Greener extraction process and enhanced in vivo bioavailability of bioactive components from Carthamus tinctorius L. by natural deep eutectic solvents

Genetic diversity, clinical uses, and phytochemical and pharmacological properties of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.): an important medicinal plant

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), a member of the Asteraceae family, is widely used in traditional herbal medicine. This review summarized agronomic conditions, genetic diversity, clinical application, and phytochemicals and pharmacological properties of safflower. The genetic diversity of the plant is rich. Abundant in secondary metabolites like flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, polysaccharides, fatty acids, polyacetylene, and other bioactive components, the medicinal plant is effective for treating cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and respiratory diseases. Especially, Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HYSA) has a variety of pharmacological effects. In terms of treatment and prevention of some space sickness in space travel, safflower could be a potential therapeutic agent. Further studies are still required to support the development of safflower in medicine. Our review indicates that safflower is an important medicinal plant and research prospects regarding safflower are very broad and worthy of further investigation.

Recovery of Cembratrien-Diols from Waste Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) Flowers by Microwave-Assisted Deep Eutectic Solvent Extraction: Optimization, Separation, and In Vitro Bioactivity

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are novel solvents with physicochemical properties similar to those of ionic liquids, and they have attracted extensive attention for the extraction of bioactive compounds from different plant materials in the context of green chemistry and sustainable development. In this study, seven DESs with different polarities were explored as green extraction solvents for cembratrien-diols (CBT-diols) from waste tobacco flowers. The best solvent, DES-3 (choline chloride: lactic acid (1:3)), which outperformed conventional solvents (methanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate), was selected and further optimized for microwave-assisted DES extraction using the response surface methodology. The maximum yield of CBT-diols (6.23 ± 0.15 mg/g) was achieved using a microwave power of 425 W, microwave time of 32 min, solid/liquid ratio of 20 mg/mL, and microwave temperature of 40 °C. Additionally, the isolated CBT-diols exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antitumor activity in the human liver cancer HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cell lines. This study highlights the feasibility of recovering CBT-diols from tobacco flower waste using DESs and provides opportunities for potential waste management using green technologies.

Insights into the anti-infective effects of Pluchea indica (L.) Less and its bioactive metabolites against various bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Pluchea indica (L.) Less (family Asteraceae) is popularly consumed as a medicinal vegetable and used in ethnomedicine to treat various diseases including gastrointestinal problems such as dysentery and leucorrhoea, which are due to bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections. There have been numerous studies on the antimicrobial effects of the plant due to these ethnomedicine use.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

This review is comprehensively discussed the information on the anti-infective properties of P. indica and its secondary metabolites, and highlight the potential of the plant as a new source of anti-infective agents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Scientific databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, and ACS Publications were used to gather the relevant information on the ability of P. indica to fight infections, with the leaves and roots receiving most of the attention.

RESULTS

Anti-bacterial, anti-mycobacterial, anti-malarial, and anti-viral activities have been the most exploited. Most studies were carried out on the crude extracts of the plant and in most studies the bioactive extracts were not standardized or chemically characterized. Several studies have reported the anti-infective activity of several bioactive components of P. indica including caffeoylquinic acids, terpenoid glycosides, thiophenes, and kaempferol.

CONCLUSIONS

The strong anti-infective effect and underlying mechanisms of the compounds provide insights into the potential of P. indica as a source of new leads for the development of anti-infective agents for use in food and pharmaceutical industries.

From Nature to Innovation: The Uncharted Potential of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents

This review discusses the significance of natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs) as a promising green extraction technology. It employs the consolidated meta-analytic approach theory methodology, using the Web of Science and Scopus databases to analyze 2091 articles as the basis of the review. This review explores NaDESs by examining their properties, challenges, and limitations. It underscores the broad applications of NaDESs, some of which remain unexplored, with a focus on their roles as solvents and preservatives. NaDESs' connections with nanocarriers and their use in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors are highlighted. This article suggests that biomimicry could inspire researchers to develop technologies that are less harmful to the human body by emulating natural processes. This approach challenges the notion that green science is inferior. This review presents numerous successful studies and applications of NaDESs, concluding that they represent a viable and promising avenue for research in the field of green chemistry.

