Degradable poly(catechin) nanoparticles as a versatile therapeutic agent

Antioxidants are free radical scavengers found in spices which may play a significant role in preventing cell death. Allspice is a dried unripe berry obtained from the Pimento dioica plant that may have antioxidant potential. The objective of this study was to determine the total phenolic, flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity of allspice using selected assays such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential (FRAP) and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), Nitric Oxide (NO) and Oxygen Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (ORAC). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of allspice were determined using both water and methanol extraction. A comparison of antioxidant activity of water and methanol extracts of allspice was conducted using the different assays (DPPH, TEAC, NO, ORAC and FRAP). The total phenolic content (6.9%), NO scavenging (38.8%) and ORAC (35.1%) activity were higher in methanol compared to water extracts of allspice while flavonoids (57%), FRAP (11.2%), and TEAC (1.82%) were higher in water extracts compared to methanol extracts of allspice. The total phenolic and flavonoid content were higher in methanol extracts compared to water extracts of allspice. The IC50 (DPPH), FRAP and TEAC, NO scavenging and ORAC activity were higher in methanol extracts compared to water extracts of allspice. Total flavonoid content, FRAP and TEAC, NO scavenging and ORAC were significantly higher (p ≤ 0.5) in methanol extracts compared to water extracts of allspice. This shows that allspice has antioxidant potential and that the method of extraction can play a crucial role on the number of phytochemicals extracted from the plant. Utilization of allspice in food products may provide additional functional properties.

Six cultivars of kiwifruits grown in Korea, including Actinidia eriantha ‘Bidan’, A. arguta ‘Chiak’, A. arguta ‘Darae No. 2’, A. chinensis ‘Haegeum’, A. chinensis ‘Haehyang’, and A. arguta × A. deliciosa ‘Mansoo’, were harvested at various maturity stages to test whether kiwifruit maturity has an influence on antioxidant capacity or total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Kiwifruit extracts were isolated using absolute methanol and then 80% (v·v-1) aqueous methanol during homogenization. ‘Bidan’, collected at the second harvest stage, contained the greatest amount of total phenolics (775.3 mg gallic acid equivalents·100 g-1 fresh weight) and had the highest antioxidant capacity [816.5, 633.2, and 2,662.7 mg vitamin C equivalents·100 g-1 fresh weight for 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) scavenging, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity assays, respectively] among cultivars tested, while ‘Haehyang’, collected at the first harvest, contained the greatest amount of total flavonoids (13.1 mg catechin equivalents·100 g-1 fresh weight). Kiwifruit cultivar and genotype influenced antioxidant capacity, as well as total phenolic and flavonoid contents. No trend, however, was observed in total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and in the antioxidant capacity with respect to maturity stage. Antioxidant capacity had a higher linear correlation coefficient with total phenolic contents than with total flavonoid contents. The results above suggest that kiwifruits at various maturity stages are a valuable source of phenolics and antioxidants for industrial application and consumer health benefit.

Silkworm, Bombyx mori, and its faeces are notable healthy foods because of their biologically active components originating from mulberry (Morus spp.) leaves. However, in modern sericulture, silkworms are reared on artificial diet made primarily from defatted soybeans and dried mulberry leaf powder throughout the year. Neither the contents of functional components nor the biological activities of silkworms and their faeces raised on artificial diet have been investigated. Therefore, 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) content, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), total phenolic, total flavonoid and chlorophyll content were evaluated in silkworms and their faeces reared on mulberry leaves, artificial diet and then artificial diet switched to mulberry leaf from the fifth instar for four days. The DNJ content of silkworms depended on that in their diet and was significantly lower in silkworms fed with artificial diet than in those fed with mulberry leaves similar to the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. On the contrary, TEAC, total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were similar in all silkworms regardless of feeding conditions. In the faeces of the artificial diet-reared group, TEAC, total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were significantly higher than those of the mulberry leaf-reared group. Chlorophyll content in faeces depended on the content of diet, whereas that in silkworms was low regardless of the diet type. The biological activities and contents of functional compounds in the artificial diet-reared group were at similar levels with those of the mulberry leaf-reared group when the diet switched to mulberry leaf from the first day of the fifth instar for four days, indicating that the biological activities and content of functional components in silkworms and its faeces are defined by diet and changeable over a short period.

