Impact of sampling parameters on the radical scavenging potential of olive (Olea europaea L.) leaves

Therapeutics studies and biological properties of Teucrium polium (Lamiaceae)

Teucrium polium has been used in traditional medicine as antifungal, antipyretic, antispasmodic, and antibacterial. It is consumed by many jordanians for the treatment of many diseases. The effects of this plant have been investigated in kidney, liver, and brain. Its antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects have been introduced. Polyphenolic compound, flavonoids, monoterpenes, alkanoides, and essential oils were identified. Several studies revealed that this plant has a hypoglycemic effect and can help to control blood sugar. It was reported that plants containing flavonoids and phenolics compounds exhibit a large array of biological activities like genotoxicity (chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchange) and oxidative stress damage. These phytochemicals are found in herbal and vegetables plants, as well as being reliably protective against oxidative stress damage and lipid peroxidation. In addition, T. polium has secondary effects on different organs, namely liver, kidney and at high doses this plant becomes toxic. In conclusion, this review investigates many pharmacologicals properties and side effects of T. polium.

Quality assessment of leaf extracts of 12 olive cultivars and impact of seasonal variation based on UV spectroscopy and phytochemcial content using multivariate analyses

INTRODUCTION

Recently, focus has been made on the health-oriented uses of olive leaves, a byproduct of olive production, as a potential source of antioxidants. Oleuropein is one of the phenolic components in olive leaves known for its high antioxidant value.

OBJECTIVE

The main aim of the current study was constructing a model for the quality assessment of olive leaves and their potential phytochemical content and hence biological value as well. The phytochemical variation in olive leaves in both flowering (spring) and fruiting seasons (autumn) was also investigated.

METHODS

In this study, the leaves of 12 different olive cultivars from different geographical origins growing in Egypt were assessed for their oleuropein content, total flavonoid (TF) content and total polyphenol (Pph) content in spring and autumn via ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to multivariate data analyses. The antioxidant activity of olive leaf extracts was assessed using 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.

RESULTS

Higher levels of oleuropein, TF and Pph content were found in spring with the highest oleuropein content in the Spanish cultivar; Manzanillo, followed by the Italian cultivar Coratina and the Egyptian Agizi Okasi (218.94, 151.58 and 122.18 mg/100 g of dried leaf extract, respectively). UV spectra was also measured and the collected data were coupled to multivariate analyses showing clustering of cultivars with common geographical origin.

CONCLUSION

Our findings emphasised the influence of collection time and type of cultivar on the chemical profile of olive leaves. The model presented herein, serves for the quality assessment of olive leaves based on their phytochemical profile.

Seasonal Variations in the Chemical Composition of Liangshan Olive Leaves and Their Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities

The seasonal changes in the chemical composition of Olea europaea leaves from January to December at Liangshan (China) have been investigated. The highest total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and free amino acid content (FAAC) levels were found in May and December, while the lowest levels were detected in April and September. The soluble protein content (SPC) and the soluble sugar content (SSC) were highest in spring but lowest in summer and winter. The levels of major phenolic compounds, including oleuropein, and luteolin-4’-O-glucoside, followed by apigenin-7-O-glucoside, quercetin, rutin, luteolin, and apigenin, increased during spring and winter but decreased during summer and autumn. In addition, phenolic extracts (PEs) showed dose-dependent antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and superoxide radical scavenging activity assays; the reducing power was tested. The anticancer activities of PE at various concentrations were assessed by a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and the IC₅₀ (50% effective concentration) to HEK293, HeLa, and S180 cells were 841.48, 7139, and 457.69 μg/mL, respectively. PE-treated S180 cells inhibited proliferation through activation of caspase-3/9 and disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Thus, PE in Liangshan olive leaves possessed strong antioxidant and anticancer potential, and spring and winter were determined as optimal harvesting seasons.

