Structural identification and in vitro antioxidant activities of anthocyanins in black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa Elliot)

Anthocyanins is a natural edible pigment with many health benefits. The aim of this work was the identification of anthocyanins present in <i>Aronia melanocarpa</i> using mass spectrometric features. The anthocyanins of the <i>A. melanocarpa</i> were analyzed by UV-Vis, HPLC-DAD and LC-EIS/MS methods. The four important anthocyanins were identified as follows: cyanidin-3-galactoside (68.68%), cyanidin-3-arabinoside (25.62%), cyanidin-3-glucoside (5.28%) and cyanidin-3-xyloside (0.42%). Among the four anthocyanin monomers, three anthocyanins with the highest content of <i>A. melanocarpa</i> were selected, and the antioxidant activity was studied with the total anthocyanins. The antioxidant capacity was cyanidin-3-galactoside > total anthocyanin > cyanidin-3-arabinoside > cyanidin-3-glucoside. The activity of the four anthocyanin samples was greater than ascorbic acid. The methodology described in this study will provide an effective tool for anthocyanins identification. Our results suggested that anthocyanins from <i>A. melanocarpa</i> exhibited effective antioxidant activity. These findings may be crucial in future research concerning chokeberry based functional food products.

Antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds of extracts from the Algerian plant Moltkia ciliata

In the present study, we reported the evaluation of antioxidant properties using electrochemical and spectrophotometric assays and determination of total bioactive compounds content of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and n-butanol (n-BuOH) extracts of Moltkia ciliata growing in Algeria. The results obtained showed that the EtOAc extract was rich in bioactive compounds, which showed the most effective antioxidant capacity in all tests compared to the n-BuOH extract. This was confirmed by the chromatographic analysis and HPLC of the extract of many compounds in different quantities. The difference in antioxidant activity can be explained by differences in the levels of polyphenols and flavonoids. The study concludes this plant is a rich source of phenols and flavonoids, and also showed good in-vitro antioxidant activity by all methods. Thus, the plant M. ciliata can be explored as a potential source of natural antioxidant.

Flavonoid/Polyphenol Ratio in Mauritia flexuosa and Theobroma grandiflorum as an Indicator of Effective Antioxidant Action

Studies on polyphenols and flavonoids in natural products reveal benefits in the prevention of multiple diseases. Proper extraction, treatment of extracts, and quantification of polyphenols and flavonoids demand attention from the scientific community in order to report more specific biological action. Total polyphenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) (measured at three different times) of ethanol, methanol and acetone extracts of Mauritia flexuosa (aguaje) and Theobroma grandiflorum (copoazú) fresh pulp, from the Colombian Amazon region, were evaluated with the purpose of focusing in the polyphenol/flavonoid proportion and its effective antioxidant activity. This objective could help to explain specific flavonoid biological action based on higher flavonoid proportion rather than higher total polyphenol content. Differences in extracting solvents resulted in statistically significant different yields; the highest TPC was observed with acetone 70% in Mauritia flexuosa and ethanol 80% for T. grandiflorum. The best flavonoid/polyphenol ratio in M. flexuosa was about 1:2.4 and 1:12.8 in T. grandiflorum and the antioxidant efficacy was proportionally higher for flavonoids extracted from T. grandiflorum. HPLC analysis revealed 54 µg/g of the flavonoid kaempferol in M. Flexuosa and 29 µg/g in T. grandiflorum. Further studies evaluating this proportionality, in seeds or peel of fruits, as well as, other specific biological activities, could help to understand the detailed flavonoid action without focusing on the high total polyphenol content.

Supramolecular Gels Incorporating Cordyline terminalis Leaf Extract as a Polyphenol Release Scaffold for Biomedical Applications

