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Heliyon Jun 2024Cocoa pod husk (CPH) is a major residue of cocoa processing industry, while medicinal plant is used for treatment of malaria and diabetes mellitus in folk medicine....
Cocoa pod husk (CPH) is a major residue of cocoa processing industry, while medicinal plant is used for treatment of malaria and diabetes mellitus in folk medicine. This study aimed to produce microencapsulated powders from saponin-enriched CPH and extracts and assess their physicochemical, phytochemical, antioxidant, and α-glucosidase inhibition properties. The findings show that the microencapsulated powders were achieved diserable physicochemical properties (moisture of 3.22-4.76 %, water activity of 0.43-0.46, water solubility index of 74.18-88.77 %, particle size of 254.2-719.7 nm, and zeta potential from -6.97 to -15.1 mV). The phytochemical content of microencapsulated CPH powders gained at high levels (total saponin content of 151.87-193.46 mg EE/g DS, total flavonoid content of 33.80-46.05 mg CE/g DS), total alkaloid content of 15.20-24.23 mg AA/g DS, and total phenolic content of 5.41-6.49 mg GAE/g DS). The antioxidant potential of microencapsulated CPH powders using ARSC and FRAP assays was 15.51-18.20 and 9.61-11.89 mg TE/g DS, respectively, while their α-glucosidase inhibition capacity at 100 μg/mL was found at 51.74-52.16 %. The phytochemical content (except total alkaloid content), antioxidant, and α-glucosidase inhibitory potential of microencapsulated CPH powders were smaller than those of microencapsulated and combined powders. This study reveals that the microencapsulated CPH and powders were prospective in reducing hyperglycemia activity. Therefore, this study provided an evidence for further application of CPH and plant for functional food development.
PubMed: 38912482
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32703 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of microencapsulated bioactive compounds from lemongrass mixed dragon fruit peel pellet (MiEn-LEDRAGON)...
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of microencapsulated bioactive compounds from lemongrass mixed dragon fruit peel pellet (MiEn-LEDRAGON) supplementation on fermentation characteristics, nutrient degradability, methane production, and the microbial diversity using in vitro gas production technique. The study was carried out using a completely randomized design (CRD) with five levels of MiEn-LEDRAGON supplementation at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4% of the total dry matter (DM) substrate. Supplementation of MiEn-LEDRAGON in the diet at levels of 3 or 4% DM resulted in increased (p < 0.05) cumulative gas production at 96 hours (h) of incubation time, reaching up to 84.842 ml/ 0.5 g DM. Furthermore, supplementation with 3% MiEn-LEDRAGON resulted in higher in vitro nutrient degradability and ammonia-nitrogen concentration at 24 h of the incubation time when compared to the control group (without supplementation) by 5.401% and 11.268%, respectively (p < 0.05). Additionally, supplementation with MiEn-LEDRAGON in the diet led to an increase in the population of Fibrobacter succinogenes at 24 h and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens at 12 h, while decreasing the population of Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Methanobacteriales (p < 0.05). Moreover, supplementation of MiEn-LEDRAGON in the diet at levels of 2 to 4% DM resulted in a higher total volatile fatty acids (VFA) at 24 h, reaching up to 73.021 mmol/L (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was an increased proportion of propionic acid (C3) and butyric acid (C4) at 12 h (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, there was a decrease in the proportion of acetic acid (C2) and the ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid (C2:C3), along with a reduction of methane (CH) production by 11.694% when comparing to the 0% and 3% MiEn-LEDRAGON supplementation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study suggests that supplementing MiEn-LEDRAGON at 3% of total DM substrate could be used as a feed additive rich in phytonutrients for ruminants.
