Nutraceutical Plant Research Articles

Using quantitative indices to evaluate the cultural importance of food and nutraceutical plants: Comparative data from the Island of Bali (Indonesia)

Different quantitative indices were proposed to determine the cultural importance of ethnobotanically valuable plants in order to develop a tool for the evaluation of immaterial cultural heritage. These indices were applied to an ethnobotanical survey of food and nutraceutical plants traditionally consumed in Bali, Indonesia. The uses of the plants were grouped into 6 use categories. The Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI), use value (UV), relative frequency of citation (RFC), relative importance (RI), cultural value (CVs), and informant consensus factor (ICF) were calculated for a list of plants cited by fifty informants in different traditional villages on the island. This evaluation of the cultural importance of plants through different indices produced interesting variations. Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott came highest in the preference ranking for RFC, UV and CVs. Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr. was in first place for CFSI and RI. Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet and Cinnamomum burmanni (Nees & T. Ness) Blume were also high in the CFSI, RI, and CVs. The ICF results revealed a well-defined food tradition. The combined use of these indices, as opposed to any single index, makes it possible to quantify the role that a given plant plays within a particular culture.

Bioavailability of dietary polyphenols and gut microbiota metabolism: antimicrobial properties.

Polyphenolic compounds are plant nutraceuticals showing a huge structural diversity, including chlorogenic acids, hydrolyzable tannins, and flavonoids (flavonols, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, anthocyanidins, isoflavones, and flavones). Most of them occur as glycosylated derivatives in plants and foods. In order to become bioactive at human body, these polyphenols must undergo diverse intestinal transformations, due to the action of digestive enzymes, but also by the action of microbiota metabolism. After elimination of sugar tailoring (generating the corresponding aglycons) and diverse hydroxyl moieties, as well as further backbone reorganizations, the final absorbed compounds enter the portal vein circulation towards liver (where other enzymatic transformations take place) and from there to other organs, including behind the digestive tract or via blood towards urine excretion. During this transit along diverse tissues and organs, they are able to carry out strong antiviral, antibacterial, and antiparasitic activities. This paper revises and discusses these antimicrobial activities of dietary polyphenols and their relevance for human health, shedding light on the importance of polyphenols structure recognition by specific enzymes produced by intestinal microbial taxa.

Cultural Erosion of Balinese Indigenous Knowledge of Food and Nutraceutical Plants

The island of Bali has several traditional Aga villages that survive under the pressures of an intense tourist industry and agricultural changes. In order to understand possible impacts on traditional ethnobotanical knowledge (TEK) in Bali, we interviewed local people living in 13 traditional villages regarding the number of known plants and their uses. We analyzed socioeconomic factors influencing change of such knowledge at both individual (informant) and community (village) level. We identified a total of 149 food and nutraceutical plants being used in the study area. Neither gender, occupation, income, nor level of formal education had a significant effect on TEK. However, informant’s age and village status were found to play an important role in the retention of TEK at an individual level. At the village level, the use of Internet/smart phones was an important predictor of cultural erosion.

Papaya: A gifted nutraceutical plant - a critical review of recent human health research

The plant kingdom is considered to be a repository of modern medicine, attributable to their rich source of bio-active molecules and secondary metabolites. It is indeed the Nutraceuticals that enhance immunity and ensure a healthier life because of their prophylactic and therapeutic values. Over centuries, papaya [Caricaceae; (Carica papaya Linn.)] is a renowned nutritious and medicinal plant. Each part of the papaya like root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, seed, rinds, and latex has its own nutraceutical properties. It serves as food, cooking aid, and Ethnomedicine to prevent and treat wide-range of diseases and disorders. It has also been traditionally used as appetite enhancer, meat tenderizer, purgative, medicinal acne, abortifacient and vermifuge. Over decades, a series of scientific attempts were made to authenticate the nutraceutical properties of papaya. These studies validated that the papaya has antiplasmodial, antitrichochramal, antitrichomonal, antidengue, and anti-cancer activities. They have also exhibited that papaya possesses antiseptic, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and contraceptive features, and it helps in the management of sickle-cell anaemia, HIV, heart diseases and digestional disorders too. Nevertheless, the responsible bio-active molecules and their mode of actions remain indistinct and imprecise, and this calls for further pharmacological and clinical research on them. Conclusively, papaya is one of the naturally gifted plants; though its nutraceutical properties as a food or as a quasi-drug are poorly understood or undervalued by people. Accordingly, this scrutiny, demand for instigation of public health awareness campaigns to promote papaya consumption, so that the society shall acquire optimal benefits of papaya and in turn prevent and alleviate various diseases and illness.

