Platelets and atherogenesis: Platelet anti-aggregation activity and endothelial protection from tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Nutrition and Cardiovascular Disease: The Potential Role of Marine Bioactive Proteins and Peptides in Thrombosis Prevention

Thrombus and cardiovascular diseases pose a significant health threat, and dietary interventions have shown promising potential in reducing the incidence of these diseases. Marine bioactive proteins and peptides have been extensively studied for their antithrombotic properties. They can inhibit platelet activation and aggregation by binding to key receptors on the platelet surface. Additionally, they can competitively anchor to critical enzyme sites, leading to the inhibition of coagulation factors. Marine microorganisms also offer alternative sources for the development of novel fibrinolytic proteins, which can help dissolve blood clots. The advancements in technologies, such as targeted hydrolysis, specific purification, and encapsulation, have provided a solid foundation for the industrialization of bioactive peptides. These techniques enable precise control over the production and delivery of bioactive peptides, enhancing their efficacy and safety. However, it is important to note that further research and clinical studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential of marine bioactive proteins and peptides in mitigating thrombotic events. The challenges and future application perspectives of these bioactive peptides also need to be explored.

Vascular and Platelet Effects of Tomato Soffritto Intake in Overweight and Obese Subjects

Tomatoes are known for their numerous health benefits, including antioxidants, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-neurodegenerative, antiplatelet, and cardio-protective properties. However, their potential health benefits in the Mediterranean diet's popular soffritto remain largely unexplored in scientific research. The objective was to evaluate the effects of soffritto intake on platelet activity, vascular endothelial function, weight, lipid profile, and blood parameters. In a prospective, controlled, randomized two-arm longitudinal cross-over trial, 40 overweight and obese individuals received 100 g/day of soffritto, or a control, for 42 days. The primary outcome was the effect on vascular endothelial function and platelet activity. As exploratory secondary outcomes, anthropometric measures, serum lipid profile, and hemogram profile were measured before and after a 6-week intervention with or without soffritto supplementation. Compared with the control group, soffritto supplementation for six weeks improved collagen-induced (-5.10 ± 3.06%) platelet aggregation (p < 0.05). In addition, after six weeks, a reduction in ADP-induced aggregation (-3.67 ± 1.68%) was also only observed in the soffritto group (p < 0.05). No significant effects of the soffritto intake were observed on vascular endothelial function, anthropometric measures, serum lipid profile, or blood parameters (p > 0.05). In conclusion, as a basic culinary technique, soffritto may have a role in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease by reducing platelet activation, which could contribute to a reduction in thrombotic events.

Utilization of Fruit Seed-Based Bioactive Compounds for Formulating the Nutraceuticals and Functional Food: A Review

Fruit seeds include a large number of bioactive substances with potential applications in the culinary and pharmaceutical industries, satisfying current demands for natural ingredients, which are generally preferred since they have fewer adverse effects than artificial components. Researchers have long been interested in the functional features, as well as the proximate and mineral compositions, of diverse fruit seeds such as tomato, apple, guava, and dates, among others. Bioactive components such as proteins (bioactive peptides), carotenoids (lycopene), polysaccharides (pectin), phytochemicals (flavonoids), and vitamins (-tocopherol) are abundant in fruit by-products and have significant health benefits, making them a viable alternative for the formulation of a wide range of food products with significant functional and nutraceutical potential. This article discusses the role and activities of bioactive chemicals found in tomato, apple, dates, and guava seeds, which can be used in a variety of food forms to cure a variety of cardiovascular and neurological disorders, as well as act as an antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial agent. The extraction of diverse bioactive components from by-products could pave the path for the creation of value-added products from the fruit industry, making it more commercially viable while also reducing environmental pollution caused by by-products from the fruit industry.

Scientific Evidence of the Beneficial Effects of Tomato Products on Cardiovascular Disease and Platelet Aggregation

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels that includes numerous problems, many of which are related to the process called atherosclerosis. The present work is aimed to analyze the most relevant studies examining the potentially beneficial effects of tomato products on both CVD prevention and antiplatelet aggregation as well as an European Food Safety Authority health claims evaluation on tomato and tomato products. To date, only one health claim has been approved for a concentrated extract of tomato soluble in water (WSTC) marketed under the patented name of Fruitflow® with two forms of presentation: WSTC I and II, with the following claim “helping to maintain normal platelet aggregation, which contributes to healthy blood flow.” Other studies also demonstrate similar beneficial effects for fresh tomatoes, tomato products and tomato pomace extracts.

