Eggplant Extract Research Articles

Diversity in eggplant ( Solanum melongena) for superoxide scavenging activity, total phenolics, and ascorbic acid

Eggplant ( Solanum melongena L.) extracts have demonstrated potency in scavenging reactive oxygen species that are implicated in many human diseases. We evaluated 33 S. melongena accessions and two S. aethiopicum accessions from the AVRDC Solanum collection for superoxide scavenging (SOS) activity with methanol (SOS m) and water (SOS w) extracts, and contents of total phenolics and ascorbic acid. Highly significant differences were detected among accessions for SOS activities with accession means ranging from 26% to 60% nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction inhibition for SOS m, and 40% to 81% NBT reduction inhibition for SOS w. The SOS m and SOS w produced similar results, evidenced by the highly significant linear correlation (0.79**) between the two assays. Environmental differences between the 2 years influenced expression of SOS m, but the ranking of accessions for SOS m activity was very consistent between years. There was no association between fruit colour and high SOS. Accessions S00062 (white with green stripes), S00022 (light purple and mottled fruit), and S00197 (orange-coloured S. aethiopicum accession) displayed high AOA. The SOS m and SOS w were positively correlated with dry matter content ( r=0.65** and r=0.80**, respectively) and total phenolics content ( r=0.44** and r=0.43**, respectively) and negatively correlated with fruit weight ( r=−0.58** and r=−0.67**, respectively). There was no significant linear association between ascorbic acid content and SOS m ( r=0.10) but we found a significant but low correlation ( r=0.34*) between SOS w and ascorbic acid content. Accession means for total phenolics content averaged over years ranged from 0.74 to 1.43 g/100 g dry weight basis, although differences were not statistically significant due to a large accession–year interaction mean square. Sufficient genetic diversity exists in S. melongena for SOS and total phenolics to justify evaluation of a larger number of accessions. High AOA varieties will tend to be small-fruited.

Nasunin from Eggplant Consists of Cis−Trans Isomers of Delphinidin 3-[4-(p-Coumaroyl)-l-rhamnosyl (1→6)glucopyranoside]-5-glucopyranoside

Two major anthocyanins were isolated from the acidified methanolic extract of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) by column chromatography and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. These anthocyanins were interconvertible under room light illumination condition. By means of tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, their structures were identified and elucidated as delphinidin 3-[4-(cis-p-coumaroyl)-l-rhamnosyl(1-->6)glucopyranoside]-5-glucopyranoside (compound 1) and delphinidin 3-[4-(trans-p-coumaroyl)-l-rhamnosyl-(1-->6)glucopyranoside]-5-glucopyranoside (compound 2), respectively. The results indicated that nasunin comprised cis and trans isomers of the p-coumaric acid moiety in its structure.

Effects of eggplant ( Solanum melongena) on the atherogenesis and oxidative stress in LDL receptor knock out mice (LDLR −/−)

Eggplant ( Solanum melongena) has been used as hypocholesterolemic agent in many countries. However, few controlled studies were addressed to this subject and atherogenesis. We have evaluated the effect of eggplant on cholesterol metabolism and atherogenesis in LDLR −/− mice. Animals were fed on chow ( n=17) or atherogenic ( n=21) diet during 12 weeks receiving water (control) or eggplant extract. Liver, serum and fecal lipids, together with serum lipoproteins were measured. Oxidative stress was evaluated through conjugate diene formation and ox-LDL antibodies by enzyme immunoassay. Atherosclerotic lesions were measured in different sites of aorta. Total cholesterol and atherogenic lipoproteins did not decrease after eggplant intake. Animals receiving eggplant and chow diet showed increased anti-ox-LDL antibodies and a decreased lag phase of conjugated diene formation, indicating a higher oxidative stress than controls. No differences were seen in lesion area of aortic valve. Eggplant extract had high histamine and other amine levels that could enhance LDL oxidation and its endocytosis. Eggplant did not decrease plasma cholesterol nor prevent the development of atherosclerosis in LDLR −/− mice. Surprisingly, eggplant increased oxidative stress, representing a risk factor for atherosclerosis. These results did not support the use of eggplant extract as hypocholesterolemic agent.

O suco de berinjela (Solanum melongena) não modifica os níveis séricos de lípides

To compare the effect of eggplant extract on serum lipid levels with that of lovastatin. The study included 21 individuals of both sexes, with total cholesterol (TC) levels > 200 mg/dL, no diabetes, no contraindication for the use of statins, and no use of cholesterol-lowering drugs, divided into the following 3 groups: 1) the eggplant group (B), in which the patients drank 1 glass of eggplant extract with orange juice before breakfast each morning; 2) the statin group (E), in which the patients received 20 mg of lovastatin in the evening after dinner; 3) control group (C), in which the patients received no treatment. Total cholesterol and fractions (HDL, LDL), and triglycerides were measured 3 times at 3-week intervals. The baseline lipid levels were similar in the 3 groups. After 6 weeks, a significant reduction in TC levels (from 245.29 +/- 41.69 to 205.71 +/- 46.45; P=0.02) and in LDL-cholesterol levels (from 170.83 +/- 41.76 to 121.29 +/- 44.90; P=0.008) was observed in group E. In group B, total cholesterol (from 230.60 +/- 19.30 to 240.20 +/- 16.22; P=0.27) and LDL-cholesterol (from 139.60 +/- 21.49 to 154.40 +/- 9.66; P=0.06) showed no statistically significant variation, as in group C. No significant variation was observed in the HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the 3 groups throughout the study. The eggplant extract with orange juice is not to be considered an alternative to statins in reducing serum levels of cholesterol.

