Biological Activity and Chemical Composition of Propolis Extracts with Potential Use in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Management.

Environmental sustainability is an increasing challenge in the pharmaceutical field, leading to the search for eco-friendly active ingredients. Among natural ingredients, propolis arises as an excellent alternative, being a complex substance with pharmacological properties. This work aims to explore the potential of propolis as a new pharmaceutical ingredient for the replacement of conventional vulvovaginal antifungals. Propolis extracts were obtained by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction using different solvents (water, water/ethanol (50:50, v/v), and ethanol). Afterwards, the extracts were characterized regarding total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant/antiradical activities, radical scavenging capacity, antifungal activity against strains of Candida species, and viability effect on two female genital cell lines. The aqueous extract achieved the best TPC result as well as the highest antioxidant/antiradical activities and ability to capture reactive oxygen species. A total of 38 phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC, among which ferulic acid, phloridzin and myricetin predominated. Regarding the anti-Candida spp. activity, the aqueous and the hydroalcoholic extracts achieved the best outcomes (with MIC values ranging between 128 and 512 µg/mL). The cell viability assays confirmed that the aqueous extract presented mild selectivity, while the hydroalcoholic and alcoholic extracts showed higher toxicities. These results attest that propolis has a deep potential for vulvovaginal candidiasis management, supporting its economic valorization.

Assessment of the Antioxidant Capacity of Commercial Coffee Using Conventional Optical and Chromatographic Methods and an Innovative Electrochemical DNA-Based Biosensor.

As one of the most popular beverages in the world, coffee is a rich source of non-enzymatic bioactive compounds with antioxidant capacity. In this study, twelve commercial coffee beverages found in local Portuguese markets were assessed to determine their total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as their antioxidant capacity, by conventional optical procedures, namely, ferric reducing antioxidant power and DPPH-radical scavenging assay, and non-conventional procedures such as a homemade DNA-based biosensor against two reactive radicals: HO• and H2O2. The innovative DNA-based biosensor comprised an adenine-rich oligonucleotide adsorbed onto a carbon paste electrode. This method detects the different peak intensities generated by square-wave voltammetry based on the partial damage to the adenine layer adsorbed on the electrode surface by the free radicals in the presence/absence of antioxidants. The DNA-based biosensor against H2O2 presented a higher DNA layer protection compared with HO• in the presence of the reference gallic acid. Additionally, the phenolic profiles of the twelve coffee samples were assessed by HPLC-DAD, and the main contributors to the exhibited antioxidant capacity properties were caffeine, and chlorogenic, protocatechuic, neochlorogenic and gallic acids. The DNA-based sensor used provides reliable and fast measurements of antioxidant capacity, and is also cheap and easy to construct.

The neuroprotective effect of traditional Chinese medicinal plants-A critical review.

Neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases are increasingly affecting individuals' quality of life, thus increasing their cost to social and health systems. These diseases have overlapping mechanisms, such as oxidative stress, protein aggregation, neuroinflammation, neurotransmission impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction, and excitotoxicity. Currently, there is no cure for neurodegenerative diseases, and the available therapies have adverse effects and low efficacy. For neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, the current therapies are not adequate to one-third of the patients, the so-called treatment-resistant patients. So, searching for new treatments is fundamental. Medicinal plants appear as a strong alternative and complement towards new treatment protocols, as they have been used for health purposes for thousands of years. Thus, the main goal of this review is to revisit the neuroprotective potential of some of the most predominant medicinal plants (and one fungus) used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), focusing on their proven mechanisms of action and their chemical compositions, to give clues on how they can be useful against neurodegeneration progression.

Development of an electrochemical DNA-based biosensor for the detection of the cardiovascular pharmacogenetic-altering SNP CYP2C9*3.

