Antioxidant Activity in Plants, Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds and Foods

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and its incidence is expected to increase by almost 80% by 2030. CRC apparition is related to poor diet, mainly due to low consumption of phytochemicals present in fruits and vegetables. Hence, this paper reviews the most promising phytochemicals in the literature, presenting scientific evidence regarding potential CRC chemopreventive effects. Moreover, this paper reveals the structure and action of CRC mechanisms that these phytochemicals are involved in. The review reveals that vegetables rich in phytochemicals such as carrots and green leafy vegetables, as well as some fruits such as pineapple, citrus fruits, papaya, mango, and Cape gooseberry, that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chemopreventive properties can promote a healthy colonic environment. Fruits and vegetables in the daily diet promote antitumor mechanisms by regulating cell signaling and/or proliferation pathways. Hence, daily consumption of these plant products is recommended to reduce the risk of CRC. Full article

During the storage and processing of mung beans, proteins and polyphenols are highly susceptible to interactions with each other. Using globulin extracted from mung beans as the raw material, the study combined it with ferulic acid (FA; phenolic acid) and vitexin (flavonoid). Physical and chemical indicators were combined with spectroscopy and kinetic methods, relying on SPSS and peak fit data to statistically analyze the conformational and antioxidant activity changes of mung bean globulin and two polyphenol complexes before and after heat treatment and clarify the differences and the interaction mechanism between globulin and the two polyphenols. The results showed that, with the increase in polyphenol concentration, the antioxidant activity of the two compounds increased significantly. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the mung bean globulin–FA complex was stronger. However, after heat treatment, the antioxidant activity of the two compounds decreased significantly. The interaction mechanism of the mung bean globulin–FA/vitexin complex was static quenching, and heat treatment accelerated the occurrence of the quenching phenomenon. Mung bean globulin and two polyphenols were combined through a hydrophobic interaction. However, after heat treatment, the binding mode with vitexin changed to an electrostatic interaction. The infrared characteristic absorption peaks of the two compounds shifted to different degrees, and new peaks appeared in the areas of 827 cm⁻¹, 1332 cm⁻¹, and 812 cm⁻¹. Following the interaction between mung bean globulin and FA/vitexin, the particle size decreased, the absolute value of zeta potential increased, and the surface hydrophobicity decreased. After heat treatment, the particle size and zeta potential of the two composites decreased significantly, and the surface hydrophobicity and stability increased significantly. The antioxidation and thermal stability of the mung bean globulin–FA were better than those of the mung bean globulin–vitexin complex. This study aimed to provide a theoretical reference for the protein–polyphenol interaction mechanism and a theoretical basis for the research and development of mung bean functional foods. Full article

Globally, among different types of cancers, breast cancer is identified as the chief cause of mortality among females, and it is a challenge to find new effective treatment strategies with minimal side effects and increased efficacy. Plants are an integral part of the traditional indigenous healthcare system and are becoming the concrete source of new drug discovery. Thus, there is a need to obtain a scientific basis for applying traditionally used plants in cancer treatments that may harbour novel phytochemicals. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the antioxidant and anticancer potential of selected plants of ethnobotanical importance. Five plants of ethnobotanical importance were selected and screened to determine their antioxidant potential through various in vitro free radical scavenging assays (such as DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl, and superoxide radical scavenging), ferric chelation, and total antioxidant potential, and the total phenolic and flavonoid content was estimated for the selected plants. In contrast, the anticancer potential of crude plant extracts was assessed using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) against different breast cancer (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-435S) and hepatic cancer cell lines (HepG2), and human PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) were used for toxicity studies. The MTT results showed that among all of the crude plant extracts (CAN = Etlingera linguiformis, SES = Sesbania grandiflora, LEX = Smilax ovalifolia, DES = Desmodium triflorum, and CA = Chenopodium album), it was CAN and LEX that showed the best cytotoxic potential on exposed breast cancer cell lines in contrast to SES, DES, and CA. In addition, at the selected dosages that were exposed to breast cancer cells, none of the extracts from any of the five plants showed any cytotoxicity against human PBMCs. Thus, the crude extracts can be explored further for chemopreventive and anticancer activity on murine models to understand their underlying mechanism for effective cancer management. Full article

The ubiquitous nature of plastics, particularly nanoplastics, raises concern about their potential effects on primary producer microalgae. Currently, the impacts and potential mechanisms of nanoplastics on microalgae are not fully understood. In this study, the effects of two plain commercial polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) with different sizes (50 nm and 70 nm) on C. vulgaris were assessed in a concentration range of 0–50 mg/L during 72 h exposure periods. Results revealed that both PS-NPs have dose-dependent toxicity effects on C. vulgaris, as confirmed by the decrease of growth rates, chlorophyll a and esterase activities, and the increase of ROS, MDA, and membrane damage. The membrane damage was caused by the agglomeration of PS-NPs on microalgae and may be the key reason for the toxicity. Compared with 70 nm PS-NPs (72 h EC₅₀ >50 mg/L), 50 nm PS-NPs posed greater adverse effects on algae, with an EC_50–72h of 19.89 mg/L. FTIR results also proved the stronger variation of macromolecules in the 50 nm PS-NPs treatment group. This phenomenon might be related to the properties of PS-NPs in exposure medium. The lower absolute zeta potential value of 50 nm PS-NPs induced the stronger interaction between PS-NPs and algae as compared to 70 nm PS-NPs, leading to severe membrane damage and the loss of esterase activity as well as settlement. These findings emphasized the importance of considering the impacts of commercial PS-NPs properties in toxicity evaluation. Full article

The pomegranate is an emerging functional food which is nowadays becoming more and more commercially attractive. Each part of this fruit (peels, arils and seeds) has a specific phytocomplex, rich in anti-oxidant and anti-radical compounds. Among these, punicalagin and ellagic acid continue to be widely studied for their numerous beneficial effects on human health (anti-inflammatory effects, anti-diabetes activity, cardio-protection, cancer prevention). Despite their exceptionally valuable composition and high adaptability to different climatic conditions, pomegranate fruits are highly susceptible to splitting during different stages of ripening, so much so that an estimated 65% of the production may be lost. A “zero-kilometer” approach should therefore be adopted to utilize such a valuable product otherwise destined to be downgraded or even incinerated, with a very high environmental impact. The aim of this work is to highlight and compare the compositional differences between whole and split pomegranates belonging to the cultivar Dente di Cavallo, grown in Apulia (Italy), to assess a valuable role for this split fruit usually considered as waste. The arils and peels are subjected to extraction procedures and the extracts analyzed by CIEL*a*b*, HPLC-DAD and HS-SPME/GC-MS. Moreover, an assessment of the inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase enzymes has also been applied. The data show a better chemical profile in split fruits (namely 60% more anthocyanin content than intact fruit) with very interesting results in terms of α-glucosidase inhibition. The juices obtained by squeezing are also compared to commercial juices (“Salus Melagrana” and “La Marianna”) processed from the same cultivar and subjected to the same protocol analysis. Full article

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB₁) is a recalcitrant metabolite produced by fungi species, and due to its intoxications in animals and humans, it has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen in humans. Preserving food products with Sorghum bicolor sheath can minimise the contamination of agricultural products and avert ill health occasioned by exposure to AFB₁. The current study investigated the ameliorating effect of Sorghum bicolor sheath hydrophobic extract (SBE-HP) enriched in Apigenin (API) on the hepatorenal tissues of rats exposed to AFB1. The SBE-HP was characterised using TLC and LC-MS and was found to be enriched in Apigenin and its methylated analogues. The study used adult male rats divided into four experimental cohorts co-treated with AFB1 (50 µg/kg) and SBE-HP (5 and 10 mg/kg) for 28 days. Biochemical, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and histological staining were used to examine biomarkers of hepatorenal function, oxidative status, inflammation and apoptosis, and hepatorenal tissue histo-architectural alterations. Data were analysed using GraphPad Prism 8.3.0, an independent t-test, and a one-way analysis of variance. Co-treatment with SBE-HP ameliorated an upsurge in the biomarkers of hepatorenal functionality in the sera of rats, reduced the alterations in redox balance, resolved inflammation, inhibited apoptosis, and preserved the histological features of the liver and kidney of rats exposed to AFB₁. SBE-HP-containing API is an excellent antioxidant regiment. It can amply prevent the induction of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the hepatorenal system of rats. Therefore, supplementing animal feeds and human foods with SBE-HP enriched in Apigenin may reduce the burden of AFB1 intoxication in developing countries with a shortage of effective antifungal agents. Full article

