Highest Total Flavonoid Content Research Articles

An Evaluation of the Edible Value of Salvia miltiorrhiza Seeds: Proximate Composition, Phytochemical Components and Antioxidant Activity.

Salvia miltiorrhiza seeds (SMS) are the main by-product of the production processing of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae. The main purposes of this work are to analyse the nutritional components in SMS, to explore the antioxidant activity of the chemical components in SMS and to evaluate the possibility of SMS as a raw material for functional foods. The contents of crude fibre, total protein, carbohydrates, total phenolics and flavonoids in SMS and the composition and relative content of fatty acids in SMS oil were determined. The results suggested that SMS has high contents of crude fibre (28.68 ± 4.66 g/100 g), total protein (26.65 ± 2.51 g/100 g), total phenolics (6.45 ± 0.55 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g) and total flavonoids (3.28 ± 0.34 mg of rutin equivalent/g), as well as a high level of α-linolenic acid (33.774 ± 4.68%) in their oil. Twenty-two secondary metabolites were identified in SMS residue, and nine compounds were isolated. The IC50 values of the total phenolic content in SMS on an ABTS radical, DPPH radical, superoxide radical and hydroxyl radical were 30.94 ± 3.68 μg/mL, 34.93 ± 4.12 μg/mL, 150.87 ± 17.64 μg/mL and 230.19 ± 24.47 μg/mL, respectively. The results indicate that SMS contain many nutrients and have high utilization value as a promising functional food.

Effect of West Indian Bay Leaf (Pimenta racemosa) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Essential Oils on Preserving Raw Chicken Breasts.

While the use of chemical preservatives in meat may appear to be tremendously advantageous, they have long been purported to increase the risk of incidence of certain types of cancers. Consequently, many people have opted for minimally processed alternatives. This consumer shift has placed substantial pressure on the food industry to implement more natural alternatives to these synthetic preservatives in the meat industry. Research on plant extracts as potential agents for food additives is increasing. The bioactive components present in West Indian bay leaf and turmeric essential oils have a promising potential for use as novel, green preservatives in the meat industry. Raw chicken breast samples (28 g) were each treated with different volumes (0.5, 1 and 1.5 mL) of the essential oil of West Indian bay leaf or turmeric or their mixture (1:1 to make up a final volume of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mL). Physicochemical, microbiological and sensory evaluations were performed on the fresh and treated samples stored for 14 days at 4 °C. The West Indian bay leaf oil had a higher extraction yield and total phenolic content, while the turmeric oil had a higher total flavonoid content. The most effective treatments, compared to the control, significantly (p<0.05) minimized the pH increase by 13.9 % (1.5 mL bay leaf oil), reduced texture loss by 44.8 % (1.5 mL oil mixture) and reduced protein loss by 98.9 % (1 mL bay leaf oil). Most treated samples had reduced microbial loads, with the turmeric oil showing the highest efficacy against lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and moulds. Treated samples had significantly higher (p<0.05) sensory scores than the control on the final day of storage, with the 1.5 mL oil mixture proving to be the most effective, as the storage life of the chicken breast sample was extended by 6 days. This study has shown for the first time that the essential oil from turmeric and West Indian bay leaf can extend the shelf life of raw chicken breast and highlights the potential of the oil as natural preservative agents in lieu of synthetic alternatives.

Quality and biological properties of vinegar processed from non-valorized fruits in Southern Portugal

The processing of vinegar from non-valorized fruits and agricultural surpluses is an attractive strategy for biomass waste management. The present study aimed to characterize vinegar of fermented fruits, namely fresh fig, plum, dried fig, grape, raspberry, and apricot. Physicochemical and microbial quality, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), mineral composition, and antimicrobial capacity against bacteria and yeasts were studied. Grape and apricot vinegar had the highest values of TAC (39.31±0.25, 34.10±1.44 DPPH µg Trolox/100 mL, respectively), while grape contained the highest TFC (35.73±3.86 mg catechin/100 mL) and raspberry and fresh fig, the highest TPC (55.40±1.1, 64.10±0.0 mg gallic acid/100 mL, respectively). Potassium, calcium and sodium were the most abundant minerals in the vinegars with dried fig standing out for its richness in potassium 1223.83±89.48 mg/L, calcium 17.70±1.31 mg/L, magnesium 2.39±0.24 mg/L, and zinc 4.33±0.17 mg/L. The enterobacteria Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Typhimurium were the most tolerant (10.00±0.00–26.39±1.60 mm), while Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most sensitive bacteria (26.36±3.61–40.17±2.72 mm) as well as Gram + (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua) (21,20±8,37–31.11±2.41 mm). The acetification processes resulted in vinegars with a good hygienic status, and levels of acetic acid (≥5 %) complying with the legislation.

