Polyphenols with antiglycation activity and mechanisms of action: A review of recent findings

Novel acyl hydrazide derivatives of polyhydroquinoline as potent anti-diabetic and anti-glycating agents: Synthesis, in vitro α-amylase, α-glucosidase inhibition and anti-glycating activity with molecular docking insights

In this study, eleven novel acyl hydrazides derivative of polyhydroquinoline were synthesized, characterized and screened for their in vitro anti-diabetic and anti-glycating activities. Seven compounds 2a, 2d, 2i, 2 h, 2j, 2f, and 2 g exhibited notable α-amylase inhibitory activity having IC50 values from 3.51 ± 2.13 to 11.92 ± 2.30 µM. Similarly, six compounds 2d, 2f, 2 h, 2i, 2j, and 2 g displayed potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity compared to the standard acarbose. Moreover, eight derivatives 2d, 2 g, 2f, 2j, 2a, 2i, 2 g, and 2e showed excellent anti-glycating activity with IC50 values from 6.91 ± 2.66 to 15.80 ± 1.87 µM when compared them with the standard rutin (IC50 = 22.5 ± 0.90 µM). Molecular docking was carried out to predict the binding modes of all the compounds with α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The docking analysis revealed that most of the compounds established strong interactions with α-amylase and α-glucosidase. All compounds fitted well into the binding pockets of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Among all compounds 2a and 2f were most potent based on docking score -8.2515 and -7.3949 against α-amylase and α-glucosidase respectively. These results hold promise for the development of novel candidates targeted at controlling postprandial glucose levels in individuals with diabetes.

Role of Structural Peculiarities of Flavonoids in Suppressing AGEs Generated From HSA/Glucose System

The pathogenesis of diabetes is related to the amount of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that are naturally generated from the attachment of glucose with tissue and circular proteins. Human serum albumin (HSA) is more susceptible to AGE occurrence than other circular proteins due to its sensitive sites and high abundance. Considering the location of hydroxyl groups in the structure of flavonoids, which play a major role in suppressing of AGEs generating pathways, the present study was conducted to compare the effect of the chemical peculiarities of five flavonoids: apigenin (AP), naringenin (NA), luteolin (LU), Quercetin (QU), and methylquercetin (MQ), in suppressing AGEs generated in the HSA/glucose system. The results showed that all used flavonoids are capable of quenching the fluorescence intensity of AGEs in vitro. Analytical methods including UV-visible spectroscopy, CD spectro-polarimetry, TNBS, DTNB, DNPH, Congo red assay, ThT, and ANS fluorescence were used to deeper analysis of flavonoid performance. The anti-AGE effects of flavonoids followed the order of LU > QU > MQ > AP > NA. Docking results showed that flavonoids are associated with glycation-prone lysines and arginine residues in the "Sudlow pocket" through non-covalent interactions. Hydroxylation at the C4' and the double bond between C2-C3 increase the antiglycation potential of used flavonoids, while methylation of the OH group at the C3 position decreases this effect. It was also found that hydroxylation at C3 can play a dual role in anti-glycation ability. These findings may introduce a new approach to the structure-inhibition relationship of flavonoids in the design of operative anti-glycemic agents.

Effective cultivation conditions and safety evaluation of filamentous cyanobacteria producing phycocyanins with antiglycation activities

We investigated suitable culture conditions for the production of the blue pigment phycocyanin (PC) from the unique filamentous cyanobacteria Pseudanabaena sp. ABRG5-3 and Limnothrix sp. SK1-2-1. White, green, or red LED irradiation at 30 μmol photons/m2/s was effective for phycocyanin production when compared with Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) sp. NIES-39, which is generally grown under high light irradiation. To investigate the safety of the cyanobacteria, ABRG5-3 cells were subjected to Ames (reverse mutation) tests and single oral-dose rat studies, which revealed non-mutagenic and non-toxic properties. When three purified phycocyanins (abPC, skPC, and spPC) were subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, they showed different mobility, indicating that each phycocyanin has unique properties. abPC exhibited strong antiglycation activities as novel function.

Effect of marinating with green tea extract on the safety and sensory profiles of oven-baked oyster

Baked oyster is a popular seafood dish around the world. The present study investigated the effect of various concentrations of a green-tea extract (GTE) marinade on the safety and sensory profiles of oysters baked for different durations. The results showed 10 g/L of GTE and 10-min baking time was the optimal combination, as supported by significantly attenuated lipid oxidation (35.29 %) and Nε-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL) content (48.51 %) without appreciable negative impact on the sensory or nutritional quality of the oysters. However, high concentrations of the marinade or prolonged baking promoted protein oxidation and Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) formation likely through the pro-oxidative action of the GTE phytochemicals. Correlation analysis further revealed the main factors that affected CML, CEL, and fluorescent AGEs generation, respectively. These findings provide theoretical support for the protective effect and mechanism of GTE against quality deterioration of baked oysters and would help broaden the application of GTE in the food industry.

Croton gratissimus Burch Herbal Tea Exhibits Anti-Hyperglycemic and Anti-Lipidemic Properties via Inhibition of Glycation and Digestive Enzyme Activities

Over the years, the world has continued to be plagued by type 2 diabetes (T2D). As a lifestyle disease, obese individuals are at higher risk of developing the disease. Medicinal plants have increasingly been utilized as remedial agents for managing metabolic syndrome. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro anti-hyperglycemic and anti-lipidemic potential of Croton gratissimus herbal tea infusion. The inhibitory activities of C. gratissimus on carbohydrate (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) and lipid (pancreatic lipase) hydrolyzing enzymes were determined, and the mode of inhibition of the carbohydrate digestive enzymes was analyzed and calculated via Lineweaver-Burk plots and Michaelis Menten's equation. Its effect on Advanced Glycation End Product (AGE) formation, glucose adsorption, and yeast glucose utilization were also determined. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify the possible phenolic compounds present in the herbal tea infusion, and the compounds were docked with the digestive enzymes. C. gratissimus significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited α-glucosidase (IC50 = 60.56 ± 2.78 μg/mL), α-amylase (IC50 = 35.67 ± 0.07 μg/mL), as well as pancreatic lipase (IC50 = 50.27 ± 1.51 μg/mL) in a dose-dependent (15-240 µg/mL) trend. The infusion also inhibited the non-enzymatic glycation process, adsorbed glucose effectively, and enhanced glucose uptake in yeast cell solutions at increasing concentrations. Molecular docking analysis showed strong binding affinity between HPLC-quantified compounds (quercetin, caffeic acid, gallic acid, and catechin) of C. gratissimus herbal tea and the studied digestive enzymes. Moreover, the herbal tea product did not present cytotoxicity on 3T3-L1 cell lines. Results from this study suggest that C. gratissimus herbal tea could improve glucose homeostasis and support its local usage as a potential anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obesogenic agent. Further in vivo and molecular studies are required to bolster the results from this study.

Phytochemical composition of aerial parts and roots of Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen and anticholinesterase, antioxidant, and antiglycation activities

The Pfaffia glomerata, a plant popularly called Brazilian ginseng, is widely used in Brazil for the treatment of various pathologies, including those associated with the Central Nervous System. 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), a phytosteroid present in this plant, can promote adaptogenic effects in the organism, providing greater body resistance to stressors. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition and the anticholinesterase, antioxidant, and antiglycation effects of extracts and fractions of aerial parts and roots of P. glomerata, also analyzing their possible cytotoxic effects. The fractions were obtained by partitioning methanol extracts from the aerial part and roots of P. glomerata with hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water. The samples were initially tested in anticholinesterase, antioxidant, and antiglycation assays, and the most promising samples were submitted for cytotoxicity and chromatographic analyses. Mass spectrometry and chromatography methods revealed that 20E was the main compound in the dichloromethane fractions, there being 35% more 20E in the aerial part (APD) than in the roots (RD). Added to the higher concentration of 20E, the APD fraction also presented more promising results than the RD fraction in anticholinesterase and antioxidant analyses, indicating that their effects may be related to the concentration of 20E. These same fractions showed no hemolytic effects but were cytotoxic in high concentrations. These new findings contribute to scientific information about P. glomerata and open more perspectives for the understanding of its therapeutic properties, allowing the association of biological activity with the presence of 20E.

