Effect-Directed Profiling of 17 Different Fortified Plant Extracts by High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography Combined with Six Planar Assays and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

An effect-directed profiling method was developed to investigate 17 different fortified plant extracts for potential benefits. Six planar effect-directed assays were piezoelectrically sprayed on the samples separated side-by-side by high-performance thin-layer chromatography. Multipotent compounds with antibacterial, α-glucosidase, ß-glucosidase, AChE, tyrosinase and/or ß-glucuronidase-inhibiting effects were detected in most fortified plant extracts. A comparatively high level of antimicrobial activity was observed for Eleutherococcus, hops, grape pomace, passiflora, rosemary and Eschscholzia. Except in red vine, black radish and horse tail, strong enzyme inhibiting compounds were also detected. Most plants with anti-α-glucosidase activity also inhibited ß-glucosidase. Green tea, lemon balm and rosemary were identified as multipotent plants. Their multipotent compound zones were characterized by high-resolution mass spectrometry to be catechins, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid and gallic acid. The results pointed to antibacterial and enzymatic effects that were not yet known for plants such as Eleutherococcus and for compounds such as cynaratriol and caffeine. The nontarget effect-directed profiling with multi-imaging is of high benefit for routine inspections, as it provides comprehensive information on the quality and safety of the plant extracts with respect to the global production chain. In this study, it not only confirmed what was expected, but also identified multipotent plants and compounds, and revealed new bioactivity effects.

Correction: Benefits of the ipowder® extraction process applied to Melissa officinalis L.: improvement of antioxidant activity and in vitro gastro-intestinal release profile of rosmarinic acid.

Correction for 'Benefits of the ipowder® extraction process applied to Melissa officinalis L.: improvement of antioxidant activity and in vitro gastro-intestinal release profile of rosmarinic acid' by Valérie Bardot et al., Food Funct., 2020, DOI: 10.1039/c9fo01144g.

Benefits of the ipowder® extraction process applied to Melissa officinalis L.: improvement of antioxidant activity and in vitro gastro-intestinal release profile of rosmarinic acid.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of a new extraction process, the ipowder® technology, applied to Melissa officinalis L. Compared to M. officinalis ground dry leaves, the ipowder® had a similar phytochemical fingerprint but contained twice the concentration of rosmarinic acid (by HPTLC and HPLC) and had a two-fold greater antioxidant activity (DPPH* method). In vitro digestion experiments (TIM-1 model) showed better availability of rosmarinic acid for intestinal absorption with the ipowder® than with ground dry leaves, manifested by a three-fold reduction in the quantity of ingested product needed for delivery of the same amount of rosmarinic acid into the upper gastro-intestinal tract. This study shows that the ipowder® technology preserves all the original plant compounds intact while making some active ingredients more accessible and available to exert their effects. To obtain a given effect, the amount of ipowder® extract to ingest will therefore be lower; a reduction in the daily dosage will be more convenient for the patient and will improve patient compliance with supplementation.

A preliminary assessment of a combination of rhodiola and saffron in the management of mild-moderate depression.

OBJECTIVE: The medicinal plants Rhodiola rosea L. (rhodiola, golden root) and Crocus sativus L. (saffron) have been shown separately to induce significant effects in depression. The objective of this study was to assess a fixed combination of rhodiola and saffron in mild-moderate depression. METHODS: In this observational study conducted with general practitioners (GPs), 45 adults (aged 18-85 years) suffering from mild or moderate depression (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision definition) and reaching a score on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression of 8-18 were supplemented with a combination of rhodiola and saffron extracts (one tablet, 154 mg of rhodiola and 15 mg of saffron; recommended dose two tablets per day for 6 weeks). RESULTS: After 6 weeks (D42) of supplementation, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores (primary outcome) decreased significantly by 58%±28.5% (from 13.6±2.3 at D0 to 5.6±3.8 at D42, P<0.0001; n=41). Score improvement was reported in 85.4% of patients. A significant drop in both Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety and depression scores was also observed at D42, the decrease being significant from 2 weeks of supplementation. At the end of the study, both GPs and patients deemed there was a significant improvement in depression (Clinical Global Impression - improvement and Patient Global Impression of Change). Safety was excellent, and no serious adverse effects were recorded. CONCLUSION: Results of this observational study performed in primary care suggest that the combination of rhodiola and saffron tested could be useful for the management of mild-moderate depression and improve depressive and anxiety symptoms. A double-blind placebo-controlled study is needed to confirm these results.