Evaluation of antidiabetic properties of cactus pear seed oil in rats

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae)) is a medicinal plant widely used to treat diabetes. This work investigates the hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effect of cactus pear seed oil (CPSO), its mechanism of action, and any toxic effects

Optimization of gallic acid encapsulation in calcium alginate microbeads using Box-Behnken Experimental Design

peer reviewedThe aim of this study was the optimization of the gallic acid (GA) encapsulation efficiency within calcium alginate microparticles by the ionotropic gelation technique, using Box-Behnken design for the surface methodology response. For this purpose, three independent variables were selected: sodium alginate concentration (X1), calcium chloride concentration (X2), and gallic acid concentrations (X3). The influence of each variable on the encapsulation efficiency was evaluated. The optimum conditions to reach maximum encapsulation efficiency were found to be: X1 = 30 g/l (3%, w/v), X2 = 21.63 g/l (2.163%, w/v) and X3 = 15 g/l (1.5%, w/v), respectively. The encapsulation efficiency was determined to be 42.8%. The obtained microbeads were further examined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), and the inclusion of gallic acid was confirmed. The gallic acid concentration (X3) is the statistically significant factor in the optimization process. In addition, no autoxidation of the gallic acid compound was observed in the formulated calcium alginate microbeads. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed that the shape of the particle was spherical for all formulations and their surface is wrinkled. The release study of the gallic acid carried out in an aqueous medium at pH value 6.8, showed that the GA release pattern was fast for all systems studied (85% at 20 min), and the profile of the release was influenced by the size of the calcium alginate microbeads. The obtained results reveal that the calcium alginate microbeads prepared through the ionotropic gelation technique possess great prominent for gallic acid encapsulation as well as its liberation.Project PPR 15-17 and PARA1-201

Montmorillonite nanoclay based formulation for controlled and selective release of volatile essential oil compounds

In the current study, a green method that can be easily used in different industrial applications, based on the modification of sodium exchanged montmorillonite (Na ⁺ -Mt) with essential oils (EO) such as thyme oil, thymol and carvacrol was presented. The obtained results show the prepared clays-essential oils hybrids were promising nanomaterials to encapsulate the active compounds and to control their release selectively in the functional applications. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to study the adsorption of EO, thymol and carvacrol molecules, in the interlayer space. To verify the adsorption of thyme EO, thymol and carvacrol into Na ⁺ -Mt layers and to determine the temperature range where the EO, thymol and carvacrol release took place, thermogravimetric analysis (TG) was used. Attenuated total reflecting-Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was used to verify and to study the adsorption mechanism. The obtained results show that the interlayer space of Na ⁺ -Mt was not affected by the adsorption of thyme EO, thymol or carvacrol molecules. The release of the adsorbed molecules of thyme EO, thymol or carvacrol from Na ⁺ -Mt surface was obtained above 180 °C. Combination of simulation with all obtained experimental results, confirm that the adsorption process of thyme EO, thymol, and carvacrol molecules on the Na ⁺ -Mt took place on the external surface i) by hydrogen bonds between the OH groups of thyme EO, thymol or carvacrol molecules and OH groups of Na ⁺ -Mt surface, and ii) by hydrogen bonds between these adsorbed molecules. The release study shows that the adsorption of EO like thyme, and its constituents such as thymol and carvacrol onto an inorganic porous material such as Na ⁺ -Mt provides extended controlled release of all adsorbed active molecules with their chemical stability due to the protection against environmental conditions. In addition, the release of thyme oil constituents (like thymol and carvacrol) occurs by a selective process in time

Development and characterization of alginate@montmorillonite hybrid microcapsules for encapsulation and controlled release of quercetin: Effect of clay type

peer reviewedIn the present study, different organic and hybrid systems for quercetin (Qr) encapsulation were developed, namely Ca-Alginate (Qr-Alg), Ca-Alginate@Na-montmorillonite (Qr-Alg@Na-Mnt), and Ca-Alginate@CPC-montmorillonite (Qr-Alg@CPC-Mnt). Attenuated total reflecting-Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) analysis was used to characterize and prove quercetin encapsulation in the developed microcapsules. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) and loading capacity (LC) of quercetin in elaborated biomaterials were determined. Besides, the release kinetics of quercetin molecules from organic and hybrid microcapsules were carefully investigated in two different aqueous mediums; pure distilled water and distilled water containing Tween 20 (1%, w/v). The obtained results show that all developed microcapsules have a good encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity within the range 97.65 ± 0.57–99.47 ± 0.38% for the EE and 19.26 ± 0.46–23.29 ± 0.82 mg/g for the LC. The release rates of Qr from organic microcapsules Qr-Alg, hybrid microcapsules Qr-Alg@Na-Mnt, and Qr-Alg@CPC-Mnt in distilled water containing Tween 20 (1%, w/v) are 52, 49, and 113 times bigger, respectively, than release rate in distilled water. In addition, the kinetics release from hybrid microcapsules was slower in comparison to organic microcapsules. Also, in the case of hybrid microcapsules, the rate of kinetic release of quercetin from Qr-Alg@Na-Mnt was greater than the one from Qr-Alg@CPC-Mnt. This is due to the strong interactions of quercetin molecules with nanoparticle functional groups of cetylpyridinium chloride modified montmorillonite organoclay (CPC-Mnt) compared to sodium montmorillonite (Na-Mnt). The kinetics of Quercetin release from all developed organic and hybrid microcapsules follows the Korsmeyer–Peppas model and is controlled by non-Fickian diffusion

Antihyperglycemic potential of the Lavandula stoechas aqueous extract via inhibition of digestive enzymes and reduction of intestinal glucose absorption

