Identification and reactivity of pigments in prominent vegetable leaves of Basella alba L. var. 'Rubra' (Malabar spinach).

The unique profiles of betacyanins as well as their stability and antioxidant activity in purple leaf extracts of the fast-growing, soft-stemmed vine Basella alba L. var. 'Rubra', known as Malabar spinach, are partly characterized for the first time. The distribution of gomphrenin and its acylated derivatives in the leaves is completely different from the profiles of the pigments in the fruits. The most abundant acylated pigment in leaves (24%) turned out 6'-O-E-sinapoyl-gomphrenin (gandolin), however, the most significant difference in the pigment profiles is a presence of two novel pigments tentatively identified as highly abundant 6'-O-(3,4-dimethoxy-E-cinnamoyl)-gomphrenin and 6'-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-E-cinnamoyl)-gomphrenin as well as their isoforms. Significant degradation of the pigments in the fruit extracts under the impact of selected metal cations and UV-Vis irradiation as well as high protective activity of the leaf extract matrix were observed. Partial chromatographic purification of the leaf extract resulted in an increase of the pigment concentration which was correlated positively with the increased antioxidant activity of obtained fractions.

Basella alba L. (Malabar Spinach) as an Abundant Source of Betacyanins: Identification, Stability, and Bioactivity Studies on Natural and Processed Fruit Pigments.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of acylated and decarboxylated gomphrenins, as well as Basella alba L. fruit extract, were investigated in relation to gomphrenin, known for its high biological potential. The most abundant natural acylated gomphrenins, namely, 6'-O-E-caffeoyl-gomphrenin (malabarin) and 6'-O-E-4-coumaroyl-gomphrenin (globosin), were isolated from B. alba extract for the studies. In addition, controlled thermal decarboxylation of gomphrenin in the purified B. alba extract at 65-75 °C resulted in the formation of the most prevalent decarboxylated products, including 17-decarboxy-gomphrenin and 2,17-bidecarboxy-gomphrenin, along with their isoforms. The structures of the decarboxylated pigments were confirmed by NMR analyses. Exploring the matrix effect on pigment reactivity revealed a tremendous increase in the stability of all betacyanins after the initial stage of extract purification using a cation exchanger under various conditions. This indicates the removal of a substantial portion of the unfavorable matrix from the extract, which presumably contains reactive species that could otherwise degrade the pigments. Furthermore, the high concentration of citrates played a significant role in favoring the formation of 2-decarboxy-gomphrenin to a considerable extent. In vitro screening experiments revealed that the tested compounds demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory properties in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated human macrophages. This effect encompassed the selective inhibition of cytokine and chemokine release from activated macrophages, modulation of the chemotactic activity of immune cells, and the regulation of tissue remodeling mediators' release.

Does selenium fortification of kale and kohlrabi sprouts change significantly their biochemical and cytotoxic properties?

BACKGROUND: The sprouts of Brassica vegetables are known from their nutritional and chemopreventive values. Moreover, sprouts fortification with some trace elements, like selenium, may increase their importance in human diet. Thus, the aim of our study was to examine if selenium enrichment of kale and kohlrabi sprouts may influence their biochemical properties (phenolic acids and L-tryptophan content, antioxidant potential) or cytotoxic activity. Additional aim of the study was to evaluate the profile of selenium compounds and to describe the multidimensional interactions between the mentioned parameters. METHODS: Selenium content in the sprouts was evaluated by double-channel atomic fluorescence spectrometer AFS-230 with the flow hydride-generation system. Separation of selenium species in water soluble fraction was performed by size-exclusion LC-ICP-MS. The identification and quantification of phenolic acids and L-tryptophan was performed by HPLC. For antioxidant activity DPPH and FRAP methods were used. Cytotoxic activity of the sprouts extracts on a panel of human metastatic carcinoma cells was evaluated by MTT test. RESULTS: Selenium content in the fortified sprouts was several orders of magnitude higher than in the unfortified ones. Only small percentage of supplemented selenium (ca. 10 %) was incorporated into the sprouts as seleno-L-methionine, while the other detected selenium species remained unidentified. Selenium fortification differently stimulated the production of phenolic acids (sinapic, chlorogenic, isochlorogenic and caffeic acid) in the tested sprouts, depending on the particular species, selenium dose and the investigated compound. PCA analysis revealed strong correlation between antioxidant parameters and phenolic acids and L-tryptophan, while Se correlated only with caffeic acid. The sprouts extracts (≥1 mg/mL) showed cytotoxic potency to all the studied cancer cell lines (SW480, SW620, HepG2, SiHa), regardless the selenium supplementation. CONCLUSION: Se-fortified kale and kohlrabi sprouts are good candidates for functional food ingredients. Moreover, these results indicate that the sprouts enriched with sodium selenite show higher nutritional value, without significant changes in their cytotoxic activity.

