Phytochemical profile, in vitro bioaccessibility, and anticancer potential of golden root (Rhodiola rosea L.) extracts.

The effects of water and ethanolic (40 %, 70 %, and 96 %) extraction on the Rhodiola rosea L. phytochemical profile (HPLC analysis), stability during extract drying, potential bioaccessibility in simulated gastric and intestinal conditions, and cytotoxic activity against human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2 and HT-29 cell lines) were investigated. The phytochemical profile, extractability, and stability during extract processing depend on the solvent type. In general, compounds derived from dry extracts were characterized by higher bioaccessibility than those extracted from powdered plant material. In the case of salidroside, tyrosol, and rosavins, one of the highest bioaccessibilities (often about 100 %) were found for the 70 % ethanolic extract after gastric digestion. Furthermore, the 70 % ethanolic extract most effectively reduced the viability of Caco-2 cells (IC50 85.8 µg∙mL-1). The results suggest that golden root extracts, in particular 70 % ethanolic extract, seem to be promising supplements for the food industry.

In vitro bioaccessibility and activity of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) phytochemicals as affected by cultivar and postharvest preservation method - Convection drying, freezing, and freeze-drying.

The effects of convection drying, freezing, and freeze-drying, on phytochemicals content, in vitro activity and bioaccessibility of sweet basil, cinnamon basil, red rubin basil, and lemon basil were investigated. For evaluation of bioaccessibility, rosmarinic acid content, phenolic content, and antioxidant potential of samples before and after gastric and intestinal steps of digestion were determined. Results showed that the content, activity and bioaccessibility of basil phytochemicals varied depending on the cultivar as well as the applied postharvest preservation. It was found that the frozen and freeze-dried plant materials were characterized by a higher phenolic level and antioxidant activity compared to the convection dried. However, in general, convection drying allows obtaining samples with higher bioaccessibility of phytochemicals compared to the low-temperature processed samples. These findings highlight the need for evaluation of basil cultivars and postharvest preservation methods regarding phytochemicals bioaccessibility, which might help in the classification in terms of pro-health quality.

Neurobiological Promises of the Bitter Diterpene Lactone Andrographolide.

Andrographolide (ANDRO), a bitter diterpene lactone found in Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, possesses several biological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and organo-protective effects. Scientific reports suggest that it also has neuroprotective capacity in various test systems. The purpose of this review was to synthesize the neuropharmacological properties of ANDRO and highlight the molecular mechanisms of action that highlight these activities. A careful search was done in PubMed and Google Scholar databases using specific keywords. Findings suggest that ANDRO possess neuroprotective, analgesic, and antifatigue effects. Prominent effects were stated on neuro-inflammation, cerebral ischemia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, multiple sclerosis, and brain cancer in mice and rats. Furthermore, ANDRO and its derivatives can enhance memory and learning capacity in experimental animals (rats) without causing any toxicity in the brain. Thus, ANDRO may be one of the most promising plant-based psychopharmacological lead compounds for new drug development.

Implication of scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy for oil content determination and seed morphology of Verbenaceae.

Due to increase in energy catastrophe and accompanying environmental issues, the search for renewable and alternative energy resources is a fiercely disputed problem in the scientific world. Biodiesel has proven to be the finest sustainable alternative to gasoline. Because of their environment-friendly character and cost-effectiveness, nonedible oil-bearing seeds could be the possible resource for biodiesel production. Therefore, the present study uses scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate and identify micromorphological features of six novel, nonedible oil-bearing seeds of Verbenaceae as potential biodiesel feed stocks. Selected seeds of Verbenaceae range in size from 1 to 5 mm in width and 1.8 to 6.4 mm in length, according to light microscopic studies. The oil content of seeds ranges from14 to 19%. Seed texture, color, shape, size, periclinal and anticlinal wall patterns, and cell outline are all more variable in SEM-mediated seed ultrastructure analyses. The findings of this work imply that SEM could be a useful method for revealing hidden micromorphological features in a variety of nonedible oil-producing seeds, which could aid to future investigation, proper identification, seed categorization, and authenticity. These seeds were hard to be identified by the native people due to their resemblance in seed color and shape, so there is a need to give a detailed description of seed characters for proper identification of these plants. This work will determine the new features of the seeds, which will be helpful in near future.

Therapeutic Potential of Isoflavones with an Emphasis on Daidzein.

Daidzein is a phytoestrogen isoflavone found in soybeans and other legumes. The chemical composition of daidzein is analogous to mammalian estrogens, and it could be useful with a dual-directional purpose by substituting/hindering with estrogen and estrogen receptor (ER) complex. Hence, daidzein puts forth shielding effects against a great number of diseases, especially those associated with the control of estrogen, such as breast cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. However, daidzein also has other ER-independent biological activities, such as oxidative damage reduction acting as an antioxidant, immune regulator as an anti-inflammatory agent, and apoptosis regulation, directly linked to its potential anticancer effects. In this sense, the present review is aimed at providing a deepen analysis of daidzein pharmacodynamics and its implications in human health, from its best-known effects alleviating postmenopausal symptoms to its potential anticancer and antiaging properties.

Comprehensive chemical characterization and biological evaluation of two Acacia species: A. nilotica and A. ataxacantha.

The genus Acacia (Family Leguminosae) is composed of several medicinal plants used for treating miscellaneous diseases. Amid the important members of this genus, A. nilotica and A. ataxacantha are widely employed for their tremendous healing properties. Hence, this present work aimed to determine the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and investigate the antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-enzyme and antimicrobial potentials of methanolic and water extracts of leaves and stem bark of A. nilotica and A. ataxacantha obtained by maceration and ultrasonication. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were obtained in the range of 33.35-116.60 mg GAE/g and 0.26-49.90 mg RE/g, respectively, with the methanolic leaf extracts of both species showing the highest contents. Moreover, the methanolic extracts were observed to display higher antioxidant potentials in almost all antioxidant assays performed compared to the water extracts (ABTS: 52.66-943.81 mg TE/g, DPPH: 8.51-493.90 mg TE/g, CUPRAC: 106.39-1193.75 mg TE/g; FRAP: 31.38-416.21 mg TE/g, and phosphomolybdenum: 0.90-4.17 mM TE/g). However, the water extracts were seen to be better metal chelators than the methanolic extracts (8.47-36.85 mg EDTAE/g). Additionally, all extracts were found to exhibit anti-tyrosinase (30.79-74.80 mg KAE/g) and anti-amylase (0.10-1.10 mM ACAE/g) properties. With the exception of a few extracts, glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibitions (1.69-2.12 mg ACAE/g and 0.42-2.61 mg GALAE/g, respectively) were also demonstrated. While the methanolic extracts of both species showed antimicrobial potency against all the 18 tested microorganisms (gram positive, gram negative, and fungi), the water extracts were effective only against the gram positive bacteria. The extracts were also found to exhibit antiproliferative effects on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, with the methanolic extracts showing higher cytotoxic potential than the water extracts. Therefore, this study showed these species to be good sources of antioxidants, enzyme inhibitors, antimicrobials and antiproliferative agents, which could be of great interest for their applications as natural bioactive ingredients in the development of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.