The Impact of ZnO and Fe2O3 Nanoparticles on Sunflower Seed Germination, Phenolic Content and Antiglycation Potential

The enhancement of seed germination by using nanoparticles (NPs) holds the potential to elicit the synthesis of more desired compounds with important biomedical applications, such as preventing protein glycation, which occurs in diabetes. Here, we used 7 nm and 100 nm ZnO and 4.5 nm and 16.7 nm Fe2O3 NPs to treat sunflower seeds. We evaluated the effects on germination, total phenolic content, and the anti-glycation potential of extracted polyphenols. Sunflower seeds were allowed to germinate in vitro after soaking in NP solutions of different concentrations. Polyphenols were extracted, dosed, and used in serum albumin glycation experiments. The germination speed of seeds was significantly increased by the 100 nm ZnO NPs and significantly decreased by the 4.5 nm Fe2O3 NPs. The total phenolic content (TPC) of seeds was influenced by the type of NP, as ZnO NPs enhanced TPC, and the size of the NPs, as smaller NPs led to improved parameters. The polyphenols extracted from seeds inhibited protein glycation, especially those extracted from seeds treated with 7 nm ZnO. The usage of NPs impacted the germination speed and total polyphenol content of sunflower seeds, highlighting the importance of NP type and size in the germination process.

Unraveling the In Vitro Anti-Advanced Glycation End-Product (Anti-AGE) Potential of Fermented Red Cabbage and Beetroot: Insights into Composition and Activities

This study verified the in vitro activity of red cabbage and beetroot against the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and their relationship with the biomolecules' content. Fermentation of cabbage increased the total phenolic (~10%) and flavonoid contents (~14%), whereas decreased total phenolics/flavonoids in beetroot. Fermented cabbage exhibited higher ability against AGEs, i.e., 17% in the bovine serum albumin-methylglyoxal (BSA-MGO) model and 25% in the BSA-glucose model, while beetroot exhibited 23% and 18%, respectively. The major compounds of cabbage products were cyanidin 3-(sinapoyl)(sinapoyl)-diglucoside-5-glucoside, sinapic acid, and epicatechin. Syringic acid and epicatechin were predominantly present in fermented beetroot. 2,17-bidecarboxy- and 2,15,17-tridecarboxy-betanin were the major betalains. Fermented vegetables can be effective inhibitors of the AGE formation/accumulation and could be recommended in the prevention of diet-related diseases.

Pyrogallol experimentally and theoretically suppressed advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation, as one of the mechanisms involved in the chronic complications of the diabetes

This study aimed to explore the inhibitory effect of pyrogallol on AGE formation in the bovine serum albumin (BSA)/glucose system for 21 days at 37 °C. The AGEs formation was measured in terms of Amadori products, total AGEs, argpyrimidine, and pentosidine. Molecular docking was used to investigate the interaction between pyrogallol and BSA. According to the results, in the presence of pyrogallol, the formation of pentosidine and argpyrimidine AGEs decreased. The molecular interaction studies demonstrated that pyrogallol has a high affinity towards arginine residues of albumin. Finally, results proved pyrogallol is a vigorous antiglycation compound and fruitful for AGE inhibition.

The inhibitory effects of endophytic metabolites on glycated proteins under non-communicable disease conditions: A review

Protein glycation in human body is closely linked to the onset/progression of diabetes associated complications. These glycated proteins are commonly known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Recent literature has also highlighted the involvement of AGEs in other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular, cancer, and Alzheimer's diseases and explored the impact of plant metabolites on AGEs formation. However, the significance of endophytic metabolites against AGEs has recently garnered attention but has not been thoroughly summarized thus far. Therefore, the objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the importance of endophytic metabolites in combating AGEs under NCDs conditions. Additionally, this review aims to elucidate the processes of AGEs formation, absorption, metabolism, and their harmful effects. Collectively, endophytic metabolites play a crucial role in modulating signaling pathways and enhancing the digestibility properties of gut microbiota (GM) by targeting on AGEs/RAGE (receptor for AGEs) axis. Furthermore, these metabolites exhibit anti-AGEs activities similar to those derived from host plants, but at a lower cost and higher production rate. The use of endophytes as a source of such metabolites offers a risk-free and sustainable approach that holds substantial potential for the treatment and management of NCDs.

Emerging and multifaceted potential contributions of polyphenols in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is recognized as a serious public health concern with a considerable impact on human life, long-term health expenditures, and substantial health losses. In this context, the use of dietary polyphenols to prevent and manage T2DM is widely documented. These dietary compounds exert their beneficial effects through several actions, including the protection of pancreatic islet β-cell, the antioxidant capacities of these molecules, their effects on insulin secretion and actions, the regulation of intestinal microbiota, and their contribution to ameliorate diabetic complications, particularly those of vascular origin. In the present review, we intend to highlight these multifaceted actions and the molecular mechanisms by which these plant-derived secondary metabolites exert their beneficial effects on type 2 diabetes patients.

Glyoxal in Foods: Formation, Metabolism, Health Hazards, and Its Control Strategies

Glyoxal is a highly reactive aldehyde widely present in common diet and environment and inevitably generated through various metabolic pathways in vivo. Glyoxal is easily produced in diets high in carbohydrates and fats via the Maillard reaction, carbohydrate autoxidation, and lipid peroxidation, etc. This leads to dietary intake being a major source of exogenous exposure. Exposure to glyoxal has been positively associated with a number of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. It has been demonstrated that polyphenols, probiotics, hydrocolloids, and amino acids can reduce the content of glyoxal in foods via different mechanisms, thus reducing the risk of exogenous exposure to glyoxal and alleviating carbonyl stresses in the human body. This review discussed the formation and metabolism of glyoxal, its health hazards, and the strategies to reduce such health hazards. Future investigation of glyoxal from different perspectives is also discussed.

Exploring the role of Maillard reaction and lipid oxidation in the advanced glycation end products of batter-coated meat products during frying

The Maillard reaction occurs during the frying of batter-coated meat products, resulting in the production of advanced glycosylation products that are harmful to human health. This study investigated the effects of frying temperature (140, 150, 160, 170 and 180 ℃) and time (80, 100, 120, 140 and 160 s) on the quality, advanced glycation end product (AGE) level and the relationship between these parameters in batter-coated meat products were investigated. The results showed that with an increase in frying temperature and time, the moisture content of the batter-coated meat products gradually decreased, the thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substance (TBARS) values and oil content increased to 0.37 and 21.7 %, respectively, and then decreased, and CML and CEL content increased to 7.30 and 4.86 mg/g, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that the moisture content and absorbance at 420 nm, as well as TBARS values, were highly correlated with the oil content in batter-coated meat products. Additionally, the absorbance at 420 nm and TBARS levels were significantly correlated with AGE levels. Moreover, the AGE content in batter-coated meat products was less variable at lower frying temperatures or shorter frying times, and the influence of temperature on AGE formation was greater than that of time. Overall, these findings may help to better control the cooking conditions of batter-coated meat products based on AGE profiles.

