Actinidia chinensis Planch.: A Review of Chemistry and Pharmacology

Active substance and mechanisms of Actinidia chinensis Planch for the treatment of breast cancer was explored based on network pharmacology and in silico study

In this paper, our objective was to investigate the potential mechanisms of Actinidia chinensis Planch (ACP) for breast cancer treatment with the application of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics. "Mihoutaogen" was used as a key word to query the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database for putative ingredients of ACP and its related targets. DrugBank, GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, and therapeutic target databases were used to search for genes associated with "breast cancer." Using Cytoscape 3.9.0 we then constructed the protein-protein interaction and drug-ingredient-target-disease networks. An enrichment analysis of Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway and gene ontology were performed to exploration of the signaling pathways associated with ACP for breast cancer treatment. Discovery Studio software was applied to molecular docking. Finally, the ligand-receptor complex was subjected to a 50-ns molecular dynamics simulation using the Desmond_2020.4 tools. Six main active ingredients and 176 targets of ACP and 2243 targets of breast cancer were screened. There were 118 intersections of targets for both active ingredients and diseases. Tumor protein P53 (TP53), AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), Erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Jun Proto-Oncogene (JUN), and Heat Shock Protein 90 Alpha Family Class A Member 1 (HSP90AA1) selected as the most important genes were used for verification by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. The primary active compounds of ACP against breast cancer were predicted preliminarily, and its mechanism was studied, thereby providing a theoretical basis for future clinical studies.

The genus Actinidia Lindl. (Actinidiaceae): A comprehensive review on its ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Actinidia Lindl. belongs to the family Actinidiaceae. Plants of this genus are popularly known as kiwifruits and are traditionally used to treat a wide range of ailments associated with digestive disorders, rheumatism, kidney problems, cardiovascular system, cancers, dyspepsia, hemorrhoids, and diabetes among others.

AIM

This review discusses the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical profile, and known pharmacological properties of Actinidia plants, to understand their connotations and provide the scientific basis for future studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data were obtained by surveying journal articles, books, and dissertations using various search engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Springer Link, and Web of Science. The online databases; World Flora Online, Plants of the World Online, International Plant Names Index, and Global Biodiversity Information Facility were used to confirm the distribution and validate scientific names of Actinidia plants. The isolated metabolites from these species were illustrated using ChemBio Draw ultra-version 14.0 software.

RESULTS

Ten (10) species of Actinidia genus have been reported as significant sources of traditional medicines utilized to remedy diverse illnesses. Our findings revealed that a total of 873 secondary metabolites belonging to different classes such as terpenoids, phenolic compounds, alcohols, ketones, organic acids, esters, hydrocarbons, and steroids have been isolated from different species of Actinidia. These compounds were mainly related to the exhibited antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiproliferative, anti-angiogenic, anticinoceptive, anti-tumor, and anticancer activities.

CONCLUSION

This study assessed the information related to the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical compounds, and pharmacological properties of Actinidia species, which indicate that they possess diverse bioactive metabolites with interesting bioactivities. Actinidia plants have great potential for applications in folklore medicines and pharmaceuticals due to their wide ethnomedicinal uses and biological activities. Traditional uses of several Actinidia species are supported by scientific evidences, qualifying them as possible modern remedies for various ailments. Nonetheless, the currently available data has several gaps in understanding the herbal utilization of most Actinidia species. Thus, further research into their toxicity, mechanisms of actions of the isolated bioactive metabolites, as well as scientific connotations between the traditional medicinal uses and pharmacological properties is required to unravel their efficacy in therapeutic potential for safe clinical application.

Actinidia arguta (Sieb. et Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq.: A Review of Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Actinidia arguta (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch ex Miq. (A. arguta) is a highly valued vine plant belonging to the Actinidia lindl genus. It is extensively utilized for its edible and medicinal properties. The various parts of A. arguta serve diverse purposes. The fruit is rich in vitamins, amino acids, and vitamin C, making it a nutritious and flavorful raw material for producing jam, canned food, and wine. The flowers yield volatile oils suitable for essential oil extraction. The leaves contain phenolic compounds and can be used for tea production. Additionally, the roots, stems, and leaves of A. arguta possess significant medicinal value, as they contain a wide array of active ingredients that exert multiple pharmacological and therapeutic effects. These effects include quenching thirst, relieving heat, stopping bleeding, promoting blood circulation, reducing swelling, dispelling wind, and alleviating dampness. Comprehensive information on A. arguta was collected from scientific databases covering the period from 1970 to 2023. The databases used for this review included Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, and CNKI. The objective of this review was to provide a detailed explanation of A. arguta from multiple perspectives, such as phytochemistry and pharmacological effects. By doing so, it aimed to establish a solid foundation and propose new research ideas for further exploration of the plant's potential applications and industrial development. To date, a total of 539 compounds have been isolated and identified from A. arguta. These compounds include terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, phenylpropanoids, lignin, organic acids, volatile components, alkanes, coumarins, anthraquinones, alkaloids, polysaccharides, and inorganic elements. Flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, and polysaccharides are the key bioactive constituents of A. arguta. Moreover, phenolics and flavonoids in A. arguta exhibit remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. Additionally, they show promising potential in improving glucose metabolism, combating aging, reducing fatigue, and regulating the immune system. While some fundamental studies on A. arguta have been conducted, further research is necessary to enhance our understanding of its mechanism of action, quality evaluation, and compatibility mechanisms. A more comprehensive investigation is highly warranted to explore the mechanism of action and expand the range of drug resources associated with A. arguta. This will contribute to the current hot topics of anti-aging and anti-tumor drug research and development, thereby promoting its further development and utilization.