Tomatoes: An Extensive Review of the Associated Health Impacts of Tomatoes and Factors That Can Affect Their Cultivation

Simple Summary

The research outlined in this review paper discusses potential health benefits associated with a diet enriched with tomatoes and tomato products. This includes details of previous studies investigating the anticancer properties of tomatoes, protection against cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes, maintenance of a healthy gut microbiome, and improved skin health, fertility, immune response, and exercise recovery. The specific parts of a tomato fruit that contribute these health benefits are also outlined. The potential disadvantages to a tomato-rich diet are detailed, especially the consumption of supplements that contain compounds found in tomatoes, such as lycopene. This review also discusses how the cultivation of tomato plants can affect the nutritional value of the fruit harvested. Different environmental growing conditions such as light intensity, growing media, and temperature are explained in terms of the impact they have on the quality of fruit, its nutrient content, and hence the potential health benefits acquired from eating the fruit.

Abstract

This review outlines the health benefits associated with the regular consumption of tomatoes and tomato products. The first section provides a detailed account of the horticultural techniques that can impact the quality of the fruit and its nutritional properties, including water availability, light intensity, temperature, and growing media. The next section provides information on the components of tomato that are likely to contribute to its health effects. The review then details some of the health benefits associated with tomato consumption, including anticancer properties, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and skin health. This review also discusses the impact tomatoes can have on the gut microbiome and associated health benefits, including reducing the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases. Other health benefits of eating tomatoes are also discussed in relation to effects on diabetes, the immune response, exercise recovery, and fertility. Finally, this review also addresses the negative effects that can occur as a result of overconsumption of tomato products and lycopene supplements.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seed: A review on bioactives and biomedical activities

The processing of tomato fruit into puree, juices, ketchup, sauces, and dried powders generates a significant amount of waste in the form of tomato pomace, which includes seeds and skin. Tomato processing by-products, particularly seeds, are reservoirs of health-promoting macromolecules, such as proteins (bioactive peptides), carotenoids (lycopene), polysaccharides (pectin), phytochemicals (flavonoids), and vitamins (α-tocopherol). Health-promoting properties make these bioactive components suitable candidates for the development of novel food and nutraceutical products. This review comprehensively demonstrates the bioactive compounds of tomato seeds along with diverse biomedical activities of tomato seed extract (TSE) for treating cardiovascular ailments, neurological disorders, and act as antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial agent. Utilization of bioactive components can improve the economic feasibility of the tomato processing industry and may help to reduce the environmental pollution generated by tomato by-products.

Fruits

Fruits come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and flavors. This chapter will cover selected fruits that are known to be healthy and highly nutritious. These fruits were chosen due to their common usage and availability. Since it is not possible to cover all health benefits or essential nutrients and important phytochemicals of the fruit composition, this chapter will focus on the key valuable constituents and their potential health effects.

Anti-aggregation effect on platelets of Indiplon a hypnotic sedative non-benzodiazepine drug

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the main public health problems, and many of them, their pathophysiology involves alterations in platelet activity. Platelet activation is an essential event that is regulated by the intracellular concentrations of Ca2+ and cAMP. Interestingly, it has been shown that the activation of adenosine A2A receptors increases cAMP levels and produces the inhibition of platelet aggregation, which appears as a potential target for regulation of platelet activity. Therefore, we tried to activate A2A receptors using Indiplon, a drug developed for the treatment of insomnia, and analyze its effect on platelet activity in vitro. Our results indicate that Indiplon is able to interact in silico with the adenosine A2A receptor (ΔG_bind of -73.321 kcal/mol, similar to that obtained with adenosine), which is involved in the regulation of platelet cAMP levels. In functional studies using PRP, a reduction in platelet aggregation induced by ADP was observed in the presence of Indiplon at 500 μM with a percentage of inhibition 70%, where the use of specific inhibitors (ZM241385 and MSX-2) of the A2A receptor also blocked these effects reducing the percentage of inhibition to 41% and 34.1%, respectively. Also, the use of Indiplon produced a decrease in the expression in the membrane of P-selectin. Thus, Indiplon acts as an A2A receptor agonist and whose activation results in inhibition of platelet aggregation and activation, showing a possible cardiovascular protective role.

