Chemical Compositions, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oils of Piper caninum Blume

Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the fresh leaves and stems oils of Piper caninum were investigated. A total of forty eight constituents were identified in the leaves (77.9%) and stems (87.0%) oil which were characterized by high proportions of phenylpropanoid, safrole with 17.1% for leaves and 25.5% for stems oil. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by using β-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching, DPPH radical scavenging and total phenolic content. Stems oil showed the highest inhibitory activity towards lipid peroxidation (114.9 ± 0.9%), compared to BHT (95.5 ± 0.5%), while leaves oil showed significant total phenolic content (27.4 ± 0.5 mg GA/g) equivalent to gallic acid. However, the essential oils showed weak activity towards DPPH free-radical scavenging. Evaluation of antimicrobial activity revealed that both oils exhibited strong activity against all bacteria strains with MIC values in the range 62.5 to 250 μg/mL, but weak activity against fungal strains. These findings suggest that the essential oils can be used as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents for therapeutic, nutraceutical industries and food manufactures.     

A new benzofuran glucoside from ficus tikoua bur

From the water-soluble portion of the methanol extract of stems of Ficus tikoua Bur., a new benzofuran glucoside, named 6-carboxyethyl-5-hydroxybenzofuran 5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), together with one known benzofuran glucoside (2) were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D ((1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC, and HMBC) NMR spectroscopy and HRMS techniques. The antioxidant activities of the isolated compounds were assayed based on the scavenging activities of DPPH free radical. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited moderate antioxidant activities, and the IC(50) values were 242.8 μg·mL(-1) and 324.9 μg·mL(-1), respectively.     

Flavonoids, Phenolics, and Antioxidant Capacity in the Flower of Eriobotrya japonica Lindl

Flavonoids and phenolics are abundant in loquat flowers. Methanol had the highest extraction efficiency among five solvents, followed by ethanol. Considering the safety and residue, ethanol is better as extraction solvent. The average content of flavonoids and phenolics of loquat flower of five cultivars were 1.59 ± 0.24 and 7.86 ± 0.87 mg/g DW, respectively, when using ethanol as extraction solvent. The contents of both bioactive components in flowers at different developmental stages and in the various flower tissues clearly differed, with the highest flavonoids and phenolics content in flowers of stage 3 (flower fully open) and petal, respectively. The antioxidant capacity was measured using FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS methods. The values of ABTS method was highest, followed by DPPH, the lowest was FRAP, when using vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity (VCEAC) as unit. Correlation analysis showed that the ABTS method showed the highest correlation coefficients with flavonoids and phenolics, i.e., 0.886 and 0.973, respectively.     

核桃仁抗氧化活性研究

采用清除二苯代苦味肼基(DPPH)自由基、清除[2,2′-连氨-(3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸)二氨盐](ABTS)自由基及铁离子还原/抗氧化能力(FRAP)测定法,对核桃仁提取物进行抗氧化活性评价,并与阳性对照没食子酸丙酯(PG)、丁基羟基茴香醚(BHA)和二丁基羟基甲苯(BHT)进行比较。在核桃仁提取物中,乙酸乙酯提取物清除DPPH和ABTS自由基的能力(IC50值分别为1.58 mg/L和1.69 mg/L)强于BHA(IC50值分别为3.43 mg/L和1.72 mg/L)和BHT(IC50值分别为18.79 mg/L和6.04 mg/L),弱于PG(IC50值分别为0.86 mg/L和0.66 mg/L);乙酸乙酯提取物还原Fe3+的能力最强〔FRAP值为(13212.99±55.35)μmol TE/g〕,强于PG〔FRAP值为(10617.75±138.38)μmol TE/g〕、BHA〔FRAP值为(7383.10±121.08)μmol TE/g〕和BHT〔FRAP值为(1748.49±3.46)μmol TE/g〕;核桃仁正丁醇提取物清除DPPH和ABTS自由基的能力(IC50值分别为4.94和1.90 mg/L)以及还原Fe3+的能力〔FRAP值为(2299.99±27.68)μmol TE/g〕强于BHT。结果表明,核桃仁乙酸乙酯和正丁醇提取物都具有很好的抗氧化活性,且乙酸乙酯提取物活性强于正丁醇提取物。     

