Flavonoid Antioxidant Research Articles

Investigation on Phytochemicals and Nutritional Values of Three Passion Fruit Species Planted in Lam Dong Plateau

This study comprehensively evaluated and compared the nutrient contents, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and anti-nutritional factors of three passion fruit species, namely purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. edulis), yellow passion fruit (<i>Passiflora edulis</i> var. flavicarpa), and sweet granadilla fruit (<i>Passiflora ligularis</i>). The passion fruit samples were collected from various gardens throughout the Lam Dong plateau - Vietnam. The analyses were performed as per standard test methods. <i>Passiflora edulis</i> f. edulis had high contents of carbohydrates, fat, vitamin K1, potassium, phosphorus, and iodine whereas <i>Passiflora edulis</i> var. flavicarpa was rich in carbohydrates and vitamins group B including B3, B6, and B9. <i>Passiflora ligularis</i>, on the contrary, primarily provided essential nutrients of protein, vitamins A, and C, and minerals including sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron. All three studied passion fruit species generally possessed moderate values of phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidants; the same pattern was also observed with antinutrients as all three studied passion fruit species were found to contain low concentrations of phytate, tannin, and oxalate. These findings scientifically contribute to the food database system and can be exploited for diet planning.

The Potential of Flavonoid Antioxidants in Dragon Fruit Skin (Selenicereus undatus) for Cardiovascular Health

This study aims to examine the potential of flavonoid antioxidants found in dragon fruit peel (Selenicereus undatus) in supporting cardiovascular health. Flavonoids, as bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties, have an important role in protecting the body from oxidative stress that can damage cells and tissues, including the cardiovascular system. With a qualitative approach through literature studies and library research, this study analyzes secondary data from various scientific sources to explore the effects of flavonoids on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies show that the flavonoid content in dragon fruit peel is able to suppress the lipid oxidation process, lower cholesterol levels, and inhibit inflammation which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In addition, the high antioxidant activity of these flavonoids has the potential to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and improve blood circulation, so that it can prevent atherosclerosis and hypertension. The results of this study support the use of dragon fruit peel as a source of natural antioxidants that have the potential to be used as a supplement in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. A further recommendation is to conduct clinical research to test the effectiveness of flavonoids from dragon fruit peel in cardiovascular health applications in more depth.

The Potential of Tecoma stans (Linn.) Flower Extract as a Natural Antioxidant and Anti-Aging Agent for Skin Care Products

Tecoma stans belongs to the Bignoniaceae family and possesses various pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant, and wound-healing activities. Although numerous studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of T. stans extracts, the impacts of different solvents on its biological activities, particularly its inhibitory effect on skin degradation enzymes (collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase assay), have not been reported. This study aims to explore the effects of different solvent extractions on the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, antioxidant and anti-aging activities, and cytotoxicity. The most suitable extract was selected for incorporation into an anti-aging product. T. stans flowers were extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate, absolute ethanol, and deionized water through maceration. The aqueous extract yielded the highest extraction efficiency (40.73%), followed by absolute ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane. The phytochemical screening results revealed that all T. stans flower extracts contained phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Among the various solvents tested for T. stans flower extraction, absolute ethanol demonstrated the highest total phenolic content (24.10 ± 2.07 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g extract), followed by deionized water (20.83 ± 1.28 mg GAE/g extract). The highest total flavonoid content was observed in the ethyl acetate extract (205.11 ± 7.83 mg catechin equivalents (CE)/g extract), with ethanol showing a significantly lower concentration (140.67 ± 1.92 mg CE/g extract). In terms of antioxidant activity, the aqueous extract exhibited the most potent effects, with IC50 values of 0.600 ± 0.005 mg/mL for the DPPH• assay and 0.207 ± 0.001 mg/mL for the ABTS•+ assay. For anti-aging assays, the absolute ethanolic extract demonstrated the highest enzyme inhibition activity at 1 mg/mL, with collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase inhibition rates of 89.49% ± 2.96%, 94.61% ± 2.33%, and 82.56% ± 2.27%, respectively. Moreover, at a concentration of 50 µg/mL, the absolute ethanolic extract exhibited lower cytotoxicity, with human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cell viability of 78% ± 8.47%, which was significantly higher than that of the other extracts. An anti-aging gel containing 0.05% w/w of the ethanolic T. stans extract demonstrated physical and physicochemical stability during three months of storage at ambient temperatures, 4 °C, 45 °C, as well as after six cycles of heating/cooling tests. These findings suggest that the ethanolic extract of T. stans flower has potential as a safe and effective anti-aging agent for cosmeceutical products.

