Protective effects of beet (Beta vulgaris) leaves extract against oxidative stress in endothelial cells in vitro

Unlocking the biorefinery approaches to valorize sugar beet leaves (B. Vulgaris L.) for food industry applications: A critical review

The large-scale cultivation of sugar beets generates a significant amount of by-products, particularly leaves, which are often overlooked and wasted. However, these by-products are a valuable source of functional compounds that can be repurposed to enhance crop sustainability and produce food ingredients. Therefore, valorization of sugar beet leaves (SBLs) is a prudent biorefinery approach for future utilization. This literature review highlights the significant advances in valorizing SBLs for food industry applications. The extractable phytochemical compounds, the sustainability and challenges of recovery, the extraction methods, potential health benefits, current applications, and prospective valorization possibilities of SBLs within a circular economy framework were reviewed. The results showed that SBLs are rich in nutrients and bioactive phytochemicals such as polyphenols (e.g., flavonoids and phenolic acids), proteins, essential amino acids, chlorophylls, fiber, and essential fatty acids. The application of these compounds in the development of food products may exhibit numerous health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer properties. However, for potential applications of SBLs in the food industry to develop functional foods, nutritional supplements, and natural food additives, further research is needed to optimize the efficient extraction of functional compounds on an industrial scale and to verify the safety of extracted compounds for human consumption.

Chitosan/teff flour active films incorporated with citric acid and beetroot leaf extract: Physicochemical properties and mathematical modeling of phenolic release

Active compounds are integrated into food packaging films to enhance their food protection capabilities. Understanding the release of these components in films, particularly in crosslinking scenarios, is crucial. This study aimed to mathematically model the release of phenolic compounds from chitosan/teff flour films to understand how active compounds gradually release. Moreover, it was aimed to study the effects of incorporation of beetroot leaf extract and citric acid crosslinking. The collective observations, encompassing increased density and thermal stability, alongside concurrent reductions in moisture content, water solubility, water vapor permeability and swelling index following citric acid addition, strongly suggested the presence of crosslinking. Applying Fick's law and the finite element method revealed a substantial influence of the crosslinking agent on diffusion coefficients. The model exhibited strong agreement with experimental data, as reflected in low root mean square error values ranging from 3.02 to 8.50 mmol/m3 for films. Furthermore, the influence of citric acid crosslinking on the release of TPC was evident, as indicated by a decrease in average diffusion coefficient values from 3.499 × 10-13 m2 s-1 to 1.770 × 10-13 m2 s-1 with the formula with 1.5 % citric acid and 0.5 % beetroot leaf extract. This showcases the impact of various parameters on controlled release in food packaging.

Multifaceted chemical and bioactive features of Ag@TiO2 and Ag@SeO2 core/shell nanoparticles biosynthesized using Beta vulgaris L. extract

Due to increasing concerns about environmental impact and toxicity, developing green and sustainable methods for nanoparticle synthesis is attracting significant interest. This work reports the successful green synthesis of silver (Ag), silver-titanium dioxide (Ag@TiO2), and silver-selenium dioxide (Ag@SeO2) nanoparticles (NPs) using Beta vulgaris L. extract. Characterization by XRD, SEM, TEM, and EDX confirmed the successful formation of uniformly distributed spherical NPs with controlled size (25 ± 4.9 nm) and desired elemental composition. All synthesized NPs and the B. vulgaris extract exhibited potent free radical scavenging activity, indicating significant antioxidant potential. However, Ag@SeO2 displayed lower hemocompatibility compared to other NPs, while Ag@SeO2 and the extract demonstrated reduced inflammation in a carrageenan-induced paw edema animal model. Interestingly, Ag@TiO2 and Ag@SeO2 exhibited strong antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotia sclerotium, as evidenced by TEM and FTIR analyses. Generally, the findings suggest that B. vulgaris-derived NPs possess diverse biological activities with potential applications in various fields such as medicine and agriculture. Ag@TiO2 and Ag@SeO2, in particular, warrant further investigation for their potential as novel bioactive agents.

