Polyphenols and their applications: An approach in food chemistry and innovation potential

Ion presence during thermal processing modulates the performance of rice albumin/anthocyanin binary system

Thermal processing with salt ions is widely used for the production of food products (such as whole grain food) containing protein and anthocyanin. To date, it is largely unexplored how salt ion presence during thermal processing regulates the practical performance of protein/anthocyanin binary system. Here, rice albumin (RA) and black rice anthocyanins (BRA) were used to prepare RA/BRA composite systems as a function of temperature (60-100 °C) and NaCl concentration (10-40 mM) or CaCl2 concentration (20 mM). It was revealed that the spontaneous complexing reaction between RA and BRA was driven by hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds and becomes easier and more favorable at a higher temperature (≤90 °C), excessive temperature (100 °C), however, may result in the degradation of BRA. Moreover, the salt ion presence during thermal processing may bind with RA and BRA, respectively, which could restrict the interaction between BRA and RA. Additionally, the inclusion of Na+ or Ca2+ at 20 mM endowed the binary system with strengthened DPPH radical scavenging capacity (0.95 for Na+ and 0.99 for Ca2+). Notably, Ca2+ performed a greater impact on the stability of the system than Na+.

Development of dietary small molecules as multi-targeting treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease

Cognitive dysfunction can occur both in normal aging and age-related neurological disorders, such as mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD). These disorders have few treatment options due to side effects and limited efficacy. New approaches to slow cognitive decline are urgently needed. Dietary interventions (nutraceuticals) have received considerable attention because they exhibit strong neuroprotective properties and may help prevent or minimize AD symptoms. Biological aging is driven by a series of interrelated mechanisms, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis, and autophagy, which function through various signaling pathways. Recent clinical and preclinical studies have shown that dietary small molecules derived from natural sources, including flavonoids, carotenoids, and polyphenolic acids, can modulate oxidative damage, cognitive impairments, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis, autophagy dysregulation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. This paper reviews research on different dietary small molecules and their bioactive constituents in the treatment of AD. Additionally, the chemical structure, effective dose, and specific molecular mechanisms of action are comprehensively explored. This paper also discusses the advantages of using nanotechnology-based drug delivery, which significantly enhances oral bioavailability, safety, and therapeutic effect, and lowers the risk of adverse effects. These agents have considerable potential as novel and safe therapeutic agents that can prevent and combat age-related AD.

Formation of Hesperetin-Methylglyoxal Adducts in Food and In Vivo, and Their Metabolism In Vivo and Potential Health Impacts

Polyphenols with a typical meta-phenol structure have been intensively investigated for scavenging of methylglyoxal (MGO) to reduce harmful substances in food. However, less attention has been paid to the formation level of polyphenol-MGO adducts in foods and in vivo and their absorption, metabolism, and health impacts. In this study, hesperitin (HPT) was found to scavenge MGO by forming two adducts, namely, 8-(1-hydroxyacetone)-hesperetin (HPT-mono-MGO) and 6-(1-hydroxyacetone)-8-(1-hydroxyacetone)-hesperetin (HPT-di-MGO). These two adducts were detected (1.6-15.9 mg/kg in total) in cookies incorporated with 0.01%-0.5% HPT. HPT-di-MGO was the main adduct detected in rat plasma after HPT consumption. The adducts were absorbed 8-30 times faster than HPT, and they underwent glucuronidation and sulfation in vivo. HPT-mono-MGO would continue to react with endogenous MGO in vivo to produce HPT-di-MGO, which effectively reduced the cytotoxicity of HPT and HPT-mono-MGO. This study provided data on the safety of employing HPT as a dietary supplement to scavenge MGO in foods.

Polyphenols and Lactation: Molecular Evidence to Support the Use of Botanical Galactagogues

Botanicals and herbal supplements contain a diverse array of polyphenols that may affect mammary gland function and promote galactagogue activity. This scoping review is conducted to identify scientific literature elucidating how polyphenols affect mammary gland biology and cellular mechanisms critical for lactation. A literature search of PubMed and Medline reviews relevant studies in dairy animals, rodent models, and cultured mammary epithelial cells that are published from January 2010 until July 2023, to ascertain effects of polyphenols on mechanisms regulating milk production and composition. The PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Review) strategy is applied and 80 studies on polyphenols and their implications on milk production and composition are included in this review. Limited information delineating effects of polyphenols on the molecular pathways that affect lactation are found, although available information suggests modulation of Stat5 signaling/differentiation, Stat3 signaling/remodeling, mTOR and insulin signaling/energy production, and nuclear factor kappa beta (NFκβ) signaling/oxidative stress and inflammation may play roles. A profound lack of mechanistic information underscores the critical need for further research to understand the impact of botanical supplements and polyphenols on milk production and composition in humans to establish maternal nutritional guidelines to support lactation and breastfeeding goals.

The traditional utilization, biological activity and chemical composition of edible fern species

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ferns form an important part of the human diet. Young fern fiddleheads are mostly consumed as vegetables, while the rhizomes are often extracted for starch. These edible ferns are also often employed in traditional medicine, where all parts of the plant are used, mostly to prepare extracts. These extracts are applied either externally as lotions and baths or internally as potions, decoctions and teas. Ailments traditionally treated with ferns include coughs, colds, fevers, pain, burns and wounds, asthma, rheumatism, diarrhoea, or skin diseases (eczema, rashes, itching, leprosy).

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to compile the worldwide knowledge on the traditional medicinal uses of edible fern species correlating to reported biological activities and isolated bioactive compounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The articles and books published on edible fern species were searched through the online databases Web of Science, Pubmed and Google Scholar, with critical evaluation of the hits. The time period up to the end of 2022 was included.

RESULTS

First, the edible fern species were identified based on the literature data. A total of 90 fern species were identified that are eaten around the world and are also used in traditional medicine. Ailments treated are often associated with inflammation or bacterial infection. However, only the most common and well-known fern species, were investigated for their biological activity. The most studied species are Blechnum orientale L., Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm., Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw., Marsilea minuta L., Osmunda japonica Thunb., Polypodium vulgare L., and Stenochlaena palustris (Burm.) Bedd. Most of the fern extracts have been studied for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Not surprisingly, antioxidant capacity has been the most studied, with results reported for 28 edible fern species. Ferns have been found to be very rich sources of flavonoids, polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, terpenoids and steroids and most of these compounds are remarkable free radical scavengers responsible for the outstanding antioxidant capacity of fern extracts. As far as clinical trials are concerned, extracts from only three edible fern species have been evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS

The extracts of edible fern species exert antioxidant anti-inflammatory and related biological activities, which is consistent with their traditional medicinal use in the treatment of wounds, burns, colds, coughs, skin diseases and intestinal diseases. However, studies to prove pharmacological activities are scarce, and require chemical-biological standardization. Furthermore, correct botanical classification needs to be included in publications to simplify data acquisition. Finally, more in-depth phytochemical studies, allowing the linking of traditional use to pharmacological relevance are needed to be done in a standardized way.

Comprehensive Review of EGCG Modification: Esterification Methods and Their Impacts on Biological Activities

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the key constituent of tea polyphenols, presents challenges in terms of its lipid solubility, stability, and bioavailability because of its polyhydroxy structure. Consequently, structural modifications are imperative to enhance its efficacy. This paper comprehensively reviews the esterification techniques applied to EGCG over the past two decades and their impacts on bioactivities. Both chemical and enzymatic esterification methods involve catalysts, solvents, and hydrophobic groups as critical factors. Although the chemical method is cost-efficient, it poses challenges in purification; on the other hand, the enzymatic approach offers improved selectivity and simplified purification processes. The biological functions of EGCG are inevitably influenced by the structural changes incurred through esterification. The antioxidant capacity of EGCG derivatives can be compromised under certain conditions by reducing hydroxyl groups, while enhancing lipid solubility and stability can strengthen their antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. Additionally, esterification broadens the utility of EGCG in food applications. This review provides critical insights into developing cost-effective and environmentally sustainable selective esterification methods, as well as emphasizes the elucidation of the bioactive mechanisms of EGCG derivatives to facilitate their widespread adoption in food processing, healthcare products, and pharmaceuticals.

