Herbal Tea Research Articles

Original theme: Problem of exclusive breastfeeding in the town of Kélo, province of Tandjile (Chad)

With the aim of evaluating the problem of breastfeeding (AME) exclusive of breast milk during the first 6 months of life, a prospective cross-sectional study was spread over a period of three months from May 10 to August 10. 2023. It involved 550 people, including 500 breastfeeding mothers of children aged 0 to 6 months and 50 health personnel. The study or investigation took place in five neighborhoods of the city of Kélo and in five urban health centers of the said city. The pre-established questionnaire sheets made it possible to collect the necessary data which were entered and analyzed using the SPSS version 25 software. The Pearson Chi-2 test was used at a threshold of 0.05 to investigate the relationship between the dependent variables and independent variables. he results showed that the average age of mothers is 32.50 and that of health personnel is 35.50. Married women number 474 or 94.8%, 49.40% are educated at the secondary level followed by 39.60% at the primary level. Almost all breastfeeding mothers are housewives, i.e. 65.80%. The proportions of mothers who practiced non-exclusive breastfeeding are 96.60% compared to 3.40% who practiced exclusive breastfeeding. Also a good proportion of mothers (26.40%) breastfed immediately after childbirth and the majority of these mothers breastfeed their children on demand (77.20%). Herbal tea and water were the main foods introduced into the infant's diet before the age of 6 months. Finally, our results showed that there is a relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and factors such as the mother's profession, the place of delivery, the sex of the child, advice on AME, knowledge of the advantages of AME and the practice of AME immediately after delivery. Knowledge of the advantages of AME must be made more available to mothers in order to improve the health of newborns and even children.

Functional Properties and Sensory Quality of Kombucha Analogs Based on Herbal Infusions.

Traditionally, kombucha is produced by the fermentation of black or green tea infusions with the use of SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeasts). However, SCOBY exhibits the ability to ferment other substrates as well, which can be used to create novel products with new sensory and health-promoting properties. This paper investigates the antioxidant activity, chemical composition, and sensory properties of mint, nettle, and blackcurrant leaf-based kombucha analogs. It has been demonstrated that the fermentation process with SCOBY significantly influenced (p ≤ 0.05) sugar, organic acids, and mineral contents, with the increase in iron, magnesium, and calcium amounts in all tested herbal kombucha. The study shows that the type of herb infusion has a significant influence on the parameters associated with antioxidant potential. The fermentation with SCOBY resulted in an increase in antioxidant activity as measured by the superoxide anion radical (O2•-) inhibition of all three tested herbal infusions, with the greatest changes observed in nettle kombucha. Herbal kombucha was characterized by significantly increased total phenolic content as determined by Folin's reagent and a changed phenolic compound profile by LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry) in comparison to nonfermented infusions. Very high sensory scores were achieved for fermented mint and blackcurrant-based kombucha.

Toxicological evaluation of anti-cough herbal tea made from aqueous extracts of G. Kola, C. Citratus and B. pinnatum

