Tannin-rich Extract Research Articles

Exploring the potential of tannin-rich tree bark extracts in combating foodborne diseases and gastric cancer

The objective of this study was to perform chemical characterization of tannin-rich extracts obtained from the bark of woody species and to assess their bioactive potential for the treatment of foodborne diseases and gastric cancer. The barks of Anacardium occidentale, Stryphnodendron adstringens, and a commercial tannin from Acacia mearnsii were used to prepare the extracts. HPLC was employed to determine the profile and quantity of phenolic compounds present in the extracts, while FTIR was utilized to identify their functional groups. The antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH assay, while the antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the disk diffusion method and measurement of minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration. Additionally, the antitumor activity was evaluated using the MTT-tetrazolium assay. The phenolic profile of the extracts revealed the presence of ten compounds, with gallic acid and catechin being the most abundant for all species. Hydroxyl (OH) was the recurrent functional group in all the analyzed extracts. At a concentration of 25 μg/mL, the extracts exhibited DPPH free radical scavenging activity of 90%. The extracts had significant antitumor potential, inhibiting the growth of human gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS) by 90% at 200 μg/mL. Listeria monocytogenes was the most sensitive bacterium to the use of the extracts, while Escherichia coli was the most resistant. In conclusion, the results obtained in this study demonstrated the promising potential of tannin-rich extracts from the studied species as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer agents.

Antiviral functionalization of cellulose using tannic acid and tannin-rich extracts.

Due to seasonally appearing viruses and several outbreaks and present pandemic, we are surrounded by viruses in our everyday life. In order to reduce viral transmission, functionalized surfaces that inactivate viruses are in large demand. Here the endeavor was to functionalize cellulose-based materials with tannic acid (TA) and tannin-rich extracts by using different binding polymers to prevent viral infectivity of both non-enveloped coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) and enveloped human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43). Direct antiviral efficacy of TA and spruce bark extract in solution was measured: EC50 for CVB3 was 0.12 and 8.41 μg/ml and for HCoV-OC43, 78.16 and 95.49 μg/ml, respectively. TA also led to an excellent 5.8- to 7-log reduction of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus infectivity. TA functionalized materials reduced infectivity already after 5-min treatment at room temperature. All the tested methods to bind TA showed efficacy on paperboard with 0.1 to 1% (w/v) TA concentrations against CVB3 whereas material hydrophobicity decreased activities. Specific signatures for TA and HCoV-OC43 were discovered by Raman spectroscopy and showed clear co-localization on the material. qPCR study suggested efficient binding of CVB3 to the TA functionalized cellulose whereas HCoV-OC43 was flushed out from the surfaces more readily. In conclusion, the produced TA-materials showed efficient and broadly acting antiviral efficacy. Additionally, the co-localization of TA and HCoV-OC43 and strong binding of CVB3 to the functionalized cellulose demonstrates an interaction with the surfaces. The produced antiviral surfaces thus show promise for future use to increase biosafety and biosecurity by reducing pathogen persistence.

Exploring the α-amylase-inhibitory properties of tannin-rich extracts of Cytinus hypocistis on starch digestion

Cytinus hypocistis(L.) L. is an edible parasitic plant that grows within the roots of its host. In addition to its use as famine food in the past, it is also tradidionally used for treating several illnesses such as intestinal problems, inflammations, tumors, and bleeding. This species is rich in hydrolysable tannins, compounds often associated with inhibiting starch digestion. Therefore, the present work investigated how effectively C. hypocistis tannin-rich extracts inhibited enzymes involved in starch digestion and if such effect also occurs in vivo. The latter premise was approached using the starch tolerance test in mice. Two optimized hydroethanolic extracts were used, a heat-assisted and an ultrasound-assisted extract, with known hydrolysable tannin content. Both extracts demonstrated potent inhibition of α-amylase. Inhibitions were of the mixed type with inhibitor constants in the 15 μg/mL range. The inhibition of the intestinal α-glucosidase was at least ten times less effective. The inhibition of the α-amylase was negatively affected by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and bovine serum albumin. In vivo, both extracts inhibited starch digestion at doses between 100 and 400 mg/mL in healthy mice. The highest doses of the ultrasound and heat extracts diminished the peak glucose levels in the starch tolerance test by 46 and 59.3%, respectively. In streptozotocin diabetic mice, this inhibition occurred only at the dose of 400 mg/mL. Under this condition, diminution of the peak glucose concentration in the starch tolerance test was equal to 36.7% and 48.8% for the ultrasound and heat extracts, respectively. Maltose digestion was not inhibited by the C. hypocistis extracts. Qualitatively and quantitatively, thus, the actions of both extracts were similar. The results allow adding a new biological property to C. hypocistis, namely, the ability to decrease the hyper-glycemic excursion after a starch-rich meal, propitiating at the same time a diminished caloric intake.

