Phenolic antioxidants from the leaves of Corchorus olitorius L

Hancornia speciosa: indications of gastroprotective, healing and anti-Helicobacter pylori actions

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomez) is a medicinal plant frequently cited in ethnopharmacological inventories of the central region of Brazil against gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhoea, ulcer, gastritis and stomach ache.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The hydroalcoholic extract (HE) and infusion (BI) of Hancornia speciosa bark were investigated for their ability to prevent and heal rodent gastric ulcer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The preventive and healing action of both preparations of Hancornia speciosa were evaluated in experimental models in rodents that simulated this disease in human gastric mucosa.

RESULTS

BI did not exert gastroprotective effect, in contrast to HE (500mg/kg, p.o.) that decreased (p<0.05) the severity of gastric damage induced by HCl/ethanol (52%), indomethacin/bethanechol (51%), stress (52%) or pylorus ligature experiments (54%). HE increased (p<0.05) the pH and decreased acid output of gastric juice. This extract promoted increase of mucus amount (3.62mg/wt. tissue vs. 5.81mg/wt. tissue), healing action (67%) and displayed anti-Helicobacter pylori effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The antiulcer action of Hancornia speciosa resulted in increase of gastric mucus formation and antioxidant properties of polymeric proanthocyanidins present in the bark composition of this medicinal plant.

Constituents from leaves of Apocynum venetum L

An analysis using HPLC-MS revealed that an extract from dried leaves of Apocynum venetum L. contained more than 15 kinds of phenolic constituents. Two malonated flavonol glycosides were further isolated, and their structures were determined to be quercetin 3-O-(6''-O-malonyl)-beta-D-glucoside (1) and quercetin 3-O-(6''-O-malonyl)-beta-D-galactoside (2) by NMR spectroscopic analysis. This is the first report describing the isolation of these malonated flavonol glycosides from A. venetum L. Both glycosides showed strong scavenging activity against 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical.

Antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and whitening effects of extracts of Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb

In the present study, we analyzed the antioxidant, antiplatelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory, and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of a variety of solvent extracts of Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb. (Family Elaeagnaceae). Among the solvent extracts of E. multiflora, the ethyl acetate extract (EE) exhibited the highest 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and xanthine oxidase inhibition activity, as well as the greatest tyrosinase inhibition activity. Only the chloroform extract (CE) inhibited platelet aggregation, and that was a weak effect with 19.29% inhibition at 250 microg/mL, as compared to controls. The CE was also the most potent inhibitor of nitric oxide production among the tested fractions, with almost 100% inhibition at 500 microg/mL. We also detected 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol in the CE and EE, via a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry assay. In conclusion, we found that E. multiflora Thunb. has antioxidant and antiplatelet aggregation effects to some extent, and its CE and EE possess potent inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production and tyrosinase activity.

Antioxidant activity of caffeoyl quinic acid derivatives from the roots of Dipsacus asper Wall

The methanol extract from Dipsacus asper Wall (Dipsacaceae) was found to show antioxidant activity against free radical and Cu(2+)-mediated LDL oxidation. In further study, to identify active constituents from the plant, six caffeoyl quinic acid derivatives: 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (1), methyl 3,4-di-O-caffeoyl quinate (2), 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3), methyl 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl quinate (4), 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5) and methyl 4,5-di-O-caffeoyl quinate (6) were isolated. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods including 2D-NMR. The isolated compounds, 1-6, were found to be potent scavengers of the free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and are more potent than butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) used as a positive control. The compounds 1-6 also inhibited Cu(2+)-mediated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. They increased the lag time of conjugated dienes formation and inhibited the generation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that Dipsacus asper due to its antioxidant constituents, 1-6, may have a role to play in preventing the development and progression of atherosclerotic disease.

New polyphenol derivative in Ipomoea batatas tubers and its antioxidant activity

Four different polyphenolic compounds were isolated by chromatographic methods from methanolic and hydromethanolic extracts of Ipomoea batatas tuber flour. On the basis of UV, mass, and NMR analysis procedures, the structure of the isolated compounds were determined as 4,5-di-O-caffeoyldaucic acid (1), 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid (2), 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3), and 1,3-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (4). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation and characterization of compound 1. Then, we evaluated the antioxidant activity of daucic acid derivative by using DPPH and FRAP methods together with authentic antioxidant standards, l-ascorbic acid, tert-butyl-4-hydroxy toluene (BHT), and gallic acid. The activity of compound 1 in both methods was higher than that of all standards used at the same molar concentration.

