Comparisons in phytochemical components and in vitro digestion properties of corresponding peels, flesh and seeds separated from two blueberry cultivars.

Highbush blueberries (HB) and rabbiteye blueberries (RB) were separated into peels, flesh, and seeds to assess the compositions of nutriment, anthocyanins, soluble sugars and fatty acids, and the in vitro digesting abilities. Total phenolics contents (TPC) of 51-56 mg GAE/g DW were found in blueberry peels. Compared with HB peels, RB peels showed much higher TPC, but only contained 35 phenolics and lacked peonidin-3-O-rutinoside. Glucose, fructose, and sucrose were all present in HB and RB, but RB flesh had a higher acid-sugar ratio. Unsaturated fatty acid concentrations in HB and RB seeds were comparable (26.65 and 26.43 mg/g, respectively). However, HB seeds have 35 fatty acids, but RB seeds lacked cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid and cis-10-pentadecenoic acid. The in vitro digestion test showed that the whole fruit/peels/flesh of RB had a higher recovery and bioavailability index of phenolics and anthocyanins. Therefore, the reuse of blueberry pomace needs to be emphasized. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-023-01326-w.

Purification, structural characteristics and anti-atherosclerosis activity of a novel green tea polysaccharide.

A new homogeneous polysaccharide (TPS3A) was isolated and purified from Tianzhu Xianyue fried green tea by DEAE-52 cellulose and Sephacryl S-500 column chromatography. Structural characterization indicated that TPS3A mainly consisted of arabinose, galactose, galacturonic acid and rhamnose in a molar ratio of 5.84: 4.15: 2.06: 1, with an average molecular weight of 1.596 × 104 kDa. The structure of TPS3A was characterized as a repeating unit consisting of 1,3-Galp, 1,4-Galp, 1,3,6-Galp, 1,3-Araf, 1,5-Araf, 1,2,4-Rhap and 1-GalpA, with two branches on the C6 of 1,3,6-Galp and C2 of 1,2,4-Rhap, respectively. To investigate the preventive effects of TPS3A on atherosclerosis, TPS3A was administered orally to ApoE-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice. Results revealed that TPS3A intervention could effectively delay the atherosclerotic plaque progression, modulate dyslipidemia, and reduce the transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from contractile phenotype to synthetic phenotype by activating the expression of contractile marker alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and inhibiting the expression of synthetic marker osteopontin (OPN) in high-fat diet-induced ApoE-/- mice. Our findings suggested that TPS3A markedly alleviated atherosclerosis by regulating dyslipidemia and phenotypic transition of VSMCs, and might be used as a novel functional ingredient to promote cardiovascular health.

Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua polysaccharide exhibits anti-fatigue activity via regulating osteocalcin signaling.

In the present study, we explored the anti-fatigue activity and its potential mechanism of a purified Polygonatum cyrtonema polysaccharide (PCP) on mice using weight-loaded swimming test. Results showed that PCP remarkably prolonged the exhaustive swimming time of mice when compared with normal control group. Meanwhile, PCP decreased serum levels of lactic acid (LA), blood uric nitrogen (BUN), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased the contents of liver glycogen, muscle glycogen and muscle ATP. These results revealed that PCP had good anti-fatigue ability. The histomorphologic analysis showed that PCP increased the cross-section area of the muscle fibers. Furthermore, PCP significantly enhanced the protein levels of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), phosphor-Smad1, Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and osteocalcin (OC) in skeleton. Similar variation was also observed in the expression of osteocalcin signaling mediators of phosphorylated cAMP-response element binding protein (p-CREB) and phosphorylated hormone-sensitive lipase (p-HSL) in skeletal muscle. These results suggested that PCP resisted fatigue possibly via regulating osteocalcin signaling.

Comparison of the Effects of Different Food-Grade Emulsifiers on the Properties and Stability of a Casein-Maltodextrin-Soybean Oil Compound Emulsion.

