Comparative analysis of total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and flavonoids profile of fruits from two varieties of Brazilian cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.) throughout the fruit developmental stages

Widely metabolomic combined with transcriptome analysis to build a bioactive compound regulatory network for the fruit growth cycle in Pseudocydonia sinensis

Neglected and underutilised plants such as Pseudocydonia sinensis (Chinese quince) have garnered global interest as invaluable sources of natural bioactive compounds. Herein, a wide-targeted metabolomics-based approach revealed 1199 concurrent metabolites, with further analysis of their fluctuations across with the five stages of fruit growth. The bioactive compounds in Chinese quince primarily comprised sugars and organic acids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Moreover, 395 metabolites were identified as having medicinal properties and rutin was the most content of them. Transcriptome analysis further provided a molecular basis for the metabolic changes observed during fruit development. By thoroughly analysing metabolite and transcriptome data, we revealed changes in bioactive compounds and related genes throughout fruit development. This study has yielded valuable insights into the ripening process of Chinese quince fruit, presenting substantial implications for industrial applications, particularly in quality control.

Distribution profiles of phenolic compounds in a cultivar of wampee (Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels) fruits and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The fruits of wampee (Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels), which contain significant amounts of phenolics, are frequently applied as traditional medications to prevent or relieve inflammatory symptoms. Green honey wampee (GHW) is a local cultivar specially cultivated in Lianjiang City, Guangdong Province.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate phenolic distribution profiles in the peels, seeds and pulp of GHW as well as elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of the effective compounds for anti-inflammatory activity.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Phenolic compounds in the extract were identified through UPLC-MS/MS and their ability to alleviate inflammation was assessed using RAW 264.7 macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharide.

RESULTS

Among the three parts of GHW fruits, the total phenolic contents followed a descending order of peels > pulp > seeds. Additionally, eighty-six phenols were tentatively determined from the three parts, of which flavonoids accounted for the highest proportion. Furthermore, the phenolic extract of peels, seeds and pulp exhibited potential anti-inflammatory activity through the suppression effect on different pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, IL-6 and TNF-α). Among the three principal phenolic compounds (rutin, quercitrin, isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside) detected in GHW fruits, quercitrin was proved to be a more important anti-inflammatory compound inhibiting the iNOS and TNF-α mRNA expressions through the suppression effect on the phosphorylation of IκBα and ERK, belonging to the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathway respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Not only wampee pulp but also its by-products like peels and seeds are able to be comprehensively utilized as immunomodulatory supplements for daily diets due to their rich phenolic contents.

Chemical profile and quantitative comparison of constituents in different medicinal parts of Lactuca indica during varied harvest periods using UPLC-MS/MS method

Lactuca indica L. cv. Mengzao (LIM), acknowledged as a pivotal "One Root of Medicine and Food", boasts dual applications in both culinary and medicinal domains. This research delves into the influence of various harvest periods (vegetative, budding, blossom, and fruiting) on distinct medicinal parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds) of LIM, employing plant metabolomics to assess its chemical constituents. A total of 66 chemical constituents were identified in LIM, with 11 chemical components emerging as potential markers for distinguish medicinal parts. Notably, nutritional organs exhibited elevated levels of cichoric acid, rutin and chlorogenic acid. Specifically, leaves during the budding stage displayed the highest chicoric acid content at 11.70 mg·g-1. Conversely, reproductive organs showed heightened concentrations of cichoric acid, rutin and chlorogenic acid, with seeds exhibiting the peak cichoric acid content at 4.53 mg g-1. This study enriches our understanding of LIM by offering novel insights into quality assessment and the comprehensive utilization of its diverse parts.

Purple pitanga extract (Eugenia uniflora) attenuates oxidative stress induced by MPTP

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) has been widely used due to its specific and reproducible neurotoxic effect on the nigrostriatal system, being considered a convenient model of dopaminergic neurodegeneration to study interventions therapeutics. The purple pitanga (Eugenia uniflora) is a polyphenol-rich fruit with antioxidant and antidepressant properties, among others. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of purple pitanga extract (PPE) on acute early oxidative stress induced by intranasal 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) administration in rats. Male Wistar rats were pre-treated orally with PPE (1000 mg/kg) or vehicle. After 24 h, MPTP (0.1 mg/10µL/nostril) or vehicle was administered bilaterally into the animal's nostrils, and 6 h later, the olfactory bulb (OB), striatum (ST), and substantia nigra (SN) were collected to evaluate the oxidative stress parameters. Our findings revealed that OB and SN were the most affected areas after 6 h of MPTP infusion; an early increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels was observed, while pretreatment with a single dose of PPE prevented this increment. No differences in thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) formation were observed, although 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) levels increased, which is the most toxic form of lipid peroxidation, in the MPTP group. The PPE pretreatment could prevent this increase by increasing the NPSH levels previously decreased by MPTP. Furthermore, PPE prevents the Na+/K + ATPase strongly inhibited by MPTP, showing the neuroprotective capacity of the PPE by inhibiting the MPTP-generated oxidation. Thus, we demonstrated for the first time the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of PPE against the early MPTP neurotoxicity.

Phytochemical profile analysis by LC-ESI-MSn and LC-HR-ESI-MS and validated HPLC method for quantification of rutin in herbal drug and products from leaves of Croton blanchetianus

Phytochemical analysis of Croton blanchetianus leaves was performed by. After that, a high performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the determination of rutin in herbal drug and products of C. blanchetianus. The separation was achieved on a C18 column, and the mobile phase was composed of ultrapure water and methanol (acidified with trifluoroacetic acid) with a gradient of 0.8 ml/min. The method was validated following international guidelines. The chemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids. Among them rutin was used as the standard for validation. In the HPLC the presence of rutin was observed at 24.7 min. The method was robust, with no significant variations, and linear in the range evaluated with R2  > 0.99. Regarding the matrix effect, it was possible to prove the absence of interference of the constituents in the herbal drug. The precision was determined with a relative standard deviation of <1.34%. The recovery results were achieved between 89.29 and 101.21%. Furthermore, with partial validation, the method was proved to be suitable for the liquid extract, dry extract and effervescent granules. Therefore, this study demonstrated that the method is effective for the quality control analysis of C. blanchetianus leaves and products.

