Golgi α-mannosidase: opposing structures of Drosophila melanogaster and novel human model using molecular dynamics simulations and docking at different pHs

The search for Golgi α-mannosidase II (GMII) potent and specific inhibitors has been a focus of many studies for the past three decades since this enzyme is a key target for cancer treatment. α-Mannosidases, such as those from Drosophila melanogaster or Jack bean, have been used as functional models of the human Golgi α-mannosidase II (hGMII) because mammalian mannosidases are difficult to purify and characterize experimentally. Meanwhile, computational studies have been seen as privileged tools able to explore assertive solutions to specific enzymes, providing molecular details of these macromolecules, their protonation states and their interactions. Thus, modelling techniques can successfully predict hGMII 3D structure with high confidence, speeding up the development of new hits. In this study, Drosophila melanogaster Golgi mannosidase II (dGMII) and a novel human model, developed in silico and equilibrated via molecular dynamics simulations, were both opposed for docking. Our findings highlight that the design of novel inhibitors should be carried out considering the human model's characteristics and the enzyme operating pH. A reliable model is evidenced, showing a good correlation between Ki/IC50 experimental data and theoretical ΔGbinding estimations in GMII, opening the possibility of optimizing the rational drug design of new derivatives.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Betacyanins obtained from alternative novel sources as natural food colorant additives: incorporated in savory and sweet food products

The aim of this study was to assess the performance and stability of betacyanin compounds present in enriched extracts of red-fleshed pitaya peels (Hylocereus costaricensis) and the flowers of Amaranthus caudatus; they were evaluated as natural food colorants in tagliatelle pasta and meringue cookies. The recovered natural extracts showed promising stability, maintaining a deep pink color over a storage time of 14 days, without deeply changing the chemical composition. A number of factors were assessed, including the microbial load, texture, color, nutritional value, and contents of organic acids, fatty acids, and even free sugars of the products. Some significant interactions between the type of colorant and storage time contributed to the changes in some analyzed parameters, as can be observed from the results for organic and fatty acids in the tagliatelle pasta and meringue cookies. Another significant achievement was the reduction in the microbial load during the storage time, which strengthens the antibacterial power of these natural extracts.

A Novel Approach to Assess Balneotherapy Effects on Musculoskeletal Diseases-An Open Interventional Trial Combining Physiological Indicators, Biomarkers, and Patients' Health Perception

The present study aimed to evaluate whether a 14-day period of balneotherapy influences the inflammatory status, health-related quality of life (QoL) and quality of sleep, underlying overall health state, and clinically relevant benefits of patients with musculoskeletal diseases (MD). The health-related QoL was evaluated using the following instruments: 5Q-5D-5L, EQ-VAS, EUROHIS-QOL, B-IPQ, and HAQ-DI. The quality of sleep was evaluated by a BaSIQS instrument. Circulating levels of IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by ELISA and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay, respectively. The smartband, Xiaomi MI Band 4, was used for real-time sensing of physical activity and sleep quality. MD patients improved the health-related QoL measured by 5Q-5D-5L (p < 0.001), EQ-VAS (p < 0.001), EUROHIS-QOL (p = 0.017), B-IPQ (p < 0.001), and HAQ-DI (p = 0.019) after balneotherapy; the sleep quality was also improved (BaSIQS, p = 0.019). Serum concentrations of IL-6 were markedly decreased after the 14-day balneotherapy (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed regarding the physical activity and sleep quality data recorded by the smartband. Balneotherapy may be an effective alternative treatment in managing the health status of MD patients, with a decrease in inflammatory states, along with positive effects on pain reduction, patient's functionality, QoL, quality of sleep, and disability perception status.

Emerging Strategies to Combat Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): Natural Agents with High Potential

Infectious diseases have always been a concern for human health, responsible for numerous pandemics throughout history. Even with the advancement of medicine, new infectious diseases have been discovered over the years, requiring constant effort in medical research to avoid future problems. Like the emergence of new diseases, the increase in resistance of certain bacterial strains also becomes a concern, carried out through the misuse of antibiotics, generating the adaptation of certain microorganisms. Worldwide, the resistance developed by several bacterial strains is growing exponentially, creating awareness and developing novel strategies to control their evolution a mandatory research topic. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an example of a bacterial strain that causes serious and mortal infections. The fact is that this bacterial strain started to develop resistance against commonly used antibiotics, first to penicillin and against methicillin. Thus, the treatment against infections caused by MRSA is limited and difficult due to its capacity to develop defense mechanisms against the antibiotic's action. Given the urgency to find new alternatives, the scientific community has been developing interesting research regarding the exploitation of natural resources to discover bioactive molecules that are able to inhibit/kill MRSA. In this sense, several natural matrices, namely plants, have shown great potential against MRSA, due to the presence of phenolic compounds, molecules with high antimicrobial capacity due to their chemical structure and arrangement.