Cardiovascular diseases are among the major causes of mortality and morbidity. Warfarin is often prescribed for these disorders, an anticoagulant with inter and intra-dosage variability dose required to achieve the target international normalized ratio. Warfarin presents a narrow therapeutic index, and due to its variability, it can often be associated with the risk of hemorrhage, or in other patients, thromboembolism. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms are included in the causes that contribute to this variability. The Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9*3 genetic polymorphism modifies its enzymatic activity, and hence warfarin's plasmatic concentration. Thus, the need for a selective, rapid, low-cost, and real-time detection device is crucial before prescribing warfarin. In this work, a disposable electrochemical DNA-based biosensor capable of detecting CYP2C9*3 polymorphism was developed. By analyzing genomic databases, two specific 78 base pairs DNA probes; one with the wild-type adenine (Target-A) and another with the cytosine (Target-C) single-nucleotide genetic variation were designed. The biosensor implied the immobilization on screen-printed gold electrodes of a self-assembled monolayer composed by mercaptohexanol and a linear CYP2C9*3 DNA-capture probe. To improve the selectivity and avoid secondary structures a sandwich format of the CYP2C9*3 allele was designed using complementary fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled signaling DNA probe and enzymatic amplification of the electrochemical signal. Chronoamperometric measurements were performed at a range of 0.015-1.00 nM for both DNA targets achieving limit of detection of 42 p.m. The developed DNA-based biosensor was able to discriminate between the two synthetic target DNA targets, as well as the targeted denatured genomic DNA, extracted from volunteers genotyped as non-variant homozygous (A/A) and heterozygous (A/C) of the CYP2C9*3 polymorphism.

Metabolomic insights into phenolics-rich chestnut shells extract as a nutraceutical ingredient - A comprehensive evaluation of its impacts on oxidative stress biomarkers by an in-vivo study.

The present study attempted for the first time to explore the effects of the daily oral intake of a phenolics-rich extract from chestnut shells (CS) on the metabolomic profiling of rat tissues by liquid chromatography coupled to Orbitrap-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) targeted to polyphenolics and their metabolites and screen potential oxidative stress biomarkers, validating its use as a promising nutraceutical ingredient with outstanding antioxidant properties for the prevention and co-therapy of lifestyle-related diseases triggered by oxidative stress. The results demonstrated new insights into the metabolomic fingerprinting of polyphenols from CS, confirming their absorption and biotransformation by phase I (hydrogenation) and II (glucuronidation, methylation, and sulfation) enzymes. Phenolic acids were the main polyphenolic class, followed by hydrolyzable tannins, flavanols, and lignans. In contrast to the liver, sulfated conjugates were the principal metabolites reaching the kidneys. The multivariate data analysis predicted an exceptional contribution of polyphenols and their microbial and phase II metabolites to the in-vivo antioxidant response of the CS extract in rats, recommending its use as an appealing source of anti-aging molecules for nutraceuticals. This is the first study that explored the relation between metabolomic profiling of rat tissues and in-vivo antioxidant effects after oral treatment with a phenolics-rich CS extract.

A commercial blend of macroalgae and microalgae promotes digestibility, growth performance, and muscle nutritional value of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) juveniles.

