Β-carotene Bleaching Assay Research Articles

SCREENING OF ANTIOXIDANTS, ANTI-AGING AND TYROSINASE INHIBITORY ACTIVITIES OF ETHANOLIC AND ETHYL ACETATE EXTRACTS OF FRUIT FLESH AND FRUIT PEEL LANGSAT (Lansium domesticum Corr) IN VITRO

This study aims to determine the bioactivity of L.domesticum as cosmetic ingredient. The extraction was prepared by maceration with ethanol 96 % and ethyl acetate to obtain ethanolic extract of fruit flesh (BLE), ethanolic extract of fruit peel (KLE), ethyl acetate extract of fruit flesh (KLE) and fruit peel (KLEA). Then, determination of compounds was conducted by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and analysed of total phenolic and flavonoid content with colorimetric method. The antioxidant capacity was measured using radical scavenging assay of 1,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), β-carotene bleaching assay (BCB) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP). The inhibitory effect of skin degradation enzymes (anti-aging) was carried out using elastase and collagenase assay. The tyrosinase inhibitory effect was determined using mushroom tyrosinase. Based on TLC result, extract of L.domesticum containing phenolic, flavonoids, terpenoids and steroids compounds. The largest of total flavonoid content was obtained in KLE (4,76±0,26 %b/b EQ) and phenolic total content in BLEA (6,4±0,15 %b/b EG). Sequence of antioxidant activity measured using DPPH method was BLEA> KLE> BLE> KLEA; while using BCB method and FRAP method were respectively KLEA>BLEA> KLE> BLE; and BLEA> KLE> BLE> KLEA. KLE and KLEA extracts showed the most potent to remaining activity of the enzyme elastase and collagenase. In addition, BLE extract has the higest tyrosinase inhibition than others. Based on these results it can be concluded that the extracts of the fruit flesh and fruit peel of L. domesticum can be used as a cosmetic active ingredient for anti-aging and anti-tyrosinase.

Effect of cooking and in vitro digestion on the antioxidant activity of dry-cured ham by-products

Dry-cured ham by-products have been traditionally used in Mediterranean household cooking of broths and stews. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of cooking treatments and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on the antioxidant activity of natural peptides found in bones from Spanish dry-cured hams. The antioxidant activity was tested using five different assays and results demonstrated that cooking using conventional household methods increased the antioxidant activity of ham by-products when assessed using different antioxidant assays with the exception of the ABTS radical scavenging measurement assay. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion showed no significant effect on the antioxidant activity of ham by-products and antioxidant activity decreased when assessed using the ORAC and β-carotene bleaching assays. Analysis by MALDI-TOF MS revealed a considerable breakdown of peptides due to the action of gastrointestinal enzymes, mainly in samples cooked at 100°C for 1h. In addition, 459 peptides derived from 57 proteins were identified and quantified using mass spectrometry in tandem, evidencing that peptides derived from collagen protein were responsible for the differences in antioxidant activities observed between the uncooked and cooked samples after digestion. The results show the potential of dry-cured ham bones as a source of antioxidant peptides that retain their bioactivity after household cooking preparations and gastrointestinal digestion.

In vitro antioxidant activity and phytochemical analysis of Teucrium pseudo-Scorodonia Desf. Collected from Algeria

Teucrium pseudo-Scorodonia Desf., is one of many Mediterranean plants widely used in Algerian folk medicine for their medicinal properties. This study represents the first antioxidant investigation of Teucrium pseudo-Scorodonia with different analytical methods. Total phenolic, flavonoid, and condensed tannin contents were determined using spectrophotometric techniques. In vitro antioxidant and radical scavenging profiling was determined through total antioxidant capacity (TAC), DPPH radical-scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and β-carotene bleaching assays. Leaf extracts exhibited high total phenolics (266.36 ± 0.14 mg GAE/g DW), flavonoids (161.23 ± 0.18 mg CE/g DW) and condensed tannins (5.00 ± 0.08 mg CE/g DW) contents. The greatest antioxidant activity was founding in the butanolic fraction of leaves (IC50.DPPH = 0.05 ± 0.00 mg/ml) followed by crude methanolic extract and ethyl acetate fraction. These values were to some extent high in comparison to the positive control (0.07 ± 0.01 mg/ml). The same tendency was observed with ferric reducing power. A strong correlation of IC50 values of antioxidant assays with total phenolics and total flavonoids content of T. pseudo-Scorodonia was exhibited in this study. Thin layer chromatographic (TLC) screening using DPPH radical, AlCl3 and FeCl3 as detection reagents led to the identification of potent antioxidant compounds: methylated flavonoids or hydroxyflavonols. These results indicate that flavonoids and phenolics can be the major contributors to the antioxidant activity observed for the T. pseudo-Scorodonia leaf extracts. Further study is necessary for isolation and characterization of the active antioxidants, which may serve as a potential source of natural antioxidants.

