The Chemistry and Health Benefits of Dietary Phenolamides

Phenolic amides (avenanthramides) in oats - an update review

Oats (Avena sativa L.) are one of the worldwide cereal crops. Avenanthramides (AVNs), the unique plant alkaloids of secondary metabolites found in oats, are nutritionally important for humans and animals. Numerous bioactivities of AVNs have been investigated and demonstrated in vivo and in vitro. Despite all these, researchers from all over the world are taking efforts to learn more knowledge about AVNs. In this work, we highlighted the recent updated findings that have increased our understanding of AVNs bioactivity, distribution, and especially the AVNs biosynthesis. Since the limits content of AVNs in oats strictly hinders the demand, understanding the mechanisms underlying AVN biosynthesis is important not only for developing a renewable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly source in both plants and microorganisms but also for designing effective strategies for enhancing their production via induction and metabolic engineering. Future directions for improving AVN production in native producers and heterologous systems for food and feed use are also discussed. This summary will provide a broad view of these specific natural products from oats.

A systematic UHPLC Q-ToF MS approach for the characterization of bioactive compounds from freeze-dried red goji berries (L. barbarum L.) grown in Serbia: Phenolic compounds and phenylamides

The aim of this study was to identify and characterise different classes of bioactive compounds from freeze-dried red goji berries (RGB) grown in Serbia, using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC Q-ToF MS). In addition, this study aims to demonstrate the importance of applying the advanced UHPLC Q-ToF MS technique in the identification of various biocompounds. The analysis showed the presence of 28 phenolic compounds, 3 organic acids, and 26 phenylamides. The 2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid (AA-2βG) was identified by UHPLC Q-ToF MS and quantified by standardised UHPLC-DAD method. Most of the compounds detected were derivatives of caffeic acid and ferulic acid, followed by quercetin derivatives. Among the phenylamides, several glucosylated caffeoyl and/or dihydrocaffeoyl derivatives of spermidine and spermine were characterized, confirming their recent characterization. Some glycosylated/non-glycosylated putrescine derivatives and caffeoyl-dihydrocaffeoyl-feruloyl spermidines were identified in goji berriesfor the first time. Their tentative structures and fragmentations were proposed.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from goji berries: Optimization, bioactivity, and intestinal permeability assessment

Lycium barbarum L. berries have a remarkable chemical composition and extensive biological activities, being a valuable component of health and nutraceutical practices. Nevertheless, a deep insight on the intestinal permeation of the pro-healthy bioactive compounds is urgently needed to predict the real effects on human body. This study attempted, for the first time, to optimize the Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) of goji berries using a Response Surface Methodology approach and establish the intestinal permeation of the principal pro-healthy compounds. The optimal extraction conditions were a solid:liquid ratio of 8.75 % for 56.21 min, using an intensity of 59.05 W/m2. The optimal extract displayed a remarkable antioxidant capacity, with LC/DAD-ESI-MS analysis unveiled a diverse phytochemical profile, encompassing different compounds (e.g. glu-lycibarbarspermidine F, 2-glu-kukoamine, rutin, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid). The intestinal co-culture model demonstrated that glu-lycibarbarspermidine F (isomer 2) (73.70 %), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (52.66 %), and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (49.31 %) traversed the intestinal cell layer, exerting beneficial health-promoting effects.

Determination of phytochemical contents by LC/QTOF/MS and evaluation of in-vitro biological activities of 2 Peltigera lichens from Bursa

Lichens are symbiotic associations of algae and fungi. They are edible as food and have been used in traditional medicine for years. It is aimed to screen Peltigera praetextata (Flörke ex Sommerf.) Zopfand and Peltigera elisabethae Gyeln. phytochemically by LC/QTOF/MS and according to the constituents to evaluate the antioxidant, tyrosinase inhibitory, and antibacterial activities. In total 54 of metabolites detected by LC/QTOF/MS were common in both species. According to LC/QTOF/MS scanning results, alkaloids, iridoid glycosides, phenolics, cyanogenetic glycosides, and terpenic structures were detected. DPPH, ABTS, superoxide radical scavenging activities, and metal chelating capacity IC50 values were 84.55, 9.349; 51.27, 9.127; 95.01, 58.65 and 20.57, 70.08 µg/mL., respectively. The CUPRAC reducing power was determined as 4.69 and 9.57 TEACCUPRAC, respectively. Tyrosinase inhibitor activity were found to be 86.95 and 196.7 µg/mL. Both lichens did not show antimicrobial effects. As a result of the antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitor activities it was seen that their activities were significant and further in vivo studies could be carried out on this lichens.

