Evaluation of the efficacy of a dill extract in vitro and in vivo

Lysyl oxidase–like (LOXL) is an extracellular enzyme that catalyses the cross‐linking between microfibrils and tropoelastin (TE), thereby ensuring elastic fibre functionality. With ageing, LOXL expression decreases, thus participating in the loss of skin elasticity. In a previous study, we showed that a dill seed extract [INCI name: Peucedanum graveolens (Dill) extract] could increase LOXL expression in cultured dermal fibroblasts. Besides, we showed a good correlation between the measurements of skin elasticity obtained in vitro and in vivo using a fully automated bio‐tribometer designed to measure the biomechanical properties of soft and complex materials like skin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of the dill extract to improve skin elasticity in vitro and in vivo using different models. Using the bio‐tribometer, we first showed that the lateral elasticity of dermis equivalents (DEs) treated with the dill extract at 1% was significantly increased by +29% (P < 0.01) when compared to untreated DEs. In vivo, skin firmness and elastic recovery measured using cutometry methods were also significantly improved compared to placebo in volunteers treated for 56 days with a formula containing 1% of dill extract. Moreover, the clinical evaluation evidenced significant improvements in ‘skin elasticity’ compared to placebo. A majority of subjects treated with the dill extract also noted significant improvements in skin elasticity, firmness and slackness of the jaw line. Finally, mean wrinkle area and length were also significantly reduced compared to placebo after 84 days as measured using silicone replicas taken from the crow’s feet. In summary, this study showed that the dill extract could improve elasticity of DEs in vitro as well as skin biomechanical properties and appearance in vivo. It also highlights the relevance of using the bio‐tribometer as an exploratory tool for the measurement of skin elasticity in vitro.     

UPLC-MS/MS测定啤酒中茚嗪氟草胺及其代谢物残留量

该实验建立了基于分散固相萃取结合超高效液相色谱-串联质谱技术（UPLC-MS/MS）对啤酒中的茚嗪氟草胺及其3种代谢物残留量的测定方法。样品经乙腈提取后进行盐析分层,离心后乙腈层用C18固相萃取剂净化后,于电喷雾离子源正离子（ESI+）模式下采集碎片信息。结果表明,茚嗪氟草胺及其3种代谢物的基质曲线在1.0～50.0 μg/L的质量浓度内呈良好线性关系,相关系数（R2）均大于0.999,平均加标回收率为85.4%～98.1%,精密度试验结果的相对标准偏差（RSD）为2.29%～4.55%。方法检出限（LOD）和定量限（LOQ）分别为2.0 μg/kg和5.0 μg/kg。该方法快速高效,回收率、灵敏度高,重复性好,可有效测定啤酒中茚嗪氟草胺及其代谢物的残留量。     

中华圆田螺肉抗氧化肽的分离纯化及小鼠体内外活性研究

采用超滤、大孔树脂、凝胶过滤色谱和半制备液相色谱对中华圆田螺肉的酶解液进行分离纯化,以DPPH自由基清除率、ABTS自由基清除率、铁离子还原能力(FRAP)、氧自由基吸收能力(ORAC)为指标,制备抗氧化肽,并通过小鼠体内抗氧化酶活性及MDA生成量进行测定试验。结果表明:分子质量1kDa部位的抗氧化活性最强,分离出的混合物抗氧化肽纯度达到90%。体外抗氧化活性显示,该抗氧化肽的DPPH自由基清除率、ABTS自由基清除率、ORAC均为最高,且ORAC与谷胱甘肽相比效果无显著差异(P0.05),通过小鼠体内抗氧化酶及MDA增加值的测定显示,除GSH-PX外,试验组与谷胱甘肽阳性对照组无显著差异(P0.05),说明试验所获得的抗氧化肽具有和谷胱甘肽相当的抗氧化活性,具有深层的开发利用价值。     

Purification of peptide fraction with antioxidant activity from Moringa oleifera leaf hydrolysate and protective effect of its in vitro gastrointestinal digest on oxidatively damaged erythrocytes

