The study of interactions between active compounds of coffee and willow (Salix sp.) bark water extract

Green extraction, chemical composition, and in vitro antioxidant activity of theabrownins from Kangzhuan dark tea

Theabrownins (TBs) in dark tea have received increasing attention for their multiple health benefits. In this study, ultrasound assisted extraction with deep eutectic solvent (UAE-DES) was developed for the extraction of TBs from Kangzhuan dark tea (KZDT). The highest yield (12.59%) of TBs was obtained using UAE-choline (ChCl)/malic acid (MA) with a liquid to solid ratio of 20:1 (v/w), ultrasonic power of 577 W, ultrasonic time of 25 min, and water content of 30%. TBs were further eluded by silica gel to obtain six theabrownine fractions (TBFs), namely, TBFs1, TBFs2, TBFs3, TBFs4, TBFs5, and TBFs6. LC-MS/MS revealed that flavonoids, terpenes, phenolic acids, alkaloids, lipids, and amino acids are the leading components of TBFs. The TBFs4, with the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP values of 45.08 ± 0.42 μM Ascorbic acid/g DW, 178.52 ± 0.29 μM Trolox/g DW, and 370.85 ± 6.00 μM Fe(II)/g DW, respectively, showed the highest antioxidant activity among all the TBFs. Overall, this study first provided the evidence that UAE-ChCl/MA combining with silica gel was effective to extract TBs from KZDT, and the 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin-6-glucoside and neohesperidin were found as the leading compounds in the TBFs, providing a guidance for the chemical research and further utilization of dark tea and its TBs.

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Yield of TBs of 12.59% from KZDT was achieved by UAE-ChCl/MA.

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Silica gel powder with methanol (100%–0%) as a mobile phase was used for TBs separation.

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The chemical component of TBFs was revealed.

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Flavonoids are among the leading compounds in the TBFs.

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TBFs4 displayed the highest in vitro antioxidant activity.

The Antioxidative Effects of Picein and Its Neuroprotective Potential: A Review of the Literature

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are the main cause of dementia in the elderly, having no cure to date, as the currently available therapies focus on symptom remission. Most NDDs will progress despite treatment and eventually result in the death of the patient after several years of a burden on both the patient and the caregivers. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate agents that tackle the disease pathogenesis and can efficiently slow down or halt disease progression, with the hope of curing the patients and preventing further burden and mortality. Accordingly, recent research has focused on disease-modifying treatments with neuroregenerative or neuroprotective effects. For this purpose, it is necessary to understand the pathogenesis of NDDs. It has been shown that oxidative stress plays an important role in the damage to the central nervous system and the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, mitochondrial dysfunction and the accumulation of unfolded proteins, including beta-amyloid (Aβ), tau proteins, and α-synuclein, have been suggested. Accordingly, cellular and molecular studies have investigated the efficacy of several natural compounds (herbs and nutritional agents) for their neuroprotective and antioxidative properties. The most popular herbs suggested for the treatment and/or prevention of NDDs include Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), ginseng, curcumin, resveratrol, Baccopa monnieri, and Ginkgo biloba. In some herbs, such as ginseng, preclinical and clinical evidence are available for supporting its effectiveness; however, in some others, only cellular and animal studies are available. In line with the scant literature in terms of the effectiveness of herbal compounds on NDDs, there are also other herbal agents that have been disregarded. Picein is one of the herbal agents that has been investigated in only a few studies. Picein is the active ingredient of several herbs and can be thus extracted from different types of herbs, which makes it more available. It has shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in cellular and plant studies; however, to date, only one study has suggested its neuroprotective properties. Furthermore, some cellular studies have shown no anti-inflammatory effect of picein. Therefore, a review of the available literature is required to summarize the results of studies on picein. To date, no review study seems to have addressed this issue. Thus, in the present study, we gather the available information about the antioxidative and potential neuroprotective properties of picein and its possible effectiveness in treating NDDs. We also summarize the plants from which picein can be extracted in order to guide researchers for future investigations.

Coffee Phenolics and Their Interaction with Other Food Phenolics: Antagonistic and Synergistic Effects

Due to its strong aroma and stimulating effect, coffee is the most consumed beverage worldwide, following water. Apart from being a luscious food product, its contents of high phenolic compounds dominated by chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and their derivatives have caused coffee to be consumed by individuals at higher ratios and have also encouraged the number of varying research studies for its health-promoting properties. However, it should be noted that these desirable beneficial actions of coffee phenolics are in dynamic behaviors, highly dependent on the roasting process parameters and presence of different types of phenolic compounds in the media. Interactions between coffee phenolics and other phenols might end up with induced or reduced biological activities, which is called synergism or antagonism, respectively. In this paper, bioactive properties such as antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and chelating power are reviewed in terms of synergism and antagonism of coffee phenolics and other bioactive compounds that are introduced into the matrix, such as cacao, ginger, cinnamon, willow bark, cardamom, and chili pepper. Furthermore, how these properties are affected after in vitro digestion and potential reasons for the outcomes are also briefly discussed with the aim of providing a better understanding of these interactions for the food industry. Revealing the synergistic and antagonistic interactions of the phenolics between coffee and different ingredients in a food matrix and their effects on bioactivity mechanisms is not only important for scientific studies but also for conscious food consumption of individuals.

