Water Infusion Research Articles

Rapid Assessment of Extractability of Macronutrients from Yerba Mate (Illex paraguariensis) Leaves Based on Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Leaves of yerba mate plant (Ilex paraguariensis) have a wealth of nutrients, ingested by people who drink them in the hot water infusion popularly known as mate. In the present work, the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique was applied for the first time to analysis of the extractability of macronutrients, including Mg, Ca, Na, and K, in commercial samples of yerba mate. Powdered samples from leaves’ material were used to simulate the infusion process in the laboratory. To carry out LIBS analysis, the emission spectra were measured before and after the infusion from the samples prepared in pellets. The spectral data were processed and analyzed by a specially designed algorithm. A coefficient of extractability was calculated for each of the investigated macronutrients in the range 34–76%, showing a good correlation with the corresponding elemental concentrations leached into the water infusion, determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The obtained results demonstrated the feasibility of our approach for the rapid analysis of extractable macronutrients present in yerba mate leaves.

Bilayer fiber membrane electrospun from polylactic acid/alginate/bromelain and polylactic acid for enhancing the functionality of tea bags

Tea bags have been extensively used in the food industry and daily life as an efficient way to pack tea. However, the large pores of the commercial tea bags not only lead to the inner contents of tea bag susceptible to bacteria and moisture but also result in the faster water infusion which is undesired during tea brewing. In this study, the polylactic acid (PLA)-PLA/sodium alginate (SA)/bromelain (BL) bilayer fiber membrane imitating the asymmetric wetting structure of lotus leaf blades was fabricated to avoid the above disadvantages of commercial tea bag. The PLA/SA/BL skin-core nanofiber membrane which imitating the skin-core structure of lotus leaf stems was first prepared as the hydrophilic and support layer, then a hydrophobic PLA layer was deposited on top via electrospinning. The PLA-PLA/SA/BL bilayer fiber membrane had a breaking strength of 5.5 MPa and started to decompose at 260 °C. Using this bilayer membrane, tea bags were designed with a novel structure where the hydrophobic PLA layer was placed in the same direction. The novel structure endow the those tea bags a slow and directional water transfer property. Therefore, the PLA-PLA/SA/BL bilayer fiber membrane has great potential for applications as tea bags.

The Identification of Polyphenolic Compounds and the Determination of Antioxidant Activity in Extracts and Infusions of Peppermint, Lemon Balm and Lavender

Bioactive compounds are molecules that may have therapeutic potential with influence on oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory state and metabolic disorders. Herbs are recognized as a significant source of natural antioxidants. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant properties of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.). Fresh plant materials were harvested and obtained from the Experimental Station of Agriculture University in Kraków, Poland. Proximate analysis (protein, fat, ash and dry matter) was performed on herbs. Total polyphenol content and polyphenol profile antioxidant activity (ABTS and FRAP methods) were measured in an extract prepared with deionized distilled hot water (infusion), 70% methanol or 70% methanol acidified with formic acid. It was found that the water extract of peppermint had the highest polyphenol content and antioxidant activity measured by the FRAP method. The highest antioxidant activity measured with the ABTS method was in methanolic lemon balm extract. The highest amount of total phenolic compound was determined in the water extract of peppermint. The water and acidified methanol extract of peppermint contained a higher amount of naringin, rutin, hesperidin and rosmarinic acid. Evaluated plants can be used as natural antioxidants instead of synthetic antioxidants in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Levodopa attenuates the feed intake reduction caused by ergot alkaloids in cattle.