Metabolite fingerprinting of the ripening process in Pixian douban using a feature-based molecular network and metabolomics analysis

The unique flavor of Pixian douban (PXDB) is widely acknowledged to be associated with its maturation process. However, there is limited knowledge about the non-volatile metabolites that contribute to this flavor. To bridge this gap, this study employed a metabolomics approach and a feature-based molecular network (FBMN) analysis to investigate the non-volatile metabolite fingerprints of PXDB during its two-year maturation process. Specifically, the FBMN tool was utilized to annotate the flavonoid, amide derivatives, and lipid components of PXDB for the first time. Subsequently, the MolNetEnhancer tool was employed to complement the FBMN annotation and identify eight substructural components. Finally, metabolomics analysis was carried out to identify 45 key metabolites involved in flavor formation across 10 major metabolic pathways (p < 0.05). Overall, the findings of this study have significantly expanded our understanding of the non-volatile metabolite fingerprinting and flavor formation mechanisms.

Efficiency of Different Solvents in the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Plinia cauliflora and Syzygium cumini Fruits as Evaluated by Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry

Jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora) and jambolan (Syzygium cumini) fruits are rich in phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties, mostly concentrated in the peel, pulp, and seeds. Among the techniques for identifying these constituents, paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) stands out as a method of ambient ionization of samples for the direct analysis of raw materials. This study aimed to determine the chemical profiles of the peel, pulp, and seeds of jabuticaba and jambolan fruits, as well as to assess the efficiency of using different solvents (water and methanol) in obtaining metabolite fingerprints of different parts of the fruits. Overall, 63 compounds were tentatively identified in the aqueous and methanolic extracts of jabuticaba and jambolan, 28 being in the positive ionization mode and 35 in the negative ionization mode. Flavonoids (40%), followed by benzoic acid derivatives (13%), fatty acids (13%), carotenoids (6%), phenylpropanoids (6%), and tannins (5%) were the groups of substances found in greater numbers, producing different fingerprints according to the parts of the fruit and the different extracting solvents used. Therefore, compounds present in jabuticaba and jambolan reinforce the nutritional and bioactive potential attributed to these fruits, due to the potentially positive effects performed by these metabolites in human health and nutrition.

Elucidation of phenolic metabolites in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) by NMR and HPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS: Changes in isolated phenolics and antioxidant effects through diverse growth times

The current research was characterized on phenolic metabolite profile including six chemical structures (phenolic acid, luteolin, orientin, apigenin, isoscoparin, and tricin) in wheat seedlings using HPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS and NMR techniques. Our study was also was the first to demonstrate fluctuations of isolated nine phenolic contents and antioxidant properties in various cultivars of this species with different growth times. The antioxidant abilities differed significantly in the 80 % methanol extracts (600 μg/mL) according to cultivar and growth time, with the highest average activities (DPPH: 82 %; ABTS: 87 %) observed after 7 days. The isolated nine compositions exhibited considerable differences in cultivars and growth times, specifically, isoorientin (6) and isochaftoside (8) were observed the most abundant average contents (99.3; 64.3 mg/100 g), representing approximately 28.3 and 18.3 % (total content: 350.8 mg/100 g). Their total phenolics showed the highest rates (420.8 mg/100 g) at 7 days, followed by 9 → 5 → 12 → 14 days with 374.6 → 366.7 → 350.7 → 241.1 mg/100 g, as the rank orders of antioxidant effects. These findings suggest that wheat seedlings may be a potent source of functional agents.

Phenolic profiles, phytochemical composition and vitamin C content of selected horticultural produce from Central Queensland

The Central Queensland region of Australia is a large producer of horticultural produce; however, there are limited studies on the phytochemical composition of the produce from this region. Additionally, some crops or cultivars are poorly known in domestic markets; hence are currently only grown for niche markets. There is opportunity to expand production of these crops if they contain higher levels of health-benefiting compounds compared to existing cultivars. Hence this work aimed to elucidate the phytochemical composition of such under-marketed and/or under-utilised crops, including their phenolic acid and flavonoid profiles. The samples included nine cucurbits, two citrus fruits, dragonfruit and Brazilian cherry. The vitamin C (ascorbic acid) content was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection, while the phenolic profiles were gathered using targeted liquid chromatograph tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Antioxidant activity was quantified using the FRAP and CUPRAC assays, while total phenolic content was measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The results revealed extensive variation in the levels of health-benefiting compounds between the samples. The phenolic profiles of several species/cultivars are reported for the first time. The highest ascorbic acid content was found in blood orange skin (817 mg/100 g DW), while the highest total phenolic content was found in blood orange skin (1988 mg GAE/100 g). Samples showing high antioxidant capacity included blood orange skin, Brazilian cherry and spaghetti squash. These results may support the prospect of marketing several of the crops/cultivars as functional food crops in domestic or export markets.

Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Properties with Involved Mechanisms of Eugenia involucrata DC Fruits

In this study, the phytochemical profile and the antioxidative properties of Eugenia involucrata fruits were evaluated. Spectrophotometric assays indicated that these berries are a rich source of polyphenols with very high radical-scavenging and metal-reducing activities. High-performance liquid chromatography–Orbitrap analysis was able to carry out the annotation of 36 different compounds, mainly belonging to the flavonol, flavan-3-ol, and anthocyanin families. Antioxidant activity of the fruit extract was evaluated in a cell-based lipid peroxidation model. Obtained data showed that the extract, at very low concentration, was able to prevent oxidative damage in HepG2 cells exposed to oxidative stimuli. Moreover, the evaluation of the gene expression of the most important antioxidant enzymes suggested that the observed antioxidant protection in cells also involves an improvement in enzymatic antioxidant defenses. Finally, the collected data show that E. involucrata fruits are a good source of natural antioxidant molecules and provide evidence of their potential application in the nutraceutical field.

