Caffeic Research Articles

Co-encapsulation of Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora) essential oil and nisin using caffeic acid grafted chitosan nanogel and the effect of this nanogel as a bio-preservative in Iranian white cheese.

The current study aims to co-encapsulate Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora) essential oil (ZEO) and nisin into chitosan nanogel as an antimicrobial and antioxidant agent to enhance the shelf-life of cheese. Chitosan-caffeic acid (CS-CA) nanogel was produced to co-encapsulate Zataria multiflora essential oil and nisin. This nanogel was characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The effect of free (TFZN) and encapsulated ZEO-nisin in chitosan nanogel (TCZN) on the chemical and microbiological properties of Iranian white cheese was assessed. The particle size, polydispersity index value (PDI), zeta potential, antioxidant activity, and encapsulation efficiency of the optimal chitosan-ZEO-nisin nanogel were 421.6 nm, 0.343, 34.0 mV, 71.06%-82.69%, and 41.3 ± 0.5%, 0.79 ± 0.06 mg/mL. respectively. FTIR and XRD approved ZEO and nisin entrapment within chitosan nanogel. The chitosan nanogel showed a highly porous surface with an irregular shape. The bioactive compounds of ZEO and nisin decreased the pH changes in cheese. On the 60th day of storage, the acidity of treated samples was significantly lower than that of control. Although the lowest anisidine index value was observed in samples treated with sodium nitrate (NaNO3) (TS), there was no significant difference between this sample and TCZN. The lowest microbial population was observed in TCZN and TS. After 60 days of ripening, Coliforms were not detected in the culture medium of TCZN and TS. The results can contribute to the development of a natural preservative with the potential for application in the dairy industry.

A Comparative Analysis of Polysaccharides and Ethanolic Extracts from Two Egyptian Sweet Potato Cultivars, Abees and A 195: Chemical Characterization and Immunostimulant Activities.

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) belongs to family Convolvulaceae. The plant is distributed worldwide and consumed, especially for its edible tubers. Many studies have proved that the plant has variable biological activities such as antidiabetic, anti-cancer, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, and immunostimulant activities. The roots of sweet potatoes are rich in valuable phytochemical constituents that vary according to the flesh color. Our investigation focused on the chemical profiling of two Egyptian sweet potato cultivars, Abees and A 195, using UPLC-QTOF and the analysis of their polysaccharide fractions by GC-MS. Furthermore, we assessed the immunostimulant properties of these extracts in immunosuppressed mice. The study revealed that sweet potato roots contain significant concentrations of phenolic acids, including caffeoylquinic, caffeic, caffeoyl-feruloyl quinic, and p-coumaric acids, as well as certain flavonoids, such as diosmin, diosmetin, and jaceosidin, and coumarins, such as scopoletin and umbelliferone. Moreover, polysaccharides prepared from both studied cultivars were analyzed using GC-MS. Further biological analysis demonstrated that all the tested extracts possessed immunostimulant properties by elevating the level of WBCs, IL-2, TNF, and IFN-γ in the immunosuppressed mice relative to the control group with the highest values in polysaccharide fractions of A195 (the ethanolic extract showed a higher effect on TNF and IFN-γ, while its polysaccharide fraction exhibited a promising effect on IL-2 and WBCs). In conclusion, the roots of the Egyptian sweet potato cultivars Abees and A 195 demonstrated significant immunostimulant activities, which warrants further investigation through clinical studies.

Polyphenolic Profile, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antimitotic Effects of Leaf Extracts of Asystasia gangetica

ABSTRACT Asystasia gangetica leaves were extracted sequentially with different solvent systems. The quantitative estimation of secondary metabolites along with antioxidant activities were evaluated. Methanol extract had the highest phenolics (12.82 mg of GAE g−1 DW), condensed tannins (13.81 mg of GAE g−1 DW), saponin (10.71 mg of DE g−1 DW) content along with highest DPPH radical (IC50 of 62.40 μg mL−1), ABTS radical (22.70 μg mL−1) scavenging activity, and CUPRAC (65.86 TE g−1 DW) total antioxidant activity. The mild antimitotic and antiproliferative effects of extracts suggest low toxicity. The extracts demonstrated potential in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. Polyphenols, including novel Isovitexin, Genestin, Syringic acid, and Caffeic acid were the major metabolites identified.

