Comparative assessment of antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory properties of the marigold extracts from Calendula arvensis L. and Calendula officinalis L.

Calendula sp. is an important medicinal and industrial plant with various bioactivities. In this study, we examined enzyme inhibitory effects of the n-hexane, dichloromethane, acetone, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts of the leaf and flowers of Calendula arvensis L. and C. officinalis L. against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The extracts were screened for their antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric ion-chelating capacity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays at 250, 500, and 1000 μg mL⁻¹. Total phenol and flavonoid quantification of the extracts was achieved using Folin-Ciocalteau and AlCl₃ reagents, respectively. The ethyl acetate extract of C. arvensis flowers was the most active in AChE inhibition assay (31.24 ± 1.29%), while the n-hexane extract of C. officinalis leaves exerted the highest ferric ion-chelating capacity (74.27 ± 2.25%). Thin layer chromatographic analysis indicated presence of flavonoid and triterpene derivatives mainly in the extracts.     

Preparation and evaluation of antioxidant capacity of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) wine and its protective role against radiation induced DNA damage

Jackfruit is an underutilized edible fruit in the tropics and subtropics. The aim of this study was to produce wine from jackfruit pulp and to evaluate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant properties of the wine. The ability of scavenging free radicals was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant assay (FRAP), N, N-dimethyl-p-phenylendiamine (DMPD) and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assays. Experimental results indicated that jackfruit wine was effective in DPPH radical scavenging (69.44 ± 0.34%), FRAP (0.358 optical density value, O.D.), DMPD (78.45 ± 0.05%) and NO (62.46 ± 0.45%) capacity. By the analysis of the high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detector (HPLC-DAD), two phenolic compounds namely gallic acid and protocatechuic acid were identified. The jackfruit wine was also able to protect H₂O₂ + UV radiation and γ-radiation (100 Gy) induced DNA damage in pBR322 plasmid DNA. The antioxidant and DNA damage protecting properties of jackfruit wine confirmed health benefits when consumed and could become a valuable source of antioxidant rich neutraceuticals. Additionally, the wine could be a commercially valuable by-product for the jackfruit growers.     

Assessment of dermal wound healing and in vitro antioxidant properties of Avena sativa L.

Avena sativa L. (Poaceae) has been reported to have traditional utilization against skin diseases and inflammation. Therefore, in this study, the n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water extracts of A. sativa were investigated for their wound healing and antioxidant activities. Total phenol and flavonoid contents of the extracts were established spectrophotometrically. For the wound healing activity, linear incision and circular excision models on rats and mice were evaluated with a standard ointment Madecassol^®. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, ferrous ion-chelating, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Significant wound healing activity was observed with the ointment formulation of the ethanol extract at 1% concentration. The histopathological examination results also supported the outcome of both linear incision and circular excision wound models. All of the extracts exerted low antioxidant activity in the applied assays. The present study provides a scientific evidence for the traditional usage of A. sativa in the management of wound healing.     

Changes in phytochemical, antimicrobial and free radical scavenging activities of the Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle L.) as influenced by fruit maturation

The effect of stage of maturity on total lipids, fatty acids, yields and essential oil composition and their antimicrobial and free radical scavenging activities of the Schinus molle fruits was investigated. The content of total lipids varied from 2.87 to 5.35% (w/w, dw) and were rich in unsaturated fatty acids particularly linoleic acid. As maturation progress, the essential oil yield dropped from 5.18% to 1.15%. Monoterpene hydrocarbons with α-phellandrene (35.15-40.38%), limonene + β-phellandrene (21.47-36.62%), β-myrcene (7.61-24.96%) and α-pinene (1.92-2.58%) were found to be the main components. At the same time, the essential oils were evaluated for their antimicrobial and free radical scavenging activities. They were found to be active against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhymurium and Escherichia coli but they do not inhibit the growth of Candida albicans. Conversely, they showed very weak activity against the DPPH radical. In both assay, the oil derived from the intermediate stage was reported as more efficient.     

