scholarly journals Theobromacacao Criollo var. Beans: Biological Properties and Chemical Profile

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 571
Author(s):  
Margherita Lavorgna ◽  
Severina Pacifico ◽  
Roberta Nugnes ◽  
Chiara Russo ◽  
Elena Orlo ◽  
...  

Theobroma cacao provides precious products such as polyphenol-rich beans that are useful for nutraceutical purposes. The geographical area may influence the chemical composition of raw cocoa beans in terms of the polyphenols and biological qualities of the products. This work aimed to investigate the biological properties and the chemical composition of two different samples of Criollo var. cocoa raw beans coming from two areas (Indonesia; Peru). Beans underwent biphasic extraction obtaining lipophilic and hydroalcoholic extracts. The extracts were tested for antiradical, antimutagenic, and antigenotoxic effects. Cell viability inhibition toward breast, gastric/esophageal colorectal adenocarcinoma, and hepatoblastoma human cell lines was evaluated. Extracts were chemically investigated through UV-Vis spectroscopy and ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QqTOF MS/MS). Results showed that the Indonesian bean hydroalcoholic extracts were able to scavenge 2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) cation radical better than the Peruvian hydroalcoholic extracts (ECs50: 72.63 vs. 322.20 μg/mL). Extracts showed antimutagenic and antigenotoxic activity. The viability inhibitory effect on breast and hepatic cancer cells was reached only for the Indonesian hydroalcoholic extracts at hundreds of μg/mL. Phenylpropenoyl-L-amino acids, hydroxycinnamoyl aminoacids conjugates, and procyanidin compounds were found mainly in the hydroalcoholic extracts, whereas fatty acids and lyso-phospholipids were found mainly in lipophilic fractions. Fatty acid and (epi)catechins appeared to be affected by different environmental conditions of the geographical areas.

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Jesús Veloz ◽  
Nicolás Saavedra ◽  
Alexis Lillo ◽  
Marysol Alvear ◽  
Leticia Barrientos ◽  
...  

The chemical composition of propolis varies according to factors that could have an influence on its biological properties. Polyphenols from propolis have demonstrated an inhibitory effect onStreptococcus mutansgrowth. However, it is not known if different years of propolis collection may affect its activity. We aimed to elucidate if the year of collection of propolis influences its activity onStreptococcus mutans. Polyphenol-rich extracts were prepared from propolis collected in three different years, characterized by LC-MS and quantified the content of total polyphenols and flavonoids groups. Finally, was evaluated the antibacterial effect onStreptococcus mutansand the biofilm formation. Qualitative differences were observed in total polyphenols, flavones, and flavonols and the chemical composition between the extracts, affecting the strength of inhibition of biofilm formation but not the antimicrobial assays. In conclusion, chemical composition of propolis depends on the year of collection and influences the strength of the inhibition of biofilm formation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 230-245
Author(s):  
Fahad A. Alhumaydhi ◽  
Ibrahim Khan ◽  
Abdur Rauf ◽  
Muhammad Nasimullah Qureshi ◽  
Abdullah S. M. Aljohani ◽  
...  

Abstract Currently, nanotechnology is gaining massive attention compared to conventional methods as the biosynthesis of plant-based nanoparticles is considered safe, effective, and ecofriendly. Therefore, keeping in view the importance of nanotechnology, the present study was designed to synthesize, characterize, and evaluate the biological effectiveness of saffron stigma-based gold nanoparticles (SS-AuNPs) for their in vitro and in vivo biological properties. These gold nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The highest antibacterial effect was observed by the saffron extract against Escherichia coli (22 mm). SS-AuNPs significantly inhibited the activity of enzyme urease (54.98%) and CA-II (64.29%). However, the nonsignificant inhibitory effect was observed in the case of α-chymotrypsin. Maximum analgesic (84.98%) and antiinflammatory (88.98%) effects were observed for SS-AuNPs (10 mg/kg). Similarly, SS-AuNPs demonstrated a significant (P < 0.01) sedative effect at all tested doses.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 128-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saviour A. Umoren ◽  
Alexis M. Nzila ◽  
Saravanan Sankaran ◽  
Moses M. Solomon ◽  
Peace S. Umoren

Abstract Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized in the presence of Strawberry fruit extract (SBFE) at room temperature. The synthesized AgNPs was characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, SEM, EDS, XRD, TEM and FTIR. The UV-vis spectra of the AgNPs show SPR band at 450 nm. TEM results indicate that AgNPs are spherical in shape and size range between 7–65 nm. Antibacterial activity of the synthesized AgNPs has been assessed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus licheniformis. The results show that AgNPs exhibit inhibitory effect and effect is a function of AgNPs concentration. The antibacterial activity of the prepared AgNPs has been compared with two antibiotics, amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin. It is found that the antibiotics perform better than AgNPs.


Planta Medica ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Moreira ◽  
F Candido ◽  
M Siqueira ◽  
C Quaresma ◽  
E Guimarâes ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofeng Bao ◽  
Ying Xue ◽  
Chao Xia ◽  
Yin Lu ◽  
Ningjing Yang ◽  
...  

