Hibiscus sabdariffa extract inhibits the development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Hibiscus sabdariffa L., a local soft drink material and medicinal herb, is usually used effectively in native medicines against hypertension, pyrexia, and liver disorders. Here, we report an extract, HSE (H. sabdariffa extract), which is designed to exhibit hypolipidemia and antiatherosclerotic effects in rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis. New Zealand White rabbits were fed with a normal diet, high cholesterol (1.3%), lard oil (3%) diet (HCD) with or without 0.5 or 1% HSE for 10 weeks. The levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were lower in the serum of rabbits fed HCD plus HSE than in the serum of rabbits fed HCD. Feeding HSE (0.5 and 1% in the diet) to rabbits significantly reduced severe atherosclerosis in the aorta. Histopathological examination showed that HSE reduced foam cell formation and inhibited smooth muscle cell migration and calcification in the blood vessel of rabbits. These results suggest that HSE inhibits serum lipids and shows an antiatherosclerotic activity.     

Extracts enriched in different polyphenolic families normalize increased cardiac NADPH oxidase expression while having differential effects on insulin resistance, hypertension, and cardiac hypertrophy in high-fructose-fed rats

Insulin resistance and oxidative stress act synergistically in the development of cardiovascular complications. The present study compared the efficacy of three polyphenolic extracts in their capacity to prevent hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the aorta or the heart, and increased expression of cardiac NAD(P)H oxidase in a model of insulin resistance. Rats were fed a 60%-enriched fructose food and were treated once a day (gavage) for 6 weeks with 10 mL/kg of water only (F group) or the same amount of solution containing a red grape skin polyphenolic extract enriched in anthocyanins (ANT), a grape seed extract enriched in procyanidins and rich in galloylated procyanidins (PRO), or the commercial preparation Vitaflavan (VIT), rich in catechin oligomers. All treatments were administered at the same dose of 21 mg/kg of polyphenols. Our data indicate that (a) the ANT treatment prevented hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and production of ROS, (b) the PRO treatment prevented insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, and overproduction of ROS but had only minor effects on hypertension or hypertrophy, while (c) Vitaflavan prevented hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and overproduction of ROS. All polyphenolic treatments prevented the increased expression of the p91phox NADPH oxidase subunit. In summary, our study suggest that (a) the pathogeny of cardiac hypertrophy in the fructose-fed rat disease involves both hypertension and hyperproduction of ROS, (b) polyphenolic extracts enriched in different types of polyphenols possess differential effects on insulin resistance, hypertension, and cardiac hypertrophy, and (c) polyphenols modulate the expression of NAD(P)H oxidase.     

Adsorption and desorption properties of macroporous resins for anthocyanins from the calyx extract of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

Adsorption of roselle anthocynins, a natural pigment, onto various macroporous resins was optimized to develop a simple and efficient process for industrial separation and purification of roselle anthocyanins. Nine different macroporous resins (AB-8, X-5, HPD-100, SP-207, XAD-4, LS-305A, DM-21, LS-610B, and LS-305) were evaluated for the adsorption properties of the anthocyanins extracted from the calyx extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. The influences of phase contact time, solution pH, initial anthocyanin concentration, and ethanol concentration with different citric acid amounts were studied by the static adsorption/desorption method. The adsorption isotherm data were fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm, and according to this model, LS-610B and LS-305 exhibited the highest monolayer sorption capacities of 31.95 and 38.16 mg/g, respectively. The kinetic data were modeled using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion equations. The experimental data were well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Continuous column adsorption-regeneration cycles indicated negligible capacity loss of LS-305 during operation. The overall yield of pigment product was 49.6 mg/g dried calyces. The content of roselle anthocynins in the pigment product was 4.85%.     

Food grade lingonberry extract: polyphenolic composition and in vivo protective effect against oxidative stress

Fractionation of the polyphenols constituting a food grade lingonberry extract (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) highlighted a composition more complex than described until now in the berry. Procyanidins B1, B2, and A2 were identified by UPLC/ESI-MS(2) along with the presence of other flavanol oligomers. Processing induced the release of large amounts of aglycones for ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and quercetin. The described anthocyanic composition of lingonberry was completed with hexoside derivatives of peonidin, petunidin, malvidin, and delphinidin. Besides confirmation of in vitro antioxidant activity, in vivo study was performed on rats fed a diet inducing oxidative stress. Supplementation with lingonberry extract significantly decreased the total oxidant status and favorably affected antioxidant defense enzymes in red blood cells and liver. A drop in the serum reduced glutathione level was also prevented, and uric acid was maintained at low level, confirming the antioxidant activity of the extract (5% proanthocyanidins) from a dosage of 23 mg/kg of body weight.     

