Caffeoylquinic Acid Content Research Articles

Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis reveals biosynthesis mechanism of flavone and caffeoylquinic acid in chrysanthemum

BackgroundChrysanthemum morifolium ‘HangBaiJu’, a popular medicinal and edible plant, exerts its biological activities primarily through the presence of flavones and caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs). However, the regulatory mechanism of flavone and CQA biosynthesis in the chrysanthemum capitulum remains unclear.ResultsIn this study, the content of flavones and CQAs during the development of chrysanthemum capitulum was determined by HPLC, revealing an accumulation pattern with higher levels at S1 and S2 and a gradual decrease at S3 to S5. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that CmPAL1/2, CmCHS1/2, CmFNS, CmHQT, and CmHCT were key structural genes in flavones and CQAs biosynthesis. Furthermore, weighted gene co-expression correlation network analysis (WGCNA), k-means clustering, correlation analysis and protein interaction prediction were carried out in this study to identify transcription factors (TFs) associated with flavone and CQA biosynthesis, including MYB, bHLH, AP2/ERF, and MADS-box families. The TFs CmERF/PTI6 and CmCMD77 were proposed to act as upstream regulators of CmMYB3 and CmbHLH143, while CmMYB3 and CmbHLH143 might form a complex to directly regulate the structural genes CmPAL1/2, CmCHS1/2, CmFNS, CmHQT, and CmHCT, thereby controlling flavone and CQA biosynthesis.ConclusionsOverall, these findings provide initial insights into the TF regulatory network underlying flavones and CQAs accumulation in the chrysanthemum capitulum, which laid a theoretical foundation for the quality improvement of C. morifolium ‘HangBaiJu’ and the high-quality development of the industry.

Caffeoylquinic acid profiling: comparative analysis in yerba mate, Indian camphorweed, and stevia extracts with emphasis on the influence of brewing conditions and cold storage in yerba mate infusion.

Herbal infusions exhibit diverse pharmacological effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antihypertensive, and antineurodegenerative activities, which can be attributed to the high content of phenolic compounds (e.g., caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs)). In this study, we used ultraperformance liquid chromatography to determine the content of CQAs in the methanolic extracts of model herbs, namely, yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), stevia (Stevia rebaudiana), and Indian camphorweed (Pluchea indica (L.) Less.). The results revealed that yerba mate had the highest total CQA content (108.05 ± 1.12 mg/g of dry weight). Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of brewing conditions and storage at 4 °C under dark and light conditions on the antioxidant property and total phenolic and CQA contents of a yerba mate infusion. The analysis of the yerba mate infusions prepared with different steeping times, dried leaf weights, and water temperatures revealed that the amount of extracted CQAs was maximized (∼175 mg/150 mL) when 6 g of dried leaves were steeped in hot water for 10 min. A total of 10-day refrigerated storage resulted in no significant changes in the antioxidant activity and total phenolic and CQA contents of an infusion kept in a brown container (dark). However, the antioxidant properties and total phenolic and CQA contents were negatively affected when kept in a clear container, suggesting the detrimental effect of light exposure. Our study provides practical recommendations for improving the preparation and storage of herbal infusions, thus catering to the needs of consumers, food scientists, and commercial producers. Moreover, it is the first study of the influence of light exposure on the content of crucial quality attributes within plant-based beverages.

English

Artichoke is well known for its various medicinal properties i.e., lipid-lowering and antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activity of artichoke is mainly caused by the presence of various biologically active compounds, especially polyphenols. These polyphenols are being affected by a variety of environmental and cultivation factors including the application weedicides. The current study was aimed at clarifying the effects of various commonly used post-emergence weedicides (Phenmedipham, Pyridate, Quizalofop-p-ethyl, Prosulfocarb, Carfentrazone-ethyl, Rimsulfuron, Aclonifen, and Clomazone) on the production of polyphenolic compounds, including the flavonoids and caffeoylquinic acids. Weedicides were applied during the cultivation of artichoke in two growth phases. Polyphenols were analyzed in leaf extracts of artichoke using the HPLC method. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the leaf samples was determined. Results revealed minimum production of dry matter in the treatment with aclonifen (2.61 t ha-1). While different weedicide showed variable effects after each week (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) of application. Significant difference among the various treatments of weedicide during both growth phases i.e., concentration of polyphenolics is being remarkably affecting by treatments with various weedicide. A positive correlation CQA (caffeoylquinic acid) with flavonoids on one hand and with ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) on the other showed the synergism among these. Moreover, the antioxidant capacity of artichoke leaf extracts is influenced by the content of caffeoylquinic acids and flavonoid in addition to some other antioxidants (carotenoids, terpenoids etc.). Weedicide application can lead to a reduction in phenolic constituents of artichoke leaf samples; however, this negative impact is quickly compensated during further growth and development of plant under moderate climate conditions

