Diagnostic performance analysis of the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) screening tool for identifying decline in intrinsic capacity.

BACKGROUND: Intrinsic capacity (IC) is a comprehensive indicator of an individual's positive attributes. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a two-step approach to assess IC decline among older people. The first step involves the used of the integrated care for older people (ICOPE) screening tool to identify potential issues, and the second step involves using detailed assessments for confirmation. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of the ICOPE screening tool as a simple preliminary screening to identify IC decline among community-dwelling older people, which has been rarely reported in China. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 228 community-dwelling older individuals aged ≥ 75 (mean age, 84.0 ± 4.4 years; 131 [57.5%] females) who completed the IC evaluation according to the WHO IC assessment pathway. The diagnostic performance of the ICOPE screening tool was calculated using a 2 × 2 table and a receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: The proportion of possible IC decline identified by the ICOPE screening tool was 79.4%, whereas the actual IC decline assessed by the detailed assessment was 73.2%, mainly in locomotion. The ICOPE screening tool showed sensitivity and specificity of 94.6% and 62.3%, respectively, with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 86.0%. The diagnostic effectiveness of the ICOPE screening tool was 0.91 (95% confidence interval: 0.87-0.95, p = 0.020). Except for the sensory dimension, the sensitivity of the ICOPE screening tool for diagnosing impairments in each dimension of the IC was the highest in the cognition domain (100%) and the lowest in the vitality domain (51.3%), whereas the specificity was the highest in vitality (94.7%) and the lowest in cognition (55.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The ICOPE screening tool exhibits high sensitivity and can be used as an IC screening tool in community-dwelling older people. However, further improvements are needed in the vitality dimension of the ICOPE screening tool to enhance its sensitivity in identifying individuals at risk of malnutrition.

Preference of musculoskeletal pain treatment in middle-aged and elderly chinese people: a machine learning analysis of the China health and retirement longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain is a major cause of physical disability, associated with huge socioeconomic burden. Patient preference for treatment is an important factor contributing to the choice of treatment strategies. However, effective measurements for evaluating the ongoing management of musculoskeletal pain are lacking. To help improve clinical decision making, it's important to estimate the current state of musculoskeletal pain management and analyze the contribution of patient treatment preference. METHODS: A nationally representative sample for the Chinese population was derived from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Information on the patients' demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, other health-related behavior, as well as history on musculoskeletal pain and treatment data were obtained. The data was used to estimate the status of musculoskeletal pain treatment in China in the year 2018. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were used to find the effect factors of treatment preference. XGBoost model and Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method were performed to analyze the contribution of each variable to different treatment preferences. RESULTS: Among 18,814 respondents, 10,346 respondents suffered from musculoskeletal pain. Approximately 50% of musculoskeletal pain patients preferred modern medicine, while about 20% chose traditional Chinese medicine and another 15% chose acupuncture or massage therapy. Differing preferences for musculoskeletal pain treatment was related to the respondents' gender, age, place of residence, education level, insurance status, and health-related behavior such as smoking and drinking. Compared with upper or lower limb pain, neck pain and lower back pain were more likely to make respondents choose massage therapy (P < 0.05). A greater number of pain sites was associated with an increasing preference for respondents to seek medical care for musculoskeletal pain (P < 0.05), while different pain sites did not affect treatment preference. CONCLUSION: Factors including gender, age, socioeconomic status, and health-related behavior may have potential effects on people' s choice of treatment for musculoskeletal pain. The information derived from this study may be useful for helping to inform clinical decisions for orthopedic surgeons when devising treatment strategies for musculoskeletal pain.

