Profile and antioxidant activity of phenolic extracts from 10 crabapples (Malus wild species)

Microbiota regulation by different Akebia trifoliata fruit juices upon human fecal fermentation in vitro

Three different Akebia trifoliata fruit juices were prepared, and their effects on modulation of human fecal microbiota were elucidated through an anaerobic fermentation in vitro. Results indicated that the introduction of inoculatedly-fermented Akebia trifoliata fruit juice promoted short-chain fatty acids productivity. Fecal microbiota analysis demonstrated up-regulations for abundances of Limosilactobacillus, Megamonas, Bifidobacterium, and Escherichia_Shigella, and down-regulations for numbers of Bacteroides, Prevotella_9, Parasutterella, and Sutterella. Correlation analysis confirmed relationships among sample components, short-chain fatty acids productivity, and microbial abundances, suggesting that sugars and organic acids stimulated growth of Actinobacteriota and suppressed proliferation of Proteobacteria, thus uncovering the underlying mechanism for the better ability of inoculatedly-fermented Akebia trifoliata fruit juice to regulate microbiota structure. Besides, clusters of orthologous groups of proteins analysis indicated that metabolite biosynthesis, energy metabolism, homeostasis maintenance and other physiological functions were ameliorated.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-023-01308-y.

Bioassay-guided preparation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory active fraction from crabapples (Malus prunifolia (Willd.) Borkh.)

The aim of current study was to optimize the extraction process and purification of main components (MC) to obtain high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effective fractions from crabapple (Malus prunifolia (Willd.) Borkh.). The effects of three variables including ethanol concentration A₁, solid-liquid ratio A₂, extraction temperature A₃ were investigated and optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with Box-Behnken design (BBD). The adsorption/desorption characteristics of MC on the five types of macroporous resins were investigated. According to batch adsorption test, HPD-300 resins were selected for kinetics. The adsorption mechanism showed that the process was appropriate by pseudo-second-order kinetics model, and purification parameters of MC were optimized through adsorption/desorption experiments with the column packed by HPD-300 resin. The effective fractions were obviously superior to other fractions according to DPPH, ABTS, COX-2 and 15-LOX radical scavenging. This work implies that the purified active fraction with high contents of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds from crabapple might be potential source for natural products and food industries.

Statistical evaluation of DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and Folin-Ciocalteu assays to assess the antioxidant capacity of lignins

This research studies in detail four different assays, namely DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), FRAP (ferric ion reducing antioxidant potential) and FC (Folin-Ciocalteu), to determine the antioxidant capacity of standard substances as well as 50 organosolv lignins, and two kraft lignins. The coefficient of variation was determined for each method and was lowest for ABTS and highest for DPPH. The best correlation was found for FRAP and FC, which both rely on a single electron transfer mechanism. A good correlation between ABTS, FRAP and FC, respectively, could be observed, even though ABTS relies on a more complex reaction mechanism. The DPPH assay merely correlates with the others, implying that it reflects different antioxidative attributes due to a different reaction mechanism. Lignins obtained from paulownia and silphium have been investigated for the first time regarding their antioxidant capacity. Paulownia lignin is in the same range as beech wood lignin, while silphium lignin resembles wheat straw lignin. Miscanthus lignin is an exception from the grass lignins and possesses a significantly higher antioxidant capacity. All lignins possess a good antioxidant capacity and thus are promising candidates for various applications, e. g. as additives in food packaging or for biomedical purposes.

Phytochemical compositions, health-promoting properties and food applications of crabapples: A review

Crabapples belong to the genus Malus (Rosaceae), which are small sized edible fruits with unique aroma and taste. According to previous studies, crabapples are rich in bioactive compounds and possess a series of health-promoting properties. Various crabapple-based food products and additives have also been developed by different research groups in recent years. In this paper, we aim to summarize the current knowledge about the phytochemical compositions, health-promoting properties and food applications of crabapples for the first time. It is shown that crabapples are good sources of polyphenols, terpenoids, vitamins, lipids, fibers, soluble sugars, microelements, organic acids and amino acids, which exhibit antioxidant, anticancer, lipid-lowering, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro and/or in vivo. Nowadays, the crabapple fruits have been successfully utilized to produce vinegar, jam, mixed beverage, fruit bar/gelatinized layers and lipophilic antioxidant. In a word, crabapples may have great potential in the development of new functional food and drinks.