Algae can leverage aquaculture sustainability and improve the nutritional and functional value of fish for human consumption, but may pose challenges to carnivorous fish. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of a commercial blend of macroalgae (Ulva sp. and Gracilaria gracilis) and microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris and Nannochloropsis oceanica) in a plant-based diet up to 6% (dry matter basis) on digestibility, gut integrity, nutrient utilization, growth performance, and muscle nutritional value of European seabass juveniles. Fish (11.3 ± 2.70 g) were fed with isoproteic, isolipidic, and isoenergetic diets: (i) a commercial-type plant-based diet with moderate fishmeal (125 g kg-1 DM basis) and without algae blend (control diet; Algae0), (ii) the control diet with 2% algae blend (Algae2), (iii) the control diet with 4% algae blend (Algae4), and (iv) the control diet with 6% algae blend (Algae6) for 12 weeks. The digestibility of experimental diets was assessed in a parallel study after 20 days. Results showed that most nutrients and energy apparent digestibility coefficients were promoted by algae blend supplementation, with a concomitant increase in lipid and energy retention efficiencies. Growth performance was significantly promoted by the algae blend, the final body weight of fish fed Algae6 being 70% higher than that of fish fed Algae0 after 12 weeks, reflecting up to 20% higher feed intake of algae-fed fish and the enhanced anterior intestinal absorption area (up to 45%). Whole-body and muscle lipid contents were increased with dietary algae supplementation levels by up to 1.79 and 1.74 folds in Algae 6 compared to Algae0, respectively. Even though the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids was reduced, the content of EPA and DHA in the muscle of algae-fed fish increased by nearly 43% compared to Algae0. The skin and filet color of juvenile European seabass were significantly affected by the dietary inclusion of the algae blend, but changes were small in the case of muscle, meeting the preference of consumers. Overall results highlight the beneficial effects of the commercial algae blend (Algaessence®) supplementation in plant-based diets for European seabass juveniles, but feeding trials up to commercial-size fish are needed to fully assess its potential.

Lycium barbarum Berries (Solanaceae) as Source of Bioactive Compounds for Healthy Purposes: A Review.

Lycium barbarum L. is a species widely used in dietary supplements and natural healthcare products. The berries, also known as goji or wolfberries, mostly grow in China, but recent reports on their outstanding bioactive properties have increased their popularity and cultivation around the world. Goji berries are a remarkable source of phenolic compounds (such as phenolic acids and flavonoids), carotenoids, organic acids, carbohydrates (fructose and glucose), and vitamins (ascorbic acid). Several biological activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, prebiotic, and anticancer activities, have been associated with its consumption. Hence, goji berries were highlighted as an excellent source of functional ingredients with promising applications in food and nutraceutical fields. This review aims to summarize the phytochemical composition and biological activities, along with various industrial applications, of L. barbarum berries. Simultaneously, the valorization of goji berries by-products, with its associated economic advantages, will be emphasized and explored.

Towards DNA-Based Methods Analysis for Honey: An Update.

Honey is a natural product widely consumed all over the world due to its relationship with healthy benefits. Additionally, environmental and ethical issues have a higher weight in the consumer's choice to buy honey as a natural product. Following the high demand of this product, several approaches have been suggested and developed aiming at the assessment of honey's quality and authenticity. Target approaches, such as pollen analysis, phenolic compounds, sugars, volatile compounds, organic acids, proteins, amino acids, minerals, and trace elements, showed an efficacy, particularly concerning the honey origin. However, a special highlight is given to DNA markers, due to their useful applicability in environmental and biodiversity studies, besides the geographical, botanical, and entomological origins. Different DNA target genes were already explored for addressing diverse sources of honey DNA, with DNA metabarcoding attaining a relevant importance. This review aims to describe the latest advances on DNA-based methods applied in honey related studies, identifying the research needs for the development of new and additional required methodologies, and to select the most adequate tools for future research projects.

Appraisal of a new potential antioxidants-rich nutraceutical ingredient from chestnut shells through in-vivo assays - A targeted metabolomic approach in phenolic compounds.

Chestnut (Castanea sativa) shells (CSS) are a source of bioactive compounds with well demonstrated in-vitro antioxidant properties. Nevertheless, no in-vivo studies have already evaluated this effect. This study evaluated the effects of the oral daily administration of an eco-friendly CSS extract (50 and 100 mg/kg per body weight (b.w.)) to rats regarding in-vivo antioxidant activity, glucose and lipids levels, and metabolomic profiling of polyphenols by LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS. The results demonstrated the in-vivo antioxidant properties in the animals liver, kidney and blood serum, as well as protective effects against hemolysis and rising of blood glucose and lipids levels. New insights on metabolomic profiling of polyphenols proved their absorption and further biotransformation by phase I (hydrogenation and hydroxylation) and II reactions (glucuronidation, methylation and sulfation). This is the first study that attempted to validate a novel nutraceutical ingredient extracted from CSS byin-vivoassays, corroborating the outcomes screened by in-vitro assays.