Determination of Caffeoylquinic Acids Content by UHPLC in Scolymus hispanicus Extracts Obtained through Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction.

Scolymus hispanicus L., also known as golden thistle, Spanish oyster thistle or, more commonly, as tagarnina is a plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is collected from the wild for human consumption in Mediterranean countries. It is a relevant ingredient in Andalusian culinary culture, where the midribs of young plants are harvested for consumption. Scolymus hispanicus L. contains a wide variety of phenolic compounds such as caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs), among others. In the present work, the major phenolic compounds present in tagarnina have been identified, with 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-diCQA) being the main ones. A method based on ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) has been developed for the extraction of these compounds, with the percentage of methanol, sample-to-solvent ratio and the pH being the most influential factors. The developed method has been validated and employed to determine the concentration of 5-CQA and 3,5-diCQA in the midribs of Scolymus hispanicus, collected in six different places in the south of Spain. The antioxidant activity of the samples has also been determined, and a direct correlation with their caffeoylquinic compounds content has been established, showing an antioxidant effect.

Gibberellin treatments increase the global performance of globe artichoke hybrid propagated by seeds and suckers

• GA 3 applications increase the global performance of an artichoke hybrid propagated from both seeds and suckers. • The year affects more the productivity, commercial quality and caffeoylquinic acids content followed by the type of propagation. • GA 3 treatments have strong impact on productive and chemical variables. • An adequate combination of propagation type and GA 3 treatments for the artichoke cultivation enhance its production. In the globe artichoke ( Cynara cardunculus var . scolymus ), the application of gibberellins substitutes, partially or totally, the cold required for the entry into production. The needed amount of gibberellic acid depends on the genotype and consequently it would affect the product quality. So, the effect of gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) application in the globe artichoke hybrid Madrigal F 1 multiplied by seeds was evaluated in the course of two years. Seed and sucker propagations were compared for precocity, productivity performance, commercial quality and caffeoylquinic acids content in the second year. One application of GA 3 (50 ppm, 30 mL) was enough to produce an increase of active compounds in leaves of plants obtained from suckers. With two applications, the content of active principles increased in the edible part of plants propagated by seeds. With three applications, fibre content and browning decreased in the edible part of all plants, while yield increased and precocity was maintained. Both univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that the year affected most of the variables (78%) followed by the type of multiplication (61%). GA 3 treatments and the interactions affected 46% of the variables. These results would be useful for producers, manufacturers and consumers to achieve better globe artichoke products, since GA 3 applications increase the global performance of hybrid Madrigal F 1 propagated from both seeds and suckers.

Improvement in the Cynaropicrin, Caffeoylquinic Acid and Flavonoid Content of Globe Artichokes with Gibberellic Acid Treatment.

Increasing interest has been shown in globe artichoke for pharmaceutical and food applications as a significant source of polyphenol compounds. With the aim to improve the polyphenol profile of globe artichoke, an open-field experiment is set up to study the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) application on the cynaropicrin, caffeoylquinic acid and flavone levels of three genotypes (‘Apollo’, ‘Tema 2000’ and ‘Violet de Provence’), along with crop earliness, yield and bio-morphological plant response. The results indicate that GA3 treatment is more effective in terms of total polyphenol and caffeoylquinic acid accumulation in ‘Apollo’, regardless of the plant parts analyzed. In particular, the leaves of ‘Apollo’ were the richest source of luteolin derivatives of 5-O- and 1,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acids. On average across the genotypes, GA3 treatment favored the accumulation of apigenin derivatives in the floral stem, and caffeoylquinic acid and cynaropicrin in the leaves. From the perspective of yield, GA3 treatment allowed us to anticipate the first harvest in each genotype, while either maintaining (‘Apollo’, ‘Violet de Provence’) or enhancing (‘Tema 2000’) the fresh weight yield. In conclusion, this study could be interesting for promoting GA3 usage to ameliorate the globe artichoke nutraceutical profile and to anticipate the first harvest for fresh marketing without significant yield losses.