大豆豆渣粗提物清除DPPH自由基活性及其协同效应的研究

用二苯代苦味肼基自由基(DPPH)-TLC法和酶标仪法对大豆豆渣石油醚、乙酸乙酯、丙酮、乙醇粗提物的自由基清除活性进行了定性和定量分析,考察了抗氧化剂维生素C、柠檬酸对大豆豆渣乙醇粗提物清除DPPH自由基活性的协同效应。结果表明:大豆豆渣不同极性粗提物均有一定的自由基清除活性,其中乙醇粗提物的自由基清除活性最强,在浓度为10.0 mg.mL-1,于37℃下保温15 min时,对0.4 mg.mL-1的DPPH自由基的清除率可达76.48%;维生素C和柠檬酸对大豆豆渣乙醇粗提物均能产生一定的协同效应,且维生素C的协同作用强于柠檬酸。     

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction of Nigella sativa L. oil using full factorial design

In this study, Nigella sativa L. oil was extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide with full factorial design to determine the best extraction condition (pressure, temperature and dynamic extraction time) for obtaining an extract with high yield, antioxidant activity and thymoquinone (TQ) quantity. The maximum thymoquinone content in the highest overall yield was achieved through SC-CO₂ extraction condition of 150 bar, 40 °C, 120 min with the value of 4.09 mg/ml. The highest SC-CO₂ extraction yield was 23.20% which obtained through extraction condition of 350 bar, 60 °C and 120 min. The extraction conducted at 350 bar, 50 °C, 60 min showed the lowest IC₅₀ value (highest antioxidant activity) of 2.59 mg/ml using DPPH radical scavenging activity method. Fatty acid composition of the extracted oil with highest radical scavenging activity was obtained by gas chromatographic analysis.     

苦丁茶提取物多酚含量与抗氧化活性的测定

首先用不同的有机溶剂分部萃取苦丁茶(Ilex kudincha C.J.Tseng)热水提取物(粗提物),得到氯仿萃取物、乙酸乙酯萃取物、正丁醇萃取物及萃取剩余物,然后采用Folin-Ciocalteu比色法测定粗提物和各萃取物的多酚含量,同时应用DPPH法、TEAC法和FRAP法分别测定粗提物和各萃取物的自由基清除能力和还原Fe3+能力。结果表明,苦丁茶提取物具有较高的多酚含量和较强的抗氧化能力;DPPH法和FRAP法测定各提取物抗氧化能力的结果为乙酸乙酯萃取物>正丁醇萃取物>粗提物>萃取剩余物>氯仿萃取物,TEAC法测定结果为乙酸乙酯萃取物>正丁醇萃取物>粗提物>氯仿萃取物>萃取剩余物;多酚含量与抗氧化能力之间、所用抗氧化测定方法之间均存在较好的相关性。     

Chemical composition of the essential oil and antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts from fruits and flowers of Hypericum lydium Boiss.

This study was conducted to evaluate the essential oil composition and antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts from fruits and flowers of Hypericum lydium Boiss., a wild growing species of the Turkish flora. The antioxidant activities were determined through several biochemical assays. Both extracts showed an inhibitory effect against the formation of TBARS in a phosphatidylcholine liposome model system, moderate scavenging effect on DPPH and superoxide radicals, prominent reducing power and inhibitory effect on deoxyribose degradation in both the nonsite and site-specific assay, but a greater hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was observed in the non-site specific assay, suggesting that the extracts were better at scavenging hydroxyl radicals than at chelating iron. Correlation analysis indicated that there was a linear relationship between antioxidant potency, free-radical scavenging activity, reducing power and the content of flavonoids of fruits and flowers extracts. The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. In total forty-three compounds were identified. The most abundant components were monoterpenes hydrocarbons represented principally by α-pinene. The tested oil showed no antioxidant activity.     

