Analysis of C-glycosyl flavonoids from South American Passiflora species by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) by-products as a source of bioactive compounds for non-communicable disease prevention: extraction methods and mechanisms of action: a systematic review

Introduction

The review titled Passion fruit by-products as a source of bioactive compounds for non-communicable disease prevention: extraction methods and mechanisms provide valuable insights into the health benefits and industrial applications of passion fruit waste. Passion fruits are a tropical and subtropical vine species, which produces edible fruits. Many food product types can be made from passion fruits. However, during passion fruit processing, large amounts of waste are released in to the environment. This review focuses on extraction methods of bioactive compounds from passion fruit by-products such as leaves, peels, seeds, and bagasse.

Methods

This comprehensive review focuses on the bioactive compounds present in passion fruit by-products, emphasis on their mechanisms of action on non-communicable diseases. It also provides a detailed analysis of the extraction methods used to obtain these bioactive compounds, their potential industrial applications, and the factors that affect extraction efficiency.

Results

This review encourages further research and innovation in utilization of passion fruit waste as a source of bioactive compounds for non- communicable disease prevention and their mechanisms of action. This can advance the circular economy. It also highlights the importance of sustainable and green extraction methods, which have gained attention due to environmental concerns.

Discussion

Unlike previous reviews, this comprehensive article explores the potential health benefits of multiple passion fruit waste products. It also examines the possible applications of these extracts for industrial goods such as food additives, colorants, nutraceuticals, natural antioxidants, and antimicrobial agents. Overall, it contributes new information emphasizing the potential of passion fruit by-products as a source of bioactive, and the findings have implications for the scientific community and industry, promoting a deeper understanding of the health benefits and sustainable practices associated with passion fruit waste utilization.

Tumbo, an Andean fruit: Uses, nutrition, processing, and biomolecules

Tumbo fruit has potential for industrialization due to its nutritional and functional properties, but scientific knowledge of this species is still limited compared to other species of the same genus, Passiflora. This review compiles the latest scientific advances on Tumbo, which cover the food technological aspects of Tumbo fruit, its uses and its potential as a source of bioactives for different industries, especially food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics. The products (nectar, jellies, jams, wines, others) and by-products of the processing of the Tumbo fruit have various nutritional, sensory, and composition attributes for developing new food and non-food products. The potential applications of the fruit and its derivatives are broad, such as cosmetics, drugs, functional foods, and additives; these applications are due to its technological properties and its content of bioactive molecules. The Tumbo biorefinery presents an important perspective, especially for its bioactivity of high biological value for different industries.

Sub-acute toxicity evaluation of aqueous leaf extract from Passiflora edulis Sims f. edulis (Gulupa) in Wistar rats

The genus Passiflora (Passifloraceae) comprises about 500 species. The Passiflora edulis stands out because of its economic and medicinal importance. It is widely planted in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, especially in South America, the Caribbean, South Africa, and Asia. The aqueous extract of Passiflora edulis Sims f. edulis (Gulupa) leaves is used in traditional medicine for its soothing and tranquilizing effects on the central nervous system. Therefore, evaluating its safety for human use is a fundamental requirement to continue the development of new therapies within the framework of regulatory, preclinical, and clinical guidelines. Here, the sub-acute toxicity study was conducted following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guideline 407 for 28 days in Wistar albino rats. The study showed that 1000 mg/kg/day of the aqueous extract in 10 adult Wistar rats (five males and five females) was well tolerated. The hematological results are at normal levels. However, monocytopenia and eosinopenia were observed with a significant difference (P < 0,05) for both male and female rats treated with the aqueous extract of Passiflora edulis. The results show that liver and kidney function profiles were conserved. However, an increase in ALT is observed with significant differences between male and female rats treated with the extract compared to the controls. Study findings were limited to non-adverse histopathological results of a slightly increased incidence of focal periportal lymphocytic infiltrate in the liver and focal corticomedullary nephrocalcinosis in the kidney compared to control. Therefore, the aqueous extract of Passiflora edulis has a good safety profile in oral administration, was well tolerated, and did not cause any lethality or adverse effects in the sub-acute toxicity study in male and female rats. The NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) for the 28-day subacute toxicity study was considered to be 1000 mg/kg.

Establishing the Relationship Between Flavonoid Content, Mycorrhization, and Soil Nutritional Content in Different Species of the Genus Passiflora in Colombia

The genus Passiflora comprises more than 500 species distributed in tropical and semitropical regions. With a great diversity of species, it is estimated that one-third is found in Colombian territory. Besides the food importance, Passiflora species are important sources of biologically active compounds, such as flavonoids. The most important symbiosis between soil fungi and vascular plants related to plant nutrition and tolerance to stress conditions is mycorrhizae. Passiflora species form arbuscular mycorrhizae, with several species of Glomeromycota. This association has been reported to alter the production of secondary metabolites. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the relation between flavonoid content, mycorrhization, and soil nutritional content of Passiflora alata, Passiflora quadrangularis, Passiflora maliformis, and Passiflora ligularis in Colombian crops. The extracts were prepared and analyzed using UPLC/PDA-MS, and total flavonoids were quantified with the method of AlCl3. Soil characteristics, including nutritional content and percentage of colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, were also determined. All variables were analyzed using Spearman's correlation and principal component analysis. Chromatographic analysis of the extracts allowed us to visualize the different flavonoid compositions of each extract, identifying several C-glycosylflavonoids. In this paper, we report for the first time the presence of luteolin-8-C-rhamnosyl-4'-O-glucoside, apigenin-6-C-arabinosyl-7-O-glucoside, and orientin for P. maliformis. Statistical analysis showed a negative correlation between available phosphorus (ρ = -0.90, p = <0.05) and magnesium (Mg) saturation (ρ = -0.70, p = <0.05) on flavonoid content, whereas the calcium magnesium (Ca/Mg) ratio was positively correlated (ρ = 0.70, p = <0.01). There was a nonsignificant correlation between mycorrhization and flavonoid content (ρ = -0.70, p = >0.1). These results contribute to understanding the relationship between flavonoid-mycorrhization-soil nutritional content on Passiflora spp.