Background: Herbal formulations currently contribute significantly to medical remedies with varying effects on health indices. Garcinia kola seeds, Cymbapogon citratus, and Bryophyllum pinnantum leaves are among the widely used in herbal formulations. Objectives: This study evaluated the toxicological effects of the ternary combination of these plant materials on some renal, hepatic, hematological and histological parameters of streptococci-infected white albino rats. Materials and Methods: Samples of Garcinia kola seeds, Cymbapogon citratus leaves, and Bryophyllum pinnantum leaves were sourced locally and authenticated by a taxonomist. Aqueous extract of the ternary combination comprising of 40% G. kola, 30% C. citratus, and 30% B. pinnantum was prepared and administered on albino rats. Thirty five white albino rats grouped into 7 groups comprising of normal control, treatment control, disease control, and test group were used for the evaluation after a 14 days treatment on infected and uninfected rats. The rats were sacrificed, and samples collected. Some renal, hepatic, histological, and hematological indices were analyzed. Results: Comparison of all hematological parameters (except for platelet count) between uninfected-untreated and unifected-treated with extract showed no significant (p>0.05) difference. Platelet count was significantly (p<0.05) raised in all groups treated with the extract. Comparison control and the extract-treated group showed no significant (p>0.05) difference in renal parameters indicating no adverse effects on renal function. However, comparison of parameters between control and the infected-treated group showed significantly elevated creatinine which alone may not be sufficient to support renal damage. Albumin, and total bilirubin were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the extract-treated group compared to the control group. In contrast, total protein and globulin were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the controls to the infected groups. ALT and AST were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the extract treated groups compared to the control group. Although comparison of ALP activity between uninfected-untreated and infected-treated group showed significant (p<0.05) elevation this alone may not be sufficient to support liver damage. The hematoxyline and eosine stained sections of the kidney and the liver tissues of the tea fed groups show normal kidney and liver histology. There was no significant change in the liver and kidney histology of the test and control groups. The extract did not cause adverse impact on these organs. Conclusion: Ternary combination of 40% G. kola, 30% C. citratus, and 30% B. pinnantum can effectively be used in treatment of cough without significant adverse effects on renal, hepatic, hematological and histological parameters. The ternary combination rather demonstrated significant hepato-protective feature.

Simultaneous determination of acid carnosic and carnosol in rosemary-containing foods by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC–PDA)

The research was conducted to develop and validate a simultaneous quantification method for acid carnosic (CA) and carnosol (CAR) in rosemary-containing foods using highperformance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection (HPLC–PDA), with a simple and fast sample processing procedure. Analytical samples were extracted using a methanol–phosphoric acid mixture (99.5:0.5, v/v) at room temperature for 20 minutes. The chromatographic conditions were as follows: Sunfire C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm; 5 µm), mobile phase consisting of 0.1% phosphoric acid – acetonitrile (40:60, v/v), flow rate of 1 mL/min, injection volume of 10 µL, detection at 230 nm. The method was validated according to the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) criteria. The results showed that the method had good specificity, and the standard curves of acid carnosic and carnosol were linear in the concentration range of 2.5 – 200 µg/mL. The limits of detection (LOD) for acid carnosic and carnosol were 0.3 µg/mL and 0.25 µg/mL, respectively. The limits of quantification (LOQ) for acid carnosic and carnosol were 1 µg/mL and 0.75 µg/mL, respectively. The recovery rates were in the range of 98.8 – 100.6% (acid carnosic) and 97.5 – 102.2% (carnosol). Repeatability and internal reproducibility met the requirements of AOAC. The method was applied to evaluate the acid carnosic and carnosol levels in 20 food samples collected from the market, such as rosemary leaf powder, dried rosemary leaves, rosemary herbal tea,...

The principal component analysis of antioxidant activities of Songgak, a traditional herbal drink in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Songgak is a traditional herbal tea of the Sasak Tribe in Lombok Island, Indonesia, formulated to strengthen people's stamina. Songgak is composed of seven kinds of roasted spices: Piper nigrum L., Coriandrum sativum L., Piper retrofractum Vahl, Myristica fragrans Houtt, Syzygium aromaticum, Elaeocarpus grandiflorus, and Helicteres isora. This study aimed to assess the benefits of Songgak and its constituent spices by evaluating their antioxidant activities, total phenolic content (TPC) and flavonoid content (TPC). Antioxidant activity tests were performed on the water extract of Songgak, ethanolic extract of Songgak, and ethanolic extract of seven spices of Songgak including 2,2′- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The antioxidant activity using DPPH method showed that the water extract of Songgak has a strong categorisation of antioxidant activity with DPPH IC50 value of 63.78±4.29 µg/mL. The constituent species of Songgak with the strongest antioxidant activity was S. aromaticum. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of Songgak tea were 26.85±4.29 mg GAE/g and 6.99±0.29 mg RE/gram, respectively. The correlation between TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities was determined using principal component analysis (PCA). The loading plot showed that TPC and TFC were strongly correlated with the antioxidant activity (FRAP method) of Songgak tea and its constituent spices. These results revealed that the presence of flavonoid and phenolic compounds in the seven herbal medicinal plants were responsible for the antioxidant properties of Songgak as a healthy herbal drink. Therefore, consuming Songgak every day can be beneficial for preventing various diseases involving free radicals.