Pharmacological profile of agmatine: An in-depth overview

Agmatine, a naturally occurring polyamine derived from arginine via arginine decarboxylase, has been shown to play multifaceted roles in the mammalian body, impacting a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. This comprehensive review delineates the significant insights into agmatine's pharmacological profile, emphasizing its structure and metabolism, neurotransmission and regulation, and pharmacokinetics and function. Agmatine's biosynthesis is highly conserved across species, highlighting its fundamental role in cellular functions. In the brain, comparable to established neurotransmitters, agmatine acts as a neuromodulator, influencing the regulation, metabolism, and reabsorption of neurotransmitters that are key to mood disorders, learning, cognition, and the management of anxiety and depression. Beyond its neuromodulatory functions, agmatine exhibits protective effects across various cellular and systemic contexts, including neuroprotection, nephroprotection, cardioprotection, and cytoprotection, suggesting a broad therapeutic potential. The review explores agmatine's interaction with multiple receptor systems, including NMDA, α2-adrenoceptors, and imidazoline receptors, elucidating its role in enhancing cell viability, neuronal protection, and synaptic plasticity. Such interactions underpin agmatine's potential in treating neurological diseases and mood disorders, among other conditions. Furthermore, agmatine's pharmacokinetics, including its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, are discussed, underlining the complexity of its action and the potential for therapeutic application. The safety and efficacy of agmatine supplementation, demonstrated through various animal and human studies, affirm its potential as a beneficial therapeutic agent. Conclusively, the diverse physiological and therapeutic effects of agmatine, spanning neurotransmission, protection against cellular damage, and modulation of various receptor pathways, position it as a promising candidate for further research and clinical application. This review underscores the imperative for continued exploration into agmatine's mechanisms of action and its potential in pharmacology and medicine, promising advances in the treatment of numerous conditions.

Combining association with linkage mapping to dissect the phenolamides metabolism of the maize kernel

Phenolamides are important secondary metabolites in plant species. They play important roles in plant defense responses against pathogens and insect herbivores, protection against UV irradiation and floral induction and development. However, the accumulation and variation in phenolamides content in diverse maize lines and the genes responsible for their biosynthesis remain largely unknown. Here, we combined genetic mapping, protein regulatory network and bioinformatics analysis to further enhance the understanding of maize phenolamides biosynthesis. Sixteen phenolamides were identified in multiple populations, and they were all significantly correlated with one or several of 19 phenotypic traits. By linkage mapping, 58, 58, 39 and 67 QTLs, with an average of 3.9, 3.6, 3.6 and 4.2 QTLs for each trait were mapped in BBE1, BBE2, ZYE1 and ZYE2, explaining 9.47%, 10.78%, 9.51% and 11.40% phenotypic variation for each QTL on average, respectively. By GWAS, 39 and 36 significant loci were detected in two different environments, 3.3 and 2.8 loci for each trait, explaining 10.00% and 9.97% phenotypic variation for each locus on average, respectively. Totally, 58 unique candidate genes were identified, 31% of them encoding enzymes involved in amine and derivative metabolic processes. Gene Ontology term analysis of the 358 protein-protein interrelated genes revealed significant enrichment in terms relating to cellular nitrogen metabolism, amine metabolism. GRMZM2G066142, GRMZM2G066049, GRMZM2G165390 and GRMZM2G159587 were further validated involvement in phenolamides biosynthesis. Our results provide insights into the genetic basis of phenolamides biosynthesis in maize kernels, understanding phenolamides biosynthesis and its nutritional content and ability to withstand biotic and abiotic stress.

New Insights into Identification, Distribution, and Health Benefits of Polyamines and Their Derivatives

Polyamines and their derivatives are ubiquitously present in free or conjugated forms in various foods from animal, plant, and microbial origins. The current knowledge of free polyamines in foods and their contents is readily available; furthermore, conjugated polyamines generate considerable recent research interest due to their potential health benefits. The structural diversity of conjugated polyamines results in challenging their qualitative and quantitative analysis in food. Herein, we review and summarize the knowledge published on polyamines and their derivatives in foods, including their identification, sources, quantities, and health benefits. Particularly, facing the inherent challenges of isomer identification in conjugated polyamines, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of conjugated polyamines' structural characteristics, including the cleavage patterns and characteristic ion fragments of MS/MS for isomer identification. Free polyamines are present in all types of food, while conjugated polyamines are limited to plant-derived foods. Spermidine is renowned for antiaging properties, acclaimed as antiaging vitamins. Conjugated polyamines highlight their anti-inflammatory properties and have emerged as the mainstream drugs for antiprostatitis. This paper will likely help us gain better insight into polyamines and their derivatives to further develop functional foods and personalized nutraceuticals.

Changes in phenolic profile and anti-inflammatory activity of Baccharis beebread during gastrointestinal digestion/intestinal permeability in vitro

Knowledge about the fate of beebread bioactive compounds throughout the human gastrointestinal tract are scarce. The present study aimed at assessing the effects of gastrointestinal digestion followed by intestinal permeability in vitro on phenolic profile and anti-inflammatory activity of Baccharis beebread. Palynological analysis confirmed the beebread is predominantly composed by pollen grains from Baccharis species, which are endemic in south and southeast Brazil. Flavonols and phenylamides were found in beebread hydroalcoholic extract by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS analysis. Moreover, simulated digestion lead to compounds' breakage, releasing both aglycones from glycosylated flavonols and p-coumaric acid, but not caffeic acid from phenylamides. Only spermidines crossed the Caco-2 cell monolayer, possibly due to spermine oxidation. Free p-coumaric acid was released after digestion, and epithelial transport. Concomitantly, NF-κΒ activation and TNF-α level was decreased by beebread even after Caco-2 transport, which indicates spermidines conjugated with p-coumaric acid may be bioavailable compounds with anti-inflammatory activity.

