Chemical Composition, Nutritional Value, Antioxidative, and In Vivo Anti-inflammatory Activities of Opuntia Stricta Cladode.

The cactus family plant has been used in folk medicine for a long time. In this work, Opuntia stricta chemical composition and its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties were investigated. Our results showed that O. stricta is highly rich in fibers and minerals. The present study assessed the levels of polyphenol contents and antioxidant and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities. The highest phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were observed in the methanolic extract. Concerning the qualitative analysis, nine phenolic and organic acids were identified and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Luteolin-7-Glu (4.25 µg/g), apigenin-7-Glu (3.15 µg/g), and catechin (2.85 µg/g) were identified as major phenolic compounds. The predominant fatty acids detected by gas chromatography (GC) coupled to a flame ionization detector were linoleic and linolenic acids (35.11%). A factorial design plan was used to determine the effect of temperature, agitation speed, and maceration period on phenolic contents. In vivo, the methanol extract from Opuntia stricta showed anti-inflammatory activity. The computational modeling reveals that O. stricta compounds bind VEGF, IL-6, and TNF-α with high binding scores that reach -8.7 kcal/mol and establish significant molecular interactions with some key residues that satisfactorily explain both in vitro and in vivo findings. These data indicate that Opuntia stricta cladode powder could be potentially useful in pharmaceutical and food applications.

Nutritional composition, lipid profile and stability, antioxidant activities and sensory evaluation of pasta enriched by linseed flour and linseed oil.

Pasta assortments fortified with high quality foods are a modern nutritional trends. This study, explored the effects of fortification with linseed flour (LF) and linseed oil (LO) on durum wheat pasta characteristics. Wheat flour semolina was replaced with 5%, 10% and 15% of LF or 1%, 2.5% and 5% of LO. Control pasta CP (without LF or LO addition), LF-enriched pasta LFP 5%, LFP 10% and LFP 15% and LO-enriched pasta LOP 1%, LOP 2.5% and LOP 5% was compared for the proteins, fat and phenolic contents and fatty acids (FA) profile. Impact on lipid oxidation and sensory evaluation were also determined. Fortification of pasta with LF improved significantly (p < 0.05) the contents of protein, fat and phenolic compared to CP whereas the enrichment of pasta with LO resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the content of fat and a significant decrease in protein and phenolic contents. All the formulations decreased the saturated FA percent and increased the polyunsaturated FA percent with enhancement of omega-3 FA content. Antioxidant activity measured by FRAP and DPPH assays was improved after the fortification. For lipid oxidation, the replacement of semolina by LF or LO promoted an increase (p < 0.05) on TBARS values in level-dependent manner. Regarding sensory evaluation, the two types of fortification did not affect the taste; flavor and aroma of cooked pasta, but LOP 5% showed the highest score of the overall acceptability. The results recommended the possibility of producing pasta supplemented with LF or LO (even at a level of 15% and 5% respectively) as a functional food.

The Use of D-Optimal Mixture Design in Optimizing Formulation of a Nutraceutical Hard Candy.

The aim of this study was to optimize the formulation of hard candy with antiviral herbal extracts and flowered with Citrus limon peel essential oils. To substitute water fraction, the D-optimal mixture design was used. The optimized mixture fractions of the best hard candy formulation contain Curcuma longa extract (10%), Artemisia herba-alba Asso extract (3.33%), Glycyrrhiza glabra extract (1.66%), and Zingiber officinale extract (1.66%) and flowered by 20 µL/100 gram of Citrus limon essential oils. The effect of the addition had been investigated on the sensory, physicochemical, and phytochemical of the hard candy according to the optimal formulation. The main component of Citrus limon essential oil is limonene (52.47%), which has a pleasant lemon fragrance. The mixture of herbal extract added increased the total phenols, the flavonoid, and the ash content of the formulated hard candy (10.90 ± 0.50 mg GAE/g, 0.054 ± 0.02 mg CE/g, and 0.018 ± 0.009, respectively). The measurement of the DPPH free radical activity reveals a good antioxidant activity (26.4%). Furthermore, the sensory analysis has shown a good appreciation. Thus, formulated hard candy is a sensorially and therapeutically interesting product.

Anti-glycation, antiplatelet and antioxidant effects of different pomegranate parts.