Enhancement of the biological activity of hydroxytyrosol through its oxidation by laccase from Trametes versicolor

The laccase-catalyzed oxidation of hydroxytyrosol (HT) towards the formation of its bioactive oligomer derivatives was investigated. The biocatalytic oligomerization was catalyzed by laccase from Trametes versicolor in aqueous or various water-miscible organic solvents and deep eutectic solvent (DES)-based media. Mass Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance were used for the characterization of the products. The solvent system used significantly affects the degree of HT oligomerization. The use of 50 % v/v methanol favored the production of the HT dimer, while other organic solvents as well as DESs led to the formation of hydroxytyrosol trimer and other oligomers. In vitro studies showed that the HT dimer exhibits 3- to 4-fold enhanced antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria compared to the parent compound. Moreover, the ability of HT dimer to inhibit the activity of soybean lipoxygenase and Candida rugosa lipase was 1.5-fold higher than HT, while molecular docking supported these results. Furthermore, HT dimer showed reduced cytotoxicity against HEK293 cells and exhibited a strong ability to inhibit ROS formation. The enhanced bioactivity of HT dimer indicates that this compound could be considered for use in cosmetics, skin-care products, and nutraceuticals.

Two new phenolic allopyranosides and their analogues from the stems of Viburnum luzonicum Rolfe guided by LC-MS

Two new phenolic allopyranosides, named viburluzosides A and B (1, 2), together with eight known phenolic glycosides (3 - 10) were discovered from the stems of Viburnum luzonicum Rolfe under the guidance of LC-MS analyses coupled with bioactivity evaluation. They were purified through various chromatography methods and identified by extensive spectroscopic analyses (1H and 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC, and HRESIMS) and chemical methods. The in vitro evaluation on α-glucosidase and aldose reductase (AR) inhibitory activities of isolated compounds were conducted. Compounds 1 - 4 and 6 - 9 exhibited α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 5.35 - 21.34 μM and AR inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 6.21 - 40.06 μM. Moreover, the inhibitory kinetics analyses of compounds 1 and 2 were also performed.

Physicochemical and digestive properties of corn starch nanoparticles incorporated different polyphenols

The corn starch nanoparticles were prepared by incorporating three kinds of polyphenols, including quercetin, proanthocyanidins and tannin acid. The physicochemical and digestive properties of corn starch nanoparticles were researched. The quercetin showed a higher complexation index than proanthocyanidins and tannin acid when they complexed with corn starch. The mean size of corn starch quercetin, proanthocyanidins and tannin acid were 168.5 nm, 179.1 nm and 188.6 nm, respectively. XRD results indicated that all the corn starch-polyphenols complex showed V-type crystalline structure, the crystallinity of corn starch-quercetin complex was 19.31 %, which showed more formation of amylose-quercetin single helical formed than the other two starch-polyphenol complexes. In vitro digestion revealed that polyphenols could resist digestion and quercetin increased the content of resistant starch from 23.32 % to 35.24 % and polyphenols can form complexes with starch through hydrophobic interactions or hydrogen bonding. This study indicated the hydrophobic polyphenols had a more significant effect on the digestibility of corn starch. And the cell toxicity assessments demonstrated that all nanoparticles were nontoxic and biocompatible.

Artemisia vulgaris L., Artemisia alba Turra and their constituents reduce mitomycin C-induced genomic instability in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous and acetone extracts from Artemisia vulgaris L. (AV) and Artemisia alba Turra (AA), and two major polyphenols compounds (3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and quercetin-3-O-glucopyranoside) presented in both extracts of the plants against mitomycin C (MMC)-induced genomic instability. Genomic instability was measured using cytokinesis block micronucleus (MN) assay in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) in vitro by analyzing two biomarkers - MN and nuclear division index (NDI). Extracts were tested in a concentration-dependent manner (10-250 µg/mL), while 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and quercetin-3-O-glucopyranoside were tested in three different concentrations, in combination with 0.5 µg/mL of MMC. Aqueous and acetone extracts obtained from both plants significantly reduced MMC-induced MN frequency in PBLs, compared to positive control cells (p < 0.05). Extracts from AV did not affect NDI, whereas the concentrations of 10-100 μg/mL of aqueous and acetone AA extracts significantly elevated MMC-decreased NDI values in comparison to positive control cells (p < 0.05). Combined treatment of 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and MMC showed a significant reduction of MMC-induced MN frequency, while quercetin-3-O-glucopyranoside increased MN frequency compared to positive control cells (p < 0.05). Both compounds decreased NDI values but only at the highest tested concentration of quercetin-3-O-glucopyranoside it was of greater significance. In conclusion, all extracts from AV and AA and 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid showed protective effect, whereby aqueous AA demonstrated the highest protective effect on MMC- induced genomic instability, while quercetin-3-O-glucopyranoside showed co-mutagen effect.

Structure-based design and synthesis of anti-fibrotic compounds derived from para-positioned 3,4,5-trisubstituted benzene

Liver fibrosis is an abnormal wound-healing response to liver injuries. It can lead to liver cirrhosis, and even liver cancer and liver failure. There is a lack of treatment for liver fibrosis and it is of great importance to develop anti-fibrotic drugs. A pivotal event in the process of developing liver fibrosis is the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), in which the nuclear receptor Nur77 plays a crucial role. This study aimed to develop novel anti-fibrotic agents with Nur77 as the drug target by modifying the structure of THPN, a Nur77-binding and anti-melanoma compound. Specifically, a series of para-positioned 3,4,5-trisubstituted benzene ring compounds with long-chain backbone were generated and tested for anti-fibrotic activity. Among these compounds, compound A8 was with the most potent and Nur77-dependent inhibitory activity against TGF-β1-induced activation of HSCs. In a crystal structure analysis, compound A8 bound Nur77 in a peg-in-hole mode as THPN did but adopted a different conformation that could interfere the Nur77 interaction with AKT, which was previous shown to be important for an anti-fibrotic activity. In a cell-based assay, compound A8 indeed impeded the interaction between Nur77 and AKT leading to the stabilization of Nur77 without the activation of AKT. In a mouse model, compound A8 effectively suppressed the activation of AKT signaling pathway and up-regulated the cellular level of Nur77 to attenuate the HSCs activation and ameliorate liver fibrosis with no significant toxic side effects. Collectively, this work demonstrated that Nur77-targeting compound A8 is a promising anti-fibrotic drug candidate.

Structural, material and antibacterial properties of quercetin incorporated soy protein isolate films and its binding behavior through molecular docking

This study aimed to investigate the three different methods for the fabrication of quercetin (1%-3% w/w of protein) incorporated soy protein isolate (SPI) films and their effect on material properties. The quercetin incorporated SPI films prepared by these methods were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, tensile properties, and water uptake and leaching properties. The cross-linking pattern was revealed by the FTIR spectrum that showed formation of an ester group because of interaction between the quercetin hydroxyl group and the carboxyl side chain of SPI amino acids. The tensile strength of SPI films were enhanced with the addition of quercetin as it increased to a maximum of 6.17 MPa while neat SPI film had tensile strength 4.13 MPa. The prepared films exhibit significant antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli. The In-silico docking analysis demonstrates that covalent and non-covalent forces play crucial roles in binding interaction. It shows the formation of four hydrogen bonds, two salt bridges along with one pi-alkyl interaction. The simulation studies reflect the crucial amino acid residues involved in SPI-quercetin binding. The effect of quercetin binding with SPI on its stability and compactness is revealed by Root mean square deviation (RMSD) and radius of gyration studies.

