Phenolic constituents, antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effects of ethanol extracts of fruits, leaves and flower buds from Vaccinium dunalianum Wight

Revealing the dynamic changes of metabolites and molecular mechanisms of chlorogenic acid accumulation during the leaf development of Vaccinium dunalianum based on multi-omic analyses

Vaccinium dunalianum, a medicinal plant, is utilized for Quezui Tea production from its leaf buds and young leaves. Despite prior research on V. dunalianum revealing several medicinal compounds, the comprehensive variations in metabolites during its growth and development, along with the molecular mechanisms underlying high chlorogenic acid (CGA) yield, remain unclear. Through a joint analysis of transcriptomics and proteomics, our study first identified 15 key structural genes and 3 transcription factors influencing CGA biosynthesis in V. dunalianum, offering new evidence to understand its regulatory network. Furthermore, non-targeted metabolomics analysis provides the first extensive report on the metabolic profile of V. dunalianum, furnishing a valuable dataset for deeper exploration of its nutritional and medicinal value, and the development of a quality evaluation system for its product Quezui Tea. This study offers the most comprehensive molecular information on V. dunalianum, marking a significant step toward understanding and enhancing the plant's potential for medicinal and nutritional applications. Additionally, this study also reveals V. dunalianum holds promise as a natural antioxidant source for functional foods, providing data support for network pharmacology.

The influences of extraction methods on the chemical constituents of Lyonia ovalifolia (wall.) Drude and intracellular protective effects based on metabolomics analysis

Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Drude (LO) is mainly distributed in China with health benefits. In this study, LO buds (LOB) were extracted by ultrasonic extraction (UE) with or without ultra-high-pressure (UHP-UE), microwave (MW-UE), subcritical (SC-UE) techniques. The metabolomic result showed that a total of 960 chemical compounds and 117 differential compounds were identified from LOB extracts. The UHP-UE extract was rich in total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, followed by MW-UE, UE and SC-UE extracts, respectively. All LOB extracts increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, and glutathione (GSH) content, decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α), and nitric oxide (NO), and alleviated apoptosis in cells. The cellular protective effect was UHP-UE > MW-UE > UE > SC-UE. This study revealed that higher pressure and lower temperature may be key factors for increasing bioactivities of LOB extracts.

Comparison of Neurogenesis Promotion Effects between Cinnamoylquinic Acids in Neural Stem Cells from Adult Mice Brains

Caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) and feruloylquinic acids (FQAs), as cinnamoylquinic acids, have neurogenesis promotion effects. We studied for the first time the neurogenesis-enhancing effect of 3,4,5-tri-feruloylquinic acid (TFQA) compared to 3,4,5-tri-caffeoylquinic acid (TCQA), which has a similar structure, and explored their different cellular and molecular mechanisms in neural stem cells (NSCs) of mice brains. After 2 weeks of incubation, we first assessed the number and size of NSCs in TCQA and TFQA treatments. In NSCs treated for TCQA and TFQA, the NSC proliferation gene expression as well as neuronal and glial cell differentiation gene expressions improved. In the microarray assay, the erythroblastic oncogene B (ErbB) signaling pathway, as the common signaling of TCQA and TFQA treatments, was focused on and discussed. In our study, TCQA and TFQA treatments in NSCs showed a significant performance on improving synapse growth and neurogenesis compared with no treatment of NSCs. The two treatments in NSCs also had a significant activation of the ErbB signaling pathway, protein kinase B (AKT), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinases. In particular, the TCQA-expressed proliferation gene myelocytomatosis oncogene (Myc) had the greatest connections significantly. TFQA treatment remarkably regulated the differentiation gene jun proto-oncogene (Jun), which was the gene with greatest direct relations, while Myc was also induced in TFQA treatment. In the overall quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, TFQA had more outstanding neural proliferation and differentiation capabilities than TCQA in NSCs. Our study suggests that TFQA has greater therapeutic potential in neurogenesis promotion and neurodegenerative diseases compared with TCQA.

Vaccinium Species-Unexplored Sources of Active Constituents for Cosmeceuticals

The genus Vaccinium is represented by shrubs growing in a temperate climate that have been used for ages as traditional remedies in the treatment of digestive problems, in diabetes, renal stones or as antiseptics due to the presence of polyphenols (anthocyanins, flavonoids and tannins) in their fruits and leaves. Recent studies confirm their marked potential in the treatment of skin disorders and as skin care cosmetics. The aim of this review is to present the role of Vaccinium spp. as cosmetic products, highlight their potential and prove the biological properties exerted by the extracts from different species that can be useful for the preparation of innovative cosmetics. In the manuscript both skin care and therapeutic applications of the representatives of this gender will be discussed that include the antioxidant, skin lightening, UV-protective, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and chemopreventive properties to shed new light on these underestimated plants.