Polyphenol Profiling by LC QTOF/ESI-MS and Biological Activity of Purple Passion Fruit Epicarp Extract

A polyphenolic preparation in the form of the passion fruit epicarp extract was analyzed to identify and quantify the polyphenolic compounds using LC QTOF/ESI-MS and UPLC-PDA-FL. The analyzed parameters included antidiabetic activity (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase), inhibitory activity toward cholinesterase (AChE, BuChE), anti-inflammatory activity (COX-1, COX-2, 15-LOX) and antioxidant activity based on ORAC and ABTS. The polyphenolic preparation of the passion fruit epicarp extract contained 51 polyphenolic compounds representing five groups-flavones (25 compounds; 52% of total polyphenolic), flavonols (8; 16%), flavan-3-ols (6; 7%), phenolic acids (4; 3%), and anthocyanins (7; 21%), with derivatives of luteolin (13 derivatives) and apigenin (8 derivatives) as dominant compounds. The preparation was characterized by an antioxidant activity of 160.7 (ORAC) and 1004.4 mmol Trolox/100 mL (ABTS+o). The inhibitory activity toward α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase reached IC50 of 7.99, 12.80, and 0.42, respectively. The inhibition of cholinesterases (IC50) was 18.29 for AChE and 14.22 for BuChE. Anti-inflammatory activity as IC50 was 6.0 for COX-1, 0.9 for COX-2, and 4.9 for 15-LOX. Food enriched with passion fruit epicarp extract has a potentially therapeutic effect.

1H NMR-based metabolic profile and chemometric analysis for the discrimination of Passiflora species genotypic variations

The species of the genus Passiflora (Passifloraceae family) have been used as food, cosmetic and traditional herbal. As a result, the Passiflora species are widely cultivated and has an economic, medicinal and ornamental importance. The popular designation as "passion fruit" and chemical profile of several Passiflora species remains unknown. The lack of chemical information contributes to the erroneous classification and adulteration. In recent years, special attention has been paid to the bioactivity and phytochemical profiles of several Passiflora species extracts. In this research, ¹H NMR-based metabolic profiling coupled with chemometric tools was used to characterize and distinguish extracts obtained from different wild Passiflora species (P. alata, P. cincinnata, and P. setacea) and genetic varieties (P. alata var. BRS Pérola do Cerrado, P. cincinnata var. BRS Sertão Forte, and P. setacea var. BRS Pérola do Cerrado). Fourteen metabolites were identified by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, highlighting the presence of fatty acids, carbohydrates, saponins, alkaloids, and mainly C-glycosidic flavones. Principal components analysis (PCA) allowed discrimination of Passiflora extracts, which the quadranguloside, oleanolic acid-3-sophoroside, α-glucose, β-glucose, and vitexin-2-O"-rhamnoside were relevant in the differentiation of P. alata and P. alata var. BRS Pérola do Cerrado, while the flavones isovitexin and isovitexin-2-O"-xyloside were dominant in the grouping of P. setacea and P. setacea var. BRS Pérola do Cerrado, and finally P. cincinnata and P. cincinnata var. BRS Sertão Forte grouped by the influence of the fatty acids, sucrose, flavones (isoorientin and vitexin-2-O"-xyloside), and trigonelline. The varieties of P. setacea, and P. cincinnata are chemically equivalent to the original Passiflora species. However, the PCA analysis showed that the genetic variety of P. alata occupied a different position in the scores plot provoked mainly by the presence of oleanolic acid-3-sophoroside. The ¹H NMR metabolic profile can be efficient for quality control evaluation, and can contribute to the investigation of new alternatives for official Passiflora herbal medicines.

The effect of isovitexin on lipopolysaccharide-induced renal injury and inflammation by induction of protective autophagy

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a systemic inflammatory syndrome that includes tubulointerstitial inflammation. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, can increase reactive oxygen species production (ROS) that triggers cell inflammation. Isovitexin (IV) is a flavone that has the potential for anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. This study aimed to hypothesize that IV inhibited LPS-induced renal injury in vitro and in vivo. In vitro study, IV prevented LPS-induced ROS production and increased cell viability on SV40-MES-13 cells. Additionally, IV ameliorated mitochondrial membrane potential, downregulated inflammation and pyroptosis factors on LPS treatment. We found that LPS treatment reduced the expression of autophagy, however, this effect was reversed by IV. In vivo study, the renal injury model in C57BL/6 mice cotreatment with IV was examined. In addition, IV decreased LPS-induced glomerular atrophy and reduced inflammation-related cytokines releases. Further showed that IV could significantly reduce LPS-induced inflammation and pyroptosis factors in mice. Under the immunostaining, increased fluorescence of LC3 autophagy-related protein was recovered by IV. In summary, IV ameliorated renal injury, inflammation and increased protected autophagy by anti-ROS production, anti-inflammation, and anti-pyroptosis. In the future, the safety of isovitexin as a novel perspective for CKD patients should be evaluated in further clinical studies.

The Protective Effect of Vitexin Compound B-1 on Rat Cerebral I/R Injury through a Mechanism Involving Modulation of miR-92b/NOX4 Pathway

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have uncovered that vitexin compound B-1 (VB-1) can protect neurons against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced oxidative injury through suppressing NOX4 expression.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study are to investigate whether VB-1 can protect the rat brain against ischemia/ reperfusion (I/R) injury and whether its effect on NOX4 expression is related to modulation of certain miRNAs expression.

METHODS

Rats were subjected to 2 h of cerebral ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion to establish an I/R injury model, which showed an increase in neurological deficit score and infarct volume concomitant with an upregulation of NOX4 expression, increase in NOX activity, and downregulation of miR-92b.

RESULTS

Administration of VB-1 reduced I/R cerebral injury accompanied by a reverse in NOX4 and miR-92b expression. Similar results were achieved in a neuron H/R injury model. Next, we evaluated the association of miR-92b with NOX4 by its mimics in the H/R model. H/R treatment increased neurons apoptosis concomitant with an upregulation of NOX4 and NOX activity while downregulation of miR-92b. All these effects were reversed in the presence of miR-92b mimics, confirming the function of miR-92b in suppressing NOX4 expression.

CONCLUSION

We conclude the protective effect of VB-1 against rat cerebral I/R injury through a mechanism involving modulation of miR-92b/NOX4 pathway.

Regulatory effect of isovitexin on MAPK/NF-κB signal in mice with acute ulcerative colitis

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of isovitexin on ulcerative colitis mice and RAW264.7 cells. The results showed that isovitexin had strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and could restore intestinal barrier integrity (p < 0.01). In addition, isovitexin inhibited the expression of MyD88, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 proteins. At the same time, isovitexin can inhibit the activation of MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, isovitexin has a protective effect on UC mice, and its improvement mechanism of UC might be related to MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Cardiovascular Effects Induced by Fruit Peels from Passiflora edulis in Hypertensive Rats and Fingerprint Analysis by HPLC-ESI-MSn spectrometry

Hypertension is a chronic disease and a global health problem. Due to its high prevalence, it constitutes the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Fruit peels from Passiflora edulis fo. flavicarpa are rich in bioactive natural compounds that may have action in hypertension. This study aimed to perform a fingerprinting analysis of Passiflora edulis fruit peel extract and evaluate its actions on the cardiovascular system in an in vivo model. The extract was obtained from the dried and powdered fruit peels of Passiflora edulis. Glycoside flavonoids were identified in the extract by HPLC-ESI-MSⁿ. The extract showed a significant hypotensive effect after 28 days of treatment and improved vascular function in the mesenteric artery. This effect was verified by decreased vascular hypercontractility and increased vasorelaxant in response to sodium nitroprusside and acetylcholine. There was also a decrease in endothelial dysfunction, which can be attributed to nitric oxide's increased bioavailability. Thus, we hypothesize that all these effects contributed to a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance, leading to a significant hypotensive effect. These results are novel for fruit peels from P. edulis. Also, there was a decrease in plasma and cardiac malondialdehyde levels and an increase in glutathione, suggesting a reduction in oxidative stress, as well as an increase of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 in the plasma. This study demonstrated that the extract can be a new source of raw material to be applied as food or medicine adjuvant for treating hypertension.