Inspired by nature: Fiber networks functionalized with tannic acid and condensed tannin-rich extracts of Norway spruce bark show antimicrobial efficacy.

This study demonstrated the antibacterial and antiviral potential of condensed tannins and tannic acid when incorporated into fiber networks tested for functional material purposes. Condensed tannins were extracted from industrial bark of Norway spruce by using pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE), followed by purification of extracts by using XADHP7 treatment to obtain sugar-free extract. The chemical composition of the extracts was analyzed by using HPLC, GC‒MS and UHPLC after thiolytic degradation. The test matrices, i.e., lignocellulosic handsheets, were produced and impregnated with tannin-rich extracts, and tannic acid was used as a commercial reference. The antibacterial and antiviral efficacy of the handsheets were analyzed by using bioluminescent bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus RN4220+pAT19 and Escherichia coli K12+pCGLS11) and Enterovirus coxsackievirus B3. Potential bonding of the tannin-rich extract and tannic acid within the fiber matrices was studied by using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. The deposition characteristics (distribution and accumulation patterns) of tannin compounds and extracts within fiber networks were measured and visualized by direct chemical mapping using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and digital microscopy. Our results demonstrated for the first time, how tannin-rich extracts obtained from spruce bark side streams with green chemistry possess antiviral and antibacterial properties when immobilized into fiber matrices to create substitutes for plastic hygienic products, personal protection materials such as surgical face masks, or food packaging materials to prolong the shelf life of foodstuffs and prevent the spread of infections. However, more research is needed to further develop this proof-of-concept to ensure stable chemical bonding in product prototypes with specific chemistry.

Ellagitannins from Castanea sativa Mill. Leaf Extracts Impair H. pylori Viability and Infection-Induced Inflammation in Human Gastric Epithelial Cells.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an etiologic factor of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Virulent strains of H. pylori are correlated with the severity of gastritis, due to NF-κB activation and IL-8 expression at the epithelial level. Ellagitannins have been documented for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, thus suggesting their potential use in gastritis. Recently, several authors, including our group, demonstrated that tannin-rich extracts from chestnut byproducts, at present considered agricultural waste, display promising biological activities. In this work, we detected high levels of polyphenols in hydroalcoholic extracts from chestnut leaves (Castanea sativa L.). Among polyphenols, the ellagitannin isomers castalagin and vescalagin (about 1% w/w of dry extract) were identified as potential bioactive compounds. In GES-1 cells infected by H. pylori, leaf extract and pure ellagitannins inhibited IL-8 release (IC50 ≈ 28 µg/mL and 11 µM, respectively). Mechanistically, the anti-inflammatory activity was partly due to attenuation of NF-κB signaling. Moreover, the extract and pure ellagitannins reduced bacterial growth and cell adhesion. A simulation of the gastric digestion suggested that the bioactivity might be maintained after oral administration. At the transcriptional level, castalagin downregulated genes involved in inflammatory pathways (NF-κB and AP-1) and cell migration (Rho GTPase). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation in which ellagitannins from plant extracts have demonstrated a potential role in the interaction among H. pylori and human gastric epithelium.

