Investigation on influencing factors of 5-HMF content in Schisandra

The antisickling agent, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural: Other potential pharmacological applications

For the last two decades, the aromatic aldehyde 5-hydroxymethyl-furfural (5-HMF) has been the subject of several investigations for its pharmacologic potential. In 2004, the Safo group reported that 5-HMF has potent antisickling activity by targeting and ameliorating the primary pathophysiology of hypoxia-induced sickling of erythrocytes (red blood cells [RBC]). Following the encouraging outcome of the preclinical and phase I/II clinical studies of 5-HMF for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD), there have been multiple studies suggesting 5-HMF has several other biological or pharmacologic activities, including anti-allergic, antioxidant, anti-hypoxic, anti-ischemic, cognitive improvement, anti-tyrosinase, anti-proliferation, cytoprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities. The wide range of its effects makes 5-HMF a potential candidate for treating a variety of diseases including cognitive disorders, gout, allergic disorders, anemia, hypoxia, cancers, ischemia, hemorrhagic shock, liver fibrosis, and oxidative injury. Several of these therapeutic claims are currently under investigation and, while promising, vary in terms of the strength of their evidence. This review presents the research regarding the therapeutic potential of 5-HMF in addition to its sources, physicochemical properties, safety, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) profiles.

Bio-Derived Furanic Compounds with Natural Metabolism: New Sustainable Possibilities for Selective Organic Synthesis

Biomass-derived C6-furanic compounds have become the cornerstone of sustainable technologies. The key feature of this field of chemistry is the involvement of the natural process only in the first step, i.e., the production of biomass by photosynthesis. Biomass-to-HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfural) conversion and further transformations are carried out externally with the involvement of processes with poor environmental factors (E-factors) and the generation of chemical wastes. Due to widespread interest, the chemical conversion of biomass to furanic platform chemicals and related transformations are thoroughly studied and well-reviewed in the current literature. In contrast, a novel opportunity is based on an alternative approach to consider the synthesis of C6-furanics inside living cells using natural metabolism, as well as further transformations to a variety of functionalized products. In the present article, we review naturally occurring substances containing C6-furanic cores and focus on the diversity of C6-furanic derivatives, occurrence, properties and synthesis. From the practical point of view, organic synthesis involving natural metabolism is advantageous in terms of sustainability (sunlight-driven as the only energy source) and green nature (no eco-persisted chemical wastes).

Protective role of the dried white mulberry extract on the reproductive damage and fertility in rats treated with carmustine

The present study investigated the protective effect of dried white Mulberry extract (DWME) against carmustine (Crm) induced biochemical alterations and spermatological, histopathological, and fertility damage in Wistar albino rats. Male rats were divided into four groups (control, Crm, Crm + DWME, and DWME group). It was found that Crm decreased the motility. Crm decreased the concentration (not different from control group) compared to DWME groups. Total blood MDA levels were reduced during the recovery period. Also, the recovery period reduced the MDA levels in the Crm group/testicular tissue. The GSH levels in the Crm + DWME group were the highest among all groups in the testicular tissue/experiment period. In the immunohistochemical evaluation of the testicular tissue, a high level of caspase-3 was observed in the cells that underwent meiosis in the Crm group. The most pronounced DNA damage was also detected in the Crm group. The Crm + DWME group showed the highest number of offspring born during recovery period. In conclusion, dried white mulberry extract protects against the spermatological damages caused by carmustine. Moreover, recovery period played a positive effect on spermatological parameters and fertility.

Development and Validation of UV-Visible Spectrophotometric Method for the Determination of 5-Hydroxymethyl Furfural Content in Canned Malt Drinks and Fruit Juices in Ghana

A simple, rapid, accurate, and less expensive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the quantitation of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (5-HMF) levels in canned malt drinks and fruit juice drinks sampled in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. The quantitation is based on the selective maximum absorption of ultraviolet radiation by 5-HMF at the wavelength (λmax) of 284 nm using acetonitrile : water (50 : 50 v/v) as the solvent system. The method was established to be specific, precise, and accurate over a concentration range of 0.001 mg/ml–0.02 mg/ml. 5-HMF levels in fruit juice samples (A1–A10) were between 0.132 mg/ml and 0.438 mg/ml, and these levels were shown to be comparable (t = 2.200;p=0.0553) to the contents in the canned malt samples (M1–M10) which were between 0.3140 mg/ml and 0.7170 mg/ml. The study failed to show any dependence of 5-HMF levels on the composition of the product as well as the manufacturing process adopted. The length of storage did also not significantly affect the 5-HMF levels in the products.

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry characterization, anti-inflammatory effect, wound-healing potential, and hair growth-promoting activity of Algerian Carthamus caeruleus L (Asteraceae)

OBJECTIVES:

The roots of Carthamus caeruleus have been used by the population of Northern Algeria to treat several pathological conditions, including wound healing and hair growth. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity, wound-healing potential, and hair growth-promoting activity attributed to C. caeruleus root.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In this study, we have investigated the anti-inflammatory effect using carrageenan-induced paw edema test, evaluated the wound-healing potential by linear incision wound model, and evaluated hair growth activity using in vivo hair growth-promoting test attributed to C. caeruleus root. Preliminary phytochemical screening and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) characterization were also performed.

