Flavor characteristics and antioxidant capacities of hihatsumodoki (Piper retrofractum Vahl) fresh fruit at three edible maturity stages

Comparative metabolite analysis of Piper sarmentosum organs approached by LC-MS-based metabolic profiling

Piper sarmentosum Roxb. (Piperaceae) is a traditional medicinal and food plant widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, offering both health and culinary benefits. In this study the secondary metabolites in different organs of P. sarmentosum were identified and their relative abundances were characterized. The metabolic profiles of leaves, roots, stems and fruits were comprehensively investigated by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HR-MS) and the data subsequently analyzed using multivariate statistical methods. Manual interpretation of the tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) fragmentation patterns revealed the presence of 154 tentatively identified metabolites, mostly represented by alkaloids and flavonoids. Principle component analysis and hierarchical clustering indicated the predominant occurrence of flavonoids, lignans and phenyl propanoids in leaves, aporphines in stems, piperamides in fruits and lignan-amides in roots. Overall, this study provides extensive data on the metabolite composition of P. sarmentosum, supplying useful information for bioactive compounds discovery and patterns of their preferential biosynthesis or storage in specific organs. This can be used to optimize production and harvesting as well as to maximize the plant's economic value as herbal medicine or in food applications.

Piper retrofractum ameliorates imiquimod-induced skin inflammation via modulation of TLR4 axis and suppression of NF-κB activity

Chronic inflammation is a significant concern due to its association with various pathological conditions. As a result, extensive research has been conducted to identify new natural products that can effectively treat acute inflammation, which has the potential to inhibit the chronic inflammation. In our study, we aimed to identify Indonesian medicinal plants with the ability to inhibit proinflammatory agents, specifically targeting NF-κB, a crucial regulator of gene transcription involved in the production of proinflammatory proteins/cytokines. Through a series of identification processes, we found that Piper retrofractum (Javanese chili) extract demonstrated promising inhibitory effects on NF-κB and proinflammatory molecules. Further investigation was conducted using a variety of assays, including reporter assay, viability test, ELISA, and Western blotting. The results revealed that the extract significantly reduced LPS, NO, COX-2, IL-6, IL-1, and NF-κB through the TLR4 axis. Notably, Piper retrofractum extract was found to enhance the survival of human keratinocytes by protecting them from cell death induced by TRAIL, a member of the TNF superfamily. Moreover, immunohistochemistry analysis in an Imiquimod-induced skin inflammation mice model showed downregulation of COX-2 and IL-1β expression upon treatment with the extract. In conclusion, our findings suggest that Piper retrofractum extract possesses anti-inflammatory properties by reducing proinflammatory cytokine production through inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway. These promising results highlight the potential of Piper retrofractum extract as a candidate for future drug development in the clinical treatment of inflammation-related conditions, offering hope for the advancement of therapeutic interventions.

Post-harvest ripening affects drying behavior, antioxidant capacity and flavor release of peach via alteration of cell wall polysaccharides content and nanostructures, water distribution and status

Effect of post-harvest ripening on cell wall polysaccharides nanostructures, water status, physiochemical properties of peaches and drying behavior under hot air-infrared drying was evaluated. Results showed that the content of water soluble pectins (WSP) increased by 94 %, while the contents of chelate-soluble pectins (CSP), Na₂CO₃-soluble pectins (NSP) and hemicelluloses (HE) decreased during post-harvest ripening by 60 %, 43 %, and 61 %, respectively. The drying time increased from 3.5 to 5.5 h when the post-harvest time increased from 0 to 6 days. Atomic force microscope analysis showed that depolymerization of hemicelluloses and pectin occurred during post-harvest ripening. Time Domain -NMR observations indicated that reorganization of cell wall polysaccharides nanostructure changed water spatial distribution and cell internal structure, facilitated moisture migration, and affected antioxidant capacity of peaches during drying. This leads to the redistribution of flavor substances (heptanal, n-nonanal dimer and n-nonanal monomer). The current work elucidates the effect of post-harvest ripening on the physiochemical properties and drying behavior of peaches.