Effect of broccoli sprouts on thyroid function, haematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters in rats with thyroid imbalance.

Broccoli sprouts may exert a negative influence on thyroid function as they are a rich source of glucosinolates, in particular glucoraphanin. Under the study in a long-term experiment broccoli sprouts were tested as an element of rats diet, combined with deficient iodine, or sulfadimethoxine ingestion - two models of hypothyroidism. Evaluations were performed for serum TSH and thyroid hormones completed with analyzes of selected haematological, biochemical and immunological (IL-6, IL-10) parameters, as well as cytosolic glutathione peroxidase (GPX1), thioredoxin reductase (TR) in the thyroid, and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPX3). A thermographic analysis was conducted to provide auxiliary indicators for determining a potential thyroid dysfunction under the specific experimental conditions. The levels of TSH, fT3 and fT4 remained unchanged following broccoli sprouts ingestion, which was even found to have a protective effect against sulfadimethoxine induced thyroid damage. Moreover, TR activity significantly increased in response to sprouts ingestion. In animals with hypothyroidism, broccoli sprouts were found to exert a beneficial influence on the antioxidant balance of the thyroid gland. In comparison to the rats with iodine deficiency, broccoli sprouts addition to the diet was observed to decrease IL-6 level. No significant differences in IL-10 concentration were determined. Neither addition of broccoli sprouts to the diet, nor sulfadimethoxine and iodine deficiency, caused negative changes in red blood cell parameters, glucose and uric acid concentrations, or kidney function. However, such a dietary intervention resulted in reduced WBC and PLT levels, and it may adversely interfere with liver function in rats, most likely due to a higher dietary intake of glucosinolates.

Identification of Predominant Phytochemical Compounds and Cytotoxic Activity of Wild Olive Leaves (Olea europaea L. ssp. sylvestris) Harvested in South Portugal.

This study has been aimed at providing a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of selected phytochemicals such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, oleuropein, fatty acids profile, and volatile oil compounds, present in wild olive leaves harvested in Portugal, as well as at determining their antioxidant and cytotoxic potential against human melanoma HTB-140 and WM793, prostate cancer DU-145 and PC-3, hepatocellular carcinoma Hep G2 cell lines, as well as normal human skin fibroblasts BJ and prostate epithelial cells PNT2. Gallic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic acids, apigenin 7-O-glucoside, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, and rutin were identified in olive leaves. The amount of oleuropein was equal to 22.64 g/kg dry weight. (E)-Anethole (32.35%), fenchone (11.89%), and (Z)-3-nonen-1-ol (8%) were found to be the main constituents of the oil volatile fraction, whereas palmitic, oleic, and alpha-linolenic acid were determined to be dominating fatty acids. Olive leaves methanol extract was observed to exerted a significant, selective cytotoxic effect on DU-145 and PC-3 cell lines. Except the essential oil composition, evaluated wild olive leaves, with regard to their quantitative and qualitative composition, do not substantially differ from the leaves of other cultivars grown for industrial purposes and they reveal considerable antioxidant and cytotoxic properties. Thus, the wild species may prove to be suitable for use in traditional medicine as cancer chemoprevention.

Antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties and zinc content of five south Portugal herbs.