Consumption of ergot alkaloids from endophyte-infected tall fescue results in losses to the livestock industry in many countries and a means to mitigate these losses is needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate intra-abomasal infusion of the dopamine precursor, levodopa (L-DOPA), on dopamine metabolism, feed intake, and serum metabolites of steers exposed to ergot alkaloids. Twelve Holstein steers (344.9 ± 9.48kg) fitted with ruminal cannula were housed with a cycle of heat challenge during the daytime (32 °C) and thermoneutral at night (25 °C). The steers received a basal diet of alfalfa cubes containing equal amounts of tall fescue seed composed of a mixture of endophyte-free (E-) or endophyte-infected tall fescue seeds (E+) equivalent to 15 µg ergovaline/kg body weight (BW) for 9d followed by intra-abomasal infusion of water (L-DOPA-) or levodopa (L-DOPA+; 2mg/kg BW) for an additional 9d. Afterward, the steers were pair-fed for 5d to conduct a glucose tolerance test. The E+ treatment decreased (P = 0.005) prolactin by approximately 50%. However, prolactin increased (P = 0.050) with L-DOPA+. Steers receiving E+ decreased (P < 0.001) dry matter intake (DMI); however, when supplemented with L-DOPA+ the decrease in DMI was less severe (L-DOPA × E, P = 0.003). Also, L-DOPA+ infusion increased eating duration (L-DOPA × E, P = 0.012) when steers were receiving E+. The number of meals, meal duration, and intake rate were not affected (P > 0.05) by E+ or L-DOPA+. The L-DOPA+ infusion increased (P < 0.05) free L-DOPA, free dopamine, total L-DOPA, and total dopamine. Conversely, free epinephrine and free norepinephrine decreased (P < 0.05) with L-DOPA+. Total epinephrine and total norepinephrine were not affected (P > 0.05) by L-DOPA+. Ergot alkaloids did not affect (P > 0.05) circulating free or total L-DOPA, dopamine, or epinephrine. However, free and total norepinephrine decreased (P = 0.046) with E+. Glucose clearance rates at 15 to 30min after glucose infusion increased with L-DOPA+ (P < 0.001), but not with E+ (P = 0.280). Administration of L-DOPA as an agonist therapy to treat fescue toxicosis provided a moderate increase in DMI and eating time and increased plasma glucose clearance for cattle dosed with E+ seed.

Quantitative assessment of dysphagia in myasthenia gravis.

Objective Dysphagia is a common and disabling symptom in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Moreover, it is caused by muscle weakness or fatigability in the pharynx, swallowing, and respiration discoordination. The current study aimed to establish a novel method for evaluating swallowing difficulty in patients with MG. Methods The ventilation patterns and submental surface electromyography (sEMG) activity of the swallowing reflex were simultaneously recorded for 10 min during the continuous infusion of distilled water (150 mL/h) into the pharynx in 10 patients with MG and 22 healthy controls. Moreover, we assessed excessive expiratory flows, clusters of excessive expiratory flows, high-inspiratory flows, and prolonged EMG patterns. Results Patients with MG who presented with dysphagia had abnormal excessive expiratory flows, clusters of excessive expiratory flows, high inspiratory flows, and prolonged EMG patterns compared to healthy controls (all p <0.05). Among these parameters, the incidence of an excessive expiratory flow, cluster of excessive expiratory flows, and prolonged EMG pattern significantly improved after treatment (p <0.05). Conclusion Based on this study, the respiratory patterns and submental sEMG are likely to reflect the severity of pharyngeal muscle weakness/fatigability and thus can be used as a quantitative parameter for dysphagia in patients with MG.

The effect of ascorbic acid and lemon juice on the extraction of metals from green tea, health risk assessment

The total heavy metal concentration (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) in green tea leaves and metals leached into tea infusions of pure water with the addition of ascorbic acid and lemon juice at various temperatures (70, 80, and 100 °C) and steeping times (3, 5, and 7 min), were determined. Metal concentrations were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry and the flame technique (FAAS). Mean total concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn were < LOD, <LOD, 0.198, 4.527, 67.51, 333.7, 2.588, <LOD, 10.23 μg/g, respectively. The highest percentage of extraction in different solutions was in the case of Mn (up to 100%). The risk for adults through consumption of tea was mainly contributed by Mn, and non-carcinogenic hazard quotient (HQ) was slightly higher than 1 when infusions were heated to 100 °C. High percentages of Ni were extracted in pure water compared to water with addition, regardless of tea steeping time, followed by Cu in pure water and water with lemon juice. Fe was poorly extracted in all applied solutions; the highest percentage of extraction (17.21%) was determined in lemon juice solutions of at 100 °C during a steeping time of 7 min.