IDENTIFICATION AND CONTENT OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS IN A BUTANOL FRACTION OF EXTRACT FROM THE FLOWERS OF TANACETUM VULGARE

Tanacetum vulgare L. (syn.: Chrysanthemum vulgare (L). Bernh) is a perennial medicinal plant with a Euro-Asian type of habitat. Tansy extracts have a wide biological and pharmacological activity. At the All-Russian Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, on the basis of the butanol fraction of the T. vulgare flowers extract was developed a drug with high choleretic and anti-inflammatory activity. In this regard, the aim of this work was to study the qualitative composition and quantitative content of phenolic compounds of the butanol fraction, which are supposed to determine its biological activity. For this was obtained a phenolic compounds fraction, isolated from the extract of inflorescences of T. vulgare plants grown on the VILAR experimental plot. High-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection in combination with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-PDA-HRMS) was used for the analysis. Our studies have shown that the butanol fraction of T. vulgare contains 7 phenolic compounds, among which myricetin-3-glucoside was detected for the first time. The content of phenolic compounds reaches 90%, while the main compounds are neochlorogenic, 3,5- and 4,5-dicofeylquinic acids, the proportion of which is 69%. Thus, the obtained data indicate that the pharmacological activity of the drug based on the butanol fraction of the extract from tansy flowers is due to the high content of caffeoylquinic acids.

Sprout Caffeoylquinic Acid Profiles as Affected by Variety, Cooking, and Storage.

Various health-promoting properties inherent to plant-based foods have been attributed to their rich bioactive compounds, including caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs). The potential health benefits of CQAs have been well-documented. While sprouts are widely recognized as health-promoting foods owing to their high phytonutrient content, our knowledge regarding the effect of cooking and storage, commonly practiced by consumers, on the CQA content remains limited. First, sunflower sprouts were found to have the highest total CQA content (~ 22 mg/g dry weight) out of 11 commonly available sprouts. Then, the effect of variety, cooking, and low-temperature storage on the CQA profile of sunflower sprouts was investigated. Among the four different varieties of sunflower sprouts, variety 1 harbored the highest total CQA content. Notably, cooking adversely affected the CQA content of sunflower sprouts relative to the uncooked samples in a time-dependent manner, possibly due to the heat sensitivity of CQAs. Under simulated home-refrigeration storage conditions, we observed a significant decline in the content of major CQA compounds (5-monoCQA and 3,5-diCQA) at days 10 and 13 of storage. The results obtained herein provide consumers and food industrialists with increased insight into the effect of cooking and refrigeration on the CQA content of sunflower sprouts.

Biomass yield and polyphenol compounds profile in globe artichoke as affected by irrigation frequency and drying temperature

Globe artichoke [Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus (L.) Fiori] is a proven source of nutraceutical compounds with high bioavailability. However, different pre- and post-harvest variables may affect plant secondary metabolism. In this view, the present study investigated the influence of irrigation frequency and drying temperature on the yield of dry leaf biomass and its pharmacological value in terms of polyphenol content. The field treatments included three irrigation frequencies (7, 14 and 21-day intervals) with a single dose of 10 mm water, and control (not irrigated). Artichoke biomass leaves were collected from 120-day plants and dehydrated using different air temperatures (30 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C). The samples were analyzed for polyphenolic compounds by HPLC method. Antioxidant activity was also studied by ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. Irrigation frequency significantly influenced the yield of dry leaf biomass with a greater increase in the case of irrigation frequency every 7 and 14 days than every 21 days. The content of caffeoylquinic acids (TCQA) was higher under soil water deficit conditions than in the raw material obtained from plants irrigated with different frequencies. The drought stress caused by the lack of additional irrigation increased the content of chlorogenic and ferulic acids in the biomass leaves. Higher drying temperatures (40 and 50 °C) increased the content of cynarine by 100% and 132% and ferulic acid by 100% and 172%, respectively, compared to biomass leaves dried at 30 °C. Irrigation frequency influenced the content of flavonoids, and frequency every 7 and 14 days than 21 days reduced apigenin and increased luteolin content. A high correlation between the content of TCQA and the frequency of irrigation and drying temperature was reported.

