Comparative Analysis of Metabolic Variations, Antioxidant Profiles and Antimicrobial Activity of Salvia hispanica (Chia) Seed, Sprout, Leaf, Flower, Root and Herb Extracts

Metabolomics-based profiling of five Salvia L. (Lamiaceae) species using untargeted data analysis workflow

INTRODUCTION

The genus Salvia L., a member of the family Lamiaceae, is a keystone genus with a wide range of medicinal properties. It possesses a rich metabolite source that has long been used to treat different disorders.

OBJECTIVES

Due to a deficiency of untargeted metabolomic profiling in the genus Salvia, this work attempts to investigate a comprehensive mass spectral library matching, computational data annotations, exclusive biomarkers, specific chemotypes, intraspecific metabolite profile variation, and metabolite enrichment by a case study of five medicinal species of Salvia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Aerial parts of each species were subjected to QTRAP liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis workflow based on untargeted metabolites. A comprehensive and multivariate analysis was acquired on the metabolite dataset utilizing MetaboAnalyst 6.0 and the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) Web Platform.

RESULTS

The untargeted approach empowered the identification of 117 metabolites by library matching and 92 nodes annotated by automated matching. A machine learning algorithm as substructural topic modeling, MS2LDA, was further implemented to explore the metabolite substructures, resulting in four Mass2Motifs. The automated library newly discovered a total of 23 metabolites. In addition, 87 verified biomarkers of library matching, 58 biomarkers of GNPS annotations, and 11 specific chemotypes were screened.

CONCLUSION

Integrative spectral library matching and automated annotation by the GNPS platform provide comprehensive metabolite profiling through a workflow. In addition, QTRAP LC-MS/MS with multivariate analysis unveiled reliable information about inter and intraspecific levels of differentiation. The rigorous investigation of metabolite profiling presents a large-scale overview and new insights for chemotaxonomy and pharmaceutical studies.

Distinction of chia varieties in vivo and in vitro based on the flow cytometry and rosmarinic acid production

Flow cytometry has made a significant contribution to the study of several complex fundamental mechanisms in plant cytogenetics, becoming a useful analytical tool to understand several mechanisms and processes underlying plant growth, development, and function. In this study, the genome size, DNA ploidy level, and A-T/G-C ratio were measured for the first time for two genotypes of chia, Salvia hispanica, an herbaceous plant commonly used in phytotherapy and nutrition. This study also evaluated, for the first time by flow cytometry, the capacity to produce organic acids of tissues stained with LysoTracker Deep Red after elicitation with either yeast extract or cadmium chloride. Rosmarinic acid content differed between the two chia varieties treated with different elicitor concentrations, compared with non-elicited plant material. Elicited tissues of both varieties contained a higher content of rosmarinic acid compared with non-elicited cultures, and cadmium chloride at 500 μM was much better than that at 1000 μM, which led to plant death. For both genotypes, a dose-response was observed with yeast extract, as the higher the concentration of elicitor used, the higher rosmarinic acid content, resulting also in better results and a higher content of rosmarinic acid compared with cadmium chloride. This study demonstrates that flow cytometry may be used as a taxonomy tool, to distinguish among very close genotypses of a given species and, for the first time in plants, that this approach can also be put to profit for a characterization of the cytoplasmic acid phase and the concomitant production of secondary metabolites of interest in vitro, with or without elicitation. KEY POINTS: • Genome size, ploidy level, A-T/G-C ratio, and cytoplasm acid phase of S. hispanica • Cytometry study of cytoplasm acid phase of LysoTracker Deep Red-stained plant cells • Yeast extract or cadmium chloride elicited rosmarinic acid production of chia tissues.

The nutritional profile of chia seeds and sprouts: tailoring germination practices for enhancing health benefits-a comprehensive review

Chia seeds have gained significant attention due to their unique composition and potential health benefits, including high dietary fibers, omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and phenolic compounds. These components contribute to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, as well as their ability to improve glucose metabolism and dyslipidemia. Germination is recognized as a promising strategy to enhance the nutritional value and bioavailability of chia seeds. Chia seed sprouts have been found to exhibit increased essential amino acid content, elevated levels of dietary fiber and total phenols, and enhanced antioxidant capability. However, there is limited information available concerning the dynamic changes of bioactive compounds during the germination process and the key factors influencing these alterations in biosynthetic pathways. Additionally, the influence of various processing conditions, such as temperature, light exposure, and duration, on the nutritional value of chia seed sprouts requires further investigation. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the nutritional profile of chia seeds and the dynamic changes that occur during germination. Furthermore, the potential for tailored germination practices to produce chia sprouts with personalized nutrition, targeting specific health needs, is also discussed.

