An In Vitro Study of the Effect of Viburnum opulus Extracts on Key Processes in the Development of Staphylococcal Infections

Staphylococcus aureus biofilm: Formulation, regulatory, and emerging natural products-derived therapeutics

Staphylococcus aureus can readily form biofilm which enhances the drug-resistance, resulting in life-threatening infections involving different organs. Biofilm formation occurs due to a series of developmental events including bacterial adhesion, aggregation, biofilm maturation, and dispersion, which are controlled by multiple regulatory systems. Rapidly increasing research and development outcomes on natural products targeting S. aureus biofilm formation and/or regulation led to an emergent application of active phytochemicals and combinations. This review aimed at providing an in-depth understanding of biofilm formation and regulation mechanisms for S. aureus, outlining the most important antibiofilm strategies and potential targets of natural products, and summarizing the latest progress in combating S. aureus biofilm with plant-derived natural products. These findings provided further evidence for novel antibiofilm drugs research and clinical therapies.

Gilaburu (Viburnum opulus L.) fruit extract has potential therapeutic and prophylactic role in a rat model of acetic acid-induced oxidant colonic damage

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ulcerative colitis (UC) which has a global impact on the health care system with its recurrent and incompletely curable characteristics, affects the patients' quality of life. Gilaburu (GB; Viburnum opulus L.) is a fruit with rich polyphenol ingredient which is used ethnobotanically in Türkiye for medicinal purposes (for example, to pass kidney stones, to treat stomach, heart, and liver diseases, hemorrhages, hypertension, ulcers, common cold, tuberculosis, rheumatic and menstrual pain, and diabetes). On the other hand, the effects of GB in the experimental UC model have not been studied.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to explore the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of GB fruit extract in improving acetic acid (AA)-induced UC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Starting immediately after (AA + GB group) or 1 week before (GB + AA + GB group) the colitis induced by intrarectal AA (5%; v/v) administration, the rats orally received GB (100 mg/kg) once per day for 3 days. The control and AA groups were administered orally saline (1 ml), while the AA + SS group were administered sulfasalazine (SS; 100 mg/kg; orally) as a positive control once per day for 3 days. Distal colonic tissue specimens were obtained for the histological and biochemical [myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), chemiluminescence (CL), caspase-3, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, smad-3 and cytokine (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, interferon (IFN)-γ), measurements] evaluations on the 3rd day.

RESULTS

Elevated macroscopic and microscopic damage scores, high tissue wet weight values, increased tissue-associated MPO, MDA, CL, caspase-3, 8-OHdG, cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8), MMP-9, TGF-β1, smad-3 levels, and decreased GSH values of the AA group were all reversed by GB treatments (AA + GB and GB + AA + GB groups) (p < 0.05-0.001). However, sulfasalazine treatment (AA + SS group) did not change the IL-8, 8-OHdG, MMP-9, and TGF-β1 measurements significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Gilaburu shows both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects against AA-induced colonic damage by suppressing neutrophil infiltration, regulating inflammatory mediators, inhibiting reactive species production, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis, conserving endogenous antioxidant glutathione, and ameliorating oxidative DNA damage. Since the current ulcerative colitis drugs display limited benefits and adverse side effects, potential therapeutic and/or prophylactic role of gilaburu can be evaluated in ulcerative colitis.

Relevance of Indian traditional tisanes in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a review

Background

Tisanes are a potential source of phytochemicals to reduce disease risk conditions and are used to protect from non-communicable diseases, globally. A few tisanes have gained more popularity than others depending on their chemical composition based on the geographical origin of the used herb. Several Indian tisanes have been claimed to have traits beneficial to people with or at a high risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Under the concept, the literature was reviewed and compiled into a document to highlight the chemical uniqueness of popular Indian traditional tisanes to be more informative and potent as per modern medicine to overcome type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

An extensive literature survey was conducted using computerized database search engines, such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and EMBASE (Excerpta Medica database) for herbs that have been described for hyperglycemia, and involved reaction mechanism, in-vivo studies as well as clinical efficacies published since 2001 onwards using certain keywords. Compiled survey data used to make this review and all findings on Indian traditional antidiabetic tisanes are tabulated here.