Ultrasonic extraction and purification of scutellarin from Erigerontis Herba using deep eutectic solvent

Nowadays, deep eutectic solvent (DES) was widely used in the extraction of bioactive in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an alternative to organic solvents. While as, it is still a challenge for the removal of DES solvents and recovery of the extracted product. In this study, a simple, efficient and green technique of preparing scutellarin from Erigerontis Herba(EH) was proposed, combining ultrasonic assisted-DES extraction with anti-solvent purification. Firstly, different types of DES were prepared and studied for their abilities to extract scutellarin from EH. DES composed of choline chloride and acetamide (1:4 mol/mol) with 30% water obtained the highest extraction yield. Anti-solvent was proved as an efficient method to recover scutellarin from the DES extract with a content of purification up to 71.2%. Moreover, microscopic structural analysis was carried out to investigate the extract process and explain the extraction principle. Furthermore, the antioxidative activities of the DES extracts were evaluated, indicated that the bioactive property of scutellarin were still remained by using DES as the extraction solvent. In conclusion, the proposed simple and green ultrasonic assisted DES extraction method will serve as an effective alternative strategy to extract bioactive compounds from TCM.

The Most Potent Natural Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, and Food Ingredients Isolated from Plants with Deep Eutectic Solvents

There is growing interest in reducing the number of synthetic products or additives and replacing them with natural ones. The pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries are especially focused on natural and bioactive chemicals isolated from plants or microorganisms. The main challenge here is to develop efficient and ecological methods for their isolation. According to the strategies and rules of sustainable development and green chemistry, green solvents and environmentally friendly technologies must be used. The application of deep eutectic solvents as efficient and biodegradable solvents seems to be a promising alternative to traditional methods. They are classified as being green and ecological but, most importantly, very efficient extraction media compared to organic solvents. The aim of this review is to present the recent findings on green extraction, as well as the biological activities and the possible applications of natural plant ingredients, namely, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenes, saponins, and some others. This paper thoroughly reviews modern, ecological, and efficient extraction methods with the use of deep eutectic solvents (DESs). The newest findings, as well as the factors influencing the efficiency of extraction, such as water content, and hydrogen bond donor and acceptor types, as well as the extraction systems, are also discussed. New solutions to the major problem of separating DESs from the extract and for solvent recycling are also presented.

Optimization of green extraction process with natural deep eutectic solvent and comparative in vivo pharmacokinetics of bioactive compounds from Astragalus-Safflower pair

INTRODUCTION

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs) are promising not only in componential extraction, but also in drug delivery system due to their green and safe features. In this work, NaDESs were applied to extract bioactive components from Astragalus-Safflower pair, a classic traditional Chinese medicine combination. Furthermore, ready-to-use crude extracts were administrated to SD rats.

METHODS

Total 9 NaDESs composed of food grade ingredients were screened for the extraction of representative 9 components (hydroxysafflor yellow A, anhydrosafflor yellow B, eleutheroside B, calycosin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, ononin, calycosin, astraganoside, and carthamin) from Astragalus-Safflower pair. Afterwards, genetic artificial neural network (GNN) was adopted for optimizing the ultrasound-assisted extraction process. After SD rats were orally administrated with the ready-to-use crude extracts extracted under the optimized conditions, the in vivo pharmacokinetic characteristics of 5 components were evaluated comprehensively from weight, gender, solvent and modeling surgery, under a well-established UPLC-MS/MS method.

RESULTS

Betaine-Lactic acid (Bet-Lac) was eventually determined as the optimal extraction solvent for subsequent experiments. The optimal ultrasound assisted extraction process was as follows: 90 min of extraction time, 65 °C of temperature, 80% of Bet-Lac content and 50 mg/ml of solid-liquid ratio. Bet-Lac enhanced to varying degrees the bioavailability of analytes in normal and cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injured (CI/RI) rats in contrast with corresponding rats administrated with water extract groups (p < 0.05). Besides, the bioavailability of active components in CI/RI rat plasma was significantly lower than that in normal rats (p < 0.05), indicating pathological damage of CI/R had a significant impact on pharmacokinetic profile of compounds in rats. However, gender and body weight had no significant effects on the pharmacokinetic profile of bioactive components.

