scholarly journals Pycnogenol - extract from French maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster), as an effective antioxidant against superoxide radical

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (8) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Beata Cizmarova ◽  
Anna Birkova ◽  
Beata Hubkova ◽  
Beata Bolerazska
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Pinus Pinaster ◽  
Superoxide Radical ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Maritime Pine ◽  
Pine Bark ◽  
Community Research ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Naturally Occurring

Background: Interest in the positive impact of naturally occurring polyphenols is still increasing in the scientific community. Research is focused mainly on their antioxidant properties, due to their significant effects in the prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress. Pycnogenol is an extract from French maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster), which is composed of a mixture of phenolic compounds: monomers (catechin, epicatechin, taxifolin), flavonoids (classed as procyanidins/proanthocyanidins), phenolic or cinnamic acids and their glycosides. Due to its composition, it has a high antioxidant capacity, and is used in traditional folk medicine, cosmetics and medicine.Purpose of the study: The aim is to study the antioxidant properties of pycnogenol in order to obtain experimental information on the antioxidant effect of pycnogenol in terms of concentration dependence and pH conditions.Methods: In our study, we used a methionine-riboflavin superoxide generator, and focused on determining the antioxidant capacity of Pycnogenol against the superoxide radical in different pH values (range 6.5 – 8) using the spectroscopic method.Results: Our results showed that the antioxidant properties increased with a higher concentration of the tested compound in the tested pH range. Amongst all tested pH values, the most appropriate for pycnogenol antioxidant capacity is slightly basic pH (pH 8).Conclusion: Information on the antioxidant and prooxidant properties of naturally occurring compounds is very important for understanding their activity and their proper use in prevention, disease treatment, and detection of pathological processes. The antioxidant activity of pycnogenol depends on the structure and concentration of antioxidants; it only slightly changes at different pH values. Increasing concentration of pycnogenol enhances its antioxidant properties.Keywords: Pycnogenol, reactive oxygen species, spectrophotometry, pH dependency

scholarly journals Predicting Mushroom Productivity from Long-Term Field-Data Series in Mediterranean Pinus pinaster Ait. Forests in the Context of Climate Change

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celia Herrero ◽  
Iosu Berraondo ◽  
Felipe Bravo ◽  
Valentín Pando ◽  
Cristóbal Ordóñez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Pinaster ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Maritime Pine ◽  
Data Series ◽  
Pinus Pinaster Ait ◽  
Climatic Scenarios ◽  
Mushroom Productivity ◽  
Term Field

Long-term field-data series were used to fit a mushroom productivity model. Simulations enabled us to predict the consequences of management and climate scenarios on potential mushroom productivity. Mushrooms play an important ecological and economic role in forest ecosystems. Human interest in collecting mushrooms for self-consumption is also increasing, giving forests added value for providing recreational services. Pinus pinaster Ait. is a western Mediterranean species of great economic and ecological value. Over 7.5% of the total European distribution of the species is found on the Castilian Plateau in central Spain, where a great variety of mushrooms can be harvested. The aim of this study was to model and simulate mushroom productivity in Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) ecosystems in northern Spain under different silvicultural and climatic scenarios. A mixed model was fitted that related total mushroom productivity to stand and weather variables. The model was uploaded to the SiManFor platform to study the effect of different silvicultural and climatic scenarios on mushroom productivity. The selected independent variables in the model were the ratio between stand basal area and density as a stand management indicator, along with precipitation and average temperatures for September and November. The simulation results also showed that silviculture had a positive impact on mushroom productivity, which was higher in scenarios with moderate and high thinning intensities. The impact was highly positive in wetter scenarios, though only slightly positive and negative responses were observed in hotter and drier scenarios, respectively. Silviculture had a positive impact on mushroom productivity, especially in wetter scenarios. Precipitation had greater influence than temperature on total mushroom productivity in Maritime pine stands. The results of this paper will enable forest managers to develop optimal management approaches for P. pinaster forests that integrate Non-Wood Forest Products resources.

scholarly journals A Placebo-Controlled, Pseudo-Randomized, Crossover Trial of Botanical Agents for Gulf War Illness: Curcumin (Curcuma longa), Boswellia (Boswellia serrata), and French Maritime Pine Bark (Pinus pinaster)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2468
Author(s):  
Emily K. Donovan ◽  
Sophia Kekes-Szabo ◽  
Joanne C. Lin ◽  
Rebecca L. Massey ◽  
James D. Cobb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Pinaster ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Gulf War ◽  
Maritime Pine ◽  
Pine Bark ◽  
Bark Extract ◽  
Optimal Dosage ◽  
Gulf War Illness ◽  
Boswellia Serrata

