Pharmacokinetics of low molecular weight phenolic compounds in gerbil plasma after the consumption of calafate berry (Berberis microphylla) extract

Cooking, Digestion, and In Vitro Colonic Fermentation of Nigerian Wholegrains Affect Phenolic Acid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota Composition

Wholegrains contain both fibre and phenolic acids (PAs), and their gastrointestinal modifications are critical for their bioavailability and bioactivity. We evaluated the modifications on the PA profile and gut microbiota composition of selected Nigerian wholegrains, following cooking and gastrointestinal digestion. Red fonio, red millet, red sorghum, and white corn were cooked, digested, and fermented using an in vitro colonic model. A total of 26 PA derivatives were quantified in soluble and bound fractions using Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis. DNA samples were analysed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to profile the microbiota composition. The results show that cooking and digestion significantly affected the levels of PAs in all grains (p ≤ 0.05) compared to raw grains. Colonic fermentation resulted in a peak of total soluble PAs at 4-6 h for red sorghum and white corn and at 24 h for red millet and red fonio. Enterobacteriaceae genera were the most abundant at 24 h in all grains studied. 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde correlated positively with the relative abundance of Dorea and the mucus-degrader bacteria Akkermansia (p ≤ 0.05), whereas hydroferulic acid and isoferulic acid levels correlated negatively with Oscillospira and Ruminococcus (p ≤ 0.05), respectively. Our data indicate that cooking, digestion, and colonic fermentation affect the release of bound PAs from wholegrains and, consequently, their metabolic conversion. Furthermore, PA fermentation in the gut is associated with potentially relevant changes in the microbiota. This in vitro study provides the basis for the design of an in vivo human intervention study that can confirm the trends herein observed but also assess the impact on health outcomes.

Corinthian Currants Supplementation Restores Serum Polar Phenolic Compounds, Reduces IL-1beta, and Exerts Beneficial Effects on Gut Microbiota in the Streptozotocin-Induced Type-1 Diabetic Rat

The present study aimed at investigating the possible benefits of a dietary intervention with Corinthian currants, a rich source of phenolic compounds, on type 1 diabetes (T1D) using the animal model of the streptozotocin-(STZ)-induced diabetic rat. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups: control animals, which received a control diet (CD) or a diet supplemented with 10% w/w Corinthian currants (CCD), and diabetic animals, which received a control diet (DCD) or a currant diet (DCCD) for 4 weeks. Plasma biochemical parameters, insulin, polar phenolic compounds, and inflammatory factors were determined. Microbiota populations in tissue and intestinal fluid of the caecum, as well as fecal microbiota populations and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), were measured. Fecal microbiota was further analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. The results of the study showed that a Corinthian currant-supplemented diet restored serum polar phenolic compounds and decreased interleukin-1b (IL-1b) (p < 0.05) both in control and diabetic animals. Increased caecal lactobacilli counts (p < 0.05) and maintenance of enterococci levels within normal range were observed in the intestinal fluid of the DCCD group (p < 0.05 compared to DCD). Higher acetic acid levels were detected in the feces of diabetic rats that received the currant diet compared to the animals that received the control diet (p < 0.05). Corinthian currant could serve as a beneficial dietary component in the condition of T1D based on the results coming from the animal model of the STZ-induced T1D rat.

Sequential Biorefining of Bioactive Compounds of High Functional Value from Calafate Pomace (Berberis microphylla) Using Supercritical CO2 and Pressurized Liquids

