High Amounts Of Phenolics Research Articles

<i>In Vitr</i> Antioxygenic Activity of Ridge Gourd (<i>Luffa acutangula</i>) Pulp, Peel and Their Extracts on Peroxidation Models

Ridge gourd pulp and peel powders as well as their various solvent fractions were evaluated for antioxygenic activity using different methods. Ridge gourd pulp and peel powders at 2% level and their ethanol/water soluble extracts exhibited strong antioxygenic activity in sunflower oil stored at 37?C. The water soluble extract devoid of any antioxygenic activity in sunflower oil. Ridge gourd pulp and peel powders as well as their extracts were evaluated for their antioxygenic activity using linoleic acid peroxidation, β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) methods. Ethanol/water extracts from ridge gourd pulp and peel showed highest antioxygenic activity followed by water extracts, while the petroleum ether extract showed moderate antioxygenic activity. Ridge gourd peel powder and its extracts showed slightly higher antioxygenic activity than ridge gourd pulp powder and its extracts. This may be attributed to the presence of higher amounts of phenolics and flavonoids which have been reported as potential antioxidants.

Investigation of antiradical activity of Salvia officinalis L., Urtica dioica L., and Thymus vulgaris L. extracts as potential candidates for a complex therapeutic preparation

The aim of this study was to investigate free radical-scavenging activity of Salvia officinalis L.,Thymus vulgaris L., Urtica dioica L. extracts and mixture of extracts, and to evaluate the effect of these extracts on the ability of mitochondria to generate free radicals. The evaluation of the activity of extracts using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DDPH), 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) radicals scavenging assays and tyrosine nitration inhibition (TNI) techniques showed that thyme extract had the strongest free-radical-scavenging activity. This extract was also found to contain the highest amount of phenols. Mixture of extracts showed slow and identical DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activity, with the strongest activity demonstrated during the first minute. Investigation of the ability of extracts to neutralize hydrogen peroxide showed that the lowest extract amount used (0.01 mg) neutralized 24 to 50% and the highest amount (0.1 mg) – 72 to 88% of H2O2. In all cases, thyme extract, had the strongest antioxidant effect. Rat liver mitochondria incubated with 0.1 mg of extracts generated by 45 to 55% less radicals than control mitochondria did. Mitochondria incubated with 1 mg of extracts generated smaller amounts of ROS than incubated with 0.1 mg of extract – in case of thyme extract or even more – in case of stinging nettle or sage extracts. Key words: Salvia officinalis L., Thymus vulgaris L., Urtica dioica L., antioxidant activity.

In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory and In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Moroccan Medicinal Plants

Five ethanol extracts of wild plants from the Casablanca region (Morocco) used in local traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases were evaluated for their in vivo topical anti-inflammatory activity (inhibition of carrageenan-induced ear edema in mice) and in vitro antioxidant and antiradical properties (inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation, DPPH radical scavenging). All the extracts showed an anti-inflammatory effect: 300 microg/cm2 provoked edema reductions ranging from 22 to 28%. All the extracts also exerted radical scavenging and/or antioxidant properties, the most active plant being Mentha pulegium L. (Lamiaceae), which contained the highest amount of phenolics (339 mg/g), and flavonoids (16.7 mg/g).

In vitro antibacterial efficacy of Clinopodium vulgare L. extracts and their synergistic interaction with antibiotics

In vitro antibacterial activity of ethanol, ethyl acetate and acetone extract from Clinopodium vulgare and their synergistic interaction with gentamicin and cephalexin were researched. Antibacterial efficacy of the extracts was defined by determining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) using microdilution method. The values were in the range from 0.625 to >20 mg/ml. The most sensitive bacteria were gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Bacillus subtilis. Herb-drug interactions tested by checkerboard method and expressed as fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index showed indifferent and synergistic effects. Synergism was observed in relation to B. subtilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations (1/4 and 1/8 MIC) of the extracts, the activity of gentamicin and cephalexin was increased up to 16-fold. The highest amount of phenols and flavonoids had ethyl acetate extract while the lowest amount was measured for acetone extract. Key words: Clinopodium vulgare, antibacterial activity, plant extracts, herb-drug interaction, total phenol, flavonoid content.

