Sorbus umbellata (Desf.) Fritsch var. umbellata Leaves: Optimization of Extraction Conditions and Investigation Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, and β-Glucuronidase Inhibitory Potential

Exploring Sorbus torminalis Leaves: Unveiling a Promising Natural Resource for Diverse Chemical and Biological Applications

Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz has a rich history of versatile applications spanning the fields of medicine and nutrition. It is noteworthy that the decoction obtained from S. torminalis leaves is a traditional treatment method against both diabetes and stomach disorders. Phytochemical profiling determined by HPLC/MS-MS. The effects of the extracts on cell viability were investigated using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) method against MDA-MB-231 cell line (human breast adenocarcinoma).The ethanol/water extract contained more concentration of total phenolic (91.41 mg gallic acid (GAE) equivalent /gr) and flavanoid (29.10 mg rutin (RE) equivalent/gr) in the tested extract (p<0.05). Resulting of HPLC analysis, the chemical constituents varied depending on the solvents and chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, isoquercetin, delphindin-3,5-diglucoside, procyanidin B2, epicatechin, neochlorogenic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid were identified in all extracts. Overall, ethanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts showed the highest inhibition for the tyrosinase enzyme. The effect of leaf extracts of S. torminalis on antimicrobial, biofilm inhibitory, and anticancer activities was examined. Based on outcomes of our study recognize this plant as a critical source of medically active chemicals for feasible phytopharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications, providing the first scientific insight into the detailed biological and chemical profiles of S. torminalis.

Optimization of Phenolic Compounds Extraction of Different Parts of Camu-camu Fruit from Different Geographic Regions

Phenolic compounds in camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) have received interest due to their health-promoting effects. However, these compounds have been poorly investigated in the different parts of the camu-camu fruit (pulp, peel, and seeds). This study aimed to optimize the solvent composition for extraction of phenolic compounds from pulp, peels, and seeds of camu-camu through a simplex-centroid mixture design. Then, the profile of phenolic compounds in samples of camu-camu pulp, peels, and seeds from different regions in Brazil and South America was determined by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Aqueous ethanol (80%, v/v) yielded the highest extraction for the pulp and peel, while aqueous methanol (50%, v/v) was selected for the seed. Camu-camu parts had p-coumaric acid, catechin, epicatechin, luteolin, rutin, and quercetin, with catechin as the major compound in the pulp, peels, and seeds of all the evaluated samples. The peel showed lower concentrations of these compounds compared with the pulp and the seed; the content of phenolic compounds also differed according to the geographic region. These results broaden the knowledge on phytochemical extraction and composition of camu-camu pulp, peel, and seed and may guide future applications of their extracts in the food industry.

The Role of Gut Microbial β-Glucuronidase in Estrogen Reactivation and Breast Cancer

Over the past decade, the gut microbiota has received considerable attention for its interactions with the host. Microbial β-glucuronidase generated by this community has hence aroused concern for its biotransformation activity to a wide range of exogenous (foreign) and endogenous compounds. Lately, the role of gut microbial β-glucuronidase in the pathogenesis of breast cancer has been proposed for its estrogen reactivation activity. This is plausible considering that estrogen glucuronides are the primary products of estrogens' hepatic phase II metabolism and are subject to β-glucuronidase-catalyzed hydrolysis in the gut via bile excretion. However, research in this field is still at its very preliminary stage. This review outlines the biology of microbial β-glucuronidase in the gastrointestinal tract and elaborates on the clues to the existence of microbial β-glucuronidase-estrogen metabolism-breast cancer axis. The research gaps in this field will be discussed and possible strategies to address these challenges are suggested.

The Sorbus spp.-Underutilised Plants for Foods and Nutraceuticals: Review on Polyphenolic Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Potential

The Sorbus spp. are valuable plants, which have been used for ornamental purposes, in traditional medicines and less seldom in foods. Recent studies have revealed different anatomical parts of the Sorbus spp. to contain valuable phytochemicals demonstrating various bioactivities. However, in terms of applications in the products intended for human consumption, Sorbus still remains as an underutilised genus. The increasing number of studies on phytochemicals, antioxidant potential and other bioactivities of Sorbus extracts has revealed the prospects of expanding its use in natural medicines, cosmetics and as innovative food ingredients, which might find wider applications in functional foods and/or nutraceuticals. Caffeoylquinic acids, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins have been reported in various Sorbus spp. as the most abundant polyphenolic antioxidants. The preparations of various plant anatomical parts have been used in ethnopharmacology as natural remedy for treating bacterial, viral, inflammatory diseases including tumors. Sorbus spp. plant parts have also been tested for management of diabetes, neurological, and cardiovascular disorders. The present review is focused on Sorbus plants (in total 27 Sorbus spp.), their composition and properties in terms of developing promising ingredients for foods, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical and other applications. It is expected that this review will assist in designing further studies of rowans and other Sorbus spp. in order to expand their uses for various human applications.