Toasted yerba mate: Impact of drying methods on bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, and mate tea consumer acceptance

This work investigates the consumer's acceptance of hot and iced mate tea, bioactive compounds content and antioxidant capacity of toasted yerba mate leaves dried from various processes, aiming at presenting drying alternatives to the traditional, and mostly used, methods. Therefore, five drying methods were tested, traditional rotary dryer, conveyor dryer and three alternatives including microwave oven, over dryer at 40, 60, 80℃ and freeze-drying, which was followed by toasting. Overall, the microwave oven and freeze dryer were highly efficient and can be considered as drying alternatives with high values of total phenolic compounds (78.72 mg GAE g−1), antioxidant capacity by DPPH/ABTS (376.6 TEAC µmol g−1/1062.04 TEAC µmol g−1), caffeine (13.25 mg g−1) and caffeoylquinic acids (69 mg g−1). Using a reworked python script, the preference map of teas dried in microwave oven and freeze-drying resulted in similar sensory acceptance for hot tea, produced using traditional drying methods, with a slight decrease for the iced tea. Novelty impact statement The tea industry can adopt microwave and freeze drying as alternative methods for drying mate leaves, this is followed by toast in order to obtain the commercial tea. These methodologies present smaller equipment sizes and removes the dangerous traditional process known as “zapeco”. The microwave and freeze drying have a small decrease in sensory acceptance compared to traditional methods used in agri-food industry but with high content of total phenolic compounds, caffeoylquinic acids and high antioxidant activities; also, in the case of microwaves, this method has the advantage of reducing the drying time.

Antioxidant and Mitochondria-Targeted Activity of Caffeoylquinic-Acid-Rich Fractions of Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) and Silver Wormwood (Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt.).

Caffeoylquinic acids are some of the chemophenetically significant specialized metabolites found in plants of the family Asteraceae Dumort., possessing a broad spectrum of biological activities. As they might be potential mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, effective preparation methods—including extraction, isolation, and purification of caffeoylquinic acids from plant sources—are in great demand. The aim of this study was to fractionate the caffeoylquinic acids from cultivated wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) and silver wormwood (Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt.) herb acetone extracts and evaluate their phytochemical profiles, antioxidant activity (radical scavenging and reducing activities), effects on kidney mitochondrial functions, and cytochrome-c-reducing properties. The main findings of our study are as follows: (1) Aqueous fractions purified from wormwood and silver wormwood herb acetone extracts are rich in monocaffeoylquinic acids (chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid), while methanolic fractions purified from wormwood and silver wormwood herb acetone extracts are rich in dicaffeoylquinic acids (4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid). Aqueous fractions purified from wormwood and silver wormwood herb acetone extracts were solely composed of monocaffeoylquinic acids. Methanolic fractions purified from wormwood and silver wormwood herb acetone extracts contained only dicaffeoylquinic acids. (2) Fractions purified from silver wormwood herb acetone extracts stood out as having the greatest content of caffeoylquinic acids. (3) The greatest radical scavenging activity was determined in the dicaffeoylquinic-acid-rich fraction purified from silver wormwood herb acetone extract; the greatest reducing activity was determined in the dicaffeoylquinic-acid-rich fraction purified from wormwood herb acetone extract. (4) The effect of both fractions on mitochondrial functions was dose-dependent; lower concentrations of caffeoylquinic-acid-rich fractions had no effect on mitochondrial functions, whereas higher concentrations of caffeoylquinic-acid-rich fractions reduced the state 3 respiration rate (with the complex-I-dependent substrate glutamate/malate). (5) Both monocaffeoylquinic- and dicaffeoylquinic-acid-rich fractions possessed cytochrome-c-reducing properties; the greatest cytochrome c reduction properties were determined in the dicaffeoylquinic-acid-rich fraction purified from wormwood herb acetone extract. In summary, these findings show that caffeoylquinic acids might be beneficial as promising antioxidant and cytochrome-c-reducing agents for the modulation of mitochondria and treatment of various mitochondrial-pathway-associated pathologies.