English

This study was conducted to assess the role of homegardens for in situ conservation of plant biodiversity in Holeta Town. In the garden data collection 75 homegardens were randomly selected. Ethnobotanical data were collected using homegarden observation, semi-structured interviews and market survey. Data were analyzed using preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, and descriptive statistics. A total of 112 plant species belonging to 93 genera and 43 families were identified which were classified to 14 functional groups. Out of which, 49 species (43%) were herbs, 32 species (29 %) were trees, 28 species (25 %) were shrubs, and (3%) species were climbers. Further analysis of the results showed that 70 species were cultivated, 35 were wild while 7 species were Ethiopia domesticated. Of the cultivated species, 41.07% were food crops and 58.93% were non-food crops. Family Fabaceae consisted of the highest number of species (11 species), whereas Ensete ventricosum was the most frequently occurring species (93.75%) in the homegardens of the area. Garden was managed by males (47.93%) and females (38.41%). Of the total plant species, 13% were medicinal plants, out of which 33.33% were nutraceutical plants. Direct matrix analysis showed that Juniperus procera was the most important versatile species followed by Cordia africana. These results indicate that homegardens studied play a crucial role in food security of the households and conservation in situ of these plant resources. However, insufficient agricultural support, small- sized gardens and the shifting of polycultural farming to few income generating food crops affect the diversity of species.   Key words: plant biodiversity, homegarden, hotspot, In situ conservation, indigenous knowledge.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties of Some Wild Nutraceutical Plant Species from Nebbi District, Uganda

Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal properties of selected wild nutraceutical plants from Nebbi district in Uganda.Study Design: Experimental study.Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and BioSecurity, Makerere University, between January and March 2012.Methodology: The diameters of the zones of inhibition and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) were determined using the Agar well diffusion Assay and the serial dilution methods respectively.Results: Seven plant species were tested for their antibacterial and antifungal activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Candida albicans (clinical isolates). The ether extract for Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile showed the lowest MIC (150 µg/ml) against C. albicans, with a corresponding large diameter of the zone of inhibition (22.0 mm). The ether extract of Capparis erythrocarpos Isert. showed the highest activity against C. albicansand S. aureus, with MIC values of 330 µg/ml and 400 µg/ml respectively.Conclusion: Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile, and Capparis erythrocarpos Isert were the most potent antifungal and antibacterial nutraceutical plant species. The ether extract of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile, had the lowest MIC (150 µg/ml) against C. albicans and Capparis erythrocarpos Isert. showed the highest activity against C. albicans, S. aureus, and E. coli with MIC values of 330 µg/ml, 400 µg/ml and 320 µg/ml, respectively. The bioactivity of the selected wild nutriceutical plant species can be used to justify their ethnobotanical uses as ‘medicinal foods’.

Inhibition of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, Angiotensin II Receptor Blocking, and Blood Pressure Lowering Bioactivity across Plant Families

Hypertension is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. Interest in medicinal or nutraceutical plant bioactives to reduce hypertension has increased dramatically. The main biological regulation of mammalian blood pressure is via the renin–angiotensin-aldosterone system. The key enzyme is angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) that converts angiotensin I into the powerful vasoconstrictor, angiotensin II. Angiotensin II binds to its receptors (AT1) on smooth muscle cells of the arteriole vasculature causing vasoconstriction and elevation of blood pressure. This review focuses on the in vitro and in vivo reports of plant-derived extracts that inhibit ACE activity, block angiotensin II receptor binding and demonstrate hypotensive activity in animal or human studies. We describe 74 families of plants that exhibited significant ACE inhibitory activity and 16 plant families with potential AT1 receptor blocking activity, according to in vitro studies. From 43 plant families including some of those with in vitro bioactivity, the extracts from 73 plant species lowered blood pressure in various normotensive or hypertensive in vivo models by the oral route. Of these, 19 species from 15 families lowered human BP when administered orally. Some of the active plant extracts, isolated bioactives and BP-lowering mechanisms are discussed.

Antimicrobial, antioxidant, and synergistic properties of two nutraceutical plants: Terminalia catappa L. and Colocasia esculenta L.

Antibiotics have been effective in treating infectious diseases, but resistance to these drugs has led to the emergence of new and reemergence of old infectious diseases. Using a combination of plant extracts and antibiotics is one way of combating these multidrug-resistant microorganisms. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of 2 nutraceutical plants: Terminalia catappa and Colocasia esculenta. The antimicrobial activity of the plants was evaluated against 25 microorganisms by agar well diffusion method. C. esculenta did not show any antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. Therefore, only methanol extract of T. catappa was selected for further study of synergistic activity with standard antibiotics. Maximum synergistic activity was seen against fungi as compared to individual extracts. The methanol extract of T. catappa showed good antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The synergistic effect demonstrates the potential of this plant as a candidate for antibiotic-resistance-modifying compounds. The results suggest that the leaves of T. catappa are a good source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobics.

