Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Research Articles

Optimization of β-cyclodextrin based ultrasound-assisted extraction: A green strategy to enhance the extraction of bioactive compounds from taro leaf byproduct

The present study aims to develop a green and sustainable process for the effective extraction of phytochemicals bearing antioxidant potency from Colocasia esculenta L. leaves, the by-product of taro cultivation, using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as a green booster for polyphenol isolation, along with ultrasound irradiation. Process optimization based on response surface methodology demonstrated that the maximum total phenolic content (11.90 mg gallic acid equivalents g−1 sample), total flavonoid content (4.66 mg catechin equivalents g−1 sample), and antioxidant activity in terms of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical inhibition (80.70%) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (85.39 μmol trolox equivalents g−1 sample) could be obtained by ultrasonication of leaves at 59.6 °C for 55.4 min using an ethanolic solution (50% v/v) of β-CD (15 mM) and a solvent-solid ratio of 25.4 mL g−1. The extract obtained with β-CD was significantly enriched in flavonoids and, in particular, flavone derivatives (mainly apigenin and luteolin glucosides). The outcomes of the present study suggest that the proposed extraction procedure can serve as a highly effective and green strategy for the recovery of taro leaf polyphenols opening new horizons in the valorization of underutilized by-products from food and pharmaceutical sector.

The Anticoccidial In Vitro Effects and Antioxidant Properties of Several Plants Traditionally Used for Coccidiosis in Togo

Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease that often affects livestock. Identifying plants with inhibitory effects on the development of the parasite could help in finding new natural treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the anticoccidial potentials of extracts from Azadirachta indica leaves (AILs), Combretum micranthum leaves (CMLs), Carica papaya seeds (CPSs), Sarcocephalus latifolius roots (SLRs), and Vernonia amygdalina leaves (VALs). The in vitro anticoccidial efficacy of the extracts was evaluated through oocyst sporulation inhibition and sporozoite viability inhibition assays of Eimeria oocysts. The setup was examined for 72 h (every 24 h) of incubation. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power were used to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the extracts. Among the tested extracts, the SLR, CPS, and AIL extracts exhibited the maximum oocyst sporulation inhibition (75.85 ± 1.21%, 74.53 ± 1.65%, and 71.58 ± 0.24%, respectively) at a concentration of 75 mg/mL of plant extracts against the Eimeria species. The Sarcocephalus latifolius root extract showed the highest radical scavenging capacity (76.25 ± 0.53) and reducing power (86.21 ± 4.28). The biochemical screening of the selected plant extracts revealed the presence of antioxidant compounds such as phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and carbohydrates. The SLR extract contained the highest amounts of phenols (56.11 ± 0.33 µg/mL) and flavonoids (36.65 ± 1.85 µg/mL). In conclusion, the selected hydro-ethanolic extracts from these plants possess excellent anticoccidial and antioxidant activities, which can be attributed to the presence of medicinally important phytochemicals. Further research is needed to identify and isolate the active anticoccidial compounds from these plants, which could be utilized in the development of drugs against coccidiosis.

Physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity and phytochemical profiling of Australian Tetragonula carbonaria cerumen

This study investigated the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of stingless bee (Tetragonula carbonaria) cerumen from Australia, while also identifying some phenolic constituents using High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC). The antioxidant activity of the ethanolic T. carbonaria cerumen extracts was determined using a Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay and a HPTLC-DPPH approach was used to identify the constituents that contribute to the antioxidant activity of the cerumen samples. For the determination of the total phenolic content (TPC), a modified Folin-Ciocalteu assay was carried out. The FRAP values ranged from 5.19 ± 0.40 to 16.2 ± 0.70 mmol Fe2+/kg of raw cerumen and the TPC values from 3.77 ± 0.12 to 81.3 ± 2.04 mg GAE/g of raw cerumen. The HPTLC analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid and kaempferol in the ethanolic T. carbonaria cerumen extracts which contribute to the antioxidant activity of the samples. The findings of the study demonstrate the antioxidant activity of Australian T. carbonaria cerumen and highlight the importance of more research into its chemical composition, bioactivity and potential therapeutical use.