Acrylamide formation and antioxidant activity in coffee during roasting – A systematic study

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the coffee roasting process on both toxic and some beneficial antioxidant compounds, applying a systematic and broad approach. Arabica and Robusta green coffee beans were roasted in a lab-scale roaster for different times in order to achieve five roasting degrees (from light to dark) and to assess the evolution of acrylamide (AA), trigonelline, nicotinic acid and caffeoylquinic acids contents (determined by HPLC) as well as antioxidant activity (evaluated by Folin-Ciocalteu, FRAP, DPPH, ABTS assays). The results confirmed that the AA levels and antioxidant activity reached a maximum in the first coffee roasting degrees and then decreased prolonging the heating process, both in Arabica and Robusta samples. Nevertheless, the thermal reduction observed was greater for AA compared to antioxidant activity, which was only slightly reduced due to the balance between the degradation and the neoformation of antioxidant compounds.

Chemical Characterization and Antioxidant Properties of Ethanolic Extract and Its Fractions from Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Leaves.

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaf is a natural source of phenolic compounds with strong antioxidant activity and potential utility as an antioxidant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the polyphenol composition and antioxidant activities of ethanol extracts and their various solvent-partitioned fractions (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and aqueous fraction) from sweet potato leaves and petioles. Seven caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) derivatives and four flavonoids were detected in sweet potato leaves by HPLC-ESI-MS. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) in leaf (112.98 ± 4.14 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g of dried extract, 56.87 ± 5.69 mg rutin equivalent (RE)/g of dried extract) was more than ten times higher than in petiole (9.22 ± 2.67 mg GAE/g of dried extract, 3.81 ± 0.52 mg RE/g of dried extract). The antioxidant contents of ethyl acetate fractions increased dramatically relative to those of crude extracts for both leaves and petioles. Purification using solvent partition with ethyl acetate increased TPC and TFC of crude extracts, especially the CQA derivatives including 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and 3,4,5-tricaffeoylquinic acid. Meanwhile, the ethyl acetate fractions with the highest CQA content were associated with the highest scavenging activities towards 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and higher ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)-reducing power.

Caffeoylquinic Acids and Flavonoids of Fringed Sagewort (Artemisia frigida Willd.): HPLC-DAD-ESI-QQQ-MS Profile, HPLC-DAD Quantification, in Vitro Digestion Stability, and Antioxidant Capacity.

Fringed sagewort (Artemisia frigida Willd., Compositae family) is a well-known medicinal plant in Asian medical systems. Fifty-nine hydroxycinnamates and flavonoids have been found in A. frigida herbs of Siberian origin by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array and electrospray triple quadrupole mass detection (HPLC-DAD-ESI-QQQ-MS). Their structures were determined after mass fragmentation analysis as caffeoylquinic acids, flavone O-/C-glycosides, flavones, and flavonol aglycones. Most of the discovered components were described in A. frigida for the first time. It was shown that flavonoids with different types of substitution have chemotaxonomic significance for species of Artemisia subsection Frigidae (section Absinthium). After HPLC-DAD quantification of 16 major phenolics in 21 Siberian populations of A. frigida and subsequent principal component analysis, we found substantial variation in the selected compounds, suggesting the existence of two geographical groups of A. frigida. The antioxidant activity of A. frigida herbal tea was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH•) and hydrophilic/lipophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays and DPPH•-HPLC profiling, revealing it to be high. The effect of digestive media on the phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of A. frigida herbal tea was assessed under simulated gastrointestinal digestion. We found a minor reduction in caffeoylquinic acid content and ORAC values, but remaining levels were satisfactory for antioxidant protection. These results suggest that A. frigida and its food derivate herbal tea could be recommended as new plant antioxidants rich in phenolics.

