The radioprotective properties of polyphenols on human lymphocytes

The aim of this study was to evaluate radioprotective properties of medical plants Gentianella austriaca and Gentianella dinarica. For this purpose human lymphocytes were irradiated using 60Co γ rays and treated with different fractions of plant extracts, afterwards micronuclei (MN) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Polyphenols, fractions isolated from those plants have shown the protective effects, seen as significantly reduced incidence of micronuclei which was followed with reduced level of malondialdehyde. The results obtained in this study indicate that polyphenols isolated from Gentianella austriaca and Gentianella dinarica posses radioprotective properties possibly trough reduction of the lipid peroxidation.Physical chemistry 2004 : 7th international conference on fundamental and applied aspects of physical chemistry; Belgrade (Serbia); 21-23 September 200

Određivanje aukubina primenom HPLC i HPTLC tehnika u metanolnim ekstraktima vrsta Veronica montana, Veronica beccabunga i Veronica polita

In the present study, methanolic extracts of three Veronica species, namely Veronica montana, Veronica beccabunga and Veronica polita, were analyzed for the total iridoids, total phenylethanoids and total phenolics contents. The results showed that iridoid glycosides are the major class of tested secondary metabolites in selected Veronica species. The highest iridoid content (467.33 mg/g d.w.) was recorded in extract of V. polita, while the richest source of total phenolics and total phenylethanoids was the extract of V. montana (105.24 mg GAE/g d.w. and 16.03 mg acteoside/g d.w., respectively). Additionally, aucubin determination in tested extracts was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). The aucubin content in investigated samples determined by HPLC varied between 5.66 in extract of V. beccabunga and 69.96 mg/g d.w. in extract of V. polita. No significant differences were observed between the aucubin content in plant extracts obtained by HPLC and HPTLC techniques. The proposed HPTLC method is simple, rapid and more economical as compared to HPLC method, and thus it may be suitable for routine identification and quantification of aucubin in Veronica species.U ovom radu, primenom spektrofotometrijskih metoda, određen je sadržaj ukupnih fenola, fenilpropanoida i iridoida u metanolnim ekstraktima herbi Veronica montana, V. beccabunga i V. polita. Rezultati spektofotometrijske analize pokazuju da su iridoidni glukozidi dominantna grupa sekundarnih metabolita u odabranim vrstama. Njihov sadržaj bio je najveći u herbi V. polita, dok je V. montana bila najbogatija ukupnim fenolima i ukupnim fenilpropanoidima. Dodatno, u ispitivanim ekstraktima kvantifikovan je aukubin primenom tehnika visoko-efikasne tečne hromatografije (HPLC) i visoko-efikasne tankoslojne hromatografije (HPTLC). Sadržaj aukubina određen primenom HPLC tehnike kretao se od 5,66 u ekstraktu V. beccabunga do 69,96 mg/g suve mase u ekstraktu V. polita. Iz rezultata dobijenih u ovom radu uočava se da nema statistički značajnih razlika između vrednosti za sadržaj aukubina dobijenih primenom HPLC i HPTLC tehnika. Predložena HPTLC metoda kao jednostavnija, ekonomičnija, sa mogućnošću analize više uzoraka istovremeno, može biti pogodna za rutinsku identifikaciju i kvantifikaciju aukubina u Veronica vrstama, kao i sastavni deo protokola za procenu autentičnosti biljnog materijala

Microencapsulation of Sideritis raeseri Boiss. & Heldr. subsp. raeseri Extract Using Spray Drying with Maltodextrin and Whey Protein

Multiple medical properties and beneficial influence on health attributed to the aerial parts of Sideritis raeseri Boiss. & Heldr. subsp. raeseri indicated the need for further investigation. S. raeseri extracts were subjected to microencapsulation by the spray drying process in order to disperse and preserve unstable active compounds within a protective matrix. Two inlet air temperatures (120 and 140 ºC) were applied for the encapsulation of S. raeseri extract in a matrix composed of maltodextrin (10, 20, and 40%) or whey protein (40%). The effects of spray drying on physico-chemical properties, contents of total phenols and flavonoids, as well as of individual flavonoid glycosides of the obtained powders were determined. The 40% whey protein treatment increased bulk density (238.46 mg/mL) while it decreased hygroscopicity (14.27%). In addition, the high maltodextrin concentration of the S. raeseri powder resulted in the highest process efficiency (63.46%), the highest water solubility index (86.40%), and the lowest water absorption index (5.71%). Moreover, powders produced without maltodextrin were characterized by greater content of flavonoid glycosides. Overall, the results suggested that S. raeseri powders produced using spray-dried technique under adequate conditions could be considered as a novel functional and pharmaceutical ingredient