Rapid fingerprinting of extractable and non-extractable polyphenols from tropical fruit peels using direct analysis in real time coupled to orbitrap mass spectrometry

A simple and rapid direct analysis in real-time coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (DART-HRMS) methodology was developed to generate the extractable and non-extractable polyphenols (NEPs) fingerprint for four different passion fruits, G. mangostana, and A. squamosa peels as case-study to investigate the influence of alkaline hydrolysis and enzymatic-assisted extraction (EAE) on the recovery of NEPs. The extraction residue obtained after these treatments was also analyzed by DART-HRMS. Data compiled from DART-HRMS mass spectra were processed with principal component analysis to discriminate among the different treatments. EAE with Depol enzyme enabled to obtain NEPs with the highest signal intensity in DART-HRMS analysis from all peels except for P. edulis and A. squamosa peels. In these two cases, NEPs were better extracted by EAE with Promod enzyme and alkaline hydrolysis. Results showed that the applied treatments were efficient to extract NEPs since their signal intensities in the extraction residues were very low compared with their extracts.

Medicinal plants used in traditional Mayan medicine for the treatment of central nervous system disorders: An overview

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

For thousands of years, different cultural groups have used and transformed natural resources for medicinal purposes focused on psychological or neurological conditions. Some of these are recognized as central nervous system (CNS) disorders and diseases, whereas other ethnopsychiatric interpretations are explained in culture-specific terms. In traditional Mayan medicine, several herbs have been part of treatments and rituals focused on cultural and ethnomedical concepts.

AIM OF REVIEW

This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the medicinal plants used in Mesoamerica by traditional healers and Mayan groups to CNS disorders and associate the traditional use with demonstrated pharmacological evidence to establish a solid foundation for directing future research.

METHODS

A systematic search for primary sources of plant use reports for traditional CNS-related remedies of Mesoamerica were obtained from library catalogs, thesis and scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar; and Science Direct), and entered in a database with data analyzed in terms of the usage frequency, use by ethnic groups, plant endemism, and pharmacological investigation.

RESULTS

A total of 155 plants used for ethnopsychiatric conditions in Mesoamerica by Mayan groups were found, encompassing 127 native species. Of these, only 49 native species have reported in vitro or in vivo pharmacological analyses. The most commonly reported ethnopsychiatric conditions are related to anxiety, depression, memory loss, epilepsy, and insomnia. The extent of the scientific evidence available to understand the pharmacological application for their use against CNS disorders varied between different plant species, with the most prominent evidence shown by Annona cherimola, Justicia pectoralis, J. spicigera, Mimosa pudica, Persea americana, Petiveria alliacea, Piper amalago, Psidium guajava, Tagetes erecta and T. lucida.

CONCLUSION

Available pharmacological data suggest that different plant species used in traditional Mayan medicine may target the CNS, mainly related to GABA, serotonin, acetylcholine, or neuroprotective pathways. However, more research is required, given the limited data regarding mechanism of action at the preclinical in vivo level, identification of active compounds, scarce number of clinical studies, and the dearth of peer-reviewed studies.

Bioactive constituents of Mosla chinensis-cv. Jiangxiangru ameliorate inflammation through MAPK signaling pathways and modify intestinal microbiota in DSS-induced colitis mice

BACKGROUND

Mosla chinensis Maxim. cv. Jiangxiangru (JXR), a traditional Chinese medicine, commonly used for the therapy of cold, fever, diarrhea, digestive disorders, and other diseases. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder of the human gastrointestinal tract. Research about the effect of JXR on IBD and the active ingredient composition of JXR remains deficiency.

PURPOSE

This study aims to determine the phytochemical composition and the anti-inflammatory property of JXR, as well as the possible anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

METHODS

The bioactive profile of JXR extracts was determined by UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS. A DSS induced colitis mouse model was applied to explore the anti-inflammatory activity of JXR. The body weight, colon length and histopathological status of colon tissue were evaluated. The content of inflammatory mediators (nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂)) and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)), corresponding mRNA and protein expression levels were analyzed. Oxidation pressure and gut microbial composition were also explored.

RESULTS

Totally 63 constitutes were identified from JXR, among them, phenolic acids and flavonoids comprised a large part, and rosmarinic acid (RA) was the main compound. The results of DSS-induced colitis mice model indicated that JXR effectively ameliorated inflammation, restore the redox balance in the gut. JXR treatment significantly reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased the activity of antioxidative enzyme, suppressed the secretion of inflammatory mediators (NO, PGE₂) and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β). JXR also restrained the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway. Furthermore, JXR could restore the microbial diversity by suppressing Bacteroidaceae, increasing Bifidobacteriales and Melainabacteria in DSS colitis mouse model.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that JXR composed with various bioactive compounds, effectively ameliorated colitis, restored the redox balance and regulated gut microbiota. Results from the present study provide an insight of therapeutic potential of JXR in IBD based on its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, also provide a scientific basis for using JXR as a functional ingredient to promote colon health.

Brazilian passion fruit as a new healthy food: from its composition to health properties and mechanisms of action

The Brazilian biodiversity is one of the largest in the world, with about 41 000 species cataloged within two global biodiversity hotspots: Atlantic Forest and Cerrado, the Brazilian savannah. Passiflora, known also as passion flowers, is a genus of which 96% of its species are distributed in the Americas, mainly Brazil and Colombia. Passion fruit extracts have a commercial value on a global scale through the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, self-care, and food and beverage industries. Passiflora are widely studied due to their potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antidepressant and vascular and neuronal protective effects, probably owing to their content of polyphenols. Passiflora setacea DC is a species of wild passion fruit from the Brazilian Cerrado, rich in flavonoid C-glycosides, homoorientin, vitexin, isovitexin and orientin. Intake of these plant food bioactives has been associated with protection against chronic non-communicable diseases (CNDCs), including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we aimed to discuss the varieties of Passiflora, their content in plant food bioactives and their potential molecular mechanisms of action in preventing or reversing CNDCs.

