Study of the reaction products of flavonols with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl using liquid chromatography coupled with negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

The products obtained after the reaction between flavonols and the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH(*)) in both methanol and acetonitrile were characterized using liquid chromatography coupled with negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) and NMR spectroscopy. The flavonols studied were quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin. In methanol, two reaction products of oxidized quercetin were identified using LC/ESI-MS/MS and NMR. Quercetin was oxidized through a transfer of two H-atoms to DPPH(*) and subsequently incorporated either two CH(3)OH molecules or one CH(3)OH- and one H(2)O molecule giving the products 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxy-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one and 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5,7-tetrahydroxy-2-methoxy-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one, respectively. LC/ESI-MS/MS analysis revealed that in methanol, kaempferol and myricetin also gave rise to methoxylated oxidation products similar to that identified for quercetin. Kaempferol, in addition, also exhibited products where a kaempferol radical, obtained by a transfer of one H-atom to DPPH(*), reacted with CH(3)OH through the addition of CH(3)O(*), yielding two isomeric products. When the reaction took place in acetonitrile, LC/ESI-MS/MS analysis showed that both quercetin and myricetin formed stable isomeric quinone products obtained by a transfer of two H-atoms to DPPH(*). In contrast, kaempferol formed two isomeric products where a kaempferol radical reacted with H(2)O through the addition of OH(*), i.e. similar to the reaction of kaempferol radicals with CH(3)OH.     

Response surface optimized ultrasonic-assisted extraction of flavonoids from Sparganii rhizoma and evaluation of their in vitro antioxidant activities

An efficient ultrasound-assisted extraction technique was employed to extract total flavonoids from Sparganii rhizoma. The optimum extraction conditions for the highest yield of total flavonoids were ethanol concentration 53.62%, ultrasonication time 29.41 min and ultrasound power 300 W, which were determined using response surface methodology. The extraction yields of the optimal ultrasound-assisted extraction were higher than using conventional extraction. The crude extract was then purified on a polyamide resin, whereby the flavonoids content in the purified extract increased to 94.62%. The antioxidant activities of the purified flavonoids including DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS+ radical scavenging activity, reducing power, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and superoxide anion scavenging activity, were evaluated in vitro, which suggested that the flavonoids showed significant antioxidant activities. Rutin, kaempferol and formononetin were identified in the extract by comparing relative retention times and UV-Vis spectra with those of reference standards.     

4种黄酮小分子对DPPH自由基的清除作用及构效关系研究

通过紫外可见光谱测定了4种黄酮小分子芦丁、牡荆素、山奈素、金丝桃苷对DPPH自由基的清除率、稳定性及半抑制浓度(IC50),并以常用的天然抗氧化剂抗坏血酸作为对照,考察了其抗氧化效果,探讨了黄酮类化合物的抗氧化性与结构的关系。结果表明：不同的抗氧化剂清除DPPH自由基达到平衡的时间不同,芦丁所需时间最长。4种黄酮小分子及抗坏血酸均对DPPH自由基有清除效果,并存在一定的量效关系。对DPPH自由基的清除能力从大到小依次为金丝桃苷、抗坏血酸、芦丁、山奈素、牡荆素。结构分析表明,B环邻二酚羟基是黄酮类化合物抗氧化所必需的基团,其羟甲基化及A环羟基糖苷化不利于黄酮类化合物的抗氧化活性。而C环3-OH的糖苷化对抗氧化活性有利,且单糖苷优于双糖苷。     

Rapid screening and evaluation of XOD inhibitors and O2•− scavenger from total flavonoids of Ginkgo biloba leaves by LC–MS and multimode microplate reader

Superoxide anion radical scavenger and xanthine oxidase inhibitor play an important role in the treatment of several relevant human diseases. In the present study, ultrafiltration liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry coupled to microplate reader was applied to screen and identify superoxide anion radical scavengers and xanthine oxidase inhibitors from total flavonoids of Ginkgo biloba leaves. As a result, four compounds (quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin) were screened as xanthine oxidase inhibitors by ultrafiltration LC–MS, and the 50% scavenging concentration values of the screened flavonoids were lower than those for allopurinol. Lineweaver–Burk plot results indicated that kaempferol was a competitive xanthine oxidase inhibitor; the other flavonoids were all anticompetitive inhibitors. Four flavonoids—rutin, quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin—were screened as superoxide anion radical scavengers by LC–MS. The results demonstrate that the method for screening and evaluation of superoxide anion radical scavenger and xanthine oxidase inhibitor from a complex mixture system is feasible and efficient.     

