Biochemical,biological and histological evaluation of some culinary and medicinal herbs grown under greenhouse and field conditions

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence supports the potential health benefits of herbal extracts displaying antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and antitumour activities. Environment can have a pronounced effect on phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacities of five different herbs grown under greenhouse and field conditions and to assess their potential anti‐inflammatory effects. RESULTS: High total polyphenolic (TPP) content (measured by the Folin‐Ciocalteu reagent method) and high Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) were observed in all herbs evaluated. Leaves from thyme, sage, spearmint and peppermint grown in the greenhouse showed significantly higher TPP content and TEAC than those grown under field conditions, with a threefold difference being observed in peppermint. Rosemary, spearmint and peppermint extracts showed stronger inhibition of cyclooxygenase COX‐2 than of COX‐1. CONCLUSION: The results show that producing herbs under greenhouse conditions can improve their biological activities by increasing TPP contents and antioxidant capacities. The selective inhibition of COX‐2 activity by rosemary, spearmint and peppermint suggests that they may be useful as anti‐inflammatory agents with fewer side effects than regular non‐steroidal drugs. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Anti‐inflammatory Potential of Quercetin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐(“2”‐galloyl)‐glucopyranoside and Quercetin Isolated from Diospyros kaki calyx via Suppression of MAP Signaling Molecules in LPS‐induced RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Diospyros kaki (DK) contains an abundance of flavonoids and has been used in folk medicine in Korea for centuries. Here, we report for the first time the anti‐inflammatory activities of Quercetin (QCT) and Quercetin 3‐O‐β‐(“2”‐galloyl)‐glucopyranoside (Q32G) isolated from DK. We have determine the no cytotoxicity of Q32G and QCT against RAW 264.7 cells up to concentration of 50 μM. QCT and Q32G demonstrated potent anti‐inflammatory activities by reducing expression of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6 inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2, and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPKs) in mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Both QCT or Q32G could decrease cellular protein levels of COX‐2 and iNOS as well as secreted protein levels of NO, PGE₂, and cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6) in culture medium of LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Immunoblot analysis showed that QCT and Q32G suppressed LPS‐induced MAP kinase pathway proteins p‐p38, ERK, and JNK. This study revealed that QCT and Q32G have anti‐inflammatory potential, however Q32G possess comparable activity as that of QCT and could be use as adjuvant to treat inflammatory diseases.     

Anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous extract of Mesona procumbens in experimental mice

BACKGROUND: Mesona procumbens is consumed as a herbal drink and jelly‐type dessert in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism of anti‐inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of M. procumbens (AMP) using the λ‐carrageenin (Carr)‐induced mouse paw oedema model. The fingerprint chromatogram of AMP was obtained by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. To investigate the anti‐inflammatory mechanism of AMP, the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in paw oedema were monitored. Serum nitric oxide (NO), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) were also evaluated. RESULTS: The fingerprint chromatogram from HPLC indicated that AMP contained protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid and caffeic acid. In the anti‐inflammatory test, AMP decreased paw oedema after Carr administration and increased the CAT, SOD and GPx activities and decreased the MDA level in paw oedema at 5 h after Carr injection. AMP also affected the serum NO, TNF‐α and IL‐1β levels at 5 h after Carr injection. Western blotting revealed that AMP decreased the expression of Carr‐induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2). CONCLUSION: Mesona procumbens has the potential to provide a therapeutic approach to inflammation‐associated disorders. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Polygonum viviparum L. inhibits the lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophages through haem oxygenase‐1 induction and activation of the Nrf2 pathway

