Antioxidant Activity of Supercritical CO2 Extracts of Helichrysum italicum

The antioxidant activity of supercritical CO 2 extracts of H. italicum dried flower heads derived from the commercial drug and from plants grown in different areas of north-east Italy with different culturing conditions was determined. In particular, the characterization of the antioxidant activity was made by the DPPH and s-carotene bleaching test methods. The four kind of H. italicum extracts were also tested for their ability to scavenger superoxide radicals. All extracts showed, although with different importance, an antioxidant activity with all the methods performed. The supercritical extracts obtained from commercial dried H. italicum flower heads and from dried flower heads belonging to wild plants exhibited the highest activity. These results established H. italicum supercritical extracts as important antioxidant solvent-free matrices in alimentary (i.e., dietary, nutraceutical, flavouring) and cosmetic fields, as well as the value of coastal Mediterranean areas to serve as an exploitable source ..

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

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso) fruit extracts and identified components alter expression of interleukin 8 gene in cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelial cell lines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cystic fibrosis (CF) airway pathology is a fatal, autosomal, recessive genetic disease characterized by extensive lung inflammation. After induction by TNF-α, elevated concentrations of several pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e. IL-6, IL-1β) and chemokines (i.e. IL-8) are released from airway epithelial cells. In order to reduce the excessive inflammatory response in the airways of CF patients, new therapies have been developed and in this respect, medicinal plant extracts have been studied. In this article we have investigated the possible use of bergamot extracts (<it>Citrus bergamia </it>Risso) and their identified components to alter the expression of IL-8 associated with the cystic fibrosis airway pathology.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The extracts were chemically characterized by ¹H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), GC-FID (gas chromatography-flame ionization detector), GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) and HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography). Both bergamot extracts and main detected chemical constituents were assayed for their biological activity measuring (a) cytokines and chemokines in culture supernatants released from cystic fibrosis IB3-1 cells treated with TNF-α by Bio-Plex cytokine assay; (b) accumulation of IL-8 mRNA by real-time PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The extracts obtained from bergamot (<it>Citrus bergamia </it>Risso) epicarps contain components displaying an inhibitory activity on IL-8. Particularly, the most active molecules were bergapten and citropten. These effects have been confirmed by analyzing mRNA levels and protein release in the CF cellular models IB3-1 and CuFi-1 induced with TNF-α or exposed to heat-inactivated <it>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These obtained results clearly indicate that bergapten and citropten are strong inhibitors of IL-8 expression and could be proposed for further studies to verify possible anti-inflammatory properties to reduce lung inflammation in CF patients.</p

Biological activity of new bioactive steroids deriving from biotransformation of cortisone

Cortisone is a metabolite belonging to the corticosteroid class that is used pharmaceutically directly as a drug or prodrug. In addition to its large consumption, its use is linked to several side effects, so pharmaceutical research aims to develop effective drugs with low or no side effects, alternative compounds to cortisone are part of an active investment in ongoing research on drug discovery. Since biotransformation can be considered a source of new molecules with potential therapeutic use, the present work focuses on a preliminary in vitro study aimed at evaluating the mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective activity of SCA and SCB molecules obtained from the biotransformation of cortisone using Rh. Rhodnii strain DSM 43960. The results obtained are very encouraging due to the safety of biotransformed compounds with reference to genotoxicity checked by Ames test, to the very high antioxidant capacity and to the anti-inflammatory activity. In fact, thecompounds inhibited both the TNF alpha-stimulated expression and secretion of NFkB target cytokines, and COX activity, and can activate the glucocorticoid receptor. Finally SCA and SCB exhibited neuroprotective properties

Biological and chemo-diverse characterization of Amazonian (Ecuador) Citrus petitgrains

Six Amazonian petitgrains samples from C. nobilis Lour., C. aurantium L., C. limon L. and mixture of Citrus spp.(Rutaceae), named CN, CA, CL1, CL2, C1 and C2, were chemically characterized by GC-MS and 13C NMR and evaluated for antioxidant acitivity (DPPH and b-carotene bleaching tests), for antimicrobial properties (disk diffusion method) and for antifungal capacity (agar vapour assay). CN, C1, C2 samples evidenced the most interesting results: CN (g-terpinene/linalool chemotype: 14.3%/41.6%, with a considerable amount of thymol: 9.0%), and C1 (linalool, 18.3%; sabinene, 11.6%; thymol, 5.5%), showed relevant antioxidant activity with both DPPH (IC50=3.52 and 5.48 mg/ml, respectively) and b-carotene (IC50=0.387and 0.491 mg/ml, respectively). Antibacterial properties of CN and C1 against P. mirabilis (MIC=0.61 mg/ml for both)and B. subtilis (MIC=0.61 and 0.44 mg/ml, respectively) were most probably due to thymol.C2 (geranial: 34.7%, neral: 33.1%) evidenced a valuable bioactivity against Candida albicans (MIC=0.44 mg/ml).The 50% growth inhibition (IC50) of the dermatophytes T. mentagrophytes and N. cajetani was reached with amounts ofC1, C2 and CN less than 4 ml/plate. Bioactivity of Amazonian Citrus spp. CN, C1 and C2 essential oils suggests their potential use as food preservatives or additives in cosmeceuticals as preventive against dermatophytic fungal infections