Metabolomic analysis revealed the edible and extended-application potential of specific Polygonum multiflorum tissues

The diverse applications of various tissues of Polygonum Multiflorum (PM) encompass the use of its leaf and bud as tea and vegetables, as well as the utilization of its expanded root tubers and caulis as medicinal substances. However, previous studies in the field of metabolomics have primarily focused on the medicinal properties of PM. In order to investigate the potential for broader applications of other tissues within PM, a metabolomic analysis was conducted for the first time using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS on 15 fresh PM tissues. A total of 231 compounds, including newly discovered compounds such as torosachrysone and dihydro-trihydroxystilbene acid derivatives, were identified within PM. Through clustering analysis, the PM tissues were categorized into edible and medicinal parts, with edible tissues exhibiting higher levels of phenolic acids, organic acids, and flavonoids, while the accumulation of quinones, dianthrones, stilbenes, and xanthones was observed in medicinal tissues. Comparative analysis demonstrated the potential application of discarded tissues, such as unexpanded root tuber (an industrial alternative to expanded root tuber) and young caulis (with edible potential). Moreover, the quantification of representative metabolites indicated that flowers and buds contained significant amounts of flavonoids or phenolic acids, suggesting their potential as functional food. Additionally, the edible portion of PM exhibited a high content of quercitrin, ranging from 0.59 to 10.37 mg/g. These findings serve as a valuable point of reference for the expanded utilization of PM tissues, thereby mitigating resource waste in this plant.

Effects of grape juice intake on the cell migration properties in overweight women: Modulation mechanisms of cell migration in vitro by delphinidin-3-O-glucoside

Overweight and obesity are typical conditions of chronic low-intensity systemic inflammatory responses, and both have become more common in recent decades, which emphasizes the necessity for healthier diet intake. Fruits such as grapes are rich in anthocyanins, one of which is delphinidin, a promising chemopreventive agent with anti-inflammatory properties. Considering that polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) are rapidly mobilized to tissues when the inflammatory process is initiated, this study aimed to understand the impact of grape juice intake and delphinidin on the migration properties of PMNs. Overweight women ingested 500 mL of grape juice for 28 days, and then lipid and inflammatory profiles, as well as the white blood cell count (WBC), were evaluated. Additionally, the gene expression of inflammatory markers and quantified migration molecules such as CD11/CD18, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were evaluated in PMNs. The influence of delphinidin-3-O-glucoside in vitro on some migration properties was also evaluated. Grape juice intake did not influence the lipid profile or affect the WBC. However, NFκB gene expression was reduced in PMNs, also reducing the circulating values of IL-8, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1. The in vitro results demonstrated that delphinidin significantly reduced the migration potential of cells and reduced CD11-/CD18-positive cells, the gene expression of ICAM-1, and the phosphorylation and gene expression of NFκB. Additionally, delphinidin also reduced the production of IL-6, IL-8, and CCL2. Grape juice, after 28 days of intervention, influenced some properties related to cell migration, and delphinidin in vitro can modify the cell migration properties.

Bioactive delivery systems based on starch and its derivatives: Assembly and application at different structural levels

Starch and modified starch, spanning various structural levels, are comprehensively reviewed, with a special emphasis on the advancement of starch and its derivative-based delivery systems for bioactive substances. The pivotal aspect highlighted is the controlled release of active ingredients by starch-based delivery systems with distinct hierarchical structures. At the molecular level, diverse categories of starch degradation products, such as dextrin and highly branched starch, serve as versatile amphiphilic carriers for encapsulating active ingredients. At the level of helical structure, the distinctive configuration of the starch-guest complex partly determines the mechanism of controlled release for diverse active components. At the crystal and particle structural level, starch assumes the role of a carrier, effectively modulating the release of active substances, and enhances the innate physiological activity of different active components. As a natural polymer molecule, starch can also generate hydrogel materials in polymer form, expanding its utility in the fields of food, materials, and even medicine.

Echinacoside inhibits colorectal cancer metastasis via modulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Echinacoside (ECH) is the dominant phenylethanoid glycoside-structured compound identified from our developed herbal formula Huangci granule, which has been previously reported to inhibit the invasion and metastasis of CRC and prolong patients' disease-free survival duration. Though ECH has inhibitory activity against aggressive colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, its anti-metastasis effect in vivo and the action mechanism is undetermined. Given that ECH has an extremely low bioavailability and gut microbiota drives the CRC progression, we hypothesized that ECH could inhibit metastatic CRC by targeting the gut microbiome.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of ECH on colorectal cancer liver metastasis in vivo and its potential mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An intrasplenic injection-induced liver metastatic model was established to examine the efficiency of ECH on tumor metastasis in vivo. Fecal microbiota from the model group and the ECH group were separately transplanted into pseudo-sterile CRLM mice in order to verify the role of gut flora in the ECH anti-metastatic effect. The 16S rRNA gene sequence was applied to analyze the structure and composition of the gut microbiota after ECH intervention, and the effect of ECH on short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs)-producing bacteria growth was proven by anaerobic culturing in vitro. GC-MS was applied to quantitatively analyze the serum SCFAs levels in mice. RNA-seq was performed to detect the gene changes involving tumor-promoting signaling pathway.

RESULTS

ECH inhibited CRC metastasis in a dose-dependent manner in the metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) mouse model. Manipulation of gut bacteria in the mCRC mouse model further proved that SCFA-generating gut bacteria played an indispensable role in mediating the antimetastatic action of ECH. Under an anaerobic condition, ECH benefited SCFA-producing microbiota without affecting the total bacterial load, presenting a dose-dependent promotion on the growth of a butyrate producer, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F.p). Furthermore, ECH-reshaped or F.p-colonized microbiota with a high butyrate-producing capability inhibited liver metastasis by suppressing PI3K/AKT signaling and reversing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, whereas this anti-metastatic ability was abrogated by the butyrate synthase inhibitor heptanoyl-CoA.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that ECH exhibits oral anti-metastatic efficacy by facilitating butyrate-producing gut bacteria, which downregulates PI3K/AKT signaling and EMT. It hints at a novel role for ECH in CRC therapy.

A comprehensive review of medicinal Toxicodendron (Anacardiaceae): Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Comprising of about 30 species, the genus Toxicodendron (Anacardiaceae) are mainly distributed in East Asia and North America. Among them, 13 species have been traditionally used as folk medicines in Asia and other parts of the world to treat blood diseases, abnormal bleeding, skin diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, liver diseases, bone injury, lung diseases, neurological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, tonic, cancer, eye diseases, menstrual irregularities, inflammation, rheumatism, diabetes mellitus, rattlesnake bite, internal parasites, contraceptive, vomiting and diarrhea.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To date, no comprehensive review on Toxicodendron has been published and the scientific basis of the traditional medicinal benefits of Toxicodendron have been less reported. Therefore, this review aims to provide a reference for further research and development on medicinal purpose of Toxicodendron by summarizing the works (from 1980 to 2023), and focusing on its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The names of the species were from The Plant List Database (http://www.theplantlist.org), World Flora Online (http://www.worldfloraonline.org), Catalogue of Life Database (https://www.catalogueoflife.org/) and Plants for A Future Database (https://pfaf.org/user/Default.aspx). And the search terms "Toxicodendron" and "the names of 31 species and their synonyms" were used to search for information from electronic databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Baidu Scholar, Springer, and Wiley Online Library. Moreover, PhD and MSc dissertations were also used to support this work.

