Antiradical Activity Research Articles

Boosting the resilience to drought of crop plants using wood distillate: A pilot study with lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Increasingly severe drought driven by climate change is harming crop quality and productivity, making it crucial to find nature-based solutions like wood distillate (WD) to aid crops withstand these stressful conditions. This study investigated the effects of WD application on the growth and stress responses of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) under drought conditions. The experiment included periodic measurements of plant growth-related parameters and stress indices to evaluate the effectiveness of WD in mitigating drought-induced damage. The results showed a significant increase (13–26 %) in fresh biomass of the aboveground portion of lettuce treated with WD, indicating the potential of WD as a biostimulant to promote plant growth. In addition, treatment with WD led to a significant increase in total soluble protein content (14–28 %), showing a possible positive effect on protein synthesis. The enhancement of anti-radical activity (measured in terms of DPPH) following the application of WD up to 42 % reflected the ability of the plant to scavenge harmful reactive oxygen species and alleviate oxidative stress. The observed reduction (up to 19 % in comparison with control) in MDA content also confirmed the effectiveness of WD in protecting the integrity of plant cell membranes from oxidative damage. Despite the beneficial effects on anti-radical activity, the total content of the antioxidant compounds (phenols and flavonoids) decreased with the use of WD (5–14 %), most likely suggesting complex interactions between WD and the biosynthesis of these secondary metabolites. The study showed the positive effect of WD application on the growth and stress tolerance of lettuce plants under drought conditions. These results can provide new insights into sustainable agricultural practices and the potential application of WD as a nature-based and effective means to improve crop productivity, especially in water scarce areas.

Optimization of Aqueous Extraction of Polyphenols from Cuminum cyminum Seeds Using Response Surface Methodology and Assessment of Biological Activity.

(1) Background: Cumin seeds, extracted from the plant Cuminum cyminum, are abundant in phenolic compounds and have been extensively researched for their chemical makeup and biological effects. The objective of this research is to enhance the water extraction of polyphenols through the water bath (WB) technique and to evaluate the antiradical, antibacterial, and anticancer effects of the extract. (2) Methods: Response Surface Methodology was used to find the best parameters to extract polyphenols. Three experimental parameters, time, temperature, and solid-liquid ratio, were tested. The disc diffusion method has been used to determine the antimicrobial activities against Salmonella Typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The antiradical activity was performed using the DPPH method, while total phenolic content was performed using Folin-Ciocalteu. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was conducted to analyze the phytochemical profile of WB extracts. The anticancer activity of the lyophilized extract was assessed against three cancer cell lines (colon (HT29), lung (A549), and breast (MCF7) cancer cell lines).; (3) Results: The optimal conditions for water extraction were 130 min at 72 °C. The total phenolic compounds yield (14.7 mg GAE/g DM) and antioxidant activity (0.52 mg trolox eq./mL) were obtained using a 1:40 solid-liquid ratio. The primary polyphenols identified were the flavonoids rutin (0.1 ppm) and ellagic acid (3.78 ppm). The extract had no antibacterial or antifungal activities against the microorganisms tested. The extract showed anticancer activity of about 98% against MCF7 (breast cancer cell line), about 81% against HT29 (colon cancer cell line), and 85% against A549 (lung cancer cell line) at high doses. (4) Conclusions: Extraction time and a high solid-liquid ratio had a positive impact on polyphenol recovery and in maintaining their quantity and quality. Furthermore, the optimal aqueous extract exhibited strong antiradical activity reflected by the inhibition of free radicals in addition to a significant specificity against the tested cancer cell lines.