BACKGROUND: Polygonum viviparum L. (PV) is a member of the family Polygonaceae and is widely distributed in high‐elevation areas. It is used as a folk remedy to treat inflammation‐related diseases. This study was focused on the anti‐inflammatory response of PV against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages. RESULTS: Treatment with PV did not cause cytotoxicity at 0–50 µg mL^?1 in RAW264.7 macrophages, and the IC₅₀ value was 270 µg mL^?1. PV inhibited LPS‐stimulated nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG)E₂, interleukin (IL)‐1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α release and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 protein expression. In addition, PV suppressed the LPS‐induced p65 expression of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB, which is associated with the inhibition of IκB‐α degradation. These results suggest that, among mechanisms of the anti‐inflammatory response, PV inhibits the production of NO and these cytokines by down‐regulating iNOS and COX‐2 gene expression. Furthermore, PV can induce haem oxygenase (HO)‐1 protein expression through nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation. A specific inhibitor of HO‐1, zinc(II) protoporphyrin IX, inhibited the suppression of iNOS and COX‐2 expression by PV. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that PV possesses anti‐inflammatory actions in macrophages and works through a novel mechanism involving Nrf2 actions and HO‐1. Thus PV could be considered for application as a potential therapeutic approach for inflammation‐associated disorders. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

A Comparison of the Antioxidant Potential of Wine and Beer

The antioxidant properties of two beers (an ale and a lager) and of two wines (a red Cabernet Sauvignon, and a white Chardonnay) have been compared using a range of assays: the Trolox assay, superoxide scavenging, hydroxyl scavenging and β‐carotene bleaching. When compared on an ‘as is’ basis, the red wine was shown to contain much more antioxidant potential than the other beverages with all the assays except the β‐carotene bleaching assay, which compares the ability of agents to prevent lipid oxidation. In this assay, beer performed best. When the beverages were compared on an equivalence of polyphenol basis, the superior performance of red wine was not evident, indeed white wine was the most potent in the Trolox assay and the superoxide scavenging tests, with beer again proving its superiority in the β‐carotene bleaching test. The study highlights the pitfalls of simply assuming that the superior performance of one product in a single assay means that it is inherently preferable as a source of antioxidants and pertinent issues remain the ability of the anti‐oxidants to access the tissues where they can exert a beneficial effect and the mode in which a substance needs to act in order to have a desirable impact on bodily health.     

西瓜籽油脂肪酸成分分析及抗氧化活性研究

目的：研究西瓜籽油脂肪酸成分及抗氧化活性。方法：采用索氏回流法对西瓜籽进行提油,对西瓜籽油进行酯化处理,用气相色谱—质谱联机（GC-MS）对其脂肪酸的成分、含量进行分析,通过其对铁离子的还原能力和对DPPH自由基、羟基自由基及超氧阴离子自由基清除能力的测定。结果：西瓜籽油中含有6种脂肪酸,其中不饱和脂肪酸相对含量达到50%以上;西瓜籽油对铁离子具有还原能力,对DPPH自由基的IC₅₀值为3.7 mg/mL,对超氧阴离子自由基的IC₅₀值为0.031 mg/mL,对羟基自由基的IC₅₀值为12.04 mg/mL。结论：西瓜籽油富含不饱和脂肪酸,有较好的抗氧化活性。     

菊苣多糖体外抗氧化能力及抗疲劳作用

目的:研究菊苣多糖(chicory polysaccharide,CP)体外抗氧化能力及抗疲劳作用。方法:通过测定CP对羟自由基、超氧阴离子自由基、DPPH自由基的清除作用、还原力及其体外抗氧化能力,以小鼠耐力实验(负重游泳)和生化改变的检测评价CP的抗疲劳功效。结果:当浓度为2.4 mg/mL时,CP对羟自由基、超氧阴离子自由基及DPPH自由基清除率分别为40.93%、67.11%和58.17%,还原能力稍低于同浓度V_C;与空白组相比,口服CP组小鼠负重游泳时间明显延长,且血尿素氮、血清乳酸和丙二醛水平显著降低(p<0.05),超氧化物歧化酶、肝糖原和肌糖原水平显著升高(p<0.05)。结论:CP具有较强的抗氧化能力和抗疲劳作用。     