In vitro anticholinergic and antiglycaemic properties of frost-hardy Actinidia fruit extracts and their polyphenol profile, L-ascorbic acid content and antioxidant capacity

The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of Actinidia arguta ('Weiki', 'Skarlet September Kiwi') and Actinidia kolomikta ('Lande') fruit extracts against advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) formation and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. The extracts were also tested regarding polyphenol profile and Lascorbic acid content (UHPLC-DAD-MS), and antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS). 'Scarlet September Kiwi' showed the strongest anti-AGEs activity studied with BSAGLU (IC50 = 2.68) and BSA-MGO (IC50 = 18.06) models. The highest anti-AChE activity was found for the 'Lande' extract (IC50 = 4.56). 'Lande' showed the highest L-ascorbic acid content (8271.96 µg/g dw), ABTS (312.42 µmol TE/g dw) and DPPH (282.01 µmol TE/g dw) values. 'Scarlet September Kiwi' revealed the highest individual phenolics concentration (2321.43 µg/g dw). The contents of (+)-catechin and L-ascorbic acid were significantly correlated with anti-AChE activity. This research sheds new light on the bioactivity of Actinidia arguta and Actinidia kolomikta fruit elucidating the role of (+)-catechin and L-ascorbic acid in prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

Ultrasound-Assisted Deep Eutectic Solvent Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Thinned Young Kiwifruits and Their Beneficial Effects

Fruit thinning is a common practice employed to enhance the quality and yield of kiwifruits during the growing period, and about 30-50% of unripe kiwifruits will be thinned and discarded. In fact, these unripe kiwifruits are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, the applications of thinned young kiwifruits and related bioactive compounds in the food and functional food industry are still limited. Therefore, to promote the potential applications of thinned young kiwifruits as value-added health products, the extraction, characterization, and evaluation of beneficial effects of phenolic compounds from thinned young fruits of red-fleshed Actinidia chinensis cv 'HY' were examined in the present study. A green and efficient ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvent extraction (UADE) method for extracting phenolic compounds from thinned young kiwifruits was established. A maximum yield (105.37 ± 1.2 mg GAE/g DW) of total phenolics extracted from thinned young kiwifruits by UADE was obtained, which was significantly higher than those of conventional organic solvent extraction (CSE, about 14.51 ± 0.26 mg GAE/g DW) and ultrasound-assisted ethanol extraction (UAEE, about 43.85 ± 1.17 mg GAE/g DW). In addition, 29 compounds, e.g., gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin B1, procyanidin B2, quercetin-3-rhamnoside, and quercetin-3-O-glucoside, were identified in the kiwifruit extract by UPLC-MS/MS. Furthermore, the contents of major phenolic compounds in different kiwifruit extracts prepared by conventional organic solvent extraction (EE), ultrasound-assisted ethanol extraction (UEE), and ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvent extraction (UDE) were compared by HPLC analysis. Results revealed that the content of major phenolics in UDE (about 15.067 mg/g DW) was significantly higher than that in EE (about 2.218 mg/g DW) and UEE (about 6.122 mg/g DW), suggesting that the UADE method was more efficient for extracting polyphenolics from thinned young kiwifruits. In addition, compared with EE and UEE, UDE exhibited much higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as well as inhibitory effects against α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase, which were closely associated with its higher content of phenolic compounds. Collectively, the findings suggest that the UADE method can be applied as an efficient technique for the preparation of bioactive polyphenolics from thinned young kiwifruits, and the thinned young fruits of red-fleshed A. chinensis cv 'HY' have good potential to be developed and utilized as functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Cultivar difference characterization of kiwifruit wines on phenolic profiles, volatiles and antioxidant activity

Antioxidant activity and volatiles of kiwifruit wine with different flesh colors were investigated in this study. Green (Guichang and Xuxiang), red (Donghong and Hongyang), and yellow (Jinyan) kiwifruits were analyzed to determine their alcohol content, phenolic profiles, antioxidant activity, and aroma composition. The results showed that Hongyang and Donghong wines had higher antioxidant activity and content of antioxidant substances. Hongyang wine possessed the most abundance of polyphenolic compounds, chlorogenic acid and catechins were the main polyphenols of kiwi wines. The 101 aromatic components were detected, Xuxiang wine possessed 64 aromatic compounds, Donghong and Hongyang wines had the higher esters compositions, 79.87%, and 78.0% respectively. From PCA (Principal Component Analysis), the volatile substances of kiwi wine with the same flesh color were similar. Five kinds of kiwi wines shared 32 kinds of volatile compounds, these compounds may be the core volatiles in kiwi wine. Therefore, the color of kiwi flesh can impact wine flavor, with Hongyang and Donghong kiwis owning red flesh being the most suitable for producing kiwi wine which would be a new milestone to the wine manufactures.