[Hereditary Spherocytosis and Pregnancy: A Case Report]

Even though it is a rare condition, hereditary spherocytosis (EH) is the main inherited cause of haemolytic anaemia and presents with a broad spectrum of symptoms. In the few reported cases of pregnancy and EH, maternal and foetal outcomes are controversial. Particularly, reports of pregnancies with EH associated with thrombosis or portal hypertension are scarce. We present a case of a woman who underwent splenectomy with EH and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Our patient presented polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and plasminogen activator inhibit-1 that have a controversial impact on thrombotic risk. During pregnancy, the woman showed no signs of haemodynamical or cirrhosis deterioration. Concerning the foetus, late-onset foetal growth restriction was diagnosed but did not determine preterm delivery. Five weeks post-partum after an episode of acute abdominal pain, mesenteric venous thrombosis was diagnosed. In this case report, we describe our experience in managing pregnancy, labour and post-partum of a woman with EH, highlighting potential complications of this condition.

Primary biliary cholangitis: a rare diagnosis during pregnancy

Primary biliary cholangitis is an autoimmune disease that mostly affects women. It is uncommon in women of childbearing age and the diagnosis during pregnancy is rare and can be challenging. Described here is a case of primary biliary cholangitis first manifesting during pregnancy, with the onset of pruritus, jaundice, biochemical liver abnormalities and positive antimitochondrial antibodies. Although treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid was started at the time of diagnosis, there was a progressive worsening of cholestatic biochemical markers throughout pregnancy. In addition, fasting hyperglycemia with polyhydramnios was diagnosed, consistent with gestational diabetes. She had a spontaneous preterm delivery at 31 weeks of gestation, of a newborn who was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit but who subsequently had no long-term sequelae of preterm delivery. A maternal postpartum flare occurred. Treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid was well tolerated during pregnancy and lactation.

Biochemical Approaches on Commercial Strains of Agaricus subrufescens Growing under Two Environmental Cultivation Conditions

In the present work, the effect of the cultivation process, in the field and under a controlled environment, on biochemical parameters by using commercial strains of A. subrufescens were evaluated. The results obtained revealed that the strains cultivated in the field presented higher levels for most of the parameters evaluated (organic acids (20.5–48.0 g/100 g dw), tocopherols (107.0–198.6 µg/100 g dw), and phenolic acids and related compounds (245.2–359.0 µg/100 g dw and 10.6–23.7 µg/100 g dw, respectively)), except for the carbohydrates (53.4–72.6 g/100 g dw), energetic value (373–380 Kcal/100 g dw), and total free sugars (28.8–43.1 g/100 g dw), parameters in which the strains grown in a controlled environment present better results. For both cultivation systems, similar results were obtained regarding saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. These data contribute to the knowledge and highlight the characterized strains and the cultivation process, which can be used to obtain ingredients with potential applicability as a source of functional compounds.

Red pitaya (Hylocereus costaricensis) peel as a source of valuable molecules: Extraction optimization to recover natural colouring agents

Hylocereus costaricensis peel contains large amounts of betacyanins and can be exploited as a source of natural colorants. This work aimed the chemical characterization and evaluation of bioactive properties of this by-product and the optimization of the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of betacyanins using the response surface methodology (RSM). Oxalic and malic acids and traces of fumaric acid were detected, as well as the four tocopherol isoforms, predominantly γ-tocopherol. Four betacyanins were identified and used as response criteria for UAE optimization, namely phyllocactin, isobetanin, isophyllocactin, and betanin. Sample processing at 487 W for 38 min result in the maximum betacyanin content (36 ± 1 mg/g dw). The peel extract inhibit the oxidative haemolysis, with IC₅₀ values of 255 and 381 μg/mL for Δt of 60 and 120 min, respectively, and the growth of pathogenic bacteria, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 5 to 20 mg/mL. Furthermore, no toxicity was observed for normal cells.

One Year of COVID-19 in Pregnancy: A National Wide Collaborative Study

INTRODUCTION

Even though the risk of COVID-19 in pregnancy may be increased, large-scale studies are needed to better understand the impact of the infection in this population. The aim of this study is to describe obstetric complications and the rate of vertical transmission in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Detected cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy were registered in Portuguese hospitals by obstetricians. Epidemiological, pregnancy and childbirth data were collected.

RESULTS

There were 630 positive cases in 23 Portuguese maternity hospitals, most at term (87.9%) and asymptomatic (62.9%). The most frequent maternal comorbidity was obesity. The rates of preterm birth and small-to-gestational-age were 12.1% and 9.9%, respectively. In the third trimester, 2.9% of pregnant women required respiratory support. There were eight cases (1.5%) of fetal death, including two cases of vertical transmission. There were five cases of postpartum respiratory degradation, but no maternal deaths were recorded. The caesarean section rate was higher in the first than in the second wave (68.5% vs 31.5%). RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 positivity among newborns was 1.3%.

CONCLUSION

SARS-Cov-2 infection in pregnancy may carry increased risks for both pregnant women and the fetuses. Individualized surveillance and the prophylaxis of this population with vaccination. is recommended in these cases.

