Antioxidant Activity Assay Research Articles

Comparative Study of the Structural Characteristics and Bioactivity of Polysaccharides Extracted from Aspidopterys obcordata Hemsl. Using Different Solvents.

The polysaccharides extracted from Aspidopterys obcordata are thought to have anti-urolithiasis activity in Drosophila kidney stones. This study aimed to assess the effects of different extraction solvents on the yield, chemical composition, and bioactivity of polysaccharides from A. obcordata. A. obcordata polysaccharides were extracted by using four solutions: hot water, HCl solution, NaOH solution, and 0.1 M NaCl. The results revealed that the extraction solvents significantly influenced the extraction yields, molecular weight distribution, monosaccharide compositions, preliminary structural characteristics, and microstructures of polysaccharides. The NaOH solution's extraction yield was significantly higher than the other extraction methods. Vitro antioxidant activity assays revealed that the NaOH solution extracted exhibited superior scavenging abilities towards DPPH and ABTS radicals and higher FRAP values than other polysaccharides. The vitro assays conducted for calcium oxalate crystallization demonstrated that four polysaccharides exhibited inhibitory effects on the nucleation and aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals, impeded calcium oxalate monohydrate growth, and induced calcium oxalate dihydrate formation. The NaOH solution extracted exhibited the most pronounced inhibition of calcium oxalate crystal nucleation, while the hot water extracted demonstrated the most significant suppression of calcium oxalate crystal aggregation. Therefore, it can be inferred that polysaccharides extracted with NaOH solution exhibited significant potential as a viable approach for extracting polysaccharides from stems due to their superior yield and the remarkable bioactivity of the resulting products.

Impact of In Vitro Digestion on the Digestibility, Amino Acid Release, and Antioxidant Activity of Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) and Cañihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen) Proteins in Caco-2 and HepG2 Cells.

This study evaluated the impact of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on the digestibility, amino acid release, and antioxidant activity of proteins from amaranth (Amarantus cruentus L.) and cañihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen). Antioxidant activity was assessed using ORAC, ABTS, DPPH, and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assays in human intestinal Caco-2 and hepatic Hep-G2 cell lines. The results showed that amaranth had higher protein digestibility (79.19%) than cañihua (71.22%). In addition, intestinal digestion promoted the release of essential amino acids, such as leucine, lysine, and phenylalanine, in both protein concentrates. Concentrations of amaranth and cañihua proteins, ranging from 0.125 to 1.0 mg mL-1, were non-cytotoxic in both cell lines. At a concentration of 0.750 mg mL-1, simulated gastrointestinal digestion enhanced cellular antioxidant activity. Intestinal digest fractions containing peptides >5 kDa were the principal contributors to CAA in both cell lines. Notably, cañihua proteins exhibited high CAA, reaching values of 85.55% and 82.57% in Caco-2 and HepG2 cells, respectively, compared to amaranth proteins, which reached 84.68% in Caco-2 and 81.06% in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, both amaranth and cañihua proteins, after simulated gastrointestinal digestion, showcased high digestibility and released peptides and amino acids with potent antioxidant properties, underscoring their potential health benefits.

Phytochemical investigation and antibacterial activity of Curcuma longa against multi-drug resistant bacteria

Emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacterial species is increasing at an alarming rate. This calls for an urge to search for new antimicrobial agents from natural sources. Curcuma longa rhizome is used in traditional medicine as a remedy for many infectious diseases. The rhizome extracted in different solvents is tested against hospital isolates of multidrug-resistant bacteria (Acinetobacter baumannii, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) using agar well diffusion and broth microdilution assays. Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH radical scavenging and superoxide anion scavenging methods. GC–MS analysis was performed to identify biologically active compounds present in the plant. All the plant samples inhibited bacterial growth with varying degree of inhibition observed for different bacterial strains. In general MRSA was more sensitive to most of the extracts with larger zones of inhibition and high percentage inhibition while A. baumannii was the most resistant with smaller zones of inhibition and low percentage inhibition observed for different plant samples. n-Hexane fraction of C. longa was the most effective in inhibiting bacterial growth with lowest MIC values (2.5 mg/mL). Antioxidant activity assays indicated strong antioxidant potential of n-hexane fraction in DPPH assay and of methanol fraction in superoxide scavenging assay. GC–MS analysis indicated ar-turmerone as the most abundant component of the plant (34.63 %). The non-polar fractions of the plant were particularly more effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Further purification and characterization of bioactive compounds, from active fractions of this plant, for their applications as antibacterial leads in pharmaceutical industries is recommended.

