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Alzheimers disease and Type 2 diabetes are two epidemiologically linked diseases which are closely associated with the misfolding and aggregation of amyloid proteins amyloid-β (Aβ) and human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), respectively. The co-aggregation of the two amyloid proteins is regarded as the fundamental molecular mechanism underlying their pathological association. The green tea extract epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been extensively demonstrated to inhibit the amyloid aggregation of Aβ and hIAPP proteins. However, its potential role in amyloid co-aggregation has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we employed the enhanced-sampling replica exchange molecular dynamics simulation (REMD) method to investigate the effect of EGCG on the co-aggregation of Aβ and hIAPP. We found that EGCG molecules substantially diminish the β-sheet structures within the amyloid core regions of Aβ and hIAPP in their co-aggregates. Through hydrogen-bond, π-π and cation-π interactions targeting polar and aromatic residues of Aβ and hIAPP, EGCG effectively attenuates both inter-chain and intra-chain interactions within the co-aggregates. All these findings indicated that EGCG can effectively inhibit the co-aggregation of Aβ and hIAPP. Our study expands the potential applications of EGCG as an anti-amyloidosis agent and provides therapeutic options for the pathological association of amyloid misfolding disorders.

Introduction: Matcha, a finely powdered form of green tea, has recently gained global popularity due to its vibrant green color, distinctive taste, and versatile applications in various food products. Despite its promising nutritional profile, matcha has not received significant attention in the academic community compared to traditional green tea. Purpose of work: The primary objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of matcha's biological properties and its potential health benefits. Methods and materials: A review of the literature available in the PubMed database and Google Scholar, the following keywords were searched: "matcha", "catechin", "EGCG", "cognitive function", "green tea" State of knowledge: Existing studies have demonstrated that matcha exhibits anticancer properties, enhances cognitive function, improves cardio-metabolic health, and modulates the gut microbiome. Moreover, matcha is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Summary: This review summarizes the latest research findings on matcha green tea and its potential health benefits. While animal studies have shown promising results, our knowledge of matcha's effects on human health remains limited. Further randomized controlled trials are necessary to fully elucidate its potential health-promoting effects. Therefore, we advocate for continued research into matcha's properties and its integration into dietary practices to promote overall health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Potentilla fulgens Wall. ex Sims. is a medicinal plant used by the locals of Meghalaya. However, its mechanism of action has not been well elucidated. Hence, this study investigated the effect of P. fulgens on IRS1 and Akt. The interaction of the various polyphenols present in P. fulgens with the IR tyrosine kinase and IRS1 PTB domain was studied using auto dock. Changes in expression of antioxidant enzymes, IRS-1, Akt and behavior of normal, diabetic, and diabetic mice treated mice were assessed after 14 days of treatment. Morphological changes in the liver tissue were determined by Transmission Electron Microscopy. Results: The effect of P. fulgens on blood glucose was time and dose dependent. Treatment with P. fulgens, Cat, E, CE, CEP and metformin improved the activity of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glycogen, IRS-1 and Akt. The Forced Swimming test showed an altered behavior in diabetic mice. The altered mobility was reverted back to near normal on treatment with P.fulgens, Cat, E, CE, CEP and metformin. The morphological aberrations seen in diabetic animals considerably improved in the treated diabetic group. Conclusion: P. fulgens and its phytochemicals-catechin and epicatechin are potent sources of antidiabetic drugs, possibly mediating their effects through upregulation of insulin IRS-1 and Akt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable tannins are environmentally friendly tanning agents. However, they generally impart a dark colour to the tanned leather and highly contribute to the organic load in wastewaters. In this study, we employed a purification protocol separately on chestnut tannin (CT) and sulfited quebracho tannin (QT) to obtain the purified fractions (PCT and PQT). These samples were characterised by GPC, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT-IR, and HPLC–DAD techniques and applied for tanning tests. Through the purification process, non-tannin components and smaller molecules such as gallic acid, glucopyranose, and catechin were effectively removed from CT and QT, which consequently led to the reduced moisture content, pH value, and lighter colour of purified fractions. The crust leathers processed with PCT and PQT showed desirable light shades. Moreover, the organic loads in PCT and PQT tanning wastewater were reduced by 13.5% and 19.1%, respectively, when compared to those in traditional CT and QT tanning wastewater. Additionally, the physical and mechanical characteristics of crust leathers processed with PCT and PQT were comparable to those processed with CT and QT. Thus, purification of vegetable tannins may serve as a feasible strategy for producing light-colored vegetable-tanned leather while minimizing organic pollutant discharge during the vegetable tanning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of various characteristic components of tea—theaflavins, catechins, thearubigins, theasinensins, theanine, catechin (C), catechin gallate (CG), epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), gallocatechin (GC), and gallocatechin gallate (GCG)—on acrylamide formation. The results revealed that most of tea's characteristic components could significantly eliminate acrylamide, ranked from highest to lowest as follows: GC (55.73%) > EC (46.31%) > theaflavins (44.91%) > CG (40.73%) > thearubigins (37.36%) > ECG (37.03%) > EGCG (27.37%) > theabrownine (22.54%) > GCG (16.21%) > catechins (10.14%) > C (7.48%). Synergistic elimination effects were observed with thearubigins + EC + GC + CG, thearubigins + EC + CG, thearubigins + EC + GC, theaflavins + GC + CG, and thearubigins + theaflavins, with the reduction rates being 73.99%, 72.67%, 67.62%, 71.03%, and 65.74%, respectively. Tea's components reduced the numbers of persistent free radicals to prevent acrylamide formation in the model system. The results provide a theoretical basis for the development of low-acrylamide foods and the application of tea resources in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The liver is a highly metabolically active organ, and one of the causes of its dysfunction is the damage caused by drugs and their metabolites as well as dietary supplements and herbal preparations. A common feature of such damage is drugs, which allows it to be defined as drug-induced liver injury (DILI). In this review, we analysed available research findings in the global literature regarding the effects of green tea and/or its phenolic compounds on liver function in the context of protective action during prolonged exposure to xenobiotics. We focused on the direct detoxifying action of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in the liver, the impact of EGCG on gut microbiota, and the influence of microbiota on liver health. We used 127 scientific research publications published between 2014 and 2024. Improving the effectiveness of DILI detection is essential to enhance the safety of patients at risk of liver damage and to develop methods for assessing the potential hepatotoxicity of a drug during the research phase. Often, drugs cannot be eliminated, but appropriate nutrition can strengthen the body and liver, which may mitigate adverse changes resulting from DILI. Polyphenols are promising owing to their strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well as their prebiotic effects. Notably, EGCG is found in green tea. The results of the studies presented by various authors are very promising, although not without uncertainties. Therefore, future research should focus on elucidating the therapeutic and preventive mechanisms of polyphenols in the context of liver health through the functioning of gut microbiota affecting overall health, with particular emphasis on epigenetic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The purpose of the present study was to determine the total phenolic, flavonoid, and galegine content and antioxidant activity, as well as the in vitro antidiabetic potential of different extracts of Galega officinalis using the solvent extraction method. The results demonstrated that the highest yield of extraction (28.05%) and galegine content (17.40 ± 0.04 μg/g of sample) was obtained using water as the solvent (p < .05). However, the highest total phenolic content (TPC) (138.35 ± 0.63 mg GAE per gram of dried GOEs) and total flavonoid content (TFC) (189.12 ± 1.47 mg catechin per gram of dried GOEs) were extracted using A90 (acetone–water, 