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Tariba Lovaković B, Rašeta D, Lazarus M, Jurica K, Živković Semren T, Jurič A, Dramićanin A, Petrinec B, Bulog A, Brčić Karačonji I. Elemental and Radiological Characterisation of Arbutus unedo L. Leaves and Tea: Impact of Preparation Method on Nutritional Risk/Benefit. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-024-04201-9. [PMID: 38702515 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04201-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterise the elemental and radiological composition of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves and tea preparations and compare it with commercial Uvin H herbal mixture, widely used in treatment of urinary tract infections. The concentration of 17 elements and the activity concentration of selected radionuclides were measured in strawberry tree leaves/Uvin H herbal mixture, as well as in herbal tea prepared by infusion or decoction of leaves for 5 or 10 min. In both leaves and tea preparations, Ca, K, Mg, and Na were the most abundant elements, while the lowest levels were measured for As, Co, Mo, and Se. Only 137Cs and 40K were detected in analysed leaves/herbal mixture, while the activity of radionuclides in tea preparations was below the detection limit. The maximum possible health benefits can be obtained by a 10-min decoction of leaves, which resulted in the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity and levels of K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, and Se in comparison to the other preparation methods evaluated in this study. The calculated intake of potentially toxic elements and radionuclides does not represent a health risk to consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanka Tariba Lovaković
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davor Rašeta
- Division of Radiation Protection, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Lazarus
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Karlo Jurica
- Special Security Operations Directorate, Ministry of the Interior, Ulica grada Vukovara 33, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tanja Živković Semren
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Andreja Jurič
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Aleksandra Dramićanin
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, Belgrade, 11158, Serbia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Division of Radiation Protection, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Crkvena ulica 21, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Aleksandar Bulog
- Department of Health Ecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Irena Brčić Karačonji
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Viktora Cara Emina 5, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia.
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Chaves N, Nogales L, Montero-Fernández I, Blanco-Salas J, Alías JC. Mediterranean Shrub Species as a Source of Biomolecules against Neurodegenerative Diseases. Molecules 2023; 28:8133. [PMID: 38138621 PMCID: PMC10745362 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28248133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with oxidative stress, due to an imbalance in the oxidation-reduction reactions at the cellular level. Various treatments are available to treat these diseases, although they often do not cure them and have many adverse effects. Therefore, it is necessary to find complementary and/or alternative drugs that replace current treatments with fewer side effects. It has been demonstrated that natural products derived from plants, specifically phenolic compounds, have a great capacity to suppress oxidative stress and neutralize free radicals thus, they may be used as alternative alternative pharmacological treatments for pathological conditions associated with an increase in oxidative stress. The plant species that dominate the Mediterranean ecosystems are characterized by having a wide variety of phenolic compound content. Therefore, these species might be important sources of neuroprotective biomolecules. To evaluate this potential, 24 typical plant species of the Mediterranean ecosystems were selected, identifying the most important compounds present in them. This set of plant species provides a total of 403 different compounds. Of these compounds, 35.7% are phenolic acids and 55.6% are flavonoids. The most relevant of these compounds are gallic, vanillic, caffeic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids, apigenin, kaempferol, myricitrin, quercetin, isoquercetin, quercetrin, rutin, catechin and epicatechin, which are widely distributed among the analyzed plant species (in over 10 species) and which have been involved in the literature in the prevention of different neurodegenerative pathologies. It is also important to mention that three of these plant species, Pistacea lentiscus, Lavandula stoechas and Thymus vulgaris, have most of the described compounds with protective properties against neurodegenerative diseases. The present work shows that the plant species that dominate the studied geographic area can provide an important source of phenolic compounds for the pharmacological and biotechnological industry to prepare extracts or isolated compounds for therapy against neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natividad Chaves
- Department of Plant Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universidad de Extremadura, 06080 Badajoz, Spain; (L.N.); (I.M.-F.); (J.B.-S.); (J.C.A.)
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Arbutus unedo: Innovative Source of Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Tyrosinase Phenolics for Novel Cosmeceuticals. COSMETICS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/cosmetics9060143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenolic compounds are valuable cosmetic ingredients. They display skin protective potential and play an important role in preserving cosmetic formulations due to their ability to neutralize free radicals. Considering this fact, the current study aims to obtain a phenolic-enriched fraction from Arbutus unedo for topical application in cosmeceutical products. The chemical composition and the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tyrosinase activities of different extracts from the plant were investigated and compared. Samples were obtained by maceration, reflux, and ultrasound using water and ethanol. The findings indicated that the extraction methods impacted the phytochemical composition of the extracts. The high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC–DAD) analysis showed a wide range of phenolic compounds, comprising phenolic acids and flavonoids. Among the extracts, the water reflux had significant levels of both total polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins and possessed the most important content on hyperoside. It displayed the most significant antioxidant activities with high antiradical and reducing power, as well as strong total antioxidant activity. It possesses a promising whitening effect with high anti-tyrosinase activities. Furthermore, it shows no cytotoxicity and moderate anti-inflammatory activity. Finally, due to its high yield efficiency and activities, water reflux was selected to formulate a cosmeceutical oil-in-water nanoemulsion that displayed optimal pH and stability.
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Aguilera JM, Toledo T. Wild berries and related wild small fruits as traditional healthy foods. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 64:5603-5617. [PMID: 36514960 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2156475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The consumption of cultivated berry species (e.g., strawberries, blueberries) has increased dramatically in the last two decades after consumers appreciated them as flavorful, convenient and healthy fruits. Wild berries and similar small wild fruits are traditionally consumed around the world by local people as safe, nutritious, tasty, and versatile foods. These wild fruits have played an important role in the nutrition and bio-cultural aspects of rural communities. Like their commercial counterparts, wild berries contain important nutrients and bioactive compounds that may prevent or delay some chronic diseases attributed to oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. This review provides a comprehensive appraisal of the chemical and bioactive components in wild berry species and their traditional uses as foods around the globe. Presently, wild berries and similar wild small fruits are novel food sources that inspire applications as culinary products, processed foods, and nutraceuticals. Further research is needed to validate the content and action of bioactive components responsible for health claims. Sustainable commercial exploitation of wild berries should consider biocultural, environmental, and socio-economic aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Miguel Aguilera
- Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Tamar Toledo
- Department of Food Science and Chemical Technology, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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