Anticancer, antithrombotic, antityrosinase, and anti-α-glucosidase activities of selected wild and commercial mushrooms from Pakistan

Mushrooms have been accepted as nutraceutical foods because of their high nutritional and functional values. They have also gained interest due to their medicinal properties, economic importance, and organoleptic merit. In this study, wild Ganoderma lucidum and four commercial mushrooms, that is, Pleurotus ostreatus, Volvariella volvacea, Hericium erinaceus, and Lentinus edodes from Pakistan were screened for their biological activities such as anticancer, antityrosinase, anti-α-glucosidase, and antithrombotic activities from their methanol, ethanol, and water extracts. Enzyme inhibition assay showed that selected mushrooms are potent inhibitors with %age inhibition ranging from 19.00% to 80.91%, and 32.85% to 83.38% for tyrosinase and α-glucosidase, respectively. The best tyrosinase inhibition was shown by P. ostreatus whereas L. edodes was found best as α-glucosidase inhibitor. These mushrooms were tested against cancer cell lines including HT-29 colon and H-1299 lungs carcinoma cell lines. G. lucidum showed 29% and 24% viability of cells against HT-29 and H-1299 cell lines, respectively. This antiproliferative effect was in dose-dependent manner, and the maximum inhibition was observed at 200 μg/ml. Mushrooms extracts were also found effective against clot lysis. The percentage of clot lysis was in the range of 27%-29%. The research would provide knowledge to the people of Pakistan about the importance of locally available commercial mushrooms and wild mushrooms for health improvement and prevention against different kinds of diseases.

A comparative study of the antithrombotic effect through activated endothelium of garlic powder and tomato extracts using a rodent model of collagen and epinephrine induced thrombosis

In this study, garlic powder, tomato extract and a mixture of both were analyzed for anti-thrombotic effects using a collagen and epinephrine induced thrombosis model. Rats were randomly assigned to control, thrombosis induced control (COL/EP), garlic powder (G), tomato extract (T) and mixture of garlic powder and tomato extract (GT) groups. Test materials were administered for 7 days and thrombosis was induced by collagen and epinephrine injection. The results showed that G, T, and GT delayed activated partial thromboplastin time and reduced the expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 mRNA. Histological analysis of aorta and lung revealed that thrombosis was partially improved by G, T, and GT. Although there was no synergistic effect in GT compared to G and T treatment, this study showed that G, T, and GT have anti-thrombotic effect.

Consumption of Fruitflow® lowers blood pressure in pre-hypertensive males: a randomised, placebo controlled, double blind, cross-over study

In order to investigate whether the angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitory tomato extract Fruitflow^® would lower blood pressure after consumption, we conducted a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled human intervention study, involving 12 pre-hypertensive people in a crossover design. Consuming a single dose of 150 mg Fruitflow^® resulted in a significant reduction in 24-hour average blood pressure as well as average wake-period and sleep-period SBP, compared to placebo. Other parameters related to blood pressure, such as 24-hour average mean arterial pressure, pulse pressure, heart rate, central aortic systolic pressure and radial augmentation index were also reduced. In addition, the platelet aggregation response to ADP, measured 24 hours after consuming Fruitflow^®, fell significantly compared to baseline, and compared to placebo. This pilot study clearly shows the beneficial effects of Fruitflow^® on two important cardiovascular risk factors, high blood pressure and platelet hyperactivity.

Antiplatelet treatment in the primary prophylaxis of cardiovascular disease in patients with arterial hypertension

The benefits of using acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in the primary prophylaxis of cardiovascular diseases may only slightly exceed the risk of serious bleeding. This warrants the search for alternative, safer preparations with antiaggregatory properties, which could be used in patients burdened with cardiovascular risk factors. Antiaggregatory compounds identified in water-soluble tomato extract include nucleosides, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. The action of standardized tomato extract is multidirectional, reversible, and weaker in comparison to ASA. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has approved this preparation as a dietary agent with antiaggregatory properties. The use of standardized tomato extract appears beneficial in arterial hypertension patients with low or moderate cardiovascular risk and in patients in whom good pressure control cannot be achieved.