Use of mushrooms as antioxidants in a lipid oxidation model under indirect and direct oxidation tests: ethanolic extracts of Ganoderma resinaceum and Phlebopus bruchii.

Foods contain lipids that are easily susceptible to oxidation, which can modify their sensory properties. Although these compounds provide characteristic flavours and odours, there are also unwanted compounds, such as volatile secondary oxidation products, representing a recurring problem for both the industry and consumers. Synthetic antioxidants are often employed to prevent this but their chronic consumption can be detrimental to human health. The present study evaluates the antioxidant potential of ethanolic extracts from Ganoderma resinaceum and Phlebopus bruchii using an accelerated oxidation test. The composition profile of the extracts was investigated, identifying the presence of tryptophan, quinic acid, caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol-phenolic acid. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was compared with that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in sunflower oil that was oven-heated at 60 °C. Chemical (peroxide value, p-anisidine value and conjugated dienes) and volatile (2-octenal, 2-heptenal and 2,4-decadienal) indicators were measured over 28 days. The peroxide value decreased for both extracts at a similar level to that of BHT 0.02% w/w, and conjugate dienes decreased in the presence of G. resinaceum 0.1% w/w. Meanwhile, p-anisidine exhibited a slightly greater decrease for P. bruchii 0.1% w/w than for BHT. The sample with 0.1% w/w of extracts showed a reduction in volatile secondary oxidation compounds, indicating significant antioxidant activity. Based on these results, both extracts could be proposed as potential antioxidants in foods with a high lipid content. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

The role of germination on changes in bioactive properties, fatty acids and biogenic element profiles of tigernut tubers germinated at different times

SummaryIn this study, the effects of different germination times on some chemical characteristics, total phenol and flavonoid quantity, antioxidant capacities, phenolic and fatty acid compositions and biogenic element contents of tigernut tubers were investigated. Total phenolic and flavonoid quantities of raw and tigernut tubers germinated at certain germination periods were reported to be between 24.40 (first period of germination) and 63.84 mgGAE/100 g (third period of germination) to 33.00 (control) and 184.24 mgRE/100 g (third period of germination), respectively. Antioxidant capacities of raw and germinated tigernut tubers were recorded to be between 0.91 (first period of germination) and 1.57 mmolTE kg−1 (third period of germination). Gallic (except control), catechin, caffeic acid, rutin and kaempferol values of tubers were higher especially in the second and third periods of germination compared to the first period of control and germination. Oleic and linoleic acid values of raw (control) and germinated tigernut oils were identified between 69.41% (third period of germination) and 72.53% (control) to 9.77 (control) and 11.77% (third period of germination), respectively. P, K, Ca, Mg, S and Na were the dominant elements of raw and germinated tigernuts. The bioactive properties, phenolic component amounts and element quantities of germinated tubers were increased.

Effect of roasting on the oil content, bioactive components, fatty acid composition and mineral content of purslane seeds

SummaryIn this study, the effect of microwave on oil contents, bioactive components, antioxidant activity, polyphenols, tocopherols, fatty acid compositions and nutrients of purslane seeds was investigated. The moisture amount of the purslane seeds decreased significantly, while the oil and bioactive properties of the seeds increased compared to the control. Raw (control) and purslane seeds roasted in microwave contained 24.72 and 26.27 mg/100 g gallic acid, 34.12 and 38.30 mg/100 g 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid, 111.57 and 118.55 mg/100 g catechin, 8.70 and 3.46 caffeic acid, 5.95 and 5.09 mg/100 g syringic acid, 18.73 and 8.34 mg/100 g rutin and 3.07 and 2.26 mg/100 g quercetin, respectively. Stearic, linoleic, arachidic, linolenic, behenic and erucic acid results of the oils of raw and purslane seeds roasted in microwave were partially increased compared to raw seed oil. The applied heat treatment had a positive effect on the tocopherol results of the purslane seed oils, and the tocopherol contents of the oils obtained from the roasted seeds increased compared to the control. In general, the protein and mineral values of heat‐treated purslane seeds increased (except Ca, Fe and Mn).

