Antioxidant activities of ethanolic and acidic ethanolic extracts of astringent persimmon in H2O2-stimulated Caco-2 human colonic epithelial cells

Unlocking the potential of persimmons: A comprehensive review on emerging technologies for post-harvest challenges, processing innovations, and prospective applications

Persimmons are widely acknowledged as a valuable source of both medicinal and nutritional components, providing a diverse spectrum of nutrients and phytochemicals. Despite these benefits, biases against persimmons persists due to their characteristic astringent flavor that sets them apart from other fruits. Although several studies have explored various aspects of persimmons, a comprehensive review that addresses post-harvest challenges, processing innovations, and potential applications is notably absent in the literature. This review aims to fill this gap by discussing a range of topics, including emerging preservation technologies, methods for detecting and eliminating astringency, identification of functional elements, health-promoting prospects, and advancements in processed persimmon products. The primary objective is to enhance the utilization of persimmons and promote the development of diverse, customized products, thereby fostering the emergence of functional and futuristic foods.

Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) preserves intestinal barrier integrity and reduces oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells exposed to a proinflammatory stimulus

Growing evidence showed the capacity of (poly)phenols to exert a protective role on intestinal health. Nevertheless, the existing findings are still heterogeneous and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the potential benefits of a red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) powder on the integrity of the intestinal barrier, focusing on its ability to mitigate the effects of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced intestinal permeability. Human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (i.e., Caco-2 cells) were used as a model to assess the impact of red raspberry on intestinal permeability, tight junction expression, and oxidative stress. The Caco-2 cells were differentiated into polarized monolayers and treated with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (10 ng mL-1) for 24 hours, followed by exposure to TNF-α (10 ng mL-1) in the presence or absence of red raspberry extract (1-5 mg mL-1). The integrity of the intestinal monolayer was evaluated using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-D) efflux assay. Markers of intestinal permeability (claudin-1, occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1)) and oxidative stress (8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and protein carbonyl) were assessed using ELISA kits. Treatment with red raspberry resulted in a significant counteraction of TEER value loss (41%; p < 0.01) and a notable reduction in the efflux of FITC-D (-2.5 times; p < 0.01). Additionally, red raspberry attenuated the levels of 8-OHdG (-48.8%; p < 0.01), mitigating the detrimental effects induced by TNF-α. Moreover, red raspberry positively influenced the expression of the integral membrane protein claudin-1 (+18%; p < 0.01), an essential component of tight junctions. These findings contribute to the growing understanding of the beneficial effects of red raspberry in the context of the intestinal barrier. The effect of red raspberry against TNF-α-induced intestinal permeability observed in our in vitro model suggests, for the first time, its potential as a dietary strategy to promote gastrointestinal health.

Unveiling major ethnopharmacological aspects of genus Diospyros in context to its chemical diversity: A comprehensive overview

Diospyros species (DS), "Ebenaceae," were known for their therapeutic uses in folk medicine since days of yore. Thereafter, scientific evidence related their health benefits to a myriad of chemical classes, for instance, naphthoquinones, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, norbergenin derivatives, sterols, secoiridoids, sesquiterpenes, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carotenoids. The available literature showed that more than 200 compounds were isolated and identified via spectroscopic techniques. Many pharmacological activities of DS have been previously described, such as antioxidant, neuroprotective, antibacterial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, antifungal, antiinflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and cosmeceutical, investigated, and confirmed through versatile in vitro and in vivo assays. Previous studies proved that genus Diospyros is a rich reservoir of valuable bioactive compounds. However, further comparative studies among its different species are recommended for more precise natural source-based drug discovery and clinical application. Accordingly, this review is to recall the chemical abundance and diversity among different members of genus Diospyros and their ethnopharmacological and pharmacological uses. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Practically, providing sufficient background on both secondary metabolites divergence and pharmacological properties of genus Diospyros has many fruitful aspects. As demonstrated below, extracts and many isolated compounds have significant curative properties, which can lead to the discovery of pharmaceutically relevant alternative substitutes to conventional medicine. Consequently, molecular docking on various receptors can be applied. On the grounds, Naoxinqing tablets, a standardized herbal product containing D. kaki leaves extract, have been patented and recorded in Chinese Pharmacopeia as an approved Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of cerebro- and cardiovascular diseases, although the underlying mechanism remains under advisement. Moreover, the antimicrobial applications of DS are of considerable concern; since the widespread use of antibiotics resulted in different forms of bacterial resistance, hence, limiting and compromising effective treatment. In addition, as a result of contemporary rampant memory disorders, neuroprotective activities of different extracts of DS became of great emphasis.

Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Antityrosinase Potential of Extracts from Different Aerial Parts of Rhanterium suaveolens from Tunisia

The genus Rhanterium (Asteraceae) is a widely distributed medicinal plant throughout western North Africa and some Rhanterium species are used in folk medicine. The aim of research was to investigate methanolic extracts from different parts (flowers, leaves, and stems) of Tunisian Rhanterium suaveolens as potential sources of bioactive products useful for healthy purposes. In particular, were analyzed the phenolic composition of these extracts and their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tyrosinase properties. The phytochemical analyses were performed using standard colorimetric procedures, HPLC-DAD and HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS. Then, several in vitro cell-free assays have been used to estimate the antioxidant/free radical scavenging capability of the extracts. Moreover, in vitro, and in vivo anti-melanogenesis activities of these extracts were tested, respectively, with the tyrosinase inhibition assay and the Zebrafish embryo model. Finally, the anti-inflammatory potential of these extracts in an in vitro model of acute intestinal inflammation in differentiated Caco-2 cells was evaluated. The R. suaveolens extracts under study appeared particularly rich in flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids and all extracts appeared endowed with good antioxidant/free radical scavenging properties, being the flower extracts slightly more active than the others. Moreover, R. suaveolens flowers extract was able to inhibit in vitro tyrosinase activity and exhibited bleaching effects on the pigmentation of zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, all extracts showed good anti-inflammatory activity in intestinal epithelial cells as demonstrated by the inhibition of TNF-α-induced gene expression of IL-6 and IL-8. R. suaveolens aerial parts may be considered as a potential source of whitening agents, as well as of agents for the treatment of disorders related to oxidative stress and inflammation.

