Polyphenolic Profile, Sugar Consumption and Organic Acids Generation along Fermentation of Infusions from Guava (Pisidium guajava) by the Kombucha Consortium

The kombucha beverage is typically prepared from black tea, sweetened with sucrose, inoculated with previously fermented liquid broth and/or tea fungus pellicle, and incubated. Alternative sources have been used for kombucha beverages. Guava leaves have been used for long time as traditional medicine. It is found in many commercially available botanical supplements in form of decoction, milled and used as comprises. They are rich in polyphenolic compounds. Several changes are produced during fermentation of the beverages. The main objective of the present work is to characterize fermentation process of guava leaves infusions by kombucha and studying possible chemical changes in their polyphenolic profile. Infusions from guava leaves were prepared and fermented by the kombucha consortium. The pH, titrable acidity, polyphenolic compounds, sugar consumption, organic acid along the fermentation was made by UPLC-ESI-MS. Kombucha from Camellia sinensis (CS) was made as a control. Higher rate of sucrose consumption was observed for Kombucha made with CS, also, higher production of organic acids (acetic and succinic acid) was observed too. Both behaviors were related to the content of glucose. The flavan-3-ols were diminishing along the fermentation time, with the exception of epigallocatechin in Camellia sinensis, Flavan-3-ol content in Guava leaves was low. Higher content of dicaffeoyl quinnic acid was observed for both systems in special for CS, falling after a maximum peak; minor constituents of hydroxycinnamic acids were stable along the fermentation for both systems

Chronic flavanol-rich cocoa powder supplementation reduces body fat mass in endurance athletes by modifying the follistatin/ myostatin ratio and leptin levels

Flavonols-rich cocoa has positive effects on lipid metabolism and might enhance the performance of athletes through an improvement in their body composition. To test this hypothesis a placebo-controlled intervention study in training endurance athletes who received 5 g of cocoa daily (425 mg of flavan-3-ols) for 10 weeks was performed. Dietary intake, body composition, exercise performance and plasma levels of follistatin, myostatin and leptin were measured. Cocoa intake significantly reduced body fat percentage (p = 0.020), specifically in the trunk (p = 0.022), visceral area (p = 0.034) and lower limbs (p = 0.004). The reduction in body fat mass was accompanied by an increase in plasma follistatin and a decrease in leptin, while myostatin levels remained unchanged. The intake of cocoa reduced the percentage of body fat of athletes, without any impact on athletes' performance. The change in fat body composition did not improve athletes' performance

Inhibitory effects of Buddleja scordioides (salvilla) leaves on digestive enzymes and carbohydrate absorption in vivo

The effects of Buddleja scordioides (BsLI) leaf infusions on digestive enzymes and carbohydrate absorption were evaluated. The BsLI yield was 21.64 %. In addition, a chemical characterization was carried out identifying hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols, flavanones and flavones. In vitro studies were performed to determine the inhibitory action of BsLI on lipase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase. Then, in rats, oral starch tolerance tests (OSTT) were carried out using BsLI at a dose of 9.5 mg/kg body weight. Results showed moderate inhibition of lipase and α-glucosidase, but greater inhibition of α-amylase compared to positive controls. During the OSTT trial, the group receiving BsLI showed a significant reduction in glucose levels compared to the negative control group. Bioactive compounds, such as naringenin, luteolin, quercetin, and coumaric acid, were identified after BsLI administration. Furthermore, the consumption of BsLI was safe and showed antioxidant activity like Trolox. In conclusion, BsLI may have an enhanced effect on glucose metabolism by inhibiting carbohydrate absorption. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54167/tch.v17i2.122

Infusión de la planta medicinal Buddleja scordioides Kunth utilizada para tratar la inflamación intestinal

