Β-carotene Bleaching Test Research Articles

Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don Essential Oil from Serbia: Chemical Composition, Classification and Biological Activity—May It Be a Suitable New Crop for Serbia?

H. italicum essential oil (EO) is one of the most popular ingredients utilized by the cosmetic industry, and it is also used as natural antioxidant and as a value-added ingredient in food products. The chemical composition of the EO H. italicum cultivated in Serbia was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The quantitative structure–retention relationship was used to predict the retention indices of the EO constituents acquired by GC-MS data, applying five molecular descriptors selected by factor analysis and a genetic algorithm. Also, antimicrobial activity, and biological activity by four common antioxidant tests (DPPH and ABTS assays, reducing power, and β-carotene bleaching test), and in vitro antihyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory capacities were evaluated. A total of 70 EO constituents were detected, of which 17 (8.5%) could not be identified. The H. italicum EO in this study belonged to γ-curcumene chemotype. The coefficients of determination reached the value of 0.964, demonstrating that this model could be used for prediction purposes. All applied tests showed that H. italicum EO possesses good biological activity and an interesting chemical composition. Therefore, the EO of H. italicum grown in Serbia has a potential to be used in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products.

Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of the Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Western Algerian Urtica urens

Recently, there is a great deal of attention for natural products due to its possible medicinal values. Its effectiveness has been proved through a sever-al studies in defeating some diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activities of Urtica urens from Western Algeria. Leaves and roots were extracted with 80 % Ethanol and water. The 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and β-carotene bleaching tests were used to assess the antioxidant activity in addition to polyphenols analysis, while the agar well diffusion were used to screen the antimicrobial activity against some Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and the fungi. Among the studied extracts, hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and roots pre-sented the highest total phenolic values (26.2 and 20.9 mg GAE/g), flavo-noids with (15.7 and 12.2 mg quercetin/g) and condensed tannins with (56.4 and 30.1 mg GAE/g), compared to the water extracts. Once again, the 80 % ETOH leaves exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity with an IC50 of 2.59 mg/ml, followed by the water leaves with an IC50 of 6 mg/ml. On the other hand, the hydroalcoholic extracts exhibited the highest inhibition of β-carotene bleaching with 42.6 % to the roots and 37.9 % to the leaves. The ETOH leaves and ETOH roots of U. urens were the most effective extracts being able to repress the growth of the pathological tested strains including fungi. Therefore, it is recommended the use of U. urens that has been poorly recognized for a long time by the population of the selected region.

Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Nigella sativa L Growing in Morocco.

Background Nigella sativa L (NS) is a powerful antioxidant and medicinal plant with many therapeutic applications particularly in traditional medicine for respiratory, gastrointestinal, rheumatic, and inflammatory disorders, as well as cancer. Objective The aim of this study is to extract the active ingredients from the Moroccan Nigella sativa L and determine its antioxidant properties. We hypothesize that the separation of the compounds from Nigella sativa L has either a positive or negative effect on antioxidants. To study this, we explored different methods to simultaneously extract and separate compounds from Nigella sativa L and performed antioxidant tests (β-carotene and DPPH) for all collected fractions. Methods Nigella sativa L was hot-extracted by Soxhlet and mother extracts and was separated using silica column chromatography with adequate eluents. Qualitative phytochemical tests to determine the chemical families in Nigella sativa L seeds were performed on the fractions. They were also identified and characterized by GC-MS and HPLC-DAD. Then, antioxidant activity was examined by β-carotene bleaching and DPPH radical scavenger tests. Results and Conclusion. The mother extract hexane FH generated eight different fractions (SH1-8) and the acetone extract FA generated 11 fractions (SA1-11). The FH fractions had a high percentage of fatty acids, and the FA fractions had some interesting polyphenols derivative compounds. Phytochemical screening revealed secondary metabolites such as polyphenols flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, terpenes coumarins, tannins, and saponins. We found that only two solvents (hexane, acetone) of different polarities could easily extract and simultaneously separate the components of Nigella sativa L. The antioxidant fractions that we collected had close activity to reference compounds but were more active than the corresponding mother extracts. Moreover, several IC50 values of fractions from acetone extract were better than those from hexane. Therefore, the antioxidant activity of Nigella sativa L is more attributed to flavonoids and polyphenols than fatty acids. In summary, the separation of hexane extract presents a more pronounced positive effect for antioxidant tests than acetone extract.

