Characterization, antioxidant and antiglycation properties of polysaccharides extracted from the medicinal halophyte Carpobrotus edulis L

Evaluation of sulfate rhizofiltration by Carpobrotus chilensis for treating mining waters

Chile, the world's leading copper producer, generates significant volumes of mining waters, some of which cannot be recirculated into the production process. These mining waters are characterized by elevated sulfate (SO 4 2 - ) concentrations, requiring sustainable management strategies for potential reuse. This study aims to evaluate the rhizofiltration technique using Carpobrotus chilensis for treating mining waters with a high SO 4 2 - concentration. Initially, the mining waters exhibited a pH of 7.97 ± 0.16 and a SO 4 2 - concentration of 2,743 ± 137 mg L-1, while the control water had a pH of 7.88 ± 0.08 and a SO 4 2 - concentration of 775 ± 19.0 mg L-1. The plants were hydroponically cultivated in 40 L containers with mining waters and drinking water as a control. Over an 8-week period, the pH of the mining water decreased to 3.12 ± 0.01, and the SO 4 2 - concentration declined to 2,200 ± 110 mg L-1. Notably, the fresh weight of roots was significantly higher in plants grown in mining water (22.2 ± 6.66 g) compared to those in the control treatment (14.3 ± 4.28 g). However, an undesirable increase in the acidity was observed in the mining waters after rhizofiltration, which was attributed to hydrogen sulfate (HSO4-) and/or root exudates. Despite the unexpected increase in acidity, C. chilensis effectively reduced the concentration of SO 4 2 - in mining waters by 20%. Additionally, the C. chilensis roots accumulated 4.84 ± 1.40% of sulfur (S), a level comparable to thiophore plants. This study provides evidence that this non-aquatic plant can be used in sulfate rhizofiltration.

A Bioinformatic Study on the Potential Anti-Vitiligo Activity of a Carpobrotus edulis Compound

The plant Carpobrotus edulis has traditionally been known for its wide applications in diseases, especially vitiligo, which is characterized by patches and white macules caused by the loss of melanocytes. One of the chemical treatments for vitiligo consists mainly of skin repigmentation and usually leads to a non-durable effect by inhibiting the Janus kinase (JAK) signal transduction (STAT pathway). JAK inhibitors generally block multiple JAK tyrosine kinases, which leads to secondary effects. In this study, natural molecules from Carpobrotus edulis were extracted and tested using a structure-based drug-design approach and pharmacophore modeling. The best-fit candidate from the extracted molecules was compared to the chemical molecules used. The results indicated a similarity between the chemical and natural ligands which suggested the potential use of the natural product against vitiligo. The main finding of this research work was the discovery of a new molecule extracted from a natural plant and the detection of its anti-vitiligo activity using an in-silico approach. This method can significantly reduce the cost of searching for potential medicinal molecules.

Enzyme-assisted extraction, characterization, and in vitro antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from Potentilla anserina L

Introduction

Potentilla anserina (Potentilla anserina L.), also known as ginseng fruit, is a plant that can be used as both medicine and food. Potentilla anserina L. has high medical value in Chinese medicine, such as strengthening the spleen and stomach, replenishing qi and blood, and astringing hemostasis.

Methods

In this study, polysaccharides of Potentilla anserina L. were extracted from the root using an enzyme-assisted extraction method. According to the principle of Box-Behnken design, response surface methodology was designed to optimize the extraction conditions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the structure and appearance of Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides. The monosaccharide composition of Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant activities were also studied.

Results

Under the optimal extraction conditions (the ratio of solid to liquid, 1:15; ratio of cellulase to pectinase, 1:2; extraction pH, 8.0; enzyme reaction temperature, 60°C), the extraction yield of Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides was 19.80 ± 0.01%, equal to the model prediction value 19.84%. The data of Fourier transform infrared spectrum, scanning electron microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography showed that the Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharide was a kind of α-pyran polysaccharide, mainly consisting of galactose, glucose, rhamnose, and arabinose. The antioxidant results showed that Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides had a strong hydroxyl radical scavenging ability (IC₅₀ = 0.367 mg/mL), superoxide anion scavenging ability (IC₅₀ = 45.017 mg/mL), and a certain degree of total reducing ability.

Discussion

Enzyme-assisted extraction is an efficient method to extract Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides. The Potentilla anserina L. polysaccharides could have potential use in functional foods as a natural antioxidant.