Tannin-rich bark extract of plants as a source of antimicrobial bioactive compounds: A bibliometric analysis

The barks of plant stems are sources of bioactive compounds used in the treatment of diseases. Among these compounds, tannins offer different therapeutic applications. In this context, this research aimed to perform a bibliometric analysis on the state of the art of all studies published in the literature that relate the use of tannin-rich extracts and antimicrobial activity to identify challenges and support future research and its applicability in different industry segments. Scopus was the database used to extract registration and specific information about articles on this topic. 354 documents published since 1963 were counted, and the country of origin of most of the articles was Nigeria. The most studied family and species were Fabaceae and Terminalia arjuna , respectively. As for the pathogenic microorganisms, the bacteria Escherichia coli , the fungus Candida albicans and the HIV virus stood out. Tannin-rich bark extracts showed antimicrobial potential, a characteristic that may guide future research with the aim of developing new medicines derived from natural products. In parallel, the results of this research can contribute to the development of products used in the food and cosmetic industries, aiming to reduce the consumption of unnatural products. • Bibliometric analysis indicates state of the art of tannin-rich extracts as antimicrobials. • Underdeveloped countries are major researchers of antimicrobial tannins. • Studies with tannin-rich bark extracts concentrate on few species. • Standardization of solvents to obtain tannin-rich extracts is a scientific gap. • Tannin-rich bark extracts are a source of raw material for several industries.

Salivary Gland Adaptation to Dietary Inclusion of Hydrolysable Tannins in Boars.

Simple SummaryTannins have traditionally been avoided in animal nutrition due to their anti-nutritive effects. However, recent studies reported hydrolysable tannins as beneficial additives that have antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, antidiarrheal, and antiulcerogenic effects on animals. In a study testing the inclusion of hydrolysable tannins as a potential nutritive factor to reduce boar taint in entire males, significant enlargement of the parotid glands (parotidomegaly) was observed. In this study, we aimed to determine the morphological and immunohistochemical basis for the observed parotidomegaly. We discovered that enlargement of glandular lobules and acinar area, an increased ratio between the nucleus and cytoplasm of serous cells, and increased excretion of proline-rich proteins (PRPs) were characteristic of the experimental group that received the highest dietary tannin intake. The mandibular salivary gland, on the other hand, did not show significant morphological changes among the experimental groups. This suggests increased functional activity of the parotid salivary glands as the first and most important line of defense against high dietary tannin and its potential negative effects.The ingestion of hydrolysable tannins as a potential nutrient to reduce boar odor in entire males results in the significant enlargement of parotid glands (parotidomegaly). The objective of this study was to characterize the effects of different levels of hydrolysable tannins in the diet of fattening boars (n = 24) on salivary gland morphology and proline-rich protein (PRP) expression at the histological level. Four treatment groups of pigs (n = 6 per group) were fed either a control (T0) or experimental diet, where the T0 diet was supplemented with 1% (T1), 2% (T2), or 3% (T3) of the hydrolysable tannin-rich extract Farmatan®. After slaughter, the parotid and mandibular glands of the experimental pigs were harvested and dissected for staining using Goldner’s Trichrome method, and immunohistochemical studies with antibodies against PRPs. Morphometric analysis was performed on microtome sections of both salivary glands, to measure the acinar area, the lobular area, the area of the secretory ductal cells, and the sizes of glandular cells and their nuclei. Histological assessment revealed that significant parotidomegaly was only present in the T3 group, based on the presence of larger glandular lobules, acinar areas, and their higher nucleus to cytoplasm ratio. The immunohistochemical method, supported by color intensity measurements, indicated significant increases in basic PRPs (PRB2) in the T3 and acidic PRPs (PRH1/2) in the T1 groups. Tannin supplementation did not affect the histo-morphological properties of the mandibular gland. This study confirms that pigs can adapt to a tannin-rich diet by making structural changes in their parotid salivary gland, indicating its higher functional activity.