Evaluation of the Antiviral Activity of Tabamide A and Its Structural Derivatives against Influenza Virus

Influenza viruses cause severe endemic respiratory infections in both humans and animals worldwide. The emergence of drug-resistant viral strains requires the development of new influenza therapeutics. Tabamide A (TA0), a phenolic compound isolated from tobacco leaves, is known to have antiviral activity. We investigated whether synthetic TA0 and its derivatives exhibit anti-influenza virus activity. Analysis of structure-activity relationship revealed that two hydroxyl groups and a double bond between C7 and C8 in TA0 are crucial for maintaining its antiviral action. Among its derivatives, TA25 showed seven-fold higher activity than TA0. Administration of TA0 or TA25 effectively increased survival rate and reduced weight loss of virus-infected mice. TA25 appears to act early in the viral infection cycle by inhibiting viral mRNA synthesis on the template-negative strand. Thus, the anti-influenza virus activity of TA0 can be expanded by application of its synthetic derivatives, which may aid in the development of novel antiviral therapeutics.

Thermal Stability and Antioxidant Activity of Bioactive Compounds in Bread Enriched with Bee Pollen and Bee Bread

Bee pollen (BP) and bee bread (BB) are natural food sources containing a wide variety of bioactive compounds, complementing their rich nutritional composition. These bee products are being explored to empower functional foods, with the term functionality being dependent on the bioactive compounds added to the food matrix. However, there is not enough evidence of the effect of heat on these compounds during food processing and production and how it impacts their biological activity. Here, we enriched traditional bread by adding BP and BB at different proportions of 1 to 5% and tested the thermal stability of their bioactive compounds through several spectroscopic and chromatographic analyses. Adding bee pollen and bee bread to bread resulted in a 4 and 5-fold increase in total phenolic content, respectively. While not all the 38 phenolic and phenolamide compounds identified in the raw BP and BB were detected in the processed bread, phenolamides were found to be more resilient to baking and heat treatment than flavonoids. Still, the enriched bread's antioxidant activity improved with the addition of BP and BB. Therefore, incorporating bee products into heat-treated products could enhance the functionality of staple foods and increase the accessibility to these natural products.

Structurally Diverse Phenolic Amides from the Fruits of Lycium barbarum with Potent α-Glucosidase, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitory, and PPAR-γ Agonistic Activities

A total of nine new phenolic amides (1-9), including four pairs of enantiomeric mixtures (3-5 and 8), along with ten known analogues (10-19) were identified from the fruits of Lycium barbarum using bioassay-guided chromatographic fractionation. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses, chiral HPLC analyses, and quantum NMR, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Compounds 5-7 are the first example of feruloyl tyramine dimers fused through a cyclobutane ring. The activity results indicated that compounds 1, 11, and 13-17 exhibited remarkable inhibition against α-glucosidase with IC₅₀ of 1.11-33.53 μM, 5-150 times stronger than acarbose (IC₅₀ = 169.78 μM). Meanwhile, compounds 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 13, and 14 exerted moderate agonistic activities for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-γ), with EC₅₀ values of 10.09-44.26 μM. Especially,compound 14 also presented inhibitory activity on dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPPIV), with an IC₅₀ value of 47.13 μM. Furthermore, the banding manner of compounds 14 and 17 with the active site of α-glucosidase, DPPIV, and PPAR-γ was explored by employing molecular docking analysis.

Identification and characterization of phenolamides in tea (Camellia sinensis) flowers using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/Q-Exactive orbitrap mass spectrometry

Phenolamides (PAs) are important secondary metabolites present in plants with multiple bioactivities. This study aims to comprehensively identify and characterize PAs in tea (Camellia sinensis) flowers using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/Q-Exactive orbitrap mass spectrometry based on a lab-developed in-silico accurate-mass database. The PAs found in tea flowers were conjugates of Z/E-hydroxycinnamic acids (p-coumaric, caffeic and ferulic acids) with polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and agmatine). The positional and Z/E isomers were distinguished through characteristic MS² fragmentation rules and chromatographic retention behavior summarized from some synthetic PAs. 21 types of PAs consisting of over 80 isomers were identified, and the majority of them were found in tea flowers for the first time. Among 12 tea flower varieties studied, they all possessed tris-(p-coumaroyl)-spermidine with the highest relative content, and C. sinensis 'Huangjinya' had the highest total relative contents of PAs. This study shows the richness and structural diversity of PAs in tea flowers.