雪莲果体外抗氧化和自由基清除能力

抗氧化能力是衡量果蔬营养及保健价值的重要指标之一。雪莲果是一种药食两用植物,对多种慢性疾病有缓解作用。分别采用5 种方法(DPPH、ABTS、FRAP、SASR 和MCC)对雪莲果块根甲醇提取液的自由基清除能力及抗氧化活性进行体外评价。结果表明：DPPH 法测定的Trolox 当量抗氧化能力(TEAC)为410.263mg Trolox/g md,抗坏血酸当量抗氧化能力(AEAC)为230.485mg VC/g md,IC50 值为1.464mg/mL;ABTS 法测定的TEAC 为267.584mg Trolox/g md,AEAC为41.597mg VC/g md,IC50 值为1.269mg/mL;SRSA 法测定的TEAC 为652.816mg Trolox/g md,AEAC 为101.451mg VC/g md,IC50 值为7.720mg/mL。说明雪莲果块根提取物对DPPH 自由基、ABTS+·和O2·三种不同的自由基均有一定的清除活性。此外,雪莲果块根提取物还具有较高的总抗氧化(FRAP 值为131.723 mgFeSO4/g md)和较强的金属螯合能力(73.193%)。     

老山芹全株及其不同部位酚类物质含量及抗氧化能力分析

比较老山芹及其不同部位（嫩叶、茎）甲醇提取物总多酚、总黄酮含量,测定5 种抗氧化指标（铁还原能力、超氧阴离子自由基清除能力、羟自由基清除能力、1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼（1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,DPPH）自由基清除能力、2,2’-联氮双(3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸)（2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid),ABTS）阳离子自由基清除能力）,研究其体外抗氧化活性间的差异。结果表明：老山芹嫩叶总多酚含量为30.51 mg/g,分别为全株植物与嫩茎的1.25、1.78 倍;老山芹嫩叶总黄酮含量为28.92 mg/g,分别为全株植物与嫩茎的1.34、4.00 倍。在抗氧化能力测定实验中,铁还原能力、超氧阴离子自由基清除能力、羟自由基清除能力排序均为嫩叶＞全株植物＞嫩茎＞对照组（VC）;ABTS阳离子自由基清除能力排序为嫩叶＞全株植物＞对照组（Trolox）＞嫩茎;DPPH自由基清除能力排序为嫩叶＞嫩茎＞对照组（VC）＞全株植物。老山芹及不同部位甲醇提取物对超氧阴离子自由基、羟自由基清除能力较强,对DPPH自由基、ABTS阳离子自由基清除能力次之,铁还原能力较弱。     

Antioxidant activities of red pepper (Capsicum annuum) pericarp and seed extracts

In this study, we examined the antioxidant activities of red pepper (Capsicum annuum, L.) pericarp and red pepper seed extracts. The extracts were evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, [2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid)] (ABTS) radical scavenging, ferrous chelating activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reducing power, along with the determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. All the extracts showed strong antioxidant activity by the testing methods. The red pepper pericarp extract exhibited strong ferrous chelating activity and high scavenging activity against free radicals, including both the hydroxyl and DPPH radicals, but it exhibited weaker scavenging activity for the superoxide anion radical and for SOD. In contrast, the red pepper seed extract exhibited strong SOD activity and high scavenging activity against the superoxide anion radical, but showed weaker ferrous chelating activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and DPPH radical scavenging. We observed that the reducing power level and ABTS radical scavenging activity of the red pepper seed were higher than those of the red pepper pericarp at the highest tested concentration. Most of the test results for the red pepper seed and red pepper pericarp extracts increased markedly with increasing concentration; however, the metal chelating, SOD and ABTS radical scavenging activities did not increase with the concentration. Highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents were obtained from the red pepper pericarp extracts. Overall, the red pepper seed and red pepper pericarp extracts were highly effective for the antioxidant properties assayed, with the exceptions of ferrous chelating activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging and SOD activity.     

