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Sauropus androgynus (S. androgynus) (2n = 4x = 52) is one of the most popular functional leafy vegetables in South and Southeast Asia. With its rich nutritional and pharmaceutical values, it has traditionally had widespread use for dietary and herbal purposes. Here, the genome of S. androgynus was sequenced and assembled, revealing a genome size of 1.55 Gb with 26 pseudo-chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis traced back the divergence of Sauropus from Phyllanthus to approximately 29.67 million years ago (Mya). Genome analysis revealed that S. androgynus polyploidized around 20.51 Mya and shared a γ event about 132.95 Mya. Gene function analysis suggested that the expansion of pathways related to phloem development, lignin biosynthesis, and photosynthesis tended to result in the morphological differences among species within the Phyllanthaceae family, characterized by varying ploidy levels. The high accumulation of ascorbic acid in S. androgynus was attributed to the high expression of genes associated with the L-galactose pathway and recycling pathway. Moreover, the expanded gene families of S. androgynus exhibited multiple biochemical pathways associated with its comprehensive pharmacological activity, geographic adaptation and distinctive pleasurable flavor. Altogether, our findings represent a crucial genomic asset for S. androgynus, casting light on the intricate ploidy within the Phyllanthaceae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocimum tenuiflorum L. is found throughout semitropical and tropical parts of Southeast Asia. In Nepal, O. tenuiflorum L. is popular with two variants: Krishna Tulsi consisting of purple-colored leaves and Sri Tulsi consisting of green-colored leaves. O. tenuiflorum L. is considered the queen of herbs and is a traditionally and clinically proven medicinal herb for its application and efficacy. However, no commercial pharmaceutical preparations of O. tenuiflorum L. are available using effervescent vehicles. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the antioxidant activity of leaves from the two varieties of O. tenuiflorum L. and formulate and evaluate the quality parameters of effervescent granules of the potent extract. The antioxidant activity of O. tenuiflorum L. ethanolic extracts was evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging assay at 1, 10, and 100 µg/mL concentrations, where ascorbic acid was used as the positive control. The antioxidant activity of purple-leafed O. tenuiflorum L. was found to be higher than that of green-leafed O. tenuiflorum L. Therefore, effervescent granules of the ethanolic extract of purple-leafed O. tenuiflorum L. were formulated using the pharmaceutical excipients tartaric acid, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate and the quality parameters of the granules were evaluated. The formulated granules met the quality parameters assessed from the angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, Carr's Index, Hausner's ratio, effervescent cessation time, and stability studies. Thus, the formulated effervescent granules of O. tenuiflorum L. can be used for therapeutic purposes or as a functional food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although some underutilized tropical fruits and vegetables have been found to be rich in antioxidants and micronutrients, the phytochemical and nutritional properties of most of them are still not fully explored. The objective of the present study was to evaluate 22 neglected fruits/vegetables consumed in Cambodia for their antioxidant activity (DPPH and ORAC assays) and total phenolic content and to determine the content of basic minerals (ICP-OES technique) and vitamin C and E (UHPLC-UV and HPLC-FLD, respectively). The results suggest that Limnophila aromatica produces great antioxidant effect (DPPH and ORAC IC50 78.2 µg/ml and 12.4 µg/ml, respectively) and contains high amounts of various minerals (e.g. calcium 993 mg/100 g of DM, iron 26 mg/100 g of DM, magnesium 480 mg/100 g of DM). Other micronutrient rich plants are Sesbania javanica and Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, which contain various essential minerals, and Garcinia cochinchinensis and Pouteria campechiana with high amounts of vitamin C (1910 mg/100 g of DM) and E (8.43 mg/100 g of DM), respectively. Thus, these plants have a promising potential as novel antioxidant, mineral and vitamin rich foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hippophae rhamnoides widely known as sea buckthorn berries (SB) are rich in vitamins and phytonutrients. The subspecies ssp. sinensis and ssp. mongolica are highly valued for their medicinal properties and vitamin contents, hence domesticated widely across Eurasia and Southeast Asia. Due to the frequent usage of these two subspecies, accurate identification is required to