Structures of phytosterols and triterpenoids with potential anti-cancer activity in bran of black non-glutinous rice

In vitro and in silico studies of alpha glucosidase inhibition and antifungal activity of coffea canephora husk

The coffea canephora husk, a protected agricultural crop, is abundant in Vietnam. Examining the effects of C. canephora husk compounds on α-glucosidase and antifungal drug activity was the primary objective of this research. A cholestane-type steroid, coffeacanol A (1), was extracted from the ethyl acetate extract. Three cholestane-type derivatives (2-4) and three additional known compounds (5-7) were separated, and we used a variety of chromatographic techniques to identify a total of six substances. We used NMR to determine the chemical structures of these substances. Extensive HR-MS-ESI analysis and NMR experimental data were used to confirm the structure of the novel metabolite (1). The cholestane-type steroid was initially discovered in the Coffea canephora husk, marking the first instance in the coffee plant family to reveal chemical structures (1-7). The inhibition of α-glucosidase was found to be significantly higher in all compounds tested, with the exception of compounds (2) and (5). In vitro, the positive control showed the lowest inhibition, and the range of IC50 values was calculated to be 27.4 to 96.5 μM, which is lower than the IC50 value of 214.50 μM for the acarbose control. With an IC50 value of 27.4 μM, compound (7) showed the greatest capacity to inhibit α-glucosidase among the test compounds. The 3TOP and 2VF5 enzyme crystal structures were used for in silico docking investigations and validations of compounds (1-7). In silico calculations to explain how compound (7) shows high activity in vitro via the enzyme inhibition mechanism by residual amino acids, like Gly 1102 (B chain) and Glu 1095 (B chain), and their relative interaction with compounds (7) and acarbose. Compound (7) exhibited the best antifungal activity against Candida albicans fungus among three fungi, namely Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton rubrum, with a MIC value of 25 μM. Compound (7) and fluconazole combined to form similar interactions in the contact ligand model, including the functional group, capping group, and linker part, which interacted fully with the 2VF5 enzyme, leading to effective in vitro inhibition.

Usefulness of the 1H NMR Multisuppression Approach for the Global Characterization of Monovarietal Extra-Virgin Olive Oils

Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is one of the most appreciated vegetable oils worldwide, but its high price makes it prone to suffer adulteration with lower quality oils. Therefore, it is important to have methodologies able to study EVOO composition as a whole in a simple and fast way, in order to guarantee its quality and safety. For this purpose, in this study, commercial samples of five Spanish olive cultivars (Arbequina, Arroniz, Cornicabra, Hojiblanca, Picual) were studied by Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, using standard and multisuppression pulses. The aim was to explore the possibility of 1H NMR use to characterize in a single run and in a global way the composition of these monocultivar oils, regarding not only their main components (fatty acids supported on triglycerides) but also minor ones (squalene, sterols, diterpenic wax esters of phytol and geranylgeraniol, phenolic and secoiridoid derivatives, like tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, oleacein, oleocanthal, and lignans, among others, and aldehydes). The use of univariate and multivariate statistical analyses confirmed the presence of compositional features that were specific to some olive varieties. The Arbequina and Arroniz oils showed the most characteristic features that allowed for clearly differentiating them from the others. In contrast, the discrimination between the Cornicabra, Hojiblanca and Picual oils was not so easily achieved.

Phytochemical profiling of Livistona carinensis leaf extract via UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS with assessment of its antiviral mechanisms

Among 36 species of the genus Livistona (family Palmae or Arecaceae), L. carinensis is considered the only species native to Africa. Previous studies showed the richness of Livistona fruits in phenolic compounds. The goal of the current study was to investigate the phytochemical composition and assess the antiviral mechanisms of the L. carinensis leaves' ethanolic extract cultivated in Egypt for the first time. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) was applied. Moreover, the total crude extract was fractionated using ethyl acetate and n-butanol for phytochemical investigations by various chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Besides, the antiviral activity of L. carinensis leaves was assessed using three protocols in vitro using MTT assay compared to acyclovir. UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS-based analysis resulted in identification of 72 metabolites tentatively. They belonged to diverse phytochemical classes, mainly including flavonoids (29), organic acids (10), and phenolic acids (7). The antiviral activity investigations revealed a direct Adeno virus inactivation mechanism rather than inhibition of virus replication or blocking its attachment to Vero cells. Hence, the plant leaves may be a potential candidate for discovery of novel antiviral drugs owing to the diversity of identified phytochemical classes.

Phytosterols: Physiological Functions and Potential Application

Dietary intake of natural substances to regulate physiological functions is currently regarded as a potential way of promoting health. As one of the recommended dietary ingredients, phytosterols that are natural bioactive compounds distributed in plants have received increasing attention for their health effects. Phytosterols have attracted great attention from scientists because of many physiological functions, for example, cholesterol-lowering, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. In addition, the physiological functions of phytosterols, the purification, structure analysis, synthesis, and food application of phytosterols have been widely studied. Nowadays, many bioactivities of phytosterols have been assessed in vivo and in vitro. However, the mechanisms of their pharmacological activities are not yet fully understood, and in-depth investigation of the relationship between structure and function is crucial. Therefore, a contemporaneous overview of the extraction, beneficial properties, and the mechanisms, as well as the current states of phytosterol application, in the food field of phytosterols is provided in this review.

Contemporary Views of the Extraction, Health Benefits, and Industrial Integration of Rice Bran Oil: A Prominent Ingredient for Holistic Human Health

Globally, 50% of people consume rice (Oryza sativa), which is among the most abundant and extensively ingested cereal grains. Rice bran is a by-product of the cereal industry and is also considered a beneficial waste product of the rice processing industry. Rice bran oil (RBO) is created from rice bran (20-25 wt% in rice bran), which is the outermost layer of the rice kernel; has a lipid content of up to 25%; and is a considerable source of a plethora of bioactive components. The main components of RBO include high levels of fiber and phytochemicals, including vitamins, oryzanols, fatty acids, and phenolic compounds, which are beneficial to human health and well-being. This article summarizes the stabilization and extraction processes of rice bran oil from rice bran using different techniques (including solvent extraction, microwaving, ohmic heating, supercritical fluid extraction, and ultrasonication). Some studies have elaborated the various biological activities linked with RBO, such as antioxidant, anti-platelet, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, anti-mutagenic, aphrodisiac, anti-depressant, anti-emetic, fibrinolytic, and cytotoxic activities. Due to the broad spectrum of biological activities and economic benefits of RBO, the current review article focuses on the extraction process of RBO, its bioactive components, and the potential health benefits of RBO. Furthermore, the limitations of existing studies are highlighted, and suggestions are provided for future applications of RBO as a functional food ingredient.

Octadecyl and sulfonyl modification of diatomite synergistically improved the immobilization efficiency of lipase and its application in the synthesis of pine sterol esters

Phytosterols usually have to be esterified to various phytosterol esters to avoid their disadvantages of unsatisfactory solubility and low bioavailability. The enzymatic synthesis of phytosterol esters in a solvent-free system has advantages in terms of environmental friendliness, sustainability, and selectivity. However, the limitation of the low stability and recyclability of the lipase in the solvent-free system, which often requires a relatively high temperature to induce the viscosity, also increased the industrial production cost. In this context, a low-cost material, namely diatomite, was employed as the support in the immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) due to its multiple modification sites. The Fe3 O4 was also then introduced to this system for quick and simple separation via the magnetic field. Moreover, to further enhance the immobilization efficiency of diatomite, a modification strategy which involved the octadecyl and sulfonyl group for regulating the hydrophobicity and interaction between the support and lipase was successfully developed. The optimization of the ratio of the modifiers suggested that the -SO3 H/C18 (1:1.5) performed best with an enzyme loading and enzyme activity of 84.8 mg·g-1 and 54 U·g-1 , respectively. Compared with free CRL, the thermal and storage stability of CRL@OSMD was significantly improved, which lays the foundation for the catalytic synthesis of phytosterol esters in solvent-free systems. Fortunately, a yield of 95.0% was achieved after optimizing the reaction conditions, and a yield of 70.0% can still be maintained after six cycles.