CONCLUSIONS

NaDESs exhibited higher extraction efficiency than conventional solvents. And GNN is reliable to optimize the ultrasound assisted extraction process. This study supported the potential of non-toxic NaDESs as solvents for extraction process and drug delivery systems at the same time.

Therapeutic application of natural products: NAD+ metabolism as potential target

BACKGROUND

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) metabolism is involved in the entire physiopathological process and is critical to human health. Long-term imbalance in NAD⁺ homeostasis is associated with various diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, aging, and cancer, making it a potential target for effective therapeutic strategies. Currently, several natural products that target NAD⁺ metabolism have been widely reported to have significant therapeutic effects, but systematic summaries are lacking.

PURPOSE

To summarize the latest findings on the prevention and treatment of various diseases through the regulation of NAD⁺ metabolism by various natural products in vivo and in vitro models, and evaluate the toxicities of the natural products.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect were searched using the keywords "natural products sources," "toxicology," "NAD⁺ clinical trials," and "NAD⁺," and/or paired with "natural products" and "diseases" for studies published within the last decade until January 2023.

RESULTS

We found that the natural products mainly include phenols (curcumin, cyclocurcumin, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, salvianolic acid B, pterostilbene, EGCG), flavonoids (pinostrobin, apigenin, acacetin, tilianin, kaempferol, quercetin, isoliquiritigenin, luteolin, silybin, hydroxysafflor yellow A, scutellarin), glycosides (salidroside), quinones (emodin, embelin, β-LAPachone, shikonin), terpenoids (notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside F2, ginsenoside Rd, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rg3, thymoquinone, genipin), pyrazines (tetramethylpyrazine), alkaloids (evodiamine, berberine), and phenylpropanoids (ferulic acid). These natural products have antioxidant, energy-producing, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-aging effects, which mainly influence the NAMPT/NAD⁺/SIRT, AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α, Nrf2/HO-1, PKCs/PARPs/NF-κB, and AMPK/Nrf2/mTOR signaling pathways, thereby regulating NAD⁺ metabolism to prevent and treat various diseases. These natural products have been shown to be safe, tolerable and have fewer adverse effects in various in vivo and in vitro studies and clinical trials.

CONCLUSION

We evaluated the toxic effects of natural products and summarized the available clinical trials on NAD⁺ metabolism, as well as the recent advances in the therapeutic application of natural products targeting NAD⁺ metabolism, with the aim to provide new insights into the treatment of multiple disorders.

Natural deep eutectic solvents as a green extraction of polyphenols from spent coffee ground with enhanced bioactivities

Conventional extraction techniques are usually based on highly pollutant and/or flammable organic solvents. Therefore, alternative environmentally friendly extraction methods are of particular interest for the recovery of bioactive compounds for their application as food ingredients and/or nutraceuticals. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are a green and nontoxic attractive alternative to hydroalcoholic extraction. NADES media primarily depends on the intermolecular interactions (hydrogen bonding) among their components to form a eutectic mixture with a much lower final melting point than its individual components. Examples of natural deep eutectic NADES solvents include aqueous solutions (25%-50% water) of choline chloride, sugars, and polyols. This study aimed to investigate the application of two NADES, namely, betaine:triethylene glycol (Bet : TEG) and choline chloride:1,2-propanediol (Chol : Prop), as sustainable green solvents for the extraction of polyphenols from spent coffee ground (SCG), a by-product of coffee processing. In particular, the extraction yield and selectivity were evaluated and compared with conventional green extractions (hot water and a hydroalcoholic solution). In addition, the effect of NADES on the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the extracts was investigated. The main outcomes were as follows: (i) NADES were as effective as other conventional green solvents in the extraction of polyphenols with the added advantage of operating at milder temperature conditions, without flammable solvents and with sustainable and natural compounds; (ii) the antimicrobial activity of the NADES extracts was 10 times higher than that of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts. Given the low toxicity of NADES, they could be used as formulation aid for food ingredients.