LC‐ESI/HRMS analysis of glucosinolates, oxylipins and phenols in Italian rocket salad (Diplotaxis erucoides subsp. erucoides (L.) DC.) and evaluation of its healthy potential

This study investigated the chemical profile and biological activity of Diplotaxis erucoides subsp. erucoides (L.) DC. (Brassicaceae) collected in Sicily (Italy). Liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization and high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/HRMS) analysis of the ethanol extract revealed the presence of 42 compounds - glucosinolates, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoids, and oxylipins. The extract was tested for its antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid (ABTS), ferric reducing ability power (FRAP), and β-carotene bleaching tests. Promising protection from lipid peroxidation was observed after 30 min of incubation in a β-carotene bleaching test (IC50 of 3.32 μg mL-1 ). The inhibition of carbohydrates-hydrolyzing enzymes resulted in IC50 values of 85.18 and 92.36 μg mL-1 for α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively. Significant inhibition against lipase enzyme was observed (IC50 of 61.27 μg mL-1 ). Diplotaxis erucoides can be considered a potential source of antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic bioactives. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Chemical composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Lactarius sanguifluus, a wild edible mushroom from northern Morocco

Lactarius sanguifluus is part of the diverse mycological heritage in the Koudiat Taifour forest (a site of biological and ecological interest in the northern region of Morocco), although this fungus is in danger of extinction in this forest. The main objective of the research reported here was to perform an advanced chemical analysis of a methanolic extract from L. sanguifluus and to investigate its biological activities. Spectrophotometric determination of the chemical compounds present in the extract showed that this fungus contains significant amounts of phenolics and flavonoids [18.71–18.81 mg GAE per g of dry methanolic extract (dme)], moderate quantities of ascorbic acid and tannins [3.50–3.86 mg/g of dry weight (dw)], and low levels of β-carotene and lycopene (0.11–0.10 mg/g dme). The phenolic compounds were identified and quantified via LC–MS, and the results showed that p-hydroxybenzoic acid (134.10 µg/g dw) and paraben acid (85.35 µg/g dw) were the main phenolic compounds in the sample. GC–MS analysis of the methanol extract led to the identification of more than 77 chemical compounds in the sample, which were categorized into five main groups: sugars (48.15%), fatty acids (20.66%), amino acids (11.92%), organic acids (9.30%), and alcohols (8.42%). The antioxidant activity of the fungal methanol extract was demonstrated using three methods: the DPPH assay (IC50: 2.045 mg/ml), the β-carotene bleaching test (IC50: 0.56 mg/ml), and the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP; RC50: 0.85 mg/ml). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using microdilution methods. Antifungal susceptibility tests indicated that the extract was able to inhibit the growth of five fungal pathogen species. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) ranged from 1 to 16 mg/ml for Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton rubrum, and Microsporum canis, and from 21 to 64 mg/ml for Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. Likewise, antibacterial tests showed that the extract inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at concentrations ranging from 21 to 64 mg/ml for the MIC and at 64 mg/ml for the MFC. Considering their nutritional and nutraceutical value, fruiting bodies of L. sanguifluus and extracts from them could be used as nutritional supplements and as natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents in food preservation and human health.

New Insights into the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Italian Salvia officinalis Leaf and Flower Extracts in Lipopolysaccharide and Tumor-Mediated Inflammation Models.

This work aimed to investigate and compare the in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Salvia officinalis L. (sage) from Italy, with the aim of raising its current knowledge in this field. Leaves and flowers (S1–S8), harvested in two areas of Southern Italy, were extracted with methanol as a solvent by maceration or ultrasound-assisted extraction. Sage extracts, analysed by high pressure liquid chromatography-diode-array detection-electrospray ionization-quadrupole-mass spectroscopy (HPLC-DAD-ESI-Q-MS), exerted a promising antioxidant activity investigated using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), and β-carotene bleaching tests, and elicited a significant decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. The anti-inflammatory activity was analysed in the same in vitro model. All the extracts did not affect cell viability although they showed anti-inflammatory activity, as they induced a decrease in nitrite levels that was greater than 50%, when employed at 50 µg/mL. Furthermore, they elicited a decrease in nitrite levels, as well as a decline in pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. The NF-κB transcription factor proved to be involved in the mechanisms that underlie such effects. Interestingly, sage extracts were able to interfere with the inflammatory activity induced by breast cancer cell-conditioned media (nitrite levels were significantly decreased, p < 0.05; p < 0.01), highlighting for the first time the important role of S. officinalis in controlling inflammation processes related to neoplastic progression.

