The Alcoholic Bark Extract of Terminalia Arjuna Exhibits Cytotoxic and Cytostatic Activity on Jurkat Leukemia Cells

Abstract: Background: Natural products are characterized by complex chemical composition and are capable of concurrently modulate several signalling pathways. Considering the biological com- plexity of carcinogenesis, natural products represent key components of the therapeutic armamen- tarium for oncological diseases. The bark of Terminalia arjuna is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for its astringent, expectorant, cardiotonic, styptic, and antidysenteric properties. Along- side its traditional uses, Terminalia arjuna exhibits different biological activities including an- timutagenic and anticarcinogenic. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the toxic effects of an alcoholic extract obtained from the bark of T. arjuna on a human T-lymphoblastic cell line (Jurkat). We explored the phyto- chemical composition and investigated the cytotoxic, cytostatic, genotoxic, and anti-genotoxic effects. Methods: The phytochemical composition was analyzed using spectrophotometric methods; all the biological endpoints were assessed through flow cytometry. Results: The phytochemical screening showed that polyphenols represent about 64% of the extract. Moreover, the extract was cytotoxic on Jurkat cells by inducing both apoptosis and necrosis and blocked the cell cycle in the G2/M phase. Additionally, it was found that the extract lacks any geno- toxic effect, but was not effective in protecting Jurkat cells from the DNA damage induced by H2O2 and etoposide. Conclusion: The results of our study show the toxic effects of Terminalia arjuna on Jurkat cells and confirm the pivotal role played by natural compounds in the oncological field. Further studies should be performed to better understand its clinical potential and deepen its toxicological profile

Different Strategies to Obtain Corn (Zea mays L.) Germ Extracts with Enhanced Antioxidant Properties

Maize ( Zea mays L.) germs are by-products from the milling industry. The objective of this work was to compare the phenolic and lipophilic antioxidant fractions of yellow and white corn varieties, provided by Corn Valley S.r.l. (Piumbega, Mantova, Italy) and among the raw materials most processed by the company. The phenolic fraction, extracted with ultrasound-assisted extraction, alone and in combination with chemical and enzymatic hydrolyses, was analyzed with high-performance thin-layer chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector. Among the various extraction techniques used, the combination of sonication and alkaline hydrolysis proved to be an effective method for the extraction of phenolic compounds from yellow and white germs, with the highest ferulic acid concentrations (636.54 ± 3.71 and 569.23 ± 1.69 mg FA/g dried extract, respectively), total phenolic contents (844.5 ± 64.6 and 742.8 ± 15.44 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dried extract, respectively), and the best antioxidant activity (14.33 ± 0.48 and 11.41 ± 1.1 µg/mL, respectively). The lipophilic fraction, extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The unsaponifiable fractions were found to be 2.41% ± 0.24% in yellow corn and 1.85% ± 0.08% in white corn; β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol were identified as the main phytosterols characterizing both lipophilic extracts which showed the most effective antioxidant activity (1.29 ± 0.26 mg/mL and 1.33 ± 0.21 mg/mL, respectively) compared with the control. Finally, the phenolic and lipophilic extracts obtained from maize by-products may be reintroduced into the health-oriented market as extracts enriched of high-added value biomolecules with antioxidant activity both as active molecules and as additives of natural origin

polyphenols from vitis vinifera lambrusco by products leaves from pruning extraction parameters evaluation through design of experiment

Vitis vinifera L. leaves from pruning are by-products of the wine industry and represent an important source of secondary raw material, thanks to their polyphenols content. Optimization of the extraction processes is a key factor for their valorization, and Design of Experiment (DOE) could be a tool to obtain the most performing extract in terms of polyphenols quality/quantity and bioactivity. Vitis vinifera Lambrusco leaves were subjected to ultrasound-assisted extractions guided by a 23 factorial design. Three independent parameters (% solvent, time of extraction, and solvent:solid ratio) were considered to evaluate the extraction process by analyzing the extraction yield, the total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteu assay), and the antioxidant capacity (DPPH assay). Moreover, the content of the main molecules was identified and quantified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and mass spectrometry. The DOE highlighted the best extraction conditions that showed slight changes considering the different evaluating parameters. The highest extraction yield was obtained by extraction with 100% water, 60 minutes of extraction time, and 30:1 solvent:solid ratio, but it was neither the richest in polyphenols nor antioxidant capacity. The latter 2 characteristics were associated with the extraction performed using 50% ethanol, 35 minutes of extraction time, and a 20:1 solvent:solid ratio. That extract also exhibited the highest quantity of flavonols