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent-Based Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion (MSPD) Extraction for Determination of Bioactive Compounds from Sandy Everlasting (Helichrysum arenarium L.): A Case of Stability Study

In the present study, vortex-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion (VA-MSPD) extraction was used to isolate the major bioactive compounds from H. arenarium. To reduce the negative environmental impact of the conventionally used organic solvents, four different choline chloride-based natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) were investigated as possible eluents. The most influential VA-MSPD extraction parameters: stationary phase (adsorbent), adsorbent/sample ratio, vortex time, and volume of extraction solvent were systematically optimized. Ultrasound-assisted extraction with 80% MeOH was used as the standard method for the comparison of results. The stability of the obtained extracts was studied over a period of 0 to 60 days at three different temperatures (-18 °C, 4 °C, and 25 °C). All extracts were evaluated both spectrophotometrically (determination of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity by ABTS and FRAP assay) and chromatographically (HPLC-UV). NADES based on choline chloride and lactic acid (ChCl-LA) was selected as the most effective extractant, with a determined TPC value of its extract of 38.34 ± 0.09 mg GA/g DW (27% higher than the methanolic VA-MSPD extract) and high antioxidant activity. The content of individual phenolic compounds (chlorogenic acid, dicaffeoylquinic acid isomers, naringenin isomers, and chalcones) in the ChCl-LA extract, determined by HPLC-UV, was comparable to that of the conventionally obtained one. Moreover, the stabilization effect of ChCl-LA was confirmed for the studied compounds: chlorogenic acid, naringenin-4'-O-glucoside, tomoroside A, naringenin-5-O-glucoside, isosalipurposide, and naringenin. The optimum VA-MSPD conditions for the extraction of H. arenarium polyphenols were: florisil/sample ratio of 0.5/1, a vortex time of 2 min, and an elution volume of ChCl-LA of 10 mL.

Ultrasonic-Assisted Efficient Extraction of Coumarins from Peucedanum decursivum (Miq.) Maxim Using Deep Eutectic Solvents Combined with an Enzyme Pretreatment

In this study, the ultrasonic-assisted extraction of total coumarins from Peucedanum decursivum (Miq.) Maxim (P. decursivum) via the combination of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) with cellulase pretreatment was carried out. Among the 15 kinds of DESs with choline chloride as hydrogen bond acceptors, the DES system of choline chloride/1,4-butanediol with a molar ratio of 1:4 showed the best extraction effect. First, single-factor experiments were performed using the following factors: liquid–solid ratio, pH, enzyme dosage and ultrasonic temperature. The Box–Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM) were employed to optimize the extraction conditions and obtain the following optimal parameter values for the extraction of coumarins from P. decursivum: liquid–solid ratio 14:1 mL/g, pH 5.0, enzyme dosage 0.2%, ultrasonic temperature 60 °C and ultrasonic time 50 min. Under these conditions, the extraction yield of total coumarins from P. decursivum could reach 2.65%, which was close to the predicted extraction yield of 2.68%. Furthermore, the contents of six coumarins, namely, umbelliferone, nodakenin, xanthotoxin, bergapten, imperatorin and decursin were determined to be 0.707 mg·g⁻¹, 0.085 mg·g⁻¹, 1.651 mg·g⁻¹, 2.806 mg·g⁻¹, 0.570 mg·g⁻¹ and 0.449 mg·g⁻¹, respectively, using HPLC-MS after the optimization. In addition, the cell fragmentation of P. decursivum powder obtained using ultrasonic-assisted DES extraction with enzyme pretreatment was found to be the most comprehensive using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which indicated the highest extraction efficiency for P. decursivum. Finally, the in vitro antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated via radical scavenging with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), which showed that ultrasonic-assisted DES extraction with enzyme pretreatment exhibited significant antioxidant activity with DPPH radical scavenging of up to 97.90%. This work developed a new and efficient extraction method for coumarins.