Experimental Study on Coal and Gas Outburst Risk under Different Water Content Rates in Strong Outburst Coal Seams.

To investigate the alleviation potency of coal seam water infusion on coal and gas outburst, this paper focuses on the Qidong coal mine outburst coal seam, where outburst accidents have occurred many times, and obtains the impact of water content on outburst prediction parameters by studying the features of outburst parameters and gas desorption law under different water content rates. How water content affects outburst was also researched through the use of a self-made outburst simulation test system, and the relationship between water content and outburst intensity and critical gas pressure was studied. It can be concluded that with the rise of water content, the initial velocity of gas diffusion, the gas desorption index of drilling cuttings, and the adsorption constant a decrease, but the firmness coefficient (f) increase, and these indicators are exponentially related to the water content. Meanwhile, as the water content raises, the outburst pressure threshold increases, the outburst intensity gradually decreases, and the less likely outburst occurs. Under 0.5 MPa pressure, as the water content arose from 2.02 to 5.14%, the outburst intensity was significantly weakened, while no outburst occurred as the water content reached to 10.25%. Fitting analysis of the influence curve of outburst parameters and comparing the vital values of outburst prediction indexes finally determined that the water content rate of 5.14% could be used as a key index for water injection measures for coal and gas outburst prevention coal seam in Qidong coal mine no. 9. This research offers a guiding significance for the outburst prevention measures of water infusion in outburst coal seams and gives a feasible scheme for the safe mining of outburst coal mines.

INFLUENCE GIVING INFUSION OF LEMON WATER (Citrus limon) AND CUCUMBER (Cucumissativus L) ON SUFFERER HYPERTENSION IN REGION WORK PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER PUUWATU CITY KENDARI

Hypertension is one of the silent killer diseases that causes the iceberg phenomenon. The prevalence of hypertension increases with age. If this pathological condition does not get treatment quickly and early, it will exacerbate the risk. Based on the results of Riskesdas (2018) in Indonesia the prevalence of hypertension was 31.7%. The prevalence of Hypertension for Southeast Sulawesi Province based on the results of Riskesdas in 2007 was 31.7%, Riskesdas in 2013 decreased to 25% and in Riskesdas in 2018 it rose to 31%. Data on the health profile of Puuwatu Public Health Center, Kendari City, hypertension in adults (20-44 years) in the last 3 years showed that in 2014 there were 284 cases, in 2015 there were 222 cases, in 2016 increased to 419 cases and in 2017 to 498 cases. Infused water is water that is mixed with fruit and then allowed to stand for a few hours until the juices come out . To determine the effect of Infusion of Fruit and Vegetable Water (cucumber and lemon) on Hypertension Patients in the Work Area of Puuwatu Health Center, Kendari City. This type of research is Quasi experimental using a two group pre-post test design with control with a survey approach. This research was conducted on November 5, 2020 to January 29, 2021. The design of this study was to provide Infused Water of fruits and vegetables (cucumber and lemon) to hypertension patients who were previously checked for blood pressure and then given an intervention in the form of giving Infused Water of fruits and vegetables (cucumber 100 g) and 50 grams of lemon plus 250 ml of mineral water) 1 time a day for 8 consecutive days. Blood pressure was checked 4 times after giving Infused Water fruit and vegetable. The sample is all adults who suffer from hypertension totaling 64 people. The sampling technique Purposive sampling. Blood pressure before and after the intervention by giving Cucumber and Lemon Infused Water for 8 days and measuring blood pressure 4 times (every 2 days) that the mean systolic blood pressure before and after the intervention for the case group was 144.4575 mgHg and the control group was 152.155 mgHg and diastolic blood pressure before and after the intervention, the mean for the case group was 90.9375 mgHg and the control group was 96.335 mgHg. The results of independent t-test in cases and controls systolic blood pressure p value = 0.339 ( 0.05) while diastolic p value = 0.374 ( 0.05), that there is no significant difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the two sample groups .then averaged were . the diastolic variable obtained p value = 0.17 (0.05) so it can be said that for systolic and diastolic blood pressure there is an effect.

