Advanced Research on the Antioxidant Activity and Mechanism of Polyphenols from Hippophae Species-A Review

Flavor perception and biological activities of bitter compounds in food

Bitter compounds in food produce a distinct bitter taste that significantly influences overall flavor and quality, while also possessing valuable biological activities. Therefore, a systematic review summarizing recent research advances on bitter compounds is necessary for a better understanding of them. This review discusses the sources of bitter substances in food, the mechanism of bitterness perception, their biological activities and key issues for future research. Bitter compounds in food mainly include polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, bitter peptides and Maillard reaction products. Bitter substances bind to specific sites on bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs), activating G protein-mediated downstream signaling pathways that lead to the perception of bitterness. Additionally, many bitter compounds possess biological activities, such as regulating food intake and exhibiting anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. This review highlights the potential to exploit the bioactivity of bitter compounds to enhance the nutritional value and functionality of food.

Compounds from sea buckthorn and their application in food: A review

Sea buckthorn is a fruit rich in many bioactive compounds and shows the benefits of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory properties, etc. The main bioactive compounds extracted and characterized in sea buckthorn are polyphenols, carotenoids, and functional lipids, which could provide health benefits by scavenging free radicals, regulating enzyme activities, and modulating signaling pathways, etc. Although there are many studies focused on the values of sea buckthorn, a comprehensive review on its chemical composition, functional mechanism and food application are still lacking. Thus, this paper aims to review the bioactive compounds in sea buckthorn, their underlying mechanisms for health benefits, as well as the applications in health food development. Particularly, the potential value of sea buckthorn and the novel technologies applied in previous studies are also discussed to improve its use for human health.

Sea buckthorn polyphenols on gastrointestinal health and the interactions with gut microbiota

The potential health benefits of sea buckthorn polyphenols (SBP) have been extensively studied, attracting increasing attention from researchers. This paper reviews the composition of SBP, the effects of processing on SBP, its interactions with nutrients, and its protective role in the gastrointestinal tract. Polyphenols influence nutrient absorption and metabolism by regulating the intestinal flora, thereby enhancing bioavailability, protecting the gastrointestinal tract, and altering nutrient structures. Additionally, polyphenols exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, promoting intestinal health. The interaction between polyphenols and intestinal flora plays a significant role in gastrointestinal health, supporting the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota. However, further research is needed to emphasize the importance of human trials and to explore the intricate relationship between SBP and gut microbiota, as these insights are crucial for understanding the mechanisms underlying SBP's benefits for the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

Exploring trends in natural product-based treatments to skin burn: A comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

Burns are traumatic injuries caused by thermal, chemical, or other external factor, significantly impacting organic tissue. They are among the most common and severe types of trauma worldwide, often resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality. Natural products, owing to their pharmacological properties, present promising avenues for burn management and treatment.

PURPOSE

This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of patented pharmaceutical formulations containing natural products for burn treatment and to define trends in the market.

METHODS

Patent documents were identified through searches in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and European Patent Office (EPO) databases using "burn*" as a keyword in the title and/or abstract and International Patent Classification (IPC) code A61K36/00. The review also examines clinical trials and SWOT analyses to evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in this field.

RESULTS

A total of 82 patents were selected, highlighting the use of natural products, such as Aloe vera, Coptis chinensis, borneol, menthol, and propolis, predominantly derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine. These findings are supplemented with clinical trial data and market insights. The results underscore both the therapeutic efficacy and challenges, such as standardization and regulatory hurdles, of using natural products.

CONCLUSION

This patent review highlights the potential of natural-origin formulations in addressing the limitations of conventional burn treatments. Continued research is essential to overcome existing barriers, ensuring broader accessibility and enhanced therapeutic outcomes.

Relevance of Indian Traditional Herbal Brews for Gut Microbiota Balance

The considerable changes in lifestyle patterns primarily affect the human gut microbiota and result in obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, renal complications, etc. though there are few traditional safeguards such as herbal brews to maintain the ecological stability under intestinal dysbiosis. The present article is designed to collect all the scientific facts in a place to decipher the role of the Indian traditional herbal brews used to balance gut health for centuries. Computerized databases, commercial search engines, research papers, articles, and books were used to search by using different keywords to select the most appropriate published articles from 2000 onward to September 2023. A total of 1907 articles were scrutinized, 46 articles were finally selected from the 254 screened, and targeted information was compiled. Interaction of herbal brews to the gut microflora and resulting metabolites act as prebiotics due to antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, and modulate the pH of the gut. The effect of brews on gut microbiota has a drastic impact on various gut-related diseases and has gained popularity as an alternative to antibiotics against bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, and boosting the immune system and strengthening the intestinal barrier. Berberine, kaempferol, piperine, and quercetin have been found in more than one brew discussed in the present article. Practically, these brews balance the gut microbiota, prevent chronic and degenerative diseases, and reduce organ inflammation, though, there is a knowledge gap on the molecular mechanism to explain their efficacy. Indian traditional herbal brews used to reboot and heal the gut microbiota since centuries-old practice with successful history without toxicity. The systematic consumption of these brews under specific dietary prescriptions has a hope of arrays for a healthy human gut microbiome in the present hasty lifestyle with overall health and well-being.

Graphical Abstract

Pre- and post-polyphenol intake and ovarian cancer survival: evidence from a prospective cohort study

PURPOSE

Although (poly)phenols have shown potential in anti-cancer activities, their impact on improving ovarian cancer (OC) survival remains unknown. Therefore, we aim to first investigate the association between dietary polyphenol intake and OC survival, providing valuable insights into potential interventions.

METHODS

The prospective cohort recruited 560 patients with OC to assess the associations of polyphenol intake, not only pre- and post-diagnosis but also the change from pre- to post-diagnosis with OC survival. Dietary intakes of total (poly)phenols and their five classes (flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, stilbenes, and other polyphenols) were assessed using a validated 111-item food frequency questionnaire. Overall survival (OS) was tracked through active follow-up and medical records until February 16th, 2023. Cox proportional hazard regression models were applied to calculate the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 44.4 months, 211 all-cause deaths were identified. We observed significant associations between higher polyphenol intake with lower risk of mortality among patients with OC ((HR T3 vs. T1 = 0.55, 95%CI = 0.35-0.87 for pre-diagnosis; and HR T3 vs. T1 = 0.59, 95%CI = 0.39-0.90 for post-diagnosis). Consistently, an evident linear trend was observed for polyphenol and flavonoid intake with OC survival. Of note, compared to the stable group (change within 10%), the decreased intake (change of more than 10%) of total (poly)phenols and five polyphenol classes was significantly associated with worse OS.

CONCLUSION

Dietary (poly)phenols, as well as its five classes, have an inverse association with OC survival.

Functional Food Potential of Chrysanthemum morifolium, Perilla frutescens, and Sophora japonica in Managing Hyperuricemia through Dual Enzyme Inhibition

Amid growing concerns regarding gout and hyperuricemia associated with high-protein and purine-rich diets, the need for effective prevention and management strategies with minimal side effects has become increasingly critical. This study evaluates the potential of three commonly consumed plant-based functional foods, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Perilla frutescens, and Sophora japonica, inhibiting xanthine oxidase (XO) and adenosine deaminase (ADA), key enzymes in uric acid metabolism. Results from hyperuricemia model mice indicate that this blend significantly reduces serum uric acid levels, mirroring the efficacy of conventional prevention and management strategies such as allopurinol but with fewer adverse effects. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis confirms that flavonoids are the primary bioactive agents, exhibiting a strong affinity for XO. These findings highlight the viability of integrating plant-based functional foods into comprehensive gout management strategies, underscoring their role in enhancing patient health through dietary innovation.

Amelioration activity of the high bioaccessible chrysanthemum (Gongju) phenolics on alcohol-induced oxidative injury in AML-12 cells

The main bioavailable phenolics from of Gongju (GJ) and their mechanism for hepato-protection remain unclear. To select the GJ phenolics with high bioavailability, chrysanthemum digestion and Caco-2 cells were used and their hepato-protective potential were examined by using AML-12 cells. The digestive recovery and small intestinal transit rate of the main phenolic compounds ranged from 28.52 to 69.53% and 6.57% ∼ 15.50%, respectively. Among them, chlorogenic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, showed higher small intestinal transit rates and digestive recoveries. Furthermore, we found that by increasing intracellular Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) viability and lowering Malondialdehyde (MDA) level (P < 0.05), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid significantly mitigated the oxidative damage of AML-12 liver cells more than the other two phenolics. Our results demonstrated that 3,5-dicaffeoylquninic acid was the primary phenolic compounds in GJ that effectively reduced liver damage, providing a theoretical basis for the development of GJ as a potentially useful resource for hepatoprotective diet.

