In Vitro Human Skin Penetration,Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Ethanol-Water Extract of Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium L.)

Epilobium angustifolium L. is applied as an antiseptic agent in the treatment of skin diseases. However, there is a lack of information on human skin penetration of active ingredients with antioxidative potential. It seems crucial because bacterial infections of skin and subcutaneous tissue are common and partly depend on oxidative stress. Therefore, we evaluated in vitro human skin penetration of fireweed ethanol-water extracts (FEEs) by determining antioxidant activity of these extracts before and after penetration study using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and Folin–Ciocalteu methods. Microbiological tests of extracts were done. The qualitative and quantitative evaluation was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV) methods. The in vitro human skin penetration using the Franz diffusion chamber was assessed. The high antioxidant activity of FEEs was found. Gallic acid (GA), chlorogenic acid (ChA), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4-DHB), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HB), and caffeic acid (CA) were identified in the extracts. The antibacterial activities were found against Serratia lutea, S. marcescens, Bacillus subtilis, B. pseudomycoides, and B. thuringiensis and next Enterococcus faecalis, E. faecium, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and P. fluorescens strains. In vitro penetration studies showed the penetration of some phenolic acids and their accumulation in the skin. Our results confirm the importance of skin penetration studies to guarantee the efficacy of formulations containing E. angustifolium extracts.     

Phenolic Profiles,Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Hydrodistillation Wastewaters from Five Lamiaceae Species

Distillation is the most widely used method to obtain an essential oil from plant material. The biomass used in the process is returned as a solid residue together with variable amounts of water rich in water-soluble compounds, which currently are not addressed to any further application. The scope of this work was to evaluate the phytochemical composition of wastewaters coming from hydrodistillation (DWWs) of five aromatic plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family, and to assess their in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The phenolic profiles of the DWWs were determined by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-ESI/MS. Free radical scavenging ability, oxygen radical antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase mimetic activity of the samples under study were measured. Moreover, to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the DWWs, an in vitro experimental model of intestinal inflammation was used. The DWW samples’ phytochemical analysis allowed the identification of 37 phenolic compounds, all exhibiting good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Our study contributes to the knowledge on the polyphenolic composition of the DWWs of five aromatic plants of the Lamiaceae family. The results highlight the presence of compounds with proven biological activity, and therefore of great interest in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical fields.     

Microbiological and Antioxidant Activity of Phenolic Compounds in Olive Leaf Extract

According to many reports, phenolic compounds isolated from olive leaves have very good biological activities, especially antimicrobial. Presently, the resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics is greater than ever. Therefore, there are numerous recent papers about alternative solutions for inhibiting their influence on human health. Olive leaf is studied as an important source of antimicrobials with low cost and used in medicine. Numerous publications on involving green technologies for isolation of active compounds from olive leaves have appeared over the past few decades. The present review reports on current knowledge of the most isolated phenolic compounds from olive leaf extract as well as methods for their isolation and characterization. This paper uses recent research findings with a wide range of study models to describe the antimicrobial potential of phenolic compounds. It also describes the vast range of information about methods for determination of antimicrobial potential focusing on effects on different microbes. Additionally, it serves to highlight the role of olive leaf extract as an antioxidants and presents methods for determination of antioxidant potential. Furthermore, it provides an overview of presence of enzymes. The significance of olive leaves as industrial and agricultural waste is emphasized by means of explaining their availability, therapeutic and nutritional effects, and research conducted on this field.     

Methyl Jasmonate Effect on Betulinic Acid Content and Biological Properties of Extract from Senna obtusifolia Transgenic Hairy Roots

It is known that Senna obtusifolia has been used in medicine since ancient times due to the content of many valuable compounds with a pro-health effect. One of them is betulinic acid, which is a pentacyclic triterpene with antimalarial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In this work, a continuation of our previous research, an attempt was made to increase the level of betulinic acid accumulation by the cultivation of transgenic hairy roots that overexpress the squalene synthase gene in a 10 L sprinkle bioreactor with methyl jasmonate elicitation. We present that the applied strategy allowed us to increase the content of betulinic acid in hairy root cultures to the level of 48 mg/g dry weight. The obtained plant extracts showed a stronger cytotoxic effect on the U87MG glioblastoma cell line than the roots grown without elicitors. Additionally, the induction of apoptosis, reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, chromosomal DNA fragmentation and activation of caspase cascades are demonstrated. Moreover, the tested extract showed inhibition of topoisomerase I activity.     

