Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Ulam raja (Cosmos caudatus) and quantification of its selected marker compounds: Effect of extraction

Phenolic compounds extraction by assistive technologies and natural deep eutectic solvents

Phenolic compounds are known to have a significant effect on human defense system due to their anti-inflammatory efficacy. This can slow down the aging process and strengthen the human immune system. With the growing interest in green chemistry concept, extraction of phenolic compounds from plants has been geared towards a sustainable path with the use of green and environmentally friendly solvents such as natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES). This review discusses both the conventional extraction and the advanced extraction methods of phenolic compounds using NADES with focus on microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) techniques ensued by a rationale comparison between them. Employing choline chloride-based natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) is highlighted as one of the promising strategies in green solvent extraction of phenolic compounds in terms of their biodegradability and extraction mechanism. The review also discusses assistive extraction technologies using NADES for a better understanding of their relationship with extraction efficiency. In addition, the review includes an overview of the challenges of recovering phenolic compounds from NADES after extraction, the potential harmful effects of NADES as well as their future perspective.

Enhancing recovery of bioactive compounds from Cosmos caudatus leaves via ultrasonic extraction

Cosmos caudatus (C. caudatus) is a medicinal plant that is high in bioactive compounds such as phenolics. In this study, an ultrasound extraction method was used to optimise the extraction of bioactive compounds from C. caudatus leaves. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a Box-Behnken design (BBD) was applied to obtain the optimum extraction parameters which is solid–liquid ratio (10–30 g/mL), particle size (180–850 µm) and extraction time (20–30 min) for maximal quercitrin and total phenolic content (TPC) yields. Analysis of antimicrobial activity was performed against two human pathogenic microbes: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) by the agar well diffusion method. The optimal ultrasonic extraction condition was as follow: solvent-liquid ratio of 1:28 (g/mL), particle size of 485 µm, and duration of 30 min, respectively. Remarkably, extraction using ultrasonic method had recovered more bioactive content and antioxidant activity than the Soxhlet method. The extract also exhibited good antimicrobial activities. Due to the above findings, the ultrasonic extraction was found to be suitable to improve recovery extraction of quercitrin and TPC from C. caudatus leaves. It also opens the possibility that the plant extract can be used for functional food and antimicrobial agents in various applications.

An Insight of Co-Encapsulation Nigella sativa and Cosmos caudatus Kunth Extracts as Anti-Inflammatory Agent Through In Silico Study

This study analyzes anti-inflammatory activity from extracts of Nigella sativa and Cosmos caudatus Kunth co-encapsulated through in silico molecular docking. The LC-MS results revealed that extracts of N. sativa mostly contained thymoquinone and alpha-hederin, whereas quercetin and kaempferol were the major compounds in C. caudatus K. Nevertheless, the bioactive compounds are usually susceptible to degradation by exposure to light, heat, oxygen, which may limit its biological activity. Therefore, encapsulation is one of the promising techniques to protect bioactive compounds. Ligands were encapsulated with chitosan and sodium tripolyphosphate as wall materials. Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) as the target enzymes were docked with a combination of these active compounds (non-encapsulated and encapsulated), using the HEX 8.0 program, and visualized using the Discovery studio visualizer software v16.1.0.15350. Interestingly, docking results of the combination of encapsulated ligands showed no interactions to COX-1 but interacted with COX-2. Therefore, co-encapsulation of extracts combinations has been suggested to act as anti-inflammatory agents targeted specifically to the COX-2 enzyme. The total energy of the encapsulated of combination of extract compounds to COX-2 were -1425.88 (mol/cal) for thymoquinone + quercetin; -1435.87 (mol/cal) for thymoquinone + kaempferol; 1175.97 (mol/cal) for quercetin + alpha hederin; -957.74 (mol/cal) for kaempferol + alpha hederin; and -283.3 (mol/cal) for diclofenac sodium, as a control NSAID drug. These suggest that encapsulated active compounds in N. sativa and C. caudatus K. have potency as a drug candidate for the selective NSAIDs category, which can be subjected to further in vitro and in vivo studies.

