Phenolic Content and Bioactivity as Geographical Classifiers of Propolis from Stingless Bees in Southeastern Mexico.

Propolis collected by stingless bees is a valuable biocultural resource and a source of bioactive compounds. Methodologies to establish both the geographic origin and the potential pharmacological activity of propolis of stingless bees are required to regulate their sustainable use. The aim of this study was to classify Melipona beecheii propolis according to its phenolic compound content and potential pharmacological activity, using in vitro assays and statistical methodologies of multivariate analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and principal component analysis. Propolis samples were collected from seven states in southeastern Mexico. Total phenolic content and flavonoids were determined spectrophotometrically, and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities were evaluated. Both total phenolic content and flavonoids, and in vitro bioactivity potential of propolis extracts showed significant variations. Multivariate analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and principal component analysis enabled us to distinguish and classify propolis produced by M. beecheii according to similarity in terms of total phenolic content, in vitro bioactivity potential, and geographical origin. This strategy could be used to establish regulations for sustainable use, marketing, and industrial applications.

Juvenile cannabidiol chronic treatments produce robust changes in metabolic markers in adult male Wistar rats.

The use of cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychotropic compound derived from Cannabis sativa, for therapeutic purposes is growing exponentially by targeting the management of multiple medical disorders, including metabolic-related diseases. Nevertheless, substantial questions have emerged in concerning the potential metabolic disturbances in adulthood as consequence of the long-term uses of CBD during early years of life. Therefore, we studied whether chronic CBD injections (5, 10 or 30 mg/kg; i.p.) given to juvenile rats (from post-natal day [PND] 30) for 14 days might influence in adulthood the activity of metabolic markers, such as glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides as well as activity of antioxidants (DPPH) from plasma, white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), liver, and hypothalamus. Our results showed that adult rats treated during juvenile ages with CBD (5, 10 or 30 mg/kg) for two weeks increased the contents of glucose whereas with no changes on total cholesterol in adulthood were observed. Additionally, a significant decrease in the levels of triglycerides were found in plasma, WAT, BAT, and liver in adult rats treated with chronic injections of CBD during the adolescence. However, unexpectedly, the contents of triglycerides in hypothalamus were found enhanced. Finally, the DPPH assay showed a significant enhancement in triglycerides analyzed from WAT and liver whereas opposite findings were observed in BAT and no significant changes were found in hypothalamus in adult rats that received during the adolescence chronic injections of CBD. In conclusion, repeated CBD administration to juvenile rats induced significant alterations in multiple metabolic markers analyzed in the adulthood. Our findings highlight the relevance of chronic CBD treatment in disturbed metabolic activity and remark the need for studying the underlying mechanisms involved.

Development of nopal-pineapple marmalade formulated with stevia aqueous extract: effect on physicochemical properties, inhibition of alpha-amylase, and glycemia response / Desarrollo de mermelada de piña-nopal formulado con extracto acuoso de estevia: efecto sobre las propiedades fisicoquímicas, inhibición de alpha-amilasa y respuesta glicémica

Introduction: Stevia rebaudiana extracts can be used as a sweetener due to their glycoside content: specifically stevioside and rebaudioside. Both compounds have adequate pharmacological characteristics for human consumption. Objective: the aim of this study was to standardize the formulation of marmalades using nopal-pineapple-stevia aqueous extract ratios. Methods: the products were evaluated to determine their physicochemical properties, in vitro inhibition of α-amylase and glycemia in healthy volunteers. Storage study was conducted for 20 days at room temperature 23-30 °C and relative humidity 80-85%. Results: incorporation of stevia significantly modified physicochemical properties like °Brix, color and flow index. After storage, the presence of molds and bacteria were not detected. Sensory evaluation indicated that marmalade with 50% stevia replacement was equally accepted as marmalade with sucrose. Marmalade with 50 and 100% of stevia inhibited 35.89 and 38.50% of the α-amylase activity. After an intake of 30 g, it seems that marmalades with stevia had a significant effect on the glycemia of the volunteers. Conclusions: however, further studies with larger doses of nopal-pineapple-stevia marmalade and consumed for longer in both healthy volunteers and patients with diabetes are needed to achieve results that are more precise

