Identification of an anti-herpetic compound isolated from Pistacia vera L. male floral buds

Due to the numerous side effects of conventional drugs against herpetic infections and the growing phenomenon of resistance, the researchers turned to natural compounds as a source of new drugs because they are less toxic than the synthetic molecules. This study aimed to analyse the activity of Pistacia vera L. male floral bud extracts, against the replication of herpes simplex virus type 2, as well as to investigate their mode of action, isolate, and identify the active compound. Cell viability and anti-herpes virus activity were performed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and the plaque reduction assay, respectively. Three extracts (ethanolic, aqueous and polysaccharide extracts) were tested, only aqueous and polysaccharide extracts had anti-herpetic activity with a selectivity index of 29.12 and 20.25, respectively. Investigation about the mechanism of action indicated that the two active extracts inhibited the virus replication by direct contact with virucidal selectivity indexes of 39.15 and 32.09, respectively. An active compound was isolated from the aqueous extract using TLC bio-guided assay: it was identified as gallic acid by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn). The antiviral activity of Pistacia vera L. has been previously shown. The selectivity index of gallic acid is much lower than that of the active extract from which it has been isolated. Therefore, we can consider the aqueous extract prepared from Pistacia vera L. male floral buds as a promising natural product for treating herpetic diseases.

Synthesis and biological impacts of pollen shells/Fe3O4 nanoparticles composites on human MG-63 osteosarcoma cells

INTRODUCTION

Cell-adhesive surfaces play a pivotal role in biomedical engineering, as most biological reactions take place on surfaces. Pollen shell (PSh) ofPistacia vera L., as a new medical device, has previously been reported to cause cytotoxicity and apoptosis in MG-63 bone cancer cells.

METHODS

Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs) were synthesized and their reaction to PShs was gauged at different concentrations, and then characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersion X-ray spectrometer, X-ray diffraction spectra, dynamic light scattering, and vibrating sample magnetometer. Then, the biological impacts of PShs/Fe3O4NPs composites on MG-63 cells were investigated in-vitro using MTT assay, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Annexin V/propidium iodide, FESEM, and DAPI staining.

RESULTS

Fe3O4NPs with a size range of 24-40 nm and a zeta potential value of -37.4 mV were successfully assembled on the PShs. The viability of MG-63 cells was significantly decreased when cultured on the magnetic PShs as compared to non-magnetic PShs, in Fe3O4 concentration and time-dependent manner. In contrast, magnetic PShs had a positive effect on the viability of normal human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs). The analysis of apoptosis-related genes in cancer cells revealed that loading Fe3O4NPs on PShs increased expression of BAX/BCL2 and caspase-3 genes. The increased apoptotic activity of combined PShs/Fe3O4NPs was further confirmed by flow cytometric measurement, morphological analysis, and DAPI staining.

CONCLUSION

The incorporation of Fe3O4NPs into PShs could effectively increase anticancer effects on MG-63 cells via the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway, evident by upregulation of BAX/BCL2 ratio and caspase-3.

Evaluation of Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Eleven Pistachio Cultivars (Pistacia vera L.) Cultivated in Andalusia

Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is a nut with a good adaptability to the Mediterranean conditions of cultivation, specifically in the Andalusian region, becoming an emerging crop. Moreover, it has been getting attention in the past years for the great content of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols. Although some studies have reported the polyphenolic profile of pistachios, most of them have analyzed the hull part, considered as a residue, and not the kernel which is the edible part. Therefore, characterization of eleven varieties of pistachios kernels cultivated in Andalusia and harvested in 2019 and 2020 was carried out by UHPLC-MS (ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry). The identification and quantification of 56 polyphenolic compounds was performed, being the hydroxybenzoic acids group the most abundant with a 71−86% of the total amount followed by flavan-3-ols group that accounted for 8−24%. Moreover, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid was the main compound in most of the varieties, followed by vanillic acid hexoside. Larnaka, Avdat, Aegina, and Mateur presented the highest amount of total polyphenols, while Kalehghouchi, Joley, Lost Hills, Kerman, and Golden Hills were the varieties with the lowest content. Regarding the harvest season, no significant differences (p < 0.01) were found in the total amount of polyphenols between 2019 and 2020. In addition, the antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), and ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) assays, showing a similar trend as that of the polyphenols.

Mycotoxins in Pistachios (Pistacia vera L.): Methods for Determination, Occurrence, Decontamination

The consumption of pistachios (Pistacia vera L.) has been increasing, given their important benefit to human health. In addition to being an excellent nutritional source, they have been associated with chemical hazards, such as mycotoxins, resulting in fungal contamination and its secondary metabolism. Aflatoxins (AFs) are the most common mycotoxins in pistachio and the most toxic to humans, with hepatotoxic effects. More mycotoxins such as ochratoxin A (OTA), fumonisins (FBs), zearalenone (ZEA) and trichothecenes (T2, HT2 and DON) and emerging mycotoxins have been involved in nuts. Because of the low levels of concentration and the complexity of the matrix, the determination techniques must be very sensitive. The present paper carries out an extensive review of the state of the art of the determination of mycotoxins in pistachios, concerning the trends in analytical methodologies for their determination and the levels detected as a result of its contamination. Screening methods based on immunoassays are useful due to their simplicity and rapid response. Liquid chromatography (LC) is the gold standard with new improvements to enhance accuracy, precision and sensitivity and a lower detection limit. The reduction of Aspergillus' and aflatoxins' contamination is important to minimize the public health risks. While prevention, mostly in pre-harvest, is the most effective and preferable measure to avoid mycotoxin contamination, there is an increased number of decontamination processes which will also be addressed in this review.

