Reducing Power Methods Research Articles

Phytochemical screening and antioxidant evaluation of Agave angustifolia and Agave sisalana

Background: Agave angustifolia (AA) and Agave sisalana (AS) are used by local communities for medicinal purposes to treat skin conditions. Small companies add Agave leaf extracts to their cosmetic products, claiming calming and skin-rejuvenating qualities.Aim: The study aimed to assess the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities of AA and AS verifying the traditional therapeutic claims about the species and accordingly establishing the assertions of cottage industries.Setting: The AA leaves were collected from the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, while AS leaves were sourced from the iLembe district municipality.Methods: The phytochemical extracts were obtained by gradient solvent maceration of the leaves. Qualitative phytochemical screening established the presence of bioactive phytochemicals in the extract. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and the ferric reducing and/or antioxidant power (FRAP) methods measured the bioactive phytochemicals’ antioxidant activity.Results: Qualitative phytochemical evaluation confirmed the presence of secondary metabolites in both plants. AS extracts also contained alkaloids. The DPPH antioxidant activity indicated that Agave extracts had 20% to 80% scavenging activity. AS methanol extract had the maximum antioxidant activity among all the extracts. AA methanol and AS hexane extracts had no antioxidant activity. AA ethyl acetate extract had higher antioxidant activity (64%) than AS (52%). AA hexane extract had 70% activity while AS hexane extract had 30%.Conclusion: The detected phytochemicals indicate potential use for emulsifying, antioxidant, anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities.Contribution: This study contributes to the existing knowledge of the therapeutic properties of AA and AS plants.

Algerian vine canes as a good source of phenolic compounds for several in vitro biological activities

<p>One of the most widely cultivated crops in the world is grapevine knowing that about 77.8 million tons of grapes are produced worldwide each year. Both of vine growing, pruning, and winemaking generate a vast quantity of wastes and byproducts such as skin, seed, and canes. Grape canes include a wide range of phenolic profiles which have several biological effects. In the present study four vine Algerian grape cane cultivars were selected for the evaluation of their phenolic contents and biological activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, in vitro antioxidant activity (using DPPH, ABTS, and reducing power methods), enzyme inhibitory activity (towards alpha amylase, and urease) anti-inflammatory activity, and sun protection factor of each extract. All grape extracts were compared for their TPC and TFC values which ranged from 123 to 288 mg of Gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g extract to 24.5 to 55.6 mg of quercetin equivalent (QCE)/g extract respectively. The highest TPC and TFC were found in the grape cultivar FR (288.8 mg GAE/g extract, 55,625 mg QCE/g extract respectively). The results revealed also that all extracts showed high antioxidant with the same trend of phenolic composition and significant enzymatic activity in all tests. Additionally, all extracts showed a moderate anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the denaturation of BSA, and given a high sun protection factor. These findings imply that grape canes which considered as undervalued parts have a significant potential to be used as a natural treatment for many physiological diseases and for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sector and medical research.</p>

Antioxidant and Antifungal Activities and Characterization of Phenolic Compounds Using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS) of Aqueous Extracts and Fractions from Verbesina sphaerocephala Stems.

The Verbesina gender represents the second most diverse group from the Asteraceae family in Mexico; Verbesina sphaerocephala is one of the most distributed species along the Mexican territory. This species has been poorly studied, reporting the presence of some bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antibacterial activity. In this study, phenolic and flavonoid contents and composition, antioxidant and antifungal activities of aqueous extracts of the stem of V. sphaerocephala and its fractions were determined. The results showed that the highest antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea was shown by the aqueous extract (IC50: 0.10 mg/mL) and the ethyl acetate fraction (IC50: 14.8 mg/mL). In addition, the aqueous extract and the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest phenolic (21.40 and 21.26 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry extract, respectively) and flavonoid contents (11.53 and 3.71 mg rutin equivalents, respectively) and high antioxidant activity determined by the Total Antioxidant Capacity (20.62 and 40.21 mg ascorbic acid equivalents per gram of dry extract, respectively), Ferric Reducing Power (74.76 and 129.57 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry extract, respectively), DPPH (IC50: 12.38 and 7.36 mg/mL, respectively), and ABTS (IC50: 5.60 and 7.76 mg/mL, respectively) methods. Twelve phenolic compounds were detected in the aqueous extract using UPLC-MS analysis, of which the major ones were protocatechuic, vanillic, and hydroxybenzoic acid, while in the ethyl acetate fraction, the presence of 18 phenolic compounds were identified, of which the majority were vanillin, rutin, and hydroxybenzoic acid. The results of this research demonstrate that the aqueous extract of V. sphaerocephala stems has phenolic compounds with antifungal and antioxidant activity.