Introducción: los extractos de Stevia rebaudiana pueden ser utilizados como edulcorante debido a su contenido de glucósidos: específicamente esteviósido y rebaudiósido. Ambos compuestos presentan características farmacológicas adecuadas para el consumo humano. Objetivos: el objetivo del presente trabajo fue estandarizar formulaciones de mermeladas con diferentes proporciones de nopal-piña-extracto acuoso de stevia. Métodos: se estudiaron las propiedades fisicoquímicas de las mermeladas, su capacidad de inhibir in vitro a la enzima α-amilasa y la glicemia en voluntarios sanos. Los estudios de vida de anaquel se efectuaron durante 20 días a temperatura ambiente 23-30 °C y humedad relativa 80-85%. Resultados: la incorporación de estevia modificó significativamente los grados Brix, el color y el índice de flujo de las mermeladas. Concluido el estudio de anaquel, no se observó la presencia de hongos o bacterias. La evaluación sensorial indicó que la mermelada con 50% de estevia fue aceptada con el mismo nivel de agrado que la mermelada con sacarosa. Las mermeladas con 50 y 100% de estevia inhibieron la actividad de la α-amilasa con valores de 35.89% y 38.50%, respectivamente. Posterior a una ingesta de 30 g de mermelada se observó un efecto significativo en la glicemia de voluntarios sanos. Conclusiones: deberán efectuarse estudios de consumo prolongado y de mayores cantidades de mermelada tanto en voluntarios sanos como con diabetes para obtener resultados más precisos

Development of nopal-pineapple marmalade formulated with stevia aqueous extract: effect on physicochemical properties, inhibition of α-amylase, and glycemia response.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: Stevia rebaudiana extracts can be used as a sweetener due to their glycoside content: specifically stevioside and rebaudioside. Both compounds have adequate pharmacological characteristics for human consumption. Objective: the aim of this study was to standardize the formulation of marmalades using nopal-pineapple-stevia aqueous extract ratios. Methods: the products were evaluated to determine their physicochemical properties, in vitro inhibition of α-amylase and glycemia in healthy volunteers. Storage study was conducted for 20 days at room temperature 23-30 °C and relative humidity 80-85%. Results: incorporation of stevia significantly modified physicochemical properties like °Brix, color and flow index. After storage, the presence of molds and bacteria were not detected. Sensory evaluation indicated that marmalade with 50% stevia replacement was equally accepted as marmalade with sucrose. Marmalade with 50 and 100% of stevia inhibited 35.89 and 38.50% of the α-amylase activity. After an intake of 30 g, it seems that marmalades with stevia had a significant effect on the glycemia of the volunteers. Conclusions: however, further studies with larger doses of nopal-pineapple-stevia marmalade and consumed for longer in both healthy volunteers and patients with diabetes are needed to achieve results that are more precise.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: los extractos de Stevia rebaudiana pueden ser utilizados como edulcorante debido a su contenido de glucósidos: específicamente esteviósido y rebaudiósido. Ambos compuestos presentan características farmacológicas adecuadas para el consumo humano. Objetivos: el objetivo del presente trabajo fue estandarizar formulaciones de mermeladas con diferentes proporciones de nopal-piña-extracto acuoso de stevia. Métodos: se estudiaron las propiedades fisicoquímicas de las mermeladas, su capacidad de inhibir in vitro a la enzima α-amilasa y la glicemia en voluntarios sanos. Los estudios de vida de anaquel se efectuaron durante 20 días a temperatura ambiente 23-30 °C y humedad relativa 80-85%. Resultados: la incorporación de estevia modificó significativamente los grados Brix, el color y el índice de flujo de las mermeladas. Concluido el estudio de anaquel, no se observó la presencia de hongos o bacterias. La evaluación sensorial indicó que la mermelada con 50% de estevia fue aceptada con el mismo nivel de agrado que la mermelada con sacarosa. Las mermeladas con 50 y 100% de estevia inhibieron la actividad de la α-amilasa con valores de 35.89% y 38.50%, respectivamente. Posterior a una ingesta de 30 g de mermelada se observó un efecto significativo en la glicemia de voluntarios sanos. Conclusiones: deberán efectuarse estudios de consumo prolongado y de mayores cantidades de mermelada tanto en voluntarios sanos como con diabetes para obtener resultados más precisos.

