Total Flavonoid Research Articles

Phyto-Fingerprinting of Putranjiva roxburghii Wall. Leaf Extract and its In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Putranjiva roxburghii is an important medicinal plant utilized for remedy of female reproductive ailments. Its seed extract is being used as a uterine health booster due to the presence of several pharmaceutically important phytochemicals. However, the presence of phytochemicals in its leaf is still unexplored. The present study was designed to explore phytochemical finger printing and assessment of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of hydroalcoholic leaf extract of P. roxburghii (HALEPR). The qualitative, quantitative phytochemical of flavonoid, phenol and HRA-MS analysis of HALEPR carried out along with antioxidant and in vitro membrane stabilization and protein denaturation assay of anti-inflammatory activity were have been analyzed. Results of qualitative phytochemical screening of HALEPR denotes the existence of phenol, flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, steroids, saponins, tannins, anthroquinone and carbohydrates. The quantitative phytochemical of flavonoid and phenol was done which revealed the presents of total phenol and flavonoid. High resolution accurate-mass spectrometry (HRA-MS) study was also done for the identification of bioactive compounds from the HALEPR, which showed the presence of various phytochemicals such as luteolin 3'- (3″-acetylglucuronide), luteolin 4'-methyl ether 7-glucoside, quercetin-3β-D-glucoside, 8-hydroxyluteolin 4'-methyl ether 8-glucuronide, quercetin 3-xylosyl- (1- > 2) -rha mnosyl- (1- > 6) -glucoside, quercetin-3β-D-glucoside, myricetin 3- (3-6-diacetylglucosyl) - (1- > 4) - (2″,3″-diacetylrhamnoside), apigetrin, isorhamnetin, catechin 7,3'-Di-O-β-D glucopyranoside, luteolin 7-methylglucuronide, apigenin-8-C-α -l-arabinopyranoside, naringenin 7- O-β-D-glucoside 6″-acetate,ohobanin, shogaol, ginkgetin and amoritin. The HELPER is shown to have the presence of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities as demonstrated by DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl,2-picrylhydrazyl) and membrane lysis assays. Our findings reveal the presence of phytochemicals in HALEPR that have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The bioactivities were identified using chemical characterization like HRA/MS and biological assessments like anti-inflammatory and antioxidant assays. Future research may focus on isolating specific molecules, conducting in vivo tests, and creating HALEPR-based formulations for clinical application as anti-inflammatory drugs.

Salinity stress-induced impacts on biomass production, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activities and oxidative stress in watermeal (Wolffia globosa)

This study investigated the impact of salinity stress on the biomass production, proximate composition and bioactive contents, antioxidant activities, and oxidative stress parameters of Wolffia globosa. Wolffia was exposed to variable NaCl concentrations (0, 8.56, 17.11, 25.67, 34.22, and 42.78 mM) in nutrient-replete nutrient conditions under natural sunlight in a transparent polyhouse. The net biomass gain (NBG; 131.17 g), crude protein (33.16%) and crude lipid content (4.9%) were significantly high at 8.56 mM NaCl compared to control and most of other treatments. Total phenolic content peaked at 17.11 mM NaCl (551.39 mg GAE g−1), while total tannin content was highest at 25.67 mM NaCl (13.38 mg TAE g−1). Total flavonoid content, vitamin C, oxidative stress enzymes; superoxide dismutase, catalase, and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA) peaked at 42.78 mM NaCl, with values of 140.52 mg QE g−1, 218.69 mg 100 g−1, 28.18 U g−1 FW, 288.60 U min−1 g−1 FW, and 142.32 mg MDA kg−1, respectively. The control invariably had the lowest values. Total carotenoid content was significantly higher at 17.11 and 25.67 mM NaCl (1812.84 and 1749.10 μg g−1), while Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) was highest at 17.11 mM (21.33 μg g−1). Chlorophyll-b (Chl-b) peaked at 17.11, 25.67, and 34.22 mM NaCl levels. Salinity stress generally elevated antioxidant activities, assessed via DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays reaching their highest values at 34.22 mM NaCl (40.52%), 17.11 mM NaCl (56.71%), and 25.67 mM NaCl (428.83 μmol Fe2⁺ g−1), respectively. FT-IR profiles indicated changes in chemical composition and functional groups due to salt stress. Overall, salinity significantly influenced the proximate composition, antioxidant activities, bioactive compounds and oxidative stress enzyme activities of wolffia.