Role of low-molecular-weight organic compounds on photochemical formation of Mn(III)-ligands in aqueous systems: Implications for BPA removal

Aqueous trivalent manganese [Mn(III)], an important reactive intermediate, is ubiquitous in natural surface water containing humic acid (HA). However, the effect of low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) on the formation, stability and reactivity of Mn(III) intermediate is still unknown. In this study, six LMWOAs, including oxalic acid (Oxa), salicylic acid (Sal), catechol (Cat), caffeic acid (Caf), gallic acid (Gal) and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), were selected to investigate the effects of LMWOAs on the degradation of BPA induced by in situ formed Mn(III)-L in the HA/Mn(II) system under light irradiation. The chromophoric constituents of HA could absorb light radiation and generate superoxide radical to promote the oxidation of Mn(II) to form Mn(III), which was further involved in transformation of BPA. Our results implied that different LMWOAs did significantly impact on Mn(III) production and its degradation of BPA due to their different functional group. EDTA, Oxa and Sal extensively increased the Mn(III) concentration from 50 to 100 μM compared to the system without LMWOAs, following the order of EDTA > Oxa > Sal, and also enhanced the degradation of BPA with the similar patterns. In contrast, Cat, Caf and Gal had an inhibitory effect on the formation of Mn(III), which is likely because they consumed the superoxide radicals generated from irradiated HA, resulting in the inhibition of Mn(II) oxidation and further BPA removal. The product identification and theoretical calculation indicated that a single electron transfer process occurred between Mn(III)-L and BPA, forming BPA radicals and subsequent self-coupling products. Our results demonstrated that the LMWOAs with different structures could alter the cycling process of Mn via complexation and redox reactions, which would provide new implications for the removal of organic pollutants in surface water.

Effects of the Taste Substances and Metal Cations in Green Tea Infusion on the Turbidity of EGCG-Mucin Mixtures.

Astringency has an important impact on the taste quality of tea infusion, a process which occurs when polyphenols complex with salivary proteins to form an impermeable membrane. (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the main astringent compound found in green tea and mucin is the main protein present in saliva. Determining the turbidity of EGCG-mucin mixtures is an effective method to quantify the astringency intensity of EGCG solutions. In this study, the effects of taste-related, substances present during green tea infusion, on the turbidity of EGCG-mucin mixtures was investigated under the reacting conditions of a pH value of 5.0, at 37 °C, and for 30 min. The results showed that epicatechins, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and gallic acid reduced the turbidity of EGCG-mucin mixtures, while rutin increased turbidity. Metal ions increased the turbidity of EGCG-mucin mixtures. These can be arranged by effectiveness as Al3+ > K+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+. Caffeine, theanine, and sodium glutamate all decreased the turbidity values of EGCG-mucin mixtures, but sucrose had a weak effect. Further experiments confirmed that the turbidity of green tea infusion-mucin mixture indicated the astringent intensity of green tea infusion, and that the turbidity was significantly correlated with the contents of tea polyphenols and EGCG.

S/O/W Emulsion with CAPE Ameliorates DSS-Induced Colitis by Regulating NF-κB Pathway, Gut Microbiota and Fecal Metabolome in C57BL/6 Mice.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has attracted much attention worldwide due to its prevalence. In this study, the effect of a solid-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsion with Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE, a polyphenolic active ingredient in propolis) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice was evaluated. The results showed that CAPE-emulsion could significantly alleviate DSS-induced colitis through its effects on colon length, reduction in the disease activity index (DAI), and colon histopathology. The results of ELISA and Western blot analysis showed that CAPE-emulsion can down-regulate the excessive inflammatory cytokines in colon tissue and inhibit the expression of p65 in the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, CAPE-emulsion promoted short-chain fatty acids production in DSS-induced colitis mice. High-throughput sequencing results revealed that CAPE-emulsion regulates the imbalance of gut microbiota by enhancing diversity, restoring the abundance of beneficial bacteria (such as Odoribacter), and suppressing the abundance of harmful bacteria (such as Afipia, Sphingomonas). The results of fecal metabolome showed that CAPE-emulsion restored the DSS-induced metabolic disorder by affecting metabolic pathways related to inflammation and cholesterol metabolism. These research results provide a scientific basis for the use of CPAE-emulsions for the development of functional foods for treating IBD.

