Investigation into Polyphenol Profile and Biological Activities of Enriched Persimmon/Apple Smoothies during Storage.

Smoothies are becoming an increasingly popular product as a healthy alternative to snacks. The consumer expects from this product that, apart from its nutritional value, it will also be qualitatively stable during storage. Therefore, in this study, original smoothies obtained with persimmon fruit puree and apple juice (Dk/Md) enriched with Arbutus unedo fruits, Myrtus communis purple berry extract, Acca sellowiana, and Crocus sativus petal juice were evaluated for their polyphenol composition, antioxidant activity, and inhibition on targeted digestive enzymes, over six months of storage. The amount of polyphenols evaluated by UPLC-PDA analysis decreased in six months from 23.5% for both Dk/Md and enriched C. sativus smoothies to 42.5% for enriched A. sellowiana, with anthocyanins the most sensitive compounds (71.7-100% loss). Values of antioxidant assays generally strongly decreased during the first three months (up to ca. 60%) and to a lesser extent in the following three months (0.4-27%). In addition, inhibitory activity on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase, especially on the last two enzymes, was negatively affected by time storage. The outcome of this study indicates that persimmon fruit is a good option for producing smoothies, and enrichment with other plant extracts can enhance the bioactive compound content and biological activities. It is recommended that appropriate storage strategies to preserve the properties of those smoothies should be developed.

Ceratonia siliqua L. Pod Extract: From Phytochemical Characterization to Liposomal Formulation and Evaluation of Behaviour in Cells.

The formulation of plant extracts in phospholipid vesicles is a promising strategy to exploit their biological properties while solving problems related to poor solubility in water, high instability, and low skin permeation and retention time. In this study, Ceratonia siliqua ripe pods were used for the preparation of a hydro-ethanolic extract, which showed antioxidant properties owing to the presence of biologically active compounds identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (e.g., hydroxybenzoic acid and flavonoid derivatives). To improve the applicability of the extract in therapy, a topical formulation based on liposomes was explored. The vesicles were characterized by small size (around 100 nm), negative charge (-13 mV), and high entrapment efficiency (>90%). Furthermore, they displayed both spherical and elongated shapes, with oligolamellar structure. Their biocompatibility was demonstrated in cells, including erythrocytes and representative skin cell lines. The antioxidant activity of the extract was proved by the scavenging of free radicals, the reduction of ferric ions, and the protection of skin cells from oxidative damage.

Phenolic Fingerprint, Bioactivity and Nanoformulation of Prunus spinosa L. Fruit Extract for Skin Delivery.

The nanoformulation of plant extracts in phospholipid vesicles is a promising strategy to exploit the biological properties of natural bioactive substances and overcome drawbacks such as poor aqueous solubility, chemical instability, low skin permeation and retention time, which strongly limit their topical application. In this study, Prunus spinosa berries were used for the preparation of a hydro-ethanolic extract, which showed antioxidant and antibacterial properties owing to the presence of phenolic compounds. Two types of phospholipid vesicles were developed to improve the applicability as topical formulations. Liposomes and Penetration Enhancer-containing Vesicles were characterized for mean diameter, polydispersity, surface charge, shape, lamellarity, and entrapment efficiency. Additionally, their safety was assayed with different cell models, including erythrocytes and representative skin cell lines.

A Nanotechnological Approach to Exploit and Enhance the Bioactivity of an Extract from Onopordum illyricum L. Leaves.

Plant-derived products have been used for preventive and curative purposes from the ancient era to the present day. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of either multicomponent-based extracts, enriched fractions, or isolated bioactives. However, they often display low solubility and bioavailability, chemical instability, poor absorption, and even toxicity, which restrict application in therapy. The use of drug delivery systems, especially nanocarriers, can overcome these physicochemical and pharmacokinetic limitations. In this study, an extract from Onopordum illyricum leaves was produced by maceration in 80% ethanol, characterized by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and formulated in phospholipid vesicles with the aim of exploiting and possibly enhancing its bioactivity for skin delivery. The results showed that phenolic compounds were abundantly present in the extract, especially hydroxycinnamic acid and flavonol derivatives. The extract-loaded vesicles showed small size (<100 nm), high entrapment efficiency (even >90% for most phenolic compounds), and good long-term stability. Moreover, the extract-loaded vesicles exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by colorimetric assays and by enhanced reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cultured skin cells. Hence, our findings support the key role of nanotechnological approaches to promote the potential of plant extracts and strengthen their application in therapy.