New Perspectives on the Sustainable Employment of Chestnut Shells as Active Ingredient against Oral Mucositis: A First Screening.

Oral mucositis (OM), a common side effect of oncological treatment, is an oral mucosal disorder characterized by painful ulcerations and increased risk of infection. The use of natural antioxidants to suppress the redox imbalance responsible for the OM condition has emerged as an interesting approach to prevent/treat OM. This study aims to explore the chestnut (Castana sativa) shells as potential active ingredient against OM. Therefore, chestnut shells were extracted at different temperatures (110-180 °C) by Subcritical Water Extraction (SWE), aiming to recover antioxidants. The extracts were also evaluated against microorganisms present in the oral cavity as well as on human oral cell lines (TR146 and HSC3). The highest phenolic content was obtained with the extraction temperature of 110 °C, exhibiting the best antioxidant/antiradical activities and scavenging efficiencies against HOCl (IC50 = 4.47 µg/mL) and ROO• (0.73 µmol TE/mg DW). High concentrations of phenolic acids (e.g., gallic and protocatechuic acids) and flavanoids (catechin, epicatechin and rutin) characterized the phenolic profile. The antimicrobial activity against several oral microorganisms present in the oral cavity during OM, such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Escherichia, was demonstrated. Finally, the effects on HSC3 and TR146 cell lines revealed that the extract prepared at 110 °C had the lowest IC50 (1325.03 and 468.15 µg/mL, respectively). This study highlights the potential effects of chestnut shells on OM.

Insights into the 3D In Vitro Permeability and In Vivo Antioxidant Protective Effects of Kiwiberry Leaf Extract: A Step Forward to Human Nutraceutical Use.

Actinidia arguta (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq. (kiwiberry) leaves are a source of phenolic compounds with pro-health biological effects, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Despite the huge number of studies reporting the composition of A. arguta leaves, no in vitro or in vivo studies explore its potential use as nutraceutical ingredient based on these activities. Therefore, this study aims to characterize the safety profile of kiwiberry leaf extracts using in vitro and in vivo approaches through the assessment of intestinal cell viability (Caco-2 and HT29-MTX), 3D intestinal permeation, and, most important, the redox markers, biochemical profile and liver and kidney function effects after the animal assays. Briefly, wistar rats were orally treated for 7 days with kiwiberry leaf extracts (50 and 75 mg/kg bw), water (negative control), or vitamin C (positive control). The cell viability was above 90% at 1000 µg/mL for both cells. Coumaroyl quinic acid and rutin achieved a permeation higher than 25% in the 3D intestinal model. The animal studies confirmed the extracts' ability to increase superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase content in animals' livers and kidneys while simultaneously decreasing the triglycerides content. This study highlighted the antioxidant capacity of kiwiberry leaf extracts, ensuring their efficacy and safety as a nutraceutical ingredient.

Valorization of Phenolic and Carotenoid Compounds of Sechium edule (Jacq. Swartz) Leaves: Comparison between Conventional, Ultrasound- and Microwave-Assisted Extraction Approaches.

Chayote leaves are known for culinary and traditional medicine applications. This work intended to recover carotenoids and phenolic compounds from chayote leaves using the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). A Box-Behnken design was employed to investigate the impact of extraction time, temperature, and ultrasonic power on the recovery of total carotenoids, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activities. For comparative purposes, chayote leaf extracts were prepared by maceration (ME) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), using the same time and temperature conditions optimized by UAE. Extraction at 50 °C and 170 Watts for 30 min provided the optimal UAE conditions. UAE showed better extraction efficacy than ME and MAE. The HPLC analysis of the extracts showed that the xanthophyll class was the main class of carotenoids, which constituted 42-85% of the total carotenoid content, followed by ß-carotene and tocopherol. Moreover, 26 compounds, classified as phenolic acids, flavonols, flavonoids and other polar compounds, were identified in the chayote leaf extracts. Flavonols accounted for 55% of the total compounds quantified (the major compound was myricetin) and phenolic acids represented around 35%, mostly represented by ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid and (+)-catechin. This study revealed the potential of UAE as an effective green extraction technique to recover bioactive compounds from chayote leaves, for food, and for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.