Antioxidant, antihypertensive, anti-hyperglycemic, and antimicrobial activity of aqueous extracts from twelve native plants of the Yucatan coast.

Looking for a biotechnical potential, aqueous extracts of leaves of 12 native species used in the Mayan traditional medicine of the coastal dune and mangrove of Yucatan (Mexico) were selected to evaluate their biological activities. Rhizophora mangle and Manilkara zapota showed the highest free radical scavenging activity (3.94 ± 0.19 and 6.42 ± 0.32 µg/mL, respectively), and the highest antihypertensive activity was obtained from Solanum donianum (0.38 µg/mL). The anti-hyperglycemic activity of these species was also tested; the highest activities were registered with R. mangle. The antimicrobial activity of Malvaviscus arboreus, S. donianum, M. zapota, and R. mangle at 10% (w/v) was positive against six human pathogenic bacteria and Bonellia macrocarpa against one pathogenic fungus. Solanum donianum, M. zapota, B. macrocarpa, and R. mangle were positive against two pathogenic plant fungi. These results show that the aqueous extracts of five native plants of the Yucatan coast have potential as antioxidants, ACE inhibitors, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors, and as antimicrobials, which make their exploration for utilization in the agricultural and pharmaceutical industries a possibility.

Encapsulation of vegetable oils as source of omega-3 fatty acids for enriched functional foods.

Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (PUFAs), a functional component present in vegetable oils, are generally recognized as being beneficial to health. Omega-3 PUFAs are rich in double bonds and unsaturated in nature; this attribute makes them highly susceptible to lipid oxidation and unfit for incorporation into long shelf life foods. The microencapsulation of oils in a polymeric matrix (mainly polysaccharides) offers the possibility of controlled release of the lipophilic functional ingredient and can be useful for the supplementation of foods with PUFAs. The present paper provides a literature review of different vegetable sources of omega-3 fatty acids, the functional effects of omega-3 fatty acids, different microencapsulation methods that can possibly be used for the encapsulation of oils, the properties of vegetable oil microcapsules, the effect of encapsulation on oxidation stability and fatty acid composition of vegetable oils, and the incorporation of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in foods.

Biological activity of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni and their relationship to health.

The leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni has nutrients and phytochemicals, which make it an adequate source for the extraction and production of functional food ingredients. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest therapeutic and pharmacological applications for stevia and their extracts because they are not toxic and exhibit several biological activities. This review presents the biological activity of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni and their relationship to antidiabetic, anticariogenic, antioxidant, hypotensive, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities. Consumption and adverse effects were also reviewed.

Potential Therapeutic Applications of Mucuna pruriens Peptide Fractions Purified by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography as Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Antioxidants, Antithrombotic and Hypocholesterolemic Agents.

A Mucuna pruriens protein concentrate was hydrolyzed with a digestive (pepsin-pancreatin) enzymatic system. The soluble portion of the hydrolysate was fractionated by ultrafiltration and the ultrafiltered peptide fraction (PF) with lower molecular weight was purified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The PF obtained were evaluated by testing the biological activity in vitro. Fractions showed that the ability to inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme had IC50 values that ranged from 2.7 to 6.2 µg/mL. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity values ranged from 132.20 to 507.43 mM/mg. The inhibition of human platelet aggregation ranged from 1.59% to 11.11%, and the inhibition of cholesterol micellar solubility ranged from 0.24% to 0.47%. Hydrophobicity, size, and amino acid sequence could be factors in determining the biological activity of peptides contained in fractions. This is the first report that M. pruriens peptides act as antihypertensives, antioxidants, and inhibitors for human platelet aggregation and cholesterol micellar solubility in vitro.

