Analysis of Antioxidant Constituents of Filtering Infusions from Oak (Quercus sideroxyla Bonpl. and Quercus eduardii Trel.) and Yerbaniz (Tagetes lucida (Sweet) Voss) as Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors.

The antioxidant constituents of ancestral products with ethnobotanical backgrounds are candidates for the study of filtering infusions to aid in pharmacotherapies focused on the treatment of depression and anxiety. Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is an enzyme that regulates the metabolic breakdown of serotonin and noradrenaline in the nervous system. The goal of this study was to evaluate in vitro and in silico the effect of antioxidant constituents of filtering infusions from yerbaniz (Tagetes lucida (Sweet) Voss) and oak (Quercus sideroxyla Bonpl. and Quercus eduardii Trel.) as monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Materials were dried, ground, and mixed according to a simplex-centroid mixture design for obtaining infusions. Differential analysis of the phenolic constituent's ratio in the different infusions indicates that among the main compounds contributing to MAO-A inhibition are the gallic, chlorogenic, quinic, and shikimic acids, quercetin glucuronide and some glycosylated derivatives of ellagic acid and ellagic acid methyl ether. Infusions of Q. sideroxyla Bonpl. leaves, because of their content (99.45 ± 5.17 µg/mg) and synergy between these constituents for MAO-A inhibition (52.82 ± 3.20%), have the potential to treat depression and anxiety. Therefore, future studies with pharmacological approaches are needed to validate them as therapeutic agents with applications in mental health care.

PLGA-TiO2 as a Carrier System for Drug Release.

This paper reports the results of the PLGA-TiO2 nanocomposite regarding the green synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles using a natural extract, its characterization, and encapsulation with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). UV-visible spectrometry was used for the identification of terpenes present in the extracts. The morphology of the nanoparticles was determined by scanning electron microscopy. Infrared spectroscopy was used for the determination of functional groups, while X-ray diffraction was used to determine the crystal structure. The analysis of the extended release of the encapsulated extract in the matrix of the nanomaterial resulted in a maximum visible UV absorbance at approximately 260 nm and confirmed the synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Moreover, terpenes enhance synthesis and stabilize titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The synthesized structures are spherical and amorphous, 44 nm in size, and encapsulated at 65 nm.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Annona muricata By-Products and Pulp.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) is widely used; however, the efficiency of extraction depends on the raw materials. Therefore, optimization of UAE must be investigated for each type of plant material. By-products from soursop fruit have not been studied as a source of bioactive compounds. In this work, the optimization of UAE conditions (extraction time (5, 10, and 15 min), pulse cycle (0.4, 0.7, and 1 s), and sonication amplitude (40%, 70%, and 100%)) for the extraction of phenolic compounds (soluble, hydrolyzable, condensed tannins, and total polyphenols) from soursop by-products (seed, peel, and columella) and pulp was evaluated using response surface methodology. The optimal conditions for UAE to obtain the highest total polyphenol content from by-products and pulp was dependent on the raw material. Peel resulted in the highest content of total polyphenols (187.32 mg/g dry matter [DM]) followed by columella (164.14 mg/g DM), seed (36.15 mg/g DM), and pulp (33.24 mg/g DM). The yield of polyphenolic content from peel and columella obtained with UAE was higher (32⁻37%) than conventional extraction for 2 h under stirring (14⁻16%). The contents of gallic acid (0.36⁻15.86 µg/g DM), coumaric acid (0.07⁻1.37 µg/g DM), and chlorogenic acid (9.18⁻32.67 µg/g DM) in the different parts of the fruit were higher in the extracts obtained by UAE compared with a conventional extraction method (0.08⁻0.61, 0.05⁻0.08, 3.15⁻13.08 µg/g DM, respectively), although it was dependent on the raw materials. Soursop by-products can be functionally important if they are used to extract bioactive compounds by UAE; a technology with high potential for commercial extraction on a large scale.

Effect of Pediococcus acidilactici and mango seed polyphenols on the fermentative profile of the indigestible fraction of yam bean.

