Total Phenolic Acids Research Articles

Salicylic acid inhibition on browning of fresh-cut taro by regulating phenolic compounds and active oxygen metabolism

Surface browning of fresh-cut taro limits storage shelf-life and affects customer satisfaction. This study investigated the effects of salicylic acid (SA) on the browning of fresh-cut taro and explored the possible mechanism of SA in inhibiting browning. A 10 mmol/L SA treatment effectively delayed browning, improved soluble starch content, and reduced weight loss. Furthermore, by regulating the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), SA treatment reduced the contents of total phenol, flavonoid, soluble quinone, and monomer phenolic acid, indicating that it inhibited phenol metabolism, decreased the synthesis of colored secondary metabolites, and suppressed surface browning in fresh-cut taro. On the other hand, SA treatment enhanced the activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced lipoxygenase (LOX) activity, enhanced ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) levels. It decreased malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and superoxide anion radicals (O2−·) production, indicating reduced oxidative damage. Thus, SA treatment improved the antioxidant system, reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and delayed phenolic oxidation, effectively inhibiting browning. These findings reveal SA as a feasible method for preserving fresh-cut fruits and vegetables.

Global lysine succinylation analysis unveils post-translational regulation effect on phenylpropanoid metabolism remodeling during Lonicera japonica flower development

Lonicera japonica plays a significant role in traditional Chinese medicine and as a food source, making it a focus of studies on protein succinylation and its potential role in regulating secondary metabolism during flower development. This study aimed to clarify the regulatory mechanism of protein succinylation on phenylpropanoid-related phenotypic changes by conducting a global lysine succinylation proteomic analysis across different flowering stages. A total of 586 lysine succinylated peptides in 303 proteins were identified during early and late floral stages. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that succinylated proteins primarily participated in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, amino acid metabolism, and secondary metabolism. The abundance of succinylated aspartate transaminase (AT), 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL), and phenylalanine N-hydroxylase (CYP79A2) in phenylpropanoid metabolism varied during flower development. In vitro experiments demonstrated that succinylation increased AT activity while inhibited 4CL activity. Decreased levels of total flavonoids and phenolic acids indicated significant alterations in phenylpropanoid metabolism during later floral stages. These results suggest that succinylation of TCA cycle proteins not only influences flower development but also, together with AT-4CL-CYP79A2 co-succinylation, redirects phenylpropanoid metabolism during flower development in L. japonica.

Phytochemical Analysis of Centaurea calcitrapa L. Aerial Flowering Parts Serial Solvent Extracts and Its Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities.

To evaluate the phytochemical composition, antibacterial, and antioxidant activity of successive extracts of Centaurea calcitrapa L. (C. calcitrapa) aerial flowering parts, they were assessed in vitro. Using a spectrophotometer, the sample absorbance at 517 nm was used to quantify the scavenging activity. The negative control was DPPH. In the current study, the diffusion using agar wells technique was adapted to measure antimicrobial activity. Phytochemical analysis was performed using the recommended standard procedures. The methanol extract of C. calcitrapa exhibited high levels of total phenolic acids expressed as gallic acid (GA), measured as (97.25 ± 0.73 mg GAE/g) content compared to the chloroform, acetyl acetate, and aqueous extracts (27.42 ± 0.29, 64.25 ± 0.96, and 17.25 ± 0.73 mg GAE/g), respectively. Additionally, the methanol extract had a higher total tannin (27.52 ± 0.53 mg TAE/g) content compared to the chloroform, ethyl acetate, and aqueous extracts (12.02 ± 0.55, 26.01 ± 0.81, and 7.35 ± 0.56 mg TAE/g), respectively, while the aqueous extract contains a lower percentage of flavonoids (141.10 ± 1.31 mg RTE/g) compared to the higher content achieved by the methanol extract (425.93 ± 1.27 mg RTE/g). The hydroxyl groups of the flavonoid and the phenolic compounds found in C. calcitrapa are essentially scavenging free radicals. Radical scavenging activity was highest in the methanol extract (IC50 = 2.82 μg/mL), aqueous extract (IC50 = 8.03 μg/mL), ethyl acetate extract (IC50 = 4.79 μg/mL), and chloroform extract (IC50 = 6.33 μg/mL), as compared to the standard scavenging activity (IC50 = 2.52 μg/mL). The antibacterial properties of C. calcitrapa against Gram-negative bacterial strains Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Acinetobacter baumanii, in addition to Gram-positive strains Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus, revealed inhibition zone diameter. The findings of this investigation establish that the aerial flowering parts of C. calcitrapa have substantial antibacterial action against human infections, and the plant can serve as a significant antioxidant that can be employed to prevent and treat severe degenerative diseases brought on by oxidative stress. qPCR showed that C. calcitrapa extracts elevate both SOD1 and SOD2 (cellular oxidation markers) with remarkable folds (1.8-fold for SOD1 and SOD2) with ethyl acetate plant extract against ascorbic acid as a control. This result reflects that C. calcitrapa extracts have remarkable antioxidant activity.