The profiles of free, esterified and insoluble-bound phenolics in peach juice after high pressure homogenization and evaluation of their antioxidant capacities, cytoprotective effect, and inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase and dipeptidyl peptidase-Ⅳ

The phenolic profiles, antioxidant capacities, cytoprotective effect, and α-glucosidase and DPP-IV inhibitory capacity of free (FP), esterified (EP) and insoluble-bound (IBP) phenolic fractions in 'Lijiang snow' peach juice after high pressure homogenization (HPH) were investigated, and the molecular docking was used to explore the enzyme inhibition mechanism. HPH increased total phenolic and total flavonoid contents in three fractions without changing compositions. The IC50 of radicals scavenged by three fractions were all reduced by HPH. The best inhibition on intracellular ROS production were found for phenolic fractions after HPH at 300 MPa, with ROS levels ranged within 95.26-119.16 %. HPH at 300 MPa reduced the apoptosis rates of FP and EP by 16.52 % and 9.33 %, respectively. All phenolic fractions showed effective inhibition on α-glucosidase and DPP-IV by formation of hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces. This study explored the feasibility of HPH to enhance the phenolics and bioactivity of peach juice.

Protective Effect of Que Zui Tea on d-Galactose-Induced Oxidative Stress Damage in Mice via Regulating SIRT1/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

Que Zui tea (QT) is an important herbal tea in the diet of the 'Yi' people, an ethnic group in China, and it has shown significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects in vitro. This study aims to explore the protective effects of the aqueous-ethanol extract (QE) taken from QT against ᴅ-galactose (ᴅ-gal)-induced oxidative stress damage in mice and its potential mechanisms. QE was identified as UHPLC-HRMS/MS for its chemical composition and possible bioactive substances. Thus, QE is rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Twelve compounds were identified, the main components of which were chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, and 6'-O-caffeoylarbutin. Histopathological and biochemical analysis revealed that QE significantly alleviated brain, liver, and kidney damage in ᴅ-gal-treated mice. Moreover, QE remarkably attenuated oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to increase the expression of antioxidant indexes, including GSH, GSH-Px, CAT, SOD, and T-AOC. In addition, QE administration could inhibit the IL-1β and IL-6 levels, which suppress the inflammatory response. QE could noticeably alleviate apoptosis by inhibiting the expressions of Caspase-3 and Bax proteins in the brains, livers, and kidneys of mice. The anti-apoptosis mechanism may be related to the upregulation of the SIRT1 protein and the downregulation of the p53 protein induced by QE in the brain, liver, and kidney tissues of mice. Molecular docking analysis demonstrated that the main components of QE, 6'-O-caffeoylarbutin, chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, and robustaside A, had good binding ability with Nrf2 and SIRT1 proteins. The present study indicated that QE could alleviate ᴅ-gal-induced brain, liver and kidney damage in mice by inhibiting the oxidative stress and cell apoptosis; additionally, the potential mechanism may be associated with the SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Characterization of the Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Bog Bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) Leaf Extracts Obtained via Various Extraction Techniques