Potent 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity of novel antioxidants, double-stranded tyrosine residues conjugating pyrocatechol

New potent antioxidants conjugating the catechol (=pyrocatechol; pyrCat) group to two N-termini of modified double-stranded tyrosine residues were synthesized and showed radical scavenging activity with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH radical, DPPH˙) as a free radical model, second-order rate constants for the DPPH˙ scavenging reaction, and the results from electron spin resonance (ESR) studies. It was found that the tyrosine (Tyr) residue and pyrCat containing new antioxidants developed in the study have about 3-20 times more potent antioxidative activity than Trolox, pyrCat, and L-ascorbic acid (VC). In order to elucidate the relationship between antioxidant activity and the molecular orbital states, and to design potent antioxidants we present an interesting approach using an absolute hardness (η)-absolute electronegativity (χ) diagram based on chemical hardness. It was shown that quantum chemicals were required to develop potent antioxidants.     

Structures and bioactivities of seven flavonoids from Osmanthus fragrans ‘Jinqiu’ essential oil extraction residues

Osmanthus fragrans are well-known for their fragrance, but it is wasteful if to discard O. fragrans flower after extracting their essential oils. In this paper, we found that O. fragrans flower residues were rich in flavonoids. Six flavonoids and one phenylethanoid glycoside were isolated from the ethanol extract of O. fragrans flower residues, identified as quercetin (1), rutin (2), verbascoside (3), genistin (4), kaempferol (5), isorhamnetin (6) and naringin (7). In bioactivity study, kaempferol (IC₅₀ = 1.43 μg/mL) showed the best anti-inflammatory activity. Isorhamnetin, quercetin, kaempferol, verbascoside and rutin (the values of IC₅₀ were 18.30, 11.05, 16.88, 20.21 and 22.76 μg/mL, respectively) showed excellent DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Verbascoside performed relatively well at inhibiting the growth of both CT26 colonic carcinoma cells (IC₅₀ = 46.87 μg/mL) and HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells (IC₅₀ = 30.58 μg/mL). In addition, quercetin and kaempferol showed strong anti-proliferation activity against HepG2 cells.     

Structural determination and DPPH radical-scavenging activity of two acylated flavonoid tetraglycosides in oolong tea (Camellia sinensis)

Two major acylated flavonoid tetraglycosides were isolated from the methanol extract of oolong tea. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods as quercetin 3-O-[2(G)-(E)-coumaroyl-3(G)-O-beta-D-glucosyl-3(R)-O-beta-D-glucosylrutinoside] (1) and kaempferol 3-O-[2(G)-(E)-coumaroyl-3(G)-O-beta-D-glucosyl-3(R)-O-beta-D-glucosylrutinoside] (2). Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited scavenging activity against DPPH radical with EC(50) values of 30.5 and 487.2 microM, respectively.     

Antioxidant activity of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in some medicinal plants of India

In this study, total phenolics, flavonoids and vitamin C content vis-a-vis antioxidant activities were assayed in leaves and stem bark of Azadirachta indica, Butea monosperma, Cassia fistula, Mangifera indica, Syzygium cumini and Tamarindus indica using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radical scavenging method. The DPPH radical scavenging activity positively correlated with the total phenolic content in both stem bark and leaf. Superoxide radical scavenging activity increased with increasing flavonoid contents. However, the vitamin C content could not be correlated with DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging capacity.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activities of extracts from Apocyni Veneti Folium

