Bioassay-Guided Skin-Beneficial Effects of Fractionated Sideritis raeseri subsp. raeseri Extract

This study aimed to evaluate the potentials for skin-beneficial effects of the hydroethanolic extract of the aerial parts of ironwort (Sideritis raeseri Boiss. & Heldr. subsp. raeseri) and its fractions (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water). For these purposes, chemical analysis and in vitro antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase and antimicrobial assays, as well as determination of sun protection factor (SPF), were performed. The highest total phenolic content and quantity of individual flavonoids, chlorogenic acid and verbascoside were determined in the n-butanol fraction, which is in line with results obtained for antioxidant activity. The greatest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the most common causative agents of the skin infections in humans, was exhibited by the ethyl acetate fraction. The strongest anti-tyrosinase activity was shown by the hydroethanolic extract (52.64% of inhibition at 100 μg/mL). Almost all tested samples showed photoprotective activity with SPF higher than 6 obtained at a low concentration of 0.1 mg/mL, which was more than 15 for the butanol fraction. These findings revealed that the hydroethanolic extract of S. raeseri aerial parts could be a valuable ingredient in the formulation of cosmetic and medicinal products intended to overcome various skin disorders.

Microencapsulation of Sideritis raeseri Boiss. & Heldr. subsp. raeseri Extract Using Spray Drying with Maltodextrin and Whey Protein

Multiple medical properties and beneficial influence on health attributed to the aerial parts of Sideritis raeseri Boiss. & Heldr. subsp. raeseri indicated the need for further investigation. S. raeseri extracts were subjected to microencapsulation by the spray drying process in order to disperse and preserve unstable active compounds within a protective matrix. Two inlet air temperatures (120 and 140 ºC) were applied for the encapsulation of S. raeseri extract in a matrix composed of maltodextrin (10, 20, and 40%) or whey protein (40%). The effects of spray drying on physico-chemical properties, contents of total phenols and flavonoids, as well as of individual flavonoid glycosides of the obtained powders were determined. The 40% whey protein treatment increased bulk density (238.46 mg/mL) while it decreased hygroscopicity (14.27%). In addition, the high maltodextrin concentration of the S. raeseri powder resulted in the highest process efficiency (63.46%), the highest water solubility index (86.40%), and the lowest water absorption index (5.71%). Moreover, powders produced without maltodextrin were characterized by greater content of flavonoid glycosides. Overall, the results suggested that S. raeseri powders produced using spray-dried technique under adequate conditions could be considered as a novel functional and pharmaceutical ingredient.

Effect of Type and Concentration of Carrier Material on the Encapsulation of Pomegranate Peel Using Spray Drying Method

This study aimed to establish a procedure for pomegranate peel (PP) valorization and attainment of stable extracts with preserved bioactive compounds. The technology applied was spray drying with carbohydrate-based (maltodextrin, MD) and protein-based (whey protein, WP) carrier materials in different concentrations (80, 100, and 120%). What was analyzed was the impact of the type and concentration of carrier material on the stability and quality of the final encapsulated powder. The best results were achieved when the PP extract was microencapsulated with the carbohydrate-based carrier (100%), where it had the highest encapsulation efficiency (EE) (88.63%), hygroscopicity (15.17%), and water solubility index (87.04%). The moisture content was in the range of 3.69–4.60% and 4.21–5.84% for MD and WP, respectively, indicating that both are suitable for long-term storage. It was observed that changes in carrier concentration significantly influenced most of the powders’ physicochemical properties. Microencapsulation using MD yielded a higher content of punicalin, punicalagin, gallic, and ellagic acid than those with WP. Overall results demonstrated that carbohydrate-based microencapsulation can be utilized efficiently for the protection of powder stability and phytochemical characteristics.