Effect of Methyl Jasmonate on the Terpene Trilactones,Flavonoids, and Phenolic Acids in Ginkgo biloba L. Leaves: Relevance to Leaf Senescence

The present study compared the effects of natural senescence and methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) treatment on the levels of terpene trilactones (TTLs; ginkgolides and bilobalide), phenolic acids, and flavonoids in the primary organs of Ginkgo biloba leaves, leaf blades, and petioles. Levels of the major TTLs, ginkgolides B and C, were significantly higher in the leaf blades of naturally senesced yellow leaves harvested on 20 October compared with green leaves harvested on 9 September. In petioles, a similar effect was found, although the levels of these compounds were almost half as high. These facts indicate the importance of the senescence process on TTL accumulation. Some flavonoids and phenolic acids also showed changes in content related to maturation or senescence. Generally, the application of JA-Me slightly but substantially increased the levels of TTLs in leaf blades irrespective of the difference in its application side on the leaves. Of the flavonoids analyzed, levels of quercetin, rutin, quercetin-4-glucoside, apigenin, and luteolin were dependent on the JA-Me application site, whereas levels of (+) catechin and (−) epicatechin were not. Application of JA-Me increased ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid esters in the petiole but decreased the levels of these compounds in the leaf blade. The content of p-coumaric acid glycosides and caffeic acid esters was only slightly modified by JA-Me. In general, JA-Me application affected leaf senescence by modifying the accumulation of ginkogolides, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. These effects were also found to be different in leaf blades and petioles. Based on JA-Me- and aging-related metabolic changes in endogenous levels of the secondary metabolites in G. biloba leaves, we discussed the results of study in the context of basic research and possible practical application.     

Antibiofilm and Anti-Quorum Sensing Potential of Cycloartane-Type Triterpene Acids from Cameroonian Grassland Propolis: Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Crude Extract

Propolis is very popular for its beneficial health properties, such as antimicrobial activity and antioxidant effects. It is one of the most long-serving traditional medicines to mankind due to its interesting chemical diversity and therapeutic properties. The detailed chemical information of propolis samples is very necessary to guarantee its safety and for it to be accepted into health care systems. The phenolic profile of the hydroethanolic extract was determined using HPLC-DAD, and the antioxidant was evaluated using five complementary methods. Triterpenoids were isolated using column chromatography and characterized using ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. The effects of the extract and the isolated compounds on quorum sensing mediated processes and biofilm formation in bacteria were evaluated. Protocatechic acid (40.76 ± 0.82 µg/g), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (24.04 ± 0.21 µg/g), vanillic acid (29.90 ± 1.05 µg/g), quercetin (43.53 ± 1.10 µg/g), and luteolin (4.44 ± 0.48 µg/g) were identified and quantified. The extract showed good antioxidant activity in the DPPH^•, ABTS^•+, CUPRAC, and metal chelating assays, and this antioxidant effect was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry. 27-Hydroxymangiferonic acid (1), Ambolic acid (2), and Mangiferonic acid (3) were isolated from anti-quorum sensing activity at MIC, and it was indicated that the most active sample was the extract with inhibition diameter zone of 18.0 ± 1.0 mm, while compounds 1, 2, and 3 had inhibition zones of 12.0 ± 0.5 mm, 9.0 ± 1.0 mm, and 12.3 ± 1.0 mm, respectively. The samples inhibited the P. aeruginosa PA01 swarming motility at the three tested concentrations (50, 75, and 100 μg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner. The propolis extract was able to inhibit biofilm formation by S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans, and C. tropicalis at MIC concentration. Compound 1 proved biofilm inhibition on S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, E. faecalis, E. coli, and C. tropicalis at MIC and MIC/2; compound 2 inhibited the formation of biofilm at MIC on S. aureus, E. faecalis, E. coli, S. typhi, C. albicans, and C. tropicalis; and compound 3 inhibited biofilm formation on E. faecalis, E. coli, C. albicans, and C. tropicalis and further biofilm inhibition on E. coli at MIC/4 and MIC/8. The studied propolis sample showed important amounts of cycloartane-type triterpene acids, and this indicates that there can be significant intra-regional variation probably due to specific flora within the vicinity. The results indicate that propolis and its compounds can reduce virulence factors of pathogenic bacteria.     