Tumor Cell Targeting and Responsive Nanoplatform for Multimodal-Imaging Guided Chemodynamic/Photodynamic/Photothermal Therapy toward Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, with ineffective treatment and poor prognosis. It is in great demand to develop a novel theranostic strategy for accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment of TNBC. In the present study, one nanoplatform (HA-ICG-Fe-PDA), endowed with multimodal imaging-guided chemodynamic/photodynamic/photothermal (CDT/PDT/PTT) synergistic therapy capacity toward TNBC, was innovatively constructed. The nanoplatform was prepared by covalently conjugating ICG-decorated hyaluronic acid (HA) on Fe3+-chelated polydopamine (PDA). HA facilitated the targeting and accumulating of the nanoplatform in tumor tissue and cells of TNBC, thus producing enhanced magnetic resonance signal. Upon entering into TNBC cells, the intracellular hyaluronidase-catalyzed cleavage of HA-ICG-Fe-PDA activated the prequenched near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence signal, allowing for the activatable NIR fluorescence imaging. On the other hand, Fe3+ in the nanoplatform could be reduced to reactive Fe2+ in tumor microenvironment, guaranteeing efficient Fenton reaction-mediated CDT. The combination of ICG with Fe-PDA enhanced the NIR absorption of the nanoplatform so that considerable PTT/PDT and photothermal imaging were achieved under 808 nm laser irradiation. In vitro and in vivo experiments have verified that the proposed nanoplatform integrates the potential of TNBC-targeting, precise NIR fluorescence/magnetic resonance/photothermal trimodal imaging, efficient treatment via synergistic CDT/PDT/PTT, as well as excellent biocompatibility. Therefore, this multifunctional nanoplatform provides a simple and versatile strategy for imaging-guided theranostics of TNBC.

Potential mechanism of action of Jing Fang Bai Du San in the treatment of COVID-19 using docking and network pharmacology.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), severely infects people and has rapidly spread worldwide. JingFangBaiDu San (JFBDS) has been used to treat prevalent epidemic pathogens, common cold, headache, cough due to lung-cold, and other symptoms; however, its treatment for COVID-19 is unknown. Molecular docking and network pharmacology were applied to obtain ingredient-protein structures and the herb-ingredient-disease target network model, respectively, to explore the potential mechanism of JFBDS in COVID-19 treatment. Network pharmacology analysis showed that acacetin, wogonin, and isorhamnetin were the main active ingredients of JFBDS, and EGFR, PIK3CA, LCK, MAPK1, MAPK3, MAPK8, STAT3, TNF, IL2, and RELA were speculated to be crucial therapeutic targets. Moreover, the Toll-like receptors, HIF-1, PIK3K/AKT, MAPK, NF-κB and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways were important for JFBDS in COVID-19 treatment. Molecular docking analysis indicated that ingredients of JFBDS could bind to angiotensin converting enzyme II, spike protein, and chymotrypsin like protease (3CLpro), which inhibits virus entry and replication in host cells. This study provides a new perspective for understanding potential therapeutic effects and mechanisms of JFBDS in COVID-19 and may facilitate its clinical application.

Salvia miltiorrhiza and Pueraria lobata, two eminent herbs in Xin-Ke-Shu, ameliorate myocardial ischemia partially by modulating the accumulation of free fatty acids in rats.

BACKGROUND: Xin-Ke-Shu (XKS), a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, has been clinically proven to be effective for treatment of acute myocardial ischemia (AMI). Numerous studies underscore the important role of fatty acid metabolism in the pathogenesis of AMI. PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between free fatty acids (FFAs) and AMI and the contributions of individual herbs found in XKS to provide a basis for the study of the compatible principle of XKS. METHODS: UFLC-MS/MS-based targeted metabolomics was performed to analyze the levels of 15 FFAs in the plasma and myocardium of isoproterenol (ISO)-induced AMI rats treated with XKS and the subtracted prescriptions of XKS. Electrocardiogram data, H&E staining, biochemical analysis and western blotting were assayed to illustrate the cardioprotection of XKS and its subtracted prescription in AMI. Correlation analysis was used to reveal the relationship between the levels of FFAs and overexpressed proteins/biochemical enzymes. RESULTS: We found aberrant fatty acid metabolism in AMI rats. In both plasma and myocardium, the concentrations of most of quantified FFAs were significantly altered, whereas the concentrations of stearic acid and behenic acid were similar between the control and AMI groups. Correlation analysis revealed that palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and arachidonic acid were potentially the most relevant FFAs to inflammatory and apoptotic proteins and CK-MB. Moreover, XKS effectively alleviated pathological alterations, FFA metabolism abnormity, inflammation and apoptosis found in the myocardium of AMI rats. Notably, the removal of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Pueraria lobata from XKS resulted in markedly regulation loss of cardioprotection during AMI, especially mediation loss of FFA metabolism. The other three herbs of XKS also played a role in improving AMI. CONCLUSION: Fatty acid metabolism aberrance occurred during AMI. S. miltiorrhiza and P. lobata play vital roles in the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic action partially by regulating FFA levels. Our findings revealed potential novel clinical FFAs for predicting AMI and extended the insights into the compatible principle of XKS in which S. miltiorrhiza and P. lobata can potently modulate FFA metabolism.

