Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Activities of Taiwanese Purple-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) Extracts

Hydrophobic Components in Light-Yellow Pulp Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) Tubers Suppress LPS-Induced Inflammatory Responses in RAW264.7 Cells via Activation of the Nrf2 Pathway

Sweet potato is a crop that is widely consumed all over the world and is thought to contribute to health maintenance due to its abundant nutrients and phytochemicals. Previous studies on the functionality of sweet potatoes have focused on varieties that have colored pulp, such as purple and orange, which contain high levels of specific phytochemicals. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of light-yellow-fleshed sweet potatoes, which have received little attention. After freeze-drying sweet potatoes harvested in 2020, extracts were prepared from the leaves, stems, roots, and tubers in 100% ethanol. Mouse macrophage-like cell line RAW264.7 cells were cultured with 10 µg/mL of the extracts and induced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammation. Of the extracts, the tuber extracts showed the highest suppression of LPS-induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene expression and production in RAW264.7, which was attributed to the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) oxidative stress response pathway. In addition, preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) experiments suggested that hydrophobic components specific to the tuber were the main body of activity. In previous studies, it has been shown that the tubers and leaves of sweet potatoes with colored pulp exhibit anti-inflammatory effects due to their rich phytochemicals, and our results show that the tubers with light-yellow pulp also exhibit the effects. Furthermore, we were able to show a part of the mechanism, which may contribute to the fundamental understanding of the treatment and prevention of inflammation by food-derived components.

Sweet Potato Is Not Simply an Abundant Food Crop: A Comprehensive Review of Its Phytochemical Constituents, Biological Activities, and the Effects of Processing

Nowadays, sweet potato (Ipomoea batata L.; Lam.) is considered a very interesting nutritive food because it is rich in complex carbohydrates, but as a tubercle, contains high amounts of health-promoting secondary metabolites. The aim of this review is to summarize the most recently published information on this root vegetable, focusing on its bioactive phytochemical constituents, potential effects on health, and the impact of processing technologies. Sweet potato is considered an excellent source of dietary carotenoids, and polysaccharides, whose health benefits include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity, cardiovascular protection, anticancer properties and improvement in neurological and memory capacity, metabolic disorders, and intestinal barrier function. Moreover, the purple sweet potato, due to its high anthocyanin content, represents a unique food option for consumers, as well as a potential source of functional ingredients for healthy food products. In this context, the effects of commercial processing and domestic cooking techniques on sweet potato bioactive compounds require further study to understand how to minimize their loss.

Targeting protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B in obesity-associated colon cancer: Possible role of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) has emerged as one of the links between obesity and colon cancer (CC). Anti-obesity and anti-CC attributes of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) reported sparsely. Here, we aimed to study the potential of PTP1B as a target in CC, particularly in obese population. Expression and genomic alteration frequency of PTPN1 (PTP1B) were checked in CC. Interacting partners of PTP1B through STRING and hub genes through Cytoscape (MCODE) were identified. Hub genes were subjected to functional enrichment analyses (via Metascape), differential gene expression, copy number variation, and single nucleotide variation analyses (GSCA database). Cancer-related pathways and associated immune infiltrates of the hub genes were checked too. Eleven sweet potato-derived compounds selected through drug likeness (DL) and toxicity filters were explored via molecular docking (AutoDock Vina) to reveal the interactions with PTP1B. Genomic alteration frequency of the PTPN1 was highest in CC compared to all the other TCGA cancers, and a high expression (RNA and protein) is also observed in CC that correlated well to a poor overall survival (OS). Furthermore, PTP1B and related proteins were enriched in different biological processes and signaling pathways related to carcinogenesis including epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Overall, PTP1B identified as a potential target in obesity-linked CC and sweet potato might exert its protective action by targeting the PTP1B. Sweet potato compounds (e.g., pelargonidin and luteolin) interacted with the catalytic P loop and the WPD loop of the PTP1B. Furthermore, MD simulation study ascertained that luteolin has the highest affinity against the PTP1B, whereas pelargonidin and quercetin showed good binding affinity too, thus can be explored further.