Influence of the fruit parts on bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, polyphenols, fatty acid and mineral contents of the pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima L.) fruits

SummaryIn the current work, the effect of pumpkin parts on the oil content, total phenol, flavonoid, carotenoid quantities, antioxidant capacity, phenolic components, fatty acid profiles and mineral profiles of pumpkin parts was investigated. Total carotenoid and phenolic amounts of pumpkin parts were recorded to be from 36.84 (seed) and 29.92 μg g−1 (pulp) to 28.75 (pulp) and 67.68 mgGAE/100 g (peel) respectively. Also, total flavonoid quantities of the parts of pumpkin were assigned between 21.07 mg/100 g (pulp) and 220.36 mg/100 g (seed), while antioxidant activities of pumpkin samples range from 0.04 mmol kg−1 (pulp) to 0.82 mmol kg−1 (seed). Catechin and caffeic acid amounts of pumpkin parts varied from 13.25 (seed) and 77.31 mg/100 g (peel) to 4.70 (seed) and 7.60 mg/100 g (peel) respectively. The amount of catechin detected in the pumpkin peel was approximately two and five times higher than the pulp part. Resveratrol content was lowest in the pulp part of the pumpkin. Oleic and linoleic acid values of the oils ranged from 19.23% (peel) to 29.16% (seed) and from 18.15% (peel) to 51.06% (seed) respectively. Stearic, oleic and linoleic acids of pumpkin pulp oil were higher than pumpkin peel oil. Pumpkin seed oils are rich in oleic and linoleic acids. P, K, Mg, S and Fe were the dominant biogenic minerals of pumpkin parts. The most of total carotenoids and total phenols were accumulated in the peel part of the pumpkin fruit. The total flavonoid quantity of pumpkin seeds was approximately three times higher than the pumpkin peel part and ten times higher than the pulp part.

Kamchatka Berry (Lonicera caerulea L.) Pomace Bioferment as an Innovative Cosmetic Raw Material

Kamchatka berries (Lonicera caerulea L.) are known for their high content of phenolic compounds or vitamins, which is reflected in their antibacterial, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties. They are used in the production of jams, juices, wines and as natural dye. A bioferment was prepared from the pomace of the Kamchatka berry varieties Aurora and Indigo Gem and the strains Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, which was used to prepare a cosmetic preparation with a concentration of 5% in accordance with the guidelines of the COSMOS certification body. We conducted physico-chemical and organoleptic analyses and bioactive profile characterisation (UHPLC-DAD and UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The results showed that the presence of caffeic acid (4.47 ± 0.07 mg/100 g) was detected after fermentation of Kamchatka berry pomace. In addition, vitamin C content increased by 141% after fermentation. The results of stability tests showed that in the process of physico-chemical analysis of the cosmetic preparation with bioferment of Kamchatka berry pomace, the pH should oscillate in the range of 4.38–4.76 ± 0.01. Stability tests showed that the cosmetic should be protected from high temperatures and UV radiation and proved that the product is stable under changing conditions, resulting in lower transport and storage costs.

Preparation of robust structural color film on cotton fabrics by caffeic acid

Structural coloration holds significant promise for achieving ecological coloring of textiles. Caffeic acid, a natural plant polyphenol characterized by its cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and non-toxic properties, has been identified as a key player in this context. It is found that caffeic acid can generate a polycaffeic acid (PCfA) nanofilm at the gas-liquid interface under certain conditions. In this work, caffeic acid was utilized to create thin film nanostructures by self-polymerization for the structural coloration of cotton fabrics, where the hue of the structural colors can be adjusted by polymerization time. Additionally, the incorporation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) into the system enhances the rubbing and washing fastness of the resultant structural colored fabric. The morphology of the structural color fabric was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the thickness of the films corresponding to the different colors were determined. This innovative approach presents a novel methodology for the development of robust structural color films.