Hot water infusion technique to prepare antioxidant-rich beverage with pomegranate peel: Formulation, nutritional study and cost analysis

This study aimed to utilize the pomegranate by-product for the formulation of antioxidant-rich beverage by the hot water infusion technique. The beverage was prepared with twelve variations of pomegranate peel powder at three different levels i.e. 2, 3 and 4 g along with combinations of three different spices (cardamom, ginger and cinnamon). Organoleptic properties of all the infusion formulations were examined, and it was noticed that the acceptable rate with no significant difference were there amongst the three levels of the pomegranate peel powder. Whereas, significant (p ≤ 0.05) difference in the acceptability of infusions with different spice powders was observed. However, cardamom spiced infusion was most liked by the panellist followed by ginger and cinnamon. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of the beverage was compared with four commercial brands of green teas. Peel infusion's DPPH● and FRAP values were found to be greater than those of the green tea brands by 18 % and 11 %, respectively. Cost estimation for the most accepted flavour, was also done.

Modelling the pesticide transfer during tea and herbal tea infusions by the identification of critical infusion parameters.

Pesticide residues in tea and herbal tea often exceed EU maximum residue limits. Consideration of the transfer of pesticides from the leaves (called transfer factors) to the brew is essential to assess the associated risk. This study identified infusion parameters influencing the transfer behaviour of 61 pesticides and elaborated a predictive model for pesticides with unknown transfer factors in black, green, herbal and flavoured teas. Tea type and the presence of flavours were the criteria that most influenced the pesticide transfer. Interestingly, infusion parameters that are individual and area dependent such as infusion time, temperature and water hardness, did not play a significant role. Beta regression models developed to characterise pesticide behaviour during infusion showed good predictions for most pesticides and revealed that log (P) was the main physico-chemical parameter to estimate the pesticide transfer. The transfer factors database and validated models are valuable tools for improving risk assessment.

Comparison of activity test of ethanol extract and palm root infusion (Arenga pinnata) as an aphrodisiac

The palm tree (Arenga pinnata) contains secondary metabolites such as saponins, phenols, triterpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids that can be used as medicine, particularly as an aphrodisiac. Aphrodisiacs are natural substances, medications, or herbal supplements that have the potential to increase sexual arousal. The use of herbal aphrodisiac drugs has been increasing year by year in Indonesia. This study aims to determine the aphrodisiac activity of palm root water extract (Arenga pinnata) in test animals (Web Wiester mice). The preparation of the extract begins with the processing of palm roots, which are then made into an infusion of palm root water (Arenga pinnata). The method of making the palm extract uses infusion and maceration techniques. The aphrodisiac potential test was conducted in vivo using 32 Web Wiester mice, which were divided into 5 groups; the dosage was determined by dividing the mice into five groups (positive control, negative control, 0.5 ml infusion, 1 ml infusion, and extract). The characterization of aphrodisiac properties in the extract included testing the libido of mice (Mus musculus). The results showed that the extract test group with a dose of 250 Mg/KgBW had the highest mating retention among the other test groups.