Transcriptomic Analysis for Diurnal Temperature Differences Reveals Gene-Regulation-Network Response to Accumulation of Bioactive Ingredients of Protocorm-like Bodies in Dendrobium officinale.

Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo (D. officinale) is one of the most important traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, celebrated for its abundant bioactive ingredients. This study demonstrated that the diurnal temperature difference (DIF) (T1: 13/13 °C, T2: 25/13 °C, and T3: 25/25 °C) was more favorable for high chlorophyll, increased polysaccharide, and total flavonoid contents compared to constant temperature treatments in D. officinale PLBs. The transcriptome analysis revealed 4251, 4404, and 4536 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in three different comparisons (A: 25/13 °C vs. 13/13 °C, B: 13/13 °C vs. 25/25 °C, and C: 25/13 °C vs. 25/25 °C, respectively). The corresponding up-/down-regulated DEGs were 1562/2689, 2825/1579, and 2310/2226, respectively. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of DEGs showed that the pathways of biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, carotenoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis were enriched in the top 20; further analysis of the sugar- and flavonol-metabolism pathways in D. officinale PLBs revealed that the DIF led to a differential gene expression in the enzymes linked to sugar metabolism, as well as to flavonol metabolism. Certain key metabolic genes related to ingredient accumulation were identified, including those involved in polysaccharide metabolism (SUS, SUT, HKL1, HGL, AMY1, and SS3) and flavonol (UGT73C and UGT73D) metabolism. Therefore, these findings indicated that these genes may play an important role in the regulatory network of the DIF in the functional metabolites of D. officinale PLBs. In a MapMan annotation of abiotic stress pathways, the DEGs with significant changes in their expression levels were mainly concentrated in the heat-stress pathways, including heat-shock proteins (HSPs) and heat-shock transcription factors (HSFs). In particular, the expression levels of HSP18.2, HSP70, and HSF1 were significantly increased under DIF treatment, which suggested that HSF1, HSP70 and HSP18.2 may respond to the DIF. In addition, they can be used as candidate genes to study the effect of the DIF on the PLBs of D. officinale. The results of our qPCR analysis are consistent with those of the transcriptome-expression analysis, indicating the reliability of the sequencing. The results of this study revealed the transcriptome mechanism of the DIF on the accumulation of the functional metabolic components of D. officinale. Furthermore, they also provide an important theoretical basis for improving the quality of D. officinale via the DIF in production.

Glycerol Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Thanaka (Hesperethusa crenulata) Bark through LCMS Profiling and Their Antioxidant Properties.

Organic solvents are hazardous to human and environmental health. The emergence of interest in finding greener solvents to replace organic solvents has sparked a series of studies in the use of glycerol for extracting bioactive compounds from natural products. In this study, we will first identify the bioactive compounds of glycerol- and nonglycerol-based Thanaka (Hesperethusa crenulata) bark extracts using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry profiles; then, we will determine their antioxidant capacity, free radical scavenging activity, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Thanaka bark powder was extracted using solvents, namely, ethanol (TKE), water (TKW), glycerol (TKG), glycerol/water (1:1, v/v) (TKGW), and glycerol/ethanol (1:1, v/v) (TKGE). Among the five extracts, the extract of TKG has the highest number of bioactive compounds, as well as the highest total flavonoid content. TKGE possessed the highest total phenolic content and highest antioxidant activity shown in azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays among the five extracts. Overall, glycerol has better efficiency in extracting bioactive compounds from Thanaka bark as compared to ethanol and water. Hence, from the phytochemical content and antioxidant properties of Thanaka extracts, we conclude that glycerol is a good green solvent alternative to replace organic solvents.

