The electrospun gelatin nanofibers containing black elderberry (BE) extract, Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and SnO2 were fabricated as intelligent packaging layer for Hake fish (Merluccius merluccius) ...fillets. Image analysis confirmed the formation of continuous ultrafine fibers. Differences between nanofibers were evaluated in terms of thermal stability, and chemical composition during storage. Fourier transform infrared spectrums indicated strong bonding interactions between gelatin and other compounds. Thermal analysis results showed that the addition of AuNPs contributed to the thermal stabilization of the gelatin chain. L, a, and b values of nanofibers were also measured. A rapid color change occurred after exposure to volatiles with the highest difference in L (52.29 %) of the sample containing gelatin, BE, SnO2 and AuNPs (p < 0.05). This study showed that the absorption of volatiles on nanofibers can be detected from color changes of nanofibers. The outcomes of this study can be applied for intelligent packaging layer in seafood products.
•A completely green method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles was developed.•Polyphenols from European black elderberry fruit extract were used as reducing, stabilizing and capping agents.•The ...synthesized nanoparticles were found to possess in vitro anti-inflammatory activity.•AgNPs also exhibited promising in vivo anti-inflammatory properties.
This research aimed at reporting the synthesis, characterization and evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects of some new biomaterials based on silver nanoparticles and polyphenols rich natural extracts. A fast and eco-friendly extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), using European black elderberry (Sambucus nigra – SN, Adoxaceae family) fruit extracts was developed. The phytosynthesized nanoparticles exhibited an absorbance peak at 426nm, characteristic for AgNPs and their sizes were ranged from 20 to 80nm. The anti-inflammatory properties of AgNPs were assessed in vitro on HaCaT cells exposed to UVB radiation, in vivo on acute inflammation model and in humans on psoriasis lesions. In vitro, our results demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of functionalized AgNPs by the decrease of cytokines production induced by UVB irradiation. In vivo, the pre-administration of AgNPs reduced the edema and cytokines levels in the paw tissues, early after the induction of inflammation. The present study also demonstrated the possible use of synthesized AgNPs for the treatment of psoriasis lesions.
Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is still affecting the lives of people round the globe and remains a major public health threat. The emergence of new variants more efficiently transmitted, more ...virulent and more capable of escaping naturally acquired and vaccine-induced immunity creates a long-term negative outlook for the management of the pandemic. The development of effective and viable prevention and treatment options to reduce viral transmission is of the utmost importance. The fruits of the European black elderberry and extracts thereof have been traditionally used to treat viral infections such as coughs, cold and flu. Specifically, its efficacy against the Influenza A virus has been shown in vitro as well as in human clinical trials. In the current project, we investigated the antiviral activity of a black elderberry extract, mainly containing anthocyanins and phenolic compounds, against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern and explored the possible mode of action by performing time of addition experiments. The results revealed that the extract displayed a strong anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity against the Wuhan type as well as the variants of concern Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron with a comparable antiviral activity. Based on cytotoxicity data, a 2-log theoretical therapeutic window was established. The data accumulated so far suggest that the viral replication cycle is inhibited at later stages, inasmuch as the replication process was affected after virus entry. Therefore, it would be legitimate to assume that black elderberry extract might have the potential to be an effective treatment option for SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Despite extensive research on the chemical composition of elderberries and their numerous uses in pharmaceutical, beverage, and food production, there is still a lack of knowledge about
leaves and ...flowers' antimicrobial activity against plant pathogens. In this study, the phytoconstituents of their aqueous ammonia extracts were first characterized by infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major phytocompounds identified in the flower extract were octyl 2-methylpropanoate; 3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-2,3-dihydropyran-4-one; propyl malonic acid; adenine; and 1-methyl-2-piperidinemethanol. Concerning the leaf extract, 1,6-anhydro-β-D-glucopyranose; oleic acid; 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole; 2,3-dihydro-benzofuran; and 4-((1E)-3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-2-methoxyphenol and other phenol derivatives were the main constituents. The potential of the extracts to act as bioprotectants was then investigated against three almond tree pathogens:
,
, and
. In vitro tests showed higher activity of the flower extract, with EC
values in the 241-984 μg·mL
range (depending on the pathogen) vs. 354-1322 μg·mL
for the leaf extract. In addition, the flower extract led to full protection against
at a dose of 1875 μg·mL
in ex situ tests on artificially-infected excised almond stems. These inhibitory concentrations were lower than those of commercial fungicides. These findings suggest that
aerial organs may be susceptible to valorization as an alternative to synthetic fungicides for the protection of this important crop.