The hypolipidemic effect and antithrombotic activity of Mucuna pruriens protein hydrolysates.

Hydrolysates and peptide fractions (PF) obtained from M. pruriens protein concentrates with commercial and digestive enzymatic systems were studied for their hypolipidemic and antithrombotic activities. Hydrolysates obtained with Pepsin-Pancreatin (PP) and their peptide fractions inhibited cholesterol micellar solubility with a maximum value of 1.83% in PP. Wistar rats were used to evaluate the hypolipidemic effect of hydrolysates and PF. The higher reductions of cholesterol and triglyceride levels were exhibited by PP and both peptide fractions <1 kDa obtained from PP and Alcalase®-Flavourzyme® hydrolysate (AF) at a dose of 15 mg kg(-1) of animal weight. PF > 10 kDa from both hydrolysates showed the maximum antithrombotic activity with values of 33.33% for PF > 10 kDa from AF and 31.72% for PF > 10 kDa from PP. The results suggest that M. pruriens bioactive peptides with the hypolipidemic effect and antithrombotic activity might be utilized as nutraceuticals.

[ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF MELIPONA BEECHEII HONEY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO HEALTH: A REVIEW]. / POTENCIAL ANTIOXIDANTE DE LA MIEL DE MELIPONA BEECHEII Y SU RELACIÓN CON LA SALUD: UNA REVISIÓN.

The present article provides a literature review about the biological potential of Melipona beecheii. The objective is to project some tendecies in research about nutraceutical aspects related to the bioactive compounds presents in the honey of this stingless bee species, known for its medicinal properties traditional, in the Yucatan Peninsula. Currently, there is strong evidence that M. beecheii honey has bioactive compounds such as proteins, flavonoids and polyphenols with high antioxidant activity. The scientific evidence allows to propose to the honey of stingless bee species as a potential alternative for the obtention of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity in the Yucatan Peninsula and natural food being proposed to reduce some diseases associated with stress oxidative physiological human cells. However, there is still information that explains such antioxidant activity, therefore, according to the literature reviewed, sees the need to address nutraceuticals and functional aspects correlated with the bioactive compounds present in this honey bee.

El presente artículo provee una revisión de literatura sobre el potencial biológico de la miel de Melipona beecheii. El objetivo es proyectar algunas tendencias en investigación sobre los aspectos nutracéuticos relacionados con los compuestos bioactivos presentes en la miel de esta especie de abeja sin aguijón, reconocida por sus características medicinales tradicionales, en la Península de Yucatán. Actualmente existe una evidencia sólida que demuestra que la miel de M. beecheii posee compuestos bioactivos tales como proteínas, flavonoides y polifenoles, con alta actividad antioxidante. La evidencia científica obtenida permite proponer a la miel de esta especie de abeja sin aguijón como alternativa para la obtención de compuestos bioactivos con actividad antioxidante en la Península de Yucatán, y ser propuesto como alimento natural para reducir algunos tipos de cáncer asociados al estrés oxidativo de las células fisiológicas del ser humano. Sin embargo, aún falta información que explique dicha actividad antioxidante; por lo tanto, de acuerdo con la literatura revisada, se ve la necesidad de abordar aspectos nutracéuticos y funcionales en correlación con los compuestos bioactivos presentes en esta miel de abeja.