Moringa oleifera leaf (MOL) is an excellent source of high-quality plant protein. MOL hydrolysate (MOLH) was prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanol precipitation. The adsorption kinetics of SP-207 resin for antioxidant peptides from MOLH were studied. The adsorption process for antioxidant peptides on SP-207 was well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetics model. The adsorption was a multi-molecule layer adsorption process, which was exothermic. The peptide fraction with antioxidant activity (MOLP, 40% ethanol elution fraction) possessing high contents of antioxidant and hydrophobic amino acids was obtained by SP-207 column chromatography. A total of eight dipeptides including PR, L(I)K, L(I)H, L(I)P, L(I)L(I), GE, VL(I) and PF were identified in gastrointestinal digest of MOLP by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. The protective effects of MOLP digest and LH on oxidatively damaged erythrocytes by inhibition of MDA formation were comparable to that of GSH, indicating that MOLP could be used as an antioxidative ingredient in functional food.     

In vitro antioxidant and in vivo xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities of Pandanus amaryllifolius in potassium oxonate‐induced hyperuricemic rats

Xanthine oxidase (XO) plays an important role in the regulation of uric acid and prevents it from being overproduced as in hyperuricemia disease. The combined effects of antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitor would become a promising approach for hyperuricemia treatment. In this research, the antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities of Pandanus amaryllifolius leaf were evaluated. The leaf water extract (PA‐W) showed highest total phenols, and petroleum ether extract (PA‐PE) showed highest total flavonoids contents. The antioxidant activity of DPPH, metal chelating and hydrogen peroxide was highest in PA‐W extract. The treatment of PA‐W extract at 1000 mg kg^?1 body weight in potassium oxonate‐induced hyperuricemic rats showed significant (P < 0.001) decrease in serum uric acid level by 85% and XO activity by 64%, respectively, as compared to the hyperuricemic rats. In conclusion, the P. amaryllifolius possess the dual effect of antioxidant and XO inhibition as potential therapeutic agents in the hyperuricemia treatment.     

Fermentation of locust bean (Parkia biglobosa): modulation in the anti-nutrient composition,bioactive profile,in vitro nutrient digestibility,functional and morphological characteristics

The present investigation was undertaken with an objective to assess the impact of fermentation temperatures (22, 30, 38 and 46 °C for 72 h) on physico-chemical, functional and structural characteristics of locust bean (Parkia biglobosa). Alkaline fermentation treatment caused drastic reduction in anti-nutritional factors including tannins (~65%), phytates (~60%) and saponins (~70%) owing to hydrothermal treatment and production of microbial enzymes during fermentation. Furthermore, phytochemical profile and associated antioxidant potential were enhanced due to the breakdown of cell-wall components and polyphenolic complexes, liberating phenolic acids and flavonoids available for extraction. With respect to bioactive properties and in vitro starch and protein digestibility, the most pronounced effect was observed after fermentation at 38 °C for 72 h. The trend was also supported by scanning electron micrographs, which revealed modulation in the macromolecular-structural arrangement. Significant and negative correlation coefficients between anti-nutritional factors and protein digestibility (r > −0.95, P < 0.05) confirmed the degradation of protein–polyphenol matrix. Exposure of hydrophobic regions due to fermentation resulted in altered functional properties including better oil absorption capacity, higher water solubility index, reduced water absorption potential, and lower emulsification and gelation properties. Principal component analysis was further employed to statistically validate the differences among variables and observations.     

