Diversity of the Chemical Profile and Biological Activity of Capsicum annuum L. Extracts in Relation to Their Lipophilicity

Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Potential of Capsicum annuum (L.) Dry Hydro-Ethanolic Extract

Capsicum annuum (L.) is one of the essential spices most frequently used in our daily routine and has remarkable ethnobotanical and pharmacological properties. Its fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and numerous other phenolic metabolites with a well-known antioxidant activity. Regular consumption of chili fruits may have a positive influence on human health. Therefore, we investigated a commercially available chili fruit powder in the present study, extracting it with 50% ethanol. The dried hydro-ethanolic extract (CAE) was thoroughly analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS), and 79 bioactive phenolic constituents were identified. Then, we quantified the main phenolic compounds and found a polyphenol content of 4.725 ± 1.361 mg Eq tannic acid/100 g extract and a flavonoid amount of 1.154 ± 0.044 mg Eq rutin/100 g extract. Phenolic secondary metabolites are known for their dual redox behavior as antioxidants/pro-oxidants, underlying their numerous benefits in health and disease. Thus, the antioxidant potential of CAE was evaluated using three methods; our results could explain the protective effects of chili fruits: IC50DPPH = 1.669 mg/mL, IC50ABTS = 0.200 mg/mL, and EC50FRAP = 0.561 mg/mL. The pro-oxidant potential of phenolic compounds could be a basis for CAE cytotoxicity, investigated in vitro on tumor cell lines and in vivo on Daphnia sp. Results demonstrated the dose- and time-dependent CAE's cytotoxic activity; the highest antiproliferative activity was recorded on colon (LoVo) and breast (MDA-MB-231) cancer cell lines after 48 h of exposure (IC50 values < 200 µg/mL). In vivo testing on Daphnia sp. reported a potent CAE cytotoxicity after 48 h and embryonic developmental delays. Extensive data analyses support our results, showing a significant correlation between the CAE's concentration, phenolic compound content, antioxidant activity, exposure time, and the viability rate of different tested cell lines.

Phenolic Compounds in Fractionated Blackcurrant Leaf Extracts in Relation to the Biological Activity of the Extracts

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between antioxidant and anticancer properties of extracts from blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) leaves and their fractions and chemical contents. Dried ethanolic extract was divided into three fractions using solid phase extraction: aqueous (F1), 40% MeOH (F2), and 70% MeOH (F3). Both the extract and the fractions were analyzed in terms of antiradical activity (DPPH• and ABTS+•), total phenolic compounds, and total flavonoids. The antitumor potential of the fractions was evaluated in vitro on human colorectal (HCT 116) and prostate (PC-3) cancer cells. Phenolics were identified using HPLC-QTOF-MS, and twelve compounds were quantified by HPLC-DAD. Finally, principal component analysis was carried out to assess the relationship between the tested factors. The results confirmed that blackcurrant leaves are a rich source of phenolics with high antioxidant activity and anticancer properties. It was demonstrated that the F2 fraction had the highest content of phenolics and the highest antiradical activity. Additionally, only this fraction showed cytotoxic activity against HCT 116 cells. It was confirmed that both the blackcurrant leaf extract and its fractions are a promising source of condensed active compounds and can be used as natural functional food additives.

Genetic Regulation, Environmental Cues, and Extraction Methods for Higher Yield of Secondary Metabolites in Capsicum

Capsicum (chili pepper) is a widely popular and highly consumed fruit crop with beneficial secondary metabolites such as capsaicinoids, carotenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols, among others. Interestingly, the secondary metabolite profile is a dynamic function of biosynthetic enzymes, regulatory transcription factors, developmental stage, abiotic and biotic environment, and extraction methods. We propose active manipulable genetic, environmental, and extraction controls for the modulation of quality and quantity of desired secondary metabolites in Capsicum species. Specific biosynthetic genes such as Pun (AT3) and AMT in the capsaicinoids pathway and PSY, LCY, and CCS in the carotenoid pathway can be genetically engineered for enhanced production of capsaicinoids and carotenoids, respectively. Generally, secondary metabolites increase with the ripening of the fruit; however, transcriptional regulators such as MYB, bHLH, and ERF control the extent of accumulation in specific tissues. The precise tuning of biotic and abiotic factors such as light, temperature, and chemical elicitors can maximize the accumulation and retention of secondary metabolites in pre- and postharvest settings. Finally, optimized extraction methods such as ultrasonication and supercritical fluid method can lead to a higher yield of secondary metabolites. Together, the integrated understanding of the genetic regulation of biosynthesis, elicitation treatments, and optimization of extraction methods can maximize the industrial production of secondary metabolites in Capsicum.