Broccoli, Amaranth, and Red Beet Microgreen Juices: The Influence of Cold-Pressing on the Phytochemical Composition and the Antioxidant and Sensory Properties

The aim of this study was to analyze in detail the phytochemical composition of amaranth (AMJ), red beet (RBJ), and broccoli (BCJ) microgreens and cold-pressed juices and to evaluate the antioxidant and sensory properties of the juices. The results showed the presence of various phenolic compounds in all samples, namely betalains in amaranth and red beet microgreens, while glucosinolates were only detected in broccoli microgreens. Phenolic acids and derivatives dominated in amaranth and broccoli microgreens, while apigenin C-glycosides were most abundant in red beet microgreens. Cold-pressing of microgreens into juice significantly altered the profiles of bioactive compounds. Various isothiocyanates were detected in BCJ, while more phenolic acid aglycones and their derivatives with organic acids (quinic acid and malic acid) were identified in all juices. Microgreen juices exhibited good antioxidant properties, especially ABTS•+ scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Microgreen juices had mild acidity, low sugar content, and good sensory acceptability and quality with the typical flavors of the respective microgreen species. Cold-pressed microgreen juices from AMJ, RBJ, and BCJ represent a rich source of bioactive compounds and can be characterized as novel functional products.

Multiobjective response and chemometric approaches to enhance the phytochemicals and biological activities of beetroot leaves: an unexploited organic waste

Research on medicinal plants is developing each day due to inborn phytochemicals, which can encourage the progress of novel drugs. Most plant-based phytochemicals have valuable effects on well-being. Among them, beetroot leaves (BL) are known for their therapeutic properties. Here, three solvents, namely, acetonitrile, ethanol, and water, and their combinations were developed for BL extraction and simultaneous assessment of phytochemical compounds and antioxidant and antifoodborne pathogen bacteria activities. By using the augmented simplex-centroid mixture design, 40.40% acetonitrile diluted in water at 38.74% and ethanol at 20.86% favored the recovery of 49.28 mg GAE/mL (total phenolic content (TPC)) and 0.314 mg QE/mL (total flavonoid content (TFC)), respectively. Acetonitrile diluted in water at 50% guarantees the best antioxidant activity, whereas the optimal predicted mixture for the highest antibacterial activity matches 24.58, 50.17, and 25.25% of acetonitrile, ethanol, and water, respectively. These extraction conditions ensured inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, and Escherichia coli, respectively, at 0.402, 0.497, and 0.207 mg/mL. Under optimized conditions, at three concentrations of BL, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), 2 × MIC, and 4 × MIC, a linear model was employed to investigate the inhibition behavior against the three tested bacteria. The early logarithmic growth phase of these bacteria illustrated the bactericidal effect of optimized extracted BL with a logarithmic growth phase inferior to 6 h. Therefore, BL extract at 4 × MIC, which corresponds to 1.608, 1.988, and 0.828 mg/mL, was more efficient against S. aureus, S. enterica, and E. coli.

Impact of Sample Pretreatment and Extraction Methods on the Bioactive Compounds of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Leaves

To find the most optimal green valorization process of food by-products, sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) leaves (SBLs) were freeze-dried and ground with/without liquid nitrogen (LN), as a simple sample pretreatment method, before ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of polyphenols. First, the water activity, proximate composition, amino acid (AA) and fatty acid (FA) profiles, and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity of dried and fresh SBLs were evaluated. Then, conventional extraction (CE) and UAE of polyphenols from SBLs using water/EtOH:water 14:6 (v/v) as extracting solvents were performed to determine the individual and combined effects of the sample preparation method and UAE. In all the freeze-dried samples, the specific activity of PPO decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05). Freeze-drying significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) the fiber and essential FA contents of SBLs. The FA profile of SBLs revealed that they are rich sources of oleic, linoleic, and α-linolenic acids. Although freeze-drying changed the contents of most AAs insignificantly, lysine increased significantly from 7.06 ± 0.46% to 8.32 ± 0.38%. The aqueous UAE of the freeze-dried samples without LN pretreatment yielded the most optimal total phenolic content (TPC) (69.44 ± 0.15 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry matter (mg GAE/g DM)) and excellent antioxidant activities. Thus, combining freeze-drying with the aqueous UAE method could be proposed as a sustainable strategy for extracting bioactive compounds from food by-products.

