UV-B radiation increases anthocyanin levels in cotyledons and inhibits the growth of common buckwheat seedlings.

The impact of short-term UV-B treatment on the content of individual flavonoids and photosynthetic pigments in cotyledons and the growth of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) seedlings was investigated. Seeds of four common buckwheat cultivars were germinated in darkness over a period of 4 days and acclimatized for 2 days under a 16/8 h light/dark photoperiod at 24/18 °C day/night, and exposure to 100-120 µmol ∙ m-2 ∙ s-1 of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Seedlings were divided into three batches, including two batches subjected to different doses of UV-B (5 W ∙ m-2 and 10 W ∙ m-2, one hour per day) for 5 days, and a control group exposed to PAR only. Exposure to UV-B increased anthocyanin levels in the cotyledons of all examined cultivars, it inhibited hypocotyl elongation, but did not affect the content of photosynthetic pigments. Flavone concentrations increased in cv. Red Corolla and Kora, remained constant in cv. Panda and decreased in cv. Hruszowska. Exposure to UV-B decreased rutin levels in cv. Hruszowska, but not in the remaining cultivars. Cultivars Hruszowska, Panda and Kora appeared to be less resistant to UV-B than Red Corolla. Higher resistance to UV-B radiation in Red Corolla can probably be attributed to its higher content of anthocyanins and rutin in comparison with the remaining cultivars.

MCM-41 as a useful vector for rutin topical formulations: synthesis, characterization and testing.

Rutin, the glycoside of quercetin, could be used in topical preparations because of its antioxidant and radical scavenging properties, but its employ in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products is limited by poor physico-chemical stability. These issues were addressed by preparing, characterizing and testing rutin inclusion complexes with MCM-41 mesoporous silica. The effect of surface functionalization with aminopropyl groups (NH2-MCM-41) on the molecules properties was studied. The organic/inorganic interaction was confirmed by many techniques. In particular, the high inclusion of rutin in the pores of NH2-MCM-41 was assessed by XRD, TGA, gas-volumetric analysis (BET), while FTIR spectroscopy allowed to analyse with great detail the molecular interaction with the inorganic surface. Rutin was stabilized against UV degradation, mostly by its inclusion in NH2-MCM-41. Ex vivo studies showed a greater accumulation in porcine skin in the case of rutin complexed with NH2-MCM-41. Not only antioxidant properties of rutin were maintained after immobilization but, with aminopropyl silica, the metal-chelating activity increased noticeably. The immobilization of rutin in aminopropyl silica resulted in better performance in terms of activity and photostability, suggesting the importance of functionalization in stabilizing organic molecules within silica pores.

The photodegradation of quercetin: relation to oxidation.

The photostability of quercetin in alcoholic solutions was studied. Both UVA and UVB light induced degradation of quercetin, yielding a single product 1 deriving from oxidation and addition of an alcohol molecule to the 2,3 double bond. The same mechanism operated when quercetin was dissolved in alkaline solutions, and again a product 2 due to oxidation and addition of water was characterized. Comparison with quercetin analogs confirmed that, despite the presence of five hydroxy groups in quercetin, those in positions 3, 3', and 4' are mainly involved in the antioxidant activity of the compound , as well as in its photolability.

Síntese e avaliação da segurança in vitro da rutina e do succinato de rutina visando sua incorporação em formulações fotoprotetoras eficazes associados a filtros químicos e físico / Synthesis and in vitro safety evaluation of rutin and rutin succinate aiming their incorporation into effective sunscreens associated with chemical and physical filters