An expeditious and effective HPLC-UV method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of seven major flavonoids in Apocyni Veneti Folium (AVF) extract. The chemical profile of seven flavonoids, including quercetin-3-O-β-D-glc(2?→?1)-β-D-glucoside, rutin, isoquercetin, kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-(6″-O-malonyl)-β-D-glucoside, quercetin and kaempferol was acquired by HPLC-UV. The analysis was performed on a Diamosil C18 analytical column with a gradient solvent system of acetonitrile-0.1% aqueous acetic acid. Full validation of the method was carried out (linearity, reproducibility, repeatability, accuracy and limit of detection). The results indicated that the contents of investigated flavonoids in Apocyni Veneti Folium varied significantly from habitat to habitat, with contents ranging from 0.01 to 5.57 mg g?1. The antioxidant activity results demonstrate that the seven flavonoids showed great efficiency in scavenging DPPH radicals. The high content of flavonoid components of AVF could be responsible for its high antioxidant activity. This study provides powerful evidence for the relationship between the chemical ingredients of and bioactivity in AVF.     

First Total Synthesis of (±)‐Latifolin and Its Antioxidant Mechanism

The first total synthesis of (±)‐latifolin has been accomplished in six steps and 47.8% overall yield. To understand the relative importance of phenolic O? H and benzhydryl C? H hydrogen on the antioxidant activity of latifolin, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and density functional theory (DFT) studies were carried out. On scavenging DPPH radical in ethanol, the activity of latifolin ( 1 ) bearing phenolic hydrogen is remarkably higher than analogue 10 bearing no phenolic hydrogen. Therefore, Phenolic hydrogen is responsible for latifolin's antioxidant activity rather than benzhydryl C? H hydrogen. Furthermore, the 5‐OH BDE is lower than 2′‐OH and 7‐CH BDEs by a DFT calculation, respectively. Based on theoretical results it is definitely concluded that the phenolic 5‐OH plays a major role in the antioxidant activity of latifolin.     

Study on the phenolic constituents of the flowers and leaves of Trifolium repens L

The flowers and leaves of Trifolium repens L. (Fabaceae) were subjected to phytochemical investigation in order to identify their major chemical constituents and to evaluate in?vitro antioxidant activity of the isolated compounds against DPPH˙. A total of 12 flavonoids, pterocarpan and methyl caffeate were isolated, then characterised by UV, MS, NMR spectroscopy and identified as quercetin and kaempferol 3-O-(6″-α-rhamnopyranosyl-2″-β-xylopyranosyl)-β-galactopyranosides (1, 2), kaempferol 3-O-(2″,6″-α-dirhamnopyranosyl)-β-galactopyranoside, mauritianin (3), quercetin and kaempferol 3-O-(2″-β-xylopyranosyl)-β-galactopyranosides (4, 5), kaempferol and quercetin 3-O-β-(6″-O-acetyl)-galactopyranosides (6, 7), trifolin (8), hyperoside (9), myricetin 3-O-β-galactopyranoside (10), quercetin (11), ononin (12), medicarpin 3-O-β-glucopyranoside (13) and methyl caffeate (14). Mauritianin, ononin, pterocarpan and methyl caffeate have been reported in this plant for the first time. The compounds 4, 7, 9, 10, and 11 were tested for their antioxidant effect against DPPH˙. All studied compounds were found to have potent activity, but the most effective in the test were compounds 9, 10 and 11 (EC(50) values in the range 7.51-9.52?μM).     

Antiradical and cytotoxic activity of different Helichrysum plicatum flower extracts

Flowers of Helichrysum plicatum were extracted under different experimental conditions, and their antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Extracts obtained with higher concentration of ethyl acetate (90% or 100%) were found to contain the greatest amount of total phenolics (> 250 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of dried extract), and high correlation between total phenolic content and antiradical activity was observed (r = -0.79). Based on the total phenolic content and antiradical activity, some extracts were selected for investigation of cytotoxic activity toward PC3, HeLa and K562 human cancer cell lines in vitro. All tested extracts exhibited moderate activity against HeLa cells (41.9-42.1 microg/mL), whereas the extract obtained with 100% ethyl acetate was the most active against K562 and PC3 cell lines (25.9 and 39.2 microg/mL, respectively). Statistical analysis revealed significant correlation between total phenolic content and cytotoxic activity against PC3 and K562 cells. HPLC identification of phenolic compounds from the extracts indicated the presence of apigenin, naringenin and kaempferol as free aglycones, and glycosides of apigenin, naringenin, quercetin and kaempferol. Among aglycones, kaempferol displayed moderate cytostatic activity against all cell lines (24.8-64.7 microM).     

