DPPH Test Research Articles

Study of the Biological Activities of Aethiopinone Isolated from the Hexane Extract of Salvia argentea L. Roots and its Combinations with Reference Products

Background: In recent years, chemical and biological studies have explored medicinal plants to develop new treatments for oxidative stress, inflammation, and diabetes. Objective: This study aims to characterize for the first time the chemical composition of the hexane extract from the roots of Salvia argentea using GC and GC/MS techniques. We also isolated its major compound and evaluated its biological activities, including its antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, and hemolytic effects, as well as the combination of this major compound with reference drugs. Methods: Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, β-carotene, and phosphomolybdenic tests. The anti-inflammatory effect was measured by the egg albumin denaturation method and protein denaturation inhibition. The antidiabetic activity was determined by evaluating the inhibition of α-amylase, with acarbose as a positive reference. The combined effect of aethiopinone with standards was also studied to reduce the minimum effective dose and minimize side effects. Results: The hexane extract of Salvia argentea is mainly composed of aethiopinone (53.3%) and ferruginol (20.5%). aethiopinone was isolated and identified using spectroscopic methods, including 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and IR. The biological activity assessment showed that hexane extract and aethiopinone had promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties. In addition, synergistic effects were observed when aethiopinone was combined with positive references, resulting in a significant reduction of the required minimum inhibitory concentrations. The human erythrocyte toxicity assessment showed that hexane extract and aethiopinone induced very low hemolysis levels, reaching 24.18% and 31.13%, respectively, at high concentrations of 2000 μg/mL. Conclusion: Further research is needed to confirm their therapeutic effects and assess their potential for use in the pharmaceutical industry.

Evaluating the Nutritional and Safety Aspects of Pyracantha coccinea: Antioxidant Activity, Mineral, and Heavy Metal Content

In this study, the fruits of Pyracantha coccinea, known for their ornamental and medicinal properties, were analysed to evaluate their antioxidant capacity, mineral content, and heavy metal concentrations. The antioxidant potential of Pyracantha coccinea was determined using DPPH, CUPRAC, and ABTS tests. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), and Gerthard Dumatherm techniques were used to determine the mineral and nutrient composition of the plant. As a result of the evaluation, calcium (0.25±0.02%), protein (4.29±0.47%), potassium (0.39±0.01%), magnesium (0.197±0.01%), sodium (0.08±0.01%), iron (0.012µg/g DW), aluminium (138±9.6 µg/g DW), cobalt (0.541±0.11 µg/g DW), chromium (0.422±0.05 µg/g DW), manganese (20±1.7 µg/g DW), zinc (43.9±4.6 µg/g DW), % DPPH (76.92±0.48) % ABTS value (77.52±0.39) and CUPRAC values (0.771±0.045 for 100ppm) were determined. In particular, the high levels of chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn) in the fruits exceed the thresholds considered safe for medicinal applications and suggest that the heavy metal content in plants for medicinal use should be critically evaluated within acceptable limits. This study aims to explore the nutritional value and safety of Pyracantha coccinea by examining its antioxidant properties, mineral content, and potential heavy metal contamination. The findings will help shed light on its potential benefits and risks, offering valuable insight for its use in health, nutrition, and environmental applications.

Chemical characterization of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) leaf essential oil and evaluation of its antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant activities.

This study investigates the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) extracted by hydrodistillation from dry Eucalyptus leaves (Eucalyptus globulus) and its antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant potential. The Eucalyptus leaves were harvested in the commune of Seraïdi (north-eastern Algeria). Chemical analysis carried out by chromatography coupled with mass spectrophotometry (GC-SM) revealed the presence of 20 molecules representing approximately 100% of the overall component, with a yield of 1.58%. This oil is composed mainly of linalool (30.09%), followed by b-Linalyl oxide (13.93%), Camphor (12.09%), 1,8-Cineole=eucalyptol (10.95%) and Bergamol (10.03%). Other constituents were identified at relatively medium (Epoxylinalol - 8.82%, Borneol - 5.71%) and low (alpha-Terpinol - 1.11) levels. This result shows that this EO differs from those usually extracted from eucalyptus leaves because it is of linalool chemotype and not eucalyptol. The determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was carried out to evaluate the antifungal activity of Eucalyptus EO on the growth of Fusarium roseum mycelium. The values recorded are 2500µg/ml for the MIC and 4000µg/ml for the MFC. The results obtained revealed an antifungal activity of this oil for practically all doses applied against Fusarium mycelial proliferation despite the low reported levels of 1,8-cineole compared to the other components. The antibacterial activity against the Pseudomonas savastanoi strain was also examined which revealed effectiveness of this oil. In parallel, the DPPH test revealed a moderate antioxidant activity of the studied EO compared to Vit C with an IC50 17mg/ml probably due to its components' antagonistic or synergistic effect.

