Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Chios mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia, Anacardiaceae): A review

Ethnopharmacological relevance Chios mastic gum constitutes a unique Greek product, produced exclusively in the southern part of the island of Chios. References about its use from local populations for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders or as a cosmetic agent can even be encountered in ancient texts of Galen, Theophrastus and Dioscorides. Nowadays, this versatile resin has been rediscovered, not only as a traditional remedy and aromatic agent, but as a potent phytotherapeutic product with various biological properties. Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to quote the summation of the ethnopharmacology, phytochemical profile and pharmacological properties of the resin of Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia and thus provide the scientific community with a summary of the research conducted so far. Furthermore, perspectives and uses are being discussed and studied so as to broaden the field of its applications. Materials and methods A comprehensive review of the literature on Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia was performed using as resources scientific databases such as Scopus, Sciencedirect, Pubmed and Web of science, studies and traditional books provided by the Chios Mastiha Growers Association as well as PhD and Master’ s theses. Results Chios mastic gum has been used as a traditional medicine over the last 2500 years. More than 120 chemical compounds have been identified in the resin and the major components are a natural polymer, acidic and neutral triterpenes and volatile secondary metabolites. Several plant extracts and compounds have been studied for their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective and anti-cancer properties in vitro and in vivo. Clinical interventions and trials have also showed the therapeutic potential of Chios mastic gum. In 2015 Pistacia lentiscus L., resin (mastic) was recognized as a herbal medicinal product with traditional use by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) with two therapeutic indications (mild dyspeptic disorders & skin inflammation/healing of minor wounds). Over the last years, Chios mastic gum is widely involved in medicinal products, food supplements and cosmetics and has become object of study, also in the field of Pharmacotechnology. Conclusions Chios mastic's beneficial properties have been demonstrated in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, wound healing, skin inflammations, plasma lipid and blood sugar reduction and oral care. These properties are attributed to triterpenes and volatile compounds. However, because of the resin's chemical complexity and the lack of commercial standards for its main compounds, there is a notable gap in literature concerning the biological evaluation of CMG's isolated components. Therefore, future research should focus on the development of efficient extraction, isolation and analysis techniques in order to unravel CMG's full pharmacological potential

Extracts from the Mediterranean Food Plants Carthamus lanatus, Cichorium intybus, and Cichorium spinosum Enhanced GSH Levels and Increased Nrf2 Expression in Human Endothelial Cells

The Mediterranean diet is considered to prevent several diseases. In the present study, the antioxidant properties of six extracts from Mediterranean plant foods were assessed. The extracts’ chemical composition analysis showed that the total polyphenolic content ranged from 56 to 408 GAE mg/g dw of extract. The major polyphenols identified in the extracts were quercetin,luteolin, caftaric acid, caffeoylquinic acid isomers, and cichoric acid. The extracts showed in vitro high scavenging potencyagainst ABTS•+and O2•−radicals and reducing power activity. Also, the extracts inhibited peroxyl radical-induced cleavage ofDNA plasmids. The three most potent extracts, Cichorium intybus, Carthamus lanatus, and Cichorium spinosum, inhibited OH•-induced mutations in Salmonella typhimurium TA102 cells. Moreover, C. intybus ,C. lanatus, and C. spinosum extracts increased the antioxidant molecule glutathione (GSH) by 33.4, 21.5, and 10.5% at 50μg/ml, respectively, in human endothelialEA.hy926 cells.C. intybusextract was also shown to induce in endothelial cells the transcriptional expression of Nrf2 (the majortranscription factor of antioxidant genes), as well as of antioxidant genes GCLC, GSR, NQO1, and HMOX1. In conclusion, theresults suggested that extracts from edible plants may prevent diseases associated especially with endothelium damag

Etude chimique de plantes endémiques de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Boronella koniambiensis, Rutaceae, Gardenia aubryi, Rubiaceae, étude chimique du périsperme de Sesamum indicum, Pedaliaceae