RESULTS

These species on Toxicodendron are widely used in folkloric medicine and modern pharmacological activities. So far, approximately 238 compounds, mainly phenolic acids and their derivatives, urushiols, flavonoids and terpenoids, are extracted and isolated from Toxicodendron plants, commonly, T. trichocarpum, T. vernicifluum, T. succedaneum, and T. radicans. Among them, phenolic acids and flavonoids are the main compound classes that show pharmacological activities in Toxicodendron plants both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the extracts and single compounds of these species show a wide range of activities, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, liver protection, fat reduction, nerve protection, and treatment of blood diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

Selected species of Toxicodendron have been used as herbal medicines in the Southeast Asian for a long time. Furthermore, some bioactive constituents have been identified from them, so plants in this genus may be potential new drugs. The existing research on Toxicodendron has been reviewed, and the phytochemistry and pharmacology provide theoretical basis for some of the traditional medicinal uses. Therefore, in this review, the traditional medicinal, phytochemical and modern pharmacology of Toxicodendron plants are summarized to help future researchers to find new drug leads or to get a better understanding of structure-activity relationships.

Injectable, thermo-sensitive and self-adhesive supramolecular hydrogels built from binary herbal small molecules towards reusable antibacterial coatings

Herbal hydrogels as a new class of sustainable functional materials have attracted extensive attention. However, the development of herbal hydrogels is significantly hindered due to their poor hydrogel performances and the lack of universal preparation methods. In this study, four herbal hydrogels composed of phytochemical polyphenols and stevioside compounds are prepared through a facile heating-cooling process, where multiple hydrogen bonding interactions between two monomers provide the main driving force for gelation. These herbal hydrogels exhibit thermo-sensitivity and good reversibility (25-90 °C), robust adhesion behaviours on hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces (maximum adhesion strength of 591.7 kPa), and outstanding antibacterial properties (100% bacteriostatic ratio). Profiting from these intriguing characteristics, they are demonstrated to show great potential as natural antibacterial coatings by depositing thin hydrogel layers onto diverse substrates. More importantly, the hydrogel coatings could be easily recycled by thermal regelation and reused at least 5 times. This work proposes a simple and universal strategy for preparing functional hydrogels based on binary herbal small molecules, which also sheds light on the development of reusable hydrogel coatings.

Natural Polyphenolic Nanodots for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment

The abnormal amyloid-β accumulation is essential and obbligato in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis and natural polyphenols exhibit great potential as amyloid aggregation inhibitors. However, the poor metabolic stability, low bioavailability, and weak blood-brain barrier crossing ability of natural polyphenol molecules fail to meet clinical needs. Here, a universal protocol to prepare natural polyphenolic nanodots is developed by heating in aqueous solution without unacceptable additives. The nanodots are able to not only inhibit amyloid-β fibrillization and trigger the fibril disaggregation, but mitigate the amyloid-β-plaque-induced cascade impairments including normalizing oxidative microenvironment, altering microglial polarization, and rescuing neuronal death and synaptic loss, which results in significant improvements in recognition and cognition deficits in transgenic mice. More importantly, natural polyphenolic nanodots possess stronger antiamyloidogenic performance compared with small molecule, as well as penetrate the blood-brain barrier. The excellent biocompatibility further guarantees the potential of natural polyphenolic nanodots for clinical applications. It is expected that natural polyphenolic nanodots provide an attractive paradigm to support the development of the therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease.

Valorization of biomass polyphenols as potential tyrosinase inhibitors

Tyrosinases (TYRs; EC 1.14.18.1) catalyze two sequential oxidative reactions of the melanin biosynthesis pathway and play an important role in mammalian pigmentation and enzymatic browning of fruit and vegetables. Inhibition of TYR activity is therefore an attractive target for new drugs and/or food ingredients. In addition, increasing evidence suggests that TYR regulation could be a novel target for treatments of cancer and Parkinson's disease. Biomasses, notably industrial byproducts and biowaste, are good sustainable sources of phytochemicals that may be valorized into bioactive compounds including TYR inhibitors. This review presents potential applications of biomass-derived polyphenols targeting TYR inhibition. Insights into structure-activity relationships of several polyphenols and their glycosides are highlighted. Finally, some remarks and perspectives on research into new TYR inhibitors from biomass waste are provided.

Regulation of the Notch signaling pathway by natural products for cancer therapy

The Notch signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that modulates normal biological processes involved in cellular differentiation, apoptosis, and stem cell self-renewal in a context-dependent fashion. Attributed to its pleiotropic physiological roles, both overexpression and silencing of the pathway are associated with the emergence, progression, and poorer prognosis in various types of cancer. To decrease disease incidence and promote survival, targeting Notch may have chemopreventive and anti-cancer effects. Natural products with profound historical origins have distinguished themselves from other therapies due to their easy access, high biological compatibility, low toxicity, and reliable effects at specific physiological sites in vivo. This review describes the Notch signaling pathway, particularly its normal activation process, and some main illnesses related to Notch signaling pathway dysregulation. Emphasis is placed on the effects and mechanisms of natural products targeting the Notch signaling pathway in diverse cancer types, including curcumin, ellagic acid (EA), resveratrol, genistein, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), quercetin, and xanthohumol and so on. Existing evidence indicates that natural products are feasible solution to fight against cancer by targeting Notch signaling, either alone or in combination with current therapeutic agents.

Effects of gallic acid on the release of aroma compounds in Moutai Baijiu

Due to the trace concentrations of gallic acid (GA), the interaction mechanism between GA and flavor compounds is limited, and the effects on the aroma compounds of Moutai Baijiu are even more unclear. In this study, the aroma compounds and phenolic compounds in Moutai Baijiu were investigated by stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). A total of 63 volatiles and 10 phenolic compounds were identified, and 16 esters and 4 alcohols were identified as the important aroma substances (odor activity values ≥1). The effect of GA on the release of aroma compounds was investigated by sensory analysis and partition coefficient. The results showed that GA mainly inhibited the volatilization of alcohols, low concentrations of GA promoted the release of esters, and high concentrations slowed down or even inhibited the release effect affected by the hydrophobicity of aroma compounds. UV spectroscopy and thermodynamic analysis further revealed that the interaction of GA with 1-propanol was attributed mainly to hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces, and the interaction with other compounds was mainly influenced by hydrophobic effects. These results show that gallic acid can effectively control the release of the aromas of Moutai Baijiu, highlight the important role of GA on the volatiles of baijiu, and provide theoretical support for further healthy improvement of the sensory quality of baijiu.

Global Profiling of the Antioxidant Constituents in Chebulae Fructus Based on an Integrative Strategy of UHPLC/IM-QTOF-MS, MS/MS Molecular Networking, and Spectrum-Effect Correlation

An integrative strategy of UHPLC/IM-QTOF-MS analysis, MS/MS molecular networking (MN), in-house library search, and a collision cross-section (CCS) simulation and comparison was developed for the rapid characterization of the chemical constituents in Chebulae Fructus (CF). A total of 122 Constituents were identified, and most were phenolcarboxylic and tannic compounds. Subsequently, 1,3,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose, terflavin A, 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose, punicalagin B, chebulinic acid, chebulagic acid, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose, and chebulic acid, among the 23 common constituents of CF, were screened out by UPLC-PDA fingerprinting and multivariate statistical analyses (HCA, PCA, and OPLS-DA). Then, Pearson's correlation analysis and a grey relational analysis were performed for the spectrum-effect correlation between the UPLC fingerprints and the antioxidant capacity of CF, which was finally validated by an UPLC-DPPH• analysis for the main antioxidant constituents. Our study provides a global identification of CF constituents and contributes to the quality control and development of functional foods and preparations dedicated to CF.

