Benefits of coffee consumption for human health: an overview

Background: Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide and is popular for its characteristic flavor and rich organoleptic properties. Aim: Based on published articles, the aims of this review are i) study the association between coffee consumption and benefits to human health; ii) the effects of coffee consumption on some pathologies; and iii) provide a description of coffee’s bioactive compounds. Discussion: Coffee presents bioactive compounds, which include phenolic compounds, especially chlorogenic acid (caffeoylquinic acid), trigonelline, and diterpenes, such as cafestol and kahweol. These compounds are related to the beneficial effects for human health, including high antioxidant activity, antimutagenic activity, hepatoprotective action, reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, decreased incidence of inflammatory diseases, reduced menopausal symptoms, and others. Coffee’s bioactive compounds are caffeine, chlorogenic acid, trigonelline, cafestol and kahweol, which are closely related to coffee’s beneficial effects. Conclusion: The present review clarified that the benefits of moderate coffee consumption outweigh the associated risks.

Pits of Date Palm: Bioactive Composition, Antibacterial Activity and Antimutagenicity Potentials

Palm date pits as a source of bioactive chemicals have received only a limited amount of attention. This study was conducted to determine the bioactive components of Ajwa date pits, as well as their antibacterial and antimutagenic activities. Therefore, chromatographic techniques were used to extract and isolate the phenolic compounds in date pits, which were further elucidated by using spectroscopic techniques (FTIR and NMR) for identification of most abundant bioactive metabolites. Data showed that the methanolic extract of date pits contained high levels of total phenols (17.38 mg GA/g) and flavonoids (5.324 mg QE/g). The HPLC analysis of date pits’ extract showed the presence of six phenolic compounds. Interestingly, there was a significant amount of gallic acid (11.85 mg GA/gFW), which was isolated via chromatography (thin layer chromatography) and identified by spectroscopic investigation (FTIR, MS, 1H, and 13C NMR). An inhibitory effect on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was observed for date pit gallic acid purified. S. aureus cell viability was completely inhibited at 200 µg/mL of acid for 6 h. Moreover, gallic acid was found to have a significant antimutagenic activity against Salmonella typhimurium at all tested concentrations, with a decrease in percent mutagenicity from 52 to 32 in the case of test substance TA98, and from 39 to 15 for test substance TA100 in terms of percent antimutagenicity. Gallic acid at a dose of 3000 g/plate had the greatest antimutagenic effect on S. typhimurium TA98, with the lowest toxicity. Overall, the bioactive properties of date pits’ extracts were investigated, with a particular attention to their chemical composition, biological activity, and pharmaceutical applications.

Assessment of Genetic Diversity, Population Structure and Phytochemical Variations in Polygonatum Cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle - An Endangered Medicinal Herb

Polygonatum cirrhifolium is an important medicinal herb of family Asparagaceae used to cure several ailments. Its rhizome forms an important ingredient of “Chyavanprash” which is identified for its rejuvenating properties. However, P.cirrhifolium is least explored scientifically and systematically till date. Therefore, in this study genetic diversity and phytochemical variations along with antimutagenic activity of P.cirrhifolium populations was evaluated. Antimutagenic activity varied remarkably (p<0.05) having Gagar population with significantly (p<0.05) higher DNA recovery (84.95%) percentage. Higher genetic diversity (He) was recorded among populations using RAPD (He, 0.30-0.36) and ISSR (0.25-0.38) markers. High intra and low inter population variations were recorded in the species using both kinds of markers. Phenolics (p<0.05; r=0.924); tannins (p<0.05; r=0.897) and DNA damage inhibition efficiency displayed a highly positive correlation with genetic diversity (estimated using ISSR markers). The population structure analysis of P. cirrhifolium revealed that the greatest value of the K was 3 for studied populations. Gene flow among studied populations was found sufficient to encounter genetic erosion in the species. Therefore, it can be recommended that the populations with higher ingredient and genetic diversity can be utilized for conservation priority and management plan of this species.