Characterization and Uptake of Strawberry-Derived Exosome-Like Nanovesicles by Human Aortic Endothelial Cells

Aims: The aim of the present study was to determine the total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant activities in Galanthus species (Gaalanthus woronowii, Galanthus nivalis, and Galanthus elwesii) indigenous to Turkey.
 Study Design: The plant materials used in the study, Galanthus elwesii samples were collected in Antalya province, Galanthus nivalis samples were collected in Istanbul province, and Galanthus woronowii samples were collected in Çaykara, Trabzon province in September 2018.
 Place and Duration of Study: Plant samples were stored in Herbarium Material Warehouse at Afyon Kocatepe University. The plant leaves and grated bulbs were dried in an incubator at 60°C. The bulb and leaf samples were then pulverized to 80 mesh particle size for analysis.
 Methodology: Total phenolic content was determined spectrophotometrically with Folin-Ciocalteu procedure and calculated as gallic acid equivalent (GAE). Total flavonoid content was determined with aluminum chloride colorimetric method and calculated as catechin equivalent (CAE). Antioxidant activities were determined with TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) and DPPH (diphenyl-p-picrylhydrazyl radical) methods. The phenolic acid and galantamine content were determined by reversed phase HPLC.
 Results: The highest total flovanoid content was determined as 33 mg CAE/g DW in Galanthus woronowii leaves and as 27 mg CAE / g DW in bulbs. DPPH removal activity was 77% in 500 μg/mL Galanthus woronowii leaf extract concentration and 93% in the ascorbic acid control group. The highest antioxidant content was observed in the leaves of Galanthus woronowii as 23 µmol Trolox/100 g DW and as 21 µmolTrolox/100 g DW in the bulbs. Higher galantamine content was determined in aerial parts (leaves) when compared to the underground parts (bulbs). The galantamine content in the leaves of all three Galanthus species was about 0.082%. The galantamine content in the bulbs of all three species was about 0.045%. Gallic, protocatechic, vanilic, caffeic, syringic, rosmarinic acid and catechin were identified in the leaves and bulbs of the three species with HPLC phenolic acid analysisIt was determined that the major phenolic acid was gallic acid.
 Conclusion: The present study findings demonstrated that Galantthus species has antioxidant capacity. Galanthus spp. leaves had higher antioxidant activity when compared to the bulbs. Galanthus woronowii exhibited the highest antioxidant activity among the scrutinized species.

Edible beans are among the most important grain legumes consumed by humans. To provide new information on the antioxidant phenolics of edible beans, the antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) in both soluble and bound fractions of 42 edible beans from China were systematically evaluated, with main phenolic compounds identified and quantified in 10 beans possessing the highest TPC. Edible beans contained a wide range of total antioxidant capacity and TPC generally comparable with common grains, fruits, and vegetables, and their bound fractions had significant antioxidant capacity, TPC, and TFC. Red sword bean was found for the first time to show extremely high total antioxidant capacity (ferrous[II] at 235 ± 13.2 μmol/g and Trolox at 164 ± 10.5 μmol/g) and TPC (1767 ± 58.3 mg of GAE/100 g). Phenolic compounds such as catechin, ferulic acid, gallic acid, p‐coumaric acid, and protocatechuic acid were widely detected in selected beans. A positive correlation was found between antioxidant capacity (ferric‐reducing antioxidant power [FRAP] and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity [TEAC] values) and TPC, with correlation coefficient r = 0.974 (FRAP value versus TPC) and r = 0.914 (TEAC value versus TPC). Therefore, beans with high antioxidant capacity and phenolic content can be valuable sources of dietary natural antioxidants for the prevention of oxidative stress‐related chronic diseases.