Gentianella lutescens subsp. carpatica J. Holub.: Shoot Propagation In Vitro and Effect of Sucrose and Elicitors on Xanthones Production

In vitro shoot culture of the endangered medicinal plant Gentianella lutescens was established from epicotyl explants cultured on MS basal medium with 0.2 mg L⁻¹ 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and evaluated for xanthones content for the first time. Five shoot lines were obtained and no significant variations in multiplication rate, shoot elongation, and xanthones profile were found among them. The highest rooting rate (33.3%) was achieved by shoots treated for 2 days with 5 mg L⁻¹ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) followed by cultivation in liquid PGR-free ½ MS medium for 60 days. HPLC analysis revealed the lower content of xanthones—mangiferin, bellidifolin, demethylbellidifolin, demethylbellidifolin-8-O-glucoside and bellidifolin-8-O-glucoside—in in vitro cultured shoots compared to wild growing plants. The increasing concentration of sucrose, sorbitol and abiotic elicitors salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) altered shoot growth and xanthone production. Sucrose and sorbitol applied at the highest concentration of 233.6 mM increased dry matter percentage, while SA at 100 μM promoted shoot growth 2-fold. The increased sucrose concentration enhanced accumulation of xanthones in shoot cultures 2–3-fold compared to the control shoots. Elicitors at 100–300 μM increased the accumulation of mangiferin, demethylbellidifolin-8-O-glucoside, and bellidifolin-8-O-glucoside almost equally, while MeJA at the highest concentration of 500 μM enhanced amount of aglycones demethylbellidifolin and bellidifolin 7-fold compared to the control. The obtained results facilitate conservation of G. lutescens and pave the way for further research on large-scale shoot propagation and production of pharmacologically active xanthones.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Phenolics from Sideritis raeseri Using Response Surface Methodology

In this study we define the optimal conditions for ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive polyphenols from S. raeseri aerial parts using response surface methodology. The influence of ethanol concentration (10–90%), extraction temperature (20–80 °C), extraction time (10–60 min), and solid-to-solvent ratio (1:10–1:50) on total phenolic content as well as on content of individual flavonoids, and hypolaetin and isoscutellarein derivatives was studied. For the experimental design, a central composite design was chosen. In the obtained extracts, the following ranges of targeted compounds were detected: total phenol from 19.32 to 47.23 mg GAE/g dw, HYP from 1.05 to 11.46 mg/g dw, ISC 1 from 0.68 to 10.68 mg/g dw, and ISC 2 from 0.74 to 15.56 mg/g dw. The optimal extraction conditions were set as: ethanol concentration of 65%, extraction time of 50 min, extraction temperature of 63 °C, and solid-to-solvent ratio of 1:40. Contents of TP, HYP, ISC 1, and ISC 2 in optimal extracts were 47.11 mg GAE/g dw, 11.73 mg/g dw, 9.54 mg/g dw, and 15.40 mg/g dw, respectively. Experimentally set values were in good agreement with those predicted by the response surface methodology model, indicating suitability of the used model, as well as the success of response surface methodology in optimizing the conditions of the extraction.

Antiviral Effects of Pomegranate Peel Extracts on Human Norovirus in Food Models and Simulated Gastrointestinal Fluids

Human noroviruses (HuNoV) are the dominant cause of viral gastroenteritis in all age groups worldwide. In this study, we investigated the effects of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) on the reduction of HuNoV in different food models, on surfaces of fresh produce (green onion and cherry tomato), in low-fat milk, and simulated gastrointestinal fluids. The antiviral efficacy of PPE against HuNoV was evaluated by quantifying the number of residual virus genomes using a quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) assay. Pomegranate peel, considered as a waste product of industrial processing, is known for beneficial health effects and broad antimicrobial activity due to the high content of phenolic compounds and tannins. PPE showed significant antiviral properties against HuNoV both in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and simulated gastric fluid. The reduction of HuNoV by pomegranate juice was lower than with PPE, which could be attributed to the lower content of antimicrobial compounds. A pretreatment of cherry tomato and green onion surfaces with PPE significantly reduced the amount of HuNoV particles that adhered to those surfaces during subsequent virus suspension treatment. A detrimental effect of PPE on HuNoV structure was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Our results indicate that PPE is a natural antiviral agent effective against food-borne noroviruses.