Phytochemical Investigation and Biological Activities of Lantana rhodesiensis.

Lantana rhodesiensis Moldenke is a plant widely used to treat diseases, such as rheumatism, diabetes, and malaria in traditional medicine. To better understand the traditional uses of this plant, a phytochemical study was undertaken, revealing a higher proportion of polyphenols, including flavonoids in L. rhodesiensis leaf extract and moderate proportion in stem and root extracts. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was also determined using three different assays: the radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, the FRAP method (Ferric-reducing antioxidant power) and the β-carotene bleaching test. The anti-malarial activity of each extract was also evaluated using asexual erythrocyte stages of Plasmodium falciparum, chloroquine-sensitive strain 3D7. The results showed that the leaf extract exhibited higher antioxidant and anti-malarial activities in comparison with the stem and root extracts, probably due to the presence of higher quantities of polyphenols including flavonoids in the leaves. A positive linear correlation was established between the phenolic compound content (total polyphenols including flavonoids and tannins; and total flavonoids) and the antioxidant activity of all extracts. Furthermore, four flavones were isolated from leaf dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions: a new flavone named rhodescine (5,6,3′,5′-tetrahydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyflavone) (1), 5-hydroxy-6,7,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone (2), 5-hydroxy-6,7,3′,4′-tetramethoxyflavone (3), and 5,6,3′-trihydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyflavone (4). Their structures were elucidated by 1H, 13CNMR, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and MS-EI spectral methods. Aside from compound 2, all other molecules were described for the first time in this plant species.

β-ecdysone content and antioxidant capacity in different organs of Brazilian ginseng

ABSTRACT: Plants that contain antioxidant compounds have attracted increasing interest for their vital role in the attenuation of oxidative damage caused by free radicals and in the treatment of various diseases. The present study investigated the β-ecdysone content and the antioxidant activity of Brazilian ginseng (Pfaffia glomerata) extracts obtained from inflorescences, stems, and roots. The P. glomerata extracts were tested for antioxidant activity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method, β-carotene bleaching test, and phosphomolybdenum method. The β-ecdysone content of P. glomerata extracts was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The P. glomerata inflorescences showed the strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity and the strongest antioxidant activity in the β-carotene bleaching assay and phosphomolybdenum test. The roots showed the lowest antioxidant capacity in all of the assays. The concentration of β-ecdysone in the plant organs followed the following decreasing order: inflorescences &gt; stems &gt; roots. The present study showed that P. glomerata inflorescence extract had high antioxidant capacity that could be attributed to the presence of β-ecdysone.

Antioxidant Activity-guided Phytochemical Investigation of Artemisia aucheri Boiss.: Isolation of Ethyl Caffeate and a Spinacetin Glycoside.

Antioxidant activity of five different extracts (petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and ethanol-water) of Artemisia aucheri aerial parts was investigated by three various methods: ferrous ion chelating (FIC) assay, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method and β-carotene bleaching (BCB) test. Total phenolic contents (TPC) were measured by Folin–Ciocalteu method. The hydroethanolic extract exhibited the stronger inhibitory activity in BCB and FIC assays than the other extracts. Among the extracts analyzed, the ethyl acetate and ethanolic extracts exhibited the highest TPC and DPPH radical scavenging activity, respectively. Reversed phase vacuum liquid chromatography of ethanolic extract (with the highest extraction yield) produced five fractions (A to E) which were subjected to all antecedent experiments. The same sample (Fraction C) showed the highest TPC and DPPH radical scavenging activity while there were no statistically significant correlations between TPC and EC50 values of various antioxidant assays. Ethyl caffeate and a spinacetin glycoside were isolated from the most active fraction and their structures were established using spectroscopic analysis including NMR and MS.

Salvia officinalis L. from Italy: A Comparative Chemical and Biological Study of Its Essential Oil in the Mediterranean Context.

Salvia officinalis L. (sage) is one of the most appreciated plants for its plethora of biologically active compounds. The objective of our research was a comparative study, in the Mediterranean context, of chemical composition, anticholinesterases, and antioxidant properties of essential oils (EOs) from sage collected in three areas (S1–S3) of Southern Italy. EOs were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory properties were investigated by employing Ellman’s method. Four in vitro assays, namely, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric-reducing ability power (FRAP), and β-carotene bleaching tests, were used to study the antioxidant effects. Camphor (16.16–18.92%), 1,8-cineole (8.80–9.86%), β-pinene (3.08–9.14%), camphene (6.27–8.08%), and α-thujone (1.17–9.26%) are identified as the most abundant constituents. However, the content of these constituents varied depending on environmental factors and pedoclimatic conditions. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed. Based on Relative Antioxidant Capacity Index (RACI), S2 essential oil exhibited the highest radical potential with an IC50 value of 20.64 μg/mL in ABTS test and presented the highest protection of lipid peroxidation with IC50 values of 38.06 and 46.32 μg/mL after 30 and 60 min of incubation, respectively. The most promising inhibitory activity against BChE was found for S3 sample (IC50 of 33.13 μg/mL).

