Active Compounds in Fruits and Inflammation in the Body.

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, diabetes, asthma, and cancer. An appropriate diet and the active compounds contained in it can affect various stages of the inflammatory process and significantly affect the course of inflammatory diseases. Recent reports indicate that polyphenolic acids, vitamins, minerals, and other components of fruits may exhibit activity stimulating an anti-inflammatory response, which may be of importance in maintaining health and reducing the risk of disease. The article presents the latest data on the chemical composition of fruits and the health benefits arising from their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The chemical composition of fruits determines their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but the mechanisms of action are not fully understood.

The contribution of phenolics to the anti-inflammatory potential of the extract from Bolivian coriander (Porophyllum ruderale subsp. ruderale).

Porophyllum ruderale subsp. ruderale is a food product used for seasoning in Central and Southern America. The present research aimed to investigate the chemical composition of an extract prepared from aerial parts of P. ruderale using UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS, to isolate and identify major natural products present in the extract, and to furtherly investigate their anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. Twenty-five compounds were detected and characterized using UV-Vis and MS data. All characterized compounds were quantified. Ten major phenolics were isolated and identified by NMR. One previously undescribed natural product was isolated and established as 1-O-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy)benzoyl-6-O-galloyl-ß-d-glucose (12). Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated based on the influence of the extract and isolated compounds on the TLR4-dependent secretion of IL-8 and TNF-α by human primary neutrophils in vitro. Phenolic acids, and caffeic acid derivatives in particular, contributed to the extract's bioactivity.

Inhibition of Neutrophil Functions and Antibacterial Effects of Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) Infusion-Phytochemical Characterization.

The aim of the study was to characterize phytochemicals in an infusion of the aerial parts of tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detector electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS method, as well as an evaluation of its effects on mediators of the inflammation in an in vitro model of human neutrophils, and antimicrobial activity on selected pathogens. Flavonoids and caffeoylquinic acids were the main phenolic components of the extract of tarragon's aerial parts. The infusion was able to inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production. The antimicrobial assay was performed with the use of nine strains of bacteria, both Gram-negative and Gram-positive. Three human pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC14990, and Staphylococcus aureus MRSA (methicyllin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) ATCC43300, proved to be the most sensitive to tarragon infusion. Our study demonstrated the antiinflammatory and antimicrobial properties of tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.), meaning the common spice may be a prospective source of health-promoting constituents.

Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of bistort (Bistorta officinalis) aqueous extract and its major components. Justification of the usage of the medicinal plant material as a traditional topical agent.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bistort rhizome (Bistorta officinalis) is a traditionally used plant material popular in Europe and Asia in the treatment of diarrhea and as a topical agent for skin conditions. It contains tannins mostly condensed flavan-3-ol derivatives. However, the in-depth phytochemical investigation of infusions from this plant materials is still lacking. Additionally, the scientific reports supporting the traditional topical application of bistort rhizome are scarce. AIM OF THE STUDY: The major objective of the present study was to comprehensively investigate the chemical composition of infusion from subterranean parts of common bistort both using hyphenated chromatographic technique and isolation approach. Additionally, the influence of water extract on pro-inflammatory functions of human neutrophils was performed. As bacterial infections play a crucial role in the generation of skin inflammations the antimicrobial activity of the infusion and its major components was established. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The chemical composition of the infusion was established using UHPLC-DAD-MS3 method. Major compounds which could not be identified using chromatographic analysis were isolated by column chromatography and preparative HPLC. Obtained pure phytochemicals were identified by NMR analysis. The influence of the extract and compounds on the cell viability and apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. The release of pro-inflammatory cytokines after LPS stimulation was established by ELISA. Finally, the antimicrobial assays were performed by establishing MIC and MBC values using several bacterial strains. RESULTS: The UHPLC analysis revealed the infusion contained mainly, galloyl glucose derivatives, procyanidins and chlorogenic acid. Several compounds were isolated and identified for the first time from the investigated plant material. It was shown that the infusion and its constituents influenced the release of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-8 and also affected the viability and apoptosis of healthy cells. Both extract and isolated natural products displayed antimicrobial activity against skin pathogens. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in the present study support that the infusions from common bistort influence key biological processes are crucial for skin conditions with the inflammatory background. The study justifies the traditional topical application of common bistort.

UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS and HPTLC profiling of ash leaf samples from different commercial and natural sources and their in vitro effects on mediators of inflammation.

INTRODUCTION: In European traditional medicine, common ash leaf infusion is recommended by European Medicines Agency to treat minor articular pain and to increase the amount of urine for flushing minor urinary complaints. However, a comprehensive ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detector electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS) analysis of this pharmacopeial plant material has never been performed. Moreover, the number of biological and pharmacological investigations proving the usefulness of this plant material in recommended traditional uses is surprisingly small. OBJECTIVE: Phytochemical profiling of ash leaf samples from different commercial and natural sources and the determination of the in vitro effects on inflammatory mediators in a model of human neutrophils. METHODS: Ash leaf samples were characterised by total hydroxycinnamic acid content and by high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS methods. The effects of leaf infusions on reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin 8 (IL-8), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) production by neutrophils were measured using luminol-dependent chemiluminescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: In ash leaf samples 64 compounds were identified or partly identified together with four unknown compounds. The major compounds detected belong to different structural groups, including phenolic acid derivatives, phenylethanoids, flavonoids, iridoids, secoiridoids and lignans. The major compounds detected in ash samples were chlorogenic acid, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, verbascoside, oleuropein and ligstroside. However, one sample contained coumarin derivatives. This finding suggested adulteration with other Fraxinus species and/or plant parts. All infusions were able to inhibit ROS, cytokine and chemokine production. CONCLUSIONS: The performed phytochemical and biological analyses contribute to the knowledge about this pharmacopeial plant material and supports its traditional use to treat minor inflammatory complaints.

Chemical composition and biological activity of Rubus idaeus shoots--a traditional herbal remedy of Eastern Europe.

BACKGROUND: The young shoots of Rubus idaeus are traditionally used as a herbal remedy in common cold, fever and flu-like infections yet there is no research concerning this plant material. The aim of the study was to evaluate the chemical composition and biological properties of raspberry shoots from 11 cultivar varieties. METHODS: The methanol extracts were subjected to chromatographic analysis using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS, and two-dimensional 'comprehensive' LCxLC techniques. The biological activity of the shoot extract from the 'Willamette' cultivar variety was evaluated. Antioxidant activity was tested using DPPH and phosphomolybdenum assay. Antimicrobial activity was estimated towards 15 strains of human pathogenic bacteria using broth microdilution method. Cytotoxic activity was tested using MTT cell viability assay. RESULTS: The dominating compounds identified in the shoots of R. idaeus were ellagic acid (26.1 - 106.8 mg/100 g) and sanguiin H-6 (139.2 - 633.1 mg/100 g). The best separation of compounds present in the analysed polyphenol complex, was achieved by 'comprehensive' LCxLC method using Nucleodur Sphinx RP column in the first dimension and Chromolith Performance column in the second dimension. The shoot extract was found to be a strong antioxidant (EC50 19.4 µg/ml, AAE 427.94 mg/g) and displayed the strongest bactericidal properties towards Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The extract revealed higher cytotoxic activity towards the HL-60 cells (IC50 110 µg/ml) than HeLa (IC50 300 µg/ml). CONCLUSIONS: The shoots of R. idaeus stand out as a valuable source of sanguiin H-6 and ellagic acid and possess a number of biological properties including antioxidative, antimicrobial and cytotoxic.

Enhanced accumulation of secondary metabolites in hairy root cultures of Scutellaria lateriflora following elicitation.

Hairy root cultures of Scutellaria lateriflora were established using Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4 and produced acteoside (18.5 mg g(-1) dry wt), baicalin (14.5 mg g(-1) dry wt) and wogonoside (12 mg g(-1) dry wt). Yeast extract (50 µg ml(-1)) increased acteoside production 1.4-fold and flavone production 1.7-fold after 7 and 14 days of elicitation. Addition of Pectobacterium carotovorum lysate in the stationary phase of the hairy root culture stimulated only the accumulation of wogonin to 30 mg g(-1) dry wt. The production of wogonin in hairy roots could be associated with its role as a phytolaexin.