BACKGROUND: Platelet aggregation and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and oxidative stress are known as key factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases and diabetic complications. In this context, fruit and vegetable consumption, good sources of antioxidant compounds have been largely reported as an effective way of preventing human against these diseases. The current study focuses on the evaluation of antioxidant, antiplatelet and anti-glycation activities of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) flowers (PF), leaves (PL), peel (PP) juice (PJ) and seeds oil (PSO). METHODS: Antioxidant activities was measured against ABTS radical and lipid peroxidation. Antiglycation activity was determined using the formation of AGE fluorescence intensity in the BSA/ribose system. Antiplatelet activity was measured in platelet rich plasma (PRP) against adenosine diphosphate (ADP), Collagen and arachidonic acid (AA). RESULTS: PF extract displayed the highest antioxidant activity against ABTS and lipid peroxidation with IC50 values of 0.7 mg/mL and 0.63 mg/mL respectively. For anti-glycation activity, PP, PF and PL inhibited moderately the pentosidine-like AGEs formation compared to positive controls with AGE-IC50 value of 0.4 mg/mL. PJ and PSO haven't any anti-AGE effect. All the extracts selectively inhibited platelet aggregation caused by one, two or three inducers in dose dependent manner. PF was the most potent inhibitor caused by all three inducers, with inhibitory effects ranging from 35.6 to 66.6%. PP and PJ exhibited antiplatelet effect against both ADP and collagen and PL and PSO only against AA. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that some pomegranate extracts exert potential in vitro anti-glycative and antiplatelet activities.

Control of Staphylococcus aureus methicillin resistant isolated from auricular infections using aqueous and methanolic extracts of Ephedra alata.

In the current study the potential use of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Ephedra alata aerial parts as biological control agent against pathogenic bacteria and especially Staphylococcus aureus methicillin resistant isolated from auricular infections was evaluated. Chemical tests and spectrophotometric methods were used for screening and quantification of phytochemicals. The assessment of the antioxidant activity was accomplished by DPPH and ABTS radicals scavenging assays. Extracts were evaluated for their antibacterial efficacy by diffusion and microdilution methods. Biofilm inhibition was tested using XTT assay and the cytotoxicity of extracts was carried out on Vero cell line. The GC-FID analysis revealed that E. alata was rich in unsatured fatty acids. In addition, the aqueous extract had the highest flavonoid and protein contents (30.82 mg QE /g dry extract and 98.92 mg BSAE/g dry extract respectively). However, the methanolic extract had the highest phenolic, sugars and tannins. The antioxidant activity demonstrated that the aqueous extract exhibited the strong potency (IC50 ranged between 0.001 and 0.002 mg/mL). Both extracts displayed antimicrobial activity on Gram negative and positive strains. They were effective against S. aureus isolated from auricular infections. The tested extracts were able to inhibit biofilm formation with concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, no cytotoxic effect on Vero cells line was demonstrated for the extracts. Overall, our findings highlight the potential use of E. alata extract as a novel source of bioactive molecules with antioxidant, antibacterial and antiobiofilm effects for the control of infectious disease especially those associated to S. aureus methicillin resistant.

Growth Inhibitory and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Ornamental Pomegranate Extracts in Du145 Human Prostate Cancer Cells.

Aims: Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in the male. Epidemiological studies have associated increased cancer incidence with reduced consumption of fruit and vegetables. This study was aimed to investigate the influence of dwarf pomegranate extracts (peel, juice, and seeds oil) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human prostate androgen-independent cell line DU145. Methods: The cell viability was determined by the MTT assay. Morphological changes are detected by light microscopy. The ELISA assay is used to evaluate the nuclear DNA fragmentation and western Blot to detect the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins including poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Results: The three tested extracts exhibited a dose-response cytotoxic effect and antiproliferative action on DU145 cell line and induce morphological changes. The dose of each extract required to inhibit cell proliferation by 50% (IC50) was 0.12, 0.36, and 0.42 mg/mL, respectively, for seeds oil, juice, and peel. The three extracts could also induce prostate cancer cell apoptosis by an increase of DNA fragmentation, PARP cleavage, and inhibition of the COX-2 expression. The strongest pro-apoptotic effect was shown after peel treatment. Conclusion: Dwarf pomegranate extracts exhibited potent growth inhibitory activities in human prostate cancer cells (DU145), which appear to be mediated by a pro-apoptotic mechanism.