Impact of gelatine coating on the performance of tannin-loaded pectin microbeads obtained through external gelation

One of the limitations of external gelation for microencapsulation is that small water-soluble compounds tend to diffuse out of the microbeads, resulting in low encapsulation efficiencies. In this work we propose a one-step approach for hydrogel microbead formation and simultaneous coating using external gelation. We explored amidated pectin as the encapsulation matrix for two different tannin-rich extracts (from chestnut and quebracho). The inclusion of tannin extracts contributed to the improvement of the structure of the microbeads through their interactions with pectin. By adding gelatine to the gelling bath, the microbeads were coated with the protein. This led to a significant increase in microencapsulation efficiency, which in some cases almost doubled compared to non-coated microbeads. Thanks to the binding of tannins with gelatine, coated microbeads loaded with the greatest amount of tannin extracts (20% w/w) presented the best retention of the bioactive compounds. A 14-days storage release study showed that these microencapsulation systems only experienced a slight loss of tannins during this period, with quebracho extract exhibiting greater retention than chestnut extract. Overall, by exploiting interactions in the pectin/tannins/gelatine ternary system, the proposed strategy for microbead production and coating in a single step allowed the development of a simple and more efficient microencapsulation approach for tannin extracts through external gelation.

Development of an in Vitro Assay to Evaluate the Biological Impact of 5G Technology on Human Skin—Shield Effect of a Tannin-Rich Plant Extract

Development of an in Vitro Assay to Evaluate the Biological Impact of 5G Technology on Human Skin—Shield Effect of a Tannin-Rich Plant Extract

Tannin-rich extracts improve the performance of amidated pectin as an alternative microencapsulation matrix to alginate

Microencapsulation of tannin extracts through extrusion-gelation method was performed comparing two alternative encapsulation matrices: alginate and amidated pectin. The microstructure of the generated microbeads was studied, as well as their microencapsulation efficiency and release properties. Overall, pectin-based beads performed better than their alginate-based counterparts. This, combined with a greater incorporation of tannins in the feed formulations led to a higher tannin load in the final beads. The best microencapsulation efficiency was given by pectin microbeads loaded with 10% tannin extract (w/w), but the final tannin content could be further increased by adding a 20% (w/w) concentration of the extracts. During a 14-days storage, only a marginal loss of tannins was recorded for pectin-based microbeads. The results reveal that great potential exists in producing pectin-based microbeads in presence of tannins, which allow better loading capacities and improving structural properties, thanks to the interactions between the tannins and the amidated polysaccharide.

Techno-economic evaluation and life cycle assessment of a biorefinery using winery waste streams for the production of succinic acid and value-added co-products

This study presents techno-economic evaluation and life cycle assessment of a novel biorefinery using the three main waste streams generated by wineries for the production of bio-based succinic acid (SA), crude phenolic-rich extract, grape-seed oil, calcium tartrate and crude tannin-rich extract. Process design has been employed for the estimation of material and energy balances and the sizing of unit operations. The Minimum Selling Price of succinic acid production within a winery waste biorefinery ranges from $1.23–2.76/kgSA depending on the market price and the potential end-uses of the extracted fractions. The Global Warming Potential and the Abiotic Depletion Potential of winery waste valorisation through the proposed biorefinery are 1.47 kg CO2-eq per kg dry waste and 25.2 MJ per kg dry waste, respectively. Biorefining of winery waste could lead to the development of a sustainable and novel bioeconomy business model with new market opportunities and efficient waste management.

Effect of dietary tannin supplementation on cow milk quality in two different grazing seasons

Extensive farming systems are characterized by seasons with different diet quality along the year, as pasture availability is strictly depending on climatic conditions. A number of problems for cattle may occur in each season. Tannins are natural polyphenolic compounds that can be integrated in cows’ diet to overcome these seasonal problems, but little is known about their effect on milk quality according to the season. This study was designed to assess the effects of 150 g/head × day of tannin extract supplementation on proximate composition, urea, colour, cheesemaking aptitude, antioxidant capacity, and fatty acid (FA) profile of cow milk, measured during the wet season (WS) and the dry season (DS) of Mediterranean climate. In WS, dietary tannins had marginal effect on milk quality. Conversely, in DS, the milk from cows eating tannins showed 10% lower urea and slight improvement in antioxidant capacity, measured with FRAP and TEAC assays. Also, tannin extract supplementation in DS reduced branched-chain FA concentration, C18:1 t10 to C18:1 t11 ratio and rumenic to linoleic acid ratio. Tannins effect on rumen metabolism was enhanced in the season in which green herbage was not available, probably because of the low protein content, and high acid detergent fibre and lignin contents in diet. Thus, the integration of tannin in the diet should be adapted to the season. This could have practical implications for a more conscious use of tannin-rich extracts, and other tannin sources such as agro-industrial by-products and forages.

Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Tannin-Rich Extract and Coating onto Cotton Textiles for Catalytic Degradation of Congo Red

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized under ambient conditions from chloroauric acid in aqueous solution at pH 4. Tannin-rich extract from Xylocarpus granatum bark was used as both reducing and capping agent, rapidly converting Au (I) salt to AuNPs. Transmission electron microscopy showed the as-prepared AuNPs to be predominantly spherical, with an average diameter of 17 nm. The AuNPs were tested for catalytic reduction of Congo red (CR), a carcinogenic azo dye, in aqueous sodium borohydride solution. Cotton samples were coated with the AuNPs, taking on a reddish-purple color. The samples showed significantly reduced tearing strength after coating, though tensile strength was unaffected. UV-visible spectroscopy was used to determine the dye concentration in the water. CR degradation was observed only when AuNPs were present, and the efficiency of degradation was strongly linked to the AuNP loading. The AuNP-coated fabrics left only a 4.7% CR concentration in the solution after 24 h and therefore promise as a heterogeneous catalyst for degradation of CR in aqueous solution.

Effect of Tannin-Rich Extract of Chasmanthera dependens on Piroxicam-induced Liver Damage in Male Wistar Rats

Background: Piroxicam is one of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used as antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug often used for the relief of nonspecific fever condition and in arthritis. This study investigated the protective potential of tannin-rich extract of Chasmanthera dependens (TRECDS) against piroxicam-induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats.Materials and Methods: Thirty two rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 received normal saline and served as the control group, group 2 were given 20 mg/kg piroxicam only, while groups 3 and 4 were given 20 mg/kg piroxicam with the addition of 200 and 400 mg/kg of tannin-rich extract of Chasmanthera dependens, respectively. All rats were treated orally once daily for ten days.Results: Administration of piroxicam caused liver atrophy demonstrated by significant rise in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) levels of albumin (ALB), bilirubin (BIL), total cholesterol (TCHOL), triglyceride (TRIGS) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Piroxicam also decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level, enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant levels significantly (p>0.05) with attendant increase in oxidative stress indices in the liver of rats compared with control group. Histological assessment reveled severe damaged to the liver of rats. However, co-administration with TRECDS reversed these observations as evidenced in the histological results.Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that exposure of rats to piroxicam provoked damage to the liver via oxidative damage and TRECDS has the potential of ameliorating the damage.Keywords: hepatotoxicity, piroxicam, Chasmanthera dependens, oxidative stress

Traditional Applications of Tannin Rich Extracts Supported by Scientific Data: Chemical Composition, Bioavailability and Bioaccessibility.

Tannins are polyphenolic compounds historically utilized in textile and adhesive industries, but also in traditional human and animal medicines or foodstuffs. Since 20th-century, advances in analytical chemistry have allowed disclosure of the chemical nature of these molecules. The chemical profile of extracts obtained from previously selected species was investigated to try to establish a bridge between traditional background and scientific data. The study of the chemical composition of these extracts has permitted us to correlate the presence of tannins and other related molecules with the effectiveness of their apparent uses. The revision of traditional knowledge paired with scientific evidence may provide a supporting background on their use and the basis for developing innovative pharmacology and food applications based on formulations using natural sources of tannins. This traditional-scientific approach can result useful due to the raising consumers’ demand for natural products in markets, to which tannin-rich extracts may pose an attractive alternative. Therefore, it is of interest to back traditional applications with accurate data while meeting consumer’s acceptance. In this review, several species known to contain high amounts of tannins have been selected as a starting point to establish a correlation between their alleged traditional use, tannins content and composition and potential bioaccessibility.