Microsatellite diversity in four cultivated species of Actinidiaceae and Rutaceae

Microsatellites or Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) are short iterations of 1-6 bp in the genomes of almost all living organisms. Our study aimed to explore the microsatellite diversity in four cultivated species, namely Actinidia chinensis, Actinidia eriantha, Citrus maxima, and Citrus sinensis of the Actinidiaceae and Rutaceae families. We present a comprehensive analysis of microsatellite abundance, distribution, and motif composition in the genomes of these species. The association of microsatellite abundance with genomic features such as genome size, GC content, number of microsatellites, relative abundance, and relative density was also examined. The results revealed significant variations in the frequency and distribution of microsatellites across the genomes of these four species. Notably, a positive correlation was observed between genome size and microsatellite number as well as with GC content, indicating that larger genomes provide more opportunities for the accumulation of microsatellites. Furthermore, a negative correlation of genome size with relative microsatellite abundance and relative density was observed. These findings provide new insights into the microsatellite landscape of Actinidiaceae and Rutaceae, which could be explored for the development of microsatellite markers for diverse applications in the characterization of genetic diversity, molecular plant breeding, and phylogenetic analysis.

Fuzheng Xiaoai Decoction 1 ameliorated cancer cachexia-induced muscle atrophy via Akt-mTOR pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Fuzheng Xiaoai Decoction 1 (FZXAD1) is a clinical experience prescription for the treatment of cancer patients at an advanced stage. FZXAD1 has been used for more than 10 years in the clinic and can effectively improve the deficiency syndrome of cancer patients. However, its mechanisms need further clarification.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To check the effects of FZXAD1 in colon 26 (C26) cancer cachexia mice and try to clarify the mechanisms of FZXAD1 in ameliorating cancer cachexia symptoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An animal model of cancer cachexia was constructed with male BALB/c mice bearing C26 tumor cells. Food intake, body weight and tumor size were measured daily during the animal experiment. Tissue samples in different groups including tumor and gastrocnemius muscle, were dissected and weighed at the end of the assay. Serum biochemical indicators such as total protein (TP), glucose (GLU) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also detected. Network pharmacology-based analysis predicted the possible targets and signaling pathways involved in the effects of FZXAD1 on cancer cachexia therapy. Western blotting assays of the gastrocnemius muscle tissues from C26 tumor-bearing mice were then used to confirm the predicted possible targets of FZXAD1.

RESULTS

The results of animal experiments showed that FZXAD1 could ameliorate cancer cachexia by alleviating the muscle wasting as well as kidney atrophy and increasing the body weight of cancer cachexia mice. AKT1, MTOR, MAPK3, HIF1A and MAPK1 were predicted as the core targets of FZXAD1. Western blotting confirmed the prediction that FZXAD1 increased the expression levels of phosphorylated Akt and mTOR in the muscle tissues. In addition, FZXAD1 treatment obviously ameliorated the increased levels of HIF-1α and phosphorylated Erk1/2 in C26 tumor-bearing mice.

CONCLUSION

FZXAD1 effectively ameliorated cancer cachexia in an animal model of mice, which is consistent with its efficacy in the treatment of cancer patients. The mechanisms of FZXAD1 might be mainly based on its alleviating effects on muscle atrophy by activating the Akt-mTOR pathway and thus helping to maintain body weight.

Dragon fruit-kiwi fermented beverage: In vitro digestion, untargeted metabolome analysis and anti-aging activity in Caenorhabditis elegans

The research on the development of dragon fruit and kiwi fruit through LAB-yeast compound fermentation is very limited, and there are few related fermentation products on the market. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stability of the antioxidant capacity of fermented beverages (FB) through in vitro simulated digestion, to evaluate the changes in metabolites of juice after fermentation through untargeted metabolomics, and used Caenorhabditis elegans as a model to evaluate its anti-aging activity. The results showed that FB not only has good in vitro antioxidant activity, but also the total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ABTS scavenging ability, and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability of FB were significantly increased during gastric digestion and intestinal digestion. Metabolomics showed that the contents of phenols and flavonoids related to antioxidant increased after fermentation, and fermentation had a significant effect on organic acids and amino acids in FB. Finally, compared with the control group, although the original concentration of FB has a side-toxic effect on nematodes, the mean lifespan of C. elegans fed with 1.56% FB increased by 18.01%, SOD activity significantly increased by 96.16% and MDA content significantly decreased by 40.62%. FB has good antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo, and the antioxidant activity is stable during the simulated digestion process.

Understanding the Molecular Basis for Enhanced Glutenase Activity of Actinidin using Structural Bioinformatics

BACKGROUND

Management of gluten intolerance is currently possible only by consumption of a gluten-free diet (GFD) for a lifetime. The scientific community has been searching for alternatives to GFD, like the inclusion of natural proteases with meals or pre-treatment of gluten-containing foods with glutenases. Actinidin from kiwifruit has shown considerable promise in digesting immunogenic gliadin peptides compared to other plant-derived cysteine proteases.

METHODS

In this study, we aimed to understand the structural basis for the elevated protease action of actinidin against gliadin peptides by using an in silico approach.

RESULTS

Docking experiments revealed key differences between the binding of gliadin peptide to actinidin and papain, which may be responsible for their differential digestive action.

CONCLUSION

Sequence comparison of different plant cysteine proteases highlights amino acid residues surrounding the active site pocket of actinidin that are unique to this molecule and hence likely to contribute to its digestive properties.

