Analysis of Solanum Americanum Mill. by Ultrafast Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array and Time-Of-flight Mass Spectrometry Detection with Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Rodent Models

Solanum americanum Mill. has been traditionally used for the treatment of fever, stomachache, skin diseases, gynecological disorders, and different kinds of inflammation. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory response of different extracts obtained from ripe fruits of S. americanum Mill., in experimental models and evaluated them qualitatively using ultrafast liquid chromatography with diode array and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UFLC-DAD/TOF-MS). The inflammatory response of four extracts of ripe fruits was evaluated for the systemic and topical anti-inflammatory activities. The compounds in each extract were identified using UFLC-DAD-TOF/MS. A total of 34 compounds was identified in the four extracts. The best results were obtained in compounds from the aqueous and chloroform extracts. This study demonstrated a significant anti-inflammatory activity for the compounds present in fruit of S. americanum Mill.     

Analysis of trans-Resveratrol in Iranian Grape Cultivars by LC

In this study, trans-resveratrol levels were determined in 147 Iranian grape cultivars using a modified extraction and gradient HPLC procedure with photodiode array detection. It was found that 41 out of 147 cultivars contained significant levels of trans-resveratrol. The detected amounts ranged from 0.98 to 6.25 mg kg⁻¹ fresh weight with a mean value of 3.59 (white grapes) and 3.08 mg kg⁻¹ (red grapes), respectively.

     

trans-Resveratrol and trans-Piceid Content of Hungarian Wines

Plant polyphenols are naturally occurring secondary plant metabolites, synthesized in response to environmental stress factors. As anti-oxidants and free-radical scavengers they serve as essential components of the human diet. Among polyphenols well studied representatives are the trans-resveratrol and trans-piceid molecules, the latter being the glycoside of trans-resveratrol. trans-Resveratrol is known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, cardio- and vasoprotective effects which help in the prevention of chronic cardiovascular and tumorous diseases.

In the present study, 42 Hungarian wines were analyzed using LC-DAD detection. The wines were from Villány and Eger wine regions representing three wineries from 2003 to 2007 vintage years. The trans-resveratrol amount in the processed wines ranged from 0.75 to 10.4 mg mL⁻¹ and for trans-piceid from 0.1 to 3.7 mg mL⁻¹.

     

Phytochemical composition,in vitro antioxidant activity and antibacterial mechanisms of Neolamarckia cadamba fruits extracts

Aqueous extracts of Neolamarckia cadamba fruits prepared at different maturity stages were used for the analysis of various phytochemicals, and their antioxidant and antibacterial activities were determined. Ripe fruit extract had highest phenolics (3.14 mM GAE/ g fruit extract) with caffeic acid, tannic acid, syringic acid and quercetin as major phenolic compounds. The ripe fruit extract showed lowest IC₅₀ values in DPPH radical scavenging assay (231.33 μg fruit extract/ mL), and highest ABTS radical scavenging activity (111.18 μM TEAC/g). Immature fruit extract showed lowest minimum inhibitory concentration against tested bacteria, and the antibacterial activity was probably due to membrane permeation, as was evident by leakage of genetic material and reduction in propidium iodide uptake by bacterium; and by inhibition of sugar and amino acid uptake. The appreciable amount of phenolic compounds and biological activities in the aqueous extracts of N. cadamba fruits suggests it's potential application as natural preservative.     

Analysis of trans-Resveratrol in Iranian Grape Cultivars by LC

In this study, trans-resveratrol levels were determined in 147 Iranian grape cultivars using a modified extraction and gradient HPLC procedure with photodiode array detection. It was found that 41 out of 147 cultivars contained significant levels of trans-resveratrol. The detected amounts ranged from 0.98 to 6.25 mg kg^?1 fresh weight with a mean value of 3.59 (white grapes) and 3.08 mg kg^?1 (red grapes), respectively.     