Association between Elevated Iodine Intake and IQ among School Children in Portugal.

The goal of this work was to examine whether elevated iodine intake was associated with adverse effects on IQ among school-age children in Portugal. In a representative sample of children from the north of the country, IQ percentiles by age (assessed with Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices) were dichotomized to <50 ("below-average" IQs) and ≥50. Morning urine iodine concentrations, corrected for creatinine, were dichotomized to <250 µg/g and ≥250 µg/g, according to the European Commission/Scientific Committee on Food's tolerable upper level of daily iodine intake for young children. Data were examined with Chi-square tests, logistic regression, and GLM univariate analysis. The sample (N = 1965) was classified as generally iodine-adequate (median urinary iodine concentration = 129 µg/L; median iodine-to-creatinine ratio = 126 µg/g) according to the WHO's criteria. A greater proportion of children in the ≥250 µg/g group had below-average IQs, compared to children with less than 250 µg/g (p = 0.037), despite a sizable (though non-significant) proportion of children in the less-than-250 µg/g group also presenting below-average IQs, at the bottom of the iodine distribution (<50 µg/g). The proportion of below-average IQs increased with increasingly elevated iodine concentrations (p = 0.047). The association remained significant after the adjustment for confounders, with the elevated iodine group showing increased odds of having below-average IQs when compared with the non-elevated iodine group (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.11−2.17; p = 0.011). Consistently, the former group presented a lower mean IQ than the latter (p = 0.006). High iodine intake was associated with lower IQs even in a population classified as iodine-adequate. These results bear on child cognition and on initiatives involving iodine supplementation.

Fluoxetine and Nutrients Removal from Aqueous Solutions by Phycoremediation.

The tertiary treatment using microalgae offers an attractive alternative to the removal of low but relevant concentrations of pharmaceuticals from domestic wastewaters. The removal of fluoxetine from aqueous solutions by living and non-living (lyophilized) Chlorella vulgaris was assessed. The determination of the pH at the point of zero charge, Fourier transmittance infrared analysis, and scanning electron microscopy were performed to characterize the microalgae biomass. Kinetic and equilibrium experiments were performed. The pseudo-second-order model described the kinetics of fluoxetine. The corresponding kinetic constants indicated that biosorption was faster onto non-living biomass than onto living biomass. The equilibrium results showed that the systems followed the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum capacity of living microalgae (1.9 ± 0.1 mg·g-1) was slightly higher than the non-living microalgae (1.6 ± 0.2 mg·g-1). Living Chlorella vulgaris, free and immobilized in calcium-alginate, were also used to remove fluoxetine and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from treated municipal wastewater in a batch system. In both experiments, fluoxetine was completely removed within six days. The total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiencies achieved for free and immobilized cells were, null and 65.0 ± 0.1%, and 86.2 ± 0.1% and 81.8 ± 3.1, respectively.

Natural Products for the Prevention and Treatment of Oral Mucositis-A Review.

