Comparison of methods for proanthocyanidin extraction from pine (Pinus densiflora) needles and biological activities of the extracts

Optimization of the Extraction of Proanthocyanidins from Grape Seeds Using Ultrasonication-Assisted Aqueous Ethanol and Evaluation of Anti-Steatosis Activity In Vitro

Conventional extraction methods of proanthocyanidins (PAC) are based on toxic organic solvents, which can raise concerns about the use of extracts in supplemented food and nutraceuticals. Thus, a PAC extraction method was developed for grape seeds (GS) and grape seed powder using food-grade ethanol by optimizing the extraction conditions to generate the maximum yield of PAC. Extraction parameters, % ethanol, solvent: solid (s:s) ratio, sonication time, and temperature were optimized by the central composite design of the response surface method. The yields of PAC under different extraction conditions were quantified by the methylcellulose precipitable tannin assay. The final optimum conditions were 47% ethanol, 10:1 s:s ratio (v:w), 53 min sonication time, and 60 °C extraction temperature. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed the presence of catechin, procyanidin B2, oligomeric and polymeric PAC in the grape seed-proanthocyanidin extracts (GS-PAC). GS-PAC significantly reduced reactive oxygen species and lipid accumulation in the palmitic-acid-induced mouse hepatocytes (AML12) model of steatosis. About 50% of the PAC of the GS was found to be retained in the by-product of wine fermentation. Therefore, the developed ethanol-based extraction method is suitable to produce PAC-rich functional ingredients from grape by-products to be used in supplemented food and nutraceuticals.

Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don: A review of traditional use, phytochemical composition and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don (Family: Pinaceae) is a medicinal tree traditionally important and well mentioned in traditional system of medicine of India, Pakistan, China, Korea etc. for its use in the management of skin diseases, microbial infections, joint disorders, asthma, kidney stones, ulcer, brain disorders and immunological disorders.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

This review provides an insight into the information available regarding traditional uses, ethnobotany, phytochemistry and, pharmacological profiling of C. deodara crude extract, its isolated compounds and, fractions, to explore its potential for the development of novel therapeutic agents.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Various databases including Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, ACS, Wiley, Web of Science, Springer Link and, PubMed were used to collect all the appropriate information available in previously published literature related to this plant. Besides, other official electronic sources viz. Encyclopedia Britannica and Northern Regional Center, Botanical Survey of India, theplantlist.org. and relevant book chapters and books were also explored.

RESULTS

C. deodara is a popular medicinally active tree, traditionally used in the form of decoction, syrup, oil, powder, and extract alone or in combination with other herbs for the management of different ailments viz. asthma, ulcers, bone fractures, sprains rheumatism, boils, leprosy, etc. Phytochemical studies reported 105 chemical constituents from different parts of the plant, most of them belong to a class of terpenoids and flavonoids. Crude extracts, essential oils, fractions, and isolated compounds of C. deodara exhibited some important pharmacological activities including anticancer, antimicrobial, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antiurolithiatic, antiarthritic and, antiasthmatic.

CONCLUSION

Present article delivers in-depth information on botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology. C. deodara has been in practice among indigenous people of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Korea, China, Nigeria and Russia and 28 different ethnicities for the management of approximately 40 diseases. Bioactive compounds particularly cedrin, himachalol, himachalene and atlantone are recognized as key constituents for observed pharmacological activities of C. deodara. However, further in-depth studies involving bio-guided fractionation, isolation, identification using advanced techniques to afford some new therapeutically active phytoconstituents in the management of different diseases. Preliminary pharmacological investigations on different extracts and fractions of C. deodara partially validated its traditional claims in different ailments such as skin diseases, asthma, neurological disorders, arthritis, microbial infections, gastric disturbances, and inflammation. However, immediate attempts are required to establish its mechanism of action, efficacy, dosage range, and safety in combating different pathological states.

A Novel Antimicrobial Peptides From Pine Needles of Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. Against Foodborne Bacteria

Pine needles are used in several East Asian countries as food or traditional medicine. It contains functional components that exhibit a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. We determined and characterized the novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) isolated from Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. The four active pine-needle (PN) peptides showed antimicrobial activity against foodborne bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values within the range of 8-128 μg/ml. PN peptides showed no detectable hemolytic activity or cytotoxicity at the antimicrobial concentrations. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the PN5 was identified using Edman degradation and Antimicrobial Peptide Database (APD) homology analysis showed that it was not identical to any other plant peptide. This suggests that PN5 can serve as an alternative therapeutic agent to be used in the food industry.

