Croton stipulaceus Kunth, a native Mexican medicinal plant with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities / Croton stipulaceus Kunth, planta medicinal mexicana con actividad antioxidante y antiinflamatoria

Leaves of Croton stipulaceuswere extracted (EHex, ECHCl3and EEtOH extracts) to assesstheir antioxidant potential, anti-inflammatory activity in murine models and acute toxicity. EEtOH showed the highest effect in DPPH (37.80% inhibition), FRAP (1065.00 ± 55.30 µmolFe2+) and total polyphenols (231.24 ± 9.05 meq AG/gM). EHex was the most active, ~ 50% inhibition of TPA-induced ear edema; while EEtOH (dose of 2 mg/ear) showed the highest inhibition in the chronic model (97% inhibition), and inhibited MPO activity (48%). In carrageenan-induced edema, ECHCl3(dose 500 mg/kg) was the most active. None of the extracts showed acute toxicity (LD50) at 2 g/kg (p.o.). This work is the first report that supports the traditional use of C. stipulaceusas an anti-inflammatory.

De las hojas de Croton stipulaceusse obtuvieron diferentes extractos (EHex, ECHCl3y EEtOH) evaluando el potencial antioxidante y la actividad antiinflamatoria en modelos murinos y la toxicidad aguda. El EEtOH mostró mayor efecto en DPPH (37.80% inhibición), FRAP (1065.00 ± 55.30 µmolFe2+) y polifenolestotales (231.24 ± 9.05 meq AG/gM). El EHex fue el más activo, cercano al 50% de inhibición del edema auricular inducido con TPA; mientras que el EEtOH (dosis de 2 mg/oreja) mostró la mayor inhibición en el modelo crónico (97% inhibición), e inhibió la actividad de la MPO (48%). En el edema inducido con carragenina, el ECHCl3(dosis 500 mg/kg) fue el más activo. Ninguno de los extractos mostró una toxicidad aguda (DL50) mayor a 2 g/kg (p.o). Este trabajo es el primer reporte que sustenta el uso tradicional de C. stipulaceuscomo antiinflamatorio.

Characterisation and traceability of extra virgin olive oil and table olive of Azapa variety marketed in Chile using Microsatellite Molecular Markers / Caracterización y trazabilidad de aceite de oliva virgen extra y aceituna de mesa de la variedad Azapa comercializados en Chile mediante marcadores moleculares microsatélites

Chile has two certified origin olive products: Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) from Huasco valley and the Azapa variety table olive from the Azapa valley. However, efficient methodologies are needed to determine the varieties and raw materials involved in the end products. In this study, we assessed the size of alleles from ten microsatellites in 20 EVOOs and in leaves and fruits of 16 olive varieties cultivated in Chile to authenticate their origins. The identification of varieties relied on specific allele sizes derived from microsatellites markers UDO99-011 and DCA18-M found in leaves and fruit mesocarp. While most Chilean single-variety EVOOs matched the variety declared on the label, inconsistencies were observed in single-variety EVOOs containing multiple varieties. Our findings confirm that microsatellites serve as a valuable as diagnostic tools for ensuring the quality control of Geographical Indication certification for Azapa olives and EVOO with Designation of Origin from Huasco.

Chile cuenta con dos productos de oliva de origen certificado: El aceite de oliva virgen extra (AOVE) del valle del Huasco y la aceituna de mesa de la variedad Azapa del valle de Azapa. Sin embargo, se necesitan metodologías eficientes para determinar las variedades y materias primas involucradas en los productos finales. En este estudio, evaluamos el tamaño de los alelos de diez microsatélites en 20 AOVEs y en hojas y frutos de 16 variedades de aceituna cultivadas en Chile para autentificar sus orígenes. La identificación de las variedades se basó en los tamaños alélicos específicos derivados de los marcadores microsatélites UDO99-011 y DCA18-M encontrados en las hojas y el mesocarpio de los frutos. Aunque la mayoría de los AOVEs chilenos monovarietales coincidían con la variedad declarada en la etiqueta, se observaron incoherencias en los AOVEs monovarietales que contenían múltiples variedades. Nuestros hallazgos confirman que los microsatélites sirven como valiosas herramientas de diagnóstico para asegurar el control de calidad de la certificación de Indicación Geográfica para aceitunas de Azapa y AOVE con Denominación de Origen de Huasco.