Chemical and Bioactive Characterization of Spanish and Belgian Apple Pomace for Its Potential Use as a Novel Dermocosmetic Formulation

Currently, there is a general trend towards reutilizing industrial by-products that would otherwise be discarded or considered as waste, aiming to explore them as alternative sources of valuable compounds. The apple pomace remaining from cider and apple juice industries represents a high-potential source of bioactive compounds with putative application in food or pharmaceutical-related products. Accordingly, the work reported herein was conducted to characterize the phenolic compounds in apple pomace from Belgium and Spain, as well as to evaluate its chemical composition and particular types of bioactivity. As a proof of concept, a new hydrogel was prepared, incorporated with the bioactive compounds and pectin extracted from apple pomace, aiming to obtain the most organic formulation possible. Independently of the extracting agent, it became evident that using lyophilization as the drying step is a better choice than thermal processes as it yielded a richer phenolic profile (fifteen individual compounds), with 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid as the major compound (66 to 114 mg/100 g dw) in Belgian samples. In general, the hydroethanolic extracts showed the strongest antioxidant and antimicrobial (particularly against Propionibacterium acnes: MIC = 2.5 mg/mL) activities. This result, together with the lipid nature of human skin, led it to be chosen as the extract type to be incorporated in the hydrogel. In general, apple pomace stood out as a valuable source of bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols and pectin, with good potential to be incorporated in dermal formulations.

Bioactive and Nutritional Potential of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (MAP) Seasoning Mixtures

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), worldwide appreciated and used as condiments, dyes, and preservatives, possess several biological properties that justify their continuous application in the food industry. In the present study, the nutritional and chemical profiles, as well as the bioactive properties of four combinations of condiments, sold for seasoning poultry, meat, fish, and salads, were evaluated. Twenty-five phenolic compounds (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS) were identified, with apigenin-O-malonyl-pentoside-hexoside as the major compound detected in all extracts. Oxalic and citric acids were identified in all mixtures (UFLC-PDA), as well as all the four tocopherol isoforms (HPLC-fluorescence). Regarding bioactivities, the mixtures for meat and salads (TBARS) and meat and poultry (OxHLIA) stood out for their antioxidant potential, whereas for the anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties, the mixtures revealing the greatest results were those for poultry and salad, respectively. In terms of antimicrobial activity, all the mixtures revealed the capacity to inhibit the growth of some bacterial strains. In brief, condiment mixtures showed to be a good source of bioactive compounds, as they confer health benefits, validating the importance of their inclusion in the human diet as a good dietary practice.

Phytochemical Characterization and Evaluation of Bioactive Properties of Tisanes Prepared from Promising Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

The chemical composition and biological properties correlation in several medicinal and aromatic plants is still underexplored, especially in its most common form of consumption as tisane. The present study aims to characterize the organic acids and vitamin E composition of five tisanes and their extracts by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) and HPLC coupled to a fluorescence detector techniques, respectively, and the phenolic composition by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS (mass spectrometry by electrospray ionization). It also focuses on their bioactive properties, namely antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, anti-tyrosinase, and anti-diabetic activities. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed in order to understand the correlation between the chemical composition and bioactive properties of the tisanes. The tisane 5 (T5) composed by lemon thyme, tutsan, cloves, and cinnamon, was the most promising mixture, presenting the lowest values for the lipid peroxidation inhibition, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic activity. It also presented the highest concentration of phenolic acids (caffeoylquinic acids derivatives), and flavan-3-ols (catechin derivatives). Only the dry plants presented tocopherols. For the antihemolytic, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activity, T2 and T4 (with lemon thyme) were highlighted as the best herbal mixtures. The PCA proved to be a valid tool to select the most promising tisane according to the bioactivity. These results suggest that the studied tisanes can be source of high added-value bioactive compounds with health-promoting effects and potential for application in the food and nutraceutical industries, among others.

Chemical and bioactive characterization of the aromatic plant Levisticum officinale W.D.J. Koch: a comprehensive study

Aromatic plants have been used since antiquity as seasoning ingredients to impart unique flavours to foods, and also as folk medicines, and are currently used as a source of several compounds of interest for different industries. Lovage (Levisticum officinale W.J.D. Koch) is an aromatic plant from the Apiaceae family with a strong flavour that has long been used in culinary products, in traditional medicine and by the food industry. Despite its significance and relevance, apart from its composition in volatile compounds, there is a scarcity of information about this plant species. To the best of our knowledge, this study documents for the first time the nutritional value and composition in fatty acids, organic acids and tocopherols of the edible aerial part of lovage, evidencing a low caloric value, a predominance of polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly α-linolenic acid, oxalic acid as the most abundant organic acid and α-tocopherol as the most abundant vitamin E isoform. The essential oil was mainly characterised by the presence of monoterpenes, showing also a high abundance of phthalides. In addition, a total of 7 phenolic compounds were identified in the decoction and hydroethanolic extracts, which showed interesting antioxidant properties and bacteriostatic activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria. Only the decoction showed cytotoxicity against a tumoral cell line (HepG2).

