Bioactive properties of Persea lingue Ness (Lauraceae) fruit and leaf extracts

Persea lingue Ness is a tree species that lives mainly in temperate forests of south-central Chile. Its leaves are used in ethnomedicine, the fruit is a drupe similar to that of the avocado and has not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity in leukemia cell and antibacterial activity, along with some chemical content characteristics of P. lingue fruit and leaf extracts. The antibacterial activity was determined by the inhibition of bacterial growth in liquid medium assay against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The leukemia cell lines Kasumi-1 and Jurkat were used to evaluate the cytotoxic activity by using propidium iodide and AlamarBlue assays. Total phenolic, flavonoid, condensed tannin, alkaloid and lipid contents were evaluated in the fruit and in the leaf extracts. The antioxidant activity of both extracts were also elavaluated. Leaf extract presented the highest content of total phenols, condensed tannins and flavonoids, and also the highest antioxidant activity. While the fruit extract has a higher amount of lipids and alkaloids and the high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus megaterium and Micrococcus luteus. The leaf extract only showed activity against M. luteus. Concerning the cytotoxic activity, only the fruit extract showed cytotoxicity against the cell lines Jurkat and Kasumi-1. P. lingue fruit extract is a potential source of biologically active molecules for the development of new drugs to be used in some types of leukemia, as well as antibacterial agent.

Hydroethanolic Extract of Prunus domestica L.: Metabolite Profiling and In Vitro Modulation of Molecular Mechanisms Associated to Cardiometabolic Diseases

High consumption of fruit and vegetables has an inverse association with cardiometabolic risk factors. This study aimed to chemically characterize the hydroethanolic extract of P. domestica subsp. syriaca fruit pulp and evaluate its inhibitory activity against metabolic enzymes and production of proinflammatory mediators. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry(UHPLC-HRMS) analysis showed the presence of hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols, and glycoside flavonols, while nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) analysis showed, among saccharides, an abundant presence of glucose. P. domestica fruit extract inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, and HMG CoA reductase enzyme activities, with IC50 values of 7.01 mg/mL, 6.4 mg/mL, 6.0 mg/mL, and 2.5 mg/mL, respectively. P. domestica fruit extract inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitrite, interleukin-1 β and PGE2 in activated J774 macrophages. The findings of the present study indicate that P. domestica fruit extracts positively modulate in vitro a series of molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of cardiometabolic diseases. Further research is necessary to better characterize these properties and their potential application for human health.

Effect of Christmas Melon (Laganaria Breviflorus) extract on toxigenic Mycoflora Isolated from Stored Unpolished Rice sold in major Markets in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Study on toxigenic mycoflora and potential mitigation effect of Christmas Melon (Laganaria Breviflorus) extract in unpolished rice sold in Abeokuta Ogun state of Nigeria was carried out. Unpolished rice gotten from markets in Abeokuta were aseptically transported to the laboratory, serial dilution to reduce the fungal load was carried out and were plated on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and Methyl Red Dessicated Coconut Agar (MRDCA) respectively. Microscopy, macroscopy, toxigenicity test and inhibition studies with the peeled and unpeeled fruit of Laganaria breviflorus fermented for seven days was carried out. Results reveal the predominance of Aspergillus as the major genera, specifically, A. niger, A.flavus, A. parasiticus, A. fumigatus, A. terreus, A. nidulans. Other fungi genera isolated include Penicillium, F`usarium, Mucor, Alternaria and Rhizopus . Of the 11 fungi genera isolated, 9 were toxigenic of which the zones of inhibition of unpeeled whole fruit extract of Laganaria breviflorus range from (3 - 28mm) where A. nidulans shows the highest susceptibility to the whole fruit extract of Laganaria breviflorus while the zone of inhibition of peeled fruit extract of Laganaria breviflorus ranges from (3 - 22mm) where A. parasiticus, Fusarium specie and P.chrysogenum showed the highest susceptibility . As the day progresses the zone of inhibition becomes wider. Unpeeled LB extract exhibited more zones of inhibition than the peeled LB extract. Laganaria breviflorus fruit extracts in the study demonstrates a potential in reducing toxigenic fungi, consequently a means to reducing mycotoxins in staple foods in Nigeria.