Metabolite Profiling and Identification of Sweet/Bitter Taste Compounds in the Growth of Cyclocarya Paliurus Leaves Using Multiplatform Metabolomics.

Cyclocarya paliurus tea, also known as "sweet tea", an herbal tea with Cyclocarya paliurus leaves as raw material, is famous for its unique nutritional benefits and flavor. However, due to the unique "bittersweet" of Cyclocarya paliurus tea, it is still unable to fully satisfy consumers' high-quality taste experience and satisfaction. Therefore, this study aimed to explore metabolites in Cyclocarya paliurus leaves during their growth period, particularly composition and variation of sweet and bitter taste compounds, by combining multi-platform metabolomics analysis with an electronic tongue system and molecular docking simulation technology. The results indicated that there were significant differences in the contents of total phenols, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and saponins in C. paliurus leaves in different growing months. A total of 575 secondary metabolites were identified as potential active metabolites related to sweet/bitter taste using nontargeted metabolomics based on UHPLC-MS/MS analysis. Moreover, molecular docking technology was utilized to study interactions between the candidate metabolites and the sweet receptors T1R2/T1R3 and the bitter receptors T2R4/T2R14. Six key compounds with high sweetness and low bitterness were successfully identified by using computational simulation analysis, including cis-anethole, gluconic acid, beta-D-Sedoheptulose, asparagine, proline, and citrulline, which may serve as candidates for taste modification in Cyclocarya paliurus leaves. These findings provide a new perspective for understanding the sweet and bitter taste characteristics that contribute to the distinctive sensory quality of Cyclocarya paliurus leaves.

Discrimination of Abrus cantoniensis Hance and Abrus mollis Hance using UPLC-Q/TOF-MS and assessment of their in vivo hepatoprotective effects

Ethnopharmacological relevanceIn Guangzhou and Guangxi, China, Abrus cantoniensis Hance (AH) is known for its liver-protective properties and is commonly used in herbal teas and soups. In the herbal market and pharmaceutical preparations, AH and Abrus mollis Hance (AMH) are often used interchangeable. Despite their morphological and usage similarities, distinguishing their differences is essential for scientific research and clinical practice. Aim of the studyThis study focuses on the morphological identification, chemical composition, and hepatoprotective effectiveness of AH and AMH. It aims to evaluate their interchangeable use and provide a rationale for this practice. This research helps regulate the market of AH medicinal materials, ensuring clinical safety and effectiveness. Materials and methodsSamples of AH and AMH roots, stems, leaves, and seeds were collected and photographed using a stereoscope and digital imaging system. The chemical components of AH and AMH were qualitatively analyzed using UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. Chemometric techniques, such as PCA and OPLS-DA, were employed to discern the componential differences between the two species. A CCl4-induced acute liver injury mouse model was developed to assess hepatoprotective effects. The hepatoprotective properties of AH and AMH were evaluated by analyzing the liver index, H&E staining, changes in serum liver function indicators (TBIL, ALT, AST), and concentrations of SOD, MDA in liver homogenate. ResultsThe root color, texture, stem diameter, cross-sectional characteristics, leaf shape, and seed morphology of the two plants were observed. Notable differences were identified, which can be used for accurate identification. The UPLC-Q/TOF-MS identified 50 compounds in both species, which were classified into 3 alkaloids, 22 flavonoids, 2 triterpenes, 10 triterpene saponins, 10 amides, and 3 others, and 20 different compounds between AH and AMH were screened by chemometrics. By improving serum biomarkers (ALT, AST, TBIL) and regulating oxidative stress markers (SOD, MDA), the alleviating effect of AH and AMH extracts on liver injury was confirmed. Notably, AH showed a stronger liver protective effect, significantly reducing ALT and AST levels more than AMH. ConclusionThis study enhances understanding of the morphological identification, chemical profiling, and hepatoprotective effects of AH and AMH. It provides a reference for future scientific research and the clinical application of AH in treating liver damage.

