Polyphenol Content Of Extracts Research Articles

A cooked pasta matrix high in dietary fiber, polyphenols, and antioxidant capacity using decocted Hibiscus calyces

The objective of this work was to produce a gluten-containing food matrix (pasta) rich in dietary fiber (DF), polyphenols, and antioxidant activity, through partial substitution with a dry flour from decocted Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyces. The food matrix was made by mixing semolina (75%) and decocted calyces flour (25%) (S75–HF25), and its proximate composition, polyphenols content, antioxidant capacity, and starch hydrolysis rate were evaluated. The dietary fiber (DF) content (18.7 g/100g, dry basis, db) in the S75–HF25 pasta was markedly higher than in semolina control pasta (5.0 g/100g, db). Cooking the S75–HF25 pasta decreased the extractable polyphenols content and antioxidant capacity measured with DPPH, while enhancing the ABTS + antioxidant value. The cooked pasta showed an “as eaten” DF content of 34.7 g/100g, which was higher than in semolina pasta (6.7 g/100g). The starch hydrolysis rate of the composite pasta was reduced compared to the semolina pasta. The resistant starch content in the composite pasta was around 60% higher than the semolina pasta. The high DF content in the decocted calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. helps to retain the polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity in the cooked pasta food matrix.

Apple Tree Leaves (Malus domestica Borkh) as a Valuable Source of Polyphenolic Compounds with a High Antioxidant Capacity

The aim of the study was to compare the antioxidant activity and polyphenol content in extracts prepared from freeze-dried leaves of three apple cultivars: Ligol, Gala, and Gloster, using different solvents and extraction methods. The content of total polyphenols was determined using the Folin–Ciocâlteu reagent method, and a qualitative and quantitative analysis of polyphenols was performed using the HPLC method. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was determined using the DPPH radical method. The colour parameters (in the CIEL*a*b system) of the obtained extracts were also determined. The antioxidant activity of apple leaf extracts increased with increasing polyphenol content. Water–alcoholic extracts from apple leaves were characterised by a significantly higher antioxidant capacity and polyphenol content in comparison with water extracts. The best solvent was a mixture of water and methanol (80%). Among the phenolic compounds identified in the extracts, the most common was phloridzin. The highest content of phloridzin (105.0 mg/1 g of dry weight) was found in water–methanol extracts from the leaves of the Ligol variety obtained with ultrasound-assisted extraction. The extracts with the highest antioxidant activity (131.2 μmol of Trolox/1 g of dry weight) and polyphenol content (81.9 mg GAE/1 g of dry weight) were water–methanol from the leaves of the Ligol cultivar, obtained by shaking them with a solvent.

Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of Vitex agnus-castus L.

Abstract This research is dedicated to investigating the antioxidant potential and phytochemical composition of three distinct extracts derived from Vitex agnus-castus L. These extracts, prepared through aqueous (EXA), ethanolic (EXE), and methanolic (EXM) maceration, were chosen based on prior assessments of total polyphenol content in extracts obtained from five solvents with differing polarities: water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, and butanol. The study initiated with a comprehensive phytochemical analysis focusing on the determination of total polyphenols and flavonoids. The quantification of total polyphenols was carried out using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, while the AlCl3 method was employed to assess flavonoids. In evaluating the in vitro antioxidant activity, we employed two well-established methods, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The preliminary tests, gauging the efficacy of solvents, demonstrated that the order of optimal solvent selection was as follows: aqueous, methanolic, ethanolic, butanolic, and acetone. Consequently, the first three solvents were chosen for the preparation of the extracts. The phytochemical analysis unveiled that EXA exhibited the highest total polyphenol content, with an impressive value of 126.84 ± 1.24 mg EAG/g extract, whereas EXE exhibited the lowest concentration of total polyphenols, measuring at 117.26 ± 0.18 mg EAG/g extract. In contrast, EXM showcased a notably high flavonoid content, registering at 33.65 ± 1.04 mg EQ/g extract, while EXA displayed a comparatively lower flavonoid content at 14.93 ± 0.14 mg EQ/g extract. When assessing antioxidant properties, EXA emerged as the most potent against both DPPH and FRAP, recording values of 78.94 ± 1.84 and 203.27 ± 0.17 μg/ml, respectively. In contrast, the ethanolic extract exhibited relatively lower antioxidant activity, with values of 204.16 ± 1.87 μg/ml for DPPH and 307.10 ± 1.15 μg/ml for FRAP.