Preparation and characteristics of soy protein isolate - Sea buckthorn flavone emulsion and their effects of on quality and heterocyclic amines of roasted mutton granules

A soy protein isolate (SPI) - sea buckthorn flavonoid emulsion was developed to study its effects on roasted lamb quality and heterocyclic amine (HAAs) precursors. The emulsion was stable with uniformly dispersed, well-encapsulated droplets averaging 0.1 to 10 μm. CLSM confirmed its good physical stability, small particle size, and uniform dispersion. FTIR the existence of hydrogen bond, hydrophobic interaction and physical adhesion between SPI and sea-buckthorn flavonoids. The emulsion improved lamb pellet texture by reducing chewiness and hardness, increasing adhesion, and decreasing browning. The emulsion-treated roasted mutton showed a 47.95-53.56 % increase in DPPH scavenging activity and MDA content reduction from 60.78 to 17.80 nmol/mg, indicating strong antioxidant activity and lipid oxidation inhibition. For both precursors and HAAs, there was a significant intensity of inhibition, where creatine decreased by about 44.91-68.34 %, glucose by 84.47 %-97.74 %, and the seven HAAs, Norharman, Harman, IQ, MeIQ, MeIQx, AαC, and PhIP, were inhibited by 79.64 %, respectively, 88.76 %, 65.07 %, 87.27 %, 96.16 %, 89.30 % and 49.44 %, respectively. This study aimed to develop a novel soy protein isolate-sea buckthorn flavonoid emulsion and evaluate its potential to improve roasted lamb quality while inhibiting the formation of harmful HAAs.

The application prospects of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis linneo) in rheumatoid arthritis

Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L) (SI) is a traditional natural medicine from tropical rainforests of Amazon region in South America. As a raw material for edible oil, it has various pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemia, and blood pressure lowering, which have attracted increasing attentions of pharmacists. This has prompted researchers to explore its pharmacological effects for potential applications in certain diseases. Among these, the study of its anti-inflammatory effects has become a particularly interesting topic, especially in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is a systemic autoimmune disease, and often accompanied by chronic inflammatory reactions. Despite significant progress in its treatment, there is still an urgent need to find effective anti-RA drugs in regard to safety. This review summarizes the potential therapeutic effects of SI on RA by modulating gut microbiota, targeting inflammatory cells and pathways, and mimicking biologic antibody drugs, predicting the application prospects of SI in RA, and providing references for research aimed at using SI to treat RA.

Effects of cholesterol-lowering probiotic fermentation on the active components and in vitro hypolipidemic activity of sea buckthorn juice

Sea buckthorn has lipid-lowering properties and is widely used in the development of functional foods. In this study, a probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lp10211) with cholesterol-lowering potential and acid and bile salt resistant was screened for the fermentation of sea buckthorn juice. Changes in the active ingredients, such as sugars and phenolics, before and after fermentation, as well as their in vitro lipid-lowering activities, were compared. The contents of reducing and total sugars decreased substantially after fermentation. Lp10211 primarily utilized fructose for growth and reproduction, with a utilization rate of 76.9%. The phenolic compound content of sea buckthorn juice increased by 37.06% after fermentation and protected the phenolic components from degradation (protocatechuic and p-coumaric acids) and produced new polyphenol (shikimic acid). Enhanced inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity (95.42%) and cholesterol micellar solubility (59.15%) was evident. The antioxidant properties of the fermentation broth were improved. Notably, Lp10211 preserved the color and reversed browning in sea buckthorn juice. The collective findings indicate that fermentation of sea buckthorn juice by Lp10211 may enhance the functional components and lipid-lowering activity of sea buckthorn, which may provide a new approach for the development of lipid-lowering foods.

Recent biotechnological applications of value-added bioactive compounds from microalgae and seaweeds

Microalgae and seaweed have been consumed as food for several decades to combat starvation and food shortages worldwide. The most famous edible microalgae species are Nostoc, Spirulina, and Aphanizomenon, in addition to seaweeds, which are used in traditional medicine and food, such as Nori, which is one of the most popular foods containing Pyropia alga as a major ingredient. Recently, many applications use algae-derived polysaccharides such as agar, alginate, carrageenan, cellulose, fucoidan, mannan, laminarin, ulvan, and xylan as gelling agents in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics industries. Moreover, pigments (carotenoids particularly astaxanthins, chlorophylls, and phycobilins), minerals, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, peptides, proteins, polyphenols, and diterpenes compounds are accumulated under specific cultivation and stress conditions in the algal cells to be harvested and their biomass used as a feedstock for the relevant industries and applications. No less critical is the use of algae in bioremediation, thus contributing significantly to environmental sustainability.This review will explore and discuss the various applications of microalgae and seaweeds, emphasising their role in bioremediation, recent products with algal added-value compounds that are now on the market, and novel under-developing applications such as bioplastics and nanoparticle production. Nonetheless, special attention is also drawn towards the limitations of these applications and the technologies applied, and how they may be overcome.

Enhancement of Thermal Tolerance and Growth Performances of Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer) Fed with Grape Extract Supplemented Feed

Cold snaps during the winter present a critical challenge for Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) in Taiwan, as sudden temperature drops significantly affect their growth and survival. This study explores the effects of dietary grape extract (GE) from Vitis vinifera on the growth performance, oxidative stress regulation, and thermal tolerance of this commercially valuable fish. Over a 60-day feeding trial, four dietary groups were tested: a control diet without GE and three diets supplemented with GE at 2% (GE20), 3% (GE30), and 4% (GE40) with commercial feed. The results demonstrated that GE supplementation positively influenced growth, with the GE20 group achieving the best weight gain and feed conversion ratio among all groups. The upregulation of the growth-related gene igf-1 in the liver of the GE20 group further supported its superior growth performance. Additionally, GE-fed groups showed increased expression of antioxidant-related genes sod1 and sod2 in the liver, while gpx1 exhibited a significant increase only in the GE20 group, indicating enhanced antioxidant defenses. Cat gene expression remained unchanged, and higher GE doses reduced the expression of gpx1, cat, and igf-1. Furthermore, GE supplementation improved cold tolerance in all treated groups compared to the control. These findings suggest that dietary GE at 20 g/kg is particularly effective in enhancing growth performance and cold tolerance in Asian seabass, offering a promising strategy for boosting fish health and adaptability in aquaculture.

Garlic peel extract as an antioxidant inhibits triple-negative breast tumor growth and angiogenesis by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 expression

Garlic peels are frequently disposed of as agro-waste; their bioactivity and physiological activity for health benefits and disease protection are neglected. This study aims to examine the potential inhibitory effects of garlic peel extract as an antioxidant on 4 T1 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tumors in mice. The bioactive constituents of garlic peel were identified through HPLC-MS/MS analysis, while the antioxidant properties of garlic peel extract were assessed using peroxyl radical scavenging capacity (PSC) and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assays. Subsequently, the inhibitory effects of garlic peel extract on 4T1 tumor growth were evaluated using a 4T1 model. The results showed that 433 polyphenol compounds were found in garlic peel extract; among them, flavonoids and phenolic acid are the primary polyphenols with natural antioxidant activity, and both high and low concentrations of the extract exhibited tumor-suppressive effects. Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the expression levels of COX-2, CD31, VEGFA, MMP2, and MMP9 in tumor tissues in order to investigate the antioxidant properties of garlic peel extract, specifically its ability to suppress COX-2 expression. The findings of this study offer a foundation for the advancement of garlic peel-based functional products and contribute to the identification of potential anti-cancer agents and therapeutic targets.