Phenolamide and flavonoid glycoside profiles of 20 types of monofloral bee pollen

This study aimed at investigating phenolamides and flavonoid glycosides in 20 types of monofloral bee pollen. The plant origins of pollen samples were determined by DNA barcoding, with the purities to over 70 %. The 31 phenolamides and their 33 cis/trans isomers, and 25 flavonoid glycosides were identified; moreover, 19 phenolamides and 14 flavonoid glycosides as new-found compounds in bee pollen. All phenolics and flavonoids are present in the amidation or glycosylation form. The MS/MS cleavage modes of phenolamides and flavonoid glycosides were summarized. Isorhamnetin-3-O-gentiobioside presented the highest levels 23.61 mg/g in apricot pollen. Phenolamides in 11 types of pollen constituted over 1 % of the total weight, especially 3.9 % in rose and 2.8 % in pear pollen. Tri-p-coumaroyl spermidine and di-p-coumaroyl-caffeoyl spermidine respectively accounted for over 2.6 % of the total weight in pear and rose pollen. The richness in phenolamides and flavonoid glycosides can offer bee pollen more bioactivities as functional foods.

Metabolomic Analysis Reveals Patterns of Whole Wheat and Pearling Fraction Flour Quality Response to Nitrogen in Two Wheat Lines with Contrasting Protein Content

Nitrogen (N) application increases wheat yield and protein content and affects the nutritional quality of the grain. Analysis of N use efficiency revealed that N uptake efficiency is a key factor affecting protein content. Two wheat lines with significant differences in protein content were used to investigate the response of differential accumulation of metabolites to N levels and the spatial variation pattern of metabolites related to nutritional quality in wheat grains using widely targeted metabolomics analysis. The results showed that amino acids, nucleic acids, and phytohormones and their derivatives and glycolytic processes are the crucial factors affecting protein content in two wheat lines. Amino acids and derivatives, lipids, and flavonoids are the main contributors to metabolite spatial variation of grains, which were interactively regulated by nitrogen and genotypes. N application significantly increased the relative accumulation of beneficial bioactive substances in the inner layer (P3 to P5), but excessive N application may inhibit this effect and lead to poor nutritional quality.

Integrated metabolite analysis and health-relevant in vitro functionality of white, red, and orange maize (Zea mays L.) from the Peruvian Andean race Cabanita at different maturity stages

The high maize (Zea mays L.) diversity in Peru has been recognized worldwide, but the investigation focused on its integral health-relevant and bioactive characterization is limited. Therefore, this research aimed at studying the variability of the primary and the secondary (free and dietary fiber-bound phenolic, and carotenoid compounds) metabolites of three maize types (white, red, and orange) from the Peruvian Andean race Cabanita at different maturity stages (milk-S1, dough-S2, and mature-S3) using targeted and untargeted methods. In addition, their antioxidant potential, and α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities relevant for hyperglycemia management were investigated using in vitro models. Results revealed a high effect of the maize type and the maturity stage. All maize types had hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids in their free phenolic fractions, whereas major bound phenolic compounds were ferulic acid, ferulic acid derivatives, and p-coumaric acid. Flavonoids such as luteolin derivatives and anthocyanins were specific in the orange and red maize, respectively. The orange and red groups showed higher phenolic ranges (free + bound) (223.9-274.4 mg/100 g DW, 193.4- 229.8 mg/100 g DW for the orange and red maize, respectively) than the white maize (162.2-225.0 mg/100 g DW). Xanthophylls (lutein, zeaxanthin, neoxanthin, and a lutein isomer) were detected in all maize types. However, the orange maize showed the highest total carotenoid contents (3.19-5.87 μg/g DW). Most phenolic and carotenoid compounds decreased with kernel maturity in all cases. In relation to the primary metabolites, all maize types had similar fatty acid contents (linoleic acid > oleic acid > palmitic acid > α-linolenic acid > stearic acid) which increased with kernel development. Simple sugars, alcohols, amino acids, free fatty acids, organic acids, amines, and phytosterols declined along with grain maturity and were overall more abundant in white maize at S1. The in vitro functionality was similar among Cabanita maize types, but it decreased with the grain development, and showed a high correlation with the hydrophilic free phenolic fraction. Current results suggest that the nutraceutical characteristics of orange and white Cabanita maize are better at S1 and S2 stages while the red maize would be more beneficial at S3.

Biomimetic Enzymatic Oxidative Coupling of Barley Phenolamides: Hydroxycinnamoylagmatines

Oxidative coupling of hydroxycinnamoylagmatines in barley (Hordeum vulgare) and related Hordeum species is part of the plant defense mechanism. Three linkage types have been reported for hydroxycinnamoylagmatine dimers, but knowledge on oxidative coupling reactions underlying their formation is limited. In this study, the monomers coumaroylagmatine, feruloylagmatine, and sinapoylagmatine were each incubated with horseradish peroxidase. Their coupling reactivity was in line with the order of peak potentials measured: sinapoylagmatine (245 mV) > feruloylagmatine (341 mV) > coumaroylagmatine (506 mV). Structure elucidation of fourteen in vitro coupling products by NMR and MS revealed that the three main linkage types were identical to those naturally present in Hordeum species, namely, 4-O-7'/3-8', 2-7'/8-8', and 8-8'/9-N-7'. Furthermore, we identified two linkage types that were not previously reported for hydroxycinnamoylagmatine dimers, namely, 8-8' and 4-O-8'. We conclude that oxidative coupling by horseradish peroxidase can be used for biomimetic formation of natural antifungal hydroxycinnamoylagmatine dimers from barley.