Metabolomic Profiling Reveals the Quality Variations in Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. Chachiensis) with Different Storage Ages in Response to "Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus" Infection.

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, especially the pericarp of Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. Chachiensis (PCRC), is an important edible and medicinal ingredient for health and pharmacological properties. Citrus Huanglongbing, a devastating disease that currently threatens the citrus industry worldwide, is caused by a phloem-limited alpha-proteobacterium, "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" (CLas). The industry of cultivar Chachiensis has been suffering from HLB. Although HLB affected the quality of citrus fruit, whether the quality of PCRC was affected by HLB remains unclear. In this study, we compared the metabolite profiles between HLB-affected and healthy PCRC from three sources: fresh, 6-month-old, and 9-year-old PCRC, through the untargeted LC-MS method. Compared to healthy controls, various types of bioactive compounds, mainly flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, coumarins, polysaccharides, and phenolic acids, accumulated in HLB-affected PCRC, especially in the HLB-affected 9-year PCRC. In particular, isorhamnetin, isoliquiritigenin, luteolin 7-O-beta-D-glucoside, limonin, geniposide, pyrimidodiazepine, scoparone, chitobiose, m-coumaric acid, malonate, and pantothenic acid, which contributed to the pharmacological activity and health care effects of PCRC, were highly accumulated in HLB-affected 9-year-old PCRC compared to the healthy control. Multibioassay analyses revealed that HLB-affected 9-year-old PCRC had a higher content of total flavonoids and total polyphenols and exhibited similar antioxidant capacity as compared to healthy controls. The results of this study provided detailed information on the quality of HLB-affected PCRC.

In Vitro Evaluation of Extracts From Ixora Species for a Potential Phytosomal Formulation.

Background Ixora species are perennial shrubs and flowering plants belonging to the family Rubiaceae. The leaf and flower parts of Ixora coccinea (I. coccinea)andIxora alba (I. alba) were aimed at isolating their active fractions. The present study was to determine in vitro antitumor activity against malignant melanoma cell lines for phytosome formulation. Materials and methods Two species, I. coccinea (red flowers and leaves) and I. alba (white flowers and leaves), were selected, and this study focused on determining the active fraction by comparing the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hydroalcoholic (ethanol:water, 70:30 v/v) extracts. The identified potent extract was subjected to in vitro anticancer activity in malignant melanoma cell lines. Results A phytochemical study revealed phytosterols, flavonoids, proteins, amino acids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, phenols, tannins, and diterpenes. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant effect of I. coccinea and I. alba leaf and flower extracts. In the DPPH assay, I. coccinea flower hydroalcoholic extract (ICFHA) had an IC50 value of 248.99 µg/mL, and I. coccinea leaf hydroalcoholic extract (ICLHA) had an IC50 value of 268.87 µg/mL. These two extracts had a lower value with a higher antioxidant effect. In the total antioxidant assay, I. coccinea leaf ethyl acetate extract (ICLEA) and I. coccinea leaf chloroform extract (ICLCE) have 77.4 ± 0.05 and 68.9 ± 0.03 mg of ascorbic acid equivalent per gm of extract, respectively. These two extracts exhibited a high antioxidant effect. The antimicrobial potential was evaluated using selected bacterial and fungal strains using the agar-well diffusion method. Petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of I. coccinea and I. alba leaves and flowers did not possess antimicrobial activity with any of the bacterial or fungal strains. An ethyl acetate extract and a hydroalcoholic extract of I. coccinea leaves and flowers showed antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus. An ethyl acetate extract of I. coccinea flower and a hydroalcoholic extract of I. alba leaf showed a significant zone of inhibition when compared with standard chloramphenicol for all three selected strains, which may be due to the presence of active phytoconstituents. ICLHA showed a MIC of ≤300 µg/mL for Enterococcus faecalisandStaphylococcus aureusand ≤400 µg/mL for Candida albicans microbial strains. The high total flavonoid content was reported in ICLEA at 771.31 µg/mL and in I. coccinea flower ethyl acetate extract (ICFEA) at 694.69 µg/mL. High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis showed a high quercetin (QCE) content in the ICLEA extract. To prove the in vitro skin anticancer activity, an MTT assay was performed for the ICLEA extract in a malignant melanoma cell line, and the IC50 value was reported as 7.96 µg/mL. Conclusion I. coccinea leaf ethyl acetate extract revealed a significant total flavonoid content in analysis through the aluminum chloride method, and the presence of a high QCE content was confirmed by HPTLC analysis. The in vitro skin anticancer activity of ICLEA was confirmed by the MTT assay; therefore, it was concluded that the ICLEA extract was a potent fraction and was selected to develop a phytosome.

