Aesculus Research Articles

Resistant Starch as a Novel Carrier for Delivery of Probiotics Exploring Effectiveness of Two Different Strategies of Encapsulation

AbstractIn the present study, three probiotic strains viz. Bifidobacterim bifidum, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus plantarum were encapsulated in resistant starch derived from Indian horse chestnut (HRS) and rice (RRS) by using freeze drying and emulsification techniques. Encapsulation yield for probiotics was found to be in the range of 71.9%–73.3% and 70.2.2%–73.4% using emulsification and freeze drying techniques. ATR‐FTIR spectral analysis of all the microcapsules reveals peaks in the range of 1332–1371 cm−1 and 2910–2925 cm−1 confirming the presence of encapsulated probiotics. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows granules with size ranging from 4 to 25 µm having different shapes. Cells encapsulated via emulsification show significantly better survivability during storage for a period of 3 months. Moreover, the survival rate of all the three microencapsulated probiotic cells remains comparably better under simulated gastrointestinal conditions than the free cells with minimal difference between the two techniques of encapsulation.

Horse Chestnut Saponins–Escins, Isoescins, Transescins, and Desacylescins

Escins constitute an abundant family of saponins (saponosides) and are the most active components in Aesculum hippocastanum (horse chestnut-HC) seeds. They are of great pharmaceutical interest as a short-term treatment for venous insufficiency. Numerous escin congeners (slightly different compositions), as well as numerous regio-and stereo-isomers, are extractable from HC seeds, making quality control trials mandatory, especially since the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of the escin molecules remains poorly described. In the present study, mass spectrometry, microwave activation, and hemolytic activity assays were used to characterize escin extracts (including a complete quantitative description of the escin congeners and isomers), modify the natural saponins (hydrolysis and transesterification) and measure their cytotoxicity (natural vs. modified escins). The aglycone ester groups characterizing the escin isomers were targeted. A complete quantitative analysis, isomer per isomer, of the weight content in the saponin extracts as well as in the seed dry powder is reported for the first time. An impressive 13% in weight of escins in the dry seeds was measured, confirming that the HC escins must be absolutely considered for high-added value applications, provided that their SAR is established. One of the objectives of this study was to contribute to this development by demonstrating that the aglycone ester functions are mandatory for the toxicity of the escin derivative, and that the cytotoxicity also depends on the relative position of the ester functions on the aglycone.

Sensorium

Sensorium

THE MAIN FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DAMAGE AND POPULATION DYNAMICS OF CAMERARIA OHRIDELLA (DESCHKA & DIMIC, 1986) IN URBAN PLANTATIONS OF KYIV REGION

In Ukraine, the horse-chestnut leaf-miner (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae, Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimic, 1986) was first discovered in 2002 in the Lviv region. Currently, the species is widespread in Ukraine and its range continues to expand. The consequence of the life activity of the miner lies in severe damage to the leaves and premature defoliation, negatively affecting the accumulation of reserves of nutrients necessary to maintain the vitality of plants in the winter and restore growth in the spring. The article provides data on the first detection and further spread of the invasive pest of horse-chestnuts C. ohridella in the world and on the territory of Ukraine. The phytosanitary condition of horse-chestnut trees (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) in the conditions of urban plantations in Makariv town, Buchansky district, Kyiv region in 2022 was studied. The data of the seasonal dynamics of the number of the pest, tracked with the help of pheromone monitoring, are given. In the course of route surveys of horse chestnut plantations, the phytosanitary condition of the trees on both sides of the road in the city of Makariv along Dmitriy Rostovsky Street and on the territory of the Makariv Lyceum No. 1 was assessed according to the following criterias: damage to the crown, the degree of damage to the leaf plates, and the overall vitality of the trees. The condition of each tree was assessed with a certain number of points according to the appropriate methods. According to the conducted surveys, it was found that the trees that were located on the isolated territory of the Lyceum suffered less damage from the phytophagus during the month and had significantly higher vitality and decorativeness, compared to the horse-chestnuts that grew along the road. Phytophage pheromone monitoring showed that the number of C. ohridella recorded in traps on both sides of the roadway on Dmitry Rostovsky Street significantly exceeded the number of insects caught on the territory of the educational institution. A clear inverse relationship between the number of insects caught and meteorological conditions was established: during heavy rains with high air humidity, the flight of the chestnut miner almost completely stopped, and the number of insects in the traps was close to zero, and vice versa.

