New Insights Regarding the Potential Health Benefits of Isoflavones

Isoflavones are a class of plant secondary metabolites, with an estrogen‐like structure presenting a plethora of biological activities. The chapter discusses important facts about this class of phytoestrogens, from biosynthesis to the latest research about their health benefits. The following major points discussed are: biosynthesis, regulation, isolation, metabolism and bioavailability, isoflavones in diet and intake, and new insights regarding the therapeutic effect including cancer chemoprevention. The chapter ends with a mini review of own research of the anti‐inflammatory and chemopreventive activity of isoflavonoid genistein alone and incorporated in modern pharmaceutical formulations. The chapter updates the interested researchers in the field with the latest progress regarding potential health benefits of isoflavones

Integrated System of Fed Batch ABE Biosynthesis and Solvent Recovery by Pervaporation

Anaerobic fermentation of glucose substrate by Clostridium acetobutylicum bacteria at 34-39 °C produces butanol, acetone, and ethanol solvents as metabolites. In the case of batch and fed batch bioreactors, the control of butanol concentration in the fermentation broth is recommended for diminishing its inhibitory effect on the bacterial system. Solvent recovery from batch or fed batch bioreactors by using an ultrafiltrationpervaporation system could be an efficient solution to improve the process performances. A mathematical model was developed in order to describe the dynamics of solvent production in an integrated system of fed batch fermentation and solvent recovery. Simulations performed under various operating conditions were used for optimizing the biosynthesis process, i.e., for maximizing the solvent production and minimizing the substrate concentration in the fermentation medium. Initial substrate concentration in the bioreactor, feed flow rate, feed substrate concentration, starting time of feed and ultrafiltration-pervaporation, surface area of ultrafiltration and pervaporation units were selected as process control variables

Cerebrospinal Fluid Findings in Six Dogs with Neurological Disease

The aim of the study was to emphasize the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings in dogs with neurological pathology and to support the clinical relevance of the CSF analysis in patients with neurological diseases. A total of six dogs with pleocytosis, from different breeds were included in this study. Cisternal tap was processed and CSF workup was done in all six. Elevated cell count, increased protein level and cytological findings like lymphocytic, monocytic and mixed pleocytosis were also observed. CSF cytological findings were consistent with inflammatory disorders. CSF analysis is a safe diagnostic tool for detecting central nervous system inflammation in our study, still not confirmatory based solely for definitive diagnosis

Total phenolic content, FTIR analysis, and antiproliferative evaluation of lupin seeds harvest from western Romania

Introduction Lupinus spp. are herbaceous perennial flowering plants included in the Fabaceae family. Among the approximately 200 species belonging to this genre, Lupinus albus L., also known as white lupin, Lupinus angustifolius L., and narrow-leafed lupin or blue lupin, represent two of the most studied species due to their intense culinary use and potential biological activity. The intention of the study was to characterize total phenolic content, perform FTIR analysis, and antiproliferative effects against A375 human melanoma cells extracts obtained from germinated and ungerminated seeds from Lupinus albus L. and Lupinus angustifolius L. Material and methods Total phenolic content was assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method. FTIR spectra were carried out by a Shimadzu Prestige-21 spectrometer in the range 400–4000 cm-1, using KBr pellets and resolution of 4 cm-1. Antiproliferative capacity was screened by employing the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and scratch assay methods. Results The study showed increased values corresponding to total phenolic content for the germinated extracts. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of genistein and main cinnamic acids derivatives (ferulic, caffeic, rosmarinic, and coumaric acids). All tested extracts showed weak antiproliferative potential against A375 human melanoma cells. Conclusions Germination increased the amount of bioactive compounds in the seeds of the two studied species of lupin. FTIR analyses provided an important fingerprint of the chemical composition

Botanical Therapeutics: Phytochemical Screening and Biological Assessment of Chamomile, Parsley and Celery Extracts against A375 Human Melanoma and Dendritic Cells

Chamomile, parsley, and celery represent major botanical sources of apigenin, a well-known flavone with chemopreventive properties. The aim of this study was to assess the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory potential of methanol extracts obtained from chamomile, parsley, and celery collected from Romania, as well as the biological activity against A375 human melanoma and human dendritic cells. Results have shown that all three extracts are rich in polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids, and they generate a radical scavenger capacity, iron chelation potential, as well as lipoxygenase inhibition capacity. Chamomile and celery extracts present weak antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic properties in the set experimental conditions, while parsley extract draws out significant pro-apoptotic potential against A375 human melanoma cells. Parsley and chamomile extracts affected the fibroblast-like morphology of the screened tumor cell line. On the other hand, chamomile and celery extracts abrogated the expansion of LPS-activated dendritic cells, while the metabolic activity was attenuated by stimulation with celery extract; chamomile and parsley extracts had no effect upon this parameter. Chamomile and parsley extracts incubation with naive dendritic cells did not trigger cytokine secretion (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10), but celery extract stimulation significantly reduced the anti-inflammatory, cytokine IL-10