Effects of N-trans-feruloyltyramine isolated from laba garlic on antioxidant, cytotoxic activities and H2O2-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 and L02 cells

Comparative evaluation of four Lycium barbarum cultivars on NaIO3-induced retinal degeneration mice via multivariate statistical analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The fruit of Lycium barbarum L. (goji berry) is a traditional Chinese medicine and is often used to improve vision. While various goji cultivars may differentially treat retinal degeneration, however their comparative effectiveness remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the protective effects of four goji cultivars on NaIO3-induced retinal degeneration mouse model and identify the most therapeutically potent cultivar.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The principal compounds in the extracts of four goji cultivars were characterized by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. A retinal degeneration mouse model was established via NaIO3 injection. Dark-light transition and TUNEL assays were used to assess visual function and retinal apoptosis. The levels of antioxidative, inflammatory, and angiogenic markers in serums and eyeballs were measured. Hierarchical cluster analysis, principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analysis were used to objectively compare the treatment responses.

RESULTS

Sixteen compounds were identified in goji berry extracts. All goji berry extracts could reverse NaIO3-induced visual impairment, retinal damage and apoptosis. The samples from the cultivar of Ningqi No.1 significantly modulated oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular endothelial growth factor levels, which are more effectively than the other cultivars based on integrated multivariate profiling.

CONCLUSION

Ningqi No.1 demonstrated a stronger protective effect on mouse retina than other goji cultivars, and is a potential variety for further research on the treatment of retinal degeneration.

Phytochemical Profiling and Antioxidant Activities of the Most Favored Ready-to-Use Thai Curries, Pad-Ka-Proa (Spicy Basil Leaves) and Massaman

Food is one of the factors with the highest impact on human health. Today, attention is paid not only to food properties such as energy provision and palatability but also to functional aspects including phytochemical, antioxidant properties, etc. Massaman and spicy basil leaf curries are famous Thai food dishes with a good harmony of flavor and taste, derived from multiple herbs and spices, including galangal rhizomes, chili pods, garlic bulbs, peppers, shallots, and coriander seeds, that provide an array of health benefits. The characterization of phytochemicals detected by LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS identified 99 components (Masaman) and 62 components (spicy basil leaf curry) such as quininic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, luteolin, kaempferol, catechin, eugenol, betulinic acid, and gingerol. The cynaroside and luteolin-7-O-glucoside found in spicy basil leaf curry play a key role in antioxidant activities and were found at a significantly higher concentration than in Massaman curry. Phenolic and flavonoid compounds generally exhibit a bitter and astringent taste, but all the panelists scored both curries higher than 7 out of 9, confirming their acceptable flavor. Results suggest that the Massaman and spicy basil leaves contain various phytochemicals at different levels and may be further used as functional ingredients and nutraceutical products.

Cannabis Roots: Therapeutic, Biotechnological and Environmental Aspects

Since the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada in 2018, the number of licenses for this crop has increased significantly, resulting in an increase in waste generated. Nevertheless, cannabis roots were once used for their therapeutic properties, indicating that they could be valued today rather than dismissed. This review will focus on both traditional therapeutic aspects and potential use of roots in modern medicine while detailing the main studies on active phytomolecules found in cannabis roots. The environmental impact of cannabis cultivation and current knowledge of the root-associated microbiome are also presented as well as their potential applications in biotechnology and phytoremediation. Thus, several high added-value applications of cannabis roots resulting from scientific advances in recent years can be considered to remove them from discarded residues.

Chemical Constituents of Halophyte Suaeda glauca and Their Therapeutic Potential for Hair Loss

Suaeda glauca, a halophyte in the Amaranthaceae family, exhibits remarkable resilience to high salt and alkali stresses despite the absence of salt glands or vesicles in its leaves. While there is growing pharmacological interest in S. glauca, research on its secondary metabolites remains limited. In this study, chemical constituents of the aerial parts of S. glauca were identified using 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments, and its biological activity concerning hair loss was newly reported. Eight compounds, including alkaloids (1~3), flavonoids (4~6), and phenolics (7 and 8), were isolated. The compounds, except the flavonoids, were isolated for the first time from S. glauca. In the HPLC chromatogram, quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-β-d-glucoside, and kaempferol were identified as major constituents in the extract of S. glauca. Additionally, the therapeutic potential of the extract of S. glauca and the isolated compounds 1~8 on the expressions of VEGF and IGF-1, as well as the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, were evaluated in human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Among the eight compounds, compound 4 was the most potent in terms of increasing the expression of VEGF and IGF-1 and the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin. These findings suggest that S. glauca extract and its compounds are potential new candidates for preventing or treating hair loss.