 Traditional medicine is an alternative resource for the treatment of multiple symptoms associated with gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammation. Herbal infusions, unlike pharmacological medicines, contain multiple chemical compounds of diverse nature, which act synergistically to give an anti-inflammatory response. The Buddleja scordioides Kunth Scrophulariaceae plant is known for its anti-inflammatory effects and is commonly used to combat symptoms related to gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, pain and inflammation. The easy acquisition and popular consumption of Buddleja scordioides, make this plant an important research objective for the area of intestinal health. The aim of this research was to gather information on the phytochemical components present in Buddleja scordioides, summarize information related to the absorption, digestion and transport of herbal compounds along the gastrointestinal tract and define its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. We found that Buddleja scordioides is a species used as a medicinal plant to treat symptoms associated with gastrointestinal inflammation process. The ethnopharmacology use of the B. scordioides plant is supported by scientific research that attributes its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity to the plant´s phytochemical content.   La medicina tradicional es un recurso alternativo para el tratamiento de múltiples síntomas asociados a patologías gastrointestinales como la inflamación. Las infusiones herbales, a diferencia de los medicamentos farmacológicos, contienen múltiples compuestos químicos de diversa naturaleza, que actúan sinérgicamente para dar una respuesta antiinflamatoria. La planta Buddleja scordioides Kunth Scrophulariaceae es conocida por sus efectos antiinflamatorios, y se utiliza comúnmente para combatir síntomas relacionados a desórdenes gastrointestinales como diarrea, dolor e inflamación. Es una planta de consumo popular y fácil de adquirir, por lo que es investigada en torno a su uso en la salud intestinal. El objetivo de esta investigación fue recopilar información de los componentes fitoquímicos presentes en Buddleja scordioides, resumir la información relacionada con la absorción, digestión y transporte de los compuestos herbales a lo largo del tracto gastrointestinal, y definir su efecto antioxidante y antiinflamatorio. Se encontró que Buddleja scordioides es una especie utilizada como planta medicinal para tratar síntomas asociados con procesos de inflamación gastrointestinal. El uso etnofarmacológico de la planta B. scordioides se encuentra respaldada  por investigaciones científicas que atribuyen su actividad antioxidante y antiinflamatoria al contenido fitoquímico de la planta.

Wood preservation using natural products

It is a current concern in the wood preservation field to avoid the use of toxic chemicals and develop new technologies based on low environmental impact agents and sustainable principles. Under this expectation, an intended state-of-the-art is introduced on the application of natural products such as traditional tar and wood oils as well as tannins and plant extracts. A particular revision to heartwood chemical components is offered. The combined methods of using natural and chemical components are reviewed, considering as outstanding the mixtures of natural organic constituents with cooper and boron salts that seem to be under encouraging experimentation. Fungicides and anti-termite applications are commented as well the leaching problem of inorganic salts. Chemical modification of wood structure through the formation of adducts and the treatment with nanomaterials are promising tools that will change the actual view and performance of wood preservation techniques.Una de las prioridades actuales en el campo de la preservación de madera es evitar el uso de materiales tóxicos, desarrollando nuevas tecnologías fundamentadas en principios sustentables y empleando agentes de bajo impacto ambiental. Con esta expectativa se plantea una revisión del estado del arte sobre la aplicación de productos naturales, tales como taninos, alquitrán, aceites y extractos vegetales. Se presenta en particular una revisión sobre los componentes químicos contenidos en el duramen de maderas naturalmente resistentes. Se analizan los métodos combinados de ingredientes naturales y químicos, resaltando las mezclas de componentes naturales orgánicos con sales de cobre y boro que parecen representar una opción experimental confiable. Se comentan también las aplicaciones fungicidas y anti termitas, así como los problemas de lixiviación de sales inorgánicas. Opciones como la modificación química de la madera vía la formación de aductos y por tratamiento con nanomateriales son procesos promisorios que cambiaran eventualmente la manera de ver y aplicar la tecnología actual de preservación de maderas

Effect of Aqueous Extracts of <i>Quercus resinosa</i> on the Mechanical Behavior of Bigels

Quercus resinosa leaves are rich in polyphenol compounds, however, they are unstable to several chemical and physical factors that limit their activity. Several methods have been developed to solve such problems, among which bigels can be mentioned and obtained using hydrogels and oleogels. The mechanical characterization of this type of materials is by using rheological methods. Although the use of these methods is well documented, the Carreau-Yasuda model has been little used to evaluate the effect of polyphenols on the mechanical behavior of bigels. Therefore, bigels were obtained from hydrogels (guar gum/xanthan gum, 0.5/0.5% w/v) and oleogels (sesame oil/sorbitan monostearate 10% w/w). Micrographs, linear viscoelasticity range, frequency sweep, and single shear tests were performed. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey test (p < 0.05); micrographs showed linear relationship between polyphenols concentration and droplet size. Liquid fraction of bigels showed a pseudoplastic behavior, while the parameters of Carreau-Yasuda model showed that the highest value of the complex viscosity at zero shear was at the lowest concentration of extract; the relaxation time presented the lowest value at higher concentrations of extracts. These results indicate that the presence of polyphenols modifyes the mechanical behavior of bigels