Antidiabetic Potential Screening of Ulin Fruit Extract (Eusideroxylon zwageri) Against Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Empirical evidence of complementary medicine from one community in Kalimantan often uses Ulin fruit (Eusideroxylon zwageri) for medical therapy or as herbal drinks by people with diabetes mellitus. This research aims to identify the antidiabetic compound of Ulin fruit extract against Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Extraction was performed by maceration method using 96% ethanol, phytochemical test of extracts, extract toxicity test on mice (50 mg/BW to 200 mg/BW), test antidiabetic extract in diabetic rats induced by STZ as much as 70 mg/kgBW with each extract dose of 150, 300, and 600 mg given for 14 days, positive control is Glibenclamide 0.25 mg/kg/day, and the negative control is CMC 1%. Phytochemical test results showed that the extract of Ulin contains alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, and steroids. Ulin fruit extract was not toxic to rats at 50, 150, and 200 mg for three days. Based on the Mann-Whitney test, there was an effect of giving the extract on changes in the average body weight and body temperature of rats during three days of administration (p = 0.000). The results showed novelty that the extract of Ulin fruit affected reducing blood glucose levels in diabetic rats during 14 days of administration (p=0.000).Keywords: Antidiabetic, Eusideroxylon zwageri, flavonoids, streprozotocin, diabetic rats

Nutritional quality of some non-alcoholic beverages from the Romanian market

In the recent years, young consumers choose to consume from the category of soft drinks, without acknowledging that their health may be endangered. To this end, we aim to contribute to the real scientific estimation of the nutrient intake from a number of 20 waters with vitamins and minerals having a reduced addition of fruit extract (1-3%), compared to juices that have 10-30 % fruits extract, from those sold in Romania. We analyzed the presentation of the nutritional declaration, the quality of the additives and the profiling of nutrients through the SENS system. The obtained results classify the products in the category of those with low energy value and in the category “significant sources of vitamins and minerals”; there are from food classes 2 and 4, as a nutritional profile

ANALISIS KADAR POLIFENOL DAN AKTIVITAS ANTIOKSIDAN YANG TERDAPAT PADA EKSTRAK BUAH : STUDI KEPUSTAKAAN

ABSTRACTPolyphenols are one of the largest categories of phytochemicals and are the most widely distributed among various types of plants and fruits. Polyphenols can also inhibit, prevent, and reduce oxidation by free radicals, which are good for health. Analysis of polyphenol content starts from the sample preparation process which includes the extraction of solid and liquid samples. The types of solvents commonly used for extraction are ethanol, methanol, and acetone. Furthermore, the analysis of polyphenol levels uses the Folin-Ciocalteau analysis method. The results of the review show that ripe bisbul fruit extract (Diospyros blancoi A. DC.) which was extracted using ethanol as a solvent had the highest polyphenol content and yield of several fruit extracts reported in this review. Meanwhile, the extract of green grapes (Vitis vinifera Linn. Var. Chinsiang) which was extracted using ethanol as a solvent had the lowest levels and yields of polyphenols. The highest antioxidant activity was shown by samples of red dragon fruit extract (Hylocereus polyrhizus (f.a.c weber) britton & rose). Meanwhile, the lowest antioxidant activity was shown by samples of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) fruit extract.Keywords: Pholyphenol, Extracts, Solvents, Folin CiocalteauABSTRAKPolifenol adalah salah satu kategori terbesar dari fitokimia yang paling banyak penyebarannya diantara berbagai jenis tanaman dan buah-buahan. Polifenol juga dapat menghambat, mencegah, mengurangi oksidasi oleh radikal bebas sehingga baik untuk kesehatan. Analisis kadar polifenol dimulai dari proses preparasi sampel yang meliputi ekstrasi sampel padat dan ekstraksi sampel cair. Jenis pelarut yang umum digunakan saat pengekstrakan yaitu etanol, metanol, dan aseton. Selanjutnya analisis kadar polifenol menggunakan metode analisis folin ciocalteau. Hasil review menunjukkan Ekstrak buah bisbul matang (Diospyros blancoi A. DC.) yang diekstrak menggunakan pelarut etanol memiliki kadar dan rendemen polifenol yang tertinggi dari beberapa ekstrak buah yang dilaporkan dalam review ini. Sedangkan ekstrak buah anggur hijau (Vitis vinifera Linn. Var. Chinsiang) yang diekstrak menggunakan pelarut etanol memiliki kadar dan rendemen polifenol yang terendah. Aktivitas antioksidan yang tertinggi ditunjukkan oleh sampel ekstrak buah naga Merah (Hylocereus polyrhizus (f.a.c weber) britton & rose) dibandingkan sampel lain dalam review ini. Sedangkan aktivitas antioksidan yang terendah ditunjukkan oleh sampel ekstrak buah Semangka (Citrullus lanatus) dibandingkan sampel lain dalam review ini.Kata kunci: Polifenol, ekstraksi, pelarut, folin ciocalteau