Lupane-type triterpenes and their anti-cancer activities against most common malignant tumors

In recent times, a great deal of interest has been motivated on plant derived compounds known as nutraceuticals. These compounds exert important beneficial activities that improve people’s health status when are consumed regularly, and now they appear as a viable option to explore their possible therapeutic effects against diseases like cancer. Particularly, lupane-type triterpenes have shown great ability to modulate multiple cancer-related signaling pathways and processes, including NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/Akt, apoptosis, and many other routes related to proliferation or cell death, which are uncontrolled in malignant tumors. These investigations have promoted in vitro and in vivo studies, searching their mechanisms of action; although more research is still needed to prove its potential in human clinical trials. This review focuses on the ability of betulin, betulinic acid and lupeol to show benefits against the most common types of malignant tumors, which are considered a major global threat for public health

Evaluación del efecto antioxidante y quimioprotector de extractos fenólicos de semillas de manzana

oai:grasasyaceites.revistas.csic.es:article/1Phenolic extracts from apple seeds (Malus domestica) belonging to the Red delicious (Rd) and Blanca de asturias (Ba) varieties were studied. Two extraction sequences with organic solvents were performed to evaluate hydrophilic phytochemicals: one with hexane, ethyl acetate and 50% methanol and the other with hexane and 70% acetone. For both apple varieties, acetone extracts showed higher total phenolics and condensed tannin content than ethyl acetate or aqueous methanol extracts. The same trend was observed with acetone extracts, which showed the highest free radical scavenging activity (%RSA). Bidimensional thin later chromatography plates gave positive evidence for proanthocyanidins (condensed tannins). The effect of crude  extracts on transformed cells (HeLa) was evaluated and found to be as strong as the positive control (catechin). Aqueous acetone extracts showed the highest inhibition to cell proliferation of all tested extracts and controls.Se estudiaron extractos fenólicos de semillas de manzana (Malus domestica) de variedades Red delicious (Rd) y Blanca de asturias (Ba). Se realizaron dos procedimientos de extracción sucesiva con solventes orgánicos para la evaluación de fitoquímicos con naturaleza hidrofílica, uno con hexano, acetato de etilo, metanol 50% y otro con hexano y acetona 70%. Los extractos acetónicos mostraron un mayor contenido de fenoles totales y de taninos condensados en comparación con los extractos de acetato de etilo y metanol acuoso en las dos variedades estudiadas. Independientemente de la variedad, los extractos acetónicos mostraron mayor capacidad atrapadora de radicales libre (%ARL), en comparación con los demás extractos. El análisis cromatográfico de los extractos mediante capa fina bidimensional fue positivo para proantocianidinas (taninos condensados). También se evaluó el efecto biológico de los extractos crudos sobre la proliferación de células transformadas (células HeLa), mismo que fue equivalente al control positivo de catequina. Los extractos acetónicos mostraron el mayor efecto inhibitorio en la proliferación celular entre todos los extractos y controles

Quality of spaghetti pasta containing Mexican common bean flour (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The objective of this research was to study the effect of the addition of common bean flour to semolina on the cooking quality and total phenolic content of pasta. Pasta was obtained at three temperatures (60, 70 and 80 °C) and two levels of added common bean flour (15% and 30%); plain pasta (100% semolina) was used as control. Moisture, optimal cooking time, cooking loss, water absorption capacity, colour change, firmness and total phenolic and furosine contents were measured. The cooking time and water absorption were diminished in spaghetti pasta with added common bean flour; cooking loss increased and firmness decreased as a function of the bean flour percentage. A linear relationship between colour change and common bean flour content in pasta was found. Increases of furosine and phenolic contents in pasta with the addition of bean flour were observed. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer Reviewe

microencapsulation by spray drying of gallic acid with nopal mucilage (Opuntia ficus indica)

The spray-drying process has been previously used to encapsulate food ingredients such as antioxidants. Thus the objective of this work was to produce microcapsules of gallic acid, a phenolic compound that acts as antioxidant, by spray drying with an aqueous extract of nopal mucilage (Ofi), which acted as an encapsulating agent. The rheological response and the particle size distribution of the final solutions containing gallic acid at concentrations of 6 g/100 mL were characterized along with the control sample, no gallic acid added, to elucidate the degree of encapsulation. The drying parameters to prepare the microcapsules with extract of nopal mucilage were: inlet air temperature (130 and 170 C) and speed atomization (14,000 and 20,000 rpm). The rehydrated biopolymer showed a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior. The Cross Model was used to model the rheological data. Values for “m” varied between 0.55 and 0.85, and for “time characteristic, l”, the range was between 0.0071 and 0.021 s. The mechanical spectra showed that the sample with gallic acid was stable long term (>2 days) and presented a bimodal particle size distribution. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of nopal mucilage when utilized as wall biomaterial in microencapsulation of gallic acid by the spray-drying process

Gastroprotective potential of Buddleja scordioides Kunth: Effects into the modulation of antioxidant enzymes and inflammation markers in an in vivo model

Ethnopharmacological relevance: A common plant used to treat several gastric disorders is Buddleja scordioides Kunth,commonly known as salvilla. Aim of thes tudy: To detect inflammatory markers,in order to evaluate the gastroprotective potential of salvilla infusions,as this could have beneficial impact on the population exposed to gastric ulcers and colitis. Materials and methods: The present work attempted infusions were prepared with B. scordioides (1% w/w) lyophilized and stored.Total phenolic content and GC–MS analysis were performed. Wistar rats were divided into five groups a negative vehicle control,an indomethacin group,and three experimental groups,named preventive,curative,and suppressive. All rats were sacrificed under deep ether anesthesia(6h)after the last oral administration of indomethacin/infusion.The rat stomachs were promptly excised,weighed,and chilled in ice-cold and 0.9%NaCl.Histological analysis,nitrites quantification and immunodetection assays were done. Results: B.scordioides infusions markedly reduced the visible hemorrhagic lesions induced byindomethacin in rat stomachs,also showed down-regulation of COX2, IL-8 and TNFα and up-regulation of COX-1with a moderate down-regulation of NFkB and lower amount of nitrites.However,this behavior was dependent on the treatment,showing most down-regulation of COX-2,TNFα and IL-8 in the curative treatment;more down-regulation of NF-kB in the preventive treatment;and more up-regulation of COX-1 for the suppressor and preventive treatments. Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory potential of B. scordioides infusions could be related with the presence of polyphenols as quercetin in the infusion and how this one is consumed.3.055 JCR (2015) Q1, 2/24 Integrative & complementary medicine, 36/209 Plant sciences; Q2, 16/59 Chemistry, medicinal, 72/253 Pharmacology & pharmacyUE

Comprehensive Characterization of Extractable Phenolic Compounds by UPLC-PDA-ESI-QqQ of Buddleja scordioides Plants Elicited with Salicylic Acid

Buddleja scordioides has a rich phytochemical composition and reported medicinal properties. An increase in its secondary metabolites production could improve its functional properties. A strategy to enhance its biological potential is to subject the plant to elicitation with phytohormones such as salicylic acid under controlled environmental conditions. The present study explores the effect of exogenous application of three salicylic acid levels as elicitation treatment in B. scordioides plants. Phenolic profile, enzymatic activities, and antioxidant capacity were evaluated. Elicitation with 100 µM of salicylic acid resulted in the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds with recognized biological activity