A tendência atual do mercado cosmético é desenvolver produtos que contenham insumos de origem vegetal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a aplicação da Tecnologia da Química Verde na síntese da rutina visando o aumento da estabilidade dessa em formulações cosméticas com sua eficácia antioxidante e fotoprotetora. Realizou-se a síntese química por meio da introdução de grupos carboxilatos às hidroxilas do dissacarídeo na molécula de rutina, gerando como produto final o succinato de rutina. Este derivado e/ou a rutina foram incorporados em 74 formulações-teste e, selecionadas 12 (sistemas emulsionados O/A), após serem submetidas à Avaliação Preliminar de Estabilidade (APE) e ao Teste de Estabilidade Acelerada (TEA), sob variações de temperatura e umidade. Utilizou-se agentes emolientes e silicones para facilitar a solubilização e/ou dispersão dos filtros químicos e físicos. A segunda etapa deste trabalho foi a avaliação da segurança do succinato de rutina, tendo como padrão a rutina, por meio do método alternativo de toxicidade in vitro, o XTT. Após o screening das concentrações ensaiadas, as que apresentaram menor nível de morte celular foram respectivamente, 0,1% ou 1 mg/mL (rutina) e 0,4% ou 4 mg/mL (succinato de rutina). Segundo os resultados do TEA, as formulações contendo succinato de rutina associada ou não aos filtros solares em ambas as bases cosméticas (A - Crodafos®CES + Uniox®C e B - Hostacerin®SAF) foram selecionadas para a continuidade do Teste de Estabilidade Normal (TEN). Neste teste, as emulsões fotoprotetoras foram avaliadas frente aos parâmetros: propriedades organolépticas (aspecto, cor e odor), aspectos físico-químicos (medição de pH e de viscosidade) e funcionais (atividade antirradicalar e eficácia fotoprotetora in vitro). Os resultados apresentados pela formulação MS (succinato de rutina associado aos filtros químicos e físico) foram: homogeneidade, a não modificação de cor e odor em temperatura ambiente, a não alterações significativas...

The current cosmetic market trend is to develop products containing vegetables raw materials. This work proposed to use the Technology of Green Chemical to increase the rutin stability in cosmetic formulas as regards of its antioxidant and photoprotective properties. The chemical synthesis was realized by the introduction of carboxylate groups on sugar moiety of rutin producing in rutin succinate. This derivative and/or rutin were incorporated into 74 test formulas. After the undergoing to preliminary and accelerated stabilities under different temperature and humidity conditions were selected 12 formulas (O/W emulsions). Emollient agents and silicones were used to improve the solubility and/or dispersion of the chemical and physical filters. The second stage of this work was to evaluate the safety of rutin succinate, rutin used as an internal standard, using the alternative method of in vitro toxicity, the XTT. After the screening of tested concentrations, the concentrations of the samples with the lowest level of cell death were 0.1% or 1 mg/mL (rutin) and 0.4% or 4 mg/mL (rutin succinate), respectively. According to results obtained in accelerated stability testing, the formulations containing rutin succinate in combination or not with UV filters in both O/W emulsions (A - Crodafos®CES + Uniox®C and B - Hostacerin®SAF) were selected for the long term stability test. In this test the sunscreens were evaluated in the following parameters: the organoleptic properties (appearance, color and odor), physico-chemical aspects (pH value and viscosity) and functional (antiradicalar activity and in vitro photoprotection efficacy). The results presented by the MS formula (rutin succinate associated with physical filter and chemical filters) were: uniformity, stability of color and odor at room temperature and showed no significant difference, as well stability in: pH and SPF (Sun Protection Factor) values, hysteresis area, antiradicalar activity. These results were...

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of rutin and quercetin from Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb.

An ultrasonic method for the extractions of rutin and quercetin from Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb was investigated. The influence of four extraction variables on extraction yield of rutin and quercetin was discussed. The optimum extraction conditions found were: 70% aqueous ethanol; solvent: sample ratio 40:1 (v/w); extraction time 3 x 30 min. The recovery of rutin and quercetin and the reproducibility of the extraction method were determined. The optimized ultrasonic extraction conditions were applied to extract rutin and quercetin from dried stalks of E. alatus (Thunb.) Sieb. The application of sonication method was shown to be highly efficient in the extraction of rutin and quercetin from E. alatus (Thunb.) Sieb, compared with classical methods. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs provided evidence of more rapid opening of plant cells treated by UAE in contrast to maceration.

Effect of photoperiod and end-of-day light quality on alkaloids and phenolic compounds of tobacco.

Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.) were grown on long or short photoperiods followed by 5 minutes of red or far red radiation each day. Plants that received 16-hour photoperiods had a significantly higher concentration of total alkaloids and total phenolics than those that received 8-hour photoperiods. Significantly higher total alkaloid content was found in plants that received red rather than far red radiation last each day. Within each photoperiod, plants that received far red had higher concentrations of soluble phenols, particularly of chlorogenic acid. The interactions among these variables upon alkaloid and phenolic contents are discussed.