Comparative Study of Subcritical Water and Microwave-Assisted Extraction Techniques Impact on the Phenolic Compounds and 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Content in Pomegranate Peel

Two environmentally friendly innovative extraction techniques - subcritical water (SWE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) were applied for the extraction of phenolics from pomegranate peel. The impact of process conditions (SWE: temperature 100-220 °C, extraction time 5-30 min; MAE: solvent water and 50% ethanol, irradiation power 470 and 800 W) on the quality of extracts in terms of the content of total phenolics, total flavonoids, major phenolic constituents (gallic acid, ellagic acid, punicalin, punicalagin), as well as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF) amount was investigated. For SWE, temperature of 130 °C and 20 min extraction time were found optimal for obtaining high content of bioactive compounds and minimizing the yield of HMF. During MAE, phenolic compounds were effectively extracted by using lower microwave power and 50% ethanol. Comparing two techniques, MAE is more efficient than SWE for the extraction of phenolics from pomegranate peel while obtaining a HMF-free extracts.

Gentiana clusii Perr.&Song.: Enhanced production of secondary metabolites by in vitro propagation

Shoot and root in vitro culture of endemic European species Gentiana clusii was established for the first time. The effects of different concentrations of benzyl adenine (BA), 6-phurphurylaminopurine (KIN), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) on shoot propagation and rooting of G. clusii were investigated. The optimal in vitro conditions for shoot propagation and long-term maintenance were achieved using woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with 0.5 mg l^-1 KIN, and subsequent application of IBA at 0.5 mg l^-1 significantly improved rooting of these shoots. Root culture was established from excised root tips cultured in ½ MS liquid media with increasing concentrations of IBA (0.1-1.0 mg l^-1). A high root growth rate and considerable biomass yield were obtained by addition of 1.0 mg l^-1 IBA. HPLC analysis revealed that in vitro culture considerably promoted the production of secondary metabolites in G. clusii. The selected protocol for shoot propagation (WPM + 0.5 mg l^-1 KIN) increased the content of sweroside, gentiopicrin and norswertianin-1-O-primeveroside (N-1-P) for more than 2-fold compared with the wild plants. IBA promoted N-1-P and norswertianin production in root cultures; their contents were enhanced 6.4- and 18.6-fold, respectively, compared with the wild plants. The extract of these roots displayed the highest antioxidant capacity (IC₅₀ = 66.57 μg ml^-1). The established shoot and root propagation protocols facilitate in vitro conservation of G. clusii, and provides a promising tool for the large scale production of valuable secoiridoids and xanthones.

AB0247 LIFE QUALITY AND DEPRESSION LEVEL ASSESSMENT IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:

Depression is a common and significant rheumatoid arthritis (RA) comorbidity that develops under the influence of severalfactors, the most important being disease activity, pain intensity and degree of disability.

Objectives:

The goal of the investigation was to determine existence of depression and assess life quality in patients living with RA.

Methods:

The study sample comprised of 150 patients of average age 59.2 years, 79.2% of whom were women and 20.8% were men, who have lived with RA for an average of 9.6 years. For determining disease activity level, Disease Activity ScoreDAS28was utilized. Pain intensity and global disease activity were rated using a visual analogue scale ranging from 1 to 100mm. For functional capacity assessments, Health Assessment Questionnaire(HAQ) index was adopted,depressions severity was determined through Back Depression Inventory (BDI), and Serbian version of the health-related quality of life instrument EQ-5Dwas employed to assess patients’ quality of life.

Results:

Average DAS28 score for the sample was4.46±1.32, suggesting moderate RA activity. Pain intensity was on average scored at 53.2±18.6, whereas global disease activity was measured at 49.63±20.2, and theHAQ indexof 1.0±0.70 was obtained. According to theBDI, 21.4% of the patients exhibited no signs of depression, whereas 12.9% had mild, 54.3% moderate, and11.4% severe form of depression.Quality of life, as measured by EQ-5D, was compromised in all life domains, withpain/discomfort, anxiety/depression, inability to partake in usual activities, compromised mobility and self-caremost frequently reported. In patients suffering from moderate and severe depression, high statistically significant positive correlation between depression score and HAQ index was noted.BDIscore was statistically significantly positively correlatedwith the ratings on the EQ-5D scales pertaining to self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression.

