Chemical Composition of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Ethanol Extract and Its Antimicrobial Activities and Free Radical Scavenging Capacities.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is a perennial tuberous plant from the genus Curcuma (Zingiberaceae) and has been widely used in foods for thousands of years. The present study examined the ethanol extract of turmeric for its chemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and free radical scavenging properties. UHPLC-MS/MS analysis tentatively identified eight compounds in the turmeric extract. Potential antimicrobial effects of 0.1, 1.0, and 10 mg turmeric equivalents (TE)/mL were evaluated in vitro against a variety of Gram-negative bacteria (i.e., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas sp.) and Gram-positive bacteria (i.e., Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria innocua, and Staphylococcus aureus). Concentrations of 0.1 and 1.0 mg TE/mL inhibited the growth of S. aureus and significantly suppressed that of Pseudomonas sp., E. faecalis, and L. innocua. The growth of all strains, including E. coli, was inhibited by 10 mg TE/mL. Moreover, free radical scavenging capacities were determined using HO●, ABTS●+, and DPPH● (HOSC, ABTS, and RDSC, respectively) radicals. The turmeric ethanol extract had a TPC value of 27.12 mg GAE/g, together with HOSC, RDSC, and ABTS values of 1524.59, 56.38, and 1.70 µmol TE/g, respectively. Our results suggest that turmeric extract has potential applications for use in functional foods to reduce microbial burdens and oxidative stress-related health problems.

Chemical Compositions of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. (Huangqin) Extracts and Their Effects on ACE2 Binding of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein, ACE2 Activity, and Free Radicals.

The water and ethanol extracts of huangqin, the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. with potential antiviral properties and antioxidant activities, were investigated for their chemical profiles and their abilities to interfere with the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and ACE2, inhibiting ACE2 activity and scavenging free radicals. A total of 76 compounds were tentatively identified from the extracts. The water extract showed a greater inhibition on the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and ACE2, but less inhibition on ACE2 activity than that of the ethanol extract on a per botanical weight concentration basis. The total phenolic content was 65.27 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry botanical and the scavenging capacities against HO●, DPPH●, and ABTS●+ were 1369.39, 334.37, and 533.66 µmol trolox equivalent (TE)/g dry botanical for the water extract, respectively. These values were greater than those of the ethanol extract, with a TPC of 20.34 mg GAE/g, and 217.17, 10.93, and 50.21 µmol TE/g against HO●, DPPH●, and ABTS●+, respectively. The results suggested the potential use of huangqin as a functional food ingredient in preventing COVID-19.

Subtle structural variations of resistant starch from whole cooked rice significantly impact metabolic outputs of gut microbiota.

While cooked rice is widely consumed as a whole food, the specific characteristics and impact of its resistant starch (RS) on gut microbiota are largely unexplored. In this study, three rice varieties with distinct starch molecular structures were used to prepare RS from cooked rice. All three types of RS had a crystalline structure characterized as B + V type, with the V type being the predominant crystalline polymorph. Distinct differences in chain-length distributions were observed among different RSs, with rapidly fermentable starch fractions comprising short amylopectin and long amylose chains, while the degrees of polymerization (DPs) âˆ¼ 10, 37, 65, and 105 fractions comprised the slowly fermentable starch. Jasmine rice RS showed the highest proportion of this slowly fermentable starch fraction, which appeared to be specifically utilized by Megasphaera_elsdenii_DSM_20460 OTU198. The fermentation of Jasmine RS resulted in the highest production of butyrate after 24 h, which was positively correlated with the relative abundance of Megasphaera_elsdenii_DSM_20460 OTU198. These findings collectively indicate that RS in cooked rice with a higher V type crystallinity and DPs âˆ¼ 10, 37, 65, and 105 fractions promote butyrate production and stimulate the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria in the human gut, thereby conferring beneficial effects on gut health.

Chemical Composition of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) Extract and Its Inhibitory Effects on SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-ACE2 Interaction and ACE2 Activity and Free Radical Scavenging Capacities.