Dereplication of phenolic derivatives of three Erythroxylum species using liquid chromatography coupled with ESI-MSn and HRESIMS

INTRODUCTION

Given the diversity of secondary metabolites produced by species of the genus Erythroxylum, in addition to the many methods that have already been described in the literature, modern screening and identification methodologies, such as dereplication, represent an efficient and quick strategy compared to the classic techniques linked to natural product research.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present study was to determine the phenolic profiles obtained from three species of Erythroxylum (Erythroxylum pauferrense Plowman, Erythroxylum pulchrum A.St.-Hil. and Erythroxylum simonis Plowman) by dereplication using liquid chromatography coupled with ESI-MSⁿ and HRESIMS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ethyl acetate and n-butanolic fractions from crude ethanolic extract of Erythroxylum species were analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MSⁿ and HPLC-HRESIMS, in order to identify its corresponding compounds. Experiments were performed in negative ionization mode, and the metabolites were provisionally identified based on deprotonated molecules, molecular formulas, fragmentation patterns and literature data. The corresponding isolated compounds were characterized by ¹ H and ¹³ C NMR spectroscopy.

RESULTS

According to the dereplication method, it was possible to establish and compare the phenolic profile of the corresponding species by the assignment of 55 compounds, most of which were first described in these species and among which some were also new to the Erytroxylum genus. Additionally, nine compounds were isolated, including biphenyl-3,3',4,4'-tetraol, where the mass spectral data were not sufficient for their identification, and reported for the first time in the Erythroxylaceae family.

CONCLUSION

This research contributes to the phytochemical knowledge of the Erythroxylum genus and demonstrates the importance of the dereplication method regarding the investigation of natural products, enabling accurate identification of the metabolites while avoiding the efforts and material expenses involved in the isolation of known compounds.

Bioactive Compounds of Fruit Parts of Three Eugenia uniflora Biotypes in Four Ripening Stages

Variability of secondary metabolites in edible (peel and pulp) and inedible (seeds) parts of three pitanga varieties, red, red-orange and purple, was investigated during the maturation process. Hydrolysable tannins, anthocyanins, and flavonoids were quantified by HPLC/DAD and carotenoids by absorbance. Peel/pulp showed greater complexity of constituents (carotenoids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and hydrolysable tannins), while only tannins were identified in seeds, but in quantities of 10 to 100 times greater. The red-orange variety showed the highest levels of phenolic compounds in seeds and peel/pulp, except anthocyanins. The analysis of the principal response curves showed that the pitanga biotype has greater influence on metabolite variation than ripening stages. During peel/pulp maturation, a reduction in the levels of flavonoids and tannins contrasted with an increase in carotenoids and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside in all varieties, whereas in the seeds oenothein B, the major tannin, increased up to 1.32 g/100 g fresh weight. Such marked differences between fruit parts demonstrate that the seeds in stages E3 and E4 are a source of hydrolysable tannins, compounds known for their antitumor activity, while peel/pulp of all varieties in the ripe stage provide natural antioxidants, such as carotenoids and flavonoids. Lastly, the purple biotype can be a rich source of the cyanidin-3-O-glucoside pigment a potent bioactive compound.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Leaves of Two Specimens of Eugenia florida DC

Eugenia florida DC. belongs to the Myrtaceae family, which is present in almost all of Brazil. This species is popularly known as pitanga-preta or guamirim and is used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal problems. In this study, two specimens of Eugenia florida (Efl) were collected in different areas of the same region. Specimen A (EflA) was collected in an area of secondary forest (capoeira), while specimen B (EflB) was collected in a floodplain area. The essential oils (EOs) were extracted from both specimens of Eugenia florida by means of hydrodistillation. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to identify the volatile compounds present, and the antioxidant capacity of the EOs was determined by antioxidant capacity (AC-DPPH) and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant (TEAC) assay. For E. florida, limonene (11.98%), spathulenol (10.94%) and α-pinene (5.21%) were identified as the main compounds of the EO extracted from sample A, while sample B comprised selina-3,11-dien-6α-ol (12.03%), eremoligenol (11.0%) and γ-elemene (10.70%). This difference in chemical composition impacted the antioxidant activity of the EOs between the studied samples, especially in sample B of E. florida. This study is the first to report on the antioxidant activity of Eugenia florida DC. essential oils.

Protein, Amino Acid, Oil, Fatty Acid, Sugar, Anthocyanin, Isoflavone, Lutein, and Antioxidant Variations in Colored Seed-Coated Soybeans

Different physiological and genetic studies show that the variations in the accumulation of pigment-stimulating metabolites result in color differences in soybean seed coats. The objective of this study was to analyze the nutrient contents and antioxidant potential in black, brown, and green seed-coated soybeans. Significant variations in protein (38.9-43.3%), oil (13.9-20.4%), total sugar (63.5-97.0 mg/g seed), total anthocyanin (3826.0-21,856.0 μg/g seed coat), total isoflavone (709.5-3394.3 μg/g seed), lutein (1.9-14.8 μg/g), total polyphenol (123.0-385.8 mg gallic acid/100 g seed), total flavonoid (22.1-208.5 mg catechin/100 g seed), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS; 275.0-818.8 mg Trolox/100 g seed), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH; 96.3-579.7 mg Trolox/100 g seed) were found among the soybean genotypes. Ilpumgeomjeong2 contained the lowest protein but the highest oil and total sugar. The lowest oil-containing Wonheug had the highest protein content. Socheong2 was rich in all four variables of antioxidants. Anthocyanins were detected only in black soybeans but not in brown and green soybeans. The variation in isoflavone content was up to 5-fold among the soybean genotypes. This study could be a valuable resource for the selection and improvement of soybean because an understanding of the nutrient content and antioxidant potentials is useful to develop effective strategies for improving the economic traits; for example, the major emphasis of soybean breeding for fatty acids is to enhance the oleic and linoleic acid contents and to decrease linolenic acid content.