90:10) solvent. A90 extract exhibited the highest inhibition of sucrase activity (91.42%) (p < .05). Also, the inhibitory activity of A90 against α‐amylase (59.96%), α‐glucosidase (54.3%), and maltase (62.73%) was significantly higher than that of A70 (acetone–water, 70:30) and E20 (ethanol–water, 20:80) (p < .05). According to antioxidant activity results, the highest ABTS•+ (360.5 ± 15.69 μmol Trolox eq per gram of dried GOEs), hydroxyl radical‐scavenging activity (3657.75 ± 21.56 μmol histidine eq per gram of dried GOEs), and FRAP assay (558.18 ± 20.26 μmol FeSO4 eq per gram of dried GOEs) were related to A90, while the best DPPH radical‐scavenging activity and metal‐chelating activity were related to A70 (302.66 ± 2.42 μmol Trolox equivalents per gram of dried GOEs) and E20 (36.5 ± 1.02 μmol EDTA eq per gram of dried GOEs), respectively. Taken together, A90 appears to be the best solvent to get Galega officinalis extract with the highest antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vicia faba L. is a leguminous plant with seeds rich in nutritional compounds, such as polyphenols and L-dopa, a dopamine precursor and first-line treatment for Parkinson's symptoms. Recently, its by-products have been revalued as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds. In this study, aqueous extracts of Lucan broad bean pod valves (BPs) were characterized to evaluate their potential use as adjuvants in severe Parkinson's disease. L-dopa content, quantified by LC-UV, was much higher in BPs than in seeds (28.65 mg/g dw compared to 0.76 mg/g dw). In addition, vicine and convicine, the metabolites responsible for favism, were not detected in pods. LC-ESI/LTQ-Orbitrap/MS2 allowed the identification of the major polyphenolic compounds, including quercetin and catechin equivalents, that could ensure neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease. ESI(±)-FT-ICR MS was used to build 2D van Krevelen diagrams; polyphenolic compounds and carbohydrates were the most representative classes. The neuroprotective activity of the extracts after MPP+-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells was also investigated. BP extracts were more effective than synthetic L-dopa, even at concentrations up to 100 µg/mL, due to the occurrence of antioxidants able to prevent oxidative stress. The stability and antioxidant component of the extracts were then emphasized by using naturally acidic solutions of Punica granatum L., Ribes rubrum L., and gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica L.) as extraction solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The galloyl group in catechins was confirmed to be crucial for their health benefits. However, whether the catechins' galloyl group had a contribution to their anti-inflammation remains unclear. This study investigated the anti-inflammation properties and mechanisms of catechins in RAW264.7 cells by using ELISA, fluorometry, flow cytometer, Western blot, and molecular docking. Results showed that the galloyl group enhanced the inhibitory abilities of catechins on inflammatory cytokines (NO, PGE2, IL-1β, and TNF-α) and ROS release in LPS-induced cells. This suppression was likely mediated by delaying cells from the G0/G1 to the S phase, blocking COX-2 and iNOS via the TLR4/MAPK/NF-κB pathway with PU.1 as an upstream target. The research proved that the existence of galloyl groups in catechins was indispensable for their anti-inflammatory capacities and offered a theoretical basis for the anti-inflammatory mechanism of galloylated catechins. Future research is needed to verify the anti-inflammatory effects of catechins in various sources of macrophages or the Caco-2/RAW264.7 cell co-culture system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camellia oleifera Abel, one of the most valuable woody oil plants, has been widely cultivated for extracting edible oil. The shell of C. oleifera is a by-product generated in the processing of edible oil extraction. However, there is still limited research on the maturity and high-value resource utilization of shell by-products. We found that the C. oleifera 'Huashuo' (HS) fruit shells contained a high content of catechins. Abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) enhanced the accumulation of catechins in C. oleifera fruit shells, providing a basis for production and application of the catechins in fruit shells of C. oleifera. We further found that 500 μM ABA and 900 μM MeJA significantly promoted the accumulation of catechin (C) and epicatechin (EC) in fruit shells. Following treatment with 900 μM MeJA, the expressions of CoPAL1, CoC4H1, CoC4H2, CoC4H3, Co4CL1, Co4CL2, CoF3′H1, CoLAR1, CoLAR2, CoLAR3, CoANR2, and CoANRL2 were significantly upregulated, while after 500 μM ABA treatment the expressions of CoPAL3, CoCHS1, CoCHS4, CoF3′H1, CoDFR, CoLAR1, CoLAR2, CoLAR3, CoANS1, CoANR1, and CoANR2 increased dramatically. These results indicate that appropriate concentrations of ABA and MeJA activate C and EC biosynthesis and promote their accumulation in fruit shells. Our results provide new ideas and guidance for promoting the resource utilization of C. oleifera fruit shells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Review of current knowledge on the impact of selected food products on the risk of glaucoma. Materials and Methods: Review and summary of research studies available in open-source format on Google Scholar, PubMed. Conclusions: There is ample evidence confirming the impact of food products on the risk of developing glaucoma or exacerbating its symptoms. However, further research is necessary to determine the extent of their interference with this disease entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Schinus terebinthifolia (ST) is a plant belonging to the cashew family Anacardiaceae, native to subtropical and tropical South America. ST is commonly called Brazil pepper and aroeira. Several reports have been made on the biological activities of ST, but studies on leaf extracts, especially lectins, have mainly been reported. Objectives: Our study analyzed the active compounds, antioxidant activities, xanthine oxidase inhibitory, elastase inhibitory, and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of S. terebinthifolia (ST) bark extract. Results: Hot water extracts showed the strongest electron donating ability (84.46%) and tyrosinase inhibitory activity (67.1%). Eighty percent ethanol extract showed the highest reducing power, total phenolic, xanthine oxidase (91.7%) and elastase inhibitory ability (85.44%). Catechin, α–amyrin, β–amyrone and 11-Oxo-.α-amyrin were identified through HPLC and GCMS analysis, while eighty percent extract contained the highest amount of catechin. Catechin, α–amyrin, and β–amyrone are considered to be the main xanthine oxidase inhibitors, while β–amyrone is considered to be the main inhibitor of xanthine oxidase and elastase. Conclusion: Through this study, we reported the basic information that S. terebinthifolia bark extract was used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, anti-gout, and skin disease improvement material. S. terebinthifolia bark extract could be used as an anti-gout natural drug or cosmetic material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Response surface tests were used to determine the optimal conditions for Bacillus subtilis solid-state fermentation of highland barley bran. The polyphenol composition and antioxidant activity of the fermented bran were also assessed. The results showed that the optimal fermentation conditions for highland barley bran were 10% inoculum, a liquid–feed ratio of 1.80, a fermentation temperature of 30 °C, and a fermentation time of 93.5 h. Under these conditions, the polyphenol content of highland barley bran was 12.43 mg/g. After fermentation, the ferulic acid content of the bran decreased, catechol and gallic acid contents increased significantly, and catechins shifted from the bound state to the free state. In addition, solid-state fermentation improved the antioxidant capacity of highland barley bran, and the DPPH• radical scavenging rate, Fe ion-reducing capacity, and hydroxyl radical scavenging rate of highland barley bran increased after fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a pseudocereal originally grown in the Andean region of South America. This study focused on investigating the changes in phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity in white and red quinoa varieties after short-term fermentation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v®. During fermentation, pH and lactic acid formation were monitored every three hours until pH was below 4.6. The quinoa phenolic profile was quantified via LC–UV–MS. Total polyphenol content (TPC) and total antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP) were determined via spectrophotometric methods. The findings showed that fermentation resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.001) in TPC from 4.68 to 7.78 mgGAE·100 g−1 for the white quinoa and from 5.04 to 8.06 mgGAE·100 g−1 for the red quinoa variety. Gallic acid was the most abundant phenolic acid detected in unfermented quinoa samples (averaging 229.5 μg·g−1). Fermented white quinoa showed an 18-fold increase in epicatechin, while catechin was found only in fermented red quinoa (59.19 μg·g−1). Fermentation showed a significantly positive impact on the iron-reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAP) of