Isolation of Actinobacteria from Date Palm Rhizosphere with Enzymatic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Protein Denaturation Inhibitory Activities.

Arid ecosystems constitute a promising source of actinobacteria producing new bioactive molecules. This study aimed to explore different biological activities of actinomycetes isolated from the rhizosphere of Phoenix dactylifera L. in the Ghardaia region, Algeria. A total of 18 actinobacteria were isolated and studied for their enzymatic and antimicrobial activities. All isolates shared cellulase and catalase activity; most of them produced amylase (94%), esterase (84%), lecithinase and lipoproteins (78%), caseinase (94%), and gelatinase (72%). The isolates could coagulate (56%) or peptonize (28%) skim milk. Overall, 72% of the isolates exhibited significant antibacterial activity against at least one test bacteria, while 56% demonstrated antifungal activity against at least one test fungi. Based on enzyme production and antimicrobial activity, isolate SGI16 was selected for secondary metabolite extraction by ethyl acetate. The crude extract of SGI16 was analyzed using DPPH and BSA denaturation inhibition tests, revealing significant antioxidant power (IC50 = 7.24 ± 0.21 μg mL-1) and protein denaturation inhibitory capacity (IC50 = 492.41 ± 0.47 μg mL-1). Molecular identification based on 16S rDNA analysis showed that SGI16 belonged to the genus Streptomyces. The findings highlight that date palms' rhizosphere actinobacteria are a valuable source of biomolecules of biotechnological interest.

Antioxidant activity, DFT-calculation, and docking of 5-amino-N-(3-di(per)fluoroalkyl-2-iodo-n-propyl)-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamides

Antioxidant activity of a series of previously described 5-amino-N-(iododi(per)fluoroalkyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamides 3a-r, their synthetic precursors 5-amino-N-allyl-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamides 1a-g, and their deamination products N-(3-di(per)fluoroalkyl-2-iodo-n-propyl)-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamides 4a-e was investigated in vitro using DPPH test and ascorbic acid as a standard reference. It was established that compounds 3a-r inhibit DPPH free radicals in moderate to high values (50.9–97.6%). The effect of substituents in the position 1 of the 1,2,3-triazole nucleus, fluoroalkyl groups and amino groups on the level of antioxidant activity was studied in detail. Reactivity and electrostatic surface potential were evaluated for the most active carboxamides 3a,g,r using the DFT method, and molecular docking was studied in the NADPH oxidase protein model.

Comparative analysis of antioxidant activity and content of (poly)phenolic compounds in cabernet sauvignon and merlot wines of Slovenian and Serbian vineyards.

The individual (poly)phenols of red wines cultivated in two different Western Balkan wine-growing regions were determined using the HPLC method, while the ABTS and DPPH tests were employed to investigate antioxidant activity. The reduction potential of antioxidants was determined by FRAP assay. Five distinct classes of phenolic compounds, including phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, stilbenes, and anthocyanins, were identified. The analyzed wines showed very good antioxidant properties. All of the studied wines exhibited a very strong correlation between their antioxidant potential and the concentration of significant antioxidants. Phenolic components that were the most represented in the investigated samples were selected for the theoretical investigation of the antioxidant effect. For this purpose, epicatechin gallate and sinapic acid were used. Their concentrations in the tested samples ranged up to 132.76mg/mL and 125.66mg/mL. Theoretical aspects of reactions of the mentioned compounds towards DPPH and ABTS radicals were examined.