Dietary anthocyanins have been shown to reduce inflammation in animal models and may ameliorate obesity-related complications. Black elderberry is one of the richest sources of anthocyanins. We ...investigated the metabolic effects of anthocyanin-rich black elderberry extract (BEE) in a diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mouse model. Mice were fed either a low-fat diet (n 8), high-fat lard-based diet (HFD; n 16), HFD+0·25 % (w/w) BEE (0·25 %-BEE; n 16) or HFD+1·25 % BEE (1·25 %-BEE; n 16) for 16 weeks. The 0·25 % BEE (0·034 % anthocyanin, w/w) and 1·25 % BEE (0·17 % anthocyanin, w/w) diets corresponded to estimated anthocyanin doses of 20-40 mg and 100-200 mg per kg of body weight, respectively. After 16 weeks, both BEE groups had significantly lower liver weights, serum TAG, homoeostasis model assessment and serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 compared with HFD. The 0·25 %-BEE also had lower serum insulin and TNFα compared with HFD. Hepatic fatty acid synthase mRNA was lower in both BEE groups, whereas PPARγ2 mRNA and liver cholesterol were lower in 1·25 %-BEE, suggesting decreased hepatic lipid synthesis. Higher adipose PPARγ mRNA, transforming growth factor β mRNA and adipose tissue histology suggested a pro-fibrogenic phenotype that was less inflammatory in 1·25 %-BEE. Skeletal muscle mRNA expression of the myokine IL-6 was higher in 0·25 %-BEE relative to HFD. These results suggest that BEE may have improved some metabolic disturbances present in this mouse model of obesity by lowering serum TAG, inflammatory markers and insulin resistance.
European black elderberry (
L.) is a popular way to treat common colds or influenza infections. Mechanistically, this might be due to a direct antiviral effect or a stimulatory effect on the immune ...system of the host. Here, we evaluated the modulatory effects of black elderberry derived water extract (EC15) and its polysaccharide enriched fractions (CPS, BOUND, and UNBOUND) in comparison to a conventional alcoholic extract (EE25), regarding the phenotypical and functional properties of dendritic cells (DCs), which are essential cells to induce potent T cell responses. Interestingly, the water extract and its polysaccharide fractions potently induced DC maturation, while the ethanol extract did not. Moreover, the capacity to stimulate T cells by these matured DCs, as assessed using MLR assays, was statistically higher when induced by the water extracted fractions, compared to immature DCs. On the other hand, the ethanol extract EE25 did not induce T cell stimulation. Finally, the cytokine expression profiles of these DC-T cell cocultures were assessed and correlated well with increased T cell stimulation. Also, the expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ was highly increased in the presence of the elderberry water extract EC15, and the polysaccharide enriched CPS, BOUND, and UNBOUND fractions, but not by EE25. Thus, from these data, we conclude that the polysaccharides present in water-derived elderberry fractions induce potent immune-modulatory effects, which represents the basis for a strong immune-mediated response to viruses including influenza.
The use of local non-conventional raw materials will allow significantly enriching unfortified fruit wines with ascorbic acid and phenolic substances and make it possible to obtain products with ...increased biological value. The paper considers black elderberries grown in the forest steppe zone of Ukraine. It has been determined that they contain 12–13% of soluble solids, 6.9–8.1 of sugars, 0.93–1.2% of titratable acids, 33.4–53.1 mg/100 g of ascorbic acid, and 2331–3888 mg/100 g of phenolic substances. The pressing process and its dependence on the method of treating berries have been studied. It has been proved that juice extraction from black elderberries is the highest when they are pretreated with heat at 98±2°C for 3–5 minutes, with 15% of water added. Depending on the treatment method, juices retain ascorbic acid (15.8–33.4 mg/100 g) and phenolic substances (2538–3888 mg/100 g), which indicates their high biological value. Juices like these can be used to improve the biological composition of blended juices and wines. To ferment high-sugar black elderberry must, active dry yeast was used, namely the yeast races EC-1118 of the genus Saccharomyces bayanus (France) and ENSIS LE-1 or ENSIS LE-5 of the genus Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Spain). The musts were fermented for 36–62 days. The period of vigorous fermentation coincides with the period of initial fermentation and ends in 9–10 days, with accumulation of 12–14% of ethanol by volume. Unfortified wine materials obtained from black elderberries contain 22–38.3 mg/100 g of ascorbic acid (its content in wine materials is by 7.8–49.55% lower than in fresh berries) and 1750–3510 mg/100 g of phenolic substances (which is lower by 9.7–39.6%, as compared with fresh elderberries). The active acidity of black elderberry wine materials is 3.90–4.09 pH units, depending on the yeast race. A similar difference has been found for the redox potential (160–176 mV), which indicates that the wine materials from black elderberries are low-oxidised. The intensity of colour of the wine materials obtained from black elderberries (D420 + D520) varied from 3.08 to 3.20, and the colour shade from 0.88 to 0.92, which is typical of young red wines. These wine materials can be used to increase the quality and biological value of blended wines.
