity of the plants has been studied through Start Codon Targeted Polymorphism. Therefore, this study must help meet the need for essential phytoactive compounds through a simple, validated, and reproducible plant tissue culture protocol throughout the year.

Assessing the therapeutic potential and safety of traditional anti-obesity herbal blends in Palestine

The use of traditional herbal remedies has been a common practice for centuries across different cultures to treat various ailments. In Palestine, traditional herbal medicines are widely used, but their efficacy and safety have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the biological activity and toxicity of two traditional herbal blends often used to treat obesity in the West Bank region of Palestine. Two herbal blends with a total of eight plants were chosen based on their historic use and availability. The plant aqueous extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant, anti-fibrotic, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and cytotoxic activities. The results showed that these blends have potent antifibrotic, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. While their activities on α-amylase and lipase enzymes (main targets) showed moderate activities. Therefore, our results showed that Herbal Blend 2 was more potent than Herbal Blend 1 on all investigated targets. Herbal Blend 2 showed significant activities as an antioxidant, antifibrotic, and anticancer activities with IC50 values of 68.16 ± 2.45, 33.97 ± 1.14, and 52.53 ± 0.78 µg/mL against DPPH, LX-2, and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively. While it is IC50 values on α-amylase and lipase enzymes were 243.73 ± 1.57 and 1358.39 ± 2.04 µg/mL, respectively. However, the use of anti-cancer plants can be challenging due to their cytotoxic effects on the body. We urge individuals to exercise caution when using natural remedies and to seek medical advice before incorporating them into their health regimens. This study provides valuable insight into the potential health benefits of traditional herbal remedies and emphasizes the importance of responsible usage.

Rapid Indentification of Auramine O Dyeing Adulteration in Dendrobium officinale, Saffron and Curcuma by SERS Raman Spectroscopy Combined with SSA-BP Neural Networks Model

(1) Background: Rapid and accurate determination of the content of the chemical dye Auramine O(AO) in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) is critical for controlling the quality of TCMs. (2) Methods: Firstly, various models were developed to detect AO content in Dendrobium officinale (D. officinale). Then, the detection of AO content in Saffron and Curcuma using the D. officinale training set as a calibration model. Finally, Saffron and Curcuma samples were added to the training set of D. officinale to predict the AO content in Saffron and Curcuma using secondary wavelength screening. (3) Results: The results show that the sparrow search algorithm (SSA)-backpropagation (BP) neural network (SSA-BP) model can accurately predict AO content in D. officinale, with Rp2 = 0.962, and RMSEP = 0.080 mg/mL. Some Curcuma samples and Saffron samples were added to the training set and after the secondary feature wavelength screening: The Support Vector Machines (SVM) quantitative model predicted Rp2 fluctuated in the range of 0.780 ± 0.035 for the content of AO in Saffron when 579, 781, 1195, 1363, 1440, 1553 and 1657 cm-1 were selected as characteristic wavelengths; the Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) model predicted Rp2 fluctuated in the range of 0.500 ± 0.035 for the content of AO in Curcuma when 579, 811, 1195, 1353, 1440, 1553 and 1635 cm-1 were selected as the characteristic wavelengths. The robustness and generalization performance of the model were improved. (4) Conclusion: In this study, it has been discovered that the combination of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and machine learning algorithms can effectively and promptly detect the content of AO in various types of TCMs.

Development, characterization, and consumer acceptance evaluation of thermally stable capsule beads containing mixed extracts of green tea and turmeric

The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of shell (coating) formulations comprised of alginate and glucono delta lactone (GDL) to encapsulate a mixture of green tea and turmeric extracts. Three concentrations of alginate and GDL were used at 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%, w/v and their solid ratio was varied using a factorial design. A response surface model was applied to optimize the retention of catechin and curcuminoid contents, to determine encapsulation efficiency, and to minimize undesirable flavor and taste. Increasing the concentration of alginate and GDL significantly increased the retention of catechin and curcuminoid contents, encapsulation efficiency, and consumer acceptance (p < 0.05). The encapsulating solution containing 1% of each alginate and GDL performed the best against each criterion. The thermal treatment carried out at the boiling point of water for 15 min had a significant impact on the retention of catechin and curcuminoid content which, in the thermally-treated beads, was 5.15 and 3.85 times higher than unencapsulated, respectively. The consumer acceptance of the encapsulated beads after thermal treatment was higher than that of the unencapsulated formulations as they exhibited lesser pungent flavor and bitterness. The innovative process of thermally stable microencapsulation can produce anti-cancer activity compounds involved in functional food industrial sectors.

