A-type Dimers Research Articles

Analysis of distribution and pharmacokinetics of litchi pericarp procyanidins in rat plasma and organs by using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Litchi pericarp procyanidins (LPP), which were mainly A-types, inhibit cardiovascular disease in vivo significantly. In order to know the pharmacokinetics of LPP, procyanidin (PC) metabolites were examined in various organs of rats at different time points after LPP ingestion. Plasma, liver, kidneys, spleen, brain, together with gastrointestinal (GI) tract of rats were collected over a 24-h period. The PC metabolic product residuals were extracted and identified by HPLC-Trap-MS–MS and LC/Q-trap-MS analyses. According to the data, there were eight PC metabolites with glucuronide, sulfate, and methyl ethers detected, in which brain was the first target of (−)-epicatechin, A-type dimers, and trimer, reaching their maximum values at 0.5 h post-administration. Liver was the major organ for glucuronidated, sulfated, and methylated transform during PC metabolism. GI tract was the primary system to recover PCs. Furthermore, all the litchi pericarp flavan-3-ols and PCs were eliminated from the stomach and GI tract 24 h after administration. (−)-Epicatechin conjugates, which were detected in plasma and brain as the major PC metabolites, demonstrating that flavan-3-ols and their metabolic products can cross the blood–brain barrier. And the results were also considerably helpful for us to know that A-type PCs are bioavailable in body.

Characterization and preparation of oligomeric procyanidins from Litchi chinensis pericarp

The main purpose of this study is to characterize and prepare A-type oligomeric procyanidins from litchi pericarp (Litchi chinensis Baila). The variety of oligomeric procyanidins was characterized by LC–ESI–MS analysis. There were (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, twelve dimers and six trimers of procyanidins were found in litchi pericarp extracts, and A-type procyanidins were much more abundant than B-type procyanidins. The main flavan-3-ol monomer and oligomeric procyanidins in litchi pericarp were (−)-epicatechin, A-type dimers (A1 and A2) and trimer (epicatechin-(4β-8, 2β-O-7)-epicatechin- (4β-8)-epicatechin). Procyanidin A1 (epicatechin-(4β-8, 2β-O-7)-catechin) was identified by NMR in litchi pericarp for the first time. (−)-Epicatechin and oligomeric procyanidins were prepared by the combination of AB-8 column chromatography and Toyopearl HW-40S column chromatography. The results showed that each fraction predominantly owned a single compound and gave a high yield with (−)-epicatechin, A-type dimers (A1 and A2) and trimer, suggesting a useful method to obtain pure (−)-epicatechin and A-type oligomeric procyanidins.

Novel proanthocyanidin dimer analogues with the C-ring-opened diaryl-propan-2-gallate structural unit and enhanced antioxidant activities

This study aimed to establish an approach for preparing new representative proanthocyanidin oligomers from persimmon for further structure−activity relationship study. Persimmon tannins (with a mean degree of polymerization of 23.7) were depolymerized, using 0.1 M methanolic HCl, with (+)-catechin and (−)-epigallocatechin gallate as chain breakers. Normal phase high-performance liquid chromatography (NP−HPLC) coupled with reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (RP−HPLC−MS) method was used to analyse the degradation products. Four B-type and one A-type dimers were tentatively identified. In addition, three dimer analogues, 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(2′′,4′′,6′′-trihydroxyphenyl)propan-2-ol-(epi)catechin dimer (B-type) and 1-(3′,4′,5′-trihydroxyphenyl)-3-(2′′,4′′,6′′-trihydroxyphenyl)-propan-2-gallate-(epi)gallocatechin-3-gallate dimers (A- and B-type), were reported for the first time. Three different assays were employed to evaluate the antioxidant capacities of the new dimer analogues. Our results revealed that the formation of the C-ring-opened diaryl-propan-2-gallate structural unit on dimer analogues enhanced their antioxidant abilities in aqueous systems for the first time. This research provided a workable approach for preparing novel dimeric proanthocyanidins for further structure–activity relationship study.