Conclusion:

Depression symptoms are common in patients with RA and can compromise quality of life in all life domains.When assessing disease severity and general status of patients with RA, depression symptoms should also be considered, given their high prevalence and influence on patients’ everyday life.

Acknowledgments:

not

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Chokeberry polyphenols preservation using spray drying: effect of encapsulation using maltodextrin and skimmed milk on their recovery following in vitro digestion

Aim: Microencapsulation of chokeberry extracts was performed in order to improve functionality, stability, and bioavailability of extracted polyphenols.Methods: Chokeberry fruits and juice by-product (waste) extracts were spray-dried by using two carriers, maltodextrin and skimmed milk. Morphological and physicochemical characteristics of the obtained powders were analysed. In vitro simulated digestion model was used as an indicator of polyphenolics bioavailability.Results: The moisture content varied between 3.39 and 4.61%, zeta potential had negative values (35-39 mV), maltodetrin powders were smaller (4.27-5.12 µm) compared to skimmed ones (8.50-11.01 µm). All microparticles exhibited high encapsulation efficiency of total polyphenols and anthocyanins (73-97% and 63-96%, respectively). For both extract types, maltodextrin powders released higher phenolics content compared to skimmed milk. During in vitro digestion, maltodextrin exhibited a higher protective effect on both active compounds.Conclusion: Taking into account the obtained results, chokeberry polyphenols stability might be improved using spray drying technique, and maltodextrin showed better properties.

Sandy Everlasting (Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench): Botanical, Chemical and Biological Properties

Sandy everlasting [Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench] is herbaceous perennial plant belonging to Asteraceae family and it is native to Europe, Central Asia, and China. It belongs to the section HELICHRYSUM (Asteraceae family, genus Helichrysum) along with H. plicatum DC. Prodr., which very similar phenolic profile and H. italicum (Roth), which is widely used for essential oil extraction. Its flowers have a long tradition in European ethnomedicine as a cholagogue, choleretic, hepatoprotective, and detoxifying herbal drug. The flowers are rich in phenolic compounds including flavonoids, chalcones, phenolic acids, coumarins, and pyrones. Apart from polyphenols, other compounds such as sterols, lignans, and glycosides of aromatic compounds have been also isolated from H. arenarium. The majority of authors confirm that the most important group of compounds responsible for biological activities is flavonoids. Moreover, significant activities of naringenin, one of the main flavonoids of H. arenarium, were reported. On the other hand, there are no clinical data about testing the extracts or preparations based on H. arenarium. Although H. arenarium is well known in phytotherapy for its potential in the treatment of gallbladder disease and are classified as endangered species in a number of European countries, very few data about its cultivation are available in the literature.

Musculoskeletal symptoms of the neck and shoulder among dental practitioners

OBJECTIVES

Musculoskeletal symptoms of the neck and shoulder represent a condition whose basic characteristic is pain. These conditions are very often present in dental health professionals. The aim of the paper was to determine presence of discomforts in areas of head, neck, shoulders, upper back and upper limbs at health professionals in area of dentistry, as well as discomfort localisation and methods of treatment.

METHODS

The research included 45 health professionals (dentists, dental assistants and dental technicians) employed at Dental Clinic of Vojvodina. The information was collected via questionnaire for analysis musculoskeletal disorders.

RESULTS

Most of the dentists (75.9%) and the dental assistants (90.9%) as well as nearly half of the dental technicians (40%) experience discomforts in area of the neck, which are occasional, present in all three working positions and this discomforts are a little more frequent at women. The present musculoskeletal disorders are followed by headache, whose presence is statistically more significant compared to the other symptoms. The headache is usually located in the occipital part, it occurs individually or joined with other symptoms. Due to said discomforts the examinees in 59.4% of the cases don't contact the doctor. Medical therapy prevails in opposition to physical therapy.

