Multi-Targeted Molecular Effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa Polyphenols: An Opportunity for a Global Approach to Obesity

Improper diet can alter gene expression by breaking the energy balance equation and changing metabolic and oxidative stress biomarkers, which can result in the development of obesity-related metabolic disorders. The pleiotropic effects of dietary plant polyphenols are capable of counteracting by modulating different key molecular targets at the cell, as well as through epigenetic modifications. Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS)-derived polyphenols are known to ameliorate various obesity-related conditions. Recent evidence leads to propose the complex nature of the underlying mechanism of action. This multi-targeted mechanism includes the regulation of energy metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways, transcription factors, hormones and peptides, digestive enzymes, as well as epigenetic modifications. This article reviews the accumulated evidence on the multiple anti-obesity effects of HS polyphenols in cell and animal models, as well as in humans, and its putative molecular targets. In silico studies reveal the capacity of several HS polyphenols to act as putative ligands for different digestive and metabolic enzymes, which may also deserve further attention. Therefore, a global approach including integrated and networked omics techniques, virtual screening and epigenetic analysis is necessary to fully understand the molecular mechanisms of HS polyphenols and metabolites involved, as well as their possible implications in the design of safe and effective polyphenolic formulations for obesity.Some of the investigations described in this review have been partially or fully supported by competitive public grants from the following institutions: AGL2011-29857-C03-03 and IDI-20120751 grants (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation); projects AGL2015-67995-C3-1-R, AGL2015-67995-C3-2-R and AGL2015-67995-C3-3-R from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO); and PROMETEO/2012/007, PROMETEO/2016/006, ACOMP/2013/093, ACIF/2010/162, ACIF/2015/158 and ACIF/2016/230 grants from Generalitat Valenciana and CIBER (CB12/03/30038, Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y la Nutricion, CIBERobn, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain)

Influence of air temperature on drying kinetics and antioxidant potential of olive pomace

This work aims to evaluate the influence of olive pomace drying (a solid by-product of the olive oil industry) on both antioxidant potential and drying kinetics. The two main fractions of olive pomace (pits, PI and pulps + peels, P + P) were characterized by image analysis and density measurement. The drying process was analyzed in experiments carried out at different temperatures (from 50 to 150 C) and mathematically described from the diffusion and Weibull models. The antioxidant potential of the extracts (ethanol water 80:20 v/v, 22 ± 1 C, 170 rpm for 24 h) obtained from the dry product was analyzed by measuring the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity and the main polyphenols were quantified by HPLC DAD/MS MS. The drying behavior of olive pomace was well described by considering the diffusion in the PI and P + P fractions separately and the influence of temperature on effective moisture diffusivities was quantified by an Arrhenius type equation. The antioxidant potential was only mildly influenced by the drying temperature. However, long drying times at the highest temperature tested (150 C) significantly (p < 0.05) increased the antioxidant potentialThe authors acknowledge the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2010/062 and PROMETEO/2012/007) and Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (AGL2011-29857-C03-04) for their financial support and the Ministerio de Educacion, Cultura y Deporte of Spain for the financing through the Formacion de Profesorado Universitario del Programa Nacional de Formacion de Recursos Humanos de Investigacion.Ahmad-Qasem Mateo, MH.; Barrajón Catalán, E.; Micol, V.; Cárcel Carrión, JA.; García Pérez, JV. (2013). Influence of air temperature on drying kinetics and antioxidant potential of olive pomace. Journal of Food Engineering. 119(3):516-524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2013.06.027S516524119

Melittin-loaded immunoliposomes against viral surface proteins, a new approach to antiviral therapy

In this study, melittin, a well-characterized pore-forming lytic amphiphilic peptide susceptible to be vehiculized in lipid membranes, has been utilized to study their antiviral properties. For this purpose, an assay based on melittin loaded-immunoliposomes previously described by our group was adapted to antiviral purposes by means of monoclonal antibodies targeting the surface G glycoprotein of the fish viral haemorrhagic septicemia rhabdovirus (VHSV). We also studied the antiviral action of these immunoliposomes in vitro and the results showed that they are capable of inhibiting the VHSV infectivity by 95.2% via direct inactivation of the virus. Furthermore, the inhibition of the infectivity when treatments were added at different times post-infection and the analysis of the infection foci sizes suggested altogether that they also act by reducing the VHSV spread in cell culture and by killing the infected cells which express the G glycoprotein in their plasmatic membranes

Volatile profile of Spanish Cistus plants as sources of antimicrobials for industrial applications

Cistus is a plant genus traditionally used in folk medicine as remedy for several microbial disorders and infections. The abundance of Cistus spp. in the Iberian Peninsula together with their ability to renew after wildfire contribute to their profitability as suppliers of functional ingredients. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive characterization of the volatile profile of different Cistus plants grown in Spain:Cistus ladanifer L., Cistus albidus L., Cistus salviifolius L., and Cistus clusii Dunal (the latter has not been studied before). A system combining headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC–MS) was implemented; thereby, the volatile compounds were extracted and analyzed in a fast, reliable and environment-friendly way. A total of 111 volatile compounds were identified, 28 of which were reported in Cistus for the first time. The most abundant components of the samples (mono and sesquiterpenes) have been previously reported as potent antimicrobial agents. Therefore, this work reveals the potential use of the Cistus spp. studied as natural sources of antimicrobial compounds for industrial production of cosmeceuticals, among other applications

Drying and storage of olive leaf extracts. Influence on polyphenols stability

[EN] There is an increasing demand for natural antioxidants in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries which has led to the search not only for natural extracts but also for strategies with which to increase long-term storage stability. The aim of this work was to assess the influence of the drying and storage of olive leaf extracts on the bioactive potential and stability of polyphenols. Olive leaves were hot air dried (120 degrees C) and freeze dried. Then the extracts were obtained by maceration (ethanol-water, 80:20, v/v). Afterwards, a part of the extracts was hot air dried at 120 degrees C and vacuum dehydrated at 55 degrees C. Thus, the extracts, in liquid and powder forms, were stored at 4, 25 and 35 degrees C for 4 weeks. During this period, the extracts were characterized by determining the antioxidant capacity (AC), the total phenolic content (TPC) and the concentration of the major phenolic compounds.The authors thank the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEOII/2014/005, PROMETEO/2012/007 and ACOMP/2013/93) for its financial support. M.H. Ahmad Qasem was the recipient of a fellowship from the Ministerio de Educacion, Cultura y Deporte of Spain (Programa de Formacion de Profesorado Universitario del Programa Nacional de Formacion de Recursos Humanos de Investigacion). This research has also been supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (DPI2012-37466-C03-03, AGL2011-29857-C03-03 and AGL2015-67995-C3-1-R) and CIBERobn (CB12/03/30038, Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y la Nutricion, CIBERobn, Instituto de Salud Carlos III).Ahmad-Qasem Mateo, MH.; Ahmad-Qasem, B.; Barrajon-Catalan, E.; Micol-Molina, V.; Carcel Carrión, JA.; García Pérez, JV. (2016). Drying and storage of olive leaf extracts. Influence on polyphenols stability. Industrial Crops and Products. 79:232-239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2015.11.006S2322397