Sweet Potato New Varieties Screening Based on Morphology, Pulp Color, Proximal Composition, and Total Dietary Fiber Content via Factor Analysis and Principal Component Analysis

A sample set of 18 sweet potatoes [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] segmented into six registered cultivars and 12 new varieties were evaluated. The 142 tuberous roots were obtained from a sweet potato germplasm bank (BAG-sweet potato; -27.417713768824555 and -49.64874168439556), specifically from plants belonging to a sweet potato breeding program. All samples were characterized according to their morphology, instrumental pulp color, proximate composition, and total dietary fiber. The analytical results were submitted to parametric and non-parametric statistical tests for sample variance data comparison. Moreover, the screening of the cultivars and new varieties was performed by exploratory statistical analysis, factor analysis (FA), and principal component analysis (PCA). From the sixteen independent variables that characterized the samples, the exploratory FA identified thirteen that had a communality greater than 0.7, with 92.08% of assertiveness. The PCA generated 4 principal components able to account for 84.01% of the explanatory variance. So, among the six registered cultivars, SCS372 Marina and SCS370 Luiza showed the capability to be employed as cultivars for production. Among the 12 sweet potato new varieties, samples 17025-13, 17125-10, and 17117 met the requirements for patent and registration. These results will be useful to farmers who wish to use these sweet potatoes in the development of their crops.

Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Phenotypes: From Agroindustry to Health Effects

Sweet potato (SP; Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) is an edible tuber native to America and the sixth most important food crop worldwide. China leads its production in a global market of USD 45 trillion. SP domesticated varieties differ in specific phenotypic/genotypic traits, yet all of them are rich in sugars, slow digestible/resistant starch, vitamins, minerals, bioactive proteins and lipids, carotenoids, polyphenols, ascorbic acid, alkaloids, coumarins, and saponins, in a genotype-dependent manner. Individually or synergistically, SP’s phytochemicals help to prevent many illnesses, including certain types of cancers and cardiovascular disorders. These and other topics, including the production and market diversification of raw SP and its products, and SP’s starch as a functional ingredient, are briefly discussed in this review.

Anthocyanins in Colorectal Cancer Prevention Review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is still a big health burden worldwide. Nutrition and dietary factors are known to affect colorectal cancer development and prognosis. The protective roles of diets rich in fruits and vegetables have been previously reported to contain high levels of cancer-fighting phytochemicals. Anthocyanins are the most abundant flavonoid compounds that are responsible for the bright colors of most blue, purple, and red fruits and vegetables, and have been shown to contribute to the protective effects of fruits and vegetables against cancer and other chronic diseases. Berries and grapes are the most common anthocyanin-rich fruits with antitumor effects. The antitumor effects of anthocyanins are determined by their structures and bioavailability as well as how they are metabolized. In this review, we aimed to discuss the preventive as well as therapeutic potentials of anthocyanins in CRC. We summarized the antitumor effects of anthocyanins and the mechanisms of action. We also discussed the potential pharmaceutical application of anthocyanins in practice.

Sweetpotato Leaves Inhibit Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in RAW 264.7 Macrophages via Suppression of NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Limited information is available regarding the health-promoting activities of sweetpotato leaves (SPL). The present study investigated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and phenolic contents in 29 SPL cultivars harvested in 2018 and 2019. Extracts showed total phenolic contents 9.4–23.1 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, and DPPH radical scavenging activity indicated 36.6–247.3 mM of Trolox equivalent/g. SPL extracts were identified to contain bioactive components such as, chlorogenic acid (11.7–22.1 μg/mg), 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid (16.3–59.9 μg/mg), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (50.9–72.7 μg/mg), chlorophyll B (6.1–12.3 μg/mg), lutein (1.9–4.9 μg/mg), chlorophyll A (2.7–4.3 μg/mg) and β-carotene (0.1 ≤ μg/mg). RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells were pretreated with 100–200 μg/mL of SPL extracts and 20 μM of dexamethasone, and inflammation was stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 ng/mL) treatment for 24 h. In LPS-treated cells, prostaglandin E2 production and COX-2 expression were not downregulated by pretreatment of SPL extracts. However, SPL pretreated cells showed significant suppression of nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, and IL-1β levels under the LPS-induced inflammatory condition. In addition, SPL extracts induced an anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells through suppression of NF-κB nuclear translocation, IKK-α and IκB-α phosphorylation, and iNOS expression. These results indicate that SPL extract can be utilized as a functional food ingredient.