Topics: Rumen; Fermentation; Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Dietary Supplements; Methane; Animal Feed; Phytochemicals; Fatty Acids, Volatile
PubMed: 38910145
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59697-x -
International Journal of Biological... 2024Respiratory diseases are the most common and severe health complication and a leading cause of death worldwide. Despite breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment, few... (Review)
Review
Respiratory diseases are the most common and severe health complication and a leading cause of death worldwide. Despite breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment, few safe and effective therapeutics have been reported. Phytochemicals are gaining popularity due to their beneficial effects and low toxicity. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites with high molecular weights found at high levels in natural food sources such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and citrus seeds. Over recent decades, polyphenols and their beneficial effects on human health have been the subject of intense research, with notable successes in preventing major chronic non-communicable diseases. Many respiratory syndromes can be treated effectively with polyphenolic supplements, including acute lung damage, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, and lung cancer. This review summarizes the role of polyphenols in respiratory conditions with sufficient experimental data, highlights polyphenols with beneficial effects for each, and identifies those with therapeutic potential and their underlying mechanisms. Moreover, clinical studies and future research opportunities in this area are discussed.
Topics: Polyphenols; Humans; Animals; Respiratory Tract Diseases
PubMed: 38904027
DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.93875 -
PeerJ 2024Pathogenic bacteria are the cause of most skin diseases, but issues such as resistance and environmental degradation drive the need to research alternative treatments....
BACKGROUND
Pathogenic bacteria are the cause of most skin diseases, but issues such as resistance and environmental degradation drive the need to research alternative treatments. It is reported that silk cocoon extract possesses antioxidant properties. During silk processing, the degumming of silk cocoons creates a byproduct that contains natural active substances. These substances were found to have inhibitory effects on bacterial growth, DNA synthesis, the pathogenesis of hemolysis, and biofilm formation. Thus, silk cocoon extracts can be used in therapeutic applications for the prevention and treatment of skin pathogenic bacterial infections.
METHODS
The extract of silk cocoons with pupae (SCP) and silk cocoons without pupae (SCWP) were obtained by boiling with distilled water for 9 h and 12 h, and were compared to silkworm pupae (SP) extract that was boiled for 1 h. The active compounds in the extracts, including gallic acid and quercetin, were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Furthermore, the total phenolic and flavonoid content in the extracts were investigated using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and the aluminum chloride colorimetric method, respectively. To assess antioxidant activity, the extracts were evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Additionally, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of silk extracts and phytochemical compounds were determined against skin pathogenic bacteria. This study assessed the effects of the extracts and phytochemical compounds on growth inhibition, biofilm formation, hemolysis protection, and DNA synthesis of bacteria.
RESULTS
The HPLC characterization of the silk extracts showed gallic acid levels to be the highest, especially in SCP (8.638-31.605 mg/g extract) and SP (64.530 mg/g extract); whereas quercetin compound was only detected in SCWP (0.021-0.031 mg/g extract). The total phenolics and flavonoids in silk extracts exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Additionally, SCP at 9 h and 12 h revealed the highest anti-bacterial activity, with the lowest MIC and MBC of 50-100 mg/mL against skin pathogenic bacteria including , methicillin-resistant (MRSA), and . Hence, SCP extract and non-sericin compounds containing gallic acid and quercetin exhibited the strongest inhibition of both growth and DNA synthesis on skin pathogenic bacteria. The suppression of bacterial pathogenesis, including preformed and matured biofilms, and hemolysis activity, were also revealed in SCP extract and non-sericin compounds. The results show that the byproduct of silk processing can serve as an alternative source of natural phenolic and flavonoid antioxidants that can be used in therapeutic applications for the prevention and treatment of pathogenic bacterial skin infections.
Topics: Animals; Bombyx; Antioxidants; Silk; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biofilms; Pupa; Free Radicals; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Hemolysis
PubMed: 38903886
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17490 -
Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical... 2024Leaves of have medicinal potential which has gained attention from researchers around the world. This study has an objective to screen the antioxidant and cytotoxicity...