Fiber Preparation from Micronized Oat By-Products: Antioxidant Properties and Interactions between Bioactive Compounds.

This study aimed to investigate the possibility of utilizing oat by-products for fiber preparation. Oat husk (OH) and oat bran (OB) were micronized and used to prepare a novel product rich in fiber and with enhanced antioxidant properties. The basic chemical composition and phenolic acid profile were determined in OH and OB. The antioxidant properties of OH and OB were also analyzed. The type and strength of interactions between the biologically active compounds from their mixtures were characterized by an isobolographic analysis. The analyses showed that the sum of phenolic acids was higher in OH than in OB. Ferulic acid was dominant in both OH and OB; however, its content in OH was over sixfold higher than that in OB. The results also suggested that both OH and OB can be used for preparing fiber with enhanced antioxidant properties. The optimal composition of the preparation, with 60-70% of OH and 30-40% of OB, allows for obtaining a product with 60-70% fiber and enhanced antioxidant activity due to bioactive substances and their synergistic effect. The resulting product can be a valuable additive to various food and dietary supplements.

Genus Lilium: A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The genus Lilium (family Liliaceae) is native to China and is mainly distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere such as Eastern Asia, Europe, and North America. There are about 109 species of this genus and 55 species in China. In America, the bulbs were used as food. In Europe, the petals and bulbs of Lilium candidum uesd as pectoral poultices, wound-healing remedy and a treatment for mastitis and shingles, the bulbs of L. martagon were used to treat every liver disease. In India, the bulbs are used medicinally as galactagogue, expectorant, aphrodisiac, diuretic, antipyretic and revitalizing tonic. In Asia, bulbs of this genus are often used to treat coughs, lung diseases, burns and swellings. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this work was to summarize traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity, which provided a theoretical basis for the further study of Lilium plants and their applications in medicine, food and other industries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Online scientific databases including Science Direct, American chemical society (ACS), Wiley Online Library, the Web of Science, China national knowledge internet (CNKI) and others were searched to identify eligible studies. More data were obtained from other Chinese medicine books. RESULTS: The literature survey revealed diverse traditional uses of the genus Lilium, mainly for the treatment of lung deficiency, hemostasis, anxiety, palpitations, asthma and vomiting. Over 180 compounds have been isolated and identified from the genus Lilium, including steroidal saponins, polysaccharides, phenolic glycerides, flavonoids and alkaloids. Different extracts and monomer compounds were so far evaluated for number of pharmacological activities including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, antidepressant and hepatoprotective activities. CONCLUSIONS: Lilium spp. are of much significance as ornamental flowers, but also have potential to treat various diseases, especially anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. However, most of the studies on pharmacological effects are still in in vitro, and further studies on mechanism-based pharmacological activities in vivo and in vitro are needed in the future. At present, there are limited researches on its safety and toxicological effects, which should be further explored.

Review on Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles through Plants.

Nature has the potential to reduce metal salts to their relative nanoparticles. Traditionally, physical and chemical methods were used for the synthesis of nanoparticles but due to the use of toxic chemicals, non-ecofriendly methods and other harmful effects, green chemistry approaches are now employed for synthesizing nanoparticles which are basically the most cost effective, ecofriendly and non-hazardous methods. In this review, we aimed to evaluate and study the details of various mechanisms used for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from plants, their size, shape and potential applications. A total of 150 articles comprising both research and review articles from 2009 to 2019 were selected and studied in detail to get in-depth knowledge about the synthesis of silver nanoparticles specifically through green chemistry approaches. Silver ions and their salts are well known for their antimicrobial properties and have been used in various medical and non-medical applications since the emergence of human civilization. Miscellaneous attempts have been made to synthesize nanoparticles using plants and such nanoparticles are more efficient and beneficial in terms of their antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-biofilm and cytotoxic activities than nanoparticles synthesized through physical and chemical processes. Silver nanoparticles have been studied as an important research area due to their specific and tunable properties and their application in the field of biomedicine such as tissue and tumor imaging and drug delivery. These nanoparticles can be further investigated to find out their antimicrobial potential in cell lines and animal models.