This investigation aimed to assess the chemical composition and biological activities of bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) leaves. Hydroethanolic extracts were obtained using four extraction techniques: one conventional (CE) and three alternative methods; ultrasound (UAE), microwave (MAE) and high-pressure (HPE) extractions. Spectrophotometric analysis was conducted to determine their chemical content, including the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). Furthermore, their antioxidative and antimicrobial properties were evaluated. HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) analysis identified and quantified 17 phenolic compounds, with chlorogenic acid being the predominant compound, with the lowest level (37.36 ± 0.06 mg/g) for the bog bilberry leaf extract obtained by CE and the highest levels (e.g., HPE = 44.47 ± 0.08 mg/g) for the bog bilberry leaf extracts obtained by the alternative methods. Extracts obtained by HPE, UAE and MAE presented TPC values (135.75 ± 2.86 mg GAE/g; 130.52 ± 1.99 mg GAE/g; 119.23 ± 1.79 mg GAE/g) higher than those obtained by the CE method (113.07 ± 0.98 mg GAE/g). Regarding the TFC values, similar to TPC, the highest levels were registered in the extracts obtained by alternative methods (HPE = 43.16 ± 0.12 mg QE/g; MAE = 39.79 ± 0.41 mg QE/g and UAE = 33.89 ± 0.35 mg QE/g), while the CE extract registered the lowest level, 31.47 ± 0.28 mg QE/g. In the case of DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) antioxidant activity, the extracts from HPE, UAE and MAE exhibited the strongest radical scavenging capacities of 71.14%, 63.13% and 60.84%, respectively, whereas the CE extract registered only 55.37%. According to Microbiology Reader LogPhase 600 (BioTek), a common MIC value of 8.88 mg/mL was registered for all types of extracts against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria) and Salmonella enterica (Gram-negative bacteria). Moreover, the alternative extraction methods (UAE, HPE) effectively inhibited the growth of Candida parapsilosis, in comparison to the lack of inhibition from the CE method. This study provides valuable insights into bog bilberry leaf extracts, reporting a comprehensive evaluation of their chemical composition and associated biological activities, with alternative extraction methods presenting greater potential for the recovery of phenolic compounds with increased biological activities than the conventional method.

Hyperoside Prevents Aβ42-Induced Neurotoxicity in PC12 Cells and Caenorhabditis elegans

Traditional Chinese medicines such as hyperoside-rich Acanthopanax senticosus and Crataegus pinnatifida have been confirmed to exhibit anti-oxidative stress properties. Hyperoside, the main ingredient of numerous antioxidant herbs, may have the ability to postpone the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. This study investigates the possible therapeutic mechanism of hyperoside as a natural antioxidant against Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Caenorhabditis elegans and PC12 cells. Specifically, hyperoside reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and Aβ42-induced neurotoxicity in C. elegans worms. Meanwhile, hyperoside reduced ROS production and increased mitochondrial membrane potentialin Aβ42-induced PC12 cells, which possibly due to the increase of antioxidant enzymes activity and the diminution of malondialdehyde levels. Hoechst 33,342 staining and flow cytometry analysis results suggested that hyperoside reverses cell apoptosis. Network pharmacology predicts potentially relevant hyperoside targets and pathways in AD therapy. As anticipated, hyperoside reversed Aβ42-stimulated downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/HO-1. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 partially abolished the protective capability of hyperoside. The results of molecular docking further indicated that the PI3K/Akt pathways may be involved in the protection of Aβ42-induced PC12 cells by hyperoside treatment. The study provides theoretical information for research and development of hyperoside as an antioxidant dietary supplement.

Antioxidant Capacity of Free and Bound Phenolics from Olive Leaves: In Vitro and In Vivo Responses

Olive leaves are rich in phenolic compounds. This study explored the chemical profiles and contents of free phenolics (FPs) and bound phenolics (BPs) in olive leaves, and further investigated and compared the antioxidant properties of FPs and BPs using chemical assays, cellular antioxidant evaluation systems, and in vivo mouse models. The results showed that FPs and BPs have different phenolic profiles; 24 free and 14 bound phenolics were identified in FPs and BPs, respectively. Higher levels of phenolic acid (i.e., sinapinic acid, 4-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid) and hydroxytyrosol were detected in the BPs, while flavonoids, triterpenoid acids, and iridoids were more concentrated in the free form. FPs showed a significantly higher total flavonoid content (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), and chemical antioxidant properties than those of BPs (p < 0.05). Within the range of doses (20-250 μg/mL), both FPs and BPs protected HepG2 cells from H2O2-induced oxidative stress injury, and there was no significant difference in cellular antioxidant activity between FPs and BPs. The in vivo experiments suggested that FP and BP treatment inhibited malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in a D-galactose-induced oxidation model in mice, and significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). Mechanistically, FPs and BPs exert their antioxidant activity in distinct ways; FPs ameliorated D-galactose-induced oxidative stress injury partly via the activation of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway, while the BP mechanisms need further study.

Bioactive strawberry fruit (Arbutus unedo L.) extract remedies paraquat-induced neurotoxicity in the offspring prenatally exposed rats

Background

Paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4-4'-bipyridinium dichloride) exposure is well-established as a neurotoxic agent capable of causing neurological deficits in offspring. This study aimed to investigate therapeutic effects of Arbutus unedo L. aqueous extract (AU) against paraquat (PQ) exposure.

