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Sergio L, Di Venere D, Gonnella M, D’Imperio M, Baruzzi F, Pinto L, Boari F, Cantore V, Candido V. Quality and Safety of Ready-to-Eat Golden Thistle ( Scolymus hispanicus L.): A New Product for Traditional Italian Dishes. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1622. [PMID: 37111846 PMCID: PMC10144175 DOI: 10.3390/plants12081622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Golden thistle (Scolymus hispanicus L.) is a wild edible plant belonging to Asteraceae family, with a great potential for food applications. The aim of this study was to identify the best cooking procedure able to provide a high-quality, ready-to-use product. For this purpose, leaf midribs (the most used edible part of the plant) were cooked by boiling, steaming, and 'sous vide', and the cooked products were compared for their phenolic content and composition, antioxidant activity, sugar and inorganic ion content, organoleptic characteristics, and microbial safety, this latter also during storage. In general, boiling caused a decrease in the value of these parameters, despite being the best product for taste and overall acceptability. On the contrary, steaming and 'sous vide' resulted in the best treatments to preserve antioxidant activity, total phenols, and chlorogenic acid. In particular, in 'sous vide' cooked samples, a significant increase in the value of these parameters and a remarkable decrease in nitrate content were found. Moreover, 'sous vide' resulted in the best treatment also regarding microbial safety during shelf life; actually, after 15 days of storage at 8 °C, Enterobacteriaceae and mesophilic aerobic bacteria were not detectable in 'sous vide' samples. These results contributed to increase the knowledge of a wild edible plant with high nutritional properties and promoting its consumption by obtaining a ready-to-use product with good organoleptic characteristics and endowed with a long period of shelf life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucrezia Sergio
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy; (L.S.); (M.G.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (L.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Donato Di Venere
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy; (L.S.); (M.G.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (L.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Maria Gonnella
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy; (L.S.); (M.G.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (L.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Massimiliano D’Imperio
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy; (L.S.); (M.G.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (L.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Federico Baruzzi
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy; (L.S.); (M.G.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (L.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Loris Pinto
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy; (L.S.); (M.G.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (L.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Francesca Boari
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy; (L.S.); (M.G.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (L.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Vito Cantore
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy; (L.S.); (M.G.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (L.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Vincenzo Candido
- Department of European and Mediterranean Cultures, University of Basilicata, Via Lanera, 10, 75100 Matera, Italy;
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Volatile and Non-Volatile Content Determination and Biological Activity Evaluation of Fresh Humulus lupulus L. (cv. Chinook) Leaves and Inflorescences. SEPARATIONS 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/separations10020091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, the fresh leaves and inflorescences of Humulus lupulus L. cv. Chinook hops were investigated in order to describe their chemical composition and evaluate their biological activities. The analyses were carried out first on fresh untreated samples and then on pulverized ones using the SPME-GC-MS technique. In total, forty-two molecules belonging to different chemical classes were identified, and among these, twenty-three were terpene compounds. In order to carry out the activity assays, the powders were subjected to extraction with two different solvents (methanol and distilled water) by stirring and subsequent sonication at room temperature. To chemically characterize the extracts, the methanolic ones were analyzed by direct injection into the GC-MS apparatus, while the aqueous ones were analyzed by DI-SPME-GC-MS. In addition, with the aim to obtain information on the non-volatile content of the methanolic extracts, they were also subjected to derivatization, and the silylated derivatives were analyzed by GC-MS. The antioxidant activity was then evaluated by means of DPPH and ABTS assays after the determination of the total content of polyphenols and flavonoids. The greatest effects were observed on the methanolic extracts rather than on the aqueous ones. Furthermore, a preliminary study on the cytotoxic power of the methanolic extracts was also conducted on three different human cancer cell lines, such as non-small cell lung cancer (H1299), melanoma (A375) and breast cancer (MCF7). The obtained results showed that the two extracts induced a marginal effect on reducing breast tumor, melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer cell proliferation.