L'exsudat résineux de Gardenia aubryi (Rubiaceae) a permis d obtenir douze composés : neuf triterpènes et trois flavonoïdes polyméthoxylés. Parmi les triterpènes, trois seco-cycloartanes et trois dammaranes sont des composés nouveaux. Les composés de série dammarane méritent ici une attention particulière car il s agit de la première identification de ce groupe de produits dans le genre Gardenia. Cette étude est complétée par des tests de cytotoxicité in vitro rassurants quant à l utilisation comme masticatoire qui est parfois faite de cet exsudat. Vingt-sept lignanes et dérivés apparentés ont été isolés des périspermes de sésame. Quatre d entre eux sont des composés nouveaux : (+)-saminol, (+)-épisésaminone-9-O-b-D-sophoroside, alibabol et (+)-épipipéritolone. De plus, la majorité des composés isolés sont caractérisés pour la première fois dans le genre Sesamum. La présence de néolignanes revêt, en particulier, une importance chimiotaxonomique majeure. D un point de vue biogénétique, les dérivés isolés ont pu être intégrés, de manière raisonnée, aux différentes voies de biogenèse établies ou proposées pour les lignanes et qui régissent le métabolisme de cette famille chimique. Par ailleurs, la constitution de cette base de données moléculaire, dans une partie non comestible du végétal, offre la possibilité de caractériser par une analyse HPLC, donc de manière rapide, sensible, et spécifique, la teneur des différentes préparations à base de sésame, sous quelque forme que ce soit, destinées à l alimentation. En effet, certains de ces lignanes, notamment les précurseurs de l entérolactone et de l entérodiol, ont fait l objet d évaluations biologiques afin de tester leurs activités anti-oxydante, hépatoprotectrice et oestrogénique. Leur quantification dans ces préparations apparaît nécessaire, dans le cadre d une évaluation raisonnée de la potentialité chimiopréventive traditionnellement accordée au sésame.The chemical study of the aerial parts of Boronella koniambiensis led to the isolation of fifteen compounds from several structural classes, such as lignans, coumarins, steroids, limonoids, amides, and alkaloids. Two of them, cis-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydromedicosmine and koniamborine, are new natural products, Koniamborine, the first pyrano[3,2-b]indol-4-one alkaloid from natural source, was thoroughly examined by catalytic hydrogenation, in order to establish unambiguously its skeleton and its relationship with 6-methoxy-1-methylisatine, although isolated from the plant material. These investigations confirmed, through the originality and the diversity of its secondary metabolites, the great interest of the Rutaceae family. The chemical study of Gardenia aubryi (Rubiaceae) bud exudate led to the isolation of twelve compounds, nine triterpens and three polymethoxylated flavonoids. Among the triterpens, three seco-cycloartanes and three dammarans are new natural compounds. This is the first report of dammaran-type triterpens in the genus Gardenia. In vitro cytotoxicity evaluation didn t show any strong activity; this is a good new, as long as this exudate is locally used for chewing, especially by children. Twenty-seven lignans and related compounds have been isolated from sesame perisperm (testa, hull, coat). Four among them are new natural products: (+)-saminol, (+)-episesaminone-9-O-b-D-sophoroside, alibabol and (+)-epipipéritolone. Most of the other compounds were described for the first time in the genus Sesamum. The identification of neolignans should be particularly emphasized on the chemotaxonomic point of view. All these metabolites were rationally integrated to the major lignan biogenetic pathways. As some of them were recently characterized as mammalian lignans precursors, the constitution of a large molecular database from a non-edible part of the plant looks very interesting. On one hand, it is now possible to estimate, by a quick, specific, and sensitive HPLC-analysis, the nature and the concentration of lignans in sesame-containing food preparation. In the other hand, the evaluation of antioxidative and estrogenic activities of this derivates are on progress, in order to determine the basis of the chemopreventive value traditionnaly accorded to sesamePARIS-BIUP (751062107) / SudocSudocFranceF

Phytochemical Profile and Biological Activity of Endemic Sideritis sipylea Boiss. In North Aegean Greek islands

Sideritis sipylea Boiss. is an endemic plant of the Mediterranean basin that is distributed in the Greek islands of the North Aegean Sea, i.e., Lesvos, Chios, Samos, and Ikaria, and in the West and Middle peninsula of Turkey. It is considered an endangered species because of its uncontrolled collection from its original habitat. Although the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties have been previously reported, the total chemical profile has not yet been explored. In this context, the chemical profiles of the water/methanol (HA), methanol (ME), and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS). In parallel, analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed for the dichloromethane extract (DCM) as well as for the essential oil (EO) and the extract obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Furthermore, the total phenolic content (TPC) along with the in vitro tyrosinase and elastase enzyme inhibitory activity of different extracts was evaluated, towards the discovery of new active agents for cosmetic formulations. These activities are in accordance with its well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, confirming the importance of ethnopharmacological references for S. sipylea in Greece and Turkey

Retrieval of High Added Value Natural Bioactive Coumarins from Mandarin Juice-Making Industrial Byproduct

Cold pressed essential oil (CPEO) of mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco), a by-product of the juice-making industrial process known to contain large amounts of polymethoxyflavones, was exploited for its content in high added value natural coumarins. The study herein afforded a method referring to the evaporation of CPEO volatile fraction under mild conditions (reduced pressure and temperature below 35 °C) as azeotrope with isopropanol. This allowed the isolation of high added value coumarins from the non-volatile fragment using preparative High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Pilot-scale application of this procedure afforded for each kg of CPEO processed the following natural bioactive coumarins in chemically pure forms: heraclenol (38–55 mg), 8-gerayloxypsoralen (35–51 mg), auraptene (22–33 mg), and bergamottin (14–19 mg). The structures of coumarins were verified by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and HPLC co-injection with authentic standards. Thus, the low market value mandarin CPEO with current value of 17 to 22 EUR/kg can be valorized through the production of four highly bioactive natural compounds worth 3479 to 5057 EUR/kg, indicating the great potentials of this methodology in the terms of the circular economy