Antigenotoxic and antimutagenic activities of Psittacanthus calyculatus (Loranthaceae) leaves water extract

Mistletoe (<i>Psittacanthus calyculatus</i>) is used for the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases. Samples of leaves from <i>P. calyculatus</i> were collected in April of 2019, and prepared an aqueous extract. The extract was lyophilized, and its polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins content were determined. Then, concentrations of lyophilized extract were prepared (5, 50 and 100 ppm) and assessed their antigenotoxic, antimutagenic and genotoxicity activities in human lymphocytes were evaluated using the comet assay system. The dry aqueous extract contained 73.54 mg of polyphenols AGE per g sample, 39.37 mg of flavonoid CE per g, and 0.1 mg of anthocyanins Cy-3-gluc E per g. No significant genotoxic activity was observed, with the exception of the concentration of 100 ppm at 10 hours of exposure (p <0.05). There was also significant (p <0.05) antigenotoxic and antimutagenic activity (p <0.05). Clearly, low concentrations and short-duration exposures to lyophilized <i>P. calyculatus</i> do not induce genetic damage; however, high concentrations are genotoxic. The antigenotoxic and antimutagenic effects were due to a protective effect not only against induced DNA damage but also against basal genetic damage.

Genotoxic properties of hypoglycemic drugs (systematic review)

According to the literature genotoxic properties of about a half of hypoglycemic drugs have not been investigated in accordance with the recommended methodology, and studies of the mutagen-modifying activity of antidiabetic drugs are sporadic. Based on the available published data, it is impossible to conclude about either presence or absence of genotoxic / antigenotoxic potential of antidiabetic drugs. There is evidence of the antimutagenic activity of metformin; in relation to other drugs, studies of mutagen-modifying activity have not been carried out or are represented only by a few articles. Further study of the genotoxic properties of hypoglycemic drugs is required in accordance with modern approaches and requirements, as well as an assessment of their mutagen-modifying activity.

A review on kalanchoe pinnata (Crassulaceae)

The primary goal of this study is to offer preliminary data for drug discovery research using Kalanchoe pinnata a heavenly plant that has a broad variety of active chemicals, including alkaloids, Phenols, Phenylpropanoids, Flavanoids, Triterpenoids, steroids, organic Salts. This plant was discovered to have a variety of pharmacological properties, including Antihypertensiveactivity, Hepatoprotective activity, Antimutagenic activity, Anti-ulcer activity, Uterine Contractility, Antidiabetic activity, Wound-healing activity, Antioxidant activity, Antitumour activity, Antiviral activity, Antimicrobial activity, Antileishmanial activity, Insecticidal activity, Antipyreticactivity, Antilithiatic activity, Neuropharmacological Immunosuppressive antibacterial activity, Cytotoxicity of testis. This study provides phytoconstituents and pharmacological activity of K. pinnata, a medicinal plant that may help researchers conduct more advanced qualitative research.

Biochemical and Health Properties of Truffles

Truffles are the most expensive edible mushrooms refer to genus tuber which grows symbiotically in plant roots such as oaks and hazels. Truffles are underground mushrooms also known for their characteristic earthy flavor which is the major reason for their special place in the culinary. Their characteristic intense aroma helps them in reproduction by attracting small animals. Truffles can survive in a wide range of environments such as deep forests as well as deserts. The most expensive varieties of truffles include Tuber melanosporum (Black truffle), Tuber magnatum (White truffle), Tuber aestivum (Burgundy truffle), Tirmania nivea, and Terfezia chlaveryi (Dessert truffles). Truffles vary in their composition and flavor profile from species to species. The major volatile components which are responsible for truffle aroma are aldehydes, ketones, sulfur compounds, alcohols, and esters. Truffles are highly nutritious, rich in antioxidants, and have therapeutic properties such as antimicrobial activity, antiviral activity, antimutagenic activity, anti-inflammatory activity, hepatoprotective activity, etc. The major active components present in truffle are tuberoside, phenolics, anandamide, and ergosterol.