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Salamone S, Aiello N, Fusani P, Rosa A, Nieddu M, Appendino G, Pollastro F. Non-Volatile Terpenoids and Lipophilic Flavonoids from Achillea erba-rotta Subsp. moschata (Wulfen) I. Richardson. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:402. [PMID: 36679115 PMCID: PMC9866263 DOI: 10.3390/plants12020402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Musk yarrow (Achillea erba-rotta subsp. moschata (Wulfen) I. Richardson) is endemic to the Central Alps, and is used to flavour alcoholic beverages. Despite its popularity as aromatizing agent and its alleged beneficial effects on digestion, the phytochemical profile of the plant is still largely unknown and undiscovered. As a consequence, its authentication in aromatized products is impossible beyond sensory analysis allowing forgery. To address these issues, we phytochemically characterized a sample of musk yarrow from the Italian Eastern Alps, identifying, in addition to widespread phytochemicals (taraxasterol, apigenin), the guaianolides 3, 8, 9; the seco-caryophyllane 6; and the polymethoxylated lipophilic flavonoids 1, 4, and 5. The flavonoid xanthomicrol 1, a major constituent of the plant, was cytotoxic to HeLa cells, but only modestly affected primary 3T3 fibroblasts. On account of their stability, detectability by UV absorption, and concentration, the oxygenated flavonoids qualify as markers to validate the supply chain of the plant growers to consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Salamone
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Largo Guido Donegani 2/3, 28100 Novara, Italy
- PlantaChem S.r.l.s., Via Amico Canobio 4/6, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Nicola Aiello
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Forestry and Wood, Piazza Nicolini 6, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Pietro Fusani
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Forestry and Wood, Piazza Nicolini 6, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Antonella Rosa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SS 554, Km 4.5, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Mariella Nieddu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SS 554, Km 4.5, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Giovanni Appendino
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Largo Guido Donegani 2/3, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Federica Pollastro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Largo Guido Donegani 2/3, 28100 Novara, Italy
- PlantaChem S.r.l.s., Via Amico Canobio 4/6, 28100 Novara, Italy
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Achillea moschata Wulfen: From Ethnobotany to Phytochemistry, Morphology, and Biological Activity. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27238318. [PMID: 36500411 PMCID: PMC9736511 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
A multidisciplinary investigation on Achillea moschata Wulfen (Asteraceae) is outlined herein. This work, part of the European Interreg Italy-Switzerland B-ICE project, originated from an ethnobotanical survey performed in Chiesa in Valmalenco (Sondrio, Lombardy, Northern Italy) in 2019-2021 which highlighted this species' relevance of use in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, this contribution included analyses of the: (a) phytochemical profile of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of the dried flower heads using LC-MS/MS; (b) morpho-anatomy and histochemistry of the vegetative and reproductive organs through Light, Fluorescence, and Scanning Electron Microscopy; (c) biological activity of the aqueous extract concerning the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential through cell-based in vitro models. A total of 31 compounds (5 phenolic acids, 13 flavonols, and 13 flavones) were detected, 28 of which included in both extracts. Covering and secreting trichomes were observed: the biseriate 10-celled glandular trichomes prevailing on the inflorescences represented the main sites of synthesis of the polyphenols and flavonoids detected in the extracts, along with volatile terpenoids. Finally, significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract were documented, even at very low concentrations; for the first time, the in vitro tests allowed us to formulate hypotheses about the mechanism of action. This work brings an element of novelty due to the faithful reproduction of the traditional aqueous preparation and the combination of phytochemical and micromorphological research approaches.