Methods

For that the phytoconstituents of AU was determined by LC/MS, and then its antioxidant potential was assessed by DPPH and ABTS assays. The assessment included its impact on cell viability and mitochondrial metabolism using N27 dopaminergic cells. Additionally, we evaluated the effects of prenatal PQ exposure on motor coordination, dopamine levels, trace element levels, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in rat progeny.

Results

The phytochemical profile of AU extract revealed the presence of 35 compounds, primarily phenolic and organic acids, and flavonoids. This accounted for its strong in vitro antioxidant activities against DPPH and ABTS radicals, surpassing the activities of vitamin C. Our findings demonstrated that AU effectively inhibited PQ-induced loss of N27 rat dopaminergic neural cells and significantly enhanced their mitochondrial respiration. Furthermore, daily post-treatment with AU during the 21 days of the rat's pregnancy alleviated PQ-induced motor deficits and akinesia in rat progeny. These effects inhibited dopamine depletion and reduced iron levels in the striatal tissues. The observed outcomes appeared to be mediated by the robust antioxidant activity of AU, effectively counteracting the PQ-induced decrease in TAC in the blood plasma of rat progeny. These effects could be attributed to the bioactive compounds present in AU, including phenolic acids such as gallic acid and flavonoids such as quercetin, rutin, apigenin, glucuronide, and kaempferol, all known for their potent antioxidant capacity.

Discussion

In conclusion, this preclinical study provided the first evidence of the therapeutic potential of AU extract against PQ-induced neurotoxicity. These findings emphasize the need for further exploration of the clinical applicability of AU in mitigating neurotoxin-induced brain damage.

Exploring the Antioxidant Properties of Caffeoylquinic and Feruloylquinic Acids: A Computational Study on Hydroperoxyl Radical Scavenging and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibition

Caffeoylquinic (5-CQA) and feruloylquinic (5-FQA) acids, found in coffee and other plant sources, are known to exhibit diverse biological activities, including potential antioxidant effects. However, the underlying mechanisms of these phenolic compounds remain elusive. This paper investigates the capacity and mode of action of 5-CQA and 5-FQA as natural antioxidants acting as hydroperoxyl radical scavengers and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitors. The hydroperoxyl radical scavenging potential was investigated using thermodynamic and kinetic calculations based on the DFT method, taking into account the influence of physiological conditions. Blind docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the inhibition capacity toward the XO enzyme. The results showed that 5-CQA and 5-FQA exhibit potent hydroperoxyl radical scavenging capacity in both polar and lipidic physiological media, with rate constants higher than those of common antioxidants, such as Trolox and BHT. 5-CQA carrying catechol moiety was found to be more potent than 5-FQA in both physiological environments. Furthermore, both compounds show good affinity with the active site of the XO enzyme and form stable complexes. The hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanism was found to be exclusive in lipid media, while both HAT and SET (single electron transfer) mechanisms are possible in water. 5-CQA and 5-FQA may, therefore, be considered potent natural antioxidants with potential health benefits.

Effect of ultra-high pressure pretreatment on the phenolic profiles, antioxidative activity and cytoprotective capacity of different phenolic fractions from Que Zui tea

This study aims to explore whether ultra-high pressure (UHP) pre-treatment strengthened the bioaccessibility and bioactivities of the free (QF), esterified (QE) and insoluble-bound phenolics (QIB) from Que Zui tea (QT). The results revealed that the extraction yields, the total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of three phenolic fractions from QT were markedly increased after ultra-high pressure (UHP) processing (p < 0.05). A total of 19 and 20 compounds were characterized and quantified in non- and UHP-treated QT, respectively, including the content of 6'-O-caffeoylarbutin (11775.68 and 13248.87 μg/g of dry extract) was highest in QF, the content of caffeic acid was highest in QE (2131.58 and 7362.99 μg/g of dry extract) and QIB (9151.89 and 10930.82 μg/g of dry extract). QF, QE and QIB from QT after UHP processing had better antioxidant, ROS scavenging, and anti-apoptosis effects. The possible mechanism of cytoprotective effect was related to Keap1-Nrf2 pathway.