Antiviral and Cytotoxic Activity of Different Plant Parts of Banana (Musa spp.).

Chikungunya and yellow fever virus cause vector-borne viral diseases in humans. There is currently no specific antiviral drug for either of these diseases. Banana plants are used in traditional medicine for treating viral diseases such as measles and chickenpox. Therefore, we tested selected banana cultivars for their antiviral but also cytotoxic properties. Different parts such as leaf, pseudostem and corm, collected separately and extracted with four different solvents (hexane, acetone, ethanol, and water), were tested for in vitro antiviral activity against Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), enterovirus 71 (EV71), and yellow fever virus (YFV). Extracts prepared with acetone and ethanol from leaf parts of several cultivars exhibited strong (EC50 around 10 µg/mL) anti-CHIKV activity. Interestingly, none of the banana plant extracts (concentration 1-100 µg/mL) were active against EV71. Activity against YFV was restricted to two cultivars: Namwa Khom-Pseudostem-Ethanol (5.9 ± 5.4), Namwa Khom-Corm-Ethanol (0.79 ± 0.1) and Fougamou-Corm-Acetone (2.5 ± 1.5). In most cases, the cytotoxic activity of the extracts was generally 5- to 10-fold lower than the antiviral activity, suggesting a reasonable therapeutic window.

A review on antimicrobial botanicals, phytochemicals and natural resistance modifying agents from Apocynaceae family: Possible therapeutic approaches against multidrug resistance in pathogenic microorganisms.

Accelerated emergence of drug- resistant pathogenic microbes, their unbeatable virulence and a gradual loss of efficacy of currently used antimicrobial agents over the last decade, have expanded the scope of herbal medicine to combat this emerging challenge to have a wide spectrum of activity to develop effective medicines with lesser untoward side effects. Plant-based natural products should be of utmost interest to today's pharmaceutical industries since they are a primary source of new chemical entities directed at new drug targets. Apocynaceae or 'Dogbane' family has attained a global reputation as a source of some life-saving plant-derived products and novel compounds. Members of this family have also been extensively investigated against several nosocomial pathogenic microbes through in vitro and in vivo experimental settings. Several plant-derived components obtained from members of this family have also exhibited remarkable microbial growth inhibitory properties. Popular and widely accepted international databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, ResearchGate, Scopus, Google Scholar, JSTOR and more were searched using the various search strings such as Apocynaceae, antimicrobials, multidrug resistance, resistance modifying agents and pathogenic microorganisms were used in various combinations to retrieve several citations related to the topic. The current review encompasses recent developments in experimental studies and phytochemical analyses which correlates with antimicrobial efficacy of selected Apocynaceous plants along with synergistic mechanism and structural details. The present review recognizes and leverages the importance of Apocynaceae plants, which could be of significant interest in the development of more effective and less toxic antimicrobial drugs which may surmount multidrug resistance. Three different paradigm models harnessing clinical antimicrobial resistance (AMR) including the plant family Apocynaceae, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species have been broadly discussed in this review. In a nutshell, the present review represents a comprehensive account on the antimicrobials and resistance modifying agents obtained from the members of the plant family Apocynaceae and derived phytochemicals. It also gives an insight into the underlying mode of action of these phytochemicals against an array of pathogenic bacteria, their mechanism of antibiosis, plant parts from which the phytochemicals were isolated or the extracts was prepared with a critical discussion on the botanically-derived antibiotics as a template for antimicrobial drug development.