Results

Tisanes render oxidative stress, counter the damage by overexposure of free radicals to the body, affect enzymatic activities, enhance insulin secretion, etc. The active molecules of tisanes also act as anti-allergic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antithrombotic, antiviral, antimutagenicity, anti-carcinogenicity, antiaging effects, etc. WHO also has a strategy to capitalize on the use of herbals to keep populations healthy through effective and affordable alternative means with robust quality assurance and strict adherence to the product specification.

Effects of Non-Thermal Treatment on Gilaburu Vinegar (Viburnum opulus L.): Polyphenols, Amino Acid, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Properties

Simple Summary

In this study, traditionally produced vinegar made from gilaburu (C-GV) and thermally pasteurized gilaburu vinegar (P-GV), and (ultrasound-treated gilaburu vinegar (UT-GV) were evaluated. At the same time, ultrasound treatment enriched 11 phenolic compounds (gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, rutin, ferulic acid, o-coumaric acid, neohesperidin, quercetin, trans-cinnamic). Ultrasound showed different effects on free amino acids and volatile profiles. In general, ultrasound showed more positive results than thermal pasteurization. Six important minerals (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, and Zn) were detected in gilaburu vinegar, and ultrasound treatment increased the Fe content. Gilaburu vinegar, prepared by different methods, had potential antibacterial and anti-cancer activity.

Abstract

Gilaburu (Viburnum opulus L.) is an important fruit that has been studied in recent years due to its phytochemicals and health benefits. In this study, traditionally produced vinegar made from gilaburu fruit (C-GV) was evaluated. Vinegar with higher levels of bioactive components optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) was also produced using ultrasound (UT-GV). The maximum optimization result for the bioactive components was achieved at 14 min and 61.2 amplitude. The effectiveness of thermal pasteurization (P-GV) on gilaburu vinegar was evaluated. An increase was detected for every organic acid with ultrasound treatment. In the UT-GV and C-GV samples, arabinose was present, which is useful for stimulating the immune system. Gilaburu vinegar samples contained 29–31 volatile compounds. The smallest amount of volatile compounds was found in P-GV (1280.9 µg/kg), and the largest amounts of volatile compounds were found in C-GV (1566.9 µg/kg) and UT-GV (1244.10 µg/kg). In the UT-GV sample, Fe was increased, but Ca, K, Mg, and Mn were decreased. A total of 15 polyphenols were detected in C-GV, P-GV, and UT-GV samples, and gallic acid was the most common. A total of 17 free amino acids were detected in gilaburu vinegar samples. Ultrasound provided enrichment in total phenolic compounds and total free amino acids. All three vinegar samples had good antimicrobial activity against pathogens. The efficacy of C-GV, P-GV, and UT-GV samples against colon and stomach cancer was determined, but there were no significant differences between them. As a result, ultrasound treatment is notable due to its antimicrobial and anticancer activity, especially for the enrichment of phenolic compounds and amino acids in gilaburu vinegar.

In Vitro Inhibitory Effects of Viburnum opulus Bark and Flower Extracts on Digestion of Potato Starch and Carbohydrate Hydrolases Activity

One of the effective treatments for diabetes is to reduce and delay the absorption of glucose by inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase in the digestive tract. Currently, there is a great interest in natural inhibitors from various part of plants. In the present study, the phenolic compounds composition of V. opulus bark and flower, and their inhibitory effects on in vitro potato starch digestion as well as on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, have been studied. Bark and flower phenolic extracts reduced the amount of glucose released from potato starch during tree-stage simulated digestion, with IC50 value equal to 87.77 µg/mL and 148.87 µg/mL, respectively. Phenolic bark extract showed 34.9% and 38.4% more potent inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively, but the activity of plant extracts was lower than that of acarbose. Chlorogenic acid (27.26% of total phenolics) and (+)-catechin (30.48% of total phenolics) were the most prominent phenolics in the flower and bark extracts, respectively. Procyanidins may be responsible for the strongest V. opulus bark inhibitory activity against α-amylase, while (+)-catechin relative to α-glucosidase. This preliminary study provides the basis of further examination of the suitability of V. opulus bark compounds as components of nutraceuticals and functional foods with antidiabetic activity.

