Compounds Of Natural Origin Research Articles

Usnic acid: from an ancient lichen derivative to promising biological and nanotechnology applications

Among the various compounds of natural origin, usnic acid (UA) is one of the best studied. It has several pharmacological activities, standing out as an antimicrobial, antitumor, antiviral, and antiparasitic agent, and despite these relevant properties, it is a toxic molecule. In this context, research has driven the development of innovative alternatives, such as their encapsulation in controlled release systems, an attractive tool for pharmaceutical nanotechnology. These systems allow the active ingredient to be released at the optimal yield speed and reduce the dosing regimen. Consequently, they are able to increase therapeutic efficacy by minimizing side effects. Given the above, this paper presents a review of the literature on chemical and biological properties, analytical methods, mechanism of action and toxicology of UA, and discusses the use of nanotechnology as a tool to overcome the obstacles of its pharmacological application.

Astaxanthin and other Nutrients from Haematococcus pluvialis-Multifunctional Applications.

Bioactive compounds of natural origin are gaining increasing popularity. High biological activity and bioavailability, beneficial effects on health and safety of use are some of their most desirable features. Low production and processing costs render them even more attractive. Microorganisms have been used in the food, medicinal, cosmetic and energy industries for years. Among them, microalgae have proved to be an invaluable source of beneficial compounds. Haematococcus pluvialis is known as the richest source of natural carotenoid called astaxanthin. In this paper, we focus on the cultivation methods of this green microalga, its chemical composition, extraction of astaxanthin and analysis of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti–diabetic and anticancer activities. H. pluvialis, as well as astaxanthin can be used not only for the treatment of human and animal diseases, but also as a valuable component of diet and feed.

β-D-Glukan, Lektin, Linoleik Asit ve β-Karoten Bileşiklerinin Karbonik Anhidraz Enzimleri Üzerindeki Etkilerinin Araştırılması

β-D-glukan, lektin, linoleik asit ve β-karoten; hayvansal, bitkisel ve bakteriyel kaynaklarda bulunan, biyolojik olarak aktif bileşiklerdir. Glokom, dünya genelinde körlüğe neden olma bakımından katarakttan sonra ikinci sırada gelen bir hastalıktır. Karbonik anhidraz (CA) inhibitörleri uzun yıllardır glokom tedavisinde kullanılmaktadır. Ancak, inhibitör ajanların yan etkileri azımsanmayacak derecede çoktur. Yeni CA inhibitörlerinin geliştirilmesi üzerine çeşitli araştırma grupları çalışmalar yapmaktadırlar. Doğal kaynaklı bileşiklerin CA inhibitörü olarak kullanımının araştırılması da son yıllarda popülerlik kazanmıştır. Bu çalışmada, β-D-glukan, lektin, linoleik asit ve β-karoten bileşiklerinin, insan eritrosit CA izoenzimleri olan hCA I ve hCA II üzerine etkileri in vitro koşullarda araştırılmıştır. Bileşiklerin Ki değerleri hCA I için 0.45±0.09 µM − 37.02±17.85 µM aralığında, hCA II için 3.12±1.38 µM − 61.23±25.46 µM aralığındadır.

Polyphenols and Other Bioactive Compounds of Sideritis Plants and Their Potential Biological Activity.

Due to the growing problem of obesity associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, causes of obesity are extensively investigated. In addition to a high caloric diet and low physical activity, gut microbiota disturbance may have a potential impact on excessive weight gain. Some reports indicate differences in the composition of the intestinal microflora of obese people in comparison to lean. Bioactive compounds of natural origin with beneficial and multifaceted effects on the body are more frequently used in prevention and treatment of many metabolic diseases including obesity. Sideritis scardica is traditionally consumed as mountain tea in the Balkans to strengthen the body and improve mood. Many reports indicate a positive effect on digestive system, weight loss, and prevention of insulin resistance. Additionally, it exhibits antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects. The positive effect of Sideritis scardica extracts on memory and general cognitive abilities is indicated as well. The multilevel positive effect on the body appears to originate from the abundant occurrence of phenolic compounds, especially phenolic acids in Sideritis scardica extracts. However, mechanisms underlying their action require careful discussion and further research. Therefore, the objective of this review is to summarize the available knowledge on the role and mechanism of action of biologically active compounds of Sideritis scardica and other related species from the genus Sideritis.