Effects of Avenanthramide on the Small Intestinal Damage through Hsp70-NF-κB Signaling in an Ovalbumin-Induced Food Allergy Model

A food allergy is caused by an abnormal immune reaction and can induce serious intestinal inflammation and tissue damage. Currently, the avoidance of food allergens is still the most effective way to prevent or reduce allergic symptoms, so the development of new strategies to treat allergies is important. Avenanthramide (AVA) is a bioactive polyphenol derived from oats with a wide range of biological activities; however, it is still not clear whether or how AVA alleviates intestinal damage under allergic situations. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of AVA on the small intestinal damage in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced food allergy model and its mechanism. In experiment 1, 10 mg/kg bw and 20 mg/kg bw doses of AVA both decreased the serum levels of OVA-specific IgE, histamine, and prostaglandin D induced by OVA. The AVA administration relieved inflammation indicated by the lower serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. The levels of tight junction proteins including Claudin-1, ZO-1, and Occludin in the jejunum were elevated after AVA administration, accompanied by the improved intestinal morphology. Furthermore, AVA elevated the protein expression of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and inhibited the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), thus the apoptozole, which a Hsp70 inhibitor, was applied in experiment 2 to assess the contribution of Hsp70-NF-κB signaling to the effects of AVA. In the experiment 2, the inhibition of Hsp70 signaling treatment abolished the beneficial effects of AVA on the small intestinal damage and other allergic symptoms in mice challenged with OVA. Taken together, our results indicated that AVA exerted an intestinal protection role in the OVA-induced allergy, the mechanism of which was partly mediated by the Hsp70-NF-κB signaling.

Metabolomics reveals that phenolamides are the main chemical components contributing to the anti-tyrosinase activity of bee pollen

Bee pollen, which is known as a "full-nutrient food", has outstanding anti-tyrosinase activity. However, the chemical components contributing to this activity remain unknown. To comprehensively elucidate the chemical components of bee pollen inhibiting tyrosinase, we performed the anti-tyrosinase activity evaluation of bee pollen extract (BPE) of eight species, metabolomic analysis of chemical composition, multivariate statistical analysis and correlation analysis. The results revealed that the anti-tyrosinase activity of eight BPEs was significantly different (p < 0.05), with IC₅₀ value ranging from 10.08 to 408.81 μg/mL. A total of 725 metabolites were detected from these BPEs, and 40 differential metabolites were identified, all of which were phenolamides. All these phenolamides were positively correlated with the anti-tyrosinase activity, among which 26 phenolamides (21 spermidine derivatives and five spermine derivatives) showed particularly high correlations (r > 0.7). This is the first report to reveal the main contributor to the anti-tyrosinase activity of bee pollen.

Design, Synthesis and Anti-Tumor Activity Evaluation of Novel 3,4-(Methylenedioxy)cinnamic Acid Amide-Dithiocarbamate Derivatives

The fragments, 3,4-(methylenedioxy)cinnamic acid amide and dithiocarbamates, have received increasing attention because of their multiple pharmacological activities in recent years, especially in anti-tumor. We synthesized 17 novel 3,4-(methylenedioxy)cinnamic acid amide-dithiocarbamate derivatives based on the principle of pharmacophore assembly and discovered that compound 4a₇ displayed the most potent antiproliferative activity against HeLa cells with IC₅₀ value of 1.01 μM. Further mechanistic studies revealed that 4a₇ triggered apoptosis in HeLa cells via activating mitochondria-mediated intrinsic pathways and effectively inhibited colony formation. Also, 4a₇ had the ability to arrest cell cycle in the G2/M phase as well as to inhibit the migration in HeLa cells. More importantly, acute toxicity experiments showed that 4a₇ had good safety in vivo. All the results suggested that compound 4a₇ might serve as a promising lead compound that merited further attention in future anti-tumor drug discovery.

Associative and Physical Mapping of Markers Related to Fusarium in Maize Resistance, Obtained by Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)