Antioxidant Activity Analysis of Ethanol Extract from Melandean Leaves (Bridelia micrantha) Using the DPPH Assay

The increasing global prevalence of oxidative stress-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders underscores the importance of developing effective antioxidant strategies. In this study, samples of ethanol extract from Bridelia micrantha (Melandean) leaves were used which were then evaluated using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) test, a method that is widely known for assessing free radical scavenging activity. The ethanol extract sample was obtained through maceration with a yield of 15.84%. Based on the DPPH test, it shows that the extract has dose-dependent inhibition of DPPH radicals, with a maximum inhibition of 66.13% at a concentration of 25 ppm. The IC50 value, calculated from regression analysis, confirmed the antioxidant potential of the extract, although it was less effective than that of vitamin C, which was used as a positive control. These findings suggest that Bridelia micrantha leaves, rich in phytochemicals such as flavonoids, tannins, and saponins, have the potential as a source of natural antioxidants for managing oxidative stress-related health conditions.

Study of Phytochemistry and Antioxidant Activity of Juniperus sabina L. Grown in Mongolia

In traditional Mongolian medicine, J. sabina L. fruits and leaves are used as medicinal raw materials to treat kidney, joint and respiratory diseases. The present study considers the phytochemical investigation of the plant. TLC test results identified gallic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, umbelliferone and 1,8-cineole in J. sabina L. Quantitative determination by UV spectrophotometry showed the content of polyphenolic compounds to be 127-195 mg GAE/g, total flavonoids 46-59.1 mg QE/g and total coumarins 14.8-20.5 mg UE/g. Plant antioxidant activity was assessed using the free radical reduction DPPH test and the 50% inhibitory concentration was determined at a 200 µg/mL concentration, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of J. sabina L. exhibited free radical scavenging activity of 83.15% ± 1.85 and 46.14% ± 1.08, respectively. The 50% free radical inhibition concentration values were 112.8 ± 1.99 µg/mL and 195.2 ± 1.57 µg/mL, both less than 200 µg/mL, indicating antioxidant activity.

Improvement of Presbyopia, Dry Eye, Intraocular Pressure, and Near Vision Through Cassiae Tea Consumption.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to illustrate a novel method for improving presbyopia by drinking cassiae tea. Materials and Methods: A total of 425 eyes from 425 participants (aged 52.5 ± 9.5 years) were recruited and divided into several experimental groups over a 6-month period. Participants consumed cassiae tea daily (10 g of cassiae semen brewed in 500 cc of water). Meanwhile, control group participants consumed 500 cc of plain water along with 1000 mg of vitamin C each day. Experiments 1 and 2: Participants with severe dry eye and intraocular pressure (IOP) > 30 mmHg were enrolled, and outcomes were assessed for these conditions, respectively. Experiments 3, 4, and 7: These experiments evaluated pupil size, near vision, and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in two groups of volunteers. Experiment 5: Different quantities of cassiae tea were prescribed to various groups, and near vision was measured. Experiment 6: Three questionnaires assessed presbyopic symptoms after cassiae tea consumption. Experiment 8: The antioxidant activity of cassiae tea compared with other bioactive compounds and Chinese herbs was evaluated using the DPPH test. Results: By the fourth month of the study, participants experienced increased tear volume and reduced IOP. Pupil size constricted, near vision improved, and serum SOD levels increased. Furthermore, greater consumption of cassiae tea was correlated with better near vision. The antioxidant activity of cassiae tea was found to surpass that of anthocyanins, wolfberry, and vitamin C. Conclusions: Drinking cassiae tea improves dry eye symptoms, reduces IOP, regulates pupil size, and enhances near vision due to its excellent antioxidant and pharmacological properties. These benefits may particularly aid individuals with presbyopia and those engaged in near-distance activities, such as smartphone use.