Determination of resveratrol in wine by photochemically induced second-derivative fluorescence coupled with liquid–liquid extraction

Basic studies on the photochemical behaviour of trans-resveratrol and its photoproduct are reported. Photometrically and fluorimetrically calculated acidity constants of the former were determined. The usefulness of the determination of resveratrol by photochemically induced fluorescence and second-derivative photochemically induced fluorescence was also examined. The very weakly fluorescent trans-resveratrol is converted into a highly fluorescent photoproduct by irradiating hydroethanolic solutions of trans-resveratrol containing 40% v/v of ethanol for 60 s with intense UV radiation. The photoproduct presents excitation and emission maxima centred at 260 nm, and 364 and 382 nm, respectively. Under these conditions, a linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and trans-resveratrol concentration was found between 6.6 and 66 ng mL⁻¹. Optimum conditions for the extraction of trans-resveratrol from an aqueous phase at pH 5.0 with diethylether were a phase ratio (aqueous/organic) of 2, a shaking time of 60 s and a buffer concentration of 0.15 mol L⁻¹. An extraction recovery of 100% was reached under these conditions. The optimized extraction procedure was applied to the analysis of resveratrol in wine samples, employing the amplitude between 356 and 364 nm of the second-derivative photoinduced emission spectrum as analytical signal. It was found that there is not matrix effect and recoveries around 100% were obtained at different fortification levels.     

Molecular imprinted polymer-based chemiluminescence imaging sensor for the detection of trans-resveratrol

Sensitive, rapid and inexpensive chemiluminescence (CL) imaging has been developed based on molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) sensing elements. Imprinted uniform microspheres were synthesized by precipitation polymerization. Microtiter plates (96 wells) were coated with polymer microspheres imprinted with trans-resveratrol, which were fixed in place using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as glue. The amount of polymer-bound trans-resveratrol was quantified using imidazole (IMZ)-catalyzed peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence (PO-CL) reaction. The light produced was then measured with a high-resolution CCD camera. Calibration curve corresponding to analyte concentration ranging from 0.3 to 25 μg mL⁻¹ was obtained with a limit of detection 0.1 μg mL⁻¹. These results showed that the MIP-based CL imaging sensor can become a useful analytical tool for quick simultaneous detection of trans-resveratrol in a large number of real samples.     

Discrimination of the Traditional Chinese Medicine from Schisandra Fruits by Flash Evaporation-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry and Fingerprint Analysis

Flash evaporation-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (FE-GC/MS) with 0.3 mg sample powder in a vertical microfurnace pyrolyzer at 300 °C was applied to analyze Schisandra fruits without any tedious pretreatment. In total, 80 compounds, 74 compounds of which were identified, were observed, including low-molecular-weight compounds, essential oils (especially terpenoids), fatty acids and esters, and lignans, with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of the relative percent of peak areas less than 7.79 % (n = 5). 32 compounds of terpenoids and lignans were selected as fingerprint components, since they are the main bioactive constituents in Schisandra fruits. The standard characteristic fingerprints of S. chinensis fruits and S. sphenantherae fruits were established, based on the 32 fingerprint components of 11 genuine S. chinensis fruit samples and 9 genuine S. sphenantherae fruit samples. The discrimination of samples from different growing places was achieved by principle component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. Furthermore, a similarity evaluation method was developed to evaluate the quality of each Schisandra fruit sample on the basis of the 32 fingerprint components. The results proved that the FE-GC fingerprint combined with a chemometric approach is a simple, rapid, and effective method for the origin discrimination and quality control of Schisandra fruits.

     

Characterization of Wines by Trans-Resveratrol Concentration: A Case Study of Romanian Varieties

The goal of this study was to determine the trans-resveratrol concentration in wine. A set of 70 wine samples from Romania, produced according to the appellation of origin system, were analyzed by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. White wines were found to have markedly lower concentrations of trans-resveratrol in comparison with red wines. The values were between 0.025 to 10.23 mg/L for red wine and from 0.074 to 2.572 mg/L for white wine. Red wine is a good dietary source of resveratrol.     