Potencial antioxidante de la miel de Melipona beecheii y su relación con la salud: una revisión / Antioxidant potential of melipona beecheii honey and its relationship to health: a review

El presente artículo provee una revisión de literatura sobre el potencial biológico de la miel de Melipona beecheii. El objetivo es proyectar algunas tendencias en investigación sobre los aspectos nutracéuticos relacionados con los compuestos bioactivos presentes en la miel de esta especie de abeja sin aguijón, reconocida por sus características medicinales tradicionales, en la Península de Yucatán. Actualmente existe una evidencia sólida que demuestra que la miel de M. beecheii posee compuestos bioactivos tales como proteínas, flavonoides y polifenoles, con alta actividad antioxidante. La evidencia científica obtenida permite proponer a la miel de esta especie de abeja sin aguijón como alternativa para la obtención de compuestos bioactivos con actividad antioxidante en la Península de Yucatán, y ser propuesto como alimento natural para reducir algunos tipos de cáncer asociados al estrés oxidativo de las células fisiológicas del ser humano. Sin embargo, aún falta información que explique dicha actividad antioxidante; por lo tanto, de acuerdo con la literatura revisada, se ve la necesidad de abordar aspectos nutracéuticos y funcionales en correlación con los compuestos bioactivos presentes en esta miel de abeja (AU)

The present article provides a literature review about the biological potential of Melipona beecheii. The objective is to project some tendecies in research about nutraceutical aspects related to the bioactive compounds presents in the honey of this stingless bee species, known for its medicinal properties traditional, in the Yucatan Peninsula. Currently, there is strong evidence that M. beecheii honey has bioactive compounds such as proteins, flavonoids and polyphenols with high antioxidant activity. The scientific evidence allows to propose to the honey of stingless bee species as a potential alternative for the obtention of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity in the Yucatan Peninsula and natural food being proposed to reduce some diseases associated with stress oxidative physiological human cells. However, there is still information that explains such antioxidant activity, therefore, according to the literature reviewed, sees the need to address nutraceuticals and functional aspects correlated with the bioactive compounds present in this honey bee (AU)

Electrophoresis characterisation of protein as a method to establish the entomological origin of stingless bee honeys.

Increasing production of stingless-bee honey and the prospect of broader marker for natural and organic products indicate the need to establish parameters to determinate the entomological origin and authenticity of honey. In this research, honeys of Apis mellifera, Melipona beecheii and Trigona spp. were collected in Yucatan, Mexico. Stingless-bee honeys contained more water and less total sugars and reducing sugars. SDS-PAGE patterns show distinctive bands for each kind of honey. The SDS-PAGE pattern of A. mellifera proteins honey showed three bands with molecular weights between 10.2 and 74.8kDa, there were five proteins bands in M. beecheii honey with molecular weights between 6.1 and 97.0kDa and nine for Trigona spp. proteins between 9.3 and 86.7kDa. Conventional physicochemical parameters along with electrophoresis profiles of stingless-bee honeys proteins could be an alternative for determination of entomological origin.

Antioxidant capacity of leaf extracts from two Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni varieties adapted to cultivation in Mexico / Capacidad antioxidante de extractos foliares de dos variedades de Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni adaptadas al cultivo en México

The recent introduction of the cultivation of Steviarebaudiana Bertoni in Mexico has gained interest for its potential use as a non-caloric sweetener, but some other properties of this plant require studies. Extracts from two varieties of S. rebaudiana Bertoni adapted to cultivation in Mexico were screened for their content of some phytochemicals and antioxidant properties. Total pigments, total phenolic and flavonoids contents of the extracts ranged between 17.7-24.3 mg/g, 28.7-28.4 mg/g, and 39.3-36.7 mg/g, respectively. The variety «Criolla» exhibited higher contents of pigments and flavonoids. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity ranged between618.5-623.7 mM/mg and DPPH decolorization assay ranged between 86.4-84.3%, no significant differences were observed between varieties. Inhibition of β-carotene bleaching ranged between 62.3-77.9%, with higher activity in the variety «Criolla». Reducing power ranged between 85.2-86% and the chelating activity ranged between57.3-59.4% for Cu2+ and between 52.2-54.4% forFe2+, no significant differences were observed between varieties. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that polar compounds obtained during the extraction like chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenolic compounds and flavonoids contribute to the antioxidative activity measured. The leaves of S. rebaudiana Bertoni could be used not only as a source of non-caloric sweeteners but also naturally occurring antioxidants (AU)