CONCLUSION

The discomforts deriving from the cervical part of the spine are present at great percentage of our examinees. Considering the fact that the said discomforts affect performing both professional and everyday activities, its prevention is necessary in order to avoid the consequences they carry.

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of chokeberry juice phenolics during in vitro simulated digestion in the presence of food matrix

Chokeberry juice was subjected to in vitro gastric digestion in the presence of food matrix in order to determine the changes in polyphenol content and antioxidant activity. Addition of food matrix immediately decreased the total phenolic content, anthocyanin content, DPPH scavenging activity as well as total reducing power by 36%, 90%, 45% and 44%, respectively. After in vitro digestion, total phenolic content, anthocyanin content and reducing power are slightly elevated, but they are still lower than in initial non-digested juice. The effect of digested juice on Caco-2 cells proliferation was also studied, and the reduction of proliferative rate by approximately 25% was determined. Our results suggested that although a large proportion of chokeberry phenolics undergo transformation during digestion they are still potent as antioxidant and antiproliferative agents.

Antibacterial activity of Veronica montana L. extract and of protocatechuic acid incorporated in a food system

This study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the Veronica montana L. water extract and its main phenolic compound, protocatechuic acid. The antibacterial activity was determined by microdilution assay against six strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Listeria monocytogenes was the most sensitive of the tested bacterial species. Antibacterial preserving properties of protocatechuic acid were also evaluated after its incorporation in cream cheese, using L. monocytogenes as commonly cheese contaminant. The compound successfully inhibited L. monocytogenes development in cream cheese, at room temperature and in refrigerator (25°C and 4°C, respectively), after 3days of inoculation. Sensory evaluation was carried out in order to validate the mentioned food system. A possible mode of action of the tested compound towards bacterial cells was assessed and appears to be direct lysis of pathogenic cytoplasmic membrane. Prediction of pharmacokinetic properties was also performed using computational analyzes. The obtained results can serve as an important platform for the development of effective natural preservatives.

Chemical profile, radical scavenging and cytotoxic activity of yellow gentian leaves (Genitaneae luteaefolium) grown in northern regions of Montenegro

LC-ESI-MS and HPLC were used for the identification of the constituents from G. lutea leaves collected at different localities, as well as for quantification of the main compounds. Seven secoiridoids, five C-glucoflavones and three xanthones, were identified. Swertiamarin derivatives, namely eustomorusside (2), eustomoside (3) and septemfidoside (5), were detected in G. lutea for the first time. Concentrations of five constituents (swertiamarin, gentiopicrin, isovitexin, mangiferin and isogentisin) were determined. The relationship between concentrations of y-pyrones and altitude was observed with statistically significant correlation (r = 0.94). The extracts were also evaluated for their content of total phenolics, and antiradical and cytotoxic activities. The total phenolics content ranged from 7.7 to 12.7 mg GAE/g, and the IC50 values for DPPH radical scavenging activity varied between 0.45 to 2.02 mg/mL. The leaf extract exhibited moderate cytotoxic effects toward HeLa cells with an IC50 value of 41.1 microg/mL, while gentiopicrin, mangiferin and isogentisin exerted strong activity against HeLa cells, with IC50 values ranging from 5.7 to 8.8 microg/mL. The results confirm the traditional usage of G. lutea leaves and also suggest their possible utilization as hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory agents.

