scholarly journals Anti-Cancer Activity and Phenolic Content of Extracts Derived from Cypriot Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Pods Using Different Solvents

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (16) ◽  
pp. 5017
Author(s):  
Gregoria Gregoriou ◽  
Christiana M. Neophytou ◽  
Alexandru Vasincu ◽  
Yiota Gregoriou ◽  
Haria Hadjipakkou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Specific Activity ◽  
Ceratonia Siliqua ◽  
Total Polyphenol ◽  
Extraction Solvent ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Carob Tree ◽  
Anti Oxidant ◽  
Breast Cells ◽  
Ceratonia Siliqua L ◽  
First Time

Extracts derived from the Ceratonia siliqua L. (carob) tree have been widely studied for their ability to prevent many diseases mainly due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds. In this study, we explored, for the first time, the anti-cancer properties of Cypriot carobs. We produced extracts from ripe and unripe whole carobs, pulp and seeds using solvents with different polarities. We measured the ability of the extracts to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer and normal immortalized breast cells, using the MTT assay, cell cycle analysis and Western Blotting. The extracts’ total polyphenol content and anti-oxidant action was evaluated using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and the DPPH assay. Finally, we used LC-MS analysis to identify and quantify polyphenols in the most effective extracts. Our results demonstrate that the anti-proliferative capacity of carob extracts varied with the stage of carob maturity and the extraction solvent. The Diethyl-ether and Ethyl acetate extracts derived from the ripe whole fruit had high Myricetin content and also displayed specific activity against cancer cells. Their mechanism of action involved caspase-dependent and independent apoptosis. Our results indicate that extracts from Cypriot carobs may have potential uses in the development of nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals.

scholarly journals Unusual Behavior of Xylosandrus compactus (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) on Carob Trees in a Mediterranean Environment

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Gugliuzzo ◽  
Giulio Criscione ◽  
Giovanna Tropea Garzia
Keyword(s):  
Ceratonia Siliqua ◽  
Mediterranean Environment ◽  
Unusual Behavior ◽  
Carob Tree ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ceratonia Siliqua L ◽  
The One ◽  
Management Recommendations ◽  
First Time ◽  
Black Twig Borer

Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff), commonly known as the black twig borer, was reported in Sicily (Italy) at the end of 2016, infesting Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) twigs, large branches, and trunks. Previous research indicated that X. compactus attacks only small twigs and branches, not large branches and tree trunks. This unusual behavior was monitored through the two following years in five sites in Ragusa province (Sicily, Italy). For each of the monitored sites, the diameter of the infested trunks and branches was recorded. Samples of branches and trunks presenting galleries were removed from the trees and analyzed in the laboratory. Xylosandrus compactus occurred on branches of all monitored trees, while the percentage of infested trunks of carob trees ranged from 60% to 80%. Inside the infested galleries, all biological stages of X. compactus were found. Infestations were also recorded on trunks and branches with diameters greater than 80 cm and 30 cm, respectively. The mean number of X. compactus specimens inside the galleries was recorded and gallery shape was described. Unordinary behaviors, like the one described here for the first time, can affect the current efficiency of management recommendations.

scholarly journals The Flavonoid Metabolite 2,4,6-Trihydroxybenzoic Acid Is a CDK Inhibitor and an Anti-Proliferative Agent: A Potential Role in Cancer Prevention

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjini Sankaranarayanan ◽  
Chaitanya Valiveti ◽  
D. Kumar ◽  
Severine Van slambrouck ◽  
Siddharth Kesharwani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Cancer Cell Proliferation ◽  
Cyclin Dependent Kinase ◽  
Specific Amino Acid ◽  
In Silico Studies ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Anti Oxidant ◽  
First Time ◽  
Related Compounds