Phytochemical Content of Melissa officinalis L. Herbal Preparations Appropriate for Consumption

Melissa Officinalis L. (MOL) domestic preparations appropriate for consumption were studied by monitoring content in Na, K, Ca, Li, phenolic bioactives (total phenols, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and flavonols), and antioxidant activity (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical inhibition (DPPH) and ferric reducing ability (FRAP)). The effects of practice applied, material to solvent ratio, time of preparation, and solvent were studied. MOL decoctions and infusions, commonly prepared at home, were better or of equal nutritional value to preparations upon ultrasounds or maceration concerning the studied parameters. Aqueous MOL preparations were richer in total phenols (704–1949 mg per 250 mL) and the examined macroelements (1.1–2.9, 30.5–288.4 and 50.1–176.1 mg Na, K and Ca per 250 mL, respectively) and showed better antioxidant activity compared to ethanol counterparts. The 25% w/v hydroethanolic MOL preparations, suitable for consumption, presented a significant content in phenolic antioxidants and in the examined minerals, too. MOL infusions were significantly richer in total phenols with respective chamomile and olive leaf ones, comparatively examined. Overall acceptance scores of aqueous MOL preparations indicated that bitterness has to be masked for efficient reception by the consumers.

The phytochemical rich potential of acorn (Quercus aegilops) products and by products

The phytochemical content of acorn (Quercus aegilops) products (nuts and flour) and by products (shells and leaching waters) regarding their content in total phenols, fatty acids, sodium, potassium and calcium was investigated. Antioxidant activity was also examined. Acorn materials presented high total phenol content (up to 47.6 ± 0.6 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry material), with a substantial amount remaining after leaching (11.6 ± 0.7 mg GAE/g flour), and high DPPH radical scavenging and ferric reducing activity. Their content in potassium, calcium, oleic and linoleic acids was considered significant. Molecular weight distribution of proteins and peptides was also studied and found between 7 and 45 kDa; only for acorn shells a band > 250 kDa appeared. Leaching parameters (time, material size, material to water ratio, temperature, NaCl presence) significantly affected the phytochemical content of the remained leached material.

Safety assessment of ethanolic extract of Olea europaea L. leaves after acute and subacute administration to Wistar rats

Olea europaea L., popularly known as olive, is a plant widely used worldwide. Its leaves, fruit and oil are extensively consumed and present important pharmacological properties. However, studies regarding the toxicity of olive leaves are still limited in the literature. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate acute and subacute oral toxicities of the ethanolic extract of olive leaves (EEO) in Wistar rats through histopathology and biochemical and hematological parameters. Acute toxicity was assessed using a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of EEO administered by oral gavage to male and female rats. To assess subacute toxicity, EEO was administered during 28 days at different doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) to male and female rats. At the end of the experiments, the liver and kidney were removed and examined microscopically, and blood was collected for hematological and biochemical parameters. A single dose of 2000 mg/kg did not induce mortality or any signs of toxicity among the animals treated. Animals exposed to EEO during 28 days did not present sign of abnormalities. Results demonstrated that EEO did not induce toxicity after exposure to single and repeated doses. However, more studies are needed to fully understand implications for human safety.

Olive tree (Olea europaea L.) leaf as a waste by-product of table olive and olive oil industry: a review

Research into finding new uses for by-products of table olive and olive oil industry are of great value not only to the economy but also to the environment where olives are grown and to the human health. Since leaves represent around 10% of the total weight of olives arriving at the mill, it is worth obtaining high added-value compounds from those materials for the preparation of dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, functional food ingredients or cosmeceuticals. In this review article, olive tree (Olea europaea L.) leaf is reviewed as being a potential inexpensive, renewable and abundant source of biophenols. The importance of this agricultural and industrial waste is emphasised by means of describing its availability, nutritional and therapeutic effects and studies conducted on this field. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Olive Leaf Extract from Sicilian Cultivar Reduced Lipid Accumulation by Inducing Thermogenic Pathway during Adipogenesis

Olive leaves contain a wide variety of phenolic compounds belonging to phenolic acids, phenolic alcohols, flavonoids, and secoiridoids, and include also many other pharmacological active compounds. They could play an important role in human diet and health because of their ability to lower blood pressure, increase coronary arteries blood flow and decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of olive leaf extract (OLE) from Sicilian cultivar on adipogenic differentiation of human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells and its impact on lipid metabolism. We showed that OLE treatment during adipogenic differentiation reduces inflammation, lipid accumulation and induces thermogenesis by activation of uncoupling protein uncoupling protein 1, sirtuin 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, and coactivator 1 alpha. Furthermore, OLE significantly decreases the expression of molecules involved in adipogenesis and upregulates the expression of mediators involved in thermogenesis and lipid metabolism. Taken together, our results suggest that OLE may promote the brown remodeling of white adipose tissue inducing thermogenesis and improving metabolic homeostasis.