Staphylococcus aureus-A Known Opponent against Host Defense Mechanisms and Vaccine Development-Do We Still Have a Chance to Win?

The main purpose of this review is to present justification for the urgent need to implement specific prophylaxis of invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections. We emphasize the difficulties in achieving this goal due to numerous S. aureus virulence factors important for the process of infection and the remarkable ability of these bacteria to avoid host defense mechanisms. We precede these considerations with a brief overview of the global necessitiy to intensify the use of vaccines against other pathogens as well, particularly in light of an impasse in antibiotic therapy. Finally, we point out global trends in research into modern technologies used in the field of molecular microbiology to develop new vaccines. We focus on the vaccines designed to fight the infections caused by S. aureus, which are often resistant to the majority of available therapeutic options.

The Effect of Simulated In Vitro Digestion on Biological Activity of Viburnum opulus Fruit Juices

In the present study, an in vitro digestion method has been used to assay the influence of the physiological conditions in the mouth, stomach, and intestine on the stability and activity in different cell models of the main phenolic compounds from Viburnum opulus fresh juice (FJ), phenolic-rich juice (PJ), and the bioavailable fractions (DFJ and DPJ). The data obtained indicate that the V. opulus samples achieved after in vitro digestion had an influence on cellular glucose and lipid metabolism. The bioavailable fraction of both digested juices stimulated glucose uptake and decreased lipid accumulation by L6 myoblasts and HepG2 hepatocytes. Both DFJ and DPJ reduced the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by 3T3-L1 adipocytes: interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Simultaneously, DFJ and DPJ enhanced oxidative stress in MIN6 cells and decreased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). UPLC-MS analysis revealed qualitative and quantitative changes in hydroxycinnamic acids. In particular, the content of chlorogenic acid decreased drastically; its content in the bioavailable fraction was almost 7 times and 30 times lower than in the FJ and PJ, respectively. Our results suggested that although the phenolic compounds of V. opulus juices undergo transformation during digestion, they are still potent antioxidant agents with biological activity.

Glycoside Hydrolases and Non-Enzymatic Glycation Inhibitory Potential of Viburnum opulus L. Fruit-In Vitro Studies

Phytochemicals of various origins are of great interest for their antidiabetic potential. In the present study, the inhibitory effects against carbohydrate digestive enzymes and non-enzymatic glycation, antioxidant capacity, and phenolic compounds composition of Viburnum opulus L. fruits have been studied. Crude extract (CE), purified extract (PE), and ethyl acetate (PEAF) and water (PEWF) fractions of PE were used in enzymatic assays to evaluate their inhibitory potential against α-amylase with potato and rice starch as substrate, α-glucosidase using maltose and sucrose as substrate, the antioxidant capacity (ABTS, ORAC and FRAP assays), antiglycation (BSA-fructose and BSA-glucose model) properties. Among four tested samples, PEAF not only had the highest content of total phenolics, but also possessed the strongest α-glucosidase inhibition, antiglycation and antioxidant activities. UPLC analysis revealed that this fraction contained mainly chlorogenic acid, proanthocyanidin oligomers and flavalignans. Contrary, the anti-amylase activity of V. opulus fruits probably occurs due to the presence of proanthocyanidin polymers and chlorogenic acids, especially dicaffeoylquinic acids present in PEWF. All V. opulus samples have an uncompetitive and mixed type inhibition against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively. Considering strong anti-glucosidase, antioxidant and antiglycation activities, V. opulus fruits may find promising applications in nutraceuticals and functional foods with antidiabetic activity.