Synecology of Lagoecia cuminoides L. in Italy and evaluation of functional compounds presence in its water or hydroalcoholic extracts

Lagoecia cuminoides L. is a very rare and threatened taxon in Italy, never studied before for its ecology and potential use for human consumption. Furthermore, few data are available on the biological activities of its metabolites. A phytosociological study was carried out in the only two Italian sites, and its state of conservation was also evaluated according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) protocol. The collected plant material was used to make two types of extracts: hot water infusion to evaluate the use of this plant as tea and hydroalcoholic extraction to evaluate the use of it in herbal liqueur preparation. The presence of functional compounds in the extracts were investigated by gas and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry techniques. Ten non volatiles compounds were identified in the extracts, most of which derivatives of quercetin. Thirty-five volatiles compounds were also identified in the plant aerial part and extracts belonging to the chemical class of terpenoids, and among them β-farnesene, thymol, γ-terpinene and p-cymene were the most abundant. The species is characterized by compounds known for their health effects and for its potential applications for human consumption, being this species already used as decoction in some countries of Middle East. Thanks to its characteristic behaviour to grow in limiting pedoclimatic conditions this species can be potentially used in organic farms situated in rural marginal areas.

Empowering Cihideung Village Farmers in Using Rose Flowers as Pharmaceutical Raw Materials

Roses (Rosa Damascene Mill) are the most prominent crops of the Cihideung Village community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, flower farmers needed help with marketing, so many of the roses were unused. These empowerment activities aim to increase the public's knowledge and capacity to use roses as a pharmaceutical. The activities are carried out offline in the form of workshops. The raw materials are fresh rose flowers, tools, ingredients for making rose water infusions, soap, and oil. Analysis of outcome was assessed using questionnaires before and after the workshop as well as observation of the enthusiasm of participants during the activity. The results showed an improvement in the knowledge and skills of the public regarding the use of roses. The community also provided guides for the improvement of their capacity independently and access to the technical video through YouTube. Activity publications are delivered in digital media as a promotion. The full support of the provincial government and local villages will strengthen the synergy and sustainability of these activities, and hopefully, in the future, this knowledge can improve and become an independent enterprise of the community of Cihideung Villages.

Dynamic mechanical mechanism and optimization approach of roadway surrounding coal water infusion for dynamic disaster prevention

Roadway surrounding coal water infusion is a most significant technical means for the dynamic disasters prevention. To evaluate its efficiency in dynamic mechanical environment, the damage distribution and mechanical parameters were analyzed before and after water infusion. And the relationship among damage distribution, dynamic mechanical parameters, and stress wave propagation were established. With the medium of the wave impedance, the stress wave transmission process was characterized, and the dynamic stability criterion was established from the perspectives of energy and stress, respectively. On this basis, the optimization approaches were further proposed and validated in practice. The results demonstrate that water infusion can effectively enlarge the wave impedance difference among each adjacent circumferential coal segment and damage range in the surrounding coal. It will enhances the stress wave attenuation, thereby protecting the roadway from dynamic failure. To better play its role, the optimization approaches should focus on increasing the damage degree and range of the microscopic fracture zone in surrounding coal. These findings provide valuable insights into the design and implementation of surrounding coal water infusion for dynamic disasters prevention.

Enhancing the Efficiency of Bi-Facial Photovoltaic Panels: An Integration Approach

This work presents a novel approach to increasing the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) panels by integrating them with a cooling tower (CT). An infusion of water cools the hot, dry ambient air at the top of the CT. Due to gravity, the cooled air drops toward the base of the CT, where it interacts with a turbine placed at the bottom of the CT to produce electricity. The air then exits the CT base, creating a cooled air jet stream. The PV panels were placed at the base of the CT, right at the stream’s exit. As the cooled air passes underneath the PV panels, it exchanges energy with the PV, reducing the panels’ temperature. The results showed that the maximum annual efficiency improvement (6.831%) was observed using two rows of PV panels. The efficiency declined incrementally from 6.831% to 4.652% when the number of rows of PV panels was increased from two to twelve. The results also showed a significant improvement in the temperature of the PV panels. The best results were obtained at noon (maximum ambient temperature), where the solar panel temperature was lowered to 25 °C from 55 °C. Furthermore, the annual electrical energy generated with two rows of panels was 39,207.4 kWh without the CT, compared to 41,768.2 kWh with the CT. In addition, the results showed that with a 10 m diameter and 200 m height CT, the maximum number of PV rows that can be effectively cooled is 24. Future work will investigate integrating additional techniques to improve the system’s efficiency further.