CONTEXT: Crataegus monogyna L. (Rosaceae) (CM), Equisetum telmateia L. (Equisataceae) (ET), Geranium purpureum Vil. (Geraniaceae) (GP), Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. (Lamiaceae) (MS), and Lavandula stoechas L. spp. luisieri (Lamiaceae) (LS) are all medicinal. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antioxidant, antiproliferative and antimicrobial activities of plant extracts and quantify individual phenolics and zinc. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Aerial part extracts were prepared with water (W), ethanol (E) and an 80% mixture (80EW). Antioxidant activity was measured with TAA, FRAP and RP methods. Phenolics were quantified with a HPLC. Zinc was quantified using voltammetry. Antibacterial activity (after 48 h) was tested using Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Listeria monocytogenes. Antiproliferative activity (after 24 h) was tested using HEP G2 cells and fibroblasts. RESULTS: Solvents influenced results; the best were E and 80EW. GP had the highest antioxidant activity (TAA and FRAP of 536.90 mg AAE/g dw and 783.48 mg TE/g dw, respectively). CM had the highest zinc concentration (37.21 mg/kg) and phenolic variety, with neochlorogenic acid as the most abundant (92.91 mg/100 g dw). LS was rich in rosmarinic acid (301.71 mg/100 g dw). GP and LS inhibited the most microorganisms: B. cereus, E. coli and S. aureus. GP also inhibited E. faecalis. CM had the lowest MIC: 5830 µg/mL. The antibacterial activity is explained by the phenolics present. LS and CM showed the most significant anti-proliferative activity, which is explained by their zinc content. CONCLUSION: The most promising plants for further studies are CM, LS and GP.

Selenium Supplementation of Amaranth Sprouts Influences Betacyanin Content and Improves Anti-Inflammatory Properties via NFκB in Murine RAW 264.7 Macrophages.

Sprouts contain potent compounds which while influencing crucial transduction pathways in cell reveal anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. In this study, we report the biological activity for seeds and colourful sprouts of four types of edible amaranth, as amaranth has recently attracted interest due to its appreciable nutritional value. MTT assay conducted for the amaranth seeds and sprouts did not show any adverse effect on the viability of murine RAW 264.7 cells. As amaranth accumulates selenium, the sprouts were supplemented with this trace element (10 mg/L; 15 mg/L Se as sodium selenite) while growing. Selenium concentration in sprouts was observed to be significantly correlated with betacyanins content of the tested species. The amounts of Se and betacyanins in sprouts varied for various Amaranth species. In the present study, Amaranthus cruentus sprouts with the highest betacyanins (19.30 ± 0.57-28.85 ± 2.23 mg of amaranthin/100 g of fresh weight) and high total selenium (22.51 ± 1.57-1044.75 ± 73.08 µg/L in methanol extracts) content prevented NFκB translocation to the cell nucleus and subsequently exerted an anti-inflammatory effect by significant decreasing inflammatory interleukin 6 production (587.3 ± 34.2-710.0 ± 88.1 pg/mL) in the cell culture of activated RAW 264.7 macrophages (vs LPS control 1520 ± 114 pg/mL).

Influence of selenium supplementation on fatty acids profile and biological activity of four edible amaranth sprouts as new kind of functional food.

Suitability assessment of amaranth sprouts as a new functional food was carried out. The optimisation of sprouting process and the influence of selenium supplementation, in doses 10, 15, and 30 mg/l of selenium as sodium selenite, on amaranth growth and fatty acid profile were examined. Methods such as FRAP, DPPH, polyphenols content and GPX activity were applied to characterize antioxidant potential of seeds and sprouts of four different edible amaranth genera. E. coli, S. aureus, C. albicans were used to evaluate amaranth sprouts antimicrobial properties. Interaction between amaranth sprouts and biological systems was assessed by analysing antibacterial and antifungal properties with a disc diffusion test. The studies proved amaranth sprouts to be potentially attractive as functional food. As confirmed by all the data amaranth sprouts are suitable as a moderate selenium accumulator and are rich in essential fatty acids, especially linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids, which are precursors of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Thus, it opens dietary opportunities for amaranth sprouts. They can also serve as a moderate source of antioxidant compounds. Nevertheless, the experiments revealed neither antibacterial, nor antifungal properties of sprouts. In general, amaranth sprouts biological activity under evaluation has failed to prove to be significantly impacted by selenium fertilization.

The role of zinc in the pathogenesis and treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Implications of zinc homeostasis for proper CNS function.

Zinc, the essential trace element, is known to play multiple biological functions in human organism. This metal is a component of many structural as well as regulatory and catalytic proteins. The precise regulation of zinc homeostasis is essential for central nervous system and for the whole organism. Zinc plays a significant role in the brain development and in the proper brain function at every stage of life. This article is a review of knowledge about the role of zinc in central nervous system (CNS) function. The influence of this biometal on etiopathogenesis, prevention and treatment of selected brain diseases and disorders was discussed. Zinc imbalance can result not only from insufficient dietary intake, but also from impaired activity of zinc transport proteins and zinc dependent regulation of metabolic pathways. It is known that some neurodegenerative processes are connected with zinc dyshomeostasis and it may influence the state of Alzheimer's disease, depression and ageing-connected loss of cognitive function. The exact role of zinc and zinc-binding proteins in CNS pathogenesis processes is being under intensive investigation. The appropriate zinc supplementation in brain diseases may help in the prevention as well as in the proper treatment of several brain dysfunctions.