A review of pathobiological mechanisms and potential application of medicinal plants for vascular aging: focus on endothelial cell senescence

Endothelial cell (EC) senescence plays a pivotal role in aging and is essential for the pathomechanism of aging-related diseases. Drugs targeting cellular senescence, such as senolytic or senomorphic drugs, may prevent aging and age-related diseases, but these bullets remain undeveloped to target EC senescence. Some medicinal plants may have an anti-senescence property but remain undiscovered. Deep learning has become an emerging approach for drug discovery by simply analyzing cellular morphology-based deep learning. This precious tool would be useful for screening the herb candidate in senescent EC rejuvenescence. Of note, several medicinal plants that can be found in Indonesia such as Curcuma longa L., Piper retrofractum, Guazuma ulmifolia Lam, Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., and Garcinia mangostana L. might potentially possess an anti-senescence effect. This review highlighted the importance of targeting EC senescence, the use of deep learning for medicinal plant screening, and some potential anti-senescence plants originating from Indonesia.

Beneficial Effects of Sodium Nitroprusside on the Aroma, Flavors, and Anthocyanin Accumulation in Blood Orange Fruits

The quality of Tarocco blood orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck), which has been cultivated for many years, has degraded substantially. Decreased sugar content, decreased blood color, and increased sour flavor have developed as a result. To improve fruit quality, we studied the effects of bagging and sodium nitroprusside, as a nitric oxide (NO) donor, on the fruit quality of Tarocco blood orange two months before picking. The results showed that NO treatment effectively improved the content of total soluble solids and limonene in the fruit, as well as the color and hardness of the fruit, but reduced the tannin content. It also increased the contents of soluble sugar, fructose, sucrose, vitamin C, amino acids, and mineral elements. NO treatment inhibited the activities of polygalacturonase and pectin esterase, delayed the degradation of protopectin, and promoted the accumulation of anthocyanins, total flavonoids, and flavonoids synthesis. Thus, NO treatment improved the aroma, flavors, and physical properties of blood orange fruit.

Piper retrofractum extract and its component piperine promote lymphangiogenesis via an AKT- and ERK-dependent mechanism

Administration of Piper retrofractum extract (PRE) has been reported to alleviate edema, but the mechanism underlying this effect is unknown. Promotion of lymphangiogenesis is known to improve lymphedema, but the effect of PRE on lymphangiogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether PRE and specifically, piperine, the main component of PRE, can induce lymphangiogenesis. Treatments with PRE and piperine significantly promoted the proliferation, migration, and tube formation in human dermal lymphatic microvascular endothelial cells (HDLECs) but had no effect on the expression of lymphangiogenic factors. Furthermore, PRE and piperine significantly promoted the phosphorylation of the AKT and ERK proteins in HDLECs, and pretreatment with AKT and ERK inhibitors significantly attenuated the PRE- and piperine-induced lymphangiogenesis. These results indicate that PRE and piperine promote lymphangiogenesis via an AKT- and ERK-dependent mechanism. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The lymphatic system plays various roles such as maintaining tissue fluid homeostasis, immune defense, and metabolism. Disruption of the lymphatic system results in insufficient fluid drainage, which causes edema. Currently, there are no effective treatments for lymphedema; therefore, the development of novel treatment strategies is desirable. In this study, we showed that PRE and its main component piperine promote lymphangiogenesis in lymphatic endothelial cells. Therefore, PRE has the potential to be used as a novel functional food for relieving lymphedema.

Effects of Dual-Frequency Ultrasound-Assisted Thawing Technology on Thawing Rate, Quality Properties, and Microstructure of Large Yellow Croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea)

This research evaluated the effects of dual-frequency ultrasound-assisted thawing (UAT) on the thawing time, physicochemical quality, water-holding capacity (WHC), microstructure, and moisture migration and distribution of large yellow croaker. Water thawing (WT), refrigerated thawing (RT), and UAT (single-frequency: 28 kHz (SUAT-28), single-frequency: 40 kHz (SUAT-40), dual-frequency: 28 kHz and 40 kHz (DUAT-28/40)) were used in the current research. Among them, the DUAT-28/40 treatment had the shortest thawing time, and ultrasound significantly improved the thawing rate. It also retained a better performance from the samples, such as color, texture, water-holding capacity and water distribution, and inhibited disruption of the microstructure. In addition, a quality property analysis showed that the pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and K value were the most desirable under the DUAT-28/40 treatment, as well as this being best for the flavor of the samples. Therefore, DUAT-28/40 treatment could be a possible thawing method because it improves the thawing rate and maintains the quality properties of large yellow croaker.