The anticancer potential of the dietary polyphenol rutin: Current status, challenges, and perspectives

Rutin is one of the most common dietary polyphenols found in vegetables, fruits, and other plants. It is metabolized by the mammalian gut microbiota and absorbed from the intestines, and becomes bioavailable in the form of conjugated metabolites. Rutin exhibits a plethora of bioactive properties, making it an extremely promising phytochemical. Numerous studies demonstrate that rutin can act as a chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive agent, and its anticancer effects can be mediated through the suppression of cell proliferation, the induction of apoptosis or autophagy, and the hindering of angiogenesis and metastasis. Rutin has been found to modulate multiple molecular targets involved in carcinogenesis, such as cell cycle mediators, cellular kinases, inflammatory cytokines, transcription factors, drug transporters, and reactive oxygen species. This review summarizes the natural sources of rutin, its bioavailability, and in particular its potential use as an anticancer agent, with highlighting its anticancer mechanisms as well as molecular targets. Additionally, this review updates the anticancer potential of its analogs, nanoformulations, and metabolites, and discusses relevant safety issues. Overall, rutin is a promising natural dietary compound with promising anticancer potential and can be widely used in functional foods, dietary supplements, and pharmaceuticals for the prevention and management of cancer.

Does traditional asian vegetables (ulam) consumption correlate with brain activity using fMRI? A study among aging adults from low-income households

Background

Working memory and cognitive flexibility are supported by the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Aging adults from low‐income households are individuals with a high risk of cognitive decline who incorporate ulam in their daily diet.

Purpose

To examine relationship between ulam consumption and the working memory and cognitive flexibility among aging adults from low‐income households who are more susceptible to cognitive decline.

Study Type

Cross‐sectional.

Population/Subjects

Thirty‐two aging adults (45–75 years old).

Field Strength/Sequence

Task‐based fMRI, 3.0T, T₁‐weighted anatomical images, T₂*‐weighted imaging data.

Assessment

The dietary and ulam consumption were assessed using the respective validated Dietary History and semiquantitative Food Frequency questionnaires. Working memory and cognitive flexibility were evaluated by using neuropsychological batteries (ie, mini‐mental state examination [MMSE], Digit Span, and Rey auditory verbal learning test [RAVLT]) and task‐based fMRI (N‐back and Stroop Color Word Test [SCWT]). Brodmann's areas 9 and 46 were the regions of interest (ROIs) of DLPFC activation.

Statistical Tests

Multiple linear regression used to understand the relationship between ulam consumption and the working memory and cognitive flexibility, while analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare the difference of working memory and cognitive flexibility among four percentiles of ulam consumption, after age, gender, and education years adjustments. Significance was decided by two‐sided, P < 0.0042 and P < 0.05.

Results

The multiple linear regression revealed that ulam consumption was positively associated with the Digit Span (R² = 0.51, β = 0.702, P < 0.001), right DLPFC activation (1‐back) (R² = 0.34, β = 0.591, P = 0.001), left DLPFC activation (SCWT‐1) (R² = 0.33, β = 0.553, P = 0.002), and left DLPFC activation (SCWT‐2) (R² = 0.34, β = 0.497, P = 0.004). The ulam consumption at the 75^th and 100^th percentile from the ANCOVA analysis had shown a better working memory and cognitive flexibility as compared with those of the 25^th and 50^th percentiles (P < 0.05).

Data Conclusion

This study found that high ulam consumption was related to a high intensity of brain activation in DLPFC; however, the elucidation of the neuroprotective properties of ulam have yet to be established from clinical trial studies.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 4

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1142–1153.

Antioxidant Activities and Total Phenolic Content of Malaysian Herbs as Components of Active Packaging Film in Beef Patties

Active packaging containing natural extracts is a promising innovation to prolong the shelf life of perishable food. The objective of this work was to develop a bioactive edible film from semi-refined carrageenan (SRC) and glycerol (G) as plasticizer incorporated with natural extract. Five Malaysian herbs were evaluated to determine their total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activities. The Persicaria minor (PM) extract demonstrated the highest TPC (1.629 mg GAE/L sample) and radical scavenging activity evaluated by the radicals 2,2’-azinobis [3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] (27.166 mg TE/L sample), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (719.89 mg eq. Trolox/L sample) and α,α′-Azodiisobutyramidine dihydrochloride (5.81 mg TE/L sample). Thus, PM extract was selected for active packaging film at concentrations of 0.4, 1.0 and 2.0% and compared with 0.4% Butylatedhydroxianisole in 2% SRC and 0.9% G film formulation. The meat patties were wrapped in the films and stored under refrigeration (4 ± 2 °C) for 14 days. The film with 2% PM exhibited significantly lower lipid deterioration analysed by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay (p < 0.05) and small changes in % metmyoglobin value which indicated the minimum development of brown colour (p < 0.05). Hence, this film can be used as a packaging material to improve meat quality characteristics.