Applying huaimi (flos sophorae immaturus) as a brewing adjunct and its impact on sensory properties of beer

Huaimi is a precious Chinese herbal medicine mainly containing rutin. In this study, Cyan Huaimi (CH) and Golden Huaimi (GH) were introduced at various stages of beer production. A total of 8 beer groups and 1 control group were set up to compare their physicochemical, bioactivity, volatile compounds and sensory characteristics. The results indicated that compared with the control group, adding Huaimi significantly reduced the pH and real extract of beer, and improved the other Physicochemical parameters. Furthermore, the addition of Huaimi brought higher levels of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and phenols compounds in 8 beer groups, particularly rutin content, reaching as high as 212.69 mg/L. Moreover, through the evaluation of DPPH, ABTS, and reducing power methods revealed that adding Huaimi at the boiling stage benefited most in improving antioxidant capacity. However, the results of sensory evaluation demonstrated that panelists preferred the beer with Huaimi added at the saccharification stage because of its smoother foam. Volatiles analysis revealed that adding Huaimi introduced twelve new volatiles to the beer, enhancing its flavor and taste complexity.

Antioxidant activity and GC-MS Analysis of Bauhinia variegata L. (Fabaceae)

Bauhinia variegata L. is reported to have medicinal properties in traditional literature. The antioxidant activities of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts were evaluated by the DPPH method, phoshomolybdenum assay, reducing power method. Characterization of leaf ethanolic extract was done by GC-MS. The major compounds identified by GC-MS are cyclopropanebutanoic acid, 2-[[2-[[2-[(2-pentylcyclopropyl) methyl] cyclopropyl]methyl] cyclopropyl]methyl] and minor compounds are, 2,7-Diphenyl-1,6-dioxopyridazino[4,5 :2',3']pyrrolo[4',5'-d]pyridazine, Ethyl iso-allocholate, Dasycarpidan-1-methanol, acetate. The compounds identified in this study have pharmacological value, anti-microbial properties and show anti-oxidant activity.

Evaluating the Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Properties of Medicago sativa and Solidago virgaurea Polyphenolic-Rich Extracts.

The present study evaluated the antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of Medicago sativa and Solidago virgaurea extracts enriched in polyphenolic compounds. The extracts were obtained by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and laser irradiation. Then, microfiltration was used for purification, followed by nanofiltration used to concentrate the two extracts. The obtained extracts were analyzed to determine their antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power methods. The antidiabetic properties have been investigated in vitro on a murine insulinoma cell line (β-TC-6) by the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. M. sativa obtained by laser irradiation and concentrated by nanofiltration showed the highest DPPH• scavenging (EC50 = 105.2 ± 1.1 µg/mL) and reducing power activities (EC50 = 40.98 ± 0.2 µg/mL). M. sativa extracts had higher inhibition on α-amylase (IC50 = 23.9 ± 1.2 µg/mL for concentrated extract obtained after ASE, and 26.8 ± 1.1), while S. virgaurea had the highest α-glucosidase inhibition (9.3 ± 0.9 µg/mL for concentrated extract obtained after ASE, and 8.6 ± 0.7 µg/mL for concentrated extract obtained after laser extraction). The obtained results after evaluating in vitro the antidiabetic activity showed that the treatment with M. sativa and S. virgaurea polyphenolic-rich extracts stimulated the insulin secretion of β-TC-6 cells, both under normal conditions and under hyperglycemic conditions as well. This paper argues that M. sativa and S. virgaurea polyphenolic-rich extracts could be excellent natural sources with promising antidiabetic potential.

