Antioxidant and antimutagenic activities of Randia echinocarpa fruit

Crosslinked Chitosan Films Supplemented with Randia sp. Fruit Extract

This work proposes the development of a polymer film made up of affordable components for its use as a healthcare material. Chitosan, itaconic acid, and Randia capitata fruit extract (Mexican variation) are the unique ingredients of this biomaterial prospect. Chitosan (from crustacean chitin) is crosslinked with itaconic acid, and in situ added R. capitata fruit extract in a one-pot reaction carried out in water as the sole solvent. Structurally, the film formed is an ionically crosslinked composite characterized by IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis (DSC and TGA); cell viability was also performed in vitro using fibroblasts BALB/3T3. Dry and swollen films were analyzed to determine affinity and stability in water. This chitosan-based hydrogel is designed as a wound dressing due to the combined properties of the chitosan with R. capitata fruit extract, which has potential as bioactive material due to its properties in epithelial regeneration.

Safety and biological activity evaluation of Uncaria rhynchophylla ethanolic extract

Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) belongs to the Rubiaceae family, and its dried hooks are usually used in traditional medicine. It is effective in treating diseases related to the central nervous system. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of UR extract, investigate its antimutagenic and antioxidative activities, and elucidate its active components. Extraction and fractionation of the UR extract resulted in yields of 6.71%, 0.037%, 0.042%, 0.152%, 0.332%, and 5.132%, for hexane, ether, DCM, EtOAC, and aqueous fractions, respectively. The four indole alkaloids, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) of UR extract and its subfractions were measured. Alkaloid content was highest in the UR extract. TPC was the highest in the EtOAC fraction (373.7 ± 20.9 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g), whereas TFC was the highest in the UR extract (33.5 ± 2.4 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g). To assess the safety of UR extract mutagenicity, cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress inducibility assays were performed. The UR extract (2000 µg/plate) showed excellent antimutagenic activity (above 90%) against BaP in both TA98 and TA100 strains. The UR extract exhibited efficient DPPH (RC₅₀ 239.2 ± 16.5 µg/mL) and ABTS scavenging activity (RC₅₀ 458.7 ± 25.0 µg/mL). The UR extract (150 µg/mL) showed cytoprotective activity (65.6% ± 9.2%) against t-BHP. Among the subfractions, the EtOAC fraction possessed the strongest activities, overall. UR generally showed excellent biological activity at nontoxic concentrations (determined in vitro in current work), although the chemical composition of UR requires further investigation prior to its potential future use.

Genotoxic and Genoprotective Potential of Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) Fruit

Black Mulberry (Morus nigra L.) belongs to Moraceae family. The present study evaluated the possible genotoxic and/or protective activities of black mulberry fruit juice (BMFJ), in vitro, using mitomycin C (MMC) as a positive control, by chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus assays. Human lymphocytes were treated with BMFJ concentrations alone (1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 dilutions), pretreatment (49h) (0.20 μg/ml MMC+ 1/1 BMFJ, 0.20 μg/ml MMC+1/2 diluted BMFJ, 0.20 μg/ml MMC+1/4 diluted BMFJ, 0.20 μg/ml MMC+1/8 diluted BMFJ) and simultaneous-treatment (48h) (0.20 μg/ml MMC+ 1/1 BMFJ, 0.20 μg/ml MMC+1/2 diluted BMFJ, 0.20 μg/ml MMC+1/4 diluted BMFJ, 0.20 μg/ml MMC+1/8 diluted BMFJ). The in vitro results demonstrated that BMFJ showed no genotoxicity, but it significantly decreased chromosomal aberration and micronucleus frequency induced by MMC. Our results showed that all concentrations of BMFJ revealed no genotoxicity but protective activity against genomic changes induced by anti-tumor agent MMC in human lymphocytes. Protective effects of BMFJ on MMC induced chromosomal damages most probably due to its free radical scavenging activity.