Chemometric analysis for the evaluation of phenolic patterns in olive leaves from six cultivars at different growth stages

Leaves from six important olive cultivars grown under the same agronomic conditions were collected at four different times from June to December and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-TOF-MS). Twenty-eight phenolic compounds were identified and quantified. No qualitative differences were detected among leaves. However, for all cultivars, total concentrations of phenolic compounds decreased from June to August, then increased from October on, and reached higher levels again in December. Principal component analysis provided a clear separation of the phenolic content in leaves for different sampling times and cultivars. Hence, the availability of phenolic compounds depends on both the season and the cultivar. June and December seem to be good times to collect leaves as a source of phenolic compounds. December coincides with the harvest period of olives in the Andalusian region. Thus, in December olive leaves could be valorized efficiently as olive byproducts.

Olive leaf extract inhibits lead poisoning-induced brain injury

Olive leaves have an antioxidant capacity, and olive leaf extract can protect the blood, spleen and hippocampus in lead-poisoned mice. However, little is known about the effects of olive leaf extract on lead-induced brain injury. This study was designed to determine whether olive leaf extract can inhibit lead-induced brain injury, and whether this effect is associated with antioxidant capacity. First, we established a mouse model of lead poisoning by continuous intragastric administration of lead acetate for 30 days. Two hours after successful model establishment, lead-poisoned mice were given olive leaf extract at doses of 250, 500 or 1 000 mg/kg daily by intragastric administration for 50 days. Under the transmission electron microscope, olive leaf extract attenuated neuronal and capillary injury and reduced damage to organelles and the matrix around the capillaries in the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex in the lead-poisoned mice. Olive leaf extract at a dose of 1 000 mg/kg had the greatest protective effect. Spectrophotometry showed that olive leaf extract significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase, while it reduced malondialdehyde content, in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining revealed that olive leaf extract dose-dependently decreased Bax protein expression in the cerebral cortex of lead-poisoned mice. Our findings indicate that olive leaf extract can inhibit lead-induced brain injury by increasing antioxidant capacity and reducing apoptosis.

Optimization of olive leaf extract obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction with response surface methodology

In the present article, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of polyphenols from agricultural and industrial waste of olive oil and table oil productions, olive tree (Olea europaea) leaves were investigated. The aim of the study is to examine the extraction parameters such as solvent concentration (0-100% ethanol (EtOH), v/v), the ratio of solid to solvent (25-50mg/mL) and extraction time (20-60 min), and to obtain the best possible combinations of these parameters through response surface methodology (RSM). The extract yield was stated as mg extract per g of dried leaf (DL). Total phenolic content was expressed in gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per g of dried leaf. Free radical scavenging activity for the antioxidant capacity was tested by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The second order polynomial model gave a satisfactory description of the experimental data. 201.2158 mg extract/g DL, 25.0626 mg GAE/g DL, and 95.5610% in respect to inhibition of DPPH radical were predicted at the optimum operating conditions (500 mg solid to 10 mL solvent ratio, 60 min of extraction time and 50% EtOH composition), respectively.

Simultaneous separation and purification of flavonoids and oleuropein from Olea europaea L. (olive) leaves using macroporous resin

BACKGROUND

This study developed a feasible process to simultaneously separate and purify polyphenols, including flavonoids and oleuropein, from the leaves of Olea europaea L. Macroporous resins were used as the separation and purification materials. The performance and separation capabilities of eight resins (D101, DM130, HPD450, LSA-21, LSA-40, 07C, LSD001 and HPD600) were systematically evaluated. The contents of target polyphenols in different extracts were determined using ultraviolet (for flavonoids) and high-performance liquid chromatographic (for oleuropein) methods. The static adsorption and desorption results showed that resin LSA-21 had better adsorption properties among the eight resins. Influential factors such as extraction method, pH value of feeding solution, desorption solution, adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm, etc. to the extraction and purification of these polyphenols were successively investigated on resin LSA-21.