This study evaluated the chemical composition of rosemary water extract (RWE) and its influence on mechanisms by which the SARS-CoV-2 virus enters into cells as a potential route for reducing the risk of COVID-19 disease. Compounds in RWE were identified using UHPLC-MS/MS. The inhibitory effect of RWE was then evaluated on binding between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S-protein) and ACE2 and separately on ACE2 activity/availability. Additionally, total phenolic content (TPC) and free radical scavenging capacities of RWE against HO•, ABTS•+, and DPPH• were assessed. Twenty-one compounds were tentatively identified in RWE, of which tuberonic acid hexoside was identified for the first time in rosemary. RWE dose of 33.3 mg of rosemary equivalents (RE)/mL suppressed the interaction between S-protein and ACE2 by 72.9%, while rosmarinic and caffeic acids at 3.3 µmol/mL suppressed the interaction by 36 and 55%, respectively. RWE at 5.0, 2.5, and 0.5 mg of RE/mL inhibited ACE2 activity by 99.5, 94.5, and 68.6%, respectively, while rosmarinic acid at 0.05 and 0.01 µmol/mL reduced ACE2 activity by 31 and 8%, respectively. RWE had a TPC value of 72.5 mg GAE/g. The results provide a mechanistic basis on which rosemary may reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of COVID-19.

The triacylglycerol structure and composition of a human milk fat substitute affect the absorption of fatty acids and calcium, lipid metabolism and bile acid metabolism in newly-weaned Sprague-Dawley rats.

In this study, the effect of sn-2 palmitic triacylglycerols (sn-2 palmitic TAGs) and the ratio between the two major sn-2 palmitic TAGs (OPL to OPO ratio) in a human milk fat substitute (HMFS) on growth, fatty acid and calcium absorptions, and lipid and bile acid metabolic alterations was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats. After 4 weeks of high-fat feeding, rats fed with the HMFS containing a sn-2 palmitic acid content of 57.87% and an OPL to OPO ratio of 1.4 showed the lowest TAG accumulation in their livers and hypertrophy of perirenal adipocytes, compared to the groups fed with fats containing a lower sn-2 palmitic acid content or a lower OPL to OPO ratio. Meanwhile, synergistically improved absorption of fatty acids and calcium and increased levels of total bile acids (BAs), especially for the tauro-conjugated BAs (TCDCA, TUDCA, TαMCA, TßMCA, TDCA and TωMCA), were observed in rats by both increasing the sn-2 palmitic acid content and the OPL to OPO ratio in HMFS. In addition, the levels of total BAs and tauro-conjugated BAs were negatively correlated with serum TAG, TC, and LDL-c levels and positively correlated with HDL-c levels according to Spearman's correlation analysis (P < 0.05). Collectively, these findings present new nutritional evidence for the potential effects of the TAG structure and composition of a human milk fat substitute on the growth and lipid and bile acid metabolism of the host in infancy.

Non-targeted metabolomics of moldy wheat by ultra-performance liquid chromatography - quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Introduction: As one of the staple foods for the world's major populations, the safety of wheat is critical in ensuring people's wellbeing. However, mildew is one of the prevalent safety issues that threatens the quality of wheat during growth, production, and storage. Due to the complex nature of the microbial metabolites, the rapid identification of moldy wheat is challenging. Methods: In this research, identification of moldy wheat samples was studied using ultra-performance liquid chromatography - quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) coupled with chemometrics. The non-targeted PCA model for identifying moldy wheat from normal wheat was established by using previously established compounds database of authentic wheat samples. The partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was performed. Results and discussion: By optimizing the model parameters, correct discrimination of the moldy wheat as low as 5% (w/w) adulteration level could be achieved. Differential biomarkers unique to moldy wheat were also extracted to identify between the moldy and authentic wheat samples. The results demonstrated that the chemical information of wheat combined with the existing PCA model could efficiently discriminate between the constructed moldy wheat samples. The study offered an effective method toward screening wheat safety.

Chemical Composition of Honeysuckle (Lonicerae japonicae) Extracts and Their Potential in Inhibiting the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and ACE2 Binding, Suppressing ACE2, and Scavenging Radicals.