Phytochemical screening and in vitro evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial activity of aqueous and organic extracts of the Moroccan endemic medicinal plant Zygophyllum gaetulum

ABSTRACT Zygophyllum gaetulum (Z. gaetulum), also known as Al Aggaya, is an endemic plant widespread in the Moroccan Sahara. This study aims to valorise Z. gaetulum from both phytochemical and pharmacological standpoints by extracting and quantifying total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), assessing antioxidant activity through a series of in vitro tests, and evaluating antibacterial activity against four multidrug-resistant bacteria. The relationships between phytochemical content and antioxidant activity were also examined. The methanolic extract showed the highest levels of phenolic and flavonoid contents and the greatest antioxidant activity in both the DPPH and FRAP assays. But, no significant correlation was observed between TPC and the antioxidant activity assays. The antibacterial screening demonstrated that the 50% methanolic extract showed the largest inhibition zone against Escherichia coli. This study provides novel data and evidence that extracts from this plant are a promising source of natural antioxidants.

Ultrasound and Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.) Pomace: Analysis of Chemical Properties and Anticancer Activity

Blackberries are seasonal berries that are processed into various products leaving a large amount of residues after processing, and therefore the most effective ways of utilising the residues need to be evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different extraction methods on the chemical content of blackberry pomace extracts from different cultivars and their effect on the viability of the Caco-2 colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line and CCD-18Co normal colon fibroblast cancer cells. Blackberry pomace from berries of the cultivars ‘Polar’, ‘Orkan’, and ‘Brzezina’ was extracted by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and a combination of these two extraction methods (MAE+UAE). The phenolic profile and the amount of organic acids and sugars were detected by HPLC. The spectrophotometric method was used to determine the amount of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and total anthocyanins. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was measured by the MTT assay. The chemical content of the extracts depends on the blackberry cultivar, the extraction method, and its interaction. Only the DPPH antioxidant activity did not depend on these factors and had no statistically significant differences between the different extracts. The extracts at a concentration of 5.0% increased the growth of both cancer cells, while the extracts at 1% and 2.5%, depending on the cultivar, reduced the growth of these cells. The MAE and UAE extracts of the ‘Orkan’ cultivar at concentrations of 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5% best inhibited the viability of Caco-2 cells. The extracts inhibited the growth of the Caco-2 cell line better than CCD-18Co normal colon fibroblasts.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory function of walnut green husk aqueous extract (WNGH-AE) on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) treated with t-BHP.

Oxidative damage, oxidative inflammation, and a range of downstream diseases represent significant threats to human health. The application of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents can help prevent and mitigate these associated diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of walnut green husk (WNGH) as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in an in vitro setting. HepG2 cells were treated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) to establish a cellular model of oxidative damage and inflammation. We assessed the biocompatibility of walnut green husk aqueous extract (WNGH-AE) on HepG2 cells using MTT and LDH assays (WNGH-AE concentration: 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, 6.4, and 12.8 mg/mL). Additionally, we measured intracellular oxidative stress indicators, such as ROS and 8-OHdG, along with inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β through ELISA to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of WNGH-AE (concentration: 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 mg/mL) in HepG2 cells. We also determined the free radical scavenging capacity of various extracts of WNGH using DPPH and ·OH methods. The total phenols, total polysaccharides, and total flavonoids in WNGH-AE were analyzed using the Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent, the phenol-sulfuric acid method, and the spectrophotometry, respectively. The bioactive components of WNGH-AE were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. Our results demonstrated that WNGH-AE was highly biocompatible with HepG2 cells. The antioxidant effect of WNGH-AE involved the scavenging of intracellular ROS, while its anti-inflammatory effect was linked to the down-regulation of the NF-κB pathway. Compared to other extractants (ethyl acetate, n-butanol, 75% ethanol, and petroleum ether), WNGH-AE exhibited the strongest free radical scavenging ability. Through LC-MS/MS analysis, we identified 403 compounds in WNGH-AE, with gentisic acid being the most abundant and possessing high antioxidant capacity, suggesting it may be a key active component contributing to the antioxidant activity of WNGH-AE. In conclusion, our findings indicate that WNGH-AE is a natural, high-quality antioxidant and anti-inflammatory biomaterial deserving further research and development, with significant potential applications in healthcare. (311 words).