Bioactive properties and chemical constituents of methanolic extract and its fractions from Jatropha curcas oil

The present work is designed to evaluate the bioactive properties of the crude methanolic extract of Jatropha curcas oil and its solvent fractions. The crude methanolic extract obtained was fractionated using a hydrophilic lipophilic balanced (HLB) cartridge and then eluted with different solvents in the order of hexane (F1), dichloromethane (F2), chloroform (F3), ethyl acetate (F4) and methanol (F5), respectively. Total phenolic content of the crude methanolic extract and its fractions was in the range of 0.19-4.5 mg/g as gallic acid equivalent. Antioxidant activity of the crude methanolic extract and its fractions were determined by two complementary test methods, namely, phenanthroline method and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method. All samples demonstrated weak antioxidant activity (150-851 μmol Fe/100 g of the extract and IC₅₀ of 1.05-13.5 mg/mL). When compared to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a reference synthetic antioxidant, both showed weaker antioxidative potential. The evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the extracts was performed using a disc diffusion method and a micro-well dilution method against six economic plant disease bacteria. The results showed that all extracts possessed strong to moderate antibacterial activity with varying degrees of growth inhibition against the test bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were in the range of 14.92-428.6 μg/mL. In addition, the chemical constituents in each fraction of the extract were subjected to analyze by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The eleven constituents were identified. Among them, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, methyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate and linoleic acid may be the main cause of its strong antibacterial activity. Therefore, this oil present in the methanolic extract had great potential as effective antibacterial sources.     

Chemical profiling and biological screening of Thymus lotocephalus extracts obtained by supercritical fluid extraction and hydrodistillation

Essential oil and extracts from the aerial parts of Thymus lotocephalus were obtained by hydrodistillation (HD) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) in two different collectors, respectively. SFE was conducted at 40 °C and a working pressure of 12 or 18 MPa. The chemical profiles were determined using GC-FID and GC-IT-MS. Oxygen-containing monoterpenes were the primary constituents in the essential oil and SFE extracts collected in the second separator, while the extracts obtained in the first separator were predominantly oxygen-containing sesquiterpenes. A large number of compounds were identified by hydrodistillation and, in contrast, the highest extraction yields were obtained using SFE. Linalool (10.43 ± 1.63%) was the main component in essential oil, whereas camphor (7.91 ± 0.84%) and cis-linalool oxide (7.25 ± 1.45%) were the major compounds in the extracts-2nd separator obtained at pressures of 12 and 18 MPa, respectively. Caryophyllene oxide was the primary constituent identified in the extracts-1st separator (4.34 ± 0.51 and 4.41 ± 1.25% obtained at 12 and 18 MPa, respectively). The antioxidant activity was assessed by ORAC and DPPH assays, and the anti-cholinesterase activity was evaluated in vitro using Ellman's method. The essential oil and SFE extracts (first separator) of T. lotocephalus possessed antioxidant activity and strongly inhibited cholinesterases. We also demonstrated that the acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of the essential oil could be attributed to 1,8-cineole and caryophyllene oxide, respectively.     

In vitro antioxidant, lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities of fractions from Cienfuegosia digitata Cav., Sida alba L. and Sida acuta Burn f. (Malvaceae)

In this study polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, lipoxygenase (LOX) and Xanthine Oxidase (XO) inhibitory effects of n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of aqueous acetone extracts from S. alba L., S. acuta Burn f and Cienfuegosia digitata Cav. were investigated. The total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols and total tannins were determined by spectrophotometric methods using Folin-ciocalteu, AlCl3 reagents and tannic acid, respectively. The antioxidant potential was evaluated using three methods: inhibition of free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydramzyl (DPPH), ABTS radical cation decolorization assay and Iron (III) to iron (II) reduction activity (FRAP). For enzymatic activity, lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities were used. This study shows a relationship between polyphenol contents, antioxidant and enzymatic activities. Present results showed that ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions elicit the highest polyphenol content, antioxidant and enzymatic activities.     

Antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral effects of Lactuca sativa extracts

Antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral effects of aqueous and methanol extracts of Lactuca sativa var longifolia leaves were investigated. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH assay. The effect of the extracts against 5 Gram-positive and 6 Gram-negative bacteria was tested. The antiviral activity was determined against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) strain AD-169 (ATCC Ref. VR 538) and coxsackie B virus type 3 (CoxB-3) using a cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction assay. The methanol extract had the highest total phenolic contents (235.31 mg CE/g extract). It exhibited a significantly (p < 0.05) greater hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 3.5 μg/ml) than the aqueous extract (4.1 μg/ml). It was also the most effective extract with the lowest MIC (2.5 mg/ml) against all Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. Methanol and aqueous extracts exhibited antiviral activity against HCMV and Cox-B3 viruses with IC₅₀ of 200 μg/ml.     