Phenolics and Antioxidant Capacity of Table Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) Cultivars Grown in Chile

Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) possess health-promoting effects attributed to their supply of a wide variety of bioactive phenolics. Juice and skin fractions of 4 varieties of table grapes: Red Globe, Crimson Seedless, Autumn Royal, and Ribier were prepared to determine and compare their total phenolics content, antioxidant capacity (DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC), anthocyanins, and specific phenolics (caffeic acid, gallic acid, resveratrol, and catechin) content, since a series of positive health benefits are expected from the intake of any of these fractions. Higher amounts of total phenolics and antioxidant capacity were observed in the skin fractions (P < 0.05). Blue grapes (Autumn Royal and Ribier) exhibited higher phenolics content and antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05) than red grapes. The most abundant phenolic compound observed was catechin (P < 0.05). Significant correlations between the antioxidant capacity and total phenolics were observed in grape juice and skin fractions. Autumn Royal juice provides a very high amount of phenolics, anthocyanins, and exhibits the highest antioxidant capacity, offering the best health promoting properties compared with the other grape varieties studied. Grapes possess health-promoting effects attributed to their supply of a wide variety of bioactive phenolics. Grape juice made with blue grapes (Autumn Royal, Ribier) exhibit higher phenolics content and antioxidant capacity than juice elaborated with red grapes (Red Globe, Crimson Seedless). The skin is a good source of phenolics and has a high antioxidant capacity. Specific health-promoting phenolics are more abundant in blue grapes, mainly in their skin fraction, which should not be discarded.

Isolation and characterization of four novel Gram-positive bacteria associated with the rhizosphere of two endemorelict plants capable of degrading a broad range of aromatic substrates

Four new Gram-positive, phenol-degrading strains were isolated from the rhizospheres of endemorelict plants Ramonda serbica and Ramonda nathaliae known to exude high amounts of phenolics in the soil. Isolates were designated Bacillus sp. PS1, Bacillus sp. PS11, Streptomyces sp. PS12, and Streptomyces sp. PN1 based on 16S rDNA sequence and biochemical analysis. In addition to their ability to tolerate and utilize high amounts of phenol of either up to 800 or up to 1,400 mg l(-1) without apparent inhibition in growth, all four strains were also able to degrade a broad range of aromatic substrates including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, styrene, halogenated benzenes, and naphthalene. Isolates were able to grow in pure culture and in defined mixed culture on phenol and on the mixture of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) compounds as a sole source of carbon and energy. Pure culture of Bacillus sp. PS11 yielded 1.5-fold higher biomass amounts in comparison to mixed culture, under all conditions. Strains successfully degraded phenol in the soil model system (2 g kg(-1)) within 6 days. Activities of phenol hydroxylase, catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase were detected and analyzed from the crude cell extract of the isolates. While all four strains use ortho degradation pathway, enzyme indicative of meta degradation pathway (catechol 2,3-dioxygenase) was also detected in Bacillus sp. PS11 and Streptomyces sp. PN1. Phenol degradation activities were induced 2 h after supplementation by phenol, but not by catechol. Catechol slightly inhibited activity of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase in strains PS11 and PN1.

Comparative Analyses of Total Phenols, Antioxidant Activity, and Flavonol Glycoside Profile of Cladode Flours from Different Varieties of Opuntia spp.

The phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant contents of methanol extracts of nine samples of Mexican cactus ( Opuntia spp.) cladodes processed into flours were studied. Opuntia undulata contained the highest amount of phenols [905.08 ± 64.51 μg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g]. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of the cladode flour extracts indicated that Opuntia robusta var. Gavia [738.8 ± 89.9 μmol of Trolox equivalents (TE)/g] contained the highest antioxidant capacity. ORAC values significantly correlated to total phenols but not to flavonoid contents and were comparable to cranberries and blackberries. Glycosidic forms of isorhamnetin and kaempferol were identified via high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) and HPLC-mass spectrometry (MS), with isorhamnetin being the most abundant flavonol in all samples, except for Opuntia lindheimeri . The effectiveness of acid hydrolysis varied among species because of the different flavonol profiles. For some varieties, the triglycosidic forms were partially acid-hydrolyzed, giving an increase in the content of diglycosides. Optimization of hydrolysis for each species is required to estimate the total amount of each flavonol.

Changes in contents and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds during gibberellin-induced development in Vitis vinifera L. ‘Muscat’

Gibberellic acid (GA3) is a plant growth regulator commonly used for increasing the productivity of seedless fruit. However, little is known about the effect of GA3 on phenolic compounds in grapevine. In the present study, the effect of GA3 application on contents and antioxidant activities of phenolic compounds in different tissues of Muscat grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Muscat) was investigated. An application of 100 mg/L GA3 could successfully induce seedless grape berry, enhance berry size and accelerate the development of berries, resulting in earlier ripening of seedless berry. The contents of total phenolics and total flavonoids, and antioxidant activities in leaf, stem and tendril obviously increased, while these remarkably decreased in berry skin and flesh after GA3 application. In addition, the grapevine leaf, stem, tendril and skin extracts were shown to contain high amounts of phenolics and significant antioxidant activities. Thus, these findings indicate that GA3 application causes different effect on phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities, depending on grapevine tissues.

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) Phenolics, In Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities, and Inhibition of Lipid and Protein Oxidation in Porcine Patties

The first aim of the present work (study 1) was to analyze ethyl acetate, 70% acetone, and 70% methanol extracts of the peel, pulp, and seed from two avocado (Persea americana Mill.) varieties, namely, 'Hass' and 'Fuerte', for their phenolic composition and their in vitro antioxidant activity using the CUPRAC, DPPH, and ABTS assays. Their antimicrobial potential was also studied. Peels and seeds had higher amounts of phenolics and a more intense in vitro antioxidant potential than the pulp. Peels and seeds were rich in catechins, procyanidins, and hydroxycinnamic acids, whereas the pulp was particularly rich in hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids and procyanidins. The total phenolic content and antioxidant potential of avocado phenolics was affected by the extracting solvent and avocado variety. The avocado materials also displayed moderate antimicrobial effects against Gram-positive bacteria. Taking a step forward (study 2), extracts (70% acetone) from avocado peels and seeds were tested as inhibitors of oxidative reactions in meat patties. Avocado extracts protected meat lipids and proteins against oxidation with the effect on lipids being dependent on the avocado variety.

Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity of Standardized Extracts from Leaves and Cell Cultures of Three Callistemon Species

A comparative study was carried out with ethanolic (80%) extracts from leaves and cell cultures of three Callistemon species, namely C. lanceolatus (CL), C. viridiflorous (CV), and C. comboynensis (CC). Cell suspensions of the three species were grown in liquid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium (100 ml) supplemented with 0.9 mg·g-1 kinetin in combination with 1.1 mg·g-1 NAA. The CL leaf extract was standardized to contain the highest amount of phenolics (104 ± 2.0 mg·g-1), followed by CC (95.8 ± 1.2 mg·g-1) and CV (79.8 ± 4.6 mg·g-1). On the other hand, cell cultures of CV contained more phenolics (14.9 ± 0.6 mg·g-1) than those of the other two species, CL and CC, which contained 12.2 ± 0.16 and 9.12 ± 0.16 mg·g-1, respectively. Nevertheless, CV leaf extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (91.4% ± 0.4%) at a concentration of 1000 µg·ml-1, comparable to 100 µg·ml-1 gallic acid (90.8% ± 1.5%).