This report is part of a larger study designed to rapidly and efficiently screen potential treatments for Gulf War Illness (GWI) by testing nine different botanicals. In this placebo-controlled, pseudo-randomized, crossover clinical trial of 20 men with GWI, we tested three botanical agents with putative peripheral and central anti-inflammatory actions: curcumin (Curcuma longa), boswellia (Boswellia serrata), and French maritime pine bark extract (Pinus pinaster). Participants completed 30 +/− 3 days of baseline symptom reports, followed by 30 +/− 3 days of placebo, 30 +/− 3 days of lower-dose botanical, and 30 +/− 3 days of higher-dose botanical. Participants then repeated the process with a new botanical until completing up to three botanical cycles. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models. Curcumin reduced GWI symptom severity significantly more than placebo at both the lower (p < 0.0001) and higher (p = 0.0003) dosages. Boswellia was not more effective than placebo at reducing GWI symptoms at either the lower (p = 0.726) or higher (p = 0.869) dosages. Maritime pine was not more effective than placebo at the lower dosage (p = 0.954) but was more effective than placebo at the higher dosage (p = 0.006). This study provides preliminary evidence that curcumin and maritime pine may help alleviate symptoms of GWI. As a screening study, a final determination of the efficacy of these compounds for all individuals with GWI cannot be made, and further studies will need to be conducted to determine strength and durability of effects, as well as optimal dosage. These results suggest that GWI may, at least in part, involve systemic inflammatory processes. This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02909686) on 13 September 2016.

HPLC Screening of Bioactives Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Different Hypericum Species

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Gitea ◽  
Simona Vicas ◽  
Manuel Alexandru Gitea ◽  
Sebastian Nemeth ◽  
Delia Mirela Tit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Methanol Extract ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Polyphenolic Compounds ◽  
The Other ◽  
The North ◽  
Western Area ◽  
North Western ◽  
Hypericum Species ◽  
Biological Actions

Our study compares the content in polyphenolic compounds and hypericin, in four species of Hypericum - H. perforatum L., H. maculatum Cr., H. hirsutum L., H. tetrapterum Fr. (syn. Hypericumacutum Mnch.) harvested from spontaneous flora in the north-western area of Transylvania, Romania. These species represent an important source of such compounds with different biological actions. After making the extracts, they were subjected to HPLC-SM analysis. The presence of rutoside in the largest amount (462.82 mg %) in the H. perforatum extract was observed, this containing most of the flavonoid heterosides. For the species H. maculatum, the presence in a much higher amount of the hyperoside (976.36 mg %) is characteristic compared to the other species. Quercetol is the best represented of the flavonoid aglycons, its concentration being the highest in H. hirsutum (659.66 mg %). The hypericin content ranges from 0.2171 g % in the H. tetrapterum extract, to 0.0314 g % in the methanol extract of H. maculatum.The highest antioxidant properties measured by FRAP method were recorded in the case of H. perforatum and H. maculatum.

Flavonoids as Potential Therapeutic Agents for the Management of Diabetic Neuropathy

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (42) ◽  
pp. 5468-5487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankita Sood ◽  
Bimlesh Kumar ◽  
Sachin Kumar Singh ◽  
Pankaj Prashar ◽  
Anamika Gautam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Diabetic Neuropathy ◽  
Glucose Utilization ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Secondary Complications ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Glycation End Products ◽  
Treatment Of Diabetes ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industries

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites that are widely distributed in plants. These phenolic compounds are classified into various subgroups based on their structures: flavones, flavonols, isoflavones, flavanones, and anthocyanins. They are known to perform various pharmacological actions like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and antiallergic, etc. Diabetes is a chronic progressive metabolic disorder that affects several biochemical pathways and leads to secondary complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, and cardiomyopathy. Among them, the management of diabetic neuropathy is one of the major challenges for physicians as well as the pharmaceutical industries. Naturally occurring flavonoids are extensively used for the treatment of diabetes and its related complications due to their antioxidant properties. Moreover, flavonoids inhibit various pathways that are involved in the progression of diabetic neuropathy like the reduction of oxidative stress, decrease in glycogenolysis, increase glucose utilization, decrease in the formation of advanced glycation end products, and inhibition of the α-glucosidase enzyme. This review entails current updates on the therapeutic perspectives of flavonoids in the treatment of neuropathic pain. This manuscript explains the pathological aspects of neuropathic pain, the chemistry of flavonoids, and their application in amelioration of neuropathic pain through preclinical studies either alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents.