Functional Peptides from Yak Milk Casein: Biological Activities and Structural Characteristics

The average content of casein in yak milk is 40.2 g/L. Casein can be degraded by enzymatic digestion or food processing to produce abundant degradation peptides. International researchers have studied the degradation peptides of yak milk casein by using multiple techniques and methods, such as in vitro activity tests, cellular experiments, proteomics, bioinformatics, etc., and found that the degradation peptides have a wide range of functional activities that are beneficial to the human body, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer, and immunomodulatory activities, etc., and it has been proved that the types and strengths of functional activities are closely related to the structural characteristics of the peptides. This paper describes the characteristics of yak milk proteins, the functional activities, and mechanism of action of degraded peptides. Based on the types of functional activities of yak milk casein degradation peptides, we classified and elucidated the effects of structural factors, such as peptide molecular weight, peptide length, amino acid sequence, physicochemical properties, electrical charge, hydrophobicity, spatial conformation, chain length, and the type of enzyme on these activities. It reveals the great potential of yak milk casein degradation peptides as functional active peptide resources and as auxiliary treatments for diseases. It also provides important insights for analyzing yak casein degradation peptide activity and exploring high-value utilization.

Dietary Intake of Polyphenols and All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites found in plants, foods, and drinks, occurring in small quantities and showcasing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. The primary polyphenols consist of flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes, and lignans. However, there is currently no comprehensive quantitative analysis of epidemiological data on overall death rates. This systematic review with meta-analysis aims to identify the exposure-response relationship between dietary polyphenol intake and all-cause mortality. The literature was reviewed from its earliest study to May 2024, utilizing six distinct electronic databases. No specific criteria were used to choose participants based on the recruiting environment, their general health condition, country, or ethnicity. The inclusion criteria for studies were as follows: a longitudinal design, exposure to dietary polyphenols, all-cause mortality as the outcome, and hazard risk (HR) as the impact measure. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the methodological rigor of the study. The hazard risks (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by pooling data using common effects models. A protocol has been registered on PROSPERO with the identification number CRD42024545524. The meta-analysis comprised seven cohort studies that involved 178,657 adult people aged 18 years and older. These studies examined the relationship between total dietary polyphenol consumption and the risk of all-cause death. The recruitment settings exclusively used community-based approaches, with a preference for Europe (71%) in terms of geographic distribution. The study's quality was assessed to be moderate to high. The meta-analysis showed consistent evidence that increased dietary exposure to polyphenols reduces the risk of all-cause mortality by 7% (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.91-0.95, I2: 48%). Pooled data from the available evidence consistently show that individuals exposed to an antioxidant diet rich in polyphenol sources may be at lower risk of all-cause mortality.

High-Altitude Medicinal Plants as Promising Source of Phytochemical Antioxidants to Combat Lifestyle-Associated Oxidative Stress-Induced Disorders

Oxidative stress, driven by reactive oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur species (ROS, RNS, RSS), poses a significant threat to cellular integrity and human health. Generated during mitochondrial respiration, inflammation, UV exposure and pollution, these species damage cells and contribute to pathologies like cardiovascular issues, neurodegeneration, cancer, and metabolic syndromes. Lifestyle factors exert a substantial influence on oxidative stress levels, with mitochondria emerging as pivotal players in ROS generation and cellular equilibrium. Phytochemicals, abundant in plants, such as carotenoids, ascorbic acid, tocopherols and polyphenols, offer diverse antioxidant mechanisms. They scavenge free radicals, chelate metal ions, and modulate cellular signalling pathways to mitigate oxidative damage. Furthermore, plants thriving in high-altitude regions are adapted to extreme conditions, and synthesize secondary metabolites, like flavonoids and phenolic compounds in bulk quantities, which act to form a robust antioxidant defence against oxidative stress, including UV radiation and temperature fluctuations. These plants are promising sources for drug development, offering innovative strategies by which to manage oxidative stress-related ailments and enhance human health. Understanding and harnessing the antioxidant potential of phytochemicals from high-altitude plants represent crucial steps in combating oxidative stress-induced disorders and promoting overall wellbeing. This study offers a comprehensive summary of the production and physio-pathological aspects of lifestyle-induced oxidative stress disorders and explores the potential of phytochemicals as promising antioxidants. Additionally, it presents an appraisal of high-altitude medicinal plants as significant sources of antioxidants, highlighting their potential for drug development and the creation of innovative antioxidant therapeutic approaches.

Recent Advances in Astaxanthin as an Antioxidant in Food Applications

In recent years, astaxanthin as a natural substance has received widespread attention for its potential to replace traditional synthetic antioxidants and because its antioxidant activity exceeds that of similar substances. Based on this, this review introduces the specific forms of astaxanthin currently used as an antioxidant in foods, both in its naturally occurring forms and in artificially added forms involving technologies such as emulsion, microcapsule, film, nano liposome and nano particle, aiming to improve its stability, dispersion and bioavailability in complex food systems. In addition, research progress on the application of astaxanthin in various food products, such as whole grains, seafood and poultry products, is summarized. In view of the characteristics of astaxanthin, such as insolubility in water and sensitivity to light, heat, oxygen and humidity, the main research trends of astaxanthin-loaded systems with high encapsulation efficiency, good stability, good taste masking effect and cost-effectiveness are also pointed out. Finally, the possible sensory effects of adding astaxanthin to food aresummarized, providing theoretical support for the development of astaxanthin-related food.

Endophytic fungus from Gynura japonica: phytochemical screening, biological activities, and characterisation of its bioactive compound

The research aims to identify the chemical constituents of endophytic fungi associated with Gynura japonica and their biological activities. Two endophytic fungi, labelled as GS-1 and GS-2, have been isolated from the leaves of G. japonica. They were cultivated on white rice media for their optimum cultivation time. Cultivated fungi were extracted with ethyl acetate and concentrated to give a crude extract. All crude extracts were evaluated for their phytochemical screening and assayed for their antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Based on the results, fungal GS-1 was the most potential fungus to produce bioactive secondary metabolites and identified as Dimorphiseta acuta. A bioactive compound was isolated from crude extract of fungal D. acuta and identified as emodin. To the best of our knowledge, the study of secondary metabolite and its biological activity of endophytic fungus colonised with the leaves of G. japonica is reported here for the first time.

Phenolic Compound, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and In Silico Studies of Extracts from the Aerial Parts of Lactuca saligna L

Medicinal plants are considered a major source for discovering novel effective drugs. To our knowledge, no studies have reported the chemical composition and biological activities of Moroccan Lactuca saligna extracts. In this context, this study aims to characterize the polyphenolic compounds distributed in hydro-methanolic extracts of L. saligna and evaluate their antioxidant and antibacterial activities; in addition, in silico analysis based on molecular docking and ADMET was performed to predict the antibacterial activity of the identified phenolic compounds. Our results showed the identification of 29 among 30 detected phenolic compounds with an abundance of dicaffeoyltartaric acid, luteolin 7-glucoronide, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and 5-caffeoylquinic acid with 472.77, 224.30, 196.79, and 171.74 mg/kg of dried extract, respectively. Additionally, antioxidant activity assessed by DPPH scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, and ferrous ion-chelating (FIC) assay showed interesting antioxidant activity. Moreover, the results showed remarkable antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes with minimum inhibitory concentrations between 1.30 ± 0.31 and 10.41 ± 0.23 mg/mL. Furthermore, in silico analysis identified three compounds, including Apigenin 7-O-glucuronide, Quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, and 3-p-Coumaroylquinic acid as potent candidates for developing new antibacterial agents with acceptable pharmacokinetic properties. Hence, L. saligna can be considered a source of phytochemical compounds with remarkable activities, while further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to explore the main biological activities of this plant.

Bacillus velezensis A2 Can Protect against Damage to IPEC-J2 Cells Induced by Zearalenone via the Wnt/FRZB/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Zearalenone (ZEA) has adverse effects on human and animal health, and finding effective strategies to combat its toxicity is essential. The probiotic Bacillus velezensis A2 shows various beneficial physiological functions, including the potential to combat fungal toxins. However, the detailed mechanism by which the Bacillus velezensis A2 strain achieves this protective effect is not yet fully revealed. This experiment was based on transcriptome data to study the protective mechanism of Bacillus velezensis A2 against ZEA-induced damage to IPEC-J2 cells. The experiment was divided into CON, A2, ZEA, and A2+ZEA groups. This research used an oxidation kit to measure oxidative damage indicators, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) method to detect cell apoptosis, flow cytometry to determine the cell cycle, and transcriptome sequencing to screen and identify differentially expressed genes. In addition, gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were adopted to screen out relevant signaling pathways. Finally, to determine whether A2 can alleviate the damage caused by ZEA to cells, the genes and proteins involved in inflammation, cell apoptosis, cell cycles, and related pathways were validated using a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot methods. Compared with the CON group, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the ZEA group increased significantly (p < 0.01), while the levels of antioxidant enzyme activity, total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and catalase (CAT) decreased significantly (p < 0.01). Compared with the ZEA group, the A2+ZEA group showed a significant decrease in ROS and MDA levels (p < 0.01), while the levels of T-SOD, GSH-PX, T-AOC, and CAT increased significantly (p < 0.01). TUNEL and cell cycle results indicated that compared with the ZEA group, the A2+ZEA group demonstrated a significant decrease in the cell apoptosis rate (p < 0.01), and the cell cycle was restored. Combining transcriptome data, qRT-PCR, and Western blot, the results showed that compared with the CON group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Wnt10 and β-catenin increased significantly (p < 0.01), while the expression level of FRZB decreased significantly (p < 0.01); compared with the ZEA group, the expression levels of these mRNA and proteins were reversed. Bacillus velezensis A2 can increase the antioxidant level, reduce inflammatory damage, decrease cell apoptosis, and correct the cell cycle when that damage is being caused by ZEA. The protective mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Wnt/FRZB cell/β-catenin signaling pathway.