Study on furundu, a traditional Sudanese fermented roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seed: effect on in vitro protein digestibility, chemical composition, and functional properties of the total proteins

Furundu, a meat substitute, is traditionally prepared by cooking the karkade (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seed and then fermenting it for 9 days. Physicochemical and functional properties of raw and cooked seed and of furundu ferments were analyzed. Furundu preparation resulted in significant changes in karkade seed major nutrients. Total polyphenols and phytic acid were also reduced. The increase in total acidity and fat acidity coupled with a decrease in pH indicates microbial hydrolysis of the major nutrients; proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In vitro digestibility of the seed proteins reached the maximum value (82.7%) at the sixth day of fermentation, but thereafter it significantly decreased. The effect of furundu preparation on N solubility profiles and functional properties, such as emulsification and foaming properties and other related parameters, is investigated in water and in 1 M NaCl extracts from defatted flour samples. The results show that cooking followed by fermentation affects proteins solubility in water and 1 M NaCl. The foaming capacity (FC) from the flour of raw seed decreased as a result of cooking. Fermentation for 9 days significantly increased the FC of the cooked seed, restoring the inherent value. Foam from fermented samples collapsed more rapidly during a period of 120 min as compared to the foam from raw and cooked karkade seeds; stability in 1 M NaCl was lower as compared to those in water. In water, the emulsion stability (ES) from the fermented samples was significantly higher than that of the raw seed flour. Addition of 1 M NaCl significantly decreased the ES of the fermented samples.     

Benzothiadiazole enhances resveratrol and anthocyanin biosynthesis in grapevine, meanwhile improving resistance to Botrytis cinerea

Pre-harvest multiple treatments of grapevine (cv. Merlot) with the plant activator benzothiadiazole (BTH, 0.3 mM) enhanced trans-resveratrol content in berries by about 40%. An even more striking effect was observed on anthocyanin synthesis, particularly on malvidine 3-glucoside, malvidine 3-(6-O-acetyl)glucoside and malvidine 3-(6-O-p-coumaroyl)glucoside, whose amounts were more than doubled. These data were obtained with a novel and time-saving HPLC method, set up for the simultaneous detection of stilbenes and anthocyanins, using an RF-10Axl fluorimetric detector instrument, with excitation at 330 nm and emission at 374 nm, and a SPD-Avp UV detector with absorption at 520 nm. Furthermore, BTH treatments induced systemic acquired resistance in grapevine, as assessed by inoculating clusters from treated and untreated plants with Botrytis cinerea. Disease severity, estimated according to the percentage of infected berries per cluster, was significantly reduced in grapes from BTH-treated plants. These results indicate that BTH treatments, besides improving the content of two important classes of nutraceuticals, with their well-known antioxidant, antitumoral, and phytoestrogenic activities, could be exploited in vineyard to protect grape against gray mould infection, thereby limiting an excessive use of fungicides     

Green and black tea suppress hyperglycemia and insulin resistance by retaining the expression of glucose transporter 4 in muscle of high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6J mice

To investigate the preventive effects of tea on hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, male C57BL/6J mice were given a high-fat diet containing 29% lard and also green or black tea ad libitum for 14 weeks. Both teas suppressed body weight gain and deposition of white adipose tissue caused by the diet. In addition, they improved hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance by stimulating glucose uptake activity accompanied by the translocation of glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 to the plasma membrane in muscle. Long-term consumption of the high-fat diet reduced levels of insulin receptor β-subunit, GLUT4 and AMP-activated protein kinase α in muscle, and green and black tea suppressed these decreases. The results strongly suggest that green and black tea suppress high-fat diet-evoked hyperglycemia and insulin resistance by retaining the level of GLUT4 and increasing the level of GLUT4 on the plasma membrane in muscle.     

