Phenolic-rich extracts from toasted white and tannin sorghum flours have distinct profiles influencing their antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-adhesive, anti-invasive, and antimalarial activities.

Sorghum is a gluten-free cereal commonly used in foods, and its consumption has been associated with the prevention of human chronic conditions such as obesity and cancer, due to the presence of dietary fiber and phenolic compounds. This study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-adhesion, anti-invasion, and antimalarial activities of phenolic extracts from toasted white and tannin sorghum flours to understand how different phenolic profiles contribute to sorghum biological activities. Water and 70 % ethanol/water (v/v), eco-friendly solvents, were used to obtain the phenolic extracts of toasted sorghum flours, and their phenolic profile was analyzed by UPLC-MSE. One hundred forty-five (145) phenolic compounds were identified, with 23 compounds common to all extracts. The solvent type affected the phenolic composition, with aqueous extract of both white sorghum (WSA) and tannin sorghum (TSA) containing mainly phenolic acids. White sorghum (WSE) and tannin sorghum (TSE) ethanolic extracts exhibited a higher abundance of flavonoids. WSE demonstrated the lowest IC50 on EA.hy926 (IC50 = 46.6 µg/mL) and A549 cancer cells (IC50 = 33.1 µg/mL), while TSE showed the lowest IC50 (IC50 = 70.8 µg/mL) on HCT-8 cells (human colon carcinoma). Aqueous extracts also demonstrated interesting results, similar to TSE, showing selectivity for cancer cells at higher IC50 concentrations. All sorghum extracts also reduced the adhesion and invasion of HCT-8 cells, suggesting antimetastatic potential. WSE, rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids, exhibited greater toxicity to both the W2 (chloroquine-resistant) and 3D7 (chloroquine-sensitive) strains of Plasmodium falciparum (IC50 = 8 µg GAE/mL and 22.9 µg GAE/mL, respectively). These findings underscore the potential health benefits of toasted sorghum flours, suggesting diverse applications in the food industry as a functional ingredient or even as an antioxidant supplement. Moreover, it is suggested that, besides the phenolic concentration, the phenolic profile is important to understand the health benefits of sorghum flours.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in hospital workers in the southern region of Minas Gerais state in Brazil: An analysis of the pre-vaccine period.

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection seroprevalence can be performed by detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The survey is essential to understand the disease transmission's dynamic in the studied population. This study aimed to carry out a seroepidemiological survey of SARS-CoV-2 in three hospitals located in the south of Minas Gerais state, Brazil. 859 samples were collected from August to December 2020 when SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were still not available and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were performed on participants sera. The average age of participants was 38 years, and most were women (71.4%). Likewise, most participants were classified as health professionals with direct or indirect contact with patients with COVID-19 (74.5%). The other participants tested belonged to other sectors, such as the administrative one (11,6%). Considering clinical symptoms, 15.8% of participants reported diarrhoea, 6.4% fever, 5.8% respiratory distress, and 7.0% loss of smell and taste. Many participants reported contact with infected patients (63.35%). Regarding the ELISA tests, 21.6% of the participants had positive results and hospital 3 had the highest positivity (21.7%), followed by hospital 2 (21.6%) and hospital 1 (20.3%). The prevalence was higher in women compared to men (22,8% and 18,7%, respectively). Regarding the area of expertise, the highest positivity (20.9%) was observed among health professionals. However, professionals who worked exclusively with COVID-19 had lower positivity when compared to professionals who did not work directly with COVID-19 (22.0% and 21.5%, respectively). When analysing the correlation between the ELISA tests with the other variables, a significant association was detected with these previous serological variables, previous contact with COVID-19 and the presence of fever symptoms, loss of smell and taste. Clinical symptoms associated with serological tests are important tools for monitoring the disease among health professionals.

Antioxidant/pro-oxidant and antiproliferative activities of phenolic-rich foods and extracts: A cell-based point of view.

Phenolic compounds have demonstrated several in vitro beneficial properties by acting as antioxidant and pro-oxidant agents. This chapter approaches the relationship among oxidative stress, cancer, phenolic compounds and antiproliferative activity. Moreover, it discusses in vitro techniques and their biological applications, regarding cell viability and intracellular measure of reactive oxygen assays. The in vitro methods are important tools for screening and understanding the pathways involved on antiproliferative and antioxidant/pro-oxidant effects of phenolic compounds. These findings open avenues for the development of innovative food, chemical structures, technological applications and future perspectives in this research field.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic/Cytoprotective Activity of Non-Polar Extracts of Grape (Vitis labrusca cv. Bordeaux) and Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) Seeds.