Evaluation of Toxicity and Antioxidant Activity of Hydro-Ethanol Leave Extract of Mentha piperita

Mentha piperita has numerous pharmacological, cosmetic and alimental applications due to its ability to produce terpene and terpenoid compounds. Antioxidants are considered as important bioactive compound on account of many health benefits along with their vital role in delaying oxidative rancidity of numerous food. The study was to investigate acute toxicity evaluation and in vitro antioxidant activity of hydro-ethanol leave extracts of M. piperita. The acute toxicity was evaluate in rat according to (OECD). Animals were daily observed for 24 hours after treatment for mortality. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated based on the method such as DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power method. The results showed that mortality was not observed in phase one but was observed in phase two. The LD50 by oral route in rat was less than 5000 mg/kg body weight. The percentage of antioxidant activity of leaf extracts of M. piperita was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical assay, reducing power (RP) assay, ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay, and nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging assay. The analysis revealed that NO scavenging activity is higher than DPPH with extract. NO and DPPH exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity. This indicates that the hydro-ethanol leave extract of M. piperita has a good antioxidant activity.

A Comparative Study of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of CuO, ZnO and Mixed (CuO/ZnO) Nanoparticles using Cassia alata Flower Extract

In the current scenario, environmental friendly methods of synthesizing nanoparticles and their composites have become a desirable trend. Phytochemicals derived from plant extracts are now being employed as a distinctive method for synthesizing nanoparticles due to their ability to serve as both reducing and capping agents. In present study, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and their mixed composites (CuO/ZnO) were synthesized using the flower extract of plant Cassia alata. The synthesis of nanoparticles was confirmed by observing the colour change of the reaction mixture and was determined by detecting the surface plasmon resonance band at 280, 320 and 359 nm for CuO, ZnO and CuO/ZnO, respectively. The antioxidant activity of nanoparticles was characterized for DPPH, ABTS, NO and iron reducing power method. In addition, the antibacterial properties of these bioactive nanoparticles were also investigated. The CuO/ZnO nanocomposites showed superior antioxidant and antibacterial activity than CuO and ZnO nanoparticles.

Chemopreventive Activity of 80% Methanol Leaf Extract of Vernonia auriculifera Hiern (Asteraceae) Against Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Colorectal Carcinogenesis in Rats.

Vernonia auriculifera Hiern (Asteraceae) is among Ethiopian herbal medicines that are traditionally used to treat skin and gastrointestinal cancers. In this study, the chemopreventive potential of Vernonia auriculifera leaf extract in dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in rats was investigated. Rats were assigned to nine groups (normal, positive, and negative control groups, and three pre- and three post-initiation groups). Except for the normal control group (administered with 1 mL/100 g distilled water), the remaining eight groups were given DMH (20 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (ip) for 15 consecutive weeks to induce colorectal tumours. The extract was given orally to the pre-initiation and post-initiation groups at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg before and after the induction of cancer, respectively. The positive control group was treated with aspirin (60 mg/kg/day) orally for the whole experimental period. Parameters including body weight, average tumour number, size, progression, incidence, total cholesterol, serum total protein, and triglyceride levels were determined. The cytotoxic activity of the extract in Caco-2 cells was evaluated using the MTT assay, and the antioxidant activity of the extract was also assessed using 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) and reducing power methods. Moreover, total phenol and flavonoid contents were determined using appropriate methods. Rats treated with the extract showed a lower incidence of up to 50% in the pre-initiation higher dose, average number (p<0.05),and size (p<0.05) of tumours compared to untreated rats. It also inhibited colorectal cancer-associated increases in serum total cholesterol and triglycerides. The extract's IC50 value in the MTT assay was found to be higher than 200 µg/mL. The extract had an IC50 of 74.88 ± 0.86 µg/mL and 84.69 ± 2.02 µg/mL in the reducing power and DPPH assays, respectively. Total flavonoid and phenol contents were 14.51 ± 0.41 mg quercetin acid equivalent/gm and 47.37 ± 0.72 mg gallic acid equivalent/gm of the crude extract, respectively. The findings collectively indicated that the leaves of V. auriculifera possess chemopreventive activity, probably mediated through antioxidant mechanisms, which supports the traditional claim.