A Brief Overview of the Effects of Exercise and Red Beets on the Immune System in Patients with Prostate Cancer

Research over the past few decades has focused on the use of functional ingredients such as an active lifestyle and proper diet as a treatment for many diseases in the world. Recent studies have shown a variety of health benefits for red beets and their active ingredients such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, blood pressure and fat reduction, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity effects. This review article examines the effects of exercise and red beet consumption and the effective mechanisms of these two interventions on cellular and molecular pathways in prostate cancer. However, there is a significant relationship between an active lifestyle and proper diet with the incidence of cancer, and the use of these natural interventions for cancer patients in the treatment protocol of avoidance patients. Furthermore, this review article attempts to examine the role and effect of exercise and beetroot nutrition on prostate cancer and provide evidence of the appropriate effects of using natural interventions to prevent, reduce, and even treat cancer in stages. In addition, we examine the molecular mechanisms of the effectiveness of exercise and beetroot consumption. Finally, the use of natural interventions such as exercising and eating beets due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, due to the lack or low level of side effects, can be considered an important intervention for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Organic Beet Leaves and Stalk Juice Attenuates the Glutathione Peroxidase Increase Induced by High-Fat Meal in Dyslipidemic Patients: A Pilot Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial

The beet, including the leaves and stalk (BLS), is a vegetable with great antioxidant potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in the nutritional composition and the concentration of total phenolics between the organic and conventional BLS and to verify whether the ingestion of an organic BLS juice containing different concentrations of polyphenols modulated some biomarkers of oxidative stress after the ingestion of a high-fat meal in individuals with dyslipidemia. A controlled, randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial with a washout period of 1 week was carried out. A 12-h fasting blood sample was collected. Afterward, the participants consumed a high-fat meal, followed by the ingestion of a placebo or one of the organic BLS juices containing either 32.0 or 77.5 mg/100 mL of polyphenols. Blood samples were obtained 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after the first blood collection. The composition analysis showed that organic BLS had a better nutritional composition than conventional ones. The high-fat meal induced postprandial hypertriglyceridemia after 120 min (p < 0.001) and increased the concentration of malondialdehyde after 30 min (p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant increase in GPx in 30 min (p = 0.026). This increase was attenuated in the group that received the highest dose of polyphenols when compared with the placebo after 30 min (p = 0.045). Therefore, the organic BLS juice containing 77.5 mg of polyphenols was efficient at modulating one of the postprandial mechanisms of enzymatic antioxidant protection in individuals with dyslipidemia.

Evaluation of Biosafety, Antiobesity, and Endothelial Cells Proliferation Potential of Basil Seed Extract Loaded Organic Solid Lipid Nanoparticle

The present study aimed to synthesize solid lipid nanoparticles to enhance liposome-assisted intracellular uptake of basil seed active components in adipocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells to attain increased bioavailability. To obtain solid lipid nanoparticle (SLNp), the water phase containing basil seed extract (BSE) was encapsulated with lipid matrix containing chia seed phospholipids using homogenization and cold ultra-sonication method. The physicochemical characterization of BSE loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (BSE-SLNp) has been analyzed using Zetasizer, FT-IR, and TEM. The BSE-SLNp showed an average diameter of 20-110 nm on the day of preparation and it remains the same after 60 days of storage. The cytotoxicity assay confirmed that the BSE-SLNp did not produce toxicity in hMSCs, preadipocytes, or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) until the tested higher dose up to 64 μg/ml. During effective dose determination, 4 μg/ml of BSE-SLNp confirmed non-toxic and enhanced metabolic function in hMSCs, preadipocytes, and HUVECs. Biosafety assay confirmed normal nuclear morphology in PI staining and high mitochondrial membrane potential in JC-1 assay within 48 h in hMSCs. The maturing adipocyte treated with 4 μg/ml of BSE-SLNp significantly increased the mitochondrial efficiency and fatty acid beta-oxidation (PPARγC1α, UCP-1, and PRDM-16) related gene expression levels. Oxidative stress induced HUVECs treated with 4 μg/ml of BSE-SLNp potentially enhanced antioxidant capacity, cell growth, and microtubule development within 48 h H₂O₂ induced oxidative stressed HUVECs have shown 39.8% viable cells, but treatment with BSE-SLNp has shown 99% of viable cells within 48 h confirmed by Annexin-V assay. In addition, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ_m) increased to 89.4% confirmed by JC-1 assay. The observed DNA integrity, cell viability was confirmed by increased antioxidant and tumor suppressor-related gene expression levels. VEGF expression has been significantly increased and pro-inflammation-related mRNA levels were decreased in BSE-SLNp treated cells. In conclusion, enhanced adipocyte fatty acid oxidation is directly associated with decreased adipocytokine secretion which arrests obesity-associated comorbidities. In addition, suppressing vascular cell oxidative stress and metabolic inflammation supports vascular cell proliferation and arrests ageing-related vascular diseases.

