Immunomodulatory and anticancer activities of phenolics from Garcinia mangostana fruit pericarp

The methanolic extract of Garciniamangostana fruit pericarp was partitioned into butanol and water fractions in this work. Three major phenolics were purified and identified as P₁ [1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-2,8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) xanthone], P₂ [1,3,6-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-2,8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) xanthone] and P₃ (epicatechin). Strong antioxidant activities were detected for P₁–P₃. In vitro cell proliferation trials indicated that P₁ and P₃ exhibited good immunomodulatory activities when 7.5 μg/ml was used. Furthermore, P₁ and P₃ showed good cytotoxicities against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and human colon cancer cells (LOVO). P₁ exhibited the maximal cytotoxicity of 73.06% against MCF-7 cells and of 46.27% against LOVO cells when 62.5 μg/ml was used. The cytotoxicities of P₁, P₂, P₃ and paclitaxel against normal embryonic lung fibroblast cells (HELF) were in a decreasing order: paclitaxel > P₃ > P₁ > P_2. These results suggested that P₁ and P₃ could be used as a potential anticancer agent.     

Structural characterisation of polysaccharides from Tricholoma matsutake and their antioxidant and antitumour activities

In this study, polysaccharides from Tricholoma matsutake (TM-P) were purified using a DEAE-Sepharose fast flow column and three polysaccharide fractions (TM-P1, TM-P2 and TM-P3) were obtained. The chemical composition and structural characteristics of TM-P2 were quite different from those of TM-P1 and TM-P3. TM-P2 consisted of glucose, galactose and mannose with a molar ratio of 5.9:1.1:1.0. The glycosidic linkages were mainly composed of 1,6- and 1-linked glucose. Furthermore, TM-P2 showed the strongest in vitro antioxidant and antitumour activities. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of TM-P2 was 2100.44 μmol Trolox/g. The antiproliferative activities of TM-P2 (4.0 mg/ml) on the growth of HepG2 and A549 cells were 67.98% and 59.04%, respectively.     

Investigations of anti-inflammatory,antinociceptive, antioxidant and aldose reductase inhibitory activities of phenolic compounds from Sideritis brevibracteata

The Sideritis species are widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatism, cough, the common cold and as a diuretic, and they are commonly used as an herbal tea in folk medicine in Turkey. The teas of Sideritis have unique tastes, pleasant aromas and a transparent yellow colour, and are preferred as a hot beverage. In order to evaluate this information, the crude methanolic extract and the water soluble part of the methanolic extract after partition with chloroform and n-butanol were investigated for their anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. Phytochemical studies performed on the n-butanol extract of the overground parts of Sideritis brevibracteata, which is rich in phenolic compounds with promising activities, resulted in the isolation of six acetylated allose containing 8-hydroxyflavone glycosides and a phenylethanoid glycoside. The structures of the compounds were established by spectroscopic evidence (UV, IR, NMR, MS). Furthermore, these phenolic compounds of S. brevibracteata were studied for anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant and aldose reductase inhibitory activities. The experimental data demonstrated that S. brevibracteata displayed remarkable anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antioxidant activities.     

Anthraquinone profiles, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Frangula rupestris (Scop.) Schur and Frangula alnus Mill. bark

Frangula rupestris and Frangula alnus are deciduous shrubs distributed in Balkan Peninsula. While the bark of F. alnus is medicinally widely used, little is known about chemical and biological properties of F. rupestris. In the present study, F. rupestris and F. alnus bark were evaluated for their reducing power, DPPH radical scavenging and chelating activity, as well as antioxidant activity in β-carotene-linoleic acid assay. In addition, phenolic content, anthraquinone profile and antimicrobial activity of F. rupestris and F. alnus bark were determined. The most represented anthraquinone derivatives in F. rupestris and F. alnus bark were physcion (0.11 mg/g) and emodin (2.03 mg/g), respectively. Both species demonstrated excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities with MIC values equal or lower than 2.5 mg/mL. The presented research indicates that both species may have health benefits as natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents for use in functional foods or medicine.     