Biocontrol potential of Bacillus subtilis CTXW 7-6-2 against kiwifruit soft rot pathogens revealed by whole-genome sequencing and biochemical characterisation

Soft rot causes significant economic losses in the kiwifruit industry. This study isolated strain CTXW 7-6-2 from healthy kiwifruit tissue; this was a gram-positive bacterium that produced the red pigment pulcherrimin. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S ribosomal RNA, gyrA, rpoB, and purH gene sequences identified CTXW 7-6-2 as a strain of Bacillus subtilis. CTXW 7-6-2 inhibited hyphal growth of pathogenic fungi that cause kiwifruit soft rot, namely, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Phomopsis sp., and Alternaria alternata, by 81.76, 69.80, and 32.03%, respectively. CTXW 7-6-2 caused the hyphal surface to become swollen and deformed. Volatile compounds (VOC) produced by the strain inhibited the growth of A. alternata and Phomopsis sp. by 65.74 and 54.78%, respectively. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that CTXW 7-6-2 possessed a single circular chromosome of 4,221,676 bp that contained 4,428 protein-coding genes, with a guanine and cytosine (GC) content of 43.41%. Gene functions were annotated using the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) non-redundant protein, Swiss-Prot, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins, Gene Ontology, Pathogen-Host Interactions, Carbohydrate-Active enZYmes, and Rapid Annotations using Subsystem Technology databases, revealing non-ribosomal pathways associated with antifungal mechanisms, biofilm formation, chemotactic motility, VOC 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, cell wall-associated enzymes, and synthesis of various secondary metabolites. antiSMASH analysis predicted that CTXW 7-6-2 can produce the active substances bacillaene, bacillibactin, subtilosin A, bacilysin, and luminmide and has four gene clusters of unknown function. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis verified that yvmC and cypX, key genes involved in the production of pulcherrimin, were highly expressed in CTXW 7-6-2. This study elucidates the mechanism by which B. subtilis strain CTXW 7-6-2 inhibits pathogenic fungi that cause kiwifruit soft rot, suggesting the benefit of further studying its antifungal active substances.

Systems Network Pharmacology-Based Prediction and Analysis of Potential Targets and Pharmacological Mechanism of Actinidia chinensis Planch. Root Extract for Application in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sometimes plays a crucial role in advanced cancer treatment. Despite the significant therapeutic efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that Actinidia chinensis Planch root extract (acRoots) has proven, its complex composition and underlying mechanism have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study analyzed the multiple chemical compounds in acRoots and their targets via network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis, with the overarching goal of revealing the potential mechanisms of the anti-HCC effect.

Methods

The main ingredients contained in acRoots were initially screened from the traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and the candidate bioactive ingredient targets were identified using DrugBank and the UniProt public databases. Second, the biological processes of the targets of active molecules filtered from the ingredients of acRoots were evaluated using gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. Third, weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to identify gene coexpression modules associated with HCC. The hub genes of acRoots in HCC were defined via contrasting the above module eigengenes with candidate target genes of acRoots. Furthermore, the target-pathway network was analyzed to explore the mechanism for anti-HCC effect of hub genes. Kaplan–Meier plotter database analysis was performed to validate the hub genes of acRoots correlation with prognostic values in HCC. In order to verify the results of the network pharmacological analysis, we performed a molecular docking approach on the active ingredients and key targets using the Discovery Studio software. The viability of SMMC-7721 and HL-7702 cells was determined by Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) after being treated with different concentrations of (+)-catechin (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 g/ml) for 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively. Finally, qRT-PCR and Western blot involving human hepatocarcinoma cells were utilized to verify the impact of (+)-catechin on the hub genes associated with prognosis.

Results

6 out of 26 active ingredients extracted from TCMSP were deemed as the core ingredients of acRoots. 175 bioactive-ingredient targets of acRoots were obtained and a bioactive-ingredient targets network was established correspondingly. The biological processes (BP) of target genes mainly involved processes, such as toxic substance and wounding. The results of KEGG pathways indicated that the target genes were mainly enriched in pathways in cancer, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, IL-17 signaling pathway, and other pathways. Also, the two hub genes (i.e., ESR1 and CAT) were closely associated with the prognosis of HCC patients. As a consequence, we predicated a series of signaling pathways, including estrogen signaling pathway and longevity regulation pathway, through which acRoots could facilitate the treatment for HCC. The molecular docking experiment ascertained that ESR1 and CAT had an effective binding force with (+)-catechin, one of the core ingredients of acRoots. Furthermore, (+)-catechin inhibited SMMC-7721 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner and a time-dependent manner. Finally, we suggest that the expression level of ESR1 and CAT is positively related to the (+)-catechin concentrations in in-vitro experiments.

Conclusion

The bioactive ingredients of acRoots, including quercetin, (+)-catechin, beta-sitosterol, and aloe-emodin, have synergistic interactions in reinforcing the anticancer effect in HCC. Evidently, acRoots took effect by regulating multitargets and multipathways through its active ingredients. Further, (+)-catechin, the possible paramount anti-HCC active ingredient in acRoots, helped improve the prognosis of HCC patients by increasing the expression of ESR1 and CAT. Additionally, the findings yielded provide a conceptual guidance for the clinical treatment of HCC and the methods adopted are potentially applicable in the future comprehensive analysis of the underlying mechanisms of TCMs.