Comparative study of antioxidant and anticancer activities and HPTLC quantification of rutin in white radish (Raphanus sativus L.) leaves and root extracts grown in Saudi Arabia

The nutrient contents of Raphanus sativus L. (white radish) leaves (RSLs) and roots are known to have promising vital effects. We comparatively investigated the leaves and roots of R. sativus grown in Saudi Arabia to estimate the total phenol and flavonoid contents using the standard colorimetric methods. The antioxidant activity of RSLs and R. sativus roots (RSRs) were measured by 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. Both extracts’ cytotoxic activity was assessed by MTT assay against several human cancer cell lines (A549, HepG2, MDA-MB-231, and MCF-7). High-performance thin-layer chromatography was used to identify and quantify the biomarker compound rutin in both extracts. The total phenolic content in RSLs (125.3 mg of gallic acid equivalent [GAE]/g) was higher than that in roots (95.8 of GAE/g), whereas the flavonoid content (44.5 mg of quercetin equivalent [QE]/g) was almost double compared in RSR extract (24.4 of QE/g). Similarly, RSLs exhibited a higher antioxidative activity than RSRs in both DPPH (IC50 216.8 vs 359.7 µg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 326.7 vs 549 µg/mL) models. RSLs also demonstrated the highest antiproliferative efficiency against all cell lines, with IC50 values of 217–453 µg/mL. The reversed-phase-high-performance thin-layer chromatography results showed the presence of rutin (5.2 µg/mg) only in RSLs. Our study indicates RSLs as a promising source of bioactive compounds compared with roots.

Fruit quality and antioxidant potential of Prunus humilis Bunge accessions

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the fruit quality of Prunus humilis and identify cultivars that could provide superior human health benefits. We measured the basic characteristics, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacities of 137 P. humilis accessions. Flavonoid and phenol content were determined via colorimetry and ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography. Single fruit and stone weights varied widely and were genetically diverse among accessions. The variation in soluble solid content was comparatively narrow. Total flavonoid content (TFC) ranged from 3.90 to 28.37 mg/g FW, with an average of 10.58 mg/g FW in 2019. Significant differences between accessions in terms of TFC, total phenol content, and antioxidant capacity were found. TFC in the accessions was normally distributed and predominantly in the medium range (9.57-15.23 mg/g FW). Red was the predominant peel color over all other phenotypes (i.e., dark red, red, light red, red-orange, and yellow). There was no obvious correlation between peel color and TFC. Catechin was the major flavonoid component in the fruit. Principal component analysis showed that TFC, ABTS, single fruit weight, and vertical and horizontal diameter contributed to the first two principal components for each accession. Accessions 10-02, 3-17-2, 3-17-4, and JD1-6-7-37 were characterized by high TFC, ABTS, and large fruit. We believe that our results will aid in the breeding and functional food processing of Prunus humilis.

Identification of anthocyanin compositions in black seed coated Korean adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) by NMR and UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS and screening for their antioxidant properties using different solvent systems

The aim of the present research was to investigate the antioxidant properties and anthocyanin profiles in the black seed coated adzuki bean (Vigna angularis, Geomguseul cultivar). The acidic 60% methanol extract (40 μg/mL) contains the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents (486 ± 3 mg GAE/100 g; 314 ± 10 mg CE/100 g) with potent antioxidant properties (trolox equivalent 1272 ± 26 and 662 ± 24 mg TE/100 g) against ABTS and DPPH radicals compared to other methanol-water ratios (20, 40, 80, and 100%). Ten anthocyanin components were identified in this extract including delphinidin-3,5-O-digalactoside (1), delphinidin-3,5-O-diglucoside (2), delphinidin-3-O-galactoside (3), delphinidin-3-O-glucoside (4), delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside (5), delphinidin-3-O-(p-coumaroyl)glucoside (6), cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (7), petunidin-3-O-galactoside (8), petunidin-3-O-glucoside (9) and petunidin-3-O-(p-coumaroyl)glucoside (10) via NMR spectroscopy and UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS analysis. The key anthocyanins 3 and 4 of delphinidin type were isolated by reversed phase C-18 MPLC. Our results indicate that the anthocyanin profiles as well as the high phenolic and flavonoid contents are important factors determining the antioxidant effects of black adzuki bean.

Non-nutrients and nutrients from Latin American fruits for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been rapidly increasing; among them, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for around 1/3 of deaths in the world. Environmental factors play a central role in their development. Diet is a very important factor in this scenario, and the intake of fruits and vegetables has been considered as one of the critical strategies for reducing the risk of CVDs. Fruits are a source of micronutrients and bioactive compounds that could have cardioprotective effects through several distinct mechanisms, such as antioxidant, antithrombotic and antiplatelet activities, vasodilatation, improvement of plasma lipid profiles, and modulation of inflammatory signaling. Brazil has a very rich and unexplored biodiversity in its different biomes, with several types of fruit, which are a source of bioactive compounds and micronutrients with therapeutic properties. In this sense, this review shows the current knowledge regarding the cardioprotective properties of selected Latin American and Brazilian fruits, including their effects on the activation of platelets and on the inflammation processes involved in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

Physicochemical characterization of 'Cerrado' cashew (Anacardium othonianum Rizzini) fruits and pseudofruits

BACKGROUND

The Cerrado occupies 23% of Brazil. A. othonianum is a native Cerrado species that presents differently colored pseudofruits. This report describes the morphometric properties, physicochemical characterization, and phenolic and flavonoid compound compositions of 30 accessions of A. othonianum.