Passiflora: aspetti di sostenibilità agronomica e salutistica

Passiflora: aspetti di sostenibilità agronomica e salutistic

Piante medicinali in uso dalla popolazione Saharawi (Sud dell’Algeria): un connubio tra biodiversità vegetale, aspetti etno-farmaco-botanici e botanico farmaceutici come contributo alla caratterizzazione chimica e biologica delle specie medicinali e all’individuazione di nuove proiezioni salutistiche di fonti vegetali di origine sahariana

Il contesto del progetto e le motivazioni: Il progetto è dedicato allo studio di specie vegetali appartenenti alla biodiversità vegetale sahariana e patrimonio delle tradizioni etnomediche della popolazione Saharawi, etnia oppressa dalla condizione di profuga da oltre 40 anni ma tuttavia ricca di tradizioni esclusive, patrimonio di tutte le realtà socio-culturali in un qualche modo definite e conservate da confini circoscritti. Il profilo scientifico del progetto si declina inoltre in un contesto di sviluppo sostenibile, coerente con alcuni dei goals dell’Agenda 2030 (https://www.unric.org/it/agenda-2030), tra cui quello della buona salute. Il progetto inoltre si propone di dare continuità ad uno studio sviluppato presso i laboratori di Biologia farmaceutica grazie ad un’attività di dottorato di ricerca conclusasi di recente e svolta dal Dott. Abdi Bellau Mohamed Lamin, profugo Saharawi. I soggetti dello studio: Il progetto si propone di studiare specie vegetali e le relative droghe o derivati di origine sahariana e appartenenti all’etnomedicina Saharawi a partire da Ammodaucus leucotrichus L. (frutti), Atriplex halimus L. (foglie), Cleome amblyocarpa Barratte &amp; Murb. (parti aeree), Matricaria pubescens (Desf.) Sch. Bip. (parti aeree), Anvillea garcinii subsp. radiata (Coss. &amp; Durieu) Anderb (foglie), Anastatica hierochuntica L. (parti aeree), Nucularia perrinii Batt. (foglie), Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana (Savi) Brenan. Le specie sono state selezionate in relazione alla loro diffusione e densità nel contesto dell’area sahariana del sud dell’Algeria e per il loro impiego tradizionale come risorsa salutistica dell’etnomedicina Saharawi. Le attività del progetto: Per ciascun soggetto di studio, saranno perseguite le seguenti attività: 1.raccolta di elementi a sostegno dell’identificazione botanica della specie (ad es. individuazione delle caratteristiche morfologiche salienti dei campioni; fonti etnobotaniche documentali, etc.) 2.estrazioni impiegando differenti approcci, sia tradizionali (distillazione, macerazione) sia green (UAE, Ultrasound Assisted Extraction; SFE, Supercritical Fluid Extraction; PFE, Pressurized Fluid Extraction) 3.caratterizzazione chimica degli estratti con approcci spettrofotometrici, cromatografici (HP-TLC, HPLC-DAD, GC-MS) e spettroscopici (NMR). 4.attività biologica in vitro per individuare proprietà declinabili in un contesto salutistico ed applicativo. In particolare: attività antiossidante con metodi spettrofotometrici (spettrofotometro e Microplate reader) e bioautografico (DPPH/ABTS TLC-bioautography) utilizzando differenti radicali liberi; attività antimicrobica (vs. batteri, funghi filamentosi e lieviti patogeni dell’uomo) su piastra e con Microplate reader; attività genoprotettiva (test di Ames); attività citotossica su cellule tumorali. Risultati attesi: Per ciascuna delle attività rispetto a ciascuna delle specie vegetali sono attesi i seguenti risultati: a)accertamento dell’autenticità delle specie vegetali e delle droghe da esse derivate (output dell’attività1); b)individuazione della metodica estrattiva più performante e più eco-sostenibile in termini di ridotto impiego di solventi organici (output dell’attività 2) c)la caratterizzazione chimica degli estratti e di loro frazioni (output dell’attività 3) d)caratterizzazione biologica rispetto alle attività in vitro (output dell’attività 4) I risultati emersi arricchiranno di nuovi parametri scientifici l’etnomedicina Saharawi, e contribuiranno alla conoscenza delle piante dell’area sahariana rispetto alle caratteristiche botanico-farmaceutiche potenzialmente riversabili in un contesto salutistico moderno