Metabolites and Changes in Antioxidant Activity of A-Type and B-Type Proanthocyanidin Dimers after Incubation with Rat Intestinal Microbiota.

Metabolism of B-type EC dimer, A-type EC dimer, A-type ECG dimer, and A-type EGCG dimer was compared in vitro after incubation with rat intestinal microbiota for 0-24 h. A "dimeric" catabolite (m/z 815.6) was detected in four procyanthocyanidin dimers. Although the early cleavage of the C4-C8 interflavan bond and the reductive cleavage of the C-ring occurred in both B-type and A-type dimers, the degradation routes of these two types of dimers might somewhat differ. A dimeric catabolite C1 and more low molecular weight phenolic acids were detected in the metabolites of A-type EC dimer, but not in B-type EC dimer. The antioxidant capabilities of the A-type dimers were enhanced significantly after incubation for 6 h, whereas the antioxidant capacity of B-type EC dimer decreased. The results suggested that changes in antioxidant activity of procyanidin dimers after bioconversion by rat intestinal microbiota were not only structure dependent but also incubation condition dependent.

Oxidative conversion of B- to A-type procyanidin trimer: Evidence for quinone methide mechanism

Two main types of procyanidin oligomers (A-type and B-type) are present in plants. Previous studies revealed that B-type procyanidin dimers can be converted into A-type dimers by oxidation. However, the mechanism lacks experimental proof. In this study, the conditions of a B-type procyanidin trimer, procyanidin C-1 (PC-1), conversion to A-type cinnamtannin B-1 (CTB-1), including temperature, pH value and four catalysts were investigated. The catalysts include DPPH, O2-, polyphenol oxidase and xanthine oxidase. Results show that the conversion is significantly affected by temperature and pH. Both free radicals and oxidases accelerate the conversion rate with the same products but show no increase in conversion ratio. Moreover, the isolation and identification of continuous oxidation products (P 1–P 4) from CTB-1 are discussed here. These results demonstrate that the oxidative conversion of B- to A- procyanidins in plants might involve a free radical-driven process or an enzyme-catalyzed free radical reaction via a quinone methide mechanism.

Phytochemicals in fruits of Hawaiian wild cranberry relatives

Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) contain high levels of phytochemicals such as proanthocyanidins (PACs). These polymeric condensations of flavan-3-ol monomers are associated with health benefits. Our objective was to evaluate phytochemicals in fruit from Hawaiian cranberry relatives, V. reticulatum Sm. and V. calycinum Sm. Normal-phase HPLC coupled with fluorescence and ESI-MS detected PACs; the colorimetric 4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (DMAC) assay was used to determine total PACs. Spectrophotometric tests and reverse-phase HPLC coupled to photodiode array and refractive index detectors evaluated phenolics, sugars, and organic acids. Antioxidant capacity was determined by the ORAC and FRAP assays. Antioxidant capacities of Hawaiian berries were high. The FRAP measurement for V. calycinum was 454.7 ± 90.2 µmol L(-1) Trolox equivalents kg(-1) for pressed fruit. Hawaiian berries had lower peonidin, quinic and citric acids amounts and invert (∼1) glucose/fructose ratio compared with cranberry. Both Hawaiian Vaccinium species were good sources of PACs; they contained phenolics and PAC monomers, A and B-type trimers, tetramers and larger polymers. Vaccinium reticulatum and V. calycinum showed comparable or higher PAC levels than in cranberry. Cranberries had higher percentage of A-type dimers than did V. reticulatum. A and B-type dimers were not differentiated in V. calycinum. The total PACs (as measured by DMAC) for V. calycinum (24.3 ± 0.10 mg catechin equivalents kg(-1) ) were about twice that in cranberry. Berries of V. reticulatum and V. calycinum could serve as a rich dietary source of PACs, comparable to or greater than cranberries. These finding suggest that Hawaiian Vaccinium berries could be a functional food. Additional examination of the phytochemicals in other wild Vaccinium species is warranted.