quinoa (p < 0.05). Red quinoa had a higher FRAP antioxidant capacity than the white variety; a similar trend was observed with the DPPH assay. There was a significant correlation (r > 0.9, p < 0.05) between TPC and antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, short-time lactic fermentation effectively increased phenolic content and antioxidant capacity in both quinoa varieties. Overall, red quinoa showed higher polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity compared to the white variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the quality of hand-shaken green tea prepared through rapid and natural cooling methods. Cooling is crucial in preserving green tea's flavor, aroma, and nutritional components. In the rapid cooling method, green tea is freshly brewed at an initial temperature of 95 °C for 25 min, and then rapidly cooled to 18 °C for 25 min. Conversely, the natural cooling method involves brewing tea at the same initial temperature and time, but allowing it to cool gradually to 30 °C over approximately 4–5 h at room temperature. This study's findings indicate that the rapid cooling method produced green tea with a more vibrant color and improved clarity versus the natural cooling method. Sensory analysis revealed that the taste and aroma of the hand-shaken green tea prepared using rapid cooling were perceived to be more refreshing and invigorating. However, the natural cooling method preserved a higher level of chemical components, including individual catechin caffeine, total polyphenol, soluble solids, reducing sugar, and total tannins. The essential amino acid content of the rapidly and naturally cooled green tea infusions was 6.85 and 13.55 μg/mL, respectively. The γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) content was 439.82 and 457.31 μg/mL, respectively. This study's findings suggest that rapid cooling during the preparation of hand-shaken green tea enhances its overall quality. The vibrant color, improved clarity, refreshing taste, and invigorating aroma make it a preferable choice for tea enthusiasts who seek an enhanced sensory experience and excellent quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current work was to compare the (poly)phenol profile (free, soluble-conjugate, and insoluble-bound) and antioxidant activity of date palm seed flour using different extraction methods (conventional vs. ultrasoundassisted extraction [UAE]) and to determine the most critical variables in the extraction of (poly)phenols through UAE using the Plackett-Burman design experiment. Using the Plackett-Burman design, seven factors, namely, ethanol concentration, liquid:solid ratio (mL/g), sonotrode, amplitude (%), extraction time, extractant pH, and extraction cycle, were studied. After the factors were studied using conventional extraction methods, 23 compounds were quantified, with protocatechuic acid and catechin being the predominant (poly)phenols. Furthermore, the distribution of (poly)phenols within the cell varied, with glycosylated quercetins and caffeoyl shikimic acids predominantly found in free forms. Ultrasound-assisted extraction demonstrated efficiency in extracting free and soluble-conjugate (poly)phenols. However, it showed limitations in extracting insoluble-bound (poly)phenols. Nevertheless, similar amounts of total (poly)phenols were shown after conventional extraction and UAE, that is, 259.69 ± 43.54 and 189.00 ± 3.08 mg/100 g date seed flour, respectively. The Plackett-Burman design revealed the liquid- solid ratio as a crucial factor affecting (poly)phenol extraction, with higher ratios yielding better results. The sonotrode choice also influenced the extraction efficiency, highlighting that the sonotrode with a smaller diameter but higher displacement amplitude showed the best polyphenol recovery and antioxidant activity values. The nature of (poly)phenols influenced the studied extraction variables differently, emphasizing the complexity of the extraction process. In this line, pure water was sufficient to extract flavan-3-ols after UAE, whereas ethanol was a crucial factor in extracting quercetin. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing extraction methods for maximizing (poly)phenol recovery from date palm seed flour for various applications in food and pharmacology industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Salix species occurring in Finland have not been well studied for their antimicrobial potential, despite their frequent use for lung and stomach problems in traditional medicine. Thus, twig extracts of three species of Salix that are found naturally in Finland and one cultivated species were screened for their antimicrobial properties against human pathogenic bacteria. S. starkeana and S. x pendulina were screened for antibacterial effects for the first time. (2) Methods: An agar diffusion and a microplate method were used for the screenings. Time-kill effects were measured using a plate-count and a microplate method. A DPPH-method using a qualitative TLC-analysis was used to detect antioxidant compounds in antimicrobial extracts. Metabolites from a S. myrsinifolia extract showing good antibacterial effects were identified using UPLC/QTOF-MS. (3) Results: A methanol extract of S. starkeana was particularly active against B. cereus (MIC 625 µg/mL), and a methanol extract of S. myrsinifolia showed good activity against S. aureus and B. cereus (MIC 1250 µg/mL) and showed bactericidal effects during a 24 h incubation of B. cereus. Moreover, a decoction of S. myrsinifolia resulted in good growth inhibition against P. aeruginosa. Our UPLC/QTOF-MS results indicated that proanthocyanidins (PAs), and especially the dimer procyanidin B1 (m/z 577) and other procyanidin derivatives, including highly polymerized proanthocyanidins, were abundant in S. myrsinifolia methanol extracts. Procyanidin B1 and its monomer catechin, as well as taxifolin and p-hydroxycinnamic acid, all present in S. myrsinifolia twigs, effectively inhibited B. cereus (MIC 250 µg/mL). (4) Conclusions: This study indicates that Finnish Salix species contain an abundance of antibacterial condensed tannins, phenolic acids and other polyphenols that deserve further research for the antibacterial mechanisms of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, to optimize the creation of new neuroprotective agents based on bioflavonoids, we applied information technologies; these include docking analysis to calculate the binding of candidate molecules to the pharmacological target protein transthyretin as well as a program of virtual screening of NO scavengers. As a result of this approach, the substance catechin was isolated from candidate molecules—quercetin, catechin, Epicatechin gallate, Epicatechin, Procyanidin B1, Procyanidin B2, Procyanidin B3, and Catechin-3-gallate—according to docking analysis. As a result of virtual screening, catechin was identified as a potential NO scavenger (55.15% prediction). The results of the prediction were confirmed by in vitro experiments. Course administration of catechin to animals with experimental multiple sclerosis (MS) against the background of methylprednisolone administration completely eliminated lethal cases, reduced the number of diseased animals by 20% as well as prevented the development of severe neurological symptoms by 20% (compared to the methylprednisolone group) and by 60% compared to the control group. Course administration of catechin with methylprednisolone leads to a decrease in the neurodegradation markers in the cytosol of rats, with EAE: NSE by 37% and S-100 by 54.8%. The combined administration of methylprednisolone significantly exceeds the combination of methylprednisolone with the reference drug mexidol by the degree of NSE reduction. The obtained results indicate a significant neuroprotective effect of ocular combinations of methylprednisolone and catechin. The above-mentioned confirms the correctness of the bioflavonoid selection with the help of a virtual screening program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of catechin‐loaded Chitosan‐Alginate nanoparticles (NPs) on cognitive function in an aluminum chloride (AlCl3)‐induced rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The Catechin‐loaded Chitosan‐Alginate nanocarriers were synthesized through ionotropic gelation (IG) method. Physio‐chemical characterization was conducted with the Zetasizer Nano system, the scanning electron microscope, and the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The experiments were performed over 21 days on six groups of male Wistar rats. The control group, AlCl3 treated group, Catechin group, nanocarrier group, treatment group 1 (AlCl3 + Catechin), and treatment group 2 (AlCl3 + nanocarrier). A behavioral study was done by the Morris water maze (MWM) test. In addition, the level of oxidative indices and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity was determined by standard procedures at the end of the study. AlCl3 induced a significant increase in AChE activity, along with a significant decrease in the level of Catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the hippocampus. Moreover, the significant effect of AlCl3 was observed on the behavioral parameters of the MWM test. Both forms of Catechin markedly improved AChE activity, oxidative biomarkers, spatial memory, and learning. The present study indicated that the administration of