Phenolic contents, antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibition properties of Nepalese strain buckwheat vegetables

The sprouts, microgreens and leafy greens of common and tartary buckwheat of Nepalese strain were compared for the phenolic contents and biological activity. The tartary buckwheat samples expressed higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents compared to the common buckwheat. The sprouts had the highest total phenolic contents (9333.48 ± 150.23 and 6976.21 ± 213.65 mgGAE/100g dw in tartary and common buckwheat, respectively) whereas, the highest total flavonoid content was present in the leafy greens (7635.39 ± 141.40 and 4414.61 ± 70.85 mgRE/100g dw in tartary and common buckwheat respectively). The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results revealed that the tartary buckwheat vegetables had higher rutin, (3800.28 ± 434.41 mg/100g in leafy greens), quercetin (159.75 ± 9.04 mg/100g in sprouts) and chlorogenic acid (293.47 ± 65.06 mg/100g in microgreens) contents than those of common buckwheat. However, other phenolics like vitexin, isovitexin, orientin and isoorientin contents were more abundant in common buckwheat. In biochemical assay, all three types of vegetable of common and tartary buckwheat showed higher antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibition effect in dose dependent manner. Based on these results, it can be conformed that all the vegetables (microgreens, sprouts and leafy greens) of both varieties of buckwheat of Nepalese strains can be regarded as a potent sour ce of functional food.Key words: Antioxidant, α-glucosidase, buckwheat vegetables, Nepalese strain buckwheat, phenolics

INVESTIGATION OF TOTAL PHENOLIC, TOTAL FLAVONOID, ANTIOXIDANT AND ALLYL ISOTHIOCYANATE CONTENT IN THE DIFFERENT ORGANS OF WASABI JAPONICA GROWN IN AN ORGANIC SYSTEM

Background: This study was carried out to investigate the total polyphenol (TP), total flavonoid (TF), antioxidative effect and allyl isothyocyanate (ITC) content in different organs of wasabi plant grown in an organic system. Materials and Methods: Invitro study of methanol and boiled water extracts of wasabi were conducted by analyzing the 1-1- diphenyl-2-picryl hydrozyl (DPPH) radial scavenging activity, metal chelating activity and total antioxidant capacity in a comparative manner. Result: The result revealed that methanol extract showed higher TP in flower (3644 mg TAE/100 g dw), leaf (3201 mg TAE/100 g dw) and fruit (3025 mg TAE/100 g dw) as compared to the boiled water extract. Similarly, TF content was also higher in methanol extracts of flower (1152 mg QE/100 g dw) and leaf (325 mg QE/100 g dw), however, the other parts showed ignorable value. Results: Results of antioxidant activity were found at different magnitude of potency. The methanol extract of different parts of wasabi exhibited higher activity in total antioxidant capacity and DPPH radical scavenging assay as compared to water extract. In metal chelating assay, the boiled water extracts of leaf showed higher (76.9%) activity, followed by fruit (68.8%) and flower (62.8%). Ally ITC detected by gas chromatography was present in all of the tissues of wasabi plant but the content was found to be varied in different tissues. Conclusions: Overall, this study will allow consumers and processors to understand the possibility for medical application of wasabi plant by knowing the level of total polyphenol distribution, Ally ITC content and antioxidant property distributed in different parts and tissues

QUANTITATIVE ESTIMATION OF GINSENOSIDES IN DIFFERENT AGES OF PANAX VIETNAMENSIS AND THEIR ANTI-PROLIFERATION EFFECTS IN HELA CELLS

Background: The objective of study was to investigate the major compounds of ginsenosides in Panax vietnamensis in its growing stages and their anti-proliferative activity in HeLa cells. Materials and Methods: The roots with different ages were analyzed by HPLC/MS. Anti-proliferation activity of P. Vietnamensis ginseng in HeLa cells was investigated using MTT assay. Results: Three main compounds of ginsenoside, Rb1, Rg1 and majonoside R2 were increased with the increasing of age. However, ginsenoside Rc, Re, Rd and Rg3 did not show any alteration with growing age. The major compound majonoside R2 was accumulated maximum in 5 years old ginseng. According to the data, the anti-proliferation activity was directly proportional to the growing ages of ginseng. The eleven years old ginseng showed maximum effect than the younger roots. This effect may be related to the concentration of ginsenosides or majonoside R2 content in P. Vietnamensis. Conclusion: The concentration of ginsenoside content in the roots of P. Vietnamensis is directly related to the growing ages. Overall, due to the higher concentration of ginsenoside in mature ginseng root, Panax vietnamensis ginseng can be used as an effective anti-proliferative drug

Polyphenols extracted from red grape pomace by a surfactant based method show enhanced collagenase and elastase inhibitory activity