Metabolomic and antioxidant potential analyses of the rhizome and leaves of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle: A comparative account

Podophyllum hexandrum Royle (Berberidaceae), a high valued medicinal plant with Podophyllotoxin as a pharmacologically active compound. The present study aimed to understand the variability in metabolomic and antioxidant potential of the rhizome and leaves extracts of P. hexandrum. The secondary metabolites from the rhizome and leaves were extracted, quantified and identified using various methods viz. soxhlet reflux extraction method, Folin–Ciocalteu method (λmax 765 nm), Aluminum chloride-colorimetric method (λmax 415 nm), GC-MS and LC-QTOF-HRMS techniques. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method, hydroxyl radical scavenging method, superoxide anion scavenging method, hydrogen peroxide scavenging method and reducing power method. Among the different solvent extracts, the methanolic extract of the rhizome exhibited the highest total phenolic content (164.39 ± 2.92 μg/mL), while the hexane extract showed the lowest content (69.4 ± 2.8 μg/mL). The total flavonoid content was highest in all rhizome extracts compared to the leaf extracts. The GC-MS analysis reported various therapeutic important compound and most of the compound were reported in the rhizome extract. The pharmacologically active compound Podophyllotoxin was only reported in the rhizome extract. Similar to GC-MS analysis, the LC-QTOF-HRMS also reported maximum number of compounds in the rhizome extract. The methanolic extract demonstrated the best antioxidant activity in all the assays conducted. Furthermore, the rhizome displayed the highest antioxidant activity, which can be attributed to its higher polyphenolic content.

Synthesis, Drug-Likeness Evaluation of Some Heterocyclic Moieties Fused Indole Derivatives as Potential Antioxidants.

Indole and its derivatives have a wide range of pharmacological effects, including analgesic, antimicrobial, antidepressant, anti-diabetic, anti-convulsant, anti-helminthic, and anti-inflammatory properties. They are crucial structural components of many of today's powerful antioxidant medications. Using the Schotten-Baumann reaction, the indole ring was linked to other key heterocyclic moieties such as morpholine, imidazole, piperidine, and piperazine at the active 3rd position and then tested for antioxidant activity. Synthesis of derivatives was accomplished under appropriate conditions and characterized by IR, NMR (1H and 13C), and mass spectrum. Using the Swiss ADME online application, ADME properties were also determined. The in vitro antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH and Reducing power method. In the DPPH assay, compounds 5a (IC50=1.01±0.22 μg/mL), 5k (IC50=1.21 ± 0.07 μg/mL), whereas compounds 5a (EC50=23 ± 1.00 μg/mL), 5h (EC50=26±2.42 μg/mL) in the reducing power assay were most potent as compared with standard Ascorbic acid. Compounds 5a, 5h, and 5k demonstrated maximal potency equivalent to standard. Lipinski's rule was followed in ADME outcomes. The synthesis and evaluation of indole derivatives to investigate their antioxidant action has received a lot of attention. These discoveries could lead to more effective antioxidant candidates being designed and developed.

Contribution to the valorization of Herniaria fontanesii J. Gay (Caryophyllaceae) grown in Septentrional Sahara and its antioxidant activity

This study aims to study a wild plant Herniaria fontanesii J. Gay which grows in Septentrional Sahara in El Oued Algeria. The evaluation of total phenolic and flavonoids content has been estimated in both aqueous and butanolic fractions of 80% methanolic extracts obtained from the plant's aerial part. Antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro using scavenging assays of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and 2,2′-azino-bis (3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, ferric reducing power FRAP and molybdenum reducing power methods. The extracts showed that the plant has a good antioxidant activity reaching to 1.525± 0.010 mg/ml for IC50 in DPPH assay and 0.011± 2.16610-5 mg/ml for IC50 in ABTS assay. A comparison has been done between these results and other results for the same plant harvested in Morocco, Tunisia and Laghouat, Algeria.

