Novel films of pectin extracted from ambarella fruit peel and jackfruit seed slimy sheath: Effect of ionic crosslinking on the properties of pectin film

Here, we prepared ionically crosslinked films using pectin extracted from agro-wastes, specifically ambarella peels (AFP) and jackfruit seed slimy sheath (JFS). Physiochemical properties of pectins, including moisture content, molecular weight (Mw), degree of esterification (DE), and galacturonic acid (GA), were analyzed. Optimal extraction was determined, i.e., citric acid concentration 0.3 M, time 60 min, solid/liquid ratio 1:25, and temperature 90 °C for AFP or 85 °C for JFS. Pectin yields under these conditions were 29.67 % ± 0.35 % and 29.93 ± 0.49 %, respectively. AFP pectin revealed Mw, DE, and GA values of 533.20 kDa, 67.08 % ± 0.68 %, and 75.39 ± 0.82 %, while JFS pectin exhibited values of 859.94 kDa, 63.04 % ± 0.47 %, and 78.63 % ± 0.71 %, respectively. The pectin films crosslinked with Ca2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, or Zn2+ exhibited enhanced tensile strength and Young's modulus, along with reduced elongation at break, moisture content, water solubility, water vapor permeability, and oxygen permeability. Structural analyses indicated metal ions were effectively crosslinked with carboxyl groups of pectin. Notably, the Cu2+-crosslinked film demonstrated superior water resistance, mechanical properties, and exhibited the highest antioxidant and antibacterial activities among all tested films. Therefore, the pectin films represent a promising avenue to produce eco-friendly food packaging materials with excellent properties.

Polysaccharide from Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Jackfruit) Pulp Ameliorates Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Enteritis in Rats

A polysaccharide from Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (jackfruit) pulp (JFP-Ps) is known for its excellent bioactivities. However, its impact on small intestinal barrier function is still largely unexplored. The study aimed to examine the protection effect of JFP-Ps against dextran sodium sulfate-induced enteritis and its underlying mechanism. This research revealed that JFP-Ps mitigated small intestinal tissue damage by reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 in the small intestine. JFP-Ps diminished oxidative stress by bolstering the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reducing the concentration of malondialdehyde in the small intestine. In addition, JFP-Ps may restore the mechanical barrier and inhibit intestinal structure damage by augmenting the expression of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) receptors (GPR41/43) and up-regulating the expression of tight junction proteins (occludin). In conclusion, JFP-Ps may positively influence intestinal health by relieving oxidative stress in the small intestine, improving mechanical barrier function, activating the SCFA-GPR41/GPR43 axis, and inhibiting TLR4/MAPK pathway activation. The results augment our comprehension of the bioactivities of JFP-Ps, corroborating its great potential as a functional food.

Jackfruit waste: an invented anticancer therapy using Jacalin lectin from jackfruit seed

Every food source contains both edible and inedible waste components. Millions of tonnes of trash from the food business are made from fruits, and these wastes are containing higher-value medicinal components, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic contents, a huge amount of proteins and secondary metabolites. These bioactive phytoconstituents are being used for the treatment of many serious fatal diseases. So, utilizing the recovered bioactive molecules from food wastes as functional ingredients offers a long-term alternative source of therapeutically active components that will lead to the discovery of novel phytoconstituents or novel treatment approaches. The goal of this systematic study is to provide an overview of the jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam, Moraceae) edible byproducts, such as jackfruit seeds that are largely neglected. This seed contains numerous bioactive lead molecules, such as carbohydrate-binding protein jacalin, which exhibits potent anticancer activity against colon cancer, blood cancer and breast cancer as well as can enlighten the new possible treatment approaches in targeted therapy and photodynamic chemotherapy. Moreover, jackfruit waste seed can be taken as a dietary food, which is having property to prevent and treat cancer and other lifestyle diseases. The works that have been carried out to utilize jackfruit waste other than the juicy edible bulbs have been reviewed in this article.

Potential insecticidal extracts from Artocarpus lacucha against Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae

Artocarpus lacucha, a plant in the Moraceae family, has traditionally been used in Southeast Asian medicine to treat various ailments. This study investigated the insecticidal potential against Spodoptera litura of several compounds extracted from A. lacucha using a topical application method. A sequential extraction method was employed with A. lacucha stems to identify the most toxic crude extract by using hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol solvents. Subsequently, the most toxic crude extract was analyzed for chemical composition by HPLC, followed by the isolation process. Among these crude extracts, the ethyl acetate crude extract was the most toxic to second-instar S. litura larvae (24-h LD50 value of ~9.07 µg/larva). Our results showed that the catechin isolated from the ethyl acetate crude extract exhibited the highest toxicity against this insect (24-h LD50 value of ~8.37 µg/larva). Additionally, catechin significantly decreased the activities of acetylcholinesterase, carboxylesterases, and glutathione S-transferase in the larvae. These findings suggest that catechin isolated from A. lacucha could be a potential insecticidal agent against S. litura. However, the toxicity and persistence of catechin under field conditions need to be further investigated to develop this novel insecticide.

In-depth evaluation of nutritive, chemical constituents and anti-glycemic properties of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam) clonal accessions with flake colour diversity from Eastern Sub-Himalayan plains of India

The study was designed to elucidate the potential of jackfruit clonal accessions having diverse flake colours from nutritional and medicinal perspectives. Jack fruit accessions with deep yellow flakes were found to contain the highest flavonoids, antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, and α-glucosidase inhibition whereas, orange-red flakes exhibited the highest β-carotene, phenol, minerals (iron and zinc) and better inhibition of α-amylase and β-glucosidase enzymes. Phenolic compounds profiling revealed the presence of higher sinapic acid, ferulic acid and quercetin contents in the orange-red-coloured flakes. Metabolite analysis revealed presence of anti-diabetic compounds (n-Hexadecanoic acid, tridecane, 2-Heptadecenal etc.) in deep yellow and orange-red coloured jack flakes with lower glycemic load. Considering the abundant health benefits as evident from the present study, orange-red and deep yellow-coloured flakes may be recommended for consumption to manage the hyperglycemic condition.

Physicochemical and functional properties of pectin extracted from the edible portions of jackfruit at different stages of maturity

BACKGROUND

The physicochemical and functional properties of pectin (JFP) extracted from edible portions (including pericarp and seed) of raw jackfruit (an underutilized tropical fruit) at four different maturity stages (referred to as stages I, II, III, and IV) were characterized in terms of extraction yields, chemical composition, molecular weight, and antioxidant properties to evaluate its potential use in foods.

RESULT

The JFP yield increased from 9.7% to 21.5% with fruit maturity, accompanied by an increase in the galacturonic acid content (50.1%, 57.1%, 63.6%, and 65.2%) for stages I-IV respectively. The molecular weight increased from 147 kDa in stage I to 169 kDa in stage III, but decreased to 114 kDa in stage IV, probably due to cell-wall degradation during maturation. The JFP was of the high methoxyl type and the degree of esterification increased from 65% to 87% with fruit maturity. The functional properties of JFP were similar to or better than those reported for commercial apple pectin, thus highlighting its potential as a food additive. Although the phenolics and flavonoids content of JFP decreased with fruit maturity, their antioxidant capacity increased, which may be correlated with the increased content of galacturonic acid upon fruit development. Gels prepared from JFP showed viscoelastic behavior. Depending on the maturity stage in which they were obtained, different gelation behavior was seen.