Evaluation of Salvia hispanica as a Therapeutic Agent against Sodium Arsenic-Induced Testicular Toxicity in a Male Rats Model

Chia seeds offer therapeutic properties that aid in the prevention of a variety of ailments, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and other risk factors. Arsenite, a common environmental chemical, has been identified as a reproductive toxin owing to its negative effects on male reproductive health. It has been shown to inhibit spermatogenesis and generate androgenic effects in men. The primary goal of this research was to look into the effect of Salvia hispanica on testicular toxicity caused by sodium arsenite in male rats. A set of 36 male albino rats was allocated to a negative control cohort. The individuals in this group were given a basic meal and orally given distilled water for a duration of 28 days. The other five groups were given a regular meal and received intra-peritoneal injections of sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) at a concentration of 4 mg/kg body weight that was diluted in a 0.9% NaCl solution. The injections were administered consecutively, with two doses given within a two-day period. Subsequently, the rats were categorized into several groups using the following classification: Group 2 consisted of a positive control cohort, in which the rats were given a typical baseline diet. Groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 were given a basic diet that included varying proportions of ground chia seeds, namely 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% per 100 g of the diet. After the trial was completed, the rats were euthanized, and further biological examination was conducted. The measurements of the reproductive organs were documented and reported. The research assessed the following characteristics: sperm count, motility, progressive motility, and normal morphology. The research included examining serum sex hormones, namely luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone. An evaluation of the activity of antioxidant enzymes was performed in the tissue of the testicles. There were statistically significant improvements in the sperm parameters, serum sex hormone levels, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as GPX, SOD, and CAT, in the therapy groups. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) exhibited a noteworthy decrease (p ≤ 0.05) when compared to the positive control group. Salvia hispanica seeds have demonstrated a significant level of effectiveness in reducing sodium arsenite-induced testicular toxicity, which leads to the conclusion. The flavonoid content and antioxidant properties of Salvia hispanica seeds may be to blame for the observed behavior. These indicated characteristics may have therapeutic significance in treating testicular harm induced by arsenite exposure.

Copper(II) Complexes with 1-(Isoquinolin-3-yl)heteroalkyl-2-ones: Synthesis, Structure and Evaluation of Anticancer, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Potential

Four copper(II) complexes, C1-4, derived from 1-(isoquinolin-3-yl)heteroalkyl-2-one ligands L1-4 were synthesized and characterized using an elemental analysis, IR spectroscopic data as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction data for complex C1. The stability of complexes C1-4 under conditions mimicking the physiological environment was estimated using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The antiproliferative activity of both ligands L1-4 and copper(II) compounds C1-4 were evaluated using an MTT assay on four human cancer cell lines, A375 (melanoma), HepG2 (hepatoma), LS-180 (colon cancer) and T98G (glioblastoma), and a non-cancerous cell line, CCD-1059Sk (human normal skin fibroblasts). Complexes C1-4 showed greater potency against HepG2, LS180 and T98G cancer cell lines than etoposide (IC50 = 5.04-14.89 μg/mL vs. IC50 = 43.21->100 μg/mL), while free ligands L1-4 remained inactive in all cell lines. The prominent copper(II) compound C2 appeared to be more selective towards cancer cells compared with normal cells than compounds C1, C3 and C4. The treatment of HepG2 and T98G cells with complex C2 resulted in sub-G1 and G2/M cell cycle arrest, respectively, which was accompanied by DNA degradation. Moreover, the non-cytotoxic doses of C2 synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs, including etoposide, 5-fluorouracil and temozolomide, in HepG2 and T98G cells. The antimicrobial activities of ligands L2-4 and their copper(II) complexes C2-4 were evaluated using different types of Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and yeast species. No correlation was found between the results of the antiproliferative and antimicrobial experiments. The antioxidant activities of all compounds were determined using the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging methods. Antiradical tests revealed that among the investigated compounds, copper(II) complex C4 possessed the strongest antioxidant properties. Finally, the ADME technique was used to determine the physicochemical and drug-likeness properties of the obtained complexes.