Curcumin - Properties, Applications and Modification of Structure

In recent years, the interest in biologically active compounds of natural origin has increased significantly. Researchers' research focuses on increasing the activity of curcumin by forming complexes with metals such as vanadium, iron, copper or gallium. Introduction of metal compounds to curcumin increases the scope of application in pharmacology. The main direction of research development is the treatment of tumors, among others stomach cancer or leukemia. Curcuminoids are the main components of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), a plant from India and South-East Asia. Due to its intense yellow-orange color and pleasant aroma, the powdered rootstalk is widely used in the food industry, as natural dye and spice. The chemical compound responsible for the characteristic color of rhizomes of curcuma is 1,6-heptadien-3,5-dione-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) - (1E, 6E) called curcumin. This work aims to characterize curcumin in terms of its structure, therapeutic properties and also as a substrate for the synthesis of valuable derivatives like tetrahydrocurcumin. Knowledge about this relationship based on literature analysis will enable a better understanding of the factors responsible for its biological activity.

SIRT1 Activation by Natural Phytochemicals: An Overview.

Sirtuins are class III histone deacetylases, whose enzymatic activity is dependent on NAD+ as a cofactor. Sirtuins are reported to modulate numerous activities by controlling gene expression, DNA repair, metabolism, oxidative stress response, mitochondrial function, and biogenesis. Deregulation of their expression and/or action may lead to tissue-specific degenerative events involved in the development of several human pathologies, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular disease. The most studied member of this class of enzymes is sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), whose expression is associated with increasing insulin sensitivity. SIRT1 has been implicated in both tumorigenic and anticancer processes, and is reported to regulate essential metabolic pathways, suggesting that its activation might be beneficial against disorders of the metabolism. Via regulation of p53 deacetylation and modulation of autophagy, SIRT1 is implicated in cellular response to caloric restriction and lifespan extension. In recent years, scientific interest focusing on the identification of SIRT1 modulators has led to the discovery of novel small molecules targeting SIRT1 activity. This review will examine compounds of natural origin recently found to upregulate SIRT1 activity, such as polyphenolic products in fruits, vegetables, and plants including resveratrol, fisetin, quercetin, and curcumin. We will also discuss the potential therapeutic effects of these natural compounds in the prevention and treatment of human disorders, with particular emphasis on their metabolic impact.

Characteristic of warfarin

In modern pharmacology, compounds of natural origin are gaining more and more recognition. One of them is warfarin, which is a compound of organic coumarin derivatives. It is used medicinally in the anticoagulant doctor. This compound was commercially introduced to the United States in the 1950s. It has been available on the Polish market since 2006. Warfarin is an antagonist of vitamin K. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K in the liver and thus blocking the synthesis of vitamin K dependent blood clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X). It is widely used by people suffering from cardiovascular diseases such as venous thrombosis and venous embolism. Adopted by patients with suspected or after a heart attack. Despite its undisputed positive effect, one should remember about the numerous side effects resulting from long-term use of warfarin. They may be due to intolerance to this compound, which causes nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions. Moreover, recent studies show that it may have a destructive effect on the liver and cause calcification of blood vessels. Keep in mind that warfarin can interact with many substances you are taking for other medical conditions. Agents that increase the effects of warfarin include antibiotics such as erythromycin, deoxicillin, commonly used drugs containing caffeine, acetylsalicylic acid and naturally derived compounds found in ginkgo, garlic and sage. Compounds that weaken the effect of warfarin are barbiturates, cyclosporine, vitamin C, and St. John's wort.