Antitcoagulant and antiplatelet activities of scolymoside

Cyclopia subternata is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine to relieve pain. Here, the anticoagulant effects of scolymoside, an active compound in C. subternata, were examined by monitoring activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), and the activities of thrombin and activated factor X (FXa). The effects of scolymoside on plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) expression were evaluated in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-activated human endothelial cells. Treatment with scolymoside resulted in prolonged aPTT and PT and the inhibition of thrombin and FXa activities and production. In addition, scolymoside inhibited thrombin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization and platelet aggregation. Scolymoside also elicited anticoagulant effects in mice, including a significant reduction in the PAI-1 to t-PA ratio. Collectively, these findings indicate that scolymoside possesses anticoagulant activities and could be developed as a novel anticoagulant.

Antithrombotic and antiplatelet activities of vicenin-2

Cyclopia subternata is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine to relieve pain in physiological processes. However, there are limited modern data on its pharmacological effects and active components relating to its traditional use. Here, the anticoagulant and antiplatelet activities of vicenin-2 (VCN), an active compound in C. subternata, were determined. The anticoagulant activities were investigated by monitoring activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), and the activities of thrombin and activated factor X (FXa). The effects of VCN on the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) were evaluated in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Treatment with VCN resulted in prolonged aPTT and PT and inhibition of the activities of thrombin and FXa, as well as inhibited production of thrombin and FXa in HUVECs. In addition, VCN inhibited thrombin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization and platelet aggregation. VCN also elicited anticoagulant effects in mice. In addition, treatment with VCN resulted in significant reduction of the PAI-1 to t-PA ratio. Collectively, VCN possesses antithrombotic activities and offers a basis for development of a novel anticoagulant.

Natural Products for Antithrombosis

Thrombosis is considered to be closely related to several diseases such as atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease and stroke, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, hyperuricemia, and various inflammatory conditions. More and more studies have been focused on understanding the mechanism of molecular and cellular basis of thrombus formation as well as preventing thrombosis for the treatment of thrombotic diseases. In reality, there is considerable interest in the role of natural products and their bioactive components in the prevention and treatment of thrombosis related disorders. This paper briefly describes the mechanisms of thrombus formation on three aspects, including coagulation system, platelet activation, and aggregation, and change of blood flow conditions. Furthermore, the natural products for antithrombosis by anticoagulation, antiplatelet aggregation, and fibrinolysis were summarized, respectively.

Inhibitory effects of Cyperus digitatus extract on human platelet function in vitro

The purpose of this research was to investigate the mechanisms of antiplatelet action of Cyperus digitatus. The antiplatelet action of C. digitatus was studied on platelet function: secretion, adhesion, aggregation, and sCD40L release. The platelet ATP secretion and aggregation were significantly inhibited by CDA (ethyl acetate extract) at 0.1 mg/ml and after the incubation of whole blood with CDA, the platelet coverage was inhibited by 96 ± 3% (p < 0.001). At the same concentration, CDA significantly decreased sCD40L levels. The mechanism of antiplatelet action of CDA could be by NF-κB inhibition and that is cAMP independent. In conclusion, C. digitatus extract may serve as a new source of antiplatelet agents for food and nutraceutical applications.

Advice on lifestyle changes (diet, red wine and physical activity) does not affect internal carotid and middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity in patients with carotid arteriosclerosis in a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

A Mediterranean diet, with and without small daily amounts of red wine, and physical activity reduce the risk of cerebrovascular disease and improve cognition. An increase in cerebral blood flow may be the underlying mechanism. Under normal conditions, cerebral blood flow velocity changes in the internal carotid arteries and in large basal cerebral arteries correlate closely with cerebral blood flow changes, as the diameter of these vessels hardly changes and only the smaller vessels downstream change their diameter.