Identification of phenolic compound in manuka honey as specific superoxide anion radical scavenger using electron spin resonance (ESR) and liquid chromatography with coulometric array detection

Apitherapy has become the focus of attention as a form of folk and preventive medicine for treating certain conditions and diseases as well as promoting overall health and well‐being. In apitherapy, honey is the therapeutic agent used for dressing surgical wounds, burns or skin ulcers, as well as for dyspepsia, peptic ulcer, etc., because of its antioxidant activity. Therefore, it is important to determine the antioxidants in honey by analytical techniques. In the present study, the antioxidant activities of honeys from different floral sources were investigated by electron spin resonance (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and H₂O₂/NaOH/DMSO scavenging systems), liquid chromatography with coulometric array detection (LC‐ED), and liquid chromatography with electrospray mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). The antioxidant activities of some unifloral honeys (acacia, Chinese milk vetch, buckwheat and manuka) were evaluated using the radical scavenging systems. It was shown that DPPH radical scavenging activity was significantly different among the honeys, with buckwheat and manuka honeys having significantly higher scavenging activity than acacia honey. In addition, only manuka honey had specific scavenging activity for superoxide anion radicals. The compound responsible for this activity in manuka honey was identified by LC‐ED and LC‐MS. Careful examination of the LC‐ED chromatographic patterns of manuka and other honey samples revealed a distinct peak in the chromatogram of manuka honey to be methyl syringate (MSYR). The radical scavenging activity of MSYR was specific for superoxide anion radicals, similar to the case of manuka honey. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antioxidant and melanogenesis‐inhibitory activities of collagen peptide from jellyfish (Rhopilema esculentum)

BACKGROUND: Jellyfish collagen was hydrolysed with trypsin and properase E, and jellyfish collagen peptide (JCP) was purified from the enzymatic hydrolysate using ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The antioxidant activity of JCP in a linoleic acid emulsion system, its superoxide anion‐ and hydroxyl radical‐scavenging activities and its copper‐chelating ability were evaluated in vitro. Initial investigations of JCP's ability to inhibit melanogenesis were carried out using cultured B16 melanoma cells. RESULTS: The molecular weight distribution of JCP was from 400 to 1200 Da. Amino acid analysis showed that JCP was rich in Gly, Pro, Ser, Ala, Glu and Asp and had a total hydrophobic amino acid content of 384.2 g kg^?1. JCP showed high antioxidant activity (IC₅₀147.8 µg mL^?1), superoxide anion‐scavenging activity (IC₅₀21.9 µg mL^?1), hydroxyl radical‐scavenging activity (IC₅₀16.7 µg mL^?1) and copper‐chelating ability (IC₅₀88.7 µg mL^?1) in vitro. It also significantly inhibited intracellular tyrosinase activity, decreased melanin content and enhanced glutathione synthesis (P < 0.05). Furthermore, JCP decreased intracellular cAMP levels and suppressed tyrosinase mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, JCP exerts anti‐melanogenic actions via its antioxidant properties and copper‐chelating ability. JCP could be used as a natural skin‐lightening agent in the medicine and food industries. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

橄榄酚类提取物的抗氧化性能

为进一步开发利用橄榄中的酚类物质,文中通过测定橄榄酚类提取物的铁离子还原能力、亚铁离子螯合能力,及对2,2'-氨基-二(3-乙基-苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸)自由基(ABTS+.)、1,1-二苯-2-苦基苯肼自由基(DPPH.)、羟基自由基(.OH)和超氧阴离子自由基(O2-.)的清除能力,以考察橄榄酚类提取物的体外抗氧化性能,并与食品抗氧化剂丁基羟基茴香醚(BHA)和Vc进行对比。结果表明:橄榄酚类提取物具有较好的体外抗氧化性能,其ABTS+.、DPPH.清除率分别高达99%和95%以上,.OH、O2-.清除率可达50%左右,铁离子还原力约1 700μmol/L Trolox,亚铁离子螯合率最高为14.9%。且提取物ABTS+.、DPPH.和.OH清除能力及铁离子还原能力均强于BHA和Vc,而O2-.清除能力强于BHA但弱于Vc。另外,橄榄酚类粗提物和纯化物相同浓度下的ABTS+.、DPPH.、.OH清除能力和铁离子还原能力相当(P>0.05),而其O2-.清除能力和亚铁离子螯合能力表现有所差异。     