Thymus zygis, Valuable Antimicrobial (In Vitro and In Situ) and Antibiofilm Agent with Potential Antiproliferative Effects

With the growing issues of food spoilage, microbial resistance, and high mortality caused by cancer, the aim of this study was to evaluate T. zygis essential oil (TZEO) as a potential solution for these challenges. Here, we first performed GC/MS analysis which showed that the tested TZEO belongs to the linalool chemotype since the abundance of linalool was found to be 38.0%. Antioxidant activity assays showed the superiority of TZEO in neutralizing the ABTS radical cation compared to the DPPH radical. The TZEO was able to neutralize 50% of ABTS•+ at the concentration of 53.03 ± 1.34 μg/mL. Antimicrobial assessment performed by employing disc diffusion and minimal inhibitory concentration assays revealed TZEO as a potent antimicrobial agent with the highest inhibition activity towards tested gram-negative strains. The most sensitive on the treatment with TZEO was Enterobacter aerogenes showing an MIC 50 value of 0.147 ± 0.006 mg/mL and a MIC 90 value of 0.158 ± 0.024 mg/mL. Additionally, an in situ analysis showed great effects of TZEO in inhibiting gram-negative E. coli, P. putida, and E. aerogenes growing on bananas and cucumbers. Treatment with the TZEO vapor phase in the concentration of 500 μg/mL was able to reduce the growth of these bacteria on the food models to the extent > 90%, except for E. coli growth on the cucumber, which was reduced to the extent of 83.87 ± 4.76%. Furthermore, a test on the antibiofilm activity of the tested essential oil revealed its biofilm prevention effects against Salmonella enterica which forms biofilms on plastic and stainless-steel surfaces. Performed tests on the TZEO effects towards cell viability showed no effects on the normal MRC-5 cell line. However, the results of MTT assay of TZEO effects on three cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, HCT-116, and K562) suggest that TZEO exerted the strongest effects on the inhibition of the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells, especially after long-term treatment in the highest concentration applied with reducing the viability of the cells to 57%. Additionally, results of NBT and Griess assays suggest that TZEO could be a convenient candidate for future testing for developing novel antitumor therapies.

Anticancer activity, phytochemical investigation and molecular docking insights of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) fruits

Cancer disease is regarded as one of the most significant public health issues, regardless of economic standards. Medicinal plants are now regarded as a natural source of anticancer medicines due to their antioxidant and anti-mutagenic actions. Cucurbitaceae is considered to be one of the most economically significant families. One family species is Citrullus colocynthis (L.), which has a high concentration of many active secondary chemical metabolites. Various C. colocynthis plant extracts showed cytotoxicity against some cancer cells. This study aims to identify the C. colocynthis fruit components and determine whether they have anticancer action against MIA PaCa-2 and A431 cells. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Quadrupole Time of Flight/Mass Spectrometry (HPLC/QTOF/MS); the technique was accustomed to investigate the compounds of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fruit extract. Anticancer activity was investigated on both MIAPaCa-2 and A-431 cell lines. DPPH assay for antioxidant activity was carried out. Molecular modelling was employed to help understand the molecular basis for the observed anticancer activity. 24 compounds were tentatively identified by comparing the extract’s fragmentation pattern in positive mode against reference compounds spectra and literature. The EtOAc extract of C. colocynthis had effective positive results on cancer cells (MIAPaCa-2 and A-431) and was characterized by slight or no harmful effect on normal (healthy) cells. For the DPPH assay, EtOAc and BuOH extracts exhibited high antioxidant activity (86 and 76%, respectively) compared with the oxidative potential of the standard compound (Caffeic acid, 98%). One of the major cucurbitacin derivatives that LC/MS tentatively identified in the EtOAc extract was Cucurbita-5(10),6,23-triene-3β,25-diol. During this study, docking experiments and MD simulations were carried out, which suggested the anti-pancreatic cancer activity of C. colocynthis extract to be attributed to EGFR inhibition by Cucurbita-5(10),6,23-triene-3β,25-diol. Therefore, expansion of this type of research should be encouraged in the hope of obtaining natural therapeutics for cancerous tumors in the future, having the advantage of being cheaper, safer, and with fewer side effects.