In Search of Authenticity Biomarkers in Food Supplements Containing Sea Buckthorn: A Metabolomics Approach

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) (SB) is increasingly consumed worldwide as a food and food supplement. The remarkable richness in biologically active phytochemicals (polyphenols, carotenoids, sterols, vitamins) is responsible for its purported nutritional and health-promoting effects. Despite the considerable interest and high market demand for SB-based supplements, a limited number of studies report on the authentication of such commercially available products. Herein, untargeted metabolomics based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-ESI+MS) were able to compare the phytochemical fingerprint of leaves, berries, and various categories of SB-berry herbal supplements (teas, capsules, tablets, liquids). By untargeted metabolomics, a multivariate discrimination analysis and a univariate approach (t-test and ANOVA) showed some putative authentication biomarkers for berries, e.g., xylitol, violaxanthin, tryptophan, quinic acid, quercetin-3-rutinoside. Significant dominant molecules were found for leaves: luteolin-5-glucoside, arginine, isorhamnetin 3-rutinoside, serotonin, and tocopherol. The univariate analysis showed discriminations between the different classes of food supplements using similar algorithms. Finally, eight molecules were selected and considered significant putative authentication biomarkers. Further studies will be focused on quantitative evaluation.

Hippophae rhamnoides reverses decreased CYP2D6 expression in rats with BCG-induced liver injury

In this study, we investigated the effect of Hippophae rhamnoides L. (HRP) on the activity of CYP2D6 via the CAMP/PKA/NF-κB pathway in rats with Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-induced immunological liver injury. BCG (125 mg/kg) was injected to establish the rat model of liver injury. HRP was administered intragastrically for one week as the intervention drug. Proteomics techniques were used to analyze protein expression levels, obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the liver injury process. ELISA or western blotting was used to detect specific protein levels. Dextromethorphan was detected using high-performance liquid chromatography to reflect the metabolic activity of CYP2D6. BCG downregulated the expression of CYP2D6, cAMP, PKA, IκB, and P-CREB and upregulated that of NF-κB, IL-1β, TNF-α, and CREB in the liver; HRP administration reversed these effects. Therefore, HRP may restore the metabolic function of the liver by reversing the downregulation of CYP2D6 through inhibition of NF-κB signal transduction and regulation of the cAMP/PKA/CREB/CYP2D6 pathway. These findings highlight the role of HRP as an alternative clinical drug for treating hepatitis B and other immune-related liver diseases.

Triterpenes and Pheophorbides from Camellia ptilosperma and Their Cytotoxicity, Photocytotoxicity, and Photodynamic Antibacterial Activity

Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Camellia ptilosperma S. Y. Liang et Q. D. Chen led to the isolation of ten undescribed compounds, including six new triterpenes (1-6) and four new pheophorbide-related compounds (7-10). Meanwhile, the cytotoxic activity of the six triterpenes against six cancer cell lines was evaluated by MTT assay. Compound 2 showed potent cytotoxicity toward HepG2 cells with an IC50 value of 2.57 μM. Compounds 4 and 5 exhibited cytotoxicity against MDA-MB231 cells, with IC50 values of 11.31 and 5.52 μM, respectively. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of four new pheophorbides against these cancer cells was evaluated both in the presence and absence of light treatment. Compound 7 exhibited exceptional photocytotoxicity against Hela, MCF-7, and A549 cells, with IC50 values of 0.43 μM, 0.28 μM, and 0.92 μM, respectively. Compound 10 demonstrated significant photodynamic cytotoxic activity against BEL-7402 and HepG2 cells with IC50 values of 0.77 μM and 0.33 μM, respectively. The photodynamic antibacterial activity of 7-10 was also tested for S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa under direct illumination. Compounds 8 and 10 exhibited sensitivity to E. coli and demonstrated a photodynamic antibacterial effect, with a MIC value of 0.625 μM.

Simultaneous Extraction and Analysis of Seven Major Saikosaponins from Bupleuri Radix and the Exploration of Antioxidant Activity and Its Mechanism

Saikosaponins (SS) are the main active components of Bupleuri Radix. In this study, the yields of SS a, b1, b2, c, d, e, and f were simultaneously determined using the HPLC-DAD dual wavelength method, and the ultrasound-assisted extraction process of saikosaponins was optimized using the response surface methodology. The antioxidant effect of saikosaponins was investigated using the scavenging rate of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2-diazo-bis (3-ethyl-benzothiazole-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), and hydroxyl (-OH) groups, and the mechanism was clarified via network pharmacological analysis. The results showed that the optimal extraction process of SS was a 5% ammonia-methanol solution as an extraction solvent, a material-liquid ratio of 1:40, a temperature of 46.66 °C, an extraction time of 65.07 min, and an ultrasonic power of 345.56 W. The total content of the seven saikosaponins under this condition was up to 6.32%, which was close to the model's predicted value of 6.56%, where the yields of the seven saikosaponins a, b1, b2, c, d, e, and f were 1.18%, 0.11%, 0.26%, 1.02%, 3.02%, 0.38%, and 0.44%, respectively. The saikosaponins have an obvious scavenging ability for DPPH, ABTS, and -OH radicals. The interactions of seven saikosaponins with antioxidant targets were studied, and a database was used to collate the core of saikosaponins and antioxidants through network pharmacology. The mechanisms of the antioxidant effects of the saikosaponins were derived via GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis. Finally, the binding energy of the saikosaponins to the antioxidant targets was found to be less than -5.0 kcal·mol-1 via molecular docking, indicating that the antioxidant capacity of the saikosaponins are good. Therefore, this study developed a rapid and efficient method for the extraction of saikosaponins, which provides a theoretical basis for an in-depth understanding of the rational utilization of saikosaponins and the development of their medicinal value.

The perception and influencing factors of astringency, and health-promoting effects associated with phytochemicals: A comprehensive review

Astringency as the complex sensory of drying or shrinking can be perceived from natural foods, including abundant phenolic compounds. Up to now, there have been two possible astringency perception mechanisms of phenolic compounds. The first possible mechanism involved chemosensors and mechanosensors and took salivary binding proteins as the premise. Although piecemeal reports about chemosensors, friction mechanosensor's perception mechanisms were absent. There might be another perception way because a part of astringent phenolic compounds also triggered astringency although they could not bind with salivary proteins, however, the specific mechanism was unclear. Structures caused the differences in astringency perception mechanisms and intensities. Except for structures, other influencing factors also changed astringency perception intensity and aimed to decrease it, which probably ignored the health-promoting effects of phenolic compounds. Therefore, we roundly summarized the chemosensor's perception processes of the first mechanism. Meanwhile, we speculated that friction mechanosensor's probably activated Piezo2 ion channel on cell membranes. Phenolic compounds directly binds with oral epithelial cells, activating Piezo2 ion channel probably the another astringency perception mechanism. Except for structure, the increase of pH values, ethanol concentrations, and viscosity not only lowered astringency perception but were beneficial to improve the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of astringent phenolic compounds, which contributed to stronger antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiaging and anticancer effects.