Cancer, a major world public health problem, is associated with chemotherapy treatments whose administration leads to secondary concerns, such as oral mucositis (OM). The OM disorder is characterized by the presence of ulcers in the oral mucosa that cause pain, bleeding, and difficulty in ingesting fluids and solids, or speaking. Bioactive compounds from natural sources have arisen as an effective approach for OM. This review aims to summarize the new potential application of different natural products in the prevention and treatment of OM in comparison to conventional ones, also providing a deep insight into the most recent clinical studies. Natural products, such as Aloe vera, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Camellia sinensis, Calendula officinalis, or honeybee crops, constitute examples of sources of bioactive compounds with pharmacological interest due to their well-reported activities (e.g., antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, or wound healing). These activities are associated with the bioactive compounds present in their matrix (such as flavonoids), which are associated with in vivo biological activities and minimal or absent toxicity. Finally, encapsulation has arisen as a future opportunity to preserve the chemical stability and the drug bioa vailability of bioactive compounds and, most importantly, to improve the buccal retention period and the therapeutic effects.

Increasing the added value of vine-canes as a sustainable source of phenolic compounds: A review.

Grapes represent one of the most produced fruit crops around the world leading to the generation of large amounts of vine-canes as a side product, with no current economically profitable application. However, vine-canes have been demonstrated to be natural sources of phenolic compounds with numerous health benefits associated, with several potential applications. Therefore, new ambitious applications focused on their re-use are needed, targeting a sustainable process that simultaneous produces functional products and mitigates the waste generation. This review gives to the readers a complete summary about the state of the art regarding the vine-canes extracts research. Vine-canes phenolic composition is addressed and related to the health benefits exhibited. This review comprises studies from the past two decades reporting the extraction processes to recover vine-cane phenolic compounds, including conventional and environmentally friendly technologies and discussing their advantages and disadvantages. The conditions that favour the extraction process for vine-cane polyphenols for each technique were also deeply explored for the first time, enabling to the reader apply only the best parameters to achieve the highest yields without huge investment in optimizations procedures. Furthermore, a correlation between the bioactive properties of the vine-cane extracts and their applications in multiple fields is also critically presented.

Multi-target neuroprotective effects of herbal medicines for Alzheimer's disease.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, but its treatment options remain few and ineffective. To find new therapeutic strategies, natural products have gained interest due to their neuroprotective potential, being able to target different pathological hallmarks associated with this disorder. Several plant species are traditionally used due to their empirical neuroprotective effects and it is worth to explore their mechanism of action. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study intended to explore the neuroprotective potential of seven traditional medicinal plants, namely Scutellaria baicalensis, Ginkgo biloba, Hypericum perforatum, Curcuma longa, Lavandula angustifolia, Trigonella foenum-graecum and Rosmarinus officinalis. The safety assessment with reference to pesticides residues was also aimed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Decoctions prepared from these species were chemically characterized by HPLC-DAD and screened for their ability to scavenge four different free radicals (DPPH•, ABTS•+, O2•‒ and •NO) and to inhibit enzymes related to neurodegeneration (cholinesterases and glycogen synthase kinase-3ß). Cell viability through MTT assay was also evaluated in two different brain cell lines, namely non-tumorigenic D3 human brain endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) and NSC-34 motor neurons. Furthermore, and using GC, 21 pesticides residues were screened. RESULTS: Regarding chemical composition, chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of several flavonoids, phenolic acids, curcuminoids, phenolic diterpenoids, one alkaloid and one naphthodianthrone in the seven decoctions. All extracts were able to scavenge free radicals and were moderate glycogen synthase kinase-3ß inhibitors; however, they displayed weak to moderate acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition. G. biloba and L. angustifolia decoctions were the less cytotoxic to hCMEC/D3 and NSC-34 cell lines. No pesticides residues were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The results extend the knowledge on the potential use of plant extracts to combat multifactorial disorders, giving new insights into therapeutic avenues for Alzheimer's disease.

Seaweeds rehydration and boiling: Impact on iodine, sodium, potassium, selenium, and total arsenic contents and health benefits for consumption.