Changes in the Biological Activities of Gracilaria verrucosa Extracted Using Different Extraction Solvents

This study investigated the antioxidant, antiaging, and antibacterial properties of Gracilaria verrucosa (GV) based on 95% methanol (GVM), ethanol (GVE), and hot water (GVW) extractions. Antioxidant activity assays revealed the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were highest in GVM and GVE. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and 2,2′-Azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) activities were highest in GVE and GVM. Furthermore, GVE exhibited the highest ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value. In comparison, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities were highest in GVM. Collectively, GVE and GVM had stronger antioxidant activities than GVW. Additionally, collagenase, elastase, and tyrosinase inhibition assays showed that GVM exhibited the strongest anti-wrinkle and skin-whitening activities. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometer (LC–MS/MS) revealed that GVW had the highest 4-hydroxy benzoic acid content, whereas GVE had the highest naringenin and naringin contents. Additionally, GVE exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity against six foodborne bacteria, with minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of 0.06–0.3 and 0.1–0.5 μg/μL. Correlation analysis of the GV extracts indicated a strong positive relationship between TPC and ABTS, SOD, and CAT activities (r = 0.760–0.982, p = 0–0.018). Overall, GVE and GVM can be applied to the development of functional agents across diverse industries.

Promising inhibition of diabetes-related enzymes and antioxidant properties of Ptilostemon casabonae leaves extract

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a progressive metabolic disorder of glucose metabolism. One of the therapeutic approaches for the treatment of T2D is reducing postprandial hyperglycaemia through inhibition of the digestive enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase. In this context, aimed at identifying natural products endowed with anti-T2D potential, we focused on Ptilostemon casabonae (L.) Greuter, a species belonging to Asteraceae family. Enzymatic inhibition, antioxidant activity, phenolic composition and cellular assays were performed. This study revealed that the P. casabonae hydroalcoholic extract exerts a potent inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase. This activity is supported by an antioxidant effect, preventing ROS formation in a stressed cellular system. HPLC-PDA-MS/MS analysis, revealed a complex polyphenolic fraction. Among the tested pure compounds, 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, apigenin and rutin displayed good α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Our study suggested new potential of P. casabonae encouraging us to further testing the possible therapeutic potential of this extract.

Drying method comparison of black mangrove leaves (Rhizophora mucronata) for an antioxidant activity assay

Ethanolic extracts of black mangrove leaf (Rhizophora mucronata) can be a natural source of antioxidants. The phenolic content can affect the activity of antioxidants in the sample. This study aimed to determine black mangrove leaf (Rhizophora mucronata) chemical content primarily focused on total phenolic content and antioxidant activity during sun and wind drying using DPPH, ABTS and CUPRAC analysis methods. Ethanolic extracts were obtained from the maceration method with 1:5 sample and solvent ratio. The total phenolic content value was 1691.2 mg GAE/g with an extract yield of 12.57%. The antioxidant activity of DPPH, ABTS, and CUPRAC method values were 16.61 ppm, 11.07 ppm and 103.52 mg ascorbic acid/g extract and classified as a very strong antioxidant. The best result showed that the highest content of phenolic content and antioxidant activity could be found in the wind-dried extract. The result indicated that ethanolic extract of Rhizophora mucronata leaves can be utilized as a strong antioxidant agent. Drying methods can be used as a good way to preserve mangrove leaves while maintaining their antioxidant activity.

Optimization and Hepatoprotective Activity of Herbal Formulation of Methanolic Extracts of Ruta Graveolens and Angelica Sinensis

The goal of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of RAAS, a specially created herbal mixture that contains methanol extracts of Ruta graveolens and Angelica sinensis. A range of in vitro tests were performed as part of the study to assess any potential health advantages of RAAS. The laboratory assays employed to assess the antioxidant capacity of RAAS included the total antioxidant activity assay, the reducing power assay, and the DPPH radical scavenging assay. These evaluations showed that RAAS has strong antioxidant characteristics, demonstrating its capacity to counteract oxidative stress and disarm dangerous free radicals. Additionally, the study examined the hepatoprotective effects of RAAS utilizing a cellular model that included HepG2 cells and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury (CCl4). According to the findings, RAAS significantly protected HepG2 cells from the negative effects of CCl4-induced liver damage. In conclusion, this study highlights the prospective antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of RAAS, an herbal formula made from methanol extracts of Ruta graveolens and Angelica sinensis. Strong in vitro antioxidant activity and the capacity to prevent CCl4-induced damage to liver cells show the potential therapeutic utility of RAAS in reducing oxidative stress and liver-related diseases. Deeper understanding of its uses in boosting liver health and general wellbeing may come from additional studies in the clinical setting and other fields of study.