Evaluation of antioxidant potential of Artocarpus heterophyllus L. J33 variety fruit waste from different extraction methods and identification of phenolic constituents by LCMS

Artocarpus heterophyllus J33 (AhJ33) fruit is a popular and valuable jackfruit variety in Malaysia. For export, the pulp has to be separated from the skin which is usually discarded. Hence, the conversion of the fruit waste to food products with economic value needs to be explored utilizing the waste to wealth concept. This paper reports the evaluation of antioxidant potential of AhJ33 fruit waste (rind and rachis) extracts from three different extraction methods (maceration, percolation and Soxhlet). The antioxidant potential was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging, FRAP and β-carotene bleaching assays. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were estimated by TPC and the TFC assays. For both rind and rachis, the maceration technique yielded extracts with the strongest antioxidant activities which correlated with the highest TPC and TFC values. TOF LCMS analyses identified two phenolic acids as the major constituents responsible for the antioxidant activity of the active extracts.

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL SCREENING AND DETERMINATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF NELUMBO NUCIFERA GAERTN ETHANOL SEED EXTRACT BY DIFFERENT IN VITRO MODELS

Objective: To perform the pharmacognostical screening and determination of antioxidant activity of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn ethanol seed extract by different in vitro models.Methods: The different pharmacognostical parameters were evaluated as per standard protocols with some modifications. The various concentrations of ethanol seed extract of Nelumbo nucifera were evaluated for antioxidant activity using the standard in vitro methods like hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging assay, nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging assay, reducing power capacity assessment, β-Carotene bleaching assay, ferric thiocyanate method (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay.Results: Extractive values, ash values and moisture content values of Nelumbo nucifera were found to be as per the IP 2007 and Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia standard. Among the four extracts viz. Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and aqueous, the ethanol extract showed significant antioxidant activity. The ethanol seed extract of Nelumbo nucifera (NNSE) exhibited high antioxidant activity (IC50 = 12.65 µg/ml) in 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryldydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. In FTC method the absorbance of NNSE increased slowly, which shows strong antioxidant ability. The thin layer chromatography (TLC) of the extract revealed 6 spots with the Rf values 0.41, 0.47, 0.59, 0.65, 0.67, 0.74 with the solvent system of toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid (5:4:0.5, v/v/v). The high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) revealed the spots at Rf values 0.65 and 0.68. These fractions obtained by preparative TLC also confirmed the same. Conclusion: The present investigation suggested that the NNSE has significant antioxidant activity. These results clearly indicate that Nelumbo nucifera is effective against free radical mediated diseases, thus replacing the synthetic ones.

The Potential of a Brown Microalga Cultivated in High Salt Medium for the Production of High-Value Compounds.