Widely targeted metabolomics analysis of enriched secondary metabolites and determination of their corresponding antioxidant activities in Elaeagnus angustifolia var. orientalis (L.)Kuntze fruit juice enhanced by Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis HN-3 fermentation

Elaeagnus angustifolia var. orientalis (L.)Kuntze fruit contains a large number of naturally occurring molecules present as glycoside, methylated, and methyl ester conjugates, which should be hydolysed or transformed to become bioactive forms. For this purpose, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN-3 was selected to ferment Elaeagnus angustifolia var. orientalis (L.)Kuntze fruit juice (EOJ). After fermentation, the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity of the EOJ increased significantly compared to the non-fermented EOJ. Using widely-targeted metabolomics analysis, polyphenolic compounds involved in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway were determined to be up-regulated in the fermented EOJ. In addition, the metabolites generated by 8 deglycosidation, 5 demethylation, 5 hydrogenation, and 28 other reactions were detected in higher concentrations in the fermented EOJ compared to the non-fermented EOJ. Interestingly, these up-regulated metabolites have higher antioxidant and other biological activities than their metabolic precursors, which provide a theoretical basis for the development of Bifidobacterium-fermented plant products with stronger functional activities.

Identification of Phenolic Compounds by LC-MS/MS and Evaluation of Bioactive Properties of Two Edible Halophytes: Limonium effusum and L. sinuatum

This work aimed to evaluate the phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial and enzyme inhibitory activities of the methanol extracts and their fractions of two edible halophytic Limonium species, L. effusum (LE) and L. sinuatum (LS). The total phenolic content resulted about two-fold higher in the ethyl acetate fraction of LE (522.82 ± 5.67 mg GAE/g extract) than in that of LS (274.87 ± 1.87 mg GAE/g extract). LC-MS/MS analysis indicated that tannic acid was the most abundant phenolic acid in both species (71,439.56 ± 3643.3 µg/g extract in LE and 105,453.5 ± 5328.1 µg/g extract in LS), whereas hyperoside was the most abundant flavonoid (14,006.90 ± 686.1 µg/g extract in LE and 1708.51 ± 83.6 µg/g extract in LS). The antioxidant capacity was evaluated by DPPH and TAC assays, and the stronger antioxidant activity in ethyl acetate fractions was highlighted. Both species were more active against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram negatives and showed considerable growth inhibitions against tested fungi. Interestingly, selective acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was observed with LE and LS. Particularly, the water fraction of LS strongly inhibited AChE (IC₅₀ = 0.199 ± 0.009 µg/mL). The ethyl acetate fractions of LE and LS, as well as the n-hexane fraction of LE, exhibited significant antityrosinase activity (IC₅₀ = 245.56 ± 3.6, 295.18 ± 10.57 and 148.27 ± 3.33 µg/mL, respectively). The ethyl acetate fraction and methanol extract of LS also significantly inhibited pancreatic lipase (IC₅₀ = 83.76 ± 4.19 and 162.2 ± 7.29 µg/mL, respectively). Taken together, these findings warrant further investigations to assess the potential of LE and LS as a bioactive source that can be exploited in pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries.

Analysis of Flavonoid Metabolites in Chaenomeles Petals Using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS

Chaenomeles species are used for both ornamental decoration and medicinal purposes. In order to have a better understanding of the flavonoid profile of Chaenomeles, the petals of four Chaenomeles species, including Chaenomeles japonica (RB), Chaenomeles speciose (ZP), Chaenomeles sinensis (GP), and Chaenomeles cathayensis (MY), were selected as experimental material. The total flavonoid content of GP was found to be the highest, followed by MY, ZP, and RB. In total, 179 flavonoid metabolites (including 49 flavonols, 46 flavonoids, 19 flavone C-glycosides, 17 procyanidins, 15 anthocyanins, 10 flavanols, 10 dihydroflavonoids, 6 isoflavones, 5 dihydroflavonols, and 2 chalcones) were identified by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization-Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Screening of differential flavonoid metabolites showed that GP had higher levels of metabolites when compared with the other three Chaenomeles species. Annotation and enrichment analysis of flavonoid metabolites revealed that cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside and pelargonidin-3,5-diglucoside anthocyanins are likely responsible for the color differences of the four Chaenomeles petals. Additionally, a large number of flavonoids, flavonols, and isoflavones were enriched in the petals of GP. This study provides new insights into the development and utilization of Chaenomeles petals and provides a basis for future investigations into their utilization.