A validated Folin-Ciocalteu method for total phenolics quantification of condensed tannin-rich açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) seeds extract

The widely used methodology to quantify polyphenols-the Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) method-cannot be applied indiscriminately since different matrices may impair the assay's accuracy. Thus, this study aimed to adapt the FC method for the açaí seed extract, a tannin-rich extract with potential applications for various therapies. Firstly, a pre-method standardization was established to determine parameters such as reading wavelength (765nm), reaction time (30min), and the reference substance (pyrogallol). In the validation step, the adapted method responded linearly to the analyte (R2 = 0.9910), ensuring its selectivity (linearity and selectivity curves statistically parallel) and accuracy (99.18-101.43%). Furthermore, the method proved to be precise (RSD ≤ 2.63%) at the two levels assessed (repeatability and intermediate precision) and robust (RSD ≤ 4.45%) concerning variation on the Na2CO3 concentration and the reaction time. The limits of detection and quantification were also calculated (9.9µg/mL and 33.1µg/mL, respectively). An additional step for tannins quantification based on its reported selective precipitation by complexing agents was also evaluated; however, unspecific precipitation was observed, reducing the results' accuracy. Our work successfully adapted and validated a method for total phenolics quantification of açaí seed extract, resulting in 38g of pyrogallol equivalent/100g of extract.

Pharmacological and In-Silico Investigations of Anxiolytic-like Effects of Phyllanthus Fraternus: A Probable Involvement of GABA-A Receptor

Background:: Phyllanthus fraternus Webster Linn (family, Euphorbiaceae) is used as a traditional medication for the treatment of various disorders and has therapeutic implications. Objective:: This study intends to investigate the anxiolytic potential of Phyllanthus fraternus standardized extract and prediction of the probable role of its marker phytoconstituents. Methods:: We tested the standardized hydro-ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus fraternus (whole plant) for the Elevated plus-maze model (EPM) and Light & Dark Exploration test as classical models for anxiety. Phyto-chemical HPTLC fingerprint analysis was performed for the detection of two classes of compounds lignans and tannins. HPTLC analysis of the standardized extract was performed using phyllanthin hypophyllanthin and corilagin as marker compounds. Additionally, GABA receptor antagonism was studied in other sets of experiments to assess the involvement of this receptor in the anxiolytic- like effects produced by Phyllanthus fraternus. Results:: The lower doses of the lignan and tannin-rich extract of the Phyllanthus fraternus possess significant anxiolytic-like activity compared to the standard diazepam. Additionally, the results of the present study suggested that high doses (400mg/kg) of Phyllanthus fraternus have exerted some sedative- like effects. Phytochemical screening and HPTLC fingerprint analysis indicate the presence of lignans and tannins, whereas HPLC analysis of the standardized extract revealed the presence of marker lignan (Hypophyllanthin) and Tannin (Corilagin). The anxiolytic-like effect of Phyllanthus fraternus observed in the mice models were blocked by Flumazenil indicating the involvement of GABAA receptors in the modulation of this effect. Our molecular docking studies also supported probable anxiolytic and sedative effects. Conclusion:: To summarize, results support the use of Phyllanthus fraternus in the anxiety-like symptoms/ disease condition and suggest its anxiolytic-like effect governed by the GABA-A receptors.

Reduction in Spoilage Microbiota and Cyclopiazonic Acid Mycotoxin with Chestnut Extract Enriched Chitosan Packaging: Stability of Inoculated Gouda Cheese.

