Heartwood Extractives Research Articles

Quantitative genetic parameters of heartwood and its chemical traits in a black pine (Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold) clonal seed orchard established in Greece

Background: Black pine (Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold) is one of the most productive conifers species for timber production in southern Europe, the Mediterranean region and Greece. Recently, the interest for its heartwood extractives content due to their medicinal properties has been renewed. Black pine can be used to produce high added value products, such as bioactive compounds produced from wood and wood waste materials. Methods: Quantitative genetic parameters were estimated for heartwood chemical traits and heartwood percentage in a 44-year-old Pinus nigra clonal seed orchard, established in Peloponnese, Greece. Results: Significant variation was found among clones and among provenances for all studied traits. Heritability on a clone mean basis was extremely high for total acetone extractives, total resin acids as for all resin acids (≥0.85), except levopimaric acid (0.47) and very high for total stilbenes, pinosylvins as for dehydroabietic acid and heartwood percentage (0.69-0.79). On an individual basis, the genetic control was moderate to high (0.53-0.62) for total acetone extractives, total resin acids as for most of resin acids (≥0.85) with dehydroabietic acid presenting low value (0.39) while levopimaric acid very low (0.15). Total stilbenes, pinosylvins and its ether derivatives as heartwood percentage exhibited low values of heritability on individual basis (0.31-0.43). The phenotypic correlation (rp) between total acetone extracts and total stilbenes was negatively weak (≤-0.173) and significant (p≤0.01) while the genetic correlation (rg) was moderate to strong (≤-0.502). The rp values between several pinosylvins were significantly (p≤0.01) moderate to strong (0.529-0.975) as were genetic correlations (0.583-0.975). Between the studied resin acids, both rp and rg values were mostly medium to strong (rp≥0.8 and rg≥0.7) and significant (p≤0.01) in the case of phenotypic correlations, with minor exceptions (levopimaric acid). Phenotypic and genetic correlations between heartwood percentage and its chemical traits were positive (being in most cases significant), except for dehydroabietic and levopimaric acid. Conclusions: The studied clones, comprising the clonal seed orchard, can be used in clonal forestry and subsequent breeding cycles, indicating high potential for advanced breeding, especially for heartwood extractives that are of high pharmaceutical and economic value.

Biochemometry identifies suppressors of pro-inflammatory gene expression in Pterocarpus santalinus heartwood

The heartwood extract of the Ayurvedic medicinal plant Pterocarpus santalinus L. f. has previously been shown to significantly suppress the expression of CX3CL1 and other pro-inflammatory molecules in IL-1-stimulated human endothelial cells. Here, we identify the pigment-depleted extract PSD as the most promising yet still complex source of metabolites acting as an inhibitor of CX3CL1 gene expression. For the target-oriented identification of the constituents contributing to the observed in vitro anti-inflammatory effect of PSD, the biochemometric approach ELINA (Eliciting Nature's Activities) was applied. ELINA relies on the deconvolution of complex mixtures by generating microfractions with quantitative variances of constituents over several consecutive fractions. Therefore, PSD was separated into 35 microfractions by means of flash chromatography. Their 1H NMR data and bioactivity data were correlated by heterocovariance analysis. Complemented by LC-MS-ELSD data, ELINA differentiated between constituents with positive and detrimental effects towards activity and allowed for the prioritization of compounds to be isolated in the early steps of phytochemical investigation. A hyphenated high-performance counter-current chromatographic device (HPCCC+) was employed for efficient and targeted isolation of bioactive constituents. A total of 15 metabolites were isolated, including four previously unreported constituents and nine that have never been described before from red sandalwood. Nine isolates were probed for their inhibitory effects on CX3CL1 gene expression, of which four isoflavonoids, namely pterosonin A (1), santal (6), 7,3′-dimethylorobol (12) and the previously unreported compound pterosantalin A (2), were identified as pronounced inhibitors of CX3CL1 gene expression in vitro.