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Capacities of Polyphenolics from Pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Thirteen polyphenolics were isolated from fresh pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima using various methods of column chromatography. The structures of these polyphenolics were elucidated as gallic acid (1), methyl gallate (2), 6-O-galloyl-d-glucoside (3), methyl 6-O-galloyl-β-d-glucoside (4), methyl 3,6-di-O-galloyl-α-d-glucopyranoside (5), gentisic acid 5-O-α-d-(6'-O-galloyl)glucopyranoside (6), guaiacylglycerol 4-O-β-d-(6'-O-galloyl)glucopyranoside (7), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenol 1-O-β-d-(6'-O-galloyl) glucopyranoside (8), (+)-gallocatechin (9), (+)-catechin (10), (+)-gallocatechin 3-O-gallate (11), myricetin 3-rhamnoside (12), and ampelopsin (13). All isolated compounds were tested for their antioxidant activities in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl, and peroxynitrite radicals scavenging assays. Among those compounds, 11, 12, and 2 exhibited the best DPPH-, hydroxyl-, and peroxynitrite radical-scavenging activities, respectively. Compound 7 is a new compound, and possesses better scavenging activities towards DPPH but has equivalent hydroxyl radical scavenging activity when compared to BHT. The paper is the first report on free radical scavenging properties of components of the fresh pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima. The results obtained from the current study indicate that the free radical scavenging property of fresh pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima may be one of the mechanisms by which this herbal medicine is effective in several free radical mediated diseases.     

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Properties of Three Actinidia (Actinidia kolomikta, Actinidia arguta, Actinidia chinensis) Extracts in Vitro

The total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, vitamin C content, and antioxidant activities of ethanol extracts from different kiwifruit varieties (Actinidia kolomikta, Actinidia arguta, Actinidia chinensis) were determined in this study. Multiple scavenging activity assays including the hydroxyl radical, O(2) (-)·radical, DPPH, and the ABTS(+) radical scavenging activity assays were used to identify the antioxidant activities of Actinidia extracts. The cell viability of HepG2 and HT-29 cells was also examined in this study. The results demonstrated that the Actinidia kolomikta extract had a higher antioxidant activity than the other two Actinidia extracts. There is a positive correlation between antioxidant activity and the polyphenols and vitamin C content in all three extracts (R(2) ≥ 0.712, p < 0.05). The Actinidia arguta extract had the highest inhibitory effect on HepG2 and HT-29 cell growth. These results provide new insight into the health functions of fruit and demonstrate that Actinidia extracts can potentially have health benefits.     

Polyphenolic Contents and Antioxidant Potential of Stem Bark Extracts from Jatropha curcas (Linn)

We assessed the polyphenolic contents and antioxidant potential of the aqueous, ethanol and methanol stem bark extracts of Jatropha curcas. The total phenol, flavonoids, flavonols and proanthocyanidin contents of the extracts were evaluated to determine their effect on the antioxidant property of this plant, using standard phytochemical methods. The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of the plant were also assessed against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing, nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anion, (O(2) (-)) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) using spectroscopic methods and results were compared with that of butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) and ascorbic acid as standards. The concentrations of different classes of phenolic compounds were higher in methanol and ethanol extracts compared to aqueous extracts. There was correlation between total phenol, total flavonoids, total flavonol and total proanthocyanidins (r = 0.996, 0.978, 0.908, and 0.985) respectively. There was correlations between the amount of phenolic compounds and percentage inhibition of DPPH radicals scavenging activity of the extract (r = 0.98). Findings from the present study indicated that J. curcas is a potential source of natural antioxidants and may be a good candidate for pharmaceutical plant based products.     

Extracts and Constituents of Rubus chingii with 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) Free Radical Scavenging Activity

The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity of the fruits of Rubus chingii was studied in vitro. Ethanolic extract, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions from dried R. chingii fruits revealed strong DPPH free radical scavenging activity with IC(50) values of 17.9, 3.4 and 4.0 μg/mL, respectively. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were further purified by a combination of silica gel chromatography, Lobar RP-8 chromatography, and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Nine compounds were isolated, where methyl (3-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,3-dihydroindol-3-yl)-acetate (2), vanillic acid (5), kaempferol (7), and tiliroside (9) showed stronger DPPH free radical scavenging activity than that of ascorbic acid (131.8 μM) with IC(50) values of 45.2, 34.9, 78.5, and 13.7 μM, respectively. In addition, rubusine (1) is a new compound discovered in the present study and methyl (3-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,3-dihydroindol-3-yl)-acetate (2), methyl dioxindole-3-acetate (3), and 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-4-carboxylic acid (4) were isolated from the fruits for the first time.     