Bioactive Content and in vitro Antioxidant and Enzyme-Inhibitory Potential of Leaf and Fruits of Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L. subsp. Urens)

Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L. subsp. urens) is one of the species of Pastinaca genus. This plant has been traditionally used worldwide for the treatment of various diseases and cultivated for its nutritional values. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial and enzyme-inhibitory potentials of the fruits and leaves of parsnips as well as their bioactive properties such as their antioxidant activities, total phenolic and flavonoid contents in their hexane and ethanol extracts. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. The antioxidant activities of extracts were determined by three methods of DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and iron-chelating ability. In the leaves, the highest total phenolic content (60.94 mg GAE/g extract) was found in ethanol extracts while the highest total flavonoid content (21.47 mg RuE/g extract) was determined in hexane extracts. Ethanol extracts of leaves showed the highest radical scavenging activities in both assays of DPPH and ABTS with the IC50 values of 1039±1.35 and 150.7±0.81 µg/mL, respectively. Growth inhibition zone diameters (mm) of PSFE, PSLE, PSFH, PSLH (2 mg/mL) against reference microorganisms were -/-/15/15, -/-/15/14, 10/10/22/15, -/-/15/14 and MIC values -20>/20>/20>/20>, 20>/20>/20>/2.5, 0.625/10/-/-, 20>/20>/20>/20> mg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538, Micrococcus luteus ATCC9341, Bacillus subtilis ATCC6633, Candida albicans ATCC14053, respectively. Antimicrobial activity was not determined against other reference microorganisms.

Evaluation of Polyphenols, Antioxidant Activity, and Mineral Content in Honey Produced by <i>Apis mellifera</i> L. According to Floral Origin

Background/Objectives: Honey is in high demand because of its nutritional value, therapeutic properties, and sensory characteristics. Honey varieties were evaluated according to their floral origin and physicochemical composition, and total polyphenols, antioxidants, and minerals were analyzed for conformity and preference. Methods: Seven honey samples were analyzed for physicochemical composition using the Official Methods of Analysis method, total polyphenols using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, flavonoids using the ferric trichloride method, antioxidant activity and inhibitory concentration using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, and ferric reducing capacity using the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy was used to determine the mineral composition of the honey varieties. Results: The physicochemical compositions of the honey samples did not show significant differences and complied with national regulations. Total phenolic compound content was 336.9–1064.9 μg EAG/g, whereas flavonoids were between 0–151.9 μg EQ/g, with eucalyptus honey having the highest concentration. The antioxidant capacity measured using DPPH and FRAP was 0.095–0.186 and 0.168–0.654 mM TEAC/g, respectively. Variability was observed in the calcium (161.55 mg/kg in eucalyptus), magnesium (35.20 mg/kg in eucalyptus), potassium (901.17 mg/kg in eucalyptus), and sodium (172.18 mg/kg in pecan aroma) levels. Heavy metals did not exhibit significant values. The correlation between total flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity was weak; a strong correlation was observed between total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Conclusions: The antioxidant activity, bioactive compounds, and minerals in honey vary according to its floral origin, which could be helpful in the pharmaceutical industry and gastronomy.