The Effect of a Chayotte (Sechium edule) Extracts (Decoct and Macerated) on the Labeling of Blood Elements with Technetium- 9m and on the Biodistribution of the Radiopharmaceutical Sodium Pertechnetate in Mice: an In vitro and In vivo Analysis

The biodistribution of radiopharmaceutical used in diagnostic imaging can be altered by a wide variety of factors. If unknown, the drug interaction with radiopharmaceuticals can lead to misdiagnosis or the necessity to repeat the examination, increasing the dose to the patient. The constituents of herbal products can cause adverse effects. Although natural products are widely used as food or as medicines for humans they can alter the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m (99mTc) as wells as the bioavailability of the radiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate (99mTcO Na). 99mTc is one of most used radio nuclide 4 in nuclear medicine and in basic research. Some authors described that natural and synthetic drugs may alter the process of radio labeling. Sechium edule (chayotte) is a vegetable very spent in the human nutrition as the popular medicine due its properties such as the diuretic and the hypotensor effects. We evaluated the influence of a chayotte (Sechium edule) extracts (decoct and macerated) on the radio labeling of bloo d elements and on the bioavailability of 99mTcO Na. In this study, blood was withdraw from Wistar rats and 4 the aliquots of blood were incubated with the chayotte extracts decoct and macerated, 0.1g/mL) during 1 hour. After that, blood was incubated with stannous chloride (SnCl ) for 1 hour together with the adding of 2 99mTc in each breaks of 15min until 1 of incubation with SnCl . In each 10 min an aliquot of blood was taken 2 and then plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were isolated, also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid (TCA 5%) and soluble (SF) and insoluble fractions (IF) were separated. For the biodistribution analysis, the 99mTcO Na (0.3mL) was administrated into male Wistar rats which had drunk or not the extract (macerated) 4 for 60 days. After 10 min, the animals were sacrificed, the organs were isolated, the radioactivity determined in a well counter and the percentages of radioactivity per gram (%ATI/g) in the organs was calculated. For the radio images analysis, the animals were treated with the extracts (macerated and decoct) during 15 days, after this period of time, it was administrated doses of 100µCi of 99mTcO Na in the ocular plexus of the 4 animals. The images were obtained after 10min. The qualitative analysis of the images was done. The analysis of the results has demonstrated that the extracts have increased the labeling of blood elements with 99mTc which was incubated together with SnCl , in the times 0 and 30 min to decoct extract (time 0 min: 2 labeling in the C: from 37.97 ± 0.31 to 59.70 ± 0.56; and in the FIC: from 61.76 ± 0.75 to 73.15 ± 0.37; time 30min: labeling in the C: from 84.06 ± 0.91 to 94.75 ± 0.87; and in the FIC: from 76.72 ± 0.26 to 85.37 ± 0.67) and in the times 15 and 30 min to macerated extract (time 15min: labeling in the C: from 29.04 ± 0.31 to 50.13 ± 0.82; time 30min: labeling in the C: from 75.39 ± 0.77 to 83.42 ± 0.51). The %ATI/g was altered in the thyroid (from 4.57 ± 0.58 to 2.03 ± 1.33); lung (from 0.84 ± 0.25 to 0.21 ± 0.02); stomach (from 5.19 ± 1.34 to 2.03 ± 0.60) and blood (from 50.07 ± 3.36 to 32.25 ± 2.32). In the qualitative analysis it was observed an decreased in the performance of the images related to the stomach region. Due to the biodistribution it was related that an extract of eggplant was capable of altering the bioavailability of 99mTcO Na different of a 4 cauliflower extract which has not been able to alter it. It is possible to suggest that some components of chayotte extracts present an oxidant power able to alter the biodistribution of 99mTcO Na, as a tip, we 4 speculate that the referred extract metabolized in the liver may induce the generation of reactive metabolites with oxidant properties, this fact could justify the alteration of the uptake in the organs.