Modeling Hexaazacylcododeca Metal Complexes as a Radical Trapping Antioxidant: Prospects as a Potential Drug

AbstractFree radicals produced due to the disturbance in homeostasis bring about oxidative stress causing various diseases. This oxidative stress can be prevented by using antioxidants. In this article, a hexaazacylcododeca copper complex is reported as a radical‐trapping antioxidant (RTA). A detailed mechanistic study suggests that the designed complex is capable of trapping six radicals. The study confirms Path 6 as the most probable pathway, which is the radical addition to the ethene moiety of the complex. Moreover, it has a lower N−H bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) than the recently reported bis(thiosemicarbazone) copper complex suggesting it could be a better antioxidant. In addition, the effect of different metals (Co, Fe, Pt, Ca, Ba, Sr, Au, Ag, Ni, and Zn) in their antiradical activity has been studied which suggests that among the studied metal complexes the Cu metal complex is the best metal complex for radical trapping. Further, the drug‐likeness is tested with the Lipinski filter along with the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties. Lastly, docking analysis tested against proteins responsible for ferroptosis shows that the modeled RTA can inhibit such diseases. Thus, it can be proposed that the designed RTA is a potential drug candidate.

Valorization of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed coats: Optimization of polyphenols’ extraction using Ired-Irrad® and assessment of their biological activities

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed coat (SSC) is a by-product generated during the production of sesame paste, known as tahini. Research has demonstrated that this by-product is abundant in valuable nutritional compounds. Various extraction methods are employed to enhance the value of industrial waste by recovering its bioactive compounds. The study aims to optimize the extraction of polyphenols utilizing an infrared technique Ired-Irrad® (IR), in comparison to the water bath (WB) extraction. To optimize the extraction of polyphenols from SSC using both the IR and WB extraction methods, the study utilized Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Under optimal conditions, IR extraction resulted in an improved polyphenol yield, which was 20% higher than that obtained using WB extraction. Similarly, the antiradical activity, quantified as mg of Trolox equivalent per milliliter, increased from 0.58 mg TE/mL in the WB extract to 0.68 mg TE/mL in the IR extract. The phytochemical profile of the IR and WB extracts was examined through High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The major polyphenols identified in both extracts were the flavonoids rutin (3.87 mg/L in IR, 1.72 mg/L in WB) and catechin (3.05 mg/L in IR, 1.32 mg/L in WB). The IR extract revealed the highest yield of polyphenols among the majority of compounds, compared to WB. The lyophilized SSC extracts obtained through both the IR and WB methods demonstrated the most effective antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, with a minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) value exceeding 100 mg/mL. However, minor antibacterial effects were detected against the Gram-negative strains, Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7, for extracts obtained with both the IR and WB methods.

SELECTION OF THE OPTIMAL EXTRACTION MODULE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TECHNOLOGY OF PRODUCTION OF BLACK AND GREEN TEA EXTRACTS (Camellia sinensis) WITH HIGH INDICATORS OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

It is known that various factors of extraction, such as the type of solvent, temperature, time, solvent system, degree of grinding of raw materials, extraction modulus significantly affect the level of antioxidant properties of plant products. The aim of our study was to select the optimal extraction module for two types of tea (Camellia sinensis), to obtain extracts with high values of total soluble solids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, antiradical activity according to the DPPH method, restoring strength according to the FRAP method. The objects of the study were extracts of two types of tea obtained using water, with a grinding degree of 0.5 mm, an extraction temperature of 40–50 °C, an extraction time of 24 h, and various versions of extraction modules 1 : 10, 1 : 15, 1 : 20. The indicator of the content of dry soluble substances in black and green tea reaches high values when using the extraction module 1 : 10 (9% and 9.6%, respectively), the maximum amount of phenolic substances (3139 mg (HA) / 100 g and 2045 mg (HA) / 100 g), flavonoids (1644 mg (K) / 100 g and 718 mg (K) / 100 g), tannins (123 mg catechin / 100 g and 56 mg catechin / 100 g) were extracted from black and green tea extracts at extraction module 1 : 10. The highest index of restorative power was observed in black and green tea extracts with an extraction modulus of 1 : 10 (8.73 mmol Fe2+ / kg and 15.84 mmol Fe2+ / kg). At an extraction modulus of 1 : 10, black and green tea extracts exhibited the least antiradical activity (Ec50 = 0.39 mg / cm3 and Ec50 = 0.69 mg / cm3). Thus, we can recommend the value of the module 1 : 10 as the most acceptable for obtaining extracts from black and green tea with a high level of the studied parameters.

Pulp or Peel? Comparative Analysis of the Phytochemical Content and Selected Cosmetic-Related Properties of Annona cherimola L., Diospyros kaki Thumb., Cydonia oblonga Mill. and Fortunella margarita Swingle Pulp and Peel Extracts.

Fruit peels might be a valuable source of active ingredients for cosmetics, leading to more sustainable usage of plant by-products. The aim of the study was to evaluate the phytochemical content and selected biological properties of hydroglycolic extracts from peels and pulps of Annona cherimola, Diospyros kaki, Cydonia oblonga, and Fortunella margarita as potential cosmetic ingredients. Peel and pulp extracts were compared for their antiradical activity (using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays), skin-lightening potential (tyrosinase inhibitory assay), sun protection factor (SPF), and cytotoxicity toward human fibroblast, keratinocyte, and melanoma cell lines. The total content of polyphenols and/or flavonoids was significantly higher in peel than in pulp extracts, and the composition of particular active compounds was also markedly different. The HPLC-MS fingerprinting revealed the presence of catechin, epicatechin and rutoside in the peel of D. kaki, whereas kaempferol glucoside and procyanidin A were present only in the pulp. In A. cherimola, catechin, epicatechin and rutoside were identified only in the peel of the fruit, whereas procyanidins were traced only in the pulp extracts. Quercetin and luteolinidin were found to be characteristic compounds of F. margarita peel extract. Naringenin and hesperidin were found only in the pulp of F. margarita. The most significant compositional variety between the peel and pulp extracts was observed for C. oblonga: Peel extracts contained a higher number of active components (e.g., vicenin-2, kaempferol rutinoside, or kaempferol galactoside) than pulp extract. The radical scavenging potential of peel extracts was higher than of the pulp extracts. D. kaki and F. margarita peel and pulp extracts inhibited mushroom and murine tyrosinases at comparable levels. The C. oblonga pulp extract was a more potent mushroom tyrosinase inhibitor than the peel extract. Peel extract of A. cherimola inhibited mushroom tyrosinase but activated the murine enzyme. F. margarita pulp and peel extracts showed the highest in vitro SPF. A. cherimola, D. kaki, and F. margarita extracts were not cytotoxic for fibroblasts and keratinocytes up to a concentration of 2% (v/v) and the peel extracts were cytotoxic for A375 melanoma cells. To summarize, peel extracts from all analyzed fruit showed comparable or better cosmetic-related properties than pulp extracts and might be considered multifunctional active ingredients of skin lightening, anti-aging, and protective cosmetics.

In vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant and molecular study of Nostoc punctiforme isolated from the rice field

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes and are reservoir of bioactive compounds having substantial antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. They serve as a rich source of structurally novel and biologically active metabolites, holding great potential for various pharmaceutical applications. The aim of this study is to investigate in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the extracts of Nostoc punctiforme, a filamentous heterocystous cyanobacterium predominant in the rice fields of Lakhanpur (Bargarh District), Odisha. The heterocystous cyanobacteria was collected from rice field and identified by means of morphological and molecular approach (Nostoc punctiforme Jbr02). Subsequently, in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity was assayed using acetone, methanol, and benzene extract. The cyanobacterial extracts established important antimicrobial actions against bacterial and fungal pathogens with significant MIC values from 62.5 to 500 μg/ml. The methanolic extract displayed better inhibitory activities against both V. Cholerae and P. verrucosun with the MIC value 62.5μg/ml while no such activity was recorded in benzene extract against B. subtilis, A. niger and F. oxysporum pathogens. The antioxidant study, depicted that the methanolic extract showed relatively higher antiradical activity of IC50 542±0.012 μg/ml among the three solvents. The Ferric reducing assay result was also maximum in methanolic extract (0.478±0.78) as compared to benzene and acetone extract. These findings infer that Nostoc punctiforme has potential antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, unveiling its potential as a valuable source of bioactive compounds. Thus, N. punctiforme in specific and cyanobacteria in general are one of the most promising candidates for commercial applications.

