Bioavailability of beta-carotene (betaC) from purple carrots is the same as typical orange carrots while high-betaC carrots increase betaC stores in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Anthocyanin and Lycopene Contents Do Not Affect β-Carotene Bioefficacy from Multicolored Carrots (Daucus carota L.) in Male Mongolian Gerbils

BACKGROUND

Anthocyanins and carotenoids are phytochemicals that may benefit health through provitamin A carotenoid (PAC), antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. These bioactives may mitigate chronic diseases. Consumption of multiple phytochemicals may impact bioactivity in synergistic or antagonistic manners.

OBJECTIVES

Two studies in weanling male Mongolian gerbils assessed the relative bioefficacy of β-carotene equivalents (BCEs) to vitamin A (VA) with simultaneous consumption of the non-PAC lycopene or anthocyanins from multicolored carrots.

METHODS

After 3-wk VA depletion, 5-6 gerbils were killed as baseline groups. The remaining gerbils were divided into 4 carrot treatment groups; the positive control group received retinyl acetate and the negative control group was given vehicle soybean oil (n = 10/group; n = 60/study). In the lycopene study, gerbils consumed feed varying in lycopene sourced from red carrots. In the anthocyanin study, gerbils consumed feed varying in anthocyanin content sourced from purple-red carrots, and positive controls received lycopene. Treatment feeds had equalized BCEs: 5.59 ± 0.96 μg/g (lycopene study) and 7.02 ± 0.39 μg/g (anthocyanin study). Controls consumed feeds without pigments. Serum, liver, and lung samples were analyzed for retinol and carotenoid concentrations using HPLC. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's studentized range test.

RESULTS

In the lycopene study, liver VA did not differ between groups (0.11 ± 0.07 μmol/g) indicating no effect of varying lycopene content. In the anthocyanin study, liver VA concentrations in the medium-to-high (0.22 ± 0.14 μmol/g) and medium-to-low anthocyanin (0.25 ± 0.07 μmol/g) groups were higher than the negative control (0.11 ± 0.07 μmol/g) (P < 0.05). All treatment groups maintained baseline VA concentrations (0.23 ± 0.06 μmol/g). Combining studies, serum retinol had 12% sensitivity to predict VA deficiency, defined as 0.7 μmol/L.

CONCLUSIONS

These gerbil studies suggested that simultaneous consumption of carotenoids and anthocyanins does not impact relative BCE bioefficacy. Breeding carrots for enhanced pigments to improve dietary intake should continue.

Formulation and organoleptic evaluation of Poly Herbal Cream of Punica, Neem, Carrot & Jamun as Active Ingredients

Assuming that herbal preparation is better with fewer side effects than synthetics, natural treatments are more effective than allopathy in terms of side effects for better human body healing. Herbal products have a growing demand in the world market, and the plants have been reported in the literature as having various pharmacological activities such as anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic. The purpose of this study was to develop anti-aging poly-herbal cream by mixing the extract of Punica leaf, Neem Oil, Jamun powder, Carrot powder as the main ingredient, and then creams were developed based on the anti-oxidant ability of herbal extracts and performed their evaluation study. Punica granatam leaves were shade dried and extracted using the Soxhlet method with different solvents such as n-hexane, benzene, and alcohol. Fine extract powder was collected and removed distilled water thoroughly. The cream was formulated into different concentrations, namely F1, F2, F3, and F4. Similar types of research with similar components have been reported, but in this experiment, the formulation is different, and this work is kept cost-efficient and straightforward; it's an attempt to reduce few components and prepare cream and evaluate its potential. According to The International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use ICH guidelines, the cream was stable during stability studies, and F3 turned out to be a better formulation than the other three.

Overlapping Vitamin A Interventions with Provitamin A Carotenoids and Preformed Vitamin A Cause Excessive Liver Retinol Stores in Male Mongolian Gerbils

BACKGROUND

Vitamin A (VA) deficiency is a public health problem in some countries. Fortification, supplementation, and increased provitamin A consumption through biofortification are efficacious, but monitoring is needed due to risk of excessive VA intake when interventions overlap.

OBJECTIVES

Two studies in 28-36-d-old male Mongolian gerbils simulated exposure to multiple VA interventions to determine the effects of provitamin A carotenoid consumption from biofortified maize and carrots and preformed VA fortificant on status.