Antioxidant Activities and Molecular Docking of N-benzoyl-N’-naphthylthiourea Derivatives

Oxidative stress occurs when the body accumulates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can be generated through enzymatic reactions or when oxygen interacts with cellular molecules. Antioxidants are frequently employed to impede, postpone, or minimize oxidative stress within the human body. These antioxidants supply electrons to free radicals, thereby counterbalancing their harmful effects. Compounds containing thiourea groups have attracted attention due to their diverse pharmaceutical properties, including their roles as antioxidants. This study aims to determine the antioxidant potential of the N-benzoyl-N’-naphthylthiourea (BNTU) and its four derivatives. This research evaluates the antioxidant activity of BNTU and its derivatives using the scavenging method of DPPH radicals. A docking study revealed potential interactions between binding models (human ROS1 kinase, PDB ID 3ZBF) and the antioxidant properties of the target compounds. Based on the results of the DPPH test, it was found that the antioxidant activity (IC50) for 4CFBNTU was recorded at 189.6 ppm, whereas 3CFBNTU showed a measurement of 294.5 ppm. Conversely, BNTU, 4TBBNTU, and 4OCBNTU displayed IC50 values surpassing 400 ppm. As for the Antioxidant Activity Index (AAI), The BNTU and its derivatives have AAI values < 0.56. The docking results obtained are consistent with the conclusions drawn from the antioxidant investigation. The four derivatives of BNTU have better antioxidant activity than the lead compound. Among them, 4CFBNTU exhibits the best antioxidant activity, although its antioxidant properties are relatively weak.

КОМПОНЕНТНЫЙ СОСТАВ И АНТИРАДИКАЛЬНАЯ АКТИВНОСТЬ ЭКСТРАКТИВНЫХ ВЕЩЕСТВ КОТОВНИКА КОШАЧЬЕГО КРАСНОЯРСКОГО КРАЯ

The purpose of the study was to obtain aqueous and aqueous-alcoholic extracts of catnip (lemon balm), determine the total content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in them, analyze the component composition of the obtained extracts by HPLC, and establish the antiradical activity of the extracts. Extractive substances from the feedstock were isolated by extraction with water or water-alcohol mixtures (20, 40, 70 and 95 % alcohol were used) at their boiling point for 1.0 h. The sample of raw materials was 1.0 g, the volume of the solution was 100 ml. After filtration, the resulting solutions were subjected to further studies on the component composition and antiradical activity. It has been established that pure alcohol extracts the minimum amount of substances, the sum of which is 15.4 %. Water-alcohol mixtures extract almost the same amount of substances, which are 19.7–21.3 % based on an air-dry sample of raw materials. The results of the DPPH test, determined by the kinetic method, showed that the ARA value is minimal for alcohol-soluble substances – 2.7 % and increases for water-alcohol extracts from 16.6 % in the case of 70 % extract to 25.2 % for 20 % water-soluble alcohol extract. The maximum value of ARA is typical for aqueous extracts and is 38.5 %. Catnip extracts have low antiradical activity, which does not exceed 50 %. In the extracts obtained, the total content of phenolic compounds was determined (by reaction with the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent), which is 0.09–0.69 wt. % in terms of gallic acid. This value increases evenly when moving from pure alcohol to water. By reaction with aluminum chloride, the total content of flavonoids in the obtained extracts was determined: it is minimal in the case of an alcoholic extract (0.24 % in terms of luteolin) and maximum in the case of an aqueous extract (0.57 % in terms of luteolin). The APA value correlates well with the total content of phenolic compounds (correlation coefficient – 0.9522), while the correlation coefficient of the APA value with the total content of flavonoids is only 0.8809. The HPLC method was used to study the component composition of phenolic compounds in the obtained extracts. The maximum amount of phenolic compounds was found in aqueous extracts, while the minimum amount was found in alcohol extracts. Phenolcarboxylic acids were identified among the components: gallic, caffeylquinic, chlorogenic, caffeic and ferulic. Rutin and some glycosides are present.