Evaluation on the Application of Pseudommonas fluorescens and Chitosan Against Soybean Mosaic Virus

ABSTRACT. Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) causes a decrease in soybean [Glycine max (Leguminosae) Merril] production. Activity of the Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pseudomonadaceae ) and chitosan can increase soybean plant resistance to SMV and stimulate plant growth. Therefore, The study aimed to evaluate the effect of increasing salicylic acid and total phenol contents on the biological control activity of P. fluorescens and chitosan against SMV. This study used two soybean varieties (Wilis and Anjasmoro) and three lines (GK/Mlg 3288-7-11, W/PI 200.485-7-14, and GK/PI200.485-7-2). Treatment using seed encapsulation with P. fluorescens combined with chitosan on the Wilis variety was the highest percentage of the total phenolic and salicylic acid content. In addition, Applying P. fluorescens with chitosan suppresses disease incidence on the Wilis variety and GK/Mlg 3288-7-11 line. Moreover, the ELISA absorbance value was low (0.182−0.224) and reacted negatively with no symptoms. Therefore, applying P. fluorescens combined with chitosan on the GK/Mlg 3288-7-11 line could be developed as the candidate variety for SMV control in the endemic soybean plant area. Keywords: Disease incidence, ELISA, induce systemic resistance, secondary metabolites, soybean.

Flavonoids, Phenolic Acids, and Tannin Quantities and Their Antioxidant Activity in Fermented Fireweed Leaves Grown in Different Systems.

The increasing demand for organic and biodynamically cultivated fireweeds worldwide has led to a paucity of studies on the effects of solid-phase fermentation and various growth techniques on the quantities of biologically active substances and their antioxidant activity. This experiment was carried out in 2023 at the organic farm in the Jonava district (Safarkos village, Lithuania). The aim of this work was to investigate polyphenols (flavonoids and phenolic acids) and antioxidant activity in fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub) leaves fermented for 24 and 48 h in solid-phase fermentation and natural, organic, and biodynamic cultivation. Fireweeds have high quantities of polyphenols and strong antioxidant activity. The method employed for determining antioxidant activity was spectrophotometric, for measuring polyphenols, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the relationships between the average content of total polyphenols and antioxidant activity in fermented fireweed leaves grown in different systems. This study's findings demonstrated that the leaves of fireweed cultivated organically had the greatest concentration of total flavonoids, total phenolic acids, and total polyphenols. Comparing the fermentation process effect, the amount of predominant phenolic acids-chlorogenic, p-coumaric, and ellagic acids-as well as the content of oenothein B, during the fermentation process significantly decreased, but the concentration of quercetin-3-O-glucoside after a short time of the fermentation process significantly increased. According to the obtained results, it would be possible to create various health-giving and nature-friendly products from fireweeds.