METHODS

Study 1 was a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design (n = 85) with high-β-carotene maize, orange carrots, and VA fortification at 50% estimated gerbil needs, compared with white maize and white carrot controls. Study 2 was a 2 × 3 factorial design (n = 66) evaluating orange carrot and VA consumption through fortification at 100% and 200% estimated needs. Both studies utilized 2-wk VA depletion, baseline evaluation, 9-wk treatments, and liver VA stores by HPLC. Intestinal scavenger receptor class B member 1 (Scarb1), β-carotene 15,15'-dioxygenase (Bco1), β-carotene 9',10'-oxygenase (Bco2), intestine-specific homeobox (Isx), and cytochrome P450 26A1 isoform α1 (Cyp26a1) expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR in study 2.

RESULTS

In study 1, liver VA concentrations were significantly higher in orange carrot (0.69 ± 0.12 μmol/g) and orange maize groups (0.52 ± 0.21 μmol/g) compared with baseline (0.23 ± 0.069 μmol/g) and controls. Liver VA concentrations from VA fortificant alone (0.11 ± 0.053 μmol/g) did not differ from negative control. In study 2, orange carrot significantly enhanced liver VA concentrations (0.85 ± 0.24 μmol/g) relative to baseline (0.43 ± 0.14 μmol/g), but VA fortificant alone (0.42 ± 0.21 μmol/g) did not. Intestinal Scarb1 and Bco1 were negatively correlated with increasing liver VA concentrations (P < 0.01, r2 = 0.25-0.27). Serum retinol concentrations did not differ.

CONCLUSIONS

Biofortified carrots and maize without fortification prevented VA deficiency in gerbils. During adequate provitamin A dietary intake, preformed VA intake resulted in excessive liver stores in gerbils, despite downregulation of carotenoid absorption and cleavage gene expression.

Relative contribution of α-carotene to postprandial vitamin A concentrations in healthy humans after carrot consumption

Background: Asymmetric α-carotene, a provitamin A carotenoid, is cleaved to produce retinol (vitamin A) and α-retinol (with negligible vitamin A activity). The vitamin A activity of α-carotene-containing foods is likely overestimated because traditional analytic methods do not separate α-retinol derivatives from active retinol.Objective: This study aimed to accurately characterize intestinal α-carotene cleavage and its relative contribution to postprandial vitamin A in humans after consumption of raw carrots.Design: Healthy adults (n = 12) consumed a meal containing 300 g raw carrot (providing 27.3 mg β-carotene and 18.7 mg α-carotene). Triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fractions of plasma were isolated and extracted, and α-retinyl palmitate (αRP) and retinyl palmitate were measured over 12 h postprandially via high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The complete profile of all α-retinyl esters and retinyl esters was measured at 6 h, and total absorption of α- and β-carotene was calculated.Results: αRP was identified and quantified in every subject. No difference in preference for absorption of β- over α-carotene was observed (adjusting for dose, 28% higher, P = 0.103). After absorption, β-carotene trended toward preferential cleavage compared with α-carotene (22% higher, P = 0.084). A large range of provitamin A carotenoid conversion efficiencies was observed, with α-carotene contributing 12-35% of newly converted vitamin A (predicted contribution = 25.5%). In all subjects, a majority of α-retinol was esterified to palmitic acid (as compared with other fatty acids).Conclusions: α-Retinol is esterified in the enterocyte and transported in the blood analogous to retinol. The percentage of absorption of α-carotene from raw carrots was not significantly different from β-carotene when adjusting for dose, although a trend toward higher cleavage of β-carotene was observed. The results demonstrate large interindividual variability in α-carotene conversion. The contribution of newly absorbed α-carotene to postprandial vitamin A should not be estimated but should be measured directly to accurately assess the vitamin A capacity of α-carotene-containing foods. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01432210.