As a key component of black garlic (BG) products, S-allyl cysteine (SAC) is useful in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Several BG products with a high SAC content have been developed by thermal processing; however, the optimum conditions for thermal treatment for producing Thai garlic (multicloves) with a high SAC content compared to Chinese garlic (single clove) are still unknown. Moreover, the mechanism underlying the increase in SAC content in BG is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the optimum thermal condition for developing Thai BG with high SAC content base on methods A (70 °C and 80% RH) and B (60–75 °C and 80–85% RH). The total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of Thai fresh garlic, Thai BG, and their powder forms were also compared. Method A worked the best for both types of garlic. The results indicated that the SAC content increased significantly after 7 days of fermentation and decreased drastically afterward with prolonged heat treatment. The optimum thermal condition for producing Thai fresh garlic and Chinese fresh garlic with high SAC content was 70 °C and a relative humidity of 80% for 12 days in an industrial fermentation chamber. The SAC content of Thai BG and Chinese BG increased approximately 139- and 122-fold, respectively. Furthermore, significant antioxidant capabilities determined by ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity assays were 34-, 6-, and 3-fold higher, respectively, than those of fresh garlic. Full article

Wild thyme aerial parts (Serpylli herba) are recognized as a valuable herbal product with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. Although pharmacopoeial regulations allow its collection exclusively from Thymus serpyllum, substitution with other species is frequent in current practice. This study analyzed the phenolic composition, antioxidant, and enzyme-inhibitory and antimicrobial activity of the hydroethanolic extracts obtained from five Romanian wild thyme species (Thymus alpestris, T. glabrescens, T. panonicus, T. pulcherimus and T. pulegioides). The analysis of individual phenolic constituents was performed through LC-ESI-DAD/MS², while for the in vitro evaluation of antioxidant potential, TEAC, FRAP, DPPH, TBARS and OxHLIA assays were employed. The anti-enzymatic potential was tested in vitro against tyrosinase, α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase. High rosmarinic acid contents were quantified in all species (20.06 ± 0.32–80.49 ± 0.001 mg/g dry extract); phenolic acids derivatives (including salvianolic acids) were confirmed as the principal metabolites of T. alpestris and T. glabrescens, while eriodictyol-O-di-hexoside was found exclusively in T. alpestris. All species showed strong antioxidant potential and moderate anti-enzymatic effect against α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase, showing no anti-tyrosinase activity. This is the first detailed report on the chemical and biological profile of T. alpestris collected from Romanian spontaneous flora. Full article

The health benefits of Vaccinium bracteatum are well recorded in ancient Chinese medical books and were also demonstrated by modern researches. However, the relationship between its beneficial functions and specific chemical constituents has not been fully characterized. This study investigated the bioactive small-molecule constituents in the leaves of V. bracteatum, which afforded 32 compounds including ten new ones (1–9) and ten pairs of enantiomers (9–18). Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, especially nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) analyses, with 1–4 bearing a novel revolving-door shaped scaffold. While half-compounds exhibited decent antioxidant activity by scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, all except 19 and 20 exerted significant capturing activity against diammonium 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) radicals. In addition, the new iridoids 1, 5, 6, and 7 exerted apparent neuroprotective activity toward PC12 cells, with 1 being comparable to the positive control, and selective compounds also displayed anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting α-glucosidase and NO production, respectively. The current work revealed that the bioactive small-molecule constituents could be closely related to the functional food property of the title species. Full article

Rocket species are rich in nutrients with well-known bioactive activity, but their content depends on several factors, such as plant–UV radiation interaction. In this work, we measured the production of nutritional elements in wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.) leaves as a function of exposure to UV-B radiation by adopting a combined approach. The wild rocket plants were grown under three greenhouse cover films (A, B, and C) having different transmittivity to UV-B and the fresh-cut leaves were exposed to UV-B in postharvest for 45, 150, 330, and 660 s. The content of chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, and the antioxidant activity were determined. Chlorophyll, carotenoids, and total phenolic content were significantly increased by the combination of Film C and treatment with UV-B for 45 s. The predominant phenolic compounds were kaempferol, isorhamnetin, and quercetin. Film C also elicited an increase in ascorbic acid (the most abundant antioxidant compound in the range 374–1199 per 100 g of dry matter) and antioxidant activity. These findings highlighted an increase in bioactive compound content in the wild rocket when it was cultivated under Film C (diffused light film with a tailored UV-B transmission dose) and treated with UV-B radiation for 45 s postharvest, corresponding to an energy dose of 0.2 KJ m⁻². Full article

Foxtail millet has been traditionally considered to possess gastroprotective effects, but studies evaluating its use as a treatment for gastric ulcers are lacking. Here, we assessed the antiulcer effects of foxtail millet protein hydrolysate (FPH) and explored its mechanism by using blocking agents. In a mouse model of ethanol-induced gastric ulcers, pretreatment with FPH reduced the ulcerative lesion index, downregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the gastric tissue, increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and improved the oxidative status. FPH increased constitutive the activity of nitric oxide synthase (cNOS), NO levels, and mucin expression in gastric mucosa, and inhibited the activation of the ET-1/PI3K/Akt pathway. In a mouse model of pyloric ligation-induced gastric ulcers, FPH inhibited gastric acid secretion and decreased the activity of gastric protease. Pretreatment of mice with the sulfhydryl blocker NEM and the NO synthesis inhibitor L-NAME abolished the gastroprotective effect of FPH, but not the KATP channel blocker glibenclamide and the PGE2 synthesis blocker indomethacin. Among the peptides identified in FPH, 10 peptides were predicted to have regulatory effects on the gastric mucosa, and the key sequences were GP and PG. The results confirmed the gastroprotective effect of FPH and revealed that its mechanism was through the regulation of gastric mucosal mucus and NO synthesis. This study supports the health effects of a millet-enriched diet and provides a basis for millet protein as a functional food to improve gastric ulcers and its related oxidative stress. Full article

The fruits of Aronia melanocarpa are well known due to their high anthocyanin content that may be effective in preventing certain health disorders arising from oxidative stress. Various polyphenolic compounds such as anthocyanins and flavonoids are responsible for the multiple effects of chokeberry. The aim of this study was to determine in vitro how active the black chokeberry anthocyanins are in scavenging radicals and to evaluate in vivo their immunomodulating capacity. Using the method of column chromatography, we extracted the anthocyanins of black chokeberries, i.e., cyanidin-3-O-galactoside with a purity of over 93.7%. Using HPLC and spectrophotometric analysis, the flavonoid content was determined. Following the analysis of the tests with AAPH and DPPH, the chokeberry cyanidin-3-O-galactoside was found much better than individual anthocyanins in regard to antioxidant capacity. The range of concentrations was revealed, showing the protective effect of anthocyanins on the RPMI-1788 cell culture against cyclophosphamide, as well as against osmotic and peroxide hemolysis. An immunomodulating effect on the functional activity of phagocytes was revealed in vivo as a result of oral administration of chokeberry cyanidin-3-O-galactoside and a mixture composed of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-galactoside standards. Consequently, anthocyanins, in particular cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, play an important role, demonstrating immunomodulating effects when chokeberries are consumed. Full article

Red ginseng (RG), which is obtained from heated Panax ginseng and is produced by steaming followed by drying, is a valuable herb in Asian countries. Steamed ginseng dew (SGD) is a by-product produced in processing red ginseng. In the present study, phytochemical profiling of extracts of red ginseng and steamed ginseng dew was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (RRLC-Q-TOF-MS) analysis. Additionally, antioxidant activities (DPPH, ·OH, and ABTS scavenging ability) and whitening activities (tyrosinase and elastase inhibitory activity) were analyzed. Phytochemical profiling revealed the presence of 66 and 28 compounds that were non-saponin components in chloroform extracts of red ginseng and steamed ginseng dew (RG-CE and SGD-CE), respectively. Meanwhile, there were 20 ginsenosides identified in n-butanol extracts of red ginseng and steamed ginseng dew (RG-NBE and SGD-NBE). By comparing the different polar extracts of red ginseng and steamed ginseng dew, it was found that the ethyl acetate extract of red ginseng (RG-EAE) had the best antioxidant capacity and whitening effect, the water extract of steamed ginseng dew (SGD-WE) had stronger antioxidant capacity, and the SGD-NBE and SGD-CE had a better whitening effect. This study shows that RG and SGD have tremendous potential to be used in the cosmetic industries. Full article

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) powder is widely used as a spice and seasoning in Asian countries. This study investigated the effect of turmeric extracts on the anticancer activity of Huh7 and HCT 116 cells. The curcumin bioactive compounds were extracted using various methods such as microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and traditional extraction (TDE). The yield of dried extracts from MAE was found to be the highest at 17.89%, followed by UAE and TDE, with 11.34% and 5.54%, respectively. Antioxidant activities such as TPC, DPPH and FRAP from MAE were higher than those of UAE and TDE. The total curcuminoid contents from the novel extractions were higher than those from traditional extraction methods. For instance, curcuminoid contents from MAE, UAE and TDE were 326.79, 241.17 and 215.83 mg/g, respectively. Due to having the highest bioactive compounds and extraction yield, turmeric extract from MAE was used to investigate the potential anticancer properties. The extract showed significant cytotoxic potential against the human liver (Huh7) and human colon (HCT116) cell lines, in concentrations ranging from 31.25 to 1000.00 µg/mL. Turmeric extracts using MAE have potential anticancer effects on Huh7 and HCT116 cells. This study serves as scientific data for the chemotherapeutic properties of turmeric extracts and their use as functional ingredients. Full article

