Content Of Bioactive Compounds Research Articles

Enhancing the Nutritional Profile of Crataegus monogyna Fruits by Optimizing the Extraction Conditions

Crataegus monogyna (CM) fruits are highly regarded for their rich nutritional content, boasting elevated levels of various beneficial secondary metabolites like total polyphenols, including anthocyanins, and ample amounts of ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity. Despite the acknowledged benefits of CM fruits, researchers have directed more attention toward its leaves and flowers. Consequently, the current research attempts to optimize extraction techniques for CM fruit using a multifaceted approach involving varied durations, temperatures, and concentrations of ethanol solvent to isolate the diverse range of bioactive components present effectively. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) is employed for the identification and quantification of polyphenolic compounds. According to the results, by following the optimum extraction parameters (50% ethanolic solvent, 50 °C extraction temperature, and 60 min extraction time), the total polyphenol content can be increased up to 410%, reaching 55.59 mg gallic acid equivalents/g. Using 50% ethanolic solvent, 80 °C extraction temperature, and extraction time of 90 min, the total anthocyanin content can be enhanced by more than 560%, reaching a quantity of 51.83 μg cyanidin equivalents/g. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of CM fruit extracts can reach 415.95 μmol ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE)/g dw (by FRAP method), using 50% ethanolic solvent, 50 °C extraction temperature, and 60 min extraction time, and 270.26 μmol AAE/g dw (by DPPH method) and 1053.28 mg/100 g dw ascorbic acid content, using 50% ethanolic solvent, 80 °C extraction temperature, and 90 min extraction time. This comprehensive study seeks to augment the already substantial content of bioactive compounds found in CM, resulting in an extract with promising applications across the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics industries.

Pistacia lentiscus: Phytochemistry and Antidiabetic Properties

Pistacia lentiscus L. (P. lentiscus) is an evergreen shrub (Anacardiaceae family) primarily found in the Mediterranean region. The plant has been thoroughly characterized, resulting in a high concentration of bioactive compounds as flavonoids and phenolics. Moreover, P. lentiscus was revealed to possess a great nutritional and industrial importance because of its variety of biological activities, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic and antioxidant properties. Many of its beneficial health properties and applications date back to antiquity, and the European Medicines Agency officially acknowledged it as an herbal medicinal product. Indeed, it is widely employed in conventional medicine to treat several diseases, including type 2 diabetes (T2D). On this basis, this review aims to summarize and describe the chemical composition of different parts of the plant and highlight the potential of P. lentiscus, focusing on its antidiabetic activities. The plant kingdom is drawing increasing attention because of its complexity of natural molecules in the research of novel bioactive compounds for drug development. In this context, P. lentiscus demonstrated several in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic effects, acting upon many therapeutic T2D targets. Therefore, the information available in this review highlighted the multitarget effects of P. lentiscus and its great potential in T2D treatment.

Using polyphenol-rich extracts from tropical fruit byproducts to control lipid and protein oxidation in cooked chicken models

AbstractThe present work aimed to analyse the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of peel and seed extracts obtained from three tropical fruits: papaya, mango, and loquat, with different solvents (water, ethanol, and water:ethanol, 1:1) and evaluate their potential effects as antioxidants in a cooked chicken model under refrigerated storage. In the seed and peel extracts produced, bioactive compounds (total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, and condensed tannins) were quantified. Additionally, antioxidant activities (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP) were assayed spectrophotometrically. Seed extracts from the three fruits were selected for application in a cooked chicken model in which colour, lipids, and protein oxidation were evaluated during refrigerated storage. Moreover, compared with the other extracts, the mango seed extracts (MSEs), irrespective of the extraction solvent used, had the highest contents of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities. MSEs significantly reduced the CIE L* and increased the CIE a* while effectively controlling lipid and protein oxidation in cooked chicken models during refrigerated storage. Due to their high antioxidant activity and high concentration of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and condensed tannins, MSEs are interesting sources of natural antioxidants and bioactive compounds for use in the meat industry.