Flavonoids and saponins from Passiflora edulis f. edulis leaves (purple passion fruit) and its potential anti-inflammatory activity

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this work was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract, fractions and major compounds, which are isolated and identified from Passiflora edulis f. edulis (purple passion fruit) leaves extract.

METHODS

For the isolation of the major compounds, reversed-phase chromatography and normal phase countercurrent chromatography were used. The separation was followed by thin layer chromatography and HPLC-DAD-ELSD. One-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR and ESI-TOF-MS/MS were used for structural elucidation. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated on a TPA multiple dose model of skin chronic inflammation in mice. Additionally, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity assays were performed as possible mechanisms of action studies.

KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

The study of the butanolic fraction mainly showed the presence of saponins and flavonoids. Three minor flavonoids were detected; and three known saponins, cyclopassiflosides IX, XI and III were isolated and identified. This is the first unequivocal report of the presence of these compounds in P. edulis f. edulis leaves. The most favourable results of anti-inflammatory activity were obtained for the flavonoid-rich fraction. All the fractions and isolated compounds evaluated, presented high percentages of inhibition of nitric oxide synthase activity.

High-performance thin-layer chromatography and direct analysis in real time-high resolution mass spectrometry of non-extractable polyphenols from tropical fruit peels

Passiflora species, mangosteen, and cherimoya peels are a source of bioactive phenolic compounds. Nevertheless, a significant fraction of polyphenols, called non-extractable polyphenols (NEPs), are retained in the extraction residue after a conventional extraction. Thus, alkaline, acid, and enzymatic-assisted extractions to recover high contents of antioxidant NEPs from the extraction residue of fruit peels, were compared in this work. A high-performance thin-layer chromatography method with UV/Vis detection was developed in order to obtain the phenolic profile for the extracts. The most intense bands were further analyzed by direct analysis in real-time-high-resolution mass spectrometry to tentatively identified NEPs in fruit peel extracts. Total phenolic and proanthocyanidin contents and antioxidant capacity of the extracts were measured to carry out a multivariate statistical analysis. Alkaline hydrolysis was the most efficient treatment to recover NEPs from fruit peels as well as a promising treatment to obtain antioxidant extracts along with EAE. Cherimoya peel extracts were the richest in antioxidant NEPs. This work highlights that many NEPs remain on the extraction residue of fruit peels after conventional extraction and are not usually taken into account.

Ocotea nutans (Nees) Mez: structural elucidation of C-hetorosides flavonoids and evaluation of their antioxidant and antibacterial properties from ethyl acetate extract

The Ocotea genus exhibits a variety of pharmacological, antibacterial and antioxidant effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential and antibacterial properties of the ethyl acetate fraction of Ocotea nutans leaves. Isolation and identification of the phenolic compounds from the fraction was also carried out. The isolated compounds were characterised by one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and identified as vitexin (1) and isovitexin (2). The ethyl acetate fraction of Ocotea nutans leaves demonstrated considerable antioxidant potential. The observed minimum inhibitory concentration of 250 µg.mL^-1 was classified as a moderate antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis. Findings from this study demonstrate the utility of this plant as a potential source of antioxidant and antibacterial agents.

Rapid Profiling and Identification of Vitexin Metabolites in Rat Urine, Plasma and Faeces after Oral Administration Using a UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer Coupled with Multiple Data-mining Methods

BACKGROUND

Vitexin is a natural flavonoid compound with multiple pharmacological activities and is extracted from the leaves and seeds of Vitex negundo L. var. cannabifolia (Sieb. et Zucc.) Hand.-Mazz. However, the metabolite characterization of this component remains insufficient.

OBJECTIVE

To establish a rapid profiling and identification method for vitexin metabolites in rat urine, plasma and faeces after oral administration using a UHPLC-Q-Exactive orbitrap mass spectrometer were coupled with multiple data-mining methods.

METHODS

In this study a simple and rapid systematic strategy for the detection and identification of constituents was proposed based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry in parallel reaction monitoring mode combining diagnostic fragment ion filtering techniques.

RESULTS

A total of 49 metabolites were fully or partially characterized based on their accurate mass, characteristic fragment ions, retention times, corresponding ClogP values, and so on. It is obvious that C-glycosyl flavonoids often display an [M+H-120]⁺ ion that represents the loss of C₄H₈O₄. As a result, these metabolites were presumed to be generated through glucuronidation, sulfation, deglucosylation, dehydrogenation, methylation, hydrogenation, hydroxylation, ring cleavage and their composite reactions. Moreover, the characteristic fragmentation pathways of flavonoids, chalcones and dihydrochalcones were summarized for the subsequent metabolite identification.

CONCLUSION

The current study provided an overall metabolic profile of vitexin which will be of great help in predicting the in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles and understanding the action mechanism of this active ingredient.

Identification of α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitors and Ligularoside A, a New Triterpenoid Saponin from Passiflora ligularis Juss (Sweet Granadilla) Leaves, by a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance-Based Metabolomic Study

The leaves of Passiflora ligularis Juss (known as sweet granadilla for its edible fruits) are a crop byproduct that is discarded. With the aim of contributing to give value-added products from these crop by-side products to farmers of Colombian Andes, we carried out a ¹H-NMR-metabolomics analysis of polar extracts from leaves collected in three locations and stored in two conditions in order to identify glucosyl-hydrolase inhibitors. Variations in the metabolic profile and the bioactivity among samples were analyzed by orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis. Thus, ¹H-NMR signals related to polyphenolic compounds, saponins, and amino acids were correlated with higher inhibitory activities. Moreover, a targeted NMR and HPLC-MS/MS analysis allowed the identification of 14 polyphenolic compounds and the structural characterization of a new triterpenoid saponin, ligularoside A. The measurements of IC₅₀ values for α-amylase and α-glycosidase inhibitors allowed the identification of quercetin-3-O-β-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-β-glucoside, and ligularoside A as the most active compounds. These results suggest that P. ligularis leaves are a source of glucosyl-hydrolase inhibitors and lay the foundation for exploring additional applications.

A Review of Plant Extracts and Plant-Derived Natural Compounds in the Prevention/Treatment of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury is one of the major drawbacks of mortality and causes significant short/long-term neurological dysfunction in newborn infants worldwide. To date, due to multifunctional complex mechanisms of brain injury, there is no well-established effective strategy to completely provide neuroprotection. Although therapeutic hypothermia is the proven treatment for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), it does not completely chang outcomes in severe forms of HIE. Therefore, there is a critical need for reviewing the effective therapeutic strategies to explore the protective agents and methods. In recent years, it is widely believed that there are neuroprotective possibilities of natural compounds extracted from plants against HIE. These natural agents with the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and neurofunctional regulatory properties exhibit preventive or therapeutic effects against experimental neonatal HI brain damage. In this study, it was aimed to review the literature in scientific databases that investigate the neuroprotective effects of plant extracts/plant-derived compounds in experimental animal models of neonatal HI brain damage and their possible underlying molecular mechanisms of action.