RESULTS

The morphometric properties show that an average fruit had 21.97 mm length, 18.61 mm width, and 11.13 mm thickness, with 2.52 g mass. The pseudofruits had 28.84 mm apex width with 12.83 g of mass. The hue parameters of the pseudofruits were 18.67 ± 2.00 and 83.32 ± 1.97° (P < 0.05), reflecting their red to yellow color. The titratable acidity of the accessions was 0.91 ± 0.09 to 3.02 ± 0.02% (P < 0.05), soluble solid content was 9.60 ± 0.17 to 13.47 ± 0.38 °Brix (P < 0.05), and pH ranged from 2.83 ± 0.06 to 3.83 ± 0.06 (P < 0.05). Fourteen flavonoid compounds were identified. The most common compounds in the accessions were vitexin (93% of the accessions), hesperidin (57% of the accessions), epicatechin (34% of the accessions), and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside (30% of the accessions). Cluster analysis generated four groups with the traits ΔE, °h, C, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, pH, total flavonoids, and their identified compounds.

CONCLUSIONS

Although all accessions are A. othonianum, there the chemical composition and the physical characteristics of these fruits vary. This is the first report in the literature using wild accessions. Greater disclosure of the species characteristic is interesting because it can increase income for the local population. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Chemical profiling of secondary metabolites of Eugenia uniflora and their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pain killing and anti-diabetic activities: A comprehensive approach

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The red Brazilian cherry, Eugenia uniflora, is widely used in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical composition of a methanol extract from leaves of E. uniflora and characterization of the isolated compounds. In addition, we aimed to determine the antioxidant activities in vitro and in a cell-based (HaCaT cell) model. We also studied the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and antidiabetic activities in relevant rat models. The molecular mode of action of the antidiabetic activities was also investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

UV, MS, and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, DEPT, COSY, HMQC, and HMBC) were used to identify the secondary metabolites. Antioxidant effects were determined in vitro and in HaCaT cells. The ani-inflammatory and antidibetic activities were studied in experimental animals.

RESULTS

In this work, a new compound, gallic acid 3-O-[6'-O-acetyl-β-D-glucoside], along with 16 known plant secondary metabolites (PSM) were isolated, characterized using UV, MS, and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, DEPT, COSY, HMQC, and HMBC). Noticeable antioxidant effects were determined in HaCaT cells: The extract reduced the elevated levels of ROS and p38 phosphorylation and increased the reduced glutathione (GSH) content induced by UVA. The extract showed substantial anti-inflammatory activities in vivo: It diminished the edema thickness in carrageenan-induced hind-paw edema rat model and lowered the leukocyte migration into the peritoneal cavity. In rats, central and peripheral anti-nociceptive properties were also observed: The extract reduced the number of writhing in acid induced writhing and increased the latency time in hot plate test. Furthermore, adequate antipyretic effects were observed: The extract reduced the elevated rectal temperature in rats after intraperitoneal injection of Brewer's yeast. Moreover, the extract possessed robust anti-diabetic activity in streptozotocin (STZ) -diabetic rats: It markedly reduced the elevated serum glucose and lipid peroxidation levels and increased the insulin concentration in serum with higher potency than the positive control, glibenclamide. These effects might be associated with the interaction of PSM with the conserved amino acid residues of human pancreatic α-amylase (HPA), maltase glucoamylase (MGAM-C) and aldose reductase (ALR2) revealing considerable binding affinities.

CONCLUSION

A plethora of substantial pharmacological properties indicates that Eugenia uniflora is a good antioxidant and a sustainable by-product with solid therapeutic potential for treating diabetes, inflammation, pain and related oxidative stress diseases.

Differential Production of Pigments by Halophilic Bacteria Under the Effect of Salt and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Activity

Microorganisms that survive in the high salt environment have been shown to be a potential source for metabolites with pharmaceutical importance. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of 5 and 10% (w/v) NaCl on growth, biochemical changes, and metabolite production in seven moderately halophilic bacteria isolated from the salterns/mangrove area of South India. Metabolite production by Bacillus VITPS3 increased by 3.18-fold in the presence of 10% (w/v) NaCl concentration. Total phenolic and flavonoid content increased in Bacillus VITPS5 (11.3-fold) and Planococcus maritimus VITP21 (5.99-fold) whereas β-carotene content was less at higher NaCl concentrations. VITP21 and VITPS5, in response to NaCl, produced metabolites with higher (6.72- and 4.91-fold) DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity. UV/visible spectrophotometry of the extracts confirmed the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, and related compounds. ¹H-NMR spectra indicated substantial changes in the metabolite production in response to salt concentration. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that VITP21 extracts exhibited the highest antioxidant activity compared with other extracts. The present study presents the first report on the comparative analysis of pigment production by moderate halophilic bacteria, in response to the effect of salt and their relation to radical scavenging property.

An integrated approach for harvesting Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa) for quality and functional compounds related to maturity stages

This study aims to link morphological and physico-chemical parameters with maturity stages of Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa), an edible southern African fruit. Harvesting via an integrative holistic approach is recommended for optimal quality and functional compounds. Fruits at dark green (M1), light green (M2), colour break or pink (M3), red (M4), dark red (M5) stages were harvested in 2016 and 2017 seasons. The principal component analysis illustrated the colour value a* (redness), fruit weight, size (length and width), sugars (glucose and fructose), ascorbic acid content, cyanidin derivatives (cyanidin-3-O-pyranoside, cyanidin 3-O-β-sambubioside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside), naringenin 4'-O-glucoside, and antioxidant property (FRAP) were higher in the following order of maturity stages M5 > M4 > M3 > M2 > M1. Quercetin 3-O-rhamnosyl galactoside and glucoside were higher in green (h° higher) firm M1 to M3 stages. A strong correlation exists between fruit weight, size, a* value and cyanidin derivatives or naringenin 4'-O-glucoside or ascorbic acid content or antioxidant activity. Thus, the M4 and M5 stages of Natal plum can serve as functional food.