Zinc and propolis reduces cytotoxicity and proliferation in skin fibroblast cell culture: total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of propolis.

It has been demonstrated that zinc exerts its beneficial influence on skin fibroblasts. Propolis, a complex mixture of plant-derived and bees' products, was reported to stimulate cicatrization processes in skin and prevent infections. The aim of this study was to find out how zinc and propolis influence human skin fibroblasts in cell culture and to compare the effect of individual compounds to the effect of a mixture of zinc and propolis. In this study, zinc, as zinc aspartate, at a concentration of 16 µM, increased human fibroblasts proliferation in cell culture, whereas propolis at a concentration of 0.01% (w/v) revealed antiproliferative and cytotoxic action followed by mild cell necrosis. In culture, zinc was effectively transported into fibroblasts, and propolis inhibited the amount of zinc incorporated into the cells. An addition of propolis to the medium caused a decrease in the Zn(II) amount incorporated into fibroblasts. The obtained results also indicate an appreciable antioxidant property of propolis and revealed its potential as a supplement when applied at doses lower than 0.01% (w/v). In conclusion, the present study showed that zinc had a protective effect on human cultured fibroblasts' viability, although propolis revealed its antiproliferative action and caused mild necrosis.

Rutabaga (Brassica napus L. var. napobrassica) seeds, roots, and sprouts: a novel kind of food with antioxidant properties and proapoptotic potential in Hep G2 hepatoma cell line.

Although rutabaga (Brassica napus L. var. napobrassica) is a popular crop, especially in North Europe and North America, its sprouts are a new kind of vegetable. Rutabaga roots, and particularly sprouts, have not been investigated so far for antioxidant and anticancer effect on human tumor cells (Hep G2). Therefore, in vitro tests were conducted to find out whether rutabaga seeds, roots, and sprouts exert a cytotoxic effect on mammalian cells and combine them with other biological properties of particular parts of the plant. Rutabaga methanol extracts were measured for total phenolic, total flavonoid concentrations, and total antioxidant activity. Cytotoxicity of the investigated extracts was measured using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) and Hep G2 cells culture. Cell membrane integrity was assessed in CHO-K1 and Hep G2 cells by luminescence ToxiLight BioAssay. The results of the investigation have shown that sprouts have significantly higher antioxidant activity than seeds and roots, which may result from different contents of polyphenols. Rutabaga extracts (especially 8 day sprouts) inhibited the tumor cell line Hep G2 proliferation and had a slight effect on the normal mammalian CHO-K1 culture. An advanced analysis of previously observed morphological changes and cytotoxic properties demonstrated that the evaluated extracts exerted cell death via apoptosis. These findings strongly suggest that one of the biological activities of rutabaga is antiproliferative and proapoptotic potential specific to tumor cells. The obtained results demonstrate the antioxidant property of rutabaga and its potential as a nutritional supplement in cancer prevention. These findings also strongly advocate the application of rutabaga sprouts (especially harvested in conditions presented in this article) in functional food.

Identification of lipid derivatives in Hep G2 cells.

Metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids results in biosynthesis of mediators with different physiological effects. These metabolites include prostaglandins, prostacyclins, isoprostanes and others that are important signalling molecules and regulate a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes including inflammation. Prostaglandins and isoprostanes are produced by either non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation or by enzyme-induced peroxidation (cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases). They are used as biomarkers of oxidative stress. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) supplementation with added benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) on HepG2 cells by using a UHPLC/MS-TOF method. This rapid and simple method was developed for the identification, separation and quantification of 8-iPGF3α, PGF3α, 8-isoPGF2α and 5-iPF2α in cultured cells. The UHPLC/MS-TOF method was validated. The calculated limit of detection was in the range of 0.16-0.50 ng/mL, precision (% RSD): 1.2-2.1% and recoveries better than 88%. This method empowered qualitative and quantitative analysis of the selected individual prostaglandins derived from arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid from cell extracts.