Chokeberries (
) are rarely used in diet in Croatia but they have high content of polyphenolic compounds and one of the highest
antioxidant activities among fruits. The aim of this study is to ...compare the quality, phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of different chokeberry products (juices, powders, fruit tea, capsules and dried berries). It can be expected that processing influences antioxidant activity and phenolic content of final products reaching consumers. Characterisation of phenolic compounds was carried out by using spectroscopic methods (Folin-Ciocalteu and pH differential methods). Antioxidant activity of chokeberry products was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. The results show that the investigated products contain high amount of phenols (3002 to 6639 mg per L and 1494 to 5292 mg per 100 g of dry matter) and lower amount of total anthocyanins (150 to 1228 mg per L and 141 to 2468 mg per 100 g of dry matter). The examined juices and other chokeberry products possess high antioxidant capacity (12.09 to 40.19 mmol per L or 58.49 to 191.31 mmol per 100 g of dry matter, respectively) and reducing power (38.71 to 79.86 mmol per L or 13.50 to 68.60 mmol per 100 g of dry matter, respectively). On the basis of phenolic content and antioxidant activity, capsules and powders stand out among other products. The study indicates that there are significant differences (p<0.05) in the quality, phenolic content and antioxidant capacity among examined products.
The health benefits of polyphenols are based on their bioavailability, which is why a significant portion of research focuses on factors that affect their bioavailability. Previous studies suggest ...that the intake of polyphenols along with macronutrients in food represents one of the key factors influencing the bioavailability of polyphenols and, consequently, their biological activity in the organism. Since polyphenols in the human diet are mainly consumed in food together with macronutrients, this study investigated the in vivo absorption, metabolism, and distribution of polyphenolic compounds from the water extract of blackthorn flower (Prunus spinosa L.) in combination with a protein-enriched diet in the organs (small intestine, liver, kidney) of C57BL/6 mice. The bioaccumulation of polyphenol molecules, biologically available maximum concentrations of individual groups of polyphenol molecules, and their effect on the oxidative/antioxidative status of organs were also examined. The results of this study indicate increased bioabsorption and bioavailability of flavan-3-ols (EC, EGCG) and reduced absorption kinetics of certain polyphenols from the groups of flavonols, flavones, and phenolic acids in the organs of C57BL/6 mice after intragastric administration of the water extract of blackthorn flower (Prunus spinosa L.) in combination with a diet enriched with whey proteins. Furthermore, subchronic intake of polyphenols from the water extract of blackthorn flower (Prunus spinosa L.) in combination with a diet enriched with whey proteins induces the synthesis of total glutathione (tGSH) in the liver and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver and small intestine. The results of this study suggest potential applications in the development of functional foods aimed at achieving the optimal health status of the organism and the possibility of reducing the risk of oxidative stress-related disease.
Obesity, a major health problem worldwide, is associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors, such as dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, and hypertension. We investigated the antioxidative ...capacity of the ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) and its effect on the lipid profile, the hepatorenal function, and the atherogenic indices in mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). EEP (50 mg/kg) was given orally to mice for 30 days. After the treatments, levels of the serum total triglyceride and cholesterol, the high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) and low density lipoprotein (LDL-c) cholesterols, the serum enzymes, and the metabolites were measured, and atherogenic indices atherogenic index of plasma (AIP); cardiac risk ratio (CRR); cardioprotective index (CPI); atherogenic coefficient (AC) were calculated and compared with the antioxidant, the reducing power, the radical-scavenging, and the chelating activity of EEP. The HFD diet with EEP significantly reduced the negative lipid profile and lowered AIP, CRR, and AC and increased CPI in animals on a HFD. In addition, EEP reduced the weight of mice and lipid accumulation in the liver, and it had significant in vitro antioxidative activities. The EEP possesses anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant activity and exhibits protective action on the cardiovascular system and hepatorenal functions. Our results contribute towards the validation of the traditional use of propolis as a food supplement in aiding hyperlipidemic disorders.