Antioxidant properties of feruloyl glycerol derivatives

The natural plant components, 1-feruloyl-sn-glycerol (FG) and 1,3-diferuloyl-sn-glycerol (F₂G), were synthesized by the enzymatic esterification of glycerol and soybean oil mono- and diacylglycerols, respectively, with ethyl ferulate. The isolated FG and F₂G were examined for their antioxidant activities as free radical scavengers (DPPH assay) and peroxyl lipid oxidation inhibitors (TBARS assay). The H atom transfer kinetics, as monitored by DPPH free radical bleaching, of FG showed that the mono-feruloyl glycerol acted as a rapid antioxidant (50% reduction of DPPH radical < 5 min) in ethanol solutions while F₂G and ferulic acid activity rates were in the range of intermediate antioxidants (50% reduction of DPPH radical in 5-30 min). FG and F₂G showed similar activity as the control agent, ethyl ferulate, towards the inhibition of the AAPH-induced peroxyl radical oxidation of surfactant emulsified γ-linolenic acid. A slight excess of feruloyl groups was sufficient to completely suppress the formation of secondary lipid oxidation products.     

In vitro antioxidant activity of ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Asteraceae) herb

The antioxidant activity in 70% aqueous acetone extracts of the herb of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Asteraceae was evaluated with regards to total polyphenol and flavonoid contents. Antioxidant activity has been assessed by two commonly used in vitro tests, based on determination of ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP assay) and DPPH free radical scavenging ability (DPPH assay), against butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), ascorbic acid and quercetin, which were used as positive control substances. The results of both antioxidant tests showed that the plant material expressed a considerable activity (DPPH IC₅₀ = 27.6 μg/ml; FRAP value = 2.37 mmol Fe²⁺/g), attributed to both flavonoid aglyca and resembling glycosides, as verified by dot-blot TLC analysis.     

Arbutus unedo L. leaves as source of phytochemicals with bioactive properties

In recent years the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) is being gradually replaced by other species with higher economic value. With the ultimate goal of selecting superior genotypes, the present work was initiated to study the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and total phenolic content in 19 different genotypes of A. unedo leaves from the Trás-os-Montes region of Portugal.The genotype Bragança 1 contains higher total phenolic content (215.0 mg GAE/g_extract) whereas the Vila Boa 4 genotype shows lower total phenolic content (148.0 mg GAE/g_extract). In both methods tested to evaluate the antioxidant activity, Vila Verde and Donai displayed the highest antioxidant capacity (EC₅₀ values of 0.088 and 0.090 mg/mL, respectively, for DPPH; EC₅₀ values of 0.233 and 0.245 mg/mL, respectively, for reducing power assay) while Vila Boa 2 reported the lowest antioxidant potential (EC₅₀ values of 0.142 and 0.378 mg/mL, respectively, in DPPH and reducing power methods). Linear negative correlations were established between the total phenol contents and the EC₅₀ values for both of the antioxidant activity methods tested. Preliminary assays for antimicrobial potential showed that extracts from A. unedo leaves display antibacterial activity, with MIC values of 1 and 5 mg/mL for some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. Taken together, the results suggest that A. unedo leaves are a potential source of natural compounds with valuable bioactive properties that could be explored by the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries.     

普洱茶挥发性成分抗氧化活性研究

用同时蒸馏萃取法（SDE）富集普洱茶挥发性物质,并用GC-MS分析其化学组成,采用DPPH和FRAP法对不同发酵阶段普洱茶挥发性物质的抗氧化活性进行评价,分析抗氧化活性与主要成分含量的关系。结果表明,普洱茶在发酵过程中甲氧基苯类化合物的相对含量大幅增加;挥发性物质的DPPH自由基清除能力和FRAP总抗氧化能力随发酵程度的加深呈显著上升趋势,发酵出堆后分别提高了100%和296%;挥发性物质的DPPH自由基清除能力和FRAP总抗氧化能力与甲氧基苯类化合物和芳樟醇氧化物的相对含量具有显著正相关性。     

Antioxidant and Antifungal Activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Verbena officinalis</Emphasis> L. Leaves

The scavenging activity against DPPH (1,1-diphenil-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical and the antifungal effect against chloroform, ethyl acetate and 50% methanolic extracts of Verbena officinalis leaves were investigated. The activity of different fractions of 50% methanolic extract and some isolated compounds were also investigated. The results suggest that 50% methanolic extract and caffeoyl derivatives could potentially be considered as excellent and readily available sources of natural antifungal and antioxidant compounds.     

Antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds obtained by autohydrolysis of corn residues

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of autohydrolysis temperature of corn residues in the antioxidant activity of the phenolic compounds extracted from the liquid phase. The treatments were carried out at 160, 180, 190 and 200 °C for 30 min in a pressurized batch reactor. Two different methods for phenolic compounds extraction from the autohydrolysis liquors were investigated. For that purpose, solvent extraction with ethyl acetate and acidic precipitation were performed for phenolic compounds recovery. These methods have been compared in terms of extraction yield, physicochemical properties of obtained polyphenols (characterization by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis and Gel Permeation Chromatography), total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) values, measured in DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) test system. The maximum phenolic contents ranged from 6.04 mg GAE/100 mg extract in acidic precipitated samples to 16.45 mg GAE/100 mg extract in ethyl acetate soluble fractions. The results indicated that the ethyl acetate fractions possessed the highest antioxidant activity, reaching after 30-60 min the same capacity reported for the reference synthetic antioxidants (Trolox).     

嘉宝果嫩叶提取物不同极性部位抗氧化及抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶活性研究

从植物中寻找天然的抗氧化剂和α-葡萄糖苷酶抑制剂对糖尿病患者具有重要的意义。采用比色法对嘉宝果嫩叶醇提物不同极性部位进行总多酚和总黄酮含量、抗氧化活性及α-葡萄糖苷酶活性抑制活性研究,以期为嘉宝果嫩叶有效提取部位在食品、化工及医学领域的应用提供一定的参考依据。结果表明,乙酸乙酯相的总多酚含量（33.92 mg/g及总黄酮含量（13.35 mg/g）最高,其次为正丁醇相（总多酚31.11 mg/g;总黄酮12.93 mg/g）及水相（总多酚17.04 mg/g;总黄酮11.18 mg/g）;石油醚相及二氯甲烷相均未检测到总多酚及总黄酮。乙酸乙酯相与正丁醇相对DPPH及ABTS ⁺自由基的清除能力相当,明显高于其他极性部位。对酵母源和小鼠小肠源α-葡萄糖苷酶活性抑制活性大小依次分别为乙酸乙酯相>正丁醇相>水相>石油醚相>二氯甲烷相和乙酸乙酯相>正丁醇相>水相>二氯甲烷相>石油醚相。以上结果表明嘉宝果嫩叶乙酸乙酯相与正丁醇相总多酚及总黄酮含量较高,抗氧化活性及对α-葡萄糖苷酶活性的抑制作用较强,是挖掘抗氧化及抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶活性物质的主要极性部位。     

The influence of the growth season on the antimicrobial and antioxidative activity in Artemisia princeps var. orientalis

We investigated the influence of the growth season of Artemisia princeps var. orientalis (P_AMPAN.) H_ARA on antimicrobial and antioxidative activities. The ethyl acetate and water fractions of crude methanol extract from the plant collected monthly (April through October) were tested against three gram-positive, two gram-negative bacteria and one lactic acid bacterium. The ethyl acetate and water fractions of crude methanol extract from A. princeps var. orientalis collected in August and September had the highest antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial activity of extract from A. princeps var. orientalis for Lactobacillus plantarum was not found at any concentration and in any growth season. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for each strain by ethyl acetate fraction of methanol extract from A. princeps var. orientalis was different depending on the tested strain and growth season of the plant. MIC for each strain was the highest in the sample from April, followed by October. The antioxidative activities of methanol extracts from A. princeps var. orientalis collected monthly were measured by their scavenging activity on free radical of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of the extracts from the plants collected in May, June and July were higher than any other. The XO inhibitory activities of the extracts of A. princeps var. orientalis collected in April and May showed the greatest activity, it is different with antimicrobial activity. This is the first report that antimicrobial and antioxidative activity of the extracts of A. princeps var. orientalis is different with growth season.