Synthesis, Characterization, Antiglycation Evaluation, Molecular Docking, and ADMET Studies of 4-Thiazolidinone Derivatives

The design and development of new small-molecule glycation inhibitors are essential for preventing various chronic diseases, including diabetes mellitus, immunoinflammation, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. 4-Thiazolidinone or thiazolidine-4-one is a well-known heterocyclic compound with the potential to inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end products. In the present work, we report the synthesis and characterization of four new 5-arylidene 3-cyclopropyl-2-(phenylimino)thiazolidin-4-one (1-4) compounds and their human serum albumin glycation inhibitory activity. One of the compounds 5-(2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethylidene)-3-cyclopropyl-2-(phenylimino)-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one (3) showed potent inhibition in the synthesis of initial, intermediary, and final products of glycation reactions. Besides, conformational changes in the α-helix and β-sheet (due to hyperglycemia) were also found to be reversed upon the addition of (3). Experimental findings were complemented by computational [molecular docking, ADME/Tox, and density functional theory (DFT)] studies. The docking scores of the compounds were in order 1 > 3 > 2 > 4, indicating the importance of the polar group at the 5-arylidene moiety. The results of ADME/Tox and DFT calculations revealed the safe nature of the compounds with high drug-likeness and stability. Overall, we speculate that the results of this study could provide valuable insights into the biological activity of 4-thiazolidinones.

Encapsulation of carvone in chitosan nanoemulsion as edible film for preservation of slice breads against Aspergillus flavus contamination and aflatoxin B1 production

Aspergillus flavus is a common fungus causing bread spoilage by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production. Essential oil components are considered as effective antifungal agent; however, volatility and oxidative-instability limited their practical applications. The aim of this study was to fabricate novel chitosan nanoemulsion film incorporating carvone (carvone-Ne) for protection of bread slices against A. flavus and AFB1 contamination in storage conditions. The nanoemulsion was characterized by SEM, DLS, XRD, and FTIR analyses accompanying with sustained delivery of carvone. The carvone-Ne displayed better inhibition of A. flavus (0.5 µL/mL) and AFB1 production (0.4 µL/mL) over unencapsulated carvone along with promising antioxidant activity (p < 0.05). Destruction of ergosterol, mitochondrial-membrane-potential, ions leakage, deformities in methylglyoxal biosynthesis, and in-silico interaction of carvone with Afl-R protein emphasized the antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic mechanisms of action. Further, in-situ preservation potentiality of Carvone-Ne in bread slices with improved gas compositions, and acceptable sensory qualities strengthen its application as innovative packaging material for food preservation.

The Dose-Dependent Effect of Curcumin Supplementation on Inflammatory Response and Gut Microbiota Profile in High-Fat Fed C57BL/6 Mice

SCOPE

The prevalence of obesity has increased, with excessive consumption of high-fat foods being one of the primary causes. Curcumin, a polyphenol extracted from Curcuma longa L., exhibits anti-inflammatory activity.  The study aims to investigate the effects of curcumin supplementation in different doses on the biochemical profile, inflammatory response, and gut microbiota profile in mice that are fed with high-fat diet (HFD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

C57BL/6 male mice are fed a standard diet, or a HFD with or without different doses of curcumin (50, 250, and 500 mg kg-1 of body weight). Throughout the experimental period, food intake and body weight are assessed weekly. At euthanasia, blood, stool, and tissue samples are collected for biochemical, histological, and molecular analyses. Curcumin increases the IL-10 protein expression in the white adipose tissue. In the liver, there is a reduction in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and an increase in IL-10 gene expression. Also, curcumin promotes the growth of butyrogenic bacteria, such as Clostridium clusters IV and XIVa.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that curcumin has the potential to improve the inflammatory response and modulate healthy gut microbiota. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of curcumin as a preventive and effective strategy for obesity.

Inhibitory Potential of Carnosine and Aminoguanidine Towards Glycation and Fibrillation of Albumin: In-vitro and Simulation Studies

Carnosine is beta-alanyl histidine, a dipeptide, endogenously produced in our body by the carnosine synthase enzyme. It is an antioxidant, thus protecting from the deleterious effect of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Similarly, aminoguanidine (AG) also prevents AGEs formation by scavenging free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive carbonyl species (RCS). This study used experimental and computational techniques to perform a comparative analysis of carnosine and AG and their inhibiting properties against glycated human serum albumin (HSA). Fructose-mediated glycation of albumin produced fluorescent structures, such as pentosidine and malondialdehyde. These AGEs were significantly reduced by carnosine and AG. At 20 mM, carnosine and AG quenches pentosidine fluorescence by 66% and 83%, respectively. A similar inhibitory effect was observed for malondialdehyde. Protein hydrophobicity and tryptophan fluorescence were restored in the presence of carnosine and AG. Aminoguanidine decreased fibrillation in HSA, while carnosine did not significantly affect aggregation/fibrillation. In addition, molecular docking study observed binding scores of -5.90 kcal/mol and -2.59 kcal/mol by HSA-aminoguanidine and HSA-carnosine complex, respectively. Aminoguanidine forms one conventional hydrogen bond with ARG A:10 and a salt bridge with ASP A:13, ASP A:259, ASP A:255, and ASP A:256 from the amine group. Similarly, carnosine forms only hydrogen bonds with GLU A:501 and GLN A:508 from the amine and hydroxy group. The root mean square deviation (RMSD) calculated from simulation studies was 1 nm upto 70 ns for the HSA-aminoguanidine complex and the spectrum of HSA-carnosine was significantly deviated and not stabilized. The superior inhibitory activity of aminoguanidine could be due to additional salt bridge bonding with albumin. Conclusively, aminoguanidine can be the better treatment choice for diabetes-associated neurological diseases.

Evaluation of Crocin Content and In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Glycation Activity of Different Saffron Extracts

Crocin, a glycoside carotenoid that exhibits several health benefits, is mainly obtained from saffron (Crocus sativus L.), whose quality and content of phytochemicals can be strongly affected by environmental conditions. Therefore, in this work, the crocin content and in vitro antioxidant activity of saffron extracts obtained from three different varieties (Greek, Sicilian, and Iranian saffron) were assessed. Crocin content in saffron extracts was quantified via ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The antioxidant activity of saffron extracts was evaluated using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay and nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging test. The Maillard reaction was used to assess anti-glycation activity. Although the Sicilian and Iranian saffron extracts contained higher amounts of crocin (128 ± 6 ng/mL and 126 ± 4 ng/mL, respectively) compared to the Greek extracts (111 ± 2 ng/mL), ORAC values (50.9 ± 0.5) and % NO inhibition (35.2 ± 0.2) were higher for the Greek variety, which displayed a total phenolic content about two-fold greater than that of the other two extracts. Sicilian and Greek saffron had similar anti-glycation activities, while Iranian saffron was less effective. These results suggest that the antioxidant activity of saffron extracts could be ascribed to their naturally occurring complex mixture of phytochemicals, deserving further investigation as supplements to prevent pathological conditions induced by radical species.