Background: Chlamydiae, characterized by a unique biphasic life cycle, are a group of Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens responsible for diseases in a range of hosts including humans. Benzylidene acylhydrazide CF0001 could inhibit chlamydiae independent of iron starvation and T3SS inhibition. This finding promoted us to design and synthesize more benzylidene acylhydrazides to find novel anti-chlamydial agents. Methods: The carboxylic acids 1a-1d were coupled with Boc-hydrazide inpresence of EDCI and DMAP to obtain the intermediate 2a-2d in 60-62% yields. N-Boc deprotections were performed to obtain hydrazide hydrochloride salt 3a-3d. Nextly, the hydrazides were subjected to condensation with aldehydes to obtain benzylidene acylhydrazides 4a-4g in 30-52% yields in two steps. Results: Compound 4d exhibited best inhibitory effect on the formation and growth of chlamydial inclusions. The IC50 value of compound 4d for infectious progenies was 3.55 µM, better than 7.30 µM of CF0001. Conclusion: To find novel anti-chlamydial agents, we have designed and synthesized benzylidene acylhydrazides 4a-4g. Compounds 4a, 4d, 4g showed inhibitory activity on C. muridarum with the IC50 values from 3.55-12 µM. The 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyl substitutes on ring B are critical to keep their anti-chlamydial activity. Compound 4d inhibited C. muridarum in a dose-dependent manner without apparent cytotoxicity.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1081
Author(s):  
Matilda Rădulescu ◽  
Călin Jianu ◽  
Alexandra Teodora Lukinich-Gruia ◽  
Marius Mioc ◽  
Alexandra Mioc ◽  
...  

The investigation aimed to study the in vitro and in silico antioxidant properties of Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis essential oil (MOEO). The chemical composition of MOEO was determined using GC–MS analysis. Among 36 compounds identified in MOEO, the main were beta-cubebene (27.66%), beta-caryophyllene (27.41%), alpha-cadinene (4.72%), caryophyllene oxide (4.09%), and alpha-cadinol (4.07%), respectively. In vitro antioxidant properties of MOEO have been studied in 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging, and inhibition of β-carotene bleaching assays. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for the radical scavenging abilities of ABTS and DPPH were 1.225 ± 0.011 μg/mL and 14.015 ± 0.027 μg/mL, respectively, demonstrating good antioxidant activity. Moreover, MOEO exhibited a strong inhibitory effect (94.031 ± 0.082%) in the β-carotene bleaching assay by neutralizing hydroperoxides, responsible for the oxidation of highly unsaturated β-carotene. Furthermore, molecular docking showed that the MOEO components could exert an in vitro antioxidant activity through xanthine oxidoreductase inhibition. The most active structures are minor MOEO components (approximately 6%), among which the highest affinity for the target protein belongs to carvacrol.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2835
Author(s):  
Anna Stochmal ◽  
Bartosz Skalski ◽  
Rostyslav Pietukhov ◽  
Beata Sadowska ◽  
Joanna Rywaniak ◽  
...  

Although the major components of various organs of sea buckthorn have been identified (particularly phenolic compounds), biological properties of many of these phytochemicals still remain poorly characterized. In this study, we focused on the chemical composition and biological activity of preparations that were obtained from sea buckthorn twigs and leaves. The objective was to investigate cytotoxicity of these preparations against human fibroblast line HFF-1, using MTT reduction assay, their anti- or pro-oxidant activities against the effects of a biological oxidant -H2O2/Fe—on human plasma lipids and proteins in vitro (using TBARS and carbonyl groups as the markers of oxidative stress). Antimicrobial activity of the tested preparations against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), as well as against fungi (Candida albicans, C. glabrata) by the EUCAST-approved broth microdilution method, followed by growth on solid media, were also assessed. Our analysis showed significant differences in chemical composition and biological properties of the tested preparations (A–F). All tested preparations from sea buckthorn twigs (D–F) and one preparation from sea buckthorn leaves (preparation C) may be a new source of phenolic antioxidants for pharmacological and cosmetic applications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6466
Author(s):  
Yingji Xin ◽  
Kyungbaeg Roh ◽  
Eunae Cho ◽  
Deokhoon Park ◽  
Wankyunn Whang ◽  
...  

Inflammation is increasingly recognized as a critical mediator of angiogenesis, and unregulated angiogenic responses often involve human diseases. The importance of regulating angiogenesis in inflammatory diseases has been demonstrated through some successful cases of anti-angiogenesis therapies in related diseases, including arthritis, but it has been reported that some synthetic types of antiangiogenic drugs have potential side effects. In recent years, the importance of finding alternative strategies for regulating angiogenesis has begun to attract the attention of researchers. Therefore, identification of natural ingredients used to prevent or treat angiogenesis-related diseases will play a greater role. Isookanin is a phenolic flavonoid presented in Bidens extract, and it has been reported that isookanin possesses some biological properties, including antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, anti-diabetic properties, and an ability to inhibit α-amylase. However, its antiangiogenic effects and mechanism thereof have not been studied yet. In this study, our results indicate that isookanin has an effective inhibitory effect on the angiogenic properties of microvascular endothelial cells. Isookanin shows inhibitory effects in multiple stages of PGE2-induced angiogenesis, including the growth, proliferation, migration, and tube formation of microvascular endothelial cells. In addition, isookanin induces cell cycle arrest in S phase, which is also the reason for subsequent inhibition of cell proliferation. The mechanism of inhibiting angiogenesis by isookanin is related to the inhibition of PGE2-mediated ERK1/2 and CREB phosphorylation. These findings make isookanin a potential candidate for the treatment of angiogenesis-related diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 130 ◽  
pp. 253-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyedeh Faezeh Taghizadeh ◽  
Ramin Rezaee ◽  
Masoumeh Mehmandoust ◽  
Fatemeh Sadat Madarshahi ◽  
Aristidis Tsatsakis ◽  
...  

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