Antioxidant Activity of Leaf Extracts from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni Exerts Attenuating Effect on Diseased Experimental Rats: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) is an aromatic plant known for its high sweetening power ascribed to its glycosides. Stevia also contains several bioactive compounds showing antioxidant, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. Since inflammation and oxidative stress play critical roles in the pathogenesis of many diseases, stevia emerges as a promising natural product that could support human health. In this study we set out to investigate the way stevia affects oxidative stress markers (e.g., SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH, MDA) in diseased rats administered stevia leaf extracts or glycosides. To this end, we performed an inclusive literature search, following PRISMA guidelines, and recruited multivariate meta-analysis and meta-regression to synthesize all available data on experimental animal models encountering (a) healthy, (b) diseased, and (c) stevia-treated diseased rats. From the 184 articles initially retrieved, 24 satisfied the eligibility criteria, containing 104 studies. Our results demonstrate that regardless of the assay employed, stevia leaf extracts restored all oxidative stress markers to a higher extent compared to pure glycosides. Meta-regression analysis revealed that results from SOD, CAT, GSH, and TAC assays are not statistically significantly different (p = 0.184) and can be combined in meta-analysis. Organic extracts from stevia leaves showed more robust antioxidant properties compared to aqueous or hydroalcoholic ones. The restoration of oxidative markers ranged from 65% to 85% and was exhibited in all tested tissues. Rats with diabetes mellitus were found to have the highest restorative response to stevia leaf extract administration. Our results suggest that stevia leaf extract can act protectively against various diseases through its antioxidant properties. However, which of each of the multitude of stevia compounds contribute to this effect, and to what extent, awaits further investigation.

Polyphenol intake and mortality: A nationwide cohort study in the adult population of Spain

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites present in small quantities in plant-based food and beverages, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Main groups of polyphenols include flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes, and lignans, but their association with mortality has barely been examined. We aimed to assess the association between the intake of 23 polyphenol subgroups and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in a representative sample of the Spanish adult population.

METHODS

Population-based cohort study conducted with 12,161 individuals aged 18+ recruited in 2008-2010 and followed-up during a mean of 12.5 years. At baseline, food consumption was obtained with a validated dietary history, and the Phenol-Explorer database was used to estimate polyphenol intake. Associations were examined using Cox regression adjusted for main confounders.

RESULTS

During follow-up, 967 all-cause deaths occurred, 219 were cardiovascular, and 277 cancer. Comparing extreme categories of consumption, hazard ratios (95% CI) of total mortality for subgroups were: dihydroflavonols 0.85 (0.72-1.00; p-trend:0.046); flavonols 0.79 (0.63-0.97; p-trend:0.04); methoxyphenols 0.75 (0.59-0.94; p-trend:0.021); tyrosols 0.80 (0.65-0.98; p-trend:0.044); alkylmethoxyphenols 0.74 (0.59-0.93; p-trend:0.007); hydroxycinnamic acids 0.79 (0.64-0.98; p-trend:0.014); and hydroxyphenilacetic acids 0.82 (0.67-0.99; p-trend:0.064). For cardiovascular mortality, hazard ratios were: methoxyphenols 0.58 (0.38-0.89; p-trend:0.010); alkylmethoxyphenols 0.59 (0.39-0.90; p-trend:0.011); hydroxycinnamic acids 0.63 (0.42-0.94; p-trend:0.020); and hydroxyphenilacetic acids 0.69 (0.48-0.99; p-trend:0.044), when comparing extreme tertiles of consumption. No statistically significant associations were observed for cancer. The main food sources for these polyphenol subgroups were red wine, leafy green vegetables, olive oil, green olives, and coffee (the latter being the major contributor of methoxyphenols, alkylmethoxyphenols, and hydroxycinnamic acids).

CONCLUSIONS

In the Spanish adult population, intake of specific polyphenol subgroups was prospectively associated with a 20% lower all-cause mortality risk. This decrease was mainly due to a 40% lower cardiovascular mortality risk over time.

A Compiled Update on Nutrition, Phytochemicals, Processing Effects, Analytical Testing and Health Effects of Chenopodium album: A Non-Conventional Edible Plant (NCEP)

Bathua (Chenopodium album) is a rich source of extensive-ranging nutrients, including bio-active carbohydrates, flavonoids and phenolics, minerals, and vitamins that translate to countless health benefits such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity. Ascaridole, an important phytoconstituent present in aerial parts of the plant, contributes to its anthelmintic property. Even with vast historical use and significant health benefits, its renown has not spread, and utilization has significantly decreased in recent decades. Gradually, the plant has become known under the name of Non-conventional edible plant (NCEP). This compilation is prepared to bring out the plant under the spotlight for further research by foregrounding previous studies on the plant. Scientific research databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online, were used to fetch data on C. album. This review offers over up-to-date knowledge on nutritious values, phytochemical composition, volatile compounds, as well as health benefits of C. album. The ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal uses of the plant in India and other parts of the world are deliberately discussed. Scrutinizing the reported literature on C. album reveals its powerful nutrient composition advantageous in the development of food products. The impact of various cooking and processing methods on the nutritional profile and bioavailability are discussed. The future perspectives with regards to the potential for food and nutraceutical products are critically addressed. This review proves the necessity of breakthrough research to investigate the pharmacology and safety of phytochemicals and nutraceutical development studies on the C. album.

The Bioactive Properties of Carotenoids from Lipophilic Sea buckthorn Extract (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in Breast Cancer Cell Lines

In women, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer (11.7% of total cases) and the leading cause of cancer death (6.9%) worldwide. Bioactive dietary components such as Sea buckthorn berries are known for their high carotenoid content, which has been shown to possess anti-cancer properties. Considering the limited number of studies investigating the bioactive properties of carotenoids in breast cancer, the aim of this study was to investigate the antiproliferative, antioxidant, and proapoptotic properties of saponified lipophilic Sea buckthorn berries extract (LSBE) in two breast cancer cell lines with different phenotypes: T47D (ER+, PR+, HER2-) and BT-549 (ER-, PR-, HER2-). The antiproliferative effects of LSBE were evaluated by an Alamar Blue assay, the extracellular antioxidant capacity was evaluated through DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, the intracellular antioxidant capacity was evaluated through a DCFDA assay, and the apoptosis rate was assessed by flow cytometry. LSBE inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner, with a mean IC₅₀ of 16 µM. LSBE has proven to be a good antioxidant both at the intracellular level, due to its ability to significantly decrease the ROS levels in both cell lines (p = 0.0279 for T47D, and p = 0.0188 for BT-549), and at the extracellular level, where the ABTS and DPPH inhibition vried between 3.38-56.8%, respectively 5.68-68.65%, and 35.6 mg/L equivalent ascorbic acid/g LSBE were recorded. Based on the results from the antioxidant assays, LSBE was found to have good antioxidant activity due to its rich carotenoid content. The flow cytometry results revealed that LSBE treatment induced significant alterations in late-stage apoptotic cells represented by 80.29% of T47D cells (p = 0.0119), and 40.6% of BT-549 cells (p = 0.0137). Considering the antiproliferative, antioxidant, and proapoptotic properties of the carotenoids from LSBE on breast cancer cells, further studies should investigate whether these bioactive dietary compounds could be used as nutraceuticals in breast cancer therapy.

Bioactive Compounds in Sea Buckthorn and their Efficacy in Preventing and Treating Metabolic Syndrome

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L. or Elaeagnus rhamnoides L.) is a plant that has long been used as a Chinese herbal medicine. This species is known to contain numerous bioactive components, including polyphenols, fatty acids, vitamins, and phytosterols, which may be responsible for its medicinal value. In experiments both in vitro and in vivo (ranging from cell lines to animal models and human patients), sea buckthorn has shown positive effects on symptoms of metabolic syndrome; evidence suggests that sea buckthorn treatment can decrease blood lipid content, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels, and regulate key metabolites. This article reviews the main bioactive compounds present in sea buckthorn and discusses their efficacy in treating metabolic syndrome. Specifically, we highlight bioactive compounds isolated from distinct sea buckthorn tissues; their effects on abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia; and their potential mechanisms of action in clinical applications. This review provides key insight into the benefits of sea buckthorn, promoting future research of this species and expansion of sea buckthorn-based therapies for metabolic syndrome.

Ecotoxicological and biochemical effects of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate on wheat (Jimai 22, Triticum aestivum L.)

