Heavy metals in the muscle and hepatopancreas of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in campania (italy)

The aim of this study was to carry out a quali-quantitative analysis of the presence of non-essential and essential trace elements in freshwater crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) edible tissues to establish the healthiness of this product and to evaluate the pollution status of the sampling sites included in the present study. P. clarkii is one of the most common species of freshwater crustaceans in Italy, regularly consumed by local people. Moreover, the crayfish, due to its trophic position and diet, can be considered as an excellent bioindicator of the health status of the ecosystem. We collected sixty crayfish samples from two different sites in Campania (Italy): Villa Literno and Sessa Aurunca. Concentrations of trace elements were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Our data showed low concentrations of Cd, Hg and Pb, with values below the European Commission MRL (Commission Regulation (EC) 1881/2006). We suggest that data obtained from this study showed that crayfish collected from Villa Literno and Sessa Aurunca were safe for human consumption. Furthermore, the results of this research indicated mild contamination of heavy metals of the sampling sites, indicating a good health status of the area’s aquatic ecosystem

Alkaloids from Cissampelos tropaeolifolia d.c.

The phytochemical study of Cissampelos tropaeolifolia aerial parts led to the isolation and structural characterization by spectroscopic and spectrometric methods of two morfinan-7-one alkaolid named 2 O-methylflavinantine and Fissistigine D. The following known compounds were also identified: caffeic acid, caffeic acid methyl ester, caffeic acid ethyl ester, and p-coumaric acid. The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by 1D- and 2D-NMR Spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 13C DEPT, DQF-COSY, HSQC, HMBC, ROESY ) and confirmed by mass spectrometry studies

A Novel Tirucallane-type Triterpene and Sesquiterpene from Trichilia maynasiana

One new tirucallane-type triterpene {3 beta, 24-dihydroxytirucallan-7,25-diene, 24 -sulfate (1)}, one new sesquiterpene {7-epi-10-hydroxychabrol-1(2)-en-4,5-dione A (2)}, together with three known tirucallanes, and four aromadendranes were isolated from the leaves of Trichilia maynasiana C. DC.. Their structures were determined by means of NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometric analysis, and chemical methods

Sesquiterpene Lactones from Vernonia nigritiana

Two new sesquiterpenes, 8 alpha-(4-hydroxymethacryloyl)-14-acetoxy-salonitenolide (1) and 8 alpha-(2-hydroxymethyl 2-butenoyl)-14-acetoxy-salonitenolide (2), together with five known sesquiterpenes were isolated from the leaves of Vernonia nigritiana Oliv. & Hiern. Their structural characterization was obtained on the basis of extensive NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric studies

Levels of cadmium in warty crab (Eriphia verrucosa): preliminary results

EU regulations establish the cadmium maximum residual levels (MLR) for crab taking into account only concentrations obtained for crab muscle, mainly from appendages, therefore excluding other organs and tissues. The objective of the present study was to evaluate cadmium levels in appendages and also in digestive gland, well-known to be the most site for cadmium storage and detoxification. For this purpose, concentrations of cadmium were determined in Warty Crab (Eriphia verrucosa) collected from the southern Tyrrhenian Sea by means of microwave digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry. Cd concentrations were found very low in all samples of muscle from crab appendages (< LOQ). Digestive gland showed Cd concentrations ranging between 0.931 and 4.612 mg kg-1 (mean value 3.107 mg kg-1). Therefore, preliminary results show that cadmium concentrations were largely below the MLR established by the European Commission for muscle from crab appendages (Reg CE 1881/2006). Digestive gland showed the highest metal concentration. The observed results highlighted that the consumption of organs and tissues included in crab body such as abdomen, gonads and, in particular, digestive gland, very probable in certain populations of Mediterranean region due to the traditional and unusual consumption of raw and whole crustaceans, substantially increased the cadmium intake up to alarming values

Levels of cadmium in white and brown meat of warty crab (Eriphia verrucosa)