A biorefinery process was developed for a freeze-dried pomace of calafate berries (Berberis microphylla). The process consisted of extraction of lipophilic components with supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂) and subsequent extraction of the residue with a pressurized mixture of ethanol/water (1:1 v/v). scCO₂ extracted oil from the pomace, while pressurized liquid extraction generated a crude extract rich in phenols and a residue rich in fiber, proteins and minerals. Response surface analysis of scCO₂ extraction suggested optimal conditions of 60 °C, 358.5 bar and 144.6 min to obtain a lipid extract yield of 11.15% (d.w.). The dark yellow oil extract contained a good ratio of ω6/ω3 fatty acids (1:1.2), provitamin E tocopherols (406.6 mg/kg), and a peroxide index of 8.6 meq O₂/kg. Pressurized liquid extraction generated a polar extract with good phenolic content (33 mg gallic acid equivalents /g d.w.), anthocyanins (8 mg/g) and antioxidant capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test = 25 µg/mL and antioxidant activity = 63 µM Te/g). The extraction kinetics of oil by scCO₂ and phenolic compounds were optimally adjusted to the spline model (R² = 0.989 and R² = 0.999, respectively). The solid extracted residue presented a fiber content close to cereals (56.4% d.w.) and acceptable values of proteins (29.6% d.w.) and minerals (14.1% d.w.). These eco-friendly processes valorize calafate pomace as a source of ingredients for formulation of healthy foods, nutraceuticals and nutritional supplements.

Berberis microphylla G. Forst Intake Reduces the Cardiovascular Disease Plasmatic Markers Associated with a High-Fat Diet in a Mice Model

Polyphenols are bioactive substances that participate in the prevention of chronic illnesses. High content has been described in Berberis microphylla G. Forst (calafate), a wild berry extensively distributed in Chilean-Argentine Patagonia. We evaluated its beneficial effect through the study of mouse plasma metabolome changes after chronic consumption of this fruit. Characterized calafate extract was administered in water, for four months, to a group of mice fed with a high-fat diet and compared with a control diet. Metabolome changes were studied using UHPLC-DAD-QTOF-based untargeted metabolomics. The study was complemented by the analysis of protein biomarkers determined using Luminex technology, and quantification of OH radicals by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Thirteen features were identified with a maximum annotation level-A, revealing an increase in succinic acid, activation of tricarboxylic acid and reduction of carnitine accumulation. Changes in plasma biomarkers were related to inflammation and cardiovascular disease, with changes in thrombomodulin (-24%), adiponectin (+68%), sE-selectin (-34%), sICAM-1 (-24%) and proMMP-9 (-31%) levels. The production of OH radicals in plasma was reduced after calafate intake (-17%), especially for the group fed with a high-fat diet. These changes could be associated with protection against atherosclerosis due to calafate consumption, which is discussed from a holistic and integrative point of view.

Polar Phenol Detection in Plasma and Serum: Insights on Sample Pre-Treatment for LC/MS Analysis and Application on the Serum of Corinthian Currant-Fed Rats

Analysis of plasma and serum provides valuable information on the amounts of polar phenols' circulating after ingestion. In the present study, protein precipitation (PPT), liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), solid phase extraction (SPE), enzymatic hydrolysis and their combinations were meticulously evaluated for the extraction of a variety of polar phenolic moieties from plasma and serum. The recovery values of the above methods were compared; satisfactory recoveries (>60%) were attained for most analytes. Polar phenol aglycones undergo degradation with enzymatic hydrolysis; however, their extended phase II metabolism makes enzymatic hydrolysis a mandated process for their analysis in such biofluids. Hence, enzymatic hydrolysis followed by LLE was used for the identification of polar phenols in rats' serum, after the long-term oral consumption of Corinthian Currant. Corinthian Currant is a Greek dried vine product rich in bioactive polar phenolics. Flavonoids and phenolic acids, detected as aglycones, ranged from 0.57 ± 0.08 to 181.66 ± 48.95 and 3.45 ± 1.20 to 897.81 ± 173.96 ng/mL, respectively. The majority of polar phenolics were present as phase II metabolites, representing their fasting state in the blood stream. This is the first study evaluating the presence of polar phenolics in the serum of rats following a long-term diet supplemented with Corinthian Currant as a whole food.