Sappan Heartwood (Caesalpinia sappan L.) Extract as a Natural Antimicrobial used in Beetroot Juice by Accelerated Solvent Extraction

After accelerated solvent extraction using ethanol-water solvent (at a weight ratio of 3 to 1) at extraction temperatures of 60C, 120C, and 180C for 5 min under 1500 psi extraction pressure, the brazilin content in the extracts was determined and also the obtained sappan heartwood extracts (SHE) were used to inhibit some pathogenic bacteria in food, including B. cereus, E. coli, S. aureus, and S. Typhimurium, using agar disc diffusion method. According to the findings of this study, the average yield of SHE using ethanol-water solvent at different extraction temperatures of 60C, 120C, and 180C was 9.16, 13.64 and 16.81%, respectively, providing that the brazilin compound was found in the extracts to be approximately 3.36, 2.69 and 2.68%, respectively. SHE samples were found to be antibacterial against all bacteria tested. These extracts' minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) at 37°C for E. coli were 3.91 and 5.64-6.51 mg/ml, respectively; S. aureus, 3.69-3.91 and 3.69-3.91 mg/ml, respectively; B. cereus, 0.150.16 and 0.20 mg/ml, respectively, and S. Typhimurium, 0.96 and 1.31-1.96 mg/ml, respectively. SHE obtained at 120C extraction temperature were suitable and selected for addition into beetroot juice stored at 4C for 7 days and 37C for 24 hr, with the lowest SHE concentrations found to completely and simultaneously kill B. cereus, E. coli, S. aureus, and S. Typhimurium in beetroot juice being 11.73 and 3.91 mg/ml, respectively.

Discolored Components from the Black-streaked Heartwood Extracts of Teak

With regard to black-streaked discoloration of teak wood, the ethyl acetate extract from successive extraction was examined. By column chromatography, tectol and and two unknown compounds i.e. C-1 (molecular weight of 240) and C-2 (molecular weight of 210) were isolated. Discoloration tests, i.e. air oxidation, acidic (acetic acid), and alkaline (potassiun hydrogen carbonate) treatments were conducted to the isolated and other standard quinoine compounds (tectoquinone, lapachol, 2-tert-buthyl- anthraqunone, 2-hydroxy-methyl-anthraqunone). The results showed that tectol changes its color by the considerable decreasing in brightness whereas C-1 showed huge decrease in yellowness by air oxydation. Tectol did not change its color in pH value of 2.9 to 8.3 but C-1, C-2, and lapachol did change. Tectoquinone was hardly change color under alkaline or acidic treatment. The difference in quinone coloration might be due the structural features of a hydroxyl group and a double bond conjugated

Extractives in Douglas firs (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) from three sites in south-west Germany and potential opportunities for valorization

Owing to favorable wood properties and its resilience to the effects of climate change, Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is a promising tree species in Central Europe. Its wood and bark extractives could also serve as feedstock for the production of bio-based materials and platform chemicals. In this study, sapwood, heartwood, knotwood and bark extractives of Douglas firs originating from three differently aged stands in south-west Germany were investigated. Two different extraction methods with organic solvents were compared: a mixture of cyclohexane/ethanol and a successive method using petroleum ether, acetone and methanol. Extraction yields obtained with the successive method were higher, however one-step extraction was very efficient considering the number of samples that could be extracted and is therefore useful for a fast screening. At all sites, extract yields from sapwood, heartwood and bark were highest close to the tree top, while at the two older sites, an additional maximum was found at 1.3 m height. Knotwood extractives tended to decline with increasing tree height. The most abundant substance with economic importance was taxifolin, yielding up to 13% of dry weight in bark, whereas knotwood contained high amounts of resin acids and the lignan nortrachelogenin. Contrary to other studies, the present study found no evidence of a significant site effect on yield and composition of extracts. Overall, many different compounds for future bio-economic applications were found so that the preferential utilization of extractive-rich bark and crown material could foster an integral valorization of trees, supplementing with existing high grade timber production.