Phenolic Compounds in Trees and Shrubs of Central Europe

Plants produce specific structures constituting barriers, hindering the penetration of pathogens, while they also produce substances inhibiting pathogen growth. These compounds are secondary metabolites, such as phenolics, terpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, resins, tannins and alkaloids. Bioactive compounds are secondary metabolites from trees and shrubs and are used in medicine, herbal medicine and cosmetology. To date, fruits and flowers of exotic trees and shrubs have been primarily used as sources of bioactive compounds. In turn, the search for new sources of bioactive compounds is currently focused on native plant species due to their availability. The application of such raw materials needs to be based on knowledge of their chemical composition, particularly health-promoting or therapeutic compounds. Research conducted to date on European trees and shrubs has been scarce. This paper presents the results of literature studies conducted to systematise the knowledge on phenolic compounds found in trees and shrubs native to central Europe. The aim of this review is to provide available information on the subject and to indicate gaps in the present knowledge.

Antiviral Activities of Compounds Isolated from Pinus densiflora (Pine Tree) against the Influenza A Virus

Pinus densiflora was screened in an ongoing project to discover anti-influenza candidates from natural products. An extensive phytochemical investigation provided 26 compounds, including two new megastigmane glycosides (1 and 2), 21 diterpenoids (3–23), and three flavonoids (24–26). The chemical structures were elucidated by a series of chemical reactions, including modified Mosher’s analysis and various spectroscopic measurements such as LC/MS and 1D- and 2D-NMR. The anti-influenza A activities of all isolates were screened by cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition assays and neuraminidase (NA) inhibition assays. Ten candidates were selected, and detailed mechanistic studies were performed by various assays, such as Western blot, immunofluorescence, real-time PCR and flow cytometry. Compound 5 exerted its antiviral activity not by direct neutralizing virion surface proteins, such as HA, but by inhibiting the expression of viral mRNA. In contrast, compound 24 showed NA inhibitory activity in a noncompetitive manner with little effect on viral mRNA expression. Interestingly, both compounds 5 and 24 were shown to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results provide not only the chemical profiling of P. densiflora but also anti-influenza A candidates.

Effect of pine (Pinus densiflora) needle and Korean mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum) powder on male broiler chicken growth, serum cholesterol profiles, and meat quality

Pine (Pinus densiflora) needle leaf (PNL) and Korean mistletoe (KM) (Viscum album var. coloratum) were compared as dietary supplements for male broiler chickens, and their effects on broiler growth, serum cholesterol profiles, and meat quality were investigated.A total of 240 one-day-old male broilers (40~45 g/body weight) were randomly assigned to 4 dietary groups (control, 0.5% PNL, 1% PNL, and 1% KM) of 60 birds each (3 replicates per group) in a completely randomized design. PNL and KM dietary supplements did not affect broiler growth performance, but mortality was reduced in the 1% KM-treated group. Serum cholesterol profiles indicated that total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (LDLC) decreased significantly while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) level increased in treatment groups compared to levels in the control group. Decrease in lightness and redness color values in thigh meat of broilers fed PNL and KM powder were observed. However, no significant differences were observed among the groups with regard to triglyceride and glucose levels, pH, and yellowness of the meat. In conclusion, 1% KM dietary supplement can reduce mortality, which may be due to the immune-regulating effects of KM, as well, it can reduce lipid oxidation and improve meat color stability via an antioxidant action in broiler thigh muscles.

The Role of Antioxidant Activity of Chitosan-Pinus merkusii Extract Nanoparticle in against Lead Acetate-Induced Toxicity in Rat Pancreas

