Sambucus Nigra Research Articles

Study of the antioxidant potential of oat drinks enriched with plant components

Oxidative stress, to which many modern people are subjected, promotes the development of neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, inflammatory, oncological and other socially important diseases. The antioxidant system consisting in the endogenous and exogenous antioxidants exists in the body to regulate the action of free radicals and reactive oxygen species. The main source of exogenous antioxidants is food and this conditions an increase in the demand for functional foods. The market of functional drinks based on teas, cereal products, fruit and vegetable juices is developing especially actively. Drinks based on oat flakes with addition of plant components are distinguished by the high nutrition value being a rich source of dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. During the experiment, a functional drink based on oat flakes and enriched with bananas, blueberry berries and a powder of elder (Sambucus nigra L.) berries recognized for the high content of anthocyanins was developed. The antioxidant potential of the experimental product was assessed by measuring the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by the FRAP method and determining the antiradical activity (ARA) by the DPPH method. The TAC values for the aqueous and methanol extracts were 807.3±18.0 µmol quercitin equivalents /L and 948.7±47.9 µmol quercitin equivalents/L, respectively, which significantly exceeded the similar values in the control sample (by 2.44 and 1.69 times, respectively). The ARA of the methanol extract of the experimental drink was 86.49±2.01%, which was 1.9 times higher than the ARA of the control sample. It was established that about 10% of fat-soluble antioxidants are lost upon preparation of oat-based functional drinks with addition of elder berries.

Medicinal Plants Used Traditionally for Skin Related Problems in the South Balkan and East Mediterranean Region-A Review.

A review research was conducted to provide an overview of the ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plants and traditional medical practices for the treatment of skin disorders in Albania, Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey. The geographical and ecological characteristics of the Balkan Peninsula and Mediterranean Sea, along with the historical connection among those countries, gave rise to the development of a distinct flora and to the uses of common medicinal plants against various skin ailments, respectively. The review focuses on the detailed study of 128 ethnobotanical surveys conducted in these areas and the species used for skin ailments were singled out. The analysis showed that 967 taxa belonging to 418 different genera and 111 different families are used in the treatment of skin related problems. The majority of the plants belong to the families of Asteraceae (11.7%), Lamiaceae (7.4%), Rosaceae (6.7%), Plantaginaceae (5.4%), and Malvaceae (3.8%). Their usage is internal or external to treat ailments such as wounds and burns (22.1%), hemorrhoids (14.7%), boils, abscesses, and furuncles (8.2%). Beside specific skin disorders, numerous species appeared to be used for their antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiseptic activity (9.1%). Literature evaluation highlighted that, the most commonly used species are Plantago major L. (Albania, Turkey), Hypericum perforatum L. (Greece, Turkey), Sambucus nigra L. (Cyprus, Greece), Ficus carica L. (Cyprus, Turkey), Matricaria chamomilla L. (Cyprus, Greece), and Urtica dioica L. (Albania, Turkey), while many medicinal plants reported by interviewees were common in all four countries. Finally, to relate this ethnopharmacological knowledge and trace its expansion and diversification through centuries, a comparison of findings was made with the use of the species mentioned in Dioscorides’ “De Materia Medica” for skin disorders. This work constitutes the first comparative study performed with ethnobotanical data for skin ailments gathered in the South Balkan and East Mediterranean areas. Results confirm the primary hypothesis that people in Albania, Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey are closely related in terms of traditionally using folk medicinal practices. Nevertheless, more field studies conducted, especially in remote places of these regions, can help preserve the traditional medical knowledge, aiming at the discovery of new phytotherapeutics against dermatological diseases.

Rational and Safe Use of the Top Two Botanical Dietary Supplements to Enhance the Immune System.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has sparked great interest in strengthening the immune system, especially by the consumption of widely available natural dietary supplements. Because of this popularity, it was suggested that the sales of these products would grow significantly in the year 2021, especially for those who are unable or unwilling to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Among the many botanicals, Sambucus nigra L. (Elderberry) and Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (Echinacea) have especially shown great popularity. Various in vivo and in vitro tests of S. nigra and E. purpurea extracts and constituents have confirmed the botanicals' influence on proinflammatory cytokines, viral infections, and flu symptoms, proving their immunomodulatory and antiviral effects. Although there have been promising results with S. nigra and E. purpurea containing supplements, thorough monitoring of the sanitary production, demand, and related side effects after consumption is required. Further research and development of the supplements in accordance with the pandemic are also advised.