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Vitalini S, Iriti M, Vinciguerra V, Garzoli S. A Comparative Study of the Chemical Composition by SPME-GC/MS and Antiradical Activity of Less Common Citrus Species. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26175378. [PMID: 34500811 PMCID: PMC8434063 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26175378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Citrus secondary metabolites, such as terpene compounds, are very important for human health due to their bioactivity including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant effects. In this work, for the first time, the volatile chemical composition of peels and juices from four different Citrus species (C. junos, Citrus × aurantium, C. aurantium 'Bizzarria' and C. medica 'Florentina', commonly known as Yuzu jeune, Oni Yuzu, Bizzarria orange and Florence cedar, respectively) was investigated by Solid-Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) technique and the antiradical activity was also examined. The results showed that limonene and γ-terpinene were the main volatile substances detected both in the juices and in the peels, followed by other minority compounds responsible for the phyto-complex of the unique aromas which characterize each individual analyzed Citrus species. Principal component analysis (PCA), performed on volatile compounds, showed both some correlation as well as a clear separation between the juice and the peel of each species. Among them, Oni Yuzu juice was found to be the richest in total polyphenols and flavonoids while its capacity to scavenge ABTS•+ and DPPH• radicals was similar to that of Yuzu Jeune and Bizzarria orange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Vitalini
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy;
- Phytochem Lab, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Marcello Iriti
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy;
- Phytochem Lab, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), 50121 Firenze, Italy
- Center for Studies on Bioispired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Center), Università degli Studi di Napoli ‘Federico II’, 80055 Portici, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.I.); (S.G.)
| | - Vittorio Vinciguerra
- Department for Innovation in Biological Systems, Food and Forestry, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
| | - Stefania Garzoli
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.I.); (S.G.)
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Mirahmadi SF, Norouzi R. Chemical composition, phenolic content, free radical scavenging and antifungal activities of Achillea biebersteinii. FOOD BIOSCI 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2017.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Vitalini S, Madeo M, Tava A, Iriti M, Vallone L, Avato P, Cocuzza CE, Simonetti P, Argentieri MP. Chemical Profile, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Achillea moschata Wulfen, an Endemic Species from the Alps. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21070830. [PMID: 27347915 PMCID: PMC6273644 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21070830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 06/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Aerial parts of Achillea moschata Wulfen (Asteraceae) growing wild in the Italian Rhaetian Alps were investigated to describe, for the first time, their phenolic content, as well as to characterize the essential oil. Inspection of the metabolic profile combining HPLC-DAD and ESI-MS/MS data showed that the methanol extract contained glycosylated flavonoids with luteolin and apigenin as the main aglycones. Among them, the major compound was 7-O-glucosyl apigenin. Caffeoyl derivates were other phenolics identified. The essential oil obtained by steam distillation and investigated by GC/FID and GC/MS showed camphor, 1,8-cineole, and bornylacetate as the main constituents. The antioxidant capacity of three different extracts with increasing polarity and of the essential oil was evaluated by employing ABTS·+ and DPPH· radical scavenging assays. The methanolic extract was the only significantly effective sample against both synthetic radicals. All samples were also tested against Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacterial species using the disk diffusion assay. The non-polar extracts (dichloromethane and petroleum ether) and the essential oil possessed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity expressed according to inhibition zone diameter (8–24 mm).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Vitalini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie ed Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via G. Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Moira Madeo
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy.
| | - Aldo Tava
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria-Centro di Ricerca per le Produzioni Foraggere e Lattiero Casearie (CREA-FLC), viale Piacenza 29, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
| | - Marcello Iriti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie ed Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via G. Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Lisa Vallone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare Università degli Studi di Milano, via Grasselli 7, 20137 Milano, Italy.
| | - Pinarosa Avato
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Clementina Elvezia Cocuzza
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy.