Employing Aloysia citrodora (lemon verbena) as a substrate to improve toxicological and antioxidative properties of kombucha beverage

AbstractThis study examined the production of kombucha beverages with several combination of black tea and Aloysia citrodora. For this purpose, five types of kombucha drinks were prepared using different ratios of pure black tea and pure A. citrodora (80:0, 50:30, 40:40, 30:50, and 0:80). Total phenolic and flavonoid content, radical-scavenging capacity based on DPPH, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in the fermentation period (days 0, 5, 10, and 15), and cytotoxicity on the 15th day have been evaluated. The results showed that phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant properties increased during fermentation (P < 0.01). Using A. citrodora as a substrate enhanced the phenolic and antioxidant properties. The maximum amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids were 240.24 mg GAE/mL and 49.65 μg QE/mL, respectively, and the DPPH value was 92.81% for the samples with an equal ratio of black tea and A. citrodora on the 15th day. In addition, this sample had the highest rate (66%) of destroying PC3 prostate cancer cells at a 600 μg dL−1 concentration. Using A. citrodora in kombucha drink not only improved the health indices but also caused better acceptance by the sensory evaluators compared to the sample of kombucha beverage produced with pure black tea.

Unlocking Antioxidant-Anticancer Synergy: An Exploration of Therapeutic Bioactives from Methanolic Extracts of Rubus ellipticus and Boerhavia diffusa Using HeLa Cell Line.

This study aimed to assess the synergistic antioxidant and anticancer effects of methanolic extracts derived from Rubus ellipticus and Boerhavia diffusa fruits against the HeLa cell line. The methanolic extracts were prepared from the fruits of R. ellipticus and B. diffusa, and their antioxidant potential was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity assay and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The anticancer effects of benzoic acid and rutin extracted from the aforementioned fruits were also investigated against the HeLa cell line using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay to measure the cell metabolic activity. Using Synergy Finder plus software, the bioactive compounds were tested to explore any synergistic effects. R. ellipticus exhibited higher antioxidant potential as revealed by higher DPPH scavenging activity and FRAP value compared with B. diffusa. The benzoic acid extracted from R. ellipticus demonstrated potent anticancer activity against the HeLa cell line, with an IC50 of 1.07 µg/mL. Similarly, rutin extracted from B. diffusa displayed moderate anticancer activity with an IC50 of 1.4 µg/mL while exhibiting minimal impact on normal cell lines. The combination studies of the extracted bioactive compounds revealed a synergistic effect. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of R. ellipticus and B. diffusa in combating the oxidative stress and cancer. Their bioactive compounds like benzoic acid and rutin were observed to act synergistically. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and evaluate their applicability in clinical settings.

Evaluation of banana peel extract (Musa sapientum L.) as a natural antimicrobial for livestock farming

AbstractIntroductionOne of the primary objectives of managing microbial content in livestock farming is to control diseases in the respective animals. Nevertheless, the pervasive development of drug‐resistant bacteria is a consequence of the high levels of antibiotic use that are necessary to achieve this objective. This situation exacerbates animal disease and poses a threat to human health. The purpose of this study was to investigate alternative microbial control methods in livestock farming using banana peel extract.Materials & MethodsThe antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of peel extracts from unripe and ripe cultivated bananas were examined and compared.ResultsThe results are notable because they show that the unripe banana peel extracts exhibited significantly better antioxidant activity than the ripe banana peel extracts in 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests. Furthermore, the unripe banana peels showed significant antimicrobial activity in vitro against four bacteria that are commonly found in swine and poultry houses, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, Exiguobacterium indicum, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus siamensis, Bacillus altitudinis, Pantoea ananatis, and Bacillus megaterium. This activity was probably due to their high levels of total phenolic content and total flavonoid content. Then, the spray formulation loaded with the concentrated unripe banana peel extract that was five times higher than the minimum bactericidal concentration was developed and tested. Ethanol, sodium benzoate, tween 80, and glycerine were applied as additives in the spray formulation to increase the extract's solubility and stability. It was found that the developed spray formulation effectively inhibited the growth of S. epidermidis.ConclusionThese research outcomes show that the possible application of banana peel extract is an excellent approach because it is an eco‐friendly alternative to control microorganisms undesired microbial growth in farm animals.