Biological activities of flavonoids from pathogenic-infected Astragalus adsurgens

The present study was aimed at the identification of biological components from pathogenic-infected Astragalus adsurgens with an activity-guided purification process. Fifteen flavonoids were obtained from the most active ethyl acetate fraction and identified as astradsurnin (1), a new chalcone derivative, together with fourteen known flavonoids (2-15). These compounds were tested for antibacterial activities against five bacteria and cytotoxic activities against two selected cancer cells. Within the series of flavonoids tested, compounds 4 and 15 were the most active against Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Erwinia carotovora and Bacillus subtilis with MICs ranging from 7.8 to 31.3 μg/ml. Moreover, compounds 4 and 5 exhibited moderate activity against HL-60 and SMMC-7721 cells with IC₅₀ values between 5 and 10 μg/ml. To our knowledge, this is the first time that it has been reported on the biological and chemical study of A. adsurgens infected by Embellisia astragali.     

Antioxidant, antifungal and antiviral activities of chitosan from the larvae of housefly, Musca domestica L.

Antioxidant activity of the chitosan from the larvae of Musca domestica L. was evaluated in two different reactive oxygen species assays, and inhibitory effects against seven fungi were also tested. The results showed that the chitosan had scavenging activity for hydroxyl and superoxide radicals which were similar to that of ascorbic acid. Also the chitosan exhibited excellent antifungal activity, especially in the low concentration, it could significantly inhibit the growth of Rhizopus stolonifer. Besides, antiviral results demonstrated that the chitosan could effectively inhibit the infection of AcMNPV and BmNPV. These results suggested that the chitosan from the larvae of housefly could be effectively used as a natural antioxidant to protect the human body from free radicals and retard the progress of many chronic diseases. Furthermore, the chitosan with antiviral and antifungal activity might provide useful information for antiviral breeding technology of economic insect and development of plant pathological control.     

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory,antihypertensive and antihyperlipidaemic activities of protein hydrolysates from Rhopilema esculentum

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory, antihypertensive and antihyperlipidaemic activities of protein hydrolysates (RPH) from the jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum were investigated. R. esculentum was hydrolysed sequentially with pepsin and papain, and then the hydrolysate was ultrafiltered with a 2000 Da cut-off membrane. It was found that RPH contained high levels of Gly, Glu, Pro, Asp and Ala, having potential ACE inhibitory activity in vitro with an IC₅₀ of 1.28 mg/ml. It was also found that systolic blood pressure was reduced markedly in spontaneously hypertensive rats after single and chronic oral administration of RPH, indicating that RPH had an antihypertensive effect. In addition, oral administration of RPH decreased total serum cholesterol and triglyceride, and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in rats fed with high-fat diet. These results indicate that RPH may prove to be a promising functional food for the prevention and treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidaemia.     

Composition,antimicrobial, antiradical and spasmolytic activity of Ferula heuffelii Griseb. ex Heuffel (Apiaceae) essential oil

The essential oil from underground parts of Ferula heuffelii from N.E. Serbia, was analysed using GC and GC–MS. The main compounds of the essential oil were elemicin (35.4%) and myristicin (20.6%). The essential oil exhibited the best antimicrobial activity against two strains of Candida albicans (MIC = 7.0 and 13.7 μg/ml), as well as against Micrococcus luteus (MIC = 13.7 μg/ml), Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC = 17.6 μg/ml), Bacillus subtilis (MIC = 21.1 μg/ml) and Micrococcus flavus (MIC = 28.2 μg/ml). In the DPPH radical scavenging assay, essential oil showed substantial activity with SC₅₀ = 22.43 μl/ml. The essential oil was also tested for antispasmodic activity. It inhibited spontaneous contraction of isolated rat ileum dose-dependently, and at the concentration of 86.64 μg/ml exhibited 50% of the maximum effect of atropine. After incubation with 75.00 μg/ml of essential oil, acetylcholine did not induce contractions of ileum, and at 250.00 μg/ml, the essential oil almost completely abolished the spasmodic effect of potassium chloride (80 mM).     

In vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extract of Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae of a new Citrus cultivar and its main flavonoids

To provide the base for the application of a new cultivar of Citrus reticulata Blanco, whose family is Rutaceae, a flavonoid extract of Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (FEPCR), the dried rind of the ripe citrus, was obtained with 80% aq. ethanol. Total flavonoid content of FEPCR was determined by a colorimetric method. Total phenol content was estimated as gallic acid equivalents. The major constituents of FEPCR, including Hesperidin, Nobiletin and Tangeretin, were determined by HPLC analysis. The antioxidant activities of FEPCR, Hesperidin, Nobiletin and Tangeretin were evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including DPPH scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and reducing power. All samples showed antioxidant activities to some degree in all the tested methods. In addition to the antioxidant activity, the antimicrobial assay was measured as well. Six strains of microorganisms including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella typhi and Enterobacter cloacae were used in the tests. FEPCR and Hesperidin displayed a broad antimicrobial spectrum and exerted antimicrobial effects in antimicrobial tests. But Tangeretin and Nobiletin exhibited low antimicrobial activities.     

Characterisation of an antiviral pediocin-like bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus faecium

The bacteriocin-producing strain Enterococcus faecium ST5Ha was isolated from smoked salmon and identified by biomolecular techniques. Ent. faecium ST5Ha produces a pediocin-like bacteriocin with activity against several lactic acid bacteria, Listeria spp. and some other human and food pathogens, and remarkably against HSV-1 virus. Bacteriocin ST5Ha was produced at high levels in MRS broth at 30 °C and 37 °C, reaching a maximum production of 1.0 × 10⁹ AU/ml, checked against Listeria ivanovii ATCC19119 as target strain and surrogate of pathogenic strain Listeria monocytogenes. The molecular weight of bacteriocin ST5Ha was estimated to be 4.5 kDa according to tricine-SDS-PAGE data. Ent. faecium ST5Ha harbors a 1.044 kb chromosomal DNA fragment fitting in size to that of pediocin PA-1/AcH. In addition, the sequencing of bacteriocin ST5Ha gene indicated 99% of DNA homology to pediocin PA-1/AcH. The combined application of low levels (below MIC) of ciprofloxacin and bacteriocin ST5Ha resulted in a synergetic effect in the inhibition of target strain L. ivanovii ATCC19119. Bacteriocin ST5Ha displayed antiviral activity against HSV-1, an important human pathogen, with a selectivity index of 173. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on Ent. faecium as a potential producer of pediocin-like bacteriocin with antiviral activity.     

Antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity of selenium exopolysaccharide produced by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis

Exopolysaccharide (EPS) was isolated and purified from Lactococcus lactis subsp. Lactis culture broth. Selenium chloride oxide (SeCl₂O) was added to the EPS to synthesize selenium-exopolysaccharide (Se-EPS). The in vitro and in vivo antioxidant and in vivo immunomodulatory activity of EPS and Se-EPS were compared. EPS and Se-EPS scavenged superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals. They also increased catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, while decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum and in the livers of mice. Se-EPS showed stronger in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity than were shown by EPS. The in vivo immunoenhancement activity of EPS and Se-EPS induced by cyclophosphamide (CY) treatment in immunosuppressed mice was researched. EPS and Se-EPS treatments increased macrophage phagocytosis, spleen and thymus indices and haemolytic complement activity (HC₅₀). Se-EPS showed stronger immunomodulatory activity than did EPS.     

Antioxidant and antiproliferative capacities of phenolics purified from Phyllanthus emblica L. fruit

Phyllanthus emblica is a widely distributed tropical medicinal plant with good therapeutic properties. Gallic acid, ellagic acid, mucic acid 1,4-lactone 3-O-gallate, isocorilagin, chebulanin, chebulagic acid and mallotusinin were isolated and purified from this plant. The antioxidant activities of these compounds were evaluated by in vitro models of scavenging superoxide anion radicals, DPPH radicals and ABTS radicals, chelating ability of ferrous ion and inhibition capability of Fe (II)-induced lipid peroxidation, respectively. The results revealed that all the tested phenolics showed strong radical scavenging activity, good potency to chelate Fe²⁺ and good inhibition ability of lipid peroxidation. Amongst mallotusinin and mucic acid 1,4-lactone 3-O-gallate were reported for the first time to have antioxidant activity. In addition, the in vitro antiproliferative activities of those phenolics against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines were assessed. Although the growth inhibition values induced by different phenolics on MCF-7 cell line yielded different effects, all the tested phenolics had apparent capacities of inhibiting the survival of MCF-7 human cancer cell line.     