On the basis of studies carried out in the last few years, it is estimated that maize diseases cause yield losses of up to 30% each year. The most dangerous diseases are currently considered to be caused by fungi of the genus Fusarium, which are the main culprits of root rot, ear rots, and stalk rot. Early plant infection causes grain diminution, as well as a significant deterioration in nutritional value and fodder quality due to the presence of harmful mycotoxins. Therefore, the aim of the research was to identify new markers of the SilicoDArT and SNP type, which could be used for the mass selection of varieties resistant to fusarium. The plant material consisted of 186 inbred maize lines. The lines came from experimental plots belonging to two Polish breeding companies: Plant Breeding Smolice Ltd., (Co., Kobylin, Poland). Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute-National Research Institute Group (51°41'23.16″ N, 17°4'18.241″ E), and Małopolska Plant Breeding Kobierzyce, Poland Ltd., (Co., Kobierzyce, Poland) (50°58'19.411″ N, 16°55'47.323″ E). As a result of next-generation sequencing, a total of 81,602 molecular markers were obtained, of which, as a result of the associative mapping, 2962 (321 SilicoDArT and 2641 SNP) significantly related to plant resistance to fusarium were selected. Out of 2962 markers significantly related to plant resistance in the fusarium, seven markers (SilicoDArT, SNP) were selected, which were significant at the level of 0.001. They were used for physical mapping. As a result of the analysis, it was found that two out of seven selected markers (15,097-SilicoDArT and 58,771-SNP) are located inside genes, on chromosomes 2 and 3, respectively. Marker 15,097 is anchored to the gene encoding putrescine N-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase while marker 58,771 is anchored to the gene encoding the peroxidase precursor 72. Based on the literature data, both of these genes may be associated with plant resistance to fusarium. Therefore, the markers 15,097 (SilicoDArT) and 58,771 (SNP) can be used in breeding programs to select lines resistant to fusarium.

Novel Functional Food from an invasive species Polygonum cuspidatum: Safety evaluation, Chemical Composition, and Hepatoprotective Effects

Accidentally, we found that the shoots of Polygonum cuspidatum (SPC) have been consumed for centuries as a traditional vegetable in the Shennongjia region of China. Local residents believe that SPC has biological effects such as antibacterial, anti-aging, and antioxidant. To provide scientific support for the use of SPC as a functional food, SPC was evaluated in terms of safety, chemical composition, antioxidant activity both in vivo and in vitro. In the first, SPC exhibited no adverse cytotoxic effects or acute toxicity in mice. Then the chemical composition of SPC was determined by UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. 22 compounds were identified from the SPC extracts, including phenolic, flavonoid, stilbene, and anthraquinone. Finally, an acute ethanol-induced oxidative stress model in mice showed hepatoprotective effects. In brief, our study indicated that SPC is a safe, multi-functional food with antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities. Importantly, the consumption of SPC as a functional food provides a novel strategy of efficient utilization of the invasive plant.

Influence of oral administration of kukoamine A on blood pressure in a rat hypertension model

The benefits of lowering blood pressure (BP) are well established for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. While there are a number of pharmaceuticals available for lowering BP, there is considerable interest in using dietary modifications, lifestyle and behaviour changes as alternative strategies. Kukoamines, caffeic acid derivatives of polyamines present in solanaceous plants, have been reported to reduce BP. We investigated the effect of orally administered synthetic kukoamine A on BP in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR) laboratory animal model of hypertension. Prior to the hypertension study, we determined the safety of the synthetic kukoamine A in a single oral dose (5 or 10 mg kg^-1 bodyweight) 14-day observational study in mice. No negative effects of the oral administration of kukoamine A were observed. We subsequently investigated the effect of daily oral doses of kukoamine A (0, 5, 10 mg kg^-1 bodyweight) for 35 days using the SHR rat model of hypertension. The normotensive control Wistar Kyoto (WKY) strain was used to provide a baseline for normal BP in rats. We observed no effect of orally administered synthetic kukoamine A on arterial hypertension in this laboratory animal model of hypertension.

Facile Amidation of Non-Protected Hydroxycinnamic Acids for the Synthesis of Natural Phenol Amides

Phenol amides are bioactive compounds naturally present in many plants. This class of compounds is known for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. To better understand the reactivity and structure-bioactivity relationships of phenol amides, a large set of structurally diverse pure compounds are needed, however purification from plants is inefficient and laborious. Existing syntheses require multiple steps, including protection of functional groups and are generally overly complicated and only suitable for specific combinations of hydroxycinnamic acid and amine. Thus, to facilitate further studies on these promising compounds, we aimed to develop a facile general synthetic route to obtain phenol amides with a wide structural diversity. The result is a protocol for straightforward one-pot synthesis of phenol amides at room temperature within 25 h using equimolar amounts of N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), amine, hydroxycinnamic acid, and sodium bicarbonate in aqueous acetone. Eight structurally diverse phenol amides were synthesized and fully chemically characterized. The facile synthetic route described in this work is suitable for a wide variety of biologically relevant phenol amides, consisting of different hydroxycinnamic acid subunits (coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid) and amine subunits (agmatine, anthranilic acid, putrescine, serotonin, tyramine, and tryptamine) with yields ranging between 14% and 24%.