Chemical Profile, Radical Scavenging and Cytotoxic Activity of Yellow Gentian Leaves (Genitaneae Luteae Folium) Grown in Northern Regions of Montenegro

LC-ESI-MS and HPLC were used for the identification of the constituents from G. lutea leaves collected at different localities, as well as for quantification of the main compounds. Seven secoiridoids, five C-glucoflavones and three xanthones, were identified. Swertiamarin derivatives, namely eustomorusside (2), eustomoside (3) and septemfidoside (5), were detected in G. lutea for the first time. Concentrations of five constituents (swertiamarin, gentiopicrin, isovitexin, mangiferin and isogentisin) were determined. The relationship between concentrations of γ-pyrones and altitude was observed with statistically significant correlation ( r = 0.94). The extracts were also evaluated for their content of total phenolics, and antiradical and cytotoxic activities. The total phenolics content ranged from 7.7 to 12.7 mg GAE/g, and the IC50 values for DPPH radical scavenging activity varied between 0.45 to 2.02 mg/mL. The leaf extract exhibited moderate cytotoxic effects toward HeLa cells with an IC50 value of 41.1 μg/mL, while gentiopicrin, mangiferin and isogentisin exerted strong activity against HeLa cells, with IC50 values ranging from 5.7 to 8.8 μg/mL. The results confirm the traditional usage of G. lutea leaves and also suggest their possible utilization as hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory agents.

Antiradical and cytotoxic activity of different Helichrysum plicatum flower extracts

Flowers of Helichrysum plicatum were extracted under different experimental conditions, and their antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Extracts obtained with higher concentration of ethyl acetate (90% or 100%) were found to contain the greatest amount of total phenolics (> 250 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of dried extract), and high correlation between total phenolic content and antiradical activity was observed (r = -0.79). Based on the total phenolic content and antiradical activity, some extracts were selected for investigation of cytotoxic activity toward PC3, HeLa and K562 human cancer cell lines in vitro. All tested extracts exhibited moderate activity against HeLa cells (41.9-42.1 microg/mL), whereas the extract obtained with 100% ethyl acetate was the most active against K562 and PC3 cell lines (25.9 and 39.2 microg/mL, respectively). Statistical analysis revealed significant correlation between total phenolic content and cytotoxic activity against PC3 and K562 cells. HPLC identification of phenolic compounds from the extracts indicated the presence of apigenin, naringenin and kaempferol as free aglycones, and glycosides of apigenin, naringenin, quercetin and kaempferol. Among aglycones, kaempferol displayed moderate cytostatic activity against all cell lines (24.8-64.7 microM).

Antiradical and Cytotoxic Activity of Different Helichrysum Plicatum Flower Extracts

Flowers of Helichrysum plicatum were extracted under different experimental conditions, and their antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Extracts obtained with higher concentration of ethyl acetate (90% or 100%) were found to contain the greatest amount of total phenolics (> 250 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of dried extract), and high correlation between total phenolic content and antiradical activity was observed (r = −0.79). Based on the total phenolic content and antiradical activity, some extracts were selected for investigation of cytotoxic activity toward PC3, HeLa and K562 human cancer cell lines in vitro. All tested extracts exhibited moderate activity against HeLa cells (41.9-42.1 μg/mL), whereas the extract obtained with 100% ethyl acetate was the most active against K562 and PC3 cell lines (25.9 and 39.2 μg/mL, respectively). Statistical analysis revealed significant correlation between total phenolic content and cytotoxic activity against PC3 and K562 cells. HPLC identification of phenolic compounds from the extracts indicated the presence of apigenin, naringenin and kaempferol as free aglycones, and glycosides of apigenin, naringenin, quercetin and kaempferol. Among aglycones, kaempferol displayed moderate cytostatic activity against all cell lines (24.8-64.7 μM).

Biochemical properties of red currant varieties in relation to storage

Eleven red currant varieties (Ribes rubrum L.) cultured in Serbia were evaluated for some of their biochemical properties such as total phenolics, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, invert sugar, soluble solid content, and acidity. The average amount of ascorbic acid varied from 50.5-71.6 mg/100 g FW, while concentration of invert sugars ranged from 6.0%-9.0%. The highest amounts of total phenolics and anthocyanins were detected in variety Redpoll (153.4 mg GAE/100 g FW and 19.3 mg/100 g, respectively). Red currants were processed to juice, and the phenolic and anthocyanin contents changed as a result of processing. Berries and juices were long-term stored at -18 °C and changes in phytochemicals were monitored. In berries, storage caused the decrease of ascorbic acid content up to 49%, and a general reduction of total phenolics was also noticed. In juices, total phenolics content increased after one year of storage. In both berries and juices total anthocyanins increased during storage by up to 85% and 50%, respectively. This study demonstrates that certain varieties, namely Redpoll, Jonkheer and London Market are good source of phytochemicals, retaining the nutritional value during processing and storage.