LC−MS/MS−based metabolite profiling and antioxidant evaluation of three Indonesian orange varieties

The orange peel contains bioactive components with health−promoting effects, a rich source of antioxidants, and could be used for functional food. However, due to many factors, the composition and concentration of bioactive compounds from orange peels differ because of their variety. This study aims to identify the metabolite and evaluate the antioxidant activity of peels from Indonesian orange varieties, i.e., Rimau Gerga Lebong (RGL, Bengkulu), Brastagi (JBM, North Sumatra), and Garut (JSG, West Java). The metabolite profile was analyzed using LC−MS/MS and discriminated based on orange variety using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA). Antioxidant activity was measured using the 2,2 −diphenyl− 1 −picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), cupric ion−reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), and ferric−reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. In this study, the metabolite profile of orange peel proved to be rich in flavonoids like hesperidin, rutin, nobiletin, polyphenol−organic acids like p − coumaric acid, citric acid, quinic acid, and other metabolites from the class terpenoids, amino acids, and sugars. PCA separated each variety and HCA heatmaps showed variations in the distribution of identified metabolites. In the RGL variety, 47 metabolites were identified, dominated by flavonoids and terpenoids. As many as 44 metabolites in the JBM variety contain many amino acids and flavonoids. In JBM, 44 metabolites were identified with carboxylic and amino acids as the main compounds. RGL orange peel extract had the highest antioxidant activity using the DPPH and CUPRAC methods, whereas the FRAP method did not show significant differences. Regarding metabolites and antioxidant activity, RGL, JBM, and JSG orange peels can be developed as alternative functional foods.

Characterization of Antioxidant Bioactive Compounds and Rheological, Color and Sensory Properties in 3D-Printed Fruit Snacks

The influence of wheat starch (6%, 8% and 10%, w/w) and a 3D printing program (program 1 vs. program 2) on the content of bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, color parameters and rheological and sensory properties was investigated in 3D strawberry and strawberry tree fruit snacks. Increasing the starch content led to a decrease in the content of almost all the bioactive compounds, while it had no effect on the antioxidant capacity. The printing program had no significant effect on the bioactive compounds (except hydroxycinnamic acids), antioxidant capacity and color parameters. A higher starch content improved the strength of the sample but had no effect on the mechanical properties. Smaller particles with a higher starch content improved the stability of the sample. In contrast to the programs, varying the starch content had a significant effect on all the color parameters except the a* values. Eight different sweeteners in two different concentrations were used for the sensory evaluation of the 3D-printed snacks. The variations in sweetener content only affected the sweet and harmonious taste. In summary, this study confirms the great potential of fruit bases for the production of 3D-printed snacks with excellent biological and rheological properties, which can be a step toward personalized food with the addition of sweeteners.

Stability of Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Rosehip Juice (Rosa spp.)

Rosehip fruits, characterized by their high concentrations of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity (AA), have been traditionally used to make jams, infusions, and juices. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the stability of rosehip juice by determining the concentrations of bioactive compounds and total phenols and the AA using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. The stability of the juice was evaluated with three treatments and different storage conditions, namely, unpasteurized–refrigerated, pasteurized–room temperature, and pasteurized–refrigerated, and measurements were taken for eight months. Individual and total phenolic compounds, evaluated by chromatographic methods, reported differences until the end of this study. The total phenolic compounds by Folin–Ciocalteu method presented an average decrease of 57% in the three treatments in relation to the initial conditions. On the other hand, the ascorbic acid content decreased considerably, disappearing at week six. Furthermore, for the unpasteurized–refrigerated and pasteurized–refrigerated samples, a correlation was found between flavonols, total phenols, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity determined by the TEAC method. For the pasteurized–room temperature samples, correlations were found between the levels of several flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acid, total phenols, and ascorbic acid and the antioxidant activity determined by the CUPRAC method. The stability of the compounds was mainly correlated with the storage conditions of the juice and not with pasteurization. The highest stability was observed for the unpasteurized–refrigerated and pasteurized–refrigerated samples. Although the concentrations of the compounds evaluated decreased during this study, significant levels of AA persisted, providing beneficial characteristics for consumer health.