The aim of this study was to evaluate how nettle (Urtica dioica L.) water extract consumption would interact with regulators of peroxysomal lipid oxidation, histone deacetylase, and markers of ...oxidative stress in the liver and blood lipid levels in male and female C57Bl6 mice. Metabolically unchallenged (healthy) mice (n = 5 per sex) were treated with a nettle extract in a dose of 40 mg of total polyphenols in the extract per kg mice body weight. The nettle extract was applied daily along with normal diet for 15 days. The serum triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and liver PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, PGC-1-α, ACOX1, SIRT1, MDA, SOD, CAT, and GSH were compared between exposed and unexposed (control) animals. In males, the PPAR-α, PGC1-α, and ACOX1 levels together with systemic HDL cholesterol were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased while the LDL cholesterol decreased (p ≤ 0.05). In females, no changes in PPAR-α and PGC1-α or serum lipids were noted, but the ACOX1 content in the liver was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased. The SIRT1 activity increased (p ≤ 0.05) only in females. In both sexes, the PPAR-γ levels were not significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected in either sex. The results indicate that nettle plant extract has the potential to modulate selected transcriptional factors and histone deacetylase in vivo, with certain sex differences, which should be studied further in similar models.
The use of plants and their extracts in treatments of chronic diseases is widely known in traditional medicine. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of 10-day consumption of blackthorn (
...L.) flower extract on blood glucose, glycaemic load, serum α-amlyase activity and insulin concentration in normoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic (alloxan-induced) mice model.
Normoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic (treated with alloxan, 150 mg per kg body mass) C57BL/6 mice were administered daily, during 10 days, blackthorn flower extract by gavage. The sugar mass concentration within the extract was determined by HPLC analysis. In mice, blood and serum blood glucose concentrations, and oral glucose tolerance test were determined by blood glucometer. Serum insulin concentration was determined by ELISA assay and α-amylase activity by colourimetric assay.
The blackthorn flower extract increased glucose concentrations in normoglycaemic mice by 30% after the 1st and 5th day and by 17% after the 10th day of consumption. It is a consequence of released sugars because sugar analysis revealed 59.8 mg/L monosaccharides, mainly fructose (55.7 mg/L) and glucose (24.3 mg/L) in the extract. On the contrary, the extract consumption reduced serum blood glucose in hyperglycaemic mice by 29% after 10 days of treatment. Oral glucose tolerance test also confirmed that in the hyperglycaemic group treated with blackthorn flower extract glucose homeostasis was improved and showed decrease in blood glucose. Serum insulin concentration increased by 49% and serum α-amylase activity by 46% after 10 days of treatment with blackthorn flower extract in hyperglycaemic group. Thus, it can be concluded that blackthorn flower extract improved glucose tolerance, enhanced insulin secretion and lowered serum α-amylase activity.
The obtained results show for the first time the potential of blackthorn (
L.) flower extract in hyperglycaemia management.
Chokeberries are a subject of numerous studies due to a high phenolic compound content, antioxidant properties and potential positive influence on the health. Effects of weather conditions on fruit ...quality attributes, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of chokeberry (
) juice over three consecutive years were investigated. Total phenolic content and total flavonoids range were from 8834 to 11093 mg/L and from 6993 to 9710 mg/L, respectively. High variations and discrepancy during different growing seasons are due to the different air temperature, sunlight and rainfall rate. The highest concentrations of anthocyanins and phenolics were observed in fruits harvested in 2012, which is most likely due to the favorable weather conditions (temperature and bright sunshine hours). All chokeberry juices possess high antioxidant activity (12.9–14.6 mmol/L; 128–167 mmol/L). Strong correlation implies that flavonoids and non-flavonoids were the major contributors to the antioxidant capacity. This study indicates that although the examined properties vary considerably through the growing seasons (p≤0.05), chokeberry juices can serve as a good source of bioactive phytochemicals in a human diet.
Polyphenols of Laurel and Myrtle exhibit structural diversity, which affects bioavailability, metabolism, and bioactivity. The gut microbiota plays a key role in modulating the production, ...bioavailability and, thus the biological activities of phenolic metabolites, particularly after the intake of food containing high-molecular-weight polyphenols. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the polyphenolic components of Laurel and Myrtle aqueous extract have beneficial effects on rat health. The growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), β-glucuronidase, β-glucosidase, β-galactosidase activity, pH value, body weight change and food efficacy ratio after intragastric treatment of rats with Laurel and Myrtle extract at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg for two weeks were investigated. The endogenous populations of colonic probiotic bacteria (Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria) were counted on selective media. According to the obtained data, Laurel extract in the applied dose of 50 and 100 and Myrtle extract (100 mg/kg) positively affects the rats health by increasing the number of colonies of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria compared to the control group, causes changes in glycolytic enzymatic activity and minor change in antioxidative tissue activity. In addition, high doses of Laurel increase food efficiency ratio, while Myrtle has the same effect at a lower dose.