Leaves of have medicinal potential which has gained attention from researchers around the world. This study has an objective to screen the antioxidant and cytotoxicity of ethyl acetate extract from leaves and its fraction. The fine powder of was macerated in methanol and further partitioned using two different solvents, namely n-hexane and ethyl acetate. In this article, we reported the screening results for ethyl acetate extract. Fractionation was then performed on the extract by means of column chromatography by gradient elution resulting in five combined fractions. Brine shrimp lethality test and 1-diphenyl-2-pycrilhidrazil (DPPH) assays were employed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and antioxidant of the extract, respectively. Characterization using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) was then conducted. The cytotoxicity of the samples was indicated by median lethal concentration values ranging from 28.84 to 1023.3 ppm. As for the antioxidant activity, the DPPH median inhibitory concentration values ranged from 4.12 to 180.66 ppm. GC-MS analysis on the most bioactive fraction revealed the predominating phytochemical contents of neophytadiene, palmitic acid, and phytol. In conclusion, the fraction of ethyl acetate extract from leaves could potentially act as a strong antioxidant and moderate cytotoxic agent.
PubMed: 38903553
DOI: 10.4103/JAPTR.JAPTR_470_23 -
RSC Advances Jun 2024Marine endosymbionts have gained remarkable interest in the last three decades in terms of natural products (NPs) isolated thereof, emphasizing the chemical correlations...
Marine endosymbionts have gained remarkable interest in the last three decades in terms of natural products (NPs) isolated thereof, emphasizing the chemical correlations with those isolated from the host marine organism. The current study aimed to conduct comparative metabolic profiling of the marine red algae , and three fungal endosymbionts isolated from its inner tissues namely, , and . The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts of the host organism as well as the isolated endosymbionts were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS)in both positive and negative ion modes, applying both full scan (FS) and all ion fragmentation (AIF) modes. Extensive interpretation of the LC-MS/MS spectra had led to the identification of 76 metabolites belonging to different phytochemical classes including alkaloids, polyketides, sesquiterpenes, butyrolactones, peptides, fatty acids, isocoumarins, quinones, among others. Metabolites were tentatively identified by comparing the accurate mass and fragmentation pattern with metabolites previously reported in the literature, as well as bioinformatics analysis using GNPS. A relationship between the host and its endophytes (, , and ) was discovered. shares common metabolites with at least one of the three endosymbiotic fungi. Some metabolites have been identified in endophytes and do not exist in their host. Multivariate analysis (MVA) revealed discrimination of from and other associated endophytic fungi ( and ).
PubMed: 38903055
DOI: 10.1039/d4ra01055h -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jun 2024Ficus erecta, a traditional Chinese She Ethnomedicine, has been historically utilized to treat various inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, nephritis, and...
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Ficus erecta, a traditional Chinese She Ethnomedicine, has been historically utilized to treat various inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, nephritis, and osteoporosis. However, the underlying mechanisms accounting for its anti-inflammatory activity, as well as its active components, largely remain elusive.
AIM OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this research was to investigate the chemical constituents of F. erecta that contribute to its anti-inflammatory effects.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Coumarins and flavones were obtained from the 95% EtOH extract of F. erecta using virous column chromatography and reversed-phase semipreparative HPLC. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive analysis of spectroscopic methods, including HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra, and CD experiments. Cultured macrophage RAW264.7 cells were utilized for the anti-inflammatory experiments. MTT cell viability assay, Griess reagent method, ELISA, and Western blot experiments were employed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity and investigate the related mechanism.
RESULTS
Four new (1-4) and eleven previously identified (5-16) coumarins, together with one new (17) and six known flavones (18-23) were isolated from the whole plant of F. erecta. Compounds 7 and 17 significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE) production without cytotoxic effects. Furthermore, compounds 7 and 17 reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blot analysis indicated that compounds 7 and 17 suppressed the expression of iNOS, COX-2, and p-IκBα in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells.
CONCLUSION
The current phytochemical investigations revealed that coumarins and flavones represent the primary chemical constituents of F. erecta. Compounds 7 and 17 exhibit potent anti-inflammatory properties, linked with the inhibition of NF-κB activation by preventing the degradation of IκBα phosphorylation. These compounds may serve as promising candidates for treating or preventing certain inflammatory diseases.
PubMed: 38901681
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118472 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2024With the growing global population and climate change, achieving food security is a pressing challenge. Vertical farming has the potential to support local food...