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate esters (DEHP) has attracted widespread attention due to its ecotoxicological effects on organisms. In this study, wheat seedlings were exposed to DEHP- contaminated soil with 4 concentration gradients (0, 1, 10, and 100 mg kg^-1, respectively) for 30 days. The growth index, physiological index, oxidative damage system, and gene expression of wheat seedlings were comprehensively measured and analyzed. The results revealed that DEHP could reduce the germination rate of wheat. Only the 100 mg kg^-1 treatment group significantly inhibited root length, but no effect on plant height. At the biochemical level, photosynthetic pigments of wheat seedlings were promoted first and then inhibited, while the soluble sugar content presented a trend of "inhibition - activation - inhibition". The antioxidant enzymes (SOD and POD) presented an approximate parabolic trend, while it was opposite for CAT. Whereas the corresponding antioxidant enzyme genes were up-regulated, and the Hsp70 heat-shock protein gene was down-regulated. Finally, integrated biological response index (IBR) analysis showed that the DEHP toxicity to wheat seedlings was dose dependent. Molecular docking indicated that DEHP could stably bind to GBSS and GST by intermolecular force. Overall, this study provided constructive insights for a comprehensive assessment of the toxicity risk of DEHP to wheat.

Hippophae rhamnoides L.: A Comprehensive Review on the Botany, Traditional Uses, Phytonutrients, Health Benefits, Quality Markers, and Applications

Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn), consumed as a food and health supplement worldwide, has rich nutritional and medicinal properties. Different parts of H. rhamnoides L. were used in traditional Chinese medicines for relieving cough, aiding digestion, invigorating blood circulation, and alleviating pain since ancient times. Phytochemical studies revealed a wide variety of phytonutrients, including nutritional components (proteins, minerals, vitamins, etc.) and functional components like flavonoids (1-99), lignans (100-143), volatile oils (144-207), tannins (208-230), terpenoids (231-260), steroids (261-270), organic acids (271-297), and alkaloids (298-305). The pharmacological studies revealed that some crude extracts or compounds of H. rhamnoides L. demonstrated various health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anticardiovascular disease, anticancer, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, neuroprotective, antibacterial activities, and their effective doses and experimental models were summarized and analyzed in this paper. The quality markers (Q-markers) of H. rhamnoides L. were predicted and analyzed based on protobotanical phylogeny, traditional medicinal properties, expanded efficacy, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, and component testability. The applications of H. rhamnoides L. in juice, wine, oil, ferment, and yogurt were also summarized and future prospects were examined in this review. However, the mechanism and structure-activity relationship of some active compounds are not clear, and quality control and potential toxicity are worth further study in the future.

A Comprehensive Review on Extraction, Structure, Detection, Bioactivity, and Metabolism of Flavonoids from Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is an important plant with homology of medicine and food. It has rich nutritional and medicinal properties. It is used as a traditional Chinese medicine with therapeutic functions of invigorating spleen, relieving cough, eliminating food, eliminating phlegm, dispersing blood stasis, and promoting blood circulation. This review comprehensively summarized flavonoids from sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), including extraction methods (solvent extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, and collaborative extraction), two structure types (18 flavone aglycones and 81 flavone glycosides), detection methods (UV, HPLC, and NMR), bioactivities (antiviral, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, weight-reducing, and hypoglycemic activities), and physiological metabolisms (most of flavonoids are converted into small molecule monophenolic acids through intestinal microbial catabolism). It will supply an important theoretical basis and valuable reference for researching and exploiting sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in the future. Practical Applications. Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is an edible and medical plant with many functional properties. A comprehensive review on extraction, structure, detection, bioactivity, and metabolism of flavonoids from sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) was made in this paper. This review will provide an important foundation for further studies of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) focusing on its development and utilization.

Influence of Centrifugation and Transmembrane Treatment on Determination of Polyphenols and Antioxidant Ability for Sea Buckthorn Juice

When the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of sea buckthorn juice were assayed by spectrophotometry, the reaction solutions were not clarified, so centrifugation or membrane treatment was needed before determination. In order to find a suitable method for determining TPC and antioxidant activity, the effects of centrifugation and nylon membrane treatment on the determination of TPC and antioxidant activity in sea buckthorn juice were studied. TPC was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteau method, and antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. For Treatment Method (C): the sample was centrifuged for 10 min at 10,000 rpm and the supernatant was taken for analysis. Method (CF): The sample was centrifuged for 10 min at 4000 rpm, filtered by Nylon 66 filtration membranes with pore size of 0.22 μm, and taken for analysis. Method (F): the sample was filtered by Nylon 66 filtration membranes with pore size of 0.22 μm and taken for analysis. Method (N): after the sample of ultrasonic extract solution reacted completely with the assay system, the reaction solution was filtered by Nylon 66 filtration membranes with pore size of 0.22 μm and colorimetric determination was performed. The results showed that centrifugation or transmembrane treatment could affect the determination of TPC and antioxidant activity of sea buckthorn juice. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between methods (CF) and (F), while there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between methods (C) (F) (N) or (C) (CF) (N). The TPC and antioxidant activity of sea buckthorn juice determined by the four treatment methods showed the same trend with fermentation time, and the TPC and antioxidant activity showed a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05). The highest TPC or antioxidant activity measured by method (N) indicates that method (N) has the least loss of TPC or antioxidant activity, and it is recommended for sample assays.

Influence of coffee roasting degree on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in high-fructose and saturated fat-fed rats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of roasting coffee degree on inflammatory (NF-kβ F-6 and TNF-α) and stress oxidative markers (malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) end product concentrations, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in high-fructose and saturated fat (HFSFD)-fed rats. Roasting was performed using hot air circulation (200 °C) for 45 and 60 min, obtaining dark and very dark coffee, respectively. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to receive a) unroasted coffee, b) dark coffee, c) very dark coffee, or distilled water for the control group (n = 8). Coffee brews (7.4 mL/per day equivalent to 75 mL/day in humans) were given by gavage for sixteen weeks. All treated groups significantly decreased NF-kβ F-6 (∼30 % for unroasted, ∼50 % for dark, and ∼ 75 % for very dark group) and TNF-α in the liver compared with the control group. Additionally, TNF-α showed a significant reduction in all treatment groups (∼26 % for unroasted and dark groups, and ∼ 39 % for very dark group) in adipose tissue (AT) compared with the negative control. Regarding oxidative stress makers, all coffee brews exerted antioxidant effects in serum, AT, liver, kidney, and heart. Our results revealed that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of coffee vary according to the roasting degree in HFSFD-fed rats.

A Review of Fibraurea tinctoria and Its Component, Berberine, as an Antidiabetic and Antioxidant

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia caused by resistance to insulin action, inadequate insulin secretion, or excessive glucagon production. Numerous studies have linked diabetes mellitus and oxidative stress. People with diabetes usually exhibit high oxidative stress due to persistent and chronic hyperglycemia, which impairs the activity of the antioxidant defense system and promotes the formation of free radicals. Recently, several studies have focused on exploring natural antioxidants to improve diabetes mellitus. Fibraurea tinctoria has long been known as the native Borneo used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. Taxonomically, this plant is part of the Menispermaceae family, widely known for producing various alkaloids. Among them are protoberberine alkaloids such as berberine. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid with many pharmacological activities. Berberine is receiving considerable interest because of its antidiabetic and antioxidant activities, which are based on many biochemical pathways. Therefore, this review explores the pharmacological effects of Fibraurea tinctoria and its active constituent, berberine, against oxidative stress and diabetes, emphasizing its mechanistic aspects. This review also summarizes the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of berberine and in silico studies of berberine in several diseases and its protein targets.

Comparative Assessment of Functional Components and Antioxidant Activities between Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis and H. tibetana Berries in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the main production area of Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis (Rha) and H. tibetana (Tib), but studies on the types and contents of soluble sugars, organic acids, free phenolics, bound phenolics, vitamin C (V_C), tocopherol (V_E) and carotenoids of the two sea buckthorn berries from this region have not been reported. In this paper, we found that the soluble sugars in Rha and Tib were mainly glucose and fructose; Rha exhibited a higher content of total sugar and fructose compared to Tib. The organic acids were mainly quinic acid and malic acid; Rha exhibited a higher content of total acids and quinic acid, but lower tartaric acid and citric acid compared to Tib. Rha also possessed a higher total (free and bound) phenolic as well as total (free and bound) flavonoid content than those in Tib; twelve phenolic compounds were analyzed, among which flavonols were dominant. Catechin, isorhamnetin and quercetin were the main phenolic substances. V_C and V_E (γ-tocopherol (γ-V_E) and δ-tocopherol (δ-V_E)) were higher in Rha than Tib. The total carotenoid, lutein, β-carotene and lycopene content of Tib was remarkably higher than that in Rha. Moreover, both Rha and Tib showed good in vitro and cellular antioxidant activities, and Rha had a stronger antioxidant activity. Taken together, Rha had a higher antioxidant activity, which may be due to its higher content of phenolics, flavonoids, V_C and V_E.