"Analysis of Antifungal, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Bark, Sapwood, And Heartwood Extracts of Lophira Alata (Azobe) from Gabon"

"Analysis of Antifungal, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Bark, Sapwood, And Heartwood Extracts of Lophira Alata (Azobe) from Gabon"

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities, lethality assay and chemical profile in crude extract of Biancaea sappan (L.) Tod. for anti-Vibrio agent

Background and objectivesThe bacterial infections are still an important cause of death for organisms leading to interesting finding the new antibacterial agent from natural source. The antimicrobial activity of Biancaea sappan extract (BSE) has been reported with a few mentions of anti-Vibrio efficiency. In this study, the heartwood extract from B. sappan was investigated for antibacterial activity, stability, toxicity, and anti-Vibrio in seawater. MethodsThe BSE was tested for antimicrobial activity to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration (MIC&MBC). The crude extract was evaluated an antioxidant activity through 2,2–diphenyl–1–picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity and content of total phenolics according to Folin–Ciocalteu colorimetric method. Next, the BSE was determined thermal, diluent stabilities and Artemia salina toxicity before the time–kill study for anti-Vibrio in seawater. The major components in extract were analyzed using LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. ResultsBSE was yielded at 9.56 %. The lowest MIC and MBC were 0.49 mg/mL for V. parahaemolyticus TISTR1596. The TPC in BSE was 31.46 GAE/g, and antioxidant activity with a 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.288 mg/mL. TPC in BSE was stable at high temperatures, and distilled water (>90 %).It was non-acute lethality toward A. salina for 24 h (LC50 = 7.374 mg/mL). At 3MIC and 4MIC of BSE were effective for killing V. parahaemolyticus within 2 h. ConclusionsThe BSE showed an effective inhibitory against V. parahaemolyticus with the lowest MIC and MBC. The TPC was stable with non-acute toxic effects on A. salina. It showed high potential anti-Vibrio activity in seawater that may be shown the usefulness in controlling Vibrio infection.

Biological Deterioration and Natural Durability of Wood in Europe

In recent years, the use of wood has gained social interest, leading to a global increase in its demand. Yet, this demand is often covered by the production of woods of low natural durability against biological deterioration. The main biological agents with the potential to attack the structural integrity of wood are wood-decay fungi, saproxylic beetles, termites, and marine molluscs and crustaceans. In most circumstances, fungi are the main wood-deteriorating agents. To attack the cell wall, wood-decay fungi combine a complex enzymatic mechanism with non-enzymatic mechanisms based on low-molecular-weight compounds. In some cases, the larvae of saproxylic beetles can also digest cell wood components, causing serious deterioration to wooden structures. The impact of subterranean termites in Europe is concentrated in the Southern countries, causing important economic losses. However, alien invasive species of voracious subterranean termites are expanding their presence in Europe. Wooden elements in permanent contact with marine water can be readily deteriorated by mollusc and crustacean borers, for which current preservatives lack efficacy. The natural durability of wood is defined as the inherent resistance of wood to catastrophic action by wood-destroying organisms. Besides exposure to the climate, product design and use conditions, the natural durability of wood is key to the prediction of the service life of wooden products, which can be shortened due to the impact of global change. The major wood properties involved in natural durability are related to the composition of lignin in the cell wall, the anatomy of the xylem, nutrient availability, the amount and composition of heartwood extractives, and the presence of moisture-regulating components since wood moisture content influences the establishment of wood-degrading organisms.

Developments of pH responsive biodegradable monitoring film based on poly(vinyl alcohol) incorporated with Sappan heartwood extract for food packaging applications

<abstract> <p>The major problem leading to substantial waste in the food industry is the spoilage of food products during transportation and storage periods. Consequently, the scope of this research focuses on the development and preparation a pH responsive monitoring films based on biodegradable materials of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and natural colorant extract from <italic>Caesalpinia sappan</italic> L. heartwood (SP). These monitoring films were prepared by a solution casting method and the film stability was improved by crosslinking with citric acid (CA). The red tone of monitoring film without CA was observed, while the crosslinked monitoring film showed a yellow color, which occurs from the structural change of brazilin (structure presenting in SP) to brazilein under acidic conditions. From the SEM and FTIR results, the monitoring film showed high compatibility between phases, improvements in light barrier properties and good WVTR performance. The tensile strength and elongation at break were slightly increased. For pH responsive properties, the monitoring films showed a high response with NH<sub>3</sub> gas detection with the change in color from a yellow tone to a red tone. These results indicated that the monitoring films have potential to be applied as food packaging for meat, fish, pork, chicken, and other foods that generate ammonium gas during spoilage. Therefore, these high stable, and non-toxic biodegradable PVA films that incorporated with SP extract and crosslinked by CA have the potential to be used for food spoilage detection in packaging.</p> </abstract>