Co-sonicated coacervation for high-efficiency green nanoencapsulation of phytosterols by colloidal non-biotoxic solid lipid nanoparticles

Plant sterols are used as a supplement or an additive to reduce LDL cholesterol. The poor dispersibility and instability of phytosterols are the main limitations of their application. So, we tried to overcome these problems through nanoencapsulation of them with colloidal natural RSs (SLNs) using an effective approach to achieve higher efficiency and less intrinsic coagulation. Phytosterols extracted from flax seeds oil with caffeine by a new method were encapsulated with a stable colloid of sheep fat and ostrich oil (1:2), soy lecithin, and glucose through co-sonicated coacervation. Characterization of the obtained SLNs was conducted using FTIR, UV-Vis, SEM, DLS, and GC analysis. The three-factor three-level Behnken design (BBD) was used to prioritize the factors affecting the coacervation process to optimize particle size and loading capacity of SLNs. Operational conditions were examined, revealing that the size of SLNs was below 100 nm, with a phytosterols content (EE %) of 85.46% with high positive zeta potential. The nanocapsules' anti-microbial activity and drug-release behavior were then evaluated using the CFU count method and Beer-Lambert's law, respectively. The controlled release of nanocapsules (below 20%) at ambient temperature has been tested. The stability of nano-encapsulated phytosterols was investigated for six months. All results show that this green optimal coacervation is a better way than conventional methods to produce stable SLNs for the nanoencapsulation of phytosterols.

Traditional Uses, Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of the Toona sinensis Plant

Toona sinensis (A. Juss.) Roem., which is widely distributed in China, is a homologous plant resource of medicine and food. The leaves, seeds, barks, buds and pericarps of T. sinensis can be used as medicine with traditional efficacy. Due to its extensive use in traditional medicine in the ancient world, the T. sinensis plant has significant development potential. In this review, 206 compounds, including triterpenoids (1-133), sesquiterpenoids (134-135), diterpenoids (136-142), sterols (143-147), phenols (148-167), flavonoids (168-186), phenylpropanoids (187-192) and others (193-206), are isolated from the T. sinensis plant. The mass spectrum cracking laws of representative compounds (64, 128, 129, 154-156, 175, 177, 179 and 183) are reviewed, which are conducive to the discovery of novel active substances. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that T. sinensis extracts and their compounds have antidiabetic, antidiabetic nephropathy, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hepatoprotective, antiviral, antibacterial, immunopotentiation and other biological activities. The traditional uses, chemical constituents, compound cracking laws and pharmacological activities of different parts of T. sinensis are reviewed, laying the foundation for improving the development and utilization of its medicinal value.

Chemical Structure Diversity and Extensive Biological Functions of Specialized Metabolites in Rice

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is thought to have been domesticated many times independently in China and India, and many modern cultivars are available. All rice tissues are rich in specialized metabolites (SPMs). To date, a total of 181 terpenoids, 199 phenolics, 41 alkaloids, and 26 other types of compounds have been detected in rice. Some volatile sesquiterpenoids released by rice are known to attract the natural enemies of rice herbivores, and play an indirect role in defense. Momilactone, phytocassane, and oryzalic acid are the most common diterpenoids found in rice, and are found at all growth stages. Indolamides, including serotonin, tryptamine, and N-benzoylserotonin, are the main rice alkaloids. The SPMs mainly exhibit defense functions with direct roles in resisting herbivory and pathogenic infections. In addition, phenolics are also important in indirect defense, and enhance wax deposition in leaves and promote the lignification of stems. Meanwhile, rice SPMs also have allelopathic effects and are crucial in the regulation of the relationships between different plants or between plants and microorganisms. In this study, we reviewed the various structures and functions of rice SPMs. This paper will provide useful information and methodological resources to inform the improvement of rice resistance and the promotion of the rice industry.

Effect of processing methods and storage on the bioactive compounds of black rice (Oryza sativa L.): a review

Compared to brown and white rice, black rice contains more nutrients and numerous unique bioactive substances, such as essential amino acids, dietary fiber, γ-oryzanols, γ-aminobutyric acid, phenolic compounds, and anthocyanins, which makes it highly valuable for development and use. Whole-grain black rice typically requires a certain amount of processing prior to consumption, with the primary goal of enhancing the taste and texture of whole grains and their products. However, various new processing technologies have been effectively applied to the processing of black rice and the enhancement of its qualitative characteristics, but they also have both positive and negative effects on its nutritional quality. Therefore, evaluation of changes in concentrations of the bioactive substances as natural antioxidants due to processing and storage conditions is critical for establishing dietary guidelines for rice. This review highlights the primary bioactive components of black rice and provides a discussion of the impact of processing methods and storage on the bioactive components of black rice. Furthermore, we summarized the issues that currently exist in the processing and storage of black rice.

Chemical components and monoamine oxidase B inhibition activities from the tubers of Sauromatum giganteum (Engl.) Cusimano & Hett

The rhizome tuber of Sauromatum giganteum is known as 'Bai Fuzi' in China and has been ethnomedicinally used to treat various neurological diseases. It is considered to possess anti-Parkinson's disease (PD) potential, but the active compounds responsible for that is still unclear. In this work, nineteen compounds were isolated and identified from rhizome tuber of this plant, among which four were firstly reported, i.e. berberine (1), nicotinamide (2), rutin (3) and 5-caffeoylquinic acid (4). Six compounds (1, 3, 4, 8, 14 and 15) exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against MAO-B with IC50 of 118.8, 45.6, 96.2, 65.8, 40.0, and 49.8 µM, and two compounds (3 and 4) displayed significant protective effect on 6-OHDA-induced PC-12 cell model. The molecular docking of the bioactive compounds and MAO-B was carried out to explore the binding mode. The findings revealed the potential of S. giganteum as anti-PD herb and its inclusion in TCM could be explored.

Assessment of the Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant Capacity, and Hepatoprotective Effect of Andrographis paniculata against CCl4-Induced Liver Dysfunction in Wistar Albino Rats

Recent studies have highlighted the necessity to thoroughly evaluate medicinal plants due to their therapeutic potential. The current study delves into the phytochemical profile, antioxidant capacity, and hepatoprotective effect of Andrographis paniculata. The investigation specifically targets its effectiveness in mitigating liver dysfunction induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in Wistar albino rats, aiming to uncover its promising role as a natural remedy for liver-related ailments. A. paniculata leaf extract was screened for phytoconstituents and antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects in Wistar albino rats against CCl₄-induced liver dysfunction. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds in all extracts. The phenolic concentration ranged from 10.23 to 19.52 mg gallic acid per gram of the sample, while the highest flavonoid concentration was found in the ethanol fraction (8.27 mg rutin equivalents per gram). The antioxidant activity varied from 10.23 to 62.23. GC-MS analysis identified several phytochemicals including octadecanoic acid, stigmasterol, phenanthrenecarboxylic acid, and others. Effects of the ethanol extract of A. paniculata were evaluated in four groups of animals. Biochemical estimations of serum glutamine oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamine pyruvate transaminase, and serum bilirubin were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the CCl₄-treated group. Treatment with 300 mg/kg b.w. of the ethanol extract of A. paniculata significantly (p < 0.05) decreased these serum enzymes. Lipid peroxidation levels in carbon tetrachloride-treated animals showed a substantial (p < 0.05) rise when compared to untreated animals, while the lipid peroxidation levels were considerably (p < 0.05) reduced after treatment with ethanol extract at 300 mg/kg b.w. Liver biochemical catalase activities were significantly reduced in the carbon tetrachloride-treated animals. The results of this study conclusively demonstrate that A. paniculata extracts are a rich source of phytochemicals and possess significant antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and hepatoprotective properties.