Determination of Four Phenolic Compounds in Scirpus yagara Ohwi by CE with Amperometric Detection

A method based on capillary electrophoresis with amperometric detection has been developed for the determination of trans-resveratrol, scirpusin A, scirpusin B, and p-hydroxycinnamic acid in the rhizomes of Scirpus yagara Ohwi. The effects of the acidity and the concentration of the running buffer, separation voltage, injection time, and detection potential were investigated to acquire the optimum conditions. The detection electrode was a 300 μm diameter carbon disc electrode at a detection potential of +0.90 V. The four analytes could be well separated within 12 min in a 40 cm length fused silica capillary at a separation voltage of 12 kV in a 50 mM borate buffer (pH 9.2). The relation between peak current and analyte concentration was linear over about three orders of magnitude with detection limits (S/N = 3) ranging from 32.2 to 63.4 μg L⁻¹ for the four analytes.

     

Study of the Interaction between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trans</Emphasis>-resveratrol and BSA by the Multi-spectroscopic Method

The interaction of trans-resveratrol and BSA was investigated by means of fluorescence quenching, resonance light scattering, ultraviolet spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Binding of trans-resveratrol to BSA quenches the BSA fluorescence and both static and dynamic quenching occur with complex formation. The apparent binding constants of trans-resveratrol and BSA at 20, 30 and 40?°C are 1.95×10⁶, 1.70×10⁶ and 1.65×10⁶ L?mol^?1, respectively. The binding site values are (1.25±0.02). According to the Förster theory of non-radiation energy transfer, the binding distances between trans-resveratrol and BSA are 3.47, 3.73 and 3.99 nm at 20, 30 and 40?°C, respectively. The negative enthalpy change and positive entropy change indicated that the interaction of trans-resveratrol and BSA was driven mainly by electrostatic forces. The process of binding was spontaneous whereby the Gibbs energy change was negative.     

LC Analysis of Lignans from Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils.

Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils. is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. A rapid and convenient method to separate and quantify four lignans (schisandrin, schisantherin A, deoxyschizandrin, and γ-schizandrin) was established by reversed-phase liquid chromatographic. On a Shimadzu C₁₈ column (Phenomenex, 150 × 4.6 mm; 5 μm particle size), an isocratic flow elution program and a simplified sample pretreatment approach were used in the experiment. Samples from different parts of S. sphenanthera were extracted by chloroform and then separated with methanol and deionized water (70:30 v/v) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL min⁻¹. The detection wavelength was set at 280 nm. The content of lignans in fruits is the highest, and the quantities of schisantherin A, deoxyschizandrin, and γ-schizandrin from fruits are 0.56, 0.54 and 0.30%, respectively. Schisandrin is not detected in all the plant extracts. This research forms a basic framework for the better use of S. sphenanthera in medicine.

     

Singlet Oxygen Quenching by Resveratrol Derivatives†

We investigated the singlet oxygen quenching ability of several derivatives of trans-resveratrol which have been reported to have significant antioxidant ability, including photoprotective activity. We measured the total rate constants of singlet oxygen removal (k_T) by the methylated resveratrol derivative 1,3-dimethoxy-5-[(E)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]benzene, and the partially methylated resveratrol derivatives 4-((E)-2-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethenyl)phenol (pterostilbene), 5-[(E)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]benzene-1,3-diol and (2R,3R)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one (dihydromyricetin). A protic solvent system results in higher k_T values, except for the completely methylated derivative. We also investigated the ability of trans-resveratrol to directly act as a photosensitizer (rather than via secondary photoproducts resulting from other primary photochemical reactions) for the production of singlet oxygen but found that neither resveratrol nor any of its derivatives are able to do so. We then studied the chemical reactions of the methylated derivative with singlet oxygen. The main pathway consists of a [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction involving the trans-double bond and the para-substituted benzene ring similar to what has been observed for trans-resveratrol. Unlike trans-resveratrol, the primary singlet oxygen product undergoes a second [4 + 2] cycloaddition with singlet oxygen leading to the formation of diendoperoxides. A second reactivity pathway for both trans-resveratrol and the methylated derivative leads to the formation of aldehydes via cleavage of a transient dioxetane.     

Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activities of Imine Analogs of Trans-Resveratrol towards Murine Neuronal N2a Cells

Trans-resveratrol is a natural polyphenol showing numerous biological properties, especially anti-tumoral and antioxidant activity. Among numerous resveratrol derivatives, aza-stilbenes, which bear an imine bound, show interesting biological activities. In the present study, we synthesized a series of imine analogs of trans-resveratrol (seven aza-stilbenes) following an easy and low-cost procedure of green chemistry. The toxicity of synthesized aza-stilbenes, which is currently unknown, was evaluated on murine neuronal N2a cells, comparatively to trans-resveratrol, by considering: cell density evaluated by staining with sulforhodamine 101; esterase activity, which is a criteria of cell viability, by staining with fluorescein diacetate; and transmembrane mitochondrial potential, which is known to decrease during cell death, by staining with DiOC₆(3) using flow cytometry. In addition, the antioxidant activity was quantified with the KRL (Kit Radicaux Libres) assay, the DPPH (2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical) assay and the FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assay. The PAOT (Pouvoir Antioxidant Total) score was also used. The aza-stilbenes provide different cytotoxic and antioxidant activities, which are either higher or lower than those of trans-resveratrol. Based on their cytotoxic and antioxidant characteristics, all synthesized aza-stilbenes are distinguished from trans-resveratrol.     

Mixed-mode solid-phase extraction followed by acetylation and gas chromatography mass spectrometry for the reliable determination of trans-resveratrol in wine samples

This work presents an advantageous analytical procedure for the accurate determination of free trans-resveratrol in red and white wines. The proposed method involves solid-phase extraction (SPE), acetylation of the analyte in aqueous media and further determination by gas chromatography (GC) with mass spectrometry detection (MS). The use of a mixed-mode SPE sorbent provides an improvement in the selectivity of the extraction step; moreover, the presence of several intense ions in the electron impact mass spectra of its acetyl derivative guarantees the unambiguous identification of trans-resveratrol. Considering a sample intake of 10 mL, the method provides a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.8 ng mL⁻¹ and linear responses for concentrations up to 2.5 μg mL⁻¹, referred to wine samples. The average recovery, estimated with samples fortified at different concentrations in the above range, was 99.6% and the inter-day precision stayed below 8%. Trans-resveratrol levels in the analyzed wines varied from 3.4 to 1810 ng mL⁻¹. Cis-resveratrol was also found in all samples. In most cases, equal or higher responses were measured for this latter form than for the trans-isomer. The reduced form of resveratrol, dihydro-resveratrol, was systematically identified in red wines.     

Senna occidentalis (L.) Link and Senna hirsuta (L.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby: constituents of fruit essential oils and antimicrobial activity

Senna occidentalis and S. hirsuta are mostly gathered from the wild for medicinal use and have a disagreeable odour when crushed. The volatile oils isolated from fresh fruits of S. occidentalis and S. hirsuta were subjected to gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and antimicrobial assays. GC and GC-MS analyses permitted the identification of 58 constituents. S. occidentalis oil was dominated by cyperene (10.8%), β-caryophyllene (10.4%), limonene (8.0%) and caryophyllene oxide (6.8%). The main components of S. hirsuta fruit oil were benzyl benzoate (24.7%), τ-cadinol (18.9%), 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene (14.6%) and β-caryophyllene (5.1%). S. occidentalis fruit oil exhibited better antimicrobial activity (MIC 78–312 μg/mL) against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus niger compared with S. hirsuta oil. The compositions and the activities of the fruit essential oils of S. occidentalis and S. hirsuta are reported for the first time.     

Flavonoids from Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) Kausel (Myrtaceae) with antifungal activity

Plinia cauliflora is a plant species with edible fruits but its chemical composition is not totally known yet although former studies showed its potential as antifungal agent. This work aimed the chemical analysis of the leaves, the activity against fungi species and evaluated cytotoxicity. Extract was obtained with 70% ethanol. An ethyl acetate fraction was obtained and glycosylated quercetin and myricetin were isolated. Samples were tested against Candida species, dermatophytes and entomopathogenic fungi. Cytotoxicity was evaluated against fibroblast cells. Extract showed good activity against C. albicans (minimum inhibitory concentration at 156 μg/mL), C. parapsilosis (78 μg/mL), C. krusei (19 μg/mL), Trichophyton rubrum (78 μg/mL) and Microsporum canis (156 μg/mL). Isolated compounds were more active against C. krusei and T. rubrum. The extract, which was the more active sample, demonstrated low cytotoxic effect and encourage more studies against rising non-albicans species and dermatophyte T. rubrum.     