Exploitation of Vitis vinifera, Foeniculum vulgare, Cannabis sativa and Punica granatum By-Product Seeds as Dermo-Cosmetic Agents

In the current study, by-product seed pastes (VSPs) from Vitis vinifera, Foeniculum vulgare, Cannabis sativa and Punica granatum, generated during the oil production process, were investigated for their potential exploitation as dermo-cosmetic agent. The extraction pipeline of all the raw materials was developed with emphasis on green methodologies and employed on laboratory scale based on industry-adopted techniques. Two different protocols were applied, Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) and Ultrasound Assisted Extraction (UAE); the by-product pastes were defatted with supercritical CO2 and n-Hexane, respectively. Then, two SFE extracts (CO2 with 10% and 20% of ethanol as co-solvent) and two UAE extracts (with ethanol and ethanol/water 1:1 v/v) were obtained from each raw material. The providing yield range was between 2.6 to 76.3 mg/g raw material. The extracts were analyzed with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD) and Liquid Chromatography coupled with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometer (LC-HRMS), and the major compounds, were identified. All the extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant and inhibition activity against collagenase, elastase and tyrosinase enzymes. Grapevine by-product extracts found rich in proanthocyanidins and presented the higher inhibition activity. A holistic green experimental methodology is proposed for the obtainment of extracts from significant medicinal plants by-products that provides us with promising results concerning dermo-cosmetic properties, especially for grape seeds extracts

Exploitation of <i>Vitis vinifera</i>, <i>Foeniculum vulgare</i>, <i>Cannabis sativa</i> and <i>Punica granatum</i> By-Product Seeds as Dermo-Cosmetic Agents

In the current study, by-product seed pastes (VSPs) from Vitis vinifera, Foeniculum vulgare, Cannabis sativa and Punica granatum, generated during the oil production process, were investigated for their potential exploitation as dermo-cosmetic agent. The extraction pipeline of all the raw materials was developed with emphasis on green methodologies and employed on laboratory scale based on industry-adopted techniques. Two different protocols were applied, Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) and Ultrasound Assisted Extraction (UAE); the by-product pastes were defatted with supercritical CO2 and n-Hexane, respectively. Then, two SFE extracts (CO2 with 10% and 20% of ethanol as co-solvent) and two UAE extracts (with ethanol and ethanol/water 1:1 v/v) were obtained from each raw material. The providing yield range was between 2.6 to 76.3 mg/g raw material. The extracts were analyzed with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD) and Liquid Chromatography coupled with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometer (LC-HRMS), and the major compounds, were identified. All the extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant and inhibition activity against collagenase, elastase and tyrosinase enzymes. Grapevine by-product extracts found rich in proanthocyanidins and presented the higher inhibition activity. A holistic green experimental methodology is proposed for the obtainment of extracts from significant medicinal plants by-products that provides us with promising results concerning dermo-cosmetic properties, especially for grape seeds extracts

Novel Evidence-Based Combination of Plant Extracts with Multitarget Mechanisms of Action for the Elimination of Hot Flashes during Menopause

Hot flashes are considered the most bothersome complaint during menopause. Although hormone therapy is an effective option to relieve hot flashes, it has been associated with significant side effects. The aim of our study is to suggest a novel combination of different plant extracts with distinct mechanisms of action against hot flashes. We selected the rhizome of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae), the rhizome of Actaea racemosa L. (Ranunculaceae), the aerial parts of Hypericum perforatum L. (Hypericaceae) to produce extracts rich in bioactive phytochemicals and the seed oil of Oenothera biennis L. (Onagraceae). We investigated their estrogenic and antioxidant potential and their inhibitory effect against prostaglandin D2 receptor 1 (DP1) as a novel mechanistic pathway for vasodilation in hot flashes, alone or in combination. The phytochemical footprint of the extracts was analyzed using HPLC-PDA and UPLC-HRMS. We observed that the tested extracts possess different mechanisms of action. A. racemosa exerts a beneficial activation of the estrogen receptor, H. perforatum possesses the highest antioxidant capacity and the seed oil of O. biennis inhibits the DP1 receptor. The triple combination in the optimal doses pertains to efficacy against all three mechanisms of action, serves as a multitarget plant-based therapy and could serve as a novel strategy for the alleviation of hot flashes in postmenopausal women