Estimated dietary flavonoid intake and major food contributors in the Portuguese population: results from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-AF 2015-2016).

Flavonoids are a key class of polyphenols, i.e., phytochemical compounds present in foods and beverages, which have been described as having health benefits in preventing several chronic diseases. Estimating flavonoid intake has already been conducted in several countries but has yet to be performed in Portugal. This study included 5,005 participants aged 3-84 years and aimed to estimate dietary flavonoid intake in the Portuguese population, using data from the National Food and Physical Activity Survey 2015-2016, providing information on intake, main food contributors, and the socio-demographic factors associated with the intake. Food intake data from the Survey was converted to flavonoid intake using a database built to include the most updated USDA databases on flavonoids, isoflavones and proanthocyanidins, and the Phenol-Explorer database. The rationale for combining food consumption data and different flavonoid databases using the FoodEx2 classification system was established. Linear regressions assessed the associations between socio-demographic factors and dietary flavonoid intake. The total flavonoid intake of the Portuguese population was estimated to be 107.3 mg/day. Flavanols were the most representative subclass, followed by flavonols, anthocyanidins, flavanones, flavones and isoflavones. Fruits and vegetables were the primary food contributors, providing 31.5% and 12.4% of the total flavonoid intake. Adolescents had the lowest total flavonoid intake, and older adults had the highest. This study provides information on the Portuguese population's dietary flavonoids, allowing for international comparisons. It can also streamline forthcoming investigations into the link between flavonoid consumption and its impact on health, contributing to the future establishment of dietary reference values.

Impact of geographical variation on nutritional and antioxidant properties of Basella alba L. from Sri Lanka

BackgroundBasella alba L. (Malabar spinach) is a widely consumed leafy vegetable, well known for its nutritional and therapeutic properties. These properties arise from the availability of essential nutrients, phytochemicals, and antioxidant potential, which may vary depending on environmental factors induced by the geographical location. In this study our aim is to investigate the correlation between the geographical location and proximate composition, phytochemical content, and antioxidant activity of B. alba harvested from fifteen locations in Sri Lanka.ResultsAccording to the statistical analysis by ANOVA and Tukey test, the results of proximate analysis confirmed that samples from different locations showed statistically significant variance in nutritional content. Furthermore, phytochemical content and antioxidant potential varied showing a significant difference between locations in total chlorophyll (27.53 to 6.69 µg/g dry weight), carotene (4.54 to 1.15 µg/g dry weight), total flavonoid content (10.54 to 3.94 mg/g dry weight in Quercetin equivalents), total phenolic content (8.33 to 0.46 mg/g dry weight in gallic acid equivalents), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (38.03–11.4% inhibition), and ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power (1.23 to 3.76 mg/g dry weight in ascorbic acid equivalents) (p < 0.05). The Pearson correlation showed a strong positive correlation between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Principal component analysis indicates the role of antioxidant activity and chlorophyll content in location differentiation, forming distinct clusters. Cluster analysis categorized samples into four groups, linking biochemical traits to agro-climatic zones. The principal component analysis and cluster analysis showed a close relationship between some locations due to their high antioxidant and phytochemical accumulation.ConclusionThis study exhibits the importance of geographical location on the phytochemical profile and antioxidant properties of B. alba. These findings can be used to refine optimal cultivation sites for B. alba to enhance the efficacy of its nutraceutical and pharmaceutical potential.

Dietary intakes of flavonoids in relation to cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults: results from the Chinese Square Dance Cohort.

Objective: The study aims to explore the association between intake of dietary flavonoids and global cognition, domain-specific cognition and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in middle-aged and older adults in China. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: This study used baseline data collected during 2021-2023 from the Chinese Square Dance Cohort. Dietary information was collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and flavonoid intakes were calculated. Cognitive function was evaluated using a battery of neuropsychological tests, and global cognition was assessed using the composite z-score. Participants with MCI were diagnosed by Petersen's criteria. The relationship between flavonoid intake and cognitive score was determined using multiple linear regression and presented as β values with 95%CIs. The association of flavonoid intake with MCI was evaluated using logistic regression models and presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95%CIs. Results: Among 3990 middle-aged and older participants, the median (P25-P75) age was 63 (59-67) years, and 85.05% were females. After adjusting for various covariates, compared to the lowest quartile (Q1), the highest intakes (Q4) of total flavonoids, anthocyanidins and flavan-3-ols, flavanones, flavones, flavonols, procyanidins, and isoflavones were associated with higher composite z-scores, with β values (95%CIs) of 0.12 (0.06, 0.17), 0.15 (0.10, 0.21), 0.09 (0.04, 0.15), 0.11 (0.06, 0.17), 0.08 (0.02, 0.13), 0.09 (0.03, 0.14), and 0.09 (0.04, 0.15), respectively. In addition, higher dietary intakes of anthocyanidins and isoflavones were associated with lower odds of MCI, where the corresponding ORs (95%CIs) for Q4 were 0.69 (0.51, 0.94) and 0.72 (0.54, 0.97), respectively. Conclusion: Higher flavonoid intakes were related to better cognitive function. These findings suggest a beneficial effect of flavonoid intake on the cognitive aging process.

Construction of Composite Microorganisms and Their Physiological Mechanisms of Postharvest Disease Control in Red Grapes

Red grapes often suffer from postharvest diseases like blue mold and black mold caused by Penicillium expansum and Aspergillus niger. Biological control using beneficial yeasts and bacteria is an effective method to manage these diseases. Rhodotorula sp. and Bacillus sp. are effective microorganisms for the control of postharvest diseases of red grapes. This study combined two yeast strains (Rhodotorula graminis and Rhodotorula babjevae) and two bacterial strains (Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus velezensis) to investigate their biological control effects on major postharvest diseases of red grapes and explore the underlying physiological mechanisms. Research showed that compound microorganism W3 outperformed the others; it reduced spore germination and germ tube growth of P. expansum and A. niger, while its volatiles further inhibited pathogen growth. Additionally, the treatment enhanced the antioxidant capacity of grapes and increased resistance to pathogens by boosting peroxidase activities, superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonolyase, and polyphenol oxidase. Furthermore, the combined treatment increased the activity and accumulation of antifungal compounds such as total phenols and flavonoids, thereby improving disease resistance and reducing decay. Therefore, composite microorganisms combining various antagonistic strains may offer a viable substitute for tackling postharvest diseases in red grapes.

Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Extraction Process for Production of Polyphenol-Rich Crude Extract from Cinnamomum iners Leaves

Cinnamomum iners Reinw. ex Blume has long been recognized as a plant with food and medicinal uses. This study was designed to optimize the MAE process to produce a high-value, polyphenol-rich crude extract from cinnamon leaves (PCL). The primary goal was to apply response surface methodology (RSM) with a face-centered central composite design (FCCD) to identify the ideal conditions for microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). Key factors such as the MAE time, microwave power, and solid-to-liquid ratio were examined to produce a polyphenol-rich crude extract from C. iners leaves. The resulting extracts were assessed for extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity. The results showed that MAE using a methanol solvent had a significant impact on antioxidant compound levels. The R2 values for all responses, yield, TPC, TFC, and DPPH radical scavenging activity were 0.9497, 0.9494, 0.9199, and 0.9570, respectively, indicating that the developed quadratic polynomial models were accurate and suitable for analyzing MAE parameter interactions. The optimum MAE parameters were determined to be an MAE time of 25 min, microwave power of 214.24 W, and plant leaf–solvent ratio of 1:195.76 g/mL. In these optimized MAE conditions, the predicted extraction yield, TPC, TFC, and IC50 of DPPH scavenging were 18.56%, 22.86 mg GAE/g, 13.89 mg QE/g, and 83.30 µg/mL, respectively. The enhanced efficiency of MAE comes from microwave-induced heating, which disrupts cell walls for faster compound release, making it more effective and time-efficient than traditional HRE for polyphenol extraction. This study demonstrated that polyphenols can be efficiently extracted from C. iners using MAE, producing a valuable extract with potential as a natural preservative in food and a skin-protective, anti-aging ingredient in cosmetics.