Subcritical Water Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Vaccinium Dunalianum Wight Leaves and Their Antioxidant and Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activities in Vitro

Subcritical water extraction was used to extract bioactive phenolic compounds from Vaccinium dunalianum Wight leaves. The optimal extraction conditions were determined as an extraction temperature of 150 °C, an extraction time of 40 min, and a liquid-solid ratio of 35 : 1 mL/g. The total phenolic content reached 21.35 mg gallic acid /g, which was 16 % higher than that by hot water extraction. The subcritical water extraction extract exhibited strong scavenging activity of DPPH free radical and ABTS⁺ free radical, as well as significant tyrosinase inhibitory activity. The study suggests that subcritical water extraction can alter the composition of the extracts, leading to the production of various phenolic compounds, effective antioxidants, and tyrosinase inhibitors from Vaccinium dulciana Wight leaves. These findings confirm the potential of Vaccinium dunalianum Wight as a natural antioxidant molecule source for the medicine and food industries, and for the therapy of skin pigmentation disorders.

MS/MS molecular networking-guided in-depth profiling of triterpenoid saponins from the fruit of Eleutherococcus senticosus and their neuroprotectivity evaluation

INTRODUCTION

Eleutherococcus senticosus fruit (ESF) is a natural health supplement resource that has been extensively applied as a tonic for the nervous system. The structures and neural bioactivities of triterpenoid saponins (TS), which are the major constituents of ESF, have not been comprehensively analyzed thus far.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a complete in-depth MS/MS molecular networking (MN)-based targeted analysis of TS from the crude extract of ESF and investigated its neuroprotective value.

METHODS

An MS/MS MN-guided strategy was used to rapidly present a series of precursor ions (PIs) of TS in a compound cluster as TS-targeted information used in the discovery and characterization of TS. In addition, a prepared TS-rich fraction of ESF was assayed for its restraining effects on β-amyloid-induced inhibition of neurite outgrowth.

RESULTS

A total of 87 TS were discovered using a PI tracking strategy, 28 of which were characterized as potentially undescribed structures according to their high-resolution MS values. Furthermore, the TS-rich fraction can significantly reduce β-amyloid-induced damage to neural networks by promoting the outgrowth of neurites and axons.

CONCLUSION

Our findings reveal the richness of TS in ESF and will accelerate their application in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Ultra-High Hydrostatic Pressure Pretreatment on White Que Zui Tea: Chemical Constituents, Antioxidant, Cytoprotective, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities

Herbal tea has numerous biological activities and exhibits broad benefits for human health. In China, the flower buds of Lyonia ovalifolia are traditionally processed as herbal tea, namely White Que Zui tea (WQT). This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of ultra-high hydrostatic pressure (UHHP) pretreatment on the chemical constituents and biological activities of free, esterified, and insoluble-bound phenolic fractions from WQT. A total of 327 chemical constituents were identified by a quasi-targeted metabolomics analysis. UHHP pretreatment extremely inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell apoptosis in H2O2-induced HepG2 cells, and it increased the activities of intracellular antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) and GSH content in different phenolic fractions from WQT. In addition, after UHHP pretreatment, the anti-inflammatory effects of different phenolic fractions from WQT were improved by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Thus, the UHHP method might be a potential pretreatment strategy for improving the bioavailability of phytochemicals from natural plants.

Neuroprotective Effects of Agri-Food By-Products Rich in Phenolic Compounds

Neurodegenerative diseases are known for their wide range of harmful conditions related to progressive cell damage, nervous system connections and neuronal death. These pathologies promote the loss of essential motor and cognitive functions, such as mobility, learning and sensation. Neurodegeneration affects millions of people worldwide, and no integral cure has been created yet. Here, bioactive compounds have been proven to exert numerous beneficial effects due to their remarkable bioactivity, so they could be considered as great options for the development of new neuroprotective strategies. Phenolic bioactives have been reported to be found in edible part of plants; however, over the last years, a large amount of research has focused on the phenolic richness that plant by-products possess, which sometimes even exceeds the content in the pulp. Thus, their possible application as an emergent neuroprotective technique could also be considered as an optimal strategy to revalorize these agricultural residues (those originated from plant processing). This review aims to summarize main triggers of neurodegeneration, revise the state of the art in plant extracts and their role in avoiding neurodegeneration and discuss how their main phenolic compounds could exert their neuroprotective effects. For this purpose, a diverse search of studies has been conducted, gathering a large number of papers where by-products were used as strong sources of phenolic compounds for their neuroprotective properties. Finally, although a lack of investigation is quite remarkable and greatly limits the use of these compounds, phenolics remain attractive for research into new multifactorial anti-neurodegenerative nutraceuticals.