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench: Chemical Characterization and Bioactivity of Its Extracts and Fractions

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench is widely known for its medicinal properties, being one of the most used medicinal plants for its immunostimulant properties. Nevertheless, there is still scarce information on its cytotoxic activity. Thus, this study aims at evaluating the cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of several aqueous and organic extracts of the aerial parts of this plant and chemically characterizing the obtained extracts. The analysis was performed by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS. Fifteen compounds were identified; of these, seven were phenolic acids and eight were flavonoids. Non-polar compounds were evaluated by GC/MS, with a total of sixty-four compounds identified, and the most abundant groups were the sterols, fatty acids and long-chain hydrocarbons. The highest antimicrobial activity was exhibited by the dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and acetone extracts. Dichloromethane and n-hexane extracts showed the highest cytotoxic activity. Therefore, they were fractionated, and the obtained fractions were also assessed for their cytotoxicity. Notwithstanding, the cytotoxicity of the extracts was superior to that of the obtained fractions, evidencing a possible synergistic effect of different compounds in the whole extracts.

Phytochemical Characterization and Bioactive Properties of Cinnamon Basil (Ocimum basilicum cv. 'Cinnamon') and Lemon Basil (Ocimum × citriodorum)

The aim of this work was to contribute to the knowledge on the chemical composition and bioactive properties of two species of the Ocimum genus, namely O. basilicum cultivar ’Cinammon’ and O. × citriodorum. For this purpose, samples of these plants grown in Portugal were evaluated for their composition in phenolic and volatile compounds, and the infusion and hydroethanolic extracts were assessed for their in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activities. In total, the two basil samples showed the presence of seven caffeic acid and derivatives (dimers, trimers, and tetramers) and five flavonoids, mainly glycoside derivatives of quercetin. Despite some qualitative and quantitative differences, in both samples rosmarinic acid was the major phenolic compound, and linalool the predominant volatile compound. In general, the tested extracts provided relevant bioactive properties since both basil species showed higher antioxidant activity in Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARs) and Oxidative Hemolysis Inhibition (OxHLIA) assays when compared with the positive control Trolox. Despite O. × citriodorum extracts showing slightly better activity against some strains, both types of extracts evidenced similar antimicrobial activity, being more active against Gram-positive bacteria. The extracts also revealed interesting cytotoxicity, particularly the O. × citriodorum hydroethanolic extract which was also the only one exhibiting anti-inflammatory activity.

Hydroethanolic extract of Juglans regia L. green husks: A source of bioactive phytochemicals

Juglans regia L. (walnut) green husks are an important fraction of waste resulting from the walnut production, thus representing an interesting natural matrix to explore as a source of bioactive compounds. In this work, the hydroethanolic extract of walnut green husks was studied considering the phytochemical composition and the biological activity using different cell model assays, most of them evaluated for the first time for this matrix. From the HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSⁿ analysis, sixteen compounds were identified, being the extract mostly composed of naphthalene derivatives (including tetralone derivatives) and less abundant in phenolic compounds (hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonols). The cytotoxic potential of the extract was assessed against tumour (MCF-7, NCI-H460, HeLa and HepG2) and non-tumour (PLP2) cell lines. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by inhibition of the oxidative haemolysis (OxHLIA) and the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and the anti-inflammatory potential by the inhibition of the NO production by the RAW264.7 cell culture. The antibacterial effects of the extract were also evaluated against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The results obtained represent a stepping stone for the development of future applications using walnut green husks as a source of added value compounds with bioactive potential.

Chemical characterization and biological activities of two varieties of xoconostle fruits Opuntia joconostle F.A.C. Weber ex Diguet and Opuntia matudae Scheinvar

The present work focusses on the chemical characterization and bioactive properties of Opuntia joconostle F.A.C. Weber ex Diguet and Opuntia matudae Scheinvar fruits. This research showed that xoconostle cv. Cuaresmeño (O. joconostle) and xoconostle cv. Rosa (O. matudae) are a good source of PUFAs and tocopherols. Moreover, both fruits revealed the presence of ten phenolic compounds (e.g., ferulic acid hexoside, quercetin-O-di-deoxyhexosyl-hexoside, and kaempferol-O-(di-deoxyhexosyl)-hexoside), as well as other organic acids (oxalic, malic, ascorbic and citric acids), and two betacyanins (betanin and isobetain). The hydroethanolic extracts of both fruits exhibited antioxidant activity, and inhibited the growth of several bacteria strains and of the yeast Candida albicans. As expected, xoconostle cv. Cuaresmeño was the fruit with highest antioxidant potential, since it was also the one that showed the highest content of bioactive compounds, with the exception of betacyanins. Overall, both fruits are revealed to be a good source of nutritive and bioactive compounds.