Dittrichia viscosa L. Ethanolic Extract Based Ointment with Antiradical, Antioxidant, and Healing Wound Activities.

Dittrichia viscosa which belongs to the Asteraceae family is frequently used to treat hematomas and skin disorders in Mediterranean herbal medicine. This study aims to validate its antioxidant effects and its potential on healing wounds. The ethanolic extract of D. viscosa leaves was formulated as 2.5% and 5% (w/w) in ointment bases on the beeswax and sesame oil. During this study, the ethanolic D. viscosa extract, ointments containing 2.5% and 5% of D. viscosa extract, and the vehiculum were assessed for their total phenol content (TPC), caffeoylquinic acid content (CQC), and antioxidant activities using complementary methods (TAC, the DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and the BCB). The effects on wound healing of obtained ointments were evaluated by excision of the wound in a mice model for 12 days. Subsequently, the excised wound areas were measured at the 3rd, 9th, and 12th days. The skin tissues were isolated for histological studies. The ointments containing D. viscosa extract (2.5%, 5%) possessed a considerable TPC, CQC, radical scavenging potential, and antioxidant activities compared to the vehiculum. Treated animals with ointments containing D. viscosa extract at 2.5% and 5% showed almost and totally healed wounds compared to the vehiculum and control groups, evidenced by good skin regeneration and reepithelialization. The present work showed the role of D. viscosa antioxidants exerted by its polyphenolic compounds, in particular, caffeoylquinic acids, in enhancing wound healing.

Evaluation of Asteraceae herbal extracts in the management of diabetes and obesity. Contribution of caffeoylquinic acids on the inhibition of digestive enzymes activity and formation of advanced glycation end-products (in vitro)

The study was performed to assess, for the first time, the in vitro anti-diabetic potential of ten Asteraceae plant extracts to inhibit the activity of digestive enzymes (α-amylase, α-, β-glucosidases and lipase) responsible for hydrolysis/digestion of sugar and lipids. Prevention of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) formation was evaluated in bovine serum albumin/ribose glycation reaction model. The phytochemical profiles and caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) contents were determined for the methanolic extract of each plant. Analyzed plant extracts exhibited significant inhibitory activity against key digestive enzymes linked to type II diabetes and obesity. A strong inhibition was observed for glucosidases and mild activity towards amylase and lipase (compared to reference compounds). Moreover, some extracts exhibited potent ability to prevent formation of AGEs, implicated in some diabetic complications. Caffeoylquinic acids were dominant in all plant extracts and findings demonstrate that these compounds are the most relevant hypoglycemic and anti-glycation agents. From the obtained results, Argyranthemum pinnatifidum, Helichrysum melaleucum, and Phagnalon lowei are good candidates for further development of phyto-pharmaceutical preparations as complementary therapy for diabetes and obesity control.

Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Crude Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter Leaf Extracts.

The small amount of data regarding the antifungal activity of Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter against dermatophytes, Malassezia spp. and Aspergillus spp., associated with the few comparative studies on the antimicrobial activity of methanolic, ethanolic, and butanolic extracts underpins the study herein presented. The total condensed tannin (TCT), phenol (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), and caffeoylquinic acid (CQC) content of methanol, butanol, and ethanol (80% and 100%) extracts of D. viscosa were assessed and their bactericidal and fungicidal activities were evaluated. The antibacterial, anti-Candida and anti-Malassezia activities were evaluated by using the disk diffusion method, whereas the anti-Microsporum canis and anti-Aspergillus fumigatus activities were assessed by studying the toxicity effect of the extracts on vegetative growth, sporulation and germination. The methanolic extract contained the highest TPC and CQC content. It contains several phytochemicals mainly caffeoylquinic acid derivatives as determined by liquid chromatography with photodiode array and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometric detection (LC/PDA/ESI-MS) analysis. All extracts showed an excellent inhibitory effect against bacteria and Candida spp., whereas methanolic extract exhibited the highest antifungal activities against Malassezia spp., M. canis and A. fumigatus strains. The results clearly showed that all extracts, in particular the methanolic extract, might be excellent antimicrobial drugs for treating infections that are life threatening (i.e., Malassezia) or infections that require mandatory treatments (i.e., M. canis or A. fumigatus).

