Glycoside Content Research Articles

Development and Validation of an Analytical Procedure for Determining Convallatoxin in Medicinal Products Containing Cardiac Glycosides of Lily of the Valley

INTRODUCTION. The safe use of lily-of-the-valley medicinal products requires adequately controlling the content of cardiac glycosides. The State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation stipulates that the content of cardiac glycosides in lily-of-the-valley medicinal products should be quantified using bioassays and spectrophotometry. However, the determination of cardiac glycosides needs more accurate and selective physicochemical methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).AIM. This study aimed to develop and validate an HPLC analytical procedure for the quantitative determination of cardiac glycosides (convallatoxin) in lily-of-the-valley herbal medicinal products.MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study examined the Lily-of-the-Valley Tincture, Zelenin Drops, Valocormid, Carniland®, and Lily-of-the-Valley Extract Reference Standard samples. The content of cardiac glycosides was determined by comparison with a reference standard for convallatoxin by HPLC and spectrophotometry. The samples were prepared as outlined in Monograph 3.4.0003.18 Lily-of-the-Valley Herb Tincture of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation. Mixed cardiac glycosides were separated on a Luna 5 µm C18(2) column by gradient elution with 0.1% orthophosphoric acid in water and acetonitrile. The analysis was performed using an autoinjector with sample cooling to 5 °C.RESULTS. The developed analytical procedure met the acceptance criteria for specificity, intermediate precision, linearity (correlation coefficient of 0.99985), and repeatability (relative standard deviation of convallatoxin measurements of 1.61%). The analytical procedure is suitable for the quantitative determination of convallatoxin in lily-of-the-valley herbal medicinal products because it produces reliable and repeatable results.CONCLUSIONS. The authors developed a highly sensitive and selective HPLC analytical procedure for the quantitative determination of convallatoxin in lily-of-the-valley herbal medicinal products. The content of convallatoxin ranged from 0.012 to 0.018 mg/mL in the liquid active substance Lily-of-the-Valley Tincture, from 0.004 to 0.013 mg/mL in the medicinal product Zelenin Drops, and from 0.005 to 0.007 mg/mL in the medicinal products Carniland® and Valocormid. For the Lily-of-the-Valley Extract Reference Standard, the content of convallatoxin amounted to 0.029 mg/mL.

THE EFFECT OF DİFFERENT PROCESSİNG METHODS ON AMYGDALİN LEVELS AND SOME PHYSİCOCHEMİCAL PROPERTİES OF APRİCOT KERNELS

Apricot seeds, particularly bitter seeds, pose health risks due to their cyanogenic glycosides content. Therefore, determining the amount of amygdalin in seeds is important for the food industry. In this study, the amygdalin content of sweet apricot varieties Hacıhaliloğlu and Kabaaşı, as well as bitter apricot (zerdali), was determined using LS-MS/MS devices. Methods to reduce the amygdalin levels in raw apricot seeds to safe consumption limits were established. The treatments to remove bitterness included sodium bicarbonate alkalinization (4-10% NaHCO3 for 7-15 min), ultrasonic waves (30-50°C for 30-60 min), microwave (240W-560W for 2-5 min), and roasting (120-160°C for 10-20 min). After all treatments, samples were analyzed for fat content, protein, amygdalin content via HCN, antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, and color values (L, a*, b*, Chroma, Hue) using Soxhlet extraction. The fat content (42.99, 44.35, 40.75 ), protein content (34.14, 30.36, 29.27), and hydrocyanic acid content (mg/kg) (24.56, 30.31, 1630.66) of Hacıhaliloğlu, Kabaaşı, and zerdali varieties were found, respectively. Among the methods used to reduce or eliminate the amygdalin content of raw apricot seeds, roasting emerged as the most effective. For raw zerdali seeds, the amygdalin content was 27.64 mg/g, which decreased to 9.77 after 10 min of roasting at 160°C. In terms of total phenolic content, sweet and bitter seeds had similar values. The antioxidant activity (mg TE/100g) was 82.59 for raw zerdali seeds, with the lowest being for sodium bicarbonate (81.72), ultrasonic (57.5), microwave (52.65), and roasting (97.04) treatments.