Purple Sweet Potato Phytochemicals: Potential Chemo-preventive and Anticancer Activities

BACKGROUND: Purple sweet potato (PSP; Ipomoea batatas (L.) lam.) is a perennial plant from the morning glory family Convolvulaceae. This plant contains many functional compounds and a high concentration of anthocyanins and phenols, in contrast to other sweet potato plants of different colors. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that parts of PSP have interesting functions in the setting of cancer. AIM: This article is a collective review of the potential properties of PSP in cancer, with an emphasis on its effects in breast, bladder, colorectal, liver, gastric, and cervical cancers.METHODS: Major English research databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were searched for studies evaluating the activity of PSP against cancer published ended in Mei 2020. RESULTS: The search yielded 72 articles relevant to this topic. Of note, PSP phytochemicals such anthocyanins and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives act as an antioxidant that scavenges free radicals and regulates the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway, acts as an antimutagenic agent, and has anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and the NF-κB pathway as a Chemo-preventive mechanism. Furthermore, PSP can promote apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, inhibit proliferation, cell growth inhibition, and inhibit cancer progression that actions collectively sum as anticancer activity in many cancer cells. The primary target-signaling pathway that is interfered by PSP is the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway, which is a very common mutated pathway in cancer cells that regulates many physiologic processes inside the cells. CONCLUSION: As a promising medicinal plant that may serve as a Chemo-preventive and anticancer agent, further research on PSP is required to determine its clinical uses and potential as a food supplement.

Anticancer Activity of Ipomoea purpurea Leaves Extracts in Monolayer and Three-Dimensional Cell Culture

Cancer is a leading cause of death and a vital health care challenge in the world. Hence, this work was conducted to determine the in vitro anticancer property and also the molecular mechanism of aqueous and organic extracts of Ipomoea purpurea leaves in three human cancer cell lines, including A-549 (human lung cancer), HepG-2 (human liver cancer), MDA-MB-231 (human breast cancer), and MCF-10A (breast normal cell line). In vitro cytotoxic potential of organic extracts, such as hexane, chloroform, ethyl-acetate, methanol, and aqueous extract was examined using a standard (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) MTT method in both monolayer two-dimensional (2D) and spheroids multicellular three-dimensional (3D) cultures. The MTT assay data showed that methanol and chloroform extracts of I. purpurea leaves had the antiproliferative effect on lung and breast cancer cells with IC₅₀ of 53.62 ± 0.07 and 124.5 ± 0.01 µg/mL, respectively. The results of further examinations, such as dual acridine orange/ethidium bromide, Annexin V-FITC/PI, and caspase-3 colorimetric assay, confirmed that methanol and chloroform extracts of I. purpurea as the most potent cytotoxic extracts might contain a variety of phytochemicals, promoting apoptosis in lung and breast cancer cells. The present research findings suggested that methanolic extract of I. purpurea leaves induced S-phase cell cycle arrest and intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in A-549 lung cancer cells. The study further showed that I. purpurea could be a helpful candidate for cancer treatment.