Elevated carbon dioxide increases contents of flavonoids and phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activities in Malaysian young ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe.) varieties

Zingiber officinale Roscoe. (Family Zingiberaceae) is well known in Asia. The plant is widely cultivated in village gardens in the tropics for its medicinal properties and as a marketable spice in Malaysia. Ginger varieties are rich in physiologically active phenolics and flavonoids with a range of pharmacological activities. Experiments were conducted to determine the feasibility of increasing levels of flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, catechin, epicatechin, kaempferol, naringenin, fisetin and morin) and phenolic acid (gallic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, tannic acid, cinnamic acid and salicylic acid), and antioxidant activities in different parts of Malaysian young ginger varieties (Halia Bentong and Halia Bara) with CO(2) enrichment in a controlled environment system. Both varieties showed an increase in phenolic compounds and flavonoids in response to CO(2) enrichment from 400 to 800 μmol mol-1 CO(2). These increases were greater in rhizomes compared to leaves. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results showed that quercetin and gallic acid were the most abundant flavonoid and phenolic acid in Malaysian young ginger varieties. Under elevated CO(2) conditions, kaempferol and fisetin were among the flavonoid compounds, and gallic acid and vanillic acid were among the phenolic compounds whose levels increased in both varieties. As CO(2) concentration was increased from 400 to 800 μmol mol-1, free radical scavenging power (DPPH) increased about 30% in Halia Bentong and 21.4% in Halia Bara; and the rhizomes exhibited more enhanced free radical scavenging power, with 44.9% in Halia Bentong and 46.2% in Halia Bara. Leaves of both varieties also displayed good levels of flavonoid compounds and antioxidant activities. These results indicate that the yield and pharmaceutical quality of Malaysian young ginger varieties can be enhanced by controlled environment production and CO(2) enrichment.     

Contribution of individual flavonoids in Lysimachia species to the antioxidant capacity based on HPLC-DPPH assay

Quantitative phytochemical characterisation of the chief flavonoid aglycones in the hydrolysed Lysimachia extracts revealed the dominance of kaempferol, quercetin and myricetin in L. vulgaris, L. nummularia, L. punctata, L. christinae, L. ciliata and L. clethroides, respectively. Due to the significant radical scavenging capacity of the samples, the contribution of the individual aglycones to the total antioxidant activity became of interest. Therefore, a HPLC method coupled to pre-column DPPH scavenging assay was developed. Differences in the six Lysimachia species’ phenolic composition regarding their participation to the antioxidant activity were revealed. The participation of the three investigated flavonoids to the radical quenching activity was the highest (91.2%) in the L. vulgaris sample, the lowest in L. christinae sample with 29.6%. In L. vulgaris sample, the 76.3% contribution of quercetin to the scavenger capacity was the highest peak area decrement ratio among the investigated samples.     

Synthesis,Antiproliferative Activity and Radical Scavenging Ability of 5-O-Acyl Derivatives of Quercetin

Quercetin is a flavonoid that is found in many plant materials, including commonly eaten fruits and vegetables. The compound is well known for its wide range of biological activities. In this study, 5-O-acyl derivatives of quercetin were synthesised and assessed for their antiproliferative activity against the HCT116 colon cancer and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines; and their radical scavenging activity against the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical species. Four derivatives were found to have improved the antiproliferative activity compared to quercetin whilst retaining radical scavenging activity.     

Statistical optimization of an RP‐HPLC method for the determination of selected flavonoids in berry juices and evaluation of their antioxidant activities