Amphora sp. was isolated from the Sfax Solar Saltern and cultivated under hypersaline conditions. It contains moderate rates of proteins, lipids, sugars, and minerals and a prominent content of bioactive compounds: polyphenols, chlorophyll a, carotenoids, and fatty acids. The analysis of fatty acids with GC/MS showed that the C16 series accounted for about 75% of Amphora sp. lipids. Saturated fatty acids whose palmitic acid was the most important (27.41%) represented 41.31%. Amphora sp. was found to be rich in monounsaturated fatty acids with dominance of palmitoleic acid. It also contains a significant percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids with a high amount of eicosapentaenoic acid (2.36%). Among the various solvents used, ethanol at 80% extracted the highest amounts of phenols and flavonoids that were 38.27 mg gallic acid equivalent and 17.69 mg catechin equivalent g−1 of dried extract, respectively. Using various in vitro assays including DPPH and ABTS radicals methods, reducing power assay, and β-carotene bleaching assay, the 80% ethanolic extract showed high antioxidant activity. A strong antibacterial activity was checked against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella enterica). These results are in favor of Amphora sp. valorization in aquaculture and food and pharmaceutical industries.

In vitro antibacterial and antioxidant properties of Elettaria cardamomum Maton extract and its effects, incorporated with chitosan, on storage time of lamb meat

In this experimental study, ethanolic extract of Elettaria cardamomum Maton (ECM) was prepared, the amount of phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties were measured using colorimetric methods and β-carotene bleaching assay, respectively. The effects of chitosan with a concentration of 1% and 2% (w/w) of ECM extract at refrigerated temperature (4 ± 1 °C) on the microbial quality of lamb meat was evaluated. Changes in pH level, the total count of bacteria, psychrotrophic and lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, yeast, mold counts and also the organoleptic characteristics of lamb meat in specific storage times (day zero, 1st, 3rd and 5th) were examined. The total amount of phenols of ECM ethanolic extract was 19.27 ± 0.02 mg/g Gallic acid equivalent, and antioxidant capacity was 45.7 ± 7.5%. In all treated samples, a reduction in the total count of bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, psychrotrophic and lactic acid bacteria, molds and yeasts were observed (P<0.05). Besides, the addition of extract incorporated with chitosan to meat increased its overall acceptance rate (P<0.05). It may be concluded that ethanolic extract of ECM mixed with chitosan can be used as a natural antibacterial and antioxidant coating, safe to be consumed with meat products.

Biological activities and major components determination in essential oils intended for a biodegradable food packaging

Since ancient times, aromatic plants have been used in food and in folk medicine. Currently, essential oils and their compounds are attracting great interest due to their proven action to preserve food quality, to extend foodś shelf-life and due to be natural. Essential oils from Ocimum basilicum (basil), Cinnamomun cassia (cinnamon), Cinnamomun zeylanicum (cinnamon) and Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) were analyzed by Gas Chromatography coupled with Flame Ionization Detector and with Mass Spectroscopy and by Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography with a Diode Array Detector. The antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Penicillium spp and antioxidant activities by FRAP, DPPH, ABTS+ and β-carotene bleaching assays were evaluated. C. cassia essential oils presented a strong antimicrobial activity, with a range of minimum inhibitory concentrations between 0.04–0.07mgmL−1, depending on the microorganism tested. The main compound of C. cassia essential oil, cinnamaldehyde, showed antimicrobial effectiveness. In general, C. zeylanicum essential oil and its major compound, eugenol, presented the highest antioxidant activity. Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography confirmed the results of the essential oils main constituents, analyzed firstly by Gas Chromatography. Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography technique showed to be a valuable alternative tool for the identification and quantification of the major compounds of essential oils, especially when these are incorporated into food packaging and there is the need of carrying out migration studies in food or food simulants. Cinnamon essential oils exhibited the highest biological activity directly related to its major compounds, eugenol and cinnamaldehyde. Essential oils showed to have high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity and therefore, they have great potential as natural additives of food packaging.

ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF STEM BARK ESSENTIAL OIL CONSTITUENTS OF LITSEA GLUTINOSA C. B. ROB.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;To evaluate the chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant properties of stem bark essential oil of &lt;em&gt;Litsea glutinosa &lt;/em&gt;C. B. Rob.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;The essential oil isolated from stem bark of &lt;em&gt;L. glutinosa &lt;/em&gt;and their chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry detector. The &lt;em&gt;in vitro &lt;/em&gt;antibacterial activity of the stem bark essential oil was investigated against eight human pathogenic bacterial clinical isolates using agar disc diffusion method and MIC value was determined by modified resazurin microtitre-plate assay. The antioxidant activity of essential oil was measured by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), 2, 2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate radical cation (ABTS) and β-carotene bleaching assay.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;GC-MS analysis of stem bark essential oil resulted in the identification of 37 compounds, off which 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (62.57%), hexadecanoic acid (12.68%), stigmast-5-en-3-ol (6.87%) and vitamin E (2.51%) were the main constituents representing 84.63% of the oil. The determination of &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; antibacterial activity of stem bark essential oil resulted in significant inhibition zone (15.00±0.57 mm) and MIC value (0.15±0.15×10&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; mg/ml) against the pathogenic bacteria &lt;em&gt;Vibrio cholera&lt;/em&gt; followed by &lt;em&gt;Pseudomonas aeruginosa&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Salmonella typhi. &lt;/em&gt;The results of DPPH radical scavenging (IC&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt;:4.540±0.06 µg/ml), ABTS (IC&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt;:256.02±0.06 µg/ml) and β-carotene bleaching assay (%I: 78.51±0.42 &lt;strong&gt;%&lt;/strong&gt;) showed significant &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; antioxidant property.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;L. glutinosa&lt;/em&gt; stem bark essential oil showed potential antibacterial activity against the &lt;em&gt;Vibrio cholera&lt;/em&gt;. The results of this investigation supported the ethnomedical claim of essential oil as a demulcent, antidiarrheal and antioxidant drug.&lt;/p&gt;

Antioxidant compounds produced by Pseudocercospora sp. ESL 02, an endophytic fungus isolated from Elaeocarpus sylvestris

ObjectiveTo isolate endophytic fungi from Elaeocarpus sylvestris (E. sylvestris) and to isolate antioxidant compounds from a potential source fungus. MethodsEndophytic fungi were isolated from fresh leaves and stems of E. sylvestris and identified based on DNA analysis. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the fungi. The potential antioxidant fungus was further studied to isolate antioxidant compounds. The isolated compounds were identified by melting point analysis, optical rotation, spectral analysis using a UV spectrophotometer, high resolution fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography analysis, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. The isolated compounds were evaluated with DPPH radical scavenging, reducing power, and β-carotene bleaching assays. ResultsSeven endophytic fungi were successfully isolated from E. sylvestris and identified as Pestalotiopsis sp. EST 01, Pestalotiopsis sp. EST 02, Diaporthales sp. EST 03, Meyerozyma sp. EST 04, Diaporthales sp. EST 05, Pestalotiopsis sp. ESL 01, and Pseudocercospora sp. ESL 02. Of the seven fungi, Pseudocercospora sp. ESL 02 had the highest antioxidant activity [IC50 = (30.54 ± 0.88) μg/mL]. From that fungus, two compounds identified as terreic acid (1) and 6-methylsalicylic acid (2) were isolated with an IC50 of DPPH radical scavenging activity of (0.22 ± 0.02) mmol/L and (3.87 ± 0.27) mmol/L, respectively. The compounds also had good activities from the reducing power and β-carotene bleaching assays. ConclusionsThe Pseudocercospora sp. ESL 02 fungus isolated from E. sylvestris looks promising as a novel source of terreic acid.

HPLC-UV profile of &lt;em&gt;Genista ulicina&lt;/em&gt; Spach. (Fabaceae) extracts and in vitro antioxidant activity

&lt;p&gt;To perform a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the phenolic and flavonoid contents and evaluate the antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and &lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt;-butanol (&lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt;-BuOH) extracts of the aerial parts of &lt;em&gt;Genista ulicina &lt;/em&gt;Spach. from Algeria.&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;The qualitative analysis of plant extracts was carried out by RP-HPLC using UV detector, whereas the quantification of total phenolic and flavonoid contents was completed according to the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure and aluminium chloride colorimetric method respectively. To evaluate the extract's antioxidant activity, Two in vitro antioxidant tests were employed: DPPH and β-carotene bleaching assay. The HPLC/DAD chromatogram showed several peaks indicating the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids and isoflavonoids in both extracts. The total phenolic content (TPC) ranged from 62.56 and 50.45 mgGAE/g extract, while the total flavonoids content varied between 53.1 and 48.4 mgQE/g extract for EtOAC and &lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt;-BuOH respectively. EtOAc extract showed a maximum inhibition value (78.15%) at 150µg/mL using DPPH test and highest antioxidative power (82.42%) using β-carotene bleaching assay comparing with standards. The HPLC-UV analysis showed the richeness of both extracts in phenolic and flavonoid contents. The EtOAc&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;extract exhibited good antioxidant activities comparing to the &lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt;-BuOH extract. Thus &lt;em&gt;Genista ulicina&lt;/em&gt; could be indicated as a plant of phytopharmaceutical importance.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