Foliar application of various biostimulants produces contrasting response on yield, essential oil and chemical properties of organically grown sage (Salvia officinalis L.).

Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) is a medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Its morphological, productive and chemical characteristics are affected by abiotic and biotic factors. The use of biostimulants seems to be one of the most interesting innovative practices due to fact they can represent a promising approach for achieving sustainable and organic agriculture. Despite a large application in horticulture, the use of biostimulants on MAPs has been poorly investigated. On this basis, a field experiment in a 2-year study was done to assess the effect of foliar treatments with different types of biostimulants (containing seaweeds, fulvic acids and protein hydrolysates) and two frequencies of application on morphological, productive, and chemical characteristics of S. officinalis grown organically in Mediterranean environment. Morphological, productive, and chemical parameters were affected by the factors. The biostimulant application generated higher plant height, chlorophyll content, relative water content, biomass yield and essential oil yield compared to control plants. In addition, more frequent application of biostimulants produced higher biomass and essential oil yield. The application of fulvic acid and protein hydrolysates every week produced the highest total fresh yields (between 3.9 and 8.7 t ha-1) and total dry yields (between 1.3 and 2.5 t ha-1). The essential oil yield almost doubled (33.9 kg ha-1) with a higher frequency of protein hydrolysates application. In this study, 44 essential oil compounds were identified, and the frequency factor significantly influenced the percentage of 38 compounds. The highest percentage of some of the most representative monoterpenes, such as 1,8-cineole, α-thujone and camphor, were observed in biostimulated plants, with average increases between 6% and 35% compared to control plants. The highest values for total phenolics, rosmarinic acid, antioxidant activity were obtained in control plants and with a lower frequency of biostimulant applications. This study emphasizes how biostimulant applications may be used to improve sage production performance and essential oil parameters when produced in agricultural organic system. At the same time, biostimulants application caused a decrease in total phenolic, antioxidant activity and rosmarinic acid values.

Growth parameters, phytochemicals, and antitumor activity of wild and cultivated ice plants (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.)

AbstractThe ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) is a halophyte that could become an alternative crop because of its interest as a functional food and its adaptation to high‐saline soils. In this work, leaves from wild ice plants were compared with their cultivated counterparts in a soilless system at different salinities and light exposures for assessing growth parameters, moisture, fatty acid profiles, total carotenoids, phenolic compounds, vitamin C, antioxidant activity, and antiproliferative activity against the HT‐29 colorectal cancer cell line. Moisture ranged between 876 and 955 g kg−1, and wild plants contained higher proportions of α‐linolenic acid (58.7%–60.7% of total fatty acids) than cultivated ones (20.4%–36.6%). Vitamin C ranged between 819 and 1143 mg kg−1 fresh leaves. Higher salinity led to a larger production of carotenoids, whereas plant mass, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity increased in plants grown using L8 NS1 and L8 AP67 lamps in comparison with white‐light ones. Phenolic profiles were assessed by LC coupled to a hybrid mass spectrometer Q‐Orbitrap. Total phenolic acid content was 3–4‐fold higher than that of flavonoids, and sinapic, p‐coumaric, gallic, 4‐hydroxybenzoic, and 2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzoic acids, as well as gallocatechin, occurred in all samples. Hydroalcoholic extracts of ice plant leaves showed dose‐ and time‐dependent antiproliferative activity against the HT‐29 human colorectal cancer cell line, and GI50 was between 920 and 977 μg mL−1 of plant extract. This work contributes to improving knowledge about the growth parameters, phytochemical profiles, and biological activities of wild and cultivated ice plants.