Optimization of aqueous extraction of antioxidants from Chrysanthemum (C. morifolium Ramat and C. indicum L.) flowers and evaluation of their protection from glycoxidation damage on human αA-crystallin

Chrysanthemum tea is commonly consumed by Chinese consumers mainly due to the Chrysanthemum flower being a potential source of antioxidants. The current study investigates the effects of extraction time and temperature on Chrysanthemum flower aqueous extract (CFAE) antioxidant capacity, including Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferrous iron-chelating activity, and superoxide radical scavenging capacity (SRSC) using a two-factor, three-level factorial design of the response surface method (RSM). The TEAC and SRSC of CFAE are higher at higher temperatures and longer times up to a certain point, and the highest TEAC and SRSC are achieved at a 100 °C extraction temperature for 45 min. The fructose induced-αA-crystallin (Cry) glycation model system was used to evaluate the effects of the CFAE on anti-glycoxidation activities. The antioxidant ingredients obtained from CFAE significantly impede the production of advanced glycation end products from protein glycoxidation products (dityrosine, kynurenine, and N'-methylkynurenine) in the glycation process of αA-Cry and exhibit strong anti-glycating activity. The glycation inhibitory effects of CFAE are concentration-dependent. C. indicum L. exhibits greater potential for preventing cataracts compared to C. morifolium Ramat CFAE's antioxidant and anti-glycation properties suggest its potential application as a natural ingredient in the development of agents to combat glycation.

Phytoconstituents, antioxidant and antiglycation activity of Chrysophyllum cainito L., Hancornia speciosa Gomes and Plinia glomerata Berg. fruits

The present study verified the presence of phytoconstituents and evaluated antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP, NO and TBARS tests) and antiglycation (REM test) activities of unconventional wild edible fruits Chrysophyllum cainito, Hancornia speciosa and Plinia glomerata. It was verified the presence of phenolic compounds for all fruits and flavonoids were observed only for C. cainito, which presented in its peel the highest total phenols (90.34 μg GAE mg-1) and flavonoids (30.4 μg RE mg-1) content. Sugar concentration was significant for all fruits, where H. speciosa showed the highest reducing sugar content (576.12 mg g-1) and C. cainito pulp showed the highest total sugar content (858.67 mg g-1). All fruits presented vitamin C and carotenoids, highlighting P. glomerata with the best results for ascorbic acid (2260.94 mg 100 g-1) and carotenoids (59.62 µg g-1). Extracts presented antioxidant activity, highlighting C. cainito peel that presented 65.64% (DPPH), 231.34 µM TE L-1 (FRAP), 49.34% (NO) and 22.56% (TBARS), while in antiglycation evaluation, P. glomerata showed evident activity. Therefore, it was possible to determine different phytoconstituents, and antioxidant and antiglycation activities of the fruits. These data provide subsidies for application of these fruits in new studies, to increase knowledge and preservation of these species.

Major Depressive Disorder, Inflammation, and Nutrition: A Tricky Pattern?

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric disease associated with inflammation. The Western diet (WD) is a high-fat, high-sugar diet also associated with inflammation. We aimed to show whether the diet of MDD patients was a WD and could act as a risk factor in this context. We conducted a transversal study of MDD patients and controls (CTRLs) without comorbidities. We performed blood analyses including C-reactive protein (CRP), a diet anamnesis, and an advanced glycation end-product assessment. We found that 34.37% of MDD patients had a CRP level above 3 to 10 mg/L, which remained higher than CTRLs after adjustments (sex, BMI, age, smoking status). The MDD patients had an excess of sugar and saturated and trans fatty acids; a deficiency in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, monounsaturated acid, dietary fibers, and antioxidants; a high glycemic load; and aggravating nutritional factors when compared to the CTRLs. We found correlations between nutritional factors and CRP in univariate/multivariate analysis models. Thus, MDD patients showed an elevated CRP level and a WD pattern that could contribute to sustaining an inflammatory state. Further studies are required to confirm this, but the results highlighted the importance of nutrition in the context of MDD.

Comparison of Protective Effects of Phenolic Acids on Protein Glycation of BSA Supported by In Vitro and Docking Studies

Several diabetic complications are associated with forming advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Different chemical and natural compounds are able to prevent the development of these products. In this study, glycosylation was induced as a model by incubating bovine serum albumin (BSA) with glucose. Consequently, BSA was treated with glucose and different concentrations (1.25, 2.5, and 5 μM) of syringic acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, paracoumaric acid, and caffeic acid for 4 and 6 weeks. Biochemical experiments comprise measurements of fluorescent AGEs, protein carbonyl contents, total thiol, hemolysis tests, and also malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in RBC. These demonstrated the antiglycating mechanism of these phenolic acids. Most of the phenolic acids used in this study reduced MDA levels and protected thiol residues in protein structures. They also inhibited the formation of fluorescent AGEs and RBC lysis, except gallic acid. Moreover, ferulic acid, paracoumaric acid, and caffeic acid proteins significantly prevent carbonylation. Molecular docking and simulation studies showed that ellagic, caffeic, gallic, and syringic acids could interact with lysine and arginine residues in the active site of BSA and stabilize its structure to inhibit the formation of AGEs. Our results suggest that phenolic acid could be used as a potential phytochemical against protein glycation and related diabetic complications.

Extraction optimization and identification of four advanced glycation-end products inhibitors from lotus leaves and interaction mechanism analysis

Previous research indicated lotus leaves extract could effectively inhibit advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) formation, but the optimal extraction condition, bio-active compounds and interaction mechanism remain unclear. The current study was designed to optimize the extraction parameters of AGEs inhibitors from lotus leaves by bio-activity-guided approach. The bio-active compounds were enriched and identified, the interaction mechanisms of inhibitors with ovalbumin (OVA) were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking. The optimum extraction parameters were solid-liquid ratio of 1:30, ethanol concentration of 70 %, ultrasonic time of 40 min, temperature of 50 °C, and power of 400 W. Isoquercitrin, hyperoside, astragalin, and trifolin were identified from the 80 % ethanol fraction of lotus leaves (80HY). Hyperoside and isoquercitrin were dominant AGEs inhibitors and accounted for 55.97 % of 80HY. Isoquercitrin, hyperoside, trifolin interacted with OVA via the same mechanism, hyperoside exhibited the strongest affinity, trifolin caused the most conformational changes.

Synergistic effect of chlorogenic acid and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) on in-vitro glycation may assist in prevention of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) progression - A biophysical, biochemical and in-silico study

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed through non-enzymatic glycation, that have been linked to various diseases, including polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) playing a critical role leading to secondary comorbidities such as diabetes-related problems, cardiovascular complications, infertility, etc. As a result, there has been a lot of research into AGE-inhibiting phytochemicals for the remediation and obstruct progression of glycation-related illnesses. The current study is based on in-vitro protein model, in which human serum albumin have been used to investigate the cumulative effect of chlorogenic acid (CGA) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D) on glycation and evaluate their inhibitory impact on AGEs production in the presence of methylglyoxal. Through the application of several biochemical and biophysical techniques, we were able to examine the synergistic impact of both the compounds on albumin structure and its biochemical properties during different stages of glycation. According to Nitro-blue tetrazolium assay results indicate that CGA and vitamin D inhibited fructosamine (early glycation product) production. Moreover, free thiol and lysine residues were significantly increased whereas protein carbonyl levels were significantly decreased. Additive effect of CGA and vitamin D were associated with reduced AGEs fluorescence and increased tryptophan and tyrosine fluorescence. Amadori-albumin after treatment showed some evidence of regaining its alpha-helicity as measured by far-UV CD spectrum. Furthermore, secondary structural alterations were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). ANS (1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid) fluorescence spectra also displayed less revelation of hydrophobic patches. Bilirubin binding capacity was also restored which showed functional recovery of HSA. The electrophoretic mobility was also restored which is portrayed by SDS-PAGE. Additionally, to predict the anti-aggregation potential of CGA and vitamin D, congo red assay and ThT fluorescence was performed which reveal low aggregate formation after treatment. These results corroborated with scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. Docking and simulation results also reveal spontaneous binding of CGA and vitamin D on subdomain IIA of HSA favoring their binding thermodynamically. All the findings suggest that chlorogenic acid and cholecalciferol given in combination might help in prevention of PCOS progression and its related complications.

Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Anti-Obesity Properties of Apple Pulp Extracts (Malus domestica Bork): A Comparative Study of 15 Local and Commercial Cultivars from Spain

Apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) have a great agricultural and economic impact worldwide; they also present an interesting nutritional value, and their consumption has been associated with beneficial health effects. In this study, 15 apple varieties (three commercial, 12 autochthonous genotypes) were collected from mountainous areas in Spain and were evaluated for their phenolic content, antioxidant, anti-obesity and antidiabetic activities. Quercetin was tested as the reference substance in bioassays due to its role as one of the most common flavonoids in apples and other vegetables. Total Phenolic Content (TPC) of apple pulp extracts was quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The antioxidant activity was determined by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO) scavenging assays. Antidiabetic and anti-obesity potential were evaluated by inhibition of alpha-glucosidase (α-GLU), advance glycation end products (AGEs) formation and pancreatic lipase. The results showed in general higher phenol content in autochthonous varieties than in commercial apple pulp extracts. Phenolic-rich extracts showed better antioxidant profiles and significantly inhibited AGEs production and the α-glucosidase enzyme in a dose-dependent manner. None of them showed pancreatic lipase inhibitory effects but in general, the genotype known as "Amarilla de Octubre" was the best in terms of TPC and bioactive properties.

Optimizing glycation control in diabetes: An integrated approach for inhibiting nonenzymatic glycation reactions of biological macromolecules

Diabetes is a multifactorial disorder that increases mortality and disability due to its complications. A key driver of these complications is nonenzymatic glycation, which generates advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) that impair tissue function. Therefore, effective nonenzymatic glycation prevention and control strategies are urgently needed. This review comprehensively describes the molecular mechanisms and pathological consequences of nonenzymatic glycation in diabetes and outlines various anti-glycation strategies, such as lowering plasma glucose, interfering with the glycation reaction, and degrading early and late glycation products. Diet, exercise, and hypoglycemic medications can reduce the onset of high glucose at the source. Glucose or amino acid analogs such as flavonoids, lysine and aminoguanidine competitively bind to proteins or glucose to block the initial nonenzymatic glycation reaction. In addition, deglycation enzymes such as amadoriase, fructosamine-3-kinase, parkinson's disease protein, glutamine amidotransferase-like class 1 domain-containing 3A and terminal FraB deglycase can eliminate existing nonenzymatic glycation products. These strategies involve nutritional, pharmacological, and enzymatic interventions that target different stages of nonenzymatic glycation. This review also emphasizes the therapeutic potential of anti-glycation drugs for preventing and treating diabetes complications.

Application of Molecular Transformer approach for predicting the potential reactions to generate advanced glycation end products in infant formula

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are associated with the occurrence of human chronic diseases, and exist commonly in thermally processed foods, such as infant formula. Existing research mainly focuses on the discrete simulation system, which is time-consuming and challenging, but accumulates of a large amount of valuable data. This study aimed to propose a specific Molecular Transformer-based model trained on the data curated from literature to predict the chemical reaction of AGEs, and apply it to infant formula to observe which new reactions could generate AGEs. The model achieved top-3 accuracy of 76.0% on the total dataset. Based on the model prediction results, five reactions were selected for experimental verification, and four of them were consistent with the model prediction results. This prospective study might potentially revolutionize the discovery of AGEs reactions and provide theoretical guidelines for designing a safer infant formula.

Chitosan based encapsulation of Valeriana officinalis essential oil as edible coating for inhibition of fungi and aflatoxin B1 contamination, nutritional quality improvement, and shelf life extension of Citrus sinensis fruits

In this study, a novel chitosan nanoemulsion coating embedded with Valeriana officinalis essential oil (Ne-VOEO) was synthesized in order to improve the postharvest quality of Citrus sinensis fruits against infesting fungi, and aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) mediated nutritional deterioration. The developed nanoemulsion was characterized through SEM, FTIR, XRD, and DLS analyses. The nanoemulsion showed controlled delivery of VOEO responsible for effective inhibition of Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. versicolor, Penicillium italicum, and Fusarium oxysporum growth at 6.5, 5.0, 4.0, 5.5, and 3.5 μL/mL, respectively and AFB₁ production at 5.0 μL/mL. The biochemical and molecular mechanism of aflatoxigenic A. flavus inhibition, and AFB₁ diminution was associated with impairment in ergosterol biosynthesis, methylglyoxal production, and stereo-spatial binding of valerianol in the cavity of Ver-1 protein. During in vivo investigation, Ne-VOEO coating potentially restrained the weight loss, and respiratory rate of C. sinensis fruits with delayed degradation of soluble solids, titrable acidity, pH, and phenolic contents along with maintenance of SOD, CAT, APX activities (p < 0.05) and sensory attributes under specific storage conditions. Based on overall findings, Ne-VOEO nanoemulsion could be recommended as green, and smart antifungal coating agent in prolonging the shelf-life of stored fruits with enhanced AFB₁ mitigation.

Evaluating the inhibitory potential of natural compound luteolin on human lysozyme fibrillation

Numerous pathophysiological conditions known as amyloidosis, have been connected to protein misfolding leading to aggregation of proteins. Inhibition of cytotoxic aggregates or disaggregation of the preformed fibrils is thus one of the important strategies in the prevention of such diseases. Growing interest and exploration of identification of small molecules mainly natural compounds can prevent or delay amyloid fibril formation. We examined the mechanism of interaction and inhibition of human lysozyme (HL) aggregates with luteolin (LT). Biophysical and computational approaches have been employed to study the effect of LT on HL amyloid aggregation. Transmission Electronic Microscopy, Thioflavin T fluorescence, UV-vis spectroscopy, and RLS demonstrates that LT inhibit HL fibril formation. ANS fluorescence and hemolytic assay was also employed to examine the effect of the LT on toxicity of HL aggregation. Docking and molecular dynamics results showed that LT interacted with HL via hydrophobic and hydrogen interactions, thus reducing fibrillation levels. These findings highlight the benefit of polyphenols as safe therapy for preventing amyloid related diseases.

Phytochemical profile and antioxidant capacity, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of Oxalis pes-caprae extracts in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

Diabetes and its complications are closely correlated with chronic hyperglycemia, causing severe oxidative stress and leading to glycation reaction with formation of advanced glycation end products. However, medicinal plants are still a source of inspiration for the discovery of new treatments of several diseases, including diabetes. The present study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of Oxalis pes-caprae flowers extract in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The phytochemical and antioxidant activities of both aqueous and methanolic extracts were assessed by in-vitro testing such as free radical scavenging assays (DPPH and ABTS⁺), ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) chelating activity and reducing power assay. Additionally, the detection of Amadori products and advanced glycation end products was used to determine the antiglycation potential. α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory assessment was employed to determine the antidiabetic effect, while alloxan-induced diabetic mice were used to measure the in-vivo activities of antioxidants and carbohydrates enzymes. The effect of the methanolic extract on body weight and blood glucose level of extract-treated diabetic mice were also investigated. Among the tested extract, the methanolic extract was the richest in phenolic compounds which is directly related with their remarkable antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and antiglycation activity. The oral administration of the two doses of Oxalis pes-caprae flowers (150 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg) daily for 3 weeks resulted in hypoglycemic effect compared to the reference drug, glibenclamide (10 mg/kg). Furthermore, the extract was shown to significantly increase the activities of antioxidants and glycolysis enzymes in the liver, kidney and spleen of diabetic mice, compared to diabetic control group. Therefore, Oxalis pes-caprae extract effectively exhibited hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effects as indicated by in-vitro and in-vivo studies, confirming the protective effects on hyperglycemia and oxidative damage.