Coffee Silverskin Phytocompounds as a Novel Anti-Aging Functional Food: A Pharmacoinformatic Approach Combined with In Vitro Study.

Coffee became a beverage that was in demand in the world and consequently produced millions of tons of coffee byproducts namely coffee silverskin (CS). Unutilized CS will be waste and cause environmental pollution such as greenhouse gas emissions, landfill waste, and groundwater contamination. This is a research concern at this time, although many studies have been conducted to find newer applications of CS, exploration of its benefits in the health sector is still limited. Therefore, exploring the benefits of CS to prevent or delay aging will be very interesting to develop in functional food industry technology. Therefore, this study aims to report profiling metabolites or phytochemicals, biological activities in terms of antioxidant activity, and potential anti-aging of CS via molecular docking simulation and in vitro modulation of the mTOR/AMPK/SIRT1 pathway. Something new has been obtained from this work, the profile of phytocompounds, and biological activities both in molecular docking simulation and in vitro studies. Some of the compounds observed in Robusta CS extract (rCSE) such as Epicatechin, Kaempferol, and Quercitrin, and Arabica CS extract (aCSE) such as (+)-Catechin dan Naringin have promising potential as inhibitors of iNOS, mTOR, and HIF-1α via molecular docking simulation. Interestingly, the in vitro biological activity assay of antioxidant and anti-aging activity, rCSE showed the same promising potential as the results of a molecular docking simulation. More interestingly, AMPK/SIRT1/mTOR expressions are well modulated by rCSE compared to aCSE significantly (p < 0.05). This makes the rCSE have promising biological activity as a candidate for functional food development and/or treatment agent in combating free radicals that cause the aging process. In vivo studies and human trials are certainly needed to see the further efficacy of the rCSE in the future.

The Scavenging Activity and Safety Effect of Red Marine Algae Acanthophora spicifera Ethanol Extract

The red algae, Acanthophora spicifera, are major species grown in Asia and Pacific areas, especially along the coast of southern Thailand. They have the fast growth rate that leads to an abundant supply; thus, they are currently used for wastewater treatment. Furthermore, an ethanolic extract from A. spicifera has been used as a food supplement because of its perceived antioxidant property. Therefore, this study aims to ascertain and evaluate the antioxidant activity and safety of the ethanolic extract from A. spicifera. Safety tests showed that the extract did not have cytotoxicity and genotoxicity effects at concentrations less than 100 µg/mL. In term of antioxidant activity, the DPPH and ABTS assays showed a Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of 5.24±0.44 and 4.03±0.13 mg Trolox/g of the extract, respectively. In conclusion, A. spicifera extract is relatively safe and has a rather high efficacy in scavenging free radicals, which makes it suitable for use as food supplement and cosmetics. However, there are a number of caveats regarding its uses in terms of excessive concentrations and exposure duration to avoid causing cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. HIGHLIGHTS The study evaluates the antioxidant activity of spicifera extract was very strong potential. The ethanol extract of Spicifera is safe in both of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity to cell lines. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.) R.Parker leaf extract and its potential as antioxidant and inhibitor of α-glucosidase

Indonesia is one of the countries with the highest plant diversity in the world, including the Aphanamixis genus, and they use the plants in this genus as traditional medicine. The genus Aphanamixis has a wide variety of compounds with different activities, such as insecticidal, leishmanicidal, antimicrobial, anticancer, cytotoxic against some cancer cells, and antioxidant The focus of this research is to find out about the anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-bacterial activities of Aphanamixis polystachya leaf extract from the Bali Botanical Garden plant collection. The antioxidant activity assay was carried out by scavenging the free radical 1-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl ethylamino) propane hydrochloride (DPPH). The antidiabetic assay was carried out by inhibiting the activity of the α-glucosidas eenzyme, while the antibacterial test was carried out by the agar diffusion method. Based on the data generated in this study, the active ingredients of A. polystachya leaf extracts have high potency as antioxidants and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitors, but the extract was not effective in inhibiting bacterial growth.