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to separate polyphenols from grape pomace using a surfactant-based separation, Colloidal Gas Aphrons (CGA) and to investigate their inhibitory activity against skin relevant enzymes, collagenase and elastase. Ethanolic (EE) and hot water crude extracts (HWE) were produced first and then the CGA generated using TWEEN20 were applied resulting in polyphenols enriched fractions (CGA-EE and CGA-HWE, ethanol and hot water extracts derived fractions respectively). RESULTS: Both crude extracts inhibited the enzymes in a dose-dependent manner however, further extraction by CGA led to fractions with higher inhibitory efficiency against collagenase. Although gallic acid was the main component of the CGA-HWE, others such as kaempferol must have contributed to its potency which was over six times more than gallic acid's. The CGA-EE was found to be about four times more efficient than its crude extract and over six times more efficient than gallic acid in collagenase's inhibition; quercetin was the major polyphenol in this fraction. CONCLUSION: It is evident that ethanol and hot water extraction processes led to different polyphenols composition and thus different inhibitory activity against collagenase and elastase. Further separation with CGA increased the inhibitory potency of both extracts against collagenase. Overall the results here showed the potential application of the CGA fractions from grape extracts in cosmetics

Traditional knowledge of processing and use of the Himalayan giant nettle (Girardinia diversifolia [Link] Friis) among the Gurungs of Sikles, Nepal

The Himalayan giant nettle (Girardinia diversifolia (Link) Friis) has been widely used throughout the mountainous regions of Nepal as a source of fiber (puwa) for weaving ropes, thread, porter’s tumplines, mats, sacks, and bhangra (a piece of traditional Gurung clothing). Ethnic groups such as Gurungs, Magars, Rais and Tamangs are the major exploiters of puwa fiber in Nepal. This study investigates the traditional knowledge of the processing and use of puwa fiber among the Gurungs of Sikles, in the trans-Himalayan region of Nepal. Puwa products have much cultural value for Gurungs in Sikles. Women are responsible for most of the puwa related activities and most of the woven products are used within households. Although puwa  has become established as an important non-timber forest product for generating income among rural communities in the mountainous and Himalayan regions of Nepal, its economic potential has yet to be realized in Sikles

Antioxidant activity and quantitative estimation of azadirachtin and nimbin in Azadirachta Indica A. Juss grown in foothills of Nepal

The leaf and bark fraction extracts of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (neem) grown in the foothills (subtropical region) of Nepal were evaluated for their antioxidant activity, total phenolic (TP) and totalflavonid (TF) contents. HPLC method was employed to quantify the amount of azadirachtin and nimbin present in the seed, leaf and the bark extracts of neem. The result showed that the highest azadirachtincontent was found in the methanolic extract of the seed (3300 ìg/g dw). Similarly, the hexane fraction of bark showed the highest nimbin content (271 ìg/g dw) followed by the methanolic extract (260 ìg/g dw).Antioxidant activity was determined by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, DNA protection assay, metal chelating and the inhibition of peroxidation using linoleic acid system and their results were found at different magnitudes of potency. The results of TP content expressed in tannic acid equivalents ranged from 66.63 to 629.04ìg/mg in the bark extracts and 23.85 to 237.00 ìg/mg in the leaf extracts. Likewise, the content of TF expressed in quercetine equivalents ranged from 12.87 to 17.07 ìg/mg in the bark and 13.72 to 93.17 ìg/mg in the leaf extracts

In vitro antioxidant, collagenase inhibition, and in vivo anti-wrinkle effects of combined formulation containing Punica granatum, Ginkgo biloba, Ficus carica, and Morus alba fruits extract

Amal Kumar Ghimeray,1 Un Sun Jung,1,2 Ha Youn Lee,1 Young Hoon Kim,1 Eun Kyung Ryu,1 Moon Sik Chang11R&D Center, Natural Solution Co., Ltd, Gojan-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea; 2Department of Horticultural Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of KoreaBackground: In phytotherapy, the therapeutic potential is based on the combined action of different herbal drugs. Our objective was to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-collagenase (in vitro), and anti-wrinkle (in vivo) effect of combined formulation containing Ginkgo biloba, Punica granatum, Ficus carica, and Morus alba fruits extract.Methods: Antioxidant evaluation was based on the scavenging activity of free radicals (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, H2O2, and O2-) and the anti-collagenase activity was based on the reduction of collagenase enzyme in vitro. In an in vivo study, 21 female subjects were examined in a placebo-controlled trail. Facial wrinkle, especially the crow's feet region of eyes, was treated with topical formulated 2% cream for 56 days and compared with the placebo.Results: In the in vitro study, the combination of fruits extract showed a higher antioxidant activity which was comparable with the positive standard (ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxyanisole, and Trolox). The data also showed a dose-dependent inhibition of collagenase. In the in vivo study, treatment with 2% formulated cream for 56 days significantly reduced the percentage of wrinkle depth, length, and area with 11.5, 10.07, and 29.55, respectively.Conclusion: The combined formulation of fruit extracts showed excellent antioxidative and anti-collagenase activity as well as a significant effect on anti-wrinkle activity on human skin.Keywords: antioxidant, anti-collagenase, anti-wrinkle, fruits, topical formulatio