Bioactive polyphenols separated from hemp seed shells ameliorate H2 O2 -induced oxidative stress injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

In the present study, we investigated the protection of hemp seed polyphenols on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) from H₂ O₂ -mediated oxidative stress injury. Fractions with different polarities were obtained by separating the hemp seed extract using HPD300 macroporous resin-packed column. The fraction, desorbed by 50% ethanol, is rich in polyphenol (789.51 ± 21.92 mg GAE/g) and has the highest antioxidant activity in vitro. HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS identified the main polyphenol components in hemp seed shells: 4 hydroxycinnamic acid amides and 15 lignanamides. The protective effects of hemp seed polyphenol against oxidative-stress injury in HUVEC cells were evaluated by cell viability, intracellular antioxidant parameters, and cell apoptosis assay. After HUVEC cells were precultured with 50 µg/ml hemp seed polyphenols, the cell viability increased significantly from 53.07 ± 2.46% (model group) to 80.65 ± 1.32% (p < 0.01). In addition, the pretreatment of HUVEC cells with polyphenol could substantially increase their intracellular superoxide dismutase activity and reduce their intracellular reactive oxygen species level, malondialdehyde content, and lactate dehydrogenase leakage index. These findings demonstrate the defensive potential of hemp seed polyphenol in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Hemp seed shell waste is produced while producing hemp seed kernel and has abundant phenolic compounds. This research showed that hemp seed polyphenol has potent antioxidant activity in vitro and protects HUVEC cells against H₂ O₂ -induced oxidative stress injury, suggesting that hemp seed polyphenol has the defensive potential to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease. These results indicated that polyphenol separated from hemp seed shells is valuable for further research and development, which will improve the utilization rate of hemp seed.

Arbutin: Occurrence in Plants, and Its Potential as an Anticancer Agent

Arbutin, a hydroquinone glucoside, has been detected in ca. 50 plant families, especially in the plants of the Asteraceae, Ericaceae, Proteaceae and Rosaceae families. It is one of the most widely used natural skin-whitening agents. In addition to its skin whitening property, arbutin possesses other therapeutically relevant biological properties, e.g., antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, as well as anticancer potential. This review presents, for the first time, a comprehensive overview of the distribution of arbutin in the plant kingdom and critically appraises its therapeutic potential as an anticancer agent based on the literature published until the end of August 2022, accessed via several databases, e.g., Web of Science, Science Direct, Dictionary of Natural Products, PubMed and Google Scholar. The keywords used in the search were arbutin, cancer, anticancer, distribution and hydroquinone. Published outputs suggest that arbutin has potential anticancer properties against bladder, bone, brain, breast, cervix, colon, liver, prostate and skin cancers and a low level of acute or chronic toxicity.

Chemical Composition of Tobacco Seed Oils and Their Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Whitening Activities

Tobacco seeds are a valuable food oil resource, and tobacco seed oil is rich in nutrients, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids. The aim of this work was to perform a comprehensive study on the chemical constituents, and the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and whitening activities of tobacco seed oils (NC89 and BS4). A GC/MS analysis revealed that NC89 and BS4 had 11 and 6 volatile compounds, respectively. The PUFA contents in NC89 and BS4 were 74.98% and 72.84%, respectively. These two tobacco seed oils also presented good radical scavenging capacities with the neutralization of ABTS, OH^-, and superoxide (O₂^-) radicals in a concentration-dependent manner. Meanwhile, NC89 and BS4 inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and cell apoptosis, enhanced SOD and CAT activities, and increased the GSH content in H₂O₂-induced HepG2 cells. In addition, NC89 and BS4 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting the expressions of NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in LPS-induced RAW.264.7 cells through the regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Moreover, NC89 and BS4 expressed whitening activities by inhibiting tyrosinase activity and intracellular melanin production. Therefore, tobacco seed oils could be used as an important oil resource for the development of high value-added products.