Metabolite Profiling of Allium hookeri Leaves Using UHPLC-qTOF-MS/MS and the Senomorphic Activity of Phenolamides

The plant Allium hookeri, a member of the Allium genus, has a rich history of culinary and medicinal use. Recent studies have unveiled its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While research on A. hookeri has demonstrated its neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects, the specific bioactive compounds responsible for these effects remain unidentified in prior research. This study utilized an untargeted metabolomic approach, employing HRESI-qTOF MS/MS-based molecular networking, to comprehensively profile the chemical composition of metabolites in A. hookeri and identify new compounds within the plant. As a result, ten compounds, comprising one novel flavonoid (2) and nine known compounds (1 and 3-10), were isolated and identified through NMR analysis. The inhibitory effects of all isolated compounds on the senescent cell-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which is pivotal in neuroprotective actions, were evaluated. Biological activity testing revealed N-trans-feruloyltyramine (7) to be the most potent compound, effectively inhibiting SASP markers and contributing to the senomorphic activities of A. hookeri. These findings underscore the potential of phenolamides from A. hookeri as a promising source of bioactive compounds for mitigating senescence-associated diseases.

Plant-based foods and hepatocellular carcinoma: A review on mechanistic understanding

Regardless of etiology, hepatocarcinogenesis is frequently preceded by a distinctive sequence of chronic necroinflammation, compensatory hepatic regeneration, development of hepatic fibrosis, and ultimately cirrhosis. The liver being central immunomodulators, closely maintains immunotolerance. Any dysregulation in this management of immunotolerance is a hallmark of chronic hepatic disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Apart from other malignancies, hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for 90% of liver cancers. Several emerging evidences have recognized diet as lifestyle associated risk factor in HCC development. However, natural compounds have the potential to fight hepatoma aggressiveness via inhibition of cellular proliferation and modulation of oncogenic pathways. This review aimed to identify the several plant-based foods for their protective role in HCC prevention by understating the molecular mechanisms involved in inhibition of progression and proliferation of cancer. Information from relevant publications in which several plant-based foods demonstrated protective potential against HCC has been integrated as well as evaluated. For data integration, Science direct, Google scholar, and Scopus websites were used. Nutrition-based approaches in the deterrence of several cancers offer a substantial benefit to currently used medical therapies and should be implemented more often as an adjunct to first-line medical therapy. Furthermore, the inclusion of these plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices) may improve general health and decline cancer incidence.

Piper nigrum Extract Inhibits the Growth of Human Colorectal Cancer HT-29 Cells by Inducing p53-Mediated Apoptosis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignancy of the digestive tract with the second highest mortality rate globally. Piper nigrum is a widely used traditional medicinal plant, exhibiting antitumor activity against various tumor cells. At present, research on the effect of Piper nigrum on CRC is limited to in vitro cytotoxicity, lacking comprehensive mechanism investigations. This study aimed to explore the inhibitory effect and mechanism of Piper nigrum extract (PNE) on HT-29 cells. Firstly, we identified the chemical components of PNE. Then, MTT assay, colony formation assay, JC-1 staining, and flow cytometry were used to analyze the effect of PNE on HT-29 cells in vitro. A xenograft model, histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry, and western blot were used to evaluate the tumor growth inhibitory activity and mechanism of PNE in vivo. The results indicated that PNE could inhibit cell proliferation and colony formation, reduce mitochondrial membrane potential, induce cell apoptosis in vitro, and inhibit tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, PNE could regulate p53 and its downstream proteins, and subsequently activate the caspase-3 pathway. In summary, PNE probably induced apoptosis of HT-29 cells through the mitochondrial pathway mediated by p53. All these results suggested that PNE might be a potential natural-origin anti-CRC drug candidate.