The Potential of Sweetpotato as a Functional Food in Sub-Saharan Africa and Its Implications for Health: A Review

Increasing urbanization in developing countries has resulted in busier lifestyles, accompanied by consumption of fast foods. The consequence is an increased prevalence in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Food-based approaches would be cheaper and more sustainable in reducing these NCDs compared to drugs, which may have side effects. Studies have suggested that consuming functional foods could potentially lower NCD risks. Sweetpotato is regarded as a functional food because it contains bioactive compounds. Recently, sweetpotato has gained attention in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but research has focused on its use in alleviating micronutrient deficiencies such as vitamin A deficiency, particularly the orange-fleshed variety of sweetpotato. Some studies conducted in other parts of the world have investigated sweetpotato as a functional food. There is a need to characterize the sweetpotato varieties in SSA and determine how processing affects their bioactive components. This review highlights some of the studies conducted in various parts of the world on the functionality of sweetpotato, its bioactive compounds, and how these are influenced by processing. In addition, the potential health benefits imparted by sweetpotato are expounded. The knowledge gaps that remain in these studies are also addressed, focusing on how they can direct sweetpotato research in SSA.

Potential therapeutic targets and molecular details of anthocyan-treated inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic bioinformatics analysis of network pharmacology

Anthocyans, containing anthocyanins and anthocyanidins, play a crucial role in preventing and treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Most anthocyanins and their basic elements, namely anthocyanidins have been recognized for the effective treatment of IBD, but the key biomarkers of anthocyan-treated IBD remain unclear. In this study, a bioinformatics analysis based on network pharmacology was performed to demonstrate the core-targets, biological functions, and signaling pathways of most common anthocyanidins that existed in anthocyans to reveal their potential or major mechanisms. The network pharmacology of the multi-target drug molecular design with specific signal nodes was selected, which was used to analyse core targets and complete the bioinformatics analysis of core targets. The network assays indicated 44 common targeted genes, 5 of which were core targets of both six most common anthocyanidins and IBD. These 44 common targets related to major signaling mechanisms of the six most common anthocyanidins in IBD may involve following processes: promotion of intracellular metabolism and proliferation, inhibition of cell necrosis, anti-inflammation and regulation of intestinal epithelial survival mainly via pathways such as, the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance pathway, platelet activation, microRNAs in cancer, arachidonic acid metabolism and the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway. Thus, our findings may provide other molecular details about anthocyans in the treatment of IBD and contribute towards the use of anthocyanidins, which will be meaningful shedding light on the action mechanisms of anthocyanidins in treating IBD.

A review on the relationship of mast cells and macrophages in breast cancer - Can herbs or natural products facilitate their anti-tumor effects?

Breast cancer is an inflammation-related cancer whose tumor microenvironment is largely infiltrated by inflammatory cells. These inflammatory cells including mast cells and macrophages have been elucidated to be vital participants in breast tumor proliferation, survival, invasion and migration. However, the functions of mast cells and macrophages in breast cancer are quite distinct based on recent data. Mast cells exhibit both anti-tumoral and pro-tumoral functions on breast cancer, while high number of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are strongly correlated with poor prognosis and higher risk of distant metastasis in breast cancer patients. Besides, many natural products/extracts have been reported to regulate mast cells and macrophages. In this review, the roles of mast cells and macrophages play in breast cancer are discussed and a summary of those natural products/herbs regulating the functions of mast cells or macrophages is also presented.

Edible Tuber Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Extract Induces Apoptosis and Suppresses Migration of Breast Cancer Cells

Medicinal plants offer enormous possibilities in the quest of novel bioactive formulation for cancer therapy. Here, we studied the anticancer efficacy of the extract of edible tuber Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) (APTE) against estrogen positive MCF-7 and triple negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. APTE showed significant cytotoxic activity in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. The effect of APTE on metastatic parameters e.g., migration, adhesion, and invasion in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were studied using wound healing, collagen adhesion, and transwell matrigel invasion assays, respectively. APTE significantly reduced migration in both the cell lines, however, its effect on the inhibition of adhesion and invasion was higher in MDA-MB-231 cells. Annexin V-Cy3 staining suggested that APTE induced apoptosis in these cells which was further validated by attenuation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and induction of pro-apoptotic Bax, Caspase-7 expression and cleavage of PARP. High resolution-liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy analysis with bioactive ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of APTE detected several compounds with anticancer activities. Overall, the study described the mechanism of anticancer activity of a common edible tuber A. paeoniifolius and contributes to growing list of naturally occurring chemo-preventive strategies.