Euphorbia characias Extract: Inhibition of Skin Aging-Related Enzymes and Nanoformulation.

Plant extracts have long served as important sources of bioactive compounds, and they are currently the focus of extensive research in the development of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies. However, their health benefits are often limited by low bioavailability. Nanoparticle delivery systems can represent a solution to such limitations. Euphorbia characias is a Mediterranean shrub known to have biological activities, such as inhibiting tyrosinase and showing a potential role as a skin-whitening agent. In this study, an ethanolic extract from E. characias leaves was tested for its inhibitory activity on skin-related enzymes, such as elastase, collagenase, and hyaluronidase, and for sun protection factors. Moreover, the extract was formulated in phospholipid vesicles to improve its local bioavailability and applicability. The vesicles were characterized by size, surface charge, storage stability, and entrapment efficiency. The nanoformulation was also evaluated for antioxidant activity and assayed for cytocompatibility and anti-tyrosinase activity in melanoma cells. Our findings demonstrated that the extract has a photo-protective effect and enzyme-inhibitory properties. E. characias nanoformulation was also cytocompatible and improved the extract's activity in the cells, suggesting a potential skin application for antimelanogenic treatments and confirming the key role of nanotechnological approaches to maximize plant extract's potentialities.

Liposomal Formulations to Improve Antioxidant Power of Myrtle Berry Extract for Potential Skin Application.

Many substances in plant extracts are known for their biological activities. These substances act in different ways, exerting overall protective effects against many diseases, especially skin disorders. However, plant extracts' health benefits are often limited by low bioavailability. To overcome these limitations, drug delivery systems can be employed. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant power of an ethanolic extract from Myrtus communis L. (myrtle) berries through colorimetric tests (DPPH and FRAP). The antioxidant activity was also verified by using fibroblast cell culture through cellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels measurements. Moreover, the myrtle extract was formulated in phospholipid vesicles to improve its bioavailability and applicability. Myrtle liposomes were characterized by size, surface charge, storage stability, and entrapment efficiency; visualized by using cryo-TEM images; and assayed for cytocompatibility and anti-ROS activity. Our results suggest that myrtle liposomes were cytocompatible and improved the extract's antioxidant power in fibroblasts, suggesting a potential skin application for these formulations and confirming that nanotechnologies could be a valid tool to enhance plant extracts' potentialities.

First characterization of Pompia intrea candied fruit: The headspace chemical profile, polar extract composition and its biological activities.

Extracts obtained from Pompia intrea (PI), a traditional candied fruit whose main ingredient is the pompia fruit (Citrus monstruosa L.) were evaluated for the first time. Volatile compounds were evaluated by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) followed by GC-FID/MS analyses. Polar compounds were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry LC-ESI-Orbitrap-MS/MS and quantified by liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet/visible detection (LC-DAD). The antioxidant activity of these extracts was tested using the FRAP, CUPRAC, ABTS•+ and DPPH● assays. Moreover, their ability to protect intestinal cells against lipid peroxidation was studied. The HS-SPME GC-FID/MS confirmed the presence of typical molecules originating from the fruit (mainly terpenes, but particularly limonene). The LC-DAD and LC-ESI-(HR)MSn profiles showed high levels of neohesperidin (45.7 ±â€¯11.1 mg/L) and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (40.8 ±â€¯23.5 mg/L). The results showed that the PI extracts contained high levels of total phenols and exhibited considerable antioxidant activity, which was significantly correlated to the presence of specific compounds such as neoeriocitrin and neohesperidin. Furthermore, pretreatments with different concentrations of PI extracts preserved enterocytes from oxidative damage by scavenging reactive oxygen species, thus counteracting lipid peroxidation. This study suggests that consumption of PI could provide intake of compounds with ascertained biological activity.

Selected Enzyme Inhibitory Effects of Euphorbia characias Extracts.