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in various parts of Morus alba L. Cv. ichinose: a comparative analysis

Present investigation was undertaken to assess the composition of bioactive compounds within various parts of methanolic extracts from mulberry plants utilizing both High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometric methodologies. Furthermore, the antioxidant potential was evaluated through assays including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), β-carotene bleaching (BCBA), and Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Activity (HRSA). This research incorporated the analysis of the fruit, root, shoot, and leaf of the mulberry (Morus alba L.) Cv. Ichinose. Findings from the investigation revealed that levels of total phenols (533.8 ± 15.6 mg/100 g) and flavonoids (232.3 ± 7.1 mg/100 g) were notably higher in fruit compared to root, while total ascorbic acid content (70.9 ± 3.1 mg/100 g) was significantly elevated in the leaf. The fruit exhibited a significantly higher concentration of total anthocyanins (142.5 ± 3.1 mg/100 g), whereas the leaf contained a substantial amount of total carotenoids (5.8 ± 0.3 mg/100 g). Predominant phenolic acids detected in mulberry included ferulic acid, m-coumaric acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and gallic acid. Quercetin and isoquercetin were identified as the major flavonoids in mulberry fruits. In terms of anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-rutinoside (25.6 ± 2.3 mg/100 g) and cyanidin-3-glucoside (16.4 ± 2.1 mg/100 g) were the primary anthocyanins present in the fruit. The main carotenoid found in the leaf was beta-carotene, with levels reaching 2.1 ± 0.3 mg/100 g. Fruit displayed the highest antioxidant activity among all parts examined. Comparison of the EC50 values of fruit (EC50 = 174.2 ± 2.2 µg/mL), root (EC50 = 179.6 ± 2.3 µg/mL), and shoot (EC50 = 189.4 ± 2.1) suggested that these segments of the mulberry plant could potentially function as antioxidants and could exhibit a greater hydroxyl radical scavenging effect than standard antioxidants.

Sustainable Development of an Innovative Spreadable Plant-Based Product of High Added Value through the Valorization of an Agro-Food By-Product

There is an increased demand for healthy foods by the consumer nowadays, while at the same time, circular bio-economy and sustainability in food production represent top priority issues for the food industry. In this context, purslane, a highly nutritious annual plant that grows abundant during the hottest months of the year but is considered a by-product of the agricultural process, was utilized for the development of an innovative, ready-to-eat food product suitable for a vegetarian diet in the form of a bread spread. Following an initial small-scale experimentation for the stabilization of apparent quality attributes, the product’s recipe was finalized on an industrial scale, and the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) for the manufacturing process, the physicochemical (pH, water activity) and sensorial analysis of the end product, together with its nutritional value, shelf-life, and antioxidant capacity, were determined. The results suggested that the acidic (pH 4.3) product had a shelf-life of a minimum of six months to one year and, according to EU legislation, it comprised a source of (dietary) fibers and protein, while being high in poly-unsaturated (e.g., omega-3, omega-6), and mono-unsaturated (e.g., oleic acid) fatty acids. Total phenolic content (TPC) with the Folin–Ciocalteau assay and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) using the Ferric-Reducing Antioxidant Power assay of the product, presented concentrations of 0.95 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g and 0.016 mmol of Fe2+/g of dry weight of sample, respectively. However, the predicted bioavailability for TPC and TAC was 28% and 31%, respectively. The product was evaluated positively by a panel of potential consumers without significant differences compared to conventional familiar products. The potential of using agro-food chain by-products, such as purslane, for the development of novel foods representing a healthy and tasty food choice at any time of the day is a promising opportunity for the food industry to meet growing consumer demands for more sustainable, nutritious, and healthy food products with a reduced environmental footprint compared to the traditional plant-originated products of intensive agriculture.

Essential oil of Hygrophila salicifolia (Vahl) Nees: Chemical composition, evaluation of antioxidant activity, anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-α-glucosidase activities integrating molecular docking, and network pharmacology analysis

Hygrophila salicifolia (Vahl) Nees is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine widely circulated in the Chinese medicinal materials market. It has gained significant popularity for its therapeutic effects in clearing heat and reducing swelling. The present study evaluated the chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, acetylcholinesterase, and α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of this species' essential oil. The major compounds of H. salicifolia essential oil were 1-octen-3-ol (29.0 %), phytol (5.7 %), phytone (4.6 %), cubebol (3.7 %), estragole (3.5 %), 7-epi-silphiperfol-5-ene (3.3 %), and ylangenol (3.1 %). The essential oil of H. salicifolia revealed antioxidant activity against both 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 2.13 ± 0.17 and 0.22 ± 0.02 mg/mL. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value was 170.97 ± 3.68 μmol·g−1. The essential oil has moderate activity against acetylcholinesterase (IC50 = 360.4 ± 12.7 μg/mL) and weak activity against α-glucosidase (14.2 % inhibition at 500 μg/mL). Moreover, we conducted in silico network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking to evidence the results of in vitro tests, providing a theoretical foundation for future drug development. The presented results suggest that the essential oil of H. salicifolia possesses the potential to be used in cosmetics, food, and pharmacological industries, emphasizing the need for further investigation.