添加西兰花种子水提物改善腊肉色泽和风味提高抗氧化性

为了分析西兰花种子提取物（Brassica oleracea L. seed extract,BSE）的体外抗氧化能力,以及其在广式腊肉中的应用效果,该文对不同BSE添加量的应用效果进行了分析,并与添加2,6-二叔丁基-4-甲基苯酚（butylated hydroxytoluene,BHT）的应用效果进行了比较。基于基础配方,共制备了对照组（CT）、添加0.2% BSE组（0.2% BSE）、添加0.5% BSE组（0.5% BSE）、添加1% BSE组（1.0% BSE）、添加1.5% BSE组（1.5% BSE）和添加0.02% BHT组（BHT）6组样品。研究结果显示,BSE的体外总抗氧化能力与其在水溶液中的含量成正比;在脂质体系条件下,BSE的抑制诱导氧化作用呈现为先增加后降低的趋势,相比于1.0%添加量,添加量为1.5%时,样品的抑制诱导氧化作用明显降低（P<0.05）;相比于BSE,BHT具有明显的抑制氧化作用（P<0.05）;随着BSE添加量的增加,样品的硫代巴比妥酸反应物（thiobarbituric acid reactive substance,TBARS）值呈现为降低的趋势,BHT样品TBARS值介于1.0%BSE和1.5%BSE样品之间;各加工方案样品均具有明显的主体特征风味,添加BHT样品的主体风味与其它样品有明显差异;1.5%BSE样品具有最高的亮度值（L*）和黄度（b*）,BHT样品具有最高的红度（a*）;通过对挥发性风味物质的分析结果显示,挥发性成分随添加方案的不同而各有差异。综合结果显示,添加1.5% BSE广式腊肉具有较理想的色泽、氧化状态和风味物质含量,可以替代BHT使用。     

Effects of cocoa extract on glucometabolism, oxidative stress, and antioxidant enzymes in obese-diabetic (Ob-db) rats

In this present study, we investigated the effects of cocoa extract containing polyphenols and methylxanthines prepared from cocoa powder on the biochemical parameters of obese-diabetic (Ob-db) rats. Obese-diabetic (Ob-db) rats were developed using a high-fat diet (49% fat, 32% carbohydrate, and 19% protein from total energy, kcal) for 3 months, followed by a low dose (35 mg/kg body weight) streptozotocin (STZ) injection. Cocoa extract (600 mg/kg body weight/day) was given to the rats for 4 weeks. The results indicated that there were no significant differences in fasting plasma glucose and insulin level after 4 weeks of cocoa extract administration. Oral glucose tolerance test revealed that cocoa supplementation in Ob-db rats significantly (p < 0.05) reduced plasma glucose at 60 and 90 min compared to unsupplemented Ob-db rats. Plasma free fatty acid and oxidative stress biomarker (8-isoprostane) were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced after cocoa supplementation. Superoxide dismutase activity was enhanced in Ob-db compared to that in nonsupplemented rats. However, no change was observed in catalase activity. The results showed that cocoa supplementation had an effect on postprandial glucose control but not for long term (4 weeks). Moreover, cocoa supplementation could reduce circulating plasma free fatty acid and 8-isoprostane and may enhance the antioxidant defense system.     

适宜碳化钨含量提高Ti(C,N)-WC涂层耐磨耐蚀性

为了提高农机关键部件表面强度,采用反应等离子熔覆技术,在Q235B钢表面制备了不同碳化钨WC含量的Ti(C,N)-WC金属陶瓷复合涂层。利用扫描电镜、X射线衍射仪、显微硬度计、摩擦磨损试验机、电化学工作站对复合涂层的形貌、物相及其耐磨耐蚀性进行了分析,并与Q235B钢进行了硬度、耐磨耐蚀性对比试验。结果表明:涂层组织主要由硬质相、包覆相、粘结相组成,涂层与基体呈冶金结合;在一定范围内,随着WC含量的增加,涂层的显微硬度及耐磨耐蚀性能都有所增强,当WC质量分数为12%时涂层的耐磨耐蚀性能最优,12%WC涂层与Q235B钢基体相比,涂层硬度提高了6倍,摩擦系数为基体的2/5,磨损量为基体的1/16;在5%H2SO4溶液中,12%WC涂层的腐蚀速率为Q235B钢的1/9,在3.5%NaCl溶液中,12%WC涂层的腐蚀速率为Q235B钢的1/4,涂层较基体有更好的耐磨性、耐蚀性,该研究以期为农机材料强化提供参考。     