prevent economically motivated adulteration. In this study, we report the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based molecular markers to easily distinguish these two subspecies at 45S nrDNA region. From the determined 45S rDNA region, we designed two primers (5′ sinensis and 5′ mongolica) and developed a multiplex PCR profile. The developed primers effectively distinguished the sea buckthorn subspecies in commercial products as well. Along with the development of subspecies specific primers, we have profiled vitamin contents from H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis and ssp. mongolica and found ascorbic acid and riboflavin contents were high in both ssp. sinensis and spp. mongolica, yet the content of folic acid was high only in ssp. mongolica. Thus, we provide species specific primers and vitamin profile as an effective authentication of H. rhamnoides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phyllanthus emblica L. (also popularly known as amla) is a tree native to the India and Southeast Asia regions that produces fruits rich in bioactive compounds that could be explored as part of the increasing interest in naturally occurring compounds with biological activity. Thus, this review aims to highlight the nutritional aspects, rich phytochemistry and health-promoting effects of amla. Scientific evidence indicates that polyphenols are central components in fruits and other sections of the amla tree, as well as vitamin C. The rich composition of polyphenol and vitamin C imparts an important antioxidant activity along with important in vivo effects that include improved antioxidant status and activity of the endogenous antioxidant defense system. Other potential health benefits are the anti-hyperlipidemia and antidiabetic activities as well as the anticancer, anti-inflammatory, digestive tract and neurological protective activities. The promising results provided by the studies about amla bioactive compounds support their potential role in assisting the promotion of health and prevention of diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background of study: Citrus sinensis, sometimes known as sweet orange, is a fruit native to Southeast Asia that is now consumed all over the world as a rich source of vitamin C, a potent natural anti-oxidant that aids in optimal body function. The phytochemicals and selected antioxidants in sweet orange juice were determined in this study. Materials and Methods: The concentrations of phytochemicals in sweet orange juice were determined by titrimetrically measuring phytic acid and oxalate, gravimetrically measuring cardiac glycosides, and spectrophotometrically measuring saponins, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, tannins, alkaloids, and steroids against the absorbance of the control. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) was used as a standard control for measuring antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity against DPPH, NO, Hydroxyl value, H2O2, and Reducing power ability. Results: The results showed the presence of flavonoid (17.64±0.00), saponin (1.227±0.0028), terpenoids (1.64±0.74), phenol (0.50±0.0014), alkaloid (15.855±0.02), cardiac glycosides (6.3±1.40), steroid (7.68±0.00), oxalate (0.031±0.00), phytate (0.29±0.042) with tannin (282.925±0.30) being the most abundant. Antioxidants studies of the H2O2 on the orange juice showed that as the concentration of the test sample increases, the scavenging activity increases. DPPH radical scavenging activity being an accepted mechanism for screening the anti-oxidants activity of plants extracts when compared with Ascorbic acid, the result showed that the Ascorbic acid has more scavenging property than the DPPH. With an increasing level of the Ascorbic acid absorbance, the result showed strong reducing power ability. The hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of the sweet orange juice extract when compared with the ascorbic acid showed that the Ascorbic acid has more scavenging activity. Conclusion: sweet orange may be recommended for individuals due to its rich antioxidants and phytochemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stenochlaena palustris (Burm. f.) Bedd, a popular edible fern in Southeast Asia, is considered nutritious and beneficial for human health. It is believed that the presence of several micronutrients and antioxidants might be the reason for its speculated beneficial effects and its usage in traditional medicine. In order to assess the nutritional properties of this particular herb, we have investigated the presence of several phytochemicals in S. palustris along with their total phenolics (TP) and total flavonoids (TF) contents. The total phytochemicals were extracted using hydrophilic and hydrophobic solvents [polar (ethanol), partially polar (ethyl acetate), and non-polar (hexane)], and their antioxidative