Antioxidant properties of wheat as affected by pearling

The effects of pearling on the content of phenolics and antioxidant capacity of two Canadian wheat classes, namely, Canada Western Amber Durum; Triticum turgidum L. var. durum; CWAD) and Canada Western Red Spring; Triticum aestivum L.; CWRS) were examined. The antioxidant activity of wheat phenolics was evaluated using oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), inhibition of photochemiluminescence (PCL), Rancimat method, inhibition of oxidation of low-density lipoprotein, and DNA. The phenolic composition of wheat extracts was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant capacity of both pearled grains and byproducts significantly decreased as the degree of pearling increased. Among grains, the unprocessed whole grains demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity. The byproducts always demonstrated higher antioxidant capacity compared to the pearled grains, regardless of the wheat class. The resultant byproducts from 10-20% pearling possessed the highest antioxidant capacity. Processing of cereals may thus exert a significant effect on their antioxidant activity. The concentration of grain antioxidants is drastically reduced during the refining process. As phenolic compounds are concentrated in the outermost layers, the bran fractions resulting from pearling may be used as a natural source of antioxidants and as value-added products in the preparation of functional food ingredients or for enrichment of certain products.

High-performance liquid chromatography method to measure α- and γ-tocopherol in leaves, flowers and fresh beans from Moringa oleifera

A high-performance liquid chromatography method for the microscale determination of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol in leaves, flowers and fresh beans from Moringa oleifera is reported. The method includes microscale saponification and extraction with n-hexane. Optimized conditions for reversed-phase HPLC with UV detection were as follows: column, 25 cm x 0.46 cm, Exil ODS 5-microm; column temperature, 25 degrees C; mobile phase, a 20:80 (v/v) mixture of methanol:acetonitrile; flow rate, 1.0 ml/min. With these conditions, method precision (relative standard deviation) was 5.6% for alpha-tocopherol and 4.9% for gamma-tocopherol. We used this method to measure alpha- and gamma-tocopherol in samples from M. oleifera as part of nutritional studies in edible plants cultivated in the Northwest México.

Molokhia (Corchorus olitorius L.) extract suppresses transformation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor induced by dioxins

Dioxins enter the body mainly through diet and cause the various toxicological effects by binding to the cytosolic aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) followed by its transformation. In recent reports, it has been shown that certain natural compounds suppress AhR transformation in vitro. In this study, we demonstrated that ethanolic extract from molokhia, known as Egyptian spinach, showed the strongest suppressive effect on AhR transformation induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in cell-free system using rat hepatic cytosol among 41 kinds of extracts from vegetables and fruits. The molokhia extract also suppressed TCDD-induced AhR transformation in mouse hepatoma Hepa-1c1c7 cells and in intestinal permeability system constructed with human colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells and human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Moreover, oral administration of the molokhia extract (100mg/kg body weight) decreased 3-methylcholanthrene-induced AhR transformation to the control level by inhibiting translocation of the AhR from cytosol into the nucleus in the liver of rats. The molokhia extract-administered rat liver showed a tolerance to TCDD-induced AhR transformation by ex vivo experiment. These results indicate that molokhia is an attractive food for isolation and identification of a natural antagonist for the AhR.

Influence of extraction parameters on the phytochemical characteristics of extracts from buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) herb

In recent years, the interest in herbal medicinal products, especially in the field of dermatology and cosmetics, has risen enormously. Many plant-derived substances show photoprotective properties in terms of absorption of UV radiation and preventing photodamage to molecular structures of human skin. Modern phytopharmaceutics as well as phytocosmetics require standardized, defined extracts from the herbal matrix. Buckwheat herb is rich in flavonoids, which have been identified as potent antioxidants. Up to now, there have been no systematic investigations available concerning the extraction conditions for phenolic substances from buckwheat herb. In this paper, we report the influence of three extraction parameters, ethanol concentration, temperature, and extraction time, on the response variables extractable matter, antioxidant activity, and content of fagopyrin, rutin, and chlorogenic acid. Our results suggest that an extract with good antioxidant activity, a high content of phenolics, and a low content of the phototoxic fagopyrin can be yielded by agitated maceration with 30% ethanol at 60 degrees C for 2 h. Furthermore, there is good correlation between the antioxidant activity and the rutin content, whereas the extractable matter is not an appropriate parameter for extract quality. Huge differences in the content of rutin and chlorogenic acid when using herbal drugs from different suppliers confirm the demand of standardized procedures for the production of herbal drugs.