Salix spp. Bark Hot Water Extracts Show Antiviral, Antibacterial, and Antioxidant Activities-The Bioactive Properties of 16 Clones

Earlier studies have shown that the bark of Salix L. species (Salicaceae family) is rich in extractives, such as diverse bioactive phenolic compounds. However, we lack knowledge on the bioactive properties of the bark of willow species and clones adapted to the harsh climate conditions of the cool temperate zone. Therefore, the present study aimed to obtain information on the functional profiles of northern willow clones for the use of value-added bioactive solutions. Of the 16 willow clones studied here, 12 were examples of widely distributed native Finnish willow species, including dark-leaved willow (S. myrsinifolia Salisb.) and tea-leaved willow (S. phylicifolia L.) (3 + 4 clones, respectively) and their natural and artificial hybrids (3 + 2 clones, respectively). The four remaining clones were commercial willow varieties from the Swedish willow breeding program. Hot water extraction of bark under mild conditions was carried out. Bioactivity assays were used to screen antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, yeasticidal, and antioxidant activities, as well as the total phenolic content of the extracts. Additionally, we introduce a fast and less labor-intensive steam-debarking method for Salix spp. feedstocks. Clonal variation was observed in the antioxidant properties of the bark extracts of the 16 Salix spp. clones. High antiviral activity against a non-enveloped enterovirus, coxsackievirus A9, was found, with no marked differences in efficacy between the native clones. All the clones also showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, whereas no antifungal (Aspergillus brasiliensis) or yeasticidal (Candida albicans) efficacy was detected. When grouping the clone extract results into Salix myrsinifolia, Salix phylicifolia, native hybrid, artificial hybrid, and commercial clones, there was a significant difference in the activities between S. phylicifolia clone extracts and commercial clone extracts in the favor of S. phylicifolia in the antibacterial and antioxidant tests. In some antioxidant tests, S. phylicifolia clone extracts were also significantly more active than artificial clone extracts. Additionally, S. myrsinifolia clone extracts showed significantly higher activities in some antioxidant tests than commercial clone extracts and artificial clone extracts. Nevertheless, the bark extracts of native Finnish willow clones showed high bioactivity. The obtained knowledge paves the way towards developing high value-added biochemicals and other functional solutions based on willow biorefinery approaches.

Heat Stress in Broiler Chickens and the Effect of Dietary Polyphenols, with Special Reference to Willow (Salix spp.) Bark Supplements-A Review

Over the last decade, there has been a growing interest in the use of a wide range of phytoadditives to counteract the harmful effects of heat stress in poultry. Willow (Salix spp.) is a tree with a long history. Among various forms, willow bark is an important natural source of salicin, β-O-glucoside of saligenin, but also of polyphenols (flavonoids and condensed tannins) with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity. In light of this, the current review presents some literature data aiming to: (1) describe the relationship between heat stress and oxidative stress in broilers, (2) present or summarize literature data on the chemical composition of Salix species, (3) summarize the mechanisms of action of willow bark in heat-stressed broilers, and (4) present different biological effects of the extract of Salix species in different experimental models.

Chemoprofiling as Breeding Tool for Pharmaceutical Use of Salix

Willow bark is traditionally used for pharmaceutical purposes. Evaluation is so far based on the salicylate content, however, health promoting effects of extracts might be attributed to the interaction of those salicylates with other compounds, which support and complement their action. So far, only S. purpurea, S. daphnoides, and S. fragilis are included in pharmaceutical extracts. Crossing with other species could result in a more diverse secondary metabolite profile with higher pharmacological value. With the help of targeted inter- and intraspecific crossing, new chemotypes were generated, whereby nine different Salix genotypes (S. alba, S. daphnoides, S. humboldtiana, S. lasiandra, S. nigra, S. pentandra, S. purpurea, S. x rubens, S. viminalis) were included in the study. Based on substances known for their health promoting potential and characteristic for Salix (selected phenolic compounds including salicylates), a targeted metabolomics analysis and clustering of 92 generated Salix clones was performed revealing four different cluster/chemoprofiles. In more specific, one group is formed by S. daphnoides clones and inter- and intraspecific hybrids, a second group by S. viminalis clones and inter- and intraspecific hybrids, a third group generally formed by S. alba, S. pentandra, S. x rubens, and S. lasiandra clones and hybrids, and a fourth group by S. purpurea clones and inter- and intraspecific hybrids. Clustering on the basis of the selected phenolic compounds can be used for identifying Salix clones with a different compound profile. New combinations of secondary plant metabolites offer the chance to identify Salix crosses with improved effects on human health.