Phytochemical composition profile and space-time accumulation of secondary metabolites for Dracocephalum moldavica Linn. via UPLC-Q/TOF-MS and HPLC-DAD method.

The aerial parts of Dracocephalum moldavica L. are extensively used in traditional ethnic medicines in China as a remedy for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular damage. However, the chemical composition and the accumulation of main secondary metabolites of D. moldavica in different natural environments remain unclear. This study aimed to conduct a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the main secondary metabolites to explore the quality variation of D. moldavica in markets. The evaluation of space-time accumulation of main secondary metabolites in D. moldavica was carried out during different growth periods and in different geographical locations. A total of 35 ingredients were detected and 24 identified, including 21 flavonoids, two phenolic acids and one coumarin by UPLC-QTOF-MS method. Furthermore, a simple and convenient HPLC method was successfully developed for the simultaneous determination of lutelin-7-O-glucuronide and tilianin and rosmarinic acid in D. moldavica. The results of space-time accumulation analysis showed the distinct variation of secondary metabolites of D. moldavica with the growth period and geographical location. Finally, the current study provided a meaningful and useful approach for comprehensively evaluating the quality of D. moldavica.

Current Knowledge on Selenium Biofortification to Improve the Nutraceutical Profile of Food: A Comprehensive Review.

Selenium (Se) is an important micronutrient for living organisms, since it is involved in several physiological and metabolic processes. Se intake in humans is often low and very seldom excessive, and its bioavailability depends also on its chemical form, with organic Se as the most available after ingestion. The main dietary source of Se for humans is represented by plants, since many species are able to metabolize and accumulate organic Se in edible parts to be consumed directly (leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, and sprouts) or after processing (oil, wine, etc.). Countless studies have recently investigated the Se biofortification of plants to produce Se-enriched foods and elicit the production of secondary metabolites, which may benefit human health when incorporated into the diet. Moreover, feeding animals Se-rich diets may provide Se-enriched meat. This work reviews the most recent literature on the nutraceutical profile of Se-enriched foods from plant and animal sources.

Chemical composition of the essential oils and headspace volatiles of Ferulago sylvatica (Besser) Reichenb. from Serbia.

Chemical composition of the headspace volatiles and essential oils isolated from different parts of Ferulago sylvatica was determined by GC and GC/MS analyses. The results showed that headspace volatiles obtained from the aerial parts and roots were similar regarding the number of identified compounds and main components. However, essential oils obtained from different plant organs showed significant differences in chemical composition. Myrcene was the most abundant component of the inflorescences and shoots volatiles, while α-pinene make up over 50% of the root volatiles. Only three components were identified in the root essential oil with 2,3,6-trimethyl benzaldehyde (92.7%) as the main component. In the shoots sample the terpenoid fractions represented 56% of the oil, unevenly distributed between monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids with germacrene D (32.5%) recognized as the main constituent. On the other hand, more than 94% of the inflorescences oils were monoterpenoids with myrcene as the most abundant contributor (29.2%).

Microcos paniculata: a review on its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology.

The shrub Microcos paniulata (MPL; Tiliaceae), distributed in south China, south and southeast Asia, yields a phytomedicine used to treat heat stroke, fever, dyspepsia, diarrhea, insect bites and jaundice. Phytochemical investigations on different parts of MPL indicate the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenoids and organic acids. The MPL leaves, fruits, barks and roots extracts showed antidiarrheal, antimicrobial and insecticidal, anti-inflammation, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular protective, blood lipids reducing, analgesic, jaundice-relieving and antipyretic activities, etc. The review aims to summary the traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacological bioactivity, quality control, toxicology and potential mechanisms of MPL. Additionally, this review will highlight the existing research gaps in knowledge and provide a foundation for further investigations on this plant.

Extraction and Identification of Anthocyanins in Corn Cob and Corn Husk from Cacahuacintle Maize.