Recent Analytical Approaches for the Study of Bioavailability and Metabolism of Bioactive Phenolic Compounds

The study of the bioavailability of bioactive compounds is a fundamental step for the development of applications based on them, such as nutraceuticals, functional foods or cosmeceuticals. It is well-known that these compounds can undergo metabolic reactions before reaching therapeutic targets, which may also affect their bioactivity and possible applications. All recent studies that have focused on bioavailability and metabolism of phenolic and terpenoid compounds have been developed because of the advances in analytical chemistry and metabolomics approaches. The purpose of this review is to show the role of analytical chemistry and metabolomics in this field of knowledge. In this context, the different steps of the analytical chemistry workflow (design study, sample treatment, analytical techniques and data processing) applied in bioavailability and metabolism in vivo studies are detailed, as well as the most relevant results obtained from them.

3-Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid: A Blood Pressure-Reducing Flavonoid Metabolite

Regular intake of polyphenol-rich food has been associated with a wide variety of beneficial health effects, including the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, the parent flavonoids have mostly low bioavailability and, hence, their metabolites have been hypothesized to be bioactive. One of these metabolites, 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (3-HPAA), formed by the gut microbiota, was previously reported to exert vasorelaxant effects ex vivo. The aim of this study was to shed more light on this effect in vivo, and to elucidate the mechanism of action. 3-HPAA gave rise to a dose-dependent decrease in arterial blood pressure when administered i.v. both as a bolus and infusion to spontaneously hypertensive rats. In contrast, no significant changes in heart rate were observed. In ex vivo experiments, where porcine hearts from a slaughterhouse were used to decrease the need for laboratory animals, 3-HPAA relaxed precontracted porcine coronary artery segments via a mechanism partially dependent on endothelium integrity. This relaxation was significantly impaired after endothelial nitric oxide synthase inhibition. In contrast, the blockade of SKCa or IKCa channels, or muscarinic receptors, did not affect 3-HPAA relaxation. Similarly, no effects of 3-HPAA on cyclooxygenase nor L-type calcium channels were observed. Thus, 3-HPAA decreases blood pressure in vivo via vessel relaxation, and this mechanism might be based on the release of nitric oxide by the endothelial layer.

Disposable electrochemical sensor combined with molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction for catabolites detection of flavan-3-ol in urine samples

Polyphenols are bioactive substances of vegetal origin with a significant impact on human health. The assessment of polyphenol intake and excretion is therefore important. In this work, a new electrochemical approach based on molecularly imprinted polymer extraction and preconcentration, combined with a disposable carbon screen-printed sensor and adsorptive transfer differential pulse voltammetry detection has been proposed for quantifying of 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (4-HPA), which is a biomarker of flavan-3-ols intake, and other phenolic acids. The simple experimental performance has allowed the rapid data collection with relevant information about the profile of catabolites extracted. The method was validated over a concentration range of 10-200 mg L^-1, R² > 0.999. In the optimized conditions, the recovery value was 94% with RSD 8%. The limits of detection and quantification were 2.38 mg L^-1 and 7.21 mg L^-1, respectively. The method was validated by means of a chromatographic method, being the differences between the values of the 4-HPA concentrations obtained by both methods under 1%. The proposed method showed high recoveries, low detection limit, and good accuracy, providing a fast, reliable, and cheap procedure to quantify phenolic metabolites in urine, and representing therefore a good and interesting alternative method. Also, the procedure offers other advantages, including the miniaturization, the low use of organic solvents, the ability to analyse small volumes of samples, in situ analysis and simple instrumentation requirement.

Pharmacokinetic and excretion study of Aronia melanocarpa anthocyanins bound to amylopectin nanoparticles and their main metabolites using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Anthocyanins of Aronia melanocarpa are known for their therapeutic properties; however, they are unstable and easily degrade in the environment and in vivo. Herein, we investigated the stability and bioavailability of four anthocyanins bound to amylopectin nanoparticles (APNPs) through a pharmacokinetic and excretion study using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. An EC-C18 column with methanol and 0.1% formic acid as the mobile phase was used during the analysis. After APNP treatment, anthocyanins and metabolites exhibited a marked increase, whereas their maximum oral bioavailability reached 440% and 593%, respectively. The delayed elimination half time demonstrated that APNPs had a sustained-release effect on anthocyanins. Pharmacokinetic results revealed that APNPs effectively protect anthocyanins in vivo. Excretion studies in urine and feces had shown a decrease in excretion of anthocyanins and most of the metabolites after APNP treatment. The results of excretion study further proved the protective effect of APNPs on anthocyanins in vivo.