Impact of rhizosphere microorganisms on arsenic (As) transformation and accumulation in a traditional Chinese medical plant.

Panax notoginseng is an important traditional medicinal plant, but the commercial value is threatened by root-rot disease caused by rhizosphere microbes and a potential health risk caused by plant arsenic (As) accumulation. Whether rhizospheric microbes isolated from P. notoginseng rhizosphere soil could impact As uptake and transport into P. notoginseng is not yet known. Among the three root-rot disease-causing pathogens Fusarium flocciferum (PG 1), Fusarium oxysporum (PG 2), and Fusarium solani (PG 3) and one root-rot disease biocontrol fungus Trichoderma koningiopsis (FC 1) and five biocontrol-exerting bacterial species Bacillus siamensis (BC 1), Delftia acidovorans (BC 2), Brevibacillus formosus (BC 3), Mortierella alpine (BC 4), and Bacillus subtilis (BC 5), one As-resistant pathogen and four biocontrol microorganisms with As-resistant ability were identified. The As-transforming ability of the identified fungi and bacteria was ranked in the order of FC 1 > PG 1 and BC 2 > BC 3 > BC 1, respectively. Then, the As-resistant biocontrol and pathogenic microbes were initiated to colonize the rhizosphere of 1-year-old P. notoginseng seedlings growing in artificially As(V)-contaminated soil to evaluate the impact of microbe inoculation on P. notoginseng As uptake and transport capacity. Concentration of As in P. notoginseng tissues decreased in the order of the sequence stem > root > leaf. Compared to treatment without colonization by microorganism, inoculation with microorganisms increased As root uptake efficiency and root As concentration, especially under treatment of inoculation by BC 2 and PG 1 + BC 2. As transport efficiency from root to stem decreased by inoculation with microorganism, especially under treatment with inoculation of BC 2 and PG 1 + BC 2. However, the impact of microorganism colonization on As stem to leaf transport efficiency was not obvious. In summary, inoculation with rhizosphere microbes may increase As accumulation in P. notoginseng root, especially when using bacteria with high As transformation ability. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the As transformation capacity before applying biological control microorganism to the rhizosphere of P. notoginseng.

[Bushen Huoxue Recipe reduces cyclophosphamide-induced apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Bushen Huoxue Recipe (BHR) on cyclophosphamide-induced apoptosis of testicular spermatogenic cells in mice and its possible action mechanisms. METHODS: Fifty male Babl/c mice aged 8－9 weeks were randomly divided into five groups of an equal number: blank control, model control, low-dose BHR, medium-dose BHR and high-dose BHR. The animals in the blank control group were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline, while those in the other four groups with cyclophosphamide at 50 mg/kg/d, all for 7 days. After modeling, the mice in the blank and model control groups were given distilled water via gavage once a day, and those in the low-, medium- and high-dose BHR groups treated intragastrically with BHR at 7.5, 15 and 30 g/kg/d qd for 30 successive days. Then, the apoptosis index of the testicular spermatogenic cells was obtained by TUNEL and the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA and proteins determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the mice in the blank control group, the BHR model controls showed dramatically increased apoptosis of testicular spermatogenic cells and up-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 in the testis tissue (P < 0.01). In comparison with the model controls, the mice in the BHR treatment groups exhibited significantly reduced apoptosis of testicular spermatogenic cells and down-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 in the testis tissue (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Bushen Huoxue Recipe can reduce cyclophosphamide-induced apoptosis of testicular spermatogenic cells in mice, which may be associated with its ability of regulating the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA and proteins in the testis tissue.