Evaluating the Effects of MKAVCFSL Derived from Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) Flesh on Antioxidant Activity in Caco-2 Cells In Vitro

The effect of an antioxidative peptide Met-Lys-Ala-Val-Cys-Phe-Ser-Leu (MKAVCFSL) on oxidative stress in Caco-2 cell lines was investigated. Caco-2 cells exposed to excess oxidative stress could be restored when pretreated with the peptide. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) within the cells could be scavenged by MKAVCFSL. The peptide could also enhance the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), while catalase (CAT) activity did not show a significant difference between treatment and control samples. Meanwhile, it was observed that peptide treatment increased the concentration of glutathione (GSH). Yet the content of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) was hardly affected. The stability of MKAVCFSL was also assessed and an intact peptide was observed after simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Part of the peptide was hydrolyzed into fragments including MKA, FSL, AVCFSL, and MKAVCF. This study demonstrated that MKAVCFSL derived from bighead carp hydrolysates could ameliorate oxidative stress to protect the Caco-2 cells.

Diospyros kaki extract protects myoblasts from oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity via secretions derived from intestinal epithelium

Under oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) alter signal transduction and induce macromolecular damage in cells. Such oxidative damage can lead to sarcopenia, an age-related syndrome characterized by a progressive loss of mass and strength of skeletal muscles. Because food components do not directly come in contact with muscle cells, we focused on the effects of secretions produced by stimulated intestinal epithelial cells on oxidative stress in myoblast cells. An extract of Diospyros kaki was fractionated using different concentrations of ethanol. Each fraction showed different levels of antioxidant and phenolic compounds. The biological activity was evaluated using a Caco-2 cell coculture system. Secretions from Caco-2 cells exposed to 0.5 mg/mL D. kaki extract attenuated the oxidative stress-induced reduction of C2C12 cell viability, suggesting that the D. kaki extract could stimulate intestinal epithelial cells to produce secretions that reduce oxidative stress in myoblasts in vitro.

A comparative UPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based metabolomics approach for distinguishing peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) fruit cultivars with varying antioxidant activity

Peaches (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) are nutritionally and economically important and they are one of the most popular fruits consumed worldwide. Understanding metabolite-caused bioactivity differences among cultivars is essential for designing a peach with enhanced nutritional traits. In this study, we report an untargeted UPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based metabolomics approach for comprehensively discriminating between peaches with different antioxidant activities. Mature fruit from 40 peach cultivars were distinguished using principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis. Seventeen differential metabolites were tentatively identified between peach cultivars with high and low antioxidant potency composite indices, and eight metabolites, including procyanidin C1, procyanidin trimer isomer 1, procyanidin trimer isomer 2, procyanidin B1, procyanidin B2, procyanidin B3, prunus inhibitor b, and phloridzin, were identified as marker compounds responsible for the discrimination of the cultivars base on potential antioxidant activity. Our study highlights the essence and predictive power of metabolomics for detecting small differences and for identifying potential marker metabolites based on their levels and composition in plants exhibiting varying bioactivities. Overall, the variations in the metabolites in peach pulp reflected the diversity in the peach germplasm, and these eight compounds are good candidate markers for future genetic breeding of peach fruit with enhanced antioxidant activity.

Transformation of Psoralen and Isopsoralen by Human Intestinal Microbial In Vitro, and the Biological Activities of Its Metabolites

Psoralen (P) and isopsoralen (IP) are the main active ingredients in the dried fruit of Psoralen corylifolia L. (PC), with a wide range of pharmacology activities. The intestinal bacteria biotransformation plays a central role in the metabolism of the complex ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Our study aimed to investigated the metabolic profile of P and IP in the intestinal condition, co-cultured with human fecal bacteria anaerobically. Four bio-transforming products were obtained, including 6,7-furano-hydrocoumaric acid (P-1) and 6,7-furano-hydro- coumaric acid methyl ester (P-2), which transformed from P, and 5,6-furano-hydrocoumaric acid (IP-1) and 5,6-furano-hydrocoumaric acid methyl ester (IP-2), which were transformed from IP. It is worth mentioning that IP-2 is a new compound that has not been published. Their structures were analyzed based on their spectroscopic data. Moreover, a highly sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was used to characterize the metabolic pathways of P, IP, and their bio-transforming products in the reaction samples. In addition, the dampening effects against the oxidative stress of P, IP, and their bio-transforming products by human intestinal flora were estimated in vitro via the human colorectal cells (HCT116) and heterogeneous human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) cell lines. The results showed that the metabolites have stronger activity than P and IP, which possibly provides a basis for elucidating the treating mechanisms of PC extract against inflammatory bowel disease.