Comparative Assessment of Phenolic Profiles, Cellular Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities in Ten Varieties of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas) Storage Roots

Sweet potato is the sixth most important crop widely cultivated around the world with abundant varieties. Different varieties gain different phenolic profiles which has drawn researchers’ attention for its unique health benefits. Our study evaluated the phenolic profiles, total and cellular antioxidant activities, antiproliferative activities, and cytotoxicity in 10 cultivated varieties of sweet potato in different colours. Among fourteen metabolites detected in our study, hyperoside, ferulic acid and caffeic acid were considered as prominent in SPSRs. According to the principle component analysis, phytochemical composition of HX22, YS15 and YS7 was quite similar. The results also evidenced that purple-fleshed varieties, such as YS43, YZ7 and YY153, have higher total phenolics content and corresponding stronger total antioxidant capacities as well as cellular antiproliferative activities against human liver cancer HepG2 cells than other varieties. The extremely significant correlation between phenolics and total antioxidant activity was also revealed by Pearson correlation analysis (p < 0.05). However, no significant relevance was found between intracellular antioxidant activity and total phenolic content or flesh colour of sweet potatoes.

Antiproliferation for Breast Cancer Cells by Ethyl Acetate Extract of Nepenthes thorellii x (ventricosa x maxima)

Extracts from the Nepenthes plant have anti-microorganism and anti-inflammation effects. However, the anticancer effect of the Nepenthes plant is rarely reported, especially for breast cancer cells. Here, we evaluate the antitumor effects of the ethyl acetate extract of Nepenthesthorellii x (ventricosa x maxima) (EANT) against breast cancer cells. Cell viability and flow cytometric analyses were used to analyze apoptosis, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. EANT exhibits a higher antiproliferation ability to two breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and SKBR3) as compared to normal breast cells (M10). A mechanistic study demonstrates that EANT induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells with evidence of subG1 accumulation and annexin V increment. EANT also induces glutathione (GSH) depletion, resulting in dramatic accumulations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial superoxide (MitoSOX), as well as the depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). These oxidative stresses attack DNA, respectively leading to DNA double strand breaks and oxidative DNA damage in γH2AX and 8-oxo-2′deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) assays. Overall these findings clearly revealed that EANT induced changes were suppressed by the ROS inhibitor. In conclusion, our results have shown that the ROS-modulating natural product (EANT) has antiproliferation activity against breast cancer cells through apoptosis, oxidative stress, and DNA damage.

The Anti-inflammatory Effects of Dietary Anthocyanins against Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC), which is a major form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is a chronic relapsing disorder of the gastrointestinal tract affecting millions of people worldwide. Alternative natural therapies, including dietary changes, are being investigated to manage or treat UC since current treatment options have serious negative side effects. There is growing evidence from animal studies and human clinical trials that diets rich in anthocyanins, which are pigments in fruits and vegetables, protect against inflammation and increased gut permeability as well as improve colon health through their ability to alter bacterial metabolism and the microbial milieu within the intestines. In this review, the structure and bioactivity of anthocyanins, the role of inflammation and gut bacterial dysbiosis in UC pathogenesis, and their regulation by the dietary anthocyanins are discussed, which suggests the feasibility of dietary strategies for UC mitigation.