Macroecological patterns of fruit infestation rates by the invasive fly Drosophila suzukii in the wild reservoir host plant Sambucus nigra

Abstract The invasive pest Drosophila suzukii is a fruit fly native to Asia that infests a wide variety of fruits. Wild plant species are major reservoirs for D. suzukii populations but their infestation rates vary greatly among geographical areas. We aimed at disentangling the relative roles of macroclimatic, landscape and local factors in the rate of D. suzukii infestation of elderberry fruits (Sambucus nigra), a major wild host plant in Europe. We collected elderberry fruits across 215 sites distributed in 13 regions from North to South of France. We counted the number of emerging D. suzukii adults and tested for the effect of macroclimatic, landscape, local biotic and abiotic variables, as well as plant traits using linear mixed models. Site latitude and mean daily maximum temperature since the beginning of the year had respectively the strongest positive and negative effects on mean infestation rates across regions. Infestation rates also increased with forest cover in a 100 m radius around sampling sites. This study shows the importance of taking into account multiple scales and factors, from the fruit characteristics (i.e. maturity) to landscape composition and macroclimatic variables, when studying the interaction between D. suzukii and its host plants.

Sambucus nigra L. cell cultures produce main species-specific phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory properties and in vitro ACE2 binding inhibition to SARS-CoV2

Sambucus nigra fruit and flower extracts exhibit anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties however, the potential of S. nigra in vitro cell suspension cultures to produce biologically active compounds remains unexplored. This study describes the establishment of S. nigra cell suspension cultures and their phytochemical content and biological activity. S. nigra cell cultures contain major compounds characteristic for whole-plant S. nigra tissues albeit at uncharacteristic ratios. Elicitation with methyl jasmonate, visual selection of pigmented cells, and optimization of culture parameters resulted in cell suspensions with high contents of anthocyanins, organic acids, and phenolic compounds. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fluorometric assay-based assessment of biological activity of developed cultures demonstrated inhibitory capacity against cyclooxygenase enzyme COX2 activity and against the binding of SARS-CoV2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in vitro suggesting that S. nigra cell suspensions exhibit anti-inflammatory and viral entry blocking potential. Differences in phytochemical content and biological activity of S. nigra cell suspensions subjected to different optimization approaches indicate potential for optimization towards desired biotechnological products with anti-inflammatory properties and inhibitory capacity against viral binding.

Edible Flowers as a Source of Dietary Fibre (Total, Insoluble and Soluble) as a Potential Athlete's Dietary Supplement.

Edible flowers have been gaining popularity among researchers, nutritionists and chefs all around the world. Nowadays, flowers are used to make food look and/or taste better; however, they are also a very good source of valuable nutrients (antioxidants, vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, macro and microelements). The aim of our study was to determine the content of dietary fibre and total protein in selected edible flowers; we also compared the nutritional content of petals, differentiating between the representatives of the Oleaceae and Asteraceae families, as well as herbaceous vs. woody plants. The study material consisted of petals of 12 edible flower species (Magnolia × soulangeana, Sambucus nigra L., Syringa vulgaris L. (white and violet flowers), Robinia pseudoacacia, Forsythia × intermedia, Cichorium intybus L., Bellis perennis, Tussilago farfara L., Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wiggers coll., Centaurea cyanus L., Calendula officinalis). Dietary fibre content was determined by the enzymatic-gravimetric method and ranged from 13.22 (Magnolia × soulangeana) to 62.33 (Calendula officinalis L.) g/100 g. For insoluble dietary fibre (IDF), the values ranged from 8.69 (Magnolia × soulangeana) to 57.54 (Calendula officinalis L.) g/100 g, and the content of soluble dietary fibre (SDF) was between 1.35 (Syringa vulgaris L.-white flowers) and 7.46 (Centaurea cyanus L) g/100 g. Flowers were also shown to be a good, though underappreciated, source of plant protein, with content ranging from 8.70 (Calendula officinalis L.) to 21.61 (Magnolia × soulangeana) g/100 g dry matter (Kjeldahl method). Considerable amounts of protein were found in the flowers of the olive family (Oleaceae) and woody plants, which can enrich the daily diet, especially vegan and vegetarian. Edible flowers of the Asteraceae family, especially the herbaceous representatives, contained high levels of both total dietary fibre and its insoluble fraction; therefore, they can be a rich source of these nutrients in the daily diet of athletes, which would perform a prebiotic function for gut bacteria.