Considering the importance of seaweeds for the development of sustainable and innovative food products, this study aimed to characterize the impact of hydrothermal processing on iodine, sodium, potassium, selenium, and arsenic concentrations of four seaweed species (S. latissima, L. digitata, U. pinnatifida, and C. crispus) and on the associated health risks-benefits for consumers. These elements revealed a common pattern for leachable fractions of iodine, total arsenic, and selenium: L. digitata ≥ S. latissima > C. crispus > U. pinnatifida after rehydration and boiling during different periods. The behavior for sodium was: S. latissima > L. digitata > C. crispus > U. pinnatifida, and for potassium: U. pinnatifida > L. digitata > S. latissima > C. crispus. Generally, the species that attained more significant losses were S. latissima and L. digitata. A health-relevant sodium/potassium ratio below 0.7 was found for all species except for U. pinnatifida. In some species, the risk-benefit analysis revealed that high iodine and arsenic levels might promote risks for consumption, even after 20 min boiling, but 5 g of processed U. pinnatifida could contribute to adequate iodine, sodium, potassium, and selenium intakes for all population groups. Standardized processing treatments of seaweeds can open new opportunities for the sector.

An Insight into Kiwiberry Leaf Valorization: Phenolic Composition, Bioactivity and Health Benefits.

During kiwiberry production, different by-products are generated, including leaves that are removed to increase the fruit's solar exposure. The aim of this work was to extract bioactive compounds from kiwiberry leaf by employing microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). Compatible food solvents (water and ethanol) were employed. The alcoholic extract contained the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents (629.48 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per gram of plant material on dry weight (dw) (GAE/g dw) and 136.81 mg of catechin equivalents per gram of plant material on dw (CAE/g dw), respectively). Oppositely, the hydroalcoholic extract achieved the highest antioxidant activity and scavenging activity against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (IC50 = 29.10 µg/mL for O2•-, IC50 = 1.87 µg/mL for HOCl and IC50 = 1.18 µg/mL for •NO). The phenolic profile showed the presence of caffeoylquinic acids, proanthocyanidin, and quercetin in all samples. However, caffeoylquinic acids and quercetin were detected in higher amounts in the alcoholic extract, while proanthocyanidins were prevalent in the hydroalcoholic extract. No adverse effects were observed on Caco-2 viability, while the highest concentration (1000 µg/mL) of hydroalcoholic and alcoholic extracts conducted to a decrease of HT29-MTX viability. These results highlight the MAE potentialities to extract bioactive compounds from kiwiberry leaf.

Interactions between Ginkgo biloba L. and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in multicomponent mixtures towards cholinesterase inhibition and ROS scavenging.

This study gives new insights to understand the type of interactions between Ginkgo biloba L. and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, two Chinese medicinal plants with well documented neuroprotective effects, on three targets in Alzheimer's disease (AD): acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholnesterase (BuChE) inhibition and hydrogen peroxide scavenging. Individual samples, binary mixtures with different proportions of both plant species, and also a commercial multicomponent combination containing both plants together with unroasted Coffea arabica L. and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside were used to perform this in vitro evaluation. Sample phenolic profiles were also determined by HPLC-DAD, showing the presence of several flavonoid glycosides, phenolic acids and a methylxanthine. In order to investigate the possible synergism/antagonism interaction, data obtained were analyzed by CompuSyn software. The results showed that G. biloba and S. baicalensis alone display better activities than in mixtures, most of the interactions exhibiting different degrees of antagonism. A slight synergism interaction was only observed for the commercial multicomponent mixture tested against H2O2. Further analysis was carried out to understand which compounds could be responsible for the antagonistic interaction. Seventeen single pure compounds present in all extracts were tested against AChE inhibition, most of them displaying weak or no activity. Only caffeine had a remarkable activity. Five different binary and quaternary mixture compositions were design to deepen the interaction between these compounds, revealing mainly phenolic acid-flavonoid, flavonoid-flavonoid and methylxanthine-flavonoid-phenolic acid antagonistic interactions. These results clearly show that, for the targets evaluated, there is no potentiation of the neuroprotective effect by combining S. baicalensis and G. biloba extracts.