Mechanism of Yiqi Huoxue Huatan recipe in the treatment of coronary atherosclerotic disease through network pharmacology and experiments

In recent years, with population aging and economic development, morbidity and mortality of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease associated with atherosclerosis (AS) have gradually increased. In this study, a combination of network pharmacology and experimental verification was used to systematically explore the action mechanism of Yiqi Huoxue Huatan Recipe (YHHR) in the treatment of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAD). We searched and screened the active ingredients of Coptis chinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Salvia miltiorrhiza, and Hirudo. We also searched multiple databases for related target genes corresponding to the compounds and CAD. STRING was used to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of genes. Metascape was used to perform gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis for common targets to analyze the main pathways, and finally, the molecular docking and main possible pathways were verified by experimental studies. Firstly, a total of 1480 predicted target points were obtained through the Swiss Target Prediction database. After screening, merging, and deleting duplicate values, a total of 768 targets were obtained. Secondly, "Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease" was searched in databases such as the OMIM, GeneCards, and TTD. 1844 disease-related targets were obtained. Among PPI network diagram of YHHR-CAD, SRC had the highest degree value, followed by AKT1, TP53, hsp90aa1 and mapk3. The KEGG pathway bubble diagram was drawn using Chiplot, the Signal pathways such as NF kappa B signaling pathway, Lipid and AS, and Apelin signaling pathway are closely related to the occurrence of CAD. The PCR and Western blot methods were used to detect the expression of NF-κB p65. When compared with that in the model group, the expression of NF-κB p65mRNA decreased in the low-concentration YHHR group, with P < .05, while the expression of NF-κB p65mRNA decreased significantly in the high-concentration YHHR group, with P < .01. On the other hand, when compared with that in the model group, the expression of NF-κB p65 decreased in the low-concentration YHHR group, but was not statistically significant, while the expression of NF-κB p65 was significant in the high-concentration YHHR group, and has statistical significance with P < .05. YHHR has been shown to resist inflammation and AS through the SRC/NF-κB signaling pathway.

A novel visualization method for the composition analysis of processed garlic by MALDI-TOF imaging mass spectrometry (MSI) and Q-TOF LC-MS/MS

Laba garlic is a kind of vinegar processed garlic (Allium sativum L.) product with multiple health effects. This study applied matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MSI) and Q-TOF LC-MS/MS for the first time to investigate the garlic tissue spatial distribution changes of low molecular weight compounds during the Laba garlic processing. The distribution characteristics of the compounds were observed in processed and unprocessed garlic including amino acids and derivatives, organosulfur compounds, pigment precursors, polysaccharides and saponins. During Laba garlic processing, some bioactive compounds such as alliin and saponins were lost because they were transformed into other compounds or leached into the acetic acid solution, and some new compounds including pigments-related compounds occurred. This study provided a basis for the spatial distributions and changes of compounds in garlic tissue during Laba garlic processing, which suggested that the bioactivities of garlic might be changed after processing owing to the transformation and change of the constituents.

Compositional analysis and immunomodulatory activity of blue pigment fraction (BPF) from Laba garlic

Laba garlic is a kind of garlic (Allium sativum L.) product and blue pigment fraction (BPF) is the characteristic fraction of Laba garlic. The objective of the study was to isolate BPF from Laba garlic and explore its stability, composition, antioxidant activity, and immunomodulatory activity. The results suggested BPF was unstable under alkaline conditions. Twenty-four constituents including 9 peptides and 10 saponins were detected in BPF by Q Exactive HF LC/MS anlaysis. BPF showed antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner. It also showed effective immunomodulatory activity at a concentration of 5 μg/mL at the cellular level and the morphology of RAW 264.7 cells changed to a polygonal and dendritic-like structure. BPF could significantly increase NO production (P < 0.05), and up-regulate the mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS and NF-κB in the RT-QPCR analysis. The present study systematically analyzed the compositions of BPF for the first time, and the results suggested that BPF might be a potential immunomodulator candidate, which is beneficial for the development and application of garlic products and natural pigments.

Chemical Constituents and Hypoglycemic Mechanisms of Dendrobium nobile in Treatment of Type 2 Diabetic Rats by UPLC-ESI-Q-Orbitrap, Network Pharmacology and In Vivo Experimental Verification

This study aimed to systematically explore the chemical constituents of D. nobile and its hypoglycemic effect by UPLC-ESI-Q-Orbitrap, network pharmacology and in vivo experiment. The chemical constituents of D. nobile were qualitatively analyzed, and the hypoglycemic compounds were quickly identified. Network pharmacological analysis and molecular docking technique were applied to assist in the elucidation of the hypoglycemic mechanisms of D. nobile. A type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) rat model was established using the HFD and STZ method for in vivo experimental verification, and these T2DM rats were treated with D. nobile extract and D. nobile polysaccharide for two months by gavage. The results showed that a total of 39 chemical constituents of D. nobile, including alkaloids, bibenzyls, phenanthrenes and other types of compounds, were identified. D. nobile extract and D. nobile polysaccharide could significantly ameliorate the body weight, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and morphological impairment of the liver and pancreas in the T2DM rats. α-Linolenic acid, dihydroconiferyl dihydro-p-coumarate, naringenin, trans-N-feruloyltyramine, gigantol, moscatilin, 4-O-methylpinosylvic acid, venlafaxine, nordendrobin and tristin were regarded as the key hypoglycemic compounds of D. nobile, along with the hypoglycemic effect on the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, the insulin signaling pathway, the FOXO signaling pathway, the improvement of insulin resistance and the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. The Western blotting experiment results confirmed that D. nobile activated the PI3K/AKT pathway and insulin signaling pathway, promoted glycogen synthesis via regulating the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), and inhibited liver gluconeogenesis by regulating the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose 6 phosphatase (G6pase) in the liver. The results suggested that the hypoglycemic mechanism of D. nobile might be associated with liver glycogen synthesis and gluconeogenesis, contributing to improving insulin resistance and abnormal glucose metabolism in the T2DM rats.

Protective effects of Lycium barbarum L. berry extracts against oxidative stress-induced damage of the retina of aging mouse and ARPE-19 cells

In this study, we investigated the preventive effect of Lycium barbarum L. berry extract on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and the main components responsible for its antioxidant activity. An AMD mouse model was developed by feeding 18-month-old mice with a 1% hydroquinone diet. Meanwhile, the model mice were treated with water extract (LBW) and alcohol extract (LBE) of L. barbarum berries respectively for 3 months. It was found that the retinal structural abnormalities were improved and the oxidation stress and inflammatory imbalance were both attenuated in model mice treated with the extracts of L. barbarum berries. According to the metabolomics analysis of the serum of model mice, LBW regulated the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids and sphingolipids, while LBE extracts tended to regulate taurine metabolism. On sodium iodate induced oxidative injury of ARPE-19 cells, water extracts of L. barbarum berries eluted with 95% ethanol (LBW-95E) on AB-8 macroporous resin significantly improved the cell viability and attenuated oxidative stress by increasing the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione (GSH) content, decreasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, promoting the entry of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2) into the nucleus and up-regulating the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. Scopoletin, N-trans-feruloyltyramine and perlolyrine were identified as the main components of LBW-95E. These results demonstrated that L. barbarum berry extracts protected the retina of aging AMD model mice from degeneration and LBW-95E was the vital antioxidant activity fraction of LBW. These findings suggest that L. barbarum berry extracts might be an excellent natural source for the development of retinal protection-related drugs or dietary supplements.

On-line identification of the chemical constituents of Polygoni Multiflori Radix by UHPLC-Q-ToF MS/MS

Introduction: Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR) is a type of Chinese herbal medicine with rich chemical composition and pharmacological activity used widely in medicine and food. However, in recent years, there have been increasing numbers of negative reports about its hepatotoxicity. Identification of its chemical constituents for quality control and safe use is very important. Methods: Three solvents of different polarities (water, 70% ethanol, and 95% ethanol solution) were used to extract the compounds from PMR. Extracts were analyzed and characterized by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-ToF MS/MS) in the negative-ion mode. Results: 152 compounds were detected and identified: 50 anthraquinones, 33 stilbene derivatives, 21 flavonoids, seven naphthalene compounds, and 41 other compounds. Eight other compounds were reported for the first time in the PMR-related literature, and eight other compounds were potentially new compounds. Discussion: This study lays a solid foundation for the screening of toxicity and quality-control indicators of PMR.