The LC/ESI-MSMS Profiles and Biological Potentials of Vitex agnus castus Extracts

The chemical profile, cytotoxic and apoptotic effect, and antioxidant activity were determined of ethanolic extracts of Vitex agnus-castus L. (chaste tree). Ripened fruits and fruitless aerial parts were extracted with ethanol, and the chemical characterization of the extracts was determined by LC/ESI-MS-MS. Twelve compounds were tentatively identified in the extracts. The dose-dependent cytotoxic effects of the extracts were tested on C6, A549 and MCF-7 cells by using MT7 assay; inhibition of DNA synthesis, and apoptotic and caspase-3 activation effects of the extracts were determined. The potential antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated by in vitro methods such as DPPH and ABTS scavenging activity, reducing power and 3-carotene bleaching assays. The fruit extract showed noticeable cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells with an IC(50) value of 88 μg/mL. Both extracts showed similar DPPH scavenging activity comparably with that of the standard.

Comparative analysis of antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa extracts prepared with various solvents

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. has a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects and has been used to treat wounds, colic diarrhoea, heartburns, abscesses and gynaecopathy. The potential antiproliferative activities of R. tomentosa extracts from different solvents were evaluated in vitro on HepG2, MCF-7 and HT 29 cell lines while antioxidant activity was monitored by radical scavenging assay (DPPH), copper reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and β-carotene bleaching assay. Extracts from R. tomentosa show the viability of the cells in concentration-dependent manner. According to the IC50 obtained, the ethyl acetate extracts showed significant antiproliferative activity on HepG2 (IC50 11.47 ± 0.280 μg/mL), MCF-7 (IC50 2.68 ± 0.529 μg/mL) and HT 29 (IC50 16.18 ± 0.538 μg/mL) after 72 h of treatment. Bioassay guided fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract led to the isolation of lupeol. Methanol extracts show significant antioxidant activities in DPPH (EC50 110.25 ± 0.005 μg/ml), CUPRAC (EC50 53.84 ± 0.004) and β-carotene bleaching (EC50 58.62 ± 0.001) due to the presence of high total flavonoid and total phenolic content which were 110.822 ± 0.017 mg butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)/g and 190.467 ± 0.009 mg gallic acid (GAE)/g respectively. Taken together, the results extracts show the R. tomentosa as a potential source of antioxidant and antiproliferative efficacy.

Cooked garlic and antioxidant activity: Correlation with organosulfur compound composition.

The antioxidant properties and the main beneficial organosulphur compounds of home-cooked garlic samples were studied in order to establish relationships between them. Antioxidant activity was tested by free radical scavenging against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS+), Fe(III) reducing ability (FRAP) and linoleic acid co-oxidation initiated by soybean lipoxygenase in a micelle system. DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays showed the highest activity for raw garlic samples, while β-carotene bleaching assay yielded the highest activity for stir-fried garlic. Pure organosulphur compounds tested by DPPH, FRAP and β-carotene bleaching assays showed that allicin had an antiradical action mechanism, as well as iron reducing capacity; while antioxidant activity was the main mechanism for ajoenes and 2-VD. To our knowledge, this study is the first demonstration that home-cooked garlic retains its antioxidant activity, and, at the same time, elucidates the mechanisms involved in this activity.