The flavonoids content in the fruits of some woody introduced species grown in the Botanical Garden of Samara University

This paper discusses the features of the flavonoid complexes accumulation in the fruits of some fruit and berry crops that have been grown in the conditions of the Botanical Garden of Samara University. The objects of this study are the fruits of such crops as Ampelopsis glandulosa Elegans, Morus alba L., Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt.), Sambucus nigra L. Mature fruits were collected in the autumn of 2021 by the staff of the Botanical Garden to study the fruits of these plants for flavonoids. They were kept frozen, the samples were used to prepare an alcoholic extract with the addition of acid according to the appropriate method. This extract was further used for spectrum recording and for the quantitative determination of phenolic compounds by the conventional method using the FolinCiocalteu reagent to estimate the content of the substances of phenolic nature in a particular sample. An approximate estimate of the amount of phenolic compounds in the studied extracts showed that the objects differed in the amount of extracted phenolic compounds. Magonia was in the first place both in fresh and dry mass, the second place was shared by ampelopsis and elderberry. And the least amount of phenolic compounds was found in mulberry fruits.

917-P: Race/Ethnic Disparities in Insulin and Sulfonylurea Use in Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Risk of severe hypoglycemia increases markedly with age in type 2 diabetes (T2D) . For many older patients, discussion of safe de-prescribing strategies is indicated to reduce iatrogenic overtreatment. We examined differences in insulin and sulfonylurea (SU) prescription prevalence among older adults (age ≥ 75 years) by race/ethnicity. Because race/ethnic disparities among Black patients have been attributed to doctor-patient communication barriers, we tested the hypothesis that older Black patients were more likely to be prescribed medicines that can induce severe hypoglycemia. Methods: We studied 18,149 adults (≥75 years) with T2D and a last measured HbA1c ≤ 8.0% between 2019-2021 in Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Electronic health records were used to identify prescription of insulin, SUs, or both. Medication treatment prevalence was stratified by race/ethnicity (Non-Latino White [NLW], Black, Latino, Asian, Other) and compared using chi-square tests. Results: Mean age was 80.5 (±4.8) years; 54% were women; mean HbA1c was 6.9% (±0.7%) , with 42% prescribed insulin, 72% prescribed SUs and 13% prescribed both. Elderly Black and NLW patients had a higher insulin prevalence (both at 45%, p<0.001) , while Asians had the lowest (31%, p=<0.001) . Conversely, Blacks had the lowest SU prevalence (66%, p<0.001) , and Asians had the highest (79%, p<0.001) . A similar pattern was observed in patients with the tightest HbA1c control (< 7.0%; n=8,794) : Black patients had the highest insulin (39%, p<0.001) and lowest SU prevalence (69% p<0.001) , while Asians had the lowest insulin (26%, p<0.001) and highest SU prevalence (81%, p<0.001) . Conclusion We found significant variation in use of high-risk medicines by race/ethnicity. Older Black patients had higher insulin use while older Asian patients had the highest SU use. Efforts to promote safe de-prescribing practices in older adults may need to be tailored to the unique physiologic and cultural needs of different patient groups. Disclosure D.Abdelgadir: None. C.Board: None. D.K.Ranatunga: None. R.W.Grant: None. Funding National Institute on Aging (R01AG068133-S1)

Remembering Rondo: Black counter-memory and collective practices of place-making in Saint Paul’s historic black neighborhood

This paper draws on oral histories of Black elders in the historic neighborhood of Rondo in Saint Paul and traces the practices of memorialization which the paper calls Black counter memory in the neighborhood. The paper highlights the various ways in which community members of Rondo remember the neighborhood as a Black collective place through practices of memorialization and acts of performance. Through visual documentation and oral histories the paper demonstrates the various spatial practices of resistance in Rondo through Black counter memory in larger context of the Twin Cities.