Caffeic acid derivatives in the roots of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius)

Five caffeic acid derivatives were found in the roots of yacon, Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. and Endl.) H. Robinson, Asteraceae, as the major water-soluble phenolic compounds. The structures of these compounds were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data. Two of these were chlorogenic acid (3-caffeoylquinic acid) and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, common phenolic compounds in plants of the family Asteraceae. Three were esters of caffeic acid with the hydroxy groups of aldaric acid, derived from hexose. The structure of the aldaric moiety was determined by hydrolysis and comparison of NMR spectra with those of standard aldaric acids. The compounds were novel caffeic acid esters of altraric acid: 2,4- or 3,5-dicaffeoylaltraric acid, 2,5-dicaffeoylaltraric acid, and 2,3,5- or 2,4,5-tricaffeoylaltraric acid.

Identification of isomeric dicaffeoylquinic acids from Eleutherococcus senticosus using HPLC-ESI/TOF/MS and 1H-NMR methods

Liquid chromatography-electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI/TOF/MS) and a novel NMR technique, developed to maximise the sensitivity obtained from the standard NMR spectrometer, have been applied to the identification of the phenolic constituents of Eleutherococcus senticosus. In addition, molecular modelling and dihedral bond angle calculations based on the vicinal 3JHH-coupling constants have been used in the unambiguous assignment of signals in the 1H-NMR spectra. 5'-O-Caffeoylquinic acid and three isomeric compounds, 1',5'-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3',5'-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid and 4',5'-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, have been isolated and identified from a sample. The isolation and structure determination of the latter two compounds are reported for the first time from this plant.

Antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds isolated from Mesona procumbens Hemsl

The antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds isolated from Mesona procumbens Hemsl. (Hsian-tsao) was investigated. Hsian-tsao was extracted with various solvents, and the results showed that the fraction treated with acidic ethyl acetate (pH 2) possessed large amounts of phenolic compounds and a strong antioxidant activity on peroxidation of linoleic acid. The antioxidant activity (inhibition of peroxidation, IP%) of the acidic ethyl acetate of Hsian-tsao extract at 50 microg/mL (98.9%) was stronger than those of 50 microg/mL alpha-tocopherol (78%) and BHA at 10 microg/mL (90%). When fractionated with Amberlite XAD-7 gel chromatography, the acidic ethyl acetate fraction of Hsian-tsao extract was separated into four subfractions (A-D). Subfraction B, with high yield and strong antioxidant activity, was further isolated and purified and then identified as containing protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, and syringic acid by means of UV, EI-MS, and (1)H and (13)C NMR. The antioxidant capability of isolated compounds was also determined using the thiocyanate system and the erythrocyte ghost system. The results indicate that the phenolic acids could be important antioxidant components in Hsian-tsao, among which caffeic acid with the highest antioxidant activity and the greatest content is most important.

Combination of lipids and emulsifiers enhances the absorption of orally administered quercetin in rats

The effects of lipids, emulsifiers, and ethanol on the absorption of orally administered quercetin in rats were investigated for its efficient intestinal absorption. Rats were administered 150 micromol/kg quercetin in water supplemented with lipids and/or emulsifiers, or ethanol, and blood was collected from the tail for 6 h after administration. Co-administration of lipids such as lecithin and soybean oil or emulsifiers including sucrose fatty acid ester, polyglycerol fatty acid ester, and sodium taurocholate had no statistically significant effects on quercetin absorption, although these constituents rather increased the accumulation of conjugated forms of quercetin and those of isorhamnetin in rat plasma. However, the combination of lipids and emulsifiers enhanced the absorption of quercetin significantly. Thirty and fifty percent (v/v) of the ethanol in the vehicle raised the efficiency of quercetin absorption in a concentration-dependent manner. Quercetin absorption-enhancing effects of these constituents seemed to be affected by quercetin's solubility in respective vehicles used for the administration. Ethanol is not helpful for the effective absorption of quercetin, as a high concentration is required. In conclusion, a combination of lipids and emulsifiers is necessary for enhancing quercetin absorption.

Absorption of chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid in rats after oral administration

Absorption of orally administered chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoylquinic acid) and caffeic acid in rats was studied to obtain plasma pharmacokinetic profiles of their metabolites. Rats were administered 700 micromol/kg body weight of chlorogenic or caffeic acid, and blood was collected from the tail for 6 h after administration. Ingested caffeic acid was absorbed from the alimentary tract and was present in the rat blood circulation in the form of various metabolites. On the other hand, only traces of metabolites, supposedly caffeic and ferulic acids conjugates, were detected in rat plasma for 6 h after chlorogenic acid administration. Chlorogenic acid and small amounts of caffeic acid were found in the small intestine for 6 h after chlorogenic acid administration. These results suggest that chlorogenic acid is not well absorbed from the digestive tract, unlike caffeic acid, and subject to almost no structural changes to the easily absorbed forms.