We carried out studies on water deficiency of Sambucus nigra L. (black elderberry) plant leaves extract and fruit juice, relative turgidity, sucrose content in fruits, chlorophyll content in the ...leaves, as well as gas exchange rates in the leaves, in particular, the changes in the concentrations of oxygen released during photosynthesis by leaves and carbon dioxide released during leaf respiration depending on habitat conditions (altitude of the habitat, position of slopes, average annual precipitation). Taking into account the difference in climatic conditions and the generality of some indicators, Vanadzor (1326–1600 m above sea level) and Stepanavan (1400–1830 m above sea level) regions of Lori Province, "Dilijan" National Park, Lake Parz, and the forest areas adjacent to the city of Dilijan (1240–1612 m above sea level) in Tavush Province in Armenia were chosen as the research sites. The test samples were taken from eight different test sites in Lori and Tavush provinces. Tavush Province is more humid than Lori Province. The highest rate of water deficiency in the leaves of the studied plants was recorded in S. nigra f. laciniata (L.) Zabel., and the lowest in S. nigra in Vanadzor forest. It can be assumed that the index of water deficiency in the leaves may depend on the position of the slopes of the test sites and the value of the filtration coefficient of the soil types. On the north-facing slope at the height of 1341 m above sea level and on the south-facing slope at the height of 1830 m above sea level, the values of water deficiency of the leaves are almost the same. Such data allows us to assume that the degree of water deficiency in the leaves is also affected by the filtration coefficient of habitat soil types. In two points that have north-facing positions, the water deficiency of leaves at the height of 1341 m above sea level is 2.14 times more than at the height of 1328 m above sea level. At 1328 m above sea level the filtration coefficient is small and the plant absorbs a lot of water. Based on the data we received we obtained rankings of plants according to the different criteria of the experimental plants: water deficiency in leaves tissues, relative turgidity, the sum of chlorophylls in the leaves, the sucrose content in the fruits, percentage of oxygen released as a result of photosynthesis, percentage of carbon dioxide released as a result of respiration. We found a certain dependence between the indicators of the water regime and the height above sea level of the researched habitats. We also found out that the water regime is influenced by certain microclimatic conditions such as the position of the slopes, whether they are north or south facing, as well as the average annual precipitation. Knowing the physiological processes taking place in the vegetative and generative organs of the S. nigra plant is important from the point of view of evaluating the intensity of growth and development of the generative organs. We consider that the results of the study will be applicable in the process of plant selection based on the indicators of the physiological processes taking place in the plant organism.
The articles discussed in this reprint show the potential health benefits of nutraceuticals, which are products containing bioactive compounds that can prevent and treat chronic diseases. This book ...explores various functional ingredients, including plant-derived products, mushrooms, microalgae, and goji berries, for their therapeutic, hypoallergenic, and sporting purposes. The study of the gut microbiome and its interactions with dietary components is also discussed. Additionally, the importance of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in the food industry also stands out. As consumers seek out natural and functional food products, continued research on and the development of nutraceuticals will be critical in promoting healthy aging and addressing chronic diseases.
Acute pancreatitis is a potentially life-threatening condition and a common indication for hospitalization. Gallstones and alcohol account for the majority of cases, but various, less appreciated ...etiologies also exist. In recent years, medications have been increasingly recognized as an etiologic culprit for acute pancreatitis, though still only responsible for 0.1–2% of all cases 1. Albeit very rare, case reports have also implicated homeopathic medications as potential causes of acute pancreatitis 2, 3. Here we present the case of a 51-year-old man who experienced an episode of acute pancreatitis secondary to Sambucol, an extract of black elderberry (Sambucus mexicana) often used to treat fu-like symptoms and provide immunological benefts 4. This represents, to our knowledge, the frst case of black elderberry-induced acute pancreatitis and serves to illustrate the importance of maintaining a broad diferential and taking a thorough history, including homeopathic and other alternative remedies, in patients presenting with acute pancreatitis of unclear etiology.
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