Antioxidant and Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activities of Athamanta sicula L. Aqueous Extract

Introduction: Overexpression of tyrosinase in humans causes an increase in melanin production in the skin, which can result in hyperpigmentation consequences such as freckles, melasma, age spots, and melanoma. Free radicals also play a significant role in the increase of the biosynthesis of melanin. Tyrosinase inhibitors capable of inhibiting the biosynthesis of melanin are currently used in various hyperpigmentation and cosmetic agents to control the formation of freckles. Several synthetic tyrosinase inhibitors have been associated with several serious side effects. Also, synthetic antioxidants have many toxicological side effects, including carcinogenicity. There is an increasing interest in the search for natural tyrosinase inhibitors and antioxidant agents. Aims: The objective of this study is to evaluate total polyphenol and flavonoid contents as well as examine the antioxidative and tyrosinase inhibitory effects of A. sicula L. aqueous extract. Methods: Antioxidant activities were evaluated using superoxide radical scavenging and reducing power methods. Moreover, a tyrosinase inhibitory assay was used to determine anti-hyperpigmentation. Results: The results showed that this extract was rich in total polyphenols (58.01 ± 1.18 micrograms of gallic acid equivalents per milligrams of extract) and flavonoids (17.91 ± 1.81 micrograms quercetin equivalents per milligram of extract). A. sicula L. aqueous extract was capable of scavenging free radicals (IC50 = 11.87 ± 0.13 μg/mL) and acting as a strong reducing agent (A 0.5= 6.37 ± 0.42 μg/mL). A. sicula L. had a potent tyrosinase inhibitory potential (IC50= 12.63 ± 1.15 μg/mL), which was higher compared to kojic acid used as a standard (IC50= 25,23 ± 0,78 μg/mL, p &lt;0.001). Conclusion: These results support that A. sicula L. could be a new source of antioxidant and cosmetic use. Further studies focusing on the isolation and characterization of active principles of antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities are needed.

Mineral composition, principal polyphenolic components, and evaluation of the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties of Cytisus villosus Pourr leaf extracts

Abstract Cytisus villosus Pourr. (C. villosus) is a medicinal plant belonging to the Fabaceae family, which grows in the Mediterranean area. It is used in traditional medicine against diseases related to inflammation. The objective of the present study was to identify the mineral and polyphenolic composition as well as to evaluate some biological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities of C. villosus leaf aqueous extract. The chemical constituents were identified and quantified using ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) methods. The antioxidant properties of C. villosus leaves were tested using reducing power (RP), 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The anti-inflammatory potency was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using the albumin denaturation test and the carrageenan test, respectively. Furthermore, the analgesic effect was performed in vivo using tail flick, acetic acid-induced contortion, and plantar tests. Mineralogical analysis revealed that potassium and calcium were the most abundant minerals. The analysis and quantification of the phytochemical composition using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS showed that quinic acid (57.478 ± 1.72 mg/kg) was the major compound of the aqueous extract, followed by salicylic acid (17.38 ± 0.2 mg/kg), isoquercetin (16.895 ± 1.01 mg/kg), and gallic acid (15.914 ± 1.51 mg/kg). The extracts showed potent antioxidant activity for all tests used. The highest antioxidant activity was recorded for the DPPH, ABTS and RP methods, with an IC50 of 3.94 ± 0.09, 2.88 ± 0.07, and 1.94 ± 0.10 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, using the most frequent analgesic assays, the aqueous extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg exhibited a potent analgesic activity. Notably, an interesting inhibition of albumin denaturation was recorded with an IC50 of 383.94 μg/mL, corroborating the in vivo test. Overall, the results presented here may represent a scientific basis for the traditional use of C. villosus in the treatment of inflammation-related diseases.

