Chemistry, oxidative stability and bioactivity of oil extracted from Rosa rugosa (Thunb.) seeds by supercritical carbon dioxide

New horizon of rosehip seed oil: Extraction, characterization for its potential applications as a functional ingredient

In recent years, rosehip is gaining more attention due to its high nutritional and medicinal value. Rosehip seeds usually discarded as waste, contain oil with high bioactive potential. These nutritional properties recommend the use of rosehip seed oil (RSO) to develop innovative food, pharma, and cosmetic products. In this review, different conventional and novel technologies for the extraction of RSO in terms of optimized conditions for better extraction of oil are discussed. In the lateral section of the manuscript, the detailed composition and biological activities of RSO are reviewed. Finally, a glimpse of the recent applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industry are provided. This review could provide a comprehensive understanding of the value of RSO and promote its nutrition research and commercial product development.

Oils from Transgenic Flax Lines as Potential Chemopreventive Agents in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a major global health concern, and the need for effective chemopreventive agents is paramount. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of oils from transgenically modified flax for the prevention of colorectal cancer, in relation to the oil concertation. Flaxseed oils were obtained from traditional (Nike) and genetically modified flax lines (M and B). Cell viability assays were performed on various cancer cell lines, including colon adenocarcinoma cells. Flaxseed oil B exhibited the strongest anti-proliferative properties compared to the reference drugs and other oils. Additionally, M and B oils showed enhanced accumulation of Rhodamine 123 and increased apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. M oil exhibited the highest levels of p53 protein. Notably, the tested transgenic oils did not induce metastasis and displayed stronger inhibition of COX-1 compared to COX-2. These data indicate the utility of flaxseed oils, especially from the M line, as adjuvants in colorectal cancer treatment, targeting the colon specifically.

Evaluation of Recovery Methods for Fragaria vesca L. Oil: Characteristics, Stability and Bioactive Potential

Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) seed oil (WSO) recovered by two methods-cold pressing (CP) and extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO₂E)-taking into account the different extraction times, was characterized for its composition and quality. The cytotoxicity assessment of WSOs was also carried out using the normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cell line. Tocopherol and total polyphenol contents were significantly higher in WSO recovered by SCO₂E, up to 1901.0 and 58.5 mg/kg, respectively, in comparison with CP oil. In CP oil, the highest content of carotenoids and squalene was determined (123.8 and 31.4 mg/kg, respectively). Phytosterol summed up to 5396 mg/kg in WSO collected in 30 min of SCO₂E. Moreover, the highest oxidative stability was found for this oil. All studied WSOs were non-cytotoxic in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leaching and sulforhodamine B (SRB) assays; however, oils collected by SCO₂E in 15 and 30 min were found to be cytotoxic in the tetrazolium salt (MTT) test, with the CC₅₀ at a concentration of 3.4 and 5.5%, respectively. In conclusion, the composition of WSO indicates that, depending on the method of its recovery, seeds can have different bio-potencies and various applications.

In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Wound Healing Activity of Astragalus microcephalus Willd

Methods

The methanolic root extract was prepared by maceration, and flavonoids were evaluated by LC/MS. In silico examination was performed based on the LC/MS results, and the binding affinity of these compounds to estrogen receptors (ERs) α and β was evaluated. Wound healing evaluation in both in vitro (NHDF cell line, by 500 μg/ml concentration of the extract, 24 h) and in vivo (Wistar rat, topical daily treated with 1.5% of the extract ointment, 21 days) conditions in comparison to control groups was conducted. Rats' control groups included silver sulfadiazine, Vaseline, and the nontreated groups.

Results

Eleven flavonoids were detected using LC/MS. The in silico study showed that formononetin, kaempferol-based structures, quercetin-3-O-neohesperidoside, and calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside had a high affinity (<-6.3) to ERs α and β. Wound closing measurement showed significant improvement in the group treated with the extract in both in vitro and in vivo assays compared to the control groups. Histopathological results confirmed these findings; inflammation factors decreased, and fibroblast proliferation, fibrosis, and epithelization increased, especially in the extract group.

Conclusion

This study shows that Astragalus microcephalus has wound healing activity in vitro and in vivo with low toxicity due to the presence of flavonoids, especially isoflavonoids, which show a high affinity to bind to ERs α and β in the skin tissue.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Chemopreventive Properties and Phytochemical Analysis of Solanum nigrum L. Aerial Parts and Root Extracts

This study evaluated in vitro antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer and antioxidant activities of methanolic leaf and root extracts from Solanum nigrum L. and determined its chemical composition. The chemical profile of S. nigrum L. extract was tested using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Disc diffusion and microdilution assays were used for the antibacterial activities. Antifungal activity was measured using the poisoned food technique. In vitro activity on the cell culture model was assessed by MTT assay, viability measurement and by determination of cellular ROS by DCFDA assay. The minimal inhibitory concentrations for extracts from aerial parts ranged from 125 to 500 μg/mL for gram-positive cocci and Pectobacterium strains. The growth inhibition coefficient ranged from 17–56%, depending on the dosage. The antifungal effect of S. nigrum extracts on the tested filamentous fungi depended on the dose. An inhibitory effect of 50–56% on fungi was observed against Alternaria alternata and Chaetomium globosum. The study showed a reduction in cellular vitality of THP1, A549, MCF7 and HeLa cancer lines using both extracts. In addition, there was a decrease in the number of viable cells in cultures incubated with the extract of aerial parts and a reduction in oxygen radicals in the cells. The obtained results indicate the possibility of using S. nigrum extracts from the aerial part as antimicrobial factors. Both extracts show chemopreventive properties by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and reducing the level of free radicals. Both extracts show chemopreventive properties by inhibiting cancer cell growth and lowering free radical levels. The broad biological activity of the studied extracts can be used in agriculture, veterinary usages and medicine.

