144 research outputs found
Chemical composition and bioactive properties of the wild mushroom: Polyporus squamosus (Huds.) Fr: a study with samples from Romania
In Eastern Europe, wild mushrooms are widely collected in mountain areas and used for their medicinal properties or as healthy foods. This study aimed at determining the chemical composition (nutritional value, free sugars, organic acids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids and tocopherols) and bioactive properties (antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiquorum sensing) of wild Polyporus squamosus (Huds.) Fr from Romania. The results indicate that the fruiting bodies of P. squamosus are rich in carbohydrates (74.22 g per 100 g dw) and proteins (18.7 g per 100 g dw). Trehalose was the main free sugar, while malic acid was the organic acid detected in the highest amount (2.21 g per 100 g dw), and p-hydroxybenzoic acid was the main phenolic compound. Among tocopherols, β-tocopherol was the most abundant form (114.7 μg per 100 g dw). Additionally, regarding the fatty acids' pattern, polyunsaturated acids represent more than 57% of all fatty acids, followed by monounsaturated fatty acids (24.96%). The highest measured antioxidant effect of P. squamosus extract was found using the TBARS inhibition assay (EC50 = 0.22 mg mL-1), followed by the β-carotene/linoleate assay (EC50 = 1.41 mg mL-1). A minimal inhibitory concentration of the tested extracts was obtained between 0.61-20.4 mg mL-1, while the bactericidal effect was achieved between 1.2-40.8 mg mL-1. Antibiofilm potential was obtained at all tested concentrations, and subinhibitory concentrations of the extract exhibited an antiquorum effect and reduced the formation of P. aeruginosa pili, which all together influenced the virulence of this bacterium. Due to the investigated bioactivities and compounds of P. squamosus and its well-balanced nutritional profile, this mushroom can be further used as a medicinal ingredient based on its antioxidative and antimicrobial potential.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013), L. Barros research contract and A. Feitor (SFRH/BPD/114753/ 2016) grant. The authors are also grateful to the Interreg España-Portugal for financial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E. The authors are grateful to the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development for financial support (grant number 173032).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Total Phenolics, Flavonoids, Condensed Tannins Content of Eight Centaurea Species and Their Broad Inhibitory Activities against Cholinesterase, Tyrosinase, α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase
Selcuk UniversitySelcuk Universit
Repetibilidad y reproducibilidad de las medidas de tejidos in vivo efectuadas con ultrasonidos en ovejas adultas y sus correlaciones con la condición corporal
La evaluación de la condición corporal permite conocer el estado de
reservas de los animales (Santucci et al., 1991; Delfa el al., 1995; Teixeira et al.,
1995), siendo el espesor de los tejidos en la región esternal el punto de elección en
caprinos tal como mostró Morand-Fehr et al. (1989). Este conocimiento permite
adecuar la alimentación de los animales, no obstante esta metodología es muy
susceptible a errores entre operadores (Evans, 1978). Así la substitución de esta
técnica por otras más objetivas presenta interés práctico. Las medidas de
ultrasonidos que permiten determinar las medidas de espesor de los tejidos, con
elevada repetible edad y reproducibilidad, podrán ser una alternativa interesante
Oleuropein and Cancer Chemoprevention: the Link is Hot
Cancer comprises a collection of related diseases characterized by the existence of altered cellular pathways resulting in an abnormal tendency for uncontrolled growth. A broad spectrum, coordinated, and personalized approach focused on targeting diverse oncogenic pathways with low toxicity and economic natural compounds can provide a real benefit as a chemopreventive and/or treatment of this complex disease. Oleuropein, a bioactive phenolic compound mainly present in olive oil and other natural sources, has been reported to modulate several oncogenic signalling pathways. This review presents and critically discusses the available literature about the anticancer and onco-suppressive activity of oleuropein and the underlying molecular mechanisms implicated in the anticarcinogenic and therapeutic effects. The existence of limitations and the promising perspectives of research on this phenolic compound are also critically analyzed and discussed.This article is the outcome of an in-house financially non-supported study. A. Sureda was
partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality (CIBEROBN-B12/03/30038).