宽行垄作增强苗期淹水夏玉米光合和抗倒性提高产量

为探明苗期淹水夏玉米对不同种植方式的响应规律,在大田条件下,以先玉335为材料,设置传统平作和宽行垄作两种种植方式,分别进行正常水分处理(模拟不淹水年型)和淹水处理(模拟淹水年型),分析了传统平作和宽行垄作两种种植方式对苗期淹水夏玉米光合特性和抗倒性能以及产量的影响。结果表明:淹水年型下,宽行垄作功能叶SPAD值和光合速率恢复至不淹水年型水平与传统平作相比提前了10 d,宽行垄作与传统平作相比在淹水年型下可以快速改善夏玉米功能叶光合能力。淹水年型下,宽行垄作叶面积在淹水后15 d即可恢复至不淹水年型水平,而传统平作至淹水后30 d仍不能恢复至不淹水年型水平,宽行垄作与传统平作相比在淹水年型下提供了更大的绿色光合面积。淹水年型下,传统平作第3节间茎粗、刺穿强度和弯折强度等抗倒指标显著变差,两年平均值比不淹水年型分别降低了20.1%、16.1%和20.0%;宽行垄作第3节间抗倒指标在两种水分年型下差异不显著;同一水分年型下,两种种植方式抗倒性能差异不显著。淹水年型下,宽行垄作空秆率和千粒质量显著低于传统平作,两年平均值分别降低了21.5%和5.7%。传统平作淹水年型下穗粒数显著低于不淹水年型(P0.05),两年平均值降低了11.3%;宽行垄作在两种水分年型下穗粒数差异不显著,宽行垄作较传统平作可以获得相对稳定的穗粒数。与不淹水年型相比,淹水年型下传统平作和宽行垄作均显著减产(P0.05),两年减产平均值分别为1 349.6和547.3 kg/hm2,但无论淹水与否,宽行垄作产量均不低于传统平作;淹水年型下,传统平作减产率显著高于宽行垄作(P0.05),两年分别高14.1%和6.8%,宽行垄作稳产性更好。研究结果可以为涝害易发生地区夏玉米高产稳产栽培提供理论依据和技术支持。     

Safflomide increases the expression of adiponectin in vitro and in vivo: potential implication for hypoadiponectemia, visceral obesity, and insulin resistance

Safflomide (N-caffeoyltryptamine) is a phenolic amide with serotonin receptor antagonist and antioxidant activities. We investigated the potential effects of safflomide on the expression of adipokines in vitro and in vivo. Safflomide did not affect the expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1/CCL2 in hypertrophic 3T3-L1 cells but upregulated adiponectin mRNA 1-5-fold at concentrations between 1 and 20 μM (p < 0.05). Because safflomide is a non-selective 5-HT receptor antagonist and because the expression of 5-HT2A receptor is often inversely correlated to adiponectin expression, the potential effects of 5-HT receptor antagonist activity of safflomide on the expression of adiponectin was further investigated in 3T3-L1 cells. At the concentration of 10 μM, safflomide was able to increase adiponectin protein production in 3T3-L1 cells more than 4-fold (p < 0.05), which was greater than the 5-HT2A antagonist ketanserin. The upregulation was partially suppressed by treatment with 5-HT2A agonists (serotonin and α-Me-5-HT), suggesting that safflomide may upregulate adiponectin expression more than by blocking 5-HT2A receptors in 3T3-L1 cells. Likely, the upregulation was also attributed to the antioxidant activity of safflomide because two safflomide analogues (N-cinnamoyltryptamine and N-coumaroyltryptamine) with less antioxidant activity were not as potent as safflomide. Rats supplemented with safflomide (3 mg/day) in a high-fat diet showed a significant plasma adiponectin increase (more than 30%) with a significant reduction in body weight, visceral fat, and improved insulin resistance compared to non-supplemented rats, demonstrating the in vivo activity of safflomide. These data suggest that safflomide may have beneficial effects on obesity-related conditions, such as low adiponectin, visceral obesity, and insulin resistance.     

A commercial extract of fruits and vegetables, Oxxynea, acts as a powerful antiatherosclerotic supplement in an animal model by reducing cholesterolemia, oxidative stress, and NADPH oxidase expression

The effects of fruit and vegetable extract (Oxxynea) on plasma cholesterol, early atherosclerosis, cardiac production of superoxide anion, and NAD(P)H oxidase expression were studied in an animal model of atherosclerosis. Thirty six hamsters were divided into two groups of 18 and fed an atherogenic diet for 12 weeks. They received by gavage either water or Oxxynea in water at a human dose equivalent of 10 fruits and vegetables per day. Oxxynea lowered plasma cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol, but not HDL-cholesterol, and increased plasma antioxidant capacity. It also strongly reduced the area of aortic fatty streak deposition by 77%, cardiac production of superoxide anion by 45%, and p22phox subunit of NAD(P)H oxidase expression by 59%. These findings support the view that chronic consumption of antioxidants supplied by fruits and vegetables has potential beneficial effects with respect to the development of atherosclerosis. The underlying mechanism is related mainly to inhibiting pro-oxidant factors and improving the serum lipid profile.     