Effect of sea buckthorn extract on production performance, serum biochemical indexes, egg quality, and cholesterol deposition of laying ducks

The purpose of this experiment was to study the effect of sea buckthorn extract (SBE) supplementation on the production performance, serum biochemical indexes, egg quality, and cholesterol deposition of laying ducks. A total of 240 23-week-old laying ducks (female ducks) with similar body weight were randomly divided into four treatment groups with 6 replicates of 10 each. The experimental groups were fed diets supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g/kg of SBE, respectively. The results showed that the addition of 1.0 g/kg SBE to the diet had significant increase (P < 0.05) in average egg weight and feed conversion ratio. The inclusion of SBE showed the significant improvement (P < 0.05) in yolk weight, shell strength, egg white height and haugh unit. Ducks fed with 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg SBE displayed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in yolk cholesterol. The significant improvements were observed in the contents of total amino acid essential amino acids, non-essential amino acids, umami amino acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and docosahexenoic acids of eggs (P < 0.05) when supplemented with SBE. However, the contents of total saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in eggs showed decrease when ducks fed with SBE diets (P < 0.05). SBE diets may reduce (P < 0.05) the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, while increased (P < 0.05) the levels of serum superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione catalase compared to the control. The levels of serum immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M were improved in SBE diets (P < 0.05) in comparation to the control. The addition of SBE to diets can improve feed nutrient utilization, increase egg weight, optimaze egg quality and amino acid content in eggs, reduce blood lipids, improve fatty acid profile and yolk cholesterol in eggs, and increase antioxidant capacity and immunity in laying ducks.

Phytochemistry, health benefits, and food applications of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.): A comprehensive review

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), an ancient miraculous plant, is of great interest because of its tenacity, richness in nutritional active substances, and biological activity. Sea buckthorn is a deciduous shrub or tree of the genus Hippophae in the family Elaeagnaceae. It is a pioneer tree species for soil improvement, wind and sand control, and soil and water conservation. Sea buckthorn contains many nutritional active components, such as vitamins, carotenoids, polyphenols, fatty acids, and phytosterols. Moreover, sea buckthorn has many health benefits, such as antioxidant, anticancer, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, dermatological, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities. Sea buckthorn not only has great medicinal and therapeutic potential, but also is a promising economic plant. The potential of sea buckthorn in the human food industry has attracted the research interest of researchers and producers. The present review mainly summarizes the phytochemistry, nutrients, health benefits, and food applications of sea buckthorn. Overall, sea buckthorn is a dietary source of bioactive ingredients with the potential to be developed into functional foods or dietary supplements for the prevention and treatment of certain chronic diseases, which deserves further research.

The Influence of the Technological Process on Improving the Acceptability of Bread Enriched with Pea Protein, Hemp and Sea Buckthorn Press Cake

The current consumption trends of plant based functional products have encouraged researchers and industry to study the production of protein enriched bakery products as a source of protein. In the context of the circular economy, the press cakes remaining after extraction of juices/oil from plants such as sea buckthorn or hemp can be valorized as they are rich in proteins, fibers and many bioactive compounds. Their use in bread making is a good solution to enrich the nutritional value of bread. Pea protein concentrate, hemp and sea buckthorn ingredients from press cakes by-products were added to whole wheat flour in different percentages and combinations (2% pea protein concentrate; 1% pea + 2% sea buckthorn ingredients; 1% pea + 2% hemp ingredients). Bread samples were obtained through three technological methods: one phase baking process (dough), two phases (sponge and dough) and one phase with dried sourdough added directly into the dough. A control sample (100% wheat whole flour) was considered. The mixtures of whole wheat flour and plant protein ingredients were rheologically tested. The bread samples were physicochemically analyzed (protein, fat, carbohydrates, energy value) and sensory characteristics were evaluated (texture, color and overall acceptability). The changes in the physicochemical characteristics, rheology behavior, microstructure and sensory quality were evaluated and compared. The energy from protein varied from 17.26 to 19.34% which means that all the samples can be considered "a source of protein". Hardness decreased in samples with sponge and dried sourdough which reflect the importance of technology in keeping the freshness of the product. The most appreciated were the samples with pea protein concentrate, with hemp ingredient obtained through an indirect bread making process and the sample with sea buckthorn ingredient prepared through a direct bread making process using dried sourdough.

Hot Air Drying of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) Berries: Effects of Different Pretreatment Methods on Drying Characteristics and Quality Attributes

Seabuckthorn berries are difficult to dry because the outermost surface is covered with a dense wax layer, which prevents moisture transfer during the drying process. In this study, uses of ultrasonic-assisted alkali (UA), pricking holes in the skin (PH) and their combination (UA + PH) as pretreatment methods prior to hot air drying and their effects on drying characteristics and quality attributes of seabuckthorn berries were investigated. Selected properties include color, microstructure, rehydration capacity, as well as total flavonoids, phenolics and ascorbic acid contents. Finally, the coefficient of variation method was used for comprehensive evaluation. The results showed that all pretreatment methods increased the drying rate; the combination of ultrasonic-assisted alkali (time, 15 min) and pricking holes (number, 6) (UA15 + PH6) had the highest drying rate that compared with the control group, the drying time was shortened by 33.05%; scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the pretreatment of UA could dissolve the wax layer of seabuckthorn berries, helped to form micropores, which promoted the process of water migration. All the pretreatments reduced the color difference and increased the lightness. The PH3 samples had the highest value of vitamin C content (54.71 mg/100 g), the UA5 and PH1 samples had the highest value of total flavonoid content (11.41 mg/g) and total phenolic content (14.20 mg/g), respectively. Compared to other pretreatment groups, UA15 + PH6 achieved the highest quality comprehensive score (1.013). Results indicate that UA15 + PH6 treatment is the most appropriate pretreatment method for improving the drying characteristics and quality attributes of seabuckthorn berries.

Changes of Volatile Flavor Compounds in Sea Buckthorn Juice during Fermentation Based on Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Spectrometry

Sea buckthorn is rich in polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant activities. However, it is very sour, and its odor is slightly unpleasant, so it requires flavor improvement. Fermentation is one potential method. Sea buckthorn juice was fermented at 37 °C for 72 h and then post-fermented at 4 °C for 10 days. The flavor-related properties of the sea buckthorn juice were evaluated during fermentation, including the pH, total soluble solids (TSS), color, sensory evaluation, and volatile flavors. The sea buckthorn fermented juice had a low pH. The total soluble solids decreased from 10.60 ± 0.10% to 5.60 ± 0.12%. The total color change was not more than 20%. Fermentation increased the sweet odor of the sea buckthorn juice, but the fruity flavor decreased and the bitter flavor increased. A total of 33 volatile flavors were identified by headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS), including 24 esters, 4 alcohols, 4 terpenes, and 1 ketone. Their total relative contents were 79.63-81.67%, 10.04-11.76%, 1.56-1.22%, and 0.25-0.55%, respectively. The differences in the characteristic volatile molecular species of the sea buckthorn juice at different fermentation stages could be visually discerned using fingerprint maps. Through principal component analysis (PCA), the total flavor difference of the sea buckthorn juice at different fermentation stages could be effectively distinguished into three groups: the samples fermented for 0 h and 12 h were in one group, the samples fermented for 36 h, 48 h, 60 h, and 72 h were in another group, and the samples fermented for 24 h were in another group. It is suggested that sea buckthorn juice be fermented for 36 h to improve its flavor. GC-IMS and PCA are effective methods of identifying and distinguishing the flavor characteristics of sea buckthorn juice. The above results can provide a theoretical basis for studying the changes in sea buckthorn's characteristics as a result of fermentation, particularly with regard to its flavor.

Phenolic compositions and antioxidant activities of Hippophae tibetana and H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis berries produced in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

•

Sea buckthorn berry contained high concentrations of total phenolics and flavonoids.

•

Flavonols was the predominant phenolics in Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis berry.

•

Flavonols and flavanols were the two abundant subclasses in Hippophae tibetana berry.

•

Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis berry showed much higher antioxidant activity.