All Polyphenols Are Not Created Equal: Exploring the Diversity of Phenolic Metabolites

Dietary intake of plant polyphenols is significant, and many of them enter a human body as a highly diverse pool of ring-fission phenolic metabolites arising from digestion and microbial catabolism of the parental structures. Difficulty in designing the uniform intervention studies and limited tools calibrated to detect and quantify the inherent complexity of phenolic metabolites hindered efforts to establish and validate protective health effects of these molecules. Here, we highlight the recent findings that describe novel complex downstream metabolite profiles with a particular focus on dihydrophenolic (phenylpropanoic) acids of microbial origin, ingested and phase II-transformed methylated phenolic metabolites (methylated sinks), and small phenolic metabolites derived from the breakdown of different classes of flavonoids, stilbenoids, and tannins. There is a critical need for precise identification of the individual phenolic metabolite signatures originating from different polyphenol groups to enable future translation of these findings into break-through nutritional interventions and dietary guidelines.

Widely targeted metabolomics analysis reveals the effect of fermentation on the chemical composition of bee pollen

Microbial fermentation can break the bee pollen wall. However, the global profiling of bee pollen metabolites under fermentation remains unclear. This study aims to comprehensively elucidate the changes in the composition of bee pollen after microbial fermentation. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electron spray ionization-mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS) based on widely targeted metabolomics analysis was used to compare the chemical composition of unfermented bee pollen (UBP) and fermented bee pollen (FBP). Among the 890 metabolites detected, a total of 668 differential metabolites (classified into 17 categories) were identified between UBP and FBP. Fermentation significantly increased the contents of primary metabolites such as 74 amino acids and derivatives, 42 polyunsaturated fatty acids and 66 organic acids, as well as some secondary metabolites such as 38 phenolic acids, 80 flavone aglycones and 22 phenolamides. The results indicate that fermentation is a promising strategy to improve the nutritional value of bee pollen.

Agmatine as a novel candidate for rapid-onset antidepressant response

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a disabling and highly prevalent mood disorder as well as a common cause of suicide. Chronic stress, inflammation, and intestinal dysbiosis have all been shown to play crucial roles in the pathophysiology of MDD. Although conventional antidepressants are widely used in the clinic, they can take weeks to months to produce therapeutic effects. The discovery that ketamine promotes fast and sustaining antidepressant responses is one of the most important breakthroughs in the pharmacotherapy of MDD. However, the adverse psychomimetic/dissociative and neurotoxic effects of ketamine discourage its chronic use. Therefore, agmatine, an endogenous glutamatergic modulator, has been postulated to elicit fast behavioral and synaptogenic effects by stimulating the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling pathway, similar to ketamine. However, recent evidence has demonstrated that the modulation of the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome and gut microbiota, which have been shown to play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of MDD, may also participate in the antidepressant-like effects of both ketamine and agmatine. This review seeks to provide evidence about the mechanisms that may underlie the fast antidepressant-like responses of agmatine in preclinical studies. Considering the anti-inflammatory properties of agmatine, it may also be further investigated as a useful compound for the management of MDD associated with a pro-inflammatory state. Moreover, the fast antidepressant-like response of agmatine noted in animal models should be investigated in clinical studies.

Identification of α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Leaf Extract of Pepper (Capsicum spp.) through Metabolomic Analysis

Metabolomics and in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory (AGI) activities of pepper leaves were used to identify bioactive compounds and select genotypes for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Targeted metabolite analysis using UPLC-DAD-QToF-MS was employed and identified compounds that belong to flavone and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives from extracts of pepper leaves. A total of 21 metabolites were detected from 155 samples and identified based on MS fragmentations, retention time, UV absorbance, and previous reports. Apigenin-O-(malonyl) hexoside, luteolin-O-(malonyl) hexoside, and chrysoeriol-O-(malonyl) hexoside were identified for the first time from pepper leaves. Pepper genotypes showed a huge variation in their inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase enzyme(AGE) ranging from 17% to 79%. Genotype GP38 with inhibitory activity of 79% was found to be more potent than the positive control acarbose (70.8%.). Orthogonal partial least square (OPLS) analyses were conducted for the prediction of the AGI activities of pepper leaves based on their metabolite composition. Compounds that contributed the most to the bioactivity prediction model (VIP >1.5), showed a strong inhibitory potency. Caffeoyl-putrescine was found to show a stronger inhibitory potency (IC₅₀ = 145 µM) compared to acarbose (IC₅₀ = 197 µM). The chemometric procedure combined with high-throughput AGI screening was effective in selecting polyphenols of pepper leaf for T2DM management.

Brazilian sunberry (Solanum oocarpum Sendtn): Alkaloid composition and improvement of mitochondrial functionality and insulin secretion of INS-1E cells

Chronic high-glucose levels induce the generation of reactive oxygen species leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, which is one of the pathological triggers in the development of diabetes. This study investigated the alkaloid composition of two fruits of the genus Solanum, fruta-do-lobo (Solanum lycocarpum) and juá-açu (Solanum oocarpum), and their capacity to protect against oxidative damage and defective insulin secretion induced by chronic high-glucose levels. LC-MS and molecular network of fruit crude extracts reveals that juá-açu and fruta-do-lobo contain kukoamines and glycoalkaloids, respectively. Two purification processes were used to enrich those alkaloids. Fruta-do-lobo extract rich in glycoalkaloids showed a strong cytotoxicity effect, however the juá-açu enriched extract was able to protect mitochondrial functionality against glucotoxicity and stimulate insulin secretion even under conditions of hyperglycemia. These results are promising and suggest that juá-açu is a potential source of bioactive compounds for adjuvant/co-adjuvant therapy for diabetes.