Ayahuasca Beverages: Phytochemical Analysis and Biological Properties.

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage, originally consumed by indigenous Amazon tribes, of which consumption has been increasing worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical profile, as well as the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of decoctions of four individual plants, a commercial mixture and four mixtures of two individual plants used in the Ayahuasca preparation. For this purpose, a phytochemical characterization was performed, determining the content of flavonoids, total phenolic compounds, and analyzing the phenolic profile. Besides, 48 secondary metabolites were investigated by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS) and their concentration estimated with real standards when present. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by both the β-carotene bleaching test and DPPH free radical scavenging assay, and the anti-inflammatory activity was determined by a protein denaturation method. Finally, the antimicrobial properties were evaluated using the disc diffusion assay, resazurin microtiter method, anti-quorum sensing and anti-biofilm activity assays. The obtained results showed that, in general, the samples have a high content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids with noticeable differences, reflecting on remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Significant antimicrobial properties were also observed, with emphasis on the effect of B. caapi and P. harmala on planktonic and biofilm cells of A. baumannii, inhibiting both the biofilm formation and the production of violacein pigment.

Synthesis, Crystal structure, Electrochemical, Theoretical Studies and Antioxidant Activities of New Schiff Base

A novel Schiff base 2, 2′-((1E,1′E)-((4-methyl-1, 3-phenylene) bis (benzylidene)) bis (methylethylidene)) bis (4-methoxyphenol) (L) was the result of the reaction between 2, 4-diaminotoluene and 2-hydroxy-5-methoxy benzaldehyde. The compound (L) was characterized using IR, UV-Vis, 1H, and 13C NMR techniques. The structure of the ligand was determined by X-Ray Diffraction method (XRD). All experimental results were proved and explained theoretically exploiting DFT (Density Functional Theory) calculations. The electrochemical properties were studied through the cyclic voltammetry and the results were explained by the mean of the FMOs (Frontier Molecular Orbitals). The antioxidant activity of the synthesized Schiff base was evaluated by utilizing several tests as DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl), ABTS (2, 2′-azino-bis(3-ethyl benzthiazoline-6-sulfonicacid), hydroxyl radical scavenging test, reducing power test, β-carotene bleaching test as chemical methods, and the superoxide radical scavenging as electrochemical method. The effective concentration (EC50) showed that the compound has a good antioxidant activity, and the relationship between the structure-activity and the calculated electronic properties demonstrates that the compound has a good reactivity.

Total Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Properties of Algerian Alkanna tinctoria aerial part Extracts

Objective: Evaluation of the polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins contents of different aqueous extracts of the aerial part of Alkanna tinctoria and their antioxidant activities. &#x0D; Methodology: Three extracts; decoction, macerate and infusion of the aerial part of Alkanna tinctoria were prepared. The content of total polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins of the extracts was carried out and antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH (2,2’-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl), β-carotene bleaching and iron chelation tests.&#x0D; Results : The results showed that Infusion (Inf) was the richest in total polyphenols (189.66 ± 30.77 mg EGA / g of dried extract) and flavonoids (26.80 ± 8.37 mg EQ / g of dried extract). While the content of tannins is almost the same for Dec and Inf (40.27 ± 15.00, 40.25 ± 18.27 mg ETA / g of dried extract). Moreover, the two extracts Inf (IC50 of 0.09 ± 0.0015 mg / ml) and Dec (IC50 of 0.17 ± 0. 031 mg / ml) showed a very strong anti-radical activity towards the radical DPPH. In the β-carotene bleaching test, Inf and Dec showed a significant inhibitory activity of peroxidation with values ​​of 100% and 99.8% and are more effective compared to BHT (98.15%). Dec and Mac showed strong chelating activity with IC50s of 0.003 ± 0.0002 mg / ml and 0.005 ± 0.00008 mg / ml respectively. These chelating activities remain higher than EDTA.&#x0D; Conclusion: It may be concluded that the extracts of the aerial part of Alkanna tinctoria exhibit significant both content of polyphenols and antioxidant activity.&#x0D; Keywords: Alkanna tinctoria, polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidant activity.