RESULTS:

It was found that the methanolic extract of C. caeruleus was characterized by the presence of tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, leucoanthocyanins, sennosides, free quinones, saponins, glycosides, mucilage, and coumarins. The GC/MS analysis could identify 22 compounds and showed that the major chemical constituents were palmitic acid (12.88%), mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (12.75%), and 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furancarboxaldehyde, (9.19%). The phytoextract strongly inhibited (P < 0.001) paw edema formation in mice. The roots of C. caeruleus also showed a significant (P < 0.05) wound-healing and hair growth-promoting effects.

CONCLUSION:

The results indicate the richness of the roots of the Algerian C. caeruleus in biomolecules. These molecules exhibit an excellent reducing inflammation activity, a wound-healing property, and an interesting hair-promoting growth activity. All in all, the findings promote the usage of the Algerian C. caeruleus as an effective and a safe potential skincare alternative remedy.

Anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic activities of Euphorbia hirta extract in neonatal asthmatic rats

The current study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic activities of Euphorbia hirta extract in neonatal asthmatic rats. Rats were assigned to the following groups: group I, sham (normal rats); group II, control (asthmatic rats); group III, E. hirta extract (100 µg/100 µl) and group IV, E. hirta extract (200 µg/100 µl). We performed a phytoscreening analysis of E. hirta extract. Inflammatory cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, levels of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant markers, apoptosis, and a histopathological analysis were carried out. An open field test determined anxiolytic activity, an elevated plus maze, a hole board test, and a cross test. The presence of 9,12,15-octadecatrien-1-ol, pentadecylic acid, ethyl linoleate, 1,2,3-trihydroxy benzene, gamma-tocopherol, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde, myristic acid, 7,10-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester, phytol, ethyl palmitate, and squalene in E. hirta extract was noted. Following treatment with E. hirta extract, total leukocytes, eosinophils, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL-6), and lipid peroxidation were reduced, whereas antioxidant levels were increased. The mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2, caspase-3, p53, nerve growth factor precursor, and Bax were reduced, whereas that of Bcl-2 was increased. Apoptosis and caspase-3 protein expression were significantly reduced. Treatment of rats with E. hirta extract significantly reduced inflammation and eosinophil infiltration in the lungs. Taken together, these results led us to conclude that E. hirta extract has anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic effects on neonatal asthmatic rats with inflammation.

Acute and Subchronic Oral Toxicity Evaluation of Aqueous Root Extract of Dicoma anomala Sond. in Wistar Rats

The present study evaluated the safety of aqueous root extract of Dicoma anomala (AQRED) through acute and subchronic toxicity studies. Single oral dose of AQRED at the concentration of 0, 5, 300, and 2000 mg/kg as well as 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day was administered to rats for 14-day acute and 90-day subchronic oral toxicity studies. The results revealed no mortalities or observed clinical signs of toxicity in all the rats during both investigation periods. In subchronic toxicity testing, administration of AQRED also did not cause any changes in body weight as well as food and water consumption patterns. The haematological parameters and blood chemistry revealed no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the treatment and the control except in platelet count, alkaline phosphatase, and sodium levels where there was a significant increase (p < 0.05), although there was also a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and creatinine when compared to control. However, these changes were not reflecting the results from histology. Conclusively, the obtained results suggested that the LD₅₀ of AQRED is in excess of 2000 mg/kg and its oral administration for 90 days revealed that it is unlikely to be toxic, hence, safe.

Ameliorative effects of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (5-HMF) from Schisandra chinensis on alcoholic liver oxidative injury in mice

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the protective effect of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (5-HMF) on acute alcohol-induced liver oxidative injury in mice. 5-HMF, a maillard reaction product, was isolated from the fruits of Schisandra chinensis for animal experiments. Experimental ICR mice were pretreated with different doses of 5-HMF (7.5, 15, and 30 mg/kg) for seven days by gavage feeding. Biochemical markers and enzymatic antioxidants from serum and liver tissue were examined. Our results showed that the activities of ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate transaminase), TC (total cholesterol), TG (triglyceride), L-DLC (low density lipoprotein) in serum and the levels of MDA (malondialdehyde) in liver tissue, decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the 5-HMF-treated group compared with the alcohol group. On the contrary, enzymatic antioxidants CAT (catalase), GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase), and GSH SOD (superoxide dismutase) were markedly elevated in liver tissue treated with 5-HMF (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the hepatic levels of pro-inflammatory response marker tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were significantly suppressed (p < 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed that 5-HMF (30 mg/kg) pretreatment noticeably prevented alcohol-induced hepatocyte apoptosis and fatty degeneration. It is suggested that the hepatoprotective effects exhibited by 5-HMF on alcohol-induced liver oxidative injury may be due to its potent antioxidant properties.

