Schinus terebinthifolius fruits intake ameliorates metabolic disorders, inflammation, oxidative stress, and related vascular dysfunction, in atherogenic diet-induced obese rats. Insight of their chemical characterization using HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS

Chemical and cytotoxicity profiles of 11 pink pepper (Schinus spp.) samples via non-targeted hyphenated high-performance thin-layer chromatography

INTRODUCTION

Pink pepper is a worldwide used spice that corresponds to the berries of two species, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi or S. molle L. (Anacardiaceae). Toxic and allergic reactions by ingestion or contact with these plants were reported, and classical in vitro studies have highlighted the cytotoxic properties of apolar extracts from the fruits.

OBJECTIVES

Perform a non-targeted screening of 11 pink pepper samples for the detection and identification of individual cytotoxic substances.

METHODS

After reversed-phase high-performance thin-layer chromatography (RP-HPTLC) separation of the extracts and multi-imaging (UV/Vis/FLD), cytotoxic compounds were detected by bioluminescence reduction from luciferase reporter cells (HEK 293 T-CMV-ELuc) applied directly on the adsorbent surface, followed by elution of detected cytotoxic substance into atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (APCI-HRMS).

RESULTS

Separations for mid-polar and non-polar fruit extracts demonstrated the selectivity of the method to different substance classes. One cytotoxic substance zone was tentatively assigned as moronic acid, a pentacyclic triterpenoid acid.

CONCLUSION

The developed non-targeted hyphenated RP-HPTLC-UV/Vis/FLD-bioluminescent cytotoxicity bioassay-FIA-APCI-HRMS method was successfully demonstrated for cytotoxicity screening (bioprofiling) and respective cytotoxin assignment.

Schinus terebinthifolius Leaf Lectin (SteLL) Reduces the Bacterial and Inflammatory Burden of Wounds Infected by Staphylococcus aureus Promoting Skin Repair

Staphylococcus aureus is commonly found in wound infections where this pathogen impairs skin repair. The lectin isolated from leaves of Schinus terebinthifolius (named SteLL) has antimicrobial and antivirulence action against S. aureus. This study evaluated the effects of topical administration of SteLL on mice wounds infected by S. aureus. Seventy-two C57/BL6 mice (6−8 weeks old) were allocated into four groups: (i) uninfected wounds; (ii) infected wounds, (iii) infected wounds treated with 32 µg/mL SteLL solution; (iv) infected wounds treated with 64 µg/mL SteLL solution. The excisional wounds (64 mm2) were induced on the dorsum and infected by S. aureus 432170 (4.0 × 106 CFU/wound). The daily treatment started 1-day post-infection (dpi). The topical application of both SteLL concentrations significantly accelerated the healing of S. aureus-infected wounds until the 7th dpi, when compared to untreated infected lesions (reductions of 1.95−4.55-fold and 1.79−2.90-fold for SteLL at 32 µg/mL and 64 µg/mL, respectively). The SteLL-based treatment also amended the severity of wound infection and reduced the bacterial load (12-fold to 72-fold for 32 µg/mL, and 14-fold to 282-fold for 64 µg/mL). SteLL-treated wounds show higher collagen deposition and restoration of skin structure than other groups. The bacterial load and the levels of inflammatory markers (IL-6, MCP-1, TNF-α, and VEGF) were also reduced by both SteLL concentrations. These results corroborate the reported anti-infective properties of SteLL, making this lectin a lead candidate for developing alternative agents for the treatment of S. aureus-infected skin lesions.

Bioactivity of Dietary Polyphenols: The Role in LDL-C Lowering

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of the death around the world. An elevation of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. To achieve optimal plasma LDL-C levels, clinal therapies were investigated which targeted different metabolism pathways. However, some therapies also caused various adverse effects. Thus, there is a need for new treatment options and/or combination therapies to inhibit the LDL-C level. Dietary polyphenols have received much attention in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases due to their potential LDL-C lowering effects. However, the effectiveness and potential mechanisms of polyphenols in lowering LDL-C is not comprehensively summarized. This review focused on dietary polyphenols that could reduce LDL-C and their mechanisms of action. This review also discussed the limitations and suggestions regarding previous studies.