Phenolamides: Plant specialized metabolites with a wide range of promising pharmacological and health-promoting interests

Anthocyanins are widely distributed secondary metabolites that play an essential role in skin pigmentation of many plant organs and microorganisms. Anthocyanins have been associated with a wide range of biological and pharmacological properties. They are also effective agents in the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases. Berries are particularly abundant in these compounds; therefore, their dietary intake has health-promoting effects. The aim of this study was to identify and determine the anthocyanin content in selected species and cultivars of berry fruits, such as raspberry, blackberry, red currant, blackcurrant, and highbush blueberry, widely consumed by Europeans. The concentrations of anthocyanins were determined by HPLC, identifying individual compounds: cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside, delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, delphinidin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, and malvidin-3-O-galactoside. The experimental data showed that the selected species and cultivars of berry fruits differ significantly in the contents of anthocyanins. Among all species tested, blackberry and blackcurrant were characterized significantly by the highest content of anthocyanins (sum), while the lowest content was found in red currant fruits. Additionally, the content of individual anthocyanin compounds in particular species and cultivars was also different. Considering the high content of anthocyanins and their potential positive impact on human health and protection against disease, berries should be part of healthy nutrition.

Download Full-text

Highly Bioavailable Forms of Curcumin and Promising Avenues for Curcumin-Based Research and Application: A Review

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25061397 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (6) ◽

pp. 1397 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Sidney J. Stohs ◽

Oliver Chen ◽

Sidhartha D. Ray ◽

Jin Ji ◽

Luke R. Bucci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Free Form ◽

Blood Levels ◽

Pharmacokinetic Studies ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Health Maintenance ◽

Enhanced Absorption ◽

Wide Range ◽

Human Pharmacokinetic ◽

Potential Applications ◽

Health Promoting

Curcumin exerts a wide range of beneficial physiological and pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-amyloid, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-neoplastic, immune-modulating, metabolism regulating, anti-depressant, neuroprotective and tissue protective effects. However, its poor solubility and poor absorption in the free form in the gastrointestinal tract and its rapid biotransformation to inactive metabolites greatly limit its utility as a health-promoting agent and dietary supplement. Recent advances in micro- and nano-formulations of curcumin with greatly enhanced absorption resulting in desirable blood levels of the active forms of curcumin now make it possible to address a wide range of potential applications, including pain management, and as tissue protective. Using these forms of highly bioavailable curcumin now enable a broad spectrum of appropriate studies to be conducted. This review discusses the formulations designed to enhance bioavailability, metabolism of curcumin, relationships between solubility and particle size relative to bioavailability, human pharmacokinetic studies involving formulated curcumin products, the widely used but inappropriate practice of hydrolyzing plasma samples for quantification of blood curcumin, current applications of curcumin and its metabolites and promising directions for health maintenance and applications.

Download Full-text

Transcriptomics of the Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) Species Complex

BioTech ◽

10.3390/biotech9040019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 19

Author(s):

Emily Amor Stander ◽

Wesley Williams ◽

Yamkela Mgwatyu ◽

Peter van Heusden ◽

Fanie Rautenbach ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Material ◽

Transcriptome Assembly ◽

Cape Floristic Region ◽

Growth Forms ◽

Sequencing Data ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Aspalathus Linearis ◽

Wide Range ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Biochemical Profiles

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), widely known as a herbal tea, is endemic to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa (SA). It produces a wide range of phenolic compounds that have been associated with diverse health promoting properties of the plant. The species comprises several growth forms that differ in their morphology and biochemical composition, only one of which is cultivated and used commercially. Here, we established methodologies for non-invasive transcriptome research of wild-growing South African plant species, including (1) harvesting and transport of plant material suitable for RNA sequencing; (2) inexpensive, high-throughput biochemical sample screening; (3) extraction of high-quality RNA from recalcitrant, polysaccharide- and polyphenol rich plant material; and (4) biocomputational analysis of Illumina sequencing data, together with the evaluation of programs for transcriptome assembly (Trinity, IDBA-Trans, SOAPdenovo-Trans, CLC), protein prediction, as well as functional and taxonomic transcript annotation. In the process, we established a biochemically characterized sample pool from 44 distinct rooibos ecotypes (1–5 harvests) and generated four in-depth annotated transcriptomes (each comprising on average ≈86,000 transcripts) from rooibos plants that represent distinct growth forms and differ in their biochemical profiles. These resources will serve future rooibos research and plant breeding endeavours.