Enhancing Probiotic, Sensory, and Antioxidant Properties of Polygonatum sibiricum Red. and Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge through Lactic Acid Fermentation for Functional Food Development

Abstract This study explores the use of Polygonatum sibiricum Red. and Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge as edible-medicine homology ingredients through lactic acid fermentation to enhance probiotic content, sensory quality, and antioxidant properties. Using a mixed culture of Lactobacillus plantarum AS1.2437 and Lactobacillus casei CICC21019, the fermentation significantly increased lactic acid bacteria counts, improved taste, and boosted antioxidant activities, particularly in reducing Fe3+ and scavenging DPPH and ABTS free radicals (P &amp;lt; 0.05). During fermentation, changes in reducing sugars, total acids, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and amino acid compositions were monitored. Results showed significant increases in total phenols, flavonoids, SOD activity, and polysaccharide content (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Essential amino acids increased by 4.86%, and therapeutic amino acids rose from 50.88% to 53.59%. The Boltzmann model effectively captured these changes, achieving a high coefficient of determination (R2 &amp;gt; 0.99), indicating strong predictive accuracy. Key organic acids like lactic, acetic, and tartaric acids contributed to enhanced antioxidant activity. This research provides a comprehensive understanding of the physicochemical, medicinal, and antioxidant properties of the fermented Polygonatum sibiricum Red. and C. pinnatifida Bunge (PsR.-CpB.) enzyme, establishing a theoretical foundation for developing functional foods aligned with the edible-medicine homology concept.

Encapsulation of walnut husk and pomegranate peel extracts by alginate and chitosan-coated nanoemulsions.

Walnut husk extract (WHE) and pomegranate peel extract (PPE) were produced through ultrasound-assisted extraction. Total phenol, flavonoid and tannin contents (TPC, TFC and TTC), antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were determined. The best extracts were used for production of alginate (Alg) and chitosan (CS)-coated nanoemulsions containing WHE (NWHE) or PPE (NPPE). The encapsulation efficiency (EE%), loading capacity (LC%), particle size, zeta potential, and release trait were determined. The mixture of ethanol: water (80:20) resulted in the extraction yield of 10.97 and 11.87 % for WHE and PPE, respectively. PPE indicated higher TPC and antioxidant activity percentage than WHE. The main phenolic compound of WHE was luteolin (42.04 mg/kg). Higher antimicrobial activities achieved for PPE than WHE. Minimum inhibition concentrations for WHE were 700 and 500 μg/mL in terms of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. The best NWHE3 and NPPE3 based on the Alg (1 %, w/w) and CS (3 %, w/w) exhibited EE of 87.75 and 89.07 % and LC of 9.85 and 9.74 %, respectively. The NWHE3 and NPPE3 had particle sizes of 182 and 218 nm and zeta potential values of +12.23 and + 10.67, respectively. Nanoemulsions provided a controlled release of WHE and PPE at the simulated gastric and intestinal fluids.

Improving the Nutritional Profile of Intermediate Wheatgrass by Solid-State Fermentation with Aspergillus oryzae Strains

Aspergillus oryzae has been used to ferment various cereal grains throughout history, as seen in the examples of sake, soy sauce, and miso. It is known that this fermentation enhances the nutritional quality of the raw materials by breaking down complex molecules into simpler, more digestible forms and increasing the bioactive compounds. In this study, intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) was fermented with three different strains of A. oryzae suitable for making sake, soy sauce, and miso. Whole IWG flour was mixed with water (1:2 w/w), autoclaved at 121 °C for 20 min, cooled, mixed with A. oryzae spores, and fermented for seven days at 30 °C. Sugars, protein, amino acids, kojic acid, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and DPPH radical scavenging activity were measured. The protein content increased significantly (p &lt; 0.05) from 18.0 g/100 g to over 30 g/100 g after seven days. Lysine showed a positive correlation with protein content across all three strains, with its ratio increasing as the protein content increased, while all other essential amino acids displayed a negative correlation and a decreasing ratio with the protein content. Autoclaving increased the verbascose content of IWG, and further increases were observed during the first two days of fermentation across all three strains, followed by a subsequent decline. Peak glucose content was observed on days 3~4 but also decreased in the subsequent days. Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, kojic acid, and DPPH scavenging activity peaked around day 4~5 for all three strains, followed by a slight decrease in the subsequent days. The findings of this study highlight the potential of solid-state fermentation to improve the nutritional profile of IWG, emphasizing that the selection of A. oryzae strains and the fermentation duration can affect the fermentation outcome and nutritional enhancements.

Impact of Picking Time on Leaf Quality Parameters of Three Varieties of Honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.)

Lonicera caerulea is a nutrient-rich plant of significant importance. Its chemical composition is influenced by various intrinsic properties and external factors, which change with the seasons. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different picking times on the proximate composition and the contents of pigments, macroelements, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in honeysuckle leaves. Seasonal changes in the contents of fiber, ash, proteins, nitrogen (N), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), chlorophylls, total carotenoids, total flavonoids and total phenolics were analyzed. The results revealed that picking time and plant variety significantly affected the chemical composition of honeysuckle leaves. The first picking yielded the highest levels of protein, N, P, K, chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll and total carotenoids. Conversely, the third picking showed the highest levels of Ca and Mg. Specifically, the third picking of ‘Indigo Yum’ leaves had the highest Ca and Mg contents, while the second picking of ‘Zojka’ leaves (116.67 mg 100 g−1 DM) and the third picking of ‘Wojtek’ leaves (115 mg 100 g−1 DM) contained the most total flavonoids. The first picking of ‘Wojtek’ leaves recorded the highest levels of protein, N, P and total carotenoids, whereas the third picking showed the highest fiber and ash contents. These findings provide valuable insights for farmers, enabling them to select appropriate cultivars and optimal picking times to produce high-quality honeysuckle leaves for use as food or medicinal supplements.

Phytochemical Analysis and Biological Activities of Flavonoids and Anthraquinones from Cassia alata (Linnaeus) Roxburgh and Their Implications for Atopic Dermatitis Management

To study Cassia alata (CA) (Linnaeus) Roxburgh’s effectiveness towards atopic dermatitis (AD), CA leaf extracts were prepared using three methanol-based extraction solvent systems. Bioactive constituents were characterized and quantified via high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, a major AD exacerbation factor, were assessed. Four polyphenols (two flavonoids, two anthraquinones) beneficial in AD control were detected (rhein &gt; aloe-emodin &gt; astragalin &gt; kaempferol). The 75% v/v MeOH/water extract had the most polyphenols and the best antioxidant profile (total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-hydrate radical scavenging activity, ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity), with excellent S. aureus inhibition (minimum inhibitory concentration = 0.625 mg/mL; minimum bactericidal concentration = 1.25 mg/mL). Hence, it was selected for the in vitro examination of cytotoxicity and wound healing activity towards human epidermal keratinocyte cells using a 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2h-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and wound scratch assay. The extract showed no cytotoxicity (IC50 &gt; 100 µg/mL) without significant reduction in cell viability up to 200 µg/mL compared to the vehicle control. An amount of 50 μg/mL extract concentration showed the best wound-healing activity (p &lt; 0.05), with a cell migration rate of 5.89 ± 0.80 µm/h over 96 h post-treatment. Such antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing activities suggest CA and its polyphenols to be promising natural, long-term AD remedies for skin health.

Fumaria officinalis Dust as a Source of Bioactives for Potential Dermal Application: Optimization of Extraction Procedures, Phytochemical Profiling, and Effects Related to Skin Health Benefits

Fumaria officinalis (fumitory), in the form of dust, was employed as a source of bioactive extracts whose chemical profile and biological potential were investigated. According to the results of the optimization of the extraction protocol, the extract with the highest polyphenol yield was prepared using fumitory dust under the optimal conditions determined using the statistical tool, 23 full factorial design: 50% ethanol and a 30:1 mL/g ratio during 120 s of microwave extraction (22.56 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of plant material). LC-MS and spectrophotometric/gravimetric analyses quantified the polyphenol, flavonoid, tannin, alkaloid, and protein contents. Caffeoylmalic acid, quercetin dihexoside, quercetin pentoside hexoside, rutin, and methylquercetin dihexoside were the most dominant compounds. The highest total flavonoid, condensed tannin, alkaloid, and protein yields were determined in the extract prepared using microwaves. In addition to the proven antioxidant potential, in the present study, the anti-inflammatory activity of fumitory extracts is also proven in the keratinocyte model, as well as a significant reduction of H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species production in cells and the absence of keratinocyte cytotoxicity. Thus, detailed chemical profiles and investigated biological effects related to skin health benefits encourage the potential application of fumitory dust extracts in dermo-cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations for dermatological circumstances.