Phenolic content, antioxidant and antifungal activities of acetonic, ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts of Hypericum perforatum L.

The objective of this study was to evaluate antifungal and antioxidant activities of Hypericum perforatum L. extracts against the growth of certain fungi. The ethanolic, acetonic and petroleum ether extracts of the plant were evaluated for phenols, flavonoids and non-flavonoids. The highest amounts of phenols (17.6 mg EPC/g dry extract) and flavonoids (16.85 mg EPC/g dry extract) were found in the acetonic extract. The highest inhibitory effect on the growth of Penicillium canescens, Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus glaucus and Phialophora fastigiata by the disk diffusion method was exhibited by the ethanolic extract at the concentration of 25 mg/disk. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts was 20 mg/mL. The acetonic extract did not affect the growth of the tested fungi. Antioxidant activity was assessed by determining 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity. The results showed that the ethanolic extract of Hypericum perforatum L. possesses antioxidant activity. The IC50 values, defined as the concentration of the test sample leading to 50% reduction of the free radical concentration, determined for each measurement were &lt;7.8125, 105.9, 5.99 and 12.77 ?g/ml for the ethanolic extract, the acetonic extract, ascorbic acid and BHT, respectively, for DPPH free radical scavenging activity.

Aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum Linn and ascorbic acid ameliorate nicotine–induced cellular damage in murine peritoneal macrophage

Objective To test the in vitro protective role of aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum Linn. ( O. gratissimum) and ascorbic acid against nicotine-induced murine peritoneal macrophage. Methods Peritoneal macrophages from mice were treated with nicotine (10 mM), nicotine (10 mM) with aqueous extract of O. gratissimum (1 to 25 μg/mL), and nicotine (10 mM) with ascorbic acid (0.01 mM) for 12 h in cell culture media, while the control group was treated with culture media. Levels of free radical generation, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls, oxidized glutathione levels and DNA damage were observed and compared. Results Phytochemical analysis of aqueous extract has shown high amount of phenolics and flavonoids compound present in it. The significantly increased free radical generation, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls, oxidized glutathione levels and DNA damage were observed in nicotine-treated group as compared to the control group; those were significantly reduced in aqueous extract of O. gratissimum and ascorbic acid supplemented groups. Moreover, significantly reduced antioxidant status in nicotine exposed murine peritoneal macrophage was effectively ameliorated by these two products. Among the different concentration of aqueous extract of O. gratissimum, the maximum protective effect was observed at 10 μg/mL which does not produce any significant change in the normal cell. Conclusions These findings suggest the potential use and beneficial role of O. gratissimum as a modulator of nicotine-induced cellular damage in murine peritoneal macrophage.

Phenols and antioxidant activity of hydro-alcoholic extracts of propolis from Algarve, South of Portugal

Propolis is a natural honeybee product known to be beneficial for human health, with a complex chemical composition, highly dependent on the collection site. The objective of the present research was to evaluate phenols and antioxidant activity of propolis samples collected in three main areas of Algarve, South of Portugal. Water revealed to be less effective for extracting phenolic compounds from propolis than the methanol and water/ethanol. The last two were good extraction solvents of phenols. Nevertheless water/ethanol was the solvent chosen because it was able to extract phenols in considerable amounts being less toxic than methanol. In spring, higher amounts of phenols (total phenols, flavones, flavonols, flavanones and dihydroflavonols) were detected in hydro-alcoholic extracts of propolis than in winter. Among the three main areas of Algarve where samples were collected, those from Barrocal had the highest levels of polyphenols, independent on the season (winter or spring). Within each area, the levels of phenols changed according to the zone. Concerning antioxidant activity, samples from Barrocal presented better radical scavenging abilities than those from the remaining areas, independent on the antioxidant method and collection season. Such results correlated closely with the levels of total phenols, flavones and flavonols in samples.