Magnetically Controlled Nanorobots Based on Red Emissive Peptide Dots and Artificial Antibodies for Specific Recognition and Smart Scavenging of Nε-(Carboxymethyl)lysine in Dairy Products

Food-borne advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are highly related to various irreversible diseases, and N^ε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) is the typical hazardous AGE. The development of feasible strategies to monitor and reduce CML exposure has become desirable to address the problems. In this work, we proposed magnetically controlled nanorobots by integrating an optosensing platform with specific recognition and binding capability, realizing specific anchoring and accurate determination as well as efficient scavenging of CML in dairy products. The artificial antibodies offered CML imprinted cavities for highly selective absorption, and the optosensing strategy was designed based on electron transfer from red emissive self-assembling peptide dots (r-SAPDs) to CML, which was responsible for the identity, response, and loading process. The r-SAPDs overcame the interference from autofluorescence, and the limit of detection was 0.29 μg L^-1, which bestowed accuracy and reliability for in situ monitoring. The selective binding process was accomplished within 20 min with an adsorption capacity of 23.2 mg g^-1. Through an external magnetic field, CML-loaded nanorobots were oriented, moved, and separated from the matrix, which enabled their scavenging effects and reusability. The fast stimuli-responsive performance and recyclability of the nanorobots provided a versatility strategy for effective detection and control of hazards in food.

Assessment of the dual role of Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Drude in inhibiting AGEs and enhancing GLUT4 translocation through LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS determination and in silico studies

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder that results in glucose accumulation in the blood, accompanied by the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) through glycation of cellular proteins. These AGEs interfere with insulin signaling and prevent GLUT4 membrane translocation, thereby promoting the accumulation of more glucose in the blood and causing post-diabetic complications.

Methods: In this study, we examine the anti-diabetic potential of Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Drude, a well-known ethnomedicinal plant of the Indian Himalayas. Considering its various medicinal properties, we analyzed its ethanolic extract and various solvent fractions for in vitro antiglycation activity and antidiabetic potential, i.e., stimulation of GLUT4 translocation.

Result and Discussions: The results showed that the extract and fractions exhibited increased antiglycation activity and an increased level of GLUT4 translocation. Analysis of a further 12 bioactive compounds of ethanolic extract, identified through LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS, revealed the presence of three new compounds: leucothol B, rhodoterpenoids A, and leucothol A. Moreover, we performed molecular docking of identified compounds against key proteins of diabetes mellitus: the sirtuin family of NAD (+)-dependent protein deacetylases 6 (SIRT6), aldose reductase (AR), and tyrosine kinase (TK). The results showed that flavonoid luteolin showed the best binding affinity ((−12.3 kcal/mol), followed by eriodictyol, astilbin, and syringaresinol. An ADMET study showed that luteolin, eriodictyol, astilbin, and syringaresinol may be promising drug candidates belonging to the flavonoid class of compounds, with no harmful effects and complying with all the drug-likeness guidelines. Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on a 50 ns timescale revealed that AR protein was most stable with luteolin throughout the simulation period. Therefore, this study reveals for the first time that L. ovalifolia plays an important role in insulin homeostasis, as shown in in vitro and in silico studies.

Chemical Composition of Hazelnut Skin Food Waste and Protective Role against Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs) Damage in THP-1-Derived Macrophages

Glycation and the accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are known to occur during aging, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. Increased glucose or methylglyoxal (MGO) levels in the blood of diabetic patients result in increased AGEs. A diet rich in bioactive food compounds, like polyphenols, has a protective effect. The aim of this work is to evaluate the capacity of hazelnut skin polyphenolic extract to protect THP-1-macrophages from damage induced by AGEs. The main polyphenolic subclass was identified and quantified by means of HPLC/MS and the Folin–Ciocalteu method. AGEs derived from incubation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and MGO were characterized by fluorescence. Cell viability measurement was performed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the polyphenolic extract in macrophages. Reactive oxygen species’ (ROS) production was assessed by the H2-DCF-DA assay, the inflammatory response by real-time PCR for gene expression, and the ELISA assay for protein quantification. We have shown that the polyphenolic extract protected cell viability from damage induced by AGEs. After treatment with AGEs, macrophages expressed high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and ROS, whereas in co-treatment with polyphenol extract there was a reduction in either case. Our study suggests that hazelnut skin polyphenol-rich extracts have positive effects and could be further investigated for nutraceutical applications.

Glyoxalase I Assay as a Possible Tool for Evaluation of Biological Activity of Antioxidant-Rich Plant Extracts

The health-promoting properties of natural plant bioactive compounds are mainly attributable to their ability to counteract oxidative stress. This is considered a major causative factor in aging and aging-related human diseases, in which a causal role is also ascribed to dicarbonyl stress. This is due to accumulation of methylglyoxal (MG) and other reactive dicarbonyl species, leading to macromolecule glycation and cell/tissue dysfunction. The glyoxalase (GLYI) enzyme, catalyzing the rate-limiting step of the GSH-dependent MG detoxification pathway, plays a key role in cell defense against dicarbonyl stress. Therefore, the study of GLYI regulation is of relevant interest. In particular, GLYI inducers are important for pharmacological interventions to sustain healthy aging and to improve dicarbonyl-related diseases; GLYI inhibitors, allowing increased MG levels to act as proapoptotic agents in tumor cells, are of special interest in cancer treatment. In this study, we performed a new in vitro exploration of biological activity of plant bioactive compounds by associating the measurement of their antioxidant capacity (AC) with the evaluation of their potential impact on dicarbonyl stress measured as capability to modulate GLYI activity. AC was evaluated using TEAC, ORAC, and LOX-FL methods. The GLYI assay was performed using a human recombinant isoform, in comparison with the recently characterized GLYI activity of durum wheat mitochondria. Different plant extracts were tested, obtained from plant sources with very high phytochemical content ('Sun Black' and wildtype tomatoes, black and 'Polignano' carrots, and durum wheat grain). Results showed high antioxidant properties of the tested extracts, associated with different modes (no effect, activation, and inhibition) and effectiveness in modulating both GLYI activity sources. Overall, results indicate the GLYI assay as an advisable and promising tool for researching plant foods as a source of natural antioxidant compounds acting as GLYI enzymatic regulators to be used for dietary management associated the treatment of oxidative/dicarbonyl-promoted diseases.

Inhibition of AGEs formation, antioxidative, and cytoprotective activity of Sumac (Rhus typhina L.) tannin under hyperglycemia: molecular and cellular study

It is well known that accumulation of advanced glycation ends products (AGEs) lead to various diseases such as diabetes and diabetic complications. In this study we showed that hydrolysable tannin from Sumac (Rhus typhina L.)-3,6-bis-O-di-O-galloyl-1,2,4-tri-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (C₅₅H₄₀O₃₄) inhibited generation of glycation markers in bovine serum albumin such as AGEs, dityrosine, N'-formylkynurenine and kynurenine under high glucose treatment. This effect was accompanied by stabilization of the protein structure, as was shown using ATR-FT-IR spectroscopy and fluorescence methods. C₅₅H₄₀O₃₄ exhibited also a neuroprotective effect in high glucose-exposed Neuro2A cells suppressing ROS formation and expression of phospho NF-κβ and iNOS. At the same time C₅₅H₄₀O₃₄ increased expression of heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase and mitochondrial complex I and V activities. Results from this study demonstrates a potent antiglycation activity of C₅₅H₄₀O₃₄ in vitro and indicates its possible therapeutic application in glycation related diseases.