The improvement of food-grade emulsifiers in the properties and stability of complex emulsion has attracted much interest. In this study, the effects of six food-grade emulsifiers with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) range of 3.4-8.0 on a casein-maltodextrin-soybean oil compound emulsion were investigated by centrifugal precipitation rate (CPR), emulsifying activity index (EAI), microrheological properties, zeta potential, average particle size, and Turbiscan stability index (TSI). The optimal amounts of added succinylated monoglyceride (SMG) and polyglycerol fatty acid ester were 0.0025% and 0.1% (w/w), respectively, while that of the other four emulsifiers was 0.2% (w/w), according to the CPR. Thereinto, the SMG-stabilized emulsion exhibited the highest emulsifying activity and the lowest viscosity value and possessed the highest stability over 14 days of storage, which was indicated by the lowest TSI value and the smallest change in delta backscattering signal, relative to those of the other groups. Moreover, the emulsion stabilized by SMG displayed better emulsion stability than the control under a range of pH (6.0-8.0) and calcium ion concentrations (0-10 mM), which was attributed to the increased zeta potential value and the decreased average particle size of droplets with the addition of SMG. The present study provides a basic understanding for SMG improving the properties and stability of the complex emulsion.

Icariin, a major constituent of flavonoids from Epimedium brevicornum, protects against cognitive deficits induced by chronic brain hypoperfusion via its anti-amyloidogenic effect in rats.

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion is considered to be a pivotal contributing factor of cognitive impairments that occur in vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and ideal drug treatment for these diseases is unavailable. Hence, this study was designed to investigate the protective effects of icariin, a major constituent of flavonoids from the Chinese medicinal herb Epimedium brevicornum, on cognitive impairments and neuronal morphological damage induced by permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries (BCCAO) in rats, and further explore the potential mechanisms. This study found that BCCAO could induce cognitive deficits and neuronal morphological damage, along with deposition of beta-amyloid (Aß) in rat hippocampus. However, oral administration of icariin twice per day for 23days might attenuate cognitive deficits and neuronal morphological damage induced by BCCAO. Subsequently, icariin decreased the level of Aß in rat hippocampus subjected to BCCAO. Administration of icariin reduced the expressions of amyloid precursor protein (APP), beta-secretase 1 (BACE1), and increased the expressions of insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 10 (ADAM10) in rat hippocampus. Furthermore, icariin afforded beneficial actions in suppressing transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) signaling via inhibition of Smad2/3 phosphorylation. In summary, icariin is effective in improving cognitive deficits and hippocampus morphological alterations subjected to BCCAO. This protection appears to be due to the decreased expressions of both APP and BACE1, and the increased expressions of both IDE and ADAM10, resulting in a decrease in the level of insoluble Aß fragments in rat hippocampus. Inhibitions of TGF-ß1 signaling and Smad2/3 phosphorylation are involved in the course.

Immunomodulatory activity and partial characterisation of polysaccharides from Momordica charantia.

Momordica charantia Linn. is used as an edible and medicinal vegetable in sub-tropical areas. Until now, studies on its composition and related activities have been confined to compounds of low molecular mass, and no data have been reported concerning the plant's polysaccharides. In this work, a crude polysaccharide of M. charantia (MCP) fruit was isolated by hot water extraction and then purified using DEAE-52 cellulose anion-exchange chromatography to produce two main fractions MCP1 and MCP2. The immunomodulatory effects and physicochemical characteristics of these fractions were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that intragastric administration of 150 or 300 mg·kg-·d⁻¹ of MCP significantly increased the carbolic particle clearance index, serum haemolysin production, spleen index, thymus index and NK cell cytotoxicity to normal control levels in cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced immunosuppressed mice. Both MCP1 and MCP2 effectively stimulated normal and concanavalin A-induced splenic lymphocyte proliferation in vitro at various doses. The average molecular weights of MCP1 and MCP2, which were measured using high-performance gel permeation chromatography, were 8.55×104 Da and 4.41×105 Da, respectively. Both fractions exhibited characteristic polysaccharide bands in their Fourier transform infrared spectrum. MCP1 is mainly composed of glucose and galactose, and MCP2 is mainly composed of glucose, mannose and galactose. The results indicate that MCP and its fractions have good potential as immunotherapeutic adjuvants.