Analysis of active compounds and bioactivity of leaves extracts of Sonneratia species

AbstractThe present study focused on the quantitative determination of active compounds, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of leaf extracts of different Sonneratia species. The tested species including Sonneratia alba (SA), Sonneratia caseolaris (SC), and Sonneratia ovata Backer (SO) were collected from Can Gio Mangrove Forest, Vietnam. The methanol extract of SA leaves was found to contain the highest content of total flavonoids, total phenolics and gallic acid (4344.16 ± 51.78 μg/g dry mass). The highest luteolin‐7‐O‐glucoside and luteolin amounts (5963.28 ± 59.77 and 234.33 ± 10.41 μg/g dry mass, respectively) were found in the methanol extract of SC leaves according to HPLC‐DAD analysis. The methanol extracts of all three species exhibited strong DPPH radical scavenging activity while the ethanol extracts provided strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Escherichia coli. By fractionating the extracts over a SiO2 column using CHCl3: EA: MeOH gradients, the fractions containing high purity luteolin and luteolin‐7‐glucoside from SC and high purity luteolin from SO were collected. Moreover, all fractions demonstrated significant DPPH free radical scavenging ability but the fraction enriched in gallic acid showed the highest activity. These findings show that SA is a promising source of gallic acid while SC can be potentially used for the extraction and isolation of luteolin‐7‐glucoside.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry profile and antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and enzyme activities of Thymus pectinatus and Thymus convolutus: in vitro and in silico approach.

The objective of this study is to investigate the antiproliferative, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme activity capacities and phytochemical compositions of Thymus pectinatus (TP), Thymus convolutus (TC), which are endemic to Türkiye. Quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds in the extracts was conducted using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, targeting 53 phenolic compounds. Rosmarinic acid, quinic acid, and cynaroside were identified as the major compounds, exhibiting quantitative variation in both extracts. The extracts had a high total phenolic content, with 113.57 ± 0.58 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g extract for TP and 130.52 ± 1.05 mg GAE/g extract for TC. Furthermore, although both extracts exhibited high total flavonoid content; the TP extract (75.12 ± 1.65 mg quercitin equivalents (QE)/g extract) displayed a higher flavonoid content than the TC extract (30.24 ± 0.74 mg QE/g extract) did. The extracts had a promising antiproliferative effect on C6, HeLa, and HT29 cancer cell lines with a less cytotoxic effect (10.5-14.2%) against normal cells. Both extracts exhibited very potent inhibitory activity against the xanthine oxidase enzyme, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of respectively 2.07 ± 0.03 μg mL-1 and 2.76 ± 0.06 μg mL-1 and moderate activity against tyrosinase and α-glucosidase. Docking simulations proved that rosmarinic acid and cynaroside, the major components of the extracts, were the most potent inhibitors of xanthine oxidase. According to antimicrobial activity results, the TC extract exhibited moderate activity against Staphylococcus aureus, and the TP extract had strong activity against both Enterococcus faecium and S. aureus. These findings emphasize the beneficial effects of the two endemic Thymus species on human health and suggest their potential use as plant-derived bioactive agents. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Optimizing the Solvent Selection of the Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) Pomace: Phenolic Profiles and Antioxidant Activity