Characteristics of carotenoids and their use in the cosmetics industry

Carotenoids are compounds of natural origin and are a product of secondary metabolism of plants and bacteria. These are chemically unsaturated hydrocarbons that act as dyes with a wide range of colors. These compounds are stored in chloroplasts and chromatophores. In living organisms, they are used in the photosynthesis process, have a protective function in the photooxidation process and are designed to neutralize free radicals. Due to the difference in structure, the molecules were divided into 2 groups, i.e. orange - carotenes and yellow - xanthophylls. Due to their unique antioxidant properties, they are widely used in the cosmetics industry. Carotenoids as antioxidants have a beneficial effect on human health and well-being. Currently, the most popular compounds that are used in cosmetology are carotene and lycopene. The development of cosmetology followed the development of biochemistry, chemistry, pharmacy and medicine. Compounds used in care products can be obtained as extracts from plants or obtained by chemical synthesis or biotechnological processes. It can be seen that in recent years the awareness of the use of cosmetic products has increased. This contributed to the increased interest in cosmetics of natural origin. Thanks to the interest in natural / ecological products, we have the opportunity to get to know biologically active substances better and to fully use them in cosmetology, pharmacology and medicine.

Tannic Acid with Antiviral and Antibacterial Activity as A Promising Component of Biomaterials-A Minireview.

As a phenolic acid, tannic acid can be classified into a polyphenolic group. It has been widely studied in the biomedical field of science because it presents unique antiviral as well as antibacterial properties. Tannic acid has been reported to present the activity against Influeneza A virus, Papilloma viruses, noroviruses, Herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as well as activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria innocua. Nowadays, compounds of natural origin constitute fundaments of material science, and the trend is called “from nature to nature”. Although biopolymers have found a broad range of applications in biomedical sciences, they do not present anti-microbial activity, and their physicochemical properties are rather poor. Biopolymers, however, may be modified with organic and inorganic additives which enhance their properties. Tannic acid, like phenolic acid, is classified into a polyphenolic group and can be isolated from natural sources, e.g., a pure compound or a component of a plant extract. Numerous studies have been carried out over the application of tannic acid as an additive to biopolymer materials due to its unique properties. On the one hand, it shows antimicrobial and antiviral activity, while on the other hand, it reveals promising biological properties, i.e., enhances the cell proliferation, tissue regeneration and wound healing processes. Tannic acid is added to different biopolymers, collagen and polysaccharides as chitosan, agarose and starch. Its activity has been proven by the determination of physicochemical properties, as well as the performance of in vitro and in vivo studies. This systematics review is a summary of current studies on tannic acid properties. It presents tannic acid as an excellent natural compound which can be used to eliminate pathogenic factors as well as a revision of current studies on tannic acid composed with biopolymers and active properties of the resulting complexes.

In vivo Screening of Natural Products Against Angiogenesis and Mechanisms of Anti-Angiogenic Activity of Deoxysappanone B 7,4'-Dimethyl Ether.

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to screen the leading compounds of natural origin with anti-angiogenic potential and to investigate their anti-angiogenic mechanism preliminarily.Materials and MethodsAn initial screening of 240 compounds from the Natural Products Collection of MicroSource was performed using the transgenic zebrafish strain Tg [fli1a: enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)]y1. The zebrafish embryos at 24 h post-fertilization were exposed to the natural compounds for an additional 24 h; then, morphological changes in the intersegmental vessels (ISVs) were observed and quantified under a fluorescence microscope. The expression profiles of angiogenesis-related genes in the zebrafish embryos were detected using quantitative real-time PCR.ResultsFive compounds were identified with potential anti-angiogenic activity on the zebrafish embryogenesis. Among them, deoxysappanone B 7.4ʹ-dimethyl ether (Deox B 7,4) showed anti-angiogenic activity on the formation of ISVs in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of ISV formation reached up to 99.64% at 5 μM Deox B 7,4. The expression of delta-like ligand 4 (dll4), hes-related family basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor with YRPW motif 2, ephrin B2, fibroblast growth factor receptor (fgfr) 3, cyclooxygenase-2, protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type B (ptp-rb), phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 2, slit guidance ligand (slit) 2, slit3, roundabout guidance receptor (robo) 1, robo2, and robo4 were down-regulated, while vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, fgfr 1, and matrix metallopeptidase 9 were up-regulated in the zebrafish embryos treated with Deox B 7,4.ConclusionDeox B 7,4 has a therapeutic potential for the treatment of angiogenesis-dependent diseases and may exert anti-angiogenic activities by suppressing the slit2/robo1/2, slit3/robo4, cox2/ptp-rb/pik3r2, and dll4/hey2/efnb2a signaling pathways as well as activation of vegfr-2/fgfr1/mmp9.

