Hydroxytyrosol but not resveratrol ingestion induced an acute increment of post exercise blood flow in brachial artery

The aim of this study was to test if previous ingestion of compounds containing resveratrol or hydroxytyrosol, followed by an exhausting hand grip exercise, could induce an acute post-exercise increase in brachial blood flow. Six healthy subjects (three males and three females, 35 ± 7 years), 60 minutes after ingestion of a capsule containing 200 mg of resveratrol or 30 ml of extra virgin olive oil enriched with tyrosol, oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, performed a hand grip exercise equal to half of their maximum strength until they were no longer able to express the same force (2-day interval between tests). The nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for statistical evaluations. Brachial artery blood flow (Fba) and both blood velocity (Vba) and artery diameter (Dba) were assessed immediately after exercise cessation by means of colour Doppler ultrasound. After ingestion of the oil mixture the post-exercise value of Fba median was 2.4 times higher than that after ingestion of the resveratrol compound (P = 0.03), and also the Vba median concerning the hydroxytyrosol was 1.9 times higher than that of the resveratrol (P = 0.03). Both functional foods did not lead to a significant difference in the Dba medians. These results indicate that hydroxytyrosol, but not resveratrol, may be an effective adjuvant of recreational or agonistic, long-lasting sports performances, thanks to the powerful blood flow increment which can be obtained as soon as one hour from its oral intake

Myrtus polyphenols, from antioxidants to anti-inflammatory molecules: Exploring a network involving cytochromes P450 and Vitamin D

Inflammatory response represents one of the main mechanisms of healing and tissue function restoration. On the other hand, chronic inflammation leads to excessive secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in the onset of several diseases. Oxidative stress condition may contribute in worsening inflammatory state fall, increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cytokines release. Polyphenols can counteract inflammation and oxidative stress, modulating the release of toxic molecules and interacting with physiological defenses, such as cytochromes p450 enzymes. In this paper, we aimed at evaluating the anti-inflammatory properties of different concentrations of Myrtus communis L. pulp and seeds extracts, derived from liquor industrial production, on human fibroblasts. We determined ROS production after oxidative stress induction by H 2 O 2 treatment, and the gene expression of different proinflammatory cytokines. We also analyzed the expression of CYP3A4 and CYP27B1 genes, in order to evaluate the capability of Myrtus polyphenols to influence the metabolic regulation of other molecules, including drugs, ROS, and vitamin D. Our results showed that Myrtus extracts exert a synergic effect with vitamin D in reducing inflammation and ROS production, protecting cells from oxidative stress damages. Moreover, the extracts modulate CYPs expression, preventing chronic inflammation and suggesting their use in development of new therapeutic formulations

From waste to health: sustainable exploitation of grape pomace seed extract to manufacture antioxidant, regenerative and prebiotic nanovesicles within circular economy

Pomace seed extract loaded vesicles were prepared as promising technological and green solution to exploit agri-food wastes and by-products, and develop high value-added products for human health. An antioxidant extract rich in bioactive compounds (epicatechins, catechin, gallic acid, quercetin and procynidins) was obtained from the seeds isolated from the pomace of Cannonau red grape cultivar. The extract was incorporated into phospholipid vesicles ad hoc formulated for intestinal delivery, by combining them, for the first time, whit a maltodextrin (Glucidex). Glucidex-transfersomes, glucidex-hyalurosomes and glucidex-hyalutransferomes were prepared, characterized and tested. Glucidex-liposomes were used as reference. All vesicles were small in size (~ 150 nm), homogeneously dispersed and negatively charged. Glucidex-transfersomes and especially glucidex-hyalutransfersomes disclosed an unexpected resistance to acidic pH and high ionic strength, as they maintained their physico-chemical properties (size and size distribution) after dilution at pH 1.2 simulating the harsh gastric conditions. Vesicles were highly biocompatible and able to counteract the oxidative damages induced in Caco-2 cells by using hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, they promoted the formation of Lactobacillus reuteri biofilm acting as prebiotic formulation. Overall results suggest the potential of glucidex-hyalutransfersomes as food supplements for the treatment of intestinal disorders

Myrtle-Functionalized Nanofibers Modulate Vaginal Cell Population Behavior While Counteracting Microbial Proliferation

Vaginal infections affect millions of women annually worldwide. Therapeutic options are limited, moreover drug-resistance increases the need to find novel antimicrobials for health promotion. Recently phytochemicals were re-discovered for medical treatment. Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) plant extracts showed in vitro antioxidant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties thanks to their bioactive compounds. The aim of the present study was to create novel nanodevices to deliver three natural extracts from leaves, seeds and fruit of myrtle, in vaginal milieu. We explored their effect on human cells (HeLa, Human Foreskin Fibroblast-1 line, and stem cells isolated from skin), resident microflora (Lactobacillus acidophilus) and on several vaginal pathogens (Trichomonas vaginalis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Candida kefyr, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei). Polycaprolactone-Gelatin nanofibers encapsulated with leaves extract and soaked with seed extracts exhibited a different capability in regard to counteracting microbial proliferation. Moreover, these nanodevices do not affect human cells and resident microflora viability. Results reveal that some of the tested nanofibers are interesting candidates for future vaginal infection treatments

