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Macrophages play a crucial role in aiding all phases of the wound‐healing process and has garnered increasing attention recently. Although a substantial body of related studies has been published, there remains a lack of comprehensive bibliometric analysis. In this study, we collected 4296 papers from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Three tools including CiteSpace, VOSviewer and one online analytical platform were employed to conduct bibliometric analysis and data visualization. Our results revealed that the annual number of publications related to macrophage and wound healing has increased exponentially with the year. The United States and China stand as the primary driving forces within this field, collectively constituting 58.2% of the total publication output. The application of biomaterials was one of the most concerned research areas in this field. According to references analysis, the current research focus has shifted to diabetic wound healing and regulating macrophage polarization. Based on the keywords analysis, we identified the following research frontiers in the future: exosomes and other extracellular vesicles; bio‐derived materials and drug delivery methods such as nanoparticles, scaffolds and hydrogels; immunomodulation and macrophage polarization in the M2‐state; chronic wounds, particularly those associated with diabetes; antimicrobial peptides; and antioxidant. Additionally, TNF, IL‐6, IL‐10, TGF‐β1 and VEGF ranked as the five genes that have garnered the most research attention in the intersection of macrophage and wound healing. All in all, our findings offered researchers a holistic view of the ongoing progress in the field of macrophages and wound healing, serving as a valuable reference for scholars and policymakers in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, evidence of aromatic amine antioxidants (AAs) existence in the dust of the electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling area has been exposed. However, there are limited studies investigating occupational exposure and toxicity associated with AAs and their transformation products (p-phenylenediamines-quinones, i.e., PPD-Qs). In this study, 115 dust and 42 hand wipe samples collected from an e-waste recycling industrial park in central China were analyzed for 19 AAs and 6 PPD-Qs. Notably, the median concentration of ∑ 6 PPD-Qs (1,110 ng/g and 1,970 ng/m 2 ) was significantly higher (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U test) than that of ∑ 6 PPDs (147 ng/g and 34.0 ng/m 2 ) in dust and hand wipes. Among the detected analytes, 4-phenylaminodiphenylamine quinone (DPPD-Q) (median: 781 ng/g) and 1,4-Bis(2-naphthylamino) benzene quinone (DNPD-Q) (median: 156 ng/g), were particularly prominent, which were first detected in the e-waste dismantling area. Occupational exposure assessments and nuclear receptor interference ability, conducted through estimated daily intake (EDI) and molecular docking analysis, respectively, indicated significant occupational exposure to PPD-Qs and suggested prioritized Liver X receptors (LXRs) disruption potential of PPDs and PPD-Qs. The study provides the first evidence of considerable levels of AAs and PPD-Qs in the e-waste-related hand wipe samples and underscores the importance of assessing occupational exposure and associated toxicity effects., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Amino accelerators and antioxidants (AAL/Os) have become a suite of contaminants of emerging concern recently due to the accumulating evidence for their environmental occurrence and associated toxic potential. Nevertheless, data on sedimentary deposition of AAL/Os has remained scarce, particularly for regions beyond the North America. In the present study, we elucidated spatial distribution of fifteen AAL/Os and five AAO transformation products (AAOTPs) in seventy-seven sediments from the Dong Nai River System (DNRS), Vietnam. Total concentrations of AAL/Os (∑AAL/Os) ranged from 0.377 to 51.4 ng/g (median: 5.01 ng/g). 1,3-Diphenylguanidine and 4,4'-bis(1,1-dimethylbenzyl) diphenylamine were the two most prevalent congeners, both with detection frequencies >80%. Additionally, AAOTPs were quantifiable in 79% of the DNRS sediments with a median ∑AAOTPs at 2.19 ng/g, dominated by N, N'-diphenylbenzidine and 2-nitrodiphenylamine. Higher sediment-associated levels of AAL/Os and AAOTPs were spotted in downstream and the primary tributary of the DNRS compared to the upstream, implying their cumulative sedimentation towards the estuarine region. The distribution patterns of AAL/Os and AAOTPs across individual transects also demonstrated the influence of human activities (e.g., urbanization and agriculture), hydrodynamics, and decontamination by mangrove reserves. Meanwhile, characteristics of sediments, i.e., total organic carbon (TOC) content and grain sizes, exhibited significant correlations with the burdens of these compounds, indicating their preferential partitioning into the fine and TOC-rich matter. This research sheds light on environmental behavior of AAL/Os and AAOTPs beneath Asian aquatic system, and highlights the need for further evaluation of their impacts on the wildlife and public health., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The present study investigated physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities in vivo and in vitro of purified compound polysaccharides (CPs-1) from Chinese herbal medicines, composed of lotus leaf, hawthorn, Fagopyrum tataricum, Lycium barbarum, Semen cassiae, and Poria cocos with the mass ratio of 2 : 4 : 2 : 1 : 1.5 : 1. The HPGPC profile and FT-IR spectra indicated that the average molecular weight of CPs-1 was 38.7 kDa and possessed the α - and β -D-pyranose, respectively. The methylation analysis and NMR spectrum demonstrated that CPs-1 had a →6)- β -D-Glcp-(1→6)- β -D-Glcp(1→ backbone. Furthermore, the antioxidant assays in vitro revealed that CPs-1 displayed high scavenging abilities for DPPH, hydroxyl, and reducing power, as well as ABTS and superoxide scavenging capacity. The antioxidant experiments in vivo revealed that CPs-1 could significantly enhance CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px activities and dramatically reduce MDA levels in liver and serum of high-fat mice. Therefore, CPs-1 could be potentially incorporated into pharmaceutical products or functional foods as a natural antioxidant., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Xu Yang et al.)

The bud of Vaccinium dunalianum Wight has been traditionally consumed as health herbal tea by "Yi" people in Yunnan Province, China, which was locally named "Que Zui tea". This paper studied the chemical constituents of five fractions from Vaccinium dunalianum , and their enzyme inhibitory effects of α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase, antioxidant activity, and cytoprotective effects on H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells. The methanol extract of V. dunalianum was successively partitioned with petroleum ether (PF), chloroform (CF), ethyl acetate (EF), n -butanol (BF), and aqueous (WF) to obtain five fractions. The chemical profiling of the five fractions was analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), and 18 compounds were tentatively identified. Compared to PF, CF, BF and WF, the EF revealed the highest total phenols (TPC) and total flavonoids (TFC), and displayed the strongest enzyme inhibition ability (α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP). Furthermore, these five fractions, especially EF, could effectively inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell apoptosis on H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative damage protection in HepG2 cells. This inhibitory effect might be caused by the up-regulation of intracellular antioxidant enzyme activity (CAT, SOD, and GSH). The flavonoids and phenolic acids of V. dunalianum might be the bioactive substances responsible for enzyme inhibitory, antioxidant, and cytoprotective activities.