Efficient Multi-stimulus-Responsive Luminescent Eu(III)-Modified HOFs Materials: Detecting Thiram and Caffeic Acid and Constructing a Flexible Substrate Anti-counterfeiting Platform.

The powerful capability of multi-stimulus-responsive luminescent hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) to respond to external chemical or physical stimuli in various manners makes them appealing in the luminescence anti-counterfeiting field. Herein, a novel Eu3+-functionalized HOF (Eu@GC-2) that combines the emission of HOFs with the characteristic emission of Eu3+ ions has been successfully synthesized, which can generate various fluorescence at different excitation wavelengths. Eu@GC-2 has enormous potential as a raw material for a paper-based sensor that is designed for detecting the pesticides thiram and caffeic acid in crops with favorable selectivity, anti-interference, and high efficiency. Based on the above excellent properties, Ln3+-functionalized HOFs (Ln@GC-2) were then employed to produce four luminescent anti-counterfeiting inks. With the incorporation of back-propagation neural network and Gray code conversion functions, a multi-stimulus-responsive luminescent anti-counterfeiting platform, coregulated by the excitation light and the chemical reagent, has been constructed. This approach can not only achieve multiple encryptions and fast information identification but also enhance the code-breaking complexity, making it an efficient strategy for information encryption and decryption.

Preparation of Flower-like Nanosilver Based on Bioderived Caffeic Acid for Raman Enhancement and Dye Degradation.

In this study, a simple, green, and low-cost room temperature synthesis of broccoli-like silver nanoflowers (AgNF) with a particle size of about 300-500 nm was developed using plant-derived caffeic acid as a reducing agent and polyvinylpyrrolidone as a dispersant under ultrasound assistance. The flower clusters covered by small nanocrystals of 20-50 nm significantly enhance the electromagnetic field signals. AgNF was deposited on the surface of silicon wafers as a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy sensor for the detection of probe molecules such as rhodamine 6G (R6G) and malachite green with high sensitivity, homogeneity, and reproducibility. AgNF was deposited on cotton fabrics in the form of composites to catalyze the degradation of dye pollutants such as R6G, MG, and methyl orange in the presence of sodium borohydride. 0.1 g of AgNF/cotton fabric could assist 15 mmol/L NaBH4 to achieve over 90% degradation of various dyes as well as a high concentration of dyes in 12 min with good reusability and recyclability. The AgNF synthesized in this work can not only monitor the type and amounts of pollutants (dyes) in wastewater but also catalyze the rapid degradation of dyes, which is expected to be valuable for industrial applications.

Caffeic acid attenuates memory dysfunction and restores the altered activity of cholinergic, monoaminergic and purinergic in brain of cadmium chloride exposure rats.

This study aims to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of caffeic acid (CAF) against cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in rats via its effect on memory index as well as on altered enzymatic activity in the brain of CdCl2-induced neurotoxicity. The experimental rats were divided into seven groups (n=6 rats per group) of healthy rats (group 1), CdCl2 -induced (CD) (3 mg/kg BW) rats (group 2), CD rats + Vitamin C (group 3), CD rats + CAF (10 and 20 mg/kg BW respectively) (group 4 & 5), and healthy rat + CAF (10 and 20 mg/kg BW respectively) (group 6 & 7). Thereafter, CdCl2 and CAF were administered orally to the experimental rats in group 2 to group 5 on daily basis for 14days. Then, the Y-maze test was performed on theexperimental rats to ascertain their memory index. CdCl2 administration significantly altered cognitive function, the activity of cholinesterase, monoamine oxidase, arginase, purinergic enzymes, nitric oxide (NOx), and antioxidant status of Cd rats (untreated) when compared with healthy rats. Thereafter, CD rats treated with vitamin C and CAF (10 and 20 mg/kg BW) respectively exhibited an improved cognitive function, and the observed altered activity of cholinesterase, monoamine oxidase, arginase, purinergic were restored when compared with untreated CD rats. Also, the level of brain NOx and antioxidant status were significantly (p<0.05) enhanced when compared with untreated CD rats. In the same vein, CAF administration offers neuro-protective effect in healthy ratsvis-à-vis improved cognitive function, reduction in the activity of some enzymes linked to the progression of cognitive dysfunction, and improved antioxidant status when compared to healthy rats devoid of CAF. This study demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of CAF against CdCl2 exposure and in healthy rats.