Effect of chitosan, O-carboxymethyl chitosan, and N-[(2-hydroxy-3-N,N-dimethylhexadecyl ammonium)propyl] chitosan chloride on overweight and insulin resistance in a murine diet-induced obesity

Two water-soluble chitosan derivatives, O-carboxymethyl chitosan (O-CM-chitosan) and N-[(2-hydroxy-3-N,N-dimethylhexadecyl ammonium)propyl] chitosan chloride (N-CQ-chitosan), were prepared, and the therapeutic effects of chitosan, O-CM-chitosan, and N-CQ-chitosan on insulin resistance were simultaneously evaluated by rats fed on a high-fat diet. The parameters of high-fat diet-induced rats indicated that chitosan and its two derivatives not only have low cytotoxicity but can control overnutrition by fat and achieve insulin resistance therapy. However, the results in experiment in vivo showed that the therapeutic degree varied by the molecular weight and surface charge of chitosan, O-CM-chitosan, and N-CQ-chitosan. N-CQ-chitosan with a MW of 5 × 10(4) decreased body weight, the ratio of fat to body weight, triglyceride, fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, free fatty acid, and leptin by 11, 17, 44, 46, 44, 87, and 64% and increased fecal lipid by 95%, respectively.     

Association of a specific cationic peroxidase isozyme with maize stress and disease resistance responses, genetic identification, and identification of a cDNA coding for the isozyme

The presence of a pI 9.0 cationic peroxidase isozyme from milk stage pericarp of six susceptible and five resistant inbreds was correlated significantly with previously reported field data on percentage infection by Aspergillus flavus in the inbreds and their hybrids. The isozyme was constitutively expressed in some additional maize tissues and lines examined, and frequently induced by mechanical damage, heat shock, Fusarium proliferatum, and/or Bacillus subtilis in other lines tested. Native/IEF two-dimensional electrophoresis identified the isozyme as the previously genetically identified px5. A cDNA clone expressed in black Mexican sweet (BMS) maize cell cultures produced the pI 9.0 isozyme. In addition to potential use in marker-assisted breeding, enhanced expression of this cationic peroxidase through breeding or genetic engineering may lead to enhanced disease or insect resistance.     

Fertilizer location modifies root zone salinity,root morphology,and water‐stress resistance of tree seedlings according to the watering regime in a dryland reforestation

There is a direct relationship between soil nutrient concentration in localized zones and root proliferation and elongation under well‐watered conditions. However, in field studies under semiarid conditions this relationship can change due to higher salt accumulation and soil dryness that affect root growth, water stress resistance, and seedling survival. We assessed the effect of different locations of fertilizer placement in the soil profile and water availability on root zone salinity, root development and ecophysiological responses of Quillaja saponaria Mol. after outplanting. A single dose (6 g L^?1) of controlled‐release nitrogen fertilizer (CRF_N) was placed at 0 cm (top layer), 15 cm (middle layer), or 30 cm (bottom layer) depth in the containers in a greenhouse, in addition to an unfertilized treatment (control). After 6 months, seedlings were transplanted to the field and subjected to weekly watering regimes (2 L plant^?1 and unwatered). Morphological and ecophysiological parameters were periodically measured on seedlings, as well as soil electrical conductivity (EC). After 1 year, the shoot : root ratio of unwatered seedlings decreased as a function of CRF_N placement depth, which was attributed to lower shoot growth and not to greater root growth. The root morphology of the bottom layer treatment was negatively affected by high EC in unwatered seedlings. Greater total root length and root volume of the middle layer treatment was found only when well‐watered; however, this did not contribute to improve physiological responses against water stress. The lowest EC and the highest photochemical efficiency, net photosynthesis, and stomatal conductance were shown by unfertilized seedlings, independent of water availability. Our findings suggest that varying depth of CRF_N placement does not contribute significantly to improve root growth under water restriction. Water supplements, independently of the CRF_N location in the substrate, contribute to decrease root zone salinity, and consequently, improve root volume growth.