La reciente introducción del cultivo de Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni en México ha ganado interés debido a su potencial uso como fuente de edulcorantes no calóricos, pero otras propiedades de esta planta aun requieren de estudios. Extractos de hojas de dos variedades de S. rebaudiana Bertoni adaptadas al cultivo en México fueron evaluados en cuanto a su contenido de algunos fitoquímicos y sus propiedades antioxidantes. El contenido de pigmentos, fenoles totales y flavonoides en los extractos, osciló entre 17.7-24.3 mg/g, 28.7-28.4 mg/g, y 39.3-36.7 mg/g, respectivamente. La variedad «Criolla» exhibió los mayores contenidos de pigmentos y flavonoides. La capacidad antioxidante equivalente de Trolox osciló entre 618.5-623.7 mM/mg y el ensayo de decoloración del radical DPPH osciló entre 86.4-84.3%, no observándose diferencias significativas entre ambas variedades. La inhibición de la decoloración del β-caroteno osciló entre 62.3-77.9%, siendo mayor en la variedad «Criolla». El poder reductor osciló entre 85.2-86%, las capacidades quelantes de cobre y hierro oscilaron entre 57.3-59.4% y 52.2-54.4%, respectivamente, no observándose diferencias significativas entre ambas variedades. En conclusión, los resultados de este estudio demuestran que los compuestos de naturaleza polar obtenidos durante la extracción, tales como pigmentos clorofílicos, carotenoides, compuestos fenólicos y flavonoides contribuyen a la actividad antioxidante. Las hojas de S. rebaudiana Bertoni podrían ser empleadas no solo como fuente de edulcorantes no calóricos, sino también como fuente de antioxidantes de origen natural (AU)

Bioactive vegetable proteins and peptides in lipid-lowering; nutraceutical potential.

As the last century saw a decline in the burden of nutritional deficiency and infectious disease, the global burden of chronic disease, cardiovascular disease (CVD) in particular, is increasing. CVD is the leading cause of death in the developed countries. Significant research efforts on the prevention and treatment of this disease have identified elevated plasma cholesterol as a primary risk factor for CVD. Although CVD progresses with hypercholesterolemia, it seems possibility to delay and prevent its development through improvement of diet. Recent findings demonstrate that protein concentrates, protein hydrolysates, and peptides derived from vegetables may promote a significant decrease in blood cholesterol concentration. This reduction in cholesterol and lipid levels by protein, protein hydrolysates, and peptides can be the result of dietary changes, reduced cholesterol biosynthesis, changes in bile acid synthesis, and reduced absorption of lipid cholesterol and bile acid. Combination drug/diet therapies may reduce the number of drug prescriptions, the progressive rise in "optimal" drug dosage and costs associated with pharmaceutical management of disease. These bioactive vegetable proteins, hydrolysates and peptides may be used in formulation of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and natural drugs because of their health benefit effects suggesting their use as an alternative in treatment of various dyslipidemias, and a potential agent for reducing cardiovascular diseases risk factors.

En el siglo pasado se observó un decaimiento tanto de la deficiencia nutricional como de las enfermedades infecciosas. Por el contrario se incrementó la mortalidad asociada a enfermedades crónicas, particularmente las enfermedades cardiovasculares. La investigación enfocada a la prevención y tratamiento de estas enfermedades ha identificado a la elevación del colesterol en plasma como un factor primario de riesgo para el desarrollo de enfermedades cardiovasculares. Sin embargo el desarrollo de las enfermedades cardiovasculares asociadas a la hipercolesterolemia puede retrasarse o prevenirse mediante mejoras en la dieta. Descubrimientos recientes han demostrado que la ingesta de concentrados proteínicos, hidrolizados proteínicos y péptidos de origen vegetal puede reducir la concentración de colesterol en sangre. La reducción de los niveles de lípidos y colesterol causada por proteínas, hidrolizados y péptidos podría deberse a la modificación en sí de la dieta, a la reducción de la síntesis de colesterol, a cambios en la síntesis de ácidos biliares o a la reducción de la absorción de colesterol y ácidos biliares. Las terapias que combinan fármacos con modificaciones de la dieta, pueden reducir significativamente la dosis de los fármacos ingeridos, el aumento progresivo de dicha dosis y los costos asociados al tratamiento de la enfermedad. Las proteínas, hidrolizados y péptidos de origen vegetal podrían ser utilizados como nutracéuticos, como parte de la formulación de alimentos funcionales o el diseño de medicamentos de origen natural, debido a sus efectos benéficos sobre la salud. Potenciado de esta forma su empleo en el tratamiento de dislipidemias y de patologías relacionadas.