In Vitro and In Vivo Wound Healing Activity of Astragalus floccosus Boiss. (Fabaceae)

Estrogens are a group of sex hormones which have receptors on the skin and lead to increased cells and wound healing. Normally isoflavonoids are present in Astragalus floccosus Boiss. (Leguminosae). Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the presence of isoflavonoids in A. floccosus' rich fraction of flavonoid and evaluate its wound healing effect accordingly. Flavonoids were evaluated by LCMS. Scratch was conducted and the medium culture was treated with the Astragalus' rich fraction of flavonoid (RFF) and was compared with nontreated culture during 48 hours. In addition, in vivo full-thickness wound healing evaluation was performed on rats. The rats were put into four groups and treated on a daily basis for 21 days with a cream containing 1.5% of the RFF (group 1), silver sulfadiazine (group 2), and Vaseline (group 3) separately. The nontreated group (group 4) was created for a better comparison. During the examination, wound size was evaluated and histopathological examination was performed. Herbal analysis detected 11 flavonoids, including 2 isoflavonoids, Calycosin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside and Formononetin, in the RFF. In vitro scratch wound healing showed significant improvement with RFF treatment in comparison to nontreated medium. Furthermore, in vitro drug release of Astragalus ointment showed a stationary line during 24 h and 0.14 mg/ml of flavonoid penetrated the skin. In vivo wound size evaluation showed significant improvement in the group treated with the RFF in comparison to other groups. Histopathological results indicated that congestion, edema, inflammation, necrosis, and angiogenesis decreased during the examination and fibroblast proliferation fibrosis epithelization was increased especially in the RFF group in comparison to the silver sulfadiazine and free groups. In conclusion, A. floccosus showed that wound healing activity in both in vitro and in vivo analyses can be attributed to the presence of isoflavonoids with estrogen-like activity in this plant.

Bioactive Compounds of Raspberry Oil Emulsions Induced Oxidative Stress via Stimulating the Accumulation of Reactive Oxygen Species and NO in Cancer Cells

There are growing interests in the complex combinations of natural compounds that may advance the therapy of cancer. Such combinations already exist in foods, and a good representative is seed oils. Two raspberry oils: cold pressed (ROCOP) and one extracted by supercritical CO₂ (ROSCO2) were evaluated for their chemical characteristics and oil emulsions for cell suppression potential against colon adenocarcinoma (LoVo), doxorubicin-resistant colon adenocarcinoma (LoVo/DX), breast cancer (MCF7), doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer (MCF7/DX), and lung cancer (A549) cell lines. The cytotoxicity was also assessed on normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). With increasing concentration of raspberry oil emulsions (0.5–10%), increasing inhibition of cancer cell viability and proliferation in all of the lines was observed, with different degrees of potency between cancer types and oil tested. ROSCO2 strongly induced free radical production and DNA strand damage in LoVo and MCF7 cells especially doxorubicin-resistant lines. This suggests that ROSCO2 engages and effectively targets the vulnerabilities of the cancer cell. Generally, both ROSCO2 and ROCOP could be a nontoxic support in therapy of selected human cancers.

Nanohydroxyapatite as a Biomaterial for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration after Mechanical Damage-In Vitro Study

Hydroxyapatite has been used in medicine for many years as a biomaterial or a cover for other biomaterials in orthopedics and dentistry. This study characterized the physicochemical properties (structure, particle size and morphology, surface properties) of Li⁺- and Li⁺/Eu³⁺-doped nanohydroxyapatite obtained using the wet chemistry method. The potential regenerative properties against neurite damage in cultures of neuron-like cells (SH-SY5Y and PC12 after differentiation) were also studied. The effect of nanohydroxyapatite (nHAp) on the induction of repair processes in cell cultures was assessed in tests of metabolic activity, the level of free oxygen radicals and nitric oxide, and the average length of neurites. The study showed that nanohydroxyapatite influences the increase in mitochondrial activity, which is correlated with the increase in the length of neurites. It has been shown that the doping of nanohydroxyapatite with Eu³⁺ ions enhances the antioxidant properties of the tested nanohydroxyapatite. These basic studies indicate its potential application in the treatment of neurite damage. These studies should be continued in primary neuronal cultures and then with in vivo models.

Characteristics and Antioxidant Potential of Cold-Pressed Oils-Possible Strategies to Improve Oil Stability

The relations of the antiradical capacity to oxidative stability parameters and the contents of fatty acids, sterols, tocopherols, phenols, flavonoids, chlorophyll, Cu, and Fe were assessed in 33 cold-pressed seed oils: Walnut (7 brands of oils), rosehip (3), camelina (6), milk thistle (5), flax (6), and pumpkin (6). The antiradical capacity of oils depended strongly on tocopherol contents with a synergistic effect with polyphenols. The efficacy of tocopherols in cold-pressed oils was accompanied by a negative correlation of their antioxidant capacity with the peroxide value increase after 3 months of shelf life. This study also showed a positive correlation between the content of phytosterols and the antiradical capacity in the lipophilic fraction of cold-pressed oils rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Multiple regression analysis identified groups of antioxidants naturally occurring in cold-pressed oils in relation to their fatty acid composition, which added to the cold-pressed oils could provide possible strategies to improve their stability. Achieving high stability is primarily a result of high phytosterol content exceeding the molar ratio of 1:100 for total phytosterols to α-linolenic acid. However, the molar ratios of tocopherols to linoleic acid below 1:2000 and polyphenols to linoleic acid below 1:3000 does not prevent oxidation in oils with the predominance of linoleic acid.