Sea buckthorn pomace (SBP) is a by-product of sea buckthorn processing that is rich in bioactive compounds. In this study, different active ingredients were extracted by using different solvents (water, methanol, ethanol, glycerol, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether) combined with an ultrasonic assisted method. The correlation between the active ingredients and antioxidant properties of the extract was studied, which provided a research basis for the comprehensive utilization of SBP. This study revealed that the 75% ethanol extract had the highest total phenolic content (TPC) of 42.86 ± 0.73 mg GAE/g, while the 75% glycerol extract had the highest total flavonoid content (TFC) of 25.52 ± 1.35 mg RTE/g. The ethanol extract exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity at the same concentration compared with other solvents. The antioxidant activity of the ethanol, methanol, and glycerol extracts increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Thirteen phenolic compounds were detected in the SBP extracts using UPLC-MS/MS analysis. Notably, the 75% glycerol extract contained the highest concentration of all identified phenolic compounds, with rutin (192.21 ± 8.19 μg/g), epigallocatechin (105.49 ± 0.69 μg/g), and protocatechuic acid (27.9 ± 2.38 μg/g) being the most abundant. Flavonols were found to be the main phenolic substances in SBP. A strong correlation was observed between TPC and the antioxidant activities of SBP extracts. In conclusion, the choice of solvent significantly influences the active compounds and antioxidant activities of SBP extracts. SBP extracts are a valuable source of natural phenolics and antioxidants.

Quality and antioxidant potential of goat's milk paneer prepared from different citrus juices and its whey.

The experiments reported in this research paper aimed to evaluate the physico-chemical and sensory characteristics, microbial quality and antioxidant potential of goat's milk paneer during storage (0-12 d, 4 ± 1°C). The juices from five different citrus fruits were used as coagulant (treatments) to make goat's milk paneer. The pH of all paneer samples decreased during storage whereas titratable acidity increased. Ash (%) fat (%) and protein (%) of paneer increased slightly during storage, whereas sensory perception decreased. The juices from all the citrus fruit varieties showed high contents of total phenolics and total flavonoids which ultimately influenced ferric reducing antioxidant power, total antioxidant capacity and radical scavenging activities. As the contents of different juices were also retained in the paneer matrix, so paneer coagulated with citrus juices also showed encouraging results in terms of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, ferric reducing antioxidant power and radical scavenging activities. Amongst all the paneers, the most promising was that coagulated by kinnow juice. In addition, the whey obtained from paneer coagulated by citrus juices also showed appreciable quantities of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, thereby beneficially influencing ferric reducing antioxidant power andradical scavenging activities. It is concluded that citrus juices improve the sensorial quality and antioxidant potential of goat's milk paneer and its whey.

PERBANDINGAN TOTAL SENYAWA FLAVONOID EKSTRAK ETANOL KULIT DAN BIJI BUAH OKRA HIJAU (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Green okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is a plant belonging to the Malvaceae family. Green okra fruit contains many secondary metabolites, one of which is flavonoids, which have potential as antioxidants to stabilize free radicals. This study aims to determine and compare the total flavonoid content of seeds and skin, so that it can be ascertained which part of the fruit has the highest total flavonoid content. The okra fruit extraction process was carried out by maceration with 70% ethanol solvent. Phytochemical screening and thin layer chromatography tests were performed on green okra seeds and skin extracts. The total flavonoid content was determined using the colorimetric-aluminum chloride method with UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The results of the phytochemical screening showed that the ethanol extract of green okra fruit peels contained alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and steroids, while the ethanol extract of green okra fruit seeds contained alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. The results of the thin layer chromatography test showed that the ethanol extract of green okra fruit skin and seeds contained a flavonoid compound as quercetin. The results of the total flavonoid content of the ethanol extract of green okra fruit skin : okra fruit seeds were 6.4589 mg QE/g extract ± 0.86 : 27.7583 mg QE/g extract ± 0.36. Based on statistical results with an Independent T test using SPSS, the significance value (2-tailed) of both samples was &lt; 0.05, which means that there is a real difference between the total flavonoid compounds of skin ethanol extract and ethanol extract of green okra fruit seeds.