Influence of Dietary Supplementation of Salix alba Bark on Performance, Oxidative Stress Parameters in Liver and Gut Microflora of Broilers

The paper aimed to analyse the effect of dietary Salix alba L. bark powder (SAB) on broiler performance in terms of oxidative stress parameters in liver and gut microflora. One hundred and eighty Cobb 500 broiler chicks (14 days) were allotted to three homogeneous treatments (SAB 0%; SAB 0.025%; SAB 0.05%). The broilers were housed in an environmentally controlled space (10 replicates, six broilers/replicate). Compared to dietary control treatment (SAB 0%), the other treatments included 0.025% SAB (SAB 0.025%) and 0.05% SAB (SAB 0.05%). The results showed that SAB powder used in broiler diet had a high total phenolic content. Regarding the performance results, significant differences between experimental and control treatments were recorded only for average daily feed intake (35-42 days). The broilers fed with SAB powder had a significantly lower hepatic level of malondialdehide and glutathione, a higher total antioxidant capacity than those fed control treatment, and demonstrated a positive effect on the development of non-pathogenic bacteria (lactobacilli) but a decrease in the population of pathogenic ones (E. coli, staphylococci). Our findings suggested that dietary 0.05% SAB powder could be an effective solution to impede the oxidative stress in broiler liver and to improve gut microflora.

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of 1,2-decanediol and willow bark extract in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated keratinocytes

BACKGROUND

1,2-Decanediol (S-Mal) is an organic compound belonging to the 1,2-alkanediol family, with two hydroxyl groups located on the first and second carbon of the alkane chain, probably responsible for the enhanced anti-bacterial efficacy. The willow bark total extract (W-Mal) has been used since thousands of years as an herbal remedy for its antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activities. S-Mal is used in cosmetic preparations, whether W-Mal can be topically or systemically administered. Aim of our study was to evaluate in vitro the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of S-Mal and W-Mal, singularly or in combination, in LPS-stimulated keratinocytes.

METHODS

The possible toxic effect of S-Mal and W-Mal was assessed through analysis of cell viability 24 hours after treatment. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities were evaluated by measuring IL-8, TNF-α and IL-1β production as well as cellular antioxidants (GSH and NADPH) consumption, 24 and 48 hours, respectively, after LPS stimulation.

RESULTS

Both substances resulted able to: 1) increase cell viability (P<0.05); 2) decrease the release of inflammatory mediators (IL-8, TNF-α and IL-1β) (P<0.05 - P<0.001); and 3) limit the depletion of cellular antioxidants (GSH and NADPH) (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

S-Mal and W-Mal have shown a potential cytoprotective activity when used together, and good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects when used either singularly or in combination. In light of our results, S-Mal and W-Mal could represent effective and safe options in the management of bacterial-induced or aggravated skin conditions.

Variations in the chemical composition and content of salicylic glycosides in the bark of Salix purpurea from natural locations and their significance for breeding

Willow bark is one of the few plant raw materials which contain natural active substances that have analgesic, fever-reducing, anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic effects. Salix purpurea, listed as widespread and common in many countries, belongs to the willow species with the highest content of salicylic compounds. The chemical composition and content of major salicylic glycosides (SGs) in the bark of S. purpurea genotypes from natural locations were investigated in this study to evaluate their applicability for pharmaceutical processing and creative breeding. Secondary metabolites were analyzed in bark extracts from 91 genotypes of S. purpurea selected from natural locations. The bark of all analyzed genotypes contained salicylic glycosides: salicin, salicortin and tremulacin; flavanones: naringenin 5-O-glucoside, naringenin 7-O-glucoside, naringenin, chalcone isosalipurposide and flavan-3-ol: catechin. Picein and populin were detected in 10% of the studied genotypes. The SG content of purple willow bark ranged from 3.04 to 10.96, pointing to high variations between S. purpurea genotypes. This study provides valuable breeding material and offers attractive prospects for the breeding of new and improved willow varieties. Varieties with the most desirable traits, grown under controlled conditions, can supply high-quality herbal materials for the pharmaceutical industry.

Efficacy and Safety of White Willow Bark (Salix alba) Extracts

Willow bark extract has been used for thousands of years as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic. In spite of its long history of use, relatively few human and animal studies have been published that confirm anecdotal observations. A small number of clinical studies have been conducted that support the use of willow bark extracts in chronic lower back and joint pain and osteoarthritis. Willow bark extracts also are widely used in sports performance and weight loss products presumably because of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, although no human studies have been published that specifically and directly document beneficial effects. In recent years, various in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory activity of willow bark extract is associated with down regulation of the inflammatory mediators tumor necrosis factor-α and nuclear factor-kappa B. Although willow bark extracts are generally standardized to salicin, other ingredients in the extracts including other salicylates as well as polyphenols, and flavonoids may also play prominent roles in the therapeutic actions. Adverse effects appear to be minimal as compared to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including aspirin. The primary cause for concern may relate to allergic reactions in salicylate-sensitive individuals.