Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity, α-Glucosidase and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of Quinoa Extract and Its Fractions

Exploring the nutraceutical potential: Evaluating the nutritional and bioactive functions of five pomelo fruit varieties in Bangladesh

Pomelo (Citrus maxima), the largest citrus fruit, provides a variety of nutrients that have several health benefits, including antioxidant and antidiabetic functions. Antioxidants help combat oxidative stress by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reducing cellular damage. On the other hand, antidiabetic properties involve mechanisms such as enhancing insulin secretion, improving insulin sensitivity, inhibiting carbohydrate digestion and absorption, and regulating glucose metabolism. However, there is a lack of data on the comparative analysis of the physicochemical composition, bioactive properties, and antidiabetic effects of pomelo fruits grown in Bangladesh. To address this issue, the most common and popular high-yielding five cultivars of pomelo fruits grown in Bangladesh including LOCAL, BARI-2 (BARI: Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Batabi Lebu-2), BARI-3, BARI-4, and BARI-6 were evaluated concerning proximate, minerals, and physicochemical properties with their antidiabetic and antioxidant properties. Research has revealed that all pomelo varieties contained a significant amount of proximate compositions and major minerals (Ca, Mg, K, Na, and Fe). The highest juice yield (75.37 ± 0.33 %), vitamin C content (79.56 ± 2.26 mg/100 mL of fresh juice), and carotenoid content (919.33 ± 0.62 μM β-Carotene Equivalent/g DM) were found in BARI-3 pomelo fruit and adhered to the sequence (p < 0.05): BARI-3 > LOCAL > BARI-4 > BARI-6 > BARI-2; BARI-3 > LOCAL > BARI-2 > BARI-4 > BARI-6, and BARI-3 > BARI-2 > BARI-6 > LOCAL > BARI-4, respectively. The anthocyanin content and inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase were found to be at their peak in the BARI-2 pomelo variety and the values were 50.65 ± 2.27 μg cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalents/100 g DM and 85.57 ± 0.00 μM acarbose equivalents/g DM, respectively. BARI-3 pomelo variety showed highest DPPH antioxidant capacity (170.47 ± 0.01 μM Trolox equivalents/g DM), while the BARI-6 pomelo variety exhibited the highest total phenolic content (6712.30 ± 1.84 μg gallic acid equivalents/g DM), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power activity (183.16 ± 0.01 μM Fe(II) equivalents/g DM). Therefore, this study explores the nutritional value and bioactivity of five popular pomelo varieties in Bangladesh, offering valuable insights for utilizing high-value citrus resources and understanding their health-promoting functions.

A New Brominated Isocoumarin from the Marine Starfish-Associated Fungus Aspergillus sp. WXF1904

Based on the one strain many compounds strategy, a new brominated isocoumarin, 5-bromo-6,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethylisocoumarin (1), along with four new natural products, methyl 3-bromo-2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoate (2), methyl 2-bromo-4,6-dihydroxybenzoate (3), (E)-3-(3-bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl) acrylic acid (4) and 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenyl-2H-pyran-2-one (5), and four known compounds, methyl orsellinate (6), 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-(1-methyl-1-propenyl)-2H-pyran-2-one (7), pilobolusate (8) and cis-ferulic acid (9), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the fungus Aspergillus sp. WXF1904 under the condition of adding bromine salt to the production medium. The structures of the new compounds were established by analysis of NMR and MS data. Compounds (1-9) were evaluated for inhibitory activity of acetylcholinesterase and pancreatic lipase, the new compound 1, known compounds 6 and 7 displayed weak inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase, compounds 2, 5, 7 and 8 showed weak inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase.

Response surface methodology based development of an optimized polyherbal formulation and evaluation of its anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potential in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Background and aim

The seeds of Nelumbo nucifera, Chenopodium quinoa and Salvia hispanica are known as super foods due to their various therapeutic properties. The present study aimed to develop an optimized polyherbal formulation from edible seeds aqueous extract and to evaluate its anti-diabetic and lipase inhibitory effect on diet-induced obese diabetic mice.

Experimental procedure

Response surface methodology based various formulations were evaluated for their potent anti-diabetic, lipase-inhibitory and antioxidant activities. Acute toxicity of the best optimized formulation was conducted. The mice were fed a high fat diet for 10 weeks resulting in hyperglycemia and obesity. Oral tolerance tests (sucrose, starch and lipid) of the formulation were performed. The mice were supplemented with different doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) of the formulation for 6 weeks. The body weight and blood glucose level were monitored on a weekly basis. Finally, histological alterations and lipid profiles were analysed.