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction of polysaccharides from seabuckthorn fruits using response methodology, physicochemical characterization and bioactivities

BACKGROUND

Seabuckthorn fruits contains many active subtances, among them, the seabuckthorn polysaccharide is one of the main active ingredients, and exhibits diverse bioactivities. The extraction of polysaccharides from seabuckthorn fruits is the most important step for their wide applications. Ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction (UA-ATPE) is a promising green method for extracting polysaccharides. Additionally, physicochemical characterization and antioxidant activities can evaluate the potential functions and applications in the food and medicine industries.

RESULTS

Based on the single-factor experiments, 20.70% (w/w) ammonium sulfate ((NH₄ )₂ SO₄ ) and 27.56% (w/w) ethanol were determined as the suitable composition for aqueous two-phase. The optimum conditions of UA-ATPE obtained by response surface methodology were as follows: ultrasonic power (390 W), extraction time (41 min), liquid-to-material ratio (72: 1 mL/g), and the total yield of the polysaccharides reached 34.14 ± 0.10%, The molecular weights of the purified upper-phase seabuckthorn polysaccharide (PUSP) and the purified lower-phase seabuckthorn polysaccharide (PLSP) were 65 525 and 26 776 Da, respectively. PUSP and PLSP contained the same six monosaccharides (galacturonic acid, rhamnose, xylose, mannose, glucose and galactose), but with different molar ratios. Furthermore, PUSP and PLSP displayed certain viscoelastic property, had no triple helical structure, possessed different thermal stability, surface morphology and conformation in aqueous solution. PUSP and PLSP displayed strong antioxidant properties by the assays of scavenging ability of ABTS⁺ ·, the protection of DNA damage and erythrocyte hemolysis.

CONCLUSION

UA-ATPE significantly increased the yield of seabuckthorn polysaccharides. PUSP and PLSP were different in many aspects, such as molar ratio, surface shape and antioxidant activities. Seabuckthornpolysaccharides possess great potential in medicine and functional foods. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Inhibition of Browning in Apples Using Betacyclodextrin-Assisted Extracts of Green Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis)

Green rooibos' bioactive compounds contribute greatly towards its antioxidant activity. The anti-browning activity of aqueous (GRE) and beta-cyclodextrin (β-GRE)-assisted extracts of green rooibos was investigated in canned apples. Freeze-dried extracts (GRE and β-GRE) obtained at 40 °C for 60 min were added in canned apples at 0.25 and 0.5% prior to heat processing and stored at 23 and 37 °C for 24 weeks. Lightness (L*), colour difference (DE*), furfural and hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) were determined to establish the effect of extracts against non-enzymatic browning (NEB) development. The L* value decreased, whereas DE*, HMF and furfural increased with increased storage time and temperature. A higher inhibition was observed for samples stored at 23 °C, and storage at 37 °C reduced (p < 0.05) the inhibitory capacity of extracts. Greater inhibition against NEB development was reported for β-GRE 0.25 and 0.5 via the L* value (40.93-46.67%), β-GRE 0.25 for DE* (46.67%) and β-GRE 0.25 and 0.5 for HMF (59.55-67.33%). No differences (p > 0.05) were observed in furfural inhibition between all extracts, although inhibition was reported at 62.69-72.29%. Browning inhibition correlated with the reaction rate constant (k₀) and activation energy (Ea), exhibiting a correlation coefficient of 0.925, 0.964, 0.932 and 0.754 for L*, DE*, HMF and furfural, respectively.

Structural Characteristics, Rheological Properties, and Antioxidant and Anti-Glycosylation Activities of Pectin Polysaccharides from Arabica Coffee Husks