Flavonoids have emerged as promising compounds capable of preventing colorectal cancer (CRC) due to their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is hypothesized that the metabolites of flavonoids are primarily responsible for the observed anti-cancer effects owing to the unstable nature of the parent compounds and their degradation by colonic microflora. In this study, we investigated the ability of one metabolite, 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoic acid (2,4,6-THBA) to inhibit Cyclin Dependent Kinase (CDK) activity and cancer cell proliferation. Using in vitro kinase assays, we demonstrated that 2,4,6-THBA dose-dependently inhibited CDKs 1, 2 and 4 and in silico studies identified key amino acids involved in these interactions. Interestingly, no significant CDK inhibition was observed with the structurally related compounds 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4,5-THBA) and phloroglucinol, suggesting that orientation of the functional groups and specific amino acid interactions may play a role in inhibition. We showed that cellular uptake of 2,4,6-THBA required the expression of functional SLC5A8, a monocarboxylic acid transporter. Consistent with this, in cells expressing functional SLC5A8, 2,4,6-THBA induced CDK inhibitory proteins p21Cip1 and p27Kip1 and inhibited cell proliferation. These findings, for the first time, suggest that the flavonoid metabolite 2,4,6-THBA may mediate its effects through a CDK- and SLC5A8-dependent pathway contributing to the prevention of CRC.

Assessing the volatile profile of carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.)

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (35) ◽  
pp. 35365-35374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andriana Krokou ◽  
Marinos Stylianou ◽  
Agapios Agapiou
Keyword(s):  
Ceratonia Siliqua ◽  
Volatile Profile ◽  
Carob Tree ◽  
Ceratonia Siliqua L

Microsporogenesis and anther culture in carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.)

2005 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luísa Custódio ◽  
Maria Filomena Carneiro ◽  
Anabela Romano
Keyword(s):  
Anther Culture ◽  
Ceratonia Siliqua ◽  
Carob Tree ◽  
Ceratonia Siliqua L

scholarly journals Evaluation of Physicochemical, Functional and Sensory Properties of Carob Pulp Beverage (Ceratonia Siliqua L)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 611-618
Author(s):  
Mouad Achchoub ◽  
Hanane Azzouzi ◽  
Loubna Elhajji ◽  
Mohammed Benbati ◽  
Kaoutar Elfazazi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Analysis ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Preference Test ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Ceratonia Siliqua ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Titrable Acidity ◽  
Carob Tree ◽  
Ceratonia Siliqua L ◽  
Gallic Acid Equivalent

In Morocco, carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is of considerable socio-economic importance, helping to improve the income of rural populations and to develop the economy of mountain areas. However, the primary use of the carob’s pulp is generally limited in Morocco to animal feed. As a result, the current research suggests a novel pulp-based product designed for human consumption. The main purpose of this work is to characterize a new formulated carob beverage and assess its physicochemical, biochemical, and sensory quality. Two formulas of carob beverages were prepared with two different sugar concentrations (formula A:5 g/100 mL sugar; formula B: 10 g/100 mL sugar). Measurements of pH, titrable acidity, and colour were performed to assess the physicochemical parameters. Total polyphenols and tannins contents were determined as important functional and biochemical parameters. Regarding sensory analysis, preference test, triangle test, hedonic test, and descriptive test, were evaluated. The colour of the two formulations was dark red orange, as determined by chromameter method. For formulae A and B, the titrable acidity was (1.450±0.025) g Citric Acid Equivalent (CAE) /L and (1.450±0.031) CAE g/L, respectively, and the Brix was (11.67±0.22) °Bx and (15.33±0.22) °Bx, respectively. The polyphenols content was (98.8±0.0019) mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE) /100 mL for formula A and (97.7000±0.0017) mg GAE/100 mL for formula B. The tannin level was (24.500± 0.027) mg Catechin (CE)/100 mL and (25.400±0.017) mg CE/100 mL for the formula A and formula B samples, respectively. The sensory analysis tests revealed a distinct difference between the two formulae. In fact, the formula B was highly preferred compared to formula A, also the most prominent features in the drink were colour, smell, flavour, and sweetness.

Evaluation of the antimalarial activity of extracts of carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.)

Planta Medica ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (09) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Custódio ◽  
L Marques ◽  
A Mayor ◽  
P Alonso ◽  
F Alberício ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimalarial Activity ◽  
Ceratonia Siliqua ◽  
Carob Tree ◽  
Ceratonia Siliqua L
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