Comparative Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Several Conifer Needles and Bark Extracts.

Nowadays, an increased concern regarding using natural products for their health benefits can be observed. The aim of this study was to assess and compare several phenolic compounds found in 15- to 60-year-old Douglas fir, silver fir, larch, pine, and spruce needle and bark extracts and to evaluate their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Spectrophotometric assays were used to determine the total polyphenol content and the antioxidant activity that was assessed by using the DPPH• radical scavenging assay (RSA), the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), and the ABTS•+ radical cation scavenging assay (ABTS). The phytochemical content was determined by using high-performance liquid chromatography, and the antimicrobial activity was determined by assessing the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC). The results of the study show a total polyphenol content of 62.45-109.80 mg GAE/g d.w. and an antioxidant activity of 91.18-99.32% for RSA, 29.16-35.74 µmol TE/g d.w. for FRAP, and 38.23-53.57 µmol TE/g d.w. for ABTS. The greatest quantity of phenolic compound for most of the extracts was for (+)-catechin, and it had values between 165.79 and 5343.27 µg/g d.w. for these samples. The antimicrobial inhibition for all the extracts was the strongest for Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 62.5-125 µg/mL). The extracts analyzed could be used for their bioactive potential after further investigations.

Sodium Alginate-Natural Microencapsulation Material of Polymeric Microparticles.

From the multitude of materials currently available on the market that can be used in the development of microparticles, sodium alginate has become one of the most studied natural anionic polymers that can be included in controlled-release pharmaceutical systems alongside other polymers due to its low cost, low toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability and gelatinous die-forming capacity in the presence of Ca2+ ions. In this review, we have shown that through coacervation, the particulate systems for the dispensing of drugs consisting of natural polymers are nontoxic, allowing the repeated administration of medicinal substances and the protection of better the medicinal substances from degradation, which can increase the capture capacity of the drug and extend its release from the pharmaceutical form.

In Vitro and Human Pilot Studies of Different Topical Formulations Containing Rosa Species for the Treatment of Psoriasis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical profile and antioxidant properties of the extracts from three Rosa species (R. canina, R. damascena, R. cairo), to develop and investigate topical formulations with lyophilized forms of extracts for the treatment of psoriasis. Phytochemical screening and in vitro total antioxidant capacity (DPPH, FRAP, CUPRAC, SOD) of studied samples were examined and compared. Lyophilized extracts of roses were dissolved in Transcutol HP and different formulations of creams were prepared. Franz diffusion method was used to evaluate the drug release and biocompatibility was tested on HaCaT cells. Rosa damascene had the best results regarding all the analyses that were conducted. After the evaluation of topical products, the formulation with Rosa damascena extract in a self-emulsifying drug delivery system was tested on a human clinical study that involved 20 patients. At the end of the clinical study an improvement in the quality of life of the patients was observed and erythema, induration and scaling were reduced. The present study indicates that our examined extracts exhibited great phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and safety profile of topical formulation and therefore can be used as a reliable source of natural antioxidants and may be used as a complementary treatment to improve the quality life of patients with psoriasis or may be tested on another diseases.

Valorization of Grape Pomace and Berries as a New and Sustainable Dietary Supplement: Development, Characterization, and Antioxidant Activity Testing.

Grape pomace and berries represent natural sources of phytochemicals that can increase the quality of life of consumers by contributing to the prevention of chronic diseases; thus, the development of a dietary supplement was necessary. The raw material (r.m.) used for the development of the dietary supplement consisted of dried and powdered bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), red currants (Ribes rubrum L.), and red fermented pomaces (Vitis vinifera L.) from Feteasca Neagra and Cabernet Sauvignon cultivars. The particle size distribution, powder flow, total phenolic content (TPC), HPLC-DAD phenolic profile assessment, and radical scavenging assay (RSA) were employed for the analysis of the raw material. After encapsulation, the average mass and uniformity of mass, the disintegration, and the uniformity of content for the obtained capsules were performed to obtain a high-quality dietary supplement. All the assays performed complied to the compendial requirements and the TPC was determined at 9.07 ± 0.25 mg gallic acid equivalents/g r.m. and RSA at 48.32 ± 0.74%. The highest quantities of phenolic compounds determined were 333.7 ± 0.50 µg/g r.m. for chlorogenic acid, followed by rutin, ferulic acid, and (+)-catechin with 198.9 ± 1.60 µg/g r.m., 179.8 ± 0.90 µg/g r.m. and 118.7 ± 0.75 µg/g r.m., respectively. The results of this study can be used for the manufacturing and assessing of pilot scale-up capsule batches and thinking of quality assurance, we recommend that the industrial batch extracts should be standardized in polyphenols, and the manufacturing process should be validated.

Physalis alkekengi L. Extract Reduces the Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Apoptosis in Endothelial Vascular Cells Exposed to Hyperglycemia.

To find new natural remedies in diabetes, this study investigated the biological activity of two extracts obtained from the fruits (PhyF) and herba (PhyH) of Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii L. on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to normo- and hyperglycemic conditions. The biological effect was quantified by malondialdehyde, IL-31 and IL-33 levels in correlation with physico-chemical characterization and antioxidant activity. Additionally, from PhyP extract, the caspase-3, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nuclear transcription factor NFkB expressions were evaluated. HPLC analysis revealed a significant number of phenolic compounds, especially in PhyF extract, with a good antioxidant activity as highlighted by TEAC, CUPRAC or DPPH methods. On HUVECS cells, the extracts were not toxic even at high concentrations. Particularly PhyF extract, diminished lipid peroxidation and inhibited the IL-31 and IL-33 secretions induced by hyperglycemia. The inhibitory effect on proinflammatory cytokines was noticed after both doses of PhyF extract in parallel with the upregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Moreover, PhyF, especially in a low dose, reduced caspase-3 active form. These experimental findings suggest that Physalis fruits extract exerted beneficial effects in hyperglycemia by inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis being a good adjuvant option in diabetes.

Congenital anomalies of digits - a clinical-epidemiological study of 301 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital anomalies of digits (CAD) can occur as isolated malformations, in combination with other malformation of the limbs, or as part of a genetic syndrome. The purpose of this work is to provide an overview of CAD, on morphological, genetic and epidemiological basis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 301 patients with CAD. Following the Swanson classification, the list of anomalies under study included: adactyly and oligodactyly, syndactyly and symphalangism, polydactyly, macrodactyly, amniotic bands syndrome, and generalized skeletal anomalies. RESULTS: In Bihor County, Romania, the Department of Medical Genetics recorded 4916 patients with congenital anomalies (2.03% out of 241 601 live newborns) between 1984 and 2018. Of these, 301 (6.1%) patients had CAD. The prevalence of CAD was 1:800 living newborns. The most common CAD were polydactyly, followed by syndactyly, brachydactyly, adactyly and oligodactyly. Upper extremities were four times more frequently affected than lower extremities, while both upper and lower extremities were affected in a quarter of all cases. CAD were isolated in 64% of patients, while 14% were associated with other anomalies of the extremities and 22% were associated with recognized genetic syndromes. CONCLUSIONS: Our study, by its size and the long period of clinical observation, provides opportunities to generalize and compare our data with similar studies, offering the possibility for improved knowledge of the epidemiology of CAD and potential improvements in genetic counseling.