The town and the townspeople in the novel “Garden, Ashes” by Danilo Kiš

The novel by Serbian author Danilo Kiš (1935‒1989) “Garden, Ashes” (1965) is his first major work. The novel demonstrates the writer’s completely formed style, models and techniques, as well as his key themes and concepts. The topoi and loci of a relatively small provincial town, as well as the socio-anthropological types of the townpeople are presented through the prism of a “child’s perspective” in the memoirs of the narrator-hero, colored by the adult bitter irony. The town appears full of sounds, colors, smells, and the child’s memory captures urban legends, rumors, and everyday practices of townpeople (country walks on Sundays). In the novel there are also special spaces (heterotopia) — a room in a house on the Horse Chestnut Street, a train compartment, a ghetto where the father is sent— where the hero-narrator gets a special experience. The novel is based on the facts of the writer’s biography, closely related to the tragic events of the twentieth century (the World War II and the death of his father in Auschwitz).

Chemotherapy-induced phlebitis via the GBP5/NLRP3 inflammasome axis and the therapeutic effect of aescin.

Intravenous infusion of chemotherapy drugs can cause severe chemotherapy-induced phlebitis (CIP) in patients. However, the underlying mechanism of CIP development remains unclear. RNA-sequencing analysis was used to identify potential disease targets in CIP. Guanylate binding protein-5 (GBP5) genetic deletion approaches also were used to investigate the role of GBP5 in NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) primed murine bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) induced by vinorelbine (VIN) in vitro and in mouse models of VIN-induced CIP in vivo. The anti-CIP effect of aescin was evaluated, both in vivo and in vivo. Here, we show that the expression of GBP5 was upregulated in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from CIP patients. Genetic ablation of GBP5 in murine macrophages significantly alleviated VIN-induced CIP in the experimental mouse model. Mechanistically, GBP5 contributed to the inflammatory responses through activating NLRP3 inflammasome and driving the production of the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Moreover, aescin, a mixture of triterpene saponins extracted from horse chestnut seed, can alleviate CIP by inhibiting the GBP5/NLRP3 axis. These findings suggest that GBP5 is an important regulator of NLRP3 inflammasome in CIP mouse model. Our work further reveals that aescin may serve as a promising candidate in the clinical treatment of CIP.

Жизнеспособность пыльцы некоторых видов древесных растений Донецкой агломерации

Data on the sterility and viability of woody plants pollen grains in the Donetsk urban agglomeration are presented. The study object was pollen samples of woody plant species used in landscaping in Donetsk such as black poplar (Populus nigra L.), white willow (Salix alba L.), horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.), Silver birch (Betula pendula Roth). On the studied sites, it has been established that the sterility of pollen grains ranges from 16 to 44 %, and the viability ranges from 49 to 96%, which is a critical indicator indicating the inability to restore reproductive function in some of the studied species. It is statistically determined that the correlation of the studied parameters (selection points, sterility, viability) characterizes the Donetsk agglomeration as an unfavorable environment for plant life. The data obtained indicate a high degree of adaptation and resistance of tree species to technogenic impact. Indicative signs of atmospheric air pollution are determined, which are typical for the Donetsk agglomeration. Under conditions of intense technogenic load, a pattern appears in the quality change of pollen grains forming pollen anomalies. An indicator that characterizes the anatomical and morphological structure of pollen grains can be used in Donetsk conditions as a complement to other characteristics when a significant level of environmental pollution is detected.

Flow cytometry as an alternative method to evaluate genotoxicity of natural cosmetic actives.

To suggest the expansion of the use of in vitro safety techniques recommended by the OECD guidelines and to propose the use of the automation of the in vitro mammalian micronucleus test method by flow cytometry to assess the genotoxic potential of Centella asiatica, Horse Chestnut, Witch Hazel, Blend, Ecoblend, and Caffeine extracts due to their widespread use in commercial products. Flow cytometer analysis was performed using the Accuri™ C6 equipment and analyzed using the FlowJo software. Cytotoxicity tests followed OECD 129 guidelines and Phototoxicity followed OECD/GD 432 guidelines. The results showed that the cytotoxicity assay presented a decrease in cell viability when cells were exposed to Centella asiatica from a concentration of 5.0%, horse chestnut 2.5%, Witch hazel 2.5%, Blend 3.13%, and Caffeine 3%, while Ecoblend at the tested concentrations did not show cytotoxicity. In the phototoxicity test, the samples at the tested concentrations showed a PIF <2 being considered potentially non-phototoxic. Finally, in the genotoxicity automated assay, samples were considered potentially non-genotoxic. In vitro methods are of paramount importance for the development of pre-clinical tests and the use of test automation helps to reduce the time for analysis and dissemination of results, being a determining factor for the prospect of new compounds.