Soluble melanins of the Randia echinocarpa fruit - Structural characteristics and toxicity

The water-soluble melanins (SM) of Randia echinocarpa fruit possess interesting biological activities and have been scarcely characterized. In this study, SM were obtained at boiling (SMBT) and room (SMRT) temperatures and characterized by UV-Vis, IR, thermogravimetric analysis, and GC-MS of the hydrolysis products of the SM; besides, the solid-state ¹³ C NMR, elemental analysis, and acute and sub-acute toxicity of the SMBT were determined. SMBT and SMRT contain organic acids and carbohydrates and their spectroscopic signals and thermograms were similar, but the SMBT yield was higher. The SMBT were characterized by their elemental composition (C 48.260 ± 0.011%, N 3.693 ± 0.009% and H 6.093 ± 0.076%) consistent with the presence of aromatic rings and eumelanins, degradation temperature at 300°C, ¹³ C NMR signals supporting melanin-bonding with carbohydrates and organic acids, and innocuity in Balb/C mice (acute assay, LD₅₀  > 5 g/kg b.w.; sub-acute assay, no lethality at 500 mg/kg b.w. for 30 days). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The consumption of melanins has been associated with health benefits because of their biological activities (e.g., antioxidant, immunostimulatory, UV- and radiation-protective). Randia echinocarpa is employed in Mexican traditional medicine against chronic degenerative diseases (e.g., cancer and diabetes) and ailments of organs (e.g., kidney and lung) and systems (e.g., circulatory and gastrointestinal). The R. echinocarpa fruit contains water-soluble melanins (SM) that inhibit carbohydrate-digestive enzymes and show high antioxidant activity; thus, SM could be useful for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. This study showed that the SM structure contains melanin-bonding organic acids and carbohydrates, which could be associated with the SM solubility and higher yield, and that SMBT were innocuous in the acute and sub-acute assays in mice. Thus, the R. echinocarpa SMBT could be used as safe potential ingredients to develop functional products.

β-carotene and retinol reduce benzo[a]pyrene-induced mutagenicity and oxidative stress via transcriptional modulation of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in human HepG2 cell line

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is one of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which is formed due to smoking of foods, incomplete combustion of woods, vehicle exhausts, and cigarettes smokes. B[a]P gets entry into human and animal bodies mainly through their diets. Metabolic activation of B[a]P is required to induce mutagenesis and carcinogenesis in animal and human studies. Carotenoids and retinoids are phytochemicals that if ingested have multiple physiological interferences in the human and animal bodies. In this study, we firstly investigated the protective effects of β-carotene, β-apo-8-carotenal, retinol, and retinoic acid against B[a]P-induced mutagenicity and oxidative stress in human HepG2 cells. Secondly, we tested the hypothesis of modulating xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XMEs) by carotenoids and retinoids as a possible mechanism of protection by these micronutrients against B[a]P adverse effects. The obtained results declared that β-carotene and retinol significantly reduced B[a]P-induced mutagenicity and oxidative stress. Tested carotenoids and retinoids reduced B[a]P-induced phase I XMEs and induced B[a]P reduced phase II and III XMEs. Thus, the protective effects of these micronutrients are probably due to their ability of induction of phase II and III enzymes and interference with the induction of phase I enzymes by the promutagen, B[a]P. It is highly recommended to consume foods rich in these micronutrients in the areas of high PAH pollution.

Chemical composition and biological activities of Helicteres vegae and Heliopsis sinaloensis

CONTEXT

Helicteres vegae Cristóbal (Sterculiaceae) (Hv) and Heliopsis sinaloensis B.L. Turner (Asteraceae) (Hs) are endangered and poorly studied plant species; related plants have been used against chronic-degenerative and infectious diseases. Therefore, Hv and Hs could be sources of bioactive compounds against these illnesses.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the chemical composition and biological activities (antioxidant, antimutagenic and antimicrobial) of Hv and Hs leaves (L) and stems (S).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Methanol extracts (ME) of each plant/tissue were evaluated for their phytochemicals; phenolics (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS); antioxidant activity (AA) (0.125-4 mg/mL) (DPPH, ABTS, ORAC and β-carotene discoloration); antimutagenicity (0.5 and 1 mg/plate) (Ames assay, tester strain Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium YG1024, 1-nitropyrene as mutagen); activity against human pathogens (1 mg/mL); and toxicity (0.01-2 mg/mL) (Artemia salina assay).

RESULTS

All ME showed flavonoids and triterpenes/steroids. The ME-SHv had the highest content of total phenolics (TP) (2245.82 ± 21.45 mg GAE/100 g d.w.) and condensed tannins (603.71 ± 1.115 mg CE/100 g d.w.). The compounds identified were flavonoids (kaempferol 7-O-coumaroylhexoside, and two kaempferol 7-O-rhamnosylhexosides) and phenolics [rosmarinic acid, and 3'-O-(8″-Z-caffeoyl) rosmarinic acid]. The ME-LHs showed the highest content of flavonoids (357.88 mg RE/g d.w.) and phenolic acids (238.58 mg CAE/g d.w.) by HPLC. The ME-SHv showed the highest AA. All ME were strong antimutagens (63.3-85.7%). Only the Hs extracts were toxic (ME-LHs, LC₅₀ = 94.9 ± 1.7 μg/mL; ME-SHs, LC₅₀ = 89.03 ± 4.42 μg/mL).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Both Hv and Hs are potential sources of preventive and therapeutic agents against chronic-degenerative diseases.