| | - Paolo Simonetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Milano, via G. Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Maria Pia Argentieri
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
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Benedec D, Vlase L, Oniga I, Mot AC, Damian G, Hanganu D, Duma M, Silaghi-Dumitrescu R. Polyphenolic composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities for two Romanian subspecies of Achillea distans Waldst. et Kit. ex Willd. Molecules 2013; 18:8725-39. [PMID: 23887715 PMCID: PMC6270183 DOI: 10.3390/molecules18088725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work was to study the chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Achillea distans Waldst. et Kit. subsp. distans and Achillea distans Waldst. et Kit. subsp. alpina Rochel, from the Rodna Mountains (Romania). The identification and quantification of major phenolic compounds was performed by a HPLC-MS method. The total polyphenolic and flavonoid content was determined spectrophotometrically. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH bleaching method, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay (TEAC), hemoglobin ascorbate peroxidase activity inhibition (HAPX) assay, and an Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy method. A data indicated that A. distans subsp. alpina extract has more antioxidant activity than A. distans subsp. distans extract. Luteolin, apigenin, quercetin, caffeic and chlorogenic acids were present in the two extracts of A. distans, but in different amounts. Three flavonoids were detected only in A. distans subsp. alpina. The polyphenol-richer A. distans subsp. alpina extract showed a higher antioxidant activity than A.distans subsp. distans extract. A.distans subsp. distans extract showed inhibitory activity for Gram-positive bacteria, as evaluated with four species. The quantitative and qualitative differences between the two subspecies of Achillea distans could be used as a potential taxonomic marker in order to distinguish the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Benedec
- Department of Pharmacognosy “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 12 I. Creanga Street, Cluj-Napoca 400010, Romania; E-Mails: (D.B.); (I.O.)
| | - Laurian Vlase
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, 12 I. Creanga Street, Cluj-Napoca 400010, Romania; E-Mail:
| | - Ilioara Oniga
- Department of Pharmacognosy “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 12 I. Creanga Street, Cluj-Napoca 400010, Romania; E-Mails: (D.B.); (I.O.)
| | - Augustin C. Mot
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering ”Babes-Bolyai”University, 11 A. Janos Street, Cluj-Napoca 400028, Romania; E-Mails: (A.C.M.); (R.S.-D.)
| | - Grigore Damian
- Department of Physics, ”Babes-Bolyai”University, 11 A. Janos Street, Cluj-Napoca 400028, Romania; E-Mail:
| | - Daniela Hanganu
- Department of Pharmacognosy “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 12 I. Creanga Street, Cluj-Napoca 400010, Romania; E-Mails: (D.B.); (I.O.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel./Fax: +40-74200-9682
| | - Mihaela Duma
- State Veterinary Laboratory for Animal Health and Safety, 1 Piata Marasti Street, Cluj-Napoca 400609, Romania; E-Mail:
| | - Radu Silaghi-Dumitrescu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering ”Babes-Bolyai”University, 11 A. Janos Street, Cluj-Napoca 400028, Romania; E-Mails: (A.C.M.); (R.S.-D.)