The aim of this study was to compare the influence of the extraction method, chemical composition, antimicrobial effects, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxicity on human cells of the non-polar extracts of grape (Vitis labrusca) and blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) seeds. The Soxhlet (Sox), Bligh-Dyer (BD), and ultrasound (US) methods were used for extractions. For blackberry non-polar seed extract, extraction via the BD method showed the highest mean values of total phenolic content (TPC), expressed in milligrams of gallic acid equivalent per 100 mL of non-polar seed extracts (102.37 mg GAE/100 mL), and higher antioxidant activity in relation to the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, expressed in milligrams of gallic acid equivalent per 100 mL of non-polar seed extracts (11.50 mg AAE/100 mL), if compared with the Sox and US extractions. Similar results were obtained for the non-polar grape seed extracts, where BD extraction obtained the highest values for TPC (28.61 mg GAE/100 mL) and DPPH (35.36 mg AAE/100 mL). The type of extraction method had an impact on the composition of fatty acids. Only the non-polar blackberry and grape seed extracts obtained via the Sox method showed some in vitro inhibitory effect against Escherichia coli (IAL 2064) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 13565). Regardless of the extraction method used, the non-polar blackberry and grape seed extracts did not decrease the cell viability (IC50 >1000 µg/mL) of cancer and normal cell lines, thus indicating the relative safety of the extracts. All the seed extracts decreased the generation of reactive oxygen species in the cell lines. Blackberry and grape seed lipid fractions can be utilized as antioxidants, and the extraction methods used cause significant changes in relation to their bioactivity and chemical composition.

Ellagitannins from jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba) seeds attenuated inflammation, oxidative stress, aberrant crypt foci, and modulated gut microbiota in rats with 1,2 dimethyl hydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis.

Since dietary factors are thought to be responsible for high colon cancer risk, we investigated the chemopreventive effect of jabuticaba seed extract (LJE) by administering yogurt with or without LJE against 1,2 dimethyl hydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats. Results showed that LJE contained a total phenolic content of 57.16 g/100 g of seed extract in which 7.67 and 10.09 g/100 g represented total flavonoids and ellagitannins, respectively. LJE protected DNA and human LDL against induced in vitro oxidation, which was associated with the ellagitannin content and with the free-radical scavenging and reducing capacities. LJE alone had a non-clastogenicity/aneugenicity property, but in combination with cisplatin, it enhanced the chromosome aberrations in cancer cells. In colon cancer-induced rats, yogurt with or without LJE caused a reduction in pro-inflammatory parameters, decreased the RNA expression of antiapoptotic cytokines and increased the expression of proapoptotic cytokines. Moreover, LJE attenuated colon cancer initiation and progression by decreasing aberrant crypt foci and LJE recovered the gut microbiome. Together, this evidence suggests that LJE provides chemopreventive protection against colon cancer development by reducing inflammation and increasing proapoptotic pathways.

Extraction optimization of bioactive compounds from ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Miller) leaves and their in vitro antioxidant and antihemolytic activities.

Ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Miller) is a non-conventional food plant common in Brazil. The objective of this study was to optimize the extraction of bioactive phenolic compounds from ora-pro-nobis leaves by employing solvent mixtures. Ten extracts were obtained with water, ethanol, acetone, and their binary and ternary mixtures, evaluating the chemical composition, antioxidant activity and bioactivities in vitro. The response surface methodology was applied to model the results and calculate the optimal solvent composition, which is 60% water, 40% ethanol and 0% acetone. The optimized extract is rich in phenolic compounds (64 mg GAE/g) and proteins (823 mg/g) and presents antioxidant activity (in intracellular media as well) and inhibits lipid peroxidation (32%) along with hypotonic hemolysis (H50 = 0.339%), it does not present toxicity in vitro against cancer and normal cells. This is the first report of chicoric, caffeoyl-hexaric and coumaroyl-hexaric acids and some glycosylate derivatives of flavonols in ora-pro-nobis leaves.

Polyphenols of jabuticaba [Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) O.Berg] seeds incorporated in a yogurt model exert antioxidant activity and modulate gut microbiota of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer in rats.