Health Benefits of Purple Corn (Zea mays L.) Phenolic Compounds

Purple corn (Zea mays L.), a grain with one of the deepest shades in the plant kingdom, has caught the attention of the food industry as it could serve as a source for alternatives to synthetic colorants. Also being rich in phenolic compounds with potential health-promoting properties, purple corn is becoming a rising star in the novel ingredients market. Although having been widely advertised as a "healthy" food, the available information on purple corn health benefits has not yet been well reviewed and summarized. In this review, we present compositional information focused on the potential functional phenolic compounds correlated to health-promoting effects. Studies evaluating potential health-benefitting properties, including in vitro tests, cell models, animal and human trials, are also discussed. This paper emphasizes research using purple corn, or its extracts, but some other plant sources with similar phenolic composition to purple corn are also mentioned. Dosage and toxicity of purple corn studies are also reviewed. Purple corn phenolic compounds have been shown in numerous studies to have potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, and anti-angiogenesis properties. They were also found to ameliorate lifestyle diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, based on their strong antioxidant power involving biochemical regulation amelioration. With promising evidence from cell and animal studies, this rich source of health-promoting compounds warrants additional attention to better understand its potential contributions to human health.

Antioxidant and antimutagenic potential of Psidium guajava leaf extracts

Fruits, vegetables and medicinal herbs rich in phenolics antioxidants contribute toward reduced risk of age-related diseases and cancer. In this study, Psidium guajava leaf extract was fractionated in various organic solvents viz. petroleum ether, benzene, ethyl acetate, ethanl and methanol and tested for their antioxidant and antimutagenic properties. Methanolic fraction showed maximum antioxidant activity comparable to ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) as tested by DPPH free radical scavenging, phosphomolybdenum, FRAP (Fe3 + reducing power) and CUPRAC (cupric ions (Cu²⁺) reducing ability) assays. The fraction was analyzed for antimutagenic activities against sodium azide (NaN₃), methylmethane sulfonate (MMS), 2-aminofluorene (2AF) and benzo(a)pyrene (BP) in Ames Salmonella tester strains. The methanol extracted fraction at 80 μg/ml concentration inhibited above 70% mutagenicity. Further, phytochemical analysis of methanol fraction that was found to be most active revealed the presence of nine major compounds by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This data suggests that guava contains high amount of phenolics responsible for broad-spectrum antimutagenic and antioxidant properties in vitro and could be potential candidates to be explored as modern phytomedicine.

Phenolic content and antioxidant and antimutagenic activities in tomato peel, seeds, and byproducts

The phenolic content and antioxidant and antimutagenic activities from the peel and seeds of different tomato types (grape, cherry, bola and saladette type), and simulated tomato industrial byproducts, were studied. Methanolic extracts were used to quantify total phenolic content, groups of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activities, and the profile of phenolic compounds (by HPLC-DAD). Antimutagenic activity was determined by Salmonella typhimurium assay. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of tomato and tomato byproducts were comparable or superior to those previously reported for whole fruit and tomato pomace. Phenolic compounds with important biological activities, such as caffeic acid, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acids, quercetin-3-β-O-glycoside, and quercetin, were quantified. Differences in all phenolic determinations due to tomato type and part of the fruit analyzed were observed, peel from grape type showing the best results. Positive antimutagenic results were observed in all samples. All evaluated materials could be used as a source of potential nutraceutical compounds.

Antimicrobial, antioxidant, mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of Distephanus angulifolius and Ormocarpum trichocarpum

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The leaves of Distephanus angulifolius and Ormocarpum trichocarpum are used for treating stomach-related ailments in traditional medicine.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The present study evaluated the antibacterial, antioxidant, mutagenic and antimutagenic properties of extracts obtained from the leaves of Distephanus angulifolius and Ormocarpum trichocarpum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The microtitre bioassay was used to determine the antibacterial activity against three Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria. Antioxidant activity was determined using the free-radical scavenging and β-carotene-linoleic acid model assays. The safety and possible protective properties of the extracts were investigated using Ames test.