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Vitalini S, Iriti M, Puricelli C, Ciuchi D, Segale A, Fico G. Traditional knowledge on medicinal and food plants used in Val San Giacomo (Sondrio, Italy)--an alpine ethnobotanical study. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2013; 145:517-29. [PMID: 23220197 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2012] [Revised: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 11/18/2012] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE This work increases the ethnobotanical data from Northern Italy and, in particular, the Lombardy region, till now poorly documented, safeguarding the local folk knowledge, and provides information on new or scarcely reported properties of medicinal plants, whose traditional use needs to be validated experimentally. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study aimed to gather, analyse and evaluate the ethnobotanical information on the species used for medicinal and food purposes by the native people of Val San Giacomo. MATERIALS AND METHODS The plant use was documented by speaking with more than 100 people, mainly over 60 years old, born and resident in Val San Giacomo. Information was collected using semi-structured interviews and then analysed by indices such as Ethnophytonomic Index (EPI), Ethnobotanicity Index (EI), relative frequency of citation (RFC), use value (UV), relative importance (RI) and factor informant consensus (FIC). RESULTS Information on 66 plants belonging to 35 families (Asteraceae, Rosaceae and Lamiaceae, mainly) was gathered. The preference ranking placed Achillea moschata Wulfen at first place, both for the citation number and for RFC and UV. Arnica montana L., Thymus pulegioides L. and Artemisia genipi Stechm. were also in relevant use. Sixty species were wild and six were cultivated. Leaves, flowers, complete aerial parts and fruits were the plant parts most commonly used for remedy preparation (infusion, especially). The interviewees collected local flora for medicinal purposes, specifically. About 51.5% of the plant species were used to treat gastrointestinal tract of humans as digestive, depurative, appetiser, laxative, astringent and carminative remedies. About 56% of the plants were used in cookery, 24.2% in veterinary field, and 3% as cosmetics. The calculated indices demonstrated that in the studied area there is a small retention of plant knowledge. Only 6.2% of the autochthonous plants proved useful in folk tradition. Despite this, the uses of Sempervivum montanum L., Rhododendron ferrugineum L. and Panicum miliaceum L. were never documented by other ethnobotanical investigations conducted in the alpine area. CONCLUSIONS This survey was an extension of the ethnobotanical investigations performed in the Italian Alps. A study like this, though performed in a small area with a reduced traditional knowledge, could be the basis for subsequent research on the species that are interesting from a phytochemical point of view and on the potential use of their active metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Vitalini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy.
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Bashi DS, Fazly Bazzaz BS, Sahebkar A, Karimkhani MM, Ahmadi A. Investigation of optimal extraction, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Achillea biebersteinii and A. wilhelmsii. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2012; 50:1168-1176. [PMID: 22881142 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2012.662235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Achillea species are endowed with multiple biological activities including antioxidant properties. However, no study has yet investigated the impact of extraction method and pH on the biological activities of these plants. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of methanol extracts from the aerial parts of the species Achillea biebersteinii Afan and Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch (Asteraceae). In addition, the impact of extraction method and pH on these biological activities was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Methanol extracts of A. biebersteinii and A. wilhelmsii were prepared using classical maceration and high-intensity ultrasound methods. Ultrasound-assisted extraction was performed at three different pH values: 5.7, 6.3 and 6.9. RESULTS Total phenolic compounds (range: 20.16-108.54 vs. 17.18-59.61 mg gallic acid equivalent/g sample in A. biebersteinii and A. wilhelmsii, respectively), total flavonoids (range: 8.33-12.97 vs. 7.79-9.41 mg catechin equivalent/g sample), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀: 40.63-346.34 vs. 84.02-462.41) and reducing power (IC₅₀: 504.44-4406.67 vs. 1710.00-5501.67) were significantly higher in A. biebersteinii vs. A. wilhelmsii and ultrasound-assisted vs. classical maceration extracts of both species. The aforementioned items were higher at pH = 6.3, followed by pHs of 6.9 and 5.7, respectively. Overall, A. biebersteinii extracts were more active against all of the tested microorganisms than A. wilhelmsii. Sensitivities of Gram-positive bacteria were higher for both Achillea extracts than the Gram-negative bacteria. No observable inhibitory activity was found from different extracts against Aspergillus niger. CONCLUSION The findings of the present study suggest that methanol extracts of A. biebersteinii and A. wilhelmsii possess antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, being higher in the former. Ultrasound-assisted extraction and pH of 6.3 have significant augmenting impact on the total phenolic and flavonoid content as well as antioxidant activities of both species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davoud Salar Bashi
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Sabzevar Branch, Islamic Azad Univereity, Sabzevar, Iran.