Effects of feeding enriched-olive cake on milk quality, metabolic response, and rumen fermentation and microbial composition in mid-lactating Holstein cows

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing OC enriched in polyphenols (EOC) to mid-lactating Holstein cows on milk quality, metabolic response, and rumen fermentation and microbiota. Twenty multiparous Holstein dairy cows (10 cows/group) were enrolled for 30 d in two homogeneous groups according to milk yield, days in milking, parity, and body condition score. The control group (CTR) received no supplemented concentrate, whereas the EOC group received concentrate with a 7% inclusion of EOC. Milk and blood samples were collected at 0 d and 30 d of treatment, while rumen fluid samples were collected after 30 d of treatment. Overall, the dietary supplementation of EOC did not affect milk yield and its quality, rumen pH, and rumen VFA. However, milk of EOC cows had lower C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, and C16:0 content, and greater C18:0, C18:1 cis-9, and C18:2 n6 content, compared with CTR cows. Regarding the rumen microbiota composition, EOC diet increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidales_RF16_group, Absconditabacteriales_(SR1), and Fibrobacteracea in the rumen. On cow’s metabolism, EOC cows showed lower blood haptoglobin and greater ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), cholesterol, and Zn levels compared with CTR cows. The supplementation of EOC led to a milder low-grade inflammatory response of cows and a positive modulation of cholesterol synthesis (probably at both intestinal and hepatic level). Supplementing EOC modulated rumen microbiota and improved the lipid profile of milk. Thereby, OC may be considered a valid feed to be included in the dairy cow’s diet leading to a positive effects on dairy cattle metabolism (less low-grade inflammatory response and oxidative stress) and at the same time giving an added value to the milk with a better profile of the fatty acids.

Nutritional Value, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity of Phak-liang (Gnetum gnemon Linn. var. tenerum Markgr.) in Surat Thani Province, Thailand

The nutritional value, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of Phak-liang (Gnetum gnemon Linn. var. tenerum Markgr.) were investigated. The indigenous vegetables were collected from three districts; Muang, Bannasarn, and Khirirat Nikom in Surat Thani Province. The nutritional value of the samples was carried out according to the methods of AOAC. The moisture contents ranged from 84.72-87.52%, and the ash contents ranged from 0.78-1.07% fresh weight. The percentage of fiber, protein, fat, and carbohydrate in the leafy vegetables were in the range of 3.06-3.81, 3.44-4.68, 0.65-1.08 and 7.49-9.55 fresh weight, respectively. The samples were analyzed by ICP-OES for their mineral determinations. The amounts found in the samples, in descending order were: K > Ca > Mg > Mn > Na> Fe > Zn > Cu. Considering the amounts of minerals found in the vegetable and their recommended daily values by the Bureau of Nutrition (Ministry of Public Health, Thailand), the daily value (DV) percentage of Mn in the samples were relatively high (28.45-96.65%), whereas K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn contributed from 1.29–8.42% of the daily values. The vegetable had negligible amounts of Na (0.03 - 0.07% of the DV). The antioxidant capacities were analyzed using Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The results showed that antioxidant activity increased by the concentration of the ethanol extracts. The FRAP values of the extracts ranged from 89.01-160.70 µM FeSO4/100 g dry weight, and the IC50 values calculated for DPPH radical scavenging activities of the extracts ranged from 54.37-60.57 mg/mL. The results suggested that Phak-liang is a potential source of natural phytochemicals and could be used for health promotion in the community.