Efficient Solid-Phase Extraction of Neonicotinoid Insecticides from Environmental Water and Drink Samples Using a Postmodified Metal-Organic Framework.

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) are extensively utilized globally because of their efficient and broad-spectrum properties. However, their residues are also extensively distributed in the environment. Herein, MIL-101-SO3Na with abundant -NH- and sulfonate groups was synthesized via chloromethylation and nucleophilic substitution postmodification strategies and used to extract NNIs via solid-phase extraction. MIL-101-SO3Na was enhanced by introducing C-H···N hydrogen bonds to strengthen interaction forces and -SO3Na groups to adjust surface charge and enhance electrostatic attraction. This modification and the substantial specific surface area (998 m2·g-1) of the metal-organic framework markedly enhanced the enrichment efficiency of MIL-101. The proposed method based on MIL-101-SO3Na exhibited a minimal detection threshold (0.04-0.87 ng·L-1), an extensive linear spectrum (1-2000 ng·L-1), and notable accuracy (a variation of 3.02-11.8%) in water and drink samples. NNI concentrations between 0.25 and 24.2 ng·L-1 in fruit juice and tea samples were accurately identified using the proposed method, demonstrating its feasibility in practical applications. The postmodification of MIL-101-SO3Na is an exceptional and promising approach for the sensitive detection of ultratrace NNI levels in complex matrices.

Exploring causal associations of antioxidants from supplements and diet with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in European populations: a Mendelian randomization analysis.

Antioxidants from both supplements and diet have been suggested to potentially reduce oxidative stress in individuals with ADHD. However, there is a lack of studies utilizing the Mendelian randomization (MR) method to explore the relationship between dietary and supplemental antioxidants with ADHD. This study employed two-sample mendelian randomization. Various specific antioxidant dietary supplements (such as coffee, green tea, herbal tea, standard tea, and red wine intake per week), along with diet-derived circulating antioxidants including Vitamin C (ascorbate), Vitamin E (α-tocopherol), Vitamin E (γ-tocopherol), carotene, Vitamin A (retinol), zinc, and selenium (N = 2,603-428,860), were linked to independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Data on ADHD was gathered from six sources, comprising 246,888 participants. The primary analytical method utilized was inverse variance weighting (IVW), with sensitivity analysis conducted to assess the robustness of the main findings. In different diagnostic periods for ADHD, we found that only green tea intake among the antioxidants was significantly associated with a reduced risk of ADHD in males (OR: 0.977, CI: 0.963-0.990, p < 0.001, FDR = 0.065), with no evidence of pleiotropy or heterogeneity observed in the results. Additionally, a nominal causal association was found between green tea intake and childhood ADHD (OR: 0.989, 95% CI: 0.979-0.998, p = 0.023, FDR = 0.843). No causal relationships were detected between the intake of other antioxidant-rich diets and ADHD. Our study found a significant inverse association between green tea intake and male ADHD, suggesting that higher green tea consumption may reduce ADHD risk in males. Further research is needed to explore optimal doses and underlying mechanisms.

Hepatoprotective action mechanism and quantification of soyasaponin Bb in Abri Herba by HPLC and network pharmacology