A Neutral Polysaccharide from Spores of Ophiocordyceps gracilis Regulates Oxidative Stress via NRF2/FNIP1 Pathway.

Ophiocordyceps gracilis (O. gracilis) is a parasitic fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine and functional foods. In this study, a neutral heteropolysaccharide (GSP-1a) was isolated from spores of O. gracilis, and its structure and antioxidant capacities were investigated. GSP-1a was found to have a molecular weight of 72.8 kDa and primarily consisted of mannose (42.28%), galactose (35.7%), and glucose (22.02%). The backbone of GSP-1a was composed of various sugar residues, including →6)-α-D-Manp-(1→, →2,6)-α-D-Manp-(1→, →2,4,6)-α-D-Manp-(1→, →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, and →3,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, with some branches consisting of →6)-α-D-Manp-(1→ and α-D-Gal-(1→. In vitro, antioxidant activity assays demonstrated that GSP-1a exhibited scavenging effects on hydroxyl radical (•OH), 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical cation (ABTS•+), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•). Moreover, GSP-1a was found to alleviate H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells by reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), while enhancing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Furthermore, GSP-1a upregulated the mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes such as Ho-1, Gclm, and Nqo1, and regulated the NRF2/KEAP1 and FNIP1/FEM1B pathways. The findings elucidated the structural types of GSP-1a and provided a reliable theoretical basis for its usage as a natural antioxidant in functional foods or medicine.

Temporal Changes in Flavonoid Components, Free Radical Scavenging Activities and Metabolism-Related Gene Expressions during Fruit Development in Chinese Dwarf Cherry (Prunus humilis)

Temporal changes in total flavonoid content (TFC), composition, free radical scavenging activity and metabolism-related gene expression of three Prunus humilis cultivars with distinctively different fruit colors were investigated in this study. The highest fruit TFCs of all three cultivars were observed at the initial sampling stage (young-fruit stage, YFS), which then declined gradually until fruit ripening. The dark-red-fruited cultivar ‘Jinou 1’ had the highest TFC, followed by the yellow-red-fruited cultivar ‘Nongda 3’ and the yellow-fruited cultivar ‘Nongda 5’. Thirteen flavonoid compounds were found in the three cultivars by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the content of most flavonoid compounds gradually decreased throughout the fruit-ripening process, with the exception of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G). C3G, as the main anthocyanin in P. humilis fruits, increased drastically during the fruit-coloring process of cultivars ‘Jinou 1’ and ‘Nongda 3’, while it was not detected in the developing fruits of cultivar ‘Nongda 5’. The antioxidant activity assay (DPPH, FRAP and ABTS) revealed that fruits of all three cultivars at YFS also had the highest antioxidant activities, and cultivar ‘Jinou 1’ had the highest antioxidant activities. Correlation analysis revealed that the antioxidant activities were significantly positively correlated with the TFCs and contents of the main compounds such as catechin, proanthocyanidin B1 and phloretin-2′,4-O-diglucoside (p &lt; 0.01). Moreover, gene expression analysis showed that the flavonoid biosynthetic genes had different expression patterns in the three cultivars. The expression levels of ChCHS, ChCHI, ChF3H, ChDFR, ChLDOX and ChUFGT increased gradually with fruit ripening in cultivar ‘Jinou 1’, while all flavonoid-related genes in cultivar ‘Nongda 5’ decreased gradually during fruit development. The results from our study could significantly contribute to the deeper understanding of flavonoid accumulation mechanisms in P. humilis fruits and also help facilitate the targeted cultivar development and the utilization as a functional food of this fruit species.

Phytochemical profiles, antioxidant activities, and synergistic antiproliferative effects of blueberry and apple peel extracts.