Preparation of A-type proanthocyanidin dimers from peanut skins and persimmon pulp and comparison of the antioxidant activity of A-type and B-type dimers

We have established a simple method for preparing large quantities of A-type dimers from peanut skin and persimmon for further structure–activity relationship study. Peanut skins were defatted with hexane and oligomeric proanthocyanidins were extracted from it with 20% of methanol, and the extract was fractionated with ethyl acetate. Persimmon tannin was extracted from persimmon with methanol acidified with 1% hydrochloric acid, after removing the sugar and small phenols, the high molecular weight persimmon tannin was partially cleaved with 6.25% hydrochloric acid in methanol. The ethyl acetate fraction from peanut skins and persimmon tannin cleaved products was chromatographed on AB-8 macroporous resin followed by Toyopearl HW-50F resin to yield about 378.3mg of A-type (epi)catechin (EC) dimer from 1kg dry peanut skins and 34.3mg of A-type (epi)catechin-3-O-gallate (ECG) dimer and 37.7mg of A-type (epi)gallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) dimer from 1kg fresh persimmon fruit. The antioxidant properties of the A-type and B-type dimers were compared in five different assays, namely, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical, hydroxyl radical, lipid peroxidation in mice liver homogenate and erythrocyte hemolysis in rat blood. Our results showed that both A-type and B-type dimers showed high antioxidant potency in a dose-dependent manner. In general, B-type dimers showed higher radical scavenging potency than A-type ones with the same subunits in aqueous systems. But in tissue or lipid systems, A-type dimers showed similar or even higher antioxidant potency than B-type ones.

Effect of the Procyanidin A2 on Activity of Cytochromes P450 in Human Hepatocytes

Proanthocyanidins are among the phenolics associated with the prevention of urinary tract infections by cranberries. Procyanidin A2 is recognized as the main A-type dimer in American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.). This in vitro study focuses on the effect of procyanidin A2 on the expression and activity of the main drug metabolizing enzymes, namely cytochromes P450 (CYP). The enzymatic activity of six CYP forms with specific substrates (CYP1A2, phenacetin; CYP3A4, testosterone; CYP2E1, chlorzoxazon; CYP2C9, warfarin; CYP2D6, bufuralol; CYP2A6, coumarin) was measured after 24 hrs incubation of primary cultures of human hepatocytes in the absence/presence of procyanidin A2. Levels of metabolites of individual CYPs substrates and metabolites of procyanidin A2 were determined by HPLC/UV/MS detection. The results showed that the activity of all CYP enzymes (except for CYP2A6) was increased as much as twofold (bufuralol hydroxylation) in the presence of procyanidin A2. In the case of CYP2A6 60% inhibition was observed. Interestingly, incubation of procyanidin A2 with the microsomal fraction prepared from the same liver samples did not confirm the CYP2A6 inhibition. Therefore, our results suggest that the inhibition of CYP2A6 activity observed in hepatocytes requires additional cellular components beyond microsomes. Processes involved in the observed inhibition of this enzyme in hepatocytes are the subject for ongoing study. Acknowledgment: Financial support from the GACR P303/12/G163 is acknowledged.

Structural Snapshots of Yeast Alkyl Hydroperoxide Reductase Ahp1 Peroxiredoxin Reveal a Novel Two-cysteine Mechanism of Electron Transfer to Eliminate Reactive Oxygen Species