Metabolomic Analysis and in Vitro Investigation of the Biological Properties of a By-Product Derived from Vicia faba

By-products from plant sources are recently regarded as a valuable source of bioactive compounds. In this regard, the present study aims to assess the bioactivities of the 70 % MeOH extract obtained from Vicia faba peels and analyze its metabolomic profile. Acetylcholinesterase and carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes inhibitory activities of the plant extract were assayed using quantitative colorimetric tests. Antioxidant activity was estimated by DPPH assay, and cytotoxic activity was evaluated against normal fibroblast skin cells (1-BJ1). Ninety-one metabolites were tentatively identified using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) hyphenated with quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS). Most of these compounds were described for the first time in the plant. In addition, catechin, rutin, quercitrin, and rhamnetin were isolated from the plant extract. The plant extract and the isolated compounds possessed no cytotoxic activity on (1-BJ1), while they exhibited anticholinesterase with the highest activity for 70 % MeOH extract (IC50 =120.11 mg/L), antioxidant potential with the highest activity for rutin (90.54±0.73 %), and carbohydrate metabolizing inhibitory activities with the highest activity for rutin. These discoveries imply that V. faba peels might serve as an efficient antioxidant, exhibit anticholinesterase properties, and have the potential for use in managing diabetes, all while avoiding cytotoxicity in normal cells.

Decoding the enhanced antioxidant activities of the combined small berry pomaces by widely targeted metabolomics analysis

Small berry pomaces (SBPs) are poorly utilized as an inexpensive source of bioactive compounds. This study investigated the impact of compounding treatment on nutritional and antioxidant characteristics of combined SBPs, in comparison with single SBP. The results showed that the amounts of protein, minerals, dietary fiber (DF) and anthocyanidins were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in combined SBPs than in combined fruits. Moreover, the combined SBPs were characterized by an elevated abundance of minerals and anthocyanidins (6 kinds, and 5 kinds, respectively), substantiating the effectiveness of compounding treatment on SBP nutrition. A total of 776 secondary phytochemicals were detected in combined SBPs by a widely targeted metabolomics approach. Each SBP contained approximately 100 kinds of unique natural antioxidants. Furthermore, the combined SBPs group had the highest antioxidant activity compared with single SBP. Meanwhile, the antioxidant activities determined in combined SBPs were higher than arithmetic mean value of single SBP. The synergism and interaction of active components in different sources of SBPs play vital role in the high antioxidant capacity of combined SBPs. All the results provide reference for the comprehensive development and utilization of fruit residues. The SBPs should be highly prized for their substantial amount of nutritional and bioactive constituents, including protein, DF, essential minerals and secondary metabolites. These secondary metabolites are positively associated with antioxidant benefits. The present study summarizes the knowledge about bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of combined SBPs group and discusses the relevant mechanisms. A conclusion can be educed that combined process is an effective way to improve properties of the pomaces.

Characterization of the metabolic fate of sinapic acid in rats

Sinapic acid (SA) is ubiquitously distributed in the plant kingdom as a free organic acid and more frequently as a biosynthetic pioneer for SA derivatives, e.g., SA esters. Broad biological and pharmacological activities have been disclosed for SA. Because of the metabolism lability property, metabolites instead of the parent compound should be the primary forms after oral treatment of SA, and those metabolites should also be rapidly observed from SA following administration of SA derivative. Hence, the metabolites might provide a primary contribution to the pharmacological properties of SA; however, the metabolite profile remains unclear. Here, our efforts were devoted to addressing this issue through deploying online energy-resolved mass spectrometry (ER-MS) to accomplish isomer identification which is the key issue hindering metabolite identification, notably those conjugated metabolites. After recording breakdown graphs of concerned fragment ions with online ER-MS, the positive correlations between optimal collision energy (OCE) and bond dissociation energy (BDE) were applied to assign candidate structures to isomeric signals. Moreover, in vitro metabolism with liver cellular subfractions, UV-triggered cis-/trans-configuration transformation, and wet-chemistry hydrogenation were carried out to justify the structures. As a result, sixteen metabolites (M1-M16) were found and confirmatively identified in rat plasma and urine following SA administration, and sulfation, glucuronidation, demethylation, reduction, and dihydroxylation served as the primary metabolic channels. Noteworthily, greater distribution occurred for sulfation and glucuronidation products while inferior distributions were observed for phase I metabolites, and the half-life (T1/2) of most metabolites was greater than that of SA. This study provides a comprehensive insight into the metabolic fate of SA. More importantly, the fortification of online ER-MS and quantum structure calculation to the conventional LC-MS program is eligible to achieve unambiguous identification of isomeric metabolites.

Enzymatic molecular modification of water-soluble polyphenols: Synthesis, structure, bioactivity and application

The poor lipophilicity and instability of water-soluble polyphenols limit their bioavailability and application in food. However, increasing attention has been given to water-soluble polyphenols due to their multiple biological activities, which prompts the modification of the structure of water-soluble polyphenols to improve their lipophilicity and stability and enable more efficient application. This review presents the enzymatic biosynthesis of lipophilic derivatives of water-soluble polyphenols, which will change the molecular structure of water-soluble polyphenols based on the loss of hydroxyl or carboxyl groups. Therefore, the effects of reaction factors on the structure of polyphenol derivatives and the change in their bioactivities will be further analyzed. Previous studies have shown that lipases, solvent systems, and hydrophobic groups are major factors influencing the synthesis and lipophilicity of polyphenol derivatives. Moreover, the biological activities of polyphenol derivatives were changed to a certain extent, such as through the enhancement or weakening of antioxidant activity in different systems and the increase in anti-influenza virus activity and antibacterial activity. The improvement of lipophilicity also expands polyphenol application in food. This review may contribute to the efficient synthesis of lipophilic derivatives of water-soluble polyphenols to extend the utilization and application range of polyphenols.

Lonicera caerulea L. polyphenols improve short-chain fatty acid levels by reshaping the microbial structure of fermented feces in vitro

Increasing evidence suggests that the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is closely related to the gut microbiota. Polyphenols have been shown to alleviate T2DM, but the effects of L. caerulea L. polyphenols (LPs) on the gut microbiota and metabolites remain elusive. In this study, the inhibitory effects of fermented L. caerulea L. polyphenols (FLPs) and unfermented L. caerulea L. polyphenols (ULPs) on α-amylase and α-glucosidase and the impact of LP on the gut microbiota and metabolites were investigated. Furthermore, the relationship between the two was revealed through correlation analysis. The results showed that ULP and FLP had the highest inhibitory rates against α-amylase and α-glucosidase at 4 mg ml-1, indicating a strong inhibitory ability. In addition, LP plays a regulatory role in the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and tends to restore them to their normal levels. LP reversed the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota caused by T2DM, as evidenced by an increase in the abundance of bacterial genera such as Lactobacillus, Blautia, and Bacteroides and a decrease in the abundance of bacterial genera such as Escherichia-Shigella and Streptococcus. Similarly, after LP intervention, the relationships among microbial species became more complex and interconnected. In addition, the correlation between the gut microbiota and metabolites was established through correlation analysis. These further findings clarify the mechanism of action of LP against T2DM and provide a new target for T2DM interventions.