Geographical distribution of caudatoside and ptaquiloside in bracken ferns in Northern Europe

Bracken ferns (genus Pteridium) are among the most prevalent plants worldwide, with their distribution expanding due to their invasive nature. The environmental implications of their proliferation in areas affected by human activity, natural disasters, or land-use changes are concerning, primarily because of the carcinogenic illudane glycosides they produce. These compounds cause domestic and wildlife animal poisoning, as well as contamination of dairy products and drinking water. Several illudane glycosides are known, but usually only ptaquiloside (PTA) is monitored. This study investigates the spatial and temporal variations in illudane glycosides PTA, caudatoside (CAU) and ptesculentoside (PTE) across two phenotypes of Pteridium aquilinum (vars. aquilinum and latiusculum) over a broad geographic range spanning Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, encompassing 66 locations. We analysed different parts of the fern fronds (the tips and the lowest pinnae) using LC–MS and statistically explored the influence of phenotype, frond part, geographic location, sunlight exposure, and the surrounding ecosystem on glycoside content. Our findings reveal that PTA accounts for approximately two-thirds of the total illudane glycoside content, followed by CAU at nearly one-third, and a minor contribution from PTE. Glycoside levels were not influenced by phenotypic varieties or the studied environmental factors, but were significantly affected by geographic location. Specifically, CAU levels increased progressively towards the northeast, while PTA concentrations were highest in Denmark and markedly decreased in northeastern countries by over threefold, presumably due to climatic gradient. It has been further supported by temporal analysis in selected PTA-dominant regions indicating a reduction in PTA towards the end of the growing season, aligning its levels with those of CAU. Our study highlights that CAU concentrations in bracken ferns may equal or surpass PTA, contesting the prevailing view that PTA is the only notable illudane glycoside in Bracken. To provide unbiased assessment of the potential risks posed by P. aquilinum in the region, environmental and toxicological research should include measurements of not only PTA, but also CAU and, if possible, PTE.

Methyl jasmonate mitigates biochemical and phytochemical changes in salt stressed Stevia rebaudiana plants

This study explored the effects of salt stress on growth, oxidative stress, and steviol glycoside content in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plants cultivated in soil supplemented with methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Stevia plants were cultivated under normal and salt stress conditions, with and without MeJA supplements of 30 ?M, 60 ?M, and 120 ?M. Samples were harvested after the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 10th, and 15th day of treatment. The levels of chlorophyll (p<0.0001), carotenoids (p<0.0001), and antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (p<0.0001), superoxide dismutase (p<0.0001), APX (p<0.0001), and glutathione reductase (p<0.0001) were observed. The quantification of steviol glycosides, including stevioside (p<0.0001) and rebaudioside-A (p<0.0001), was studied by the most advanced hyphenated technique, LC-MS/MS. The study revealed that the oxidative stress responses were significantly improved in MeJA-treated plants compared to salt-stress control plants. The level of production of phenols (p<0.0001), flavonoids, total sugar, reducing sugar, and steviol glucosides was significantly altered in salt-stress plants. MeJA showed a dose- and time-dependent significant effect on the improvement of these factors over salt stress. In conclusion, MeJA not only improves the growth of plants but also reduces oxidative stress and enhances the level of phytochemicals under saline stress.

Identification of bHLH transcription factors and screening of anthocyanin-related genes in Lagerstroemia indica.

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family is one of the three major transcription factor families that play important transcriptional regulatory roles in plant growth and development. One of the most crucial elements in defining Lagerstroemia indica's decorative qualities is flower color. However, the function of the bHLH transcription factor family in L. indica anthocyanin glycoside synthesis has not been clarified. Using the transcriptome data of flower color, 79 LibHLH genes were found in this study. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the LibHLH genes can be divided into 16 subfamilies, and most of the genes in the same subfamily have similar conserved motifs. The total anthocyanin glycoside content of L. indica 'Zihua Guifei' petals was determined during three developmental stages of the petals' growth. The results showed that the total anthocyanin glycoside content grew gradually with growth and development, and that it accumulated most during the full bloom stage. By using gene expression analysis, protein interaction network analysis, and bioinformatics, it was possible to determine which member of the III f family, LibHLH29, is important for the synthesis of anthocyanin glycosides in L. indica. Its expression was confirmed by qRT-PCR, and the results were essentially compatible with the transcriptome data. It was more prominent in the light-colored bloom stage the color-transition stage of L. indica 'Zihua Guifei'. It can be further investigated as a major candidate gene for regulating anthocyanin glycoside synthesis in L. indica, thus laying the foundation for an in-depth study of the interactions among transcription factors.