Antioxidant Activity and Phytopathogenic Control of Extracts and Fraction from Struthanthus calophyllus A.C.Sm. (Loranthaceae)

Phytopathogenic microorganisms cause oxidative stress in host plants, thus affecting agricultural crops. Such stress could be controlled by antioxidant compounds from parasitic plants, given their antioxidant power. This article reports an evaluation of Struthanthus calophyllus antimicrobial activity and antioxidant mechanism by testing different polarity extracts. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against phytopathogens bacteria (e. g., Erwinia, Pectobacterium, Xanthomonas) using the agar diffusion method. Pectobacterium and Xanthomonas presented growth inhibition zones similar to streptomycin control. Antioxidant activity was determined by measuring total phenol content, DPPH⋅, and ABTS⋅+ radicals-scavenging inhibition percentage (IP). Most polar extracts presented 76,9-95,9 % IP, which correlates with its phenolic content. Besides, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance in a V14-1 sub-fraction from stem ethanolic extract, chose one for highest yield percentage, highest metabolites presence, and antimicrobial activity, showed triterpenic compounds mixture (α-amyrin, β-amyrin and 24-methylenecycloartanol). Findings in this study are among the first reports for S. calophyllus, even the chemical characterization, that confirm its strong antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Further molecular composition research about parasitic plants could show how unknown compounds may combat pathogenic microorganisms.

Apoptosis promoting activity of selected plant steroid in MRMT-1 breast cancer cell line by modulating mitochondrial permeation pathway

Escape from apoptosis is one of the main demeanor characteristics of cancer cells. Mitochondria are key players in initiating and regulating the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Hexokinase2 (HK2) is ubiquitously expressed in several cancer cells and is essential for cell survival and death. The binding of HK2 to mitochondria promotes cell proliferation, while AKT-1 mediated pathway is crucial in this process. Peimine, a steroidal alkaloid derived from plant steroids, is screened for docking properties, ADMET properties, and drug-likeness. Apoptosis targets are predicted by network pharmacology using 47 genes associated with apoptosis. According to in silico study, peimine has the potential for dual Targeting on HK2 and AKT1. For further confirmation, peimine was subjected to Cell culture studies using MRMT-1 rat breast cancer cells. The elevated levels of cytochrome c and Caspase 9 activity indicate that the intrinsic apoptosis pathway causes cell death. The decreased glucose uptake by the MRMT-1 cells indicates that pimine inhibits glucose transport by inhibiting the membrane HK2.

Cytotoxic Potential of the Marine Diatom Thalassiosira rotula: Insights into Bioactivity of 24-Methylene Cholesterol

Marine microalgae are receiving great interest as sustainable sources of bioactive metabolites for health, nutrition and personal care. In the present study, a bioassay-guided screening allowed identifying an enriched fraction from SPE separation of the methanolic extract of the marine diatom Thalassiosira rotula with a chemically heterogeneous composition of cytotoxic molecules, including PUFAs, the terpene phytol, the carotenoid fucoxanthin and the phytosterol 24-methylene cholesterol (24-MChol). In particular, this latter was the object of deep investigation aimed to gain insight into the mechanisms of action activated in two tumour cell models recognised as resistant to chemical treatments, the breast MCF7 and the lung A549 cell lines. The results of our studies revealed that 24-MChol, in line with the most studied β-sitosterol (β-SIT), showed cytotoxic activity in a 3–30 µM range of concentration involving the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, although differences emerged between the two sterols and the two cancer systems when specific targets were investigated (caspase-3, caspase-9, FAS and TRAIL).

Enriched Riceberry Bran Oil Exerts Chemopreventive Properties through Anti-Inflammation and Alteration of Gut Microbiota in Carcinogen-Induced Liver and Colon Carcinogenesis in Rats

Riceberry has recently been acknowledged for its beneficial pharmacological effects. Riceberry bran oil (RBBO) exhibited anti-proliferation activity in various cancer cell lines. However, animal studies of RBBO on anti-carcinogenicity and its molecular inhibitory mechanism have been limited. This study purposed to investigate the chemopreventive effects of RBBO on the carcinogen-induced liver and colorectal carcinogenesis in rats. Rats were injected with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and further orally administered with RBBO equivalent to 100 mg/kg body weight of γ-oryzanol 5 days/week for 10 weeks. RBBO administration suppressed preneoplastic lesions including hepatic glutathione S-transferase placental form positive foci and colorectal aberrant crypt foci. Accordingly, RBBO induced hepatocellular and colorectal cell apoptosis and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Interestingly, RBBO effectively promoted the alteration of gut microbiota in DEN- and DMH-induced rats, as has been shown in the elevated Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. This outcome was consistent with an increase in butyrate in the feces of carcinogen-induced rats. The increase in butyrate reflects the chemopreventive properties of RBBO through the mechanisms of its anti-inflammatory properties and cell apoptosis induction in preneoplastic cells. This would indicate that RBBO containing γ-oryzanol, phytosterols, and tocols holds significant potential in the prevention of cancer.

Chemical Profiling of Limonium vulgare Mill. Using UHPLC-DAD-ESI/MS2 and GC-MS Analysis

Limonium vulgare Mill. is a plant growing widely in harsh environments, such as salt marshes, for which a chemical profile is still unknown, although some interesting bioactivities were already reported. So, this halophyte chemical profile must be established to find the possible bioactive compounds, valorize the species, and contribute to the salt marsh’s exploitation. This work set the chemical profile of L. vulgare’s aerial parts (leaves and inflorescences) using UHPLC-DAD-ESI/MS2 and GC-MS analysis. The lipophilic profile showed a richness in fatty acids, alkanes, and terpenoids, β-sitosterol being the major compound in inflorescences in the fruiting stage (0.822 ± 0.015 mg/g of the dry plant) and leaves (0.534 ± 0.017 mg/g of the dry plant). In contrast, in the inflorescences in the flowering stage, the major compound is nonacosane (0.228 ± 0.001 mg/g of the dry plant). The polyphenolic profile demonstrates that L. vulgare produces several flavonoids from which quercetin and myricetin can be highlighted; in particular, myricetin derivatives are prevalent in all extracts. Amongst the flavonoids, myricetin 3-rhamnoside is the most abundant in the inflorescences in the flowering stage (6.35 ± 0.05 mg/g of the dry plant), myricetin in leaves (9.69 ± 0.11 mg/g of the dry plant), and in the inflorescences in the fruiting stage baicalin presents the highest amount (5.15 ± 0.07 mg/g of the dry plant). This is the first report on L. vulgare’s chemical profile and the results indicate that this species is an exciting source of bioactive compounds, suggesting it has a use to produce nutraceuticals and/or pharmaceuticals.