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are thiol-specific antioxidant proteins that protect cells against reactive oxygen species and are involved in cellular signaling pathways. Alkyl hydroperoxide reductase Ahp1 belongs to the Prx5 subfamily and is a two-cysteine (2-Cys) Prx that forms an intermolecular disulfide bond. Enzymatic assays and bioinformatics enabled us to re-assign the peroxidatic cysteine (C(P)) to Cys-62 and the resolving cysteine (C(R)) to Cys-31 but not the previously reported Cys-120. Thus Ahp1 represents the first 2-Cys Prx with a peroxidatic cysteine after the resolving cysteine in the primary sequence. We also found the positive cooperativity of the substrate t-butyl hydroperoxide binding to Ahp1 homodimer at a Hill coefficient of ∼2, which enabled Ahp1 to eliminate hydroperoxide at much higher efficiency. To gain the structural insights into the catalytic cycle of Ahp1, we determined the crystal structures of Ahp1 in the oxidized, reduced, and Trx2-complexed forms at 2.40, 2.91, and 2.10 Å resolution, respectively. Structural superposition of the oxidized to the reduced form revealed significant conformational changes at the segments containing C(P) and C(R). An intermolecular C(P)-C(R) disulfide bond crossing the A-type dimer interface distinguishes Ahp1 from other typical 2-Cys Prxs. The structure of the Ahp1-Trx2 complex showed for the first time how the electron transfers from thioredoxin to a peroxidase with a thioredoxin-like fold. In addition, site-directed mutagenesis in combination with enzymatic assays suggested that the peroxidase activity of Ahp1 would be altered upon the urmylation (covalently conjugated to ubiquitin-related modifier Urm1) of Lys-32.

Transport of Cranberry A-Type Procyanidin Dimers, Trimers, and Tetramers across Monolayers of Human Intestinal Epithelial Caco-2 Cells

A-type procyanidin oligomers in cranberries are known to inhibit the adhesion of uropathogenic bacteria. B-type procyanidin dimers and trimers are absorbed by humans. The absorption of A-type procyanidins from cranberries in humans has not been demonstrated. This study examined the transport of A-type cranberry procyanidin dimers, trimers, and tetramers on differentiated human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell monolayers. Procyanidins were extracted from cranberries and purified using chromatographic methods. Fraction I contained predominantly A-type procyanidin dimer A2 [epicatechin-(2-O-7, 4-8)-epicatechin]. Fraction II contained primarily A-type trimers and tetramers, with B-type trimers, A-type pentamers, and A-type hexamers being minor components. Fraction I or II in solution was added onto the apical side of the Caco-2 cell membranes. The media at the basolateral side of the membranes were analyzed using HPLC-MS(n) after 2 h. Data indicated that procyanidin dimer A2 in fraction I and A-type trimers and tetramers in fraction II traversed across Caco-2 cell monolayers with transport ratio of 0.6%, 0.4%, and 0.2%, respectively. This study demonstrated that A-type dimers, trimers, and tetramers were transported across Caco-2 cells at low rates, suggesting that they could be absorbed by humans after cranberry consumption.

Synthesis and antimalarial and antituberculosis activities of a series of natural and unnatural 4-methoxy-6-styryl-pyran-2-ones, dihydro analogues and photo-dimers

Previous studies have identified the 3,6-dialkyl-4-hydroxy-pyran-2-one marine microbial metabolites pseudopyronines A and B to be modest growth inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and a range of tropical diseases including Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania donovani. In an effort to expand the structure–activity relationship of this compound class towards infectious diseases, a library of natural product and natural product-like 4-methoxy-6-styryl-pyran-2-ones and a subset of catalytically reduced examples were synthesized. In addition, the photochemical reactivity of several of the 4-methoxy-6-styryl-pyran-2-ones were investigated yielding head-to-head and head-to-tail cyclobutane dimers as well as examples of asymmetric aniba-dimer A-type dimers. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity and activity against M. tuberculosis, P. falciparum, L. donovani, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma cruzi. Of the styryl-pyranones, natural product 3 and non-natural styrene and naphthalene substituted examples 13, 18, 21, 22 and 23 exhibited antimalarial activity (IC50 <10μM) with selectivity indices (SI) >10. Δ7 Dihydro analogues were typically less active or lacked selectivity. Head-to-head and head-to-tail photodimers 5 and 34 exhibited moderate IC50s of 2.3 to 17μM towards several of the parasitic organisms, while the aniba-dimer-type asymmetric dimers 31 and 33 were identified as being moderately active towards P. falciparum (IC50 1.5 and 1.7μM) with good selectivity (SI ∼80). The 4-tert-butyl aniba-dimer A analogue 33 also exhibited activity towards L. donovani (IC50 4.5μM), suggesting further elaboration of this latter scaffold could lead to the identification of new leads for the dual treatment of malaria and leishmaniasis.

