Identification of phenolic constituents in Cichorium endivia var. crispum and var. latifolium salads by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and electrospray ioniziation tandem mass spectrometry

In vitro protein digestibility of RuBisCO-enriched wheat dough: a comparative study with pea and gluten proteins

Growing demand for sustainable, plant-based protein sources has stimulated interest in new ingredients for food enrichment. This study investigates the nutritional and digestive implications of enriching wheat dough with RuBisCO, in comparison to pea protein-enriched and gluten-enriched doughs. The protein quality and digestibility of these enriched doughs were analysed through dough characterization, in vitro digestion experiments and biochemical analysis of digesta. Our findings indicate that an enrichment at 10% of RuBisCO or pea proteins improves the chemical score and the in vitro PDCAAS (IV-PDCAAS) score of wheat dough as compared to the control dough. Digestibility assays suggest that RuBisCO introduction modifies the protein hydrolysis kinetics: the nitrogen release is lower during gastric digestion but larger during intestinal digestion than other samples. The analysis of the protein composition of the soluble and insoluble parts of digesta, using size-exclusion chromatography, reveals that the protein network in RuBisCO-enriched dough is more resistant to gastric hydrolysis than the ones of other doughs. Indeed, non-covalently bound peptides and disulfide-bound protein aggregates partly composed of RuBisCO subunits remain insoluble at the end of the gastric phase. The digestion of these protein structures is then mostly performed during the intestinal phase. These results are also discussed in relation to the digestive enzymatic cleavage sites, the presence of potential enzyme inhibitors, the protein aggregation state and the secondary structures of the protein network in each dough type.

Effect of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. on Inflammation, Senescence and Cell Migration

Aromatic plants are reported to display pharmacological properties, including anti-aging. This work aims to disclose the anti-aging effect of the essential oil (EO) of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav., an aromatic and medicinal plant widely used as a spice, as well as of the hydrodistillation residual water (HRW), a discarded by-product of EO hydrodistillation. The phytochemical characterization of EO and HRW was assessed by GC-MS and HPLC-PDA-ESI-MSⁿ, respectively. The DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays were used to disclose the antioxidant properties. The anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages by assessing NO production, iNOS, and pro-IL-1β protein levels. Cell migration was evaluated using the scratch wound assay, and the etoposide-induced senescence was used to assess the modulation of senescence. The EO is mainly characterized by carvacrol, while the HRW is predominantly characterized by rosmarinic acid. The HRW exerts a stronger antioxidant effect in the DPPH and FRAP assays, whereas the EO was the most active sample in the ABTS assay. Both extracts reduce NO, iNOS, and pro-IL-1β. The EO has no effect on cell migration and presents anti-senescence effects. In opposition, HRW reduces cell migration and induces cellular senescence. Overall, our study highlights interesting pharmacological properties for both extracts, EO being of interest as an anti-aging ingredient and HRW relevant in cancer therapy.

Health Benefits of Key Constituents in Cichorium intybus L

The genus Cichorium (Asteraceae) that originates from the Mediterranean area consists of six species (Cichorium intybus, Cichorium frisee, Cichorium endivia, Cichorium grouse, Cichorium chico and Cichorium pumilum). Cichorium intybus L., commonly known as chicory, has a rich history of being known as a medicinal plant and coffee substitute. A variety of key constituents in chicory play important roles as antioxidant agents. The herb is also used as a forage plant for animals. This review highlights the bioactive composition of C. intybus L. and summarizes the antioxidant activity associated with the presence of inulin, caffeic acid derivatives, ferrulic acid, caftaric acid, chicoric acid, chlorogenic and isochlorogenic acids, dicaffeoyl tartaric acid, sugars, proteins, hydroxycoumarins, flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones. It also covers the plant's occurrence, agriculture improvement, natural biosynthesis, geographical distribution and waste valorization.