Relative vitamin A values of 9-cis- and 13-cis-β-carotene do not differ when fed at physiological levels during vitamin A depletion in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Provitamin A biofortification of staple crops may decrease the prevalence of vitamin A (VA) deficiency if widely adopted in target countries. To assess the impact of processing methods on the VA value of plant foods, the unique bioefficacies of cis-βC isomers (formed during cooking) compared with all-trans (at) β-carotene (βC) must be determined. The bioefficacies of 9-cis (9c)- and 13-cis (13c)-βC isomers were compared with those of the at-βC isomer and VA positive (VA+) and negative (VA - ) controls in VA-depleted Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) in two experimental studies (study 1, n 56; study 2, n 57). A 3- or 4-week depletion period was followed by a 3- or 4-week treatment period in which the groups received oral doses of the 9c-, 13c- or at-βC isomers in cottonseed oil (study 1, 15 nmol/d; study 2, 30 nmol/d). In study 1, the βC isomers did not maintain baseline liver VA stores in all groups (0.69 (SD 0.20) μmol/liver) except in the VA+group (0.56 (SD 0.10) μmol/liver) (P= 0.0026). The βC groups were similar to the VA+group, but the 9c- and 13c-βC groups did not differ from the VA - group (0.39 (SD 0.09) μmol/liver). In study 2, the βC isomers maintained baseline liver VA stores in all the βC groups (0.35 (SD 0.13) μmol/liver), and in the VA+group, the VA supplement (0.54 (SD 0.19) μmol/liver) exceeded the baseline VA status (0.38 (SD 0.15) μmol/liver) (P< 0.0001); however, the 9c-βC group did not differ from the VA - group (0.20 (SD 0.07) μmol/liver). In vivo isomerisation of βC was confirmed in both experimental studies. Lower VA bioconversion factor values were obtained for the cis-βC isomers in study 2 when compared with study 1, but higher values were obtained for the at-βC isomer. Dose and VA status clearly affect bioconversion factors. In conclusion, the cis-βC isomers yielded similar liver VA stores to the at-βC isomer in Mongolian gerbils, and liver VA stores of the 9c- and 13c-βC groups did not differ when the doses were provided at physiological levels over time in two studies.

Maize genotype and food matrix affect the provitamin A carotenoid bioefficacy from staple and carrot-fortified feeds in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Biofortification to increase provitamin A carotenoids is an agronomic approach to alleviate vitamin A deficiency. Two studies compared biofortified foods using in vitro and in vivo methods. Study 1 screened maize genotypes (n = 44) using in vitro analysis, which demonstrated decreasing micellarization with increasing provitamin A. Thereafter, seven 50% biofortified maize feeds that hypothesized a one-to-one equivalency between β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene were fed to Mongolian gerbils. Total liver retinol differed among the maize groups (P = 0.0043). Study 2 assessed provitamin A bioefficacy from 0.5% high-carotene carrots added to 60% staple-food feeds, followed by in vitro screening. Liver retinol was highest in the potato and banana groups, maize group retinol did not differ from baseline, and all treatments differed from control (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene have similar bioefficacy; meal matrix effects influence provitamin A absorption from carrot; and in vitro micellarization does not predict bioefficacy.

Assessment of tissue distribution and concentration of β-cryptoxanthin in response to varying amounts of dietary β-cryptoxanthin in the Mongolian gerbil

There is a general lack of knowledge regarding the absorption and tissue storage of the provitamin A carotenoid β-cryptoxanthin. The present study investigated the whole-body tissue distribution of β-cryptoxanthin in an appropriate small animal model, the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus), for human provitamin A carotenoid metabolism. After 5 d of carotenoid depletion, five gerbils were euthanised for baseline measurements. The remaining gerbils were placed in three weight-matched treatment groups (n 8). All the groups received 20 μg/d of β-cryptoxanthin from tangerine concentrate, while the second and third groups received an additional 20 and 40 μg/d of pure β-cryptoxanthin (CX40 and CX60), respectively, for 21 d. During the last 2 d of the study, urine and faecal samples of two gerbils from each treatment group were collected. β-Cryptoxanthin was detected in the whole blood, and in twelve of the fourteen tissues analysed. Most tissues resembled the liver, in which the concentrations of β-cryptoxanthin were significantly higher in the CX60 (17·8 (sem 0·7) μg/organ; P= 0·004) and CX40 (16·2 (sem 0·9) μg/organ; P= 0·006) groups than in the CX20 group (13·3 (sem 0·4) μg/organ). However, in intestinal tissues, the concentrations of β-cryptoxanthin increased only in the CX60 group. Despite elevated vitamin A concentrations in tissues at baseline due to pre-study diets containing high levels of vitamin A, β-cryptoxanthin maintained those vitamin A stores. These results indicate that β-cryptoxanthin is stored in many tissues, potentially suggesting that its functions are widespread.