Comparison in Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Cheonggukjang Containing Mountain-Cultivated Ginseng Using Two Bacillus Genus.

In this study, the nutrients, phytochemicals (including isoflavone and ginsenoside derivatives), and antioxidant activities of cheonggukjang with different ratios (0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10%) of mountain-cultivated ginseng (MCG) were compared and analyzed using microorganisms isolated from traditional cheonggukjang. The IDCK 30 and IDCK 40 strains were confirmed as Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis, respectively, based on morphological, biological, biochemical, and molecular genetic identification, as well as cell wall fatty acid composition. The contents of amino acids and fatty acids showed no significant difference in relation to the ratio of MCG. After fermentation, isoflavone glycoside (such as daidzin, glycitin, and genistin) contents decreased, while aglycone (daidzein, glycitein, and genistein) contents increased. However, total ginsenoside contents were higher according to the ratio of MCG. After fermentation, ginsenoside Rg2, F2, and protopanaxadiol contents of cheonggukjang decreased. Conversely, ginsenoside Rg3 (2.5%: 56.51 → 89.43 μg/g, 5.0%: 65.56 → 94.71 μg/g, and 10%: 96.05 → 166.90 μg/g) and compound K (2.5%: 28.54 → 69.43 μg/g, 5.0%: 41.63 → 150.72 μg/g, and 10%: 96.23 → 231.33 μg/g) increased. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were higher with increasing ratios of MCG and fermentation (fermented cheonggukjang with 10% MCG: 13.60 GAE and 1.87 RE mg/g). Additionally, radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing/antioxidant power were significantly increased in fermented cheonggukjang. This study demonstrates that the quality of cheonggukjang improved, and cheonggukjang with MCG as natural antioxidants may be useful in food and pharmaceutical applications.

Bioefficacy of Methanolic Leaf Extracts from Coleus amboinicus and Mentha spicata against Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) pose significant public health challenges globally, with India and Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for the majority of cases. Aedes aegypti, a primary vector of dengue fever, thrives in an environment with inadequate water supply and poor waste management. The increasing resistance of mosquito population to chemical insecticides necessitates the exploration of alternative control strategies, such as botanical extracts. This study evaluates the adulticidal efficacy of methanolic leaf extracts of Coleus amboinicus and Mentha spicata against the adults of Ae. aegypti. Fresh leaves of both plants were collected, dried, and extracted with methanol. Phytochemical screening revealed a moderate presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, and glycosides in C. amboinicus, while phenols are highly prevalent, indicating significant biological activity. In contrast, M. spicata displayed a high concentration of alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, though saponins, phenols, and glycosides were less abundant. Adulticidal bioassays demonstrated that C. amboinicus achieved higher mortality rates across all concentrations compared to M. spicata. The LC50 value for C. amboinicus was 202.00 ppm, while M. spicata exhibited an LC50 of 230.00 ppm. Similarly, the LC90 values were 428.51 ppm and 457.40 ppm for C. amboinicus and M. spicata, respectively. These findings suggest that C. amboinicus has a more balanced and diverse phytochemical profile, which likely contributes to its superior adulticidal activity against Ae. aegypti. This study highlights the potential of C. amboinicus as a natural alternative for mosquito control, warranting further exploration and development for effective vector management.

Improving organoleptic and antioxidant properties by inhibition of novel miRstv_7 to target key genes of steviol glycosides biosynthetic pathway in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni.

Stevioside (5-10%) and rebaudioside-A (2-4%) are well-characterized diterpene glycosides found in leaves of Stevia rebaudiana known to have natural sweetening properties with zero glycaemic index. Stevioside has after-taste bitterness, whereas rebaudioside-A is sweet in taste. The ratio of rebaudioside-A to stevioside needs to be changed in order to increase the effectiveness and palatability of this natural sweetener. Plant-specific miRNAs play a significant role in the regulation of metabolic pathways for the biosynthesis of economically important secondary metabolites. In this study inhibition of miRNA through antisense technology was employed to antagonize the repressive action of miRstv_7 on its target mRNAs involved in the steviol glycosides (SGs) biosynthesis pathway. In transgenic plants expressing anti-miRstv_7, reduced expression level of endogenous miRstv_7 was observed than the non-transformed plants. As a result, enhanced expression of target genes, viz. KO (Kaurene oxidase), KAH (Kaurenoic acid-13-hydroxylase), and UGT76G1 (UDP-glycosyltransferase 76G1) led to a significant increase in the rebaudioside-A to stevioside ratio. Furthermore, metabolome analysis revealed a significant increase in total steviol glycosides content as well as total flavonoids content. Thus, our study can be utilized to generate more palatable varieties of Stevia with improved nutraceutical values including better organoleptic and antioxidant properties.