Simultaneous optimization of the extraction process of Yangyin Yiqi Huoxue prescription with natural deep eutectic solvents for optimal extraction yield and antioxidant activity: A comparative study of two models

INTRODUCTION

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs) are green and effective solvents that are used to extract 3 flavonoids from Yangyin Yiqi Huoxue prescription, a traditional Chinese prescription.

METHODS

A total of 6 types of NaDESs were systematically screened and evaluated for the total extraction yield of puerarin, calycosin, and formononetin by high-performance liquid chromatography. Then, a 4-factor-three-level experimental scheme designed by the Box-Benhnken Design was applied on the basis of a single experiment to determine the extraction yield and the antioxidant property. Finally, the extraction process was optimized through response surface methodology (RSM) and the genetic neural network (GNN), respectively.

RESULTS

The use of betaine-lactic acid as an extractant displayed significant advantages in the screening process. The optimum extraction parameters provided by GNN were as follows: water content 25% (v/v), liquid to material ratio 190 mg/ml, extraction time 37 min, and extraction temperature 63 °C. Under this condition, the average experimental comprehensive evaluation values of the extraction yield and antioxidant properties were 3.12 mg/g and 86.27%, and the relative deviations to the predicted values were 0.30% and 1.44%, respectively. In addition, the experimental results of GNN were better than those of RSM (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

We found the application of GNN to be effective and credible for bi-objective optimization of extraction yields and antioxidant activity in this study. Moreover, our results provide a reference and a theoretical basis for experimental and future industrial extraction for multi-objective situations.

Pharmacological Activities of Safflower Yellow and Its Clinical Applications

Background. Safflower is an annual herb used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. It consists of the dried flowers of the Compositae plant safflower. It is found in the central inland areas of Asia and is widely cultivated throughout the country. Its resistance to cold weather and droughts and its tolerance and adaptability to salts and alkalis are strong. Safflower has the effect of activating blood circulation, dispersing blood stasis, and relieving pain. A natural pigment named safflower yellow (SY) can be extracted from safflower petals. Chemically, SY is a water-soluble flavonoid and the main active ingredient of safflower. The main chemical constituents, pharmacological properties, and clinical applications of SY are reviewed in this paper, thereby providing a reference for the use of safflower in preventing and treating human diseases. Methods. The literature published in recent years was reviewed, and the main chemical components of SY were identified based on chemical formula and structure. The pharmacological properties of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), SYA, SYB, and anhydrosafflor yellow B (AHSYB) were reviewed. Results. The main chemical constituents of SY included HSYA, SYA, SYB, and AHSYB. These ingredients have a wide range of pharmacological activities. SY has protective effects on the heart, kidneys, liver, nerves, lungs, and brain. Moreover, its effects include, but are not limited to, improving cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, abirritation, regulating lipids, and treating cancer and diabetic complications. HSYA is widely recognised as an effective ingredient to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Conclusion. SY has a wide range of pharmacological activities, among which improving cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are the most significant.

Oral Bioavailability-Enhancing and Anti-obesity Effects of Hydroxysafflor Yellow A in Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), a primary active component in Carthami Flos, has been extensively applied in the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases. In this study, a natural deep eutectic solvent composed of glucose and choline chloride with 10% (v/v) of water (90% GCH) was evaluated to enhance the oral absorption of HSYA. Compared with HSYA in water, the relative oral bioavailability of HSYA in 90% GCH was increased to 326.08%. Furthermore, 90% GCH was demonstrated to decrease the mucus viscosity and increase the absorption rate constant of HSYA in the jejunum by 2.95 times. A pharmacodynamic study revealed that HSYA in 90% GCH was more effective in reducing body weight and correcting steatohepatitis and dyslipidemia in high-fat diet-induced obese rats. Serum metabolomics results showed that the correction of serum aromatic amino acid disorder may contribute to the anti-obesity effect of HSYA in 90% GCH. In conclusion, 90% GCH could be a delivery carrier for HSYA against obesity.