Phytochemical and Biological Studies of Agave attenuata

The present study was conducted to examine various biological activities of a methanol extract of Agave attenuata leaves. GC-MS analysis of the n-hexane fraction from the extract revealed the presence of 31 compounds, with mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (11.37%), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (6.33%), n-docosane (6.30%) and eicosane (6.02%) as the major components. The leaves contained appreciable levels of total phenolic contents (10.541-39.35 GAE, mg/100 g) and total flavonoid contents (43.35-304.8 CE, mg/100 g). The extract and some of its fractions showed moderate antimicrobial effects. Leaves extract and fractions also exhibited a good antioxidant potential when measured by DPPH radical scavenging activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation assays. The hemolytic effect of the plant was found to be in a range of 1.01%-2.64%. From the present study it is concluded that this plant could be used as a source of natural antioxidants and functional food nutraceutical applications.     

苍术及其麸炒品抗氧化活性研究

采用清除二苯代苦味酰基(DPPH)自由基、清除[2,2′-连氨-(3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸)]二氨盐(ABTS)自由基和铁离子还原/抗氧化能力(FRAP)测定法对其挥发油和不同提取物进行抗氧化活性的研究。结果表明,生苍术乙酸乙酯提取物具有很好的抗氧化活性(DPPH方法:IC50=6.03μg/mL;ABTS方法:IC50=3.59μg/mL;FRAP方法:FRAP值=3186.67μmolTE/g),麸炒之后,其抗氧化活性显著下降。因而苍术抗氧化应生用。     

In‐vitro study on the efficacy of tannin fractions of edible nuts as antioxidants

Tannin fractions were isolated from crude acetonic extracts of defatted walnut, hazelnut and almond kernels using Sephadex LH‐20 column chromatography. The obtained material was characterized by content of total phenolics and electrophoretic separations using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). The antioxidant activities of the tannin fractions were analyzed by several methods: DPPH and ABTS assays, photochemiluminescence (PCL) method, as well as in two lipid model systems: emulsion with β‐carotene‐linoleic acid and L ‐α‐lecithin liposomes. The contents of total phenolics in the tannin fractions of walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds were 550, 329 and 83 mg catechin eq/g, respectively. The electrophoretic profiles of hazelnut and almond tannin fractions were similar, in contrast to the walnut profile. All analyzed fractions exhibited strong antioxidant properties. The antioxidant capacity of lipid‐soluble (ACL) compounds determined by PCL method was the highest for the fraction isolated from walnuts – 7.35 mmol Trolox eq/g. The DPPH radical and the ABTS radical cation were scavenged by the walnut tannin fraction with a higher efficacy than by the two other fractions. EC₅₀ values of the DPPH method were 1.8 times higher for the hazelnut fraction and 2.3 times higher for the almond fraction when compared to the walnut tannins. In turn, the total antioxidant activity values were 8.17, 2.82 and 1.98 mmol Trolox eq/g for the walnut, hazelnut and almond fractions, respectively. On the other hand, in both lipid models applied, lower antioxidant activity of walnut tannins than of hazelnut tannins was noted. The antioxidant effect of almond tannins was weaker or similar than that of walnut tannins in the β‐carotene‐linoleic acid emulsion and the L ‐α‐lecithin liposomal system, respectively.     

Evaluation of Antioxidant Properties and Mineral Composition of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) at Different Growth Stages

The main objective of this research was to appraise the changes in mineral content and antioxidant attributes of Portulaca oleracea over different growth stages. The antioxidant activity was measured using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The iodine titration method was used to determine the ascorbic acid content (AAC). DPPH scavenging (IC(50)) capacity ranged from 1.30 ± 0.04 to 1.71 ± 0.04 mg/mL, while the ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant activity (AEAC) values were 229.5 ± 7.9 to 319.3 ± 8.7 mg AA/100 g, total phenol content (TPC) varied from 174.5 ± 8.5 to 348.5 ± 7.9 mg GAE/100 g. AAC 60.5 ± 2.1 to 86.5 ± 3.9 mg/100 g and FRAP 1.8 ± 0.1 to 4.3 ± 0.1 mg GAE/g. There was good correlation between the results of TPC and AEAC, and between IC(50) and FRAP assays (r(2) > 0.9). The concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Fe and Zn increased with plant maturity. Calcium (Ca) was negatively correlated with sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl), but positively correlated with magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). Portulaca olerecea cultivars could be used as a source of minerals and antioxidants, especially for functional food and nutraceutical applications.     