Apple varieties of selection of “All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crops Breeding”, as a starting material for breeding for a high content of phenolic compounds in fruits

The All-Russian Scientific Research Institute for Breeding Fruit Crops is the oldest pomological institution. The scientific direction of the institute is to obtain genotypes of fruit crops that exceed the standard ones in terms of basic economic indicators, including those with an improved chemical composition of fruits. The leading culture is the apple tree. One of the indicators of the chemical composition of apples is the presence of phenolic compounds, the most important natural antioxidants: catechins and polyphenols. Genotypes of different maturation periods, immune (Rvi6) and resistant (Rvi5) to scab, diploids (2x) and triploids (3x), vigorous and intensive type (Co gene), were identified as sources of the studied traits. The best in terms of the accumulation of catechins were the varieties of the autumn ripening period: Sokovinka, Slavyanin, Pamyat Isaeva, Zaryanka, Orlovsky pioneer, origin Antonovka red barrel × SR0523 (159.0-288.0 mg / 100 g); the summer varieties Zhelnoe, Orlovim, Early aloe, Anniversary (152.0-170.0 mg / 100 g), the winter varieties Kurnakovskoe, Olympic, Poetry, Freshness, Bezhin meadow, Kulikovskoe, Start, Health, Academician Savelyev, Festive, Orlovskaya Zarya, Pamyati Blynsky, Vita, Mars, Imrus, Pamyati Semakina, Celandine, Kandil Orlovsky, Morning Star, (161.2-353.5 mg / 100 g). The sources of the total amount of polyphenols (more than 400.0 mg / 100 g) were selected: with the Rvi6 gene Start, Zaryanka, Ivanovskoe, Imrus, Oryol woodland, Zdorov’e, Bolotovskoe, Pamyati Khitrovo, Kandil Orlovsky; with the Rvi5 gene Orlovsky pioneer and Celandine; triploids Memory Semakin, Bezhin lug, Turgenevskoe, Mars, Orlovsky partisan, Trainer Petrov, Patriot, Augusta (404.0-623.9 mg / 100 g), of which the varieties Mars and Trainer Petrov have the Rvi6 gene.

Malus micromalus Makino phenolic extract preserves hepatorenal function by regulating PKC-α signaling pathway and attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress in lead (II) exposure mice

Lead (Pb), which widely recognized as a nonessential heavy metal and a major environmental contamination, is a growing threat to the ecosystem and human body. In the present study, Malus micromalus Makino cv. 'Dong Hong' phenolic extract (MMPE) has been used to antagonise Pb-induced erythrocyte injury, hepatic and renal dysfunction in mice. Six-week-old male Kunming mice were gavaged with PbCl₂ (20 mg/kg mouse/day) and/or MMPE (100 mg/kg mouse/day) by gavage administration for 10 days. We evaluated erythrocyte fragility, relative organ mass, biochemical parameters and histopathological changes to evaluate the protection effect of MMPE on the injury of liver and kidney in Pb-treated mice. MMPE significantly inhibited the increase of protein kinase C-α, B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X, cytochrome C and Caspase-3 protein levels and decreased calreticulin protein expression level in Pb-exposed mice. MMPE supplementation could maintain the integrity of erythrocyte membranes and ameliorate the endoplasmic reticulum stress in Pb-treated mice. It suggested MMPE as a natural nutritional supplement to alleviate Pb-induced hazardous effects in Pb-exposed humans.

Phenolic compounds present in fruit extracts of Malus spp. show antioxidative and pro-apoptotic effects on human gastric cancer cell lines

The study aims to analyze the phenolic compounds in Malus spp. and evaluate their antioxidant and pro-apoptotic effects in BGC-803 gastric cancer cells. The results showed that cyanidin-3-galactoside was the main polyphenol in Malus "Royalty" (MR), while catechin, epicatechin, and proanthocyanidin B1 and B2 contents were higher in Malus "Cinnabar" (MC) and Malus micromalus (MM) than in MR fruits. The total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidative properties of Malus spp. fruits followed an order of MR > MC > MM. Fruit extracts could inhibit BGC-803 cells growth and induce apoptosis, with IC₅₀ values of 0.47, 0.36, and 0.31 mg/ml for MR, MC, and MM, respectively. Furthermore, fruit extracts induced cell apoptosis through increasing Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl (pro-apoptosis) expression and inhibiting Bax and Bak (anti-apoptosis) expression, thereby accelerating cell apoptosis. Taken together, these results demonstrate that red fruits (i.e., MR and MC) were more effective against cancer cells than green fruits (i.e., MM). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Fruits of Malus spp. are ≤5 cm in size, considerably smaller than apples. They are rich in various natural bioactive compounds that are often consumed as a dietary supplement or used as natural raw materials for function food. In the current study, it is comprehensively characterized profile and bioactivity of phenolic metabolites in Malus spp. fruits of different colors, and found that red fruits are more effective in reducing the free radicals and inducing cancer cells apoptosis than green fruits. These findings are valuable for food technologists and food manufacturers, especially those who produce crabapple supplement. The study investigated the molecular mechanism of how Malus spp. fruits exert anti-cancer functions. This lays a theoretical foundation for future research on developing anti-cancer function food and provides helpful guidance for fruit market management and fruit processing industry.