Dry and wet ozonation of denim: Degradation products, reaction mechanism, toxicity and cytotoxicity assessment.

The study aims to identify the denim ozonation by-products under different operating conditions and investigate the chemical toxicity of these compounds via the inhibitory effect of the sample on the light emission of bioluminescent bacteria (Vibriofischeri) and on human health using the HepG2 human hepatoma cell line. Various by-products in treated denim extract were detected w gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The results revealed that the main oxidation by-product was isatin (1H-indole-2,3-dione), which formed in excess amounts on wet ozonated denim. It was observed that this compound showed more toxicity when high ozone concentrations were used, especially in the presence of moisture. It exhibited a considerable antibacterial activity. EC20 and EC50 average values of 5.55% and 13.47% were obtained with a wet ozonation rinse bath at 48 g/N·m3, which makes it hazardous to aquatic environments.

Oil Characterization and Lipids Class Composition of Pomegranate Seeds.

This study aims to investigate the physicochemical characteristics, phenolics content, and oil composition of pomegranate oil seeds (PSO). Quality indices, pigments, phenolics content, and antioxidant activity were determined. PSO was fractioned into polar lipids: glycolipids (GL) and phospholipids (PL). Sterols profile and fatty acids composition of total lipids (TL), GL, and PL were determined by GC/FID. The free acidity, the peroxide value, and the specific extinction coefficients were, respectively, 1.69%, 3.42 in milliequivalents of active oxygen per kilogram of oil, 4.15, and 3.95. PSO is rich in phenols (93.42 mg/Kg) but poor in pigments. The sterols markers were ß-sitosterol (77.94%), Δ5-avenasterol (7.45%), and campesterol (6.35%). Oil content was 12.2%, wherein 23.9% were GL and 24.35% were PL. TL were rich in unsaturated fatty acids (63.17%), while saturated fatty acids were more present in PL and GL (71.97% and 66.29%, resp.). Conjugated fatty acids were about 13.30%, 2.03%, and 4.91%, respectively, in TL, PL, and GL. The cis/trans ratio of TL, PL, and GL was, respectively, 49.82%, 42.91%, and 27.39%. Monounsaturated fatty acids were more bound in PL, whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids were more bound in GL. PSO is a good source of essential fatty acids, phenolics compounds, phytosterols, and lipid-soluble fractions.

Phytochemical content, Fatty acids composition and antioxidant potential of different pomegranate parts: Comparison between edible and non edible varieties grown in Tunisia.

Few comparative studies were interested between edible and non-edible pomegranate varieties. In the present study, flowers, leaves, juice and peel of two pomegranate varieties, ornamental variety "Nana" (NV) and sweet variety "Tounsi" (TV) were compared for their phenolic contents and antioxidant activity. Seeds oils were compared also for their fatty acids (FA) composition.Results showed that peel and juice of NV contained higher content in tannins, Flavonoids and anthocyanins. In contrast, peel and juice of TV were more concentrated in carotenoids and polyphenols. Flowers extracts of TV contained more polyphenols and flavonoids. However leaves from NV provided more polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Flowers and leaves proved to be the strongest antioxidants for both varieties. For FA composition, NV was more concentrated in Mono-unsaturated FA (MUFA) however TV contained more Di-unsaturated FA (DiUFA). cis-γ-Linolenic acid was the major FA in NV. Contrariwise punicic acid was the predominant in TV.

Effect of pomegranate extracts on brain antioxidant markers and cholinesterase activity in high fat-high fructose diet induced obesity in rat model.