Assesment of quality of Ginkgo biloba extract and dietary supplements in Vietnam market based on flavonol glycoside content and flavonoid ratio

Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest medicinal herbs in the world. It is commonly used as a dietary supplement to protect against blood circulation disorders, improve memory, and prevent cognitive decline. Currently, Vietnam and other countries have regulations in place to ensure the quality of Ginkgo biloba extract in their pharmacopoeia. In this study, the quality of 11 raw materials and 120 dietary supplement products containing ginkgo extract was evaluated based on flavonol glycoside content and the ratio of component flavonoids. The results revealed a significant number of unsatisfactory samples, highlighting the need for closer monitoring of quality products to protect consumer rights.

Push-Pull Intercropping Increases the Antiherbivore Benzoxazinoid Glycoside Content in Maize Leaf Tissue.

Push-pull technology refers to a promising mixed cropping practice for sustainable agricultural intensification, which uses properties of intercrop and border crop species to defend a focal crop against pests. Currently, the most widely practiced system uses Desmodium spp. as intercrop and Brachiaria or Napier grass as border crops to protect maize (Zea mays) against both insect pests and parasitic weeds. Several previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of the push-pull system, but research on the underlying chemical mechanisms has mostly been limited to laboratory and glasshouse experiments that may not fully reproduce the complexity of the system under natural conditions. To address this limitation, we performed a large-scale study in farmer-operated push-pull maize fields in three east African countries. We compared maize leaf extracts from plants grown on push-pull fields with maize from fields employing conventional agricultural practices to assess the influence of push-pull cultivation on the maize metabolome. We identified two benzoxazinoid glycosides, which are known to have antiherbivore properties and were present in greater relative abundance in push-pull-cultivated maize leaves across three countries. Our data thus suggest that maize cultivated under push-pull has an increased resistance to herbivore attack compared to maize grown under conventional local agricultural practices.

Comparative Analysis of the Phytochemicals, Minerals, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Rauvolfia vomtoria Leafs

In this study, the phytochemicals, B vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and antimicrobial activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Rauvolfia vomtoria leaves were determined and compared. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis, mineral and B vitamin composition, in vitro antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial properties of both extracts were determined using standard protocols. Precise analysis of R. vomtoria revealed that the moisture content of the leaves was 8.90%, ash content was 7.70% and crude fiber content was 20.00%. The carbohydrate content of the leaves was 41%, crude protein content was 17. 00% and total fat content was 5.28%. Cardiac glycosides, tannins, phenols, saponins, phytates, steroids, terpenoids and alkaloids were detected in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts. However, significantly higher concentrations of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and phytates were detected in the ethanolic extract compared to the aqueous extract. There was no significant difference in the amount of phenols and terpenoids in the two extracts (p>0.05). The thiamine content in the aqueous extract was 0.20 whereas that in the ethanolic extract was 0.27. The riboflavin content was higher in the ethanolic extract (1.80) than in the aqueous extract (1.40). Similarly, the niacin content of the ethanolic extract was 0.81 whereas that of the aqueous extract was 0.81. There was no significant difference in the calcium, magnesium and phosphorus values recorded for the two extracts (p>0.05). In contrast, there was a significant difference in the sodium, potassium, zinc, iron and copper contents of the two extracts with the aqueous extract containing higher amounts of potassium and zinc. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts had zones of inhibition against Enterobacter faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Cetrobacter freundii and Shigella flexlerii. However, the zone of inhibition of the ethanolic extract against the tested organisms was higher than that of the aqueous extract. At a concentration of 10%, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed 87.29% and 92.03% DPPH scavenging activity, respectively. The percentage of inhibitory activity of the extracts against DPPH radical increased in a dose-dependent manner, with the ethanolic extract showing the highest DPPH radical inhibitory activity at a concentration of 50%. The results confirm that ethanol is a suitable solvent for the extraction of biologically active molecules from R.vomtoria leaves.

