Modulation of Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties by Drying of Prunus domestica L. Plum Juice Extracts

Dietary anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial medicinal plants and its compounds in bovine mastitis associated impact on human life

Bovine mastitis (BM) is the most common bacterial mediated inflammatory disease in the dairy cattle that causes huge economic loss to the dairy industry due to decreased milk quality and quantity. Milk is the essential food in the human diet, and rich in crucial nutrients that helps in lowering the risk of diseases like hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. The main causative agents of the disease include various gram negative, and positive bacteria, along with other risk factors such as udder shape, age, genetic, and environmental factors also contributes much for the disease. Currently, antibiotics, immunotherapy, probiotics, dry cow, and lactation therapy are commonly recommended for BM. However, these treatments can only decrease the rise of new cases but can't eliminate the causative agents, and they also exhibit several limitations. Hence, there is an urgent need of a potential source that can generate a typical and ideal treatment to overcome the limitations and eliminate the pathogens. Among the various sources, medicinal plants and its derived products always play a significant role in drug discovery against several diseases. In addition, they are also known for its low toxicity and minimum resistance features. Therefore, plants and its compounds that possess anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties can serve better in bovine mastitis. In addition, the plants that are serving as a food source and possessing pharmacological properties can act even better in bovine mastitis. Hence, in this evidence-based study, we particularly review the dietary medicinal plants and derived products that are proven for anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects. Moreover, the role of each dietary plant and its compounds along with possible role in the management of bovine mastitis are delineated. In this way, this article serves as a standalone source for the researchers working in this area to help in the management of BM.

Influence of Source Materials, Concentration, Gastric Digestion, and Encapsulation on the Bioactive Response of Brassicaceae-Derived Samples against Helicobacter pylori

Isothiocyanates may have antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori, but there are different variables related to Brassicaceae-derived samples that could affect their efficacy. This work studied the influence of source variety, concentration, gastric digestion, and encapsulation of samples on their bioactive response against Helicobacter pylori. The antibacterial activity of raw sprouts (red cabbage and red radish) showed the highest antibacterial effect, which was consistent with a higher amount of isothiocyanates. It decreased with gastric digestion, regardless of sample encapsulation. By contrast, adult red radish leaves became antibacterial after gastric digestion. Antioxidant activity on H. pylori-infected gastric cells was similar in all samples and followed an equivalent pattern with the changes in isothiocyanates. Raw samples decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species production, but they lost this capacity after gastric digestion, regardless whether the compounds were free or encapsulated. Red cabbage sprouts, red radish sprouts, and red radish roots produced a decrease in nitric oxide production. It was consistent with a modulation of the inflammatory response and was associated to isothiocyanates concentration. Encapsulated sprout samples retained part of their anti-inflammatory activity after gastric digestion. Adult raw red radish leaves were not active, but after digestion, they became anti-inflammatory. The results obtained in this study have shown that several variables could have a significant impact on the bioactive properties of Brassicaceae-derived samples against H. pylori, providing a starting point for the design and standardization of samples with specific bioactivities (antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory) potentially useful for the treatment of H. pylori infection.

Inhibition of α-Amylase, α-Glucosidase, Pancreatic Lipase, 15-Lipooxygenase and Acetylcholinesterase Modulated by Polyphenolic Compounds, Organic Acids, and Carbohydrates of Prunus domestica Fruit

This work aimed to establish the content of phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, and organic acids and to determine their potential to inactivate α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), and antioxidant activity (ABTS^o+ and FRAP) in 43 Prunus domestica cultivars. We identified 20 phenolic compounds, including, in the order of abundance, polymeric procyanidins, flavan-3-ols, phenolic acids, flavonols, and anthocyanins. The total content of phenolic compounds varied depending on the cultivar and ranged from 343.75 to 1419 mg/100 g d.w. The cultivars of Ś2, Ś11, and Ś16 accumulated the greatest amounts of polyphenols, while in cvs. Ś42, Ś35, and Ś20 polyphenols were the least abundant. The highest antioxidant potential of 7.71 (ABTS^o+) and 13.28 (FRAP) mmoL Trolox/100 g d.w. was confirmed for cv. Ś11. P. domestica fruits showed inhibitory activity toward α-amylase (2.63-61.53), α-glucosidase (0.19-24.07), pancreatic lipase (0.50-8.20), and lipoxygenase (15-LOX; 4.19-32.67), expressed as IC₅₀ (mg/mL). The anti-AChE effect was stronger than the anti-BuChE one. Cv. Ś3 did not inhibit AChE activity, while cv. Ś35 did not inhibit BuChE. Thanks to the abundance of biologically active compounds, P. domestica offers several health-promoting benefits and may prevent many diseases. For these reasons, they are worth introducing into a daily diet.