Comparative analysis of phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimecrobial potential of methanolic and aqueous extracts from bunium incrassatum tubers

This study investigates the comparative biological activity and chemical composition of aqueous and hydromethanolic extracts of Bunium incrassatum tubers, a plant with traditional medicinal uses. Both extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH scavenging assays. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity using bovine serum albumin technique. While the antimicrobial activity was investigated using the disc diffusion assay against four Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and three fungi. The total phenol and flavonoid content showed that the methanolic extract had a significantly higher total phenolic content (167.4±3. 53 μg GAE/mg E) and flavonoid content (36.27± 2.18 μg QE/mg E) of than aqueous extracts. The antioxidant activity revealed that methanolic extract of B. incrassatum demonstrated higher antioxidant activity (IC50=1.15 ± 0.02 mg/mL). In contrast, it is the aqueous extract that has shown the most important anti-inflammatory activities to those of standard (sodium diclofenac).The study of antimicrobial activity demonstrated that the extracts showed a modest antibacterial and antifungal activity. Both extracts showed antibacterial activity, but the methanolic extract exhibited a higher zone of inhibition, especially against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This comparative analysis provides insights into the effectiveness of different solvent-based extractions for harnessing the therapeutic properties of Bunium incrassatum.

Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics reveal the role of calcium sugar alcohol in the regulation of phenolic acid biosynthesis in Torreya grandis nuts

BackgroundTorreya grandis, a prominent tree species of the autochthonous subtropical region of China, possesses a drupe-like fruit containing a nut that is rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds. However, the effect of calcium (Ca2+) sugar alcohol (CSA), a newly developed chelated Ca2+-fertilizer, on the secondary metabolism of phenolics in T. grandis nuts is largely unknown, for which transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis was carried out.ResultsTranscriptome sequencing detected 47,064 transcripts, and several phenolic acid biosynthesis pathway-related genes were identified. Correlation analysis showed that the four transcription factors, TgWRKY1, TgAP2-1, TgAP2-3, and TgAP2-4, were positively associated with the accumulation of phenolic acids. Furthermore, the binding of TgAP2-1 to the TgHCT promoter was confirmed using yeast one hybrid and dual-luciferase assays. Furthermore, the expression of TgHCT in Nicotiana enhanced the total flavonoid content.ConclusionsOur results indicated that a new regulatory module, Ca2+–AP2–HCT, involved in the regulation of phenolic acid biosynthesis was revealed, expanding the understanding of the role of Ca2+ fertilizers in plant secondary metabolism.

UPLC-MS metabolite profiling and antioxidant activity of Sanghuangporus sanghuang extract.

The objective of the present study is to examine the total phenolic and flavonoid content of an ethanol extract of Sanghuangporus sanghuang and to evaluate its phytochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and capacity to protect DNA from damage. This pharmaceutical/food resource mushroom may serve as a novel substitute functional food for health-conscious consumers, given its promising source of phenolics and flavonoids. S. sanghuang ethanol extract (SEE) was evaluated for total phenolic and flavonoid contents, while UPLC-MS analysis was used for terpenoids, phenylpropanoid, flavonoids, steroidal, phenols identification, and function prediction. Antioxidant and anti-DNA damage activities were tested in vitro using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzotiazolin-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and DNA damage protection assay. Total phenolic content (TPC) in SEE was 385.38 ± 1.36 mg GA/g extract, while total flavonoid content (TFC) was 298.22 ± 2.38 mg QE/g extract. The extracts exhibited high antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities with relatively stronger free radical scavenging activity. A total of 491 metabolites were investigated by Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Most of the top 20 compounds were predicted to have various functions like antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory. This study highlighted S. sanghuang was a beneficial source of phenolics and flavonoids. It contains potential natural antioxidant that could be used as a lead contender in the development of antioxidant medicines for the treatment of a wide range of oxidative stress-related illnesses.

Phytochemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Enarthrocarpus clavatus Delile ex Godr flowers extracts

The phytochemical profile of various plant species reveals that some compounds possess notable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In this study we investigated for the first time, the antioxidant activity (FRAP, DPPH and TAC), total phenolic contents and total flavonoid contents of Enarthrocarpus clavatus Delile ex Godr flowers extracts (n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol) as well as their antimicrobial activity. The results obtained showed that the methanol extract contained the highest content of total phenolics (346.7 mg GAE/g DE) and flavonoids (339.9 mg QE/g) as it exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity. Furthermore, E. clavatus flower extracts have been tested for their activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and an interesting activity was obtained with methanol extract (MICs = 31.25 µg.mL−1). The chemical composition of methanol extract was investigated using a high-performance liquid chromatographic method coupled with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS). Therefore, 28 compounds were detected among them 18 were identified as flavonoids, phenolic acids and fatty acids.