Puerarin Rebuilding the Mucus Layer and Regulating Mucin-Utilizing Bacteria to Relieve Ulcerative Colitis.

The colonic mucus barrier serves as a primary defense against enteric pathogens; destruction of this mucus layer has been observed in ulcerative colitis patients. This study aims to investigate the possibility of rebuilding the colon mucus layer through puerarin supplementation, which can stimulate mucin secretion and goblet cells differentiation. After puerarin supplementation, the thickness of colon mucus layer was increased and the permeability was reduced. The erosion of intestinal epithelium by bacteria was blocked, and the loss of epithelial integrity was alleviated. Puerarin also altered the composition of mucin-utilizing bacteria, which influenced the mucus permeability. Levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were increased after puerarin supplementation, which as a direct source of energy for the proliferation of epithelia and goblet cells. This study demonstrated that enhancement of mucin secretion to relieve ulcerative colitis (UC) by puerarin supplementation is feasible, and the regulation of mucin-utilizing bacteria and the increased levels of SCFAs may be the main reasons.

Effects of Yangxinshi tablet on exercise tolerance in patients with coronary heart disease: A protocol of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and multi-center trial.

BACKGROUND: Exercise intolerance is very common in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Although some researches confirming the validation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on CHD treatment, the effect of TCM on improving the exercise tolerance of patients with CHD remains unclear so far. Our trial is to investigate whether the Yangxinshi (YXS) tablet can improve exercise tolerance as well as the quality of life among CHD patients. METHODS: It is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial. A total of 90 patients with CHD from 3 hospitals in China will be enrolled and randomly assigned to one of 2 groups: YXS group, N = 45; placebo group, N = 45. The 2 groups will simultaneously receive standardized western medicine and exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the exercise capacity, which will be evaluated by the cardiopulmonary exercise test and 6-minute walking test. The 2nd outcomes include symptom improvement, psychologic issues, laboratory tests, side effects, and adverse events. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, it is the 1st randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of TCM YXS tablet on exercise tolerance in patients with CHD. The results will provide more evidence for future studies in this area. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study protocol was registered in Research Registry (researchregistry5752).

A small molecule protects mitochondrial integrity by inhibiting mTOR activity.

Apoptosis activation by cytochrome c release from mitochondria to cytosol is a normal cellular response to mitochondrial damage. Using cellular apoptosis assay, we have found small-molecule apoptosis inhibitors that protect cells from mitochondrial damage. Previously, we reported the discovery of a small molecule, Compound A, which blocks dopaminergic neuron death in a rat model of Parkinson's disease through targeting succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) of complex II to protect the integrity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Here, we report a small molecule, Compound R6, which saves cells from apoptosis via mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated induction of autophagy. Additionally, we show that Compound R6 protects mitochondrial integrity and respiration after induction of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Encouragingly, and supporting the potential further application of Compound R6 as a tool for basic and medicinal research, a pharmacokinetics (PK) profiling study showed that Compound R6 is metabolically stable and can pass the blood-brain barrier. Moreover, Compound R6 accumulates in the brain of test animals via intravenous and intraperitoneal administration. Finally, we found that Compound R6 confers significant neuroprotective effects on a rat cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model, demonstrating its potential as a promising drug candidate for neurodegenerative diseases.

Phenylisotertronic acids from the TCM endophytic fungus Phyllosticta sp.

Four new phenylisotertronic acids (1a/1b, 2a, and 3a) were isolated from a TCM endophytic fungal strain Phyllosticta sp. J13-2-12Y obtained from the leaves of Acorus tatarinowii, along with two known ones (2b and 3b). Compounds 1-3 all existed as mixtures of enantiomers, and their corresponding optically pure enantiomers were successfully isolated by chiral HPLC. The structures of isolated compounds were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses and X-ray diffraction. Their absolute configurations were determined by ECD experiments and quantum chemical calculations. In addition, the antimicrobial activities and the cytotoxicities of these three pairs of optically pure enantiomers (1a/1b, 2a/2b, and 3a/3b) had been evaluated.