In Vitro and Ex Vivo Models for Screening Topical Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Skin inflammation occurs as an immune response to various stimuli such as ultraviolet light, irritants, or any type of skin barrier injury. Finding safe and effective drugs to combat skin inflammation remains a research challenge. Ethical and legal considerations in animal testing encourage the development of in vitro and ex vivo models for the detection of skin inflammation. This report presents an updated review of non-animal study models available for screening drugs with anti-inflammatory potential. It includes a description of the basic methods used to inhibit protein denaturation and red blood cell membrane stability. Three in vitro inhibition assay methods for enzymes relevant to the skin inflammatory process are then described. The development of cell culture models is described: relatively simple and easy-to-produce two-dimensional (2D) skin cell cultures that allow assessment of response to a given stimulus, three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures that better mimic human skin physiology by more accurately replicating mechanical and chemical signals, and vascularized 3D skin models with dynamic perfusion and microfluidic devices known as skin on a chip. Finally, ex vivo skin models are presented that could more accurately represent human skin in terms of structure, cell signaling mechanisms, and absorption effects. Although the current development of models without the use of animals is promising, improvements and refinements are needed to make the models more suitable as screening platforms for topical anti-inflammatory drugs

Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids in Acetonic Extract from Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.): Nutraceuticals with Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential

Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) is a potential source of polyphenolic compounds related with beneficial biological processes. In this study polyphenols from quince fruit were extracted with aqueous acetone at different ratios. A polyphenol profile was identified and quantified by LC-ESI-QqQ. The antioxidant capacity (ORAC and DPPH) and anti-inflammatory effect (inhibition of COX-2 cyclooxygenase) were evaluated in vitro. The results indicated an effect of the aqueous acetone ratio on the extraction of polyphenolic compounds. The higher extraction yields of polyphenolic compounds were attained with 60–75% aqueous acetone. However, extracts obtained with 85% aqueous acetone promoted higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Optimal scaling analysis indicated that hydroxycinnamic acids (quinic and chlorogenic), hydroxybenzoic acids (vanillic and syringic), flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol), dihydrochalcones (neohesperidin) and flavones (acacetin) are related to the antioxidant activity of quince. While phenolic acids, flavonols (kaempferol-3-O-glucoside and rutin) and flavanols (epicatechin) generated the anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting 52.3% of the COX-2 enzyme. Therefore, a selective extraction of phenolic mix can reduce oxidative stress or inflammatory processes. This suggests the use of quince as a natural source with significant nutraceutical potential

Phenolic composition of selected herbal infusions and their anti-inflammatory effect on a colonic model in vitro in HT-29 cells

Some herbal infusions used in folk medicine in Mexico to treat gastrointestinal disorders were evaluated. Antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds were analyzed on the lyophilized aqueous crude extracts (LACE) of arnica (Aster gymnocephalus), chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), cumin (Cominum cyminum), desert resurrection plant (DRP) (Selaginella lepidophylla), laurel (Listea glaucescens), marjoram (Origanum majorana), mint (Mentha spicata), salvilla (Buddleia scordioides) and yerbaniz (Tagetes lucida). Total phenolic content ranged from 8.0 to 70.7 μg GAE/mg for DRP and laurel respectively. Major phenolic compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. The IC50 determined by the degradation of the deoxy-d-ribose ranged from 2,452.53 to 5,097.11 μg/mL. The cytoprotective effect of the LACE alone and on indomethacin-induced oxidative stress in HT-29 cells was tested. The tetrazolium dye MTT assay was performed in concentrations of 0.125–10 mg/mL allowing choosing the lowest concentration for this experimentation. Inflammation markers were measured by Western blotting. None of the extracts inhibited COX-1 by themselves; however, it was observed that extracts have a modulation effect over COX-2, TNFα, NFκB, and IL-8. By the decrease in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, it follows that salvilla, chamomile, and laurel show promising anti-inflammatory effects