Potential Gonado-Protective Effect of Cichorium endivia and Its Major Phenolic Acids against Methotrexate-Induced Testicular Injury in Mice

Cichorium endivia L. (Asteraceae) is a wide edible plant that grows in the Mediterranean region. In this study, a phytochemical investigation of C. endivia L. ethanolic extract led to the isolation of stigmasterol (1), ursolic acid (2), β-amyrin (3), azelaic acid (4), vanillic acid (5), (6S, 7E)-6-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3,9-dione (S(+)-dehydrovomifoliol) (6), 4-hydroxy phenyl acetic acid (7), vomifoliol (8), ferulic acid (9), protocatechuic acid (10), kaempferol (11), p. coumaric acid (12), and luteolin (13). In addition, the total phenolic content as well as the in vitro antioxidant activity of C. endivia L. extract were estimated. Moreover, we inspected the potential gonado-protective effect of C. endivia crude extract, its phenolic fraction, and the isolated coumaric, vanillic, and ferulic acids against methotrexate (MTX)-induced testicular injury in mice. There were seven groups: normal control, MTX control, MTX + C. endivia crude extract, MTX + C. endivia phenolic fraction, MTX + isolated coumaric acid, MTX + isolated vanillic acid, and MTX + isolated ferulic acid. MTX was given by i.p. injection of a 20 mg/kg single dose. The crude extract and phenolic fraction were given with a dose of 100 mg/kg/day, whereas the compounds were given at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day. A histopathological examination was done. The testosterone level was detected in serum together with the testicular content of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated x protein (Bax), p53, and miR-29a. C. endivia crude extract, the phenolic fraction, and the isolated compounds showed significant elevation in their levels of testosterone, CAT, SOD, Bcl-2 with a significant decrease in their levels of MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, Bax, P53, and miR-29a compared to those of the MTX control group. In conclusion, C. endivia mitigated MTX-induced germ cell toxicity via anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects.

Biochemical and physical-chemical characterisation of leaf proteins extracted from Cichorium endivia leaves

This study provides a detailed characterisation of a leaf protein concentrate (LPC) extracted from Cichorium endivia leaves using a pilot scale process. This concentrate contains 74.1% protein and is mainly composed of Ribulose-1,5-BISphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase (RuBisCO). We show that the experimentally determined extinction coefficient (around 5.0 cm^-1 g^-1 L depending on the pH) and refractive index increment (between 0.27 and 0.39 mL g^-1) are higher than the predicted ones (about 1.6 cm^-1 g^-1 L and 0.19 mL g^-1, respectively). In addition, the UV-visible absorption spectra show a maximum at 258 nm. These data suggest the presence of non-protein UV-absorbing species. Chromatographic separation of the concentrate components in denaturing conditions suggests that RuBisCO SC may be covalently bounded to few phenolic compounds. Besides, the solubility of LPC proteins is higher than 90% above pH 6. Such high solubility could make LPC a good candidate as a functional food ingredient.

Chicoric Acid: Natural Occurrence, Chemical Synthesis, Biosynthesis, and Their Bioactive Effects

Chicoric acid has been widely used in food, medicine, animal husbandry, and other commercial products because of its significant pharmacological activities. However, the shortage of chicoric acid limits its further development and utilization. Currently, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench serves as the primary natural resource of chicoric acid, while other sources of it are poorly known. Extracting chicoric acid from plants is the most common approach. Meanwhile, chicoric acid levels vary in different plants as well as in the same plant from different areas and different medicinal parts, and different extraction methods. We comprehensively reviewed the information regarding the sources of chicoric acid from plant extracts, its chemical synthesis, biosynthesis, and bioactive effects.

Antioxidant Chemical Treatment Affects Physiology and Quality of Minimally-processed Escarole

This study evaluated the effect of antioxidant application on quality and physiological aspects of minimally-processed escarole (Cichorium endivia var. latifolia L.) stored at 0 °C and 90–95% relative humidity for 21 d. After minimal processing, leaves were immersed for 5 min in the following solutions: deionized water-control (CT), 1% ascorbic acid (AA), 1% citric acid (CA), 1% oxalic acid (OA), and 2% ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA). Excess water was removed and they were then packed in trays of expanded polystyrene and stored at 0 °C and 90–95% relative humidity for 21 d. Analyses were performed on day 0, after 1 h of processing, and then at intervals of 3 d. The 1% CA treatment maintained the highest levels of endogenous ascorbic acid and pigment content, as well as the lowest values of weight loss and Browning Index (BI). Microbiological development was within the limits established during storage for all treatments. Total phenolic compound content and the activity of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase enzymes showed variations among treatments. Observing all results, it was concluded that 1% CA was the best antioxidant for the maintenance of the quality attributes of minimally-processed escarole for up to 21 d in cold storage at 0 °C.