CONCLUSION

The study confirmed the potential of pectin extracted from edible parts of jackfruit as a promising source of high-quality gelling pectin with antioxidant properties, for food applications. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Comparative Investigation on the Phytochemicals and Biological Activities of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) pulp from Five Cultivars

Jackfruit is one of the major tropical fruits, but information on the phytochemicals and biological benefits of its pulp is limited. In this study, the phytochemicals and biological activities including antioxidant, antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities of five jackfruit pulp cultivars (M1, M2, M3, M7 and T5) were comparatively investigated. A total of 11 compounds were identified in all cultivars of jackfruit pulp, among which 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid and tryptophan N-glucoside were reported for the first time in jackfruit. T5 exhibited the highest total phenolic content (7.69 ± 0.73 mg GAE/g DW), antioxidant capacity (109.8, 96.7 and 207 mg VCE/g DW for DPPH, ABTS and FRAP, respectively), antitumor activity (80.31%) and anti-inflammatory activity (78.44%) among five cultivars. These results can provide a reference for growers to choose jackfruit cultivar and offer an insight into the industrial application of jackfruit pulp derived-products.

A Literature Review of Artocarpus lacucha Focusing on the Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Properties of the Plant

Studies have shown that approximately two-thirds of the plant species in the world have some medicinal value. Artocarpus lakoocha is a synonym for Artocarpus lacucha and is a plant that can be found in Indonesia. This medicinal plant has been used to treat many diseases. (1) Objective: This article discusses the scientific investigations carried out on A. lacucha, namely the plant’s chemical content, pharmacological activity, and active compounds. (2) Methods: The design of this study was based on an article that was a review of previous research. A search for relevant publications over the past ten years (2012–2022) using data from Pubmed, Proquest, Ebsco, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar resulted in the discovery of 369 articles. (3) Results: Fifty relevant articles investigate A. lacucha’s substances and their applications in the health field. The presence of secondary metabolites and bioactive compounds has been reported, which is evidence that A. lacucha possesses antidiarrheal, immunostimulant, anticholesterol, and hepatoprotective agents. (4) Conclusions: Mobe (A. lacucha) is a plant native to North Sumatra, Indonesia. This plant is efficacious as an antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antinociceptive, schistosomicidal, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, cytotoxic, antiglycation, and anticholesterol, and can also be used for anti-aging and wound healing. In addition to its various benefits, it turns out that this plant also has many active compounds that are useful to the health sector, especially the pharmaceutical field.

New dihydrobenzoxanthone derivatives with bacterial neuraminidase inhibitory activity isolated from Artocarpus elasticus

Artocarpus elasticus is a popular fruit tree in the tropical regions. Primary screenings of methanol extracts of the root bark confirmed its potent inhibition of bacterial neuraminidase (BNA), which plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of many microbial diseases. Assessments of the responsible phytochemicals were conducted by isolating eight compounds (1-8) and two of them (6 and 8) were identified as new compounds. Among the isolates, the dihydrobenzoxanthones attained the highest BNA inhibition with IC₅₀ values of 0.5 ∼ 3.9 µM. Further investigation of the inhibitory mechanism by Lineweaver-Burk plots revealed the phytochemicals to function as reversible noncompetitive inhibitors. Fluorescence quenching showed their binding affinities were highly correlated with their inhibitory potential dose-dependently. Molecular docking experiments suggested the dihydrobenzoxanthones (4 and 6) as noncompetitive inhibitors of BNA with unique interaction with Tyr435 of BNA in comparison with the mother flavonoid (7).

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) in health and disease: a critical review

Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Family Moraceae), is a tropical tree, native to India and common in Asia, Africa, and several regions in South America. The fruit is commonly known as jackfruit which is one of the largest edible fruits in the world. Jackfruits comprises a wide range of nutrients, including minerals, carbohydrates, volatile compounds, proteins, and vitamins. The fruit, bark, leaves, and roots are endowed with therapeutic attributes and are utilized in the many traditional medicinal systems for the management of various ailments. Fruit and seeds are commonly used to prepare various food items, including sauce, ice creams, jams, jellies, and marmalades. Due to unique texture, jackfruit is becoming a popular meat substitute. Based on preclinical studies, jackfruit exhibits antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-melanin, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, anthelmintic, wound-healing, and antineoplastic activities. Clinical studies reveal that the leaves possess antidiabetic action in healthy and insulin-independent diabetic individuals. Despite numerous health benefits, regrettably, jackfruit has not been properly utilized in a marketable scale in areas where it is produced. This review delivers an updated, comprehensive, and critical evaluation on the nutritional value, phytochemical profiling, pharmacological attributes and underlying mechanisms of action to explore the full potential of jackfruit in health and disease.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Jacalin, a Dietary Plant Lectin on the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs)

The tumor microenvironment that refers to the tumor's surroundings is a key modulator of tumor growth and invasion. The tumor-derived signals are known to downregulate the anti-tumor effects of the effector cells present in the TME. Thus, the cross-talk between the tumor cells with the surrounding immune cells helps in evading the tumor surveillance as well as aiding in tumor growth and proliferation. Hence, knowledge regarding the effects of drugs/compound on the tumor-stromal interactions is gaining importance. In the present study, the effects of jacalin, a dietary lectin on the proliferation and cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), are investigated. Jacalin was shown to act as a mitogen of PBMCs, the key cytokine secreting immune cells. Also, jacalin initially induced increased mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IFN-γ; however, prolonged stimulation of PBMCs resulted in increased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine, mainly TGF-β. Furthermore, 6 h jacalin prestimulated PBMCs (Jac-PBMCs) were shown to inhibit HeLa cell proliferation while 24 h Jac-PBMCs were found to favor tumor growth. Thus, it may be postulated that while jacalin initially polarizes the PBMCs to hinder the tumor growth, after a stipulated time point, interaction of jacalin with PBMCs can lead to an immunosuppressive TME that may probably assist in tumor growth and progression.

Cudraflavone C from Artocarpus hirsutus as a Promising Inhibitor of Pathogenic, Multidrug-Resistant S. aureus, Persisters, and Biofilms: A New Insight into a Rational Explanation of Traditional Wisdom

Artocarpus hirsutus Lam., or wild jack, a perennial tree of the Western Ghats of peninsular India, serves as a rich source of flavonoids. The indigenous knowledge of this multipurpose flora chronicles the efficient property of its bark as a natural treatment for various skin infections. Herein, we describe a rational explanation of this traditional knowledge via a broader evaluation of inhibitory activity of one of its phytoconstituents, cudraflavone C (Cud C), a prenyl flavone isolated from stem bark against diverse multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus along with decidedly potent synergy combinations with a standard drug, gentamycin, especially against gentamycin-resistant S. aureus NRS 10119. Cud C exhibited equipotent MIC (4 μg/mL) against a varied array of MDR strains comprising MRSA, VRSA, and VRE and was nontoxic toward eukaryotic cells with a sizable selectivity index (SI 25-50). Cud C displayed concentration-dependent bactericidal activity against planktonic cells, an excellent biofilm disruption property exceeding that of levofloxacin and vancomycin against preformed S. aureus biofilm, and an enhanced capability to kill intracellular S. aureus more potently than vancomycin, thus exemplifying its position as an antibacterial lead candidate. In addition, S. aureus was unable to generate resistance to Cud C even after exposure for more than 40 days, whereas it generated resistance to levofloxacin within ∼20 days of exposure. Therefore, the naturally occurring prenylflavone Cud C can be accounted for as one of the reasons for the reported antibacterial properties of the bark of A. hirsutus. Taken together, detailed biological studies propose that Cud C can be considered as an effective antibacterial drug candidate against MDR S. aureus, which is fast becoming a significant threat to public health worldwide.

Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant Capacity, Prebiotic Activity and Anticancer Potential in Human Cells of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) Seed Flour

The general aim of this study was to evaluate physicochemical properties, prebiotic activity and anticancer potential of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) seed flour. The drying processes of jackfruit seeds were performed at 50, 60 and 70 °C in order to choose the optimal temperature for obtaining the flour based on drying time, polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity. The experimental values of the moisture ratio during jackfruit seed drying at different temperatures were obtained using Page's equation to establish the drying time for the required moisture between 5 and 7% in the flour. The temperature of 60 °C was considered adequate for obtaining good flour and for performing its characterization. The chemical composition, total dietary fiber, functional properties and antioxidant capacity were then examined in the flour. The seed flour contains carbohydrates (73.87 g/100 g), dietary fiber (31 g/100 g), protein (14 g/100 g) and lipids (1 g/100 g). The lipid profile showed that the flour contained monounsaturated (4 g/100 g) and polyunsaturated (46 g/100 g) fatty acids. Sucrose, glucose, and fructose were found to be the predominant soluble sugars, and non-digestible oligosaccharides like 1-kestose were also found. The total polyphenol content was 2.42 mg of gallic acid/g of the sample; furthermore, the antioxidant capacity obtained by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was 901.45 µmol Trolox/100 g and 1607.87 µmol Trolox/100 g, respectively. The obtained flour exhibited good functional properties, such as water and oil absorption capacity, swelling power and emulsifier capacity. Additionally, this flour had a protective and preventive effect which is associated with the potential prebiotic activity in Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium longum. These results demonstrate that jackfruit seed flour has good nutritional value and antioxidant and prebiotic activity, as well as potential protective effects and functional properties, making it an attractive food or ingredient in developing innovative functional products.

Artocarpus lacucha Extract and Oxyresveratrol Inhibit Glucose Transporters in Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cells

Reduction of intestinal glucose absorption might result from either delayed carbohydrate digestion or blockage of glucose transporters. Previously, oxyresveratrol was shown to inhibit α-glucosidase, but its effect on glucose transporters has not been explored. The present study aimed to assess oxyresveratrol-induced inhibition of the facilitative glucose transporter 2 and the active sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1. An aqueous extract of Artocarpus lacucha, Puag Haad, which is oxyresveratrol-enriched, was also investigated. Glucose transport was measured by uptake into Caco-2 cells through either glucose transporter 2 or sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 according to the culture conditions. Oxyresveratrol (40 to 800 µM) dose-dependently reduced glucose transport, which appeared to inhibit both glucose transporter 2 and sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1. Puag Haad at similar concentrations also inhibited these transporters but with greater efficacy. Oxyresveratrol and Puag Haad could help reduce postprandial hyperglycemic peaks, which are considered to be most damaging in diabetics.

Oxyresveratrol-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles Inhibit Oxygen Free Radical Production by Human Monocytes: Role in Nanoparticle Biocompatibility

Oxyresveratrol, a polyphenol extracted from the plant Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb, has been reported to be an antioxidant and an oxygen-free radical scavenger. We investigated whether oxyresveratrol affects the generation of superoxide anion (O₂⁻) by human monocytes, which are powerful reactive oxygen species (ROS) producers. We found that oxyresveratrol inhibited the O₂⁻ production induced upon stimulation of monocytes with β-glucan, a well known fungal immune cell activator. We then investigated whether the inclusion of oxyresveratrol into nanoparticles could modulate its effects on O₂⁻ release. We synthesized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles, and we assessed their effects on monocytes. We found that empty PLGA nanoparticles induced O₂⁻ production by resting monocytes and enhanced the formation of this radical in β-glucan-stimulated monocytes. Interestingly, the insertion of oxyresveratrol into PLGA nanoparticles significantly inhibited the O₂⁻ production elicited by unloaded nanoparticles in resting monocytes as well as the synergistic effect of nanoparticles and β-glucan. Our results indicate that oxyresveratrol is able to inhibit ROS production by activated monocytes, and its inclusion into PLGA nanoparticles mitigates the oxidative effects due to the interaction between these nanoparticles and resting monocytes. Moreover, oxyresveratrol can contrast the synergistic effects of nanoparticles with fungal agents that could be present in the patient tissues. Therefore, oxyresveratrol is a natural compound able to make PLGA nanoparticles more biocompatible.

Highly Aromatic Flavan-3-ol Derivatives from Palaeotropical Artocarpus lacucha Buch.-Ham Possess Radical Scavenging and Antiproliferative Properties

Phytochemical investigation of leaves and stembark of Artocarpus lacucha collected in Thailand resulted in three yet undescribed isomeric flavan-3-ol derivatives (1–3), the four known compounds gambircatechol (4), (+)-catechin (5), (+)-afzelechin (6) and the stilbene oxyresveratrol (7). Compounds 1 to 3 feature 6/6/5/6/5/6 core structures. All structures were deduced by NMR and MS, while density functional theory (DFT) calculations on B3LYP theory level were performed of compounds 1 to 3 to support the stereochemistry in positions 2 and 3 in the C-ring. Possible biosynthetic pathways leading to 4 are discussed. The DPPH assay revealed high radical scavenging activities for 1 (EC₅₀ = 9.4 ± 1.0 µmol mL⁻¹), 2 (12.2 ± 1.1), 3 (10.0 ± 1.5) and 4 (19.0 ± 2.6), remarkably lower than ascorbic acid (EC₅₀ = 34.9) and α-tocopherol (EC₅₀ = 48.6). A cytotoxicity assay revealed moderate but consistent antiproliferative properties of 1 in CH1/PA-1 (ovarian teratocarcinoma) and SW480 (colon carcinoma) cells, with IC₅₀ values of 25 ± 6 and 34 ± 4 µM, respectively, whereas effects in A549 (non-small cell lung cancer) cells were rather negligible. The performed DCFH-DA assay of 1 in the former cell lines confirmed potent antioxidative effects even in the cellular environment.

Identification of antioxidant peptides derived from tropical jackfruit seed and investigation of the stability profiles

Jackfruit is a sweet tropical fruit with very pleasant aroma, and the ripe seeds are edible. In this study, jackfruit seed proteins were isolated and subjected to trypsin digestion. The resultant protein hydrolysate was then subjected to antioxidant assay-guided purification, using centrifugal filtration, C18 reverse-phase and strong cation exchange (SCX) fractionations. The purified SCX fraction was further analyzed by de novo peptide sequencing, and two peptide sequences were identified and synthesized. Peptide JFS-2 (VGPWQK) was detected with antioxidant potential, with EC₅₀ value comparable to that of commercial GSH antioxidant peptide. Additionally, the identified peptides were tested with protein protection potential, in an albumin protein denaturation inhibitory assay. Concurrently, we also investigated the pH, temperature, and gastrointestinal-digestion stability profiles for the identified peptide. With further research efforts, the identified peptides could potentially be developed into preservative agent for protein-rich food systems or as health-promoting diet supplements.