Extracts of aerial part of Euphorbia characias were examined to check potential inhibitors for three selected enzymes involved in several metabolic disorders. Water and ethanol extracts from leaves and flowers showed in vitro inhibitory activity toward α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase. IC50 values were calculated for all the extracts and the ethanolic extracts were found to exert the best effect. In particular, for the α-glucosidase activity, the extracts resulted to be 100-fold more active than the standard inhibitor. The inhibition mode was investigated by Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis. E. characias extracts display different inhibition behaviors toward the three enzymes acting as uncompetitive, noncompetitive, and mixed-type inhibitors. Moreover, ethanolic extracts of E. characias showed no cytotoxic activity and exhibited antioxidant capacity in a cellular model. The LC-DAD metabolic profile was also performed and it showed that leaves and flowers extracts contain high levels of quercetin derivatives. The results suggest that E. characias could be a promising source of natural inhibitors of the enzymes involved in carbohydrate uptake disorders and oxidative stress.

Polymer-associated liposomes for the oral delivery of grape pomace extract.

The pomaces from red grapes were used as a source of phenolic antioxidants, which are known to have health-promoting effects. Environmentally-friendly extraction strategies were investigated to improve the rate and recovery of an extract with high phenolic content and antioxidant activity, which were evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH, ABTS(+), CUPRAC and FRAP assays. The extract was incorporated in liposomes, which were stabilized by the addition of a natural polysaccharide, sodium alginate or arabic gum, widely used in pharmaceutical and food industries as thickeners and stabilizers. Results showed that the polymer-associated liposomes were approximately 300nm in size, spherical in shape, and with high entrapment efficiency. The polymers prevented vesicle degradation in the gastric environment, and played a key role in improving liposomes' performances, especially arabic gum. The polymer-associated liposomes were biocompatible and protected Caco-2 cells against oxidative stress. The achieved results suggest a potential application of the polymer-associated liposomes loaded with the grape pomace extract in the nutraceutical field.

Biological Activities of Aerial Parts Extracts of Euphorbia characias.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-HIV, and cholinesterase inhibitory activities of aqueous and alcoholic extracts from leaves, stems, and flowers of Euphorbia characias. The extracts showed a high antioxidant activity and were a good source of total polyphenols and flavonoids. Ethanolic extracts from leaves and flowers displayed the highest inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, showing potential properties against Alzheimer's disease. Antimicrobial assay showed that leaves and flowers extracts were active against all Gram-positive bacteria tested. The ethanolic leaves extract appeared to have the strongest antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus with MIC value of 312.5 µg/mL followed by Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus that also exhibited good sensitivity with MIC values of 1250 µg/mL. Moreover, all the extracts possessed anti-HIV activity. The ethanolic flower extract was the most potent inhibitor of HIV-1 RT DNA polymerase RNA-dependent and Ribonuclease H with IC50 values of 0.26 and 0.33 µg/mL, respectively. The LC-DAD metabolic profile showed that ethanolic leaves extract contains high levels of quercetin derivatives. This study suggests that Euphorbia characias extracts represent a good source of natural bioactive compounds which could be useful for pharmaceutical application as well as in food system for the prevention of the growth of food-borne bacteria and to extend the shelf-life of processed foods.

Volatile profile, phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of virgin olive oils from Croatian autochthonous varieties Masnjaca and Krvavica in comparison with Italian variety Leccino.

Virgin olive oils (VOOs) obtained from the fruits of Croatian autochthonous varieties Masnjaca and Krvavica were extensively characterized for the first time. Investigated oils were compared with the oil obtained from Italian variety Leccino, grown and processed under the same conditions. Headspace volatile profile, tocopherols, chlorophylls, carotenoids and total phenolic content, peroxide value, % acidity, K232, K270 as well as antioxidant activity (DPPH) of the oils' hydrophilic fractions (HFs) including their phenolic composition were assessed by means of HS-SPME/GC-MS, HPLC-FL, HPLC-DAD and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. Most of the studied quality parameters varied between the cultivars. The main volatile compounds detected in all tested olive oils were the C6 compounds derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids through the lipoxygenase pathway. Krvavica oil was characterized by hexanal (8.8%-9.4%). Leccino oil contained the highest percentage of (E)-hex-2-enal (73.4%-74.0%), whereas (Z)-hex-3-enal (21.9%-25.0%) and (E)-hex-2-enal (27.6%-28.9%) dominated in Masnjaca oil. Leccino oil contained the highest amount of tocopherols (312.4 mg/kg), chlorophylls (7.3 mg/kg), carotenoids (4.2 mg/kg) and total phenols (246.6 mg/kg). The HF of Leccino oil showed the highest antioxidant capacity (1.3 mmol TEAC/kg), while the HFs of Masnjaca and Krvavica oils exhibited the activity of 0.5 mmol TEAC/kg.