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Vitalini S, Gardana C, Zanzotto A, Simonetti P, Faoro F, Fico G, Iriti M. The presence of melatonin in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) berry tissues. J Pineal Res 2011; 51:331-7. [PMID: 21615489 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2011.00893.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin has been reported in a variety of food plants and, consequently, in a number of plant-derived foodstuffs. In grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) products, it was found in berry exocarp (skin) of different cultivars and monovarietal wines. Herein, we assessed, by means of mass spectrometry, the occurrence of melatonin in all berry tissues (skin, flesh, and seed) at two different phenological stages, pre-véraison and véraison. We detected the highest melatonin content in skin, at pre-véraison, whereas, at véraison, the highest levels were reported in the seed. Furthermore, during ripening, melatonin decreased in skin, while increasing in both seed and flesh. The relative concentrations of melatonin in diverse berry tissues were somewhat different from those of total polyphenols (TP), the latter measured by the Folin-Ciocalteau assay, and more abundant in seed at pre-véraison and in exocarp at véraison. The highest antiradical activity, determined by both DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-pycryl hydrazyl) and ABTS [(2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] radical-scavenging assay, was reported at pre-veráison in seed. To the best of our knowledge, we reported, for the first time, the occurrence of melatonin in grape seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Vitalini
- Dipartimento di Produzione Vegetale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Vitalini S, Gardana C, Zanzotto A, Fico G, Faoro F, Simonetti P, Iriti M. From vineyard to glass: agrochemicals enhance the melatonin and total polyphenol contents and antiradical activity of red wines. J Pineal Res 2011; 51:278-85. [PMID: 21585520 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2011.00887.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Resistance inducers are a class of agrochemicals, including benzothiadiazole and chitosan, which activate the plant own defence mechanisms. In this work, open-field treatments with plant activators were performed on two red grape (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties cultivated in different localities, Groppello (Brescia, Lombardia, Italy) and Merlot (Treviso, Veneto, Italy). Treatments were carried out every 10 days until the véraison and, after harvesting, experimental wines (microvinificates) were prepared. In general, both melatonin and total polyphenol content, determined by mass spectrometry and Folin-Ciocalteu assay, respectively, were higher in wines produced from grapes treated with resistance inducers than in those obtained from untreated control and conventional fungicide-treated grapes. Accordingly, antiradical power of wines derived from plant activator-treated grapes, measured by both DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and the ABTS [(2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] radical-scavenging assay, was higher than in their counterparts. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the effects of agrochemicals on the melatonin content of red wine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Vitalini
- Dipartimento di Produzione Vegetale, Facoltà di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Montaut S, Bleeker RS. Cardamine sp. - A Review on Its Chemical and Biological Profiles. Chem Biodivers 2011; 8:955-75. [DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201000252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Tuberoso CIG, Montoro P, Piacente S, Corona G, Deiana M, Dessì MA, Pizza C, Cabras P. Flavonoid characterization and antioxidant activity of hydroalcoholic extracts from Achillea ligustica All. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2009; 50:440-8. [PMID: 19570644 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2009.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2009] [Revised: 05/25/2009] [Accepted: 05/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ethanolic extracts of Achillea ligustica All. (Asteraceae) flowering tops were evaluated. High-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry was used for the identification and quantification of phenolic compounds. 6-Hydroxykaempferol-3,6,4'-trimethyl ether, apigenin-6-C-glucoside-8-C-arabinoside, luteolin, and apigenin were the most abundant flavonoids. For the first time C-glycosylflavones were detected in A. ligustica with apigenin-6-C-glucoside-8-C-arabinoside being the most representative. The radical scavenging activity of the extracts was determined by DPPH test and ranged between 4.18 and 12.3 mM. The ability of these extracts to inhibit non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation was studied using the simple in vitro system of linoleic acid oxidation: five of the nine extracts exerted a protective effect at the lower amount tested (5 microg). Protection on CaCo-2 intestinal cells against TBH-induced toxicity was also investigated: the results showed that two of the extracts tested in this cell system had the ability to protect against oxidative stress induced by TBH starting from concentrations as low as 10 microg/ml.