Deciphering the Complexity of Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) Proanthocyanidins by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry with a Judicious Choice of Isotope Patterns and Matrixes

Use of superdihydroxybenzoic acid as the matrix enabled the analysis of highly complex mixtures of proanthocyanidins from sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Proanthocyanidins contained predominantly B-type homopolymers and heteropolymers up to 12-mers (3400 Da). Use of another matrix, 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone, revealed the presence of A-type glycosylated dimers. In addition, we report here how a comparison of the isotopic adduct patterns, which resulted from Li and Na salts as MALDI matrix additives, could be used to confirm the presence of A-type linkages in complex proanthocyanidin mixtures. Preliminary evidence suggested the presence of A-type dimers in glycosylated prodelphinidins and in tetrameric procyanidins and prodelphinidins.

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and European Cranberry (Vaccinium microcarpon) Proanthocyanidins: Isolation, Identification, and Bioactivities

European, small-fruited cranberries (Vaccinium microcarpon) and lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) were characterized for their phenolic compounds and tested for antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiadhesive, and antiinflammatory effects. The main phenolic compounds in both lingonberries and cranberries were proanthocyanidins comprising 63-71% of the total phenolic content, but anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, and flavonols were also found. Proanthocyanidins are polymeric phenolic compounds consisting mainly of catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, and epigallocatechin units. In the present study, proanthocyanidins were divided into three groups: dimers and trimers, oligomers (mDP 4-10), and polymers (mDP > 10). Catechin, epicatechin, A-type dimers and trimers were found to be the terminal units of isolated proanthocyanidin fractions. Inhibitions of lipid oxidation in liposomes were over 70% and in emulsions over 85%, and in most cases the oligomeric or polymeric fraction was the most effective. Polymeric proanthocyanidin extracts of lingonberries and cranberries were strongly antimicrobial against Staphylococcus aureus, whereas they had no effect on other bacterial strains such as Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Escherichia coli. Polymeric fraction of cranberries and oligomeric fractions of both lingonberries and cranberries showed an inhibitory effect on hemagglutination of E. coli, which expresses the M hemagglutin. Cranberry phenolic extract inhibited LPS-induced NO production in a dose-dependent manner, but it had no major effect on iNOS of COX-2 expression. At a concentration of 100 μg/mL cranberry phenolic extract inhibited LPS-induced IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α production. Lingonberry phenolics had no significant effect on IL-1β production but inhibited IL-6 and TNF-α production at a concentration of 100 μg/mL similarly to cranberry phenolic extract. In conclusion the phenolics, notably proanthocyanidins (oligomers and polymers), in both lingonberries and cranberries exert multiple bioactivities that may be exploited in food development.

Antioxidant properties of polymeric proanthocyanidins from fruit stones and pericarps of Litchi chinensis Sonn

Fruit stones and pericarps of Litchi chinensis, waste products of the food, were studied as a source of polymeric proanthocyanidins. The structures of the polymeric proanthocyanidins isolated from Litchi chinensis were characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) coupled with high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) analysis. The spectra obtained through MALDI-TOF MS analysis revealed that the dominant A-type procyanidin polymers occurred in each polymer length with one or more A-type linkages. The polymeric proanthocyanidins of litchi fruit stones exhibited longer polymer length than those of fruit pericarps, with polymerization degrees up to 20 and 11 for fruit stones and pericarps, respectively. After depolymerization with toluene-α-thiol, HPLC-ESI-MS analysis showed that epicatechin and A-type dimer were the major constituent units, and the mean polymerization degrees were 15.4 and 5.8 for polymeric proanthocyanidins of fruit stones and pericarps, respectively. The antioxidant properties investigated using DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods showed that the higher polymerization degree of polymeric proanthocyanidins from litchi fruit stones exhibited higher antioxidant activities than those from litchi pericarps.