Antioxidant Activity of Subcritical Water Extracts from Chaga Mushroom (Inonotus obliquus)

The subcritical water (SCW) extraction of Chaga mushroom (CM) was carried out at various temperatures (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300°C) and times (10, 30, and 60 min), and then antioxidant activities of the SCW extracts were evaluated by determining 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, reducing power (RP), superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, and total phenol content (TPC). The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, and the SOD-like activity of the extracts increased with elevated temperatures and times. For example, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, and SOD-like activity of the extracts at 250°C for 60 min were 72.5, 97.8, and 92.3%, respectively, while those at 50°C for 60 min were 63.2, 14.4, and 22.6%, respectively. However, the activities decreased at 300°C. The highest TPC and RP were found at 250°C for 30 min with values of 10.724 mg/mL and 1.063 optical density, respectively. These results indicate that SCW extraction was significantly effective on the increase of antioxidant activity of the CM.     

粘毛蓼的抗氧化活性

用清除二苯代苦味酰基(DPPH)自由基、清除[2,2′-连氨-(3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸)二氨盐](ABTS)自由基和铁离子还原/抗氧化能力(FRAP)测定法,对粘毛蓼体外总抗氧化活性进行了评价,结果与6-羟基-2,5,7,8-四甲基苯并二氢吡喃-2-羧酸(Trolox)及阳性对照丁基羟基茴香醚(BHA)、二丁基羟基甲苯(BHT)比较发现,粘毛蓼提取物有很好的体外抗氧化活性。乙酸乙酯提取物清除DPPH自由基(IC50=7.89 mg/L)的能力比BHT清除能力(IC50=18.71 mg/L)强,比BHA(IC50=3.20 mg/L)清除能力略弱;清除ABTS自由基能力(IC50=6.67 mg/L)比BHT(IC50=7.72 mg/L)清除能力强,比BHA(IC50=1.88 mg/L)清除能力弱;还原Fe3+的能力〔FRAP=(1362.55±47.22)μmol TE/g〕比BHT〔FRAP=(1581.68±97.41)μmol TE/g〕略低。在3种提取物中,乙酸乙酯提取物具有最高的抗氧化能力,甲醇提取物次之。3种方法中,DPPH方法和ABTS方法相关性最高(R=0.993)。     

Phytochemicals Analysis and Medicinal Potentials of Hydroalcoholic Extract from Curtisia dentata (Burm.f) C.A. Sm Stem Bark

Curtisia dentata (CD) is a vulnerable medicinal plant used for the treatment of stomach ailments in South Africa. However, there is a lack of sufficient data on its phytochemical components and medicinal properties. The phytochemical analysis of the extract was estimated using standard assay methods while its antibacterial activity was determined by the agar dilution method against selected bacteria. The antioxidant activity of the extract was done using ferric reducing power, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic-acid (ABTS), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and lipid peroxidation (LPO). The cytotoxicity assay of the extract was assessed using the brine shrimp lethality test with LC(50) value of 0.302 mg/mL. The antibacterial activity of the extract demonstrated an appreciable broad spectrum activity against the tested bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranges between 5000 and 0.5 mg/L. Both phenol and flavonoid concentrations were 14.86 mg tannic acid equivalent/g and 13.64 mg quercetin equivalent/g, respectively. The percentage composition of saponins (13.26) was highest, followed by steroids (1.42), while alkaloids and tannins had the same value of 0.51. Similarly, IC(50) values of the extract against DPPH, ABTS, H(2)O(2), LPO and NO were 0.017, 0.018, 0.159, 0.06 and 0.052 mg/mL, respectively. The reducing power of the extract was found to be concentration dependent. Our data suggest that the 70% ethanol extract from the CD extract has antibacterial and antioxidant properties due to the presence of bio-active compounds and thus support its folkloric use in the treatment of diseases.     