Variability of polyphenols and volatiles during fruit development of three pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) biotypes

Changes in volatile constituents and phenolic compounds were investigated during fruit development of three pitanga biotypes. Constituents were submitted to multivariate analysis and fruit samples were differentiated by selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one (38.2 ± 2.9%) and its epoxide (26.4 ± 7.2%) for the red-orange biotype; by curzerene (15.04 ± 2.1%) and atractylone (8.47 ± 2.1%) for the red biotype; and by spathulenol (3.7 ± 0.8%) and germacrone (54.7 ± 3.1%) for the purple biotype. Hydrolysable tannins such as mono-O-galloyl-d-glucose, 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose, tellimagrandin II, and eugeniflorin D₂ were identified, as well as oenothein B as the major compound (32.43 ± 7.1 mg/g dry fruit). During pitanga's maturation, anthocyanin content increased, while flavonoid and tannin contents decreased. Higher contents of the majority of phenolic compounds occurred in the red-orange biotype. Biosynthesis of phenolic compounds was influenced by biotype and degree of maturation, whereas chemovariation in essential oil constituents was mainly due to biotypes, thus confirming essential oil chemotypes of E. uniflora.

HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS profiling, antioxidant, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of Pyracantha fortuneana fruit extracts

This study was carried out to optimize the solvent for extracting the antioxidants and α-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) from Pyracantha fortuneana fruit (PFF) and the major chemical components were characterized by HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. The results showed that 50% and 70% acetone (v/v, ml/ml) gave the best extraction efficiency on phenolics and total flavonoids, while 70% acetone and 50% methanol possess better recovery on protein and polysaccharides, respectively. In addition, the 50% and 70% acetone extracts gave the strongest radical scavenging ability and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (p > 0.05), but the Fe³⁺ reducing power of the 50% acetone extract was higher than that of 70% acetone. Correlation analysis indicated that phenolic acids and flavonoids were connected to the antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity closely. Moreover, 25 compounds including 7 flavonoids, 6 phenolic acids, 7 organic acids, 3 tannins, 1 terpene, and 1 alkaloid were identified or tentatively identified in the 50% acetone extract. Overall, 50% acetone can be a proper solvent for extracting antioxidants and AGIs from PFF. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Imbalance between production and clearance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body could induce various chronic diseases. PFF is an edible fruit beneficial to human health; it is reported to be capable of optimizing blood glucose levels and may prevent premature aging. In the present study, PFF was found to be excellent in antioxidant activities and α-glucosidase inhibitory ability; 50% acetone was found to be the best extraction solvent. In addition, the predominant phytochemical components of the 50% acetone extract were characterized. This study can promote further research of Pyracantha fortuneana in natural functional products, especially in the prevention of type II diabetes and its complication.

Comparison of Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activities of Maclura tricuspidata Fruit Extracts at Different Maturity Stages

Maclura tricuspidata fruit contains various bioactive compounds and has traditionally been used in folk medicine and as valuable food material in Korea. The composition and contents of bioactive compounds in the fruit can be influenced by its maturity stages. In this study, total phenol, total flavonoid, individual polyphenolic compounds, total carotenoids and antioxidant activities at four maturity stages of the fruit were determined. Polyphenolic compounds were analyzed using high-pressure liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF-MS) and HPLC. Among 18 polyphenolic compounds identified in this study, five parishin derivatives (gastrodin, parishin A, B, C, E) were positively identified for the first time in this plant. These compounds were also validated and quantified using authentic standards. Parishin A was the most abundant component, followed by chlorogenic acid, gastrodin, eriodictyol glucoside, parishin C, parishin E and parishin B. The contents of all the polyphenolic compounds were higher at the immature and premature stages than at fully mature and overmature stages, while total carotenoid was found to be higher in the mature and overmature stages. Overall antioxidant activities by three different assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP) decreased as maturation progressed. Antioxidant properties of the fruit extract are suggested to be attributed to the polyphenols.

Evaluation of the toxicity and anti-inflammatory activities of the infusion of leaves of Campomanesia guazumifolia (Cambess.) O. Berg

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Some species of Campomanesia are used in the folk medicine due to anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrheal, anti-diabetes and hypercholesterolemic. However studies with Campomanesia guazumifolia (Cambess.) O. Berg. are scarce.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory activity and toxicological profile of infusion obtained from leaves of Campomanesia guazumifolia in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Leaves infusion of C. guazumifolia was obtained in the proportion of 20 g/L (leaves/water) at 95-100 °C for 10 min in an enclosed container. The acute toxicity of the leaves infusion of C. guazumifolia lyophilized (ICG) was assessed by oral administration to female mice at doses of 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000 mg/kg, and the general behavior and toxic symptoms were observed for 14 days. In the subacute toxicity model, female mice were treated orally with the ICG (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) during 28 days, and biochemical, toxic signs and the estrous cycle were evaluated. The anti-inflammatory activity of the ICG (70, 300 and 700 mg/kg) was analyzed using carrageenan-induced pleurisy and inflammatory paw (mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia).

RESULTS

Three flavonoids glycosylated and a cyclohexanecarboxylic acid were identified in the ICG: quercetin pentose, quercetin deoxyhexoside, myricetin deoxyhexoside and quinic acid. No clinical signs of acute toxicity were observed, suggesting that the LD₅₀ (Lethal Dose) is above 5000 mg/kg. Subacute exposure of mice to the ICG did not change significantly the hematological and biochemical parameters as well as histology of organs. The ICG increased the duration of estrous cycle in all phases, showing anti-inflammatory potential by decreasing leukocyte migration, extravasation protein in the pleural cavity and antiedematogenic activity. The ICG treatment at a dose of 700 mg/kg decreased the mechanical hyperalgesia, while at doses of 300 mg/kg and 700 mg/kg, decreased the sensitivity to the cold.