Catechin‐loaded Chitosan‐Alginate NPs is a beneficial therapeutic option against behavioral and chemical alteration of AD in male Wistar rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complexification of in vitro models requires the compatibility of cells with the same medium. Since immune cells are the most sensitive to growth conditions, growing intestinal epithelial cells in their usual medium seems to be necessary. This work was aimed at comparing the sensitivity of these epithelial cells to pro-inflammatory stimuli but also to dietary polyphenols in both DMEM and RPMI-1640 media. Co-cultures of Caco-2 and HT29-MTX cells were grown for 21 days in the two media before their stimulation with a cocktail of TNF-α (20 ng/mL), IL-1β (1 ng/mL), and IFN-γ (10 ng/mL) or with LPS (10 ng/mL) from E. coli (O111:B4). The role of catechins (15 µM), a dietary polyphenol, was evaluated after its incubation with the cells before their stimulation for 6 h. The RPMI-1640 medium did not alter the intensity of the inflammatory response observed with the cytokines. By contrast, LPS failed to stimulate the co-culture in inserts regardless of the medium used. Lastly, catechins were unable to prevent the pro-inflammatory response observed with the cytokines in the two media. The preservation of the response of this model of intestinal epithelium in RPMI-1640 medium is promising when considering its complexification to evaluate the complex cellular crosstalk leading to intestinal homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop an efficient method for the extraction of bioactive compounds from green tea waste (GTW) toward its potential application in the food industry. GTW, which is generated during the harvesting and processing of green tea products, accounts for a global annual loss of nearly 1 million tonnes. Notably, this waste is rich in polyphenolic compounds, particularly catechins, which are renowned for their significant health benefits. We assessed the optimization of catechin extraction from GTW employing hot water extraction (HWE), ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE), and ethanol extraction (EthE) techniques at different sample‐to‐solvent ratios (1:100, 1:50, and 1:20 w/v). The extraction temperature was set at 80°C for both HWE and UAE; however, for EthE, the temperature was slightly lower at 70°C, adhering to the boiling point of ethanol. High‐performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the extraction efficiency by quantifying various catechins (i.e., catechin, epicatechin [EC], epicatechin gallate [ECG], epigallocatechin [EGC], and epigallocatechin gallate [EGCG]). In terms of the concentration for individual catechins, EC was found to be the highest concentration detected, ranging from 30.58 ± 1.17 to 37.95 ± 0.84 mg/L in all extraction techniques and ratios of solvents, followed by EGCG (9.71 ± 1.40–20.99 ± 1.11 mg/L), EGC + C (7.95 ± 0.66–12.58 ± 0.56 mg/L), and ECG (1.85 ± 0.71–6.05 ± 0.06 mg/L). The findings of DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl‐hydrazyl) free radical assay illustrated that HWE demonstrated the highest extraction efficiency at all ratios, ranging from 61.41 ± 1.00 to 70.36 ± 1.47 mg/L. The 1:50 ratio exhibited the highest extraction yield (25.98% ± 0.75%) compared to UAE (24.16% ± 0.95%) and EthE (22.59% ± 0.26%). Moreover, this method of extraction (i.e., HWE) produced the highest total catechins and %DPPH reduction. Consequently, HWE was the most efficient method for extracting catechins from GTW, underscoring its potential for valorizing waste within the food manufacturing industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focuses on Cistus monspeliensis L. aerial parts (AP) and roots (R) extracts, investigating the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of the two organs in comparison. At dosages between 1.56 and 6.25 µg/mL, both extracts showed a protective effect against LPS inflammatory stimulus on a macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). Interestingly, only R was able to significantly reduce both IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA gene expression in the presence of LPS. Moreover, the treatment of a neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) with AP and R at 6.25 µg/mL increased the cell survival rate by nearly 20% after H2O2 insult. However, only R promoted mitochondria survival, exhibited a significantly higher production of ATP and a higher activity of the enzyme catalase than the control. Both AP and R had similar primary metabolites; in particular, they both contained 1-O-methyl-epi-inositol. Labdane and methoxylated flavonoids were the most characteristic compounds of AP, while R contained mainly catechins, gallic acid, and pyrogallol derivatives. Considering the importance of elemental composition in plants, the inorganic profile of AP and R was also investigated and compared. No potentially toxic elements, such as Pb, were detected in any sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaves and branches of rabbiteye blueberry are rich in proanthocyanidins, which are thought to have different physiological activities depending on their structure and degree of polymerization. In this study, we analyzed the constituents of the leaves and branches of rabbiteye blueberry to determine the seasonal variations in polyphenol and proanthocyanidin (PAC) contents as well as their mean degrees of polymerization (mDP). Total PAC content was determined using two methods: The p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (DMACA) method, which measures monomeric PAC, showed an increase from spring to summer in both leaves and branches. On the other hand, using the butanol/HCl method, which measures only polymerized PAC, the PAC content of leaves increased from spring to summer but those of branches remained low throughout the year, showing no significant increase or decrease. Furthermore, analysis of the mDP of PAC showed increases from spring to summer in the leaves of 'Kunisato 35 gou'. Although the highest value (8.0) was observed in October, values around 4 remained throughout the year in the branches. Since differences in polymerization degree affect absorption in the body and physiological properties such as antioxidant capacity, selecting the appropriate harvest time and plant organs for each purpose is expected to ensure the quality of processed blueberry foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Potentilla fulgens Wall. ex Sims. is a medicinal plant used by the locals of Meghalaya. However, its mechanism of action has not been well elucidated. Hence, this study investigated the effect of P. fulgens on IRS1 and Akt. The interaction of the various polyphenols present in P. fulgens with the IR tyrosine kinase and IRS1 PTB domain was studied using auto dock. Changes in expression of antioxidant enzymes, IRS-1, Akt and behavior of normal, diabetic, and diabetic mice treated mice were assessed after 14 days of treatment. Morphological changes in the liver tissue were determined by Transmission Electron Microscopy. Results The effect of P. fulgens on blood glucose was time and dose dependent. Treatment with P. fulgens, Cat, E, CE, CEP and metformin improved the activity of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glycogen, IRS-1 and Akt. The Forced Swimming test showed an altered behavior in diabetic mice. The altered mobility was reverted back to near normal on treatment with P.fulgens, Cat, E, CE, CEP and metformin. The morphological aberrations seen in diabetic animals considerably improved in the treated diabetic group. Conclusion P. fulgens and its phytochemicals-catechin and epicatechin are potent sources of antidiabetic drugs, possibly mediating their effects through upregulation of insulin IRS-1 and Akt.

Catechins are the predominant form of flavonoids present in plants and have high antioxidant capacity, but their usage is limited in clinical practice due to low bioavailability. Nano formulation of catechin was prepared by using sodium alginate polymer to address the bioavailability problem. Nanoparticles were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. In vivo antioxidant property of alginate-coated catechin nanoparticles was assessed against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatopathy in a rat model. Rats were randomly divided into ten groups, with six rats (n = 6) in each group. Carbon tetrachloride @ 4 ml/Kg body weight was used to cause subacute hepatotoxicity in rats; Group I (healthy control), Group II (disease control), Group III (blank catechin), Group IV (blank alginate), Group V (Silymarin), Group VI and Group VII (Alginate coated catechin nanoparticles, two different dose intervals), Group VIII, Group IX, Group X (Alginate coated catechin nanoparticles, Three different doses). Oxidative stress assay, histopathological examination, and May-Grünwald staining were done on the 28th day of the trial. Haemato-biochemical parameters and oxidative stress markers on the 28th day in the rats of Group VI showed significant improvement as compared to other groups. Significant improvement in the healing pattern of gross tissues of the liver was observed in Group VI. May-Grünwald Giemsa staining depicted prominent regenerative changes in liver cells in Group VI. The study concluded that the alginate coating of catechin improves the bioavailability and depicted better regeneration of hepatocytes.

