Первая достоверная находка каштановой минирующей моли Cameraria ohridella Deschka et Dimić 1986 на территории Нижнего Новгорода

Приведены сведения о первой находке Cameraria ohridella Deschka et Dimić 1986 (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) – инвазивного фитофага конского каштана (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) на территории г. Нижнего Новгорода в 2021 году. Специфика повреждений и число мин на листьях свидетельствует о развитии вида в 2 генерациях в городских насаждениях каштана конского. Проникновение каштанового минера в крупный город Верхней Волги в 2021 году закрывает вопрос о его «полном» захвате поволжских городов от Волгограда до Москвы за период с 2005 по 2021 гг.

Bioactivity Potential of Aesculus hippocastanum L. Flower: Phytochemical Profile, Antiradical Capacity and Protective Effects on Human Plasma Components under Oxidative/Nitrative Stress In Vitro

Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) flower is a traditional medicine applied to alleviate symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). However, its flavonoid-based composition has not been sufficiently recognized, and the data supporting its traditional application are lacking. In the work, 43 constituents were detected by UHPLC–PDA–ESI–TQ–MS/MS (flavonoids, phenolic acids, flavanols, and coumarins), including 31 reported in the flower for the first time. The quantitative HPLC–PDA study (developed and validated for quality control purposes) indicated the fractionated extraction as an efficient method for enhancing the total polyphenol content (TPHC) in the extracts (up to 414.06 mg/g) and kaempferol glycosides as their dominant constituents (75.05–82.14% TPHC). The activity studies showed significant scavenging properties of the extracts and their constituents towards reactive oxygen species (especially against highly reactive hydroxyl radical, with capacities up to 7.85 mmol ascorbic acid equivalents/g). Moreover, the analytes relevantly protected human plasma biomolecules from peroxynitrite-induced oxidative/nitrative damage; at 1–50 µg/mL, they hindered the protein nitration and lipid peroxidation, decreasing the levels of 3-nitrotyrosine (by up to 50%) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (by up to 70%), respectively. The extracts also averted the depletion of plasma thiols (by up to 67%) and improved the non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity of plasma. The demonstrated mechanisms might be partly responsible for the efficacy of the flower in CVI. Additionally, the anti-aggregatory and anticoagulant properties of the extracts were found only mild or negligible, which suggests that they may be safely applied with drugs impacting the coagulation process.

Description of Intra-Annual Changes in Cambial Activity and Differentiation of Secondary Conductive Tissues of Aesculus hippocastanum Trees Affected by the Leaf Miner Cameraria ohridella

Aesculus hippocastanum trees are commonly infested by the leaf miner Cameraria ohridella, whose larval activity causes the destruction of the leaf parenchyma and induces defoliation. Pest attacks result in, e.g., production of smaller fruits and tree re-flowering in autumn. Concerning pest influence on stem structure only scarce information of narrower annual growth rings of wood has been published. Therefore, we determined the effect of the presence of the leaf miner infestation on intra-annual cambial activity and on differentiation of conductive tissues. These data were compared with phenological phases and pest activity. Pest feeding resulted in changes in onset, cessation and duration of cambial divisions, and differentiation of secondary xylem. The duration of cambial activity was about a month shorter in heavily infested trees and was connected with premature tree defoliation. Affected trees were characterised by a reduction in cambial divisions and earlier cessation of wood differentiation resulting in narrower wood rings. Furthermore, the infested trees exhibited altered wood structure, with more vessels of smaller diameters, however these changes did not affect its theoretical hydraulic conductivity. Interestingly, pest attack did not influence secondary phloem differentiation. The probable influence of long-term infestation on tree growth and condition was discussed.

Evaluation of Practical Applicability and Synergistic Effects of Bio-Based Food Packaging Materials Combined with Plant-Based Stabilisers

Different analyses and feasibility studies have been conducted on the plant extracts of thyme (Thymus vulgaris), European horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana), and snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii) to evaluate bio-based alternatives to common petrol-based stabilisers. For this purpose, in this study, plant extracts were incorporated into poly-lactic acid films (PLA) at different concentrations. The films’ UV absorbance and migration into packed food was analysed via photometric assays (ABTS radical cation scavenging capacity assay, β-carotene assay) and GC–MS analysis. Furthermore, the synergistic antioxidant effects of various combinations of extracts and isolated active compounds were determined. This way, antioxidant effects can be increased, allowing for a highly effective use of resources. All extracts were successfully incorporated into PLA films and showed notable photoabsorbing effects, while no migration risk was observed. Depending on extract combinations, high synergistic effects of up to 726% can be utilised to improve the effectiveness of bio-based extracts. This applies particularly to tomato paste and Aesculus hippocastanum extracts, which overall show high synergistic and antioxidant effects in combination with each other and with isolated active compounds. The study shows that it is possible to create safe bio-based antioxidant films which show even improved properties when using highlighted target combinations.

Whey Proteins as a Potential Co-Surfactant with Aesculus hippocastanum L. as a Stabilizer in Nanoemulsions Derived from Hempseed Oil

The use of natural surfactants including plant extracts, plant hydrocolloids and proteins in nanoemulsion systems has received commercial interest due to demonstrated safety of use and potential health benefits of plant products. In this study, a whey protein isolate (WPI) from a byproduct of cheese production was used to stabilize a nanoemulsion formulation that contained hempseed oil and the Aesculus hippocastanum L. extract (AHE). A Box–Behnken experimental design was used to set the formulation criteria and the optimal nanoemulsion conditions, used subsequently in follow-up experiments that measured specifically emulsion droplet size distribution, stability tests and visual quality. Regression analysis showed that the concentration of HSO and the interaction between HSO and the WPI were the most significant factors affecting the emulsion polydispersity index and droplet size (nm) (p < 0.05). Rheological tests, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and L*a*b* color parameters were also taken to characterize the physicochemical properties of the emulsions. Emulsion systems with a higher concentration of the AHE had a potential metabolic activity up to 84% in a microbiological assay. It can be concluded from our results that the nanoemulsion system described herein is a safe and stable formulation with potential biological activity and health benefits that complement its use in the food industry.

Evidence-based pharmacy: obtaining and studying of aescine from the plant of aesculus hippocastanum l.

The quality and life expectancy of the population depends on the level of access to modern, high quality, effective and evidence-based medical and pharmaceutical care. These types of care play a significant role in the pharmacotherapy of cardiovascular diseases, which are one of the main medical, biological and socio-economic problems of society. The main nosologies that cause high mortality from cardiovascular disease are heart attacks, strokes, sudden death syndrome and cardiomyopathy, which are preceded by such pathological conditions as hypertension, life-threatening arrhythmias, angina, chronic venous insufficiency. The aim of the study was to obtain and study aescine from the amniotic fluid of Aesculus hippocastanum L. The pericarp of the plant Aesculus hippocastanum L. as a source of aescine was studied. As a vegetable raw material for the production of aescine we used amniotic horse chestnut. A new method for the isolation of aescine by its extraction from horse chestnut n-butanol saturated with water, followed by purification of the target product with aluminum oxide. The amniotic fluid of horse chestnut on the content of aescine were studied. Found that the content o in this raw material ranges from 1.5% to 2.5%.