European Union regulations that establish the maximum cadmium (Cd) levels for crab take into account only concentrations found in crab muscle (white meat), mainly from appendages; therefore, other organs and tissues (brown meat) are excluded. The objective of the present study was to evaluate Cd levels in both white and brown crab meat, in order to achieve a more complete assessment of health risk related to human consumption of warty crab. Microwave digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry were used to determine Cd concentrations in warty crab (Eriphia verrucosa) samples collected from the southern Tyrrhenian Sea in Italy. Cd concentrations in all samples of white crab meat were found to be very low (below the limit of quantification), although brown crab meat showed significantly higher Cd concentrations (up to 5.629 mg/kg wet weight; mean value, 1.465 mg/ kg). Thus, the consumption of brown meat, common among certain populations of the Mediterranean region, where whole crustaceans are traditionally eaten, substantially increased Cd intake, resulting in alarmingly high estimated weekly intake values

Quinone diterpenes from Salvia species: chemistry, botany, and biological activity

A total of 175 abietane quinone diterpenes with ortho- or para-quinone chromophore, namely 11,12-ortho-quinone abietane, 11,14-para-quinone abietane, seco-abietane and abeo-abietanes quinones were surveyed from 130 species of Salvia of central Asia/Mediterranean area, eastern Asia, and Central and South America. An organized information on the phytochemistry and the biological activities, i.e. anti-cancer, antioxidant, anxiolytic and antidepressant, anti-obesity, antinflammatory, as well as antimicrobial and toxicological aspects of these compounds was provided. Due to the many nomenclatural mistakes caused by the abundance of data, and the need to provide the plant knowledge for further chemotaxonomic studies, the results about the botany and the taxonomy of the plant source of these compounds were also summarized

Chemical Profiling of Astragalus membranaceus Roots (Fish.) Bunge Herbal Preparation and Evaluation of Its Bioactivity

Astragalus membranaceus (Fish.) Bunge is a perennial herb distributed in the northern part of China, and its roots, namely, Hang qi, are included as a natural ingredient in dietary supplement formulations commonly used to treat different disorders such as respiratory infections, diabetes, and heart failure. The availability of a simple method for the determination of the quality of Astragalus herbal preparations could be a challenging issue for commercial purposes. In this study, a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS)/MS based approach was used to characterize specialized metabolite recovery of 3 commercial hydroalcoholic extracts of A. membranaceus (AMG1, AMG2, AMG3) in addition to a hydroalcoholic extract of A. membranaceus root (AST). The hypoglycemic effect, cholinesterase inhibition, and antioxidant activities were also evaluated. Thirty-one compounds, of which 19 polyphenols and 12 saponins, were identified. The extracts were also quantified by using a sensitive and selective Q-Trap system for their content in flavonoids and astragalosides, selecting astragaloside I and IV as chemical markers. From our results, AMG3 preparation (Axtragyl) was the most abundant in terms of both specialized classes of metabolites, showing a fingerprint similar to that of AST. Interestingly, tested enzyme inhibition ability of flavonoids, daidzein (11) and formononetin (19), reported a higher α-glucosidase inhibition in comparison with that of acarbose used as positive control. The in silico study clarified the interactions among the molecules and the importance of having a free hydroxy group. Moreover, Axtragyl was able to exert protective effects in Caco-2 cells treated with hydrogen peroxide, confirming its ability as a potential protective agent in intestinal injury

Spartium junceum L. poisoning in small ruminants

An outbreak of neurological disorders in a flock of 20 sheep coming from a rural farm in Civitella Roveto, Italy, occurred in winter 2015. All the animals showed tonic-clonic convulsions followed by muscle paralysis associated with dilated pupils, tremor, tachycardia, tachypnea and diarrhea. The presence of bundles of dry broom of Spartium junceum L. in the feed, eaten by the animals supported the hypothesis of plant intoxication. Two animals died after worsening of clinical signs. The anatomopathological findings and the laboratory results ruled out viral or bacterial infections or accidental exposure to other toxics. Phytochemical study showed the presence of large amount of cytisine, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, in all parts of the plant eaten by the animals. Clinical and pathological findings, the complete remission of clinical signs after the exclusion of dry broom from the diet, together with the results of phytochemical analyses results corroborated the hypothesis of S. junceum L. intoxication