Comparative analysis of Tunisian wild Crataegus azarolus (yellow azarole) and Crataegus monogyna (red azarole) leaf, fruit, and traditionally derived syrup: phenolic profiles and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the aqueous-acetone extracts.

Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the yellow and red azarole phenolic extracts prepared from leaf, fruit peel/pulp, and syrup were comparatively investigated. The yellow azarole was found significantly richer in polyphenols than the red-fruit species. Hyperoside was the main phenolic in both yellow and red azarole leaves and only in yellow fruits, whereas procyanidin B2 was the major compound in red fruits. Yellow azarole leaf and fruit peel extracts exhibited the strongest antioxidant activities using DPPH (≈168 and 79 µmol TEAC/g fw, respectively) and FRAP (≈378 and 161 µmol Fe(2+)/g fw, respectively) assays. The highest antibacterial activities were recorded for the yellow azarole leaf and fruit peel extracts, especially against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis . The low phenolic content of the syrups contrasted with their significant antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials, which were correlated to their hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) (furan derivative amounts) content.

Antioxidant capacity and vasodilatory properties of Mediterranean food: the case of Cannonau wine, myrtle berries liqueur and strawberry-tree honey.

The aim of this work was to use different assays to evaluate the antioxidant and vasodilatory properties of three typical food products from the Mediterranean area and to correlate these activities with their phenolic content. For this purpose, red wines Cannonau, liqueurs obtained by cold maceration of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) berries and bitter honeys obtained from strawberry-tree flowers (Arbutus unedo L.) were analysed. The total phenolic (TP) content was measured spectrophotometrically with a modified Folin-Ciocalteau method and phenolic compounds were identified and dosed by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS. Antioxidant activities were evaluated with DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assays and the in vitro vasodilatory effects were assessed using norepinephrine precontracted rat aortic rings. Cannonau wines and myrtle liqueurs showed high levels of TP (1978±279 and 1741±150mg GAE/L, respectively), linearly correlated to the results of FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH assays. Their maximal vasodilatory activity was 61.7±4.1% and 53.0±3.0%, respectively. Although strawberry-tree honey contained relatively high levels of phenolic compounds (922±38mg GAE/kg), it did not induce vasodilation, even at the highest dose tested (0.206g/L). These results indicate that foods with high levels of phenolic compounds should be studied using several different biological assays before being recommended to the general public as functional foods.

Flavonoid characterization and antioxidant activity of hydroalcoholic extracts from Achillea ligustica All.

Ethanolic extracts of Achillea ligustica All. (Asteraceae) flowering tops were evaluated. High-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry was used for the identification and quantification of phenolic compounds. 6-Hydroxykaempferol-3,6,4'-trimethyl ether, apigenin-6-C-glucoside-8-C-arabinoside, luteolin, and apigenin were the most abundant flavonoids. For the first time C-glycosylflavones were detected in A. ligustica with apigenin-6-C-glucoside-8-C-arabinoside being the most representative. The radical scavenging activity of the extracts was determined by DPPH test and ranged between 4.18 and 12.3 mM. The ability of these extracts to inhibit non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation was studied using the simple in vitro system of linoleic acid oxidation: five of the nine extracts exerted a protective effect at the lower amount tested (5 microg). Protection on CaCo-2 intestinal cells against TBH-induced toxicity was also investigated: the results showed that two of the extracts tested in this cell system had the ability to protect against oxidative stress induced by TBH starting from concentrations as low as 10 microg/ml.