Development and application of green and sustainable analytical methods for flavonoid extraction from Passiflora waste

Brazilian biodiversity and favourable environmental conditions open up possibilities not yet explored, showing potential to shift the country's monochromatic economy into an emancipated, diversified and sustainable economic environment. This can be made possible through the integral use of its resources, exploring every functional fraction to create novel solutions to modern problems. Biorefineries present an interesting strategy to fully use the potential of agricultural feedstocks and together with green separation methods can contribute to the generation of sustainable processes and products. Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg species) is produced on a large scale in Brazil and in other tropical countries, and its processing plants generate tons of residues that basically consist of peel, seeds and bagasse, which account for around 75% of its mass. These fractions of P. edulis can contain significant amounts of flavonoids, secondary metabolites that are the main compounds responsible for the fruit's bioactivity (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pesticide and biocide, in general). Therefore, this work aims to develop, apply and compare the best conditions for the extraction of isoorientin, orientin and isovitexin from passion fruit applying solid-liquid methodologies, followed by analyte quantification using UHPLC-PDA. Homogenizer-assisted (HAE), ultrasound-assisted (UAE) and microwave-assisted (MAE) extraction techniques were used, as well as a full factorial design to reach optimal parameters concerning the extraction yield and energy and solvent efficiencies. According to the results, the procedure based on HAE presented the best conditions for the extraction of selected flavonoids (1.07, 0.90 and 0.33 mg g-1 of isoorientin, orientin and isovitexin, respectively) and was considered the best method according to the green and sustainable described factors.

Non-nutrients and nutrients from Latin American fruits for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been rapidly increasing; among them, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for around 1/3 of deaths in the world. Environmental factors play a central role in their development. Diet is a very important factor in this scenario, and the intake of fruits and vegetables has been considered as one of the critical strategies for reducing the risk of CVDs. Fruits are a source of micronutrients and bioactive compounds that could have cardioprotective effects through several distinct mechanisms, such as antioxidant, antithrombotic and antiplatelet activities, vasodilatation, improvement of plasma lipid profiles, and modulation of inflammatory signaling. Brazil has a very rich and unexplored biodiversity in its different biomes, with several types of fruit, which are a source of bioactive compounds and micronutrients with therapeutic properties. In this sense, this review shows the current knowledge regarding the cardioprotective properties of selected Latin American and Brazilian fruits, including their effects on the activation of platelets and on the inflammation processes involved in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

Pharmacological Properties and Chemical Profiles of Passiflora foetida L. Extracts: Novel Insights for Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals

In the present study, Passiflora foetida extracts characterized by different polarities were studied for their phytochemical profile, enzyme inhibitory, and antioxidant potentials. In silico, in vitro and ex vivo studies were also carried out on methanol and water extracts for predicting pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. In this regard, neuronal HypoE22 cells, isolated mouse skin tissues, and pathogen dermatophytes strains were exposed to extracts. Emphasis was given to the preventing effects induced by the extracts on hydrogen peroxide-induced alterations of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), l-dopa, and serotonin. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of similar compounds in infusion and methanolic extracts. The ex vivo studies also showed protective skin properties by P. foetida water and methanol extracts, as evidenced by the decrease of hydrogen peroxide-induced PGE2 level. Additionally, the blunting effects on hydrogen peroxide-induced l-dopa levels are consistent with the anti-tyrosinase effect exerted by both extracts. In silico studies demonstrated the affinity of extracts’ phytochemicals, namely apigenin, chrysoeriol, loliolide, luteolin, quercetin, and vitexin, towards cyclo-oxygenase-2 and tyrosinase. Finally, microbiological tests demonstrated the efficacy of P. foetida methanol and water extracts as anti-mycotic agents against Trichophyton and Arthroderma species, involved in skin inflammation. Hence, P. foetida L. extracts could represent potential sources of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.

Profiling of the known-unknown Passiflora variant complement by liquid chromatography - Ion mobility - Mass spectrometry

Liquid Chromatography - Ion Mobility - Mass Spectrometry (LC-IM-MS) was utilized for non-targeted screening analysis to understand the variance in the composition of Passiflora species. Multivariate analysis was employed to explore a chemometric processing strategy for IM based Passiflora variant differentation. This approach was applied to the comparative analyses of extracts of the medicinal plants Passiflora alata, Passiflora edulis, Passiflora incarnata and Passiflora caerulea. In total, 255 occurrences of IM-MS resolved coeluting marker isomers and isobaric species were detected, providing increased coverage and specificity of species component markers compared to conventional LC-MS. A large proportion of medical plant phytochemical analysis information often remains redundant in that it is not phenotypic specific. Here, generation of Passiflora variant 'known-unknown' libraries has been used to compare Passiflora species to investigate unique variant features. Investigations of predicted collision cross section have enabled comparison of an element of the 'known-unknown' IM isomeric complement to be performed, facilitating a reduction in the number of possible variant unique isomeric identifications. In combination with spectral interpretation, it has been possible to resassign isomeric 'known-unknowns' as 'knowns'. The strategies employed illustrates the potential to facilitate identification of medicinal plant phytochemical components.

Herbal Medicinal Products from Passiflora for Anxiety: An Unexploited Potential

Herbal medicines containing Passiflora species have been widely used to treat anxiety since ancient times. The species Passiflora incarnata L. is included in many Pharmacopoeias, and it is the most used species in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. However, there are around 600 species of the genus Passiflora and probably other species that can be used safely. Thus, this article was based on a search into the uses of the main species of the genus Passiflora with anxiolytic activity and its main secondary metabolites and some pharmacological studies, patents, and registered products containing Passiflora. Furthermore, the Brazilian Regulatory Health Agency Datavisa, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency of the United Kingdom, and the European Medicines Agency websites were consulted. The results showed that Passiflora species have health benefits but clinical trials are still scarce. The complexity of Passiflora extracts creates challenges for the development of herbal medicines. P. incarnata is the most studied species of the genus and the most used in natural anxiolytic herbal medicine formulations. However, there are hundreds of Passiflora species potentially useful for medicinal and nutraceutical purposes that are still little explored.