Honeysuckle (Lonicerae japonicae) has been used in functional tea products. The chemical compositions of the water and ethanol extracts of honeysuckle were examined in the present study, along with their potential in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding to ACE2, suppressing ACE2 activity, and scavenging reactive free radicals. Thirty-six compounds were tentatively identified from the honeysuckle extracts using HPLC-MS/MS, with ten reported for the first time in honeysuckle. Both honeysuckle extracts inhibited the binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to ACE2, as well as ACE2 activity. The ethanol extract exhibited a 100% inhibition on binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to ACE2 at 100 mg botanical equivalent/mL, whereas the water extract had a 65% binding inhibition at the same concentration. Furthermore, the water extract exhibited 90% ACE2 activity inhibition, which was stronger than that of the ethanol extract (62% inhibition) at the same botanical weight concentration. In addition, higher total phenolic contents and greater scavenging activities against hydroxyl (HO•), DPPH•, and ABTS•+ radicals were observed in the water extract than the ethanol extract counterpart on a dry botanical weight concentration basis. These findings suggest honeysuckle has the potential to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of severe COVID-19 symptoms.

The addition of crosslinked corn bran arabinoxylans with different gelling characteristics was associated with the pasting, rheological, structural, and digestion properties of corn starch.

Crosslinked corn bran arabinoxylan (CLAX) is a food hydrocolloid that can be applied to improve the physicochemical and digestion properties of starch. However, the impact of CLAX with different gelling characteristics on starch properties remains elusive. Here, high cross-linked arabinoxylan (H-CLAX), moderate crosslinked arabinoxylan (M-CLAX), and low crosslinked arabinoxylan (L-CLAX) were fabricated to investigate their effects on the pasting, rheological, structural, and in vitro digestion property of corn starch (CS). The results showed that H-CLAX, M-CLAX, and L-CLAX differently increased the pasting viscosity and gel elasticity of CS, with H-CLAX exhibiting the greatest effect. The structural characterization of CS-CLAX mixtures showed that H-CLAX, M-CLAX, and L-CLAX differently enhanced the swelling power of CS and increased the hydrogen bonds between CS and CLAX. Furthermore, the addition of CLAX (especially H-CLAX) significantly reduced both the digestion rate and extent of CS, probably due to the increased viscosity and the formation of the amylose-polyphenol complex. This study provided new insights into the interaction between CS and CLAX, and could help to develop healthier foods with slow starch digestibility.

Bioactive Compositions of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) Extracts and Their Capacities in Suppressing SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Binding to ACE2, Inhibiting ACE2, and Scavenging Free Radicals.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) bark and its extracts are popular ingredients added to food and supplement products. It has various health effects, including potentially reducing the risk of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). In our study, the bioactives in cinnamon water and ethanol extracts were chemically identified, and their potential in suppressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) binding, reducing ACE2 availability, and scavenging free radicals was investigated. Twenty-seven and twenty-three compounds were tentatively identified in cinnamon water and ethanol extracts, respectively. Seven compounds, including saccharumoside C, two emodin-glucuronide isomers, two physcion-glucuronide isomers, and two type-A proanthocyanidin hexamers, were first reported in cinnamon. Cinnamon water and ethanol extracts suppressed the binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to ACE2 and inhibited ACE2 activity in a dose-dependent manner. Cinnamon ethanol extract had total phenolic content of 36.67 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g and free radical scavenging activities against HO• and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS•+) of 1688.85 and 882.88 µmol Trolox equivalents (TE)/g, which were significantly higher than those of the water extract at 24.12 mg GAE/g and 583.12 and 210.36 µmol TE/g. The free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) of cinnamon ethanol extract was lower than that of the water extract. The present study provides new evidence that cinnamon reduces the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 development.

Chemical Compositions of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.) Extracts and Their Potentials in Suppressing SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-ACE2 Binding, Inhibiting ACE2, and Scavenging Free Radicals.

