On-Line Screening, Isolation and Identification of Antioxidant Compounds of Helianthemum ruficomum

Phytochemical on-line screening and in silico study of Helianthemum confertum: antioxidant activity, DFT, MD simulation, ADME/T analysis, and xanthine oxidase binding

Seven components from the methanol extract of the aerial part of the endemic species Helianthemum confertum were isolated and identified for the first time. Investigating this species and its separated components chemical make-up and radical scavenging capacity, was the main goal. Using an online HPLC-ABTS˙+ test, ORAC, and TEAC assays, the free radical scavenging capacity of the ethyl acetate extract was assessed. The fractionation of these extracts by CC, TLC, and reverse-phase HPLC was guided by the collected data, which was corroborated by TEAC and ORAC assays. Molecular docking studies, DFT at the B3LYP level, and an examination of the ADME/T predictions of all compounds helped to further clarify the phytochemicals' antioxidant potential. Isolation and identification of all components were confirmed through spectroscopy, which revealed a mixture (50-50%) of para-hydroxybenzoic acid 1 and methyl gallate 2, protocatechuic acid 3, astragalin 4, trans-tiliroside 5, cis-tiliroside 6, contaminated by trans-tiliroside and 3-oxo-α-ionol-β-d-glucopyranoside 7, as well as two new compounds for the genus Helianthemum (2 and 7). With a focus on compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4, the results clearly showed that the extract and the compounds tested from this species had a high antioxidant capacity. Within the xanthine oxidase enzyme's pocket, all of the components tested showed strong and stable binding. In light of these findings, the xanthine oxidase/methyl gallate 2 complex was simulated using the Desmond module of the Schrodinger suite molecular dynamics (MD) for 100 ns. Substantially stable receptor-ligand complexes were observed following 1 ns of MD simulation.

Picein alleviates oxidative stress and promotes bone regeneration in osteoporotic bone defect by inhibiting ferroptosis via Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway

Osteoporosis (OP) can result in slower bone regeneration than the normal condition due to abnormal oxidative stress and high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a condition detrimental for bone formation, making the OP-related bone healing a significant clinical challenge. As the osteogenic differentiation ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is closely related to bone regeneration; currently, this study assessed the effects of Picein on BMSCs in vitro and bone regeneration in osteoporotic bone defect in vivo. Cell viability was determined by CCK-8 assay. The production of (ROS), malonaldehyde, superoxide dismutase activities, and glutathione was evaluated by using commercially available kits, and a flow cytometry analysis was adopted to detect macrophage polarization. Osteogenic capacity of BMSCs was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, ALP staining, and Alizarin red S staining. The expression of osteogenic-related proteins (OPN, Runx-2, OCN) and osteogenic-related genes (ALP, BMP-4, COL-1, and Osterix) were evaluated by Western blotting and real-time PCR (RT-PCR). In addition, proliferation, migration ability, and angiogenic capacity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were evaluated by EdU staining, scratch test, transwell assay, and tube formation assay, respectively. Angiogenic-related genes (VEGF, vWF, CD31) were also evaluated by RT-PCR. Results showed that Picein alleviated erastin-induced oxidative stress, enhanced osteogenic differentiation capacity of BMSCs, angiogenesis of HUVECs, and protects cells against ferroptosis through Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 axis. Moreover, Picein regulate immune microenvironment by promoting the polarization of M2 macrophages in vitro. In addition, Picein also reduce the inflammation levels and promotes bone regeneration in osteoporotic bone defect in OP rat models in vivo. Altogether, these results suggested that Picein can promote bone regeneration and alleviate oxidative stress via Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway, offering Picein as a novel antioxidant agent for treating osteoporotic bone defect.

Laricitrin 3-Rutinoside from Ginkgo biloba Fruits Prevents Damage in TNF-α-Stimulated Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts

Human skin comprises the epidermis and dermis, which perform interactive functional activities with each other in order to maintain the skin's tensile strength. In particular, the dermal layer is crucial for skin protection. However, skin aging destroys collagen and elastin fibers, causing wrinkles, pigments, and sagging. Skin aging-related factors, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), promote the generation of intercellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). These are known to stimulate the hypersecretion of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), which degrades collagen and inhibits collagen synthesis. In this study, as part of our ongoing discovery of natural products, we investigated potential natural products derived from ginkgo fruit (Ginkgo biloba fruit) with protective effects against TNF-α-induced skin aging. Phytochemical investigation of the MeOH extract of G. biloba fruits, aided by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, led to the isolation of 14 compounds (1-14) from the n-butanol-soluble fraction. These were structurally determined to be: (E)-coniferin (1), syringin (2), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), vanillic acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), glucosyringic acid (5), (E)-ferulic acid 4-O-β-D-glucoside (6), (E)-sinapic acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), ginkgotoxin-5-glucoside (8), ginkgopanoside (9), (Z)-4-coumaric acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (10), (1'R,2'S,5'R,8'S,2'Z,4'E)-dihydrophaseic acid 3'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (11), eucomic acid (12), rutin (13), and laricitrin 3-rutinoside (L3R) (14). Biological evaluation of the isolated compounds for their effects on intracellular ROS generation showed that, of these 14 compounds, L3R (14) inhibited TNF-α-stimulated ROS generation (p < 0.001 at 100 μM). Inhibition of ROS generation by L3R led to the suppression of MMP-1 secretion and protection against collagen degradation. The inhibitory effect of L3R was mediated by the inhibition of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Furthermore, L3R diminished the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 8 (IL-8). Based on these experimental results, L3R is a potential bioactive natural product that can be used to protect against skin damage, including aging, in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Chemical Constituents and Bioactive Principles from the Mexican Truffle and Fermented Products of the Derived Fungus Ustilago maydis MZ496986

To look in-depth into the traditional Mexican truffle, this study investigated the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of field-collected corn galls and the fermentate of its pathogen Ustilago maydis MZ496986. Here, we established the chemical profiles of both materials via the gradient HPLC-UV method and successfully identified six previously unreported chemical entities, ustilagols A-F (1-6), and 17 known components. Compounds 3, 5, and 9 exhibited potent nitric oxide production inhibitory activities in murine brain microglial BV-2 cells (IC₅₀ = 6.7 ± 0.5, 5.8 ± 0.9, and 3.9 ± 0.1 μM) without cytotoxic effects. DIMBOA (9) also attenuates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated NF-κB activation in RAW 264.7 macrophages (IC₅₀ = 58.1 ± 7.2 μM). Ustilagol G (7) showed potent antiplatelet aggregation in U46619-stimulated human platelets (IC₅₀ = 16.5 ± 5.3 μM). These findings highlighted the potential of corn galls and U. maydis MZ496986 fermentate as functional foods for improving inflammation-related discomforts and vascular obstruction.

Characterization of Ikaria Heather Honey by Untargeted Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Metabolomics and Melissopalynological Analysis

Honey represents a valuable food commodity, known since ancient times for its delicate taste and health benefits due to its specific compositional characteristics, mainly the phenolic compound content. “Anama” honey is a monofloral honey produced from the nectar of Erica manipuliflora plant, a heather bush of the Greek island of Ikaria, one of the Mediterranean’s longevity regions. “Anama” is characterized by a unique aroma and taste, with a growing demand for consumption and the potential to be included in the list of products with a protected designation of origin. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical and botanical profile of authentic Anama honey samples and find similarities and differences with honey samples of a different botanical origin from the same geographical area. Untargeted Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) metabolomics study was conducted on authentic heather, pine, and thyme honey samples from Ikaria and neighboring islands. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Orthogonal Projections to Latent Structures Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA), and differential analysis were performed using the entire metabolic profile of the samples and allowed the identification of chemical markers for sample discrimination. Thirty-two characteristic secondary metabolites (cinnamic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenes) and other bioactive phenolic compounds, some of them not previously reported in a heather honey (aucubin, catalpol, domesticoside, leonuriside A, picein among others), emerged as potential chemical indicators of Anama honey. Melissopalynological analysis was also carried out to decipher the botanical and geographical origin of Anama honey. The relative frequency of the pollen of dominant plants of the Ericaceae family and a multitude of nectariferous and nectarless plants contributing to the botanical profile of Anama was evaluated. The identification of the pollen sources enabled a potential correlation of differentially increased secondary metabolites and chemicals with their botanical origin. The physicochemical profile of Anama was also determined, including the parameters of pH, color, electrical conductivity, diastase, moisture, as well as sugars, supporting the high quality of this heather honey.