The Extraction Process, Separation, and Identification of Curcuminoids from Turmeric Curcuma longa

Turmeric Curcuma longa is a well-known spice with various health benefits, attributed primarily to curcumin. Soxhlet extraction, cold maceration, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and supercritical fluid extraction were performed, and the content of total phenols, proanthocyanidins, and antioxidants was analysed by UV/VIS spectrophotometry. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was employed to identify and quantify the curcumin content. Supercritical extracts had the highest total phenolic content (538.95 mg GA/100 g material), while the Soxhlet extracts had the highest content of proanthocyanidins (4.77 mg PAC/100 g of material). Extracts obtained by UAE and supercritical extraction have the highest antioxidant potential. Antioxidant activity measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) was 64.27% and 1750.32 mg Trolox per g dry weight by 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6 sulphonic acid) (ABTS+•) for the extract obtained by supercritical extraction. The UAE resulted in the highest amount of curcumin (1.91 mg curcumin/g material). A kinetic study showed that extraction yield in supercritical extracts decreased with increasing temperature and that the content of isolated curcumin was inversely proportional to solvent-to-feed ratio (S/F). The present study has confirmed that turmeric is an excellent source of antioxidants, such as curcumin, that play an important role in reducing cellular stress by neutralising free radicals.

Identification of Antioxidant Metabolites from Five Plants (Calophyllum inophyllum, Gardenia taitensis, Curcuma longa, Cordia subcordata, Ficus prolixa) of the Polynesian Pharmacopoeia and Cosmetopoeia for Skin Care

Oxidative stress contributes to impairment of skin health, the wound healing process, and pathologies such as psoriasis or skin cancer. Five Polynesian medicinal plants, among the most traditionally used for skin care (pimples, wounds, burns, dermatoses) are studied herein for their antioxidant properties: Calophyllum inophyllum, Gardenia taitensis, Curcuma longa, Cordia subcordata, and Ficus prolixa. Plant extracts were submitted to in vitro bioassays related to antioxidant properties and their bioactive constituents were identified by a metabolomic analytical approach. High performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analysis was performed leading to the characterization of 61 metabolites. Compounds annotated for F. prolixa and C. subcordata extracts were reported for the first time. Antioxidant properties were evaluated by total phenolic content (TPC), free radical scavenging DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power activity (FRAP) assays. F. prolixa extract was the most active one and showed antioxidant intracellular activity on keratinocytes by Anti Oxydant Power 1 assay. Online HPLC-DPPH allowed the identification of phenolic bioactive compounds such as quercetin-O-rhamnoside, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, procyanidins, epicatechin, 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid, and curcumin as being responsible for the scavenging properties of these plant extracts. These results highlight the potential of F. prolixa aerial roots as a source of antioxidants for skin care applications.

Physical, Chemical, and Sensory Properties of a Turmeric-Fortified Pineapple Juice Beverage

Beverage mixtures based on pineapple (Ananas comosus) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) juice as a ready-to-drink product were developed, and their physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory properties were evaluated. Four different concentrations of turmeric juice (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% (v/v)) were added to pineapple juice to make turmeric-fortified pineapple (TFP) juice samples. Pineapple juice without turmeric was the control. The L*, a*, b*, titratable acidity (TA), total antioxidant capacity, and %DPPH scavenging values, as well as the concentrations of the phenolic compounds curcumin and demethoxycurcumin, were significantly increased with increasing turmeric concentration. Thirty volatile compounds were detected in the mixed juice samples with turmeric. Most of the turmeric-specific compounds, including monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and turmerones, were detected in the TFP juice samples. While the antioxidant activity of the juice samples increased with increasing turmeric concentration, the pineapple juice fortified with 10% turmeric (10%T) had the best overall quality as determined by panelists. Greater concentrations of turmeric were associated with decreased palatability due to reduced mouthfeel and sweetness and increased aftertaste and sourness. These results suggest that the 10%T juice could be developed into a commercial functional beverage with increased overall flavor and nutritional quality.

Curcumin: Overview of Extraction Methods, Health Benefits, and Encapsulation and Delivery Using Microemulsions and Nanoemulsions

Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid found in the rhizomes of turmeric. Due to its therapeutic action against cancer, depression, diabetes, some bacteria, and oxidative stress, it has been used widely in medicine since ancient times. Due to its low solubility, the human organism cannot completely absorb it. Advanced extraction technologies, followed by encapsulation in microemulsion and nanoemulsion systems, are currently being used to improve bioavailability. This review discusses the different methods available for curcumin extraction from plant material, methods for the identification of curcumin in the resulting extracts, its beneficial effects on human health, and the encapsulation techniques into small colloidal systems that have been used over the past decade to deliver this compound.

Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Gut Dysbiosis: What Can Polyphenols Do in Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a long-term, progressive, and recurrent intestinal inflammatory disorder. The pathogenic mechanisms of IBD are multifaceted and associated with oxidative stress, unbalanced gut microbiota, and aberrant immune response. Indeed, oxidative stress can affect the progression and development of IBD by regulating the homeostasis of the gut microbiota and immune response. Therefore, redox-targeted therapy is a promising treatment option for IBD. Recent evidence has verified that Chinese herbal medicine (CHM)-derived polyphenols, natural antioxidants, are able to maintain redox equilibrium in the intestinal tract to prevent abnormal gut microbiota and radical inflammatory responses. Here, we provide a comprehensive perspective for implementing natural antioxidants as potential IBD candidate medications. In addition, we demonstrate novel technologies and stratagems for promoting the antioxidative properties of CHM-derived polyphenols, including novel delivery systems, chemical modifications, and combination strategies.