Optimization of polyphenol content determination in Perilla leaf by Response Surface Method

In order to improve the utilization value of Perilla leaf polyphenol related food and food additives, and increase the edible added value of Perilla leaf, the polyphenol content of extracts from Perilla leaf was determined. The influence of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent dosage, sodium carbonate dosage, color developing temperature, color developing time and other factors on the determination of polyphenol content were investigated by single factor control variable method, and the determination conditions were optimized by response surface analysis. The experimental results showed that when the determination wavelength was 760 nm, the dosage of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent was 1.0 mL, the dosage of sodium carbonate reagent was 3.2 mL, the color development temperature was 30 °C, and the reaction time was 45 min, the optimal conditions for the determination of polyphenol content showed a good linear relationship with absorbance, and the regression equation was Y=0.0157X-0.0627, R2=0.9991. The stability, precision and reproducibility of the method met the requirements. The average recovery was 95.62% and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 4.28%. The method was suitable for the determination of polyphenols in Perilla leaves, and the average content of polyphenols in Perilla leaves was 7.439 mg/g, RSD=4.34%. This study can provide data support for the development and researched of Perilla leaf polyphenols and food additives.

Prospects of using and breeding perennial geraniums in Russia

In recent years, interest has been growing in winter-hardy geraniums as ornamental, essential oil bearing, medicinal and bee plants, thereby intensifying their breeding. Due to their introduction into commercial fl oriculture, winter-hardy varieties of Geranium L. enter the markets of countries in diff erent climatic zones, and every year they are more and more widely used in fl oral design of gardens, parks and street areas, which expands their raw material base. Th e paper considers the issues and prospects of using and breeding perennial winter-hardy geraniums in Russia on the basis of global achievements. Th e diversity of species and varieties of this genus in terms of leaf and fl ower coloring, habitus, fl owering time, adaptation to diff erent soil and climatic conditions expands the ways of their use as ornamental and environmentally-friendly plants. Th e paper demonstrates the prospects of using many geranium species and varieties in medicine and functional nutrition due to the high content of polyphenols in extracts of above-ground and underground parts, as well as the prominent antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-cancer eff ect. Creation of representative fi eld collections of geraniums by ecological and geographical origin and economic and biological characteristics, as well as development of nursery breeding will contribute to the selection of geraniums in Russia for various uses. Th e possibilities of creating interspecifi c hybrids by spontaneous and artifi cial crosses on the basis of fi eld collections of winter-hardy geraniums have not been exhausted yet due to suffi ciently high interspecifi c compatibility of a number of species and varieties, especially among species and varieties of Geranium subgenus. Th is is confi rmed by the data on origin of the created varieties and some studies of genomes of geranium species and varieties. Further focus areas of breeding will be formed not only taking into account the demands of gardeners, but also specialists in the fi eld of biochemistry, medicine and other branches of national economy, where geraniums are and will be used.