Jasmonoid glucosides,sesquiterpenes and coumarins from the fruit of Clausena lansium

The fruit of Clausena lansium (wampee) is popular in southern China and warm areas of the world. Our chemical study on the fruit yielded three jasmonoid glucosides, 12-β-d-glucopyranosyloxy-6-epi-7-isocucurbic acid-1,6-lactone (1), 12-β-d-glucopyranosyloxyjasmonic acid (2) and 12-hydroxyjasmonic acid (3), two sesquiterpenes, (+)-curcumen-12-oic acid (4) and (+)-(E)-α-santalen-12-oic acid (5), two coumarins, xanthotoxol (6) and indicolactone (7), in addition to 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (8), 5-hydroxymethylfuraldehyde (9), isopropyl β-d-glucopyranoside (10) and stigmasterol (11). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Compound 1 was a new metabolite and the others excluding 6 were reported from the species for the first time. Compounds 1–7 were evaluated for antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Among them, compound 6 showed antioxidant activity in ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and DPPH radical scavenging assays as well as antibacterial activity against Staphyloccocus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae, while compound 5 was active against Bacillus cereus.     

Immunomodulatory and anticancer activities of phenolics from emblica fruit (Phyllanthus emblica L.)

There is a paucity of studies on the immunomodulatory properties of fruit extracts of emblica with the emphasis on lymphocytes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory properties and anticancer potential of six phenolic compounds from emblica fruit by in vitro proliferation assay. Effects of these compounds on splenocyte proliferation and the cytotoxicity to both human breast cancer cell (MCF-7) and human embryonic lung fibroblast cell (HELF) were determined by the MTT method. Significantly stimulatory effects (P < 0.05) were found for geraniin and isocorilagin. The concentration of geraniin, quercetin 3-β-d-glucopyranoside, kaempferol 3-β-d-glucopyranoside, isocorilagin, quercetin, kaempferol and rutin to obtain 50% of stimulatory effect was 56, 123, 242, 42, 73, 93 and 92 μg/ml, respectively. The assay of anticancer activities suggested that geraniin and isocorilagin exhibited higher cytotoxicities than other compounds against MCF-7 with IC₅₀ of 13.2 and 80.9 μg/ml, respectively. Isocorilagin exhibited a strong cytotoxicity to HELF cell with IC₅₀ of 51.4 μg/ml. Geraniin, quercetin, kaempferol and their glycosides had weak cytotoxicity against HELF cells. Paclitaxel showed a strong cytotoxicity to MCF-7 and HELF with IC₅₀ of 6.8 and 14.5 μg/ml, respectively. These findings are in line with the reported potent antioxidant activity. These results suggested that the antitumour activity of these compounds might be achieved by immunomodulatory properties which could partially be attributed to their antioxidant activity.     

Identification of phenolic compounds and appraisal of antioxidant and antityrosinase activities from litchi (Litchi sinensis Sonn.) seeds

Antioxidant and antitryrosinase compounds from Litchi sinensis Sonn. seeds were extracted with five different types of polar solvents. The five extracts, namely ethanol extract (EE), 50% ethanol extract (50% EE), methanol extract (ME), 50% methanol extract (50% ME), and water extract (WE), were used for the evaluations of total phenolic content, antioxidant capabilities and antityrosinase activity. The 50% EE showed the highest total antioxidant capacity, scavenging the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical and inhibitory activity against lipid peroxidation, and it was comparable to the activity of the synthetic antioxidant, butylated hydroxyl toluene. Fifty percent EE showed a better antityrosinase activity compared to the other extracts. After application of reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography, coupled to a diode array detector and electrospray ionisation mass spectra, five phenolic compounds, namely, gallic acid, procyanidin B2, (−)-gallocatechin, (−)-epicatechin and (−)-epicatechin-3-gallate were identified from 50% EE. This study suggests that litchi seed can potentially be used as a readily accessible source of natural antioxidants.