Discovery and molecular elucidation of the anti-influenza material basis of Banlangen granules based on biological activities and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a wide range of applications, including human healthcare-associated treatments and bioactive compound discovery. However, complex chemical systems present a significant challenge for chemical-material-based research and quality control. For instance, Banlangen (BLG) granules is a well-acknowledged TCM preparation widely used in clinical treatment of virus infection. However, its chemical basis of anti-influenza efficacy remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In the present study, a systematic discovery strategy for identifying anti-influenza molecules based on biological activities and chemical analysis was established to contribute to the molecular elucidation of the anti-influenza material basis of Banlangen granules.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hemagglutinase inhibition (HAI) and neuraminidase inhibition (NAI) assays were used to compare the anti-influenza activities of different fractions of BLG granules against H1N1, H5N1 and H7N9 viruses. A comparative qualitative analysis of the chemical constituents in BLG granules and their fractions was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS), in which a multiple mass spectrometry database platform and three compound identification strategies were used. The association between anti-influenza activities and chemical constituent characteristics was analyzed using multiple stoichiometries and data comparison strategies.

RESULTS

The results showed that the chromatography fractions F3 and F4 of the BLG granules had the highest anti-influenza activity. A total of 88 compounds were identified in the BLG granules, including 31 alkaloids, 16 organic acids, 10 nucleosides, 8 phenylpropanoids, 6 sulfur-containing compounds, 5 amino acids, 4 aromatic compounds, 3 aldehydes and ketones, 2 flavonoids, 1 alcohol, 1 carbohydrate, and 1 aliphatic compound. Out of these, 31 characteristic compounds were identified in fractions F3-F4 as candidate compounds with anti-influenza activity. Additionally, 6-methoxyquinoline and 4-guanidinobutanal were identified in BLG granules and its raw material (Isatidis Radix) for the first time.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we proposed a systematic discovery strategy to thoroughly investigate the anti-influenza activity, chemical identification, and constituents-activity relationship of BLG granules. These data not only provided a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanism of the activity of BLG granules, but also presented a basis for the discovery of potential novel drug candidates and quality evaluation and control of BLG granules.

Nutritional Evaluation of Sea Buckthorn “Hippophae rhamnoides” Berries and the Pharmaceutical Potential of the Fermented Juice

Sea buckthorn is a temperate bush plant native to Asian and European countries, explored across the world in traditional medicine to treat various diseases due to the presence of an exceptionally high content of phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidants. In addition to the evaluation of nutrients and active compounds, the focus of the present work was to assess the optimal levels for L. plantarum RM1 growth by applying response surface methodology (RSM), and to determine the impact of juice fermentation on antioxidant, anti-hypertension and anticancer activity, as well as on organoleptic properties. Sea buckthorn berries were shown to contain good fiber content (6.55%, 25 DV%), high quality of protein (3.12%, 6.24 DV%) containing: histidine, valine, threonine, leucine and lysine (with AAS 24.32, 23.66, 23.09, 23.05 and 21.71%, respectively), and 4.45% sugar that provides only 79 calories. Potassium was shown to be the abundant mineral content (793.43%, 22.66 DV), followed by copper and phosphorus (21.81 and 11.07 DV%, respectively). Sea buckthorn juice exhibited a rich phenolic, flavonoid and carotenoid content (283.58, 118.42 and 6.5 mg/g, respectively), in addition to a high content of vitamin C (322.33 mg/g). The HPLC profile indicated that benzoic acid is the dominant phenolic compound in sea buckthorn berries (3825.90 mg/kg). Antioxidant potentials (DPPH and ABTS) of sea buckthorn showed higher inhibition than ascorbic acid. Antimicrobial potentials were most pronounced against Escherichia coli BA12296 (17.46 mm). The probiotic growth was 8.5 log cfu/mL, with juice concentration, inoculum size and temperature as the main contributors to probiotic growth with a 95% confidence level. Fermentation of sea buckthorn juice with L. plantarum RM1 enhanced the functional phenolic and flavonoid content, as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The fermentation with L. plantarum RM1 enhanced the anti-hypertension and anticancer properties of the sea buckthorn juice and gained consumers’ sensorial overall acceptance.

Special Issue “Natural Plant Substances—Structural and Application Aspects: A Theme Issue in Honor of Professor Wieslaw Oleszek”

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Dietary Polyphenols: Extraction, Identification, Bioavailability, and Role for Prevention and Treatment of Colorectal and Prostate Cancers

Fruits, vegetables, and other edible plants in our diet have numerous health benefits, due to the bioactive compounds in these food items, including polyphenols. These plants are a rich and promising source of natural products and phytochemicals that can be used to treat and prevent numerous diseases and prevent the progression of cancer. Dietary polyphenols exhibit chemo-preventive and therapeutic effects against various ailments, including several types of cancer. The current study focuses on polyphenol’s traditional and advanced extraction methods, with supercritical extraction as a novel approach. It also deals with their identification, bioavailability, and role in preventing and treating colorectal and prostate cancers. Additionally, the article covers the literature that deals with the anticancer activities of polyphenols, as well as their potential use as anticancer agents.