Phenolic content, anti-oxidant, anti-plasmodium and cytotoxic properties of the sponge Acanthella cavernosa

ObjectiveTo investigate the total phenolic content, anti-oxidant capacity and cytotoxic activity present in the n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions of an extract collected at Selayar Island, Indonesia. MethodsThe antioxidant activity was performed by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method and β-carotene bleaching assay. All fractions from the crude extract of Acanthella cavernosa (A. cavernosa) were examined for their cytotoxicity using brine shrimp lethality bioassay and heme polymerization inhibitory activity assay for antimalarial activity. ResultsThe highest phenolic content was found in the n-butanol fraction, followed by the ethyl acetate, aqueous and n-hexane fractions. The highest antioxidant activity, as determined by the β-carotene bleaching assay, was observed in the n-hexane fraction. On the other hand, the n-hexane fraction was most effective in suppressing 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals and neutralizing 50% of free radicals at the concentration of 171.86 μg/mL. Various fractions of the A. cavernosa extract showed the ability to inhibit heme polymerization indicating an anti-Plasmodium function. In this regard, the ethyl acetate fraction achieved an IC50 value of 3.3 μg/mL. The aqueous fraction showed moderate cytotoxic activity against the brine shrimp Artemia sp. ConclusionsThis study provided information on antioxidant, total phenolic content and antimalarial activities as well as the cytotoxicity of all fractions from the crude extract of A. cavernosa. The natural anti-Plasmodium compounds are of particular interest. Further studies are needed for a more extensive screening and characterization of the bioactive components in this sponge.

Antioxidant activity and phenolic profile of different organs of Pistacia atlantica Desf. subsp. atlantica from Algeria

The present study evaluated the antioxidant activity of 21 extracts prepared from seven parts of Pistacia atlantica Desf. subsp. atlantica. (Fruits, leaves, buds, stems, roots, internal and external trunk barks) collected from Tlemcen, Algeria. Total phenolic, flavonoid and flavonol contents were determined and the antioxidant properties were measured using different assays: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), ferric antioxidant reducing power and β-carotene bleaching assay. BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) was used for comparison purposes. The results showed that the extracts of leaves and buds had the highest phenolic contents with 255.789 ± 4.733 and 233.946 ± 6.205 mg GAE/g DM, respectively. For the antioxidant activity, values of EC50 concentrations ranged from 0.059 to 5.712 mg/mL for DPPH, 0.015 to 3.141 mg/mL for reducing power and 0.068 to 5.021 mg/mL for β-carotene method, for all studied extracts. Analysing the phenolic composition, 10 components were identified in different parts of the plant.

Variations in Essential Oil Yield, Composition, and Antioxidant Activity of Different Plant Organs from Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. at Different Growth Times

Blumea balsamifera, also named Ainaxiang, is widely used as an ancient medicinal herb in tropical and subtropical Asia. It is rich in essential oils. In this work the essential oils of B. balsamifera from different plant organs and in different months were extracted, and then analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that essential oil yield of young leaves was the highest (0.65 mL/100 g), followed by mature leaves (0.57 mL/100 g), and the oil yield was higher in October (0.47 mL/100 g) than other months. A total of 44 compounds were identified, representing 92.64%–96.71% of the oil. Eighteen common chemical components were found among the six plant organs, representing >80% of the oil constituents. l-borneol was the main ingredient in leaves, and its content was the highest in senescent leaves and in December. In the essential oils of young shoots and young stems, the main component was dimethoxydurene. Antioxidant activity was also determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and β-carotene bleaching (BCB) assays. The results indicated that the β-carotene bleaching activity was far stronger than the DPPH radical-scavenging capacity, and the young leaves and young shoots showed stronger antioxidant activity. Dimethoxydurene, β-caryophyllene, and α-caryophyllene play a positive role in good antioxidant activity, while β-eudesmol, phytol, and tetradecanal play a negative role. The antioxidant activity revealed in this study might help in developing this promising bioresource for use in the medicinal and cosmetic industries.

Phytochemical, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Alnus nitida bark in carbon tetrachloride challenged Sprague Dawley rats.