In Silico Analysis of PTP1B Inhibitors and TLC-MS Bioautography-Based Identification of Free Radical Scavenging and α-Amylase Inhibitory Compounds from Heartwood Extract of Pterocarpus marsupium.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus leads to metabolic impairment caused by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, giving rise to chronic diabetic complications and poor disease prognosis. The heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium has been used in Ayurveda for a long time, and we sought to find the actual mechanism(s) driving its antidiabetic potential. Methanol was used to prepare the extract using a Soxhlet extraction, and the identification of metabolites was performed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and ultraperformance-liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy (UP-LCMS). The antioxidant potential of methanolic heartwood extract of Pterocarpus marsupium MHPM was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and a reducing power assay. The α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory potential of MHPM were investigated for their antidiabetic activity against acarbose. TLC-MS-bioautography was performed to identify the compounds responsible for possible antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. Moreover, targeting protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a key regulator of insulin resistance, by identified metabolites from MHPM through molecular docking and all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations was also undertaken, suggesting its potential as an antidiabetic herb. The IC50 of free-radical scavenging activity of MHPM against DPPH was 156.342 ± 10.70 μg/mL. Further, the IC50 values of MHPM in α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymatic inhibitions were 158.663 ± 10.986 μg/mL and 180.21 ± 11.35 μg/mL, respectively. TLC-MS-bioautography identified four free radical scavenging metabolites, and vanillic acid identified by MS analysis showed both free radical scavenging activity and α-amylase inhibitory activity. Among the identified metabolites from MHPM, epicatechin showed significant PTP1B docking interactions, and its MD simulations revealed that PTP1B forms a stable protein-ligand complex with epicatechin throughout the progression, which indicates that epicatechin may be used as a promising scaffold in the development of the antidiabetic drug after isolation from Pterocarpus marsupium. Overall, these findings imply that Pterocarpus marsupium is a source of valuable metabolites that are accountable for its antioxidant and antidiabetic properties.

PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF CENTRAL ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF ACACIA CATECHU BY HOT PLATE AND TAIL IMMERSION METHOD

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the analgesic activity of Acacia catechu heartwood extracts on Swiss albino mice using hot plate and tail immersion method. Methods: In this study, we used the aqueous and methanol extracts of heartwood of A. catechu to evaluate its analgesic activity. The aqueous extract was achieved by doubled distillation method and the methanol extract was achieved by cold maceration method. The mice were divided into four groups, each group consisting of six animals. Doses of 50, 100, and 300 mg/kg, p.o. of both the extracts of A. catechu were given to the mice. The responses were noted at 0, 15, 30, and 60 min. Results: The results of both the methods were quick similar but differ based on extracts. The aqueous extract of A. catechu showed a much better yield of analgesic activity as compared to the methanol extract. The data were analyzed by graph using two-way analysis of variance, which showed the dose-dependent pain resistance. Conclusion: The study confirmed the potency of A. catechu in pain management and points the future development to be conducted on it.

Molecular mechanism of Dalbergia cochinchinensis heartwood in regulation of energy metabolism to treat myocardial ischemia based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

