Impacts of microwave-assisted extraction parameters on total phenolic compounds yield from Algerian Moringa oleifera leaves, using response surface methodology.

The study aimed to optimise the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of total phenolic compounds (TPC) from Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves using response surface methodology (RSM) and Box-Behnken designs (BBD). Factors such as ethanol concentration, microwave power, irradiation time, and solvent to solid ratio were assessed in single-factor tests. Under optimal extraction conditions (48.86% ethanol, 626.53 W microwave power, 99.48 s irradiation, 29.67 mL/g solvent to solid ratio and 21.12 W/mL power density), TPC was 58.45 ± 0.68 mg GAE/g DW, close to the predicted 59.78 ± 1.47 mg GAE/g DW. The MAE method outperformed maceration extraction (8.41 ± 0.25 mg GAE/g DW) and decoction extraction (38.74 ± 0.81 mg GAE/g DW) in terms of extraction time, solvent use, and efficiency. The optimised extract exhibited significant antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 0.294 ± 0.004 mg/mL (DPPH) and 0.425 ± 0.005 mg/mL (ABTS), confirming the efficacy of MAE in preparing antioxidant-rich plant extracts.

Effect of fruit vinegars on liver damage and oxidative stress in high-fat-fed rats.

CONTEXT: Vinegar has long been used as a condiment and a traditional medicine worldwide. OBJECTIVE: The current study investigates the antioxidant effect of three types of fruit vinegars (FV) namely pomegranate [Punica granatum L. (Punicaceae)], prickly pear [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae)], and apple [Malus domestica Borkh. (Rosaceae)] vinegars in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemic Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups; HFD (80 cal/d) fed rats were orally dosed with fruit vinegars (7 ml/kg) once daily for 28 weeks. At the end of the experiment, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation products, antioxidant enzymes, and trace elements were assessed in serum. In addition, a liver histopathological study was performed. RESULTS: HFD showed a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in lipid profile and TBARS levels when compared with normal control. Daily oral administration of FV normalized various biochemical, metabolic, and histopathological changes. However, pomegranate vinegar exhibited a very significant (p ≤ 0.001) reduction in lipid profile levels (total cholesterol: 165%, triglycerides: 68%, LDL-c: 76%, and atherogenic index: 80%), whereas an increase in antioxidant status (SOD: 7-fold, GPx: 4.81-fold, GRx: 1.66-fold, and TAS: 3.45-fold) when compared with hyperlipidemic control. Histopathological examinations also confirmed the protective effects of pomegranate vinegar against lipid accumulation and the improvement of hepatic lesions. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The fruit vinegars regulate lipid metabolism and decrease liver damage in high-fat fed rats as shown in this study.