RESULTS

Dichloromethane fractions of both plants displayed a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.16 to 0.63 mg/ml. A dose-dependent antioxidant activity was recorded in both plant species. All the evaluated samples showed no mutagenic as well as weak or no antimutagenic properties in the absence of exogenous metabolic activation.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the leaves obtained from the two plant species. Furthermore, the data provides a rationale for the use of the plant species in treating stomach-related ailments in traditional medicine.

Diuretic activity and acute oral toxicity of Palicourea coriacea (Cham.) K Schum

AIM OF THE STUDY

Palicourea coriacea (Cham.) K Schum, is an endemic plant used in the Midwestern Region of Brazil, popularly known as "douradinha do campo" and "congonha do campo". This plant has been used in traditional medicine for several ailments, especially to treat kidney diseases. Since no formal studies on the biological activities and medicinal properties of the ethanolic extract of Palicourea coriacea (PCEE) have been carried out previously, the present study represents the first research into the efficacy of this plant as a diuretic agent employing laboratory rats as test animals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For diuretic activity evaluation we assayed three doses of PCEE (20, 40 and 80mg/kg) and measurement of the urinary volume and electrolytes (Na(+), K(+)) concentration were taken. The acute oral toxicity of PCEE was investigated according to OECD Guideline 423.

RESULTS

The oral administration of a single dose of PCEE significantly increased the urinary volume in 24h. Additionally, the treatment with PCEE increased, in a dose-dependent manner, the excretion of both, Na(+) and K(+). No sign of toxicity was observed in the animals.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study confirmed the ethnopharmacological use of Palicourea coriacea as a diuretic agent in the experimental condition tested here. Additionally, this work supports the importance of the preservation of local knowledge as well as the conservation of Brazilian biodiversity.

Assessment of Antioxidant Properties in Fruits of Myrica esculenta: A Popular Wild Edible Species in Indian Himalayan Region

Crude extract of Myrica esculenta fruits, a wild edible species of Indian Himalayan Region, was evaluated for phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties. Results revealed significant variation in total phenolic and flavonoid contents across populations. Among populations, total phenolic content varied between 1.78 and 2.51 mg gallic acid equivalent/g fresh weight (fw) of fruits and total flavonoids ranged between 1.31 and 1.59 mg quercetin equivalent/g fw. Antioxidant activity determined by 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical scavenging, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) exhibited considerable antioxidant potential and showed significant positive correlation with total phenolic and total flavonoids content. High performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed significant variation (P <  .01) in phenolic compounds (i.e., gallic acid, catechin, hydroxybenzioc acid and ρ-coumaric acid) across populations. This study provides evidences to establish that consumption of M. esculenta fruits while providing relished taste would also help in reduction of free radicals. Therefore, this wild edible species deserves promotion in the region through horticulture and forestry interventions.

Inhibitory effect of grapefruit juice on the genotoxic damage induced by ifosfamide in mouse

The consumption of grapefruit juice (GJ) has been associated with various activities potentially beneficial for human health, including protection against the DNA damage produced by various compounds. In the present report, we evaluated the capability of this juice to inhibit the rate of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPE) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) induced by the antineoplastic alkylating agent ifosfamide (IF). We tested the effect of administering 100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg of GJ in mouse and obtained the following results: a) with the high dose, a reduction of 72% in the rate of SCE induced by IF; b) a mean reduction of 65.3% in the rate of MNPE compared with the damage induced by IF at 48 h post-administration; c) no modification induced by GJ either on the cellular proliferation kinetics or in the mitotic index; and d) neither induction of bone marrow cytotoxicity by GJ nor a protective effect of the juice against the cytotoxicity induced by IF. These data showed a significant inhibitory effect of GJ against the chromosome damage induced by the tested agent; they also suggest the relevance of carrying out studies to clarify the involved mechanism of action as well as to determine the cancer chemopreventive capacity of the juice.