Carotenoid profiles in provitamin A-containing fruits and vegetables affect the bioefficacy in Mongolian gerbils

Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of provitamin A carotenoids. We evaluated the vitamin A (VA) bioefficacy of a whole foods supplement (WFS) and its constituent green vegetables (Study 1) and a variety of fruits with varying ratios of provitamin A carotenoids (Study 2) in VA-depleted Mongolian gerbils ( n = 77/study). After feeding a VA-deficient diet for 4 and 6 weeks in Studies 1 and 2, respectively, customized diets, equalized for VA, were fed for 4 and 3 weeks, respectively. Both studies utilized negative and VA-positive control groups. In Study 1, liver VA was highest in the VA group (0.82 ± 0.16 μmol/liver, P < 0.05), followed by brussels sprouts (0.50 ± 0.15 μmol/liver), Betanat® ( β-carotene from Blakeslea trispora) (0.50 ± 0.12 μmol/liver) and spinach (0.47 ± 0.09 μmol/liver) groups, which did not differ from baseline. The WFS (0.44 ± 0.06 μmol/liver) and kale (0.43 ± 0.14 μmol/liver) groups had lower liver VA than the baseline group ( P < 0.05), but did not differ from the brussels sprouts, Betanat® and spinach groups. In Study 2, liver VA was highest in the orange (0.67 ± 0.18 μmol/liver), papaya (0.67 ± 0.15 μmol/liver) and VA (0.66 ± 0.14 μmol/liver) groups, followed by the mango (0.58 ± 0.09 μmol/liver) and tangerine (0.55 ± 0.15 μmol/liver) groups. These groups did not differ from baseline. The banana group (0.47 ± 0.15 μmol/liver) was unable to maintain baseline stores of VA and did not differ from the control (0.46 ± 0.13 μmol/liver). These fruits (except banana), vegetables and the WFS were able to prevent VA deficiency in Mongolian gerbils and could be an effective part of food-based interventions to support VA nutrition in developing countries and worldwide.

Small quantities of carotenoid-rich tropical green leafy vegetables indigenous to Africa maintain vitamin A status in Mongolian gerbils ( Meriones unguiculatus)

Leafy vegetables are important sources of provitamin A carotenoids. Information on their ability to provide vitamin A is often misleading because of the methodology used to assess bioefficacy. Mongolian gerbils were used to evaluate the bioefficacy of provitamin A carotenoids in tropical leafy vegetables (i.e. Solanum nigrum, Moringa oleifera, Vernonia calvoana and Hibiscus cannabinus) that are indigenous to Africa. Gerbils (n 67) were vitamin A-depleted for 5 weeks. After a baseline kill (n 7), the gerbils were weight-matched and assigned to six treatment groups (n 10; four vegetable groups; negative and positive controls). For 4 weeks, the treatments included 35 nmol vitamin A (theoretical concentrations based on 100 % bioefficacy) in the form of vegetables or retinyl acetate. In addition to their diets, the control and vegetable groups received daily doses of oil, while the vitamin A group received retinyl acetate in oil matched to prior day intake. Serum and livers were analysed for vitamin A using HPLC. Serum retinol concentrations did not differ among groups, but total liver vitamin A of the vitamin A and vegetable groups were higher than that of the negative control group (P < 0.0001). Liver beta-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase-1 expression levels were determined for two vegetable groups and were similar to the positive and negative controls. Conversion factors for the different leafy vegetables were between 1.9 and 2.3 microg beta-carotene equivalents to 1 microg retinol. Small quantities of these vegetables maintained vitamin A status in gerbils through efficient bioconversion of beta-carotene to retinol.