Evaluation of diuretic and antioxidant properties in aqueous bark and fruit extracts of pine

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadi Shariati ◽  
Mohammad Hassanpour ◽  
Gholamreza Sharifzadeh ◽  
Asghar Zarban ◽  
Saeed Samarghandian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Phenolic Content ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Pine Bark ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Total Phenolic ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Aqueous Extracts ◽  
Antioxidant Power ◽  
Dose Dependent

Objective: The present study has been carried out to evaluate the diuretic and antioxidant properties of pine herb in an animal model. Materials and Methods: 45 adult male rats were randomly divided into nine groups including: groups I (the negative control), groups II (positive control, furosemide 10 mg/kg), groups III to VIII (treatment groups received 100, 200, 400 mg/kg of the aqueous extracts of bark and fruit) and group IX received the combination of aqueous extract of bark (100 mg/kg) and the fruit (100 mg/kg). The urine output, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), electrolytes, urea, and creatinine levels were evaluated . Furthermore, the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of both extracts were also assessed using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Folin–Ciocalteu methods. Results: The aqueous extracts of the pine bark and fruit increased the urinary output in a dose-dependent manner. The combination of the two extracts compared to the other extracts alone significantly increased the serum potassium level. This study also showed each extract increase creatinine clearance in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.01 and p<0.05). The increase of GFR in the combination group was not significant. The current data showed a significant increase in the total phenolic content in pine bark extract in compared with the fruit extract. Conclusion: The pine bark and fruit can be useful in the prevention and treatment of kidney stones due to the high antioxidant activity.

Effects of Greek Pomegranate Extracts in the Antioxidant Properties and Storage Stability of Kefir

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasiliki Lagouri ◽  
Georgia Dimitreli ◽  
Aikatarini Kouvatsi
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Storage Time ◽  
Storage Stability ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Flow Behavior Index ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Dpph Activity ◽  
Behavior Index

Background: Oxidation reactions are known to shorten the shelf life and cause damage to foods rich in fat, such as dairy products. One way to limit oxidation and increase the shelf life of fermented dairy products is to use natural antioxidants. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of adding pomegranate extracts in the antioxidant properties, rheological characteristics and the storage stability of the fermented product of kefir. Methods: The Pomegranate Juice (PGJ) and Peel Extracts (PGPE) (5%, 10% w/v) were added to kefir and the antioxidant properties were evaluated by using the methods of radical scavenging activity (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Activity (FRAP). Spectrophotometric and instrumental methods were used to determine the Total Phenols (TPs), pH values, viscosity and flow behavioral index values of enriched with pomegranate kefir samples. The same properties were tested when kefir samples stored at 4°C for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Results: The addition of PGJ and PGPE results in an increase in the antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP) and total phenol content (TPs) of kefir samples. Increasing the concentration of the added PGJ and PGPE, results in an increase in the TP content and the DPPH activity of kefir. As far as the storage time is concerned, the results showed an increase in the amount of TP at 7th day and a reduction in the DPPH activity in the 14th day of storage. In contrary to the DPPH method, the increase in storage time has resulted in a reduction in antioxidant activity by the FRAP method. The addition of PGJ and PGPE in kefir results in a decrease in pH values while the pH of kefir samples increased during storage at 4°C for 28 days. The addition of PGJ and PGPE to kefir samples results to a decrease in viscosity and an increase in the flow behavior index. Increasing storage time results in increased flow behavior index of kefir samples. Conclusion: The addition of PGJ and PGPE increased the antioxidant activity and total phenols of the kefir product and preserved its properties during the total storage time of 28 days at 4°C.

scholarly journals The Potential Effects of Phytoestrogens: The Role in Neuroprotection

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2954
Author(s):  
Justyna Gorzkiewicz ◽  
Grzegorz Bartosz ◽  
Izabela Sadowska-Bartosz
Keyword(s):  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Estrogen Therapy ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Epigenetic Effects ◽  
Estrogen Synthesis ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
The Brain

Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring non-steroidal phenolic plant compounds. Their structure is similar to 17-β-estradiol, the main female sex hormone. This review offers a concise summary of the current literature on several potential health benefits of phytoestrogens, mainly their neuroprotective effect. Phytoestrogens lower the risk of menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis, as well as cardiovascular disease. They also reduce the risk of brain disease. The effects of phytoestrogens and their derivatives on cancer are mainly due to the inhibition of estrogen synthesis and metabolism, leading to antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, and epigenetic effects. The brain controls the secretion of estrogen (hypothalamus-pituitary-gonads axis). However, it has not been unequivocally established whether estrogen therapy has a neuroprotective effect on brain function. The neuroprotective effects of phytoestrogens seem to be related to both their antioxidant properties and interaction with the estrogen receptor. The possible effects of phytoestrogens on the thyroid cause some concern; nevertheless, generally, no serious side effects have been reported, and these compounds can be recommended as health-promoting food components or supplements.

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