Phenolic compounds (PCs) are widespread secondary metabolites with potent biological activity. Their sources are mainly plants from cultivated and natural states, providing valuable protective and ...health-promoting extracts. The wide biological activity of PCs (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiatherosclerotic, antidiabetic, antiallergic, prebiotic, antimutagenic) means that new sources of PCs are constantly being sought, as exemplified by extracting these compounds from tissue culture or agricultural by-products. Plant phenols show marked qualitative and quantitative variation not only at different genetic levels (between and within species and clones) but also between different physiological and developmental stages. Assessing genetic and seasonal variations in phenolic content and activity allows for selecting the best time to harvest the plant. Learning about the causes of PCs' variability and putting this knowledge into practice can significantly increase PCs' yields and extract the most valuable compounds. The health-promoting properties resulting from consuming products rich in plant PCs are undeniable, so it is worth promoting high-phenolic products as a regular diet. This paper presents an overview of different sources of PCs for use as potential therapeutic alternatives. Additionally, factors of variation in the phenolic complex at the genome and ontogeny levels, relevant in practical terms and as a basis for further scientific research, are presented.
Natural products, i.e., food, drugs, cosmetics, flavors, dyes, and preservatives, have recently become a subject of great interest. There is no doubt that the primary condition for the suitability ...and use of these products is a solid scientific basis, especially in terms of biological activity. Medicinal aromatic plants (MAPs) play a valuable and vital role in the economic, social, cultural, and ecological aspects of local communities worldwide. MAPs, commonly known as herbs or spices, are distinguished by their original aroma and valuable healing effects. They are common in folk medicine and have modern proven healing effects. These plants are characterized by great diversity both morphologically and chemically, as well as in terms of biological activity. Their properties are modified by various factors of variation: genetic, ontogenetic, environmental, and post-harvest. This review presents the results of the latest research on the use of wild and cultivated aromatic plants in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food production sectors. In addition, the relationship between the quantity and quality of MAP yield and the genetic, environmental, and agrotechnical factors involved was discussed.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health problem, and the rapid rise in AMR is attributed to the inappropriate and/or overuse of antibiotics. Therefore, alternative antimicrobial ...agents, including those of natural origin, are being sought for the development of new drugs. The purpose of our study was to analyze the chemical composition, and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of four oregano essential oils (OEOs) from Poland, Europe, Turkey and the USA. The antimicrobial activity (AMA) was evaluated using 23 strains, including Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and
species. The antioxidant activity (AA) of essential oils (EOs) was determined by the DPPH method. The main component of the EOs tested was carvacrol (76.64-85.70%). The highest amount of this compound was determined in the Polish OEO. The OEOs we tested showed antimicrobial resistance, which was especially strong against fungi (MIC = 0.06-0.25 mg/mL
). These products also showed high AA (71.42-80.44%). OEOs high in carvacrol should be the subject of further research as potential antimicrobial and antioxidant agents.
Currently, the potential utilization of fruits and vegetable waste as a source of micronutrients and antioxidants has increased. The present study, therefore, aimed to determine the antimicrobial and ...anti-inflammatory activities of
peel extract. A modified solvent evaporation technique was employed for peel extract preparation. For effective utilization of the natural product, quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds was carried out using liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy technique. Phenolic and flavonoids were present in high amounts, while β-carotene and lycopene were present in vestigial amounts. The antimicrobial efficiency of peel extract was evaluated against four bacterial strains including
(MTCC 3160),
(MTCC 3384),
(MTCC 2295), and
(MTCC 1254), and one fungal strain
(MTCC 183), and zone of inhibition was comparable to the positive control streptomycin and amphotericin B, respectively. The extract of
peels showed effective anti-inflammatory activity during human red blood cell membrane stabilization (HRBC) and albumin denaturation assay. The extracts also exhibited 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity ranging from 53.46 to 81.13%. Therefore, the obtained results suggest that
peel could be used as an excellent source of polyphenols and transformed into value-added products.