EFFECT OF Vernonia Amygdalina LEAF MEAL EXTRACT IN DRINKING WATER ON POST-WEANING DIARRHEA OCCURRENCE IN PIGLETS

This study was aimed at determining the effect of Vernonia amygdalina leaf meal (VALM) extract in drinking water on the faecal microbial load on post-weaning diarrhea occurrence in piglets using different agar. Forty-five piglets of Large white X Duroc breed were given Vernonia amygdalina (VA) through water infusion. Three levels of 0.0g, 1.2g, and 2.4g of VA per 1000ml of clean drinking water designated as T1, T2, and T3 were used. Nine piglets weaned at different ages of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th week of age were randomly allotted to three treatments with each treatment replicated three times with a piglet per replicate in a completely randomized design. The different agar used are Macconkey Agar, Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) Agar, and Nutrient Agar. These agars were used for 4days each to determine the faecal microbial load. The experiment lasted 28 days. Results showed that the bitter leaf contain high Alkaloids, medium Tannins, Saponins Flavonoids, and low amounts of Terpenoids and Phenols while Cardiac Glycosides were not determined. Bitter leaf showed the power of antibacterial activity for the reduction of faecal microbial load. Bitter leaf as a feed additive in the drinking water of piglets caused a significant (P&lt;0.05) reduction in the faecal microbial load for piglets given 1.2g and 2.4g of VA per 1000ml of drinking water. It can be concluded that bitter leaf extract in drinking water can be used as phyto-additive for piglets to reduce faecal microbial load.&#x0D;

Antifungal activity of Punica granatum linn extracts against Malassezia pachydermatis

Malassezia pachydermatis causes external otitis, often affecting dogs, and control methods for this microorganism have been resistant to synthetic antifungals. Therefore, this study evaluated the antifungal activity of aqueous extracts of Punica granatum Linn (AEP) fruit peel dehydrated (AEPd) and in natura (AEPn) against Malassezia pachydermatis. The M. pachydermatis samples were from the Microbiology Laboratory of the State University of Northern Paraná (UENP), PR, Brazil. The strains were identified and replicated after inoculation in the Sabouraud dextrose medium. Subsequently, the P. granatum extract was obtained through different extraction methods: cold, water bath, decoction, and infusion. Each test was run fivefold at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% after 10, 20, and 30 minutes. The sensitivity of isolates was determined with the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and indicated by an inhibition zone larger than 15 mm. The results were evaluated with a 2x3x6 factorial study design, ANOVA, and Tukey's test at 5% significance. AEPn showed antifungal activity on M. pachydermatis strains, and AEPd did not present an inhibitory influence at any concentration and time. Extraction by decoction was the most efficient, followed by water bath, cold, and infusion. The extracts at a 50% concentration showed the best results, but all other doses determined an inhibition zone larger than 15 mm. Thus, AEP showed a significant therapeutic potential for controlling M. pachydermatis.

The content of polyphenolic compounds in buckwheat grass depending on agrotechnical and abiotic factors and the assessment of the possibility of its use in food technologies

Relevance. Buckwheat is a source of many biologically active substances. Especially there are a lot of them in leaves and inflorescences from which it is possible to get tea beverages for specialized and functional nutrition. These plant parts are rich in polyphenolic compounds (PC), the main one being rutin. Their content in the plant depends on many factors.The aim of this study is to estimate the effect of sowing dates, ultraviolet (UV) radiation and temperature on PC accumulation in buckwheat plants.Methods. Buckwheat seeds were sown four times in June-July. The PC content of buckwheat water-ethanol extracts and water infusions was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu, method antioxidant activity — by DPPH radical scavenging method.Results. The sowing dates influence the PC content. At the earlier sowing dates of seeds the accumulation of PC in the extracts was higher (8.42–9.33%) in comparison with the later ones (6.10%). The PC content in the infusions varied from 2.10 to 2.83%. There are indications of a direct relationship between the accumulation of PC and the level of UV radiation during the growing season requiring further verification. A significant effect of temperature was not revealed. The AOA of all samples was high. The content of PC in aqueous infusions allows us to recommend buckwheat grass as a raw material for tea beverages.