Development and Validation of QuEChERS Followed by UHPLC-ToF-MS Method for Determination of Multi-Mycotoxins in Pistachio Nuts

Pistachios are one of the types of tree nut fruits with the highest mycotoxin contamination, especially of aflatoxins, worldwide. This study developed a Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) method that was followed by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography combined with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-ToF-MS) for the determination of mycotoxins in pistachios. Different approaches to dispersive solid phase extraction as a clean-up method for high lipid matrices were evaluated. For this, classic sorbents such as C18 (octadecyl-modified silica) and PSA (primary secondary amine), and new classes of sorbents, namely EMR-Lipid (enhanced matrix removal-lipid) and Z-Sep (modified silica gel with zirconium oxide), were used. The QuEChERS method, followed by Z-Sep d-SPE clean-up, provided the best analytical performance for aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), toxin T2 (T2) and toxin HT-2 (HT2) in pistachios. The method was validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, repeatability, interday precision and recovery; it achieved good results according to criteria imposed by Commission Regulation (EC) no. 401/2006. The method was applied to real samples and the results show that pistachios that are available in Portuguese markets are safe from mycotoxins that are of concern to human health.

Conserved DNA-derived polymorphism, new markers for genetic diversity analysis of Tunisian Pistacia vera L

Pistachio trees (Pistacia vera L.) have been cultivated in Tunisia for decades and the plantation was extended mostly in the center of the country contributing to the economic growth of marginalized areas. Herein we used conserved DNA derived polymorphism (CDDP) technique, which target specifically conserved sequences of plant functional genes, to assess the genetic diversity and construct genetic relationships among 65 Tunisian pistachio trees. A set of nine primers were used and 157 CDDP markers were revealed with an average of 17.44 showing a high degree of polymorphism (99.37%). The average of polymorphism information content of CDDP markers was of 0.86, which indicates the efficiency of CDDP primers in the estimation of genetic diversity between pistachios. UPGMA dendrogram and the principal component analysis showed four clusters of analyzed pistachios trees. Our results showed that the genetic structure depends on: (1) the gene exchanges between groups, (2) the geographical origin and (3) the sex of the tree. The same result was revealed by the Bayesian analysis implemented in STRUCTURE at K = 4, in which the pistachio genotypes of El Guettar, Kasserine and Sfax were assigned with more than 80% of probability. Our results prove polymorphism and efficiency of CDDP markers in the characterization and genetic diversity analysis of P. vera L. genotypes to define conservation strategy.

Characterization and Phytotoxicity Assessment of Essential Oils from Plant Byproducts

The present work describes the chemical characterization and the phytotoxicity assessment of essential oils (EOs) obtained from spent materials or pruning waste of four plant species: Zingiber officinale Roscoe used in the juicing industry, Pistacia vera L. var. Bronte used in the food industry, discarded material of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L. var. Futura 75), and pruning waste from Cupressus sempervirens L. The phytochemical profile of the EOs was evaluated by gas chromatographic flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and GC-MS analyses, which highlighted the presence of several compounds with a wide range of biological activities. Among them, application possibilities in agriculture were evaluated by studying the phytotoxic activity in vitro against germination and initial radical growth of several seeds such as Raphanus sativus L., Lepidium sativum L., Lactuca sativa L., Solanum lycopersicum L., Lolium multiflorum Lam., and Portulaca oleracea L.

Identification of Phenolic Compounds in Red and Green Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) Hulls (Exo- and Mesocarp) by HPLC-DAD-ESI-(HR)-MS(n)

Phenolic constituents of the nonlignified red and green pistachio hulls (exo- and mesocarp) were assessed by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS(n) as well as by HR-MS. A total of 66 compounds was identified in the respective aqueous methanolic extracts. Among them, gallic acid, monogalloyl glucoside, monogalloyl quinic acid, penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose, hexagalloyl hexose, quercetin 3-O-galactoside, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-glucuronide, and (17:1)-, (13:0)-, and (13:1)-anacardic acids were detected at highest signal intensity. The main difference between red and green hulls was the presence of anthocyanins in the former ones. Differently galloylated hydrolyzable tannins, anthocyanins, and minor anacardic acids were identified for the first time. Pistachio hulls were thus shown to be a source of structurally diverse and potentially bioactive phenolic compounds. They therefore represent a valuable byproduct of pistachio processing having potential for further utilization as raw material for the recovery of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and chemical products.