Comparative evaluation of the antioxidant potential of some Iranian medicinal plants

Medicinal plants are a source for a wide variety of natural antioxidants. In the study reported here, we have conducted a comparative study between five medicinal plants having the same geographic origin: the Hamadan region in the west of Iran and growing in the same natural conditions. The amount of total phenolics and total flavonoids for parts of these plants used in Iranian popular medicine were evaluated. Furthermore, antioxidant activities for these parts using vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity (VCEAC) test were also evaluated. The results show that the antioxidant activities varied greatly among the different plant parts used in this study and some plants are rich in natural antioxidants especially leaves of Lavandula officinalis and of Melissa officinalis. A positive correlation between total phenolic or flavonoid contents and VCEAC was found with a correlation coefficient of R² = 0.961 and R² = 0.817, respectively. These findings show that phenolics in these plants provide substantial antioxidant activity.     

Heredity and experience: Their relative importance in the development of taste preference in man.

Heritability estimates for sucrose, lactose, and sodium chloride taste preferences were uniformly low in a total of 311 pairs of monozygotic and like-sex dizygotic twins between 9 and 15 yrs of age. Black Ss preferred more concentrated solutions of all 3 tastants than did Caucasian Ss. This effect was independent of socioeconomic status in the total sample. Males preferred more concentrated solutions of sucrose and lactose than did females, but there were no sex differences in sodium chloride preference. The possibility that early intake experiences may play a role in the determination of enduring taste preferences in humans is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nanoliposomes and Nanoemulsions Based on Chia Seed Lipids: Preparation and Characterization

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are important in reducing the risk for cardiovascular, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds contain high levels of omega-3 PUFA, α-linolenic acid (ALA) in particular, and are a potential source for development of omega-3 PUFA-based products. Our objective was to obtain and characterize chia seed lipids, focusing on phospholipid fraction, and to investigate their use in the formulation of nanoemulsions (NE) and nanoliposomes (NL). Solvent-based lipid extraction was performed on the ORURO variety of chia seeds, followed by lipid composition analysis using GC and LC-MS and physico-chemical characterization of chia NL and NE. Folch extraction led to a slightly higher yield of ALA as compared to Soxhlet extraction. Lipid, phospholipid, and fatty acid composition analysis of the oil and residue revealed that the residue was rich in phospholipids; these were used to prepare NE and NL. Physico-chemical characterization showed that NE and NL were generally spherical (transmission electron microscopy), with a size of <120 nm under hydrated conditions that remained stable over 5 days. In conclusion, chia oil and phospholipid-rich residue can be used to obtain stable NL or NE using a simple method that involves spontaneous emulsification during lipid hydration, which potentially may be useful in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and other health applications.     

Taste in acceptance of sugars by human infants.

Offered 96 male and 96 female 23-84 hr old infants water and a solution of glucose, fructose, lactose, or sucrose for 3-min periods. Volumes ingested were measured. Ss discriminated between water and a solution of sugar, demonstrating a distinct preference for the latter. The effectiveness of sugars in evoking ingestion varied with both the compound and the solution concentration. (15 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Long-term effects of early diazepam exposure on social differentiation in adult male rats subjected to the diving-for-food situation.

The present study was designed to investigate the consequences of a chronic diazepam (DZ) exposure (10 mg/kg/day) during the first 3 wks of life on social behavior of adult male rats measured in a situation of restricted access to food, the diving-for-food model. The treatment had no long-term effects on the acquisition of social roles related to feeding. However, DZ-exposed rats were less efficient than controls in carrying food from the feeder to the cage during the first session but were able to adapt and improve their performances during the second one. In the home cage, DZ-exposed rats were mom aggressive toward conspecifics than controls and compensated for their deficit of food by stealing it from the others. These results suggest that an early DZ exposure has long-term consequences on social behavior of rats, possibly reflecting a reduction of the level of emotionality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Use of Active Salmon-Lecithin Nanoliposomes to Increase Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Bioavailability in Cortical Neurons and Mice

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) play an important role in the development, maintenance, and function of the brain. Dietary supplementation of n-3 PUFAs in neurological diseases has been a subject of particular interest in preventing cognitive deficits, and particularly in age-related neurodegeneration. Developing strategies for the efficient delivery of these lipids to the brain has presented a challenge in recent years. We recently reported the preparation of n-3 PUFA-rich nanoliposomes (NLs) from salmon lecithin, and demonstrated their neurotrophic effects in rat embryo cortical neurons. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of these NLs to deliver PUFAs in cellulo and in vivo (in mice). NLs were prepared using salmon lecithin rich in n-3 PUFAs (29.13%), and characterized with an average size of 107.90 ± 0.35 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.25 ± 0.01, and a negative particle-surface electrical charge (−50.4 ± 0.2 mV). Incubation of rat embryo cortical neurons with NLs led to a significant increase in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (51.5%, p < 0.01), as well as palmitic acid, and a small decrease in oleic acid after 72 h (12.2%, p < 0.05). Twenty mice on a standard diet received oral administration of NLs (12 mg/mouse/day; 5 days per week) for 8 weeks. Fatty acid profiles obtained via gas chromatography revealed significant increases in cortical levels of saturated, monounsaturated, and n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid,) and n-6 (docosapentaenoic acid and arachidonic acid) PUFAs. This was not the case for the hippocampus or in the liver. There were no effects on plasma lipid levels, and daily monitoring confirmed NL biocompatibility. These results demonstrate that NLs can be used for delivery of PUFAs to the brain. This study opens new research possibilities in the development of preventive as well as therapeutic strategies for age-related neurodegeneration.     

Ingestive responses of human newborns to salty, sour, and bitter stimuli.

In 2 experiments a total of 204 16-90 hr old neonates were offered 2 fluids differing in taste for 3 min each. The volumes ingested were measured. Ss offered water and bitter and sour solutions did not ingest them differentially, which corroborated earlier observations with weaker solutions. A sucrose solution was used to raise baseline ingestion above that of water. Ss offered the sucrose solution with and without urea, citric acid, or sodium chloride consumed less of it when citric acid was added. They were indifferent to the addition of urea or sodium chloride. The failure to observe intakes lower than that of water suggests that newborns maximally inhibit their ingestion of water. The effect of sex, age, birth weight, and individual consistency on intake were assessed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)