Study of the correlation between the content of polyphenols in different combinations of plant extracts and their antioxidant activity of a multicomponent herbal medicine with antiallergic effect

Combinations of medicinal plants ensure the collective work of several active components, which can lead to an additive or synergistic effect. We have chosen the bur-marigold-calendula-hawthorn combination to obtain an antiallergic herbal medicine, in which the bur-marigold is the main plant, calendula is a helper plant that helps in the fight against accompanying symptoms, and hawthorn harmonizes the action of the first 2 plants.
 The aim of the work – the study of possible synergistic interactions in a multicomponent herbal antiallergic preparation by calculating the correlation between the content of polyphenols in various combinations of plant extracts and their antioxidant activity.
 Both individual extracts of a bur-marigold herb, calendula flowers and hawthorn leaves and flowers and a combined target extract with the ratio of herbal drugs (6:3:1) were obtained. Two and three component ompositions were obtained by mixing extracts in appropriate ratios. The content of polyphenols was determined by SPhU 2.0, 2.8.14. The antioxidant activity was determined by the neocuproin method. The Pearson Correlation was used to calculate the relationship between the content of polyphenols in extracts and their antioxidant activity.
 The maximum amount of polyphenols was found in the hawthorn extract (7.2%), in the bur-marigolg extract – 5.5%, and in the calendula extract – 3.4%. When adding calendula extract to the bur-marigold extract, the antioxidant activity was expected to decrease, thus an additive effect is observed; for the combination of bur-marigold /hawthorn 1:0.5, an increase in antioxidant activity (110.6%) was observed compared to the expected value, which may be synergism; for the combination of calendula/hawthorn, an increase in activity was observed. For 3-component combinations, it was found that only the combination of bur-marigold/calendula/hawthorn 1:0.5:0.5 showed greater activity (112%) than the target extract, all others combinations showed activity within the limits of possible variations (± 10%) of the components. When calculating the correlation between the content of polyphenols in the combinations and their activity using the Pearson coefficient, a strong positive correlation was found.
 The correlation between the content of polyphenols in various combinations of plant extracts and their antioxidant activity of a multicomponent herbal antiallergic preparation was studied. In 2-component combinations an additive effect was found when determining antioxidant activity, and an assumption was made about the ability of a synergism only for a combination of bur-marigold/hawthorn 1:0.5. All analyzed 3-component compositions showed antioxidant activity within the limits of possible variations (± 10%) of the components. A strong positive correlation was found between the content of polyphenols in the combinations and their activity.

In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Effect, Antioxidant Activity, and Polyphenolic Content of Extracts from Capsicum chinense By-Products.

By-products of Capsicum chinense Jacq., var Jaguar could be a source of bioactive compounds. Therefore, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect, antioxidant activity, and their relationship with the polyphenol content of extracts of habanero pepper by-products obtained from plants grown on black or red soils of Yucatán, Mexico. Moreover, the impact of the type of extraction on their activities was evaluated. The dry by-product extracts were obtained by maceration (ME), Soxhlet (SOX), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Afterward, the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect (TPA-induced ear inflammation) and the in vitro antioxidant activity (ABTS) were evaluated. Finally, the polyphenolic content was quantified by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC), and its correlation with both bioactivities was analyzed. The results showed that the SFE extract of stems of plants grown on red soil yielded the highest anti-inflammatory effect (66.1 ± 3.1%), while the extracts obtained by ME and SOX had the highest antioxidant activity (2.80 ± 0.0052 mM Trolox equivalent) and polyphenol content (3280 ± 15.59 mg·100 g−1 dry basis), respectively. A negative correlation between the anti-inflammatory effect, the antioxidant activity, and the polyphenolic content was found. Overall, the present study proposed C. chinense by-products as a valuable source of compounds with anti-inflammatory effect and antioxidant activity.

Antioxidant and Toxic Activity of Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench and Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don Essential Oils and Extracts.

Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench (sandy everlasting) is the only species from genus Helichrysum Mill that grows spontaneously in Lithuania. The chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) from inflorescences and leaves of H. arenarium wild plants was analysed by GC-MS. Palmitic (≤23.8%), myristic (≤14.9%) and lauric (6.1%) acids, n-nonanal (10.4%), and trans-β-caryophyllene (≤6.5%) were the major constituents in the EOs. For comparison, the main components in EO from flowers (commercial herb material) of H. italicum were γ-curcumene (21.5%), β-selinene (13.6%), α-selinene (8.1%), β-eudesmol (8.3%), and α-pinene (6.5%). Composition of H. arenarium methanolic extracts was investigated by HPLC-DAD-TOF. The main compounds were the following: luteolin-7-O-glucoside, naringenin and its glucoside, apigenin, chlorogenic acid, arenol, and arzanol. Antioxidant activity of EOs and extracts was tested by DPPH● and ABTS●+ assays. Sandy everlasting extracts exhibited significantly higher radical scavenging activities (for leaves 11.18 to 19.13 and for inflorescences 1.96 to 6.13 mmol/L TROLOX equivalent) compared to those of all tested EOs (0.25 to 0.46 mmol/L TROLOX equivalent). Antioxidant activity, assayed electrochemically by cyclic and square wave voltammetry correlated with total polyphenolic content in extracts and radical scavenging properties of EOs and extracts. The toxic activity of EOs of both Helichrysum species was evaluated using a brine shrimp (Artemia salina) bioassay. H. italicum inflorescence EO was found to be toxic (LC50 = 15.99 µg/mL) as well as that of H. arenarium (LC50 ≤ 23.42 µg/mL) oils.

Полифенолы и антиоксидантная активность экстрактов фукусовых водорослей залива Факсафлоуи (море Ирмингера) и бухты Завалишина (Баренцево море)

In the coastal waters of the Arctic, the most common species of Fucoids are Fucus vesiculosus, Fucus spiralis, and Ascophyllum nodosum. It was reported that bioactive compounds present in brown algae (such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, proteins, amino acids, etc.) have a variety of biological properties: antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, anticoagulant, etc. Extraction of biologically active substances from macroalgae in order to obtain products with the necessary properties is based on several factors: the chemical composition of the raw material, which depends on the conditions of the collection sites, as well as the nature of the solvent, the extraction method, etc. This paper presents the results of a comparative study of extracts from three Fucaceae family species collected on the coast of the Barents Sea and the Irminger Sea (West Iceland) for polyphenol content. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was also determined by reaction with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). It was shown that the content of polyphenols in extracts depends on the places of collection of algae, and their antioxidant activity does not differ significantly, which suggests the presence of other antioxidants in the extracts.

Improvement of Carrot Accelerated Solvent Extraction Efficacy Using Experimental Design and Chemometric Techniques

Human studies have demonstrated the multiple health benefits of fruits and vegetables. Due to its high fiber, mineral and antioxidant content, carrot is an ideal source for the development of nutraceuticals or functional ingredients. Current research assesses accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) traits which affect the antioxidant qualities of carrot extract using response surface methodology (RSM), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and the sum of ranking differences (SRD). A mixture of organic solvents, acetone, and ethanol with or without the addition of 20% water was applied. The total carotenoid and polyphenol contents in extracts, as well as their scavenging activity and reducing power, were used as responses for the optimization of ASE extraction. RSM optimization, in the case of 20% water involvement, included 49% of acetone and 31% of ethanol (Opt1), while in the case of pure organic solvents, pure ethanol was the best choice (Opt2). The results of HCA clearly pointed out significant differences between the properties of extracts with or without water. SRD analysis confirmed ethanol to be optimal as well. RSM, HCA, and SRD analysis confirmed the same conclusion—water in the solvent mixture can significantly affect the extraction efficacy, and the optimal solvent for extracting antioxidants from carrot by ASE is pure ethanol.

Antioxidant activity and polyphenol content in extracts from various parts of fresh and frozen mangosteen [pdf

Antioxidant activity and polyphenol content in extracts from various parts of fresh and frozen mangosteen [pdf

Antioxidant activity and polyphenol content in extracts from various parts of fresh and frozen mangosteen.