The genus Porana (Convolvulaceae) - A phytochemical and pharmacological review

There are about 20 species of Porana Burm. f. worldwide in tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa and neighboring islands, Oceania, and the Americas. In China, India, and other places, this genus enjoys a wealth of experience in folk applications. Nevertheless, the chemical composition of only five species has been reported, and 59 compounds have been isolated and identified, including steroids, coumarins, flavonoids, quinic acid derivatives, and amides. Pharmacological studies revealed that extracts from this genus and their bioactive components exhibit anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, anti-gout, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic effects. Although this genus is abundant, the development of its pharmacological applications remains limited. This review will systematically summarize the traditional and current uses, chemical compositions, and pharmacological activities of various Porana species. Network analysis was introduced to compare and confirm its output with current research progress to explore the potential targets and pathways of chemical components in this genus. We hope to increase understanding of this genus’s medicinal value and suggest directions for rational medicinal development.

N-trans-feruloyltyramine Protects Human Neuroblastoma SK-N-SH Cell Line Against H2O2-Induced Cytotoxicity

Excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been regarded as a major contributor of pathogenesis in neurodegenerative diseases. N- trans-feruloyltyramine (NTF), an alkaloid isolated from several plants, has demonstrated an ability to be a potent antioxidant. In this study, the antioxidative and anti-apoptotic properties of NTF extracted from the stems of Polyalthia suberosa were investigated in the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH. NTF at concentrations ranging from 10 µM to 500 µM were not toxic to cells and reduced intracellular ROS levels significantly. Furthermore, pre-treatment of NTF significantly decreased H2O2-induced ROS generation and attenuated H2O2-mediated cytotoxicity. An increase in the expression of Bax and activated caspase-3 and reduction of Bcl-2 mediated by H2O2 was reversed by pre-treating the cells with 100 µM NTF. Likewise, NTF suppressed the increase of caspase-3 activity induced by H2O2. In conclusion, the findings reveal that NTF improves H2O2-induced intracellular ROS generation and decreases apoptosis. These protective effects of NTF could be useful for oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative conditions.

Antioxidant and Anticancer Potential of Bioactive Compounds from Rhinacanthus nasutus Cell Suspension Culture

The potential benefits of natural plant extracts have received attention in recent years, encouraging the development of natural products that effectively treat various diseases. This is the first report on establishing callus and cell suspension cultures of Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz. A yellow friable callus was successfully induced from in vitro leaf explants on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 1 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 1 mg/L 1-naphthalene acetic acid. A selected friable callus line was used to establish the cell suspension culture with the same medium. The antioxidant assays showed that the leaf- and ethanolic-suspension-cultured cell (SCC) extracts exhibited high antioxidant potential. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxicity revealed by the MTT assay demonstrated potent antiproliferative effects against the oral cancer cell lines ORL-48 and ORL-136 in a dose-dependent manner. Several groups of compounds, including terpenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, quinones, and stilbenes, were identified by UHPLC–QToF–MS, with the same compounds detected in leaf and SCC extracts, including austroinulin, lucidenic acid, esculetin, embelin, and quercetin 3-(2″-p-hydroxybenzoyl-4″-p-coumarylrhamnoside). The present study suggests the value of further investigations for phytochemical production using R. nasutus cell suspension culture.

Impacts of Commonly Used Edible Plants on the Modulation of Platelet Function

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a primary cause of deaths worldwide. Thrombotic diseases, specifically stroke and coronary heart diseases, account for around 85% of CVDs-induced deaths. Platelets (small circulating blood cells) are responsible for the prevention of excessive bleeding upon vascular injury, through blood clotting (haemostasis). However, unnecessary activation of platelets under pathological conditions, such as upon the rupture of atherosclerotic plaques, results in thrombus formation (thrombosis), which can cause life threatening conditions such as stroke or heart attack. Therefore, antiplatelet medications are usually prescribed for people who are at a high risk of thrombotic diseases. The currently used antiplatelet drugs are associated with major side effects such as excessive bleeding, and some patients are resistant to these drugs. Therefore, numerous studies have been conducted to develop new antiplatelet agents and notably, to establish the relationship between edible plants, specifically fruits, vegetables and spices, and cardiovascular health. Indeed, healthy and balanced diets have proven to be effective for the prevention of CVDs in diverse settings. A high intake of fruits and vegetables in regular diet is associated with lower risks for stroke and coronary heart diseases because of their plethora of phytochemical constituents. In this review, we discuss the impacts of commonly used selected edible plants (specifically vegetables, fruits and spices) and/or their isolated compounds on the modulation of platelet function, haemostasis and thrombosis.