The Effect of B-type Procyanidin on Free Radical and Metal Ion Induced β-Lactoglobulin Glyco-oxidation via Mass Spectrometry and Interaction Analysis

Procyanidin is a group of dietary flavonoids abundant in berry fruits. In this study, the effects and underlying mechanisms of B type procyanidin (PC) on free radical and metal ion (H₂O₂, AAPH and Fe³⁺) induced milk protein β-lactoglobulin (BLG) glyco-oxidation were investigated. The results indicated that PC protected BLG structure changes from cross-link and aggregation induced by free radicals and metal ion. Additionally, it effectively inhibited BLG oxidation by reducing approximately 21%-30% carbonyls and 15%-61% schiff base crosslink formation. Also, PC suppressed BLG glycation by inhibiting 48-70% advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and reduced the accumulation of intermediate product methylglyoxal (MGO). The corresponding mechanisms were elucidated that PC exhibited great free radical scavenging and metal chelating properties; PC had non-covalent bind with the amino acid residues (preferably lysine and arginine) of BLG and blocked them from glycation; PC interrupted BLG glycation by forming procyanidin-MGO conjugates. Therefore, B type procyanidin was an effective glyco-oxidation inhibitor in milk products.

Assessment of Antioxidant, Anti-Lipid Peroxidation, Antiglycation, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Tyrosinase Properties of Dendrobium sulcatum Lindl

Dendrobium sulcatum Lindl or “Ueang Jampa-Nan” (Orchidaceae family) is widely dis-tributed in Thailand and Laos. It is classified in the genus Dendrobium, which is used in both traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine for health enhancement and anti-aging. The purpose of this study was to investigate the phytochemical constituents and bioefficacy of stems, leaves and flowers from D. sulcatum for cosmetic and cosmeceutical applications. Phenolic and flavonoid contents were tested for the phytochemical evaluation. The antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assays), anti-lipid peroxidation, antiglycation, anti-inflammatory and anti-tyrosinase properties were assessed for their bioefficacy. The results showed that the extracts of stem and leaf had higher total phenolic content than that of the flower, and the leaf extract had the highest flavonoid content. The antioxidant, anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts were greater in those from the stem and leaf compared with that of the flower. The leaf extract exhibited the greatest antiglycation property. The results of anti-tyrosinase analysis of the extracts showed that the leaf and flower exhibited potent activities with a percentage inhibition greater than 70% (at a concentration of 50 µg/mL). In conclusion, these findings suggest that the ethanolic extracts from different parts of D. sulcatum are promising sources of natural active ingredients for further cosmetic and cosmeceutical products.

New Anti-Glycative Lignans from the Defatted Seeds of Sesamum indicum

Seven known analogs, along with two previously undescribed lignan derivatives sesamlignans A (1) and B (2), were isolated from a water-soluble extract of the defatted sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) by applying the chromatographic separation method. Structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated based on extensive interpretation of 1D, 2D NMR, and HRFABMS spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations were established by analyzing the optical rotation and circular dichroism (CD) spectrum. Inhibitory effects against the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and peroxynitrite (ONOO^-) scavenging assays were performed to evaluate the anti-glycation effects of all isolated compounds. Among the isolated compounds, (1) and (2) showed potent inhibition towards AGEs formation, with IC₅₀ values of 7.5 ± 0.3 and 9.8 ± 0.5 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the new aryltetralin-type lignan 1 exhibited the most potent activity when tested in the in vitro ONOO^- scavenging assay.

In Vitro Antiglycation Potential of Erva-Baleeira (Varronia curassavica Jacq.)

BACKGROUND

Varronia curassavica Jacq. (Boraginaceae) is traditionally used in the treatment of inflammatory processes. The ethanolic extract of its leaves (EEVc) showed anti-inflammatory properties and low toxicity. Medicinal plants have aroused interest for their antiglycation activities. The formation and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are associated with several chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antiglycation potential of EEVc and two isolated compounds.

METHODS

The compounds brickellin and cordialin A were obtained by chromatographic methods and identified by spectrometric techniques. Analysis of fluorescent AGEs, biomarkers of amino acid residue oxidation, protein carbonyl groups and crosslink formation were performed in samples obtained from an in vitro model system of protein glycation with methylglyoxal.

RESULTS

EEVc, brickellin and cordialin A significantly reduced the in vitro formation of AGEs, and reduced the damage caused by oxidative damage to the protein.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the results, EEVc, brickellin and cordialin A are potential candidates against AGEs formation, which opens the way to expand the therapeutic arsenal for many pathologies resulting from glycoxidative stress.

Inhibitory Potential of α-Amylase, α-Glucosidase, and Pancreatic Lipase by a Formulation of Five Plant Extracts: TOTUM-63

Controlling post-prandial hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, particularly by regulating the activity of digestive enzymes, allows managing type 2 diabetes and obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of TOTUM-63, a formulation of five plant extracts (Olea europaea L., Cynara scolymus L., Chrysanthellum indicum subsp. afroamericanum B.L.Turner, Vaccinium myrtillus L., and Piper nigrum L.), on enzymes involved in carbohydrate and lipid absorption. First, in vitro inhibition assays were performed by targeting three enzymes: α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and lipase. Then, kinetic studies and binding affinity determinations by fluorescence spectrum changes and microscale thermophoresis were performed. The in vitro assays showed that TOTUM-63 inhibited all three digestive enzymes, particularly α-glucosidase (IC50 of 13.1 µg/mL). Mechanistic studies on α-glucosidase inhibition by TOTUM-63 and molecular interaction experiments indicated a mixed (full) inhibition mechanism, and higher affinity for α-glucosidase than acarbose, the reference α-glucosidase inhibitor. Lastly, in vivo data using leptin receptor-deficient (db/db) mice, a model of obesity and type 2 diabetes, indicated that TOTUM-63 might prevent the increase in fasting glycemia and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels over time, compared with the untreated group. These results show that TOTUM-63 is a promising new approach for type 2 diabetes management via α-glucosidase inhibition.

Valorization of Rice Husk (Oryza sativa L.) as a Source of In Vitro Antiglycative and Antioxidant Agents

Rice husk is a good source of polyphenols, but it has not been efficiently utilized in food applications yet. Therefore, the aim of this work is to investigate, by in vitro assays, the polyphenolic extract (RHE) capacity of this waste to counteract the protein glycation at different stages of the reaction, correlating this activity with the antiradical properties. A microwave-assisted extraction using hydro-alcoholic solvents was applied to recover husk polyphenols. Extraction parameters were optimized by the design of the experiment. The extract with the highest polyphenolic recovery was obtained at 500 W and 90 °C, using 1:35 g of dry material/mL solvent, 80% ethanol, and a 5 min extraction time. Results highlight the ability of RHE to inhibit the formation of fructosamine in the early stage of glycation with a dose-dependent activity. Furthermore, in the middle stage of the reaction, the highest RHE tested concentration (2.5 mg/mL) almost completely inhibit the monitored advanced glycation end products (AGEs), as well as showing a good trapping ability against α-dicarbonyl intermediates. A strong positive correlation with antioxidant activity is also found. The obtained results are supported by the presence of ten polyphenols detected by RP-HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSⁿ, mainly hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids, already reported in the literature as antiglycative and antioxidant agents.

