Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Different Plant Parts from TwoEricaSpecies

Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of Erica spiculifolia extracts and fractions

There is little data on the phytochemical/pharmacological properties of Erica spiculifolia Salisb. (syn. Bruckentalia spiculifolia (Salisb.) Rchb.). This study examines the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of different extracts and fractions of E. spiculifolia in vitro on isolated rat peritoneal macrophages, in the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema test, BSA test, and two complementary antioxidant assays. Ethanolic extracts of leaves, flowers, and aboveground parts, and petroleum ether, ether, ethyl acetate, and water fractionations of the ethanol extract of E. spiculifolia applied at doses of 50-200 mg/kg p.o. exhibited dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity comparable with indomethacin. All tested samples, except for the petroleum ether fraction, exerted excellent in vitro antioxidant activity, and all of them exhibited significant and similar inhibition of BSA denaturation comparable with diclofenac. Ethanolic extract of the aboveground parts obtained by percolation, ethyl acetate and water fractions had the highest efficiency, attenuating inflammation by more than 50% in the lowest applied concentration alongside exceptional radical scavenging activity.

Assessment of salt and drought stress on the biochemical and molecular functioning of onion cultivars

BACKGROUND

Salt and drought stress are the main environmental constraints that limit onion growth and productivity. Türkiye is the fifth largest onion producer, whereas the stress conditions are increasing in the region, resulting in poor crop growth.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A current study was conducted under greenhouse conditions according to a completely randomized design with factorial arrangements to evaluate the performance of onion cultivars. Plants were subjected to salt stress with an application of 750 mM NaCl and drought stress was applied by depriving plants of irrigation water for 20 days to measure biochemical and transcript changes. The antioxidant activities of the cultivars were quantified by using four different methods, i.e., 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The damage to pigments, phenolic, osmolytes, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation was also evaluated. Results revealed that the cultivars "Elit and Hazar" had higher H2O2, maximum damage to pigments, and least accumulation of phenolics and osmolytes under both stress conditions. The cultivar "Şampiyon" performance was better under salt stress but exhibited a poor antioxidant defensive mechanism under drought stress conditions. The remaining cultivars suggested a resilient nature with a higher accumulation of osmolytes, antioxidants and phenolics. The change in transcript levels further strengthened the response of resilient cultivars; for instance, they showed higher transcript levels of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate oxidase and transcription factors (WRKY70, NAC29). It helped alleviate the oxidative stress in tolerant cultivars and maintained the physio-biochemical functioning of the cultivars..

CONCLUSION

The results of the current study will fill the gap of missing literature in onion at biochemical and molecular levels. Additionally, resilient cultivars can effectively cope with abiotic stresses to ensure future food security.

Effect of Capsaicin and Dihydrocapsaicin in Capsicum on Myofibrillar Protein in Duck Meat

Spice and its extracts have gained widespread utilization as natural and eco-friendly additives, imparting enhancements in flavor, color, and antioxidative attributes to meat-based products. This work aims to study the effect mechanism of capsaicin (CA) and dihydrocapsaicin (DI) in capsicum (chili pepper) on the structure and function of myofibrillar proteins (MPs) in duck meat during thermal treatment. The results showed that at a CA-DI to MP ratio of 1:500 (g/g) following a 12 min heat treatment, the carbonyl content of MPs in duck meat decreased by 48.30%, and the sulfhydryl content increased by 53.42%. When the concentration was 1:500 (CA-DI, g/g) after 24 min of heat treatment, the •OH and DPPH radical scavenging rates were highest at 59.5% and 94.0%, respectively. And the initial denaturation temperature of MPs was the highest at 96.62 °C, and the thermal absorption was lowest at 200.24 J g-1. At the parameter, the smallest particle size and size distribution range of MP were 190 nm (9.51%). Furthermore, the interplay between CA-DI and MPs contributed to a reduction in the protein particle size and intrinsic fluorescence. In summary, the combination of CA-DI and MPs played a crucial role in inducing protein unfolding and disintegration.