Influence of Cranberry Proanthocyanidins on Formation of Biofilms by Streptococcus mutans on Saliva-Coated Apatitic Surface and on Dental Caries Development in vivo

Cranberry crude extracts, in various vehicles, have shown inhibitory effects on the formation of oral biofilms in vitro. The presence of proanthocyanidins (PAC) in cranberry extracts has been linked to biological activities against specific virulence attributes of Streptococcus mutans, e.g. the inhibition of glucosyltransferase (Gtf) activity. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of a highly purified and chemically defined cranberry PAC fraction on S. mutans biofilm formation on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite surface, and on dental caries development in Sprague-Dawley rats. In addition, we examined the ability of specific PAC (ranging from low-molecular-weight monomers and dimers to high-molecular-weight oligomers/polymers) to inhibit GtfB activity and glycolytic pH drop by S. mutans cells, in an attempt to identify specific bioactive compounds. Topical applications (60-second exposure, twice daily) with PAC (1.5 mg/ml) during biofilm formation resulted in less biomass and fewer insoluble polysaccharides than the biofilms treated with vehicle control had (10% ethanol, v/v; p < 0.05). The incidence of smooth-surface caries in rats was significantly reduced by PAC treatment (twice daily), and resulted in less severe carious lesions compared to the vehicle control group (p < 0.05); the animals treated with PAC also showed significantly less caries severity on sulcal surfaces (p < 0.05). Furthermore, specific A-type PAC oligomers (dimers to dodecamers; 0.1 mg/ml) effectively diminished the synthesis of insoluble glucans by GtfB adsorbed on a saliva-coated hydroxyapatite surface, and also affected bacterial glycolysis. Our data show that cranberry PAC reduced the formation of biofilms by S. mutans in vitro and dental caries development in vivo, which may be attributed to the presence of specific bioactive A-type dimers and oligomers.

Procyanidin Dimers A1, A2, and B2 Are Absorbed without Conjugation or Methylation from the Small Intestine of Rats1–3

Intervention studies with procyanidin (PC)-rich extracts and products such as cocoa and wine suggest protective effects of PC against cardiovascular diseases. However, there is no consensus on the absorption and metabolism of PC dimers. Interestingly, nothing is known about the absorption of A-type PC. In this study, the absorption and metabolism of purified PC dimers A1 [epicatechin-(2-O-7, 4–8)-catechin], A2 [epicatechin-(2-O-7, 4–8)-epicatechin], and B2 [epicatechin-(4–8)-epicatechin], A-type trimers, a mixture of A1, B2, and a tetrameric A-type, and monomeric epicatechin were compared by in situ perfusion of the small intestine of rats for 0–30 min. The rats had their bile duct, portal vein, and small intestine cannulated. Unmodified and methylated metabolites were distinguished from their conjugates by differential β-glucuronidase treatment. A1 and A2 dimers were absorbed from the small intestine of rats and they were better absorbed than dimer B2. Absorption of the A-type dimers was only 5–10% of that of monomeric epicatechin. Dimers were not conjugated or methylated in contrast to epicatechin, which was partly methylated and 100% conjugated. A-type trimers were not absorbed. Furthermore, the presence of tetrameric PC enhanced the absorption of B2 but not that of A1. Epicatechin, methylated epicatechin, and their conjugates were not found as metabolites of the PC tested. In conclusion, dimers A1, A2, and B2 are slightly absorbed but are not conjugated or methylated, thus conserving their biological activity after absorption. Because PC contents of foods are relatively high, dimers may contribute to systemic effects of PC.