In this study, to understand the effect of hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) treatment on the interaction between catechin and soy protein isolate (SPI) and the structural and functional properties of the conjugates, we explored the changes in binding between catechin and SPI as well as the ultraviolet (UV) absorption and fluorescence spectra, free sulfhydryl and amino group contents, surface hydrophobicity, average particle size, zeta potential, secondary structure, and antioxidant properties of the formed conjugates before and after HC treatment. The results showed that HC treatment could promote the interaction between catechin and SPI. At 2.0 mg/mL catechin concentration, HC treatment could increase the amount of catechin bound to SPI from (21.82 ± 0.18) to (62.55 ± 0.36) mg/g. Compared with the untreated sample, HC treatment enhanced the UV absorption intensity, weakened the fluorescence intensity, increased the average particle size, decreased the absolute value of the zeta potential and surface hydrophobicity, and reduced the free sulfhydryl and amino group contents. Additionally, HC treatment caused an increase in α-helix, β-turn, and random coil relative contents and a decrease in β-sheet relative content. Furthermore, after HC treatment, the antioxidant activity of the catechin-SPI conjugates was significantly enhanced. For the conjugate formed at 2.0 mg/mL catechin concentration, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrayl (DPPH) free radical scavenging capacity increased from (48.64 ± 1.24)% to (84.72 ± 0.12)%, the 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) cation radical scavenging capacity from (35.60 ± 1.21)% to (75.51 ± 0.79)%, and the ferric reducing power from 0.81 ± 0.02 to 1.52 ± 0.05. It can be seen that HC treatment can promote the combination of catechin and SPI, change the structural properties of the resulting conjugates, and enhance its antioxidant activity.

The plant Hydnora johannis has been utilized in folk medicine. Analyzing phytochemical composition of dichloromethane/methanol (1 : 1) root part of Hydnora johannis gave oleic acid (1), caffeic acid‐2‐hydroxynonylester (2), catechin (3), and a pregnane derivative (4). NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize compounds 1–3, while compound 4 was identified through GC‐MS analysis and literature comparison. The cytotoxicity of extracts from roots of H. johannis was conducted against MCF‐7 cell lines (human breast cancer) by MTT assay. According to the cytotoxicity study, n‐hexane extract exhibited a high level of toxicity with 28.9 ± 5.6% cell viability. Antibacterial activity was tested against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogen. The highest bacterial growth mean inhibition zone was measured for catechin (3) (13.72 ± 0.05 mm)) against P. aeruginosa at 0.25 mg/mL and acceptable related to standard. Antioxidant activity was studied by the DPPH assay. Based on the data from the antioxidant study, DCM/MeOH extract (70.32%) and catechin (3) showed good antioxidant activity (65.61%) (IC50 0.25 μg/mL) relative to that of the positive control (78.21%, IC50 0.014 μg/mL) at 12.5 μg/mL. In each docking pose, catechin (3) scored higher binding affinity of −7.9, −7.2, and −6.4 kcal/mol towards PqsA, DNA gyraseB, and S. aureus PK, respectively, compared to amoxicillin (−8.1, −6.1, and −6.4 kcal/mol). All five Lipinski rules were obeyed by compounds 1–3, which showed an acceptable drug resemblance. The lipophilicity was computed as less than five (1.47–4.01) indicating a lipophilic property. Catechin (3) obeys Veber's rule implying its good oral bioavailability. Binding affinity scores of catechin (3)‐protein interactions are in line with those from in vitro tests, indicating its potential antibacterial effect. The obtained cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity results support the utilization of H. johannis in folk medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of microwave pretreatment on cooking time of presoaked Bambara groundnut seeds, functional properties of resultant flours, and their phenolic composition and antioxidant properties. Microwave treatment significantly decreased cooking time and resulted in decreased water solubility index (WSI) (by up to 66%) and nitrogen solubility index (NSI) (up to 81%) of the resultant flours, as well as a decrease in pasting viscosity and enthalpy compared to raw flour. However, the 1200 W treatment resulted in higher pasting viscosity, WSI, and NSI than the 900 W treatment. There were differences in type of flavonoids and phenolic acids between the two types of Bambara groundnut seeds, while microwave treatment caused certain increase and decrease in individual flavonoids, such as catechin, quercetin‐3‐O‐glucoside, and hesperidin. The flours maintained good radical scavenging antioxidant activity and protected plasmid DNA from oxidative damage. Overall, the study suggests that microwave pretreatment shows potential in alleviating the hard‐to‐cook Bambara groundnut seeds in producing flour with functional and antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a non-destructive, fast, and cost-effective technique, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been widely used to determine the content of bioactive components in tea. However, due to the similar chemical structures of various catechins in black tea, the NIR spectra of black tea severely overlap in certain bands, causing nonlinear relationships and reducing analytical accuracy. In addition, the number of NIR spectral wavelengths is much larger than that of the modeled samples, and the small-sample learning problem is rather typical. These issues make the use of NIRS to simultaneously determine black tea catechins challenging. To address the above problems, this study innovatively proposed a wavelength selection algorithm based on feature interval combination sensitivity segmentation (FIC-SS). This algorithm extracts wavelengths at both coarse-grained and fine-grained levels, achieving higher accuracy and stability in feature wavelength extraction. On this basis, the study built four simultaneous prediction models for catechins based on extreme learning machines (ELMs), utilizing their powerful nonlinear learning ability and simple model structure to achieve simultaneous and accurate prediction of catechins. The experimental results showed that for the full spectrum, the ELM model has better prediction performance than the partial least squares model for epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). For the feature wavelengths, our proposed FIC-SS-ELM model enjoys higher prediction performance than ELM models based on other wavelength selection algorithms; it can simultaneously and accurately predict the content of EC ( R p 2 = 0.91, RMSEP = 0.019), ECG ( R p 2 = 0.96, RMSEP = 0.11), EGC ( R p 2 = 0.97, RMSEP = 0.15), and EGCG ( R p 2 = 0.97, RMSEP = 0.35) in black tea. The results of this study provide a new method for the quantitative determination of the bioactive components of black tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review study explores the complex methods involved in the extraction and purification of polyphenols, specifically catechins, prominent compounds that are bioactive and found in plant-based extracts and foods like tea. This study also addresses the challenges that may arise from the complex chemical structure of catechins and their inherent variability across botanical sources. Despite these shortcomings and obstacles, catechins and catechin derivatives present significant potential, particularly in healthcare but also in the food industry. Their enhanced antioxidant properties have been exhaustively investigated and associated with countless health benefits, making them promising agents with numerous applications, most notably in healthcare against chronic diseases. Furthermore, catechins have numerous applications across various industries, including food and beverage, cosmetics, agriculture, and materials science. This review is a compilation of the most notable and recent research found in the literature and emphasizes the importance of continued research and innovation in catechin separation, extraction, and utilization, which hold promise for advancing human health and technological progress across multiple domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To obtain more sustainable and active food packaging materials, PHBV films containing 5% wt. of phenolic compounds with different molecular structures (ferulic acid, vanillin, and catechin) and proved antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were obtained by melt blending and compression molding. These were characterized by their structural, mechanical, barrier, and optical properties, as well as the polymer crystallization, thermal stability, and component migration in different food simulants. Phenolic compounds were homogenously integrated within the polymer matrix, affecting the film properties differently. Ferulic acid, and mainly catechin, had an anti-plasticizing effect (increasing the polymer glass transition temperature), decreasing the film extensibility and the resistance to breaking, with slight changes in the elastic modulus. In contrast, vanillin provoked a plasticizing effect, decreasing the elastic modulus without notable changes in the film extensibility while increasing the water vapor permeability. All phenolic compounds, mainly catechin, improved the oxygen barrier capacity of PHBV films and interfered with the polymer crystallization, reducing the melting point and crystallinity degree. The thermal stability of the material was little affected by the incorporation of phenols. The migration of passive components of the different PHBV films was lower than the overall migration limit in every simulant. Phenolic compounds were released to a different extent depending on their thermo-sensitivity, which affected their final content in the film, their bonding forces in the polymer matrix, and the simulant polarity. Their effective release in real foods will determine their active action for food preservation. Catechin was the best preserved, while ferulic acid was the most released. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impact of storage temperatures (−20 °C, room temperature, and 40 °C) on the sensory evaluation, metabolites, and volatile compounds of green tea stored for 12 months. The sensory evaluation revealed that tea samples stored at −20 °C retained their emerald green colour, tender aroma, and refreshing taste. Green tea biochemical constituents, including water extracts and total free amino acids, were measured by Chinese National Standard Methods (GB/T 8305-2013 and GB/T 8314-2013). Tea polyphenols and flavonoids were determined using spectrophotometric methods, while phytochemicals were detected using validated HPLC, and volatile compounds were detected using validated gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The analysis showed that tea polyphenols were highest at −20 °C, and flavonoids were significantly reduced at higher temperatures. A similar trend was observed for amino acids, soluble sugar content, and water extracts. Tea catechins, including (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and (-)-gallocatechin gallate (GCG), were highest at −20 °C, showing their susceptibility to temperature. A volatile compound analysis revealed distinct profiles with variations in the abundance of compounds, such as di-methyl sulfide, phenyl ethyl alcohol, indole, and benzaldehyde. This study identifies temperature-sensitive compounds, providing insights into the mechanisms underlying tea quality deterioration during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold stress is an important limiting factor affecting spring tea quality. This study analyzed the effects of foliar spraying of brassinolide (BR) at concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/L on the chlorophyll index, nitrogen balance index, quality, antioxidant defense system, and secondary metabolite profiles in leaves of Camellia sinensis cv. Fuding-dabaicha grown at 4 °C for 48 h. All exogenous BR treatments significantly increased leaf nitrogen balance index, with the highest effect at 0.1 mg/L, which also significantly increased leaf chlorophyll index. BR treatments distinctly increased tea polyphenol, catechin, amino acid, and caffeine levels at cold stress, with the greatest effect at 0.1 mg BR/L. Foliar spraying of BR showed no effect on the expression of CsGOGAT at cold stress, but it differentially regulated the expression of CsHMGR, CsGDH, and CsGs, accompanied by their expression being up-regulated under 0.1 mg BR/L treatment. BR-treated plants exhibited a low level of oxidative damage at cold stress based on malondialdehyde levels, which was associated with higher glutathione levels and CsCAT and CsSOD gene expression levels under BR concentrations of 0.05 mg/L and 0.1 mg/L. Non-targeted metabolomics found a total of 26,175 metabolites, the majority of which were lipids and lipid-like molecules (8.97%) and organic heterocyclic compounds (8.97%). BR treatments with 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/L triggered 1181, 1997, 2414, and 1455 differential metabolites, respectively, accompanied by more differential metabolites being up-regulated. Among them, 18 differential metabolites were associated with tea quality. The enriched pathways of differential metabolites were mainly caffeine metabolism, amino acid synthesis and metabolism, alkaloid synthesis and metabolism, and flavonoid synthesis, depending on the BR concentrations used. Caffeine metabolism was an BR-inducible differential metabolite pathway. Taken together, foliar spraying of BR (0.1 mg/L) improved leaf antioxidant capacity and quality as well as modulated secondary metabolites and their pathways in cold-stressed tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the potential of Urtica dioica (U. dioica) ethanolic leaf extract for cancer treatment by identifying its components, evaluating its effects on cancer cell lines, and analyzing its molecular docking. The objective of this study was to investigate the anticancer properties of U. dioica ethanolic leaf extract and assess its potential as a therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. This study utilized high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to analyze the chemical composition of U. dioica ethanolic leaf extract. The anticancer effects of the extract were evaluated by assessing cell viability, determining IC50 values, and conducting ADMET analysis after oral administration. U. dioica ethanolic leaf extract was found to contain methyl hexadecanoate as its primary component, along with flavonoids and polyphenols. It effectively reduced cell viability in various tested cancer cell lines, with IC50 values varying for each cell line. The duration of treatment significantly influenced cell viability, with the most significant reduction observed after 48 h. Molecular docking studies suggested that catechin, kaempferol, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside may have potential as inhibitors of the MTHFD2 enzyme. This study revealed the potential of U. dioica and its compounds in cancer treatment. Ethanolic leaf extract has been shown to have anticancer effects on various cancer cell lines, with catechin and kaempferol showing promise as inhibitors of the MTHFD2 enzyme. Further research is warranted to explore the therapeutic implications of U. dioica in cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oolong tea, celebrated for its significance in Chinese tea culture, was the subject of investigation in this study. Methods: Five varieties of Minnan oolong tea were sampled, each cultivated under two distinct management approaches: conventional management and natural growth methods. The study aimed to discern variations in sensory attributes, encompassing appearance and liquor color, alongside the analysis of chemical composition. Results and discussion: The results indicated that oolong tea cultivated through conventional manual management generally exhibited qualities in terms of shape and foliage appearance, in contrast to those grown naturally. However, naturally grown oolong tea tended to exhibit more favorable aroma and taste profiles compared to conventionally managed counterparts. Furthermore, the content of water extract, amino acids, polyphenols, caffeine, and other pivotal chemical constituents were typically higher in naturally grown tea varieties compared to conventionally managed ones. Conversely, catechin content was found to be more abundant in traditionally managed bushes than in those grown naturally. These findings emphasize the significance of implementing appropriate natural growth management practices to enhance the quality of Minnan oolong tea and maintain ecological sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beans' protein and slow-digesting carbohydrate content make it an appealing choice for healthy food development. However, its properties are influenced by the flour extraction processes. This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of particle size and three pretreatments—drying (D), soaking + cooking + dehydrating 3 h (SCD3), and soaking + cooking + dehydrating 24 h (SCD24)—on the estimated glycemic index (eGI) compared with raw bean flour (R). The methodology covered water absorption (WAI), water solubility (WSI), amylose content, starch digestibility, eGI, phenolic quantification, and rheology. The results showed that WAI correlated negatively with WSI and amylose, varying among pretreatments and sizes. WAI increased as D < SCD 24 < SCD 3 < R. Glucose release (HI) differed between fine (125 μm) and coarse fractions (242 μm), with SCD24 and R showing the lowest eGI (22.8–24.2). SCD3 had the highest flavonoid concentration, while R and D had more quercetin-3-glucoside. SCD24 displayed higher elastic/viscous moduli than R. Bean flours from all treatments had low GI and contained bioactive polyphenols (catechin, epicatechin, ferulic acid, quercetin). The optimal treatment was SCD24, particularly in the coarse fraction, showing potential for functional food development and novel applications such as precision nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research presents a new, eco-friendly, and swift method combining solid-phase extraction and hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DES) with high-performance liquid chromatography (SPE-DES-HPLC) for extracting and quantifying catechin and epicatechin in Shanxi aged vinegar (SAV). The parameters, such as the elution solvent type, the XAD-2 macroporous resin dosage, the DES ratio, the DES volume, the adsorption time, and the desorption time, were optimized via a one-way experiment. A central composite design using the Box–Behnken methodology was employed to investigate the effects of various factors, including 17 experimental runs and the construction of three-dimensional response surface plots to identify the optimal conditions. The results show that the optimal conditions were an HDES (tetraethylammonium chloride and octanoic acid) ratio of 1:3, an XAD-2 macroporous resin dosage of 188 mg, and an adsorption time of 11 min. Under these optimal conditions, the coefficients of determination of the method were greater than or equal to 0.9917, the precision was less than 5%, and the recoveries ranged from 98.8% to 118.8%. The environmentally friendly nature of the analytical process and sample preparation was assessed via the Analytical Eco-Scale and AGREE, demonstrating that this method is a practical and eco-friendly alternative to conventional determination techniques. In summary, this innovative approach offers a solid foundation for the assessment of flavanol compounds present in SAV samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper nutrient management is crucially important to the sustainable development of tea production. Compared to normal green-leaf cultivars, albino tea cultivars produce green tea of superior quality characterized by high contents of amino acids as a result of the hydrolysis of