Potential of Nettle Infusion to Protect Common Bean from Halo Blight Disease

The use of plant-based preparations to replace chemical pesticides is a challenge for sustainable agriculture. Preparations from nettle (Urtica dioica L.) are good candidates, as the treatment of common bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with aqueous suspensions of nettle reduced symptoms of halo blight disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola (Pph). The aim of the present work was to test if nettle infusions (Ui) have similar effects and find out what activity is behind this: antimicrobial, promotion of the natural defenses of plants, and/or antioxidant. To achieve this, Pph growth was tested in the presence of infusions of nettle leaves collected in two different years (Ui18 and Ui22), and we found that it was only weakly inhibited at high concentrations of Ui18. Interestingly, Ui22 promoted bacteria growth at all concentrations. Second, we estimated the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to flagellin22 (flg22) in common bean leaf discs, since recognition of this bacterial peptide usually leads to ROS accumulation in tissues as a plant immune response. However, leaf discs that were preincubated in Ui showed no accumulation of ROS after flg22 treatment, suggesting that Ui can neutralize ROS production. Finally, in a Pph inoculation experiment of common bean plants grown in vitro, we observed that pretreatment of plants with Ui drastically reduced foliar oxidative damage and disease symptoms 6 h after inoculation. This effect was more noticeable for Ui22, which was related to the higher antioxidant activity found in this extract in comparison with Ui18. These results suggest that the protective properties of Ui are mainly due to the content of antioxidant bioactive compounds.

Influence of particle size fraction and bioactive compound contents on the biological activities of Solanum torvum L. leaf powder extracts

This study investigates the bioactive compound content and biological activities of raw powder extracts and particle size fractions from Solanum torvum leaves. The leaves, harvested from Douala, were processed into powders and subsequently divided into different fractions. Methanolic extracts of these powders were analyzed for their content of bioactive compounds (total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and condensed tannins), antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP assays), and antimicrobial (bacterial and fungal) activities. The particle size fraction of 250-400 µm constitutes the largest proportion (33.41%) of the raw powder. The highest contents of bioactive compounds are found in the 200-250, 400-500, and < 125 µm fractions for total polyphenols (44.62 ± 0.19 mg GEA/100 ml extract), total flavonoids (14.47 ± 0.37 mg QE/100 ml extract), and condensed tannins (22.79 ± 0.12 mg CE/100 ml extract), respectively. The antioxidant activity of extracts from 500-800µm fraction improved their DPPH and ABTS assays by 31.50% and 40.44% compared to the raw powder. The same fraction (500-800 µm) and the raw powder extracts demonstrated bactericidal activities, while the 125-200, 200-250, and ≥ 800 µm fraction extracts exhibited moderate and significant antifungal activities against several bacterial and fungal strains, respectively. These biological activities are primarily attributed to the average flavonoid contents, which become more accessible in extracts after fractionation. This method of processing powder suggests that no plant powder should be disregarded or rejected due to its low content of bioactive compounds.

The Effect of Lemon Juice (Citrus limon L.) Treated with Melatonin on the Health Status and Treatment of K14HPV16 Mice.

Lemon is a fruit rich in antioxidant properties and has several health benefits, namely the reduction of skin edema and anticarcinogenic properties, which are due to its high content of bioactive compounds. Melatonin can improve and preserve the properties of lemon for longer and also has health benefits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of lemon juice after melatonin treatment on murinometric parameters of wild-type (WT) mice and transgenic mice carrying human papillomavirus (HPV). Two trials were performed for oral administration of the lemon extract compound: in drinking water and in diet. First of all, lemons were treated by immersion with melatonin at 10 mM. Then, lemons were squeezed, and the juice obtained was freeze-dried and stored to be subsequently added to drinking water or diet, according to the assay. Thus, mice were divided into eight groups in the drink assay (each with n = 5): group 1 (G1, WT, control), group 2 (G2, WT, 1 mL lemon), group 3 (G3, WT, 1.5 mL lemon), group 4 (G4, WT, 2 mL lemon), group 5 (G5, HPV16, control), group 6 (G6, HPV16, 1 mL lemon) group 7 (G6, HPV16, 1.5 mL lemon) and group 8 (G6, HPV16, 2 mL lemon). The diet assay was divided into four groups: group 1 (G1, WT, control), group 2 (G2, WT, 4 mL lemon), group 3 (G3, HPV16, control) and group 4 (G4, HPV16, 4 mL lemon). In the drink assay, the highest concentration of melatonin (308 ng/100 mL) was for groups 4 and 8, while in the food assay, there was only one concentration of melatonin (9.96 ng/g) for groups 2 and 4. Both trials lasted 30 days. During this time, body weight, food and water were recorded. Afterward, they were sacrificed, and samples were collected for different analyses. At the concentrations used, the lemon juice with melatonin had no adverse effects on the animals' health and showed a positive outcome in modifying weight gain and enhancing antioxidant activity in mice. Moreover, a reduction in the incidence of histological lesions was observed in treated animals. Further research is needed to better understand the effects of lemon extract on health and treatment outcomes in this animal model.