Effect of a Product Containing Xyloglucan and Pea Protein on a Murine Model of Atopic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized by dryness and more or less severe itching. The etiology of AD is complex and has not been fully clarified, involving genetic susceptibility, immunological abnormalities, epidermal barrier dysfunction, and environmental factors. Xyloglucan (XG) and pea protein (PP) are two compounds of natural origin characterized by the ability to create a physical barrier that protects mucosae membranes, reducing inflammation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of XG + PP in both a mouse model of AD and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection- associated AD. Mice were topically treated with 200 μL of 0.5% oxazolone on the dorsal skin three times a week for AD induction. Mice received XG and PP by topical administration 1 h before oxazolone treatment. In S. aureus infection-associated AD, to induce a superficial superinfection of the skin, mice were also treated with 5 μL of 108 of a culture of S. aureus for 2 weeks; mice superinfected received XG and PP by topical administration 1 h before oxazolone + S. aureus. Four weeks later, the skin was removed for histological and biochemical analysis. Our results demonstrated the protective barrier effects of XG and PP characterized by a reduction in histological tissue changes, mastocyte degranulation, and tight junction permeability in the skin following oxazolone treatment. Moreover, XG + PP was able to preserve filaggrin expression, a hallmark of AD. Our data also support the effectiveness of XG + PP to reduce the damage by superinfection post AD induced by S. aureus. In conclusion, a future product containing XG and PP could be considered as a potentially interesting approach for the treatment of AD.

Efecto del quitosano sobre variables del crecimiento, rendimiento y contenido nutricional del tomate

El quitosano, es un compuesto de origen natural con propiedades promotoras de la nutrición, el crecimiento y rendimiento de los cultivos, por lo que se ha considerado como un bioestimulante. Sus particulares mecanismos de acción le permiten actuar como regulador del crecimiento, acelerador de la germinación de las semillas, el vigor de las plantas y el rendimiento agrícola. El presente trabajo se desarrolló en condiciones semicontroladas sobre un diseño completamente aleatorizado, con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de diferentes concentraciones de quitosano (150, 200, 250 y 300 mg L-1) sobre el crecimiento, rendimiento, calidad del fruto y contenido de nutrientes en plantas de tomate variedad Floradade. Los resultados demuestran que el bioproducto ejerce un efecto estimulante sobre las variables: altura de la planta, racimos con frutos, frutos por planta, diámetro ecuatorial y polar del fruto, diámetro del pericarpio y masa del fruto. La concentración de 300 mg L-1, incremento significativamente los valores en todas las variables evaluadas con respecto al tratamiento control. Sin embargo, en los indicadores de calidad del fruto, existió una ligera tendencia a mejorar la variable acidez con la aplicación del bioestimulante y el resto de las variables organolépticas y nutricionales evaluadas no sufrieron alteraciones notables incluso cuando fueron usadas las dosis más altas de quitosano.

Calculations of the Hydrophobicity of Lipid Molecules by the Elution Strength of the Chromatographic Solvent

The values of the relative polarity and hydrophobicity of the main classes of acyl-containing glycerolipids are calculated. These values, obtained using standard values of the elution strength of solvents (from n-hexane to water), can belong to scales of relative polarity and hydrophobicity, including a variety of organic compounds of natural origin. It is proposed to use n-hexadecane and water as conditional boundaries of both of these scales, covering a range from 0 to 100. Variations in the averaged levels of the relative polarity of individual classes of natural mixtures of glycerophospholipids, which can be found after their adsorption liquid chromatography separation, depend not only on the composition of the phases used but also on the molecular species composition of lipids. A close relationship of these levels with the carbon numbers of individual molecules is shown.