As primary coffee by-products, Arabica coffee husks are largely discarded during coffee-drying, posing a serious environmental threat. However, coffee husks could be used as potential material for extracting pectin polysaccharides, with high bioactivities and excellent processing properties. Thus, the present study aimed to extract the pectin polysaccharide from Arabica coffee husk(s) (CHP). The CHP yield was calculated after vacuum freeze-drying, and its average molecular weight (Mw) was detected by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The structural characteristics of CHP were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, the rheological and antioxidant properties of CHP and the inhibition capacities of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) with different concentrations were evaluated. The interaction mechanisms between galacturonic acid (GalA) and the AGE receptor were analyzed using molecular docking. The results demonstrated that the CHP yield was 19.13 ± 0.85%, and its Mw was 1.04 × 10⁶ Da. The results of the structural characteristics results revealed that CHP was an amorphous and low-methoxyl pectic polysaccharide linked with an α-(1→6) glycosidic bond, and mainly composed of rhamnose (Rha, 2.55%), galacturonic acid (GalA, 45.01%), β-N-acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc, 5.17%), glucose (Glc, 32.29%), galactose (Gal, 6.80%), xylose (Xyl, 0.76%), and arabinose (Ara, 7.42%). The surface microstructure of CHP was rough with cracks, and its aqueous belonged to non-Newtonian fluid with a higher elastic modulus (G'). Furthermore, the results of the antioxidant properties indicated that CHP possessed vigorous antioxidant activities in a dose manner, and the inhibition capacities of AGEs reached their highest of 66.0 ± 0.35% at 1.5 mg/mL of CHP. The molecular docking prediction demonstrated that GalA had a good affinity toward AGE receptors by -6.20 kcal/mol of binding energy. Overall, the study results provide a theoretical basis for broadening the application of CHP in the food industry.

Characterization of Polysaccharides Sequentially Extracted from Allium roseum Leaves and Their Hepatoprotective Effects against Cadmium Induced Toxicity in Mouse Liver

Allium roseum is one of the medicinal plants of the Liliaceae family, widely used in the food industry and traditional medicine. It is known for its various biological properties, such as its antioxidant, antiviral, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. The present work aims to extract the polysaccharides from Allium roseum leaves and evaluate their antioxidant activities and hepatoprotective effects in vivo. Three polysaccharides from the leaves of Allium roseum were sequentially extracted in three media: water, chelating, and basic, respectively. They were characterized by size exclusion chromatography, gas chromatography mass spectrometry, FTIR-ATR, and NMR spectroscopy (1D and 2D). The different polysaccharides principally consist of glucose, galactose, mannose, rhamnose, xylose, and galacturonic acid. The antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effect of the extracts against Cd-caused oxidative stress in liver mouse were tested. Cd treatment, during 24 h, enhanced significantly lipid peroxidation by a high production of malondyaldehyd (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. In contrast, catalase activity (CAT) was decreased after the same period of exposure to the metal. The polysaccharides pre-treatment improved the antioxidant defense system to a great degree, mainly explained by the modulating levels of oxydative stress biomarkers (MDA, SOD, and CAT). This research clearly shows that Allium roseum polysaccharides, especially those extracted in aqueous medium, can be used as natural antioxidants with hepatoprotective properties.

The regulatory effect of total flavonoids of Sedum aizoon L. on oxidative stress in type 1 diabetic mice

In this study, the optimal extraction conditions for the total flavonoids of Sedum aizoon L. (STF) were optimized by response surface methodology. Evaluation of the antioxidant in vitro of STF, and modulatory effects of glucolipid metabolism, and oxidative stress in mice with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). STF showed good antioxidant capacity in vitro. STF could improve glucolipid metabolism, organ coefficients, and antioxidant stress enzymes in T1DM mice effectively, reduce the damage to liver tissue, and regulate redox imbalance in the organism by modulating the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE signaling pathway. The results of this study could provide a theoretical reference for the application of Sedum aizoon L. in the development of auxiliary hypoglycemic functional foods and improvement of diabetes.

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Optimization of optimal extraction conditions by response surface methodology.

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Total flavonoids of Sedum aizoon L. have good antioxidant activity in vitro.

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Total flavonoids of Sedum aizoon L. have hypoglycemic effect.

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Total flavonoids of Sedum aizoon L. can improve the oxidative stress in T1DM mice.

Anticancer, anti-proliferative activity of Avicennia marina plant extracts

Purpose

Medical halophytes plants are potent sources of bioactive secondary metabolite components used against different diseases. Avicenniamarina one of the typical halophytes plant species used in folk medicine to treat smallpox, rheumatism, and ulcer. Despite the richness of A.marina with polyphenolic, flavonoids, terpenoid, and terpene, contents remain poorly investigated against cancer types. Consequently, to explore the function-composition relationship of A.marina hexane leaves crude extract, the current study designed to investigate the cytotoxicity, apoptotic and antiproliferative impacts on the colon (HCT-116), liver (HepG2), and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines.

Materials and Methods

Therefore, the cytotoxicity impact screening carried out by Sulforhodamine-B assay. While, the initiation of the apoptosis evaluated by chromatin condensing, early apoptosis, late apoptosis and the formation and appearance of apoptotic bodies. On the other hand, the flow cytometry used to identify the phase of inhibition where the determined IC₅₀ value used. While, the chemical composition of the hexane extract was detected using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry.