Antioxidant Activity in Melon (Cucumis melo L. 'Gama Melon Parfum') AS Antiaging Cream Formulation

Antiaging cosmetics are becoming increasingly popular among the general public. Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Gama Melon Parfum cultivars ('GMP') are one of the plants that can be utilized as a basic ingredient in the production of antiaging cosmetics. 'GMP' melon has cucurbitacin compounds that can be utilized as antiaging and contains flavonoid, saponin, and terpenoid compounds that have antioxidant properties. This research aims to analyze the difference in antioxidant activity of 'GMP' melon extract and 'GMP' melon cosmetic cream preparation cultivated in Yogyakarta with 'GMP' melon cultivated in Bandung, analyze extract standardization parameters, and determine the phenolic and flavonoid contents of each melon extract contains. The activity of antioxidants was determined by the DPPH method, the Folin-Ciocelteu method to measure phenolics, and the AlCl3 solution-based colorimetric approach to measuring flavonoid content. It was revealed that the highest % RSA of antioxidant activity is in ‘GMP’ melon extract cultivated in Bandung. The results of the standardization of 'GMP' melon extract met the requirements of standard parameters. The greatest total phenolic content is derived from the extract of ‘GMP’ melon in Bandung, while the highest total flavonoid content in 'GMP' melon extracts is cultivated in Yogyakarta. The highest to lowest antioxidant activity of ‘GMP’ melon cream was formula IV (‘GMP’ melon extract 30% cultivated in Bandung), formula III (‘GMP’ melon extract 20% grown in Bandung), formula II (‘GMP’ melon extract 30% cultivated in Yogyakarta), formula I (‘GMP’ melon extract 20% cultivated in Yogyakarta), and the lowest is in K- with formula without ‘GMP’ melon extract.

Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Assessment of the Aerial Parts from Three Mediterranean Alkanna Species (A. orientalis, A. tinctoria, A. kotschyana) in the Boraginaceae Family.

This study focuses on the phytochemical analysis of the aerial parts of three Alkanna species: A. orientalis (L.) Boiss., A. tinctoria Tausch. and A. kotschyana A. DC. (Boraginaceae) growing wild in the Mediterranean basin, as mostly the roots of the genus have been widely researched. Their methanol extracts were subjected to qualitative LC-MS analyses, resulting in the annotation of 28 different secondary metabolites, with 27 originating from A. orientalis, 25 from A. tinctoria and 23 from A. kotschyana. The detected metabolites are categorized into three chemical types: organic acids (2), flavonoids and their glycosides (17), and caffeic acid derivatives (9). Furthermore, the chemical profiles of the three species are discussed chemotaxonomically. Caffeic acid and its derivatives, along with glucosides of quercetin and kaempferol, were identified in all three studied species. Additionally, their total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated through various chemical assays, as well as their in vitro enzyme inhibitory properties towards cholinesterases (AChE and BChE), α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The results showed that A. tinctoria exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity (211 mgTE/g extract in DPPH and 366 mgTE/g extract in ABTS), probably due to its high total phenolic (53.3 mgGAE/g extract) and flavonoid (20.8 mgRE/g extract) content, followed by A. kotschyana. These chemical and biological findings provide valuable insights for potential promising applications of the aerial parts of the species outside of the well-known uses of their roots.

Antioxidant Activities of Stem, Leaves and Fruits Extracts of Pepino (Solanum muricatum Aiton).

&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Pepino (&lt;i&gt;Solanum muricatum&lt;/i&gt; Aiton), rich with vitamin C and flavonoids, constitutes an abundant source of potent antioxidants. This research was conducted to determine antioxidant activity from three different parts of pepino based on equivalence with ascorbic acid, to analyze the relationship between total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) on antioxidant activities and to determine flavonoid compounds. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; Antioxidant activities were determined using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Cupric Ion Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC) methods. The TPC and TFC were determined by UV-visible spectrophotometry. The correlation between TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity was analyzed using Pearson's method. Flavonoid compound content was performed by HPLC. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; The ethyl acetate pepino fruit extract expressed the highest antioxidant activity by DPPH and CUPRAC assays. The highest TPC was obtained from the ethyl acetate extract of pepino stem (18.493 g GAE/(100 g)), while the highest TFC was obtained from the hexane extract of pepino leaves (9.541 g QE/(100 g)). &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; The DPPH and CUPRAC assays demonstrated that pepino exhibits potential as a source of natural antioxidants, especially in its fruit part.