An Integrative Pharmacology Based Analysis of Refined Liuweiwuling Against Liver Injury: A Novel Component Combination and Hepaprotective Mechanism

Liver disease is a major cause of illness and death worldwide. In China, liver diseases, primarily alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and viral hepatitis, affect approximately 300 million people, resulting in a major impact on the global burden of liver diseases. The use of Liuweiwuling (LWWL), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, approved by the Chinese Food and Drug Administration for decreasing aminotransferase levels induced by different liver diseases. Our previous study indicated a part of the material basis and mechanisms of LWWL in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis. However, knowledge of the materials and molecular mechanisms of LWWL in the treatment of liver diseases remains limited. Using pharmacokinetic and network pharmacology methods, this study demonstrated that the active components of LWWL were involved in the treatment mechanism against liver diseases and exerted anti-apoptosis and anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, esculetin, luteolin, schisandrin A and schisandrin B may play an important role by exerting anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects in vitro. Esculeti and luteolin dose-dependently inhibited H₂O₂-induced cell apoptosis, and luteolin also inhibited the NF-κB signaling pathway in bone marrow-derived macrophages. schisandrin A and B inhibited the release of ROS in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury in vitro. Moreover, LWWL active ingredients protect against APAP-induced acute liver injury in mice. The four active ingredients may inhibit oxidative stress or inflammation to exert hepatoprotective effect. In conclusion, our results showed that the novel component combination of LWWL can protect against APAP-induced acute liver injury by inhibiting cell apoptosis and exerting anti-inflammatory effects.

Enhanced Lignanamide Absorption and Antioxidative Effect of Extruded Hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.) Hull in Caco-2 Intestinal Cell Culture

Despite the latest pursuit to discover novel phenolic compounds in hempseed and its biological properties, it remains a mystery whether they can be absorbed in the human body. Extrusion treatment and extraction of the free phenolic fraction significantly (p < 0.05) improved human Caco-2 intestinal cell absorption for hempseed hull lignanamides including cannabisin B (P_app value of 1.35 × 10^-5 ± 1.0 × 10^-6) as compared to the bound fraction of raw hull (P_app value of 2.82 × 10^-6 ± 5.2 × 10^-7). Co-supplementation of the flavonoid naringenin (20 μM) further improved these absorption rates. Higher cellular antioxidant activity was observed in the free extraction fractions. Treatment with the free phenolic fraction of extruded hempseed hull (100 mg/mL) alleviated tert-butyl hydroperoxide's (25 μM) negative effects on cell viability, intracellular malondialdehyde levels, apoptosis induction, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione levels. RNA-sequencing with the limma method unveiled a total of 2795 differentially expressed genes in 21 day-old Caco-2 intestinal cells, suggesting the changes in cell metabolism after exposure to extruded hempseed hull extract. This study could promote the utilization of extrusion technology to improve the absorption and antioxidant capacities of bioactive phenolics in plant food processing byproducts.

Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic Flowers Exerts Inhibitory Effects Against Oxidative Stress in H2O2-Induced HepG2 Cells and D-Galactose-Induced Aging Mice

Oxidative stress has been demonstrated to be associated with numerous aging-related diseases. Ethyl acetate fraction of Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic (EA) had been reported to possess strong radical-scavenging activity due to its rich content of flavonoids. This work aimed to determine the protective effects of EA against oxidative injuries in vivo and in vitro, as well as to explore the relevant mechanisms behind these effects. Pretreatment with EA significantly elevated cell viability of H₂O₂-induced HepG2 cells, reduced the reactive oxygen species level, decreased apoptotic cells, and inhibited activities of caspase 3/9. Meanwhile, EA pretreatment elevated the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), while reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) generation and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release dose-dependently. In addition, EA modulated key marker genes expression of antioxidation and apoptosis-related signaling pathways at the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels. In the animal studies, EA also significantly enhanced the antioxidant activity and reduced MDA generation in serum, liver, and brain of the D-galactose (D-gal)-induced mice. Furthermore, the histological analysis indicated that EA effectively alleviated liver and brain injury of mice induced by D-gal, dose-dependently. EA as a potential antioxidant agent promoted health and reduced the risk of aging-associated diseases.