COVID-19 is initiated by binding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on host cells. Food factors capable of suppressing the binding between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and ACE2 or reducing the ACE2 availability through ACE2 inhibitions may potentially reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19. In this study, the chemical compositions of clove water and ethanol extracts were investigated, along with their potentials in suppressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-ACE2 binding, reducing ACE2 availability, and scavenging free radicals. Thirty-four compounds were tentatively identified in the clove water and ethanol extracts, with six reported in clove for the first time. Clove water and ethanol extracts dose-dependently suppressed SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding to ACE2 and inhibited ACE2 activity. The water extract had stronger inhibitory effects than the ethanol extract on a dry weight basis. The clove water extract also had more potent free radical scavenging activities against DPPH• and ABTS•+ (536.9 and 3525.06 µmol TE/g, respectively) than the ethanol extract (58.44 and 2298.01 µmol TE/g, respectively). In contrast, the ethanol extract had greater total phenolic content (TPC) and relative HO• scavenging capacity (HOSC) values (180.03 mg GAE/g and 2181.08 µmol TE/g, respectively) than the water extract (120.12 mg GAE/g and 1483.02 µmol TE/g, respectively). The present study demonstrated the potential of clove in reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 development.

Soluble Free, Soluble Conjugated, and Insoluble Bound Phenolics in Tomato Seeds and Their Radical Scavenging and Antiproliferative Activities.

The soluble free, soluble conjugated, and insoluble bound phenolic compounds in tomato seeds were extracted and analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry. Total phenolic content (TPC) and free radical scavenging activities along with the antiproliferative effects against the human colorectal cancer cell line (HCT-116) were also examined for the soluble free, soluble conjugated, and insoluble bound phenolic fractions. 13, 7, and 10 compounds were tentatively identified in the soluble free, soluble conjugated, and insoluble bound phenolic fractions, respectively, including indole-3-acetic acid derivatives, flavonoids, phenolic acid, and tyramine-derived hydroxycinnamic acid amines. The insoluble bound phenolic fraction was observed to have a greater TPC value and stronger free radical scavenging activities against ABTS•+, DPPH•, and peroxyl radicals and a stronger inhibitory effect against HCT-116 cells compared with the soluble free and the soluble conjugated fractions. Soluble free and insoluble bound fractions significantly inhibited the proliferation of the HCT-116 cell line, and no antiproliferative effects were observed with the soluble conjugated fraction under the experimental conditions. The results may provide a foundation for future application of tomato seeds as nutraceuticals in dietary supplements and functional foods.

The structural and functional characteristics of soluble dietary fibers modified from tomato pomace with increased content of lycopene.

The tomato pomace, a by-product of tomato processing, was rich in nutrients such as lycopene (Lyc), vitamins, phenols and soluble dietary fibers (SDF). Homogenization combined with enzymatic hydrolysis (HE) was firstly applied to obtain HE-pomace. The yield of Lyc was raised by 57.2% after HE treatment by the optimal condition. The extraction rate of HE-SDF was increased by 73.4%. In order to clarify the relationship between the SDF and the release of Lyc, SDFs were characterized by structural analysis and morphological determination. The results suggested that HE-SDF possessed smaller molecular weight and loose microstructure with shorter chains. It implied that the degradation of dietary fiber led to the release of Lyc molecules. Besides, HE-SDF exhibited stronger capacity of water-holding, glucose adsorption and bile acid binding. In conclusion, HE treatment possessed the potential to be applied as an excellent modification method, which improved the nutritional and economic value of tomato pomace.

Triacylglycerol and Fatty Acid Compositions of Blackberry, Red Raspberry, Black Raspberry, Blueberry and Cranberry Seed Oils by Ultra-Performance Convergence Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

The triacylglycerol (TAG) compositions of blackberry, red raspberry, black raspberry, blueberry and cranberry seed oils were examined using ultra-performance convergence chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPC2-QTOF MS). A total of 52, 53, 52, 59 and 58 TAGs were detected and tentatively identified from the blackberry, red raspberry, black raspberry, blueberry and cranberry seed oils, respectively, according to their accurate molecular weight in MS1 and fragment ion profiles in MS2. OLL was the most abundant TAG in the blackberry, red raspberry and black raspberry seed oils. Furthermore, the fatty acid compositions of the five berry seed oils were directly determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition, the seed oils had total phenolic contents ranging 13.68-177.06 µmol GAE (gallic acid equivalent)/L oil, and significant scavenging capacities against DPPH, peroxyl, and ABTS+ radicals. These results indicated that the combination of UPC2 and QTOF MS could effectively identify and semi-quantify the TAGs compositions of the berry seed oils with sn-position information for the fatty acids. Understanding the TAGs compositions of these berry seed oils could improve the utilization of these potentially high nutritional value oils for human health.