Anthocyanins in purple-orange carrots (Daucus carota L.) do not influence the bioavailability of beta-carotene in young women

Purple carrots contain anthocyanins in addition to the provitamin A carotenoids in typical orange carrots. Simultaneous consumption of these phytochemicals in carrots may affect the bioavailability of carotenoids. The bioavailability of beta-carotene in humans was assessed from an acute feeding of orange (OC) and purple (PC) carrots with white (WC) as a control. Carrot smoothies were served to female subjects (n = 5, aged 21-26 years) for breakfast after 1 week on a low carotenoid diet and overnight fast. OC and PC smoothies were equalized to 10.3 mg of all-trans beta-carotene. Plasma beta-carotene was measured for 144 h following treatments. Peak plasma concentrations of OC and PC treatments did not differ. The PC treatment 0-144 h area-under-the-curve for beta-carotene was 76% of the OC treatment (P < 0.05). However, when the first 24 h were compared, OC and PC treatments did not differ, suggesting that anthocyanins in purple carrots do not affect the absorption of beta-carotene postprandially.

Serum α- and β-Carotene Concentrations Qualitatively Respond to Sustained Carrot Feeding

β-Carotene is a predominant source of vitamin A in developing countries. Genetically selected “high carotene” carrots could have an impact on the vitamin A and antioxidant status of people if widely adopted. A 3 × 3 crossover study in humans ( n = 10) evaluated the difference in uptake and clearance of α- and β-carotene from carrots genetically selected and traditionally bred to have high, typical, or no carotene. Subjects were fed white (0 mg α- and β-carotene/d), orange (1.8 mg α-carotene and 2.6 mg β-carotene/d), or dark-orange (4 mg α-carotene and 7 mg β-carotene/d) carrots in muffins for 11 d, with a 10-d washout phase between treatments. Serum carotenoid and retinol concentrations were measured by HPLC. C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of underlying inflammation or infection which may lower serum retinol, was measured at the beginning of each period. A significant treatment effect occurred for serum α- and β-carotene concentrations ( P < 0.001), and a trend towards a negative effect of subjects’ BMI on concentrations ( P= 0.08). A significant treatment by sequence interaction was observed ( P = 0.038), which was attributable to a difference in serum α- and β-carotene concentrations between carrot treatments in the first period. Serum retinol remained stable for the first 20 d of the intervention and then decreased ( P = 0.02). CRP was not elevated in any subject. High carotene carrots provide more provitamin A carotenoids than the typical store-bought variety, without a change in flavor. The availability of high carotene carrots could readily increase consumption of β-carotene and potentially impact the vitamin A status of those individuals who are deficient or at risk of depletion.

Antioxidant phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity of biofortified carrots (Daucus carota L.) of various colors

Antioxidants and antioxidant capacity of seven colored carrots were determined. Five anthocyanins, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and four carotenoids were quantified by HPLC. Total phenolic content was determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Antioxidant capacities of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic fractions were determined by using the 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods. The relative antioxidant capacity index was determined. Anthocyanins were the major antioxidants in purple-yellow and purple-orange carrots, and chlorogenic acid was a major antioxidant in all carrots. Carotenoids did not contribute to total antioxidant capacity, but correlated with antioxidant capacity of hydrophobic extracts. Both the DPPH and ABTS assays showed that the hydrophilic extract had higher antioxidant capacity than the hydrophobic extract. Purple-yellow carrots had the highest antioxidant capacity, followed by purple-orange carrots, and the other carrots did not significantly differ. This information is useful for consumers and may help horticulturists develop carrots with higher antioxidant capacity.

Cassava with enhanced beta-carotene maintains adequate vitamin A status in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) despite substantial cis-isomer content

Efforts to increase beta-carotene in cassava have been successful, but the ability of high-beta-carotene cassava to prevent vitamin A deficiency has not been determined. Two studies investigated the bioefficacy of provitamin A in cassava and compared the effects of carotenoid content and variety on vitamin A status in vitamin A-depleted Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Gerbils were fed a vitamin A-free diet 4 weeks prior to treatment. In Expt 1, treatments (ten gerbils per group) included 45 % high-beta-carotene cassava, beta-carotene and vitamin A supplements (intake matched to high-beta-carotene cassava group), and oil control. In Expt 2, gerbils were fed cassava feeds with 1.8 or 4.3 nmol provitamin A/g prepared with two varieties. Gerbils were killed after 4 weeks. For Expt 1, liver vitamin A was higher (P < 0.05) in the vitamin A (1.45 (sd 0.23) micromol/liver), lower in the control (0.43 (sd 0.10) micromol/liver), but did not differ from the beta-carotene group (0.77 (sd 0.12) micromol/liver) when compared with the high-beta-carotene cassava group (0.69 (sd 0.20) micromol/liver). The bioconversion factor was 3.7 microg beta-carotene to 1 microg retinol (2 mol:1 mol), despite 48 % cis-beta-carotene [(Z)-beta-carotene] composition in cassava. In Expt 2, cassava feed with 4.3 nmol provitamin A/g maintained vitamin A status. No effect of cassava variety was observed. Serum retinol concentrations did not differ. Beta-carotene was detected in livers of gerbils receiving cassava and supplements, but the cis-to-trans ratio in liver differed from intake. Biofortified cassava adequately maintained vitamin A status and was as efficacious as beta-carotene supplementation in the gerbil model.