New Advances in the Determination of Free and Bound Phenolic Compounds of Banana Passion Fruit Pulp (Passiflora tripartita, var. Mollissima (Kunth) L.H. Bailey) and Their In Vitro Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Capacities

Banana passion fruit (Passiflora tripartite L.H. Bailey) is a lesser known species of the genus Passiflora. This fruit typically grows in the Andean region of Ecuador and it is locally known as tumbo, taxo or curuba. The juice of this fruit is highly appreciated in South America. Extracts of banana passion fruit were characterized for their content levels of free and bound phenolic compounds by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry detector (HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS). A total of 82 polar compounds classified as phenolic acid derivatives, organic acids, benzophenones, flavan-3-ols, flavonols and flavones were detected in the extracts. The total phenolic content was 2356 mg 100 g^-1 dry matter, with the bound phenolic fraction representing 37.7% of total amounts. Flavan-3-ols, such as (epi)catechin, (epi)azfelechin and their derivatives, were the main phenolic compounds in the free phenolic fraction; however, phenolic acids represented the most abundant class of bound phenolic extracts. The antioxidant and hypoglycemic capacities reported for banana passion fruit were higher than for other fruits. To our knowledge, this is the first time that bound phenolic compounds have been described in banana passion fruit pulp.

Metabolic fingerprinting of banana passion fruits and its correlation with quorum quenching activity

Banana passion fruit of the Passiflora genus, are commercially cultivated on a small to medium scale, mainly as edible fruits or as components of traditional herbal medicines. This subgenus comprises several species and hybrid specimens that grow readily in the wild. Due to their taxonomical complexity, many of these species have recently been reclassified (Ocampo Pérez and Coppens d'Eeckenbrugge, 2017), and their chemical profile has still to be determined. In this study, an ¹H NMR-based platform was applied to the chemical profiling of seven wild species of the Passiflora subgenus, and UHPLC-DAD-MS was additionally used for the identification of phenolic compounds. A total of 59 compounds were detected including 26 O- and C-glycosidated flavonoids and polyphenols, nine organic acids, seven amino acids, GABA, sucrose, glucose, myo-inositol, and five other non-identified compounds. Two of the identified compounds are the previously undescribed C-glycosyl flavonoids, apigenin-4'-O-β-glucopyranosyl, 8-C-β-(6″acetyl)-glucopyranoside and apigenin-4-O-β-glucopyranosyl-8-C-β-neohesperidoside. These C-glycosyl flavonoids were isolated to confirm their proposed structures by NMR and LCMS analysis. The PCA score plots obtained from the ¹H NMR data of the studied Passiflora samples showed P. cumbalensis and P. uribei as the species with the most distinguishable chemical profile. In addition, a correlation analysis using OPLS-DA was conducted between ¹H-NMR data and the quorum quenching activity (QQ) of Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 31532. This analysis revealed P. lehmannii, and P. uribei extracts to be the most active, and apigenin-4'-O-β-glucopyranosyl, 8-C-β-(6″acetyl)-glucopyranoside and apigenin-4-O-β-glucopyranosyl-8-C-β-neohesperidoside were identified as possibly responsible for the QQ activity. To confirm this, QQ activity of both compounds was tested against C. violaceum ATCC 3153. An inhibition of violacein production of 0.135 mM (100 μg/mL) and 0.472 mM (300 μg/mL) was observed for apigenin-4'-O-β-glucopyranosyl,8-C-β-(6″acetyl)-glucopyranoside and apigenin-4-O-β-glucopyranosyl-8-C-β-neohesperidoside respectively, while bacterial growth was unaffected in both cases. Furthermore, both compounds showed the ability to inhibit the production of the toxoflavin of the phytopathogen Burkholderia glumae ATCC 33617.

Volatile profiling and UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS polyphenol analysis of Passiflora leschenaultii DC. fruits and its anti-radical and anti-diabetic properties

Twenty-four phenolic compounds including daidzein, epicatechin and artepillin C were identified in Passiflora leschenaultii DC. fruit by UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS analysis. The aroma profile has been studied using the HS-SPME/GC-MS which revealed 67 volatile compounds including 13 terpenes, 18 alcoholics, 15 esters, ketones and phenolic acids. Further, the proximate composition, anti-radical and anti-diabetic activities of fruit pulp were also determined. The fresh fruit pulp of P. leschenaultii registered higher total phenolic (691.90 mg GAE/g extract) and tannin (313.81 mg GAE/g extract) contents and it also exhibited maximum DPPH (IC₅₀ of 6.69 µg/ml) and ABTS⁺ (9760.44 µM trolox equivalent/g extract) scavenging activities. The fresh fruit pulp showed a strong inhibition towards the α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase (IC₅₀ of 32.20 and 19.81 µg/mL, respectively) enzymes. Thus, the work stipulates that phenolic compounds rich P. leschenaultii fruit can serve as a potential nutraceutical, antioxidative and anti-diabetic agent in food and pharmaceutical formulations.

Garlic passion fruit (Passiflora tenuifila Killip): Assessment of eventual acute toxicity, anxiolytic, sedative, and anticonvulsant effects using in vivo assays

Several Passiflora species are known for their sedative and anxiolytic properties. However, the functional properties of Passiflora tenuifila Killip are still unexplored. The objective of this work was to evaluate the phenolic composition and acute toxicity, anxiolytic, sedative, and anticonvulsant effects using in vivo assays. The whole fruit (peel, pulp, and seed) was lyophilized and used for all assays. LC-MS showed 19 phenolic compounds, tentatively identified as flavonoids and phenolic acids. Acute treatment with single doses of up to 2000 mg kg^-1 in Wistar rats showed no signs of mortality or toxicity over 14 days. The assay of functional effects was performed with Swiss mice, four groups, received by gavage, doses of P. tenuifila (200 or 400 mg kg^-1 body weight), water, and diazepam (as negative and positive control), and behavior tests were performed after 60 min of the treatments. The animals treated with P. tenuifila fruit showed a significant decrease in locomotor activity, indicating a sedative and anxiolytic activity. No significant changes were observed in the rotarod apparatus, suggesting that the P. tenuifila fruit did not cause muscle relaxation. The 400 mg kg^-1 dose of P. tenuifila exerted a protective effect against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures, decreasing the severity and not causing the death of the animals. In conclusion, P. tenuifila showed no acute toxicity and had a promising effect as an anxiolytic agent, hypnotic-sedative and anticonvulsant, which could be related to its composition of flavonoids and phenolic acids.

Use of ion mobility mass spectrometry to enhance cumulative analytical specificity and separation to profile 6-C/8-C-glycosylflavone critical isomer pairs and known-unknowns in medicinal plants

INTRODUCTION

Plant medicine/herbal extracts are typically complex, encompassing a wide range of flavonoid diversity and biological benefits. Combined with a lack of standards; species authentication profiling is a challenge. A non-targeted screening strategy using two-dimensional (2D) separation and specificity of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography ion mobility collision-induced dissociation mass spectrometry (UHPLC-IM-CID-MS) has been investigated, to identify the 6-C and 8-C-glycosylflavone isomer orientin/isoorientin and vitexin/isovitexin pairs in Passiflora species. Utilising available standards and "known-unknowns" a reference CCS (collision cross-section) speciation finger print for Passiflora extracts could be generated to illustrate species profiling.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

SPE was performed to extract flavonoids of interest from powdered and ground Passiflora leaf. Chromatographic separation was achieved via UHPLC and analysis performed using positive/negative ion electrospray coupled with linear T-wave IM-MS (calibrated to perform accurate mass and CCS measurements).