EXPERIMENTAL CULTIVATION OF GOLDEN ROOT (RHODIOLA ROSEA) IN THE PROVINCE OF TRENTO

ISHS I International Symposium on Medicinal, Aromatic and Nutraceutical Plants from Mountainous Areas (MAP-Mountain 2011) EXPERIMENTAL CULTIVATION OF GOLDEN ROOT (RHODIOLA ROSEA) IN THE PROVINCE OF TRENTO

Biotechnological interventions in sea buckthorn (Hippophae L.): current status and future prospects

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae L., Elaeagnaceae) is an economically and ecologically important medicinal plant comprising of species which are winter hardy, dioecious, wind-pollinated multipurpose shrubs bearing yellow or orange berries with nitrogen-fixing ability. It grows widely in cold regions of Indian Himalayas, China, Russia, Europe and many other countries. It is commonly known as ‘cold desert gold’ due to its high potential as a bio-resource for land reclamation, reducing soil erosion and its multifarious uses. The wild populations are being used for harvesting economic benefits with negligible plantation efforts. Although this plant has many excellent traits, it is still in an early phase of domestication. This woody plant is prone to many pests and diseases which destroy the plants and halt its commercial production. Limited progress has been made for improvement of sea buckthorn through breeding programs due to long juvenile period and lack of QTL linkage map, which makes screening of mapping populations a time-consuming and labor-intensive task. Conventional propagation methods, i.e. seeds, softwood and hardwood cuttings, and suckers are in place but are cumbersome and season dependent. Therefore, application of modern tools of biotechnology needs to be standardized for harnessing maximum benefits from this nutraceutical plant. Improvement of this genus through genetic transformation requires an efficient regeneration system, which is yet to be standardized. Taxonomic status of the genus is controversial and requires more inputs. Taxonomic delineation of species and subspecies and also the breeding programs can be more robustly addressed using molecular markers. This review summarizes the progress made and suggests some future directions of research for this important fruit species.

Antioxidative and antibacterial effects of seeds and fruit rind of nutraceutical plants belonging to the Fabaceae family.

In the present study, the seeds and fruit rind of six plants of the Fabaceae family were selected to evaluate their potential as antioxidant and antibacterial agents. The dried powders were individually extracted with various organic solvents by the cold percolation method, were evaluated for antibacterial activity and methanol extracts used for antioxidant activities. Total phenol, protein and sugar contents were also measured. Antioxidant activities were measured by DPPH free radical scavenging activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity and reducing capacity assessment. Antibacterial activity was measured by the agar well diffusion method against four Gram positive and four Gram negative bacteria. The methanol extract of the fruit rind of C. indica showed the maximum DPPH free radical scavenging activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, a high reducing capacity assessment and also had the highest total phenol content. There was a direct correlation between the phenol content and the antioxidant activity. The antibacterial activity of all the extracts was more pronounced on Gram positive bacteria than on Gram negative bacteria. Thus, the fruit rind of C. indica showed the best antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

Analysis of systemic sulfur metabolism in plants using integrated ‘-omics’ strategies

Sulfur (S) assimilation by plants plays a key role in the S cycle in nature, and metabolism of the assimilated S provides various compounds that are useful for animals, including humans. It is important to understand the mechanisms involved in systemic S metabolism in order to improve crop agronomy and the production of dietary and nutraceutical plants. Recent advances in '-omic' studies have provided comprehensive insights into S metabolism. These studies may be regarded as important case studies that provide information on the complicated regulatory mechanisms involved in plant metabolism.

Natural remedies and nutraceuticals used in ethnoveterinary practices in inland southern Italy.

Traditional animal health practices are today only rarely used in Europe, as many natural remedies applied for the treatment of animals have been replaced by modern pharmaceuticals. Modern institutionalized veterinary services tend to cover every aspect of animal health care, and influence most of the veterinary practices carried out by shepherds and farmers. However, in some areas, particularly of the Mediterranean, such traditional practices persist. Few ethnoveterinary studies have been conducted in the Mediterranean. In this survey, we analysed the natural remedies that are still in use or were used until very recently to treat animals in central Lucania (inland southern Italy). Plants constitute the mainstay of the folk-veterinary regimen (about 40 preparations), but there are also a few animal- and mineral-derived preparations. Among them, the veterinary use of Cistus incanus, Colutea arborescens, Daphne laureola, and Erigeron acer is reported for the first time. Moreover, the study identified diverse traditional plant nutraceuticals used to improve animal health, as well as the quality of milk and dairy products. An important potential output of this study may be the development of eco-sustainable integrated projects focused on the maintenance of traditional animal breeding and healthcare systems. Pharmacological and toxicological considerations relating to possible applications of the recorded traditional knowledge in modern evidence-based veterinary medicine are also discussed.