Syringol isolated from Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn bran suppresses inflammatory response through the down-regulation of cPLA2, COX-2, IκBα, p38 and MPO signaling in sPLA2 induced mice paw oedema

Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn (E. coracana) is one of the highest consuming food crops in Asia and Africa. E. coracana is a plant with several medicinal values including anti-ulcerative, anti-diabetic, anti-viral and anti-cancer properties. However, the anti-inflammatory property of E. coracana remains to be elucidated. Therefore, the objective of present study was to investigate the potential in isolated molecule from E. coracana via a combination of in vitro, in vivo and in silico methods. In this study, we have isolated, purified and characterized an anti-inflammatory molecule from E. coracana bran extract known as syringol. Purification of syringol was accomplished by combination of GC-MS and RP-HPLC techniques. Syringol significantly inhibited the enzymes activity of sPLA₂ (IC₅₀ = 3.00 µg) and 5-LOX (IC₅₀ = 0.325 µg) in vitro. The inhibition is independent of substrate concentration, calcium ion concentration and was irreversible. Syringol interacts with purified sPLA₂ enzymes as evidenced by fluorescence and molecular docking studies. Further, the syringol molecule dose dependently inhibited the development of sPLA₂ and λ-carrageenan induced edema. Furthermore, syringol decreases the expression of cPLA₂, COX-2, IκBα, p38 and MPO in edematous tissues as demonstrated by western blots. These studies revealed that syringol isolated from E. coracana bran may develop as a potent anti-inflammatory molecule.

Anticancer and Neuroprotective Activities of Ethyl Acetate Fractions from Morus macroura Miq. Plant Organs with Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Profiling

Column chromatography afforded the isolation of seven secondary metabolites (1-(2,4,6-trihydroxy phenyl)-ethanone-4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, naringenin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-α-l-rhamnoside, kaempferol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-β-d-galactopyranoside, rutin) from the ethyl acetate (ET) fractions of Morus macroura Miq. stems (S), leaves (L), and fruits (F). Their identification based on ultraviolet (UV), electron ionization (EI), electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and 1D and 2D NMR data. In addition, profiling of ET fractions using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) resulted in the identification of 82 compounds belonging to different classes, mainly polyphenolic constituents. Chemical profiling as well as molecular docking directed us to biological evaluation. Interestingly, the ET-L fraction exhibited a robust cytotoxic activity against HepG-2, MCF-7, and HELA cell lines. Also, it displayed a neuromodulatory activity against cisplatin neurotoxicity in rats by ameliorating the neurobehavioral dysfunction visualized in the open field and Y-maze test and modulating the neurochemical parameters such as brain amino acid levels (glutamate, aspartate, serine, and histidine), oxidative stress markers (GSH, MDA, and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine), and purinergic cell energy (adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP)). In conclusion, the isolated compounds (kaempferol-3-O-β-glucoside and quercetin-3-O-β-glucoside) from the ET-L fraction could serve as potent anticancer agents due to their strong antioxidant, in vitro cytotoxicity, and in vivo neuroprotective activity.

Antidiabetic Sterols from Peniocereus greggii Roots

The roots of the cactus Peniocereus greggii, which grows in Northern Mexico and in the south of Arizona, are highly valued by the Pima to treat diabetes and other illnesses, such as breast pain and common cold. As part of our chemical and pharmacological investigation on medicinal plants used for treating diabetes, herein we report the hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic action of a decoction prepared from the roots of the plant. The active compounds were a series of cholestane steroids, namely, peniocerol (2), desoxyviperidone (3), viperidone (4), and viperidinone (5). Also, a new chemical entity was obtained from an alkalinized chloroform extract (CE1), which was characterized as 3,6-dihydroxycholesta-5,8(9),14-trien-7-one (6) by spectroscopic means. Desoxyviperidone (3) showed an antihyperglycemic action during an oral glucose tolerance test. Compound 3 was also able to decrease blood glucose levels during an intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test in hyperglycemic mice only in combination with insulin, thus behaving as an insulin sensitizer agent. Nevertheless, mitochondrial bioenergetic experiments revealed that compounds 3 and 6 increased basal respiration and proton leak, without affecting the respiration associated with ATP production in C2C12 myotubes. Finally, an ultraefficiency liquid chromatographic method for quantifying desoxyviperidone (3) and viperidone (4) in the crude drug was developed and validated. Altogether, our results demonstrate that Peniocereus greggii decoction possesses a hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic action in vivo, that sterols 2 and 6 promotes insulin secretion in vitro, and that desoxyviperidone (3) physiologically behaves as an insulin sensitizer agent by a mechanism that may involve mitochondrial proton leak.

Effects of Extraction Processes on the Oxidative Stability, Bioactive Phytochemicals, and Antioxidant Activity of Crude Rice Bran Oil

This research investigates the effects of different extraction processes on the oil extractability, oxidative stability, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of crude rice bran oil (CRBO). The experimental extraction processes include hexane extraction (HE), cold press extraction (CE), thermally pretreated cold press extraction (CCE), and ultrasound-pretreated cold press extraction (UCE). The results show that thermal cooking and ultrasound pretreatment significantly improve the oil extractability of the cold press extraction process. The oil yields of CE, CCE, and UCE were 14.27, 17.31, and 16.68 g oil/100 g rice bran, respectively. The oxidative stability of CE and CCE oils was higher than HE and UCE oils, as evidenced by the synchrotron-radiation-based Fourier transform infrared (SR-FTIR) absorption peak. The ρ-anisidine values of HE, CE, CCE, and UCE were 0.30, 0.20, 0.91, and 0.31, respectively. Meanwhile, ultrasound pretreatment significantly reduced the bioactive compounds and chemical antioxidant activity of UCE oil. The CE, CCE, and UCE oils (0.1% oil concentration) exhibited higher inhibitory effects against hydrogen-peroxide-induced cellular oxidative stress, compared to HE oil (0.39% oil concentration). Essentially, CCE is operationally and environmentally suitable for improving the oil yield, oxidative stability, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activities of CRBO.

Artemisia santolinifolia-Mediated Chemosensitization via Activation of Distinct Cell Death Modes and Suppression of STAT3/Survivin-Signaling Pathways in NSCLC

Conventional chemotherapy remains an integral part of lung cancer therapy, regardless of its toxicity and drug resistance. Consequently, the discovery of an alternative to conventional chemotherapy is critical. Artemisia santolinifolia ethanol extract (AS) was assessed for its chemosensitizer ability when combined with the conventional anticancer drug, docetaxel (DTX), against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SRB assay was used to determine cell viability for A549 and H23 cell lines. The potential for this combination was examined by the combination index (CI). Further cell death, analyses with Annexin V/7AAD double staining, and corresponding protein expressions were analyzed. Surprisingly, AS synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic effect of DTX by inducing apoptosis in H23 cells through the caspase-dependent pathway, whereas selectively increased necrotic cell population in A549 cells, following the decline in GPX4 level and reactive oxygen species (ROS) activation with the highest rate in the combination treatment group. Furthermore, our results highlight the chemosensitization ability of AS when combined with DTX. It was closely associated with synergistic inhibition of oncogenesis signaling molecule STAT3 in both cell lines and concurrently downregulating prosurvival protein Survivin. Conclusively, AS could enhance DTX-induced cancer cells apoptosis by abrogating substantial prosurvival proteins' expressions and triggering two distinct cell death pathways. Our data also highlight that AS might serve as an adjunctive therapeutic option along with a conventional chemotherapeutic agent in the management of NSCLC patients.

A Short Review: Bioactivity of Fermented Rice Bran

Rice bran is a by-product of the rice milling process, which refers to the processing of brown rice into polished rice. It contains a considerable amount of functional bioactive compounds. However, the utilization of these compounds is limited and calls for an effort to ferment rice bran. One of the methods that can significantly increase the added value of rice bran as well as its bioactivity is the solid-state fermentation. It can also be one of the strategies that help in the production of rice bran as a functional ingredient with higher bioactivity for health promotion.