Drought-induced 19 (Di19) protein is a Cys2/His2 (C2H2) type zinc-finger protein, which plays a crucial role in plant development and in response to abiotic stress. This study systematically investigated the characteristics of the GhDi19 gene family, including the member number, gene structure, chromosomal distribution, promoter cis-elements, and expression profiles. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that some GhDi19s were up-regulated under heat and salt stress. Particularly, two nuclear localized proteins, GhDi19-3 and GhDi19-4, were identified as being in potential salt stress responsive roles. GhDi19-3 and GhDi19-4 decreased sensitivity under salt stress through virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), and showed significantly lower levels of H₂O₂, malondialdehyde (MDA), and peroxidase (POD) as well as significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. This suggested that their abilities were improved to effectively reduce the reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage. Furthermore, certain calcium signaling and abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive gene expression levels showed up- and down-regulation changes in target gene-silenced plants, suggesting that GhDi19-3 and GhDi19-4 were involved in calcium signaling and ABA signaling pathways in response to salt stress. In conclusion, GhDi19-3 and GhDi19-4, two negative transcription factors, were found to be responsive to salt stress through calcium signaling and ABA signaling pathways. Full article

To evaluate the antioxidant activity of flavonoids extracted from Chinese herb mulberry leaves (ML), flavonoids from mulberry leaves (FML) were extracted and purified by using ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic extraction and D101 macroporous resin. Using LC-MS/MS-Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis, hesperidin, rutoside, hyperoside, cyanidin-3-o-glucoside, myricitrin, cyanidin, and quercetin were identified, and NMR and UV were consistent with the verification of IR flavonoid characteristics. The antioxidant activity of FML has also been evaluated as well as the protective effect on 2,2 0-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative stress. The results showed that FML exhibited powerful antioxidant activity. Moreover, FML showed dose-dependent protection against AAPH-induced sheep erythrocytes’ oxidative hemolysis. In the enzymatic antioxidant system, pretreatment with high FML maintained the balance of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px; in the non-enzymatic antioxidant system, the content of MDA can be effectively reduced after FML treatment. This study provides a research basis for the development of natural products from mulberry leaves. Full article

Hypericum perforatum L., also known as St. John’s Wort, is recognized worldwide as a valuable medicinal herb; however, other Hypericum species were intensively studied for their bioactive potential. To fill the research gap that exists in the scientific literature, a comparative evaluation between H. alpigenum Kit., H. perforatum L. and H. rochelii Griseb. & Schenk was conducted in the present study. Two types of herbal preparations obtained from the aerial parts of these species were analyzed: extracts obtained through maceration and extracts obtained through magnetic-stirring-assisted extraction. LC-DAD-ESI-MSⁿ analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols and flavonoid derivatives as the main constituents of the above-mentioned species. Moreover, all extracts were tested for their antioxidant, enzyme-inhibitory and antimicrobial potential. Our work emphasizes for the first time a detailed description of H. rochelii phenolic fractions, including their phytochemical and bioactive characterization. In comparison with the other two studied species, H. rochelii was found as a rich source of phenolic acids and myricetin derivatives, showing important antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antibacterial activity. The study offers new perspectives regarding the chemical and bioactive profile of the less-studied species H. alpigenum and H. rochelii. Full article

Plums are widely consumed, contain high levels of phenolic compounds, and have strong antioxidant activity. In this study, the main Sichuan cultivars ‘Qiangcuili’ and ‘Cuihongli’ were used to study the changes in the appearance, internal quality, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activities during fruit development and the expression of phenolic-compound-related structural genes. The results showed that, during development of the two plums, the total soluble solid and soluble sugar contents were highest at the mature stage. The phenolic contents (total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total flavanol content (TFAC)) trended gradually downward as the fruits of the two cultivars matured, while the total anthocyanin content gradually increased in ‘Cuihongli’. The main phenolic components were neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, benzoic acid, rutin, and proanthocyanidin B1. The changes in the DPPH and FRAP scavenging activities decreased with fruit ripening. The antioxidant capacity was positively correlated with the TPC, TFC, and TFAC. In the two cultivars, the total phenols, phenolic components, and antioxidant capacity were higher in the peel than in the pulp. CHS, PAL3, and HCT1 may be the regulatory genes related to the accumulation of phenolic substances in the pericarp and pulp of ‘Qiangcuili’ and ‘Cuihongli’. HCT1 may be an important regulator involved in the accumulation of chlorogenic acid in plums. The changes in the quality of the phenols, phenolic components, and antioxidant activity were elucidated during the development of the main plum cultivars in Sichuan, particularly the changes that provided a theoretical basis for the development of bioactive substances in local plum cultivars. Full article

In this research functional beverages based on the unprocessed and extruded sesame seeds byproduct were fabricated; phytochemical profile, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hypoglycemic potential were evaluated. Twenty-four phytochemical compounds were identified in total in both beverages; fourteen of the phytochemical compounds were not modified by the extrusion process. Seventeen of the 24 compounds were identified in the unprocessed sesame seeds byproduct flour beverage−10% (UB10) and 21 in the extruded sesame seeds byproduct flour beverage−10% (EB10). The compounds only identified in UB10 are caffeic acid, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, and isorhamnetin; and in EB10 those compounds were vanillic acid, acteoside, luteolin, quercetin, and melanoidins. No significant difference was observed in the content of total phenolic compounds (TPC) (14.90 and 15.97 mg GAE/100 mL) and total flavonoids (TF) (5.37 and 5.85 mg QE/100 mL). An increase in the biological activity of ESFB10 (IC50: ABTS = 0.19, DPPH = 0.21, α-amylase = 1.01, α-glucosidase = 0.17, DPP4 = 0.11 mg/mL) was observed, compared to UB10 (IC50: ABTS = 0.24, DPPH = 0.31, α-amylase = 2.29, α-glucosidase = 0.47, DPP4 = 0.30 mg/mL). Therefore, the extrusion process had a positive effect, which displayed the highest efficiency inhibiting the free radicals and enzymes related to carbohydrate metabolism. Full article

Recent studies have identified obesity as one of the world’s most serious chronic disorders. Adipogenesis, in which preadipocytes are differentiated into mature adipocytes, has a decisive role in establishing the number of adipocytes and determining the lipid storage capacity of adipose tissue and fat mass in adults. Fat accumulation in obesity is implicated with elevated oxidative stress in adipocytes induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Adipogenesis regulation by inhibiting adipogenic differentiation and ROS production has been selected as the strategy to treat obesity. The conventional anti-obesity drugs allowed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have severe adverse effects. Therefore, various natural products have been developed as a solution for obesity, suppressing adipogenic differentiation. Fraxetin is a major component extracted from the stem barks of Fraxinus rhynchophylla, with various bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial functions. However, the effect of fraxetin on adipogenesis is still not clearly understood. We studied the pharmacological functions of fraxetin in suppressing lipid accumulation and its underlying molecular mechanisms involving 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Moreover, increased ROS production induced by a mixture of insulin, dexamethasone, and 3-isobutylmethylxanthine (MDI) in 3T3-L1 was attenuated by fraxetin during adipogenesis. These effects were regulated by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Therefore, our findings imply that fraxetin possesses inhibitory roles in adipogenesis and can be a potential anti-obesity drug. Full article

The northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) is an ornamental oak species native to eastern America, being an invasive species in Europe, with increasing coverage. The aim of this work was to evaluate the biological potential of red oak bark extracts. Aqueous and ethanolic preparations were obtained by two extraction methods: ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE). The total phenolic and tannin contents were measured using spectrophotometric methods. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by two complementary methods (DPPH and ABTS). Antimicrobial potential was tested against five bacteria and three Candida species, and the effect on biofilm formation and synergism with gentamicin was also evaluated. Finally, enzyme inhibitory properties were assessed for α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, and acetylcholinesterase. The results indicated a higher phenolic content for the extracts obtained through MAE, while UAE bark extracts were rich in tannins. All the extracts exhibited antioxidant, anti-glucosidase, and anti-tyrosinase activity, while the antibacterial potential was mostly observed for the MAE extracts, especially against S. aureus, C. parapsilopsis, and C. krusei; inhibition of biofilm formation was observed only for MRSA. These findings show that the red oak bark might be an important source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Full article

Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation contribute to some chronic diseases. Aronia berries are rich in polyphenols. The aim of the present study was to characterize the cellular antioxidant effect of an aronia extract to reflect the potential physiological in vivo effect. Cellular in vitro assays in three cell lines (Caco-2, HepG2, and SH-SY5Y) were used to measure the antioxidant effect of AE, in three enriched polyphenolic fractions (A1: anthocyanins and phenolic acids; A2: oligomeric proanthocyanidins; A3: polymeric proanthocyanidins), pure polyphenols and microbial metabolites. Both direct (intracellular and membrane radical scavenging, catalase-like effect) and indirect (NRF2/ARE) antioxidant effects were assessed. AE exerted an intracellular free radical scavenging activity in the three cell lines, and A2 and A3 fractions showed a higher effect in HepG2 and Caco-2 cells. AE also exhibited a catalase-like activity, with the A3 fraction having a significant higher activity. Only A1 fraction activated the NRF2/ARE pathway. Quercetin and caffeic acid are the most potent antioxidant polyphenols, whereas cyanidin and 5-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone showed the highest antioxidant effect among polyphenol metabolites. AE rich in polyphenols possesses broad cellular antioxidant effects, and proanthocyanidins are major contributors. Polyphenol metabolites may contribute to the overall antioxidant effect of such extract in vivo. Full article

We screened natural resources for estrogen receptor (ER)-activating and bone metabolism-promoting activities with the aim of finding potential treatments for osteoporosis. A screen of 1531 extracts from Ryukyu Arc plants using a luciferase reporter assay identified an 80% MeOH extract of Scutellaria rubropunctata var. rubropunctata (SRE) with dose-dependent ER transcription-promoting activity. Importantly, SRE had no proliferative effect on human breast cancer cells. SRE enhanced the ALP activity of pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells after 72 h in culture and slightly enhanced mineralization at 14 and 21 d. SRE did not significantly affect the TRAP activity of RAW264.7 cells. Gene expression analysis in MC3T3-E1 cells by quantitative real-time PCR revealed that SRE upregulated the mRNA levels of Runx2, Osterix (Osx), Osteopontin (Opn), Osteocalcin (Ocn), Smad1, Smad4, and Smad5 at 72 h, and those of Runx2, Osx, Smad1, Smad4, and Smad5 at 21 d of osteogenic induction. Analysis of the expression levels of osteogenic markers suggested that SRE may promote osteogenic differentiation by acting at the early stage of differentiation rather than at the late stage of differentiation. These results indicate that SRE activates ER and induces osteoblast differentiation by activating Runx2 and Osx through the BMP/Smad pathway, suggesting that SRE may be useful for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Full article

Uwhangchungsimwon (UCW), a multi-component herbal product, has long been used to treat vascular diseases such as headache, dizziness, high blood pressure, and stroke. Though the prophylactic actions of UCW are well known, insufficient experimental evidence exists on its effectiveness against stroke. Here, we investigated the mechanism underlying the efficacy of UCW in oxygen glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation (OGD/R)-injury to the primary cortical neurons using an in vitro ischemia model. Neurons secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which acts as a neurotrophic factor in response to an ischemic injury. VEGF modulates neuroprotection and axonal outgrowth by activating the VEGF receptors and plays a critical role in vascular diseases. In this study, cortical neurons were pretreated with UCW (2, 10, and 50 µg/mL) for 48 h, incubated in oxygen-glucose-deprived conditions for 2 h, and further reoxygenated for 24 h. UCW effectively protected neurons from OGD/R-induced degeneration and cell death. Moreover, the role of UCW in sustaining protection against OGD/R injury is associated with activation of VEGF-VEGFR and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor expression. Therefore, UCW is a potential herbal supplement for the prevention of hypoxic-ischemic neuronal injury as it may occur after stroke. Full article

Annona crassiflora Mart., the marolo fruit of the Cerrado biome, is one of the most frequently consumed species from the Brazilian Midwest. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and the antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of the fruit pulp of A. crassiflora collected at Chapada das Mesas, Maranhão, Brazil. The volatile concentrate was identified as mainly ethyl octanoate, ethyl hexanoate, and methyl octanoate. From the ethanol (LFP-E) and ethyl acetate (LFP-A) extracts were identified phenolic acids (p-coumaric, gallic, quinic, and ferulic), flavones and derivatives (apigenin, epicatechin, 2′-5-dimethoxyflavone, 3′,7-dimethoxy-3-hydroxyflavone, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside and 3-O-rutinoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, procyanidin B2, and rutin), aporphine alkaloids (xylopine, stephagine, and romucosine), and acetogenin (annonacin). For the LFP-E and LFP-A extracts, the total phenolic compound values were 15.89 and 33.16 mg GAE/g, the flavonoid compound content values were 2.53 and 70.55 mg QE/g, the DPPH radical scavenging activity showed EC₅₀ values of 182.54 and 57.80 µg/mL, and the ABTS radical activity showed TEAC values of 94.66 and 192.61 µM TE/g. The LFP-E extract showed significant cytotoxicity and cell selectivity for the U251-glioma strain, presenting a GI₅₀ value of 21.34 µg/mL, which is close to doxorubicin (11.68 µg/mL), the standard chemotherapeutic drug. The marolo fruit seems to be a promising source for developing innovative and healthy products for the food industry. Full article

Particulate matter (PM) can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and skin aging. We investigated the effects of antioxidants such as dieckol, punicalagin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, and Siegesbeckiae Herba extract (SHE) against PM < 10 μm (PM₁₀) on serum IgE concentration, mast cell counts, inflammatory cytokines, and keratinocyte differentiation markers in a 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis mouse model. Seven-week-old BALB/c mice were sensitized with 2% DNCB. Atopic dermatitis-like lesions were induced on the mice with 0.2% DNCB. Antioxidants and PM₁₀ were applied to the mice for 4 weeks. PM₁₀ increased the serum IgE concentration and spleen weight in mice, and all antioxidants downregulated these parameters. Histological examination showed an increase in epidermal thickness and mast cell counts in response to PM₁₀, and all antioxidants showed a decrease. PM₁₀ upregulates the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17α, IL-25, IL-31 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in mice, and all antioxidants inhibited the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines. ELISA showed the same results as real-time PCR. PM₁₀ downregulates the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers, including loricrin and filaggrin, in mouse keratinocytes and antioxidants prevented the downregulation of the keratinocyte differentiation markers. Conclusively, PM₁₀ aggravated the DNCB-induced mouse model in serum IgE concentration, mast cell counts, inflammatory cytokine, and keratinocyte differentiation markers. In addition, antioxidants modulated changes in the DNCB-induced mouse model caused by PM₁₀. Full article

Mangosteen fruit has been widely consumed and used as a source of antioxidants, either in the form of fresh fruit or processed products. However, mangosteen peel only becomes industrial waste due to its bitter taste, low content solubility, and poor stability. Therefore, this study aimed to design mangosteen peel extract microcapsules (MPEMs) and tablets to overcome the challenges. The fluidized bed spray-drying method was used to develop MPEM, with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as the core mixture and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the coating agent. The obtained MPEM was spherical with a hollow surface and had a size of 411.2 µm. The flow rate and compressibility of MPEM increased significantly after granulation. A formula containing 5% w/w polyvinyl pyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30) as a binder had the best tablet characteristics, with a hardness of 87.8 ± 1.398 N, friability of 0.94%, and disintegration time of 25.75 ± 0.676 min. Microencapsulation of mangosteen peel extract maintains the stability of its compound (total phenolic and α-mangosteen) and its antioxidant activity (IC50) during the manufacturing process and a month of storage at IVB zone conditions. According to the findings, the microencapsulation is an effective technique for improving the solubility and antioxidant stability of mangosteen peel extract during manufacture and storage. Full article

Broccoli sprouts are a recognized source of health-promoting compounds, such as glucosinolates, glucoraphanin, and sulforaphane (SFN). Maximization of SFN content can be achieved by technological processing. We investigated the effect of blanching conditions to determine the optimal treatment that maximizes sulforaphane content in broccoli sprouts. Broccoli seeds (cv. Traditional) grown under controlled conditions were harvested after 11 days from germination and subjected to different blanching conditions based on a central composite design with temperature and time as experimental factors. Results were analyzed by ANOVA followed by a Tukey test. The optimum conditions were identified through response surface methodology. Blanching increased sulforaphane content compared with untreated sprouts, agreeing with a decrease in total glucosinolates and glucoraphanin content. Temperature significantly affected SFN content. Higher temperatures and shorter immersion times favor glucoraphanin hydrolysis, thus increasing SFN content. The optimum conditions were blanching at 61 °C for 4.8 min, resulting in 54.3 ± 0.20 µmol SFN/g dry weight, representing a 3.3-fold increase with respect to untreated sprouts. This is the highest SFN content reported for sprouts subjected to any treatment so far. The process described in this work may contribute to developing functional foods and nutraceuticals that provide sulforaphane as an active principle. Full article