Change in Secondary Metabolites and Expression Pattern of Key Rosmarinic Acid Related Genes in Iranian Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) Ecotypes Using Methyl Jasmonate Treatments

The medicinal herb, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), which is high in rosmarinic acid (RA), has well-known therapeutic value. The goals of this study were to investigate the effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on RA content, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC), as well as changes in expression of their biosynthesis-related key genes (MoPAL, Mo4CL, and MoRAS) in Iranian lemon balm ecotypes, as first reported. Our results revealed that MeJA doses significantly increase the RA content, TPC, and TFC in both ecotypes compared with the control samples. Additionally, the higher expression levels of MoPAL, Mo4CL, and MoRAS following treatment were linked to RA accumulation in all treatments for both Iranian lemon balm ecotypes. After 24 h of exposure to 150 µM MeJA concentration, HPLC analysis showed that MeJA significantly increased RA content in Esfahan and Ilam ecotypes, which was about 4.18- and 7.43-fold higher than untreated plants. Our findings suggested that MeJA has a considerable influence on RA, TPC, and TFC accumulation in MeJA-treated Iranian M. officinalis, which might be the result of gene activation from the phenylpropanoid pathway. As a result of our findings, we now have a better understanding of the molecular processes behind RA production in lemon balm plants.     

Anticancer,Cardio-Protective and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Natural-Sources-Derived Phenolic Acids

Phenolic acids (PAs) are one of the utmost prevalent classes of plant-derived bioactive chemicals. They have a specific taste and odor, and are found in numerous medicinal and food plants, such as Cynomorium coccineum L., Prunus domestica (L.), and Vitis vinifera L. Their biosynthesis, physical and chemical characteristics and structure–activity relationship are well understood. These phytochemicals and their derivatives exert several bioactivities including but not limited to anticancer, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, immune-regulatory and anti-obesity properties. They are strong antioxidants because of hydroxyl groups which play pivotal role in their anticancer, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective potential. They may play significant role in improving human health owing to anticarcinogenic, anti-arthritis, antihypertensive, anti-stroke, and anti-atherosclerosis activities, as several PAs have demonstrated biological activities against these disease during in vitro and in vivo studies. These PAs exhibited anticancer action by promoting apoptosis, targeting angiogenesis, and reducing abnormal cell growth, while anti-inflammatory activity was attributed to reducing proinflammatory cytokines. Pas exhibited anti-atherosclerotic activity via inhibition of platelets. Moreover, they also reduced cardiovascular complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke by activating Paraoxonase 1. The present review focuses on the plant sources, structure activity relationship, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective actions of PAs that is attributed to modulation of oxidative stress and signal transduction pathways, along with highlighting their mechanism of actions in disease conditions. Further, preclinical and clinical studies must be carried out to evaluate the mechanism of action and drug targets of PAs to understand their therapeutic actions and disease therapy in humans, respectively.     

Characterization of Citrus nobilis Peel Methanolic Extract for Antioxidant,Antimicrobial, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Currently, the potential utilization of fruits and vegetable waste as a source of micronutrients and antioxidants has increased. The present study, therefore, aimed to determine the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of Citrus nobilis peel extract. A modified solvent evaporation technique was employed for peel extract preparation. For effective utilization of the natural product, quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds was carried out using liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy technique. Phenolic and flavonoids were present in high amounts, while β-carotene and lycopene were present in vestigial amounts. The antimicrobial efficiency of peel extract was evaluated against four bacterial strains including Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 3160), Klebsiella pneumoniae (MTCC 3384), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 2295), and Salmonella typhimurium (MTCC 1254), and one fungal strain Candida albicans (MTCC 183), and zone of inhibition was comparable to the positive control streptomycin and amphotericin B, respectively. The extract of Citrus nobilis peels showed effective anti-inflammatory activity during human red blood cell membrane stabilization (HRBC) and albumin denaturation assay. The extracts also exhibited 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity ranging from 53.46 to 81.13%. Therefore, the obtained results suggest that Citrus nobilis peel could be used as an excellent source of polyphenols and transformed into value-added products.     