Dalbergia cochinchinensis(DC) is chemically similar to the valuable and scarce Chinese herb Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum, and both of them belong to the Dalbergia Leguminosae. DC is used for treating cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, its potent active ingredient groups and molecular mechanisms in anti-myocardial ischemia are not fully clarified. In this study, the active ingredient groups, targets, and signaling pathways of DC heartwood for the treatment of myocardial ischemia were screened out based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, and the effects were verified by the rat model of acute myocardial ischemia induced by isoprenaline(ISO). The molecular mechanism of DC heartwood was elucidated based on the target of multi-ingredient and multi-target pathways. The crossing targets of DC heartwood for the treatment of myocardial ischemia were identified through the screening of active ingredients in DC heartwood and the prediction of targets. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment and Gene Ontology(GO) functional annotation were performed. AutoDock was used to bind the active ingredient groups to the pathway targets. Finally, the molecular mechanism of myocardial ischemia treatment by DC heartwood extracts in the treatment of myocardial ischemia was revealed through the rat model of ISO-induced acute myocardial ischemia by performing electrocardiogram(ECG), hemodynamic, cardiac enzymes, hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, high-energy phosphate compounds, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), and Western blot pharmacodynamic experiments, based on the multi-ingredient and multi-target action of active ingredient groups and pathway targets. The network pharmacology showed that the 18 ingredients of DC heartwood corresponded to 510 targets, 629 myocardial ischemia-related targets, and 101 cross-targets. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that DC heartwood was involved in the hypoxic response, vasoconstriction, and nitric oxide biosynthesis, and had effects on the molecular functions of hemoglobin binding, protein binding, and adenosine triphosphate(ATP) binding. It regulated the signaling pathways such as hypoxia-inducible factor 1(HIF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3 K/AKT) to act on myocardial ischemia. Experimental studies showed that DC heartwood slowed down the heart rate and ST segment change(ΔST), and increased systolic blood pressure(SBP), diastolic blood pressure(DBP), and mean arterial pressure(MBP) in rats with ISO-induced acute myocardial ischemia. It also reduced plasma lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB), and glutamate transaminase(AST) levels, relieved myocardial fiber disorders and inflammatory cell infiltration, and increased ATP and cellular energy(EC) levels. DC heartwood increased the mRNA expressions of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase(CAMKK) in the myocardial tissue, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3(PFKFB3), mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), PI3 K, VEGF, endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS), HIF-1α in the myocardial tissue. It decreased the mRNA expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase(PDH), and increased the protein expressions of PFKFB3, VEGFA, and eNOS. Molecular docking showed that liquiritigenin, stigmasterol, isodalbergin, latifolin, 4-methoxydalbergione, dibutyl terephthalate, 2,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxybenzophenone in DC heartwood produced bio-binding activities with epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR), HIF-1α, CAMKK, PI3 K, mTOR, and PDH, respectively. Therefore, the active ingredient groups of DC heartwood act on the HIF-1 signaling pathway, regulate cardiomyocyte energy metabolism, and increase ATP energy charge in a multi-ingredient and multi-target manner, improving cardiac function and histopathological changes to protect rats with acute myocardial ischemia induced by ISO.

Differences in Chemical Constituents between Dalbergia oliveri Heartwood and Sapwood and Their Effect on Wood Color.

The purpose of this study was to characterize and quantify the chemical constituents of heartwood and sapwood of Dalbergia oliveri extract in order to investigate the chemical components that determine the formation of heartwood's color. In this work, the types of pigments in heartwood and sapwood extract were analyzed using UV-Visible (UV) Spectrophotometer, and the main pigment components of heartwood and sapwood extract were identified and quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). The results showed that the difference in content of the main components between heartwood and sapwood of Dalbergia oliveri was slight, and the lignin structure between heartwood and sapwood is basically identical; flavonoid pigments were found to be the primary chromophoric components of heartwood and sapwood extract. However, a total of 21 flavonoids were identified in heartwood and sapwood, of which the unique substances to heartwood were vitexin, isorhamnetin, and pelargonidin, and the content of isoliquiritigenin, formononetin, and biochanin A were 253, 37, and 583 times higher in the heartwood than in the sapwood, respectively, which could be the main pigment components affecting the significant color difference between heartwood and sapwood of Dalbergia oliveri. These results will provide a foundation for revealing the underlying mechanism of color difference between heartwood and sapwood and provide a theoretical basis for wood coloring.

Heartwood Extract of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. Offers Defense against Oxyradicals and Improves Glucose Uptake in HepG2 Cells.