Technology and Process Design for Phenols Recovery from Industrial Chicory (Chicorium intybus) Leftovers

Vegetal leftovers from the agro-food industry represent a huge source of primary and secondary metabolites, vitamin, mineral salts and soluble as well as insoluble fibers. Economic reports on the growth in the polyphenol market have driven us to focus our investigation on chicory (Chicorium intybus L.), which is one of the most popular horticultural plants in the world and a rich source of phenolic compounds. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and their simultaneous combination, using either ethanol/water or water alone (also sub-critical), have been investigated with the aim of designing a green and efficient extraction process. Higher total-polyphenol yields as well as dramatic reductions in extraction times and solvent consumption have been obtained under these conditions. ANOVA test for analyses of variance followed by the Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) post-hoc test of multiple comparisons was used in the statistical analysis. MAE experiments performed with sub-critical water, and MW/US experiments with an ethanol solution have shown polyphenol recovery values of up to ~3 g of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per kg of fresh material in only 15 min, while conventional extraction required 240 min to obtain the same result.

Basal and Spasmolytic Effects of a Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract of Melissa officinalis L. on Intestinal Motility: An Ex Vivo Study

Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) has been used for decades with symptomatic benefits in patients with digestive disorders. However, very little is known on the effects of M. officinalis on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In this study, the basal and spasmolytic properties of a hydroethanolic leaf extract (HLE) of M. officinalis were assessed ex vivo on different segments of the GI tract of mice after phytochemical characterization of the extract. M. officinalis HLE had site- and dose-dependent effects on the contractile activity of the GI tract, the motility response being impacted in the jejunum and ileum but not in the antrum and colon. The observed effects could be caused by the phenolic compounds (mainly rosmarinic acid) detected in the extract.

The protective effects of Cichorium glandulosum seed and cynarin against cyclophosphamide and its metabolite acrolein-induced hepatotoxicity in vivo and in vitro

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a widely utilized chemotherapy drug. CP and its metabolite, acrolein, could induce hepatotoxicity. In this study, Cichorium glandulosum seed (CGS) effectively mitigated CP-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Protection of cynarin, the major compound of CGS, against acrolein cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells was studied. Pretreatment with cynarin could improve cell survival against acrolein cytotoxicity. Cynarin restored the balance of glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibited mitochondrial depolarization. The kinetics of Nrf2 expression in cytosolic and nuclear fractions were observed after acrolein exposure. Intracellular Nrf2 expression was triggered within 6 h of exposure but did not translocate to the nucleus. Cynarin pretreatment ameliorated the expression and activity of GSH S-transferase and triggered Nrf2 nuclear translocation. In conclusion, treatment with CGS and cynarin protects liver injury against CP and acrolein hepatotoxicity via improvement of GSH activity and activation of the Nrf2 pathway.

A comparison of the phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of different Cichorium spinosum L. ecotypes

BACKGROUND

Wild greens are considered a rich source of phenolic compounds and antioxidants and an essential part of the so-called Mediterranean diet. In the present study, Cichorium spinosum L. ecotypes, cultivated or collected in situ from wild plants from the eastern Mediterranean, were evaluated regarding their phenolic composition and antioxidant activity.

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed among the various studied ecotypes regarding their phenolic compound content and profile, especially between wild and cultivated ecotypes, as well as the phenolic acid content between commercial products and cultivated plants. The antioxidant activity also varied among the various studied ecotypes and growing conditions, with commercial products having the highest antioxidant activity, whereas wild ecotypes showed lower antioxidant activity.