Pyrimethanil residues on table grapes Italia after field treatment

Residues of the pyrimidine fungicide pyrimethanil [ N-( 4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl) aniline] were determined in table grapes "Italia" by gas chromatography nitrogen-phosphorus detector ( GC-NPD). Pesticides were extracted from grapes with ethyl acetate and hexane solution ( 1: 1 v/v), and were analyzed without any further clean up. Pyrimethanil was confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography ( HPLC) fitted with a diode array detector ( DAD) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry ( ESI-MS) in the select ion-monitoring mode ( SIM). The residue of pyrimethanil was under the legal limit immediately after treatment, and showed a half-life time, calculated as a reaction of pseudo first order, of 12 days, with a regression coefficient of 0.9954. Recoveries from fortified grapes ranged between 90 and 113% with a maximum coefficient of variation ( CV) of 11%. The calculated limits of detection and quantitation for pyrimethanil were 0.005 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively

Influence of Salting Technology on the Diffusion of NaCl in Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) Fillets

Swordfish is the most widespread billfish in the aquatic environment. The industrial processing of swordfish fillets involves salting, drying, and smoking steps. Salting techniques, dry or wet, are the most common method of fish preservation. This work evaluated salt diffusion in swordfish fillets after traditional dry salting and wet industrial injection salting methods. The data obtained from the dry salting studies highlighted that the salt diffusion process in swordfish meat was an unfavorable process depending on the contact time with the salt/meat. Moreover, irregularly shaped fillets negatively affected the salt migration in the different areas, leading to inhomogeneous and possibly unsafe final products. On the contrary, wet injection salting was suitable for processing swordfish fillets. As a result, the final products had a homogeneous salt concentration, maintained the organoleptic characteristics and health benefits for a long period, and achieved a longer shelf-life. Furthermore, the water activity (aw) values detected for the different processed fillets confirmed the physicochemical features of the final products and allow the classification of safe products. Moreover, injection salting is a quick process compatible with industrial production times

Chemical composition and in vitro bioactivity of essential oil obtained from the flavedo of ‘Pompia’, an ancient Sardinian fruit

Pompia (Citrus limon var. pompia) grows in the North-East Sardinia (Italy). This fruit is used in traditional pastries, the flavedo for the preparation of liqueurs by hydroalcoholic infusion. We investigated the chemical composition and bioactivity of the essential oil obtained by hydro-distillation from the peel of pompia (PEO). Gas chromatographic analysis allowed us to determine the PEO chemical composition: the major compound was limonene (LM) (803.8 mg/mL). PEO showed antioxidant activity in the β-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching test and radical-scavenging activity in the DPPH assay. PEO significantly reduced viability in HeLa and B16F10 cancer cells, and its toxic effect was mainly associated with LM cytotoxicity. PEO significantly increased intracellular free radical levels in cancer cells, without affecting the cellular phospholipid composition. The HPLC-DAD analysis of the cancer cell medium after PEO-treatment revealed the presence of perillic acid, a LM metabolite with anticancer activity. Our findings provide new insights for the PEO nutraceutical potential

Minor crops for export: a case study of boscalid, pyraclostrobin, lufenuron and lambda-cyhalothrin residue levels on green beans and spring onions in Egypt

Dissipation rates of boscalid [2-chloro-N-(4′-chlorobiphenyl-2-yl)nicotinamide], pyraclostrobin [methyl 2-[1-(4-chlorophenyl) pyrazol-3-yloxymethyl]-N-methoxycarbanilate], lufenuron [(RS)-1-[2,5-dichloro-4-(1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropoxy)phenyl]-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea] and λ-cyhalothrin [(R)-cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl (1S,3S)-rel-3-[(1Z)-2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl]-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate] in green beans and spring onions under Egyptian field conditions were studied. Field trials were carried out in 2008 in a Blue Nile farm, located at 70 kilometer (km) from Cairo (Egypt). The pesticides were sprayed at the recommended rate and samples were collected at pre-determined intervals. After treatment (T0) the pesticide residues in green beans were 7 times lower than in spring onions. This is due to a different structure of vegetable plant in the two crops. In spring onions, half-life (t1/2) of pyraclostrobin and lufenuron was 3.1 days and 9.8 days respectively. At day 14th (T14) after treatment boscalid residues were below the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) (0.34 versus 0.5 mg/kg), pyraclostrobin and λ-cyhalothrin residues were not detectable (ND), while lufenuron residues were above the MRL (0.06 versus 0.02 mg/kg). In green beans, at T0, levels of boscalid, lufenuron and λ-cyhalothrin were below the MRL (0.28 versus 2 mg/kg; ND versus 0.02 mg/kg; 0.06 versus 0.2 mg/kg, respectively) while, after 7 days treatment (T7) pyraclostrobin residues were above the MRL (0.03 versus 0.02 mg/kg). However, after 14 days the residue level could go below the MRL (0.02 mg/kg), as observed in spring onions

LC-ESI/LTQOrbitrap/MS based metabolomics in analysis of Myrtus communis leaves from Sardinia (Italy)

The species Myrtus communis L. represents a significant economic resource in Sardinia region (Italy), in fact its tissues are used both for the preparation of myrtle liquor and for essential oils or extracts with important pharmacological activities. Identification and quantification of polyphenolic compounds in leaves of M. communis L. appears interesting from both a biological and ecophysiological point of view. In the present study the discrimination of phytochemical content of M. communis L. leaves from different geographic origin and cultivars, was explored by Liquid Chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/LTQOrbitrap/MS) followed by Multivariate Data Analysis and phytochemical characterization. A total of 47 compounds were detected and 35 of them were tentatively identified on the bases of their retention time, UV/Vis spectra, MS spectra and MS fragmentation patterns. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Square – Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) projection methods were applied to compare fingerprints and to discriminate the different geographical areas of the seeds used for the cultivation