Novel green synthesis and characterization of a chemotherapeutic supplement by silver nanoparticles containing Berberis thunbergii leaf for the treatment of human pancreatic cancer

In recent years, silver nanoparticles have been used as modern chemotherapeutic drugs to treat several cancers such as pancreatic, breast, prostate, and blood cancers. No previous reports demonstrated the in vitro anti-human pancreatic cancer effects of the novel chemotherapeutic drug formulated by silver nanoparticles containing Berberis thunbergii leaf (AgNPs). The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using different techniques including UV-vis. and FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and TEM. All techniques approved the synthesized silver nanoparticles. The SEM and TEM exhibited a uniform spherical morphology and an average size of about 15 nm for the biosynthesized nanoparticles, respectively. The 4-(dimethylamino)benzaldehyde,2,2-diphenyl-1- pikrilhydrazil (DPPH) test revealed similar antioxidant potentials for B. thunbergii leaf aqueous extract, AgNPs, and butylated hydroxytoluene. AgNPs inhibited half of the DPPH molecules in the concentration of 108 μg/mL. To survey the anti-human pancreatic cancer activities of AgNO₃ , B. thunbergii leaf aqueous extract, and AgNPs, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used on common human pancreatic cancer cell lines. AgNPs had very low cell viability and anti-human pancreatic cancer effects dose-dependently against PANC-1, AsPC-1, and MIA PaCa-2. The IC50 values of the AgNPs were 259, 268, and 141 μg/mL against PANC-1, AsPC-1, and MIA PaCa-2 cell lines, respectively. It is thought that the AgNPs obtained can be used as an anticancer drug for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in humans after acceptance of the above findings in clinical study trials.

Antioxidant, functional properties and health-promoting potential of native South American berries: a review

Nowadays berries are globally recognized to be among the healthiest foods because they contain diverse and abundant bioactive compounds. Among these are phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, which are known to have beneficial health effects. South America, particularly southern Chile, is covered by a diversity of insufficiently studied and underexploited native berry species. In this review we summarize all the available literature on the phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, bioaccessibility, and biological activity of five native South American berries: calafate, maqui, murta, arrayán, and chequén. The potential of these native berries for promoting human health and as source of bioactive substances is remarkable. Bioactive compounds, mainly anthocyanins, and in less abundance flavonoids and phenolic acids, show strong antioxidant effects. Some of these constituents are bioaccessible and bioavailable, and exert anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities as well as inhibitory effects against enzymes involved in metabolic syndromes. Given the potential of native South American berries to promote health, more work is still needed to understand fully the potential beneficial effects of the consumption of these berries on human health. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Phytochemicals and Traditional Use of Two Southernmost Chilean Berry Fruits: Murta (Ugni molinae Turcz) and Calafate (Berberis buxifolia Lam.)

Murta and calafate have been traditionally used by indigenous and rural peoples of Chile. Research on murta and calafate has gained interest due to their attractive sensory properties as well as a global trend in finding new fruits with potential health benefits. The objective of this review was to summarize the potential use of murta and calafate as sources of nutraceuticals regarding both the traditional and the up-to-date scientific knowledge. A search of historical documents recorded in the Digital National Library as well as scientific articles in the Web of Science database were performed using combinations of keywords with the botanical nomenclature. Peer-reviewed scientific articles did meet the inclusion criteria (n = 38) were classified in phytochemicals (21 papers) and biological activity (17 papers). Murta and calafate are high oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)-value fruits and promising sources of natural antioxidants, antimicrobial, and vasodilator compounds with nutraceutical potential. The bioactivity of anthocyanin metabolites in murta and calafate must continue to be studied in order to achieve adequate information on the biological activity and health-promoting effects derived for the consumption of murta and calafate fruit.