Tigilanol tiglate (EBC-46) is a small-molecule natural product under development for the treatment of cancers in humans and companion animals. The drug is currently produced by purification from the Australian rainforest tree Fontainea picrosperma (Euphorbiaceae). As part of a selective-breeding program to increase EBC-46 yield from F. picrosperma plantations, we investigated potential gene biomarkers associated with biosynthesis of EBC-46. Initially, we identified individual plants that were either high (>0.039%) or low EBC-46 (<0.008%) producers, then assessed their differentially expressed genes within the leaves and roots of these two groups by quantitative RNA sequencing. Compared to low EBC-46 producers, high-EBC-46-producing plants were found to have 145 upregulated genes and 101 downregulated genes in leaves and 53 upregulated genes and 82 downregulated genes in roots. Most of these genes were functionally associated with defence, transport, and biosynthesis. Genes identified as expressed exclusively in either the high or low EBC-46-producing plants were further validated by quantitative PCR, showing that cytochrome P450 94C1 in leaves and early response dehydration 7.1 and 2-alkenal reductase in roots were consistently and significantly upregulated in high-EBC-46 producers. In summary, this study has identified biomarker genes that may be used in the selective breeding of F. picrosperma. Full article

In the context of the increasing lactation problems among breastfeeding women, the development of a healthy lifestyle is needed. Different variants of pork, turkey, and beef meatballs, with added lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) aqueous extract (6%), were obtained. These herbs were selected and used due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and lactogenic potential. Two thermal treatments, hot air convection (180 °C) and steam convection (94 °C), were applied for meatballs processing. The obtained meatballs were further subjected to a complex characterization. The functionality of the plant extracts was proved by the values of total content of polyphenols (2.69 ± 0.02 mg AG/g dw) and flavonoids (3.03 ± 0.24 mg EQ/g dw). FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of trans-anethole and estragole at 1507–1508 cm⁻¹ and 1635–1638 cm⁻¹, respectively. Costumers’ overall acceptance had a score above 5.5 for all samples, on a scale of 1 to 9. Further analysis and human trials should be considered regarding the use of lactogenic herbs, given their health benefits and availability. Full article

Abnormal cell proliferation and accumulation of fluid-filled cysts along the nephrons in polycystic kidney disease (PKD) could lead to a decline in renal function and eventual end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Gambogic acid (GA), a xanthone compound extracted from the brownish resin of the Garcinia hanburyi tree, exhibits various pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammation, antioxidant, anti-proliferation, and anti-cancer activity. However, its effect on inhibiting cell proliferation in PKD is still unknown. This study aimed to determine the pharmacological effects and detailed mechanisms of GA in slowing an in vitro cyst growth model of PKD. The results showed that GA (0.25–2.5 μM) significantly retarded MDCK cyst growth and cyst formation in a dose-dependent manner, without cytotoxicity. Using the BrdU cell proliferation assay, it was found that GA (0.5–2.5 μM) suppressed MDCK and Pkd1 mutant cell proliferation. In addition, GA (0.5–2.5 μM) strongly inhibited phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and S6K expression and upregulated the activation of phosphorylation of AMPK, both in MDCK cells and Pkd1 mutant cells. Taken together, these findings suggested that GA could retard MDCK cyst enlargement, at least in part by inhibiting the cell proliferation pathway. GA could be a natural plant-based drug candidate for ADPKD intervention. Full article

Two techniques, namely, optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), were used to promote the extraction of phenolic compounds from the pseudo-fruits of Rosa canina L. (RC). For UAE, an optimization process based on the design of experiment (DoE) principles was used for determining the dependence between three variables (i.e., time of extraction, ultrasound amplitude, and the material-to-water ratio) and the total phenolic content of the samples. For EAE, a 2:1:1 pectinase, cellulase, and hemicellulase enzymatic blend was used as pre-treatment for optimized UAE, inducing a higher total phenolic content. The untargeted phenolic profiling approach revealed a great abundance of lower molecular weight phenolics (1.64 mg Eq./g) in UAE-RC extracts, whilst gallic acid (belonging to hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives) was the most abundant individual compound of both extracts. The unsupervised multivariate statistics clearly discriminated the impact of enzymatic pre-treatment on the phenolic profile of RC pseudo-fruits. Finally, Pearson’s correlation coefficients showed that anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and tyrosol derivatives were those compounds mostly correlated to the in vitro antioxidant potential of the extracts, whilst negative and significant (p < 0.05) correlation coefficients were recorded when considering the enzymatic inhibition activities. The highest enzyme-inhibitory activity has been identified against α-glucosidase, which indicates an antidiabetic effect. Full article

Antioxidant activity associated with green rooibos infusions is attributed to the activity of polyphenols, particularly aspalathin and nothofagin. This study aimed to optimise β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)-assisted extraction of crude green rooibos (CGRE) via total polyphenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity assays. Response surface methodology (RSM) permitted optimisation of β-CD concentration (0–15 mM), temperature (40–90 °C) and time (15–60 min). Optimal extraction conditions were: 15 mM β-CD: 40 °C: 60 min with a desirability of 0.985 yielding TPC of 398.25 mg GAE·g⁻¹, metal chelation (MTC) of 93%, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging of 1689.7 µmol TE·g⁻¹, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of 2097.53 µmol AAE·g⁻¹ and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of 11,162.82 TE·g⁻¹. Aspalathin, hyperoside and orientin were the major flavonoids, with quercetin, luteolin and chrysoeriol detected in trace quantities. Differences (p < 0.05) between aqueous and β-CD assisted CGRE was only observed for aspalathin reporting the highest content of 172.25 mg·g⁻¹ of dry matter for extracts produced at optimal extraction conditions. Positive, strong correlations between TPC and antioxidant assays were observed and exhibited regression coefficient (R²) between 0.929–0.978 at p < 0.001. These results demonstrated the capacity of β-CD in increasing polyphenol content of green rooibos. Full article

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound with anti-oxidation effects. The mechanisms underlying the antioxidant effects of resveratrol in duck intestinal epithelial cells remain unclear. The protective effects of resveratrol against oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂ on immortalized duck intestinal epithelial cells (IDECs) were investigated. IDECs were established by transferring the lentivirus-mediated simian virus 40 large T (SV40T) gene into small intestinal epithelial cells derived from duck embryos. IDECs were morphologically indistinguishable from the primary intestinal epithelial cells. The marker protein cytokeratin 18 (CK18) was also detected in the cultured cells. We found that resveratrol significantly increased the cell viability and activity of catalase and decreased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, as well as the apoptosis rate induced by H₂O₂ (p < 0.05). Resveratrol up-regulated the expression of NRF2, p-NRF2, p-AKT, and p-P38 proteins and decreased the levels of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 and the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 in H₂O₂-induced IDECs (p < 0.05). Our findings revealed that resveratrol might alleviate oxidative stress by the PI3K/AKT and P38 MAPK signal pathways and inhibit apoptosis by altering the levels of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, Bax, and Bcl-2 in IDECs exposed to H₂O₂. Full article

Isoquercitrin (IQ) widely exists in natural products, with a variety of pharmacological activities. In this study, the anti-apoptotic and antioxidative activities of IQ were evaluated. IQ showed protective activity against 2, 2′-azobis [2-methylpropionamidine] dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced cell damage, as well as a marked reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS). The evidence of IQ regulating Keap1-Nrf2-ARE and the mitochondrial-mediated Caspase 3 pathway were found in the MC3T3 osteoblastic cell line. Furthermore, IQ significantly decreased ROS production, apoptosis, and lipid peroxidation in AAPH-treated 72 h post-fertilization (hpf) zebrafish, as observed via DCFH-DA, acridine orange (AO), and a 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino) propane (DPPP) probe, respectively. In AAPH-treated 9 day post-fertilization (dpf) zebrafish, IQ strongly promoted osteogenic development, with increased concentrations by calcein staining, compared with the untreated group. In a molecular docking assay, among all signal proteins, Keap1 showed the strongest affinity with IQ at −8.6 kcal/mol, which might be the reason why IQ regulated the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway in vitro and in vivo. These results indicated that IQ promotes bone development and repairs bone injury, which is valuable for the prevention and treatment of bone diseases. Full article

In this study, the antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects of Mesona Chinensis Benth (MCB) extracts were evaluated. Seven fractions (F0, F10, F20, F30, F40, F50 and MTF) were obtained from the MCB ethanol extracts. Compared to the commercial antioxidants (vitamin C), MTF and F30 exhibited higher antioxidant activities in the antiradical activity test and the FRAP assay. The half-inhibition concentration (IC50) for MTF and F30 were 5.323 µg/mL and 5.278 µg/mL, respectively. MTF at 200 µg/mL significantly decreased the accumulation of TG in oleic acid (OA)-induced HepG2 cells and reversed the inhibitory effect of Compound C on AMPK (MTF and F30 significantly increased the glucose utilization of insulin-induced HepG2 cells). In addition, the components of MTF were identified by HPLC-MS, which were caffeic acid, quercetin 3-O-galactoside, isoquercetin, astragalin, rosmarinic acid, aromadendrin-3-O-rutinoside, rosmarinic acid-3-O-glucoside and kaempferol-7-O-glucoside. Through statistical correlations by Simca P software, it was found that the main antioxidant and hypolipidemic components of MCB might be caffeic acid, kaempferol-7-O-glucoside, rosmarinic acid-3-O-glucoside and aromadendrin-3-O-rutinoside, which may play important roles in the AMPK pathway. MTF and F30 in MCB could be potential health products for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Full article