Comparative Study on the Chemical Structure and In Vitro Antiproliferative Activity of Anthocyanins in Purple Root Tubers and Leaves of Sweet Potato ( Ipomoea batatas)

The structure and in vitro antiproliferative activity of anthocyanins in the root tubers of a sweet potato variety cv. Bhu Krishna and the purple leaves of a promising accession S-1467 were studied with the objectives of understanding the structure-activity relationship and comparing the leaf and tuber anthocyanins. The chemical structure of anthocyanins was determined by high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis. A fluorescence-resonance-energy-transfer-based caspase sensor probe had been used to study the antiproliferative property, and analysis of the cell cycle was performed after staining with propidium iodide and subsequent fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Structurally, the anthocyanins in root tubers were identical to those in leaves, but there was a difference in the proportion of various aglycones present in both. This has led to distinguishable differences in the antiproliferative activity of leaf and tuber anthocyanins to various cancer cells. All nine anthocyanins were found in acylated forms in both tubers and leaves. However, peonidin derivatives were major anthocyanins in tubers (33.98 ± 1.41 mg) as well as leaves (27.68 ± 1.07 mg). The cyanidin derivatives were comparatively higher in leaves (20.55 ± 0.91 mg) than tubers (9.44 ± 0.94 mg). The tuber and leaf anthocyanins exhibited potential antiproliferative properties to MCF-7, HCT-116, and HeLa cancer cells, and the structure of anthocyanins had a critical role in it. The leaf anthocyanins exhibited significantly higher activity against colon and cervical cancer cells, whereas tuber anthocyanins had a slightly greater effect against breast cancer cells.

Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco L.) anthocyanins exert anti-inflammatory activity in human colon cancer and non-malignant colon cells

Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco L.) (CP) is an anthocyanin-rich fruit found in tropical areas around the globe. CP polyphenols are associated with beneficial effects on health, including reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress. Due to its functional properties, the consumption of this fruit may be beneficial in the promotion of human health and reduce the risk for chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities of anthocyanins extracted from CP (1.0 to 20.0 μg ml^-1 gallic acid equivalents [GAE]) in CCD-18Co non-malignant colonic fibroblasts and HT-29 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α, 10 ng mL^-1) was used to induce inflammation in CCD-18Co cells. CP anthocyanins were identified and quantified using HPLC-ESI-MSⁿ. The chemical analysis of CP extract identified delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin and peonidin derivatives as major components. Cell proliferation was suppressed in HT-29 cells at 10.0 and 20.0 μg ml^-1 GAE and this was accompanied by increased intracellular ROS production as well as decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and NF-κB1 expressions at 20.0 μg ml^-1 GAE. Within the same concentration range, there was no cytotoxic effect of CP anthocyanins in CCD-18Co cells and TNF-α-induced intracellular ROS-production was decreased by 17.3%. IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α protein expressions were also reduced in TNF-α-treated CCD-18Co cells by CP anthocyanins at 20.0 μg ml^-1 GAE. These results suggest that cocoplum anthocyanins possess cancer-cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities in both inflamed colon and colon cancer cells.

Implication of the Significance of Dietary Compatibility: Based on the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Interactions with Different Ratios of Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Antioxidants among Four Daily Agricultural Crops

The hydrophilic extracts of eggplant peel (HEEP) and purple sweet potato (HEPP) and lipophilic extracts of tomato (LET) and carrot (LEC) were mixed in different ratios to assess the significance of the compatibility of aliments, based on their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory interactions in H9c2 cells. The results indicated that groups of some combinational extracts (HEPP-HEEP F1/10, LEC-HEEP F3/10, LEC-HEPP F3/10) showed stronger synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects than individual groups. For example, the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity of the LEC-HEEP (F3/10) group (86.71 ± 1.88) was higher than that in the HEEP (79.97 ± 1.68) and LEC (77.31 ± 1.85) groups. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was 30.37 ± 0.25 in the LEC-HEEP (F3/10) group while the levels were 34.34 ± 0.36 and 46.23 ± 0.51 in the HEEP and LEC groups, respectively. And the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was 1.82 ± 0.24 in the LEC-HEEP (F3/10) group while the levels were 2.48 ± 0.13 and 3.01 ± 0.24 in the HEEP and LEC groups, respectively. The expressions of inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1) showed similar tendencies. However, some groups (LET-LEC F5/10, LET-LEC F9/10, LET-HEPP F7/10) showed antagonistic effects based on these indicators. The principal component analysis showed that samples could be defined by two principal components: PC1, the main phenolic acids and flavonoids; PC2, carotenoids. Moreover, phenolics and anthoyanins were in the majority in synergistic groups, and carotenoids were in the majority in antagonistic groups. These results indicated that there exist synergistic or antagonistic interactions of aliments on antioxidation and anti-inflammation, which implied the significance of food compatibility.