properties were determined. The results obtained showed that the leaf of S. palustris extracted using ethanol and ethyl-acetate contained higher phenolics and flavonoids when compared with other parts of the plant extracts. The ethanolic leaf extracts exhibited the highest antioxidant activities in all of the methods used to determine antioxidative property as compared to other parts of the plants, with FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH assays value of 17.95 mM Fe2+/g, 0.062 mM TE/g, and IC50 of 24.24 μg/ml, respectively. The IC50 value of the sample was comparable with that of ascorbic acid which was used as standard antioxidant. In the present work, we have used special types of S. palustris which was collected from a site free from environmental toxins and human intrusion. Though this is a common herb in this part, but information on phytochemicals of S. palustris is lacking, especially from this part of Borneo. Our findings address the comparison between different solvent extracts followed by their bioactive properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sesbania is a genus in the family Leguminosae that has been widely used by people in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in Southeast Asia. Information about Sesbania uses and their characteristics such as chemical compounds were obtained from 233 papers, reports and books. We found evidence for 22 Sesbania species being used. They were used for human food (10 species), animal food (9), poisons (1), medicines (10), environments (8), materials (7), fuel (2) and social purposes (1). Sesbania grandiflora and S. sesban were used more than the other species. Sesbania grandiflora was the only species with uses in all categories. Sesbania sesban was used in six categories. Sesbania grandiflora had the highest number of use records in almost all categories, except for fuel in which S. sesban had more records. The aerial parts, especially the soft, young parts were consumed by both humans and animals. Some Sesbania species contained high amounts of proteins (41% of protein in S. javanica), vitamin C (145 mg/100 g in S. grandiflora) and high amounts of calcium (666 mg/100 g in S. grandiflora). Sesbania species have been used to treat 20 subcategories of human disorders, and also as veterinary medicines. Sesbania possessed 1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-2-hydroxy-N-pentadecanamide, 2-hydroxy-N-decanamide, betulinic acid, isovestitol, medicarpin, oleanolic acid 3-β-D-glucuronide, pinitol, saponin, sativan, sesbanimide, stigmasterol and triterpene acid 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside for which pharmacological properties had been tested. Sesbania also has cardioprotective, antidiabetic, antiurolithiatic, hypolipidemic, anticancer, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Sixteen microorganisms were found to be inhibited by Sesbania. Sesbania species are well-known for their use as green manures and seven species were recorded for this purpose. Sesbania also have properties that make them useful for pollution control. Regarding material uses, five Sesbania species were used for their fibers and Sesbania bispinosa was used in the production of fabrics. Besides the uses, Sesbania species also have other economic importance as weeds, pest host, and host for an economic plant. Eight species of Sesbania appear to have negative effects as weeds and pest-host and one species (Sesbania grandiflora) was the host for sandalwood. There was evidence that Sesbania could inhibit growth of animals and plants. Moreover, Sesbania seeds in too large doses are lethal to some animals. According to the vast advantages, the knowledge of Sesbania uses, including the safe dosages, should be passed on for the welfare of humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fourteen commonly available types of cane and palm sugar were analysed for antioxidant activity using cyclic voltammetry. Five of the sugars, dissolved in phosphate buffer, showed anodic current peaks which were indicative of antioxidant activity. The rank order of these sugars was: gula anau > gula merah >China rock honey sugar>soft brown sugar>raw sugar. Gula anau is an unrefined palm sugar, while the other four are from sugarcane. Soft brown sugar and raw sugar are coated brown sugars. The China rock honey sugar contained chrysanthemum flowers, and its antioxidant properties appear to be due to these flowers and not to the sugar per se. Pure white sugar, other rock sugars and rock honey sugars (all refined from cane) as well as gula Melaka, an unrefined rock sugar from palm trees, had no observable antioxidant activity. It is concluded that, from a nutritional point of view, using gula anau as a sweetener or ingredient in foods or drinks has an added benefit owing to its antioxidant content. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]