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe herb of Abrus cantoniensis Hance (AC) is an important Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is also used as an herbal tea with hepatoprotective action. Soyasaponin Bb is one of the pharmacodynamic substances of AC for the herb's effective pharmacological activity. This study aims to investigate the anti-fibrotic and hepatoprotective activities of soyasaponin Bb in vivo and in vitro experiments, mechanism by network pharmacology and quantification by HPLC. Materials and methodsHigh-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to evaluate the quality of the herb and determine the contents of soyasaponin Bb from different sources and parts of the AC. In vivo experiments were conducted to induce an acute liver injury model by injecting CCl4 into mice, and an in vitro hepatic fibrosis model was established by cultivating LX-2 cells with TGF-β1. These models were used to explore the anti-fibrotic and hepatoprotective effects of soyasaponin Bb and its underlying mechanisms. In addition, the potential target genes corresponding to soyasaponin Bb were identified using the Swiss Target Prediction database through network pharmacology methods. Meanwhile, hepatic fibrosis targets were screened using the GeneCards, TTD, and OMIM disease databases. The STING database was used to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of soyasaponin Bb-hepatic fibrosis. The soyasaponin Bb-hepatic fibrosis disease target-pathway network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed to enrich and analyze the common targets of the drug and the disease, aiming to identify the potential targets and pathways involved in the anti-fibrotic and hepatoprotective effects of soyasaponin Bb. ResultsThe content of soyasaponin Bb varied across different sources, with the roots containing the highest concentration, up to 0.2480%. In vivo experiments showed that soyasaponin Bb had a protective effect against CCl4-induced acute liver injury, effectively inhibiting the increase in ALT and AST levels and slowing down the hepatocyte inflammatory damage caused by CCl4. Soyasaponin Bb also down-regulated MDA levels and up-regulated SOD levels, indicating a certain antioxidant capacity. In vitro cell experiments showed that soyasaponin Bb could effectively inhibit the proliferation of HSC-LX2 cells induced by TGF-β1 by regulating the TGF-β1/α-SMA pathway, significantly down-regulate the protein expression of TGF-β1 and α-SMA, while also reducing the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β. Further network pharmacology analysis suggested that soyasaponin Bb can exert anti-fibrosis activity by regulating the IBD signaling pathway, Th17 signaling pathway, Hepatitis B signaling pathway, and JAK-STAT signaling pathway. ConclusionSoyasaponin Bb is primarily distributed in the root of AC, and it has a strong protective effect against CCl4-induced acute liver injury. It can reduce the level of inflammatory factors, relieve inflammation, and exert anti-fibrotic activity by regulating the TGF-β1/α-SMA pathway. Its potential anti-hepatic fibrosis mechanism has been investigated through network pharmacology.

Research on the Design Method of Camellia oleifera Fruit Picking Machine

Camellia oleifera fruit pickers are essential for improving picking efficiency and promoting the Camellia oleifera industry. However, it is challenging to develop pickers that meet user needs. Current design tools and methods have limitations, such as a single model, poor synergy between integrated models, and subjective bias when analysing user requirements and translating them into product attributes. To solve these problems, this study proposes a new design decision model based on the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP), Function Analysis System Technique (FAST), Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ Theory), and extension transformation theory. The model was developed and applied to design an Camellia oleifera fruit picker. In this paper, an empirical investigation of an Camellia oleifera base in Wuhan was carried out, and multi-level demand analysis was used to identify the design demands in the behavioural process; FAHP was used to calculate the demand weights to clarify the design focus; expert knowledge was used to convert the demands into specific product functional features, and FAST was used to decompose these features to find the contradictory conflicts; TRIZ theory was used to determine the principles of resolving the contradictions, and the extension transformation theory were used to generate the creative design solutions for the products. By integrating FAHP, FAST, TRIZ theory and the extension transformation theory, the subjective bias in product design is eliminated, the design decision-making process is improved, and new methods and ideas are provided for the design of oleaginous tea fruit pickers and similar products. Finally, the conceptual design of an Camellia oleifera fruit picking machine was produced. However, the conceptual design has yet to be subjected to exhaustive simulation experiments and prototype testing. Future research will focus on conducting the necessary simulations, prototypes, and field tests to fully assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the design and make the required iterative improvements accordingly to commercialize the product eventually.