The cardioprotective effect of S. africana caerulea/Blue Sage in ischaemia and reperfusion induced oxidative stress.

Background: Since antiquity, alternative herbal remedies, such as S. africana caerulea/Blue Sage (BLS) water infusion extract (WIE) has been used by traditional healers, for the effective treatment of various chronic inflammatory disorders associated with reduced cellular antioxidant defense mechanisms and free radical cellular damage. In the heart, ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) induced oxidative stress becomes an early crucial event in the pathogenesis of ischaemia-reperfusion injury (I/RI) and subsequent heart failure. Purpose/Aim: To investigate whether BLS WIE treatment during ischaemia and/or reperfusion may be cardioprotective. Study design: Isolated perfused rat hearts were exposed to 35min regional ischaemia (RI) and 60min reperfusion. The BLS WIE was applied: i) for the last 10min of RI (PerT) or ii) from onset of reperfusion (PostT) or iii) both (PerT) + (PostT). Methods: Endpoints were functional recovery and infarct size (IS). In another set of experiments, left ventricles were freeze-clamped after RI and 10min reperfusion for detection of total and phosphorylated p-ERK p44/p42, p-Akt, p-p38-MAPK, p-JNK, Nrf-2, NF-kB, Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and PGC-1α by Western blot analysis. Results: BLS (PostT) significantly increased ERK p44, p-Akt, Nrf-2, and Bcl-2 levels; significantly decreased p-p38-MAPK as well as p-JNK p46 phosphorylation; did not affect Bax levels and significantly decreased Bax/Bcl-2 ratios. This was associated with significantly reduced Caspase-3 levels and increased PGC-1α phosphorylation, particlarly when BLS WIE was administered as PostT. Conclusion: The administration of polyphenol-rich BLS WIE at different stages of ischaemia and/or reperfusion, activate/inhibit several signaling events simultaneously and mediate cardioprotection in a multitarget manner.

Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. on the Metabolism of Arachidonic Acid in the Isolated Kidney of a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome.

The renal system is engaged in metabolic syndrome (MS) and metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) participate in renal homeostasis and disruption of functionality. Hibiscus sabdariffa L (HSL) is used as a diuretic and could improve renal function. The aim of this study was to assess if treatment with HSL at 2% improves renal function in MS through the metabolites of AA. A total of 24 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Group 1, control (C); Group 2, MS with 30% sucrose in drinking water, Group 3, MS plus HSL infusion at 2% (MS+HSL); and Group 4, C+HSL. We evaluated the perfusion pressure changes (∆-PP), the activities of cyclooxygenases (COXs), the percentage of AA, the expressions of PLA2, COX2, COX1, 5-LOX, TAXS and CYP450, and the concentrations of prostaglandins in the kidney from rats with MS. There was a decrease in the ∆-PP, in the activities of COXs, and the expressions of COX2 and CYP450 (p ≤ 0.03, respectively)as well asPGE2, TxB2, and LKB4 (p ≤ 0.01, respectively). However, the percentage of AA and expressions of PLA2 and PGE1 (p = 0.01, respectively) were increased in C and MS+HSL. The HSL treatment improved the function and anatomical structure of the kidneys in the MS rats, through antioxidant molecules, and inhibited the pathways that metabolize the AA including that of PLA2, COX2, 5-LOX, TAXS, and CYP450 while favoring the COX1 pathway. This improves the vascular resistance of renal arterioles.