Pigmented maize has been extensively studied due to its high anthocyanin content. This study has been focused mainly on kernel, although the whole plant of purple corn is a potential source of anthocyanins. First, general parameters of extraction (solvent system, solvent-to-solid ratio, number of extractions, and acid type) were established depending on the total anthocyanins content. Then, three extraction methods to access anthocyanins were compared: maceration extraction (ME), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). Since the residual material still possessed an intense color, a further treatment was performed by application of enzymatic-assisted extraction (EAE). Three enzymatic cocktails (Xylanases, Celluclast, and Depol), pH, and temperature were evaluated to establish optimal reaction conditions. Subsequent analysis and identification of the anthocyanins obtained by four different extraction techniques were performed using HPLC and HPLC-mass spectrometry, respectively. The most efficient method was UAE using 20 min of ultrasound (100 W) preceded by sample treatment in the following conditions: ethanol/water/lactic acid mixture (80:19:1), two extractions, 1:10 solvent-to-solid ratio. As a result, anthocyanins from corn cob and corn husk were extracted at concentrations of 24.32 and 25.80 mg/gDW, respectively. No difference in the anthocyanins profile for samples extracted by three different methods was observed. However, an enhanced presence of cyanidin-3-(6''malonyl)glucoside was detected in the sample corresponding to the EAE method. Therefore, the Cahuacintle corn husk can be considered as a competitive source of anthocyanins with the available commercial sources. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The by-products obtained from Cacahuacintle purple corn can be potentially used as natural colorants thanks to their anthocyanins content. In this work, we established the most efficient extraction method of anthocyanins from corn husk and corn cob, and demonstrated that their anthocyanins profile is comparable to other Peruvian purple corns, which are currently used as natural colorants. Therefore, the extraction procedure described in this study might be scaled-up in an industrial process to get access to anthocyanins from undervalued wastes.

Plant components can reduce methylmercury toxication: A mini-review.

BACKGROUND: Methylmercury (MeHg) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, with the nervous system as its main target; however, the neurotoxic mechanisms of MeHg have not been fully elucidated, and no effective therapeutic and preventive drugs are available to mitigate its toxicity. Recent evidence suggests a reduction in the toxicity of MeHg by natural plant extracts. SCOPE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is to provide an overview of effective natural plant extracts and their putative biochemical mechanisms for blocking gut absorption, enhancing excretion and minimizing toxic effects of MeHg. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: Natural plant extracts may act as potential therapeutics in response to MeHg exposure. The roles plant components play in the reduction of MeHg toxicity may be multifaceted including: (1) attenuating neurobehavioral deficits; (2) facilitating demethylation of MeHg to inorganic mercury; (3) reducing MeHg absorption from the gastrointestinal tract; (4) redistributing MeHg to less sensitive target organs and tissues; (5) promoting enterohepatic circulation of MeHg to increase its biliary and intestinal excretion; (6) restoring intracellular redox status. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The possible protective effects of natural plant components contribute to the understanding of mechanisms of MeHg toxicity and to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Application of metabolomics and molecular networking in investigating the chemical profile and antitrypanosomal activity of British bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta).

Bulb, leaf, scape and flower samples of British bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) were collected regularly for one growth period. Methanolic extracts of freeze-dried and ground samples showed antitrypanosomal activity, giving more than 50% inhibition, for 20 out of 41 samples. High-resolution mass spectrometry was used in the dereplication of the methanolic extracts of the different plant parts. The results revealed differences in the chemical profile with bulb samples being distinctly different from all aerial parts. High molecular weight metabolites were more abundant in the flowers, shoots and leaves compared to smaller molecular weight ones in the bulbs. The anti-trypanosomal activity of the extracts was linked to the accumulation of high molecular weight compounds, which were matched with saponin glycosides, while triterpenoids and steroids occurred in the inactive extracts. Dereplication studies were employed to identify the significant metabolites via chemotaxonomic filtration and considering their previously reported bioactivities. Molecular networking was implemented to look for similarities in fragmentation patterns between the isolated saponin glycoside at m/z 1445.64 [M + formic-H]- equivalent to C64H104O33 and the putatively found active metabolite at m/z 1283.58 [M + formic-H]- corresponding to scillanoside L-1. A combination of metabolomics and bioactivity-guided approaches resulted in the isolation of a norlanostane-type saponin glycoside with antitrypanosomal activity of 98.9% inhibition at 20 µM.