Lead is one of the heavy metals with oxidative stress that causes toxicity in human and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of Chitosan-Pinus merkusii extract nanoparticle on lead acetate-induced toxicity in rat pancreas. Chitosan-Pinus merkusii nanoparticles were identified by Particle Size Analysis (PSA) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The male rats used were divided into a control group (treated with distilled water), lead acetate group (injected with lead acetate at 20 mg/kg BW i.p), and the treatment group (treated orally with Chitosan-Pinus merkusii nanoparticle at 150 mg; 300 mg; 600 mg/kg BW and injected with lead acetate at 20 mg/kg BW i.p). Blood samples were taken to measure glucose and insulin level. The pancreas tissues were also collected to evaluate the malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and histological evaluations of cell damage. The PSA showed that the size of Chitosan-Pinus merkusii nanoparticle was 530.2 ± 38.27 nm. The SEM images revealed an irregular shape, and the morphology showed a rough surface. Administration of lead acetate resulted in a significant increase in glucose and MDA levels as well as a decrease in the level of insulin, SOD and GPx when compared with the control group, while that of 600 mg/kg BW of Chitosan-Pinus merkusii nanoparticle gave a polar result. The lead acetate induced loss of pancreatic cells normal structure and necrosis, while Chitosan-Pinus merkusii nanoparticle inhibited it. It could be concluded that Chitosan-Pinus merkusii nanoparticle has a potential to be a powerful agent and may be useful as an antioxidant against free radical-induced oxidative stress and pancreatic cell damage mediated by lead acetate intoxication.

Evaluation of antioxidant activities and essential/toxicmetal levels and their health risk assessment in citrus fruits from Pakistan

Fruits are important components of human diet, and their contamination by environmental pollutants is an emerging challenge nowadays. The present study is based on the measurement of selected essential and toxic trace metals including Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr, Co, Sr, Li, Ni, Pb, and Cd in commercially available citrus fruits from Pakistan. The samples were digested in HNO₃ and HCLO₄ mixture, and the metal contents were quantified by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Highest concentration was found for Ca (609.0-3596 mg/kg), followed by relatively higher levels of K (277.6-682.1 mg/kg), Mg (53.65-123.4 mg/kg), Na (1.173-52.14 mg/kg), and Fe (0.236-10.57 mg/kg), while Li, Ni, and Cd showed the lowest contributions in most of the samples. In addition, antioxidant activities such as DPPH radical scavenging assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, ferrous chelating activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, and phosphomolybdenum assay were also evaluated in the fruit samples. Considerably higher antioxidant activities were shown by grapefruit, mandarin, sweet lime, and tangerine. Most of the antioxidant assays were significantly correlated with Na, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Cu levels in the fruits. Human health risk was evaluated in terms of health risk index (HRI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and target cancer risk (TCR) which revealed insignificant health risks; thus, the consumption of these fruits can be considered as safe for human diet.

Enhancing the Yield of Bioactive Compounds from Sclerocarya birrea Bark by Green Extraction Approaches

Sclerocarya birrea is a tree indigenous to Southern Africa with significant importance in rural livelihoods for food, medicine, and carving. The bark, which contains 10⁻20% tannin, provides several pharmacological benefits as an antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-atherogenic, and antioxidant medication, among others. This study compared different extraction techniques used to recover bioactive compounds from marula bark. For this purpose, solid⁻liquid extraction, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) were performed under selected conditions, using only "food-grade" solvents. The potential use of the proposed extraction methodologies was evaluated in term of yield, and the individual phenolic composition determined by HPLC⁻ESI⁻TOF⁻MS. PLE provided a high extraction yield in all experimental conditions. With regard to bioactive compounds composition, a total of 71 compounds, a significant percentage of which in a galloyl form, were distributed in five major categories. The largest number of compounds, mostly flavonoid aglycones, were extracted by PLE, generally when the extraction was developed at low temperatures. SFE did prove effective as a way of extracting antidiabetic proanthocyanidins. Advanced extraction techniques represent a powerful tool to obtain bioactive compounds from S. birrea bark, which can be used as supplements or food ingredients, promoting the valorization of this crop.

The potency of chitosan-Pinus merkusii extract nanoparticle as the antioxidant and anti-caspase 3 on lead acetate-induced nephrotoxicity in rat