Induction and Suspension Culture of Panax japonicus Callus Tissue for the Production of Secondary Metabolic Active Substances.

Using Panax japonicus as research material, callus induction and culture were carried out, and high-yielding cell lines were screened to establish a suspension culture system that promotes callus growth and the accumulation of the "total saponins" (total content of triterpenoid glycosides or ginsenosides). Using the root as an explant, the medium for callus induction and proliferation was optimized by adjusting culture conditions (initial inoculation amount, carbon source, shaking speed, hormone concentration, culture time) and a high-yielding cell line with efficient proliferation and high total saponins content was screened out. The conditions of suspension culture were refined to find out the most suitable conditions for the suspension culture of callus, and finally, the suspension culture system was established. We found that the lowest (5%) contamination rate was achieved by disinfecting the fresh roots with 75% alcohol for 60 s, followed by soaking in 10% NaClO for 15 min. The highest induction rate (88.17%) of callus was obtained using the medium MS + 16.11 μmol·L-1 NAA + 13.32 μmol·L-1 6-BA + 30.0 g·L-1 sucrose + 7.5 g·L-1 agar. The callus was loose when the callus subcultured on the proliferation medium (MS + 5.37 μmol·L-1 NAA + 13.32 μmol·L-1 6-BA + 30.0 g·L-1 sucrose + 3.8 g·L-1 gellan gum) for 21 days. The callus growth was cultured in a liquid growth medium (MS + 5.37 μmol·L-1 NAA + 13.32 μmol·L-1 6-BA + 30.0 g·L-1 sucrose) with an initial inoculation amount of 40 g·L-1, a shaking speed of 110 r/min and darkness. Cell growth was fastest with a culture period of 21 days. We replaced the growth medium with the production medium (MS + 5.37 μmol·L-1 NAA + 13.32 μmol·L-1 6-BA + 30.0 g·L-1 glucose) for maximum accumulation of total saponins. [Conclusion] A callus induction and suspension culture system for the root of P. japonicus was established. In this way, we can promote the accumulation of total saponins in callus cells and provide a basis for large-scale cell culture and industrial production of medicinal total saponins.

Phytochemistry, Nutritional, and Pharmacological Potential of Citrus Limonum

The current research aimed to provide an overview of the phytochemical configuration, nutritional value, and therapeutic uses of Citrous Limonum (lemon). Its fruit contains a variety of phytochemicals including citric acid, polyphenols, terpenes, limonene, flavonoids, vitamin C, sugar, pectin, citric acid, malic acid, flavonoids, carotenoids, terpineol, fellander, camhenium, citrain, calcium oxalates, and mucilages. Vitamin C is abundant in citrous fruits, as well as macronutrients (dietary fibre and simple sugar) and micronutrients (copper, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, vit B6 niacin thiamin, and folate). Lemon oil is composed of 70% limonene and 20% monoterpenes, along with significant amounts of aldehydes, such as citral, alcohols (linalool), and esters (coumarin). Lemon peel contains high concentrations of flavonoids, glycosides, coumarins, steroids (beta, gamma, sitosterol), dietary fibers, carbs, and volatile oils, all of which are necessary for good health and appropriate development. However, citrus fruits are low in calories, salts, and cholesterol. They find uses in herbal remedies due to their antioxidant, antifungal, anti-cholesterol, anticancer, antiulcer, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory characteristics. It is also important to mention that the excessive use of lemon may also be associated with some risks, such as the lowering of sperm count.

Effect of Ethyl Acetate on the Defatting of Leaves in the Extraction of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni.