METHODS

A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed in 108 patients with carotid atherosclerosis (mean age 64 years, 67% men, 66% on statin therapy). Half of them were advised to follow a polyphenol-rich modified Mediterranean diet including 1-2 tomatoes, 3-5 walnuts and a bar of dark chocolate (25 g) a day and to perform moderate physical exercise for 30 min/day (lifestyle changes). Within these two groups, half of the patients were randomized either to avoid any alcohol or to drink 100 ml of red wine (women) or 200 ml of red wine (men) daily. Bilateral middle cerebral and internal carotid blood flow velocity (peak systolic, peak end-diastolic and mean) was measured at baseline and after 4 and 20 weeks using colour-coded duplex ultrasound. Insonation depth and insonation angle were used to identically place the sample volume during follow-up investigations. A general linear model with Tukey-Kramer adjustment for multiple comparisons was used to assess the primary end points. For the analysis we used the mean values of the right and left artery.

RESULTS

Neither lifestyle changes nor red wine had an effect on peak systolic, peak end-diastolic or mean cerebral blood flow velocity.

CONCLUSIONS

Advice on lifestyle changes, including a modified polyphenol-rich Mediterranean diet, a glass of red wine daily and physical exercise, did not affect middle cerebral and internal carotid blood flow velocity in our patient group with carotid atherosclerosis. An increase in cerebral blood flow is thus unlikely to be the cause of the reduced risk of cerebrovascular disease and improved cognitive functioning described in the literature. One possible explanation for the fact that blood flow velocity was not affected by red wine, diet and physical activity advice is that two thirds of our patients were already on statin therapy. Statins increase cerebral blood flow and vasomotor reactivity via nitric oxide.

Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme by aqueous extract of tomato

PURPOSE

To investigate the presence of anti-angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) factors in aqueous extract of tomato.

METHODS

The bio-guided fractionation of the aqueous extract of tomato produced a sugar-free, heat-stable fraction with molecular mass <1,000 Da from tomatoes. The sugar-free tomato extract (TE) was tested for its anti-ACE activity using human plasma and rabbit lung pure ACE. In addition, its effect on human platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen or arachidonic acid was determined. The mechanism of platelet inhibitory action of TE was investigated by measuring platelet factor 4 (PF4) release and cAMP synthesis by platelets.

RESULTS

Typically, 100 g tomatoes produced 72.2 ± 4.7 mg of TE. This extract inhibited both platelet aggregation and plasma ACE activity in a dose-dependent manner. It inhibited platelet aggregation in response to ADP, collagen or arachidonic acid, and inhibitory action was mediated in part by reducing platelet PF4 release and by stimulating cAMP synthesis. The IC50 value of TE for ADP-induced platelet aggregation was 0.4 ± 0.02 mg/ml, whereas the IC50 value for ACE enzyme inhibition was 1.40 ± 0.04 mg/ml. Both the TE and commercially available sugar-free TE, Fruitflow(®)-2 had similar amount of catechin, and also had equal inhibitory potencies against platelet aggregation and plasma ACE activity.

CONCLUSION

Together these data indicate that aqueous extract of tomatoes contain anti-ACE factors in addition to previously described anti-platelet factors.

Protective Mechanisms of S. lycopersicum Aqueous Fraction (Nucleosides and Flavonoids) on Platelet Activation and Thrombus Formation: In Vitro, Ex Vivo and In Vivo Studies

The purpose of this research was to investigate mechanisms of antiplatelet action of bioactive principle from S. lycopersicum. Aqueous fraction had a high content of nucleosides (adenosine, guanosine, and adenosine 5′-monophosphate) by HPLC analysis. Also aqueous fraction presented flavonoids content. Aqueous fraction inhibited platelet activation by 15 ± 6% (P < 0.05). Fully spread of human platelets on collagen in the presence of aqueous fraction was inhibited from 15 ± 1 to 9 ± 1 μm² (P < 0.001). After incubation of whole blood with aqueous fraction, the platelet coverage was inhibited by 55 ± 12% (P < 0.001). Platelet ATP secretion and aggregation were significantly inhibited by the aqueous fraction. At the same concentrations that aqueous fraction inhibits platelet aggregation, levels of sCD40L significantly decreased and the intraplatelet cAMP levels increased. In addition, SQ22536, an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, attenuated the effect of aqueous fraction toward ADP-induced platelet aggregation and intraplatelet level of cAMP. Platelet aggregation ex vivo (human study) and thrombosis formation in vivo (murine model) were inhibited by aqueous fraction. Finally, aqueous fraction may be used as a functional ingredient adding antiplatelet activities (nucleosides and flavonoids) to processed foods.