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Gracilaria crassa leaf extract and their ecotoxicological potential: Issues to be considered

The use of vegetal species for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) biosynthesis can constitute an alternative to replacing the extensive use of several hazardous chemicals commonly used during NPs synthesis and, therefore, can reduce biological impacts induced by the release of these products into the natural environment. However, the "green nanoparticles" and/or "eco-friendly nanoparticles" label does not ensure that biosynthesized NPs are harmless to non-target organisms. Thus, we aimed to synthesize AuNPs from seaweed Gracilaria crassa aqueous extract through an eco-friendly, fast, one-pot synthetic route. The formation of spherical, stable, polycrystalline NPs with a diameter of 32.0 nm ± 4.0 nm (mean ±SEM) was demonstrated by UV-vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction measurement, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. In addition, different phytocomponents were identified in the biosynthesized AuNPs, using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). However, both G. crassa aqueous extract and the biosynthesized AuNPs showed high ecotoxicity in Anopheles stephensi larvae exposed to different concentrations. Therefore, our study supports the potential of seaweed G. crassa as a raw material source for AuNPs biosynthesis while also shedding light on its ecotoxicological potential, which necessitates consideration of its risk to aquatic biota.

Antioxidant Capacities and Enzymatic Inhibitory Effects of Different Solvent Fractions and Major Flavones from Celery Seeds Produced in Different Geographic Areas in China

To extend the application of celery (Apium graveolens L.) seeds, the antioxidant and enzymatic inhibitory activities of different fractions and their main flavones were investigated. The n-butanol fractions possessed the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) values. The n-butanol fractions from Northeast China samples exhibited the strongest free radical scavenging (DPPH IC₅₀ = 20.27 μg/mL, ABTS IC₅₀ = 15.11 μg/mL) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP 547.93 mg trolox (TE)/g) capacity, while those collected from Hubei China showed the optimal cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) values (465.78 mg TE/g). In addition, the dichloromethane fractions from Jiangsu samples displayed a maximum Fe²⁺ chelating capacity (20.81 mg ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)/g). Enzyme level experiments indicated polyphenolic compounds might be the main hypoglycemic active components. Subsequently, the enzyme inhibitory activity of nine main flavones was evaluated. Chrysoeriol-7-O-glucoside showed better α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than others. However, apigenin showed the best inhibitory effect on α-amylases, while the presence of glycosides would reduce its inhibitory effect. This study is the first scientific report on the enzymatic inhibitory activity, molecular docking, and antioxidant capacity of celery seed constituents, providing a basis for treating or preventing oxidative stress-related diseases and hyperglycemia.

Phenolic Constituents, Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Activities, Enzyme Inhibition Abilities of Five Fractions from Vaccinium dunalianum Wight

The bud of Vaccinium dunalianum Wight has been traditionally consumed as health herbal tea by “Yi” people in Yunnan Province, China, which was locally named “Que Zui tea”. This paper studied the chemical constituents of five fractions from Vaccinium dunalianum, and their enzyme inhibitory effects of α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase, antioxidant activity, and cytoprotective effects on H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells. The methanol extract of V. dunalianum was successively partitioned with petroleum ether (PF), chloroform (CF), ethyl acetate (EF), n-butanol (BF), and aqueous (WF) to obtain five fractions. The chemical profiling of the five fractions was analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), and 18 compounds were tentatively identified. Compared to PF, CF, BF and WF, the EF revealed the highest total phenols (TPC) and total flavonoids (TFC), and displayed the strongest enzyme inhibition ability (α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP). Furthermore, these five fractions, especially EF, could effectively inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell apoptosis on H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage protection in HepG2 cells. This inhibitory effect might be caused by the up-regulation of intracellular antioxidant enzyme activity (CAT, SOD, and GSH). The flavonoids and phenolic acids of V. dunalianum might be the bioactive substances responsible for enzyme inhibitory, antioxidant, and cytoprotective activities.

Ethanolic Extract from Pteris wallichiana Alleviates DSS-Induced Intestinal Inflammation and Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction by Inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB Pathway and Regulating Tight Junction Proteins

The aim of the research was to determine the protective effect and mechanism of Pteris wallichiana J. Agardh extract (PWE) on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. In this research, PWE is rich in flavonoids and diterpenoids by UPLC-MS/MS analysis. In LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, PWE reduced the productions of inflammatory factors (i.e., NO, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β). In DSS-induced UC in mice, PWE improved disease activity index (DAI) score, attenuated oxidative stress by decreasing MPO and MDA activities and activating GSH and SOD levels, and inhibited TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β expressions in the colonic tissues. PWE also improved the intestinal barrier by upregulating the expressions of tight junction proteins, including occludin and ZO-1. Moreover, PWE extract alleviated intestinal inflammation by suppressing the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusion: PWE can alleviate DSS-induced UC in mice by increasing the expressions of intestinal tight junction proteins and inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory pathway.