Variations in Cold Resistance and Contents of Bioactive Compounds among Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo Strains.

Dendrobium officinale is a valuable traditional Chinese herbal plant that is both medicinal and edible. However, the yield of wild Dendrobium officinale is limited. Adverse stress affects the growth, development, and yield of plants, among which low temperature is the primary limiting factor for introducing Dendrobium officinale to high-latitude areas and expanding the planting area. Therefore, this study aims to explore the variations in growth ability, cold resistance, and contents of bioactive compounds among different Dendrobium officinale strains. Four strains of Dendrobium officinale were selected as experimental materials and were subjected to low-temperature stress (4 °C). The agronomic traits, physiological indices, as well as the expressions of cold resistance-related genes (HSP70, DcPP2C5, DoCDPK1, and DoCDPK6) in the roots and leaves of Dendrobium officinale, were determined. The contents of bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, flavonoids, and phenols were also measured. Compared with the other strains, Xianju had the highest seed germination and transplantation-related survival rates. Under low-temperature stress, Xianju exhibited the strongest cold resistance ability, as revealed by the changes in water contents, chlorophyll levels, electrical conductivities, enzyme activities, and expressions of the cold resistance-related genes. Additionally, the polysaccharide content of Xianju increased the most, while the stem flavonoid and leaf phenol contents were elevated in all four strains under cold treatment. Therefore, selecting excellent performing strains is expected to expand the planting area, improve the yield, and increase the economic benefits of Dendrobium officinale in high latitude areas with lower temperatures.

Qualitative Characteristics and Functional Properties of Cherry Tomato under Soilless Culture Depending on Rootstock Variety, Harvesting Time and Bunch Portion.

Tomato grafting is an effective practice in increasing the profitability of fresh-market tomato cultivation, especially in greenhouses, and is also considered a strategy for enhancing fruit quality. In this study, selected quanti-qualitative traits, and the of bioactive health-promoting compound and organic acid contents of cherry tomato fruits from three different scion/rootstock combinations (Sunstream/Top Bental, Sunstream/Kaiser and Sunstream/Suzuka) grown under a greenhouse hydroponic system were evaluated in three different harvests (beginning, middle and end of the whole harvesting period) and on three different bunch portions (proximal, central and distal). Although the tomato productive performance was influenced by the rootstock, with Suzuka and Kaiser grafted plants showing the highest total marketable yield (9.8 kg plant-1, i.e., 20% more than Top Bental), the yield-related traits (bunch number, weight and length per plant, and fruit number per bunch) and the qualitative characteristics of the fruits (color, equatorial and polar diameters, dry matter and solid soluble contents, pH and titratable acidity) showed less variability, by displaying, along with the bioactive compound contents (total polyphenols, lycopene, β-carotene), DPPH free radical scavenging activity and organic acids contents (lactic and acetic), a significant effect of the harvesting time and bunch portion. Fruits from the beginning of the harvesting period showed better qualitative and functional properties, with the lycopene and β-carotene contents equal to 178.6 and 3 mg 100 g-1 fw, and fruits from proximal and central bunch portions had lycopene and β-carotene contents equal to 203.1 and 2.9 mg 100 g-1 fw.