Antioxidant Activity and Mechanism of Avenanthramides: Double H+/e- Processes and Role of the Catechol, Guaiacyl, and Carboxyl Groups

Avenanthramides (AVAs), unique phenolic compounds in oats, have attracted increasing interest due to their health benefits. Eight representative AVAs were studied using the density functional theory (DFT) method to elucidate their antioxidant activity and mechanism. Preference of different mechanisms was evaluated based on thermodynamic descriptors involved in double (2H⁺/2e^-) free radical scavenging reactions. It was found that the hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanism is more favorable in the gas and benzene phases, while sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET) is preferred in polar media. The results suggest the feasibility of the double HAT and double SPLET mechanisms for 2s and c-series AVAs. The sequential triple proton loss double electron transfer (StPLdET) mechanism represents the dominant pathway in aqueous solution at physiological pH. In addition, the sequential proton loss hydrogen atom transfer (SPLHAT) mechanism provides an alternative pathway to trap free radicals. Results also revealed the important role of the catechol, guaiacyl, and carboxyl moieties.

Immobilized lipase catalytic synthesis of phenolamides and their potential against α-glucosidase

Although coumaroyltyramine (CT) derivatives are one kind of phenolamides with remarkable biological activities, the low content in plants would inhibit their potential use in food and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, it is necessary to screen an efficient method to produce CT derivatives. A green and efficient method by using lipase as catalyst to synthesize a series of CT derivatives, was thus proposed. To obtain optimum reaction conditions, the effects of various parameters on conversion rate were firstly evaluated. An in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory assay of synthesized compounds was then carried out, and the structure-activity relationship of these compounds was conducted. Under the optimum conditions (MTBE, Nu/S: 2/1, E/S: 20/1, 50 °C and 24 h), the conversion rates of synthesized compounds were above 65 %. The bioassay results indicated that N-trans-caffeoyltyramine and N-trans-feruloyltyramine had potent activities against α-glucosidase with IC₅₀ of 30.08 μM and 31.94 μM, respectively. The structure-activity relationship results showed that the presence of -OH or -OCH₃ group at C-3 position could boost the activities of CT derivatives. Meanwhile, the presence of -OH group at C-4 position and double bound on caffeoyl moiety as well as the presence of -OH group at C-4' position was essential for the activities of CT derivatives.

Phenolamides in plants: an update on their function, regulation, and origin of their biosynthetic enzymes

Phenolamides represent a family of specialized metabolites, consisting of the association of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives with aliphatic or aromatic amines. Since the discovery of the first phenolamide in the late 1940s, decades of phytochemical analyses have revealed a high structural diversity for this family and a wide distribution in the plant kingdom. The occurrence of structurally diverse phenolamides in almost all plant organs has led to early hypotheses on their involvement in floral initiation and fertility, as well as plant defense against biotic and abiotic stress. In the present work, we critically review the literature ascribing functional hypotheses to phenolamides and recent evidence on the control of their biosynthesis in response to biotic stress. We additionally provide a phylogenetic analysis of the numerous N-hydroxycinnamoyltransferases involved in the synthesis of phenolamides and discuss the potential role of other enzyme families in their diversification. The data presented suggest multiple evolutionary events that contributed to the extension of the taxonomic distribution and diversity of phenolamides.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Metabolites and Minerals in 6 Microgreen Species and the Influence of Maturity

BACKGROUND

Microgreens are the young leafy greens of many vegetables, herbs, grains, and flowers with potential to promote human health and sustainably diversify the global food system. For successful further integration into the global food system and evaluation of their health impacts, it is critical to elucidate and optimize their nutritional quality.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to comprehensively evaluate the metabolite and mineral contents of 6 microgreen species, and the influence of maturity on their contents.

METHODS

Plant species evaluated were from the Brassicaceae (arugula, broccoli, and red cabbage), Amaranthaceae (red beet and red amaranth), and Fabaceae (pea) plant families. Nontargeted metabolomics and ionomics analyses were performed to examine the metabolites and minerals, respectively, in each microgreen species and its mature counterpart.

RESULTS

Nontargeted metabolomics analysis detected 3321 compounds, 1263 of which were annotated and included nutrients and bioactive compounds. Ionomics analysis detected and quantified 26 minerals including macrominerals, trace minerals, ultratrace minerals, and other metals. Principal component analysis indicated that microgreens have distinct metabolite and mineral profiles compared with one another and with their mature counterparts. Several compounds were higher (P  < 0.05; fold change ≥2) in microgreens compared with their mature counterparts, whereas some were not different or lower. In many cases, compounds that were higher in microgreens compared with the mature counterpart were also unique to that microgreen species.

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide evidence for the nutritional quality of microgreens, and can inform future research and development aimed at characterizing and optimizing microgreen nutritional quality and health impacts.