This study highlighted the role of an 80% ethanolic Mon-Pu (Glochidion wallichianum) leaf extract (MPE), a novel natural antioxidative ingredient, in controlling the oxidative stability and physicochemical properties of a cooked sausage model system (SMS). MPE had a total extractable phenolic content of 16 mg/100 g, with DPPH^● scavenging activity, ABTS^●+ scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power of 2.3, 1.9, and 1.2 mmole Trolox equivalents (TE)/g, respectively. The effects of different concentrations of MPE (0.01–10%, w/w) formulated into SMS on lipid oxidation, protein oxidation, and discoloration were compared to synthetic butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT; 0.003%, w/w) and a control (without antioxidant). The peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and protein carbonyl contents of SMS tended to increase with increasing MPE concentration (p < 0.05), indicating that high MPE excipient has a pro-oxidative effect. The lowest lipid oxidation (PV and TBARS) and protein carbonyl contents were observed when 0.01% MPE was used to treat SMS (p < 0.05), which was comparable or even greater than BHT-treated SMS. High concentrations (1–10%) of MPE incorporation led to increases in the discoloration of SMS (p < 0.05) with a negligible change in pH of SMS. The water exudate was reduced when MPE was incorporated into SMS compared to control (p < 0.05). Furthermore, MPE at 0.01% significantly reduced lipid oxidation in cooked EMS during refrigerated storage. According to the findings, a low amount of MPE, particularly at 0.01%, in a formulation could potentially maintain the oxidative stability and physicochemical qualities of cooked SMS that are comparable to or better than synthetic BHT. Full article

Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. (Zingiberaceae) extract exerts protective activity against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced toxicity in HepG2 cells, and the antioxidant response element (ARE) luciferase activity increased 6-fold at 30 μg/mL in HepG2 cells transiently transfected with ARE-luciferase. To identify active molecules, activity-guided isolation of the crude extract led to four sesquiterpenes (1, 2, 5, 6) and two diarylheptanoids (3 and 4) from an n-hexane extract and six sesquiterpenes (7–12) from an ethyl acetate extract. Chemical structures were elucidated by one-dimensional, two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (1D-, 2D-NMR), and mass (MS) spectral data. Among the isolated compounds, eudesma-3,11-dien-2-one (2) promoted the nuclear accumulation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and increased the promoter property of the ARE. Diarylheptanoids, yakuchinone A (3), and 5′-hydroxyl-yakuchinone A (4) showed radical scavenging activity in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assays. Furthermore, optimization of extraction solvents (ratios of water and ethanol) was performed by comparison of contents of active compounds, ARE-inducing activity, radical scavenging activity, and HepG2 cell protective activity. As a result, 75% ethanol was the best solvent for the extraction of A. oxyphylla fruit. This study demonstrated that A. oxyphylla exerted antioxidant effects via the Nrf2/HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) pathway and radical scavenging along with active markers eudesma-3,11-dien-2-one (2) and yakuchinone A (3). Full article

At present, the potential of natural products in new drug development has attracted more and more scientists’ attention, and natural products have become an important source for the treatment of various diseases or important lead compounds. Geniposide, as a novel iridoid glycoside compound, is an active natural product isolated from the herb Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (GJ) for the first time; it is also the main active component of GJ. Recent studies have found that geniposide has multiple pharmacological effects and biological activities, including hepatoprotective activity, an anti-osteoporosis effect, an antitumor effect, an anti-diabetic effect, ananti-myocardial dysfunction effect, a neuroprotective effect, and other protective effects. In this study, the latest research progress of the natural product geniposide is systematically described, and the pharmacological effects, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of geniposide are also summarized and discussed comprehensively. We also emphasize the major pathways modulated by geniposide, offering new insights into the pharmacological effects of geniposide as a promising drug candidate for multiple disorders. Full article

The lack of a direct connection between solid edible or medical natural products and bioactive compound profiling is a bottleneck in natural product research and quality control. Here, a novel integrated system, online extraction (OLE)–2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)–HPLC−DAD−QTOF-MS, was fabricated to extract, screen, and identify antioxidants from the whole fruit of Citrus aurantium L. var. amara (CAVA, Rutaceae) simply, rapidly, and efficiently. The system consumes less sample (1.0 mg of CAVA powder) and requires a shorter analytical time (45 min for sample extraction, antioxidants screening, separation, and identification). Eight antioxidant flavonoids were screened and identified, and six available flavanones were sensitively, precisely, and accurately quantified. Two major flavanone glycosides, naringin (50.37 ± 0.43 mg/g) and neohesperidin (38.20 ± 0.27 mg/g), exhibit potent DPPH scavenging activities with IC₅₀ values of 111.9 ± 10.06 and 178.55 ± 11.28 μg/mL. A minor flavanone aglycone, hesperitin (0.73 ± 0.06 mg/g), presents stronger DPPH scavenging activity (IC₅₀, 39.07 ± 2.51 μg/mL). Furthermore, density functional theory calculations demonstrated their electron transport ability and chemical reactivity, which confirmed the screened results. The results indicate that the developed OLE–DPPH–HPLC−DAD−QTOF-MS system provides new perspectives for analysis of antioxidants from complex natural products, which also contribute to the quality evaluation of CAVA. Full article

Tomentosin, one of natural sesquiterpene lactones sourced from Inula viscosa L., exerts therapeutic effects in various cell types. Here, we investigated the antioxidant activities and the underlying action mechanisms of tomentosin in HaCaT cells (a human keratinocyte cell line). Specifically, we examined the involvement of tomentosin in aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathways. Treatment with tomentosin for up to 60 min triggered the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), whereas treatment for 4 h or longer decreased ROS production. Tomentosin treatment also induced the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and upregulated the expression of Nrf2 and its target genes. These data indicate that tomentosin induces ROS production at an early stage which activates the Nrf2 pathway by disrupting the Nrf2–Keap1 complex. However, at a later stage, ROS levels were reduced by tomentosin-induced upregulation of antioxidant genes. In addition, tomentosin induced the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor) and SP600125 (a JNK inhibitor) attenuated the tomentosin-induced phosphorylation of Nrf2, suggesting that JNK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways can contribute to the tomentosin-induced Nrf2 activation through phosphorylation of Nrf2. Furthermore, N-acetyl-_L-cysteine (NAC) treatment blocked both tomentosin-induced production of ROS and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2. These data suggest that tomentosin-induced Nrf2 signaling is mediated both by tomentosin-induced ROS production and the activation of p38 MAPK and JNK. Moreover, tomentosin inhibited the AhR signaling pathway, as evidenced by the suppression of xenobiotic-response element (XRE) reporter activity and the translocation of AhR into nucleus induced by urban pollutants, especially benzo[a]pyrene. These findings suggest that tomentosin can ameliorate skin damage induced by environmental pollutants. Full article

Citrus essential oils (CEOs) possess physiological functions due to diverse aroma components. However, evidence for the effects of CEOs on exercise performance and exercise-induced fatigue is limited. The CEOs with discrepancies in components may exert different effects on the amelioration of exercise-induced fatigue. In this study, sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.) essential oil (SEO), lemon (Citrus limon Osbeck) essential oil (LEO), and bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso and Poit) essential oil (BEO) were chosen to explore the effect on amelioration of exercise-induced fatigue. Our results demonstrated that SEO and LEO increased the swimming time by 276% and 46.5%, while BEO did not. Moreover, the three CEOs exerted varying effects on mitigating exercise-induced fatigue via inhibiting oxidative stress, protecting muscle injury, and promoting glucose-dependent energy supply. Accordingly, BEO showed the best efficiency. Moreover, the GC-MS and Pearson correlation analysis of BEO showed that the contents of the major components, such as (±)-limonene (32.9%), linalyl butyrate (17.8%), and linalool (7.7%), were significantly positively correlated with relieving exercise-induced fatigue. Full article

Cyrtosperma johnstonii is one of the most interesting traditional medicines for cancer treatment. This study aimed to compare and combine the biological activities related to cancer prevention of the flavonoid glycosides rutin (RT) and isorhamnetin-3-o-rutinoside (IRR) and their hydrolysis products quercetin (QT) and isorhamnetin (IR) from C.johnstonii extract. ABTS and MTT assays were used to determine antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity against various cancer cells, as well as normal cells. Anti-inflammatory activities were measured by ELISA. The results showed that the antioxidant activities of the compounds decreased in the order of QT > IR > RT > IRR, while most leukemia cell lines were sensitive to QT and IR with low toxicity towards PBMCs. The reduction of IL-6 and IL-10 secretion by QT and IR was higher than that induced by RT and IRR. The combination of hydrolysis products (QT and IR) possessed a strong synergism in antioxidant, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects, whereas the combination of flavonoid glycosides and their hydrolysis products revealed antagonism. These results suggest that the potential of the combination of hydrolyzed flavonoids from C. johnstonii can be considered as natural compounds for the prevention of cancer. Full article