Pharmacological activities of extracts from different parts of &lt;i&gt;Cirsium japonicum&lt;/i&gt; var &lt;i&gt;spinossimum&lt;/i&gt;

Purpose: To evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, inhibitory and cell proliferation activities of Cirsium japonicum (C. japonicum) var. spinossimum.&#x0D; Methods: Phytochemicals (polyphenols, flavonoids, and silymarin) in leaves, roots, and seeds of C. japonicum var. spinossimum were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antioxidant activity was investigated on 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Anti-inflammatory activity was investigated on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. Immunostimulant and hair loss prevention was confirmed through 3'-{1-((phenylamino)-carbonyl)-3, 4-tetrazolium}bis(4-methoxy-6-nitro)benzenesulfonic acid hydrate (XTT)-based cell proliferation assays using Jurkat cells and human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC).&#x0D; Results: Extract from seeds exhibited the highest total polyphenol content (610.08 ± 32.40 mg GAE/g), as well as the highest total flavonoid content, while the total polyphenol content of leaves and root extracts were similar. The RC50 values for seed extract against ABTS and DPPH radicals were 8.20 ± 0.02 µg/mL and 40.13 ± 2.47 µg/mL, respectively. In particular, all six Silymarin derivatives were found to be highest in the seed extract. The C. japonicum var. spinossimum seed extract (CSE) showed significant (p &lt; 0.05) nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity in RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS at all concentrations (12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 µg/mL) and exhibited significant (p &lt; 0.05) cell proliferation activity in Jurkat and hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC) at 25 µg/mL.&#x0D; Conclusion: Extract of C. japonicum var. spinossimum seeds contain polyphenols and flavonoids and show significant NO inhibitory and cell proliferation activity in Jurkat and HFDPC. Therefore, Cirsium japonicum is a promising source of anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents.

Kemijski sastav i antioksidativna aktivnost Fraxinus ornus L. i Fraxinus excelsior L.

In this work, the total content of phenolics, flavonoids, and phenolic acids in the leaves and bark extracts of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Fraxinus ornus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L. and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Fraxinus excelsior&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L. was determined. In addition, the identification and quantification of phenolic acids was performed using the HPLC-DAD technique. Samples were tested for antioxidant activity using the ABTS and DPPH methods. Eight extract samples were prepared by Soxhlet and ultrasound extraction using 70 % ethanol as solvent. The content of phenolic compounds ranged from 7.59 for &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;F. ornus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; to 88.93 mg GAE/g for &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;F. excelsior&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; in the bark extracts obtained by Soxhlet extraction. The highest content of total flavonoids in &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;F. ornus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;F. excelsior&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; was found in the leaves extracts obtained by ultrasound extraction, which was 5.68 and 1.74 mg GAE/g extract, respectively. The results also showed that the highest content of total phenolic acids was found in &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;F. ornus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (105.33 mg CAE/g) and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;F. excelsior&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (97.97 mg CAE/g) in the bark extract obtained by Soxhlet extraction. The highest content of gallic acid (112.96 ± 1.32 mg g&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;–1&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; extracts) and chlorogenic acid (246.94 ± 0.82 mg g&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;–1&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; extracts) was found in the &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;F. ornus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; bark extract obtained by ultrasound extraction. As for antioxidant activity, the bark extract obtained by Soxhlet extraction of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;F. ornus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; showed the best antioxidant activity by ABTS method with IC&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;50&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt; value of 0.062 mg ml&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;–1&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;. The results of the DPPH method show that the leaves extract obtained by Soxhlet extraction had the best antioxidant activity for the &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;F. ornus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; sample, with an IC&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;50&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt; value of 0.23 mg ml&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;–1&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;.