Sweet potato beta-carotene bioefficacy is enhanced by dietary fat and not reduced by soluble fiber intake in Mongolian gerbils

Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) is an important source of beta-carotene (betaC). Provitamin A bioefficacy from plant foods is influenced by dietary fat and fiber. We fed 3% OFSP powder diets with varying amounts of fat and soluble fiber to vitamin A (VA)-depleted Mongolian gerbils (n = 85) for 3 wk (8 groups, n = 10/group; control, n = 9) following a baseline kill (n = 6). OFSP diets differing in fat (3, 6, and 12%) contained 0.24% soluble fiber. Two additional 3% OFSP diets contained 6% fat and 3 or 9% white-fleshed sweet potato (WFSP) powder with soluble fiber contents of 0.42 and 0.80%, respectively. Control, VA-, and betaC-supplemented groups were included. Simulated digestion experiments compared the bioaccessibility of betaC from boiled vs. oil stir-fried OFSP. All OFSP diets maintained VA status and 12% fat and WFSP-added diets improved VA status above baseline (P < 0.05). Bioefficacy, as bioconversion factors, in gerbils fed 12% fat (3.5 +/- 1.4 microg betaC:1 microg VA) was improved over the 3% fat and betaC groups (6.5 +/- 3.7 and 6.7 +/- 3.7 microg betaC:1 microg VA, respectively) (P < 0.05) but did not differ from WFSP-added groups or the 6% fat group with no WFSP. Stir-frying doubled the efficiency of betaC incorporation into micelles during small intestinal digestion in support of the stimulatory effect of dietary fat on bioefficacy in vivo. Soluble fiber intake derived from WFSP did not influence bioefficacy. Replacing WFSP with OFSP will affect VA status if adopted by target groups.

Biofortified carrot intake enhances liver antioxidant capacity and vitamin a status in mongolian gerbils

Biofortification efforts have increased concentrations of bioactive compounds in carrots. We measured the antioxidant potential and vitamin A bioefficacy of 4 biofortified carrot varieties [purple/orange, purple/orange/red, orange/red, and orange] in Mongolian gerbils (n = 73). Following a 4-wk vitamin A depletion period and baseline kill (n = 7), freeze-dried carrot powders were mixed into purified feeds and fed to 6 groups (n = 11/group) for 4 wk. White carrot-fed control and vitamin A-supplemented groups were used to calculate carrot provitamin A bioefficacy. Antioxidant capacities of carrot powders, sera, and livers were determined using the 2, 2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation decolorization assay and carotenoid and retinol concentrations were determined by HPLC. Antioxidant capacity of liver extracts from the 4 colored carrot-fed groups [10.1 +/- 1.2 mumol Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)/g] was significantly higher than the white carrot-fed control group (9.3 +/- 0.9 mumol TEAC/g) and vitamin A-supplemented group (8.8 +/- 1.4 mumol TEAC/g) (P < 0.05). Liver retinol stores in the colored carrot-fed groups (0.62 +/- 0.13 to 0.67 +/- 0.08 mumol retinol/liver) did not differ and were higher than the white carrot-fed control group (0.32 +/- 0.08 mumol retinol/g) (P < 0.0001). Serum antioxidant capacity and retinol did not differ among treatment groups. Liver antioxidant capacity and vitamin A stores were higher in gerbils fed colored carrots than in those fed white carrots. Antioxidant activity is one of several proposed mechanisms by which plant foods, like biofortified carrots, may provide additional health benefits beyond maintenance of vitamin A status.