Optimization of an Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Method for the Analysis of Major Anthocyanin Content in Erica australis Flowers

Erica australis plants have been used in infusions and folk medicine for years for its diuretic and antiseptic properties and even for the treatment of infections. In addition, a recently published thorough study on this species has demonstrated its antioxidant, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and even antitumoral activities. These properties have been associated with the high content of anthocyanins in E. australis leaves and flowers. The aim of the present research is to optimize an ultrasound-assisted extraction methodology for the recovery of the anthocyanins present in E. australis flowers. For that purpose, a Box Behnken design with response surface methodology was employed, and the influence of four variables at different values was determined: namely, the composition of the extraction solvents (0–50% MeOH in water), the pH level of those solvents (3–7), the extraction temperature (10–70 °C), and the sample:solvent ratio (0.5 g:10 mL–0.5 g:20 mL). UHPLC-UV-vis has been employed to quantify the two major anthocyanins detected in the samples. The extraction optimum conditions for 0.5 g samples were: 20 mL of solvent (50% MeOH:H₂O) at 5 pH, with a 15 min extraction time at 70 °C. A precision study was performed and the intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSDs) obtained were 3.31% and 3.52%, respectively. The developed methodology has been successfully applied to other Erica species to validate the suitability of the method for anthocyanin extraction.

In-vivo anti-inflammatory activity and safety assessment of the aqueous extract of Algerian Erica arborea L. (Ericaceae) aerial parts

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Erica arborea known as Khlenj in Algeria is a small shrub belonging to Ericaceae family. E. arborea Aqueous extract (EAAE) is used in traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antimicrobial, and antiulcer purposes.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To our knowledge, no data reveal the combination between in-vivo anti-inflammatory and toxicological studies of EAAE. For this purpose, the aim of this study is to evaluate the biological activity cited above and assess its safety.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Anti-inflammatory activity was undergone using carrageenan-induced paw edema and croton oil-induced ear edema. The acute and sub-acute toxicity were conducted following the OECD guidelines 423 and 407, respectively. Phytochemical identification was carried out using HPLC-DAD-MS. Quantitative evaluation of polyphenols; flavonoids and antioxidant activity of EAAE were also determined.

RESULTS

Oral administration of EAAE (250 and 500 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the edema induced by carrageenan. Administration of EAAE dosed at 250 and 500 mg/kg exhibited efficacy in reducing edema induced by croton oil. The acute administration of EAAE at doses of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg did not cause any mortality or adverse effects indicating that the LD50 is above 5000 mg/kg. The prolonged administration of EAAE (500 and 1000 mg/kg) showed a significant reduction in triglycerides levels in male and female rats whereas no significant changes in other biochemical and hematological parameters were observed. Histopathological damages were recorded in both liver and kidney animal's tissues of both sexes treated with medium and maximum doses of EAAE. Phytochemical characterization of EAAE revealed a high amount of phenolic compounds, HPLC-DAD-MS analysis led to the identification of chlorogenic acid and five flavonol glycosides: myricetin pentoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-pentoside, and quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside.

CONCLUSION

In the light of the results obtained in this study, EAAE corroborates the popular use to treat the anti-inflammatory impairments. EAAE can be considered as non-toxic in acute administration and exhibited a moderate toxicity in sub-acute administration. High phenolic content and in-vitro antioxidant activity observed indicate that EAAE may reduce oxidative stress markers in-vivo.

Stability and Antiglycoxidant Potential of Bilberry Anthocyanins in Simulated Gastrointestinal Tract Model

Anthocyanins from Vaccinium myrtillus fruits have been reported in vitro to exert potent radical scavenging and antiglycation activities. However, the physiological relevance of such properties remains unclear given the potential susceptibility of anthocyanin derivatives to digestive conditions. A simulated gastrointestinal tract model was thus implemented to assess the impact of gastric and intestinal phases on the chemical integrity of bilberry anthocyanins and their antiglycoxidant effects. Results demonstrated that the investigated activities as well as total and individual anthocyanin contents were marginally affected by gastric conditions. By contrast, with recoveries ranging from 16.1 to 41.2%, bilberry anthocyanins were shown to be highly sensitive to the intestinal phase. Of major interest, a much better preservation was observed for radical scavenging and antiglycation activities as attested by recovery rates ranging from 79.1 to 86.7%. Consistently with previous observations, the present study confirms the moderate bioaccessibility of anthocyanin constituents. It does however provide valuable information supporting the persistence of substantial radical scavenging and antiglycation activities at each step of the digestion process. Taken together, these data indicate that digestive conditions might not abolish the potential positive effects of bilberry consumption on both oxidative and carbonyl stresses.