The process for producing purified steviol glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana leaves (stevia) generally involves pretreatments, extraction, purification and crystallization. Pre-extraction or defatting can sometimes be a part of this process. It can remove impurities of low polarity, such as chlorophyll and fatty compounds. Nonpolar solvents can be used to defat stevia leaves. In this study, we investigated ethyl acetate as a pre-extraction solvent for the defatting of dried and crushed stevia leaves. We compared pure ethyl acetate and water-saturated ethyl acetate as pre-extraction solvents in percolation extraction. We then evaluated the effects of pre-extraction on the concentration and purity of the extracts obtained with ethanol/water solvents. The recovery of nonpolar solvents was 2.3-3.9 % in pure ethyl acetate and 3.4-4.5 % in water-saturated ethyl acetate (from 40 to 60 °C). A low steviol glycoside loss can occur only with water-saturated ethyl acetate (on dry mass basis <0.5 %). In the Soxhlet extraction, the obtained yields were 8.43 with pure ethyl acetate and 10.44 % with water-saturated ethyl acetate. The steviol glycoside loss in the Soxhlet extraction was 10.70 % with water-saturated ethyl acetate. Defatted and non-defatted leaves were extracted with two ethanol/water solvents. Comparison of the results showed higher concentrations of glycoside in the pretreated leaves. The pre-extraction with ethyl acetate followed by the extraction with ethanol/water solvent lead to a higher concentration of steviol glycosides and a higher purity of the extracts. Ethyl acetate can be used as a pre-extraction solvent for the defatting of stevia leaves in the industrial production of this sweetener.

Development of a QTL marker for quercetin glycoside content in onion

Development of a QTL marker for quercetin glycoside content in onion

Comparative Analysis of Antioxidant, Nutritional, Phytochemical and Enzyme Inhibition Properties of Justicia carnea and Alchornea cordifolia Leaf Meals

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in plant-derived compounds for their potential health benefits and therapeutic applications. In this study, two botanical species, Alchornea cordifolia and Justicia carnea leaf meals were examined for their antioxidant characteristics, phytochemical and proximate composition, anti-proteinase properties and lipase, albumin, alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory properties. A. cordifolia exhibited significantly higher levels of vitamin C, ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate scavenging activity and flavonoid content compared to J. carnea, indicating superior antioxidant potential. Conversely, J. carnea showed higher saponin and cardiac glycoside content. Notably, A. cordifolia demonstrated stronger inhibition of lipase albumin and anti-proteinase activities, as well as higher inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes compared to J. carnea. Proximate composition analysis revealed differences in moisture, nitrogen-free extract, crude fat, crude fiber and crude protein contents between the two leaf meals. In conclusion, A. cordifolia emerges as a promising source of antioxidants and enzyme inhibitors, highlighting its potential as a valuable nutraceutical resource. Its superior properties to J. carnea suggest its potential application as a functional food ingredient for promoting health and preventing metabolic disorders. This study provides valuable insights into the biochemical and nutritional composition of these leaf meals, contributing to the understanding of their potential health benefits.

Geographic variation in secondary metabolites contents and their relationship with soil mineral elements in Pleuropterus multiflorum Thunb. from different regions

Abstract Background Pleuropterus multiflorum Thunb cv. “Heshouwu” (HSW) has been used as a classical material for both medicine and food in China for millennia. Recently, the cultivation region of HSW has shifted from Guangdong to Sichuan, Guizhou, and other regions. The investigation of geographic variation in bioactive metabolite contents and their relationship with soil mineral elements holds academic significance. Objective This study aimed to investigate the variations in the distribution of active components in HSW across diverse planting regions and their relationship with soil mineral elements. Methods A reliable quantitative analysis based on ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-QQQ-MS) was developed to assess the levels of 15 bioactive metabolites in 60 HSW samples collected from 4 distinct regions. A total of 43 soil mineral elements in corresponding 60 soil samples were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), heatmap analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and random forest (RF) regression were conducted based on the above quantitative data. Results The content of stilbene glycosides displayed a wider range of variation compared with emodin and physcion among different regions. Eight compounds were screened as the differential metabolites in HSW samples from various sources using the supervised OPLS-DA analysis. Among these, 2 important functional compounds including physcion and 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-(6″-O-acetyl)-glucoside (THSG-5) are the most abundant in HSW samples from Deqing, a geographical indicative production region. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the impact of soil mineral elements on the levels of stilbene glycosides is greater compared to that on anthraquinones. A negative correlation was observed between the levels of elements Na, Zn, Ba, Ti, and 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxysilbene 2-O-glucoside (THSG-1). Conversely, a positive correlation was found between the contents of elements Na, Ce, Ti, and physcion and THSG-5, 2 components that exhibited higher levels in Deqing. Furthermore, an RF algorithm was employed to establish an interrelationship model, effectively forecasting the abundance of the majority of differential metabolites in HSW samples based on the content data of soil mineral elements. Conclusions The variation of stilbene glycosides is wider than emodin and physcion in HSW. The levels of metabolites in HSW samples are influenced by soil mineral elements, with stilbene glycosides being more susceptible to such influences compared to anthraquinones. Specifically, THSG-1 shows a negative association with most soil mineral elements, notably Na, Zn, Ba, and Ti, whereas the content of physcion displays a positive correlation.