CONCLUSION

The results evidenced the anti-inflammatory potential with low toxicity of infusion of the leaves of C. guazumifolia, supporting the popular use of this species.

Potential of Borojoa patinoi Cuatrecasas water extract to inhibit nosocomial antibiotic resistant bacteria and cancer cell proliferation in vitro

Borojó (Borojoa patinoi Cuatrec.) is a fruit used in Colombian traditional medicine with supposed antihypertensive, antitumoral, diuretic, healing, immunological, anti-inflammatory and aphrodisiac effects. To explore the relative merits in terms of biological activities of borojó aqueous extract (BAE), we investigated in vitro its antimicrobial activity on nosocomial pathogenic and multidrug resistant (MDR) strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6), Staphylococcus aureus (1) and Candida species (6), as well as its cytotoxicity on human conjunctive Wong-Kilbourne derivative (WKD) cells and Caco-2 cells from heterogeneous human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma. The bacteriostatic activity was observed overall on P. aeruginosa strains, as evidenced by the increase of the lag phase (43 hours) and reduction of the maximum growth rate detected using 187.5 mg BAE per mL. The bactericidal activity, instead, was observed at 375 mg BAE per mL. On the other hand, BAE showed an anti-proliferative effect against the Caco-2 cell line and was shown to be toxic on the WKD cell line at concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 187.5 μg mL-1. The analysis of the phenolic fraction of the fruit aqueous extract (BAE) using UHPLC-MS/MS showed the presence of 26 compounds, with vanillic, syringic and o-coumaric acids as the most abundant. Among these molecules, 7.81 ng mL-1 luteolin and myricetin, singly tested, were able to reduce bacterial growth. To the best of our knowledge, we are unaware of any previous studies demonstrating the anti-bacterial activity of borojó aqueous extract against antibiotic resistant strains of P. aeruginosa, and its anti-proliferative effect against WKD and Caco-2 cell lines. The latter result offers a potential base for new interest and investigations in relation to colon carcinoma models and borojó fruit consumption, since in Colombia this fruit is consumed also for its supposed antitumoral effects.

Phytochemical components and amino acid profile of brown seaweed Durvillaea antarctica as affected by air drying temperature

The effects of different drying temperatures between 40 and 80 °C on bioactive constituents and antioxidant activity of edible sub Antarctic brown seaweed, Durvillaea antarctica were studied. Dietary fibre, amino acids profile, pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids), vitamin E, total phenolics and total flavonoids as well as antioxidant activity were determined, beside a measurement of the chromatic coordinates. The brown seaweed D. antarctica had a high content of dietary fibre and was rich in essential amino acids and drying between 40 and 80 °C did not influence significantly dietary fibre content nor the level of essential amino acids that remained around 44%. However, a significant degradation of the chlorophyll pigments was observed with the lowest level of the initial chlorophyll content occurring at 60 °C (59%). Total carotenoids content was stable during drying between 50 and 70 °C. Vitamin E showed no significant loss during drying at any of the assayed temperatures, which could be due to its occurrence within the lipid fraction. Drying at 40 °C imparted a darker brown colour to the seaweed, while a lighter brown colour was acquired as drying temperature increased. The greatest loss in total phenolics content occurred at 60 °C, while total flavonoids content showed a significant reduction, which declined as drying temperature increased. According to the experimental results, phenolics and flavonoids could be considered as an important source of bioactive compounds with relatively high antioxidant activity. Thus D. antarctica may satisfy the requirements for development of functional foods.

Purple pitanga fruit (Eugenia uniflora L.) protects against oxidative stress and increase the lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans via the DAF-16/FOXO pathway

Pitanga, a fruit of the pitangueira tree (Eugenia uniflora L.), is native to Brazil and has a high antioxidant capacity due to the elevated amount of anthocyanins. The present study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of the purple pitanga fruit and to evaluate its antioxidant effect in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We observed that the ethanolic extract of purple pitanga did not cause any toxic effects but notably increased worm lifespan. The extract improved the survival, reproduction and lifespan of the worms in pre- and post-exposure to stressors H₂O₂ and juglone, as well as improved the lifespan of the oxidative stress hypersensitive strain mev-1. Notably, PPE extract decreased reactive oxygen species by DCF-DA probe and protein carbonyl content from worms stressed with H₂O₂. The extract also affected the expression of superoxide dismutase SOD-3 and heat shock protein HSP-16.2 levels, daf 16 target genes that modulate lifespan and antioxidant metabolism. In addition, we demonstrate that these effects are dependent on DAF-16, as PPE extract did not provide protection in daf-16 mutants. Therefore, these results suggest that PPE significantly protected against oxidative stress modulating daf-16 target genes.

Berries grown in Brazil: anthocyanin profiles and biological properties

BACKGROUND

Phytochemical profiles of two Brazilian native fruits - pitanga (red and purple) and araçá (yellow and red) - as well as strawberry cultivars Albion, Aromas and Camarosa, blackberry cultivar Tupy and blueberry cultivar Bluegen cultivated in Brazil were characterized for total phenolic content and total anthocyanin content by liquid chromatography coupled to a photodiode array and a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Radical scavenging, antiherpes and cytotoxic activities of these berry extracts were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Blueberry presented the highest total anthocyanin content (1202 mg cyanidin-O-glucoside equivalents kg^-1 fresh fruit), while strawberry cultivar Aromas presented the highest total phenolic content (13 550 mg gallic acid equivalents kg^-1 fresh fruit). Liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis resulted in the identification of 21 anthocyanins. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of cyanidin-O-glucoside in yellow and red Araçá fruit and the first time eight anthocyanins have been reported in pitanga fruits. DPPH and ABTS assays showed that blueberry cultivar Bluegen, blackberry cultivar Tupy and pitanga (red and purple) showed the most promising antiradical activities, respectively. No relevant cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines or antiherpes activity was detected under the experimental conditions tested.