CONCLUSION

Cichorium spinosum leaves are a rich source of chicoric and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, while significant differences in total phenolic acids, flavonoids and phenolic compound content and in antioxidant activity were observed among the studied ecotypes, as well as between the tested growing conditions. According to the results of the present study, further valorization of C. spinosum species has great potential, since it could be used as a new alternative species in the food industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Chemical Components, Biological Activities, and Toxicological Evaluation of the Fruit (Aril) of Two Precious Plant Species from Genus Taxus

The fruit (aril) of the endangered genus Taxus plants is an abandoned herbal resource. Traditionally, people enthusiastically focus on its bark, its renewable, tremendous arils fall into the soil with seeds after they are mature. The present research investigated the fruit of two species from the genus Taxus, Taxus chinensis var. mairei, and Taxus media, with regards to their antioxidant and antihyperglycaemic activities, safety, and bioactive constituents. Results showed that T. chinensis var. mairei and T. media both had certain biological activities with T. chinensis var. mairei better in antioxidant activity and T. media better in antihyperglycaemic activity. Correlation analysis revealed that the differences in bioactivities depended on content of their mainly chemical components. The mice acute oral toxicity test indicated that the methanol extracts of the two biotypes of Taxus were safe. And nineteen compounds were tentatively assigned from the two varieties, via tandem mass spectrometry using a LC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS instrument, which included phenols, flavonoids, and terpenes. These results indicate a possible application of Taxus fruit extracts in various fields like in food industry, however, this still needs further investigations.

Influence of cultivation sites on sterol, nitrate, total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity in endive and stem chicory edible products

Chicories produce a wide range of vegetables with important nutritional value. We determined the variation of sterol, total polyphenol, nitrate contents and antioxidant capacity (SC, TPC, NC, AC) in endive leaves and stem-chicory novel vegetables, cultivated in two Italian regions. Within a given area, the SC was similar in smooth- and curly leafed endives (106.3-176.0 mg/kg FW); sitosterol and stigmasterol were major fractions (45-56 versus 38-43%). The stem SC was independent of landrace (101.5-118.6 mg/kg FW); sitosterol prevailed on stigmasterol and fucosterol (73-76 versus 12-14% versus 8-9%); the latter reached 15.7 mg/kg FW, conferring value as potential antidiabetes food. The planting site affected the AC and TPC of endives (893.1-1571.4 μmTE/100 g FW, 30.8-76.1 GAE100/g FW) and chicory stems (729.8-1152.5 μmTE/100 g FW; 56.2-124.4 GAE100/g FW), while the NC was recurrently below dangerous thresholds. PCA showed that environment was the major cause of variation, though it modestly affected these parameters.

Dicaffeoylquinic Acid-Enriched Fraction of Cichorium glandulosum Seeds Attenuates Experimental Type 1 Diabetes via Multipathway Protection

Chicory has a major geographical presence in Europe and Asia. Cichorium glandulosum Boiss. et Huet, a genus Cichorium, is used for medicinal and food purposes in Asia. In this study, a dicaffeoylquinic acid-enriched fraction of C. glandulosum seeds n-BuOH fraction (CGSB) could ameliorate type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice with continuous administration for 2 weeks. CGSB treatment showed significantly higher plasma insulin levels but lower free fatty acids in adipose tissue and liver. Moreover, CGSB improved pancreatic islet mass. In vitro, different fractions of C. glandulosum seed (CGS) induced the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The mRNA level for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha increased in high glucose treatment group in HepG2 cells, while CGSB significantly down-regulated the mRNA expression. The main compound of CGSB, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, was isolated and identified, which exhibited α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. These findings demonstrated that CGSB attenuated experimental T1DM via multipathway protection.

Chicoric acid: chemistry, distribution, and production

Though chicoric acid was first identified in 1958, it was largely ignored until recent popular media coverage cited potential health beneficial properties from consuming food and dietary supplements containing this compound. To date, plants from at least 63 genera and species have been found to contain chicoric acid, and while the compound is used as a processing quality indicator, it may also have useful health benefits. This review of chicoric acid summarizes research findings and highlights gaps in research knowledge for investigators, industry stakeholders, and consumers alike. Additionally, chicoric acid identification, and quantification methods, biosynthesis, processing improvements to increase chicoric acid retention, and potential areas for future research are discussed.