Yam bean is an important source of dietary fiber and other components that comprise the total indigestible fraction (TIF), which can be fermented by the colonic microbiota and produce metabolites with beneficial health effects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro colonic fermentation of yam bean TIF and the changes caused by the addition of a polyphenolic extract of mango seed and the lactic acid bacteria Pediococcus acidilactici. The mango seed extract was obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction, and the microbial growth rate and viability of P. acidilactici were determined using a Neubauer chamber. Yam bean TIF was isolated by triple enzymatic hydrolysis and subjected to in vitro colonic fermentation in combination with treatments with mango seed extract and P. acidilactici suspensions. Changes in pH, total soluble phenols (TSP), and antioxidant capacity (AOX) were evaluated. Furthermore, the production of metabolites was quantified by HPLC-DAD-MS and GC-MS. The Growth rate of P. acidilactici was 0.1097 h-1 with 97.5 % viability at 7 h of incubation. All TIF treatments showed a high capacity of fermentation, and the addition of mango seed extract increased the TSP content and AOX in DPPH and FRAP assays. A total of Forty-six volatile metabolites were detected, with highlighting the presence of esters, benzenes, aldehydes, and short-chain fatty acids. Five phenolic compounds associated with mango by-products were quantified during all fermentation process, despite the concentration of the extract. P. acidilactici did not substantially modify the fermentative profile of TIF. However, further studies such as the evaluation of the abundance of microbial communities may be necessary to observe whether it can generate changes during colonic fermentation.

Weibull ß value for the discernment of drug release mechanism of PLGA particles.

Mathematical models are used to characterize and optimize drug release in drug delivery systems (DDS). One of the most widely used DDS is the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based polymeric matrix owing to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and easy manipulation of its properties through the manipulation of synthesis processes. Over the years, the Korsmeyer-Peppas model has been the most widely used model for characterizing the release profiles of PLGA DDS. However, owing to the limitations of the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, the Weibull model has emerged as an alternative for the characterization of the release profiles of PLGA polymeric matrices. The purpose of this study was to establish a correlation between the n and ß parameters of the Korsmeyer-Peppas and Weibull models and to use the Weibull model to discern the drug release mechanism. A total of 451 datasets describing the overtime drug release of PLGA-based formulations from 173 scientific articles were fitted to both models. The Korsmeyer-Peppas model had a mean Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) value of 54.52 and an n value of 0.42, while the Weibull model had a mean AIC of 51.99 and a ß value of 0.55, and by using reduced major axis regression values, a high correlation was found between the n and ß values. These results demonstrate the ability of the Weibull model to characterize the release profiles of PLGA-based matrices and the usefulness of the ß parameter for determining the drug release mechanism.

Biofunctionalization of natural extracts, trends in biological activity and kinetic release.

The health benefits provided by plant matrices is due to the presence of certain compounds that, in studies carried out in vitro and in vivo, have shown to have biological activity in certain conditions, not only as a natural treatment against various conditions, but also for the quality of preventing chronic diseases, these compounds, already identified and studied, they can increase their biological function by undergoing structural chemical modifications or by being incorporated into polymer matrices that allow, in the first instance, to protect said compound and increase its bioaccessibility, as well as to preserve or increase the biological effects. Although the stabilization of compounds is an important aspect, it is also the study of the kinetic parameters of the system that contains them, since, due to these studies, the potential application to these systems can be designated. In this review we will address some of the work focused on obtaining compounds with biological activity from plant sources, the functionalization of extracts through double emulsions and nanoemulsions, as well as their toxicity and finally the pharmacokinetic aspects of entrapment systems.

Review of Therapies using TiO2 Nanomaterials for Increased Anticancer Capability.

Recently, Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been studied as an alternative to treat cancer diseases under different activation therapies. The aim of this review was to describe the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) on some cancer cell lines and their interaction with phototherapies such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), sonodynamic therapy (SDT), and ultraviolet therapy (UV) for anticancer treatment. The use of TiO2 combined with PDT, PTT, SDT, or UV has shown a remarkable capacity to enhance the killing of cancer cells through reactive oxygen species formation. Thus, the combination of TiO2 and activation therapies exhibited great potential and could be a viable anticancer treatment strategy. However, more studies on phototherapies in combination with TiO2 and their effects under different experimental conditions (TiO2 concentration, type of cancer cells, and intensity and frequency of therapies) are necessary to guarantee the safe use of this kind of therapy.

Anticancer Activity of Selenium Nanoparticles In Vitro Studies.

Health systems worldwide consider cancer a disease that causes the highest number of deaths per year. The low efficacy of current cancer therapies has led other areas of science to search for new alternatives, including nanomaterial sciences. Selenium nanoparticles have anticancer activity, as revealed by in vitro tests performed on prostate, breast, cervical, lung, colorectal, and liver cancer cell lines. Studies attribute anticancer activity to the anti-metastatic effect due to the inhibition of migration and invasion processes. The antiproliferative effect is the low expression of molecules such as cyclin D1, cyclin E, and CDK2. In addition to the activation of cell apoptosis by caspase-dependent mechanisms, there is a low expression of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and a high expression of the apoptotic proteins like Bax and Bad. Other studies attribute anticancer activity to the activation of cell necroptosis, where molecules such as TNF and IRF1 participate. The pharmacological potential of selenium nanoparticles depends primarily on the administered dose, particle size, and chemical composition. Furthermore, several studies have shown that the administration of these nanoparticles is safe due to their low toxicity in non-cancerous cells. In this review, the most relevant antecedents on the anticancer potential of selenium nanoparticles in prostate, breast, cervical, lung, liver, and colorectal cancer cell lines are discussed.