Extraction of Bioactive Metabolites from Achillea millefolium L. with Choline Chloride Based Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents: A Study of the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity

In this study, the extraction efficiency of natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) based on choline chloride as a hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and five different hydrogen bond donors (HBD; lactic acid, 1,4-butanediol, 1,2-propanediol, fructose and urea) was evaluated for the first time for the isolation of valuable bioactive compounds from Achillea millefolium L. The phytochemical profiles of NADES extracts obtained after ultrasound-assisted extraction were evaluated both spectrophotometrically (total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant assays) and chromatographically (UHPLC-MS and HPLC-UV). The results were compared with those obtained with 80% ethanol, 80% methanol, and water. The highest TPC value was found in the lactic acid-based NADES (ChCl-LA), which correlated with the highest antioxidant activity determined by the FRAP analysis. On the other hand, the highest antiradical potential against ABTS+• was determined for urea-based NADES. Phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid and dicaffeoylquinic acid isomers), flavones (luteolin and apigenin), and their corresponding glucosides were determined as the dominant individual phenolic compounds in all extracts. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of the extracts obtained against four bacterial cultures and two yeasts were evaluated using two methods: the agar dilution method to obtain the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal or fungicidal concentration (MBC or MFC), and the disc diffusion method. ChCl-LA had the lowest MIC and MBC/MFC with respect to all microorganisms, with an MIC ranging from 0.05 mg mL−1 to 0.8 mg mL−1, while the water extract had the weakest inhibitory activity with MIC and MBC/MFC higher than 3.2 mg mL−1.

Adaptability and Stability of Safflower Genotypes for Oil Production

The study aimed to analyze the agronomic performance of 11 safflower genotypes using adaptability and stability methods, while identifying safflower genotypes with stable behavior and a high grain yield in different environments of the Brazilian Cerrado. Ten lines and a cultivar of safflower were evaluated in four environments in the Brazilian conditions. Our results revealed the genotypes P30, P35, P9, P11, and P31 to be superior for grain yield and P43, P7, P11, and P31 to be superior for oil content. The lowest Wricke index, an indication of genotype stability, was observed for P9 (0.41%), which is considered the most stable genotype, followed by P35 (1.29%) and P31 (1.98%). For the predictability of the behavior of genotypes in the environments, P7 (80.85%), P35 (86.10%), P31 (85.90%), and P9 (97.42%) were considered predictable genotypes. The genotypes P11 (1045.6 kg ha⁻¹ and 19.7%) and P21 (952.7 kg ha⁻¹ and 20.6%) are recommended for cultivation in this region, considering both their grain yield and oil content. Safflower is viable to use out of season in the Brazilian Cerrado. The crop can generate profits for farmers and be used for oil production in periods of uncertain corn production.

Ultrasound-assisted preparation of 'Ready-to-use' extracts from Radix Paeoniae Rubra with natural deep eutectic solvents and neuroprotectivity evaluation of the extracts against cerebral ischemic/ reperfusion injury

Natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES) is widely applied in the extraction of nutrients from natural resources as a greener alternative for fossil solvent. In the present work, 27 different NaDESs were screened for the extraction of paeoniflorin (PF) and galloyl paeoniflorin (GPF) from Radix Paeoniae Rubra (RPR). After screening and extraction parameter optimization, the extraction yields of PF and GPF reached up to 182.8 mg/g and 77.4 mg/g with the selected NaDES, ChCl-Sor. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity in vitro and neuroprotectivity in vivo of the 'ready-to-use' extracts were evaluated comprehensively. Especially in vivo, the cerebral ischemic/ reperfusion injury model was established in rats and the protective effects of the RPR extracts were determined. The results not only proved that NaDES is a valuable green extraction media, but also indicated the safety and potential pharmaceutical application of NaDES based 'ready-to-use' extracts from medical plants.

Ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvents extraction of glabridin and isoliquiritigenin from Glycyrrhiza glabra: Optimization, extraction mechanism and in vitro bioactivities

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is extensively used owing to the superior pharmacological effects. However, its maximum application potential has not been fully exploited due to the limitation of currently available extraction solvent and methods. In this study, an eco-friendly deep eutectic solvent (NADESs) based ultrasound-assisted extraction (DES-UAE) method was applied to prepare licorice extracts. The DES-UAE using choline chloride and lactic acid as solvent was optimized and modeled by using response surface methodology to maximize the extraction yields of glabridin (GLA) and isoliquiritigenin (ISL). The optimized extracts possessed higher contents of GLA and ISL than available extraction methods, and the enriched products showed superior pharmacological activities in vitro. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecular dynamic simulation analyses were performed to deeply investigate the interaction between solvent and targeted compounds. This study not only provides an eco-friendly method for high-efficient extraction of GLA and ISL from licorice but also illustrates the mechanism of the increased extraction efficacy, which may contribute to the application of licorice and deep insight into extraction mechanism using DES.

Pharmacological Actions, Molecular Mechanisms, Pharmacokinetic Progressions, and Clinical Applications of Hydroxysafflor Yellow A in Antidiabetic Research

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), a nutraceutical compound derived from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), has been shown as an effective therapeutic agent in cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Our previous study showed that the effect of HSYA on high-glucose-induced podocyte injury is related to its anti-inflammatory activities via macrophage polarization. Based on the information provided on PubMed, Scopus and Wanfang database, we currently aim to provide an updated overview of the role of HSYA in antidiabetic research from the following points: pharmacological actions, molecular mechanisms, pharmacokinetic progressions, and clinical applications. The pharmacokinetic research of HSYA has laid foundations for the clinical applications of HSYA injection in diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic neuropathy. The application of HSYA as an antidiabetic oral medicament has been investigated based on its recent oral delivery system research. In vivo and in vitro pharmacological research indicated that the antidiabetic activities of HSYA were based mainly on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms via JNK/c-jun pathway, NOX4 pathway, and macrophage differentiation. Further anti-inflammatory exploration related to NF-κB signaling, MAPK pathway, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway might deserve attention in the future. The anti-inflammatory activities of HSYA related to diabetes and diabetic complications will be a highlight in our following research.

Optimization of the extraction process of flavonoids from Trollius ledebouri with natural deep eutectic solvents

In recent years, natural deep eutectic solvents have been favored greatly due to their environment friendly, mild biological toxicity and simple biodegradability. Natural deep eutectic solvents gradually applied for the extracting bioactive compounds from natural products efficiently. In this study, 20 natural deep eutectic solvents were prepared and their physical and chemical properties were tested. The ultrasonic-assisted extraction method was used to extract flavonoids from Trollius ledebouri and high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet was applied to examine two main bioactive flavonoids (orientin and vitexin). Compared with traditional solvents (water and 60% ethanol solution), natural deep eutectic solvents composed of L(-)-proline and levulinic acid (molar ratio 1:2) show a super extraction efficiency. On this basis, the response surface method was used to optimize the extraction temperature, extraction time, water contents, and solid-liquid ratio. As a consequence, the extraction temperature 60℃, extraction time 18 min, water content 14% (v/v), and the solid-liquid ratio 48 mL·g^-1 were chosen as the best extraction process. This study shows that natural deep eutectic solvents can effectively extract flavonoids from T. ledebouri, laying a foundation for the further application of natural deep eutectic solvents to extract bioactive compounds from natural products.

Hydroxysafflor Yellow A Alters Fuel Selection From Glucose to Fat by Activating the PPARδ Pathway in Myocytes

Modulation of fuel selection is critical in skeletal muscle function. Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) is the major bioactive component in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and, in our previous study, has been demonstrated to promote a shift from fast to slow myofiber. However, the effects of HSYA on fuel selection in skeletal muscle and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the in vitro experiments found that water extracts of safflower, rich in HSYA, significantly suppressed the expressions of the genes related to glucose utilization and activated the expressions of the lipolysis genes. Furthermore, HSYA resulted in a shift in substrate utilization toward fat relative to carbohydrates in C2C12 myotubes. Animal tests showed HSYA could significantly reduce the respiratory exchange ratio and prolonge endurance performance in mice and also trigger a switch in intramuscular fuel selection preference from carbohydrates to fat at rest and during exercise. Mechanistic studies revealed that HSYA converted this fuel selection by activating peroxisome proliferator activated receptor δ (PPARδ), and these effects of HSYA could be reversed by specific suppression of PPARδ by PPARδ siRNA. Collectively, our study demonstrated that HSYA can switch substrate utilization from glucose to fat in myocytes by activating PPARδ signaling, resulting in prolonged endurance performance. These findings provided direct evidence for the endurance performance enhancement effect of HSYA and explored new perspectives for the innovation and application of HSYA in the health care industry.