Improving the bioavailability and bioactivity of garlic bioactive compounds via nanotechnology

This review highlights main bioactive compounds and important biological functions especially anticancer effects of the garlic. In addition, we review current literature on the stability and bioavailability of garlic components. Finally, this review aims to provide a potential strategy for using nanotechnology to increase the stability and solubility of garlic components, providing guidelines for the qualities of garlic products to improve their absorption and prevent their early degradation, and extend their circulation time in the body. The application of nanotechnology to improve the bioavailability and targeting of garlic compounds are expected to provide a theoretical basis for the functional components of garlic to treat human health. We review the improvement of bioavailability and bioactivity of garlic bioactive compounds via nanotechnology, which could promisingly overcome the limitations of conventional garlic products, and would be used to prevent and treat cancer and other diseases in the near future.

Garlic flavonoids alleviate H2 O2 induced oxidative damage in L02 cells and induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells by Bcl-2/Caspase pathway

Liver damage is a common liver disorder, which could induce liver cancer. Oral antioxidant is one of the effective treatments to prevent and alleviate liver damage. In this study, three flavonoids namely myricetin, isoquercitrin, and isorhamnetin were isolated and identified from Laba garlic. The isolated compounds were investigated on the protective effects against H₂ O₂ -induced oxidative damages in hepatic L02 cells and apoptosis inducing mechanism in hepatic cancer cells HepG2 by using MTT assay, flow cytometry and western blotting analysis. Myricetin, isoquercitrin, and isorhamnetin showed proliferation inhibition on HepG2 cells with IC₅₀ value of 44.32 ± 0.213 µM, 49.68 ± 0.192 µM, and 54.32 ± 0.176 µM, respectively. While they showed low toxicity on normal cell lines L02. They could significantly alleviate the oxidative damage towards L02 cells (P < 0.05), via inhibiting the morphological changes in mitochondria and upholding the integrity of mitochondrial structure and function. The fluorescence intensity of L02 cells pre-treated with myricetin, isoquercitrin, and isorhamnetin (100 µM) was 89.23 ± 1.26%, 89.35 ± 1.43% and 88.97 ± 0.79%, respectively. Moreover, the flavonoids could induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells via Bcl-2/Caspase pathways, where it could up-regulate the expression of Bax and down-regulate the expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, pro-Caspase-3, and pro-Caspase-9 proteins in a dose dependent manner. Overall, the results suggested that the flavonoids from Laba garlic might be a promising candidate for the treatment of various liver disorders. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Flavonoids from Laba garlic showed selective toxicity towards HepG2 cells in comparison to L02 cells via regulating Bcl-2/caspase pathway. Additionally, the isolated flavonoids expressively barred the oxidative damage induced by H₂ O₂ in L02 cells. These results suggested that the flavonoids from laba garlic could be a promising agent towards the development of functional foods.

Tyramine-derived hydroxycinnamic acid amides in plant foods: sources, synthesis, health effects and potential applications in food industry

Tyramine-derived hydroxycinnamic acid amines (HCAAT) are naturally occurring group of secondary metabolites present in various plant genera, such as Allium, Cannabis, Lycium, Polyganotum and Solanum. It belongs to the neutral, water-insoluble compounds and plays a role in plant growth, development and defence mechanism. The past two decades have seen a shift in the study of HCAAT from its role in plants to its potent biological activities. This review highlights the sources, roles in plants, biosynthetic pathways, metabolic engineering and chemical synthesis of HCAAT. The biological properties of HCAAT remain the focus in this paper, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-melanogenesis and neuroprotective properties. The effects of food processing and technology on HCAAT are also discussed. Given the current research gap, this review proposes future directions on the study of HCAAT, as well as its potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industry.