Sinomenine (SIN), a natural product, has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China for thousands of years. SIN has been developed for the treatment of RA by way of tablets and injections, but both dosage forms have been associated with severe adverse reactions. Making SIN into liposomes-in-hydrogel biomaterials for external use has a good slow-release effect and can play an important role in avoiding the first-pass effect, gastrointestinal reaction, and increasing the local action time of drugs. SIN-loaded liposomes were formed by the thin-film dispersion method, then SIN-loaded liposomes-in-hydrogels were prepared by combining the SIN-L with hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels. In this paper, the basic characteristics, In vitro and Ex vivo release, and antioxidant activity of SIN-loaded liposomes-in-hydrogels were studied. The results showed that SIN-loaded liposomes-in-hydrogels have good sustained-release and antioxidant effects, and the preparation is expected to be a good biomaterial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited studies focus on the occurrence, removal rate and seasonal variation of substituted diphenylamine antioxidants (SDPAs) in surface water and wastewater in China. In this paper, the detection method of SDPAs was established by the ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Daily variations suggested that significant variations were found for the concentrations of some SDPAs in the influent. It was found that the SDPAs could be detected in all the effluent samples and C8/C8-DPA was the predominant compound in two WWTPs. The levels of most SDPAs in the effluent were much lower than that of influent, with the removal efficiencies of total SDPAs ranged from 57.9% to 84.2%. There were significant differences with the SDPA concentrations in the influent between different seasons. Higher concentrations of SDPAs were found at downstream than those of upstream. The results of this study provide more environmental occurrence data and new insights into the research on the environmental fate of these compounds., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Edible flowers are referred to the non-toxic flowers that can be consumed by human beings for their additional nutritional or medical properties. These flowers are rich source of natural antioxidants, thus exert specific positive health effects on chronic diseases and act as a potential function food. This research paper is focused on the determination of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), and antioxidant capacities of different kinds of edible flowers in China and compared systematically. Sixty-five flower samples were collected from parks in Guangzhou and also purchased from Qingping Market. TPC, TFC, and three anti-oxidative assays (DPPH free radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, and Ferric reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAP) assay) were conducted. Different flowers presented diverse range of antioxidant capacities, phenolic contents, and flavonoid contents. A high correlation between TPC and antioxidant activity (as accessed using three different methods) was reported. However, a low relationship was observed between TFC value and antioxidant capacities. This study revealed that five Rosa species exhibited strong antioxidant capacities among other samples, and these can be used as potential functional foods to counterbalance the effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hawthorn fruit (HF) is a well-known traditional medicine in China with the effects of improving digestion and regulating qi-flowing for removing blood stasis. Modern pharmacological experiments showed that HF extract has various pharmaceutical properties and flavonoids are considered as the main bioactive compounds. In this paper, Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography was used to enrich flavonoids in PHF, and the phytochemical composition of EPHF was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). In addition, EPHF's antioxidant capacity, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity and cytotoxic activity were evaluated. Methods: EPHF was obtained by Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography. Phytochemical composition of EPHF was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using HPLC and LC-MS. Radical scavenging capacity of EPHF was estimated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. The AChE inhibitory activity of EPHF was evaluated by Ellman method. Cytotoxic activity of EPHF was assessed by means of MTT assay. Results: Eight kinds of components were identified, in which ideain with the value of 179.4 mg/g was identified to be present in the highest level in EPHF, followed by (-)-epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, cyanidin 3-arabinoside, hyperoside and isoquercitrin at the concentrations of 40.9, 10.0, 1.4, 0.4 and 0.2 mg/g, respectively. The contents of these compounds in EPHF were much higher than those in PHF and HF. In addition, EPHF exhibited strong antioxidant and AChE inhibitory activity (ORAC value: 11.65 ± 2.37 µM Trolox equivalents (TE)/mg, DPPH IC50 value: 6.72 µg/mL, anti-AChE activity IC50 value: 11.72 µg/mL) compared with PHF and HF. Moreover, EPHF exhibited high levels of cytotoxicity on MCF-7 and SKOV-3 human tumour cell lines in a dose-dependent manner with the IC50 of 2.76 and 80.11 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: Macroporous resin is useful for the extraction and separation of the total flavonoids from PHF. The contents of flavonoids especially anthocyanin in EPHF were increased significantly compared with the PHF, and EPHF exhibited strong antioxidant, AChE inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity on human tumour cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More and more saffron has been cultivated in China because of the increasing saffron demand, but no paper has studied the influence of drying methods on the quality of Chinese saffron. In this paper, three different dehydration treatments applied in actual production were evaluated: dehydration with electric oven, vacuum oven, and microwave. We determined that the highest quality of saffron will be obtained when fresh saffron is treated at higher temperatures (no more than 70°C) for a long time by electric oven drying and vacuum oven drying. In microwave drying, treatments at lower microwave power and longer time benefit the quality of saffron. In addition, the influence of the drying method on antioxidants in saffron is discussed. The correlation between individual saffron profiles and the antioxidant value was estimated by spectrum-effect relationships analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress is considered one of the possible mechanisms behind chemobrain or the cognitive dysfunction persistent after chemotherapy treatment. Breast cancer patients have reported chemobrain symptoms since the 1990s. In this present bibliometric review, we employed the VOSviewer tool to describe the existing landscape on literature concerning oxidative stress, breast cancer chemotherapies, and chemobrain. As of 2019, 8799 papers were listed in the Web of Science database, with more than 900 papers published each year. As expected, terms relating to oxidative stress, mitochondria, breast cancer, and antioxidants have occurred very often in the literature throughout the years. In recent years, there has been an increase in the occurrence of terms related to nanomedicine. Only within the last decade do the keywords 'brain', 'blood-brain barrier', and 'central nervous system' appear, reflecting an increased interest in chemobrain. China has become the most prolific producer of oxidative stress and chemotherapy related papers in the last decade followed by the USA and India. In conclusion, the subject of oxidative stress as a mechanism behind chemotherapies' toxicities is an active area of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis is to explore all the available literature to obtain updated data about the potential use of antioxidants in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its ability to reduce disease progression and cardiovascular risk. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed strictly in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. English and Chinese databases were searched with a retrieval time up to March 2023. These databases included the PubMed, Embase, Medline Complete, Web of Sciences and Cochrane Collaboration, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and VIP databases. This literature search was formulated by the two researchers independently. The search strategy consists of reading, collecting the literature, and conducting the preliminary screening. After that, they provide the final selection of the literature according to the inclusion criteria and data extraction. Also, for all studies, the risk bias was assessed to evaluate the quality of the included references. The content of the risk assessment of bias included the following criteria: random allocation method, allocation plan hiding, blind method, completeness of result data, and selectivity of reporting of results, as well as other biases. The main outcomes were clinical efficiency of antioxidant therapy (C-reactive protein, DAS28 score, HAQ, Number of tender joints, etc.) and oxidative stress indicators (catalase, superoxide dismutase, or total antioxidant capacity). Results: We observed, in most of the studies, the small or moderate effects of antioxidant treatment. The mean effect size is 0.525, and that means that moderate effects were observed in 30 selected RCTs. Also, this effect is confirmed in the 1652 patients with RA with the mean confidence interval of 0.276 (lower limit) and 0.983 (upper limit). Cohen coefficient was calculated at 0.05. Conclusion: The existing evidence is that antioxidants can reduce systemic and local oxidative stress and can reduce damage as the main agent involved in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oils of Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. Pubescens, Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. Gracilis, Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. Heterocycla and Phyllostachys kwangsiensis leaves were obtained by steam distillation. Their chemical components were separated and identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Meanwhile, the effect of scavenging free radicals of essential oil was assayed by using the DPPH·method with Trolox® as control to evaluate their antioxidant capacities. Gram-positive (Staphyloccocus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) were selected as the indicator microorganisms to evaluate the antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial properties were estimated by the agar diffusion method. The results show that 63 components were separated and identified by GC/MS from these varieties of bamboo leaves. cis-3-Hexenol, whose content in cv. Pubescens, Gracilis, Heterocycla and Ph. kwangsiensis was 27.11%, 24.62%, 30.51% and 34.65%, respectively, was the main constituent. The relative content of alcohol compounds in these varieties of essential oils ranged from 39.8% to 46.64%. All of the bamboo leaf essential oils possessed certain antioxidant capacity; the corresponding IC₅₀ values were 3.1622, 4.9353, 4.2473, and 5.4746 μL/mL, respectively. Essential oils of all tested bamboo spp. were active against Staphylococcus epidermidis and E. coli, showing a positive correlation with the essential oil concentration of 50.42-300 μL/mL. The results indicated there were no significant differences among three varieties and the related species with respect to their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. This paper provides evidence for studying the essential composition from different varieties of bamboo leaves.

Background: Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) flowers will compete with tea leaves in nutrition and are abandoned as an undesirable by-product. In this study, the biological efficacy of tea flowers was investigated. Further exploration of its antifungal activity was explained. Methods: Tea flowers harvested from China were characterized in term of component, antioxidant ability, tyrosinase inhibition, and antifungal ability. Chemical compounds of tea flowers were analyzed by LC-MS. Disinfectant compounds were identified in tea flowers, and 2-ketobutyric acid exhibited antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavusCCTCC AF 2023038. The antifungal mechanism of 2-ketobutyric acid was further investigated by RNA-seq. Results: Water-soluble tea flower extracts (TFEs) exhibited free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)(ABTS) as well as a high ferric-reducing ability. However, no inhibition of tyrosinase activity was observed. In the antifungal test, 6.4 mg/mL TFE reached 71.5% antifungal rate and the electrical conductivity of the culture broth increased with increasing concentration of TFE, implying that it damaged the fungal cell membrane by the TFE. Several disinfectants were identified in TFE by LC-MS, and 2-ketobutyric acid was also confirmed to be capable of fungal inhibition. Propidium iodide (PI) staining indicated that 2-ketobutyric acid caused damage to the cell membrane. RNA-seq analysis revealed that 3,808 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in A. flavus CCTCC AF 2023038 treated by 2-ketobutyric acid, and more than 1,000 DEGs involved in the integral and intrinsic component of membrane were affected. Moreover, 2-ketobutyric acid downregulated aflatoxin biosynthesis genes and decreased the aflatoxin production. Conclusions: Overall, TFE exhibited excellent antioxidant ability and fungal inhibition against A. flavus CCTCC AF 2023038 due to its abundant disinfectant compounds. As a recognized food additive, 2-ketobutyric acid is safe to use in the food industry and can be utilized as the basis for the research and development of strong fungicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malabar spinach (Basella alba), amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor), and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) are leafy vegetables found in Southwest China. The variation of chlorophyll, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, total flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity was studied in the leaves and stems of the three vegetables. The content of main health-promoting compounds and the antioxidant capacity in the leaves were higher than that in the stems, indicating that the leaves of the three vegetables possess greater nutritional value. The trend of total flavonoids in all three vegetables was similar to the trend of antioxidant capacity, suggesting that the total flavonoids may be the major antioxidants wihin these vegetables. Eight individual phenolic compounds were detected in three different vegetables. The most abundant levels of individual phenolic compounds in the leaves and stems of malabar spinach, amaranth, and sweet potato were 6′-O-feruloyl-d-sucrose (9.04 and 2.03 mg g−1 DW), hydroxyferulic acid (10.14 and 0.73 mg g−1 DW), and isorhamnetin-7-O-glucoside (34.93 and 6.76 mg g−1 DW), respectively. Sweet potato exhibited a higher total and individual phenolic compound content compared to malabar spinach and amaranth. Overall, the results demonstrate that the three leafy vegetables possess high nutritional value, and could be used not only for consumption but also in various other fields, including medicine and chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Marine traditional Chinese medicine (MTCM) is a class of traditional medicine that has antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Bibliometric approaches were used in this study to conduct systematic research in order to gain a complete picture of MTCM research around the world. Methods. CiteSpace and NoteExpress software were utilized as tools to examine the information about authors, sources, keywords, etc. Chinese publications were collected from the CNKI, VIP, and WANFANG databases; English publications were collected from the Web of Science database. Results. A total of 10080 publications were screened, and the search volume of Chinese literature is greater than that of English literature; Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China, and Jeju National University, South Korea, published a greater number of articles than other institutions; the scholars Zhaohui-Zhang and Youjin-Jeon have published the highest number of articles in the world. MTCM of shells was often researched for inorganic elements, and data mining methods were applied frequently; MTCM of animals was commonly used for antifatigue and was taken authenticity identification owing to the scarcity of resources; scholars conducted the most research on MTCM of plants, this category usually for antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant purposes, and the mechanisms of action were studied in depth. The Chinese literature has undertaken a multifaceted research study based on the theories of processing and the nature of TCM. In the English literature, in-depth studies have been done from the perspectives of the mechanism of action, the extraction and purification of active substances, etc. Conclusions. According to the analysis of keywords, different medicinal parts present their own special research directions, and different research hotspots have also emerged under different medical theories. The development of MTCM is moving in the direction of standardization and modernization, thanks to the development of cross-disciplinary research as well as the use of several new technologies and statistical techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 'Taikong blue' lavender, a space-bred cultivar of Lavandula angustifolia, is one of the main lavender essential oil production crops in Xinjiang Province, China. Several cases of local usage indicated that 'Taikong blue' lavender essential oil (TLEO) had excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties for skin problems. However, to date, substantial data on these functions are lacking. In this study, we aimed to investigate the composition and bioactivities of TLEO and the potential underlying mechanisms through LPS-induced inflammatory models of HaCaT and RAW264.7 cells. Methods: The composition of TLEO was determined by GC‒MS. To study the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of TLEO, we induced HaCaT and RAW264.7 cells by LPS. TLEO (0.001%-0.1%, v/v) was used to treat inflamed cells with dexamethasone (DEX, 10 μg/mL) as the standard drug. A variety of tests were carried out, including biochemical assays, ELISA, RT‒PCR, and western blotting. Docking of components was performed to predict potential ligands. Results: The GC‒MS analysis revealed that 53 compounds (> 0.01%) represented 99.76% of the TLEO, and the majority of them were esters. TLEO not only reduced the levels of oxidative stress indicators (NO, ROS, MDA, and iNOS at the mRNA and protein levels) but also protected the SOD and CAT activities. According to the RT‒PCR, ELISA, and Western blot results, TLEO decreased inflammation by inhibiting the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and key proteins (IκBα, NF-кB p65, p50, JNK, and p38 MAPK) in MAPK-NF-кB signaling. Molecular docking results showed that all of the components (> 1% in TLEO) were potent candidate ligands for further research. Conclusion: The theoretical evidence for TLEO in this study supported its use in skin care as a functional ingredient for cosmetics and pharmaceutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that To understand why Procapra przewalskii does not show the same white myopathy as sheep in Se-deficient regions and to provide reference for feeding nutrition level of artificial population and selection of wild reintroduction areas in the later period, a Se-deficient model was established.

Healthy fruit vinegar has been extensively favored in China in recent years. As a new type of fruit vinegar developed by our laboratory, green jujube vinegar has the characteristics of good taste and rich nutrition. To study the effect of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on the antioxidant and hypolipidemic activity of green jujube vinegar, so as to provide basic data for research and the development of healthy food antioxidants, including the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total acid content, and volatile acid content, were measured. The antioxidant activity was measured by using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radical scavenging methods and the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), and the hypolipidemic activity was measured by cholesterol adsorption and the sodium cholate adsorption capacities. The results show that gastric digestion significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the TPC, TFC, total acid content, and volatile acid content, for which the highest reductions were up to 54.17%, 72%, 88.83% and 82.35%, respectively. During intestinal digestion, the TFC remained at a high level and unchanged, and the TFC and volatile acid content significantly (p < 0.05) decreased by 72.66% and 89.05%, respectively. The volatile acid content did not significantly (p > 0.05) change within 2 h. The ABTS free radical scavenging ability and the reducing power free radical scavenging rate were correlated with the TPC, TFC, and total acid contents, and the DPPH free radical scavenging ability and cholesterol adsorption capacity were not. These findings suggest that green jujube vinegar can be a potential functional food for people's use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of fermented mushroom of Cordyceps sinensis (CS), rich in selenium (Se- CS), on uterine cervical cancer in mice. The methylcholanthrene- (MCA-) induced tumor model was used in this paper. After the mice were administered Se-CS, the animals showed 40% tumor incidence (P < 0.05). Se-CS also enhanced the immune functions. Se-CS treatment showed significant (P < 0.05-0.01) restoration in the level of glutathione content, lipid peroxidation, glutathione peroxidase activity, glutathione reductase activity, catalase activity, Na+/K+-ATPase activity, and glutathione S transferase activity. This finding suggested that the concomitant use of Se and CS could be a potential therapeutic approach to improve the efficacy of therapy for uterine cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: The paper aims to evaluate the risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in elderly Chinese population in Shenyang, a northeast city of China. Methods: A case-control study was conducted to investigate the risk factors for the prevalence of AMD. Ninety three AMD patients diagnosed by a complete ophthalmic examination were recruited as cases from the outpatient departments of two eye hospitals in Shenyang, while 108 normal subjects of similar age and sex were recruited as controls. A questionnaire was administered among both cases and controls. Results: AMD patients aged 60 years and older accounted for 75.3%. There were significantly higher educational levels, shorter smoking history, less sunlight exposure and cataract, and higher proportion of antioxidants intake in controls than in AMD patients. The frequency of intake of fruits, legumes, fish and shrimps was significantly higher in controls than in AMD patients. In a binary logistic regression analysis, smoking and cataract were the risk factors for AMD (OR: 4.44, 95% CI: 2.27–8.69; OR: 4.47, 95% CI: 2.26–8.85 respectively). The high educational background was a protective factor for AMD (OR: 0.761, 95% CI: 0.51–0.98). Conclusion: A low educational background, smoking and cataract are associated with a higher prevalence of AMD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The first industrial-scale CO2 capture plant in China has been demonstrated at Huaneng Beijing power plant has shown that this technology is a good option for the capture of CO2 produced by commercial coal-fired power plants. The commissioning and industrial tests are introduced in this paper. The tests show that in the early stages of the passivation phase, the concentration variations of amine, anti-oxidant and Fe3+ are in the normal range, and the main parameters achieve the design value. The efficiency of the CO2 capture was about 80–85%, and by the end of January 2009 about 900tons of CO2 (99.7%) have been captured. The equipment investment and consumptive costs, including steam, power, solution and others, have been analyzed. The results show: the cost of the absorber and the stripper account for about 50% of main equipment; the consumptive cost is about 25.3US$ per metric tons of CO2, of which the steam requirement accounts for about 55%; the COE increased by 0.02US$/kWh and the electricity purchase price increased by 29%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hazelnut (Corylus) is an important woody oil tree species in economic forests. China, as one of the original countries of native Corylus species, had 8 species and 2 varieties. However, little information is available on the hazelnut nutritional quality of these Chinese Corylus species. In this study, four main wild Corylus species (C. heterophylla Fisch., C. mandshurica Maxim., C. kweichowensis Hu., and C. yunnanensis Franch.) originating in China and one main cultivar of hybrid hazelnut (Corylus heterophylla Fisch. × C. avellana L.) cv. 'Dawei' from China were used to analyze the basic nutritional composition (content of oil, fatty acid, protein, saccharide, aminao acid, vitamin C, tocopherol, total phenols, and total flavonoids) and antioxidant ability. The results showed that oil content ranged from 52.97 to 60.88 g/100 g DW and highly unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content was over 91%. Oleic was the most dominant UFA in these hazelnut kernels, and the relative content was ranging from 71.32 to 85.19%. Compared with other four hazelnut kernels, C. heterophylla Fisch. was the lowest oil content of hazelnut with lower oleic acid content and higher linoleic acid content, obviously. The total protein content ranged from 13.15 to 18.35 g/100 g DW, and all amino acids were detected as hydrate amino acids, but Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, was not detected as free amino acid in these hazelnut kernels. Kernel of C. heterophylla Fisch. was with the highest content of protein and amino acid. Saccharose was the most essential and abundant disaccharide in the hazelnut kernels. C. mandshurica Maxim. was the highest saccharide content among these hazelnut kernels. α-tocopherol was the main type of tocopherol found in the hazelnut kernels. Wild hazelnut kernels generally had higher bioactivity substance content (vitamin C, total tocopherol, total phenol and total flavonoid) and antioxidant capacity. Compared to the four wild hazelnut kernels, the hybrid hazelnut cv. 'Dawei' had higher content of oil, oleic acid, α-tocopherol and sugar. Overall, there were great differences in the nutritional composition of different hazelnut species. Wild species are a good source of breeding materials because of their own characteristics in nutrition composition, and the hybrid hazelnut cv. 'Dawei' with good quality has the value of commercial promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smilax china L. (SCL) is extensively used in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This study aimed to clarify the potential active ingredients of SCL and mechanisms on PID. SCL was widely distributed in Japan, South Korea, and China, which was traditionally considered heat-clearing, detoxicating, and dampness-eliminating medicine. Systems pharmacology revealed that 32 compounds in SCL may interact with 19 targets for immunoenhancement, antiapoptosis, anti-inflammation, and antioxidant activity of the PID model. Molecular docking revealed that isorhamnetin, moracin M, rutin, and oxyresveratrol may have higher binding potential with prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), siderocalin (LCN2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP9), respectively. Molecular dynamics simulation showed that the binding modes of moracin M-MAPK1, rutin-TNF, and oxyresveratrol-MMP9 complexes were more stable, evidenced by relatively smaller fluctuations in root mean square deviation values. Conclusively, SCL may treat PID by inhibiting inflammatory factors, antitissue fibrosis, and microbial growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blanching is a technique used in blocking sunlight for the production of tender, sweet, and delicious stems in the field. This technique is also used in water dropwort (Oenanthe javanica), an important vegetable in East Asia. In China, the steamed stems of water dropwort are prepared with boiled rice. However, the effect of blanching on the nutritional level and antioxidant capacity of water dropwort has not been explored yet. The current study aims to determine the nutrient contents and antioxidant capacities of five cultivars and select the best cultivar. They were mainly compared in terms of phenotypic, physiological, nutritional, and antioxidant levels after blanch cultivation. Results indicate that blanching significantly influenced the phenotype, physiology, and nutritional level of water dropwort in all cultivars. Although few parameters decreased with blanching, starch, sugars, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant activities increased significantly in the blanched stems in mid- and post-blanching periods. The most noticeable changes were detected in post-blanching samples. Furthermore, the best cultivar (V11E0012) was identified among them. Therefore, blanched water dropwort could be consumed for achieving more nutraceuticals and antioxidants, and cultivar V11E0012 could be recommend for blanching cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tibetan tea (Kangzhuan) is an essential beverage of the Tibetan people. In this study, a lyophilized aqueous extract of Tibetan tea (LATT) was prepared and analyzed by HPLC. The results suggested that there were at least five phenolic components, including gallic acid, and four catechins (i.e., (+)-catechin, (−)-catechin gallate (CG), (−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), and (−)-epigallocatechin gallate). Gallic acid, the four catechins, and LATT were then comparatively investigated by four antioxidant assays: ferric reducing antioxidant power, 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide radical (PTIO•) scavenging, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazl radical scavenging, and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging assays. In these assays, LATT, along with the five phenolic components, increased their antioxidant effects in a concentration-dependent manner; however, the half maximal scavenging concentrations of ECG were always lower than those of CG. Gallic acid and the four catechins were also suggested to chelate Fe2+ based on UV-visible spectral analysis. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC−ESI−Q−TOF−MS/MS) analysis suggested that, when mixed with PTIO•, the five phenolic components could yield two types of radical adduct formation (RAF) products (i.e., tea phenolic dimers and tea phenolic-PTIO• adducts). In a flow cytometry assay, (+)-catechin and LATT was observed to have a cytoprotective effect towards oxidative-stressed bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Based on this evidence, we concluded that LATT possesses antioxidative or cytoprotective properties. These effects may mainly be attributed to the presence of phenolic components, including gallic acid and the four catechins. These phenolic components may undergo electron transfer, H+-transfer, and Fe2+-chelating pathways to exhibit antioxidative or cytoprotective effects. In these effects, two diastereoisomeric CG and ECG showed differences to which a steric effect from the 2-carbon may contribute. Phenolic component decay may cause RAF in the antioxidant process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruits are a rich source of antioxidants and traditional Chinese fruits have been studied for their chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties against cancers and other diseases. The total phenol and flavonoid contents of eleven Chinese fruits extracts were determined. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were estimated by both the Folin-Ciocalteau and aluminium chloride methods. The antioxidant activities were evaluated by four assays: a biological assay using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, DPPH radical scavenging activity, chelating ability for ferrous ions and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The phenols and flavonoids contents of the hot water extracts were in the range of 17.7 to 94.7 mg/g and 12.3 to 295.4 mg/g, whereas the endopolysaccharides lie in the range of 4.5 to 77.4 mg/g and 22.7 to 230.0 mg/g. Significant amounts of phenols and flavonoids were present in the majority of the fruit extracts and showed strong antioxidant activities. The antioxidant properties of the fruit extracts of Crataegus pinnatifida, Illicium verum, Ligustrum lucidum, Momordica grosvenori and Psoralea corylifolia as determined by the DPPH and FRAP methods, were significant compared to other fruit extracts. In the present study, we found that significant amounts of phenolic and flavonoid compounds were present in these fruit extracts and may contribute to in vitro antioxidant activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was performed to assess the quality of Potentilla fruticosa L. sampled from distinct regions of China using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprinting coupled with a suite of chemometric methods. For this quantitative analysis, the main active phytochemical compositions and the antioxidant activity in P. fruticosa were also investigated. Considering the high percentages and antioxidant activities of phytochemicals, P. fruticosa samples from Kangding, Sichuan were selected as the most valuable raw materials. Similarity analysis (SA) of HPLC fingerprints, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principle component analysis (PCA), and discriminant analysis (DA) were further employed to provide accurate classification and quality estimates of P. fruticosa. Two principal components (PCs) were collected by PCA. PC1 separated samples from Kangding, Sichuan, capturing 57.64% of the variance, whereas PC2 contributed to further separation, capturing 18.97% of the variance. Two kinds of discriminant functions with a 100% discrimination ratio were constructed. The results strongly supported the conclusion that the eight samples from different regions were clustered into three major groups, corresponding with their morphological classification, for which HPLC analysis confirmed the considerable variation in phytochemical compositions and that P. fruticosa samples from Kangding, Sichuan were of high quality. The results of SA, HCA, PCA, and DA were in agreement and performed well for the quality assessment of P. fruticosa. Consequently, HPLC fingerprinting coupled with chemometric techniques provides a highly flexible and reliable method for the quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cell-based antioxidant activity assay as more biological relevant assay was considered to be more accurate to predict antioxidant activity in vivo than chemical activity assays. In the present study, the five main Phyllanthus emblica L. cultivars in China were subjected for cellular antioxidant activity based on HepG2 cells as well as antiproliferative activity. Total phenolics, total flavonoids and oxygen radical absorbance capacity were also measured. The results showed that Qingyougan, Binggan and Boligan (832±100, 774±52 and 704±28 µmol of quercetin equivalents/100 g) had higher cellular antioxidant activity than Tianyougan and Yougan (553±50 and 457±24 µmol of quercetin equivalents/100 g) in phosphate buffered saline wash protocol whereas, Boligan (3735±217 µmol of quercetin equivalents/100 g) had the highest cellular antioxidant activity and Tianyougan (2025±171 µmol of quercetin equivalents/100 g) had the lowest cellular antioxidant activity in no phosphate buffered saline wash protocol. The highest and lowest antiproliferative activities were observed in Binggan and Tianyougan (median effective dose: 6.95±0.11 and 14.03±0.10 mg/ml), respectively. The significant correlation was only observed between total flavonoids and cellular antioxidant activity from no phosphate buffered saline wash protocol (R²=0.908, P<0.05), and total flavonoids and antiproliferative activity (R²=0.887, P<0.05), suggesting the major contribution of flavonoids to the bioactivities of emblica. Overall, the data obtained revealed that different Phyllanthus emblica L. cultivars had strong cellular antioxidant and antiproliferative activities, thus should be recommended to increase consumption for health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is an important centre of diversity for Prunus persica. In the present study, 17 Chinese peach cultivars were evaluated for phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Neochlorogenic acid (NCHA), chlorogenic acid (CHA), procyanidin B1 (B1), catechin (CAT), cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), quercetin-3-O-galactoside (Q3GAL), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (Q3GLU), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (Q3R), and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (K3R) were identified and quantified. CHA and CAT were the predominant components in both the peel and pulp of this fruit. In general, peel extracts showed higher antioxidant activities than the pulp counterparts, consistent with the observed higher phenolic content. The melting peach cultivar "Xinyu" showed the highest antioxidant potency composite (APC) index. The principal component analysis (PCA) of peel phenolics showed a clear distinction between the melting peach and nectarine. Overall, peach cultivars rich in hydroxycinnamates and flavan-3-ols showed relatively higher antioxidant activities and might be excellent sources of phytochemicals and natural antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trollius chinensis Bunge is a traditional edible and medicinal plant utilized popularly in north China. This study is intended to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of extracts obtained with different processing methods from Trollius chinensis Bunge. The results showed that all extract displayed moderate or great potential of antioxidant and antibacterial activity, especially ultrasound-assisted ethanol extracts (UAE). It exhibited the highest 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH; EC50 0.215 ± 1.10 mg/mL), 2, 2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS; EC50 < 10 μg/mL) and reducing power (RP; EC50 0.25 ± 0.02 mg/mL) with the highest level of flavonoids content (71.56 ± 0.35 mg/g) and total phenolic (35.75 ± 0.35 mg/g). In addition, the UAE had high antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (19.7 ± 0.6 mm inhibition zone) , Bacillus subtilis (16.4 ± 0.3 mm inhibition zone), Escherichia coli (15.3 ± 0.2 mm inhibition zone), respectively. The HPLC analysis show that the main flavonoids components in T. chinensis Bunge were revealed to be 2″-O-β-L-galactopyranosylorientin, orientin, vitexin, hyperin. These results suggested the extracts of T. chinensis Bunge could be potentially used as a promising source of antioxidant and antibacterial agents for using in the food or drug industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is one of the most important centers of diversity for Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. in the world. In this study, seven loquat cultivars grown in China were evaluated for their phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Eleven phenolic compounds, i.e., 3-p-coumaroylquinincacid (3-p-CoQA), 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA), 4-caffeoylquinic acid (4-CQA), 3-caffeoylquinic acid (3-CQA), 5-feruloylquinic acid (5-FQA), quercetin-3- O-galactoside (Q-3-Gal), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (Q-3-Glu), quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (Q-3-Rha), kaempferol-3-O-galactoside (K-3-Gal), kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside (K-3-Rha), and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside (K-3-Glu) were identified and quantified in the peel and pulp of the cultivars tested. 3-CQA and 5-CQA were the predominant components in both fruit parts. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were used for the antioxidant evaluation. Results showed that peel extracts had higher antioxidant activities than their pulp counterparts in all the cultivars tested, which was correlated with their higher total phenolic contents. The antioxidant potency composite (APC) index showed obvious variations ranging from 64.15 to 100 in the peel and from 59.49 to 97.95 in the pulp of different cultivars, where "Dahongpao" (DHP) and "Luoyangqing" (LYQ) had the highest APC index in the peel and pulp, respectively. Overall, loquat cultivars rich in hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) such as 3-p-CoQA, 5-CQA, 4-CQA, 3-CQA and 5-FQA showed relatively higher antioxidant activities, and may be excellent sources of phytochemicals and natural antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polyporus umbellatus sclerotia have been used as a diuretic agent in China for over two thousand years. A shortage of the natural P. umbellatus has prompted researchers to induce sclerotial formation in the laboratory. Methodology/Principal Finding: P. umbellatus cultivation in a sawdust-based substrate was investigated to evaluate the effect of low temperature conditions on sclerotial formation. A phenol-sulfuric acid method was employed to determine the polysaccharide content of wild P. umbellatus sclerotia and mycelia and sclerotia grown in low-temperature treatments. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, expressed as the fluorescence intensity of mycelia during sclerotial differentiation was determined. Analysis of ROS generation and sclerotial formation in mycelia after treatment with the antioxidants such as diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI), apocynin (Apo), or vitamin C were studied. Furthermore, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of sclerotial differentiation were observed. Sclerotia were not induced by continuous cultivation at 25°C. The polysaccharide content of the artificial sclerotia is 78% of that of wild sclerotia. In the low-temperature treatment group, the fluorescent intensity of ROS was higher than that of the room temperature (25°C) group which did not induce sclerotial formation all through the cultivation. The antioxidants DPI and Apo reduced ROS levels and did not induce sclerotial formation. Although the concentration-dependent effects of vitamin C (5–15 mg mL−1) also reduced ROS generation and inhibited sclerotial formation, using a low concentration of vitamin C (1 mg mL−1) successfully induced sclerotial differentiation and increased ROS production. Conclusions/Significance: Exposure to low temperatures induced P. umbellatus sclerotial morphogenesis during cultivation. Low temperature treatment enhanced ROS in mycelia, which may be important in triggering sclerotial differentiation in P. umbellatus. Moreover, the application of antioxidants impaired ROS generation and inhibited sclerotial formation. Our findings may help to provide new insights into the biological mechanisms underlying sclerotial morphogenesis in P. umbellatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aims of this study were to evaluate the antioxidant activity and to identify the antioxidant components of a traditional Chinese medicine formula consisting of a combination of Shanzha (the fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N.E.Br., SZ) and Danshen (the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., DS). This medicine is extensively used to treat cardiovascular disease. Methods: Twelve samples extracted and fractionated from SZ, DS and the formula (SZ+DS) were analyzed. The concentrations of eight phenolic compounds were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay were conducted to explore the antioxidant activities of the samples and of the 15 phenolic compounds detected. Correlation analysis of the antioxidant activity of herb samples and their phenolic components was performed. Results: The main phenolic component in all SZ+DS samples was salvianolic acid B, which exhibited strong antioxidant activity (ORAC value: 16.73 ± 2.53, IC50 value: 8.80 ± 0.06 μM) compared with the other phenolic compounds. For all samples, there was a positive relationship between their total phenolic components and their antioxidant activities. Conclusions: Phenolic compounds were the bioactive components of the herb samples, and salvianolic acid B was identified as the main bioactive compound in the SZ+DS formula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yellow Sea green tides have occurred in coastal China almost every year from 2007 to 2011. Ulva prolifera (Miiller) J. Agardh has been identified as the causative macroalgal species. U. intestinalis, however, has been observed in the bloom areas, co-occurring with U. prolifera, but it has not been found to be causative. The Yellow Sea green tide has shown consistent phases of development that match corresponding environmental changes. U. prolifera, not U. intestinalis, is dominant. Our experimental design was based on these observed phenomena, and the results of our field investigation indicated a close relationship between changes in principal environmental factors (irradiance, temperature, and salinity) and the development of each phase of the bloom. These main environmental factors were simulated to allow estimation and comparison of the physiological responses of U. prolifera and U. intestinalis. Ecophysiological differences were found between these two species. (1) More photosynthetic activity and plasticity were detected in U. prolifera. (2) U. prolifera was found to be more sensitive to dynamic environments, especially harsh and changing environmental conditions. U. intestinalis was found to be more stable, probably due to the higher stress tolerance given by its antioxidant system. (3) Markedly higher nutrient absorption activity was observed in U. prolifera. Comparisons of the ecophysiological traits of these two species in this present study may foster understanding of their natural ecological processes. Specifically, U. prolifera seemed to be more engaged with the ephemeral blooms, while U. intestinalis seemed to be directed toward persistence. This also suggests that the ecological success of U. prolifera may be inextricably linked to its higher capacity for photosynthesis, nutrient absorption, and nutrient assimilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruits of Broussonetia papyrifera from South China were analyzed for their total chemical composition, and antioxidant activities in ethanol and aqueous extracts. In the fruit of this plant, the crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrates was 7.08%, 3.72% and 64.73% of dry weight, respectively. The crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrates were 15.71%, 20.51% and 36.09% of dry weight, respectively. Fatty acid and amino acid composition of the fruit were analyzed. Unsaturated fatty acid concentration was 70.6% of the total fatty acids. The percentage of the essential amino acids (EAAs) was 40.60% of the total amino acids. Furthermore, B. papyrifera fruit are rich in many mineral elements and vitamins. Total phenolic content was assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteau assay, whereas antioxidant activities were assessed by measuring the ability of the two extracts to scavenge DPPH radicals, inhibit peroxidation, and chelate ferric ions. Their reducing power was also assessed. Results indicated that the aqueous extract of B. papyrifera was a more potent reducing agent and radicalscavenger than the ethanol extract. GC-MS analysis of the ethanol extract showed the presence of some acid-containing compounds. The changes in total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity in B. papyrifera from four different regions grown under normal conditions were assessed. The antioxidant activity of different extracts was positively associated with their total phenolic content. These results suggest that the fruit of B. papyrifera could be used in dietary supplement preparations, or as a food additive, for nutritional gain, or to prevent oxidation in food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The edible flowers of Caragana sinica are used in China a kind of healthpromoting vegetable. In this study, the antioxidant activities of its ethanol extract, as well as its petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water fractions, were evaluated through in vitro model systems including the DPPH, FRAP and β-carotene bleaching methods. Among the C. sinica flower extracts the ethyl acetate fraction was the most effective. Correlation analysis suggested that flavonoids might be the major contributors to the high antioxidant activity of this flower. Six flavonoids including quercetin (1), isoquercitrin (2), rutin (3), quercetin-3′-O-methyl-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), typhaneoside (5) and quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), were isolated from this flower for the first time. Their contents were determined by a HPLC method. Compounds 3 and 4 were found to be the major flavonoids, with concentrations of 1.20 ± 0.07 and 3.94 ± 0.12 mg/g dry sample, respectively. These results demonstrated that the C. sinica flowers may be valuable natural antioxidant sources and are potentially applicable in the health food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coprinus comatus, also called chicken drumstick mushroom, is currently commercially available in China. Hot water and ethanolic extracts were prepared from cap and stipe of C. comatus fruit bodies and their antioxidant properties were studied. Ethanolic extract from stipe showed high antioxidant activity (80.6%) at 1 mg/mL. Reducing power of hot water extracts from cap was 1.653 at 10 mg/mL. Extracts from cap showed better scavenging ability on DPPH (57.9% at 1 mg/mL) than stipe ones. Ethanolic extracts were more effective in scavenging ability on hydroxyl radicals (57.4-61.3% at 5 mg/mL) than hot water extracts. Ethanolic extracts showed moderate scavenging ability on superoxide radicals (46.3-47.0% at 20 mg/mL). Naturally occurring antioxidant components including total phenols (3.60-20.00 mg/g), tocopherols (0.58-11.93 mg/g), flavonoids (0.19-3.52 mg/g) and polysaccharides (58.52-547.86 mg/g) were found in the extracts. Overall, extracts from cap were more effective for the antioxidant properties assayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea buckthorn berries are rich in bioactive compounds and can be used for medicine and food. The variety and drying method used have an important influence on quality. In this study, different sea buckthorn varieties from China were selected and dried with four common drying methods. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), contents of 12 phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in vitro were analyzed. The results showed that the TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity of two wild sea buckthorn berries were higher than those of three cultivated berries, and for the same varieties, measured chemical contents and antioxidant activity of the freeze-dried fruit were significantly higher than those obtained with three conventional drying methods. In addition, forty-one compounds in sea buckthorn berry were identified by UPLC-PDA-Q/TOF-MS, most of which were isorhamnetin derivatives. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed narcissin and isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside varied significantly in sea buckthorn berries of different varieties and with different drying methods; they were potential quality markers. Strong correlations were found between TPC, gallic acid and antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05). The results revealed how components and antioxidant activity varied in different sea buckthorn, which provides a valuable reference for quality control and further development and utilization of sea buckthorn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gardeniae fructus is a common neuroprotective medicinal food in China, however the extraction efficiency and mixture activities are rarely mentioned. In this study, accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) parameters were optimized by a response surface methodology to extract antioxidants from Gardeniae fructus. Neuroprotective activity was evaluated using H2O2 and amyloid-β25–35 peptide-treated PC12 cells. By comparing with three other extract methods (i.e., heated refluxing extraction (HRE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE)), it was found that the yield (35.10%), total iridoids (27.69%), total flavonoid (6.12%) content, antioxidant activities (IC50 on DPPH, 164.46 µg/mL; FRAP value 4703.54 μmol/L), and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory ability (IC50 92.58 µg/mL) of ASE extract under the optimal condition (150 °C temperature, 10 min static time, 60% ethanol, 2 extract cycles) were significantly higher than other extract methods. The strongest ability to protect PC12 cells from damage was also present in ASE extract, as evidenced by decreasing lactate dehydrogenase and malondialdehyde levels, elevating superoxide dismutase and glutathioneperoxidase activities. Compositional analysis indicated that the extremely high crocetin level in ASE extract (1.30 μg/mg) may offer great potential. Our results indicated that ASE is a proper extraction method that could offer great potential for finding the neuroprotective ability of Gardeniae fructus for the treatment of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of thermal stress on the antioxidant system was investigated in two invasive plants, Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng. and E. odoratum L. The former is sensitive to high temperature, whereas the latter is sensitive to low temperature. Our aim was to explore the relationship between the response of antioxidant enzymes and temperature in the two invasive weeds with different distribution patterns in China. Plants were transferred from glasshouse to growth chambers at a constant 25 °C for 1 week to acclimatize to the environment. For the heat treatments, temperature was increased stepwise to 30, 35, 38 and finally to 42 °C. For the cold treatments, temperature was decreased stepwise to 20, 15, 10 and finally to 5 °C. Plants were kept in the growth chambers for 24 h at each temperature step. In E. adenophorum, the coordinated increase of the activities of antioxidant enzymes was effective in protecting the plant from the accumulation of active oxygen species (AOS) at low temperature, but the activities of catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR) were not accompanied by the increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD) during the heat treatments. As a result, the level of lipid peroxidation in E. adenophorum was higher under heat stress than under cold stress. In E. odoratum, however, the lesser degree of membrane damage, as indicated by low monodehydroascorbate content, and the coordinated increase of the oxygen. Detoxifying enzymes were observed in heat-treated plants, but the antioxidant enzymes were unable to operate in cold stress. This indicates that the plants have a higher capacity for scavenging oxygen radicals in heat stress than in cold stress. The different responses of antioxidant enzymes may be one of the possible mechanisms of the differences in temperature sensitivities of the two plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Danzhixiaoyao Wan (DW) is a common 10 herbs formulation in China for regulating several clinical conditions affecting women. This research tried to explain one of DW's functions, purging heat, using in vitro pharmacological analyses. The whole formulation and each single herb of DW were compared based on antioxidant activity with the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, and for their inhibitory effect (IE) on nitric oxide (NO) production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages with the Griess assay. The results showed that DW as a whole formulation had both antioxidant activity and an IE on NO production, while the individual herb component of DW varied in their ORAC values and inhibition of NO production. The ORAC value of the whole DW was 450 µmol TE g-l. The order of antioxidant (ORAC) activity of the single herbs was: Mentha haplocalyx (1352 µmol TE g-1) > Glycyrrhiza uralensis (1184 µmol TE g-1) > Gardenia jasminoides (1129 µmol TE g-1) > Paeonia suffruticosa (465 µmol TE g-1), with the contributions being additive rather than synergistic. The production of nitrite by stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages (unstimulated: 0.5 ± 0.1 µM versus LPS: 38.9 ± 2.3 µM) was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05) by M. haplocalyx, G. jasminoides, Bupleurum chinense and Paeonia lactiflora. DW as a whole had an IE on NO production, but this was not significant. The single herb M. haplocalyx had the highest ORAC value and the highest IE on NO production, followed by G. jasminoides. Both of these herbs have the 'purging heat' property in the theory of traditional Chinese medicine and this property of the samples may be correlated with the antioxidant activity and IE on NO production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crofton weed is an invasive weed in southwestern China. The activities of several antioxidative enzymes involved in plant protection against oxidative stress were assayed to determine physiological aspects of the crofton weed that might render the plant vulnerable to environmental stress. Stresses imposed on crofton weed were heat (progressively increasing temperatures: 25 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C, 38 °C and 42 °C at 24 h intervals), cold (progressively decreasing temperatures: 25 °C, 20 °C, 15 °C, 10 °C and 5 °C at 24 h intervals), and drought (without watering up to 4 days). The three stresses induced oxidative damage as evidenced by an increase in lipid peroxidation. The effect varied with the stress imposed and the length of exposure. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased in response to all stresses but was not significantly different from the controls ( P < 0.05) when exposed to cold stress. Catalase (CAT) activity decreased in response to heat and drought stress but increased when exposed to cold conditions. Guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities increased in response to cold and drought but decreased in response to heat stress. The activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) responded differently to all three stresses. Monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) activity decreased in response to heat and drought, and slightly increased in response to the cold stress but was not significantly different from the controls ( P < 0.05). The activity of dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) increased in response to all three stresses. Taken together, the co-ordinate increase of the oxygen-detoxifying enzymes might be more effective to protect crofton weed from the accumulation of oxygen radicals at low temperatures rather than at high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yellow River, the second largest river in China, is the most important resource of water supply in North China. In the last 40 years, even in the upper Yellow River, with the development of industry and agriculture, more and more contaminants have been discharged into this river and greatly polluted the water. Although a routine chemical component analysis has been performed, little is known about the real toxic effects of the polluted water on organisms at environmental level. To explore whether the pollutants induced oxidative stress and damage to aquatic organisms, malondialdehyde (MDA) level and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in hepatopancreas, kidney and intestine of the field-collected carp Cyprinus carpio from a mixed polluted (Lanzhou Region, LZR) and a relatively unpolluted (Liujiaxia Region, LJXR) sites of the upper Yellow River were measured. The results showed that when the values of LZR compared with those of LJXR, SOD and GST activities increased and GPx activity decreased significantly in all the three organs ( P < 0.05–0.01); CAT activity decreased but MDA level increased significantly ( P < 0.05–0.01) only in kidney and intestine. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the pollutants can induce obvious oxidative damage in the carp, and the SOD, GST and GPx might be better indicators for the oxidative damage in aquatic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg is a herbaceous perennial species distributed mainly in southern China. The Tetrastigma hemsleyanum root (THR) has been prevalently consumed as a functional tea or dietary supplement. In vitro digestion models, including colonic fermentation, were built to evaluate the release and stability of THR phenolics with the method of HPLC-QqQ-MS/MS and UPLC-Qtof-MS/MS. From the oral cavity, the contents of total phenolic and flavonoid began to degrade. Quercetin-3-rutinoside, quercetin-3-glucoside, kaempferol-3-rutinoside, and kaempferol-3-glucoside were metabolized as major components and they were absorbed in the form of glycosides for hepatic metabolism. On the other hand, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, and glutathione (GSH) content were significantly increased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content was decreased in plasma and tissues of rats treated with THR extract in the oxidative stress model. These results indicated that the THR extract is a good antioxidant substance and has good bioavailability, which can effectively prevent some chronic diseases caused by oxidative stress. It also provides a basis for the effectiveness of THR as a traditional functional food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the antioxidative activity of selenium-enriched Chrysomyia Megacephala (Fabricius) (C. megacephala) larvae powder (SCML) and its impact on the diversity and structure of intestinal microflora in a mouse model of D-galactose (D-gal)-induced oxidative damage. Methods: Sixty male ICR mice were equally randomized to a normal control (NC) group, a model group, a positive group, a low-dose SCML (L-SCML) group, a mid-dose SCML (M-SCML) group, and a high-dose SCML (H-SCML) group. Animals in NC and model groups received water, animals in the positive group received 40 mg/Kg vitamin E (VE), and those in the three SCML groups received SCML which include 300, 1000 and 3000 μg/Kg selenium (Se) respectively. An oxidative damage model induced by subcutaneous injection of D-gal for 6 weeks via the neck was established. Serum oxidative stress levels and tissue appearance were evaluated. Tissues oxidative stress levels were detected by commercially available kit. Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) and gut microbiota were determined by western blot and high throughput sequencing 16S rRNA gene respectively. Results: An oxidative damage model was established successfully as represented by a significant elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonylation, and inhibition of the antioxidants including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione (GSH). It was found that oxidative damage and histological alterations were attenuated, the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein (Keap1) was decreased, and the expression of Nrf2 and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) was increased after SCML treatment. In addition, significant changes were observed in the gut microbiota, including Proteobacteria and the ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes at the phylum level, as well as Helicobacter, Clostridium and Lactobacillus at the genus level. Conclusion: SCML exerted an antioxidative effect in vivo, probably by increasing the antioxidant activity and reducing the production of oxidation products via the Nrf2 signaling pathway. SCML could also redress the intestinal flora imbalance induced by oxidative stress. All these findings suggest that SCML could serve as a functional food and natural drug additive to protect the human body against oxidative damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja is an indigenous and multifunction tree species in China, but it is mainly used in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical ingredients. To make a comprehensive evaluation on its bioactive metabolites, antioxidant and antitumor potentials of C. paliurus leaves, the leaf samples were collected from 15 geographic locations (natural populations) throughout its distribution areas. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and colorimetric methods were used to detect the contents of bioactive metabolites. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and reducing power assays. The antiproliferative activity on different cancer cell types was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Contents of bioactive metabolites, and antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in the extracts were significantly affected by solvent and population. In most cases, the contents of flavonoids and triterpenoids, and the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in the ethanol extracts were higher than the water extracts. The best scavenging capacity of DPPH (IC50 = 0.34 mg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 0.50 mg/mL) radical occurred in the ethanol extracts of S15 and S7 population respectively, while the strongest reducing power (EC50 = 0.71 mg/mL) was achieved in the ethanol extracts of S14 population. The antiproliferation effects of C. paliurus extracts on cancer cells varied with different cell types. The HeLa cell was the most sensitive to C. paliurus extracts, and their IC50 values of the ethanol extracts varied from 0.13 to 0.42 mg/mL among C. paliurus populations. Redundancy analysis showed that total polyphenol had the greatest contribution to the antioxidant activity, but total flavonoid was mostly responsible for the antiproliferation effects. These results would provide important scientific evidences not only for developing C. paliurus as a potent antioxidant and antitumor reagent, but also for obtaining the higher yield of bioactive compounds in the C. paliurus plantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fruit of Lycium barbarum L. (FLB) has been used as medicines and functional foods for more than 2000 years in East Asia. In this study, carotenoid, phenolic, flavonoid, and polysaccharide contents as well as the antioxidant activities of FLB from 13 different regions in China from a total of 78 samples were analyzed. The results showed that total carotenoid contents ranged from 12.93 to 25.35 mg β-carotene equivalents/g DW. Zeaxanthin dipalmitate was the predominant carotenoid (4.260–10.07 mg/g DW) in FLB. The total phenolic, total flavonoid, and total polysaccharide contents ranged from 6.899 to 8.253 mg gallic acid equivalents/g DW, 3.177 to 6.144 mg rutin equivalents/g DW, and 23.62 to 42.45 mg/g DW, respectively. Rutin content ranged from 0.1812 to 0.4391 mg/g DW, and ferulic acid content ranged from 0.0994 to 0.1726 mg/g DW. All of these FLB could be divided into two clusters with PCA analysis, and both individual carotenoids and total carotenoid contents could be used as markers for regional characterization. The phenolic components were the main substance for the antioxidant activity of FLB. Considering the functional component and antioxidant activities, FLB produced in Guyuan of Ningxia was the closest to Daodi herbs (Zhongwei of Ningxia), which is commercially available high quality FLB. The results of this study could provide guidance for comprehensive applications of FLB production in different regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Spine grape has gained attention in the field of wine science due to its good growth characteristics. Spine grape wine has been made by local residents for a long time. However, the scientific evaluation of spine wine has not been systemically documented compared to Vitis vinifera grape wines Methods: We compared 11 spine wines from south China (W1–W11) with 7 high-quality international wines (W12–W18). The total phenolic content, the total anothcyanin content and the antioxidant activity of these wines were analyzed and compared. Meanwhile, anthocyanin profiles of these wines were also documented. Results: Compared with other wines most of the spine wines had a strong red intensity with a blue hue. Malvidin-3,5-O-diglucoside and malvidin-3-O-(6-O-coumaroyl)-glucoside-5-glucoside appeared to be the major anthocyanins in these wines. The scavenging capacity analyses of these wines using ABTS, DPPH, and CUPRAC assays indicated that spine wines possessed high antioxidant properties, especially spine wine W3, W4, W6 and W8. Their high antioxidant properties were mainly related to the high levels of the total phenolic content and anthocyanins. Conclusion: These results suggested that spine wine might be considered a good wine source for the Chinese wine industry and provided useful information on the knowledge of spine grape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antioxidant function of edible flowers have attracted increasing interest. However, information is lacking on the impact of edible flowers on oxidative injury including hypoxia-re-oxygenation and hyperlipidemia. The antioxidant activities of aqueous extracts from 12 Chinese edible flowers were assessed in four different antioxidant models, including total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), scavenging hydroxyl radical capacity (SHRC) and scavenging superoxide anion radical capacity (SSARC). Subsequently, the potential antioxidant effects on rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (rCMEC) treated with hypoxia-re-oxygenation and hyperlipidemia rats induced by high-fat diet were also evaluated. The highest TAC, ORAC, SHRC and SSARC were Lonicera japonica Thunb., Rosa rugosa Thunb., Chrysanthemum indicum L. and Rosa rugosa Thunb., respectively. Most aqueous extracts of edible flowers exhibited good antioxidant effects on injury of rCMEC induced by hypoxia-re-oxygenation. In addition, the aqueous extracts of Lonicera japonica Thunb., Carthamus tinctorius L., Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils., Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. could suppress the build-up of oxidative stress by increasing serum superoxide dismutase, glutathion peroxidase, and reducing malonaldehyde concentration in hyperlipidemia rats. These findings provided scientific support for screening edible flowers as natural antioxidants and preventative treatments for oxidative stress-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]