Phenolic content and radical scavenging capacity of berries and related jams from certificated area in Serbia

Chemical composition and the effects of domestic processing and storage were studied in organically cultivated or wild growing berries, harvested in certificated area in Serbia. The total phenolics content in fresh berries ranged from 380 to 1660 mg GAE/100 g. The phenolic content decreased during the processing to jams, and storage in almost all samples, except in black currant. Among fresh berries, the highest amount of total anthocyanins was found in bilberry (0.61 +/- 0.03 %). Processing and storage caused decrease in anthocyanin content. The most ubiquitous anthocyanin aglycone was found to be cyanidin. Ellagic acid was detected in fresh and frozen black raspberries and related jams, and its content increases during thermal processing to jam. Among fresh berries, bilberry showed the strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity with an IC(50) value of 0.82 mg/ml. However, frozen as well as processed berries in our study still showed comparable high values of radical scavenging activity. After 9 months of storage all investigated jams were microbiologicaly correct. Regardless of the losses in the amount of total phenolics, total anthocyanins and radical scavenging activity, frozen berries and related jams are still excellent sources of nutritional substances with antioxidant potential.

Spontaneous plant regeneration and production of secondary metabolites from hairy root cultures of Centaurium erythraea Rafn

We have established an efficient protocol for plant regeneration and production of secondary metabolites in hairy root culture of Centaurium erythraea Rafn. Because the hairy roots and regenerated plants produce bitter secoiridoid glucosides and xanthones similar to the plants in nature, the use of in vitro cultures as an alternative source of their production is feasible. This chapter describes a protocol for the induction of adventitious shoots and transgenic plants from hairy root cultures of C. erythraea and their phytochemical analysis.

Radioprotective effects of Gentianella austriaca fractions and polyphenolic constituents in human lymphocytes

The aim of this study was to identify active principles of Gentianella austriaca responsible for the reduction of the incidence of micronuclei in irradiated lymphocytes in vitro. The radioprotective effects of ether (EF) and methanolic (MeF) fractions, water-soluble xanthones demethylbellidifolin (1), demethylbellidifolin 8-O-glucoside (2), bellidifolin 8-O-glucoside (3), and flavonoid swertisin (4) against chromosomal damage induced by gamma-rays were determined using the micronucleus test. EF and MeF showed better protection in treatment of human lymphocytes after gamma-irradiation than did isolated compounds. Among the isolated compounds, the effectiveness in reduction of the frequency of micronuclei followed the order 4>3>2>1. The anti-lipoperoxidant activity was in the order 2>4>1, while 3 slightly increased the level of malondialdehyde. In addition, the effectiveness in induction of apoptosis followed the order, 3>2>4, while 1 had no proapoptotic effect. These results suggest that the antioxidative properties of the polyphenols tested may contribute to the radioprotective effects of G. austriaca.