Survey of Phenolic Acids,Flavonoids and In Vitro Antioxidant Potency Between Fig Peels and Pulps: Chemical and Chemometric Approach

In the present study, chromatic coordinates, phenolic acids, flavonoids and antioxidant capacity assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS) and lipid peroxidation inhibition capacity (LPIC) essays and their relative IC50 were investigated in 25 fig cultivars growing in Morocco. The aims of this study were to determine (i) the variation in these compounds among light and dark-colored cultivars, (ii) their partitioning between fruit peel and pulp and (iii) to display network connections among these variables. Twelve phenolic compounds (PCs) were isolated in peel extract versus eight in pulp samples. Anthocyanins, mainly cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, were the predominant compounds in peels, where the mean concentrations were 75.90 ± 18.76 and 77.97 ± 18.95 µg/g dw, respectively. On the other hand, (−)-epicatechin and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside were the major compounds in the pulp extracts, where the mean values were 5.23 ± 4.03 and 9.01 ± 5.67 µg/g dw, respectively. A two-dimensional hierarchically clustered heatmap was applied to the dataset to explore correlations in the dataset and similarities between cultivars, without dimensionality reduction. Results showed that anthocyanins, particularly pelargonidin-3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, were the main contributors to the peels’ free radical scavenging capacity. This capacity was particularly higher in the peel of dark-colored figs compared to the fruit pulp. The local cultivar “INRA 1301” showed the most promising phenolic profile due to its very high levels of almost all detected PCs, especially (−)-epicatechin, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidine-3,5-diglucoside, cyanidine-3-O-rutinoside and pelargonidin-3-O-rutinoside (54.66, 141.08, 35.48, 494.08, 478.66, 12.56 µg/g dw, respectively). Having the darkest figs in the collection (L* = 25.72, c* = 22.09 and h° = 20.99), this cultivar has also combined promising IC50 values, which were of 19.85, 40.58 and 124.78 µg/mL for DPPH, ABTS and LPIC essays, respectively.     

Chemical Profile,Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity Assessment of the Crude Extract and Its Main Flavonoids from Tartary Buckwheat Sprouts

The purpose of this study was to investigate the major flavonoids content and bioactivities of Tartary buckwheat sprouts. The crude methanol extract (ME) of Tartary buckwheat sprouts was abundant in flavonoids, and six major flavonoids, including isoorientin, vitexin, isovitexin, rutin, quercetin, and kaemferol were successfully determined from the sprouts by the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Generally, the flavonoid content of buckwheat sprouts was in the order of rutin > quercetin > isovitexin > vitexin> isoorientin > kaemferol. The highest rutin content of the ME and sprout cultures was 89.81 mg/g and 31.50 mg/g, respectively. Antibacterial activity results indicated the ME displayed notable inhibitory activity against the five tested bacteria, and its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranged from 0.8 mg/mL to 3.2 mg/mL. Among the six flavonoids, quercetin was the most active compound, which exhibited strong activity against all tested bacteria except for E. coli and S. epidermidis, with its MIC values ranging from 0.2 mg/mL to 0.4 mg/mL. For the antifungal activity assay, the ME of Tartary buckwheat sprouts and four flavonoids could significantly inhibit the spore germination of two pathogenic fungi, and their inhibitory efficiency was concentration dependent. Quercetin was the most active one, which significantly inhibited the spore germination of F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum and F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum, and its median effective inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value was 42.36 and 32.85 µg/mL, respectively. The antioxidant activity results showed that quercetin, kaemferol, and rutin displayed excellent antioxidant activity in the DPPH radical scavenging test, and their IC₅₀ value was calculated as 5.60, 16.23, and 27.95 µg/mL, respectively. This is the first report on the antimicrobial activity of the crude extract of Tartary buckwheat sprouts. These results indicated that the methanol extract of Tartary buckwheat sprouts could be used as a potential antimicrobial or antioxidant agent in the future.     