Valorisation of the green waste parts from turnip, radish and wild cardoon: Nutritional value, phenolic profile and bioactivity evaluation

The recovery of bio-wastes to obtain high added value compounds is of great interest for the pharmaceutical, medicinal and food industries. Therefore, the aerial parts of turnip (Brassica rapa L.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and leaf blade of wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L. var. sylvestris (Lamk) Fiori) were characterized regarding their nutritional composition, as also their content in soluble sugars, organic acids, fatty acids, and tocopherols. Furthermore, their hydroethanolic extracts and infusion preparations, were profiled regarding individual phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS and their antioxidant, antibacterial and hepatotoxic activities were evaluated. Regarding the nutritional content, wild cardoon revealed the best results, however it was radish and turnip that showed higher values for organic acids and phenolic compounds. The hydroethanolic extract and infusion preparation of wild cardoon stood out for its antioxidant and antibacterial activity. Overall, the hydroethanolic extracts seemed more effective (regarding antioxidant and antibacterial activity) than the infusions. Total phenolic acids proved to be strongly correlated with the antioxidant and antibacterial (against Morganella morganii) activities. This study showed that the discarded parts of these plants can be used as an important natural source of valuable nutrient content and new and safe bioactive compounds, beneficial for human health. Moreover, the extraction of those compounds from underused parts of turnip, radish and cardoon could be used to preserve foods, avoiding artificial additives and thus, contributing to the development of new natural ingredients.

HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS screening of phytochemical compounds and the bioactive properties of different plant parts of Zizyphus lotus (L.) Desf

Zizyphus lotus L. (Desf.) has been widely used as a homemade ingredient to treat numerous diseases in Algerian folk medicine. In this context, decoction, infusion and hydroethanolic extracts were prepared from the branches, leaves, roots, and stem barks. The extracts were characterized regarding their phytochemical composition by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSⁿ and were assessed for in vitro bioactivity (cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory activity, and antibacterial activity). A total of 29 compounds (flavonoid derivatives and secoiridoids) were identified in Z. lotus, 15 being detected in leaves, 10 in branches, 5 in roots and 7 in stem barks. The highest contents of these compounds, especially secoiridoids, were detected in branches followed by leaves, oleuropein being the main compound detected in leaves and oleoside in branches. The aqueous preparations of the leaves and root barks revealed the highest cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory potential. On the other hand, as for the antibacterial activity, the hydroethanolic extract of the branches showed the highest potential, especially against the MSSA strain. Hence, the chemical diversity found in Z. lotus makes it a source of bioactive ingredients that can be applied in the formulations of different ingredients in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Rubus ulmifolius Schott as a Novel Source of Food Colorant: Extraction Optimization of Coloring Pigments and Incorporation in a Bakery Product

(1) Background: Color has been considered to be the flashiest attribute of foodstuffs and researchers have shown a great interest in the extraction of pigmented compounds from vegetal products, with the purpose to provide alternative counterparts to the food industry; (2) Methods: This study aimed to explore Rubus ulmifolius Schott fruits as a potential source of anthocyanins, optimizing the extraction method, evaluating the bioactivity and incorporating the rich extract into a bakery food product; (3) Results: After the extraction optimization, results showed R. ulmifolius fruits to be a great source of anthocyanins, obtaining an amount of 33.58 mg AT/g E, with an extraction yield of 62.08%. The rich anthocyanin extract showed antitumor and antimicrobial potential in some tumor cell lines and strains, respectively, as well as the absence of toxicity; (4) Conclusions: The extract when incorporated in a bakery product showed a good coloring capacity, maintaining the nutritional value, revealing its use to be a great approach for replacing artificial colorants.

Phenolic profile and effects of acetone fractions obtained from the inflorescences of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull on vaginal pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria

The phenolic profile and the antibacterial activity against pathogenic commensal vaginal bacteria exhibited by different fractions of the acetone extract of heather were assessed. The acetone extract of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull was fractionated by silica gel column chromatography through an eluent system of increasing polarity, and 10 different fractions (Fr 1 to Fr 10) were obtained. The phenolic profile was analyzed by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS. Type B (epi)catechin dimers, (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin, were the main phenolic compounds present in the fractions. The antibacterial activity was also analyzed against pathogenic bacteria and the effect on the beneficial microflora was also assessed. Some of the obtained fractions revealed the capacity to inhibit pathogenic microorganisms without affecting the beneficial microflora, especially Fr 7 and Fr 8. For instance, Neisseria gonorrhoeae was inhibited by both of the fractions, while Fr 7 was more active against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Morganella morganii, and Fr 8 was active against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), without affecting the Lactobacillus strains. This study corroborates the therapeutic use of this matrix in traditional medicine.

Phenolic Profile and Bioactive Properties of Carissa macrocarpa (Eckl.) A.DC.: An In Vitro Comparative Study between Leaves, Stems, and Flowers

The present work aimed to characterize leaves, stems, and flowers of Carissa macrocarpa (Eckl.) A.DC., by performing an analysis of the phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS, correlating them with bioactive properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities. Thirty polyphenols were identified in the hydroethanolic extract, including phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols, and flavonol glycosides derivatives (which presented the highest number of identified compounds). However, flavan-3-ols showed the highest concentration in stems (mainly owing to the presence of dimers, trimmers, and tetramers of type B (epi)catechin). Leaves were distinguished by their high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as their bactericidal effect against E. coli, while stems presented a higher cytotoxic activity and bactericidal effect against Gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, a high correlation between the studied bioactivities and the presence of phenolic compounds was also verified. The obtained results bring added value to the studied plant species.