Globe artichoke Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus (L.) Fiori is a proven source of nutraceutical compounds with high bioavailability. However, different pre- and post-harvest variables may affect ...plant secondary metabolism. In this view, the present study investigated the influence of irrigation frequency and drying temperature on the yield of dry leaf biomass and its pharmacological value in terms of polyphenol content. The field treatments included three irrigation frequencies (7, 14 and 21-day intervals) with a single dose of 10 mm water, and control (not irrigated). Artichoke biomass leaves were collected from 120-day plants and dehydrated using different air temperatures (30 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C). The samples were analyzed for polyphenolic compounds by HPLC method. Antioxidant activity was also studied by ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. Irrigation frequency significantly influenced the yield of dry leaf biomass with a greater increase in the case of irrigation frequency every 7 and 14 days than every 21 days. The content of caffeoylquinic acids (TCQA) was higher under soil water deficit conditions than in the raw material obtained from plants irrigated with different frequencies. The drought stress caused by the lack of additional irrigation increased the content of chlorogenic and ferulic acids in the biomass leaves. Higher drying temperatures (40 and 50 °C) increased the content of cynarine by 100% and 132% and ferulic acid by 100% and 172%, respectively, compared to biomass leaves dried at 30 °C. Irrigation frequency influenced the content of flavonoids, and frequency every 7 and 14 days than 21 days reduced apigenin and increased luteolin content. A high correlation between the content of TCQA and the frequency of irrigation and drying temperature was reported.
•Drought stress increased chlorogenic and ferulic acids content in artichoke leaves.•The irrigation frequency of artichoke plants influenced the content of flavonoids.•A high correlation between caffeoylquinic acids content and irrigation was reported.•Drying the artichoke leaves at 40–50 °C increased cynarine and ferulic acid content.
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) is an aromatic medicinal plant whose use is limited by the presence of toxic thujone. This research aimed to evaluate the morphological and chemical properties of tansy ...plants growing in various natural habitats. The research determined the content and chemical composition of the essential oil, the contents of flavonoids and phenolic acids, and the antioxidant activity levels of methanol extracts from tansy inflorescences. The highest amount of essential oil (1.05 mL·kg−1) was found in the raw material collected from the reclaimed area (R). Forty-seven compounds were identified in tansy oil, among which camphor (31.21–1.27%) and trans-chrysanthenyl acetate (76.09–0.09%) dominated, while the concentration of trans-thujone was low (2.67% on average). The highest amounts of flavonoids (0.52%) were found in the raw material collected from the ruderal (W) and reclaimed (R) sites, while the highest amount of phenolic acids (2.42%) was found in the raw material from the ruderal site (W). Tansy inflorescence extracts showed high antioxidant potential (88.41%). The reasons for the variability of the chemical composition of tansy were environmental and genetic variability factors.
Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder, affecting nearly 50 million people worldwide. The condition can be manifested either due to genetic predisposition or acquired from acute insult ...which leads to alteration of cellular and molecular mechanisms. Evaluating the latest and the current knowledge in regard to the mechanisms underlying molecular and cellular alteration, hyperexcitability is a consequence of an imbalanced state wherein enhance excitatory glutamatergic and reduced inhibitory GABAergic signaling is considered to be accountable for seizures associated damage. However, neurodegeneration contributing to epileptogenesis has become increasingly appreciated. The components at the helm of neurodegenerative alterations during epileptogenesis include GABAergic neuronal and receptor changes, neuroinflammation, alteration in axonal transport, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and other cellular as well as functional changes. Targeting neurodegeneration with vitamin E as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective may prove to be one of the therapeutic approaches useful in managing epilepsy. In this review, we discuss and converse about the seizure-induced episodes as a link for the development of neurodegenerative and pathological consequences of epilepsy. We also put forth a summary of the potential intervention with vitamin E therapy in the management of epilepsy.