Mechanistic Insights into Effects of Different Dietary Polyphenol Supplements on Arsenic Bioavailability, Biotransformation, and Toxicity Based on a Mouse Model

Arsenic (As) exposure has been related to many diseases, including cancers. Given the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the dietary supplementation of polyphenols may alleviate As toxicity. Based on a mouse bioassay, this study investigated the effects of chlorogenic acid (CA), quercetin (QC), tannic acid (TA), resveratrol (Res), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on As bioavailability, biotransformation, and toxicity. Intake of CA, QC, and EGCG significantly (p < 0.05) increased total As concentrations in liver (0.48-0.58 vs 0.27 mg kg-1) and kidneys (0.72-0.93 vs 0.59 mg kg-1) compared to control mice. Upregulated intestinal expression of phosphate transporters with QC and EGCG and proliferation of Lactobacillus in the gut of mice treated with CA and QC were observed, facilitating iAsV absorption via phosphate transporters and intestinal As solubility via organic acid metabolites. Although As bioavailability was elevated, serum levels of alpha fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen of mice treated with all five polyphenols were reduced by 13.1-16.1% and 9.83-17.5%, suggesting reduced cancer risk. This was mainly due to higher DMAV (52.1-67.6% vs 31.4%) and lower iAsV contribution (4.95-10.7% vs 27.9%) in liver of mice treated with polyphenols. This study helps us develop dietary strategies to lower As toxicity.

Biological activities, therapeutic potential, and pharmacological aspects of blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum L): A comprehensive review

Blackcurrant possesses various health-endorsing attributes owing to its polyphenol profile. Recent studies have demonstrated its therapeutic potential against various health disorders. Various bioactives present in blackcurrants have different functional and pharmacological aspects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. The most dominant and important bioactive include anthocyanins, flavonols, phenolic acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Food formats derived from blackcurrants comprise pomace, juice, powder, and extracts. All these food formats have industrial, prebiotic, and pharmacological benefits. In the current article, the nutritional composition, industrial applications, and therapeutic potential are discussed in the recent literature. Moreover, novel extraction techniques for the extraction of bioactive compounds present in blackcurrants and their safety concerns have been elaborated.

Gallic and ferulic acids suppress proteolytic activities and volatile trimethylamine production in the food-borne spoiler Rahnella aquatilis KM05

BACKGROUND

Rahnella aquatilis is a recognised microbial threat that alters the sensory properties of seafood. The high frequency with which R. aquatilis is isolated from fish has prompted a search for alternative preservatives. In the present study, in vitro and fish-based ecosystem (raw salmon-based medium) approaches were used to validate the antimicrobial effects of gallic (GA) and ferulic (FA) acids against R. aquatilis KM05. The results were compared with data describing the response of KM05 to sodium benzoate. Bioinformatics data of the whole genome were used to analyse the potential for fish spoilage by KM05 in detail, and the results revealed the main physiological characteristics that underlie reduced seafood quality.

RESULTS

In the KM05 genome, the most abundantly enriched Gene Ontology terms were 'metabolic process', 'organic substance metabolic process' and 'cellular process'. Through an evaluation of the Pfam annotations, 15 annotations were found to be directly involved in the proteolytic activity of KM05. Peptidase_M20 was the most abundantly represented (abundance value of 14060). Proteins representing the CutC family (abundance value of 427) indicated the potential for KM05 degradation of trimethyl-amine-N-oxide. Subinhibitory concentrations of GA and FA suppressed the proteolytic activities of KM05 both in vitro and in RS medium by an average of 33-45%. These results were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR experiments, which also showed that the expression levels of genes involved in proteolytic activities and volatile trimethylamine production were also decreased.

CONCLUSION

Phenolic compounds can be used as potential food additives for preventing quality deterioration of fish products. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

A review of green methods used in starch-polyphenol interactions: physicochemical and digestion aspects

The interactions of starch with lipids, proteins, and other major food components during food processing are inevitable. These interactions could result in the formation of V-type or non-V-type complexes of starch. The starch-lipid complexes have been intensively studied for over five decades, however, the complexes of starch and polyphenols are relatively less studied and are the subject of recent interest. The interactions of starch with polyphenols can affect the physicochemical properties and its digestibility. The literature has highlighted several green methods such as ultrasound, microwave, high pressure, extrusion, ball-milling, cold plasma etc., to assist interactions of starch with polyphenols. However, comprehensive information on green methods to induce starch-polyphenol interactions is still scarce. Therefore, in light of the importance and potential of starch-polyphenol complexes in developing functional foods with low digestion, this review has summarized the novel green methods employed in interactions of starch with flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins. It has been speculated that flavonoids, phenolic acids, and tannins, among other types of polyphenols, may have anti-digestive activities and are also revealed for their interaction with starch to form either an inclusion or non-inclusion complex. Further information on the effects of these interactions on physicochemical parameters to understand the chemistry and structure of the complexes is also provided.

Impact of Polyphenols on Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Factors in Diabetes Mellitus: Nutritional Antioxidants and Their Application in Improving Antidiabetic Therapy

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development and progression of diabetes and its complications. Nutritional antioxidants derived from dietary sources have gained significant attention due to their potential to improve antidiabetic therapy. This review will delve into the world of polyphenols, investigating their origins in plants, metabolism in the human body, and relevance to the antioxidant mechanism in the context of improving antidiabetic therapy by attenuating oxidative stress, improving insulin sensitivity, and preserving β-cell function. The potential mechanisms of, clinical evidence for, and future perspectives on nutritional antioxidants as adjuvant therapy in diabetes management are discussed.

Effect of proanthocyanidins from different sources on the digestibility, physicochemical properties and structure of gelatinized maize starch

The effect of proanthocyanidins (PAs) from Chinese bayberry leaves (BLPs), grape seeds (GSPs), peanut skins (PSPs) and pine barks (PBPs) on physicochemical properties, structure and in-vitro digestibility of gelatinized maize starch was investigated. The results showed that all PAs remarkably retarded starch digestibility, meanwhile, BLPs highlighted superiority in increasing resistant starch content from 31.29 ± 1.12 % to 68.61 ± 1.15 %. The iodine-binding affinity analysis confirmed the interaction between PAs and starch, especially the stronger binding of BLPs to amylose, which was driven by non-covalent bonds supported by XRD and FT-IR analysis. Further, we found that PAs altered the rheological properties, thermal properties and morphology structure of starch. In brief, PAs induced larger consistency, poorer flow ability, lower gelatinization temperatures and melting enthalpy change (ΔH) of starch paste. SEM and CLSM observation demonstrated that PAs facilitated starch aggregation. Our results indicated that PAs especially BLPs could be considered as potential additives to modify starch in food industry.

Inhalable Capsular Polysaccharide-Camouflaged Gallium-Polyphenol Nanoparticles Enhance Lung Cancer Chemotherapy by Depleting Local Lung Microbiota

Local lung microbiota is closely associated with lung tumorigenesis and therapeutic response. It is found that lung commensal microbes induce chemoresistance in lung cancer by directly inactivating therapeutic drugs via biotransformation. Accordingly, an inhalable microbial capsular polysaccharide (CP)-camouflaged gallium-polyphenol metal-organic network (MON) is designed to eliminate lung microbiota and thereby abrogate microbe-induced chemoresistance. As a substitute for iron uptake, Ga3+ released from MON acts as a "Trojan horse" to disrupt bacterial iron respiration, effectively inactivating multiple microbes. Moreover, CP cloaks endow MON with reduced immune clearance by masquerading as normal host-tissue molecules, significantly increasing residence time in lung tissue for enhanced antimicrobial efficacy. In multiple lung cancer mice models, microbe-induced drug degradation is remarkably inhibited when drugs are delivered by antimicrobial MON. Tumor growth is sufficiently suppressed and mouse survival is prolonged. The work develops a novel microbiota-depleted nanostrategy to overcome chemoresistance in lung cancer by inhibiting local microbial inactivation of therapeutic drugs.