The chemical composition, antioxidant activity (AA), cytotoxic activity, antihemolytic effects, and enzyme inhibition (EI) of lyophilized jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba) seed extract (LJE) was studied. The main compounds found were castalagin, vescalagin, procyanidin A2, and ellagic acid. LJE was more toxic to cancer cells than to normal cells, meaning relative toxicological safety. This cytotoxic effect can be attributed to the pro-oxidant effect observed in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation assay. LJE inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and ACE-I activities and protected human erythrocytes from hemolysis. LJE was incorporated into yogurts at different concentrations and the total phenolic content, AA, and EI increased in a dose-dependent manner. LJE-containing yogurt presented 86% sensory acceptance. The yogurt was administered to Wistar rats bearing cancer and it modulated the gut bacterial microbiota, having a prebiotic effect. LJE is a potential functional ingredient for food companies looking for TPC, AA, and prebiotic effect in vivo.

Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) seeds as a novel source of bioactive compounds with promising antimalarial and antischistosomicidal properties.

Parasitic diseases have attracted worldwide attention of their consequent impact on mortality and morbidity. Accordingly, several plants have been screened for antiparasitic activity aiming to create new alternatives for treatment. These diseases have been neglected and have not attracted worldwide attention (nowadays), the health concerns are focused in chronic diseases, but it is necessary to focus on parasitic diseases and look for prophylactic alternatives, such as plant extracts. Although camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) seeds are a rich source of antioxidant antimutagenic, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antihypertensive and neuroprotective compounds, nothing is known about their antiparasitic effects. Thus, in the present study we aimed to evaluate five extracts of camu-camu seeds (100% water, 100% ethyl alcohol, 50% water + 50% ethyl alcohol, 25% water + 75% ethyl alcohol, and 75% water + 25% ethyl alcohol) in relation to their in vitro antimalarial, antischistosomicidal, leishmanicidal and anti-hemolytic effects. The extracts exhibited antischistosomicidal (ED50 values from 418.4 to >1000.0 µg/mL) and antimalarial activities (IC50 values from 24.2 to 240.8 µg/mL) for both W2 and 3D7 strains in all intra-erythrocytic stages. Correlation analysis showed that the toxic effects may mainly be attributed to methylvescalagin (r = -0.548 to -0.951, p < 0.05) and 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (r = -0.612 to -0.917, p < 0.05) contents. Moreover, the anti-hemolytic effect was associated to methylvescalagin (r = -0.597, p < 0.05). No toxic effects were observed for leishmaniasis and IMR90 normal cells. Herein, methylvescalagin was the bioactive compound of greatest interest once it presented simultaneous relation with antiparasitic and anti-hemolytic activities.

Clitoria ternatea L. petal bioactive compounds display antioxidant, antihemolytic and antihypertensive effects, inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities and reduce human LDL cholesterol and DNA induced oxidation.

The purpose of this study was to use a statistical approach to optimise the experimental conditions regarding the extraction of bioactive compounds, and to analyse the in vitro functional properties of crude lyophilized extracts (CLE) and partially purified (PPE) extracts of Clitoria ternatea petals. The results showed that the factors of temperature and time influenced the extraction of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and the physicochemical parameters. Simultaneous optimisation showed that the same levels of bioactive compounds were extracted when using temperatures from 11.7 to 68.3 °C and times from 8.47 to 51.12 min. Principal component analysis revealed the experimental conditions that provided the extraction producing the highest level of phenolic content (40 °C/30 min). The CLE showed antimicrobial activity; protective effect against hemolysis of erythrocytes; inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase and angiotensin-I-converting (ACE-I) enzymes; and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The CLE and PPE demonstrated oxygen radical absorption capacity; inhibition of DNA strand scission; inhibition of LDL cholesterol oxidation; intracellular antioxidant activity against reactive oxygen species (>100 µg/mL); and no cytotoxicity (IC50, GI50 and LC50 > 900 µg/mL) against A549, HCT8 and IMR90 cell lines.

Camu-camu seed (Myrciaria dubia) - From side stream to anantioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, antihemolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive ingredient.

Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) seeds are discarded without recovering the bioactive compounds. The main aim of the present work was to optimise the solvent mixture to extract higher total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of camu-camu seeds. The optimised solvent system increased the extraction of phenolic compounds, in which vescalagin and castalagin were the main compounds. The optimised extract displayed antioxidant capacity measured by different chemical and biological assays, exerted antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects against A549 and HCT8 cancer cells, antimicrobial effects, protected human erythrocytes against hemolysis, inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes and presented in vitro antihypertensive effect. Additionally, the optimized extract inhibited human LDL copper-induced oxidation in vitro and reduced the TNF-α release and NF-κB activation in macrophages cell culture. Thus, the use of camu-camu seed showed to be a sustainable way to recover bioactive compounds with in vitro functional properties.

Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum (White Mold): Cytotoxic, Mutagenic, and Antimalarial Effects In Vivo and In Vitro.

This work aimed includes performing the sclerotia chemical profile and evaluates their biological effects on mutagenesis, oxidative stress, cancer, and malaria. A chemical profile was determined by ultraperformance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) analysis dereplicating norditerpenoid dilactone, sclerolide, and other compounds. The GI50 values to cancer cells (19.8 to 277.6 µg/mL) were higher than normal (16.05 µg/mL), meaning high cytotoxicity. Regarding the oxidative stress, the results showed that the all AcOET fraction concentrations tested on IMR90 noncancer cell increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in more intense way (by fivefold) than in tested cancer cells. The in vivo study showed an increase of the following biomarkers (by 296.00%): % DNA in comet tail in peripheral blood and liver cells; micronucleated erythrocytes and colon cells and lipid serum peroxidation. These results indicate the sclerotia as genotoxic and mutagenic agent and its contamination may lead to fungal toxic effects with a risk to human health.

Multivariate effects of Chinese keemun black tea grades (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis) on the phenolic composition, antioxidant, antihemolytic and cytotoxic/cytoprotection activities.

The main objectives of the study were to compare the phenolic composition, chemical and biological antioxidant activities, and cytotoxicity towards IMR90, HCT8, and A549 cell lines of eight grades of Chinese keemun black tea (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis) using a statistical approach. No cytotoxic effects were observed on IMR90 normal cells. Our results all together show that the chemical antioxidant capacity of high-grade black teas measured by DPPH, FRAP, and total reducing capacity assays was correspondingly higher than the mean values of low-grade teas and these antioxidant assays were not associated with cytotoxicity towards cancerous cell lines (HCT8 and A549). High grades of Chinese keemun black teas contained higher contents of total phenolics, flavonoids and ortho-diphenols than lower grades and theaflavin-3,3'-di-gallate could only be detected in high black tea grades (T1 and T2). Intermediate-high keemun black tea grades - C1, C3, T1, and T2 - which also had the highest mean values of TPC, flavonoids, o-diphenols, theaflavin-3-gallate, theaflavin-3'-gallate, Fe2+ chelating ability, and chemical antioxidant activity, presented the highest inhibition of Wistar rat's brain oxidation. No clear differentiation and trend were observed between erythrocyte protection and Chinese black tea grades as results clearly showed that intermediate black tea grades (C3 and C4) protected more the human erythrocytes against mechanical stress. Our study shows that although higher Chinese keemun black tea grades (T1 and T2) presented the highest TPC, flavonoids, and chemical antioxidant activity, these in vitro chemical assays were not translated into higher biological activity.

Effect of Pereskia aculeata Mill. in vitro and in overweight humans: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.) flour on the adhesion of probiotics to intestinal epithelial cells and to evaluate the effect of a product based on this flour on gastrointestinal symptoms, weight, body fat, glycemia, and lipid profile in overweight men. METHODS: Microbiological counts (probiotic count, survival after in vitro gastrointestinal resistance, Caco-2 cell adhesion) were analyzed. A randomized, cross-over intervention was performed. Intestinal microbiota was indirectly assessed on the basis of consistency, color of feces, and gastrointestinal symptoms. RESULTS: P. aculeata did not affect Lactobacillus casei adhesion to Caco-2 cells. Ora-pro-nobis flour improved gastrointestinal symptoms and increased satiety. CONCLUSION: The consumption of ora-pro-nobis flour improved intestinal health. In addition, it maintained the high adherence of L. casei to intestinal cells as well as patient anthropometric and biochemical parameters. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Pereskia aculeata Mill. is well known in folk medicine and has several nutrients; however, there are few studies on this plant. This is the first study to analyze the influence of P. aculeata on bacterial adherence and the first cross-over clinical trial to evaluate the beneficial potential of ora-pro-nobis flour in overweight men. Thus, this study will contribute to the promotion of ora-pro-nobis as a functional ingredient and will arouse the interest of industries to develop related healthy foods. In addition, it is an effective dietary strategy to improve the gastrointestinal health of men.

Antioxidants-rich ice cream containing herbal extracts and fructooligossaccharides: manufacture, functional and sensory properties.