Intensification of extraction process through IVDV pretreatment from Eryngium creticum leaves and stems: Maximizing yields and assessing biological activities

“Intensification of Vaporization by Decompression to the Vacuum” (IVDV) has initially emerged as a technology primarily employed for expanding and enhancing the texture of biological products. However, its recent applications have showcased significant promise in the realm of extracting bioactive molecules from various plant materials. In this context, optimization using response surface methodology was conducted to investigate the impact of IVDV pretreatment on the extractability of phenolic compounds from Eryngium creticum leaves and stems, as well as their biological activities. Using IVDV preceding the extraction led to higher total phenolic content (TPC) and enhanced antiradical activities in treated materials compared to untreated ones. The optimal processing conditions in terms of water content, steam pressure and treatment time were determined in order to maximize TPC (89.07 and 20.06 mg GAE/g DM in leaves and stems, respectively) and antiradical (DPPH) inhibition percentage (93.51% and 27.54% in leaves and stems, respectively). IVDV-treated extracts showed superior antioxidant, antibacterial and antibiofilm capacities compared to raw extracts. Using RP-UHPLC-PDA-MS, caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid were identified in IVDV-treated leaves. IVDV can be implemented as an innovative treatment applied prior to extraction to boost the recovery of biomolecules from plant matrices.

PHYTOCHEMICAL, PHYSICOCHEMICAL, ANTIOXIDANT AND TOXICITY STUDIES OF TWO EXTRACTS OF CHAMAECRISTA ROTUNDIFOLIA (PERS.) GRENNE

With a view of promoting Togolese traditional medicine through the revaluation of medicinal endogenous knowledge, phytochemical studies of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of the leafy stem of Chamaecrista rotundifoliawere carried out. Studies of the antioxidant/anti-radical activity and of the extracts safety were undertaken.Then, 4 main minerals were quantified in the plants powder. The aqueous (10 mg/mL) and hydroethanolic (5 mg/mL) extracts presentedan anti-radical activity with Inhibitory concentration 50 percent (IC50) respectively 3.15 1 mg/mL and 2.121 mg/mL against Vitamin C, IC50 =0.1 (1mg/mL). Results of the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power test showed an activity of these extracts doses respectively with a ferric reduction rate of 21.73% and 22.27% compared to VitaminC (2 mg/mL) = 80.72%. About the toxicological level, the lethal concentrations 50 percentobtained on shrimp larvae of Artemia salina respectively 0.68 ± 0.02 mg/mL and 0.13 ± 0.01 mg /mL of aqueous and hydroethanolic extractswere greater than 0.1 mg/mL indicating that the extracts, at these concentrations, are not cytotoxic. Furthermore, at a single limit dose of 2000 mg/kg/body weight, these extracts are not toxic to the Wistar rat. Phytochemistry and physicochemistry revealed respectively the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and of Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc at various rates. This study showed that Chamaecrista rotundifoliais rich in phytochemical compoundsandvital minerals. Itsaqueous and hydroethanolic extractshave low free-radical and anti-radical activities,then they are non-toxic at the doses studied. Additional studies are needed for future foundations of phytomedicines formulation.

