Antioxidant Extract from Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala Pulp Ameliorates Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Hepatotoxicity in Rats

The indigenous purplish red fruit, Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala (CN), is grown in northern Thailand. The aqueous extract of CN pulp is known to exhibit antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. To search for an antioxidant fraction separated from CN, various hydroalcoholic extractions were performed. The acidified ethanolic extract of CN obtained from 0.5% (v/v) citric acid in 80% (v/v) ethanol yielded greater polyphenol content and DPPH radical scavenging activity when compared with other hydroethanolic extracts. Cyanidin-3-glucoside is a major anthocyanin present in the acidified ethanolic extract of CN (AECN). At a dose of 5000 mg/kg bw, an anthocyanin-rich extract was found to be safe when given to rats without any acute toxicity. To examine the hepatoprotective properties of AECN, an overdose of acetaminophen (APAP) was induced in a rat model, while silymarin was used as a standard reference. The administration of AECN at a dose of 300 mg/kg bw for 28 days improved hepatocyte architecture and modulated serum alanine aminotransferase levels in APAP-induced rats. Furthermore, it significantly decreased serum and hepatic malondialdehyde levels but increased hepatic glutathione content, as well as glutathione peroxidase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities. In conclusion, AECN may effectively reduce oxidative stress induced acute hepatotoxicity in overdose APAP-treated rats through the suppression of oxidative stress and the enhancement of the antioxidant system in rat livers.

A Study on the Biological Activity of Commonly Consumed Spring Herbs in Korea

Purpose: This study was conducted to study the superiority of Korean spring herbs by selecting eight spring herbs that are commonly consumed in Korea and evaluating their biological activity.Methods: Antioxidant (total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline–6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity) and enzyme activities (α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity) were measured using the hot-water extract of the selected spring herbs.Results: In case of total polyphenol content, the shepherd’s purse, daylily, and gomchwi took first, second, and third place. In case of total flavonoid content, rape, shepherd’s purse and mugwort took first, second, and third place, and in case of DPPH radical scavenging activity, shepherd’s purse, daylily, and rape took first, second, and third place. In case of ABTS radical scavenging activity, the shepherd’s purse, mugwort and rape took first, second, and third place. In case of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, mugwort, gomchwi, and wild garlic were classified in the first, second, and third place. Lastly, Korean angelica tree, rape, and wild garlic were classified in the first, second, and third, in case of ACE inhibitory activity.Conclusion: From these results, among the selected spring herbs, the shepherd’s purse and rape showed exceptional effects in antioxidant activity, mugwort in antidiabetic activity, and Korean angelica tree sprout in antihypertensive activity, respectively. Therefore, the present study is expected to provide basic data for future development of foods using spring herbs to remedy lifestyle-related diseases.

Enhancing Phenolic Content of Medicinal Aromatic Plants Extracts-Biofunctional Foods Preparation

In this study, the assessment of TPC and antioxidant activity enhancement of medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) aqueous extracts using natural sweeteners or encapsulation materials was carried out. MAP extracts fortified with polyphenols were used to produce biofunctional chocolate bites. Honey or erythritol added to Melissa officinalis concentrated aqueous extracts exhibited TPC at 19.53 mg GAE/mL and 18.24 mg GAE/mL, respectively, and DPPH radical scavenging activity greater than 82%, comparing to its non-concentrated aqueous extract (3.74 mg GAE/mL and 72.9%, respectively). Honey added to MAP concentrated aqueous extract mixtures presented up to twofold higher TPC compared to M. officinalis concentrated aqueous extracts with honey. Chocolate bites with MAP concentrated aqueous extract mixtures and honey exhibited TPC and DPPH radical scavenging activity at 29.48 mg GAE/g chocolate and 93.7%, respectively. The addition of gum arabic or inulin in MAP concentrated aqueous extract mixtures increased the TPC up to 12-fold (40.37 mg GAE/mL and 34.14 mg GAE/mL, respectively) compared to its non-concentrated aqueous extracts (3.38 mg GAE/mL), whereas DPPH radical scavenging activity approached 99.5%. Honey incorporation as a sweetener and polyphenolic compound encapsulation in gum arabic can lead to the production of biofunctional foods with elevated cytoprotective action without compromising their organoleptic attributes.

Hypericum perforatum Mikrokapsüllerinin Ayran (İçilebilir Yoğurt) Üretiminde Kullanımı

H. perforatum, which is widely used in traditional medicine due to its bioactive compounds was extracted with ethanol-water (3:7). The extract was encapsulated with maltodextrin and gum arabic in a spray dryer in order to protect the phenolic compounds in its structure. Different amounts of microcapsules were added to our traditional drink, i.e. ayran (drinking yoghurt). The total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the microcapsules, extract of HP, and ayran samples were determined. The amount of total phenolic compounds in the microcapsule provided a superior effect than the extract. The ayran samples were supplemented with 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% and 6% of H. perforatum (HP) microcapsules and it is observed that total phenolic content (TPC) and DPPH radical scavenging activity indicated an increase with concentration. TPC and DPPH activity were determined as 256.94 mg GAE / 100mL and 78.05% for 6% of HP microcapsules supplemented samples. As a result of the sensory analysis, ayran samples which supplemented with 4% of HS microcapsule gained the highest scores by the panellists and received more appreciation than the control group. According to sensory analysis, HP4 (ayran produced with 4% HP added microcapsule) sample was determined as the best sample, while the HP6 (Ayran produced with 6% HP added microcapsule) sample had the highest scores in terms of DPPH scavenging activity and TPC results. The overall results of this study revealed that 4% HP supplemented ayran can be produced with its increased health benefits and desirable properties. In this study, the use of H. perforatum microcapsules in ayran, its effect on antioxidant and phenolic components, the usage rates and acceptability of microcapsules were investigated.