Protective effects of hypericin against infectious bronchitis virus induced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species in chicken embryo kidney cells

Avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a coronavirus, causes infectious bronchitis leading to enormous economic loss in the poultry industry worldwide. Hypericin (HY) is an excellent compound that has been investigated in antiviral, antineoplastic, and antidepressant. To investigate the inhibition effect of HY on IBV infection in chicken embryo kidney (CEK) cells, 3 different experimental designs: pre-treatment of cells prior to IBV infection, direct treatment of IBV-infected cells, and pre-treatment of IBV prior to cell infection were used. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), immunofluorescence assay (IFA), flow cytometry, and fluorescence microscopy were performed and virus titer was determined by TCID50. The results revealed that HY had a good anti-IBV effect when HY directly treated the IBV-infected cells, and virus infectivity decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, HY inhibited IBV-induced apoptosis in CEK cells, and significantly reduced the mRNA expression levels of Fas, FasL, JNK, Bax, Caspase 3, and Caspase 8, and significantly increased Bcl-2 mRNA expression level in CEK cells. In addition, HY treatment could decrease IBV-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in CEK cells. These results suggested that HY showed potential antiviral activities against IBV infection involving the inhibition of apoptosis and ROS generation in CEK cells.

Antioxidant, α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity of various solvent fractions of I. obliquus and the preventive role of active fraction against H2 O2 induced damage in hepatic L02 cells as fungisome

Inonotus obliquus is a traditional mushroom well known for its therapeutic value. In this study, various solvent fractions of I. obliquus were preliminarily screened for their antioxidant, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition properties. To improve the drug delivery, the active fraction (ethyl acetate fraction) of I. obliquus was synthesized into fungisome (ethyl acetate phophotidyl choline complex, EAPC) and its physical parameters were assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and ς potential analysis. Then normal human hepatic L02 cells was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of EAPC. The results showed that EA fraction possesses significant free radical scavenging, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition properties. FTIR, SEM, and HPLC analysis confirmed the fungisome formation. The particle size of EAPC was 102.80 ± 0.42 nm and the ς potential was -54.30 ± 0.61 mV. The percentage of drug entrapment efficiency was 97.13% and the drug release rates of EAPC in simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid were 75.04 ± 0.29% and 93.03 ± 0.36%, respectively. EAPC was nontoxic to L02 cells, however it could selectively fight against the H₂ O₂ induced oxidative damage in L02 cells. This is the first study to provide scientific information to utilize the active fraction of I. obliquus as fungisome. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Inonotus obliquus (IO) is a traditional medicinal fungus. The extracts of IO have obvious antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities. Ethyl acetate (EA) fraction of IO was encapsulated in liposomes to form EAPC. EAPC has a sustained-release effect. It has nontoxic to L02 cells and could protect L02 cells from oxidative damage caused by hydrogen peroxide. This study could provide new ideas for the treatment of diabetes.

Antioxidant and antihypertensive effects of garlic protein and its hydrolysates and the related mechanism

Garlic protein (GP) was enzymatically hydrolyzed using pepsin and trypsin followed by the evaluation of antioxidant and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of GP and its hydrolysates. The antihypertensive effects of GP and its hydrolysates were determined in vivo. The results showed that GP and its hydrolysates namely GPH-P (pepsin) and GPH-T (trypsin) possessed appreciable antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activities. The ACE inhibitory activity of GP, GPH-T, and GPH-P was in consistent with their antioxidant activities. GP and its hydrolysates offered significant protective effects against H₂ O₂ -induced oxidative damage (p < .05). In addition, the administration of GP, GPH-T, and GPH-P reduced the blood pressure in hypertensive rats. The mechanism might be to reduce blood pressure by inhibiting the activity of ACE, reducing the formation of ACEII, and protecting the activity of bradykinin. This study suggested that GP might be utilized as a promising functional food as antioxidant and antihypertensive agents. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the oldest cultivated plants that belongs to the Liliaceae family and it has been used in cooking and medicinal applications. Large quantities of garlic residuals were produced with the development of the garlic essential oil industry. These residuals are highly rich in proteins and they can be used for the preparation of protein hydrolysates. Generally, hydrolysates are considered as a promising food supplement due to the enrichment of amino acids present in it. In this study, garlic proteins (GPs) and its hydrolysates retain effective antioxidant effects. They were found to reduce  the blood pressure and prevent oxidative stress induced by H₂ O₂ . The information from this study could be used to develop a new nutritional supplement from GP and its hydrolysates to treat hypertension as well as prevent oxidative damage.

Identification and antimicrobial activity evaluation of three peptides from laba garlic and the related mechanism

Laba garlic is a traditional Chinese processed garlic (Allium sativum L.) with multiple health benefits.