Inhibition of Human Respiratory Influenza A Virus and Human Betacoronavirus-1 by the Blend of Double-Standardized Extracts of Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot and Sambucus nigra L.

Viral and bacterial diseases are among the greatest concerns of humankind since ancient times. Despite tremendous pharmacological progress, there is still a need to search for new drugs that could treat or support the healing processes. A rich source of bioactive compounds with antiviral potency include plants such as black chokeberry and elderberry. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro antiviral ability of an originally designed double-standardized blend of extracts from Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot and Sambucus nigra L. (EAM-ESN) or separated extracts of A. melanocarpa (EAM) or S. nigra (ESN) against four human respiratory tract viruses: influenza A virus (A/H1N1), betacoronavirus-1 (HCoV-OC43) belonging to the same β-coronaviruses as the current pandemic SARS-CoV-2, human herpesvirus type 1 (HHV-1), and human adenovirus type 5 (HAdV-5). Antiviral assays (AVAs) were used to evaluate the antiviral activity of the plant extracts in a cell-present environment with extracts tested before, simultaneously, or after viral infection. The virus replication was assessed using the CPE scale or luminescent assay. The EAM-ESN blend strongly inhibited A/H1N1 replication as well as HCoV-OC43, while having a limited effect against HHV-1 and HAdV-5. This activity likely depends mostly on the presence of the extract of S. nigra. However, the EAM-ESN blend possesses more effective inhibitory activity toward virus replication than its constituent extracts. A post-infection mechanism of action of the EAM-ESN make this blend the most relevant for potential drugs and supportive treatments; thus, the EAM-ESN blend might be considered as a natural remedy in mild, seasonal respiratory viral infections.

Volatile Constituents of Some Selected Plant Species Traditionally Used as Tea in the Sharri Mountains (Kosovo).

The study evaluates the chemical composition of the volatile constituents of ten plant species traditionally used as herbal tea in the Sharri Mountain regions (Kosovo and North Macedonia). Volatile constituents responsible for the flavour and fragrance of selected species (Crataegus monogyna, Cydonia oblonga, Malus sylvestris, Matricaria chamomilla, Morus alba, Morus nigra, Rosa canina, Sambucus nigra, Tilia cordata, and Vaccinium myrtillus) were separated and then identified using GC-MS, whereas GC-FID is employed for the quantitative analysis. Experimental data revealed different patterns of volatile constituents depending on plant species. Monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, and norisoprenoids were the most abundant volatile constituents. Principal component analysis (PCA) was deployed for data analysis and resulted in grouping these ten species in four principal clusters. The combination of various volatile constituents present in specific plant species may play an important role in the specific aroma and taste sensation of these species used as recreational teas.

Complete genome sequence of a novel cytorhabdovirus infecting elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) in the Czech Republic.

The genus Cytorhabdovirus includes plant viruses with an unsegmented, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome that infect various plant hosts. In this work, we report the detection of a new cytorhabdovirus infecting elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.). Total RNA was purified from infected leaves and, after ribodepletion, sequenced using an Illumina system. The RNA genome of viral isolate B15 is 12,622 nucleotides (nt) long, and that of isolate B42 is 12,621 nt long. A nearly complete sequence (12,592 nt) was also obtained for a third isolate (B160). The RNA genomes of all three isolates showed an organisation typical of cytorhabdoviruses, harbouring all six of the expected genes (3´ N-P-P3-M-G-L 5´), separated by intergenic regions. These isolates were closely related to each other (99.5-99.6% nt sequence identity) and showed the highest overall similarity to trichosanthes associated rhabdovirus 1 (63.5% identity) and Wuhan insect virus 5 (58% identity), and similar results were obtained when comparing individual coding sequences or proteins. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that this elderberry virus, for which we propose the name "sambucus virus 1" belongs to the genus Cytorhabdovirus and fulfils the criteria to represent a novel species.