Desing, synthesis, and characterization of some 5,6‐dichloro benzimidazole derivatives with investigation of their antioxidant and elastase inhibitory activities

AbstractStarting from the 5,6‐dichloro‐2‐phenyl‐1H‐benzimidazole, new benzimidazole derivatives having schiff base, carbothioamide, thiadiazole, and triazole moiety were synthesized and characterized. Synthesized compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and elemental analyses techniques. Antioxidant and elastase inhibitory activities of compounds were also investigated. The inhibitory effects on elastase activity of the synthesized molecules were analyzed spectrophotometrically. The antioxidant activities of molecules were investigated by both methods as DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity and iron reducing power capacities. All synthesized compounds showed good antioxidant and elastase inhibitory activity. Compound 2 showed the highest elastase inhibition. Compound 3 and compound 2 showed the highest antioxidant activity by DPPH method, and iron reducing power method, respectively.

Antibacterial, Antioxidant Activities and Phytochemical Constituents of Jatropha curcas L. Leaves

The study was carried out for investigation of antibacterial and antioxidant activities along with phytochemical analysis of leaf extracts of Jatropha curcas L. Extraction was done by using methanol and acetone solvents. Antibacterial activity was analysed by Agar well diffusion method against four human pathogenic bacteria, which included two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Streptomycin was taken as a standard and positive control. Both methanol and acetone leaf extracts showed higher inhibition against S. aureus (19.98 mm and 18.75 mm for methanol and acetone respectively, at 100 % conc.). Antioxidant activity was determined by using DPPH (2, 2- diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay and Reducing power assay. BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene) was used as standard for both methods. Highest free radical scavenging activity was shown by leaf extract with IC50 value of 200.84 μg/ml for methanol leaf extract, and for reducing power method, methanol leaf extract showed antioxidant activity with EC50 value of 714.6 μg/ml. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid, terpenoid, carbohydrate and protein. Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) results of leaf methanol extract showed 28 phytoconstituents with squalene [C30H50 (2,6,10,14,18,22-h Tetracosahexaene, 2,6,10,15,19,23- Hexamethyl)] (37.84%), as major compound and it possesses antioxidant, antitumour properties and also used in cosmetic dermatology. In conclusion, the particular study demonstrated the biological potency of leaf of J. curcas as antibacterial, antioxidant agent and provide support to its use as a traditional medicinal plant, and further investigations can be done to check its therapeutic potential by isolating the phytochemical constituents.

Antioxidant Properties, Bioactive Compounds Contents, and Chemical Characterization of Two Wild Edible Mushroom Species from Morocco: Paralepista flaccida (Sowerby) Vizzini and Lepista nuda (Bull.) Cooke.

Mushrooms have been consumed for centuries and have recently gained more popularity as an important source of nutritional and pharmaceutical compounds. As part of the valorization of mushroom species in northern Morocco, the current study aimed to investigate the chemical compositions and antioxidant properties of two wild edible mushrooms, Paralepista flaccida and Lepista nuda. Herein, the bioactive compounds were determined using spectrophotometer methods, and results showed that the value of total phenolic content (TPC) was found to be higher in P. flaccida (32.86 ± 0.52 mg) than in L. nuda (25.52 ± 0.56 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAEs)/mg of dry methanolic extract (dme)). On the other hand, the value of total flavonoid content (TFC) was greater in L. nuda than in P. flaccida, with values of 19.02 ± 0.80 and 10.34 ± 0.60 mg of (+)-catechin equivalents (CEs)/g dme, respectively. Moreover, the ascorbic acid, tannin, and carotenoids content was moderate, with a non-significant difference between the two samples. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis allowed the identification and quantification of thirteen individual phenolic compounds in both P. flaccida and L. nuda, whereas p-Hydroxybenzoic acid was recognized as the major compound detected, with values of 138.50 ± 1.58 and 587.90 ± 4.89 µg/g of dry weight (dw), respectively. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of methanolic extracts of P. flaccida and L. nuda revealed the presence of sixty-one and sixty-six biomolecules, respectively. These biomolecules can mainly be divided into four main groups, namely sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, and organic acids. Moreover, glycerol (12.42%) and mannitol (10.39%) were observed to be the main chemical compositions of P. flaccida, while L. nuda was predominated by linolelaidic acid (21.13%) and leucine (9.05%). L. nuda showed a strong antioxidant property, evaluated by DPPH (half maximal effective concentration (EC50) 1.18-0.98 mg/mL); β-carotene bleaching (EC50 0.22-0.39 mg/mL); and reducing power methods (EC50 0.63-0.48 mg/mL), respectively. These findings suggested that both mushrooms are potential sources of various biomolecules, many of which possess important biological activities which are interesting for the foods and pharmaceuticals industry.