Download Full-text

The Therapeutic Potential of Apigenin

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20061305 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

pp. 1305 ◽

Cited By ~ 102

Author(s):

Bahare Salehi ◽

Alessandro Venditti ◽

Mehdi Sharifi-Rad ◽

Dorota Kręgiel ◽

Javad Sharifi-Rad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Animal Models ◽

Health Effects ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Functional Activities ◽

Formulated Diet ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Wide Range ◽

Health Promoting

Several plant bioactive compounds have exhibited functional activities that suggest they could play a remarkable role in preventing a wide range of chronic diseases. The largest group of naturally-occurring polyphenols are the flavonoids, including apigenin. The present work is an updated overview of apigenin, focusing on its health-promoting effects/therapeutic functions and, in particular, results of in vivo research. In addition to an introduction to its chemistry, nutraceutical features have also been described. The main key findings from in vivo research, including animal models and human studies, are summarized. The beneficial indications are reported and discussed in detail, including effects in diabetes, amnesia and Alzheimer’s disease, depression and insomnia, cancer, etc. Finally, data on flavonoids from the main public databases are gathered to highlight the apigenin’s key role in dietary assessment and in the evaluation of a formulated diet, to determine exposure and to investigate its health effects in vivo.

Download Full-text

Genetic Variation of Flavonols Quercetin, Myricetin, and Kaempferol in the Sri Lankan Tea (Camellia sinensisL.) and Their Health-Promoting Aspects

International Journal of Food Science ◽

10.1155/2016/6057434 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Brasathe Jeganathan ◽

P. A. Nimal Punyasiri ◽

J. Dananjaya Kottawa-Arachchi ◽

Mahasen A. B. Ranatunga ◽

I. Sarath B. Abeysinghe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Flavonol Glycosides ◽

Sri Lankan ◽

Tea Leaves ◽

Good Source ◽

Camellia Japonica ◽

Beverage Type ◽

Wide Range ◽

Long Time ◽

Breeding Programmes ◽

Health Promoting

Flavonol glycosides in tea leaves have been quantified as aglycones, quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol. Occurrence of the said compounds was reported in fruits and vegetable for a long time in association with the antioxidant potential. However, data on flavonols in tea were scanty and, hence, this study aims to envisage the flavonol content in a representative pool of accessions present in the Sri Lankan tea germplasm. Significant amounts of myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol have been detected in the beverage type tea accessions of the Sri Lankan tea germplasm. This study also revealed that tea is a good source of flavonol glycosides. TheCamellia sinensisvar.sinensisshowed higher content of myricetin, quercetin, and total flavonols than var.assamicaand ssp.lasiocalyx. Therefore flavonols and their glycosides can potentially be used in chemotaxonomic studies of tea germplasm. The nonbeverage type cultivars, especiallyCamellia rosafloraandCamellia japonicaRed along with the exotic accessions resembling China type, could be useful in future germplasm studies because they are rich sources of flavonols, namely, quercetin and kaempferol, which are potent antioxidants. The flavonol profiles can be effectively used in choosing parents in tea breeding programmes to generate progenies with a wide range of flavonol glycosides.

Download Full-text

Multisite evaluation of phenotypic plasticity for specialized metabolites, some involved in carrot quality and disease resistance

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0249613 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. e0249613

Author(s):

Wilfried Chevalier ◽

Sitti-Anlati Moussa ◽

Miguel Medeiros Netto Ottoni ◽

Cécile Dubois-Laurent ◽

Sébastien Huet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Improvement ◽

Phenotypic Plasticity ◽

Sensory Quality ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Phenotypic Variability ◽

Environment Interaction ◽

Biotic And Abiotic Stress ◽

Environmental Sensitivity ◽

Specialized Metabolites ◽

Wide Range

Renewed consumer demand motivates the nutritional and sensory quality improvement of fruits and vegetables. Specialized metabolites being largely involved in nutritional and sensory quality of carrot, a better knowledge of their phenotypic variability is required. A metabolomic approach was used to evaluate phenotypic plasticity level of carrot commercial varieties, over three years and a wide range of cropping environments spread over several geographical areas in France. Seven groups of metabolites have been quantified by HPLC or GC methods: sugars, carotenoids, terpenes, phenolic compounds, phenylpropanoids and polyacetylenes. A large variation in root metabolic profiles was observed, in relation with environment, variety and variety by environment interaction effects in decreasing order of importance. Our results show a clear diversity structuration based on metabolite content. Polyacetylenes, β-pinene and α-carotene were identified mostly as relatively stable varietal markers, exhibiting static stability. Nevertheless, environment effect was substantial for a large part of carrot metabolic profile and various levels of phenotypic plasticity were observed depending on metabolites and varieties. A strong difference of environmental sensitivity between varieties was observed for several compounds, particularly myristicin, 6MM and D-germacrene, known to be involved in responses to biotic and abiotic stress. This work provides useful information about plasticity in the perspective of carrot breeding and production. A balance between constitutive content and environmental sensitivity for key metabolites should be reached for quality improvement in carrot and other vegetables.

