Effects of ultrahigh pressure extraction on yield and antioxidant activity of chlorogenic acid and cynaroside extracted from flower buds of Lonicera japonica

Novel strategies for enhancing quality stability of edible flower during processing using efficient physical fields: A review

Edible flowers are an exotic part of the human diet due to their distinct sensorial properties and health benefits. Due to consumers demand edible flowers and their products with natural freshness and high nutritional value, there is increasing research on the application of green and efficient edible flower processing technologies. This paper reviews the application of a number of physical fields including ultrasound, microwave, infrared, ultraviolet, ionizing radiation, pulse electric field, high hydrostatic pressure, and reduced pressure aiming to improve the processing and product quality of edible flowers. The mechanism of action, influencing factors, and status on application of each physical energy field are critically evaluated. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of each of these energy fields are evaluated, and trends on their future prospects are highlighted. Future research is expected to focus on gaining greater understanding of the mechanism action of physical field-based technologies when applied to processing of edible flowers and to provide the basis for broaden the application of physical field-based technologies in industrial realm.

Chlorogenic acid: A comprehensive review of the dietary sources, processing effects, bioavailability, beneficial properties, mechanisms of action, and future directions

Chlorogenic acids (CGAs), a group of hydroxycinnamates, are generally abundant in everyday foods and beverages, most prominently in certain coffee drinks. Among them, the chlorogenic acid (CGA), also termed as 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA), is one of the most abundant, highly functional polyphenolic compounds in the human diet. The evidence of its health benefits obtained from clinical studies, as well as basic research, indicates an inverse correlation between 5-CQA consumption and a lower risk of metabolic syndromes and chronic diseases. This review focuses on the beneficial properties for health and mechanisms of action of 5-CQA, starting with its history, isomers, dietary sources, processing effects, preparation methods, pharmacological safety evaluation, and bioavailability. It also provides the possible molecular mechanistic bases to explain the health beneficial effects of 5-CQA including neuroprotective, cardiovascular protective, gastrointestinal protective, renoprotective, hepatoprotective, glucose and lipid metabolism regulatory, and anticarcinogenic effects. The information summarized here could aid in the basic and clinical research on 5-CQA as a natural dietary additive, potential drug candidate, as well as a natural health promoter.

Chondroprotective Effect of Cynaroside in IL-1β-Induced Primary Rat Chondrocytes and Organ Explants via NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Inhibition

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage degradation and inflammation. Interleukin-1β is the key player in the pathogenesis of OA, which induces the expression of various catabolic factors that contribute to cartilage degradation. Cynaroside (luteolin-7-O-glucoside or luteoloside) is a flavonoid that has various pharmacological properties, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. In this study, we investigated the chondroprotective effects of cynaroside on IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes and organ explants. The production of nitrite, PGE₂, collagen type II, and aggrecan was measured by a Griess reagent and ELISAs, and the production of ROS was measured by H₂DCF-DA fluorescence. The protein levels of iNOS, Cox-2, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, MAPKs, and the NF-κB p65 subunit were measured by western blot. Proteoglycan analysis was performed by Alcian Blue staining (in vitro) and Safranin O staining (ex vivo). Cynaroside inhibited IL-1β-induced expression of catabolic factors (nitrite, iNOS, ROS, PGE₂, Cox-2, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-4) and degradation of anabolic factors (collagen type II and aggrecan). Furthermore, cynaroside suppressed IL-1β-induced phosphorylation of MAPKs and translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit into the nucleus. Collectively, these results suggest that cynaroside may be a potential candidate for the development of new therapeutic drugs for the alleviation of OA progression.