A. Mocan acknowledges funding from UEFISCDI, Romania, project no. PNII-RU-TE-2014-4-1247.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Synthesis of novel methyl 7-[(hetero)arylamino]thieno[2,3-b] pyrazine-6-carboxylates and antitumor activity evaluation: effects in human tumor cells growth, cell cycle analysis, apoptosis and toxicity in non-tumor cells
Several novel methyl 7-[(hetero)arylamino]thieno[2,3-b]pyrazine-6-carboxylates were synthesized by Pd-catalyzed C–N Buchwald–Hartwig cross-coupling of either methyl 7-aminothieno[3,2-b]pyrazine-6-carboxylate with (hetero)arylhalides or 7-bromothieno[2,3-b]pyrazine-6-carboxylate with (hetero)arylamines in good-to-excellent yields (50% quantitative yield), using different reaction conditions, namely ligands and solvents, due to the different electronic character of the substrates. The antitumoral potential of these compounds was evaluated in four human tumor cell lines: gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS), colorectal adenocarcinoma (CaCo-2), breast carcinoma (MCF7), and non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NCI-H460) using the SRB assay, and it was possible to establish some structure–activity relationships. Furthermore, they did not show relevant toxicity against a non-tumor cell line culture from the African green monkey kidney (Vero). The most promising compounds (GI50 ≤ 11 µM), showed some selectivity either against AGS or CaCo-2 cell lines without toxicity at their GI50 values. The effects of the methoxylated compounds 2b (2-OMeC6H4), 2f and 2g (3,4- or 3,5-diOMeC6H3, respectively) on the cell cycle profile and induction of apoptosis were further studied in the AGS cell line. Nevertheless, even for the most active (GI50 = 7.8 µM) and selective compound (2g) against this cell line, it was observed that a huge number of dead cells gave rise to an atypical distribution on the cell cycle profile and that these cells were not apoptotic, which points to a different mechanism of action for the AGS cell growth inhibition.This research was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT)—Portugal, which
financially supports CQUM (UID/QUI/686/2019), and also financed by the European Regional
Develop- ment Fund (ERDF), COMPETE2020 and Portugal2020, and the PTNMR network also
supported by Portugal2020. J.M.R. PhD grant (SFRH/BD/115844/2016) was financed by FCT, ESF
(European Social Fund—North Portugal Regional Operational Program) and HCOP (Human Capital
Operational Program). The authors are grateful to FCT, Portugal, for financial support through
national funds FCT/MCTES to the CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020). L.B. and R.C.C. thank the national
funding by FCT, Portugal, through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for
their contracts
Chemical composition, diuretic, and antityrosinase activity of traditionally used romanian cerasorum stipites
Cherry stems (CS) represent a by-product intensively used in Eastern European countries as a traditional remedy for urinary tract disorders. Ethnopharmacological evidences sustain the use of CS as aqueous preparations (infusion and decoction), but few data were previously reported about phytochemical profile and pharmacological potential of CS hydroalcoholic extracts. In this regard, we aimed to evaluate the phenolic profile, in vitro antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory potential, and in vivo diuretic activity of 70% hydroethanolic cherry stems extract and cherry stems decoction (CSD). LC-DAD-ESI/MSn analysis revealed the presence of flavonoid-type compounds as main constituents for both preparations, especially flavanones (naringenin glycosides). Antioxidant activity evaluated through DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods was superior for cherry stems extract, probably due to the presence of phenolic-derived compounds in higher amounts than CSD. On the other hand, tyrosinase inhibitory potential and diuretic effect exerted by CSD were stronger, highlighting that other types of hydrophilic secondary metabolites are responsible for this bioactivity. Overall, our findings indicate that CS preparations could be used as promising mild diuretic agents and encourage further investigations regarding the correlation between their chemical composition and bioactive potential.This work was supported by a Grant of the Romanian Ministry
of Education and Research, CCCDI—UEFISCDI, project
number PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-5360, within PNCDI III.”
The authors MID, LB, and ICFRF are grateful to the
Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for
financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES to
CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020) and FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC);
national funding by F.C.T. and P.I., through the
institutional scientific employment program-contract for
MID and LB contracts. To FEDER-Interreg Es-paña-
Portugal programme for financial support through the
project TRANSCoLAB 0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Exploring the phytochemical profile of Cytinus hypocistis (L.) L. as a source of health-promoting biomolecules behind its in vitro bioactive and enzyme inhibitory properties
Cytinus hypocistis whole plant and its three different parts (petals, stalks, and nectar) were chemically characterised
and their biological properties evaluated. A total of 17 phenolic compounds were identified, being
galloyl-bis-HHDP-glucose the most abundant. All the tested extracts showed high antioxidant capacity, with the
petals exhibiting the most promising results both in the OxHLIA (IC50 = 0.279 ng/mL) and TBARS
(IC50=0.342 ng/mL) assays. For the antidiabetic and anti-tyrosinase enzyme inhibitory assays, the stalk extract
presented the lowest IC50 values, 0.039 mg/mL and 0.09 mg/mL, respectively. Regarding antibacterial activity,
all tested extracts displayed broad-spectrum microbial inhibition against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative
bacteria. Similarly, all extracts displayed effective anti-proliferation activity against four tested tumour cell lines
(NCI–H460, HeLa, HepG2, and MCF-7), with no toxicity observed for a non-tumour cell line. Considering the
anti-inflammatory activity, the petals showed the highest nitric oxide inhibition (IC50 = 127 μg/mL). These
results point C. hypocistis as a promising source of health-promoting biomolecules.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and
Technology (FCT, Portugal) and European Regional Development Fund
(FEDER) under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO
(UID/AGR/00690/2019). L. Barros, J. Pinela, M.I. Dias and R.C.