Acne is a chronic, common disease that poses a significant therapeutic, psychological and social problem. The etiopathogenesis of this disease is not fully understood. Drugs used in general and ...external therapy should have anti-seborrhoeic, anticomadogenic, bactericidal, bacteriostatic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Acne treatment is often associated with the long-term use of antibiotics, contributing to the global antibiotic resistance crisis. In order to solve this problem, attention has been paid to essential oils and their terpene components with potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Research shows that certain essential oils effectively reduce inflammatory acne lesions through mechanisms related to the sebaceous glands, colonization of
and reactive oxygen species (ROS). An example is tea tree oil (TTO), a more commonly used topical agent for treating acne. TTO has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity. The paper presents the latest scientific information on the activity and potential use of specific essential oils in treating acne. Evidence of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity of several essential oils and their main components was presented, indicating the possibility of using them in the treatment of acne.
Chondroitin sulfate is a proteoglycan component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that supports neuronal and non-neuronal cell activity, provides a negative domain to the extracellular matrix, ...regulates the intracellular positive ion concentration, and maintains the hypersynchronous epileptiform activity. Therefore, the present study hypothesized an antiepileptic potential of chondroitin sulfate (CS) in pentylenetetrazole-induced kindled epilepsy and pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in mice. Levels of various oxidative stress markers and inflammatory mediators were estimated in the brain tissue homogenate of mice, and histopathological changes were evaluated. Treatment with valproate (110 mg/kg; i.p.) as a standard drug and chondroitin sulfate (100 & 200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (p < 0.01) and dose-dependently prevented the severity of kindled and spontaneous recurrent seizures in mice. Additionally, chondroitin sulfate showed its antioxidant potential by restoring the various biochemical levels and anti-inflammatory properties by reducing NF-kB levels and pro-inflammatory mediators like TNF-alpha, IL-1β, and IL-6, indicating the neuroprotective effect as well as the suppressed levels of caspase-3, which indicated a neuroprotective treatment strategy in epilepsy. The proteoglycan chondroitin sulfate restores the normal physiology and configuration of the neuronal tissue. Further, the molecular docking of chondroitin sulfate at the active pockets of TNF-alpha, IL-1β, and IL-6 showed excellent interactions with critical amino acid residues. In conclusion, the present work provides preclinical evidence of chondroitin sulfate as a new therapeutic approach in attenuating and preventing seizures with a better understanding of the mechanism of alteration in ECM changes influencing abnormal neuronal activities.
The size and quality of the melon fruit yield depend on the cultivar, climatic and agronomic factors. A three-year field experiment investigated the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) ...application and irrigation (IR) on the fruit yield of melon (Cucumis melo L. var. saccharinus Naud.) cultivars. The study was conducted on a certified organic farm located in south-eastern Poland (51.36° N, 22.83° E). The factors of the experiment were as follows: cultivar (Melba, Emir F1, Seledyn F1, Oliwin) and cultivation method (AMF and IR; AMF and non-IR; non-AMF and IR; non-AMF and non-IR as control). The dry matter (%), soluble solid (%), total sugar and reducing sugar (% fresh weight, FM), L-ascorbic acid (mg · 100 g−1 FM), and carotenoid (mg · 100 g−1 FM) contents of the fruit were determined. The highest total and marketable fruit yields were obtained using AMF and IR. Fruit from the AMF series (IR and non-IR) had the most carotenoids (respectively: 801.5 and 788.8 µg · 100 g−1 FM). The fruits of the AMF and IR plants contained the most total sugars (5.98%) and reducing sugars (2.91%) compared to the others. The control plants had the lowest number of marketable fruit, total and marketable fruit yield, and accumulated the least L-ascorbic acid, total sugars and reducing sugars. We suggest that AMF and IR can be recommended as a practical agronomic solutions for the field cultivation of melon under temperate climate conditions.
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