Biological and pharmacological effects and nutritional impact of phytosterols: A comprehensive review

Phytosterols (PSs), classified into plant sterols and stanols, are bioactive compounds found in foods of plant origin. PSs have been proposed to exert a wide number of pharmacological properties, including the potential to reduce total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and thereby decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Other health-promoting effects of PSs include anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Also, anticancer effects have been strongly suggested, as phytosterol-rich diets may reduce the risk of cancer by 20%. The aim of this review is to provide a general overview of the available evidence regarding the beneficial physiological and pharmacological activities of PSs, with special emphasis on their therapeutic potential for human health and safety. Also, we will explore the factors that influence the physiologic response to PSs.

β-sitosterol induces reactive oxygen species-mediated apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line

Objective:

It is of interest to investigate the anti-proliferative effect of β-sitosterol (BS) on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line.

Materials and Methods:

β-sitosterol treatments (0.6 and 1.2 mM/ml) were done in HepG2 and after 24 hr, cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulating potential of BS was assessed by dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate staining. Morphology related to apoptosis was investigated by acridine orange and ethidium bromide dual staining. Cytochrome c and caspase 3 expressions were evaluated by immunofluorescence and western blot analyses.

Results:

β-sitosterol induced cytotoxicity (p<0.001) and intracellular ROS in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. BS treatments accumulated induced intracellular ROS accumulation which led to membrane damage and mitochondrial toxicity. At the molecular level, BS treatments induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria and enhanced the protein expressions (p<0.05 vs 0.6 mM/ml and p<0.001 vs 1.2 mM/ml) of both caspase 3 and cleaved caspase 3.

Conclusion:

β-sitosterol induced ROS accumulation which plays a critical role in apoptosis via the intrinsic pathway in HepG2 cells. The present investigation paves the way for further in vivo studies.

Antithrombotic Study and Identification of Metabolites in Leaf Extracts of Chaya [Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Mill.) I.M. Johnst.]

In Mexico, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (chaya) has been used to treat cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Because CVD are the number one cause of mortality, chaya use has become a health strategy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antithrombotic activity and identify the metabolites in the most active extract. Aqueous (Aq), ethanolic (EtOH), acetonic (An), ethyl acetate (AcOEt), diethyl ether (Et₂O), and hexanic (Hx) extracts were obtained. Platelet aggregation, phospholipase A₂, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and clot lysis were evaluated. Metabolites were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). EtOH showed the greatest inhibition of platelet aggregation and phospholipase A₂. Ac had the greatest effect on PT and aPTT. AcOEt had the greatest effect on clot lysis. EtOH, with the highest potential, was analyzed by GC-MS; fatty acids and triterpenes were identified. Thus, EtOH showed greater antiplatelet activity and other extracts showed moderate activity. This is a preliminary antithrombotic study. Future research will allow the development of nutraceuticals or functional ingredients for the prevention and treatment of thrombosis.

Efficacy of black rice extract on obesity in obese postmenopausal women: a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled preliminary clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

Postmenopausal obesity is a paramount health concern among older women. Black rice is a well-known pigmented rice variety with a higher anthocyanin content. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the effects of black rice on obesity. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of black rice extract (BRE) on obesity among obese postmenopausal women from Korea.

METHODS

This was a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled preliminary clinical trial. The participants were postmenopausal women who had stopped menstruating for more than a year. Specifically, 105 participants were randomly assigned to the BRE (1 g/d) or placebo (maltodextrin, 1 g/d) group.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight participants completed the study, 47 in the intervention group and 41 in the placebo group. At the study endpoint, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry assessment showed that the BRE group had a significantly lower trunk fat (P = 0.04), total fat (P = 0.04), and total body fat percentage (P = 0.04) than did the placebo group. The body fat percentage (P = 0.04) was lower in the BRE group with marginal significance, and there were no significant differences in anthropometric measures such as weight, body mass index, waist circumference, or waist-to-hip ratio estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis.

CONCLUSION

BRE supplementation for 12 weeks seems to be effective in reducing fat accumulation in postmenopausal women.

Antioxidant Effects of Anthocyanin-Rich Riceberry™ Rice Flour Prepared Using Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Technology on Iron-Induced Oxidative Stress in Mice

Redox-active iron generates reactive oxygen species that can cause oxidative organ dysfunction. Thus, the anti-oxidative systems in the body and certain dietary antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, are needed to control oxidative stress. We aimed to investigate the effects of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma technology in the preparation of Riceberry™ rice flour (PRBF) on iron-induced oxidative stress in mice. PRBF using plasma technology was rich in anthocyanins, mainly cyanidine-3-glucoside and peonidine-3-glucoside. PRBF (5 mg AE/mg) lowered WBC numbers in iron dextran (FeDex)-loaded mice and served as evidence of the reversal of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity, plasma total antioxidant capacity, and plasma and liver thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in the loading mice. Consequently, the PRBF treatment was observed to be more effective than NAC treatment. PRBF would be a powerful supplementary and therapeutic antioxidant product that is understood to be more potent than NAC in ameliorating the effects of iron-induced oxidative stress.

Phytochemical and antiplasmodial investigation of Gardenia thunbergia L. f. leaves

Previous results indicated that the methanol extract of Gardenia thunbergia has antiplasmodial activity but no compounds have ever been isolated from the plant. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the phytochemical and antiplasmodial properties of the plant. The methanol leaf extract of G. thunbergia inhibited Plasmodium falciparum at 50 µg/mL (> 80% inhibition) and was not cytotoxic against HeLa cells. Chromatographic purification of the extract afforded a new saponin and eight other known compounds. The saponin and two flavonoid glycosides displayed non-selective antiplasmodial activity at 50 µg/mL but the activities were diminished at 10 µg/mL. The presence of the isolated compounds in the leaf extract of G. thunbergia could account for the folkloric use of the plant in treating malaria.

Isolation and characterization of chemical constituents from Chaerophyllum bulbosum roots and their enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant effects

Isolation and bioactive effects of the roots of Chaerophyllum bulbosum L. were firstly investigated herein. Enzyme (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, urease, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase) inhibitory effects of C. bulbosum root extracts were tested. Three known compounds, n-heptadecanyl eicosanoate (1), stigmasterol (2), and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3) were isolated from C. bulbosum. Antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory effects of isolated compounds were investigated. The hexane extract (IC₅₀: 349.58 ± 0.06 μg/mL) displayed a higher α-glucosidase inhibitory effect than the standard (IC₅₀: 378.66 ± 0.14 μg/mL). The best inhibitory effect was found in compound 2 on AChE (46.40 ± 0.31%), BChE (56.41 ± 0.54%), and urease (92.47 ± 0.11%); compound 1 on α-amylase (22.27 ± 0.61%); and compound 3 on α-glucosidase (12.43 ± 0.25%) and tyrosinase (19.00 ± 0.16%). All isolated compounds showed moderate antioxidant effects in all assays. This study contributes to the therapeutic uses of Chaerophyllum roots and emphasizes the value of C. bulbosum species for the development of novel therapeutic agents.

Phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity and chemical composition of Spondias mombin Linn. Stem bark

Background

Spondias mombin Linn. is a tropical climate plant with wide applications in ethnomedicinal practice. This study evaluates the phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity and chemical composition of the plant’s stem bark.

Methods

Dried stem bark sample of Spondias mombin Linn. was subjected to exhaustive extraction and partitioned into sub-fractions (hexane-ethylacetate, ethylacetate, ethylacetate-methanol and methanol) by graded polarity technique. The phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity indices of the crude hydro-ethanol extract and fractions were evaluated using Lemna minor and brine shrimp lethality assays, respectively, while chemical composition of the oily hexane:ethylacetate fraction was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) technique.