Development of spray‐dried oat milk powder with improved stability

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesOat milk is a plant‐based milk alternative and rich in various nutrients, however, the liquid product with a shorter shelf life limits its sales and consumption. This study is designed to develop an oat milk powder (OMP) using spray drying and improve the stability of reconstituted OMP by adding stabilizers.FindingsResults revealed that the optimal spray drying temperature was 160°C and the feed rate was 14 mL/min. The developed OMP showed higher bulk density compared to commercial soymilk powder. Furthermore, OMP maintained high contents of nutrients, including total phenol, β‐glucan, and various essential amino acids. The addition of stabilizers in OMP significantly decreased the turbidity and increased the pH stability, thermal stability, and freeze‐thaw stability of reconstituted OMP.ConclusionThe developed OMP product has abundant nutrients as well as stable physiochemical properties. Xanthan gum is the most effective stabilizer in improving the stability of reconstituted OMP across a wide range of pH and temperature.Significance and NoveltyThis study was the first to process oat milk into powder products and compare the effectiveness of different stabilizers in improving its stability. Our results suggest that OMP is a promising plant‐based beverage with stable physiochemical properties.

Maintaining postharvest quality and enhancing shelf-life of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) using brassinosteroids: A novel approach

Bell pepper is a major vegetable crop of global commercial interest, but the postharvest quality is constrained by faster deterioration and senescence. Brassinosteroids (BRs), are an emerging and novel biomolecule that delay ripening and senescence in various vegetables. Freshly harvested bell pepper fruit were immersed in an aqueous solution of BRs concentrations (0, 2, 5, 7 and 10 μM) for 20 min and subsequently stored for 20 d at 10 ± 1°C, 85–90% RH. The bell pepper treated with 10 μM BRs significantly reduced respiration rate (∼2.3 fold), delayed weight loss (∼2.2 fold), and retained higher firmness (∼2.5 fold), total phenolic (∼1.7 fold), flavonoid (∼1.7 fold), proline (∼2 fold) and ascorbic acid content (∼2 fold) over the control fruit at the end of cold storage. Also, it retained higher DPPH radical scavenging (∼1.8 fold) and antioxidant enzyme activity (∼1.5 fold) over the control at the end of cold storage. Moreover, BRs treated bell pepper exhibited reduced malondialdehyde accumulation and delayed capsaicin, and chlorophyll degradation. Remarkably, 10 μM BRs treatment prolonged the shelf-life of bell pepper up to 20 d (10 d extra over control) without compromising quality and sensory acceptability.

Effect of wall-disruption on nutrient composition and in vitro digestion of camellia and lotus bee pollens

The nutrient digestion, absorption and biological activity of bee pollen may be limited due to the complex pollen wall. Here, the effect of superfine grinding technology on the release of nutrients from bee pollen were investigated, and their antioxidant activities and in vitro digestion were explored in this study. Results showed that the content of nutrients in bee pollen increased after wall disruption. Among them, fat content increased by 22.55 %–8.31 %, protein content increased by 0.54 %–4.91 %, starch content increased by 36.31 %–48.64 %, soluble sugar content increased by 20.57 %–29.67 %, total phenolic acid content increased by 11.73 %–86.98 % and total flavonoids content increased by 14.29 %–24.79 %. At the same time, the antioxidant activity increased by 14.84 %–46.00 %. Furthermore, the active components such as phenolic compounds in the wall-disruption bee pollen were more readily to be released during the in vitro digestion, and easier to be absorbed because of their higher bioaccessibility. Antioxidant activities during in vitro digestion were also improved in wall-disruption bee pollen. These findings provide evidence that bee pollen wall disruption was suggested, thus, it is more conducive to exerting the value of bee pollen in functional foods.

Bioactive Compounds and Industrial Peeling Applications of Inner and Outer Shells of Chestnuts (Castanea spp.)