Results and conclusion

The formulation containing equal concentration (1.5 mg/ml) of each seed extract showed maximum bioactivities. The formulation was found to be safe during toxicity assay. The tolerance tests supported the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effect. Higher dose (500 mg/kg) of the formulation significantly (p < 0.01) lowered elevated fasting blood glucose, lipid indices and ameliorated the histological alterations in liver, kidney and pancreas caused by high fat diet. We demonstrated for the first time that the developed aqueous extract optimized formulation possess anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potential and thus could be used as adjuvant therapy for holistic management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Momordica charantia-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Provide Antioxidant Protection in Ulcerative Colitis

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles are functional nanovesicles that have significant applications in both disease prevention and treatment, as well as for use as drug carriers. Momordica charantia is a widely consumed food that has both medicinal and nutritional properties and has shown intervention in diabetes and inflammation caused by oxidative damage. In this study, Momordica charantia-derived extracellular vesicles (MCEVs) were extracted and demonstrated to have excellent antioxidant activity by characterization, lipid composition analysis, protein domain analysis, and in vitro antioxidant measurement. In addition, in vivo studies indicated that the MCEVs could restore ulcerative colitis by regulating oxidation and inflammatory factors. Therefore, the antioxidant properties of MCEVs may be important in protecting the colon from inflammation, which provides new insights into the application of MCEVs as drugs or vectors for intervention in ulcerative colitis.

Anti-Cryptosporidium parvum activity of Artemisia judaica L. and its fractions: in vitro and in vivo assays

Background

This study investigates the toxic activity of Artemisia judaica ethanolic extract (ArEx) as well as its phenolic fraction (ArPh), and terpenoid fraction (ArT) against Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) oocysts.

Methods

Over a 4 months period, estimation of the total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC), and total terpenoids contents (TTC) in ArEx; investigation of the in vitro antioxidant activity of ArEx, ArPh, and ArT; evaluation of ArEx, ArPh, and ArT toxic activity against C. parvum oocysts using MTT assay; parasitological analysis on ArPh-treated C. parvum oocysts and comet assay were performed both in vitro and in vivo (infectivity).

Results

The ArEx TPC, TFC, and TTC was 52.6 ± 3.1 mgGAE/g, 64.5 ± 3.1 mg QE/g, and 9.5 ± 1.1 mg Linol/g, respectively. Regarding the phytochemical in vitro antioxidant activity, the ArPh exhibited the highest antioxidant activity compared to the ArEx and ArT. The ArPh showed promising free radical scavenging activity of DPPH and ABTS^•+ with IC₅₀ values of 47.27 ± 1.86 μg/mL and 66.89 ± 1.94 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the FRAP of ArPh was 2.97 ± 0.65 mMol Fe⁺²/g while its TAC was 46.23 ± 3.15 mg GAE/g. The ArPh demonstrated toxic activity against C. parvum oocysts with a potent IC₅₀ value of 31.6 μg/mL compared to ArT (promising) and ArEx (non-effective). ArPh parasitological analysis demonstrated MIC₉₀ at 1000 μg/ml and effective oocysts destruction on count and morphology. ArPh fragmented oocysts nuclear DNA in comet assay. Beginning at 200 μg/mL, ArPh-treated oocysts did not infect mice.

Conclusion

To combat C. parvum infection, the phenolic fraction of A. judaica L. shows promise as an adjuvant therapy or as a source of potentially useful lead structures for drug discovery.

Amaranth and quinoa as potential nutraceuticals: A review of anti-nutritional factors, health benefits and their applications in food, medicinal and cosmetic sectors

Amaranth and quinoa are small-seeded grains with high nutritional and phytochemical profiles that promote numerous health benefits and offer protection against various chronic ailments including hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders. They are classified as pseudocereals and possess significant nutritional benefits due to their abundance of proteins, lipids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Moreover, they exhibit an exceptional balance of essential amino acids. Despite having several health benefits, these grains have lost their popularity due to their coarse nature and are neglected in developed countries. Research and development activities are growing to explore these underutilized crops, characterizing and valorizing them for food applications. In this context, this review highlights the latest advancements in use of amaranth and quinoa as nutraceutical and functional foods, covering their bioactive substances, anti-nutritional factors, processing techniques, health benefits, and applications. This information will be valuable for planning novel research for efficient use of these neglected grains.