RESULTS

The target flavonoids and oleuropein were selectively purified using resin LSA-21. Compared with the contents in raw leaves, the contents of total flavonoids and oleuropein in the final purified products were increased 13.2-fold (from 16 to 211 g kg(-1) ) and 7.5-fold (from 120 to 902 g kg(-1) ) with recovery yields of 87.9% and 85.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This extraction and purification method could be used in the large-scale enrichment or purification of flavonoids, oleuropein and other polyphenols from O. europaea L. leaves or other herbal materials in industrial, food processing and medical manufacture.

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of olive leaf extracts

The total phenolic content and antioxidant activities of olive leaf extracts were determined. Plant material was extracted with methanol and fractionated with solvents of increasing polarity, giving certain extracts. The qualitative changes in the composition of the extracts were determined after the storage of leaves for 22 h at 37°C, before the extraction. Total polyphenol contents in extracts were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure. They were also analysed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Their antioxidant activities were evaluated using the diphenyl picrylhydrazyl method and the β-carotene linoleate model assay. Moreover, the effects of different crude olive leaf extracts on the oxidative stability of sunflower oil at 40°C and sunflower oil-in-water emulsions (10% o/w) at 37°C, at a final concentration of crude extract 200 mg kg(-1) oil, were tested and compared with butylated hydroxyl toluene.

Efficient method for screening and identification of radical scavengers in the leaves of Olea europaea L

In this article, an efficient method was developed to screen, isolate and identify the major radical scavengers in the leaves of Olea europaea L. by DPPH-HPLC-DAD, HSCCC and NMR. The method of DPPH-HPLC-DAD was used to screen the major radical scavengers. It was found that three major constituents (A, B, C) in the extract of the leaves of O. europaea L. possessed potential antioxidant activities. In order to identify the chemical structures of those compounds, the HSCCC method with a two-phase solvent system composed of petroleum ether-ethyl acetate-water at an optimized volume ratio of 6:600:700 (v/v/v) together with column chromatography was developed to isolate and purify the active compounds. Pure compounds A (225 mg), B (10 mg) and C (12 mg) with purities 92.6, 95.1 and 96.4%, respectively, were obtained from the crude sample (500 mg). Their structures were identified as oleuropein (A), luteolin-7-O-glucoside (B) and verbascoside (C) by (1) H-NMR and (13) C-NMR.

Phenol metabolism in the leaves of the olive tree (Olea europaea L.) cv. Picual, Verdial, Arbequina, and Frantoio during ripening

The kinetic behavior and protein-expression level of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) have been determined in the leaves of the olive tree (Olea europaea L.) of cv. Picual, Verdial, Arbequina, and Frantoio during fruit ripening. Moreover, the concentration of total phenolic compounds, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and tyrosol has been also determined. This study was carried out in 20-year-old olive trees grown in Jaén (Spain). The concentration of total and specific phenols showed a specific pattern in each cultivar. Frantoio showed the highest phenol concentration followed by Arbequina, Picual, and Verdial. A coordinated response between PAL, PPO, and the concentration of total phenols in the four cultivars was found. Also, specific changes were shown over the course of ripening, indicating a regulation of PAL, PPO, and phenol concentration in the olive-tree leaves during fruit ripening.

Contribution of flavonoids to the overall radical scavenging activity of olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf polar extracts

The contribution of flavonoids to the overall radical scavenging activity of olive leaf polar extracts, known to be good sources of oleuropein related compounds, was examined. Off line and on line HPLC-DPPH(*) assays were employed, whereas flavonoid content was estimated colorimetrically. Individual flavonoid composition was first assessed by RP-HPLC coupled with diode array and fluorescence detectors and verified by LC-MS detection system. Olive leaf was found a robust source of flavonoids regardless sampling parameters (olive cultivar, leaf age or sampling date). Total flavonoids accounted for the 13-27% of the total radical scavenging activity assessed using the on line protocol. Luteolin 7-O-glucoside was one of the dominant scavengers (8-25%). Taking into consideration frequency of appearance the contribution of luteolin (3-13%) was considered important, too. Our findings support that olive leaf, except for oleuropein and related compounds, is also a stable source of bioactive flavonoids.