Breadfruit flour is a healthy option for modern foods and food security

Breadfruit is a traditional staple crop from Pacific islands with the potential to improve worldwide food security and mitigate diabetes. Flour produced from breadfruit is a gluten-free, low glycemic index, nutrient dense and complete protein option for modern foods but basic scientific knowledge of health impacts of a breadfruit-based diet in animals and humans was lacking. We designed a series of studies to provide basic and fundamental data on impacts of a breadfruit-based diet through an in vitro and in vivo model. Cooked breadfruit flour was digested through a multi-stage enzyme digestion model to estimate protein digestibility in comparison to wheat flour. Breadfruit protein was found to be easier to digest than wheat protein in the enzyme digestion model. The flour digestions were applied to Caco-2 cells to test the cytotoxicity and to measure the immunogenicity through cytokine expression. No significant differences were observed for immune factors and cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ) on Caco-2 cells between the breadfruit and wheat groups. A breadfruit-based rodent chow was formulated by substitution of all of the wheat in the standard formulation with breadfruit. The diets were isocaloric, nutrient equivalent and used to feed male and female C57BL/6 mice for 21 days. No sign of malnutrition, discomfort, illness or death was observed among the mice because of the diet. The histology and the cytokine expression of the mice ileum from both groups were analyzed and showed similar results. The expression of major bacteria was measured in the colon and showed similar results. Mice fed the breadfruit diet had a significantly higher growth rate and body weight than standard diet fed mice. No negative health outcomes were observed in studies with in vitro or in vivo models and breadfruit flour is a healthy alternative to other starches for modern foods.

Oxyresveratrol Possesses DNA Damaging Activity

Artocarpus lakoocha Wall. ex Roxb. (family: Moraceae) has been used as a traditional Thai medicine for the treatment of various parasitic diseases. This species has been reported to be the source of phytochemicals, which show potent biological activities. The objective of this study was to investigate the phytochemical profile of the extracts of the heartwood of A. lakoocha and their pro-oxidant activity in vitro. The heartwood was ground, extracted, and then chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses were carried out; oxyresveratrol was identified as the major component in the extracts. The pro-oxidant activity was investigated using DNA-nick, reactive oxygen species and reducing assays. The results showed that oxyresveratrol induced DNA damage dose-dependently in the presence of copper (II) ions. It was also found to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a dose-dependent manner and reduce copper (II) to copper (I). It is concluded that oxyresveratrol is the most abundant stilbenoid in A. lakoocha heartwood. The compound exhibited pro-oxidant activity in the presence of copper (II) ions, which may be associated with its ability to act as an anticancer compound.

Effects of cooking on the phytochemical profile of breadfruit as revealed by high-resolution UPLC-MSE

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the impact of cooking on the profile of bioactive compounds in unripe breadfruit. To this end, the accessibility of bioactive compounds by various solvents was assessed through total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity analyses. The most efficient solvent was applied to extract the metabolites, which were evaluated by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry in MS^E mode.

RESULTS

Cooked and raw breadfruit presented total phenolic content and antioxidant capacities in almost all extracts, and pure water proved to be the best extractor. Globally, 146 bioactive compounds have been identified for both raw and cooked fruits' aqueous extracts. Most of these compounds were stable to the heat treatment applied (121 °C/10 min). However, results revealed that 22 metabolites contributed to significantly distinguishing the raw from the cooked samples. Among those, 15 compounds, such as pyrogallol, 1-acetoxypinoresinol, and scopolin, evidenced higher relative abundance in the cooked extracts. On the other hand, only seven metabolites, such as 4-hydroxyhippuric acid, epicatechin, and leptodactylone, decreased post-heating.

CONCLUSIONS

Cooking promoted little alteration in the bioactive compounds profile of immature breadfruit and thus appears to be an exploitation alternative for this perishable fruit, which seems to be a source of a large range of bioactive compounds. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Prenylated Chromones from the Fruits of Artocarpus heterophyllus and Their Potential Anti-HIV-1 Activities

Artocarpus heterophyllus (jack tree) is an evergreen fruit tree belonging to the genus Artocarpus (Moraceae), which is widely distributed in subtropical and tropical regions of Asia. Its fruits (jackfruit), well-known as the world's largest tree-borne fruit, are being consumed in our daily diets as a very popular tropical fruit throughout the world and have been confirmed to hold various health benefits. In this study, five new prenylated chromones, artocarheterones A-E (1-5), as well as seven known prenylated chromones (6-12) were purified and isolated from the ripe fruits of A. heterophyllus (jackfruit). Their chemical structures were determined through comprehensive spectroscopic methods. This is the first report on prenylated chromones isolated from A. heterophyllus. The anti-HIV-1 effects of all isolated chromones were assessed in vitro. As a result, prenylated chromones (1-12) showed remarkable anti-HIV-1 effects with EC₅₀ values ranging from 0.09 to 9.72 μM. These research results indicate that the isolation and characterization of these prenylated chromones with remarkable anti-HIV-1 activities from the ripe fruits of A. heterophyllus could be significant to the discovery and development of new anti-HIV-1 drugs.

Artocarpus lakoocha Extract Inhibits LPS-Induced Inflammatory Response in RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells

Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. (AL) has been known for its high content of stilbenoids, especially oxyresveratrol. AL has been used in Thai traditional medicine for centuries. However, the role of AL in regulating inflammation has not been elucidated. Here we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammation of AL ethanolic extract in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line. The HPLC results revealed that this plant was rich in oxyresveratrol, and AL ethanolic extract exhibited anti-inflammatory properties. In particular, AL extract decreased lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated production and secretion of cytokines and chemokine, including IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1. Consistently, the extract inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the supernatants of LPS-stimulated cells. Data from the immunofluorescence study showed that AL extract suppressed nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) upon LPS induction. Results from Western blot analysis further confirmed that AL extract strongly prevented the LPS-induced degradation of IκB which is normally required for the activation of NF-κB. The protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 in response to LPS stimulation was significantly decreased with the presence of AL extract. AL extract was found to play an anti-inflammatory role, in part through inhibiting LPS-induced activation of Akt. The extract had negligible impact on the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Specifically, incubation of cells with the extract for only 3 h demonstrated the rapid action of AL extract on inhibiting the phosphorylation of Akt, but not ERK1/2. Longer exposure (24 h) to AL extract was required to mildly reduce the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38, and JNK MAPKs. These results indicate that AL extract manipulates its anti-inflammatory effects mainly through blocking the PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signal transduction pathways. Collectively, we believe that AL could be a potential alternative agent for alleviating excessive inflammation in many inflammation-associated diseases.

Characterization of the Major Odorants in Cempedak-Differences to Jackfruit

Screening the volatiles of cempedak [Artocarpus integer (Thunb.) Merr.] pulp for odor-active compounds by aroma extract dilution analysis and gas chromatography (GC)-olfactometry of static headspace samples revealed a total of 55 odorants, among which 47 were identified. Using stable isotopically substituted odorants as internal standards, these compounds were quantitated by GC-mass spectrometry, and odor activity values (OAVs) were calculated as ratios of the natural concentrations in cempedak pulp to the orthonasal odor detection thresholds. An aroma reconstitution model based on the 41 compounds with OAVs >1 in their natural concentrations successfully mimicked the characteristic aroma of cempedak pulp including the pronounced sulfury, oniony note which is intense in cempedak pulp but absent in jackfruit pulp. Further sensory tests finally showed that 2-(methylsulfanyl)propane, 2-(methylsulfanyl)butane, and 2-(methylsulfanyl)pentane are the key compounds responsible for this unique aroma note in cempedak pulp and vitally contribute to the aroma difference between cempedak pulp and jackfruit pulp.

ArtinM: Purification and Evaluation of Biological Activities

The immunomodulatory activity of plant lectins has been evaluated because of their high selectivity for glycans linked to receptors on innate and adaptative immune cells. ArtinM is a mannosyl-binding lectin, obtained from the seeds of Artocarpus heterophyllus, that induces the differentiation of CD4⁺ T cells and macrophages by interacting with CD3 and TLR2/CD14, respectively. This ArtinM property ultimately favors the combat of intracellular pathogens, opening new perspectives on the lectins application as immunomodulatory agents. The current section describes protocols for purification and evaluation of ArtinM biological activity. The purification is based on the ArtinM-D-mannose affinity. The effect of inducing IL-12 production by murine macrophages cell line is adopted to evaluate the ArtinM biological activity.