In vitro micropropagation and mycorrhizal treatment influences the polyphenols content profile of globe artichoke under field conditions

The commercial importance of plant tissue culture has grown in recent years, reflecting its application to vegetative propagation, disease elimination, plant improvement and the production of polyphenols. The level of polyphenols present in plant tissue is influenced by crop genotype, the growing environment, the crop management regime and the post-harvest processing practice. Globe artichoke is a significant component of the Mediterranean Basin agricultural economy, and is rich in polyphenols (phenolic acids and flavones). Most commercially grown plants are derived via vegetative propagation, with its attendant risk of pathogen build-up. Here, a comparison was drawn between the polyphenol profiles of conventionally propagated and micropropagated/mycorrhized globe artichoke plants. Micropropagation/mycorrhization appeared to deliver a higher content of caffeoylquinic acids. The accumulation of these compounds, along with luteolin and its derivatives, was not season-dependent. Luteolin aglycone was accumulated preferentially in the conventionally propagated plants. Overall, it appeared that micropropagation/mycorrhization enhanced the accumulation of polyphenols.

HPLC-UV and LC-MS Analyses of Acylquinic Acids in Geigeria alata (DC) Oliv. & Hiern. and their Contribution to Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Capacity.

Geigeria alata is a traditional plant used in Sudanese folk medicine for treatment of diabetes, cough, epilepsy and intestinal complaints. To analyze phenolic acids in Geigeria alata roots and leaves and to evaluate their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Phenolic acids in the aqueous-methanol extracts were identified by LC-MS. Major compounds were isolated using low-pressure liquid chromatography. The quantitative analysis of phenolic acids was performed by a validated HPLC-UV method with limits of detection ranging from 0.04 to 0.57μg/mL. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazine-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods were used for antioxidant activity evaluation. In addition, the minimal inhibitory concentration and the minimal bactericidal concentration against a panel of pathogenic bacteria and fungi were determined by the broth microdilution test. For the first time protocatechuic, caffeic, p-coumaroylquinic, caffeoylsinapoylquinic, caffeoylferuloylquinic, three feruloylquinic, six caffeoylquinic acids, and a caffeic acid hexoside were detected in Geigeria alata roots by LC-MS. HPLC-UV analyses showed that 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (25.96±2.08mg/g dry weight (DW)) was the most abundant phenolic acid in roots, while 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (8.99±0.56mg/g DW) was the main compound present in leaves. 3,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid demonstrated stronger radical scavenging activity and reducing power compared with the crude extracts and the positive control 5-caffeoylquinic acid. 3,4,5-Tricaffeoylquinic acid revealed the highest antibacterial potential against the penicillin sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains, as well as methicillin-resistant S. aureus. The caffeoylquinic acids content of up to 6.22% in Geigeria alata roots establishes this species as a new source rich in these bioactive molecules. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Exploration to use of globe artichoke cell cultures as bioactive compounds production

The growing interest in foods rich in nutraceutical compounds has focused the attention of researchers towards the globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus), by virtue of its high content in polyphenols (caffeoylquinic acids and flavones) and inulin, compounds with a high antioxidant capacity and prebiotic effects. The present study investigates the possibility to produce bioactive compounds from globe artichoke using an in vitro system to overcome the limitation of extracting useful metabolites from in vivo natural resources. To this end, experimental conditions for the establishment of globe artichoke cell cultures from leaf explants of a biochemically characterized late genotype were defined. High-producing callus/cell lines were isolated and selected. Cell cultures were analyzed for total polyphenol (TPC) and total caffeoylquinic acids (TCQA) content. The high TPC found in cell suspension cultures (about 25 g kg-1 of dry matter) of globe artichoke leaves highlighted the possibility of using this approach as innovative source of natural antioxidants by the pharmaceutical and food industry.