Potential Utilization of Defective Fruit Juice Products for Black Soldier Fly Cultivation to Reduce Waste Generation in the Beverage Industry

The waste of fruit juice and tea defective products has organic content that conventionally has the potential to be utilized as a medium or place for maggot growth, but until now it has not been equipped with supporting scientific studies. Therefore, the objectives of the study are: 1) Assessing the characteristics of fruit juice and tea product waste, 2) Assessing the effectiveness of maggot in reducing fruit juice and tea product waste. This research is experimental in nature using variations in the composition of fruit juice and tea product waste as a source of nutrition for maggot which is carried out for 12 days. This variation uses the Complete Randomized Design method with 3 (three) treatments, namely variations in the composition of 60% tea + 40% fruit juice waste (S1), 50% tea + 50% fruit juice waste (S2), and 40% tea + 60% fruit juice waste (S3) in duplo. In addition, this study was completed with a control treatment. The results showed that the characteristics of fruit juice and tea waste containing protein (3.78-4.59%), fat (0.90-1.31%), carbohydrates (28.15-29.15%), crude fiber (2.42-3.12%) can be used as maggot cultivation media. The highest protein and crude fiber contents were found in the S3 composition waste at 4.59% and 3.12%. Maggot cultivation results that showed the highest fat and carbohydrate content were found in S1 composition waste at 1.31% and 29.15%. The recommended composition variation is S1 composition with the highest substrate consumption value and waste reduction index of 57.47% and 20.06%.

Use of Supplementary Medicines/Nutrients and Disease Behaviours during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: The study was conducted to reveal which type of supplementary people used against COVID-19 disease and determine their behaviours/ideas related to the disease. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional was conducted between April and May 2021. It was limited to people over the age of 18, and the snowball sampling method was used along with a questionnaire form. Results: Of the individuals participating in the study, 74.4% were in the 18-33 age group, 72.6% were female, 64.6% were single, 65.8% had bachelor's degrees and associate degrees, 49.5% were actively working, and 63.13% had 1-10 years of work experience. Of the participants, 72.1% did not catch COVID-19. Medicines or supplementary nutrients are used mainly by individuals in the 34-49 age group (51.7%). Conclusion: The most used supplementary medicines and nutrients were antiviral and anti-flu medicines and paracetamol, vitamins C, D, B, iron, omega-3, green tea, honey, thyme, ginger, lemon, spicy teas, turmeric, and fruit tea. The use of non-medicine complementary methods has increased while studies on the treatment of COVID-19 are ongoing. Among these methods, there is a tendency to mostly use supplementary medicines, nutrients, vitamins, and herbal products, respectively.

Viola stocksii: A rich source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoid glycosides with converged therapeutic potential against SARS-CoV-2 MPro, spike trimer, and surface glycoproteins

This research presents the first comprehensive investigation into the phytochemical and nutraceutical properties of Viola stocksii. The study aimed to identify the therapeutic efficacy and bioactive constituents of this medicinal herb, traditionally used as an herbal tea for managing respiratory and abdominal issues in remote areas of Pakistan. The therapeutic efficacy of the plant was assessed as an anti-oxidant-rich health tonic coupled with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities against COVID-19 and its evolving variants. The study involved sequential extraction, bio-assay guided fractionation, isolation, characterization, and biological evaluation. Preliminary in vitro studies have demonstrated that polar fractions of the plant possess significant antioxidant and antiinflammatory potential. A diverse combination of chromatographic techniques (Diaion resin HP-20, Sephadex LH-20, ODS-C18, and RP-HPLC) facilitated the purification of active constituents of the plant. Comprehensive analysis of NMR (1H, 13C, and 2D NMR) and mass (EIMS, HR-EIMS, and FAB-HRMS) spectral data lead to characterize the isolated compounds (1–4) as flavonoid glycosides. Results from in vitro and in-silico evaluations revealed that the isolated glycosides exhibit high antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities, which synergistically show promising potential in combating SARS-CoV-2 variants. Besides MPro, therapeutic potential against two unexplored proteins i.e. the spike trimer (7WZ1) and surface glycoproteins (7QTJ) was studied for the first time. Kaempferol (KamGluαRh) and quercetin (QurGluαRh) carrying rutinoside, were identified as the most active constituents of the plant, with the highest binding affinities in the range of −10 to −13 kcal/mol. Ten distinct active regions were explored on the spike trimer, including strong binding affinity with the essential RBD region, spike head, and tail of the protein. MD simulation validated the stability of Mpro-KamGluαRh and Mpro-QurGluαRh complexes evidenced by an average RMSD of 0.2 nm led to the mechanistic understanding of Mpro inhibition. ADMET and pharmacokinetic studies authenticated the therapeutic ability and drug-likeness profiling of all extracted compounds. Results revealed the beneficial role of glycosides in boosting the medicinal effectiveness of flavonoids and the potential of Viola stocksii as an immunity booster against respiratory infections like COVID-19.