This work aimed to optimize an aqueous extract rich in phenolic compounds and potential functional properties made of Ilex paraguariensis, Melissa officinalis, and Cymbopogon citratus. The lyophilized extract was used for the development of an ice cream. Total phenolics, FRAP, DPPH, Folin-Ciocalteu's reducing capacity, and total reducing capacity of different combinations of herbal extracts were tested and modeled using response surface methodology. Simultaneous optimisation was employed to maximize the bioactive compounds in the extract and the lyophilized optimum combination was added to ice cream. The lyophilized extract contained quercetin-3-rutinoside, hesperidin, isoquercetin, caffeic acid, and 5,7-dihydroxyflavone. The optimised extract, which showed antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and antioxidant activity using in vitro protocols, increased total phenolics and antioxidant activity in comparison to the control ice cream. The ice cream presented a sensory acceptance index of 83%. After 72 days of storage (-18 °C), total phenolics and antioxidant activity significantly decreased.

Chemical study, antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, and cytotoxic/cytoprotective activities of Centaurea cyanus L. petals aqueous extract.

This study aimed to optimise the experimental conditions of extraction of the phytochemical compounds and functional properties of Centaurea cyanus petals. The following parameters were determined: the chemical composition (LC-ESI-MS/MS), the effects of pH on the stability and antioxidant activity of anthocyanins, the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activity, anti-hemolytic activity, antimicrobial, anti-hypertensive, and cytotoxic/cytoprotective effect, and the measurements of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Results showed that the temperature and time influenced (p ≤ 0.05) the content of flavonoids, anthocyanins, and FRAP. Only the temperature influenced the total phenolic content, non-anthocyanin flavonoids, and antioxidant activity (DPPH). The statistical approach made it possible to obtain the optimised experimental extraction conditions to increase the level of bioactive compounds. Chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic, and p-coumaric acids, isoquercitrin, and coumarin were identified as the major compounds in the optimised extract. The optimised extract presented anti-hemolytic and anti-hypertensive activity in vitro, in addition to showing stability and reversibility of anthocyanins and antioxidant activity with pH variation. The C. cyanus petals aqueous extract exhibited high IC50 and GI50 (>900 µg/mL) values for all cell lines, meaning low cytotoxicity. Based on the stress oxidative assay, the extract exhibited pro-oxidant action (10-100 µg/mL) but did not cause damage or cell death.

Optimized Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, Ilex paraguariensis, and Aspalathus linearis blend presents high antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in a beverage model.

A statistical optimization study was conducted to obtain a tea containing fermented rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), white tea (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis), and roasted mate (Ilex paraguariensis). An optimal combination of these species was proposed. This optimized tea inhibited 64% the lipoperoxidation in vitro and presented a high phenolic content, especially kaempferol, (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, rutin, (-)-epigallocatechin, and (-)-epicatechin-2-O-gallate. Indeed, the antioxidant effect was confirmed by decreasing 30% the reactive oxygen species generation in human hepatoma carcinoma cells (HepG2, 100 and 240 µg/mL). In the cell viability assay, the GI50 for human colorectal adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (Caco-2) was about 547 µg/mL and 481 µg/mL for HepG2. The pasteurization process (65 °C/30 min) did not affect the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the optimized tea formulation. The sensory test indicated an acceptability index of 78%, showing that the analytical approach adopted was feasible to develop a phenolic-rich beverage.

Hibiscus sabdariffa anthocyanins-rich extract: Chemical stability, in vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative activities.

Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx is a rich source of anthocyanins and other bioactive compounds but no study reported the effects of experimental conditions on the extraction of these chemical compounds. Therefore, the effects of time and extraction temperature on the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx were evaluated. In addition, the effects of copigmentation and pH on the stability of anthocyanins were assessed and the cytotoxic effects (LC50, IC50, and GC50) of the extracts were determined in relation to tumor cell lines - Caco-2, HepG-2, HCT8, and A549. The temperature significantly influenced the total anthocyanins and flavonoids contents. The interaction between time/temperature influenced the total phenolic content and ascorbic acid. The t1/2 and the percentage of colour retention decreased markedly at temperatures above 80 °C. Variations in pH conserved the antioxidant activity of the anthocyanins, and the protonation-deprotonation process of the extract was reversible. The treatment of cells with purified anthocyanin extract or crude extracts at 5-800 µg mL-1 did not show significant cytotoxic effects on the cell lines, corroborating the chemical antioxidant effect of the extracts (DPPH assay). Cyanidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin-3-sambubioside, delphinidin-3-glucoside, and cyanidin-3-sambubioside were identified in the extracts by LC-ESI-MS.