The search for new sources of natural antioxidants is very important because many diseases are caused by oxidative stress. Fruit which contain antioxidants are an important part of a healthy diet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of extracts of both the fresh and frozen peel and the flesh of Garcinia mangostana L. The extracts from the fresh and frozen peel and the flesh of mangosteen were prepared by ultrasound-assisted extraction using 20%, 40%, 70% and 96% (v/v) ethanol for 15, 30 or 60 minutes. The antioxidant potential was evaluated by the DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP and FIC methods, whereas the total phenolic content was measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu (F-C) technique. The contents of anthocyanins and flavonoids in the peel extracts were also determined. In most cases, the highest antioxidant activity was observed in the fresh peel samples. It was higher than the antioxidant potential of the frozen peels and the fresh and frozen flesh. The ultrasound-assisted extraction, in particular those lasting 30 or 60 minutes and using ethanol in concentrations higher than 20% (v/v), seemed to be an effective extraction process. The obtained results suggest that G. mangostana, in particular its peels, could be a valuable source of antioxidants. The extraction parameters, such as the time or solvent concentration, as well as the type of plant material, had an impact on the tested properties of the extracts. However, more detailed studies on the antioxidant activity of the studied plants are required.

Антиоксидантные свойства экстрактов листьев и соцветий спиреи средней (<i>Spiraea media</i> Franz Schmidt) из флоры Республики Коми

Определена антиоксидантная активность водных и водно-спиртовых экстрактов листьев и соцветий Spiraea media из природной популяции (Усть-Куломский район, Республики Коми). Показано, что экстракты характеризуются высоким содержанием полифенолов (от 41,14 до 71,79 мг(GAE)/г сухой массы), которые являются важными природными антиоксидантами. Установлено, что водные экстракты соцветий и листьев обладали меньшей радикал-связывающей активностью (РСА), чем водно-спиртовые. При этом РСА водно-спиртового экстракта листьев была выше, чем РСА соцветий. Между РСА и количеством полифенолов в экстрактах обнаружена сильная корреляционная связь (r = – 0,80, p < 0,05). Для всех экстрактов показана хелатирующая активность (ХА), самая высокая у водных экстрактов листьев спиреи. Водно-спиртовый экстракт соцветий обладал большей ХА, чем водный экстракт.

Antioxidant activity of selected parts of Prunus domestica L. harvested at two ripening stages

Abstract Introduction: Oxidative stress caused by an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is the main reason behind many civilization diseases. The fruits and leaves of Prunus domestica L. contain antioxidants such as vitamins, polyphenols (including flavonoids) and organic acids. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and total polyphenol content of extracts of leaves and fruits of the plum harvested in 2 ripening phases. Materials and methods: Antioxidative activity was measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) – ABTS methods, and total polyphenol content by Folin–Ciocalteu technique. Extracts in 40%, 70% and 96% (v/v) of ethanol as well as 99.8% (v/v) methanol were used. Ultrasound-assisted extraction was applied for 15, 30 and 60 min. Results: The antioxidant potential of the extracts, measured by DPPH method, was highest for leaf methanolic extracts of plum harvested before ripening (3.83 ±0.01 mg trolox/g of raw material), while for the ABTS method, highest activity was found in the fruit peel extract in methanol (12.89 ±0.04 mg trolox/g raw material). The highest polyphenol levels (5.89 ±0.16, 6.06 ±0.09 and 5.76 ±0.13 mg gallic acid/g raw material) were found in the extracts of leaves harvested at fruit ripening stage, prepared in 70% (30 and 60 min) ethanol and 40% ethanol (60 min), respectively. Conclusion: The alcohol based extracts from the leaves and fruit of Prunus domestica L. were characterized by high anti-oxidant potential, which suggests the possibility of their use as a valuable source of antioxidants. Ethanol seems to be the most appropriate extractant.