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Giorgi A, Bombelli R, Luini A, Speranza G, Cosentino M, Lecchini S, Cocucci M. Antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of infusions from leaves and inflorescences of Achillea collina Becker ex Rchb. Phytother Res 2009; 23:540-5. [PMID: 19067389 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Plants are the main source of molecules with antioxidant and radical scavenging properties that aid the natural defence systems of cells and may be involved in the preservation of human health, particularly preventing all the physiopathological conditions where oxidative damage is a hallmark. Achillea collina Becker ex Rchb. is a medicinal plant of the Achillea millefolium aggregate (yarrow) traditionally used, particularly in mountain areas, as an infusion or alcohol extract for its digestive, antiinflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and wound healing properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant capacity and cytoprotective activity against oxidative stress of infusions obtained from the leaves and inflorescences of Achillea collina Becker ex Rchb., assessed by chemical (free radical scavenging activity by DPPH and Folin Ciocalteu assay) and biological assays (in vitro model of cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation in PC12 cells line). Infusions of leaves had the highest antioxidant properties and cytoprotective activity. The antioxidant capacity was significantly correlated with the total phenolic content but not with the cytoprotective profile. Achillea collina Becker ex Rchb. has good antioxidant and cytoprotective properties, suggesting further investigations on its chemical composition and potential health value, particularly for traditionally prepared infusions of leaves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Giorgi
- Dipartimento di Produzione Vegetale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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Sun ZX, Ma QW. [A review of studies on active agents and pharmacology of Thyme]. ZHONG XI YI JIE HE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF CHINESE INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2009; 7:175-178. [PMID: 19216864 DOI: 10.3736/jcim20090216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Xiao Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China.
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Pardo-de-Santayana M, Tardío J, Blanco E, Carvalho AM, Lastra JJ, San Miguel E, Morales R. Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal): a comparative study. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2007; 3:27. [PMID: 17555572 PMCID: PMC1904191 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-3-27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2007] [Accepted: 06/07/2007] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We compare traditional knowledge and use of wild edible plants in six rural regions of the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula as follows: Campoo, Picos de Europa, Piloña, Sanabria and Caurel in Spain and Parque Natural de Montesinho in Portugal. METHODS Data on the use of 97 species were collected through informed consent semi-structured interviews with local informants. A semi-quantitative approach was used to document the relative importance of each species and to indicate differences in selection criteria for consuming wild food species in the regions studied. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The most significant species include many wild berries and nuts (e.g. Castanea sativa, Rubus ulmifolius, Fragaria vesca) and the most popular species in each food-category (e.g. fruits or herbs used to prepare liqueurs such as Prunus spinosa, vegetables such as Rumex acetosa, condiments such as Origanum vulgare, or plants used to prepare herbal teas such as Chamaemelum nobile). The most important species in the study area as a whole are consumed at five or all six of the survey sites. CONCLUSION Social, economic and cultural factors, such as poor communications, fads and direct contact with nature in everyday life should be taken into account in determining why some wild foods and traditional vegetables have been consumed, but others not. They may be even more important than biological factors such as richness and abundance of wild edible flora. Although most are no longer consumed, demand is growing for those regarded as local specialties that reflect regional identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Pardo-de-Santayana
- Departamento de Biología (Botánica), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, c/Darwin 2, Campus de Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
- Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, Plaza de Murillo, 2. E-28014 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Tardío
- Instituto Madrileño de Investigación y Desarrollo Rural, Agrario y Alimentario, Apdo. 127, 28800 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilio Blanco
- Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, Plaza de Murillo, 2. E-28014 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Maria Carvalho
- Escola Superior Agraria, Campus de Sta. Apolónia, 5301-855 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Juan José Lastra
- Universidad de Oviedo. C/Catedrático Rodrigo Uría s/n E-33071 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Elia San Miguel
- Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, Plaza de Murillo, 2. E-28014 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramón Morales
- Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, Plaza de Murillo, 2. E-28014 Madrid, Spain
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