Phenolic Profile,Antioxidant, Anti-Enzymatic and Cytotoxic Activity of the Fruits and Roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim. is well-known for its adaptogenic properties in traditional Eastern medicine. It has been categorized as an endangered species due to the over-exploitation of the roots. As a result, alternatives must be found, including the usage of renewable aerial parts such as fruits. The goal of this research was to determine the phenolic compounds and the enzymatic, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of the intractum gained from the E. senticosus fruits and the mixture of chloroform-methanol roots extract with naringenin (3:7:5). The obtained results showed, that the intractum contained 1.02 mg/g ext. of polyphenols, 0.30 mg/g ext. of flavonoids, and 0.19 mg/g ext. of phenolic acids. In turn, the mixture of chloroform-methanol roots extract with naringenin (3:7:5) contained 159.27 mg/g ext. of polyphenols, 137.47 mg/g ext. of flavonoids, and 79.99 mg/g ext. of phenolic acids. Regarding the anti-enzymatic assay, the IC₅₀ values for tyrosinase and hyaluronidase were equal to 586.83 and 217.44 [μg/mL] for the intractum, and 162.56 and 44.80 [μg/mL] for the mixture, respectively. Both preparations have possessed significant antioxidant activity in the ABTS, DPPH, and ferrozine tests. No cytotoxic effect on the FaDu and HEP G2 cancer cell lines was observed. Our findings support the traditional use of fruits and roots. Moreover, the results indicate also that adaptogens are rather nontoxic for normal and cancer cells, which corresponds with some hypotheses on adaptogens activity.     

Changes in Organic Acids,Phenolic Compounds,and Antioxidant Activities of Lemon Juice Fermented by Issatchenkia terricola

High content of citric acid in lemon juice leads to poor sensory experience. The study aimed to investigate the dynamics changes in organic acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activities of lemon juice fermented with Issatchenkia terricola WJL-G4. The sensory evaluation of fermented lemon juice was conducted as well. Issatchenkia terricola WJL-G4 exhibited a potent capability of reducing the contents of citric acid (from 51.46 ± 0.11 g/L to 8.09 ± 0.05 g/L within 60 h fermentation) and increasing total phenolic level, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activities compared to those of unfermented lemon juice. A total of 20 bioactive substances, including 10 phenolic acids and 10 flavonoid compounds, were detected both in fermented and unfermented lemon juice. The lemon juice fermented for 48 h had better sensory characteristics. Our findings demonstrated that lemon juice fermented with Issatchenkia terricola exhibited reduced citric acid contents, increased levels of health-promoting phenolic compounds, and enhanced antioxidant activities.     

Effects of Green Tea Powder,Pomegranate Peel Powder,Epicatechin and Punicalagin Additives on Antimicrobial,Antioxidant Potential and Quality Properties of Raw Meatballs

Alternative technologies, which have been developed in order to meet the consumers’ demand for nourishing and healthy meat and meat products, are followed by the food industry. In the present study, it was determined, using the HPLC method, that green tea contains a high level of epicatechin (EP) under optimal conditions and that pomegranate peel contains a high level of punicalagin (PN). Green tea, pomegranate peel, EP and PN were added to meatballs at different concentrations in eight groups. The antioxidant capacities of extracts were measured. The antimicrobial activity was examined for 72 h using three different food pathogens. The highest level of antimicrobial activity was achieved in the 1% punicalagin group, whereas the minimum inhibition concentration (L. monocytogenes, S. typhimurium) was found to be 1.87 mg/mL. A statistically significant decrease was found in FFA, POV and TBARS levels of meatballs on different days of storage (p < 0.05). When compared to the control group, the bioactive compounds preserved the microbiological and chemical properties of meatballs during storage at +4 °C (14 days). It was concluded that the extracts with high EP and PN concentrations can be used as bio-preservative agents for meat and meat products.     

Contribution to the Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties,Total Phenolic Content,Antioxidant Potential,and Antimicrobial Activity of Vinegar Commercialized in Morocco

Vinegar is a natural product widely used in food and traditional medicine thanks to its physicochemical properties and its richness in bioactive molecules. However, its direct use by consumers can have complications and undesirable effects. Therefore, this study contributes to investigating the physicochemical and biological properties of eleven vinegars marketed in Morocco. Determination of pH, acetic acid, conductivity, total soluble solids and alcohol content in vinegar was carried out. The polyphenols (TP), flavonoids (TF), and condensed tannins (CT) content was determined, and their antioxidant activities were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl Hydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and Phosphomolybdenum Reduction Assay (TAC). Then, the antimicrobial activity was studied against four pathogenic bacteria and two fungal strains, using the disk diffusion and the microdilution method. This study showed a wide range of acetic acid values from 0.65 ± 0.29 to 5.15 ± 0.20%. The high value of TP, TF, and CT in our samples V10, V9, and V4 was 655.00 ± 22.2 µgGAE/mL, 244.53 ± 11.32 µgQE/mL and 84.63 ± 1.00 µgTAE/mL, respectively. The tested strains showed variable sensitivities to the different samples with inhibition zones ranging from 6.33 ± 2.08 to 34.33 ± 0.58 mm. The lowest minimum inhibition concentrations were recorded against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213 ranging from 1.95 to 7.81 µL/mL. While Aspergillus niger ATCC16404 showed resistance against all of the analyzed samples. In general, vinegar commercialized in Morocco presents a variable range of products with variable properties. Indeed, must take into account this diversity when using it. A future study is needed to identify the phytochemical composition that will further the comprehension of this variability and contribute to its valorization.     