Comprehensive Analysis and Optimization of Peach (Prunus persica) Vacuum Drying: Employing Principal Component Analysis, Artificial Neural Networks and the Standard Score Approach

Dried peaches are widely consumed as a snack food product and used as an ingredient in cereals as well in chocolate and energy bars. Accordingly, the main objective of this investigation was to optimize the vacuum-drying process for peaches using a combination of three different statistical methods: principal component analysis, the standard score method and an artificial neural network approach. Applied input drying parameters were temperature (50–70 °C), pressure (20–120 mbar) and time (6–10 h), while the investigated output parameters were moisture content, water activity, total color change, phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity. It was noted that all investigated output parameters constantly decreased (moisture content, water activity) and increased (total color change, total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity (FRAP, DPPH and ABTS assays)) in accordance with the applied drying temperature. The key variables accounted for 86.33% of data variance based on the PCA results, while the SS and ANN method resulted in the same optimal drying conditions: 60 °C, 70 mbar and 6 h, which indicated the effectiveness of the applied statistical methods.

Screening of Natural Compounds as Inhibitor of Mpro SARS-CoV-2 Protein; A Molecular Dynamics Approach.

New strains of SARS-CoV-2 are continually emerging worldwide. Recently, WHO warned of a severe new wave in Europe. Current vaccines cannot fully prevent reinfection in vaccinated individuals. Given this issue, recent research focuses on new antiviral candidates with high efficacy and minimal side effects. Screen natural compounds as inhibitors of Mpro SARS-CoV-2 protein using molecular dynamics. In this study, we have screened the potential of plant-based natural anti-viral compounds. A library of the 579 compounds was generated using currently available literature and online databases. All these compounds were screened based on their binding affinities as predicted by molecular docking analysis and compounds having binding affinity values ≤ -10 Kcal/mol were considered for analysis. Furthermore, from physicochemical assessment, drug-likeness initially nine compounds were identified as the antiviral targets for the selected viral proteins. After ADMET analysis and simulations, the compound 9064 with the lowest RMSD, Coul-SR interaction energy (-71.53 kJ/mol), and LJ-SR energy (-95.32 kJ/mol) was selected as the most stable drug candidate against COVID-19 main protease Mpro. The ΔG value, calculated using MMGBSA also revealed strong binding of the compound with Mpro. The selected antiviral compound 9064 is an antioxidant flavonoid (Catechin or Cianidanol), which was previously known to have significant immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Considering the limitations of currently available vaccines, our study may provide new insight into potential drugs that may prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans.

Effects of Treatments and Fermentation Time on Phenolic Compounds, Glycoalkaloid Contents, and Antioxidant Capacity of Industrial Potato Waste

Potato processing plants generate waste in the form of peels, pulp, and rejects, which is estimated to be around 12–20 % of their total production volume. Potato peels, pulp, and unmarketable potatoes can be processed and incorporated into animal feed formulations. However, there is a limited information on phenolic compounds from industrial potato waste (IPW) phenolic compounds subjected to short-term solid-state fermentation. Bioactive compounds could be improved via solid-state fermentation. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (MW296876), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MW296931), and Aspergillus oryzae (MW297015) were purposely selected to ferment IPW at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hr in a two-factor factorial design (treatment × fermentation time). The fermented products were analysed for phytochemical compounds such as total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), glycoalkaloid (GLA) content, and antioxidant capacity. The results revealed that the bioactive compounds, except phytic acid, had a significant interaction between treatment and fermentation time. Alpha solanine significantly (p<0.05) decreased while α chaconine increased (p<0.05) with fermentation time across all the treatments except in the control and L. plantarum treatment groups. IPW inoculated with L. plantarum significantly influenced the solubility of GLA compared to other treatment groups. Antioxidant capacity increased (p<0.05) across the fermentation time; at 48 hr of fermentation, L. plantarum had the highest (p<0.05) antioxidant capacity than S. cerevisiae and A. oryzae. Among the three inocula, L. plantarum (MW296876) consistently increased TPC, antioxidant activity, and solubility of both GLA and tannin.