Results

Phytotoxicity was dose-dependent which ranged from low (crude plant extract), moderate (hexane-ethylacetate and methanol fractions), high (ethylaacetate-methanol fraction) to significant toxicity (ethylacetate fraction) at the highest dose. However, for brine shrimp lethality assay only hexane-ethylacetate (LD50: 284.02 μg/mL) and ethylacetate (LD50: 210.24 μg/mL) fractions were cytotoxic at the highest dose. The GC-MS profile of the oily hexane:ethylacetate fraction identified sixty-eight compounds comprising hydrocarbons, fatty acids, alcohols, steroids, nitrogen and fluoride-containing compounds, terpenes and esters.

Conclusion

This study concludes that fractions of Spondias mombin Lin. could be potentially toxic. While its phytotoxic potential can be useful in the agrochemical industry for the production of natural herbicides, its cytotoxic property can be cautiously harnessed for ethnomedicinal purposes.

Comparative Studies on the Hepatoprotective Effect of White and Coloured Rice Bran Oil against Acetaminophen-Induced Oxidative Stress in Mice through Antioxidant- and Xenobiotic-Metabolizing Systems

Rice bran oil (RBO) comprises various nutrients and phytochemicals which exhibit several health benefits. There are no studies regarding the functional effects of different colours of RBO. This study was aimed to compare the constituents and antioxidant activities of white rice bran oil (WRBO) and coloured rice bran oil (CRBO). Each RBO showed similar free fatty acid profiles. However, greater amounts of vitamin E, phytosterols, carotenoids, and chlorophylls were found in CRBO, which had lower γ-oryzanol content than WRBO. Oxidative stress was induced in male mice by an overdose of acetaminophen (APAP) at 300 mg/kg body weight. The mice were then fed with RBO at the equivalent dose to 100 mg/kg body weight of γ-oryzanol three hours later and sacrificed six hours after APAP treatment. The administration of 100 mg γ-oryzanol equivalent in CRBO ameliorated APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in mice more strongly than 100 mg γ-oryzanol equivalent in WRBO, as evidenced by the significant reduction of serum ALT, hepatocellular necrosis, and hepatic lipid peroxidation. CRBO could improve xenobiotic-metabolizing and antioxidant enzyme activities, including glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, and also increase mRNA expression of various antioxidant-responsive genes. Vitamin E, phytosterols, carotenoids, and chlorophyll might be the protective compounds in CRBO that alleviate APAP-induced hepatotoxicity through the interruption of APAP metabolism and the activation of antioxidant systems at both transcriptional and enzymatic levels. These findings might provide a protective role of CRBO on oxidative stress associated with several degenerative diseases.

Immunomodulatory effect of Noni fruit and its isolates: insights into cell-mediated immune response and inhibition of LPS-induced THP-1 macrophage inflammation

Morinda citrifolia L. is a plant of the family Rubiaceae and is known as Indian mulberry or Noni in India. It is a perennial herb native to Southeast Asia and has been used over the years as a food supplement and medicinal plant. Noni fruits are reported to possess anticancer, fungicidal, antiviral and antiarthritic effects. The objective of our study is the screening of the immunomodulatory activity of the total extract, fractions, and isolated compounds of Noni fruits to identify their bioactive compounds. To achieve our goal, an ethanol extract (EE) was prepared from Noni fruits. Fractionation and purification of the EE were accomplished. The cell-mediated immune (CMI) response in prednisolone-induced immunosuppression rats was evaluated. The toxicity of the EE, fractions and isolated compounds on the differentiated THP-1 macrophage was assessed using the MTT viability assay. Moreover, the inflammation-related immune responses in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced THP-1 macrophage activation were evaluated. Fractionation of the EE gave three fractions, dichloromethane (DCMF), water (WF) and methanol (MF). Purification of DCMF yielded stigmast-7-ene-3-ol (M1), 28-hydroxy-3β-acetoxy-9-dehydrogramisterol (M2), 3β-acetoxy-taraxast-20(30)-ene-21-ol (M3), 22-dehydroclerosterol (M4) and 22-dehydroclerosterol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (M5), while purification of MF yielded quercetin (M6), hesperidin (M7), naringin (M9) and gallic acid (M8). The results revealed that DCMF elicited an increase in paw edema to the extent of 35.8%. All the tested samples had no cytotoxic effect on THP-1 macrophages. Co-treatment of the LPS-induced macrophages with DCMF, M2, M3, and M6 decreased the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6/IL-10. The expression of iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB decreased to 0.14 ± 0.02, 0.15 ± 0.02, and 0.17 ± 0.03, respectively, after co-treatment with LPS and DCMF. M2 attenuated the expression of iNOS and NF-κB to 0.18 ± 0.03 and 0.17 ± 0.03, respectively. Additionally, M3 attenuated the expression of iNOS to 0.18 ± 0.03, and after co-treatment with M6 and LPS, the expression of COX-2 and NF-κB was down-regulated to 0.2 ± 0.03. Our study proves the immunomodulatory effect of Noni fruits and specifies for the first time the compounds responsible for their activity.

Chemical Screening of Metabolites Profile from Romanian Tuber spp

Truffles are the rarest species and appreciated species of edible fungi and are well-known for their distinctive aroma and high nutrient content. However, their chemical composition largely depends on the particularities of their grown environment. Recently, various studies investigate the phytoconstituents content of different species of truffles. However, this research is still very limited for Romanian truffles. This study reports the first complete metabolites profiles identification based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-QTOF-MS) of two different types of Romania truffles: Tuber magnatum pico and Tuber brumale. In mass spectra (MS) in positive mode, over 100 metabolites were identified from 14 secondary metabolites categories: amino acids, terpenes, alkaloids, flavonoids, organic acids, fatty acids, phenolic acids, sulfur compounds, sterols, hydrocarbons, etc. Additionally, the biological activity of these secondary metabolite classes was discussed.

Stigmasterol Simultaneously Induces Apoptosis and Protective Autophagy by Inhibiting Akt/mTOR Pathway in Gastric Cancer Cells

Background

Stigmasterol (SS) has been proven to possess potential anticancer activities in several cancer cell lines, but its molecular mechanism is still unknown. Thus, we investigated whether SS has the capabilities of inducing autophagy and its molecular mechanisms in gastric cancer cells.

Methods

We used CCK8 assay, clone formation assay, and EdU proliferation assay to assess the effects of SS on cell proliferation in SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells in vitro, and its inhibition on the tumor growth of gastric cancer was observed in vivo. Apoptosis induced by SS was demonstrated using Hoechst and TUNEL staining, annexin V-FITC/PI assay. Immunofluorescence staining is used to detect the formation of autophagosomes triggered by SS. Apoptosis and autophagy related proteins were analyzed by western blot.

Results

The results indicated that SS treatment inhibited cell proliferation in SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells. Furthermore, SS treatment induced apoptosis and autophagy by blocking Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. The pretreatment with the Akt inhibitor MK-2206 could promote apoptosis and autophagy induced by SS, predicting that Akt/mTOR pathway is involved in SS-induced apoptosis and autophagy. In addition, blockade of autophagy with 3-MA (an inhibitor of autophagy) enhanced SS-induced apoptosis in SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells, implying that autophagy mediated by SS plays a cytoprotective role against apoptosis. Finally, an in vivo study demonstrated that tumor growth of gastric cancer was suppressed by SS in a xenograft model.

Conclusion

Our findings illustrate for the first time that SS simultaneously induces apoptosis and protective autophagy by inhibiting Akt/mTOR pathway in gastric cancer cells, and SS may become a potential anticancer drug in treating gastric cancer in the future.