Physicochemical properties, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity of the honey samples from the Herzegovina region

Honey is a natural product that is an excellent source of energy containing mainly carbohydrates and water, as well as small amounts of organic acids, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and enzymes. Due to the presence of bioactive compounds, it has been shown that honey is beneficial for many diseases, e.g. gastrointestinal diseases, skin diseases, cancer, heart diseases, and neurological degeneration. The study of the physical and chemical properties of honey and the content of bioactive compounds has been increasingly applied in order to determine the quality of honey samples. The aim of this study is to investigate physicochemical properties as well as the total phenol content and antioxidant activity of seven multifloral honey samples from the Herzegovina region. Physicochemical parameters determined in the honey samples (moisture, acidity, electrical conductivity, reducing sugars, sucrose, and insoluble matter) were within the quality standard limits of the Regulation on methods for control of honey and other bee products. Total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and it ranged from 46.98 ± 6.36 to 152.94 ± 4.95 mg GAE/100 g of honey. To determine the antioxidant activity of the honey samples, two methods, FRAP and ABTS, were used. The total phenolic content of honey correlated positively with its antioxidant activity.

Food application of germinated quinua and enhancement of its nutritional, biological and functional properties: A systematic review

The germination of quinua improves the content of polyphenols, flavonoids, amino acids, dietary fiber, vitamin E, antioxidants and other bioactive compounds, making this pseudocereal a nutritious and healthy source for the preparation of functional foods. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of the germination of quinua on the nutritional, biological and functional properties, in turn to be able to analyze the potential that this golden grain has in the food industry. For the systematic review, the databases (Scopus, Scielo and Science Direct) were used, following the PRISMA guideline and the PIO strategy (Population, Intervention, Outputs), which helped to formulate the search equations and to identify the most relevant articles of the last 5 years. The results of the bibliometric analysis showed that the germination of quinua improves the nutritional properties and the content of secondary metabolites, also represents a potential source for the development of food products with functional and nutraceutical properties. A recent study confirms that after 4 days of germination the total phenolic content of various types of quinua ranges between 39.29 and 782.15 mg/100 g, indicating a powerful ability to eliminate free radicals, turning this pseudocereal into a raw material with the ability to be applied in the formulation of various food products such as bread, cookies, pizzas, beverages, yogurt, cheeses, etc.

Different floral honey types are differentiated based on their antioxidant activities, contents of bioactive compounds, and pesticide residues

Different floral honey types are differentiated based on their antioxidant activities, contents of bioactive compounds, and pesticide residues

Mechanisms Involved in the Antihypertensive Effects of Arbequina Table Olives

The Mediterranean Diet is associated with antihypertensive properties and prevention of cardiovascular disease. This dietary pattern includes the intake of Olea europaea L. derivatives such as extra virgin olive oil and table olives, characterized by a high content of bioactive compounds. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the supplementation of Arbequina table olives (AO) reduces blood pressure (BP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The aim of the present study was to elucidate the possible mechanisms involved in the antihypertensive effects of AO. Consequently, we have studied different plasmatic biomarkers (angiotensin II, Ang II; malondialdehyde, MDA; interleukin 6, IL6; tumor necrosis factor α, TNFα) and the fecal microbiota composition. Experiments were performed using male SHR from 14 to 21 weeks of age. SHR strain was divided into a control (SHR-c) and a treated group (SHR-o) that received water or AO (3.85 g/kg) by gavage, respectively. At the end of the experiment, BP was measured using a non-invasive automatic analyzer; Ang II, IL6, and TNFα were determined by Elisa, and MDA by spectrophotometric analysis. Fecal microbiota was analyzed by sequencing 16S rRNA gene using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Data were analyzed by t-Student or the Mann–Whitney U test, and statistical significance was considered when p<0.05. AO supplementation decreased systolic and diastolic BP by approximately 19 mmHg in SHR-o with respect to SHR-c. The decrement in BP was accompanied by a decrease in MDA (39%) and Ang II (32%) in SHR-o without changes in the concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines IL6 and TNFα. Moreover, regular AO intake induced changes in the microbiota associated with the normalization of BP. Our results showed variations in relative abundance in genera such as Akkermansia, Sutterella, and Peptoniphilus, that were well correlated with the decrease in BP, MDA, and Ang II. In conclusion, OA supplementation reduced oxidative stress and Ang II associated with changes in the fecal microbiota that may explain the antihypertensive effect elicited by consumption of the fruit of Olea europaea L. Supported by grants AGL2013-41188 & 2021SGR300. INSA Maria de Maeztu Unit of Excellence grant CEX2021-001234-M. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Strengthening bio-circularity by reinforcing waste derived triphasic calcium phosphate to fabricate alumina toughened zirconia biocomposite with enhanced bioactivity