Amantagula Fruit (Carissa macrocarpa (Eckl.) A.DC.): Nutritional and Phytochemical Characterization

Fruits are one of the most promising food matrices and they have been explored in the discovery of new natural and safer bioactive compounds. Carissa macrocarpa (Eckl.) A. DC. fruits are widely consumed in African countries for the preparation of traditional foodstuff, but also for their beneficially health effects. Thus, as the authors' best knowledge there are no studies on the chemical and bioactive characterization of these fruits. Therefore, fruits of C. macrocarpa from Tunisia were chemically characterized regarding their nutritional value and bioactive compounds. Furthermore, the hydroethanolic extract of these fruits was evaluated regarding its bioactive properties. The fruit powder sample showed high amounts of sugars and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The organic acids and tocopherols' profiles revealed the presence of five organic acids and two tocopherol isoforms, being quinic acid and α-tocopherol the most abundant. The hydroethanolic extract of the fruits presented high antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, showing activity against all the bacterial strains studied, also inhibiting the cell growth of all the tested tumor cell lines, with the exception of HepG2, and did not reveal toxicity for the non-tumor cells PLP2. Therefore, the fruits of C. macrocarpa could be included in a daily basis diet as a source of high nutritional quality compounds with high bioactive potential.

Rubus ulmifolius Schott fruits: A detailed study of its nutritional, chemical and bioactive properties

There is a growing interest in wild edible species that represent a source of several health-promoting compounds, providing a potential strategy to diversify and enrich the daily diet. The aim of the present work was to characterize the nutritional and chemical composition of Rubus ulmifolius Schott fruits. Furthermore, their antimicrobial activity, non-anthocyanin and anthocyanin phenolic profile were also determined. According to the obtained results, R. ulmifolius fruits exhibited a high concentration in carbohydrates and a low fat content, in comparison with the other nutrients and non-nutrients detected in this sample. The colour parameters demonstrated differences in a* and b* parameters after lyophilisation process. Glucose and fructose were the most abundant free sugars detected and quinic acid showed the highest content compared to the other five organic acids identified. The fatty acids profile revealed 25 compounds, being mostly represented by polyunsaturated fatty acids and evidencing linolenic and α-linolenic acid as the most abundant. All tocopherol isoforms were detected, revealing γ-tocopherol with highest amount. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, ellagic acid pentoside, ellagic acid glucuronide and sanguiin H-10 were the main phenolic compounds present, which could be related to the antimicrobial activity (MIC values ranging between 5 and 20 mg/mL) revealed by R. ulmifolius fruits. These results showed that this fruit is a good source of nutrients as also non-nutrient compounds, with human health benefits.

Phenolic profile and in vitro bioactive potential of Saharan Juniperus phoenicea L. and Cotula cinerea (Del) growing in Algeria

The aim of this study was to characterize the individual phenolic profile and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities of hydroethanolic and infusion extracts prepared from Algerian Saharan Juniperus phoenicea L. and Cotula cinerea (Del). The phenolic profile was determined using a liquid chromatograph coupled to a diode array detector and an electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (LC-DAD-ESI/MS). A total of thirteen and nine individual phenolic compounds were identified in J. phoenicea and C. cinerea, respectively. 3-p-Coumaroylquinic acid, quercetin- and myricetin-O-pentoside were the major compounds present in J. phoenicea; on the other hand, C. cinerea presented luteolin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin-O-malonylhexoside, and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid as the main molecules. In general, all samples exhibited interesting antioxidant activity when compared to the standard Trolox, but J. phoenicea extracts presented the highest bioactivity. Likewise, all the samples exhibited anti-inflammatory activity; thus J. phoenicea hydroethanolic extracts showed the highest potential (88 ± 8 μg mL-1). In addition, their cytotoxicity was evaluated towards a panel of four selected cell lines (HeLa, NCI-H460, MCF-7 and HepG2), and all the extracts showed cytotoxic effects, with J. phoenicea extracts being the most effective. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts was moderate, Gram-positive bacteria thus being more sensitive than the Gram-negative strains (MIC values between 5 and 20 mg mL-1). The present work suggests that J. phoenicea and C. cinerea are sources of bioactive ingredients with potential use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull: chemical characterization, evaluation of its bioactive properties and effect on the vaginal microbiota

C. vulgaris inflorescences revealed myricetin derivatives as the main compound and polar extracts revealed higher bioactivities, preserving vaginal microbiota.

Chemical composition and bioactive properties of the wild edible plant Raphanus raphanistrum L

Recently, there has been an interest regarding the consumption of wild edible plants in modern diets. However, there is still scarce information about several wild vegetables traditionally consumed. Therefore, this work aims on documenting the nutritional and chemical composition of wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum L.), as well as its bioactive potential. Results showed that wild radish is a potential source of beneficial compounds, including vitamin E, polyunsaturated fatty acid (particularly α-linolenic acid) and different phenolic compounds, in which fourteen phenolics were identified, with kaempferol-3,7-O-di-rhamnoside being the most abundant. The bioactive potential was exploited using hydroethanolic and decoction extracts. Both proved to inhibit several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and revealed antioxidant activity, while cytotoxicity against non-tumor cell was not observed. In general, results evidence the interest in recovering the use of this wild vegetable as part of a varied diet, which can bring several health benefits.