MEDICINAL PLANTS USED TRADITIONALLY IN THE ALGERIAN FOLK MEDICINE FOR GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS AND HYPERTENSION: TOTAL POLYPHENOLS, FLAVONOIDS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

Polyphenols, flavonoids contents, antioxidant and free radicals scavenging capacities in the decoctions of 40 plants from 21 botanical families grown in Algeria were investigated. These plants are used traditionally for gastro-intestinal disorders and hypertension. Antioxidant capacity was estimated using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl radical) method and β-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching assay. Total polyphenols were measured using the Prussian bleu assay and flavonoids using AlCl 3 method. Many plants contain high amounts of phenolics and exhibited high antioxidant capacity. Total polyphenols ranged from 0,007 to 59.6 mg (gallic acid equivalent/ g dry weight). Plants with the highest free radical scavenging activities were Pistachia lentiscus L. (IC 50 = 0,014 ±0,0006) and Murtus communis L. (IC 50 = 0,016 ±0 ,0007), these plants belong to the families of Anacardiaceae and Myrtaceae respectably. Quercetin, gallic acid and rutin were used as positive controls. Using β-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching assay, Murtus communis L. and Punica granutum (Punaceae) had the highest antioxidant activities (97 and 91.88%) percentage inhibition respectably. BHT was used as positive control in this test. It is concluded that many medicinal plants used traditionally for gastrointestinal disorders and hypertension exhibited antioxidant and free radical scavenging capacities due, in part, to phenolic compounds present in these plants.

In vitro anti-oxidant activity of the leaves of Dillenia indica

The methanol extract of Dillenia indica was tested for antioxidant activity as determined by free radical scavenging of DPPH radical scavenging assay, reducing power, total antioxidant capacity measured by phosphomolybdenum method, total phenolic content and total flavonoids content determination assays. The extract showed significant activities in all antioxidant assays compared to the standard antioxidant in a dose dependent manner. In DPPH radical scavenging assay the <TEX>$IC_{50}$</TEX> value of the extract was found to be 100.53<TEX>${\mu}g/ml$</TEX> while ascorbic acid has the <TEX>$IC_{50}$</TEX> value 58.92<TEX>${\mu}g/ml$</TEX>. Dillenia indica extract showed strong reducing power and total antioxidant capacity. Moreover, methanol extracts also possess high amount of phenolics and flavovonoids and expressed as gallic acid and rutin equivalent respectively. The remarkable activities exhibited in reactive oxygen species scavenging may attributed to the high amount of hydrophilic phenolics present in Dillenia indica.

QUANTIFICATION OF POLYPHENOLS IN CAROB TREE (CERATONIA SILIQUA L.) FRUITS AND LEAVES IN PORTUGUESE CULTIVARS

Methanol extracts from leaves and pulps from male, female, and hermaphrodite carob trees were studied for their contents of total phenols, tannins and flavonoids. In the three genders, significantly higher amounts of total phenols, tannins and flavonoids were detected in leaf extracts. Gender significantly affected the phenolic profile with the hermaphrodites being generally richer in phenols. Our results confirm that leaves and pulps of carob tree contain high amounts of phenols, being potentially attractive as a raw material for the pharmaceutical industry.

Correlation Between the in vitro Iron Chelating Activity and Poly Phenol and Flavonoid Contents of Some Medicinal Plants

Iron chelating activity of 16 extracts from 11 medicinal plants has been determined to find alternative sources with lower side effects in thalassemic patients. Thalassemia is characterized by iron overload and chelation therapy reduces iron-related complications and thereby improves quality of life and overall survival. Because of poor oral bioavailability, short plasma half-life and severe side effects of available chelators, this screening may be useful in this area. Extracts were prepared by soaking dry material of the selected plant in appropriate solvent. Phenol and flavonoid content of the extract were measured by Folin Ciocalteu and AlCl3 colorimetric assays. Phenol content of the extracts varied between 8.4-194.9 mg g(-1) of extract. The highest chelating activity was found in aerial parts of Leonurus cardiana and Grammosciadium platycarpum which had high amount of phenol and flavonoid contents. All extracts contained various amount of flavonoids from 5.9 to 90.9 mg g(-1) of extract. Weak correlations were found between phenolic and flavonoids contents and iron chelatory activity with R2 = 0.40. Extracts with high phytochemicals and chelating activity can be candidate as a good source of new agents for thalassemic patients.