Anticancer effects of root and beet leaf extracts (Beta vulgaris L.) in cervical cancer cells (HeLa)

Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality in women worldwide. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) has bioactive compounds that can inhibit the progression of different types of cancer. To analyze the antiproliferative effects of beet leaf and root extracts, we performed MTT, clonogenic survival, cell cycle analysis, Annexin/PI labeling, and western blotting. Here, we report that 10 and 100 μg/ml of root and leaf extracts decreased cell viability and potentiated rapamycin and cisplatin effects while decreased the number of large colonies, especially at 10 μg/ml (293.6 of control vs. 200.0 of leaf extract, p = .0059; 138.6 of root extract, p = .0002). After 48 hr, 100 μg/ml of both extracts led to increased sub-G1 and G0/G1 populations. In accordance, 100 μg/ml of root extract induced early apoptosis (mean = 0.64 control vs. 1.56 root; p = .048) and decreased cell size (p < .0001). Both extracts decreased phosphorylation and expression of mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, especially by inhibiting ribosomal protein S6 (S6) phosphorylation, increasing cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polysomerase 1 (PARP1) and Bcl-2-like protein 11 (BIM), and decreasing cyclin D1 expression, which regulates cell cycle progression. Here, we demonstrate that beetroot and leaf extracts could be an efficient strategy against cervical cancer.

Beta vulgaris rubra L. (Beetroot) Peel Methanol Extract Reduces Oxidative Stress and Stimulates Cell Proliferation via Increasing VEGF Expression in H2O2 Induced Oxidative Stressed Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

The antioxidant capacity of polyphenols and flavonoids present in dietary agents aids in arresting the development of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protecting endothelial smooth muscle cells from oxidative stress/induced necrosis. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris var. rubra L.; BVr) is a commonly consumed vegetable representing a rich source of antioxidants. Beetroot peel’s bioactive compounds and their role in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are still under-researched. In the present study, beetroot peel methanol extract (BPME) was prepared, and its effect on the bio-efficacy, nuclear integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and vascular cell growth, and immunoregulation-related gene expression levels in HUVECs with induced oxidative stress were analysed. Gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) results confirmed that BPME contains 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (32.6%), methyl pyruvate (15.13%), furfural (9.98%), and 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-Pyran-4-one (12.4%). BPME extract effectively enhanced cell proliferation and was confirmed by MTT assay; the nuclear integrity was confirmed by propidium iodide (PI) staining assay; the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ_m) was confirmed by JC-1 staining assay. Annexin V assay confirmed that BPME-treated HUVECs showed 99% viable cells, but only 39.8% viability was shown in HUVECs treated with H₂O₂ alone. In addition, BPME treatment of HUVECs for 48 h reduced mRNA expression of lipid peroxide (LPO) and increased NOS-3, Nrf-2, GSK-3β, GPX, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and vascular cell growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression levels. We found that BPME treatment decreased proinflammatory (nuclear factor-κβ (F-κβ), tissue necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), interleukin-1β (IL-1β)) and vascular inflammation (intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), EDN₁, IL-1β)-related mRNA expressions. In conclusion, beetroot peel treatment effectively increased vascular smooth cell growth factors and microtubule development, whereas it decreased vascular inflammatory regulators. BPME may be beneficial for vascular smooth cell regeneration, tissue repair and anti-ageing potential.