Mikotoksyny w świeżych owocach – szkodliwe związki pochodzenia naturalnego

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Synergistic interaction of diclofenac and its metabolites with selected antibiotics and amygdalin in wastewaters

Diclofenac (DCF), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) belongs to one of the most frequently detected pharmaceutical residues in the environment. Little is known on the interactions of DCF as well as its major biodegradation metabolites 4′-OHDCF and 5-OHDCF with chemical compounds found in wastewater, including antibiotics such as ampicillin and kanamycin. In the present work we examined the potential interactions between DCF, its metabolites 4′-OHDCF and 5-OHDCF and ampicyllin and kanamycin. We also measured the effect of the mixture of DCF with natural compound – amygdalin. We evaluated the following parameters: E. coli K-12 cells viability, growth inhibition of E. coli K-12 culture, genotoxicity, oxidative stress parameters: sodA promoter induction and ROS generation. The reactivity of E. coli SM recA:luxCDABE biosensor strain in wastewaters matrices contaminated with DCF and kanamycin was also monitored. Obtained results indicated that used antibiotics (ampicyllin, kanamycin) enhanced the toxic effect of DCF used individually and in the mixtures with its metabolites 4′-OHDCF and 5-OHDCF toward E. coli. Similar effect was also obtained in genotoxicity assay. The oxidative stress assays revealed that the highest level of ROS generation and sodA promoter induction were obtained also for the mixtures of DCF, its metabolites with antibiotics. It was also showed that amygdalin influenced the activity of DCF and its biodegradation metabolites. The strongest luminescence response of E. coli SM biosensor strain with recA:luxCDABE genetic construct in filtered treated wastewaters, comparable to control sample was noticed. Obtained results showed that DCF and its biodegradation metabolites 4′-OHDCF and 5-OHDCF can interact with tested antibiotics and compounds of natural origin, i.e. amygdalin to form mixtures showing stronger antimicrobial activity against E. coli than parent chemicals. Moreover the assays in wastewater matrices revealed that E. coli SM recA:luxCDABE biosensor strains is a good tool for bacteria monitoring in wastewater environments.

Effect of a Medical Device containing Xyloglucan and Pea Protein on a Murine Model of Atopical Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized by intense itching and dry skin. The etiology of AD is complex and has not been fully clarified, involving genetic susceptibility, immunological dysfunction, epidermal barrier and environmental factors. Xyloglucan (XG) and pea protein (PP) are two compounds of natural origin characterized respectively by a physical barrier creation that protects mucosal tissues reducing inflammation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of XG + PP in a mouse models of AD and S. aureus infection‐ associated AD.Mice were topically treated with 200 μl of 0.5% oxazolone on the dorsal skin three times a week for AD induction. Mice received XG and PP by topical administration, 1 hour before oxazolone treatment. In experiment of S. aureus infection‐ associated AD, to induce superficial superinfection of the skin, mice were also treated with 5 μl of 108 of a culture of S. aureus for 2 weeks; mice superinfected received XG and PP by topical administration 1 hour before oxazolone + S. aureus. Following 4 weeks, the skin was removed for histological and biochemical analysis. Our results clearly demonstrated the protective barrier effect of XG and PP characterized by a reduction in histological tissue changes induced‐AD, mastocyte degranulation and tight junction permeability in the skin following oxazolone treatment. Moreover, XG+PP was able to reduce filaggrin expression, a hallmark of AD. Our data also support the effectiveness of XG+PP to reduce the damage by superinfection post AD induced by s. aureus. In conclusion, the medical device containing XG and PP could be considered an ideal approach for the treatment of AD.

Innovative depollution treatment using multi-valent iron species: from fundamental study to application in municipal wastewater.

In this work, a new combination of oxidation treatments for the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) is investigated. This innovative wastewater (WW) treatment includes the use of ferrate (FeO42-) and its decomposition byproducts under dark and UVA irradiation. The oxidation by ferrate leads to a fast but incomplete degradation of BPA with a degradation extent of 45% after 60min under adopted experimental conditions. However, the ferrate decomposition byproducts which are constituted by solid iron species can be used to further improve the pollutant degradation efficiency. Indeed, ferrate-mediated heterogeneous photo-Fenton process is employed for the first time to enhance the degradation of BPA. With respect to the application for wastewater treatment, UVA irradiation (which is part of solar light), non-toxic and natural origin compounds such as ascorbic acid (AA) and ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS), are used to design a sustainable process. Under optimized conditions, the degradation extent of BPA using this newly designed treatment reaches almost 100% with AA and 70% with EDDS. In order to assess the feasibility of this treatment, the ferrate-mediated photo-Fenton process is applied to treat municipal wastewater. The obtained results in WW are highly encouraging since a maximum BPA degradation extent of 63% and 60% is observed after 300min by using AA and EDDS, respectively.