Investigation and Biological Assessment of Rumex vesicarius L. Extract: Characterization of the Chemical Components and Antioxidant,Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic,and Anti-Dengue Vector Activity

The objective of this study was to assess the biological potency and chemical composition of Rumex vesicarius aboveground parts using GC–MS. In this approach, 44 components were investigated, comprising 99.99% of the total volatile compounds. The major components were classified as fatty acids and lipids (51.36%), oxygenated hydrocarbons (33.59%), amines (7.35%), carbohydrates (6.06%), steroids (1.21%), and alkaloids (0.42%). The major components were interpreted as 1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-yl oleate (oxygenated hydrocarbons, 18.96%), ethyl 2-hydroxycyclohexane-1-carboxylate (ester of fatty acid, 17.56%), and 2-propyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-ol (oxygenated hydrocarbons, 11.18%). The DPPH antioxidant activity of the extracted components of R. vesicarius verified that the shoot extract was the most potent with IC₅₀ = 28.89 mg/L, with the percentages of radical scavenging activity at 74.28% ± 3.51%. The extracted plant, on the other hand, showed substantial antibacterial activity against the diverse bacterial species, namely, Salmonella typhi (23.46 ± 1.69), Bacillus cereus (22.91 ± 0.96), E. coli (21.07 ± 0.80), and Staphylococcus aureus (17.83 ± 0.67). In addition, the extracted plant was in vitro assessed as a considerable anticancer agent on HepG2 cells, in which MTT, cell proliferation cycle, and DNA fragmentation assessments were applied on culture and treated cells. The larvicidal efficacy of the extracted plant was also evaluated against Aedes aegypti, the dengue disease vector. As a result, we may infer that R. vesicarius extract increased cytocompatibility and cell migratory capabilities, and that it may be effective in mosquito control without causing harm.     

A Bio-Guided Screening for Antioxidant,Anti-Inflammatory and Hypolipidemic Potential Supported by Non-Targeted Metabolomic Analysis of Crepis spp.

This study was designed to evaluate the chemical fingerprints and the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic activity of selected Crepis species collected in Greece, namely, C. commutata, C. dioscoridis, C. foetida, C. heldreichiana, C. incana, C. rubra, and Phitosia crocifolia (formerly known as Crepis crocifolia). For the phytochemical analyses, sample measurements were carried out by using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Τhe extracts were evaluated both in vitro (radical scavenging activity: DPPH assay and total phenolic content: Folin–Ciocalteu) and in vivo (paw edema reduction and hypolipidemic activity: experimental mouse protocols). Among the tested extracts, C. incana presented the highest gallic acid equivalents (GAE) (0.0834 mg/mL) and the highest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 0.07 mg/mL) in vitro, as well as the highest anti-inflammatory activity with 32% edema reduction in vivo. Moreover, in the hypolipidemic protocol, the same extract increased plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by 48.7%, and decreased cholesterol (41.3%) as well as triglycerides (37.2%). According to fractionation of the extract and the phytochemical results, this biological effect may be associated with the rich phenolic composition; caffeoyl tartaric acid derivatives (cichoric and caftaric acid) are regarded as the most prominent bioactive specialized metabolites. The present study contributes to the knowledge regarding the phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Crepis spp.     

