Plant Extracts and Functional Foods for Better Health: Vitality of Bioactive Compounds in Cell Signaling and Biological Assays

Author(s):  
K. M. Thara
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Carine M.N. Ngaffo ◽  
Simplice B. Tankeo ◽  
Michel-Gael F. Guefack ◽  
Brice E. N. Wamba ◽  
Paul Nayim ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Bacterial infections involving the multidrug resistant (MDR) strains are among the top leading causes of death throughout the world. Healthcare system across the globe has been suffering from an extra-ordinary burden in terms of looking for the new and more potent antimicrobial compounds. The aim of the present study was to determine the antibacterial activity of some Cameroonian edible plants (Garcinia lucida bark, Phoenix dactylifera pericarps, Theobroma cacao pod, Solanum macrocarpon leaves and Termitomyces titanicus whole plant) and their antibiotics-potentiation effects against some MDR Gram-negative bacteria phenotypes expressing efflux pumps (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Providencia stuartii strains). Methods: The antibacterial activities of plant extract alone and in combination with usual antibiotics were carried out using the micro-dilution method. The effects of the most active plant extract (Garcinia lucida bark) on H+-ATPase-mediated proton pumps and on bacterial growth kinetic were performed using experimental protocols, while qualitative reference methods were used to highligh the major groups of secondary metabolites present in the extracts. Results: Qualitative phytochemical screening of plant extracts indicated that all analysed secondary metabolites were present in Theobroma cacao and Termitomyces titanicus while one (saponins) of them was absent in Garcinia lucida and Solanum macrocarpon. Only three of them (polyphenols, flavonoids and saponins) were detected in Phoenix dactylifera. Antibacterial essays showed that G. lucida was the most active plant as it inhibited the growth of all studied bacteria with strong activity (MIC<100 µg/mL) against E. coli ATCC8739, significant activity (100≤MIC≤512 µg/mL) against 80% of bacteria and moderate activity (512<MIC≤2048 µg/mL) against E. coli AG100A and E. aerogenes (EA289 and CM64). It was followed by T. cacao and S. macrocarpon extracts which exhibited an antibacterial potential against 95% and 80% of bacterial strains, respectively. These three extracts exhibited a bactericidal effect on a few bacteria. Extracts from T. titanicus and P. dactylifera were less active as they moderately (512<MIC≤2048 µg/mL) inhibited the growth of 35% and 10% of bacteria. All extracts selectively potentiated the activities of all antibiotics with improvement activity factors (IAF) ranging from 2 to 256. G. lucida, T. cacao and S. macrocarpon potentiated the activities of 100%, 89% and 67% of antibiotics respectively against more than 70%, suggesting that they contain bioactive compounds which could be considered as efflux pumps inhibitors. Whereas T. titanicus and P. dactylifera improved the activities of almost 40% and 20% of antibiotics, respectively. This increase of activities also characterizes synergistic effects between antibiotics and these bioactive compounds. G. lucida extract at all tested concentrations, strongly inhibited the growth of bacterial strain E. coli ATCC8739 and exhibited an inhibitory effect on this bacterial H+-ATPase-mediated proton pumps increasing the pH of the medium. Conclusion: The overall results indicated that food plants among which G. lucida, T. cacao and S. macrocarpon could have a benefit interest in combatting resistant types of bacteria. Keywords: Food plants; infectious diseases; MDR bacteria; efflux pumps; antibiotics; secondary metabolites.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1340
Author(s):  
Ying Kong ◽  
Huan Wang ◽  
Lixin Lang ◽  
Xiaoying Dou ◽  
Jinrong Bai

The bulbs of several Lilium species are considered to be both functional foods and traditional medicine in northern and eastern Asia. Considering the limited information regarding the specific bioactive compounds contributing to the functional properties of these bulbs, we compared the secondary metabolites of ten Lilium bulb samples belonging to five different species, using an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS)-based secondary metabolomics approach. In total, 245 secondary metabolites were detected; further, more metabolites were detected from purple Lilium bulbs (217 compounds) than from white bulbs (123–171 compounds). Similar metabolite profiles were detected in samples within the same species irrespective of where they were collected. By combining herbal analysis and screening differential metabolites, steroid saponins were considered the key bioactive compounds in medicinal lilies. Of the 14 saponins detected, none were accumulated in the bulbs of L. davidii var. willmottiae, also called sweet lily. The purple bulbs of L. regale accumulated more secondary metabolites, and, notably, more phenolic acid compounds and flavonoids. Overall, this study elucidates the differential metabolites in lily bulbs with varying functions and colors and provides a reference for further research on functional foods and the medicinal efficacy of Lilium species.