Bioactive vegetable proteins and peptides in lipid-lowering; nutraceutical potential / Proteínas y péptidos de origen vegetal en la reducción de lípidos; potencial nutracéutico

As the last century saw a decline in the burden of nutritional deficiency and infectious disease, the global burden of chronic disease, cardiovascular disease (CVD) in particular, is increasing. CVD is the leading cause of death in the developed countries. Significant research efforts on the prevention and treatment of this disease have identified elevated plasma cholesterol as a primary risk factor for CVD. Although CVD progresses with hypercholesterolemia, it seems possibility to delay and prevent its development through improvement of diet. Recent findings demonstrate that protein concentrates, protein hydrolysates, and peptides derived from vegetables may promote a significant decrease in blood cholesterol concentration. This reduction in cholesterol and lipid levels by protein, protein hydrolysates, and peptides can be the result of dietary changes, reduced cholesterol biosynthesis, changes in bile acid synthesis, and reduced absorption of lipid cholesterol and bile acid. Combination drug/diet therapies may reduce the number of drug prescriptions, the progressive rise in "optimal" drug dosage and costs associated with pharmaceutical management of disease. These bioactive vegetable proteins, hydrolysates and peptides may be used in formulation of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and natural drugs because of their health benefit effects suggesting their use as an alternative in treatment of various dyslipidemias, and a potential agent for reducing cardiovascular diseases risk factors (AU)

En el siglo pasado se observó un decaimiento tanto de la deficiencia nutricional como de las enfermedades infecciosas. Por el contrario se incrementó la mortalidad asociada a enfermedades crónicas, particularmente las enfermedades cardiovasculares. La investigación enfocada a la prevención y tratamiento de estas enfermedades ha identificado a la elevación del colesterol en plasma como un factor primario de riesgo para el desarrollo de enfermedades cardiovasculares. Sin embargo el desarrollo de las enfermedades cardiovasculares asociadas a la hipercolesterolemia puede retrasarse o prevenirse mediante mejoras en la dieta. Descubrimientos recientes han demostrado que la ingesta de concentrados proteínicos, hidrolizados proteínicos y péptidos de origen vegetal puede reducir la concentración de colesterol en sangre. La reducción de los niveles de lípidos y colesterol causada por proteínas, hidrolizados y péptidos podría deberse a la modificación en sí de la dieta, a la reducción de la síntesis de colesterol, a cambios en la síntesis de ácidos biliares o a la reducción de la absorción de colesterol y ácidos biliares. Las terapias que combinan fármacos con modificaciones de la dieta, pueden reducir significativamente la dosis de los fármacos ingeridos, el aumento progresivo de dicha dosis y los costos asociados al tratamiento de la enfermedad. Las proteínas, hidrolizados y péptidos de origen vegetal podrían ser utilizados como nutracéuticos, como parte de la formulación de alimentos funcionales o el diseño de medicamentos de origen natural, debido a sus efectos benéficos sobre la salud. Potenciado de esta forma su empleo en el tratamiento de dislipidemias y de patologías relacionadas (AU)

Antioxidant capacity of leaf extracts from two Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni varieties adapted to cultivation in Mexico.