Olive Mill Wastewater Polyphenol-Enriched Fractions by Integrated Membrane Process: A Promising Source of Antioxidant, Hypolipidemic and Hypoglycaemic Compounds

The valorisation of food wastes is a challenging opportunity for the green, sustainable, and competitive development of industry. The recovery of phenols contributes to the sustainability of olive waste sector, reducing its environmental impact and promoting the development of innovative formulations of interest for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmeceutical applications. In this work, olive mill wastewater was treated through a combination of microfiltration (MF), nanofiltration (NF), and reverse osmosis (RO) in a sequential design to produce polyphenol-enriched fractions that have been investigated for their chemical profile using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), and their potential antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycaemic activities. RO retentate exhibited the highest content of hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleuropein, verbascoside, vanillic acid, and luteolin. In particular, a content of hydroxytyrosol of 1522.2 mg/L, about five times higher than the MF feed, was found. RO retentate was the most active extract in all in vitro tests. Interestingly, this fraction showed a 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid (ABTS) radicals scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 6.9 μg/mL and a potential inhibition of lipid peroxidation evaluated by the β-carotene bleaching test with IC50 values of 25.1 μg/mL after 30 min of incubation. Moreover, RO retentate inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 65.3 and 66.2 μg/mL, respectively.

Evaluation of phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of some medicinal plants growing in Algerian Aurès Mountains

Abstract The objective of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant activities of six medicinal plants growing in Algerian Aurès Mountains. Total phenolic and flavonoids contents were measured using colorimetric methods, and the antioxidant capacities were evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging and β-carotene bleaching tests. Juniperus phoenica L. had significantly the higher total phenolic compounds (53.6±3.86 mg GAE.g−1 DM) (p&lt;0.05); followed by Romarinus officinalis L. (26.1±3.15 mg GAE.g−1 DM) and Artemisia campestris L. (20.5±1.99 mg GAE.g−1 DM). Artemisia campestris L. had significantly the higher flavonoid contents (11.1±0.56 mg QE.g−1 DM) than other studied plants (p&lt;0.05). The best antiradical activity was observed in Thymus algeriensis extracts (EC50=11.1±0.33 µg.ml−1) and Romarinus officinalis L. (EC50=15.3±0.9 µg.ml−1). β-carotene bleaching test showed that the herbs’ phenolic compounds Antioxidant Activity (AA%) value was found in the range of 64-84%, whereas that of the standard antioxidant ascorbic acid was 51±2.4%. The present results indicate that medicinal plants from the Algerian Aurès mountains could be explored in food and pharmaceutical industries for development of natural’s antioxidant agents.

The Essential Oil of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. from Italy as a Source of Health-Promoting Compounds: Chemical Profile and Antioxidant and Cholinesterase Inhibitory Activity.

The chemical composition of the essential oil from Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. collected in Calabrian Ionian (R1) and Tyrrhenian (R2) coast (Southern Italy) was examined by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Essential oils are mainly characterized by monoterpene hydrocarbons (39.32–40.70%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (36.08-39.47%). The 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, camphor, and trans-caryophyllene are the most representative compounds. S. rosmarinus essential oils were investigated for their antioxidant activity by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing ability power (FRAP), and β-carotene bleaching tests. Additionally, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity assays were used to screen the neuroprotective effects of S. rosmarinus. R2 showed the highest antioxidant potential as confirmed by relative antioxidant capacity index (RACI) and exhibited a selective activity against AChE (half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50, value of 41.86 μg/mL). These results suggest S. rosmarinus essential oil as a potential source of bioactive compounds.

Optimization of polysaccharides extraction from a wild species of Ornithogalum combining ultrasound and maceration and their anti-oxidant properties

Polysaccharides were extracted from a wild species of Ornithogalum by using three methods: maceration, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and combination of maceration and ultrasound. Extraction conditions were optimized by using response surface method (RSM) with a central composite design (CCD). The optimal extraction yield was 81.7%, 82.5% and 85.7%, and the optimal polysaccharides yield was 74.7%, 75.7%, and 82.8% under the optimum conditions of maceration, ultrasound-assisted extraction and combined extraction, respectively. These results indicate that the combination method significantly improves the extraction and polysaccharides yields compared to traditional extraction methods. The combination method also allows reducing the time of ultrasound treatment and thus its adverse effects on polysaccharides. In addition, these results well corroborate with the theoretically predicted values. The NMR (1H,13C, HSQC, HMBC, and COSY) analysis shows that the extract is composed of fructo-polysaccharides with a backbone of (2 → 6)-linked β-d-fructofuranosyl (Fruf) and (2 → 1)-linked β-d-Fruf branched chains, and terminated with glucose and fructose residues. The antioxidant activities of the extract were evaluated from ABTS radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant capacity, metal-chelating power and β-carotene bleaching test. Data show that the extract presents outstanding antioxidant activities.