Establishment of Dittrichia viscosa L. Hairy Roots and Improvement of Bioactive Compound Production.

Dittrichia viscosa is a ruderal plant species growing along roadsides and well adapting to extreme environmental conditions. D. viscosa plant tissues, especially leaves, are known to be a rich source of bioactive metabolites which have antioxidant, cytotoxic, antiproliferative and anticancer properties. Hairy root cultures are a suitable biotechnological system for investigating plant metabolic pathways and producing specialized metabolites in in vitro conditions. In this study, D. viscosa hairy root transformed lines induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes ATCC15834 were obtained using leaf explants, and the integration of rolB and rolC genes in the genomes of transformed hairy roots were confirmed by PCR analysis. Three hairy root D. viscosa lines (DvHrT1, DvHrT4 and DvHrT5) having different phenotypic features were characterized in terms of total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. Correlated with antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid content of DvHrT1 was significantly higher than control roots and the other DvHrT lines. Our results suggest that D. viscosa hairy roots can be a valuable tool for producing various bioactive compounds having antioxidant activity and are to be further investigated to produce other specific molecules that could find application in agricultural or pharmaceutical fields.

Concentrating Cocoa Polyphenols-Clarification of an Aqueous Cocoa Extract by Protein Precipitation and Filtration.

The seeds of Theobroma cacao L. are rich in antioxidant flavonoids such as flavan-3-ols, which are valued for their health benefits. In this context, it is of interest to improve flavanol content in cocoa extracts. The present study aimed at improving the clarification process of an aqueous cocoa extract using protein precipitation and filtration. Five pH modifications and two bentonite amounts were tested for their effects on protein precipitation and flavanol content. Micro- and ultrafiltration as a subsequent step was done by testing three different ceramic membranes (30, 80, and 200 nm). Lower pH in pre-treatment reduced protein content and kept flavanols constant, while at higher pH, flavanols were reduced up to 40%. Larger membrane pores enhanced polyphenol permeation, while smaller pores limited protein permeation. Adjusting pH to the isoelectric point increased protein adsorption, improving filtration quality despite decreased permeate flux. However, membrane fouling results in higher permeate quality due to increased selectivity. Furthermore, the addition of bentonite during filtration reduced both protein and flavanol content in the permeate, similar to the effects seen in the pre-treatment of the supernatant. Optimizing pH and membrane pore size enhances the recovery and quality of polyphenols during filtration, balancing protein removal and flavanol retention.

Exploring Ultrasonic Energy Followed by Natural Fermentation Processing to Enhance Functional Properties and Bioactive Compounds in Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Grains

This study explores the effect of ultrasonic treatment followed by fermentation on the in vitro protein digestibility, protein solubility, functional properties, antioxidant activity, total carotenoid content, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in millet grains. Ultrasonic treatment was applied at different temperatures (20, 40, and 60 °C). The findings indicated significant improvements in phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity in terms of the results of the DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assays of millet grains after ultrasonic treatment alone or combined with fermentation. Moreover, the carotenoid and GABA contents were found to be significantly higher in the ultrasonic-treated grains. The protein solubility functional properties of the millet grains were also improved after the ultrasonic treatment alone or coupled with the fermentation process. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the combined ultrasonic treatment and fermentation of the millet grains could enhance their antioxidant activity, functional characteristics, and vital compounds. Furthermore, the partial least squares (PLS) validation model emphasised that the ultrasonic treatment of millet at 40 °C, followed by fermentation, is the most optimal treatment among the other treatments. Hence, the conclusions highlight the potential of combined ultrasonic (40 °C) and fermentation treatments to improve grains’ nutritional value and functional properties, making millet more suitable for use in health-promoting food products.

Ultraviolet-B Radiation Stimulates Flavonoid Biosynthesis and Antioxidant Systems in Buckwheat Sprouts.