Review: Pengaruh Efektivitas Ekstrak Kopi Arabika Sebagai Antioksidan Dan Bentuk Sediaan Farmakologi

Indonesia is a country abundant in natural resources. Indonesia is home to a large number of Arabica coffee plants (Coffea arabica L.) which are now highly valued internationally. This plant is known to have various biological effectiveness, especially due to the antioxidant content of Arabica coffee extract. Based on reviews, Arabica coffee extract has significant antioxidant capacity, containing bioactive compounds such as chlorogenic acid and caffeine. In society, Arabica coffee is generally used as herbal medicine and drinks with standard processing. However, current research and reviews continue to develop various formulations and innovations from Arabica coffee to increase its therapeutic benefits. Several pharmacological dosage forms such as capsules, tablets, creams, and serums have been successfully developed to maximize the therapeutic benefits of Arabica coffee extract. This article will discuss comprehensively the chemical content, biological activity, and various innovative formulations that have been developed from Arabica coffee. All of this shows that Arabica coffee has great potential to be further developed as an effective active ingredient in various therapeutic applications, making a significant contribution to the fields of health and medicine.

An In Vitro Study on the Antioxidant Properties of Cistus incanus Extracts

This paper concerns the evaluation of the antioxidant activity (AA) of extracts obtained from cistus herbs grown in Albania and Turkey. The extracts were prepared in a Soxhlet apparatus, as well as by the maceration and infusion methods, similar to the home method of preparing herbal teas. AA was determined using the DPPH (2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) and β-carotene methods. It was proven that the AA of extracts depends not only on the extraction technique and AA assessment method but also on the place of plant cultivation. The smallest activity was determined using the β-carotene bleaching method, while the highest values were obtained using the FRAP method. On the other hand, the ABTS method showed a greater activity of the Albanian herb prepared using the Soxhlet technique. In addition, the antioxidant properties of extracts were compared with those of rutin standard solutions, showing that this characteristic component of cistus is not the only one that determines AA of extracts. As a result, the rutin content is not an indicator of the antioxidant properties of extracts. The other polyphenolic compounds, although occurring at lower concentration levels compared to rutin, modify the resultant AA of extracts. These studies confirmed the biological activity of cistus as a valuable source of polyphenolic compounds in the human diet.

Influence of Soursop Fruit Tea Concentration on the Fermentation and Quality Attributes of Water Kefir Beverages

Soursop is a seasonal and highly perishable fruit with a short shelf life after harvest. Therefore, fermentation with water kefir could be a great combination to develop a novel probiotic and dairy-free alternative beverage with distinctive flavors all year round. Therefore, this study aimed to formulate and characterize fermented beverages utilizing soursop fruit tea and water kefir microorganisms. An evaluation of physical parameters, antioxidant capacity, microbiological profiles, and sensory attributes was conducted after the fermentation process of the soursop water kefir. The result indicated that pH and Brix values remained in the acceptance range for consumption. According to microbiological results, all water kefir samples provided a high number of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts, although no significant differences were observed in microbial counts. Furthermore, the organoleptic acceptability of the fruit water kefirs was encouraging, particularly at a 1% initial soursop fruit tea concentration, with favorable ratings for taste and overall acceptability.