Antibacterial activity of Veronica montana L. extract and of protocatechuic acid incorporated in a food system

This study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the Veronica montana L. water extract and its main phenolic compound, protocatechuic acid. The antibacterial activity was determined by microdilution assay against six strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Listeria monocytogenes was the most sensitive of the tested bacterial species. Antibacterial preserving properties of protocatechuic acid were also evaluated after its incorporation in cream cheese, using L. monocytogenes as commonly cheese contaminant. The compound successfully inhibited L. monocytogenes development in cream cheese, at room temperature and in refrigerator (25 °C and 4 °C, respectively), after 3 days of inoculation. Sensory evaluation was carried out in order to validate the mentioned food system. A possible mode of action of the tested compound towards bacterial cells was assessed and appears to be direct lysis of pathogenic cytoplasmic membrane. Prediction of pharmacokinetic properties was also performed using computational analyzes. The obtained results can serve as an important platform for the development of effective natural preservativesSerbian Ministry of Education and Science for financial support (grant numbers 173032, 46013)

Application of gum Arabic in the production of spray-dried chokeberry polyphenols, microparticles characterisation and in vitro digestion method

Due to its high content of phenolics, black chokeberry has been proposed as a health-promoting material, especially use of chokeberry extract as a food or pharmaceuticals. Chokeberry extract was spray-dried using gum Arabic as a carrier. The optimal conditions for the efficient microencapsulation of chokeberry extract using spray-drying technique have been investigated. The aim of our study was to obtain microparticles with the best potential to improve functionality and stability of extracted chokeberry polyphenols, and to investigate the possibility of microbeads to protect active compounds during simulated digestion process. Morphological characteristics of microbeads were analyzed using FTIR and SEM techniques. Zeta potential, particle size and moisture content were determined. Released total phenolics and total anthocyanins content as well as concentration of individual anthocyanins were quantified before and after digestion process. Microparticles exhibited high encapsulation efficiency up to 87%, and high content of released polyphenols was achieved. After in vitro simulated digestion phenolic compounds decreased by 11-24%, exhibited higher protective effect of gum Arabic. Our results showed that chokeberry microparticles obtained by spray drying method could be useful supplements or functional food.

Neurochemical in vitro activity of xanthones from Gentianella austriaca

Austrian gentian, Gentianella austriaca (A. Kern. & Jos. Kern), Gentianaceae [syn. Gentiana germanica Willd. subsp. Austriaca] is endemic alpine plant populated at altitudes above 1500 m and up to 2800 m (Struwe et al. 2002). It may be also found in central mountains of Serbia, over 2000m. Although a rare mountain plant G. austriaca is used in traditional medicine to stimulate appetite and to treat digestive complaints, like the other bitter gentians. It is poorly pharmacologically explored, albeit it contains yellow pigments - xanthones, a group of plant secondary metabolites.nul

Chemical Profile, Radical Scavenging and Cytotoxic Activity of Yellow Gentian Leaves (Genitaneae luteae folium) Grown in Northern Regions of Montenegro

LC-ESI-MS and HPLC were used for the identification of the constituents from G. lutea leaves collected at different localities, as well as for quantification of the main compounds. Seven secoiridoids, five C-glucoflavones and three xanthones, were identified. Swertiamarin derivatives, namely eustornorusside (2), eustomoside (3) and septemfidoside (5), were detected in G. lutea for the first time. Concentrations of five constituents (swertiamarin, gentiopicrin, isovitexin, mangiferin and isogentisin) were determined. The relationship between concentrations of gamma-pyrones and altitude was observed with statistically significant correlation (r = 0.94). The extracts were also evaluated for their content of total phenolics, and antiradical and cytotoxic activities. The total phenolics content ranged from 7.7 to 12.7 mg GAE/g, and the IC50 values for DPPH radical scavenging activity varied between 0.45 to 2.02 mg/mL. The leaf extract exhibited moderate cytotoxic effects toward HeLa cells with an IC50 value of 41.1 mu g/mL, while gentiopicrin, mangiferin and isogentisin exerted strong activity against HeLa cells, with IC50 values ranging from 5.7 to 8.8 mu g/mL. The results confirm the traditional usage of G. lutea leaves and also suggest their possible utilization as hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory agents

Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) fruit extract modulates immune response in vivo and in vitro

Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is known for its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties. Since the effects of chokeberry extract on the immune response have been only sporadically assessed, our aim was to investigate chokeberry fruit water extract on the immune response in vivo and in vitro. When administered orally to healthy mice, the extract exerted immunomodulatory effects in the gut evidenced by the altered proportion of macrophages, dendritic cells and T cells. Importantly, oral consumption of the chokeberry extract resulted in blood glucose level increase in C57BL/6 mice with chemically-induced diabetes. These in vivo results were corroborated by observed up-regulation of nitric oxide and interelukin-1β production in macrophages and dendritic cells, up-regulated phagocytic activity of macrophages, increased T and B lymphocytes proportions and differentiation of interferon-γ-producing T cells in vitro. The obtained results imply that our chokeberry extract stimulates pro-inflammatory properties in immune cells of innate and adaptive immunity

Dissolving and water absorption ability of spray-dried willow gentian extract

Roots of the willow gentian (Gentiana asclepiadea L., Gentianaceae) are used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal diseases.Spray drying is the most commonly used technique for microencapsulation of plant extracts in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. The choosing of suitable carriers is one of the critical points in the development of microencapsulated powder with the desired physicochemical properties.The extract of the willow gentian roots was spray-dried using different carriers (maltodextrin (MD) and whey protein (WP)at concentrations of 20, 40, and 60%; pectin (P), starch (S), and gelatin (G) at concentrations of 2.5, 5, and 7.5%).The aim of this study was to examine the ability of the obtained powdersto dissolveand absorb water.For this purpose, the values of water solubility (WSI) and water absorption index (WAI) were determined.WSI is a measure of the powder degradation and dissolving in water, while WAI represents an indicator of water absorption ability. It is desirable that instant tea powders show high WSI and low WAI values.WSI values ranged from 71.15% (7.5% P) to 91.94% (7.5% G) indicating good powder disintegration properties. Concentration-dependent decrease in WSI values was observed for WP, P and S, while the opposite trend was observed in the case of MD.The carrier-free powdershowed relatively low WAI value (13.32%). Powders with 20% MD and 5% S showed slightly lower WAI values (12.77 and 12.72%, respectively). On the other hand, powders with 5 and 7.5% P showed remarkably high WAI values of 91.59 and 91.49%, respectively. A concentration-dependent increase in WAI was observed in powders encapsulated withMD and WP.All encapsulated powders showed acceptable disintegration properties (high WSI), while in terms of water absorption (low WAI) powders with 20% MD and 5% S were the most suitable

Chemical Profile, Radical Scavenging and Cytotoxic Activity of Yellow Gentian Leaves (Genitaneae luteae folium) Grown in Northern Regions of Montenegro

LC-ESI-MS and HPLC were used for the identification of the constituents from G. lutea leaves collected at different localities, as well as for quantification of the main compounds. Seven secoiridoids, five C-glucoflavones and three xanthones, were identified. Swertiamarin derivatives, namely eustornorusside (2), eustomoside (3) and septemfidoside (5), were detected in G. lutea for the first time. Concentrations of five constituents (swertiamarin, gentiopicrin, isovitexin, mangiferin and isogentisin) were determined. The relationship between concentrations of gamma-pyrones and altitude was observed with statistically significant correlation (r = 0.94). The extracts were also evaluated for their content of total phenolics, and antiradical and cytotoxic activities. The total phenolics content ranged from 7.7 to 12.7 mg GAE/g, and the IC50 values for DPPH radical scavenging activity varied between 0.45 to 2.02 mg/mL. The leaf extract exhibited moderate cytotoxic effects toward HeLa cells with an IC50 value of 41.1 mu g/mL, while gentiopicrin, mangiferin and isogentisin exerted strong activity against HeLa cells, with IC50 values ranging from 5.7 to 8.8 mu g/mL. The results confirm the traditional usage of G. lutea leaves and also suggest their possible utilization as hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory agents