Addition of fermented and unfermented grape skin in broilers’ diets: effect on digestion, growth performance, intestinal microbiota and oxidative stability of meat

Grape skin is a source of polyphenols with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Little information is available regarding its application in animal feeding. The present study investigated the effect of inclusion of fermented (FS) and unfermented (UFS) grape skin at two different doses (30 g/kg, FS30 and UFS30, and 60 g/kg, FS60 and UFS60) and 200 mg/kg vitamin E (α-tocopheryl acetate) in a corn–soybean diet on growth performance, ileal protein digestibility, ileal and excreta total extractable polyphenols content and digestibility, intestinal microbiota and thigh meat oxidation in broiler chickens. Growth performance was depressed in chickens fed UFS and FS diets. A reduction in ileal protein digestibility was also observed in birds fed UFS, being this effect more pronounced in those fed 60 g/kg. The dietary inclusion of grape skin increased both ileal and excreta polyphenols contents, being higher in birds fed UFS than in those fed FS. Excreta moisture content increased in birds fed UFS and FS diets. No effect of dietary inclusion of grape skin was observed on ileal counts of lactic-acid bacteria and Clostridium, but UFS inclusion in the diet reduced ileal count of Escherichia coli as compared with FS dietary inclusion. After 7 days of refrigerated storage, values of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were lower in chicken meat when grape skin was added in the diet at 60 g/kg instead of 30 g/kg, and meat from birds fed 60 g/kg of grape skin reached TBARS values similar to those of birds supplemented with vitamin E. In conclusion, high doses of grape skin polyphenols depressed growth performance and protein digestibility, and increased excreta moisture content. Unfermented grape skin contained more polyphenols than FS, and its inclusion in the diet led to higher ileal and excreta polyphenols contents and to a lower ileal count of E. coli. Furthermore, the antioxidant potential of the polyphenols present in grape skin was observed after 7 days of meat storage, with the dose of 60 g/kg of grape skin being as effective as vitamin E supplementation in maintaining oxidative stability of meat.

In vitro gastrointestinal digestion of mango by‐product snacks: Potential absorption of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity

SummaryMango by‐products are considered cheap sources of valuable foods and nutraceutical ingredients. In this work, antioxidant capacity (AOX), and potential absorption ability (PAA) of extractable polyphenols (EP) from mango by‐product snacks (MB‐S) were evaluated at different stages of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. A wheat and oat‐based control snack and three MB‐S formulations (F1, F2 and F3) were prepared. Mango by‐products were added at the expense of wheat in MB‐S (paste‐peel‐seed): F1 (70‐30‐0), F2 (70‐15‐15), F3 (70‐7.5‐22.5). The highest release of polyphenols was observed after the gastric digestion. In the intestinal stage, MB‐SF1 was the snack with the highest EP content (23.39 mg GAE/g db), two times greater than the control. Gallic acid and mangiferin were the main polyphenols identified in MB‐S. The incorporation of mango seed in the MB‐S reduced the polyphenols PAA by 10.29%. However, compared with the control snack, consumption of 30 g MB‐SF1 provided additional 45 mg polyphenols.

Micronization and granulometric fractionation improve polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of olive pomace

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of micronization of granulometrically fractioned olive pomace (OP) on the content of extractable polyphenols (EPP), non-extractable polyphenols (NEPP) and its antioxidant capacity. Crude OP was separated in 2-mm sieve, resulting in two fractions: F1 (> 2 mm) and F2 (< 2 mm). F2 had higher content of ash, fat, soluble dietary fiber, EPP, hydrolyzable tannins (HT) and condensed tannins (CT) than F1. F1 and F2 fractions were defatted and submitted to a micronization process using a factorial design 22 (variables: rotational speed and milling time) with EPP as response. The optimal micronizing conditions, 500 rpm/24.8 min for the F1 and 500 rpm/16 min for the F2, reduced particle size to around 30 μm. Micronization increased the content of EPP and HT in F1 and F2. Granulometric fractionation and micronization were effective to increase EPP content and antioxidant capacity of OP.

Preventive Effect of Blueberry Extract on Liver Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Mice.