Besides the use of resveratrol as a drug candidate, there are obstacles mainly due to its poor pharmacokinetic properties. Numerous studies are being conducted on the synthesis of resveratrol ...derivatives that exhibit enhanced biological activity. The aim of our research was to investigate activity of the newly synthesized ferrocene‐containing triacyl derivative of resveratrol to achieve cell protection from endo/exogenous ROS and reduction in cell death by assessing multiple endpoints. Our research showed that both resveratrol and the resveratrol derivatives (1–100 μM) lower the levels of ROS in CHO‐K1 cells. Resveratrol at doses <20 μM had little or no effect on cell proliferation, while at higher doses, a significant inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and viability has been noticed. The activity of the new derivative was significantly altered compared to resveratrol—cellular viability was not suppressed regardless of the concentration applied, and the extent of apoptosis was low. In summary, the new ferrocene‐resveratrol derivative has the potential to protect cells from oxidative stress due to its low cytotoxicity and retained antioxidant properties, whereas caution should be exercised with resveratrol at higher doses, as it significantly impairs cell viability and induces cell death. By linking ROS to specific diseases (relevance in neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and neoplastic diseases), we can assume that the new resveratrol derivative can prevent or alleviate the mentioned disorders. Furthermore, recognition of the resveratrol derivative as an anti‐apoptotic chemical could be useful in the cultivation of various cell lines on a large scale in the industrial biotechnology.
The aim of our research was to investigate potential of resveratrol and the newly synthesized ferrocene‐containing triacyl derivative of resveratrol to achieve cell protection. Novel derivative protects cells from oxidative stress due to its low cytotoxicity and retained antioxidant properties, whereas caution should be exercised with resveratrol at higher doses. By linking ROS to specific diseases, we can assume that the resveratrol derivative can prevent/alleviate those conditions. Recognition of anti‐apoptotic properties of novel derivative can find application in industrial biotechnology.
Essential oils (EOs) from aromatic and medicinal plants, such as myrtle (
L.) and Laurel (
L.), are gaining popularity as a potential ingredient in functional foods and nutraceuticals. This study ...aims to investigate whether the essential oils (EOs) could be effective in weight control, antioxidative and antilipidemic status of rats by affecting microbiota and its enzymes activity and whether changes in intestinal enzyme activity affect the health of rats. The intragastric application of laurel and myrtle EOs to rats for two weeks affects weight loss, reduces glycolytic activity, lipid parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C)) and atherogenic indicators, leading to cardiovascular protection. Laurel EO can be an excellent candidate for the treatment of drug-induced obesity and related diseases, since it affects lipid metabolism in the liver and inhibits the enzymes responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrates into glucose in the digestive tract, leading to weight loss. In contrast, myrtle EO shows a better antioxidant capacity in most tissues, except kidneys, where it causes a pro-oxidative effect, compared to laurel EO. Myrtle EO increases the permeability and instability of the erythrocyte membrane, resulting in a loss of selectivity for the entry of toxic substances into the cell. On the other hand, myrtle EO leads to intestinal inflammation by reducing the number of probiotic bacteria and increasing
.
Valproate is a common antiepileptic drug whose adverse effects include liver steatosis and dyslipidaemia. The aim of our study was to see how natural flavonoid antioxidant naringin would interact ...with valproate and attenuate these adverse effects. For this reason we treated male C57BL6 mice with a combination of 150 mg/kg of valproate and 25 mg/kg naringin every day for 10 days and compared their serum triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, VLDL, and liver PPAR-alpha, PGC-1 alpha, ACOX1, Nrf2, SOD, CAT, GSH, and histological signs of steatosis. Valproate increased lipid peroxidation parameters and caused pronounced microvesicular steatosis throughout the hepatic lobule in all acinar zones, but naringin co-administration limited steatosis to the lobule periphery. In addition, it nearly restored total serum cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides and liver ACOX1 and MDA to control levels. and upregulated PPAR-alpha and PGC-1 alpha, otherwise severely downregulated by valproate. It also increased SOD activity. All these findings suggest that naringin modulates key lipid metabolism regulators and should further be investigated in this model, either alone or combined with other lipid regulating drugs or molecules.
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