Grape Canes from Typical Cultivars of Campania (Southern Italy) as a Source of High-Value Bioactive Compounds: Phenolic Profile,Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

The purpose of the current study was to determine the phenolic composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities in grape cane extracts from typical cultivars of Southern Italy. Aqueous extracts at different pHs (1–13) were prepared from “Aglianico”, “Fiano”, and “Greco” grape canes. The results demonstrated that an alkaline pH (13.00) produced the best polyphenol-rich extracts, as the total phenolic content was more than double when compared to the respective extracts prepared at pH 1.00. “Greco” grape canes gave the highest quantity of phenolic compounds at each pH, ranging from 42.7 ± 0.4 to 104.3 ± 3.0 mg Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE)/g Dry Extract (DE) from pH 1.00 to 13.00. The Radical Scavenging Activity (RSA) and the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) were measured. The highest antioxidant activity was showed by “Greco” extract at pH 7.00. Seventy-five compounds were identified in the extracts by HPLC-MS with six of them described for the first time in grape canes. Procyanidins were highly abundant in extracts at pH 7.00, whereas stilbenoids were the most represented compounds at pH 13.00. Very strong antiviral activity against herpes simplex viruses was recorded for the extracts at pH 7.00 and 13.00 that were active in the early stages of infection by acting directly against the viral particles. The overall results suggest that grape canes, currently underutilized, can be usefully valorised by providing active extracts to use as antioxidant and antiviral agents.     

Chemical Composition,Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic/Cytoprotective Activity of Non-Polar Extracts of Grape (Vitis labrusca cv. Bordeaux) and Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) Seeds

The aim of this study was to compare the influence of the extraction method, chemical composition, antimicrobial effects, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxicity on human cells of the non-polar extracts of grape (Vitis labrusca) and blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) seeds. The Soxhlet (Sox), Bligh–Dyer (BD), and ultrasound (US) methods were used for extractions. For blackberry non-polar seed extract, extraction via the BD method showed the highest mean values of total phenolic content (TPC), expressed in milligrams of gallic acid equivalent per 100 mL of non-polar seed extracts (102.37 mg GAE/100 mL), and higher antioxidant activity in relation to the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, expressed in milligrams of gallic acid equivalent per 100 mL of non-polar seed extracts (11.50 mg AAE/100 mL), if compared with the Sox and US extractions. Similar results were obtained for the non-polar grape seed extracts, where BD extraction obtained the highest values for TPC (28.61 mg GAE/100 mL) and DPPH (35.36 mg AAE/100 mL). The type of extraction method had an impact on the composition of fatty acids. Only the non-polar blackberry and grape seed extracts obtained via the Sox method showed some in vitro inhibitory effect against Escherichia coli (IAL 2064) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 13565). Regardless of the extraction method used, the non-polar blackberry and grape seed extracts did not decrease the cell viability (IC₅₀ >1000 µg/mL) of cancer and normal cell lines, thus indicating the relative safety of the extracts. All the seed extracts decreased the generation of reactive oxygen species in the cell lines. Blackberry and grape seed lipid fractions can be utilized as antioxidants, and the extraction methods used cause significant changes in relation to their bioactivity and chemical composition.     

Antioxidant,Anti-Inflammatory,and Anti-Diabetic Activity of Phenolic Acids Fractions Obtained from Aerva lanata (L.) Juss.

Many plants that are commonly used in folk medicine have multidirectional biological properties confirmed by scientific research. One of them is Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. (F. Amaranthaceae). It is widely used, but there are very few scientific data about its chemical composition and pharmacological activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemical composition of phenolic acid (PA)-rich fractions isolated from methanolic extracts of A. lanata (L.) Juss. herb using the liquid/liquid extraction method and their potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties. The free PA fraction (FA), the PA fraction (FB) released after acid hydrolysis, and the PA fraction (FC) obtained after alkaline hydrolysis were analysed using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The phenolic profile of each sample showed a high concentration of PAs and their presence in A. lanata (L.) Juss. herb mainly in bound states. Thirteen compounds were detected and quantified in all samples, including some PAs that had not been previously detected in this plant species. Bioactivity assays of all fractions revealed high 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^•) (2.85 mM Trolox equivalents (TE)/g) and 2,2-azino-bis-3(ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS^•+) (2.88 mM TE/g) scavenging activity. Fraction FB definitely exhibited not only the highest antiradical activity but also the strongest xanthine oxidase (XO) (EC₅₀ = 1.77 mg/mL) and lipoxygenase (LOX)(EC₅₀ = 1.88 mg/mL) inhibitory potential. The fraction had the best anti-diabetic properties, i.e., mild inhibition of α-amylase (EC₅₀ = 7.46 mg/mL) and strong inhibition of α-glucosidase (EC₅₀ = 0.30 mg/mL). The activities of all analysed samples were strongly related to the presence of PA compounds and the total PA content.