RESULTS

Comparative phytochemical screening of Passiflora alata, P. edulis, P. incarnata and P. caerulea leaf extracts has generated CCS, CID IM product ion spectra, 2D separation with UHPLC-IM-MS, enabling the unequivocal identification of flavone C-glycosides in complex extracts. A phytochemical reference CCS library was generated comprised of "knowns" and "known-unknowns". Isomers have been differentiated using a CCS metric enabling novel CCS specific isomeric quantitation of co-eluting isomers.

CONCLUSIONS

The screening approach illustrated has the potential to play an important role in the profiling of medicinal plants to determine phytochemical make-up and improve consumer safety through generation of highly specific speciation profiles.

Development and Formulation of the Experimental Dentifrice Based on Passiflora mollissima (Tumbo) with and without Fluoride Anion: Antibacterial Activity on Seven Antimicrobial Strains

Objectives

To develop and formulate a new experimental dentifrice with and without fluoride based on the peel and the fruit of the Passiflora mollissima (tumbo) and also to evaluate its antimicrobial activity against seven bacterial strains.

Methods

The sample was calculated using the mean comparison formula, obtaining wells (n = 12) for each of the strains evaluated: S. mutans, E. faecalis, Actinomyces, Lactobacillus, C. albicans, S. sanguinis, and S. oralis. The antibacterial activity of the dentifrice was evaluated by the direct contact technique.

Results

It was found that the highest antimicrobial activity was only present in pulp-based dentifrices against strains of S. mutans 21.0 ± 1.8, E. faecalis 16.3 ± 3.9, Actinomyces 22.1 ± 1.3, and Lactobacillus 21.0 ± 1.3. However, in comparison with other strains such as C. albicans, S. sanguinis, and S. oralis, the peel-based dendrifrice of Passiflora mollissima obtained the highest antimicrobial activity.

Conclusion

The experimental dentifrice based on Passiflora mollissima had an antibacterial effect against the seven microbial strains during the first 24 and 48 hours.

Production of biomolecules of interest to the anxiolytic herbal medicine industry in yellow passionfruit leaves (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) promoted by mycorrhizal inoculation

BACKGROUND

Our contemporary way of life has led us to consume high amounts of chemically-synthesized allopathic medicinal products and anxiolytics to which a viable alternative is the use of Passiflora-based herbal medicines with composition containing vitexin, a flavonoid with anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known for enhancing the production of biomolecules, however, increase production of phytochemistry in Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa has not been reported in the literature. Our aim was to select AMF to benefit the production of vitexin in leaves of P. edulis by inoculating seedlings in the region of roots with Acaulospora longula, Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Gigaspora albida.

RESULTS

The inoculation increased the concentration of vitexin in 63.64% and the inoculation with A. longula also increased the content of flavonoids and total saponins in the leaves in relation to the control.

CONCLUSION

The increase in the production of vitexin in the leaf in response to the inoculation with AMF, with emphasis to A. longula, interests the pharmaceutical industry and can generate profit to the production of yellow passionfruit-based anxiolytic herbal medicine. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Integrated strategy for the extraction and profiling of bioactive metabolites from Passiflora mollissima seeds combining pressurized-liquid extraction and gas/liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry

An integrated analytical methodology based on pressurized-liquid extraction (PLE) in two steps, followed by in vitro assays and liquid chromatography/gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), was developed and applied for the isolation and characterization of potential bioactive metabolites from Passiflora mollissima seeds. PLE was proposed in two sequential steps: 1) recovery of the lipidic fraction using nonpolar solvents, and 2) recovery of the phenolic fraction from the defatted seeds' residue using polar solvents. Cyclohexane was selected as the most suitable extraction solvent for the seeds defatting process (20 min, 100 °C and 100 bar). PLE optimization by response surface methodology was carried out to obtain phenolics-rich extracts with the highest antioxidant activity. Optimal extraction yield (6.58%), total phenolic content (29.99 mg g^-1), total flavonoids content (0.94 mg g^-1) and antioxidant activity (6.94 mM trolox g^-1 and EC₅₀ of 2.66 μg mL^-1) were obtained operating at 150 °C with EtOH (100%) as solvent. Untargeted and semi-targeted MS and MS/MS data-mining strategies were successfully implemented for the rapid and comprehensive profiling of the polar and lipidic PLE fractions analysed by UHPLC and GC, respectively, coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (q-TOF-MS/MS). Polyphenols-rich extracts from P. mollisima seeds were characterized for the first time applying this approach, showing a broad variety of flavonoids, genuine flavanols (e.g. (epi)fisetinidol) and abundant proanthocyanidins. This application can be considered a successful demonstration of the great potential of the proposed methodology to effectively obtain and characterize complex natural extracts with potential bioactivity, by making use of powerful integrated identification strategies to facilitate the challenging post-acquisition data processing of huge datasets generated by HRMS analysis.

Polyphenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Leaf Purified Hydroalcoholic Extracts from Seven Mexican Persea americana Cultivars

Persea americana (avocado) is a fruit consumed worldwide; however, since avocado leaves are apparently a natural ingredient that can be used as a traditional medicine, they can be a potential source of bioactive compounds. This study aimed to analyze the antioxidant activity of seven Mexican avocado leaf extracts by DPPH^•, ABTS^•+, and lipid peroxidation (LPO), and to identify the compound profile by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry/electron spray ionization. The highest free radical-scavenging activity was observed for Platano Delgado and Criollo 6 avocado cultivars havin IC₅₀ values of 271.86 ± 13.69 and 269.56 ± 6.53 for DPPH^• and ABTS^•+ radicals, respectively, while the best result for lipid oxidation inhibition was registered in Criollo 6 cultivar extract. In this study forty-one compounds were detected in avocado leaves of the the seven cultivars analyzed, and of these compounds, eighteen phenolics were identified for first time in such plant material. The present study demonstrated that Mexican cultivars of Persea americana possess diverse polyphenolic compounds with strong antioxidant activity, which might be useful in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Sequential extraction of flavonoids and pectin from yellow passion fruit rind using pressurized solvent or ultrasound

BACKGROUND

Passion fruit rind (PFR) represents 90% of the total fruit weight and is wasted during juice processing. Passion fruit rind is known to contain flavonoids and pectin. An alternative use for this fruit juice industrial residue is to obtain these compounds. This study aimed to verify the influence of pressurized solvent extraction (PSE) or ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) of flavonoid and pectin in a sequential process.