CONCLUSION

Total anthocyanin content of all fruits had a strong positive correlation with their free radical scavenging activity, suggesting anthocyanins contribute to the antioxidant potential of these fruits. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Phenolic Profiling and Antioxidant Capacity of Eugenia uniflora L. (Pitanga) Samples Collected in Different Uruguayan Locations

The use of nutrient-rich foods to enhance the wellness, health and lifestyle habits of consumers is globally encouraged. Native fruits are of great interest as they are grown and consumed locally and take part of the ethnobotanic knowledge of the population. Pitanga is an example of a native fruit from Uruguay, consumed as a jelly or an alcoholic beverage. Pitanga has a red-violet pigmentation, which is a common trait for foods that are a good source of antioxidants. Hence, fruits from different Uruguayan regions were analyzed via miniaturized sample preparation method, HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSⁿ and RP-HPLC-DAD techniques to identify and quantify phenolic compounds, respectively. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated via DPPH and ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) assays. A multivariate linear regression was applied to correlate the observed antioxidant capacity with the phenolic content. Furthermore, Principal Components Analysis was performed to highlight characteristics between the various samples studied. The main results indicated differences between northern and southern Uruguayan samples. Delphinidin-3-hexoside was present in southern samples (mean of 293.16 µmol/100 g dry weight (DW)) and absent in the sample collected in the north (sample 3). All the samples contain high levels of cyanidin-3-hexoside, but a noticeable difference was found between the northern sample (150.45 µmol/100 g DW) and the southern sample (1121.98 µmol/100 g DW). The antioxidant capacity (mean ORAC of 56370 µmol Trolox^®/100 g DW) were high in all the samples compared to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) database of similar berry-fruits. The results of this study highlight the nutraceutical value of a native fruit that has not been exploited until now.

High resolution UPLC-MS/MS profiling of polyphenolics in the methanol extract of Syzygium samarangense leaves and its hepatoprotective activity in rats with CCl4-induced hepatic damage

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of several liver diseases. Many natural polyphenols can attenuate oxidative stress and liver injury. In this study, a phytochemical profiling of a methanol extract from leaves of Syzygium samarangense revealed 92 compounds belonging to flavonoids, phenolic acids, condensed tannins, and ellagitannins. The S. samarangense extract exhibited a noticeable antioxidant activity with an EC₅₀ of 5.80 μg/mL measured by DPPH scavenging capacity assay, 2632 Trolox equivalents, 10 mM Fe²⁺ equivalents/mg of samples by TEAC and FRAP assays, respectively. The total phenolic content was 419 mg gallic acid equivalent GAE/g extract. In a cell-based model (HaCaT cells), the extract completely inhibited ROS production induced by UVA, and prevented GSH-depletion and p38 phosphorylation. In addition, the extract exhibited a substantial antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities in CCl₄-treated rats, with an increase in GSH (reduced glutathione) and SOD (superoxide dismutase) activities by 84.75 and 26.27%, respectively, and a decrease of 19.08, 63.05, 52.21, 37.00, 13.26, and 15.15% in MDA, ALT, AST, TB (total bilirubin), TC (total cholesterol), and TG (total glycerides), respectively. These results were confirmed by histopathological analyses. We believe that Syzygium samarangense is a good candidate for further evaluation as an antioxidant and liver protecting drug.

Superfruits: Phytochemicals, antioxidant efficacies, and health effects - A comprehensive review

The term "superfruit" has gained increasing usage and attention recently with the marketing strategy to promote the extraordinary health benefits of some exotic fruits, which may not have worldwide popularity. This has led to many studies with the identification and quantification of various groups of phytochemicals. This contribution discusses phytochemical compositions, antioxidant efficacies, and potential health benefits of the main superfruits such as açai, acerola, camu-camu, goji berry, jaboticaba, jambolão, maqui, noni, and pitanga. Novel product formulations, safety aspects, and future perspectives of these superfruits have also been covered. Research findings from the existing literature published within the last 10 years have been compiled and summarized. These superfruits having numerous phytochemicals (phenolic acids, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, iridoids, coumarins, hydrolysable tannins, carotenoids, and anthocyanins) together with their corresponding antioxidant activities, have increasingly been utilized. Hence, these superfruits can be considered as a valuable source of functional foods due to the phytochemical compositions and their corresponding antioxidant activities. The phytochemicals from superfruits are bioaccessible and bioavailable in humans with promising health benefits. More well-designed human explorative studies are needed to validate the health benefits of these superfruits.

Effect of in vitro digestion on the functional properties of Psidium cattleianum Sabine (araçá), Butia odorata (Barb. Rodr.) Noblick (butiá) and Eugenia uniflora L. (pitanga) fruit extracts

This study evaluated the effect of in vitro digestion on the functional properties of three Brazilian native fruit extracts.

Polyphenolics from Albizia harveyi Exhibit Antioxidant Activities and Counteract Oxidative Damage and Ultra-Structural Changes of Cryopreserved Bull Semen

Albizia harveyi is a tropical deciduous tree, found across South and Eastern Africa and widely used in traditional medicine. The leaf extract ameliorated the damaging effects of the frozen-thawing process in cryopreserved bull semen. In a dose-dependent pattern, sperm motility, viability, and membrane integrity were improved compared to the untreated control. Furthermore, the extract increased the percentage of viable sperm cells and reduced the percentages of early apoptotic and apoptotic sperm cells as well as the damage in sperm ultra-structure. These activities are in agreement with the robust antioxidant properties in vitro and in the seminal fluid as observed in the total antioxidant capacity and the lipid peroxidation parameter malondialdehyde. LC-MS yielded 35 compounds. The extract was dominated by quercetin-O-galloyl-hexoside and quercetin-O-pentoside, along with other flavonoid glycosides. The polyphenols are probably responsible for the observed activities. In conclusion, the current findings show that A. harveyi leaves are rich in bioactive polyphenols with functional properties, validating its traditional use.