Sonication of smoke tree extract-loaded liposomes: the antioxidant potential of particles

<p>With the aim to examine the radical scavenging activity of smoke tree extract-loaded liposomal particles before and after ultrasound exposure (45 or 70% amplitude and 15 or 30 min), ABTS and DPPH tests were employed. The antioxidant activity of the pure extract was 11.37±0.52 µmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/mL and 79.7±0.5%. Multilamellar liposomes with extract showed significantly higher antioxidant activity in both assays (12.02±0.54 µmol TE/mL and 81.9±0.4%) compared to sonicated liposomes (10.75-11.00 µmol TE/mL and 79.3-80.9%) and pure extract. There was no significant difference between the ABTS radical scavenging activity of the liposomes treated by different amplitudes and times, while prolonged sonication and a higher amplitude caused a significant drop in the anti-DPPH capacity of extract-loaded liposomal vesicles. The presented results and the differences between the obtained data provide a good insight into the overall antioxidant capacity of smoke tree extract-loaded multilamellar and sonicated unilamellar liposomal vesicles.</p>

Cytotoxic, Antioxidant, and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Crataegus meyeri

Background: Crataegus meyeri A. Pojark is one of Iran›s most well-known medicinal plants. This study aimed to assess the cytotoxic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of the methanolic extract of Crataegus meyeri (MCM) leaves. Methods: MCM was prepared from dried leaves. First, the cytotoxic impact of MCM was determined via the MTT test. Then, the anti-inflammatory activity of MCM on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed J774A.1 cells was examined by measuring NO production and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression using the Griess test and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. MCM antioxidant activity was assessed using the FRAP and DPPH tests. Results: MCM was shown to be non-cytotoxic against J774A.1 cells at≤125 and≤62 μg/mL concentrations after 24 and 48 hours, respectively. It also significantly attenuated NO generation in LPS-treated J774A.1 cells at 62 and 125 μg/mL after 24 hours and 62 μg/mL after 48 hours. The extract significantly reduced COX-2 gene expression at concentrations of 62 and 125 μg/mL after 24 hours and at concentrations of 15, 31, and 62 μg/mL after 48 hours. Moreover, the results indicated that MCM at all concentrations exhibited lower antioxidant activity than vitamin C, but the difference was insignificant. Furthermore, MCM could reduce the viability of most of the studied cancer cell lines at concentrations of 250 and 500 μg/mL. Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that MCM may show therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, a finding that requires clinical trials.

Comparison of the Structures and Antioxidant Activity of the Major Compounds of Lippia multiflora Mold (Verbenaceae) Leaves Essential Oils Collected in Center of Côte d'Ivoire

The growing interest in natural antioxidants is motivated by the harmful effects of the use of synthetic antioxidants. Medicinal plants such as Lippia multiflora are being studied for their multiple biological potentials, in particular their ability to provide new sources of natural antioxidants. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition and assess the antioxidant activity of Lippia multiflora essential oils from five (5) localities in Côte d'Ivoire. The essential oils were extracted by steam stripping and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine their chemical composition. Their antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS tests.The analyses revealed that the major compounds in the essential oils from Yamoussoukro, Tiébissou, Bouaflé, Toumodi and Dimbokro were α-phellandrene, Eucalyptol (1,8-cineole), Linalool, β-citral (Neral), trans-geraniol, α-citral (Geranial), Germacrene D and (±)-trans-nerolidol, respectively. The best antioxidant activities for the DPPH and ABTS tests were obtained for Dimbokro and Toumodi essential oils respectively. These results suggest that Lippia multiflora essential oils have significant biological potential and could be used as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants, with possible applications in the agri-food and pharmaceutical industries.

Development of Functional Bread: Exploring the Nutritional, Bioactive and Microbial Potential of Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Pulp Powder

For the development of a high-quality functional bread, it is of crucial importance to find a compromise between improving the functional value of the product and impairing its quality. Therefore, the primary aim of this work was to define the effects of carob pulp powder (CP; 10–20% on flour basis) on the rheological behavior of dough and quality parameters of bread. The introduction of CP caused a major increase in dough resistance to extension while significantly decreasing dough extensibility, resulting in a lower volume with a denser crumb structure of the obtained bread samples. The negative effects of the CP on the dough and bread characteristics were partially compensated by the addition of dry sourdough (DS) as an improver at the level of 5–10% (flour basis). It was determined that by combining 15% CP and 10% DS, bread of very good sensory quality can be produced. The content of total dietary fiber (6.48 g), Mn (0.76 mg) and Cu (0.21 mg) per 100 g of the mentioned bread was sufficient for the nutritional claims “high in fiber”, “high in manganese” and “source of copper”. The obtained bread had a content of total phenols 10 times higher than the control and 5.5, 12 and 26 times higher antioxidant activity determined by FRAP, DPPH and ABTS tests, respectively. Moreover, microbiological tests confirmed the durability of the bread with 15% CP and 10% DS of up to seven days. Therefore, carob pulp powder can be successfully applied in the production of bread whose characteristics are adapted to modern trends in nutrition.