Abiotic stress not only elevates the synthesis of secondary metabolites in plant sprouts but also boosts their antioxidant capacity. In this study, the mechanisms of flavonoid biosynthesis and antioxidant systems in buckwheat sprouts exposed to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation were investigated. The findings revealed that UV-B treatment significantly increased flavonoid content in buckwheat sprouts, with 3-day-old sprouts exhibiting a flavonoid content 1.73 times greater than that of the control treatment. UV-B radiation significantly increased the activities of key enzymes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, 4-coumarate-CoA ligase, cinnamate 4-hydroxylase, and chalcone synthase) and the relative expression levels of the corresponding genes. Although UV-B radiation caused damage to the cell membranes of buckwheat sprouts, promoting increases in hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde content and inhibiting the growth of sprouts, importantly, UV-B radiation also significantly increased the activities of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase as well as the relative expression levels of the corresponding genes, thus enhancing the antioxidant system of buckwheat sprouts. This enhancement was corroborated by a notable increase in ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP radical scavenging activities in 3-day-old sprouts subjected to UV-B radiation. Additionally, UV-B radiation significantly increased chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents in sprouts. These results suggest that UV-B radiation is advantageous for cultivating buckwheat sprouts with increased flavonoid content and enhanced antioxidant capacity.

Uncovering the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of Quercetin on traumatic brain injury animals: a meta-analysis and network pharmacology analysis.

Quercetin, a flavonoid and natural antioxidant derived from fruits and vegetables, has shown promising results in the improvement of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study aims to elucidate the therapeutic role and potential mechanisms of quercetin in TBI through systematic evaluations and network pharmacology approaches. First, the meta-analysis was conducted via Review Manager 5.4 software. The meta-analysis results confirmed that quercetin could improve TBI, primarily by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Subsequently, targets related to quercetin and those related to TBI were extracted from drug-related databases and disease-related databases, respectively. We found that the potential mechanism by which quercetin treats TBI is largely associated with ferroptosis, as indicated by functional analysis. Based on this, we identified 29 ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) associated with quercetin and TBI, and then performed Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis using the DAVID database. The functional enrichment results revealed that these FRGs mainly involve the HIF-1 signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Subsequently, we constructed a PPI network and identified the top 10 targets-HIF1A, IL6, JUN, TP53, IL1B, PTGS2, PPARG, EGFR, IFNG, and GSK3B-as hub targets. Meanwhile, molecular docking results further demonstrated that quercetin could stably bind to the top 10 hub targets. In conclusion, the above results elucidated that quercetin could effectively attenuates TBI by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Notably, quercetin may also target these hub targets to regulate ferroptosis and improve TBI.

Physicochemical components, antioxidant activity, and predictive models for quality of soursop tea (Annona muricata L.) during heat pump drying

Abstract The peel and pulp of soursop are ideal for creating a new tea product, offering a unique flavor compared to traditional leaf tea. This study develops mathematical models to describe the drying process, decomposition of bioactive components, and antioxidant activity of soursop slices. The slices were dried at four temperatures (20–50°C) using industrial-scale heat pump drying. Changes in moisture ratio (MR) were calculated and compared with 30 previous models. Additionally, two and four mathematical models were used to analyze data on total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity. The model fits were evaluated based on statistical parameters (R 2, root mean square error, χ 2). The results indicated that the drying process at 20°C involved two mechanisms following the Aghbashlo model (R 2 > 0.993). At higher temperatures, the moisture removal process followed a single mechanism. Zero order, first order, and polynomial quadratic models were suitable for describing TFC decomposition and antioxidant activity, depending on the temperature. The activation energy of MR (29.89 kJ/mol) was lower than that of 2,2′–azino-bis–3–ethylbenzothiazoline–6–sulfonic acid (37.02 kJ/mol) and 2,2–diphenyl–1-1-picrylhydrazyl (32.12 kJ/mol), indicating drying efficiency and retention of bioactive components. The study’s findings are expected to enhance quality, improve economic efficiency, and expand the market for soursop tea.