Bioactive properties and phytochemical assessment of Bacupari-anão (Garcinia brasiliensis Mart.) leaves native to Rondônia, Brazil

Leaf fractions of Garcinia brasiliensis were evaluated concerning their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties, and the most active fraction was then fully characterized regarding its phenolic composition using HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn. The ethyl acetate fraction from partitioning of the methanolic leaf extract revealed a strong antioxidant activity that was comparable to Trolox, the positive control. This fraction was also able to show a significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and the fungus Candida albicans. However, the dichloromethane fraction was found to present the highest anti-inflammatory (83 ± 9 μg mL-1) and cytotoxic activities, thus presenting slight toxicity using a non-tumor cell line. Regarding the phenolic profile, the ethyl acetate fraction presented twelve flavonoids, with morelloflavone-7''-O-glucoside (52.1 ± 0.4 mg g-1) and gardinia biflavonoid 2a glucoside (27.5 ± 0.2 mg g-1) being the major compounds identified. These results indicate that leaves of G. brasiliensis might be a potential source of natural biomolecules for pharmaceutical and medicinal applications.

Grape pomace as a source of phenolic compounds and diverse bioactive properties

The bio-residues resulting from the wine industry (grape pomace made up of skins, seeds and stems) are often undervalued but constitute a potential source of bioactive phenolic compounds that can be applied in several industries. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the phenolic profile of Vitis vinifera L. grape pomace (skins, seeds and their mixture), and correlate them with its antioxidant, cytotoxic and antibacterial activities. The seeds showed the highest amount of phenolic compounds and also the highest antioxidant, cytotoxic and antibacterial activities. The skins revealed the highest levels of anthocyanins and p-coumaric acid hexoside. Strong correlations were observed between the presence of phenolic compounds and all the bioactivities studied. These by-products are good sources of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant and antibacterial activity, and also presenting a moderate cytotoxicity activity. These added-value by-products have great applicability in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Detailed phytochemical characterization and bioactive properties of Myrtus nivelii Batt & Trab

The endemic Algerian myrtle, Myrtus nivelii Batt & Trab., was evaluated for its bioactive properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and antibacterial activities, and correlated with the individual phenolic compounds identified in its crude aqueous extract and subsequent organic fractions (ethyl acetate and butanol). Flavonols, such as myricetin, kaempferol and quercetin glycoside derivatives, were the major phenolic compounds found, along with the presence of ellagitannins. The ethyl acetate fraction contained the highest amount of phenolic compounds, followed by the butanol fraction and, finally, the crude aqueous extract. In general, all samples exhibited an excellent bioactivity, namely the ethyl acetate fraction that presented strong antioxidant activity, when compared to the standard trolox, strong cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity, especially against MRSA and MSSA. The present study revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction of M. nivelii could be used as a source of bioactive compounds in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Edible flowers as sources of phenolic compounds with bioactive potential

The edible flowers are widely used, but there is still a lot to be done in relation to its bioactive potential and its correlation with the presence of phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was determined the individual phenolic profile in the hydromethanolic extracts and infusion preparations of four different flower samples (Dahlia mignon, Rosa damascena 'Alexandria' and R. gallica 'Francesa' draft in R. canina, Calendula officinalis L., and Centaurea cyanus L.) and their bioactive potential (antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antibacterial capacity). All the studied flowers presented different profiles regarding their phenolic composition and revealed biological potential. The bioactive potential of the studied flowers was moderate, the hydromethanolic extracts of rose petals showed the best results for antioxidant and antibacterial assays, while the antiproliferative properties were only present in some of the tested cell lines, for the hydromethanolic extracts, in which dahlia and rose showed the best results. These results demonstrate that edible flowers can be used as a source of phenolic compounds with bioactive potential, which can be applied in the food sector, as foods and as sources natural ingredients.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of dried Portuguese apple variety (Malus domestica Borkh. cv Bravo de Esmolfe)

Malus domestica Borkh apples are one of the most consumed fruits in the world, due to their sweetness and flavour. Herein, 'Bravo de Esmolfe' apple fruits were characterized regarding their nutritional value, chemical composition and bioactive properties. Besides nutrients, flavan-3-ols (i.e., epicatechin and B-type procyanidins) as also hydroxycinnamoyl-quinic acids and phloretin derivatives were identified in the samples. Extracts prepared from 'Bravo de Esmolfe' also proved to have antioxidant activity and antibacterial effects against Gram-positive bacteria, namely methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Listeria monocytogenes and Enterococcus faecalis, and against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli (ESBL) (producing extended spectrum β-lactamases) and Morganella morganii. There is very little information about 'Bravo de Esmolfe' apple, so this study is important to inform consumers about an alternative source of nutritional and bioactive compounds.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at fire stations: firefighters' exposure monitoring and biomonitoring, and assessment of the contribution to total internal dose