Results

Revealed that hexane extract showed a weak induction of apoptosis despite the formation of apoptotic bodies and the high cell inhibitory effect on all tested cell lines with IC₅₀ values (23.7 ± 0.7, 44.9 ± 0.93, 79.55 ± 0.57) μg/ml on HCT-116, HepG2, and MCF-7, respectively. Furthermore, it showed the ability to inhibit cell cycle in G0/G1 for HCT-116, S phase for HepG2, and MCF-7.

Conclusion

In the light of these results, the current study suggests that A.marina leaves hexane extract may be considered as a candidate for further anticancer drug development investigations.

Pectic polysaccharides from edible halophytes: Insight on extraction processes, structural characterizations and immunomodulatory potentials

The preparation, chemical properties and bio-activities of polysaccharides derived from halophytes have gained an increasing interest in the past few years. Phytochemical and pharmacological reports have shown that carbohydrates are important biologically active compounds of halophytes with numerous biological potentials. It is believed that the mechanisms involved in these bio-activities are due to the modulation of immune system. The main objective of this summary is to appraise available literature of a comparative study on the extraction, structural characterizations and biological potentials, particularly immunomodulatory effects, of carbohydrates isolated from halophytes (10 families). This review also attempts to discuss on bioactivities of polysaccharides related with their structure-activity relationship. Data indicated that the highest polysaccharides yield of around 35% was obtained under microwave irradiation. Structurally, results revealed that the most of extracted carbohydrates are pectic polysaccharides which mainly composed of arabinose (from 0.9 to 72%), accompanied by other monosaccharides (galactose, glucose, rhamnose, mannose and xylose), significant amounts of uronic acids (from 18.9 to 90.1%) and some proportions of fucose (from 0.2 to 8.3%). The molecular mass of these pectic polysaccharides was varied from 10 to 2650 kDa. Hence, the evaluation of these polysaccharides offers a great opportunity to discover novel therapeutic agents that presented especially beneficial immunomodulatory properties. Moreover, reports indicated that uronic acids, molecular weights, as well as the presence of sulfate and unmethylated acidic groups may play a significant role in biological activities of carbohydrates from halophyte species.

Multiple fingerprint profiling for quality evaluation of polysaccharides and related biological activity analysis of Chinese patent drugs: Zishen Yutai Pills as a case study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Zishen Yutai Pills (ZYP), a famous traditional Chinese patent medicine, has been widely applied to avoid recurrent miscarriage and treat threatened abortion. Polysaccharides of ZYP (ZYPPs) play an essential role in the theraprutic effects of ZYP. However, the complex compositions of ZYP and the complicated structure of ZYPPs have posed great challenges and barriers to the quality evaluation of ZYP.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To identify and characterize the ZYPPs for better quality control of ZYP, a reliable and valid quality control system was established in this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A multi-fingerprint profile strategy based on HPSEC-MALL-RID, FT-IR, and HPLC (complete acid digested fingerprint, partial acid digested fingerprint and enzymatically digested fingerprint) was established to identify and discriminate the chemical structure of ZYPPs. Besides, the purpose of revealing the relationships between structure and biological activity of ZYPPs, their chemical characteristics, in vitro antioxidant and anti-glycation activities were investigated and discussed.

RESULTS

The similarity evaluation of ZYPPs indicated ZYPPs from different batches showed a high similarity based on the correlation coefficient values of multi-fingerprints. Furthermore, ZYPPs exhibited remarkable antioxidant and antiglycation properties, which might be attributed to their molecular weights and the content of uronic acids.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that the multiple fingerprint technique was reliable and effective for the improvement of quality control of ZYPPs, suggesting the multiple fingerprint technique could also be potentially applied as a valid and feasible strategy to control the quality of polysaccharide-enriched herbal medicines.

Development of alginate-pectin microcapsules by the extrusion for encapsulation and controlled release of polyphenols from papaya (Carica papaya L.)