Synergistic Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Phenolic Acid-Conjugated Glutamine-Histidine-Glycine-Valine (QHGV) Peptides Derived from Oysters (Crassostrea talienwhanensis).

The glutamine-histidine-glycine-valine (QHGV), a peptide derived from oysters, exhibits antioxidant activity and is being actively researched as a potential pharmaceutical and functional cosmetic ingredient. In this study, we synthesized the QHGV peptide and explored the hitherto unknown anti-inflammatory effects of QHGV. The antioxidant property was also characterized by conjugating with various naturally derived phenolic acids, such as caffeic, gallic, ferulic, sinapinic, and vanillic acids. Conjugation with phenolic acids not only enhanced the antioxidant activity of QHGV but also diminished the lipopolysaccharide-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. The reduction in the levels of reactive oxygen species led to the reduced mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNos) and cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2), resulting in an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, including extracellular signal-activated protein kinase, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, and p38. Furthermore, the phenolic acid-conjugated peptides increased the mRNA and protein levels of collagen type I, indicative of a wrinkle-improvement effect. The phenolic acid conjugates of the peptide were not cytotoxic to human keratinocytes such as HaCaT cells. These results suggest that phenolic acid conjugation can enhance the potential of peptides as drug and cosmetic resources.

Influence of Abiotic and Biotic Elicitors on Organogenesis, Biomass Accumulation, and Production of Key Secondary Metabolites in Asteraceae Plants.

The medicinal plants of the Asteraceae family are a valuable source of bioactive secondary metabolites, including polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, acetylenes, sesquiterpene lactones, triterpenes, etc. Under stressful conditions, the plants develop these secondary substances to carry out physiological tasks in plant cells. Secondary Asteraceae metabolites that are of the greatest interest to consumers are artemisinin (an anti-malarial drug from Artemisia annua L.-sweet wormwood), steviol glycosides (an intense sweetener from Stevia rebaudiana Bert.-stevia), caffeic acid derivatives (with a broad spectrum of biological activities synthesized from Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench-echinacea and Cichorium intybus L.-chicory), helenalin and dihydrohelenalin (anti-inflammatory drug from Arnica montana L.-mountain arnica), parthenolide ("medieval aspirin" from Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Sch.Bip.-feverfew), and silymarin (liver-protective medicine from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.-milk thistle). The necessity to enhance secondary metabolite synthesis has arisen due to the widespread use of these metabolites in numerous industrial sectors. Elicitation is an effective strategy to enhance the production of secondary metabolites in in vitro cultures. Suitable technological platforms for the production of phytochemicals are cell suspension, shoots, and hairy root cultures. Numerous reports describe an enhanced accumulation of desired metabolites after the application of various abiotic and biotic elicitors. Elicitors induce transcriptional changes in biosynthetic genes, leading to the metabolic reprogramming of secondary metabolism and clarifying the mechanism of the synthesis of bioactive compounds. This review summarizes biotechnological investigations concerning the biosynthesis of medicinally essential metabolites in plants of the Asteraceae family after various elicitor treatments.