Animal waste bone (AWB) is a significant component of food waste, generating millions of metric tons annually and posing environmental and economic challenges due to improper management. Despite its rich bioactive compound content, AWB is underutilized. To address these issues, we propose incorporating waste-derived calcium phosphate phases from AWB into an alumina toughened zirconia (ATZ) composite, forming a Hydroxyapatite/Tricalcium Phosphate/Whitlockite-ATZ biocomposite. The high-temperature treatment during ATZ consolidation promotes Hydroxyapatite (HAp) formation and decomposition of HAp to Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) phases. Trace amounts of magnesium in AWB aid in Whitlockite (Wk) formation. This triphasic material exhibits excellent biocompatibility and osteoconduction, suitable for bone regeneration. ATZ ensures mechanical stability and counters degradation of calcium phosphate phases. Although AWB incorporation reduces mechanical properties, the resulting ATZ-AWB biocomposite meets acceptable biomaterial standards. The present ATZ-AWB biocomposite possess bulk density, apparent porosity, hardness, and bending strength in the range of 3.7–5.2 g/cm3, 3.6–17%, 2–9 GPa and 620–1000 MPa respectively. AWB incorporation enhances bioactivity, as demonstrated by increased apatite layer formation in simulated body fluid (SBF). By fostering bioactivity, this approach not only tackles biocircularity but also offers economically accessible biomaterials, thereby advancing environmental sustainability and socioeconomic progress.

Physicochemical Characterization, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Capacity from Stenocereus queretaroensis: Mexican Endemic Fruits with High Potential Functionality

Stenocereus queretaroensis fruits are endemic to Mexico. They have an excellent advantage in cultivation because they require little water and fertilizers. These plants do not require fungicides and herbicides, drastically reducing production costs. However, the nutritional contribution and potential health benefits of S. queretaroensis fruits are unknown. The physicochemical characterization, the content of bioactive compounds, and the antioxidant capacity (AOX) of four S. queretaroensis fruits (red, purple, yellow, and white) were evaluated. All fruits had a low sugar content (7.04–8.96%) and provided 4–5% dietary fiber. The purple and red fruits presented 19.7–20.29 mg/100 g fresh weight (fw) of total betalains, respectively, while the yellow fruit presented 9.21 mg/100 g fw of total carotenoids. The total soluble phenols were 54.86–62.14 mg/100 g fw. Flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic, and hydroxybenzoic acids were also found in all fruits in ascending order. The red fruit exhibited the highest AOX, followed by the yellow, purple, and white fruits. In conclusion, these fruits are a rich source of antioxidants and nutrients, highlighting that they provide 20% of daily consumption of dietary fiber and have a low caloric content. S. queretaroensis fruits, therefore, may have a high potential functionality, especially in people with diabetes and living with obesity.

Damakase (<i>Ocimum lamiifolum</i> Hochest ex Benth): A Medicinal Plant Used in Ethiopian Traditional Medicine: A Critical Review