BACKGROUND: To investigate beneficial effects of Pomegranate seeds oil (PSO), leaves (PL), juice (PJ) and (PP) on brain cholinesterase activity, brain oxidative stress and lipid profile in high-fat-high fructose diet (HFD) induced-obese rat. METHODS: In vitro and in vivo cholinesterase activity, brain oxidative status, body and brain weight and plasma lipid profile were measured in control rats, HFD-fed rats and HFD-fed rats treated by PSO, PL, PJ and PP. RESULTS: In vitro study showed that PSO, PL, PP, PJ inhibited cholinesterase activity in dose dependant manner. PL extract displayed the highest inhibitory activity by IC50 of 151.85 mg/ml. For in vivo study, HFD regime induced a significant increase of cholinesterase activity in brain by 17.4% as compared to normal rats. However, the administration of PSO, PL, PJ and PP to HDF-rats decreased cholinesterase activity in brain respectively by 15.48%, 6.4%, 20% and 18.7% as compared to untreated HFD-rats. Moreover, HFD regime caused significant increase in brain stress, brain and body weight, and lipid profile disorders in blood. Furthermore, PSO, PL, PJ and PP modulated lipid profile in blood and prevented accumulation of lipid in brain and body evidenced by the decrease of their weights as compared to untreated HFD-rats. In addition administration of these extract protected brain from stress oxidant, evidenced by the decrease of malondialdehyde (MDA) and Protein carbonylation (PC) levels and the increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the neuroprotective effects of pomegranate extracts and one of mechanisms is the inhibition of cholinesterase and the stimulation of antioxidant capacity.

Characterization of fig achenes' oil of Ficus carica grown in Tunisia.

This work investigated the composition of the oil extract from achenes of "Kholi" variety of Ficus carica, grown in Tunisia. Fatty acid and sterol compositions were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) coupled to flame ionization detector (FID). Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity in fig achenes' oil was assessed by employing two different in vitro assays such as DPPH, ABTS(+) radical scavenging capacities. Our results indicated that the fig achenes' oil is a rich source of bioactive molecules. The soxhlet n-hexane extraction of these achenes produced a total oil yield of 16.24%. The predominant fatty acid was linolenic acid. Concerning phytosterols, the total amount reached 1061.45 mg/100 g with a predominance of Δ(5,23)-stigmastadienol (73.78%). Regarding antioxidant activities, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 215.86 µg/ml and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) was 95.25 mM. These data indicate that fig achenes oil of F. carica could be potentially useful in food and pharmaceutical applications.

Experimental diabetes treated with trigonelline: effect on key enzymes related to diabetes and hypertension, ß-cell and liver function.

Type 2 diabetes is quite diverse, including the improvement of insulin sensitivity by dipeptidylpeptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, α-glucosidase inhibitors, and the protection of ß-cells islet. The aim of this study was to search the effect of trigonelline (Trig) on DPP-4, α-glucosidase and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activities as well as ß-cells architecture, and starch and glucose tolerance test. In surviving diabetic rats, the supplement of Trig potentially inhibited DPP-4 and α-glucosidase activities in both plasma and small intestine. The pancreas islet and less ß-cells damage were observed after the administration of trig to diabetic rats. The increase of GLP-1 in surviving diabetic rats suppressed the increase of blood glucose level and improved results in the oral glucose and starch tolerance test. Trig also normalized key enzyme related to hypertension as ACE and improved the hemoglobin A1c and lipid profiles (plasma triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and total cholesterol), and liver indices toxicity. Therefore, these results revealed that Trig was successful in improving glycemic control, metabolic parameters, and liver function in diabetic rats. It is therefore suggested that Trig may be a potential agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Inhibition of key digestive enzymes related to diabetes and hyperlipidemia and protection of liver-kidney functions by trigonelline in diabetic rats.

Diabetes is a serious health problem and a source of risk for numerous severe complications such as obesity and hypertension. Treatment of diabetes and its related diseases can be achieved by inhibiting key digestive enzymes related to starch and lipid digestion. The findings revealed that the administration of trigonelline to surviving diabetic rats helped to protect the pancreas ß-cells from death and damage. Additionally, the supplement of trigonelline to surviving diabetic rats significantly decreased intestinal α-amylase and maltase by 36 and 52%, respectively, which led to a significant decrease in the blood glucose rate by 46%. Moreover, the administration of trigonelline to surviving diabetic rats potentially inhibited key enzymes of lipid metabolism and absorption such as lipase activity in the small intestine by 56%, which led to a notable decrease in serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) rates and an increase in the HDL cholesterol level. This treatment also improved glucose, maltase, starch, and lipid oral tolerance. Trigonelline was also observed to protect the liver-kidney functions efficiently, which was evidenced by the significant decrease in the serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and creatinine, albumin, and urea rates. The histological analysis of the pancreas, liver, and kidney tissues further established the positive effect of trigonelline. Overall, the findings presented in this study demonstrate that the administration of trigonelline to diabetic rats can make it a potentially strong candidate for industrial application as a pharmacological agent for the treatment of hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and liver-kidney dysfunctions.