Valorization of kiwifruit production: leaves of the pruning branches of Actinidia deliciosa as a promising source of polyphenols

Non-Targeted Metabolomics Combined with Chemometrics by UHPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS and Antioxidant Activity of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidez. from Eight Origins

Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidez. (AC) is a type of Atractylodis Rhizoma that is widely used in China to treat diarrhea and arthritis, as well as a nutritional supplement. The objective of this study was to investigate and identify the phytochemicals in the aqueous extract of AC using an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-Orbitrap-HRMS platform based on a non-targeted metabolomic approach. There were 76 compounds in the AC, the majority of which were phenylpropanoids (16) and terpenoids (15). The hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) results revealed variations across eight AC samples and classified them into four groups. Using Pareto modeling, the orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) identified 11 distinct AC compounds. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of eight AC samples was assessed using ABTS, DPPH, and OH· methods. The AC samples with concentrations ranging from 0 to 25 mg/mL had no toxic effects on A549 cells. They have a strong therapeutic potential against oxidation-related diseases, and further research on AC is warranted.

Nanoformulation of Seaweed Eisenia bicyclis in Albumin Nanoparticles Targeting Cardiovascular Diseases: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Natural products, especially those derived from seaweeds, are starting to be seen as effective against various diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study aimed to design a novel oral formulation of bovine albumin serum nanoparticles (BSA NPs) loaded with an extract of Eisenia bicyclis and to validate its beneficial health effects, particularly targeting hypercholesterolemia and CVD prevention. Small and well-defined BSA NPs loaded with Eisenia bicyclis extract were successfully prepared exhibiting high encapsulation efficiency. Antioxidant activity and cholesterol biosynthesis enzyme 3-hydroxy-3 methylutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) inhibition, as well as reduction of cholesterol permeation in intestinal lining model cells, were assessed for the extract both in free and nanoformulated forms. The nanoformulation was more efficient than the free extract, particularly in terms of HMGR inhibition and cholesterol permeation reduction. In vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo assays in Wistar rats were performed to evaluate its safety and overall effects on metabolism. The results demonstrated that the Eisenia bicyclis extract and BSA NPs were not cytotoxic against human intestinal Caco-2 and liver HepG2 cells and were also safe after oral administration in the rat model. In addition, an innovative approach was adopted to compare the metabolomic profile of the serum from the animals involved in the in vivo assay, which showed the extract and nanoformulation's impact on CVD-associated key metabolites. Altogether, these preliminary results revealed that the seaweed extract and the nanoformulation may constitute an alternative natural dosage form which is safe and simple to produce, capable of reducing cholesterol levels, and consequently helpful in preventing hypercholesterolemia, the main risk factor of CVDs.

Valorization of Kiwiberry Leaves Recovered by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction for Skin Application: A Response Surface Methodology Approach

This study aims to evaluate the optimal ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions of antioxidants polyphenols from Actinidia arguta (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch. Ex Miq. (kiwiberry) leaves using a response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of solid:liquid ratio (2.5–10.0% w/v), time (20–60 min), and intensity (30–70 W/m²) on the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant/antiradical activities were investigated. The optimal UAE conditions were achieved using a solid:liquid ratio of 10% (w/v) and an ultrasonic intensity of 30 W/m² for 31.11 min. The results demonstrated that the optimal extract showed a high TPC (97.50 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dw) and antioxidant/antiradical activity (IC₅₀ = 249.46 µg/mL for ABTS assay; IC₅₀ = 547.34 µg/mL for DPPH assay; 1440.13 µmol of ferrous sulfate equivalents (FSE)/g dw for ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)) as well as a good capacity to scavenge superoxide and hypochlorous acid (respectively, IC₅₀ = 220.13 μg/mL and IC₅₀ =10.26 μg/mL), which may be related with the 28 phenolic compounds quantified. The in vitro cell assay demonstrated that the optimal extract did not decrease the keratinocytes’ (HaCaT) viability, while the fibroblasts’ (HFF-1) viability was greater than 70.63% (1000 µg/mL). This study emphasizes the great potential of kiwiberry leaves extracted by UAE for skin application.

