Prunus lusitanica L. Fruits: A Promising Underexploited Source of Nutrients with Potential Economic Value

In recent times, less-known fruit species have increasingly attracted worldwide attention and their health benefits are at the forefront. The fruits of plants from the genus Prunus are good sources of nutrients due to their economic, agronomic, and healthy values. However, Prunus lusitanica L., commonly known as Portuguese laurel cherry is considered an endangered species. Thus, the present work aimed to monitor the nutritional components of P. lusitanica fruits grown in three locations in northern Portugal for four consecutive years (2016–2019), using AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists), spectrophotometric, and chromatographic analysis. The results evidenced the abundance of phytonutrients in P. lusitanica, such as proteins, fat, carbohydrates, soluble sugars, dietary fibre, amino acids, and minerals. It was also highlighted that the variation of nutritional components was relatively linked to the year factor, being especially relevant in the frame of the current changing climate, among others. These findings suggest that P. lusitanica L. deserves to be conserved and planted because of its food and nutraceutical applications. However, more detailed information on this rare plant species, such as phytophysiology, phytochemistry, bioactivity, pharmacology, etc., is certainly required for the design and development of appropriate uses and valorization alternatives for this speciesThis research was funded by the CITAB (Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences) research unit, grant number UIDB/04033/2020Peer reviewe

Study on the antineoplastic and toxicological effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) leaf infusion using the K14-HPV16 transgenic mouse model

Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) has been used in functional foods due to its various health benefits. However, the in vivo biological potential of its leaf remains little known. This study has aimed to characterize the antineoplastic and toxicological properties of using pomegranate leaf infusion (PLI) on transgenic mice carrying human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 oncogenes. Thirty-eight mice were divided into 3 wild-type (WT) and 3 transgenic (HPV) groups, with exposure to 0.5% PLI, 1.0% PLI, and water. The animals' body weight, drink and food consumption were recorded. Internal organs, skin samples and intracardiac blood were collected to evaluate toxicological parameters, neoplastic lesions and oxidative stress. The results indicated that PLI was safe as no mortality, no behavioural disorders and no significant differences in the levels of microhematocrit, serum biochemical markers, internal organ histology, and oxidative stress was found among the WT groups. Histological analysis revealed that HPV animals that consumed PLI exhibited reduced hepatic, renal and cutaneous lesions compared with the HPV control group. Low-dose PLI consumption significantly diminished renal hydronephrosis lesions and relieved dysplasia and carcinoma lesions in the chest skin. Oxidative stress analysis showed that low-dose PLI consumption may have more benefits than high-dose PLI. These results suggest that oral administration of PLI has the potential to alleviate non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions against HPV16-induced organ and skin injuries, though this requires further scientific research studies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Preparation of a novel brain-targeted EGCG liposome and its antioxidative neuroprotection

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) possesses potent antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. In this study, a novel glucose-modified EGCG encapsulated liposome (EGCG-Glu-Lip) was developed and characterized. EGCG-Glu-Lip liposome’s cytotoxicity, brain targeting ability, and its antioxidative neuroprotection were examined via bEnd.3 and PC12 cells testing. EGCG-Glu-Lip liposome particle mean size was 158.7 nm, with encapsulation efficiency 73.05 % under EGCG/lipid mass ratio 1:22 and soybean phospholipids (SPC) to cholesterol (Chol) mass ratio 3.84:1. EGCG-Glu-Lip exhibited less cytotoxicity, stronger protection to PC12 cells from H2O2 induced oxidative damage, keeping reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Glucose modified liposome (Glu-Lip) cellular uptake in bEnd.3 and PC12 cells were 1.5-fold and 1.3-fold higher than that of Lip, supporting EGCG-Glu-Lip possessing enhanced blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability mediated via glucose transporter protein 1 (GLUT1) and neuronal cell uptake for brain targeting. EGCG-Glu-Lip could provide an efficient nano delivery pathway to deliver sufficient EGCG to brain tissue exerting its antioxidative neuroprotection more efficiently

Studies of phytochemical constituents by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS of black hulless barley bran and its antioxidation and α-glucosidase inhibition effect

Anthocyanidins and flavonoids are important components in plant. In present study, the anthocyanidins and flavonoids in black hulless barley bran were identified by operating UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Among them, chrysoeriol 7-O-glucouronid, luteolin 7-O-glucouronid, chrysoeriol, and luteolin were quantified by using UPLC. Additionally, the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC) and total anthocyanin content (TAC) were determined. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity (via ferric reducing, DPPH and ABTS method) and α-glucosidase inhibition effect were estimated. From the results, fifty-one constituents comprised 19 anthocyanidins and 32 flavonoids were detected in hulless barley bran fractions. Wherein compounds 1 and 9–19 (belong to anthocyanidins), and 21, 25–32, 35–42, 44–50 (belong to flavonoids) were first identified in hulless barley. The contents of chrysoeriol 7-O-glucouronid luteolin 7-O-glucouronid, chrysoeriol and luteolin were higher in E80% than that of in E40%, but were not detected in E20%. Another, the TAC exhibited the trend of E40% > E80% > E20%, and the TPC and TFC showed same trend of E40% > E20% > E80%. The higher TPC and TFC showed stronger antioxidant activity. However, no significant correlation between TAC, TPC, TFC and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was observed. These results provided the anthocyanidins and flavonoids information, antioxidant value and α-glucosidase inhibition potential, which could provide reference in the development of black hulless barley bran