Antimicrobial activity and agricultural properties of bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) grown in northern parts of Turkey: a case study for adaptation

This study was designed to determine the adaptation capability of bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.), which is widely grown in tropical and subtropical climates, in northern parts of Turkey. In this study, plant height, number of fruits, fruit length, fruit width, number of seeds and fruit weight of bitter melon grown in field conditions were determined. The antimicrobial effect of the ethanol extract of fruit and seeds against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans microorganisms was tested in vitro by the disc diffusion method. In conclusion, plant height (260 cm), number of fruits (16 per plant), number of seeds (30.2 per fruit), fruit width (3.8 cm), fruit length (10.6 cm) and fruit weight (117.28 g fruit^? 1) were determined; fruits were found to have antimicrobial activity against A. niger; oil and seeds were found to have antimicrobial activity against A. niger and E. coli.     

Reactions of platinum complexes with 4,7-phenanthroline: crystal structures of mono- and binuclear platinum(II) complexes containing 4,7-phenanthroline

The reaction of a mixture of cis and trans-[PtCl₂(SMe₂)₂] with 4,7-phen (4,7-phen = 4,7-phenanthroline) in a molar ratio of 1 : 1 or 2 : 1 resulted in the formation of mono and binuclear complexes trans-[PtCl₂(SMe₂)(4,7-phen)] (1) and trans-[Pt₂Cl₄(SMe₂)₂(μ-4,7-phen)] (2), respectively. The products have been fully characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, HHCOSY, HSQC, HMBC, and DEPT-135 NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of 1 reveals that platinum has a slightly distorted square planar geometry. Both chlorides are trans with a deviation from linearity 177.66(3)°, while the N–Pt–S angle is 175.53(6)°. Similarly, the reaction of a mixture of cis and trans-[PtBr₂(SMe₂)₂] with 4,7-phen in a 1 : 1 or 2 : 1 mole ratio afforded the mono or binuclear complexes trans-[PtBr₂(SMe₂)(4,7-phen)] (3) and trans-[Pt₂Br₄(SMe₂)₂(μ-4,7-phen)] (4), respectively. The crystal structure of trans-[Pt₂Br₄(SMe₂)₂(μ-4,7-phen)].C₆H₆ reveals that 4,7-phen bridges between two platinum centers in a slightly distorted square planar arrangement of the platinum. In this structure, both bromides are trans, while the PtBr₂(SMe₂) moieties are syn to each other. NMR data of mono and binuclear complexes of platinum 1–4 show that the binuclear complexes exist in solution as a minor product, while the mononuclear complexes are major products.     

Plant-Derived Stilbenoids as DNA-Binding Agents: From Monomers to Dimers

Stilbenoids are natural compounds endowed with several biological activities, including cardioprotection and cancer prevention. Among them, (±)-trans-δ-viniferin, deriving from trans-resveratrol dimerization, was investigated in its ability to target DNA duplex and G-quadruplex structures by exploiting NMR spectroscopy, circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking. (±)-trans-δ-Viniferin proved to bind both the minor and major grooves of duplexes, whereas it bound the 3’- and 5’-ends of a G-quadruplex by stacking on the outer quartets, accompanied by rearrangement of flanking residues. Specifically, (±)-trans-δ-viniferin demonstrated higher affinity for the investigated DNA targets than its monomeric counterpart. Additionally, the methoxylated derivatives of (±)-trans-δ-viniferin and trans-resveratrol, i. e. (±)-pterostilbene-trans-dihydrodimer and trans-pterostilbene, respectively, were evaluated, revealing similar binding modes, affinities and stoichiometries with the DNA targets as their parent analogues. All tested compounds were cytotoxic at μM concentration on several cancer cell lines, showing DNA damaging activity consistent with their ability to tightly interact with duplex and G-quadruplex structures.