What we know about protein gut metabolites: Implications and insights for human health and diseases.

Gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem of symbiotic bacteria that contribute to human metabolism and supply intestinal metabolites, whose production is mainly influenced by the diet. Dietary patterns characterized by a high intake of protein promotes the growth of proteolytic bacteria's, which produce metabolites from undigested protein fermentation. Microbioal protein metabolites can regulate immune, metabolic and neuronal responses in different target organs. Metabolic pathways of these compounds and their mechanisms of action on different pathologies can lead to the discovery of new diagnostic techniques, drugs and the potential use as functional ingredients in food. This review discusses the potential mechanisms by which amino acid catabolism is involved in microbial protein metabolites. In addition, results from several studies on the association of products from the intestinal metabolism of indigestible proteins and the state of health or disease of the host are revised.

Fruits and fruit by-products as sources of bioactive compounds. Benefits and trends of lactic acid fermentation in the development of novel fruit-based functional beverages.

Current awareness about the benefits of a balanced diet supports ongoing trends in humans towards a healthier diet. This review provides an overview of fruits and fruit-by products as sources of bioactive compounds and their extraction techniques, and the use of lactic acid fermentation of fruit juices to increase their functionality. Fruit matrices emerge as a technological alternative to be fermented by autochthonous or allochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB such as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and other Lactobacillus species), and also as probiotic vehicles. During fermentation, microbial enzymes act on several fruit phytochemicals producing new derived compounds with impact on the aroma and the functionality of the fermented drinks. Moreover, fermentation significantly reduces the sugar content improving their nutritional value and extending the shelf-life of fruit-based beverages. The generation of new probiotic beverages as alternatives to consumers with intolerance to lactose or with vegan or vegetarian diets is promising for the worldwide functional food market. An updated overview on the current knowledge of the use of fruit matrices to be fermented by LAB and the interaction between strains and the fruit phytochemical compounds to generate new functional foods as well as their future perspectives in association with the application of nanotechnology techniques are presented in this review.

Use of a Taguchi Design in Hibiscus sabdariffa Extracts Encapsulated by Spray-Drying.

Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa were spray-dried using maltodextrin (MD) and gum arabic (GA) as carrier agents. A Taguchi L8 experimental design with seven variables was implemented. Physicochemical properties in the encapsulates were evaluated by Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis,) X-ray Diffraction (XRD), spectroscopy and gravimetric techniques. Treatments with aqueous extracts showed the highest concentration of total soluble polyphenols (TSP) 32.12-21.23 mg equivalent gallic acid (EAG)/g dry weight (DW), and antioxidant capacity (AOX) in the 2,2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzotiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay. The best treatment for TSP and AOX was T4: 2.5% Hibiscus w/w, aqueous extract, decoction, extract-to-carrier ratio 1:1 (w/w), proportion to carriers (MD:GA) 80:20 (w/w), 10,000 rpm, 150 °C. The Taguchi L8 design is a tool that allows the use of multiple variables with a low number of treatments that indicate the drying conditions that give the best parameters, focusing mainly on TSP and AOX, also, it is a good alternative for the preservation and stability of the phenolic compoudns in Hibiscus.

Mangiferin-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles: Optical Characterization, Effect of Anti-topoisomerase I, and Cytotoxicity.

Mangiferin is an important xanthone compound presenting various biological activities. The objective of this study was to develop, characterize physicochemical properties, and evaluate the anti-topoisomerase activity of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles containing mangiferin. The nanoparticles were developed by the emulsion solvent evaporation method and the optimal formulation was obtained with a response surface methodology (RSM); this formulation showed a mean size of 176.7 ± 1.021 nm with a 0.153 polydispersibility index (PDI) value, and mangiferin encapsulation efficiency was about 55%. The optimal conditions (6000 rpm, 10 min, and 300 µg of mangiferin) obtained 77% and the highest entrapment efficiency (97%). The in vitro release profile demonstrated a gradual release of mangiferin from 15 to 180 min in acidic conditions (pH 1.5). The fingerprint showed a modification in the maximum absorption wavelength of both the polymer and the mangiferin. Results of anti-toposiomerase assay showed that the optimal formulation (MG4, 25 µg/mL) had antiproliferative activity. High concentrations (2500 µg/mL) of MG4 showed non-in vitro cytotoxic effect on BEAS 2B and HEPG2. Finally, this study showed an encapsulation process with in vitro gastric digestion resistance (1.5 h) and without interfering with the metabolism of healthy cells and their biological activity.