Antioxidant Activity of Red and Purple Rosella Flower Petals Extract (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

Aims: This study aims to test the antioxidant activity of red and purple H. sabdariffa flower petals extract and conduct qualitative phytochemical screening. Study Design: Antioxidant potential of red and purple H. sabdariffa flower petal extract analyzed by spectrometric assays. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at School of Pharmacy Muhammadiyah Cirebon, Cirebon, West Java, Indonesia from the year of 2020 to 2021. Methodology: Red and purple H. sabdariffa petals extracted with 70% ethanol. The extract was then examined for its antioxidant activity using the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) method, after the qualitative phytochemical screening. Results: In this study, the concentration of red and purple H. sabdariffa petals extract dependently demonstrated the ability to scavenge DPPH. In the DPPH radical scavenging activity test, the red and purple H. sabdariffa petasl extracts designating IC50 values of 63.77 and 37.19 µg/ml and fall into the category of strong and very strong antioxidant activity. Meanwhile, phytochemical screening tests showed the existence of flavonoids and polyphenols in the extract of red and purple H. sabdariffa petals. Conclusion: This study shows that the red and purple H. sabdariffa petals extract has potential as a promising natural antioxidant agent for the treatment of oxidative stress.

Induction and Proliferation of Callus in the Flower Stalk of Calanthe discolor Lindl. and its Antioxidant Properties

Purpose: This study aims to establish the appropriate conditions for induction and proliferation of callus from the flower stalk of Calanthe discolor Lindl. (CFS) and to analyze the antioxidant properties as well as the skin irritation level of its extracts.Methods: Murashige & Skoog medium was used to induce the callus from CFS with NB0 (α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) 0 mg/L, benzyl adenine (BA) 0 mg/L), NB1 (NAA 0.2 mg/L, BA 0.1 mg/L), NB5 (NAA 0.2 mg/L, BA 0.5 mg/L), and NB10 (0.2 mg/L, BA 1.0 mg/L) as plant growth regulators (PGR). The callus powder was extracted by ultrasonic treatment, and the total phenolic contents (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and human skin irritation test using callus extracts were performed.Results: As a result of callus induction from CFS with PGR, NB5 showed the highest growth rate of callus with a weight of 4.2±0.3 g. The TPC of the callus extracts NB0, NB1, NB5, and NB10 were 33.71±0.27, 37.59±0.51, 46.26±0.18, and 55.92±0.33 mg GAE/g, respectively. NB10 showed the highest value of DPPH radical scavenging activity than that of NB0, NB1, NB5, and NB10, in various concentrations. CFS callus extract showed very low human skin irritation compared to that of the control group, 10% SLS.Conclusion: The optimal PGR condition for induction of CFS callus was established as NB10. CFS callus extracts can be used as functional materials for cosmetics as it has significant antioxidant activity and low skin irritation value.

Improving the Berry Quality and Antioxidant Potential of Flame Seedless Grapes by Foliar Application of Chitosan–Phenylalanine Nanocomposites (CS–Phe NCs)

The production and sustainability of grape berries with high quality and health-promoting properties is a major goal. In this regard, nano-engineered materials are being used for improving the quality and marketability of berries. In this study, we investigated the potential role of chitosan–phenylalanine nanocomposites (CS–Phe NCs) in improving the quality of Flame Seedless (Vitis vinifera L.) grape berries, such as titratable acidity (TA), pH, total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid, total phenolics, total flavonoids, anthocyanin, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity. In this context, grape berries collected in two growing seasons (2018–2019) were screened. Regarding the experimental design, the treatments included chitosan at a 0.5% concentration (CS 0.5%), phenylalanine at 5 mM and 10 mM concentrations (Phe 5 mM and Phe 10 mM), and chitosan–phenylalanine nanocomposites (CS–Phe NCs) at 5 mM and 10 mM concentrations. The lowest TA was recorded in grape berries treated with CS–Phe NCs with a 10 mM concentration. However, treatments enhanced with TSS, which reached the highest value with 10 mM of CS–Phe NCs, were reflected as the highest ratio of TSS/TA with 10 mM of CS–Phe NC treatment. Nanocomposites (NCs) also increased pH values in both study years compared to the control. Similarly, the ascorbic acid and total phenolic content increased in response to NP treatment, reaching the highest value with 5 mM and 10 mM of CS–Phe NCs in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The highest flavonoid content was observed with 5 mM of CS–Phe NCs in both study years. In addition, the anthocyanin content increased with 5 and 10 mM of CS–Phe NCs. PAL activity was found to be the highest with 5 mM of CS–Phe NCs in both study years. In addition, in accordance with the increase in PAL activity, increased total phenolics and anthocyanin, and higher DPPH radical scavenging activity of the grapes were recorded with the treatments compared to the control. As deduced from the findings, the coating substantially influenced the metabolic pathway, and the subsequent alterations induced by the treatments were notably appreciated due to there being no adverse impacts perceived.