Light quality has been reported to influence the phytochemical profile of broccoli sprouts/microgreens; however, few studies have researched the influence on mature broccoli. This is the first study to investigate how exposing a mature glasshouse grown vegetable brassica, Tenderstem^® broccoli, to different light wavelengths before harvest influences the phytochemical content. Sixty broccoli plants were grown in a controlled environment glasshouse under ambient light until axial meristems reached >1 cm diameter, whereupon a third were placed under either green/red/far-red LED, blue LED, or remained in the original compartment. Primary and secondary spears were harvested after one and three weeks, respectively. Plant morphology, glucosinolate, carotenoid, tocopherol, and total polyphenol content were determined for each sample. Exposure to green/red/far-red light increased the total polyphenol content by up to 13% and maintained a comparable total glucosinolate content to the control. Blue light increased three of the four indole glucosinolates studied. The effect of light treatments on carotenoid and tocopherol content was inconclusive due to inconsistencies between trials, indicating that they are more sensitive to other environmental factors. These results have shown that by carefully selecting the wavelength, the nutritional content of mature broccoli prior to harvest could be manipulated according to demand. Full article

Herein, we studied the variation in leaf and fruit morphological traits and antioxidant contents in 43 local and foreign cultivars (cvs) grown under the same experimental conditions in the widely cultivated plum species Prunus domestica and Prunus salicina. The peel contribution of fruit bioactive compounds in a serving portion, correlations among the examined parameters, and group patterns in each plum species were also studied. The species and cvs were sufficiently separated. Compared to Japanese cvs, European cvs had less elongated leaves and smaller and sweeter fruit with less total phenol and antioxidant capacities. The Japanese cvs ‘Red ace’ and the widely grown ‘Black Amber’, together with the European ‘Tuleu Dulce’, ‘BlueFre’, and the landrace ‘Asvestochoriou’ make up groups with rich dietary sources of phytochemicals. The peel tissue contained higher total phenols and antioxidant capacities compared to the flesh, while the peel/flesh ratios varied widely among the cvs (6.6-fold). The variation in the antioxidant contents was lower among the cvs calculated per serving portion (3.7-fold); yet the peel tissue contribution was equal to that of the flesh (48.6%), signifying its high nutritive value. We observed increased sweetness in the fruit in the later-harvested cultivars, while cvs with more blue- and red-colored peel generally contained higher antioxidant contents mainly in the European plums. Moreover, larger fruit sizes were positively correlated with larger and more elliptic leaf shapes. In conclusion, the significant role of the genotype and the peel tissue as a source of bioactive compounds in plums were outlined with prospects of utilization in future breeding programs. Full article

Cold acclimation (CA) is a strategy which plants have evolved to increase freezing tolerance. Global climate change could obstruct CA and raise the probability of winter injury, especially for evergreens. Hence, understanding the regulatory mechanism of CA is crucial to improve freezing tolerance in evergreen plants. A comparative study on a pair of closely related evergreen and deciduous iris species in response to cold through CA was conducive to uncovering and complementing the knowledge of CA. We investigated morphological, physiological and biochemical changes, as well as the expression of associated genes in the functional leaves of both iris species from natural CA to deacclimation. Briefly, fast and strong CA in the evergreen iris might cause early expressions of BAM1, NCED3, GPX6, etc., which leads to strong enzyme activity of starch degradation, abscisic acid biosynthesis and reactive oxygen species scavenging. Additionally, genes belonging to the antioxidant system were mainly induced during deacclimation. These results suggest that interspecies differences in the leaf freezing tolerance of irises are associated with the rate and degree of CA, which activates multiple signaling networks with complex interactions and induces the transcription of cold-responsive genes. Moreover, the ICE–CBF–COR signaling cascade may integrate and initiate diverse cold-responsive pathways during CA of the evergreen iris. The findings of this study provide valuable insight to further research on CA mechanisms and implicate genes which could support breeding strategies in herbaceous perennials under climate changes. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the structure-activity relationship of the pine nut antioxidant peptide WYPGK and its derivative peptides, and to evaluate the protective effect of the latter on oxidative damage to mitochondrial structure and function in PC12 cells. Molecular docking revealed the derivative peptides WYFGK and WYSGK to have higher affinity to the active region of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) (−6.08 kcal/mol and −5.87 kcal/mol, respectively), hence indicating that they are promising SIRT3 inducers and antioxidant factors. The derivative peptide WYSGK presented the highest ORAC value (5457.70 µmol TE/g), ABTS scavenging activity (70.05%), and Fe²⁺-chelating activity (81.70%), followed by WYPGK and WYFGK. Circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance data suggested that the presence of 3-Ser in WYSGK increased its β-sheet content, and that the active hydrogen atoms produced chemical shifts. In H₂O₂-induced PC12 cells, WYSGK substantially reduced ROS and MDA levels, and increased ATP levels. Transmission electron microscopy and Seahorse Analyze assay proved the peptide WYSGK to significantly alleviate mitochondrial damage and respiratory dysfunction (p < 0.05), thereby implying that a study of structure-activity relationships of the peptides can possibly be an effective approach for the development of functional factors. Full article

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a shrub with leaves that have a high concentration of carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin. Egg yolks are a bioavailable source of lutein and zeaxanthin. The consumption of these carotenoids has been linked with improved human health. To investigate the impact of dried stevia leaves at 0%, 1% and 2% on the quality variables, the chemical composition and antioxidant content of eggs, the experiment involved 90 Hy-Line Brown laying hens, housed in 30 enriched layer cages, in groups of three from 22 to 26 weeks of age. The impact on the internal qualities of stored eggs was also examined. Yolks from hens fed stevia had an enriched color compared with the controls. At the end of the experiment, the whole egg, without shell, of birds fed 2% stevia had a higher total carotenoid content (p < 0.001) compared with birds fed 1% and 0% stevia, i.e., 5.16 (µg/g), 4.23 (µg/g) and 2.96 (µg/g), respectively. Storage reduced albumen height and increased albumen pH (p < 0.001). Stevia supplementation did not interact (p > 0.05) with storage time among the egg quality variables. Consuming eggs from hens fed stevia may increase carotenoids in human diet. Full article

Leaf removal is a canopy management practice widely applied in viticulture to enhance the phenol composition and concentration of grapes, which then results in improved wine quality. Many studies were carried out on red berried varieties, but information on white ones is scanty. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of basal leaf defoliation in post fruit set on the phenol composition, ascorbate level and antioxidant activity of Trebbiano grapes. Electron paramagnetic resonance was also employed to monitor the decay kinetics of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl which allowed the identification of antioxidants with different action rates. The results show that defoliation caused an increase in the phenolic acid (hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids) and flavonol concentrations of berries without changes in the composition. Both ascorbate and antioxidant activity were also enhanced in the berries from defoliated vines. Besides increasing the number of fast-rate antioxidants, leaf removal resulted in the formation of intermediate-rate ones. In the Trebbiano variety, leaf removal in the post fruit set may represent an effective strategy to enhance the phenolic composition and the antioxidant defense system of berries. Full article

Lignans, a group of polyphenols, have been identified in eight cold pressed oils from fruits, nuts, and seeds, retrieved from the Brazilian market. The oils under investigation were avocado, Brazilian nut, canola, coconut, grapeseed, macadamia, palm, and pequi. Olive oil was selected as a reference oil, since numerous data on its lignan content are available in literature. The qualitative and quantitative profiles were obtained, after extraction, by means of UFLC-ESI-MS/MS analyses. The total lignan content showed a high variability, ranging from 0.69 mg·Kg⁻¹ (pequi) to 7.12 mg·Kg⁻¹ (grapeseed), with the highest content registered for olive oil. Seven lignans were quantified, matairesinol and pinoresinol being the most abundant. The LC-MS/MS method was validated, showing linearity in the range of 12.5–212.5 mg·Kg⁻¹, LOD in the range of 0.18–11.37 mg·Kg⁻¹, and LOQ in the range of 0.53–34.45 mg·Kg⁻¹. Additionally, part of the study was focused on the evaluation of the flavor profile, this being a key element in consumers’ evaluations, by means of HS-SPME-GC. In total, 150 volatile compounds were determined in the eight oils, with identified fractions ranging from 91.85% (avocado) to 96.31% (canola), with an average value of 94.1%. Groups of components contributed characteristically to the flavour of each oil. Full article