Mineral Profile, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Antibacterial, Anti-Urease and Anti-α-Amylase Activities of the Unripe Fruit Extracts of Pistacia atlantica

Pistacia Atlantica in folk medicine is used by Algerian traditional healers for treating a wide variety of diseases and conditions including dyspepsia, digestive problems, peptic ulcers, and, in particular, inflammatory diseases. The present study aimed to assess the phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant activity (using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ABTS+, and reducing power methods), enzyme inhibitory activity (towards α-amylase and urease), antibacterial activity, and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the unripe fruit extracts of Pistacia atlantica collected from different parts of the Djelfa region of Algeria. According to the findings, various aqueous extracts exhibited significant antioxidant and enzymatic activities in all tests, but showed that they have a weak inhibitory effect against all tested bacterial strains. Twenty-one minerals comprising both macro- and microelements (Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sr, Th, U, and Zn) were determined using the technique of neutron activation analysis (INAA). The result indicates that the concentration of the mineral element is close to the minimal FAO recommendation. In addition, the result revealed significant anti-inflammatory activities. The data generated can be a valuable source of information for the pharmaceutical industry and medical research. These results suggest that the unripe fruit extracts of Pistacia atlantica have an appropriate potential to be utilized across a wide range of contexts as an agent with multifunctional uses, as well as a natural remedy for other physiological diseases.

The Effect of Cooking Treatment on Antioxidant Activity in Soybean Tempeh

Indonesian people consume tempeh through various processing methods. Food processing by cooking has been reported to reduce the bioactive capacity contained in food ingredients. This study investigated the effects of food processing (frying, steaming, roasting, sautéing, and boiling) on antioxidants in soybean tempeh. The antioxidant activity of processed tempeh was measured using DPPH and reducing power methods. The results showed that the highest inhibition activity of the processed tempeh was achieved by roasting and boiling (40%). The roasting method yielded tempeh with the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content. Thus, the cooking method considerably influences the antioxidants contained in tempeh. The findings showed that tempeh processed through roasting and boiling has the highest antioxidant activity. The total phenolic and flavonoid profiles are not in line with antioxidant activity, which indicates that the contributors to antioxidant activity are not only phenolic compounds. The increase in antioxidant activity in soybean tempeh is suspected to be influenced by the non-phenolic bioactive peptide compounds found in tempeh.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Taraxacum officinale Essential Oil.

Taraxacum officinale (TO) has been historically used for medicinal purposes due to its biological activity against specific disorders. To investigate the antioxidant and the antiproliferativepotential of TO essential oil in vitro and in vivo, the chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed by GC-MS. The in vivo antioxidant capacity was assessed on liver and kidney homogenate samples from mice subjected to acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress and treated with TO essential oil (600 and 12,000 mg/kg BW) for 14 days. The in vitro scavenging activity was assayed using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the reducing power methods. The cytotoxic effects against the HeLa cancer cell line were analyzed. The GC-MS analysis showed the presence of 34 compounds, 8 of which were identified as major constituents. The TO essential oil protected mice’s liver and kidneys from acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione) and lowering malondialdehyde levels. In vitro, the TO essential oil demonstrated low scavenging activity against DPPH (IC50 = 2.00 ± 0.05 mg/mL) and modest reducing power (EC50 = 0.963 ± 0.006 mg/mL). The growth of the HeLa cells was also reduced by the TO essential oil with an inhibition rate of 83.58% at 95 µg/mL. Current results reveal significant antioxidant and antiproliferative effects in a dose-dependent manner and suggest that Taraxacum officinale essential oil could be useful in formulations for cancer therapy.