With the growing global population and climate change, achieving food security is a pressing challenge. Vertical farming has the potential to support local food production and security. As a Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA) system, vertical farming employs LED lighting which offers opportunities to modulate light spectrum and intensity, and thus can be used to influence plant growth and phytochemical composition, including antioxidants beneficial for human health. In this study, we investigated the effect of four red-to-blue light ratios of LEDs (R:B 1, 2.5, 5 and 9) on the growth and antioxidant components in red amaranth microgreens and red lettuce. Plant growth, total phenols, betalains, anthocyanins, vitamin C and antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing antioxidant power assay) were evaluated. A higher proportion of red light resulted in biometric responses, i.e., stem elongation in red amaranth and longer leaves in red lettuce, while the increase in the blue light fraction led to the upregulation of antioxidative components, especially total phenols, betalains (in red amaranth) and anthocyanins (in red lettuce). The antioxidant capacity of both crops was strongly positively correlated with the levels of these phytochemicals. Optimizing the red-to-blue ratio in LED lighting could be effective in promoting antioxidant-rich crops with potential health benefits for consumers.
PubMed: 38899321
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1386988 -
TheScientificWorldJournal 2024Ethnomedicinally, more than 2000 plants were found to be used in Nepal. Among them, the red colored rhizome of and the bark of have been used widely to treat muscle...
Ethnomedicinally, more than 2000 plants were found to be used in Nepal. Among them, the red colored rhizome of and the bark of have been used widely to treat muscle fatigue, bone pain, fever, postpartum hemorrhage, and thirst by healers in Kaski and Tanahun districts, Nepal. However, scientific evidence towards their traditional uses is lacking till December, 2023. Therefore, we report the phytochemicals, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total carbohydrate content (TCC), antioxidant and antibacterial activities of and extracts. Phytochemical analysis indicated that and extracts were potential sources of chemicals such as phenols, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, and carbohydrates. The TPC, TFC, and TCC of extracts were determined by using an ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer. Among the extracts tested, extracts showed the highest phenolic and carbohydrate contents of 208.33 ± 12.96 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g and 564.16 ± 2.92 mg of D-glucose equivalent/g of dry extract, respectively. Similarly, revealed the highest flavonoid content of 30.35 ± 0.1 mg quercetin equivalent/g of dry extract. The extract of and exhibited potent antioxidant activity by scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals with an IC of 25.9 g/ml and 31.07 g/ml, respectively. The antibacterial activity of the and extract against , and was determined using an agar-well diffusion protocol that revealed the potential antibacterial activity of against . The present study will help validate the traditional uses of rhizomes and barks as a healing medicine and inspire the researcher towards further research, development, and formulation.
Topics: Antioxidants; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Plant Extracts; Phytochemicals; Plant Bark; Rhizome; Nepal; Flavonoids; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Phenols
PubMed: 38898935
DOI: 10.1155/2024/1119165 -
Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 2024Lichens are symbiotic associations of algae and fungi. They are edible as food and have been used in traditional medicine for years. It is aimed to screen Peltigera...
Lichens are symbiotic associations of algae and fungi. They are edible as food and have been used in traditional medicine for years. It is aimed to screen Peltigera praetextata (Flörke ex Sommerf.) Zopfand and Peltigera elisabethae Gyeln. phytochemically by LC/QTOF/MS and according to the constituents to evaluate the antioxidant, tyrosinase inhibitory, and antibacterial activities. In total 54 of metabolites detected by LC/QTOF/MS were common in both species. According to LC/QTOF/MS scanning results, alkaloids, iridoid glycosides, phenolics, cyanogenetic glycosides, and terpenic structures were detected. DPPH, ABTS, superoxide radical scavenging activities, and metal chelating capacity IC50 values were 84.55, 9.349; 51.27, 9.127; 95.01, 58.65 and 20.57, 70.08 µg/mL., respectively. The CUPRAC reducing power was determined as 4.69 and 9.57 TEACCUPRAC, respectively. Tyrosinase inhibitor activity were found to be 86.95 and 196.7 µg/mL. Both lichens did not show antimicrobial effects. As a result of the antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitor activities it was seen that their activities were significant and further in vivo studies could be carried out on this lichens.
Topics: Lichens; Antioxidants; Phytochemicals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Monophenol Monooxygenase; Chromatography, Liquid; Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 38896692
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202420230657