Diabetes mellitus leads to cellular damage and causes apoptosis by oxidative stress. Heartwood extract of Pterocarpus marsupium has been used in Ayurveda to treat various diseases such as leprosy, diabetes, asthma, and bronchitis. In this study, we worked out the mechanism of the antidiabetic potential of methanolic heartwood extract of Pterocarpus marsupium (MPME). First, metabolic profiling of MPME was done using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS), ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (UPLC-MS), and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) to identify phenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids in MPME. Biological studies were carried out in vitro using the HepG2 cell line. Many antidiabetic compounds were identified including Quercetin. Methanolic extract of MPME (23.43 µg/mL–93.75 µg/mL) was found to be safe and effective in reducing oxyradicals in HepG2 cells. A concentration of 93.75 µg/mL improved glucose uptake efficiently. A significant decrease in oxidative stress, cell damage, and apoptosis was found in MPME-treated HepG2 cells. The study suggests that the heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium offers good defense in HepG2 cells against oxidative stress and improves glucose uptake. The results show the significant antidiabetic potential of MPME using a HepG2 cell model. The effect seems to occur by reducing oxidative stress and sensitizing the cells towards glucose uptake, hence lowering systemic glucose levels, as well as rescuing ROS generation.

Chemical composition of Dalbergia tonkinensis heartwood extracts and comparison with Dalbergia odorifera

Dalbergia tonkinensis is very similar to Dalbergia odorifera in material, texture, and other macroscopic characteristics, and a comparison of the commonalities and differences in the chemical composition of the extractives may help to distinguish the two. However, the chemical composition of Dalbergia tonkinensis heartwood is unknown. The total flavonoid content of Dalbergia tonkinensis heartwood was determined to range between 49.67 to 101.95 mg, which indicated that Dalbergia tonkinensis is as equally rich in flavonoids as Dalbergia odorifera. Thirty-one flavonoids were identified via ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in Dalbergia tonkinensis. Among them, the contents of 15 medicinal active flavonoids with were determined, and the liquiritigenin, naringenin, formononetin, pinocembrin, and biochanin A contents were found to be high. The 12 volatile compositions of Dalbergia tonkinensis heartwood identified via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were very similar to those of Dalbergia odorifera and were dominated by trans-nerolidol, caryophyllene oxide, and eudesmol. The relationship between the chemical composition of Dalbergia tonkinensis and Dalbergia odorifera heartwood extracts was determined via a principal component analysis, and the results indicated that there was no significant difference in chemical composition between the two. This suggested that Dalbergia tonkinensis could be used as a potential substitute for Dalbergia odorifera.

Secang wood (Caesalpinia sappan L.) nanoemulgel activity as antiaging through suppressing the MMP-1 expression and the collagen degradation

Context: Aging is closely related to reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS increases the collagenase enzyme (MMP-1) levels and collagen degradation that causes skin wrinkling. Secang wood (Caesalpinia sappan L.) containing brazilin and brazilein has been shown to have photoprotective and antioxidant properties. Aims: To evaluate the activity of C. sappan nanoemulgel as antiaging agent against the target protein, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 by in silico assay and using in vivo assay through MMP-1 and collagen expression parameter. Methods: C. sappan nanoemulgel was made by mixing the gel base with C. sappan nanoemulsion from heartwood extract. The C. sappan nanoemulsion was formulated using the Self Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System method. In vivo testing was conducted with a post-test-only control group design and used male Wistar rats. MMP-1 expression was examined using immunohistochemical techniques, and the amount of dermal collagen was observed with Picro Sirius Red staining. In silico assay using a computational method with Autodock 4.2 program. Results: C. sappan nanoemulgel concentrations of 0.0625, 0.125, and 0.25% obstruct the expression of MMP-1 and collagen degradation. The bond energy value to MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 were -8.04, -10.40, and -8.70 kcal/mol (for brazilin); -8.82; -10.99, and -8.51 kcal/mol (for brazilein). Conclusions: Nanoemulgel containing C. sappan nanoemulsion has a potential activity as an antiaging agent by repressing MMP-1 expression and dermal collagen degradation. C. sappan nanoemulgel 0.25% showed the best result as antiaging. Brazilin and brazilein from C. sappan inhibit the MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 by in silico assay.