Larvicidal and ovicidal activities of Artocarpus blancoi extracts against Aedes aegypti

CONTEXT

Dengue control may be done by targeting its vector. In this study, we used Artocarpus blancoi (Elm.) Merr. (Moraceae) leaves, an endemic hematophagous insect repellent as a larvicide and ovicide.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the larvicidal and ovicidal activities of its soluble crude ethanol extract and the hexane, aqueous, and ethyl acetate fractions against Aedes aegypti.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Third to early fourth instar A. aegypti larvae were exposed to 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 ppm of crude ethanol; to 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 ppm of ethyl acetate; and to 500, 750, 1000, 1250 and 1500 ppm of hexane fractions of A. blancoi; 48 h LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values were determined. For the ovicidal assay, an average of 25 eggs/paper strip was used; inhibition of egg hatchability was counted 72 h after exposure. Fractions were screened qualitatively for phytochemicals.

RESULTS

Ethyl acetate soluble fraction gave the lowest LC₅₀ value (18.59 ppm) followed by the crude ethanol (411 ppm), hexane (685 ppm) and aqueous (20,158 ppm) fractions. Similarly, ethyl acetate soluble fraction appeared to be the most ovicidal (80 ppm). Larvicidal and ovicidal activities of the fractions were dose dependent. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed moderate presence of glycosides and sterols and trace amounts of triterpenes, flavonoids, saponins and tannins.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

A. blancoi is a potential larvicide and ovicide against A. aegypti, and future studies isolating the specific components responsible for such actions would be significant.

Unusual Prenylated Stilbene Derivatives with PTP1B Inhibitory Activity from Artocarpus styracifolius

In an effort to identify agents from natural products that inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), 5 new prenylated stilbenes, (±)-styrastilbene A (1: ), styrastilbene B (2: ), and (±)-styrastilbenes C - E (3, 4: , and 7: ), along with 4 known structurally related compounds (5, 6, 8: , and 9: ), were isolated from the roots of Artocarpus styracifolius. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), ultraviolet (UV), and infrared (IR). Based on these isolates, a new plausible biosynthetic pathway for the unusual stilbene derivatives 3: -8: with a tetracyclic ring system is proposed. Among these compounds, 1: -3, 8: , and 9: displayed significant PTP1B inhibitory effects with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.40 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.21 - 2.59) to 8.80 (95% CI: 8.28 - 9.32) µM. Moreover, kinetic analysis and molecular docking simulations were performed to provide insight into the inhibition type as well as the interaction and binding mode of these active isolates with PTP1B. Our results revealed mixed-type PTP1B inhibition for all compounds tested. Docking simulations of these stilbene derivatives showed negative binding energies and close proximity to residues at the allosteric and catalytic sites of PTP1B. These findings suggest that these compounds may have a potential to be further developed as agents for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Quantitative 1 HNMR spectroscopy for the determination of oxyresveratrol in Artocarpus lacucha heartwood

INTRODUCTION

Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) spectroscopy is an analytical method based on the principles of NMR spectroscopy. The main advantages of this method are its simplicity, time efficiency, high accuracy and reproducibility, and it is a non-destructive technique.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and standardise the quality of Artocarpus lacucha heartwood. A method for quantifying its oxyresveratrol content using qNMR was developed.

METHODOLOGY

Proton (¹ H)NMR (400 MHz) spectroscopy was used to analyse the methanol-d₄ solution of a given amount of crude extract of A. lacucha heartwood using ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC) as an internal standard. The qNMR methodology was validated in terms of its linearity and range, limit of quantification (LOQ), stability, precision, and accuracy for the determination of the oxyresveratrol content.

RESULTS

The qNMR method was validated in terms of its linearity, range, LOQ, accuracy, precision, and stability. The quantitative determination of the oxyresveratrol content in the methanolic crude extract of A. lacucha was found to be 17% based on ¹ HNMR analysis, which proved to be a reliable method as the results were comparable to those obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study validated qNMR spectroscopy as a reliable analytical procedure to determine oxyresveratrol in A. lacucha heartwood. Therefore, this qNMR method can serve as an alternative to the classical HPLC methods for evaluating and standardising the quality of A. lacucha heartwood.

After In Vitro Digestion, Jackfruit Flake Affords Protection against Acrylamide-Induced Oxidative Damage

Some studies have demonstrated that acrylamide (AA) was correlated with oxidative stress, resulting in physical damage. The jackfruit flake was an immature pulp that contained a high level of antioxidant activity. This study aimed to assess the defensive efficacy of jackfruit flake in AA-induced oxidative stress before and after simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Our results indicate that the total polyphenol content of Jackfruit flake digest (Digestive products of jackfruit flake after gastrointestinal, JFG) was diminished; however, JFG had raised the relative antioxidant capacity compared to Jackfruit flake extract (JFE). Additionally, the results of High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS) implied that a proportion of compounds were degraded/converted into other unknown and/or undetected metabolites. Further, by high content analysis (HCA) techniques, JFG markedly reduced cytotoxicity and excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, thereby alleviating mitochondrial disorders. In this study, it may be converted active compounds after digestion that had preferable protective effects against AA-induced oxidative damage.

Eco-friendly extraction and physicochemical properties of pectin from jackfruit peel waste with subcritical water

BACKGROUND

Water is generally considered to be a safe and green solvent suitable for use in natural product extraction. In this study, an eco-friendly subcritical water method was used to extract pectin from waste jackfruit peel (JFP-S), which was compared with pectin obtained by the traditional citric acid method (JFP-C).

RESULTS

The extraction process was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM), and the optimum process parameters were as follows: extraction temperature 138 °C, extraction time 9.15 min, liquid / solid (L/S) ratio 17.03 mL g^-1 . Under these conditions, the pectin yield was 149.6 g kg^-1 (dry basis). Pectin obtained from the two extraction methods displayed a high degree of esterification and the monosaccharide composition was consistent. The galacturonic acid content of JFP-S and JFP-C was 52.27% and 56.99%, respectively. JFP-S had more hairy regions and side chains than JFP-C. The molecular weight of JFP-S was 113.3 kDa, which was significantly lower than that of JFP-C (174.3 kDa). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated that two samples had similar pectin typical absorption peaks. According to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), both JFP-S and JFP-C had relatively good thermal stability. JFP-S demonstrated lower apparent viscosity and elasticity than JFP-C. Meanwhile, the G' and G'' moduli of JFP-S were lower, which found expression in the gel textural characterization of the samples.

CONCLUSION

This work showed that the subcritical water method is an efficient, time-saving, and eco-friendly technology for the extraction of pectin from jackfruit peel compared with the traditional citric acid method. The physicochemical properties of pectin could be changed during subcritical water extraction. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Characterization of the Major Odor-Active Compounds in Jackfruit Pulp

An aroma extract dilution analysis applied to the volatiles isolated from jackfruit ( Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) pulp by solvent extraction and solvent-assisted flavor evaporation resulted in the detection of 48 odorants with flavor dilution (FD) factors between 1 and ≥8192. Application of gas chromatography-olfactometry to static headspace samples revealed additional five highly volatile odorants. The structures of 44 out of the 53 detected odorants could be assigned. These 44 compounds were quantitated using stable isotopically substituted odorants as internal standards, and their odor activity values (OAVs) were calculated as the ratio of the natural concentrations in jackfruit pulp and the odor threshold values in water. High OAVs were in particular obtained for ethyl 3-methylbutanoate (74000), ethyl butanoate (1800), 3-methylbutanal (1500), and 2-methylpropanal (1400). An aroma model solution based on the natural concentrations of the 35 compounds for which OAVs > 1 had been calculated fully mimicked the characteristic jackfruit pulp aroma.

