A jerte valley cherry-based product as a supply of tryptophan

A View on the Chemical and Biological Attributes of Five Edible Fruits after Finishing Their Shelf Life: Studies on Caco-2 Cells

We studied five common perishable fruits in terms of their polyphenols dynamic, minerals distribution, scavenger activity and the effects of 50% ethanolic extracts on the viability of Caco-2 cells in vitro, over a period of time between T = 0 and T = 5/7 days, typically the end of their shelf life. Altogether, there were few changes found, consisting of either an increase or a decrease in their chemical and biological attributes. A slow decrease was found in the antioxidant activity in apricot (-11%), plum (-6%) and strawberry (-4%) extracts, while cherry and green seedless table grape extracts gained 7% and 2% antioxidant potency, respectively; IC50 values ranged from 1.67 to 5.93 μg GAE/μL test extract. The cytotoxicity MTS assay at 24 h revealed the ability of all 50% ethanol fruit extracts to inhibit the Caco-2 cell viability; the inhibitory effects ranged from 49% to 83% and were measured at 28 µg GAE for strawberry extracts/EES, from 22 µg to 45 µg GAE for cherry extracts/EEC, from 7.58 to 15.16 µg GAE for apricot extracts/EEA, from 12.50 to 25.70 µg GAE for plum extracts/EEP and from 21.51 to 28.68 µg GAE for green table grape extracts/EEG. The MTS anti-proliferative assay (72 h) also revealed a stimulatory potency upon the Caco-2 viability, from 34% (EEA, EEG) and 48% (EEC) to 350% (EES) and 690% (EEP); therefore fruit juices can influence intestinal tumorigenesis in humans.

Plasma-Induced Changes in the Metabolome Following Vistula Tart Cherry Consumption

Evidence suggests that tart cherry (TC) supplementation has beneficial effects on health indices and recovery following strenuous exercise. However, little is known about the mechanisms and how TC might modulate the human metabolome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of an acute high- and low-dose of Vistula TC supplementation on the metabolomic profile in humans. In a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over design, 12 healthy participants (nine male and three female; mean ± SD age, stature, and mass were 29 ± 7 years old, 1.75 ± 0.1 m, and 77.3 ± 10.5 kg, respectively) visited the laboratory on three separate occasions (high dose; HI, low dose; LO, or placebo), separated by at least seven days. After an overnight fast, a baseline venous blood sample was taken, followed by consumption of a standardised breakfast and dose conditions (HI, LO, or placebo). Subsequent blood draws were taken 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 h post consumption. Following sample preparation, an untargeted metabolomics approach was adopted, and the extracts analysed by LCMS/MS. When all time points were collated, a principal component analysis showed a significant difference between the conditions (p < 0.05), such that the placebo trial had homogeneity, and HI showed greater heterogeneity. In a sub-group analysis, cyanidine-3-O-glucoside (C3G), cyanidine-3-O-rutinoside (C3R), and vanillic acid (VA) were detected in plasma and showed significant differences (p < 0.05) following acute consumption of Vistula TC, compared to the placebo group. These results provide evidence that phenolics are bioavailable in plasma and induce shifts in the metabolome following acute Vistula TC consumption. These data could be used to inform future intervention studies where changes in physiological outcomes could be influenced by metabolomic shifts following acute supplementation.

Options for the generation of seedless cherry, the ultimate snacking product

This manuscript identifies cherry orthologues of genes implicated in the development of pericarpic fruit and pinpoints potential options and restrictions in the use of these targets for commercial exploitation of parthenocarpic cherry fruit. Cherry fruit contain a large stone and seed, making processing of the fruit laborious and consumption by the consumer challenging, inconvenient to eat 'on the move' and potentially dangerous for children. Availability of fruit lacking the stone and seed would be potentially transformative for the cherry industry, since such fruit would be easier to process and would increase consumer demand because of the potential reduction in costs. This review will explore the background of seedless fruit, in the context of the ambition to produce the first seedless cherry, carry out an in-depth analysis of the current literature around parthenocarpy in fruit, and discuss the available technology and potential for producing seedless cherry fruit as an 'ultimate snacking product' for the twenty-first century.

Probing the effects of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) extract on 2D and 3D human skin models

BACKGROUND

Natural products are not only positioned in the heart of traditional medicine but also in modern medicine as many current drugs are coming from natural sources. Apart from the field of medicine and therapeutics, natural products are broadly used in other industrial fields such as nutrition, skincare products and nanotechnology.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruit extract from the Greek native cultivar 'Vasiliadi', on the human 2D and 3D in vitro models in order to investigate its potential impact on skin. We focused on 2D culture of primary normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) that were treated with sweet cherry fruit extract. In the first place, we targeted fruit extract potential cytotoxicity by determining ATP intracellular levels. Furthermore, we assessed its potential skin irritability by using 3D skin model. To better understand the bioactivity of sweet cherry fruit. extract, we used qPCR to study the expression of various genes that are implicated in the skin functions. Our experiments showed that sweet cherry fruit extract is non-toxic in 2D keratinocytes culture as well as non-irritant in 3D skin model. Our results revealed that the extract mediated important pathways for the optimum epidermis function such as cell proliferation, immune and inflammatory response.