Cordyline terminalis leaf extract (aqCT) possesses abundant polyphenols and other bioactive compounds, which are encapsulated in gelatin–polyethylene glycol–tyramine (GPT)/alpha-cyclodextrin (α-CD) gels to form the additional functional materials for biomedical applications. In this study, the gel compositions are optimized, and the GPT/α-CD ratios equal to or less than one half for solidification are found. The gelation time varies from 40.7 min to 5.0 h depending on the increase in GPT/α-CD ratios and aqCT amount. The aqCT extract disturbs the hydrogen bonding and host–guest inclusion of GPT/α-CD gel networks, postponing the gelation. Scanning electron microscope observation shows that all gels with or without aqCT possess a microarchitecture and porosity. GPT/α-CD/aqCT gels could release polyphenols from 110 to 350 nmol/mL at the first hour and sustainably from 5.5 to 20.2 nmol/mL for the following hours, which is controlled by feeding the aqCT amount and gel properties. GPT/α-CD/aqCT gels achieved significant antioxidant activity through a 100% scavenging DPPH radical. In addition, all gels are non-cytotoxic with a cell viability more than 85%. Especially, the GPT3.75α-CD10.5aqCT gels with aqCT amount of 3.1–12.5 mg/mL immensely enhanced the cell proliferation of GPT3.75α-CD10.5 gel without extract. These results suggest that the inherent bioactivities of aqCT endowed the resulting GPT/α-CD/aqCT gels with effective antioxidant and high biocompatibility, and natural polyphenols sustainably release a unique platform for a drug delivery system or other biomedical applications.

Antioxidant Effect of Curcumin on the Prevention of Oxidative Damage to the Cochlea in an Ototoxic Rat Model Based on Malondialdehyde Expression

Introduction Aminoglycoside, as an antimicrobial medication, also has side-effects on the inner ears, bringing about hearing disorders. Curcumin has been proven to be a strong scavenger against various reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the increase in ROS production is considered to play an important role in the process of hearing disorder. Objective To prove that curcumin is an effective antioxidant to prevent cochlear damage based on malondialdehyde (MDA) expression. Methods The present research used 32 Rattus norvegicus, of the Wistar lineage, randomly divided into 8 groups: negative control, ototoxic control (a single dose of 40 mg/ml of gentamicin via intratympanic injection), 2 groups submitted to ototoxic control + curcumin treatment (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg), 2 groups who iunderwent ototoxic control + curcumin treatment for 7 days, and two groups submitted to curcumin treatment as prevention for 3 days + ototoxic induction. Results The results showed that the lowest dosage of curcumin (100 mg/kg) could decrease MDA expression on the cochlear fibroblastic wall of the ototoxic model; however using greater doses of curcumin (200 mg/kg) for 7 days would provide a better effect. Curcumin could also significantly decrease MDA expression when it was administered during the preototoxic exposure. Conclusion Curcumin can be used as a therapy for ototoxic prevention based on the decrease in MDA expression.

Influence of Blending of Nonionic Emulsifiers Having Various Hydrophilic Head Sizes on Lipid Oxidation: Investigation of Antioxidant Polarity—Interfacial Characteristics Relationship

The purpose of this study was to deliver insights into the effect of interfacial composition and antioxidant polarity on the lipid oxidation of emulsions. Emulsions were created using blends of nonionic ethoxylated fatty acid alcohol surfactants with different hydrophilic head sizes, and lipophilic (TBHQ) and amphiphilic (lauryl gallate) antioxidants were incorporated into the emulsions. At the same surfactant concentration, emulsion stabilized with surfactant with a smaller hydrophilic head was more susceptible to lipid oxidation than that stabilized with surfactant with a larger hydrophilic head. When surfactants with a similar hydrophilic head size were used, lipid oxidation in emulsion containing more surfactant was slightly faster than that containing less surfactant. When emulsions were created with a 1:1 molar ratio mixture of surfactants with small and large hydrophilic heads, surfactant concentration (1.00 and 2.932 mM) had little effect on lipid peroxide generation rate. However, the concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARSs) in the emulsion prepared at 1.00 mM increased faster than that prepared at 2.93 mM. Alteration of interfacial composition and surfactant concentration did not affect antioxidant ability, regardless of antioxidant polarity, to inhibit lipid peroxide generation. However, the ability of lauryl gallate and TBHQ to prevent TBARS generation was elevated by mixing surfactants with small and large hydrophilic heads and by decreasing surfactant concentration. In most emulsions, lauryl gallate showed a more effective antioxidant ability than TBHQ.

A Review of the Pharmacological Characteristics of Vanillic Acid

A dihydroxybenzoic acid analog used as a flavoring agent is vanillic acid (4hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid). It's a form of vanillin that has been oxidized. It's also a step in the process of making vanillin from Ferulic Acid. Vanillic acid has seen a lot of press because of its many uses in the cosmetics, fruit, flavorings, cigarettes,alcohols, drinks, and polymer sectors. It's said to have effective antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. The pharmacological impact on oxidative stress-induced neuro-degeneration, on the other hand, have not been thoroughly examined. The pharmacological properties of vanillic Acid lead to its possible use in the treatment of various diseases. Keywords: Vanillic acid, Pharmacological Potential, wound healing, Antioxidants