The xanthophyll composition of biofortified maize (Zea mays Sp.) does not influence the bioefficacy of provitamin a carotenoids in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Maize has been targeted for biofortification with provitamin A carotenoids through traditional breeding. Two studies were conducted in gerbils to evaluate factors that may affect provitamin A activity. Maize diets had equal theoretical concentrations of vitamin A (VA) assuming 100% bioefficacy. Study 1 ( n = 57) varied the ratio of beta-cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene but maintained the same theoretical VA. Study 2 ( n = 67) varied lutein and zeaxanthin. Other treatments were oil, VA, or beta-carotene doses. Serum and livers were analyzed for VA and carotenoids. In study 1, total liver VA did not differ among the maize groups. In study 2, total liver VA of the VA and maize groups were higher than controls ( P < 0.05). Conversion factors were 2.1-3.3 mug beta-carotene equivalents to 1 mug retinol. Twice the molar amount of beta-cryptoxanthin was as efficacious as beta-carotene and the proportion of beta-cryptoxanthin or xanthophylls did not appreciably change the VA value of biofortified maize.

A natural history of botanical therapeutics

Plants have been used as a source of medicine throughout history and continue to serve as the basis for many pharmaceuticals used today. Although the modern pharmaceutical industry was born from botanical medicine, synthetic approaches to drug discovery have become standard. However, this modern approach has led to a decline in new drug development in recent years and a growing market for botanical therapeutics that are currently available as dietary supplements, drugs, or botanical drugs. Most botanical therapeutics are derived from medicinal plants that have been cultivated for increased yields of bioactive components. The phytochemical composition of many plants has changed over time, with domestication of agricultural crops resulting in the enhanced content of some bioactive compounds and diminished content of others. Plants continue to serve as a valuable source of therapeutic compounds because of their vast biosynthetic capacity. A primary advantage of botanicals is their complex composition consisting of collections of related compounds having multiple activities that interact for a greater total activity.

Purple carrot (Daucus carota L.) polyacetylenes decrease lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of inflammatory proteins in macrophage and endothelial cells

Carrots ( Daucus carota L.) contain phytochemicals including carotenoids, phenolics, polyacetylenes, isocoumarins, and sesquiterpenes. Purple carrots also contain anthocyanins. The anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and phytochemicals from purple carrots was investigated by determining attenuation of the response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A bioactive chromatographic fraction (Sephadex LH-20) reduced LPS inflammatory response. There was a dose-dependent reduction in nitric oxide production and mRNA of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha) and iNOS in macrophage cells. Protein secretions of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were reduced 77 and 66% in porcine aortic endothelial cells treated with 6.6 and 13.3 microg/mL of the LH-20 fraction, respectively. Preparative liquid chromatography resulted in a bioactive subfraction enriched in the polyacetylene compounds falcarindiol, falcarindiol 3-acetate, and falcarinol. The polyacetylenes were isolated and reduced nitric oxide production in macrophage cells by as much as 65% without cytotoxicity. These results suggest that polyacetylenes, not anthocyanins, in purple carrots are responsible for anti-inflammatory bioactivity.

beta-Cryptoxanthin from supplements or carotenoid-enhanced maize maintains liver vitamin A in Mongolian gerbils ( Meriones unguiculatus) better than or equal to beta-carotene supplements

Maize with enhanced provitamin A carotenoids (biofortified), accomplished through conventional plant breeding, maintains vitamin A (VA) status in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Two studies in gerbils compared the VA value of beta-cryptoxanthin with beta-carotene. Study 1 (n 47)examined oil supplements and study 2 (n 46) used maize with enhanced beta-cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene. After 4 weeks' depletion, seven or six gerbils were killed; remaining gerbils were placed into weight-matched groups of 10. In study 1, daily supplements were cottonseed oil, and 35, 35 or 17.5 nmol VA (retinyl acetate), beta-cryptoxanthin or beta-carotene, respectively, for 3 weeks. In study 2, one group of gerbils was fed a 50% biofortified maize diet which contained 2.9 nmol beta-cryptoxanthin and 3.2 nmol beta-carotene/g feed. Other groups were given equivalent b-carotene or VA supplements based on prior-day intake from the biofortified maize or oil only for 4 weeks. In study 1, liver retinol was higher in the VA (0.74 (SD 0.11) micromol) and beta-cryptoxanthin (0.5 (SD 0.10) micromol) groups than in the beta-carotene (0.49 (SD 0.13) micromol) and control (0.41 (SD 0.16) micromol)groups (P<0.05). In study 2, the VA (1.17 (SD 0.19) micromol) and maize (0.71 (SD 0.18) micromol) groups had higher liver retinol than the control (0.42 (SD 0.16) micromol) group (P<0.05), whereas the beta-carotene (0.57 (SD 0.21) micromol) group did not. Bioconversion factors (i.e. 2.74 microg beta-cryptoxanthin and 2.4 microg beta-carotene equivalents in maize to 1 microg retinol) were lower than the Institute of Medicine values.