Chemoprotective Effect of Decalactone on Hepatic Cancer via Diminishing the Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the 5^th most common type of cancer in all types of cancers, globally. It is well known that the frequency of inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress increases during the HCC. The goal of this study was to see if decalactone could prevent rats against HCC caused by diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Single intraperitoneal administration of DEN (200 mg/kg) used as inducer and weekly intraperitoneal injection of phenobarbital (8 mg/kg) was used as promotor for induction the HCC in rats. Serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) was used for the confirmation of HCC. Different doses of decalactone (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg) were orally administered to the rats. The body weight was determined at regular time. The hepatic, non-hepatic, antioxidant markers and inflammatory mediators were scrutinized. All groups of animals were scarified and macroscopically examination of the liver tissue was performed and the weight of organ (hepatic tissue) were estimated. Decalactone increased body weight while also suppressing hepatic nodules and tissue weight. Decalactone treatment reduced AFP, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin levels while increasing albumin and total protein levels in a dose-dependent manner. Decalactone reduced lipid peroxidation (LPO) and increased catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels significantly (p < 0.001) (SOD). Decalactone lowered the levels of significantly (p < 0.001) inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory markers in the liver. Based on the findings, we may conclude that decalactone inhibited HCC in DEN-induced HCC animals via reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators.

An integrated chemical analysis and network pharmacology approach to identify quality markers of Actinidia eriantha Benth radix on gastric cancer

INTRODUCTION

Actinidia eriantha Benth radix (AEBR) is one of the most commonly used medicines by the She people in China, used primarily for the treatment of tumours of the digestive tract. There is currently limited to no data on the quality control of AEBR.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to identify quality markers of AEBR.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An ultra-performance lquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) method was used to identify and analyse the components of AEBR from water extracts. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was also established for the simultaneous determination of 13 active components in the water extracts. The network pharmacology method was used to screen for quality markers of AEBR in gastric cancer.

RESULTS

This study tentatively identified 199 chemical constituents and isomers, including 67 pentacyclic triterpenoids, 20 flavonoids, 39 phenolic acids, 18 coumarins, and other compounds. The 13 active components in the water extracts were successfully determined using a validated UPLC-MS/MS method. Based on the network pharmacology method, four compounds were selected as quality markers of AEBR.

CONCLUSION

This study provides an important reference for the quality control of AEBR. Chemical analysis combined with network pharmacology provides an effective strategy for the discovery of quality markers in traditional Chinese/herb medicine.

Development of Functional Kiwifruit Jelly with chenpi (FKJ) by 3D Food Printing Technology and Its Anti-Obesity and Antioxidant Potentials

With the growing popularity of the concept of healthy diet, modern obesity treatment is gradually shifting from surgical or pharmacological treatment to nutritional intervention. As a safe and effective measure, natural product interventions are a potential strategy of obesity management. The present study aimed to develop a kind of functional food rich in bioactive compounds (chenpi, kiwifruit, and pectin as raw materials) and investigate their bioactive effects on a mouse model. For development of functional kiwifruit jelly with chenpi (FKJ), the results of single-factor and response surface experiments showed that the optimized formulation was composed of a 30.26% addition of chenpi, 35% addition of kiwifruit juice, and 2.88% addition of pectin. The FKJ obtained with the optimal formulation could be used as a 3D printing raw material to print the desired food shapes successfully. For bioactivity evaluation of FKJ, the results with a mouse model showed that the food intake, liver weight, and adipose tissue weight were significantly decreased after administration of FKJ with dose-dependent effect compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the serum levels of several inflammatory factors (TG, IL-6, and TNF-α) were decreased and the activities of several antioxidant-related enzymes (SOD, GSH-PX, and CAT) were increased. In short, a functional kiwifruit jelly with chenpi was developed in this study. It is a functional snack food rich in active phenolic compounds, low in calories, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and prevents fat accumulation. FKJ could well meet the needs of modern people for nutrition and health and also promote the processing and utilization of natural products, and has good development prospects in the functional food industry.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction, Identification, and Quantification of Antioxidants from 'Jinfeng' Kiwifruit

Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) is a nutrient-dense fruit abundant in vitamin C and phenolic compounds, and it exhibits strong antioxidant capacity. However, the antioxidants in ‘Jinfeng’ kiwifruit have seldom been extracted and analyzed, and the conditions for the extraction of kiwifruit antioxidants by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) have seldom been investigated. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize UAE conditions to extract antioxidants from ‘Jinfeng’ kiwifruit. In addition, the antioxidant capacity, contents of total phenolics and total flavonoids, ascorbic acid, and the profiles of antioxidants were also analyzed. The results showed that the optimal UAE conditions included 68% ethanol, liquid/solid ratio at 20 mL/g, extraction time at 30 min, extraction temperature at 42 °C, and ultrasonic power at 420 W. Under these conditions, the ABTS value of kiwifruit was 70.38 ± 1.38 μM TE/g DW, which was 18.5% higher than that of the extract obtained by conventional solvent extraction. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 15.50 ± 0.08 mg GAE/g DW and 5.10 ± 0.09 mg CE/g DW, respectively. Moreover, 20 compounds were tentatively identified by UPLC–MS/MS, and the content of main compounds, such as procyanidin B2, neochlorogenic acid, and epicatechin, were determined by HPLC–DAD. This research revealed the profiles of antioxidant phytochemicals in ‘Jinfeng’ kiwifruit, which can be a good dietary source of natural antioxidants with potential health functions.