Meteorological conditions have a complex effect on the tree-ring width of horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum in a forest plantation in Latvia

The introduction of species is a tool of climate-smart management to reduce environmental risks on forest productivity, which, however, requires information regarding the climatic sensitivity of trees. The main advantages of successful introductions are improved productivity and low susceptibility to pests and diseases. The latter, however, can be compromised by the cointroduction of pests, which, however, can be delayed. In this regard, horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.), which has been mostly used in parks and greeneries, yet has some forestry potential and has encountered an outbreak of leaf miner moth (Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimić), might be considered as a model species. In this study, the sensitivity of radial increment of horse chestnut growing in an experimental forest stand in Latvia and the effect of leaf miner moth on it were assessed by classical dendrochronological techniques and multiple regression analysis. In total, the time series of the tree-ring width of 27 trees were measured and successfully cross-dated. During the common period of 1978–2019, radial increment showed intermediate sensitivity, yet the dataset was representative of environmental signals with trees generally showing similar patterns of variation. Although the studied horse chestnut was growing under a cold climate (compared to native), the complex effects of summer moisture availability and winter thermal regime were estimated. Furthermore, meteorological conditions had direct and carry-over effects on increment. In general, studied trees favoured warm and moist summers and warm winters. Surprisingly, the emergence of the leaf miner moth had only some effect on the sensitivity of tree-ring width, particularly regarding temperature in May. The estimated weather-growth relationships suggest that increment might favour warming, although the emergence of the pest increases the complexity of the relationships.

Effect of extrusion processing conditions on the techno-functional, antioxidant, textural properties and storage stability of wholegrain-based breakfast cereal incorporated with Indian horse chestnut flour

The central composite rotatable design was used to plan the experiments using feed moisture (FM) content, barrel temperature (BT), screw speed (SS), and concentration of Indian horse chestnut flour (IHCF) as process variables varied between 10–18%, 70–150°C, 290–380 rpm and 1.75–4.75%, respectively. Surface mechanical energy, water holding capacity, swelling volume, piece density, longitudinal expansion, water activity and colour attributes were used as response variables. The whole grain flours added with 2.5% IHCF and extruded at 12% FM, 130°C BT and 380 rpm SS produced optimum quality breakfast cereals with 0.713 desirability. Extrudates packed in aluminum pouches were found to be suitable packaging materials and were shelf-stable for 6 months with better quality retention.

The Chromosome-level genome of Aesculus wilsonii provides new insights into terpenoid biosynthesis and Aesculus evolution.

Aesculus L. (buckeye and horse chestnut) are woody plant species with important horticultural and medicinal values. Aesculus seeds are widely used as biomedicine and cosmetic ingredients due to their saponins. We report a chromosomal-scale genome of Aesculus wilsonii. Sequences amounting to a total of 579.01 Mb were assembled into 20 chromosomes. More than half of the genome (54.46%) were annotated as repetitive sequences, and 46,914 protein-coding genes were predicted. In addition to the widespread gamma event with core eudicots, a unique whole-genome duplication (WGD) event (17.69 Mya) occurred in Aesculus after buckeye differentiated from longan. Due to WGD events and tandem duplications, the related synthetic genes of triterpene saponins unique to Aesculus increased significantly. Combined with transcriptome characterization, the study preliminarily resolved the biosynthetic pathway of triterpenoid saponins like aescin in A. wilsonii genome. Analyses of the resequencing of 104 buckeye accessions revealed clear relationship between the geographic distribution and genetic differentiation of buckeye trees in China. We found that the buckeye species found in southern Shaanxi is A. wilsonii rather than A. chinensis. Population dynamics analysis further suggests that the population size and evolution of existing buckeye species have been influenced by climate fluctuations during the Pleistocene and recent domestication events. The genome of A. wilsonii and population genomics of Aesculus provide a resource for future research on Hippocastanaceae. These findings will contribute to the utilization and diversity protection of Aesculus.