The effects of α-amylase inhibitors on insect storage pests: Inhibition of α-amylase in vitro and effects on development in vivo

Protein α-amylase inhibitors were prepared from wheat and their effects tested against insect storage pests both in vitro against the insect α-amylases and in vivo in insect feeding trials. Inhibitor fraction A was found to inhibit porcine pancreatic α-amylase but not insect α-amylases, whereas fractions B, C and D (0.28) did not inhibit porcine pancreatic α-amylase but were strong inhibitors of digestive α-amylases from larvae of Tribolium confusum, a storage pest of wheat products, and Callosobruchus maculatus, a storage pest of legume seeds. Fraction D, which was a single polypeptide of M_r 13 000 was the most effective inhibitor in vitro. It would appear that the degree of inhibition by the wheat α-amylase inhibitor preparations can be correlated with the presence of the M_r 13 000 (0.28) polypeptide since the purer this polypeptide the stronger was the inhibition; fraction A which contained two polypeptides of M_r 60 000 and 58 000 caused no inhibition. The effects of fractions B and C on larval development were determined in insect feeding trials. With C. maculatus both fractions were toxic, their relative effectiveness being directly paralleled by their effectiveness observed in vitro. Only fraction C was tested against T. confusum in feeding trials. Despite this fraction being equally effective against both pests in vitro it had very little effect upon larval development of T. confusum in vivo, thus suggesting that this organism is able to detoxify the wheat α-amylase inhibitors. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first time that the effects of identified inhibitor fractions have been monitored both in vitro and in vivo. The results, in contrast to previous proposals, suggest that selecting wheat varieties for high α-amylase inhibitory activity may not be a very reliable criterion in selecting for insect resistance.     

响应面优化超临界CO2萃取怀远石榴籽油及其体外抗氧化性研究

以怀远石榴籽为原料,采用超临界CO_2萃取法制得石榴籽油。在单因素实验的基础上,以萃取压力、萃取温度、萃取时间及粉碎度为自变量,石榴籽油得率为响应值,采用响应面法优化萃取工艺,并对石榴籽油的理化指标与体外抗氧化性进行测定和分析。结果表明:超临界CO_2萃取石榴籽油的最佳萃取工艺条件为萃取压力32.0 MPa、萃取温度50.0℃、萃取时间103.0 min、粉碎度60.0目,在此条件下怀远石榴籽油得率为19.4%;超临界CO_2萃取法得到的石榴籽油酸值低,过氧化值与皂化值小,对DPPH·、ABTS~+·以及O_2~-·等自由基的清除能力较强。     

Biological evaluation and quantitative analysis of antioxidant compounds in pulps of the Amazonian fruits bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.), ingá (Inga edulis Mart.), and uchi (Sacoglottis uchi Huber) by UHPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS

Bacuri, ingá, and uchi are Amazon fruits consumed specially in the North region of Brazil. Due to their large consumption and the lack of knowledge regarding its chemical composition, these fruits were studied in relation to their Antioxidant chemical constitution. The total phenolic content ranged from 3.86 ± 0.47 to 33.38 ± 1.51 mg GAE/100 g, and the total flavonoid content ranged from 1.75 ± 0.22 to 19.44 ± 0.87 mg QUERE/100 g, where the contents showed a significant correlation with DPPH and ABTS antioxidant assays. Thus, UHPLC‐MS/MS was applied do quantify selected compounds, been citric acid the most abundant for all fruits. Furthermore, samples were screened for their α‐glycosidase and lipase inhibitory effects, in addition to their antimicrobial potentials. Bacuri showed the highest antioxidant and α‐glycosidase inhibitory capacity (IC₅₀ 15.20 μg/mL), whereas uchi and its main metabolite bergenin displayed moderate antimicrobial activities. The results shed light into the potentials of Amazonian fruit sources.

Practical applications

Plant phenolics are essential components of functional foods, due to their antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities, which are directly linked to several diseases prevention. This is the first study about the quantification of antioxidant compounds in the Amazonian fruits: bacuri, ingá, and uchi. Although they are quite consumed in the North region of Brazil, there are no bio‐products made from them. This study aimed to elucidate the knowledge about the chemical composition and potentialities within these fruits with the practical purpose of highlighting them to future commercial applications. In addition, once we indicate their capabilities, we contribute with local populations in respect to the production of such fruits, which still is a family activity.