Inhibition of immunologic and nonimmunologic stimulation-mediated anaphylactic reactions by water extract of white eggplant (solanum melongena)

We investigated the effect of water extract of Solanum melongena(SMWE) on immunologic and nonimmunologic stimulation-mediated anaphylactic reactions. Nonimmunologic anaphylactic reaction was induced by compound 48/80 injection. Oral administration of SMWE (1 g kg−1) completely inhibited compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic reaction. Immunologic anaphylactic reaction was generated by sensitizing the skin with anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE followed 48 h later with an injection of antigen. Oral administration of SMWE (0.01–1 g kg−1) significantly inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylactic reaction activated by anti-DNP IgE to between 83.10 ± 1.67% and 70.17 ± 2.17%. SMWE (0.01–1 mg ml−1) also inhibited histamine release activated by compound 48/80 to between 93 ± 2.65 and 70 ± 1.50%. Moreover, SMWE (0.01–1 mg ml−1) had a significant inhibitory effect on IgE-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α secretion from rat peritoneal mast cells. These results indicate that SMWE inhibits immunologic and nonimmunologic stimulation-mediated anaphylactic reactions and TNF- α secretion from mast cells.

Eggplant Extract Inhibits Melanogenesis in B16 Melanoma Cells.

Eggplant extract markedly inhibited melanogenesis in B16 mouse melanoma 4A5 cells (B16 cells). To clarify the characteristics of the melanogenesis inhibitor in eggplant, the effective fraction, P1, was separated from the eggplant extract by ammonium sulfate fractionation and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. The P1 fraction from the eggplant contained 63% protein, 20% neutral sugar and 11% uronic acid. P1 was stable during heating at 60°C for 30 min, and the inhibitory effect remained stable after protease digestion. P1 weakly inhibited tyrosinase activity in crude B16 cell extract in vitro, and tyrosinase activity in B16 cells cultured with P1 was reduced. The regulation of tyrosinase activity in B16 cells was equal to melanogenesis suppression in B16 cells. These results show that the eggplant extract suppresses melanogenesis in B16 cells by regulation of tyrosinase.

Effect of Non-Dialyzable Extracts of Vegetables on the Differentiation of U-937 Human Myeloid Leukemia Cell Line.

The effects of non-dialyzable extracts of several vegetables such as eggplant, green pepper, cabbage, Garland chrysanthemum, kidney beans, cucumber and Welsh onion on the differentiation of U-937 human myeloid leukemia cells were examined. Among the vegetables, the extract of eggplant induced the adhesion of U-937 cells on the culture plate and the morphological change of U-937 cells. A few adhesive and elongated cells was detected in the presence of Garland chrysanthemum. The extracts of cucumber and kidney bean induced only the morphological change of U-937 cells. The evident expression of cell surface antigens of CD11b and CD36 of U-937 cells, which is a marker of differentiation of U-937 cells into monocytes/macrophages, was induced by the extracts of eggplant, kidney bean, cucumber and Welsh onion. These results suggested that the factors which induce the differentiation of U-937 cells into monocytes/macrophages may exist in the non-dialyzable extracts of these vegetables.

Inactivation and Regeneration of Peroxidase Activity in Vegetable Extracts Treated with Antioxidants

ABSTRACTReduction of peroxidase activity was determined in tomato, carrot or eggplant extracts using antioxidants (quercetin, rutinic acid, chlorogenic acid, and α‐tocopherol) alone or with heat treatment. Regeneration of peroxidase at room temperature and after frozen storage (–18°C for 4 wk) was measured. Combining antioxidant (125 mg%, w/v) and heat (2 min at 75°C) resulted in almost complete inhibition of vegetable peroxidases. Regeneration of peroxidase in extracts both heated and treated with antioxidants was less than in those only heated or antioxidant‐treated. After frozen storage, peroxidase regeneration was reduced to zero in heated + antioxidant treated extracts.

Production of extracellular enzymes by Phytophthora palmivora (Butl.) Butl.

SUMMARY: Phytophthora palmivora is more exacting in its nutrition for extracellular enzyme production than for growth. All of thirteen defined media tested supported fairly good growth. The major enzymes detected were: endopolygalacturonase (endo-PG), maceration factor (MF), α-L-arabinofuranosidase (AF) and phenolase. These enzymes were not detected in four of the five natural media tested. In egg-plant extract, traces of endo-PG, MF and pectin-methyl esterase were detected and higher activities of AF and phenolase produced. Inability to detect the enzymes in cultures in other plant extracts was possibly due to their inactivation by the oxidized phenols formed. The inability to detect other enzymes in cultures in defined media, especially those enzymes already implicated in plant diseases, may also be due to the fact that the media tested in the present work were not suitable for their induction. The most suitable basal medium for growth as well as good production of the major enzymes consisted of (%): 1, pectin; 2.5, glucose; 1, asparagine; 0.025, MgSO4. 7H2O; 0.5, Difco yeast-extract; traces of thiamine.

Atheromatous Changes in Cholesterol-Fed Rabbits Treated with Eggplant Extract

Cholesterol-induced changes in rabbits were studied with and without administration of an extract of eggplant. An anemia, accompanied by atrophic gastritis, developed in the cholesterol-fed animals. Their atheromatous plaques, and elevated serum cholesterol, lipoalbumin, α-lipoprotein, and neutral fat were not affected by the eggplant extract.