This work characterizes levels of eighteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the breathing air zone of firefighters during their regular work shift at eight Portuguese fire stations, and the firefighters' total internal dose by six urinary monohydroxyl metabolites (OH-PAHs). Total PAHs (ΣPAHs) concentrations varied widely (46.4-428ng/m³), mainly due to site specificity (urban/rural) and characteristics (age and layout) of buildings. Airborne PAHs with 2-3 rings were the most abundant (63.9-95.7% ΣPAHs). Similarly, urinary 1-hydroxynaphthalene and 1-hydroxyacenaphthene were the predominant metabolites (66-96% ΣOH-PAHs). Naphthalene contributed the most to carcinogenic ΣPAHs (39.4-78.1%) in majority of firehouses; benzo[a]pyrene, the marker of carcinogenic PAHs, accounted with 1.5-10%. Statistically positive significant correlations (r≥0.733, p≤0.025) were observed between ΣPAHs and urinary ΣOH-PAHs for firefighters of four fire stations suggesting that, at these sites, indoor air was their major exposure source of PAHs. Firefighter's personal exposure to PAHs at Portuguese fire stations were well below the existent occupational exposure limits. Also, the quantified concentrations of post-shift urinary 1-hydroxypyrene in all firefighters were clearly lower than the benchmark level (0.5μmol/mol) recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

Development of Mushroom-Based Cosmeceutical Formulations with Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Tyrosinase, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Properties

The cosmetic industry is in a constant search for natural compounds or extracts with relevant bioactive properties, which became valuable ingredients to design cosmeceutical formulations. Mushrooms have been markedly studied in terms of nutritional value and medicinal properties. However, there is still slow progress in the biotechnological application of mushroom extracts in cosmetic formulations, either as antioxidants, anti-aging, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory agents or as hyperpigmentation correctors. In the present work, the cosmeceutical potential of ethanolic extracts prepared from Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Lentinula edodes was analyzed in terms of anti-inflammatory, anti-tyrosinase, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. The extracts were characterized in terms of phenolic acids and ergosterol composition, and further incorporated in a base cosmetic cream to achieve the same bioactive purposes. From the results obtained, the final cosmeceutical formulations presented 85%-100% of the phenolic acids and ergosterol levels found in the mushroom extracts, suggesting that there was no significant loss of bioactive compounds. The final cosmeceutical formulation also displayed all the ascribed bioactivities and as such, mushrooms can further be exploited as natural cosmeceutical ingredients.

Artichoke and milk thistle pills and syrups as sources of phenolic compounds with antimicrobial activity

Dietary supplements based on hepatoprotective plants have been increasingly used in the prevention of liver injuries. In the present work, the aim was to study the phenolic profile and possibly relate it to the in vitro antimicrobial activity of two different formulations (pills and syrups) of artichoke and milk thistle, the antioxidant and anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activities of which were previously reported by our research group. The phenolic profiles were obtained by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS, and the antimicrobial activity evaluation was performed with the clinical isolates of multiresistant bacteria (Escherichia coli, extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Artichoke syrup revealed the presence of vanillic acid and luteolin-7-O-glucoside while the pills possessed higher concentrations of 4-O-caffeoylquinic, 5-O-caffeoylquinic and 1,3-O-dicaffeoylquinic acids, this latest being able to inhibit the growth of MRSA. Regarding milk thistle formulations, the syrup presented isorhamnetin-O-deoxyhexoside-O-dihexoside, isorhamnetin-O-deoxyhexoside-O-hexoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside as the major phenolic constituents whereas the pills were richer in taxifolin, silymarin derivatives and hydroxylated silibinin; the syrup revealed antimicrobial activity against all the studied bacteria with the exception of Proteus mirabilis whereas the pills revealed activity against ESBL producing Escherichia coli. Overall, all of the studied formulations revealed to be a good source of phenolic compounds, among which milk thistle syrup presented the highest variety and concentration of flavonoids, which is possibly related to its strongest antimicrobial activity.

Zika virus infections imported from Brazil to Portugal, 2015

Zika virus is an emerging arbovirus transmitted by Aedes sp. mosquitoes like the Dengue and Chikungunya viruses. Zika virus was until recently considered a mild pathogenic mosquito-borne flavivirus with very few reported benign human infections. In 2007, an epidemic in Micronesia initiated the turnover in the epidemiological history of Zika virus and more recently, the potential association with congenital microcephaly cases in Brazil 2015, still under investigation, led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on February 1, 2016.

Here, we present the clinical and laboratory aspects related to the first four imported human cases of Zika virus in Portugal from Brazil, and alert, regarding the high level of traveling between Portugal and Brazil, and the ongoing expansion of this virus in the Americas, for the threat for Zika virus introduction in Europe and the possible introduction to Madeira Island where Aedes aegypti is present.

Wild Fragaria vesca L. fruits: a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals

Wild F. vesca fruits and the corresponding infusions could be potentially applied in functional foods (infusions) and/or nutraceuticals/pharmaceutical formulations (hydromethanolic extracts).