Paederia foetida L. is a tropical Asian plant containing bioactive compounds and often used as functional foods. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant capacity and inhibitory activity of P. foetida leaves extract on tyrosinase activity. In addition, the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined. TPC and TFC was evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu and the aluminum chloride (AlCl3) colorimetric method, respectively. The antioxidant capacity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) method. The antioxidant capacity was expressed as trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) dan ascorbic acid equivalent capacity (AAEC). The tyrosinase inhibitory activity was conducted by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using L-tyrosine as a substrate and measured at 490 nm by ELISA reader. TPC in the crude extract, fraction A, and fraction B was 173.18 ± 3.99, 553.95 ± 5.70 and 405.37 ± 33.90, respectively. TFC in the crude extract, fraction A, and fraction B was 12.79 ± 0,25, 143.16 ± 9.27, 143.50 ± 6.90, respectively. The best antioxidant capacity of the extract was shown in the DPPH method (15.71 ± 1.6 mg TEAC/g and 100.77 ± 8.5 mg AAEC/g). Meanwhile, fraction B showed the best antioxidant capacity by the FRAP (11.48 ± 1.5 TEAC/g and 8.39 ± 1.2 mg AAEC/g ) and CUPRAC (116.34 ± 1.9 mg TEAC/g and 66.11 ± 1.3 mg AAEC/g) methods. Tyrosinase inhibitory activity exhibited that the IC50 of fraction A and B was 13.67 μg/mL and 13.37 μg/mL, respectively.

Total phenolic, total flavonoid distribution and antioxidant activity in skin, pulp and fruit extracts of 12 plum cultivars were investigated. The results showed that the levels of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds changed depending on cultivars and fruit parts. The total phenolic content in skin was 4.5 times higher than that in pulp and 3.2 times higher than that in the whole fruit. The total flavonoid content in skin was 18.7 times higher than that in pulp and 9.6 times higher than that in the whole fruit. As the trend observed for antioxidant activity, a positive relationship (correlation coefficient r2 = 0.83–0.92) was presented between total phenolics and total antioxidant capacity. The results confirm that plum is a good source of natural phenolic antioxidants. Practical Applications The present study indicated that plum can contribute to the dietary intake of antioxidants, depending on cultivars and fruit parts. It is among the few studies investigating the distribution of total phenolic, total flavonoids and total antioxidant capacity in the skin, pulp and fruit of plum cultivars. It was observed that the highest values of total phenolic and flavonoid content were obtained from skin extracts. The study highlighted that phenolics and flavonoids in plums may play an important role as radical-scavenging agents that could be used for a healthy human life. This fact may open new perspectives for plum – besides its traditional uses – to be used in assuring a wholesome diet and a healthy life.

Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum) is a yearly, fast-growing, under-utilized pseudo-cereal with a high proportion of biomass content. We used the hulls, which are usually removed from djulis as crop residue, to evaluate the free-radical scavenging and antioxidant capacity of djulis. We studied the antioxidant capacity of ethanol- and water-extracted hulls and roots by using various in vitro methods. Ascorbic acid was the reference sample. The extract samples were used at 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 µg/mL. Total sugar content, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content were assessed. Antioxidant activity was assessed by using the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, and N, N-dimethyl-ρ-phenylenediamine. Ethanol- and water-extracted red djulis hulls showed high amounts of total sugar, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity. Moreover, ethanol- and water-extracted red djulis roots showed moderate antioxidant capacity. However, ethanol- and water-extracted yellow djulis hulls showed limited antioxidant activities. Utilization of the biomass of djulis hulls and roots as natural antioxidant resources may be environmentally friendly and foreseeable.

Pulasan (Nephelium mutabile Blume) is an underutilized fruit native to tropical countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. To date, the medicinal potential of pulasan remains unexplored, although this fruit shares the same genus with the well-known rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum). Therefore, the current study aims to examine the antioxidant properties of different parts of pulasan (flesh, rind, and kernel) and investigate the bioactive profile, anti-hypertensive and hypoglycemic properties of pulasan rind. Pulasan were extracted using different solvents, including distilled water, methanol, and ethanol. The antioxidant capacity was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and the antioxidant component was identified by total flavonoid content (TFC) and total phenolic content (TPC). The bioactive profile of pulasan rind was characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The anti-hypertensive and hypoglycemic properties of pulasan rind were determined with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) assay and alpha-amylase inhibition assay, respectively. Emerging findings revealed that pulasan rind exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity (DPPH, TEAC, and FRAP) in all extraction solvents and antioxidant components (TPC and TFC) in ethanolic extract. The ethanolic extracts of pulasan rind also had higher ACE and alpha-amylase inhibition activities than the distilled water extracts. Geraniin, chlorogenic acid, catechin, corilagin, syringic acid, and naringenin of pulasan rind may function as anti-hypertensive agents.