Photo-fermentation of purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) using probiotic bacteria and LED lights to yield functionalized bioactive compounds

The purpose of this study was to examine if fermentation of purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) powder (PSP) by Lactobacillus brevis under green, red, blue, white light-emitting diode (LED) illumination or sunlight might yield functionalized products with good antibacterial, antioxidant activity, and/or cytotoxic activity. The Purple sweet potato (PSP) powder fermented with probiotic bacteria L. brevis under white LED light (1.9 ± 1.80/1.6 ± 0.52), blue LED light (1.4 ± 1.32/1.8 ± 0.83), or sunlight (1.2 ± 1.26/1.5 ± 1.83) for Propionibacterium acne and Staphylococcus epidermidis displayed good to moderate antibacterial activity based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) red, blue, white LED lights and sunlight (80 µg/mL) for P. acne and S. epidermidis, minimum bactericidal concentration red, blue LED lights and sunlight shows (46/48, 61/70, 50/48 µg/mL) for P. acne and S. epidermidis. Antioxidant activity for dark, white, blue and green LED lights for ABTS and white, blue and green Led for DPPH assay resulted in lower activity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was performed to determine the functional groups in the non-fermented (control) and fermented products of PSP powders obtained using different light sources. Sunlight, white, and blue LED light-fermented extracts contained alcohol, acid, and phenol groups, as well as aliphatic amines. The results of this study clearly indicate that fermentation of purple sweet potato with probiotic bacteria under various LED light sources can yield compounds that can be used in cosmetic and value-added food products.

Spray-Dried Potato Juice as a Potential Functional Food Component with Gastrointestinal Protective Effects

BACKGROUND

Peptic ulcer disease, including its complications and functional dyspepsia, are prevalent gastrointestinal diseases, etiopathogenesis of which is associated with mucosal inflammation. Research into new therapeutics capable of preventing or curing gastrointestinal mucosal damage has been steadily developing over past decades. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether a spray-dried preparation of potato juice is applicable for treating and preventing gastrointestinal mucosal damage.

METHODS

We assessed potential protective effects of spray-dried potato juice (SDPJ) against gut inflammation in the co-culture Caco-2/RAW264.7 system, as well as a gastroprotective activity in a rat model of gastric ulceration.

RESULTS

The obtained results indicated that SDPJ down-regulates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mRNA expression and protein production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in the co-culture model. Moreover, SDPJ provided dose-dependent protection against LPS-induced disruption of intestinal barrier integrity. In rats, five-day pretreatment with SDPJ in doses of 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg suppressed HCl/ethanol-induced TNF-α expression in gastric mucosa by 52% and 35%, respectively. In addition, the pretreatment with the lower dose of SDPJ reduced the incidence of ulcers (by 34%) expressed as ulcer index.