Blueberries and apples exhibit favorable bioactivity and health benefits due to their rich phytochemicals. Natural phytochemicals exist in complex forms, but there are few reports on whether have additive, synergistic or antagonistic effects between different phytochemicals. The aim of the present investigation was to elucidate the synergistic effects of blueberry extract (BE) and apple peel extract (APE) together in inhibiting the proliferation of HepG2 liver cancer cells. Meanwhile, phytochemical characterization of BE and APE were detected by HPLC, and total antioxidant activity was determined via cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay, oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) assay and peroxy radical scavenging capacity (PSC) assay. The results showed that BE and APE were rich in phytochemicals and had potent antioxidant activities, which synergistically inhibited cell proliferation. In the bilateral combination, the dose reduction index (DRI) value increased 2-fold, and the combination index (CI) value at 95% inhibition was less than 1. Additionally, BE+APE supplementation could promote the expression levels of p53 and c-myc genes. In conclusion, the BE and APE had strong antioxidant activity and exhibited synergistic inhibition against HepG2 cells proliferation. This can provide a theoretical basis for the synergistic effect of different phytochemicals in health care. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Influence of UV radiation-absorbing foils on secondary plant metabolites in three lettuce cultivars (Lactuca sativa L. and Cichorium intybus L.)

Introduction: Providing fresh and healthy vegetables, produced locally and under climate-friendly conditions, is a major challenge for future agriculture. The usage of foil tunnels prolongs cultivation periods in colder climates and reduces abiotic and biotic stress factors during crop growth, but it may also affect nutritional value and consumer perception due to the altered light spectrum.Methods and results: Three different foils, one with low UV transmission, another with reduced UVB transmission, and a control foil with high UV transmission, were used to modulate light conditions for three different lettuce cultivars [radicchio type (cv. Indigo), romaine type (cv. Attico), and butterhead type (cv. Larissa)]. Taste-relevant sesquiterpene lactones and health-relevant carotenoids and polyphenols were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, which revealed that light conditions are widely irrelevant for carotenoid concentrations. However, when UV-shielding foils were used, there was an up to 66% decrease in total polyphenol concentration. Less reduction could be achieved through the use of partially UV-transmissive foils. Sesquiterpene lactone concentrations were higher in plants under UV-blocking foils, when radicchio-type lettuce, naturally rich in sesquiterpene lactones, was cultivated.Discussion: It is noteworthy that the sesquiterpene lactone lactucopicrin had a negative correlation with UVB intensities, while lactucin was unaffected. The nutritional value, measured by three different antioxidant activity assays, also benefited from an optimized foil choice with higher UV transmission.

Effects of extracting solvents on phytochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity of some seaweeds from the Bay of Bengal offshore Island

Seaweed is a rich source of bioactive compounds. Therefore, searching of natural antioxidant and antibacterial agents as alternatives to a synthetic counterpart is of great interest. The effects of various extracting solvents (viz. methanol, ethanol, and acetone) on the phytochemical content, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity of seven seaweeds consisting of three brown seaweeds (Sargassum natans, Sargassum fluitans, Spatoglossum asperum), three red seaweeds (Hypnea pannosa, Hypnea musciformes, Porphyra linearis) and one green seaweed (Ulva lactuca) were evaluated. The antioxidant capacity of crude extracts was evaluated by total antioxidant activity (TAA), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assays. Seaweed extracts were also tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by agar well diffusion method. The total phenolic content (TPC) of seaweed extracts varied significantly (P < 0.05) ranging from 51.08 ± 0.72–74.62 ± 1.15 mg GAE/g. Methanolic extracts of S. natans showed significantly the highest TPC, total flavonoid content (79.22 ± 5.21 mg QE/g), and TAA (57.79 ± 4.35 mg AA/g) than other seaweed extracts. Methanolic extracts of S. natans also exhibited the highest DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging effects (EC50 = 0.74 ± 0.04 and 0.14 ± 0.01 mg/ml, respectively). While, methanolic and ethanolic extracts of S. natans showed significantly the highest effective concentration (ECA0.50) value (0.19 ± 0.02 mg/ml and 0.14 ± 0.02 mg/ml, respectively) of CUPRAC. Pearson's correlation test and principal component analysis showed the relation between TPC and various antioxidant activity assays of seaweed extracts. The seaweed methanolic extracts showed a comparatively higher zone of inhibition against all the bacterial strains than other solvent extracts. However, all the solvent extracts of U. lactuca were almost inactive against all the bacterial strains. The results of this study demonstrated that methanolic extracts of brown seaweeds showed comparatively better antioxidant and antibacterial activity, which could be used in the food and pharmaceutical applications.

