RESUMEN
α-Solanine and α-chaconine are the two most predominant glycoalkaloids (GAs) present in potato. Potato peel contains a high concentration of GAs, which are especially interesting for application in the pharmaceutical industry due to their different beneficial properties (such as anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antipyretic, antiviral, fungicide, and antibiotic activities, among others); so, potato peel waste can be valorized by extracting these biologically active compounds. For this, a green, quick, and efficient miniaturized analytical approach based on ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) combined with HPLC-DAD was developed to quantify α-solanine and α-chaconine in potato peel. Some parameters of the extraction were optimized, including the extraction method, the type of solvent, and the sample/solvent ratio, by a three-factor, three-level (33) full factorial experimental design. The optimal extraction conditions were obtained with UAE using methanol as a solvent and a sample/solvent ratio of 1:10 (w/v, g/mL). The analytical greenness metric for sample preparation (AGREEprep) tool was used to assess the greenness of the methods used. The tool revealed an acceptable green analysis, with 0.61 points. The method was validated and applied to the evaluation of GAs in the peel of 15 commercial varieties of potato. The amount of glycoalkaloids found in the samples evaluated ranged from 143 to 1273 mg/kg and from 117 to 1742 mg/kg dry weight for α-solanine and α-chaconine, respectively. These results reveal the important variability that exists between potato varieties; so, their analysis is of great importance to select the most suitable ones for biovalorization (e.g., the Amandine and Rudolph varieties, with around 3000 mg/kg, in total, of both GAs). To provide higher stability to the peel during storage, freeze-drying or a medium-temperature drying process resulted preferable to avoid GA degradation. Overall, this study will contribute to the expansion of the future biovalorization of potato peel waste as well as provide a powerful analytical tool for GA analysis.
RESUMEN
Given their anti-inflammatory properties, cannabinoids have been shown to be neuroprotective agents and to reduce excitotoxicity, through the activation of the Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1r). These properties have led to CB1r being proposed as pharmacological targets for the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases. Amyloid-ß 25-35 (Aß25-35) induces the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and increases nitric oxide (NOâ) levels. It has been observed that increased NOâ concentrations trigger biochemical pathways that contribute to neuronal death and cognitive damage. This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of an acute activation of CB1r on spatial memory and its impact on iNOS protein expression, NOâ levels, gliosis and the neurodegenerative process induced by the injection of Aß(25-35) into the CA1 subfield of the hippocampus. ACEA [1⯵M/1⯵L] and Aß(25-35) [100⯵M/1⯵L] and their respective vehicle groups were injected into the CA1 subfield of the hippocampus. The animals were tested for spatial learning and memory in the eight-arm radial maze, with the results revealing that the administration of ACEA plus Aß(25-35) improves learning and memory processes, in contrast with the Aß(25-35) group. Moreover, ACEA plus Aß(25-35) prevented both the increase in iNOS protein and NOâ levels and the reactive gliosis induced by Aß(25-35). Importantly, neurodegeneration was significantly reduced by the administration of ACEA plus Aß(25-35) in the CA1 subfield of the hippocampus. The data obtained in the present research suggest that the acute early activation of CB1r is crucial for neuroprotection.