Attenuation of carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity by gum Arabic extract via modulating cellular redox state, NF-κB pathway, and KIM-1

The current study investigated the ameliorating impact of GA water extract (GAE) on CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity in renal cells and tissue by comparing its effectiveness with the Ketosteril (Ks) drug in restoring oxidative stress and necroinflammation. The cell morphology, necrosis, and redox state were evaluated in Vero cells. The influence of GAE on CCl4-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and necrosis was examined in rats. The predicted inhibitory mechanism of GAE phenolic constituents against COX-2 and iNOS was also studied. The results revealed that GAE contains crucial types of phenolic acids, which are associated with its antiradical activities. GAE improved CCl4-induced Vero cell damage and restored renal architecture damage, total antioxidant capacity, ROS, TBARS, NO, GSH, GPX, SOD, and MPO in rats. GAE downregulated the gene expression of renal NF-κB, TNF-α, iNOS, and COX-2, as well as kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in rats. The GAE improved blood urea, creatinine, cholesterol, and reducing power. The computational analysis revealed the competitive inhibitory mechanism of selected phenolic composites of GAE on COX-2 and iNOS activities. The GAE exhibited higher potency than Ks in most of the studied parameters, as observed by the heatmap plots. Thus, GAE is a promising extract for the treatment of kidney toxicity.

Hyaluronic acid from bluefin tuna by-product: Structural analysis and pharmacological activities

The fishing and aquaculture industries generate a huge amount of waste during processing and preservation operations, especially those of tuna. Recovering these by-products is a major economic and environmental challenge for manufacturers seeking to produce new active biomolecules of interest. A new hyaluronic acid was extracted from bluefin tuna's vitreous humour to assess its antioxidant and pharmacological activities. The characterization by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance ((1D1H) and 2D (1H COSY, 1H/13C HSQC)) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC/MALS/DRI/VD) revealed that the extracted polysaccharide was a hyaluronic acid with high uronic acid content (55.8 %) and a weight average molecular weight of 888 kDa. This polymer possesses significant anti-radical activity and ferrous chelating capacity. In addition, pharmacological evaluation of its anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential, using preclinical models, in comparison with reference drugs (Dexamethasone, diclofenac, and acetylsalicylate of lysine), revealed promising anti-inflammatory activity as well as interesting peripheral and central antinociceptive activity. Therefore, our new hyaluronic acid compound may therefore serve as a potential drug candidate for the treatment of pain sensation and inflammation of various pathological origins.

Influence of sonication pretreatment on antiradical and anti-ACE activity of protein hydrolysates from fermented pork loins

The aim of this study was to assess whether ultrasound treatment (sonification time: 5, 15, and 30 min; constants: ∼40 kHz, ∼2.5 W cm2) can be applied prior to hydrolysis to enhance the anti-radical and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibiting (anti-ACE) effect of the hydrolysates from fermented pork loins. Enzymatic hydrolysis was performed using pepsin, followed by pancreatin. The influence of meat matrix on the course of hydrolysis, shaped using a lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-based starter culture, was also analyzed. It was found that proteases caused a systematic increase in the content of peptides, while pancreatin limited the peptide content in the protein hydrolysate from the loins subjected to spontaneous fermentation. Moreover, for these tests, sonication time had a negligible effect on the peptides content of the hydrolysates. On the other hand, for the sample of LAB-fermented products, both sonication time and stage of hydrolysis promoted the biological activity of the hydrolysates. Samples from the LAB-fermented meat had more peptides at the stage of digestion with pepsin and pancreatin, exhibiting much faster antiradical and anti-ACE activity compared to the control sample. The obtained results suggest that the use of LAB promotes the release of antiradical peptides during the two-step enzymatic hydrolysis, the duration of which can be shortened to achieve satisfactory biofunctionalities. Additional application of sonication pretreatment allows controlling the course of the hydrolysis, as the pro-health, biological effect of some protein-derived sequences is associated with the content of peptides.

Volatiles from French and Croatian Sea Fennel Ecotypes: Chemical Profiles and the Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Antiageing Activity of Essential Oils and Hydrolates.