向日葵盘精油的化学成分及抗氧化活性

为明晰采收后向日葵盘精油的成分及其体外抗氧化活性,应用水蒸气蒸馏法提取采收后向日葵盘精油,利用气相色谱-质谱联用法（GC-MS）分析其化学成分,通过DPPH自由基和ABTS自由基清除法对精油的体外抗氧化活性进行测定。结果显示：从向日葵盘精油中共鉴定出49种化学成分（占精油总量91.16%）,其中α-蒎烯（28.22%）、柠檬烯（6.55%）、α-蛇麻烯（4.99%）、反式-β-金合欢烯（3.58%）和莰烯（3.39%）为其主要成分。向日葵盘精油具有一定的体外抗氧化活性,其清除DPPH自由基、ABTS自由基的半数有效浓度（EC₅₀）值分别为0.47、0.30 g/L,明显高于阳性对照BHT的EC₅₀值（分别为8.21和6.16 mg/L）。     

山楂提取物的体外和体内抗氧化作用

采用ABTS清除2,2′-连氨-(3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸)二氨盐自由基、FRAP(铁离子还原/抗氧化能力测定法)和DPPH(清除二苯代苦味肼基自由基)三种体外模型筛选山楂提取物抗氧化活性;用高脂高糖乳剂建立了小鼠髙脂质模型,考察了提取物的体内抗氧化效果。山楂提取物体外ABTS、FRAP和DPPH法清除自由基能力测定结果显示,SC>SD>SB>SE>SA,SC在体内可以明显升高SOD(超氧化物歧化酶)水平(P<0.05)和降低MDA(丙二醛)水平(P<0.001)。研究结果表明,SC体外筛选抗氧化效果最好,与体内作用一致,SC体外抗氧化和体内抗脂质过氧化存在一定的相关性。     

白藜芦醇磺酸酯的合成及抗氧化、抗肿瘤活性的研究

以白藜芦醇和2, 4-二硝基苯磺酰氯为原料,通过酯化法得到白藜芦醇磺酸酯,通过NMR和LC-MS确定了该化合物结构。以维生素C为阳性对照,研究白藜芦醇磺酸酯对2, 2-联苯基-1-苦基肼(DPPH)自由基和2, 2′-联氮-双-3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸(ABTS)自由基的清除活性和抗氧化活性;噻唑蓝(MTT)法研究其对人肺癌细胞A549的增殖活性。实验结果表明,目标产物收率为33.1%。同时,目标产物在浓度为1.0 mg/mL时,对DPPH自由基和ABTS自由基的清除率分别为31.6%和42.7%,抗氧化活性均高于白藜芦醇,但低于维生素C;目标产物对人肺癌细胞A549具有较好抑制作用,IC50值为(10.2±0.37)μg/mL。     

In vitro antioxidant and anti-proliferation activities of polysaccharides from various extracts of different mushrooms

Polysaccharides were extracted from eight kinds of Chinese mushrooms using three solvents and were evaluated for their total carbohydrate, polyphenolic and protein contents, and antioxidant and anti-proliferation activities. The results suggested that all the polysaccharides had significant antioxidant capacities (EC(50) ranged from 1.70 ± 0.42 to 65.98 ± 1.74 μM TE/g crude polysaccharide inhibition of ABTS(+), EC(50) ranged from 5.06 ± 0.12 to 127.38 ± 1.58 mg VCE/g CP scavenging of OH· and EC(50) ranged from 0.70 ± 0.04 to 33.54 ± 0.49 mg VCE/g CP inhibition of lipid peroxidation) (TE: trolox equivalent; VCE: VC equivalent; CP: crude polysaccharide). The acid extracts of Russula vinosa Lindblad had the highest ABTS(+) scavenging activity. Aqueous extracts of Dictyophora indusiata and Hohenbuehelia serotina possessed, respectively, the highest OH· scavenging capacity and ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Mushroom extracts also inhibited proliferation of HeLa and HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that the mushroom polysaccharides might be potential antioxidant resources.     

Phenolics and Antioxidant Activity of Mulberry Leaves Depend on Cultivar and Harvest Month in Southern China

To elucidate the effects of cultivar and harvest month on the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of mulberry leaves, four major phenolics, including chlorogenic acid (ChA), benzoic acid (BeA), rutin (Rut) and astragalin (Ast), were quantified using an HPLC-UV method. Leaves from six mulberry cultivars, collected from April to October, were analyzed. The antioxidant activity of mulberry leaves was assessed by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (HSA) and superoxide radical scavenging activity (SSA) assays. The results showed that the total values of the four phenolic compounds ranged from 2.3 dry weight (DW) to 4.2 mg/g DW, with ChA being the major compound. The mean total phenol (TP) content of the six cultivars ranged from 30.4 equivalents (GAE) mg/g DW to 44.7 GAE mg/g DW. Mulberry leaves harvested in May had the highest TP content. Moreover, the antioxidant activities of mulberry leaves harvested from April to October differed noticeably. In general, Kq 10 and May were considered to be a better cultivar and harvest month concerning phenolic content and antioxidant activity, respectively.