Phenolic Compounds Characterization of Caryocar brasiliense Peel with Potential Antioxidant Activity

The pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) fruit peel, despite being frequently discarded, has a high content of bioactive compounds, and therefore has a high nutritional value. The present study aimed to explore the bioactivities in the pequi peel, particularly their potential health benefits at the level of antioxidant activity. The exploitation of this fruit could also present significant economic benefits and applications of pequi by-products would represent a reduction in waste, having a positive impact on the environment. Phenolic compounds present in the pequi exocarp and external mesocarp were identified by paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) and quantified by HPLC. The total phenolic content (TPC) along with the amount of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), and the amount of 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) were also determined in peel extracts. Epicatechin was the most abundant phenolic compound found, followed by the caffeic, salicylic, and gallic acids. In addition, fingerprinting revealed compounds related to several beneficial health effects. In short, the results obtained were encouraging for potential applications of pequi peel in the field of functional foods.

Isolation, identification and biological characterization of bacterial endophytes isolated from Gunnera Perpensa L.

In the present study, eleven endophytic bacterial strains, Herbaspirillum sp. (GP-SGM1, GP-SGM2, GP-SGM3, GP-SGM11), Pseudomonas sp. (GP-SGM4, GP-SGM5), Novosphingobium sp. GP-SGM6, Chryseobacterium sp. GP-SGM7, Labedella sp. GP-SGM8, Brevibacterium sp. GP-SGM9, and Pseudomonas sp. GP-SGM10, were isolated from the rhizomes of Gunnera perpensa L. The growth kinetics, assessed through maximum growth rates (µmax) and optical density (OD) values, revealed that GP-SGM7 exhibited highest µmax values of 0.33±0.01 hr-1 with an OD of 4.20±0.04. In contrast, GP-SGM11 exhibited the lowest µmax of 0.12±0.05 hr-1 and the smallest OD of 1.50±0.00. In addition, the endophyte crude extracts were tested for antibacterial activity against five pathogenic strains using the disk diffusion method, with GP-SGM7 crude extracts exhibiting promising antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays. The crude extracts of GP-SGM1, GP-SGM7, GP-SGM9, and GP-SGM10 were the most effective at scavenging DPPH radicals, with GP-SGM7 also exhibiting high FRAP value of 0.54±0.01. These findings emphasize the therapeutic potential of endophytic bacteria from Gunnera perpensa L. in addressing skin-related issues, including bacterial infections and free radicals.

Comprehensive evaluation of drought stress on medicinal plants: a meta-analysis.

Drought stress significantly affects plants by altering their physiological and biochemical processes, which can severely limit their growth and development. Similarly, drought has severe negative effects on medicinal plants, which are essential for healthcare. The effects are particularly significant in areas that rely mostly on traditional medicine, which might potentially jeopardize both global health and local economies. Understanding effects of droughts on medicinal plants is essential for developing strategies to enhance plant adaptability to drought stress, which is vital for sustaining agricultural productivity under changing climatic conditions. In this study, a meta-analysis was conducted on 27 studies examining various parameters such as plant yield, chlorophyll content, relative water content, essential oil content, essential oil yield, non-enzymatic antioxidants, enzymatic antioxidants, phenols, flavonoids, and proline content. The analysis explored the effects of drought across different stress conditions (control, moderate, and severe) to gain deeper insights into the drought's impact. The categorization of these stress conditions was based on field or soil capacity: control (100-80%), moderate (80-50%), and severe (below 50%). This classification was guided by the authors' descriptions in their studies. According to meta-analysis results, enzymatic antioxidants emerge as the most responsive parameters to stress. Other parameters such as relative water content (RWC) and yield also exhibit considerable negative mean effect sizes under all three stress conditions. Therefore, when evaluating the impacts of drought stress on medicinal plants, it is beneficial to include these three parameters (enzymatic antioxidants, RWC, and yield) in an evaluation of drought stress. The chlorophyll content has been determined not to be a reliable indicator for measuring impact of drought stress. Also, measuring antioxidants such as flavonoids and phenols could be a better option than using radical scavenging methods like DPPH (2, 2-difenil-1-pikrilhidrazil), FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), and ABTS (2, 2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)).

Exploring the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Lentzea flaviverrucosa strain E25-2 isolated from Moroccan forest soil.