The aim of the study was to compare the chemical composition of the water and hydromethanolic extracts of R. rosea commercial samples in relation to their biological activity. For this purpose, the HPLC method was used for the determination of eleven phenolic compounds and AAS/AES was used for determination of five essential elements. Moreover, the contents of total phenolic, total flavonoid, total phenolic acids, and L(+)-ascorbic acid were determined. The antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS radical scavenging activity, ferric-reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), and cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assays, while the inhibitory activity against AChE and BChE enzymes was determined using Ellman’s method. The results showed that the hydromethanolic extracts of R. rosea were richer in phenolic compounds and showed higher antioxidant and neurobiological activity than the water extracts. However, the water extracts gave higher contents of determined elements. Among the individual phenolic compounds gallic acid (2.33 mg/g DW) and sinapic acid (386.44 µg/g DW) had the highest concentrations in the hydromethanolic and water extracts, respectively. Moreover, the most extracts were observed to be more efficient on BChE. Moreover, the correlation analysis indicated a high positive relationship between chemical composition and biological activity in both extracts of R. rosea. Full article

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of microwave ultrasonic-assisted extraction (MUAE) on the content, structure, and biological functions of Brassica rapa L. polysaccharide (BRP). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the parameters of MUAE, and it obtained a polysaccharide with yield of 21.802%. Then, a neutral polysaccharide named BRP-1-1 with a molecular weight of 31.378 kDa was isolated and purified from BRP using DEAE-650 M and Sephadex G-100. The structures of the BRP-1-1 were elucidated through a combination of FT-IR, GC-MS, NMR, and methylation analysis. The results showed that BRP-1 consisted of mannose (Man) and glucose (Glu) in a molar ratio of 7.62:1. The backbone of BRP-1-1 mainly consisted of →6)-α-D-Glup-(1→4-β-D-Glup-(1→2)-α-D-Manp-(1→2)-α-D-Glup-(1→, the branch was [T-α-D-Manp-(1]_n→. BRP-1-1 intervention significantly inhibited α-glucosidase activity; an inhibition rate of 44.623% was achieved at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. The results of the in vitro biological activity showed that BRP-1-1 has good antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity, suggesting that BRP-1-1 could be developed as a functional medicine. Full article

The health benefits of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) are strictly linked to the presence of phenolic compounds, which exhibit numerous nutraceutical properties. In EVOO, the most important class of phenolic compounds is represented by secoiridoids (oleacein and oleocanthal). EVOO is constantly subjected to degradation processes, including hydrolytic and oxidative reactions that influence its phenolic composition. In particular, the hydrolytic reactions determine the transformation of oleocanthal and oleacein into the corresponding phenyl-alcohols, tyrosol, and hydroxytyrosol. Furthermore, oleocanthal by oxidation processes can be converted to oleocanthalic acid. In this study, we evaluated the phenolic composition of three EVOO samples kept at different storage conditions for 15 months, focusing on the variation of oleocanthalic acid content. Specifically, the samples were stored at 4 °C in darkness and at 25 °C with light exposure. The results of our analyses highlighted that in EVOOs exposed to light and maintained at 25 °C, the degradation was more marked than in EVOO stored in dark and at 4 °C, due to the greater influence of external factors on storage conditions. Although chemical–physical characteristics of EVOOs are slightly different depending on provenience and treatment time, the results of this study reveal that storage conditions are fundamental to controlling phenol concentration. Full article

Tartary buckwheat, a healthy food, is associated with a reduced risk of certain human chronic diseases. However, the bioactive component flavonoids in Tartary buckwheat have poor solubility and low absorption in vivo. To improve these points, 60.00% Tartary buckwheat total flavonoids (TFs) were obtained by ethanol refluxing method, which were purified and micronized by antisolvent recrystallization (ASR) using methanol as a solvent and deionized water as an antisolvent. By using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and electrospray ionized mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), the main flavonoid in pure flavonoids (PF) were rutin (RU), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (KA) and quercetin (QU); the content of TF is 99.81% after purification. It is more worthy of our attention that micronized flavonoids contribute more to antioxidant activity because of good solubility. These results provide a theoretical reference for the micronization of other flavonoids. Full article

It is well known that organic acids (OAs) could affect the flavour of fruit juices and beverages. However, the molecular mechanism of aroma release is still unclear. In this study, the effects of citric acid (CA), L-(-)-malic acid (MA) and L-lactic acid (LA) on the release of six selected esters and their sensory perception were investigated by means of HS-GC-MS analyses and odour detection threshold determination, respectively. Meanwhile, the density functional theory (DFT) calculation was employed to explore the interaction modes between esters and OAs. HS-GC-MS analyses showed that the concentration and the type of OAs regulated the release of esters. The results were basically consistent with the detection threshold change of those esters. The DFT calculation suggested that the main intermolecular interaction was hydrogen bonds, and several esters could form a ternary ring structure with OAs through hydrogen bonds. The interactions can induce the different release behaviours of esters in OAs water solution. The number of carboxyl functional groups in OAs and the spatial conformation of esters appeared to influence the magnitude of the interaction. The above results demonstrated the mechanism of OAs affecting the release of esters and indicated a possible flavour control way by using different OAs and OA concentrations. Full article

Exposure to particulate matter is a causative factor of dry eye disease. We aimed to investigate the beneficial effect of eye drops containing aucubin on dry eye disease induced by urban particulate matter (UPM). Dry eye was induced in male SD rats (6 weeks old) by topical exposure to UPM thrice a day for 5 d. Eye drops containing 0.1% aucubin or 0.5% aucubin were topically administered directly into the eye after UPM exposure for an additional 5 d. Tear secretion was evaluated using a phenol red thread tear test and corneal irregularity. The oxidative damage in the lacrimal gland was evaluated using TUNEL and immunohistochemical staining. The topical administration of aucubin significantly attenuated UPM-induced tear hyposecretion (control group: 9.25 ± 0.62 mm, UPM group: 4.55 ± 0.25 mm, 0.1% aucubin: 7.12 ± 0.58 mm, and 0.5% aucubin: 7.88 ± 0.75 mm) and corneal irregularity (control group: 0.00 ± 0.00, UPM group: 3.40 ± 0.29, 0.1% aucubin: 1.80 ± 0.27, and 0.5% aucubin: 1.15 ± 0.27). In addition, aucubin also reduced the UPM-induced apoptotic injury of lacrimal gland cells induced by oxidative stress through the increased expression of HMGB1 and RAGE. These findings indicate that the topical administration of aucubin eye drops showed a beneficial effect against UPM-induced abnormal ocular changes, such as tear hyposecretion and lacrimal gland damage. Therefore, our results reveal the pharmacological activities of aucubin in dry eye disease. Full article

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, mainly triggered by the formation of atherosclerotic plaques that reduce blood flow. Angiogenic cell therapy based on endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) constitutes a promising alternative to promote vascular revascularization; however, under the oxidative environment that prevails in ischemic areas, these cells become impaired. Thus, it is necessary to investigate strategies to enhance their regenerative properties. Antioxidant substances, such as polyphenols, have been shown to be useful for this purpose. In the current study we evaluated the potential of mango leaves, olive leaves and red grape pomace extracts, rich in polyphenols, to promote ECFC reparative effects. For this, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the aforementioned raw materials were obtained by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). After evaluating the polyphenol content and the antioxidant activity, in vitro assays were carried out, and we found that ethanolic extracts at low concentrations improved angiogenic capacities of ECFCs and reduced proliferation, apoptosis, and the inflammatory response of these cells. Overall, mango leaves ethanolic extract provided the most promising results, but all three extracts ameliorated the functionality of ECFCs. Full article

This study evaluated thirteen different black mulberry fruits (Morus nigra L.) grown in the Guangdong region in order to select the best cultivar for health benefits and commercial applications. The phenolic compounds were identified and quantified using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by three in vitro methods. Significant differences among samples were found regarding total soluble solids (6.20–15.83 °Brix), titratable acidity (5.82–48.49 mg CA/g), total phenolic contents (10.82–27.29 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid contents (1.21–2.86 mg RE/g) and total anthocyanin contents (2.91–11.86 mg CE/g). Fifty-five different phenolic compounds were identified, of which fifteen were reported in mulberry for the first time, but only forty-six of them were quantitated. The DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity and ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power varied significantly among the samples. Overall, cultivars with better combinations of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were Qiong46 (M-2), Yuebanguo (M-4) and Heizhenzhu (M-10), which were recommended for commercial cultivation. Full article

Black soybean has been used in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory diseases, cancer, and diabetes and as a nutritional source since ancient times. We found that Korean black soybean cultivar A63 has more cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, (C3G), procyanidin B2 (PB2), and epicatechin (EPC) contents than other cultivars and has beneficial effects on cell viability and anti-oxidation. Given the higher concentration of anthocyanidins and their strong anti-oxidant activity, we predicted that A63 extract could relieve inflammatory disease symptoms, including those of atopic dermatitis (AD). Here, we evaluated the anti-AD activity of A63 extract in an oxazolone (OXA)-induced mouse model. A63 extract treatment significantly reduced epidermal thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration, downregulated the expression of AD gene markers, including Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5, and restored damaged skin barrier tissues. Furthermore, A63 extract influenced the activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 and STAT6, extracellular regulatory kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways, which play a crucial role in the development of AD. Altogether, our results suggest that A63 can ameliorate AD-like skin inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory cytokine production and STAT3/6 and Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and restoring skin barrier function. Full article