An isocratic RP‐HPLC method for the separation and identification of selected flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, luteolin‐7‐O‐glucoside, kaempferol and kaempferol‐3‐O‐glucoside) in commercial berry juices (blackcurrant, blueberry, red raspberry and cherry) was developed with the aid of central composite design and response surface methodology. The optimal separation conditions were a mobile phase of 85:15 (% v/v) water–acetonitrile, pH 2.8 (adjusted with formic acid), flow rate 0.5 mL min⁻¹ and column temperature 35°C. The obtained levels of bioflavonoids (mg per 100 mL of juice) were as follows: for quercetin, ca. 0.21–5.12; for kaempferol, ca. 0.05–1.2; for rutin, ca. 0.4–6.5; for luteolin‐7‐O‐glucoside, ca. 5.6–10.2; and for kaempferol‐3‐O‐glucoside, ca. 0.02–0.12. These are considerably lower than the values in fresh fruits. Total phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanin contents were determined spectrophotometrically. Total flavonoid content varied as follows: blackcurrant > blueberry > red raspberry > cherry. The antioxidant activity of juice extracts (DPPH and ABTS methods) expressed as IC₅₀ values varied from 8.56 to 14.05 mg L⁻¹. These values are ~2.5–3 times lower than quercetin, ascorbic acid and Trolox®, but compared with rutin and butylhydroxytoluene, berries show similar or better antioxidant activity by both the DPPH and ABTS methods.     

Mutagenicity of flavonoids assayed by bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) test

The mutagenicity of ten flavonoids was assayed by the Ames test, in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100 and TA102, with the aim of establishing hydroxylation pattern-mutagenicity relationship profiles. The compounds assessed were: quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, fisetin, chrysin, galangin, flavone, 3-hydroxyflavone, 5-hydroxyflavone and 7-hydroxyflavone. In the Ames assay, quercetin acted directly and its mutagenicity increased with metabolic activation. In the presence of S9 mix, kaempferol and galangin were mutagenic in the TA98 strain and kaempferol showed signs of mutagenicity in the other strains. The absence of hydroxyl groups, as in flavone, only signs of mutagenicity were shown in strain TA102, after metabolization and, among monohydroxylated flavones (3-hydroxyflavone, 5-hydroxyflavone and 7-hydroxyflavone), the presence of hydroxyl groups only resulted in minor changes. Luteolin and fisetin also showed signs of mutagenicity in strain TA102. Finally, chrysin, which has only two hydroxy groups, at the 5-OH and 7-OH positions, also did not induce mutagenic activity in any of the bacterial strains used, under either activation condition. All the flavonoids were tested at concentrations varying from 2.6 to 30.7 nmol/plate for galangin and 12.1 to 225.0 nmol/plate for other flavonoids. In light of the above, it is necessary to clarify the conditions and the mechanisms that mediate the biological effects of flavonoids before treating them as therapeutical agents, since some compounds can be biotransformed into more genotoxic products; as is the case for galangin, kaempferol and quercetin.     

几种天然黄酮类化合物对二苯代苦味肼自由基的清除作用

采用循环伏安法、示差脉冲伏安法对四种天然黄酮类化合物清除二苯代苦味肼自由基（DPPH）的能力进行了探讨.研究表明：此法可直接观测样品对DPPH的清除作用,而且灵敏度高、准确可靠,是一种检测自由基及物质对其清除作用的有效方法.     

Component analysis and free radicals scavenging activity of Cicer arietinum L. husk pectin

A pectin (CAP) was extracted from the husk of Cicer arietinum L. Monosaccharide analysis of CAP revealed the dominance of galacturonic acid and smaller amounts of galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, glucose, xylose and mannose. Viscosimetric analysis showed that the intrinsic viscosity ([η]) and the molecular weight (MW) of CAP were 296 mL/g and 105 kDa, respectively. The degree of esterification (DE = 10%) was determined by FTIR spectroscopy. CAP exhibited a dose-dependent free radical scavenging activity, as shown by its DPPH radical inhibition. At 1.0 mg/mL CAP exhibited a scavenging rate of 29% on DPPH radicals. The evaluation of antioxidant activity suggested that CAP had good potential for DPPH radical scavenging activity and should be explored as a novel potential antioxidant.     

Constituents from the leaves of Phellodendron amurense and their antioxidant activity

Three new coumarins, phellodenols F-H (1-3) and a new glutaric acid derivative, phellodendric acid-A (4) were isolated from the leaves of Phellodendron amurense together with twenty-nine known compounds. Extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments and other spectroscopic studies were employed to determine the structures of 1-4. The isolated compounds were screened for their antioxidant activity through DPPH (alpha,alpha-diphenyl-beta-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay. Compounds quercetin, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactoside and kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucoside demonstrated significant radical scavenging activity comparable to vitamin E.