Phytochemical screening and biological evaluation of Greek sage (Salvia fruticosa Mill.) extracts

This study explores the influence of extraction solvents on the composition and bioactivity of Salvia fruticosa extracts. Ultrasound-assisted extraction with water, ethanol and their mixtures in variable proportions was used to produce four different extracts. An untargeted UPLC/MS‑based metabolomics was performed to discover metabolites profile variation between the extracts. In the analyzed samples, 2704 features had been detected, of which 95 were tentatively identified. The concentrations of the important metabolites, namely, caffeic acid, carnosic acid, carnosol, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B and scutellarin, were determined, using UPLC-PDA methods. Rosmarinic acid was the dominant metabolite and antioxidant in all tested extracts, except the aqueous extract, in which scutellarin was the most abundant compound. The extracts and standards were examined for antioxidant activity and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity. The most diverse in terms of chemical composition and rich in antioxidant compounds was 70% ethanolic extract and the strongest antioxidant was caffeic acid. All analyzed extracts showed the ability to inhibit XO activity, but the highest value was recorded for 30% ethanolic extract. Among tested standards, the most potent XO inhibitor was caffeic acid. The results suggest that the leaves of Greek sage are a source of natural XO inhibitors and may be an alternative to drugs produced by chemical synthesis.

Post-Chromatographic Derivatization Coupled with Mass Spectrometry as a Method of Profiling and Identification of Antioxidants; Ligustrum vulgare Phytocomplex as an Example

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) coupled with radical scavenging assays, such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) can be both used for the detection of the antioxidants in plant extracts. In this study, the ethanolic (70% v/v) extracts from different morphological parts of Ligustrum vulgare collected at different stages of maturity were used as the source of antioxidants. The final identification of antioxidants was performed using high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS). As a result, 19 compounds with antioxidant properties detected with HPLC-ABTS assay and 10 compounds detected with HPTLC-DPPH/ABTS assay were identified, mostly from the group of iridoids, phenylethanoids, and flavonoids. When comparing different L. vulgare samples, it was found that the extracts obtained from leaves contained the greatest number of antioxidants. The results of this study suggest that HPTLC-DPPH/ABTS as well as HPLC-ABTS derivatization coupled with the HRMS can be successfully used for profiling and identification of antioxidants from natural sources. Planar chromatography is more suitable for screening multiple samples because of its simplicity, whereas more challenging liquid chromatography provides more detailed information and is therefore better for a selected set of samples.

The Impact of White Mulberry, Green Barley, Chia Seeds, and Spirulina on Physicochemical Characteristics, Texture, and Sensory Quality of Processed Cheeses

Processed cheeses (PC) are products resulting from the mixing and melting of rennet cheese, emulsifying salts, water, and possibly various additional ingredients. They are considered good vehicles for new ingredients, including plant-based ones. In addition to the health-promoting effects of plant-based ingredients, some of them can also affect positively the quality characteristics of PC (e.g., texture, taste, and consistency) and their addition may reduce the amount of emulsifying salts used. The aim of the study was to determine the possibility of the addition of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0% white mulberry (M), chia (Ch), green barley (GB), or spirulina (S) to PC and the effects on selected characteristics of these products (chemical composition, pH, water activity, color parameters, texture, and sensory properties). In all PC variants, a significance decrease in the dry matter content was observed with an increase in the additive level. The use of plant-based additives allowed us to reduce the addition of emulsifying salts by 50% compared to their typical amounts and the share of rennet cheese in the PC recipe by approximately 18%, which had a beneficial effect on the nutritional value of these products. The use of 3% GB, Ch, or M as additives to PC enabled a reduction in its sodium content by 27, 27, and 42%, respectively, compared to the control cheese. Among the tested additives, GB caused the greatest increase in the hardness of PC (even at the amount of 0.5%), indicating that is beneficial and can be used in the production of sliced PC. All the additives either significantly reduced the adhesiveness of PC or had no effect on this parameter. In terms of sensory characteristics, the highest acceptable addition of GB was 0.5%, and that for S and Ch was 1%, while the addition of M, even at 3%, was assessed very positively. The results of this research may be helpful in the development of new recipes for processed cheeses obtained in industrial conditions.