The aim of this review is to provide information concerning the types of chestnut shells (inner and outer), their compositions and bioactive compounds, as well as to mention industrial peeling applications. These shells are comprised of high-valued natural active compounds, such as polyphenols (phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, hydroxycoumarins -scopoletin, scoparone-), pigments (melanin) and minor compounds (minerals, dietary fiber, vitamin C and E, essential amino acids and fatty acids). The total phenolic acids and flavonoid content of C. sativa shell were ranged between 119.17-223.62 mg/kg db and 330 – 503 mg CE/g. It is also a good source of vitamin C with reported levels of 15.57 and 28.97 mg AA/100 mg db in water and ethanol extracts, respectively. The shells are used as food additives due to their colorant, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The shells are exposed by the peeling process applied to obtain the fruit without the shell which is mainly used. The most frequently used technique in chestnut peeling is the Brulage peeling method. However, in this technique, used peeling mechanism is insufficient to obtain both inner and outer shells separately at the same time. Moreover, further research is needed to obtain the shells individually, to analyse each shell in detail, and to increase the industrial use of shells.

Phenolic profile and evaluation of antimicrobial and anticancer activities of Calendula officinalis L. using exogenous polyamines application

Polyamines (PAs) are active natural substances with multiple amino groups that are essential for numerous physiological and developmental functions in plants. This study aimed to examine the effects of foliar spraying of PAs on profiles of phenolic compounds (PCs), antimicrobial activity against clinical pathogens, and cytotoxic activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts (AEs and MEs) of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) (CoL). Three different quantities of the chemicals putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD), and spermine (SPM) were sprayed on the plants during their four or five completely expanded leaf stages.This experiment was carried out over the course of three months, using a randomized complete design with four replications. According to evaluations of various physiochemical characteristics, the treatments significantly increased the amount of glycosylated flavonols. The study also revealed noteworthy differences in the total phenolic acid and flavonoid content. The foliar spraying with 1 mM SPD had the most significant effect compared to other PAs. Additionally, the primary flavonols, including isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (narcissin) and isorhamnetin-3-O-rhamnosylrutinoside (typhaneoside), were observed in the 1 mM SPD treatment. The antimicrobial activity (MIC µg/mL) of CoL AEs and MEs towards the six pathogen strains was significantly enhanced when exogenous application of PAs was introduced. On the other hand, the findings demonstrated that the application of PAs, particularly SPD, led to significant cytotoxic activity against five tumor cell lines in the CoL MEs and AEs. These results indicate that foliar spraying of PAs may have numerous possible uses in the pharmaceutical industry as a result of their influence on antimicrobial and anticancer capacities, as well as phenolic and flavonoid compounds.

Chronic consumption of orange juice modifies urinary excretion of flavanone gut-derived metabolites through gut microbiota modulation

The metabolism and absorption of citrus flavanones are intrinsically linked to the gut microbiota, creating a bidirectional relationship where these compounds influence the microbiome, and in turn, the microbiota affects their metabolism. This study evaluates the effect of acute and chronic consumption of orange juice (OJ) on the urinary excretion of gut-derived flavanone metabolites and the gut microbiota. Health volunteers ingested 500 mL of OJ for 60 days in a single-arm human intervention study. Blood and feces were collected at baseline and after 60 days, with an additional 24-hour urine collection after a single dose on day 1 and day 63. LC-MS/MS analyzed urinary flavanone metabolites, while 16S rRNA sequencing characterized gut microbiota. Total urinary hesperetin conjugates excretion significantly decreased over 60 days, while gut-derived total phenolic acids, particularly three hydroxybenzoic acids, increased. Moreover, the heterogeneity of the total amount of flavanone conjugates, initially categorizing individuals into high-, medium- and low- urinary excretor profiles, shifted towards medium-excretor, except for five individuals who remained as low-excretors. This alteration was accompanied by a decrease in intestinal β-glucosidase activity and a shift in the relative abundance of specific genera, such as decreases in Blautia, Eubacterium hallii, Anaerostipes, and Fusicatenibacter, among which, Blautia was associated with higher urinary flavanone conjugates excretion. Conversely, an increase in Prevotella was observed. In summary, chronic OJ consumption induced transient changes in gut microbiota and altered the metabolism of citrus flavanones, leading to distinct urinary excretion profiles of flavanone metabolites.