Download Full-text

A Review of the Resilience Scale

Journal of Nursing Measurement ◽

10.1891/1061-3749.17.2.105 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 105-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 270

Author(s):

Gail Wagnild

Keyword(s):

Construct Validity ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Internal Consistency Reliability ◽

Cronbach's Alpha ◽

Educational Backgrounds ◽

Resilience Scale ◽

Wide Range ◽

Different Ages ◽

Scale Scores ◽

Health Promoting

The purpose of this article is to review 12 completed studies that have used the Resilience Scale (Wagnild & Young, 1993). Completed studies were identified through PubMed and CINAHL. Studies that identified Resilience Scale scores, sample descriptions, and tested relationships between the Resilience Scale and study variables were selected for inclusion. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranged from .72 to .94 supporting the internal consistency reliability of the Resilience Scale. Hypothesized relationships between the Resilience Scale and study variables (e.g., forgiveness, stress, anxiety, health promoting activities) were supported strengthening the evidence for construct validity of the Resilience Scale. In the studies reported here, the Resilience Scale has been used with a variety of individuals of different ages, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds. The Resilience Scale has performed as a reliable and valid tool to measure resilience and has been used with a wide range of study populations.

Download Full-text

Preserving Biodiversity as Source of Health Promoting Compounds: Phenolic Profile and Biological Activity of Four Varieties of Solanum lycopersicum L.

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10030447 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 447

Author(s):

Immacolata Faraone ◽

Daniela Russo ◽

Maria Ponticelli ◽

Vincenzo Candido ◽

Donato Castronuovo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Activity ◽

Solanum Lycopersicum ◽

Radical Scavenging ◽

Carotenoid Content ◽

Solanum Lycopersicum L ◽

Dpph Method ◽

Wide Range ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Phytochemical Profile ◽

Peel Extract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a precious source of specialized metabolites with a great role in human health. Many varieties of tomatoes characterize the south of Italy’s agronomic production and biodiversity, thanks to its warm temperatures and favorable weather. The preservation of biodiversity is a major goal of recent years, as each variety shows a peculiar phytochemical profile and provides a wide variety of metabolites with health-beneficial properties. Among the wide range of tomato varieties, literature focused on the most commercially-known types, including San Marzano and Datterino, while this study considered typical South Italy varieties for the first time, as well as Crovarese and Arsicolo. The aim of our work is to enrich the current knowledge about the tomato by evaluating the carotenoid content, the phytochemical profile by HPLC-DAD, and the biological activity of the different parts (peel, fruit, pulp, and seeds) of niche cultivars compared with commercial ones. Radical scavenging activity, assessed by the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, was higher in Crovarese peel extract, while Arsicolo possessed the highest lycopene content, underlying the importance of local ecotypes as a precious source of health promoting compounds. However, out of all of the varieties considered, peel extract was the most active one, opening new insights on their valorization in light of the circular economy.

Download Full-text

Efficacy of Polyphenols in the Management of Dyslipidemia: A Focus on Clinical Studies

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13020672 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 672

Author(s):

Francis Feldman ◽

Mireille Koudoufio ◽

Yves Desjardins ◽

Schohraya Spahis ◽

Edgard Delvin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Animal Studies ◽

Lipoprotein Metabolism ◽

Hdl Cholesterol ◽

Critical Examination ◽

Wide Range ◽

Significant Research ◽

Study Heterogeneity ◽

Health Promoting

Polyphenols (PLPs), phytochemicals found in a wide range of plant-based foods, have gained extensive attention in view of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and several additional beneficial activities. The health-promoting effects noted in animal models of various non-communicable diseases explain the growing interest in these molecules. In particular, in vitro and animal studies reported an attenuation of lipid disorders in response to PLPs. However, despite promising preclinical investigations, the effectiveness of PLPs in human dyslipidemia (DLP) is less clear and necessitates revision of available literature. Therefore, the present review analyzes the role of PLPs in managing clinical DLP, notably by dissecting their potential in ameliorating lipid/lipoprotein metabolism and alleviating hyperlipidemia, both postprandially and in long-term interventions. To this end, PubMed was used for article search. The search terms included polyphenols, lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and /or HDL-cholesterol. The critical examination of the trials published to date illustrates certain benefits on blood lipids along with co-morbidities in participant’s health status. However, inconsistent results document significant research gaps, potentially owing to study heterogeneity and lack of rigor in establishing PLP bioavailability during supplementation. This underlines the need for further efforts in order to elucidate and support a potential role of PLPs in fighting DLP.

Download Full-text

Anthocyanins: Promising Natural Products with Diverse Pharmacological Activities

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26133807 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (13) ◽

pp. 3807

Author(s):

Jiaqi Liu ◽

Hongbing Zhou ◽

Li Song ◽

Zhanjun Yang ◽

Min Qiu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Products ◽

Research Progress ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Anticancer Effect ◽

Pharmacological Activities ◽

Pharmacological Agents ◽

Wide Range ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Disease Impact ◽

Antioxidant Effects

Anthocyanins are natural products that give color to plants. As natural plant pigments, anthocyanins also have a series of health-promoting benefits. Many researchers have proved that anthocyanins have therapeutic effects on diseases, such as circulatory, nervous, endocrine, digestive, sensory, urinary and immune systems. Additionally, a large number of studies have reported that anthocyanins have an anticancer effect through a wide range of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The anti-disease impact and mechanism of anthocyanins are diverse, so they have high research value. This review summarizes the research progress of anthocyanins on the pharmacological agents of different diseases to provide references for subsequent research.

Download Full-text