The alarming rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has created a significant public health challenge, necessitating the discovery of new therapeutic agents to combat infectious diseases and oxidative stress-related disorders. The Lentzea flaviverrucosa strain E25-2, isolated from Moroccan forest soil, represents a potential avenue for such research. This study aimed to identify the isolate E25-2, obtained from soil in a cold Moroccan ecosystem, and further investigate its antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed the strain's classification within the Lentzea genus, with a sequence closely resembling that of Lentzea flaviverrucosa AS4.0578 (96.10% similarity). Antimicrobial activity in solid media showed moderate to strong activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Bacillus cereus strain ATCC 14579, Escherichia coli strain ATCC 25922, Candida albicans strain ATCC 60193 and 4 phytopathogenic fungi. In addition, ethyl acetate extract of this isolate demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against 7 clinically multi-drug resistant bacteria. Furthermore, it demonstrated antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radicals, as well as a significant increase in ferric reducing antioxidant power. A significant positive correlation was observed between antioxidant activities and total content of phenolic compounds (p < 0.0001), along with flavonoids (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of amines, hydroxyl groups, pyridopyrazinone rings, esters and pyrrolopyrazines. The Lentzea genus could offer promising prospects in the fight against antibiotic resistance and in the prevention against oxidative stress related diseases.

Cardiac biogenic amine profile and its relationship with parameters of cardiovascular disease in obesity

AimsTo identify the cardiac biogenic amine profile of obese rats and associate these compounds with parameters of cardiovascular disease. Main methodsWistar rats (n = 20) were randomly distributed into two groups: control and obese. Obesity was induced by a high-sugar fat diet. Biochemical parameters were evaluated. Doppler Echocardiography and systolic blood pressure; interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), protein carbonylation, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and catalase activity were measured in cardiac tissue. HPLC evaluated the cardiac biogenic profile. Data were compared using the Student's T or Mann-Whitney tests and Spearman's correlation at 5% significance. The principal component analysis (PCA) was performed. Key findingsObesity generated hypertension, cardiac remodeling and dysfunction, and imbalanced all biochemical, inflammatory, and oxidative markers (p < 0.001). Eight biogenic amines were found in cardiac tissue. Obesity increased serotonin and decreased agmatine, putrescine, cadaverine, and spermidine. Serotonin (r = 0.534 to 0.808) was strong and positively correlated with obesity, biochemical parameters, cardiac inflammation, oxidative stress, hypertension, cardiac remodeling, and dysfunction (p < 0.001). Spermidine (r = −0.560 to −0.680), putrescine (r = −0.532 to −0.805), cadaverine (r = −0.534 to −0.860), and agmatine (r = −0.579 to −0.884) were inversely correlated with the same parameters (p < 0.001). PCA allowed for distinguishing the control and obese groups. SignificanceThere are strong correlations between cardiac biogenic amine levels, cardiac remodeling, and dysfunction resulting from obesity. ConclusionThere is an association between cardiac biogenic amines and cardiovascular disease in obesity. In addition, agmatine, putrescine, cadaverine, and, mainly, serotonin may be new biomarkers for cardiovascular health in obesity and help to improve the diagnosis and treatment of CVD resulting or not from obesity. However, more research is needed to support this conclusion.

Poplar Bud (Populus) Extraction and Chinese Propolis Counteract Oxidative Stress in Caenorhabditis elegans via Insulin/IGF-1 Signaling Pathway.

Poplar buds are characterized by a high content of phenolic compounds, which exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities. However, the relationship between Chinese propolis and poplar buds based on their antioxidant capacities and underlying mechanisms remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant properties of poplar bud (Populus) extract (PBE) and Chinese propolis (CP) and to elucidate the mechanisms behind their activity. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that both PBE and CP contain a significant amount of phenolic acids and flavonoids. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays demonstrated that PBE and CP possess excellent antioxidant activity. Furthermore, administration of PBE and CP improved the survival rate of C. elegans under oxidative stress. They also decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), while enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT). PBE and CP intervention upregulated the expression of key genes daf-16, sod-3, hsp-16.2, and skn-1 in nematodes. This suggests that the antioxidant activity of PBE and CP is dependent on daf-16 and skn-1 signaling pathways. In conclusion, poplar bud extracts ha have the potential to become a substitute for propolis and a potential therapeutic agent for treating diseases associated with oxidative damage.