Anxiolytic and Antioxidant Effect of Phytoecdysteroids and Polyphenols from Chenopodium quinoa on an In Vivo Restraint Stress Model

The variety of stressful conditions in daily human activity requires nutritional support with safe, specialized food products containing functional food ingredients (FFIs) enriched with biologically active plant substances with proven adaptogenic properties. In this in vivo study, by evaluating a set of physiological parameters and biochemical markers, we investigated the effectiveness of the developed FFIs from Chenopodium quinoa grains in stress conditions induced by daily episodes of immobilization for 36 days. The results of the evaluation of the anxiety-like functions, locomotor, and search activity of rats in the "open field" and "elevated plus maze" tests demonstrated the ability of FFIs to reduce stressful behavior induced by immobilization. The improvement in the long-term memory of animals treated with FFIs was noted in the passive avoidance test. Together with the hypolipidemic effect and compensation of transaminase levels, FFIs normalized the excretion of catecholamines in the urine and reduced the levels of malondialdehyde to values of the control group. According to the results of the assessment of FFI acute oral toxicity, the LD₅₀ value exceeded 5000 mg/kg of body weight, which categorizes the FFIs under hazard class 5-substances with low hazard. The conducted experiment demonstrated the effectiveness of nutritional support with FFIs on the selected stress model. The positive safety profile of FFIs makes them reasonable to study on other stress models and to conduct clinical testing as part of specialized food products in various categories of people exposed to chronic stress.

Recent Updates on Phytoconstituent Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors: An Approach towards the Treatment of Type Two Diabetes

Diabetes is a common metabolic disorder marked by unusually high plasma glucose levels, which can lead to serious consequences such as retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy and cardiovascular disease. One of the most efficient ways to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia (PPHG) in diabetes mellitus, especially insulin-independent diabetes mellitus, is to lower the amount of glucose that is absorbed by inhibiting carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes in the digestive system, such as α-glucosidase and α-amylase. α-Glucosidase is a crucial enzyme that catalyzes the final stage of carbohydrate digestion. As a result, α-glucosidase inhibitors can slow D-glucose release from complex carbohydrates and delay glucose absorption, resulting in lower postprandial plasma glucose levels and control of PPHG. Many attempts have been made in recent years to uncover efficient α-glucosidase inhibitors from natural sources to build a physiologic functional diet or lead compound for diabetes treatment. Many phytoconstituent α-glucosidase inhibitors have been identified from plants, including alkaloids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, glycosides and others. The current review focuses on the most recent updates on different traditional/medicinal plant extracts and isolated compounds' biological activity that can help in the development of potent therapeutic medications with greater efficacy and safety for the treatment of type 2 diabetes or to avoid PPHG. For this purpose, we provide a summary of the latest scientific literature findings on plant extracts as well as plant-derived bioactive compounds as potential α-glucosidase inhibitors with hypoglycemic effects. Moreover, the review elucidates structural insights of the key drug target, α-glucosidase enzymes, and its interaction with different inhibitors.

Amelioration of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in a high-fat diet-fed mice by supplementation of a developed optimized polyherbal formulation

This study evaluated in vivo anti-diabetic and anti-obesity activity of a polyherbal formulation's methanolic extract containing an optimized ratio of edible seeds (Salvia hispanica, Chenopodium quinoa, Nelumbo nucifera). Diet-induced obese mice model (C57BL/6) was developed by feeding the mice a high-fat diet for 10 weeks resulting in hyperglycemia and obesity. Different doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight) of formulation were administered orally daily for 6 weeks. Fasting blood glucose and body weight were monitored throughout the study. At the end of the study, serum parameters were analyzed and histological examinations were performed. There was a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels and body weight in animal groups receiving polyherbal formulation. Lipid profile was improved as revealed by a reduction in serum triglycerides and total cholesterol. Histological study showed an improvement in liver, kidney and pancreatic sections of treated mice. High-performance thin layer chromatography was performed to identify the phytochemicals responsible for the above-mentioned bioactivities. The results revealed the presence of flavonoid (rutin) in seeds of N.nucifera and in the polyherbal formulation. For the first time, this study demonstrated the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potential of the optimized formulation. The formulation can be used as a potential therapy for management of diabesity.