凤头姜醇溶和水溶黄酮的抗氧化作用

比较凤头姜水溶和醇溶黄酮对超氧阴离子自由基、1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,DPPH)自由基、2’-联氨-双-3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸(2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid),ABTS)自由基的清除能力和总抗氧化能力(铁离子还原能力法),同时用VC和2,6-二叔丁基对甲酚(butylated hydroxytoluene,BHT)作对照。结果表明:在DPPH自由基清除能力测定中,水溶黄酮的抗氧化效果强于醇溶黄酮和BHT,但弱于VC,水溶和醇溶黄酮的半抑制浓度(half maximal inhibitory concentration,IC_(50))分别为585.75μg/m L和1 013.45μg/m L;在ABTS+·、超氧阴离子自由基清除能力和总抗氧化能力测定中,醇溶黄酮的抗氧化效果均强于水溶黄酮、VC和BHT,醇溶和水溶黄酮对ABTS+·的IC_(50)分别为21.90μg/m L和87.54μg/m L;在超氧阴离子自由基清除能力测定中,水溶和醇溶黄酮的IC_(50)分别为26.56μg/m L和22.29μg/m L;在铁离子还原能力测定中,水溶黄酮和醇溶黄酮的TEAC1 000分别为45.78μg/m L和36.42μg/m L。综合研究发现,凤头姜水溶黄酮和醇溶黄酮在不同抗氧化体系中的抗氧化效果存在差异。     

Evaluation of antioxidative performance of tomato extracts obtained by different methods

BACKGROUND: Two extraction methods employing tetrahydrofuran and phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) respectively were used to process tomatoes. The antioxidant contents and antioxidative properties of extracts of four tomato cultivars were measured. To evaluate the overall antioxidative capacity of the tomato extracts, an antioxidative performance index (API) was used, defined as the average of four antioxidative assays, i.e. relative reducing power, ferrous ion‐chelating ability, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl free radical‐scavenging activity and superoxide radical‐scavenging activity. RESULTS: A linear correlation between the total antioxidant content (TAC) and API of tomato extracts was found that was independent of the extraction method and tomato cultivar. CONCLUSION: The concept of representing multiple antioxidant activities by a single index is useful for evaluating the overall antioxidative capacity of antioxidants in tomatoes. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

厚朴多糖提取工艺及其体外抗氧化活性

通过Box-Behnken试验优化提取厚朴多糖的工艺;以超氧阴离子自由基、1,1-二苯基-二苦基肼（1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,DPPH）自由基和2,2’-连氮基-双-（3-乙基苯并噻唑-6-磺酸）（ABTS＋•）清除能力,Fe2＋螯合力、铁离子还原抗氧化力（ferric reducing antioxidant power,FRAP）为指标,探究厚朴多糖的体外抗氧化活性。结果表明,提取厚朴多糖的最佳工艺条件为pH 7.3、液固比32∶1（mL/g）、提取温度78 ℃、提取时间139 min,此条件下多糖提取率达3.35%～3.52%。体外抗氧化活性结果表明,厚朴多糖超氧阴离子自由基清除力为（18.72±2.12） μmol VC/mg,DPPH自由基清除能力达（0.59±0.05） μmol Trolox/mg,ABTS＋•清除能力为（0.57±0.04） μmol Trolox/mg,Fe2＋螯合力为（0.38±0.02） μmol EDTA/mg,FRAP值为（2.19±0.31） μmol Trolox/mg。