Efficient isolation of major procyanidin A-type dimers from peanut skins and B-type dimers from grape seeds

In order to fully explore the biofunctional potential of proanthocyanidins (PA), isolated and well-characterised PA dimers are of great importance. Current methods to obtain pure A- and B-type dimers are laborious, because they comprise multiple chromatographic steps, often yielding only one or two specific dimers. In the current study, an efficient isolation procedure is described, to isolate a large variety of A-type dimers from peanut skins and B-type dimers from grape seeds. Yields increased 20–400 times for A-type dimers and about 10 times for B-type dimers compared to other methods with a lesser number of chromatographic steps. Dimers isolated from peanut skins were identified as; epicatechin-(2-O-7, 4-8)-catechin (A1), epicatechin-(2-O-7, 4-8)-epicatechin (A2), epicatechin-(2-O-7, 4-6)-catechin, epicatechin-(2-O-7, 4-8)-entcatechin, isolated from peanut skins for the first time, and epicatechin-(4-6)-catechin (B7). Dimers from grape seeds were identified as; epicatechin-(4-8)-catechin (B1), epicatechin-(4-8)-epicatechin (B2), catechin-(4-8)-catechin (B3) and catechin-(4-8)-epicatechin (B4).

Catechins and Procyanidins in Berries of Vaccinium Species and Their Antioxidant Activity

The fractions of monomeric catechins and the fractions of dimeric and trimeric procyanidins were extracted and concentrated from wild berries of Vaccinium species to study their antioxidant activities. The compositions of the fractions were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with diode-array and electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection. Rare A-type dimers and trimers were identified as the predominant procyanidins in wild lingonberry, cranberry, bilberry, and bog whortleberry. Lingonberry and cranberry catechin and procyanidin fractions as well as bog whortleberry catechin fraction were good scavengers of radicals in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test and more efficient than the respective bilberry fractions. Bog whortleberry procyanidin fraction was less active, this being mainly due to the lower content of these compounds. Fractions from lingonberry, cranberry, and bilberry were equally efficient in inhibiting the oxidation of methyl linoleate emulsion, but differences among the berries were found in their abilities to inhibit low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. Catechins, the monomers, exhibited comparable activity to the fractions containing dimers and trimers in inhibiting the oxidation of methyl linoleate emulsion and human LDL. Bog whortleberry catechins were excellent antioxidants toward the oxidation of human LDL. Radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of Vaccinium berry fractions were attributable to the their composition of catechins and procyanidins. In conclusion, Vaccinium catechins as well as dimeric and trimeric procyanidins provide substantial antioxidant protection.

Isolation and structure elucidation of phenolic compounds from longan ( Dimocarpus longan Lour.) seed by high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI-MS) analysis revealed the phenolics profile of longan ( Dimocarpus longan Lour.) seed. Gallic acid, ellagic acid, monogalloyl-glucose, monogalloyl-diglucose, digalloyl-diglucose, penta- to heptagalloyl-glucose, ellagic acid-pentose conjugate, galloyl-HHDP (Hexahydroxydiphenoyl)-glucopyranose, pentagalloy-HHDP-glucopyranose, procyanidin A-type dimer, procyanidin B2 and quercetin-3- O-rhamnoside were found to be present in longan seed along with a number of, as yet, unknown compounds. The results illustrate the rich array of phenolic compounds in longan seeds which could be utilized as health-beneficial bioactive compounds rather than just discarded as waste.

Stabilizing effect of ascorbic acid on flavan-3-ols and dimeric procyanidins from cocoa.

Cocoa flavanols and procyanidins have numerous biological activities. It is known that (-)-epicatechin, (+)-catechin, epicatechin-(4beta-8)-epicatechin (dimer B2), and epicatechin-(4beta-6)-epicatechin (dimer B5) are unstable at physiologic pH, degrading almost completely within several hours, whereas they are relatively stable at pH 5.0. The present study investigated the effects of ascorbic and citric acid on the stability of monomers and dimers in simulated intestinal juice (pH 8.5) and in sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). The addition of ascorbic acid to the incubation mixture significantly increased the stability of the monomers and dimers, whereas the addition of citric acid provided no protective effects. LC-MS showed that with the degradation of dimer B2 and dimer B5, doubly linked A-type dimers were formed. The present results, although not directly transferable to in vivo conditions, suggest that ascorbic acid may stabilize cocoa flavanols and procyanidins in the intestine where the pH is neutral, or alkaline, before absorption.