The blueberry is a common fruit that is rich in nutritional value and polyphenol substances. In this study, the blueberry polyphenol content in extract was analysed by spectrophotometry. The results showed that the blueberry polyphenol content in the extract reached 52.7%. A mouse model of liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was established to study the preventive effect of blueberry extract (BE) on liver injury in mice and the experimental animals were examined using biochemical and molecular biological methods. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are important clinical liver function indicators; the changes of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) are observed after liver injury; interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) are important inflammatory indexes; superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) are important changes of oxidative stress indexes. The in vivo animal experiment results showed that BE decreased the liver index of mice with liver injury, BE could reduce the AST, ALT, TG and TC levels and also could reduce the serum cytokine IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ levels in mice with liver injury. Moreover, BE increased the SOD activity and decreased the TBARS level in the gastric tissues of mice with liver injury. After treatment with the highest concentration of BP in liver injury mice, these levels returned close to those obtained after treatment with the standard drug of silymarin. Detection of messenger RNA (mRNA) in liver tissue showed that BE upregulated the Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) expression levels and downregulated cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression. The effect of BE on mice with liver injury was positively correlated with the BE concentration and was similar to that of silymarin, which is a drug for liver injury, suggesting that BE had a good preventive effect on liver injury. Thus, BE rich in polyphenols is a bioactive substance with value for development and utilization.

Modulatory effect of some citrus (Citrus limon, Citrus reticulata, Citrus maxima) peels on monoamine oxidase, phosphodiesterase-5 and angiotensin-1 converting enzyme activities in rat heart homogenate.

Background Citrus peels have been reported useful in folk medicine for the management of cardiovascular diseases, but there is dearth of information on the possible mechanisms for their therapeutic action. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of methanolic extracts from some citrus [lime (Citrus limon), tangerine (Citrus reticulata), shaddock (Citrus maxima)] peels on some enzymes relevant to the management of cardiovascular diseases [monoamine oxidase (MAO), phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) and angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE)]. Methods Effect of methanolic extracts of lime, tangerine and shaddock peels on MAO, PDE-5 and ACE were carried out using standard methods. In addition, the ability of the extracts to prevent oxidative damage in rat heart homogenates was also investigated. Finally, the total polyphenol content of extracts was determined. Results The results revealed that methanolic extracts of lime, tangerine and shaddock peels inhibited MAO, PDE-5, ACE and pro-oxidants induced lipid peroxidation in rat heart homogenate in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions Findings in this study revealed citrus peel methanolic extracts as natural inhibitor of enzymes (MAO, PDE-5 and ACE) implicated in cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, citrus peels could help in the management of cardiovascular diseases possibly through inhibition of these enzymes.

Free Radical-Scavenging, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antibacterial Activities of Water and Ethanol Extracts Prepared from Compressional-Puffing Pretreated Mango (Mangifera indicaL.) Peels

During the processing of mango, a huge amount of peel is generated, which is environmentally problematic. In the present study, a compressional-puffing process was adopted to pretreat the peels of various mango cultivars, and then the bioactive compounds of mango peels were extracted by water or ethanol. The phenolic compound compositions as well as the free radical-scavenging, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities of water extract (WE) and ethanol extract (EE) from nonpuffed (NP) and compressional-puffed (CP) mango peels were further evaluated. It was found that compressional-puffing could increase the yield of extracts obtained from most mango varieties and could augment the polyphenol content of extracts from Jinhwang and Tainoung number 1 (TN1) cultivars. The WE and EE from TN1 exhibited the highest polyphenol content and the greatest free radical-scavenging activities among the mango cultivars tested. Seven phenolic compounds (gallic acid, pyrogallol, chlorogenic acid,p-hydroxybenzoic acid,p-coumaric acid, ECG, and CG) were detected in CPWE (compressional-puffed water extract) and CPEE (compressional-puffed ethanol extract) from TN1, and antioxidant stability of both CPWE and CPEE was higher than that of vitamin C. Further biological experiments revealed that CPEE from TN1 possessed the strongest anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities, and thus it is recommended as a multibioactive agent, which may have applications in the food, cosmetic, and nutraceutical industries.