Cucurbitane-type triterpenoids from the stems and leaves of Momordica charantia.

Six new cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, karavilagenin F (1), karavilosides XII and XIII (2, 3), momordicines VI, VII, and VIII (4, 5 and 6), along with four known ones, 5ß,19-epoxy-25-methoxycucurbita-6,23-diene-3ß,19-diol (7), 5ß,19-epoxycucurbita-6, 23-diene-3ß,19,25-triol (8), kuguacin R (9), and (19R,23E)-5ß,19-epoxy-19-methoxycucurbita-6,23,25-trien-3ß-ol (10), were isolated from the stems and leaves of Momordica charantia L. Their chemical structures were elucidated by extensive 1D NMR and 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC, COSY, and ROESY), MS experiments, and CD spectrum. Compound 6 showed weak cytotoxicity against five human cancer cells lines with IC50 values of 14.3-20.5µmol/L.

Three new tetranorditerpenes from aerial parts of acerola cherry (Malpighia emarginata).

Acerola cherry is a world famous fruit which contains abundant antioxidants such as vitamin C, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and phenolics. However, studies concerning bioactivity components from aerial parts of acerola (Malpighia emarginata) are scarce. In view of this, we have examined the constituents of aerial parts of acerola, and three new tetranorditerpenes acerolanins A-C (1-3) with a rare 2H-benz[e]inden-2-one substructure were isolated. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral studies and acerolanin C was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Furthermore, three new compounds have been studied for their cytotoxic activity.

Solution properties and in vitro anti-tumor activities of polysaccharides from longan pulp.

The solution properties of four fractions (LPI-IV) from crude longan pulp polysaccharides (LP3) were analyzed by size-exclusion chromatography combined with laser light scattering, viscometry, complex formation with Congo red, and atomic force microscopy. Their radii of gyration (z)(½) were 43.3, 62.6, 43.2 and 77.3 nm, exponents of (z)(½) = k M(w)(v) were 0.04, 0.50, 0.52 and 0.02, and intrinsic viscosities ([η]) were 9.945, 25.38, 308.2 and 452.1 mL/g, respectively. Moreover, the dependence of [η] on M(w) was established to be [η] = 5.3 × 10⁻²M(w)°·6¹ (mL/g). LPI had both a sphere-like conformation and a triple-helix structure, and LPII-IV existed as flexible chains. LP3, LPI, LPII and LPIII all exhibited direct inhibitory effects on A549, HeLa and HepG2 cells in a positive dose-dependent manner in the range of 50-400 µg/mL. The activities of LPIII, especially the inhibition of HepG2 cell proliferation, were stronger than those of others, which may be partly related to its flexible conformation. The present results support the cancer therapeutic potential of longan polysaccharides.

Phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity of litchi (Litchi Chinensis Sonn.) fruit pericarp from different commercially available cultivars.

Litchi fruit pericarp (LFP) contains significant amounts of phenolics which have been found to exhibit diverse biological activities. The purpose of this work was to determine the varietal differences in phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity of LFP from nine commercially available cultivars. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents ranged from 9.39 to 30.16 mg gallic acid equivalents/g fresh weight (FW) and from 7.12 to 23.46 mg catechin equivalents/g FW, respectively. The total anthocyanin contents ranged from 1.77 to 20.94 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents/100 g FW. Three anthocyanins, including cyanidin-3-rutinoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, malvidin-3-glucoside, were detected, and cyanidin-3-rutinoside was the predominant constituent which contributes from 68.8% to 100% to total anthocyanins, The total procyanidin contents ranged from 4.35 to 11.82 mg epicatechin equivalents/g FW. Procyanidin B2, epicatechin, A-type procyanidin trimer, and procyanidin A2 were detected in all nine litchi varieties. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity activities and DPPH radical-scavenging activities ranged from 430.49 to 1752.30 µmol TE/100 g FW and from 4.70 to 11.82 mg/g (IC50), respectively. These results indicate that there are significant differences in phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activity among the tested varieties. Knowing the phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity of LFP of different varieties gives the insights into its potential application to promote health.