Medicinal Importance, Pharmacological Activities and Analytical Aspects of a Flavonoid Glycoside 'Nicotiflorin' in the Medicine

BACKGROUND

Herbal products are derived from different natural sources, mainly used as a source of food material and medicine in the health sectors since ancient times. Herbal products have gained popularity in modern medicine due to their beneficial health properties and pharmacological activities. Flavonoids are an important class of secondary metabolites found to be present in medicinal plants and their derived products. Flavonoids have been known for their anti-allergic, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-proliferative, anti-mutagenic, antithrombotic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-oxidant and hepatoprotective activities in the medicine. Nicotiflorin is a flavonoidal class phytochemical, found in medicinal plants, including Traditional Chinese medicine.

METHODS

Scientific data on the medicinal importance and pharmacological activities of nicotiflorin have been collected and analyzed in the present work in order to know the therapeutic importance of nicotiflorin in medicine. Scientific data have been collected from Google, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed and Scopus and analyzed in the present work. Analytical techniques data of separation, isolation and identification of nicotiflorin have also been collected and presented in the current work. Further biological importance of flavonoidal class phytochemicals was also discussed in the present work to understand the biological importance of nicotiflorin in medicine as it belongs to the flavonoid class.

RESULTS

Scientific data analysis revealed the therapeutic importance and pharmacological activities of nicotiflorin. Nicotiflorin has significant biological potential against coronavirus, ischemia, renal impairment, hepatic complication, memory dysfunction and myocardial infarction. The biological potential of nicotiflorin against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes, multiple myeloma cells and insulin secretion has also been discussed in the present work. Analytical data revealed the significance of modern analytical tools in medicine for the isolation, separation and quantification of nicotiflorin.

CONCLUSION

Scientific data analysis of different research works revealed the biological importance and therapeutic potential of nicotiflorin in medicine.

First report on phytochemical investigation, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of Helianthemum getulum

A new flavonoid, 5,7,2',4',5'-pentahydroxyflavone 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (12) and twelve known derivatives: an aryltetralin-lignan (3), seven flavonoids (4-5, 7-10, 13) and four phenolic acids (1-2, 6, 11) have been isolated from the aerial parts of Helianthemum getulum Pomel. (Cistaceae family) an endemic species to the septentrional Sahara that is being studied for the first time. Structure elucidation of the isolated compounds was established by means of spectroscopic methods especially NMR and Mass Spectrometry. In vitro antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, GOR and CUPRAC assays) and antidiabetic (micro-dilution method) activities of the crude extract, fractions and isolated compounds were performed. The new flavonol (12) and Compounds (2, 3, 7, 9) were found to be the most active, some of them exhibiting better activity than the antioxidant standards. Compounds 7, 9 and 3 showed higher α-glucosidase inhibitory activity compared to standard acarbose (IC₅₀= 2.70 ± 0.03 µM, 3.09 ± 0.03 µM, 37.28 ± 1.20 µM and 275.43 ± 1.59 µM, respectively).

Bio-Guided Investigation of Sideritis cypria Methanol Extract Driven by in Vitro Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Assays

Sideritis cypria Post is an endemic and endangered species of Northern Cyprus. The overall aim of the present study was to evaluate the total phenolic content, the antioxidant, the cytotoxic and the antimicrobial activity of the methanol extract obtained from the aerial parts of cultivated S. cypria. A bio-guided approach led to the isolation of 27 chemical compounds by using various analytical techniques. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The crude extract exerted strong antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP assays) which was attributed to its high total phenolic content. Furthermore, groups rich in phenolic content showed highest antioxidant property, whereas groups with phytosterols, diterpenoids and apigenin derivatives exerted cytotoxic effects in MDA-MB231 cancer cell line by the MTT method. Moreover, the cytotoxic activity of four isolated apigenin derivatives was evaluated in the same cancer cells. The antimicrobial activity of the extract and groups were measured, demonstrating lack of activity. To the best of our knowledge, this survey is the first report on the biological activities of the methanol extract of S. cypria.

Phytochemical and Biological Investigation of Helianthemum nummularium, a High-Altitude Growing Alpine Plant Overrepresented in Ungulates Diets

Helianthemum nummularium is a European shrub growing at high altitude where it copes with a high level of stress. It was found to be overexpressed in ungulates diets compared to more abundant surrounding plants. These elements combined with the fact that H. nummularium from the Alps has never been investigated prompted us to study the phytochemical composition of its aerial parts. The analysis of the polar extract allowed for the isolation of eight compounds: p-hydroxybenzoic acid, tiliroside, kaempferol, astragalin, quercetin, plantainoside B, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, and quercetin-3-O-glucuronide. We investigated the effect of the polar extract and isolated compounds on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 transcription factor, which regulates the expression of a wide variety of cytoprotective genes. We found that the ethanolic extract activates the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the pure compounds were much less active. The activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathway by the plant extract could pave the way for studies to promote healthy aging through protection of cells against oxidative stress. Moreover, the isolated compounds could be investigated alone or in combination in the perspective of making the link between the ungulate's preference for this plant and possible use of it for self-medication.