Phenolic Characterization, Antioxidant Activity, and Enzyme Inhibitory Properties of Berberis thunbergii DC. Leaves: A Valuable Source of Phenolic Acids

Berberis species are known for their use in traditional medicine. Here, we report the phenolic composition and bioactivity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Berberis thunbergii DC. leaves. The phenolic profiling and the quantitation of the main compounds were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometry detections. The most abundant compounds in both extracts were caffeoylquinic acids (chlorogenic acid, particularly, with a concentration of 90.1–101.3 mg g⁻¹ dried extract), followed by caffeoylglucaric acids and quercetin glycosides. Antioxidant and radical scavenging assays (phosphomolybdenum, DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP, metal chelating activity), as well as enzyme inhibitory assays (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, amylase, glucosidase, and lipase), were carried out to evaluate the potential bioactivity of B. thunbergii. The methanolic extract presented the highest antioxidant and radical scavenging values, in agreement with its higher phenolic content. Regarding enzyme inhibitory potential, the methanolic extract was also more potent than the aqueous one. Hence, B. thunbergii leaves represent a suitable candidate for the preparation of pharmaceutical or nutraceutical products.

Patagonian berries as native food and medicine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Patagonia is the southernmost part of the South American continent including Chile and Argentina. Berries and wild fruits have been gathered by the native Patagonians as food and medicine for over 14,000 years. The economic potential of the native berries as health promoting and relevant sources of bioactive substances has become apparent with several studies in the last decades.

AIM OF STUDY

This work aims to provide an insight into the ethnohistorical records of wild edible fruits from Patagonia starting with the archeobotanical studies to the contemporary use of the resources. The chemical and bioactivity studies on the native fruits are presented and discussed.

METHODOLOGY

A search of electronic databases including Scopus, Scielo, Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect and SciFinder, as well as hand-search was carried out to perform an integrative review on the native Patagonian berries.

RESULTS

The use of native berries as food and medicine by the ancient hunter-gatherer societies can be traced back to the early occupation of Patagonia. The same species used in prehistoric times are still used as food by the contemporary population in this area. Chemical and bioactivity studies have reported remarkable activities in several of the native berries, including calafate (Berberis spp.), native strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis), currants (Ribes spp.), Patagonian raspberries (Rubus spp.) and maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) fruits. The increasing demand for maqui and calafate led to the selection of varieties for commercial production. The fruit constituents show strong antioxidant and inhibitory effect towards enzymes associated with metabolic syndrome, including α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase. Some berry constituents exert anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. The phytochemicals identified include a wide array of phenolics of different structural skeletons. Changes in composition and bioactivity after simulated gastric and intestinal digestion, as well as colonic fermentation, have been reported in some Patagonian species.

CONCLUSIONS

Patagonian berries are a relevant source of bioactive compounds with several health promoting properties. The long tradition of use and the interest of the population for their consumption has led to the development of some of this fruits as new potential crops. The ethnobotanical evidence shows a shared knowledge among the different indigenous communities on plant uses according to the local resources, and an integration of the ancient knowledge into the contemporary society. Other species are being investigated to get a more complete picture of the food and medicinal plants from Patagonia.

A Review of the Potential of Chilean Native Berries in the Treatment of Obesity and its Related Features

Obesity is a major worldwide health threat. It is characterized by an abnormal adipose tissue overgrowth together with increased monocytes infiltration, causing inflammation and oxidative stress, events associated with several illnesses. Investigations have focused on the benefits of native fruit consumption, claiming these to be natural sources of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. It has been widely stated that berries are a source of the most antioxidant compounds, and, thus, seem highly promising to endure research efforts on these vegetal matrices. The present article describes botanical, chemical and biomedical features of the Chilean native berries, Aristotelia chilensis, Ugni molinae, and Berberis microphylla. This work aims to potentiate incoming research focused on the search for novel treatments for first-order diseases with these particular plant sources.