Calhelha thank the national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional
scientific employment program-contract for their contracts. The
authors are also grateful to FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal programme
for financial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E
and TRANSCoLAB 0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Potential therapeutic applications of infusions and hydroalcoholic extracts of Romanian glutinous sage (Salvia glutinosa L.)
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Salvia glutinosa, also known as the glutinous
sage, has been used in Romanian folk medicine in the treatment of
inflammation, injuries, and mild infections. However, there is no direct
scientific evidence to demonstrate these activities. Aim of the Study: The present research was based on evaluating antioxidant,
antiproliferative, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of S. glutinosa extracts, as
well as the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity.
Materials and Methods: Infusions and 70% (v:v) ethanol solution extracts of S.
glutinosa stems and leaves, collected from two different locations in Romania,
were prepared. Ten phenolic compounds were identified and quantified using
the LC-DAD-ESI/MSn method, and total phenolic and flavonoid content, as well
as in vitro antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays), antiproliferative, antiinflammatory
and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities were determined. A rat
model of induced inflammation with turpentine oil was used for the
examination of in vivo effects of the extracts, using diclofenac as an antiinflammatory
control. Results: The highest inhibitory α-glucosidase activity was determined to be
IC50 = 0.546 mg/ml for the hydroalcoholic extract made with plant material
collected on the road to Sighișoara. The highest cytotoxic activity against
HepG2 cell line was determined to be GI50 = 131.68 ± 5.03 μg/ml, for the
hydroalcoholic extract made with plant material from Sighișoara. In vivo
administration of extract (200 mg lyophilized powder/ml) showed a
significant reduction of NO production.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that S. glutinosa extracts exhibit antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, as well as a modest cytotoxic effect on HepG2 cell line. By in vivo administration, the extracts show antiinflammatory
and antioxidant activity, which correlates with the traditional
use of the species. The environmental conditions seemed to induce
important changes in the chemical composition and the bioactivity of the
herbal preparations derived from S. glutinosa.This work was supported by a grant of the Romanian
Ministry of Education and Research, CNCS–UEFISCDI,
project number PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019–5360.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Corrigendum: Ethnopharmacological Approaches for Therapy of Jaundice: Part II. Highly Used Plant Species from Acanthaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, Combretaceae, and Fabaceae Families
In the original article, there was a mistake in the legend for Figure 4 as published (the spelling of
isosilibin was incorrect). The correct legend appears below.
In the original article, there was a mistake in Figure 4 as published (CH3 group was missing in
the Silybin structure). The corrected Figure 4 appears below.
The authors apologize for these errors and state that this does not change the scientific
conclusions of the article in any way
EMG signal processing for the study of localized muscle fatigue—pilot study to explore the applicability of a novel method
This pilot study aimed to explore a method for characterization of the electromyogram
frequency spectrum during a sustained exertion task, performed by the upper limb. Methods: Nine
participants underwent an isometric localized muscle fatigue protocol on an isokinetic
dynamometer until exhaustion, while monitored with surface electromyography (sEMG) of the
shoulder’s external rotators. Firstly, three methods of signal energy analysis based on primer
frequency contributors were compared to the energy of the entire spectrum. Secondly, the chosen
method of analysis was used to characterize the signal energy at beginning (T1), in the middle (T2)
and at the end (T3) of the fatigue protocol and compared to the torque output and the shift in the
median frequencies during the trial. Results: There were statistically significant differences between
T1 and T3 for signal energy (p < 0.007) and for central frequency of the interval (p = 0.003). Moreover,
the isometric peak torque was also different between T1 and T3 (p < 0.001). Overall, there were no
differences between the signal energy enclosed in the 40 primer frequency contributors and the
analysis of the full spectrum energy; consequently, it was the method of choice. The reported fatigue
and the decrease in the produced muscle torque was consistent with fatigue-induced alterations in
the electromyogram frequency spectrum. In conclusion, the developed protocol has potential to be
considered as an easy-to-use method for EMG-based analysis of isometric muscle exertion until
fatigue. Thus, the novelty of the proposed method is to explore, in muscle fatigue, the use of only
the main contributors in the frequency domain of the EMG spectrum, avoiding surplus information,
that may not represent muscle functioning. However, further studies are needed to investigate the
stability of the present findings in a more comprehensive sample.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal)
for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) to CeDRI (UIDB/05757/2020
and UIDP/05757/2020) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2021).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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