Background and Aims: In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the search for herbs to aid the management of hyperlipidemia. There is currently very little data on the simultaneous evaluation of the antioxidant and prooxidant properties of antihyperlipidemic herbs. This study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant and prooxidant properties of four antihyperlipidemic herbal drugs and also of bergamot. Methods: Antioxidant property was determined by ferric ions (Fe3+) reducing capacity (IRC), DPPH radical scavenging activity (DPPH IC50) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC); deoxyribose degradation test was used for prooxidant property. Results: The highest total phenolic content (TPC) was in the myrtle leaf (ML)(135.35±3.46 mg GAE/g, p<0.05) whereas the highest total flavonoid content (TFC) was in green tea (GT) (48.76±0.69 mg QE/g, p<0.05) both of which were maintained from a pharmacy. Among the bergamot samples, the highest TPC and TFC values were in filtered fruit juice (BFFJ) as 197.35±6.29 mg GAE/100 mL; and 94.14±1.39 mg QE/100 mL; p<0.05, respectively. GT showed the highest antioxidant capacity in IRC and TEAC assays (2.29±0.12 mM TE/g; and 2.32±0.07 mmol TE/mg, p<0.05). The lowest DPPH IC50 was identified in ML from a pharmacy (6.95±0.08 µg/mL; p<0.01). BFFJ had the highest IRC (2.94±0.031 mM TE/10µL), TEAC (5.14±0.084 mmol TE/10 µL) and the lowest DPPH IC50 value (10.561±0.17 µL). GT from a pharmacy and 1mg/mL concentration BFLFJ (filtered and lyophilized) were associated with the lowest hydroxyl radical scavenger activity (0.171±0.013 µM MDA equivalent, p<0.05 and 0.144±0.015 µM MDA equivalent, p<0.05). Conclusion: BFLFJ and GT got the highest attention due to high TPC, TFC, antioxidant and low prooxidant properties. Our results highlight the necessity of clarifying the value of bergamot and GT in this field with further studies.

Turnera subulata is a medicinal plant used as an herbal remedy for coughs and bronchitis. Unlike two other members of the genus, Turnera diffusa and Turnera ulmifolia, which dominate the ethnopharmacological and pharmacological literature, very little is known about the bioactive properties of T. subulata. In this study, whole-plant profiling of the total phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as antioxidant capacity of T. subulata was accomplished by analysing the leaf, stem, root, fruit and flower extracts. Analyses of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, free radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing ability revealed that the leaf extract had the highest antioxidant potential. Comparison of total phenolic contents and antioxidant parameters between T. subulata leaf extract and the extracts of other medicinal plants also indicated T. subulata to be a rich source of antioxidant activities. Strong, positive correlations were found between total phenolic and flavonoid contents and three antioxidant parameters, namely Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and nitric oxide scavenging activity. Our results indicate that the total pool of phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, in the T. subulata extracts were capable of both scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidants. Key words: Ferric reducing antioxidant power, flavonoids, free radical scavenging activities,nitric oxide, phenolics, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, Turnera subulata.

Abstract. Calvindi J, Syukur M, Nurcholis W. 2020. Investigation of biochemical characters and antioxidant properties of different winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) genotypes grown in Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 2420-2424. Winged bean, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L) DC, is described as having antioxidant properties. This work evaluated the biochemical and antioxidant characteristics of the P. tetragonolobus genotypes. Twelve-winged bean genotypes were calculated for total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of biochemical characters and antioxidant properties by using four methods: 2,2-diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), cupric reducing antioxidant power (CUPRAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). The plant material was grown in the same location conditions in Indonesia. The total phenolic content varied from 154.6 to 161.5 mg GAE/ 100 g, and flavonoid ranged from 105.2 to 112.4 mg QE/ 100 g fresh weight. The antioxidant capacities were 30.6 - 47.0, 140.4 - 167.6, 66.9 - 170.8, and 28.0 - 52.4 µmol TE/ 100 g fresh weight as calculated by the DPPH, TEAC, FRAP, and CUPRAC assays, respectively. The antioxidant activities were significantly correlated with the polyphenol content of winged bean genotypes fruits. The genotypes TU, L3, H3U, H1P, and TH were recognized higher based on their TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities, indicating that these genotypes to be promising for further breeding program and commercial purposes.