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of 4-thiazolidinone Schiff bases and their antioxidant, α-glucosidase, α-amylase inhibition, mode of inhibition and computational studies

AbstractDiabetes mellitus (DM) has become a growing concern to global public health, being at the forefront of acute disorders and causes of mortality across the globe. Clinically approved drugs that are currently being used are faced with severe side effects, consequently necessitating the development of new drugs with no/fewer side effects and improved pharmacological potency. Herein, we report a rapid and efficient synthesis of thiazolidinone Schiff bases (2a-2t) from benzylidenehydrazines and thioglycolic acid under neat conditions through ultra-sonication. All the synthesized compounds were obtained in exceptional yields (89–95%) and confirmed by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, as well as High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The synthesized compounds were then evaluated for their antidiabetic activity through α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory potentials and their antioxidant activity through Nitric Oxide (NO), 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Among them, 2q (IC50 = 96.63 μM) and 2h (IC50 = 125.27 μM) emerged as the most potent derivatives against α-amylase relative to reference drug acarbose (IC50 = 131.63 µM), respectively. Antioxidant evaluation further revealed that the synthesized derivatives were excellent NO scavengers disclosing 2n (IC50 = 44.95 µM) as the most potent derivative. Moreover, in silico ADME calculations predicted these compounds to have excellent drug-like properties. Kinetic studies disclosed the mode of α-amylase inhibition as competitive while molecular docking studies of the most active derivatives performed into the binding active site of human pancreatic α-amylase enzyme deciphered their ligand-protein interactions that explicated their observed experimental potencies.

Quality Evaluation of Ginger-Spiced Hibiscus Sabdariffa Drink Sweetened with Dates and Sucrose

Sweetening of Hibiscus sabdariffa drink (zobo) with sucrose is a major drawback on its health benefits. This research assessed the quality of ginger-spiced Hibiscus sabdariffa “zobo” drink sweetened with dates and sugar. Four samples of zobo drink were produced and the drink samples were assessed for physico-chemical properties, nutrient composition, antioxidant properties and sensory qualities. Data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 at P&lt;0.05 and means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The pH was between 2.88 and 2.96 while obrix was 3-14.5 and titratable acidity was 0.78 - 0.83. The ranges for the nutrient composition are; moisture content (82.41% - 90.46 %), ash content (0.13%-0.68%), crude fiber (0.00% - 0.02%), fat content (0.18% - 0.92%), protein content (0.45%-2.41%), carbohydrate content (8.77% - 13.65%). Results for the antioxidant properties ranges; total flavonoid content (19.12 – 32.30 mg/ml), phenolic content (38.34 to 45.53 mg/ml), diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (60.90-65.12 %), ferric reducing antioxidant power (40.04 – 50.50 mg GAE/ml) and total reducing power (0.63 – 0.93 µg/ml). The sensory results showed that the samples were all acceptable in terms of colour, aroma and overall acceptability. However, there was preference for sample with 5 % dates and 5 % sucrose. Addition of dates to zobo is beneficial in terms of crude fibre, vitamin C, antioxidant activities and sensory qualities.

Association between Dietary total antioxidant capacity and knee osteoarthritis: a case-control study in the Iranian Population

AimKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent chronic condition associated with significant pain, disability, and healthcare costs, particularly among the elderly population. Despite the considerable burden of KOA, effective treatment options for managing the condition’s underlying causes remain limited. This case-control study aims to investigate the relationship between dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and knee osteoarthritis.MethodsThis case-control study was conducted on 105 patients with confirmed KOA and 210 controls. KOA was diagnosed based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) was calculated based on the ferric-reducing antioxidant power method.ResultsThe mean age and BMI of the participants were 53.6 ± 8.8 years old and 27.3 ± 2.7 kg/m2, respectively. The study participant’s DTAC score ranged from 3.56 to 25.32 with a mean and SD of 12.46 ± 5.12. In the crude model, individuals in the highest quartile of DTAC score had 71% lower odds of having knee osteoarthritis compared to those in the first quartile (OR: 0.29, 95%CI: 0.15 to 0.58, P-trend < 0.001). These associations remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders including age, sex, energy intake, family history of osteoarthritis, vitamin D and calcium use, physical activity level, cigarette smoking and BMI. Although the odds of having knee osteoarthritis decreased with increasing quartiles of DTAC in both sexes, this relationship was stronger among males than females.ConclusionThe results of this study showed that there was an inverse correlation between DTAC and KOA among the Iranian patients with KOA.