Stem Growth of Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) under a Warming Climate—Tree Age Matters

This research provides new information about the effect of drought on horse chestnut growth (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) in different ages. Global climatic scenarios predict a higher frequency of heatwaves and drought periods; however, investigations into the growth reaction of horse chestnut to drought are completely lacking. Approximately 50-year-old solitary, 100-year-old solitary, and 100-year-old canopy horse chestnut trees in a floodplain area were investigated. Growth reactions measured using automated dendrometers with respect to meteorological variables and water table depth were investigated during the years 2019–2021. Cambial activity was shown to be driven by tree age, as younger trees had higher stem radial increment rates. Both mature tree groups suffered from a low depth of water level and from higher sensitivity to meteorological variables, as growth was limited when mean daily vapor pressure deficit (VPD) exceeded 600 Pa. Together with a lower probability of growing days and a shorter growing season (GS) with earlier cessation of growth resulted in a lower total year radial increment (GRO) and basal area increment (BAI) when compared to younger trees. The young trees also exhibited lower tree-water-deficit-induced stem shrinkage (TWD) across all the studied years. Overall, horse chestnut trees in this floodplain area could be endangered by the decreasing level of soil water, with a greater age exacerbating the effects of drought. The year water deficit exceeded −340 mm in this locality every year, which has to be compensated for by regular flooding.

In Vitro Cytotoxic Action of Aesculus hippocastanum Extract Against PA 1 Human Ovarian Cell-Line

Cancer is not a modern disease but has been present since the very early dawn of life in both animals and humans”. Cancer is a disease that is caused due to alteration in the genetic configuration (mutation) that occurs due to either an inherent biological failure or an externally acquired factor leading to genomic instability and oncogenesis. The sudden upsurge in the incidence of cancer throughout the world in the last two decades has been attributed to the environmental and lifestyle changes which includes smoking, pollution, consumption of processed food etc…It is one among the prominent health problem responsible for morbidity and mortality. It is basically a cell proliferative disorder, initially specific to an organ and advances to invasion and metastasis. Chemotherapy with anticancer drugs remain the standard treatment modality. But those treatment drugs are associated with numerous serious side effects. On the other hand, phytomedicine is now attracting attention due to its potential anticancer properties. These medicines can be considered as an alternative form of therapy in cancer management due to their cost effectiveness, therapeutic efficacy and minimal side effects. Aesculus hippocastanum (AH)commonly known as European horse chestnut is found all over the world. The principal purpose of the study is to explore the anticancer property of ethanolic flower root out of Aesculus hippocastanum by performing the MTT assay (cytotoxic study) against human ovarian cell line. The study was evaluated by assessing the inhibition of percentage of cell viability and it showed minimum viability of cell (53.68 ± 0.8755 %) at the higher concentration of 200µl of Aesculus hippocastanum sample solution with Methotrexate as a standard comparison drug. This has proved the cytotoxic effect of Aesculus hippocastanum on PA1 human ovarian cancer cell line

An assessment of population phenology of Japanese horse chestnut tree (&lt;i&gt;Aesculus turbinata&lt;/i&gt;) using flowering and leafing evaluation method

An assessment of population phenology of Japanese horse chestnut tree (&lt;i&gt;Aesculus turbinata&lt;/i&gt;) using flowering and leafing evaluation method

The Secondary Metabolites Profile in Horse Chestnut Leaves Infested with Horse-Chestnut Leaf Miner.

Natural defensive substances synthesized by plants that could replace synthetic pesticides in the protection of plants against insect invasions are constantly being sought. The study assessed changes in the qualitative and quantitative composition of secondary metabolites in horse chestnut leaves collected in different locations and differing in the sensitivity of the plant to the invasion by the horse-chestnut leaf miner. An attempt was made to identify compounds that are most responsible for the increased plant resistance to this threat. Additionally, changes in the anatomy of chestnut leaves affected by the pest were presented. It was noticed that the trees differed in the composition of secondary metabolites already in the initial growing season, which should be related to the influence of habitat conditions. The analysis of the profile of the compounds in non-infested and infested horse chestnut leaves revealed a clear response of the plant to the stress factor, i.e., the foraging of the horse-chestnut leaf miner. Catechins seem to be compounds involved in plant resistance. The leaf anatomy showed enhanced accumulation of phenolic compounds at the pest foraging sites. Hypertrophy and thickened and cracked cell walls of the spongy parenchyma were visible in the vicinity of the mines.