Illicium verum hook (Star anise), a common ingredient in traditional medicine and most commonly used spice in various cuisines due to its phytochemical content, health benefits such as antioxidant and for its aroma. Rapid increase in interest among natural antioxidant other than synthetic antioxidant lead to various investigations. Therefore a study was conducted to determine phytochemicals of Illicium verum hook, a widely used spice and its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties in 80% ethanol, 80% methanol, water and chloroform extracts. Concentration range of all the crude extracts were analysed in three trials. Among all the extracts ethanol extract showed highest phytochemical content and most of the phytochemicals were absent in chloroform extract. Total Phenolic content and Flavonoid content were determined using Folin–Ciocalteu method and Aluminum chloride assay. Methanol produced highest total Phenolic content and total Flavonoid content among all the extracts, which were 112.587±2.256 mg Gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per gram of dry weight of sample and 211.713±8.679 mg Rutin equivalent (RT) per gram of dry weight of sample. Ethanol extract produced more total Flavonoid content than total Phenol content. Chloroform extract produced least total Phenol content and total Flavonoid content, which were 41.2667±8.495 mg Gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per gram of dry weight of sample and 3.551±1.580 mg Rutin equivalent (RT) per gram of dry weight of sample respectively. Significance difference between total Phenolic content and total Flavonoid content of each extract was determined using regression, statistical analysis. Antioxidant scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were evaluated using 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity,2,2′-azino-di-[3ethyl benzthiazoline sulfate] (ABTS) decolorisation assay, Ferric reducing antioxidant assay (FRAP) and Phosphomolybdate assay (TAC). Methanol extract of Illicium verum hook showed highest antioxidant scavenging activity (51.548 mg/mL) except in FRAP assay. IC 50 values of each assay for methanol extract were, 127.089 mg/mL for DPPH, 51.548 mg/mL for ABTS and 320.476 mg/mL for FRAP. Total antioxidant capacity was high in methanol extract with 39.663 mg Ascorbic acid equivalent per gram of dry weight of sample. Antimicrobial activity of I.verum crude extracts were evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using agar disk diffusion method. Inhibition of bacteria growth by the extract was determined using by the diameter of “zone of inhibition”. Methanol crude extract showed high antimicrobial activity against both S.aureus and E.coli through large zone of inhibition. According to this study methanol was determined as the potential solvent to extract crude oil from I. verum. The efficacy of antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity in I.verum crude extract leads to new source of natural antioxidant, in drug development and processed food industry. Keywords: Illicium verum hook, Antimicrobial, Natural antioxidants and antioxidant scavenging

Aims: Plants need an appropriate amount of nutrients such as copper for growth and development. However, excess of copper may interrupt plant development and cause stress that led to biochemical compounds being synthesized. The influence of a high copper sulfate concentration on phenolic and flavonoid content in Phyllanthus tenellus plants was investigated.
 Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in a government compound at MARDI Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia (2° 59' 31.7292'' N 101° 41' 56.706'' E), from April 2021 to Jun 2021.
 Methodology: The experiment was conducted using a vertical column planting system under a side-netted rain shelter. The plants were subjected to 0.5 M copper sulfate sprayed after 60 days of planting and harvested 0.5, 1.5, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after sprayed for further analysis. Total phenolic content was calculated as mg gallic acid equivalent and total flavonoid content was measured as quercetin equivalent.
 Results: Highest total phenolic and flavonoid content was detected after 0.5 hours of copper sulfate application and started to decrease towards 24 hours after sprayed. Treated samples showed a 1.18-fold increase in total phenolic content and 1.4-fold increase in total flavonoid content compared to control untreated samples after 0.5 hours of sprayed. Control samples showed stability in both total phenolic and flavonoid content throughout the harvesting periods. Phenolic is the major secondary metabolites in Phyllanthus tenellus plants.
 Conclusion: Data revealed that the application of 0.5 M copper sulfate is able to enhance total phenolic and flavonoid content in Phyllanthus tenellus plants. The study suggested that the optimum harvesting time is 0.5 hours after copper sulfate application.