CONCLUSION

The sweet cherry fruit extracts possesses significant activity in epidermis function without any potential of cytotoxicity or skin irritability, which makes it a rather promising active agent for skincare.

The pleiotropic effects of Prunus avium L. extract against oxidative stress on human fibroblasts. An in vitro approach

There is a persistent interest in innovative and multifunctional ingredients in biology research. With regards to this, natural sources have an important role due to their multiple benefits. Thus, this study aims to present the pleiotropic activity of Prunus avium L. extract on human primary fibroblasts for proving its efficacy in dermis-related processes. We focused on the safety and efficacy assessments based on cytotoxicity and gene expression analysis under oxidative stress. Specifically, Prunus avium L. extract was proved non-cytotoxic in human fibroblasts. The gene expression analysis unveiled that this extract has in vitro protective properties on human dermal fibroblasts under oxidative stress related to antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory response, cell proliferation and cell- aging. Our study demonstrated for the very first time that the Prunus avium L. extract is a multifunctional ingredient as it mediates several human dermis-related in vitro processes highlighting its potential to be used as an active ingredient in skin care products.

Brain alterations in high fat diet induced obesity: effects of tart cherry seeds and juice

Evidence suggests that obesity adversely affects brain function. High body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and diabetes are risk factors for increasing cognitive decline. Tart cherries (PrunusCerasus L.) are rich in anthocyanins and components that modify lipid metabolism. This study evaluated the effects of tart cherries on the brain in diet-induced obese (DIO) rats. DIO rats were fed with a high-fat diet alone or in association with a tart cherry seeds powder (DS) and juice (DJS). DIO rats were compared to rats fed with a standard diet (CHOW). Food intake, body weight, fasting glycemia, insulin, cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured. Immunochemical and immunohistochemical techniques were performed. Results showed that body weight did not differ among the groups. Blood pressure and glycemia were decreased in both DS and DJS groups when compared to DIO rats. Immunochemical and immunohistochemical techniques demonstrated that in supplemented DIO rats, the glial fibrillary acid protein expression and microglial activation were reduced in both the hippocampus and in the frontal cortex, while the neurofilament was increased. Tart cherry intake modified aquaporin 4 and endothelial inflammatory markers. These findings indicate the potential role of this nutritional supplement in preventing obesity-related risk factors, especially neuroinflammation.

Prediction of Antioxidant Activity of Cherry Fruits from UAS Multispectral Imagery Using Machine Learning

In this research, a model for the estimation of antioxidant content in cherry fruits from multispectral imagery acquired from drones was developed, based on machine learning methods. For two consecutive cultivation years, the trees were sampled on different dates and then analysed for their fruits' radical scavenging activity (DPPH) and Folin-Ciocalteu (FCR) reducing capacity. Multispectral images from unmanned aerial vehicles were acquired on the same dates with fruit sampling. Soil samples were collected throughout the study fields at the end of the season. Topographic, hydrographic and weather data also were included in modelling. First-year data were used for model-fitting, whereas second-year data for testing. Spatial autocorrelation tests indicated unbiased sampling and, moreover, allowed restriction of modelling input parameters to a smaller group. The optimum model employs 24 input variables resulting in a 6.74 root mean square error. Provided that soil profiles and other ancillary data are known in advance of the cultivation season, capturing drone images in critical growth phases, together with contemporary weather data, can support site- and time-specific harvesting. It could also support site-specific treatments (precision farming) for improving fruit quality in the long-term, with analogous marketing perspectives.

A Review of the Health Benefits of Cherries

Increased oxidative stress contributes to development and progression of several human chronic inflammatory diseases. Cherries are a rich source of polyphenols and vitamin C which have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Our aim is to summarize results from human studies regarding health benefits of both sweet and tart cherries, including products made from them (juice, powder, concentrate, capsules); all referred to as cherries here. We found 29 (tart 20, sweet 7, unspecified 2) published human studies which examined health benefits of consuming cherries. Most of these studies were less than 2 weeks of duration (range 5 h to 3 months) and served the equivalent of 45 to 270 cherries/day (anthocyanins 55–720 mg/day) in single or split doses. Two-thirds of these studies were randomized and placebo controlled. Consumption of cherries decreased markers for oxidative stress in 8/10 studies; inflammation in 11/16; exercise-induced muscle soreness and loss of strength in 8/9; blood pressure in 5/7; arthritis in 5/5, and improved sleep in 4/4. Cherries also decreased hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein (TG/HDL) in diabetic women, and VLDL and TG/HDL in obese participants. These results suggest that consumption of sweet or tart cherries can promote health by preventing or decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Role of NAD(+), Oxidative Stress, and Tryptophan Metabolism in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neuro-developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, reduced/absent verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive behavior during early childhood. The etiology of this developmental disorder is poorly understood, and no biomarkers have been identified. Identification of novel biochemical markers related to autism would be advantageous for earlier clinical diagnosis and intervention. Studies suggest that oxidative stress-induced mechanisms and reduced antioxidant defense, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired energy metabolism (NAD(+), NADH, ATP, pyruvate, and lactate), are major causes of ASD. This review provides renewed insight regarding current autism research related to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and altered tryptophan metabolism in ASD.