Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling of chia and quinoa seeds in comparison with wheat and oat.

INTRODUCTION: With an increasing interest in healthy and affordable cereal intake, efforts are made toward exploiting underutilized cereals with high nutritional values. OBJECTIVES: The current study aims to explore the metabolome diversity in 14 cultivars of chia and quinoa collected from Germany, Austria, and Egypt, compared with wheat and oat as major cereals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Multivariate data analysis (MVA) was employed for sample classification and markers characterization. RESULTS: A total of 114 metabolites were quantified (sugars, alcohols, organic and amino acids/nitrogenous compounds, fatty acids/esters), but the inorganic and phenolic acids were only identified. Fatty acids were the major class followed by amino acids in quinoa and chia. Chia and oats were richer in sucrose. Quinoa encompassed higher amino acids. Quinoa and chia were rich in essential amino acids. Higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids especially omega 6 and omega 9 were detected in quinoa versus omega 3 in chia compared with oat and wheat, whereas ω6/ω3 fatty acid ratio of chia was the lowest. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive metabolite profiling of these pseudo cereals. CONCLUSION: Quinoa and chia, especially red chia, are more nutritionally valuable compared with oat and wheat because of their compositional profile of free amino acids, organic acids, and essential fatty acids, besides their low ω6/ω3 fatty acid ratio. Such results pose them as inexpensive alternative to animal proteins and encourage their inclusion in infant formulas.

Delineating a potent antiviral activity of Cuphea ignea extract loaded nano-formulation against SARS-CoV-2: In silico and in vitro studies.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease-2019, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a worldwide emerging crisis. Polyphenols are a class of herbal metabolites with a broad-spectrum antiviral activity. However, most polyphenols encounter limited efficacy due to their poor solubility and degradation in neutral and basic environments. Thus, the effectiveness of their pharmaceutical application is critically dependent on the delivery systems to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. Herein, Polyphenols-rich Cuphea ignea extract was prepared and its constituents were identified and quantified. Molecular docking was conducted for 15 compounds in the extract against SARS-CoV-2 main protease, among which rutin, myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside and rosmarinic acid depicted the most promising antiviral activity. Further, a self-nanoemulsifying formulation, composed of 10% oleic acid, 40% tween 20 and propylene glycol 50%, was prepared to improve the solubility of the extract components and enable its concurrent delivery permitting combined potency. Upon dilution with aqueous phases, the formulation rapidly Formsnanoemulsion of good stability and excellent dissolution profile in acidic pH when compared to the crude extract. It inhibited SARS-CoV-2 completely in vitro at a concentration as low as 5.87 µg/mL presenting a promising antiviral remedy for SARS-CoV-2, which may be attributed to the possible synergism between the extract components.

In Vivo Antihypertensive Activity and UHPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS Profiling of Cuphea ignea A. DC.

Cuphea ignea A. DC. is an ornamental tropical plant belonging to the family Lythraceae. The aim of this study is to verify the in vivo antihypertensive potential of C. ignea A. DC. and to explore its metabolic profile using a UHPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS technique. The results revealed that the ethanolic extract of the leaves in two doses (250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt.) significantly normalized the elevated systolic blood pressure in N(G)-nitro-l-arginine-methyl ester-induced hypertension in rats. An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) concentration was significantly decreased by the high dose extract compared to lisinopril. Nitric oxide (NO) level was significantly restored by both doses. Concerning the oxidative stress parameters, both doses displayed significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) level while the high dose restored elevated glutathione level. These biochemical results were clearly supported by the histopathological examination of the isolated heart and aorta. A UHPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS study was represented by a detailed metabolic profile of leaves and flowers of C. ignea A. DC., where 53 compounds were identified among which flavonoids, fatty acids, and hydrolysable tannins were the major identified classes. This study established scientific evidence for the use of C. ignea A. DC., a member of genus Cuphea as a complementary treatment in the management of hypertension.