Beta-carotene from red carrot maintains vitamin A status, but lycopene bioavailability is lower relative to tomato paste in Mongolian gerbils

Red carrots contain lycopene in addition to alpha- and beta-carotene. The utility of red carrot as a functional food depends in part on the bioavailability of its constituent carotenoids. Lycopene bioavailability was compared in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) fed freeze-dried red carrot and tomato paste (Study 1, n = 47) and whole food extracts dissolved in cottonseed oil (Study 2, n = 39). Diets and supplements were equalized for lycopene and intakes did not differ. Both studies utilized negative (oil) and positive [purified lycopene (Lyc)] controls. In Study 1, vitamin A liver stores (0.68 +/- 0.13 micromol/liver) of the red carrot group did not differ from baseline (0.63 +/- 0.13 micromol/liver) and were greater than those of the tomato paste (0.43 +/- 0.12 micromol/liver), Lyc (0.51 +/- 0.14 micromol/liver), and control (0.38 +/- 0.17 micromol/liver) groups (P < 0.003). A similar pattern was observed in Study 2. In both studies, hepatic lycopene was higher in the tomato paste (82.7 +/- 26.7 and 80.7 +/- 20.2 nmol/liver) groups compared with red carrot groups (59.3 +/- 21.9 and 39.5 +/- 14.1 nmol/liver, P < 0.0001). Hepatic lycopene from tomato paste was higher than Lyc in Study 1, but tomato paste extract and Lyc did not differ in Study 2, when both were dissolved in oil. Red carrot maintains vitamin A status, but constituent beta-carotene may interfere with lycopene bioavailability. These results confirm prior studies in humans on the relative bioavailability of lycopene from red carrots and tomato paste and expand them by suggesting the mechanism and determining vitamin A value.

Carotenoid-biofortified maize maintains adequate vitamin a status in Mongolian gerbils

Efforts to biofortify maize with provitamin A carotenoids have been successful, but the impact on vitamin A (VA) status has not been determined. We conducted two studies that investigated the bioefficacy of provitamin A carotenoids from maize and compared maize percentage and carotenoid concentrations on VA status in VA-depleted Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Gerbils (n = 40/study) were fed a white maize diet 4 wk prior to treatment. In study 1, treatments (n = 10/group) included oil control, 60% high-beta-carotene maize, and beta-carotene or VA supplements (matched to high-beta-carotene maize). In study 2, gerbils were fed 30 or 60% orange or yellow maize diets. Gerbils were killed after 4 wk. In study 1, liver VA concentrations, compared with the high-beta-carotene maize group (0.25 +/- 0.15 micromol/g), were higher in the VA group (0.56 +/- 0.15 micromol/g, P < 0.05), lower in the control (0.10 +/- 0.04 micromol/g, P < 0.05), and did not differ in the beta-carotene group (0.25 +/- 0.08 micromol/g). Bioconversion was approximately 3 microg beta-carotene to 1 mug retinol (1.5 mol beta-carotene to 1 mol retinol). The liver beta-carotene content was greater in the high-beta-carotene maize group (26.4 +/- 6.0 nmol) than in the beta-carotene supplement group (14.1 +/- 6.0 nmol; P < 0.05). In study 2, the gerbils' VA status improved with increasing dietary beta-carotene. Liver VA in gerbils fed orange maize was greater than in those fed yellow maize, regardless of maize percentage (P < 0.05). Biofortified maize adequately maintained VA status in Mongolian gerbils and was as efficacious as beta-carotene supplementation. In populations consuming maize as a staple food, using orange instead of white maize could dramatically affect VA status.