UTILIZATION OF HERBAL POWDER TO INCREASE THE ECONOMY IN NURUL HUDA ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL, SIDOARJO

In the context of global economic contestation, the presence of an independent Islamic boarding school economic community will become social capital and inspiration for the community so that the local community's economy is not defeated and displaced by global players. The Nurul Huda Islamic boarding school is included in the category of Islamic boarding schools that do not yet have a business unit, even though the Nurul Huda Islamic boarding school has vacant land that can be utilized by students by managing herbal plants. Implementation of the community service program is carried out through several activities: 1) Providing material about various kinds of herbs and their benefits 2) Demonstration and practice of formulating and making various kinds of herbal powders 3) Demonstration and practice of formulating and making various kinds of herbal drinks 4) Demonstration and practice of formulation and making herbal granules 5) Demonstration, practice of formulation and making herbal effervescent powder 6) Packing and labelling practices for marketing 7) Making a website for product marketing. This community service produces output in the form of: 1) Publication in the Sinta 4 journal, namely the Abdinus journal / Journal of Indonesian Service 2) Publication on online news media. The results of implementing this activity were able to increase the knowledge and skills of students at Nurul Huda Islamic boarding school.

Response surface methodology-based optimization of Inonotus hispidus' liquid fermentation medium and evaluation of its exopolysaccharide activities.

Inonotus hispidus, commonly referred to as the Sanghuang mushroom, is a species that is consumed as a tea. To date, this is the only species of the same fungus that has been successfully cultivated. A single-factor test was conducted using Inonotus hispidus MS-5 and MS-9 as test materials. The response surface methodology was adopted to design and optimise the liquid fermentation medium for them. As indicated in the results, the optimum fermentation conditions for MS-5 include 24.09 g/L glucose, 7.88 g/L yeast extract, 0.99 g/L dandelion powder, 1.5 g MgSO4, 2 g KH2PO4, 0.01 g vitamin B1, and 1 L deionized water; the optimum fermentation conditions for MS-9 include 24.64 g/L glucose, 7.77 g/L yeast extract, 0.98 g/L dandelion powder, 1.5 g MgSO4, 2 g KH2PO4, 0.01 g vitamin B1, and 1 L deionized water. Under such conditions, the mycelial biomass (dry weight) values were able to reach 16.02 g/L and 14.91 g/L for MS-5 and MS-9, respectively, which were 1.6 and 1.54 times those measured before optimization. As revealed in the antioxidant and anticancer experiment, Inonotus hispidus exopolysaccharides has corresponding functional effects at the cellular level. This research optimised the liquid culture formulation of Inonotus hispidus and demonstrated that the function of it as a traditional Sanghuang herbal tea is well-documented.

Biochemical and functional groups characteristics of tea blends from Ficus capensis and Justicia secunda

Tea is one of the most consumed drinks in the world, second only to water, and is renowned for its wide range of health benefits.This study examined the development of tea blends from blends of Ficus capensis, and Justicias ecunda leaves. Dried leaves of F. capensis and J. Secunda were milled, sieved, and processed into tea using a three-level factorial design. The process was modelled and optimized. The tea was evaluated for physicochemical, phenolic compounds profile, antioxidants, and functional groups using standard procedures. The blood-boosting potentials of the herbal tea blends were investigated through animal experiment and haematological evaluations were carried out on the fed animals. The results gave the optimal extracts blends of 48 g/100 g of F. capensis and 52 g/100 g of J. secunda. Antioxidants showed 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazl value of 6464.95 ± 1.97 µmol Trolox equivalents/100 g, ferric reducing power (40.13 ± 0.07 mmol Fe2+/100 g), and metal chelating (57.40 ± 0.62%). Physicochemical property showed total dissolved solids value of 6.51 ± 0.11 mg/g, *L (78.35 ± 0.42), *a (3.14 ± 0.09), and*b (13.57 ± 0.12). Phenolic compounds profile showed the presence of epicatechin (115.63 ± 0.052 mg/100 g), which have been associated with ability to improve healthy-living and lower the risk of some degenerative health issues. The in vivo results showed that developed tea was able to recover up to 95.28% of the packed cell volume, red blood cell (94.78%), and haemoglobin (97.52%), which compared well with the commercial product. The study showed the potential application of F. Capensis and J. Secunda leaves extracts in the formulation of functional beverage. The formulation procedures is scalable and has domestic and industrial applications. The tea blend could serve as a functional food ingredient and beverage to improve human health.Graphical