Phytogenic Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Metallic/Bimetallic Nanoparticles Using Beta vulgaris L. Extract and Assessments of Their Potential Biological Activities

The synthesis of novel nanomedicines through eco-friendly protocols has been applied on a large scale with the prediction of discovering alternate therapies. The current work attained phytogenic synthesis of Ag-mNPs, AgSeO2-bmNPs, and Ag-TiO2-bmNPs through bio-reduction using an aqueous extract of Beta vulgaris (red beetroot). The phytochemical profile of the eco-friendly synthesized metallic/bimetallic nanoparticles was studied. The optical properties of nano-solutions were studied via UV-visible spectroscopy. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectral analyses revealed that stretching vibrations at wavenumbers 3303.81–3327.81 cm−1 attributed to phenolic hydroxyl groups documented shifts in the values in this range owing to proton dissociation through the bio-reduction of the metal ions. The surface morphology and the charge of the nanoparticles were investigated using a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and zeta potential analyses. The prepared nano-solutions showed lower antioxidant activity (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and phosphomolybdate assays) than the plant extract. These results together with phytochemical analyses support the participation of the reactive species (phenolic contents) in the bio-reduction of the metal ions in the solutions through the formation of metallic/bimetallic nanoparticles. Ag-mNPs, AgSeO2-bmNPs, and Ag-TiO2-bmNPs showed antibacterial potentiality. AgSeO2-bmNPs were superior with inhibitory zone diameters of 34.7, 37.7, 11.7, and 32.7 mm against Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica, respectively. Applying the Methylthiazole Tetrazolium (MTT) assay, the Ag-TiO2 bmNPs revealed potent cytotoxicity against the HePG2 tumor cell line (IC50 = 18.18 ± 1.5 µg/mL), while Ag-SeO2 bmNPs revealed the most potent cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 cell line (IC50 = 17.92 ± 1.4 µg/mL).

Protective effect of Carica papaya leaves against oxidative stress in brine shrimps

&lt;em&gt;Carica papaya&lt;/em&gt;, a type of tree from the &lt;em&gt;Caricaceae&lt;/em&gt; family, is renowned for its medicinal benefits due to its diverse chemical composition. The leaves of &lt;em&gt;Carica papaya&lt;/em&gt;, in particular, are commonly used in traditional medicine for their purported anti-dengue, anti-malarial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, despite their widespread use, there is limited research available on the antioxidant characteristics of &lt;em&gt;Carica papaya&lt;/em&gt; leaves. This study aimed to examine the potential protective effects of Carica papaya leaves methanolic (CPLM) extract against oxidative stress in Artemia salina (brine shrimp). To evaluate the antioxidant potential of CPLM extract, two commonly used antioxidant activity assays, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, were performed. Additionally, an oxidative stress protection assay was carried out by exposing ten &lt;em&gt;Artemia salina&lt;/em&gt; nauplii to CPLM extract for one hour before exposing them to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The results of this study showed that the CPLM extract has antioxidant properties. Additionally, the oxidative stress protection assay revealed that the CPLM extract increased the survival rate of &lt;em&gt;Artemia salina&lt;/em&gt; nauplii exposed to H2O2. The study suggests that the CPLM extract obtained from &lt;em&gt;Carica papaya&lt;/em&gt; leaves possesses antioxidant properties. It can provide protection against oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide in Artemia salina.

Use of Bio-Waste of Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil. (Yerba mate) to Obtain an Extract Rich in Phenolic Compounds with Preservative Potential.

In this work, a comparison between the extracts of dehydrated yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) and bio-waste of yerba mate leaves from the Brazilian industry was made. The incorporation of the functional extract as a preservative/functional ingredient in a pastry product (pancakes) was tested. The individual profile of phenolic compounds was determined by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS, and the bioactive potential was assessed using in vitro assays for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities. The yerba mate extracts revealed a high antimicrobial potential against the tested strains and a very promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. Additionally, revealed a cytotoxic capacity for MCF-7, CaCo and AGS tumor cell-lines. In the three types of pancakes, after 3 days of storage, the chemical and nutritional characteristics remain unchanged, proving the preservative efficiency of the extract. This study showed the benefits of the use bio-waste from agro-industrial sector, focusing on sustainable production and the development of circular economy.