Chemical Variability and Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oils of the Aerial Parts of Ammoides verticillata and the Roots of Carthamus caeruleus and their Synergistic Effect in Combination.

Oxidative stress is implicated in the development and progression of many diseases. Some of the appropriate actions that could taken to resolve the problem of these diseases are search for new antioxidant substances isolated from plants. The aims of this study were to research the intraspecies variations of A. verticillata and C. caeruleus essential oils from 8 locations using statistical analysis, the in vitro antioxidant properties of collective essential oils and in combinations. The essential oils were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The intraspecies variations of the essential oil compositions were discussed using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA). The antioxidant properties were evaluated DPPH-radical scavenging activity and β-carotene bleaching test. The main components of Ammoides verticillata collective essential oil (Coll EO) were thymol (30.5%), carvacrol (23.2%), p-cymene (13.1%), limonene (12.5%) and terpinene-4-ol (12.3%). While roots of Carthamus caeruleus essential oil were dominated by carline oxide (86.2%). The chemical variability allowed the discrimination of two main Groups for both Coll EOs. A direct correlation between the altitudes, climate and the chemical compositions was evidenced. Ammoides verticulata and Carthamus caeruleus Coll Eos showed good antioxidant activity. In binary mixture, the interaction between both Coll Eos and between oils rich of thymol and/or carvacrol with carlina oxide produced the best synergistic effects compared to individual essential oils and the synthetic antioxidant (BHT). Ammoides verticillata and Carthamus caeruleus essential oil blends can be used as a natural food preservative and alternative to chemical antioxidants.

Phytochemical Profile, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Cistus clusii Essential oil From Algeria

Objective: In this work, we investigated the chemical composition and the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the Algerian Cistus clusii Dunal essential oil. Methods: Cistus clusii essential oil has been extracted using hydrodistillation method and characterized by GC/MS. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by two different methods DPPH free radical scavenging, and β-carotene bleaching test. The antimicrobial activity was carried out using disc diffusion method against reference strains; Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27865), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), clinical bacterial (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and fungal (Candida albicans) isolates. Results: The chemical profile of the oil showed 31 compounds. This profile was dominated by the presence of monoterpene hydrocarbons (78.4%), oxygenated derivatives (18.8%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons as minor constituents of this essential oil (1.9%). The major constituents were Camphene (20.6%), γ-Terpinene (16.5%), Sabinene (12.8%), and Terpineol-4 (13.5%). Other compounds were found in moderately good amounts like α-Terpinene (8.9%), α-Thujene (5.9%), α-Pinene (4.2%), and α- Terpinolene (3.1%). The results of the antimicrobial activity showed that the highest activity was observed against C. albicans and it was higher than positive control Fluconazole. The essential oil exhibited a strong antioxidant activity, especially in the β-carotene system. Conclusion: This study indicates that Cistus clusii essential oil showed potent antioxidant and moderate antimicrobial activities which could be used to explain the use of this species in traditional medicine.

Evaluation of the In Vitro Wound-Healing Activity and Phytochemical Characterization of Propolis and Honey

Honey and propolis are natural substances produced by Apis mellifera that contain flavonoids, phenolic acids, and several other phytochemicals. The aim of this study was to phytochemically characterize three different types of honey and propolis, both separately and mixed, and to evaluate their wound-healing activity. Total phenolic compounds and flavonoids were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu’s and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by both the DPPH free radical scavenging assay and β-carotene bleaching test, and the anti-inflammatory activity was determined by a protein denaturation method. To evaluate the wound-healing activity of the samples, NHDF cells were subjected to a wound scratch assay. The obtained results showed that dark-brown honey presents a higher concentration of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, as well as higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Propolis samples had the highest concentrations in bioactive compounds. Examining the microscopic images, it was possible to verify that the samples promote cell migration, demonstrating the wound-healing potential of honey and propolis.