Protective mechanisms of guanosine from Solanum lycopersicum on agonist-induced platelet activation: role of sCD40L

In the past 30 years, only three natural products have been sources of new drugs with antiplatelet activity. In this study, we have demonstrated for the first time that guanosine from Solanum lycopersicum possesses antiplatelet (secretion, spreading, adhesion and aggregation) activity in vitro and inhibition of platelet inflammatory mediator of atherosclerosis (sCD40L). According to ADP-induced platelet aggregation inhibiting, the total extract residue was fractionated by liquid chromatography/phase separation, affording an aqueous fraction. This fraction was subjected to repeated permeation over Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative TLC. The isolated compound finally obtained was identified as guanosine on the basis of its UV-spectra, HPLC and 1H-NMR data. Guanosine concentration dose-dependently (1 to 4 mmol/L) inhibited platelet secretion and aggregation induced by ADP and collagen. Spread of human platelets on collagen in the presence of guanosine was fully inhibited. After incubation of whole blood with guanosine, the platelet adhesion and aggregation under flow conditions was inhibited concentration dependently (0.2 to 2 mmol/L). At the same concentrations that guanosine inhibits platelet aggregation, levels of sCD40L were significantly decreased. Guanosine is thus likely to exert significant protective effects in thromboembolic-related disorders by inhibiting platelet aggregation.

Antioxidant and Antiplatelet Activities in Extracts from Green and Fully Ripe Tomato Fruits (Solanum lycopersicum) and Pomace from Industrial Tomato Processing

The consumption of fruits and vegetables is accepted to be one of the strategies to reduce risk factors for these diseases. The aim of this study was to examine potential relationships between the antioxidant and the antiplatelet activities in green mature and fully ripe (red) tomatoes and of lycopene-rich byproducts of tomato paste processing such as pomace. The total phenol content of tomato components was the highest in peels, pulp, and in the mucilaginous myxotesta covering the tomato seeds with values 36.9 ± 0.8, 33.3 ± 00.5, and 17.6 ± 0.9 mg GAE/100 g, respectively (P < 0.05). Tomato peels had the highest antioxidant activity, both, as measured by the FRAP (46.9 ± 0.9 μmol Fe⁺²/g, P < 0.05) and the DPPH assays (97.4 ± 0.2%, 1000 μg/mL, P < 0.05). Pomace extracts showed the highest antiplatelet activity induced by ADP, collagen, TRAP-6, and arachidonic acid. While the maturation stage of the tomato fruit affected the antioxidant effect, antiplatelet activity was independent of fruit ripeness. Finally, based on the present results, tomato and its byproducts may be considered as a valuable source of antioxidant and antiplatelet activities.

Bioassay-Guided Isolation and HPLC Determination of Bioactive Compound That Relate to the Antiplatelet Activity (Adhesion, Secretion, and Aggregation) from Solanum lycopersicum

In seeking the functionality of foodstuff applicable to medicine, ripe tomato fruits were found to show an antiplatelet activity. Therefore, the bioactive compound was isolated, structurally identified, and studied for an inhibitory effects on platelet adhesion, secretion, and aggregation. The concentration of adenosine in ripe tomato fruits (pulp and skin extracts) and its processing by-products (paste and pomace) was determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). According to platelet aggregation inhibition induced by ADP, the total extract residual was fractionated by liquid-liquid separation, obtaining aqueous, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extracts. The aqueous extract was subjected to repeated permeation over sephadex LH-20 and semipreparative TLC. The isolate finally obtained was identified as adenosine on the basis of ESI-MS, ¹H NMR, HPLC, and UV spectra. Adenosine concentration dependently (2.3–457 μM) platelet aggregation inhibited induced by ADP. Also, adenosine present inhibition of platelet secretion and thrombus formation under flow conditions. The quantitative HPLC analysis revealed significant amounts of adenosine in ripe tomato fruits and its processing by-products. From these results, extracts/fractions of ripe tomato fruits and their processing by-products may be referred to as functional food and functional ingredients containing a compound that inhibits platelet function with a potent preventive effect on thrombus formation, as those that occur in stroke.