Houttuynoid M, an Anti-HSV Active Houttuynoid from Houttuynia cordata Featuring a Bis-houttuynin Chain Tethered to a Flavonoid Core.

Houttuynoid M (1), a new houttuynoid, and the related known compound houttuynoid A (2) were isolated from Houttuynia cordata. Their structures were defined using NMR data analysis, HR-MSn experiment, and chemical derivatization. Houttuynoid M is the first example of a houttuynoid with a bis-houttuynin chain tethered to a flavonoid core. A putative biosynthetic pathway of houttuynoid M (1) is proposed. The anti-herpes simplex virus (anti-HSV) activities of 1 and 2 (IC50 values of 17.72 and 12.42 µM, respectively) were evaluated using a plaque formation assay with acyclovir as the positive control.

Phyllomeroterpenoids A-C, Multi-biosynthetic Pathway Derived Meroterpenoids from the TCM Endophytic Fungus Phyllosticta sp. and their Antimicrobial Activities.

Phyllomeroterpenoids A-C (1-3), multi-biosynthetic pathway derived meroterpenoids from amino acid/pentose phosphate/terpenoid pathways, were isolated from the TCM endophytic fungus Phyllosticta sp. J13-2-12Y, together with six biosynthetically related compounds (4-9). All structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, chemical derivatization, and ECD experiments. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1-3 was proposed. In addition, the antimicrobial activities of all isolated compounds were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus 209P (bacterium) and Candida albicans FIM709 (fungus).

Jueming prescription and its ingredients, semen cassiae and Rhizoma Curcumae Longae, stimulate lipolysis and enhance the phosphorylation of hormone­sensitive lipase in cultured rat white adipose tissue.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of jueming prescription (JMP) and its ingredients, semen cassiae (SC) and Rhizoma Curcumae Longae (RCL), on lipolysis, and to examine their effect on the phosphorylation of hormone­sensitive lipase (HSL) in cultured rat white adipose tissue (WAT). Retroperitoneal WAT was aseptically excised from adult male Sprague­Dawley rats, minced into uniform sections and subjected to ex vivo culture for 24 h. The tissue sections were then distributed into a 24­well culture plate and treated with normal saline (vehicle), isoproterenol (ISO), JMP, SC and RCL. Non­esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and glycerol release from the intact WAT explants were determined as a measurement of lipolysis, which were measured using NEFA and glycerol assay kits. The phosphorylation of HSL at Ser563 (P­HSL S563) and 660 residues (P­HSL S660) were determined using western blot analysis. The size of the adipocytes was visualized using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. It was found that JMP­, SC­ and RCL­stimulated lipolysis was responsible for increasing the release of NEFAs and glycerol from the intact WAT in vitro. In addition, JMP, SC and RCL increased the levels of P­HSL Ser563: JMP water (JW) extract, 3.52­fold; JMP ethanol (JE) extract, 3.38­fold; SC water (SW) extract, 4.60­fold; SC ethanol (SE) extract, 4.20­fold; RCL water (RW) extract, 6.98­fold; RCL ethanol (RE) extract, 6.60­fold. JMP, SC and RCL also increased the levels of P­HSL Ser660: JW extract, 3.16­fold; JE extract, 2.92­fold; SW extract, 4.57­fold; SE extract, 4.13­fold; RW extract, 5.41­fold; RE 4.96­fold) in the WAT. The RW extract had the most marked effect. The HE staining revealed that JMP, SC and RCL reduced the size of adipocytes in the WAT. In conclusion, JMP and its ingredients, SC and RC, stimulated lipolysis and reduced the size of adipocytes, possibly via the phosphorylation of HSL in cultured rat WAT.

Engineering of unconventional yeast Yarrowia lipolytica for efficient succinic acid production from glycerol at low pH.