A Novel Zein-Based Composite Nanoparticles for Improving Bioaccessibility and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Resveratrol.

A microbial transglutaminase-induced cross-linked sodium caseinate (MSC) was used to stabilize zein nanoparticles, and the study was to investigate whether zein-MSC nanoparticles (zein-MSC NPs) can be used as an encapsulation carrier for resveratrol. A group of resveratrol-loaded zein-MSC nanoparticles (Res-zein-MSC NPs) with varying zein to Res mass ratios was first prepared. The particle sizes and zeta-potentials were in the ranges from 215.00 to 225.00 nm and from -29.00 to -31.00 mV. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) of Res was also influenced by the zein to Res mass ratio, and the encapsulated Res existed in an amorphous form. The major interactions between Res and zein-MSC NPs were hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction. Furthermore, compared with free Res, the photo-stability and bioaccessibility of Res-zein-MSC NPs were significantly improved. The cellular studies also showed that Res-zein-MSC NPs exhibited lower cytotoxicity and desirable anti-inflammatory activity.

Chemical Composition Profiling and Biological Activities of Phenolic Compounds in Eleven Red Sorghums.

The profiles of soluble and insoluble phenolic compounds in 11 commercial red sorghums (B11, B12, B13, B14, J124, J127, J138, J140, J142, J152, and J158) were investigated using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS) analysis. A total of 48 phenolic compounds including 35 phenolic acids and their derivatives, 12 flavonoids, and 1 proanthocyanidin were identified, and 8 phenolic compounds were reported for the first time in sorghums. Four major 3-deoxyanthocyanidins were also quantified, with their soluble forms accounting for 99.75-99.87% of the total contents. Pearson's correlation analyses indicated that 3-deoxyanthocyanidins significantly contributed to the antioxidant capacities of the red sorghums and that 5-methoxy-luteolinidin showed the strongest correlation. Besides, the soluble phenolic fraction of B13 dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of Caco-2 cells and the secretion of IL-1ß and NO in RAW264.7 macrophages, which might be attributed to its relatively high total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), and proanthocyanidin content (TPAC) values and radical scavenging capacities.

Chemical Composition of Tomato Seed Flours, and Their Radical Scavenging, Anti-Inflammatory and Gut Microbiota Modulating Properties.

In the current study, the chemical composition and total phenolic content of tomato seed flours, along with potential health beneficial properties, including free radical scavenging capacities, anti-inflammatory capacities, and gut microbiota profile modulation, were examined using two different batches. Eight compounds were identified in the tomato seed flour, including malic acid, 2-hydroxyadipic acid, salicylic acid, naringin, N-acetyl-tryptophan, quercetin-di-O-hexoside, kaempferol-di-O-hexoside, and azelaic acid. The total phenolic contents of tomato seed flour were 1.97-2.00 mg gallic acid equivalents/g. Oxygen radical absorbing capacities (ORAC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacities (DPPH), and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) cation radical scavenging capacities (ABTS) were 86.32-88.57, 3.57-3.81, and 3.39-3.58 µmoles Trolox equivalents/g, respectively, on a per flour dry weight basis. The mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory markers, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), were dose-dependently suppressed by tomato seed flour extracts. The extracts altered five of the eight bacterial phyla and genera evaluated. The results may provide some scientific support for the use of tomato seed flour as value-added food ingredients.

Proteomic Analyses of 3-Monochloropropanediol 1-Monooleate and 1-Monostearate Induced Testicular Toxicity in a 90 Day Sprague-Dawley Rats' Study.