Quantitation of dietary dihydrochalcones in Indian crabapple (Malus sikkimensis) using validated high-performance liquid chromatography

In the present study, a systematic validated method was developed for the determination of two key dietary dihydrochalcones (DHC) viz. phloridzin (PZ) and phloretin (PT) in the leaves of Sikkim crabapple (Malus sikkimensis) using HPLC-Photo Diode Array (PDA). Chromatographic separation was optimized on a C18 column using a gradient elution of water/acetonitrile with the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min at 25°C at 280 nm. Sample preparation approach is rapid and energy efficient, and it requires no pre-concentration before analysis. Validation showed a good analytical performance in terms of specificity, linearity (r2 > 0.999), precision (% RSD < 1.08), recovery (97-100.4%) and sensitivities (limits of detection: 12.48 and 14.95 ng/mL; limit of quantification: 41.61 and 49.85 ng/mL) of PZ and PT, respectively. Developed approach was employed for targeted phytochemical analysis in the bark and fruits of M. sikkimensis. The PZ content in the bark and leaves was highest (12-13 mg/100 mg), about 90-fold higher than fruits. PT was only present in the leaves (0.57 mg/100 mg). The comparative data on PZ and PT content in various wild apple species/cultivar from different countries have also been discussed. The reliability of the validated method was established by analyzing global and expanded uncertainties in two DHC determinations in wild apple. The present method fulfills the technical requirement of ISO 17025:2017 for quality control of M. sikkimensis.

Standardized extract of wild apple fruit in alkyl-polyglucoside-based cosmetic cream - estimation of stability, safety, antioxidant activity and efficiency

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was in vitro and in vivo characterization of cosmetic cream with 6% of wild apple fruit water extract, containing 3.5% of alpha-hydroxyacids-AHAs and polyphenolic compounds, stabilized by biodegradable alkyl-polyglucoside emulsifiers.

METHODS

In vitro characterization of cream included organoleptic and physico-chemical (pH values and electrical conductivity) analysis, antioxidant activity-AA estimation (using DPPH test) during 180 days of storage at 22±2°C and determination of cosmetic active substances content-AHAs (using HPLC analysis). In vivo estimation of skin irritation potential after creams application under occlusion during 24h was investigated employing the biophysical methods on 12 healthy volunteers; hydration efficiency, transepidermal water loss-TEWL, skin pH, erythema-EI and melanin index-MI on 10 healthy volunteers after 28 days of cream application and bleaching efficiency on 10 healthy volunteers after 7 days of cream application after artificially induced skin hyperpigmentation.

RESULTS

Investigated cosmetic cream was pale beige color, odorless, semi-solid consistency and homogeneous, with pH values of 6.53±0.14, electrical conductivity above 50 μS/cm and AA of 24.96%RSC after preparation and these characteristics were stable during investigated period. In vivo measurements revealed absence of skin irritation after cream application under occlusion, which was part of it's safety profile. Increase of skin hydration after 14 days of cream application was 17.28±12.23 and after 28 days 21.19±7.59. In addition, in performed experiment TEWL and skin pH values during cream application remained unchanged. Cream application after artificial hyperpigmentation induced decrease of MI (∆MI after 7 days was -45.30±18.55) CONCLUSION: Formulated cosmetic cream with 6% of standardized wild apple fruit water extract and stabilized by biodegradable alkyl-polyglucoside emulsifiers demonstrated good stability, acceptable level of in vitro antioxidant activity, absence of skin irritation after cream application under occlusion and positive effects of cream on human skin after application (hydrating and bleaching effects). All mentioned properties make the cream suitable for possible usage as cosmetic product for preventing the skin damages caused by oxidative stress, for moisturizing the dry skin and bleaching of skin hyperpigmentation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Characterization of phenolics, amino acids, fatty acids and antioxidant activity in pulp and seeds of high altitude Himalayan crab apple fruits (Malus baccata)

Phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables have achieved immense significance owing to the increasing evidence which signifying their activity for antioxidant and prevention of chronic diseases. The amount of phloretin (88.39 µg mg^-1) and phloridzin (83.03 µg mg^-1) were found to be higher among other phenolics determined using UPLC. DPPH, ABTS⁺, metal chelating and ·OH radical assays were used to evaluate antioxidant activity. Malus baccata pulp portion showed higher antioxidant activity than seed portion. HPLC analysis for free amino acids showed that serine (9.06 µg mg^-1), alanine (8.03 µg mg^-1), tyrosine (10.33 µg mg^-1), and cysteine (76.86 µg mg^-1) were only detected in pulp portion while seed comprised of histidine (3.96 µg mg^-1) only. Seed portion was also determined for their fatty acid composition including palmitic acid (0.89%), ethyl palmitate (0.56%), methyl petroselinate (0.90%) and linolein (3.93%) using GC-MS analysis. HPAEC technique detected fructose and sucrose in a fair amount of 21 and 17.3 mg g^-1 in pulp, while 9.4 and 4.24 mg g^-1 in seed portion, respectively. The present study suggested that M. baccata fruit is a rich source of phenolic and other chemical components which can be used in food products and nutraceutical formulations.

Targeted isolation and identification of bioactive compounds lowering cholesterol in the crude extracts of crabapples using UPLC-DAD-MS-SPE/NMR based on pharmacology-guided PLS-DA

The anti-hyperlipidemic effects of crude crabapple extracts derived from Malus 'Red jade', Malus hupehensis (Pamp.) Rehd. and Malus prunifolia (Willd.) Borkh. were evaluated on high-fat diet induced obese (HF DIO) mice. The results revealed that some of these extracts could lower serum cholesterol levels in HF DIO mice. The same extracts were also parallelly analyzed by LC-MS in both positive and negative ionization modes. Based on the pharmacological results, 22 LC-MS variables were identified to be correlated with the anti-hyperlipidemic effects using partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and independent samples t-test. Further, under the guidance of the bioactivity-correlated LC-MS signals, 10 compounds were targetedly isolated and enriched using UPLC-DAD-MS-SPE and identified/elucidated by NMR together with MS/MS as citric acid(1), p-coumaric acid(2), hyperoside(3), myricetin(4), naringenin(5), quercetin(6), kaempferol(7), gentiopicroside(8), ursolic acid(9) and 8-epiloganic acid(10). Among these 10 compounds, 6 compounds, hyperoside(3), myricetin(4), naringenin(5), quercetin(6), kaempferol(7) and ursolic acid(9), were individually studied and reported to indeed have effects on lowering the serum lipid levels. These results demonstrated the efficiency of this strategy for drug discovery. In contrast to traditional routes to discover bioactive compounds in the plant extracts, targeted isolation and identification of bioactive compounds in the crude plant extracts using UPLC-DAD-MS-SPE/NMR based on pharmacology-guided PLS-DA of LC-MS data brings forward a new efficient dereplicated approach to natural products research for drug discovery.

Optimization of Ultrasonic-Assisted Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction of Phloridzin from Malus Micromalus Makino with Ethanol/Ammonia Sulfate System

Application of an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) coupled with ultrasonic technology for the extraction of phloridzin from Malus micromalus Makino was evaluated and optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The ethanol/ammonium sulfate ATPS was selected for detailed investigation, including the phase diagram, effect of phase composition and extract conditions on the partition of phloridzin, and the recycling of ammonium sulfate. In addition, the evaluation of extraction efficiency and the identification of phloridzin were investigated. The optimal partition coefficient (6.55) and recovery (92.86%) of phloridzin were obtained in a system composed of 35% ethanol (w/w) and 16% (NH₄ )₂ SO₄ (w/w), 51:1 liquid-to-solid ratio, and extraction temperature of 36 °C. Comparing with the traditional solvent extraction with respective 35% and 80% ethanol, ultrasonic-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction (UAATPE) strategy had significant advantages with lower ethanol consumption, less impurity of sugar and protein, and higher extracting efficiency of phloridzin. Our result indicated that UAATPE was a valuable method for the extraction and preliminary purification of phloridzin from the fruit of Malus micromalus Makino, which has great potential in the deep processing of Malus micromalus Makino industry to increase these fruits' additional value and drive the local economic development.