Comprehensive In Vitro Evaluation of Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Computational Insights into Blepharis ciliaris (L.) B. L. Burtt from Hail Mountains, Saudi Arabia.

The arid mountainous region of Hail in Saudi Arabia has a variety of desert vegetation, some of which are conventionally used in Bedouin traditional medicine. These plants need scientific examination. This research seeks to examine Blepharis ciliaris using a thorough multi-analytical methodology that includes antibacterial and antioxidant assessments as well as computational modeling. GC-MS analysis of the methanolic extract revealed 17 organic compounds, including pentadecanoic acid, ethyl methyl ester (2.63%); hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (1.00%); 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, methyl ester (2.74%); 9-octadecenoic acid, methyl ester (E) (2.78%); octadecanoic acid (5.88%); 9-tetradecenoic acid (Z) (3.22%); and undec-10-enoic acid, undec-2-n-1-yl ester (5.67%). The DPPH test evaluated antioxidant activity, revealing a notable increase with higher concentrations of the methanolic extract, achieving maximum inhibition of 81.54% at 1000 µg/mL. The methanolic extract exhibited moderate antibacterial activity, with average inhibition zones of 10.33 ± 1.53 mm, 13.33 ± 1.53 mm, 10.67 ± 1.53 mm, and 10.00 ± 2.00 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Serratia marcescens, respectively, as determined by the disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were 500 µg/mL for S. aureus and B. subtilis, whereas E. coli and S. marcescens showed susceptibility at 1000 µg/mL. Computational simulations were employed to assess the toxicity, drug-likeness, and ADMET profiles of compounds derived from Blepharis ciliaris. Thirteen bioactive compounds were assessed in silico against Staphylococcus aureus sortase A (PDB: 1T2O), Bacillus subtilis BsFabHb (PDB: 8VDB), Escherichia coli LPS assembly protein (LptD) (PDB: 4RHB), and a modeled Serratia marcescens outer-membrane protein TolC, focusing on cell wall and membrane structures. Compound 3, (+)-Ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate, shown significant binding affinities to B. subtilis BsFabHb, E. coli LPS assembly protein, and S. marcescens TolC.

EXPLORATION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS OF RAMBUSA (Passiflora foetida L.) ROOT EXTRACT FROM EAST KALIMANTAN COAL RECLAMATION LAND AS ANTIOXIDANT

The rambusa plant (Passiflora foetida L.) is a species utilized as a cover crop due to its capacity to undergo a natural regeneration process in the context of former coal mining operations in East Kalimantan. Rambusa plants have many phytochemical properties, one of which is as an antioxidant. Nevertheless, there is currently a paucity of scientific data regarding the potential antioxidant properties of bioactive compounds in Rambusa roots utilized as cover crop plants. The objective of this study is to investigate the composition of bioactive compounds in the root extract of Rambusa plants that are cultivated on land previously utilized for coal mining in East Kalimantan, with a particular focus on their antioxidant properties. In this study, the exploration was carried out by conducting phytochemical tests using three types of solvents, namely ethanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane and antioxidant activity tests using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method on the extracted samples. Phytochemical screening results showed the presence of alkaloid, phenolic, flavonoid, terpenoid and saponin bioactive compounds in ethanol extract; alkaloid, phenolic and steroid bioactive compounds in ethyl acetate extract. At the same time, alkaloids and steroids are contained in the n-hexane extract. The DPPH test carried out on the three extracts showed very strong antioxidant activity with IC50 values respectively for ethanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts are 6.55 ppm, 3.51 ppm and 28.71 ppm. Based on previously reported antioxidant activity data, the antioxidant activity of Rambusa (Passiflora foetida L.) roots growing on coal reclamation land is proven to have much higher activity compared to Rambusa plants growing on fertile land. Thus, the root of the Rambusa plant (Passiflora foetida L.) has enormous potential as an antioxidant and natural medicinal raw material.