Chinese Traditional Pear Paste: Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant Activities and Quality Evaluation

As a traditional folk medicine, pear paste has important nutritional and health effects. The physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of pear pastes prepared from 23 different cultivars were investigated, including color parameters ( L*, a*, b* and h°), transmittance, pH, titratable acidity (TA), soluble sugar content, total phenolics content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), DPPH and ^•OH radical scavenging activity (RSA), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). It was demonstrated that the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of pear pastes from various cultivars differed significantly. Pear cultivars of "Mantianhong", "Xiangshui" and "Anli" possessing higher TPC and TFC exhibited excellent antioxidant activity determined by DPPH RSA, ^•OH RSA and FRAP, while the lowest TPC and TFC was observed for the cultivars of "Xueqing", "Nansui", "Hongxiangsu", and "Xinli No. 7", which also demonstrated the poor antioxidant activity. Multivariate analyses, including factor and cluster analysis, were used for the quality evaluation and separation of pear pastes based on their physicochemical and antioxidant properties. Factor analysis reduced the above thirteen parameters to final four effective ones, i.e. DPPH RSA, color b*, FRAP and TA, and subsequently these four parameters were used to construct the comprehensive evaluation prediction model for evaluating the quality of pear pastes. The pear pastes could be separated into three clusters and differentiated for the diverse of pear cultivars via cluster analysis. Consistently, "Mantianhong", "Xiangshui" and "Anli" pear with higher quality clustered into one group, in contrast, "Xueqing", "Nansui", "Hongxiangsu", and "Xinli No. 7" with lower quality clustered into the other group. It provided a theoretical method to evaluate the quality of pear paste and may help the fruit processing industry select the more suitable pear cultivars for pear paste making.

Metabolite Profiling of Antioxidant Rich Fractions of Punica granatum L. Mesocarp and CD36 Expression Regulation

OBJECTIVE

It was aimed at determining which polyphenolic compound(s) in pomegranate mesocarp extract (PME) is liable for the antioxidant, anti-glycation and anti-CD36 activities.

METHODS

The PME was fractionated using liquid-liquid extraction method. The fractions were tested for their polyphenolic content, antioxidant potency, anti-glycation activity and anti-CD36 potential. The metabolite compositions of PME and derived fractions were investigated in an untargeted manner using metabolomics in relation to its antioxidant and anti-glycation activities.

RESULTS

The ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of the pomegranate mesocarp demonstrated highest antioxidant and anti-glycation potencies. These fractions, represented by gallic and ellagic acids monomers, were enriched in tannins and phenolic acids. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminate analysis (OPLS-DA) modeling of ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) metabolite profiles from the different pomegranate mesocarp fractions indicated that gallic and ellagic acids were potential contributors to the antioxidant and anti-glycation effects of the pomegranate mesocarp. At cellular level, the polyphenolic-rich crude extract as well as the ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous residual fractions suppressed the protein expression of CD36. The anti-CD36 activity of these extracts and fractions was attributed to the presence of punicalagin, the ellagitannins that occurred in equal amount in the different fractions.

CONCLUSION

This work demonstrated the protective effect of the non-edible part of the pomegranate fruit and showed that gallic and ellagic acids account for the antioxidant and anti-glycation activities while punicalagin is liable for the anti-CD36 activity of PME.

Cranberry Juice Polyphenols Inhibited the Formation of Advanced Glycation End Products in Collagens, Inhibited Advanced Glycation End Product-Induced Collagen Crosslinking, and Cleaved the Formed Crosslinks

Collagens in the human skin are susceptible to glycation due to their long half-life of about 15 years, accumulating advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The formation of AGEs and the subsequent AGE-induced collagen crosslinking are major factors for skin aging. The objective of this study was to determine the capacity of cranberry juice polyphenols (CJPs) and their fractions to inhibit collagen glycation and to break AGE-induced crosslinks in collagens. Concentrated cranberry juice was extracted to obtain the CJP, which was further fractionated into an ethyl acetate fraction, water fraction, 30% methanol (MeOH) fraction, 60% MeOH fraction, MeOH fraction, and acetone fraction. CJPs and their fractions contained different ratios of anthocyanins, procyanidins, and flavonols. All the fractions significantly inhibited collagen glycation assessed with the collagen-methylglyoxal (MGO) or collagen-dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA) assays. The ethyl acetate fraction and 60% MeOH had the lowest IC₅₀ values in the collagen-MGO and collagen-DHAA assays. The methanol fraction (IC₅₀ = 0.52 μg/mL) and acetone fraction (IC₅₀ = 0.019 mg/mL) had the lowest IC₅₀ values in the inhibition and breakage of AGE-induced collagen crosslinking, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction significantly scavenged the highest amount of MGO and DHAA after incubation compared to the other fractions. Results suggested that procyanidins were the most effective antiglycation agent in both collagen glycation assays, followed by flavonols and anthocyanins. High-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization─tandem mass spectrometry showed that the reactions of DHAA with quercetin or epicatechin formed several adducts with unreported proposed structures. This study suggested that CJPs may be used as active ingredients in cosmetics to prevent skin collagen glycation and crosslinking and to break the formed crosslinks.

Understanding the role of glycation in the pathology of various non-communicable diseases along with novel therapeutic strategies

Glycation refers to carbonyl group condensation of the reducing sugar with the free amino group of protein, which forms Amadori products and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These AGEs alter protein structure and function by configuring a negative charge on the positively charged arginine and lysine residues. Glycation plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases, brain disorders, aging, and gut microbiome dysregulation with the aid of 3 mechanisms: (i) formation of highly reactive metabolic pathway-derived intermediates, which directly affect protein function in cells, (ii) the interaction of AGEs with its associated receptors to create oxidative stress causing the activation of transcription factor NF-κB, and (iii) production of extracellular AGEs hinders interactions between cellular and matrix molecules affecting vascular and neural genesis. Therapeutic strategies are thus required to inhibit glycation at different steps, such as blocking amino and carbonyl groups, Amadori products, AGEs-RAGE interactions, chelating transition metals, scavenging free radicals, and breaking crosslinks formed by AGEs. The present review focused on explicitly elaborating the impact of glycation-influenced molecular mechanisms in developing and treating noncommunicable diseases.

Vanillic Acid Inhibited the Induced Glycation Using In Vitro and In Vivo Models

BACKGROUND

Glycation is implicated in the pathophysiology of many diseases, including diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging. Several natural and synthetic compounds were investigated for their antiglycation activity. We evaluated the antiglycation effect of vanillic acid (VA) using in vitro and in vivo experimental models.

METHODS

In vitro, bovine serum albumin (BSA) (50 mg/ml) was incubated with glucose (50 mM) with or without VA at 1.0-100 mM for 1 week at 37°C, and then, excitation/emission fluorescence was measured at 370/440 nm to determine glycation inhibition. The cytoprotective effect of VA was evaluated using RAW 264.7 cells incubated with or without VA at 7.8-500 μM along with 100-400 μM of methylglyoxal for 48 hours, and cell viability was determined using the MTT assay. Aminoguanidine (AMG) was used as a positive control in both in vitro and cell culture experiments. In vivo, 52 streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups and treated with 0, 1.5, 4.5, or 15 mg/kg VA for four weeks. Serum fructosamine and blood glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were then measured, and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) were detected in the kidneys and the skin of deboned tails using an immunohistochemistry assay.

RESULTS

VA caused a concentration-dependent effect against BSA glycation (IC50 of 45.53 mM vs. 5.09 mM for AMG). VA enhanced cell viability at all concentrations of VA and methylglyoxal. VA did not affect serum fructosamine or blood HbA1c levels, although it markedly decreased AGEs in the kidney in a dose-dependent manner and decreased AGEs in the skin of deboned tail tissues.

CONCLUSION

VA had significant antiglycation activity at cellular and long-term glycation.