Effects of coarse cereals on dough and Chinese steamed bread - a review

Chinese steamed breads (CSBs) are long-established staple foods in China. To enhance the nutritional value, coarse cereals such as oats, buckwheat, and quinoa have been added to the formulation for making CSBs. This review presents the nutritional value of various coarse cereals and analyses the interactions between the functional components of coarse cereals in the dough. The addition of coarse cereals leads to changes in the rheological, fermentation, and pasting aging properties of the dough, which further deteriorates the appearance and texture of CSBs. This review can provide some suggestions and guidelines for the production of staple and nutritious staple foods.

Invasive Alien Species as a Potential Source of Phytopharmaceuticals: Phenolic Composition and Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activity of Robinia pseudoacacia L. Leaf and Flower Extracts

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), an invasive tree in Europe, commonly known for its negative impact on biodiversity, is a rich source of phenolic compounds recognized in traditional medicine. Since the metabolite profile depends on the environment and climate, this study aimed to provide the first LC-MS phytochemical screening of the black locust from the Istria region (Croatia). The compounds were extracted from leaves and flowers with 70% ethanol and 80% methanol. Total phenolics (TP) and flavonoids (TF), as well as antioxidant capacity (AC) measured by ABTS (17.49-146.41 mg TE/g DW), DPPH (24.67-118.49 mg TE/g DW), and FRAP (7.38-77.53 mg TE/g DW) assays, were higher in leaf than in flower extracts. Higher TP and total non-flavonoid (TNF) values were displayed in ethanolic than in methanolic extracts. In total, 64 compounds were identified, of which flavonols (20) and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (15) were the most represented. Flavanols such as catechin dominated in leaf extracts, followed by flavonols, with kaempferol glucuronyl rhamnosyl hexosides as the main compound, respectively. Flower extracts had the highest share of flavones, followed by ellagitannins, with luteolin dirhamnosyl hexosides and vescalagin, respectively, being predominant. The extracts had good quorum sensing, biofilm formation prevention, and eradicating capacity. The results provided new insights into the phytochemical properties of R. pseudoacacia as the first step toward its potential pharmaceutical use.

Oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic nephropathy: role of polyphenols

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) often leads to end-stage renal disease. Oxidative stress demonstrates a crucial act in the onset and progression of DN, which triggers various pathological processes while promoting the activation of inflammation and forming a vicious oxidative stress-inflammation cycle that induces podocyte injury, extracellular matrix accumulation, glomerulosclerosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, renal tubular atrophy, and proteinuria. Conventional treatments for DN have limited efficacy. Polyphenols, as antioxidants, are widely used in DN with multiple targets and fewer adverse effects. This review reveals the oxidative stress and oxidative stress-associated inflammation in DN that led to pathological damage to renal cells, including podocytes, endothelial cells, mesangial cells, and renal tubular epithelial cells. It demonstrates the potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by targeting Nrf2, SIRT1, HMGB1, NF-κB, and NLRP3 of polyphenols, including quercetin, resveratrol, curcumin, and phenolic acid. However, there remains a long way to a comprehensive understanding of molecular mechanisms and applications for the clinical therapy of polyphenols.

Polyphenols: Natural Preservatives with Promising Applications in Food, Cosmetics and Pharma Industries; Problems and Toxicity Associated with Synthetic Preservatives; Impact of Misleading Advertisements; Recent Trends in Preservation and Legislation

The global market of food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products requires continuous tracking of harmful ingredients and microbial contamination for the sake of the safety of both products and consumers as these products greatly dominate the consumer's health, directly or indirectly. The existence, survival, and growth of microorganisms in the product may lead to physicochemical degradation or spoilage and may infect the consumer at another end. It has become a challenge for industries to produce a product that is safe, self-stable, and has high nutritional value, as many factors such as physical, chemical, enzymatic, or microbial activities are responsible for causing spoilage to the product within the due course of time. Thus, preservatives are added to retain the virtue of the product to ensure its safety for the consumer. Nowadays, the use of synthetic/artificial preservatives has become common and has not been widely accepted by consumers as they are aware of the fact that exposure to preservatives can lead to adverse effects on health, which is a major area of concern for researchers. Naturally occurring phenolic compounds appear to be extensively used as bio-preservatives to prolong the shelf life of the finished product. Based on the convincing shreds of evidence reported in the literature, it is suggested that phenolic compounds and their derivatives have massive potential to be investigated for the development of new moieties and are proven to be promising drug molecules. The objective of this article is to provide an overview of the significant role of phenolic compounds and their derivatives in the preservation of perishable products from microbial attack due to their exclusive antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties and the problems associated with the use of synthetic preservatives in pharmaceutical products. This article also analyzes the recent trends in preservation along with technical norms that regulate the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products in the developing countries.

A new insight into synergistic effects between endogenous phenolic compounds additive and α-tocopherol for the stability of olive oil

Investigation of edible oil stability involves interactions between additive polyphenols and the inherent tocopherols. The work aimed to identify endogenous polyphenols to produce the synergistic effect with α-tocopherol in olive oil and to find the right action ratio. Caffeic acid and quercetin were selected from the 15 main endogenous phenolic compounds in olive oil. Quercetin had the strongest synergistic effect with α-tocopherol at 2:1 in the olive oil model. The rate of 2:1 also was the turning point of the change of synergism. Furthermore, the addition of quercetin and α-tocopherol at 2:1 to olive oil resulted in lower POV, K232, K270, and secondary oxidation products such as (E, E)-2,4-decadienal and 2-pentylfuran than the olive oil model with a single antioxidant in three months of accelerated oxidation. The dynamic changes of antioxidants during oxidation in olive oil indicated that their synergistic effect was the repair and regeneration of α-tocopherol by quercetin.

The potential role of plant secondary metabolites on antifungal and immunomodulatory effect

With the widespread use of antibiotic drugs worldwide and the global increase in the number of immunodeficient patients, fungal infections have become a serious threat to global public health security. Moreover, the evolution of fungal resistance to existing antifungal drugs is on the rise. To address these issues, the development of new antifungal drugs or fungal inhibitors needs to be targeted urgently. Plant secondary metabolites are characterized by a wide variety of chemical structures, low price, high availability, high antimicrobial activity, and few side effects. Therefore, plant secondary metabolites may be important resources for the identification and development of novel antifungal drugs. However, there are few studies to summarize those contents. In this review, the antifungal modes of action of plant secondary metabolites toward different types of fungi and fungal infections are covered, as well as highlighting immunomodulatory effects on the human body. This review of the literature should lay the foundation for research into new antifungal drugs and the discovery of new targets. KEY POINTS: • Immunocompromised patients who are infected the drug-resistant fungi are increasing. • Plant secondary metabolites toward various fungal targets are covered. • Plant secondary metabolites with immunomodulatory effect are verified in vivo.