chloroplast proteins at albinism. However, the advantage of albino tea cultivars was offset by inferior growth and yield performance because of low contents of chlorophylls and limited photosynthesis capacity. Our understanding about the nutrition characteristics of albino tea cultivars was very limited. A four-year field experiment was conducted to develop proper nutrient management for Baiye-1 to overcome its weakness of low productivity without a tradeoff in tea quality and environmental risks. The nutrient management schemes were formulated by optimizing the rate and ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorus, potassium and magnesium together with substitution of chemical fertilizers with organic manures. The total amounts of nutrients in the optimized schemes were reduced by 25% compared to the local farmers' practice (FP). Results showed that optimized rates and ratio of nutrients together with partial substitution of chemical fertilizers with rapeseed cake manure more considerably improved albino tea yield, the contents of free amino acids, total polyphenol and catechins relative to FP. Partial substitution of chemical fertilizers with commercial livestock manure decreased tea quality, which was likely caused by a dilution effect of increasing tea yield and decreasing N status of tea plants. Full organic substitution of chemical fertilizers by rapeseed cake manure improved tea yield and quality but had relatively low agronomic efficiency and profit. The effect of optimized nutrient management schemes was associated with the improvement of nutritional status in tea plants. The present work demonstrated that the optimization of nutrient management considerably improved albino tea yield, quality and profit while decreased the application rate of fertilizers and the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plant tissue cultures are potential sources of bioactive compounds. In this study, we report the chemical characterization of the callus cultures of three medicinal Tilia spp. (Tilia cordata, Tilia vulgaris and Tilia tomentosa), along with the comparison to bracts and flowers of the same species. Our aim was to show that calli of Tilia spp. are good alternatives to the calli of T. americana for the production of polyphenols and are better sources of a subset of polyphenolic metabolites, compared to the original organs. Calli were initiated from young bracts and grown on woody plant medium containing 1 mg L−1 2,4-D and 0.1 mg L−1 BAP. For chemical characterization, a quality-controlled untargeted metabolomics approach and the quantification of several bioactive compounds was performed with the use of LC-ESI-MS/MS. While bracts and flowers contained flavonoid glycosides (astragalin, isoquercitrin) as major polyphenols, calli of all species contained catechins, coumarins (fraxin, esculin and scopoletin) and flavane aglyca. T. tomentosa calli contained 5397 µg g DW−1 catechin, 201 µg g DW−1 esculin, 218 µg g DW−1 taxifolin and 273 µg g DW−1 eriodictyol, while calli from other species contained lower amounts. T. cordata and T. tomentosa flowers were rich in isoquercitrin, containing 8134 and 6385 µg g DW−1, respectively. The currently tested species contained many of the bioactive metabolites described from T. americana. The production of catechin was shown to be comparable to the most efficient tissue cultures reported. Flowers and bracts contained flavonoid glycosides, including tiliroside, resembling bioactive fractions of T. americana. In addition, untargeted metabolomics has shown fingerprint-like differences among species, highlighting possible chemotaxonomic and quality control applications, especially for bracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinicians often have to face infections caused by microorganisms that are difficult to eradicate due to their resistance and/or tolerance to antimicrobials. Among these pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes chronic infections due to its ability to form biofilms on medical devices, skin wounds, ulcers and the lungs of patients with Cystic Fibrosis. In this scenario, the plant world represents an important reservoir of natural compounds with antimicrobial and/or antibiofilm properties. In this study, an extract from the leaves of Combretum micranthum G. Don, named Cm4-p, which was previously investigated for its antimicrobial activities, was assayed for its capacity to inhibit biofilm formation and/or to eradicate formed biofilms. The model strain P. aeruginosa PAO1 and its isogenic biofilm hyperproducer derivative B13 were treated with Cm4-p. Preliminary IR, UV-vis, NMR, and mass spectrometry analyses showed that the extract was mainly composed of catechins bearing different sugar moieties. The phytocomplex (3 g/L) inhibited the biofilm formation of both the PAO1 and B13 strains in a significant manner. In light of the obtained results, Cm4-p deserves deeper investigations of its potential in the antimicrobial field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have shown that natural flavone and flavonoids are molecules derived from the natural source and can selectively kill certain cancer cells. However, the exact process by which these bioactive substances affect acute myeloid leukemia is still unknown. To further understand about the medication resistance and find possible treatments for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia, we used network pharmacology methods. We specifically examined the pharmacological impacts of polyphenols, particularly kaempferol, catechin and quercetin on the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Using public databases including PubChem, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Mapper, Universal Protein Resource, DisGenet and cystoscope databases, we conducted a thorough search for the potential targets of polyphenols and acute myeloid leukemia. Consequently, we identified polyphenol target genes and acute myeloid leukemia disease targets. Among the 253 genes showed overlapping; however, some might be potential as polyphenol-based acute myeloid leukemia therapy targets. The specific method by which these bioactive substances exert their anti-acute myeloid leukemia effects has been elucidated through the use of protein-protein interaction network analysis, gene ontology analysis and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis. Further cytological examinations confirmed these results, illustrating the polyphenol's capacity to hinder the growth of acute myeloid leukemia cells through different pathways. Our study combines network pharmacology-based predictions with systematic review studies for polyphenolic-mediated therapy of acute myeloid leukemia. This provides new perspectives on therapeutic approaches to address drug resistance in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Himalaya PartySmart capsule is a polyherbal formulation having liver-protective properties. The polyherbal capsule consists of extracts of six different herbs namely, Phoenix dactylifera, Cichorium intybus, Andrographis paniculata, Vitis vinifera, Phyllanthus amarus and Emblica officinalis. A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method with ultraviolet detection was developed to standardize commercial polyherbal capsule using andrographolide and catechin as markers. Two selected markers were separated on the C18 silica gel column by isocratic elution mode using methanol, phosphate buffer (potential of hydrogen 2.5) (70:30, v/v) as mobile phase at 27° and the detection wavelength was 259 nm. The method was validated as per the recommendations of the International Conference on Harmonization Q2 (R1) guidelines. Both the calibration curves exhibited a good linear coefficient of correlation (r2>0.995). The limit of detection and limit of quantitation values indicated that the developed method was sensitive even at low concentrations. The percent relative standard deviation of peak areas was less than 2 % for intra-day and inter-day precision. The recoveries of both markers ranged between 98 %-102 %. Two markers were quantified in polyherbal capsules containing andrographolide (0.72 %, w/w) and catechin (0.94 %, w/w). In conclusion, a specific, precise, accurate and robust reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed to determine andrographolide and catechin simultaneously which can be used to monitor the quality control studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the most consumed tea in the world, all kinds of black tea are developed from Wuyi black tea. In this study, quality components, regulatory gene expression, and key enzyme activity during the processing were analyzed to illustrate the taste formation of WBT. Withering mainly affected the content of amino acids, while catechins and tea pigments were most influenced by rolling and the pre-metaphase of fermentation. Notably, regulatory gene expression was significantly down-regulated after withering except for polyphenoloxidase1, polyphenoloxidase2, leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase, chalcone isomerase, and flavonoid 3′, 5′-hydroxylase. Co-expression of flavonoid pathway genes confirmed similar expression patterns of these genes in the same metabolic pathway. Interestingly, rolling and fermentation anaphase had a great effect on polyphenol oxidase, and fermentation pre-metaphase had the greatest effect on cellulase. Since gene regulation mainly occurs before picking, the influence of chemical reaction was greater during processing. It was speculated that polyphenol oxidase and cellulase, which promoted the transformation of quality components, were the key factors in the quality formation of WBT. The above results provide theoretical basis for the processing of WBT and the reference for producing high-quality black tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aroma is an important factor in the measurement of the quality and market value of oolong tea. However, it is hard to develop an oolong tea with good aroma quality using unsuitable tea varieties. To explore the key factors of tea varieties in