Supporting Material for: "NMR-based metabolomics for frauds detection and quality control of oregano samples"

Table S1. Summary of NMR experiments performed in order to elucidate the structure of salvianolic acid B. Sample was solubilized in CD3OD. Fig. S1 1H NMR spectrum obtained for apigenin (in fraction 114) solubilized in CD3OD. Fig. S2. 1H NMR spectrum obtained for rosmarinic acid (found in EtOAc fraction from Oregano vulgare) solubilized in CD3OD. Fig. S3 1H NMR spectrum obtained for thymol, and p-cymene (found in CHCl3 fraction from Oregano onites) solubilized in CD3OD. Fig. S4 1H NMR spectrum of salvianolic acid B solubilized in CD3OD. Fig. S5 NMR COSY spectrum of salvianolic acid B solubilized in CD3OD. Fig. S6 NMR HSQC spectrum of salvianolic acid B solubilized in CD3OD. Fig. S7 NMR HMBC spectrum of salvianolic acid B solubilized in CD3OD. Fig. S8 NMR J-res spectrum of salvianolic acid B solubilized in CD3OD. Fig. S9 A) S-plot from OPLS-DA model showing the most important spectral bins for the discrimination between the two commercial species of oregano. B) Result of the permutation test of the OPLS-DA model. C) Loading column plot from OPLS-DA model. Fig. S10 Main biomarkers found in this work. Fig. S11. PCA score scatter plot where unknown species (green dots) are distinguished from marketable oregano and placed as outliers by the model. Fig. S12 Extended regions of observed vs predicted plots from OPLS models (y = % of total impurity) of A) Origanum vulgare B) Origanum onites. Fig. S13 Graphic obtained by permutation test of the OPLS model built using as y variable the % of cistus contamination. Fig. S14 J-res spectra of Oregano contaminated with cistus (A) and pure oregano (B). The contaminated sample presents a singlet at δ 3.57.Supplementary material for: Mandrone, M., Marincich, L., Chiocchio, I., Petroli, A., Gođevac, D., Maresca, I.,& Poli, F. (2021). NMR-based metabolomics for frauds detection and quality control of oregano samples. Food Control, Elsevier., 127, 108141. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.108141]Published version of the manuscript: [https://cer.ihtm.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4550]The peer-reviewed version: [https://cer.ihtm.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4577

Ocimum campechianum Mill. from Amazonian Ecuador: Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Extracts and Their Main Constituents (Eugenol and Rosmarinic Acid)

The essential oil (EO), the methanolic (MeOH), and the 70% ethanolic (70% EtOH) extracts obtained from the aerial parts of Ocimum campechianum Mill. (Ecuador) were chemically characterized through gas-chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detector (GC-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array-mass spectrometry detectors (HPLC-DAD-MS) and studied for their in vitro biological activity. The radical scavenger activity, performed by spectrophotometric 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays, highlighted significant IC50 values for the EO, extracts and their main constituents (eugenol and rosmarinic acid). EO (and eugenol) showed noteworthy activity against Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and a moderate effect against clinical Candida strains, with possible synergism in association to fluconazole against the latter microorganisms. The extracts and pure molecules exhibited weak cytotoxic activity against the HaCat cell line and no mutagenicity against Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains, giving indication of safety. Instead, EO showed a weak activity against adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549). The above-mentioned evidence leads us to suggest a potential use of the crude drug, extracts, and EO in cosmetic formulation and food supplements as antioxidant agents. In addition, EO may also have a possible application in plant protection and anti-Candida formulation

A Comparative Study on Chemical Compositions and Biological Activities of Four Amazonian Ecuador Essential Oils: <i>Curcuma longa</i> L. (Zingiberaceae), <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i> (DC.) Stapf, (Poaceae), <i>Ocimum campechianum</i> Mill. (Lamiaceae), and <i>Zingiber officinale</i> Roscoe (Zingiberaceae)