CONCLUSION

The spray-dried potato juice appears to be an attractive candidate for ameliorating inflammation-related diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Potato freeze-thaw solution enhances immune function and antitumor activity in vivo

Although potato extract, derived from various methods, exhibits anticancer, antiviral and anti-parasite activities in vitro and in vivo, the bioactivity of potato solution remains unclear using the freeze-thaw extraction method granted by the State Intellectual Property Office of China. In the present study, a potato freeze-thaw solution (PFTS) was fed to mice with ascites tumor that were pre-treated with cyclophosphamide. The numbers of peripheral white blood cells (WBCs), macrophage phagocytosis, lymphocyte transformation and survival of mice were measured. While mice injected with cyclophosphamide exhibited decreased counts of peripheral WBCs, treatment of the cyclophosphamide-injected mice with PFTS for 10 days significantly increased the number of peripheral WBCs and reversed WBC counts to the normal level, a comparable effect to that of Ganoderma lucidum. In addition, treatment with PFTS for 20 days significantly enhanced peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis and lymphocyte transformation. Lastly, PFTS was noticed to prolong the survival of tumor-bearing mice when compared with that of control mice. Collectively, these data suggested that PFTS, at least in part, enhances immune function and possesses antitumor activity.

Fractionation, enzyme inhibitory and cellular antioxidant activity of bioactives from purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is mainly cultivated in Asia. The deep purple color of purple sweet potato (PSP) is due to the high content of acylated anthocyanins. In the present study, PSP-derived polyphenols were identified using HPLC-PDA and HPLC-ESI-MSⁿ analyses. After concentration of the polyphenols from PSP, preparative separation into two fractions, designated anthocyanins (AF) and copigments (CF), was carried out using adsorptive membrane chromatography. In enzyme inhibitory assays, all PSP samples inhibited the enzymes α-amylase, α-glucosidase and xanthine oxidase. Additionally, the cell signaling cellular antioxidant properties of the PSP extracts were investigated in cultured cells. PSP induced the transcription factor Nrf2, which regulates the expression of genes encoding heme oxygenase 1 (Hmox1), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (Gclc) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1). Furthermore, PSP enhanced cellular glutathione concentrations and decreased lipid peroxidation in cultured hepatocytes. Overall, these results suggest that PSP extracts exhibit enzyme inhibitory and cellular antioxidant properties, especially PSP CF.

Plant-growth regulators alter phytochemical constituents and pharmaceutical quality in Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.)

Background

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is one of the most important consumed crops in many parts of the world because of its economic importance and content of health-promoting phytochemicals.

Methods

With the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) as our model, we investigated the exogenous effects of three plant-growth regulators methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA), and abscisic acid (ABA) on major phytochemicals in relation to phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity. Specifically, we investigated the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total anthocyanin content (TAC), and total β-carotene content (TCC). Individual phenolic and flavonoid compounds were identified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). Antioxidant activities of treated plants were evaluated using a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and a β-carotene bleaching assay. Anticancer activity of extracts was evaluated against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) using MTT assay.

Results

TPC, TFC, TAC, and TCC and antioxidant activities were substantially increased in MeJA-, SA-, and ABA-treated plants. Among the secondary metabolites identified in this study, MeJA application significantly induced production of quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid. Luteolin synthesis was significantly induced by SA application. Compared with control plants, MeJA-treated sweet potato exhibited the highest PAL activity, followed by SA and ABA treatment. The high DPPH activity was observed in MeJA followed by SA and ABA, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of 2.40, 3.0, and 3.40 mg/mL compared with α-tocopherol (1.1 mg/mL). Additionally, MeJA-treated sweet potato showed the highest β-carotene bleaching activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 2.90 mg/mL, followed by SA (3.30 mg/mL), ABA (3.70 mg/mL), and control plants (4.5 mg/mL). Extracts of sweet potato root treated with MeJA exhibited potent anticancer activity with IC₅₀ of 0.66 and 0.62 mg/mL against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines respectively, compared to that of extracts of sweet potato treated with SA (MDA-MB-231 = 0.78 mg/mL; MCF-7 = 0.90 mg/mL) and ABA (MDA-MB-231 = 0.94 mg/mL; MCF-7 = 1.40 mg/mL). The results of correlation analysis showed that anthocyanins and flavooids are corresponding compounds in sweet potato root extracts for anticancer activity against breast cancer cell lines.

Conclusions

MeJA has great potential to enhance the production of important health-promoting phytochemicals in sweet potato.