Chemical and sensory quality of citrus-flavored vegetable oils

Citrus-flavored vegetable oils (CFVO) demand has grown rapidly in the food industry due to increasing consumer demand for salads as a healthy food choice. Salad dressing has a distinctive taste from sour-tasting citrus that when added to salads to increase acceptance. This study primarily aimed to characterize antioxidant activity, total flavonoid content, and sensory quality by hedonic and organoleptic test between all unflavored oil and CFVO from three different vegetable oils (coconut oil (Cocos nucifera L.), palm oil (Elaeis guineensis L.), sesame oil (Sesamum indicum L.)) and three citruses (key lime (Citrus aurantifolia), kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix), and nasnaran (Citrus ambylcarpa)). One-Way ANOVA with post hoc Tukey were conducted to assess antioxidant and flavonoid differences. ANOVA with Tukey HSD and HSD, PCA and HCA, and a Spearman correlation analysis were conducted to assess the sensory qualities of citrus-flavored vegetable oils. There were different hedonic responses towards citruses in addition to the vegetable oils for each hedonic attribute. There is also a different response to the antioxidant and total flavonoids content of each treatment. The best formula according the multi-attribute decision using a compensatory model and additive weighting technique (MADCAW) score describes key lime (140%) flavored coconut oil as the best formula as having 56.58% antioxidant, 37.00 mg QE/100 g flavonoid and color liking 1.84, aroma liking 3.56, and taste liking 1.88. In conclusion, citrus-flavored vegetable oil has the potential to be a high-antioxidant vegetable oil with good acceptance by consumers.

Expression of Concern for Correlation between Sun Protection Factor and Antioxidant Activity, Phenol and Flavonoid Contents of Some Medicinal Plants [Iran J Pharm Res. 2014;13(3): e125511

Expression of Concern for Correlation between Sun Protection Factor and Antioxidant Activity, Phenol and Flavonoid Contents of Some Medicinal Plants [Iran J Pharm Res. 2014;13(3): e125511

In vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of bioactive compounds extracted from Streptomyces africanus strain E2 isolated from Moroccan soil

This study aimed to isolate Streptomyces sp. from Moroccan terrestrial ecosystems and identify bioactive compounds through GC–MS analysis. Antimicrobial activity was assessed against various pathogenic microorganisms including Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Candida albicans ATCC 60193, and multi-drug resistant strains comprising Listeria monocytogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae 19K 929, Proteus sp. 19K1313, Klebsiella pneumoniae 20B1572, Proteus vulgaris 16C1737, and Klebsiella pneumoniae 20B1572. Based on the results of the gene sequencing of gene 16S rRNA and phylogenetic analysis, the E2 isolate belongs to the genus Streptomyces with the highest degree of resemblance (97.51%) to the Streptomyces africanus strain NBRC 101005 (NR_112600.1). The isolate exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, with maximum efficacy against Klebsiella pneumoniae 20B1572 indicated by an inhibition zone diameter of 22.5 ± 0.71mm and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.0625 mg/mL. The in vitro antioxidant potential of E2 strain was determined through screening of its ethyl acetate extract against sets of antioxidant assays. The results were indicative of E2 strain displaying strong antioxidant activity against ABTS, DPPH free radicals, and FRAP. Furthermore, there was a high significant correlation (p < 0.0001) between the total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant activities. The GC–MS analysis of the extract identified six volatile compounds, with Eugenol (96%) and Maltol (93%) being the most prominent. Additionally, the HPLC–UV/vis analysis revealed six phenolic compounds: gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid, trans-ferulic acid, ellagic acid, and cinnamic acid. Overall, the study highlights Streptomyces sp. strain E2 as a potential source of potent antimicrobial and antioxidant metabolites, offering promise in addressing antibiotic resistance and oxidative stress-related conditions.