Sprayable and self-healing chitosan-based hydrogels for promoting healing of infected wound via anti-bacteria, anti-inflammation and angiogenesis

Treatment of infected wound by simultaneously eliminating bacteria and inducing angiogenesis to promote wound tissue regeneration remains a clinical challenge. Dynamic and reversable hydrogels can adapt to irregular wound beds, which have raised great attention as wound dressings. Herein, a sprayable chitosan-based hydrogel (HPC/CCS/ODex-IGF1) was developed using hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPC), caffeic acid functionalized chitosan (CCS), oxidized dextran (ODex) to crosslink through the dynamic imine bond, which was pH-responsive to the acidic microenvironment and could controllably release insulin growth factor-1 (IGF1). The HPC/CCS/ODex-IGF1 hydrogels not only showed self-healing, self-adaptable and sprayable properties, but also exhibited excellent antibacterial ability, antioxidant property, low-cytotoxicity and angiogenetic activity. In vivo experiments demonstrated that hydrogels promoted tissue regeneration and healing of bacteria-infected wound with a rate of approximately 98.4 % on day 11 by eliminating bacteria, reducing inflammatory and facilitating angiogenesis, demonstrating its great potential for wound dressing.

Phenolic Acids Modulating Epigenetic Mechanisms in HepG2 Human Hepatoma Cells

Phenolic compounds derived from plants exhibit an epigenetic modulatory impact in various cancer types by reversing DNA methylation patterns and chromatin modulation. In this study, caffeic acid (CA), ferulic acid (FA), and o-coumaric acid (OCA) mediated epigenetic alterations in hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells were investigated. For this purpose, changes DNMT enzyme activity and protein and mRNA levels of proteins involved in DNA methylation and histone acetylation were determined. The CA, FA, and OCA had cytotoxic activity at 48 h, with an EC50 value of 1.02, 3.1, and 5 mM in HepG2 cells, respectively. All compounds reduces the expression levels of histone acetyl transferases (HATs), histone deacetylases (HDACs) and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). All these results showed that phenolic acids may be used in cancer therapy as a potential epigenetic modifier.

Phenolic profile and chronic gastric ulcer healing effects of Cameroonian propolis

BackgroundGastric ulcers continue to affect millions of people worldwide, with reported cases of fatalities and the diagnosis, prevention and treatment constitute a burden on the patients especially in case of chronic ulcers which are difficult to treat. Natural medicines such as propolis provide suitable therapeutic alternatives in the treatment and curation of ulcers. ObjectiveThis work focused on the evaluation of the phenolic profile and healing effect of Cameroonian propolis on gastric ulcers in rats. MethodsIdentification and quantification of phenolic compounds in the propolis extract was done using HPLC-DAD. Chronic gastric ulcers were induced using ethanol (70%; 1 mL/200 g p.o.)/indomethacin (1 mg/kg p.o.), and “unhealed” gastric ulcerations were induced using acetic acid (30%)/indomethacin (1 mg/kg p.o.). The animals were administered with the vehicle (Tween 20, 1 mL/100 g p.o.), propolis extract (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg p.o.) or sucralfate (50 mg/kg p.o.), once daily for ten to fourteen days. At the end of each treatment period, the animals were sacrificed and ulcer indices, gastric mucus weight, histological and oxidative stress parameters were assessed. ResultsEight phenolic compounds were identified and quantified and most abundant were Caffeic acid (45.31 ± 0.25 µg/g), Chrysin (37.65 ± 0.17 µg/g) and p-Hydroxy benzoic acid (34.14 ± 0.21 µg/g). The treatment of ulcerated rats (chronic and unhealed gastric ulcer models) with propolis extract at 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg resulted in reduction of ulcer index compared to negative controls in both models. Histological observation of stomach tissues showed that treatment with propolis extract led to a dose-dependent normalization of the mucosa. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05; P < 0.01 and P < 0.001) in mucus weight that accompanied the healing of the ulcers. Furthermore, doses of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of the propolis extract induced an increase in the amounts of SOD, catalase, nitrite and GSH while MDA concentrations decreased in both models. ConclusionThe healing effect of propolis extract is due to the stimulation of mucus production followed by an improvement of in vivo antioxidant status. These results support the use of propolis in the development of new pharmacological strategies for the management of peptic ulcers disease.