Phytochemicals as Antimicrobials: Prospecting Himalayan Medicinal Plants as Source of Alternate Medicine to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance

Among all available antimicrobials, antibiotics hold a prime position in the treatment of infectious diseases. However, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has posed a serious threat to the effectiveness of antibiotics, resulting in increased morbidity, mortality, and escalation in healthcare costs causing a global health crisis. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in global healthcare setups have accelerated the development and spread of AMR, leading to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, which further limits treatment options. This creates a critical need to explore alternative approaches to combat bacterial infections. Phytochemicals have gained attention as a potential source of alternative medicine to address the challenge of AMR. Phytochemicals are structurally and functionally diverse and have multitarget antimicrobial effects, disrupting essential cellular activities. Given the promising results of plant-based antimicrobials, coupled with the slow discovery of novel antibiotics, it has become highly imperative to explore the vast repository of phytocompounds to overcome the looming catastrophe of AMR. This review summarizes the emergence of AMR towards existing antibiotics and potent phytochemicals having antimicrobial activities, along with a comprehensive overview of 123 Himalayan medicinal plants reported to possess antimicrobial phytocompounds, thus compiling the existing information that will help researchers in the exploration of phytochemicals to combat AMR.

Determination of Phenolic Compounds and Bioactive Potential of Plum (Prunus salicina) Peel Extract Obtained by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction

Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of bioactive compounds from black plum peels was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). Temperature (35-55°C), time (15-45 min), and ethanol concentration (50-90%) were selected as independent extraction parameters, whereas total anthocyanin content (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition were kept as response variables. The optimized extraction conditions were determined by RSM as extraction at 49°C for 37 min with 68% ethanol, which corresponded to TAC, TPC, and DPPH inhibition values of 5.42 ± 0.61 mg/g, 6.217 ± 0.76 mg GAE/g, and 89 ± 2.13%, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GCMS) were used for chemical characterization of optimized plum peel extract (PPE). Optimized PPE was further evaluated for antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, and food preservation potential. PPE showed 92.31% DPPH inhibition with IC₅₀ value of 360.6 μg/ml. Optimized PPE extract was effective in the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and migration, and IC₅₀ values were in the range 1.85-3.96 mg/ml for different human cancer cell lines. Major phenolics identified in PPE were ferulic acid (47.87 mg/kg), sinapic acid (9.15 mg/kg), quercetin (7.44 mg/kg), gallic acid (3.24 mg/kg), m-coumaric acid (2.59 mg/kg), and vanillic acid (1.12 mg/kg). PPE extract inhibited the growth of various foodborne bacterial pathogens and increased the shelf life of PPE coated fresh grapes. PPE due to antibacterial, anticancer, antioxidant, and food preservation potential can be used in developing functional food and pharmaceutical products.

Effect of Sour Cherry or Plum Juice Marinades on Quality Characteristics and Oxidative Stability of Pork Loin

In this study, the potential of sour cherry and plum juices was evaluated to be used in the traditional marination of meat. Slices of pork loin were marinated for 24 h in brine of 3% NaCl or sour cherry and plum juice marinades containing 60% fruit juice while the control group consisted of non-marinated meat slices. Proximate composition, marinating loss, cooking loss, drip loss, and water-holding capacity of samples was evaluated. Changes in surface meat color (L*, a*, and b* values), pH, ammonia content, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values were monitored in pork loins during 12 days of refrigerated storage. Sensory evaluation was also conducted. There was a significant decrease in pH, moisture content, and water-holding capacity of raw meat due to fruit juice marination, resulting in marination losses and higher cooking losses compared with the control and brine-marinated samples. During cold storage, marination with sour cherry and plum juices was found to slow down the increase in TBARS values and ammonia content and the decrease in all meat sensory scores. Thus, sour cherry and plum juices may be used as marinating ingredients as they promote interesting sensory properties and improve the storage stability of pork loin.

In situ polydopamine functionalized poly-L-lactic acid nanofibers with near-infrared-triggered antibacterial and reactive oxygen species scavenging capability

The development of a new multi-functional poly(L)-lactide (PLLA) nanofibrous scaffold with excellent antibacterial and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capability is quite important in tissue engineering. In this study, polydopamine (PDA)/PLLA nanofibers were prepared by combining electrospinning and post in-situ polymerization. The post in-situ polymerization of PDA on the PLLA nanofiber enable PDA uniformly distribute on PLLA nanofiber surface. PDA/PLLA nanofibrous composites also achieved stronger mechanical strength, hydrophilicity, good oxidation resistance and enhanced near-infrared photothermal effect. The near-infrared photothermal effect from PDA made the PDA/PLLA a good antibacterial material. The in vitro ROS scavenging ability of the PDA made PDA/PLLA be beneficial to damaged tissue repair. These results indicate that PDA/PLLA nanofibrous scaffold can be used as a tissue engineering scaffold material with versatile biomedical applications.