Extraction of bioactive ingredients from fruiting bodies of Antrodia cinnamomea assisted by high hydrostatic pressure

The aim of this study was to use high hydrostatic pressure treatment to enhance the extraction efficiency of the active components from the fruiting bodies of Antrodia cinnamomea, and compare with those obtained by shake and ultrasonic extraction methods. The conditions of high pressure extraction (HPE) at 600 MPa, a liquid/solid ratio of 40:1, and 3 min of treatment yielded triterpenoids and adenosine concentrations of 410.41 mg/100 mL and 0.47 mg/100 mL, respectively, which did not differ significantly from those with the two other treatments-shake extraction at 180 rpm for 8 h and ultrasonic extraction at 50 Hz for 60 min. The HPE extracts significantly attenuated reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂ production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells than shake extracts did. SEM micrographs revealed that high-pressure caused physical morphological damage to the mycelium of fruiting bodies, such as distortion and disruption of mycelial cells, and increased the mass-transfer effectiveness of the solvent and solute. HPE can be employed as an efficient extraction technique for production of bioactive ingredients that might have a potential application in food and related industries.

Comparison of Artificial Neural Networks and Response Surface Methodology towards an Efficient Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Chlorogenic Acid from Lonicera japonica

Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a bioactive compound commonly found in plants, has been demonstrated possessing nutraceutical potential in recent years. However, the more critical issue concerning how to improve production efficacy of CGA is still limited. It is a challenge to harvest a large amount of CGA without prolonging extraction time. In this study, the feasibility of using ultrasound for CGA extraction from Lonicera japonica was investigated. A central composite design (CCD) was employed to evaluate the effects of the operation parameters, including temperature, ethanol concentration, liquid to solid ratio, and ultrasound power on CGA yields. Meanwhile, the process of ultrasound-assisted extraction was optimized through modeling response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN). The data indicated that CGA was efficiently extracted from the flower of Lonicera japonica by ultrasound assistance. The optimal conditions for the maximum extraction of CGA were as follows: The temperature at 33.56 °C, ethanol concentration at 65.88%, L/S ratio at 46:1 mL/g and ultrasound power at 150 W. ANN possessed greater optimization capacity than RSM for fitting experimental data and predicting the extraction process to obtain a maximum CGA yield. In conclusion, the process of ultrasound-assisted extraction can be well established by a methodological approach using either RSM or ANN, but it is worth mentioning that the ANN model used here showed the superiority over RSM for predicting and optimizing.

Beneficial Effects of Cynaroside on Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Injury In Vitro and In Vivo

Anti-cancer drugs such as cisplatin and doxorubicin are effectively used more than radiotherapy. Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug, used for treatment of various forms of cancer. However, it has side effects such as ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity increases tubular damage and renal dysfunction. Consequently, we investigated the beneficial effect of cynaroside on cisplatin-induced kidney injury using HK-2 cell (human proximal tubule cell line) and an animal model. Results indicated that 10 μM cynaroside diminished cisplatin-induced apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase-3 activation, cisplatin-induced upregulation of caspase-3/MST-1 pathway decreased by treatment of cynaroside in HK-2 cells. To confirm the effect of cynaroside on cisplatin-induced kidney injury in vivo, we used cisplatin exposure animal model (20 mg/kg, balb/c mice, i.p., once a day for 3 days). Renal dysfunction, tubular damage and neutrophilia induced by cisplatin injection were decreased by cynaroside (10 mg/kg, i.p., once a day for 3 days). Results indicated that cynaroside decreased cisplatin-induced kidney injury in vitro and in vivo, and it could be used for improving cisplatin-induced side effects. However, further experiments are required regarding toxicity by high dose cynaroside and caspase-3/MST-1-linked signal transduction in the animal model.

Antioxidant activity and contents of leaf extracts obtained from Dendropanax morbifera LEV are dependent on the collecting season and extraction conditions

This study compared the antioxidant activity of extracts from Dendropanax morbifera (D. morbifera) Levillis leaves. The concentrations of flavonoids and polyphenols were measured in extracts of D. morbifera leaves. The antioxidant activities were examined by ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Total flavonoid and polyphenol contents, and FRAP were highest in the 30% ethanol extract collected in May. The ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities were the highest in the 60% ethanol extract harvested in May. For investigating the relationship between antioxidant activity and specific polyphenols, rutin and chlorogenic acid of the polyphenol component were quantified by LC-MS/MS analysis. The concentrations of them were highest in the 60% ethanol extract collected in May, and showed positive correlations with antioxidant activities. The optimal extraction conditions to yield the most effective antioxidant activity were obtained using a 60% ethanol extraction solvent with samples collected in May.