Effects of Endogenous Anti-Oxidative Components from Different Vegetable Oils on Their Oxidative Stability

The effects of endogenous anti-oxidative components of ten common edible vegetable oils (palm olein, corn oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, perilla seed oil, high oleic sunflower oil, peanut oil, camellia oil, linseed oil, and sesame oil) on oxidation were explored in this research. The oxidation processes and patterns of the oils were investigated with the Schaal oven test using fatty acids and the oxidative stability index, acid value, peroxide value, p-anisidine value, total oxidation value, and content of major endogenous anti-oxidative components as indicators. The major endogenous anti-oxidative components in vegetable oils were tocopherols, sterols, polyphenols, and squalene, among which α-tocopherol, β-sitosterol, and polyphenols showed good anti-oxidative activity. However, squalene and polyphenols were relatively low and showed limited anti-oxidative effects. Moreover, the oxidative stability index of edible vegetable oils oxidized at high temperature (120 °C) was positively correlated with the content of saturated fatty acids (r = 0.659) and negatively correlated with the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (r = -0.634) and calculated oxidizability (r = -0.696). When oxidized at a low temperature (62 °C), oxidative stability was influenced by a combination of fatty acid composition as well as endogenous anti-oxidative components. An improved TOPSIS based on Mahalanobis distance was used to evaluate the oxidative stability of different types of vegetable oils. Moreover, the oxidative stability of corn oil was better than the other vegetable oils, while perilla seed oil was very weak.

Bioinformatics Tools for the Analysis of Active Compounds Identified in Ranunculaceae Species

The chemical compounds from extracts of three Ranunculaceae species, Aconitum toxicum Rchb., Anemone nemorosa L. and Helleborus odorus Waldst. & Kit. ex Willd., respectively, were isolated using the HPLC purification technique and analyzed from a bioinformatics point of view. The classes of compounds identified based on the proportion in the rhizomes/leaves/flowers used for microwave-assisted extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction were alkaloids and phenols. Here, the quantifying of pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics and pharmacodynamics helps us to identify the actual biologically active compounds. Our results showed that (i) pharmacokinetically, the compounds show good absorption at the intestinal level and high permeability at the level of the central nervous system for alkaloids; (ii) regarding pharmacogenomics, alkaloids can influence tumor sensitivity and the effectiveness of some treatments; (iii) and pharmacodynamically, the compounds of these Ranunculaceae species bind to carbonic anhydrase and aldose reductase. The results obtained showed a high affinity of the compounds in the binding solution at the level of carbonic anhydrases. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors extracted from natural sources can represent the path to new drugs useful both in the treatment of glaucoma, but also of some renal, neurological and even neoplastic diseases. The identification of natural compounds with the role of inhibitors can have a role in different types of pathologies, both associated with studied and known receptors such as carbonic anhydrase and aldose reductase, as well as new pathologies not yet addressed.

Phenolic metabolites as therapeutic in inflammation and neoplasms: molecular pathways explaining their efficacy

Polyphenols, also known as phenolic compounds, are chemical substances containing aromatic rings as well as at least two hydroxyl groups. Natural phenolic compounds exist widely in plants, which protect plants from ultraviolet radiation and other insults. Phenolic compounds have superior pharmacological and nutritional properties (antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-sclerosis, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities), which have been paid more and more attention by the scientific community. Phenols can protect key cellular components from reactive free radical damage, which is mainly due to their property to activate antioxidant enzymes and alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation. It can also inhibit or isolate reactive oxygen species and transfer electrons to free radicals, thereby avoiding cell damage. It has a regulatory role in glucose metabolism, which has a promising prospect in the prevention and intervention of diabetes. It also prevents cardiovascular disease by regulating blood pressure and blood lipids. Polyphenols can inhibit cell proliferation by affecting Erk1/2, CDK, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Polyphenols can function as enhancers of intrinsic defense systems, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Simultaneously, they can modulate multiple proteins and transcription factors, making them promising candidates in the investigation of anti-cancer medications. This review focuses on multiple aspects of phenolic substances, including their natural origins, production process, disinfection activity, oxidative and anti-inflammatory functions, and the effects of different phenolic substances on tumors.

Impact of polyphenols on heart failure and cardiac hypertrophy: clinical effects and molecular mechanisms

Polyphenols are abundant in regular diets and possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective effects. Regarding the inadequacy of the current treatments in preventing cardiac remodeling following cardiovascular diseases, attention has been focused on improving cardiac function with potential alternatives such as polyphenols. The following online databases were searched for relevant orginial published from 2000 to 2023: EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases. The search strategy aimed to assess the effects of polyphenols on heart failure and keywords were "heart failure" and "polyphenols" and "cardiac hypertrophy" and "molecular mechanisms". Our results indicated polyphenols are repeatedly indicated to regulate various heart failure-related vital molecules and signaling pathways, such as inactivating fibrotic and hypertrophic factors, preventing mitochondrial dysfunction and free radical production, the underlying causes of apoptosis, and also improving lipid profile and cellular metabolism. In the current study, we aimed to review the most recent literature and investigations on the underlying mechanism of actions of different polyphenols subclasses in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure to provide deep insight into novel mechanistic treatments and direct future studies in this context. Moreover, due to polyphenols' low bioavailability from conventional oral and intravenous administration routes, in this study, we have also investigated the currently accessible nano-drug delivery methods to optimize the treatment outcomes by providing sufficient drug delivery, targeted therapy, and less off-target effects, as desired by precision medicine standards.

The Genus Capsicum: A Review of Bioactive Properties of Its Polyphenolic and Capsaicinoid Composition

Chili is one of the world's most widely used horticultural products. Many dishes around the world are prepared using this fruit. The chili belongs to the genus Capsicum and is part of the Solanaceae family. This fruit has essential biomolecules such as carbohydrates, dietary fiber, proteins, and lipids. In addition, chili has other compounds that may exert some biological activity (bioactivities). Recently, many studies have demonstrated the biological activity of phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and capsaicinoids in different varieties of chili. Among all these bioactive compounds, polyphenols are one of the most studied. The main bioactivities attributed to polyphenols are antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive. This review describes the data from in vivo and in vitro bioactivities attributed to polyphenols and capsaicinoids of the different chili products. Such data help formulate functional foods or food ingredients.

Translational Research on Bee Pollen as a Source of Nutrients: A Scoping Review from Bench to Real World

The emphasis on healthy nutrition is gaining a forefront place in current biomedical sciences. Nutritional deficiencies and imbalances have been widely demonstrated to be involved in the genesis and development of many world-scale public health burdens, such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, bee pollen is emerging as a scientifically validated candidate, which can help diminish conditions through nutritional interventions. This matrix is being extensively studied, and has proven to be a very rich and well-balanced nutrient pool. In this work, we reviewed the available evidence on the interest in bee pollen as a nutrient source. We mainly focused on bee pollen richness in nutrients and its possible roles in the main pathophysiological processes that are directly linked to nutritional imbalances. This scoping review analyzed scientific works published in the last four years, focusing on the clearest inferences and perspectives to translate cumulated experimental and preclinical evidence into clinically relevant insights. The promising uses of bee pollen for malnutrition, digestive health, metabolic disorders, and other bioactivities which could be helpful to readjust homeostasis (as it is also true in the case of anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidant needs), as well as the benefits on cardiovascular diseases, were identified. The current knowledge gaps were identified, along with the practical challenges that hinder the establishment and fructification of these uses. A complete data collection made with a major range of botanical species allows more robust clinical information.

Advanced Delivery System of Polyphenols for Effective Cancer Prevention and Therapy

Polyphenols from plants such as fruits and vegetables are phytochemicals with physiological and pharmacological activity as potential drugs to modulate oxidative stress and inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease, chronic disease, and cancer. However, due to the limited water solubility and bioavailability of many natural compounds, their pharmacological applications have been limited. Researchers have made progress in the development of nano- and micro-carriers that can address these issues and facilitate effective drug delivery. The currently developed drug delivery systems maximize the fundamental effects in various aspects such as absorption rate, stability, cellular absorption, and bioactivity of polyphenols. This review focuses on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenols enhanced by the introduction of drug delivery systems, and ultimately discusses the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, growth, and angiogenesis.