the formation of oolong tea aromas, the fresh leaves of the Chungui variety (CG, suitable for oolong tea, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) and the Fuyun No. 6 variety (F6, unsuitable for oolong tea, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) were harvested and treated by withering and mechanical stress in order. Then, aroma, transcriptome, and jasmonate (JA) contents, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), of samples were investigated. The contents of characteristic oolong tea aromas, including indole, (E)-β-ocimene, (E)-nerolidol, α-farnesene, and jasmine lactone, were all accumulated in much higher quantities in the CG variety after withering and mechanical stress. Accordingly, the coding genes of aroma formation synthases TSB2, OCS, NES, AFS, and LOX1, and related genes in MVA, MEP, and ALA pathways, were all much more highly activated. These differential reactions are mainly caused by the higher accumulation of jasmonates, especially methyl jasmonate, a type of important plant signal chemical, in CG after mechanical stress. WGCNA analysis indicated 34 different transcription factors from different families are predicted to be involved in this jasmonate-responsive reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the effects of chitosan (CHT) and jasmonic acid (JA) elicitors on rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens Hort.) cell suspension cultures, aiming to enhance the production of phenolics and flavonoids and antioxidant properties. Elicitation with CHT and JA resulted in varied biomass yields and callus characteristics, with higher concentrations generally leading to increased phenolic accumulation. Optimal biomass was achieved with CHT4 (75 mg/mL) and JA3 (50 µM) treatments. HPLC-DAD analysis revealed changes in phenolic compound composition and quantities, with specific compounds induced by either CHT4 or JA3. For instance, gallic acid content increased significantly in CHT4-treated cells, while catechin content increased notably in both CHT4 and JA3 treatments. Antioxidant enzyme activities like superoxide dismutase and peroxidase increased with elicitor concentration, particularly in CHT4 and JA3 treatments. Both treatments exhibited potent antioxidant activity, with JA3 exhibiting the lowest IC50 value in the DPPH assay and highest total antioxidant capacity (TAC) values. Surprisingly, both CHT4 and JA3 extracts effectively inhibited tyrosinase activity. These findings underscore the efficacy of CHT and JA elicitors in enhancing phenolic and flavonoid production, boosting antioxidant capacity, and inhibiting tyrosinase activity in P. graveolens cultures, offering promising implications for further research and industrial applications in pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropospheric ozone (O3) pollution can affect plant nutritional quality and secondary metabolites by altering plant biochemistry and physiology, which may lead to unpredictable effects on crop quality and resistance to pests and diseases. Here, we investigated the effects of O3 (ambient air, Am; ambient air +80 ppb of O3, EO3) on the quality compounds and chemical defenses of a widely cultivated tea variety in China (Camellia sinensis cv. 'Baiye 1 Hao') using open-top chamber (OTC). We found that elevated O3 increased the ratio of total polyphenols to free amino acids while decreasing the value of the catechin quality index, indicating a reduction in leaf quality for green tea. Specifically, elevated O3 reduced concentrations of amino acids and caffeine but shows no impact on the concentrations of total polyphenols in tea leaves. Within individual catechins, elevated O3 increased the concentrations of ester catechins but not non-ester catechins, resulting in a slight increase in total catechins. Moreover, elevated O3 increased the emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds involved in plant defense against herbivores and parasites, including green leaf volatiles, aromatics, and terpenes. Additionally, concentrations of main chemical defenses, represented as condensed tannins and lignin, in tea leaves also increased in response to elevated O3. In conclusion, our results suggest that elevated ground-level O3 may reduce the quality of tea leaves but could potentially enhance the resistance of tea plants to biotic stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm is a community of bacteria that adhere to live or non-living surfaces and are encapsulated by an extracellular polymeric substance. Unlike individual planktonic cells, biofilms possess a notable inherent resistance to sanitizers and antibiotics. Overcoming this resistance is a substantial barrier in the medical and food industries. Hence, while antibiotics are ineffective in eradicating P. aeruginosa biofilm, scientists have explored alternate strategies, including the utilization of natural compounds as a novel treatment option. To this end, curcumin, carvacrol, thymol, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, coumarin, catechin, terpinene-4-ol, linalool, pinene, linoleic acid, saponin, and geraniol are the major natural compounds extensively utilized for the management of the P. aeruginosa biofilm community. Noteworthy, the exact interaction of natural compounds and the biofilm of this bacterium is not elucidated yet; however, the interference with the quorum sensing system and the inhibition of autoinducer production in P. aeruginosa are the main possible mechanisms. Noteworthy, the use of different drug platforms can overcome some drawbacks of natural compounds, such as insolubility in water, limited oral bioavailability, fast metabolism, and degradation. Additionally, drug platforms can deliver different antibiofilm agents simultaneously, which enhances the antibiofilm potential of natural compounds. This article explores many facets of utilizing natural compounds to inhibit and eradicate P. aeruginosa biofilms. It also examines the techniques and protocols employed to enhance the effectiveness of these compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The CXCR4 chemokine receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor that plays a role in many physiological processes and diseases, such as cancer metastasis, HIV infection, and immune response. Because of this, it may be possible to target it therapeutically. In addition, the active ingredient of Phaseolus vulgaris L (PVL) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Novel CXCR4 antagonists from natural resources can be a promising drug development product using a computational approach. This study aims to explore the active compound in PVL that has the responsibility to inhibit CXCR4 using molecular docking and dynamics simulation. Materials and methods: Pharmacokinetic analysis were performed using the pkCSM, OSIRIS for toxicity risk analysis, and the PerMM for membrane permeability assessment. Molecular docking was performed using PyRx software to determine the interaction between the CXCR4 target protein from the PDB database and the active component of PVL from the PubChem database. A molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was performed to determine the stability of the interaction using the WEBGRO Macromolecular Simulations online server. The analysis were performed by comparing the results with plerixafor as a control ligand. Results and discussion: The pharmacokinetic analysis of quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, catechin, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and daidzin in PVL showed that they met the drug-like criteria. These chemicals were expected to have medium-risk effects on mutagenesis and tumorigenesis, with the exception of catechin, which has no risk of toxicity, and daidzin, which has high-risk effects on mutagenesis and reproduction. Molecular docking identified that quercetin (− 6.6 kcal/mol), myricetin (− 6.6 kcal/mol), catechin (− 6.5 kcal/mol), and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (− 5.4 kcal/mol) bind to CXCR4 with the highest affinity compared to plerixafor (− 5.0 kcal/mol) and can bind to the same binding pocket with key residues Asp187, Asp97, and Glu288. The MD simulation analysis showed that quercetin has a similar stability interaction compared to the control. Conclusions: Considering the pharmacokinetic analysis, molecular docking, and MD simulations, quercetin, myricetin, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid have the potential to become CXCR4 agonists with their good oral bioavailability and safety properties for the novel drug candidates. Future studies are needed to consider the molecular docking result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taste of green tea is different and unique; factors that contribute to this include the type of picking method, leaf age, variety, and clones. The researchers used the disc method for antimicrobial testing, the DPPH method for antioxidant testing with a visible spectrophotometer set to 515 nm wavelength, the HPLC method for catechin content analysis, and phytochemical screening as a qualitative test. The results of this study's phytochemical screening tests revealed that green tea was positive for terpenoids with Liebermann Bouchard reagent, flavonoids, and tannins with FeCl3 reagent, and good inhibition zones for pathogenic bacteria of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Salmonella typhi. The outcomes of the negative control, 5%, 10%, and 15% green tea ethanol extract against the following microorganisms were: 0; 4,3; 6,35; 8,05 mm for Staphylococcus aureus, 0; 5,9; 6,95; 8,55 mm for Streptococcus mutans, and 0; 3,45; 4,4; 6,45 mm for Salmonella typhi. Results indicated that Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus were more effectively inhibited by green tea ethanol extract than Streptococcus mutans. Antioxidants demonstrated IC50 of 33.33 indicating a very significant antioxidant activity in the test. determined using a visible spectrophotometer. The HPLC test yielded a catechin content of 16.9%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]