Comparative Study of Flavonoid Profiles, Antioxidant, and Antiproliferative Activities in Hot-Air and Vacuum Drying of Different Parts of Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus Britt) Flowers.

Pitaya flower, a medicinal and edible plant commonly used in tropical and subtropical regions, was the focus of this study, which compared the effects of hot-air drying (HAD) and vacuum drying (VD) on phytochemical profiles and biological activities of its four parts: calyx, petals, stamens, and pistils. Both drying methods significantly increased the total phenolic content (TPC) of pitaya flowers, with values ranging from 1.86 to 3.24 times higher than those of fresh samples. Twelve flavonoid compounds were identified in pitaya flowers, with the glycoside derivatives of three flavonols (kaempferol, isorhamnetin, and quercetin) being the most abundant. VD resulted in 1.15 times higher total flavonoid glycoside content than HAD, whereas in petals, HAD yielded a total flavonoid glycoside content 1.21 times higher than VD. Both HAD and VD effectively increased the antioxidant capacities of pitaya flowers, though the difference between the two methods was not significant. Additionally, both drying methods enhanced the antiproliferative activity of pitaya flowers, with HAD showing a more significant effect than VD. The present study emphasized the efficacy of drying methods for enhancing flavonoids in pitaya flowers and provided insights for functional products' innovation with different parts of pitaya flowers.

Pengaruh Variasi Trietanolamin terhadap Evaluasi secara Fisik Sediaan Krim Body Scrub dari Serbuk Belimbing Wuluh (Averrhoa bilimbi Linn)

Body scrub is a type of cosmetic preparation that has seen increased use, particularly with the incorporation of natural ingredients as its base. Belimbing wuluh (Averrhoa bilimbi Linn.) is a traditional medicinal plant known for its high content of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, and formic acid, all of which contribute to its significant antioxidant activity. This makes it a promising candidate for development into a cosmetic product for skin care. This study involved the formulation of body scrub preparations using A. bilimbi powder, with variations in triethanolamine (TEA) as an emulsifying and alkalizing agent to optimize the resulting product formula, which was then tested physically. The A. bilimbi fruit was processed into simplicia, which was subsequently ground and formulated into three different body scrub formulas. These three formulas were subjected to organoleptic tests, homogeneity tests, and pH tests to assess the impact of varying TEA concentrations. The results indicate that TEA influences the texture and pH values of the body scrub preparations. However, the distribution of the preparations based on the homogeneity test results showed no significant differences among the three formulas. The study identified Formula II, with a 3% TEA concentration, as the most optimal formula, meeting SNI standards for pH and demonstrating the best organoleptic properties among the three formulas.

The Influence of Sucrose on Biomass and Glycosides Content of Callus Cultured from the Leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni contains diterpenoid steviol glycosides that have no adverse impact on blood sugar levels despite being 300 times sweeter than sugar. This study aimed to investigate the rate of callus induction from stevia leaves and the content of glycosides when changing the sucrose percentage in the culture medium.. Murashige and Skoog (MS) culture medium supported by 4.0 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 1.0 mg/l benzyl adenine (BA) was used, and different concentrations of sucrose (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6%) were tested .The extraction of glycosides from leaf and callus tissues was performed by using methanol. Extracted glycosides were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed significant influences of sucrose on callus initiation. The concentration of 3% sucrose had the highest fresh and dry weight. No callus was induced in the MS medium with a high concentration of sucrose (5% and 6%). However, the highest glycoside content, stevioside and rebaudioside were obtained from callus treated with 4% concentration followed by 3% sucrose the treatment . The highest fresh and dry weight average was obtained with a 3% concentration of sucrose, this treatment also increased the concentration of glycosides in the callus twice as much as in the leaves, and concentrations of 3% and 4% of sucrose gave very similar concentrations of glycosides in callus in terms of being double what was found in the leaves something which may aid in the development of a stevia glycosides based industry.