Isolation, characterization, and comparison of nanocrystalline cellulose from solid wastes of horse chestnut and chestnut seed shell

Isolation, characterization, and comparison of nanocrystalline cellulose from solid wastes of horse chestnut and chestnut seed shell

A Sebum-Mimetic Lipid Monolayer and Its Interaction with (Bio)Surfactants

Surfactants present in cleansing formulations interact not only with the unwanted lipids accumulating on the human skin (dirt) but also with its protective lipidic layer (sebum). Development of simple models of human sebum would help to compare different surfactants and biosurfactants under the same conditions. In this contribution we propose a first monolayer model of synthetic sebum composed of lard, stearic acid, lanolin, squalane and cholesterol. The monolayer compression isotherm features a gas-liquid (G-LE1), two liquid-liquid transitions (LE1-LE2 and LE2-LC), and a collapse at πcoll = 45 mN/m. The monolayer spread on pure water and pre-compressed to π0 = 30 mN/m was exposed to four synthetic surfactants (sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) and cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB)) and four plant extracts (oat (Avena sativa L.), horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.), cowherb (Vaccaria hispanica [P. Mill.] Rauschert), soybean (Glycine max L.) and soapwort (Saponaria officinalis L.)) introduced to the subphase at a dry mass content of 1% (w/w). Three modes of the monolayer-(bio)surfactant interactions were observed: (1) complete solubilization (SLS, SLES, ALS, CAPB); (2) penetration accompanied by an increase of surface pressure and elasticity but without solubilization (horse chestnut, cowherb, soapwort); (3) no interaction (oat, soybean).

Changes in the Parasitism Rate and Parasitoid Community Structure of the Horse Chestnut Leafminer, Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), in the Czech Republic

The horse chestnut leafminer, Cameraria ohridella, Deschka and Dimić, is a moth that has invaded most of Europe since it was first recorded in Macedonia near Lake Ohrid in 1985. It attacks horse chestnut trees and causes aesthetic and vitality problems. The parasitism rate, other mortality rates, and parasitoid structure were studied during a five-year survey at six sites in the Czech Republic. The results showed that the total parasitism rates varied from 1.9% to 20.5%, with an average of 7.2%, similar to other those published studies. The parasitism rate was significantly related to year, the developmental stage of C. ohridella, latitude, and greenery maintenance but not to C. ohridella population density, altitude, or area size. In contrast, the total other mortality rates varied from 13.7% to 59.5%, with an average of 31%, but overall temporal changes in the values indicated a declining trend. The parasitoid complex was predominantly polyphagous parasitoids of the family Eulophidae, similar to that found previously in south-eastern Europe. The results further revealed that the most abundant parasitoid species, Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees), was gradually replaced by Pediobius saulius (Walker). The increasing abundance of P. saulius is thus an interesting adaptation of an autochthonous parasitoid to a new host.

Quality and Technological Properties of Flour with the Addition of Aesculus Hippocastanum and Castanea Sativa

Abstract The study of alternative food sources or ingredients that can partially replace or enrich today’s food is a perspective direction. The possibility of using horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) and chestnut (Castanea sativa) fruits in the baking industry as an admixture to wheat flour has been determined. The addition of flours from these fruits at a level of 10% increases the number of minerals in the flour mixture and also enriches the mixture in saponins, coumarins, and tannins. However, it is necessary to remove excess saponins from horse chestnut. The amylograph has shown that flour from horse chestnut fruit has optimal parameters for baking mixed bread. Farinograph tests showed that a 10% addition of ground horse chestnut to wheat flour had the best baking properties. Mixtures with 10 and 15% chestnut addition showed the best baking characteristic.

Breakfast cereals from whole grain and Indian horse chestnut flours obtained through extrusion: Physical, mechanical and functional characteristics

The objective of this research was to optimize feed composition (whole wheat flour (WWF), whole barley flour (WBF), whole corn flour (WCF) and Indian horse chestnut flour (IHCF)) and evaluating the effects of different ratios of feed composition on the functional, physical and mechanical characteristics of extrudates. Response Surface Methodology was used to optimize the ingredients. Results found that breakfast cereals with 8.3% of WWF, 8.75% of WBF and 3.75% of IHCF had higher rehydration ratios and desirable hardness, porosity, bulk density and color as compared to other treatment samples. Increasing the whole-grain reduced water solubility index, water absorption index and surface mechanical energy. The optimum processing conditions obtained by numerical optimization for the development of breakfast cereals were 10% WWF, 10% WBF, 2.5% IHCF, and 77.5% WCF at 14% of moisture, 110ºC temperature and screw speed of 380 rpm. Therefore, the development of breakfast cereals through extrusion cooking of mixture of whole-grains and IHCF is feasible, providing the base for fiber rich healthier snack food products.