Antibacterial and cytotoxic prenylated dihydrochalcones from Eriosema montanum

Two new prenylated dihydrochalcones (1,2) and eighteen known secondary metabolites (3-20) were isolated from the CH₂Cl₂-MeOH (1:1) extracts of the roots, the stem bark and the leaves of Eriosema montanum Baker f. (Leguminosae). The structures of the isolated compounds were characterized by NMR, IR, and UV spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analyses. The structures of compounds 5, 10, 11 and 13 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The antibacterial activity of the crude extracts and the isolated constituents were established against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Among the tested compounds, 1-4 and 10 showed strong activity against the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 3.1 to 8.9 μM, as did the leaf crude extract with an MIC of 3.0 μg/mL. None of the crude extracts nor the isolated compounds were active against Escherichia coli. Compounds 1, 3 and 4 showed higher cytotoxicity, evaluated against the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7, with EC₅₀ of 7.0, 18.0 and 18.0 μM, respectively. These findings contribute to the phytochemical understanding of the genus Eriosema, and highlight the pharmaceutical potential of prenylated dihydrochalcones.

Aglaomorpha quercifolia (L.) Hovenkamp & S. Linds a Wild Fern Used in Timorese Cuisine

Aglaomorpha quercifolia (L.) Hovenkamp & S. Linds is an extensively used species in traditional medicinal systems in several areas of the world due to some important medicinal properties such as antioxidant, antibacterial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities. In East Timor, different parts of this fern are used either as remedies or as food. The ingestion of a broth made from its rhizome improves lactation, and young fronds of this fern are boiled and eaten with rice by the locals. Nevertheless, its chemical profile is far from being established. The present work aims to establish the chemical profile of both rhizomes and leaves n-hexane extracts by Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed the leaves richness in fatty acids with interesting nutritional values (ω-6/ω-3 = 0.68, AI = 0.59, TI = 0.30), being linolenic acid (253.71 ± 0.93 mg/g dry leaves) and palmitic acid (237.27 ± 0.59 mg/g dry leaves) the significant compounds in the extract. Whereas the rhizome extract is mostly rich in terpenoids, such as steroid, cycloartane, and hopanoid derivatives, being hop-16-ene (166.45 ± 0.53 mg/g dry rhizome) and β-sitosterol (50.76 ± 0.11 mg/g dry rhizome) the major compounds. Several compounds are reported for the first time in the species, and the data herein reported contributes to confirming the species nutritional value.

Comparative Profiling of Volatile Compounds in Popular South Indian Traditional and Modern Rice Varieties by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the major cereal crops cultivated across the world, particularly in Southeast Asia with 95% of global production. The present study was aimed to evaluate the total phenolic content (TPC) and to profile all the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of eight popular traditional and two modern rice varieties cultivated in South India. Thirty-one VOCs were estimated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The identified volatile compounds in the 10 rice varieties belong to the chemical classes of fatty acids, terpenes, alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, phenols, esters, amides, and others. Interestingly, most of the identified predominant components were not identical, which indicate the latent variation among the rice varieties. Significant variations exist for fatty acids (46.9–76.2%), total terpenes (12.6–30.7%), total phenols (0.9–10.0%), total aliphatic alcohols (0.8–5.9%), total alkanes (0.5–5.1%), and total alkenes (1.0–4.9%) among the rice varieties. Of all the fatty acid compounds, palmitic acid, elaidic acid, linoleic acid, and oleic acid predominantly varied in the range of 11.1–33.7, 6.1–31.1, 6.0–28.0, and 0.7–15.1%, respectively. The modern varieties recorded the highest palmitic acid contents (28.7–33.7%) than the traditional varieties (11.1–20.6%). However, all the traditional varieties had higher linoleic acid (10.0–28.0%) than the modern varieties (6.0–8.5%). Traditional varieties had key phenolic compounds, stearic acid, butyric acid, and glycidyl oleate, which are absent in the modern varieties. The traditional varieties Seeraga samba and Kichilli samba had the highest azulene and oleic acid, respectively. All these indicate the higher variability for nutrients and aroma in traditional varieties. These varieties can be used as potential parents to improve the largely cultivated high-yielding varieties for the evolving nutritional market. The hierarchical cluster analysis showed three different clusters implying the distinctness of the traditional and modern varieties. This study provided a comprehensive volatile profile of traditional and modern rice as a staple food for energy as well as for aroma with nutrition.

Particulate Matter-Induced Inflammation/Oxidative Stress in Macrophages: Fucosterol from Padina boryana as a Potent Protector, Activated via NF-κB/MAPK Pathways and Nrf2/HO-1 Involvement

Fucosterol is a phytosterol that is abundant in marine brown algae and is a renowned secondary metabolite. However, its ability to protect macrophages against particulate matter (PM) has not been clarified with regard to inflammation; thus, this study aimed to illustrate the above. Padina boryana, a brown algae that is widespread in Indo-Pacific waters, was applied in the isolation of fucosterol. Isolation was conducted using silica open columns, while identification was assisted with gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and NMR. Elevated levels of PM led the research objectives toward the implementation of it as a stimulant. Both inflammation and oxidative stress were caused due the fact of its effect. RAW 264.7 macrophages were used as a model system to evaluate the process. It was apparent that the increased NO production levels, due to the PM, were mediated through the inflammatory mediators, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)). Further, investigations provided solid evidence regarding the involvement of NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the process. Oxidative stress/inflammation which are inseparable components of the cellular homeostasis were intersected through the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Conclusively, fucosterol is a potent protector against PM-induced inflammation in macrophages and hence be utilized as natural product secondary metabolite in a sustainable manner.

Protective effects of extracts from Ephedra foeminea Forssk fruits against oxidative injury in human endothelial cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ephedra foeminea is a member of the Ephedraceae family which is widespread in the eastern Mediterranean area. In Lebanon, Ephedra is a popular remedy in traditional medicine to prevent and/or counteract many stress oxidative-related diseases like inflammation and bacterial infections.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Oxidative stress leads to endothelial cell dysfunction, and is a major factor contributing to etiology of atherosclerosis and related diseases. This study aims to investigate the antioxidant and cytoprotective potential of extracts from E. foeminea fruits on human endothelial cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to mimic in vitro vascular endothelium dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Different extracts of E. foeminea fruits were prepared using pure ethanol (EE), methanol/water (EMW), pure hexane (Ehex) or ethyl acetate/water (Epoly) as extraction solvents. The phenolome profile of each extract was characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Total phenolic and flavonoid content, and radical scavenging properties of the extracts were assessed spectrophotometrically. Then, the effects on human endothelial cells HECV were evaluated.

RESULTS

Epoly extract showed the highest phenol and flavonoid content, and the highest radical scavenging capacity. On H₂O₂-insulted HECV cells Epoly was able: (i) to counteract the ROS/RNS production and lipid peroxidation; (ii) to rescue the ROS-dependent decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential; (iii) to counteract the apoptosis induction; (iv) to restore endothelial cell viability and migration.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicated that the polyphenol-enriched extract Epoly from E. foeminea fruits is endowed with in vitro anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects and might be used as nutraceutical for treating ROS-related endothelium dysfunction and inflammation.