Hydroethanolic Extract of Prunus domestica L.: Metabolite Profiling and In Vitro Modulation of Molecular Mechanisms Associated to Cardiometabolic Diseases

High consumption of fruit and vegetables has an inverse association with cardiometabolic risk factors. This study aimed to chemically characterize the hydroethanolic extract of P. domestica subsp. syriaca fruit pulp and evaluate its inhibitory activity against metabolic enzymes and production of proinflammatory mediators. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry(UHPLC-HRMS) analysis showed the presence of hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols, and glycoside flavonols, while nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) analysis showed, among saccharides, an abundant presence of glucose. P. domestica fruit extract inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, and HMG CoA reductase enzyme activities, with IC50 values of 7.01 mg/mL, 6.4 mg/mL, 6.0 mg/mL, and 2.5 mg/mL, respectively. P. domestica fruit extract inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitrite, interleukin-1 β and PGE₂ in activated J774 macrophages. The findings of the present study indicate that P. domestica fruit extracts positively modulate in vitro a series of molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of cardiometabolic diseases. Further research is necessary to better characterize these properties and their potential application for human health.

Olive-Leaf Extracts Modulate Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Associated with Human H. pylori Infection

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the major human pathogens and the main cause of pathological damages that can progress from chronic gastritis to gastric cancer. During the colonization of gastric mucosa, this bacterium provokes a strong inflammatory response and subsequent oxidative process, which are associated with tissue damage. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the ability of two olive-leaf extracts (E1 and E2) to modulate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in H. pylori-infected human gastric AGS cells. The obtained results showed that both extracts significantly decreased interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human gastric AGS cells. Both extracts also showed antibacterial activity against different H. pylori strains. HPLC-PAD-MS characterization demonstrated that extract E1 was mainly composed of highly hydrophilic compounds, such as hydroxytyrosol (HT) and its glucosides, and it was the most effective extract as an antibacterial agent. In contrast, extract E2 was composed mostly of moderately hydrophilic compounds, such as oleuropein (OLE), and it was more effective than extract E1 as an anti-inflammatory agent. Both extracts exhibited similar potential to decrease ROS production. These results show the importance of standardizing the extract composition according to the bioactive properties that should be potentiated.

Applications of Fruit Polyphenols and Their Functionalized Nanoparticles Against Foodborne Bacteria: A Mini Review

The ingestion of contaminated water and food is known to cause food illness. Moreover, on assessing the patients suffering from foodborne disease has revealed the role of microbes in such diseases. Concerning which different methods have been developed for protecting food from microbes, the treatment of food with chemicals has been reported to exhibit an unwanted organoleptic effect while also affecting the nutritional value of food. Owing to these challenges, the demand for natural food preservatives has substantially increased. Therefore, the interest of researchers and food industries has shifted towards fruit polyphenols as potent inhibitors of foodborne bacteria. Recently, numerous fruit polyphenols have been acclaimed for their ability to avert toxin production and biofilm formation. Furthermore, various studies have recommended using fruit polyphenols solely or in combination with chemical disinfectants and food preservatives. Currently, different nanoparticles have been synthesized using fruit polyphenols to curb the growth of pathogenic microbes. Hence, this review intends to summarize the current knowledge about fruit polyphenols as antibacterial agents against foodborne pathogens. Additionally, the application of different fruit extracts in synthesizing functionalized nanoparticles has also been discussed.

'An Apple a Day'?: Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Psychotherapists Report Poor Literacy for Nutritional Medicine: International Survey Spanning 52 Countries

Nutritional interventions have beneficial effects on certain psychiatric disorder symptomatology and common physical health comorbidities. However, studies evaluating nutritional literacy in mental health professionals (MHP) are scarce. This study aimed to assess the across 52 countries. Surveys were distributed via colleagues and professional societies. Data were collected regarding self-reported general nutrition knowledge, nutrition education, learning opportunities, and the tendency to recommend food supplements or prescribe specific diets in clinical practice. In total, 1056 subjects participated in the study: 354 psychiatrists, 511 psychologists, 44 psychotherapists, and 147 MHPs in-training. All participants believed the diet quality of individuals with mental disorders was poorer compared to the general population (p < 0.001). The majority of the psychiatrists (74.2%) and psychologists (66.3%) reported having no training in nutrition. Nevertheless, many of them used nutrition approaches, with 58.6% recommending supplements and 43.8% recommending specific diet strategies to their patients. Only 0.8% of participants rated their education regarding nutrition as 'very good.' Almost all (92.9%) stated they would like to expand their knowledge regarding 'Nutritional Psychiatry.' There is an urgent need to integrate nutrition education into MHP training, ideally in collaboration with nutrition experts to achieve best practice care.