Electrospun Nanocomposites Containing Cellulose and Its Derivatives Modified with Specialized Biomolecules for an Enhanced Wound Healing.

Wound healing requires careful, directed, and effective therapies to prevent infections and accelerate tissue regeneration. In light of these demands, active biomolecules with antibacterial properties and/or healing capacities have been functionalized onto nanostructured polymeric dressings and their synergistic effect examined. In this work, various antibiotics, nanoparticles, and natural extract-derived products that were used in association with electrospun nanocomposites containing cellulose, cellulose acetate and different types of nanocellulose (cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibrils, and bacterial cellulose) have been reviewed. Renewable, natural-origin compounds are gaining more relevance each day as potential alternatives to synthetic materials, since the former undesirable footprints in biomedicine, the environment, and the ecosystems are reaching concerning levels. Therefore, cellulose and its derivatives have been the object of numerous biomedical studies, in which their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and, most importantly, sustainability and abundance, have been determinant. A complete overview of the recently produced cellulose-containing nanofibrous meshes for wound healing applications was provided. Moreover, the current challenges that are faced by cellulose acetate- and nanocellulose-containing wound dressing formulations, processed by electrospinning, were also enumerated.

Ultraviolet A protective potential of plant extracts and phytochemicals.

Chronic exposure to solar radiation is related to an increased incidence of various skin disorders, including premature skin aging and melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Ultraviolet (UV) photons in particular are responsible for skin damage. Solar UV photons mainly belong to UVA wavebands, however UVA radiation has been mostly ignored for a long time. At the cellular level, UVA photons mainly provoke indirect oxidative damage to biomolecules via the massive generation of unstable and highly reactive compounds. Human skin has several effective mechanisms that forestall, repair and eliminate damage caused by solar radiation. Regardless, some damage persists and can accumulate with chronic exposure. Therefore, conscious protection against solar radiation (UVB+UVA) is necessary. Besides traditional types of photoprotection such as sunscreen use, new strategies are being searched for and developed. One very popular protective strategy is the application of phytochemicals as active ingredients of photoprotection preparations instead of synthetic chemicals. Phytochemicals usually possess additional biological activities besides absorbing the energy of photons, and those properties (e.g. antioxidant, anti-inflammatory) magnify the protective potential of phytochemicals and extracts. Therefore, compounds of natural origin are in the interest of researchers as well as developers. In this review, only studies on UVA protection with well-documented experimental conditions are summarized. This article includes 17 well standardized plant extracts (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Silybum marianum L. Gaertn., Punica granatum L., Polypodium aureum L., Vaccinium myrtillus L., Lonicera caerulea L., Thymus vulgaris L., Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., Morinda citrifolia L., Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f., Oenothera paradoxa Hudziok, Galinsoga parviflora Cav., Galinsoga quadriradiata Ruiz et Pavón, Hippophae rhamnoides L., Cola acuminata Schott & Endl., Theobroma cacao L. and Amaranthus cruentus L.) and 26 phytochemicals.

Chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of Prunus spinosa L. fruit ethanol extract

Abstract Prunus spinosa L. (from Italy) fruit ethanol extract (40 µg/mL) was assessed by evaluating the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities against five bacterial and two fungi ATCC strains. Moreover, the phenolic profile was also investigated and results are indicative of an intense anthocyanin accumulation which may be responsible for the antioxidant properties revealed by the DPPH assay. MIC and MBC/MFC values (4.36–8.72 mg/mL; 8.72–17.44 mg/mL, respectively) revealed a wide antibacterial activity and yeast inhibition. No specific inhibitory action was observed against the tested Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria. Preliminary data on the effect on both miR-126 and miR-146a expression levels suggested a very interesting anti-inflammatory activity of the extract. A possible mechanism underpinning the observed effects was hypothesized and discussed. Finally, P. spinosa fruit extract could be used as supplementary source of functional additives and might be a promising antimicrobial compound of natural origin to be employed to fight microbial resistance.