Impact of Drying Conditions on Antioxidant Activity of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), Sweet Violet (Viola odorata) and Elderberry Flowers (Sambucus nigra).

Flowers of red clover (Trifolium pratense), sweet violet (Viola odorata) and elderflowers (Sambucus nigra) were dried by means of air drying at 30 °C and 50 °C and by freeze drying. The content of polyphenols was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent, while anthocyanins were quantified by the pH differential method. Antioxidant activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the dried flowers were measured by the DPPH and ABTS assays, as well as FRAP and reducing power methods. The highest amount of polyphenols was determined in the ethanolic extracts of fresh red clover flowers (854.76 mg/100 g), while the highest concentration of anthocyanins was determined in the aqueous extracts of fresh sweet violet flowers (99.41 mg/100 g). The results showed that, in general, the extracts of red clover flower were characterized by the highest antioxidant activity, while the sweet violet extracts had the poorest antioxidant properties, although these values fluctuated depending on the method used. There was strong correlation between antioxidant activity and TPC (r = 0.9196, FRAP method). In most cases, freeze drying was found to be the best conservation method, retaining well the antioxidant properties of the tested flowers and the compounds determining these properties.

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli induces altered glycosylation in membrane proteins of cultured human intestinal epithelial cells

Emerging evidences have suggested that pathogens are capable of manipulating the glycosylation pattern of host-cell glycoconjugates, which may promote their attachment to these cells. Several enteric pathogens are known to induce such altered glycosylation in intestinal epithelium thereby, facilitating the disease process. Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC), is one of such pathogens, known to cause acute and persistent diarrhea worldwide. However, glycosylation modulation due to EAEC infection has not been explored so far. In this study, EAEC-induced glycosylation changes in membrane proteins of human small-intestinal and colonic epithelial cell lines were found as revealed by lectin-overlay transblotting using four lectins, among which Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA) was selected for subsequent experiments. Several differentially expressed membrane-proteins were detected on SNA-overlay transblots following 2D-PAGE and identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometric analysis. Among these, voltage-dependent anion-selective channel-protein 2 (VDAC2) and prohibitin 2 (PHB2), common to both the cell lines were chosen for further characterization. Reactivity of these proteins to SNA was substantiated by their presence in SNA-agarose affinity chromatography eluted fractions. The plasma membrane localization of VDAC2 and PHB2 in EAEC infected cell lines was validated by confocal microscopy. These proteins were characterized as sialoglycoproteins by SNA-overlay transblots in presence a specific SNA inhibitor i.e., 6'sialyl lactose and deglycosylation using PNGase F, O-glycosidase and neuraminidase. Membrane localization of these sialoglycoproteins was found to facilitate EAEC adherence to human intestinal epithelial cells. SignificanceOur findings regarding EAEC induced altered glycosylation pattern of host cell membrane proteins may help in better understanding of the disease pathogenesis.

Chemical profiling and UHPLC-QToF analysis for the simultaneous determination of anthocyanins and flavonoids in Sambucus berries and authentication and detection of adulteration in elderberry dietary supplements using UHPLC-PDA-MS

This work was initiated to develop a simple, quick, and reliable UHPLC-PDA-MS method to identify chemical markers for authentication and compare fruit samples of four elder species, Sambucus nigra, S. ebulus, S. canadensis, and S. cerulea. The UHPLC method showed an adequate separation of 11 compounds including anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids in berries of the four Sambucus species. Quantification, detection limits, precision, accuracy as well as robustness were determined. The analysis of 55 different samples of four Sambucus species showed distinct phytochemical fingerprints. Thirty-one dietary supplements claiming to contain S. nigra berries extract were analyzed to determine authenticity. Ten (32%) of the 31 products complied with the label and contained only elderberry. The application of UHPLC-QToF provided useful information to characterize seventy-three compounds that can be used to distinguish among the four Sambucus species and also help to determine the presence of adulterants. Extracts of black rice (Oryza sativa) were identified as the main adulterants in the dietary supplements, although other undeclared ingredients such as extracts of purple carrot (Daucus carota ssp. sativus var. atrorubens) and flowers of S. nigra were also found instead of elder berry in two products. In addition to the detection of adulterated samples based on a comparison of the chemical profiles of anthocyanin and flavonoids, the developed methods can also be useful for the quality assessment of both bulk raw material and dietary supplements.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction Pathway Alterations Offer Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Ovarian Cancer