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a widespread metabolic disorder affecting global populations. Lavandula stoechas from Moroccan traditional medicine is used for its potential anti-diabetic effects. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the antihyperglycemic impact of the aqueous extract of L. stoechas (AqLs) and explore its mechanisms. Methods: The study employed a glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on normal and diabetic Wistar rats, administering AqLs at 150 mg/kg. In vitro, AqLs was tested against α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, confirmed in vivo using normal and Allx-diabetic rats. The extract’s impact on intestinal d-glucose absorption was assessed using the jejunum segment perfusion technique at 250 mg/kg in situ. Albino mice were used to assess toxicity. Results: AqLs significantly reduced postprandial hyperglycemia (P < 0.001) due to glucose overload. It inhibited pancreatic α-amylase (IC50: 0.485 mg/mL) and intestinal α-glucosidase (IC50: 168 µg/mL) in vitro. Oral AqLs at 150 mg/kg reduced hyperglycemia induced by sucrose and starch in normal and diabetic rats. It also lowered (P < 0.001) intestinal glucose absorption in situ at 250 mg/kg. Oral acute toxicity tests on Albino mice indicated no adverse effects at different doses. Conclusion: to summarize, L. stoechas has evident antihyperglycemic effects attributed to inhibiting intestinal glucose absorption and key monosaccharide digestion enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase

Chemical Composition of Cactus Pear Seed Oil: phenolics identification and antioxidant activity

Objectives: The chemical composition of cactus pear seed oil (Opuntia ficus-indica [L.] Mill.) was analyzed in terms of its fatty acid composition, tocopherol content, phenolic identification, and the oil’s phenolic-rich fraction antioxidant power was determined. Methods: Fatty acid profiling was performed by gas chromatography coupled to an FI detector. Tocopherols and phenolic compounds were analyzed by LC-FLD/UV, and the oil’s phenolic-rich fraction antioxidant power was determined by phosphomolybdenum, DPPH assay and β-carotene bleaching test. Results: Fatty acid composition was marked by a high unsaturation level (83.22 ± 0.34%). The predominant fatty acid was linoleic acid (66.79 ± 0.78%), followed by oleic acid (15.16 ± 0.42%) and palmitic acid (12.70 ± 0.03%). The main tocopherol was γ-tocopherol (172.59 ± 7.59 mg/kg. In addition, Tyrosol, vanillic acid, vanillin, ferulic acid, pinoresinol, and cinnamic acid were identified as phenolic compounds in the analyzed seed oil. Moreover, the oil’s phenolics-rich fraction showed a significant total antioxidant activity, scavenged DPPH up to 97.85%, and effectively protected β-carotene against bleaching (97.56%). Conclusion: The results support the potential use of cactus pear seed oil as a functional food

Acute and Subacute Toxicity and Cytotoxicity of Opuntia Dillenii (Ker-Gawl) Haw. Seed Oil and Its Impact on the Isolated Rat Diaphragm Glucose Absorption

This study aims to assess the safety of the Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gawl) haw. seed oil (ODSO) and its effect on the glucose absorption activity of the isolated rat hemidiaphragm. This oil’s safety was studied by exploring its acute (doses 1, 3, 5, and 7 mL/kg) and subacute (doses 1 and 2 mL/kg) toxicities in albino mice and Wistar rats, respectively. The safety of the ODSO was also assessed by studying its effect on the HepG2 cell viability in vitro. The effect of ODSO, or combined with the insulin, on the glucose absorption activity of isolated rat hemidiaphragm was evaluated at the dose 1 g/L in vitro. The results demonstrated the safety of ODSO. Indeed, this study showed that this oil does not produce any mortality or signs of toxicity after the single-dose administration in mice. Additionally, the daily intake of the ODSO during four weeks does not induce a significant variation in the biochemical parameters and body weight of rats compared with the control group. Besides, the cell viability of HepG2 did not change in the presence of ODSO. On the other hand, the ODSO increased the glucose absorption activity of the isolated rat hemidiaphragm, and this activity was significantly enhanced when combined with insulin. This study confirms, on one side, the safety of this oil and its efficacy and, on the other side, encourages its potential use as a complement to treat diabetes

Chapter 44 - Prickly pear

Nowadays, consumers are increasingly interested in foods that are linked with health benefits, in addition to their nutritional composition. Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) is native to Mexico, but nowadays it is widely spread among other regions of the world, such as Africa, Australia, and the Mediterranean basin, due to its pleasant organoleptic features. Prickly pear belongs to the Cactaceae family, which includes over 1500 species of cacti. Moreover, it is gaining popularity among consumers due to the presence of bioactive compounds, namely polyphenols, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, and sterols that are associated with relevant functional and biological activities, such as antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic properties, among others. In addition, this plant can also be used as a fence in gardens and fields and is useful in helping to combat desertification as it grows in arid and semiarid regions. Nowadays, it is widely used to manufacture food products, such as juices and jams, but it is also consumed as a fruit. Prickly pear is a promising source of phytochemicals, which can be useful for food, or in the cosmetics or pharmaceutical industries to develop new products with health-promoting properties, namely, functional foods, natural additives, or dietary supplements.This work has been funded by National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, I.P., under the project BioCOMP (Reference number 2012DAN730) and UIDB/50006/2020 with funding from FCT/MCTES through national funds. Tânia Gonçalves Albuquerque and Mafalda Alexandra Silva acknowledges the PhD fellowship (SFRH/BD/99718/2014 and PD/BD/142932/2018) funded by the FCT, FSE, and MEC.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio