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The leaves of Ilex paraguariensis (known as Yerba mate), used as a popular beverage, are a very well-recognized plant material with various biological activities, including analeptic (because of caffeine), anti-obesity (phenolics, saponins), antimicrobial, and antiviral (phenolics, saponins). Here, the chemical compositions of the leaves of two European Ilex species (× meserveae and aquifolium) with three varieties each were investigated. The terpenoid, saponin, and polyphenolic fractions were submitted for LC-MS or GC-MS analysis against a standard Mate leaf. In addition, the aroma profiles of all the species were analysed using HS-SPME-Arrow prior to GC-MS analysis. All fractions were subjected to antiviral and cytotoxic assays. We found 86 compounds in all accessions, with limonene, linalool, and p-cymene being predominant. There were minor similarities between the volatile compositions of the European and South American species. We found ursolic and oleanolic acid to be the main compounds in the terpenoid fraction. Mono-caffeoylquinic acids and di-caffeoylquinic acids were the main constituents of the polar fractions. About 180 compounds from the saponin group were tentatively identified, of which 9 and 3 were selected as distinctive markers for I. meserveae and I. aquifolium, respectively. Based on chemical screening, I. aquifolium Silver Queen was chosen as the source of terpenoid and saponin fractions and polyphenol extracts. The most substantial inhibition of cancer cell growth was observed with saponin in the case of the MCF7 (human breast cancer) cell line, while for LoVo and L929 cell lines (human colorectal cancer and reference mouse fibroblasts), it was slightly weaker. These results should be analysed further as a promising chemoprevention of colorectal and gastrointestinal cancers. Saponin and polyphenolic extracts exhibited similar activities against HSV-1 and HAdV-5, with 4-log reduction in virus titres. This study focuses our attention on a field of potential antiviral formulations derived from European holly.

The aim of the study was to produce new elastomeric materials containing butyl rubber (IIR) filled with silica and phyllosilicates (vermiculite, montmorillonite, perlite or halloysite tubes) with enhanced hydrophobicity and barrier properties and reduced chemical degradation. It was found that the filler type had a significant impact on the degree of cross-linking of butyl rubber and the properties of its vulcanizates. The highest degree of cross-linking and the highest mechanical strength were achieved for IIR composites filled with Arsil with perlite or halloysite tubes. The highest surface hydrophobicity (119°) was confirmed for the IIR vulcanizates with Arsil and montmorillonite. All tested samples showed high barrier properties because both the gas diffusion rate coefficient and the permeability coefficient reached low values. Both unfilled and filled IIR vulcanizates retained chemical resistance in contact with methanol for 480 min. Hour-long contact of a polar solvent (methanol) with each of the vulcanizates did not cause material degradation, while the presence of a non-polar solvent (n-heptane) worsened the mechanical parameters by up to 80%. However, the presence of fillers reduced the chemical degradation of vulcanizates (in the case of cured IIR filled with Arsil and halloysite tubes by 40% compared to the composite without fillers).

Buds of poplar trees (Populus species) are often covered with sticky, usually polyphenol-rich, exudates. Moreover, accessible data showed that some Populus bud extracts may be excellent antibacterial agents, especially against Gram-positive bacteria. Due to the fragmentary nature of the data found, we conducted a systematic screening study. The antimicrobial activity of two extract types (semi-polar—ethanolic and polar—ethanolic-water (50/50; V/V)) from 27 bud samples of different poplar taxons were compared. Antimicrobial assays were performed against Gram-positive (five strains) and Gram-negative (six strains) bacteria as well as fungi (three strains) and covered the determination of minimal inhibitory, bactericidal, and fungicidal concentrations. The composition of extracts was later investigated by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detection (UHPLC-DAD) and with electrospray-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS). As a result, most of the extracts exhibited good (MIC ≤ 62.5 µg/mL) or moderate (62.5 < MIC ≤ 500 µg/mL) activity against Gram-positives and Helicobacter pylori, as well as fungi. The most active were ethanolic extracts from P. trichocarpa, P. trichocarpa clone ‘Robusta’, and P. tacamahaca × P. trichocarpa. The strongest activity was observed for P. tacamahaca × P. trichocarpa. Antibacterial activity was supposedly connected with the abundant presence of flavonoids (pinobanksin, pinobanksin 3-acetate, chrysin, pinocembrin, galangin, isosakuranetin dihydrochalcone, pinocembrin dihydrochalcone, and 2′,6′-dihydroxy-4′-methoxydihydrochalcone), hydroxycinnamic acids monoesters (p-methoxycinnamic acid cinnamyl ester, caffeic acid phenethylate and different isomers of prenyl esters), and some minor components (balsacones).

The leaves of Ilex paraguariensis (known as Yerba mate), used as a popular beverage, are a very well-recognized plant material with various biological activities, including analeptic (because of caffeine), anti-obesity (phenolics, saponins), antimicrobial, and antiviral (phenolics, saponins). Here, the chemical compositions of the leaves of two European Ilex species (× meserveae and aquifolium) with three varieties each were investigated. The terpenoid, saponin, and polyphenolic fractions were submitted for LC-MS or GC-MS analysis against a standard Mate leaf. In addition, the aroma profiles of all the species were analysed using HS-SPME-Arrow prior to GC-MS analysis. All fractions were subjected to antiviral and cytotoxic assays. We found 86 compounds in all accessions, with limonene, linalool, and p-cymene being predominant. There were minor similarities between the volatile compositions of the European and South American species. We found ursolic and oleanolic acid to be the main compounds in the terpenoid fraction. Mono-caffeoylquinic acids and di-caffeoylquinic acids were the main constituents of the polar fractions. About 180 compounds from the saponin group were tentatively identified, of which 9 and 3 were selected as distinctive markers for I. meserveae and I. aquifolium, respectively. Based on chemical screening, I. aquifolium Silver Queen was chosen as the source of terpenoid and saponin fractions and polyphenol extracts. The most substantial inhibition of cancer cell growth was observed with saponin in the case of the MCF7 (human breast cancer) cell line, while for LoVo and L929 cell lines (human colorectal cancer and reference mouse fibroblasts), it was slightly weaker. These results should be analysed further as a promising chemoprevention of colorectal and gastrointestinal cancers. Saponin and polyphenolic extracts exhibited similar activities against HSV-1 and HAdV-5, with 4-log reduction in virus titres. This study focuses our attention on a field of potential antiviral formulations derived from European holly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted on selected physicochemical properties of blackberry jelly-like desserts (kissel) prepared from physically modified starches (with various degrees of inhibition) and chemically modified starches (with various degrees of cross-linking). The desserts were conventionally sweetened with saccharose (S) or, as a dietary alternative, xylitol (X). The characteristics of changes in the viscosity of the kissels as a function of temperature and time were determined. It was noted that regardless of the sweetener used, the viscosity of the kissels increased with the decreasing degree of inhibition (high < medium < low). Regardless of the kind of modification of the starch used for the preparation of the kissels and of the kind of sweetener, thixotropy was observed. Desserts prepared from inhibited starch with xylitol (CL + X) were characterised by the biggest range of their hysteresis loop. Progressing retrogradation was noted with the decrease in the temperature of the experiment (+20 °C and +4 °C). After 7 days of storage, kissels sweetened with saccharose were characterised by a low transparency, which may indicate retarded retrogradation; however, on day 28, the transparency significantly increased, exceeding the values of transmittance for samples sweetened with xylitol. The tendency towards syneresis was tested at +4 °C and −22 °C. The substitution of saccharose with xylitol only caused a slight modification of viscosity. Regardless of the sweetener used and of the level of starch inhibition, lower ranges of the hysteresis loop were noted (apart from CL + X) than in the case of kissels obtained from chemically modified starches. Distinctly lower values of kissel “aging” indices were noted in the case of samples obtained from inhibited starches, and their colour did not significantly differ in relation to the dessert prepared from native starch.

The objective of the study was to develop a new method for the determination of the total content of vitamin C and dehydroascorbic acid in food, based on the technique of differential pulse voltammetry with the use of a boron-doped diamond electrode modified with mercury film. A comparison was made between the results obtained with the developed method and a proposed reference method based on high-performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection. The reduction of dehydroascorbic acid was performed with the use of tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine. The interference caused by the presence of tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine during the voltammetric determination of ascorbic acid was effectively eliminated through a reaction with N-ethylmaleimide. The conducted validation of the voltammetric method indicated that correct results of analysis of the total content of vitamin C and ascorbic acid were obtained. Analysis of the content of dehydroascorbic acid was imprecise due to the application of the differential method. The results of the analyses and the determined validation parameters of the developed method are characterised by a high degree of conformance with the results obtained with the chromatographic reference method, which indicates the equivalence of the two methods.

The agriculture sector faces numerous problems. One of the beforementioned problems relates to the proper crop plants’ fertilization. The conventional bulk fertilizers are becoming less effective and have a negative impact on the environment. Nanomaterials such as zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are widely used in various sectors such as medicine or electronics. Several studies indicate that nano-ZnO may likewise be considered as a potential nanofertilizer. In present research, an attempt was made to study the influence of two different sized ZnO NPs (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivars. The seeds of three cherry tomato cultivars were placed on a Petri dish with the NPs suspensions (0, 50, 150, and 250 mg/L) in order to examine the influence on germination parameters at a certain size of NPs and at a chosen concentration. In addition, within this study, we verified that the implicated conditions have the exact impact on all three cultivars. The obtained results indicate that all the factors affect the seed sprouting, however, this process mainly depends on the type of tomato cultivar and the size of the used nanoparticles. The parameter of the germination percentage (GP) was the only of the assumed factors that did not influence it significantly. Nevertheless, the values of other examined parameters such as the MGT, GRI, CVG, or VI depend strongly on all assumed features including the type of chosen cultivar. The obtained results vary significantly between all cultivars which indicates that the plants from the same family may require different conditions for optimal growth. In this research the

Strawberry leaves are considered a valuable waste material; so far, mainly due to their antioxidant properties. Since the annual production of this crop is high, our study aimed to thoroughly examine the chemical composition and antidiabetes-related bioactivity of Fragaria × ananassa leaf of its popular and productive cultivar Senga Sengana. Leaves from three different seasons, collected after fruiting, were extensively analyzed (UHPLC-qTOF-MS/MS, HPLC-DAD). Some individual components were isolated and quantified, including specific flavonol diglycosides (e.g., 3-O-[β-xylosyl(1‴→2″)]-β-glucuronosides). The separated quercetin glycosides were tested in an antiglycation assay, and their methylglyoxal uptake capacity was measured. In addition, the biodegradable polyester precursor 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) was confirmed at relatively high levels, providing further opportunity for strawberry leaf utilization. We want to bring to the attention of the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries the Senga Sengana strawberry leaf as a new botanical raw material. It is rich in PDC, ellagitannins, and flavonols—potent glycation inhibitors.

Poplar bark and leaves can be an attractive source of salicylates and other biologically active compounds used in medicine. However, the biochemical variability of poplar material requires a standardization prior to processing. The official analytical protocols used in the pharmaceutical industry rely on the extraction of active compounds, which makes their determination long and costly. An analysis of plant materials in their native state can be performed using vibrational spectroscopy. This paper presents for the first time a comparison of diffuse reflectance in the near- and mid-infrared regions, attenuated total reflection, and Raman spectroscopy used for the simultaneous determination of salicylates and flavonoids in poplar bark and leaves. Based on 185 spectra of various poplar species and hybrid powdered samples, partial least squares regression models, characterized by the relative standard errors of prediction in the 4.5–9.9% range for both calibration and validation sets, were developed. These models allow for fast and precise quantification of the studied active compounds in poplar bark and leaves without any chemical sample treatment.

Ilex paraguariensis, the holly tree, is a plant with recognized biological properties, whose aqueous infusions are known as “Yerba mate”, that regulate lipid metabolism, reduce obesity, and improve brain stimulation. In the present study, the effect of standardized saponin and terpenoid fractions of a European taxon, Ilex aquifolium, on blood biochemical parameters in a rat model of metabolic disorder, (fa/fa) Zucker, are presented. The profiles of the volatile fractions of two species and six European varieties of Ilex were investigated. After selecting the best variety, the saponin and terpenoid fractions were isolated and standardized, and animals were fed 10 mg kg−1 b.w. for 8 weeks. A statistically significant decrease in liver adiposity was observed, confirmed by histology and quantitative identification (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses of hepatic lipids. RT-qPCR analysis of gene expression in the aorta revealed that the administration of the terpenoid fraction downregulated LOX-1, suggesting a reduction in atherosclerotic stimuli. In addition, a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) in PPARγ for the saponin fraction was observed in the liver. The expression of the ACAT-1 gene in the liver, responsible for the formation of cholesterol esters, increased significantly in the group receiving the terpenoid fraction compared to the control, which was also confirmed by the analysis of individual blood biochemical parameters. The opposite effect was observed for saponins. Taking the above into account, it is shown for the first time that Ilex aquifolium can be a source of compounds that positively influence lipid metabolism.

Plants from the Ilex genus are known for properties such as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity, can act as antiobesity agents and thus can be helpful in medicine. Some holly species, such as Ilex paraguariensis (widely known in the form of popular beverage: yerba mate), have been investigated, while others have been partially researched or remain unknown. Therefore, we performed qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses and screened antimicrobial properties of lesser-studied species (I. aquifolium L., I. aquifolium ‘Argentea Marginata’ and I. × meserveae ‘Blue Angel’). I. paraguariensis was used as a standard species for comparison purposes. Investigations were performed on water extracts due to their expected activity and composition. Antimicrobial research included evaluating minimal inhibitory, bactericidal (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and fungicidal concentration (Candida albicans, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, and Aspergillus niger) of extracts. The influence of the extracts on the production, eradication, and viability of bacterial biofilms was also analysed. It was established that Ilex paraguariensis possesses the richest profile of hydroxycinnamic acids derivatives in terms of component concentration and diversity. Ilex spp., especially I. × meserveae, contain a slightly higher amount of flavonoids and more different flavonoid derivatives than I. paraguariensis. However, the strongest antibacterial activity was shown by I. aquifolium L. and its cultivar ‘Argentea Marginata’ in terms of minimal inhibitory, bactericidal and fungicidal concentration, and biofilm assays. Extracts from both species significantly reduced the biofilm viability of S. aureus as well, which may be of use in the production of multicomponent lavaseptics, antiseptics, diuretics (supporting urinary tract infection therapy) and, due to their action on fungi, additives to growth media for specific fungi. The significant content of saponins enables Ilex extracts to be used as natural emulsifiers, for example, in cosmetics. Moreover, relatively high chlorogenic acid and rutin content may suggest use of Ilex spp. to treat obesity, digestive problems, in chemoprevention, and as preservatives in the food industry.

The resolution of racemic 1-phenylphosphin-2-en-4-one 1-oxide (2), was achieved through the fractional crystallization of its diastereomeric complexes with (4R,5R)-(−)-2,2-dimethyl -α,α,α′,α′-tetraphenyl-dioxolan-4,5-dimethanol (R,R-TADDOL) followed by the liberation of the individual enantiomers of 2 by flash chromatography on silica gel columns. The resolution process furnished the two enantiomers of 2 of 99.1 and 99.9% e.e. at isolated yields of 62 and 59% (counted for the single enantiomer), respectively. The absolute configurations of the two enantiomers were established by means of X-ray crystallography of their diastereomerically pure complexes, i.e., (R)-2•R,R)-TADDOL and (S)-2•(R,R)-TADDOL. The structural analysis revealed that in the (R)-2•(R,R)-TADDOL complex, the P-phenyl substituent occupied a pseudoequatorial position, whereas in (S)-2•(R,R)-TADDOL, it appeared in both the pseudoequatorial and the pseudoaxial positions in four symmetrically independent molecules. Concurrent conformational changes of the TADDOL molecules were best described by the observed changes of a pseudo-torsional CO...OC angle that could be considered as a possible measure of TADDOL conformation in its receptor–ligand complexes. The structural analysis of the (R,R)-TADDOL molecule revealed that efficiency of this compound for use as an effective resolving factor comes from its ability to flexibly fit its structure to both enantiomers of a ligand molecule, producing a rare case of resolution for both pure enantiomers with one chiral separating agent. The resolved (R)-2 was used to assign the absolute configuration of a recently described (−)-1-phenylphosphin-2-en-4-one 1-sulfide by chemical correlation. In addition, an attempted stereoretentive reduction of (R)-2 by PhSiH3 at 60 °C revealed an unexpectedly low barrier for P-inversion in 1-phenylphosphin-2-en-4-one.

The analysis of total vitamin C content in food is most frequently performed by reducing dehydroascorbic acid to ascorbic acid, which is then assayed with the technique of high-performance liquid chromatography combined with spectrophotometric detection. Tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine is currently the only agent in use that efficiently reduces dehydroascorbic acid at pH < 2. Therefore, there is a continued need to search for new reducing agents that will display a high reactivity and stability in acidic solutions. The objective of the study was to verify the applicability of unithiol and tris(hydroxypropyl)phosphine for a reducing dehydroascorbic acid in an extraction medium with pH < 2. The conducted validation of the newly developed method of determining the total content of vitamin C using tris(hydroxypropyl)phosphine indicates its applicability for food analysis. The method allows obtaining equivalent results compared to the method based on the use of tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine. The low efficiency of dehydroascorbic acid reduction with the use of unithiol does not allow its application as a new reducing agent in vitamin C analysis.

The most popular method for the calculation of specific surface area is its determination from water vapour sorption isotherms. The study presented here has been designed for the purpose of optimisation and selection of the conditions of drying so as to allow the determination of specific surface area from plotted curves of the drying process. The results indicate that drying curves can be used as the basis for the determination of specific surface area, the values of which do not differ statistically significantly (α = 0.05) from those determined from isotherms of water vapour sorption (adsorption/desorption).

Wound healing poses a serious therapeutic problem. Methods which accelerate tissue regeneration and minimize or eliminate complications are constantly being sought. This paper is aimed at evaluation of the potential use of biodegradable polymer nonwovens releasing propolis as wound healing dressings, based on the literature data. Propolis is honeybee product with antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and regenerative properties. Controlled release of this substance throughout the healing should promote healing process, reduce the risk of wound infection, and improve aesthetic effect. The use of biodegradable aliphatic polyesters and polyester carbonates as a propolis carrier eliminates the problem of local drug administration and dressing changes. Well-known degradation processes and kinetics of the active substance release allows the selection of the material composition appropriate to the therapy. The electrospinning method allows the production of nonwovens that protect the wound against mechanical damage. Moreover, this processing technique enables adjusting product properties by modifying the production parameters. It can be concluded that biodegradable polymer dressings, releasing a propolis, may find potential application in the treatment of complicated wounds, as they may increase the effectiveness of treatment, as well as improve the patient’s life quality.

Steady-state emission spectroscopy of 1-anilino-8- naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), fluorescence anisotropy, and DSC methods were used to characterize the interactions of the newly synthesized 1-carba-alpha-tocopherol (CT) with a 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) membrane. The DSC results showed significant perturbations in the DPPC structure for CT concentrations as low as 2 mol%. The main phase transition peak was broadened and shifted to lower temperatures in a concentration-dependent manner, and pretransition was abolished. Increasing CT concentrations induced the formation of new phases in the DPPC structure, leading to melting at lower temperatures and, finally, disruption of the ordered DPPC structure. Hydration and structural changes of the DPPC liposomes using ANS and DPH fluorescent probes, which are selectively located at different places in the bilayer, were studied. With the increased concentration of CT molecules in the DPPC liposomes, structural changes with the simultaneous formation of different phases of such mixture were observed. Temperature studies of such mixtures revealed a decrease in the temperature of the main phase transition and fluidization at decreasing temperatures related to increasing hydration in the bilayer. Contour plots obtained from concentration–temperature data with fluorescent probes allowed for identification of different phases, such as gel, ordered liquid, disordered liquid, and liquid crystalline phases. The CT molecule with a modified chromanol ring embedded in the bilayer led to H-bonding interactions, expelling water molecules from the interphase, thus introducing disorder and structural changes to the highly ordered gel phase.

Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), colorimetry, and bioassays were employed for the evaluation of the ability of endophytic bacterial strains to synthesize indole-related compounds (IRCs) and in particular indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). A total of 54 endophytic strains belonging to seven bacterial genera isolated from tissues of common and spelt wheat cultivars were studied. The endophytic bacteria isolated from different tissues of the tested wheat types were capable of IRCs production, including IAA, which constituted from 1.75% to 52.68% of all IRCs, in in vitro conditions via the tryptophan dependent pathway. The selected post-culture medium was also examined using a plant bioassay. Substantial growth of wheat coleoptile segments treated with the bacterial post-culture medium was observed in several cases. Our data suggest that the studied endophytic bacteria produce auxin-type compounds to support plant development. Summarizing, our approach to use three complementary methods for estimation of IRCs in different endophytic strains provides a comprehensive picture of their effect on wheat growth.

Worldwide, mushrooms belonging to the Pleurotus spp. such as P. citrinopileatus, P. djamor, and P. pulmonarius are highly valued not only for their taste and aroma but also for their health-promoting properties. These species are rich in bioelements, vitamins, and above all, compounds that exhibit immunostimulatory activity. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine the effect of the supplementation of culture media using inorganic Mg and Zn salts. This is the first study to establish the bioavailability of the selected elements (Mg and Zn) and anions (Cl−, SO42−) from the enriched biomass by means of the extraction of lyophilized mycelium into artificial digestive juices. The following salts were added to the liquid Oddoux medium: ZnSO4·7H2O, ZnCl2, MgSO4·7H2O or MgCl2·6H2O. The bioelements, anions and organic compounds in the obtained biomass were determined. The addition of Zn and Mg salts to the media increased the production of biomass by 30% and increased the bioaccumulation of the inorganic salts. Maintaining in vitro cultures under optimized and controlled conditions produced mycelium with a better composition and health properties than otherwise. Such enriched biomass may be classified as potential functional foods, aiding in overcoming deficiencies of elements and organic compounds with biological activity in humans.

Pleurotus eryngii (DC:Fr.) Quel. is a cultivated mushroom of high culinary value and medicinal properties. Mycelium of P. eryngii is characterized by the ability of effective bio-elements absorption from growth media so it could be biofortified with trace elements with a functional activity in the human body. In this study, the ability of P. eryngii mycelia from in vitro cultures as well as fruiting bodies were investigated in terms of their effectiveness in zinc and selenium accumulation. The effect of Se and Zn biofortification on productivity, chemical compounds, and bio-elements content of P. eryngii was determined as well. To enhance Se and Zn content in P. eryngii fruiting bodies and mycelia, substrates were supplemented with sodium selenite, at a concentration of 50 mg L−1, zinc sulfate, and zinc hydro-aspartate at a concentration of 87.2 and 100.0 mg L−1, respectively. Mentioned Zn concentrations contained the same amount of zinc(II) ions, namely 20 mg L−1. The content of organic compounds include phenolic compounds and lovastatin, which were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) and reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method with UV detection. The ability of P. eryngii to accumulate zinc and selenium from the culture medium was demonstrated. The degree of accumulation of zinc turned out to be different depending on the type of salt used. The present study also showed that conducting mycelium of P. eryngii in in vitro culture, with a higher content of zinc ions, can result in obtaining the materials with better antioxidant ability. The results of this study can be used to develop the composition of growing media, which ensures the production of biomass with the desired composition of elements.

The pharmacological activity of peppermint leaf (Menthae piperitae folium) for medical use is mainly attributed to the presence of essential oil, which, according to the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), should constitute not less than 12 mL/kg of raw material. The content of polyphenols in peppermint-based preparations, except peppermint leaf dry extract, has not yet been considered as an essential parameter in the pharmacopeial assessment of peppermint quality. This study concerns the evaluation of the presence of representatives of polyphenolic compounds in 23 commercial peppermint tinctures (ethanolic extracts) purchased in pharmacies in Poland. The non-volatile polyphenolic fraction was investigated, and the presence of flavonoids and phenolic acids was quantified. High performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) and an electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (U(H)PLC-ESI-MS) were used in the experiment. The study showed that eriocitrin, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, and rosmarinic acid were the main polyphenolic components of the peppermint tinctures, as previously reported for peppermint leaf. Despite this, the research shows the extremely diverse content of the mentioned compounds in analyzed commercial medicinal products. In light of these results, it seems that the pharmacopeial assessment for the peppermint leaf (Ph. Eur.) and peppermint tincture (Polish Pharmacopoeia (FP)) requires correction and supplementation.

The phytochemistry of the genera Androsace, Cortusa, Soldanella, and Vitaliana, belonging to the Primulaceae family is not well studied so far. Hence, in this paper, we present the results of UHPLC-MS/MS analysis of several primrose family members as well as isolation and structure determination of two new saponins from Vitaliana primuliflora subsp. praetutiana. These two nor-triterpenoid saponins were characterized as (23S)-17α,23-epoxy-29-hydroxy-3β-[(O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-27-nor-lanost-8-en-25-one and (23S)-17α,23-epoxy-29-hydroxy-3β-[(O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-27-nor-lanost-8-en-25-one, respectively. Their structures were determined by high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1D-, and 2D-NMR) analyses. So far, the 27-nor-lanostane monodesmosides were rarely found in dicotyledon plants. Therefore their presence in Vitaliana and also in Androsace species belonging to the Aretia section is unique and reported here for the first time. Additionally, eleven other saponins were determined by HRMS and MS/MS spectra. The isolated lanostane saponins can be considered as chemotaxonomic markers of the family Primulaceae.

A protocol for C. japonica micropropagation with a confirmation of genome size stability of the in vitro-propagated plantlets was developed. The highest number of shoots multiplied in vitro was obtained on Murashige & Skoog medium (MS) with 1.0 mg L−1 N6-benzyladenine plus 1.0 mg L−1 indole-3-acetic acid. The highest number of roots was observed for the shoots on MS with 15 g L−1 sucrose plus 1.0 mg L−1 indole-3-acetic acid. The acclimatization rate was significantly high. The qualitative HPLC analyses confirmed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids in the extracts. The extracts from both shoot cultures and the leaves from field-grown plants revealed antioxidant activity and they exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity. The conducted research confirmed the regeneration potential of genetically-stable plants of C. japonica under in vitro conditions, the ability of the plantlets to produce polyphenols as those present in field-grown plants, as well as their antioxidant potential.

The effect of the well-characterized callus extract of Chaenomeles japonica on viability, morphology, and proliferation of normal human skin fibroblasts was investigated. The phytochemical analysis was performed using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography method. The total phenolic, phenolic acid, and flavonoid contents were determined spectrophotometrically. The antioxidant activity was investigated using the DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl Radical Scavenging), FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), and CUPRAC (CUPric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity) assays. The callus growth index during passages was high as well as the content of pentacyclic triterpenoids. The microscopic observations of the fibroblast viability, morphology and the evaluation of the proliferation ratio (xCELLigence system) proved that the influence of callus extract on the fibroblasts was dose-dependent. The evaluated level of fibroblasts proliferation rate after 72 h of incubation with callus extract at concentration 12.5 µg L−1 was the highest compared to all the analyzed ligands. Moreover, callus extract administrated for 72 h caused a significant increase in the proliferation rate in comparison with the control group (5.7 ± 0.1 vs. 4.4 ± 0.9; p < 0.01). The preliminary studies carried out may suggest that the callus extract rich in triterpenoids may be a potential source of cosmetic ingredients with a beneficial effect on human skin.