The current study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-caspase 3 activity of chitosan-Pinus merkusii nanoparticle in against lead acetate-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. chitosan-P. merkusii nanoparticle was characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The male rats were divided into control group (rats were given with distilled water), lead acetate group (rats were injected with lead acetate 15 mg/kg BW i. p), and the treatment group (rats were given the chitosan-P. merkusii nanoparticle 150 mg, 300 mg, 600 mg/kg BW orally and were injected with lead acetate 15 mg/kg BW). The rats blood samples were measured levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. The kidney tissues were collected to evaluate the malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Histological to evaluate renal damage, and immunohistochemical to analyze the expression of caspase 3. The results showed that DLS showed the size of chitosan-P. merkusii nanoparticle was 165.9 ± 24.18 nm. SEM images of the chitosan-P. merkusii nanoparticles showed an irregular shape and its the rough surface. Administration of lead acetate resulted in a significant increase in levels of the BUN, creatinine, MDA level, caspase 3 expression, and a decrease in SOD and GPx were compared with the control group. Treatment with the chitosan-P. merkusii nanoparticle 600 mg/kg BW significantly decreased the elevated BUN, creatinine, MDA levels, caspase 3 expression and also increase in SOD and GPx as compared to lead acetate group. The lead acetate induced loss of the normal structure of renal cells and necrosis, whereas treated with chitosan-P. merkusii nanoparticle improved renal cell necrosis. This study indicates that chitosan-P. merkusii nanoparticles appeared to be a promising agent for protection against lead-induced nephrotoxicity through increasing antioxidant and inhibiting caspase 3 expression.

Evaluation of In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of the Water Extract Obtained from Dried Pine Needle (Pinus densiflora)

Antioxidant activities of water extracts obtained from dried pine needle (Pinus densiflora) were measured at 0, 4, 20, 100, 500, 1,000, and 1,200 ppm and compared with those of phenolic compounds of butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, tert-butylhydroquinone, ferulic acid, and α-tocopherol. The activity was determined as the ability to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and hydrogen peroxide, reductive power, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in a linoleic acid system using the ferric thiocyanate method and thiobarbituric acid method, respectively. Pine needle water extract (PNWE) exhibited antioxidant activity in a concentration-dependent mode at the same parameters mentioned above, and a significant difference (P<0.05) was observed at 1,000 ppm. The protective activity of PNWE as a potent antioxidant in a non-cellular system was compared with that of phenolics at 150.67 μg/mL in the two assays using biological cellular systems, namely 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride-initiated hemolysis and Fe²⁺-induced lipid peroxidation, using rat red blood cells and rat brain homogenate, respectively. The PNWE showed a strong power comparable to those of commercial phenolic compounds in biological systems. These results indicated that the protective activity of PNWE could be due to the presence of naturally-occurring phenolic compounds, which act as potent in vitro antioxidants in both non-cellular and cellular systems.

Pinus massoniana Bark Extract: Structure-Activity Relationship and Biomedical Potentials

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) belong to the condensed tannin subfamily of natural flavonoids. Recent studies have shown that the main bioactive compounds of Pinus massoniana bark extract (PMBE) are PAs, especially the proanthocyanidins B series, which play important roles in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction and migration inhibition of cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. PA-Bs are mixtures of oligomers and polymers composed of flavan-3-ol, and the relationship between their structure and corresponding biomedical potentials is summarized in this paper. The hydroxyl at certain positions or the linkage between different carbon atoms of different rings determines or affects their anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging bioactivities. The degree of polymerization and the water solubility of the reaction system also influence their biomedical potential. Taken together, PMBE has a promising future in clinical drug development as a candidate anticancer drug and as a food additive to prevent tumorigenesis. We hope this review will encourage interested researchers to conduct further preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate the anticancer activities of PMBE, its active constituents and their derivatives.

Optimization of Purification, Identification and Evaluation of the in Vitro Antitumor Activity of Polyphenols from Pinus Koraiensis Pinecones

In this study, an efficient purification method for the polyphenols of Pinus koraiensis pinecone (PPP) has been developed. AB-8 resin was verified to offer good adsorption and desorption ratio for PPP. Response surface methodology (RSM) indicated that the optimized purification parameters for PPP were 1.70 mg GAE/mL phenolic sample concentration, 22.00 mL sample volume, and 63.00% ethanol concentration. Under these conditions, the experimental purity of PPP was 27.93 ± 0.14% (n = 3), which matched well with the predicted purity of 28.17%. Next, the antiproliferative effects of PPP on seven cancer cell lines, including A375 (human skin melanoma cancer cell line), A549 (human lung cancer cell line), SH-SY5Y (human neuroblastoma cell line), LOVO (human colon cancer stem cell line), MCF-7 (human breast cancer cell line), HeLa (human cervical cancer line), and HT29 (human colon cancer line), were examined by MTT assays. The results indicated that PPP had the highest capacity for inhibiting LOVO cells growth with an EC50 value of 0.317 ± 0.0476 mg/mL. Finally, Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) was used to tentatively identify twenty-four peaks in the purified PPP, of which five representative peaks were identified as catechin, methyl quercetin, o-vanillin, luteolin and coronaric acid. Our results demonstrate that Pinus koraiensis pinecone is a readily available source of polyphenols, and the purified PPP could be a promising natural antitumor agent for applications in functional foods.