Beetroot and leaf extracts present protective effects against prostate cancer cells, inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and growth signaling pathways

Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) has high nutritional value, containing bioactive compounds such as betalains and flavonoids. Scientific evidence points to the use of these natural compounds in the treatment of several types of cancer, such as prostate cancer, one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in men. Here, we compared beet roots and leaves extracts, and their main compounds, apigenin, and betanin, respectively, in DU-145 and PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines. Both cells presented the proliferation decreased for beetroot and beet leaves extracts. The apigenin treatment also reduced the proliferation of both cell lines. Regarding cell migration, beet leaves extract was able to decrease the scratch area in both cell lines, whereas apigenin affected only PC-3 cells' migration. In colony formation assay, both extracts were effective in reducing the number of colonies formed. Besides, the beet leaves extracts and apigenin presented strong inhibition of growth-related signaling pathways in both cell lines, and the beetroot extract and betanin presented effects only in DU-145 cells. Furthermore, the extracts and isolated compounds were able to reduce the levels of apoptotic and cell cycle proteins. This study reveals that beet extracts have important anti-cancer effects against prostate cancer cells.

Effect of Beetroot Consumption on Serum Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Beetroot has recently become very popular among people as a medicinal superfood that decreases blood pressure and improves athletes' performance. The present meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of beetroot consumption on serum lipid profile. A literature search was conducted covering PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and Google scholar of English human subject randomized clinical trials (RCT) up to December 2020. Pooled results showed that beetroot consumption had no significant effect on any of the variables. The mean difference (95% CI) between intervention and control groups for TC was 1.25 (-0.03, 2.53), for TG -0.47 (-1.16, 0.21), for HDL 0.54 (-0.13, 1.21) and for LDL was -0.48(-1.04, 0.09). Subgroup analysis by the health condition of subjects, the form of beetroot consumption, and type of intervention showed no significant differences. It can be concluded that beetroot cannot be categorized as an effective supplementation for adjustment of lipid profile.

Antioxidant Responses in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women after Acute Beetroot Juice Ingestion and Aerobic Exercise: Double Blind and Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial

This study is aimed to analyze the effect of different nitrate concentrations [NO3-] present in beetroot juice (BJ) on salivary oxidative stress markers after acute exercise performance in hypertensive postmenopausal women. Thirteen hypertensive postmenopausal women participated in three experimental sessions, taking different beverages: noncaloric orange flavored drink (OFD), low nitrate (low-NO3-) BJ, and high nitrate (high-NO3-) BJ. The participants performed aerobic exercise on a treadmill, at 65–70% of heart rate reserve (HRR), for 40 min. Saliva samples were collected after an overnight fast, 10 minutes before BJ ingestion at 7 : 20 am (0 ${}^{\prime }$ ), 120 minutes after beverages ingestion (130 ${}^{\prime }$ ), immediately after exercise (170 ${}^{\prime }$ ), and 90 min after exercise (260 ${}^{\prime }$ ). Salivary total protein (TP), catalase activity (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), and total antioxidant capacity by ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) concentrations were analyzed. No interaction (session $\ast$ time) was found among three sessions over time. Catalase area under the curve (AUC) was lower after both low-NO3- and high-NO3- consumption ( $p<0.001$ ), and GSH AUC was lower after high-NO3- ( $p<0.001$ ) compared with OFD. So, the acute intake of BJ with aerobic exercise seems to decrease catalase (in high-NO3- and low-NO3-) and GSH (in high-NO3-), besides not interfering with FRAP in hypertensive postmenopausal women.

The Hallmarks of Flavonoids in Cancer

Flavonoids represent an important group of bioactive compounds derived from plant-based foods and beverages with known biological activity in cells. From the modulation of inflammation to the inhibition of cell proliferation, flavonoids have been described as important therapeutic adjuvants against several diseases, including diabetes, arteriosclerosis, neurological disorders, and cancer. Cancer is a complex and multifactor disease that has been studied for years however, its prevention is still one of the best known and efficient factors impacting the epidemiology of the disease. In the molecular and cellular context, some of the mechanisms underlying the oncogenesis and the progression of the disease are understood, known as the hallmarks of cancer. In this text, we review important molecular signaling pathways, including inflammation, immunity, redox metabolism, cell growth, autophagy, apoptosis, and cell cycle, and analyze the known mechanisms of action of flavonoids in cancer. The current literature provides enough evidence supporting that flavonoids may be important adjuvants in cancer therapy, highlighting the importance of healthy and balanced diets to prevent the onset and progression of the disease.