Comparative antioxidant activity of extracts from leaves, bark and catkins of Salix aegyptiaca sp.

Leaves, bark and catkins of Salix aegyptiaca L. were extracted into solvents of increasing polarity from cyclohexane (non-polar), butanol, ethanol and water (polar) and analysed for their antioxidant capacity, total phenol and flavonoids. The highest antioxidant activity (19 μg/ml IC50 for inhibition of DPPH radical activity), total phenolic content (212 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of dried extract) and total flavonoid (479 mg catechin equivalents/g of dried extract) was observed in the ethanolic extract of bark. HPLC identification of phenolic compounds from the extracts indicated the presence of gallic acid, caffeic acid, vanillin and p-coumaric acid, myricetin, catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, rutin, quercetin as well as salicin. Our data indicates the presence of high amounts of phenols and flavonoids in different parts of S. aegyptiaca species and propose that extracts from this plant may be utilised as a source of health promoting antioxidants.

Total Phenolics Level, Antioxidant Activities and Cytotoxicity of Young Sprouts of Some Traditional Korean Salad Plants

The aim of this investigation was to study the antioxidant and anticancer activities of young sprouts of some traditional Korean salad plants. Total phenolics, antioxidant and anticancer activities of the methanol extracts from young sprouts of 11 salad plants were determined. The highest amount of phenolics was found in methanol extracts of Euonymus alatus (235.7 mg kg(-1)), followed by Hypericum ascyron (197.1 mg kg(-1)), Zanthoxylum piperitum (194.1 mg kg(-1)) and Zanthoxylum schinifolium (142.5 mg kg(-1)). Methanol extracts of E. alatus, H. ascyron, and Z. piperitum at 63 mg kg(-1) exhibited the highest dose-depend DPPH radical scavenging activity by 91.2, 91.2 and 83.9%, respectively. According to the MTT results, the methanol extracts from Stellaria aquatica, Eleutherococcus sessilifolrus and Z. schinifolium showed the highest anticancer activities against Calu-6 (IC50<25.0 microg ml(-1)) and from S. aquatica-the highest anticancer activities against SNU-601 (153.3 microg ml(-1)), following by E. sessilifolrus (196.7 microg ml(-1)) and Amaranthus mangostanus (303.1 microg ml(-1)). Total phenolics were highly correlated with the DPPH, suggesting that they contribute to the antioxidant properties of the studied plants. young sprouts of Korean salad possess antioxidant and anticancer properties and could be used as a supplement to proper drugs.

Comparative study of phenolic content and antioxidant activity of strawberry puree, clear, and cloudy juices

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity in different kinds of juice: clear, cloudy, and puree which were made from three different strawberry cultivars (Elkat, Kent, and Senga Sengana). The anthocyanins, p-coumaric acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, keampferol derivatives, (+)-catechin, proanthocyanidins content and degree of proanthocyanidin polymerization, were determined both in the fresh and after 6 months of storage at 4 and 30 °C. Freshly produced juices contained higher amounts of phenolics, especially of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, than those stored for 6 months at 4 and 30 °C. The processing of the clear juice showed the higher loss of all phenolic compounds. The antioxidant capacity was the smallest for clear, and the highest for the puree juices. This was assessed by measurements made with different antioxidant activity assays: ABTS and FRAP. The puree of strawberry juice had significantly higher levels of the phenolic compounds and showed more antioxidant activity than the clear and cloudy juices, before and after storage in all strawberry cultivars.