Impact of Thermal, Ultrasonication, and Thermosonication Processes on the Quality Profile of Watermelon-Beetroot Juice Blend: A Comparative Study

Fruit juices are popular beverages that provide various health benefits due to their rich nutritional profile, but they are prone to microbial spoilage and quality deterioration. Thermal pasteurization is the conventional method to preserve fruit juices, but it causes undesirable changes in the physicochemical and nutritional value of the juices. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative methods to ensure the microbial safety and quality of fruit juices. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of thermal (95-100°C for 4 min), ultrasonication (US) (25 kHz for 5 and 10 min), and thermosonication (TS) (25 kHz at 40 and 50°C) processes on the quality profile of watermelon-beetroot juice blend, a novel juice formulation with enhanced nutritional and functional properties with 50 : 50 formulation. The samples were analysed for physicochemical (colour, pH, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity), bioactive (phenolic, flavonoid, antioxidant, and ascorbic acid contents), and microbiological (total plate count and yeast/molds) properties. The results showed that all the processed samples retained high total phenolic (756.33-842.33 μg GAE/g), total flavonoid (435.33-512.67 μg CE/g), and ascorbic acid (45.23-50.34 mg/100 mL) contents along with a high antioxidant potential (total antioxidant capacity (274.14-305.33 μg AAE/g) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (33.05-42.18%)) while preserving the normal physicochemical characteristics and decreasing the microbial counts of all the processed blend juices. In conclusion, the US treatment (10 min) produced the juice blends with the best quality. The findings of this research suggest that thermal, US, and TS processes are promising technologies for the preservation of fruit juices and that watermelon-beetroot juice blend is a novel juice formulation with high nutritional and functional value. The results of this research might be useful to the processed fruit juice industry and the consumers who are looking for healthy and safe fruit juices.

Quinic and caffeic acids derivatives: Affecting antioxidant capacities and phenolics contents of certain therapeutic and specialty crops employing water and ethanolic extracts

Recently, there has been a growing interest in medicinal and specialty crops due to their high content of health-promoting compounds, such as quinic acid and caffeic acid derivatives. In light of this, the objective of this study was to analyze the levels of caffeic and quinic acid, specifically caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, in water and water-ethanolic extracts obtained from medicinal plants, including chocolate mint (Mentha piperita L), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), and sweet potato tops (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) using high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that the water extracts contained significantly higher amounts of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives than the ethanolic extracts. Among the plants tested, sweetpotato leaves exhibited the highest total phenolic acids content (28.60 mg CQA·g−1), followed by lemon balm (14.71 mg CQA·g−1) and chocolate mint (5.49 mg CQA·g−1) in water-ethanolic extracts. The water-ethanolic extracts from sweet potato leaves were particularly rich in caffeoylquinic acids, especially 5-CQA (10.84 ± 0.31 mg CQA·g−1) and 3-CQA (6.69 ± 0.14 mg CQA·g−1), followed by lemon balm (3.81 ± 0.14 and 1.37 ± 0.05 mg CQA·g−1). On the other hand, sweet basil had the lowest content of all compounds (0.41 and 2.29 mg CQA·g−1). Additionally, an identifiable compound, 3, 4, 5 tri-caffeoylquinic acids (2.98 ± 0.09 mg CQA·g−1), was detected only in sweetpotato leaves and not in the other herbs studied. The findings of this study highlight the significant phytochemical properties present in these medicinal plants, which could have potential therapeutic applications for various conditions.