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of 'Nufar' basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) essential oil from three municipalities of Tolima, Colombia

Essential oils are natural compounds with great potential to be used as products with high antioxidant activity. The aim of this research was to determine the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the Nufar variety basil essential oil from three municipalities in Tolima, Colombia. The essential oil extracted from the leaves of this basil variety using microwave-assisted extraction predominantly comprises linalool (37.9–41.1%), estragole (24.5–33.6%), and 1,8-cineole (5.2–7.6%). The quantities of these compounds are influenced by the plant's place of origin. Regarding antioxidant activity, the basil essential oil cultivated in the municipality of Honda shows higher antioxidant activity in the DPPH and ABTS·+ tests (29.89 ± 4.03 and 9.60 ± 1.74 mg/mL, respectively), compared to the values from the municipalities of Mariquita and Espinal. The Principal Component Analysis applied to the data generated biplots that explain 99.8% of the total variation. These indicate that the essential oils from basil grown in the municipality of Espinal are characterized by having a high IC50 (mg/mL) in the DPPH test. On the other hand, the essential oils of basil cultivated in the municipalities of Honda and Mariquita are distinguished by their high content of monoterpenes and total terpenes. The study concludes that the geographical location significantly impacts the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of basil plants.

Chemical Profile and Promising Applications of Cucurbita pepo L. Flowers.

Although edible flowers have been historically principally used due to their visual appeal and smell, the world is discovering their value as innovative and natural sources of bioactive compounds. Cucurbita pepo L. (CpL), a plant from the Cucurbitaceae family, is widely cultivated for its edible fruits and flowers, which are rich in polyphenols and carotenoids-compounds known for their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite their potential, the use of CpL flowers for skin-related applications remains underexplored. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze CpL flower extract (CpLfe), focusing on its polyphenolic and carotenoid content using, for the first time, advanced UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS and HPLC-DAD analysis. CpLfe highlighted remarkable antioxidant activity according to the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP tests. CpLfe showed significantly reduced intracellular ROS in HaCaT (23%, p < 0.05) and protected against UVB-induced damage by lowering MMP-1 expression. CpLfe also upregulated genes crucial for skin hydration (AQP3) and barrier function (CerS2, CerS4, and CerS6). A placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial further validated CpLfe efficacy, demonstrating marked improvements in moisture retention, wrinkle reduction, and collagen production in women aged 35-55. These findings suggested that CpL flowers could be a source of bioactive compounds recovered from edible flowers able to improve the major skin aging and photoaging features.

Reuse of Almond Skin to Formulate a New Gluten- and Lactose-Free Bakery Product.

This work aimed to propose the reuse of processing waste from the Sicilian almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsch.) cultivar Tuono for the formulation of a new functional baked product (muffin) that is gluten- and lactose-free. Muffins were prepared using orange juice, rice flour, extra virgin olive oil, and enriched almond skin (3% and 6% w/w). The chemical-physical parameters, total phenols, and flavonoids (TPC and TFC), as well as the biological properties of the ingredients and muffins, were evaluated. Sensory analyses were also conducted. DPPH, ABTS, β-carotene bleaching, and FRAP tests were applied to measure the antioxidant potential. Muffin extracts were also tested against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Muffins enriched with 6% almond skin (M6) showed the highest TPC and TFC with values of 26.96 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 24.12 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g, respectively. M6 exerted a promising antioxidant activity as an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation, with an IC50 of 15.44 μg/mL at 30 min incubation. Moreover, muffin M6 showed a promising α-glucosidase inhibitory effect (IC50 of 51.82 μg/mL). Based on the obtained results and supported by sensory analysis, muffins enriched with almond skin should be proposed as a promising example of upcycling for the development of a new functional bakery product.