The recent introduction of the cultivation of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni in Mexico has gained interest for its potential use as a non-caloric sweetener, but some other properties of this plant require studies. Extracts from two varieties of S. rebaudiana Bertoni adapted to cultivation in Mexico were screened for their content of some phytochemicals and antioxidant properties. Total pigments, total phenolic and flavonoids contents of the extracts ranged between 17.7-24.3 mg/g, 28.7-28.4 mg/g, and 39.3-36.7 mg/g, respectively. The variety "Criolla" exhibited higher contents of pigments and flavonoids. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity ranged between 618.5-623.7 mM/mg and DPPH decolorization assay ranged between 86.4-84.3%, no significant differences were observed between varieties. Inhibition of ß-carotene bleaching ranged between 62.3-77.9%, with higher activity in the variety "Criolla". Reducing power ranged between 85.2-86% and the chelating activity ranged between 57.3-59.4% for Cu²âº and between 52.2-54.4% for Fe²âº, no significant differences were observed between varieties. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that polar compounds obtained during the extraction like chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenolic compounds and flavonoids contribute to the antioxidative activity measured. The leaves of S. rebaudiana Bertoni could be used not only as a source of non-caloric sweeteners but also naturally occurring antioxidants.

La reciente introducción del cultivo de Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni en México ha ganado interés debido a su potencial uso como fuente de edulcorantes no calóricos, pero otras propiedades de esta planta aun requieren de estudios. Extractos de hojas de dos variedades de S. rebaudiana Bertoni adaptadas al cultivo en México fueron evaluados en cuanto a su contenido de algunos fitoquímicos y sus propiedades antioxidantes. El contenido de pigmentos, fenoles totales y flavonoides en los extractos, osciló entre 17.7-24.3 mg/g, 28.7-28.4 mg/g, y 39.3-36.7 mg/g, respectivamente. La variedad "Criolla" exhibió los mayores contenidos de pigmentos y flavonoides. La capacidad antioxidante equivalente de Trolox osciló entre 618.5-623.7 mM/mg y el ensayo de decoloración del radical DPPH osciló entre 86.4-84.3%, no observándose diferencias significativas entre ambas variedades. La inhibición de la decoloración del -caroteno osciló entre 62.3-77.9%, siendo mayor en la variedad "Criolla". El poder reductor osciló entre 85.2-86%, las capacidades quelantes de cobre y hierro oscilaron entre 57.3-59.4% y 52.2-54.4%, respectivamente, no observándose diferencias significativas entre ambas variedades. En conclusión, los resultados de este estudio demuestran que los compuestos de naturaleza polar obtenidos durante la extracción, tales como pigmentos clorofílicos, carotenoides, compuestos fenólicos y flavonoides contribuyen a la actividad antioxidante. Las hojas de S. rebaudiana Bertoni podrían ser empleadas no solo como fuente de edulcorantes no calóricos, sino también como fuente de antioxidantes de origen natural.

Encapsulation of Phaseolus lunatus Protein Hydrolysate with Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activity.

The objective of recent research has been to seek alternative therapeutic treatments; for this reason, the use of protein hydrolysates from diverse sources has been studied. A way to guarantee that these treatments reach the site of action is through protection with covers, such as microcapsules. Therefore, proteins from the legume Phaseolus lunatus were hydrolyzed and encapsulated with a blend of Delonix regia carboxymethylated gum/sodium alginate (50 : 50 w/w). Hydrolysis release conditions in a simulated gastrointestinal system were obtained using CaCl2 concentrations as the main factor, indicating that lower CaCl2 concentrations lead to an increased hydrolysis release. Beads obtained with 1.0 mM of CaCl2 exhibited a better hydrolysate release rate under intestinal simulated conditions and the proteins maintained an IC50 of 2.9 mg/mL. Capsules obtained with the blend of Delonix regia carboxymethylated gum/sodium alginate would be used for the controlled delivery of hydrolysates with potential use as nutraceutical or therapeutic agents.