Improving Hydroxytyrosol Derivatives Content in Virgin Olive Oil using Ultrasound-assisted Maceration with Olive Leaf Extract

Background: Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and is an essential Mediterranean diet component. Many of its health benefits are associated with the presence of phenolic compounds. Several strategies for the enhancement of the phenolic content and, more specifically, the concentration of hydroxytyrosol derivatives in olive oils have been proposed, as extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) of high phenolic content is preferred by health-conscious consumers. Methods: The supplementation of EVOO with hydroxytyrosol derivatives from olive leaf extract was performed with the employment of ultrasound-assisted maceration at different concentration levels (2 g·L-1 oil and 4 g·L-1 oil), temperatures (20 and 40°C), and maceration times (20 and 40 min). The phenolic contents of enriched EVOOs were determined by spectrophotometric and HPLC methods. In addition, the effect of supplementation on the physicochemical parameters of EVOOs, namely acidity and extinction coefficients (K232 and K270), was also studied. Results: The addition of extract slightly increased the acidity values and extinction coefficients of the samples, and at the same time, it significantly improved their phenolic composition. The use of appropriate ultrasound-assisted maceration parameters (addition of olive leaf extract at a concentration level of 2 g L-1 at 20°C for 20 min) provided EVOO with acceptable values for total acidity (&lt;0.8%), K232 (&lt;2.5), and K270 (&lt;0.22), high contents of total phenolics and flavonoids, and improved hydroxytyrosol derivative contents. Conclusion: The enrichment of EVOO with leaf extract is a promising strategy to enhance its content in hydroxytyrosol derivatives, providing premium EVOOs with respect to their bioactive composition.

Determination of the chemical composition, DNA cleavage, binding and antioxidant activities of Vincetoxicum scandens

Vincetoxicum members offer important qualities in both conventional and modern medicine. In the present study, V. scandens from the northeast of Turkey (Trabzon city) was investigated for its phenolic compounds, antioxidant activities, DNA cleavage and binding effects. Phenolic compounds of the V. scandens methanol extract were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD), while their total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were determined spectrophotometrically. The antioxidant potential of the extract was characterised using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2?-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power assay) tests. In addition, the DNA cleavage and binding features of the V. scandens extract were studied using pBR322 DNA and CTDNA, respectively. The results indicated that the V. scandens methanol extract contained a large amount of catechin, as well as a high total phenolic and total flavonoid content. On the other hand, the DPPH and ABTS antioxidant tests revealed that V. scandens did not exhibit high antioxidant activity. The methanol extract of the studied plant was also rich in catechin, p-coumaric acid and vanillic acid. While the V. scandens methanol extract exhibited weak antioxidant and DNA cleavage activity, it showed DNA binding activity at 50 ?M, thus demonstrating the potential to be an intercalation agent in this concentration. This study provides the first report on the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, DNA cleavage and DNA binding activity as well as antioxidant activity of V. scandens.

Phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity of selected methanolic plant extracts and their detoxification capabilities against AFB1 toxicity

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a secondary metabolite produced principally by Aspergillus parasiticus and A. flavus. It is one of the most potent and commonly occurring dietary carcinogen with its carcinogenic potential being linked to the formation of DNA adducts and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Plant extracts contain a plethora of biologically active phytochemicals that act against ROS. This study aimed to assess the phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of some medicinal plants and investigate their detoxification potentials against AFB1. Phytochemical screening together with total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS+)) assays) were performed on nine methanolic plant extracts. Extracts were incubated with AFB1 for 24 and 48 h and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis done to assess their AFB1 detoxification activities. The TPC of the extracts ranged from 88.92 ± 6.54 to 210.19 ± 7.90 mg GAE/g, while TFC ranged between 4.01 ± 0.94 and 32.48 ± 1.02 mg QE/g. Radical scavenging activities of extracts varied from 4.18 ± 1.37 to 251.53 ± 9.30 μg/mL and 8.36 ± 1.65 to 279.22 ± 8.33 μg/mL based on DPPH and ABTS+ assays, respectively. Six of the plant extracts showed a time-dependent detoxification activity against AFB1 after 48 h ranging from 20.17 to 38.13 %. C. dentata bark extract showed the highest percentage of AFB1 reduction, with mean percentages of 43.57 and 70.96 % at 24 and 48 h, respectively. This was followed by C. asiatica leaves and A. melegueta seeds with a maximum of 40.81 and 38.13 %, respectively after 48 h. These extracts also possessed high TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities compared to all the other extracts. Findings from this study demonstrate the abundance of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity playing a role in potent AFB1 detoxification activity.