Evaluation of the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities of Euphorbia hirta ethanolic extract

This study evaluated the chemical composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of a Euphorbia hirta L. extract. The antioxidant activities of whole E. hirta ethanol extract were determined by electron spin resonance spectrophotometric analysis of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl, and alkyl radical levels and by using an online high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay. The E. hirta ethanol extract (0.5 mg/mL) exhibited DPPH-scavenging activity of 61.19% ± 0.22%, while the positive control (0.5 mg/mL ascorbic acid) had 100% ± 0.22% activity. The concentration of the extract required to trap 50% of DPPH (IC₅₀) was 0.205 mg/mL. Online HPLC analysis of the extract also showed strong antioxidant activity. The anti-inflammatory activity of the E. hirta extract was assessed in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. The anti-inflammatory activity was highest in the presence of 200 µg/mL E. hirta extract, and nitric oxide production was decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The extract also showed selective anticancer activity at a concentration of 100 µg/mL (p < 0.05). These results indicated that E. hirta may warrant further investigation for the development of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer herbal medications.

In vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

5-HMF is widely presented in foods and produced through the degradation of hexoses and Maillard reaction during heat treatment of foods containing reducing sugars and amino acids in an acid environment. However, controversial conclusions on the biological effects of 5-HMF have been drawn in previous studies. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of 5-HMF. The 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, and the hemolysis assay induced by 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) were performed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of 5-HMF. The results showed that 5-HMF exhibited novel antioxidant activity by scavenging the ABTS and DPPH free radicals and inhibited the AAPH-induced hemolysis in a dose-dependent manner. In the hemolysis assay, the reduction of ROS and MDA contents and the increase in enzyme activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx were found in erythrocytes pretreated with 5-HMF, which demonstrated that 5-HMF could prevent the peroxidation from the source to protect the erythrocytes. The morphological changes of erythrocytes was also verified by observation using atomic force microscopy. The inhibitory effect of 5-HMF on human cancer cell proliferation was investigated by MTT assay, flow cytometric analysis, and the TUNEL and DAPI costaining assay. The results showed that 5-HMF displayed higher antiproliferative activity on human melanoma A375 cells than other cell lines. Further investigation on the action mechanisms revealed that 5-HMF could induce A375 cell apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. The A375 cell apoptosis that 5-HMF induced was characterized by a TUNEL and DAPI costaining assay. These findings suggest that 5-HMF could be developed as a novel natural antioxidant with potential applications in cancer chemoprevention.

Determination of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde of crude and processed Fructus Corni in freely moving rats using in vivo microdialysis sampling and liquid chromatography

BACKGROUND

Fructus Corni is derived from the dry ripe sarcocarp of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (5-HMF) is an important active composition of the Fructus Corni. However, there have been no reports on the concentration of 5-HMF in freely moving rats using microdialysis coupled with HPLC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The concentration of 5-HMF in free-moving rats after intra-gastric (i.g.) administration of the water extract of Fructus Corni and JZP was analyzed by microdialysis coupled with high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC).

RESULTS

Results demonstrated that the concentration of 5-HMF in microdialysate was 1.4951 μg/l, but higher in rat microdialysate after i.g. administration of the aqueous extract of JZP (5.2662 μg/l).

CONCLUSION

This method is proved to be rapid, accurate and simple. Real-time in vivo monitoring the concentration of 5-HMF provides the theoretical basis for further explaining the processing mechanism of Fructus Corni.

The compositions of volatiles and aroma-active compounds in dried omija fruits (Schisandra chinensis Baillon) according to the cultivation areas

Differences in the compositions of volatiles from dried omija fruits (Schisandra chinensis Baillon) cultivated in different areas (Mungyeong, Jangsu, Jechon, and Hoengseong) in South Korea were determined by applying principal component analysis to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry data sets. Quantitative assessments revealed that terpene hydrocarbons, such as germacrene D, β-selinene, α-ylangene, β-elemene, α-selinene, and (E)-β-farnesene, were the main volatiles in all omija fruit samples. On the other hand, (E)-β-ocimene, calarene, (E)-β-farnesene, β-selinene, nonanal, 2-methylbutanoic acid, benzoic acid, 2,3-butanediol, and phenethyl alcohol were the major volatile components that contributed to the discrimination between omija fruit samples from the four cultivation areas. In addition, aroma-active compounds in four dried omija fruits were investigated and compared by gas chromatography-olfactometry using aroma extract dilution analysis. (E)-β-Ocimene (floral and herbaceous), α-pinene (pine-like and woody), hexanal (cut grass-like), 5-methylfurfural (burnt sugar-like and sweet), and α-terpinene (minty, green, and fresh) were important aroma-active compounds in all omija samples. Interestingly, the flavor dilution factors of most aroma-active compounds were lower for omija sample cultivated in Hoengseong than for those cultivated in Mungyeong, Jangsu, and Jechon.