Different drying temperatures modulate chemical and antioxidant properties of mandai cempedak ( Artocarpus integer)

Background: Mandai, the fermented inner skin of cempedak (Artocarpus integer), may have further use as an industrial ingredient while maintaining its antioxidative capacity. The starter culture of Lactobacillus casei may induce the Mandai fermentation. This research was carried out (i) to investigate the effect of temperature on yield, chemical properties, and antioxidant activity of starter induced fermented mandai powder, (ii) to find the best drying temperature for the powder, and (iii) to find correlations between phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of the powder. Methods: The drying temperature was used as the variable, and was set at 45, 50, and 55°C at a fixed duration of 18 hours. The control was spontaneously fermented mandai dried at 50°C for 18 hours. Total phenolic content (TPC), hydrolyzed tannic content (HTC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) were spectrophotometrically measured, expressed gallic acid (GAE), tannic acid (TAE), and catechin (CAE) equivalents. The DPPH assay measured antioxidant capacity.  Results: The best mandai powder had total phenolic content of 348.8±55.6 mg GAE kg -1, HTC of 143.8±9.3 mg TAE kg -1, TFC of 17.5±1.3 mg CAE kg -1, antioxidant activity (IC 50) of 56.96 ppm, ash content of 4.0±0.7%, pH value of 5.0±0.8, and yield of 9.3±0.8%. There was a strong correlation between TPC, HTC, TFC, and antioxidant activity. Conclusions: Drying temperature affected all observed parameters but not yield, ash and pH. The temperature of 45°C emerged as the best treatment to produce mandai powder from L. casei-inoculated mandai cempedak fermentation. The phenolic components contributed to the antioxidant activity of mandai cempedak.

A Self-Microemulsifying Formulation of Oxyresveratrol Prevents Amyloid Beta Protein-Induced Neurodegeneration in Mice

The polyphenol compound, oxyresveratrol (OXY) possesses potent antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of potential utility in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. However, the low oral bioavailability limits its neuroprotective effect and clinical application. The neuroprotective effect of orally administered OXY-loaded self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (OXY-SMEDDS) was compared with free OXY in vivo. Mice were orally administered either free OXY or OXY-SMEDDS once daily at a dose of 90, 180, or 360 mg/kg for 14 d. Mice received a single intracerebroventricular injection of the neurotoxic amyloid β (Aβ)_25 - 35 peptide at day 8 during oral treatment. The OXY-SMEDDS formulation resulted in four-times reduction of the free OXY dose required for prevention of neurotoxicity effects due to Aβ_25 - 35 peptide as demonstrated by a significant decline in behavior impairments, lipid oxidation levels, and neuronal cell loss in all hippocampal subfields (p < 0.0001). These results indicate the potential of OXY-SMEDDS by oral delivery to improve the efficacy of this compound in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Artocarmins G-M, Prenylated 4-Chromenones from the Stems of Artocarpus rigida and Their Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activities

Phytochemical analysis of an EtOAc extract of the stems of Artocarpus rigida led to the identification of seven new prenylated 4-chromenones, artocarmins G-M (1-7), and nine known compounds (8-17). Their structures were identified based on physical data analysis. In the tyrosinase inhibitory activity test, norartocarpetin (8) displayed the strongest effect, with an IC₅₀ value of 0.023 μM.

2-Arylbenzofurans from Artocarpus lakoocha and methyl ether analogs with potent cholinesterase inhibitory activity

In vitro screening for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities of the Artocarpus lakoocha root-bark extracts revealed interesting results. Bioassay-guided fractionation resulted in the isolation of two new (1 and 2) and six known 2-arylbenzofurans 3-8, along with one stilbenoid 9 and one flavonoid 10. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by UV, IR, 1D- and 2D-NMR and MS spectroscopic data analysis. Compounds 4, 6 and 7 exhibited more potent AChE inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 0.87-1.10 μM) than the reference drug, galantamine. Compounds 4, 8 and 9 displayed greater BChE inhibition than the standard drug. The preferential inhibition of BChE over AChE indicated that 4 also showed a promising dual AChE and BChE inhibitor. The synthetic mono-methylated analogs 4a-c and 6a-b were found to be good BChE inhibitors with IC₅₀ values ranging between 0.31 and 1.11 μM. Based on the docking studies, compounds 4 and 6 are well-fitted in the catalytic triad of AChE. Compounds 4 and 6 showed different binding orientations on BChE, and the most potent BChE inhibitor 4 occupied dual binding to both CAS and PAS more efficiently.

Identification of a flavonoid C-glycoside as potent antioxidant

Flavonoids have been documented to have good antioxidant activities in vitro. However, reports on the cellular antioxidant activities of flavonoid C-glycosides are very limited. In this work, an apigenin C-glycoside was purified from Artocarpus heterophyllus by column chromatography and was identified to be 2″-O-β-D-xylosylvitexin by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The cellular antioxidant activity and anticancer activity of 2″-O-β-D-xylosylvitexin were evaluated for the first time. The quantitative structure-activity relationship was analysed by molecular modeling. Apigenin presented an unexpected cellular antioxidation behaviour. It had an antioxidant activity at low concentration and a prooxidant activity at high concentration, whereas 2″-O-β-D-xylosylvitexin showed a dose-dependent cellular antioxidant activity. It indicated that C-glycosidation improved the cellular antioxidation performance of apigenin and eliminated the prooxidant effect. The ortho-dihydroxyl at C-3'/C-4' and C-3 hydroxyl in the flavonoid skeleton play important roles in the antioxidation behaviour. The cell proliferation assay revealed a low cytotoxicity of 2″-O-β-D-xylosylvitexin.

The molecular mechanism of the anticancer effect of Artonin E in MDA-MB 231 triple negative breast cancer cells

Nature has provided us with a wide spectrum of disease healing phytochemicals like Artonin E, obtained from the root bark of Artocarpus elasticus. This molecule had been predicted to be drug-like, possessing unique medicinal properties. Despite strides made in chemotherapy, prognosis of the heterogenous aggressive triple negative breast cancer is still poor. This study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of inhibition of Artonin E, a prenylated flavonoid on MDA-MB 231 triple negative breast cancer cell, with a view of mitigating the hallmarks displayed by these tumors. The anti-proliferative effect, mode of cell death and the mechanism of apoptosis induction were investigated. Artonin E, was seen to effectively relinquish MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells of their apoptosis evading capacity, causing a half-maximal growth inhibition at low concentrations (14.3, 13.9 and 9.8 μM) after the tested time points (24, 48 and 72 hours), respectively. The mode of cell death was observed to be apoptosis with defined characteristics. Artonin E was seen to induce the activation of both extrinsic and intrinsic caspases initiators of apoptosis. It also enhanced the release of total reactive oxygen species which polarized the mitochondrial membrane, compounding the release of cytochrome c. Gene expression studies revealed the upregulation of TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand and proapoptotic genes with down regulation of anti-apoptotic genes and proteins. A G2/M cell cycle arrest was also observed and was attributed to the observed upregulation of p21 independent of the p53 status. Interestingly, livin, a new member of the inhibitors of apoptosis was confirmed to be significantly repressed. In all, Artonin E showed the potential as a promising candidate to combat the aggressive triple negative breast cancer.