Response surface methodology applied to subcritical solvent extraction of brazilin compound from Caesalpinia sappan L. heartwood

Subcritical solvent extraction technique could be used to extract brazilin from Caesalpinia sappan L. heartwood (CSH). The optimal experimental condition for the subcritical solvent extraction, simultaneously giving the highest percentage yield of dried crude extract sample (9.95%), maximal brazilin content (84.65 mg/g dry heartwood), the lowest IC50 values of DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities (11.42 and 8.62 μg/mL extract, respectively) and the highest FRAP value (12.11 μM FeSO4 equivalents/100 μL extract) of the CSH extract were obtained using ethanol: water (3:1 w/w) as the solvent and a solvent: CSH ratio of 9:1 (w/w) at 100 °C for 50 min. Under this optimal extraction condition, the heartwood extract exhibited antibacterial activity against bacteria which had the minimal inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values of 0.98 and 1.45, 1.96 and 2.94, 3.91 and 3.91, and 3.91 and 3.91 mg/mL to inhibit and kill Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli, respectively. The obtained data might substantiate the potential health benefits of the crude extract and brazilin compound of Caesalpinia sappan L. heartwood, as potential natural antioxidant and antimicrobial ingredients in food, food supplements, cosmetic and pharmaceutical production, and, also, as food preservatives or coloring agents in the food processing industries.

Development of Intelligent Gelatin Films Incorporated with Sappan (Caesalpinia sappan L.) Heartwood Extract.

This study aimed to develop intelligent gelatin films incorporated with sappan (Caesalpinia sappan L.) heartwood extracts (SE) and characterize their properties. The intelligent gelatin film was prepared through a casting method from gelatin (3%, w/v), glycerol (25% w/w, based on gelatin weight), and SE at various concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00%, w/v). The thickness of the developed films ranged from 43 to 63 μm. The lightness and transparency of the films decreased with the increasing concentration of SE (p < 0.05). All concentrations of gelatin films incorporated with SE exhibited great pH sensitivity, as indicated by changes in film color at different pH levels (pH 1–12). Significant decreases in tensile strength were observed at 1.00% SE film (p < 0.05). The addition of SE reduced gelatin films’ solubility and water vapor permeability (p < 0.05). The chemical and physical interactions between gelatin and SE affected the absorption peaks in FTIR spectra. SE was affected by increased total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of the gelatin film, and the 1.00% SE film showed the highest TPC (15.60 mg GAE/g db.) and antioxidant activity (DPPH: 782.71 μM Trolox/g db. and FRAP: 329.84 mM/g db.). The gelatin films combined with SE could inhibit S. aureus and E. coli, while the inhibition zone was not observed for E. coli; it only affected the film surface area. The result suggested that gelatin films incorporated with SE can be used as an intelligent film for pH indicators and prolong the shelf life of food due to their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

Tectona grandis Linn. f. secondary metabolites and their bioactive potential: a review

Tectona grandis Linn. f. (teak) is one of the most appreciated high-quality timber all over the world due to its economic value and wide array of applications. This tropical hardwood presents outstanding characteristics like pleasing aesthetic appearance, strength, lightness, ease of working, dimensional stability, and decay resistance. The latter quality is mainly ascribed to its extractives, which contain biologically active compounds (mainly quinones and anthraquinones) that confer a natural resistance against termites and fungi. This review focuses on teak secondary metabolites and the bioactivity potential of heartwood extractives. Furthermore, it covers the generalities of the teak tree and gives an overview on the approaches aimed to valorize the wastes from woodworking enterprises as a possible source of functional extractives and as an eco-friendly raw material. Notwithstanding the efforts made to elucidate the compounds present in teak wood, further research is needed to understand the chemical bases of its natural resistance to decay. Moreover, there is a lack of economic, technical, and ecotoxicity feasibility studies regarding extractives as a source of bioactive molecules for pharmaceutical, food, or cosmetics purposes.

Chemical composition of extracts from Dalbergia odorifera heartwood and its correlation with color

The objective of this study was to identify the flavonoid chemical compositions of Dalbergia odorifera heartwood extracts, to investigate their correlation with heartwood color, for establishing an evaluation method for quantifying the quality of the heartwood. The results showed that the heartwood color parameters, L* and b*, were significantly correlated with the total flavonoid contents of the extracts (correlation coefficients of −0.93 and −0.86, respectively). Furthermore, 50 flavonoid components in the extracts were identified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS), and a method for determining the contents of 16 major components was established. Among the major components, liquiritigenin, dalbergin, calycosin, daidzein and fisetin had significant negative correlations with both L* or b*. This study provides a basis for the establishment of evaluation methods to determine the quality of Dalbergia odorifera heartwood.