Effect of Food Preparations on In Vitro Bioactivities and Chemical Components of Fucus vesiculosus

Fucus vesiculosus is a brown macroalgae used in food and generally considered safe to be consumed, according to EU Directive (EC 258/97). The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of food preparation on F.vesiculosus of different origins on what concerns its chemical constituents and final bioactivities. The aqueous extract of the seaweeds were obtained at different temperatures, similar to food preparation and then purified by SPE. The compound identification was carried out by Liquid Chromatography High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS) and algae extracts microstructure were observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The activities were determined by using antioxidant activity, inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and 3-hidroxi-3-methyl-glutaril-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase (HMGR) together with Caco-2 cells line simulating the intestinal barrier. The activity of AChE and the HMGR were inhibited by the extracts giving IC₅₀ values of 15.0 ± 0.1 µg/mL and 4.2 ± 0.1 µg/mL, respectively and 45% of the cholesterol permeation inhibition. The main compounds identified were phlorotannins and peptides derivatives. The mode of preparation significantly influenced the final bioactivities. Moreover, the in vitro results suggest that the preparation of F. vesiculosus as a soup could have hypercholesterolemia lowering effect.

Valorisation of Camellia sinensis branches as a raw product with green technology extraction methods

This work deals with the study of tea stalks from pruning debris using environmental friendly extraction technology to offer new healthy properties. In the manufacturing tea industry, tea trees require to be pruned every year and most of their remains are discarded as a waste with no economic value. Microwave aqueous extraction and pressurized hot water extraction process (autohydrolysis) were used to recover bioactive compounds from the tea branches. Operating at a fixed solid: liquid ratio (1:15), the effect of the maximum heating temperatures from 140 to 220 °C was studied. Liquid extracts were analysed for total phenolic, oligosaccharides, protein, mineral and heavy metals content, as well as for antioxidant capacity. The antitumoral possibilities were also determined for selected samples. The obtained results indicated that both processes could be used as an alternative to recover bioactive compounds from tea wastes, although microwave-assisted extraction allowed saving time when compared with autohydrolysis processing. The temperature exhibited a relevant effect on the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, decreasing with the microwave treatment and increasing with the autohydrolysis temperature. The obtained extracts could be adequate for incorporation in food and non-food fields.

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Tea pruning remains were valorised using green extractions by microwave (MW) and autohydolysis (AH).

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MW and AH were efficient technologies to recover bioactive compounds.

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Values above 40 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract and 0.10 g Trolox/g extract were identified.

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Future applications in cosmetics, pharmacy or food industries should be explored.

Bioactivities of Centaurium erythraea (Gentianaceae) Decoctions: Antioxidant Activity, Enzyme Inhibition and Docking Studies

Centaurium erythraea is recommended for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and to reduce hypercholesterolemia in ethno-medicinal practice. To perform a top-down study that could give some insight into the molecular basis of these bioactivities, decoctions from C. erythraea leaves were prepared and the compounds were identified by liquid chromatography-high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Secoiridoids glycosides, like gentiopicroside and sweroside, and several xanthones, such as di-hydroxy-dimethoxyxanthone, were identified. Following some of the bioactivities previously ascribed to C. erythraea, we have studied its antioxidant capacity and the ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR). Significant antioxidant activities were observed, following three assays: free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reduction; lipoperoxidation; and NO radical scavenging capacity. The AChE and HMGR inhibitory activities for the decoction were also measured (56% at 500 μg/mL and 48% at 10 μg/mL, respectively). Molecular docking studies indicated that xanthones are better AChE inhibitors than gentiopicroside, while this compound exhibits a better shape complementarity with the HMGR active site than xanthones. To the extent of our knowledge, this is the first report on AChE and HMGR activities by C. erythraea decoctions, in a top-down analysis, complemented with in silico molecular docking, which aims to understand, at the molecular level, some of the biological effects ascribed to infusions from this plant.