Effect of high-intensity ultrasound on the technofunctional properties and structure of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) seed protein isolate

The influence of high-intensity ultrasound (HIU) on the technofunctional properties and structure of jackfruit seed protein isolate (JSPI) was investigated. Protein solutions (10%, w/v) were sonicated for 15min at 20kHz to the following levels of power output: 200, 400, and 600W (pulse duration: on-time, 5s; off-time 1s). Compared with untreated JSPI, HIU at 200W and 400W improved the oil holding capacity (OHC) and emulsifying capacity (EC), but the emulsifying activity (EA) and emulsion stability (ES) increased at 400W and 600W. The foaming capacity (FC) increased after all HIU treatments, as opposed to the water holding capacity (WHC), least gelation concentration (LGC), and foaming stability (FS), which all decreased except at pH 4 for FS. Tricine sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Tricine-SDS-PAGE) showed changes in the molecular weight of protein fractions after HIU treatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that HIU disrupted the microstructure of JSPI, exhibiting larger aggregates. Surface hydrophobicity and protein solubility of the JSPI dispersions were enhanced after ultrasonication, which increased the destruction of internal hydrophobic interactions of protein molecules and accelerated the molecular motion of proteins to cause protein aggregation. These changes in the technofunctional and structural properties of JSPI could meet the complex needs of manufactured food products.

Aqueous extract from leaf of Artocarpus altilis provides cardio-protection from isoproterenol induced myocardial damage in rats: Negative chronotropic and inotropic effects

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The leaves of Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson ex F.A.Zorn, Fosberg) (Moraceae) are used in the management of hypertension; this study assessed the cardio-protective effects of the leaf extract on isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial damage in rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty (20) adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (175-230g) were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 (Control), 2 (AA) received 50mg/Kg Artocarpus altilis (AA) only; 3 (ISO) received 85mg/Kg ISO only; 4 (ISO+AA/50) and 5 (ISO+AA/100) received 50 and 100mg/Kg AA respectively for 6 days, after induced with ISO twice (85mg/Kg) at a 24-h period. Blood pressure readings were taken before and after the administering of ISO using the tail cuff method. ECG was performed on anaesthetized rats. Cardiac contractility was measured in isolated right atrial muscles. Assessment of myocardial infarct (MI) size, heart/body weight ratio, biochemical, hematological and histo-morphological parameters were conducted at the end of seven days. An aqueous extract from leaves of A. altilis was analyzed for organic compounds using UHPLC mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

ISO induced myocardial damage through an elevation of the heart rate (HR), infarct size and ECG distortions. Treatment with AA significantly (p˂0.05) reduced heart/body weight ratio (49%), MI (96%), HR (27%), sympathovagal imbalance (36%) and serum cardiac biomarkers (AST, LDH, HDL, triglycerides and CCK) caused by ISO. AA decreased the beat frequency of isolated right atrium (11%) cause by ISO, an action similar to propranolol (beta-adrenergic antagonist; 20%), but showed no significant changes in the QTc intervals of the ECG (suggesting no cardio-toxic drug-herb interactions), Thirty nine compounds were detected using high resolution LC-MS analysis (HPLC-Orbitrap-APCI-MS) in the extract. Pure compounds, as gallic acid and rutin, presented a higher negative chronotropic effect, similar to propranolol.

CONCLUSION

Oral administration of aqueous extract of Artocarpus artilis has cardio-protective functions in myocardial injury, in part, by decreasing the HR, reduced contractility and infarct size. These findings may explain the cardio-protective use of A. altilis in traditional medicine.

Chemoprevention of Colorectal Cancer by Artocarpin, a Dietary Phytochemical from Artocarpus heterophyllus

Artocarpus heterophyllus is an evergreen tree distributed in tropical regions, and its fruit (jackfruit) is well-known as the world's largest tree-borne fruit. Although A. heterophyllus has been widely used in folk medicines against inflammation, its potential in cancer chemoprevention remains unclear. Herein we identified artocarpin from A. heterophyllus as a promising colorectal cancer chemopreventive agent by targeting Akt kinase. Phenotypically, artocarpin exhibited selective cytotoxicity against human colon cancer cells. Artocarpin impaired the anchorage-independent growth capability, suppressed colon cancer cell growth, and induced a G1 phase cell cycle arrest which was followed by apoptotic as well as autophagic cell death. Mechanistic studies revealed that artocarpin directly targeted Akt 1 and 2 kinase activity evidenced by in vitro kinase assay, ex vivo binding assay as well as Akt downstream cellular signal transduction. Importantly, oral administration of artocarpin attenuated colitis-associated colorectal tumorigenesis in mice. Taken together, artocarpin, a bioactive component of A. heterophyllus, might merit investigation as a potential colorectal cancer chemopreventive agent.

A monoclonal antibody-based immunoassay for the determination of oxyresveratrol from Artocarpus lacucha Buch.-Ham

Oxyresveratrol is a major active compound in the heartwood of Artocarpus lacucha. It plays an important role in anti-tyrosinase, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and neuroprotective properties. There are many A. lacucha commercial products available on the market for skin whitening and anti-aging effects. To evaluate the quality of raw material from the plant, a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against oxyresveratrol was generated in this study. The immunogen was prepared by the Mannich reaction for the conjugation of oxyresveratrol and cationized bovine serum albumin (cBSA). The conjugation of oxyresveratrol-cBSA at a ratio of 1:50 was used for the immunization. The novel MAb (E4) was specific to oxyresveratrol and resveratrol. An indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the MAb (E4) was developed for the determination of oxyresveratrol. The linear range for the measurement of oxyresveratrol was 63-500 ng/mL and the precision (% relative standard deviation) was found to be <10% with the percentages of recovery from 95.93-103.55%. According to the validation analysis, the established ELISA can be applied for the determination of oxyresvertrol in the heartwood of A. lacucha and samples of the traditional drug Puag-Haad. With reliability and high sensitivity, this assay can provide an alternative approach for the quantitative analysis of oxyresveratrol in A. lacucha samples.

Optimization of Postharvest Conditions To Produce Chocolate Aroma from Jackfruit Seeds

Jackfruit seeds are an underutilized waste in many tropical countries. This work demonstrates the potential of roasted jackfruit seeds to develop chocolate aroma. Twenty-seven different roasted jackfruit seed flours were produced from local jackfruit by acidifying or fermenting the seeds prior to drying and then roasting under different time/temperature combinations. The chocolate aroma of groups of four flours were ranked by a sensory panel (n = 162), and response surface methodology was used to identify optimum conditions. The results indicated a significant and positive influence of fermentation and acidification on the production of chocolate aroma. SPME/GC-MS of the flours showed that important aroma compounds such as 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine and 2-phenylethyl acetate were substantially higher in the fermented product and that the more severe roasting conditions produced 2-3 times more 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine, but less 3-methylbutanal. Moisture, a_w, pH, luminosity, and color were also monitored to ensure that these properties were similar to those of cocoa powder or cocoa substitutes.