Proximate analysis, total phenolic content, acute toxicity, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory studies of Vigna unguiculata and Citrus limon using Wister rat models

Herbal medicines have been in use for thousands of years. It is estimated that 80% of world population rely on traditional herbal medicine for prophylaxis and therapy of different ailments. In recent years, there has been an upsurge in the use of these herbal remedies due to their cultural acceptability, availability, affordability, efficacy and safety claims. This study carried out the proximate analysis, total phenolic and Citric acid contents, acute toxicity, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory studies of Vigna unguiculata and Citrus limon using Wister rat models. Wister rats (135 – 140 g) were used for this study. Vigna unguiculata was extracted using ethanol for 72 hours. Proximate analysis, Citric acid content of Citrus limon, total phenolic content, acute toxicities, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory studies were done. The yield of the extract was 1.9%. The LD50 was greater than 5,000 mg/kg body weight. The Citric acid content of Citrus limon was 54.2 + 0.003 mg/ml. The proximate analysis showed the presence of protein, fat, carbohydrate, dietary fibre, moisture, and iron while total phenolic contents of Vigna unguiculata and Citrus limon were 15.3 and 19.3 mgGAE/L respectively. The combination of Vigna unguiculata and Citrus limon exhibited greatest anti-oxidation effect and recorded malondialdehyde concentration of 3.66 ± 0.34 nmol/ml as compared to the individual herbs that recorded 6.14 ± 0.38 and 4.28 ± 0.12 nmol/ml respectively. In anti-inflammatory assay, Vigna unguiculata had the best percentage inhibition of heat induced hemolysis of 62.79%. In conclusion, Vigna unguiculata and Citrus limon had synergistic antioxidant and antagonistic anti-inflammatory activities.

Old Apple Cultivars as a Natural Source of Phenolics and Triterpenoids with Cytoprotective Activity on Caco-2 and HepG2 Cells.

Apples are among the most consumed fruits worldwide. They serve as an excellent source of compounds that have a positive impact on human health. While new varieties of apples are being developed, numerous varieties have been forgotten. In this article, we present the results of research on 30 old apple cultivars, focusing on both qualitative and quantitative determination of antioxidant properties, and content of total phenolics, phenolic acids, triterpenoids and polyphenols. Our analyses show significant differences in the total content of each group of compounds between apple cultivars, as well as the phytochemical profile. The richest source of antioxidants was revealed to be 'Reneta Blenheimska' and 'Książę Albrecht Pruski' varieties, but the highest amount of phenolics had 'James Grieve' and 'Kantówka Gdańska' (KG). Among studied apples KG, 'Krótkonóżka Królewska' and 'Grochówka' (G) were the richest source of phenolic acids and polyphenols, whereas G, 'James Grieve' and 'Krótkonóżka Królewska' had the highest level of triterpenoids. Based on these findings, we selected two cultivars, G and KG, for further in vitro cell line-based studies. Based on biological activity analyses, we demonstrated not only antioxidant potential but also proapoptotic and cytoprotective properties within human-originated Caco-2 and HepG2 cell lines. In the era of a dynamically growing number of lifestyle diseases, it is particularly important to draw the attention of producers and consumers to the need to choose fruit varieties with the highest possible content of health-promoting compounds and, therefore, with the strongest health-promoting properties.

Extraction, Isolation and Neuropharmacological Potential of Phyllanthus acidus L.

Because of their broad availability, low cost, low danger, and few side effects, medicinal herbs are vital in traditional medication all over the world. Traditional therapeutic herb Phyllanthus acidus L. is well-known for its calming possessions on the nervous system. Its roots are known for their activity against bacteria, inflammation, immunity stimulation, and erogenous properties, which contribute to potential health benefits. This study investigates the neuropharmacological effects of P. acidus L. in enhancing memory, targeting cognitive disorders and learning deficits. Analysis of the ethanolic extract’s phytochemistry of P. acidus L. revealed a rich composition of phytoconstituents. UV analysis and thin layer chromatography (TLC) bioassay demonstrated significant acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition by the extract. TLC and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analyses of the extract indicated distinct and well-separated spots, suggesting the presence of active compounds. Additionally, the extract was assessed for its total phenolic, flavonoid, and ascorbic acid content, revealing antioxidant properties through ex-vivo lipid peroxidation assays. The study concludes that the ethanolic extract of P. acidus L. exhibits memory-enhancing, antidepressant, and neuroprotective effects attributed to its AChE inhibition, modulation of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, and antioxidant activity. This suggests its potential utility in Alzheimer’s dementia treatment, though further research is necessary to elucidate pharmacology with mechanisms of action and applications