Berries: improving human health and healthy aging, and promoting quality life--a review

The importance of the diet in relation to human health has increased the interest of consumers on nutraceuticals rich foods, and especially on fruits and vegetables. Berries are rich sources of a wide variety of antioxidant phenolics; these phytochemicals include flavonoids, stilbenes, tannins, and phenolic acids. Reactive oxidant species and free radicals are produced in an extensive range of physiological processes. In addition to the antioxidant defenses produced in the body, there are exogenous sources supplied by the diet; this is the case of berry fruits, among others. The insufficiency of antioxidant defense mechanisms is associated to the pathology of chronic disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and diabetes. Therefore, the enforcement of the latter mechanisms is of the utmost importance. The isolation and characterization of compounds that may delay the onset of aging is receiving intense research attention; some berry phenolics are being associated with this functional performance. Berry phenolics may also act as antimicrobials which may be of help in the control of the wild spectra of pathogens, in view of recent problems associated with antibiotic resistance. Most of the research works on the antioxidant activity of bioactive constituents of berries has been carried out using in vitro assays. In view of this, the human studies investigating the bioavailability and potential toxicity of phenolics are receiving more attention. Finally, we would like to emphasize the necessity of associating new plant breeding and genetic studies of berries with the expression and overexpression of compounds for human health and healthy aging.

Evaluation of antigenotoxic effects of juices of plants Chelidonium majus L., Plantago major L. и Tussilago farfara L

The antigenotoxic effects of juices of three medicinal plants, Chelidonium majus L., Plantago major L. and Tussilago farfara L. has been studied in two bacterial tests — SOS chromotest and Rec assay. Antigenotoxic effect was determined against known genotoxic substances — nalidixic acid in SOS chromotest and furacilin in Rec assay. Preparations obtained from the leaves of Ch. majus L. exhibited significant antigenotoxic effect in both the SOS chromotest and the Rec assay. It was shown that dilution of the herb juice of T. farfara L resulted in high bioantimutagenic activity in SOS chromotest. P. major L. preparations did not display statistically significant antigenotoxic activity in the both tests used. Possible mechanisms of antigenotoxic effects of Ch. majus L. and T. farfara L. plants obtained are discussed.

Antiproliferative activity of Korean wild vegetables on different human tumor cell lines

This study was conducted to determine the antiproliferative activity of 24 Korean wild vegetables. The methanol extracts of these wild vegetables were used against lung, breast, colon and gastric cancer cells, and the results were assessed by MTT assay. It was found that at the extract concentration of 400 mgL(-1) 14 plants exercised antiproliferative activity over 80% against the lung cancer cells, one plant among six--against breast cancer cells, and two plants among six--against colon cancer cells, respectively. Eighteen wild vegetables had the hyperplasia inhibition activity against gastric cancer cells over 23.6% at all extract concentrations, however, only six plants had the antiproliferative activity over 80% in 600 mgL(-1). It was found that the extracts from Youngia sonchifolia, Synurus deltoides, Syneilesis palmata, and Cephalonoplos segetum, in concentration of 400 mgL(-1) inhibited the hyperplasia of lung cancer cells over 95% and Angelica gigas-both lung and colon cancer cells over 95%. In conclusion, the studied wild vegetables' methanol extracts possess dose dependent antiproliferative properties, based on their bioactive compounds, mainly polyphenols, but some of them as Hypericum ascyron against lung cancer are not effective and even course harm.

Antimutagenic and antioxidant activities of quebracho phenolics (Schinopsis balansae) recovered from tannery wastewaters

Quebracho extracts are used in tannery due to their high concentration of phenolics. The Mexican tannery industry uses around 450 kg/m(3) of which, 150 kg/m(3) remains in wastewaters and are discharged in drain pipe systems or rivers. The quebracho phenolics recovered from tannery wastewater (QPTW) was characterized by HPLC. The antimutagenic and antioxidant activities as well as the microbiological quality were evaluated. Total phenolic content of QPTW was 621mg catechin equivalent/g sample. Gallic and protocatechuic acids were the major components characterized by HPLC. QPTW showed an inhibition range on aflatoxin B(1) mutagenicity from 16 to 60% and was dose-dependent. Antioxidant activity (defined as beta-carotene bleaching) of QPTW (64.4%) at a dose of 12.3mg/mL was similar to that of BHT (68.7%) at a dose of 0.33 mg/mL, but lower than Trolox (90.8% at a dose of 2.5mg/mL); meanwhile antiradical activity (measured as reduction of DPPH) (60.8%) was higher than that of BHT (50.8%) and Trolox (34.2%). Quebracho residues were demonstrated to be an outstanding source of phenolic acids and for research and industrial uses.

Bioactive compounds and health-promoting properties of berry fruits: a review

This study characterizes biologically active compounds of berry fruits, including non-nutritive compounds such as phenolic compounds, including anthocyanins, phenolic acids, stilbens and tannins, as well as nutritive compounds such as carotenoids and vitamin C. It discusses the biological activity of those compounds, in particular their antioxidant properties and the resulting health benefits.