RESULTS

The PSE using ethanol at 60:40 (v/v) yielded a total polyphenol content of 4.67 g GAE kg^-1 PFR, orientin-7-O-glucoside (1.57 g kg^-1 PFR) and luteolin-6-C-glucoside (2.44 g kg^-1 PFR). Pectin yield was 165 g kg^-1 PFR, either in PSE or UAE. Pectin characterization indicates that the pectic structure has basically homogalacturonans and galacturonate followed by a galacturonic acid ester unit, with methylation degree of 70%.

CONCLUSION

With this study it can be concluded that mixtures of alcohols with water favor the extraction of bioactive compounds of passion fruit peel. Both PSE and UAE were effective in sequentially extracting flavonoids and pectin. The preferred solvent is ethanol due to its lower toxicity. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Nutritional Composition and Antioxidant Properties of the Fruits of a Chinese Wild Passiflora foetida

The aim of this work was to evaluate the main nutrients and their antioxidant properties of a Chinese wild edible fruit, Passiflora foetida, collected from the ecoregion of Hainan province, China. The analytical results revealed that P. foetida fruits were rich in amino acids (1097 mg/100 g in total), minerals (595.75 mg/100 g in total), and unsaturated fatty acids (74.18 g/100 g in total fat). The lyophilized powder of edible portion contained the higher polyphenols content than the inedible portion powder. The UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE analysis of the extractable and non-extractable phenolics indicated the presence of 65 compounds including 39 free phenolics, 14 insoluble-glycoside-phenolics, and 22 insoluble-ester-phenolics. In addition, the non-extractable phenolics obtained by alkali hydrolysis showed significant antioxidant activities by/through DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging. These findings of P. foetida fruits, for the first time, suggest that these polyphenol-rich fruits may have potential nutraceutical efficacies.

The sedative activity of flavonoids from Passiflora quadrangularis is mediated through the GABAergic pathway

The aim of this study was to investigate the sedative activity of the aqueous leaf extract of Passiflora quadrangularis, a species that is widely cultivated and consumed in South America, and to identify its main constituents and elucidate the involvement of the GABAergic pathway in its mechanism of action. The bioguided fractionation of the crude extract showed a positive relationship between the sedative activity of the extract and its flavonoids. The methods employed to identify and isolate its main flavonoids resulted in the identification of vitexin-2''-O-xyloside, vitexin-2''-O-glucoside, orientin-2''-O-xyloside and orientin-2''-O-glucoside. Vitexin-2"-O-xyloside, the major flavonoid of the extract, showed sedative activity after oral administration in mice.

Monoaminergic neurotransmission is mediating the antidepressant-like effects of Passiflora edulis Sims fo. edulis

The genus Passiflora is popularly used to treat anxiety. Recent studies showed antidepressant-like effects of two varieties of P. edulis (edulis and flavicarpa) in mice. However, the mechanisms of antidepressant actions are still unknown. Here, the effects of P. edulis fo. edulis aqueous extract (AE, 100-300mg/kg, po), and ethyl acetate (AcOEt, 25-50mg/kg, po), butanol (BuOH, 25-50mg/kg, po) and residual aqueous (25-100mg/kg, po) fractions were investigated in the mouse forced swimming test. In addition, the involvement of monoamines in the P. edulis fractions-induced antidepressant actions was approached. HPLC analyses showed that AcOEt and BuOH, but not residual, fractions shared with AE the main peaks between 25 and 70min (UV 340nm), which are suggestive of flavonoids. Nortriptyline and fluoxetine reduced the immobility time and similar results were observed for AE, AcOEt and BuOH but not residual fractions. PCPA (inhibitor of 5-HT synthesis), AMPT (inhibitor of catecholamine synthesis) and sulpiride (selective D2 receptor antagonist), but not DSP-4 (noradrenergic neurotoxin), blocked the antidepressant actions of AcOEt and BuOH. In conclusion, AcOEt and BuOH fractions shared with AE similar phytochemical composition and antidepressant actions. Preserved 5-HT and dopamine transmissions were required for the antidepressant effects of P. edulis fractions.

A systematic review on phenolic compounds in Passiflora plants: Exploring biodiversity for food, nutrition, and popular medicine

Passiflora plants are strategic in the context of biodiversity for food and nutrition. We applied the procedures of a systematic review protocol to study the state of the art on identification of phenolic compounds from Passiflora plants. An automated literature search was conducted using six databases and a combination of seven keywords. All the analytical, chromatographic, and spectroscopic methods were included. The studies were classified according to their method of identification, phenolic classes, and method of extraction. In total, 8,592 abstracts were found, from which 122 studies were selected for complete reading and 82 were selected for further analysis. Techniques of extraction, evaluated parts of the plant and methods of identification were systematized. Studies with leaves were most conspicuous (54.4%), 34 species of Passiflora were evaluated and orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, isovitexin were commonly found structures. A High Performance Liquid Chromatography-diode array detector was the technique most applied, with which the same structures were identified all through the studies, although other unknown structures were detected, but not elucidated. The use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Mass Spectrometry, which are more sensitive techniques, needs to be intensified, to identify other unconventional compounds detected in Passiflora, to enhance the comprehension of the bioactive compounds in these plants.

C-Glycosyl Flavonoids from Beta vulgaris Cicla and Betalains from Beta vulgaris rubra: Antioxidant, Anticancer and Antiinflammatory Activities-A Review

The green beet (Beta vulgaris var. cicla L.) and red beetroot (B. vulgaris var. rubra L.) contain phytochemicals that have beneficial effects on human health. Specifically, the green beet contains apigenin, vitexin, vitexin-2-O-xyloside and vitexin-2-O-rhamnoside, while the red beetroot is a source of betaxanthins and betacyanins. These phytochemicals show considerable antioxidant activity, as well as antiinflammatory and antiproliferative activities. Vitexin-2-O-xyloside, in combination with betaxanthins and betacyanins, exerts antiproliferative activity in breast, liver, colon and bladder cancer cell lines, through the induction of both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. A significant body of evidence also points to the role of these phytochemicals in the downregulation of the pro-survival genes, baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing 5 and catenin beta-1, as well as the genes controlling angiogenesis, hypoxia inducible factor 1A and vascular endothelial growth factor A. The multi-target action of these phytochemicals enhances their anticancer activity. Vitexin-2-O-xyloside, betaxanthins and betacyanins can be used in combination with conventional anticancer drugs to reduce their toxicity and overcome the multidrug resistance of cancer cells. In this review, we describe the molecular mechanisms that enable these dietary phytochemicals to block the proliferation of tumor cells and inhibit their pro-survival pathways. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.