Sea fennel is a halophytic plant rich in valuable nutritional components and is characterized by pleasant organoleptic properties. While its essential oils (EOs) are well investigated, there are no reports on the volatiles from their corresponding hydrolates, which are the main by-products of EO isolation, as well as on their biological activity. Therefore, the composition and biological activities of EOs and corresponding hydrolates of sea fennel from Atlantic (French, FRA) and Mediterranean (Croatian, CRO) ecotypes were investigated and compared. The EO from the CRO sample was characterized by an abundance of sabinene and limonene, while that from the FRA ecotype was rich in dillapiol and carvacryl methyl ether. The CRO hydrolate was rich in terpinen-4-ol and 10-(acetylmethyl)-3-carene, while dillapiol, thymyl methyl ether and γ-terpinene were the main compounds in the FRA sea fennel hydrolate. The biological activities of the EOs and hydrolates were evaluated for their antioxidant (with DPPH, NO, FRAP and ORAC bioassays), antimicrobial (against some Gram+ and Gram- spoilage bacteria) and antiageing (tyrosinase, elastase and collagenase inhibition) activities. Both EOs showed low reducing powers and antiradical activities while the ability of both hydrolates to quench NO was slightly higher (35-39% if inhibition). The FRA EO showed low activity against Staphylococcus aureus (8 mm), while CRO moderately inhibited the growth of P. aeruginosa (8 mm), but strongly inhibited the other two bacterial strains. While the French EO showed no antityrosinase and anticollagenase activity, the Croatian oil significantly inhibited both enzymes (IC50 of 650 µg/mL and IC50 of 2570 µg/mL, respectively) probably due to the dominance of limonene and sabinene. Neither EO exhibited antielastase properties, while the hydrolates from both ecotypes showed no antiageing activity, regardless of the enzyme tested. The EOs from the aerial parts of sea fennel from FRA and CRO differed greatly in composition, resulting in different activities. The Croatian samples appeared to have better biological properties and are therefore good candidates for applications as preservatives or antiageing agents.

Nutrient and anti-nutrient composition of durum, soft and red wheat landraces: Implications for nutrition and mineral bioavailability

Morocco possesses a significant genetic diversity of wheat cultivars in the form of landraces conserved by local farmers in several regions. This study aimed to investigate the nutritional and antinutritional composition of 75 flour samples of durum, soft, and red wheat landraces cultivated in Morocco in order to determine their nutritional value. The analysis concerned the quantification of total carbohydrates, starch, lipid, fatty acids, protein, amino acids, minerals, and dietary fibers using AOAC standards, and phytic acid and polyphenols using spectrophotometric assays. The antiradical activity was evaluated using a DPPH assay based on the chelating properties of the free radicals against minerals. The bioavailability of minerals was also estimated using molar ratios. On a dry weight basis, soft wheat flour contains higher amounts of carbohydrates (80.307 ± 0.634 g/100 g), while durum (14.007 ± 0.569 g/100 g) and red (16.452 ± 0.141 g/100 g) wheat flours contain more proteins, predominantly represented by glutamic acid and leucine. The mineral analysis revealed the abundance of iron, zinc, and calcium in soft, red, and durum wheat flours. Concerning lipids, the flour samples showed relatively low concentrations with a distinct predominance of oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids. The quantification of antinutrients revealed the richness of red wheat flour in dietary fibers (1.763 ± 0.103 g/100 g), total polyphenols (301.609 ± 0.169 μg GAE/g), and flavonoids (80.091 ± 0.121 μg QE/g), while durum and soft wheat flours contain more tannins (60.138 ± 0.751 μg CE/g) and phytic acid (9.182 ± 0.391 mg/g), respectively. The phenolic extract derived from red wheat flour demonstrated significant antiradical activity against DPPH, with an IC50 value of 121.683 ± 0.229 μg/mL. The calculated (PA:Fe), (PA:Zn), and (PA:Ca) were below the critical values, indicating a low bioavailability of iron, zinc, and calcium in the wheat flour samples. The results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the amounts of nutrients and antinutrients among the studied wheat cultivars, leading to variations in the bioavailability of their mineral contents. These quantitative differences could be used to more accurately guide dietary recommendations and develop focused strategies for optimizing the bioavailability of minerals in wheat flour-based products.