Sequential Combination of Microwave- and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Total Flavonoids from Osmanthus fragrans Lour. Flowers

Microwave-assisted and ultrasound-assisted extraction assays were used to isolate total flavonoids (TF) from Osmanthus fragrans flowers. The effects of the solid-liquid ratio, ethanol concentration, microwave power, microwave extraction time, ultrasonic power and ultrasonic extraction time on the yield of TF were studied. A sequential combination of microwave- and ultrasound-assisted extraction (SC-MUAE) methods was developed, which was subsequently optimized by Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology (BBD-RSM). The interaction effects of the ethanol concentration (40-60%), microwave extraction time (5-7 min), ultrasonic extraction time (8-12 min) and ultrasonic power (210-430 W) on the yield of TF were investigated. The optimum operating parameters for the extraction of TF were determined to be as follows: ethanol concentration (48.15%), microwave extraction time (6.43 min), ultrasonic extraction time (10.09 min) and ultrasonic power (370.9 W). Under these conditions, the extraction yield of TF was 7.86 mg/g.

Thermal treatment of luteolin-7-O-β-glucoside improves its immunomodulatory and antioxidant potencies

Phytochemicals extracted from flowers, roots and bark, leaves, and other plant sources have been used extensively throughout human history with varying levels of efficacy in prevention and treatment of disease. Recently, advanced methods for characterization and clinical use of these materials have allowed modern understanding of their properties to be used as immunomodulatory agents that act by enhancement of endogenous cytoprotective mechanisms, avoiding interference with normal physiologic signaling and highly effective medical treatment with minimal adverse side effects. Simple methods have been identified for improving their biological effects, such as thermal conditioning by heating or freezing-prominent example being heat treatment of lycopene and tetrahydrocannabinol. The present investigation shows improvement of the ability of heat to augment splenocyte proliferation, natural killer (NK) cell activities, and antioxidant capacity of the flavonoid luteolin-7-O-β-glucoside (L7G) in comparison with the native (non heat-treated) molecule, while further demonstrating that both the native and the heat-treated variants exhibit comparable antioxidant properties, as evidenced by their effects in macrophages by inhibition of nitric oxide production and lysosomal enzyme activity in experiments that strengthen lysosomal membrane integrity. Outcomes of these studies suggest that heat-treated L7G shows promise for use in immunotherapy, including anti-cancer regimens, as shown by its improvement of NK cell cytotoxicity.

Antiviral activity of chlorogenic acid against influenza A (H1N1/H3N2) virus and its inhibition of neuraminidase

Lonicera japonica Thunb, rich in chlorogenic acid (CHA), is used for viral upper respiratory tract infection treatment caused by influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus, ect in China. It was reported that CHA reduced serum hepatitis B virus level and death rate of influenza virus-infected mice. However, the underlying mechanisms of CHA against the influenza A virus have not been fully elucidated. Here, the antiviral effects and potential mechanisms of CHA against influenza A virus were investigated. CHA revealed inhibitory against A/PuertoRico/8/1934(H1N1) (EC₅₀ = 44.87 μM), A/Beijing/32/92(H3N2) (EC₅₀ = 62.33 μM), and oseltamivir-resistant strains. Time-course analysis showed CHA inhibited influenza virus during the late stage of infectious cycle. Indirect immunofluorescence assay indicated CHA down-regulated the NP protein expression. The inhibition of neuraminidase activity confirmed CHA blocked release of newly formed virus particles from infected cells. Intravenous injection of 100 mg/kg/d CHA possessed effective antiviral activity in mice, conferring 60% and 50% protection from death against H1N1 and H3N2, reducing virus titres and alleviating inflammation in the lungs effectively. These results demonstrate that CHA acts as a neuraminidase blocker to inhibit influenza A virus both in cellular and animal models. Thus, CHA has potential utility in the treatment of the influenza virus infection.