Immunomodulatory activity of polysaccharide-protein complex of longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) pulp.

The immunomodulatory function of longan pulp polysaccharide-protein complex (LP3) was investigated in immunosuppressed mice models. Compared with the model control, peroral administration of 100 mgkg⁻¹d⁻¹ LP3 could significantly increase/enhance antibody production against chicken red blood cell (CRBC), concanavalin A (ConA)-induced splenocyte proliferation, macrophage phagocytosis, NK cell cytotoxicity against YAC-1 lymphoma cell, and interferon-gamma (INF-γ) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion in serum (P < 0.05). The immunomodulatory effects, except for those on splenocytes and macrophages (P > 0.05), were also observed in mice administered with 50 or 200 mgkg⁻¹d⁻¹ LP3 (P < 0.05). The beneficial effects of 50-200 mgkg⁻¹d⁻¹ LP3 were comparable to those of 50 mgkg⁻¹d⁻¹ ganoderan. The strong immunomodulatory activity of LP3 confirmed its good potential as an immunotherapeutic adjuvant.

Physicochemical characteristics and immunomodulatory activities of three polysaccharide-protein complexes of longan pulp.

Three polysaccharide-protein complexes of longan pulp (LP1-3) were isolated in this work. Their physicochemical characteristics and immunomodulatory effects on splenocytes, natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages in vitro were investigated. The carbohydrate portions of LP1-3 were principally composed of glucose, arabinose and mannose. LP3 displayed the maximal moisture absorption, and the thermal stability of LP2 was obviously higher than that of LP1 and LP3. All of them showed the characteristic polysaccharide and protein bands in the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrum. For a certain dose, all the fractions could significantly stimulate splenocyte proliferation, macrophage phagocytosis against neutral red, and NK cell cytotoxicity against YAC-1 lymphoma cell (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that the polysaccharide-protein complexes of longan pulp have medical potential as immunotherapeutic adjuvants due to their immunomodulatory activities.

Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity in seed coats of 60 Chinese black soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) varieties.

Phenolics in black soybean seed coat (BSSC) are considered to be responsible for the health benefits of black soybean. BSSCs of 60 Chinese varieties were examined for phenolic contents, anthocyanin profiles, and antioxidant activity. Total phenolic and condensed tannin contents ranged from 512.2 to 6057.9 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g and from 137.2 to 1741.1 mg (+)-catechin equivalents/100 g, respectively. Six anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-galactoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, petunidin-3-glucoside, peonidin-3-glucoside, and malvidin-3-glucoside) were detected by HPLC. Total anthocyanin contents (TAC) were from 98.8 to 2132.5 mg/100 g, and cyanidin-3-glucoside was the most abundant anthocyanin in all varieties, with a distribution of 48.8-94.1% of TAC. Antioxidant properties detected by DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC methods all showed wide variations ranging from 4.8 to 65.3 µg/100 mL (expressed as EC(50)), from 17.5 to 105.8 units/g, and from 42.5 to 1834.6 µmol Trolox equivalent/g, respectively. Sixty varieties were classified into four groups by hierarchical clustering analysis, and group 4 consisting of nine varieties had the highest phytochemicals content and antioxidant activity.

A new cytotoxic iridoid from Callicarpa nudiflora.

A new iridoid, named nudifloside (1), together with three known compounds, was isolated from the EtOH extract of the aerial parts of Callicarpa nudiflora Hook. The structures were elucidated by a study of their physical and spectral data. Nudifloside (1) and the isolated known compound linearoside (2) displayed inhibitory effects towards chronic myelogenous leukaemia K562 cell line, with IC(50) values of 20.7 and 36.0 microg mL(-1), respectively.