Chestnut (Castanea sativa Miller.) Burs Extracts and Functional Compounds: UHPLC-UV-HRMS Profiling, Antioxidant Activity, and Inhibitory Effects on Phytopathogenic Fungi

Chestnut (Castanea sativa Miller.) burs (CSB) represent a solid waste produced during the edible fruit harvesting. Their usual disposal in the field increases the environmental and economic impact of the agricultural process. HPLC-UV-HRMS profiling revealed that CSB organic and aqueous extracts (CSB-M, CSB-H, CSB-A) contain several hydrolyzable tannins, mainly ellagitannins, and glycoside flavonols. Ellagic acid (EA) and chestanin are predominant components (5–79 and 1–13 mg/g dry extract, respectively). NMR analysis confirmed the chemical structures of the major constituents from CSB-M. The extracts displayed a significant scavenging activity against DPPH^• (EC₅₀ 12.64–24.94 µg/mL) and ABTS^•+ radicals (TEAC value 2.71–3.52 mM Trolox/mg extract). They were effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth (EC₅₀ 6.04–15.51 mg/mL) and spore germination (EC₅₀ 2.22–11.17 mg/mL) of Alternaria alternata and Fusarium solani. At the highest concentration, CSB-M was also active against Botrytis cinerea both in mycelium and spore form (EC₅₀ 64.98 and 16.33 mg/mL). The EA contributed to the antifungal activity of extracts (EC₅₀ on spore germination 13.33–112.64 µg/mL). Our results can support the upgrading of chestnut burs from agricultural wastes to a resource of natural fungicides for managing fruit and vegetable diseases.

A Review on the Dietary Flavonoid Tiliroside

Among flavonoid derivatives, tiliroside is a flavonoid contained in several edible plants or specific plant parts (fruits, leaves, or roots). These parts are often widely used as both food and medicines, in the treatment of various ailments and, in some cases, as food supplements. Considering the easy access to many publications concerning tiliroside and the lack of a review that summarizes the current progress in studies on its safety, efficacy, and presence in the plant kingdom, we present here a review paper on tiliroside and its principal derivatives. The paper also highlights the basic knowledge regarding this molecule, its derivatives, and the analytical approaches used for extraction and quantification, as well as reports on the biological activities against different key enzymes linked to various human diseases. The reported information is also devoted to highlighting the concept "learn from nature to discover new products," particularly in the development of new drugs, food supplements, and nutraceuticals, starting from a natural lead compound such as tiliroside and improving its biological activities (and selectivities) against a specific target for therapeutic purposes.

Isolation and Identification of the Anti-Oxidant Constituents from Loropetalum chinense (R. Brown) Oliv. Based on UHPLC⁻Q-TOF-MS/MS

The aim of this study was to identify the chemical constituents of Loropetalum chinense (R. Brown) Oliv. (LCO) and determine which of these had antioxidant effects. The chemical composition of a 70% ethanol extract of LCO was analyzed systematically using UHPLC–Q-TOF-MS/MS. The chemical components of the 70% ethanol extract of LCO were then separated and purified using macroporous resin and chromatographic techniques. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using a DPPH assay. In total, 100 compounds were identified tentatively, including 42 gallic acid tannins, 49 flavones, and 9 phenolic compounds. Of these, 7 gallium gallate, 4 flavonoid and 8 quinic acid compounds were separated and purified from the 70% ethanol extract of LCO. The compounds identified for the first time in LCO and in the genus Loropetalum were 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-(6′-O-galloyl)-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, protocatechuic acid, ethyl gallate, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-O-diocaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-O-diocaffeoylquinic acid and 3,4-O-diocaffeoylquinic acid. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of compounds 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, and ethyl gallate were 1.88, 1.05, 1.18, and 1.05 μg/mL, respectively. Compared with the control group (V_C) (2.08 μg/mL), these compounds exhibited stronger anti-oxidation activity. This study offered considerable insight into the chemical composition of LCO, with preliminary identification of the antioxidant ingredients.