Microalgal metabolites as anti-cancer/anti-oxidant agents reduce cytotoxicity of elevated silver nanoparticle levels against non-cancerous vero cells

Heavy metal pollution has become a major concern globally as it contaminates eco-system, water networks and as finely suspended particles in air. In this study, the effects of elevated silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) levels as a model system of heavy metals, in the presence of microalgal crude extracts (MCEs) at different ratios, were evaluated against the non-cancerous Vero cells, and the cancerous MCF-7 and 4T1 cells. The MCEs were developed from water (W) and ethanol (ETH) as green solvents. The AgNPs-MCEs-W at the 4:1 and 5:1 ratios (v/v) after 48 and 72 h treatment, respectively, showed the IC50 values of 83.17-95.49 and 70.79-91.20 μg/ml on Vero cells, 13.18-28.18 and 12.58-25.7 μg/ml on MCF-7; and 16.21-33.88 and 14.79-26.91 μg/ml on 4T1 cells. In comparison, the AgNPs-MCEs-ETH formulation achieved the IC50 values of 56.23-89.12 and 63.09-91.2 μg/ml on Vero cells, 10.47-19.95 and 13.48-26.61 μg/ml on MCF-7; 14.12-50.11 and 15.13-58.88 μg/ml on 4T1 cells, respectively. After 48 and 72 h treatment, the AgNPs-MCE-CHL at the 4:1 and 5:1 ratios exhibited the IC50 of 51.28-75.85 and 48.97-69.18 μg/ml on Vero cells, and higher cytotoxicity at 10.47-16.98 and 6.19-14.45 μg/ml against MCF-7 cells, and 15.84-31.62 and 12.58-24.54 μg/ml on 4T1 cells, respectively. The AgNPs-MCEs-W and ETH resulted in low apoptotic events in the Vero cells after 24 h, but very high early and late apoptotic events in the cancerous cells. The Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-Electrospray Ionization (LC-MS-ESI) metabolite profiling of the MCEs exhibited 64 metabolites in negative ion and 56 metabolites in positive ion mode, belonging to different classes. The microalgal metabolites, principally the anti-oxidative components, could have reduced the toxicity of the AgNPs against Vero cells, whilst retaining the cytotoxicity against the cancerous cells.

Differentiation of black and white pitch (Burseraceae) oleoresins: A mass spectrometry-based chemoethnotaxonomic study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In the quilombola communities of the municipality of Oriximiná (Pará State, Brazil), Protium spp. (Burseraceae) oleoresins are distinguished in black and white pitch. White pitch oleoresins may be superior to black pitch in terms of quality, but the criteria used for their differentiation are fairly subjective.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was designed to provide a scientific rationale for the traditional differentiation of black and white pitch oleoresins based on their non-volatile fraction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Black and white pitch oleoresin samples collected in quilombola territories in Oriximiná were analysed by GC-EI-MS and UPLC-APCI-MS. The feasibility of EI and APCI mass spectrometry-based pattern recognition methods PLS-DA and Random Forest Analysis (RFA) for black and white pitch oleoresins differentiation was demonstrated.

RESULTS

The UPLC-APCI-MS method allowed the separation of 43 triterpenoids. Assessment of the triterpenoid fingerprints by GC-EI-MS led to the tentative identification of ursa-9(11),12-dien-3-ol as a potential marker for black pitch oleoresins. PLS-DA and RFA applied to the APCI-MS and EI-MS data gave good models for black and white pitch oleoresins classification. The most important ions for the classifications of black pitch oleoresins by APCI-MS/PLS-DA and APCI-MS/RFA likely represented triterpenoid acids.

CONCLUSIONS

The triterpenoid pattern differs between black and white pitch oleoresins. The characteristic presence of ursa-9(11),12-dien-3-ol and triterpenoids acids in black pitch oleoresins, along with other field observations, suggest that black pitch oleoresins are actually aged white pitch oleoresins.

Solid-state NMR spectroscopy identifies three classes of lipids in Cryptococcus neoformans melanized cell walls and whole fungal cells

A primary virulence-associated trait of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans is the production of melanin pigments that are deposited into the cell wall and interfere with the host immune response. Previously, our solid-state NMR studies of isolated melanized cell walls (melanin "ghosts") revealed that the pigments are strongly associated with lipids, but their identities, origins, and potential roles were undetermined. Herein, we exploited spectral editing techniques to identify and quantify the lipid molecules associated with pigments in melanin ghosts. The lipid profiles were remarkably similar in whole C. neoformans cells, grown under either melanizing or nonmelanizing conditions; triglycerides (TGs), sterol esters (SEs), and polyisoprenoids (PPs) were the major constituents. Although no quantitative differences were found between melanized and nonmelanized cells, melanin ghosts were relatively enriched in SEs and PPs. In contrast to lipid structures reported during early stages of fungal growth in nutrient-rich media, variants found herein could be linked to nutrient stress, cell aging, and subsequent production of substances that promote chronic fungal infections. The fact that TGs and SEs are the typical cargo of lipid droplets suggests that these organelles could be connected to C. neoformans melanin synthesis. Moreover, the discovery of PPs is intriguing because dolichol is a well-established constituent of human neuromelanin. The presence of these lipid species even in nonmelanized cells suggests that they could be produced constitutively under stress conditions in anticipation of melanin synthesis. These findings demonstrate that C. neoformans lipids are more varied compositionally and functionally than previously recognized.

Study of the In Vitro Digestion of Olive Oil Enriched or Not with Antioxidant Phenolic Compounds. Relationships between Bioaccessibility of Main Components of Different Oils and Their Composition

The changes provoked by in vitro digestion in the lipids of olive oil enriched or not with different phenolic compounds were studied by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and solid phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS). These changes were compared with those provoked in the lipids of corn oil and of virgin flaxseed oil submitted to the same digestive conditions. Lipolysis and oxidation were the two reactions under consideration. The bioaccessibility of main and minor components of olive oil, of phenolic compounds added, and of compounds formed as consequence of the oxidation, if any, were matters of attention. Enrichment of olive oil with antioxidant phenolic compounds does not affect the extent of lipolysis, but reduces the oxidation degree to minimum values or avoids it almost entirely. The in vitro bioaccessibility of nutritional and bioactive compounds was greater in the olive oil digestate than in those of other oils, whereas that of compounds formed in oxidation was minimal, if any. Very close quantitative relationships were found between the composition of the oils in main components and their in vitro bioaccessibility. These relationships, some of which have predictive value, can help to design lipid diets for different nutritional purposes.

NMR-Based Chemical Profiling, Isolation and Evaluation of the Cytotoxic Potential of the Diterpenoid Siderol from Cultivated Sideritis euboea Heldr

Diterpenes are characteristic compounds from the genus Sideritis L., possessing an array of biological activities. Siderol is the main constituent of the ent-kaurene diterpenes in Sideritis species. In order to isolate the specific compound and evaluate for the first time its cytotoxic activity, we explored the dichloromethane extract of cultivated Sideritis euboea Heldr. To track the specific natural bioactive agent, we applied NMR spectroscopy to the crude plant extract, since NMR can serve as a powerful and rapid tool both to navigate the targeted isolation process of bioactive constituents, and to also reveal the identity of bioactive components. Along these lines, from the rapid 1D 1H NMR spectrum of the total crude plant extract, we were able to determine the characteristic proton NMR signals of siderol. Furthermore, with the same NMR spectrum, we were able to categorize several secondary metabolites into chemical groups as a control of the isolation process. Therefore, this non-polar extract was explored, for the first time, revealing eleven compounds-one fatty acid ester; 2-(p-hydroxyphenyl)ethylstearate (1), three phytosterols; β-sitosterol (2), stigmasterol (3), and campesterol (4); one triterpenoid; ursolic acid (5), four diterpenoids; siderol (6), eubol (7), eubotriol (8), 7-epicandicandiol (9) and two flavonoids; xanthomicrol (10) and penduletin (11). The main isolated constituent was siderol. The antiproliferative potential of siderol was evaluated, using the MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay, on three human cancer cell lines DLD1, HeLa, and A549, where the IC50 values were estimated at 26.4 ± 3.7, 44.7 ± 7.2, and 46.0 ± 4.9 μΜ, respectively. The most potent activity was recorded in the human colon cancer cell line DLD1, where siderol exhibited the lowest IC50. Our study unveiled the beneficial potential of siderol as a remarkable cytotoxic agent and the significant contribution of NMR spectroscopy towards the isolation and identification of this potent anticancer agent.