The papaya fruit (Carica papaya L.) contains a wide variety of bioactive compounds with potential applications in the food and nutraceutical industries. The entrapment and release of such bioactive compounds remain a critical step for the development of functional, stable, and cost-effective storage and delivery systems, since the interaction of polymers on capsules and the payload molecules can influence the performance of the capsule system under operational conditions. The present study describes the encapsulation of rutin and trans-ferulic acid-rich extracts from papaya exocarp in a pectin-alginate composite, evaluating the performance of gallic acid encapsulation obtained through in situ and two-step entrapment methods. The best alginate:pectin ratio for gallic acid encapsulation was 55:45 and 61:39, achieving 6.1 mg and 28.1 mg GAE/g capsules when the papaya exocarp extract was encapsulated by in situ and two-step, respectively. We also evaluated the payload release performance of the obtained capsules under in vitro conditions simulating gastrointestinal conditions. Our results indicate an increased protective effect at gastric pH and targeted release of polyphenols when in situ encapsulation is used to encapsulate the extracts. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Currently, adding value to agroindustry processing waste is an important focus to achieve a more economically and environmentally sustainable food industry. The recovery of bioactive molecules such as polyphenols, for food supplements or formulation additives in the form of by-product extracts is gaining importance as novel sustainable processes in the agricultural industry. Thus, the encapsulation of such bioactive extracts for storage and consumption is an active research field, aiming to overcome the low storage stability and lability to gastric conditions, currently hindering their applications in food or pharmaceutical formulations. In this sense, capsule design and the development of efficient encapsulation methods are very important to obtain a suitable carrier and protector system for the capsulated bioactive extracts or molecules. This research aims to add value to papaya waste and potentially to other agroindustry wastes such as pectin and alginate, resulting in a polyphenol carrier with excellent encapsulation and targeted release properties under gastrointestinal conditions. In conclusion, this kind of works could allow to the application of the agroindustry byproducts to obtain high added-value products, in the form of polyphenol-loaded capsules.

Extraction, purification, characterization, and rheological properties of a glycoprotein from Cynomorium songaricum Rupr

Cynomorium songaricum Rupr is widely known in China as a traditional herbal medicine. In this study, single-factor experiments and response surface methodology were used to optimize the extraction of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr glycoprotein (CSG). The results show that a maximum glycoprotein yield of 6.39 ± 0.32% was achieved at a ratio of solid to liquid 32:1 for 4.2 H at 52 °C. Then, the IR, monosaccharide composition, amino acid composition, type of glycopeptide linkage, and average molecular weight of CSG-1 purified from CSG were characterized. The results indicate that CSG-1 presented the characteristic absorption peak of polysaccharide and protein, including four monosaccharides and 17 amino acids, had O-linked glycopeptide bonds, M_w , W_n , M_w /M_n , M_p , and the z-average were 5.343 × 10⁶ , 3.203 × 10⁶ , 1.668, 8.911 × 10⁶ , and 6.948 × 10⁶ , respectively. Besides, CSG-1 solution was described by the Herschel-Bulkley model and it behaved as a shear-thinning fluid. Also, under a frequency sweep the moduli G' and G″ both increased with increasing CSG-1 concentration and the CSG-1 dispersions had weak thermal stability over the temperature sweep. These results provide a scientific basis for the further study of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of leaf extracts of eleven South African medicinal plants used traditionally to treat inflammation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Inflammation is a complex mechanism employed by the body to promote healing and restoration to normal function in the event of injury. Eleven plant species were selected in this study based on their use in traditional medicine against inflammation in South Africa.

METHODS

Hexane, acetone, ethanol, methanol and water extracts of the powdered plants were prepared and a total of fifty-five extracts were tested for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The anti-inflammatory activity of extracts was evaluated via the 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) inhibitory and the nitric oxide (NO) inhibition assays using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. Total flavonoid and total phenolic contents were determined. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was performed using radical scavenging DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and electron reducing ABTS (2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays.

RESULTS

The hexane extract of Typha capensis (TC) had good lipoxygenase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ of 4.65 µg/mL, significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the positive control quercetin (IC₅₀ = 24.60). The same extract also had good nitric oxide inhibitory activity with 86% NO inhibition and cell viability of 97% at 50 µg/mL. The TC acetone extract had the best antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ of 7.11 and 1.91 µg/mL respectively in the DPPH and ABTS assays. Following fractionation of the TC plant material, the ethyl acetate fraction had interesting antioxidant activity and the methanol/water (35%) and hexane fractions had good 15-LOX inhibitory activity. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities therefore resided in both polar and more non-polar fractions.

CONCLUSION

The acetone extract of Typha capensis and its fractions had good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, supporting the medicinal use of this species against inflammation. Other species including Ficus elastica, Carpobrotus edulis, Cotyledon orbiculata and Senna italica also had good activity worthy of further investigation.