Yarrowia lipolytica is considered as a potential candidate for succinic acid production because of its innate ability to accumulate citric acid cycle intermediates and its tolerance to acidic pH. Previously, a succinate-production strain was obtained through the deletion of succinate dehydrogenase subunit encoding gene Ylsdh5. However, the accumulation of by-product acetate limited further improvement of succinate production. Meanwhile, additional pH adjustment procedure increased the downstream cost in industrial application. In this study, we identified for the first time that acetic acid overflow is caused by CoA-transfer reaction from acetyl-CoA to succinate in mitochondria rather than pyruvate decarboxylation reaction in SDH negative Y. lipolytica. The deletion of CoA-transferase gene Ylach eliminated acetic acid formation and improved succinic acid production and the cell growth. We then analyzed the effect of overexpressing the key enzymes of oxidative TCA, reductive carboxylation and glyoxylate bypass on succinic acid yield and by-products formation. The best strain with phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (ScPCK) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and endogenous succinyl-CoA synthase beta subunit (YlSCS2) overexpression improved succinic acid titer by 4.3-fold. In fed-batch fermentation, this strain produced 110.7g/L succinic acid with a yield of 0.53g/g glycerol without pH control. This is the highest succinic acid titer achieved at low pH by yeast reported worldwide, to date, using defined media. This study not only revealed the mechanism of acetic acid overflow in SDH negative Y. lipolytica, but it also reported the development of an efficient succinic acid production strain with great industrial prospects.

[Effects of Ca2+ on photosynthetic parameters of Pinellia ternata and accumulations of active components in heat stress].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of exogenous Ca2+ on photosynthetic parameters of Pinellia ternate and accumulations of active components under high temperature stress. METHOD: The pigment contents of P. ternata leaves, photosynthesis parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of P. ternata leaves, the contents of guanosine, adenosine and polysaccharide in P. ternata tubers were measured based on different concentrations of exogenous Ca2+ in heat stress when the plant height of P. ternata was around 10 cm. RESULT: The contents of total chlorophyll and ratio of chlorophyll a/b were relatively higher by spaying Ca2+. Compared with the control, spaying 6 mmol x L(-1) Ca2+ significantly enhanced the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration (Tr) and stomatal limitation (L8), but reduced intercellular CO2 concentration (C) in P. ternata leaves. With the increase of Ca2+ concentration, maximal PS II efficiency (Fv/Fm), actual photosynthetic efficiency (Yield) and photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) initially increased and then decreased, however, minimal fluorescence (Fo) and non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ) went down first and then went up. The contents of guanosine and polysaccharide and dry weight of P. ternata tubers showed a tendency of increase after decrease, and the content of adenosine increased with the increase of Ca2+ concentration. The content of guanosine and polysaccharide in P. ternata tubers and its dry weight reached maximum when spaying 6 mmol x L(-1) Ca2+. CONCLUSION: With the treatment of calcium ion, the inhibition of photosynthesis and the damage of PS II system were relieved in heat stress, which increased the production of P. ternata tubers.

[Ultrasound-assisted subcritical water extraction of proanthocyanidins from defatted grape seed and its antioxidant activity].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the the ultrasound-assisted subcritical water extraction (USWE) parameters of proanthocyanidins from defatted grape seed, study antioxidant activity of proanthocyanidins and compare the effects of USWE and other extraction techniques. METHOD: The 2 L equipment of USWE was designed and used to extract the proanthocyanidins. The factors including extraction temperature, extraction time and extraction pressure were studied. The best extraction condition was found through the response surface design. Antioxidant activity of proanthocyanidins was studied by its DPPH free radical and NaNO2 scavenging action. RESULT: The USWE parameters were extraction temperature 145 degrees C, extraction time 18 min, extraction pressure 14 MPa and the extraction yield (EY) was 4.05% under this extraction condition. The proanthocyanidins extracted under this optimized extraction condition had better scavenging action on DPPH free radical and NaNO2. As compared with the conventional soxhlet's extraction and heat reflux extraction, the USWE cost less extraction time, and possessed high efficiency and so on. CONCLUSION: The extraction technology of USWE is highly feasible to extract proanthocyanidins from defatted grape seed.