Neolignan inhibitors of antigen-induced degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells from the needles of Pinus thunbergii

The ethanolic extract of the needles of Pinus thunbergii was found to suppress antigen mediated degranulation of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. A new neolignan glycoside, named pinusthunbergiside A (1), as well as six known neolignan glycosides (2-7) were isolated from the ethanolic extract using bioassay-guided fractionation. Their structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR, HRESI-MS, and circular dichroism (CD) data. Compounds 2-7 were found for the first time in this plant. The inhibitory effects of isolated constituents on the release of β-hexosaminidase from RBL-2H3 cells were examined, and compounds 2, 3, 5, and 6 were found to show the inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values ranging between 52.3 and 75.3 μM.

Protective effect of Pinus koraiensis needle water extract against oxidative stress in HepG2 cells and obese mice

Needles of pine species are rich in polyphenols, which may exert beneficial effects on human health. The present study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant effects of Pinus koraiensis needle water extracts (PKW). HepG2 cells were pretreated with various concentrations of PKW (from 10(-3) to 1 mg/mL) and oxidative stress was induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH). In the animal model, male ICR mice were fed a high-fat diet for 6 weeks to induce obesity, and then mice were continually fed a high-fat diet with or without orally administered PKW (400 mg/kg body weight) for 5 weeks. Pretreatment with PKW prevented significant increases in cytotoxicity and catalase activity induced by t-BOOH in HepG2 cells. Similarly, the catalase protein expression levels elevated by t-BOOH were abrogated in cells pretreated with PKW. In mice fed a high-fat diet, PKW significantly increased hepatic activities of catalase and glutathione reductase and lower lipid peroxidation levels were observed in the liver and kidney of mice with PKW supplementation. The present study demonstrates that PKW protects against oxidative stress in HepG2 cells treated with t-BOOH and in mice fed a high-fat diet.

Techniques for analysis of plant phenolic compounds

Phenolic compounds are well-known phytochemicals found in all plants. They consist of simple phenols, benzoic and cinnamic acid, coumarins, tannins, lignins, lignans and flavonoids. Substantial developments in research focused on the extraction, identification and quantification of phenolic compounds as medicinal and/or dietary molecules have occurred over the last 25 years. Organic solvent extraction is the main method used to extract phenolics. Chemical procedures are used to detect the presence of total phenolics, while spectrophotometric and chromatographic techniques are utilized to identify and quantify individual phenolic compounds. This review addresses the application of different methodologies utilized in the analysis of phenolic compounds in plant-based products, including recent technical developments in the quantification of phenolics.

Antioxidant activity and analysis of proanthocyanidins from pine (Pinus densiflora) needles

In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant activity of pine needle extracts prepared with hot water, ethanol, hexane, hot water-hexane (HWH), and hot water-ethanol (HWE), using the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical method. The hot water extract possessed superior antioxidant activity than the other extracts. We also compared the antioxidant activity of pine needle extracts through ROS inhibition activity in a cellular system using MC3T3 E-1 cells. The hot water extract exhibited the lowest ROS production. The pattern of HPLC analysis of each extract indicated that the hot water extract contained the highest proanthocyanidin level. The pine needle hot-water extract was then isolated and fractionated with Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography to determine the major contributor to its antioxidant activity. The No.7 and 12 fractions had high antioxidant activities, that is, the highest contents of proanthocyanidins and catechins, respectively. These results indicate that the antioxidant activity of procyanidins from the hot water extract of pine needles is positively related to not only polymeric proanthocyanidins but also to monomeric catechins. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of the pine needle hot water extract was similar to well-known antioxidants, such as vitamin C. This suggests that pine needle proanthocyanidins and catechins might be of interest for use as alternative antioxidants.