Biological and Cytoprotective Effect of Piper kadsura Ohwi against Hydrogen-Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human SW1353 Cells

Oxidative stress plays a role in regulating a variety of physiological functions in living organisms and in the pathogenesis of articular cartilage diseases. Piper kadsura Ohwi is a traditional Chinese medicine that is used as a treatment for rheumatic pain, and the extracts have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, there is still no study related to cell protection by P. kadsura. The P. kadsura extracts (PKE) were obtained by microwave-assisted extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, and column chromatography separation. The extracts could effectively scavenge free radicals in the antioxidant test, the EC₅₀ of extracts is approximately the same as vitamin C. PKE decreased the apoptosis of SW1353 cells treated with H₂O₂ and could upregulate the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (SOD-2, GPx, and CAT) and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, as well as regulate PARP, thus conferring resistance to H₂O₂ attack. PKE protects cells against apoptosis caused by free radicals through the three pathways of JNK, MEK/ERK, and p38 by treatment with MAPK inhibitor. The identified components of PKE were bicyclo [2.2.1] heptan-2-ol-1,7,7-trimethyl-,(1S-endo)-, alpha-humulene, and hydroxychavicol by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.

Preservative Effects of Gelatin Active Coating Containing Eugenol and Higher CO2 Concentration Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Chinese Sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus) during Superchilling (-0.9 °C) Storage

The purpose of this research was to explore the fresh keeping effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with different gas ratios combined with gelatin active coatings containing eugenol on Chinese sea bass stored at −0.9 °C for 36 days. The results showed that MAP3 (60% CO₂/10% O₂/30% N₂), together with gelatin active coatings containing eugenol, could prevent water loss, which maintained high field NMR, MRI, and organoleptic evaluation results. This hurdle technology could also effectively delay the bacterial reproduction, protein degradation, and alkaline accumulation, so it showed the lowest K value, total volatile basic nitrogen, free amino acids, total viable count, Pseudomonas spp., and H₂S-producing bacteria, which better maintain the quality of sea bass.

Application of Gelatin Incorporated with Red Pitaya Peel Methanol Extract as Edible Coating for Quality Enhancement of Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) during Refrigerated Storage

China is one of the largest producers of red pitaya in the world and responsible for disposal of the huge amount of peel generated as a waste. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of the addition of red pitaya peel extract (RPPE, 1.0%, 2.0%, or 3.0% (w/v)) and 0.1% ε-polylysine (ε-PL) to a fish gelatin edible coating on the preservation of deshelled crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) during refrigerated storage. The physicochemical and water migration of the samples were determined during 8-day storage. Deshelled crayfish packaged in edible coatings exhibited significantly (p<0.05) lower values for total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), K value maintenance, and free amino acids (FAAs). This study shows that application of an edible coating incorporated with RPPE and ε-PL is an effective strategy in retarding the quality deterioration in deshelled crayfish during storage.

Coating Effects of ε-Polylysine and Rosmarinic Acid Combined with Chitosan on the Storage Quality of Fresh Half-Smooth Tongue Sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis Günther) Fillets

The study was to evaluate the effects of chitosan-based coating combined with rosmarinic acid (RA) with different concentrations of ε-polylysine (ε-PL) on flavor retention and sensorial properties of half-smooth tongue sole fillets during storage at 4 °C. Results showed that chitosan-based coatings combined with ε-PL and RA contributed to the reduction of off-flavor compounds, such as total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), trimethylamine (TMA), and ATP-related compounds, and accumulation of free amino acids (FAAs). Nineteen volatile organic compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC/MS) during storage, including seven alcohols, six aldehydes, and six ketones. The coating treated fresh half-smooth tongue sole (HTS) fillets significantly reduced the relative content of off-odor volatiles, such as 1-octen-3-ol, propanal, hexanal, and octanal. According to sensory evaluation results, chitosan-based coating combined with ε-PL and RA was an effective way to maintain quality of HTS fillets during refrigerated storage.