Evaluation of gamma irradiation effects on antioxidant capacity of propolis

The irradiation effects on antioxidant potential and on content of phenolic compounds of propolis ethanoic extracts were studied. It was found out that gamma treatment of samples with 2 and 10 kGy had a weak decreasing effect on the total phenolic content (TPC), while no change was observed in the propolis irradiated with 5 kGy. The antiradical activity of extracts was assessed by the DPPH free radical scavenging activity evaluated by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The EPR results were in agreement with TPC. Some main phenolic compounds of the studied non-irradiated and irradiated samples were identified and compared by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC).

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials of Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss. & Durieu seeds’ extracts: In vitro and in vivo studies

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAmmodaucus leucotrichus Coss. & Durieu (Apiaceae) is traditionally used in southern Algeria as a remedy against a wide range of disease due to its health-promoting properties. Aim of the studyTo investigate anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials of plant methanolic extract and its fractions in vitro and in vivo. Materials and methodsAnti-radical activity was assessed in vitro using ABTS•+, superoxide anion (O2•-) and nitric oxide radical (•NO). Lipid peroxidation inhibition was also investigated in the linoleic acid system. Enzyme inhibition assay was performed against α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The anti-inflammatory effect of extracts was screened in vitro through thermal induction of human serum albumin, and in vivo on a skin acute inflammation model induced by λ-carrageenan paw injection, xylene and croton oil topical application. Analgesic effect was evaluated by acetic acid-induced writhing test. ResultsThe highest contents of polyphenols and flavonoids was recorded by the crude extract (77.14 ± 0.01 μg GAE/mg E and 19.59 ± 0.08 μg QE/mg E, respectively). Among the extracts, ethyl acetate extract showed a promising anti-radical activity of ABTS•+, O2•- and •NO, in addition to a remarkable inhibition activity of the tested enzymes. Meanwhile, all extracts effectively protected linoleic acid against lipid peroxidation and human serum albumin structure in thermal condition even at low concentration (0.31 mg/ml). Oral administration of 200 mg/kg of crude extract successfully inhibited acetic acid induced nociception and reduced edema formation induced by xylene and carrageenan. However, a dose-dependent manner was observed to decrease ear edema by a microscopic examination in croton oil induced acute inflammation. Nitrite and malondialdehyde levels together with catalase activity were modulated in the presence of plant-derived bioactive compounds. ConclusionsThis study showed that Ammodaucus leucotrichus is potentially rich source of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds.

Production and characterization of novel marine black yeast’s exopolysaccharide with potential antiradical and anticancer prospects

The marine black yeasts are characterized by the production of many novel protective substances. These compounds increase their physiological adaptation to multi-extreme environmental stress. Hence, the exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing marine black yeast SAHE was isolated in this study. It was molecularly identified as Hortaea werneckii (identity 98.5%) through ITS1 and ITS4 gene sequencing analysis. The physicochemical properties of the novel SAHE-EPS were investigated through FTIR, GC-MS, TGA, ESM, and EDX analysis, revealing its heteropolysaccharide nature. SAHE-EPS was found to be thermostable and mainly consists of sucrose, maltose, cellobiose, lactose, and galactose. Furthermore, it exhibited an amorphous texture and irregular porous surface structure. SAHE-EPS showed significant antiradical activity, as demonstrated by the DPPH radical scavenging assay, and the IC50 was recorded to be 984.9 μg/mL. In addition, SAHE-EPS exhibited outstanding anticancer activity toward the A549 human lung cancer cell line (IC50 = 22.9 μg/mL). Conversely, it demonstrates minimal cytotoxicity toward the WI-38 normal lung cell line (IC50 = 203 μg/mL), which implies its safety. This study represents the initial attempt to isolate and characterize the chemical properties of an EPS produced by the marine black yeast H. werneckii as a promising antiradical and anticancer agent.