Application of characteristic fragment filtering with ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry for comprehensive identification of components in Schisandrae chinensis Fructus.

An integrated strategy of characteristic fragment filtering combined with target database screening based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry was proposed for comprehensive profiling of components in Schisandrae chinensis Fructus. The strategy consisted of following five steps: (1) Representative standards were analyzed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap-Orbitrap mass spectrometer for characteristic fragments and fragmentation rules of each structure type. (2) The raw data of 70% methanol extract was collected by ultra high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. (3) The chemical components database that consisted of names, chemical formulas and structures of potential components in Schisandrae chinensis Fructus was established by summarizing previous literature to screen the collected liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry data and obtain matched compounds. (4) Characteristic fragments, literature, and reference standards were used to verify the matches. (5) Characteristic fragment filtering combined with online database querying was used to deduce potential new compounds. As a result, a total of 94 compounds were identified or characterized and 16 of them were potential new compounds. The study provided a reference for comprehensive characterization of ingredients in herbal medicine and formed the foundation for pharmacodynamic study of Schisandrae chinensis Fructus.

Determination of xanthones and flavonoids of methanol extracts obtained from different parts of the plants of three Gentianaceae species.

Gentianopsis barbata, Halenia corniculata, and Gentianella acuta were widely distributed throughout China and commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. However, owing to similar living environments and morphological features, locals often had trouble distinguishing between these three species. In this present study, chromatograms at 350 nm were obtained and the composition and content of their chemical compounds determined using HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS2. In total, 35 chemical compounds were detected, 32 of which were identified, 25 of which were xanthones, 6 flavonoids, and 1 chlorogenic acid. The 350 nm chromatograms of these three species displayed evident differences. The individual compounds and their occurrence and content in different parts of the plant within different species were included in our results. This basic data will be useful for future pharmacological study. The total compositions of flavonoids and xanthones were approximately comparable in G. barbata and H. corniculata. Meanwhile, xanthones were predominant in G. acuta. From the perspective of chemical compound compositions, the leaf is recommended as the most valuable medicinal section for each of these three species.

Variation in Essential Oil Composition, Bioactive Compounds, Anatomical and Antioxidant Activity of Achillea aucheri, an Endemic Species of Iran, at Different Phenological Stages.

In the present research, the essential oil composition, bioactive compounds, anatomical and antioxidant activity of Achillea aucheri were investigated at four phenological stages. The yield of essential oil ranged from 0.1 % (five leaves appearance stage) to 0.7 % (full flowering stage). So, the oils from the plants harvested at the full flowering stage provided higher essential oil contents than those at other stages. The analysis of the essential oils by GC/MS revealed the presence of a large number of components represented mainly by oxygenated monoterpenes (24.36-77.81 %). The compounds revealed high variation at different phenological stages. The major constituents of A. aucheri were carvacrol (1.07-19.17 %), camphor (5.44-9.99 %), δ-cadinene (0.20-13.88 %), thymol (2.15-7.80 %), germacrene D (4.50-7.24 %), 1,8-cineole (1.62-5.54 %) and α-terpineol (1.71-3.42 %). The total phenolic (51.63 mg tannic acid/g DW) and flavonoid (10.88 mg quercetin/g W) contents were more accumulated at the 50 % flowering stage than others. The results revealed that the accumulation of essential oil in A. aucheri increased as the plant grew from the five leaves appearance stage to the 100 % flowering stage with increasing the size and number of secretory structures. Finally, the extracts collected at the 50 % flowering stage showed the highest antioxidant activity as measured based on FTC and DPPH method with the IC50 values ranging from 719.65 µg/mL to 1039.17 µg/mL for the samples.