Active chitosan-based films, blended with fibrous chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) tannin-rich extract were used to pack Gouda cheese that has been contaminated with spoilage microflora Pseudomonas fluorescens, Escherichia coli, and fungi Penicillium commune. A comprehensive experimental plan including active chitosan-based films with (i) chestnut extract (CE), (ii) tannic acid (TA), and (iii) without additives was applied to evaluate the film′s effect on induced microbiological spoilage reduction and chemical indices of commercial Gouda cheese during 37 days while stored at 4 °C and 25 °C, respectively. The cheese underwent microbiology analysis and chemical assessments of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) (cyclopiazonic acid), pH, and moisture content. The biopackaging used for packing cheese was characterized by mechanical properties before food packaging and analyzed with the same chemical analysis. The cheese microbiology showed that the bacterial counts were most efficiently decreased by the film without additives. However, active films with CE and TA were more effective as they did not break down around the cheese and showed protective properties against mycotoxin, moisture loss, and pH changes. Films themselves, when next to high-fat content food, changed their pH to less acidic, acted as absorbers, and degraded without plant-derived additives.

Methanol Extract of Chasmanthera dependens Stem Mitigates against Mechanisms Involved in Piroxicam-induced Liver Damage in Rat

Chasmanthera dependens has been claimed by tradition healers as a therapeutic agent in many diseases including hepatotoxicity. This study sought to evaluate the possible mechanisms involved in the hepatoprotective potential of tannin-rich extract of Chasmanthera dependens stem (TRECDS).
 Thirty two male Wistar rats (100- 130 g) were divided into four groups of eight rats per group labelled as group 1,2,3 and 4. The rats were treated orally for ten days consecutively. Group 1 served as control group and received normal saline, group 2 rats received 40 mg/kg piroxicam alone, groups 3-4 were treated with 40 mg/kg piroxicam and 200 and 400 mg/kg TREDS respectively concomitantly. All the experimental rats were fed with standard rat chows. Twenty four hours after, blood was collected to obtain serum; liver was excised to prepare homogenate and histology staining under pentobarbital sodium anaesthesia. Liver function test (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT)) and oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (LPO)) biomarkers were assessed. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β)) and apoptotic markers; caspase-3 (CASP-3) and caspase-9 (CAPS-9), cytochrome-c (CYT-c)) were also assessed.
 The results showed that piroxicam administration caused hepatic damage as was evident in the histological assessment with increased serum activities of liver function markers, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic markers. TRECDS also showed significant attenuation of the oxidative stress by decreasing the LPO level and increasing the activities of SOD, CAT and GSH level.
 Oral administration of TRECDS also restores the morphological structure of the liver in a dose-dependent manner.
 Conclusion: Oral administration of TRECDS exhibited protective potential against piroxicam-induced hepatotoxicity.

Identification of possible reductants in the aqueous leaf extract of mangrove plant Rhizophora apiculata for the fabrication and cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles against human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells.

Rhizophora apiculata is a less studied tannin-rich plant of the mangrove ecosystem with potent biomedical applications. Tannins have been known to reduce silver ions into silver nanoparticles which in particular are known to possess cytotoxic effects against a variety of cancer cells. The aqueous leaf extract was prepared and quantitatively analyzed for its phytochemical content. According to the quantitative phytochemical analysis, the extract was rich in tannins and other reducing sugars. The reducing sugar-rich extract was further used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Taking these facts into consideration, in this study, an eco-friendly approach was followed to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles using a tannin-rich Rhizophora apiculata aqueous leaf extract. The synthesized nanoparticles were partially characterized by our previous reports. This report further characterizes the particles by determining its average size, polydispersity index and zeta potential using dynamic light scattering. After characterization, the nanoparticles were tested for cytotoxic effects against human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells. The effects were analyzed by microscopic observation and MTT assay. The results indicate that the tannin-rich extract reduced the precursor silver nitrate into silver nanoparticles of favorable size for tumor infiltration. The nanoparticles possessed significant cytotoxic effects against MG-63 cells which could be possibly attributed to the antioxidant activity of silver nanoparticles. Further studies at the molecular level can indicate its potential in nanomedicine for the treatment of bone cancer at the clinical level.