3-Monochloropropane 1,2-diol (3-MCPD) esters are toxicants formed during food thermal processing, and their testicular toxicities were widely reported. In this 90 day in vivo study, Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 3-MCPD 1-monooleate at 10 and 100 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day or 1-monostearate at 15 and 150 mg/kg bw/day. Histological results indicated that testicular impairment was observed, and the level of serum testosterone was decreased dose dependently, while the levels of serum transforming growth factor beta and interferon-γ in rats' serum were increased dose dependently. To address the molecular mechanisms leading to testicular toxicities of 3-MCPD esters, testes samples were investigated with a mass spectrometry proteomic approach. The deregulated proteins affected by 3-MCPD esters include many enzymes related with the inflammatory necrosis pathways. While verifying the results in cellular level, 3-MCPD 1-monooleate and 3-MCPD 1-monostearate showed almost similar testicular cytotoxicity, and they could activate RIPK1 and MLKL pathways at the cellular level. All of these results showed the possible mechanisms about the toxicity of 3-MCPD esters in rats' testes and play a vital role in understanding the toxic effects of 3-MCPD esters both in vivo and in vitro.

Non-targeted detection of butter adulteration using pointwise UHPLC-ELSD and UHPLC-UV fingerprints with chemometrics.

A non-targeted chemometric method was devised to detect possible butter adulteration without prior knowledge of the adulterant and marker compounds. Nine common edible oils including vegetable oils, animal fats and margarines were selected as potential adulterants to build a unified classification model. The samples were analyzed using the high-performance liquid chromatography hyphenated with an evaporative light scattering detector (UHPLC-ELSD) and an ultraviolet detector (UHPLC-UV), with the pointwise chromatograms instead of individual peaks for modelling. Both models achieved over 95% correct classification in external validation at the adulteration levels as low as 5% (w/w). The root mean squared errors of prediction (RMSEP) of the regression model were 0.9865 and 1.9080 for UHPLC-ELSD and UHPLC-UV, respectively. Non-targeted chemometrics analyses based on pointwise chromatographic profiles could be valuable for detecting adulterated butter.

Protective Effect of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Fubaiju Hot-Water Extracts Against ARPE-19 Cell Oxidative Damage by Activating PI3K/Akt-Mediated Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway.

Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Fubaiju is a kind of widely consumed herb tea with multiple health benefits. The present study was aimed to evaluate the protective capacity of C. morifolium cv. Fubaiju hot-water extracts (CMs) against ARPE-19 cell oxidative damage. The results showed that pretreatment with 100 µg/mL CM could significantly reduce cell oxidative damage and apoptosis. Proapoptotic protein expression such as Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was significantly decreased after CM addition, while the expression level of antioxidant enzymes including catalase, glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLc), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1) was significantly promoted. Meanwhile, CM treatment upregulated Akt phosphorylation, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation, and the expression level of antioxidant gene heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in a dose-dependent manner under oxidative stress. Knockdown of Nrf2 by targeted small interfering RNA (siRNA) alleviated CM-mediated HO-1 transcription and almost abolished CM-mediated protection against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cell damage. Correspondingly, the protective effect of CM was dramatically blocked after interference with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt inhibitor LY294002, indicating that the protective effect of CM on cell oxidative damage was attributed to PI3K/Akt-mediated Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Triacylglycerols compositions, soluble and bound phenolics of red sorghums, and their radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities.

Six commercial red sorghum varieties (Tong Za 117, 141, 142 and 143, Chi Za 109 and 101) were investigated for their triacylglycerol (TAG) profiles, soluble and bound phenolics, and radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities. A total of 21 TAGs were identified in red sorghum oils for the first time. Total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC) in the soluble or bound phenolic fractions differed among red sorghums. Significant correlation among TPC, TFC and DPPH radical scavenging activities was observed in both fractions. Except for caffeic acid, most of phenolic acids in red sorghums are in the bound form. Soluble 3-deoxyanthocyanidins contents (2.12-57.14 µg/g) were significantly higher than those of bound forms (0.01-0.18 µg/g) regardless of sorghum varieties and types of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins. Moreover, the stronger anti-inflammatory capacity of soluble phenolic fraction in Tong Za 117 correlated with its higher TPC, TFC and radical scavenging activity than those of its bound counterpart.