New approach for fast identification of cyclitols by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

INTRODUCTION: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the subject of many studies due to its numerous chemical constituents and beneficial properties. Among these constituents are cyclitols, which have attracted attention due to the variety of biological properties they have. OBJECTIVE: A rapid and sensitive analytical procedure based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation technique with time-of-flight and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) analysis was used for the first time for the identification of three cyclitols from different parts of alfalfa. METHODOLOGY: Plant extracts were prepared and purified using Soxhlet extraction and solid-phase extraction (SPE). Then, samples were dissolved in α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (HCCA) matrix, and subjected to MALDI-TOF-MS analysis. RESULTS: The ion at m/z 524.0 was distributed in all standards and in leaves and stem extracts. In turn, the signal at m/z 335.1 was found in all standards and all alfalfa extracts. The ion at m/z144.1 was found just for d-chiro-inositol and distributed in all extracts. Both signals at m/z 265.9 and 250.0 were found only in l-chiro-inositol standard and the extract of stem. However, the ion at m/z 177.1 was found in d-pinitol standard and the extract of leaves. Based on molecular weights, information on fragment ions obtained by MALDI-TOF-MS, and the chemistry of cyclitols, we successfully identified three cyclitols (d-chiro-inositol, l-chiro-inositol, d-pinitol) in different parts of alfalfa (leaves, stem, flowers). CONCLUSION: The obtained results in this study proved that MALDI-TOF-MS is a rapid, sensitive and very powerful tool for identification of cyclitols within plants and has the potential to differentiate between enantiomers.

Neuroprotective effect of Citrus kawachiensis (Kawachi Bankan) peels, a rich source of naringin, against global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice.

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion is known to induce the generation of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory responses. Numerous studies have demonstrated that naringin (NGIN) has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We previously reported that Citrus kawachiensis contains a large quantity of NGIN in its peel. In the present study, we orally (p.o.) administered dried peel powder of C. kawachiensis to mice of a transient global ischemia model and found in the hippocampus region that it 1) suppressed neuronal cell death, 2) reversed the reduction in the level of phosphorylated calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, 3) had the tendency to reverse the reduction in the level of glutathione, and 4) blocked excessive activation of microglia and astrocytes. These results suggested that the dried peel powder of C. kawachiensis had a neuroprotective effect against ischemic brain via anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. We also showed that these effects of the dried peel powder were more powerful than those obtained with a comparable amount of NGIN alone.

Evidence of insulin-dependent signalling mechanisms produced by Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck fruit peel in an insulin resistant diabetic animal model.

Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck is extensively cultivated worldwide and one of the most consumed fruits in the world. We evaluated the therapeutic properties of the methanol extract from Citrus sinensis fruit peel (CSMe) in high-fat diet-fed streptozotocin-induced insulin-resistant diabetic rats. Body weight, food intake, and water consumption were analysed. Biochemical and molecular biologic indices, and the expression of insulin receptor-induced signalling molecules were assessed to identify possible mechanisms. In addition, we conducted histology of pancreatic and adipose tissues. UHPLC-MS/MS analysis showed the presence of 17 dietary phenolics at substantial concentrations. High-fat diet-fed streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats administered CSMe (50 and 100 mg/kg) had reduced fasting blood glucose (56.1% and 55.7%, respectively) and plasma insulin levels (22.9% and 32.7%, respectively) compared with untreated diabetic control rats. CSMe reversed the biochemical abnormalities in diabetic rats, showed cytoprotective activity, and increased the intensity of the positive immunoreactions for insulin in pancreatic islets. CSMe treatment increased the expression of PPARγ in the adipose tissue and signalling molecules GLUT4 and insulin receptor. Our data suggest that CSMe could optimize glucose uptake of adipose tissues through the insulin-dependent signalling cascade mechanism and it should be investigated in the management of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.