Minor tropical fruits as a potential source of bioactive and functional foods

Tropical fruits are defined as fruits that are grown in hot and humid regions within the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, covering most of the tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Oceania. Depending on the cultivation area covered, economic value and popularity these tropical fruits are divided into major and minor tropical fruits. There is an annual increment of 3.8% in terms of commercialization of the tropical fruits. In total 26 minor tropical fruits (Kiwifruit, Lutqua, Carambola, Tree Tomato, Elephant apple, Rambutan, Bay berry, Mangosteen, Bhawa, Loquat, Silver berry, Durian, Persimon, Longan, Passion fruit, Water apple, Pulasan, Indian gooseberry, Guava, Lychee, Annona, Pitaya, Sapodilla, Pepino, Jaboticaba, Jackfruit) have been covered in this work. The nutritional composition, phytochemical composition, health benefits, traditional use of these minor tropical fruits and their role in food fortification have been portrayed.

Phytochemical profiles, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Actinidia polygama and A. arguta fruits and leaves

Plants of two species of Actinidia genus grown in an adverse steppe climate were examined in terms of secondary metabolites’ accumulation, antioxidant potential, and antimicrobial ability. The aim of the work was to reveal whether the introduced plants A. arguta and A. polygama retain their well-known health benefits. Total content of polyphenols (549.2 and 428.1 mg GAE/100 g FW, respectively), flavonoids, and phenolic acids as well as total antioxidant activity and reducing power of the fruit isopropanol extracts were found to be equal or even higher than the reported data on kiwifruit varieties cultivated in China and other regions. Antioxidant potential and phenolic compounds’ content in the fruit peel of both species were higher when compared to pulp, while corresponding indices of leaves exceeded those of the fruit. Disc-diffusion assays showed low to moderate antibacterial activity of A. arguta and A. polygama fruit and leaf extracts against collection Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains. Clinical strains of P. aeruginosa and E. coli resistant to the action of ofloxacin were notably inhibited by A. arguta and A. polygama fruit and leaf crude extracts. Inhibiting effects of plant extracts on clinical strains of K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii were comparable with the effect of ofloxacin. GC-MS assays identified 23 and 36 chemical constituents, respectively in A. arguta and A. polygama fruit isopropanol extracts. The main compounds in both extracts were 2-propenoic acid, pentadecyl ester followed by squalene, 7,9-di-tert-butyl-1-oxaspiro(4,5)deca-6,9-dien-2,8-dione, octadecanoic acid, 2-oxo-methyl ester, ethyl-isoallocholate, and phytol having known bioactivities. Our findings confirmed the preservation of useful properties by the introduced plants and also indicated the rich health-promoting abilities and expedience of cultivating A. arguta and A. polygama in a steppe climate.

The bioactive ingredients in Actinidia chinensis Planch. Inhibit liver cancer by inducing apoptosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Actinidia chinensis Planch. (ACP) is a common traditional Chinese medicine, which is mostly used for cancer treatment clinically. Liver cancer is a refractory tumor with a high incidence. Although ACP has been reported in the treatment of liver cancer, its possible mechanism of action is little known.

AIM OF STUDY

The aim of this paper was to investigate the active components of ACP in the treatment of liver cancer and the related mechanisms by a network pharmacology approach.

METHODS

The active components of ACP and the corresponding targets were obtained from multiple databases. Cytoscape software and STRING database were used to build the "herb-component-target (H-C-T)" network and protein-protein interactions (PPI) network. The key components and targets were further predicted by the Cytohubba plug-in in Cytoscape. Then, experiments were carried out on HepG2 cell line and Huh7 cell line to verify the effects and related mechanisms of the key compounds in ACP.

RESULTS

28 active components in ACP and 1299 related targets were screened out according to two indicators, oral bioavailability (OB) and drug-likeness (DL). The key compounds predicted include rutinum, astragalin, and L-epicatechin, and the main signaling pathways focus on apoptosis. Astragalin, a key compound in ACP, could inhibit the expression of Bcl-2, up-regulate the expression of Bax, cleaved caspase 3, cleaved caspase 8, and cleaved caspase 9, and regulate the apoptosis signaling pathway to inhibit the proliferation of liver cancer cells to play a therapeutic role in anti-liver cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that ACP can alleviate the progression of liver cancer through the mechanisms predicted by network pharmacology, and provide a basis for the further understanding of the application of ACP in anti-cancer.

Kiwifruit Metabolomics-An Investigation of within Orchard Metabolite Variability of Two Cultivars of Actinidia chinensis

Plant metabolomics within field-based food production systems is challenging owing to environmental variability and the complex architecture and metabolic growth cycles of plants. Kiwifruit cultivars of Actinidia chinensis are vigorous perennial vines grown as clones in highly structured orchard environments, intensively managed to maximize fruit yield and quality. To understand the metabolic responses of vines to orchard management practices, we needed to better understand the various sources of metabolic variability encountered in the orchard. Triplicate composite leaf, internode and fruit (mature and immature) samples were collected from each of six Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa 'Hayward' and A. chinensis var. chinensis 'Zesy002' kiwifruit vines at three times during the growing season and measured by LC-MS. In general, there was more variation in metabolite concentrations within vines than between vines, with 'Hayward' showing a greater percentage of within-vine variability than 'Zesy002' (c. 90 vs. 70% respectively). In specific tissues, the sampler, infection by Pseudomonas syringae var. actinidiae and the rootstock also influenced metabolite variability. A similar pattern of metabolic variability was observed from quantitative analysis of specific carbohydrates and phytohormones. High within-vine metabolic variability indicates that it is more important to obtain sufficient replicate samples than to sample from multiple vines. These data provide an objective basis for optimizing metabolite sampling strategies within kiwifruit orchards.

Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa), compared with cellulose and psyllium, influences the histology and mucus layer of the gastrointestinal tract in the growing pig

Kiwifruit (KF) fiber, a mixture of soluble and insoluble fibers, elicits mucosal changes in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). This study aimed to define the nature of these changes in mucosal features throughout the GIT of the growing pig in response to semi-synthetic iso-fiber diets containing cellulose (CEL, low GIT luminal functionality) as the sole fiber source (4.5%), or diets where half of the CEL was replaced by either PSY fiber (PSY husk, high GIT luminal functionality) or KF fiber (consumed as intact fruit). Entire male growing pigs (n = 24, 21 kg bodyweight) received the three diets (n = 8) for 42 d. GIT tissues, digesta, and feces were sampled. The partial replacement of CEL increased (P≤ 0.05) the ileal (KF 22% and PSY 33%) and colonic (PSY 86%) mucus layer thickness, whereas it decreased the rectal crypt depth (KF -26%), and small intestinal (duodenum to ileum) villus length (PSY -17%). The number of duodenal goblet cells was 77% higher (P≤ 0.05) for KF than CEL. Pigs fed the KF-containing diet had greater (P≤ 0.05) apparent ileal organic matter digestibility and apparent total tract organic matter digestibility compared with CEL, but the lowest amount of fermented organic matter in the large intestine. In conclusion, partial substitution of CEL with PSY or KF at a constant, practically-relevant dietary fiber intake, affected several measures of GIT functionality with effects being specific to the added fiber.

Characterization of Phenolics in Rejected Kiwifruit and Their Antioxidant Potential

Kiwifruit hold significant nutritional value and are a good source of antioxidants due to their diverse range of bioactive compounds. Kiwifruit waste is generated throughout the food supply chain, particularly during transportation and storage. Kiwifruit rejected from the retail market due to unfavorable appearance still possess potential economic value as kiwifruit are abundant in phenolic compounds. The present work studied the phenolic profile and antioxidant potential of rejected kiwifruit, including SunGold (Actinidia chinensis), Hayward (Actinidia deliciosa), and round organic Hayward (Actinidia deliciosa). Regarding phenolics estimation, SunGold possessed the highest TPC (0.72 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g), while Hayward exhibited the highest TFC (0.05 ± 0.09 mg QE/g). In antioxidant assays, SunGold showed the highest antioxidant activities in DPPH (0.31 ± 0.35 mg AAE/g), FRAP (0.48 ± 0.04 mg AAE/g), ABTS (0.69 ± 0.07 mg AAE/g), •OH-RSA (0.07 ± 0.03 mg AAE/g) assays, and FICA (0.19 ± 0.07 mg EDTA/g), whereas Hayward showed the highest RPA (0.09 ± 0.02 mg AAE/g) and TAC (0.57 ± 0.04 mg AAE/g). Separation and characterization of phenolics were conducted using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. A total of 97 phenolics were tentatively characterized from rejected SunGold (71 phenolics), Hayward (55 phenolics), and round organic Hayward (9 phenolics). Hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonols were the most common phenolics characterized in the three samples. The quantitative analysis was conducted by HPLC-PDA and found that chlorogenic acid (23.98 ± 0.95 mg/g), catechin (23.24 ± 1.16 mg/g), and quercetin (24.59 ± 1.23 mg/g) were the most abundant phenolics present in the rejected kiwifruit samples. The notable presence of phenolic compounds and their corresponding antioxidant capacities indicate the potential value of rescuing rejected kiwifruit for further utilization and commercial exploitation.

Chemical constituents of radix Actinidia chinensis planch by UPLC-QTOF-MS

Radix Actinidia decoction and its prescriptions are used to treat tumors and other diseases. Although some chemical components have been isolated from Radix Actinidia, systematic analysis of its chemical components has not been reported, which hinders the basic research on its effective substances and its quality control. In this work, a UPLC-QTOF-MS method was employed to profile and characterize the chemical constituents of water extracts from Radix Actinidia Chinensis Planch (RACP). We unambiguously or tentatively identified 295 chemical components from RACP, including 46 pentacyclic triterpenes, 72 flavonoids, 53 phenolic acids, 24 coumarins, three anthraquinones and other compounds. Most of the chemical components have not been described so far in Actinidia. More than 180 phytochemicals are reported in Actinidia for the first time. 2α,3α,24-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, asiatic acid, syringic acid, fraxin, esculetin, 5,7-dihydroxychromone, esculin, (+)-catechin, (-)-epi-catechin, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, protocatechuic acid and rutin were unambiguously identified by comparison with the reference standards. Catechin derivatives, coumarin derivatives and phenolic acid derivatives were the main water-soluble components in RACP. This study broadened the chemical profiles of RACP, and laid the foundation for subsequent research on the effective components and their mechanism of action. This work also provides an important reference for the quality control and evaluation of RACP.

Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.): A review of chemical diversity and biological activities

Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is a commercially important fruit crop. Various species and cultivars, non-fruit plant parts, and agricultural and processing wastes are underutilized. A broad-scoped review of kiwifruit guides further innovative applications. Different kiwifruit varieties and edible and nonedible parts varied in the composition of dietary nutrients including polyphenols, vitamins, dietary fiber, and functional ingredients, such as starch and protease and bioactive phytochemicals. Kiwifruits exhibit antioxidative, antiproliferative, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antihypercholesterolemic, neuroprotective, antiobese properties and promote gut health. Clinically significant effects of kiwifruit on prevention and/or treatment of major chronic diseases are not yet evident. Varieties and plant parts, extraction, analytical and processing methods affect the physicochemical and biological properties of kiwifruit-derived ingredients. Allergens, mycotoxins, pesticides and heavy metals are the chemical hazards of kiwifruits. Future research should be focused on sustainable uses of underutilized resources as functional ingredients, bioactive compound purification, composition-activity relationships, and physiological mechanisms and clinical significance of kiwifruits.

Plant Extracts and Isolated Compounds Reduce Parameters of Oxidative Stress Induced by Heavy Metals: An up-to-Date Review on Animal Studies

BACKGROUND

Heavy metals are elements that are naturally found in the earth. They are used in many modern-day applications in agriculture, medicine, and industry. Heavy metal poisoning occurs when the body's soft tissues absorb too much of a particular metal. The heavy metals of interest for this review paper were cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and lead since these are the most common metals that the human body can absorb in toxic amounts. Different plant species were investigated in recent years for their effect on oxidative stress parameters after intoxication with heavy metals.

OBJECTIVES

This review paper is focused on the current update to research on heavy metals induced oxidative stress in animal models and improvement of the oxidative stress parameters upon/co-/after treatment with different plant extracts and isolated compounds.

METHODS

The available literature was screened for the novel data regarding the influence of plant extracts and compounds on heavy metals induced oxidative stress. For that purposes Scopus database was used, looking for the publications in the last 5-10 years with the key terms: plant extracts, oxidative stress, in vivo, cadmium, lead, mercury and arcenic.

RESULTS

Various parameters of oxidative stress were investigated, and their improvement with plant extracts/ compounds was observed in the brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, uterus, testis, thymus, spleen, heart, skin and blood of experimental animals. Common parameters used to determine oxidative stress in animals were: superoxide dismutase; catalase; reduced glutathione; glutathione reductase; glutathione-S-transferase; glutathione peroxidase; lipid peroxidation; oxidized glutathione; malondialdehyde; xanthine oxidase; nonprotein-soluble thiol; thioredoxin reductase; total sulphydryl group; nitric oxide; γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase.

CONCLUSION

The most investigated species for antioxidant effects upon intoxication with heavy metals seem to be Allium sp., Bacopa monniera, Camellia sinensis, Moringa oleifera, Vitis vinifera and Zingiber officinale. According to literature data, the most promising effect to alleviate symptoms of intoxication was achieved with proanthocyanidins obtained from Vitis vinifera.

Consumption of two whole kiwifruit (Actinide chinensis) per day improves lipid homeostasis, fatty acid metabolism and gut microbiota in healthy rats

Golden kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) peel is a by-product enriched with polyphenols. The effects of fleshes of two Actinidia chinensis fruits (ACF) and fleshes with peels of two Actinidia chinensis fruits (ACFP) on lipid homeostasis, fatty acid metabolism and gut microbiota was investigated in healthy rats. Intervention of ACF and ACFP for 4 weeks significantly reduced total cholesterol, total triglycerides, and increased the high-density lipoprotein levels in rats. ACF and ACFP ameliorated lipid peroxidation in rats, by the lowering hepatic MDA level and enhancing GSH-Px and SOD activities. In addition, ACFP significantly decreased the saturated fatty acids in serum and increased the polyunsaturated fatty acids in hepatic and serum of rats. Analysis of gut microbiota revealed that ACF and ACFP evidently increased the microbial richness and diversity of gut microbiota. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was significantly reduced from 3.04 in ND group to 1.34 and 2.12 in ACF and ACFP groups, respectively. Moreover, ACF and ACFP significantly increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus and Barnesiella) and reduced harmful bacteria (Enterococcus, Escherichia, and Staphylococcus). Overall, ACFP exerts more potent health-improving effects than ACF. Our study provides a scientific basis for the development of kiwifruit (including pericarp)-based novel natural products with significant health benefits.

Melatonin Alleviates Drought Stress by a Non-Enzymatic and Enzymatic Antioxidative System in Kiwifruit Seedlings

Although melatonin was affirmed to alleviate drought stress in various plant species, the mechanism in kiwifruit remains to be elucidated. In this study, the transcriptomes of kiwifruit leaves under control (CK), DR (drought stress), and MTDR (drought plus melatonin) treatments were evaluated. After comparisons of the gene expression between DR and MTDR, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses indicated three significant pathways, which were mainly involved in the glutathione metabolism, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, and carotenoid metabolism. Therefore, the content and metabolic gene expression level of ascorbic acid (AsA), glutathione, and carotenoid were higher in the MTDR treatment than that in others. Furthermore, the activity and mRNA expression level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) were also promoted in the MTDR group. Combined with these results of important secondary metabolites and protective enzymes measured in the seedlings in different treatments, it could be concluded that exogenous melatonin induced the ascorbic acid-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle, carotenoid biosynthesis, and protective enzyme system to improve seedling growth. Our results contribute to the development of a practical method for kiwifruit against drought stress.