Neuropharmacological evaluation of diethylether extract and xanthones of

Diethylether extract of aerial parts of Gentiana kochiana mostly consists of two tetraoxygenated xanthones: gentiacaulein (1,7-dihidroxy-3,8-dimethoxyxanthone; 76.1%) and gentiakochianin (1,7,8-trihidroxy-3-methoxyxanthone; 14.2%). The extract and these xanthones were evaluated for the CNS pharmacological activity in rodents. In vitro assays on rat brain preparations revealed insignificant interaction of the compounds with the specific dopamine and serotonin receptors or synaptosomal uptake of serotonin. However, the extract and gentiacaulein strongly inhibited rat microsomal MAO A (IC50=0.22 microg/ml and 0.49 microM, respectively). Their effects on MAO B and a gentiakochianin blocking potential on both MAO enzymes were moderate. Behavioral examinations on mice showed that 10 day s.c. administration of the extract (20 mg/kg) significantly decreased immobility score in a forced swimming test and strongly inhibited ambulation and stereotypy in an open-field test. These effects resembled those induced by 10 mg/kg imipramine. The ex vivo MAO A activity in crude brain mitochondrial fraction of mice treated with 20 mg/kg of the extract was significantly elevated, whilst that outside brain nerve terminals was declined. This study suggests some antidepressant therapeutic potential of G. kochiana, particularly of gentiacaulein, with an ambiguity whether pharmacological mechanism could be related only to the central inhibition of MAO A.

Xanthones and secoiridoids from hairy root cultures of Centaurium erythraea and C. pulchellum

Shoots of Centaurium erythraea and C. pulchellum were inoculated with suspension of Agrobacterium rhizogenes cells, strain A4M70GUS. Five clones of C. erythraea hairy roots (A-E) and three clones of C. pulchellum hairy roots (F-H) were selected according to morphological differences. Spontaneous bud initiation occurred in clones C, D, G and H. Hairy roots retained the capacity for xanthone biosynthesis, with some variation being observed between individual clones. The concentration of xanthones in hairy roots was higher than that in naturally occurring plants. In transgenic plants both, secoiridoid and xanthone compounds were detected.

Three machine learning techniques for automatic determination of rules to control locomotion

Automatic prediction of gait events (e.g., heel contact, flat foot, initiation of the swing, etc.) and corresponding profiles of the activations of muscles is important for real-time control of locomotion. This paper presents three supervised machine learning (ML) techniques for prediction of the activation patterns of muscles and sensory data, based on the history of sensory data, for walking assisted by a functional electrical stimulation (FES). Those ML's are: 1) a multilayer perceptron with Levenberg-Marquardt modification of backpropagation learning algorithm; 2) an adaptive-network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS); and 3) a combination of an entropy minimization type of inductive learning (IL) technique and a radial basis function (RBF) type of artificial neural network with orthogonal least squares learning algorithm. Here we show the prediction of the activation of the knee flexor muscles and the knee joint angle for seven consecutive strides based on the history of the knee joint angle and the ground reaction forces. The data used for training and testing of ML's was obtained from a simulation of walking assisted with an FES system [39]. The ability of generating rules for an FES controller was selected as the most important criterion when comparing the ML's. Other criteria such as generalization of results, computational complexity, and learning rate were also considered. The minimal number of rules and the most explicit and comprehensible rules were obtained by ANFIS. The best generalization was obtained by the IL and RBF network.

[Transmission of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among intravenous drug abusers in Belgrade]

The prevalence of HIV infection among intravenous drug addicts (IVDAs) was 11% in Belgrade in 1997 (500 IVDAs). There are only two ways of transmission of HIV infection among IVDAs: the use of contaminated needles and syringes and sexual intercourse with an infected partner. We established in the counselling office for IVDAs that only 47.8% of them were injected with their own devices, 43% shared somebody's equipment, and 9.2% used other routes for drug taking. Condoms or safe sex were exceptional. Only 10.17% used condoms regularly; 12.5% from time to time and 77.32% never. Among 391 interviewed IVDAs 7% were not sexually active during the last year, 40% had one constant partner, 32% had intercourses with 2 to five partners, and 21% were promiscuous (more than 5 partners over one year). Fifty five were seropositive against HIV. Ten of them were promiscuous and used no condom. There is some evidence that the majority of IVDAs after twelve years of post seroconversion (average age between 35 and 45), stopped their sexual activity. The prostitution of female IVDAs in order to finance their own and their partners supply of drugs is found in 3% of cases. This study can be helpful in implementing a selective and individual approach to some IVDAs with risk behaviour, who accept treatment, to prevent the spreading of infection.