Profiling of Polyphenol Composition and Antiradical Capacity of Erica cinerea

The aim of the current study was to determine the profile and content of polyphenols present in Erica cinerea, an important plant species from Northern Portuguese flora and often reported as having anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-radical activity. The analysis of polyphenols was performed by HPLC-DAD/UV-Vis, and the 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+) method was used to evaluate its radical scavenging activity. HPLC analysis showed that both plants presented a great diversity of compounds, with 33% flavones, 28% flavanols, and 26% hydroxycinnamic acids. The antiradical activity was dose-dependent, and the IC₅₀ values were 0.251 mg mL^-1. Based on our study, E. cinerea presented interesting bioactive compounds and it can be used to extract and purify bioactive polyphenols to be used in pharmaceutical or agro-food industries.

Phenolics extraction from sweet potato peels: modelling and optimization by response surface modelling and artificial neural network

Sweet potato peels (SPP) are a major waste generated during root processing and currently have little commercial value. Phenolics with free radical scavenging activity from SPP may represent a possible added-value product for the food industry. The aqueous extraction of phenolics from SPP was studied using a Central Composite Design with solvent to solid ratio (30-60 mL g^-1), time (30-90 min) and temperature (25-75 °C) as independent variables. The comparison of response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) analysis on extraction modelling and optimising was performed. Temperature and solvent to solid ratio, alone and in interaction, presented a positive effect in TPC, ABTS and DPPH assays. Time was only significant for ABTS assay with a negative influence both as main effect and in interaction with other independent variables. RSM and ANN models predicted the same optimal extraction conditions as 60 mL g^-1 for solvent to solid ratio, 30 min for time and 75 °C for temperature. The obtained responses in the optimized conditions were as follow: 11.87 ± 0.69 mg GAE g^-1 DM for TPC, 12.91 ± 0.42 mg TE g^-1 DM for ABTS assay and 46.35 ± 3.08 mg TE g^-1 DM for DPPH assay. SPP presented similar optimum extraction conditions and phenolic content than peels of potato, tea fruit and bambangan. Predictive models and the optimized extraction conditions offers an opportunity for food processors to generate products with high potential health benefits.

Development of a beverage benchtop prototype based on sweet potato peels: optimization of antioxidant activity by a mixture design

A beverage benchtop prototype related to oxidative stress protection was developed based on sweet potato peels phenolics. Formula components were sweet potato peel (Ipomoeas batatas L.) aqueous extract (SPPE), sweet potato leaves water extract (SPLE) and honey solution (HonS). According to linear squares regression (LSR) models, SPLE presented higher additive effect on total phenolic content (TPC), FRAP and DPPH than the other components. All antagonist interactions were not significant. The optimum formula obtained by artificial neural networks (ANN) analysis was 50.0% of SPPE, 21.5% of SPLE and 28.5% of HonS. Predicted responses of TPC, FRAP, DPPH and soluble solids were 309 mg GAE/L, 476 mg TE/L, 1098 mg TE/L and 12.3 °Brix, respectively. Optimization with LSR models was similar to ANN. Beverage prototype results positioned next to commercial vegetable and fruit beverages, thus it has an interesting potential to the market of health and wellness.

Digestibility and Bioavailability of the Active Components of Erica australis L. Aqueous Extracts and Their Therapeutic Potential as Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

Erica australis L. (Ericaceae) is used in traditional medicine to treat many free-radical related ailments. In the present work, the stability and biological activity of the plant aqueous extracts submitted to an in vitro digestive process were investigated. Chemical stability was monitored by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS, while the bioactivities were evaluated through the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Both extracts, whose main components were flavonol glycosides, inhibited AChE, showing IC₅₀ values of 257.9 ± 6.2 µg/mL and 296.8 ± 8.8 µg/mL for the decoction and for the infusion, respectively. Significant radical scavenging activities were also revealed by both extracts, as denoted by the IC₅₀ values for the decoction, 6.7 ± 0.1 µg/mL, and for the infusion, 10.5 ± 0.3 µg/mL. After submission to gastric and pancreatic juices, no remarkable alterations in the composition or in the bioactivities were observed, suggesting that the extracts may pass through the gastrointestinal tract, keeping their composition and therefore their biological properties. Moreover, the bioavailability of the components of both extracts, as studied in a Caco-2 cell model, showed that compounds can permeate the membrane, which is a condition to exert their biological activities. Our results add further support to the potential of E. australis for its antioxidant and neuroprotective properties.