Damakase (<i>Ocimum lamiifolum </i>Hochest ex Benth) is a traditional medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family and a popular home remedy in Ethiopia. It is a well-known and widely used ancient therapeutic herb in various regions of the nation. The utilization of plant leaves for medicinal purposes is primarily due to their rich content of bioactive compounds with therapeutic properties. Consequently, this plant is employed in the management of a condition referred to as 'Mich' in Ethiopia. Additionally, it is frequently used to address diverse health conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory conditions, pyrexia, and respiratory ailments. Moreover, the essential oil derived from Ocimum lamiifolium consists of specific chemical constituents, such as alkaloids, sterols, carbohydrates, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, bornyl acetate, p-cymene, camphene, α-pinene, and sabinene. Bioactive constituents, such as phenolics, flavonoids, and terpenoids, exhibit antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, the potential applications of damakase essential oils as natural preservatives in the food and cosmetic sectors have been recognized. The essential oil is deemed safe and non-hazardous, displaying no mutagenic or cytotoxic effects. Despite the extensive historical use of this traditional medicinal plant in Ethiopia, the limited scientific investigations on its genetic improvement, cultivation practices, and integration into modern healthcare pose a notable challenge. This review aims to furnish a comprehensive discourse on the historical and contemporary applications of traditional damakase in Ethiopian traditional medicine.

Cross-Linking Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Biochemistry Insights: Investigating Medicinal Potential in Azadirachta Indica, Swietenia Mahagoni and Melia Azedarach

Background: The increasing resistance to synthetic drugs and their side effects has prompted renewed interest in the medicinal potential of natural products. Azadirachta indica, Swietenia mahagoni, and Melia azedarach, members of the Meliaceae family, have been traditionally used for their diverse therapeutic properties. Their efficacy stems from a range of bioactive compounds known for antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. Objective: This study aims to explore and quantify the bioactive compounds in Azadirachta indica, Swietenia mahagoni, and Melia azedarach, assess their therapeutic potentials, and discuss their implications for drug development and human healthcare. Methods: Plant materials were collected, and extracts were prepared using ethanol, methanol, or water as solvents. Following maceration and filtration, the extracts were concentrated and analyzed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). HPLC conditions were optimized for each plant, focusing on key compounds such as azadirachtin, nimbin, swietenine, meliacarpinin, and azedarachin. Method validation was performed to ensure precision, accuracy, and reproducibility. Results: The study identified high concentrations of bioactive compounds in each plant: Azadirachta indica contained azadirachtin (450 mg/g), nimbin (120 mg/g), and salannin (50 mg/g); Swietenia mahagoni had concentrations of swietenine (200 mg/g) and limonoids (180 mg/g total); Melia azedarach demonstrated high levels of meliacarpinin (300 mg/g) and azedarachin (220 mg/g). Conclusion: The confirmation of high levels of specific bioactive compounds in these plants supports their traditional uses and highlights their potential in developing new therapeutic agents that are environmentally sustainable and potentially more effective than current synthetic options. This research underscores the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches in drug discovery.

Nutritional and bioactive properties and antioxidant potential of Amaranthus tricolor, A. lividus, A viridis, and A. spinosus leafy vegetables

Climate change results in continuous warming of the planet, threatening sustainable crop production around the world. Amaranth is an abiotic stress-tolerant, climate-resilient, C4 leafy orphan vegetable that has grown rapidly with great divergence and potential usage. The C4 photosynthesis allows amaranth to be grown as a sustainable future food crop across the world. Most amaranth species grow as weeds in many parts of the world, however, a few amaranth species can be also found in cultivated form. Weed species can be used as a folk medicine to relieve pain or reduce fever thanks to their antipyretic and analgesic properties. In this study, nutritional value, bioactive pigments, bioactive compounds content, and radical scavenging potential (RSP) of four weedy and cultivated (WC) amaranth species were evaluated. The highest dry matter, carbohydrate content, ash, content of iron, copper, sodium, boron, molybdenum, zinc, β-carotene and carotenoids, vitamin C, total polyphenols (TP), RSP (DPPH), and RSP (ABTS+) was determined in Amaranthus viridis (AV). On the other hand, A. spinosus (AS) was found to have the highest content of protein, fat, dietary fiber, manganese, molybdenum, and total flavonoids (TF). In A. tricolor (AT) species the highest total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and b, betaxanthin, betacyanin, and betalain content was determined. A. lividus (AL) was evaluated as the highest source of energy. AV and AT accessions are underutilized but promising vegetables due to their bioactive phytochemicals and antioxidants.