Essential oils (EOs) and their vapour phase of Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae), Cymbopogon citratus (Poaceae), Ocimum campechianum (Lamiaceae), and Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae) of cultivated plants grown in an Amazonian Ecuador area were chemically characterised by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID), Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and Head Space–Gas Chromatograph-Flame Ionization Detector–Mass Spectrometry (HS-GC-FID-MS).figure The EOs analyses led to the identification of 25 compounds for C. longa (99.46% of the total; ar-turmerone: 23.35%), 18 compounds for C. citratus (99.59% of the total; geraniol: 39.43%), 19 compounds for O. campechianum (96.24% of the total; eugenol: 50.97%), and 28 for Z. officinale (98.04% of the total; α-Zingiberene: 15.45%). The Head Space fractions (HS) revealed C. longa mainly characterised by limonene and 1,8-cineole (37.35%) and α-phellandrene (32.33%); Z. officinale and C. citratus showed camphene (50.39%) and cis-Isocitral (15.27%) as the most abundant compounds, respectively. O. campechianum EO revealed a higher amount of sesquiterpenes (10.08%), mainly characterised by E-caryophyllene (4.95%), but monoterpene fraction remained the most abundant (89.94%). The EOs were tested for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and mutagen-protective properties and compared to the Thymus vulgaris EO as a positive reference. O. campechianum EO was the most effective in all the bioactivities checked. Similar results emerged from assaying the bioactivity of the vapour phase of O. campechianum EO. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity evaluation of O. campechianum EO were repeated through HP-TLC bioautography assay, pointing out eugenol as the lead compound for bioactivity. The mutagen-protective evaluation checked through Ames’s test properly modified evidenced a better capacity of O. campechianum EO compared with the other EOs, reducing the induced mutagenicity at 0.1 mg/plate. However, even with differences in efficacy, the overall results suggest important perspectives for the functional use of the four studied EOs

Sottoprodotti agroalimentari ed economia circolare: una sinergia efficiente? L’esempio del progetto BIOFACE

Il progetto BIOFACE, acronimo del progetto intitolato “Biomolecole dalla valorizzazione integrata di sottoprodotti agroalimentari per applicazioni sostenibili con finalit  Fitosanitarie, alimentari, ed energetiche” - Programma di Sviluppo Rurale PSR 2014-2020 Op. 16.1.01 - GO PEI-Agri - FA 5C dell’Emilia RomagnaUn importante e interessante esempio di come l’economia circolare, che tende a valorizzare i sottoprodotti della filiera agroalimentare, possa realizzarsi con un progetto che coinvolge e unisce in maniera trasversale le forze e le competenze delle industrie, delle istituzioni e dell’Università

Imaging of the peritoneum evaluated by 99mTc-icodextrin scintigraphy in peritoneal dialysis patients: preliminary data

In this study, we proposed a peritoneal scintigraphy with a different marker, the 99mTechnetium-Icodextrin, to evaluate the distribution of the dialysate within the peritoneal cavity in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients

Chemical Composition and Bio-efficacy of Essential Oils from Italian Aromatic Plants: Mentha suaveolens, Coridothymus capitatus, Origanum hirtum and Rosmarinus officinalis

The chemical composition, antifungal, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the essential oils (EOs) of mint (Mentha suaveolens), thyme (Coridothymus capitatus), oregano (Origanum hirtum) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) were investigated. The antifungal properties of the EOs were investigated against four species of Candida by a microdilution method. Cytotoxicity was tested on human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and lung cancer (A549) cell lines using the MTT test. DPPH· and ABTS·+ spectrophotometric assays and DPPH·- ABTS·+(HP)TLC-bioautographic assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. The main compounds of thyme and oregano EOs were carvacrol and thymol, respectively; piperitenone oxide and γ-terpinene were the most abundant compounds of mint and rosemary EOs, respectively. All EOs showed activity against all Candida species in a range between 760 ± 290 to 3120 ± 0.0 μg/mL. Among the EOs, that of M. suaveolens showed a stronger cytotoxic activity on HaCaT cells. Thyme, oregano and rosemary EOs exhibited important antioxidant activities by ABTS·+ assay compared with trolox