Preparation of Compound Salvia miltiorrhiza-Blumea balsamifera Nanoemulsion Gel and Its Effect on Hypertrophic Scars in the Rabbit Ear Model.

Hypertrophic scars (HS) still remain an urgent challenge in the medical community. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in the treatment of HS. However, due to the natural barrier of the skin, it is difficult for the natural active components of TCM to more effectively penetrate the skin and exert therapeutic effects. Therefore, the development of an efficient drug delivery system to facilitate enhanced transdermal absorption of TCM becomes imperative for its clinical application. In this study, we designed a compound Salvia miltiorrhiza-Blumea balsamifera nanoemulsion gel (CSB-NEG) and investigated its therapeutic effects on rabbit HS models. The prescription of CSB-NEG was optimized by single-factor, pseudoternary phase diagram, and central composite design experiments. The results showed that the average particle size and PDI of the optimized CSB-NE were 46.0 ± 0.2 nm and 0.222 ± 0.004, respectively, and the encapsulation efficiency of total phenolic acid was 93.37 ± 2.56%. CSB-NEG demonstrated excellent stability and skin permeation in vitro and displayed a significantly enhanced ability to inhibit scar formation compared to the CSB physical mixture in vivo. After 3 weeks of CSB-NEG treatment, the scar appeared to be flat, pink, and flexible. Furthermore, this treatment also resulted in a decrease in the levels of the collagen I/III ratio and TGF-β1 and Smad2 proteins while simultaneously promoting the growth and remodeling of microvessels. These findings suggest that CSB-NEG has the potential to effectively address the barrier properties of the skin and provide therapeutic benefits for HS, offering a new perspective for the prevention and treatment of HS.

Polyphenol consumption and Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease risk in adults

In this cross-sectional investigation, the primary objective was to explore the correlation between the consumption of polyphenols and the likelihood of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the adult population participating in the Hoveyzeh cohort. Data from the Hoveyzeh cohort study, part of the Persian Cohort Study, involving 10,009 adults aged 35–70, were analyzed. Exclusions were made for missing data, extreme energy intake, and liver cancer patients. Dietary habits were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, and polyphenol intake was calculated using the Phenol Explorer database. Logistic regression analyses, adjusted for confounders, were performed to assess the relationship between polyphenol subclasses (total polyphenols, total flavonoids, phenolic acid, and lignin) and NAFLD. Among 9894 participants, those in the highest quintile of total polyphenol (OR 0.65, CI 0.5–0.84; P = 0.007), phenolic acid (OR 0.67, CI 0.52–0.86; P < 0.001), and lignin intake (OR 0.69, CI 0.52–0.87; P = 0.001) demonstrated lower odds of NAFLD compared to the lowest quintile, even after adjusting for confounding factors. However, no significant association was found between total flavonoid intake and NAFLD (OR 1.26, CI 0.96–1.67; P = 0.47). Subgroup analysis indicated a significant inverse association between total polyphenols and NAFLD in women (OR 0.64, CI 0.42–0.93; P = 0.001). Higher intake of total polyphenols, phenolic acid, and lignin was associated with reduced odds of NAFLD among adults in the Hoveyzeh cohort. This suggests that dietary patterns rich in these polyphenols may play a role in mitigating the risk of NAFLD. Further interventional and longitudinal studies are needed to validate these findings and explore potential preventive strategies involving polyphenol-rich diets.