Sub-Micellar Concentration of Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Prevents Thermal Denaturation Induced Aggregation of Plant Lectin, Jacalin

The irreversible thermal unfolding of jacalin, the lectin purified from jackfruit seeds was accompanied by aggregation, where intermolecular interactions among the subunits are favoured over intramolecular interactions. The extent of aggregation increased as a function of temperature, time and protein concentration. The anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) significantly suppressed the formation of aggregates as observed by turbidity measurements and Rayleigh scattering assay. Moreover, far UV-CD spectra indicate that the protein β sheet transforms into α helical structure, when denatured in the presence of 3 mM SDS. Further, jacalin when heated in the presence of SDS partially retained the hemagglutination activity when jacalin-SDS mixture was diluted to 1:8 factor since 3 mM SDS was found to lyse the red blood cells. Thus, SDS only altered the aggregation behaviour of jacalin by preventing intermolecular hydrogen bonding among the exposed residues but did not completely stabilize the native conformation.

Formulation of chitosan patch incorporating Artocarpus altilis heartwood extract for improving hyperpigmentation

Artocarpus altilis heartwood extract contains the bioactive compound artocarpin which exhibits melanogenesis inhibitory activity. However, the extract has poor solubility which affects the skin permeability of the compound. A chitosan hydrogel patch incorporating A. altilis heartwood extract was formulated to enhance the delivery of an amount of artocarpin sufficient for depigmenting the skin. The extract was prepared as an o/w microemulsion before blending with an aqueous solution of chitosan. The hydrogel patch was formulated by blending in a 1:1 ratio by weight of 4% w/w chitosan solution and 0.04% w/w extract microemulsion which provides optimal values of the mechanical properties of the patch. The release of artocarpin from the formulated patch (artocarpin content, 0.07 mg/cm²) exhibited two phases; the rapid rate (0-15 min) averaged 0.73 µg/min/mm², and the slow rate (15-240 min) averaged 0.02 µg/min/mm². The formulated patches significantly improved the hyperpigmented area of the subjects after 3 weeks of application. No adverse events were observed. The results indicate that the formulated chitosan hydrogel patch delivers an effective amount of incorporated artocarpin depigmenting action.

Dietary intake of boiled breadfruit (Treculia africana) seeds did not improve hyperglycemia in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats: Effect on the oral glucose tolerance of normoglycemic rats

BACKGROUND

Although African breadfruit (Treculia africana) is said to be useful in the dietary management of diabetes, the effect of cooking on its glycemic index has not been reported. Hence this study has investi- gated the effect of a dietary intake of boiled breadfruit on the serum glucose, glucose tolerance, body weights and relative organ weights of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

Twenty albino rats were used and were divided into four groups of five rats. Groups 1 (normal control) and 2 (diabetic control) received standard rat pellets while groups 3 (diabetic-test group) and 4 (non-diabetic) rats received breadfruit.

RESULTS

The blood glucose of the normoglycemic rats fed standard rat feeds peaked at 30 min (149.75 ±11.12 mg/dl) following oral glucose loading (3 g/kg) but reduced to 85.25 ±21.05 mg/dl after another 90 min, while the blood glucose of the normoglycemic rats fed breadfruit peaked at 30 min (146.25 ±15.22 mg/dl) follow- ing oral glucose loading, but elevated (130.75 ±36.69 mg/dl) after another 90 min. There was significant elevation (P < 0.05) of the serum glucose, relative liver weight (RLW) and relative kidney weight (RKW) but a significant decrease in the body weights of the diabetic control compared with the normal control; no sig- nificant difference (P > 0.05) in the serum glucose, body weights, RLW and RKW of the test group compared with the diabetic control, and no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the serum glucose, body weights, RLW and RKW of the normal rats fed the breadfruit diet compared to the normal control.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed that the traditional method of cooking African breadfruit negatively affects its hypoglycemic property.

Ultrasound assisted extraction of pectin from waste Artocarpus heterophyllus fruit peel

Four factors three level face centered central composite response surface design was employed in this study to investigate and optimize the effect of process variables (liquid-solid (LS) ratio (10:1-20:1ml/g), pH (1-2), sonication time (15-30min) and extraction temperature (50-70°C)) on the maximum extraction yield of pectin from waste Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit) peel by ultrasound assisted extraction method. Numerical optimization method was adapted in this study and the following optimal condition was obtained as follows: Liquid-solid ratio of 15:1ml/g, pH of 1.6, sonication time of 24min and temperature of 60°C. The optimal condition was validated through experiments and the observed value was interrelated with predicted value.

Isoprenylated Flavonoids from Roots of Artocarpus styracfolius

Seven isoprenylated flavonoids were isolated from Artocarpus styracifolius, including one new triisoprenylated flavone, styracifolin D (1,) and six known ones, artocarpone B (2), kuwanon C (3), 6-C-prenyl luteolin (4), albanin A (5), 2,4,2',4'-tetrahydroxy-3'-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-chalcone (6), and 3'-[γ-hydroxymethyl-(E)- γ-methylallyl]-2,4,2',4'-tetrahydroxychalcone 11'-0-coumarate (7). The structures of these compounds were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data. Of them, 3 and 5 exhibited inhibitory effects on cathepsin K with IC(50) values of 114.6 and 7.4 μM, respectively.

Flavonoids from the Bark of Artocarpus integer var. silvestris and their Anti-inflammatory Properties

A new pyranoflavone, methoxycyclocommunol (1) together with four known flavonoids, artonin F (2), heteroflavanone A (3), cudraflavone C (4) and cyclocommunol (5) were isolated from the bark of Artocarpus integer var. silvestris Corner. Their structures were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic- techniques (UV, IR, MS, 1D-NMR and 2D-NMR) and by comparison with literature data. All the pure compounds were tested for their anti-inflammatory activities by using screening kit and radioimmunoassay methods. In a 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) inhibitory assay, compounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 gave weak percentages of inhibition, 16.5, 18.3, 17.6, 10.2%, respectively at the concentration of 100 μM. Compounds 1, 3 and 4, however, showed strong dose- dependent inhibition towards prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production in lipopolysaccharide-induced human whole blood using a radioimmunoassay method with IC₅₀ values of 4.3, 0.8, and 0.07 μM, respectively suggesting that they strongly exhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity.

Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of jackfruit seed powder (JFSP) to l-lactic acid and to polylactide polymer

A newly isolated amylolytic lactic acid bacterium, Streptococcus equinus, was used for the production of l-lactic acid from jackfruit seed powder (JFSP) by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). After optimization of shake flask fermentation by a response surface box-behnken design, the maximum lactate titer was 109g/L from 200g/L jackfruit seed powder. Amberlite IRA67, a weak base resin, was used to recover pure lactic acid from fermented broth and subsequently used for the synthesis of polylactic acid by direct condensation polymerization method with a yield of 62%.

A New Bioactive Secondary Metabolite from Artocarpus elasticus

Detailed phytochemical investigation has been carried out on the bark of Artocarpus elasticus Reinw. ex Blume, which led to the isolation of artonin E (1), a new dihydrobenzoxanthone derivative named elastixanthone (2), cycloartobiloxanthone (3) and artobiloxanthone (4). Structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of various spectroscopic (UV, IR, ID-NMR and 2D-NMR) and MS data. Compounds 1-3 displayed outstanding scavenging activity for 1,1-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with IC5o values of 11.5, 21.6 and 40.0 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, compounds 1-3 displayed broad spectrum antimicrobial activities against thirteen different bacterial strains when tested using the disc diffusion assay. Cytotoxic screening revealed that artonin E (1). constantly exhibited strong cytotoxic activity against human estrogen receptor (ER+) positive breast cancer (MCF-7) and human estrogen receptor (ER-) negative (MDA-MB 231) cells in comparison with the other two, with IC50 values of 2.6 and 13.5 μg/mL, respectively, without being toxic towards the WRL68 (human normal liver) cell line (IC50 value more than 30 [μg/mL). However, the compound was inactive against HepG2 (human liver carcinoma) cancer cells.