The mitochondrion is a very versatile organelle that participates in some important cancer-associated biological processes, including energy metabolism, oxidative stress, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation, cell apoptosis, mitochondria-nuclear communication, dynamics, autophagy, calcium overload, immunity, and drug resistance in ovarian cancer. Multiomics studies have found that mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and apoptosis signaling pathways act in human ovarian cancer, which demonstrates that mitochondria play critical roles in ovarian cancer. Many molecular targeted drugs have been developed against mitochondrial dysfunction pathways in ovarian cancer, including olive leaf extract, nilotinib, salinomycin, Sambucus nigra agglutinin, tigecycline, and eupatilin. This review article focuses on the underlying biological roles of mitochondrial dysfunction in ovarian cancer progression based on omics data, potential molecular relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, and future perspectives of promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets based on the mitochondrial dysfunction pathway for ovarian cancer.

The immunohistochemical investigation of chymase-, tryptase- and ghrelin-positive cells on the lung of rat after an application of Sambucus nigra

Sambucus nigra (S.nigra) is used in the treatment of many diseases and disorders thanks to its antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, immunostimulating, antiallergic, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. Ghrelin has anti-inflammatory effect on oxidative damage in various organs and cell types. The aim of this study was to immunohistochemically examine the chymase, tryptase, and ghrelin in rat lung after S. nigra administration. A total of 16 male rats were used in the study. The rats were assigned to two groups, control and S. nigra. 1st control group (n=8): No application was made. 2nd S. nigra group (n=8): S. nigra extract was administered at 15 mg/kg by oral gavage for 14 days. Tryptase, chymase, and ghrelin-positive cells were found in the lung tissue in a spindle-shaped, round, or oval shape. When the groups were evaluated within themselves, a significant increase in the number of tryptase, chymase, and ghrelin positive cells was observed in the S. nigra treated group. This study showed that S. nigra, which has an immunomodulatory and antioxidant effect, increases the expression of chymase-, tryptase- and ghrelin-positive cells in the lungs. Additionally, based on our findings, it can be said that mast cells can produce, store and release ghrelin.

Plant macro-remains from the Late Iron Age smithy at Piperbühel (South Tyrol, Italy)

From the Neolithic onwards, prehistoric human land use is testified by various archaeological records in the area around Piperbühel (South Tyrol, Italy). This archaeobotanical study involves a rare archaeological record, a Late Iron Age smithy which was evidenced by the smiths’ hearth and the smithing waste. The aim of this research was to broaden knowledge about the composition of finds, the plant diet and the environment of the smiths. There was a special focus on the edible fruits and nuts in the Eastern Alps during the Iron Age. Ten stratigraphic units with a total weight of 101 kg or a bulk volume of 92 l were archaeobotanically processed and analysed. The samples contained archaeological, archaeozoological and archaeobotanical finds. Cultivated plants such as Hordeum vulgare (barley), Triticum dicoccum (emmer), Panicum miliaceum (broomcorn millet) and Vicia faba (faba bean) were evidenced. They belonged to the most commonly cultivated plants during the Iron Age. The edible wild fruits and nuts of Cornus mas (cornel cherry), Corylus avellana (common hazel), Prunus cf. padus (probably bird cherry), Prunus cf. spinosa (probably sloe), Sambucus nigra (black elder), and Vitis vinifera (grapevine) were consumed. Recovered herbs and weeds such as Arenaria serpyllifolia (thyme-leaved sandwort), Chenopodium hybridum (maple-leaved goosefoot), Myosotis sylvatica (wood forget-me-not), Polygonum lapathifolium (curlytop knotweed), Rumex acetosa (common sorrel), Silene vulgaris (bladder campion) and Solanum nigrum (black nightshade) demonstrate different habitats. The wild plants reflect a cultural landscape characterised by low-density deciduous stands, hoe weed, ruderal plant and pastureland communities. The correlation of the edible fruits and nuts from 24 Iron Age settlements in different geographic regions of the Eastern Alps resulted in varying fruit compositions, which were due to different local growth and taphonomic conditions. The most frequently found fruits and nuts at the settlement sites during the Iron Age were C. avellana, V. vinifera, P. spinosa, Rubus (raspberry/blackberry) and Sambucus.