2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiran Bala ◽  
Aradhita Barmanray

Present study was directed to analyze and compare the bioactive compounds (total phenols, total anthocyanins), vitamins (ascorbic acid, β-carotene, vitamin A), minerals including Ca, Mg, Na, P, K, Fe, Cu, Zn, Co, Mn and heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Pb) of freeze-dried (lyophilized) phalsa pulp and seed powder. In lyophilized pulp powder (LPP) higher amount of total phenols (78.11 mg/100g), total anthocyanin (82.94 mg/100g), ascorbic acid (5.21 mg/100g), β-carotene (0.54 µg/100g), vitamin A (0.89 I.U.) were observed than lyophilized seed powder (LSP). Na, K, Mg and Co (0.41, 0.39, 1.08, 0.46 mg/100g, respectively) were higher in LPP as compared to LSP (0.29, 0.11, 0.76 and 0.40 mg/100g, respectively) whereas, Ca, P and Cu were detected more in LSP. This study opens the prospect of using dry phalsa powder in the preparation of various nutraceutical and functional foods for their therapeutic as well as prophylactic purposes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 172 ◽  
pp. 462-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mário Paz ◽  
Patricia Gúllon ◽  
M. Fátima Barroso ◽  
Ana P. Carvalho ◽  
Valentina F. Domingues ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 714-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonny C. Maigoda ◽  
Darwis . ◽  
Ahmad Rizal ◽  
Emy Yuliantini ◽  
Kamsiah . ◽  
...  

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 973
Author(s):  
Lin-Lin Jiang ◽  
Xue Gong ◽  
Ming-Yue Ji ◽  
Cong-Cong Wang ◽  
Jian-Hua Wang ◽  
...  

Hyperuricemia is a common metabolic disease that is caused by high serum uric acid levels. It is considered to be closely associated with the development of many chronic diseases, such as obesity, hypertension, hyperlipemia, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders. While pharmaceutical drugs have been shown to exhibit serious side effects, and bioactive compounds from plant-based functional foods have been demonstrated to be active in the treatment of hyperuricemia with only minimal side effects. Indeed, previous reports have revealed the significant impact of bioactive compounds from plant-based functional foods on hyperuricemia. This review focuses on plant-based functional foods that exhibit a hypouricemic function and discusses the different bioactive compounds and their pharmacological effects. More specifically, the bioactive compounds of plant-based functional foods are divided into six categories, namely flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, saponins, polysaccharides, and others. In addition, the mechanism by which these bioactive compounds exhibit a hypouricemic effect is summarized into three classes, namely the inhibition of uric acid production, improved renal uric acid elimination, and improved intestinal uric acid secretion. Overall, this current and comprehensive review examines the use of bioactive compounds from plant-based functional foods as natural remedies for the management of hyperuricemia.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (No. 5) ◽  
pp. 377-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Carović-Stanko ◽  
M. Petek ◽  
M. Grdiša ◽  
J. Pintar ◽  
D. Bedeković ◽  
...  

Historically, species of the family Lamiaceae have enjoyed a rich tradition of use for flavouring, food preservation, and medicinal purposes, due to both their curative and their preventive properties. It is well known that each species has a special, complex mixture of bioactive compounds in which each component contributes to its overall bioactivity. Their value lays in the production of a wide range of secondary metabolites with potent antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer activities. This review focuses on the Lamiaceae species and their secondary metabolites encompassing a wide array of beneficial functions and their applicability as sources of functional foods. It could help in addressing specific consumer needs as healthy diet is a part of the lifestyle that maintains or improves overall health.


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