Phytochemical prospecting, vitamins, total phenolics and flavonoids, and antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase activities of Scleroderma citrinum Persoon (Sc) mushroom extract

Scleroderma is a genus of Gasteromycetes and Basidiomycota mushrooms in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to evaluate the ethanolic extract of the mushroom Scleroderma citrinum regarding phytochemical prospecting, vitamin, phenolic, and total flavonoid content, and antioxidant (FRAP and DPPH) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition activities. Fruiting bodies of S. citrinum were collected and the ethanolic extract was produced by maceration. Phytochemical prospecting was performed for several phytochemical groups using colorimetric means; the content of vitamins A, B, C, D, and E was obtained qualitatively by colorimetric methods, the content of phenolic and flavonoids by the colorimetric method and quantification by spectrophotometry. The spectrophotometric method performed the antioxidant activity in reducing FRAP and DPPH radicals by spectrophotometry and the acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity. Seventeen positive phytochemical groups were observed, the qualitative presence of vitamins of the A, B, and D complexes, 195.03 mg GAE g-1 of total phenolics, 93.10 mg QE g-1 of total flavonoids, FRAP reduction of 3.941 µM TE g-1, DPPH reduction of 127.78 µg mL-1 and AChE inhibition of 55.6%. The extract of the mushroom Scleroderma citrinum proved to be rich in phytocompounds, vitamins, and important biological antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition effects.

Evaluation of Biological Activities of Various Extracts of Glaucium alakirensis, Marrubium bourgaei, and Peucedanum alpinum from Türkiye

Plant species contain many secondary metabolites, and these compounds differ from species to species. These differences in the concentrations of these compounds have many health implications. Today, studies on plants' antioxidant and antibacterial effects are gaining importance. In particular, the adverse effects of some existing antibiotics and the constant development of bacterial resistance are leading to the search for new natural antimicrobial agents. In this study, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, acetone, and chloroform extracts were obtained from the aerial parts of Marrubium bourgaei Boiss and Glaucium alakirensis Aykurt, K.Yıldız &amp;amp; A.Özçandır, and Peucedanum alpinum B.L.Burtt &amp;amp; Davis, species which are naturally distributed in Türkiye. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by the DPPH (2,2 Difenil-1-pikrihidrazil) and ABTS (2,2' azino-bis(3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic-acid)) methods, the total phenolic content by Folin-Ciocalteu method, the total flavonoid content by aluminium chloride colorimetric method, and the antibacterial activity against ten bacteria by the disc diffusion method. According to the results, methanol, ethanol, and acetone extracts had higher antioxidant activity, total phenolic, and total flavonoid contents than other extracts. However, the total flavonoid content of M. bourgaei was higher in the ethyl acetate extract. When evaluated for their antibacterial activity, ethanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate in P. alpinum, chloroform in M. bourgaei, and methanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate in G. alakirensis extracts showed antibacterial activity against more bacteria than others. This is the first study to evaluate and compare the total phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant and antibacterial activities of 5 different extracts of these plants.

Elicitation of licorice callus for improving anti-inflammatory agent production

ABSTRACT Ononin and formononetin are bioactive licorice flavonoids with known anti-inflammatory effects. This study used methyl jasmonate (MJ, dose 50 or 100 µM) or cellulase (CL, dose 33.6 and 168 mU/mL) to enhance their production in licorice callus, with samples pre-treated at harvest. Ononin levels peaked on day 3, increasing 3- and 5.93-fold with MJ and CL, respectively. Formononetin levels peaked on day 7, rising 3.22- and 5.46-fold. Anti-inflammation assay exhibited a dose-dependent reduction of nitric oxide (NO) level induced by LPS. MJ and CL (33.6 mU/mL) exhibited NO reduction lower than L-NAME (positive control). At 1000 µg/mL of MJ and CL elicited callus extract showed maximum inhibition of iNOS, COX-2 and IL-6 expression corresponding to 3.8, 6.5, and 14 times, respectively over the LPS treated group. Elicitation enhanced antioxidant defenses, gene expression, and flavonoid levels, improving anti-inflammatory activity. Combining pretreatment with elicitation can thus enhance medicinal yields from licorice.