Разработка специального сорта пива повышенной антиоксидантной активности с ягодами бузины (Sambucus nigra L.)

Fruits and berries increase the antioxidant activity of beer. Elderberries (Sambucus nigra L.) contain biologically active compounds with high antioxidant capacity. The research objective was to develop a new kind of beer with elderberries introduced at different stages of the technological process, as well as to study the antioxidant activity of this functional drink. 
 The pH was determined with a pH meter, the carbohydrate content and color – with a spectrophotometer, the optical density – with a spectrophotometer, the total polyphenol content – by the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method, the antioxidant activity – by the DPPH radical scavenging method, and the absorption – with a UV-visible spectrophotometer at λ = 517 nm.
 Elderberries added in the amount of 62.5 and 125 g/dm3 increased the degree of fermentation. According to the European Brewing Convention, the optimal beer color is 22.29 units. To achieve this standard, elderberries had to be added 15 min after the start of boiling the wort. When elderberries were added to the cooled wort, its color decreased by 6.97 units. The concentration of elderberries appeared to have a positive correlation with the antioxidant activity of the finished product: more elderberries meant more polyphenols. The pH did not change during the brewing process and remained within the standard limit of 4.25–4.81. When the concentration of elderberries was 1.25 g/dm3, the antioxidant activity increased by 13.4 times, at 125 g/dm3 – by 22 times. The beer reached its maximal antioxidant activity when elderberries were added to uncooled wort after boiling; it decreased by 16.1% when elderberries were added after cooling the wort. 
 The content of polyphenols in elderberry beer depended on the concentration of elderberries, while the color and antioxidant capacity – on the amount of elderberries and the stage of the technological process. Unfiltered and unpasteurized elderberries maximized the antioxidant activity and nutritional value of the finished product. The new beer sort will allow microbreweries to expand their product range and attract new consumers.

The Glycodiversity of HCV E2 Glycoprotein-Specific Antibodies as a Signature of Hepatic Damage and Virotherapy Efficacy

The HCV E2 glycoprotein-specific Abs (E2-Ab) is an important factor in the host resistance to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. There is evidence that the E2-Ab sialylation is associated with liver damage and virotherapy efficacy. The aim of this study was to further profile the E2-Ab glycosylation. The fucosylation and sialylation of E2-Ab in one hundred six (HCV)-infected patients were tested using the lectin-based ELISA platform. Data were analyzed by the stage of hepatic fibrosis, HCV genotype and the response to IF-RBV virotherapy. The changes in the E2–Ab glycosylation were also evaluated by the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) and multiple regression analysis. The E2-Ab reactivity to fucose-specific Aleuria aurantia lectin (AAL) and sialo-specific Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA) was decreased in the advanced stages of liver fibrosis. The SNA binding analysis was more informative in the discrimination of patients with advanced fibrosis compared to those with earlier fibrosis stages or no fibrosis group. No significant correlation between the reactivities of SNA and AAL lectins was established irrespective of HCV genotype. The patients infected with HCV 3a genotype showed an increased E2-Ab fucosylation, a lower E2-SNA/E2-AAL ratio and a better response to virotherapy. The association of the E2-SNA/E2-AAL ratio with virotherapy outcome was observed in patients infected with HCV 1b genotype. A better response to IF-RBV therapy was found in patients with a higher fucosylated E2 Abs and a lower E2-SNA/E2-AAL ratio. Thus the significance of E2 antibodies in the course of HCV hepatitis was demonstrated to be dependent on their glycosylation, the sialylation/fucosylation ratio, as well as on HCV genotype.