Healthy Effects of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in Internal Medicine and Dentistry

Punica granatum L., commonly known as pomegranate, is a typical fruit of Asia, Mediterranean countries, the Middle East and the USA. While in ancient times pomegranate was considered an ornamental plant, nowadays numerous scientific studies have highlighted its antioxidant and anti-radical activities, making it a “superfood”. Pomegranate presents a high content of natural bioactive compounds (NBCs), and its consumption appears to exert numerous healthy effects, in particular, in several pathological conditions as metabolic syndrome, cancer, nephrolithiasis, urinary tract infections and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, recent studies have pointed out the possible beneficial action of pomegranate on oral health. For these reasons, the utility of pomegranate in internal medicine and dentistry represents a promising field, as it could enable the development of innovative natural adjuvant therapies and empower standard pharmaceutical therapies.

Comprehensive analysis of physicochemical, nutritional, and antioxidant properties of various forms and varieties of tender coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water in Northern Sri Lanka

Tender coconut water is a beverage distinguished from mature coconut water as it's harvested during the early stages of coconut development. It's a well-liked natural drink in tropical regions where coconut trees are abundant. This study aimed to characterize the physicochemical, nutritional and antioxidant properties of different varieties of tender coconut water such as tall, dwarf, intermediate and hybrid varieties with a maturity stage of 5–7 months old. Standard assays assessed nutritional and antioxidant properties. The results of this study showed that the King coconut (Intermediate variety), had significantly higher total protein (0.59 mg BSA/ ml), Total soluble solids (5.0° Brix) and Total sugar content (63.58 mg/ml). The coconut water of Ran thembili (Tall variety) showed significantly higher antiradical activity (DPPH) (82.75 %), total tannin content (22.32 µg TE/ml) and reducing sugar content (43.80 mg/ml). Nawasi (Tall variety) showed significantly higher total flavonoid content (1.23 µg QE/ ml). Total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity were significantly higher for Ran thembili and King coconut. In essence, our findings illuminated the diverse and appealing attributes of tender coconut water. Importantly, the distinct coconut varieties examined in this study exerted a noticeable impact on the composition and properties of tender coconut water.

Study on the effect of malt and decoction mashing on polyphenols and antiradical power of wort

Mashing is one of the key operations in beer brewing. Together with polyphenolic compounds it can affect the quality and stability of beer. In our pilot brewing trials of pale lager (200 L), malts of three barley varieties were compared using either infusion or double decoction mashing. Total polyphenols, anthocyanogens and flavanoids were determined in sweet and hopped wort. Free phenolics were measured by HPLC coupled with coulometric detection. Antiradical power was determined by RC-DCPI, ARA-DPPH and ESR-T150 methods. In this way the influence of mashing method and barley variety on polyphenols and antiradical activity of sweet wort was demonstrated showing that the effect of mashing was stronger (ANOVA). The results showed significantly higher, i.e. by tens of per cent, levels of all polyphenols studied in both the decoction sweet wort and hopped wort. The decoction process resulted in higher levels of the antiradical power, ARA-DPPH (37–47%) and RC-DCPI (25–60%). A cluster analysis partitioned 28 free phenolic compounds in sweet wort primarily by variety and secondarily by mashing. The Malz malt showed a greater increase in polyphenols, free phenolic compounds and antiradical power in the decoction process compared to the Bojos and Sebastian malts. Decoction mashing introduces higher levels of phenolic antioxidants into the beer with the potential to improve the sensory stability of the beer and provide health benefits to the consumer. The different behaviour of malts and barley varieties needs to be better elucidated in further research.