Extraction, identification, and antioxidant and anticancer tests of seven dihydrochalcones from Malus 'Red Splendor' fruit

Five dihydrochalcone compounds, including phlorizin, trilobatin, 3-hydroxyphlorizin, sieboldin and phloretin 2'-xyloglucoside, were isolated from ornamental Malus 'Red Splendor' fruit. The chemical structures of these compounds were elucidated by LC-ESI-MS and NMR. Phloretin and 3-hydroxyphloretin were produced by hydrolysis. The antioxidant capacities of these seven compounds were examined by DPPH and ABTS assays, while their cytotoxicity to five cancer cell lines were evaluated by the MTT assay. The results showed that the DPPH assay mainly reflected the antioxidant capacity of the B ring, whereas the ABTS assay was mostly related to the A ring of the dihydrochalcone molecule. Moreover, 3-hydroxyphloretin was the best antioxidant among the seven compounds. Both glycosylation of the A ring and the ortho phenolic hydroxyl groups of the B ring were important for the cytotoxicity of dihydrochalcone molecules. Sieboldin and 3-hydroxyphlorizin exhibited better cytotoxicity than other dihydrochalcone compounds. Dihydrochalcones from Malus may benefit human health.

Ethyl acetate extract of crabapple fruit is the cholesterol-lowering fraction

Hypercholesterolemia is highly associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as atherosclerosis.

Bioactivities and Health Benefits of Wild Fruits

Wild fruits are exotic or underutilized. Wild fruits contain many bioactive compounds, such as anthocyanins and flavonoids. Many studies have shown that wild fruits possess various bioactivities and health benefits, such as free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer activity. Therefore, wild fruits have the potential to be developed into functional foods or pharmaceuticals to prevent and treat several chronic diseases. In the present article, we review current knowledge about the bioactivities and health benefits of wild fruits, which is valuable for the exploitation and utilization of wild fruits.

Prophylactic effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum) juice on sodium fluoride induced oxidative damage in liver and erythrocytes of rats

The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum) juice (PGJ) on oxidative damages in liver tissue and erythrocytes of rats intoxicated by sodium fluoride (NaF). Rats were randomly divided into two groups: group I received standard diet and group II received orally 1 mL of PGJ. After 5 weeks of pretreatment, each group was divided again into two subgroups and treated for another 3 weeks as follows: group I was subdivided into a control group and a group that was treated with 100 ppm of NaF (in drinking water); group II was subdivided into one group that was treated daily with both 100 ppm NaF and PGJ (1 mL orally) and one that received daily 1 mL of pomegranate juice. Exposure to NaF decreased hematological parameters, changed the total protein, albumin, bilirubin levels, and increased the activities of hepatic marker enzymes. We also noted an increase in lipid peroxidation contents, accompanied by a decrease of reduced glutathione levels. Antioxidant enzyme activities in both tissues were modified in the NaF group compared with the control group. However, the administration of PGJ juice caused an amelioration of the previous parameters. Our results indicated the potential effects of NaF to induce oxidative damage in tissues and the ability of PGJ to attenuate NaF-induced oxidative injury.

Dihydrochalcone Compounds Isolated from Crabapple Leaves Showed Anticancer Effects on Human Cancer Cell Lines

Seven dihydrochalcone compounds were isolated from the leaves of Malus crabapples, cv. "Radiant", and their chemical structures were elucidated by UV, IR, ESI-MS, ¹H-NMR and (13)C-NMR analyses. These compounds, which include trilobatin (A1), phloretin (A2), 3-hydroxyphloretin (A3), phloretin rutinoside (A4), phlorizin (A5), 6''-O-coumaroyl-4'-O-glucopyranosylphloretin (A6), and 3'''-methoxy-6''-O-feruloy-4'-O-glucopyranosyl-phloretin (A7), all belong to the phloretin class and its derivatives. Compounds A6 and A7 are two new rare dihydrochalcone compounds. The results of a MTT cancer cell growth inhibition assay demonstrated that phloretin and these derivatives showed significant positive anticancer activities against several human cancer cell lines, including the A549 human lung cancer cell line, Bel 7402 liver cancer cell line, HepG2 human ileocecal cancer cell line, and HT-29 human colon cancer cell line. A7 had significant effects on all cancer cell lines, suggesting potential applications for phloretin and its derivatives. Adding a methoxyl group to phloretin dramatically increases phloretin's anticancer activity.