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES): Phytochemical Extraction Performance Enhancer for Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Product Development

Natural products from plants were extracted and widely studied for their activities against many disease conditions. The selection of the extracting solvent is crucial to develop selective and effective methods for the extraction and isolation of target compounds in the plant matrices. Pharmacological properties of plant extracts and their bioactive principles are related to their excellent solubility, stability, and bioavailability when administered by different routes. This review aims to critically analyze natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) as green solvents in their application to improve the extraction performance of plant metabolites in terms of their extractability besides the stability, bioactivity, solubility, and bioavailability. Herein, the opportunities for NADES to be used in pharmaceutical formulations development including plant metabolites-based nutraceuticals are discussed.

Natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES): A strategy to improve the bioavailability of blueberry phenolic compounds in a ready-to-use extract

This study investigated whether a ready-to-use extract obtained using a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) affects the pharmacokinetic profile of blueberry phenolic compounds compared to organic solvent (SORG)-extracted compounds. SORG extract was administered as an aqueous solution after solvent removal. Wistar rats received a single dose of crude extract of blueberry obtained using NADES (CE-NADES) or SORG (CE-SORG), followed by LC-DAD-MS/MS analysis of blood and cecal feces. Non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that CE-NADES increased the bioavailability of anthocyanins by 140% compared to CE-SORG. CE-NADES increased the stability of phenolic compounds during in vitro digestion by delaying gastric chyme neutralization. These results suggest that besides being an eco-friendly solvent for the extraction of phytochemicals, choline chloride:glycerol:citric acid-based NADES can be used as a ready-to-use vehicle for increasing oral absorption of bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins.

Promising Technological and Industrial Applications of Deep Eutectic Systems

Deep Eutectic Systems (DESs) are obtained by combining Hydrogen Bond Acceptors (HBAs) and Hydrogen Bond Donors (HBDs) in specific molar ratios. Since their first appearance in the literature in 2003, they have shown a wide range of applications, ranging from the selective extraction of biomass or metals to medicine, as well as from pollution control systems to catalytic active solvents and co-solvents. The very peculiar physical properties of DESs, such as the elevated density and viscosity, reduced conductivity, improved solvent ability and a peculiar optical behavior, can be exploited for engineering modular systems which cannot be obtained with other non-eutectic mixtures. In the present review, selected DESs research fields, as their use in materials synthesis, as solvents for volatile organic compounds, as ingredients in pharmaceutical formulations and as active solvents and cosolvents in organic synthesis, are reported and discussed in terms of application and future perspectives.

Screening, Optimization, and Bioavailability Research of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent Extracts from Radix Pueraria

Natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES) is generally considered as a greener alternative to fossil solvent, with great potential in various areas. In the present work, 25 different NaDESs were screened for the extraction of puerarin (PUE) and its two natural derivatives from Radix Pueraria (RP). As the main isoflavone in RP, PUE has a wide range of biological activities. However, its application is restricted due to its poor solubility in water and low oral bioavailability. In this study, the extraction of PUE with NaDESs showed significant advantages compared with traditional solvents. While using L-Pro-Maa (L-proline-malic acid) under optimal conditions, the optimized yields of PUE, 3-MPR and PRX were 98.7 mg/g, 16.3 mg/g and 9.9 mg/g, respectively, which were 2.2-, 2.9- and 3.4-fold higher than that of water. Furthermore, the oral bioavailability of PUE in NaDES extracts was comparatively investigated in rats with HPLC-MS technique. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that the relative bioavailability of PUE in L-Pro-Maa extract is 323%. The result indicated that NaDES is not only a sustainable ionic liquid with higher extraction efficiency, but also an enhancer of oral bioavailability of specific natural products.