Phenolic ingredients of Hippophae tibetana (Tib) and H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis (Rha) berry from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were identified by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-triple Quadrupole Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Results demonstrated that both of them possessed high levels of total phenolic and flavonoid, and compared to Tib, Rha berry exhibited higher contents. Moreover, flavonols was the most predominant subclass in Rha berry, flavonols and flavanols were the two most abundant subclasses in Tib berry. Among them, rutin and narcissin were present in the most abundant amounts in Rha berry, while (−)-epigallocatechin was the richest substance in Tib berry. Furthermore, both phenolic extracts of sea buckthorn berry exhibited strong in vitro and cellular antioxidant properties. Rha berry extract exhibited much stronger effects because of its higher levels of phenolic and flavonoid profiles. This finding proved that the Rha berry could serve as a food source for better health with great potential antioxidant activity.

The toxicological effects of Eryngium foetidum extracts on zebrafish embryos and larvae depend on the type of extract, dose, and exposure time

Eryngium foetidum is a herbaceous plant found in tropical and subtropical regions. In vivo pharmacological parameters show that leaf extracts of this plant have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities due to their bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenols. Despite the evidence for several bioactivities of E. foetidum, information on its safety and tolerability is limited. The objective of this study was to assess the effect and concentration of different extracts of E. foetidum on the development of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. To study the impact of aqueous (AE), ethanolic (EE), and methanolic (ME) extracts, the embryos were exposed to 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg mL-1 for up to 120-h postfertilization to assess embryonic developmental toxicity and then to 0.039, 0.078, 0.156, 0.312, and 0.625 mg mL-1 to assess the antioxidant responses of the enzymes superoxide dismutase catalase, glutathione S-transferase (GST), and cell apoptosis. The results showed that, depending on the extraction solvent, concentration used, and exposure time, E. foetidum extracts caused mortality, altered the hatching time, and promoted changes in enzymatic activities. Delays in development and increased GST activity were found in all treatments. Apoptosis was not observed in any of the treatments. In conclusion, AE, EE, and ME concentrations above 0.625 mg mL-1 can cause adverse effects on the early stages of zebrafish development.

Effects of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) on factors related to metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial

The purpose of this meta-analysis is to explore whether the supplement of sea buckthorn affects the factors related to metabolic syndrome. The related RCTs from five databases were systematically searched and comprehensively random effects model was used to calculate SMD and 95% CI. The Cochrane deviation risk tool was used to evaluate the deviation risk. Fifteen studies were involved in the meta-analysis. First, sea buckthorn supplementation reduced triglycerides [-0.722 (-1.129, -0.316); p < .001], total cholesterol [-0.345 (-0.639, -0.051); p = .021], low density lipoprotein cholesterol [-0.396 (-0.755, -0.037); p = .031], and increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol [0.370 (0.056, 0.684); p = .021] in overall subjects. Second, subgroup analysis showed that sea buckthorn supplementation reduced lipids only in people with abnormal lipid metabolism. Third, sea buckthorn had no effect on blood sugar, blood pressure, and BMI of the overall subjects. Sea buckthorn may affect the lipid metabolism in circulation, but it cannot affect blood glucose, blood pressure, and BMI. These indicators are closely associated with metabolic syndrome. This study may contribute to the development and utilization of sea buckthorn, and may provide a new and safer way for the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome. The limitation of this study is high heterogeneity, even if subgroup analysis is used. However, more clinical studies are needed to determine the real effect of sea buckthorn on metabolic syndrome.

Evaluation of Antioxidants Using Electrochemical Sensors: A Bibliometric Analysis

The imbalance of oxidation and antioxidant systems in the biological system can lead to oxidative stress, which is closely related to the pathogenesis of many diseases. Substances with antioxidant capacity can effectively resist the harmful damage of oxidative stress. How to measure the antioxidant capacity of antioxidants has essential application value in medicine and food. Techniques such as DPPH radical scavenging have been developed to measure antioxidant capacity. However, these traditional analytical techniques take time and require large instruments. It is a more convenient method to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of antioxidants based on their electrochemical oxidation and reduction behaviors. This review summarizes the evaluation of antioxidants using electrochemical sensors by bibliometrics. The development of this topic was described, and the research priorities at different stages were discussed. The topic was investigated in 1999 and became popular after 2010 and has remained popular ever since. A total of 758 papers were published during this period. In the early stages, electrochemical techniques were used only as quantitative techniques and other analytical techniques. Subsequently, cyclic voltammetry was used to directly study the electrochemical behavior of different antioxidants and evaluate antioxidant capacity. With methodological innovations and assistance from materials science, advanced electrochemical sensors have been fabricated to serve this purpose. In this review, we also cluster the keywords to analyze different investigation directions under the topic. Through co-citation of papers, important papers were analyzed as were how they have influenced the topic. In addition, the author’s country distribution and category distribution were also interpreted in detail. In the end, we also proposed perspectives for the future development of this topic.

Oxidative Stress in Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a manifestation of tissue or organ damage that is followed by ischemia and exacerbated by the return of blood flow to a previously damaged tissue or organ. The intestines are one of the most sensitive tissues and organs to I/R injury. Moreover, the adverse consequences of intestinal I/R (II/R) injury are not limited to the intestine itself and can also lead to damage of the distant tissues and organs. The mechanism of II/R is extremely complex and oxidative stress is the key link in the pathogenesis of II/R injury. This study summarizes the roles of oxidative stress and its signaling pathways involved in II/R. The signaling pathways that mitigate II/R injury include the nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated signaling pathway, Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and phosphatidylinositol kinase 3 (PI3K)/Akt pathway; those that aggravate II/R injury include the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, Toll-like receptor (TLR) receptor-mediated signaling pathway, protein kinase CβII (PKCβII)/p66shc pathway, and microRNA (miRNA)/p66shc pathway; the effect of miRNA on related pathways and mitochondrial DNA translocation. The aforementioned pathways provide new ideas for further exploring the occurrence and development of II/R and more effective treatments for II/R injury.

A Phlorotanin, 6,6'-bieckol from Ecklonia cava, Against Photoaging by Inhibiting MMP-1, -3 and -9 Expression on UVB-induced HaCaT Keratinocytes

Skin is the outmost layer of human and sustains most of the external UVB irradiation, which possibly causes the skin photoaging. As a natural antioxidant, marine natural products have been paid more and more attention to their positive effects on photoaging. 6,6'-bieckol is a phlorotanin isolated from Ecklonia cava, while its antiphotoaging bioactivity and mechanism have not been clear yet. This study proves that 6,6'-bieckol enhances cells viability and decreases the level of ROS in UVB-induced human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells. It also resulted in significant downregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), p-c-Fos, phosphorylated JNK, p38, IκB and p65. In addition, molecular docking also showed that 6,6'-bieckol could bind to MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-9. Finally, it was proved that 6,6'-bieckol acts on MMPs through the MAPK/AP-1 and NF-κB pathways to reduce UVB-induced oxidative stress damage in HaCaT cells. Therefore, 6,6'-bieckol is a functional food and skin care ingredient with great potential in preventing photoaging.

Antioxidant Activity and Inhibitory Effect on Nitric Oxide Production of Hydroponic Ginseng Fermented with Lactococcus lactis KC24

Panax ginseng Meyer is used as a medicinal plant. The aim of this study was to ferment hydroponic ginseng with Lactococcus lactis KC24 and confirm its antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production. Flavonoid and phenol contents in fermented ginseng extracts were measured. Antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH, ABTS, reducing power, FRAP and β-carotene assays. Additionally, inhibitory effects on NO production and toxicity of the fermented extract were determined using RAW 264.7 cells. Phenol and flavonoid contents increased as the fermentation time increased, and the contents were higher in hydroponic ginseng than in soil-cultivated ginseng. The DPPH assay revealed that the antioxidant activity of the 24 h fermented extract significantly increased from 32.57% to 41% (p < 0.05). The increase in antioxidant activity may be affected by an increase in phenol and flavonoid contents. At 1 mg/mL solid content, the 24 h fermented hydroponic ginseng extract inhibited NO production from 9.87 ± 0.06 μM to 1.62 ± 0.26 μM. In conclusion, the increase in antioxidant activity affects the inhibition of NO production, suggesting that fermented hydroponic ginseng may be used in the industries of functional food and pharmaceutical industry as a functional material with anti-inflammatory effects.