BackgroundAlnus nitida (Spach) Endl. is traditionally used for inflammatory disorders. Diarylheptanoids constituents having diverse therapeutically importance including hepato-protective was reported in A. nitida. The aim of this study was to explore the antioxidant and hepato-protective profile of A. nitida stem bark’s crude methanol extract (ANM).MethodsCrude methanol extract of A. nitida stem bark and its derived fractions were assessed for phytochemical classes and in vitro antioxidant profiling by multidimensional assays. Hepato-protective assessment of ANM was investigated on rats, which were made hepatotoxic using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Additionally HPLC-DAD analysis of ANM, and its derived ethyl acetate and aqueous fraction was carried out to determine the presence of active constituents.ResultsQualitative analysis of crude extract-and its fractions depicted the presence of terpenoids, saponins, coumarins, phenols and flavonoids. Maximum quantity of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) was recorded in ANM and its derived fractions; n-hexane (ANH), chloroform (ANC), ethyl acetate (ANE) and the residual aqueous (ANA). ANM exhibited the best total antioxidant capacity, total reducing power, and scavenging of DPPH and OH radicals. ANE and ANA exhibited strong scavenging potential for iron chelation, nitric oxide and β-carotene bleaching assay. ANM treatment converse the activities of serum-marker enzymes and lipid profile, altered by CCl4 treatment in rat. CCl4 induced hepatic-cirrhosis in rat resulted in decrease of antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione reductase-which were restored towards the normal level with ANM. Similarly diminished level of reduced glutathione while enhanced level of lipid peroxides, hydrogen peroxide and nitrite in liver of cirrhotic rats was normalized by treatment of ANM. The histopathological studies of liver tissues also represented that ANM possessed the hepato-protective activity. HPLC-DAD analysis against eight known standards confirmed the presence of gallic acid, catechin and rutin in ANM and in ANA while in ANE gallic acid was only detected.ConclusionBased on the results of antioxidants, restoration of various antioxidant enzymes and histopathological studies, the recent study concludes that antioxidant potential of A. nitida bark might protect the liver damages.

Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of six wild Mentha species (Lamiaceae) from northeast of Algeria

ObjectiveTo investigate the total phenolics, flavonoids and tannins content and the in vitro antioxidant activities of methanolic extracts of six wild Mentha species which are Mentha aquatica, Mentha arvensis, Mentha piperita, Mentha pulegium, Mentha rotundifolia and Mentha villosa. MethodsThe Folin–Ciocalteu method was used to determine the total phenols content while flavonoids were estimated according to the aluminum chloride colorimetric method. To evaluate tannins content, vanillin and HCl were added to methanolic extracts. The antioxidant potential was measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, ferrous ion chelating and the inhibition of β-carotene bleaching assays. ResultsThe methanol extracts of Algerian mints were rich in phenolic compounds and exhibited powerful antioxidant activity ranging from 7.5 μg/mL to 44.66 μg/mL, which varied significantly among species. Mentha aquatica stood out with efficient antioxidant ability which was correlated to the high total phenolics content, followed by Mentha arvensis and Mentha piperita with very close values, comparing to Mentha pulegium, Mentha rotundifolia and Mentha villosa with lowest values. ConclusionsThese results show that methanolic extracts of Mentha species from Algeria have a great potential of polyphenols which can be used as a natural food preservative and antioxidant source.

A Comparative Study on Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Four Senecio Species From Turkey

The present study was conducted to investigate total phenolic content, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of four Senecio L. (Asteraceae). The in vitro antioxidant activities of extracts were evaluated with different antioxidant testing systems. Their antioxidant activities were assessed by phosphomolybdenum reduction, DPPH and β-carotene bleaching assay. The extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity and high scavenging activities against DPPH free radicals. While the extracts exhibited weak to moderate β-carotene bleaching activity. The antimicrobial activity of Senecio extracts was tested against 15 microorganisms using agar diffusion and broth microdilution assays. The extracts were found to be weak to moderate effective against 8 out of the 15 microorganisms tested with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 1.5 to 12.5 mg/ml. In conclusion, it can be concluded that Senecio extracts may be considered as natural sources in many industry such as food and pharmacy.